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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 14, 2017 11:24:59 GMT
I will be writing posts on careers and adding them to this area. The career posts will provide important information regarding careers, such as a job description, the education needed to begin this career, any licenses or certifications needed or recommended for the career, the working conditions, the median (average) pay for the career, the future outlook for the career (growth or decline), traits of people who are successful in the career, and alternative careers-in case the one posted isn't your cup of tea. I would love to hear from you. If there is a career you would like to see posted, please let me know. You can either post the request in this forum or send me an e-mail to FindingMyPath@hotmail.com.
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 14, 2017 11:38:49 GMT
Computer Programmer
Job Description:
Computer programmers create computer applications and computer software programs by writing computer code in a programming language. Computer programmers often know how to use multiple programming languages in their positions. As a computer programmer, they will spend their time writing programming languages to create computer software packages, applications, and other sets of programming instructions. Initially, computer programmers spend much of their time writing in a computer programming language. They must write the instructions line by line and also insert comments into the program, so that any other programmer who looks at the coding can understand the program, understand what each line or section of the code is intended to do, and to be able to fix any problem the program has in the future, in the event the original computer programmer is no longer available to service that particular set of instructions. After the code has been written, the computer programmer must test the program to make sure it performs as expected. If not, they need to identify the mistakes and correct the error in the programming language and then try running the program again, to determine if there are still more programming errors or issues or to determine if it performs properly. This process will continue until the program is problem-free and performs as intended.
Education:
A minimum of a bachelor's degree with a major in computer science or computer engineering or a related degree will be needed to be a computer programmer.
License and/or certification:
No license or certification is needed, however there are some optional certifications that this professional may want to consider. Possessing an optional certification shows a person has a high level of knowledge in a certain area and possesses a demonstrated skill in a specific area. Possessing an optional certification may help open career doors, may help a person get a raise, and may help a person get a promotion. Individuals should consider earning certifications in programming languages. Check PearsonVUE, Ruby, Oracle and W3Schools for certifications. These organizations will have certifications in areas such as Ruby, Java, JavaScript, HTML (important for web design) and other languages.
Working conditions:
Computer programmers work inside in an office at a computer. Their hours are primarily daytime hours during the workweek. Computer programmers work for a variety of organizations. They may spend long periods sitting at a desk and working at a computer. They may have long periods where they work independently and quietly.
Pay:
The 2016 median salary for a computer programmer was $79,840 per year.
Future outlook:
The computer programmer industry is projected to decline at a rate of 8% through 2024.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Good in math •Introverted •Able to work alone well •Able to work independently •Excellent computer skills •Patient •Focused •Organized •Detail-oriented •Precise
Alternative careers:
•Application developer •Computer and information research scientist •Computer network architect •Computer systems analyst •Cryptographer •Data scientist •Database administrator •Enterprise architect •Information systems security •Systems engineer •Video game developer •Website developer
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 16, 2017 12:54:47 GMT
Career Spotlight: School Psychologist Job description: School psychologists work in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. They work in private school systems and public school systems. School psychologists conduct tests and assessments on students, to make sure they are placed in the right classes (gifted, developmental, or special education), assess for behavioral issues, and to provide counseling to students and parents. School psychologists will assess students to see if they are eligible for any special services or to diagnose conditions by administering tests to them, interviewing parents and gathering information from them, and also gathering information from teachers. They will administer and score standardized physical or psychological tests. Based on the results of the tests and the information gathered from the teachers and parents, school psychologists will identify a child's needs, limitations, or potential. Then, they will interpret the test results prepare written psychological tests for teachers, administrators, and parents. School psychologists will hold meetings with the parents of the student, the teachers, and school administrators to discuss the information in the written report and the results of the tests that were administered. They will provide counseling services with the student to help them overcome problems with learning and adjustment. School psychologists will be responsible for creating a file for each child, complete with all the assessments that were administered, the score reports, the psychologist's written report, progress notes from each counseling session, and other confidential information. In cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse, they will report the situation to proper authorities. In some instances, children and their families may need referred to appropriate community agencies for medical, vocational, or social services. School psychologists create individualized education plans in conjunction with teachers and other relevant school members. School psychologists also have administrative duties, too. They conduct studies on the effectiveness of academic programs and other services, such as behavioral management services. They serve as a resource to help students and families deal with crises, such as individual separation and loss, in the event of the loss of a teacher or classmate, or in the event of a school tragedy. They participate in programs and efforts to encourage tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in school communities. They develop classes and programs to meet the needs of special groups of students. They provide, develop, create, and instruct classes and programs in areas such as classroom management, teaching strategies, or parenting skills. Education needed: A minimum of a master's degree with a major in school psychology will be required to be a school psychologist. A bachelor's degree will need to be earned prior to being admitted into any master's program. Some master's programs may stipulate a student needs to have earned a certain major in their bachelor's program, such as psychology, for example. Other master's degree programs may provide some flexibility and allow in students with other majors, such as sociology, social work, or a behavioral science-related major. Some positions may require a school psychologist has a doctorate degree with a major in school psychology. Some of these doctorate programs may require the student have earned a master's degree prior to being admitted into the doctorate program. License and/or certification needed: Every state will require a school psychologist be licensed through the board of psychology in the state where they intend to work. This means a test needs to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the exam will vary from state to state, so individuals should check the requirements for the state where they plan to work prior to registering to take the exam. The American Board of Professional Psychology also offers an optional certification for those wishing to become board certified. More information can be found on the American Board of Professional Psychology website at: www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3349. Working conditions: School psychologists work in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. They work for private and public schools. They work during the school year which, in most states and school systems, is from mid-August to the beginning of June. Their hours are primarily daytime hours during the workweek, but some situations may require them to work during evening hours or on weekends. School psychologists work in an office and may use a computer extensively to administer tests and keep records. Their jobs can be stressful. Pay: The Bureau of Labor and Statistics website (www.bls.gov) was used for reference and on their website school psychologists are categorized with "Psychologists". The 2016 median salary for psychologists was $75,230 per year. Future outlook: The psychologist industry is projected to grow 19% through 2024, which is much faster than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Good in subjects such as psychology, sociology, cultural diversity •Extrovert •Likes talking to people •Excellent listening skills •Computer literate •Excellent communication skills •Likes working with children and teenagers •Punctual •Organized •Detail-oriented •Thorough Alternative careers: •Psychologist in any other area •Psychiatrist •School Guidance Counselor •Teacher •Counselor •Therapist •Children's Social Worker •Youth Librarian •School Librarian
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 18, 2017 12:36:08 GMT
Career Spotlight: Radiology Technologist Job description: Radiology technologists perform x-rays, CAT scans, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRI's, and other radiology imaging procedures on patients. They administer nonradioactive materials in a patient's system, in order to produce a quality medical imaging picture and for other diagnostic purposes. Prior to a procedure being completed, radiology technologists will need to set the exam room up and make sure all necessary supplies are readily available. They prepare and administer any contrast media to patients, either orally or by injection. When initially meeting with a patient, the radiology technologist will get a patient history) if it has not already been taken), explain the procedure to the patient, answer any questions the patient has, and then instruct and guide the patient step-by-step through the procedure or process. During the procedure, the radiology technologist will use radiation safety measures and protection devices, in order to protect themselves and the patient, and also to comply with any state or federal regulations. Upon completion of the procedure, the radiology technologist will review the x-rays, video tape, or computer generated information, in order to make sure the final result is a clear picture has been achieved for diagnostic purposes. During the procedure, radiology technologists are in charge of and responsible for operation of radiologic and magnetic imaging equipment and for completing the series of steps needed to get the intended pictures. Radiology technologists are responsible for positioning the patient on the table or in front of the x-ray equipment, in order to take a picture; sometimes, repositioning may be required, in the event that the final picture was unclear or distorted, or in the event that more than one picture is required. When using radiologic equipment, radiology technologists are responsible for positioning the radiologic equipment, and adjusting controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. Radiology technologists use computer and computer equipment to enter commands, to enter data, and to to document and specify scan sequences. They are also responsible for adjusting transmitters and receivers, and for photographing certain images. Radiology technologists improve the picture quality by monitoring video display of area being scanned and adjusting the density or contrast. During the procedure, the radiology technologist must also monitor the conditions and reaction of the patient, and report any abnormal signs or symptoms. Some radiology technologists may work in surgery settings and operate radiography equipment and tools under the direction and supervision of a radiologist or a physician of another specialty. Education: Radiology technologists must complete an associate's degree in radiology technology at a community college or career college. It is important that the program the student chooses to pursue is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). License and/or certification needed: Most states will require radiology technologists be licensed or certified. Licensure and certification often requires an individual take a test and successfully pass it. Individuals should check the requirements for the state where they plan to work to determine the requirements needed, and the process for completing those requirements. The American Association of Radiologic Technologists (AART) is a professional organization for radiology technologists that offers a certification. Some employers may require their radiology technologists possess this certification, and other employers will consider it an optional choice. Even if it is not required, possessing an optional certification can be very beneficial for the radiology technologist. Possessing a certification demonstrates a high level of knowledge and demonstrated skill in an area. Possessing optional certifications can help open career doors, help a person get a promotion, and help a person get a raise. The certifications available through AART includes: primary pathway, postprimary pathway, and physician extender (Registered Radiologist Assistant, R.R.A). More information can be found on the AART website at: www.arrt.org/about/types-of-credentials. Working conditions: Radiology technologists work for hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and outpatient treatment centers. Their hours may include daytime hours, evening hours, night hours, weekends, and holidays. Pay: The 2016 median salary for a radiology technologist was $58,960 per year. Future outlook: The radiology technologist industry is projected to grow 9% through 2024, which is faster than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Detail-oriented •Thorough •Computer literate •Good in subjects such as math and science, particularly anatomy and physiology, biology, and chemistry •Able to follow instructions and directions •Excellent communication skills •Able to work well as part of a team •Able to work independently •Precise •Sense of urgency Alternate careers: •Radiologist •Radiation Therapist •Registered Nurse (RN) •Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) •Physician/Surgeon •Respiratory Therapist •Medical Assistant •Pharmacist •Pharmacy Technician
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 21, 2017 13:03:05 GMT
Career Spotlight: Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse
Job description:
Registered nurses provide medical care to patients. They meet with patients, take patient histories, conduct physical exams, and provide medical care. Registered nurses take vital signs of a patient, including temperature, respirations, blood pressure, and pulse. They administer medications to patient orally, intravenously, or rectally. They provide wound management care to patients by cleaning the wound with medicated fluids or sterile fluids, they apply creams and ointments, and they apply bandages. The continuously assess a patient to check for reactions to medications, mental status changes, or changes to their physical condition. They intercept orders from doctors and make sure the patient receives the treatments and procedures that have been ordered. Registered nurses assist physicians with tests, procedures, and surgeries. When a patient is being discharges from a hospital or medical facility, the registered nurse will discuss the discharge instructions with the patient and makes sure he/she understands the instructions, such as when to take medications, when to go to any follow-up appointments with the physicians, and any treatments or procedures that have been ordered for the patient post-discharge. Registered nurses also consult with patients and their families and explain their conditions or illnesses to them, discuss nutritional information, and promote proper hygiene and basic self-care to patients. Registered nurses must continually make progress notes on a patient, to inform others of the specific care they have provides and to document all the actions that have been taken on their patient for a particular time period. Some nurses specialize in an area and may become a nurse practitioner, a nurse anesthesiologist, a critical care or life-flight nurse (emergency helicopter), or a midwife. In some of these positions, nurses are granted special privileges. Nurse practitioners, for instance, are able to write prescriptions for some medications, are able to order tests and procedures, and are, at times, able to treat a patient in lieu of a physician. Nurse anesthesiologists are able to administer anesthesia and some medications not available to other registered nurses. Different specializations will have different responsibilities and requirements.
Education:
A minimum of an associate's degree with a major in nursing will be required to be a registered nurse. Some employers may prefer to hire nurses who have completed a minimum of a bachelor's degree with a major in nursing. Specialized nursing positions, such as a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthesiologist will require advanced training and will require a master's degree or a doctoral degree in nursing or a specialized area of study, depending upon the specific area of nursing the nurse is entering.
License and/or certification needed:
All nurses in every state will need to hold a license through the nursing board in the state where they intend to work. This means a test needs to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the test will vary from state to state, so individuals should plan to check the state where they intend to work, prior to registering to take the exam.
Optional certifications are available to nurses. Possessing an optional certification can be very beneficial to an individual because certifications indicate an individual has a high level of knowledge in an area and a demonstrated skill. Possessing optional certifications can help open career doors, can help a person get a promotion, and may help make a person eligible for a pay raise. There are many, many organizations that provide certifications for nurses, many based on a specialty. Due to the large number of organizations that grant certifications, an appendix at the end of this book has been created. Appendix A: Registered Nurse Certifying Organizations has been created.
Working conditions:
Registered nurses work in a variety of health care environments. They work in hospitals, nursing homes and extended care facilities, doctor's offices, outpatient treatment centers, health clinics, and home health agencies. If working for a hospital, nursing home or extended care facility, or home health agency, their working hours can include daytime hours, evening hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. At a doctor's office, health clinic, or outpatient treatment center, their hours will often be daytime hours, with a possibility of some early evening hours and weekends; those hours will just vary from organization to organization, and be dependent on the hours the organization chooses to be open. The job of a registered nurse can be fast-paced, busy, and stressful.
Pay:
The 2016 median salary for a registered nurse was $68,450 per year.
Future outlook:
The registered nurse industry is projected to grow 16% through 2024, which is much faster than average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Good in math and science, particularly algebra, biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology •Detail-oriented •Quick decision making skills •Thorough •Able to remain calm under stress •Able to juggle many tasks at once •Thorough •Problem-solver •Punctual •Organized •Sense of urgency
Alternate Careers:
•Dental Hygienist •Dentist •Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) •Medical Assistant •Pharmacist •Pharmacy Technician •Physician or Surgeon •Psychiatrist •Psychologist
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 23, 2017 12:44:19 GMT
Career Spotlight: Photographer Job description: Photographers take pictures with a variety of cameras. They take pictures with cameras that require film and they develop the negatives and print pictures. They take pictures with digital cameras and use computers and printers to print pictures. They use a variety of tools such as camera lenses, backdrops, tripods, lighting, and other equipment when taking pictures. They may use computer software packages, such as Photoshop, to alter images prior to printing them. They may also use airbrushing to enhance, retouch, and resize photographs and negatives. They use props when taking pictures. Photographers make adjustments to their cameras and may adjust apertures, shutter speeds, and camera focus based on a combination of factors, such as lighting, field depth, subject motion, film type, and film speed. When in need, they use flashes and reflectors to create artificial light. Photographers determine what subject or topic it is they want to photograph, and then adjust the subjects, equipment, and lighting to achieve the desired effects. Photographers may use scanners to scan pictures into computers in order to e-mail them to a person, to digitally alter them, to post them to a website or computer storage server, or to save them to a DVD or another storage method. In order to get the desired effect in the photo, a photographer may use a range of techniques including infrared and ultraviolet films, macro-photography, photogrammetry and sensitometry. Photographers often specialize when taking pictures and may photograph landscapes and scenery, people, animals, events, sports, or other topics. Photographers may work for a variety of businesses and organizations. They may work for newspapers and take pictures of newsworthy stories. They may be sports photographers and take pictures of high school sporting events, such as football games or basketball games; they may photograph college football games; they may photograph professional sporting events. They may work in medical photography and take pictures of surgeries and medical procedures, to be used in books or for educational purposes. They may take pictures for book companies or authors, for the purpose in being used in a book for a range of purposes including educational purposes, for instruction purposes, to show how an end craft or food dish should look, or just because the pictures provide a nice artistic backdrop to the book. They may work for an photography business that takes photographs of people; they may specialize in taking pictures of babies; they may specialize in taking pictures of families; they may specialize in taking pictures of high school seniors and complete their senior portrait package. They may also work for large organizations and take pictures of their employees and events. They may work for marketing companies and take pictures of products for sale; they may take pictures to use used in advertisements. Some photographers may be self-employed and may specialize in areas such as wedding photography, senior pictures, or portraits. They may take pictures of things they find enjoyable for artistic purposes. After printing the pictures, photographers may provide mounting, laminating, or framing services. Education: While no formal education beyond a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is required to be a photographers, most professional photographers have a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in photography. License and/or certification needed: No license or certification is needed to be a professional photographer. Optional certifications are available for photographers and possessing an optional certification may help a photographer get hired into the job they truly desire. Certifications indicate that a person has a high level of knowledge and a demonstrated skill in a certain area. Below are organizations that may assist and be of value to photographers: The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) offers a Certified Professional Photographer certification. More information can be found on PPA's website at: www.ppa.com/cpp/content.cfm?ItemNumber=4160. Adobe offers a Photoshop certification, which is a software program used by many photographers, that allows them to manipulate and alter photos. Also, a certification is available for Illustrator, which is a program used by some photographers, also. More information can be found on Adobe's website at: www.adobe.com/training/certification.html. Working conditions: Photographers work in an extremely wide variety of settings. They may work indoors in studios, outdoors in natural settings, in surgical or hospital settings (medical photographers), or in many other types of environments. Their hours may include daytime hours during the workweek, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Pay: The 2016 median salary for a photographer was $34,070 per year. Future outlook: The photographer industry is projected to grow 3% through 2024, which is slower than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Good in subjects such as art and photography •Organized •Detail-oriented •Creative •Technically-inclined •Introverts •Able to give direction to others •Computer literate and excellent skills with photography image-altering software programs •Good in art, photography •Good visual skills •Able to see the "big picture" and know what the end result of a picture should look like Alternate careers: •Artist •Camera Operator (for films, movies, and television) •College Instructor (Art or Photography) •Desktop Publisher •Film and Video Editor •Film Director or Producer •Graphic Designer •High School Teacher (Art or Photography) •Middle School Teacher (Art or Photography) •Video Game Designer •Video Game Developer •Videographer •Website Designer •Website Developer
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 25, 2017 16:11:56 GMT
Career Spotlight: Lawyer (Attorney)
Job description:
Lawyers represent people or businesses in criminal or civil litigation and other legal proceedings. Lawyers may specialize in one area of the law or may practice broadly. Lawyers have many duties; they advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, legal rights and obligations, they review documentation and case information and let a client know if they have a valid lawsuit, and they review documentation and case information and let the defendant know what actions need to be taken to best protect themselves. Lawyers review laws, rules, and regulations, and explain them to their clients. They review the outcomes of previous cases that had similar circumstances and determine the probable outcome of a case. When a case goes to trial in front of a jury, lawyers present and summarize the case to the judge and jurors. When they have accepted a case, they develop arguments and strategies to present their information to the judge and jurors. They may interview witnesses as part of their process in gathering evidence to formulate their defense or initiate legal action. Lawyers examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting a lawsuit. During the course of a trial, lawyers select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses. Lawyers prepare legal documents, or prepare documents from the perspective of a legal standpoint, including wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts. Lawyers negotiate settlements of civil disputes. They probate wills, and represent and advise executors and administrators of estates. Lawyers act as an agent, trustee, guardian, or executors for businesses or individuals. Not all lawyers face trials. Some lawyers work on other issues and for people with non-trial issues. Probate lawyers specifically just write wills, execute wills, settle a person's estate after they pass away, and handle other legal paperwork for the person when they are still alive. Some lawyers work for organizations and draft, develop, create, and file contracts, legal documents, complete the organization's taxes, and provide legal advice to the organization to help with decision making and organizational planning. Some lawyers work for organizations or governmental agencies and help pass laws or change regulations and help fight for causes from a legal standpoint; this may include environmental laws or regulations, laws and regulations impacting immigrants, laws and regulations impacting healthcare, and so forth.
Education:
Every state will require a lawyer be licensed. Requirements will vary from state to state, so be sure to check the requirements for the state where you plan to work before registering for the exam. Individuals who attend law school should make sure the law school they choose to attend is regionally accredited and that the law program is accredited by the American Bar Association. Regional accreditation means that a qualifying agency from the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has review the school and its policies and provides a quality education. The American Bar Association reviews the law program only, and not the entire school. This is extremely important because all states will require the law school possess both these accreditations; individuals will not be able to sit for the bar association test in any state without these accreditations and, unfortunately, there are a number of colleges and universities that do not possess one or both of these accreditations. It will be important for the lawyer to sit for the bar exam and successfully pass it and earn their license. Without a proper license, lawyers will have limitations and restrictions imposed upon them, and won't officially be able to work as a licensed, practicing lawyer.
License and/or certification needed:
Every state will require a lawyer be licensed. Requirements will vary from state to state, so be sure to check the requirements for the state where you plan to work before registering for the exam. Individuals who attend law school should make sure the law school they choose to attend is regionally accredited and that the law program is accredited by the American Bar Association. This is extremely important because all states will require the law school possess both these accreditations; individuals will not be able to sit for the bar association test in any state without these accreditations. Without a proper license, individuals will not be able to gain employment as a lawyer in any state. Working conditions:
Lawyers work in offices in private group practices. Lawyers work for court systems at the county, state, and federal levels. Some lawyers work for private organizations or governmental agencies. Some lawyers are self-employed. Their working hours may include daytime hours, evening hours, and weekends. Some self-employed lawyers may also work on holidays. Lawyers work long hours, especially in they are in the middle of a trial.
Pay:
The 2016 median pay for a lawyer was $118,160 per year.
Future outlook:
The lawyer industry is projected to grow 6% through 2024, which is as fast as average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Likes to conduct research •Likes to read •Extroverts, or introverts with good social skills •Able to listen effectively •Good in subjects such as psychology, philosophy, logic, and reasoning •Excellent in subjects such as debate and speech •Excellent speaking skills •Excellent communication skills •Excellent argument or debating skills •Organized •Detail-oriented •Thorough
Alternate careers:
•Coroner or Medical Examiner •Correctional Officer •Crime Scene Investigator •Forensic Photographer •Forensic Psychiatrist •Forensic Psychologist •Forensic Science Technician •Highway Patrol Officer •Judge •Legal Researcher •Legal Secretary •Legislative Analyst •Paralegal •Police Officer •Political Scientist •Politician •Victim Advocate
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 28, 2017 10:15:47 GMT
Career Spotlight: Accountant Job description: Accountants keep financial records, create financial statements (such as income statements and balance sheets), file taxes, create budgets, resolves financial discrepancies, and assesses the financial health of a company. Some accountants have the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and spend their time filing taxes for individuals and businesses. Their busy time of the year is from the beginning of January through the tax deadline in April, and they may also be busy from mid-April through mid-June as they are filing extensions and preparing taxes for those who missed the deadline. They may file tax extensions for people for a variety of reasons, such as they are waiting for official documents that are required to complete the taxes or other business-related reasons. Between April and the end of the year, they manage taxes and financial documents for businesses. Some CPA's are self-employed, and others work for a business. Some organizations hire accountants for purposes other than file taxes. These accountants may create financial documents, make budgets or alter already-existing budgets, or work in accounting departments approving payments made on behalf of the company, or approving charges by employees who have spending accounts. Accountants in an entry level position, who may not have earned their CPA designation yet, may work in customer service positions, dealing specifically with customers who may call the company with questions about their account. Other entry-level accountants may work in a billing department processing payments or in a bookkeeping function. Education: A minimum of an associate's degree with a major in accounting will be required to be a non-Certified Public Accountant (CPA) entry-level accountant. A minimum of a bachelor's degree will be required to earn the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. A CPA designation will be required to for many accounting positions, and one of the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam is that students must have completed 150 semester hours of college credit. Students should check with their academic advisor to determine how many total credits have been earned at the time of graduation, in order to find out exactly how close they are to reaching the 150 semester hour mark needed to sit for the exam. Most bachelor's degree programs are approximately 124 semester hours, so this means that an additional 26 semester hours will be needed to be completed after graduating with a bachelor's degree. The subject matter for those additional hours can be any subject the individual wants to take. Since the individual gets to choose the subject matter to be taken to reach the 150 semester hours, he/she may want to consider either a master's with a major in accounting, or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Earning a master's degree can help open career doors. License and/or certification needed: A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation will be needed to be an accountant. This means a test will need to be taken and successfully passed. Before being able to take the CPA exam, individuals will need to complete a minimum of 150 semester hours. Most bachelor's degree programs are 124 semester hours, so an individual will be left with approximately 26 semester hours that need to be completed prior to sitting for the CPA exam. Before taking any classes to reach the 150 semester hours, individuals should confirm with their academic advisor exactly how many hours they have already earned and exactly how many semester hours need to be completed to reach the 150 semester hours. Aside from the 150 semester requirements, eligibility requirements to sit for the exam will vary from state, so individuals should be sure to check the eligibility requirements for the state where they intend to work before registering to take the exam. The CPA exam is offered through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). More information about the CPA exam can be found on the AICPA website at: www.aicpa.org/BecomeACPA/Pages/default.aspx. Working conditions: Accountants work indoors in an office and spend a lot of time on a computer and reviewing paper documents. Their hours are primarily daytime hours during the workweek, although some evenings and weekends may be required, especially during tax season. Pay: The 2016 median salary for an accountant was $68,150. Benefits: If employed by an organization, the employee may be eligible for health benefits, a pension, and paid time off. College tuition reimbursement programs will vary from employer to employer. If self-employed, and many CPA's are self-employed, then there will be no health benefits, pension, paid time off, or college tuition reimbursement programs. Future outlook: The accountant industry is projected to grow 11% through 2024, which is faster than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Introvert •Good in math •Problem-solver •Good with computers •Good in math •Introverted •Can work independently •Likes to work alone •Detail-oriented •Organized •Thorough •Good computer literacy skills Alternate careers: •Banker •Bookkeeper •Budget analyst •Economist •Financial analyst •Financial manager •Financial planner •Investment banker •Insurance sales •Insurance underwriter •Loan officer •Stockbroker
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Post by Marnie Winters on Nov 30, 2017 13:39:55 GMT
Career Spotlight: Police Officer
Job description:
Police officers work to protect citizens from crimes, to respond to emergencies, to control crowds, to regulate traffic, to enforce laws and ordinances, and to arrest violators. Police officers maintain order, protect people and property, enforce motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promote good community relations. They identify suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts, pursue these perpetrators and criminals, and make arrests. Police officers review the facts of an incident or situation, and make a determination as to whether a criminal act or statute violation was involved. Police officers provide first aid to those individuals who sustained physical injuries in an accident. Police officers may be called to testify in court in traffic and criminal cases in order to present evidence or act as a witness. Police officers may be assigned to patrol a specific area on foot, by vehicle or motorcycle, on horseback, or on bicycle. When on patrol, a police officer may monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hazards, and unusual or illegal activity in the area they are assigned to monitor. Police officers are called to investigate traffic accidents to determine the cause of the accident and to determine whether or not a crime was committed. When investigating a traffic accident, police officers draw diagrams of the accident, and interview witnesses, principals, and key individuals. Police officers monitor traffic to make sure drivers observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures. They issue citations or warnings to drivers who are in violation of motor vehicle ordinances. In the event of an emergency, police officers reroute traffic and direct traffic flow in and around the area of the emergency. They provide roadside assistance to stranded motorists. They act as official escorts for funeral processions. They may be assigned to work special duty events such as community festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, or providing security services for local businesses.
Education:
Most areas will require police to be graduates of a state peace officer academy to be a police officer. State patrol officers and sheriff's may be required to be graduates of a state highway patrol or sheriff's office program. Those seeking upper level positions on a police force should consider earning a college degree because many police forces find college educations valuable. Any level of college education-as associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a doctorate-can prove to be extremely helpful and beneficial to a police officer looking to be promoted. Good majors for these degrees includes law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety management, safety and security management, homeland security and emergency management, criminology, corrections, and law.
License and/or certification needed:
Other than a valid driver's license, and a firearms permit (which will be obtained through their state approved peace officer or sheriffs training), no further licenses or certification will be needed.
Working conditions:
Police officers work for local police stations or a sheriff's office. Their hours can include daytime hours during the workweek, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. They spend time patroling assigned areas in vehicles, on motorcycles, on horseback, or by another method. Their jobs can be stressful. During their shifts, they may spend long periods driving, walking, standing, running, and being physically active.
Pay:
The 2016 median salary for a police officer was $61,600 per year.
Future outlook:
The police officer industry is projected to grow 4% through 2024, which is slower than average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Able to remain calm under stressful circumstances •Able to react quickly •Decisive •Not easily intimidated •Organized •Alert and oriented to surroundings at all times
Alternate careers:
•Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent •Crime Scene Investigator •Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Paramedic •Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent •Firefighter •Highway Patrol Officer •Legal Researcher •Judge •Lawyer •Paralegal
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 2, 2017 11:45:04 GMT
Career Spotlight: Website Developer
Job description:
Website developers develop, create, and modify websites by adding information, pictures, graphics and animation, and videos. A website may be designed by one individual or may be designed by multiple people. Generally, there are three main areas of website creation: website designing, website content writing, and website developing. Sometimes, all of these jobs may be done by one person-the website developer. Other times, the areas may be split up and done by different professionals. What is the difference between the three? In short, website designers decide the look and feel of the websites, they decide how many page will be created, they decide what information goes on each page, they decide on colors, pictures, graphics, videos, and music, and decide where it all goes and how it all ties together; they create the aesthetic feel of the website. Website content writers write product descriptions, they write about the company, they write articles for the company, they write all the information that is seen on the website. Website developers write the programming languages that actually create the website; they are responsible for all the website computer programming that makes the website work, that allows users to transition from one page to another, that allows users to search for information, and that allows users to enter their on a safe and protected website. Website developers write in HTML code, use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Java and JavaScript, and other programming languages to develop and create the website. Prior to beginning a website project, the website developer will meet with key representatives of an organization or the owner(s) of a company, in order to determine the products and services provides, the type of organization that the website is being created for, and to determine the website needs of the business. When creating the website, the website developer often creates multiple pages for a business. Website developers follow website design principles when creating a professional website, and multiple pages are often required in order to prevent a single page from being overloaded with too much information. Website developers often recommend server hardware and software in order to support the website that is being built. Website developers create system interaction or sequence diagrams in order to help build and design their websites. Some website developers will write their own content-that is, the information that is provided on each page of the website and in each section of each page. Other website developers will work with content experts, and it is the content experts that will write all the information that is to be listed in each section and on each page of the website. Website developers must register the domain name for each website, and upon expiration of the domain name, they must renew the domain name for the website. Website developers must make sure their websites are secure and must add security measures, such as firewalls and encryption. Websites must be tested to make sure they work on different browsers, as well as mobile devices and tablets. They must check to make sure that all internal and external links function properly and direct the website user to the proper website or webpage. Once created, the web developer registers the website with search engines in order to increase the amount of visitors.
Education:
A minimum of a bachelor's degree with a major in website development will be needed to be a website developer.
License and/or certification needed:
No license or certification is required to be a website developer, however, certifications can greatly benefit a website developer, and they should consider possessing an optional certification. Possessing an optional certification demonstrates the individual possesses a high knowledge in a specialized area and a demonstrated skill. Possessing a certification can help open career doors, can help a person get a raise, and can help a person get a promotion.
There are many certifications available for website developers and other computer professionals. Due to the large number of organizations that offer certifications to computer, information technology, and website professionals, an appendix has been completed and added to the end of this book for further reference. Appendix B: Certifications for Computer Science, Information Technology and Security, and Website Development Careers lists many different organizations to those in computer and information technology-related fields, and some of those certifications may be very valuable to a website developer.
Individuals entering the website development profession consider certifications from Adobe, CIW, Offensive Security, W3Schools, and the World Organization of Webmasters. The names of the certifications will be listed in Appendix B: Certifications for Computer Science, Information Technology and Security, and Website Development Careers. The website addresses for each specific organization will be listed in that appendix, also, so individuals can go directly to each website for more more information. .
Working conditions:
Website developers work in a large variety of organizations, in a wide variety of industries, for large organizations with their own IT department. Some website developers may freelance their services and be self-employed. If employed by an organization, their hours will be primarily daytime hours during the workweek. They may be on-call during off hours, in case of an emergency and the website crashes or gets broken into by hackers. If self-employed, website developers may work daytime hours, evening hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Either way, website developers may spend long periods of time in a sitting position, working at a computer, and usually work alone.
Pay:
The 2016 median salary for a website developer was $66,130 per year.
Future outlook:
The website developer industry is projected to grow 27% through 2024, which is much faster than average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Good in math, particularly algebra •Excellent computer literacy skills •Likes working alone •Introverted •Able to sit for long periods of time and work on a computer •Able to work independently •Detail-oriented •Organized •Thorough •Problem solving abilities •Precise •Patient
Alternative careers:
•Application Developer •Computer and Information Research Scientist •Computer Network Architect •Computer Programmer •Computer Systems Analyst •Cryptographer •Data Scientist •Database Administrator •Enterprise Architect •Information Systems Security •Systems Engineer •Video Game Developer •Website Content Writer
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 5, 2017 12:47:17 GMT
Career Spotlight: Respiratory Therapist Job description: Respiratory therapists treat patients with breathing disorders and assist those in respiratory distress. Common breathing disorders that respiratory therapists assist in treating includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema. Respiratory therapists may also treat infants who were born with underdeveloped lungs. In an emergency situation, respiratory therapists provide artificial respiration to those who are not breathing, they provide external cardiac massage, and they conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They operate devices such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. They receive orders from doctors, evaluate the patient, and determine the requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, and medication and dosages. Respiratory therapists are responsible for monitoring the patient during treatment and immediately after the treatment has concluded, in order to monitor any changes or adverse reactions to the patient. They also monitor vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes, in order to make sure the patient is responding to the treatments properly. Prior to beginning a routine treatment, the respiratory therapist will explain the procedure to the patient. They perform pulmonary function tests on patients and adjust the respiratory equipment to maximize the benefit of the treatment for the patient. Respiratory therapists perform bronchial drainage procedures on patients, and assist and instruct them on how to complete breathing exercises. Respiratory therapists will evaluate a patient's cardiopulmonary functions by conducting tests such as electrocardiograms, stress testing, and lung capacity tests. Respiratory therapists use tools to suction mucus out of patient's lungs, in order to help them breathe better. At the end of every treatment, respiratory therapists will document and makes notes regarding that particular treatment, for the benefit of the prescribing doctor and any other important healthcare professionals. If a patient shows any kind of distress during the treatment, the physical therapist will notify the physician of the situation. If the respiratory therapist feels the treatment plan is no longer working, based on feedback from the patient and the results of breathing and lung tests and procedures, the respiratory therapist will consult with the physician, in order to make changes to benefit the patient. They can show patients how to work their portable oxygen equipment or home oxygen equipment. They can also set up home respiratory therapy equipment in a patient's personal residence. If employed in a hospital or outpatient treatment center or surgical center, then the respiratory therapist may be available to assist a physician or surgeon during a medical procedure or a surgery; they will be available to monitor the patient's respiratory status and conduct specific respiratory-related procedures and tests under the direction of the physician or surgeon. Education: A minimum of an associate's degree with a major in respiratory therapy will be required to be a respiratory therapist. The majority of positions in a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare facility will require an associate's degree for those seeking employment as a respiratory therapist, but some people complete a bachelor's degree with a major in respiratory therapy because they have the intention to move to a different career that is related to respiratory therapy. For instance, they may decide to become a researcher in the field of respiratory therapy. In these instances, they will need to earn a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree and/or a doctorate degree. License and/or certification needed: Respiratory therapists must currently be licensed in every single state except for Alaska. This means a test will need taken and successfully passed. Each state regulates licensure for respiratory therapists and eligibility requirements will vary from state to state. Individuals should check the requirements for the state where they want to work prior to registering for the test. Before individuals are permitted to earn their state licensure, they must earn a Certified Respiratory Therapy (CRT) designation. A test will need taken for this licensure and must be successfully passed. A Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) designation is an advanced designation that can be sought by professionals with at least four years employment experience in respiratory therapy. There is also a test required to earn this designation, which must be successfully passed. The RRT designation is an optional designation/certification. Possessing this certification acknowledges the respiratory therapist has a high level of knowledge and demonstrated skill in a specialized area. Possessing optional designations and certifications can help open career doors, can help a person be eligible for a raise, and can help a person earn a promotion. More information about these respiratory therapy certifications and designations can be found on the Respiratory Therapist Licensure website at: www.respiratorytherapistlicense.com/certification/. Working conditions: Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient treatment centers, home health agencies and other health-related treatment centers and organizations. Their hours include daytime hours, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Their jobs may be stressful. Pay: The 2016 median salary for a respiratory therapist was $58,670 per year. Future outlook: The respiratory therapy industry is projected to grow 12% through 2024, which is faster than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Good in subjects such as math and science, particularly algebra, chemistry, biology, and anatomy and physiology •Quick decision maker •Detail-oriented •Thorough •Friendly •Clear communication skills •Organized •Problem solving abilities •Calm and comforting •Able to stand, move, and be active for long periods of time •Sense of urgency •Able to prioritize Alternate careers: •Dental Hygienist •Dentist •Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) •Medical Assistant •Nurse Anesthetist •Nurse Practitioner •Occupational Therapist •Occupational Therapy Assistant •Ophthalmologist •Pharmacist •Pharmacy Technician •Physical Therapist •Physical Therapy Assistant •Physician or Surgeon •Radiology Technologist •Registered Nurse (RN) •Surgical Technologist
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 8, 2017 13:10:11 GMT
Career Spotlight: Graphic Designer Job description: Graphic designers create visuals for individuals or businesses. Often graphic designers can be found creating logos or artwork for businesses. They also create visual marketing or promotional materials for businesses such as business cards, brochures, flyers, and marketing postcards. They may also work for magazines and help with the overall design and layout of the magazine. They may also create pictures and visual art pieces that can be found on the website of a company. Graphic designers create designs and sample layouts for businesses using layout principles and aesthetic design principles. They determine the size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy and select style and size of type. They mark-up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare them to be printed. They draw, create, and print graphs, charts, illustrations, and other types of art by using a computer and software programs. They review the final layouts, approve or deny the designs, and recommend changes and improvements, if needed. Graphic designers meet with clients to discuss the design and layout, get client approval at different stages during the process, and get the client's approval of the final layout prior to having it printed. Graphic designers create and prepare illustrations or rough sketches of materials, discuss them with the clients and either get their approval or discuss changes, and then make the necessary changes. Graphic designers often study illustrations, designs, photographs, animated art, and other creations to assist in planning the presentation of materials, products, or services. Graphic designers make notes and written instructions and provide verbal instructions to other individuals who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing. Graphic designers use equipment and tools such as cameras, printers, and photograph and negative printing tools to develop negatives and prints to produce layout photographs. Graphic designers use electronic video equipment to produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts and other televised events, either live or recorded. Education: At a minimum, a graphic designer will need a bachelor's degree with a major in graphic design. Some positions may require a master's in graphic design. Some upper level positions may require a master's degree with a major in graphic design or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and this requirement will just vary from employer to employer. License and/or certification needed: No license or certification is required to be a graphic designer, however, Adobe has several certifications available that may help open some career doors for you. Some of the certifications available includes: Photoshop, Character Animator, InCopy, Animate, InDesign, and Animator. More information can be found on Adobe's website: www.adobe.com/creativecloud/catalog/desktop.html?promoid=KOVFF. Working conditions: Graphic designers work primarily daytime hours during the workweek and much of their time is spent at a desk working on a computer. Some graphic designers are self-employed and work from home offices. Graphic designers that are hired to work for a company are usually part of a marketing department or art department. Pay: The 2016 median pay for a graphic designer was $47,640 per year. Future outlook: The graphic designer industry is projected to grow 1% through 2024, which represents little or no change. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Creative •Good at working with computers •Artistic •Introverted •Can successfully work for several hours at a time and be able to remain focused on the same project •Visually inclined •Excellent communication skills •Detail-oriented •Thorough •Organized Alternate careers: •Children's Book Illustrator •Computer Programmer •Desktop Publisher •Film and Video Editor •Graphic Novel Illustrator •Graphic Novel Writer •Illustrator •Journalist •Multimedia and Computer Animation Developer •Photographer •Video Game Designer •Video Game Developer •Videographer •Website Designer •Website Developer •Wedding Photographer
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 12, 2017 10:27:52 GMT
Career Spotlight: Physical Therapist
Job description:
Physical Therapists help people who have suffered an injury or sickness, or have physical disabilities or challenges, and need physical therapy in order to gain or regain strength, learn to walk, learn to stand, learn to move, to improve their fine motor skills, and to be able to move at as much of a normal level as possible. Some of the activities the people receiving services includes participating in activities such as walking, standing, sitting, swimming, lifting weights, using nautilus machines, using machines to improve strength and movement, and participating in physical activities designed to improve movement, range of motion, and strength. When meeting with a patient for the first time, the physical therapist will conduct an assessment of the individual and create a treatment plan that provides the overall goals and objectives for that specific person receiving the services. The physical therapist will set up a schedule of when the person will receive treatments, according to the needs and availability of the patient, as well as taking into consideration any limitations of their health insurance, if applicable. Physical therapists meet with people in hospitals, health clinics, rehabilitation homes, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and some public and private schools. During each session, the physical therapist will teach a person how to complete each specific exercise or activity and then monitor the person as he/she completes each exercise or activity, and provides corrective action, if needed. At the end of each session, the physical therapist will make progress notes, in order to document how well the person is progressing with the treatment plan. Physical therapists may make changes to the treatment plan at any time, as needed for the benefit of the person receiving services. At the end of the treatment plan, the physical therapist will write a final summary or discharge note, to discuss the overall physical state of the person, if the initial goals and objectives were met, and any other information that is needed. Physical therapists can also show people how to use devices designed to help with their mobility, stability and balance, and allows the people to move as independently as possible. These devices can include wheelchairs, canes, walkers, artificial limbs, and limb braces. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants share many of the same tasks. They both engage the person receiving the services in activities and make progress notes at the end of each treatment. The primary difference between these two professions is that a physical therapist is generally the one who does the initial assessment and creates the treatment plan, and conducts the final assessment and writes the final summary or discharge note.
Education:
A minimum of a master's degree with a major in physical therapy will be needed to be a physical therapist.
License and/or certification needed:
Each state will require physical therapists be licensed. This means a test needs to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the exam will vary from state to state, so individuals should plan to check the requirements for the state where they intent to work prior to registering for the test.
Working conditions:
Physical therapists will work daytime hours during the workweek, and possibly some evenings and weekends. They work for hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, outpatient rehabilitation centers, and extended care facilities. Some private and public school systems also employ physical therapists. They will spend periods of time at a desk and using a computer to complete patient documentation. They will also spend periods of time being active and assisting patients with their activities.
Pay:
The 2016 median salary for a physical therapist was $85,400 per year.
Future outlook:
The physical therapy industry is projected to grow 34% through 2024, which is much faster than average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Likes working with people •Good in subjects such as anatomy and physiology, and kinesiology •Detail-oriented •Able to write clear, detailed notes •Good listener •Good communication skills •Able to provide direction and instruction to others •Extrovert or introvert with good social skills •Organized •Punctual •Problem solving abilities •Encouraging and calm •Able to manage stress, especially in frustrating situations
Alternate careers (descriptions listed in this book):
•Clinical Lab Technician •Dental Hygienist •Dentist •Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) •Medical Assistant •Nurse Anesthesiologist •Nurse Practitioner •Occupational Therapist •Occupational Therapy Assistant •Ophthalmologist •Paramedic •Pharmacist •Pharmacy Technician •Physical Therapy Assistant •Psychiatrist •Psychologist •Physician or Surgeon •Radiology Technician •Registered Nurse (RN) •Respiratory Therapist •Surgical Technologist •Veterinarian •Veterinarian Technologist
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 14, 2017 11:05:54 GMT
Career Spotlight Database Administrator Job description: Database administrators use specialized database software, such as Oracle, to store information for a company. The information stored can include information on customers, product information, and so forth. Database administrators safeguard their databases from accidental leaks or purposeful attacks and prevent the information from being damaged, and used for illegal purposes, or somehow damaged. They identify users of the database, determine the level of access each user should have, and grant access privileges for specific parts of the database to each user. Database administrators must identify how much storage space needs to be available for the database and to store all the information in it, and works with the information technology department or software developer to ensure enough space will be available for information storage. Database administrators must be prepared for all the technical issues that will arise on the front end of the system and the back end of the system, and work to resolve these issues prior to the issues actually happening; in the event the issues occur, the database administrator must work to resolve them as quickly as possible. Database administrators must write all the technical documentation for using the database for upgrading purposes, for training and instruction purposes, and for maintenance purposes; often, database administrators are charged with writing or creating an instruction manual. Database administrators may have training responsibilities and may need to train other database administrators in the company, as well as other company representatives who may have database privileges. Database administrators work to integrate developed modules of the database that are designed to meet the needs and requirements of the end user. Any coding or design specifications are completed by the database administrator, or he/she works with computer programmers to complete those specific tasks. Database administrators test the system to makes sure it performs as expected and they fix and repair any parts of the database not performing as expected, or they work with a team of computer programmers and technology representatives to fix and repair the system. Education: A minimum of a bachelor's degree will be needed in computer science or information technology. Some employers may accept alternative majors such as business administration or math. License and/or certification needed: No license or certification is needed, however, there are some optional certifications that this professional may want to consider. Possessing an optional certification shows a person has a high level of knowledge in a certain area and possesses a demonstrated skill in a specific area. Possessing an optional certification may help open career doors, may help a person get a raise, and may help a person get a promotion. Due to the large number of organizations that offer certifications to computer, information technology, and website professionals, an appendix has been completed and added to the end of this book for further reference. Appendix B: Certifications for Computer Science, Information Technology and Security, and Website Development Careers lists many different organizations to those in computer and information technology-related fields, and some of those certifications may be very valuable to a computer network architect. Database administrator professionals may want to consider earning certifications from Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM. Microsoft offers many certifications. Oracle certifications may prove to be extremely useful and beneficial because many companies use Oracle. Oracle has many certifications available. They are listed below. More information can be found on Oracle's website at: education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=39&p_org_id=1001&lang=US&sc=WWOUBRANDYAHOOSRCH&mlid=1760.305.888117.2b2b2486d04c6b917cb8067f6c6fa68e...0.1507078440.1.1512262440. More information can be found on Microsoft's website at: www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-exams.aspx. IBM offers many, many certifications in different areas. More information can be found on IBM's website at: www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/index_unit_an.shtml. . Working conditions: Database administrators work in offices at a computer. Their hours are primarily daytime hours during the workweek. Some database administrators may have "on-call" hours during the evenings, nights, and weekends, in order to resolve issues or to respond to emergency situations. Pay: The 2016 median salary for a database administrator was $84,950 per year. Future outlook: The database administrator industry is projected to grow 11% through 2024, which is faster than average. People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits: •Good in math •Excellent computer literacy skills •Introvert •Likes to work alone •Can work independently •Precise •Organized •Detail-oriented •Patient •Problem solving skills •Thorough Alternative careers: •Application Developer •College Instructor (computer literacy, computer science, math) •Computer and Information Research Scientist •Computer Network Architect •Computer Programmer •Computer Systems Analyst •Cryptographer •Data Scientist •Desktop Publisher •Engineer •Enterprise Architect •Film and Video Editor •High School Teacher (computer literacy, computer science, math) •Information Systems Security •Mathematician •Middle School Teacher (computer literacy, math) •Multimedia Artist and Animator •Special Effects Artist (for television, movies, video games) •Systems Engineer •Software Engineer •Video Game Developer •Videographer •Website Developer
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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 16, 2017 11:12:25 GMT
Career Spotlight: Librarian
Job description:
Librarians work in libraries and are responsible for shelving books that have been returned, issuing library cards, collecting fines, helping people check out books, and assisting people who are conducting research for personal or professional reasons. Librarians may work for a specific type of library, such a law library, a medical library, a library at a college or university, a public library, or a library in a public school system. They may set up a library database system to catalog and organize books. They select the types of books that will be shelved in their library. They may offer proctoring services to people who need to take tests at a distance for a college or university, a K-12 public school system, or a training program. They search references materials, including sources found within the library or online, in order to answer patrons questions. They analyze patrons requests for information to determine the needed information, and assist in furnishing or locating that information. They teach patrons to use the computerized databases available in the library, in order to locate books or search for information. Librarians keep records of materials owned by the library that have been borrowed and returned. They teach patrons to use the self checkout kiosks available at the library. Librarians supervise budgeting, planning activities, personnel activities, assist in creating budgets, organize book sales to raise funds for the library, and organize library events for the community. Librarians explain library policies to patrons. Librarians code, classify, and catalog films, publications, films, and other library materials. Librarians organize programs within the library such as a weekly children's storytelling session, a summer reading program for school age kids, and other programs designed to promote literacy and engage patrons. They organize reference materials for easy access. Librarians develop policies and procedures, in conjunction with other key library staff members. Librarians assemble display materials. They arrange interlibrary loans of materials that are not available in a particular library. Librarians develop information access aids such as indexes and annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, and tutorials. Librarians plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, newsletters, and programs and activities for special groups of patrons. Librarians compile, create, manage, and update lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audiovisual materials on specific subjects. Librarians notify patrons when books are overdue and communicate with patrons through text, e-mail, phone, and letter. Librarians also participate in planning, organizing, and managing fundraising events.
Education:
A minimum of a Master of Library Science will need completed. A bachelor's degree will need to be completed prior to earning the major and good majors for the bachelor's degree includes English, literature, or writing. Librarians who plan to work in schools should consider completing a bachelor's degree with a major in education and also obtaining a teaching license because some schools will require this combination of education and licensure.
License and/or certification needed:
Licensure and certification among librarians is not consistent and there are no formal guidelines in place. Some states may require licensure and/or certification, and some states will not require licensure and/or certification. Youth Services Librarians or Teen Services Librarians who work in schools may be required to have a licensure or certification. These particular librarians should check with the particular states and school systems or educational systems where they intend to work to determine licensure or certification requirements.
Working conditions:
Librarians work in libraries and their hours can be daytime hours during the workweek, evenings, and weekends. Librarians work in general public libraries or in libraries on a college campus. College campuses will often have a main library and, if the college offers a medical program or a law program, will often also have a medical library or law library.
Pay:
The 2016 median pay for a librarian was $57,680 per year.
Future outlook:
The librarian industry is projected to grow 2% through 2024, which is slower than average.
People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:
•Likes to read •Wide knowledge of books and authors •Likes to conduct research and is extremely good at it •Introvert •Excellent writing skills •Good in subjects such as English, writing, and literature •Can work independently •Good spelling and grammar skills •Wide vocabulary •Organized •Detail-oriented •Thorough •Good computer literacy skills
Alternate careers:
•Author •College Instructor •Copywriter •Editor •Elementary School, Middle School, or High School Principal •Elementary School Teacher •High School Teacher •Journalist •Law Librarian •Legal Researcher •Library Technician or Assistant •Medical Librarian •Middle School Teacher •Novelist •Publisher •School Guidance Counselor •School Librarian •School Psychologist •School Superintendant •Speechwriter •Technical Writer •Tutor •Website Content Writer
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