Category: Education

Bryant & Stratton College On Campus Childcare is a Gamechanger for Students

She had moved to a new city with her 3-year-old son. There was no family nearby who could help watch him while she went back to school. Her son had speech impediments and needed to be in a daycare she could trust to work with his special needs.
And, there was little extra money to pay for daycare while she worked and attended classes.
When she applied to Bryant & Stratton College in Hampton, Va., the flexible schedule and personal service were not the only perk. Her campus also offered on campus childcare.
“My son loves it. He really loves it,” she said. “I can be at home and tell him to get ready and he won’t move. Then I say we are going to class and he jumps up.”
Porter earned her counseling associate degree and is now working at the child care center on campus helping other working parents achieve their goals.
“People come in the middle of the semester when their other childcare plans fall through,” she said. “People come and say, ‘if this wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be able to go to class. It’s a lifesaver.’”
It is a sentiment that the staff at the children centers on several Bryant & Stratton College campuses hear on a daily basis.
“I’ve heard quite a few of my parents say, ‘Thank God we have children’s college. We have nowhere for our children to go. This is a lifesaving place for a lot of people,” said Denisetrica Lankford, Children’s Center Coordinator at the Richmond, Va. campus.
The centers are not curriculum-based preschools but are more than simple babysitting. Lankford said children who attend in the morning do follow a schedule and work on pre-kindergarten skills. Children who attend in the afterschool and evening hours receive homework help and can play educational games on the center’s computers.
Many of the centers are open as late as 10:30 p.m. After dinner, children are treated to a movie and given time to wind down while they wait for their parents to finish class. The majority of the centers are open five days a week and available to part-time and full-time students. The stipulation is that parents must remain on campus while their child is in the center.
Cost is roughly $4 an hour, depending on the location; students can use their financial aid dollars to pay should they qualify. To find out more about using financial aid for childcare, visit your campus financial aid office or childcare center.
Lankford said she loves working at the center and making a better life possible for working parents and their children.
“They are learning and growing, that is the best part,” she said. “You know you made a difference in a child’s life.”
Want to go back to college but are struggling with how to manage daycare? Check out the degrees available at colleges with daycare like Bryant & Stratton College.

Bryant & Stratton College Allied Health Club Helps Community and Each Other

The most important word in this student groups’ title, is “allied”. Together, they raise money to help local nonprofits. Together, they host blood drives to bring much needed blood to the sick. Together they are students in both medical and non-medical fields driven by a single mission: to help their community. 
“I personally like the enthusiasm our club brings to brain storm ideas on fundraisers and where to donate our fundraising funds to,” said Len Lukasik president of the Allied Health Club, at the Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee campus. “we work together to help out each other in so many different ways, that we are almost like a big family. it shows how our club members get behind one student who is asking for club participation and then receives a bunch of volunteers to help out in an event,” he said.
every year the club holds a minimum of six fundraisers. each time, the profits are donated to a local organization such as the american red cross, the aids resource center or the milwaukee women’s center, among others. and, each time you see a blood drive on campus, that too is the work of the allied health club as they partner with the blood center of wisconsin. student membership is free. each member is only asked to give “time, treasure or talent,” lukasik said.
what they gain is immeasurable. lukasik said through their volunteer work, the students have an opportunity to build soft skills in teamwork and leadership roles. they are also able to network with executives in each of the local organizations and build connections that will help them in the workplace after graduation. allied health club director, boakai paasewe, md, said this opportunity for students to work in the community gives them a competitive advantage.
“these students learn the importance of giving back to the community which is very important for their chosen field of work,” he said. “in addition, they learn about time management and prioritizing.”
club members not only help the community outside campus walls, but inside their own classrooms as well. students in this club look to each other for guidance when they are struggling with a class assignment. paasewe said since the club is made up of students from various academic levels, it is easy to find a mentor or tutor in the group if you need help.
“a student who is working (and going to school) and finding it difficult to find time to study, will find a student with a similar situation who is succeeding,” he said. and working together, they will both succeed.

Common Workplace Mistakes Made by Newbies

If you are stepping into your first “real” job after college you probably have a mixed bag of feelings about it. It’s exciting to meet new people, have new responsibilities and contribute to your new company’s goals. And it’s also little scary. That’s just how it goes when you’re a newbie, but that’s a bad thing. Some mistakes are expected and they are easy to avoid or correct as long as you are aware of them. Here are a few:
  1. Flying Solo
“Although you’re new to the company, you’ll need the support of others to succeed in your career,” said Ericka Spradley, career coach and author. “Oftentimes, new employees fail because they don’t have a success team. As you partner with your leader, discuss mentoring options; as you progress in your role, identify those who have succeeded where you see yourself,” she added. And remember, employers hire a diverse workforce on purpose. Interact with people who have diverse thoughts, ideas and perspectives, not only with other recent grads.
  1. Staying in the dark
New employees often have to do a lot of reading and that can get quite boring and confusing. Mix things up a little to show interest in learning all you can. Jot down questions that come up while reading and use them as conversation starters that help enlighten you about things that are unwritten or not so obvious. “The beginning of your job is the time to ask questions. Your new co-workers expect you to be curious and are willing to help if you ask them. Plus, this will help you build professional relationships,” said Deborah Brown-Volkman, career coach and president of Surpass Your Dreams (www.surpassyourdreams.com).
  1. Not understanding your value
You don’t have to be a know-it-all or expert when you walk in the door, but know that you were hired for a reason: your employer is making an investment to fill a need. That investment in you is evidence that you bring something of value to the table. It may be hard skills, like computer programming or dental hygiene techniques, or equally valuable soft skills that newbies often bring:  energy, enthusiasm, passion and new ideas.
  1. Mismanaging time
“Because you’re new and may not be able to function independently for the first 90 days or so, you may have “breaks” in your day. These breaks occur because tasks are completed sooner than anticipated but employers still expect productivity,” said Spradley. “New grads may use these breaks to surf the internet or share social media updates, but a better use of this time may be: navigating the company’s intranet to understand policy, relevant news, employer updates; asking for more tasks or staying abreast of training,” she added. Brown-Volkman believes being a newbie is a state of mind. “If you feel bad about it, then it will be harder for you to adjust. Hold you head up high, put your shoulders back and watch how you carry yourself,” she said.

5 Reasons to Take an Online Course This Fall

As the summer continues, your mind may begin to return to more academic topics. After all, the fall semester will be here before you know it. Chances are that you have already selected all or most of your fall courses, but perhaps you are now reconsidering your class schedule—whether by choice, or because circumstances demand it. As you ponder your schedule, consider adding an online course to the mix. Why? Here are five reasons to take an online course this fall:
  1. An online class can offer you flexibility
Registering for multiple preferred courses during a single semester can often be near-impossible. Luckily, online classes offer scheduling flexibility that traditional courses simply cannot rival. For instance, certain online classes allow you to complete work on your own time. This flexibility can enable you to squeeze another course into your schedule, or to balance school with full-time work.
  1. Your options may be broader
In addition to offering scheduling flexibility, online class catalogues may have a wider reach than in-person class catalogues—in other words, they may boast a larger variety of courses. This may even allow you to sign up for a class that is not offered on campus at your school. Such a course may be essential to your career path and major/minor, or it may be in a subject of personal interest.
  1. An online class may save you money
Online courses are often less expensive than traditional in-person classes (though this is not always the case). Given the cost of college tuition and the likely possibility of graduating with debt, this can be a very appealing quality of online courses. Set aside time to compare costs, and if you believe that it will save you a significant amount of money, consider at least one online class this fall.
  1. You may earn needed credit
You may be taking an online course to supplement your existing class schedule, or it may be a task that you are completing while you work full-time or embark on a gap year. Whatever your situation, the credits you acquire may be transferable to multiple colleges and universities. Just ensure that the course you select is offered by an accredited program.
  1. You will strengthen key academic skills
Because online classes do not meet in a physical classroom, you may be nervous about the lack of structure. However, online courses can build crucial skills that you will require for almost any job. Since classes are conducted electronically, there is perhaps a greater need for communication than in a traditional class. You will learn the best ways to communicate with peers and professors, and working digitally will also boost your technology skills—which are becoming increasingly important in nearly every industry. If you are still uncertain about online courses, speak with someone who has taken one, and ask for his or her feedback. Even if you have some hesitation, why not register for one online class this fall? You never know what you may learn about yourself as a student.

Catherine Martin is a contributing writer for UniversityTutor.com, the world’s largest global marketplace for finding independent tutors.

An Easy Way to Set Up a Home Office Study Space

Are you doing your homework at the kitchen table? On the couch? In your bed?
Feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for classwork?
Where you study could be having a huge impact on how you study. You need to give yourself permission to have a home study environment. Regardless of how small your home is, you can and need to carve out a space to handle the business of life.
“You don’t need to own a business to have a home office and you should have one even if your business is raising kids,” said Darla DeMorrow, professional organizer. “You need a place to sort mail, pay bills and study without having to move it off the table for dinner and back to the table again.”
And a home study office, doesn’t necessarily need to be an entire room.
DeMorrow suggests repurposing old TV cabinets. The large, beautiful oak ones that were pricey and popular back when televisions fit inside them 10 years ago. Now, you can get them for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores. Use shelving inside the cabinet to make spaces for your books and paperwork. Ta da, an office that you can close for the day when you finish.
Another popular home office space for studying is a hall closet. If you own the home, use simple shelves and cabinets to build a place to sit and store paperwork. If you are in a rental, buy a small, inexpensive desk and set the entire thing inside the cabinet. Again, when you finish for the day, you close the door.
Closing the door is important, DeMorrow said, because the space should be yours alone.
It is not where the kids get their paper, pens and craft supplies. Have a separate box of craft supplies for them, elsewhere in the house.
“That way they are not coming in stealing your stuff and then you have to waste time running around and looking for it,” DeMorrow said. “The same thing with chargers and cords. When you sit down you don’t have the extra energy or time to go looking. You need to be able to sit and study and do what you thought you were going to do.”
And as you design that study environment, stop looking at dreamy, pictures of perfect spaces on Pinterest.
You can certainly make the space your own by painting the area a color you like or hanging a picture or using a lamp you prefer. You can put your stamp on it without spending a lot of money. Keep in mind, the space needs to be functional, not magazine photo shoot ready.
Finally, make sure you have proper light.
“People always under estimate the importance of lighting,” DeMorrow said. “If you have one light in the room, and you are on the other side trying to read, that is not going to work very well.”
If you don’t have plentiful natural light, purchase extra lamps both for your desk top and overhead. DeMorrow said larger rooms should have at least three lights to give students the right atmosphere to study.
For more information on careers you can study for at home, check out the online degrees available at Bryant & Stratton College.

Men’s Soccer Opens at #2 in the polls, Women Open at #7

Bryant & Stratton College men’s soccer took the second spot in the first USCAA poll for the 2015 season, falling six total points short in the voting to West Virginia Tech. The lone blemish on the Bobcats’ 4-1 record was a 2-1 loss to the first-ranked WVU Tech while BSC has scored 17 goals in their other four contests this season.
The goal scoring flurry to start the year has been paced by Zino Zampach’s four tallies while Kevin Beaton, Erickson Alevs and Lucas Hefferon each have a trio on the season. Zampach, Beaton and Alves each hold a share of the team lead in assists (4) as the three players have quickly formed the offensive engine of the Bryant & Stratton College team. The Bobcats climb to the top of the USCAA rankings continues this weekend against Alfred State and SUNY ESF on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Lady Bobcats have also begun climbing up the USCAA rankings as they slot in at number seven in the first women’s rankings. BSC took on SUNY Canton this past weekend and despite a number of injuries, pulled away with a 1-0 triumph. Adela Racic’s 27th minute goal would be the game’s lone tally as the Lady Bobcats picked up their third-straight win. They’re in action again this evening against Mohawk Valley CC at 4:00 pm.

Around the Web – September Edition

The September edition of Around the Web takes a look at a host of resources for our students. Everything from thank you notes to identity theft protection is covered this time around. Have a look.
When is it too Late to Send a Job Interview Thank You Note – Sioux City Journal Sending a thank you note after an interview is an important piece of etiquette for job seekers to remember. Not only should you send a professional thank you to the person you interviewed with, but you need to ensure you send it in a timely manner.
Tips for Balancing College, Work and Life – News Press Now Adding your responsibilities for class is tough enough when your only focus is earning a degree. Add in work or family duties and it can be a recipe for disaster. Check out these tips for finding a happy work/school/life balance.
A Very Simple Recipe for the Perfect Job Search – LinkedIn An interesting take on the often maddening process of job searching. Keep this advice in mind as you conduct your job search.
Outdated Job Search Myths that Stifle Your Success – Forbes As with any long-standing practice, there are a few myths surrounding the job search process that you need to put out of your mind.
Revamp Your Resume in 30 minutes – USA Today At the end of the day your resume is going to be one of the biggest determining factors of landing a job. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your resume so you’re not left behind.
How to use Facebook to Land a Job – US News and World Report Typically social media is seen as something that can hamper your job search far more than it can help. However, that doesn’t mean that certain practices can’t help you land a job either.
Is Your LinkedIn Picture Helping or Hurting Your Job Search? – Business 2 Community Since LinkedIn is the most professional and straight-laced off all the social networks, you should make sure your presence on the site reflects that. An unprofessional profile picture is a sure-fire way to create a bad first impression.
Nine Tips for College Students to Protect Against Identity Theft – Kenosha News College students aren’t immune from identity fraud and it’s important for you to know a few important tips to prevent from becoming a victim.
5 Common Pieces of Job Search Advice You Should Ignore – News OK Much like the myths we provided above, not all you hear in terms of a job search is going to be a foolproof way to land a job. Keep this bad advice in mind as you’re sending out resumes.

Medical Reimbursement and Coding Careers: Where to Work?

A degree in Medical Reimbursement & Coding provides students with distinct career options within the medical field. Bryant & Stratton’s Medical Reimbursement and Coding degree program prepares students for work in either a physician or hospital setting.
If you are earning an associate degree in medical billing and coding, you could be on track for a rewarding career. The field is expected to continue to grow, despite advancements in technology that help make the process of reimbursement and coding more efficient. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of professionals in this field is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2014 and 2024. This expansion demonstrates the need for qualified and trained professionals in the field.
Students attending medical billing and coding schools will have options in terms of work environment after graduation. For example, did you know that medical reimbursement and coding professionals sometimes work in insurance offices? More commonly though entry level medical billing and coding jobs are in a hospital or a physician’s office and understanding the difference between the two environments could help you better prepare for a career that fits your professional interest and personality.
Hospital
In 2015 the BLS reported 188,600 people held jobs as medical records and health information technicians, 38 percent of those people held jobs in hospitals. There are two types of hospital jobs for medical coders, in-patient and outpatient. Some hospital coding professionals have the opportunity to work in both areas but most seasoned workers find they are drawn to specializing in one. Hospitals primarily hire in-patient coders. According to Chris Schenk, CPC, CPC-H, in-patient coding primarily deals with long complex records. “You have to look at all of the records [from a patient’s hospital stay] and code everything and capture for all those services; all of the diagnosis, all of the procedures,” said Mr. Schenk. However, Mr. Schenk also notes that more hospitals are starting outpatient clinics so may be hiring a greater number of outpatient coders in the near future.
Physician’s Office
The environment in a physician’s office can be great for professionals who prefer to deal with one record at a time. Depending on the size of the office you may have multiple job responsibilities and have more opportunities to directly interact with patients. Responsibilities could include a bigger split between coding and reimbursement duties, answering the office phones, managing appointments or checking patients in and out. Some professionals note that a medical coding for a physician can be a great way to build up transferrable skills and is a good place to start if you are interested in management positions in the future.
Finding the right environment as a medical coding and reimbursement specialist could mean the difference between finding a job and finding a career, so take some time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each environment. Besides daily responsibilities, think about whether you’d like to work in a large organization or a small one, a formal or informal office, or how much patient interaction you prefer. Ultimately, it is a personal choice and some graduates have found they need to try each setting before truly knowing which is a good fit.
Interested in learning more about the medical coding and reimbursement field? Bryant & Stratton College offers several health-related degrees, including an associate degree in medical billing and coding. To find out more, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Working in Hospitality Management – Oh the Places You’ll Go!

A hospitality management degree helps prepare you for a variety of different kinds of jobs. These types of degree programs typically prepare you for careers in leadership roles where you are in charge of ensuring the best possible customer service, quality, value and experience for customers. In order to succeed you’ll need a deep understanding of several areas of business, including marketing, management, sales, operations and finance. You’ll also the type of employability skills hiring managers look for, such as verbal and written communications skills, creative thinking, ability to work well in a team, reliability and time management, among others.Man reviewing paper
Once you’ve earned a degree and mastered these skills, you’ll be ready to look for a career in hospitality management. As you kick off your job search, or even before, consider the places below where many graduates of hospitality management degree programs put their knowledge to use.
Casinos
Being a casino manager can be a thrilling job. Of course, you can only find these positions in states where gambling is legal so there is limited availability. As a casino manager you’ll be in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly. From determining how many dealers you need on the floor to keeping an eye out for anyone cheating the system, a casino manager must be aware of everything happening. Additionally, given the large amount of money that changes hands at major casinos, as a manager you’ll also have to ensure the security of all cash exchanging hands.
Lodging
Lodging can cover anything from hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts or resorts. As a lodging manager you’ll be in charge of making sure that everything behind the scenes runs smoothly so guests have the best possible experience. A good lodging manager should have a good understanding of the whole hotel, from room service to registering guests to billing. You may also have to lead marketing and sales efforts in order to keep attracting new customers.
Spa services
Spa services have really grown in recent years, from individual salons to departments within hotels. If you are a spa services manager you’ll be in charge of the general operations of the spa. One of the most important parts of the jobs is hiring the right people. Depending on the services offered you’ll need friendly, responsible people to staff the reception area, licensed massage therapists, technicians, certified estheticians, and maybe even laundry services. You’ll also be in charge of setting specials and marketing to new customers. People visit spas to relax so it’s important that the manager make sure everything runs smoothly.
Sports venues
Sports venues can be an exciting place to work. In addition to the athletic events that take place, people in the community from foundations to corporations to individual parties may want to reserve portions of the arena for special events. As a manager of a sports venue you’ll be responsible for marketing, business operations, catering services operations, event management and sometimes even travel and logistics coordination. Since there are limited sports venues in every city, getting these jobs can be difficult and it is a lot of work but the few who do get them find them rewarding.
Travel and Tourism
Within travel and tourism you may work as a cruise director, tour director, travel agent or a sales manager. If you select one of these career paths you could book travel, organize entertainment, or plan trips for individuals, groups or companies. You will also be in charge of marketing, sales, hiring and training staff and managing budgets. The travel and tourism sector is a great for anyone who loves travel as they often get to travel with groups themselves or receive discounts from vendor partners. This is very helpful if you are a travel agent as you can offer recommendations and first-hand knowledge to your clients.
If you value good customer service, enjoy working with people and have good communications skills working in the hospitality industry might be a good fit. Bryant & Stratton College offers an online hospitality management degree that will help you prepare for success in this field. For more information, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

3 Military Skills that Transfer to a Career in IT

For veterans, returning to civilian life can offer new opportunities. However, a common challenge as a result of the military to civilian transition is deciding which opportunities to pursue especially when looking for employment. Veterans have talents that make them great candidates for many different careers. It’s important for vets to evaluate their skills to find the right career path for them. If you are a veteran and considering returning to school, an information technology degree, such as a Networking Technology degree or Security Technology degree, can allow you to apply some of the following skills you likely possess due to your military experience.
Technology skills
Technology skills are an absolute requirement if you are interested in a career in IT. People may not be aware that this is also needed for many positions in the military. Military personnel often work with dynamic computer systems and complex technology. Oftentimes different technologies must be used together and an informed knowledge of how each works can affect a mission. For example, an Airman in the U.S. Air Force must assess if an aircraft radio works and is inter-operable with other aircraft to successfully communicate and coordinate efforts.
Communication skills
In the military it is often said that no task is completed alone and that mission success is made possible by the contribution of many. On a daily basis it is necessary to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds with different skill sets and varying ages. Working closely with others means that those in the military learn the importance of communicating effectively and mastering the ability to concisely relay information to a wide variety of audiences. This skill is also necessary for anyone working in IT. IT professionals often find themselves in situations where they must describe problems and their solutions to those with little or no IT knowledge.
Problem-solving skills
Those in the military face many challenges and in their various roles are first and foremost problem solvers. During these challenges analytical thinking is applied to solve the issue. “We consistently adapt the leadership of our personnel and management of our resources to provide solutions” says Capt Mike Palamore, Cyber Operations Officer for the Air Force. This skill is also necessary for IT professionals who must quickly resolve problems.
Along with technology, communication and problem solving skills, military experience gives vets a unique edge. “Even though a military professional is trained and skilled in the aforementioned areas, they must embody the adaptability to first serve as a Soldier, Airman, and Sailor or in a role designated by leadership. This adaptability, commitment to task and overall willful conviction is simply irreplaceable,” says Capt. Palamore. Individuals who have served in the military have invaluable qualities that translate incredibly well across not only IT but also many other career fields.
Bryant & Stratton College is proud to offer veterans of our armed forces a path to career success. Additional services and support are available to active duty military members and veterans through your local Bryant & Stratton College campus or online. Contact us today to learn more about the exciting degree programs we have to offer.

Men’s and Women’s Soccer Face Common Opponents with Differing Results

The Bryant & Stratton College men’s and women’s soccer teams encountered differing experiences in their weekend matchups with Alfred State and SUNY ESF.
Both the men’s and women’s Bobcats faced off against their in-state rivals, with the men grabbing a pair of victories while the women suffered a setback in each contest.
Zino Zampach got things started for the Bobcats as he slotted home a goal in the 22nd minute against Alfred State. Kevin Beaton would double BSC’s lead at the 40 minute mark off an assist from Erickson Alves. BSC would add a security marker as Shakzod Bobakalonov converted in the 80th minute to drive home the 3-0 victory. That positive momentum carried over to Sunday’s 2-0 over ESF.
Beaton wasted no time, scoring in the opening moments of the game, scoring just two minutes into the affair. Fernando Babtiste would knock home a penalty in the 44th minute and the Bobcats would cruise through the second half to seal the win. After turning away five shots the day previous, Harry Watson recorded three more saves against ESF to record his second clean sheet of the weekend.
The men were in action yesterday against SUNY-Delhi as the Bobcats improved their record to 7-1 on the year. Beaton was at it again, scoring just 15 seconds in this time around, picking up his team-leading sixth goal of the year. Dajhal Kelly would double the lead at the 12 minute mark before Dehli answered back to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining in the half.
Erickson Alves would add an insurance marker at the 30 minute mark and Nye Mayen put the game out of reach with his second goal of the season at the 86 minute mark of the game. Watson and Kosi Agbevor split the game, combining for six saves total. Watson’s two-game clean sheet streak was snapped in the first half, the keeper has made 12 saves over the past three games.
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The Lady Bobcats were not as fortunate against the same opponents as the men. An early deficit against Alfred State was too much to overcome and two late goals pushed ESF past BSC on Sunday. After Alfred State broke the ice six minutes into the game, Kai Jacobs brought the Lady Bobcats level in the 42nd minute.
However, the tie would only last two minutes as Alfred State’s Haley Russell’s second goal of the game pushed the lead to one in the 44th minute. Alfred State wouldn’t relinquish the lead again after Allison Vargeson push the scoreline to 3-1 in the 51st minute. Nicolette Weir would pull BSC within one but the Lady Bobcats’ late push to tie wasn’t enough as they dropped their second game of the season.
BSC rebounded with a solid effort on Sunday against ESF, holding the game scoreless for the first hour of play. It would be ESF who finally broke the scoreless tie as Sarah Lundy managed to beat Megan Hagadorn in the 60th minute. ESF would double their lead 10 minutes later on a goal from Heather Carl. The Lady Bobcats now sit at 5-3 on the year and will face SUNY Delhi this evening.

HR Careers: An Introduction to Professional Employer Organizations

If you’ve recently graduated with a human resources degree, or are planning to go into the field, you’re probably wondering what your employment options will be. The downturn in the economy means that there are less corporate HR positions available. However, the employment services industry is on the rise, and starting your career at a professional employer organization (PEO) may be the best way for you to start gaining valuable experience in HR.  PEO careers provide a variety of HR roles and responsibilities to choose from.                               

What PEOs Do

A PEO firm provides service in employee management tasks, risk management, and training and development. Many smaller businesses choose to outsource these services to a PEO, as it is more affordable and allows them to be sure that important tasks, like payroll and benefits, are being managed properly.
A PEO does this through a process called co-employment, in which they hire the client company’s employees (making the PEO the listed employer for insurance and tax purposes), and charge the company a fee for providing employee management services. In some cases, this is also called an employee leasing service in that they are basically leasing the employees back to the company.  

Projected Growth for PEOs

As more companies decide to outsource these services to PEOs, the industry continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics, the employment services industry, which includes professional employer organizations, is expected to increase at an annual rate of 1.2 percent, resulting in a total of 3.8 million jobs in 2024. The industry is among those with the largest projected employment growth in the country.

Variety of Opportunities for Experience

Because companies outsource all of their employee management services to PEOs, most HR disciplines are represented within a single PEO company. If there is a particular area of HR that you are interested in, it’s likely that you would be able to gain experience in that discipline while working for a PEO. Generally, job roles within a PEO firm include:
  • Human Resource Consulting – serves as the main contact to the client, and helps them with day-to-day advisement.
  • Benefits Management – responsible for developing and implementing overall health and welfare strategy.
  • Benefits Administration – handles day-to-day health and welfare enrollment issues for employees.
  • Risk Management – provides safety services and training to the client.
  • Payroll/ Payroll Tax – handles payment and tax services for employees.
If you are starting your college career, or are considering returning to school in order to make a career change, why not consider doing so online? Bryant & Stratton College offers a variety of online degree programs. For more information, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative or click here to find out more about our human resources degree.

Choosing the Right Degree for Jobs in Financial Services

The right degree will ensure you’re a strong candidate for both public and private financial services jobs. While a background in accounting and/or business is important, financial services positions involve more than a clear grasp of numbers, bookkeeping, and/or management skills. Financial service experts must have an in-depth understanding of how money is acquired, as well as how that money is actually managed and used to build current and future financial health.
This list is a sampling of the financial services jobs available with the right degree and career preparation:
  • Financial Consultant
  • Investment Officer
  • Financial examiner
  • Banking Center Manager
  • Lending Manager
  • Financial Manager, Branch or Department
  • Certified Financial Planner
  • Investment Advisor
  • Budget Analyst
Completing your degree in Financial Support Services from Bryant & Stratton College will place you in prime position to obtain a financial services job. Here is what to look for when choosing the right degree for jobs in financial services.
Basic Accounting and Business Principles. The cornerstone of your financial services career is a fundamental education and understanding of accounting and financial operations. You will want to excel in both basic and advanced accounting courses. You should also take classes in business, management and operations principles. These foundational courses will help you determine if your academic interests and acumen are aligned with your professional goals.
Analysis and Application. Make sure your degree program offers courses providing both macro- and micro-views of business and personal finance. As a financial services expert, you will need to both analyze and apply your knowledge and skills in order to improve your clients’ financial viability. You will acquire these skills by taking courses focused on macro and micro economics, finance principals, and strategic management. These courses will ensure you are able to see the whole picture, diagnosing where a company or individual is at, and then providing the products, services, or plan to keep them moving forward, with increasingly healthy financial prospects.
Financial Planning. In some cases, you will work directly with a company or individual(s) to create and implement a sound financial plan. In other cases, the products or services you offer will improve their future financial goals/plans. Either way, your financial services degree should incorporate courses exposing you to all areas of financial planning, including insurance, investment, income tax, retirement and estate planning. These are interconnected disciplines; the health of one area is directly connected to the health of another.
Experience and Practicum. While a conceptual and theoretical education is important for learning concrete ideas and financial strategies, your ability to apply and execute what you have learned is dependent on your real-life experience. A certain portion of your time obtaining a bachelor’s degree in financial services should be dedicated to simulated practicum and/or bona fide internships in some area of the financial services sector. Not only will this reinforce what you have learned, it will also help you to identify which areas of financial services interest you the most, and will help to build your professional portfolio.
If you are interested in our Financial Support Services degree, please contact the admissions office at Bryant & Stratton College. Our admissions counselors can help you determine which program will be best for your educational and professional goals.

Bobcats Soccer Aiming at the Top of National Rankings

A pair of tough losses could have derailed the Bryant & Stratton College women’s soccer season. But the Lady Bobcats rebounded with a pair of impressive victories after dropping two-straight to start the month.
Wins over SUNY Delhi and William Smith College improved the Lady Bobcats’ record to 7-3 on the year and have them threatening to climb back  into the top-five in the USCAA polls after dropping from third last week. Delhi were the unfortunate recipients of the Lady Bobcats rebound after their brief losing spell. BSC potted a pair of goals in the opening 25 minutes and added three more in the second half to topple Delhi 5-1.
Adela Racic continued her assault on the national scoring lead, scoring the opening goal of the contest and adding BSC’s fourth insurance marker in the second half. Racic is currently tied for third in the nation with 16 goals, trailing Erin Tersegno of Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences by four. Kai Jacobs was the star of the day, however. Jacobs figured on every goal for the Lady Bobcats, picking up a pair of assists on Racic’s two markers and adding a hat trick of her own in the blowout.
Jacobs and Racic were at it again against William Smith as the pair each scored just 2:14 apart to stake the Lady Bobcats to a 2-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of the match. William Smith added a late tally in the dying minutes of the match but that is as close as they’d come thanks to Megan Hagadorn’s nine save performance. The Lady Bobcats have two more matches to climb higher in the USCAA standings as they hope to build on their current winning streak.
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The Bryant & Stratton College men’s soccer team extended their win streak to five games with a 3-1 triumph over Cayuga Community College last week. The Bobcats would do all the scoring they’d need in the first half as Erickson Alves scored just 11 minutes in and Zino Zampach would pick up the game winning goal and first of two on the day.
Zampach’s second goal in the 82nd minute pushed him to seven on the season, good for the team lead. Harry Watson was terrific in goal yet again, turning away 10 of 11 Cayuga shots to keep the BSC win streak alive.
The five-straight wins haven’t done enough to vault the Bobcats over WVU Tech in the latest USCAA polls. BSC sits just two points shy of the number one spot in the nation as they prepare to face Monroe Community College tomorrow.

Questions to Ask Before you Consider a Human Resources Degree

If you are dreading going in to work every day, there’s a good chance you are in a serious job rut and it might be time for a change. During your employment it is likely that you encountered and interacted with an HR professional. But, have you ever stopped to ask if human resources is a good career for you?
The human resources department is extremely important at any company or place of employment for almost every field and industry. Human resources specialists, and other HR professionals, serve as liaisons between employees and their employer. You might be a good fit for a career in HR if you consider yourself a people person or enjoy working closely with others. Though some level of a human resources degree is required to be an HR specialist, there are a number of natural human resources skills from your experience in the workforce that can transfer to this career as well. If you are wondering what skills you might already have that can help you in HR, ask yourself the following questions.

1. Am I a good communicator?

Do you have experience in a position where you were required to use your communication skills? The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is a key asset that you can leverage while working in HR. Since the role of human resources specialists and other HR professionals is to serve as a liaison between employees and their employer. HR specialists are often charged with informing employees on company policy or relaying employee concerns or ideas to the company’s leadership team. In order to best serve both parties, communication is key.

2. Can I make tough decisions?

Individuals make decisions on a daily basis but some decisions, especially ones that affect others, might be more difficult to make. Are you able to make well-informed and fair decisions? HR specialists often have to make tough decisions where the right choice is not always obvious. Their responsibilities sometimes include making hiring decisions or enforcing company policy. The ability to remain levelheaded and objective is important for those interested in this career.

3. Am I an organized person?

Being organized isn’t something that comes easy to everyone. Those who enjoy staying organized possess a valuable character trait needed for HR effectiveness. The duties of a HR specialist usually include maintaining employee records and company files. Depending on the company size, this could be a considerable task.
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you already possess some of the skills needed to be an HR specialist. Pursuing a human resources degree may be the first step toward the professional change you were looking for. Click here for more information on taking that step.