IN West Jefferson Hills Fall 2022 | Page 30

HIGHER EDUCATION 2023 SPECIAL SECTION
Demands for Day Care This school year is looking more normal than the last two , yet childcare across the country is still struggling to keep up with the demands at the preschool and day care level . Now that vaccines are available for children of all ages and many companies are requiring employees to be back in the office , even more families are looking for care . Day care enrollment has always been fiercely competitive . Many couples say the first call they make after a positive pregnancy test is to add their child to the waitlist for day care .
In early 2021 , the “ Great Resignation ” only added to the difficulty of staffing day care centers . According to a survey done by the National Association for the Education of Young Children , eight out of 10 childcare providers said they were experiencing a staffing problem , unable to find reliable workers for low pay . These jobs also require more qualifications such as background checks , certifications , and even advance schooling to fulfill the requirements for positions .
Yet , childcare providers stand firm in ensuring only the highest standards when hiring staff to care for the kids they serve , many doing whatever they can to increase starting wages and offer additional incentives such as training , paid time off , and health insurance to attract potential hires .
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 highestpaying trades or vocations available , according to Indeed . com :
n 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 . n HVAC Technician – Installing , repairing , replacing , and maintaining systems are all part of an HVAC tech ’ s role . Heating , ventilation , refrigeration , and air-conditioning systems are required to properly maintain workplaces , hospitals , and homes , among other buildings . n 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 . n 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 . n 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 ! n Landscape Designer – If you enjoy the outdoors and gardening , look into the work of landscape designers . These professionals offer plans on designing outdoor spaces for residential and commercial settings that consider environmental challenges , features that are meant to be emphasized , and overall aesthetics . n 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 . n 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 . n Ultrasonographer – After obtaining an associate degree , sonographers go on to prepare patients for procedures , review and process images for physicians , and administer ultrasounds . They are also responsible for operating 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 myriad 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 .
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