SPECIAL SECTION:
EDUCATION
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.
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
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
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SHALER ❘ FALL 2019
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