Take a look at the college degree held by Ginni Rometty, who will take over as IBM’s first-ever female CEO and president on Jan. 2, 2012, and you’ll see someone who committed in college to a career in technology. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree with high honors in computer science and electrical engineering from Northwestern University.
Technology is a job sector where more women are needed, and Rometty’s promotion reflects that companies are seeking female leaders with technical experience.
If you’re interested in working in the technology industry, don’t be intimidated by pursuing fields such as computer science while browsing college websites and course catalogs. While the technology field needs people in all types of roles, from human resources to public relations, leaders like Rometty reveal that focusing on science and technology from the onset can be rewarding.
But females are discouraged from technical education pursuits, Caroline Simard, vice president of research at the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, recently told the New York Times. She said:
“Research shows that the majority of people have an implicit bias that associates science and technology with gender, so from a very young age, girls are not encouraged to pursue these careers. Women like Ginni Rometty are a powerful antidote against the stereotype.”
While IBM is a top global company, there are small- and mid-sized technology firms in your own town that need leaders, and by focusing on a technical education in computer science,software engineering, or other tech fields, you could position yourself to take on a leadership role and further help break the glass ceiling.
If you haven’t visited our sister site MyEducation.com in a while, you’re in for a treat… courtesy of a zombie! Watch the commercial below, and you’ll see Zoey the Zombie using education to fight her way out of a dead-end job and come alive. (Give her some “like” love on Facebook while you’re at it!) And now, you can do the same thing.
In MyEducation’s “Come Alive” contest, which runs from September 26 through January 15, you can create and upload your own video showing how education can help you come alive. We’re looking for creative, original, well-publicized videos to compete for the $2,500 grand prize. Yes, when it comes to going back to school to make your dreams come true, we admit to being a little “batty!”
Not feeling the vibe yet? Don’t be a deadbeat. Check out five reasons why you should enter the “Come Alive” contest today:
>> It will get you thinking – and that’s a good thing.
The great philosopher Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Of course, it can be so much easier to keep your head down and just go with the status quo. Why analyze your life when it takes so much energy just to live it? But if you never stop and think about what you want out of your career and your life, you’ll wake up one day wondering where the years went and what your purpose was. In short, you’ll be like one of those zombies in the commercial, taking up space in the workplace but not really contributing anything of value or experiencing joy in what you do.
>> It will make you take action.
Thinking doesn’t have to be a Debbie-Downer activity, though – especially if you commit to improving your situation. If you’ve realized that your career is not living up to your dreams and expectations, do something about it. Start by entering the contest and making a video that highlights what you want out of life. Then, use that creative energy as a springboard to get back to school, whether for a professional certificate, bachelor’s degree completion, or your very first steps toward an associate degree.
>> You can win money for school.
This is an obvious perk, but it bears mentioning. Not only can creating your “Come Alive” video help you jump-start your back-to-school endeavor, it can also give you some cash to make your education dreams a reality. Grants, loans, scholarships, tax credits, and tuition assistance are available to adult students, but your financial situation will be that much brighter with some prize money in hand – $2,500, to be precise. You can also win a $100 American Express gift card by competing in fun bi-monthly challenges.
>> You can get digital.
If you haven’t been back to school in a while, entering the “Come Alive” video contest can actually help you hone the skills you need to succeed in today’s classroom. Creating and uploading videos and driving traffic to your video channel can help you get with the digital age and become fluent in the social media and technologies that have become a critical component of 21st century education. If you’re technologically challenged, enlist a friend to help you get up to speed.
>> It will be fun!
If nothing else, making a video for the contest will be fun – and if you’re stuck in a dead-end job, you could probably use some more fun in your life. But don’t make it into one more item for your to-do list. We want to inspire you to consider what you’re really passionate about, and to go after it. Have fun creating your video, and see where it takes you. Who knows? It could end up being a catalyst for you to switch gears, go back to school, and get started in a vibrant, new, fulfilling career.
Groupon keeps reminding me about two purchases I’ve made – two-for-one movie tickets from Fandango and a half-off deal for a photo album that I haven’t gotten around to creating. It’s also helped me take part in unique events, such as a barbecue lunch with the Neelys from Food Network and a symphony performance under the stars.
The other day, a Groupon deal showed me that the trendy site has the potential to remind some folks of their dream to finish their degree or go back to school to pursue a new career or get advanced education.
Groupon was offering more than 50 percent off a $2,232 graduate-level introductory teaching course at National Louis University in Chicago (the Groupon price was $950).
Surprise – a school actually lowered a price for students! In these days of bargain hunting and discount seeking, it seems that a college education is one of the few places where individuals seem resigned to pay higher and higher prices. I’ve seen friends invest in starting a master’s degree, only to find they can’t afford to continue the program or can’t juggle it with jobs and family (and refunds aren’t available for those courses).
The idea of purchasing something like education on Groupon may be a bit “out there,” and maybe the school only did it for publicity, but it is refreshing to see a school willing and able to lower its price on a course.
It got a lot of attention because it’s the first time the “deal is on” coupon site has offered a deal on tuition that counts for academic credit. The school says 18 individuals purchased the Groupon.
Dr. Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, said in a press release: “This deal will give participating students a chance to take one course and see if they are ready to make the time and financial commitment to follow through with the entire graduate program.”
Students need an undergraduate degree to be involved in the 10-week course, which counts toward three credit hours, of a 36-hour master’s degree from the school.
University officials told the AP that many of its students – the average age is 34 – are part of Groupon’s target demographics. So adult learners could be seeing more of this, via Groupon, or from other coupon sites. It could be a bonus for students already in pursuit of a certain degree, or it could be just the thing, even if you don’t get that deal, to make you reconsider college.
What do you think? Would you ever buy a Groupon for school?
As we move into the second half of summer (say it ain’t so!), thoughts naturally shift to the start of a new school year. Driving by my kids’ school the other day, I started making mental lists of school supplies and reminding myself to keep an eye out for back-to-school sales so I don’t spend a fortune on notebooks and folders and glue sticks the day before classes begin.
While we’re thinking about a new school year for the kids, it’s natural to put ourselves in their shoes and ask, “Would I be ready to go back to school?” Consider these factors as you contemplate your own return to the hallowed halls of academia.
Assess your motivation.
Maybe you’ve been downsized, like Tom Hanks’ character in the recent movie “Larry Crowne.” He uses the layoff as an opportunity to go to college and improve his situation. Maybe you just want a better (or different) job than the one you’ve got. Or perhaps you’re fascinated by a certain subject, like solar energy, and you want to “soak up” everything you can about it. No matter what’s driving you, a clear-cut goal can keep you going on the days when you don’t feel up to studying.
Learn from the past.
If you’ve tried to go back to school in the past and the memory is unpleasant, take some time to consider the reasons why. Were you working full time and feeling too stressed to study in the off-hours? Were you taking too many credits, or courses that just felt too difficult? Pinpoint the problem so you don’t repeat the same mistakes. If taking two classes at once was too much, try one this time. If the school didn’t offer the academic support you needed, try a different school, or consider online courses. The idea is to learn from the past, but don’t get stuck there. Learn from the experience, and move forward.
Consider the timing.
We’ve heard stories about people studying when they’re in labor or going back to school at 92, which proves that one can go back to school at any time. Maybe those extremes don’t suit your fancy, but pay attention to other changes in your circumstances. If you’re a mom, for instance, and your kids are finally old enough to go to school full time, this could be a new window of opportunity to dust off your education dreams. You’re going to fill those extra hours with something – why not fill them with something that will help you achieve your personal and professional goals? Be open to the opportunities that a new season can bring.
The decision to go back to school can be a lot like the decision to have kids – there’s a lot of talking, thinking, dreaming, and planning involved, but if you wait for the “perfect” time, you’ll never do it. There might never be a “perfect” time to go back to school. So maybe the better question is this: Is now a “good-enough” time?
With the “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games” series over, let’s face it, we all know enough about vampires and postapocalyptic worlds and can focus on some career reading this summer.
Slip one of these books into your beach bag this long holiday weekend, and get inspired about your career or furthering your education.
These authors make it easy to soak up both the rays and important information about earning a first-time degree or advanced degree to move up the ladder professionally. Just imagine what were to happen if Katniss was to combine her Hunger Games experience with a college education – she would be even more unstoppable!
How to Get Any Job: Life Launch and Re-Launch for Everyone Under 30 (Or How to Avoid Living in Your Parents’ Basement) by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Asher, a career consultant who is author of several books, encourages people to think about their “top five issues in this world” as part of considering a career path and gives the low-down on education options, recognizing that career paths can change over time. Plus, there’s a special chapter on summer jobs.
Bossypants by Tina Fey (Reagan Arthur Books)
It’s your typical career book, but Fey’s hilarious memoir shows what it’s like to succeed in a male-dominated industry, working at SNL and having her own Emmy Award-winning show, “30 Rock,” and how she balances being a mom in show business. You get all that, and be prepared to hide under your oversized beach hat because you may be embarrassed at how much Fey’s essays are making you laugh.
If you’re considering earning your MBA, you probably need a summer vacation from all of that research. This book presents the MBA pursuit from the mindset of how you can be a compelling candidate to a college, written in a way where you feel like you’re chatting with a friend – albeit a very experienced, knowledgable friend who is an educational consultant. Forster’s insider’s look into getting into a business school is fueled with stories of applicants, making it an easy summer read.
Let us know if you’ve found other career- or education-related books or biographies that have inspired or informed you to take your next career step!
Every summer, my TV is constantly tuned into Wimbledon, where with every serve, volley, and amazing backhand, I am amazed by how important the medical staff is to the players battling to win the championship.
Some matches are paused as players seek help of trainers to diagnose problems and give them the medical help they need to make it through each game, set and match.
In defending champion Rafael Nadal’s match Monday, he called for a trainer, who taped his left foot and give him cream to help with the pain, and then he went on to beat Juan Martín del Potro to make it to the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Nadal got an MRI exam on his foot to determine the severity of the injury, a procedure that requires the expertise of a radiology technologist.
There’s not only the physical strain when playing tennis, but mental strain in often evident when playing solo or communicating with a partner. Even viewers can feel mentally and emotional exhausted after seeing favorites such as the Williams sisters and Andy Roddick lose or watching intense matches. Sports psychologists can be beneficial to players, whether they’re at the height of their career or not living up to expectations, or just needing to control their outbursts (remember Serena Williams’ profanity-filled tirade against a lineswoman at the 2009 U.S. Open?).
Other professionals, such as chiropractors, massage therapists and physiotherapists, also can make up a tennis players’ entourage or be used by players at tournaments. Of course, it’s not just for tennis but all other sports, where the medical profession is a key behind-the-scenes member of the team.
As you’re considering job choices, realize how choosing the health care industry is not only leading to jobs in hospitals and doctors offices but in active settings where immediate attention often is needed. For tennis players at Wimbledon, the medical assistance can be a factor in dominating opponents in this summertime Grand Slam event.
Our hearts go out to the families of those who died or were injured in Japan’s massive earthquake. The amazing thing when tragedies like this occur is to see news reports that show workers from the U.S. who swing into action and travel to the areas hit to assist the immediate rescue and relief efforts.
Videos and photographs of these workers reinforce that if you have a heart for people and desire to help, emergency and disaster relief occupations are possible career paths for you.
The earthquake in Japan joins other recent tragic events, such as the 9/11 attacks, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, and Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, that have brought attention to the variety of occupations that help people prepare or deal with manmade or natural disasters.
These can be exhausting professions with long hours and difficult conditions, but the rewards are numerous in being able to provide aid and comfort to individuals impacted by emergencies and disasters.
Here are some of the professions where jobs are in demand for individuals willing to serve others in the wake of major disasters around the globe.
Emergency management
Federal and local emergency management agencies need workers in a variety of functions, from planning to safety to security to communications. If you visit FEMA’s website, you can pull up videos of workers that give you a glimpse into their jobs and responsibilities. U.S. News & World Report identified an emergency management specialist – described as someone who creates disaster response plans and training, and coordinates with state and local emergency personnel – as one of the 50 best jobs for 2011. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for emergency management specialists will grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. For this and other emergency management positions, employers want to see a desire for helping people, along with a bachelor’s degree and often certification from the National Incident Management System, according to U.S. News.
Emergency medicine
Physicians, nurses, and others working in the health care field often are among the first called upon to provide assistance in the U.S. and overseas in the wake of a tragedy. Workers also who have degrees in public health are necessary to provide expertise related to medical needs in a crisis.
Nonprofit organizations
Nonprofit organizations also are essential to helping communities recover and rebuild after disasters. If you desire to work for major organizations such as the American Red Cross or local groups, you’ll definitely need to be passionate about helping others. Often workers in the nonprofit sector have received their education in fields such as business and the liberal arts, according to a Wall Street Journal story. The exciting thing about working for nonprofits is the ability to constantly touch the lives of those you are serving, and you could be involved in all aspects from working with volunteers to fund raising. When tragedy hits, nonprofits often excel at having the resources in place to provide for needs, with workers energized by the idea of serving others.
Working in the emergency and disaster profession can give you a sense of purpose while responding to those in a crisis.
I was at a salon in my town the other day, and a massage therapist I know mentioned one of the big changes she’s making in her life: going back to school to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
She was explaining that she has been a massage therapist for 10 years (she’s 31 now) and was looking for a change. She still loves having a relationship with her clients and by providing massages, she’s in a profession where she creates a relaxing, rejuvenating environment for her clients. And often people schedule massage to treat pain and for the rehabilitation of sports injuries, recognizing its medical benefits.
Her decision to pursue physical therapy allows her to be in a career with a hands-on touch, and she’s enjoying the fact that she’s learning more about the human body with classes like anatomy. Physical therapists are focused on providing care to people suffering from burns, amputations, conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy, stroke, back and neck injuries, and muscle and bone sprains and fractures.
Going back to school isn’t an easy road, but my massage therapist is making it a little easier by selecting a new career that is still in health and wellness arena where she is already working.
It could be that your next career move is not so far away from the field where you’re working now. If you enjoy the industry you’re in, but are looking for more career opportunities, higher pay, or just a change of work life, look to springboard to an occupation in the same industry or a complimentary industry. It may take away some of the fear in your quest for a new career, too!
According to the AARP, women are less likely to have enough money in the second half of their lives because of lower earnings and different work patterns (Translation: staying home with the kids). Another report states that 8.1 percent of women are currently unemployed. But there’s good news – a variety of organizations are making it a priority to support older women in their career and education pursuits. Here are a few:
Send One Suit Weekend
Dressbarn, a leading national retailer of women’s clothing, is teaming up with the nonprofit organization Dress for Success and its partners for its 9th annual Send One Suit Weekend. The goal? To give underprivileged women across the country the ability to walk into a job interview with confidence through the transformative power of professional attire. Through the campaign, low-income women looking to re-enter the workforce benefit from donations of gently used suits, pants, shirts, skirts, shoes, and other professional items.
Learn more: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/supportdfs_SOSweekend.aspx
Dates: February 24-27, 2011
Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards scholarships to low-income women 35 and older in order to help them secure careers and break the cycle of poverty. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited school where they will pursue a technical or vocational education, an associate degree, or a first bachelor’s degree. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of their goals, their plan for reaching those goals, challenges they may have faced, and their financial situation.
Download an application: http://www.rankinfoundation.org/
Scholarship deadline: March 1, 2011
AARP Women’s Scholarship Program
AARP Foundation’s Women’s Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to women 40 and older who have limited financial resources and who are seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities. Awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. Scholarship winners also receive mentoring services during their first year of school. All recipients must be enrolled in an accredited school or technical program within six months of receiving the award. Previous recipients may reapply fora second year of assistance.
Apply online: http://www.aarp.org/womensscholarship
Scholarship deadline: March 31, 2011
AAUW Career Development Grants The American Association of University Women’sCareer Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. These one-time awards range from $2,000 to $12,000. Special consideration is given to women of color and to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Grants provide support for course work in a master’s degree or second bachelor’s degree program – no PhDs – or for specialized training in technical or professional fields. Funds are available for distance learning as well.
Apply online: http://www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/career_development.cfm
Annual scholarship deadline: Mid-December
Talbots Women’s Scholarships
The Talbots Charitable Foundation offers its scholarship program to women pursuing a college degree later in life, awarding 10 $15,000 scholarships and one $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award. To be considered for an award, you must have earned a high school diploma or GED at least 10 years prior to application. You must also be enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate course of study for the full upcoming academic year. Scholarship winners also receive gift cards from Talbots, Borders, and Office Depot, as well as a backpack filled with Office Depot supplies, and the Reinvention Resumé Plus eKit, a step-by-step tool to develop resumés and cover letters.
Get more info: www.talbots.com/scholarship
Annual scholarship deadline: Mid-January
It’s never too late to get back in the career saddle, ladies!
A student I know who is applying for summer internships recently mentioned that she is writing a variety of cover letters to send to potential employers. I was so proud that she recognized a cover letter is essential when introducing yourself to prospective employers and that she needed to send more than a quick e-mail to the companies.
The cover letter is one of the three important letters you need to know how to write for career success. The others are the thank you note and the rejection follow-up letter. Here are some key things to know…
Cover letter
Use a brief but interesting cover letter to sell yourself as a valuable asset to the company.
You don’t want to regurgitate your resume; the cover letter should serve as an introduction to your resume.
Let the employer know what type of job you are interested in, and why you think you would be their best hire. You’ll also want your cover letter also to reflect your personality and work ethic.
But remember – you have to be accurate. You must spell the company’s name right and the contact’s name correctly. Any spelling errors or poor grammar will reflect poorly on you and impact your ability to land the job.
Thank you letter
Getting a job is all about relationships, and the thank you letter helps show your continued interest in the job and move forward your relationship with a potential employer.
A survey by Northwestern University notes that less than 15 percent of job seekers follow up with thank you letters. So taking the time to write these notes could really help you stand out! Northwestern’s tips include:
• Send the letter within 24 hours
• Mention something discussed during the interview (it helps remind the person who you are, especially in the case of open positions with multiple candidates)
• Briefly reiterate qualifications and skills that could be vital to the position
• Use e-mail to send the letter, but pop a hardcopy in the mail, too
Rejection follow-up letter
If you get rejected for a job, the last thing you want to do is to keep in touch with that company. But if you put aside your pride and write a follow-up letter – not to vent, but to thank them for considering you for the job – it could make a lasting impression that could lead to a job in the future.
One example of a rejection follow-up letter does a perfect job of not seeming bitter about losing out on the job, but keeping the door open to apply for other openings. Monster.com says that “following up can send a powerful message about your resiliency as a professional and your heartfelt interest in the company.”
These three letters are essential to launching a successful job search now and in the future. So start writing!
The CollegeSurfing Insider is here to tackle some common career education questions, debunk career school myths, and share unique insights about various professions. Consider us your bloggin’ classmate!
