Career Opportunities Through Geriatric Social Work

For most people, when you say “social worker” you think of someone working with children and families — your first thought might even be an incorrect image of an overworked caseworker removing children from their homes and placing them in foster care. 

However, there is a much wider range of opportunity for social workers outside of the realm of children and families. In fact, social workers are committed to helping all people in need. They help people at all ages and stages of life access the services and tools they need to thrive and live healthy lives. Yet there is one population in dire need of help, and a shortage of qualified workers could mean that many people do not gain access to the services that they need.

As the population ages, seniors have a greater need than ever for help managing the social, financial, and health issues that come with old age. Whether it’s someone facing a chronic disease who needs daily medical care, or someone facing the isolation that can come from the loss of family and friends over time, the range of services required by older adults is vast, and there’s a great need for social workers trained in gerontology and aging issues. Add in trends such as the increase in elder abuse and the desire of many people to “age in place” rather than in assisted living or nursing care facilities, and the need for qualified social workers becomes even more apparent.

So how do you get involved in geriatric social work? The first step is understanding what social workers do.

Geriatric Social Work Overview

Geriatric or gerontological social workers are focused on meeting the physical and social needs of older adults. They can be found in a wide variety of settings, such as hospitals, state agencies, service and referral agencies (i.e., agencies on aging), rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and private practice.

Depending on the agency and the specialty of the social worker, some of the services that one might provide include:

1) Referral to necessary services, including health care, financial advice and assistance, and legal services.

2) Functional evaluations to determine eligibility for services.

3) Mental health evaluation and counseling.

4) Discharge planning after hospitalizations.

5) Support and advocacy in matters of health, money, and social lives. For example, social workers are trained to identify signs of elder abuse and take action when necessary. 

Social workers often work closely with other professionals, including health care providers, attorneys, and financial advisors, as well as families, to ensure that older adults are well-cared for and have everything they need.

Becoming a Geriatric Social Worker

At minimum, to begin a career in geriatric social work you need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, in a field such as social work, psychology, or gerontology. In some cases, nurses have moved into social work roles as well. However, every state requires social workers to be licensed, and that means earning a master’s in human services or social work and passing the licensing exam. In addition, to be eligible to take the social work examination, you generally need to complete a minimum number of supervised practicum hours; in most states, the minimum is 3,000 hours, but the specifics vary. 

In any case, you will be expected to have specialized knowledge of the issues that affect older adults, including mental and physical health issues. You will generally complete coursework not only related to working with the elderly themselves, but also in social policies and current issues relating to older people, ethics, and gerontological research.

Career Opportunities

The number of people age 65 or older is expected to reach 72 million by the year 2030, comprising 20 percent of the U.S. population. This means that going forward, there will be a wide array of opportunities for gerontological social workers. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistic predicts demand to increase by 19 percent, which is faster than average. 

Salaries vary for jobs in this field. The BLS reports a median annual salary of about $44,000, with the highest earners topping out at around $57,000 per year. Earning potential varies according to the employer, region, and level of experience, with those working in private practice or for private agencies earning the most.

Geriatric social work is a rewarding and growing field. If you have the urge to help, but aren’t sure you want to work with children, you have other options — and senior citizens need your help.

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Online Education Degree not From a Traditional Campus

There are many people who realize late in life that they want to work in the Education field. While the traditional route to this type of career is often initiated right out of high school, when students go straight into college and on to student teaching while they themselves are still young, becoming an educator once you are older isn’t impossible. In fact, it’s not as difficult as you might think. What happens when life has already gotten in the way of your career in Education and you simply have too many commitments on your time to make it to a traditional campus? You get your degree online.

Many people pursuing an online Education Degree do so from home. The reality of today’s economy makes it impossible for many people to stop working or even reduce their hours in order to further their education. Online classes are often more flexible and just as thorough as their on campus counterparts. They afford you a way to earn your degree without giving up a large portion of your time and income. It’s no wonder that online learning has become such a popular alternative to traditional college classes; you get the same education on your own schedule, without the hassle of traveling to and from class.

For those concerned that the classes available online are limited in some way compared to those offered in brick and mortar colleges, consider the fact that many schools now offer exclusive, in-depth classes that are only available online, taught by busy, highly respected professors exclusively for online education programs. In fact, some traditional students combine on campus classes with online ones to get a more complete education. 

Working towards online degree: Stockvault

Wondering how far you can go towards getting a degree in Education online? The sky’s the limit. Some students are able to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education completely or almost completely online, depending upon their level of education already obtained. The coursework is no less challenging when done online, but there is typically plenty of support available for students and the schedule is usually much more flexible.

Online education isn’t just for young, technologically savvy students. With a basic knowledge of computers and adequate internet access anyone can begin to earn their degree online, at any age. Working parents, people who never finished college and even those who never thought further education was ‘in the cards’ for them can take advantage of getting a degree. For those students who are already pursuing an education degree at a traditional campus online education offers them a chance to complete additional studies online or reduce the time they spend on campus.

As an added incentive to earn an Education degree online many colleges offer assistance with financial aid, so part of the cost of your education could be taken care of for you. Low cost, low stress online education vs. traveling to campus and juggling a busy work/life schedule…which would you prefer? For more and more people, the answer is clear. Online education is the convenient and affordable way to obtain a degree in Education or many other fields of study.

By: Joe Whyte

It’s never too late to get started earning an Education Degree. Don’t give up on a career in Education; consider getting your degree online and let your career dreams become a reality.

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Computer Science Majors and Alan Turing

Alan Turing is almost universally recognized as the inventor of computer science. This is based on his conception of both algorithms and computations via his signature invention, the Turing Machine. His influence in the computer sciences field is still widely felt and recognized today. In fact, computer science as it exists today may not have come about at all without the contributions of Alan Turing.



Turing's Mathematical Beginnings


Turing was always exceptionally adept at mathematics. He was known in school for being able to easily solve complex mathematical equations with ease. He was also very interested in science and proved equally talented in that area. He followed Albert Einstein's work closely and even added to it with some of his own highly evolved questioning.



The Turing Machine and Computational Numbers


His association with computer science began in 1936. He was 24-years-old at the time. It was then that he began working on computational numbers. He did so through the publication of an academic paper on the subject and applied computational numbers to the Entscheidungs problem. This paper laid the foundations of the Turing Machine that came later and was famous for being one of the first machines to be able to compute numbers and algorithms. Turing machines could decipher the logic of any algorithm using the computational numbers theory as a foundation.



Two years after delving into computational numbers, Turing obtained his Ph.D. degree from Princeton. His dissertation discussed the theory of relative computing. He went back to Britain and used his work with the Turing machine and his conceptions on relative computing to help the British government break German codes during WWII.



However, code breaking was not his only activity at this time. He also found time to design a machine called the Bombe that allowed the British to break German codes more swiftly. The U.S. Navy also made use of the Bombe for code breaking. This invention proved instrumental in many British and U.S. victories against the Germans during WWII.



Computer Circuit Board: Stockvault

Artificial Intelligence and Alan Turing


After the war, Turing began teaching and doing research at Manchester University. He wrote a paper on the problem of artificial intelligence in 1950. This was long before most people ever conceived of such things. The paper focused on the problem of the development of computers that could think and act on their own at the level of human intelligence. To combat the potential problem of artificial intelligence run amok, Turing proposed that computers be built with intelligence at the level of a small child and then be trained and educated so that the machines did not become dangerous. The famous Turing Test was derived from this paper. It is a test to measure the intelligence of a machine.



Turing's Continuing Influence on Computer Science Today


Though Turing sadly died while still at the peak of his career; his legend lives on. The Turing Award was conceived and named after him in 1966. It is awarded annually to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the field of the computer science. It is a prestigious award and is the world's way of honoring the man who laid the foundations of the computer-based society we live in today.

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Stephen Normandy is a computer junkie who often writes on computer science, laptops, laptop accessories, gadgets and other related subjects; laptop owners may want to view the kensington laptop lock by visiting kensington.com.

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Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse

Student life has never been easy for most of us. There are those, who are pressed by financial burdens, do not want to take student loans and cannot proceed with their education. And then there are those who can’t cope with the matter, but still want to delve in the field they have chosen. This applies especially to medical students who were not capable of making the cut. If you are one such student, then perhaps you should take a look at some easier and yet still lucrative opportunities. One of them is becoming an LPN.

What is an LPN you would ask? This abbreviation stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. These specialists apply their skillset to provide sub-expert help for people who are sick, crippled or handicapped in some other way. The exact services which the LPN provides are dependent on the country and state the professional resides in. What matters most, however, is the establishment you work in. Whether you are in a specialized hospital, or a doctor’s office is going to be all that matters. Still, you can become familiar with some of the main tasks which the licensed practical nurse will commit to.

What you need to know above all, is that LPNs are not Registered Nurses and therefore do not have that level of expertise. LPNs work directly under the command of a superior, be it an RN or a doctor. A beginner LPN will commonly serve to provide comfort to patients in different establishments. This will include changing bed sheets, helping them with stool and providing overall comfort and hygiene care. Even though it might seem as a dull, or even revolting job to some, it is actually extremely essential for today’s healthcare. There are many people who cannot cope with their daily activities by themselves.

When it comes to becoming an LPN and why it is useful for people who are impeded from finishing university, there are a few simple facts that need to be stated. First of all, unlike doctors, LPNs get their licensing in no more than a year. There is a large number of licensed programs dedicated to training LPNs all over the world. Based on the requirements derived from your location, you will undergo a course with varying levels of complexity. In the end, you will need to sign up for the NCLEX-PN and take it. If you succeed, you are capable of applying for a license as an LPN.

When it comes to studying during the program, as stated above, different courses will have varying levels of complexity. In all generality, however, you will undergo an extensive course in basic medicine and first aid so that you can commit to your duties. This course will include a practical part in a real hospital environment, which is essential for all aspiring professionals. Keep in mind, though, that despite the fact that you have successfully completed the course, employers might still require you to go through more training once you begin work.

Once you have completed your training and have gathered some experience in the working field, you can then specialize even more. There are LPNs who get an increase in pay after undergoing special training to handle more complex tasks. This will include placement of IV drips and performing some more advanced first aid operations. Such continued specializations are usually demanded by the employer once he or she decides that the specialist deserves a promotion. LPNs can afterwards progress even further by applying for special RN training and becoming registered nurses themselves.

So, you might be wondering why you would want to go through all this and lose a year of your life in training. If helping people in need isn’t stimulus enough for you, then perhaps some statistical facts will be of help. Research has shown that the work of the licensed practical nurse is among the most demanded in the world, and demand keeps rising every day. On average within the United States, the licensed practical nurse working in a hospital will have an annual income of over $40,000. The job also opens up a lot more doors within the healthcare industry.

This is why you should consider this if you are wondering where you can go with your life. This is one profession that is only going to get better over time.

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Accountant Job Satisfaction

While accounting may appear to be a career that lacks in overall employment satisfaction due to a perceived tediousness, there are studies and surveys that suggest that crunching numbers may be more fulfilling than individuals may speculate.

According to a U.S. News and World Report annual 100 Best Business Jobs of 2013 survey the top five jobs based on data provided by the U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) are:

1.  Market Research Analyst
2.  Financial Adviser
3.  Accountant
4.  Compliance Officer
5.  Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Audit Clerk

BLS data further shows that the median pay for accountants is around $61,690 (2010) or $29.66 per hour and that the number of accountant jobs in 2010 was 1,216,900. An employment change for 2010-2020 shows that an additional 190,700 are expected to be added for a total growth rate of 15.7 percent.

Are Accountants Relatively Satisfied with their Career?

Based on the BLS and US News information, one would believe that being an accountant is a very good career choice that pays well and offers stability and opportunities for growth. The role of the

accountant is important one, particularly after this country's recent flirtation with economic disaster and the need for the books and records of corporations, banks and governments to better reflect what is being done based on substantiated, not phantom, accounting methods and practices.

The existence of five big and four narrow traits determined the career satisfaction of an accountant. These traits (by "big" and "narrow") are:

Five Big Traits of Accountants

1.  Agreeableness/Teamwork
2.  Conscientiousness
3.  Emotional Stability
4.  Extraversion, and
5.  Openness

Four Narrow Traits of Accountants

1.  Assertiveness
2.  Customer-Service Orientation
3.  Optimism, and
4.  Work Drive

This suggests that the need for new accountants in light of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projection of nearly 200,000 new accountants for the profession by 2020 requires recruiters to focus on those individuals in possession of the above traits.

Big Five Personality Traits as a Predictor of Accounting Career Satisfaction

Personality tests have been administered by human resources professional, such as the well-known Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MPTI) as a way to assess ability and determine if a candidate will fit in the work environment. The big five traits are an adaptation of standard personality tests applicable to the workplace. Of the five big traits, emotional stability, which relates to a person's emotional state on the job and their ability to adjust to their surroundings and function, especially when faced with stress and pressure, had the highest correlation to career satisfaction for accountants.

In addition to a high pay rate, accountants are also equipped with a steady employment rate that is expected to increase in the coming years. In an economy with an uncertain outlook, accountants and other similar positions are afforded job security rather than high unemployment rates. These factors, combined with personalities that function well under the conditions required for the position, are reasons that accountants have a high career satisfaction.

Ray Pilkington is a freelance writer based in Biloxi, Mississippi who concentrates his writing career on personal finance, taxation, tax reform, savings, economic development and other related topics; to learn more about taxation view the following information on R&R Income Tax.

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A Documented 4 Step Technique to Prepare for the CSET Test

The California Examinations for Teachers is needed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for you to get a teacher credential. A passing score demands extremely efficient CSET prep. That means cramming and forcing yourself to memorize tons of information in a brief time will never do.

Sadly, many test takers don’t know the most efficient manner to prep for the CSET, what test taking skills are required or what evaluation guides will cover the domains tested. They end up frustrated in exam preparation and then demoralized after they fail. Worse however, some turn out to be chronic test failures and lose their dream of being a licensed teacher in California.

Do not let that materialize to you.

You’ve invested a large number of dollars in college tuition and years from your life preparing to be an educator. You'll want to toss out the window the idea that a $21 CSET test prep guidebook will be the only thing you need to study in order to pass.

How Should You Begin Your CSET Prep?

Before anything else register for the examination. Do not wait till you really feel you are ready before you really register. There will by no means be a perfect moment. Once you have registered and see the time ticking, it'll create a force field which will compel you to prepare.

4 Top Notch Tips To Prep For The CSET Exam

1.) Know and understand the content of this assessment to save yourself from feeling lost and studying the incorrect information.

A.) What specific skills and knowledge will probably be tested in your specific exam?

B.) What domains and subsections account for almost all exam points? (Use this information to figure out exactly where you need to put most of your CSET exam prep time.)

C.) How is your test scored?

Understanding what sections of your exam account for by far the most} points will help you allocate your CSET test prep towards the content material knowledge that will increase your general test score the most. Further, understanding how the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Evaluation Systems Pearson measure the tested competencies will can dramatically turbo increase your exam evaluation and also your probability of a passing score.

D.) What will be the format, structure and way CSET examination questions are worded?

Your exam will either have multiple choice questions, constructed response questions or perhaps a mixture of both. It pays to know how to answer constructed response questions. This can be a distinctive test taking skill you'll need to discover and demo. Be very familiar with Constructed Response questions and in what format, structure and style to answer them.

E.) How much time is permitted to finish your specific CSET test? Calculate just how much time you have to answer each exam question. (Use this info to practice pacing yourself with practice exam examination question and how you can allocate your time in the test center.)

NOTE: Whether you are taking the science, social science, math, Spanish, Bilingual Authorization, Multiple Subjects Test or additional, most of this CSET prep information may be discovered in downloads from the official CSET (or Evaluation Systems Pearson) site.

2.) Locate The Best CSET Prep Books:

The best CSET prep classes, workshops, practice tests, flashcards, books and tutoring are produced by California teachers who passed your particular exam. After all, it doesn’t make sense to buy one of the most generally utilized preparation books when too many fail after utilizing these guides.

In fact, most authors from large publishers who create CSET prep books rarely ever took your exam! They’re not an expert within the Single Subject exam they’re supposedly teaching you how to pass.

3.) Create Your own Customized CSET Practice Plan:

You currently have other responsibilities each day and week. You will find lots of competing demands on your time especially when everyone expects a piece of your life with text messages, social media, emails and cell phones. Consequently, you must make CSET preparation a priority and put much less important activities aside until following your testing date.

You have to proactively schedule test practice time each week. Aim for at least 2 hours per day in case your exam day is really a month or less away. Allot a realistic amount of time for each area from the exam you'll need to study.

Discipline yourself to close your pc browser, turn off e-mail, social media, text message alerts and cell phones. Do not get caught up within urgencies of the moment (which are not essential in the big picture) that steal your concentration and possibly your profession as a teacher.

Each interruption (whether a live individual, telephone call or perhaps a computerized communication) robs you of crucial CSET prep time. Typically, you’ll need 10-20 minutes after every interruption to obtain your mind in the state of concentration it was in before the interruption. As you can see following a series of continuous interruptions, your test prep productivity is in the gutter. It requires you three hours to complete what you could get done in 1 hours of uninterrupted time.

By the time you walk into CSET testing center you are only half as prepared as you'll need to be in order to pass. It’s too late whenever you realize your CSET exam prep time was lost in partials and piecemeal in the weeks leading up to your testing date.

You always need more time for prepping estimate now, so steer clear of procrastination by forcing yourself to plan and schedule test practice.

4.) Force Yourself To Put 80% Of All Your CSET Exam Prep Time Toward Your Weakest Areas:

Identify your weaknesses and strengths when it comes to the subject matter competency requirements. Strive to boost your understanding and skills in your locations of weaknesses.

Why?

You will increase your test score 2-5 quicker in each hour of reviewing low areas vs. making mediocre improvements in sections you’re currently proficient in.

This also applies for your weakest test taking skills too. For instance, in the event you tend to run out of time taking the exam, practice on pacing your self according to how much time you get for each test question. If understanding how you can format an effective essay in the Constructed Response questions is a challenge, double and triple your concentration and time enhancing that ability.

The danger is we always gravitate to topic matter and practicing abilities we currently feel comfortable in. The key to peak overall performance CSET test prep is forcing yourself to do what’s not comfy, but necessary to ramp up your areas of greatest difficulty so you pass.

Use these CSET prep helpful tips from http://www.cateachingsolutions.com/csettestprep.html as a checklist to increase your productivity and quit risking a failing score. Just utilizing just one of these strategies regularly might be enough to pass the CSET test and get you in front of the} class.

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Industrial Engineering: A Failsafe Degree?

Individuals seeking a new career path in the engineering field may contemplate earning a degree in industrial engineering, believing this industry offers failsafe job options. Are the job prospects as positive as most individuals believe them to be, especially in the present struggling workforce?

What They Do

Industrial engineers focus on the design, development, implementation, and improvement on integrated systems, taking into consideration people, information, materials, energy, and equipment. From the factory assembly lines to hospital operating rooms, industrial engineers help improve complex processes to eliminate wastefulness in a wide range of industries and production processes.

Opportunities

Industrial engineering offers individuals a wide range of career possibilities. The greater your experience and qualifications are, the more job opportunities are available to you; however, with the multitude of choices and much-needed commitment required in this field comes tough decisions that could impact your prospects. In order to increase your chances of finding a position as an industrial engineer, you need to focus on opportunities that are best suited to your strengths and skills, allowing you to be the most effective.

Industrial engineering is predicted to increase by approximately six percent between the years 2010 and 2020, which is less than the overall occupational average; however, being versatile in both the pertinent industries and work nature, industrial engineers are attractive to most employers because their work can help businesses increase efficiency through cost control. Besides playing a crucial role in providing a corporation with a competitive edge, industrial engineering offers individuals many positive prospects in this career.

Career Versatility

Industrial engineering offers a wide range of career choices. Because industrial engineers do not specialize in a specific field, as do other engineers, they can seek employment in various industries such as hospitals, major manufacturing industries, research and development corporations, and consulting and engineering services.

Industrial engineers focus on reducing a company’s internal costs, which makes them a valuable asset to even the fastest growing industries. For those contemplating industrial engineering as a career choice, individuals need to take into account that finding a job in this industry may be hindered because many employment opportunities in manufacturing industries are projected to decline or only slowly grow through over the next few years.

Exceptional Pay

Those who are seeking a position as an industrial engineer can expect to earn a decent annual salary. The median annual salary for an industrial engineer was approximately $76,100, as of May 2010. Median annual salaries for industrial engineers in the top employing industries as of May 2010 were as follows:

• Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing - $83,620
• Navigational, electromedical, control instruments, and measuring manufacturing - $81,850
• Engineering, architectural, and related services - $80,990
• Aerospace parts and products manufacturing - $80,940
• Automobile parts manufacturing - $72,840

Promotion Opportunities

After obtaining the proper amount of experience, it is not uncommon for industrial engineers to be promoted to a managerial position. For those who are seeking a management position, industrial engineering offers an easy solution. Aspiring industrial engineers obtain similar business training and education as business students, and many times industrial engineers will minor in sales or businesses administration. Additional math, technology, and science training make industrial engineers more marketable to employers, and many will complete their educational experience by earning an MBA.

Nigel Cunningham is a writer and blogger currently penning articles for Allight Sykes, a company which supplies a range of products such as light towers, mining pumps and other equipment.

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What Are You, a Brain Surgeon?

People often joke about brain surgeons' intelligence, assuming that because they operate on brains, they must be smart. The fact is that it's true. However, "smart" is a relative term. While it may be true that neurologists need a certain level of mental prowess, it doesn't mean that neurologists are smarter than average people. Becoming a brain surgeon requires a certain kind of intelligence. A career in neuroscience demands the ability to work in high-pressure situations and think rationally through life-threatening situations. This kind of intelligence differs from that needed for a career in business or teaching. While the mind of a brain surgeon is as complex as anyone else's, neurologists do need to meet certain prerequisites in order to be successful. The following outlines some of the characteristics shared by brain surgeons.

Aptitude

Neurologists must possess an inherent ability to think analytically and critically. Faced with thousands of different scenarios over the course of a career, a neurosurgeon must be able to figure out not only what's wrong with a patient's brain but how to resolve the issue. Analytical thinking encompasses taking an issue and analyzing it to find a solution, and in this case, brain surgeons have to master this skill. Otherwise, they won't be able to think through complex problems. The human

brain is a maze of information, and being able to work through it is a prerequisite for becoming a brain surgeon. Like everyone, neurologists don't always perform as well in every subject. Performing poorly in a certain subject doesn't preclude one from becoming a brain surgeon. As long as someone has the ability to learn new information daily and solve problems analytically, he or she should be successful as a neurosurgeon.

Education & Training

Those wishing to become brain surgeons should be aware that neurology requires a lot of post-secondary education. Brain surgeons spend between 11 and 16 years after high school training to become a neurologist, but the training doesn't stop once the finish medical school. Neurology demands constant learning as new information is discovered and practiced. In order to deal with this constant barrage of information, a brain surgeon should have a natural love of learning and the ability to retain sophisticated information. In addition to medical conditions and cures, brain surgeons need to know how to operate complex technology and perform in-depth research. People who don't enjoy learning new things will not excel in this field.

Side Effects

Besides the mental capabilities of being a brain surgeon, some outcomes will take a heavy emotional toll. Brain surgeons should be prepared for death, as operating on a human brain can lead to serious consequences even in routine procedures. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, "Physicians and surgeons must be able to treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding." Empathy is an important part of becoming a surgeon, especially when dealing with something as tenuous as the human brain.

Becoming a brain surgeon takes years of education, training and practice. It demands excellent coordination as well as outstanding mental faculties. The prerequisites for becoming a neurologist might sound demanding, but they are necessary to ensure that people receive quality care. Unless someone is able to stand for long periods of time, enjoys a high-pressure job and excels at mental prowess, he or she should reconsider becoming a surgeon. The compensation may be excellent, but a neurosurgeon requires intense aptitude that some people simply lack.

Jacob Stafford is a freelance writer who focuses on medical research, medical education and training, medical careers, medical record retrieval service, health & wellness, nutritional science, medical science and other kindred subjects.

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Degree in Petroleum Engineering

The petroleum industry is experiencing robust and sustained growth as the international and domestic demand for petroleum products, ranging from gasoline to lubricating oil, continues to rise. Because of this, petroleum engineers are in great demand; some students have even been able to obtain well-compensated and secure employment before their graduation.



Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS ) estimates that there are over 30,000 petroleum engineers employed in the United States. The job opportunities for petroleum engineers are expanding at a robust 17 percent with over 35,000 positions expected by 2020. In addition, job openings due to retirement and other sources of attrition help ensure a wide range of opportunities for individuals seeking to enter this field. The BLS has also determined that petroleum engineers enjoy excellent salary and benefit packages, with the median annual salary for a petroleum engineer exceeding $114,000, while the upper 10 percent of engineers earn over $166,000. In many cases, these wages do not take into account very generous vacation, housing, and medical plan options. 


Get Them Before They're Gone


However, because the market for petroleum engineers is such a competitive one, and obtaining a skilled staff so vital to the effective exploitation of petroleum resources, many companies prefer to hire students before their graduation in order to avoid the risk that another business will secure the student’s services first. In addition, this competitive job market helps ensure that students and graduates alike can obtain very promising compensation and professional packages as a part of their hiring contract. 



In addition, offering a job to a student who has not yet graduated can allow a company to help the student focus on those areas of expertise that the employer finds most important. Given the wide range of specialties within the field of petroleum engineering, this can allow a company to dramatically reduce the amount of training required for a newly hired engineer. It also allows the student to prepare him or herself for the job by learning about the employer’s corporate culture and mission. 


High Demand means High Value


The growing demand for petroleum engineers is largely due to two factors. The first is the continued growth of the national and international energy development sector. The need for petroleum engineers, whether it is to work in traditional oil fields or to work in research and development for more efficient methods of oil extraction, has created an insatiable demand for highly qualified employees. Because of the specialized knowledge and skill base required to work in the petroleum industry, retraining other engineers for this field is unfeasible in most cases. 



In addition, the highly skilled faculty needed to train students in petroleum engineering has created a bottleneck in the supply of new graduates. From 1957 until the last decade, enrollment in petroleum engineering programs suffered a steady decrease in class sizes. When coupled with retirement and other sources of attrition among currently employed engineers, this educational decline contributed to the current shortage of qualified petroleum engineers. While many schools are attempting to expand their programs, the need to secure experienced instructors and facilities places a limit on how quickly these programs can expand.



Although it is likely that the supply of graduates will eventually match the current demand, for the foreseeable future, petroleum engineering students will continue to enjoy excellent job and salary prospects offered by employers who continue to face a shortage of qualified engineers. Furthermore, the continuing expansion of petroleum extraction operations into previously untapped areas, coupled with the growing energy demands of the developing world, make it certain that this career field will continue to experience robust growth. This makes becoming a petroleum engineer an excellent choice for students seeking a secure career in today’s business environment.


This piece was written by Eric Satterberg, a freelancer who concentrates on education, engineering, mathematics, science, oil and gas, energy, alternative fuel sources and other related issues; to learn more about engineering visit Audubon Engineering.

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Joining the Peace Corps After Graduation

The Peace Corps can seem like an excellent option for some graduates, and it can be, but whether or not it is the best move for the new graduate depends on a number of factors. There are a few important questions you must consider carefully before making a decision to join the Peace Corps.

Are You Planning to Go into Development Work or Another International Career?

For people planning to join the Foreign Service or do development work, experience as a Peace Corps volunteer will be invaluable. It is an excellent opportunity to get a look at the pros and cons of both development work and the experience of being a representative of the United States in a foreign country. Peace Corps experience can put you on a fast track for a number of government positions including in the Foreign Service, and if you’re interested in development work you can make significant contacts. The foreign language learned as a Peace Corps volunteer may be a benefit as well.

Do You Have Significant Debts or Financial Obligations (Other than Student Loans)?

Many types of student loans can be deferred or forgiven for Peace Corps volunteers, but it's important to look into this ahead of time. For other types of debt, such as credit card debt, the Peace Corps stipend will not be sufficient to cover debt payments. In fact, it will only pay for maintenance in the foreign country. You need to be realistic about your financial situation before making the decision.

Are You in a Serious Relationship, or Do You Have Family Obligations?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, that doesn't automatically mean that the Peace Corps is out. It simply means that joining should be considered more carefully. Total commitment is important for Peace Corps volunteers. A community will be depending upon the you, and if there is a situation at home that makes you more likely to leave early, it may be necessary to reconsider the Peace Corps. Of course, some people do complete Peace Corps terms of service successfully with a significant other at home, and you should weigh your family obligations against your future goals.

Should You Get Some Work Experience First?

For both the good of the program itself and the individual, it may be better to get two or three years of work experience before joining the Peace Corps. A teacher with a few years in the classroom or an agricultural adviser who has worked with a local extension office in the United States may be more effective than a volunteer fresh out of college. There may also be benefits on both sides; a volunteer may get more out of the experience by having more to offer.

Are You Prepared for the Living Conditions?

As with the question about loved ones, if the answer to this question is "maybe not," that's not an automatic disqualifier. Part of becoming a Peace Corps volunteer is adapting to situations that you might find uncomfortable or alien. However, you should be prepared for the fact that living conditions are likely to be significantly different from what you are accustomed to.

The Peace Corps can be a life-changing experience for both the volunteer and those with whom the volunteer works. However, it can also be difficult and disappointing. If you are thinking about becoming a volunteers, carefully weigh the pros and cons and consider them against your present life situations and future plans to make a fully informed decision.

Ralph Vincent understands what a tough decision joining the Peace Corps can be. When not writing about the Peace Corps Ralph enjoys contributing articles on education, travel, volunteering and other kindred subjects; to learn more visit ARCC.

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