EDU Colorado-Summer/Fall 09

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summer/fall 2009

Education,Careers &PersonalGrowth

Recession-Proof Careers:

Health Care, Education and More

Useful Websites for Finding the Right College The Evolution of Business Schools Interview Survival Guide Green Collar Jobs: complimentary

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edu COLORADO Your Guide To Education, Careers & Personal Growth

SUMMER/FALL 2009 Volume 1, Number 2 Publisher James Diaz

Advertising Director Bud Simon

Managing Editor Ryan Peacock

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Yashpal Singh

ASSISTANT EDITOR Caitlin Kelly

Art Directors Marissa Ayres

Jennifer Harlow

OFFICE MANAGER Theresa Hall

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Char Stunkel Nathen Terry

James Lawn Tammy Alverson

contents College Search

for the 7 Useful Websites College Selection Process Great online resources to help you find the right school

C o l l e g e App l i c a t i o ns

9 Tips for WritingEssaysCollege Admissions Guidelines for creating a solid essay that gets noticed

Degrees

12

Considering a Direct Path to Graduate School

Earning a graduate degree may be a wise choice in today’s economy

EDU Colorado is published by Metro Mountain Media, LLP, an MediaNews Group Company.

To order a copy or find subscription information please contact EDU Colorado Magazine at: subscriptions@metmtn.com Visit us on the Web: www.educolorado.com • www.metmtn.com Metro Mountain Media also publishes Ever After, Mountain Vacations, Front Range Family and Shopping Sense magazines.

EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Study Habits 23 Successful

How to stay sharp and learn as a student at any age

Green Collar Jobs 24 Signal Shift Toward Eco-Friendly Economy

Alternative energy and other emerging fields are creating new job opportunities

for Bouncing 27 5Back TipsFrom Job Loss

Taste: Culinary 28 Season toOpportunities Industry

Evolution of 14 The Business Schools

Insight from Dean Ajay Menon of Colorado State University’s College of Business

Jobs in the food industry offer great career paths in many directions

Salaries

J O B S EARCH

and 31 Occupation Wage Estimates

Survival Guide 16 Interview New Grads for

Directory

Effective ways to prepare for the interview process and negotiate successfully

Careers

EDU Colorado is printed by American Web on SFI-certified paper.

It contains fiber from well-managed forests and meets EPA guidelines that recommend a minimum 10% post-consumer recovered fiber for coated papers. Inks used contain a percentage of soy base. Our printer meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) standards.

Certain industries offer a number of unique job opportunities, even during a recession

Maintaining resilience and focus are key to moving forward and finding your next job

MANAGER of Business John Cargile Development

EDU Colorado 3801 East Florida Avenue, Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80210 Phone: 303.954.3456 Fax: 303.758.3378

Careers 22 Recession-Proof

18

IT Salaries Predicted to Have Positive Growth in 2009

Technology remains a strong field poised for future growth

Details on salaries, skills and requirements for various careers

35 Resource Directory A guide to Colorado educational resources

Non-Profit Directory

41 Reaching Your Potential

Local Colorado organizations that support personal growth and development Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

5

Life Demands a Degree of Flexibility

For more than 40 years, Colorado State University has been delivering quality distance education programs, bringing flexibility and convenience to adults with careers and families.

• Fully-accredited programs • AACSB accredited MBA program • No residency requirements • Learn the same content from the same faculty as students on-campus

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Graduate Degrees – Denver/Brighton Adult Education and Training Executive MBA Organizational Performance and Change

Certificates – Denver/Brighton/Loveland Construction Management Green Building & Green Homes Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project Management

c o l l e g e SE A R C H

Useful Websites for the College Selection Process The right resources can help take the stress out of your college search.

By Caitlin Kelly

T

he search for the perfect college is certainly an exciting one, but at the same time it can be extremely daunting. Colleges and universities inundate prospective students with a seemingly endless supply of letters, magazines and brochures promising the ultimate higher-education experience, making the search for the right school frustrating and overwhelming. Luckily, there are tools available to help students cut through the noise and get right to the bottom line: What is the right school for me?

Here are four great websites that deliver accurate, unbiased information and tools to help you choose, apply, and pay for your dream school: National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator

nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

As a division of the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Center for Education Statistics collects and analyzes data about education and institutions around the country and world. Start your search with the “College Navigator” feature which allows you to sort schools by state, programs and majors, degree type, tuition range and many other factors. Once you have narrowed down your search, you can see side-by-side comparisons of different schools to further pinpoint your choice, export results into a spreadsheet, and then apply for Federal Student Aid programs.

Sallie Mae salliemae.com Sallie Mae provides students and parents with loans and savings plans to encourage more people to continue their education, whether it’s through a four-year bachelor’s program or a two-year associate’s degree. The website also guides students through a college selection process in which they can identify their priorities when it comes to their dream school—location, available programs of study and degrees. It also provides answers to frequently asked questions about choosing a major, studying Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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c o l l e g e SE A R C H

abroad, taking online classes and more. In addition, the site gives advice on applying for college and finding ways to pay for it. This site is a great resource for, both excited students and nervous parents alike.

students indicate what they want out of their college experience, and the best matches are found based on these preferences.

The Princeton Review The College Board

theprincetonreview.com

The College Board has been connecting potential students with colleges and universities since 1900.

Its website emphasizes the importance of planning for college, and includes information and resources for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Students have access to standardized test preparation tips, application guides and information about scholarships and loans. It also features a “College Matchmaker” function, in which

The Princeton Review is well known for its test prep courses, as well as its yearly rankings of the top schools in the nation. And through resources on its website, it is well-equipped to not only help students prepare for college entrance exams, but can help in the college selection process as well. Their “Counselor-OMatic” function is a fun, in-depth questionnaire that matches students to their “best fit” schools based on several different variables like academics, activities, location and preferred school size. edu

collegeboard.com

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COLLEGE a p p l i c a t i o n s

Tips for Writing College Admissions Essays

By Erin Carr

A

s a writing tutor, I read hundreds of college application essays each year. The following tips will help you create an essay that you can feel confident about sending off to the college or university of your choice.

A Piece of the Puzzle So many students think that their admissions essay is going to make or break their chances of getting in to the college they want. This simply isn’t the case.

While it is important to create a well-crafted, wellwritten essay that’s been carefully thought out and edited, this is just one part of a much larger whole. College admissions counselors will look at the total picture, the overall package you present. They will consider your high school academic record, your extracurricular and volunteer activities, your letters of recommendation, and your application essay. A great essay will not grant you automatic admission nor will a less-than-stellar essay ruin your chances, so relax and let go of some of that pressure you’re feeling. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to write an effective essay once you take a deep breath!

Answer The Question I review dozens of essays every week and the biggest pitfall I see is that students are so eager to present

themselves in a positive light that they ignore the essay prompt altogether. It’s understandable that you’d want to write about how you spent your spring break saving endangered mosquitoes in the Amazon or how your clothing drive collected enough skinny jeans and trucker hats for every last refugee in Darfur, but if the essay is asking you to write about why you want to pursue a career in accounting, these noble pursuits won’t have any relevance. You can’t make a square peg fit in a round hole, no matter how good that square peg makes you look. One of the main reasons colleges want applicants to write essays is to see if they have the ability to follow direction and think critically. Be sure you have read and fully understand the essay prompt before you begin writing. This will ensure that you are demonstrating your ability to answer a question thoughtfully, completely, and with a clear writing style, which is what colleges are looking for.

The rest of your application will speak for itself.

A great essay will not grant you automatic admission nor will a less-than-stellar essay ruin your chances, so relax and let go of some of that pressure you’re feeling.

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COLLEGE a p p l i c a t i o n s

One of the main reasons colleges want applicants to write essays is to see if they have the ability to follow direction and think critically

Shortcuts Suck Unless you’re using the common app (a single admissions application that is accepted by several different colleges), you should write an original essay for each application you fill out. Yes, it’s a pain to have a stack of five or six applications in front of you and to have to write an essay for each one of them. However, this is the only way you can be sure you’re presenting your best written self. It’s actually much harder to rework an existing essay to make it fit a different topic than it is to just write a new essay. It’s true that some colleges ask the same or very similar essay questions, but proceed with caution and be flexible—if the essay you wrote for Vassar about a person who has impacted your life just isn’t working for Wesleyan’s question about your most memorable experience, resign yourself to writing a new essay.

Short is the New Long Pay attention to length requirements and understand that more is not always best. Admissions officers read thousands of applications every day. Essay word limits are not a challenge to you to see how much more you can write; those limits ensure that admissions personnel can devote equal time to each essay and get through the huge volume of applications they receive in time for fall semester. If they open your envelope and are presented with a 15page manuscript all about how you single-handedly saved your school’s performing arts department, your application will go straight to the trash. When the question asks for 500 words, write 500 words.

Use concise language to get your point across. Even better, if you can state your case or make your point effectively in fewer words you can give yourself a real boost to the top of the heap.

Share The Love The more you let your work be read, the better it will be. When you’ve been sitting with an essay for a long time and reading it over and over as you revise it, you can miss glaring errors that somebody else who’s unfamiliar with the piece would see right

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The Don’ts of Writing a College Essay DON’T submit an essay that has not been carefully proofread.

DON’Trely solely on spell check to catch mistakes in spelling and grammar.

DON’Tuse a font or ink color that is difficult to read.

DON’T try to be a comedian.

DON’T utilize vocabulary words you don’t understand.

DON’T lie about your accomplishments and strengths.

away. Run a draft by your English teacher to catch grammatical mistakes or misspelled words, have your guidance or college counselor look it over for quality and content, or let a family member read through it for a confidence booster (you know your mom will love it no matter what). You might even look into an online tutoring service for a final check before you send it off. These sites employ trained professional tutors and teachers in subject-specific areas, including essay writing and college prep, who can help you pare down words, fix structural errors, correct grammar, or just give the essay a once-over to make sure you’ve got a great piece ready to hand in. Check your local library to see if they participate in such a program or do a Google search.

Writing a college admissions essay can be a daunting task. Remember, though, that the essay is one small piece of the puzzle.

If you’ve done your work throughout your high school career—kept your grades up, participated in extracurricular activities, volunteered, been involved in school or community life, etc.—your essay will be just a little extra icing on the cake. So find a quiet corner, take out that app, and get to work! edu

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D EG R EES

Considering a Direct Path to Graduate School

By Greg Grauberger

T With current economic conditions and a challenging job market, recent graduates are looking at advanced degrees as viable options for their next step

he National Association of Colleges and Employers reports that only 59% of the 16,500 college seniors it surveyed had started looking for employment by the end of April, compared to 75% who had started looking at the same time last year.

It’s a sizable shift that may have a direct impact on you and motivate your decisions. And a choice many students are making is another year or two of school, this time at the graduate level.

in the real world and take your lumps to understand the specific value of the graduate degree before you return to earn it. However, in the perennially hypercompetitive job market, where gaining any possible competitive advantage is paramount, it has become more common for traditional-aged students to pursue their master’s degree immediately after finishing their bachelor’s work. Is this a path you should choose, or should you follow the old-school timeline and work for 2 to 5 years before returning for an advanced degree?

Popular Master’s Degrees

Making the transition from student to professional is a major change, but what if you could extend your time in higher education in a way that is productive, adds valuable knowledge and results in a degree that will earn you that competitive distinction? It is a viable option, if you properly position yourself and pursue this route for the right reasons.

Of the 5,285 Master’s Degrees awarded to students in 2008 (from Colorado’s public colleges and universities), here are some of the most popular degrees earned: • Business Administration (524) • Curriculum & Instruction (281) • Business Management (191) • Public Administration (147) • Special Education (143) • Engineering (127) • Elementary and Secondary Education (124) • Civil Engineering (123) • Nursing (112) • Education & Human Resources Studies (107) • Architecture (93) • Electrical Engineering (86) • Educational Psychology (77) • English (76) Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education

When the conversation turns to graduate school, the prevailing thought has always been that one must work for a few years after receiving his or her bachelor’s degree before coming back to pursue an advanced degree. It’s a common notion that you need to get out 12

edu COLORADO • Summer/Fall 2009

You Know What It Requires To Be A Student As a recent college graduate, you are now as booksmart as you will ever be. You understand the culture of university life, how you need to structure your time in order to get things done, how to take exams and finish projects, and how to cultivate relationships with professors. These skills are as essential in graduate school as they were in college.

You Have Less Attachments Generally, you are unfettered, and have fewer commitments at this point in your life than you will ever have again—no spouse, no children, no mortgage, etc. This will allow you more time to devote to school.

You Will Focus On Developing Crucial Skills Graduate schools are competing for engaged students; they must provide cutting-edge knowledge and

delivery methods, practical course/case work, and overall satisfaction. On top of these, you will develop and refine an advanced skill set. Deepening critical thinking ability, understanding the global landscape, social responsibility, social networking/technology, and sustainability as they relate to the new world are crucial abilities to be successful in an ever-changing world.

You Tap Into A Powerful Network Through connections at your school, you can diversify and expand your network exponentially. Working with classmates, professors (with invaluable industry experience), and the career services department at your school will increase your contacts and accompanying opportunities. Career services departments are a tremendous resource for career advising, resume writing, mock and real job interviews, and internships.

This department helps create happy alums by being thorough in their services, and “seeing around the bend,” to understand industry, economic and employment trends in the short and longer term.

you must develop and scrutinize your planned career trajectory, and be confident that an advanced degree provides you the proper entrée. You must ask yourself, how this degree fits in your plans two, five, and even 10 years down the road? Being able to visualize and “frame” this degree to your advantage at all these milestones is critical. For example, a student may think about this in terms of “two years after receiving my master’s degree I will be in a specialized position at ABC Corporation, which will pave the road nicely for expanded responsibilities and a management post at XYZ Incorporated after five years, etc.”

It won’t take long to realize that this is a mistake if the recessed economy is the only reason you return. You will immediately become aware of the graduate school landscape by experiencing heightened standards for admission. Post acceptance, you will feel it via increased rigor in course work, reading and research load, complexity of group projects, and more mature peer interaction.

You Gain Access To Invaluable Internship Experience You need to acquire a meaningful internship experience before or during your graduate school matriculation. This can take the form of an unpaid internship. Often times, an intern will get a better view of the company than a new entry level worker. The more substantive experience you produce, the better you will be able to contribute in the classroom, further maximizing your education.

As a recent college graduate, congratulations! If you have employment secured, congratulations again—go for it, and good luck as you start your career in the new economy. However, if you do not have something solid waiting for you and you can fully commit and go “all in” regarding every aspect of post-baccalaureate academia—earning that advanced degree during this time can have tangible career benefits over your long and successful career.

You Are Making A Smart Financial Investment Check the opportunity costs—by going to school fulltime now and earning your advanced degree, you will not have to quit work later to pursue your studies on a full- or part-time basis. By enrolling now and paying today’s tuition rate while attending full-time, you won’t need to forego income down the road combined with taking the higher price tuition hit in the future.

Greg Grauberger is the Director of Academic Services for Undergraduate Programs at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. edu

Although the economy threads through nearly every important decision we make nowadays, and it may be a compelling reason for you to go back to school, it cannot be the sole motivation for making this move. First, Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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degrees

The Evolution of

Business Schools

By Ryan Peacock

“In marketing, we drive home this notion of product differentiation and students need to differentiate themselves from the competition”— Ajay Menon, Dean of the College of Business at Colorado State University

T

he business world has gone through a roller coaster ride of changes and challenges during the last year. It’s a shift that has not only altered the corporate world, but also forced business schools to step back and evaluate their curriculums. Ajay Menon, the Dean of the College of Business at Colorado State University, and John Hoxmeier, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, share some insight on how universities are adapting to an ever-changing environment and preparing the leaders of tomorrow.

What are the key issues in the business world that have impacted the focus of business schools?

Menon: We continue to say there’s nothing to be ashamed of in terms of profits. Profit is not an unhealthy goal—it’s about how you get your profit and what you do with it. Business schools are focusing more on this and putting a greater emphasis on social responsibility. When you look at the excesses of recent days, it is a lack of leadership, ethics and a sense of the role business should play within the community.

Business school programs need to focus on these elements and teach students how to make better decisions.

Hoxmeier: The debate is centered on how the fundamentals of business have changed, and our position is that they really have not. Instead of just trying to think outside the box, we are really encouraging our students and faculty to stay inside the box. Let’s get back to the basics and concentrate on the areas that really matter—taking care of customers and employees, providing a reasonable return to shareholders, and being ethical and understanding where our responsibilities lie.

How do you teach ethics in business school?

Hoxmeier: We’re really not in a position to teach necessarily what is right or wrong because we are generally dealing with mature students. What we do is

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try to put students into various scenarios so that they can see how they would react or respond based on a given set of circumstances. It’s a lot of role-playing followed by group discussions.

What type of new business programs are being created for students in emerging fields or working professionals?

Menon: We still focus on core business competencies, but we’re also developing programs in a different context, like our master’s program in Global, Social and Sustainable Enterprise. We think of it as the business Peace Corps—you’re doing something that combines entrepreneurial skills and focuses on having a positive impact. For example, one-third of the world’s children are born into homes without clean water. We look at this and see an opportunity to create a business model to get water to those communities in a way that has both a social benefit and allows people to make a healthy living by doing so.

Hoxmeier: We also offer a Master of Management Practice, which is an add-on, one-year degree for those who have an undergraduate degree outside of business. So, if you have a background in English, chemistry, engineering or another field, this degree is designed to give you the business management and human resources skills that you are going to need in an organizational setting.

What are the essential skills students need nowadays to be successful in their careers?

Menon: Knowing how to work in teams, project management, and communication across international boundaries. In marketing, we drive home this notion of product differentiation and students need to differentiate themselves from the competition when they prepare to enter the business world. It’s also becoming very important to hone your cross-cultural skills. There are a lot of great opportunities to study

I LOVE MY CREDIT UNION. abroad, and another option is to get involved in international student groups on campus.

Hoxmeier: I think it comes down to three things we focus on: problem solving, team building and leadership. In terms of problem solving, we try to give students a toolkit to approach various problems and know what tools to use at what point in time.

Team building is important in addressing a need for consensus-based decision making when you consult with a number of people while trying to build trust within teams. Then there is recognizing your leadership inventory—where you’re weak, where you’re strong and where you’re likely to succeed. For us, it’s all about turning out future business leaders who will act in a socially responsible way. edu

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Ajay Menon holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of North Texas and his undergraduate degree is in chemistry and physics from University of Bombay in India. Menon’s business research has been published numerous times and he consults with various private and public companies on marketing strategy.

John Hoxmeier received a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Boulder where his research included collaborative and group support systems. He has more than 20 years of industry experience, and prior to joining the CIS Department at CSU in 1994, he was Executive VP and CIO at The Fuller Brush Company.

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Interview Survival Guide for New Grads

By Karrah Anderson

So you’re about to graduate from college and you are looking to land that dream job with all the benefits: paid vacation, sick days and a decent starting salary.

But how do you get hired? And how do you negotiate all those perks?

Prepare Make sure to research the company you are applying with and look for what they need and not what they want. This allows you to prepare a list of qualifications you have that would fit into their environment.

When you get an interview, prepare a portfolio. The portfolio should include your best work, teacher recommendations, proof of extracurricular activities and awards. Any other accomplishments should be noted. Bring a copy of the job description and several copies of your resume, each printed separately. Bring a list of your references along, but don’t volunteer them.

Wait to see if they are asked for.

Be prepared with questions. At the end of an interview, a potential employer will ask if there is anything else you want to know. This is a good opportunity to make a positive impression. Come prepared with two to three questions to ask; otherwise, you’ll seem uninterested. A simple note card tucked away in your portfolio will help you organize your thoughts and make you feel at ease.

The Interview Answer questions concisely and conclude with, “Does that answer your questions?” or “Is there anything else you needed to know about that?”

This allows you to answer completely.

Keep your answers short and simple—not so short that it seems you are hiding something, but not too longwinded, either.

Negotiating So they loved you and want to hire you right away.

Now what? You want to make sure you get what you deserve, and here are some techniques for asking for the right salary, vacation time and other benefits. Not all jobs have a negotiable salary, but if you’re sure yours does, you should negotiate. Start by asking others in the field what they think would be an appropriate starting salary for someone with your experience.

Avoid going to online salary checkers, because in an economy like this, that information could be outdated.

This should also be a face-to-face interaction. Never negotiate through e-mail or over the phone.

Follow this conventional wisdom: He who mentions money first, loses. Meaning, wait for the employer to bring it up. When negotiating salary, always ask for a range, never an exact amount. With a range, it is assumed you are asking for the midpoint. Salary may not be the only thing you can negotiate. You may want to take a lower salary in exchange for more flex time or a three-month review vs. a six-month review (which would increase your chances of getting a raise earlier).

Other negotiable items are parking fees, varying hours or shifts, or even child care.

Be comfortable with silence, the person who is most uncomfortable with silence will be the first to break it, and thus be at a disadvantage. And be sure to feel out the situation before you attempt to negotiate, especially in today’s job market.edu —McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

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c ar e e r s

Despite rising unemployment and an uncertain economy, a recent survey shows that IT professionals are faring better than many other job segments

IT Salaries Predicted to A

ccording to the Computer Economics 2009 IT Salary Report, IT workers could come out ahead as certain factors indicate that median base pay for IT managers and staff will actually increase slightly in 2009, driven mostly by annual cost-of-living raises that IT organizations will award to existing employees.

Median salary growth for all IT employees will be about 2% in 2009. Base pay levels for IT executives, directors, managers, and developers will rise from 2% to 3% this year, while median base wages for other IT workers will rise from by 1.5% to 2.5%.

As the recession unfolded over the past year, IT managers pulled back on capital spending, delayed projects, froze hiring, and reduced use of outside contractors. But when it came to reductions in IT staffing, organizations have so far resisted major cutbacks. As late as the fourth quarter 2008, surveying found most organizations continued to anticipate that IT staffing levels would remain much the same in 2009 as in 2008. While few organizations were planning to add staff, fewer still were planning layoffs.

IT Departments Continue to Run Strong, Yet Lean According to analysts, IT organizations have been cautious about adding staff since the last recession, when the technology sector led the downturn. Through greater use of outsourcing, data center automation, and other strategies, IT has been running lean—learning to do more with fewer workers—for several years now. “We also believe that as companies cut head count generally, they become even more dependent on technology to get work done. As such, IT organizations are doing their best to hold on to experienced technical staff,” said Frank Scavo, president of Computer Economics, an IT industry research firm.

Wage Level Increases Depend on Position While the median planned pay raise is roughly the same for eight functional groups in the survey, average pay raises tell another story. As shown in Figure 3, executives and directors, managers, and developers are getting higher increases than other groups. In some organizations, they are getting substantially higher increases, which are pushing the average above the median. Average pay raises for network support, server support, desktop support, help desk, and administration staff are all closer to the median

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Have Positive Growth in 2009 planned pay raises for all IT workers. The higherthan-average pay increases for developers indicates application programmers, architects, database programmers, and certain other skill sets remain in short supply. Despite a slowdown in new system implementation, organizations are continuing to renew legacy applications and improve e-commerce and other customer-facing systems that provide competitive advantage and lower cost of sales.

Economics survey on incentive pay in 2008 found that incentive pay comprised at least 20% of IT executive salaries at 53% of organizations. As incentive pay for IT executives and managers declines, organizations may be increasing base pay for these positions.

The rate of median wage growth can fluctuate significantly from region to region due to variations in cost of living, economic growth, and labor supply.

According to its projections, however, Computer Economics also sees a flattening of growth rates among the various regions, compared to prior years.

While salary growth in New England, Mid-Atlantic, and East North Central states lagged behind other regions in 2008, IT salaries should rise closer to the 2% median range in 2009. Similarly, salaries in the Mountain, Pacific, and West North Central regions, which outpaced salaries in other regions last year, will also fall close to the median in 2009. The South, including the South Atlantic, South Central, and West South Central regions, will lag behind other regions by about a percentage point, according to the Computer Economics forecast.

“While median wage growth for IT employees will slow considerably in 2009 compared to the last three years, we still anticipate modest growth for most job functions,” said Scavo. “IT wages experienced no growth and, in some cases, declines following the last recession and only began to recover in 2004.

But that recession was led by the technology sector.

The subsequent tightening in the labor supply and drive to improve data center productivity has put IT organizations in a better position to respond to this recession.” edu

Incentive Pay Flattens Across All Regions The higher-than-average increases for executives, directors, and managers may be compensating for reductions in incentive pay tied to corporate profits.

Incentive pay is more likely to adjust to economic conditions than base wages. A separate Computer

This article is based upon the Computer Economics 2009 IT Salary Report, which provides 2009 base salaries for 70 specific IT job titles in 73 U.S. metropolitan areas. Salaries are reported at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile for small and midsize-large organizations. Data and analysis in this article are provided with permission from Computer Economics (computereconomics.com).

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ADVERTORIAL

Train Today for Tomorrow’s Careers In today’s difficult economic climate, going back to school is quickly becoming a top option for individuals eager to better themselves and their futures. But choosing the right school can be a challenging task. “There are plenty of good schools throughout the state,” says Dr. Mark Pieffer, President of Colorado Technical University’s (CTU) Denver campuses. “But it’s really important to choose a school that takes care of its students.” And with several campus locations (see below), a rapidly growing student population, and the Denver campuses boasting the highest student retention rate of any Colorado Tech campus, it would seem that Colorado Technical University is doing just that.

Flexible Learning Environment

For most degree programs, classes are available on campus, online, or a combination of the two. “We understand that our students are very busy,” explains Pieffer, “so we offer courses on campus and online to remain as flexible as possible.” No matter how busy you may be, CTU can adapt to your schedule and help you achieve your goals.

Diverse Degrees

When it comes to pursuing a degree, students will not be short on options at CTU. Degree programs are available at every level, from Associates’ to Masters’. Students can even earn a doctoral degree at the Colorado Springs campus, or in Denver beginning in October 2009. According to Pieffer, the Associate of Surgical Technology and the Master’s in Business Administration degrees are among the most popular.

Stellar Students

CTU is home to a unique group of hard-working students.

“We have the most dedicated students,” Pieffer says.

“They’re in class at 9:30 at night, even after they have been working and taking care of their families all day. You have to admire that. ” Goal-oriented and focused, the 940 students that make up the two Denver campuses offer a strong and supportive peer group.

No Colossal Classes

Even though CTU has experienced a lot of positive growth over the past year (over 28% since last June), class sizes 20

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remain small. “I’m not a fan of large lecture halls packed with 250 students,” says Pieffer. “We pride ourselves in our efforts to keep class sizes down. Our biggest classroom holds 28 students.” Smaller class sizes allow for better studentprofessor interactions and closer relationships to address learning needs.

Scholarly Soliders

CTU is known for its great relationship with military personnel. “Fifteen percent of the students at CTU’s Denver campuses are military veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation program participants, National Guard members or reservists,” says Pieffer. “In fact, CTU as a whole has the highest population of Vocational Rehabilitation program participants out of any school in Colorado.” Over the last two years, CTU has awarded 50 full scholarships to veterans who were wounded in combat. “As a retired Army officer, it’s a thrill for me to be able to give these men and women full scholarships,” explains Pieffer. These scholarships include textbooks, computers, tutoring services and more.

Campus Locations: 1865 W. 121 Ave., Bldg C, Ste. 100, Wesminster 877/250-9372 5775 DTC Blvd. Ste. 100, Greenwood Village 866/888-5616 4435 N. Chestnut St., Colorado Springs 888/650-6555 1025 W. 6th St., Pueblo 888/396-3555 South Dakota: 3901 W. 59th St., Sioux Falls 866/498-5570 Missouri: 520 E. 19th Ave., North Kansas City 816/303-7799 Colorado Tech Online: 800/416-8904

For more information about CTU, call 866/942-6555 or visit ColoradoTech.edu!

Wherever you are

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Earning a career-focused degree can be an achievable reality with Colorado Technical University. Our innovative delivery platforms make earning your degree practical, realistic and attainable.

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c ar e e r s

RecessionProof Careers As the job market shrinks, employees across the nation are wrought with anxiety over whether their jobs are in jeopardy. Many workers wonder what they can do, or could have done, to ensure their security through tough times in the economy.

O

ccupational expert Laurence Shatkin offers many suggestions in his recently published book, 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs, but believes one strategy is particularly effective for maintaining stability in floundering—and flourishing—economic times.

He encourages individuals to seek employment in industries that are growing steadily and have a high concentration of jobs that are likely to weather a poor economic climate.

“These industries typically offer the most job security.

Even workers in recession-sensitive occupations may be able to ride out tough times if they’re working in an industry that tends to grow at a steady rate. For example, the education industry employs many people

who aren’t teachers; the health-care industry employs many people who never come near a patient. Finding employment in industries that have a positive outlook

Top Recession-Proof Fields 1 l Transit and Ground Passenger

Transportation

2 l Hospitals, Public and Private 3 l Ambulatory Health Care Services 4 l Nursing and Residential Care Facilities 5 l Educational Services, Public and Private 6 l Other Information Services 7 l Social Assistance 8 l Repair and Maintenance 9 l Religious, Grantmaking, Civic,

Professional, and Similar Organizations

10 l Insurance Carriers and Related

Activities

can reduce the chances that your job will be threatened by an economic downturn,” says Shatkin.

Based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Census Bureau, Shatkin identified the above 10 industries as the most-recession proof because they are the industries where recession-proof jobs are the most highly concentrated.

Shatkin also reminds, “Nobody’s job is 100 percent secure, but you can take additional steps to reduce your chances of being laid off in tough times by making yourself the indispensable employee and being resilient enough to be able to rebound from a job loss.

These concepts are valuable for your career, no matter whether the economy is booming or stagnating.” edu

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ST U D Y H A BITS

Successful Study Habits

By Caitlin Kelly

W College is a time to further develop and improve your study habits— here’s how.

hether you’re starting your college career three months or three decades after your high school graduation, one thing is for sure—it’s time to learn how to study more effectively. College courses differ greatly from high school courses in that your grade will most likely be calculated from three tests, a few papers, and a final exam. There is no “homework cushion” keeping your grade steady, and opportunities for extra credit are rare. This means that every exam grade can have a huge impact on your grade, so you must make each one count. It may sound like a lot of pressure, but if you employ the right study techniques and figure out early on what works best for you, you’ll be in great shape come exam time.

Go To Class This might seem like a no-brainer, but the combination of large class size, lax attendance policies and late nights may make it easy and tempting to skip class.

Attendance is very important so you don’t miss pertinent information, study tips, or a pop quiz. Plus, oftentimes professors will cover material in class that is not covered in the book, and that material almost always ends up on the exam. Come exam day, this is a huge blow to students who didn’t attend class, but it’s like free points for those who did. So skip the snooze button and get yourself to class!

Take Good Notes Taking quality notes during your lecture keeps you focused, helps you commit the material to memory, and helps keep you organized during study sessions. If your professor talks too rapidly or you can’t write fast enough, consider investing in a small digital recorder to use during lectures. This is a great way to play back information after class to make sure your notes are as accurate and complete as possible.

Take Advantage Of Office Hours Professors and teaching assistants make a point of announcing their office hours to the class, but students rarely take advantage of this one-on-one teaching opportunity. If you need clarification on a difficult subject or are simply interested in getting more information, pop into their office for a quick visit. Professors appreciate you taking interest in their course and when they know that you’ve been putting in considerable effort, chances are they will be more generous when calculating your final grade.

Join A Study Group They say there’s strength in numbers—and studying for exams is no exception. Finding a good group of people who get together once a week to discuss notes, lectures, questions and exams is a great way to clarify confusing subjects, gain a better grasp of the material, and have fun. A word to the wise: find a group of people that will actually stay on task—it’s very easy for a study session to turn into just a group of friends hanging out and chatting. Remember it’s called a study group for a reason!

Don’t Procrastinate Try studying for an hour or two every day after class rather than resorting to a late-night, caffeine-fueled cram fest the night before the exam. Staying up all night is stressful, robs you of sleep and could actually prevent you from absorbing all of the material.

Spreading the material out over time allows you to review the information while it is still fresh, and fully process it. And come exam time, simple review of your notes may be all that is necessary. edu Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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Green Collar Jobs Signal Shift Toward Eco-Friendly Economy

By Jason Lee

A new generation of “green collar” workers are looking to use their talents to improve the country’s emerging sustainable energy industry

S

pecialties in everything from solar power to energy efficient building design have moved to the forefront as rising corporate interest in going green has resulted in a definite need for more environmental experts. “It’s the new Silicon Valley,” says John Stayton, director of a green graduate program in sustainable enterprise at Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif.

At a time when the nation’s manufacturing employment is on the downturn, jobs in sustainable energy may help fill the gap, and schools are being equipped to prepare students for these jobs. For example, Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio was recently awarded a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Energy Development Administration to build an innovative learning facility that will feature modern labs for students studying in the college’s sustainable energy programs.

“Training skilled workers is critical to attracting renewable energy companies to Ohio and recharging the state’s manufacturing base,” says Jerry Hutton, dean of energy and transportation technologies at Hocking.

Jobs in sustainable energies such as wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower are just some of the many gaining momentum. William L. Chameides, dean of Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, says while climate change and sustainability are global issues, solutions can start at the local level. “The environmental issues facing society are myriad and daunting, but they are tractable,” Chameides said. “They will require a new kind of professional, with an interdisciplinary approach and an understanding that spans the physical and biological sciences to the social sciences.”

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While earning a specialized “green” degree will have you on the cutting edge of the renewable energy push, you also can qualify for many jobs in sustainable energy with a traditional degree and some extra training. Here are a few industries already taking off:

Wind Power Wind power laboratories are constantly trying to improve the design and efficiency of wind turbines. These research and development efforts employ mechanical, electrical and aeronautical engineers with advanced degrees, as well as experienced technicians.

The growth of wind power requires people with business, meteorological and engineering experience to plan and build projects. Meteorologists help engineers identify appropriate sites with suitable wind conditions. Engineers then design the wind plant, working with the utility companies and communities.

Construction workers are needed to build the wind plant, and mechanical and electrical technicians, called

“windsmiths,” operate and maintain the wind turbines.

Solar Power Growth of the solar power industry has created high-wage, skilled jobs throughout the country for individuals with many different types of degrees and training. Individuals employed in

Going Green with the Governor On April 16, 2007, Governor Bill Ritter formed the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO), designed to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment and help Colorado become a “national and international leader in the production and manufacturing of clean, modern energy technologies.” Since then, the GEO has provided education and resources for communities, individuals and corporations to help them become more environmentally responsible and to create new jobs.

Colorado’s Green Careers In a study commissioned by the GEO and the Green Jobs Working Group, the American Solar Energy Society calculated that in 2007, more than 90,000 Coloradoans were employed in “green” industry jobs, working in

fields like renewable energy and energy efficiency. And, thanks to efforts by the governor and the GEO, as many as 600,000 jobs are projected to be created in the next 20 years for Colorado. The GEO has also designated a

solar research and development generally have professional degrees in electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering, as well as materials science and physics. New workers are needed as national laboratories, universities and private companies develop and continually try to improve solar products to lower their costs and improve their reliability.

portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds allocated to Colorado to help support sustainable energy research and job creation.

Finding Green Companies A great resource to identify Colorado-based companies that are poised to grow with a new, green economy is the Environmental Defense Fund’s website, LessCarbonMoreJobs.org. The site allows users to search for local and national companies by geographic location in two main areas of growth: renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Getting a Green Education And for those looking to earn degrees in renewable energy and other related fields of study, the GEO’s website (under the “Green Jobs Resources” section) has detailed listings of Colorado universities and colleges that offer programs in areas such as a certification in Green Building and LEED (Colorado State University), a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science (Metro State College of Denver) and a master’s degree in Global Energy Management (University of Denver).

To learn more about green job opportunities and educational resources in Colorado (or what you can do to live a greener life) visit colorado.gov/energy

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Bioenergy Jobs in bioenergy—renewable energy made from biological sources—cut across a wide spectrum of specialties and skills, and if efforts succeed in making

The hydropower industry employs environmental scientists to assess environmental impacts and address environmental clean-up

bioenergy more commercially profitable, America may see a dramatic increase in the number of jobs.

Universities and national laboratories are working together to find solutions to the difficult problems surrounding the production and use of biomass for energy and products. These efforts require chemists, agricultural specialists, microbiologists, biochemists and engineers, just to name a few. Engineers and construction workers are needed to design and build bioenergy plants, while electrical and mechanical technicians, engineers, mechanics and equipment operators are needed to run and maintain these plants. Some jobs may also require cross training in areas such as engineering and biology, or chemistry and agriculture.

Geothermal Energy The geothermal industry employs both skilled workers and those with professional degrees.

Developing hot water reservoirs requires geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, hydrologists, reservoir engineers, mud loggers, hydraulic engineers and drillers to locate, assess, and gain access to the reservoirs. Environmental scientists prepare impact studies, and permit and leasing specialists obtain the land rights. Geothermal technologies also create jobs for heating engineers, and in the building and agricultural industries. For electricity production, engineers and construction workers—along with 26

edu COLORADO • Summer/Fall 2009

a number of other skilled workers—are needed to design and construct power plants.

Hydropower As with many of the other renewable energy technologies, the design, construction and maintenance of hydropower plants require electrical and mechanical engineers, technicians and other skilled workers. If a hydropower project also involves managing a reservoir and surrounding land, the developer will hire recreation planners, resource managers and educators. In addition, state and federal licensing laws now require hydropower plant builders to assess the environmental effects of their operation.

Thus, the hydropower industry also employs environmental scientists (biologists, hydrologists, ecologists, and wildlife habitat specialists, for example) to assess environmental impacts and address environmental cleanup. Environmental scientists, as well as engineers, also participate in research efforts through private companies, national laboratories and universities. edu —Tribune Media Services

c ar e e r s

5 Tips for Bouncing Back from Job Loss

By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing These days, even the most talented, hardest working professionals have discovered that they’re not immune from the flood of layoffs sweeping the nation. For many individuals, this means that if they haven’t already been laid off, the potential that they may suddenly become unemployed is building every day. Therefore, it’s imperative that people—whether they currently have a job or not—know how to bounce back from sudden unemployment.

Specialize and focus on a specific goal Connect the key skills you possess to a niche, and then develop additional skills that will help you stand out from other job seekers. In a shrinking job market, employers have plenty of candidates to choose from and will be most interested in the special few who have developed the exact skill set they are seeking.

Be visible beyond your workplace To bounce back quickly from a layoff, it’s not enough to have the respect of former colleagues and supervisors.

Today’s job seekers need to have already presented themselves as movers and shakers in their occupation and industries.

To establish this kind of credibility and enhance your network of contacts, consider joining a professional organization, publishing a blog relevant to your career goals, or offering your expertise to the media. This helps you develop a wide-ranging network in your industry. In turn, you’ll enhance your brand which will have a long-lasting impact on your future career success. www.educolorado.com

Keep your resume up-to-date For many career coaches, this piece of advice ranks high on their list of career commandments—in good and bad times. Whether or not you’re unemployed, your resume should include your most current job title, as well as outstanding accomplishments achieved in that role. This way, you can put your resume to use immediately, rather than having to completely re-work it for the job search.

Keep your skills up-to-date It’s a no-brainer that you should already possess the skills needed to perform your job. What many individuals overlook, however, is that developing additional skills can go a long way in making them more valuable and attractive to employers.

In his book, Laurence Shatkin identifies the most recession-proof skills and encourages individuals to enhance these areas to become more valuable to employers in tough economic times.

Top Recession-Proof Skills 1. Social perceptiveness

5. Persuasion

2. Writing

7. Critical thinking

3. Reading comprehension 4. Service orientation

6. Active listening 8. Speaking 9. Learning strategies 10. Instructing

Believe in yourself You can find great opportunities in the job market, regardless of what today’s grim headlines may suggest.

The key is to stay positive, treat the job search as though you were being paid for your efforts, and think of your layoff as an opportunity to have a fresh start or find more rewarding work. edu 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs is available at all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST) for more information.

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Seasoned to Taste: While working in restaurants and similar venues is a widely recognized aspect of the food industry, there are many more avenues and options for culinary professionals to take.

By Anne Kates Smith

T

he culinary industry itself can be just as diverse as the professionals it’s comprised of. While television shows and magazines have helped popularize this field in recent years, many of these would-be chefs come into the business as a second career.

Austin Yancey decided to attend culinary school after he spent the majority of his previous college experience cooking for his peers—and making a profit while he was at it.

“I immediately thought I wanted to go into biology out of high school,” he says. “Throughout that time, I didn’t like the normal college experience, so I spent most of my time cooking. Friends would call me up at night and ask me what’s for dinner, so I’d buy a bunch of groceries and charge $5 a head.” Serving homemade meals to friends and family is a great way to test the water before making the plunge into the food industry full-time.

Kirk Bachmann, chef at the Culinary and Hospitality Industry of Chicago, part of the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Schools, says the fast-pace working environment and atypical days make this field appealing. “[Cooking] lends itself to creativity and excitement and passion,” he explains. “The perception of a chef has changed.

A chef is also a manager in addition to everyday tasks such as creating menus, hiring, training, and motivating employees and coordinating with managers and other team members to ensure a seamless guest experience.”

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Culinary Industry Opportunities Come in Many Flavors Beyond Restaurants While working in restaurants and similar venues is a widely recognized aspect of the industry, Bachmann says there are many more avenues for culinary professionals to take. One such channel is preparing meals for the elderly in an assisted living environment.

Menu

ty

ni u t r o p p of O

This allows chefs to work in a less hectic, but equally demanding environment, he says.

Though the surge in television shows starring current and wouldbe chefs is hitting an all-time high, professionals in the industry warn against entering into the business with the sole purpose of looking for stardom.

“The best chefs I know attended culinary school y be the hool ma c s ry ary a n n li li u u c C d or did an apprenticeship regardless of pay,” ? men ange reer ch ly recom a te c lu a tt o a g s M says Bachmann. “That doesn’t matter when ab erin s,” says Consid “I would ging job o n for you. s a n h re o c the passion is there. Understand what you a ti t p o abou There perfect yette. “ thinking fa e a n L f o o in e see on TV is not always accurate or realistic; t ds to som had a lo iolo Foo school and I’ve hef of C ” b l.

C jo everything in many ways is very, very o e t o v a h ti a gre ry sc Execu t culina . I have u s Berrie, o ie h it it n orchestrated for [Food Network chefs like] w u port ve it reat op ldn’t ha u o w I many g d Rachael Ray.” ies—an Art portunit ol at the o h c cool op S ry l Culina earn his rnationa gram to Diner Comes First te ro In p e r a th e ame a two-y ate of c u a e d b in ra d g d n a a A chef’s main goal is to create a pleasant ate Berrie, ary Arts particip d in Culin lorado, king an o e o C o re f c g dining atmosphere for the client, o e s d a nce pics Institute tation ed Scie such to li n e p rs s p e A re v f p o whether it be in a high-end restaurant, c g, te o program urchasin Associa n. This ur-year ction, p a fo le ri e a a catered event or in the privacy of the d s n n li a d u c , foo twocertified cedures o offers ro d ls n p a a n o client’s home. e d d lora t, Foo , kitch te of Co gemen tu nutrition a ti n s a In M ry Art , Culina re. The Pastries and mo d n “Many students are attending a ooking. g Bakin Art of C in e h s T e d re n a t deg n culinary school today because of e linary agem s the cu ge Man y ra a e s v e ie rr B the rise of better restaurants in are lties, Be . “Chefs ic difficu re m u o s n s their town and cities,” Bachmann o re c ep ’s e at e nation under th out to e ll th g e e in w it o p e g s it explains in regard to the every De times g up qu ple enjo is holdin ie, “peo lly when y rr ia e tr c s e B changing neighborhoods in cities u p s d s in e in pe, g— xpla ded,” e boomin an esca e ll e d ti n n s a s across the United States. “In the is t y biz alwa l trea culinary a specia e th is , it n e early 1990s, we saw an increase sio becaus a reces Even in .” h g in small, independently owned, u are to eld, that? fi is ry t a e n e well-crafted restaurants. To li cu how sw er in the t re x a e c n a e find a small, white-tablecloth e th uing ut purs ality. Se ng ing abo ms a re ri k a e ff in re o restaurant became less odd d th r ls e e you schoo If you’r to mak er-area e v m n ti e D e and many cities, such as th on now is rmation ore info m Portland, Ore. and Chicago . r s fo rt ry a page e culina th in are continuously being s program Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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re-affected by city living culture and one of the first types of businesses that comes into that type of area is the restaurant.”

Because the restaurant environment is unlike any other work experience, experts suggest speaking with someone in the industry before attending culinary school. Doing so will give you a taste for what’s expected of you and the passion the job requires.

You’ll get an inside look at the pros and cons of the industry. “You have to have a passion to do well in this business,” adds Yancy of CHIC. “Know what you’re jumping into before getting into anything. Talking to local chefs or someone who has been to culinary school is a good idea. Look at all your options­—in this business, you have to watch out for yourself and you have to pick a school that will give you the skills to do that.” edu

A chef’s main goal is to create a pleasant dining atmosphere for the client, whether it be in a high-end restaurant, a catered event or in the privacy of the client’s home

Denver Area Culinary Schools The International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Colorado

1200 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203, 303-837-0825 artinstitutes.edu/denver Programs offered include: Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Food and Beverage Management, The Art of Cooking and more.

Cook Street School of Fine Cooking

1937 Market Street, Denver, CO 80202 303-308-9300 • cookstreet.com Programs offered include: Personal Chef Training, Italian Study Abroad Course and American Culinary Federation Apprenticeship

Emily Griffith Opportunity School

1250 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80204 720-423-4700 egos-school.com Programs offered include: Cake Decorating, Commercial Baking Program and Food Production

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Johnson & Wales University

7150 Montview Boulevard, Denver, CO 80220 303-256-9300 • jwu.edu Programs offered include: Baking and Pastry Arts, Food Service Management, Culinary Arts, Culinary Nutrition, Food Marketing and Food Service Entrepreneurship

Red Rocks Community College 13300 W. 2nd Place, Lakewood, CO 303-982-8556 • rrcc.edu Programs offered include: Chef’s Apprenticeship Program

S A L A R IES

Occupation and Wage Estimates A

re you feeling unsatisfied with your current job? Do you feel ready to take on a new challenge? It may be time to step up and make a change in your life with a new career. Although venturing into a new career may require additional time and training, the long-term financial and emotional benefits are well worth the sacrifice. You deserve a career that is both challenging and rewarding. We have compiled a list of some exciting job opportunities for your consideration—but keep in mind, there are thousands more out there. All you need to do is look. Who knows, you may just stumble upon your dream job!

Occupation Description

Avg. Hourly Wage

Avg. Annual Salary

Advertising and Promotions Manager

Plan and direct advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

$45.54

$94,720

Airline Pilot/Copilot

Pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport rating and certification in specific aircraft type used. Includes aircraft instructors with similar certification.

n/a

$119,750

Bailiff

Maintain order in courts of law.

$18.79

$39,090

Bartender

Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.

$9.84

$20,460

Budget Analyst

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.

Analyze budgeting and accounting reports for the purpose of maintaining expenditure controls.

$32.76

$68,140

Chef/Head Cook

Direct the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods.

May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts. May participate in cooking.

$20.39

$42,410

Child, Family and School Social Worker

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist single parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers on how to deal with problem children.

$20.73

$43,120

Claims Adjuster

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements have been made in accordance with company practices and procedures, ensuring that proper methods have been followed. Report overpayments, underpayments, and other irregularities. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation.

$27.67

$57,550

Clinical/Counseling/School Psychologist

Diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems using individual, child, family, and group therapies. May design and implement behavior modification programs.

$33.74

$70,190

Computer Sciences Teacher, Post-Secondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of both teaching and research.

n/a

$74,050

Correctional Officer

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institution in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

$19.88

$41,340

Database Administrator

Coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement the database applying knowledge of database management systems. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$35.05

$72,900

Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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ADVERTORIAL

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Learning To Improve Career Prospects

There may be at least one upside to a down economy: Many adult workers are furthering their education.

A growing number of displaced workers are heading back to school for the first time in years as they look to branch into new careers or advance skills in such areas as business management, health care management and fashion merchandising. Many are looking to career colleges that offer industry-specific professional instruction with flexible, online classes.

In fact, undergraduate enrollment at career colleges in the U.S. has averaged an annual

Who attends career colleges?

Career college students are predominantly working adults looking to achieve the American dream by obtaining an education directly related to their career goals. In some cases, they started pursuing the degree years earlier but quit for a variety of reasons.

• Forty-three percent are minorities and almost 50 percent are the first generation in their families to pursue higher education.

• Over 50 percent of dependent career college students come from families with an income of less than $40,000.

• More than 75 percent of the students are employed while enrolled in career colleges.

Source: Career College Association

growth rate of 9.9 percent since 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Education, with enrollment at Westwood College, a career college with 17 campuses around the country, mirroring that trend.

Dr. James M. Dorris, the college’s dean of the Master’s in Business Administration and Professional Studies program, credits much of that growth to its business- focused, distance online learning programs.

In salary terms alone, in 2007, the median annual earnings of working career college students 25 years and older with a bachelor’s degree was $50,856 and $63,856 for a master’s degree, versus $32,862 for their high school graduate counterparts, according to the Career College Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Westwood’s new School of Professional Studies offers career-focused, online classes designed to accommodate working adults’ schedules and also targets to meet changing business and economic demands.

The college offers bachelor degree programs including fashion merchandising, business management, health care management, marketing management, and accounting and financial management.

The School of Professional Studies also offers a master of business administration degree, with a choice of majors in e-business management, financial management and information technology.

Other programs offered

by Westwood include: The School of Technology

Degrees include game software development, compuer network management.

The School of Design Degrees include animation, computer-aided design/architectural drafting, and Web design and multimedia.

The School of Justice This school provides career-focused criminal justice and paralegal degree programs.

The School of Healthcare Degrees include medical assisting.

For more information, visit www.westwood.edu

making a change.

Westwood College offers degree programs in technology, business, design, justice and healthcare. At Westwood, you’ll take classes that focus on your career during your first term.* Don’t wait. Start today.

Denver North Campus

Denver South Campus

7350 N. Broadway Denver, CO 80221

3150 S. Sheridan Blvd.

Denver, CO 80227

westwood.edu *Subject to students meeting admissions placement requirements

800-281-2978

S A L A R IES

Occupation and Wage Estimates .....

Occupation Description

34

Avg. Hourly Wage

Avg. Annual Salary

Dietician and Nutritionist

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

$24.75

$51,470

Employment, Recruitment and Placement Specialist

Recruit and place workers.

$25.90

$53,870

Film and Video Editor

Edit motion picture soundtracks, film, and video.

$30.05

$62,500

Fitness Trainer/Aerobics Instructor

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities and the fundamentals of sports.

Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary to improve their skills.

$16.50

$34,310

Flight Attendant

Provide personal services to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.

n/a

$39,840

Gaming Dealer

Operate table games. Stand or sit behind table and operate games of chance by dispensing the appropriate number of cards or blocks to players, or operating other gaming equipment. Compare the house's hand against players' hands and payoff or collect players' money or chips.

$9.56

$19,890

Industrial Engineering Technician

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May study and record time, motion, method, and speed involved in performance of production, maintenance, clerical, and other worker operations for such purposes as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$24.07

$50,070

Occupational Therapist

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to disabled persons.

$32.65

$67,920

Personal Financial Advisor

Advise clients on financial plans utilizing knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives to establish investment strategies.

$44.69

$92,970

Pharmacist

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

$50.13

$104,260

Public Relations Specialist

Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

$28.34

$58,960

Radio Mechanic

Test or repair mobile or stationary radio transmitting and receiving equipment and two-way radio communications systems used in ship-to-shore communications and found in service and emergency vehicles.

$20.45

$42,530

Sales Manager

Direct the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers

$53.07

$110,390

Real Estate Broker

Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions.

Other duties usually include selling real estate or renting properties and arranging loans.

$37.13

$77,240

edu COLORADO • Summer/Fall 2009

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

D I R ECTO R Y

Resource Directory Colleges/Universities Aims Community College 5401 W. 20th St., Greeley 970-330-8008 104 E. Fourth St., Loveland 970-667-4611 815 8th Ave., Greeley 970-339-6550 260 College Ave., Fort Lupton 303-857-4022 5590 W. 11th St., Greeley American Sentinel University 2260 S. Xanadu Way, Ste. 310, Aurora 1-800-729-2427 American University of Paris 950 South Cherry Street, Ste. 210, Denver 303-757-6333 Arapahoe Community College 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton 303-797-4222 Argosy University 1200 Lincoln Street, Denver 303-248-2700 www.argosy.edu Argosy University offers professional certificates, programs, and doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees in the following colleges: College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, College of Education, College of Business, College of Health Sciences, and College of Undergraduate Studies.

Chambers College 1300 9th St., Greeley 970-346-0099 CollegeAmerica 4601 S. Mason St., Fort Collins 1385 S. Colorado Blvd., 5th Fl., Denver 3645 Citadel Dr. S., Colorado Springs 6101 Yellowstone Rd., Ste. 101, Cheyenne, WY 800-622-2894 www.collegeamerica.edu A high quality education will give you the opportunity to help your family, your community and give you the kind of life

and career you aspire of having. A strong education gives you a good start in life by increasing your knowledge and skills. If you are thinking of the future, CollegeAmerica will help you get started with degrees and programs that are in demand.

Colorado International College 2600 S. Parker Rd., Aurora 303-306-0170 Colorado Mountain College 255 Sage Rd., Aspen 970-925-7740 103 S. Harris St, PO Box 2208 Breckenridge 970-453-6757 27900 County Rd. 319, PO Box 897 Buena Vista 719-395-8419 690 Colorado Ave., Carbondale 970-963-2172 333 Fiedler Ave., PO Box 1414, Dillon 970-468-5989 150 Miller Ranch Rd., Edwards 970-569-2900 3000 County Rd. 114, Glenwood Springs 970-945-7481 1402 Blake Ave., Glenwood Springs 970-945-7486 901 South Hwy. 24, Leadville 719-486-2015 3695 Airport Rd., Rifle 970-625-1871 1330 Bob Adams Dr., Steamboat Springs 970-870-4444 www.coloradomtn.edu We’re a college in the middle of the Colorado Rockies, delivering a personalized education in 11 locations, including three residential campuses. This is a personal, two-year education similar to what you’d get at private, four-year colleges, but with the backdrop of the Colorado outdoors. We offer a full range of learning opportunities from Aspen to Vail.

Colorado Online Learning 13300 W. 2nd Pl., Lakewood 303-339-4080

Colorado School of Mines 1500 Illinois St., Golden 303-273-3000 Colorado Springs Adult Education 917 E. Moreno Ave., Colorado Springs 719-328-2975 Colorado State University Ft. Collins 970-491-6909 www.colostate.edu Colorado State University is one of our nation’s leading research universities with world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science, clean energy technologies, and environmental science.

It was founded in 1870 as the Colorado Agricultural College, six years before the Colorado Territory became a state Colorado State University – Pueblo 2200 Bonforte Blvd., Pueblo 719-549-2462 Colorado State University – Global Campus 8000 E. Maplewood, Bldg. 5, Ste. 250, Greenwood Village 1-800-920-6723 Community College of Aurora 16000 E. Centretech Pkwy., Aurora 303-360-4700 Community College of Denver 1111 W. Colfax Ave., Denver 303-556-2600 1070 Alton Way, Denver 303-365-8383 Daniels College of Business 2101 S. University Blvd., Denver 303-871-3411 DeVry University 1175 Kelly Johnson Blvd.

Colorado Springs 719-632-3000 6312 S. Fiddlers Green Cir., Ste. 150E Greenwood Village 303-329-3000 1870 W. 122nd Ave., Westminster 303-280-7400 Summer/Fall 2009 • edu COLORADO

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D I R ECTO R Y

Resource Directory www.devry.edu DeVry University offers degree programs focused on your success and the graduate employment statistics to prove it. We offer Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in some of today’s fastest growing fields. So no matter what program you choose to study at DeVry University , you’ll be majoring in a great career.

state-assisted institution in western Kansas with an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students. It has four colleges — Arts and Sciences, Education and Technology, Business and Leadership, and Health and Life Sciences — and a Graduate School.

It also has a Virtual College that delivers courses electronically throughout Kansas and beyond.

Everest College 14280 E. Jewell Ave., Ste. 100, Aurora 303-745-6244 1815 Jet Wing Dr., Colorado Springs 719-638-6580 9065 Grant St., Thornton 303-457-2757

Front Range Community College 1850 E. Egbert St., Brighton 303-404-5099 4616 S. Shields St., Ft. Collins 970-226-2500 2190 Miller Dr., Longmont 303-678-3722 3645 West 112th Ave., Westminster 303-404-5000

Fort Hays State University 600 Park Street, Hays, Kansas 785-628-FHSU www.fhsu.edu Fort Hays State University is a liberal arts,

Johnson & Wales University 7150 Montview Blvd., Denver 303-256-9300

Kaplan College 500 E. 84th Ave., # W200, Denver (303) 295-0550 Metropolitan State College of Denver 955 Lawrence Way, #150, Denver 303-556-2525 Morgan Community College 920 Barlow Rd., Fort Morgan 970-542-3100 Naropa Extended Learning 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder 303-245-4800 National American University 5125 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs 719-590-8300 1325 South Colorado Blvd., Ste. 100, Denver, 303-876-7100

Life’s good working as a

Medical Assistant

We also offer training for: • Radiologic Technology • Insurance Coding & Billing Specialist • Respiratory Therapy • Surgical Technologist • Practical Nursing • Dental Assistant

Call daytime, evenings or Saturdays!

1-888-744-1354 www.concorde4me.com

09-10679_CON_ad_Denver-EDU_MA_life_7x4_4c_[01].indd 1

36 edu COLORADO

• Summer/Fall 2009

111 N. Havana Street Aurora, CO 80010 VA Approved for Eligible Veterans.

Financial Aid available to those who qualify.

Accredited Member, ACCSCT 7/21/2009 11:58:20 AM

Be A Casino Dealer!

Pike’s Peak Community College 5675 South Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs 719-502-2000 PPNC School of Ministry 2130 Academy Cir. Ste. F Colorado Springs 719-264-8604 Pueblo Community College 900 W. Orman Ave., Pueblo 719-549-3200 Red Rocks Community College 13300 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood 303-914-6600 Regis University 3333 Regis Blvd., Denver 800-388-2366 www.regis.edu Regis University, with nearly 16,000 students, comprises Regis College, College for Professional Studies and RueckertHartman College for Health Professions.

The University is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Top School in the West and is one of 28 Catholic Jesuit colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Colorado system. Located in Denver on the Downtown Campus and on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo., UC Denver offers more than 100 degrees and programs in 13 schools and colleges and serves more than 28,000 students.

University of Northern Colorado Greeley 970-351-1890 University of Phoenix 6105 S. Main St. Ste. 200, Aurora 303-755-9090 3151 South Vaughn Way, Ste.100, Aurora 303-694-9093 2864 S. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs 719-527-9000 5725 Mark Dabling Blvd., Ste. 150 Colorado Springs 800-834-4646 2809 E Harmony Rd., #160, Fort Collins 970-226-1781 CAREER TRAINING

Now enrolling, Please call

303-937-6229 For free info

Learning that Easy Accessisata treasure 44th & Federal accompanies its owner everywhere.

We make it easy to get started

MEDICAL

GRAPHIC ARTS • COMPUTERS BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING

Teikyo Loretto Heights University 3001 S. Federal Blvd., Denver 303-936-8441

• Financial Aid Available for Qualified Students • Associate’s, Bachelor’s & Master’s† Degrees • Employment Assistance for Graduates • Preparation for Certifications & Licenses** • Accredited Member ACCSCT • Programs Approved for Veterans

University of Colorado – Boulder Boulder 303-492-1411 University of Colorado – Colorado Springs 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., Colorado Springs 719-255-8227

www.educolorado.com

New location at 44th & Classes Federal •Affordable Short Term affords easy access to all •Easy Payment Plansparts of Metro Denver.

You Can Make More Money* and Get a Better Job

Remington College 6050 Erin Park Dr., Colorado Springs 800-560-6192

University of Colorado—Denver Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400 1380 Lawrence Street, Denver 303-315-2500 www.ucdenver.edu The University of Colorado Denver is one of three campuses in the University of

Casino Dealers School of Colorado offers expert instruction in the casino games of Craps, Roulette, Blackjack & Poker.

LAPTOP COMPUTER!

Use it in college and keep it when you graduate.

Certain restrictions apply. Call for details.

Evening, Day & Online Classes Start Next Month

1-800-961-5793

Denver Main

www.collegeamerica.info

•

Colorado Springs Branch • Fort Collins Branch • Cheyenne Branch

*www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/education/cps2006.html (Table 8) **Certifications/licenses may require additional study and cost. †Offered fully online by Stevens-Henager College® Salt Lake City/Murray, an affiliated college.

Summer/Fall 2009 •

edu COLORADO 37

D I R ECTO R Y

Resource Directory 10004 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree 303-755-9090 121 W. 1st St., Ste. A, Pueblo 719-544-0015 8700 Turnpike Dr., Westminster 303-694-9093 University of Texas McCombs School of Business 1 University Station, B6000, GSB 3.136 Austin, TX 512-471-5921 University of the Rockies 555 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Colorado Springs 877-442-0505 Weston Distance Learning 2001 Lowe St., Fort Collins 970-225-6300 Westwood College Westwood Online 7350 N. Broadway, Denver 303-650-5050 3150 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver 303-934-2790 10851 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield 303-466-1714 www.westwood.edu Alta Colleges, Inc. includes Westwood College, Westwood College Online and Redstone College. Westwood College has degree programs in the Institutes of Business, Design, Technology, Industrial Services, Justice, and Healthcare. We have two Denver campuses as well as many others across the United States.

Westwood College Online enables students to complete selected programs without attending campus based courses. Redstone College, our Aviation campuses offer degrees in Avionics, Airframe & Powerplant Maintenance, Construction Management, and HVAC/R. Apply today!

Trade and Technical Schools Academy of Cosmetology Arts 940 Speer Blvd., Denver 303-282-5012 American Institute of Bail Bonding and Bail Enforcement 441 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood 303-232-8800 Armbrust Real Estate Institute 7100 E. Belleview Ave., #211 Greenwood Village 303-904-1808 Aveda Institute of Denver 700 16th St., Denver 303-567-7500 Batky Howell Training 7245 S. Havana St., #100, Centennial 303-302-5300 Barnett Bicycle Institute 2725 Ore Mill Rd., #23, Colorado Springs 719-632-5173 Bartending College of Denver 1355 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. #080, Denver 303-758-5000 BL International Beauty College 3465 W. Alameda Ave., Denver 303-975-8961 Boss, Inc. 1320 Pearl St., Boulder 303-444-9779 Boulder Tec/Cosmetology School 6600 Boulder 303-447-5210 Casino Dealers’ School of Colorado 2834 W. 44th Ave., Denver 303-937-6229 The Casino Dealers’ School of Colorado offers expert instruction in the casino games of Craps, Roulette, Blackjack and Poker.

New location at 44th and Federal affords easy access to all parts of Metro Denver.

CDL College 14800 Smith Rd., Aurora 303-367-1030

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Classy Pet Grooming School 1542 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland 970-667-7632 CLE International 1620 Gaylord St., Denver 303-377-6600 Clear Creek Academy of Jewelry and Metal Arts 6810 Broadway, #L, Denver 303-429-1401 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Academy 101 University Blvd., # 60, Denver 303-750-0909 Colorado Academy of Physicians Assistants 4582 S. Ulster St., Denver 303-770-6048 Colorado Advanced Esthetics 7009 S. Potomac St., # 100, Centennial 303-790-2700 Colorado Locksmith College Inc. 4991 W. 80th Ave., #103, Westminster 303-427-7773 Colorado School of Trades Gunsmithing School 1575 Hoyt St., Lakewood 303-233-4697 Colorado Technical University 4435 N. Chestnut St., Colorado Springs 1865 W. 121st Ave., Denver 5775 DTC Blvd., #100, Greenwood Village 1025 W. 6th St., Pueblo 1-888-897-6555 www.coloradotech.edu When you strive to reach the peak of your potential by pursuing an industry-current college degree, you can create opportunities to achieve personal, professional and academic fulfillment. At Colorado Technical University, we not only understand the importance of these goals, we set out to help you accomplish them. Our multi-campus institution of higher learning is focused on preparing career-focused individuals for success in their chosen professional career fields.

Concorde Career College 111 Havana St., Aurora 303-861-1151 www.concorde.edu If you want a rewarding career in healthcare, Concorde Career College Aurora’s intensive training programs will have you entering the job market as soon as possible. As the recognized leader in specialized healthcare training, Concorde Career College offers everything you need to earn a career in healthcare.

Denver Academy of Court Reporting 9051 Harlan St., Unit #20, Westminster 303-427-5292 Denver Arts & Technology Academy 3752 Tennyson St., Denver 720-855-7504 Denver Automotive & Diesel College 460 S. Lipan St., Denver 303-722-5724 Denver CNA Training School 399 Federal Blvd., Denver 303-936-0424 Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship 5610 Logan St., Denver 303-295-1903

Home Real Estate Academy 7743 E. Bayaud Ave., Denver 303-363-9882 Institute of Business and Medical Careers 3842 S. Mason St., Ft. Collins 5400 W. 11th St. Ste. D, Greeley 3425 Dell Range Blvd., Cheyenne 800-495-2669 www.ibmc.edu A career to support yourself starts with a supportive, experienced faculty. At IBMC we want you to succeed—that’s why we provide one-on-one interaction and personal attention for every student. Our faculty not only teaches the essentials to build your chosen career, they also motivate you every step of the way. IBMC delivers a wide range of professional life changing opportunities to promote personal, social, and career development.

National Personal Training Institute 1658 Cole Blvd., Bldg. 6, Ste. 50 Lakewood 303-238-9999 Nutrition Therapy Institute, Inc. 1574 York St., Ste. 100, Denver 303-377-3974 Nurse Wise/Script Assist 3773 Cherry Creek Dr. N., # 1050, Denver 303-777-5700 Ohio Center for Broadcasting 1310 Wadsworth Blvd., #100, Lakewood 303-937-7070

Intellitec Medical Institute 2345 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs 719-596-7400 Intellyst Medical Education 2101 S. Blackhawk St., #240, Aurora 720-748-8800 Iron Workers Apprenticeship 3385 Walnut St., Denver 303-296-6626

Denver School of Massage Therapy 14107 E. Exposition Ave., Aurora 303-366-4325

Lincoln College of Technology 460 S. Lipan St., Denver 303-722-5724

Denver School of Nursing 1401 19th St., Denver 303-292-0015

Mise en Place Cooking School 1801 Wynkoop, Ste. 175, Denver 303-293-2224

Emily Griffith Opportunity School 1250 Welton St., Denver 720-423-4700

Mr. B’s Culinary Arts School 3784 S. Logan St., Englewood 303-761-4058

Environmental Technology Institute 11891 E. 33rd Ave. # C, Aurora 303-340-5781

Naomi’s Mile High Beauty College 3455 W. 32nd Ave., Denver 303-455-3687

Heritage College 12 Lakeside Ln., Denver 303-477-7240

National American University 5125 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs 719-590-8300 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 100, Denver 303-876-7100

www.educolorado.com

National Beauty and Massage Therapy College 2200 W. Alameda Ave., #5B, Denver 303-934-1288

Summer/Fall 2009 •

edu COLORADO 39

D I R ECTO R Y

Resource Directory Phlebotomy Learning Center 1780 S. Bellaire St.. #780, Denver 303-584-0575 PIMA Medical Institute 7475 Dakin St., Denver 303-426-1800 www.pmi.edu Why attend a Denver school that has just introduced medical when you can choose a highly experienced and proven educational leader to be your alma mater? For more than 30 years Pima Medical Institute has offered quick and affordable education.

Our Denver medical career college has been servicing the community since 1988.

Platt College 100 S. Parker Rd., Aurora 303-369-5151 Real Estate Training Center 3500 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 408 Lakewood 1-866-311-7382 3225 S. Wadsworth Blvd., #S, Lakewood 303-421-9078 Rock Creek Laser & Esthetics Institute 357 McCaslin Blvd., Ste. 110, Louisville 303-543-8304 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 1600 Pierce St., Lakewood 303-753-604 Rocky Mountain Laser College 651 Garrison St. Ste. 250, Lakewood 303-237-6400 SAGE Technical Truck Driving School 10401 E. 102nd Ave., Unit A, Henderson 1-800-867-9856 770 Horizon Dr., Grand Junction 1-800-523-0492 School of Natural Medicine 3000 Folsom St., Boulder 303-588-6887 Scofield Business Services 1777 S. Bellaire St., Denver 303-757-7768 40 edu COLORADO

• Summer/Fall 2009

TechSkills 7000 E. Belleview Ave., #100 Greenwood Village 720-529-8000 United Beauty School 1907 W. Mississippi Ave., Denver 303-922-1852 University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine 13065 E. 17th Ave., Aurora 303-315-8017 Westwood College of Technology 7350 N. Broadway, Denver 303-426-9797 3150 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver 866-552-7536 Yoh Engineering & IT 8601 Turnpike Dr., Westminster 303-296-1764

Private Schools and Services: A Plus Tutoring 3570 E. 12th Ave., Ste. 204, Denver 303-377-2048 Academic Resources Corp 1777 S. Bellaire St., Ste. 339, Denver 303-759-8371

Colorado School of Mines 1500 Illinois St., Golden 303-273-3220 Iliff School of Theology 2201 S. University Blvd., Denver 303-744-1287 Kaplan Test Prep 1669 Euclid Ave., Boulder 303-444-1683 Key Results 1235 Oakhurst Dr., Broomfield 303-439-0495 Learning Power 1548 Old Tale Rd., Boulder 303-938-0136 LearningRx 8700 Turnpike Dr., Ste. 430, Westminster 303-412-6303 Nazarene Bible College 1111 Academy Park Loop Colorado Springs 719-884-5000 Rocky Mountain Bible College and Seminary 3190 S. Grant St., Englewood 303-657-5636

Charis Bible College 850 Elkton Dr., Colorado Springs 719-635-6029

Sylvan Learning Center 24310 E. Glasgow Dr., Aurora 303-693-6366 9473 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch 303-220-8607 8246 W. Bowles Ave. Unit R, Littleton 303-972-4040 7400 E. Hampden Ave. Ste. C-3, Denver 303-300-2522

Colorado Christian University 8787 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood 303-963-3000

United States Air Force Academy Colorado Springs 719-333-1110

Colorado College 14 E. Cache La Poudre, Colorado Springs 719-389-6000

Video Professor Denver 1-800-525-7763

Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind 33 N. Institute St., Colorado Springs 719-578-2100

Vineyard University 11502 E. 5th Ave., Aurora 303-363-9669

Belleview Christian College & Bible Seminary 3455 West 83rd Ave., Westminster 303-427-5461

NON - P R O F IT D I R ECTO R Y

Reaching Your Potential I

t’s no secret that right now, times are tough for everyone. In a climate of economic uncertainty and stress, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about your next step in life. Thankfully, there are a number of Denver-area organizations dedicated to helping you become the best possible version of yourself. Whether you are starting over after overcoming an addiction or you are looking for a new, more satisfying career, there are people that can help. Read on to discover some of the many organizations dedicated to lending you a hand and helping you reach your full potential.

Hope Center, Inc. Early Childhood Education: 3400 Elizabeth Street, Denver, CO 80205-4801 • 303-388-4801 Vocational Program: 3475 Holly Street, Denver, CO 80207 303-321-0997 • hopecenterinc.org

Colorado “I Have a Dream” Foundation 1836 Grant Street, Denver CO 80203 303-861-5005 • cihadf.org

Denver Kids, Inc. 1330 Fox St., Denver, CO 80204 720-423-8266, denverkidsinc.org

The Colorado “I Have a Dream” Foundation is a ten-year, comprehensive drop-out prevention program for students in the Denver Metro area. The foundation helps students from disadvantaged communities achieve their academic and professional goals with a variety of services including mentoring, tutoring, homework help, college visits, community activities and more. This program was founded over 25 years ago in New York City by Eugene Lang, and it was his dedication to the success of students that inspired Chris Romer to initiate a similar program in Denver in 1987.

Since 1946, Denver Kids, Inc. has been working in partnership with Denver Public Schools to help Denver’s most at-risk youth graduate from high school, pursue post-secondary options and become contributing members of the community.

Through long term counseling, mentoring and guidance, Denver Kids, Inc. helps students develop academically, personally and socially and realize their full potential.

Denver Kids, Inc. starts working with DPS students as early as kindergarten and stays with them through to graduation.

Parent Pathways 55 S. Zuni St., Denver, CO 80223-1208 303-321-6363, parentpathways.org

Denver Rescue Mission – Champa House 2544 Champa St., Denver, CO 80205 • 303-294-9961 denverrescuemission.org

Denver Inner-City Parish 1212 Mariposa St., Denver, CO 80204 303-629-0636 OR 910 Galapago Street Denver, CO 80204, 303-629-0637 dicp.org

Parent Pathways is a Denver-based nonprofit that empowers struggling teen families to be productive members of the community. Using a holistic approach, Parent Pathways offers a spectrum of services to the entire teen family, including education and parenting training for pregnant and parenting teen mothers at the Florence Crittenton School, early childhood education for their babies at its Qualistarrated Early Learning Center, and counseling and parenting support for teen fathers through the Young Fathers Program.

Denver Rescue Mission’s Champa House is a transitional rehabilitation facility for single mothers and their children, designed to develop self-sufficiency, success and confidence. Women and their families receive counseling, education and job skills training to help them learn and grow. The purpose of the Champa House is to provide shelter, security and guidance to help these women escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness and strive for a better life for themselves and their children.

The Denver Inner City Parish serves the West Denver area, providing educational services to lowincome individuals and families, as well as spiritual and secular aid. The organization serves mainly (but not exclusively) Latino families living within the boundaries of Broadway, Sheridan, Evans and Colfax.

The goal of the organization is to develop a stronger, more self-sufficient community and has been serving the area since 1960.

www.educolorado.com

The Hope Center provides a variety of services for people with developmental disabilities, developmental delays and those in need of specialized vocational training. The Hope Center has developed a highly-individualized program designed to meet the needs and enhance the lives of every person they serve. The center also runs an Early Childhood Education Center, which serves gifted and special-needs children from 2 1/2 to 8 years of age.

Phoenix Multisport 4645 N. Broadway, Unit C4 Boulder, CO 80304, 303-440-0547 phoenixmultisport.org Phoenix Multisport is an organization designed to support individuals recovering from substance abuse issues by organizing outdoor activities such as climbing, backpacking, hiking, running, swimming and biking to maintain physical and emotional strength. These activities are designed for people of all skill levels and help people develop a lifelong passion for the outdoors.

Those who make the decision to live a sober lifestyle will find a strong network of support through this program.

Rocky Mountain SER 3555 Pecos St., Denver, CO 80211 303-480-9394 • rmser.org Since its inception in 1980, Rocky Mountain Service, Employment and Redevelopment has worked to empower Colorado’s disadvantaged populations by helping them overcome the obstacles that prevent them from getting better education and employment. RMSER is a member of America’s Workforce Network, which helps individuals develop new job skills to advance their careers and helps connect workers with potential employers. RMSER also reaches out to Colorado’s children, running various head start programs for early childhood development, sports programs and day camps.

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A D VE R T O R I A L

Q: D eVry University has decided to start a day program at the Colorado Springs campus. What is the reasoning behind this?

A: DeVry University’s day program is designed for individuals who are interested in starting a degree program, pursuing an interrupted degree, or just taking interesting courses for personal growth and enjoyment. Whether it be the military spouse, military personnel, moms or a recent high school graduate wanting to take part in the traditional college experience.

During our research we have found that most suitable programs to start the new day program would be the associate degrees in Accounting and Web Graphic Design.

Q: How would you best describe DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management?

James Caldwell, President, DeVry University Colorado, With DeVry University since 1982 (21+ years)

A: For nearly 80 years, DeVry University has been helping students prepare for the real challenges they will face in the workplace by bringing the real world into the classroom. Like other top schools, DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. An associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree programs are offered within five distinguished colleges - the College of Business & Management, College of Engineering & Information Sciences, College of Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and College of Media Arts & Technology. To learn more, visit devry.edu.

When you earn a degree from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, you’ll gain the professional credibility and essential skills necessary to advance your career. Keller delivers graduate management degree programs that give you an outstanding educational experience, including the skills employers value and the confidence you need to advance in your career and stay ahead of the competition. To learn more, visit keller.edu.

DeVry University also has a Corporate Education Program that addresses the educational needs of both employers and their employees. The Keller Center for Corporate Learning partners with organizations to deliver corporate education, professional training, and tailored learning to employees through our unmatched suite of solutions and flexible delivery methods.

Q: Why would an individual want to choose DeVry University?

A: Everything we do at DeVry University, from our career-oriented majors and our hands-on approach to learn-

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ing to our practitioner faculty and accelerated schedules, is focused on your career success. Best of all, we have the graduate statistics to prove it.

Classes are small; hands on. Get the individual attention you want and learn the critical skills you need in a practical environment that is uniquely student-focused.

Accelerated schedule: earn a 4 year degree in 3 years or less. Onsite/online flexibility. Taking classes onsite or online offers the flexibility you need to fit your busy schedule. Our year-round schedule could allow you graduate sooner.

Real-world faculty real-world curriculum: Gain knowledge from successful professionals who use curriculum responsive to industry needs and who will provide you with relevant insights.

Education that’s affordable: Invest in your future.

We’ll help you apply for the funds needed to make college more affordable. Financial aid available for qualifying students.

Employment results: Earn a degree that is recognized by leading employers to get the interviews you need to start your career.

Reputable accreditation/degrees employers value. Earn an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree from a university that’s accredited like other top schools to get started on the path to a successful career.

Q: What are you most proud of about DeVry University?

A: At the undergraduate level we are most proud of our success in helping our graduates find employment.

94% of DeVry Colorado’s February ’08, June ’08 and October ’08 graduates in the active job market were employed in their fields within 6 months of graduation at an average salary of $44,000. For more than 75 years, DeVry University has been helping students prepare for the real challenges they will face in the workplace by bringing the real world into the classroom.

At the graduate level, we are very proud of the quality and flexibility of our degree programs that help prepare our students to move into positions of higher responsibility in their current employment or gain the skills and confidence

to change careers.

Undergraduate Programs Associate Degree • Electronics and Computer Technology • Network Systems Administration • Web Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree • Business Administration • Computer Engineering Technology • Computer Information Systems • Electronics Engineering Technology • Network and Communications Management • Multimedia Design and Development • Technical Management

Graduate Programs Master’s Degree • Accounting and Financial Management • Business Administration • Human Resource Management • Information Systems Management • Network and Communications Management • Project Management • Public Administration

Resources • Academic support centers • Career services • Computer labs • Networked facilities • Online library with 24-hour access

Colorado Locations: Colorado Springs 1175 Kelly Johnson Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719.632.3000 Denver 6312 South Fiddlers Green Circle Suite 150 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303.329.3000 Westminster 1870 West 122nd Avenue Westminster, CO 80234 303.280.7600

Q: P lease tell me more about the faculty at the local campus, such as their educational background, life experience, etc.

A: DeVry seeks faculty members with appropriate degree credentials and on-the-job work experience in the fields in which they teach. This is because we focus on teaching our courses from a hands-on, application-oriented approach.

While we teach from the same theoretical foundations as other schools, we ask our faculty to bring their practical approach and real-world experience to the classroom. Additionally and in contrast to traditional universities, we focus intently upon the quality of teaching in the classroom instead of on the faculty member’s research and publishing record.

We believe this provides a significantly higher quality learning environment for the student in the classroom.

All faculty are required to hold a Master’s degree or higher from an accredited university, and many are enrolled in Ph.D. programs. We are proud of the highly favorable teaching evaluations our faculty receive from students in their courses and of our professors’ ability to readily adapt new technology innovations to the classroom. n

I ADVOCATE College of Architecture and Planning

I TEACH

Where more than half a million people come each year for health and wellness

I INTERACT

More than 16,000 students attend each year

I EMPOWER

More interactive: average class size 29

www.ucdenver.edu/learn

I BUILD

wide ranging acadeMics: 13 schools and colleges

hands-on learning: projects and internships downtown, clinical care at Anschutz Medical Campus

discovering cures and solving ProbleMs: nearly $400 million in research grants each year

I EXPRESS

Many choices: more than 115 degree programs

Personal attention: student- faculty ratio 15:1

Changing Lives.

Saving Lives.

Building Futures.

College of Arts & Media Business School School of Education & Human Development College of Engineering and Applied Science

I CARE

School of Dental Medicine

The Graduate School School of Medicine College of Nursing

I STUDY

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

School of Pharmacy School of Public Affairs Colorado School of Public Health

I SOLVE Downtown Campus

I achieve 44

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Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora