Five Tips for Setting and Achieving Career Goals

The definition of success is different for everyone. This is why setting goals for your education and future career is so important. Without a plan of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there, it’s difficult to accomplish anything. A healthy dose of willpower doesn’t hurt either.

The task of setting goals and holding oneself accountable should be nothing new to college students who attend, as it requires them to be self-starters, find their own source of motivation, and work at their own pace to get coursework done.

If you are in the process of setting career goals for yourself, here are five tips you can use to make sure you can follow through and accomplish them.

1. Be specific.

When identifying your goals, it’s important to be specific about what you want to achieve. Vague statements like, “I want to be more successful,” make it impossible for you to determine whether or not you have met your goal. More specific goals, like “I want to find a new job,” are easier to visualize and obtain. When possible, set measurable goals – set a time frame and/or specify amounts for your intention.

2. Be positive.

When framing your goal, it’s better to think positive. For example, when setting a standard for your academic performance, instead of saying, “I don’t want to fail any classes” or “I won’t get in to that program with my grades” say “I aim to get at least a 3.0 GPA” or “I can take a make-up course and meet the requirements”. Putting yourself in a positive mindset will help you stay motivated and enthusiastic about your ambitions.

3. Be realistic.

Don’t set yourself up for failure. Identify and choose goals that are challenging, but within your reach. Prioritize a few main goals rather than spreading yourself too thin. Willbpower is like a muscle, and if you try to achieve too many things at once, you just might get “fatigued” and sabotage your chances of achieving any of them. Break each goal into steps, or mini-goals, to make the tasks seem less daunting so they are easier to complete.

4. Make connections between actions and goals.

Once you have decided what you would like to accomplish, it’s important to identify how you will get there. Tying actions to each goal not only helps you build a road map to success, but also verifies that the goal is obtainable.

5. Assess and revise accordingly.

It’s important to have a certain degree of flexibility with the goals that you set. Your aspirations, as well as your circumstances, are likely to change at any point after long-term goals are set. Assess and revise your goals as these changes arise in order to make sure you are working toward something you actually want.

If your path to career success includes pursuing a college degree, Bryant & Stratton College might be for you. Our programs aim to help students achieve their academic goals and prepare for career success after graduation.

Interested in learning more about the online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College? Call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

UVM Oaxaca Travel Program Sparks Alumna’s Interest in Immigration Law

Traveling to Oaxaca forced Amber Attalla to question her confidence in governmental policies and the media. It also changed her life.

Attalla, who graduated from UVM in 2011 with a degree in psychology and participated in the Oaxaca Semester Abroad Program, is now a student at the University of Maine School of Law. In November, she volunteered at an immigration detention camp in Artesia, New Mexico, where women and children — who fled domestic and gang violence in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala — were incarcerated after crossing the Southwest border

The conditions were shocking to witness and devastating for the women and children to experience, Attalla says. Children as young as infants were among the detainees. Nearly every child Attalla met with was sick with flu-like symptoms, noting that mothers reported that their children had lost weight and were having nightmares, according to Attalla’s recent interview with the Bangor Daily News.

Attalla spent a week at the Artesia center and was one of two legal representatives from the law school to travel to the southwest in the wake of a humanitarian crisis along the US-Mexico border. Attalla minored in Spanish at UVM and is fluent in the language, allowing her to act as legal counsel to the detainees under the supervision of practicing attorneys.

What troubled her the most was how attorneys for the US Department of Homeland Security had portrayed the detainees — women and children — as terrorists.

We talked to the 25-year-old law student about how the UVM Oaxaca Semester Abroad Program helped shape her views on immigration law and why immigration policy is one of the most severe human and civil rights issues of our time.

Interview on Oaxaca Travel and Policy

You first traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico as an undergraduate at UVM. How did your time in Oaxaca open your eyes to the complexities and unfairness of immigration law and international policy? Did you decide to pursue a law degree after traveling to Oaxaca?

My time in Mexico, if nothing else, made me realize how little about the world I actually know. It has forced me to question every headline I read and every broad categorization I hear about an issue. It made me want to learn more about our country’s immigration laws, because I saw from my time in Mexico that what we see and hear about the issue is extremely distorted.

Oaxaca, Mexico

My time and experiences in Oaxaca were also life changing and guided my future decisions, including going to law school and developing an interest in immigration law. Living in Mexico was an eye-opening experience and allowed me to see first-hand the effects of international and US policy on communities in Mexico, which are intrinsically tied to the driving forces behind our nation’s migration patterns.

About 700 women and children were picked up in south Texas by US Customs and Border Patrol officers last year. They were then turned over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ended up at the Artesia detention center, according to news reports. Originally held in facilities in Texas, the detainees — women, as well as children under the age of 17, who had no criminal records — were moved to the Artesia center last summer. Can you describe the work you were doing to help the detainees?

We [Attalla and another Maine law student] prepared the women for bond hearings and represented them before immigration judges who sat in Denver, along with the government lawyers, and appeared in Artesia by video conference. We each saw between five and 10 clients every day.

Once a cash bail was set and paid, a woman and her children could be released. Bail ranged between $4,000 and $12,000. Most went to live with a relative until a hearing could be held to determine if she qualified for asylum. If so, she can stay in the US, obtain a work permit and a job, and eventually apply for citizenship. If not, she and her children face deportation and a return to the exact conditions they fled in the first place.

According to a Bangor Daily News article, the conditions at Artesia sounded extremely difficult. Why don’t more people in the United States know about the conditions these women and children people are living in? Why are there the assumptions that these women are “terrorists,” rather than victims of domestic or gang violence?

I think that observation is the precise point that makes the situation so appalling. The lack of transparency and the mischaracterization by the media dilutes awareness of what is, in my opinion, one of the most severe human and civil rights issues of our time.

Amber Attalla spent a week volunteering at detention camp in New Mexico.

I could never have imagined that a system of family imprisonment could become commonplace in this country. Unfortunately, the reason I couldn’t have imagined it is because the information is simply not widely available, and the information that is available is distorted by media bias.

The categorization of these women and children as “national security threats” is based on the need for the government and others in opposition to justify otherwise frivolous, harmful, and costly detention (paid to private corrections companies).

There is outrage among human rights organizations, the ACLU, and legal professionals, but I think the current state of the heated immigration debate in our country has created a bias of hatred and resentment that shields many individuals in our country from seeing this as a humanitarian crisis.

Any plans to return to the Artesia center to volunteer?

The Artesia detention center closed, and all of the families that remained were transferred to a new facility in Dilley, Texas, which has a much greater housing capacity. I am hoping to fundraise in the next couple of months so that I am able to go to Texas in the spring to volunteer at the Dilley Center.

Did your experience in New Mexico make you re-evaluate how immigration lawyers can make a difference?

I was definitely compelled by the experience, and it alleviated any doubts I previously had about pursuing a future career in law. I was able to see how access to legal counsel and effective advocacy can change someone’s life.

I was especially moved by the experienced attorneys I was working with, many of whom had left their practices back home and were using vacation time and their own funds to travel to Artesia and work 15+ hours a day as volunteers. It was inspiring to see both the dedication and outrage among the legal community about what is happening.

How has your volunteer work at the immigration center changed you?

My experience in New Mexico provided me with even greater motivation to be the best advocate that I can be. I wouldn’t say that I will necessarily approach my work differently. Rather, I feel that the experience gave me more exposure and insight into the factors that influence the need to flee one’s country and seek protection under our country’s asylum laws. I think that the exposure will certainly be helpful in terms of being a better attorney for my clients

Health Care Finance Raises Many Questions in Reform Debate

By Steven Kappel

Health care in the United States has been one of the most complex and contentious public policy issues for the last 100 years (Teddy Roosevelt’s 1912 presidential campaign included a call for a national health care system). While the organization and delivery of care have often been a part of reform discussions, financing has most often been the central reform issue, with proposals ranging from a single payer to more competition.

Most obviously, financing is a question because of the economic impact of health care. About one-sixth of the entire United States economy is accounted for by health care, from hospitals to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Even more striking than the size of the health care economy is the rate at which it is growing. In 1960, health care accounted for just over 5 percent of the U.S. economy. By 1990, that figure was 12.5 percent. In 2011, health care was 17.9 percent of the U.S. economy, putting pressure on wages and prices throughout the entire economy.

However, the overall cost of care and its rate of growth are only part of the problem. How those costs are distributed across the population is an equally important and difficult question. Should wealthier individuals pay more than those with fewer resources? Should behavioral choices such as smoking affect contribution?

These questions are mirrored when we think about payment for health services. How should payments be calculated, both within a specific profession (primary care physicians and surgeons) and across professions (nurse practitioners and physicians)? Should the amount paid for a service reflect its value (to the patient? to society?), or the cost to produce it?

Ultimately, the question that lives at the heart of the reform debate – like many other public policy questions – is who gets what when? Put in slightly different terms, who says no? Health care financing is always a balancing act between what we want or need and what we can afford (and who that “we” is). How should that balance be maintained and whose responsibility is it? Government? Private insurers? Do we prefer a market solution – by which we manage this balancing act in many areas of our lives? Or is health care something different, like education – something to which we as citizens have some level of entitlement? Is this entitlement limited or unlimited?

While financial questions are often defined arithmetically, financing questions in health care also have a powerful ethical dimension. Do we have obligations to others? If so, how do we choose to structure those obligations? As Richard Lamm, former Governor of Colorado has said, “Making a budget is the deepest expression of one’s values and priorities.”

Is Criminal Justice Studies Right For You?

The field of criminal justice can be attractive to anyone interested in how justice is dispensed in the US and around the world. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Bryant & Stratton College is the perfect way to pursue a career in the field of criminal justice.

The right program is a mix of finding the right fit for your personality, academic habits and needs, qualified instructors, and the flexibility and structure needed for your unique situation. To help you think through some important characteristics for a degree program, we’ve identified four questions for you to answer.

What degree level is best?
There are a lot of career paths that start with earning a criminal justice studies degree. But, there are differences depending on what degree-level you choose. An associate degree in criminal justice studies will give you a broad understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system by studying its aspects including law enforcement, courts, corrections and private security. A diploma in Criminal Justice and Security Services provides the key foundation for students to pursue jobs in security while also having the opportunity to continue their education with an associate degree if they so choose.

What is your best learning environment?
Some people like to learn on their own and to set their own schedule to work around an existing job, raising a family or other responsibilities. Others like to very structured environments and sitting in a classroom with a teacher and other students. If the first scenario appeals to you then earning a criminal justice studies degree online might make sense. Online degrees offer flexibility to choose set your own schedule, as there is not set class to attend each week. To figure out whether an online classroom or a traditional environment is best for you, spend some time thinking about your life, your weekly schedule and your learning habits.

Is there balance in what skills are being taught?
A good criminal justice studies degree will offer a balance between theoretical training, practical knowledge and soft skills development. The first two types of knowledge in that list may be assumed but don’t underestimate the value of the last category. Employers across all field are increasingly looking for new hires with strong soft skills. In field related to criminal justice the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, curiosity, analytical skills and good problem solving are all important. Be sure to think about what kind of soft skills are being cultivated in the programs you are considering.

How much field experience do the instructors have?
There are a lot of changes taking place in the domestic justice, legal and security systems. Instructors who have spent time teaching as well as working in the field can offer unique insights the most current information and best practices in criminal justice. Seasoned professionals can also be helpful in building a job search network when you get closer to graduation.

If you’d like to learn more about earning a degree in Criminal Justice Studies at Bryant & Stratton College, call 866-948-0571 today!

5 Ideas for Making Your Return to College a Success

There are 37 million Americans who started college but dropped out before they earned a degree. Since a college degree is still important to increasing earning potential and job security some of these people may be considering filling out an application for college and going back to school.

For those adults going back to school, it’s a big step forward. But, it’s not without challenges. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that only 28 percent of adult students (those who are 25 years or older) complete college. So what’s holding these people back from reaching their goal?

There are a lot of factors and everyone is different. A Pew Research Center study found among those surveyed who did not have a four-year college degree and who were not currently enrolled in college, two-thirds attributed the lack of a degree to needing to support their family instead. Other research from organizations like Apollo Research Institute uncovered reasons such as anxiety about not spending time with friends/loved ones, worrying about intellectual ability to complete coursework, and experiencing stress because class interferes with normal routine, as challenges people face in earning a degree.

The top reason college students drop out however continues to be financial. Paying for college is a big undertaking and can seem almost impossible, especially if someone has other financial obligations. Yet, investing in a college degree can still be a great driving force when it comes to getting and retaining employment. According to the Hamilton Project, over a lifetime of work, a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree would earn over $500,000 more than an individual with just a high school diploma.

So, if you’re one of the 37 million people with some college credit but no degree don’t lose heart when faced with the challenge of returning to school. Knowing why you are going to apply for college and keeping your long-term goals in mind will aid your efforts. Here are some other tips that will help too:

Think about why you dropped out initially. Identifying the reason or reasons that prevented you from earning a degree the first time will help you think about what you need to do differently this time around.
Research all your financial options to find financial aid for college including scholarships for returning students or moms going back to school, grant programs and student loans. With student loans be sure you know exactly what you are signing up for and don’t use the money for non-school related purposes.
Ask a lot of questions before you apply for college. Make sure you understand what kind of instructors are at the school, whether they have the right degree program for you and whether there is specific support for adult students.
Start using a calendar. Going back to school while balancing a job or family obligations can be tough. You are going to need all your time management skills to stay on top of things. Use a paper or online calendar to keep track of school assignments, tests and other important items as well as schedule regular study slots so you can stay committed to your degree.
Get your support team onboard. Everyone needs a little bit of help. This could mean asking your spouse or your kids to chip in at home, finding a study buddy in class or talking to your instructors and academic advisor about getting academic support. Wherever you need help, make sure you get it before it’s too late to matter.

Going back to school is a commitment that’s worth making. At Bryant & Stratton College, we offer online classes that are outcomes-based in a flexible and personalized environment which can be a great fit for adult students. If you are interested in learning more about the online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Paralegal Career Guide

If you are considering pursuing a career as a paralegal or legal assistant, you’re not alone – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for this position is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2014 and 2024, resulting in 21,200 new jobs during that time span. While the demand for paralegal professionals continues to grow, the job market remains extremely competitive. Accordingly, it’s important to understand the roles, work environment and level of expectations for paralegals and legal assistants.

Here is a quick run-down of the facts you need to know about what it takes to work as a paralegal.

What does a paralegal do?

Your role and responsibilities as a paralegal will likely vary depending on your place of employment. However, paralegals and legal assistants are generally responsible for supporting lawyers by maintaining file systems, doing legal research, and drafting cover letters and other legal documents. Developing your administrative, organizational and communication skills is a must. You also will likely serve as the first point of contact for new clients to your organization, so being personable is an additional helpful skill to have.

Where do paralegals work?

By and large, paralegals work for law firms and legal organizations. However, there are also a variety of paralegal positions available in legal departments for corporations. Banks, insurance companies and real estate agencies are just a few examples of companies that often hire paralegals and other legal professionals in-house. According to the BLS, most paralegal positions are full-time.

What level of training and education is required?

Currently, there are no concrete training or education requirements for paralegals – this will vary from organization to organization. Most paralegal professionals have an associate’s degree or a certificate in paralegal studies, which can be earned via traditional schooling or an online degree program.

You may also choose to become certified through a national paralegal organization, such as the National Association for Legal Assistants (NALA). Paralegal professionals can earn their certification by successfully completing the exam offered by the association. Some associations, like NALA, offer an advanced exam in addition to the basic certification – earning an advanced certification allows you to specialize in a particular area of law.

What is the job outlook for paralegal and legal assistant positions?

While employment for paralegals and legal assistants is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, it is still a very competitive field. Professionals who are experienced and formally trained will have the best chance of finding a job.

Thinking of pursuing a degree in paralegal studies? Bryant & Stratton College offers an associate’s program for paralegal studies, in addition to a variety of online degree programs. Want more information? To speak with an admissions representative, call 1.800.895.1738.

Career Insight: Hospitality Management

Hospitality management careers are exciting, fast-paced and have a variety of paths. Many hospitality management jobs involve traveling, anticipating customer needs, entertainment, as well as juggling every detail of an event, the customer experience and facility operations. Few of these jobs are 8 – 5; the hours are long and the work week is rarely limited to weekdays. However, hospitality managers enjoy many employee benefits during time off, like travel, lodging and meals at extremely discounted prices.

One area in this industry that is expanding is meeting, convention and event planning.

“Applicants for our scholarship program for event services has grown from a handful a few years ago to a huge number every year,” said Julie Pingston, President of the Event Service Professional Association.

“A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management is becoming required for jobs more and more, but people can also transfer in from other fields,” she said. With that, the pay has also risen. Larger organizations have more positions that offer opportunities to grow from [frontline management] to middle management and even executive level,” she said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for meeting, convention and event planners was $46,840in 2015 and the job outlook for the following 10 years is 10%, which is faster than the average growth rate of all other occupations. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm

These professionals usually work onsite at hotels and convention centers to coordinate all aspects of professional meeting and events, such as choosing meeting locations, arranging transportation and planning activities.

“What makes this so attractive to me is that every event has something unique about it I can solve. One day I may find a player piano for the venue, on another day I might resolve a very complicated parking situation and on another day I might have to create the perfect menu at the right price,” Pingston said.

Other careers in hospitality management include:

Lodging Managers. For a median annual pay of $45,810, they ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at hotels, resorts, boarding houses and other lodging establishments while running the establishment efficiently and profitably. About 39 percent of them were self-employed in 2012 and there will be little or no change (1 percent) in employment in through 2022. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm

Food Service Managers manage the daily operations of restaurants, hotel, schools, etc. This includes, inventory, preparation, safety compliance, budget and customer service. The median annual salary in 2012 was $47,960 and about 40 percent of them were self-employed. The job outlook, at 2 percent, will barely change. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/food-service-managers.htm

Travel and Tourism Managers hold jobs like travel agents, cruise directors and tour managers. They oversee all aspects of travel such as, booking trips, entertainment, staff, budget, sales, etc., for an annual pay between $32,000 and $124,616, according to hcareers.com. http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/573/default.aspx

Casino Managers, the most lucrative in the industry, manage all operations of casinos, including customer relations, facility management, entertainment, security, etc. in states where gambling is legal. The annual salary, according to hcareers.com is $124,618 and up. Most of these managers work their way their way up through the ranks into management. http://www.hcareers.com/us/resourcecenter/tabid/306/articleid/573/default.aspxThinking of pursuing a degree in hospitality management? Bryant & Stratton College has several hospitality programs to get you started. Want more information? Click here to learn about a degree in hospitality.

Bryant & Stratton College Launches EmployableYOU™

Bryant & Stratton College announced that it will roll out EmployableYOU™ this winter — a focus on employability providing a guided experience that prepares students for the dynamics of the changing workplace.

EmployableYOU goes beyond traditional academic theory and textbook learning by enhancing important workplace capabilities such as teamwork, persistence, managerial potential, fiscal responsibility, technology skills, and literacy skills. EmployableYOU embeds these competencies into the curriculum for all students and provides students with ample opportunity to learn, master, and demonstrate these important work skills within every course in their program of study. Bryant & Stratton College has developed EmployableYOU in response to a critical need to create more meaningful connections between higher education and the workplace.

According to a 2013 survey by Bryant & Stratton College and Wakefield Research, 80 percent of 18-34 year olds believe they are job-ready and possess all the skills, experience, and education needed to advance in their desired career path or obtain their next job. In contrast, a study by McKinsey & Company found that almost 40 percent of employers planning to hire have had openings for six months or more. These employers attribute their inability to fill the openings to a lack of skills, qualifications, and training in entry-level applicants.

“Employers expect applicants to be job-ready in their knowledge and use of technology and in their communication and critical thinking skills,” said Cindy Susienka, President and CEO of Bryant & Stratton College. “However, employers tell us that many students entering the job market are behind in these important attributes. That is why we created EmployableYOU.”

By integrating career-related connections with classroom study, Bryant & Stratton College draws a powerful correlation between the classroom and the authentic work of each discipline. The newly launched EmployableYOU combines course content across the College with real-world activities and workplace competencies to develop skills that will help students to be successful in their careers.

“EmployableYOU is so much more than writing a resume and doing mock interviews. This experience is embedded into the curriculum. It builds tighter connections between theory-based learning in the classroom and the real-world needs of the workplace,” said Beth Tarquino, Chief Academic Officer.

“While career readiness has been at the heart of Bryant & Stratton College’s mission for the past 160 years, EmployableYOU addresses the needs of employers by putting academic study in the context of on-the-job career requirements in every class. EmployableYOU helps students gain confidence in their ability to articulate and demonstrate essential workplace knowledge, skills and abilities leading to success at every step.”

Under this fully integrated classroom-to-workplace experience, students develop and assess their career-related skills and embedded workplace capabilities by immersing themselves in their field of study. In this safe learning environment, students continue to practice and hone their skills while completing required courses. Students transfer their learning to employment preparation activities including portfolio preparation, mock interviews, resume writing, and internship/practicum experiences while leveraging placement resources.

To ensure that EmployableYOU is aligned to current workplace needs, Bryant & Stratton College has actively solicited the input from the employer community. The College’s commitment to fostering these critical relationships was evidenced by last month’s Employability Summit, where Bryant & Stratton College convened educator and employer stakeholders to create actionable solutions to the challenges employers are experiencing around workforce development.

To view a webcast of Bryant & Stratton’s recent Employability Summit, visit https://www.bryantstratton.edu/employability-summit/. To learn more about Bryant & Stratton College and EmployableYOU, go to https://www.bryantstratton.edu.

About Bryant & Stratton College Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college that provides career relevant education with a focus on employability and student success in a personalized environment. The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Bryant & Stratton College has campus locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has offered students access to career relevant education leading to bachelor′s degrees, associate′s degrees and professional certificates in the fields of business, criminal justice, design, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, human resources, paralegal studies and information technology. General information can also be found on the College′s website at https://www.bryantstratton.edu.

Four Practices for Prioritizing Your To-Do-List

When you’re enrolled in online school or working at your job (or maybe both), one of the key tenets to good time management is being organized.

Typically this means creating a to-do list. But, if you’re like most people your ongoing to-do list can get to be multiple pages (or screens) long. Sometimes it can be long enough that you simply throw in the towel and decide to catch up on you DVR full of The Bachelorette instead. But a tiny twist to your approach could help. Making your list is step one, but learning how to prioritize that list is just as important. Try out some of the ideas below and you’ll be surprised how much you get done in one day.

Be honest Understanding the difference between what you think is important and what is truly important is, well, important. We’d all like to think we’re Superwoman (or man) but there is only so much you can truly get done in one day. Figure out what absolutely has to get done that day and make sure it’s at the top of your list.

Tackle the tough first If everything on your list is equally important then work at the most difficult, least enjoyable task first. This “eat the frog” approach encourages you to do the toughest task first because then the rest of your projects for the day will seem easier.

Start with speed and ease Alternatively, you can look for the items on your list that will take five minutes or less (an important note here: be sure to write down everything, no matter how brainless. Sometimes the most obvious tasks are the most important). By starting with these easily accomplished items you can build the momentum and energy needed to complete other pieces of your list.

Email time limit We all love email. It’s a quick and easy way to communicate, but it can be a real black hole for productivity – especially at work. Since we’re all connected 24/7, it can seem like you have to respond to every email immediately when it lands in your inbox. But, you’ll be able to stay more focused on your to-do list and be more productive if you set specific times of day to check and respond to emails. By making email less of a priority, you’ll be able to concentrate on what really matters. One of the biggest excuses for not going back to school is lack of time. But, maybe by putting in to practice the tips above, you’ll find room in your schedule to finally take the next step in your career by earning a degree.

If you are interested in finding out how online school makes it easier to earn a degree while balancing a job and family responsibilities, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with a Bryant & Stratton College Online admissions representative.

Staff Spotlight: Megan VillaReale, Associate Admissions Representative

Her role as an Admissions Representative means that Megan VillaReale spends quite a bit of time connecting with students on a daily basis.

However that hasn’t prevented her from enjoying one of her favorite hobbies away from work. Megan has amassed an impressive rotary phone collection over the past few years. While she doesn’t have a specific reason for her fascination, she gives a lot of credit to the phone she consistently used at her grandmother’s house.

“There are so many different styles and colors of rotary phones that it’s almost a challenge to find new ones,”

Megan said. Megan’s interests do extend well beyond her phone collection, however. She’s a movie buff who also loves to get out and camp whenever the opportunity presents itself. Her love for DIY Pintrest projects and the holidays hints that her home is probably sports the coolest decorations on the block each year. In fact, Megan went full-DIY last year at Halloween, making her own Rubik’s Cube costume for the holiday.

Favorite thing about Bryant & Stratton College: I work with a great group of people who are supportive of each other and it\’s a great feeling knowing you\’ve helped people achieve their educational goals.

Favorite Student Story: One of the best feelings I’ve had while working with Bryant & Stratton College Online is when I saw my first student on the graduation list. I clearly remember working with her and how much she wanted her degree to start a new career and life for herself so couldn’t help but be so proud of her and glad I was able to share in her success.

Advice for new students: NEVER be afraid to ask for help!! It is better to make an educated decision than just taking a shot in the dark.

Career Insights: Q&A with a Paralegal

Thinking about entering the paralegal career field? Now may be a good time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2014-15 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the field is projected to grow by 8 percent at pace with the average growth rate for all occupations.

That translates into 21,200 jobs between 2014 and 2024.

How Much do Paralegals Make?

Generally, entry level positions in this field require an associate’s degree and the median annual salary is $48,810. For new paralegals, the salary is lower but there is plenty of room for advancement for anyone willing to put in the time and effort.

Is Paralegal a Good Career?

To catch a glimpse of what this great career really has to offer, we contacted Loretta Calvert, JD, the 2012-2013 President of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) and Paralegal Studies Director at Volunteer State Community College.

Q: Why is the paralegal field an exciting one?

A: People are drawn to the legal field because it is interesting and always changing. Just today I received two notices about updates to different areas of law I practiced in. It is a challenge to stay on top of your field. Also, paralegals get to stand right beside attorneys when cases unfold and get to help people who might not have known their rights without the guidance of a lawyer.

Q: Where are the jobs?

A: Everywhere! There are jobs at law firms, in-house at companies, administrative agencies like the EEOC, state agencies like Department of Labor or Insurance, federal courts and federal asset forfeiture, healthcare, and so much more. The important thing is to realize that the job title does not always say paralegal.

Q: What kind of work do paralegals perform on a day-to-day basis?

A: There is a good portion of dealing with clients whether it is intake for new clients or updating current clients. There is drafting legal documents, researching statutes and procedures, and organizing evidence. Some law firms divide up duties based on a paralegal’s abilities and other law firms divide up work based on the attorney who uses the paralegal.

Q: What are the most important credentials and skills for paralegals?

A: Attend a program approved by the American Bar Association so you have more opportunities! Usually, taking a credentialing exam requires that you graduate from an ABA-approved school. Some job listings will also specify ABA-approved programs. Besides that, look for extra computer training. If you have IT skills and paralegal skills, you open up an entirely new set of job possibilities. There are companies that devote their services to running and restoring deleted files from computers, iPads, and telephones. Even law firms now want IT skills to help set up websites and manage webpages and cloud computing.

Q: What must-have advice would you give those who want to enter into this field?

A: Take a personality test like the Myers-Briggs and figure out what your natural inclinations are before you plan a career. The insights can help you figure out what jobs are a better match for you. If someone is an introvert then he/she will probably not want to work the front desk at a law firm. I would tell the introvert to look for jobs where he or she will review documents and manage databases. However, the extrovert will love working that front desk and greeting clients, getting the intake forms completed, and making people feel welcome.

Q: What myths are there about this field and what are the realities?

A: I often hear people say they want job stability and a lot of money. Job stability is unheard of in our current economy. People no longer stay at the same job for 20 years. As far as money, new paralegals are not rolling in the dough. Do what you love and the money will follow. Also, many paralegal students think they will be able to go to court with the attorney. Only seasoned paralegals accompany attorneys to court to assist with documents and technology during trial. Pay your dues and develop a good network, then you can roll around in the dough.

If you want to learn more about paralegal career options, contact the Admissions office at Bryant & Stratton College.

From Combat Boots to the Corporate Ladder

By: Josh Galle, Veterans and Government Recruiting Lead and Kelly Young, Human Resources Program Manager at Humana Like many corporations, Humana has recognized the value that military veterans bring to the workforce. From strong project management skills to punctuality and extensive travel experience, Veterans are an attractive candidate pool. However, finding practical ways to translate your military experience into layman’s terms as someone transitioning out of the Service can be difficult. Here are some tips to help you sell your military experience in the corporate world.

Focus on transferrable skills It may be that your military job doesn’t directly translate into a job in the corporate workforce. (Who knew there would be a limited market for bomb technicians in corporate America?!) In that case, focus on the skills you have that are generally transferrable to business roles- things like team leadership skills, project management, your proven ability to work with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, strong accountability and execution skills, etc. Be sure to have experiential examples to back up each of these qualities, and reference them in interviews.

Minimize acronyms and jargon The average recruiter may not be familiar with the military jargon and acronyms that are second nature to those in the Service. Have someone without military experience review your resume, checking for use of acronyms and jargon. When in doubt, spell out the acronyms and translate the jargon into layman’s terms. For instance, spell out Corporal instead of CPL and when possible substitute with a corporate title, i.e. Squad Leader can be displayed as Security Supervisor or Manager.

Network with other Vets Don’t underestimate the power of your military network. Stay connected via social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook with others you’ve met or worked with during your military career. Talk with other Vets in your area to see if their employers are hiring. Often, valuable referrals can come through friends, neighbors, and former colleagues who know that you are looking for new opportunities post military career.

Seek out Veteran-friendly employers Many organizations now have targeted recruiting efforts to source Veteran talent. Check out the Top 100 Military Friendly Employers listing and this listing of Federal Contractors and other vet friendly employers.

Interested in finding out more about Humana’s Veteran’s Hiring? Be sure to check out our Veteran’s Talent Network. In addition to competitive benefits that focus on health and well-being, one of the best resources available to veterans and military spouses once they join Humana is the Veterans Network Resource Group. This group, which meets both in-person as well as has an online community through our enterprise social media site for military veterans and military spouses, helps veterans and their families transition to civilian life and share common experiences. This group also supports community service for veterans and provides input to Humana on how we can better serve our military and government members.

To learn more, visit http://careers.humana.com/ Josh Galle is a Recruiting Lead at Humana, focusing on recruiting for Government business and leading the organizations efforts on hiring and retaining Veterans and in Humana’s workforce.

Josh is a decorated Veteran who served 8 years (Active & Reserve) in the United States Marine Corps and has a passion for helping Veterans and their families. Josh is also a co-author in a recently published book, “An American Crisis: Veterans Unemployment” available from Inspired Authors Press and on Amazon.com.

Kelly Young is a Human Resources Program Manager at Humana. Kelly is responsible for coordinating enterprise learning and developing the talent of professionals within the organization. Josh and Kelly have partnered various times to write publications to help support Veterans who are re-entering the corporate workforce.

Instructor Blog: Tips on Preparing for Midterms

Part of being successful academically and professionally is tackling major assignments and projects early. While midterms can seem daunting, a thorough approach can help you feel more confident in the expectations for the assessment.

The first step to preparing for midterms is to figure out what information is available about the midterm for your particular course. Some midterms are available at least a week early, and there should be at least a basic description of the midterm in your tracking calendar. If you would like to know more about your midterm, ask your instructor. He or she may be able to provide you with the material early. However, if you are not able to obtain further information, I recommend viewing the midterm on Sunday so you can see if it is a timed assessment or essay.

This allows you to look over the material and email your instructors any questions you might have. success

It’s also useful to think about the purpose of a major assessment overall. A major assessment is designed to test your knowledge of the course material, and possibly to apply the knowledge to a work-related scenario. With this in mind, consider your progress in the course. Do you thoroughly understand the lecture and textbook reading? How are you performing on the weekly activities? Has your instructor indicated an area you might need to improve or an idea you might not understand correctly?

A great way to make sure you really understand a concept is to explain it to a friend, and think about how you will use the knowledge in the workplace. Take the initiative to read the supplemental reading provided by your instructor (located in the tracking calendar) as well as your own research. Once you feel that you have an understanding of the course material, it’s time to think about the midterm itself. If it is a timed exam, you will need to ensure a block of time is set aside in your schedule.

Consider the circumstances that will contribute to minimal distractions. Do you need to leave the house, or do you have a lunch hour where you will be able to concentrate and work uninterrupted? Upon taking the exam itself, look carefully at the content. Pay attention to any “action words,” such as “explain,” “identify,” or “analyze.” Pay close attention to any word count or research requirement. A common error I see as an English instructor is students not including research, or the research included is not scholarly enough. If a rubric is provided, be sure you have read it and understand how you will be graded on the assessment. Lastly, before submitting your work, read it over to look for areas where you might have rushed. Are your ideas explained thoroughly?

Are there any grammatical errors you might have overlooked? If the midterm has several components, check off each component to ensure that it is addressed. When you feel like the midterm is your best work, submit! Midterms and all major assignments can be stressful, but it’s helpful to remember there is a purpose. It is essential to understand the concepts related to your major.

This is knowledge that will be used in your field either directly or indirectly. Each major assignment is an accomplishment of being closer to your goal of being not only in your field, but successful and competitive!

Stop Searching for Jobs, Stop it Right Now!

I recently had the opportunity to sit on a panel in the business school of a local University to discuss the intricacies of job searching.

The members of the panel were representing the highest profile companies in the region and all eloquently offered great tips and suggestions on myriad topics including: crafting a targeted resume, how to work a career fair, online applications, interviewing and ultimately securing that dream job we all have been programmed to try to find. Afterwards, a very assertive woman came up to inform me that she had already put into place all of the tips that the panelist had given and she also had applied to over 40 jobs in the last three and half months, but found obtaining that dream job elusive.

Then it hit me. Did she have 40 dream jobs?

Was it just semantics or was there a clue here that might help solve her dilemma? So, I asked the recent graduate to tell me what her dream job looks like. She immediately started describing a company, its culture, the environment, the type of people she would be working with; nothing describing the responsibilities or job itself. I turned the tables a tad and asked her,

\”What companies have this profile?\”

For the first time in our conversation, she was stumped. Well, there is our answer folks. While she was dream job-hunting, she should have been searching for the dream company. I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about this specific job seeker and moreover this topic since our encounter. It occurred to me that the tools we use now to find the right place for employment are drastically different from those used 20 years ago.

From a job seekers point of view, the gift of the internet has allowed for an easier application process. The other gift of internet job seeking is the wealth of company information at our fingertips. That being said, I can easily understand how the massive amount of data that is readily available could be overwhelming. The curse of the internet, when it comes to job searching is just that…we are programmed to dream job search with the unlimited view of job posting after job posting.

What happened to getting your foot in the door at the right company and proving yourself so that you can wiggle into the dream job at the dream company? Countless great professional careers start this way. It is easier to get the dream job if you are applying from within. Starting with the right company in a position that may not be ideal allows: investments to be made, loyalty and pride to be built, obtaining a sense of greater good and ultimately career goals to be realized. Here are a few tips to help uncover your dream company utilizing the gift of the internet and social networks:

Follow companies or organizations on Linkedin, find and Talent Acquisition Professionals and company leaders on Twitter
Join the conversations and add value
Utilize existing online connections to leverage face to face interactions with employees at desired companies
Use sites like GlassDoor.com to research company culture

So, stop searching for jobs. Try searching for a great company with great people who mirror your values and get on board. The ultimate benefit is you will stop searching for jobs.

Steve Talbott is Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise Holdings Inc. He joined the company in 1992 as a management trainee in the Kansas City area and has held several operational and talent acquisition roles in the company since. Today, Steve oversees the internal and external hiring for Enterprise Holdings in St. Louis.

How to Use Professors as References

If you are just starting your career, and wondering whether it is appropriate to use a professor as a reference, relax. It sure is! Human resources staff and hiring managers receive resumes and applications from soon-to-be and recent graduates all the time. And, although they will understand your limited experience, they won\’t excuse you from the requirement of having great references.

Here\’s how to set the right conditions to make sure potential employers get high quality feedback from your professors.

Pick the right professor(s) – Hopefully, you have built a rapport with at least a few of your professors. Have you had one-on-one discussions with any of them? Which of them could vouch for your character, abilities and potential? Sophia L. Marshall, Cross-Cultural Career Coach and Speaker, suggests selecting two: one who taught a general course and one who taught a specialty course because they can both speak to different things for the job you are applying for.

Ask permission – This serves several purposes. First, he or she won\’t be caught off guard when the employer calls. And, it will guarantee you have the professor\’s preferred and accurate contact information. It also gives the professor the chance to decline being contacted. In a 2012, a Careerbuilder survey of nearly 2,500 hiring managers and 4,000 workers, 62 percent of the employers who contacted a reference said the reference didn\’t have anything good to say about the candidate.

Prep them for success – Even if you have a great rapport, the professor (and anyone who serves as a reference) will appreciate getting information that helps them provide quality feedback. Tell them what you are applying for, provide a copy of your resume and point out a few key points for discussion.

\”For example, for the professor who taught the general course you could say: ‘please highlight my leadership skills as I was the team lead on the recent (project name) project’,” Marshall said. “The key here is to talk about a general soft skill that you developed as a part of his/her class.” Your request with a professor of a specialized course would have a different focus.”

Ask that professor to highlight your knowledge in a few skills with correlations between what you studied and what the company is looking for,” she said. “It\’s good to be specific here, like a programming language, server knowledge or other type of technical skill.”

And when you choose a reference, choose wisely. What this person says about you can directly impact your being selected for a position. According to the survey, 69 percent of the respondents have changed their minds about a candidate after speaking with a reference. Of those, 47 percent had a less favorable opinion about the candidate while 23 percent had a more favorable one. So, the lesson here is that you can use professors as references.

And, although you can never be absolutely sure what they will say about you, you can set the conditions for a favorable outcome by making sure they are prepared and willing to be called.

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Interview on Oaxaca Travel and Policy

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