EDUCATION
SPECIAL SECTION:
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.
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
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
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
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PLUM
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FALL 2019
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