EDUCATION SPECIAL SECTION FALL 2024
advancing field of software engineering involves the scientific and mathematical side of computer software . If you ’ re good at problem-solving and excited by the opportunity for continuous learning , a software engineering major could be the way to go .
• Psychology – Psychologists can work in a variety of locations : within schools , private practices , or even large hospitals . To become a psychologist , you must graduate with your bachelor ’ s degree , then go on to master ’ s and doctorate degrees to work in a clinical setting .
• Marketing – Another degree that can lead you down many different career paths , marketers develop strategies to promote products and services for companies . Various types of marketing , such as digital marketing , are growing rapidly due to online shopping and social media , making targeting advertising to consumers even easier and more profitable .
• Education – Although the field of education is changing dramatically , the demand for quality educators remains high . Teachers can choose to teach in person or online , depending on the type of school and the subject .
TRADE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
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 skilled workers across the nation . The ongoing need for these critical workers has meant an increase in wages and jobs , encouraging students and parents to see past an old stigma of choosing vocational school over college .
Plus , over the past 30 years , the cost to attend a four-year college has increased by about 200 percent , leaving some students wanting to avoid the hefty price tag of a four-year degree .
Following are some of the highest-paying trades or vocations available , according to Indeed . com :
• Licensed Practical Nurse ( LPN ) – Working under the direction of doctors and registered nurses , LPNs are responsible for updating patient charts and keeping doctors and nurses up-to-date on patient health changes . LPNs work long shifts and can work in a hospital , outpatient facility , nursing home , or other caregiving facility .
• HVAC Technician – Installing , repairing , replacing , and maintaining heating , ventilation , refrigeration , and airconditioning systems are all part of an HVAC tech ’ s role . These systems are required to properly and safely operate workplaces , hospitals , and homes , among other buildings .
• Home Inspector – Ensuring the safety of a home or building is the main job of home inspectors . They are required to be familiar with all types of systems that are in a home including heating , electrical , plumbing , and the overall structure . Being a home inspector requires you to be physically fit and capable of climbing ladders and crawling through small spaces .
• Plumber – Not only responsible for installing appliances and unclogging toilets and drains , plumbers often install and repair gas supply lines as well . It ’ s critical to understand the flow of these systems and to problem-solve and troubleshoot when issues arise within them .
• 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 !
• Landscape Designer – If you enjoy the outdoors and gardening , look into the work of landscape designers . These professionals offer plans for designing outdoor spaces in residential and commercial settings that consider environmental challenges , features that are meant to be emphasized , and overall aesthetics .
• Respiratory Therapist – Respiratory therapists work with patients who have breathing difficulties , and may aid in emergency situations such as drowning , heart attack , or shock . They assess patients ’ respiratory needs and make sure they ’ re receiving proper care and treatment .
• 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 .
• Ultrasonographer – After obtaining an associate degree , ultrasonographers go on to administer ultrasound imaging for patients , review and process images for physicians , and operate and maintain imaging equipment .
TYPES OF EDUCATIONAL LOANS
Getting accepted into a college or university is one of the most exciting times of a student ’ s life and is the first step in shaping a variety of careers . Many institutions offer grants or scholarships to assist with the cost of postsecondary education , but often these are not enough . Student loans provide financial assistance for students to cover the fees 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 offered to students who are unable to pay the amount needed to cover all costs to attend college . The need is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ), which can be completed online at no cost . Need-based loans are available as a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan , provided interest-free while in college .
If the FAFSA determines that a student is ineligible for a need-based loan , non-need-based loan options are available as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Federal Direct PLUS Loan . Unsubsidized loans may continually accrue interest , leading to owing even more money when it comes time to start paying off the loan . Direct PLUS Loans provide graduate students or parents the opportunity to borrow the total cost of attending college , minus other financial aid received .
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