Employers expect to hire over 10 percent more new graduates from the graduating class of 2012 than they did from the class of 2011, according to the National Association of College and Employers' (NACE) "Job Outlook 2012 Spring Update". Several hot careers are hiring now!
Other careers are so cold that you may freeze if you get a degree in the field. Here's a sampling of five hot careers that are hiring now and four career majors to avoid:
Hot Careers That Are Hiring Now
Career No. 1 - Medical Assistant. Got organizational skills, an attention to detail, and an interest in the medical field? From 2010 to 2020, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow by 31 percent. Although medical assistants can learn on the job, many employers prefer you to earn a certificate or associate's degree in medical assisting.
Career No. 2 - Paralegal. Don't want to go through law school but still interested in legal matters? Following cutbacks during the recent recession, some law firms are rebuilding their support staff. The paralegal field could see its employment grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020. An associate's degree in paralegal studies is one way to prepare for a paralegal career.
Career No. 3 - Accountant. Do you like working with numbers? As an accountant, you could put your math skills to good use. Job growth for accountants is expected to hit 16 percent from 2010 to 2020. Look into earning a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field.
Career No. 4 - Public Relations Specialist. Working with businesses, nonprofit associations, universities, hospitals and celebrities, public relations specialists help build and maintain positive feelings for their clients with the public. Expect growth of 23 percent from 2010 to 2020, because organizations need to maintain their image in this Internet and social media age. A bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, or communications is generally required.
Career No. 5 - Computer Software Developer. If you like computers and software programs, from video games to word processors, a career in software development could be a good fit. A 30 percent job growth is expected from 2010 to 2020. A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering is the typical credential of software developers.
Four Majors That Are Job Killers
If getting a job is your goal, consider avoiding the following continuing education majors. These offer valuable personal experiences, but preparing you for a hot job is not one of their assets.
• Liberal Arts. Unemployment rate for recent college graduates: 9.2 percent*
• Philosophy/Religious Studies. Unemployment for recent college graduates: 10.8 percent*
• Information Systems. Unemployment Rate for Recent College Graduates: 11.7 percent*
• Architecture. Unemployment Rate for Recent College Graduates: 13.9 percent*
*All unemployment figures per the 2012 report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce called "Hard Times: Not all College Degrees Are Created Equal." The report defines "recent college graduates" as degree holders of 22-26 years of age.
Two articles adapted from Yahoo! Education: Hot Jobs by Leslie Barrie; Job Opportunity Killers: Terrence Olsen.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Congratulations!
The following students have been selected to participate in a summer search:
Veronica Tran -HS3
Brandon Bailey - HS3
Ana Karen Herrera Cruz - HS3
Jorge Martinez - AAA
Elpidio Cortez-Montiel - TEC
Cecilia Vu - TEC
Juan Diaz - TEC
The summer Search Model:
Each piece of the Summer Search model builds upon the others to provide opportunities and support that few low-income youth would otherwise receive:
- Year-round mentoring by full-time trained staff builds students’ resilience, helping them learn to cultivate relationships, become self-reflective, and navigate the challenges in their lives.
- Full scholarships to summer experiential education programs like Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School strengthen students’ follow-through, leadership, and problem solving, all of which translates to success in high school and college.
- Individualized college and financial aid advising helps students pursue post-secondary school.
- Resources for students in and after college support strong academic performance, college persistence, and career exploration.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Western Application Day!
What an amazing day! Many students are very close to hitting the submit button! We really appreciate the partnership we have developed with Western. I am delighted to shre that three students were accpeted to Western today! Congrats to each of you!
Congrats Claudia on your acceptance into Western!
Future Viking Thearri also accpeted to Western today!
Way to go Kelly! Western will be lucky to have you on campus!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
5 reasons you should complete the FAFSA!
1. It’s the only way to gain access to the more than $150 billion available in federal student aid.
Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward getting federal aid for college, career school, or graduate school. Federal Student Aid provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year, but you have to complete the FAFSA to see if you can get any of that money. Not to mention, many states, schools and scholarships also use the FAFSA to award financial aid, so every college-bound student should complete it.
2. It’s FREE!
The FAFSA is free to complete and there is help provided throughout the application. Several websites offer help filing the FAFSA for a fee. These sites are not endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites for assistance that you can get for free at the official FAFSA website: www.fafsa.gov.
3. It’s easier than ever.
We’ve done a lot over the past few years to simplify the FAFSA. One of the most exciting enhancements has been the launch of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA, and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site, saving lots of time. This year, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will launch in early February, so be on the lookout for that.
4. It only takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Given all the simplifications we’ve made over the last couple of years, the FAFSA now only takes about 30 minutes to complete. That’s probably less time than you spend watching your favorite TV show each week. And think of the benefits: spend 30 minutes completing the application and you could qualify for thousands of dollars in financial aid. Talk about return on investment.
5. More people qualify than you’d think.
If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you could be missing out on a lot of financial aid! I’ve heard a number of reasons students think they shouldn’t complete the FAFSA.
Here are a few:
■“I (or my parents) make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.”
■“Only students with good grades get financial aid.”
■“The FAFSA is too hard to fill out.”
■“I’m too old to qualify for financial aid.”
The reality is, EVERYONE should fill out the FAFSA! Don’t leave money on the table.
For information and tips on completing the FAFSA, visit www.StudentAid.gov/fafsa.
Nicole Callahan is a new media analyst at the Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid.
Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward getting federal aid for college, career school, or graduate school. Federal Student Aid provides more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year, but you have to complete the FAFSA to see if you can get any of that money. Not to mention, many states, schools and scholarships also use the FAFSA to award financial aid, so every college-bound student should complete it.
2. It’s FREE!
The FAFSA is free to complete and there is help provided throughout the application. Several websites offer help filing the FAFSA for a fee. These sites are not endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education. We urge you not to pay these sites for assistance that you can get for free at the official FAFSA website: www.fafsa.gov.
3. It’s easier than ever.
We’ve done a lot over the past few years to simplify the FAFSA. One of the most exciting enhancements has been the launch of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. The tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA, and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site, saving lots of time. This year, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will launch in early February, so be on the lookout for that.
4. It only takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Given all the simplifications we’ve made over the last couple of years, the FAFSA now only takes about 30 minutes to complete. That’s probably less time than you spend watching your favorite TV show each week. And think of the benefits: spend 30 minutes completing the application and you could qualify for thousands of dollars in financial aid. Talk about return on investment.
5. More people qualify than you’d think.
If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you could be missing out on a lot of financial aid! I’ve heard a number of reasons students think they shouldn’t complete the FAFSA.
Here are a few:
■“I (or my parents) make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.”
■“Only students with good grades get financial aid.”
■“The FAFSA is too hard to fill out.”
■“I’m too old to qualify for financial aid.”
The reality is, EVERYONE should fill out the FAFSA! Don’t leave money on the table.
For information and tips on completing the FAFSA, visit www.StudentAid.gov/fafsa.
Nicole Callahan is a new media analyst at the Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid.
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