Thursday, December 31, 2009

Five Steps to Reaching 2010 Career Goals

U.S. News University Directory Brings Job Seekers of the Coming Decade a New Path to Success

TAMPA, Fla., December 30, 2009 -- January 1st, 2010 will not just be the start of a new year, but the beginning of an entire decade. It’s an excellent opportunity to set big plans in motion; millions of career professionals are now reflecting on their past achievements and thinking about what they want to accomplish in the future. Many are even considering major changes – either advancing their current career or starting an entirely new one. U.S. News University Directory is proud to bring job seekers of the next decade these five steps to success.

Starting down a new career path requires careful planning. Lack of preparation is one of the main reasons why so many people make New Year’s resolutions, but so few actually keep them. These steps can mean the difference between achieving career goals and staying in the same job for another decade:

1. Set Specific Goals – “Earn more money” or “get a promotion” are usually too general to help individuals formulate a successful plan. It’s too easy to technically meet such a goal without actually achieving anything significant (after all, getting a 2% cost-of-living raise qualifies as earning more, but it’s not really a major step forward). Instead, job seekers should think about all the changes they want to make and then list them in detail. “Get promoted to sales manager with a pay increase of at least 5%” is a good, specific goal.

2. Determine What Training is Needed – Depending on how much education a given professional currently has and what kind of credentials their goals require, going back to school might be necessary. This could be a minor task or a major commitment; a certificate in HTML might mean one semester of online classes, while an Executive MBA can require two years of full-time study at a major university. Carefully research what kind of education a new position or new career will require, then find an accredited school that offers such a program at an affordable price.

3. Get Educated – Once a professional knows what credentials their career goals require, they have to go earn them. For anyone working full-time, this will probably mean evening classes and plenty of discipline to balance job needs against the requirements of their coursework. Online classes can be a big help with this; if a school offers them, working students should take as many as they can. The flexibility and self-pacing of online study can be a huge benefit. And finally, don’t forget to explore all available financial aid options, including employer reimbursement programs. The less time students have to spend worrying about finances, the more they can spend studying.

4. Be Prepared for Setbacks – Working toward a major goal means that there will be occasional problems. Don’t allow them to become excuses for giving up on career aspirations. Instead, learn from mistakes; determine what went wrong and why, then correct the problem in order to succeed on the next attempt.

5. Get Your Name Out There – Once the credentials needed to get the job or promotion are earned, pursue it aggressively. First, career professionals should update their resume with their new degree or certificate. Then submit it to their potential employers by every means available. Employment websites are a good place to start, but not to stop. Having a resume on the Internet casts a wide net that could eventually land a career seeker their dream job, but more precise targeting usually speeds the process along. This means attending job fairs, sending emails and even applying for jobs in person. Career seekers should find out how each potential employer prefers to receive resumes, then make sure to submit theirs that way. And anyone with a new credential should remember to update their profile on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social networking sites. Finally, always follow up on call-backs and requests for more information (such as references) promptly.

Remember that deciding to advance or change a career is not limited to a certain date, even the New Year or new decade. It can be done at any time; those who are willing to get the education they need and vigorously pursue job opportunities can achieve the career goals they set!

About U.S. News University Directory
U.S. News University Directory – Providing comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983. Search America's Best Colleges and America's Best Graduate Schools offering associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s and MBA degrees, doctoral and PhD degrees, and certificate programs. And because U.S. News is the leading ranking resource for anyone seeking an on-campus or online degree, students who use the directory are getting the best education advice and information available.

The original version of this article is posted on the U.S. News University Connection website at http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/get-prepared-for-new-year.aspx

Contact:
Matthew Speer, Director, Sales and Marketing
U.S. News University Connection
866-442-6587

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Ahead of the Recovery: Top Careers to Watch in 2010

Featuring Online Executive Training, the New 2009-2010 University Alliance Catalog Provides Insight on Tomorrow's Skills for Today's Leaders

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's University Alliance publication titled Online Executive Education details several career fields to watch in 2010. From government contract managers to computer and information systems managers, the New Year holds the promise of a brighter future in a number of managerial career fields.

Collaborating with the University Alliance, nationally recognized universities including Villanova, Notre Dame, Tulane and the University of San Francisco are keeping pace with the most in-demand jobs by providing educational programs designed to help professionals master their industry's skills and gain a competitive edge in today's evolving marketplace.

Faced with economic pressures on multiple fronts, businesses are closely monitoring the bottom line -- and scrutinizing the necessity of each employee. From small start-up companies and not-for-profit organizations to Fortune 500 enterprises, businesses of all sizes are responding to the sobering realities of an ailing economy with staff reductions, hiring freezes and unpaid furloughs. Such turbulent times require specialized job skills to help you avoid the chopping block or find a new job.

So how are today's professionals securing the best jobs despite rising unemployment rates, the ensuing recession and uncertain results from the federal stimulus bill?

"The combination of traditional top-ranked universities and convenient online professional education has proven particularly important to many people who have lost their jobs in the recession," said Adrian Marrullier, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of University Alliance Online. "Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced pro, now is the ideal time for a career training makeover." Professionals seeking higher education can choose from over 50 must-have business credentials from the nation's leading university -- 100% online.

Here's a look at some on the rise career fields that deserve attention in the next year:

Government Contract Management
Stimulus spending is fueling the need for contract managers to track and report on expenditure of public funds through local, state and federal government agencies. Government contract managers are key in controlling risk and cost, providing tighter accountability and improving forecasting. According to the National Contract Management Association, government contract managers earn a yearly compensation in excess of $100,000. The salary can increase with experience and CFCM(R) or CPCM(R) certification.

Many graduates enter directly into an executive training program like Villanova's Master Certificate in Government Contract Management. These programs are designed for professionals who want to strengthen their negotiating skills for the government sector through a more thorough understanding of the process. Although the competition for these positions can be fierce, a well-skilled candidate who has firm educational credentials will enjoy good job prospects.

Project Management
Project management is among the fastest-growing professional disciplines in North America. This is attributed to the fact that even the smallest project can benefit from planning, time and cost management, scope management, human resource management and communications management. Success in the workplace demands advanced skills in critical thinking and problem solving, as well as a kind of intellectual agility that enables one to shift readily from one task or project to another.

Those with project management experience should consider earning their PMP(R) (Project Management Professional) certification, a credential that can push annual salaries well into six-figure territory and increase job security. In order to prepare for PMP certification, many professionals elect to enroll in online project management training programs like Villanova's Master Certificate in Applied Project Management.

Information Technology (IT)
A nationwide U.S. survey of chief information officers (CIOs) shows that more employers now plan to hire rather than lay off IT professionals in the first quarter of 2010, with most hiring for entry-level and junior staff in full-time jobs. Professionals, who design, develop, implement, support or manage computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware will be in high demand when stimulus funding kicks in next year.

Companies will be scrambling to fill IT jobs ranging from programmers and systems architects to software engineers. IT professionals with key skill sets are sought after by employers in healthcare, manufacturing and other industries, resulting in higher-than-average compensation. For example, computer and information systems managers earn $118,000 annually, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Salaries typically are even higher for professionals with industry certifications.

Villanova's online IS security program offers tracks that lead to a Master Certificate in IS Security, Information Security Management or Information Security Management -- Government. These programs are designed to prepare individuals for the certification exams offered by (ISC)2(R) and CompTIA(R).

Six Sigma -- Healthcare
Six Sigma-trained professionals will continue to be in high demand through 2010, with Six Sigma Black Belts earning an average of $104,083, according to the recent iSixSigma Global Salary Survey.

The error-reducing Six Sigma methodology is fast becoming required knowledge for healthcare professionals involved in helping hospitals, clinics and other facilities streamline productivity and improve performance. Professionals who master Six Sigma healthcare practices can become recognized leaders guiding projects that result in breakthrough improvements and improved bottom-line results.

About University Alliance OnlineTop Careers in 2010
The University Alliance facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, its university partners have surpassed 300,000 online enrollments. University Alliance partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, the University of San Francisco, the University of South Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Dominican University and Jacksonville University.

Contact:

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
University Alliance Online
813-621-6200
http://www.universityallianceonline.com 

Textbooks Enter the Digital Era

New Companies and Organizations are Ready to Usher in an Age of Paperless Texts

Tampa, Fla., December 29, 2009 -- The average college student’s textbook bill can run more than $1,200 a year. In a decade already marked by economic recession, high unemployment and dwindling student loans, that amount of money can be a huge burden. But if organizations like Orange Grove Texts Plus have their way, expensive – and bulky – paper textbooks might be a thing of the past.

Orange Grove Texts Plus is a partnership between the University Press of Florida (the Florida university system’s nonprofit publishing arm), Integrated Book Technology (a Virginia publisher) and The Orange Grove (Florida’s digital database of K-20 teaching material). This program offers students digital versions of over 140 textbooks and scholarly monographs for free, and bound printed versions for $30 to $50. Eventually, Orange Grove Texts Plus plans to stock more than 1600 titles.

Students Ready, But Others Might Not Be
Even with programs like Orange Grove Texts Plus springing up all across the country – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California recently started such an initiative for his state’s high schools – digital textbooks only make up about 2% of the current market. But it is seldom students who resist this kind of technology. After all, they’ve grown up with computers and the Internet – they’re accustomed to getting their information online. Studying on a laptop, smart phone or wireless reading device is hardly a stretch for them.

However, college and university faculty members are another story – and sometimes with good reason. Jack Mecholsky, chair of the University of Florida’s Faculty Senate, recently told Inside Higher Ed that “If the state amasses a library of free books selected without faculty input, it may be only a matter of time before some lawmaker with a populist streak tries to mandate that faculty assign only those books in their classes.”

“That’s the danger, and I could see that happening,” said Mecholsky. “What happens is lawmakers have just made an academic decision that that textbook is right for all professors and all students taking that course, and that’s wrong.” He also went on to note that “It sounds so good the way they present it, but then you say what are the unintended consequences? And they don’t think about that at all. We’re constantly fighting things like that.”

An Idea Whose Time Has Come
Unintended consequences or not, the move to digital course materials is probably inevitable. A government study recently found that textbook prices have ballooned at twice the annual inflation rate over the past 20 years. This has become such a burden to students that some states have passed legislation aimed at making them more affordable, and for-profit businesses now see an opportunity to break into the digital textbook market.

CourseSmart is a company that has over 7,300 titles that students can buy at a significantly lower price than the traditional paper versions. And Amazon.com, now the largest book retailer in the U.S., is taking part in a study with seven universities to evaluate the success of digital textbooks. So even if free programs like Orange Grove Texts Plus don’t emerge as the standard, it appears that lower-cost, course materials are going to become more and more common in the coming years.
It’s a safe bet that few students will choose to strain their already-thin wallets on bulky textbooks if a less expensive option is made available. And course materials that can be stored and read on a computer or smart phone will appeal to today’s tech-savvy college students in any case. Even if it takes several more years for the trend to fully catch on, the time has come for textbooks to enter the digital era.

SOURCE – U.S. News University Directory – Providing comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983. Search America's Best Colleges and America's Best Graduate Schools offering associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s and MBA degrees, doctoral and PhD degrees, and certificate programs. And because U.S. News is the leading ranking resource for anyone seeking an on-campus or online degree, students who use the directory are getting the best education advice and information available.

ARTICLE – http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/digital-textbooks.aspx

Contact:
Matthew Speer, Director, Sales and Marketing
U.S. News University Connection
866-442-6587

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Villanova University Unveils 100% Online Master of Science in Human Resource Development

HR Master's Degree Empowers Professionals With Executive-Level HR Skills

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 2 -- Villanova University, ranked #1 Master's University in the Northern Region for nearly two decades by U.S. News & World Report, is proud to announce that its Master of Science in Human Resource Development degree is now offered 100% online. This advancement means more people than ever can experience the Villanova difference through its leading HR master's degree program. Classes for the 30-credit-hour program start in March 2010, with enrollment beginning December 1, 2009. Like Villanova's growing array of popular online certificate programs, this degree utilizes innovative online learning technology to deliver expert instruction to students from the field's foremost educators. It's the ideal way for HR professionals to earn a respected credential that equips them with today's most sought-after skills.

"With this program, Villanova introduces online convenience to the proven, ground-based HR master's program it established more than 25 years ago," says Adele Lindenmeyr, Ph.D., and Dean of Graduate Studies for the university's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "Now students virtually anywhere can expand their HR skills and credentials by earning a master's in human resources entirely online - from the same accomplished HR faculty who teach here on campus. The program removes the barriers of time and location, putting an HR master's degree within reach for many who otherwise might not be able to fit a traditional campus-based graduate education into their schedule."

The timing of Villanova's online human resource master's degree couldn't be more advantageous for potential candidates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, overall HR employment is projected to jump 17% by 2016. Those completing their master's in human resources will be in a prime position to meet the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in the HR field. The credential will help graduates distinguish themselves, and give them the opportunity to experience greater job stability, earning potential, career mobility and professional fulfillment.

To request more information about joining the inaugural class of Villanova's online Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development, go to http://www.VillanovaU.com/MHRD today or call 866-220-0017.

Villanova's Online HR Master's Degree Program
About Villanova University
Founded in 1842, Villanova University is the worldwide leader in professional education online. A traditional, accredited university located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, it has more than 94,000 alumni, NCAA Division I athletic teams, unparalleled academic and technical support, and an outstanding faculty - over 90% of whom hold the highest degrees in their field. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Villanova the #1 Master's University in the Northern Region for nearly two decades.

About Bisk Education, Inc.
Founded in 1971, Bisk Education offers end-to-end, lifelong-learning solutions that allow working adults to reach their personal and professional goals through education. The University Alliance (UA), a division of Bisk, facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 300,000 online enrollments - making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. U.S. News University Directory, part of the Bisk network, provides comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983.

Contact:

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Villanova University/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.villanovau.com