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By on May 26, 2017 in Academic Life

Image by Marc Mueller, pexels.com

Education has been the driving force behind every progress ever made, but what drives education forward? Is it affected by the changes constantly happening in the world of tech, psychology, and other sciences? Of course it is. We often see how tech advancements are implemented in schools and colleges. Still, there is one question lingering in the air: Is the traditional way of studying future-proof? Everything can be a subject of evolution, and the ever-growing trend of coworking spaces might just be the next evolutionary step for the classic classroom or library studying approach. In the business world, they’ve already become that, and nearly 70 percent of the workers working in communal offices found that their focus is improved since they started working in such spaces. Can this approach bring similar benefits to students?

Reimagining education

In a typical education process, a teacher gets a curriculum consisting of a set of lessons. He/she teaches lessons, asks questions and give exams. In the meantime, students are studying in libraries or at their homes. It’s the way things are. It’s the way things always were. So, why change them now? Well, it turns out that working in a more collaborative environment could pose a better educational experience, not only for students, but for the teachers as well.

Benefits of “co-studying”

So, what does this way of studying actually bring to the table? Some students will find it very pleasant to study in a dynamic environment, where their colleagues are pushing them to work harder and better. The lessons that are unclear to one student, can be easily understood by another, and the conversation about them can set new ideas in motion. Besides the interaction between students, coworking environments can help them experience hands-on training from professionals. This makes coworking spaces an interesting alternative to libraries – a large number of resources are at their disposal, with the added benefit of communication with each other and various experts. Check out these shared office space perks.

The implementation of coworking principle

As an idea, a coworking approach to studying seems pretty great, but how can this be implemented in a more traditional setting, such as a classroom? The biggest obstacle here is the educational system. But first, let’s tackle the smaller beast – a student’s view of the classroom. Challenging the traditional student/teacher barrier is definitely hard, but if students could form studying teams and tear down the walls stopping them from being open to this principle, they could experience a tangible progress.

Preparation for the future

In a 2013 Forbes article “Coworking: Is It Just a Fad or the Future of Business?”, the author concluded that traditional offices are becoming “obsolete”, and those coworking settings are definitely a future to look forward to. What does that mean for students today? A large majority will probably end up in such a workplace when they finish their education, and they will eventually have to get used to such collaborative systems. If that process begins now, they can learn to work in a team efficiently, see differences and disagreements outside of a negative light, and respect individual boundaries.

Finally, it’s very easy to equate shared office space with a purely physical partition of a workplace, but we are actually talking about a movement that is taking the world by storm, and if students don’t jump on the bandwagon now, they will find themselves at a disadvantage the moment they step into the work arena.

This article was contributed by guest author Chloe Taylor.

By on April 26, 2017 in Academic Life, Self-Assessment

Image by Komsomolec, pixabay.com

School is more than a launchpad to a job or more school. School is fertile ground for students to explore careers through professionals who help them every day.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports student enrollment in higher education programs has increased dramatically since the start of the century. With students of all backgrounds and ages at an all-time high, becoming a school professional is an in-demand option for high job security.

Teacher
Teachers use knowledge, curricula and their unique personalities to promote learning across a wide range of students. The close relationship teachers share with students is hands-on exposure to this profession. Teachers give students an advantage to see them in action on a daily or weekly basis. They often unwittingly inspire students to become educators.

State laws vary, but most high school teachers hold a four-year college degree and special certification. College and university professors will have advanced master’s and doctoral degrees.

Counselor
A school counselor keeps high school and college students on track to graduate. These individuals are not only well-versed in the school’s curriculum; they are a treasure chest of knowledge about many career paths and higher education opportunities.

Counselors meet annually or regularly with students to plan out their progress. This role is perfect for people who enjoy being in academic environments and influencing students’ lives. While many schools have great in person programs, online counseling degrees are also becoming more popular. This means that the degree can be easier to attain while working in the field.

Librarian
Librarians are the silent backbone of most schools. From stocking textbooks to securing information teachers need, librarians manage the school’s collection of books and materials. They order books, publications and digital media to enhance schools’ missions to educate.

Depending on specialty and focus, librarians can receive a wide range of master’s degrees in information science and library studies. The rise in digital media and archives has created a demand for librarians with recent degrees and certifications. Most libraries and schools look for degrees from schools\ accredited by the American Library Association.

Teachers, counselors and librarians empower students and collaborate with each other on a daily basis. In addition to providing valuable services and guidance, these professionals are accessible to answer students’ questions about their jobs. An informational interview or few hours of shadowing will go far to demystify the indispensable roles they play.

This article was contributed by guest author Brooke Chaplan.

By on April 24, 2017 in Programs, Self-Assessment

Image by Wokandapix, pixabay.com

Many people dream of being a teacher, working with children and helping them to become successful individuals. While majoring in education, there are some key characteristics and tangible things that you will need. Each of these four items and qualities will help you to excel in your career as a teacher.

Communication Skills
As a teacher, you will interact with a wide variety of people. From the school security officer or police officer, to the principal and lunch personnel, knowing the staff in your school is crucial to being a successful teacher. In addition to communicating with your fellow teachers and the school principal, guidance counselor, and other staff members, you will also regularly communicate with the parents and caregivers of school kids. Excellent communication skills will be critical to success.

Required Education
Earning an online master’s degree in education prepares you to be a successful teacher. In many school districts, an online master’s degree in education is required in order to become a tenured teacher. By earning your degree online, you can fit it into your work schedule and still enjoy personal and family time. An online master’s degree in education can also help to boost your salary and job prospects.

Patience and Persistence
Some kids will not learn as quickly as others. A few of the lessons that you prepare may not be as effective as you had hoped. You will face these and other challenging situations in your daily life as a teacher. Patience will be key to working your way through them. You will also need to persist through the difficulties and keep on trying new things until you find what works.

A Passion for Learning
Great teachers have a passion for learning. They delight in watching others learn and seeing someone’s face change as a lesson “clicks”. You should have a lifelong passion for learning and discovering new things. Think outside of the textbook and consider some real-world ways to help kids learn. Your enthusiasm for the learning process will be evident to every child who walks through your classroom’s doors.

A degree in education will help to prepare you for what will happen in your classroom. Outside of your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, you will also need to develop or enhance some of your own personality traits. Enthusiasm, passion for your career, patience, persistence and excellent communications skills will take you a long way in your career as a teacher.

This article was contributed by guest author Rachelle Wilber.

By on November 25, 2016 in Search Strategies
Image by Fabian Irsara, unsplash.com

Image by Fabian Irsara, unsplash.com

There are many great reasons to pursue a professional career, but education is often essential for certain professions. Those considering careers in areas such as law, business, or medicine must consider the costs, but education can be a catalyst for advancement. Here are seven ways education can benefit your professional career.

1. Professional Requirements
Certain careers require education or training. For example, becoming a lawyer requires a law degree. After law school, aspiring attorneys sit for the bar exam in their state and are licensed upon passing. Similarly, paralegals also require certification. Paralegal schools offer certificates, after which exams are required for licensure. For many other fields, similar programs are necessary to enter the profession.

2. Management Positions
For those seeking promotions, many businesses look for people with experience and education. It can be so important that some firms pay for employees to complete degree programs. Once you have the right educational background, it will simply take time and experience to move up the corporate ladder.

3. Alumni Networks
If you attend a prestigious university with a loyal alumni base, you can tap into that professional network. Many graduates look to hire students from their old school. Networking is a great way to get a foot in the door at competitive firms.

4. Diverse Skills
Education also develops valuable skills like critical thinking, communication and collaboration. These skills are highly valuable in the workplace. A graduate degree like an MBA will provide a broad foundation that can be applied to any field.

5. Experience and Training
One of the most valuable assets for any professional is experience. Many schools offer internships for students to gain work experience. A company may even hire you for a full-time position upon completion.

6. Learn from Professionals
In college, many professors have years of professional experience. You can benefit from their wisdom in any given industry as you learn how to navigate your own career path.

7. Personal Development and Maturity
The process of learning will also give you perspective and maturity as your career moves forward. Understanding the expectations and possibilities in a field is a huge advantage as you make your way professionally.

A professional career offers many great incentives but education is often needed to enter or advance in certain fields. As you consider the costs, also remember the benefits that an education can provide. Education will certainly open many doors and provide great ways to advance in your selected profession.

This article was contributed by guest author Lizzie Weakley.

By on August 3, 2015 in Programs
Image by Western Connecticut State University Peggy Stewart on Flickr

Image by Western Connecticut State University Peggy Stewart on Flickr

Whether you are a nurse or you’re in nursing school, chances are you’ve spent some time trying to figure this nursing thing out. You’ve done your research, spoken to seasoned nurses, or spent many nights studying while watching Grey’s Anatomy and laughing at the procedures the doctors are doing that are actually the nurse’s job. You’ve watched your free time drift away, taught yourself how to survive without sleep, and started to accept that just because your answer is right doesn’t mean it’s the most right. The need for nurses is at an all-time high in a variety of capacities. It is a demanding and draining position that is not for the faint of heart, but is also extremely rewarding.

The nursing shortage

If you are already a nurse or wanting to be, you are helping aid in the problematic nursing shortage. Right now more than 50% of the nursing workforce is close to retirement age and in the U.S., baby boomers are experiencing an increased number of chronic conditions that require hospitalization. While we are losing nurses to retirement and gaining patients, we need more nurses to fill the gap. Increasing enrollment is one way to impact the shortage, but this uncovers yet another issue, which is the low number of nursing instructors. The only way to promote a higher number of nurses willing to teach is to raise their wages. Due to the unequal amount of supply and demand in the nursing industry the job market for nurses is at an all-time high for potential nurses looking for work and therefore salaries are much higher.

The options are endless

The options for types of degrees and the jobs you can obtain with those degrees are expansive. With options for LPN, NP, and RN programs available at a slew of different nursing schools with varying pathways, every student will be able to find the degree and pathway that suits them best. The degree preferred by most nursing leaders is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), so do your research if you are thinking about joining the nursing profession to make sure you have the degree appropriate for your career track. One you’ve obtained your degree, the options open even more with careers available to nurses in a wide variety of specialties and lifestyles such as travel nursing, nurse educator, oncology nursing, pediatric nursing, and the list goes on and on.

You’ll always be learning

The learning process does not stop with graduation when you are in a medical field. Nurses focus on such a wide variety of medicine that they are always attending seminars and conferences, reading medical journals, learning new procedures, and trying to keep up with the forever changing medical industry. You’ll always be learning from seasoned nurses, trial and error, and mandatory continuing education. Coursework never stops when you are a nurse and in order to thrive in the field, nurses must be eager learners and naturally driven. A nursing career isn’t for everyone, and the obligation to stay on top of the evolving nursing world is one of the many difficult tasks required.

Nursing is difficult

Let’s drive this point home one more time: Nursing is hard. Nursing school is hard because being a nurse is even harder. If you are already a nurse, you understand this. Compiling an impossible amount of information in your mind and being able to pull it out at the most stressful time in an effective manner can be the difference between life and death for patients. Not only dealing with the long hours, lack of sleep, no social life, and the never ending amount of learning involved, but the physical and mental strain it puts on your body is not for the weak. You’ll cry for patients, make mistakes, work with an aching back and feet, get yelled at by faculty and patients alike, develop a strong stomach, work overnight, work into the next day, miss birthday parties, be invited to patient’s funerals, and be covered in bodily fluids. You are on the front lines of healthcare and you will see things that no one else sees. Be prepared.

It’s all about patient care

For those in nursing, the entire reason that they go through the rigors of nursing school and the battles of the job is for their patients. Without a passion for people and their welfare, maintaining a job that is so difficult would be impossible. Nursing isn’t a job you do for the money; good nurses in the field for a long time do it to help people. Caring and compassionate nurses mean the world to their patients and end up being the best at their jobs. Every single day you will be making a big difference in someone’s life. You are responsible for positive quality of life for your patients, you will be fulfilled and satisfied in your career, seeing immediate gratification for the tasks you complete correctly. Despite the pain, heartache, stress, time away from loved ones, and lack of sleep, nurses do it for their patients.

This article was contributed by guest author Chelsy Ranard.

By on May 11, 2015 in Search Strategies
Image by Jeremy Wilburn, Flickr

Image by Jeremy Wilburn, Flickr

While many do not think that a career in higher education can lead to a high income, it is possible if you choose to pursue the right titles. If you are looking for the top-paying jobs in higher education that are also in high demand, do your research before you choose to enroll in an advanced graduate program so you can specialize your degree. Here are the five top careers to consider as you compare specialties and concentrations.

Professors Who Teach Health Education

The need for health professionals has never been greater, and the majority of professionals who are entering the industry need a college degree. There is a growing demand for health educators within post-secondary establishments and also a growing shortage of specialized professors who can teach this subject area. If you would like to enter a high-paying field where the top earners make $187,199 per year, teaching health specialties could be a great choice.

College Professors Who Specialize in Economics

Another great teaching position that has flourished is economics. All business majors, many students who earn a Bachelor of Arts, and future economists must all take one or more classes in economics. Not only will you get to teach economics, you can also participate in research while you stay up-to-date with the most recent field developments. The average economics professor earns $101,806 per year.

Program Director of Undergraduate or Graduate Studies

You do not necessarily need to be in front of a classroom teaching to play a part in the success of students as they pursue a degree. As a program director, you will manage and implement the university’s vision and strategy for overall education as you establish goals and improve and innovate programs. This is an important role and requires expertise in higher education.

Director of Student Affairs

A director of student affairs plays a crucial role in keeping students involved in their community while still urging them to strive for a successful future. When you hold this title, you will manage all student activities, oversee the clubs, refer students to counseling, recommend scholarship opportunities, and advise students of community services they may be eligible for.

To hold this title, you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. While a BA is required, most schools prefer to hire candidates who hold a master’s in higher education that teaches content on student development, conflict resolution and approaches to student affairs. If you have already begun a career after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, an online higher education degree at the master level could be a great way to balance the present with the future.

Academic Advising
In both public and private higher education institutions, there is a need for academic advisors who help students map out the path they will take to meet their educational and professional goals. Many students enroll in school without a clue as to what they would like to do. You will be there to help students make decisions, set academic plans and stay on track. You are an advisor, a coach, a motivator and more.

There is a long list of positions you can pursue as an educator or an administrative professional. Be sure to educate yourself on the requirements to hold a specific title, and only then can you prepare for your career in higher education.

This article was contributed by guest author Anica Oaks.

By on November 21, 2014 in Studying Abroad

 
 
 
limerickTutorial

A detailed breakdown in education statistics is covered for the following geographical areas in this infographic: North America and Western Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, Central Asia, South and West Asia, Arab States, Sub Saharan Africa.

Contributed by Limerick Tutorial College.