As employment opportunities within these new and emerging industries continue to expand, educational institutions are taking a look at refining curriculums to provide career-focused higher education, and better prepare students for careers in specific fields.
To do this, universities are working directly with high-caliber employers to ensure their future employee needs will be met. DeVry University, for example, works directly with companies including IBM and Cisco to create these student programs. DeVry University graduates from the last five years have worked at 96 of the Fortune 100 companies.
"Students are looking to obtain the education and knowledge needed to succeed in the high-growth industries that continue to thrive," says Donna Loraine, vice president, academic affairs for DeVry Inc., and dean, DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management. "Our academic structure is one that allows for swift implementation of new programs and curriculum once we notice a specific need, allowing us to better prepare students for these in-demand 21st century careers."
According to the Center for Education Policy Analysis, technology is pervasive in almost every aspect of daily life, and as the workplace changes, STEM knowledge, skills and the ways in which problems are approached and solved in these subjects are important for a variety of workers.
DeVry worked closely with Cisco using the Cisco Networking Academy program to deliver curriculums that teach students how to design, build, troubleshoot and secure computer networks.
"Working with DeVry University to equip students with technical knowledge and hands-on experiences will help meet growing demand for skilled workers in a variety of industries ranging from broadband and wireless to healthcare and green technologies," says Amy Christen, vice president of corporate affairs at Cisco and general manager of the Cisco Networking Academy. "Individuals that are trained in the latest technology careers today will be well-prepared for a variety of exciting career opportunities tomorrow."
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is anticipating an approximate 45 percent growth in the computer software engineer and application occupations. Anticipating this demand, these student/employer partnerships aim to prepare soon-to-be graduates for these technology careers, while helping to fill a growing need for professionals in the emerging industries around the world.
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Few of us have funds set aside for this endeavor. In addition, the College Board's annual "Trends in College Pricing" reports a rise in tuition costs at public and private institutions for the 2009-2010 school year. According to the report, annual tuition and fees at private four-year colleges rose 4.4 percent to $26,273, and public university costs rose 6.5 percent to $7,020.
Prospective students often don't know where to start. But take heart; Darlene Violet, director of Financial Aid at Brown Mackie College - Akron, Ohio, offers advice on funding your education. "The U.S. Department of Education distributes $96 billion a year in grants, work-study assistance, and low-interest loans," Violet says. "Every student begins the process of seeking financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as the 'FAFSA.'" Information submitted on the FAFSA form determines the amount a student may receive through a federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. The recent economic stimulus program increased Pell Grant funds by $500 per student. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Beyond completing the FAFSA, many turn next to student loans. "An education is always a good investment," says Violet, "but many people don't realize the loans must be paid back starting six months after leaving school. I advise students to seek out and apply for scholarships." Wide varieties of organizations offer scholarships, from fraternities and sororities to community groups, foundations, and corporations. Winning candidates receive funds based on a vast spectrum of criteria, including ethnicity and cultural heritage. "Students just don't take the time to find them," Violet continued. "It can be a lot of work."
The Scholarship Committee at Brown Mackie College - Akron hired a group of honor students to help others navigate through the many scholarships available, complete the application forms, and provide feedback on essays written for submission. "This allows students the security to delve deeper into the scholarship world. It's well worth it," Violet says.
Scholarship awards can be as important to the educational institution as they are to the student. Federal guidelines, known as the 90-10 rule, mandate that no more than 90 percent of the funds received by a college can come from Federal loans and grants. A minimum of 10 percent must come from outside sources, including scholarships, private loans, and the students' own financial contributions.
Violet recommends checking additional resources as well. "Many employers will pay or reimburse tuition expenses, sometimes even for immediate family members. And the Veteran's Administration offers benefits to those who have served our country," she says. The Workforce Investment Act offers grants to those who qualify, and many churches offer scholarship opportunities. In addition, the Orphan Foundation of America offers scholarships to students who are wards of the state.
Further savings can come in the form of a temporary tax credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit, included in the economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama, can be worth as much as $2,500. People who earn $80,000 or less a year (or $160,000 or less for joint filers) can claim this credit on money paid for tuition, certain fees and course materials for higher education in 2009 and 2010. For complete details, visit www.irs.gov.
Once a student enters college, Violet advises making other financial considerations:
Ride public transportation. In addition to saving on fuel and parking fees, public transportation provides time for students to get a head start on assigned reading and homework.
Avoid credit card offers. However tempting the offer seems, credit cards charge interest on purchases and impose fees for late payments.
Work while attending classes. Many students work full- or part-time while earning their degrees. The federal work-study program helps eligible students find employment on campus.
"Taking the time to apply for scholarship funds is a step that can help now while they're in school, and in the future when no bill comes due," Violet says.
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Provide free, searchable, access to MIT's course materials for educators, students, and self-learners around the world. Extend the reach and impact of MIT OCW and the "opencourseware" concept.
MIT OCW would not be possible without the support and generosity of the MIT faculty who choose to share their research, pedagogy, and knowledge to benefit others. We expect MIT OCW to reach a steady - though never static - state by 2007. Between now and then, we will publish the materials from virtually all of MIT's undergraduate and graduate courses.
We will be continually evaluating the Access, Use, and Impact of MIT OCW over the course of the next five years. With 1,100 courses published as of June 1, 2005, we are still in a learning stage of this MIT initiative and we will benefit enormously from your feedback, as we strive to make MIT OCW as rich and useful as possible for our users.
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Yes it’s that time of your wedding planning to find a DJ for your special day, and for most brides this can be an adventure in itself. Contacting different DJs, getting prices, choosing prices, consultations, and the list goes on and on. In this article we share 10 Big Mistakes that are made by Brides and Grooms when choosing a DJ for the big day, hopefully after this, you can find the DJ that is most suited to handle your Wedding Reception. Here’s a little quote that my partner always tells the brides she works with, “Your wedding day is like Broadway, you only get one take, and you only get one chance to get it right”
Not taking “First Impressions” into consideration More than likely your first with a DJ will be either on the telephone or through E-mail. If the first contact is by telephone, listen to how the DJ talks on the telephone, can you understand him or her, or the MC which will do the announcements during your wedding? When you meet the DJ (and sometimes MC also) are they dressed professionally? If a DJ carries themselves professionally during your consultation, more than likely they will be professional on your big day.
Thinking that all Djs are the same This couldn’t be further from the truth, every DJ has there own style, different skill level, different rates, and vary a lot in their “arsenal” which is this musical library which is the heart of their versatility. If a DJ only has Rock music, but no R&B, a DJ which has both types of music and much more is more “versatile”. Remember your favorite DJ that spins Alternative music all night may be perfect for the club, but more than likely your grandmother doesn’t want hear Good Charlotte all night during your reception.
Hiring the cheapest DJ you can find. The phrase “You get what you pay for” holds a lot of water in the case of hiring a DJ…especially for a wedding. Let’s use the Washington DC metro as an example to better explain what I mean. There are Djs which can cost as little as $300, or as much as $2,500 for a five hour wedding. Is the DJ that is only charging $300 no good at all? Who knows he might do a decent job, but there is one thing that is certain, either the DJ doesn’t have the experience, or just has bad business skills altogether to charge only $300. Any DJ that has done a ton of weddings (100 or more) knows that they put too much into a wedding to only charge peanuts. On the other side, remember that just because a DJ is the most expensive in town, doesn’t mean they’re the best for you, sometimes they are, sometimes they’re not. The entertainment for your reception is what you, your family and friends will remember; it’s worth more than the cost of invitations. Your DJ is an investment that you your guests will enjoy the entire “time frame” of your reception, not half of it. Believe me, if half of your guests leave after dinner because loud rap music was playing during the main course, the venue isn’t going to give you a refund…
Not communicating with your DJ Besides hiring the wrong DJ altogether, this is probably the biggest mistake some brides do when dealing with Djs, not COMMUNICATING. There is nothing worse for a DJ (and for you also) than a “rush job” especially a wedding. A seasoned professional can get through the event without “noticeable incidents” but I believe I speak for all wedding Djs when I say it is “nerve-racking” even if we don’t show it. Keep your DJ informed of your plans, your special songs, any changes, your timeline, or anything else he may need to know, don’t wait until the week, or even a month before the big day to start communicating. This is the only way your DJ will know exactly what you want, and don’t want.
Not having a written contract Simply put…no contract, you very well may have NO DJ! Every year I get a few phone calls from a bride (or her mother) saying that they hired a DJ and they didn’t show up. The first thing that I ask is did they have a contract…80% of the time it’s “no”. If a DJ doesn’t have a contract, run out front door, and don’t look back.
Not making sure the DJ has liability insurance. More and more venues and hotels across the U.S. are requiring that DJs have liability insurance, and most are asking to see “papers”. A true professional is going to have insurance for his business, and you should ask to at least see a copy of the policy. Insurance for DJs is generally not expensive, and there are a few major DJ organizations which offer a nice discount on insurance for joining. There’s really no excuse for your DJ not to have it.
Taking complete control of the music selection from your DJ You want to hear what you want to hear…That’s fine, but remember you’re not alone on your special day, you, your family (and your new family); your friends all have different tastes. Some brides want to choose every song that gets played for the entire night, and I can honestly say that I have only seen 2 song lists created by brides out of hundreds upon hundreds that actually worked for the majority of the night. JUST TWO. Let the DJ do his job, which primarily making sure that right songs get played at the right time. Also remember giving your DJ 200 songs to play for the night isn’t going to work either…unless your reception is over 10 hours long. And last but not least make sure you clarify which artist you want to hear for certain songs…Take the song “Three times a Lady”, the Commodores, Kenny Rogers, Conway Twitty (and probably other artists) all sing this song, if you want the Commodores version for your first dance, make sure you don’t end up Conway Twitty instead.
Not making sure the DJ you want is “guaranteed” to be your DJ This is probably the biggest complaint from brides all over the country about Djs. You went to a DJ company that has more than one DJ, you requested a specific DJ, and another DJ shows up in his/her place. Any time you deal with a big DJ company, make sure you get in writing that the DJ you want is the one that will show up.
Not going over back-up plans with your DJ In life “things happen” which you or nobody else has control over, even on your wedding day! Find out from your DJ about his plans for back-up transportation, equipment, and personnel. If one of these three areas is “out of commission” so will the music for your reception. If they don’t have any plans, start running.
Not hiring a DJ quickly Finding the DJ you want is hard enough work, as long as you don’t believe they’re all the same. Don’t go through all the work of finding the DJ you want and then procrastinate on booking with that DJ. Most wedding DJs that have good reputations in the business will get booked at least a year in advance, especially for the Saturdays in the busy months. If you’ve found a DJ who you like and are comfortable with, don’t wait hire him. Remember if you wait a month or two before the big day, you choices are limited and you might end up with no one.
Courtesy of BridalLinks.com
While the to-do checklist can be huge - depending on how large the wedding is - there are some list items you'll want to take care of early in the planning process:
1. Set your date. The sooner you get this organized, the sooner you will have an answer to the first question anyone offering their congratulations is going to ask. Setting the date also allows you to schedule and organize all other aspects of your wedding.
2. Create a tentative guest list. How many people do you want to invite? The answer to this question will determine the location of the wedding and reception, and give you direction in the catering category as well.
3. Location. Location might be determined by the time of year, month or even day of the week you are planning your wedding. Destination weddings, backyard weddings or reception hall weddings all require you to plan ahead. The earlier you plan this, the better your chances of being able to book the locations on the day you want, especially if you are getting married during the popular summer and fall months.
4. Invitations. People are busy these days, and you need to help them remember your big event with save the date cards or magnets. If you have a wedding theme and colors picked, you can nicely tie in your wedding invitations with the theme to give your guests a heads up on what to expect. To help save time, order your save the date cards and invitations online and have them arrive in the mail in less than a week at www.123print.com/wedding. More than 120 styles - sorted by themes, colors and designers - give you plenty of designs to choose.
5. Schedule the music and photography. After the reception halls, DJs and photographers get booked quickly, so make sure you get scheduled with your favorites early. If you aren't familiar with any DJs or photographers in your area, look for a wedding exhibition often held in the winter and spring months. Many wedding-related businesses visit these events, giving you plenty of exposure to the specialists.
Once you get these items organized and off your to-do list, you can sit back and tackle the smaller, more detailed items. Visit www.123print.com/wedding for more helpful hints.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Even in the best of times, life insurance can offer an extra measure of peace of mind in terms of helping to provide financial security. But the need for life insurance is even more significant during difficult economic times, when jobs are harder to find and dependents are in greater need of financial assistance.
The current high rate of unemployment is causing consumers to re-evaluate the importance of individual life insurance coverage, with many viewing it as an essential component of long-term financial security for their families and loved ones.
"People have been hit hard and aren't sure where to turn," says Mark Hug with Prudential's Individual Life Insurance business. "They see life insurance as a way to help provide stability and financial protection."
Hug notes that a recent report titled Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times issued by Prudential Financial, Inc. in September, found recent layoffs made two-thirds of consumers realize they need more insurance than their employers provide. But, 22 percent do not have more coverage beyond what they get at work and 18 percent have no coverage at all, according to the report.
The discrepancy between the coverage people have and the coverage they believe they need seems to boil down to the fact that the choices in life insurance policies can be confusing.
Getting started
The good news is, determining your needs is not as complicated as it may first appear. When selecting a policy, consider several key things, including:
* Calculating how much coverage you need.
* Considering the period of time for which you need coverage to determine if term or permanent insurance is right for you.
* Determining how your needs fit within an overall plan that suits your personal circumstances, your financial priorities and your budget.
Understanding your options
Like its name implies, term life insurance provides coverage for a specified "term" or period of time. It is usually less expensive than whole life or permanent insurance, especially in the early years of the policy, and can be a good option for people who want maximum coverage at minimum cost.
Whole or permanent life insurance provides lifetime coverage and premiums are typically paid for as long as the policy remains in place. In addition to providing a death benefit, permanent policies can potentially accumulate cash value, which can be accessed via loans or withdrawals. Loans and withdrawals will reduce policy cash values and the death benefit and may have tax consequences.
When in doubt, a combination of coverage can be a good approach to cover all your bases. A financial professional or a life insurance agent can play an important role in helping you determine what level of protection you need by evaluating present and future financial responsibilities and income, and identifying the right products to help meet those needs. When it comes to financial security, life insurance offers the kind of guarantee you can take to the bank. Of course, it's also important to note that all guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. For more information, download a copy of Navigating Life Insurance Choices in Challenging Times.
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(ARA) - The signs of aging aren't always as obvious as a few more wrinkles and grey hairs. The body naturally changes as you get older, but what exactly can you expect and how do you make sure you're aging in a healthy way?
The experts at Mayo Clinic offer a list of things to look for as you age, and tips on how you can stay healthy:
Heart
As you get older, your heart must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. Your blood vessels may narrow if hardened deposits of fat have formed on your arteries. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension).
You can help prevent high blood pressure by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and reducing your salt intake.
Muscles, joints and bones
Your bones shrink in size and density as you age, which makes you susceptible to fracture. Your muscles and joints also lose some flexibility and strength.
To help your body stay flexible and to keep your bones strong, get the recommended daily amount of vitamin D and calcium and engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking, climbing stairs and light weight training.
Eyes
Experienced eyes have thinner retinas with lenses that are less clear. Focusing on objects close up may become more difficult and you may be sensitive to glaring lights, particularly when driving at night. Common eye conditions include glaucoma and cataracts.
Eat a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and get regular eye exams to help catch any problems early.
Ears
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions reported in aging adults. The thickening of eardrums can cause you to have difficulty hearing high frequencies and you may notice an increase in ear wax.
Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises and wear hearing protection when doing noisy tasks like mowing the lawn. Have your hearing checked regularly.
If you've got health concerns or questions about what you can expect as you get older, a great resource to have on hand is the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th edition. You'll have great information at your fingertips including:
* Preventive screening recommendations and tests to consider based on your age
* Hundreds of pages of fully updated information on diseases and conditions
* How to protect yourself and prepare for flu pandemics
* How to make sense of your symptoms
* A medication guide
Also included is general information designed to help you navigate the changes and health care decisions that come as we get older.
For more information and healthy aging tips, visit MayoClinic.com. To purchase your copy of the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 4th edition, visit Bookstore.MayoClinic.com.
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(ARA) - Women facing breast cancer report that their cats rank among the most important of the many loyal, loving and understanding supporters they rely on to help them through their treatment. In fact, cats rank alongside parents and siblings as an important source of daily support, according to a recent survey.
Studies show that an important emotional connection exists between pets and their owners. During times of stress or illness, the bond between a pet and owner can be particularly strong. Missy Fish is undeniable proof of this.
Fish, a two-time breast cancer survivor, leaned on the companionship of her two cats, Phoebe and Jack, during her treatments.
"They were the perfect companions when I needed them most," Fish says. "They were silent sources of strength and empowerment."
Fish is far from the only breast cancer survivor to attest to the power of her cat. A recent Purina Cat Chow national survey of breast cancer survivors with cats underscores this important emotional connection and relationship.
The survey found that 84 percent of women battling breast cancer said their cat had a calming effect on them during their treatment. Cats also provided daily support to the patient, according to 76 percent of survivors surveyed.
Dr. Karen Sueda, a Diplomate at the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, says that cats are perceptive to their owner's needs during an illness.
"Whether pet owners are fighting a disease such as breast cancer or going through a rough period in life such as job loss or financial stress, their cats often display intuitive behaviors of knowing when they need extra love and support," says Sueda.
Inspired by one cancer survivor's touching story of the role her cat played during her battle with cancer, Purina Cat Chow is doing its part to help the fight against breast cancer. This year, in a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Purina Cat Chow will donate more than $200,000 to the cause and will raise awareness for breast cancer through the Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign.
"We have heard countless stories from breast cancer patients and survivors of how they have been emotionally supported by their cats," says Katy Laciny, Purina Cat Chow's assistant brand manager. "Purina Cat Chow's Connected for the Cause campaign honors this exceptional relationship and invites consumers to help us raise awareness and increase support for Susan G. Komen for the Cure so that a cure can be found."
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. The organization has invested $1.3 billion toward ending breast cancer, becoming the world's largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
Visit www.catchow.com/pink to hear survivor stories, read about the unique connection between survivors and their cats and share photos of support. For every picture uploaded, Purina Cat Chow will donate an additional $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure up to $10,000.
The Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign culminates this October with limited-edition pink bags at grocery, mass and pet retailers nationwide in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Products featuring pink bags include Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula and Purina Cat Chow Indoor Formula, both available in 3.5 pound and 16 pound bags.
For more information on the Purina Cat Chow Connected for the Cause campaign, go to www.catchow.com/pink. of ARAcontent
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