Five Degrees to Help Shy People Shine

Source: Yahoo

If you have a personality type that's a bit on the timid side, consider these degree programs that could help you break out of your shell.

By Tony Moton

With its crowded classrooms and endless class participation, college might give a shy person reason for concern. But more importantly, shyness might also affect how someone decides which degree to undertake.
"A lot of times, they will choose degrees where they don't have too much interpersonal communication, interaction, or speaking," says University of Nevada-Las Vegas Career Counselor Lauren Johnson. For example, "[degrees in the] sciences are ones where they might not have to deal with people as much."
If shy people want to break out of their shells, however, they should probably pick degree programs that will counteract their bashfulness. But how will they know which ones to pick if they're too shy to ask?
Not to worry. Here are five degree programs that could help shy people shed their timid ways - no questions asked.

Degree #1: Communications

Are you a shy person who craves the right opportunity to let your voice be heard? If so, earning a bachelor's degree in communications might help you express what's on your mind.
Goodbye to Shy: Studying a bachelor's degree in communications "might be one of the best degrees for shy people because you have to talk," says Johnson.
In a communications program, shy people might be required to frequently engage in group-based projects, says Johnson. If they warm-up to group settings, shy people could advance to giving speeches and oral reports as part of class exercises, which ideally would help them come out of their shells.
Click to Find the Right Communications Program Now.
More About the Degree: A bachelor's program in communications might expose students to the various ways people share information with each other - including through television and the Internet - according to the College Board, the educational organization that conducts the SAT exam. Courses might cover the dynamics of group communication, writing, and research methods.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Reporter and correspondent: $34,870
Editor: $52,380
Technical writer: $64,610

Degree #2: Business Administration

What can a shy person with corporate aspirations do to offset a timid nature? How about earning a bachelor's degree in business administration?
Goodbye to Shy: You've probably heard there's no "I" in "team," but when studying business administration, there's also no "shy" in "team." Johnson notes that shy students in a business administration program can expect to participate in team-oriented projects that replicate real-world business practices.
For shy types looking to get better at interpersonal relationships, studying business administration at the bachelor's level could help them understand how to interact with others productively, Johnson adds. "You'll learn how to manage personalities and find out what kind of personalities you get along with," he says.
Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program Now.
More About the Degree: In a business administration and management program, students could learn how to organize and direct a company's activities while honing leadership skills, according to the College Board. Accounting, marketing, economics, and business ethics and law are among the courses commonly taken by students in this program.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Financial manager: $107,160
Market research analyst: $60,250
Human resources manager: $99,130

Degree #3: Criminal Justice

Could a shy person ever shield others from harm or danger? Without the right training, not likely. But a bachelor's degree in criminal justice could teach shy people how to defend and protect others in need.
Goodbye to Shy: As a criminal justice major, a shy person might find an opportunity to express their concerns for public safety, says Johnson.
Subject areas that could help stimulate a shy person's talkative side include studying the psychology of the criminal mind and evaluating prison systems, according to Johnson.
"They might have to do projects involving research on prison systems, centralized versus decentralized or American versus European prison systems," Johnson says. "The projects might have them do a presentation on those subjects, so they would have to talk."
Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program Now.
More About the Degree: The College Board says criminal justice majors generally study different aspects of crime, the law, and the justice system. They also might focus on the way law enforcement agencies work.
Common courses taken in the program, according to the College Board, might include statistics, criminology, juvenile justice, and policing society.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Probation officer or correctional treatment specialist: $47,840
Police officer:  $54,230

Degree #4: Medical Assisting

Do you obsess over TV medical dramas at home, but find yourself clamming up in a real doctor's office? Maybe you  should consider studying medical assisting, where you'll have a nice introduction into the world of medicine.
Goodbye to Shy: During a medial assisting program, a shy person might need to shelve timid behavior in order to learn how to communicate face-to-face with patients.
"It's going to help them get out of their shyness because they have to ask patients questions and bring things up with the doctor," Johnson says.
A medical assisting program would be ideal for shy people because it would force them to zero in on the nuances of human interaction. A valuable skill a shy person might develop during the program, according to Johnson, is interpreting a patient?s body language.
Click to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program Now.
More About the Degree: During a certificate or associate's degree program in this major, a student might learn about the administrative and clinical tasks for assisting doctors, according to the College Board.
Common courses taken in this program might include diagnostic procedures, medical terminology, and diseases of the human body, according to the College Board.
Potential Career and Median Annual Salary:*
Medical assistant: $29,100

Degree #5: Public Relations

As a shy person, are you tired of being talked at and would rather do more of the talking yourself? Studying a bachelor's program in public relations could help you develop skills as a sounding board for others.
Goodbye to Shy: There is a reason this major isn't called private relations. A public relations program teaches students how to deal with people and organizations in a highly visible manner.
And being visible means being prepared to shed your timid side during this program, says Johnson.
Just how much shedding? "You practice talking to people a lot, whether it's marketing classes or doing group projects," says Johnson. "You're going to be held accountable by professors if you have to do a presentation, be interactive, or work as a team player."
Click to Find the Right Public Relations Program Now.
More About the Degree: Public relations majors might learn how to develop a media campaign, practice writing press releases, and study image management, according to the College Board. Common courses include principles of advertising and speech writing.
Furthermore, adds Johnson, a bachelor's degree program in public relations can also teach students how to represent clients and organizations who want to publicize their brands.
Potential Careers and Median Annual Salaries:*
Public relations specialist: $53,190
Public relations manager: $86,470

Exciting Health Care Careers You Can Switch To

Source: Yahoo

Check out these hot health care careers that are just a bachelor's or associate's degree away.

By Danielle Blundell

Forget medical school and the time it takes to finish it. If you want to make a career switch to the health care industry, there are other ways to prepare that will save you time and money.
Health care needs entire fleets of support staff to keep medical facilities running smoothly, and many of these fields are only expected to grow over the years. In December 2012 alone, the health care industry added 45,000 jobs, reports the U.S. Department of Labor.
Where is all of this growth coming from? "People are living longer, which means the elderly need more caregivers," says Lynn Berger, a New York-based career counselor and coach. "Career changers should think broadly - an increase in doctors and residents means the administrative and support roles are growing, too."
If you're looking for a promising new career path, without the burden of medical school, consider one of these growing health care careers.

Career #1: Medical and Health Services Managers

If you want to work in the medical industry, but are a little queasy about the idea of getting involved in actual patient treatment, a career as a medical and health services manager might be right for you.
Medical and health services managers are the ones in charge of coordinating treatment at health care facilities, says the U.S. Department of Labor. The job could involve everything from overseeing patient records and creating budgets to representing the facility at investor meetings, according to the Department of Labor.
Career Outlook: As baby boomers age, there will be an increased demand for health care and personnel to coordinate growing staffs and more facilities, notes the Department of Labor. Because of this, the Department projects that medical and health services management jobs will grow by 22 percent between 2010 and 2020.
Click Here to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
How to Make the Switch: If you're interested in pursuing a career as a medical and health services manager, keep in mind that a bachelor's degree is typically needed. According to the Department, "Prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration." Master's degrees are also common for entering the field. Of course, requirements will vary by facility. If you're working as a nursing care facility administrator, you will need to be licensed.

Career #2: Dental Assistant

Looking for a dynamic career where you could put your attention to detail and organizational skills to work? Perhaps you should consider working as a dental assistant.
To put it simply, dental assistants provide dentists with an extra pair of eyes and hands during procedures, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In this type of role, you might find yourself helping out by maintaining patients' files and taking on other administrative duties as they arise, such as scheduling appointments and working with patients on billing. It's no wonder that the Department of Labor reports that detail-oriented, methodical individuals typically excel in this field.
Career Outlook: And there will be plenty of room to excel, too. According to the Department, from 2010 to 2020, jobs in dental assisting will grow by a projected 31 percent.
Click Here to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program.
How to Make the Switch: There are many roads for pursuing a career in dental assisting, but the one you take will likely depend on the state in which you live. According to the Department, some states require education in the form of a certificate/diploma or associate's degree, while others might allow you to acquire your education on the job. Some states might even require you to be certified by passing an exam from the Dental Assisting National Board.

Career #3: Registered Nurse

If you're more interested in working with doctors on the front lines of health care, you might consider pursuing a career as a registered nurse.
Nurses carry out demanding work, including tending to ailing patients, recording symptoms, and administering medications and treatments, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They also could help with tests and analyses, and then provide emotional support to people with health conditions and their families and friends.
Career Outlook: The Department says that nursing should see a 26 percent growth in jobs between 2010 and 2020. There are a variety of factors contributing to the growth, including the aging population, more emphasis on preventative care, and longer than average life spans.
Click Here to Find the Right Nursing Program.
How to Make the Switch: Like dental assisting, there are a few academic options for aspiring nurses. According to the Department, you will probably need to follow one of three paths: an associate's in nursing, bachelor's in nursing, or a diploma from an accredited program. You will also need to be licensed.

Career #4: Medical Assistant

Like the idea of helping people but not sold on the idea of committing years and years to medical school? Medical assisting may be a perfect compromise for your career.
Medical assistants ensure patients' visits go smoothly from start to finish, first taking medical histories down and then completing insurance forms at the end of treatment, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. These clerical tasks are offset with clinical ones, as many medical assistants also shadow doctors, help with exams, and keep tabs on medical equipment.
Career Outlook: According to the Department of Labor, as the number of practices increases, the need for assistants will also increase, ultimately resulting in a projected 31 percent job growth from 2010 to 2020.
Click Here to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program.
How to Make the Switch: An associate's degree in medical assisting could start you on the path toward pursuing a career in the field, notes the Department. However, the Department also reports that formal education is not always required, as many assistants are trained on the job. Although you are not required to hold a certification, employers prefer to hire certified assistants.

Career #5: Pharmacy Technician

Are you a strong multi-tasker with a sharp, detail-oriented mind? A career as a pharmacy technician might be one way to tap all of your talents.
Some pharmacy technicians work in hospitals and drug stores, mixing medications, counting tablets, and answering phones, notes the U.S. Department of Labor. Others find employment in retail pharmacies, transcribing information for medications, packaging and labeling them, and performing payment transactions.
Career Outlook: Things are looking up for jobs in this field, thanks in part to the growing number of elderly people. According to the Department of Labor, jobs will grow by 32 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Click Here to Find the Right Pharmacy Technician Program.
How to Make the Switch: If you're interested in preparing for a career as a pharmacy technician, you'll want to check your state's requirements. According to the Department, while in some states, technicians are simply trained on the job, other states might require a certificate from a postsecondary institution. Other states and employers might want you to gain certification by passing an exam, so it's vital that you check on requirements for your area.

Career #6: Physical Therapist Assistant

Active individuals looking for a job with an on-the-go, physical component could be well-suited for a career assisting a physical therapist.
Physical therapy assistants help patients cope with pain and limited motion following injuries, accidents, or surgery, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They often set up machinery and walk patients through exercises to regain motion.
Career Outlook: From 2010 to 2020, the Department estimates that employment of physical therapist assistants and aides will grow by a whopping 46 percent. One factor at play in the growth projected here: the baby boomers. According to the Department of Labor, as baby boomers continue to stay active throughout later stages of life, they will need therapy treatments in increasing numbers
Click Here to Find the Right Physical Therapy Assisting Program.
How to Make the Switch: If you'd like to pursue this career, keep in mind that the Department says that most states require physical therapy assistants to hold an associate's degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Additionally, most states will require you to be licensed, which typically entails passing the National Physical Therapy Exam after graduating from an accredited program.

7 Flexible Degrees You Can Earn On The Weekend

Source: Yahoo

With work and family obligations, online coursework could be the answer to a new professional you.

By Danielle Blundell

So you want to go back to school. But between a full-time job, taking care of your kids and pets, not to mention keeping up with friends, you've got a full plate. There's no time to drive to campus and sit in a class that's held on someone else's schedule. But that doesn't have to be the only option if you pursue online education, which you can earn after hours, on the weekends, or whenever you've got time.
"Beyond flexibility and convenience, online learning gives students the ability to work at their own pace when they want," Melissa Loble, associate dean of distance learning at University of California Irvine. "You can go back and replay a video, look at an image again, or review a concept you might not have understood fully. That's just not something you can do in the classroom." She adds that students who are working professionals can often apply their studies to their current jobs,  becoming more effective employees.
Before you make the leap, take a look at these popular degree programs that have successfully made the online transition. It'll take motivation and determination, but you could earn an in-demand degree on the weekends if you're up for the challenge.

Degree #1: Health Care Administration

Find Degree Programs Are you interested in a new career that's in huge demand? If you're a detail-oriented person with an interest in making our medical system work like a well-oiled machine, studying health care administration online might be just what the doctor ordered.
According to the College Board, in a health care administration program, you can expect to learn the ins and outs of how to manage the daily operations of a medical facility. You may learn about budgeting, how to handle staffing issues, and policy making in a hospital or doctor's office.
The Online Advantage: One huge pro of studying a health care administration program online is that it can bring people from all different experiences, backgrounds, and geographic locations together in a virtual classroom, which brings a rich diversity to coursework and case studies, says Loble. This is a good primer for the real world, she adds, where you will need to work with a range of people - from other administrative staff to patients - all with a range of expectations and problems.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Medical Records and Health Technician

Degree #2: Computer Science

Find Degree Programs Do you already spend your weekends on your computer surfing the net? If so, you should consider channeling more time and energy into learning more about your computer by earning a degree in computer science online.
According to the College Board, computer science majors may study how computer systems and humans interact with each other. Classes may include instruction in artificial intelligence, digital system design, and software engineering.
The Online Advantage: According to Loble, studying computer science online actually gives students a leg up on what's going on in the tech workplace - telecommuting. "People are being asked more and more to work from home, and they have to know how to be part of a company at a distance," says Loble. "It's really important to pick up those skills to be able to work independently and communicate with coworkers at a distance, which an online course can teach you."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Software Developer
• Computer Programmer
• Database Administrator

Degree #3: Business Administration

Find Degree Programs Big business is a dog-eat-dog world, but fortunately for you, we're going to let you in on a secret that could help you get ahead - the in-demand business administration degree online. You can hold down your 9-to-5 and fit the key principles of business in on the weekends, working toward the goal of launching a new career or advancing in your current one.
What can you expect to study? The College Board says that some of what you encounter while studying business administration may prepare you to organize, direct, and control an organization's operations.
The Online Advantage: According to Loble, studying business administration online prepares students for the increasing globalization of the business world. "Business jobs these days are so group-work-oriented that it's important for students to learn how to communicate and work with people at a distance. That's the reality at companies these days - your coworkers could be in another part of the world."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Personal Financial Advisor
• Purchasing Manager

Degree #4: K-12 Education

Find Degree Programs Have an inkling that you were put on this earth to teach kids concepts and prepare them for the real world? A career as a teacher is definitely something to consider, and taking your coursework online could allow you to realize your true calling without having to leave your current job.
What will your weekends look like? According to the College Board, education majors may study how people learn and different strategies to teach them. Additionally, your courses may include educational psychology, philosophy of education, and supervised student teaching.
The Online Advantage: "Education was one of the first of the disciplines to go online, and it does well online, because generally the instructors are thinking about how to teach and the most effective way to meet your needs," says Loble. Online instructors who teach education understand that they need to foster dialogue through simulations, projects and other exercises that translate to effective virtual learning, she adds.
In essence, according to Loble, studying education online prepares you for the challenges of teaching in a modern classroom where technology has become increasingly important.
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Education Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Elementary School Teacher
• High School Teacher

Degree #5: Nursing

Find Degree Programs Maybe you're already a nurse and looking to get a promotion. Or you're a caregiver and think you've got the compassion and discipline to go pro as a nurse. Either way, you're busy and need a flexible option to pursue this career. Earning a degree in nursing online just might be your golden ticket.
What kind of coursework will you accomplish? According to the College Board, you might expect to learn how to examine patients and treat their immediate needs as well as how to promote better long-term health.  Some typical courses include microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology.
The Online Advantage: Because nurses often work unconventional hours and long shifts, taking coursework online offers much-needed flexibility for those already in the field, Loble says.
Another great thing about studying nursing online is how realistic medical simulations have become - you're not really missing anything by studying online, Loble says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Potential Career:*

• Registered Nurse

Degree #6: Criminal Justice

Find Degree Programs Are your weekends full of "Law & Order" marathons? Instead of lying on the couch and watching our legal system play out on T.V., you could be enrolled in an online criminal justice program, cracking your own cases with forensic simulations.
Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary major that delves into every aspect of the law, crime, and the criminal justice system, according to the College Board. Coursework could include criminology, policing society, and victimology.
The Online Advantage: Similar to health care administration, putting a criminal justice program online brings people together from all parts of the country, even the world, says Loble. This can in turn make for better prepared professionals, she says, because everyone shares and learns from each other's community experience.
"It leads to richer responses to case studies and assignments," says Loble. "And when you have a country or world-wide student body, that's always great for networking down the road."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Police Officer
• Probation Officer

Degree #7: Psychology

Find Degree Programs You're the problem solver in your group of friends - the one everyone goes to when they need someone to listen. If so, your insight into the human mind may be the perfect foundation for earning a psychology degree online.
According to the College Board, as a psychology student, you may study the way humans and animals act, think, feel, and learn. You may take classes such as developmental psychology, perception and sensation, and social psychology.
The Online Advantage: "So much of psychology is about in-person consultations which makes online [study] tricky," says Lobel. "But you can accomplish a lot of that through webcams and Skype. You can watch case studies and evaluate guest speaker lectures all on your own time, over and over again." She explains that online study gives students a chance to master the concepts at their own pace, as opposed to a classroom setting where you can't slow down a professor or return to a PowerPoint slide.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Psychology Program.
Potential Careers:*

• Social Worker