IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Fall 2019 | Page 32

SPECIAL SECTION:
therapists, counselors, or even teachers or lawyers, with
continued education.
8. Nursing
Nurses are in high demand since it takes a special
person to do what nurses do. Nursing majors typically
take science and liberal arts courses, then are required
to work directly at a hospital for clinical rotations.
They can choose a focus area in pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology,
and others.
9. Engineering
This category encompasses a myriad of focus areas
ranging from chemical and biomedical, to civil,
industrial, and aerospace—just to name a few.
Engineering majors are in high demand and related
jobs rank among the highest paying in the U.S. Applying science
to real-life problems makes this an appealing career area.
10. Biology
Studying biology means studying the world
around us. From plants to animals to humans,
and the environments in which they live,
biology majors can find themselves in the
genetics or biotechnology industry, going on to medical school,
or becoming an environmentalist, to name a few.
START SAVING FOR COLLEGE WHEN YOUR
KIDS ARE BORN
There is no time better to start saving for college than when
your child is born, or even earlier! There are many options
available for parents who want to get a jump-start on saving for
college, and some plans even allow for savings to be used at the
child’s discretion (for education or something else) when they
reach a certain age.
Parents wishing to save specifically for education purposes
can open a 529 college savings plan. The name comes from
Section 529 of the IRS tax code, which encourages saving for
future educational purposes through a tax-advantaged plan.
In Pennsylvania, there are two options available: the PA 529
Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) or the PA 529 Investment
Plan (IP). Each plan requires a certain amount of money down
(as little as $15) and both plans can be used at most post-
secondary schools, including colleges, universities, technical and
professional schools, or even elementary or secondary public,
private, or religious schools. Another benefit is that neither of
these plans is limited to in-state tuition.
The biggest difference between the two plans is the way your
money is invested and how it’s managed. The GSP allows you to
choose the type of school or tuition level to save toward, then the
PA Treasury manages your investments from there. The benefit
is that your savings continues to grow with tuition inflation. The
IP gives you more freedom to invest your savings into a variety
of 17 different investment options, but your money is more fluid,
allowing you to lose or gain depending on market conditions.
There are several other options available when starting to
save for a minor, including educational savings account (ES),
Uniform Transfer/Gift to Minors Act, custodial accounts, or
simply putting money under your mattress. No matter what route
you choose, it’s never too early to start saving.
TRADE SCHOOLS
Over the past 30 years, the cost to attend a four-year college
has increased by 213 percent, leaving many college graduates
searching for ways to repay their student loans. Some high school
seniors are looking to avoid the hefty price tag of a four-year
degree and instead opting to attend a trade or technical school.
Trade school enrollment continues to increase since the early
2000s, but a steep decline in vocational education in the 1980s
and ‘90s led to a shortage of blue-collar workers across the
nation. Trying to gain back skilled workers has led to an increase
in wages, enticing students and parents alike to see past the old
stigma of choosing a trade school over college. Here are a few of
the best trades or vocations available.
• Air Traffic Controller – With a few years of intense training
and a certification by the FAA, air traffic controllers are highly
sought after. Individuals must have the ability to concentrate,
organize flight plans, inspect radio equipment, and are
required to be constantly vigilant to successfully execute their
job duties.
• Radiation Therapist – An associate degree is required to land
a job as a radiation therapist, along with a licensure to practice.
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EDUCATION
If you’re interested in caring for other people,
this job requires administering radiation for
cancer treatments.
Dental Hygienist – Smile! Your career
could be in making teeth brighter. Dental
hygienists work to clean teeth, take x-rays,
and educate patients on oral health. They
are also ranked among the most satisfied
workers. You’ll need an associate degree to
pursue this career.
Electrician – Training to become an
electrician takes about as long as it takes to
get a bachelor’s degree and a license, but
this job training pays for itself along the
way. If reading blueprints and installing
or repairing wires and other electrical
components interests you, this career might
be electrifying.
Plumber – You’ll need your high school
diploma and an apprenticeship to become
a plumber. Once you are licensed, you can
start to work, but you’re sure to need some
physical strength to take on this job.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer – After
obtaining an associate degree, sonographers
go on to prep patients for procedures,
review and process images for physicians,
and administer ultrasounds. You’ll also
be responsible for operating imaging
equipment.
Elevator Installer – A career with high
earning potential, elevator installers repair
and maintain elevators, escalators, moving
walkways, and lifts. A high school diploma
and apprenticeship is required for this role,
so if you’re good with power tools, this job
might be a lift up for you.
TYPES OF COLLEGE LOANS
Getting into college is one of the most
exciting times of a student’s life and is the
first step in shaping his/her career. Many
colleges and universities offer a myriad of
grants or scholarships to assist with paying
for post-secondary school, but often these are
not enough. Student loans provide financial
assistance for students to cover the costs
associated with attending a college or career
school, including tuition, supplies, books, and
living expenses. There are several types of loans
available including need-based, non-need-
based, state, and private.
Need-based loans are provided to students
who are unable to pay the amount needed
to cover all costs to attend college. Need is
determined by the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be completed
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