All animation schools are not equal, and that’s a good thing. If you’re an aspiring animator, you need to know a few key facts about a program (and your career goals) to choose the one best for you.

What Are Your Animation Career Goals?

There are many types of animators and animation careers. Some are based in Hollywood and involve working on animated films, like those by Pixar Animation Studios. They require training in storytelling, drawing, computer animation, and the cinematic arts.

Other animation careers are found in the computer gaming industry. They also require some storytelling ability, but focus more on hard-core programming concepts, like artificial intelligence. Game animators also need to be very comfortable with using computer animation technology.

Then there are animators in the commercial world. They might create an animated advertisement using computers or drawing, the old-fashioned way. They might also use Flash animation to create more interactive websites.

Which category of animator do you fall in? That’s the first question you should ask yourself as you consider which animation school to choose.

Which Animation School Fits These Goals?

Once you’ve decided what type of animator you want to become, you can begin making a more formal assessment of animation schools.

For instance, if you want to work on films, you might consider animation schools found within a university with a strong film program. There you can take animation classes on drawing and computer animation technology, as well as courses on character development, storytelling, and film production management. You’ll also benefit from attending a school where others share your passion for film and storytelling.

Similarly, there are many animation schools dedicated to preparing students for careers in the gaming industry. These programs will likely have a harder technical edge, focusing more on computer technology, like 3D computer and character animation, as well as the programming and mathematical concepts that underlie game design.

Now you’re ready to decide which one is right for you.

About the Author

S. J. Clark is a freelance writer specializing in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

So you’ve decided to get an MBA. How do you determine which is the best business school for you? Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to finding the perfect business school.

Nail Down Your Career Goal

There are hundreds of business schools. To find the right one, start by figuring out your post-graduation career goals. Many students make the mistake of entering business school as a way to figure out what to do with their lives. Choosing the best business school requires having a clear sense of your career goals before you apply.

For example, if you want a career on Wall Street, choose a business school that has a strong finance program. The best business school for a future financier may offer a concentration in investment banking. For someone interested in management, however, the best business school may be a program focused on leadership, human resources management, and organizational theory.

Research Accredited Business Schools You can narrow your search by focusing on accredited business schools. Accredited business schools generally meet a minimum standard set forth by a group governing academic standards.

Compare Programs

From there, take an afternoon on the Internet and compare the various programs that offer concentrations in your areas of interest. Look at the tuition costs, class schedules, course offerings, and the financial aid options. All these elements should factor into your decision. For example, if you have a full-time day job, you may need a program that offers online courses.

These are just a couple tips to get you started on your search for a good, accredited business school. Follow them and you’ll be well on your way to finding the ideal program for you.

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

There’s lots of good news for aspiring nurses today. Here are some of the hottest developments in the field; knowing about them might help you make a more informed decision about whether a nursing job is right for you.

Nursing Job Growth is Booming

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the number of nursing jobs to increase by at least 27 percent between 2004 and 2014. That’s much higher than the average growth rate for all occupations. In fact, nursing is the second-fastest growing occupation in the U.S. This growth is driven largely by an aging population and large numbers of nurses heading into retirement.

Nurses Make Up the Largest Health Care Occupation

Today some 2.4 million health care workers are nurses. Nursing is the most popular occupation in the health care industry.

RN Specialties are Numerous

A nursing career can offer tremendous variety. A nursing specialization can focus on a particular population, ailment or disease, or facility. For instance, an RN can specialize in outpatient or inpatient care. A nurse could also work in the cardiac emergency ward or a cancer treatment facility. Nursing specializations are numerous, which could make a nursing career a profession that offers variety and ongoing opportunities for professional development.

Most RNs Work in Hospitals

Three out of five nursing jobs are in hospitals. But the largest growth in nursing positions will be outside of hospitals, according to the BLS. That’s because hospital stays are getting shorter and more and more outpatient facilities are providing a broader variety of treatment options to patients. But high-stress jobs in emergency room hospitals are expected to continue to be more plentiful as those jobs tend to have higher attrition rates among nurses.

About the Author

S. Clark is a freelance writer specializing in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you thought accounting careers could only lead to bean counting, you may be surprised to learn that some accountants reach the highest, most desirable positions in business, even chief executive officer.

The Washington Post recently reported on the accounting career path of Kathleen M. Moore, who recently assumed the helm of Razorsight, a D.C. area business intelligence firm. What makes Moore’s career success so remarkable is her education and what it eventually led to. She graduated with a bachelor of science accounting degree. And after years of hard work, she’s gone on to assume top positions at a couple of startup companies.

What does this mean for you? Well, if you’re thinking of becoming an accounting student, it shows that you may not have to settle for a long career of number crunching. Accounting degrees provide a solid foundation for a career in business. You might get your foot in the door of a large company through your knowledge of assets and revenue streams, but your options could very well expand from there in many directions.

Accounting Programs: What You’ll Learn

If you want a career in business that offers options, you might do well by choosing an accounting program within a business school that allows you to take a variety of business courses. Don’t limit yourself to accounting classes alone—take courses in other areas of business in which you’re interested. If you could see yourself in marketing, enroll in a marketing class. If you’re interested in making deals, take a class on mergers and acquisitions or negotiation.

The bottom line is that an accounting degree prepares students for much more than an accounting career keeping the books. You can go as far as you want in the business world—others have done it, and so can you.

About the Author

S. J. Clark is a freelance writer specializing in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

The Washington Post (July 23, 2007)

Graphic designers are creative professionals who use color, typography, images, and layout to communicate a message. They work for a variety of organizations, from advertising agencies and multinational corporations to nonprofits and government agencies.

Many people think that graphic designers work only for communications firms or design agencies, but graphic design jobs are found in all types of sectors. The computer software industry, for example, uses designers to create the front-end interfaces of their applications. Large corporations employ full-time graphic designers to support their marketing departments and create material: slides, brochures, logos, and business cards. Graphic designers may also work nonprofit organizations or government agencies, creating posters and newsletters to inform citizens of new programs or raise awareness of social issues.

Tools of the Trade

Why should aspiring designers care about this? The kind of place you see yourself working as a designer could affect the type of graphic design education choices you make today. If you work for a computer software company, for instance, you may wish to learn more about programming languages that can help you build a computerprogram interface, such as Javascript and HTML.

Likewise, if you plan to work for a large advertising agency, you might choose a curriculum that’s focused more on fine arts than computer programming or interactive design. You’ll be part of a creative team that produces an entire communications strategy, from websites and brochures to television commercials and sponsorships.

Your Graphic Design Education

As you plot your graphic design education, be sure to consider where in the design world you see yourself after graduation. The opportunities may be more diverse and far-reaching than you ever expected. And with the right training, you’ll have a shot at the career that tops your list.

About the Author

S. Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

“Graphic Designers,” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Like most creative jobs, those in graphic design can be very competitive. What can you do to stand out from the competition as a graphic designer? Get animation and web design skills and experience, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

For those who have just finished college or are considering a graphic design program, this news from the BLS probably won’t come as a surprise. Most graphic design programs offer a large number of courses related to website design. But for those who have worked as graphic designers for several decades, this news is a call to action.

Graphic designers need to update their graphic design education to get up to speed on new technologies. It’s getting increasingly difficult to design only for print, with the explosive growth and increasing importance of the Internet as a communications and marketing tool. Companies need designers to create their websites and make them interactive through the use of animation software.

Graphic Design Education for the Future

It’s not too late for any graphic designer to pick up the skills needed for success in the 21st century. Many graphic design programs offer courses in website design and animation during the evening, on weekends, and online, making it convenient for professionals with full-time jobs to learn new skills.

Print design—brochures, newsletter, and annual reports—may never go out of style. But web design adds a crucial dimension to the graphic designer’s repertoire—even die-hard print designers.

Don’t let changes in technology render your graphic design education obsolete-find out today how you can gain the skills that make you a more desirable candidate in an ever-changing, and increasingly competitive and global job market.

About the Author

S. Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

“Graphic Designers,” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Maybe you love fashion, and a career in fashion seems like a dream come true. But like many aspiring fashion designers, you may have some reservations about whether a career in fashion will provide for your family. Financial security is a valid concern; fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure your career in fashion pays.

Start out Small in Fashion Design

First, many fashion designers work solo, that is, they have their own studio out of which they produce and sell unique pieces. Self-employed designers account for about 1 in 4 designers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These jobs, particularly until you have established yourself, don’t necessarily provide a steady income. It takes time to build a business and reputation, so if you take this route, you’ll want to make sure you have a second job, someone else supporting you, a trust fund, or a healthy savings account.

Seek Experience

The majority of designers work for large companies, which offer stable employment and the security of a regular check. The earnings aren’t so shabby either, compared to other creative careers. According to the BLS, median annual earnings for fashion designers were $55,840 in 2004.

Find Others Who Believe in Your Dream

You don’t have to compromise your need for financial security to pursue a career in fashion. But you do need to take some precautions:

• Experience: build industry experience before breaking out on your own.
• Creative Development: build a portfolio showcasing your designs.
• Networking: build a network and meet with people who might be able to help you.

Pay your dues in the industry, work hard for large companies, learn all you can, and wait for a good time to make your move to a more independent career in fashion as a solo designer. With experience, talent, and luck, you might find a financial backer who believes in your talent and vision, and who might be willing to invest in a new design business.

About the Author

S. Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

“Graphic Designers,” The Bureau of Labor Statistics

The 80 million or so baby boomers heading into retirement are fueling a range of industries, including the interior design business. Designers, get ready to decorate and design group living facilities, second homes, and primary residences of aging boomers.

Over the next couple of decades, numerous independent living, assisted living, and similar group retirement facilities will be built to accommodate the growing number of boomers who will be retiring. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “[interior designer] demand from the health care industry is expected to be especially high because of an anticipated increase in demand for facilities that will accommodate the aging population.”

Mapping Out Your Interior Design Career

So if you’re thinking of pursuing an interior design career, it may not be a bad idea to specialize in retirement facilities. You may find yourself designing less conventional retirement homes, like Beacon Hill just outside of Boston. Beacon Hill is organized as a cluster of townhomes around communal spaces such as a clubhouse. Boomers won’t retire the way their parents did—they want to retire with more panache, and interior designers can help them do that.

InteriorDesign School: Getting Skills for a Niche Market

To get the skills needed for a career in housing for seniors, carefully and thoroughly research interior design schools. Some may focus on commercial design and others, residential. Others may have faculty who specialize in retirement living design—such programs might offer a particularly unique opportunity to study with someone who is leading the thinking about how people are choosing to live in their later years.

So get ready to launch an interior design career that makes aging a more beautiful, humane experience. Find an interior design school that can help you achieve that.

About the Author

S. Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s)

“Interior designers,” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Digital production degrees prepare students for careers in advertising and communications. But digital multimedia gigs are different from your typical communications job. They require both technical and creative skills, and an ability to manage a multifaceted project from start to finish.

Digital production programs are designed to give you just the kind of sweeping knowledge and experience you need for multimedia projects. You’ll learn everything from how to write an effective script to how to assemble a budget and staff for a large-scale production.

Your Introduction to Multimedia Studies

This list of skills may sound daunting at first. But you’ll be introduced to the field of multimedia production in stages. You’ll likely begin with a 100-level course that will introduce you to the medium of digital production. You can also expect to learn about the applications of multimedia products, including those used for educational and marketing purposes.

Once you have a foundation, the program will move onto more advanced coursework. These courses will typically fall into the following three categories:

Technical

During production school you’ll learn how to use compression and streaming technologies, which provide a way to view audio and video over the Internet or CD and DVD-ROM. Other technical skills you may pick up include working with digital cameras, audio technology, and lighting equipment.

Creative

Of course the more artistic side of digital production will also account for a large part of your degree program. You’ll take classes on script writing and research. You may also learn how to design sets and establish a mood through color, music, and lighting.

Business

Since so much multimedia production is created for marketing purposes, your program will likely also include a business component. You’ll learn about marketing strategies, and how a digital production fits into a company’s larger communications strategy. You’ll also learn how to manage a production, from finding the right producer and casting actors to managing client relationships and maintaining a production schedule.

A multimedia program will give you the perspective and technical skills to succeed in the exciting, fast-paced field of multimedia production.

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

More and more human resources professionals are developing specializations. Here are some of the unique skills and experience you can acquire to distinguish yourself in the human resources field.

In recent years, employers seem to be placing more value on people with specializations, whether those professionals are doctors, lawyers, managers, or computer programmers. The same trend is emerging in the human resources field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on several of these emerging human resources specializations. Here are just a few.

Compensation and Benefits

These human resources professionals handle an organization’s wages and benefits operations. They help develop compensation structures and examine and establish benefits packages. Much of their work involves enrolling new employees in benefits programs, negotiating benefits packages with insurance companies, and periodically evaluating the competitiveness of their compensation plan.

Training

When a new company-wide software program is installed, employees must be trained to use it. When new financial procedures are implemented, employees must undergo orientation. Human resources professionals with training expertise help coordinate instructive sessions like these. They may also institute corporate university classes to promote professional development within an organization.

Recruitment

Recruitment specialists may travel to colleges, job fairs, and other events to recruit employees. Their job is partly sales driven, as they must lure the best candidates to their business. They have a keen understanding of job requirements that allows them to make quick and effective assessments of a job candidate’s suitability.

Labor Relations

If you sympathize with unions, you might enjoy working as a labor relations specialist. These human resources specialists may organize an industry or a group of workers employed at a single business. They negotiate with companies and with workers to promote fair compensation practices and safe working conditions.

International Human Resources

If you like to travel, you might like this specialization. International HR specialists help businesses with international operations manage their hiring and retention practices. Such professionals combine human resources expertise with international experience.

These are just a few of the many HR specializations you can choose from if you decide to pursue a career in the industry. If you’re a people person, and want to learn more about how to put your skills to good use, consider getting some career training in human relations.

About the author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

Source(s):

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A degree in Web design and technology can be earned both on-campus, and online, and can prepare you for a career in the exciting industry of information technology and Web design.

Introduction

Web design and technology is a specialized area within the field of information technology, and is a key factor in today’s growing field of Web development. Web designers have the task of creating the look and navigation tools of a Website. Web designers design and create the pages, layout, and designs for Websites by designing attractive graphics or images, and choosing the style and other visual elements of a Web site.

Earning Your Degree in Web Design and Technology

The field of information technology is evolving so quickly, and is requiring skilled professionals in Web development more and more. Also, if you chose to earn your degree in Web design and technology online, you’ll have the convenience of setting your own schedule and studying from almost anywhere, which may help you to get into the field more quickly.

A degree in Web development and technology is designed to give you the tools to dive right into and succeed in a career in Web design. A degree program in Web design and technology typically includes courses in marketing, information systems, graphic design, and other skills required to professionally design, develop, and maintain active Web pages. Through your Web design and technology degree program you will also become familiar with programming languages such as HTML, and JavaScript, as well as Web graphics such as JPEGs and GIFs, and graphic design software such as PhotoShop and Illustrator.

Career Opportunities

With a degree in Web design and technology, you’ll have the skills needed to pursue employment as a Web designer and developer in areas such as advertising, entertainment, business, or IT. As a Web designer you will need to stay on top of the latest technologies, techniques, and design standards that are constantly evolving. As a Web designer your work could be viewed by thousands of people everyday.

Author Bio

Sarah Jane Udall is a freelance writer currently living in New York City. Her previous experience includes working for Global Village Communications in Washington, D.C., and in the Creative and Development departments of VH1 and MTV networks. Sarah Jane holds a B.S. in Political Science and English Literature from the University of Utah.

Computer science graduates enjoy some of the highest starting salaries. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, computer science graduates with bachelor’s degrees earned average starting salaries of $51,070. With that knowledge, you might consider the merits of a computer programming or information technology degree.

Average starting salaries for students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines are significantly lower. For example, those with degrees in the liberal arts typically garner starting salaries in the low thirty thousands, according to the NACE report. Those with business degrees do a bit better, but still fall short of the average earnings of computer science majors.

Computer Science Degrees

What can you expect during a computer science degree program? There are many types of computer science degrees, which makes researching your program very important. For example, some programs will offer a general computer science education, focusing broadly on networking, systems management, and computer programming. Others may allow you to focus more in areas like security, real-time programming, or networking. Here’s what you can expect to learn in each of these disciplines.

Computer Programming

As a programming student, you’ll likely learn one of the more powerful programming languages like C++ or JAVA. You’ll focus on the theoretical underpinnings of program development and how programming languages can be used to solicit the best performance outcomes. Security will also likely play a role in your education, such as how to manipulate security features embedded in many programming languages.

Networking

During a networking-centered course of study, you’ll learn how to design, develop, integrate, and maintain secure networks in a variety of operating environments, such as Linux, Unix, OS10, and Microsoft. You’ll learn how to use scripting languages to manage your system. There will also be a strong focus on network security.

Information Systems

During a degree program in information systems you’ll learn how to organize an entire information system for an organization. Professors will show you how to create and integrate database structures. You’ll also learn how to seamlessly integrate technology, including Internet, intranet, e-mail, client relationship management tools, and desktop applications.

So if you were considering a degree in computer programming or information technology, give it more serious thought. Starting salaries are high, and the future looks pretty good for computer science grads.

Source

The National Association of Colleges and Employers

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.

If you think accounting jobs are dull, think again. Forensic accountants are essentially number-crunching detectives. The FBI relies on lawyers and accountants to bust financial crimes.

The FBI was born of the Progressive era at the start of the 20th century. At the time, the federal government had to exercise creative solutions in order to fight some forms of crime. When crimes were committed that were federal in scope but under local jurisdiction, the FBI often turned to the law and accounting to find a solution.

Under the supervision of the Attorney General, most of the original corps had a background in law. J. Edgar Hoover was a graduate of the George Washington University Law School.

A Forensic Accounting Degree Can Help You Get into Law Enforcement

If you’re drawn to law enforcement but are more comfortable working with numbers than people, the FBI might be the place for you. In today’s age of financial scandals, the FBI is in dire need of qualified auditors and certified accountants skilled in forensic accounting.

The term forensic accounting means that a scientific approach is employed by the accountant in order to reach a conclusion that can be used as evidence in a court of law. The FBI still uses these accounting methods to catch bad guys.

Fighting Crime with a Calculator

To succeed in this field, it’s important to have the right training. A degree in forensic accounting is the best academic track, and a Certified Public Accountant qualification is advisable. In addition, you must be detail-oriented and methodical in your work. These achievements can put you on track to getting into the FBI. The minimum academic requirement for an FBI job is a four-year degree. You will also need a minimum of three years in an accounting job.

If you love working with numbers and want to serve your country, then a career as an accountant with the FBI could be the ideal solution for you. Take a closer look at a forensic accounting degree and see if this might be your dream job.

Sources

Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Association of Forensic Accountants

About the Author

Gabriel Traverso is a freelance writer, independent musician, and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.

Over the past ten years the video game market has virtually exploded. The industry has evolved from the earliest home game systems and arcade games we all grew up on to today’s hi-tech interactive online extravaganzas. And this is only the tip of the iceberg—designers are hard at work developing the next big thing. For those interested in a geek’s counter-culture dream job, a video game design career could be the way to go.

The recession-proof multi-billion dollar video game industry went from $20 billion in 2002 to $30 billion in 2007. Despite all that is occurring in the world—or perhaps because of it—the escape of video game fiction is more popular than ever. In the myriad worlds behind the console, players can escape the drudgery and stress of their daily lives.

Games today appeal to a broader age range, a function of multiple generations raised on video stimuli. From the lawyer playing Doom in his office to the kids banding together online to combat zombie enemies via the Internet, the video game is here to stay.

A Career at Play

While it might have seemed a joke once upon a time to tell your parents that you wanted to go to video game college to major in video games, there isn’t anyone laughing anymore except the designers—all the way to the bank. However, don’t fool yourself into thinking that it will be easy to break into a video game design career. With the promise of good money and a fun job come droves of eager would-be designers. You’ll need to distinguish yourself from the crowd with solid training in design techniques.

Video Game Design College

A successful career in video game design doesn’t come from simply being able to play games well. You’ll need heavy-duty training in animation, computer programming, physics, and math. The combination of skills needed by employers can’t be learned at most colleges or technical schools. If you really intend to make this your career path, look for a video game design college and prepare to buckle down for some serious work.

Launching a successful video game career involves hard work and dedication, but the rewards are worth it.

Sources

RocSearch
USAToday

About the Author

Gabriel Traverso is a freelance writer, independent musician, and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.

Technology changes so quickly that those with the necessary skills are in high demand and highly paid. The best information technology jobs go to the candidates with the necessary technical school training and certification—not necessarily the most experience in the field. In other words, whether you’re starting out or already involved in IT, expect technical training to be a permanent feature of your professional life.

Evolving Expectations

Information technology jobs are perfect for those who enjoy a constantly changing work environment, attention to detail, and working both with a computer and their hands. One of the biggest reasons information technology jobs are so hot is because of this constant change. Information technology professionals are constantly training, reading industry periodicals, and scouring the web for the latest updates.

Computer jobs vary greatly, from networking and cabling, to software and compliance management, to the growing industry of computer security. The challenge of keeping up with technology and security in such a complex field can be quite exciting.

Starting Out in the Computer Industry

If you’re just entering the field, you’ll want to build a foundation in both technical and business skills. Most entry-level computer jobs require a bachelor’s degree. Technical certifications can make a big difference in landing a job, too. However, employers also look for applicants who understand their industry or have business experience. Interpersonal skills are hugely important, as the information technology professional must constantly interact with nearly everyone in the business.

Technology Students Turn to Technology

Technical training is a crucial part of information technology jobs. Fortunately, both working professionals and students looking for computer jobs can get the training they need in a convenient format, through an online program. Distance education has become one of the best ways to get started— by earning either your bachelor’s degree or one of the many technology certifications available. Through online technical schools you can attend classes on a flexible schedule and work from home.

E learning provides you the opportunity to start working towards the career in information technology you’ve been dreaming of while making the least possible impact on your day to day life.

Sources

U.S. Dept. of Labor
CareerJournal.com

About the Author

In addition to being a freelance writer, Gabriel Traverso is also an independent musician and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.