How to thrive as a seasoned intern

• By Guest Contributor

By Jon Fortenbury, freelance writer

The older-than-college-age intern is fodder for ensuing hilarity on TV and film: Chandler for a short bit in “Friends,” Drew Barrymore as the 31-year-old intern in “Going the Distance” and Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson as middle-aged interns in “The Internship.” Though being an older intern may be portrayed on the screen as embarrassing, it really shouldn’t be.

According to a December 2012 Internships.com survey, 69 percent of the surveyed companies with 100 or more employees offered full-time jobs to their interns in 2012. According to the press release, internships have “truly become ‘the new interview,’ in the job-search process for both students and employers.” With unemployment still at 7.3 percent the August 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonstudent interns often use that “interview,” or internship, to find relevant work.

But being a more experienced intern comes with its set of challenges. Here are three ways to thrive as a nonstudent or nontraditional-student intern.

1. Be confident, not embarrassed
As a more experienced intern, you may already have a bachelor’s degree and have possibly even dabbled in your desired career field. If there are other interns at the company you’re interning with, you might be older than them. They may be in college while you’re a recent college graduate, or you may even find yourself 20 years older than other interns. You may even be older than your boss.

This is no reason to be embarrassed, according to Lauren Berger, CEO of Intern Queen. ”The negative self-talk — ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this’ — is going to hurt your performance,” wrote Berger for AOL Jobs. “Hold your head high and feel confident that you are being proactive about your future.”

Berger also recommends to not hide why you’re doing the internship and to come up with a three- or four-sentence explanation. Put a positive spin on it when people inquire, Berger suggests, and don’t be ashamed of your decision to further your career in this way.

2. Don’t let other commitments negatively affect your performance
Not all internships pay well enough to cover the bills, so some interns may need to work a part-time or full-time job in addition to their internship program, especially if they have family commitments. You don’t have to give up work or family obligations to thrive in your internship, but you do need to find a way to balance everything well.

According to a recent article on WebMD, to achieve a good work-life balance you should schedule relaxation and exercise and, if possible, outsource errands to family or a spouse. This will help you recharge and bring that energy and positivity to your internship.

While you may not have control over your work or internship hours, you do have control over the rest of the obligations in your life that aren’t so strictly ordered. This is where you can find ways to maximize your time so you’re not exhausted when you come to your internship.

3. Know what you have to offer and voice it
As an older intern, you probably have more life and career experience than your younger colleagues. Berger advises that these interns should recognize their previous experience as an asset and to ask themselves how that will help contribute to their company’s goals.

“Once you do that, you will be recognized as a major asset — by your manager and co-workers,” Berger wrote.

With all your experiences and skills, you may have an edge that younger interns don’t have, which could prove useful when a job opens up with the company. Berger recommends sitting down with your internship coordinator before the internship ends.

“Thank him or her for the opportunity, explain what you like about the work, what your career goal is, and ask for advice … on how to land a job at that company or a similar one,” Berger wrote.

Exciting Degrees For People Who Hate School

Source: Yahoo

If you hate the idea of being stuck in a classroom, here are six engaging degrees you could earn in as little as two years.

By Andrea Duchon

There are people who are "school people" and others who aren't. You know the first type: people who love to spend every moment surrounded by academia, who often become professors, and who are working on what seems like their 10th master's degree.
Then there's the other type. The ones who cringe at the thought of reading a book or writing a research paper; you can spot them by how quickly they're running away from the college campus.
If you fall into the second camp, this article is for you. Believe it or not, there are plenty of degrees you can earn that take minimal schooling - possibly two years - to complete and that combine an interactive element with book learning.
Intrigued? Keep reading to learn about six hands-on associate's degree programs for people who hate school.

Degree #1: Associate's in Medical Assisting

Sure, you don't have the patience for medical school, but that doesn't mean the entire medical field is off limits. An associate's degree in medical assisting could take only a fraction of the time needed for medical school, but you'll learn how to help doctors with administrative and clinical tasks.
How It's Hands-On: Michael Provitera, career expert and author of the book "Mastering Self-Motivation," says that this degree is great for people who hate lectures or school, because students learn the information and curriculum through a hands-on approach.
"Earning an associate's in medical assisting can be dynamic in nature because you get time with real patients during your training. For someone who hates school, the simple act of actually seeing the eyes of actual patients that they help - along with their loved ones - gives them a bit more incentive to go to class."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program.
What You'll Learn: The College Board says that by earning this degree, you'll have a foot in both the clinical world and the administrative one. So what kinds of things could you learn? Along with intro to medical assisting, the College Board reports that you may also study medical terminology, medical software applications, and pharmacology.

Degree #2: Associate's in Criminal Justice

Protecting a community as a police officer or serving justice as a judge wouldn't bore anyone. A criminal justice degree could lead to engaging careers like these that give back to society. With this associate's, you'll explore the fascinating intersection of crime, law, and the justice system.
How It's Hands-On: "This degree is great for people who hate lectures or school, because learning about what it takes to be a criminal justice professional means you get the chance to work out in the field with criminal justice leaders," notes Provitera.
"Shadowing those people gives you the opportunity to view first-hand the day-to-day activities that yield the power of the gavel to keep our streets and communities safe," he adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
What You'll Learn: The College Board notes that this is an interdisciplinary major, so you'll learn about all aspects of the law, from the psychology behind criminal behavior to the way law enforcement agencies operate. In this track, you could study subjects like policing society, criminal law, and criminology.

Degree #3: Associate's in Health Information Technology

Here's another health care-related degree that won't have you groaning each time you walk into class. An associate's degree in health information technology puts you front and center of the cutting-edge medical technology of the future. Sounds pretty exciting to us!
How It's Hands-On: "Many students don't like school because they feel like the work they do there doesn't matter. However, students who earn this degree can rest assured that they're learning valuable skills that could end up saving someone's life down the line. Just knowing that can get someone excited to learn more and stay engaged," says Provitera. "Additionally, students who study for this degree are quite literally on the forefront of health care legislature and how it will impact our communities."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Information Technology Program.
What You'll Learn: Students in this major learn how to prepare and maintain medical records and their information systems, according the College Board. If you choose to pursue this degree, you could study everything from medical terminology to health care law to the fundamentals of medical science.

Degree #4: Associate's in Paralegal Studies

When you think about going to school for anything in the legal field, your mind probably jumps immediately to law school. And we all know that law school equals countless hours of dreaded library time - a death sentence for someone who hates school. However, earning an associate's degree in paralegal studies could set you up for a legal career without the headaches of a law degree.
How It's Hands-On: "The associate's in paralegal studies can be dynamic in nature, because you get insight into what it takes to yield the power of a lawyer without having to step into the courtroom," Provitera says.
Joe Weinlick, vice president of marketing at Beyond.com, a career network focused on helping people grow and succeed professionally, adds that those pursuing a degree in paralegal studies learn how to support lawyers in a variety of activities, including maintaining and organizing files, legal research, and drafting documents.
"Learning organizational skills keeps you on your toes all day long, so those that hate school don't have too much time to sit around in the classroom and get bored," he notes.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.
What You'll Learn: Paralegal studies will prepare you to complete research, conduct investigations, and keep records under the supervision of a lawyer or court, according to the College Board. Typical courses could include civil procedure, ethics, criminal law and procedure, and litigation.

Degree #5: Associate's in Nursing

Still interested in finding a career in the medical field that's extremely hands-on but won't put you in a lecture hall for the next eight (or more!) years? You should check out an associate's degree in nursing, which could have you spending more time in scrubs than behind a desk.
How It's Hands-On: Weinlick says that because those with nursing degrees work in a variety of different locations, including nursing homes, hospitals and adult care centers, much of the training to earn this degree is done outside of the lecture hall.
"Earning your degree in nursing puts you front and center with medical technology and patient care. Nurses are rarely sitting down - and when you get to the part of your studies where you're following real nurses in the field, you won't be sitting still very long either," he says. "The medical field is constantly moving and shaking, so you can be sure that earning your nursing degree gets you ready to jump right in post-graduation."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
What You'll Learn: Along with intro to nursing, the College Board says you could also study clinical nursing practice, maternal and child care, and administration of medications. Here's what we hear: hands-on, hands-on, hands-on!

Degree #6: Associate's in Early Childhood Education

Maybe you've always had a sweet spot for youngsters and find yourself happier when you're watching after them, but you've been deterred by the years of schooling it takes to pursue a career that would allow you to work with children more frequently.
An associate's degree in early childhood education could be perfect for someone like you who dislikes boring lectures. You could complete it in as little as two years and spend a portion of your time working with kids instead of reading a textbook.
How It's Hands-On: "While you're earning this degree, you'll have observational time with kids, showing you how important your work in this field could be," says Weinlick. "You're literally impacting the minds of children and watching them blossom right in front of your eyes before you even graduate. That's a pretty powerful incentive to ace your next test."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Early Childhood Education Program.
What You'll Learn: The College Board says that common courses for those pursuing this degree could be child development, classroom management and behavior, and parent-child relations. Over the course of your degree, you'll gradually move from observer to active participant, learning how to create a caring and stimulating classroom.

High-Paying Careers You Can Pursue With An Associate's

Source: Yahoo

These lucrative careers offer high salaries but only require an associate's degree.

By Terence Loose

Do you think that earning a good salary means earning a bachelor's or master's degree? While studies have shown that, on average, more education means more pay, there are still a number of professions that pay well and require only an associate's degree, which can be completed in as little as two years.
And what do we mean by "pay well"? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average annual salary for all U.S. professions is $45,790. So we looked at several professions with an average pay that exceeded that. But the best part is you can pursue these careers with just an associate's degree.
So if your current job isn't living up to a living wage, check out these six high-paying professions that could improve your income sooner than you think.

Computer Support Specialist

Average Salary: $62,960*
Median Salary: $59,090
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $96,850
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $34,930
Twenty years ago, the star of the office was the guy who could clear a copier's paper jam. Now in the digital age, it's the techie who can solve your computer glitches. And if you think you'd like to be that guy - or gal - then this career might compute. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these workers give advice to everyone from individual computer users to entire organizations about how to resolve their computing issues. Believe it or not, you could spend only two years in school to pursue this tech-savvy career.
Why It Pays Well: The proliferation and unimpeded growth of computers in both personal and business life is a major reason these professionals earn good pay, says Susan Heathfield, a management consultant and writer for About.com's Guide to Human Resources. And, she adds, the demand will only rise.
"Every company these days is reliant to some degree on computers and IT (information technology). In addition, the biggest industry in the nation, health care, is converting medical records to digital form. As they do, they'll need all kinds of computer specialists to support that network of computers and information and keep it safe," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Education Needed: The Department of Labor says that education and training requirements for computer support specialists vary. Some positions may require a bachelor's degree, but for others an associate's degree or some postsecondary classes may be enough. A degree in computer science, engineering, or information science might be required for more technical jobs, says the Department.

Civil Engineering Technician

Average Salary: $49,220*
Median Salary: $47,560
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $71,800
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $30,430
If you love the idea of helping to build the society's infrastructure but hate the idea of spending many years in college to pursue a career as a full-fledged civil engineer, a career as a civil engineering technician might work for you. These professionals assist civil engineers in planning and designing things like highways, bridges, utilities, and other major infrastructure projects, says the U.S. Department of Labor. You can pursue this engaging, well-paid career after getting an associate's degree that you could earn in two years.
Why It Pays Well: Heathfield says a growing population means more roads, more bridges, more utilities, more - well, you get the idea. That means more civil engineers and more civil engineering technicians to assist them, and since they will be in demand, they will continue to command a decent wage, she says.
"Engineers and their assistants perform an important service. They also have very specialized knowledge, and their work must be done well for safety and other reasons. That's why they earn good salaries," says Heathfield.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
Education Needed: The Department of Labor says that while not always required, an associate's degree in civil engineering technology is preferred for this job. It's also best to get a degree that has been certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, adds the Department.

Registered Nurse

Average Salary: $67,930*
Median Salary: $65,470
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $94,720
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $45,040
If you like the idea of caring for people when they're sick, providing them with emotional support during their road back to recovery, or even just teaching people how to stay healthy, a nursing career might suit you. Those are just a few of the things nurses do, says the U.S. Department of Labor. It's also a career that offers a good salary for a modest educational requirement.
Why It Pays Well: Going forward, with the aging baby boomer population and the implementation of Obamacare, nurses are and will be more and more important, says Nicole Smith, a researcher with Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.
Registered nurses - and many other health care workers - will always be paid well, she says, because their job is to care for people. "That means you have to do your job to the best of your ability. And it's an important job, so you'll need to have some credentials, but you'll also get good pay," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Education Needed: The Department of Labor says nurses typically take one of three educational paths: a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an accepted nursing program. They also must be licensed.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Average Salary $66,360*
Median Salary: $65,860
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $91,070
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $44,990
Whether it's diagnosing a serious medical condition or making sure your unborn child is healthy, you likely want your doctor or hospital to use high-tech equipment managed by a highly-skilled professional. That sums up this profession well, because, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, diagnostic medical sonographers use special imaging equipment to send sound waves into patients' bodies in order to assess and diagnose a multitude of health conditions.
The procedures are commonly known as ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and sonograms, says the Department. With such a high salary and the high-tech nature of this field, it might surprise you that you could pursue this medical career after only two years of school.
Why It Pays Well: "These workers are dealing with people's health, so they need to be able to perform at the best of their abilities. They have to show a high competency in operating sensitive equipment, and that's why they are paid well," says Smith.
She points to this career as a good example of the divide in pay levels and upward mobility opportunities in the health care industry. Careers that require formal education - whether it's some college education or a college degree - have much higher pay and better advancement opportunities than those that require no certification or degree, she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Sonography Program.
Education Needed: The Department of Labor says that these professionals need formal education, such as a postsecondary certificate or associate's degree. However, the Department says certificates are usually only useful to those already working in related health care jobs, such as nurses.

Dental Hygienist

Average Salary: $70,700*
Median Salary: $70,210
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $96,280
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $46,540
There's a reason why that friendly dental hygienist who takes care of your smile is smiling, too - they're earning pretty decent money. And they can be satisfied with the fact that they do an important, essential job. They not only clean those pearly whites, but also check patients for oral disease and educate patients on proper dental care, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. This career is especially high in pay but only requires a short amount of time in school.
Why It Pays Well: Heathfield says that since these workers are part of the health care industry - an industry that has shown nothing but growth with no sign of slowing down - dental hygienists will command a good salary and be in demand for a long while out.
"Also, the link between oral health and general health is pretty well-established now. And with the aging population of baby boomers focusing on staying healthy longer in life, these workers will be seen as more important. That means they will be paid accordingly," says Heathfield.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
Education Needed: The Department of Labor says that dental hygienists usually need an associate's degree in dental hygiene to enter the field. They also need to be licensed, with requirements varying by state.

Paralegal

Average Salary: $50,220*
Median Salary: $46,990
Top 10 Percent of Earners: $75,410
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners: $29,420
If you enjoy reading a good mystery or watching a suspenseful legal thriller, working as a paralegal may be a way to live your passion without spending extended years in law school. Paralegals assist lawyers by investigating facts of cases, conducting legal research, and getting affidavits and other formal statements, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They even assist lawyers in court during trials. But unlike lawyers, you could pursue this legal career in less than half the time of law school.
Why It Pays Well: Paralegals earn good money because companies who hire law firms are relying on them more often, says Nancy Tetreaux, a communication and career coach with 20 years of experience in human resources management, much of it with law firms.
"[Companies] can keep their billing down, because attorney billing rates are much higher than paralegal rates, but often the work required can be done just as well by paralegals," she says. For instance, she says, much of the research and drafting of many simple legal documents can be done by paralegals for a fraction of the cost of an attorney.
Furthermore, you often have the chance to increase your pay, she says. "You can do really well if you can work a lot of hours. That's because your base salary is pretty good, and you can earn much more in overtime," says Tetreaux.