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.
EDUCATION
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.
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
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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. 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.
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