It’s 2008 and technology is moving fast. Computers and Information Technology are industries that are expanding at breakneck speeds. And these industries need people to run the machines that run our businesses. What basic skills do you need to break into the job market in computer office work?

Here’s a short list of things you should learn that will come in handy as you build a new career.

Typing
Yes, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re going to make your mark in an information-based economy, then you have to be able to type accurately and quickly. Practice at home or take a short class at a nearby community college. Once you’re up to around 50 words-per-minute, you’re golden.

Search engines
There’s a world of information out there and you will most likely need to find it quickly. There’s more to search engines than just finding furniture stores using Google Maps. Start reading the blogs that search engines post about new features and how to utilize them.

Microsoft Office
Word processing, Excel and Outlook E-mail are programs that drive office efficiency these days. Nothing impresses an office manager more than someone who understands the intricacies of word processors or spreadsheet software. It cuts down on training time and lets your team get back to their jobs.

Removing malicious programs
Knowing what not to open or install on your machine is half the battle, but if you find that you’re collecting some digital nasties - understanding how to remove them safely and permanently is just as important.

Macs
Hey, you know there are some offices that run these because they’re stable, simple and sleek. Would it kill you to learn how to cover all your bases and take a few primer lessons for the iMac? It could be the difference between getting a rejection notice and a job offer. Yeah, we know the one-button mouse is awkward.

If you love animals and want to make a difference in their lives, pursue the 9th hottest career! Employment for veterinary technologists and veterinary technicians is expected to grow much faster than average through 2014, according to the United States Bureau of Labor. Many pet owners consider their animals to be part of the family, and are becoming more affluent and more willing to pay for advanced pet care. This means that they will turn to the services of veterinary technicians and technologists.
Help fill the demand to keep these pets happy and healthy! According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, veterinary technologists and technicians held about 60,000 jobs and their median hourly earnings were $11.99. The number of employers looking for qualified people to fill these positions continues to grow. You can search for jobs in:
• Veterinary offices
• Boarding kennels
• Animal shelters
• Stables
• Grooming salons
• Zoos
• Local, State, and Federal agencies
No matter where they practice, veterinary technologists and technicians perform many of the same duties for a veterinarian that a nurse performs for a physician. These routinely include both laboratory and clinical procedures. They may also perform tests such as urinalysis and blood counts, prepare tissue samples, take blood samples and assist veterinarians in a variety of analyses.
So, should you become a veterinary technician or a veterinary technologist? While there is generally not much difference between the duties technicians and technologists perform, there are some differences in their formal education and training. You can become a veterinary technician by earning a 2-year Associate degree, or become a veterinary technologist by earning a 4-year Bachelor’s degree.
No matter which you choose, an accredited program in veterinary technology should have a strong focus on science, biology and ethics. Courses are generally taught in clinical and laboratory settings using live animals, giving you the knowledge you need to begin this 9th hottest career.

Hottest job lookout!
Do you know what one of the hottest jobs in America is? Believe it or not – it’s dental hygiene. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to increase more than 27% through 2014 for dental hygienists. In 2004, dental hygienists held about 158,000 jobs nationwide. Be a part of a successful field. Learn more about becoming a dental hygienist.
Education requirements
You will need at least an Associate degree in dental hygiene to practice. Classes are offered at community colleges, trade schools and 4-year universities. You can earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in dental hygiene. Mostly, those degrees are required for teaching or practicing in public or school health programs. Some classes you might have to take are chemistry, anatomy and biology. To receive your state’s license, you must take and pass a written and clinical exam.
Earnings for dental hygienists
The national average of earnings for dental hygienists in 2004 was $28 an hour. The middle 50% made between $23 to $34 an hour. At the high end, dental hygienists can make $40 an hour, to the lowest, less than $18 an hour*. The earnings vary by demographic location, experience and employment setting.
All part of the job
Dental hygienists provide preventive dental care to patients. They remove deposits from your teeth, take x-rays, and inform you on good oral hygiene practice. In some states, they can administer anesthetics, remove sutures, and place and carve fillings. Dental hygienists may not diagnose disease. However, they can prepare the tests for the dentist to interpret. They also can work alongside a dentist during treatment.
The demand for dental hygienists will continue to rise with importance of quality oral health and the maintenance of natural teeth.
* Sources from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Staying current on the skills required to advance in your career has taken on new meaning in today’s tumultuous job market. A failure to keep learning could mean stagnation in your career.
For decades, the way to experience career advancement was to find a job in a great company and work your way up. If you possessed a degree, diploma or certificate, you were almost guaranteed to enjoy upward mobility in management throughout your career. In these days of mergers, off-shoring and rapid technological changes, it takes more than longevity and a degree to find success in the job market. You must incorporate continuing education into your career plan to remain competitive.
Continuing education has many faces. It is everything from job-relevant training to topic-specific workshops to degree completion. At the heart of continuing education is the goal to keep you updated on the skills, trends, practices and principles governing a particular industry.
At CIGNA, a leading healthcare benefits provider, continuing education is a regular part of the job for brokers and consultants. “CIGNA has a strong commitment to our brokers and consultants, and Academy by CIGNA is part of our ongoing efforts to provide them the tools and resources they need to deliver the best solutions to their clients,” said Gary Kirkner, Senior Vice President of Sales and Distribution at CIGNA.
“Employers are using opportunities for education and training to attract and retain the best employees,” said Gina Mauller, author of Workforce Development Trends Reflecting the Importance of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning. “Training of employees is an investment. A more educated employee tends to be more productive.”
Although continuing education is not a guarantee for career advancement, it certainly increases the marketability of someone seeking to move into a management position or simply remain competitive in the job market. By taking the time to invest in continuing education, employees are saying that they understand the industry they work in and are better prepared to continue to move forward in that industry.

For many recent college and university graduates, the real work is just beginning. After the tests, papers and projects are completed, graduates must find a job, preferably in their chosen career fields, and make the transition from students to working professionals. To add more pressure to the job search, many graduates are finding that relocation is necessary to find jobs.

For decades, graduates have known that to work in films or technology, they needed to live in California; to pursue theater or broadcast and print journalism, New York was the best bet. Now, more industries are following suit. A growing trend of industry-specific regional employment means that returning home or finding work where graduates went to school is unlikely.

Relocation is rarely an easy thing for even a seasoned veteran. Compound that with a lack of current income, fewer companies offering relocation costs, and more graduates competing for a handful of jobs, and you have a sticky relocation situation. There are some things you can do to improve your chances of finding the perfect job and successfully relocating to a new city.

Planning is key to a successful relocation job search. You must look at the job market to see where the jobs in your industry are concentrated, determine the cost of living in that area, explore the area to see what it has to offer someone in your age group with your likes and interests, and consider what would be involved in searching for a job and relocating to that area.

For graphic designer Angie Huse, relocation was the best option. “Being from a small city in Nebraska, I knew I had to look for jobs in another city,” said Huse. “Career opportunity was bigger in Kansas City.” Huse used the Internet and the career services office at her school to locate her job at an advertising firm.

“When quantifying the number of people who actually obtain their jobs through the Internet, one survey has placed the number as high as 20 percent, but most surveys say the number is between 4 and 6 percent,” said Katharine Hansen, Editor of the job seeker’s newsletter QuintZine.

As you consider relocation, the Internet is a great place to start your job search. While it is highly unlikely that you will get the jobs you locate through Internet job searches, it offers a great opportunity for conducting research about the job market.

Myjobsearch.com contributing writer Jeff Westover believes “job boards can be used to compare not only the number of jobs in an area, but also how much they pay and how desperate companies may be for new hires.”

Once you have found some companies for possible future employment, use their Web sites to conduct research. Contact someone in the human resources departments to gather more information about the companies. Find out what relocation resources they provide new hires. For Huse, the relocation resources were key to her accepting her job.

“They were very helpful,” she says of the HR staff. “I had never been to the city before, and they drove me around the area and gave me helpful hints for apartments that were good to look at.”

Relocation due to a job offer involves much more than simply starting the job. Living arrangements must be considered as you weigh the job options. Factor that in as you conduct your job search.

Many relocation packages include moving expenses for upper management, but new graduates and other entry-level employees are not so lucky. According to the Employee Relocation Council, companies reported a five percent decrease in overall relocations from 2001 to 2004. Costs totaling $14,000 for each renting new hire and nearly $50,000 for home-owning new hires contribute to the decline in relocation allowances.

Because the expense of relocation will most likely be passed on to you, it is wise to make sure relocation is worth the expense of moving all your belongings to another city, securing living arrangements and acclimating to the new city as well as your new job.

Relocation can be a successful tactic when you do your homework before you move. If you are willing to pack up your life and move, relocation could be the best way to find a job following graduation.

“You only live once,” said Huse. “If the job is right for you, go for it.” Huse has been on her job for two years. For her, relocation was the right choice. It might be the right choice for you as well.

Planning for college can be an extremely stressful time. You, as a potential student, are flooded with options on where to go, what to study and, most importantly, the omnipresent, age-old question – “what do you want to be when you grow up?�

This question, while not always answerable, is asked of us because it is important to establish career goals. It is difficult to answer because the response often changes. I, for instance, have run through the generic answers – police officer and superhero – to the more considered answers – architect or graphic designer – to my final answer – copywriter.

Even though deciding on a career is important, so is your education. In fact, you may even learn more about what you enjoy while attending school. It is no secret that many students change their major at least once, if not several times. This same trend afflicts the job market – most people will change careers four to five times.

With this in mind, you may think that planning for a career is next to impossible – it isn’t.

Narrow the choices.

Investigate. Research your chosen major or career path to find out what exactly it entails. Then decide if it is a fit for your interests. In addition, find out what the outcomes are upon completion of various majors or career paths. By doing this, you may find a direction you had not previously considered.

Don’t be afraid. It is okay to attend college without declaring a major. As I said earlier, most people will change at least once, so why not get the general classes out of the way first. This will allow you more time to decide on a career path.

Be curious. Enroll in a class or course that sounds interesting to you. My passion for writing became apparent only after taking courses in creative writing and poetry.

Stay informed. Find out what industries – or more specifically, jobs – are in demand. This may help shed light on where you feel most secure.

Most importantly, never stop learning. A career is a lifelong process, not a one-time decision, and industries are constantly undergoing change. Read articles, books and information related to your career choice. This way, you can build your knowledge base and better position yourself as an expert in your field.

The reigning assumption among many Americans is that teenagers go directly from high school to college, but that’s not the way life always works. Just 27 percent of Americans over age 25 hold Bachelor’s degrees or higher, according to 2004 census data. This has been in decline because of a new phenomenon in the job market.

“Increasingly, the days of blue-collar jobs that have lower educational and skill requirements but pay an outstanding wage are disappearing,” said Jerry Rubin, vice president of Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit research group that works with agencies to create job training programs.

But lack of a college degree doesn’t have to mean slogging for a pittance in a dead-end job, according to a recent report by JFF. The report details 15 jobs, all in growing industries, that pay more than $25,000 per year, are available to workers holding an Associate degree or less and don’t require a significant amount of previous work experience.

For instance, “registered nurse” tops the list of 15 jobs because it has the greatest number of projected annual job openings, but that job poses barriers for some lower-skilled entrants because this field tends to be highly competitive and requires full-time attendance at school. An alternative is to become a licensed practical nurse, another job on the list. Certification is often available through part-time training programs, making that occupation a more manageable entry point into the nursing field for working mothers or those needing to support a family.

• Together, these 15 occupations are projected to create more than 700,000 new jobs nationally each year, according to JFF.
• The jobs in the list are ranked by annual projected job openings.
• The dollar amount represents median earnings for each occupation, according to JFF.

1. Registered nurse,$48,090
2. Customer-service representative, $26,240
3. Sales representative, $42,730
4. Truck driver, heavy and tractor-trailer, $33,210
5. Maintenance worker, general, $29,370
6. Bookkeeping, accounting, $27,380
7. Executive secretary/administrative assistant, $33,410
8. Carpenter, $34,190
9. Automotive-service technician and mechanic, $30,590
10. Police/patrol officer, $42,270
11. Licensed practical nurse, $31,440
12. Electrician, $41,390
13. Sales workers, $35,170
14. Computer-support specialist, $39,100
15. Plumber, pipe fitter and steam fitter, $40,170

The reigning assumption among many Americans is that teenagers go directly from high school to college, but that’s not the way life always works. Just 27 percent of Americans over age 25 hold Bachelor’s degrees or higher, according to 2004 census data. This has been in decline because of a new phenomenon in the job market.

“Increasingly, the days of blue-collar jobs that have lower educational and skill requirements but pay an outstanding wage are disappearing,” said Jerry Rubin, vice president of Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit research group that works with agencies to create job training programs.

But lack of a college degree doesn’t have to mean slogging for a pittance in a dead-end job, according to a recent report by JFF. The report details 15 jobs, all in growing industries, that pay more than $25,000 per year, are available to workers holding an Associate degree or less and don’t require a significant amount of previous work experience.

For instance, “registered nurse” tops the list of 15 jobs because it has the greatest number of projected annual job openings, but that job poses barriers for some lower-skilled entrants because this field tends to be highly competitive and requires full-time attendance at school. An alternative is to become a licensed practical nurse, another job on the list. Certification is often available through part-time training programs, making that occupation a more manageable entry point into the nursing field for working mothers or those needing to support a family.

• Together, these 15 occupations are projected to create more than 700,000 new jobs nationally each year, according to JFF.
• The jobs in the list are ranked by annual projected job openings.
• The dollar amount represents median earnings for each occupation, according to JFF.

1. Registered nurse,$48,090
2. Customer-service representative, $26,240
3. Sales representative, $42,730
4. Truck driver, heavy and tractor-trailer, $33,210
5. Maintenance worker, general, $29,370
6. Bookkeeping, accounting, $27,380
7. Executive secretary/administrative assistant, $33,410
8. Carpenter, $34,190
9. Automotive-service technician and mechanic, $30,590
10. Police/patrol officer, $42,270
11. Licensed practical nurse, $31,440
12. Electrician, $41,390
13. Sales workers, $35,170
14. Computer-support specialist, $39,100
15. Plumber, pipe fitter and steam fitter, $40,170

Take inventory.
Are you going to college for the first time or re-entering after an absence? Determine how many prior college credits you have, including non-credit courses and any life or work experience skills. Even if the subjects don’t seem applicable to a major, they might count as elective credits toward a degree.

Define your educational goals.
Ask yourself why you want to go back to school.
Do I want to change my career?
Am I enhancing my current career?
Do I need to finish that college degree from years ago?

By focusing on your motivation, you can best define your educational goals. Personality and career counseling tests are available to help pinpoint interests and help you decide on a career path. This is a basic test, but there are many services available that can help you focus on your specific talents.

Hint: Community colleges often offer these tests free or at a low cost but may limit these services to current students.

Another good resource is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. An in-depth overview of a wide range of professions is available, as well as employment outlooks for specific industries, salary averages and even job search tips.

If you are still undecided, don’t worry. You don’t have to know exactly what you’re looking to study when you contact a school. Many schools employ special advisors who will help you select coursework that will fit into various degree programs and schedules.

Once you have defined your educational goals, you can determine your program needs:

Certificate.
A certificate signifies the completion of a specialized number of courses, generally required for vocational or technical training. Many times, certificate courses can be completed very quickly. These usually are designed to enhance your current job skills or prepare you for a licensing test.

Associate Degree.
An Associate degree is generally the completion of a total of 60 semester credit hours. Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees are often offered by technical schools and community and junior colleges.

Bachelor’s Degree.
A Bachelor’s degree generally comprises the completion of a total of 120 semester credit hours. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is generally a degree in one of the arts or humanities, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is a degree in one of the sciences.

Master’s Degree.
A Master’s degree is the completion of one to two years of full-time academic study beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Some programs are shorter than two years, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and can be used to enhance your professional skill set or qualify for promotions on the job.

If you’re taking a look at this article because you just chose a new educational program at a nearby technical college, congratulations. You took the first step in making yourself more marketable and successful. There are a few more things you have to consider now to keep you headed in the right direction.

What should I consider when choosing a program?

• Accreditation, ranking and reputation of the college program
Accreditation can help with more than just the quality of the education you’ll be receiving. If your school is fully accredited, this will help because it also means your school participates in the Title IV student aid program. If you want to find out more about your school’s accreditation, you can find this at the web sites for the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report or Kiplinger.

• Financing
What kind of financial aid is available? Does your school offer any specific scholarships targeted toward adult students? Even if your school isn’t fully accredited for federal aid programs, your particular school might have other options that will ease the burden as you concentrate on your studies. Schedule an appointment to speak with your school’s financial aid office to find out the details. Are the college’s tuition and expenses affordable? It may sound complicated, but it is very important.

• Transfer Credits
Does your college accept all transfer credits?
How many and what kind?
Does it provide options for receiving college credit by examination or prior learning?

Transfer credits are especially important if you are interested in graduate school or an advanced degree. Speak with your admissions counselor immediately to make sure the program is fully transferable and meets all requirements. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

• Scheduling
Make certain that all your courses are presented at acceptable times for your schedule. Working adults, especially adults with family obligations, should seek out available night and weekend courses. The most convenient option for busy adults is the online degree program. These programs can be done in your home (or wherever you have an Internet connection), and many allow you to finish on your schedule. Is an online program for you? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you sign up for one.

• Staff
Does your chosen school require your instructors to be available for questions or extra help for a specific amount of time each week? Your admissions office should be able to tell you when your professors are available after class hours. Use your admissions office as a frequent source of information.

• Childcare
The college offers a community and support for adult students, but do they offer other convenient services such as childcare? Many technical and community colleges these days recognize the needs of the large returning-student population and will cater to their needs to keep them in class.