Why Education Can Help Grow Your Career

Going back to school is a big undertaking, but there are many benefits of doing so. From expanding your career opportunities to gaining knowledge, you might want to think about this method of career advancement.

Starting School

You’ll want to spend some time thinking about your goals when deciding whether or not to go back to school. You should also do your research on the costs of different schools in your desired field of study. One way of paying for some of the expenses is to sell your life insurance policy, especially if you no longer need it. A life settlement allows you to sell a life insurance policy for cash, which you can then put toward school expenses.

Gaining Knowledge

When you think of education, gaining knowledge might be one of the first benefits that comes to mind. It gives you both knowledge and skills, which can then be applied to any workplace in the future. For example, if you study business administration, you will learn about accounting so you can understand the financial aspects of the position. And learning about business management will teach you leadership and communication skills as well.

The knowledge you gain can be both practical and factual, meaning it is not just a nice thing to know. It can be extremely helpful in your current position, as well as where you wish to go. And even if you are where you want to be in your career, you can always benefit from learning more. Getting another degree allows you to build your experience, broadening your skills.

Demonstrating Work Ethic

When you go after a degree, especially if you are working, you will demonstrate your strong work ethic. That’s because school can be hard, and doing it while working can be even harder. Doing both can show you are determined to meet your goals. Both executives and supervisors like to see education, since it shows the individuals have the motivation and initiative to expand their skills. When you show you are committed to your goals, you will show management you are ready to be successful in any work environment. If you are already a manager at work, you can set a strong example of dedication to your reports.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

When you get a degree, you are accomplishing something worthwhile, and it’s a huge accomplishment. It can result in more experience, skills, and knowledge and ultimately help you achieve success through effective communication from a business standpoint. And when you get extra problem-solving and communication skills, you will feel more confident in yourself. This can make you appear more polished to potential employers. 

Of course, you will also benefit from growing your professional network. When you are in a classroom, either in person or virtually, you will be better prepared to meet and interact with other students. They could come from different educational or professional backgrounds. You might be able to benefit from these connections later, when it comes time to advance your career. Others in your network may know about different job opportunities in your field. And they might be able to answer questions you have.

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Best Places to Start a Career in the Energy Industry

Working in the energy industry is one of the quickest ways to find high-paying work readily available.  Although moving for a job isn’t something that everyone is willing to do if you have the education and are passionate about it: moving for an energy career can be the right move for you!

These are the best places to start a career in the energy industry, and what they offer new arrivals!

Chicago, Illinois

Electricity first reached Chicago in 1892, and the city hasn’t been the same since.  Green energy has become Chicago’s most recent obsession, even though it’s not as windy as the nickname may imply.

Across multiple career websites, there are currently over 95,287 clean energy jobs, ranging from installing solar panels to working as an engineer.  Although there’s a large variety of work, almost all of it requires education of some sort to get into the field.

Houston, Texas

Houston has been known as the oil and gas capital of the world for decades, pulling in tons of work from production to working on oil rigs off the coast of Texas.  Although it isn’t clean energy, it’s still necessary to work that will keep the country running.  This city is known as the world’s energy capital and employs over 200,000 workers to ensure that the work is done and it’s done well.

This is a great city to move to if you want a low cost of living since houses for rent in Houston, TX, are far cheaper than most of the other options on this list.

Los Angeles, California

The first municipal power pole was installed in LA in 1916, and the city hasn’t slowed down since! Unfortunately, Los Angeles is home to over four million people and is a huge drain of electricity at all times of the day.

Fortunately for the environment, much of California is pushing towards being greener and using more clean energy.  Because of this, Los Angeles currently has over 160,000 clean energy job openings, seeking skilled professionals who can do everything from repairing energy lines to installing and inventing green energy machinery.  This city takes its power seriously. 

New York City, New York

In the late 1890s, electricity was widely available in most areas of the city.  This meant that people could easily source power whenever they needed to live their daily lives.  Unfortunately, as the population has skyrocketed: so needs power.

One megawatt of energy is enough to power a hundred homes for a day, and NYC takes up 11, 000 Megawatt-hours per day.  This has led to a power crisis and has made this city desperate to hire as many people for energy jobs as possible.  

Although the pay is bigger in the big apple: so is the cost of housing.  This is by far the most expensive place to live on this list, but if you have the skills and can prove yourself in your field, you’ll have no trouble making enough to make a living in NYC!

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Is Pathology The Right Career Path For You?

If you are a student in college studying medicine but haven’t quite made a firm decision about what your specialty should be, you might consider the cutting-edge field of pathology.  Why? Because pathology offers a dizzying array of opportunities for medical professionals.  While pursuing your medical studies, you will find that pathology spans over a myriad of different disciplines and can also be a lucrative path in your career.

From forensic pathology to cytopathology – this exciting and diverse field of medicine has the potential to enhance your personal growth beyond your wildest reckoning.  Furthermore, the demand for qualified pathologies in all areas of medicine has skyrocketed in the last few years.  And the job market for pathologists is only expected to increase.  Read further about what it takes to be a pathologist, and what this stimulating career path can offer you.

What Pathology Is and The Two Main Branches

At its simplest, pathology is a branch of medicine that studies the cause, nature, and origin of diseases and disorders.  Pathology is at the forefront of devising innovative treatments and solutions to combat disease, viruses, and other health disorders such as cancer.  This field of study plays a crucial role in the development of vaccines and medical treatments for all manner of conditions. 

There are two main types of pathology, clinical and anatomical.  Clinical pathology explores diagnosis and cures for disease using laboratory equipment such as microscopes and centrifuges.  A clinical pathologist works in a highly controlled environment where sterile testing is done.  These facilities must operate under accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and should adhere to the lab CAP guide to make sure testing is in compliance and accurate results are determined.

Anatomical pathology is similar to clinical in that this field still executes demanding tests to find answers to medical disorders and diseases.  The most common example of an anatomical pathologist is a medical examiner that performs an autopsy to determine the cause of death.  An anatomical pathologist takes samples from the human body and conducts tests in order to find answers about the human condition.

What Are The Requirements To Be a Pathologist?

There is no exclusive educational degree for a pathologist per se.  Rather, a pathologist is a medical doctor who chooses pathology as his or her specialty.  As such, a pathologist must attain a medical doctor’s degree. This path usually starts with a student obtaining a bachelor’s degree.  No major must be claimed at this time, but students interested in medicine and pathology typically take pre-med courses with a concentration in biology and microbiology during their bachelor’s education.

Pathologists are often referred to as the “doctor’s doctor” because pathologists must be medical doctors (MD or DO). They go through all the training medical doctors do including attending a residency program, internship, board certification, licensing, and ongoing training.

Who Would Enjoy a Pathology Career?

Of course, a love of medicine should be a priority for anyone considering a satisfying career in pathology.  Also, if you have a curious mind and a genuine passion to help others heal, then you may make a great pathologist.  People who work well in this medical discipline are those who have investigative propensities. In other words, they like to do intense research to hunt down solutions to health problems. 

Furthermore, if you are detail-oriented and appreciate order in the workplace, pathology might be a satisfactory field.  Pathologists are required to take copious and accurate notes and their jobs rely heavily upon research, testing, and data analysis.  All this requires a meticulous mentality and a high standard for accuracy.

What Are The Benefits of Being a Pathologist?

The benefits of becoming a pathologist are many and varied.  Firstly, you will never lack a job as long as you work with integrity and keep your medical credentials current.  Pathology is such a diverse field, that jobs are plentiful throughout all disciplines of medicine.  You can choose from dozens of different specialties and subspecialties. This affords pathologists the freedom and flexibility to make lateral moves in related yet different aspects of medical research. 

For instance, you may start out your pathology career as a forensic pathologist.  Over time, you may choose to switch gears into pediatric pathology or neuropathology.  Because this field of medicine is so diverse and covers a broad territory in the healing sciences, pathology is a great career for those always learning and exploring different aspects of their professional life.

Furthermore, pathology can be a lucrative career.  Currently, the average physician of pathology salary is over $250,000 a year.  That salary can increase in time as more experience is gained in the field.  Pathologists are typically hired by major medical facilities and these institutions usually provide excellent benefits such as insurance, retirement, and paid holidays.

Lastly, and perhaps the biggest benefit of being a pathologist is the opportunity to help humanity overcome illness.  As a pathologist, you could be contributing to the cure for cancer, doing life-saving research, or discovering vaccines that heal people with crippling conditions.  Pathology offers diversity and the opportunity to help mankind.  So, if you’re seeking the satisfaction of helping your fellow humans and want a rewarding career you can be proud of, pathology might be the perfect path for you.

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How to Deal with Financial Difficulties as a Student

Financial difficulties can be extremely worrying as a student. They may affect your ability to focus on your studies and continue your time at the university or college of your choice. In order to prevent financial difficulties from overwhelming you halfway into your studies, here are some of the steps that you can take toward dealing with and overcoming them in the 2021 academic year. 

Look Into Hardship Funds

However, most universities and colleges have financial advisors and finance departments that can help you organize your finances and give you a variety of options that can help you stay at the university regardless of your financial situation. For instance, many universities offer students facing financial difficulties a hardship fund. This fund can help to keep you going when you are far into your overdraft and will allow you to keep your finances afloat for longer. To get this fund, you should schedule an appointment with the finance team at your university as soon as possible. If you predict that you will find yourself in financial difficulty before you go to university or college, you may be able to apply for certain grants before you even leave home. 

Get a Part-Time Job

If you need some extra cash to help you pay your bills and fund your nights out, you should consider applying for part-time jobs in your area. As you progress through your studies, it is unlikely that you will have more than a few contact hours per week, especially if your course is currently focused on your dissertation or independent study. This gives you plenty of time between your lectures and seminars to head to a part-time job, where you can earn the money that you need to support yourself. SavetheStudent has collated some of the best part-time jobs that students can find at the start of the new term. However, you should make sure that this job does not distract you from your studies and that you still have enough time to complete all of your assignments. Some courses may even recommend that you avoid taking on a part-time job, where possible. 

Apply for Grants

You might be able to apply for grants, even if you are halfway through your studies. Grants are given by the university itself and give extra funding to people who meet certain criteria. These criteria could be anything, from coming from a low-income background, having a parent who works in a certain field, being a mature student, or taking a certain course, such as healthcare or teaching. 

Speak to Your Landlord

One of the main issues when you run out of money as a student is being able to afford your rent, especially if you are staying in private accommodation. While it may be easy to contact your university’s accommodation provider about any late payments, and these usually come out of your student loan directly, it can be harder to speak to your landlord about any problems you are having in getting the money you need together. However, in most cases, student landlords will be lenient or will allow you to pay your rent when you receive your next loan installment. This is not always the case, though. So, before you speak to your landlord, you should plan exactly what you are going to say and make sure that you know your rights while renting out their property. 

Short Term Loans

If you are struggling with financial difficulties as a student, you might consider taking out a short-term loan. This is a possibility as long as you have some sort of income (e.g. from a part time job) but this should be a last resort and you would need to be confident you can and will meet all of the loan repayments, as failure to repay a loan can lead to further financial difficulties. If you do decide to go down this route, it may be a good idea to use an FCA regulated loan broker to try and get the best APR available to you and your personal financial circumstances.

Cut Your Costs

As a student, although it is unlikely that you will be making a large income, you will not have as many fixed costs as other people living independently. For instance, you will be splitting your bills between multiple people and will usually not have a vehicle to run. So, once you have paid your rent and your student loan, the majority of your costs may be spent on fun and luxuries. It can be difficult to manage your money in the first years of being a student, especially if you have never had to do so before. So, you should find ways to better manage your money and cut your unnecessary expenditure. For instance, you should cook at home more often, attend free events or societies, and consider walking or taking the transport put on by your university rather than public transport or taxis. If you are struggling to cut down on your costs, you should consider downloading a finance tracking app that will allow you to see and manage what you are spending at all times. 

Many students deal with money problems before they leave university or college, especially if your student loan covers less than you imagined. You may encounter these issues even if you previously believe that you were financially savvy. However, these issues do not mean that you will have to return back to your hometown and abandon your degree. Although being in financial difficulty can be stressful for students, it is not usually the end of the world, and there are plenty of steps that you can take to get you back on your feet and which can ensure that you stay financially afloat enough to pour most of your energy into your studies and achieve academic success, and with that success carve a great career for yourself. 

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How to Choose the Right College for You

There are so many choices to make when selecting a college, it is a wonder anyone does it at all. Analysis paralysis can really be a hindrance to moving forward. You are not just looking for a good college, but the perfect college for you. This can be hard for 18 year olds with no life experience to guide them. They really don’t know what they want. When you don’t know what you want, it can be really hard to find. One should also remember that perfect is the enemy of the good. There are plenty of good colleges you might overlook because you are set on finding the perfect. That merry chase is more of a fool’s errand. Perfect doesn’t exist.

What you need is a clear understanding of your needs. Make a list of priorities in the order of importance. There are a lot of things you think you need at first. But later, you realize you can live without them. Give yourself enough time to change your mind a few times. Get input from people who have been to college and can help you know what to look for. Some priorities are obvious. The following items might not have made your first draft:

Access to Charging Stations

If you are thinking about getting an electric car, you are not going to be able to park that thing in your dorm room and charge it from an outlet. You are going to have to make sure there is at least one charging station nearby so you can juice up before heading out. There doesn’t need to be a charging station on campus. It is not like most campuses have their own gas station. But you do need one or two nearby, and in route to places you normally go. Fortunately, the charging station infrastructure is really starting to fill out. So that is much less of an issue than it was 10 years ago. 

While you’re at it, check the parking situation. Not all campuses have ample parking spots for students. Some might charge a high fee for parking. The same is true for a lot of cities. One of the biggest downsides to owning a car is parking. Many places are simply not car-friendly. Again, this is just one of those things you need to ask about and not take for granted. If you have a car, or plan to, be sure the infrastructure on and near campus is right for you.

Job Placement

You definitely have to make sure you choose the right college for your major. What you also have to know is if the college has a successful job placement program for the kind of job you want to do. Every college likes to boast about their job placement successes. But general numbers don’t mean a thing if they are not good at placing people in the type of job you want to do. 

The best business school from 2015 might not represent the best you can do today. So be sure your recommendations are current. Again, there is a difference between the best business school and the school that is best at getting their graduates into good jobs. That’s a big difference. Don’t get a degree that will not get you hired. 

Tech Ecosystem

If you are a Mac user and your school only does Windows, you are in trouble. You are going to hate every minute. And the transition is not automatic. You are also probably looking at a school that is technologically regressive if all major platforms aren’t supported. If you Use ecosystems from Microsoft, Apple, or Google and it is not supported, look elsewhere. While you’re at it, be sure that the WiFi is plentiful, fast, ubiquitous, and reliable. Your college career will depend on the internet even if you are taking all of your classes on campus. Bad internet services equals a bad college. Even if everything else is perfect, that school is a big pass. Don’t ignore technological red flags.

While it is not impossible to transfer to a different college, there is a reason it seldom happens. The place you land at first is more than likely the place you will graduate. So be sure to choose wisely. Be sure it has the right infrastructure in place for the car. Be sure the job placement program is right for your major. And check the tech before signing the dotted line.

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Easy ways to finance your education in 2021

As we move into a new decade, it is important to consider what your education will cost you. There are many reasons for this and can vary from person to person. Some people may be looking at getting their degree because they want to advance in their current career, while others may be looking at the long-term opportunity to get an advanced degree or certificate that could potentially exponentially increase their earning power. Whatever the reason, it’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to finance your education in 2021.

This post covers easy ways to finance your education in 2021, which include;

1. Getting a scholarship

Getting a scholarship is one of the most popular ways to finance your education, as it doesn’t usually require repayment. Some examples are academic scholarships, which may be based on GPA or SAT scores, and athletic scholarships for athletes who showcase their skills at various universities during recruiting events.

Scholarships are determined by the college, which means that you should be proactive about applying for them. The best way to do this is to research scholarship opportunities and find ones that match your academic interests or lifestyle preferences to increase your odds of getting one. In addition, there are also scholarships available through private organizations.

2. Student prizes

If you’re a student looking for easy ways to finance your education, consider entering some of the many competitions geared towards students. These could range from beauty pageants and academic contests.

Students can also enter essay or photography competitions sponsored by companies such as Microsoft.

Some companies offer a scholarship to the top three finalists in their essay or photography contest. The only requirement is that you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and at least 18 years old. One of these scholarships may be enough for your entire education, so it’s worth entering if you’re eligible.

3. Getting an online loan instead of a student loan

One of the easiest ways to finance your education in 2021 is by taking out an online loan. This type of loan should be taken as a last resort, but some people may find that they’re unable to get any other form of financial aid because their credit score isn’t high enough or they don’t have any assets (for example).

The good news is that some loan providers like CashFlex offer online loans for students without a credit score requirement and can be applied through an easy process in just under five minutes. No paperwork or faxing is required.

Online lenders don’t rely on your credit rating to approve the loan application, so it’s worth considering.

However, there are some downsides to taking out an online loan for your education as well; the APR rates can be much higher than what you would pay with a student-loan provider, and they may also require collateral such as a car or house to ensure that the person takes out payments on time.

4. Part-time jobs

If you don’t want to take out an online loan to finance your education, there are other ways that you can earn some money. One of these is getting a part-time job on-campus or off-campus during the school year and summer break.

This could be anything from being a peer tutor for students who need help working in the campus cafeteria.

The bottom line with part-time jobs is that you need to do your research beforehand without letting any opportunity slip away.

5. Student grants

There are also some student grants available for students to apply for that can help with tuition or living expenses. These could be either merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both.

The first step in applying for these grants is to fill out the form and see if you’re eligible. You’ll know that you are once your financial aid award letter arrives with a list of scholarships, loans, or other types of student-aid available to you. This can take some time, so it’s important not to wait until the last minute.

Conclusion

Financing your education in 2021 is easy. With different ways available, it’s a good idea to get started early and figure out which one is best for you. To do this, we recommend researching scholarship opportunities and what other types of financial aid may be offered to you.

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6 Things You Need to Rock Your Next Interview

Changing jobs to advance your career or getting your first professional job after college can leave people overwhelmed with anxiety. There are so many things to consider in the process, it’s hard to know where to start. If you’ve been holed up in your house working remotely for the past year and a half, the added stress can make the thought of change even more unbearable. The good thing is that you can walk into your next interview with confidence when you do these things.

Professional Resume

Spruce up your resume. Those Microsoft Office templates might provide a good start, but if you really want to stand out in a sea of applicants, have a professional resume writer offer you suggestions to improve. You’d be surprised at the difference they can make. It’s not just about putting information on paper, it’s about the look and feel of the resume as well. For people in creative industries, the layout can make or break your chances of even getting invited for an interview.

Along with your professional resume, a good cover letter tailored to the job you’re applying for is critical. No “Dear Sir or Madam” greetings will do. Take the time to research the company and the names of the people who you want to get in front of. It’s not as hard as you think to find out who the HR director or Marketing VP is at a company. A good resume and cover letter will set you up for success once you get the interview.

LinkedIn Profile

A lot of companies do some sleuthing online to learn more about potential candidates. A professional photo and complete LinkedIn profile is a great way to stand out. Leverage this powerful social media tool to network, connect with thought leaders, and others in your industry. Share valuable content on occasion to help you stand out when recruiters come looking. With a good first impression online, you’ll be able to rock your interview.

Confidence

Human resources professionals don’t pick the worst candidates, they choose the best. Wear confidence that you were one of the best of all the applicants. You don’t need to feel self-conscious, you can walk with confidence that you have the skills they need and you are one of the best options. Too many professionals think they might not be good enough for a role, but the truth is, if you were selected to interview, you passed the first test.

Clothes

Unfortunately, what you wear matters. You can be the most brilliant mind, but if you walk into an interview looking sloppy and dirty, it’s unlikely you’ll get the job. Wear something stylish but subdued. You don’t want to be distracting, but there is no need to wear outdated pant suits when you can wear a pair of cute bottoms with a simple button-up shirt. Use accessories sparingly, but don’t feel like what you wear must be devoid of fashion.

Preparation

Learn about the company you want to work for. There is no reason you need to walk into a company blind. You can find out gross revenue for the previous year, read annual reports, and check out their social media profiles to discover their voice. Interviews are as much for you as they are for them. Be prepared with good questions about company culture, corporate policies, and job-related questions.

Find out about how they approach advancement, bonuses, and other career building opportunities. You’ll want to discover how supportive they are of further education and families. What is their take on work/life balance? All of these are important ways you can prepare for your interview.

For the technical interviews, you may also experience tests like brainteasers and IQ tests.  You can test you Edgar Allan Poe knowledge here with this fun quiz.

Don’t Share Too Many Personal Details

Your interviewer doesn’t need to know that you were out late drinking last night or any of your personal financial problems. It’s important to keep your interview focused and professional. If they try to dig in to anything that’s outside the scope of the job interview, it’s up to you to redirect the conversation. An interview should be a back and forth, give and take between the parties. But it should not be a juicy tell-all. Hold back on anything related to home, family, or personal life. You don’t want to give the impression that you aren’t planning to be committed to the job. 

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How to Pay Student Loans with a Part-Time Job

After graduation, many of our visions of the ideal career don’t come to fruition. Even though going to college is still the best way to build a career for yourself, the reality is that job hunting isn’t easy and definitely not always fair. To make ends meet, you might take on a part-time job in your field or even an unrelated industry. But student loans are still looming over you and making you wonder whether you could ever live a future without crippling debt. Even if you’re earning a lot less than you envisioned after graduating, there are ways to make student loan debt more manageable. For part-time employees or freelancers, here are some tips for paying back your student loans with a small income.

Look into PAYE and REPAYE Programs

For federal Direct student loans, there are two programs that make repayment feasible even working part-time. The Pay-As-You-Earn and Revised-Pay-As-You-Earn plans are income-based, so they change according to how much you’re earning and what you can reasonably afford to contribute each month. It may take much longer to pay off your loans with these plans, but they’ll keep payments manageable and help you avoid defaulting.

We all know that some of us won’t be able to pay off our loans anytime soon. Some of us expect to carry student debt for life. That doesn’t mean you’re forced to live poorly or go without achieving certain milestones. You can have debt for decades and still keep it under control, build a decent savings and progress through life.

Look into Consolidation

If you have debt from multiple lenders, you may find that combining all of your loans into one lump sum. This can help you avoid varying interest rates and overwhelming bills each month. In this situation, consolidation could be right for you. If you use a student loan consolidation calculator, you can explore how rates with a private lender could change your budget and give you more discretionary income. Consolidating student loans isn’t as difficult as you might think. Learn all about the process so you can decide whether it’s a worthwhile choice for your future finances.

Take on a Side Hustle

Freelance side gigs or weekend jobs can be a good way to earn money that you put toward student loans. If your primary income comes from your part-time job, you can use the side gig to pay your monthly repayment without taking away from the cash you need to survive. If you took out student loans from a private lender and aren’t able to take advantage of PAYE or REPAYE programs, talk to them personally. Let them know what your current financial situation is, including how much money you have available at the end of each month after taxes, rent and other living expenses. Side gigs can help you meet the minimum payment requirement without going further into debt or facing penalties. Even if you only bring in $100 to $300 a month, you can set that aside to cover your payments and keep your part-time earnings to yourself.

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7 Careers You Can Explore With A Criminal Justice Degree

A career in law enforcement and criminal justice may be perfect for you, especially if you’re looking to make a change in your community. A criminal justice degree provides many fulfilling career opportunities in the field of law and order. With your degree, you’ll have the option to specialize in investigative work, crime prevention, and behavioral science. 

You found yourself at the right place if you’re looking to know more about the professions you can pursue with your criminal justice degree. Here are some of the top career opportunities you can take, including the usual responsibilities:

  1. Police Force 

The most usual career path for a criminal justice graduate is to be in the local police force. A criminal justice degree may help you maximize the possibility of getting a promotion and speeding up the climb to higher positions too.

The available rankings for the police force depend on the size of your department. Typically, most police departments have a ranking system similar to that of the military. If you aim for higher positions, you need to upgrade your level of education as well. Thus, you may want to check out the best online masters in criminal justice to help you advance your career.

Here, the rankings range from corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and chief. But, other departments, usually those with a modest size, also offer a position for detectives. 

Bigger departments, on the contrary, have more specialized positions, including but not limited to, canine and harbor patrols. 

Some officers are usually called troopers in other police forces. Although troopers share a similar job description to regular police officers, there’s the addition of state traffic law enforcement and monitoring of interstate highways. 

Troopers also help the local police department if assistance when dealing with emergency cases is needed. In some cases, the court calls on troopers to provide assistance and protection. In other instances, troopers are also promoted to fill the work of investigators. When police officers are called to take a federal level position, the title then changes to ‘agents.’ 

The minimum educational attainment to enter the police force may change, depending on the state you’re from. But, usually, most states look for a college degree. 

In addition to that, you must also complete the police training program or on-the-job training in a local department. On the other hand, federal agents go through supplementary training that’s necessary for the position. This is done through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. 

Once you pass all your required training, the federal or state jurisdiction you plan to serve will provide you with special certification and licensure.  

  1. Corrections Officer 

Another career you can take with a criminal justice degree is in the correctional institutions. Corrections officers are the ones who are responsible for supervising individuals who have been arrested. 

If you’re interested in being a correction officer, you can expect to work as a bailiff or a jailer. Either can be stationed locally or in state and federal governments. 

The minimum educational requirement for correctional officers is, at least, a high school diploma and a certification of a training academy. However, specific departments may require you to have, at least, a college degree in any criminal justice-related field. Such departments include federal prisons. In addition to that, many federal departments would also require you to have several years of work experience before you can get started.  

The work environment for correctional officers would require you to have strong decision-making and interpersonal skills. It would be best if you also had self-control and discipline. This is because correctional officers tend to work closely with criminals. 

  1. Legal Science 

If you’d much rather work behind the scenes, then you might want to consider a position in legal science. Paralegals comprise the legal support system.

As a paralegal, your responsibility is to assist lawyers in preparation for court trials, hearings, and other legal meetings. Your particular duty as a paralegal would depend largely on the firm you’re working with. 

However, most paralegals share a standard job description which includes: 

  • Collecting and analyzing facts and data to be used in a case 
  • Legal research 
  • Making report summaries 
  • Drafting of documents 
  • Assisting lawyers in court proceedings

As a paralegal, you have to be adaptable and remain composed and firm in times of complication. On top of that, you must also possess great knowledge about depositions, legal trials, and the preparation of witnesses for questioning.  

If you’re looking to pursue a legal science career, you’ll do well with an associate degree in paralegal studies. However, several firms require a bachelor’s degree. But, if you’re a criminal justice degree holder, you’d still need a specialized certification to start practicing.  

  1. Criminalist 

Another career is to be a criminalist. You’ll be doing crime scene investigations (CSI) which lets you collect, document, and preserve forensic evidence. 

As a CSI, you’re also responsible for recording observations, taking photographs, and drafting sketches. Typically, it’s your duty as a criminalist to conduct laboratory analysis from crime scenes. 

You can also expect to work closely with other law enforcement officers. However, once you earn more working experience, you can specialize in one aspect.  

  1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Likewise, you can also become a (CISO) responsible for overseeing data security plans and cybersecurity management. You’ll be responsible for establishing protocols to detect security threats and maintain an up-to-date firewall. 

As an ISO, your duty will also include managing both hardware devices and software applications to prevent any unauthorized breach of data. In the case of data breaches, you’ll perform an investigation and security improvement to avoid further attacks. 

  1. University Professor  

Criminal justice degree holders like you can also enter the field of education. After all, without college professors, you’ll leave the next generation of college students without an educator. 

To be a criminal justice professor, you’d need a bachelor’s degree and another advanced degree such as a master’s in the field you’re teaching.  

  1. Fire Investigation Officer 

Like its police counterpart, as a fire investigation officer, you’d be expected to conduct investigations on incidents involving fire. 

You can also expect to work with several law enforcement officers in a fire accident, especially if it’s deemed to be arson. In such a case, fire and crime scene investigators come together to comprehend the nature of the crime and locate the perpetrator.  

Conclusion 

As mentioned, there are several career opportunities for you. A criminal justice degree also opens a lot of windows for employment growth and development. But, it’s important to note that the specialization you choose right now will largely influence which field in criminal justice you’ll end up in. Thus, you can start specializing in criminal justice programs that you want to have a career in.

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3 Ways to Prepare for a Career in Property Management

If you’re a young person with ambitions of starting a career in property management someday, naturally, you may have some questions regarding what steps you can take now to not only prepare for your eventual career, but also make the right impression on potential employers in the future.

No single blog entry could cover all the ways you can position yourself for success in this line of work. You should strongly consider reaching out to other property managers to ask if they’d be willing to offer their own advice or even become a mentor.

In the meantime, though, the following tips will help you generally understand what a young person should do to improve their chances of becoming a successful property manager. Be aware, while this list is written under the assumption that the average reader will either be a college student, a college graduate, or a young person who plans on attending college in the near future, it is technically possible to achieve your career goals in this industry without a college degree (though it may be more difficult).

If you’re considering becoming a property manager in the future, you should be taking such steps now:

Familiarize yourself with practical factors

You might not be entirely certain property management is the ideal career for someone with your goals and talents. A career in property management may be one of several options you’re considering.

If so, you can start to better determine whether this is a career you’d genuinely be interested in by researching certain practical factors. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the median pay for a property manager was $59,660 per year. Depending on how much money you wish to earn in the future, this may make property management a more appealing or less appealing career option.

You should also review the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ general overview (linked to above) to learn more about what the day-to-day work of being a property manager typically involves. For instance, although most property managers have offices, they may also spend large portions of their time showing properties and performing other out-of-office tasks. Once more, this may appeal to some job-seekers, but not all.

Consider studying business

Some colleges and universities offer academic programs specifically focused on property management. If you truly aspire to this career, and you attend a college with this type of program, you should of course enroll in such programs. However, many property managers simply studied business administration in college.

Keep in mind that, even if you’re not a college student or graduate and don’t expect to attend college, you can still earn a certification in property management. This is another means of ensuring your resume stands out to employers if you don’t have a college degree. Research your options to determine if you should pursue a certification.

Be patient

Once you have the necessary qualifications, you should apply to jobs or internships at property management companies with the understanding that you’ll likely have to accept an entry-level position at first.

When describing how they achieved their career goals, successful property managers often explain how they started in temp positions or as low-level assistants. They were able to climb the ladder by not only consistently impressing their employers through the quality of their work, but also by openly expressing their desire to become a property manager, volunteering for new assignments, and pivoting to new roles at other companies when opportunities for advancement with their early employers were limited.

Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the steps you can take to become a property manager. It’s wise to actively research this topic in greater detail. That said, this brief guide hopefully provided you with a sense of what such a career entails, and how you can begin pursuing this career.

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