Careers

5 More Dangerous Jobs

January 17, 2014 by Guest Contributor

Recently we posted Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers and so this month we are going to follow up with 5 more dangerous jobs. ~Tim McMahon, editor

Dangerous Work: Five Jobs With the Most Risk

Workplace safety is often taken for granted, considering that the majority of jobs have virtually nonexistent injury rates. But on the other hand, it can be appalling to look at some of the hazards faced in certain other workplaces today. Although new technology is constantly improving workplace safety, several occupations in particular remain quite hazardous.

Highway Construction

Construction workers in general face numerous workplace hazards, but combine the usual risks, with vehicles speeding past just feet from the work site, and you end up with one of the highest workplace injury rates in the country. Authorities have implemented measures such as lane closures, and stiff penalties for speeding in construction zones, which have been met with mixed success at keeping highway construction workers safe. 1.6% of all car accidents happen in construction zones and more than 20,000 workers are injured in road construction work zones each year resulting in over 500 fatalities a year.

Mining

MSHAataglance — Mining Fatalities are Falling
Click for Larger Image

Tunneling into the ground to extract minerals has been [Read more…] about 5 More Dangerous Jobs

Tips for Selecting the Right Technical Training Program

January 15, 2014 by Guest Contributor

With the abundance of college graduates with degrees in “soft” subjects like Psychology, Drama, Anthropology, Liberal Arts, English and History unable to find jobs when they graduate you might think that a more job specific major like Business, Economics or Criminal Justice might be more appropriate. But recent findings by Payscale have found that Criminal Justice majors have little advantage over High School grads and end up working security or as entry level police officers, Economics majors “should have learned in Econ 101: In the job market, the supply of econ majors outstrips demand”. And even business majors “need a concentration in quantitative courses such as statistics or finance” in order to succeed.

So unless you want to major in one of the “hard science” subjects like Engineering or Computer Science you might be better off skipping college and attending a Technical School that will train you for a specific profession. ~Tim McMahon, editor.

Technical Training Programs

Technical schools–also known as vocational schools, trade schools or career colleges–prepare students for specific jobs that they can pursue after graduation. Occupations taught at technical schools include electronics technician, automotive technician, welder, paralegal, licensed practical nurse, radiology, medical assistant, hair stylist and truck driver. [Read more…] about Tips for Selecting the Right Technical Training Program

What it Takes to Get a Job in Healthcare

December 23, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Jobs in healthcare have a large number of entry points, depending on the type of job you intend to get. Healthcare jobs are in high demand currently, and as the population ages, the demand for these jobs is only going to increase. Here are some tips to get you started in your job search and ways to know if you have what it takes.

Professional School

At the high end, healthcare jobs require extensive education, including an undergraduate degrees, as well as one to three years in professional school, residency, and internship requirements. Surgeons are, of course, at the top of this healthcare career chain, but nurse practitioners, midwives, and even some therapists are included under this umbrella. In order to get a job in healthcare through this route, it is necessary to prepare diligently from an early age.

Nursing School

Nursing school lasts [Read more…] about What it Takes to Get a Job in Healthcare

Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers

December 14, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Working conditions have improved immensely in recent decades. Much has changed since the Industrial Revolution days, when workers had no choice but to endure perilous machinery, and exposure to toxic chemicals. However, the issues of workplace health and safety are far from resolved. By their very nature, many jobs still expose employees to physical hazards and/or require lots of physical activity. Let’s take a look at which jobs take the biggest physical toll on workers.

Factory work: Overbearing Overtime

While it is true that some manufacturing jobs are relatively easy, others are not so laid back. At the very least most manufacturing jobs require standing for hours on end, but it may also entail the constant lifting of heavy objects and long hours. This can compound the health problems that factory workers often experience, such as fatigue, exhaustion, and [Read more…] about Demanding Jobs: Rigorous Physical Careers

Changing Directions: Five Careers to Get You Ahead

December 11, 2013 by Tim McMahon

As the economy continues to repair itself after the fallout of the 2008 mortgage crisis, many workers are finding that a new career, or a career switch is becoming an ever-more attractive idea. There are many ways to switch careers or begin new paths in life, and here are just a few career options for people hoping to make a positive impact on their future job satisfaction and earnings.

1) Software Developer

Looking at job listings for working in software, you’d hardly know the world is suffering from a recession. Software development is a skill that can be developed at a university, or outside of one (self taught IT workers are very common), and salaries can be very strong. If computers are your passion, this may be the path for you. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Software Developers in 2010 earned an average of $90,530 per year. The BLS projects that the job outlook for 2010 -2020 expects much faster than average growth for the field.

2) Graphic Designer

Aspiring workers in graphic design can expect to [Read more…] about Changing Directions: Five Careers to Get You Ahead

A Look at Jobs in the Computer Repair Industry

December 4, 2013 by Guest Contributor

With the ever-evolving advances in technology, people upgrade to newer computer models as soon as they hit the market. However, even with all of the bells and whistles a new computer offers, most users only need a basic operating system for their daily computer use. Many individuals who require only the basics for their personal and professional needs opt to have their tried and true computers repaired, instead of investing in a new one. This, combined with users donating old or broken computers once they have purchased a new one, makes the computer repair industry a profitable one. Below is a closer look at the computer repair industry and the perks of becoming a computer technician.

Training And Education

Even if repairing computers is something that comes naturally to you, you will find more employment opportunities after getting a formal education. There are many different types of training and education programs available, but the best are the ones that give you CompTIA A+ Certification, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Certification (MCTS), and Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certification (MCITP). Look for local vocational schools and colleges that offer these certifications, some of which can be obtained as quickly as 36 weeks.

Once you get your initial certification it is important to maintain your skills by attending refresher courses and ongoing training that covers new advances in technology that could affect your job as a computer technician. Sometimes your employer will provide [Read more…] about A Look at Jobs in the Computer Repair Industry

Social Butterfly: 5 Jobs for the Effusive Talker

November 11, 2013 by Guest Contributor

Radio Host

Professional radio hosts make their job look easy, but in reality it’s a job that requires a specific skill set. Staying up-to-date on current events, being aware of popular trends, and conducting live interviews demands an avid talker who’s not afraid to keep the conversations going. A host must also not be afraid of putting their foot in their mouth at times. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the average radio host earns $27,010 per hour, however getting you show “syndicated” can multiply your earnings, top syndicated radio personalities can earn hundreds of thousands per year.

Reporter

For those who enjoy getting to know people through conversation, becoming a reporter offers the perfect opportunity to hone those conversational skills. Reporters do more than investigate stories, and write compelling articles. Using journalistic training and a desire to know more, reporters get to the heart of interesting people and things by [Read more…] about Social Butterfly: 5 Jobs for the Effusive Talker

What’s the Latest Buzz on Online Medical Education

October 31, 2013 by Guest Contributor

The advent of the internet and personal computers revolutionized the way we receive information. Modern technology makes it possible to educate and train the next generation of health care providers in a virtual classroom (such as those at CNACertification-Training.com). While online education creates opportunities for many people, especially those unable to pursue an education otherwise, it does not come without challenges and concerns. Many professionals are concerned that the quality of education received online may be substandard. Lack of personal interaction, potential academic dishonesty, and inadequate training of instructors bring into question the reliability of these distant learning programs.

Team Work

A universal concern among skeptics of online curriculum is the seeming lack of interpersonal interaction between peers, students, and faculty. There is doubt that online programs provide the necessary training to prepare students for working as part of a group. All healthcare workers are part of a team of professionals providing patient care. Learning to communicate and cooperate with others is essential to building a cohesive unit, and without it, patient care suffers. An online classroom generally does not afford the opportunity of face-to-face collaboration. And an individual, knowledgeable in theory, may yet be ill equipped to work with others. Most online programs deal with this issue through the use of online forums requiring students to post a certain number of comments on each assignment. This allows students to provide and receive feedback on their ideas from other students and the professor.

The Honor Code

Academic honesty is another concern. The anonymity provided by [Read more…] about What’s the Latest Buzz on Online Medical Education

Should You Become a Storage Buyer?

October 31, 2013 by Guest Contributor

With the popularity of shows such as the reality TV smash hit “Storage Wars“, more people are considering a full-time or part-time career as a storage buyer. Storage buyers are individuals who go to storage auctions that sell unpaid and abandon storage units by auctioning them off to the highest bidder. Prior to bidding on storage units, bidders are allowed to walk through the storage facility to take a quick glimpse at the contents of each storage unit. However during this quick glimpse, it is difficult to see the unit’s full contents, and most of the time bidders are not permitted to physically enter the storage units. If you are considering becoming a storage buyer there are a few questions you should ask yourself first.

Do You Have the Appropriate Knowledge, Tools, and Space?

Is important to know becoming a storage buyer will not be an overnight get-rich-quick plan but you can start small and work your way up. If it is a career choice you would like to seriously consider, first ask yourself if you have the knowledge, tools, and space required to do the job well. The knowledge would be the ability to spot antiques and memorabilia, even when only seeing a small portion of the items. If you purchased or bid on a storage locker without having the knowledge of valuable brands, memorabilia, and antiques you will have to invest additional fees to have the items you win appraised. As far as tools, you will need to ensure you have a vehicle large enough to transport the items you win. You also need the appropriate space to store your storage unit’s contents until you are able to resell them elsewhere. Keep in mind that some valuables will require a temperature controlled environment.

Are You Willing to Gamble with Your Money?

Becoming a storage buyer is in essence becoming a full-time gambler. Some units you bid on will have visible, valuable collectibles, while others may have something such as a vintage military storage locker that you place a high bid on in hopes that its contents are filled with military memorabilia. However, this is a [Read more…] about Should You Become a Storage Buyer?

Five Careers to Put Your Engineering Degree to Good Use

October 23, 2013 by Guest Contributor

When students choose to pursue a degree in engineering, many doors open for job opportunities in the various specialties of this broad field. Although the nature of the work depends on the specialized profession, nearly all careers in engineering involve making a difference in many peoples’ lives directly or indirectly. In order to help you find a career that is right for you, please read on to find five different careers that will put your engineering to good use.

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers design and analyze solutions for problems in the medical and biological fields, with the goal of improving the efficiency of healthcare. Biomedical engineers team up with scientists and chemists to design medical products, such as [Read more…] about Five Careers to Put Your Engineering Degree to Good Use