The action on the field, the TV ads, and the halftime show may be getting the attention, but all of those events that make the Super Bowl such a big night require professionals to pull them off.

Here’s a look at seven career paths that help make the Super Bowl such a huge event.

1. Advertising: During the Super Bowl and the morning after, fans and viewers will be talking about the best TV ads and complaining about the bad ones. When the ads are memorable (remember the Betty White and Snickers ad from 2010 that contributed to the 90 year old’s surge in popularity?), it means ad directors and account managers have done their jobs well by bringing attention to their clients.

2. Catering: I’m still setting my Super Bowl Sunday menu, and in the midst of planning, I was blissfully dreaming of using a caterer for game-worthy grub. It’s not going to happen, but plenty of parties are employing caterers to concoct football-inspired appetizers and desserts for the big game.

3. Sports management: Earning your bachelor’s degree in sports management can lead to a variety of career options, such as helping organize big events like the Super Bowl or the Olympics, the World Cup. You can also work for everyone from professional teams to nonprofits. Some graduates work with professional athletes who are involved in charitable efforts or with teams’ fundraising efforts. Others are involved with ticket sales, plan stadium events and promotions, work with the media, recruit players and coaches, and make sure teams comply with league rules.

4. Athletic training: The professionals running out onto the field when a player is hurt can include athletic trainers, who often hold a master’s or doctoral degree. Athletic trainers provide treatment to players before, during, and after the games to help prevent and treat injuries. Other professionals, such as massage therapists, also are used by players.

5. Event planning: Celebrity-studded events are part of Super Bowl week, with some throwing their own bashes and others attending events hosted by magazines and companies. It takes a hoard of event planners to make the events happen – and to create the “it” bash.

6. Video production: Professionals with training in video production are crucial, not just for the Super Bowl (imagine being responsible for hitting the delay button if Madonna’s halftime show gets too risqué?), but for other TV events like Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl or “The Voice,” which appears after the Super Bowl.

7. Journalism: Swarms of media – reporters and editors for websites, TV and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, and wire services – are part of the Super Bowl crowd, covering the teams and madness for their readers. More than 5,000 members of the media received credentials to attend this year’s Media Day, with access to the players, and that’s before the actual reporting on the game.

That’s only a few of Super Bowl-related professions – let us know what others you see when watching the big game!

-Lori Johnston

Investing money and time in a college education, especially as an adult learner, needs to come with a payoff. There’s obviously the personal satisfaction of finally having that hard-earned college degree. And yes, you want to choose a career you love. That career, though, can be even more valuable when it is in a field with available jobs that pay well. That’s why researching wages and unemployment rates can be critical you’re considering career choices and college degrees.

Median earnings among recent college graduates vary from $30,000 in the arts, psychology, and social work to $55,000 among engineering majors, according to a January 2012 report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

Unemployment has started to come down but rates remain high, at 8.9 percent for recent graduates with bachelor’s degrees. But you’re still better off with a college degree than with a high school diploma, where unemployment is at a “catastrophic” 22.9 percent, according to the report “Hard Times: College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal.” Here’s another telling fact from the report:

“More than 60 percent of these recent college graduates who are working have landed in the healthcare, professional contracting businesses, or education sectors.”

So what majors have the highest and lowest unemployment rates among recent grads? The study says …

Highest

Architecture: 13.9 percent

Arts: 11.1 percent

Humanities and liberal arts: 9.4 percent

Social science: 8.9 percent

Computers and mathematics: 8.2 percent

Law and public policy: 8.1 percent

Lowest

Healthcare and education: 5.4 percent each

Agricultural and natural resources: 7 percent

Psychology and social work: 7.3 percent

Communications and journalism: 7.3 percent

Business: 7.4

Engineering: 7.5

Life and physical sciences: 7.7 percent

How do these stats impact your thoughts about career fields and degrees? Let us know in the comments section below.

Pinterest isn’t just an awesome social media place for craft ideas, fashion, makeup and hair tips, recipes, birthday party themes, and home design ideas (they’re fueling my dream of having a custom master bedroom closet). If you’re on Pinterest, and if you can tear yourself away from repining those things to your boards, you’ll notice that one of the categories on Pinterest is education.

A lot of the items posted on the education boards are related to children, but some are more adult-friendly and could encourage you to go back to college or pursue a new degree.

Also, if you’re a “pinaholic,” think about how much time you spend browsing other boards, such as photography, hair and beauty, fitness, science and nature, technology, and history. Your passion for one of those subjects may be clear, and it could lead you to start researching career paths in those areas that have captured your interest for a long time.

Here are some of the latest things we’ve seen pinned that can inform you about potential new careers or degrees or inspire you as an adult learner. Our links take you to the actual webpage, so that those who don’t have Pinterest accounts can see them, too.

The Bachelor’s Job Market
A social media professor (sounds like a cool job) at Syracuse University posted this insightful infographic, created by Rasmussen College, that shows the need for more bachelor’s degree holders and reasons why people don’t pursue their degree.

I’m So Much More Than Just a Teacher poster
If you’re considering going into education, whether to work as a teacher’s assistant at your child’s school or to teach in another grade level, this poster’s message may be the push that you need to head into that direction.

Albert Einstein Quotes
The inspirational sayings on Pinterest range from sassy to sappy, but if you sort through, you can find some that may be worth putting your computer, phone, or near study central for you. The ones by Albert Einstein often pop up, joining others by authors, book characters, and even created by Pinterest members themselves.

Oh, and don’t forget to check us out on Pinterest. Our Boards are a mixture of smart (College-related Infographics and A+ College Stuff) and fun (Because Bacon Makes You Smarter).

Are you on Pinterest? Tell us what you’ve learned so far. Happy pinning!

-Lori Johnston

Which college degrees provide better job security?

A new study from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce implies that your degree choice can have a big impact on keeping a job. According to the findings, risk of unemployment for recent graduates varies considerably depending on their major.

You can check out the full report, Hard Times, College Majors, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal, but here are some of the takeaways we’ve gleaned from it:

- Specializing is great, but develop skills that can be applicable in a number of ways. Case in point: The highest unemployment rate in the study was for architecture graduates (13.9 percent), a direct reflection of the struggling real estate market, and there’s little work outside of that industry. On the other hand, those with financial or computer expertise can transfer those skills to work for most any corporation or organization.

- Now might be a good time to get that advanced degree you’ve been mulling over. The overall unemployment rate for people with graduate degrees is just 3 percent.

- Look for ties to strong industries. Recent graduates in Engineering, the Sciences, Education, or Healthcare are tied to stable or growing sectors, and therefore, offer opportunities with the most staying power (with just a 5.4% unemployment rate).

On the bright side, any degree is still better than not having one at all. Recent bachelor’s degree earners have an 8.9 percent unemployment rate, while job seekers with just a high school diploma are at 22.9 percent, and high school dropouts are at 31.5 percent.

-Dawn Papandrea

The holiday frenzy may be over, but the new year often rings in an organizing frenzy that can eat up free time. Organizing strategies and tips that are meant for your pantry, closets, laundry room, storage spaces, and other areas also can be perfect when searching for a new career.

Here are three ways you can organize your search for a new profession (and after you’re done, go ahead, use them in your home, too).

1. Do it in intervals.
Plunging into a search for a new career can be overwhelming – just like trying to organize a year’s worth of photos, children’s art projects, or receipts for your taxes. Make time to research career options and the type of education programs you’ll want to pursue by returning to school, but don’t expect to do it all in one day. Spending a couple of hours at a time can keep you energized throughout the process.

2. Get help.
Bounce ideas of someone you trust and who will support you in your career endeavors. Whether it’s a spouse, parent, best friend, or colleague, having someone to help you during the process can motivate you, especially if you ever want to give up your search.

3. Tackle one area at a time.
In your home, you don’t want to jump from one area, like the kitchen, to the bedroom closet to the garage or the kids’ playroom, until you’re done with the other one. That just leads to chaos. To avoid a chaotic career search, start off by focusing on your passions and the types of occupations that fit with those passions (you can also take career assessments to help you with this part of the process), then go onto researching salary and job potential, then degree programs. As you tackle these decisions, set up a system by creating folders on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or in your paper files, to make sure that you lose any valuable research.

Taking these steps can help you keep focused on your career search and finding the profession of your dreams.

-Lori Johnston

When searching for a community college, you want to select a school that cares about students being successful with the coursework and after graduation, in finding well-paying jobs.

The Aspen Institute

Part of your research should include the honors that schools have received, and here’s a new one we wanted to bring to your attention. The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence was launched in 2011, and as more people look to commercial colleges for affordability and convenience, it is great to see these schools receiving the spotlight.

The award recognized community colleges with strong results in student learning, completion, equity, and post-college employment and earnings.

The winner was … Florida’s Valencia College. The Orlando school has some pretty impressive numbers, with more than half of its full-time students either graduating or transferring within three years of entering college. And 30 percent of the students who enter Valencia transfer to a four-year college.

Here’s an incredible story from the writeup about Valencia College that shows how the school (which received a $600,000 award) has been a source for local employers, helping connect students with job openings.

“Jim Lipscomb, a Northrop Grumman manager in Orlando, used to spend half the year on the road, looking for workers qualified to help make laser sights for military hardware. Competition was fierce—a good candidate had five or ten job offers to choose from—and those he hired often left Florida in months, homesick for Texas or Idaho or Iowa.

Now, Lipscomb doesn’t need to leave town. Over the last several years, he has hired nearly every laser technician who has come out of Valencia, which created a program in response to growing industry demand. Valencia is doing its part to fill a national shortage of laser technicians while linking local residents to well-paying jobs for local residents.”

Here are the nine finalists for the Aspen Prize, which also are partnering with businesses and creating innovative programs for their community college students. You can read each of the finalists’ stories, too, to see what those schools are doing to stand out.

• Lake Area Technical Institute (South Dakota)

• Miami Dade College (Florida)

• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

• Mott Community College (Michigan)

• Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar

• Santa Barbara City College (California)

• Southwest Texas Junior College

• Valencia College (Florida)

• Walla Walla Community College (Washington)

• West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Former Secretary of Education Richard Riley, who co-chaired the jury that selected the winners, made these comments in connection with the award:”Community colleges for too long have been under-appreciated. By 2018, more than 60 percent of American jobs will require some kind of post-secondary qualification, and community colleges are uniquely poised to answer the needs of both employers and students looking for economic security.”

If you’re attending any of these schools or planning on starting there soon, definitely check out how you can benefit from their initiatives that are worthy of the spotlight!

-Lori Johnston

I’m sitting in the movie theater, watching “The Muppets” with my 5-year-old son, and I realize that amid the references to past decades, musical numbers, and appearance of favorites like Animal and Beaker, a comeback story like this can apply to going back to college, too.

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Before you say “mahna mahna,” check out these four ways “The Muppets” might inspire you to get on the path to a new career.

1. It’s not too late to do it.

Fozzie Bear’s eyebrows are graying, and a robot from the ’80s drives them around the country. It may seem like The Muppets are past their prime (it is, after all, their first new movie in 12 years), but they don’t let changes in technology or pop culture get them down in their quest to save their old theater. If you’re concerned you’re too out of date to go back to school, it doesn’t have to be that way.

2. Don’t let no stop you.

From TV executives to baddie Tex Richman, who plans to buy the theater and tear it down, there’s plenty of reasons for the Kermit and the Muppets to give up. It’s the same for you – people may make comments that could put holes in your college or career dreams, but don’t let them affect your decision.

3. Have your support team.

New Muppet Walter and humans Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) are huge fans on the Muppets, convincing them to get together again. The Muppets also enlisted the help of old and new friends, with Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Whoopie Goldberg, and other celebrities supporting the furry cast during the telethon. Find your own support team who can encourage you along the way as you head back to school to learn more about your field or a new career.

4. If a Muppet can do it, so can you…

Miss Piggy as a high-profile fashion editor; Gonzo as the owner of a successful plumbing company … OK, if a Muppet can have a new or second career, what’s stopping you?

-Lori Johnston

For all of our holiday traditions, it takes hard work to make them happen year after year. We’re not just talking about baking those special cookies, reading holiday books with kids, finding the perfect gift for someone, or taking a little one to meet Santa.

Throughout the holidays, you’ll be coming into contact with people in careers that are super busy this time of year. But some of these fields need workers, and if you’re considering a career change, see how holiday activities and traditions might lead you to one of these five professions.

Event planner
From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to seasonal tree lightings and parades in other metro areas and small towns, event planners are needed to coordinate all the details and volunteers. Programs such as hospitality management give folks the education to work as an event planner, which also are in demand for company parties and social events tied to the holidays.

Advertising manager
If your child keeps telling you about the toy they’ve seen on TV and just have to have, you have experienced the power of advertising. Toy makers ramp up the marketing this time of year, so that their products become the must-have item, and professionals with advertising expertise and training from advertising programs help generate buzz for companies.

Financial adviser
Before the year comes to an end, many folks touch base with their financial advisor or planner to make contributions to 401(k) and other steps that can help lower their taxes. The know-how you get from a financial planning school prepares you to help individuals and families seeking to save as the year comes to an end.

Nonprofit director
If you’re volunteering with a charitable group or donating money, cans, clothes, toys, or other items to those in need during the holidays, the spirit of giving could take you into a new career. The nonprofit industry is seeking people who are passionate about a cause, who can use their knowledge of business, marketing, finance, technology, and other areas to help a nonprofit group reach more people, all throughout the year.

Photographer
Family and pet photos are the focal point of all of those holiday cards, and it’s wonderful to see kids grow up and people share photos during the holidays.

Phil Bekker, a faculty member in the photographic imaging department at The Art Institute of Atlanta, says there can be enormous satisfaction in being involved in a creative field like photography. To be successful, though, a key skill that a photographer needs is people skills, which will endear them to potential clients. He adds that a personal style sets a photographer apart from others and makes them more in demand that other photographers.

For many holiday cards, those amazing portrait shots require a photographer with the training to get the right shot, and that includes one with all family members smiling!

-Lori Johnston

If you’re at a career crossroads, or simply need to make a change (hey, resolution time is right around the corner!), a new book can help you gain some perspective and get you on the road to change. Justin Ahrens’ “Life Kerning: Creative Ways to Fine Tune Your Perspective on Career and Life,” makes for a great stocking stuffer for yourself, the recent grad, or career changer in your life.

CollegeSurfing.com had the chance to chat with Ahrens for some further insight… read on.

CS: Tell me a bit about your background and schooling.
JA: I attended Illinois Wesleyan University, a small liberal arts University in central Illinois. Sort of hard to believe now because my view of the world has changed so much. But it was perfect for me because I was challenged by my peers and that is when I realized it was up to me to make my life and experiences what they could be. I think I always knew that, but college really drove it home. So I took extra classes and had four internships to do what I could to be prepared.

CS: How did you come up with the idea for the book?
JA: I moved around a lot when I was a kid. I went to a new school every year, except maybe one until I got to High School. All of that school readjustment really made me conscious of social environments. I think this book is a group of life observations to this point. I came up with the idea originally as a talk for a conference based on a bunch of notes I had taken from people who asked me many of the same questions. And the name just came from thinking about ways to call slight adjustments — kerning seemed just perfect, plus I liked that it was unique.

CS: I love the idea of creating space for yourself. I think most people do this around New Year’s resolution time. Can you talk about why it’s important to not limit this activity to just once a year? And what doing so can accomplish?
JA: How many resolutions have we made and not fallen through on? And is your peace and happiness a constant goal, or will a once a year realignment do the trick? I think the most important part of consistent check in is being conscious or aware of yourself on a regular basis. A once a year “check up” or realignment is not going to have a lasting effect.

CS: You talk about the importance of learning someone’s name and handwritten thank-yous in the book. Any other little things we should all be doing to help shape and develop our careers?
JA: The main power behind those points is to be purposeful. Second it’s to be aware of the world around us. How can you do that? Learning someone’s name or writing a thank you causes you to slow down and pay attention. Apply that concept across the board, especially in those areas of your life that keep you most egocentric or lacking in satisfaction. Be purposeful, be present, and you can make some headway.

CS: How do find the fine line of how much time to devote to social media without becoming overloaded?
JA: That really varies per person. But for me it’s when I’m not getting my stuff done consistently or if I’m using that as the majority of my “social” interaction.

CS: The section on evolving in which you say to think of yourself as a lifelong student is very in line with our blog’s theme. Can you talk a bit about that idea?
JA: We have to understand, and be OK with (because we really have no choice), that as we live our lives, we are constantly changing. We can’t do anything about it. Life of course parallels that. The world, the weather, all things around us, are in constant flux. It’s a very American thing to strive to be comfortable, and work to reach or be at that “finished” state. The reality is that the happiest we will ever be is when we are actively living our life. I think that is a result of being engaged with the world around you and the larger world. Studying what makes you tick, brings you joy, tears your heart apart, is all incredibly important. These items are what motivates you and limits you. Knowing these will help you expand or contract those areas of your life.

CS: Most of our readers are career changers, or people just starting out and heading back to school to decide what they want to do. Any specific advice for them in how to find the right career fit?
JA: We spend the majority of our life at work… I know that can be a depressing thought. So the question to ask is what role do you want work to play in your life. Is it just a means to an end? Is it part of what feeds your soul? Neither are more right or more wrong, but we should do something that brings us some level of satisfaction. I believe a lot of that starts with how you look at your job. Having an honest understanding of its role and its purpose to you is question one. The second is to find a job that helps fit that perspective and designing your life to work within that construct. Maybe it’s working on a cause so you may need to take a pay cut. Maybe it’s taking on a little debt going back to school to do what you wish you had done. Whatever the reason, be honest with what it’s role is and why you are doing it. This will help in your decision making processes and your overall enjoyment.

-Dawn Papandrea

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.

-Lori Johnston