Category Archives: college majors

college majors

What You Can Do With a Math Degree

 

math degree
Image by AJC ajcann.wordpress.com used under the Creative Commons license.

The study of numbers is a constantly growing field, and thanks to the explosion of the technology industry, mathematics has become one of the most lucrative majors in higher education. The study of math not only creates a technical ability to deal with numbers, but it teaches many analytical and problem-solving skills that are sought after and prized by employers across all industries. So if you’re wondering what it is that you can do with your degree in mathematics, here is just a small selection of options.

  1. Accountancy and finance

Accounting and finance firms are constantly looking for employees with strong technical skills in mathematics and an ability to follow complex algorithms and economic equations to determine the strength of a company’s financial positioning. The various types of jobs include roles such as auditor, tax accountant, forensic accountant, management accountant and corporate advisor.

  1. Actuarial sciences

As an actuary you will utilize various statistical information in order to create probabilities to inform your clients on different types of financial risk. Actuaries tend to be focused on business strategy, combining mathematically derived economic trends and information with practical solutions to insure sound investments and to minimize potential losses.

  1. Banking

Banking careers that are open to students who’ve studied mathematics range from general retail banking to corporate investment banking. Both forms of careers deal mainly with financial assessments of various public and private financial structures, and the largest opportunities lie in departments of merger and acquisitions and lending and IPOs.

  1. Statistics

If your main focus in mathematics was statistics, than your options for career industries are great, as virtually all major businesses and corporation employ statisticians to collect, analyze, and contextual data. Many statisticians also possess advanced IT skills, as they are usually required to work on larger company databases.

  1. Academia

For mathematicians looking to pursue a career in academics and teaching, a great step is to study for a master of science in mathematics education. The academic side of math will allow you to not only teach the future generations of mathematicians, but to continue your own research pursuits within the field, usually leading to publication in magazines and journals. Academic postings can be wide-ranging, and your choice of specialty will dictate what level of education you teach at and in what department.

With such a specific degree like a BSc in mathematics, it can be easy to see why many people might think their future career prospects would be held to a few select fields, but in truth the study of math is a doorway to many prospects.

college majors, college planning, Penn College

Degrees That Work: Planning for a Career, Not Just a Job

1 Comment

 

careerWouldn’t it be great to graduate from college with a career and not just a job? Students all over the country dream of graduating from college with a job. Penn College students graduate with a career.

During my time on campus I spoke with students from all career concentrations and the overwhelming response was, “This education is preparing me for a career, and for a career that I love.” That’s the key—students at Penn College don’t just earn a degree; they discover their true passion and learn the skills to pursue it.

There’s no better way to see the impact of this college than through the words of its students and the companies who employ them.

94% of graduates responding to a survey were employed, continuing their education, or serving in the military within one year of graduation.

“I will … not be left with what so many college graduates are left with … uncertainty about the future. All the degree programs at Penn College prepare students for having a job and take away the uncertainty.” — Matthew Stoltz, Physician Assistant

“My major was a mix of theory and lab … that’s why I came here (Penn College). The reward for completing this major is job security.” —Jorgette Grosso, Systems Application Engineer, Schneider Electric Co.

“In this field (Building Automation Technology), you can write your ticket before graduating … I couldn’t have picked a better place to go.” — Adam Yoder, Service Energy Analyst, Honeywell International

“Throughout each day I am faced with a very wide variety of troubleshooting issues. From networking and communication, to PLC programming, to component and other circuit issues, Penn College has prepared me for it all. I would not be as successful as I am today if I hadn’t made the decision to get my degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology.” –Francis “Dave” Nevill, Controls Engineer, First Quality Enterprises, Inc.

“The hands-on education from Penn College allowed me to hit the ground running from day one on the job. I was able to contribute to my company with the technical skills I’ve learned from college.”—Zachary Brook, Pennsy Corporation

“I attribute the hands-on, strong, and practical work ethic I received from Penn College as the building block to my accelerated career path.”—Sean Stabler, Business Development Engineer, Arkema, Inc.

“Industrial and technological change is inevitable and these changes require a deeper understanding of asset procurement, integration, and organizational-change management … take advantage of the diverse curriculum and extracurricular activities at Penn College to advance in industry, as well as in life.”—Robert Blauser, Manufacturing engineer leader, Harley-Davidson Motor Company

In 2013-14, more than 75 employers participated in on-campus recruiting information and interview sessions, 34 Fortune 500 companies recruited Penn College students and alumni, and 367 employers offering more than 5,200 jobs attended the Penn College Career Fairs.

“We are proud that we have added another Penn College graduate to our team.” — Roger Kipp, Vice President-Engineering, McClarin Plastics, Inc.

“Pennsylvania College of Technology has provided Synthes, USA with a valuable talent pool of manufacturing engineers, engineering technicians, and CNC machinists over the past eight years … In fact, our #1 source for manufacturing engineers over the past several years has been Penn College alumni.”—Mike Sticklin, SPHR, Human Resources Manager, Synths USA Brandywine Plant

Penn College is providing its students with more than a college education. It is preparing them for a career coupled with a unique college experience, a college with all the offerings of any four year university, and a faculty committed to giving their students a hands-on education.

Check out the other articles in the Degrees That Work series: Degrees That Work: One College’s Best Kept Secret; Degrees That Work: A Working World Within a College

college guidance, college majors, Penn College

Degrees That Work: A Working World Within a College

2 Comments

 

This week I continue my series on Degrees That Work—a look at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Take a visual walk with me across the campus and you will see there are labs; and then there are labs.

Anyone who has ever been to high school or college has done lab work related to a class. But as I mentioned previously, Penn College is no ordinary college. What does that mean? The labs on their campus are no ordinary labs. It’s one thing to add a lab to coursework days after the subject is studied. It’s another thing to use the lab for hands-on training and experience immediately after learning about it in the classroom.

Penn College has taken this concept and turned it into a well oiled, rock star training, job securing, life-altering education.

penn college constructionThese labs simulate the working world

It may be hard to visualize the scope of these on-campus labs, but imagine several mini-worlds all operating under one roof. You have a chef’s kitchen, fully equipped with students taught by professional chefs and a fully staffed restaurant serving their culinary creations. Across the campus you have a construction zone with miniature houses from foundation to roof, with plumbing, electrical, and trim work all being completed by the students. In another facility on campus you have welding cubicles where each student has the opportunity to practice his craft with real-world simulations on pipes and fittings. Walk down a long corridor and you find yourself in a full automotive diagnostic room and automotive bay with actual vehicles and students solving electrical and mechanical problems.

Off campus on separate facilities you can find an aviation hangar with every flying craft imaginable from a helicopter, to a small single engine plane, to a private jet, to a commercial airliner donated by FedEx. A short drive down the road there is a forestry department with actual logging facilities, greenhouses, and several working oil rigs used to train students for the oil industry.

penn college degrees that workThese labs teach students how to deal with real world problems and issues

Students are given hands-on experience dealing with and diagnosing problems as their education progresses. By providing students with actual problems, Penn College teaches them to master these problems and find solutions before they enter the workforce. The automotive training requires students disassemble and reassemble a complete engine, diagnosing any problems that might occur upon reassembly. The aviation training gives student actual simulation experiences with warning lights, faulty wires, and instrument malfunctions.

Have you ever wished that the student nurse trying to draw blood had actually practiced on a live human before you? Penn College solved this problem with their SIMM family. Students in their health science program get the opportunity to practice using this SIMM family. These simulations cover everything from live childbirth (I got to experience this!) to caring for the rest of the family. Instructors can simulate illnesses and emergency situations that might arise during a healthcare situation. This SIMM family is like no other in any education training program.

degrees that workThese labs prepare students to enter the workforce as fully trained employees

Once students graduate from Penn College they can hit the ground running. It’s not necessary for employers to train them on basic techniques or skills. They are familiar with equipment, tools, practices and techniques used to work at their chosen career immediately after graduation. Employers hire Penn College students because they know these students have been trained properly and are familiar with their products, services, and equipment.

penn college chefsThese labs spawn creativity, innovation, and confidence

Students from Penn College compete in competitions all across the country. They are challenged to search for ways to solve common problems and push the boundaries using the skills and techniques they learn in these labs. Manufacturing engineering technology students have spent the past year constructing, from scratch, a battery pack intended for lithium batteries and an electric car. Just recently, Penn College student chefs helped prepare the Kentucky Derby feast for 140,000 fans. Students are encouraged to move beyond the basic textbook knowledge and find ways to improve the working world with the skills and technology they receive from a Penn College education.

Watch this short video to see why students love the working world within Penn College:

If you missed the first article in the series, click here–>Degrees That Work: One College’s Best Kept Secret

college majors, parenting

Finding a Job: How to Help Your Student Be a Perfect Match

Teens go to great lengths to find and win the perfect match to share their personal lives, even during high school and onto college. Just as there are interpersonal relationships in social circles, you and your teen might not realize there are personality interactions in the workplace. Prospective employers are looking for the worker they deem to be the best fit for their company’s personality and aspirations. When your teen graduates from college and can show the hiring managers that he is the one they are seeking, the search will be over. To bring about this intended match, think of the future job hunt as a courtship and picture your student’s resume as the missive suitor.

finding a jobAnnounce Availability

Social networks afford wonderful opportunities to get the word out about your job search, even starting with internships. Join groups and link to professional associations that can share your capabilities in areas of interest that may be outside your geographic sphere. This broadens your scope and increases the chances of finding the right match for your skills. It also provides networking opportunities which will help later as your job search becomes more focused. Once you locate a desirable prospect, you can begin your courtship.

Get to Know Your Intended

When one person finds another to be of interest, all efforts are centered on discovering likes and dislikes and understanding important relationship parameters. In the same way, when looking for a job, the applicant needs to understand the specific desires of the prospective employer. As you begin to personalize your resume for the opening, read the job description carefully. Do extensive research on the company and learn its purpose and major accomplishments. Find out what its long-term goals are. The more you know, the better you will be able to match your skills with the company’s needs and pique the interest of the hiring staff.

Turn the Resume Into a Matchmaker

Armed with the information from your study, craft your resume to pair your skills and experience with the requirements listed for the position. Show your recent accomplishments that exhibit proof of desired qualifications shown in the advertisement for the opening, along with any internship experience. When completed, your resume should read like answers to the employer’s job search questions, so that once the hiring staff picks up your information, they need look no further.

Become Irresistible

In all your interactions with the company, whether by resume, cover letter, phone conversation, or face-to-face interview, pay careful attention to interpersonal relationships. You want to make an unforgettable, positive impression in every instance so that all the hiring staff will see the importance of bringing you into their workplace.

Clinch the Deal

Although a job search is no romantic courtship, the rules of human attraction work in much the same way. By approaching the hiring process as a quest for the ideal relationship, you can make your application more relevant to the needs of the workplace. Your expectations become more clearly defined through your efforts and your student’s future employer enjoys the benefits of having hired the perfect candidate for the job.

academics, admissions, college costs, college majors

Payscale’s 2015 College Salary Report

 

salary reportWith college costs rising, along with student debt, it’s more important than ever for parents and students to look carefully at college ROI (return on investment) when creating the college list. Payscale recognizes the importance of choosing a college major that will be a good return on investment and has released their 2015 College Salary Report.

Following are just a few of the categories covered in the data:

Majors That Pay You Back (Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees)

When somebody tells you they are headed to a college or university, whether it’s for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, MBA or PhD, the first question out of everybody’s mouth is “Where are you going to school?” In reality though, the choice of major can have a much bigger impact on your future earnings than the school you attend. PayScale ranks the top college majors by salary to help you figure out how much you can earn after graduation.

Most Recommended Majors (by alumni)

What makes graduates recommend their major to students trying to pick a major today? One look at this list of most recommended majors shows us that the majors that people rave about are the ones that allow them to easily find a job in their intended field. It’s not necessarily how much money a person makes, but the likelihood that they can find work doing what they want to do.

Best schools for particular majors (by earning potential)

Choosing a college and deciding to get a degree are big decisions, so do your homework and choose the degree and school that will set you up for the career of your dreams. PayScale’s 2015 College Salary Report ranks undergraduate and 2-year colleges by the highest earning graduates.

Common jobs for particular majors

Choosing a college and deciding to get a degree are big decisions, so do your homework and choose the degree and school that will set you up for the career of your dreams. PayScale’s 2015 College Salary Report ranks undergraduate and 2-year colleges by the highest earning graduates.

College Comparison Tool (compare up to 5 colleges side by side)

Trying to decide which college or university to attend? PayScale has alumni salary data about more than 1,000 schools. Select up to five schools and see how they compare based on earning potential and more.

Most Meaningful Majors

When it comes to choosing a career and picking a college major that will help you achieve your goals, money isn’t everything. Job meaning counts for a lot too. That’s why PayScale asks everybody who takes our survey if they feel like their job makes the world a better place. This list ranks 207 college majors by the percentage of graduates in each major who answer that question with a resounding “yes.”

Here’s an article published in Money Magazine, “Choosing a College Major by Age 16 Pays Off”, proposing that students should think about choosing a major early to avoid spending more for the college education than necessary.

A college choices isn’t all about the money, but it should certainly factor into such a large financial investment. Parents and students should do their homework, just as they would if purchasing any other big ticket item.

college guidance, college majors

The College Major Debate: 4 Points to Steer Teens in the Right Direction

 

college majorParents raise children, and often help pay for college educations, so they feel they have a right in lending their advice regarding selecting a major.

However, it’s the child’s future at stake, so they should have a say regarding their interests and passions.  Yet, the wise know that not every diploma earns a good salary, so in order to steer children in the right direction, parents and students need to consider the following.

Gain Experience

A young high school student may have a great science teacher that inspires the child to study chemistry in college.  Yet, the charisma of a teacher does not guarantee a student’s future success in an industry.

It’s important for aspiring workers to gain experience in a field, whether that means working a part-time job through high school or doing volunteer work while earning college credits.  Students often switch majors, and it’s a person’s prerogative to change interests as they mature, yet college credits cost.  Students need to do all they can to complement theory with actual experience in a given field.

Speak with a Professional

Who better to ask about a profession than those with current jobs?  Students benefit from keeping contact with a professional within a field of interest and inquiring about college workloads, job opportunities, and daily tasks regarding the profession.

Some have grand illusions about making a lot of money doing a job they never actually performed.  Speaking with a professional helps align insinuation with reality and can either help fuel or diffuse a student’s interest.

Choose a Practical Minor

Some tell students not to worry about how much money they will make in the future, but it’s practical to think about the eventual value of your time and money spent.  Those who choose majors due to love and not money benefit from selecting a more practical minor area of study.

That way, if the philosophy degree doesn’t materialize into much on the job market, a minor in business helps get an entry level position to begin a career.  In an ideal world, students would make great money doing what they love, but in the real world, it’s important to prepare for the actual job market.

Get Help

The dialogue about choosing a major should involve other parties aside from the parents and student.  An objective third party can steer students toward goals while maintaining the latter’s happiness.

Professional services provide resources like these templates and give advice about college majors and chosen industries.  In addition to high school and college career planning services and counselors, professionals are available who have the insight that helps students and parents make the right decisions.

It’s difficult to understand that the choices you make now will influence your lifestyle and happiness in the future.  But, it’s important for students to focus on the decision of choosing a major (and minor!)  Speak with those already working, gain experience in a field, and seek services that help high school graduates make present decisions that help benefit the future.

__________________

Jim Hearne is a high school counselor and busy dad of four. When he has the time, he enjoys helping others by sharing what he has learned over the years. Look for his helpful posts mainly on career, education and job blog sites.

college majors, college planning, spotlight on

Educate To Career: Helping Students Chart a Course for Success

 

Today’s guest post is from Mike Havis from Educatetocareer.org, a non-profit organization with the goal of providing free, online college and career planning tools for high school students and their parents.

____________________

educate to career

There is a huge problem affecting our young people today – those very people who wish to go out and start making a life for themselves – and do great things for our society.

The problem is evidenced by the massive amount of college graduate unemployment and underemployment – coupled with the absolute crisis of $1.1 trillion in non-performing college student loan debt.  It is hard to find a family in the U.S. that has not been touched by these problems.  I learned all about this myself when my son Ben graduated from Rancho Buena Vista HS (in Vista, CA) in 2008.

My wife and I, along with our son, asked ourselves questions such as:

  • Should Ben go for a college degree in the subjects that he likes and is good in?
  • Do all college degrees lead to an actual job in that field?
  • How much does a college education cost?
  • In actuality, which degrees lead to obtaining a real job?

The answers to these questions were not readily at hand, or even easy to find.  The crisis that I referred to stems from poor choices made due to lack of good information + an abundance of misinformation.

This inspired me to create Educate To Career (ETC). We feel that students should make well informed and pragmatic decisions about college and career – based on the reality of what the job market is looking for and the ROI of a college education.  ETC’s tools and programs are very easy to use, and address these issues with real facts and figures.

The innovative CareerBuddy program allows students and parents to apply the student’s personal academic strengths and weaknesses to research college majors for over 6,000 two and four year colleges.  The CareerBuddy program assists users in selecting majors which lead to real careers with good employment opportunities and earnings.  The program is free, easy to navigate and requires no registration by the user.

The information provided includes:

  • Recommended colleges
  • Recommended careers
  • Starting salaries

CareerBuddy, used in conjunction with ETC’s other programs – CollegeBuddy and SalaryBean, enables a student to find all of the pertinent information they require to sensibly plan his or her post high school career and college path – all in one place.

Students have been unable to find the proper tools to assist them in making informed decisions about their future – as evidenced by the over $1 trillion in nonperforming college student-loan debt, coupled with the very high unemployment and underemployment of college graduates.

_______________________

Educate To Career was founded to provide high school students with free, online navigator and calculator programs to ultimately guide them to a real career – defined as one in which their education leads to a real job with a good salary.

Educate To Career is the leader in providing information, data, tools and programs in the area of college and career outcomes.

Educate To Career : The Leader in Educational Attainment to Career Outcome Information.

 

career colleges, college majors, Uncategorized

Is your student considering a career in public safety?

 

Sign up for my FREE parent tips email and get my FREE Ebook on college financing!

public safety careers

Sometimes one decision, one point in time, is all it takes to save thousands of lives. By choosing a career path in public safety administration, your student could be making that fateful decision.

Their choice can change the world because the skills and knowledge they employ may save lives during emergencies, fight crime or halt terrorist plots.

A bachelor’s degree in public safety administration opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities in law enforcement, public safety and emergency preparedness and response. There is related work in local, state and federal government agencies or the military. If the idea of saving lives or working for the CIA excites you, the first step is to pursue this type of major by completing a campus based or online bachelors in Public Safety Administration. Consult a college career counselor who can help you get started.

 

Continue reading Is your student considering a career in public safety? →

college majors

Science students and lab coats

science students

If you are a prospective or current college student who will be studying in the science and/or medical programs your school offers, you are most likely going to be required to purchase a lab coat.

Some Classes Which Require Lab Coats

Any science class that requires you to be in a laboratory as part of the course will generally also require you to wear a lab coat during any lab work. Biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, and physics are all classes that will likely require a lab coat, and there are other science classes which will require one as well.

Obtaining a Lab Coat

If you are attending a college or university that specializes in science and/or medical programs, you can probably purchase lab coats in the college bookstore. If they are not available on the shelf at the college bookstore, sometimes the college will order lab coats for you if you ask the person in charge at the bookstore.

Another way to obtain a lab coat for your science lab classes would be to get in contact with the students who have taken the class prior to this semester. If a previous student no longer needs his or her lab coat, you may be able to pick one up pretty inexpensively.

Continue reading Science students and lab coats →

college majors

5 Study tools for science students

 

graphing calculatorStudents have a lot to worry about when they get into higher education. For many, it is the first time they are on their own and have to worry about things like laundry and cooking. Even more, they have to worry about including study time in addition to other responsibilities. This can be very overwhelming, especially for science students. However, there are a few study tools they can use to make study time effective.

Graphing Calculators

Graphing calculators are very useful in working with complicated applications in science, especially those that involve math functions like calculus and trigonometry. These calculators are devoted exclusively to these functions, so they become easy to use. Furthermore, many of these calculators store information, so it is easy to go over concepts and track progress with the information.

Apps

With the rise of mobile technology and smartphones, apps are becoming even more popular and have a variety of uses. There are even science study guides available for various forms of science including physics and biology. However, the drawback of many apps is that they come at a cost, so they may not be an option for all students who need some extra study help. Still, there may be other free apps that help students understand concepts and provide other kinds of necessary information.

Websites

There are also many websites all over the Internet that can help students with many types of science needs. Many of these sites are free for all users and they can explain concepts and theories to students who need a little extra help with their science. There are many reference sites such as Knovel and the Science and Engineering Encyclopedia for those who need help with general concepts in science.

However, it may be more useful to find sites that are more tailored to specific subjects in science. For instance, sites like Chemdex, PTable and the On-Line Encyclopedia of Chemical Terms can help those who need to brush up on chemistry. Biology students can look to sites such as Everything Bio, Biology Reference and All Experts Biology. There are even sites for other subjects including astronomy, botany, environmental sciences, genetics, geology, physics and zoology among others.

Study Groups

The importance of study groups cannot be underestimated when it comes to studying any of the sciences. Putting together a study group is a very good way to compare notes and find out what concepts and ideas are important during the class in case something is missed. It is also a good way to begin understanding the work with the help of fellow students. If the group cannot meet in person, it is possible to begin a chatroom or communicate via webcam so that it is easier for members to get together.

Study Rooms

Whether in a group or alone, it is very important to find a place that makes uninterrupted study easy. For instance, many schools have designated study rooms, but they may need to be reserved in advance. Libraries may also be a good place to study for students who need a place that is already quiet and need to accommodate more than one student.

However, there are other options when it comes to study rooms or areas. Many students are now taking their work to cafes and coffee shops, which can be good for students who are not easily distracted. This may also be a good option for those who need to get off campus. Some students are even able to study in their rooms, but they should make sure they are comfortable and able to focus, especially if there is a roommate to consider.

 ________________

Author Bio

Ryan Ayers is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to education. In this article, he offers a few study tips to science students and aims to encourage further study through Ohio University engineering online.