Career planning while you are still in college has many advantages. Ideally, you should start your career planning by choosing the right kind major suitable for the career that you have chosen. So, we start this discussion by identifying the job that is best for you.

Identifying The Job That Suits You

This first step calls for organized thinking on your part. Basically, at this stage, you will be full of ideas and have a wide range of fields to choose from, making your choice more difficult. Here are some crucial steps you must take to identify your ideal career:

1. Most people make the mistake of thinking about all of their options at the same time. As a consequence, all of them appear attractive. But you should consider whether you possess the right attitude and what subjects you were best in when you are in college.

2. Evaluate each option one at a time, discarding those that may not be financially or personally rewarding. Have clarity of thought by assigning the most weight to those that match your attitude and flair.

3. Give serious thought to how you want to spend the rest of your life. For example, a teacher’s job entails the least physical work and lots of vacation time, while a traveling salesman’s job requires you to travel for long stretches at a time.

4. Consult campus career counselors who will help you identify and improve your aptitude in your weak areas.

5. Setting priorities in life is important. You may find that your parents are your best resource in this area.

Acquiring And Honing Your Skills

Your next step is to arm yourself with appropriate skill sets:

1. Choose a major which will best prepare you for the career that you have chosen. For example, a career as an accountant calls for formal education in those subjects. You may want to start with accounting subjects for careers such as Financial Controller or CPA.

2. Subscribe to industry journals to keep abreast with current events in your field. Many associations have student chapters and enrolling in these gives you many opportunities to interact with industry leaders.

3. Submit an article to industry journals or participate in seminars. Take a part time job that will add to your experience.

4. Studying hard and getting top grades are a must.

Getting Ready For The Final Step

It is when you are in your final year or semester in college that you begin the real quest for a job. Now is the time that you will find out where you really stand in the job market.

1. Gather job advertisements in your focus area; separate the ‘must-have’ and ‘preferable’ skills within them. This shows whether you are lacking skills, and if yes, in what areas.

2. Only a good resume gets interviews. An HR professional, student counselor and Internet resources can help you develop one. Nevertheless, creating a good resume is about successfully presenting and highlighting your skills, abilities and experience.

3. Attending interviews is another major test. Learn interview etiquette, be crystal clear in your thoughts and speech and if at all possible attend mock interviews conducted by your college career office.

Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solutions – Six Sigma Online (http://www.sixsigmaonline.org) offers online six sigma training and certification classes for lean six sigma, black belts, green belts, and yellow belts.

When deciding on a master’s degree in nursing, consider an online college for nursing. It may be the answer for those who have reservations about returning to school. The biggest concern for most people is the time they will have to devote to attending classes, finding time for group projects, homework, and taking tests. School can be stressful when trying to balance it with other areas of one’s life. Raising families, working full-time, and taking care of others can leave a person with little time for an education. But an online master’s degree in nursing may help a person be able to complete all tasks during the day.

People consider an online college for nursing because they have jobs, families, and other obligations. All classes are conducted online. Students buy books that are on a syllabus that is provided at the beginning of the class. In most online programs, up to four classes can be taken per semester. This is an advantage for those who can only take one or two. It may take longer to receive a degree, but a person can take the classes that they feel they can handle. For some, this is reason enough to consider an online nursing degree.

All course descriptions are offered before each semester. These descriptions also list projects and other assignments that might be due at the end of the semester. People can choose which classes they would like to take. This is similar to traditional college study. A nurse can gauge how much time they will need to complete the class and how much time they can devote to the class. There are also summer classes available. Assignments are given and even though there are scheduled days when they are due; there is usually more time to complete them. For those who can work with minimal supervision, an online program is the right choice. Consider an online college for nursing when trying to fit in an advanced degree into an already full day.

To learn more about the benefits of an online college for nursing, Amanda Jones recommends Nursing Degree Guide. Please see http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/online_nursing/comparing_the_top_online_colleges_for_nursing.php for more information.

Are you looking to move from LPN to RN? Earn your registered nursing degree online and you are bound to get there faster and with ease. You already have the basics under your belt. You have taken courses to earn your LPN already. But, moving to RN is a big step that requires additional school, additional costs and is a very time consuming process especially when you are working. Yet, you can move from and LPN to RN. Earn your registered nursing degree online and there is no doubt that it will be worth it.

Advancement Success

If you are considering the method of moving from one level of degree to the next, online education allows you to do just that. One of the most difficult aspects for those that are looking for a way to advance is working and getting schooling done. On top of that, you may have a family to attend to as well. All of these things add up and they add up to no time. Yet, when you consider moving your education to the online community, you still get the same education only you do it at your time.

Online nursing schools can allow you to advance quickly, without the risk or worry of getting there successfully. You can take your courses when it fits your schedule. You can do one class per day or cram several on your few days off. You can work around your schedule at work or your schedule with your family. Those are flexibilities that you just can not get in a traditional school.

Getting Started

To begin your course of study, find the school that offers just what you need in an RN program. Then, determine the best method for taking your classes. You can usually determine your hands on, field work needs right from the curriculum. Often, the schools partner with area facilities for these needs. When you are ready to move from LPN to RN, earn your registered nursing degree online to find true success in your future.

To learn more about the registered nursing degree online, Amanda Jones recommends Nursing Degree Guide. Please see http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/online_nursing/how_to_earn_your_registered_nursing_degree_online.php for more information.

For International Students

United States of America has been the top most destination for international students, and why not, the best colleges in almost any field are in this great country. Every year thousands of international students come to USA for graduation/other higher degrees in Engineering, Medicine, Management, Law etc. The information below is focused on getting a Student visa (often referred as F1 or F-1 visa), some useful information around the college application procedure and prospects after you complete your study are also covered.

Visa or immigration document allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of entry (ex Airport) and request permission from the U.S. immigration officer to enter the United States.

STEP 1: EXAMS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR STUDENT VISA

a) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): English is the national language of USA. Earlier it use to be paper based exam but these days it’s mostly given on the internet from designated centers all over the world. These scores are used by many other countries. Although rare but some English speaking nations may be exempted from TOEFL.

b) Specialization specific exam ( Ex: GRE / GMAT / SAT) : Depending on which specific branch or level (Graduation/Under-Grad etc) of education, there is a test for that very specific field. Tests centers are all over the world and mostly computer based. A management level applicant will give GMAT, Engineering student will give GRE etc.

Depending on these scores there will be a cut-off for each institution to which you can apply. Not all institutions can allow foreign students; they should have permission from USCIS (United States Citizenship and immigration Services) to do so.

STEP 2: STUDENT VISA (F-1 Visa) The student should have a non-immigrant intent i.e. he/she is coming to USA genuinely for educational purposes only and not just to enter in the country for immigration purpose. Students must also demonstrate that they have the financial resources to study without the need to engage in unauthorized or illegal employment.

Institutions need these following documents

* Written application to the school

* Institution’s qualification criteria for admission (i.e. TOEFL / SAT/ GRE etc.)

* Student’s prior academic record and financial support evidence.

* An acceptance letter allowing the student to study.

* Passport

After this institutions can issue Form I-20 needed for F-1 Student visa. Students must take that form to their nearest US consulate along with Passport, Visa fee, Form OF-156 (Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa), documents indicating evidence of financial support and documents proving sufficient ties to home country.

One should explore the opportunity of scholarships given by Institutions to some students with high scores or exceptional ability in sports. Also students may qualify to work part time. Check your institution for those details.

STEP 3: ENTERING USA

At the port of Entry ( ex Airport), the students must present all the documents including passport, I-20, Documents from Institution. The immigration officer after verification will issue an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record that contains a unique number. Keep this document safe, probably attached to your passport. Once you arrive on campus, you should report immediately to the office that is responsible for assisting international students and scholars.

STEP 4: LIFE / CAREER AFTER COMPLETING YOUR EDUCATION

Often US companies/employers may come on campus to recruit appropriate students for their organization. If you are the one selected then the employer must file for your working visa ( usually referred as the H-1 visa). Good news !! US Govt. has a special H-1 quota presently at 20,000 visa’s (number can change with time) for students who do their graduation in USA.

If the student is not offered H-1 visa, and not pursuing studies in USA anymore, the individual must return back to their home country.

OTHER STUDENT VISA’s

* J-1, or Exchange Visitor. Students participating in an exchange visitor program in the U.S

* M-1, or Student Visa Those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training.

* B-2 prospective student visa A prospective student, who has not yet decided on a school, can later apply for F-1 Visa.

Immigration Law’s change very often and sometimes have specific details. It is highly recommended to consult an Immigration Attorney or expert personally to get an update on latest form and procedures before applying for a Student visa. There is very useful information also located at educationusa.state.gov/usvisa.htm

Written by Sachin G and Swati A

Copyright 2006
http://www.grandlay.com

More education articles at
http://www.grandlay.com/Education_Articles/index.php

Whether you are a working adult considering online college, a new high school graduate about to embark on your college career or perhaps a parent about to pickup the check on college tuition, you should know one of the greatest secrets of accelerating your college studies while saving a lot, sometimes thousands of dollars.

CLEP exams are one the most economical ways to earn credit fast and they are accepted at over 2,900 colleges and universities. CLEP exams are designed to measure your knowledge of a college level subject compared to that of a typical student who has passed the classroom version of the course. You don’t have to be an expert on the topic and there are plenty of study materials available.

Here is a plan to earn 30 credits in 30 days or "Your Freshman Year in a Month". CLEP exams are only $60. With these exams yielding six credits each, that comes to a whopping $360 for a whole year of college credit!

Week 1

• English Composition - The equivalent of a first year composition course. If you did ok in high school English you should have no problems here.

Week 2

• Humanities - General knowledge about art, music and literature. Broad but certainly not deep.

Week 3

• Social Sciences and History - Introductory coverage of history, government, sociology, geography and psychology.

Week 4

• Natural Sciences - Tests general, survey knowledge of the biological and physical sciences.

One month later you are a sophomore. It’s really not as hard as it sounds. You shouldn’t need more than a week to study for each exam. The key is not to over study. You should use material that is designed to prepare for each specific exam. Inexpensive study guides can be found in your local library, bookstore or online.

Before taking CLEP exams check with your college to make sure they are accepted for your particular curriculum.

You can read more about CLEP and testing out of college with credit by exam at Degreewiz.com

About the author: Jack Mize tested out of three years of college in less than one year using credit by examination. He spent less than $3000 total on tution, testing fees and study materials.

Jack graduated with a B.S. in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College and M.S. in Information Archtecture from Capitol College.

If you are interested in entering the nursing field, a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, may be a good option for you. Depending on the state where you live, the degree may also be known as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, or LVN. It is the basic level of nursing, and requires that you pass a state board exam called the NCLEX, or National Council Licensure Examination, exam.

Obtaining the Designation

In order to become an LPN, you will need to complete the appropriate training. One important aspect is that you need to train for a year in a hospital, vocational technical school, or community college. You can also train for an LPN degree online. However, before you choose a program, check with your state to ensure that your education will qualify you to sit for the licensing examination.

The advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree are many. For one, if you are currently working or have other obligations, you can work on your degree without having to quit your job. Additionally, you may be interested in attending a school that is not in your area, but offers an LPN program.

Working as an LPN

The advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree include the ability to earn the education you need to begin working as a nurse. Should you choose to later seek an RN (Registered Nurse) or other degree, many programs exist online to allow you to move forward with your career.

What can you do as an LPN? While your responsibilities are more limited than those of nurses with additional education, the advantages of earning an online LPN nursing degree allow you to work in the field without making the same level of commitment as required for an advanced degree—and you can always return to school at a later time if desired.

Career Outlook

Careers in the medical field are expected to remain strong. Starting salaries for LPNs can vary, as with any other field; however, the average salary for LPNs is around $34,000 annually.

To learn more about the online LPN nursing degree, Amanda Jones recommends Nursing Degree Guide. Please see http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/online_nursing/how_to_earn_an_online_lpn_nursing_degree.php for more information.

Arriving at university or college will be daunting for everyone. For many it may mean living away from the parental home for the first time, which on it’s own may be daunting enough. You will most likely have a hundred questions and a hundred fears; what will it be like? Can I cope with the workload? Will I be able to fit in? It may help to know that everyone will be feeling similar, though some may hide it better than others.

Invariably the vast majority of freshers will be pleasantly surprised. The University or College will be populated by a broad variety of people, from many walks of life with a diverse range of outlooks and opinions. Look beyond the initial confines of your college, house or dorm, the establishment will have many more people who will share similar interests to yourself. Some of the tips we have received from other students:

1. Meet as many people as you can, introduce yourself, smile and be confident. Everyone is in the same boat whether he or she appears to be or not.

2. Be yourself. Real friends will want to know you for who you are, warts and all!

3. Keep your opinions about others to yourself until you know whom you can trust

4. Take your washing to the laundry. Don’t save it all up to take back home to mum at the hols. She really won’t want five minging black bags to see to.

5. Have a good time

6. Join a few societies at first week fairs. If you’re not sure it’s for you but are interested take note of an e-mail/ contact address to get more details later. Its sometimes hard to find the right contacts later, it’s a big place.

7. Phone home and let your family know you’re all right, (even if you don’t exactly feel it). They’re probably more worried than you are.

8. Everyone feels at least a little homesick at first, and worried or just on a down. Talk to new friends you feel you can trust, and maybe write/call friends at home.

9. You’re at Uni for a few years, make the most of it, it’s over before you know it. Then you’ll miss the freedom and long holidays.

10. Keep in touch with family and friends at home, e-mail is easiest.

11. Don’t hang round with one little group ignoring everyone else. You’ll miss out on the chance of making other good friends as well.

12. Seriously don’t be careless with your money - it is the little extras here and there that have a way of quickly draining your bank account!

13. Don’t let peer pressure turn you into a beer-monster; you don’t have to drink all the time. If friends have a problem with you ordering soft drinks when you want, they’re probably not the friends you need. Drinking soft drinks is easier on the pocket, not to mention healthier.

14. Beer sessions.. It’s a good idea to leave the beer until the weekend when you haven’t got to worry as much about getting it together the next day.

15. Don’t let everything get bottled up. Talk to somebody, family and friends or a student help line. Being away from home, especially for the first time can make you feel well lonely and lost. Talking about it usually puts everything into perspective.

16. Cooking. The curry house on the corner may do student specials. Take-away burgers may an easy option when you have a stack of work to do. But your money won’t see you through the term. It really will be like throwing it away. Try cooking. Get a few basics in, salt, pepper, gravy mix, (goes with everything). If you’re house sharing, perhaps chip in. Veg stews are pretty easy, gut-filling and cheap, especially if you go to the veg shop. You’ll find a good cookbook worth the investment too. Ask the bookshop for one for the catering students course! It’ll have everything step by step.

17. When you’re going out for the night. Take just as much as you need, or want to spend. It’s very easy to have a few more beers when you’ve already had a few.

18. Clubs and stuff, almost all charge a joining a fee or pay-as-you-go. They are excellent for meeting people, blowing off steam, getting invites, finding something to take your mind off your subjects for an hour or two. But they can have a scary impact on your pocket. Whilst you may want to try climbing, sky diving, hockey and archery, stick to a few you know you’ll like and will be able to keep up with. You won’t have time for all of them anyway.

19. Live your first year as best as you can, you’re only a fresher once.

20. The ‘’B'’ word .. When you have a fat student loan in your bank balance, the easiest thing to do is spend it, it’s just sitting there itching to be used. Don’t. (Or starve) There’s this word you’ll know very well by the time you leave University ‘’Budget'’. Plan ahead so you don’t end up with too much debt. Sit down and work out what you’ve got coming in, what has to go out, rent etc. If there’s anything left over divide that by how many weeks until the next cheque clears. Then half that; you will need panic money some way down the line. Remember there’s always stuff you’ll need that you don’t put in the budget, stuff you just overlook - shampoo, photocopying, and toothpaste.

Provided by http://www.thestudentzone.com an international student community site which features advice, university & college listings, FREE Web mail, FREE Chat Rooms & Competitions. The site also has various projects launching including Student Debt Reduction Solution (SDRS), student gallery project, International Clearing and much more.

Pursuing an online university degree enables individuals to pursue further education without commuting, at a suitable pace and at a much lower cost than the brick-and-mortar universities can offer. All these characteristics make online education a favorite among busy executives, stay-at-home mothers and other persons with busy lives.

Online universities use the Web to form a connection between the teachers and the students. Here they form an association where they can share thoughts and learn in an encouraging atmosphere. All the lectures, assignments and tests are loaded on the site, making it easy for the users to access the material whenever they wish.

Online degree courses are taught using various innovative pedagogical methods. Most of the time you can find students engrossed in a lively chat online, just like you do in a real-time classroom. What makes this special is that the timing of the classes can be tuned to the student’s convenience, rather than the other way around.

Studies have shown that this non-traditional form of teaching has no ill effects on the learning curve of the students. A study undertaken by giving similar exams to both regular and online students showed no difference in the marks secured by the latter group of students. The overall perception of online courses has also improved over the years. Employers from good companies are increasingly hiring people who have secured degrees through online education. In fact, they find attributes like motivation, independence and other qualities in them, which are necessary for a good worker.

A word of caution before you set out to get your online degree. Some charlatans have opened degree mills which offer substandard course materials and are not accredited. These online universities will have glossy Websites which look very impressive and can easily fool people who are not informed. Before enrolling in any online course, make sure that it is recognized and accredited.

Online University provides detailed information on Online University, Online University Degree, Online University Courses, Accredited Online Universities and more. Online University is affiliated with Online Nursing Schools.

If you are a college student approaching graduation you not only need an audit but you should inquire about an official audit of your classes from your academic department. This audit may not be necessitated by someone who has just completed a tax form, but it is critical for a student who is considered to be at a junior or senior status in college. The official audit can be completed by your campus Registrar’s Office, Academic Advisor or your Academic Department. These audits are generally advised for incoming freshmen to insure they remain on track and up to graduation, but they are crucial for juniors and senior students who are approaching graduation. The request for this audit will provide vital information and allows several key factors conducive to completing your college degree. The audit…

1. Insures that the major or minor selection you have chosen is correct and corresponds with the curriculum guide of the catalog year you enrolled in college.

2. Allows the student to distinguish all courses taken including previous grades and transfer grade information that is applicable to the declaration of major.

3. Provides information on the minimum requirements of the major sought to complete the degree.

4. Provides the total hours taken that is applicable to the degree.

5. Provides advisor information needed in contacting your department.

6. Form also allows you to see your current GPA at the time the audit was completed.

7. Allows the student to review and retake classes that he or she may have received a deficient grade in.

8. Provides a time for the advisor, professor and student to revisit any classes that may have erroneous information in the grading process applied to a student’s audit form.

9. Inquiries may be addressed with your Department Advisor, the Registrar’s Office or your Department Chair.

10. Finally, allows students to see a clear picture of what they have completed and what needs to be completed and addressed before graduation.

The information above allows the student to keep track of the classes he or she has taken and to address any issues that could cause a delay in completion of degree or coursework. This is one time that students will welcome an audit.

About The Author
Robert Crawford III is an author of several publications listed on ArticleCity.com and other publishing sites. He is a PhD candidate studying Business Technology at Capella University and enjoys writing educational, business, teen & kids and self motivation articles. He can be reached at .

Private colleges and Universities are known for their high standards and excellent academic programs. Their online programs are no different. If you are ready to get your Bachelor’s degree, or if you are ready to continue your post-secondary education, consider an online private college or University degree program.

Getting an education through an online private college or university degree program can be an experience that is every bit as enriching, interpersonal, and dynamic as attending college the traditional face-to-face way. A big misconception is that online learning is impersonal. This isn’t the case at all. Programs offered online present the same opportunities for group work, independent study, and interpersonal communication as do traditional methods of learning. In fact, attending college online helps to facilitate the independent learning process, as well as developing time management skills. Attending an online University takes just as much commitment as the old-fashioned way of going to school, and the potential career and personal benefits are just as great, if not greater. As the popularity of attending college online increases, more campus-based private colleges and Universities are joining the fast-growing group of online-only private colleges and Universities in offering several different levels of degrees over the Internet, presenting students with broader educational options, as well as flexibility and convenience.

There are many advantages for a student seeking a secondary education to choose an online private college and University degree program. Proximity is a key factor. A student does not need to live locally to an accredited private college or University. Attending all classes and submitting coursework online eliminates the need for commuting or relocating. Earning a degree from an online private college or University is a convenient way to advance your education and training. A school may offer more sections of popular courses, as well as night and weekend courses, which allows a student more flexibility. This is an ideal situation for those who work full time and/or care for a family. Additionally, if you are a student who is considering returning to school after several years, going to school online is a perfect way to ease into the routine of class work and projects again, and can lessen the stress of feeling the need to fit in with younger students. Besides, who wouldn’t find it appealing to attend college from the comforts of home?

If you are worried that you might not be able to afford a degree from an online private college or University program, there are options. Some employers might offer to pay a portion or even all tuition and fees toward an employee receiving a degree. Also, financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and even scholarships might be available to you. Check with the particular online program of interest to see what financial options are available.

The type of degree you can earn through an online private college or University degree program is vast. Aside from earning Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and PhD degrees, professionals can continue their educations and stay up to the minute in their fields. Online learning is no longer just for web designers and computer programmers. You may study Business, Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, Humanities, Mathematics, Human Resources, Fine Arts, and various Healthcare programs. Depending on the type of degree you are seeking (graduate, for example), there may be certain academic requirements that you have to fulfill to be able to attend. Make sure you do your research when trying to decide on an online private college or University.

With the prevalence of the Internet and technologies such as teleconferencing available today, it is possible to come away from the experience of attending and online private college or University not only with a degree, but also being more in tune with technology, which has the potential to broaden your career opportunities even more. Seeking an education through an online private college or University degree program is a legitimate, convenient, and flexible way for you to advance you education, as well as your career and personal potential.

About The Author
Mark Woodcock is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to http://www.higher-education-online.com.