GDP does not reveal much

GDP is the measure of the market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy during any particular year. In India the central statistical office calculates the GDP.

Importance of GDP:

  1. GDP helps in knowing the size of the economy. GDP shows the total production in an economy so one can know the performance of an economy through GDP.
  2. GDP tells the expenditure and income of an economy this helps the policymakers to formulate monetary and fiscal policy accordingly.
  3. A high performing has got the ability to attract foreign investments leading to further expansion in income and employment.
  4. It also gives an idea about sectors which are lagging behind in their performance so that policy makers can initiate appropriate corrective measures to achieve the goal.

Limitations of GDP:

  1. GDP does not include non-material aspects like crime rate, industrial safety standards, mortality rate etc.
  2. It does not reveal the amount of income inequality in our country. It shows the per capita income which is only an average number; it does not mean every individual in the economy is getting the same per capita income.
  3. GDP fails to take into account the environmental and ecological damage caused due to economical development.
  4. It does not encourage countries to adopt Sustainable development.

  Development is a process that creates growth, progress, positive change or the addition of physical, economic, environmental, social and demographic components. Noble laureate Amartya Sen has defined development as a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy.

 GDP measures only the economic expansion of a country it fails to take into account the other aspects of development. It is concerned purely with materialistic aspect does not speak about other aspects of life that make it meaningful and wholesome. So GDP alone cannot be sufficient to measure the development of a country. There are other alternative measures which include both income and non-income variables like life expectancy, literacy rate, mortality rate, freedom form choice etc.

Other alternative indicators include:

 The human development index- This was devised by UNDP (United nations development programme) and developed by Mahbud ul Haq and Amartya Sen. This approach measures education, health, life expectancy at birth and various other crucial variables.

The social progress index- It is a better way of measuring societal development. It takes into account access to water and sanitation, educational and health outcomes, public criminality, housing, access to information, communication and political liberties.

Genuine Progress indicator- It is used to measure the economic growth of a country. It takes everything that GDP takes into account but addition to this it also takes into account the cost of crime, cost of ozone depletion and cost of resource depletion etc.

Happy planet index- It was introduced by New economics foundation in 2006. It takes into account human well-being and environmental impact. 

                The goal of all countries especially the developing countries is to attain a higher level of GDP accordingly the fiscal, monetary and other policies of the government are naturally intended to promote this goal. However the goal of achieving higher GDP has become older concept. National governments have become more and more aware of other goals that constitute the true development of mankind. Materialistic affluence alone cannot assure the societies a comprehensive welfare environment. Awareness of this goal has become more and more pronounced especially in economies that had already achieved a high level of development especially G7 countries. But Asian and African countries that are grouped under third world countries could not afford to make use of their scares resources in pursuit of achieving the important goals other than achieving higher GDP and economic development.   Making the world safer and happier, the lofty goals stressed by modern thinkers and world environment leaders should become the responsibility of the developed nations and international institutions affiliated to UN. The burden rests upon the affluent nations who are the real polluters and threat to a safe  and happy world.

Alarming disappearance of play from Children’s life

Play is the important part of child’s life. Play enhances the child’s physical, social and cognitive skills. Through play children learn many skills like cooperation, language etc. It also helps to clear the egocentric stage in early ages. In childhood the major learning happens through play only.

But in present time, play is somewhere disappearing from the children’s life. There are many reasons for that. Some parents don’t send their children to play due to security reasons as today parents don’t have time to sit in the park where the child is playing so that they can take care of the child. In some places there are not proper spaces where the child can play. Some parents think that by playing they are wasting their time. And they should utilise their time by studying apart from going outside and play. Due to advent of technology too, children nowadays prefer to play video games and use mobile rather that going outside and play.

All these things have a greater impact on children’s mental and physical health. Playing outside keeps them healthy and also help in their mental growth. While playing children use many concepts which they learn in theories like counting, conservation, usage of language and so on. While playing children learn how to cooperate with peers, how to understand others perspective, they learn to solve problems of their own. They acquire confidence to talk to so many people. It is the platform where they can, not only make mistakes but can also learn from their mistakes. But our parents and teachers didn’t understand this. According to them bookish knowledge is the knowledge child should have and this only help them to become a successful human being. According to Leo F. Buscaglia “It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connect between them.”

Parents and teachers should understand that play is equally important for child as the study. If they don’t play they lack many abilities or develop it later. So it is necessary that we encourage children to play with their peer group. Parents and teachers should include play time in the child’s schedule like all other activities through which they can enjoy as well as learn and properly live their childhood.

Leadership Lessons from Mother Nature

You must have learnt valuable lessons from many great leaders, it’s time to know from where the great leaders got their dose of inspiration.  Every great leader is a self learner. In this sense it can be said that great leaders are capable of learning things by looking at the examples set in front of them. Not just the examples set by great men but examples that are set by something even greater than any man on earth:

The Mother Nature herself. Nature inspired man to reinvent the wheel by looking at the moon. A big leap from zero to one. But for the modern man, nature is even a greater source of inspiration than ever before. Coming back to our regular office space. It’s not that hard to accept that survival of the fittest works perfectly here. But this is not the only thing you can learn from nature. It goes beyond. It has a consciousness of its own. It’s like everything speaks despite the apparent silence. Let’s know what leaders can learn from nature. Sometimes Silence Speaks A Better Language Than Words This is one reason that nature is silent.

To prove my point let me tell you a story someone told me: Two frogs once jumped into a death pit. No frog who jumped into that pit had ever survived. Other frogs watched them struggle and discouraged them, with no point trying. One of them gave up and died while the other one miraculously escaped the pit.

Reason─That frog was deaf, he never heard a single word; all he could sense was others telling him to struggle harder. Staying positive works. As a great leader you can get more out of your team by being positive rather than negative. Rather than telling your team to do something, set examples for them that they can follow. Speak silently. Facts are False, Interpretations are True How many times have we been told to only look at the facts when making decisions. The million dollar wisdom; there are no facts only interpretations. It’s a fact that sun rises in the east, but it is an interpretation where the direction east is. It is a fact that apple falls at the ground but it is an interpretation that it falls due to gravity. That’s what helped Columbus discover America and Newton Gravity. And that’s what the sign of a genius is─a different way to look at a fact.

Remember this: As an entrepreneur may be one day you will understand why your team is unable to paint the perfect picture. Because all you feed them are facts, but what they want is an interpretation. And that’s how you ignite innovation at work. Your Thoughts and Words are like an Invisible Force of Gravity Every morning thought and midnight memory that an entrepreneur has is always a form of a career joy or a career pain. In other words, you always have a story within your mind. Use this story to hand down your thoughts to your team and let them figure out how to make these thoughts come alive. Graphically every good story can be imagined as a mountain. To be a good storyteller you need to take your audience to the peak of your mountain, as effortlessly as possible, and then throw them of the cliff; catch them at the other end. Make them think that they owe you their lives. Things don’t stop just here. There are so many things that one can learn from nature. For this you need to learn to interpret nature’s language and that happens by having faith that nature speaks a language. This way you will find a hidden meaning behind everything that nature does.

Are U “One out of Everyone”.

Living in this 21st century, with every comfort , freedom to our lives and most importantly the power to make choices and decision, has really transformed this world. Earlier people who used to be calm, composed and believe mostly to remain silent in any act of discomfort, now react with every thought out. People in today’s world take a stand not for themselves only but also in their surrounding wherever they feel an act of inhumanity has taken place. All this compassion and empathetic behavior has suddenly transformed the humanity, and thus has given justice to the sufferer. But are really these emotions which have transformed us, has really people developed this feeling of compassion and empathy towards others and do people really care about any thing wrong going around them, or there is some more which is adding on and giving rise to these things.

Pacing towards a goal, and working day-night in this fast world has limited man’s effort and boundaries to just his work and lesser attention towards his close ones’s . People rather hardly care about anything going around them besides the area which really affects them. So what it is which has brought everyone closer these days and they take stand for each other. The simple answer to this is inner pain, aggression, frustation and sorrow which man is not able to share with anyone as no one hardly cares. The rise to protest is mostly not because of people care about the incident, maybe there are people who genuinely care and to whom a particular incident is really devastating, but for most it is just an act to remove out whatever they are feeling inside.

But the prior question which arises is that why do people get so much into an act of anger and frustation and want the things to be done right. This could mainly include:

1. Wrong source of information- Mostly we acknowledge these days, that one sided story is shown to the people by the people, which surely is to attract others attention towards an act and gain sympathy. They believe to get justice but without truth.

2.Facts are manipulate, by the people and spread of rumours is the main idea most people follow.

3.Everyone is very frustated these days and stressed out. They want their anger to just break out and for that they usually manipulate others and brain wash them.

4. Also people get more attracted towards any bad act as they believe that justice should be provided, which is good, but before the decision of the higher authority, they must not come to a point of judgement. Also most people believe what if any similar incident happens with them is the future, so also as an act of selfishness they mostly join these acts.

But the main thought which must be concentrated, is that people must think before any kind of action they do. It’s good to stand up against anything which is wrong, but just blindly trusting any source if information and following it is not a good options. People might take a step which is for the betterment of themselves but they must not spoil anything which can affect any individuals life.

People must come up as individuals but work together as a team in any act of inhumanity and should work for justice and must not focus on the idea of “One Out Of Everyone” and rather must focus on ” One Out For Everyone “. By doing this peace and harmony would spread and the taste of justice would be far better. Just the need to understand is the facts which do manipulate us as India and separate us. We must believe in unity, work against anything wrong but in the way no one gets harmed, no property is destroyed and essence of peace all around.

How to Network Effectively

Attending a networking event can seem daunting, especially if you’ve never been to one before. Nevertheless, networking skills are essential to your career development and success. Making the effort to talk to and connect with other professionals in your field can open the door to new and exciting opportunities. After all, sometimes finding the perfect job is as much a factor of who you know as what you know.
The first step is to find networking events, such as through professional associations or chambers of commerce. Look specifically for ones that encourage college students and young professionals to attend. These events will help you make connections with potential employers and learn about opportunities in your chosen field.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of any networking event:

Be prepared 

Before attending any networking event, it’s important to consider what you hope to gain from the experience. What opportunities in this profession interest you the most? What aspects of your field would you like to know more about? You should also be prepared to answer questions about your interests, strengths, accomplishments and goals. Practice responding to these questions with a brief (20-30 seconds) introduction — this is often referred to as an “elevator speech.” Lastly, be sure to bring any useful materials with you, such as business cards (it’s OK to make some for yourself even if you don’t have a job) and a pen/notepad or a device on which you can take notes.

Ask questions

Remember, networking is about getting to know others! While you should be prepared to speak about yourself, you don’t want to dominate the conversation. If you’re notified of the attendees ahead of the event, make a list of the people you most want to meet. Research the person and their organization and prepare a few questions that will help you engage in meaningful conversations about that person’s work and experience. Also, it’s not all about how they can help you – find out how you might be able to help them, possibly by introducing them to someone you know.

Take initiative

 It’s natural to be nervous when you’re walking into a room in which you don’t know anyone. But remember — everyone is there for the same reason you are. Don’t be shy to talk to others. Prepare an icebreaker question, or use your elevator speech to introduce yourself and start a conversation!

Practice making a good impression

 First impressions matter and they can make or break your networking experience. You only have a few minutes to talk with each person, so make sure that you appear engaged and enthusiastic. Smile, shake hands, make eye contact and make sure to thanks others for taking the time to speak with you. Also, dress appropriately for the event.

Follow-up

Networking is all about relationship building. Collect business cards throughout the event so that you can follow up on opportunities or continue to build a professional relationship. One ideal follow-up task is to connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn.
Although you might be a little nervous for your first networking event, remember that this is an opportunity to get to know some great people and learn more about your career interests! Relax, be yourself and prepare ahead of time so that you can make the most of your networking experience. You’ll be glad you did.

3 Ways Online Learning Made This Cop’s Dream a Reality

Online education has transformed the way students are able to learn and reach their career goals. Some might assume that the average online student is a college-aged male or female working toward their bachelor’s degree, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, according to CollegeAtlas.org, the average online student actually ranges from 25 to 29 years old. On top of taking online courses, this person often works full-time and balances other priorities such as family. Mike Tusken was no different.
Mike had advanced as a leader in the Duluth (Minn.) Police Department and when the chief of police was set to move to a new position, Mike was ready to take his place. There was only one issue: He needed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice before he could advance to chief. Luckily, he found Herzing University’s Badge-to-Grad initiative, which allowed him to reach his goal.
Here are a few benefits of online education, and how they helped Mike advance his career:

Creates More Time with Family

When students have to attend a traditional four-year school out of town, it means they’ll get significantly less time with their families. Losing family time is especially difficult for parents such as Mike. When he was looking into how he would earn his bachelor’s degree, he didn’t want to travel to a campus that was hours away from his wife and three kids.

Allows Continued Career Development

Instead of traveling to an out-of-town college campus, Mike went to Herzing, where he could earn the bachelor’s degree online and still work full-time at the police department. He was able to learn on his own time when it was convenient for him, whether that meant working during lunch breaks or staying up late to focus on school.

Targets Specific Learning Goals

When working toward a bachelor’s degree in a traditional school, students may be required to take a lot of general education courses, as well as basic-level ones in their major. In Mike’s program, he was able to get credit for what he had already learned in his ongoing law enforcement training. Instead, he focused on the newest and most progressive aspects of criminal justice.
Online education provided the flexibility that Mike needed. He was able to earn his criminal justice degree on his own time and In May 2016, less than a month after graduating, he was appointed chief of the Duluth Police Department.
“The education and instruction I received at Herzing were top-notch,” he said. “The university was attuned to my timeline and career goals and diligently worked with me to meet them.”

What Does a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Mean to You?

If you are a registered nurse with an associate degree (ASN), you might be feeling some pressure to obtain your bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). In 2008, the Institute of Medicine released a report recommending that 80 percent of the RN workforce have a BSN by 2020, causing many hospitals to reevaluate their criteria for hiring new nurses. If you work in a hospital that is seeking Magnet recognition, you have probably noticed that Magnet hospitals usually hire only BSN prepared nurses or those who are committed to going back to school.

“Why is this so important?” you ask. “I’m a good nurse!”

You probably are! Even so, you should consider getting your BSN. Here’s why:
  1. Job security. In order for an institution to qualify for Magnet status, all nurse managers must have their bachelor of science in nursing. While Magnet status does not require staff nurses to obtain their BSN, 49 percent of registered nurses employed at Magnet facilities are BSN-prepared, compared to only 30 percent of registered nurses at non-Magnet facilities. In addition, research shows that hospitals with higher percentages of BSN-RNs on their nursing staff produce better patient outcomes. That means that aspiring Magnet hospitals are likely to hire more BSN-prepared nurses, and you can increase your chances of employment—or feel more secure in your current job—by getting your BSN.
  2. Higher income. It is true that getting a BSN is more expensive than getting your ASN. However, it has been shown that nurses with higher-level degrees earn higher incomes, so you can expect a better financial return on your investment if you choose to pursue your bachelor of science in nursing degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a registered nurse is $70,000 per year ($33.65 per hour) and registered nurse positions are expected to grow 15% from 2016-2026. The average salary of a BSN nurse will trend higher than nurses with an associate’s degree only.
  3. A global perspective. While your associate degree prepared you well for hospital nursing, it did not address national and global health policy and issues. As nurses navigate new cultural landscapes and bureaucratic challenges of the 21st century, it is crucial that they develop a broad understanding of their role in the community, national and world health.
  4. Community involvement. Unlike BSN programs, associate degree programs do not require community nursing coursework. As the focus of patient care shifts from acute care to prevention models, a nurse’s role expands to health education and advocacy, community care, agency collaboration and political and social reform. Even if you never plan to be a community health nurse, it is essential for you to understand your evolving role in the community and how you can provide holistic care for your patients.
  5. Leadership skills. Good leaders aren’t born—they’re made! A bachelor of science in nursing prepares you for future leadership roles by introducing management and organizational theories that will allow you to take initiative in a variety of roles. In addition, you’ll learn about quality improvement, cost-wise decision making and outcomes evaluation, which are all essential skills for today’s nursing leaders.
  6. Evidence-based practice. Do you know how to translate research into practice? Your bachelor’s degree gives you the ability to critically evaluate new research, thus making you a more effective nurse. Nancy Bergstrom’s multi-site study of the Braden scale is an example of how nurses can use research to affect patient care practice. Through her research, Bergstrom found the Braden scale was an effective strategy for predicting pressure sore risk. Today, the Braden scale is widely used to prevent skin breakdown.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing will open more career doors for you so that you can do what you are good at—being a nurse! There are many different types of nurses and many unique nursing career specialties to choose from, whether it’s becoming a pediatric nurse, oncology nurse, neuroscience nurse, travel nurse, etc., and grow into advanced roles like family nurse practitioner or nurse educator.
Herzing’s RN-BSN program is completely online, enabling students to complete the program at their own pace. Herzing also offers a flexible transfer credit policy, competitive program pricing and a dual credit option that allows students to earn credits toward their MSN degree while completing their bachelor’s degree. That’s a great time and money saver!
Get more information on Herzing’s RN to BSN online program.
Susan Austin, MSN, RN is the Program Chair for Herzing’s RN-BSN Online. She has been with Herzing University for 10+ years, most recently at the Akron Campus, where she was nursing faculty and the Nursing Department Chair. She graduated in 1987 an MSN from Case Western Reserve University where she had a Nurse-Midwifery concentration. Subsequently, she practiced as a Certified Nurse-Midwife for 20 years and taught in various diploma and Bachelor’s degree nursing programs prior to coming to Herzing.

What is Data Warehousing and Why is it Important?

Cloud-based technology has revolutionized the business world, allowing companies to easily retrieve and store valuable data about their customers, products and employees. This data is used to inform important business decisions.
Many global corporations have turned to data warehousing to organize data that streams in from corporate branches and operations centers around the world. It’s essential for IT students to understand how data warehousing helps businesses remain competitive in a quickly evolving global marketplace.

What is data warehousing?

A data warehouse is a system that stores data from a company’s operational databases as well as external sources. Data warehouse platforms are different from operational databases because they store historical information, making it easier for business leaders to analyze data over a specific period of time. Data warehouse platforms also sort data based on different subject matter, such as customers, products or business activities.

Why is data warehousing important?

Data warehousing is an increasingly important business intelligence tool, allowing organizations to:
  1. Ensure consistency. Data warehouses are programmed to apply a uniform format to all collected data, which makes it easier for corporate decision-makers to analyze and share data insights with their colleagues around the globe. Standardizing data from different sources also reduces the risk of error in interpretation and improves overall accuracy.
  2. Make better business decisions. Successful business leaders develop data-driven strategies and rarely make decisions without consulting the facts. Data warehousing improves the speed and efficiency of accessing different data sets and makes it easier for corporate decision-makers to derive insights that will guide the business and marketing strategies that set them apart from their competitors.
  3. Improve their bottom line. Data warehouse platforms allow business leaders to quickly access their organization’s historical activities and evaluate initiatives that have been successful — or unsuccessful — in the past. This allows executives to see where they can adjust their strategy to decrease costs, maximize efficiency and increase sales to improve their bottom line.
There are many exciting career paths available for students who are interested in working with data warehouses or within the larger field of business intelligence (BI). BI professionals include data architects, database administrators, coders and analysts, among others.
BI professionals have a wide variety of educational backgrounds, but most employers look for a degree in information technology. Learn more about Herzing’s IT programs here.

5 Ways to Instantly Relax

Anxiety can hit at any time – during a test, at the office, in the middle of a meeting or even in the midst of the holiday season. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to will our bodies to stop being stressed out, but there are ways that you can unwind on the spot and get yourself back on track. Next time you start to feel anxiety coming on, give any of these five relaxation techniques a try:

Breathe deeply

This relaxation technique can be done anywhere and at any time. Stop whatever you’re doing and focus on simply breathing in and out. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly to help bring your heart rate and blood pressure down. Deep breaths bring in more oxygen, which stimulates the parasympathetic reaction that helps reduce anxiety. While you’re at it, close your eyes and visualize yourself in a place that makes you calm, whether that’s your own bedroom or a beach.

Snack on dark chocolate

Ready for the best news you’ll hear all day? Dark chocolate can actually be good for you in moderation. In fact, Greatist reported that dark chocolate helps regulate cortisol, a stress hormone. Stick to about a square, or 1.4 ounces to reap the benefits.

Unplug

Staring at a full email inbox on your computer or phone won’t exactly help diminish that feeling of anxiety. According to the Huffington Post, late night computer use is associated with stress in both men and women. Instead, take a few minutes to put down your phone and step away from the computer screen. Chat with a friend, take a walk or read a book.

Turn up the tunes

Get lost in a song to help decrease your blood pressure and fill your brain with dopamine – a feel-good neurochemical that works to reduce stress hormone levels. But you may want to stay away from the heavy metal if it’s relaxation you’re after. Classical music has proved to be effective in lowering stress levels and slowing your heart rate.

Try aromatherapy

Certain scents can have an amazing effect on stress levels. In fact, citrus has been shown to help alleviate stress by increasing levels of the hormone norepinephrine, which affects mood. If you’re at home, fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a few drops of vanilla and some orange peels to fill the air with a warm citrusy aroma.

What is a Surgical Technologist?

There are a couple of essential people in the room during a surgery most people know about — the surgeon, of course, and the nurse — but there is one other important player who ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Sometimes referred to as “the unsung heroes of the operating room,” surgical technologists (STs) are well-educated members of the operating team who handle the instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during a surgical procedure. STs must not only understand the procedure being performed but also anticipate the needs of the surgeon before, during and after the operation.

What do surgical technologists do?

An ST’s main job is to assist the surgeon throughout the procedure by holding retractors and instruments, suctioning and sponging, cutting suture and applying dressings. Before the procedure begins, STs set up the sterile back table with instruments needed for the operation and drape the patient and surrounding areas with a sterile barrier.
You can learn more about the day in the life of a surgical technologist from Herzing University ST instructor Stephanie Allen – and what you need to know about working in the operating room.

Where do STs work?

Certified surgical technologists often work within the hospital system in the main operating room or an ambulatory care center for same-day surgery. They can also work in a hospital’s sterile processing department or endoscopic department. Other STs work at a private physician’s office, performing small in-office procedures. Finally, some STs are hired by travel healthcare staffing agencies for assignments of various lengths in surgical facilities around the world.
Regardless of where you choose to work, there are many people that rely on STs to ensure positive outcomes for their patients.
  1. Nurses—Nurses rely on the STs to communicate with the surgeons and relay the information they need to know for the start and end of the procedure. At the end of the procedure, the ST cleans the room and sets up the correct supplies for the next procedure.
  2. Surgeons—STs are the surgeon’s right-hand man/woman. Surgeons rely on the ST to have the proper instruments ready and to anticipate their needs throughout the operation. They also depend on the ST to establish and maintain the sterile field to prevent any breaks in aseptic technique, which could lead to an infection and complicate the patient’s recovery.
  3. Patients—Most importantly, the patient relies on the ST to make sure the procedure goes smoothly and minimize the risk of infection.
The average salary for a surgical technologist depends largely on your experience in the field and the state in which you practice. According to 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists make $47,300 per year on average.

How do I become a Surgical Technologist?

The Herzing surgical technologist program in New Orleans, Louisiana allows students to earn their associate’s degree in two years. Students must complete general education requirements and core classes as well as a clinical externship at a local hospital. At the end of the clinical externship, students sit for the National Certification Exam. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career in healthcare, then a degree in surgical technology could be the right fit for you!
Stephanie L. Allen, CST, BS is a Surgical Technology Instructor at Herzing University – New Orleans with 6 years of experience in all surgery specialties and a concentration in Trauma and Neurology Surgery. Stephanie recently became a contributing peer reviewer and demonstration personnel for the Fuller Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice 7th Edition book and is still practicing in the field at a local hospital. She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saginaw Valley State University.

What Does the Future Hold for Accountants?

When some people hear the word “accountant,” they visualize a worker toiling away in a back room of a business reviewing large books of numbers for hours on end. Fortunately, this is not an accurate picture of today’s accountants because they’ve become stronger strategic partners in businesses instead of just number-crunchers.

What is an accountant?

Accountants are primarily responsible for maintaining and inspecting an organization’s financial records. They may work within the organization itself, or they may provide consulting services to several different organizations.

What do accountants do?

Accountants help manage an organization’s financial assets and records, which include point-of-sale records, inventories, department budgets, internal reports used for executive decision-making and external reports for both the government and investors. Accountants may also be involved in auditing an organization’s financial records to ensure that they are accurate.

Why should I consider a career in accounting?

If those activities appeal to you, you’ll be happy to know that accountants tend to have very good job security as well as higher-than-average salaries. Additionally, accountants tend to have high job satisfaction and US News and World Report ranks accounting as the sixth-best business job and the 14th-best STEM job.

How has technology impacted the role of the accountant?

With the advent of information systems and technology, the role of the accountant is changing. Many automated systems are now able to collect and compile the information that accountants typically handled manually. However, these systems have not decreased the need for accountants. In fact, technology has allowed accountants to provide additional benefits to businesses. With vast amounts of easily accessible data, accountants can work more quickly to provide organizations with insights as to how they can increase efficiency in their business operations.
Now, more accountants are taking a prominent strategic role in businesses, where they can provide expert opinions on business operations in addition to financial management services. This trend will continue as automated systems become more prevalent, and increased competition compels businesses to seek the assistance of those who truly understand the operational and financial inner workings of a company.

Why Your Support System Is Important for Your Success

Your social support system is a network of people you trust and look to for guidance. Our immediate support networks often include our family and friends, but students can also look to their classmates, professors and advisors for additional help.
College is the perfect time to develop meaningful relationships with new people and to strengthen the relationships you already have. You’ll face both big and small challenges throughout your academic and professional career, and it’s important to have people to lean on in times of need.
In addition to assistance in making friends and identifying new mentors, your support system can help you:
  • Handle difficult situations—When obstacles inevitably arise, we sometimes need a little help keeping our goals in perspective. The people in your support network will be there for you when you need to talk after a long day, or when you’re feeling overwhelmed with work, school or your other obligations. Supportive friends, family, professors and colleagues will celebrate your successes and help you learn from your failures, providing the encouragement that you need to meet each challenge with determination and a positive attitude.
  • Find needed resources—Your professors and advisors can be invaluable resources to you throughout your college career and after you graduate. With expertise in their respective fields, the faculty at your university can offer you sage career and academic advice. They can also help you develop your professional network, and may even be willing to write a recommendation letter for you in the future. Take advantage of your professors’ office hours and talk to them about your dreams, goals and challenges. They’ll help you figure out which steps you need to take to be successful, both academically and professionally.
  • Get motivated—Forming relationships with your classmates and your peers will help you stay engaged in your coursework and motivate you to succeed. If you are ever overwhelmed or struggling in school, the classmates in your support network will be willing to help you and offer their guidance, insight and strategies for success. You’ll benefit from working closely with others in your program and might even forge long-lasting friendships.
You might already have a network of friends and family that you rely on at home, but there are a few steps you can take to develop your support system at school:
  • Join a club or a campus organization. Clubs, athletics and volunteer organizations are great ways to meet people who have similar interests and goals as you. Becoming more involved on campus will also help you establish several different social support networks.
  • Start a study group for your class. Study groups hold you accountable to your academic work and are also an easy way to get to know the other students in your classes.
  • Refer a friend. In addition to making new friends at school, you can also support your current friends by referring them to a counselor or instructor at your school who can help them identify their career goals and find the program that meets their personal and professional needs.
Cultivating and maintaining a social support system will benefit you throughout each of your life’s endeavors. Support networks do more than offer a sense of community and belonging—they can also help you achieve academic and professional success.

Faculty Story: We are Possible

My name is Dee Dee Collette, and I am the Technology Program Chair for Herzing University Online and the Herzing-New Orleans campus. My job is a perfect fit, but the journey wasn’t always easy! I’d like to share my personal and professional story with you, and I hope that it is both an inspiration and a reminder that you are not alone in your challenges. With a little hard work, patience and determination, you can achieve great success!
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It was a crisp afternoon in February when I first walked through the doors of Herzing University in Madison, Wis. I sat down in the admissions office and said, “I want to enroll in the Computer Networking program. Yes, I know classes start on Monday, but I’m ready.”
Earlier that day, I had been overlooked for a promotion at work and that sparked my stubborn determination to make a change. At the time, I was the single parent of an awesome 3-year-old girl. I had been working as many hours as possible at a local department store trying to keep a roof over our head and food on our table. I wanted to make something of myself and had set my eyes on the store’s management training program. I volunteered for extra hours, stayed late and worked holidays in an attempt to work my way up. When I didn’t get the job, I knew there had to be something better in store for me. I also knew that I needed a degree to make it happen. I decided to enroll in Herzing’s IT program because the industry was growing quite rapidly and I felt that a career in technology would provide stability for my family and me.
The next few years, I spent many hours in the library, the bookstore, the park and the McDonald’s playland—anywhere my daughter could play safely nearby while I spread my books across the table to study. There were days that I had to choose between paying the electric bill and filling up the car with gas. I received several late notices on my apartment door. Sometimes, my daughter would get sick, or her daycare would close without notice, or my car would break down, and needless to say, my homework wasn’t always turned in on time. It wasn’t easy! My instructors were firm, yet understanding. My classmates quickly became like family, and I’ve remained lifelong friends with many of them. We studied together, struggled together and ultimately succeeded together.
I graduated in 2004 with my A.S. in Computer Networking and my B.S. in Business Technology Management. I later went on to complete my MBA in Technology Management at another institution. Since completing my degree, I’ve held a variety of different positions in business, information technology and higher education.
A year and a half ago, I had the awesome opportunity to join the faculty at Herzing, first as an adjunct instructor and later as the Technology Program Chair. I was excited to return to the place that had marked one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. I consider myself blessed to have the opportunity to help others overcome obstacles, discover their potential and obtain a degree that will change their lives and the lives of their families in the future.
I know how hard it can be, and I know that some days you will want to give up. I know it’s hard to keep pushing on when life seems to be weighing on you from all directions. However, I also know that it’s possible to succeed despite the obstacles. I know how incredible it feels to finish that degree and how empowering it is to take back control of your family’s future.
It’s easy to get caught up in what seems to be going wrong. It can be frustrating when things aren’t going the way you think it should. That being said, sometimes you’ve just got to pull on what I like to call your “stomping boots,” stand up, move forward and crush the obstacles that are in front of you. It may not be perfect.
It may not always be pretty. It definitely won’t be easy, but it can happen, and you’re the only one who can do it!
Dee Dee Collette is the Technology Program Chair for Herzing University Online and Herzing-New Orleans campus. She is a mother to a 10-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter, who is currently enrolled in Herzing’s business program. In her spare time, Dee Dee likes to play volleyball and also enjoys euchre, board games and trivia. Her personal mantras include: be proactive, not reactive; be approachable; be an awesome communicator; be organized; and, above all, enjoy what you do.
Faculty Story: We are Possible

Overcoming the Challenges of Re-Enrollment

Finishing your college degree after being away from school for months or years is difficult, especially when school is not your primary focus.
In fact, most adult learners returning to school say that employment is their top priority, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Family responsibilities are often a major factor as well.
That’s why students need an easier way to attain a degree and accelerate their career advancement while still concentrating on their full-time position and family. While there are several challenges to re-enrollment, the good news is that there are ways students can overcome those obstacles and earn the degree for which they’ve worked so hard.

Flexibility

It can be difficult to find an institution that is flexible about re-enrollment. Many schools will require students to re-take courses they’ve already completed in order to earn their degree. When searching for a transfer school, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the re-enrollment process. For instance, does the school:
  • Provide classes that are outside of traditional work hours?
  • Offer courses that don’t require you to commute to campus?
  • Give credit for professional experience?
These are questions you can ask that will help you select a school that caters to your needs and recognizes your accomplishments. After all, you shouldn’t have to put your life on hold in order to earn your degree.

Cost

Even if the upfront cost of re-enrollment doesn’t appear daunting, the real financial impact comes from the number of credits lost in the transfer process. For instance, if a school requires students to take various courses they’ve already completed, students will be shelling out money for something they’ve already learned. With the right institution, however, re-enrollment can be affordable. When looking at different schools, inquire about transfer credits and research your financial options, including everything from grants and loans to scholarships and student employment.

Adjusting

Re-enrolling in school can take some adjustment, especially if you’ve been out of the game for some time. This is why it’s also important to consider a school that will assist you as much as possible with that transition. Does it have student services that will help you achieve your academic goals despite your other priorities? After all, re-enrollment shouldn’t be daunting. Select a school that will make the transition process as smooth as possible.
Herzing University offers re-enrollment options that allow you to take advantage of career programs and flexible learning options that don’t uproot your life. The university also provides ways to achieve your academic goals without having to re-take unnecessary course work you’ve already completed. Herzing provides nontraditional pathways that give you the opportunity to earn your degree without career sacrifices.

What Are Paralegals And What Do They Do?

The most prominent positions in the legal field are obvious — lawyer and judge. But what about those who work behind the scenes to ensure that the lawyers are well-prepared for trial and that the evidence can hold up in court?
Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, serve an important function in legal proceedings. Paralegals provide support to the lawyer by assisting with research and preparing important legal documents. While they do not provide legal services or advise clients, paralegals play a vital role in helping lawyers and other members of the legal team be more effective in court.

What do paralegals do?

Paralegals help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, closings and meetings. Paralegals also help investigate the facts of a case and identify the laws, judicial decisions and legal articles that could be relevant to a particular case. In addition to preparatory work, paralegals draft important legal documents such as contracts, mortgages and separation agreements.

Where do paralegals work?

There are opportunities for paralegals in all areas of law, including family law, criminal law, labor law, litigation and more. While 70 percent of paralegals work for law firms, some paralegals are employed by the government or corporate legal departments.
There are three different types of paralegals:
  • Private sector paralegals work for law firms or corporations and often assist on projects relating to employee benefits plans, shareholder agreements, financial reporting, government labor regulations, government law and civil law
  • Public sector paralegals may work for government agencies at the community level, assisting with projects that help people who cannot otherwise afford legal services. Paralegals who work in litigation for a government agency might assist with file maintenance, policy research, preparation of explanatory documents and compiling data for agency hearings.  
  • Freelance paralegals provide short- or long-term services for lawyers, law firms or legal departments. They may work in a specialty area of the law or provide general assistance on various types of projects.

How much does a paralegal make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals/legal assistants earn an average salary of $54,500 per year ($26.20 per hour). Average pay will vary based on your education, place of employment and experience level.

How do I become a paralegal?

Most paralegals have a certificate or associate’s paralegal degree in legal studies, but some paralegals choose to advance their careers by pursuing their bachelor’s or master’s degree. At a minimum, law firms require an associate’s degree or a certificate in legal studies.
Herzing University offers several educational options, including on-campus paralegal/legal assisting programs in Atlanta and New Orleans, and an online paralegal/legal assisting program for students on other states. We also offer undergraduate degree options in legal studies to help you build a strong foundation in pre-law and become qualified for many job options in the field of law, including paralegal.
Graduates of either paralegal education program will be prepared to work as a paralegal in an organization’s legal department or at a legal firm. Some graduates also choose to continue to law school.
Although paralegals are not at the forefront of the action in the courtroom, they are highly valued members of the legal team. Many paralegals find their work both challenging and rewarding, and they enjoy being able to help their firm—and its clients—be successful.