Jorgen Rex Olson

How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?

February 14, 2013 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Brick Mason Salary

While being among the highest paid trades in the construction industry, brick masons’ wages have been stagnant over recent years due to the slump in the housing industry.

Although their numbers constitute a rather small category within the group of trades making up the construction industry, brick masons do very well in comparison to their colleagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2011 the mean or average income for a brick mason was $54,210 annually or about $27.04 per hour. This puts them only just below the first-line construction supervisors averaging $59,280 per year or $28.50 hourly. Compare this with their Construction Laborer colleagues earning $26,490 per year and you have a significant wage disparity. Brick masons also do very well in comparison to the technical trades. The mean incomes for electricians, plumbers and heating tradespeople during 2011 were $41,860, $44,330 and $38,470 respectively, or, on average, 23% less than for brick masons.

Construction is Picking Up

Considering the recent increase in activity for both residential and commercial construction, all of the building trades, and especially brick masons, have reason to celebrate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a 40 percent increase in employment for the bricklaying trade during the ten-year period beginning 2010 through 2020. This compares with only a 14 percent increase for all occupations combined. Given this sudden growth in demand for additional bricklaying capacity, it seems inevitable that wages are bound to rise – or are they? During the single year from May 2010 to May 2011, the median annual income for Brick Masons actually dropped from $46,930 to $46,800; less than 1 percent but still a decrease. The median is that number at which half of the reported wages fall above and the other half is below.

Annual Wages for Brick Masons

Year — Median Income

2002 — $41,840

2003 — $41,550

2004 — $41,740

2005 — $41,860

2006 — $42,980

2007 — $44,070

2008 — $45,630

2009 — $46,740

2010 — $46,930

2011 — $46,800

It is clear from the data, that [Read more…] about How Much Does a Brick Mason Earn?

Should You Pursue a Sports Agent Career?

January 31, 2013 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Sports Agent Career

If you’re passionate about sports and you’re business-minded with a knack for negotiating, a career as a sports agent may be the perfect fit for you. A career as a sports agent may sound both glamorous and lucrative, but without the proper education, experience, and background knowledge, it could become a downfall instead of a windfall.

Education Necessary for a Sports Agent Career

There is no degree necessary in order to become a sports agent, however, a degree—especially a law degree—is highly recommended. Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management or Business is an excellent starting point. Many universities offer undergraduate sports management degrees, and some offer graduate degrees for the pursuit of sports management.

Florida State University, University of Connecticut, and Rutgers University all offer bachelor’s degree programs in sports management, while Northwestern University, Michigan State University, Georgetown University and Auburn University all offer Master’s degree programs in sports management.

Florida State University and Louisiana State University even offer Doctoral programs in the field. These degrees put the focus on sports management in both the business sense and the coaching or athletic directing sense. Gaining a broad background of the business and management of sports, in general, is beneficial to such a career.

Some of the most successful sports agents [Read more…] about Should You Pursue a Sports Agent Career?

Shortcuts to a Good Job: Online Certificate Programs, Career Training or Community College?

December 3, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Attending a big University may seem like the American dream. But there are many obstacles to completing college. For some, it could be the cost while for others, they simply don’t have the time to sit through four years of school.

Someone with small children who desperately needs a better income may not be able to attend a traditional college to get the education they need. And if you’ve been making decent money but abruptly lost your job, you may not have four more years to upgrade your skills. There are many reasons why a four-year college may not be the best fit for some students.

The good news is that there are plenty of career training options that can be completed in a shorter period of time, that will still give you, the graduate, the opportunity to upgrade your skills and earn a higher wage.

Here are some options that you should consider if you are looking for a decent job in a shorter timeframe.

Online Certificate Programs

There are several schools that offer certificate programs that will not earn the student a diploma. These courses simply help the student pass the certification test for a certain field, so they can begin work immediately. Depending on the course chosen, these programs may take from a few weeks to several months to complete. These courses are usually offered online, although classroom learning may be available or required for certain programs. Some of the most common certificate programs are Information Security, IT technology such as Linux, Paralegal, Medical Coding and Billing, and various art and design certificates. A student pursuing Online Certificate Programs, however, should [Read more…] about Shortcuts to a Good Job: Online Certificate Programs, Career Training or Community College?

Career and Job Success Tips

November 21, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Tips for a Successful Career and Job

We all know that during a double-dip recession people will lose their jobs, the economy revives a bit and then more people lose their jobs. Whether you are worried about losing your current job or you have been out of work for months, you may be nervous about getting or keeping a job. With unemployment averaging 7.9% , the job market is rough, and there are many job seekers competing for a relatively small number of positions. When you’re applying for employment, you must make sure that you keep your mind open.

Career and Job Success Tip #1 – An Open Mind

When job hunting, most people are looking for a position just like the one they just left. While you know that you are definitely qualified for a position like that, you may not be aware of the fact that you are limiting yourself in many important ways. For example, if you were declared redundant at your old job, there is no guarantee that a new company will be any kinder. It is possible that you are in a shrinking field. Imagine the plight of leather buggy whip makers after the advent of the “horseless carriage.” The smart ones found jobs making something else like leather boots, leather wallets, leather belts, etc., rather than continue to look in a shrinking field. So to be truly effective, you have to expand your horizons and look in fields that you never considered before.

Remember that there is no such thing as a useless skill. When taken in a broad context, every skill is useful, and there is a job out there that requires it. The job may not be one that you want to do, but you may also find that when you [Read more…] about Career and Job Success Tips

Is a Liberal Arts Major a Wise Choice?

November 13, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Liberal Arts Major-

They were golden when they marched into their high school graduation ceremonies four years ago. They would be off to college in a few months to broaden their horizons, gain independence and ready themselves to make their way in the world. Instead, they are now without any significant income and, once again dependent on parents and, worst of all, sheepishly moving back into their old bedrooms. What was all the studying for? The all-nighters and the extra-credit assignments? The second-guessing and self-doubt then set in. Perhaps a more practical major would have prevented all of this. Is a major in the liberal arts, i.e., social sciences or humanities, really just a waste of time and money?

What Employers Want

In the current economy, of course, graduates with those “practical majors” find themselves in the same boat as their liberal arts major classmates. Still, which majors have proven to land post-baccalaureate employment quicker and with better compensation? Forbes magazine addressed this issue in an article about the 15 most valuable college majors. The magazine’s findings were based on a survey by Millennial Branding, LLC. Without exception, each in-demand major was derived from a mathematical or scientific discipline, with biomedical engineering topping the list. Nearly 70 percent of hiring managers, the article continues, want to see coursework relevant to the available positions. Looking for new employees to hit the ground running, high-paying firms seek candidates with an existing knowledge base in the field. As tuition soars and opportunities shrink, the sociology major appears to be an unprofitable investment.

The Best Liberal Arts Degree

Like other social sciences, sociology has a quantitative component requiring statistical research. Cultivating competence in [Read more…] about Is a Liberal Arts Major a Wise Choice?

Highly Skilled Worker Shortage in a Recession?

October 30, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Could Vocational Training Solve Unemployment?

The shortage of highly skilled workers became a global concern several years ago and continues to grow despite the emergence of an economic recession. A report compiled by Deloitte for the Manufacturing Industry shows 600,000 jobs in the U.S. need employees who are skilled in various jobs. The number is expected to increase over the next five years, the report states, as many current workers reach retirement age. Many of these careers offer generous pay and immediate employment upon completing vocational school. Shortages are also predicted in health care and other fields.

Why the Lack of Skilled Workers?

One reason for the lack of skilled workers centers on society and parents placing too much value on a four-year college degree, which came with the promise of landing a lucrative job. Many college graduates find scarce employment opportunities in their field of study and end up in debt from the costs of earning their degree.

This push towards college and away from vocational training contributed to the current shortage of trained, skilled workers in many areas, including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and other vocational careers. During this same period, many [Read more…] about Highly Skilled Worker Shortage in a Recession?

The Fastest Growing Careers of 2012

October 20, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

When it comes to getting a job these days, people want to know what the fastest-growing careers of 2012 will be. This way they can get into the fields that will give them the most chances to get a job now and in the future and make a good wage. Here are some of what is predicted to be the fastest growing careers of 2012:

#1 Fastest-Growing Career: Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts

These fields are expected to grow more than 53 percent over the next 10 years and currently pay around $76,000, so are very good jobs to pursue. The world of technology is growing all the time and includes things like the Internet, Intranets, LANs, WANs and other types of data and communications systems in our very technical world. You will have to know about all kinds of computer and communications equipment.

These positions are in just about every company and business since the world runs on computers and technology these days; therefore it has great job mobility. You should have a degree in Computer Science or a similar field to apply.

Home Health Care Aides

Many of the up and coming careers of 2012 will involve the health care industry and one of these is the home health care aide. This career field is expected to almost double in available jobs over the next 10 years. Wages are about $21,000 on average per year and these jobs have good job mobility because these sorts of positions are needed in every large community and some small ones.

The people working in this field will be helping seniors, and since the Baby Boomers are starting to become older, this job will be in high demand as those who work in someone’s home or in a facility.

Their duties could include things like making meals, keeping house, supervising disabled people, advising on things like nutrition, bathing, dressing or otherwise caring for convalescents, etc.

In order to get these jobs you may need [Read more…] about The Fastest Growing Careers of 2012

Keeping Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affordable

September 30, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

How Business Owners Can Keep Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affordable –

With the recent hits to the economy, changes in law, and other sorts of changes in the workplace, costs of maintaining workers compensation insurance for companies, and in particular for small businesses, are rising unpredictably. Some of this can be caused by your state’s assigned risk pool, some by the increase of high-risk situations, and some by other factors. However, there are things that you as a business owner can do to help reduce the rates of workers compensation insurance for your company.

1. Preventative Measures

First, there are some preventative measures you can take in the area of safety that may help to reduce workers comp insurance rates in the future. Whether you’ve had problems with worker safety in the past or not, being safe certainly doesn’t hurt. Depending on your line of work, you may want to look into safety precautions at workstations, or even establish a group to keep an eye on workplace safety within your organization. The more you can reduce the risk of accidents, the better you’ll make out in the long run.

2. Experience Rating

You’ll also want to check out your experience rating or experience modifier. This compares your claims history to that of other organizations in your industry. You can check out your rating by looking at worksheets from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). Make sure that your rating is accurate, as your rating could save you as much as 45% on your Compensation Insurance.

3. Relationship

Establish a good relationship with a healthcare provider. Sometimes you can use managed medical care to treat your workers. The more quickly you can get injured workers back to work, the better it is for your organization, and the better [Read more…] about Keeping Worker’s Compensation Insurance Affordable

Why Accounting Is A Safe Bet

September 21, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

Accounting-

In today’s economy, many people are looking for college majors that will give them a good shot at employment when they graduate. While many schools talk about the inherent value of an education, few students have the luxury of spending years at a private university exploring various arts degrees. In actuality, most students need to spend as little time and money in school as possible, then take their degree and get a well-paying job.

If you happen to be in this situation, it might be time to consider a degree in accounting. Accounting is a solidly growing career field, and it is projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to have 190,700 new job openings from 2010 through 2020. This degree is offered at a variety of colleges and universities, is relatively easy to obtain, and offers a relatively secure and easy path to a job after graduation.

An Education in Accounting

To become an accountant generally requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. Accounting degrees are offered at nearly every public college and university, as they are one of the most popular degree programs offered in America. This makes it easy to find a program that is located near your work and home. In addition, the popularity of the program makes it easy to transfer credits between schools. Classes are offered by many schools at night and on weekends and are also available online. This makes accounting an ideal program for anyone who needs to work while attending school, or who is unsure if they will have to move in the middle of their program.

Furthermore, accounting programs do not require a lot of prerequisites, class time, or background knowledge. While some basic math and reasoning ability is required, accounting programs do not require higher-level math or science skills. This makes it a good program for people who have been out of an academic environment for a while to jump into. [Read more…] about Why Accounting Is A Safe Bet

Is A Bachelor’s Degree Still Worth It?

September 14, 2012 by Jorgen Rex Olson

The Price of Higher Education: Student Loan Debt

These days, it seems inevitable that any discussion of the economy will include a discussion of student loan debt. And with good reason – according to U.S. News and World Report, the average college student will graduate with over $25,000 of student loan debt. This is the highest level of debt in the nation’s history, and cumulative student debt has surpassed credit card debt for the first time ever. The high cost of getting a bachelor’s degree has caused many to speculate as to whether or not going to college is still a worthwhile investment.

According to Yahoo Education, a U.S. Census Bureau report stated that more than 30 percent of adults ages 25 and older had at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest level of degree-holders ever. And a Department of Labor earnings report for 2011 showed that workers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median income of $1,158 per week, while those with only a high school diploma earned $641 a week. Yet the unemployment rate for recent college graduates with a four-year degree is 8.9 percent, higher than the national average. This may be because many employers are seeking to cut costs by downsizing or outsourcing many entry-level jobs overseas. Therefore, it is not at all uncommon to find young people with bachelor’s degrees working at Starbucks or waiting tables. [Read more…] about Is A Bachelor’s Degree Still Worth It?