getahead Guide to Career Advancement
How to Choose an Online Program Doing Your Research is Key to Success By Katie Alice Walker
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s there anything you can’t do online these days?
Going back to school to advance your career or finish a degree once meant taking classes at night or rearranging your work schedule to suit your course schedule. For busy adults with families and other responsibilities, that model often just isn’t ideal. The past decade has brought amazing changes, with numerous institutions — including traditional four-year colleges and universities — offering more courses online than ever. In fact, many institutions now offer entire certificate and degree programs online. But with so many choices for learning available, how do you know if the degree you’ll walk away with is legit? Read on to learn what you need to know before you sign up for online courses.
How do I know if the institution is reputable? When you’re deciding to work on a degree online, you’ll need to determine if the school is accredited. There are several accrediting organizations that conduct reviews and site visits to scope out stuAugust 6-12, 2014
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dent support services, curricula and the school’s facilities. But, be careful: Even some of those organizations aren’t legit. With a little research, you can find a list of credible governing bodies. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org) and the U.S. Department of Education (ope.ed.gov/ accreditation) recognize all legitimate accrediting agencies, so check for their stamp of approval. You’ll find a great list of legitimate accrediting organizations at chea.org. The regional accrediting organization for the Southeast is the South Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (sacscoc.org). You’ll want an accredited school not only because of its educational quality, but also to ensure that other accredited universities will accept your transfer credits, should you need to go that route, and to help facilitate government-backed loans.
Is it safe to earn an entire degree online? If you’re thinking of furthering your education to advance your career, what potential employers will think of your degree or certificate is what matters, right? Do a little research and see what employers in your field are saying. While it’s safe to say that earning entire degrees online is becoming more common and twitter.com/freetimessc
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accepted in the workplace, it’s also true that in many quarters online degrees are still seen as less valuable than those from traditional institutions. Many employers will look more favorably on a candidate with a traditional degree augmented by online professional training than on a candidate with only online higher education. In addition to making sure the online university is accredited by a legitimate accrediting agency, you’ll also want to make sure that online learning is right for you. Is face-to-face interaction best for your learning style? Even if you can work at your own pace effectively, you’ll want to feel comfortable that any questions you have while working on an online degree
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will be answered quickly, in real-time, if possible. The most accepted scenario in the world of online learning is attending a traditional college or university that also offers online courses for busy professionals. Fortunately, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and many other schools and technical colleges in our area offer online courses and have solid reputations. A mix of online coursework and actually attending classes might be an option to consider.
Is your learning style suited for online coursework? Here’s the deal: Taking courses online or in person requires a financial com-
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VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE LEARN. LIVE. ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK.Center forWORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. Graduate LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV Studies EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. of Columbia, SC LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV LEARN. LIVE.CUTTING, WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE EARN. LIVE. WORK. RIBBON ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO TOUR OF THE CENTER, VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV AND LIVE. RECEPTION EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO Ribbon Cutting andLIVE. Reception LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. WORK. LEARN. LIV VE. WORK.The will WORK. take place onLIVE. theWORK. lawn LEARN. of Beam Hall. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE EARN. LIVE. RSVP requested: 803.461.3296 WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO ORK. LEARN. LIVE. VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE EARN. LIVE. WORK. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 5–7PM ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO LEARN. LIVE. VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. ! WORK. LEARN. LIV ALL WORK. ARE WELCOME EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO VE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LE ORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIVE. WO Main Street Columbia, SC 29203 VE.4201 WORK.N. LEARN. LIVE. WORK.•LEARN. LIVE. WORK. LEARN. LIV EARNget LIVE WORK LEARN LIVE WORK LEARN LIVE WORK LE ahead 24
LEARN. MASTER. GRADUATE.
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mitment and a significant time commitment. It will pay off to acknowledge how you learn best before you decide to take courses online, which may mean working independently or at your own pace. Contrary to what you might think, a 2010 U.S. Department of Education study (“Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning”) found that students taking online courses performed modestly better, on average, than those taking the same course through only traditional face-to-face instruction; students in courses blending online and face-toface elements had the best outcomes. If courses are employing video, instant messaging with instructors and collaboration tools for interacting with other students, you have a better chance of effectively learning online.
How much should an online course cost? At first thought, it seems like an online course would cost less than the same class held in a classroom. But that’s not always the case. Because costs of learning online can vary greatly, it’s best to understand what you’re looking for in a course fee. First, understand the college’s cost per credit hour. Keep in mind that there are
often differences for in-state and outof-state tuition. Next, understand that there will probably be other fees tacked on. Many online programs use standard online-learning software, so technology fees will almost always play into your tuition bill — as can assessment fees, graduation fees and other associated costs. Some online programs even require some in-person attendance, and you’ll want to account for potential travel fees, as well. Legitimate online degree programs should allow you to pay by the course, rather than pay for the entire program up front. If you get into an online learning situation and discover it’s not for you, you shouldn’t have a huge financial commitment to bear without finishing your degree. At the end of the day, choosing online coursework or even an entire degree program involves not only credibility, but also availability. If the degree you’re hoping to earn is specialized and a brick-andmortar university nearby doesn’t offer the program, the capability to earn the degree online could mean great things for your career. Whether or not you choose online education, the world of online learning is evolving rapidly — and doing your research ahead of time could make or break your success.
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There’s Money in the Middle Some Top Job Prospects Require More Than High School, Less Than College By Rodney Welch
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hen it comes to employment, people usually think that more education means more opportunity. It’s not necessarily untrue, but it obscures an important fact: In today’s economy, the great demand isn’t at the top. It’s in the middle, where there are more jobs than there are people to fill them.
Welcome to what economists now call the middle skills jobs gap, where there’s a dire need for people to fill jobs that require workers with more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year college degree. Some 69 million people work in middle-skills jobs, representing about 48 percent of the U.S. labor force. That about squares with South Carolina,
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where middle-skills jobs account for half of all jobs, according to figures from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. And yet, as baby boomers retire, the middle is also shrinking. According to the Harvard Business Review, “as many as 25 million, or 47 percent, of all new job openings from 2010 to 2020 will fall into the middle-skills range.”
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Auto mechanics can make $35,740 after a one- or two-year program.
In other words, there’s a great demand for people to fill solid, reliable and well-paying jobs that only require a high-school degree and some additional training of one to two years. At Midlands Tech, a one-year certificate program runs an average cost of $5,000 for tuition and books; the cost is about $7,500 for a year and a half diploma program, and about $10,000 for a twoyear associate’s degree. Scholarship assistance may be available through either a federal Pell grant (about $5,500 a year) — depending on need — or S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance ($2,000), which is available to most applicants.
Hot Fields: Health Care, Advanced Manufacturing, IT and Energy
Midlands Technical College President Sonny White says there are as many as 12,000 jobs in the Midlands in four cluster areas of health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology and energy. The boom in middle-skills jobs is reflective of what has long been an economic reality: a four-year college degree no longer guarantees a job. That’s part of the reason, White says, why 80 percent of his students start at age 25 or older. They’ve free-times.com
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either gone to college and quit — or stuck it out and found their diploma just didn’t have that much purchasing power in the modern job market. Among the top middle-skills jobs in the Midlands, White cites the boom in information technology jobs, particularly ones necessary to Columbia’s booming insurance industry. A job as a web developer, network analyst or network administrator requires a two-year associate’s degree, and generally pays between $35,000 and $100,000 annually. “The job prospects are outstanding in our area,” White says. There are also nuclear operators, which also requires an associate’s degree; from there, you can become a licensed operator, which could eventually lead a $100,000 annual salary. Another highly specific job: reliability automation technician. These workers are trained in controlling robotic operations and are in high demand by the highly automated tire industry. “These automation technicians go through our electronics engineering technologies program,” White says. “When they finish that, they just have wonderful job opportunities. The job market there is probably four times the number we can produce.”
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TUITION - FREE COLLEGE CLASSES
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS UNTIL SEATS ARE FILLED Information Technology (IT) remains a booming industry in the Midlands.
• Location on college campus: Airport Campus of Midlands Technical College, Congaree Hall, Room 120; 1260 Lexington Dr., West Columbia • Instruction differentiated to meet students’ individual academic needs • Dual enrollment - Enrollment in college courses while in high school • School schedule - Monday-Friday, 11:00 am-5:00 pm • Small classes (1:18) led by highly qualified, certified teachers • Small environment limited to 135 students at present location
Fall 2014 Assessment & Registration Schedule Free High School Equivalency (GED) classes August-December!!
To Attend Day Classes Only All daytime students must complete a 3 day testing & orientation schedule in order to enroll in class and to receive test scores. Please arrive on time at 7:45 a.m. on Monday through Wednesday and plan to stay for 4 hours.
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AUGUST 11-13 18-20 25-27
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SEPTEMBER 8-10 22-24
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To Attend Evening Classes Only All evening students must complete a 3 day testing & orientation schedule in order to enroll in class and to receive test scores. Please arrive on time at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and plan to stay for 3 hours.
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Withdrawal Form From High School Principal’s Recommendation Letter Copy of Transcript Copy of Discipline Record
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More Middle-Skills Jobs Following are some other examples of top middle-skills jobs across a broad spectrum, drawn from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce’s latest list of Higher Wage Jobs with Good Opportunities in South Carolina Not Requiring a Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree. Each job is listed with the average annual salary — but keep in mind that in many of these jobs wages can be much greater depending on experience and training.
Automotive Service Technician ($35,740)
Modern mechanics don’t just get their hands dirty; they also have to understand the intricate computer systems of modern vehicles. Training is available for either a one-year certificate or a two-year associate degree, with annual wages following accordingly. Given Columbia’s enormous array of car dealerships, it’s no surprise that some 2,500 auto mechanics stay employed.
Welder ($36,240)
Here’s a perfect example where more an individual salary can go up way more than the average. Get employed at a nuclear plant, take some advanced training over a few years, and your salary could go up to as much as $150,000.
CNC Operator ($37,760)
CNC stands for computer numerical control. These industrial positions are so vital to new industries that Midlands Tech recently opened a new Engineering Technology and Sciences building just to keep up with the demand.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers ($39,230)
A solid job, but also very physically demanding: An average day might well involve moving heavy equipment or free-times.com
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crawling under houses — especially in the middle of the summer, when people are calling to say their central AC unit has gone kaput. Both certificate and two-year degree training is available. The average salary range, depending on training and experience, is between $35,000 and $100,000.
Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks ($33,660)
With a two-year associate degree, graduates can start as a bookkeeper, or work in the accounting department of corporations, nonprofits or in government.
Nurse
Becoming a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse ($38,680) requires a one-year certificate; becoming a registered nurse ($59,670) requires graduation from a state-approved nursing program.
Dental Assistant or Hygienist
Similarly, requirements for becoming a dental assistant ($34,480), who assists the dentist, include a year-and-a-half for a diploma; a dental hygienist ($55,070) — who cleans teeth — requires a twoyear program.
Paralegal ($41,010)
Training is available for both a certificate and an associate degree, and more training generally leads to better jobs. The pay range is from $35,000 to $75,000. In general, the jobs and fields listed above offer strong prospects in the years to come. But the economy is always changing, and there can be significant differences between what’s available locally and what’s available regionally or nationally. Before committing to a program, be sure to research the local job market and talk to people in the field you’re considering. facebook.com/freetimes
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GMAT PREP COURSES Classes located on USC Columbia Campus and course materials: textbook and workbook included
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