(NewsUSA) – Earning a bachelor’s degree can be a valuable step toward career success. Fewer than 5 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders over the age of 25 are unemployed, compared to a national unemployment rate that’s over 9 percent.
Despite the benefits of degree programs, many students don’t 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 careers.
“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 and 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:
WGU Texas Declares, "No Parent Left Behind"
Internet Safety 101: How to Protect Your Kids Online
(NewsUSA) – It is no mystery that technology allows kids to gain 24-hour access to the media, but a recent study by the Kaiser Foundation discovered the average kid spends 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media. Through using multiple media at one time such as music, TV, movies, the Internet, video games and texting, kids can actually pack a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes.
Although these ways of socializing and communicating can be enriching, they do come with certain risks. Kids can become victims of online bullies, predators, hackers and scammers.
“The Internet has great potential for kids in terms of knowledge and resources, but we take seriously the job of teaching our youth how to navigate it safely and properly,” said Dan Rauzi, senior director, technology programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).
BGCA has partnered with Sprint to address these issues and help better prepare young people to navigate their world — both real and virtual. Sprint’s online resource, www.4NetSafety.com, offers free tools from experts that address the dangers that young people commonly encounter online and encourages positive dialogue about Internet safety. In addition, www.myclubmylife.com — BGCA’s website for teens — includes a special Media Safety section that has more information and teen-friendly resources to further promote Internet safety.
It’s important that your child be aware that the fundamentals — what we say, how we say it, and why we say it — are the same online and off. Here are some tips for discussing Internet safety with your family:
Create an honest, open environment. Kids look to their parents to help guide them. You may not have all the answers, and being honest about that can go a long way.
Initiate conversations. Even if your kids are comfortable approaching you, don’t wait for them to start the conversation. Use everyday opportunities to talk to your kids about being online.
Communicate your values. Be upfront about your values and how they apply in an online context. Communicating your values clearly can help your kids make smarter and more thoughtful decisions when they face tricky situations.
Be patient. Most kids need to hear information repeated, in small doses, for it to sink in. If you keep talking with your kids, your patience and persistence will pay off in the long run.
For more information, visit www.4NetSafety.com.
Technology Rules for Digital Kids
(NewsUSA) – Whether texting, surfing the web or playing video games, research has shown that kids spend more than seven hours a day with gadgets. “That, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad,” says Richard Bavaria, Senior Vice President for Education Outreach for Sylvan Learning. “Balance, as in every other aspect of life, is key.” While tech-savvy kids may have a leg up over those without a fundamental knowledge, kids tethered to technology may have their own disadvantages — socially, academically and, perhaps, even emotionally.
For good or for bad, technology has introduced many “portals of distraction” in kids’ lives — easy ways to get sidetracked, diverted and overwhelmed. But as the school year progresses, parents want their kids clearly focused rather than busily distracted.
Wonder how you can reach a balance? Bavaria and the experts at Sylvan Learning Center offer the following tips:
Your rules rule. Remember: You’re the boss. Like all rules for kids, the clearer and simpler, the better.
Set time limits. A good rule of thumb for teens is two hours of screen time per day, including schoolwork. Decide what works best for your family.
Set place limits. No TV during dinner, for example, or when the family’s having a discussion. Many families find that it’s best if the computer is in the family room — not in kid’s rooms — and used only when you’re present.
Set site limits. Discuss the sites your children want to visit, and discuss which ones they’re permitted to use. If some sites are off-limits, explain why you’re vetoing them.
Schoolwork comes first. Study and chores come before socializing and games. If your child still struggles sans distracting technology, get them the help they need. Find a tutor at www.sylvanlearning.com.
Stress privacy. Explain why you shouldn’t give out personal information to strangers on the Internet. You don’t have to be scary, just realistic and firm.
Stress your values. Explain that it is right for them to come to you whenever they encounter something online that makes them uncomfortable or they suspect you would disapprove of — sex, hatred, intolerance or violence, for instance. Just as we watch what we say in our speech, stress to your kids that its important to do the same online.
Be a role model. Let the kids see you using your computer and phone to make your life easier, more efficient and more fun. Show how you’re in control of these devices, not the other way around.
For more information and tips, visit www.sylvanlearning.com.
Can’t Get The Web Address You Really Want?
(NewsUSA) – Got a great idea for a Web site, but can’t find a decent .com Web address that suits you? Over the past 25 years, more than 95 million .com addresses have been registered by corporations, organizations and individuals. As a result, the pool of meaningful .com names is nearly exhausted. Fortunately there are a few solutions:
If the Web address you want is owned by someone else, you can offer to buy it — but sometimes sales can range from several hundred to several hundred thousand dollars.
Using an alternate domain extension, such as .net, .org, .info and .biz, might help you find the name that you want, but Internet users can easily overlook these target niche audiences.
Perhaps the best way for you to get the Web address you want is with the new .CO domain extension, which launched in July and generated nearly half a million registrations in the first few weeks alone!
Here are just a few reasons why the .CO domain extension has been such an immediate success:
* It’s Familiar -; .CO is very similar to .com, so it’s easy for people to remember. People around the world already associate “co” with “company,” so it’s easier for them to make the leap from .com to .CO. Also, it’s already used in 20 country-specific domains like England (.co.uk), Canada, (.co.ca), Japan (.co.jp), and others.
* It’s Available -; Since there are so many .CO names to choose from, people all over the world are jumping on the .CO bandwagon. You can search for available .CO domains through registrars such as GoDaddy.com, Register.com, Network Solutions and others.
* It’s Safer -; .CO takes a tough stand on all forms of domain name abuse. They’ve taken steps to protect the rights of brands and trademark holders and have made it harder for cyber-squatters and fraudsters to hide from authorities.
Thousands of major corporations, such as Apple, Coca-Cola, Disney, McDonalds and Sony, have already secured their .CO domain names. Many companies like Overstock.com (o.co) are using .CO to create new content, reach new audiences or offer new services.
It may take a while for .CO to catch up to .com, but at least you can get in on the ground floor and secure the .CO domain that best fits your online business, blog or personal Web site. For more information, visit www.cointernet.co.
Internet by Satellite: What You Should Know
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/SatelliteInternet.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – As more Americans look to hang up their dial-up connections and switch to faster broadband services, a new high-tech dilemma has emerged; the …/div/div
Internet by Satellite: What You Should Know
(NewsUSA) – As more Americans look to hang up their dial-up connections and switch to faster broadband services, a new high-tech dilemma has emerged; the Information Superhighway does not stretch as far as some might think. That’s because an estimated 47 percent of the population, who live predominantly in rural or remote areas, don’t have access to high-speed, broadband service, such as cable modems or DSL.
But instead of believing that broadband connectivity is a pipe dream, more and more of these people are looking up — to the heavens. That’s because it’s now possible to receive high-speed Internet access via satellite.
In contrast to cable-provided broadband, satellite broadband can reach any user within the contiguous U.S. with a clear view of the southern sky. This feature makes it particularly attractive to rural customers who may not have other options for high-speed access.
Unlike traditional broadband options, satellite service does not rely on cable or wires. This means that it’s not hindered by geography or topology, or how much a service provider will invest in infrastructure. Instead, satellite service uses a small dish and a modem to provide the broadband connection, making it available anywhere in the U.S.
For example, with HughesNet satellite service, residential users can experience speeds up to 10 times faster than dial-up, not to mention outstanding customer care from a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company.
Satellite broadband is even faster for business users, allowing business owners to download large files in minutes, stay abreast of inventory and do away with expensive T-1 lines. Because satellite broadband is always on, businesses don’t need to dial in and wait for a connection for critical business operations, such as processing credit cards and back office applications, thereby freeing up phone lines and reducing wait times for customers.
With high-speed Internet service via satellite, businesses and consumers in remote or rural areas are no longer stuck in the slow lane of the Information Superhighway.
To learn more, visit the Web site at www.hughesnet.com.
Guidelines for Making Kids’ “Screen Time” Meaningful
It’s a fact: Children today are surrounded by all types of digital media from a very young age. Educators, parents and caregivers are left with the task of navigating through a multitude of handheld games, toys and online resources while debating the value of these different options.
Fortunately, research shows that computers can play a positive role in the education of children. Benefits include language, literacy and social development as well as the improvement of important problem-solving skills.
Experts and researchers in early childhood development offer the following guidelines for computer use by youngsters:
Tips for Stress-Free Air Travel
 NewsUSA) – Man-made and natural disruptions to air travel are all-too-often the norm. Not only can weather delay take-offs and landings, but new airline rules can also keep planes grounded.
For example, if a plane is sitting on the tarmac for more than three hours, it has to return to the gate. On the upside, there are ways to cope with the unexpected. Here are a few simple tips to prepare for delays before leaving home: * Print copies of itineraries with the 800 numbers for your airline, and others that fly the same route, just in case you have to rebook from the airport. The paper-free option? E-mail those numbers or enter them manually into your smartphone. * Check airline Web sites for delay postings. New rules mandate that airlines have this information online. Alternatively, you can go to www.flightstats.com. * Make sure you can access your office and home computers in the event you are stuck while traveling. Free and inexpensive programs like LogMeIn (www.LogMeIn.com) make it quick, easy and secure to access files, calendars and applications from any computer, smartphone, netbook or iPad with an Internet connection. * Enlist a friend or family member who knows their way around online travel sites, and keep them on your mobile phone speed dial. If you have to make alternative plans, they can probably do it faster than anyone. * Remember travel insurance. A few extra dollars tacked onto the price of your trip can provide peace of mind if you have to change plans for unforeseen reasons. Check what your airline, travel agent, booking site and credit cards offer to make sure that you’re covered. * Have fun. Many airports are adding luxuries like spas, high-end restaurants and even showers to keep passengers happy. Find out what your airport, and the ones that you will visit, offer before you go, so you’re able to enjoy them to the fullest. While there is no surefire guarantee for disruption-free air travel, a little advanced planning can go a long way — even all the way to your destination. |
Have You Given ID Thieves Permission?
(NewsUSA) – If you, your family members or anyone with whom you do business shares music, photos, or documents online, identity thieves could be downloading your information — including your Social Security number, home address and health information — legally.
In any given second, nearly 22 million people around the globe are on peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks, where they download and swap movies, software and documents over the Internet. But users of file-sharing networks can expose the contents of entire hard drives to everyone else on the network.
In April 2009, the Today Show found 25,800 student loan applications, over 150,000 tax returns and nearly 626,000 credit reports, just by searching P2P networks.
Antivirus software protects your computer from viruses, but it can’t stop thieves from accessing your computer if you’ve given them permission via P2P file-sharing networks. And while you can stop using P2P networks, you can’t control others — your doctor or the teller at your bank could be file-sharing without your knowledge.
The Federal Trade Commission recently warned nearly 100 organizations, including companies, schools and local governments, that they had leaked their customers’ and employees’ personal information onto online file-sharing networks. The information found included Social Security numbers, health information and drivers’ licenses — more than enough information for any identity thief to steal your identity.
What can help put a stop to these online data breaches? The LifeLock Personal Breach Detection Service actively searches file-sharing networks worldwide for your personal information. When a leak is detected, LifeLock alerts you with specific details and then takes action to help you shut down the breach of information.
LifeLock also alerts you to other potential identity threats, patrols over 10,000 criminal Web sites for illegal selling of your information, helps cancel or replace the contents of your stolen wallet (cash, pictures, and other monies excluded) and so much more — giving you the peace of mind that your good name is protected.
For more information, visit www.LifeLock.com/p2p.
Are You Putting Facebook Over Face Time?
(NewsUSA) – Today’s technology allows us to stay in touch with extended networks of people -; but it comes with a downside. The more time we spend surfing the …
