Tag Archives: learning

Getting Educated And Qualified Without Quitting Your Day Job

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Getting Educated And Qualified Without Quitting Your Day Job

No matter if you’ve already passed your initial schooling phase in your teens or late adulthood, it is never too late to get educated. Studies show that a considerable chunk of people would like a career change of some sort, and branch off into something that they are more interested in. Sadly, that is not always possible without the correct qualifications or the know-how.

Fortunately, we live in a time where education does not always have to be a completely full-time ordeal. Now, more flexible schedules which allow you to still work at least part-time are more than realistic. Not only that, but you could go ahead and get yourself qualified with some short courses, which take a few weeks or months rather than several years of school. No matter which scenario might suit you more, both are just as feasible for the average person and can be arranged if you just take the correct steps forward:

Getting educated:

Due to the nature of the modern working world, it is not always possible for everyone to take a few years out from work to fully dedicate themselves to studying, while the rent goes unpaid. Working at least part-time is a necessity for a large majority of adults in most countries and, unless you are able to balance working and studying simultaneously, then chances are you won’t be able to indulge in the sweet enriching world of education.

Before you give up completely, you should at least check out the different schedules available, and get familiarized with the different timetables available to see if you could make it work somehow. Always wanted to become a doctor? Go ahead and check the medical school tuition fees, and see if it is something that you could feasibly get invested in. Feel like programming is something which you would like to do as a career? Go and see if you can find local computer science courses. The sky’s the limit, so get out there and start planning your future in a field that you are truly passionate about.

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Knowledge is power!

Short courses for busy people:

If getting involved in any sort of long-term education is a big red flag for you, then there are always shorter courses which still provide you with industry standard qualifications in various fields but take considerably less time to complete. Whether you want to learn how to play the guitar or find out how to publish books, there will be a course out there which will catch your eye.

A somewhat popular series of courses are provided by companies certified by Adobe themselves, which run training courses in the Adobe Creative Suite which can result in you getting the title of a “Adobe Certified Associate”. Not only does it sound prestigious, but it is just as useful as it sounds. Depending on what you are interested in, you can pick up some certificates for any program in the suite that is relevant to your interests. Whether you want to create websites with Adobe Dreamweaver or logos and illustrations with Adobe Illustrator, courses as short as one week could get you on the right path to becoming a full-fledged professional somewhere down the line.

It is never too late to start some type of further education. Gather information on your program, study hard, and reach for the stars!

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A Perfect Match: How Education Can Fit Around Your Life

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A Perfect Match: How Education Can Fit Around Your Life

When you think back on your life, achievements that can really change your circumstances are some of the most important changes you can make. If you feel that you have more to give and would like to go back to college or start studying again, you can make it happen. With work and family commitments, many people write it off as a pipe dream. But with today’s flexible educations styles and virtual platforms, it doesn’t have to be a choice – you can fit your continuing education goals into your life. Studying for a degree while also having a career, especially if you work irregular hours, can certainly be a challenge, but putting a little thought into your approach can make it work.

Many institutions recognize that people are wanting to study later in life and have designed programs specifically for working adults. These are structured flexibly from purely online modules taken in your own time for some courses that involve a mix of virtual learning and physical seminars. Many are designed to complement an existing career, such as a bachelor of policing program designed for actively serving officers. Here’s how to get started:

Research Your Options Carefully:

Choosing the right program for you is much more of a considered decision when it needs to fit around your life, so make sure that you do plenty of research to find the right provider for your individual needs. If you have existing college credits, some programs will take that into account, allowing you to graduate faster. If you don’t have the capacity to travel, a degree delivered via online learning is a good choice. Hundreds of universities now offer bachelor and graduate degrees in subjects like public administration, criminal justice, and management skills. Or if you feel you want some in-person contact, try a hybrid degree that combines online with sessions of traditional classroom learning across evenings and weekends.

Work Out A Sustainable Schedule:

Studying can be a big time commitment, so the key to making it work alongside a job and a busy life is being strict on scheduling. Plan all your classes and study hours alongside household commitments, working hours, and time to spend with family and friends – all of these areas are important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members to collect kids from school, prepare meals, or help around the house. You have to be organized to make all these elements work together so plan in advance and batch-make meals to fill up the freezer.

If work commitments get intense, don’t be afraid to speak to your degree supervisor about adjusting your study plan to avoid conflicts if necessary. Take full advantage of any study resources offered, as well. Most places have academic centers to help make your study skills better. Also be sure to use study groups to connect with fellow students and share tips and coping strategies. Make sure that you have a quiet space to study when it comes time, and don’t allow outside distractions to pull you off course. The trick is to give 100% to whatever you’re doing at that time, and try to shut the rest out.

It’s never too late to begin a new career, and with constant advances in classroom technology, there is no time like the present to start!

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Taking Control Is A Leisurely Stroll

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Taking Control Is A Leisurely Stroll

Feeling as if you don’t have control over the events going on in your life can be very frustrating. If you’ve lost your job, aren’t earning what you’d like, or are simply struggling to use your time well, it can be hard to feel like you’re a true adult. In reality, everyone has a hard time with these parts of life, and the way you handle them can make a real difference. To make this nice and easy, this post will be exploring all of the little areas which you need to take control of when you’re first starting out in adult life:

The Little Things:

The Modules Of Adulthood: Buying a home, having a family, and achieving your other goals will seem very daunting when you think about them together. To make this a little easier, some simple splitting can help you a lot, as this will give you the chance to handle each piece on its own. This makes the big jobs little, giving you some breathing room and a chance to think at each stage. When thinking about this approach, the Agile development methodology can be very helpful to use as a template.

Using Outside Support: When you’re doing something for the first time or when you don’t have the skills, it almost always benefits you to hire a professional. An experienced moving company, for example, will have a much better chance to achieve a home move successfully than you will on your own. There are loads of professionals out there, making it easy to find someone to help you with whatever you’re struggling with.

Time Management:

Why Is It Important? Being able to follow the passage of time accurately without looking at a clock takes many years, and a lot of people will struggle to be able to do it. Of course, when you’re working, at school, or dealing with other adult commitments, you’ll have to make sure that you have a tight hold on your time. One of the best ways to achieve this is through some strict routine. As time goes on, it will become a lot easier to follow your preferred cycle, and a lot of people will find it becomes habitual.

The Constant Battle: When you’re trying to control a busy life, it can be hard to make sure that you have enough time for all of the jobs that you have on your plate. To solve this for you, it can be a good idea to start looking for some ways to assess your workloads. For a lot of people, the biggest problem is underestimating the time something will take. So, as a backup, having some extra time can always be a good idea, even if you don’t end up using it.

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 Daunting tasks turn easy when you break it up!

The Bigger Picture:

Your Career: Being stuck without an idea of what you’d like to do with your life can be very hard. Along with this, finding yourself in a job that won’t go anywhere can also be unpleasant to live with, and a lot of people will strive for the chance to have a fulfilling career. One of the easiest ways to achieve something like this is through planning. Right up until retirement, you should have an idea of where you would like to be at each stage in your life.

Your Family: Unfortunately, there are some parts of life which can’t be planned, and your family will be one of them. Most people never set out to find their partner or to have children; these things are surprises. To make them easier when they come, it can always be very helpful to have some preparation in place. Money is what you’ll need the most to fuel a growing family, so it’s a good idea to save up long in advance for this part of life. Along with this, having some knowledge under your belt can add a lot of ease to your job as a parent or partner.

Your Other Goals: Finally, it’s time to think about the other goals in life, and how you’re going to find ways to achieve them. Unlike the time you spend on your career, your hobbies and interests will need your spare time, making it hard for a lot of people to get the chance to indulge in them. This is a shame, though, as making time for something like this is often a simple matter of using time currently dedicated to something like TV.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time you put into the control you have over your life. When you feel like your destiny is out of your hands, it can be hard to feel safe and secure in life. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t have to be this way, and most people have the skills to make the changes that they need all by themselves.

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Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

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Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

There are lots of reasons parents should encourage their children to study abroad. This article will offer an insight into the situation and help to identify all of the benefits. Hopefully, this post will answer your questions and highlight all the reasons your loved ones should travel for their education:

Learning about a new culture:

One of the best things about studying abroad is that your kids will experience a new culture first hand. This should help to turn them into well-rounded individuals with empathy for alternative ways of life. It could even encourage your child to adopt parts of the culture themselves.

Meeting a varied group of friends:

It’s vital that everyone has a varied group of friends if they want to understand the world with a better perception. Studying abroad could help to knock down some of the barriers that might prevent your loved one from following things that happen around the world while ignoring propaganda.

Getting a better level of education:

There is no getting away from the fact that some universities and colleges in foreign countries perform better than those at home. So, by sending your kids abroad; you could ensure that they get the best education possible.

Now that you know about some of the main reasons why you should encourage your kids to study abroad; it’s time to research schools and universities in some of the most popular locations. Put a plan in place as early as possible because there are many things to consider when putting your child on a plane to a new country.


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Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

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Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

“I should have learned to play the guitar, should’ve learned to play them drums”, so sang Dire Straits in 1985. While a total lack of musical knowledge or awareness hasn’t been an impediment to many people working in the music industry today, many of us regret either not having learned or abandoning the learning of a musical instrument. Today, we’ll look at why it’s never too late to pick up an instrument, the pedagogic and psychological benefits, as well as looking over some great instruments for neophyte musicians. Learning a musical instrument is more than just a fun hobby, it’s a valuable skill that has numerous cerebral benefits as well as being a cool trick to bust out a parties!

It’s literally never too late:

Virtually everyone benefits from some sort of creative outlet and while we’re all just sort of expected to find the right one in our teens or early twenties, many of us don’t find the right mode of self-expression until they get into middle or even old age. There are few subsets of people for whom the dexterity and mental faculties to play an instrument are prohibitive. If, for example, your arthritic hands make playing the guitar or piano problematic you may benefit just as much from learning the harmonica or the panpipes.

Getting over the learning curve:

The landfills are littered with guitars that were discarded because their owners deemed it “too hard”. Most of them were impatient children or teenagers (We all knew someone at school who quit their guitar lessons because they didn’t become a virtuoso within a month.). As an adult, you may surprise yourself with how well you navigate the learning curve – especially if you are participating in music lessons for adults as opposed to teaching yourself. While your older mind may be set in its ways, you will have learned the value in persistence elsewhere in life.

For most instruments, unlocking the fundamentals is a huge step in smoothing out the steep learning curve. In guitar playing, for example, much of your musical vocabulary is formed by mastering the ‘barre chords’ – moveable chords. When one has the measure of these, they can play any minor or major chord from a good root position. It takes time to master, but it unlocks so much of the instrument’s potential when you do. When this obstacle is hurdled, a player has the inside scoop in learning to cover their favorite music and even learning to write their own.

Cerebral and psychological benefits:

When playing (or even listening) to music, multiple areas of the brain become active. Musicians may look calm and composed but there are firework displays in their neurons. Processing music is actually an incredibly complex mental process, giving our brains a great workout that most of the time we’re not even aware of. It keeps our brains young and aids cognitive dexterity.

Learning how to read sheet music is also a skill that will be developed and it is the musical equivalent of learning a new language. Reading sheet music well will help you as you transition to basic, intermediate, and advanced playing. As you progress and write your own music, you might want to use a program like StaveWave which converts sheet music to editable MusicXML. This tool will help you pinpoint and correct problematic notes, tempos, and mistakes to create a cohesive piece of music.

Finding the right instrument:

Hopefully, you’ve been moved to consider taking up a musical instrument, but you may wonder which are the best or most accessible ‘starter instruments’. String instruments such as guitar, violin, piano, cello, and bass are fairly accessible for new learners, as are the flute and clarinet. You could even browse on harmo.com for harmonicas and accessories. Harmonicas are an excellent choice as they can fit in your pocket, meaning that you can practice anywhere! The saxophone presents a slightly steeper learning curve but it’s so ubiquitous in so many forms of music, that learning to master it opens up a lot of doors. Once you have met the basics, it will be exciting to experiment with your sound and additional equipment. For example, you might want to buy premium guitar accessories like pedals to introduce a whole new style to your playing.

There’s no such thing as the wrong instrument. Even learning an instrument that you don’t stick with tends to be a gateway to learning more. And isn’t it always fun to try new things?!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

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Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

Satisfaction. It’s an important word, which means something different for each of us. For some, it’s getting to the next level on that challenging computer game. For others, it’s saving lives on a daily basis.

In all its forms, satisfaction is valid and important. When it comes down to it, it’s often the thing with which we judge our lives. When we look back on each year, we consider how much we have achieved. When we look back on our lives, many of us wonder how much of an impact our actions have had.

It’s no surprise, then, that many people look for jobs which bring bucket loads of satisfaction. Despite care work not being the best-paid job in the world, many people seek it out. If nothing else, that’s a true testament to how important we consider satisfaction in our lives. For some of us, though, the care industry isn’t the right path. It takes a lot of patience and inner strength to get along in a career like this. As such, it’s not going to suit everyone.

But, not wanting to care for others shouldn’t put an end to your dreams of job satisfaction. In fact, there are plenty of other jobs which can bring just as much joy. We may not hear about them often, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. To give you some idea of your options, we’re going to look at a few here:

Working With Children: What could be more satisfying than having an impact on future generations? While teachers may not get the same credit as, say, doctors, they definitely deserve to. These are the people who are shaping young minds. Many big ideas for the future will be planted in today’s classrooms.

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Cute!

If you don’t fancy the classroom, why not consider social work? Again, you’ll be having an enormous impact on the futures of kids. You’ll get the opportunity to form real bonds with the children you work with. It’s no easy task, though, as you’ll also have to decide when you separate families. To go down this route, you would also need to get the right qualifications. But, with options like online master’s social work courses, there’s no reason why you can’t get going. A job worth caring about is worth working for.

These are by no means the only options when it comes to kids, either. You could also opt for something like youth club supervision or pre-school work. The satisfaction will be there, but you won’t have to return to study to achieve it.

Working With Animals: They say don’t work with children or animals, and we’ve broken both of those rules already. But, if you have a soft spot for four-legged friends, an animal option could be the career for you. In many ways, this is like a care job. If anything, the satisfaction levels could be higher because fewer people consider it.

Again, there are a few different options. At the extreme end of the scale, you could become a vet. Bear in mind, though, that veterinary studies are extensive and will take a long time to complete. As an excellent alternative, you could always work as a veterinary receptionist. You’ll still get the chance to give advice and make a difference, but you don’t need qualifications to do so. If you have a desire to work with animals, search for veterinarian jobs near you to get your career started.

Or, you could opt to work in a rescue center. These jobs are often hard to come by, but making a difference to unwanted animals is about as good as it gets. If you manage to work your way to the top, you’ll be going into some nasty situations. There’s no denying that it can be traumatic, but you’ll be able to remove animals by working with the police. A good way to start would be to volunteer. This in itself will help your quest, and, if they like what they see, big things may follow.

Last, but by no means least, you could work as a conservationist in a zoo. Here, you’ll be working hard to breed and reintroduce animals into the wild. Not only does this help the animals themselves, but also the planet as a whole. Go get ‘em, tiger!

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Get Artsy: How about trying your hand at an artistic pursuit? Artists often get a bad rep and, let’s be honest; it’s one of the hardest careers to make a go in. But, the satisfaction stakes here are high, because many of us measure our overall satisfaction based on the mark we leave. And, nothing’s quite so good at making a mark as art in all of its forms.

Of course, your artistic pursuit can be whatever you want it to be. Have you been songwriting for years in private? Do you have a secret skill with paint that no one’s seen since school? Whatever your strength, it’s time to take it out of the closet. The majority of us have some creative outlet we could put to use and there’s no better time than the present to use it!

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Pixabay Image

Open A Restaurant: Who would have thought that a restaurant would find its way onto the most satisfying jobs list? We did, which is why it’s here! Owning a restaurant may not be up there with saving lives. But, its place on this list is well deserved and here’s why:

Life is stressful. Work gets on top of us, and there’s rarely a respite. Even when we’re at home, we’re often thinking about what we need to do the next day. It never ends. Unless you don’t head home after work. You get dressed up and go out to eat. Finally, you can enjoy yourself and relax. There’s no worries, no pressures, and best of all, no washing up! If we didn’t have restaurants to escape to, the world would be a much darker place. We joke, but it’s true. Everyone needs an escape and someone needs to create it. Let that person be you by opening up a restaurant.

In a way, the artistic aspect comes into play here, too. Because it’s not just enough to open any old space and serve food. You need to leave your mark by creating a beautiful place to spend time in. You’ll need to get everything right, from the decor to the ambience and the food. Your restaurant could provide a new favorite spot for customers and it is up to you to keep it that way. You will want an excellent, welcoming, and well trained staff as well as making the building accessible to everyone. And, of course, it is important to have the right protection like Vermont Restaurant Insurance (or your local area) should something go wrong. The right insurance can give true peace of mind so be sure to explore your options carefully.

five3And who DOESN’T love eating?!

Reasonable Real Estate: When you think about it, it’s baffling that real-estate doesn’t appear on more satisfying jobs lists. What could be better than knowing you’ve put roofs over people’s heads when they needed them most? You may not be restarting their heart with your bare hands, but you’re ensuring that they have a high quality of life. At least, you could be.

Unlike the other jobs mentioned, the satisfaction involved depends completely on you. If you become a bad landlord, you won’t see the rewards. You won’t be able to rest easy if you’re overcharging or failing to fix issues. In fact, the plan will backfire in a major way. Sure, you’ll make more money. But satisfaction isn’t about money, remember?

Instead, you need to do things right. Offer as reasonable a price as possible so that you give more people a chance to get a place. Make sure that you’re a reliable contact, by answering any queries as soon as humanly possible. And, make sure to pay for repairs the moment they need doing. It’s all simple stuff and that’s all it takes to make real-estate a satisfying option. Give it a go and see where it gets you!

So, there are a few of your options. As you can see, they all have their benefits, even if you wouldn’t have assumed them to be satisfying. And these aren’t the only unexpectedly satisfying careers. You can make a difference in any number of ways if you know how!

Effective Ways To Stop Cramming And Study Properly

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Effective Ways To Stop Cramming And Study Properly

We’ve all been there at some point in our lives. We turn our heads to look at the clock and notice it’s 11 PM. Our exams are tomorrow and we’ve still got a couple of pages to go. The next thing you know, you’ve started chatting with friends and listening to music, oblivious that the clock is ticking and so is your deadline. Next thing you know, it’s 3 AM and your exams start in less than 6 hours and you’ve not gone through a single page. All of the things you learned are suddenly gone and you start to panic. Freaking YIKES! Should you have a cram sesh ASAP? NO, because:

Cram Studying Doesn’t Work Anymore

You’ve probably tried to cram your study into a single night before and you’ve probably tried your best to get it to work. Perhaps it’s successful and you swear by cram studying from there on, but here’s actually what happens when you do that and why cramming doesn’t work very well:

  • Your brain doesn’t remember everything on the page, only specific things. Think of cramming as a glorified way of skimming through a text or page; you’ll pick up a few things, but without learning the entire subject or section it’s going to be hazy.
  • You only remember specific things because of how your memory works. However, all you’re doing is remember certain bits of information and pictures—you haven’t actually learned anything. When the time comes to recall that information, you’re going to be completely oblivious to it.
  • Cramming isn’t actually studying or learning, it’s just a way to remember things for a short amount of time. If you’re serious about a subject, cramming won’t help you learn.

So how do I become a better studier, you might ask? Like this:

Effective Ways to Study and Learn Properly

Now that we’ve established what cramming actually does, let’s look at real ways to study:

Ask yourself if you love the subject you’re studying: If you don’t actually enjoy the subject that you’re studying, then you’re going to have a hard time learning anything. If possible, question yourself if you want to study the subject on a long-term basis. If you don’t, then consider switching that subject out for something else.

Break up a subject into easy-to-digest parts: Trying to take on too much information is a bad idea. Learn a section, take a break, quiz yourself, then move on to the next. You want to try and break up a subject into small parts so that it’s much easier to work on and comprehend.

Test yourself with flashcards and quizzes: As mentioned above, quizzing yourself is a fantastic way to recall things and test yourself. Try creating some study flashcards and testing yourself after each section that you study.

Improve your focus: There are many ways to improve your focus. First, start by removing any distractions and put on some relaxing music with no lyrics. Then, consider looking for the best Nootropic stack for studying. Supplements are designed to assist you with various things in life, and studying and improving concentration is no exception.

Get enough sleep: If you aren’t well-rested, then your mind is going to have a hard time focusing. Try and get enough sleep so that your brain is prepared for any upcoming homework challenges.

Take regular breaks, but don’t procrastinate: It’s important to take a proper study break to let your mind cool down between topics and suggestions. If you have to, take an entire day off when it’s close to your exam to give yourself time to rejuvenate and relax. If you struggle with giving yourself a break during your study sessions, it might be helpful to use a timer to allow for that extra breathing room. This pomodoro timer is especially handy as it gives you options for both a short and long break as well as a timer for when you are focusing on studying. Remember, breaks aren’t just a nice reward but a necessity so you can avoid burn out.

Hopefully, these tips have given you some insight on how you can improve your studying. Cramming doesn’t work as well as actual studying, so try and practice some new study methods if you’re serious about your schooling!

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Dear College Self,

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Dear College Self,

Hey everyone and happy Thursday! As a fairly recent college grad (Winter of 2016, baby!), I find myself missing my Alma Mater constantly. Cuyahoga Community College, AKA Tri-C, is where I obtained my Associate of Arts and I am so thankful for all of the wonderful teachers that I encountered who helped me achieve graduating Magna Cum Laude (woo!). And the students weren’t so bad, either! I am always playing around with the idea of going back to school because I loved it so much but there are definitely some things that I would do differently this time around if I go back for my Associate of Science in the future – like the following:

Dear College Self,

First, let me repeat for the millionth time that there is no shame in waiting to go to school like I did. Thanks to my two year hiatus after high school, I was able to build up my bank account while climbing the corporate ladder at my job. I also realized after a four year stint at the same place that working in the mall for the rest of my life definitely isn’t for me (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)!

After feeling unbearably stuck in life and at work, I decided to take a huge leap of faith and started classes at Tri-C as well as creating lifewithlilred. And you know what? College wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be! And by “wasn’t as bad”, I mean it really wasn’t bad at all. Being in a classroom, whether it be in real life or online, was definitely a change of pace but it was a welcomed one. Using my brain to solve adult problems felt so good after years of monotony and a zest for learning, which was nonexistent in high school, seemed to appear over night. Like I said, it was an exciting change of pace!

Despite an overwhelmingly amazing college experience, there are always things that you wish you would have done differently. Starting college a little later in the game made me hesitant to try new things on campus. Different clubs, events, and programs were constantly going on throughout the week and I never made one cameo appearance at any of them. The sad thing is, is that Tri-C is a place for people of literally all ages (from 16 to 90!), and my discomfort in my situation never allowed me to fully embrace what a unique community that Tri-C is. This is definitely something that needs to change when I eventually go back for my Associate of Science and I am committed to becoming more involved during my next go around.

And, of course, this is the generic “what I wish I did differently response” but I really do wish that my college self would have studied just a little bit harder. Not really knowing about graduating with honors until the literal day of graduation was a mistake on my part. How does someone not know about the world of Cum Laude if they’re in college? Lol, I’m not sure. Probably because even when I started classes at Tri-C, I wasn’t focused on the end goal and that was another major mistake. Had I known that I was devastatingly close to graduating Summa Cum Laude, I would have pushed and applied myself way harder to achieve that honor. But hey, there’s always next time – right?!

Although there are things that I wish I could redo about my college experience, I still graduated with flying colors and finally took an interest in becoming a more educated and well rounded individual. That makes me incredibly proud of my college self and I’m looking forward to applying an even more studious and adventurous spirit to college life if I go back to school again.

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What advice would you give to your college self? What would your advice be to college students right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Healthcare Career

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Things to Consider Before Choosing a Healthcare Career

For people who want to help others in their job, a career in healthcare may seem like the ideal option. If you have never worked in this type of job before, there is a lot to consider before you dive in at the deep end. First, it is a path that requires a great deal of commitment, and it is likely that you will need specific qualifications depending on the area in which you want to work. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t accessible for a high number of people.

Like any field of work, healthcare has its ups and downs and you will want to do as much research as you can before you decide that this is the path that you want to go down. However, people who go into this field often find that it is one that is personally rewarding. So, let’s look at a few things that you will want to consider before you definitely decide on a career in healthcare:

Ask Yourself About Your Motivations: Like any career path you decide to go down, you should ask yourself about your motivations in wanting to pursue this particular field. Is helping people your number one ambition? Are you motivated by the financial rewards? Do you want to work in a job that is fast-moving? You then need to think about how strong your motivations are. The likelihood is, is that the healthcare career that you pick will require a great deal of commitment and working long hours that are often changeable. It is not the kind of career that you want to enter lightly. And you should also think twice if it is someone else who is pushing you to go down this particular road. Remember, that you are the one who will be devoting a big part of your life to this career, so you want to make sure that your motivations are your own rather than coming from someone else.

The motivation to help other people is one of the top factors that drives people into this area. If you have a great sense of empathy and a desire to help people through difficult situations, you may be ideally suited to this area. Patience is certainly a virtue in this field, as you will be working with a whole range of people, some of whom are going to be very challenging. The ability to demonstrate good communication skills is another useful skill to possess, as you will often have to be explaining certain procedures or situations to people. It also helps to be a good listener so people feel comfortable with telling you their particular concerns.

Which Specific Role Appeals to You? Of course, doctors and nurses tend to draw all of the headlines when you are looking at careers in the healthcare field, but there are an infinite amount of options that are out there. Within each medical specialty, there are jobs available that suit different levels of education and experience. You will obviously require specific training regardless of which job you go for, but you may be surprised to discover what is within your reach. It is worth reading different articles online and looking at job boards to read through their specifications. There are many specialist job sites such as https://www.staffnurse.com/jrp-dental-nurse that display some of the different options out there. Like anything in life, it pays to do as much research as you can.

Remember that every role played in a health care facility is an integral part no matter what it is you’re doing. Housekeeping, reception, cooks, social workers, and liaisons to help with paperwork and medicare part b reimbursement are all just as part of the team as doctors, nurses, and surgeons. People often seek work in the medical sector because of a desire to help people and no matter what position speaks to you, you can rest assured that you will be doing just that.

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^^^ Healthcare essentials

Look at Education/Training Options: When you consider going into a career in healthcare, you have to think about the education and training that goes into it, as well. You will be well aware that it takes several years to become a doctor, so this is a big commitment to make before you actually enter the career in the first place. You need to think about how you would finance your education if you did go down this route. However, a lot of healthcare career options include training that can be done while you are on the job. So, you may need to compromise on your chosen career path if you simply don’t have the time or funds to invest in a long training period. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a job that is as equally fulfilling and rewarding.

You’ll Have to Protect Yourself: Now, a lot of people think that, legally speaking, they only need to protect themselves if they own a business. But that’s far from the case. A solid chunk of jobs in the healthcare field also need some sort of protection. You’ve probably heard of malpractice insurance for doctors, right? Well, that’s just one example.

Even if you’ve always dreamed of being a nurse, you will need to protect yourself in some legal form. For example, a lot of nurses will look into a nursing license defense attorney because there might be a chance of a criminal charge (such as a patient), documentation error, employer investigations, or even allegations of misconduct. So that’s why it’s so important to know why you need to protect yourself and what steps you can take to do it.

Do Your Skills and Strengths Fit in the Sector? Everyone has their own specific set of skills and strengths that they bring to every new job role. Before you opt for this particular sector, you need to be confident that your own skills match up. There are a few common attributes that are required by most healthcare professionals. To start off with, you will need excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Many of these jobs involve communicating with patients who are in a vulnerable situation, and even those that are not directly patient-facing will probably require you to work as part of a team. As well as this, you will also need a strong work ethic as many of these jobs are especially demanding. And having that sense of calm when faced with high pressure situations will also stand you in good stead. Another positive quality that it will help you to possess is the desire to continually learn new things. The healthcare field is one that is always adapting and changing, so keeping track of developments and making sure that you are up to date is essential.

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Pexels Image

Consider Your Working Environment: Working in the field of healthcare doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be in a hospital. You may work in a doctor’s office, a dentist’s surgery, a school, or even in people’s homes if you are working as a personal carer. Think about how your working environment will affect your particular career path. There may be more opportunities in a hospital but this kind of busy and often chaotic atmosphere may not suit you as a person. If you are overwhelmed just thinking about the fast paced hospital environment, then you might want to explore other options. Maybe the administrative side is more your speed. Or, perhaps you are interested in How to become a DOT drug test collector for a job in the medical field that requires less extensive training and a more leisurely pace than a bustling hospital. Don’t forget that your working environment plays a big role in your job as a whole.

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Could you see yourself working there?

Think About Your Personal Situation: As we have already mentioned briefly, a career in healthcare is likely to impact your personal life. Many of these jobs require you to work in different shift patterns and you also may have to put in long hours. This is not the case for all of these types of jobs, but you want to make sure that you are fully aware of the level of commitment that you are putting in before you go into any particular job role. It all depends on what your personal situation is currently like and what sort of sacrifices you are willing to make in order to achieve your ambitions.

Like any career path, healthcare is not for everyone. But the people who enjoy success in this area find that it is an extremely rewarding way to spend your working life.     

Featured Image By: Pexels

The First Steps To Switching Careers

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The First Steps To Switching Careers

You’re not the same person that you were when you first joined the workforce; life happened, events were experienced, and you learned from any mistakes you have made (hopefully!). As a result, you grew as a person, developed new interests, and discovered skills you didn’t realize you had. It’s no wonder that you might be entertaining the idea of a different career. However, if you’ve climbed a significant portion of the career ladder in your current industry, it’s not exactly a thrilling thought to start at the bottom of an entirely new field all over again. A new career might seem exciting, but is it really the right move for you? Here are a few things that you would have to consider before you make the switch:

Do you really hate your current job?

Yes, it might get boring and frustrating doing the same thing 40 hours a week, but do you really hate your job enough to completely leave it? Once you start down a path of switching careers, it can be very difficult to switch back, so you need to be sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If your inner reflections reveal that it’s your boss/colleagues/job that you hate, then maybe you just need to find ways to make work more tolerable or put some feelers out for a different job within the same industry.

A change of scenery can work wonders if you do enjoy your work but are having issues within the company. Consider similar fields or opportunities in various locations and see what strikes your fancy. It could be in a different city, state, or even country. However, if you are interested in working abroad you will need to learn how to get a right to work share code to be eligible to work at your new destination.

You’ll have to start at the bottom:

Whatever career you’ve chosen next, you will have to start all over again. Unlike when you were in college and you were free to experiment with different options, everything you do from here on has to be in service to your new career path if you want to get there faster.

Say you’ve decided that you want to pursue a new career in the fashion industry; you’ll likely have to go back to school to get the proper qualifications and find a job within the industry that can pay your bills and give you some relevant experience. Since you’re starting from the bottom, most jobs available to you will be in retail clothing stores, so make sure that you read this if you plan on filling out a Victoria’s Secret application. If you’ve realized pretty early on that you made a bad career choice, then starting from scratch might not be such a hassle as long as you’re sure that you are following the right career path for you.

You need a plan:

Resist the urge to march into your boss’ office and hand in your resignation once you decide that you want a career change; you still need a job while you come up with a viable plan for your next endeavor. Take your time and start by narrowing your options. Start by deciding on what you don’t want to be doing. If you hate doing paperwork in your current career, you can eliminate admin and office jobs. You can free yourself from being chained to a desk by choosing an outdoor job or one that involves more movement. If you’re hoping to end up in a top position one day, a five year plan can outline the steps that you need to take to get there. Your plan should outline how you’re paying for new qualifications, the position you’re hoping to get, and where you hope to end up after a few years of experience. The options are endless, but your perfect job is out there waiting for you.

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Planning party!!

You need the skills:

Chances are you won’t have the necessary qualifications for the new job that you want. But don’t let this put you off! You can learn the skills that you need by going back to school full time, through an online course, or signing up for part-time classes. Even if you change your mind all over again, furthering your career with education is never a bad thing. It’s going to be exciting to learn something completely new through continuing education programs from IOSMT (if you are opting for a new career in physical therapy), a trade school, or wherever else you choose!

Studying part time while maintaining a job will show employers that you have enough drive and motivation to go after something you want. The degree itself will also help you develop a wide range of skills in addition to learning about the subject itself. Technical and vocational schools like ATA College are excellent for balancing an education/work balance and can give you the know how to get a job as soon as you complete your respective program. If you don’t quite have the funds for a formal education, you could also try volunteering to gain some valuable skills and experience.

There is nothing worse than going to a job that you despise every day. Switching careers can be a scary thing but can have a major payoff once you’re at an amazing new job!

Featured Image By: Wikimedia