Careers

Fun Jobs for Tech-Savvy People

December 13, 2019 by Tim McMahon

If you enjoy working with technology, you may be interested in pursuing a career in the tech sector. These careers don’t have to be bland, either—many of them are fun and engaging. If you are tech-savvy, here are four fun jobs you can consider.

Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing by leaps and bounds, with nearly every device seeming to have a “smart” variant. AI is only possible through the efforts of machine learning engineers, who create and program these devices to perform their expected function while automatically adjusting to the behaviors of humans. Getting a job in this field may require a degree in electrical engineering or computer science as well as knowledge about data science. Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t have a specific category entitled Machine Learning Engineer they do track Computer and Information Research Scientists. They say “Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other fields… Creating and improving software involves working with algorithms, which are sets of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Some computing tasks are very difficult and require complex algorithms. Computer and information research scientists try to simplify these algorithms to make computer systems as efficient as possible. The algorithms allow advancements in many types of technology, such as machine learning systems and cloud computing.”

“Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Computer scientists are likely to enjoy excellent job prospects, because many companies report difficulties finding these highly skilled workers.”

The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $118,370 in May 2018.

Video Game Designer

The video game industry has been growing by leaps and bounds for over thirty years. Many people of all ages, cultures and walks of life greatly enjoy playing video games and some may consider turning their passion into a full-time career. This is certainly possible, especially if you think you might want to make and publish your own video game. You can also look for jobs at both large and smaller video game studios. Roles you could pursue include [Read more…] about Fun Jobs for Tech-Savvy People

Tips for Finding a Job after Serving Jail Time

November 16, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Even a short jail sentence can be a disaster for someone’s personal and professional life. On top of the legal costs associated with exiting the penal system, most people who end up behind bars lose their job before they get out. Finding a new job can be challenging for those with an official record, but there are a few basic tips that can make the search a little easier.

Be Honest

Not all jobs require a background check, but it’s important for applicants to be honest with all the information you submit on official forms. That means you should answer truthfully when asked about a criminal record but it doesn’t necessarily mean you should volunteer the information if not asked directly. According to Joy Morrison who answered this question on Quora (and all the responses might be helpful) but she said, “I found I was by far harder on myself than what anyone else was. Some people may have questions about your crime and if you don’t mind answering them , do it. And be as honest as possible. Don’t sugar coat what you did and don’t try denying it either, they probably already know But just want to hear it from you. Also be prepared , people are curious about prison life and want to hear stories about it.”

It’s easy to get discouraged by frequent rejections, but there are plenty of employers who can and do hire people with imperfect criminal records.

Consider Contracting

Whether you need extra cash to catch up on rent, pay court costs or compensate for bail bonds, contracting work can be a great opportunity. Skilled and professional workers can find many opportunities for side gigs and self-employment in the right areas. It can be easier to find clients or customers without the need for a background check when working as a temporary contractor. Contracting on the side also allows for the potential of earning extra income on top of a full-time job.

Increase Your Hiring Value

Certification, training, experience and academic education are all ways applicants can [Read more…] about Tips for Finding a Job after Serving Jail Time

Industries Begging for Applicants

November 15, 2019 by Tim McMahon

It often feels like the job market is stagnant. You can send out hundreds of applications and never hear anything back. If you’re looking for a job, though, you might do better by looking into these four fields that are begging for new applicants.

Education

There is a definite shortage of teachers in the United States, with some schools turning towards long-term subs just to fill gaps in their scheduling. Depending on the school district, there are even bonuses offered for teachers in hard-to-recruit subjects like Math. While teachers have significant workloads, the field is fairly stable and there are plenty of chances to move within districts and even to new locations. This is one career that’s sure to be around for many years to come, but applicants are still in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary for a high school teacher was $60,320 in 2018. Middle School teachers made $58,600/ yr. and Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers averaged $57,980 / yr.

https://youtu.be/wth4CiF9i9M

How to Become a Vet Tech: A Simple Career Guide

November 11, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Today, 84 million millennials house at least one pet. That makes it so almost 7 out of every 10 American homes own an animal.

In a lot of ways, a love for animals is what inspires people to pursue a career working with them. Do you know what one of the most emotionally rewarding animal-oriented careers is that you start pursuing today?

Becoming a veterinarian technician!

Thousands of people find themselves wondering how to become a vet tech annually. In this brief guide, we break down the steps that you’ll need to take to realize your dreams of working with animals in a medical setting and whether or not those dreams are a good fit for your sensibilities.

Step 1: Understand What a Vet Tech Does

You may have seen a vet tech at your local veterinary office and felt inspired to walk in their shoes. Before investing thousands of dollars in your education and hours of your time achieving that end, you must understand what a vet tech actually does.

Vet techs manage several important responsibilities in a veterinary setting. Core tasks that they handle include:

Taking X-rays
Giving vaccines and medications
Providing first-aid services
Restraining animals during treatment
Keeping records on animals
Educating pet owners on proper care
Preparing instruments for surgery
Administering anesthesia

There more tasks that a vet tech may be asked to tackle in the office. What’s important to note is that just about every task that a vet tech does could cost animals their lives if performed incorrectly.

Step 2: Weigh Responsibilities Against Compensation

Vet tech responsibilities carry a lot of pressure. Becoming a vet tech also requires a considerable amount of time and money since attaining a formalized education is a requirement.

Given those facts, before you figure out how to become a vet tech, you should decide if the job versus the compensation offered strikes you as acceptable.

A veterinary technician makes about

Are You Considering a Career as a Police Officer?

October 28, 2019 by Guest Contributor

What to Do Before Becoming a Police Officer

Working as a police officer can be a highly rewarding career that involves making a very hands-on contribution to the community. Yet, like any line of work, it carries its own set of unique challenges that need to be overcome, including confronting difficult characters, working long shifts, spending tedious hours filing paperwork, and facing plenty of competition from fellow colleagues.

With all that in mind, here are some steps that should be taken before embarking on a career in the police force to ensure that you are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.

Get the right training

It is essential that you are fully qualified, including understanding the law inside out, before becoming an officer with the police. When you are out on the field, you will need to be aware of your own rights, as well as those of the people you will be stopping, to avoid getting into difficulties further down the line.

Although there are [Read more…] about Are You Considering a Career as a Police Officer?

Benefits of Going Back to School Before Making a Big Career Change

October 21, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Making a big career change can be scary, but there are things you can do to become more successful. Going back to school is a common choice, especially among those who want to pursue a radically different line of work. We’ve looked at lots of ways to get into careers like IT without a college degree. But sometimes going back to college can help you to make your transition to a new career a little more successful.

Getting the Degree

While it’d be great to say that college is beneficial only for what you learn, the piece of paper that you get at the end of your studies can be quite valuable. Getting a degree can help to distinguish you from other job candidates and might even help you to qualify for more jobs. Having a degree can really change the way your job search works.

Building up New Skills

You can also spend time in college building up the new skills that are relevant for your new job. Learning the basic theories behind the tasks that you’ll do at work can help you learn how to make better decisions and improve your ability to accomplish your goals at your new job. Sometimes just getting a little more education can make the difference between success and failure.

Learning What’s out There

Going back to school doesn’t always mean [Read more…] about Benefits of Going Back to School Before Making a Big Career Change

Tips for Getting Started in the Dental Industry

September 19, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Finding the right job in the dental industry can often be a challenging process. This is a growing field and there are many qualified applicants to choose from. Including Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and Dental Lab Technicians.

Therefore, it is important that you find ways to set yourself apart and to make the best possible impression. The following information will provide a closer look at four helpful tips for finding a job in the dental industry, which you may want to consider if you are unsure where to start:

Obtain a Degree or Certificate

Many jobs within the dental field will require that you have some sort of continued education, such as a degree or certificate. For example, in order to become a dental assistant, you might want to look at local trade schools in your area. Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, recordkeeping and schedule appointments. The median annual wage for dental assistants was $38,660 in May 2018.

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis and provide other preventive dental care. The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 in May 2018. If you are interested in becoming a dental hygienist, this will require at least an associate’s degree.

Lastly, becoming a dentist is a very long process, which typically takes eight years. However, this can be a very rewarding career path that allows you to reach a higher level of professional success. Some dentists have their own business and work alone or with a small staff. Other dentists have partners in their practice. Still others work as associate dentists for established dental practices. Dentists must be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure requirements vary by state, although candidates usually must graduate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams. The median annual wage for dentists was $156,240 in May 2018.

Gain Relevant Experience

If you have just finished your schooling and don’t have any relevant experience in your field, it can be helpful to find an internship. You can typically find intern positions by searching online or local job boards. Your school should also be able to help you find appropriate internships. [Read more…] about Tips for Getting Started in the Dental Industry

Jobs that Don’t Require a 4 Year Degree

July 30, 2019 by Guest Contributor

Even though you might be willing to go to school so that you can launch a great new career, you might not be able to spend years getting an education. You might have bills and responsibilities that have to be taken care of right now, so you might need to start bringing in an income relatively quickly. Luckily, there are some career options that don’t require a lot of schooling but that can still provide you with a nice income. These are some of the options that you can explore.

CNA or Home Health Aide

If you would like to help others but can’t dedicate the time that is required to earn a nursing degree, then you can consider becoming a CNA or home health aide. People often lump CNAs, Orderlies, and Medical Assistants together but their roles are slightly different. All these jobs are medical-related and involve assisting Doctors, Nurses and patients but CNAs have more specific duties. CNAs must complete 75 hours of state-approved training and pass a competency test. Nursing assistants only need to complete a brief on the job training period. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Nursing Assistants and Orderlies earn about $28,530/yr. or $13.72/hr. and job growth is expected to be faster than average.

Dental Hygienist

Taking good care of your teeth is very important. If you would like to help others with having healthy mouths and smiles that they can be proud of, you can try pursuing a career as a dental hygienist. You can get a specialized associate’s degree and secure a job as a dental hygienist, allowing you to make a good income. The median annual wage for dental hygienists was $74,820 in May 2018 or $35.97/ hour.

4 Degrees to Consider if You Want a Job Right out of College

July 16, 2019 by Tim McMahon

Choosing a major isn’t always about launching a high-income career, but job prospects are an integral part of the degree decision for many students. While there are hundreds of programs in dozens of academic fields that can lead to a rewarding career, there are a few particularly promising paths that degree seekers should consider.

Accounting

Accounting has been a go-to degree for many career-minded college students over the last few decades and it’s still a strong choice. There is unparalleled opportunity for specialization and advancement without a high barrier to entry. A bachelor’s degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, while a master’s degree and industry experience can qualify accountants for more advanced certifications. There is a high demand for accountants of all skill levels in both government and private sector positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The median annual wage for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was $40,240 in May 2018.” A Certified Public Accountant would earn more. Typical Entry-Level Education is Some college, no degree required to become a bookkeeper but is preferred for a career in Accounting.

Information Systems and Technology

Computer science is another strong degree choice for students who want to get a job right out of college. Programming and software design are core skills for almost any profession in the industry, but there are also plenty of opportunities to branch out into other areas. Information systems administration and database management are both useful skills for landing jobs, as is cybersecurity and mobile application development. The following table from the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a variety of Computer related jobs and their median salaries.

The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $86,320 in May 2018, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $38,640.