Occupational therapists are professionals who help others when impairment causes difficulties in their daily lives. Earning an occupational therapy degree is an important step to starting in this career.

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

Occupational therapy is needed by any individual who has suffered some form of impairment that reduces their ability to carry on daily tasks in their accustomed manner. These impairments can be physical in nature, but psychological conditions can also be disabling. Individuals with developmental impediments can learn how to live independently through occupational therapy. The occupational therapist evaluates the needs of each patient and works with them to develop their skills, abilities, and increased strength or balance needed to achieve the highest independence and quality of life possible.

What Education Do I Need to Become an Occupational Therapist?

It used to be possible to get an entry-level position in occupational therapy with a bachelor’s degree. However, updated regulations for 2007 require occupational therapists to have a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Course work for occupational therapists includes physiology, biology, psychology, human development, ethics, and methodology. A six month practicum is also a required component of your master of occupational therapy degree. Across the entire nation, you must complete a licensing exam. The credential awarded upon completion of the examination is the title of Occupation Therapist Registered (OTR).

With this knowledge and experience, you can be confident heading into your career as an occupational therapist to help others.

Source

Occupational Outlook Handbook: “Occupational Therapists”

About the author

Craig Friesen is a freelance writer and self-employed entrepreneur living in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are on the rise. Pharmaceutical use is at an all time high, and pharmacies are looking to reduce expenses by diverting more responsibility to pharmacy technicians. As a result, pharmacy technician jobs are expected to grow by 27 percent or more through 2014.

A Pharmacy Technician’s Job Description

Pharmacy technicians work closely with pharmacists, providing medications to patients. In addition to helping prepare prescribed medications by labeling bottles and counting out tablets, a pharmacy technician’s job responsibilities may include establishing and maintaining patient files, preparing insurance claims, and keeping an inventory of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

While the majority of pharmacy technicians currently work in retail settings and hospitals, pharmacy technician jobs are also available in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Pharmacy technician pay varies based on job responsibilities, location, training, and experience. The median pay for a pharmacy technician is $13 per hour in a hospital setting, $11 per hour in retail.

Pharmacy Technician Training

According to the BLS, employers prefer to hire technicians who have completed a formal education program. Most programs require both laboratory and classroom work studying pharmaceutical terminology and techniques, record-keeping, calculations, and law and ethics. Depending upon the program you attend, you may receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate’s degree.

If you are strong in reading, math, and spelling, a pharmacy technician program could put you on the path to a career with excellent job prospects.

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

Looking for a career choice that offers outstanding opportunities? Consider enrolling in accounting school. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), changing financial laws and increased regulations have increased the demand for accountants and auditors. A growing number of businesses are in search of those who have accounting degrees.

Here’s a brief review of the opportunities that are available to those who have attended accounting school.

What Accountants Do

Accounting degree graduates ensure that companies are run efficiently. They keep important business and public records and make sure that taxes get paid. While their primary responsibilities include preparing, analyzing, and verifying financial documents, those who have attended accounting school sometimes offer additional services including budget analysis as well as financial and investment planning. Some people with accounting degrees even offer information technology consulting and limited legal services.

Reasons to Consider Attending Accounting School

According to the BLS, jobs for accountants and auditors are expected to grow by 18 to 26 percent through 2014. This is due to changing financial laws, the number of openings that will result from retirements and transfers into more specialized areas of accounting, and the overall increase in the number of businesses seeking assistance with their finances. But while qualified accountants advance rather quickly, those who haven’t attended accounting school will find their opportunities more limited.

Getting an Accounting Degree

According to the BLS, a majority of accounting jobs require that you have at least a bachelor’s degree. Before you decide to attend accounting school, take stock of your interests and abilities. You’ll want to make sure you have an aptitude for mathematics and feel comfortable analyzing, comparing, and interpreting facts and figures.

If you have a head for numbers, an accounting degree could put you on the path to a career with excellent growth potential.

Source

“Accountants and Auditors,” Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-07 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

As home healthcare services expand to accommodate the needs of an aging U.S. population, LPNs are needed to fill the many new jobs being created. If you want a hands-on job in healthcare, now is the perfect time enroll in an LPN training program.

What Do LPNs Do?

LPNs give the essential bedside care that sick, injured, and disabled people need. They not only keep patients comfortable by helping with things like bathing or dressing, but also carry out more complex jobs such as taking vital signs, giving injections, applying dressings, and administering medicines.

What Qualifications Do LPN’s Need?

All States require LPNs to complete a specialized training program and pass a licensing exam known as the NCLEX-PN. Most LPN training programs won’t accept candidates without a high school diploma (or equivalent), although some do.

LPN training programs usually last around one year and typically include subjects like:

• Basic and specialized nursing skills
• Nutrition
• Anatomy
• Administering drugs
• Clinical practice

Why Become An LPN?

An LPN career is ideal for anyone who wants to work in a healthcare job that involves direct contact with patients. LPN training is accessible, and the career opportunities are excellent. You can start a LPN training program with or without a high school diploma and put yourself on the path to a strong career. There are options for promotion, and you can improve your professional qualifications and earning power by completing an LPN to RN (Registered Nurse) training program, or even go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Where Should LPNs Look For Jobs?

LPNs are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and clinics, but the place where they are most in demand is in the home healthcare sector, where the number of jobs is growing at a rapid rate.

If you want to work in a rewarding healthcare job with good career and employment prospects, why not consider becoming an LPN? In just over a year, you could have a new career!

Sources

Kaplan University
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
U.S. Dept Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics

About the Author

Jane Smallman spends her time freelance writing and running a mountain guide business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.

If you missed out on a high school diploma and are facing limited career and earning opportunities as a result, don’t despair. Now you can earn the diploma—or its equivalent, the General Educational Development (GED) certificate—online!

Why Bother With the GED Test or High School Diploma?

In a nutshell, a high school diploma or GED certificate brings better earning opportunities and career prospects.

• Earning Potential. Your earning potential should be improved by around $10,000; U.S. Census Bureau statistics show that average earnings for high school graduates are $28,645, compared to just $19,169 for those with no diploma.
• Career Prospects. Both these qualifications will expand your career options, giving you more choice over the kind of work you do and the progress you make. They also open the door to further education. You can improve your prospects even further by learning more advanced skills or even another degree.

GED Test or High School Diploma?

The GED test and the high school diploma are basically equivalent to each other, although they have different origins and different exam systems.

• The GED was introduced to help WWII veterans qualify for postsecondary education without having to return to high school. It involves five different exams that test your skills in math, writing, reading, social studies, and science.
• The High School Diploma requires you to complete a core high school curriculum and all the coursework it involves.

Over 95% of U.S. colleges and universities now accept GED holders as students, so you can decide between the two qualifications based on your existing high school credits, your future plans, and personal preference. Both the GED test preparation course and the high school diploma can be earned online.

Why Study For Your GED or High School Diploma Online?

Studying for your GED or high school diploma online means you don’t need to give up your job or your family commitments to do it. This flexibility, combined with affordability, means that even though you didn’t finish high school first time around, you can invest in your future by graduating or earning the GED equivalent now.

Sources:

Center On Education And Training For Employment
Penn Foster Career School
US Census Bureau

About the Author

Jane Smallman spends her time freelance writing and running a mountain guide business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.

Have you ever walked into a home or office and thought to yourself, “I could have designed this better?” Probably everyone thinks this at some time or another. But if you find that you have this thought quite frequently, perhaps you should explore a career in interior design.

Launching a Career in Interior design

Before you can actually launch into a career in interior design, it is important to define what this career actually is. Too many people confuse interior design with interior decorating. While the two fields share many similarities, interior design is a little bit more involved than traditional interior decorating.

Instead of dressing up the surface (paint, furniture, carpeting, etc.), an interior designer actually changes structural elements of the room. For example, he or she might add a staircase, move some pillars, or knock out a wall or two. Interior designers take function, safety, and aesthetics into account when designing, and increasingly, many designers are accounting for the environment by developing eco-friendly designs. Popular interior design niches are:

• Elder design (design for older individuals’ needs)
• Ergonomic design
• Green (environmentally-friendly) design

Interior design Training

Because a career in interior design is so involved, it is essential that you receive formal training and instruction. A bachelor’s degree in interior design is often recommended. Depending on what level of expertise you want to achieve, your interior design training can last anywhere from several months to several years. Many of your modifications will require a fair degree of architectural knowledge, so you’ll want to be sure that the interior design program you enter has courses on architecture. After the completion of your interior design training, you’ll most likely need to become licensed (at least in 24 states and the District of Columbia).

A little creative flair and education will have you designing and enhancing buildings and homes in no time.

Source

U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Interior Designers.”

About the Author

A freelance writer and researcher, Stanley Rubenti currently lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand. Stanley holds a B.A. in history

During the Renaissance, finding a skilled master was one of the greatest barriers to entry for many aspiring artists. After all, a teacher could only take on so many students, and on top of that, many instructors demanded exorbitant sums of money up front before they would take on new talent. Now, anyone with free time, dedication, and an Internet connection stands a relatively good chance of launching a successful career in the wider world of art and design.

Receiving an Art Education Online

Thanks to online learning, you have countless options when it comes to selecting programs, teachers, curricula, and media. With streaming technology, broadband access, high-resolution monitors, and sophisticated software, there truly is no reason to commute to a local school every morning. Online learning brings the school to you. Imagine receiving your education online while living in Beijing. Imagine setting up a studio in Moscow while you attend a school based in Manhattan. All of this is possible through online learning.

Earning a Graphic Design Degree Online

An online art education is especially suited for disciplines that have already embraced computer technology. Graphic design would be a perfect example. Many graphic designers work almost exclusively from computer consoles using CAD and photo editing software. It’s also nice to know that many graphic designers work freelance from home after they have received their education online. So imagine never having to commute from the time you enroll in an online learning program until the time you retire 60 years down the road. You can study and then work from home for the rest of your life.

If this lifestyle isn’t enough to sway you, consider the following. Graphic design is cited by the US Department of Labor as one of the most promising tracks of the larger design arena. In 2004, there were over a quarter million graphic designers in the US. And these numbers are expected to keep pace with America’s growing economy.

Source

US Department of Labor

About the Author

A freelance writer, Stanley Rubenti currently lives in Bangkok where he writes columns for a variety of publications. Stanley holds a B.A. in history.

Having your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist more than one time a year could do more than just prevent cavities. That’s because regular cleanings from a qualified dental hygienist can have a positive impact on your overall health.

If the idea of helping people to live healthier lives with beautiful teeth appeals to you, maybe it’s time to consider attending dental hygiene college.

Surprising Study Findings

Having healthy teeth and gums is an important indicator for overall health. In fact, gum disease has been linked to having a higher risk of diabetes, while gum infections are associated with heart attacks and stroke. Most recently, researchers have found that men who had a history of gum disease were 64% more likely to get pancreatic cancer. That’s why getting regular cleanings from a qualified dental hygienist is so important. Cleanings not only lead to a beautiful health smile by reducing the likelihood of getting gum disease but they can also help to improve your overall health.

What Dental Hygienists Do

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL), dental hygienists provide preventive care and teach good oral hygiene habits. They examine patient’s teeth and gums, recording any diseases or abnormalities. They use both hand and rotary instruments in addition to ultrasonics to clean and polish teeth, take dental x-rays, and administer local anesthetics. They may also assist a dentist during procedures.

Why Attend Dental Hygienist College

Hygienists enjoy the satisfaction of helping people to have more beautiful smiles and healthier lives. But attending dental hygiene college has other advantages as well. For example, the BLS notes that dental hygienist is one of the fastest growing occupations and that job prospects are expected to remain quite strong. Another advantage? Most dental offices offer very flexible scheduling. What’s more, the median salary is roughly $28 per hour, though this varies based on experience as well as location.

If great job prospects and pay, flexible scheduling, and helping others to have more beautiful smiles sound good to you, then you should consider attending dental hygiene college.

Sources

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

If you’ve ever needed a cap or crown, are you already know that it can take six weeks for the orthodontist office to create a custom dental prosthesis to fit your mouth. Why? Dental lab technicians typically complete the job by hand, following a series of steps. But new technology is simplifying the process of creating custom caps and crowns.

At Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, the 23rd Aerospace-Dental Squadron is using a new computerized system that reduces the amount of time it takes dental lab technicians to complete these jobs from six weeks to a matter of hours.

Making Dental Technician Job Easier

According to Military.com Moody AFB’s new system frees up dental technicians from the time consuming jobs involved in the creation of dental prosthetics. Instead of having to mold plaster, shape wax, forge metal and overlay porcelain by hand, a new computerized system creates the appliance in a matter of hours.

How It Works

Instead of a taking a traditional plaster mold, the dental technician starts a given job by making a silicone mold which is scanned into the machine. With a simple click of a mouse, the machine grinds down a block of ceramic into an inlay, overlay, crown, or veneer in about 20 minutes. After the machine is done, the dental lab technician glazes the tooth and the job is done. The appliance is then ready to be cemented into the patient’s mouth.

Dental Lab Technician Still Needed for Other Jobs

While the machine allows one dental technician to do the job of two, there is still plenty of work available. That’s because bridges, or larger appliances such as dentures, still require additional hand work as well as specialized ovens to cure the materials that used to make these larger pieces.

The “fast tooth” won’t replace handmade prostheses altogether, but it will make dental technicians’ jobs a bit easier.

Sources

“Medical, Dental, and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians,” Bureau of Labor Statistics
“New technology expedites dental work,” Military.com

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there are many opportunities available to automotive mechanics and technicians who’ve trained in school. The best jobs will go to those who have taken electronics and mathematics classes, demonstrated mechanical aptitude, and developed strong diagnostic and problem solving skills.

Attending automotive technician school can put you ahead of your competitors for the better positions—the Bureau notes that formal training is the best preparation for these challenging technology-based jobs.

Why Auto Technician School?

According to the BLS the role of automotive service technicians and mechanics has changed. What used to be work involving mechanical repair is now a technology job. That’s why attending a formal auto technician school or training program is so important. Technicians not only need to understand how a vehicle’s components work together, they must work with electronic diagnostic equipment and computer-based technical reference materials. These are skills you can learn at a formal auto technician program or school.

Attending Automotive Technician School

While every automotive technician training program is different, most schools offer a combination of both hands-on and classroom instruction. BLS records show that many auto technician programs run six months and those who finish receive a certificate. Other schools like community colleges spread the training out over 2 years. When you graduate you’ll typically receive your associate’s degree. In addition to automotive training many programs include classes on stress management and customer service which can come in handy when you are working with customers.

If you are mechanically inclined, enjoy technology, and are looking for a great career offering ample opportunities, enrolling automotive technician school could be right for you.

Source

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

Do you have a passion for the environment as well as for cars? Then you’ll be pleased to know there’s a great paying, challenging job waiting for you in the automotive industry as an AFV (alternative fuel vehicle) technician.

As an alternative fuels vehicle technician, your job will play an important role in the effort to preserve our environment. In addition, you’ll be helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil while doing something you already enjoy, working with cars. And the best part is, there’s already plenty of AFV auto technician jobs available!

Auto Technician Jobs on the Rise, AFV Jobs too!

Based on recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, automotive technician jobs are expected to increase between 9 and 17% between now and 2014. In addition, the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) notes that there are already hundreds of thousands of cars on the road today that are using alternative fuels which is driving a growing demand for qualified auto technicians to work on them. Those looking for a career offering strong, long-term job prospects should welcome this news.

Before Becoming an Automotive Technician

Before heading out and securing an automotive technician job, you’ll need to obtain the right kind of training and experience. While all would-be automotive technicians need to have mechanical ability and strong problem-solving skills, in addition to learning how alternative fuel vehicles work, you must also know how to work on standard fuel vehicles.

Where & How to Get an Auto Technician Job

According to NATEF, many high school students choose to get their automotive technician training while they’re working at their first jobs. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics points out that formal training is really the best way to prepare for the fast-paced career.

If the idea of cars getting cars running on energy-efficient alternative power is appealing to you, then it could be time to go back to school and become an AFV technician.

Sources:

AFV Technician, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Automotive Service Technicians, and Mechanics

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.

3-D animation can surely be a fun, light-hearted career. But, it can also be highly rewarding—for both animator and viewers alike. Take for instance, The Zula Patrol, an animated, 3-D program airing on PBS. In this series, Captain Bula, his hotdoggin’ space pilot Zeeter, and the entire cast of intergalactic adventurers are the only public TV science and astronomy program aimed directly at preschoolers to second graders. Featuring animated 3-D rides through the universe, The Zula Patrol presents stories about meteors, eclipses, moon phases, and much, much more.

Not only is this 3-D animated series funny, adventurous, and exciting, but it is also filled with tons of superior educational information that keeps youngsters coming back for more. And as a bonus, the Zula website gives kids the opportunity to further explore various science and astronomy topics discussed on the show.

Could An Animation Career Be The One For You?

Launching a successful career in animation requires more than just a love of cartoons, though your passion for animation certainly will help you make it through the ups and downs of launching an animation career. What this career path also demands is a strong educational background, great technical experience, and a little 3-D animated luck. Breaking into a career in 3-D animation may be challenging, but the rewards and opportunities will far outweigh the obstacles, especially when you consider the fact that your 3-D animated characters or productions may someday affect the minds of youngsters nationwide.

So go ahead and explore your creative side. Whether you choose to design three-eyed space Martians like The Zula Patrol, or something a little more down to earth, you can’t help but enjoy a magnificent career in 3-D animation.

Source

The Zula Patrol

About the Author

Debbie Wilson is a freelance writer who owns and operates a lakeside resort, managing all aspects of operations, including marketing and promotion. Debbie holds a B.A. in Business Management with a minor in Physical Education.

More than 200 aviation maintenance schools in the United States make training for a career near the runway easier than ever to achieve.

Despite the well-publicized bankruptcies of a few large airlines, America’s aviation industry continues to grow. Regional airlines, booming fleets of private business jets, and light aircraft hobbyists all require the services of experienced airplane maintenance professionals. You can translate your mechanical skill into a lucrative career by enrolling in an aviation maintenance program.

Learn Airplane Maintenance near Your Home

Aviation maintenance schools usually offer two and four-year-degree programs in aviation maintenance and require a high school diploma for enrollment. In addition to community colleges, technical schools, colleges, and universities, aviation maintenance programs are also part of many armed services training programs. The variety of learning environments combined with new online study options means you can usually find a program that fits your budget and your lifestyle.

Aviation Maintenance Students Enjoy Hands-On Learning

Students typically learn airplane maintenance skills through hands-on instruction with real aircraft. Classroom instruction is also an important part of an aviation maintenance program. Four-year-degree programs in aviation maintenance often require students to take engineering courses or pursue an engineering minor. Two-year-degree programs require fewer courses but they often require students to specialize in a certain type of aircraft. Look for aviation maintenance schools certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that your education meets federal guidelines.

Smooth Rides for Airline Passengers Mean a Stable Career for You

Learning about aviation maintenance means understanding an aircraft and its systems from top to bottom. Whether you want to shift from another mechanical career or start an entirely new job track aviation maintenance schools can give you the skills you need for a lucrative career.

Sources:

Federal Aviation Administration
Washington State Department of Transportation

Author Bio

In addition to his work as an author and business coach, Joe Taylor Jr. has covered business and finance news for Financial Times Television and CNBC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College.

The current shortage of special education teachers means that many school districts are having difficulty filling jobs. If you are interested in teaching children with special educational needs, you can prepare yourself for certification and improve your job prospects by earning an online degree.

Special Education Teachers Have a Special Job to Do

Teaching special education needs special skills. To do the job well you need patience, understanding, enthusiasm, and a real desire to help your students learn and improve. Every day in the United States over 5 million children with special educational needs go off to school, relying on the fact that there will be a specially trained teacher there to help them get the most out of their school day.

Training for Teaching Special Education

More than 700 colleges across the U.S. run programs of study for teaching in special education, most at bachelor’s level. If you already have a bachelor’s and want to earn a higher level qualification you can now prepare yourself for certification as a special education teacher by earning an online master’s degree in the subject.

Studying for an Online Degree

Just like a campus-based program, an online degree can give you a thorough preparation for employment as a special education teacher. The only major difference is that you won’t have to attend scheduled classes but can choose when and where you want to study (as long as you have access to the computer and the Internet).

A typical online program will cover essential subjects like:

• how disabilities can affect a child’s physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and cultural needs
• methods of assessment and diagnosis
• how to modify the teaching environment to suit different learning styles
• how to practice effective teaching strategies
• the law in relation to special needs children

A real-life teaching component of several months is included. By the time you finish your online degree you may be well-prepared for teaching students with special educational needs and ready to give them the special help they need.

Sources

National Dissemination Center For Children With Disabilities
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Grand Canyon University - (PDF)

About the Author

Jane Smallman combines freelance writing with running a mountain guiding business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.

According to both the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), automotive technician jobs are readily available, particularly for those who have completed a qualified automotive training program.

Grease Monkeys No More

Automobiles are changing, and so is the way in which auto technicians do their jobs. The NADA notes that “the ‘grease monkey’ image is a thing of the past.” In order to get an auto technician job these days you need be more than mechanically inclined, you’ve got to be tech savvy.

That’s because today’s automotive service areas are filled with high-tech diagnostic and repair equipment. As vehicle become more sophisticated, technicians must not only be familiar with this equipment but also know how to use it in their jobs.

Training is essential, according to both the NADA and the BLS. It is possible to work your way up through an auto dealership from porter or car washer to lubrication rack and light repair, but technical training will accelerate your advancement and prepare you for higher level work. Some auto technician training programs can take as little as 6 months, putting you that much closer to the job you want.

Auto Technician Jobs Plentiful and Rewarding

At present, U.S. dealerships employ about 245,000 automotive service technicians. The BLS projects that there will be an increase of between 9 and 17 percent in these jobs through 2014, and that those entering this field can expect fairly steady work. And, while no training can guarantee you a job or a particular salary, as of May 2004 the average salary for an automotive technician with a dealership job was $38,000.

If you’re ready for a career offering steady employment, solid pay, and a chance to work with both high-tech equipment and cars, its time to consider training for an automotive technician job.

Sources

“Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics,” Bureau of Labor Statistics
National Automobile Dealers Association

About the Author

AJ Fanter is a freelance writer based in Reno, NV.