college

Unlocking The Value Of A “Career College” Degree In Today’s Economy

May 8, 2024 by Tim McMahon

As the 1960s Bob Dylan song says The Times They are a-changin’. Today an ordinary Bachelor of Arts degree doesn’t carry much weight. But a practical degree from a “Career College” that teaches you real-life skills can be much more valuable.

Navigating the Job Market through Upskilling

In a landscape where job stability is increasingly rare, the significance of education and skill enhancement is more critical than ever. Acquiring new, relevant skills or honing existing ones offers a tangible path to securing stable employment. It’s about making oneself indispensable in roles that are in demand, regardless of economic fluctuations.

Understanding “Career Colleges”

Career colleges, often misunderstood and undervalued, offer a unique value proposition. These programs aim to equip students with highly sought-after practical skills in shorter timeframes than traditional four-year educational institutions provide. These colleges focus on hands-on training and real-world applications, preparing students for specific careers quickly and effectively.

Career colleges offer specialized training in fields that are in high demand, such as cybersecurity, office administration, graphics design, web design, data analytics, and healthcare management. This prepares students for careers in emerging industries and fields.

Career colleges also prioritize job readiness, ensuring that students are prepared to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. This often includes training in soft skills, resume building, and interview preparation.

Getting Hired: Tips for Finding Work as a Recent College Graduate

September 29, 2023 by Tim McMahon

Graduating from college is an exciting time filled with countless possibilities, but it can also be nerve-racking as you begin to hunt for your first job. With so many young professionals vying for the same positions, standing out from the crowd can be challenging. Luckily, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired. Here are some tips to help you find work as a recent college graduate.

Start Early

It is never too early to start looking for job opportunities. Some companies offer graduate programs, internships, or entry-level positions that are perfect for recent college graduates. Start researching companies and the roles that interest you in your field of study before you graduate. Attend job fairs, browse job boards, and get in touch with recruitment agencies or an employment agency to get a head start on your job search. [Read more…] about Getting Hired: Tips for Finding Work as a Recent College Graduate

Great Careers: No College Degree Necessary

September 27, 2021 by Tim McMahon

If college isn’t for you, there are still several career options available. Look into these careers that don’t require you to have a college degree.

Handyman

Many people work well with their hands and easily grasp concepts used in construction and home comfort. These people may find success as a handyman.

People call a handyman when something, such as plumbing or the HVAC system, breaks down. A handyman generally possesses extensive knowledge about how many different systems and things in the home. However, they may not have the authority to upgrade the circuit breaker or gas meter.

Security Guard

Security guards protect places and individuals that are at a higher level of risk. You’ve likely seen them at your bank, guarding VIPs, or protecting gated communities, or monitoring things during special events.

Being a security guard may require some specialized training, but you won’t need to go through a long, drawn-out process. Security guards also have the opportunity to learn more even after they have established themselves in their careers, giving them the chance to earn more money.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists various “Protective Service Occupations,” including Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers. Private Detectives and Investigators, and Correctional Officers and Bailiffs. According to the BLS the average salary for Security Guards is $31,080/yr.

Garbage Collectors

For years, people made fun of garbage collectors for the more disgusting aspects of their jobs. However, the garbage collectors are the ones laughing now, all the way to the bank. Some of the established employees make as much as $112,000 a year. While the average salary is significantly lower, many sanitation workers still make more than some college graduates. Garbage collectors also get all of the benefits of a government job, including all federal holidays off, a retirement plan, health insurance, and job security.

Real Estate Agent

In order to become a real estate agent, you need to pass the required certification in your area. After that, the sky’s the limit on how much you can make. However, getting started can prove difficult for beginners.

You will need to work hard to get listings, develop meaningful relationships, and maintain those relationships before you get the opportunity to buy and sell expensive houses that come with high commissions.

A college degree does not necessarily equal a high-paying job, and you do have options without it.

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How to Go Back to School as an Adult: The Steps Explained

January 20, 2021 by Guest Contributor

Are you among the 36 million Americans with some college education but no degree? Or maybe, for one reason or another, you never had the chance to attend college in the first place. Either way, it’s never too late to consider going back to school as an adult. In fact, in 2020 there were 7.5 million college students enrolled who were over the age of 25.

These are encouraging numbers, but what about you and your unique circumstances? How can you find the time, money, and motivation to reach your goals?

In this post, we’ll explain how to go back to school as an adult and provide actionable steps you can take to make it happen. Your educational journey begins now, so keep reading!

Clarify Your Goals & Expectations

We all have different reasons why we didn’t finish (or start) college right out of high school. Likewise, we all have different motivations for deciding that “now” is the time to go back to school.

Do any of the following scenarios apply to you?

You took time off for personal reasons and now you’re ready to finish your education
You need specific training or a higher degree to advance your career path
You want to increase your earnings and move into a higher income bracket
You want to switch to a career field you’re truly passionate about
You need further qualifications to remain competitive in your current field

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers here. It’s all about defining your reasons and getting clear on your “why for returning to school.

Do you want to open your own business? Enter a field you love? Achieve financial security? Or just broaden your horizons and learn for the sake of learning? The more specific your goals, the more likely [Read more…] about How to Go Back to School as an Adult: The Steps Explained

7 Steps to Finding a Career Without a College Degree

September 1, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Are you in the market for a job that can bloom into a full career? Do you want to enter a job without having to get a college degree? There are always ways to find a career without having to enter college.

Today, the collective student loan debt in the US is about $1.56 trillion. The average student loan debt at a private non-profit college is $32,300. In public colleges, the average student loan debt is $25,550.

If you want to avoid being in debt, you can start a good career right away, but you need to learn how you can do this properly, not just run out and get a minimum wage job.

1. Find a Mentor

One of the things you need to do first is to look for a mentor who will show you the ropes. If your passion is working with wood, you don’t need to go through college to get the hang of it. A mentor can focus on teaching you the practical skills and information you need for your job.

Many of the “trades” like plumbing, electrical, framing and carpentry still have apprenticeships, so you learn from people experienced in the trade. Some require that you join the union so visiting the local Union hall would be a good place to find out what is necessary to get started in the trades in your particular location.

Finding a mentor is always a smart move because you’ll have someone to guide you. Their focus won’t be jumping between twenty-nine other students. Often, they also have passion in the industry they’re in or teaching you about.

2. Take Online Courses and Short-Term Specialty Programs

Just because you don’t want a 4-year degree doesn’t mean [Read more…] about 7 Steps to Finding a Career Without a College Degree

8 Reasons Why You Should Pursue Higher Education (Now!)

March 24, 2020 by Tim McMahon

Over 76 million Americans pursue higher education every year. However, you may be asking yourself if post-secondary education is right for you.

Higher education is an investment in yourself and your future. A college degree provides tons of enrichment and adds value to your life. Plus a college degree helps you improve your earning potential.

Does a college degree really help you earn more money than a high school diploma? Absolutely! If you get a college degree you will earn an additional one million dollars over the course of your life.

Still not convinced? Keep reading for 8 reasons you should pursue higher education.

1. Increase Your Earning Potential

There’s a dramatic wage gap between people with [Read more…] about 8 Reasons Why You Should Pursue Higher Education (Now!)

From Testing to the Bar—4 Tips for Starting Law School

August 20, 2019 by Tim McMahon

The field of law is not designed for the faint of heart. If you’re considering pursuing this career path, a daunting and precarious journey awaits. However, you shouldn’t allow these unknowns to dull your passion. While in law school, it’s particularly essential to tackle your responsibilities with unbridled ambition. Here are some tips on how to stay afloat while undergoing law school.

Networking Matters

Even if your phone is chock-full of contacts, you should always make efforts to network. Your classmates will likely evolve into your colleagues, so it’s wise to forge relationships while your career is in its infancy. As a result, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate your domain when your profession blossoms. Internships and corporate events are excellent ways to get involved.

https://youtu.be/CnEkBAWy4H4?t=40

Take Practice Exams

Preparation is key in schooling. Even if you feel primed for an exam, it’s prudent to take the practice test. Experienced law students suggest that there’s no more efficient way to bolster your confidence than by partaking in these exercises. After all, exams make up the lion’s share of your overall grade. With that said, if your professor offers these opportunities, it’s in your best interest to avail yourself of this perk. [Read more…] about From Testing to the Bar—4 Tips for Starting Law School

Will Your Degree Choice Lead to a Great Career?

January 25, 2018 by Guest Contributor

Choosing your college degree program is a serious decision that requires a lot of thought. Not only do you have to think about what you want right now, but also what you want from your career ten years from now. Here are five degree options many High School grads consider. However, when choosing a career you need to look beyond the subject you will be studying and see what career they can lead to. A great resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is called their Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). It lists jobs and what they entail and the average salary you can expect. When you look at the career in the OOH you will find the average salary, don’t get too excited yet this is the average of all the people working at that position. You will be starting at the low end of the scale and working your way up (not at the average salary). Next you want to look at the outlook for the job over the next ten years. Will they be needing more or less of them? If more, then it will be easier to find a job, if about the same then the only open jobs will be if someone retires. If less it will be very difficult to find a job and you should probably choose a different career.

So for instance suppose you enjoy reading so you think you should major in English Literature.

English Language and Literature

Book-lovers, poets, authors, all consider joining an English language and literature degree program. This program requires reading and analyzing large amounts of literature, as well as accessing your creativity and critical thinking skills. College brochures tell you, “With an English degree, you can become a journalist, author, lawyer, publisher, or basically any other career that requires writing.” However you will be competing with those who majored in Law, Journalism, Creative Writing or some other degree program perhaps more specialized to the chosen field. If you search English Literature in the OOH they don’t list a single job called “English Literature”. Instead they list things like Postsecondary teachers, Writers and Authors, Editors, Interpreters and Translators, and Librarians. So when considering a Major be sure to look at the end result (career) you are looking to get and not focus on a subject you like to study.

In the following video Dave Ramsey discusses how to choose between career options:

Business

Do you want to make a name for yourself in the corporate world? If so, [Read more…] about Will Your Degree Choice Lead to a Great Career?

Does a College Degree Really Lead to More Employment Opportunities?

September 25, 2017 by Guest Contributor

Would-be college students today face many choices. They have questions about their majors, how to fit in at school, and yes, even whether or not a college degree is worth it. After all, students are graduating with more than $37,000 in student loan debt.

However, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. College-degree earners typically earn at least $100,000 more in their lifetimes, according to Marist College. This figure not only implies that degree-holders end up with more money over their lifetimes, but also that they get well-paying jobs. For those who still feel unsure about getting a college degree, here are some things to know.

Promotion Worthy

Most people focus on whether or not they’ll get a good job after they earn their college degrees. What many people do not talk about is the fact that many graduates actually get promoted within their work environment.

For example, they might work for the same company for 10 years after graduating. Their degree might have even been one of the deciding factors in them getting the job. But that same degree could also be partly responsible for them getting a couple of promotions. If these same people are promoted twice, they have in effect, gotten three jobs because of that one degree.

Trust Me I’m a Teacher

There are no guarantees in life and going to college is not a “Golden Ticket” but it is often a stepping stone that helps you reach your full potential. Teacher Melanie Whitney talks at TEDx about College and the often circuitous road to Success.

Hot Job Trends

But what about jobs that don’t require degrees, [Read more…] about Does a College Degree Really Lead to More Employment Opportunities?

Deciding Which Engineering Degree is Right for You

June 4, 2017 by Tim McMahon

If you think you’d like to become an engineer but aren’t sure which program is right for you there are several factors that you should consider. Often High School graduates only think about how much money they can earn and forget that there is much more to a job than that. You don’t want to spend the next 30 -40 years doing something you don’t enjoy so it is important to look at what the job entails and the environment it is done in. Some engineers spend a lot of time in the field on a job site… others spend their time in an office. Some work with their hands while others work on computers or with chemicals. And finally you have to consider job availability no matter how much you enjoy designing horse saddles if there isn’t much demand for horse saddle engineers you probably won’t be able to find a job doing it.

In the table below we have compiled information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on various fields of engineering, median annual salary, job growth and a basic description of what the position entails. [Read more…] about Deciding Which Engineering Degree is Right for You