Money and Career

The Best Degrees To Earn Money

Steve — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000

The classical ideal of the American Dream may be dying but that doesn’t meant that you can’t make money in the 21st century. All you need to do is work hard, get into a good school, and focus on earning a degree in one of these lucrative fields.

Petroleum Engineering

They don’t call it black gold for nothing. With so much influence, money, and power tied up in oil interests, it’s no wonder that petroleum engineers are so well compensated with an average starting salary of $80,849. Even though governments continue to claim that the future of energy lies in alternative methods, Texas tea isn’t going anywhere. And those who are able to innovate and implement new methods for extracting oil from shale and other recalcitrant sources are going to be very well off. The field also expects to see significant growth over the next decade according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Chemical Engineering

At a tad over $65,000 to start, the early occupational life of the chemical engineer is not as lucrative as one who specializes in petroleum, but its nothing to shake a stick at. The current demand for chemical engineers is buoyed largely by the size of the pharmaceutical industry which can use the broad skills of recent graduates in drug analysis and research.

Mining & Mineralogical Engineering

Noticing a theme? Engineers make money no matter what the career specialization is. The reason why mining engineering grads can come fresh out of university pulling in $63,969 is because minerals are more important today than they have ever been in the post-industrial world. Every piece of advanced technology, whether it be medical or consumer or militaristic, relies on minerals for their construction. Ergo, it’s understandable why people would like to get their hands on these precious goods. Predictably, the field is expected to grow over the next decade as we become more and more reliant on the fruits of the earth for manufacturing and innovation.

Computer Science

Although not an engineer in title, the computer scientist may as well be with the course load they encounter in school. They may as well be considered engineers with their paycheck as well, taking home $63,402 after completing their college degree. In a very brief amount of time the world has transitioned from cooperation with computers to complete reliance on them. Businesses, innovation, communication and economies as a whole fail to function without computers. Hence, the demand for computer scientists is overwhelming, even more so than the engineering careers listed prior. Computer science is expected to see a nearly 25% growth rate over the next decade. Choosing to study computer science might not be the most immediately lucrative decision, but it will pay cash money over a career.

Resources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Forbes

How to Earn Money Without a Degree

Steve — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:24 +0000

We are always taught that we have to have a college degree in order to have a great paying career, however this is not necessarily true. It does help to have a college degree, however there are numerous people who have became very successful without a college degree. There are also numerous people who have received a degree, yet are still struggling financial with a lower paying job. Here are some ways you can earn money without a degree.

Start A Business
When you work for yourself, you are in control of how much money you earn. You may decide to start your own carpet cleaning business. If you are ethical, work hard, and network with people you can build up an income of 100,000 or more each year simply by running a carpet cleaner.

Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent needs to be licensed by the State that you will be working in. A license generally only requires you to take 2 classes. If you actually work the business, then within a year or two of beginning work as a real estate agent you could earn $100,000 or more. Once you work as a real estate agent you can get your real estate brokers license and earn even more as you advance in this career field..

Massage Therapist
A massage therapist does require training, however no degree is necessary. Massage therapists can easily earn $50 or more per hour. The median wage for a massage therapist is $43,119 a year.

Air Traffic Controllers
Air traffic Controllers can earn over a 100,000 a year. Although this career does not require a college degree, it does have a strict background check.

Sales
Motivated salesmen can build up their clientele and earn over $100,000 each year. You could be selling alarm systems door to door or tools over the phone. As long as you are selling something you have an interest in and work hard at it you will eventually build up your sales skills and be able to earn over $100,000 a year in commissions. Commission based sales jobs can lead to a steady stream of money hitting your bank account each week. Check here for more.

Top 5 College Career Choices Today

Steve — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:10 +0000

Looking for a great course to pursue in college after you graduate high school? There are tons of college options and career paths you can choose from, yet not all can be called as the best college career choices to take. If you are aiming to make a hefty amount of money after you graduate college, it is important to find the most lucrative options possible. Here are the top 5 college degrees that are worth taking due to its employment outlook and average earning opportunities.

Top one – accounting. Having knowledge and skills on how to properly analyze and manage a financial spreadsheet can come in useful when marketing yourself to a company or business. Companies who employ and outsource accountants require them to have great knowledge and skills regarding the latest accounting theories and principles as well as the how-to are in using the most up-to-date software being used today by organizations. There are several types or specializations of accountants that vary immensely from their job responsibilities and their work environment. For instance, forensic accounts help law enforcement in investigating business-related cases and crimes that include embezzlement of money while other types of accountant work as internal auditors for a business and is tasked in verifying and assessing the company’s financial accounts. The employment outlook for accounting is expected to rise up to 22% from 2008 to 2018. Average yearly salary for an accountant is expected to sum up to $68,960.

Top two – financing. Having an edge and being versed in business finances and how corporations raise and invest capital funds is a good place to begin. You can impress high-level business employers if you have the right educational attainment and is aware of the basic economic and financial theories and principles. Familiarization with the latest buzzwords that are flooding the mainstream of banking and business worlds are also required in order to effectively navigate through the subject matter. According to a survey done by the US Department of Labor, the employment outlook for financial experts is expected to increase by 20% within the next few years. Being a financial analyst or a financial adviser for a company can amount up to $90,000 per year.

Top three – computer science. This may be a norm these days with the world of technology booming. Being well-versed with the industry of computer science will be a plus for companies and businesses and will give you a competitive advantage from other applicants. Computers basically rule the business world and have paved the way for a more effective means for completing business operations. One should have knowledge on how to operate computers, have an idea on various software programs and be able to manage networks appropriately to meet the needs and demands of the organization. According the the US Department of Labor, career opportunities in computer science will be elevating by 24% throughout 2018. A computer scientist can earn up to high as $103,150 every year.

Top four – engineering. This is one of the most common courses that people sought after high school. It also comprises of several career advancement options. Career prospects for this particular field of study are expected to climb up to 11% within 2018. Both mechanical engineers and civil engineers can expect to profit up to $82,000 while electrical engineers can receive as high as $87,000.

Top five – business administration. This particular degree is so popular due to its flexibility. From education to actual work, becoming a business administrator opens new doors and opportunities for work and employment as well as career advancement options. They can receive an annual salary of around $66,850 while employment outlook is expected to reach up to 28% for 2018.

Best Big Companies to Work For

Steve — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:00:55 +0000

Some of the best big companies to work for are those that treat their employees as a smaller company would while maintaining the money, benefits, and luxury of a larger corporation. These are things that career seekers look for, as well as other companies when looking for other corporations to do business with. Some companies that are known for these qualities are Google, Boston Consulting Group, and SAS Institute.There are different reasons why these companies are ranked so highly, but one thing that they share in common is hard work. They did not reach their positions by doing things that give themselves a bad reputation. Despite the fact that these companies are great to work for, it should be noted that the difficulty involved with getting a career there is increased. The job market is so grim all over that it would take quite a bit of effort to land a job at high profile corporations such as these, because of their known perks in terms of money and the sheer number of applicants who are hungry for work.Banking corporation Edward Jones is also noted to be an ideal choice for someone getting into finance, or interested in working with money on the career level. Some of the most mentionable perks that come from working for large corporations like Edward Jones is the stability and safety (although this is subjective) that is perceived, and the chance to stand firm in a bad economic climate if the smaller competitive companies are washed away first.

Things to look for in any company to determine whether or not they are good to work for, is the compensation when compared to what other companies are offering. Google, for example, pays it’s employees very highly for their respective positions and also gives quite a few job related perks. Extra payouts and frequent incremental raises in salary help to attract and keep employees as well, which is something that has become common among the better employers.

These are not the only traits of coveted big company positions at famous corporations like Google and Yahoo!, but they are some of the things that make them so attractive to job seekers. As other companies grow in the shadow of these larger corporations, it will be interesting to see in the future how the dynamics change, and who will still be considered the best years from now.

How to Obtain Student Loans

Steve — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:18:38 +0000

Getting student loans can help you afford the cost of higher education. If you have no previous student loans that you have defaulted on and you are qualified, you can participate in both local and Federal Student Loan programs. Most programs require that you be enrolled as a student in an institution of higher education for at least half time coursework. Individual student loan programs may also have specific requirements for eligibility. These can be determined by speaking with a student loan representative at your local school or checking the Federal Student Loans website.

The first step in obtaining a student loan is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can find this application online, at your local library or by going to the admissions department of your local institution of higher education. Once completed, the application needs to be submitted electronically online or mailed directly to the address on the application.

Once you have submitted the forms and you have received notification that your request was approved, you’ll need to complete an online entrance session. This session is fairly brief and simple and explains your rights and responsibilities in regards to the student loans you are accepting to pay for your education. If you are unsure how to complete your entrance session, you can contact your school or local lending institution to ask questions about completing the required paperwork. When you sign the entrance paperwork, you are agreeing to the terms of repayment of your student loans following the completion of your education.

Within a few weeks, you should receive notification regarding the approved amount of your student loans and your terms of repayment in writing. Keep this paperwork, because it is important and includes a promissory note that you need to sign. Submit the promissory note as directed on the paperwork. If you need assistance understanding the terms of your student loans or the terms of repayment, contact the admissions or financial aid office of your school.

Typically, you won’t need to complete the entire original application for every year or semester you are in school, but you will be asked to update or check your information regularly. This can be accomplished online or by visiting your school’s financial aid office. You also may be given a choice of lenders for your student loan. If you are unsure which lender you should choose, speak with the financial aid representative at your school.

Best Earning Careers

Steve — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:26:32 +0000

As most people graduate from high school and prepare for college, they often think of money when they browse through selections of career prospects. How much will I make when I become an engineer? How about a public servant? A nurse or doctor perhaps? Income is one of the many factors that contribute to a career’s possibility of being chosen. A less profitable career path with fewer benefits and career advancement opportunities is definitely not the way to live your life after college, right? To make sure that you land the most profitable careers, here are some of the options you should pursue in college.

Registered nurses and medical technicians.

RN’s offer direct patient care and assist surgeons and physicians in the operating room. They are trained to administer medications and monitor vital signs and symptoms of the patient’s conditions. They are also tasked in developing and managing nursing care plans to be used for treating the patient progressively. Registered nurses also facilitate LPN’s and nursing care assistants. A registered nurse is open for a lot of career advancement opportunities by taking specialization courses in order to become nursing specialists in maternity, emergency room, surgery cases and so on. Taking on the role of a registered nurse or a medical technician seems to be ideal, especially nowadays where the demand for nurses are increasing. This year, roughly around 50,000 new nursing jobs have been opened up to registered nurses. Average yearly income for registered nurses were reported to sum up to $65,000 in 2010. Nurses can expect to earn much more than this amount over the next few years.

Computer Software Engineer.

This is somewhat normal considering today’s techie era that we live in. Computer software engineers utilize computer science, engineering and mathematical skills to develop, design and produce software. They are tasked in constructing and keeping computer applications and programs up and running for several functions, including automated payroll systems and record keeping databases. The occupation is one of the quickest developing career paths with an expected 44.7% increase in open employment positions between the years 2010-2015. Computer software engineers are required to have great mathematical skills and problem-solving capabilities as well as the ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail. The average yearly income amounts to as high as $88,000.

Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst.

The everyday work life and responsibilities of a network systems and data communication analyst involve testing, analyzing and developing. Analysts may work as specialists managing the interface of computers and communications components as well as utilize administration skills to foresee computer programmers. The career and employment outlook for network systems and data communications analysts is expected to increase by up to 23% over the next 10 years due to their important role in most businesses and companies at present. Average yearly income for the career path can go roughly around $74,000.

These are just a few of the great choices you can make. Be sure to do your research first, and remember: it has to be something you have a talent for and actually enjoy doing for you to have a chance at success.

What are some other great career paths you are aware of?