9 Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing a University

University education is the most significant investment people will make in their lifetime and the most important decision they’ll ever make. The wrong choice can lead to years of wasted time and money, while the right choice can set you on the path to a successful and fulfilling career. While many people choose a university based on its reputation or graduation rate, you should consider several other factors when making your decision:

1. Location

The location of a university can have a big impact on your experience. If you want to be in a big city, there are plenty of options. If you’re looking for a more rural setting, you’ll need to narrow your search. Consider whether you want to stay close to home or venture out into the world. There are pros and cons to both choices. Staying close to home can be more affordable and provide support from family and friends, but going away to university can also be an excellent opportunity to meet new people and experience new things.

2. Rankings

Rankings can give you an idea of the quality of an institution and how it compares to other universities. They can also help you to narrow down your choices. There are different ranking systems, such as the QS World Report rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. These rankings account for student satisfaction, graduation rates, and research output. However, university rankings from some platforms may not accurately reflect the institution’s quality. In some cases, they may be biased or based on outdated information. Additionally, rankings can change yearly, so it’s important to look at multiple years’ worth of data to get a more accurate picture of a school’s quality.

3. Courses Offered

The courses offered by a university should be your primary concern when making your decision. You will spend the next few years studying for a degree, so ensure the subjects you are interested in are available. Many universities offer a similar range of courses, but it is still worth doing your research to find out exactly what is on offer. Schools like American International College offer a wide range of academic programs, from engineering and computing to art and science. You are sure to find one that fits your needs. You may also consider whether the university offers any specialized courses that appeal to you. For instance, if you are interested in studying law, check whether the university has a law school. Once you have a list of potential universities, take the time to look at their individual course catalogs and find out what is on offer. 

4. Entrance Prerequisites

Every university has different entrance requirements. It’s important to ensure you meet the criteria for the school you’re interested in. For example, some schools require applicants to have a certain GPA or score on an entrance exam. Others may have specific course requirements that must be met. Be sure to check with the university to determine their entrance requirements. 

Remember meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Many schools receive more applications than they can accept. There’s no guarantee you’ll be admitted even if you meet the requirements, which is why it’s crucial to have a backup plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out.

5. Globalization

With the expansive growth of the internet, globalization has become more common than ever. Businesses are now international, people are more mobile, and knowledge sharing has never been easier. When choosing a university, it is crucial to consider the globalization of the institution. Does the university have students from all over the world? Are there opportunities to study abroad? Is the faculty internationally diverse? A university with a strong global focus can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in today’s economy. Global education will also prepare you to live and work in an increasingly diverse world

6. School Size

The size of a university can have a big impact on your experience. For example, large universities often have more resources and facilities than small schools. They also tend to have a more diverse student body. Additionally, large schools usually have a greater selection of courses and programs. However, large universities can also be overwhelming and impersonal. Smaller schools often have a more intimate and close-knit community feel. And because there are fewer students, you’ll likely get to know your classmates and professors better. 

7. Cost of Education

Universities can be very expensive, and you’ll need to ensure you can afford the tuition and fees. Additionally, remember that other costs are associated with attending university, such as housing, food, books, and transportation. Be sure to factor all of these costs into your decision. There are a few ways to offset the cost of university. You can apply for scholarships and financial aid. Many universities also offer payment plans so you can spread out the cost of tuition over time. Some employers will reimburse employees for their education expenses. If you’re already employed, check with your employer to see if they offer tuition assistance.

8. Accreditation

Accreditation is a process by which a school or program is evaluated against established standards to ensure quality. In the United States, accreditation is voluntary, but choosing a school accredited by a recognized accrediting body is important. Accreditation can guarantee that a university has met high standards for its curriculum, faculty, and facilities. It can also make it easier to transfer credits if you decide to change schools. 

9. Extracurricular Activities

One thing that makes the university so great is the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. These activities can range from sports teams, to student organizations, to on-campus jobs. There are hundreds of different ways to get involved on campus, and it’s a great way to have fun. Additionally, extracurricular activities can help you build important skills that will benefit your future career. For example, joining the campus marketing club would be a great way to gain experience and build your resume if you’re interested in marketing. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing a university, but if you take the time to do your research and ask the right questions, you’ll be able to find the school that’s right for you.

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Tips for Finding the Right Career for You

When you ask someone what the most meaningful aspects of their life are, the chances are good that their answers will include health, family, and work. Therefore, choosing what type of work you’ll be doing might just be one of the most important choices in your life.

When it comes to choosing a career, whether you are just starting on your work path or you just feel it’s time for a change, the following steps can help you pick one that’s a great fit for you.

Self-Assessment

Before making any important decision, it’s always a good idea to take a bit of time and self-reflect. When it comes to choosing your career, there’s no difference. In the self-assessment step, think about what type of environment you’d like to work in, be it indoors or out, helping people or selling something; what you’d enjoy doing, being a product designer or a lawyer, etc.; who you’d like to have as coworkers, and more. As you’re considering these things, you may want to jot down a few notes. These can help you evaluate various job descriptions further down the road.

Determine Your Must-Haves

Next, you might want to take a bit of time to identify those things you have to have in a job. These might range from your benefits and salary to whether or not you want to travel and the workplace location. It can be helpful to employ a question-and-answer session with yourself to find out what areas you can be flexible in and what you can’t with your career.  Is there a certain salary you need to make, or do you require certain benefits such as time off or healthcare? Are you willing and able to travel on a regular basis? How long of a commute are you comfortable making each day?

Create a List

Once you understand a little more about yourself and what you need in your career, you can begin looking for jobs that seem desirable or interesting to you. You can do this by utilizing your network, finding industries that interest you, identifying things you enjoy doing, and more. If you come across a job you don’t know too much about, make a note of it so that you can research it. You might just end up finding the right one that way. Also, keep in mind that job titles don’t always convey everything the job entails. While a specific title may not seem desirable, the actual job description may be a perfect fit. 

Training and Resume

Once you’ve narrowed your list down to a couple of possible careers, you’ll need to determine whether or not you need any additional credentials or training. Some employers may be willing to provide training on the job, but others will be in search of candidates who already fit their needs. 

Once you’ve determined your career path and are qualified for it, you should update your resume to show your relevant skills and strengths. It might be helpful to explore some job postings to understand what the employers in your preferred industry are looking for. 

Last Step

Once you’ve done all of the above, it’s time to begin looking for job openings. There are many places to do this – on job boards, in the newspaper, online, and more. Depending on where you look online, you can apply various filters like distance, experience level, job type, etc. 

As with any change, it might take time to adjust to your new career. During your transition, make sure to pay close attention to which parts of the job you enjoy. You’ll continue to learn, grow, and change as you begin to understand more about your job, yourself, and what works the best for you.

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Why You Should Consider Blogging to Improve Your Writing Career

Whether you are an aspiring novelist, or an academic writer, you might be feeling the pangs of the ever-changing publishing industry these days.  While some transitions have made publishing academic journals easier, still other changes in the publishing biz have made it extremely challenging to get your work published.  If you can relate, then you’ve probably had your fair share of rejection notices.  As a result, you might be looking for different ways to improve your writing career.  Enter the helpful art of blogging.

How Can Blogging Help Your Writing Career?

Blogging is an often overlooked resource because most writers are more focused on getting published.  To explain, many writers assume that blogs are for promoting works that have already been published, not a tool to help them improve their writing career. 

In truth, blogging can be a multi-faceted strategy to help you write, publish or even land a writing job.  What’s more, starting a blog these days is incredibly easy to do and requires very little startup investment.  All you need is a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress and fast WordPress hosting service to get you rolling in the right direction.  

That said, here are a few ways blogging can not only help you get published but might actually help you find a stable, writing job you might be dreaming about.

Use Your Blog as a Portfolio

Publishers and employers alike are more apt to take your writing skills more seriously if you have a portfolio.  In the old days, a writer almost had to be a veteran in order to get a second publication.  However, with the help of a blog and the internet, you can self-publish and showcase your own work. 

When you are beseeching publishers or academic institutions to consider your work, include your blog URL address with your submission.  This gives the “powers that be” a better understanding of your scope, style and capabilities, which can work towards your favor in getting published.

Include Your Credentials

While we’re talking about using your writing blog as a portfolio, don’t forget to upload your resume and credentials on your blog too.  If you have a professional social media network such as LinkedIn, include a link to that as well.  Including your accomplishments and past experience on your blog can go a long way towards landing a book deal or getting your academic paper published.

Use Your Blog to Land Freelance Gigs

Once you have a healthy amount of high-quality, well-written blog posts on your site, you can start marketing yourself as a freelance writer.  There are many syndicates that are eager to hire ghostwriters, content writers, or advertising writers. 

With the internet being the behemoth that it is, more indie publication sites online are looking for contributing writers to substantiate online authority as well as increase awareness to their websites.  When you put a “hire me” CTA (call to action) button on your blog, you are essentially putting your shingle out and encouraging these publications to hire you for their writing needs.

Convert Your Blog Into an EBook

After writing on your blog for a while, you may find that all your accumulated posts can make a cohesive and even profitable book.  In this case, you can convert your blog into an ebook.  This is self-publishing at its finest. 

Very often, blogging promotes writing in chunks which is far easier than sitting at the keyboard trying to hammer out an entire novel or a 300-page piece for an academic journal. You may even find that you appreciate the sporadic approach to writing on a blog because it’s less rigid and not as stress-inducing.  Before you know it, you might find yourself with several hundred blog posts that could culminate into a sensational best-seller.

Promote Your Blog for a Book Deal (Or More)

If you promote your blog on social networks, you may get the attention of publishers such as Random House, which could result in turning your blog into a book deal.  Sound far-fetched? Not really.  Consider the unlikely, but hugely successful, I Can Haz Cheezburger, which started as a blog and became so wildly popular that the blog was picked up by Avery publishers and made into a book in 2008. 

You never know, your blog could even become a movie. Look at the film Julie & Julia which started out as a blog about a Julia Childs fan who set out to post one of Childs’ recipes every day for a year.  The blog became so popular, it landed a book deal and eventually was made into a movie starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in 2009.

As you can see, there are many opportunities that blogging can offer when it comes to improving your writing career.  Just remember to stick with it and keep adding high-quality, well-written posts. With dedication and commitment, you could have a better chance at getting published, landing a writing job, or maybe even a movie deal.

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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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Choosing the Right Trade for Your Career

Picking the right career is a huge decision to make in your life. This decision could impact your happiness, finances, and possibilities open to you later down the line. Finding your calling in life is one of the pursuits that people spend their entire lives striving for. You want something more than just a job. It has to feel like you’re really doing something important. While there are several career choices you can make, you might be considering something in the trades and are interested in the hands-on side of the work world.

Trade jobs are numerous and varied in their responsibilities. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, metal fabricators, and HVAC technicians are some of the more popular career choices for trades workers. These careers hold a lot of value not just because of the salary potential, but also because they offer a lot of value in the work being incredibly useful for society. Trade jobs often get a bad reputation because parents want their kids to go to school and get office jobs instead, but the trades are always in demand. Finding the right career in the trades might be exactly what you need, and here are the choices you have to make.

Electrician

Electricians are one of the most important trades today because of our society’s commitment to electricity as our primary power source for just about everything. Whether it’s to power a microwave or light an entire city, without electricians, we’d be living a much different life than we are now. Working on power outages to restore power, feeding and connecting new power supplies and sources, and rewiring buildings and homes to ensure they are safe are among the many responsibilities of an electrician on a daily basis. Helping provide the primary source of power for hundreds and thousands of people, knowing you’re making a difference, and looking proudly at your work is a major draw for those who want to get into this field of work. 

Plumber

Not as glamorous as some other careers out there, plumbers are usually overlooked when it comes to their importance. How often has a leak happened in someone’s home, and they are at a loss on what to do to fix it? That’s where a plumber comes in handy. This job can get messy sometimes because you’d be dealing with water and possibly some less than desirable stuff, and considering there’s drainage and toilet waste involved. Even with these possible concerns, plumbers can make a very respectable annual salary, which can offset even the most disgusting of jobs. Plumbers come in all shapes and sizes, too. From commercial to residential, the duties change, and there are tons of room for change. Plumbing, like many trades, also comes with the added bonus of opening up the world of potentially starting and running your own business. Likewise, plumbers are always in need.

HVAC Technician

HVAC, which stands for, “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” is a trade that involves the installation and maintenance of a home or building’s air properties. By combining the central air conditioning, furnace heating, and ventilation of a home, you can help turn someone’s home into a much more efficient and comfortable place to live. HVAC technicians have become more important in the past 10 years because many new homes are starting to opt for better, energy-saving ways to heat, cool, and ventilate living spaces. These technicians are responsible for turning a home or building into a much more livable place due to the improvement to those areas of its ventilation, heating, and air conditioning. HVAC work is also a fairly safe trade to get into because there’s less work around dangerous compounds or tools. Residential work is considerably more relaxing than many shops, which is why it suits some people’s desire for a less stressful trade career.

Construction

When people think of trades, construction is one of the first things that pop into their minds, and for a good reason. Construction has always been a fundamental need for the world because we need new buildings more now than ever. With a growing population, advancements in architecture and engineering, and cities evolving in style, construction is key to achieving these changes in a productive manner. Constructing new buildings is no easy task, and that’s why construction workers are some of the toughest tradespeople out there. Whether it’s industrial, commercial, or residential, there’s always something that needs to get done. Construction jobs take place outdoors, which might be something that appeals to you if you enjoy being in the fresh air. They also offer a lot of flexibility in responsibilities. Concrete pouring, demolition, woodworking, metal fabrication, and many more jobs within the job are a part of this trade, so there’s always something to do.

Welding

Welding, and the craft of metalwork, is a trade that’s also adapting because of new advancements in engineering. As with most trades, there’s a lot of pride to have in looking at something and knowing you had a part in crafting it, and welding is certainly in that category. Repairing damaged materials or crafting something new entirely is just part of this trade’s appeal, and it goes beyond that as Craftsman IND shows just how far welding can go when it comes to the potential for a career or business. Most people imagine small welding shops or garages, but welding has the potential for some incredible projects. This trade goes hand in hand with construction and the industrial because metalwork is so crucial to the process of building or maintaining foundations and the like. Welding can be a grueling career in the trades, but it’s certainly worth it for those that can handle the heat day in and day out and want to feel accomplished in creating something new. 

Carpentry

Carpentry is almost as old as our human civilization because of the accessibility of the materials involved. Wood, nails, and screws are really the only pieces you need. Obviously, we’ve evolved beyond just these three simple ingredients, but they still remain the basics for carpentry work, which makes it fun for some. The simplicity of it all is deceiving as joints, hammers, saws, measuring squares and tape, levels, sanders, trimmers, and so much more has made carpentry into what it is today. The amount of equipment needed today is certainly a lot more extensive than before, but this has made the job much easier as well. Being able to craft homemade projects as a qualified carpenter allows you to renovate your own home with ease, which is a big bonus for those considering carpentry as a potential lifelong trade career. Math, especially geometry, is a skill that’s going to be key to surviving as a carpenter because it involves precise measurements for cuts, weight distribution, and volume. 

Mechanic

Although almost all trades are practical at home, mechanics can take pride knowing they will likely never, or rarely, pay for repairs on something. Most mechanics are involved in the automotive industry as there’s always a need for a handy person who can fix a vehicle. Even small engine repair is a mechanic trade that can be done at home as well. In any case, mechanics provide a service that’s incredibly important for daily life. Our world is dictated by automotive as our primary source of transportation, so it goes without saying that their expertise is needed to keep engines running for society to function properly. Being able to fix your own car at home with the right equipment is going to make your wallet happy as well, so not only would your career serve a huge benefit to others, but also to yourself. What more could you want from a fulfilling career?

There’s an astounding amount of jobs out there, but what people want is more than just a job. They want a career. Finding that calling in life that we’re passionate about that can also pay the bills is what many of us are still seeking out, and it can take some time before you find it. The last thing you want to do is limit what you think you want to do. For many, the trades aren’t something they even considered because they have been told to find something in an office.

The unfortunate reality is how many people ignore how lucrative and rewarding careers in the trades can be. These careers are hands-on and certainly tough, not without some risks as well, but they can provide something that many fields lack – purpose. Being able to work at something that gives you purpose isn’t to be taken for granted, and the trades are for people who want to get dirty and use their hands to make it happen. Whether you’ve been considering the trades as a career path for you or not, these potential lifelong pursuits are something to look into.

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