As part of the larger fields of building inspection and construction, the primary purpose of a home inspector is to ensure that building codes and ordinances, contract specifications, and zoning regulations are being followed and that the buildings are safe for people who will dwell or work in them as well as for the environment. Building inspectors also inspect sewer and water systems, bridges, dams, and streets and highways.

Home inspectors are hired by individuals who wish to purchase a new home but want to be assured of its structural elements. As a home inspector, you will check the foundation, roofing, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, electrical system, ventilation, and interior of a home. You will be relied on by the prospective buyers to help them ascertain whether or not the home is up to safety and durability standards. This has become a standard practice in the process of buying a home, so you will play a vital role.

Depending on the state in which you live, you may be required to be licensed or certified; this means you may need to pursue your education, gain experience, possess liability insurance, and/or pass an exam. Though many train on the job, home inspectors must learn record keeping, contract specifications, and building codes and regulations. You can learn all these by studying to earn your degree online; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with career training in home inspection will have the best career opportunities.

The BLS has predicted an 18 percent increase in employment for building and construction inspectors between 2006 and 2016. They have also predicted a rapid increase in jobs for home inspectors; those who become certified and have a high level of experience, education, and skill will have the greatest opportunities. The BLS shows that median salaries for inspectors were approximately $48,000 in 2007.

Earning your online college degree in the field will help you to gain the necessary knowledge needed to have credibility.

Photo Credit: Stéphane Magnenat, GNU Free Documentation License

Become a Photographer

If you crave flexibility and autonomy and have a creative, visual mind, a career in photography may be ideal for you. Those who are naturally drawn to photography have an artistic eye, technical skills, and the ability to tell a visual story.

The field of photography is changing rapidly as the need for business and marketing skills and the ability to work in a multimedia environment become ever-more important; a photography degree can provide you the career training you will need to have an edge in this competitive field.

An ever-evolving field, photography requires individuals to constantly update their equipment and skills; additionally, a formal degree is quite advantageous. Coursework will challenge you not only artistically, but technically as well, while exposure to peers and instructors can provide you with valuable insights and much needed connections.

Taking courses in business and marketing can be extremely helpful in addition to your formal photography training, which covers the visual designs and technical skills aspects of this field.

When you have graduated, you can work as a photojournalist (news photographer), portrait photographer, special events photographer, working at weddings, graduations, or religious ceremonies, or you may produce fine art that you sell to art dealers or stores. You could also find a position as a photographer within a scientific or commercial industry recording data for analysis.

The National Press Photographer’s Association, a professional organization for photojournalists, has stated that the profession continues to change rapidly, thus formal career training may be the best way to begin; photojournalism applicants must possess a larger set of skills and need to be able to tell a story visually in a variety of ways in a very rapid manner.

By earning an online degree in furniture design, you can turn your passion for this fun, hands-on hobby into a great career. When earning your degree, you will gain much needed understanding of the materials involved in creating uniquely designed furniture, such as metals, woods, plastics, and textiles, and how to combine the aesthetic and structural components of your designs. The skilled trade of furniture design is taught through practical education in the technology and technique behind this functional art.

Though traditional woodworkers who design and make one-of-a-kind items for their clients are still able to find work, there has become an increasing need in this field for furniture designers to develop a level of computer expertise. Modern wood shops have automated power tools and machines that will require a deep understanding of mathematics, geometry, and computerized programs; thus, the increased dependence on computer-aided design (CAD) programs have needed to keep current by incorporating CAD training into the coursework, teaching traditional drafting and technical drawing skills along with those that are aided by a variety of 2- and 3-D technologies.

You will need extensive knowledge of drawing, rendering, and color in order to work in the furniture design industry. You will additionally study other areas including conceptual and historical aspects of furniture design and contemporary aesthetics. Practical coursework will focus mainly on wood, welding, metal, and lamination techniques, but may also include ergonomics and research and development.

You can gain the knowledge and training necessary to work in the industry by earning an Associate of Arts or certificate through an online university. You might also continue your education in order to earn a Bachelor of Arts in furniture design, or industrial design with an emphasis in furniture design.

First working in a local wood or cabinet shop can help you develop hands-on techniques that will be beneficial in addition to your educational training. As a trained furniture designer, you may be self-employed or work for a small or large manufacturing company. Once graduated, some designers with one to four years of experience earned an average annual salary of over $40,000 in 2008. The job prospects in this field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will depend greatly on economic cycles as well as entrepreneurial skills for those who wish to be self-employed.

With the right combination of technical ability and creativity, you may find furniture design to be an excellent career choice for you.

Aviation Mechanics and Technology

In 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the air transportation industry employed approximately 486,000 individuals. To pursue a career in this field, aviation mechanics and technology degrees can provide you the crucial foundation of knowledge you need. You will be trained in a wide variety of aspects of aircraft repair and maintenance – from motors to computer systems used in air traffic control – while earning your degree. Jobs in the industry are expected to expand as the economy recovers and the population increases. The median salary for aviation mechanics as well as other aircraft technologists, according to the BLS, was approximately $57,000 annually in 2007. Those who have earned their degrees have the best chances of securing positions as well as higher salaries; most jobs offer great benefits including pension plans and heavily discounted travel.

When you pursue your aviation and technology degree online you will be studying a variety of applications to hone your skills; options for training include:

• Avionics
• Aviation electronics
• Aviation maintenance management
• Aircraft computer systems

You may be able to complete your online degree in as few as 18 months; with more training, you might diversify your skills or specialize in a particular field in the industry, such as computer systems for air traffic. These more advanced programs will allow you to secure a career that pays more and may lead you to pursue your associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Online programs allow you to build your work experience while you are working toward your degree; current technologies for interactive usage and simulation make earning your degree online easier than ever before.

]]> http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/29/pursue-a-lucrative-career-in-the-air-transportation-industry-with-an-online-degree-in-aviation-mechanics-and-technology/feed/ http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/27/get-your-online-degree-in-the-ever-advancing-field-of-biotechnology/ http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/27/get-your-online-degree-in-the-ever-advancing-field-of-biotechnology/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:17:47 +0000 Stacey Boothe Snelling http://ieducationblogs.com/?p=1183

Biotechnology

Do you have a decidedly scientific mind and the desire to apply that knowledge to practical problems? If so, you’ll likely be very interested in pursuing a career in the field of biotechnology. This field combines science with real-world issues allowing biotechnologists to discover and implement important advances in technology.

Biotechnology is one of the most active in the scientific fields, attracting a fourth of development funding according to the National Science Board. This exciting field combines the study of applied technology and biology to solve the pressing issues of today’s study of science and society. Researchers have developed new vaccines and drugs, better ways of handling hazardous waste as well as disease-resistant crops. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the focus of biotechnological research should continue to drive employment growth and generate an average yearly salary of approximately $66,000 for researchers; income is predicted to grow further with the extent of money being given to biotechnological research.

A degree in biotechnology focuses on practical applications of biotechnological science; biology degrees focus on the science itself. If you study for either, your coursework will likely include:

· Manufacturing practices

· Drug design

· Food biotechnology

· Basic concepts of biotechnology

· Biological computation

Certificate programs in biotechnology are also offered as a broad introduction to the field and will often lead to a position as a research or laboratory technician. Associate’s degrees are more in-depth and have a greater focus on technical skills and research; this degree may lead to a job as a research specialist. Bachelor’s degree programs usually concentrate on one area of biotechnology, while earning your master’s degree will require you to do independent research; this will often lead to doing more advanced research at a PhD level. The further advanced your degree, of course, the higher your salary will likely be.

Television and Film - A Fabulous Industry!

If you have always had a strong desire to learn about motion picture effects, film making, television, theater history, digital visual effects, and the like, a career in film and television is probably where you should be heading.

The business of entertainment is full of wonderful positions; and, it’s one field that seems destined to be recession-resistant. Regardless of their economic situations, people always want to be entertained! You will find that there are a variety of behind the scenes and in front of the camera opportunities with television and film companies; you might become a cinematographer, a set designer, an actor, a director, a screenwriter, or a producer, just to name a few.

Earning your degree from a formal online institution can help you with the necessary background experience to break into this fun, exciting business. With its glamorous, high profile reputation, working in this industry is extremely desirable, so there will be considerable competition when you are searching for a position. But, with training and experience, you will have the skills and confidence you’ll need to succeed in your job search.

Your coursework, while earning your online degree in television and film will likely include lighting, photography, costume or stage design, sound technology, camera operations, computer animation, and film editing. With film and television being so dependent on computer technology, you will need to develop strong skills in digital and computing experience.

Several degrees and certificates are available for this industry: associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s. An associate’s degree program will provide hands-on experience that will prepare you to obtain a position in most any sector of the TV and film industry. While earning a bachelor’s degree, you will be immersed in a broad range of film making skills, including directing, cinematography, producing, lighting, editing, sound, acting, production design, and screenwriting.

Once you’ve gained experience, you will be able to specialize in one area in order to develop a portfolio. Earning a Master’s in Motion Pictures & Television will offer you the opportunity to expand your vision and film making skill set.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the median annual earnings for those in the motion picture and video industry is approximately $48,000, though actors and actresses will only be paid by the job; they will usually hold other jobs between working in TV or films until they have become successful.

]]> http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/26/learn-about-the-film-and-television-industry-while-studying-for-your-online-degree/feed/ http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/22/earning-your-online-degree-in-art-history-will-enhance-much-more-than-your-artistic-abilities/ http://ieducationblogs.com/2010/07/22/earning-your-online-degree-in-art-history-will-enhance-much-more-than-your-artistic-abilities/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:43:59 +0000 Stacey Boothe Snelling http://ieducationblogs.com/?p=1165

Art History Degree

Do you have a deep appreciation for art, but studio classes just aren’t for you? Perhaps earning an art history degree is right for you. With a degree in this field, you will begin to understand the influences and motivations behind the world’s great masterpieces as well as trends in contemporary art. Regardless of what area of art you choose to study, your knowledge of art’s rich history will provide you with solid career training.

A degree in art history will provide and enhance your skills in observation, research, communication, and teamwork as well as expose you to the artifacts and artwork of other time periods and cultures.

Art historians have a wide variety of career choices available to them, including:

• Teacher
• Art critic/reporter
• Buyer and archivist for public and private collections
• Collector and seller of art and antiques
• Scholarly researcher and grant writer

Working in this field involves researching, observing, and writing about a wide variety of types of art; you might also choose to study cultural influences and social and historical conditions that have contributed to specific works of art.

History student interested in the humanities will benefit greatly by studying art history; artifacts associated with specific periods throughout history provide insight and various points of view about events and cultural practices within particular time periods in history.

When earning your degree, you will take classes in language, writing, math, humanities, and sciences; courses related to your major in art history might include design, seminars, and art appreciation. Through your core courses, you will also gain an understanding of how all aspects of culture and history influence one another and are connected.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that careers for curators, archivists, and museum technicians will grow by approximately 18% through 2016. Competition is expected due to cutbacks in art funding; however, entry level positions in museums and galleries should be available to those who obtain a bachelor’s degree in the field. Archivist and curator positions will require a master’s degree. Based on data from May 2007, $46,000 was the median salary for museum curators.

All of us have indirect contact with technical writers on an almost daily basis; every booklet, guide, or manual you use to familiarize yourself with products – anything from a clock radio to a new computer – was written by a technical writer.

Because of the constant innovations in science, technology, business, medicine, electronics, and computers, technical writing has become more and more important. In order to communicate technical details in a way that will be understood by a broad audience, technical writers must master writing and critical thinking skills; you can learn these skills through a technical writing degree program.

Earning an online technical writing degree will help you learn to explain technical details in a way that can be easily read and understood. Writing within a particular field – i.e. the automotive industry – requires that you take specific courses to prepare.

Those studying technical writing will take classes in several disciplines including technical writing for industry, communications, electronic document design, editing, interpretation, graphics for technical documents, manual development, and others.

Earning a certificate in technical writing may be the best option for you if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, but wish to enhance your skill set so you can enter a new field in writing. Certificates are non-degree credentials showing you have mastered the essential elements of the field of technical writing.

As a technical writer, your job will be to interpret instructions, complex ideas, or procedures in a manner that will be easily understood by readers. Many have been frustrated by poorly written, overly complicated, or unclear instruction manuals; it will be your job to create manuals that are easy to interpret.

Approximately 49,000 technical writers were employed in the U.S. in 2006. Jobs in the field are expected to be the most plentiful in the writing industry, but competition will be strong. An increase in demand for writers who have specialized in law, business, electronics and medicine is anticipated. The median pay for technical writers is roughly $62,000.

If you become a customer service representative, you are agreeing to be the public face of the business for which you are working. You will be fielding comments, questions, and complaints from customers, so you will need to possess in-depth knowledge of the services or products they offer as well as the company’s policies and regulations. You must also have excellent communication and conflict mediation skills.

Working in a call center as an operator will usually involve data entry for which you will look up a customer’s profile in the company’s database and edit his or her information while you are speaking. It will be important to respond to complaints as prescribed by the company guidelines, and answer any questions the customer has. You may need to ask the customer for more details to discern the nature of the problem and look up information to satisfactorily resolve the issue or concern.

Call center jobs are frequently demanding; operators are typically given another call as soon as they’ve finished with the previous. Call centers are also often open all hours of the day, so you may need to work odd hours.

All customer service positions are not, of course, in call centers. Some require answering questions and responding to complaints via email, while others will require face-to-face discussions with customers.

You will find numerous customer service training programs offered by online universities; most offer courses in general business practices with emphasis on customer services. When you’ve graduated, you will have earned a certificate, associate’s or bachelor’s degree, depending on the length of the program you choose.

As a graduate, you may find work in a bank, retail organization, or insurance company, manufacturing service, or telecommunications provider, among others. The details of your job will vary greatly with the institution in which you find work; customer service positions can often lead to higher positions with a company, such as management or product research.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job prospects for careers in customer service to grow by 25 percent in coming years; bilingual employees, in particular, can anticipate favorable job prospects. In 2007, the median earnings for customer services representatives was just under $15.00 per hour. You may earn more if you have special skills such as technical support or management experience.

Due in large part to its flexibility, adaptability, and large vocabulary, English has become the universal language for entertainment, communication, business, and policy. Approximately 20 – 25% of the world speaks English (about 750 million people); therefore, those who master the language, particularly in writing, have a distinct advantage in the workplace as most business takes place via print media, written correspondence, and Web copy.

While earning your degree in English, you will focus on critical writing, critical thinking, literature, public speaking, and the like. Some of the careers you might pursue after graduation include those in publishing, law, politics, business, education, writing, and journalism; you can, however, find a position in nearly any industry and field imaginable – manufacturing, science, and even Hollywood to name a few.

An online English degree program will offer you the ability to master the crucial critical writing and thinking skills you will need to succeed in today’s business world while providing you the flexibility to continue fulfilling your current work and personal obligations. You won’t need to leave your home to take part in lectures or classroom discussions; you’ll be able to do it all online.

Earning an online associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in English leads many graduates to pursue careers in journalism; whether you become a reporter, correspondent, or news analyst, as a professional in this field, you will work in broadcast, print, and online media to write features, editorials, news, weather, sports, entertainment, business stories, and more. You might also become an editor, scriptwriter, or manuscript analyst.

Some graduates utilize their acquired English language skills to work as public relations specialists helping businesses and non-profit organizations establish and maintain a positive public image by crafting effective company publications, broadcast scripts, and press releases.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a strong 14% increase in jobs in the advertising and public relations sectors during the 2006 – 2016 decade; 20% of these will be in New York and California.