Get A Community Planning Job

Get a Community Planning Job

Working in the field of community planning can be highly rewarding for a person committed to making his community a better place for its residents. A community planning job will give you the opportunity to help your city or town while earning a salary. If you are interested in getting started but are unsure of where to begin, you will find a few helpful suggestions below on get your community planning career off to a strong start.

Instructions

Education and Experience are Critical to Your Success in the Field

1. Decide in which aspect of community planning you want to seek employment. There are a number of specializations in community planning, including community development, historical preservation, parks and recreation, land use and code enforcement, urban design, housing, transportation design, environmental planning and others. Determine which specialization you prefer to focus on for your job hunt. Consider your education level, as well. Many community planners with Bachelor's Degrees will further their studies to receive a Master's Degree in planning.

2. Join an online job board to assist in your community planning employment search. Along with the obvious job search websites like Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com, register with other sites specific to people who are looking for positions in the field of community planning. The American Planning Association (www.planning.org) as well as Planetizen (www.planetizen.com) offer specific job boards for community planners of all experience levels. Your college may also have job listings.

3. Build your resume. If you are just starting out in the community planning field, explore opportunities for internships and entry-level positions. Consider volunteering your services for city government or a planning agency to gain experience. Have an active membership in clubs or organizations in school or out that are focused on planning.

4. Network with others in the profession of community planning. Build relationships with others who work in the field. This can be done by attending trainings, discussions and other planning-focused events. Get to know fellow staff if you have an opportunity to do an internship for an agency or government office. Make people aware of your career intentions, as you never know who can offer helpful advice or even open a door. Talk to others who are working in a position you hope to eventually obtain and ask thorough questions about the responsibilities and the opportunities for advancement.

5. Consider additional training, education or certification. If you are changing careers or have been in the planning profession for a while and want to advance, take additional classes or training, if possible. You may decide to seek a Master's Degree in Planning if you currently have a Bachelor's Degree. Another option for practicing planners is to seek certification through American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), which is the American Planning Association's professional institute. Specific information about the AICP certification process can be found on the American Planning Association website at www.planning.org.

Tags: community planning, community planning, American Planning, American Planning Association, Planning Association, community planners

What Are The Benefits Of Sororities & Fraternities

Friendships formed in fraternities and sororities can last a lifetime.

Although fraternities and sororities are often depicted in books and film as groups of students intent only on partying and getting into trouble, there are definite benefits to joining the Greek system on a college campus. It can be a place of great comfort to students away from home, afford students the opportunity to learn important skills and surround them with a network of lifetime members willing to help a fellow Greek.

Academic Strength

Students in fraternities and sororities can rely on other members for tutoring and mentoring.

Belonging to a fraternity or sorority might have a beneficial impact on a college student's GPA. One of the goals of the Greek system is to improve the academic achievement of its members. The atmosphere fosters scholastic development, the importance of getting good grades and keeping up with academic challenges. Most Greek communities have grade requirements to join and remain a member. There are many areas of study represented within the students of the system, and these students can help other members with tutoring and study sessions.

Building Leadership Qualities

Sorority and fraternity members gain valuable experience that is useful in a future career.

Each member of a sorority or fraternity must contribute in some way to the running of the organization. Typically, the groups support charitable causes and members are involved in the day-to-day tasks that support the organization. Students learn real-world skills such as handling a budget, motivating others, public speaking and running meetings. All in all, it adds up to gaining experience that other college students might not be exposed to.

Lifelong Friends

Friendships formed during the sorority and fraternity years can last long after graduation.

Because sorority and fraternity members typically work, study and play together, strong bonds of friendship are formed. Kinship and camaraderie are encouraged, and fellow members are even called "brothers" and "sisters" to emphasize and foster the built-in support system. Because students have common interests, they are able to rely on each other, and the ties they build are a great comfort to a student. The benefit of friendships formed during the Greek years can impact lives for years.

Networking

The mention of a Greek experience on a resume can carry great weight.

A long-lasting benefit of joining a fraternity or sorority is the built-in networking. A member who has just graduated from college and is looking for employment can use the alumni association for help. He or she may find a fellow brother or sister who is willing to lend a helping hand in a job search. Because there is a history of pride of membership, the alum already out in the workplace is very likely to help a fellow Greek. Listing fraternity or sorority membership on a resume can also be beneficial in a job search.

Tags: fraternities sororities, fraternity sorority, sorority fraternity, experience that, fellow Greek, formed during, fraternity members

How Does The Military Gi Bill Work

The Military GI Bill is a program to benefit veterans of the U.S. military service. Its benefits now include one-year of unemployment compensation, financial assistance for vocational or higher education for returning war veterans or their dependents and financial assistance for starting a business and/or buying a home. All of these benefits are designed to help veterans readjust to civilian life and provide an incentive for military volunteers. The program is composed of two laws: the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1994 and the Montgomery GI Bill. Veteran education programs are found in law in Title 38 of the U.S. Code, with one chapter for each law.

Chapter 30

The Montgomery GI Bill, Active Duty (MGIB), was a revamped version of the original World War II GI Bill and became law in 1984. This bill states that active-duty members have the option to get $100 deducted from their pay each month for 12 months of service. In return, they will get up to $400 a month for 36 months for use in educational expenses. The federal government does not administer or set the standards of the educational services. The Veterans Administration determines the eligibility of the applicant, while the school handles admissions and tracks expenses.

Buy-Up Option

The buy-up option allows service members to contribute up to $600 a month. Plus, for every dollar that the service member contributes, the federal government will contribute $8. A maximum of $600 will allow a service member to receive $5,400 in additional funds for education after leaving active duty.

Eligibility

The MGIB benefits have a time limit of up to 10 years from the date of the service member's last release or discharge from active military duty. This limit can be extended if the service member was prevented from training during this period due to disability, detention by a foreign government or other such reasons.

Educational

The benefits of the GI Bill can be used for pursuing college, technical or vocational courses. Service members also may use them for correspondence courses, apprenticeships, job training or flight training. Under the GI Bill, veterans can pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree at any university or college, an accredited independent-study program or a cooperative training program.

Chapter 31

This chapter focuses on veterans with disabilities connected to service, providing them with vocational-rehabilitation programs. These programs are designed to develop suitable and gainful employment and provide adjustment counseling, training assistance and a monthly allowance for eligible members.

Chapter 33

Also called the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33 is an expansion of the benefits for military veterans serving since Sept.11, 2001. This new law allows eligible recipients expanded benefits or the full cost of college education in their state. It also includes a housing allowance of $1,000 a year and a stipend for books. Reminiscent of the GI Bill signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, two weeks after D-Day, the revamped GI Bill is designed to transform the lives of new-generation veterans. The expansion also allows some transfer of benefits to dependents. Under the Yellow Ribbon program, more than a thousand schools and colleges are offering additional scholarships to veterans.

Tags: service member, federal government, financial assistance, Military Bill, Montgomery Bill

The Best Colleges For An Executive Mba

Unlike traditional MBA programs, Executive MBA (EMBA) programs allow students to work full time and take classes at nights or on the weekend. The EMBA is sometimes referred to as an MBA designed for working professionals. EMBA students usually have 10 or more years of work experience and are seeking upward mobility from middle-management into upper-management, according to education-portal.com. Prospective EMBA students can choose from among several top-ranked colleges.

The Degree

An EMBA degree usually takes two years to complete, but some programs offer 18-month programs. The EMBA is different from a traditional MBA due to the high level of experience that EMBA students bring to the classroom. Most institutions that offer the degree require a minimum of 10 years of work experience and structure their curriculum to incorporate team-oriented education that allows students the chance to share the diversity of knowledge represented by an admission group. Students can choose core concentrations in fields such as accounting, marketing and finance. Many EMBA students are sponsored for partial or full tuition by their companies, and some institutions even require sponsorship as a criteria for admission.

Admission Requirements

Though admission requirements vary slightly, many EMBA programs require applicants to possess an undergraduate degree, demonstrate proficiency in management and leadership through current occupation and experience at other jobs, ability to speak and write in English, scores from standardized exams such as the GRE and GMAT, letters of recommendation, personal essay and in some cases, a personal interview. Many colleges also require a minimum of eight to 10 years of work experience, although some schools such as Duke University, have a minimum work experience requirement of only three years.

U.S. News & World Report Top-Ranked EMBA Programs

There are a number of ranked institutions in the 2011 "U.S. News & World Report" listings of best EMBA programs. Among the top 10 are the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; the University of Chicago; University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill; Duke University in Durham and Columbia University in New York. The Wharton business school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia offers a two-year, weekend-residential EMBA program. Students attend classes on Friday and Saturdays on alternate weekends, with five additional extended sessions and a one-week international study seminar that takes place overseas. Students are also required to commit 15 to 25 hours of outside study time. The first-year curriculum focuses on core classes in foundational management knowledge. In the second year, students are provided a number of elective opportunities. The average age of the 2010 EMBA class at Wharton was 34, and 45 percent of students held an advanced degree.

Businessweek's Best EMBA Programs

Among the schools cited in the "Bloomberg Businessweek" listings of best EMBA programs are Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois; University of Southern California in Los Angeles; University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; University of California, Los Angeles; New York University and Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Northwestern University's Kellogg school of management has a 22-month EMBA program with four course schedules, two of which meet every other week on Friday and Saturday, and two that meet once a month from Thursday through Sunday. Applicants are required to have at least eight to 10 years of managerial experience, and most accepted students have an average of 12 to 15 years of work experience. Core courses include ethics and executive leadership, managerial economics, managerial finance and statistical decisional analysis.

Tags: work experience, EMBA students, years work, years work experience, EMBA programs, best EMBA

Get A Celebrity To Make A Graduation Speech

Colleges are competitive, and when it comes to landing a celebrity to make a commencement speech, it's best to explore who you know or get out your checkbook. More colleges are looking for a commencement speech the students will remember--and that will put their college on the map. Here are some guidelines to help you land a celebrity for your college commencement speech.

Instructions

1. Develop a short list of potential commencement speakers. Who do you think would best deliver an appropriate yet challenging address to the students? Who are the students requesting?

2. Consider famous alumni who may be willing to deliver a graduation speech. One benefit is that they may feel guilty charging a fee to their home school, and you may get the celebrity to speak for free. Another positive is that the celebrity alumnus may inspire the students in a way that a celebrity with no connection to the university could not.

3. Explore who has connections to possible speakers. Do any students have famous relatives or friends who may be willing to speak?

4. Find out whether your college has a tradition of paying for notable speakers or awarding honorary degrees instead of payment. Some college presidents disagree with the practice of paying for commencement speakers, while others don't see a problem with it. If so, explore how much the college has paid in the past and is willing to pay to get a speaker everyone will remember.

5. Expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 for less famous speakers to as much as $125,000 for the super-famous, such as Oprah or Tom Brokaw.

6. Explore the All-American Speakers website for a list of potential speakers for your event. The site offers connections to 9,000 notables, including Jack Welch, Robert Kennedy Jr., Danny Glover or Mike Ditka.

Tags: commencement speech, commencement speakers, list potential, that celebrity, your college

Register At The Post Office

The Postal Service facilitates draft registration.

Registration for the draft is a civic and legal responsibility in the United States. As of 2010, the law still requires all male citizens and permanent male aliens to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. All men must report until age 26. Failure to comply is punishable by fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment. Registering for the draft can alleviate future roadblocks, and compliance is often a requirement for many federal jobs, student loans, grants and student aid.

The Postal Service facilitates draft registration. Selective Service mail-back forms are available at any U.S. post office. To register, fill out a form, and drop it in the mail to the Selective Service office.

Instructions

The Selective Service Mail-Back Form

1. Obtain the Selective Service mail-back form at a local Post Office. Provide a Social Security number (if the registrant has one). Submit full name, current address, accurate date of birth, and telephone number. If unable to complete the registration form, someone else may complete it. The individual completing the form must sign if the registrant is unable.

2. Affirm all statements are true by signing and dating the registration form. Review the completed document for accuracy and legibility. Ensure completion of every block. Do not leave blank areas. Read the accompanying privacy act statement, and learn which other agencies might review registration information. Official registration does not occur until the Selective Service enters the information into the registrant's file, and assigns a number.

3. Open the acknowledgment card, which will arrive in 30 to 90 days. Review all information on the acknowledgment card, and correct any errors. If the card is incorrect, return the enclosed change form to the Selective Service. If the card has correct information, secure it in a safe place. The acknowledgment card is proof of draft registration.

4. Conscientious objection is an option, but not at the time of registration. The Selective Service registration form does not have any provision for alternative options. However, individuals are free to write on the form, for instance, "I am a conscientious objector." This can be the beginning of a claim for conscientious objector status. The Selective Service will discard the form after recording basic information. Make a copy of the form.

Tags: Selective Service, acknowledgment card, draft registration, registration form, card correct, conscientious objector

What Is Credit Scoring

Getting out of credit card debt is important.

Credit scoring is an important tool for lenders to use in evaluating potential customers. Many factors go into a credit score. It is important for consumers to understand credit scoring and its determining factors, as well as their own individual scores and what they can do to manage their credit record in a positive way.

Definition

Credit scoring is a way for creditors to decide your eligibility for credit. The credit scoring system is used by lenders to determine interest rate and payment terms for mortgages, credit cards and auto loans. Whenever a credit score is mentioned, it is usually what is commonly known as the FICO score, which was developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation.

Good Scores

FICO scores are the most commonly used credit scoring system today, with scores ranging from 300 to 850. Higher scores are better, and most consumers have credit scores in the range of 600 to 700.

FICO Score Components

Your FICO score is made up of different components. Each one of these is factored in at different percentages. The following three are specific to your credit accounts and payments.

1. Payment history -- 35 percent of FICO score

Looks at how timely your credit accounts have been paid. You can hurt your credit score by having late payments or bankruptcies. Prompt payments, on the other hand, can improve your score.

2. Total debt -- 30 percent of FICO score

The number of open accounts with balances is considered, as well as how much of your available credit is being used. The less available credit you have, the lower your score will drop.

3. Length of credit history -- 15 percent of FICO score

A longer history of credit usage will raise your score; however, a high score can be achieved with a shorter history, as long as the credit report shows you have managed your credit responsibly.

Additional FICO Score Components

The following are two other key components that factor into your FICO score calculation:

4) Newly opened accounts -- 10 percent of FICO score

If your credit report shows newly opened accounts or recent account applications, this can factor into your score. If searching for a loan, avoid lowering your credit score by choosing a short time frame, such as 30 days, to do your loan shopping. FICO will regard multiple inquiries in a short time frame differently from many inquiries stretched out over time, which could have a negative impact on your score.

5) Other factors -- 10 percent of FICO score

There are other minor factors that can affect your score. For people with longer credit histories, a mix of different types of credit accounts such as credit cards, personal lines of credit, auto loans or a mortgage can slightly raise scores.

Free Reports

The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives individuals the right to get credit scores from the national credit reporting agencies. These agencies are allowed to charge a reasonable fee, usually about $8, to send you your score. Often, you will also receive information on improve your score.

According to the Federal Trade Commission website, consumers are entitled to get one free copy of their credit report from the three large national reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, once per year. There is a central website set up at Annualcreditreport.com that will assist you in getting your free reports. Many imposter sites will have offers of "free" reports, but will have a requirement for you to sign up for a paid service in order to get your report.

You may also order your free annual credit reports by phone at (877) 322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form that can be completed after printing it from the website (see Resources).

Tags: your score, FICO score, your credit, percent FICO, percent FICO score, credit score

Handle A Student Loan In Collection

Not everyone can afford their student loan payments immediately following graduation.

While student loans can mean the difference between a dead-end job and a college education, new graduates sometimes struggle with high loan payments. If you stop making payments altogether, your loan servicer will forward your delinquent account to a collection agency. Unlike other types of unsecured debt, there is no statute of limitations on defaulted student loans. Thus, unless you work out a payment plan with your lender, the unpaid debt can haunt you indefinitely -- leaving you subject to garnishment, liens and -- in the case of defaulted federal loans -- seizure of future tax refunds.

Instructions

1. Gather financial records that illustrate your current income and expenses, such as pay stubs, the previous year's tax return and copies of your monthly bills. Determine how much you can reasonably afford to pay each month toward your total student loan debt.

2. Contact your loan servicer -- not the collection agency handling your account -- and explain that you want to make arrangements to bring your loan current. Answer any questions the loan servicer has about your finances and negotiate a monthly payment amount that fits your budget.

3. Ask that your loan servicer pull your account out of collections while you make your payments. If your loan servicer is not willing to do so, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act gives you the right to send the collection agency a cease and desist letter preventing it from contacting you.

4. Send in the payment amount you agreed to on time each month. The U.S. Department of Education considers defaulted student loans rehabilitated after nine on-time payments, but the number of timely payments you must make to have your account removed from collections may vary if you owe private student loans.

5. Ask your loan servicer about your eligibility for such options as forbearance and deferment after you bring your loan current. Forbearance and deferment typically aren't available for student loans in collection, but once your loan is current you may be able to reduce your payment amount or defer your loan payments temporarily -- easing your financial burden while you build your new career.

Tags: your loan, loan servicer, student loans, your loan servicer, collection agency, loan current

Territorial Army Duties

The Territorial Army is made up of civilian volunteers.

The Territorial Army (TA) is an area of the British Army made up of around 35,000 volunteers, or one quarter of the total British Army. Approximately 1,000 TA combatants are deployed to active service roles each year, offering an essential supply of skilled civilians to assist the British Army in operations across the world. The TA has a vast array of skilled soldiers employed in many different roles. TA soldiers use these skills and qualifications to perform key military duties and to develop their civilian careers.

Combat Duties

Combat soldiers train with non-civilian army units and sometimes travel with them during skills and training operations. TA combatants also assist with real military operations when required. Combat roles are among the most dangerous in the Territorial Army. A TA combat soldier can be stationed in countries across the world and is required to offer humanitarian aid during wartime, as well as fulfill his duties as a solider.

Medical Duties

Medical operatives fulfill crucial roles within the Territorial Army. Job duties in this area range from clinical psychologists and counselors to biomedical research technicians and dental workers. The TA also employs combat technicians, who are responsible for providing emergency first aid and medication to combatants wounded during service.

Administrative Duties

The TA has a variety of workers who carry out administrative and clerical work to ensure Army inventories are accurately maintained and important correspondence is sent on time. Administrative workers carry out tasks including organizing pay for soldiers and offering legal expertise.

Communications and Intelligence Duties

TA soldiers in these roles play a key role by providing access to sensitive military data when needed. A communications officer is assigned to set up a telephone network or instigate an open communication channel so an open line of contact exists between field soldiers and base personnel. This allows essential information such as the coordinates of an enemy camp to be communicated back to headquarters.

Logistics Duties

TA logistics operatives ensure that essential Army supplies, such as equipment, uniforms and food are maintained. Job tasks in this area include transporting goods via land or sea and maintaining accurate inventories of weapons and supplies.

Engineering Duties

Engineers make sure all mechanical equipment, from infantry guns to sophisticated radar devices, are functioning efficiently. Vehicle engineers drive various Army vehicles and perform repair work at base camp and during combat operations.

Marine engineers maintain Army ships by assessing the ships' hydraulics and ensuring their mounted guns are properly maintained.

Engineers are also deployed in combat situations, where they both develop and destroy important infrastructure such as shelters, dams and bridges

Tags: Territorial Army, British Army, across world, Army made, soldiers these, this area

Celebrate Preschool Graduation

Many parents are emotional when their little one heads off to preschool. It is even more difficult to watch your preschooler walk across the stage to receive his preschool diploma. Celebrating a child's preschool graduation can be an emotional time, but it also is a time to celebrate your child's academic and social accomplishments. Take this day to celebrate with friends and family and to make your preschooler feel special.

Instructions

1. Wake your child on their preschool graduation day and make a special breakfast together. You can take this time to discuss what the day will bring and to ask your child questions about how he is feeling about his graduation day.

2. Dress your child in a special outfit on her preschool graduation day. Allow your child to bring a special stuffed animal to her preschool graduation to comfort her if she would like.

3. Bring your child flowers on his preschool graduation. This is the first real accomplishment that he has had in his lifetime, so make him feel special with a small bouquet or a balloon bouquet. Bring bubbles to celebrate this day as well.

4. Celebrate your child's preschool graduation with a small party after the ceremony. Invite some close classmates for the children to play together. Exchange numbers with mothers in the class to keep in contact over the summer.

5. Write your child's teacher a letter thanking her for all she has taught your child.

Tags: your child, preschool graduation, child preschool, child preschool graduation, feel special, preschool graduation, with small

College Fair Projects

College fair project models come in all shapes and sizes.

Having a creative, educational college fair project is important for the grade in the class you are taking. A winning project can earn you awards and prizes to further your college career. Most college fairs are held to challenge students to come up with new ideas and ways of doing things. With a few basic ideas, let your mind soar, and find ways to reinvent the simplest of concepts.

Science Fair

There are two basic science fair projects. A working project physically displays a concept with a life-size model of the object. For example, a catapult in miniature or model size can demonstrate how far it can fling items while a catapult in life-size would need a large area to do the same thing. An experimental science project, on the other hand, proves or disproves a scientific theory. Experimental projects have actual examples or pictures and graphics to follow the experiment as well as text explaining the steps and conclusion of the project.

Art Fair

Art fairs include a diverse range of arts and crafts made by students. Depending on a student's area of interest or specialty, he can create a piece of art for the fair to be judged. Some examples include pottery, graphic design, painting, sculpting, up-cycling objects and textiles, just to name a few in this ever-growing category.

Math Fair

Math fair college projects are about proving and disproving math formulas and finding new ways of making math happen. You should display your formula and the reasons why it does and does not work. You can also include models and graphics to show your formula. Being present to explain it to peers and judges, if possible, is ideal.

Career Fair

Career fairs help you realize what it will take to be in the profession you are striving for in your college education. Displaying objects of interest, pictures and graphics of your chosen career will show others how much you know about the subject and help you dig deeper into the upcoming role. Interviewing professionals in your chosen career, shadowing them and even having them there with you to answer questions are ideal options for field work with your project. Working examples of the career are educational and interesting. For example, if your chosen profession is dental hygiene, you can have a dental hygienist on sight to clean teeth and answer questions.

Tags: your chosen, answer questions, chosen career, fair project, pictures graphics, your chosen career, your college

Personal Stylists

A personal stylist is essentially an image consultant. Sometimes called a personal shopper, these professionals advise individuals or groups on all things related to personal style, including wardrobe, hairstyles, makeup and more. Personal stylists need to be able to combine fashionable trends with an individual's unique tastes to create a winning image that both pleases the client and conveys the right message. Read on to learn more about personal stylists and their job duties.

Benefits

Some people think the idea of hiring a personal stylist is a ludicrous idea. However, it can hardly be denied that appearance is an important consideration for many professions. Fashion-impaired individuals such as actors, sports stars, newscasters and political figures can all benefit from the counsel of an image consultant. Lower profile positions such as lawyer, salesman or business executive can also dramatically improve their success simply by following the advice of a personal stylist.

Function

Personal stylists can work with individuals or groups on either a short-term or long-term basis. Either way, the goal of the consultation is to teach the client make effective image decisions. This often includes identifying colors, cuts and styles of clothing that accentuate the client's body shape, skin tone and personality. These tips often run over to include makeup application as well. Oftentimes, a personal stylist will also shop with or on the behalf of the client to pick out wardrobe.

Considerations

The career path to becoming a personal stylist often begins in retail. It is here that a strong understanding of trends and customer service are first learned. A fashion-related degree such as Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising is also helpful. Some personal stylists begin their careers as a commercial stylist assistant, which involves dressing models and sets for advertisements and photo shoots.

Expert Insight

Personal stylists typically are typically self-employed. However, some work through agencies or are affiliated with a larger group of stylists through membership in organizations such as the Federation of Image Consultants. Word-of-mouth and networking are the most effective ways for personal stylists to find new clients.

Potential

The majority of full-time personal stylists make approximately $40,000 annually. However, personal stylists who work with high-profile celebrities can earn more than $100,000 annually. Recently, personal stylists such as Rachel Zoe have bankrolled their success into profitable book deals and TV shows that have increased their yearly earnings considerably.

Tags: personal stylists, personal stylist, Personal stylists, image consultant, individuals groups

Healthy Kidney Diet Plans

Follow these diet tips for healthy kidneys

An overall healthy diet and lifestyle is in many ways the key to maintaining healthy kidneys. Getting regular exercise, keeping your weight and blood pressure down through a beneficial diet and ceasing smoking are all necessary elements to avoiding chronic kidney disease.

Water

The primary function of the kidneys is to filter toxins from your blood and siphon them into your urine for removal. To do this, they require a steady input of water. Simply put, if you don't drink enough water, your kidneys can't do their job and will become unhealthy. Kidney stones and chronic kidney disease can all result from insufficient water intake.

Drink at least eight 8-oz. servings of water every day to maintain healthy kidneys, and add more if you are a particularly active person. Some fruits and vegetables---including watermelon, cucumber, zucchini and tomatoes---are more than 90 percent water, so eat plenty to optimize hydration.

Protein

Most Americans consume far more protein than they require, most of it in the form of meat. Eating excess protein stresses your kidneys, and can lead to impaired kidney function.

Replace most of the meat in your diet with more vegetables and whole grains so that your kidneys can focus on eliminating toxins from your blood. In addition, the switch from meat to plant foods can help you lose weight and reduce your blood pressure, two prime risk factors for chronic kidney disease.

Cholesterol

High levels of LDL cholesterol can harden your arteries including those in the kidneys, with plaque, leading to reduced kidney function and an increased chance of stroke and heart attack.

To keep your cholesterol level down and your kidney health up, keep fatty meats and dairy to a minimum. Eat lean meats and nonfat dairy products, and generally increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.

Sodium

Excess sodium intake is one of the single greatest causes of high blood pressure, which in turn is a major cause of kidney problems. While there are often genetic and other factors, aim to control your blood pressure by consuming 1,500mg a day---less than half of what the average American consumes. And watch those labels for sodium in condiments and prepared foods, some of which may surprise you by their high sodium content.

Also, because much of that extra salt typically hides in processed foods from the supermarket and in restaurant meals, prepare most of your meals at home, using herbs and spices instead of salt for flavor.

Glucose

Diabetics are at a particularly high risk for kidney health problems, as unregulated glucose acts as a poison in the kidneys. Because diabetes can develop at any time in a person's life, and can go undetected for years, keep your blood-sugar levels in mind when considering your diet.

Avoid heavily sweetened goods and refined sugars, which cause blood sugar levels to spike dramatically, posing a threat to the kidneys. In addition, drinks with high sweetener content such as soda are strongly linked with obesity, a risk factor for kidney health problems.

Smoking

Add kidney health problems to the list of smoking's dangers. Smoking increases the risk of developing chronic kidney disease, partly through its tendency to raise blood pressure. Quitting smoking---or not starting in the first place---is an important part of keeping your kidneys healthy.

Tags: blood pressure, chronic kidney, chronic kidney disease, kidney disease, kidney health, your blood

How Do Dust Mites Get Into Your Home

The bedroom is where most dust mites are found.

Dust mites are microscopic pests that live in mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture in the home. Hundreds of thousands of these insect-like bugs feed on the dead skin cells of humans or pet dander found in common indoor dust.

Are They Harmful?

Dust mites are harmless to most people, but people with allergies or asthma should take extra precautions. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health, between 18 and 30 percent of Americans are allergic to dust mites or their feces.

Who Should Be Concerned?

People with chronic allergies to dust mites and those with asthma should try to reduce the number of mites in their home. Exposure to dust mites comes mainly when sleeping or disturbing dust when making a bed.

Where Do Dust Mites Live?

Dust mites need to absorb water to live, so homes with less humidity are most likely to have fewer dust mites. The mites are found most commonly in bedding. A University of Manchester study found that a typical mattress can contain between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites.

Detect

There are several products on the market that will test for the number of dust mites. Each includes wiping an area suspected of dust mites and allowing a chemical reaction on a test strip to reveal whether the problem is mild or severe.

Elimination

Keeping the humidity in your home below 50 percent can be helpful, but washing bedding (including dog bedding) and carpets, and cleaning upholstered furniture on a regular basis is one of the best solutions. Using dust covers on mattresses and pillows is also helpful.

Tags: dust mites, dust mites, asthma should, bedding carpets, dust mites, mites found, mites their

Become An Occupational Therapy Assistant

College training can lead to an occupational therapy assistant career.

Occupational therapy assistants are individuals who help occupational therapists provide mental, emotional or physical rehabilitative care to patients, according to Education-Portal.com. Employment of occupational therapy assistants is projected to increase by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages of these assistants in May 2008 were $48,230, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Becoming an occupational therapy assistant requires at least two years of training.

Instructions

1. Complete high school courses in chemistry, health science, psychology and biology, according to CollegeBoard.com. Make sure you also study English, reading and math, according to Pennsylvania College of Technology. Classes in these subjects will give you an idea of the kind of courses you will have to take in an occupational therapy assistant training program at the college level. Also, complete volunteer experience at a nursing care facility, occupational therapy office or other health care facility, as many occupational therapy assistant training programs look for this when selecting applicants for admission.

2. Search for occupational therapy assistant training programs, which usually take two years to complete and lead to an associate degree. These programs will require you to submit your high school diploma or GED during the admission process. When looking for a program, make sure it is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

3. Take occupational therapy assistant program courses on subjects including anatomy/physiology, medical terminology and kinesiology, according to Education-Portal.com. Also, study specialty areas of this field including mental health, gerontology, pediatrics and adult physical disabilities. Make sure you learn about technology and professional issues as they relate to the occupational therapy field as well.

4. Complete at least 16 weeks of a supervised clinical experience. These experiences can take place in settings such as outpatient facilities, long-term care facilities, hospitals and nursing care facilities. Practice creating treatment plans for patients and leading them through these programs, such as helping them complete range-of-motion exercises or become accustomed to prosthetic limbs.

5. Take the national certifying examination for occupational therapy assistants. This is offered by the National Board for Certifying Occupational Therapy and is required in most states for licensure in this field. Once certified/licensed, complete continuing education workshops and classes to maintain your credential. Then, look for jobs at rehabilitation centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric units and even public school and prison systems.

Tags: occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy, assistant training, occupational therapy, therapy assistant

Pros & Cons Of The Use Of Computers

Computers are useful, but have drawbacks as well.

In modern times, computers are present in nearly every home, place of business and classroom. As of October 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that roughly 120,000 households in America alone owned a personal computer. Additionally, nearly 70 percent of homes in the United States had Internet access at the time of this study. With such rampant use, computers clearly offer benefits, but there are downsides of computer use to consider as well.

Pro: Entertaining

The multimedia possibilities of modern computers are practically limitless. Computers allow users to listen to music, play video games, browse the web, watch movies and keep up with their friends all from the comfort of their homes. As computer technology continues to improve over time, more and more possibilities are created daily.

Pro: Educational

Computers are also useful when paired up with the learning process, whether inside or outside of classrooms. Teachers use computers to aid presentations, giving pupils a more visual educational experience. Students receive the benefit of learning software designed to teach new concepts in entertaining methods in addition to access to the Internet for research assistance.

Pro: Convenient

With a computer in the house, gone are the days of writing school papers by hand and paying bills via the postal mail. Computers add convenience to daily life, often turning a previously complicated task into a simple one. Users can even do their work or get an education from a computer.

Con: Health Concerns

Extensive long-term use of computers may result in a variety of health issues affecting the entire body. Wrist and finger pain may occur in users who spend years typing with improper mechanics. Other users develop lower back, spine or neck pain from poor posture. Straining to see the screen in addition to exposure to the brightness of the computer monitor may cause blurred vision, headaches and other issues for the eyes.

Con: Potentially Dangerous

With so many computers connected to the Internet, users are at risk for a number of safety issues. Viruses, spyware and other forms of malware are a continual problem, and these threats may destroy files or steal personal information. Computers also give predators a new medium to take advantage of children in addition to creating a whole new class of cyber crimes for criminals to commit.

Tags: Computers also

Rent Textbooks

The cost of textbooks can be outrageous. Many people thinki they can always sell the books back to the bookstore. The only downside is that companies release new editions so often that a textbook can be worthless after only one semester. There is a way around this problem, though. All you have to do is rent textbooks. Renting books can save you tons of money off the cover price. Best of all, the process is easy, if you follow a few simple steps.

Instructions

1. Find a safe company. Before spending your hard-earned cash to rent textbooks, do your homework. Take time to check companies to make sure they’re legit. Check the Better Business Bureau Website to ensure companies are legit. You can also read reviews. Also don’t forget to make sure the company offers a secure checkout.

2. Select the textbooks you need. Go through your list of needed textbooks and check to make sure the company offers them for a good price. Sometimes you may actually find a used book that is less expensive. Once you’ve determined the price is fair, you can proceed with the rental process.

3. Choose the length of time you will be using the textbooks. Most rental websites offer you different terms in which you can rent textbooks. For example, they may offer a quarter (90 days) or semester (140 days). Some Websites even offer summer (60-day) rentals.

4. You will also have to pay shipping fees. Even with these fees included, most textbooks are cheaper to rent than to purchase.

5. It is important that you return textbooks on time. If you don’t, you could end up having to pay more fees. Some companies may even charge you the entire price of the book, depending on how late it is.

Tags: make sure, rent textbooks, company offers, make sure company, sure company, sure company offers

Pass The Ohio State Board Cosmetology Manager Exam

To take the OSBC Manager Exam, you must document at least one year, or 2,000 hours, of full-time experience and be a licensed cosmetologist.

Becoming a manager, owner or operator of a hair salon in Ohio isn't just about setting-up shop and turning on the "Open" sign. To become a hair salon manager in Ohio, you must first pass the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology (OSBC) Manager Exam. The OSBC is set up to regulate hair salons and other cosmology professionals, including managers, while protecting the public at large.

Instructions

1. Visit the OSBC website. Click on "Examinations," then scroll down until you see the "Ohio Specific Questions for New Managers Examination." Review all seven sets of examination questions.

2. Study the examination questions. This study guide was created by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NICSBC), to which the OSBC belongs. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions, and you will have one hour to complete the test.

3. Review the salon management concepts listed on the "Applying for the Manager's Examination" document. These include analyzing salon location areas, equipment, lighting, floor and wall coverings, furniture and fixtures, business operations, running a salon and front desk duties.

4. Read the reference material on the OSBC website. Select "Forms and Applications" from the left hand column. Go to the examination section of the site and select "Managers Examination Application Based on Work Experience." Scroll down to the section which highlights reference material, such as "Milady's Standard Cosmetology," used on the OSBC Manager's Exam.

Tags: Manager Exam, OSBC Manager, OSBC Manager Exam, Board Cosmetology, examination questions, hair salon

Calculate The Number Of Payments Left On A Loan

Calculating remaining loan payments helps with budgeting.

Borrowing money has become more prevalent, especially with the rising costs of a college education. Most people can track their loan payments online and determine how much money they must pay back and how many times they need to make the payment. If this is unavailable, there is a mathematical formula to determine how many more payments a loan holder must make.

Instructions

1. Determine the amount of remaining principal, payments and the interest rate on the loan. For example, a former student has $20,000 remaining in principal on a college loan with 6 percent interest, and each month he pays $300 on the loan. Translate the interest rate to the interest rate per month by dividing 6 percent by 12, which equals 0.005.

2. Divide the principal of the loan by the payment amount. In our example, $20,000 divided by $300 equals 66.6667. Then multiply that number by the interest rate per month. In our example, 66.6667 times 0.005 equals 0.3333.

3. Subtract from 1 the number calculated in Step 2. In the example, 1 minus 0.3333 equals 0.6667.

4. Add 1 to the interest rate per month. In our example, 1 plus 0.005 equals 1.005.

5. Calculate the negative logarithm of the number calculated in Step 3. Use a calculator with a logarithm function (see Resources). Plug in 0.6667 and hit the "log" key. In our example, -log(0.6667) equals 0.176070.

6. Calculate the log of the number calculated in Step 4. In our example, log(1.005) equals 0.002166.

7. Divided the number calculated in Step 5 by the number calculated in Step 6 to determine the number of remaining payments. In our example, 0.176070 divided by 0.002166 equals 81.29. So the former student will have 81 remaining payments of $300 and one payment of $87 (.29 times $300), for a total of $24,387 (principal plus interest).

Tags: calculated Step, interest rate, number calculated, number calculated Step, interest rate month, rate month, calculated Step example

Assistant Medical Examiner Job Description

Assistant medical examiners assist with autopsies.

An assistant medical examiner helps determine the cause of the end of a person's life, especially if the death was untimely or suspicious. Assistant medical examiners are sometimes considered pathology assistants or coroner's assistants, although the educational requirements are different for each. Assistant medical examiners need to be doctors and receive a significant amount of other education and training. Salary for an assistant medical examiner varies widely and depends on experience, ranging from approximately $100,000 to $175,000 per year.

Duties

Most states require the presence of a pathologist while the assistant is working, according to medicalassistantvacancies.com, especially during autopsies. A medical examiner assistant may need to be present when a person's body is first discovered and throughout investigation, checking for initial injury or obvious cause of death.

Connecticut's Office of the Medical Examiner's description of an assistant medical examiner's duties says they must be available to check for postmortem changes such as "livor, rigor and algor." They may also collect samples and specimens for later examination by themselves or others. They can also be present for transport of a body to the medical examiner's office, and if an autopsy is necessary, will need to be present. Many states require the automatic examination of certain deaths, such as homicide, deaths in police custody, drivers, passengers and suspicious deaths.

Communications and Compassion

An assistant often works with family members and law enforcement, according to the Connecticut's Office of the Medical Examiner's description of an assistant medical examiner's duties. The assistant can prepare the official cause of death report and could be the person assigned to speak with the family, as well as with law enforcement in the case of a suspicious death. She could also complete the death certificate. Assistant medical examiners need compassion in dealing with the family, especially of victim of a suspicious or untimely death.

Education/Licensure/Certification

Assistant medical examiners must be physicians who are certified by the American Board of Pathology. Some states license assistant medical examiners.

There is an important distinction between medical examiners and coroners. Medical examiners are doctors who are board-certificated in pathology and forensic medicine. Coroners can be medical examiners; however, they often coordinate the activity of police officers, examiners and forensic scientists in the course of investigating unexplained deaths.

Work Environment

An assistant medical examiner could work with a city, county or state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and with other medical examiners, pathologists and coroners. A larger medical examiner office could comprise a chief and several assistants, along with other experts.

Legal Tasks

An assistant medical examiner may be called on to testify in the cases of suspicious deaths, according to the Utah Office of Medical Examiner. However, sometimes that responsibility is assumed by the chief medical examiner.

Tags: medical examiner, medical examiners, assistant medical examiner, Assistant medical examiners, assistant medical

Auto Mechanic Courses

Find courses in auto mechanics that lead to ASE-certification.

Cars, cars, cars. If you're stuck in traffic gridlock, you may wonder why Americans are such happy automobile owners. Americans are historically infatuated with their automobiles to the extent that the car is a "fixture of American culture," notes EyeWitness to History. Notions of public transportation and green issues have often met with public lack of cooperation. As the "New York Times" reported in 2009, "convincing people to give up their cars is often an uphill run." But today's cars are different from the early models and auto mechanics must take extensive coursework to stay current with rapidly changing automobile technology.

Job Function

Some people seem to have an innate knowledge of and desire to work on cars, and a job as an auto mechanic is a natural progression for them.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the job of auto mechanic as someone who is trained to "inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, electricity, or alternative fuels, such as ethanol." At one time, the job was much simpler than today, as auto mechanics often made simple repairs and performed routine vehicle maintenance. But the modern-day mechanic, due to the highly complex nature of 21st Century vehicles, with computers and highly evolved electronic technology, must know do the simple repairs and work with shop computers and digital diagnostic equipment. Therefore, a good auto mechanic has often had years of auto mechanic courses. In addition, since the technology changes so rapidly, the mechanic must constantly attend refresher and continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing technology.

Mechanic Training

Auto mechanics is a field for everyone.

Thousands of technical, vocational and trade schools and community colleges offer auto mechanic courses. However, the BLS reports that you should only look for programs that prepare you to earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. Most automotive repair shops require that you have a certain number of these certifications, which differ from state to state. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation is the organization that qualifies schools to offer certifications. In addition, after training, you need to complete an internship or apprenticeship program with a certified auto mechanic shop, so look for a school that has existing partnerships with highly regarded area automotive shops.

Essential Coursework

Customer service skills are essential for an effective automotive mechanic.

Any auto mechanic program worthy of investigation should offer significant training in the fields of: basic-to-advanced auto repair and technology; engines; heating and cooling; computer systems and technology; ignition systems; fuel and fuel systems; lubrication; brakes and suspension; and wheel alignment and suspension techniques. In addition, you should take business classes to prepare you for dealing with the business aspect of working for, and working at, a shop. Qualified schools often require courses in English, mathematics, physics and chemistry. In addition, a well-trained auto mechanic must know diagnose engine and general automobile problems, so your education should provide you with a background in diagnostic computer testing. Another essential element of training is customer service as mechanics are often required to deal directly with customers. Consumers are often not pleasant when they have car problems, so the ability to deal with a wide variety of personalities and emotions is an essential skill.

Certification Options

You must learn to perform diagnostic testing on automobile engine components.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a non-profit organization, suggests that auto mechanics attain certification to become an ASE-certified master technician, often called a master mechanic. To obtain the first level of certification, the potential mechanic must take tests that cover all the major areas of technical automobile repair and service. The test is offered in May and November, and you are required to pass at least one of the exams to become certified. If you pass an entire battery of eight exams in areas such as engine performance, engine repair, brakes, heating and cooling, electrical and electronic systems, manual drive train and axles, automatic transmission and suspension and steering, and have the required two-years' experience, you obtain the master technician title. The tests are administered by industry experts, and you are required to retest every five years to keep your master technician status.

Tags: auto mechanic, auto mechanic, master technician, mechanic must, auto mechanic courses, auto mechanics, auto mechanics

Tell If A Ged Is Fake

Don't waste your efforts on a fake GED.

When you decide to get a GED, or General Educational Development test, the reasons why you did not originally finish high school no longer matter. You are giving yourself a valuable tool that will serve as a springboard to college or a better job. But what if the GED you thought you received was actually a fake -- and worse, you find out when applying for college or your dream job? When obtaining your GED, arm yourself with the information that will protect your hard work -- and your reputation.

Instructions

1. Beware of programs that promise a diploma in a short period of time. Getting your GED in a few days or one week is unrealistic. Preparing for the test, gathering information from your local GED testing center, and then waiting for the test results will take a few weeks at the very least. Contact your local testing center to obtain practice testing materials. To find a testing center near you, use the GED Testing Center search feature from the American Council on Education website (see References).

2. Drop the GED program if it promises you better grades. This is a tell-tale sign the diploma you ultimately receive might be a fake. The only entity that can promise you a stellar grade on the GED is you.

3. Never take a GED test online. The one place where you are guaranteed to take an authentic, official GED test is at a GED testing center. More than likely, there is a local testing center near you. A GED test taken online is a scam.

4. Double-check the school's accreditation if you are taking a GED test from an online high school program. If you are also applying for college, check with the admissions staff to see if the college will accept a GED diploma from this program.

Tags: testing center, local testing, local testing center, applying college, center near

How Much Money Do Fashion Consultants Make

How Much Money Do Fashion Consultants Make?

While many industries are floundering due to economic difficulties, fashion consulting, also known as image consulting, is on the rise. More businesses and individuals seek the style expertise of image consultants and many sartorially savvy men and women are turning their skills into lucrative careers.

Means of Income

The are a number of ways to earn a respectable income as an fashion consultant. Job seekers, professionals, recently divorced individuals, beauty pageant contestants and television personalities compensate for fashion advice. Businesses seeking an expert to work with individual staff members or a group of employees hire image consultants. Organizations and associations contract fashion consultants for speaking engagements. Additionally, serious aspiring stylists seek the knowledge of established consultants and are willing to pay handsomely for training.

Earning Potential

Fashion consultants' earnings vary considerably, depending in part on geographic location and experience. Hourly rates range from $50 to $500. Choice fashion consultants hired to style photo shoots, movies and stage productions can make as much as $5000 per day.

Considerations

While a formal education is not required, fashion consultants certified by a reputable institution generally charge and receive more than their counterparts. Potential clients are likely to pay more to those consultants who demonstrate a commitment to the profession.

Outlook for Fashion Consultants

With more individuals and businesses examining ways to gain a leading edge in a fiercely competitive society, the demand for fashion consultants is expected to grow through 2014. More men, in particular, are seeking the services of fashion consultants, creating more opportunities for those entering into the image consulting field.

Expert Insight

To earn top dollar as a fashion consultant, you must always look the part. No potential client will take you seriously if your image is not congruent with the services you offer.

Famous Ties

Today, Rachel Zoe, Patricia Fields, André Leon Talley, Stacy London, Clinton Kelly and Carson Kressley---once budding fashion consultants---are best-selling book authors and television personalities.

Tags: Consultants Make, fashion consultant, fashion consultants, Fashion Consultants Make, image consultants, image consulting

Find Undergraduate Internships

An internship is an excellent way to gain work-related experience and to help determine whether a specific occupational field is for you. Each assignment can last for a period of several weeks to three months and usually offers additional credit to supplement academic courses. Review the following steps for ideas on find the best undergraduate internship for you.

Instructions

1. Start looking early. There is heavy competition for a limited number of slots. It is best to search at least one semester ahead of time since most application deadlines are set for mid-fall or early spring; depending on when the internship starts.

2. Network. Speak with friends, classmates, professors and their departments in order to increase your chances of finding the perfect assignment. Many departments post all undergraduate internship listings on their office bulletin boards.

3. Contact the career services office at your school. Counselors there can help narrow down your search if you're not sure of what you're looking for. If you can't get an appointment right away, check under "Career Services" on your school's website to find more information on open positions.

4. Read your email. Internship sponsors want to increase their chances of attracting the right candidate so they often resort to notifying students via email updates. Also, if a selected intern cancels their participation, this is the quickest way for the department to try to re-fill the position.

5. Browse the classifieds. Occasionally employers will advertise an internship in your local newspaper. Some positions are paid, but check with your school to find out if you can receive additional academic credit as well.

Tags: your school, undergraduate internship

Get An Associates Degree In A Year

Get an Associates Degree in a year! It only takes one year to get your Associates Degree in some regionally accredited colleges. Want to find out how? Read this interesting article!

Instructions

1. There are three methods you can use to earn an associates degree in one year. You may CLEP out of courses with CLEP tests, take overlapping courses, or drop any unnecessary elective or introductory courses.

2. One can take a CLEP test to skip having to take the actual course. This is done by scheduling a CLEP exam at your local college, studying and cramming your mind full of all of the course information, and going in to take the test! If you pass, you receive credit for taking the class without actually taking it!

3. Another way to save time and earn your Associates Degree in one year is to take overlapping courses, or double up classes. If you take two courses at a time, you may eliminate half of the time that would have been taken. If you take more than two courses at once, well let's just say you are on a roll!

4. Finally, the last method that will save you time and money while earning your Associates Degree in a year is dropping any unnecessary elective or introductory courses. Sometimes colleges like to pass on electives and introductory courses that are unneeded and unessential to your degree.

Tags: Associates Degree, Associates Degree year, introductory courses, your Associates, your Associates Degree, elective introductory

Get Financial Aid For Community College

Getting financial aid for community college is a straightforward process.

As the cost of attending a four-year college rises, many students are deciding to spend their first college years at a community college. For some students, attending community college still requires them to receive financial aid. Fortunately, the process for obtaining financial aid is straightforward.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the catch-all form used to determine aid eligibility by the federal government. Consequently, almost all community colleges require students to complete it. It also determines how much you will have to contribute toward education costs and how much aid you will receive.

Fee Waivers

Some community colleges have fee waivers for disadvantaged students. This exempts students from some or all fees, but they still have to pay for books and other needs.

On-Campus Scholarships

On-campus scholarships are a good resource because they are specifically aimed at the student body, which is smaller at community colleges. This reduces the pool of competitors from thousands of students to hundreds.

Off-Campus Scholarships

These are usually more competitive because they are open to students across the country (or around the world), but the rewards are usually bigger.

Tips

Don't lie about enrollment or grade-point average. Your school will usually verify this information before funds are sent. Always send a thank-you letter to the awarding organizations. FAFSA deadlines vary by state. Check the application for your state's deadline.

Tags: community college, community colleges, Application Federal, Application Federal Student, because they, Federal Student

Calculate My Monthly Expenses For Sallie Mae

Like many student-loan issuers, Sallie Mae encourages potential borrowers to calculate monthly expenses before taking out loans. By taking only the loan amount that you will need, you reduce the overall amount that will eventually require repayment with interest. Sallie Mae provides several online calculators for potential borrowers to experiment with possible budgets before choosing an appropriate amount to borrow for college costs. Double-check your calculations against other online calculators to arrive at a figure that seems reasonable for your situation.

Instructions

1. Gather your monthly bills and financial documents, including paycheck stubs, bank statements, investment reports, credit card bills, utility bills and insurance premiums. Having all current bills in hand will help you make accurate calculations.

2. Enter your income into a Sallie Mae online calculator or other reliable budget calculator. This figure includes take-home pay and other after-tax income, such as dividends or investment earnings.

3. Enter your educational expenses, including tuition, student fees, textbooks and student loan payments. Because some of these are paid in periodic lump sums rather than in monthly payments -- tuition, for example, is paid at the beginning of the semester -- divide your annual total by 12 to obtain an accurate monthly figure.

4. Enter other expenses. Housing expenses include rent, utilities and telephone bills. Clothing, toiletries and laundry costs are examples of living expenses. Food costs include grocery bills, restaurant expenses and the cost of beverages. Transportation costs might include car payments, gas, auto insurance, subway fares and parking fees. Entertainment expenses might include movies and satellite TV. Do not forget miscellaneous expenses, such as health insurance, medical expenses, loan payments and membership dues.

5. Note your monthly expenses and calculate the funds you will have available without taking Sallie Mae loans into consideration. If there is a gap between monthly expenses and the funds you have available from salary and other income, taking out student loans might be a reasonable option. The difference between available funds and monthly expenses is a good indicator of projected loan amounts from Sallie Mae.

Tags: monthly expenses, amount that, amount that will, Enter your, have available, loan payments

Graduate Level English Courses

Students in graduate-level English classes study the implications of texts.

Students who wish to teach English or delve deeper into English literature studies should consider pursuing a master's degree in English. In these programs, you will have the opportunity to explore topics within the English field, from literary history to creative writing. You may also choose to focus your studies on a specific topic, such as the texts written during a historical period or the texts that originate from a particular region. Whatever the focus you decide to pursue, you will need to take classes that fall into a few basic categories to earn your degree.

Literature

English students must have an in-depth understanding of the texts that have made an impact on our society, so they must complete courses in literature that cover topics from Shakespeare's plays to modern-day novels. You will study the rise of particular genres in literature, such as British romantic literature and women's fiction. You will also gain a deeper knowledge of major authors. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students, for instance, have the opportunity to study how Jane Austen influenced gender perceptions in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Writing

English master's degree candidates must also have a strong grasp on the art of writing. Rather than studying other authors' literature, students are expected to create and evaluate their own work in writing courses. At New York University, students can take a workshop in poetry course, where they must craft one original poem per week. A workshop in fiction course is also available, and students in this course are expected to write short stories and novels and study readings on dialogue, characterization and point of view.

Language and Linguistics

Classes in language and linguistics will help you gain a better understanding of the history of the English language and the relationship between language and literature. You will study how the English language evolved from the middle ages to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to today. Also covered in these courses is new language formation and how social or political influences shaped the English language.

Pedagogy

If you are interested in teaching English, take a pedagogy class while completing your master's program. Classes in this category are available in many master's programs and explore theories of teach writing. You will learn critique students' writing and create lesson plans and assignments. There are several different types of courses within the pedagogy category; for instance, students at the University of Maine can take courses in rhetorical theory, teaching college composition and theories of composition.

Tags: English language, eighteenth nineteenth, eighteenth nineteenth centuries, have opportunity, master degree

Financial Aid & Grants For College

The average cost of college has increased over 30 percent between 2002 and 2008, according to the Department of Education. You know that paying for your education can be difficult, but you aren't sure what your options are. Fortunately, for those without a storehouse of gold or a rich uncle, there are a variety of ways to pay tuition and get your degree.

Grants

Grants are funds provided by the government or private institutions for school that you don't have to repay. You can apply for a variety of grants from the federal government, including the Pell Grant, a need-based grant. The federal government also offers grants for those seeking to become teachers, or those pursuing an education in mathematics and the hard sciences. Beyond what Uncle Sam has to offer, there are literally thousands of grants offered by private institutions for everything from atheist students to students from union families.

College Scholarships

Your next step in paying for college should include looking at what scholarships your college or university has to offer. Your college likely offers scholarships and grants for students with demonstrated financial need. Additionally, many colleges offer scholarships for students with demonstrated academic excellence. Finally, there may be scholarships in specific departments at your school for students in your major. Talk to an advisor at your school to see what scholarships may be right for you.

Student Loans

You may be weary of taking out loans to pay for college. You don't have to take out an expensive loan from the local bank, however. The Federal Stafford Loan is a low-interest student loan that will help you pay for college as well as "extras" like living expenses and books. The Federal Grad PLUS Loan is the equivalent for students in graduate school. If you take care to borrow only what you need, federal loans can be an inexpensive way to make up the gap between tuition and grants and scholarships.

Work Study

Work study makes up the final piece of the financial aid pie. Work study jobs are jobs specifically reserved for students. While the jobs are frequently not glamorous or high-paying, they can help you afford things like books and a night out while you're studying. Best of all, you can get work study jobs related to your major -- or just one with a liberal policy on letting students study during work.

Tags: federal government, private institutions, students with, students with demonstrated, study jobs, what scholarships

Games To Promote Reading

Getting children excited about reading gives them a good start in their education. Opportunities to get them excited often present themselves in everyday play activities. Also, positive reinforcement from parents and other adults helps children want to continue to develop their new skills. Many educational products are available to help children pursue their reading goals.

Rhyming Words

Playing rhyming games with a young child can help her begin to think about words with the same sounds. One way to start is to say a simple word such as "day" and asking her what word or words she knows that rhyme with it. One can also choose an object in a room such as a chair and ask the child what word rhymes with it.

Letter Sounds

Parents can place letters that have magnets on the back of them on the refrigerator and then have their child tell them each letter's sound. The child may also have fun spelling out his name with the letters and then saying each sound. Teaching children what sound each letter of the alphabet makes can help them sound out words and eventually read entire sentences.

Definition of Things

By asking the child to verbally define a known object, parents can assist their child to organize his thoughts and words. For example, the parent points to an object such as a magazine or table and asks the child to give the definition of the object. Then the child can ask the parent about objects he doesn't know. The parent, in turn, tells the child what the object is and furthers the child's knowledge and strengthens his vocabulary.

Printing Letters

Making a fun project out of writing the alphabet is a way to get children to practice their letters. One idea is to encourage the child to write the letters on a sheet of construction paper. After this, she can cut out a picture from a magazine that corresponds to the letters. For instance, for the letter "a" the child might find an apricot.

Child Authors

Encouraging a child to make up her own story is a fun way to get her to use her imagination. The parent can write down the story as told to him by the child. To further use the child's imagination, the parent can also ask about various details, such as the colors or amounts of things.

Street Signs

Traveling in the car may be a perfect opportunity to ask a child if he can read or sound out various street signs. Some children may already be familiar with the color or shape of more common signs such as "stop," "exit" and "no parking."

Names

Most children like to see their own name written down on paper. This is beneficial to them in two ways: They can learn spell their name and learn the sounds in their name. This exercise can be continued with the mother's name, father's name and other relatives' names.

Tags: their name, child what, each letter, imagination parent, their child