My white-chocolate pumpkin cheesecake recipe is ready to be whipped out and put the sweet finishing note on holiday diners. That’s what I’ve been talking about in conversations with my family and friends since the Halloween costumes were put away –  Thanksgiving potlucks and holiday dinners and parties.

One of my 30-something friends would love to become a personal chef, and she displays a natural talent in the kitchen, creating the most difficult Martha-esque recipes quickly, while mine are disasters. So it’s amazing to learn about the types of culinary training available for her and others pursuing that goal in the growing field.

Look at the backgrounds of celebrity chefs and restaurant owners in major cities competing on popular shows such as “Top Chef,” and you’ll find an array of education experience.

One of my “Top Chef: Las Vegas” favorites, restaurateur Kevin Gillespie of Atlanta, cooked part-time at eateries while attending the Art Institute of Atlanta.

The stars of Food Network also demonstrate different paths to a culinary career. Bobby Flay attended the French Culinary Institute while Giada De Laurentis earned a degree in anthropology from the University of California in Los Angeles before focusing on food and training at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, as did Sandra Lee.

The entertaining Guy Fieri route’s was a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, then working in and owning restaurants before being named “The Next Food Network Star” a while back. Iron Chefs Cat Cora and Michael Symon are graduates of The Culinary Institute of America.

You could leave those schools with associate and bachelor’s degrees as well as the in-depth instruction and hands-on experience that will propel you to succeed in your next kitchen, whether it’s in the glare of the TV cameras or delighting small groups of diners every night.

-Lori Johnston

OK, maybe college was never uncool. But in this recession, college attendance among young adults is the highest it’s ever been. Ever.

Here’s proof: In October 2008, close to 40 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of newly released data from the Census Bureau. That translates into almost 11.5 million young adults in higher ed.

Of course, a majority of the college enrollment growth has come at community colleges, where enrollment tends to rise as the economy worsens. After all, who can afford a pricey private college education when community college offers a good education for a fraction of the cost?

But it’s not all about money. Even though the most growth has been seen at community colleges, enrollment at four-year colleges has remained steady despite annual tuition increases that outpace inflation.

So why is everyone flocking to college? In a downturned economy, going to college can seem counterintuitive – who can afford tuition when they can’t find a decent paying job? But the adage “you have to give something to get something” might put the situation into perspective.

During this recession, the national unemployment rate has been at its highest level in more than 25 years. We’re all feeling it, but many young adults are bearing the brunt of the strain. Just 46 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds were employed in September 2009, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the lowest percentage since 1948, when the government began collecting this kind of data.

Recession Redemption
The choice for college speaks volumes about the anticipated and proven outcomes of a college education. If young adults can’t find work now, and therefore decide to go to college, they must be doing so because they believe education will help them get a job. And not just any job – college education translates into higher positions and salaries than high school diplomas do.

When you think about it, the data paints a picture of hope. Instead of bemoaning the current financial situation, young adults are taking their future into their own hands by pursuing higher education. They’ve determined that their lives can be better than what they know today, and they’re turning that possibility into reality.

So maybe the recession hasn’t been a total loss. If it has motivated people to do something good for themselves – something that might have otherwise escaped their list of priorities – the economy might just be redeemable after all.

What about you – have you been able to redeem the recession? It’s evident that young people view college as a worthwhile investment. Have you thought about the benefits of pursuing higher education, especially in tough economic times?

The fact is that whether you’re out of work, in need of a promotion, or ready for a career change, choosing college is always a smart move. Is the recession what it will take for you to make a change? If so, take advantage of the opportunity to make a better life for yourself. Education can always take you where you want to go.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Here’s some encouraging news out of my home state of Georgia: Record numbers of students are enrolling in technical colleges, inspired to try new career fields and seeking to quickly gain the knowledge needed to land those jobs.

Data from the Technical College System of Georgia shows a 24 percent increase in 2009 enrollment compared to 2008, with 110,254 students in the state’s 28 technical colleges. The previous record: 91,838 students, in 2003.

Officials say the enrollment increase is due to the downturn in the economy. The education provided by technical schools can provide marketable skills that open doors to jobs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business and office technologies, and computer information systems.

You can gain that knowledge faster than at traditional four-year colleges and universities.  In Georgia, its 600 certificate, diploma, and degree programs can be completed in six months to two years, depending on the program. That’s much like other areas of the county, and the costs are low ($2,100 is the annual tuition and fee average in Georgia).

And the interesting thing is that technical colleges have a diversity of ages among the students enrolled. The schools in Georgia are seeing an increase in students under 21, with recent high school graduates joining experienced workers in the classrooms. Having that diversity of ages in programs is beneficial to everyone, preparing you for a multi-generational workplace.

You may be among those who have lost jobs or are just ready for a different career path, and technical colleges are an affordable route worth considering.

-Lori Johnston

While health care reform is grabbing headlines, health care is one of the more secure job sectors.
Some professionals in hospitals and physicians offices are seizing the moment to earn degrees. If you’re a registered nurse, you may be considering a bachelor’s in nursing, which could lead to promotions or higher-paying jobs. You also could teach future nurses.

And there are plenty of choices for nurses, with more than 700 nursing programs offering degrees at the bachelor’s level, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some are available online.
You’ll join a growing number of students – 145,845 as of 2008 – enrolling in baccalaureate nursing programs, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Here are three questions to ask when considering a nursing degree.

1. What additional skills will I acquire with my BSN?
Students can learn the skills to work in a range of clinical settings and provide comprehensive nursing care to patients and their families. Expect to gain knowledge to make decisions quickly in health care settings, collaborate with other professionals on issues of health and wellness, and develop management skills. Officials at Jacksonville University (FL) also report that a BSN degree can be beneficial for those seeking to enter into high-demand fields such as critical care, cardiology, dermatology, ob/gyn, and oncology.

2. How will earning a BSN impact my career?
It can. Jacksonville University, which offers one of the online bachelor’s of nursing programs, reports that the degree enables nurses to move from the technical level to a professional practice. It cites a 2007 earning survey in RN magazine that found salaries are increased from 50 cents an hour to $3.20 an hour. A nurse with a BSN also could receive a specialty pay differential, the university says.

3. Is a career in teaching possible?
There is a great need for nursing teachers. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing found 32,617 qualified applicants in 2008 were not accepted due to factors including the shortage of teachers. The association’s CEO and Executive Director, Geraldine “Polly” Bednash, says: “Increasing enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs is a critical first step to correcting an imbalance in the nursing student population and reversing our nation’s diminishing supply of nurse educators.”

In short, there are many career roads for those with a BSN. Which one will you take?

-Lori Johnston

The 2009 Nobel Prize laureates who are U.S. citizens earned their degrees from a variety of schools. Their hard work has received attention this year, and check out the list below to see how their majors and college paths contributed to their research and efforts that received recognition from the Nobel Prize committee.

Even if you have no interest in these individuals’ fields, their education and focus could inspire you during your college search or career considerations.

Nobel Peace Prize 2009

President Barack Obama: Earned his bachelor’s degree Columbia College, part of Columbia University in New York in 1983, after transferring in his junior year from Occidental College in Los Angeles, and then earned his law degree from Harvard Law School.

Inspired? Consider this: Anyone can aspire to be a do gooder, no matter what career. You may want to consider a career in public policy, social work, education, or local government.

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2009

• Charles Kuen Kao: Earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering 1965 from the University of London, where he also earned his undergraduate degree.
• Willard Sterling Boyle: Earned his Ph.D. in Physics 1950 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada., where he also earned his undergraduate degree.
• George Elwood Smith: Earned his Ph.D. in Physics 1959 from University of Chicago; earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Pennsylvania.

Inspired? Consider this: Although not everyone can be a physics whiz, you can certainly apply your interest in how things move and work by seeking a career that requires hands-on technical skills. Those in fields like electrical engineering and aviation maintenance use their skills to build and fix.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2009

• Venkatraman Ramakrishnan: Earned his Ph.D. in physics in 1976 from Ohio University; did undergraduate studies in Baroda.
• Thomas A. Steitz: Earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry in 1966 from Harvard University, earned his undergraduate degree from Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisc.

Inspired? Consider this: Figuring out chemical reactions was never your strong suit, but you do have “chemistry” when it comes to working well with others. Check out careers in public relations, hospitality management, or occupational therapy.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2009

• Elizabeth H. Blackburn: Earned her Ph.D. in 1975 from the University of Cambridge; undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne.
• Carol W. Greider: Earned her Ph.D. in 1987 from University of California, Berkeley; earned her bachelor’s degree at University of California in Santa Barbara.
• Jack W. Szostak: Earned his Ph.D. in 1977 from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.; earned his bachelor’s degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Inspired? Consider this: If the site of bodily fluids is too much for you to handle, there are many health care positions that involve patient care minus the blood, like being an x-ray technician or working in medical billing or as a hospital technician.

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2009

• Elinor Ostrom: Earned her Ph.D. in political science in 1965 from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she also earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
• Oliver E. Williamson: Earned his Ph.D. in economics in 1963 from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh; received his bachelor’s degree from MIT and MBA from Stanford University in California.

Inspired? Consider this: If you’re known for your number-crunching prowess, careers in financial planning, bookkeeping, and accounting are attainable with just a couple of years or less of schooling.

-Lori Johnston

Going to college after years away, or for the first time as an older student, can seem daunting, but it’s possible to juggle papers and exams with family, work, and other time-consuming obligations.

A friend of mine has been doing just that, pursuing her master’s while holding down a full-time job, and the duties of a wife and a mom of two young kids. She’s put in the hard work, sacrificing sleep for school at times, but has received the rewards of gaining knowledge about a passion that should lead to a new career or career advancement.

As she and many other adult students can tell you, succeeding in a back-to-school endeavor is no easy accomplishment. That’s why we’ve turned to Joyce M. Stern, dean for Student Academic Support and Advising at Grinnell College in Iowa, for her tips on tackling school when you’re out of your 20s. For starters, find out how your work experience could assist you in getting a jumpstart on school, then try these strategies once you’re back in class…

Get organized.
On the first day of class, grab the course syllabus and mark down any test or assignment deadlines on your calendar or planner, suggests Stern. That can be on your computer or on paper, depending on your preference,  “Determine what can get done now, what can get done tomorrow and what you need to do later in the week,” she adds.

Take it step by step.
Create interim goals or due dates for parts of a project, whether it’s a 10-page research paper or a midterm, Stern recommends. That way, you won’t cram the night before or put all of the pressure on one day. She points out that scheduling blocks of time – and sticking to them – will help minimize the intensity of a project.

Just get started.
If you’re unmotivated by the task or subject matter, don’t procrastinate. Stern says it’s OK to give yourself permission to work in small segments (for example, stop after 10 minutes) if you continue to have a hard time. “Often starting on a project is the hardest part, and you may find it’s not as unpleasant as you anticipated,” she says.

Push aside those perfectionist tendencies.
Stern points out that perfectionist students, or those facing “writer’s block,” sometimes can be helped by composing their thoughts in a different manner. She recommends taking a notebook to a coffee shop or library and write out all your ideas long hand, or typing on the computer without the screen lit (turn off the monitor).  When all else fails, write, “Done is better than perfect” and tape it to your computer. “Repeat it the next time you are tempted to make another change,” she says.

What are your best school tips? Share them in the comments.

-Lori Johnston

There’s no doubt, job offers are few and far between in these dreary days of layoffs, cutbacks, and hiring freezes. That’s why we can learn a lot from the  list of the 10 jobs most offered to the class of 2009 as reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in its Fall 2009 Salary Survey. For one thing, it tells us which industries are still hiring in tough times. But it also gives a heads up for those who may be considering a job or career change, or a return to school to learn a new skill or trade.

So without further ado, check out the top jobs:

1. Teaching
2. Management Trainee
3. Financial/Treasury Analysis
4. Consulting
5. Sales
6. Accounting (public)
7. Accounting (private)
8. Software Design & Development
9. Registered Nursing
10. Project Engineering

All of these “safe” jobs have in common the need for good communication skills, analytical thinking, and working well with others. And, of course, some have specific degree and/or licensing requirements (such as teaching and nursing, for instance).

No matter which field you’re in or considering breaking into, you can also see from the list that a working knowledge of business and finance will come in handy as well. My editor says all the time that she never thought she’d be spending work hours toiling with budgets and spreadsheets, but if you work for a company or organization, that is always a real possibility no matter your job title.

Bottom line: Don’t think you have to work toward getting hired in one of these 10 fields, but do think about what these employers are looking for, and how you can strengthen your resume with those same skills. Chances are other employers will value the same qualities and knowledge.

-Dawn Papandrea

Forget about your political leanings, who you voted for, and whether or not President Obama’s address should have been played for children at school. Regardless of whether or not you bought into the controversy hype, what our nation’s leader had to say about education was just the message that today’s students needed to hear — and from someone other than their parents and teachers!

After watching it again, I also realized much of the address can be applied to adult education and career advancement as well. Take a look:

“And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you’ll need an education to do it.”

Translation >> Doing well in your career is easier when you’ve got a degree or training to back you up. That goes for landing a job, too, in this tough job market.

“I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.”

Translation >> Kids? Aging parents? Work? Everyone has their own list of responsibilities, but if you’re creative, you can find a way to fit education in. Some people school online, others find programs that run nights and weekends. Lucky for you, there are many school options out there for busy adults.

“Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up.”

Translation >> You’re not too old to take a class or go for a degree. You’re not stuck in your current career. You’re not destined to do the very thing you’re doing right now forever.

“So find an adult that you trust — a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor — and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.”

Translation >> Get a mentor. Ask for the support of your family and friends. Make friends with fellow classmates and colleagues who are on the same path as you. Exploit online social networking.

When it comes to education, there’s always something more to learn. Yesterday, I learned that a positive message doesn’t have to have an agenda, even if it’s stamped with a presidential seal. Sometimes, it’s just a good message.

-Dawn Papandrea

I love reading articles about college major trends because that’s a good way to gauge which career fields are up-and-coming and eager to hire. Lucky for us, writers at The Chronicle of Higher Education did some legwork in yesterday’s story, “5 College Majors on the Rise.”

Not surprisingly, all of the majors they list have something to do with making ourselves and/or the environment a little healthier, and finding new ways to solve problems. In fact, each field can be classified as “higher” education in some way, since they each have a higher purpose than just simply memorizing facts, performing calculations, or appreciating some type of art.

Take a look…

Sustainability — A few weeks ago, I actually had to look this up — no joke! That’s how new an idea this is when it comes to education and business. If you’re wondering what it is (which is nothing to be ashamed of), I’ll tell you. It’s the concept of making something more “green” or ecofriendly. Many businesses today are sustainable businesses. So college students, be sure to at least take a class on this because it’s the hottest buzzword in the workplace today!

Service Science — This is another buzzword that may not be what you think it is. The article describes it as cultivating “‘deep problem solvers’ who understand the economic, human, and technical dimensions of complex systems.” Yikes! That’s a mouthful, isn’t it? The idea is to improve productivity and encourage innovation in various service industries. In other words, these grads will help find more efficient ways of doing things. That sure is a good skill set to have.

Health informatics — The idea is to take each person’s tons of health data and digitalize it. The Feds are totally behind this initiative, and so a new field has emerged that will demand lots of technological know-how with a health care twist.

Computational science — Math meet science. Science meet math. Together, you’ll solve problems. At least that’s the gist of what computational science is all about. I’m not a techie or a number cruncher so it’s a bit beyond me, honestly, but the article says this: “Companies have used computational analysis to increase the absorbency of disposable diapers and to tweak the shape of potato chips so they drop into packages rather than fly off the conveyor belt.” OK then, moving on…

Public health - If the swine flu epidemic has taught us anything, it’s that public health is an expansive field. Students who merge the biology stuff with the public policy stuff will be huge commodities in our society.

Intrigued by any of these up-and-coming fields? They are definitely worth paying attention to for anyone interested in entering a viable industry. One day, they may even be as commonplace as English literature or psychology, so get studying!

-Dawn Papandrea

And now, a roundup of fun sites, blogs, and articles that’ll keep you busy and entertain  you before you hit the books in a few weeks…

Unigo.com’s Back to School College Guide – This time of year, many sites tout their back to school coverage, but what makes Unigo’s unique (say that fast three times!), are the cool interactive components. Our faves: Watch grads on camera giving freshmen advice, or get money tips via “what I wish I’d known about my college budget.”

Snapple Real Facts — Want to always have fun facts at your disposal? Great for making small talk at a campus icebreaker or even an informal job interview. For example, did you know that every ton of recycled paper saves about 17 trees? Tell that to your environmental science professor for some extra credit!

Speaking of saving trees, for all of you “green collar” workers out there, check out CareerBuilder’s new site GoingGreenJobs.com. Good resource articles, and of course, a job search engine — all related to working for a sustainable company. And, at least you know you won’t be making copies all day!

Even if you do spend time at the copier, filing, or even prepping for the SAT,  “paying your dues” job can have a lot more value than you think! Elizabeth King tells you why you shouldn’t look down on drudge work. “Lots of things that aren’t necessarily fun lead to great things,” she says. Next time you feel like you’re doing work that’s “beneath you,” click in here and you’ll see that you’re not necessarily wasting your time or talents.

Finally, if you’re anticipating the sinking feeling of signing away your savings on a tuition check, check out CollegeBound.net’s “25 Things You Can Gain From College Beyond a Degree.” Lots of fun and funky returns on your investment for sure!

Happy Surfing!

** This just in: The latest edition of the Carnival of College Admissions is live. With tons of links from the top college bloggers in the biz, you’re on track for lots of afternoon procrastination surfing. Just be sure your boss isn’t looking for you!