EDUCATION
SPECIAL SECTION:
presentation creation, strategic planning and social media
management make up just a few of the things you’ll learn as a
communications major. Careers can include positions in public
relations, event/meeting planning, social media and human
resources.
3. Human Resources
Every company needs employees to hire and
train other employees. A degree in human
resources focuses on organization behavior, social
psychology, employment and labor laws, and
“Business 101.” Data integration is changing the field of human
resources, so other technical skills are being added to the
curriculum. Graduating with a degree in HR can land you a job
working as a human resources manager, compensation/benefit
analyst or labor relations specialist, to name a few.
4. Business
This degree integrates the skills of leadership,
problem solving, economics and
communications, making it a very marketable
option for college students. Classes include
finance, accounting, marketing, statistics,
economics and human resources. This major is a great option for
those who know they want to get into the business world.
Careers can range from marketing or account management to
financial analyst or sales manager.
5. Economics
If the quote “There’s no such thing as a free
lunch” resonates, a major in economics might be
a good option. It is heavily focused on a
combination of critical thinking and math and
lays the groundwork for graduate studies in law, public policy, or
international studies. Positions include actuary, lawyer, financial
analyst and international business consultant.
6. Construction Management
Buildings are constantly being constructed
everywhere you look. A construction management
professional ensures that projects are completed
on time and on budget, and jobs can vary from
commercial to residential buildings. A major in this field requires
studying engineering and architecture, followed by hands-on
construction experience.
7. Psychology
A psychology major can expect to focus on human
behavior, learning, emotion, mental disorders and
personality. This degree can help graduates land jobs as
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
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MCKEESPORT AREA
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FALL 2019
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