In this fast-paced world, relevance is fleeting, and new product launches make existing technologies obsolete seemingly overnight. The constant evolution of the industry means new job opportunities will continue to rise for professionals with relevant skills. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, particularly for those with bachelor’s degrees.

Graduates with bachelor’s degrees in engineering technology will be positioned for career success, as these programs provide the educational framework for designing and implementing the software and hardware that make technological advancements possible. Many universities now offer degree programs tailored to this career path, giving students hands-on experience in fields poised to expand over the next decade.

“DeVry University partners with Fortune 100 leaders in business and technology to design programs that provide real-world knowledge,” explained John Giancola, dean of the College of Engineering and Information Sciences, DeVry University. “Our Computer Engineering Technology and Electronics Engineering Technology degree programs are designed to address the skills students need to succeed developing software or electronics for a variety of consumer product markets, including ‘green’ products that require renewable energy.”

While many fields have declining projections for growth, engineering technology continues to thrive. “Money” magazine recently listed software developer, software development engineer and database administrator among its top 20 jobs in fast growth fields, each of which is an attainable profession with a degree in electronics engineering technology or computer engineering technology.

From healthcare and government to telecommunications, the technologies that support growing industries are rapidly becoming more advanced and complex, creating new demand for professionals trained to manage updated systems and resolve new, unique problems.

Similarly, companies in all industries are becoming increasingly global and require engineering technology specialists to ensure that the systems they use to conduct business are compatible at international locations.

Find more information on engineering technology degree programs at www.devry.edu.

Engineering Technology Fields See Continued Job Growth was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

It is important to remember, however, that there are no guarantees; it is important to determine the true value of an MBA in each unique career field.

Will an MBA launch my career?

While an MBA can enhance your career, increase earning potential and possibly give you a competitive edge, it isn’t always necessary to obtain one to achieve these results. Take the time to research your desired position to gauge whether the skills acquired through an MBA program are a necessary credential. Some graduates find it worthwhile to gain work experience before applying to business schools, and many business schools favor applicants who have real-world experience.

“Prospective MBA students need to look at the big picture,” said Dr. Donna Loraine, DeVry University provost and vice president of academic affairs for DeVry, Inc. and dean of DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. “We’ve found that students who map out long-term career goals and determine the potential benefit and relevance of an MBA in advance end up being the most satisfied with the value of their advanced degree.”

What is the financial ROI of an MBA?

It is crucial that students fully understand the commitment required for continuing education.  According to the Corporate Recruiters Survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council (2011), tuition for an MBA program can soar above $100,000 – pursuing one can be a life-changing decision.

It can be beneficial to work with a financial planner to determine the return on investment. Scholarships, financial aid options and paid internships can help ease the financial impact.

Is there only one type of MBA program available?

MBA programs that can be tailored to specific schedules, concentrations, geographic locations and online needs have made earning an additional degree possible for many students.

How can I help maximize my MBA?

Career services can help students make the most of their education. For example, DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management recently partnered with CareerBuilder to supply its MBA students with a variety of career resources and counseling at no additional cost.

Students have access to dedicated career coaches, writing assistance and online tools for effective job searching, as well as insight for building a competitive edge.

Whether you are seeking more professional responsibility or a higher salary or are striving to climb the corporate ladder, an MBA can be a valuable asset, but only when utilized correctly.

Conduct research and map out your options before making this significant career decision. By thoroughly preparing, you can increase the likelihood that your MBA delivers success.

For more information, visit www.keller.edu and www.devry.edu.

The Value of an MBA was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Will that momentum continue throughout 2012? All signs point to yes, and Walden University’s recent Social Change Impact Report confirms the trend. The results indicate the importance of social change and reveal that people are taking action now and will continue to do so in the future. The survey shows that more than nine in 10 Americans (92 percent) have taken action to engage in positive social change in the past year and more than half of them are committed to engaging in future positive change as individuals acting on their own or in informal groups.

“Around the world, people are ‘thinking globally and acting locally,’” notes Jonathan Kaplan, president of Walden University. “People have a strong belief in their own power to effect positive social change and make a difference.”

The Social Change Impact Report also states that nearly nine in 10 adults in the U.S. (88 percent) believe the best way to have an impact on the world is to make change at the local level. At a time when many families and organizations are vulnerable, and fewer resources are available to support the socioeconomic challenges that exist, individuals now more than ever have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Walden University offers five practical tips to encourage citizens to participate in 2012.

1.    Think about what kind of positive social change you want to effect.

2.    Assess what specific skills or expertise you can offer to help address a particular need.

3.    Connect your passion and skills with your commitment to serve.

4.    Research ways your workplace can get involved in the community.

5.    Use a resource that can match you with an organization that needs your skills.

To see more details from the Social Change Impact Report, visit www.WaldenU.edu/impactreport, and to find volunteer opportunities near you, visit www.WaldenU.edu/servicenetwork.

Lend a Helping Hand for Social Change in 2012 was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Whether your goal is to land your ideal job upon graduating from college or earn that promotion you have been eyeing in your current job, it’s vital to have the support of those around you for your cause.

Garnering the support of others is possible but takes effort, according to Guy Kawasaki, best-selling author and former chief evangelist for Apple Computer. He calls this process “enchantment.”

Kawasaki’s latest book, “Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions,” explains how one can attain and utilize enchantment to convince people to dream the same dream that you do.

“Enchantment is more than simply manipulating others to help get your way,” says Kawasaki. “The goal is long-lasting support that can be mutually beneficial – not a one-time sale or transaction.”

“To achieve enchantment, individuals must build a strong foundation to implement it,” says Kawasaki. “That foundation is built on three pillars: likability, trustworthiness and a great cause.”

Likability
As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance at a first impression. The first step of enchantment is to get people to like you. You must accept others in order for them to accept you.

Identifying passions you share with others will help to break down barriers and develop better relationships, which ultimately makes you more likable.

Trustworthiness
Deserving and gaining the trust of others is crucial for enchantment to occur. To earn the trust of others, it’s vital to exhibit both knowledge and competence, especially in the workplace.

Knowledge means you have expertise, thanks to your education and experience. Competence means that you have progressed beyond knowing what to do, to doing what you know.

In some cases, individuals may have to go back to school to earn an additional degree to gain knowledge and competence in order to develop or deepen trustworthiness.

“If you must further your education, research schools thoroughly to find the program that fits your specific goals,” says Kawasaki.

For those looking to gain career-specific knowledge, DeVry University is an example of a school which provides actual hands-on coursework, with many classes taught by professors who are actively working in the same fields they teach.

Great Cause
Finally, you must ensure you have an enchanting cause. As an employee or job seeker, your cause is you!

It’s important to carefully review your qualifications in order to set yourself up for success. Kawasaki recommends reviewing your cause against the following criteria:

Deep
Intelligent
Complete
Empowering
Elegant

Once you’ve assessed your cause, it’s time to tell your story. “The goal is to immerse people and captivate their interest,” says Kawasaki. “Don’t be afraid to make it personal. In fact, it’s essential that you do.”

To learn more about the art of enchanting others, visit www.guykawasaki.com. To learn more about DeVry University, visit www.devry.edu.

Using the Art of Enchantment for Career Success was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

But parents aren’t alone in their terror of polynomial equations – 8th- and 9th-graders surveyed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress would eagerly give up Facebook and video games if it meant no more algebra.

Education expert Dr. Richard Bavaria recommends parents treat algebra like reading, a fun chance for quality time with your kids.

“We read with our kids on a fairly regular basis — story time, bed time, read-aloud time. Why shouldn’t we get the same enjoyment doing math with them?” says Bavaria, who has spent 40 years immersed in the education field.

To encourage parents to enjoy helping their middle schoolers with their dreaded algebra homework, Bavaria suggests making math fun with the following games.

1. Keep score. If your kids enjoy sports, board games or playing cards, emphasize the role of score keeper. When watching sporting events, play up “statistics manager” and help them track the stats of their favorite team or player.

2. Use manipulatives. Manipulatives are tangible objects allowing kids to visualize math problems. Tailor it to the interests of your child by using their preferred foods or framing arithmetic questions around their hobbies.

3. Guess the number. Get your whole family to participate by each picking a number while everyone takes turns guessing. Ask smart, educational math questions, like “Can I count to your number by twos? Is it divisible by three?”

4. Use real money. Teach kids to guess what coins are in your pocket by giving them clues, such as four coins that equal eight cents. If appropriate, go to your bank, and have the kids help balance your checkbook or fill in deposit slips.

5. Pick a “number of the day.” Instead of a word of the day, choose a number. Challenge your kids to find several ways to reach the number by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. Reward them with little prizes for participating.

“We can’t allow our math insecurities to get in the way of our kids’ success. We can even estimate our kids’ progress by using Fit4Algebra — a free screener that measures how prepared students are for the subject,” notes Bavaria.

Fit4Algebra, developed by tutoring service Sylvan Learning, is available online at www.Fit4Algebra.org. Learn more about navigating the math crisis at www.sylvanlearning.com.

Make Algebra Less Daunting One Game at a Time was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

Despite the benefits of degree programs, many students do not complete the process due to perceived barriers, such as a full-time job, family commitments or worries about achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives. Others are eager to start a career and make money.

Although they may think they are getting a “head start” on their careers, many of these students will find that former classmates who completed their degrees have quickly caught up with them professionally and are better equipped to achieve longevity and advancement in their career.

“Job seekers drastically improve their chances of getting hired by developing what I call ‘the full suite’ –skills, experience and education,” said Joyce Barden, CPA, CBM, senior professor at DeVry University. “It all starts with education.”

Regardless of how long you have been out of the classroom, completing a degree program helps to ensure a competitive edge in the job market.

Here are four compelling reasons to re-commit to education and complete your degree:

Open doors to your future.

A bachelor’s degree could be the ticket to a new career or a stepping stone to advancement in your current field. By completing your degree, you will master a skill set and possibly uncover hidden strengths.

Increase your salary.

Last year, full-time workers with college degrees earned 83 percent more than those with only a high-school diploma.

Build your network.

Returning to school will help you meet new people, develop potential business partnerships and explore new avenues for career growth. Everyone we allow into our network can offer new ideas that will help us to grow personally and professionally.

There is a program that works for you.

Whether you take online courses or attend classes on campus, you should know that many schools are committed to accommodating students’ busy schedules.

Such schools often offer integrated programs that allow full-time or part-time students to learn at their own pace through an accelerated track or a more traditional program.

Annette R. Uncangco, MS, director of career services at DeVry University, recommends finding a school that offers flexible scheduling options that allow students to complete their education while balancing current job and family commitments.

Advancements in education have helped to remove many previous barriers to going back to school, allowing many to complete the education they started. Despite your past, it’s never too late to invest in your future.

For more information, visit www.devry.edu.

First Step Toward Career Success: Degree Completion was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

This finding is part of the second annual Small Voices, Big Dreams survey, which polled close to 5,000 children ages 10 to 12 in 44 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas – from Afghanistan to Zambia.

“Children who grow up in poverty recognize more than anyone the power that education has to break the cycle,” said Anne Lynam Goddard, president and CEO of ChildFund International, the U.S. member of ChildFund Alliance, which commissioned the survey. “Children in the poorest countries are placing their hopes and dreams on their ability to learn, and they want to use their education to improve their communities.”

Compiled by Ipsos Observer, the survey found that when asked how they would improve the lives of children in their country, almost half of the children in developing nations said they would improve their nation’s schools. This response was four times higher than “provide more food,” which placed second at 11 percent, followed by “improve healthcare” at 9 percent.

Reflecting the dangers of the world around them, 83 percent of children in developing nations said they felt safest at home or with their parents or family. Children’s biggest health-related concern is getting sick or contracting a disease, which was cited by 23 percent of respondents in developing countries.

Despite finding a stark contrast in professional aspirations, the survey uncovered an inherent similarity among the world’s children. Given the choice to do anything they wanted for a day, 34 percent of children in the developing world would choose to play, and 35 percent of children in developed nations would do the same.

“At the end of day, children are children no matter where they live,” Goddard said. “This survey gives us a powerful glimpse into the opinions of children around the world and will help shape our priorities and programs while giving a voice to those most often overlooked.”

Survey Says Impoverished Children Crave Education First was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

1. Stay Current to Remain Relevant Job seekers must commit to being “continuous learners” to stay current in the career game and enhance their global outlook. Subscribing to industry publications and becoming active in professional organizations help candidates stay abreast of issues and trends and gain perspective on local, national and global levels.

2. Gain Real-World Experience Job seekers should pursue internship and volunteer opportunities. These experiences allow job seekers to pick up relevant skills that can be transferred to the workplace. Internships and volunteering also offer valuable opportunities to develop critical and analytical thinking skills.

3. Seek a Mentor and Be a Mentor Building a strong relationship with a mentor can help job seekers gain critical workplace knowledge that will support career growth in their field. Through mentoring relationships, job seekers have a window into a realistic career path and what it takes to succeed in their career of choice. To learn more about the Career Advisory Board or the Job Preparedness Indicator, visit careeradvisoryboard.com.

Rebuilding Your Career Toolkit to Meet the Needs of Employers was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

America Gets Ready to Celebrate Engineering was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com

While older generations used to build their networks one handshake at a time, today’s networkers foster and maintain connections online through the use of social media tools.

Whether you’re a social media novice or aficionado, it is important to remember that unlike connections made through face-to-face contact, when building an online network, credibility is assessed via digital profiles.

“It’s essential for professionals to understand that digital tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter allow our professional and personal worlds to blend,” says Jason Seiden, co-founder of Ajax Social Media and a member of the Career Advisory Board, presented by DeVry University. “You must learn to bring the edges in and ensure your online profile exudes both elements effectively, without misrepresenting either.”

Building or revising your digital profile may seem daunting, but there are simple ways to bolster it to showcase what you have to offer, helping you connect to the right people more quickly.

For those feeling unsure where to begin, Seiden offers actionable advice for building a strong digital profile to position oneself for online networking success.

Build a profile that stands out.

Distinguish yourself by telling your story. Have your profile reflect more about who you
are and what you have learned rather than what you have done. Think of your profile as a mirror: instead of trying to sound professional, give yourself permission to reflect who you are.

If your reflection shows gaps relative to the demands of positions you are applying for, consider acquiring the skills or enrolling in degree programs needed to qualify. “DeVry University is a great choice for professionals interested in increasing their marketability because it offers flexible scheduling options, allowing students to take online courses, classes on campus or a combination of both,” says Seiden. “Having the ability to complete your education while balancing job and family commitments can ease stress as you create a blueprint for advancing your career.”

Build the well before you’re thirsty.

Even online, building a strong network takes time, effort and continual maintenance.

As you begin reaching out to industry contacts, don’t be too eager to connect. Be cognizant of who you are contacting and how they can help you as you advance your career.

While it’s easy to get caught up in your online networks, traditional relationships are still important. Seiden advises, “Take your relationships offline. Pick up the phone or meet face-to-face.” Simple tactics like these are the key to lasting, mutually beneficial connections. By fostering strong relationships ahead of time, you will have the confidence to reach out in the future to take your career to the next level.

For career development insight, visit DeVry’s Career Services and for additional social networking tips, visit jasonseiden.com.

Digital Networking: How to Build Strong Career Connections was posted at Copyright Free Content. | http://www.copyrightfreecontent.com