eLearnPortal Blog

Certain careers continue to prosper even during the hardest economic times. If you are looking to further your education, there are a few online education options that may help you find a secure job in a rough economy.

Online degrees are a convenient way to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary without interrupting your everyday life. Online courses allow you to study anywhere at any time. Also, most online programs offer the same financial aid as the on-campus programs.

1. Online Accounting Degrees: Companies want to account for every last dollar spent, especially during an economic downturn. In order to keep their books straight companies typically hire expert accountants.
2. Online Education Degrees: Even in a bad economy, politicians and communities strive to improve their education system. The need for a better education system has created a high demand for qualified teachers and professors.
3. Online Healthcare Degrees: Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Career opportunities in the healthcare field are expected to continue to grow at exponential rates through 2016.
4. Online Ministry Degrees: It has been found that people tend to seek spiritual support during tough economic times.
5. Online homeland security, law enforcement and information technology degrees: The demand for these types of government occupations is steady. The government is the second largest employer in the United States and is known for high job security and good benefits.

A new application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch puts textbooks in your pocket.

CourseSmart LLC currently provides over 7,000 etextbooks in subjects such as Criminal Justice, Social Work, Religious Studies and more. Students will now be able to quickly access these etextbooks via the new CourseSmart application on their iPhone or iPod Touch. When students rent an etextbook from CourseSmart, for about half the price for the physical textbook, they will have access to it from the CourseSmart application as well as any computer connected to the Internet for 180 days.

The etextbook is not a new concept; Amazon developed their Kindle reader a few years ago and now offers over 3,000 McGraw-Hill educational titles, with more to come in the near future. The difference is that the Kindle reader is much like a mini laptop that only stores ebooks whereas the CourseSmart application is available on the iPhone or iPod Touch; something students already carry to class with them. Also, students are already accustomed to reading on their iPhones and would not have to adjust to reading on the Kindle reader.

The CourseSmart application will give students the opportunity to reference their textbook at any time. Students will no longer have to worry about forgetting their book at home when they head to class or a group meeting.

If you are looking for work, here are the top 13 companies that are hiring RIGHT NOW.

1. 7-Eleven – Convenience retailer with 7,600 stores in North America alone
   • Hiring for operations, accounting, information systems, merchandising, and marketing
2. Banfield – Largest pet veterinary practice in the world, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon
   • Hiring veterinarians, nurses, office managers, and client service coordinators
3. Farmers Insurance – The third largest property and casualty insurance group
   • Franchising options available
4. Gentiva Health Services – Offers in-home care services, including nursing, therapy, pharmacy, and senior health
   • Hiring nurses, physical therapists, sales associates, managers, and administrative support professionals
5. HealthMarkets – Individual health insurance provider
   • Hiring insurance agents
6. ITT Corporation – provides leading-edge product development, technology, engineering, research and project management services to government, industrial and commercial customers
   • Hiring engineers, information technology personnel, and former military
7. M.A.R.S. International – Offers mobile cosmetic repair and reconditioning services to industries including hotels, motorcycles, boats, automobiles, and RV’s
   • Hiring technicians and managers
8. PricewaterhouseCoopers – Provides industry-focused assurance, tax, and advisory services
   • Hiring in audit, tax, advisory, marketing, sales, human resources, and information technology
9. ServiceMaster – Provides lawn care, pest control, home warranties, house cleaning and home inspection
   • Hiring landscapers, exterminators, inspectors, etc.
10. State Farm – Large insurance company that insures more cars and homes than any other company in the country
    • Hiring for positions in claims, underwriting, systems, and information technology
11. Sutter Health – Health care service provider
    • Hiring in information technology, administration, health care
12. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company/Scotts LawnService – Supplier and marketer of lawn and garden care products
    • Hiring territory service representatives, sales representatives, and customer service representatives
13. URS Corporation – Provider of engineering, construction, and technical services for public and private companies
    • Hiring for positions is engineering, construction management, program management, power, environmental, health and safety, homeland security, logistics, operations, and maintenance

Interviewing for a job can be nerve wracking, especially if it’s a job you really want. You are often caught off guard by some of the interview questions, and you are expected to be able to answer each question thoroughly. Here are a few tips you can follow to make sure you are fully prepared for your next interview, which can help relieve some of the stress involved in the job hunting process.

1.  Prepare Your Responses

Think of some of the most common questions interviewers ask and prepare your responses beforehand. Some examples of common interview questions include “What do you know about the position,” “Explain your background in relation to the job requirements,” and “What are your main strengths and weaknesses?” Write down your responses and try to memorize them before the interview.

2. Practice

Practice answering interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. Think of examples you can use to describe your work experience and skills and how they can benefit the company.

3. Be Organized

Pick out your most professional and conservative outfit, and make sure it is clean without any wrinkles. Make a portfolio of your work and bring copies of your resume, as well as materials for taking notes.

4. Arrive On Time

Be at least five minutes early for your interview so that you have time to gather your thoughts so you don’t feel rushed. If needed, drive to the interview location beforehand so you know exactly how long it will take to get there.

5. Be Relaxed

Try to stay calm during the interview. Take deep breaths and relax so that you aren’t rushing through your answers. Make eye contact with the interviewers and listen to the whole question before answering. Try not to let your mind wander, it will make you look like you are not interested.

6. Follow Up

Send a thank you card after the interview. If there was more than one interviewer, send a card to each person. This shows that you are truly interested in the position.

Handshakes, paper business cards and business suits are things of the past, or at least things in need of a virtual make over.  That’s right. Iconic images of business networking are being upgraded to meet the needs of the online environment.  However, the site of this surge in online networking may surprise you; it’s all going down in the online classroom.

The truth of the matter is that distance learning has, for several years, enabled students to make vital business contacts, receive constructive feedback and explore novel ideas within a safe environment.  The opportunity to interact with like-minded professionals is not only spawning exciting, intellectual conversation within the classroom, but creating noteworthy business ventures outside of the classroom as well.  As more students log on, the potential possibilities for job opportunities, business ventures and collaborative innovations reach new heights.  However, online networking can prove to be more than just a benefit of distance education, but a challenging skill that requires refinement.

Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you hone your online networking skills and, possibly, make that life-changing connection.

Be aware of your setting. Communicating clearly and efficiently is a key to online networking. Therefore, if you are not familiar with the online mode of communication, take extra steps to correct this problem. Consider reviewing the online tutorial about the functions of your online classroom.  Be sure to read all guidelines and instructions before entering into a discussion.  As time goes on, spend some time going over archived discussions in order to gain additional insights into a topic or potential contact.

Keep contact info handy. When participating in a class discussion or chatting in a lounge, it is always a good idea to have an updated business card available online.  Therefore, if a fellow student has to quickly log out of a conversation, you will be able to forward your information to him or her with just the click of a button.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread. Just like traditional networking, online networking is all about presentation.  Before posting information or sending a chat response, be sure to look for errors.  All information needs to be clean and concise.  While this may seem simple, it is easy to forget this nominal detail due to the fast-paced nature of online interaction.  It is also important to remember your tone.  While statements and opinions may sound appropriate in your head, they can easily be misconstrued online.  Read your message several times to ensure a proper tone is being conveyed.

Don’t dominate every discussion. Online networking is not always about being the star of the class.  While you need to be attentive to your academic goals, there is no need to command attention in every class discussion or online chat session.  Being selective in your commentary can show your thoughtful knowledge regarding a topic and thus, earn you more credibility.

Don’t overload the class with group emails or posts. There is a time and a place for trying to stir up interest in an outside business venture.  Remember, the original, and sometimes only, intent of your fellow online students is to earn their degree.  If you are interested in discussing potential opportunities and outside resources, ask interested parties to meet you in a chat room after class hours.

Create a sig line. With each electronic message, you are able to attach a signature file, or sig line.  This brief line of text enables you to create an image or idea with which to associate yourself.  This information provides some insight into who you are and helps potential contacts and/or clients identify you.

Be respectful. As mentioned previously, it is important to watch your tone and avoid sarcasm.  Distance education offers students the opportunity to discuss and explore topics and opinions within a safe environment.  Therefore, remember to always be respectful and tolerant of fellow students’ ideas and opinions.  Rash remarks can quickly and easily offend other members of the class.

In the end, online networking is all about being courteous and professional. Don’t let the educational setting fool you. While earning your degree should remain your top priority, there are still real opportunities to develop productive professional relationships through your distance learning experience.  Use your online learning experience to your advantage.

Have you ever wanted to go back to school, but did not think you had the time or money? With the flexibility of a distance learning degree program, time is no longer a factor. However, for those individuals who would like to increase their pay wage, money may still be an issue. The good news is, today, many businesses are helping professionals pay more than their bills. Now is the time to discover how you can persuade your employer to pay for your online education.

First of all, your company may already have what is called a tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement program. A tuition assistance/reimbursement program allows you to take classes while your company pays for it. You should take a trip to the human resources (HR) department to learn more about the programs your company offers. In case the company does not have a program in place, don’t fret. All you have to do is a little research and planning. Then you can go to your employer and suggest a personal tuition reimbursement/assistance program.

The first step in talking to your employer about paying for your online education is to plan. Go online and figure out what degree program or set of online courses appeals to you. Be sure you look at when the courses are available and what skills they will help you to develop. Your boss will take you seriously if you can answer his/her questions about the courses or the degree program you want the company to invest in.

The second step is to list all the ways that your degree or set of courses will benefit the company. Reasons, like “it will save the company money in the long-run” or “it will give the company a more professional image,” will be likely to persuade your boss to put money into your education.  Keep in mind that while you may want a degree in art, it would be more beneficial to the company for you to earn your MBA. Your employer is not likely to pay for courses or a degree that would not directly benefit the company.

The next step is to think of solutions for every possible concern your boss might have. For example, if you think your employer is worried about the classes taking you away from your job, you would explain the flexibility and versatility of online learning. You could also reassure your boss that you will be studying in your free time and it will, in no way, negatively affect your ability to do your job. In fact, the skills you learn through online learning will improve your ability to do your work.

Finally, it is time to set up an appointment with your employer to discuss tuition assistance/reimbursement. You should practice your presentation beforehand and bring your lists of facts along to supplement your case. Do not be discouraged if you are turned down. Leave the information with your boss and try again in a few months’ time. Any new idea will take some getting used to.

If your employer approves of tuition assistance/reimbursement for you, be prepared for some stipulations. Different companies may ask for different things when it comes to paying for your education. For example, you may be asked to choose from a list of colleges/universities, enroll in a job-related degree program or set of courses, pay the tuition yourself and be reimbursed later, earn a “C” or better in your courses, or even pay back the tuition costs if you leave the company. In addition, if you are going to be reimbursed after you pay the cost, some companies will only pay up to 80% of your tuition or pay a certain amount depending on the grades you earn.

Keep all of these things in mind, but do not let it deter your education any longer. Even being reimbursed for 80% of your degree is better than having to pay it all and knowing your boss supports you will encourage you as you are studying to be a better employee.

Soldiers Turning to Online Degrees for Education

Online degrees are becoming more and more popular with military veterans who do not have the time and/or resources to attend college in a traditional environment. By attending school online, these soldiers can spend more time at home with their loved ones or working to provide for their families.

Active duty soldiers are also taking advantage of online education, often choosing to continue working toward their online bachelor’s degree from the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. The online environment allows these soldiers to keep up with their classes while fulfilling their deployment. In 2007, over 710,000 online courses were taken by military personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

There are also many financial aid resources available for active duty and retired military personnel. The Department of Defense, as well as the federal government, offers tuition reimbursement to members of the armed forces, which is a huge incentive for military members to pursue an education. Private scholarship foundations, such as the Sentinels of Freedom, Operation Helping Heal, and others, offer aid to soldiers pursuing an education. Many colleges also waive or reduce the tuition costs for veterans and active duty soldiers.

Many soldiers choose online degree programs because they have been wounded in combat and cannot attend regular classroom sessions. The flexibility of an online education allows them to recover from their wounds in the comfort of their own homes without worrying about how they are going to get to and from class.

The Army has a program in place to help soldiers get an education. Launched in 2001, eArmyU provides tuition assistance for soldiers. They also provide laptop computers for soldiers who enlist in a combat or operational unit. The only eligibility requirements are a high school diploma or GED, 3 years of service remaining and approval from their commander. All tuition, books, course fees, and internet services are paid for, and soldiers must complete 12 credit hours in a three year period. In the seven years the program has been available, over 50,000 army personnel have taken college courses.

With so many colleges providing online degrees and numerous scholarships and tuition assistance available, the number of military personnel taking online courses is sure to increase every year, proving that deployment doesn’t have to be the end of pursuing an education.

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With the economy tanking, there are millions of people who are out of work and can’t find a decent job in their area. Fortunately for the people who live in the cities listed below, they have the best chances of finding a job in the near future. The following list includes the top 20 cities for job growth in 2009.

1. Odessa, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
   • Average Annual Salary: $34,380
2. Grand Junction, CO
   • Unemployment Rate: 7.2%
   • Average Annual Salary: $36,550
3. Longview, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
   • Average Annual Salary: $32,060
4. Houma-Bayou Cane –Thibodaux, LA
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $34,480
5. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $32,100
6. Austin-Round Rock, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
   • Average Annual Salary: $41,330
7. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 9.6%
   • Average Annual Salary: $27,750
8. Laredo, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 7.4%
   • Average Annual Salary: $29,680
9. Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, TX
   • Unemployment Rate: 6.4%
   • Average Annual Salary: $41,020
10. Tulsa, OK
    • Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
    • Average Annual Salary: $35,720
11. Athens-Clarke County, GA
    • Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
    • Average Annual Salary: $35,170
12. Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, WA
    • Unemployment Rate: 8.5%
    • Average Annual Salary: $43,480
13. Morgantown, WV
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,010
14. Lafayette, LA
    • Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,490
15. Fargo, ND-MN
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,940
16. College Station-Bryan, TX
    • Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
    • Average Annual Salary: $39,390
17. Coeur d’Alene, ID
    • Unemployment Rate: 9.4%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,610
18. Bismarck, ND
    • Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,370
19. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
    • Unemployment Rate: 8.0%
    • Average Annual Salary: $46,540
20. San Antonio, TX
    • Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
    • Average Annual Salary: $34,610

References

2009 New Geography Best Cities for Job Growth. http://www.newgeography.com/content/00741-all-cities-rankings-2009-new-geography-best-cities-job-growth

United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm

Translating the quality and legitimacy of your online degree to the job market can be a difficult task for many up-and-coming professionals. Within the business world, distance learning is still working to establish its reputation as an accepted form of higher education.  After all, the online education explosion is a relatively new phenomenon.  Therefore, online graduates may have to go the extra mile in order to prove the quality of their degrees.

Your prospective employer may not be aware of the numerous skills online education and the work environment have in common.  To get a better picture of what you can take away from your e-Learning experience, check out the benefits below.

• Managing One’s Time: Use your time wisely. It is not just a phrase anymore; it is a skill.  Online instruction gives students an incredible amount of academic freedom when it comes to schedule and pace.  Graduates of distance learning programs can easily transfer their ability to effectively manage assignments and class session into the corporate world of deadlines and board meetings.

• Confidence in One’s Technical Abilities: In business, you cannot hide from technology, as it permeates every aspect of the corporate environment.  For online learners, this job requirement would not even cause them to break a sweat. Online degree graduates have the benefit of familiarity and hands-on experience with numerous types of technology.  Virtual experience teaches one the proper protocol expected when using each medium of technology. With all this insider knowledge, how can you not stand out from the rest?

• Self-Will and Personal Drive: Finding the right program, keeping pace with the accelerated format, scheduling time to study and meeting course deadlines are all part of the virtual academic experience, and all of which can prove to be quite a challenge.  Make sure your potential employer knows of the personal dedication you have to accuracy, efficiency and success.

• First-rate Communication Skills: Between the different people and technologies encountered in the online classroom, students are exposed to all types of ways to communicate, and each requires its own form of etiquette.  Explain how your experiences online have built an excellent foundation of communication skills.

• Leadership Skills: In order to compensate for face-to-face interaction, online courses utilize group projects.  Group projects allow students to set and assume different functions in the overall learning process.  Team leaders are able to highlight their leadership skills by coordinating schedules, setting goals, evaluating work and guiding a product to completion.  Be sure to emphasize your ability to effectively lead a team and produce a successful project to possible employers.

• High-level Functioning within a Team Environment: Part of the distance learning experience is interacting with and learning from a variety of people. e-Learners encounter opinions, skill levels and work efficiency levels that often vary from their own. Therefore, the ability to adapt and highlight individual strengths is a major asset students can take away from online education.

• Current Awareness of Industry’s Tends: Distance education has the unique advantage of offering not only the latest technology, but the most up-to-date information within a field.  Being so connected to the Web, students always have a plethora of useful and reputable resources at their fingertips

They say “it takes a village to raise a child” but actually, it takes a good teacher to sow the seed, to inspire and to model knowledge, passion, will to grow and will to become. Every one of us reading this article can think of one or more teachers that made a substantial difference in our lives. It is your turn now to make your life count and be one of those teachers that are part of someone’s good memories.

The Education Stimulus Package

In these rough economic times you might think that a college education or online degree program is out of reach, in both costs and time consumption. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. Over $83 billion in financial aid will be distributed this year alone, and aid is available regardless of your income level. All you need is the right information and resources to help get you started on the road to completing a traditional or online college degree.

First of all, it is essential to know the differences between the main types of financial aid. These include loans, scholarships, grants, and work study. Loans are aid that must be repaid. Loans for online college degrees or traditional programs are grouped into three categories: federal student loans, federal parent loans, and private loans. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans and do not require collateral. They also have deferment options and different repayment plans. The two types of federal loans are Stafford loans and Perkins loans. These are usually awarded based on need, with the Perkins loan only going to those with the greatest need. In order to apply for a federal loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information visit: http://www.ed.gov/finaid/landing.jhtml?src=rt.

Loans are also available for parents of online college students or on-campus students who need assistance with paying for their child’s education. Federal parent loans (PLUS loans) cover the costs of education all the way up to full attendance. These loans have a fixed interest rate that is usually higher than student loans, and is the full responsibility of the parents. You must start repaying these loans after 60 days and they must be paid in full after 10 years.

Private loans are available to both parents and students from a variety of lenders. These usually have higher interest rates than federal loans, and eligibility is based on your credit score. Sometimes private loans have more flexible options than federal loans, including deferment until after graduation for parent loans, which is not available in the PLUS program. For more information about federal and private loans visit:

* U.S. Department of Education
* FinAid.org
* Your local bank and/or credit union

Scholarships are monetary awards that do not have to be paid back. These are generally awarded to students who attained academic, athletic, or artistic achievements and are provided by thousands of different sponsors. Usually colleges and universities have scholarships available, so it is recommended that you check with your institution’s financial aid office for scholarships. There are also many scholarship resources available where you can search for scholarships and other awards. These include:

* FastWeb
* CollegeBoard
* Scholarships.com
* Council of Graduate Schools

Another great source of financial aid are grants. Like scholarships, grants do not have to be paid back. They are usually given out by a governmental department, corporation, foundation or trust to be used for funding education. The most sought after federal grant is the Pell Grant, which is usually awarded to low income individuals. For more information about the types of grants available, visit:

* Grants.gov
* Yahoo! Directory

The last type of aid is work study. Work study involves gaining employment with the understanding that the wages you earn will go towards paying for your education. You can apply for the Federal Work-Study program by filling out a FAFSA, and they will place you into a job if you qualify. The total amount you earn can’t exceed your award amount, and your employer will take that into account when scheduling your work hours. For more information visit the Department of Education. Work study is also available through most colleges and universities if you do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study program. For more information contact your school’s financial aid office.

References

U.S. Department of Education
Grants.gov
FinAid.org