Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a School

So you finally decided that you want to fulfill your dreams in a particular career position, and decided to go back to school. Now your asking yourself questions like: Which school should I go to? Would I do better online? A big university vs. local college?

Needless to say the questions can go on and on. I usually advice my students to look at themselves first before even looking at a potential school. What type of enviornment do you learn best in? How did you do in your previous school history? First and foremost, always use yourself as a guide during the process. However, I have listed the top 5 things that you should consider when choosing a school:


#1.) School size
Consider the individual attention you may need: On large campuses, there are so many students and the classes are so huge that you may get very little interaction with professors. You can seek it out, but it won't be as easy as at a small school. Large schools may also make heavier use of TAs (Teacher Assistants), cutting your interaction down even more. You can drop through the cracks more easily at a large school.

#2.) Networking opportunities
Let me be blunt... knowing the right people can advance your career. You want your school peers and instructors to be the people in positions of power and influence in the upcoming decades. You may want to be sure that your school offers student organizations and/or clubs. This will enable you to not only learn from your peers, but build lasting relationships that can benefit you for years to come.


#3.) Student social and academic support
How much social support is available for the students -- especially the freshmen? Is there a network of people in place to help you with any issues that may arise? Is there a strong mentorship or advising program?

It is not fun to be cast into a vast sea of strangers who don't care whether you succeed or fail, whether you are happy or miserable. To me, the more support available, the better

#4.) Career Services:

 The networking connections you make in college can be more valuable than the quality of education you receive. Prestigious colleges and small, close-knit colleges generally offer the best networking and career service opportunities. Make sure to find out what you can expect from the career services office and what type of organized career networking opportunities will be provided.

#5.) Your Gut Feeling

Trust your instincts. If a place feels right, that's important. Similarly, if it just feels wrong, no matter who wants you to go there or how good it looks on paper, it probably is. College is a very personal choice, and after considering all the other objective factors, the fact of the matter is that it comes down to you. Visit colleges you're interested in, and see how you feel walking around their campuses. Could you imagine yourself going to school there? Once you find a few places that you like, you'll be well on your way to finding the college that's right for you.

Choosing a school isn't easy, but its life-changing decision that will change your life for the better. If you still find yourself struggling to find a school that works for you, I am always here to talk. My contact information is listed below. Until then, happy hunting! :)

The Resistance Five Tell-Tale Signs That You Are Getting in your Own Way

As an admissions advisor, I speak at length with a lot of different people from different backgrounds, and unique stories to tell. The one common thread that I find however, is the fact that a lot of people generally talk themselves out of making all the right moves for all the wrong reasons.

The other day I ran across a very interesting book by an author by the name of Stephen Pressfield called "The War of Art". This self-help book basically enables you to break through the blocks and win creative battles. Although this book is more geared towards artists in mind, it can be applied to all professionals.

Resistance by definition according to Pressfield is self-sabotage. We as human beings tend to set ourselves back through a series of actions that do us no justice. Although when there are a set of actions that need to be put in place for success, we tend to put them off because of the fear of failure. There are 5 tell-tale signs that resistance has taken over a prospective student's decision to go back to school. These tell-tale signs come in the form of excuses.

Excuse # 1- I am too old to go back to school.

There is absolutely no age limit for going back to school. The fact of the matter is, there are a lot of people who go through life differently. At my school, a large number of our students are adult learners. As the old adage states, better late than never!

Excuse # 2- College is too expensive.

Think of your education as an investment in you. If you fail to invest in you, how can you expect someone else to? Let's face it, in today's turbulent economy its essential to have a degree in order to remain competitive.

Excuse # 3- I work full-time, and don't have time for classes.

There are a few schools who know and understand this fact, and cater their class schedules accordingly. My school offers classes mornings, afternoons, and evenings. If there is a will, there is a way. If you can find 12 hours in the week you can go to school.

Excuse #4- I wasn't a very good student in high school, I probably wouldn't do well in college.

At my school we are very much career-focused. With a hands on focus, with smaller class rooms, there is no limit to the amount of knowledge you can gain! Never underestimate what you can do!

Excuse #5- What if I can't get a job after I graduate?

At the end of the day, you are responsible for finding your career. However, while searching for a school, you should keep career services in mind. My school has a great career services department, whom of which I am proud to say works tirelessly to assist our students.

If you can relate to any of the 5 statements above, then you may be fighting against your own resistance. If you would like to know more about this book, or get a copy from me simply comment or send me an email requesting it!

What is Project Management? Make a Career of Making Things Happen

An emerging career opportunity, has been buzzing across most industries lately, and that opportunity is Project Management. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management is defined as: 

A temporary group activity designed to produce a unique product, service or result.
A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources.And a project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal. So a project team often includes people who don’t usually work together – sometimes from different organizations and across multiple geographies.

The development of software for an improved business process, the construction of a building or bridge, the relief effort after a natural disaster, the expansion of sales into a new geographic market — all are projects.
And all must be expertly managed to deliver the on-time, on-budget results, learning and integration that organizations need.


It has always been practiced informally, but began to emerge as a distinct profession in the mid-20th century. PMI’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide) identifies its recurring elements:

Project management processes fall into five groups:

• Initiating
• Planning
• Executing
• Monitoring and Controlling
• Closing

When I first learned about Project Management, I asked an IT academic chair what skills do you need to be successful at Project Management, and what if I have no experience in that field. His response was very surprising. He asked if I ever organized a project before at school, which I quickly answered yes. He then asked if I had to get something done in a certain time frame, under a specific budget. I suddenly understood where he was going, any general management experience, or work experience can be transferred in that field in addition to education of course!

The types of careers you could pursue would be:

- Project Coordinator
- Project Team Member
- Project Manager
- Project Resource Coordinator
- Project Scheduler

If you feel this interests you, and would like to learn more, please feel free to contact me for more information!

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Author: Charmaine Alexander is an admissions representative for ITT Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA, and is dedicated to helping people obtain a degree in technical fields such as Information Technology, Electronic Technology, and Computer Drafting and Design.

Charmaine C. Alexander

ITT Technical Institute

Educational Representative

2065 ITT Tech Way  N.W.

Kennesaw, GA 30144

(770) 426-2300 ext. 2302

SAlexander2@itt-tech.edu

Tech Jobs in Demand

Although total unemployment continues to hover around 9 percent, there’s another employment problem happening nationwide.

Employers are struggling to keep up with job demand for technical professions. The issue at hand: a lack of qualified workers in technical fields.

In a story published on July 28, the Boston Globe reports many qualified workers are leaving the state to accept higher-paying jobs elsewhere, creating a labor shortage for the state’s large and small businesses:

Massachusetts has developed a technology labor shortage, one that could undermine a vital sector that helped pull the state from the last recession and is driving its recovery. Demand for high-tech talent is so great that workers are turning down six-figure salaries and companies are offering five-figure cash bounties for successful referrals — a stark contrast to lackluster hiring that has created a large pool of long-term unemployed and kept the state jobless rate at historically high levels.

            Read the full story here.

A similar story was reported in the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio on July 24:

In a dramatic reversal from the darkest days of the recession, thousands of high-paying information-technology jobs are going unfilled in central Ohio. ... "It's a mismatch between the need of the industry and the skills of the workers," said Bill LaFayette, vice president of economic analysis at the Columbus Chamber. … Today, the supply of newly trained workers is still catching up with the jump in demand. 

In a June 2011 report, Dice.com reported, “According to nearly 900 hiring managers and recruiters that source, recruit and hire IT professionals, 65 percent anticipate hiring more technology professionals in the second half of 2011 than the preceding six months.”

Read the full story here.

Job demand for technical professionals isn’t projected to ease up anytime soon. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports overall employment of computer network, systems, and database administrators is projected to increase by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Related technical professions, such as computer and information systems managers, computer support specialists and graphic designers, are also expected to grow at pace with or faster than average for all occupations.

According to Wanted Analytics, IT hiring has been increasing throughout the first half of 2011, up 56 percent since January.

ITT Technical Institutes are helping students prepare for success in the 21st century. With the BLS and other sources projecting faster than average job growth in technical fields, ITT Technical Institute students are positioned to fill growing job demand.

 

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Author: Charmaine Alexander is an admissions representative for ITT Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA, and is dedicated to helping people obtain a degree in technical fields such as Information Technology, Electronic Technology, and Computer Drafting and Design.

Recession Increasing Burn Out in Employees

The national survey, by CareerBuilder.com, was conducted May 19 to June 8, included more than 2,600 hiring managers and human resource professionals and nearly 5,300 employees.

Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America, says employers saw a rise in worker productivity during the recession primarily attribue the increase to the fear of losing a job and the effects of downsized staffs on individual workloads.

In addition 73% are seeing the increase sustain today, while 14% state productivity has increased even more.

"The recession produced consequences for not just those who were laid off, but for those who were asked harder as a result of leaner staffs," Rasmussen says in a statement.

Looking at burnout from the worker's perspective: 77% of workers say they are sometimes or always burned out in their jobs, and 43% say their stress levels on the job have increased during the last six months, while only 8% say their workloads decreased.

This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive.

When you are working dead-end gigs, or jobs that don't require much background experience or expertise, it is easy to fall into the burn-out trap. A great way to avoid this is to make yourself indespensible by having the right skill set, and educational background. This will not only add more job security on your behalf, but it will allow you to work smarter, and not harder. If you don't want to end up as another burn-out statistic, I suggest you look at what you have to offer, and figure out how to upgrade yourself.

Education, hands down, is one of the best ways to make you indespensible, as well as give you the opportunity to go after the career positions that add more to your bank account and less stress. As an admissions representative at ITT Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA, I feel its my job to help people avoid the dead-end-burn-out gigs, and start a career that is more fulfilling.

Feel Free to contact me anytime if you need any advice on personal brand building, and continuing your education.

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Author: Charmaine Alexander is an admissions representative for ITT Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA, and is dedicated to helping people obtain a degree in technical fields such as Information Technology, Electronic Technology, and Computer Drafting and Design.

Heres To Brand YOU!!!

With the economy being in such a turbulent climate to say the least, it makes securing a satisfying career position even harder. A lot of people are settling for less-than-desirable positions, and a barely-there pay check to match. A great counter action to this problem is to position yourself against the fierce competition that you must face in the job market. In order to position yourself correctly, you have to think of yourself as a brand. Like your favorite retailers, and clothing brands, you must make yourself indispensable to any employers. Below are 5 great starts to building your personal brand!

1. Know Your Unique Selling Points

What makes you different? Better? Do you do things faster than your competition? Do you provide superior quality? Are you very sociable and emotion-oriented? Do you have a knack for making complex things simple? Do some soul-searching, and ask a few friends and colleagues what single quality stands out to them.

2. Competitive Analysis

Use your competition to your advantage. Look at how other people offering similar services portray their brands. Then build on them to create an even more compelling one for yourself. For example, if you’re an artist, browse artist galleries on the web to see how they’re showcasing their abilities. Then take the best qualities of each one and mix it with your own style.

3. Impressions are EVERYTHING

 Strengthen the association between your face and what you excel at with everyone you meet. You want your name to be seen in a positive light by as many people as possible. That means every time you post a comment on a blog or forum, every time you send an email, every time you complete a project or presentation, put your name on it. Anonymity is not your friend. Take pride in all your work and connect it back to your brand. The more people come across these “digital breadcrumbs,” the more you convince them that you can deliver on your brand promise. So include your name, your tagline (what you do and who you do it for) and your contact info in all your work.

4. Build up your credibility

In whichever field or industry you’re in, aim to be the best you can be and to offer the best you can give. Make use of every opportunity to learn and hone your skills. Become the expert whom people in your professional field go to for help and advice. A great way to do this is to look to see if you can update your skills acquired from post-secondary school, or look into continuing your education completely. A degree in your designated field as well as industry experience can make a world of a difference to your brand. As always feel free to contact me for more information about continuing your education, I am always here to help!

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Author: Charmaine Alexander is an admissions representative for ITT Technical Institute in Kennesaw, GA, and is dedicated to helping people obtain a degree in technical fields such as Information Technology, Electronic Technology, and Computer Drafting and Design.

Five Ways to Help Avoid a Dead-End Job

People in dead-end jobs may be frustrated because they are not moving up the ladder and obtaining a higher position, and better pay. Below are 5 helpful tips you can use in avoiding the dead-end gig, and gaining better work opportunities.

1. Identify What You Like To Do

Work can be more satisfying when the things we get paid to do. If you are interested in electronics, computers and the Internetm a career involving electronics or information technology may suit you. If you are artistic or interested in computer designm careers involved in drafting and design may be a better option. If you're working a job just to pay the bills, chances are you will end up resenting it.

2. Choose a Career Path That has a Future

Changes in the economy and technology affect employment opportunities. With some foresight and planning, however, you can find a career position that can outlast any economic climate. Do some research. Check statistics, be aware of current events within a field that interests you. Keeping your skills updated, and a higher education always helps in this right as well.

3.Know Your Strengths

One way to find fulfillment through work is to have a job that allows you to do the things you are good at doing, and to be rewarded for doing them. When you work a job you enjoy, its seems much less like work. What are you good at? What are you recognized for most? Be sure to ask yourself these types of questions.

4.Attitude Is Everything
Always maintain a positive attitude no matter what. I am somewhat a firm believer in Karma, you get what you give out. Sometimes we can get in our own way while trying to achieve success. If your attitude is always negative, you will not only miss out on great networking opportunities, but it prevents yourself from making a change for the better.

5. Continue Your Education
It is unlikely that coming out of school that you will go in one area and stay there. Be diverse, and open your horizons as opportunities presents themselves. My background was Fashion Design before becoming an admissions representative at ITT Technical Institute, but I love helping people. In addition to that I have transferable skills that I can use when helping people help themselves. A high school diploma just won't cut it any more these days. Higher education is an absolute MUST to successfuly compete for a career position.


Be Sure to leave me a comment, and contact me if you ever need any advice for going back to school.

Charmaine C. Alexander

ITT Technical Institute

Educational Representative

2065 ITT Tech Way , N.W.

Kennesaw, GA 30144

(770) 426-2300 ext. 2302

SAlexander2@itt-tech.edu