Sorting through a lot of information, whether it’s a list of names, addresses, or store inventory, can be difficult without the right organization. As businesses and the Internet generate more and more data, there is a growing need to organize this data effectively. Database administrators (DBA) work with database management systems to store, manage and extract data.

Creating and maintaining databases is a job that requires attention to detail. A database administrator needs to identify the necessary components, set up an efficient database structure and maintain the system. Administrators ensure performance of the system and design security measures for it. Because of the volume of sensitive data being utilized in the world, security has become an increasingly important aspect of a DBA career.

Employers seek database administrator candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Those who have a Master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in information systems, are increasingly desirable as more companies move their businesses to the Internet.

As technology becomes more sophisticated and complex, employers may demand a higher level of skill and expertise from their employees. Individuals with an advanced degree in computers or with an MBA should enjoy favorable employment prospects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 104,000 people were employed as database administrators in 2004. DBA careers should grow much faster than average through the year 2014, as this is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.

The median annual earning for a database administrator was $60,650 in May 2004. The middle 50% earned between $44,490 and $81,140, the highest 10% earned more than $97,450. The median annual earnings of database administrators employed in computer systems design and related services were $70,530, and for those in management of companies and enterprises, earnings were $65,990.

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.

When I first went to college, I procrastinated a lot. My bad habit led to a lot of late night term papers that were completed at 4:00 a.m. In the morning, my computer would print out the assignment while I grabbed a quick shower. Then I would head off to class with only a couple hours of sleep.
Do It Now!
My dad understood my problem and wanted to help. As a gift, he made a wood carving for my desk. Alongside the school mascot were the simple words, “Do It Now!” The sentiment may be an obvious one, but it still rings true. It’s the key to good time management, even if it’s hard advice to follow.
5 Tips for Better Studying
It’s not impossible to improve your time management skills. Whether you are in high school or college, you can make better use of your time. And it won’t take more time to do it. From my research (and years of being a master procrastinator), here are a few simple tips:
1. Organize and prioritize.
This is the best advice anyone can give you. Prioritize your assignments by keeping a calendar of due dates for papers, tests and projects. Also include dates for enrolling, submitting financial aid forms and paying tuition. Organize your assignments into folders and keep your graded work for an end-of-semester review.
2. Avoid distractions.
One of my roommates in college claimed that he studied better in front of the television. The fact that I had to help him study for his final in biology proved otherwise. It’s easy to get distracted when friends, television, radio, phone calls and the Internet are all competing for your attention. If you need computer access, turn off e-mail, chat, and other programs that may interrupt your work. Shut out the distractions by finding a quiet place to study. Libraries are good, but so are some coffee shops and bookstores. Stake out your study place and don’t forget to turn off your cell phone.
3. Plan ahead.
It’s tempting to look at a due date two weeks away and put the assignment on the bottom of your “things to do” list. A better idea is to break down the assignment into smaller steps and plan ahead. Give yourself easy deadlines for each step. Remember to give yourself an extra day for writing so you can re-read your work and correct it.
4. Study while you wait.
No matter how hard we try to avoid it, sooner or later we’re stuck waiting. Whether it’s waiting at the doctor’s office or between classes, time is always being wasted. Don’t let an opportunity to study pass you by. Carry a book with you at all times. Keep a notebook for jotting down ideas about your upcoming term paper. Little 10 minute study sessions can really add up.
5. Do it now!
Procrastination is the biggest pitfall that students encounter. Even if you are organized and study regularly, you can fall behind if you let yourself put off work that needs to be done. Make sure you take advantage of the time you have every day. Stay ahead of your assignments and you will have time to do the things you want to do.
It may be difficult at first, but good study habits are possible for everyone. Discover what doesn’t work for you and change your plan accordingly. If you can’t stand the quiet of the library, try somewhere with a little more traffic. If you study better in the morning, get up early and read over breakfast. Just don’t wait until the last minute!
Don’t Stress Out
You can’t control how much work your teachers give you. So exercise control over the situations outside of class. That means managing your extracurricular life. Whether it is a student organization needing volunteers or friends who want you to join in the fun, it’s tempting to do anything that takes you away from studying. Plan your time to include extracurricular activities, but don’t let it interfere with classwork.
On the flipside of the time management coin is the pitfall of studying too much. It’s possible to become a time management ogre and never give yourself time to relax. When you start to feel burnout, it’s time to re-evaluate your study strategy. Make sure that you don’t push yourself to the breaking point. If you feel stressed, here are some additional things to remember:
• Get a good night’s sleep. Nothing interferes with learning like being half asleep. If you have to choose between a good night’s sleep and a marathon study session, you’re procrastinating again. Reprioritize your work and get some sleep.
• Eat breakfast (and lunch, and dinner). Yes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies have shown that eating a good breakfast increases metabolism and energizes you. Plan breaks for all your meals. Healthy eating can help prevent sickness (a big studying interruption).
• Don’t study all the time. Have fun. When you get your work done, reward yourself! Read a book, watch a movie or play a video game. Find something that you enjoy outside of class and work it into your schedule.
The “Do It Now!” wood carving still sits on my desk, reminding me to resist the urge to procrastinate. As poet Rudyard Kipling once wrote, life is a never ending struggle to “fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run.”

Health and fitness careers are the 7th fastest-growing industry in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics! This means that personal fitness trainers and aerobics instructors will have expanded job opportunities in the years to come. If you want to help others discover the benefits of exercise, position yourself to enter this growing field. Find a personal fitness training school in your area today!
As a personal fitness trainer or aerobics instructor, you can change lives. You could help people feel great, look their best and get in shape safely with a good fitness routine. Trainers provide motivation and encouragement, as well as develop a tailored fitness routine. As a fitness trainer or aerobics instructor, you can help your clients improve their overall health.
Plus, when you start a career as a personal fitness trainer or aerobics instructor, you get paid to stay in shape yourself! What better way to motivate clients than by improving your own health and body?
Schools across the country offer short personal training programs. These programs can start you on your way to this beneficial career. Most quality programs in this field will teach you important skills like:
• Exercise program design and implementation
• Client assessment and evaluation
• Business management
• Anatomy and physiology
• Wellness and nutrition
• Exercise labs
• Kinesiology
• Pathology
This 7th hottest career is ideal for busy adults since personal fitness training is rarely a 9-5 job. Clients can be scheduled around family, friends, hobbies or other responsibilities. Personal fitness training is also great for part-time work or a second job. You can choose to be your own boss and start your own business. Or you could work at one of the following facilities:
• Sports organizations
• Health clubs
• Hospitals
• Rehabilitation clinics
• Community fitness centers
Take advantage of all the benefits this hot career has to offer. As a personal fitness trainer or aerobics instructor, you can help others gain self-confidence and improve their health. And you’ll be getting paid to look your best! Search for schools in your area to get started on this rewarding career.

As we enter the new year, everyone starts thinking about New Year’s resolutions.
Maybe you’ve considered losing weight, finishing a home-improvement project, or catching up with your best friend from high school. We all think of improving our bodies, our habits and our personal relationships. Isn’t it time to improve your life?
Make a Resolution …
The New Year is a great time to consider going back to school. With the right training, you could get promoted or start a new career. Imagine working in a nicer place, making more money and enjoying your job. All it takes is a commitment from you, a promise to make a change for the better in your life.
… to Learn
Training from a career college can give you the real-world skills that employers want. Whether you are interested in computers, healthcare, business or design, you can get hands-on training to learn the skills you need for a bright, new career.
Because evening and weekend classes are often available, you don’t necessarily have to leave your current job to train for a new one. And it doesn’t have to take years. Some career training schools offer accelerated programs that will have you in the market for a job in as little as 8 to 10 months.
… to Invest
An education is an investment in your future, but it doesn’t have to empty your bank account. Many schools offer financial aid for those who qualify. Some student loans defer payment until after graduation. That means you could be making money in a new career before you have to start paying back your student loans.
… to Strive
In addition, many career colleges offer career services and job placement assistance. They can help you polish your resumé and interviewing skills so you’ll feel confident when you start looking for a new career.
… to Celebrate
Make your New Year’s resolution count this year. Don’t worry about the things you can’t change. Concentrate on making your life better. Get the right training from a career college and start on your path to professional success.
By this time next year, you could be celebrating a very happy holiday.

As we enter the new year, everyone starts thinking about New Year’s resolutions.

Maybe you’ve considered losing weight, finishing a home-improvement project, or catching up with your best friend from high school. We all think of improving our bodies, our habits and our personal relationships. Isn’t it time to improve your life?

Make a Resolution …
The New Year is a great time to consider going back to school. With the right training, you could get promoted or start a new career. Imagine working in a nicer place, making more money and enjoying your job. All it takes is a commitment from you, a promise to make a change for the better in your life.

… to Learn
Training from a career college can give you the real-world skills that employers want. Whether you are interested in computers, healthcare, business or design, you can get hands-on training to learn the skills you need for a bright, new career.

Because evening and weekend classes are often available, you don’t necessarily have to leave your current job to train for a new one. And it doesn’t have to take years. Some career training schools offer accelerated programs that will have you in the market for a job in as little as 8 to 10 months.

… to Invest
An education is an investment in your future, but it doesn’t have to empty your bank account. Many schools offer financial aid for those who qualify. Some student loans defer payment until after graduation. That means you could be making money in a new career before you have to start paying back your student loans.

… to Strive
In addition, many career colleges offer career services and job placement assistance. They can help you polish your resumé and interviewing skills so you’ll feel confident when you start looking for a new career.

… to Celebrate
Make your New Year’s resolution count this year. Don’t worry about the things you can’t change. Concentrate on making your life better. Get the right training from a career college and start on your path to professional success.

By this time next year, you could be celebrating a very happy holiday.

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

What is admissions?
If you want to get into a college, university, community college or vocational school, you have to go through the admissions process. Admissions is the process of a college or trade school looking over your application. They use the provided information to decide if you are eligible for that particular school. The criteria differ from school to school.
Here are some deciding factors for 2- and 4-year colleges or universities:
• Test scores (ACT or SAT)
• Grade point average (GPA)
• Activities and accomplishments
• Essays and recommendations
There are other factors as well. For example, if your mother or grandfather went to that school, you might have a greater chance getting in.
What are my chances?
Acceptance rates differ from school to school. If you pick a more selective school, like Harvard or Princeton, your chances of getting in are slim. In 2004, Ivy League schools accepted on average about 10% to 13% of the applicants. And, about 83% of 4-year not-for-profit colleges and universities accepted more than half of the applicants, according to USA Today.
Better your chances
Early preparation is key for getting accepted to your college of choice. You can start preparing for college as early as junior high, especially if you are looking to enter an Ivy League university. Most students start preparing for college in high school. You can start with taking the necessary entrance exams, like the SAT or ACT. Applying to more than 1 college or university helps your odds of being accepted. You can narrow down your search by campus visits and learning more about the schools’ programs. Decide where you want to go and then apply.
Filling out the application
After you have decided on the schools you want to apply to, you have to fill out the application. Depending on the school, some applications can be as a little as 2 pages. However, some applications look more like a 20-page research project.
Here are some important things to remember when filling out your application:
• Fill out the entire application
• Be neat
• Include all materials (letters of recommendation and essay, if required)
• Make copies
• Turn the application in on time
• Be yourself
It is never too late to go to college. Whether you are in high school or want to improve your life, you can start your college career by filling out an application.

Christmas is a time of Zen, when you think about it. For every Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle® you get, you’re also sure to receive the box with Aunt Clara’s custom-made, double-knit, pink felt bunny suit. So it goes that for every A Christmas Carol produced by a movie studio, there will undoubtedly be 8 more The Santa Clauses, starring TV’s Tim Allen. That’s enough to turn any holiday meal into heartburn.
So why endure so much shiny, happy celluloid torture while spending time with your family this year? Let’s make things interesting. Here are the top 7 recommendations for the most unsettling holiday films ever. Treat your family and rent them, download them or buy them. If you actually plan on buying some of these, they will probably be in the Super Bargain Bin underneath titles like “Pilates For Dummies” and “Top Romantic Movie Moments with Earnest Borgnine”. But each title has something special in store for your over-stuffed loved ones this holiday season. You’ll thank us later.
Santa Claus (1959)
Santa Claus, high above the North Pole in his cloud-borne castle equipped with more surveillance devices than the Homeland Security Department, prepares to deliver presents on Christmas night. But Pitch, a demon sent by Satan to prevent Santa from delivering presents to the children of Mexico has other plans.
Santa teams up with Lupita, the daughter of a poor family who wants nothing more than a doll (that’s it kid, dream big). He also brings a young boy whose parents are wealthy but never spend time with him. See? Even in Mexico rich people got it rough. Pitch begins to get the best of Santa and the good kids, so Santa does the only logical thing to help thwart his foe – he recruits the help of the powerful wizard Merlin! Satan = pwned!
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
How’s this for subtext? Martians, upset that their children have become obsessed with TV shows from Earth which glorify Santa Claus, decide there’s only one logical thing to do: INVADE EARTH. So they send 2 red-faced grumpy guys to do the dirty work. If that’s not enough, these extraterrestrial terrorists decide that they should just kidnap Father Christmas and hold him for ransom. But how do they find him? Don’t worry Voldar and Lomas! These two stupid kids will sell out St. Nick and take you to his North Pole hideout just for asking!
This movie presents the audience with two odd premises:
1. Santa is one bottle short of being a total wino.
2. Apparently any random child knows where Santa’s workshop is.
Babes in Toyland (1986)
During a Christmas Eve blizzard, Lisa travels to Toyland in Wizard of Oz-like fashion as young bridezilla Mary Contrary is about to marry mean, old Barnaby Barnacle despite the fact that she loves Jack Be Nimble. Lisa tries to stop this terrible wedding because Barnaby wants to stage a hostile takeover of Toyland. Lisa, Mary and Jack ask the Toymaster for help, but he can’t help them because Lisa doesn’t believe in living, talking toys. Yes, that’s right. By Lisa’s system of reasoning:
• Warping time and space via teleportation? Yes!
• Talking toys? Ridiculous!
Drew Barrymore has the starring role as Lisa Piper, Keanu Reeves emerges from The Matrix to inhabit the body of a horrible actor as Jack-be-Nimble and stork-style karate master Pat Morita scares every child within reach as The Toymaster. Un-fun for the whole family.
Black Christmas (1974)
Many consider this evil gem “The First Slasher Flick” in movie history. Jason Voorhees wouldn’t hack his way through Camp Crystal for at least another 5 years. Don’t find slasher flicks all that unsettling? How about adding a screaming and moaning pre-Superman Margot Kidder into the mix? Oh no! The killer is terrorizing her sorority house! “Come on girls! We can’t let this meanie overcome our spunk and spirit during this time of caring and sharing!”
Suffice to say, it doesn’t end well for most of them.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
This movie has a miraculous central scene. It’s hard to convey the yuletide joy one feels while watching Tony Soprano pound a shovel through Ben Affleck’s hairpiece on his front lawn as Christina Applegate cowers in the car. By most reports, half of this film was improvised on the spot because no one involved could make much sense out of the original script. Oh yeah, this is supposed to be a comedy.
Jack Frost (1996)
Not to be confused with Michael Keaton’s tickling tear-jerker, this movie may have it all for you if you harbor any sort of snowman fetish. Jack Frost shoots deadly icicles, decapitates kids with a sled, uses his carrot nose to get busy with American Pie’s Shannon Elizabeth and even kills a victim by turning her into a rotting Christmas tree. Worried about watching this around the little elves of the family? Worry not. Although there’s tons of blood and a nude scene, the cast makes quite an audible effort to refrain from using any obscenity. There’s lots of “hecks” and “darns” and “goshdangit’s!” Hollywood leads the way again for solid family values!
Top Pick
The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
This one is a seriously rotten treat. You know, even the man that created the CGI monstrosity of Jar Jar Binks has a limit when it comes to pain. He’s made it his mission to prevent you from seeing it. That’s right, kids. If you want to treat your family to 97 minutes of schmaltzy, canned-applause 70s star power, you’re going to have to pirate this variety hour from your favorite underground video network. Fortunately, this one is so notorious that it probably won’t be hard to find.
How bad is it? Wrap your space noodle around these trivia tidbits:
• The script originally penned by Lucas, was secretly rewritten by random studio executives at least 4 times before shooting commenced. When Lucas saw it, he had no idea what was going on and was mortified.
• Princess Leia sings the special’s closing song, set to John William’s Star Wars theme music - badly.
• At that point in time, it was the most expensive TV variety hour ever produced. It cost over 1 million space bucks to make.
• It was actually named “The Worst 2 Hours of Television Ever Made” by a panel of professional critics. Think about that for a minute. Wow.
• In 2006, Conan O’Brien surprised his guest Harrison Ford with questions about the special and a short clip from the show. Before the end of the segment, Ford walked off the stage in disgust.
Still not convinced? Fine. Try Bea Arthur playing a bartender who sings “Good Night, But Not Goodbye” to the aliens in the cantina band as segue to a song by Jefferson Starship filmed in 3D. And that’s not even the weirdest thing that happens.