Seven Degrees That Fit Your Busy Schedule

Studying your degree online could be a way to fit school into your busy schedule and prepare to advance in your career.

By Andrea Argueta

You've been telling yourself that you'll get that degree when your schedule clears up, but that just hasn't happened. And neither has pursuing that promotion or high-paying career because you feel you're not prepared. But don't give up just yet.
Yes, there's the full-time job, the chores, and of course, the kids. But you might have pockets of spare time during lunch, on the weekends, or when the kids are at soccer practice. That's your window of opportunity right there. How? By studying online.
"Online degree programs provide flexibility and convenience," says Lori McClaren, director of online programs at William Peace University's School of Professional Studies. "Students are able to complete course readings and assignments as their schedules permit and do not have to worry about being in a specific location at a given time on a weekly basis."
And yes, flexible programs are a good option, but remember that they are not for everyone. McClaren warns that self-discipline needed for online education could be a drawback for some. "Students must become more self-directed in their learning and assume a greater amount of responsibility for learning the content."
Still think this could be a good way to further your education and prep for exciting new career opportunities? Then keep reading to find out which online degrees could work with your busy schedule.

Online Degree #1: Business Administration

Has your busy schedule kept you from learning the ins and outs of running a firm? If so, earning your business administration degree online could give you the flexibility you need to make it happen. And it might also give you a more global perspective.
"Online programs tend to draw students from all over the country and world," says McClaren. "This greatly increases the diversity within the course and provides discourse among those from vastly different communities, regions, and cultures."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Business Administration Program.
What You'll Learn: In a business administration and management program, you'll learn how to plan and control an organization's activities, says the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT exam. You might also practice solving business problems by discussing case studies while taking courses like financial management, marketing, and business policy and strategy.
Career Options*:

• Market research analyst
• Human resources manager

Online Degree #2: Accounting

You're great at keeping track of your family's expenses and think you could do it professionally, but you haven't found the time to pursue your accounting degree. This could be a great opportunity for you to study your degree online. Not only would you be able to do coursework during your downtime, but you could also get a taste of how accountants communicate today.
"Much of the communication has become digital," explains McClaren. "Professionals in the accounting field are able to interact and engage with colleagues around the globe through social media and other collaborative tools that foster communication and collaboration." Online accounting students get an opportunity to practice using these tools just by working and communicating with other students remotely, says McClaren.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Accounting Program.
What You'll Learn: As an accounting major, you'll learn how to gather information about an organization's financial performance, as well as how to analyze it and communicate it to others, says the College Board. You'll also learn to create balance sheets, use accounting information systems, and prepare tax filings.
Career Options*:

• Financial analyst
• Accountant
• Auditor

Online Degree #3: Graphic Design

Haven't found the time to brush up on your design skills? Consider enrolling in an online graphic design program, which could expose you to today's technologies, without getting in the way of your hectic schedule.
McClaren says online graphic design majors take full advantage of the latest technologies in the field - such as WordPress, iCloud, and Google Apps - to learn and to display their work. And that could give you a leg up in the professional world, as she says that today the growing graphic design industry is also taking full advantage of the new technologies and social media to create and share designs.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Graphic Design Program.
What You'll Learn: If you enroll in a graphic design program, you'll learn how to use "cutting-edge" computer programs as well as how to put together a portfolio, says the College Board You'll also study the design skills needed to create the right look for websites or magazines while taking classes like Photoshop for designers, typography, and production design.
Career Options*:

• Graphic designer
• Art director

Online Degree #4: Health Care Administration

Would you like to pursue a management role in the health care field, but haven't had time to prepare? An online health care administration program could work with your busy schedule and allow you to get the education you want - no matter where you live.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, health care administration degrees allow students to specialize to work in different facilities, "such as a hospital, a nursing care home, a mental health facility, or a group medical practice." McClaren points out, however, that your particular program of interest might not be available at the schools you live near, and this is where online learning can come into play.
"No longer tied to a home location, online degree programs enable students to follow a degree track that best meets their career goals, while also meeting their individual needs."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Health Care Administration Program.
What You'll Learn: In a health services administration program, you'll learn about overseeing health care facilities and study the laws affecting the health care industry, says the College Board. While you prepare to make a difference in hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of organizations, you might take courses like health care finance, epidemiology, and human resources management.
Career Option*:

• Health and medical services manager

Online Degree #5: Information Technology

Have you been putting off enrolling in an IT program because you can't commit to the class schedules? If so, take advantage of today's technology and consider pursuing your degree online.
And using today's technologies to study your degree has another advantage. "Many online IT courses serve not only as a means for learning content but as a model of best practices," says McClaren. "The technology becomes multi-functional in that it not only aids in the delivery of the course but it also serves as a tool for learning." For example, she says students can learn about good Web design through an online course that adheres to the guidelines and policies of good Web design.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Information Technology Program.
What You'll Learn: You can expect to take courses like C++ programming, computer networking, Web technologies, and more, says the College Board. Your program will basically focus on learning how computing systems support business needs.
Career Options*:

• Computer systems analyst
• Database administrator

Online Degree #6: Criminal Justice

Do you love following high-profile court cases on the news whenever you have a break in your schedule? If so, earning an online degree in criminal justice could be right for you.
You could still use your downtime to read up on court cases, but you could also learn how cases are handled in other states. "One of the many benefits to online programs in this field is that it provides students with the opportunity to access and learn about laws and cases in different states," says McClaren. Plus, you might even get to discuss them with professionals. McClaren says you could spend your time interacting virtually with experts in the field.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Criminal Justice Program.
What You'll Learn: The College Board says this is an interdisciplinary major, so you can expect to study everything from psychology and pubic administration, to law and sociology. You'll also take classes that are more focused on your major, such as victimology, juvenile justice, policing society, and more.
Career Options*:

• Probation officer
• Correctional treatment specialist

Online Degree #7: Psychology

You love to listen to others and try to understand their way of thinking. In fact, you'd like to dig deeper by studying a psychology degree but your full-time job keeps getting in the way. Sound familiar? Then consider pursuing this program online, as you could study up when you get home from work and still get to interact with others.
And how will this interaction take place? Well, "students can use a variety of online labs, access streaming seminars, engage in panel discussions, and have virtual access to experts within the field," says McClaren. Students learn how to communicate with peers, colleagues, and patients using these tools, she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Online Psychology Program.
What You'll Learn: If you're fascinated with life's complex topics, you'll love this degree. According to the College Board, you'll study the way humans act and feel. Complicated enough, right? Well, you might not stop there. You might also ask yourself what the roots of violence are and the best way to help someone with an eating disorder. And as for classes, you can also expect courses on deep topics such as abnormal psychology, personality, and neuroscience.
Career Option*:

• Social worker

How today's workers communicate

Susan Ricker,

Today's workers have a wealth of technology and tools that allow them to communicate more quickly and efficiently. Phone and email are required in many jobs to correspond with bosses, co-workers and clients, and a growing number of roles use more forms of technology to stay in touch. While these tools are changing how business is done, are they the preferred form of communication among workers?

Several workers were interviewed about communication styles in the office, including face-to-face, email, phone and other tools used in businesses today. Find out if you're on the same page as these workers, and learn about communication tools that may help improve your productivity.

Face-to-face communication
Technology has made it easier to reach out to others, though clear communication isn't always guaranteed. The majority of those interviewed said that face-to-face communication is the preferred method of interacting with co-workers and clients, offering clear answers and sidestepping confusion.

"I personally prefer to meet with someone face-to-face whenever possible," says Chris Sinclair, founder and president of The Anthem Group, a Boston-based events agency and consulting group. "It may not always be convenient, but it is so easy to misconstrue tone and intent in an email [or] text. If face-to-face is not possible, phone would be the next best thing, just so ... you know exactly what a person is implying when they say something."

Interacting with one person has its own challenges, but what about a conversation involving multiple people? "When it comes to group meetings, I absolutely prefer face-to-face over a conference call," Sinclair says. "When you get three or more people involved, coordinating that over the phone can become difficult."

Face-to-face communication offers creative advantages as well. Julia Kuziomko, marketing coordinator for Recordsforce Inc., a provider of paper-elimination and process-automation services, says, "I prefer face-to-face communication in the workplace. I believe that seeing who I am speaking to, whether it is to brainstorm new ideas or to collaborate on a project, positively affects my ability to trust that projects will move forward."

Email and other tools
While speaking face-to-face offers clarity, it may not always be the most effective or appropriate way to work. "Face-to-face communication works well in the appropriate function," says Kelli Bhattacharjee, blogger and owner of FreebieFindingMom.com. "If I resorted to this form of communication too frequently, it would increase my inefficiency. For example I am always multitasking, which I would hesitate to do during a face-to-face meeting because that would be considered rude. This is why I prefer email and Skype for the majority of my work activities."

There are also times when face-to-face communication is simply not an option. Gimena Pena Malcampo is the CEO and co-founder of Pier2 Marketing, a marketing firm with offices in San Francisco, Houston, Seattle, Mexico City and Barcelona, Spain. "Our team is located around the world. Also, about 50 percent of our clients are international. As a result, we use several tools to communicate and collaborate, such as:

• Skype: Which we use daily to call each other, send messages and share information or our screen if we need to show a presentation or a document.
• WebEx: We mainly use it to have conference calls with clients. It works quite well for our international clients and is more reliable than Skype.
• Basecamp: We handle most of our projects on Basecamp. This is a great tool to track projects, share information, send reviews, give feedback and make sure everyone is on track.
• Dropbox: It's great for sharing documents, collaboration and even accessing files from wherever we are, even on the go."

Communicating as a team
Technology has the power to bring people together, but workers may still feel disconnected without interacting as a team. Pena Malcampo notes that face-to-face interaction needs to be a priority to keep a company close and functioning as a team. Two important results from face-to-face interaction are bonding and maintaining a company culture.

"Technology can't replace personal and professional relationships," Pena Malcampo says. "When we meet with our team in person, it helps the team bond with each other [and] get to know each other at a different level, making collaboration later on easier. [The] same happens on the customer side; once we establish a bond with our clients, we develop an inherent trust that allows us to work well together and strengthen our business relationship. When we visit our different offices, we make sure our team is providing the level of service we expect to our clients, they are following the company's principles, 'green' practices, etc. These are things that can only be done and checked when we meet in person."

It's clear that technology will only become more predominant in the workplace, but it's essential that workers are able to communicate clearly and effectively, whatever method they choose.

How to Switch Careers in as Little as Two Years

Source: Yahoo

Do you want to make a career change? These degrees could help you prep for a career faster than you might think.

By Jennifer Berry

How long have you been sticking around in a career you can't stand?
If you're reluctant to make a change because you're afraid you'll have to spend forever in school to get ready, take heart. A certificate or associate's degree program - which could take as little as one or two years to complete, respectively - could provide the prep you need to make the career change you crave.
Certified career coach, Hallie Crawford, agrees and offers these words of advice: "Make sure you find a good program, with a solid curriculum and a good reputation," she says. "And keep in mind, these programs will prepare you for some - but not all - industries. You might want to make sure potential employers in the industry you want to get into will recognize a certificate or associate's degree."
Crawford also suggests non-degree holders earn an associate's first, and then add any relevant certificate on top of that. "I tend to think of associate's degrees as foundational, and certificates as more for people who are looking to specialize or narrow down their focus in their industry," says Crawford.
If you're ready to get started in something new, read on to learn more about these six education options that might be just the ticket to help you prepare for a swift career change.

Degree #1 - Paralegal Studies
Career-Change Option: Paralegal

Want to make a career change to law - without going to law school?
If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you may be able to complete a certificate in paralegal studies in as little as a few months, notes the U.S. Department of Labor. If you're starting from scratch, an associate's degree - which could take as little as two years to complete - is another relatively shorter option.
"A paralegal studies degree might get you into a solid, pretty stable industry in a short period of time," Crawford says. "The job security coming out of school would be higher than some other industries because paralegals will always be needed to a certain extent. The legal industry doesn't change rapidly."
Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program for You.
About the Degree: According to the College Board, an educational organization that administers tests like the SAT, paralegal studies courses might cover legal topics like criminal law and procedure, ethics, legal research and writing, and law office administration. "You may learn how to prepare legal briefs, read legal jargon, and work effectively with lawyers," Crawford says.

Degree #2 - Information Technology & Information Systems
Career-Change Option: Computer Support Specialist

If you enjoy tinkering with technology, an associate's degree in information technology (IT) and information systems might be your ticket to pursuing a potentially rapid career change into a computer-related field.
And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, this degree could help you prepare to pursue a swift career change as a computer support specialist, though some positions may also require a bachelor's degree.
"This type of program can cover a wider variety of specializations than some of the other degrees," Crawford says. "Information security is one, computer programming and web design are some others. This is a very tangible degree that could always be in great demand because technology is the backbone of what we do every day regardless of our profession."
Click to Find the Right IT and Information Systems Program for You.
About the Degree: An associate's degree program in IT and information systems - which could generally be completed in as little as two years - might cover C++ programming, database management, and introduction to computer science, according to the College Board. You may also learn about web technologies and the ethical and social issues in information technology.

Degree #3 - Nursing
Career-Change Option: Registered Nurse (RN)

If you're interested in a medical career that lets you make a difference, look into earning an associate's degree in nursing. From there, you'll need to pass the national licensing exam.
Together, this could help you prepare for a potentially speedy transition into the nursing field as a registered nurse (RN), many of whom, in addition to giving patients medicine and treatments, also offers emotional support to patients and their families.
"Similar to paralegals, nursing is a known, needed skill," Crawford says. "One benefit of this career path is that nursing shouldn't be hit as hard by tough economic times as some other professions."
Click to Find the Right Nursing Program for You.
About the Degree: Studying nursing will involve more than learning how to administer medicine. According to the College Board, an associate's degree in nursing may cover childbearing-family nursing, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, psychology, and health assessment.

Degree #4 - Accounting
Career-Change Option: Junior Accountant

Do you enjoy working with numbers and solving problems? An associate's degree in accounting could help you prepare to pursue a career in the accounting field.
To get specific, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, this degree could prepare you to pursue a bookkeeping career. But that's not all.
"This degree can prepare you to pursue an entry level position in an accounting firm or in a corporation," says Crawford, who adds that an associate's degree may be just the beginning. "You will probably need to specialize over time. But this is a solid degree with tangible, marketable skills that you can put on your resume immediately."
Click to Find the Right Accounting Program for You.
About the Degree: The College Board reports that an associate's degree in accounting - which could be completed in as little as a couple of years - might include classes in business law, auditing, and accounting as it pertains to taxes, government, cost analysis, and information systems.

Degree #5 - Dental Assisting
Career-Change Option: Dental Assistant

If you floss habitually and want to help others maintain good dental health, a potentially fast career change into the dental assisting field could be in your future.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, it could take as little as one year to prepare to pursue a career as a dental assistant with a certificate, or as little as two years with an associate's degree.
"The associate's degree in dental assisting is something you can attain within a shorter amount of time, and with confidence you'll be able to gain employment afterwards," says Crawford.
Click to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program for You.
About the Degree: According to the College Board, this type of degree program may include instruction on dental assisting techniques and dental office management - two important functions of a dental assistant's job. You might also learn how to take dental X-rays, keep accurate dental records, and identify oral anatomy.

Degree #6 - Health Information Technology
Career-Change Option: Medical Records or Health Information Technician

Do you want to pursue a potentially quick career change using your knack for technology and an interest in the medical profession?
An associate's degree in health information technology - which could be completed in as few as two years - could help prepare you to make a switch into a career as a health information technician, notes the U.S. Department of Labor.
"An associate's degree in this field may give you specific, tangible skills you can use in the workplace right away with not a ton of hands-on experience required," Crawford says.
Click to Find the Right Health Information Technology Program for You.
About the Degree: While studying health information technology, you might learn about medical terminology, introduction to coding, health care law and statistics, and medical quality management, according to the College Board.