Should I become an accountant? That\’s a question that may have crossed your mind when considering your future and it\’s not surprising why. As the accountant, you are the literal bottom line in any company. It is your meticulous record keeping, innate understanding of tax laws and regulations, and attention to every financial detail that will keep your company working efficiently toward a profit. The term Accountant covers a broad span of career options, including bookkeepers, financial examiners, internal auditors, and tax preparers. While various certifications and job responsibilities may vary according to your specific position, the path to becoming an accountant is similar.

According to O*NET online statistics, accountants usually work full-time. Even part-time accounting positions will require extra working hours at tax time and around other important fiscal calendar dates. While most accounting professionals do work in an office environment, modern technology has made it possible for many professional accountants to set their own hours and work from home. This makes accounting a great profession for anyone who wants to work to their full potential.

The following tips on how to become an accountant can help you to prepare for a rewarding and lucrative career.

Hone your mathematical and organization skills: Mathematical acumen and a penchant for organization is an important factor in becoming a successful accountant. You will be expected to keep meticulous records and time is always of the essence. Your employer may need you to provide a specific report, proof of payment or an employee’s payroll history on the spot. Your organizational skills are key to working responsibly and efficiently.

Graduate from High School: The majority of employers  require their accountants to have a high school diploma or a GED. If you are currently a high school student, make a concentrated effort to excel in your math classes to show prospective employers you are good with numbers and figures. Also, register for any available accounting-oriented classes to gain as much experience as possible.

Pursue an accounting degree: Nearly 80 percent of professional accountants have a bachelor’s degree. While there are a few exceptions, an accounting degree is required by most employers. Even if you are able to obtain a position without your degree, continued education will be important for receiving important promotions and for making your way up the pay scale. If you are already working in the field of accounting, or have another full-time job, consider pursuing your online accounting degree.

How long does it take to get an accounting degree: The length of time you take to get a degree can vary between 2 years and several depending on the level of degree and how much time you are able to devote to study. At Bryant & Stratton College, we offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting. Our online degree programs are flexible and can be integrated into your existing work schedule.

Land an entry-level accounting position: Obtaining an entry-level accounting or bookkeeping position is the best way to know whether or not accounting is the right career for you. In addition to honing your skill sets, you will be able to get an idea of the variety of job positions available to you once you complete your degree. Your work experience, combined with an accounting degree, will make you a more desirable candidate for future employers. If you are currently working in an entry-level accounting position, you may be able to use that experience for your Internship/Capstone requirements as part of your degree program.

Continue your education and certifications: There are a wide range of certifications available to accountants, especially those pursuing niche areas of accounting such as certified internal auditors, certified public accountants (CPAs) or certified management accountants. These certifications will enhance your education and may qualify you for higher-level positions in your field.

If you are interested in learning more about how the academic programs in accounting at Bryant & Stratton College prepare you for an accounting career, visit www.bryantstratton.edu to learn more.

College. Finally. You are here. You are ready. But, you have no idea what to major in. Study what you enjoy? Learn the job that will make you the most money? Enroll in the shortest degree program?

Brooke Urban, senior academic success coach for Bryant & Stratton Online, says first year students do not need to panic. Have no idea what you want to do? Take a career aptitude test. There are several versions available online, for free.

These tests ask you general questions regarding how interested you are in working with different items such as computer, food, animals; your interest in working with numbers versus people and how much you enjoy reading and writing. Many of the assessments not only help you narrow what you enjoy doing but what you are good at doing as well. The questionnaires are not a fool-proof way to pick the perfect job, but they can definitely help you narrow the field to a few choices. Check out these free quizzes: http://www.yourfreecareertest.com/ http://www.whatcareerisrightforme.com/career-aptitude-test.php http://www.assessment.com/

Urban says most students arrive at campus with at least a general idea of what they would like to study. Another way to help narrow the job search, is to look at the job market.

“What is available in their area? What degree do they need to have to get that position,” she said.

Students who are not interested in moving from their current town should especially take the local job market into consideration. Find out what the local businesses are that interest you. And, if you’ve lived in an area your entire life, take a deeper look. You may think you know all the hotspots. But, a lot of small towns are home to some big businesses that the locals never notice right under their nose. Once you do choose that major, still do not panic. You are never locked in.

Urban said most first semester students take general education requirements that are required for every major as well as one class for their major.

“This way, they can get a look at what the major is about and if they want to switch they can after their first semester,” she said.

Still can’t decide? Thinking about taking several different courses for several different majors that first semester, just to get a good look around? Don’t. Urban said you will end up spending a lot of money for courses that will not transfer into your program. The most important factor in choosing a major? Pick something you like to do.

“It is definitely important to find something you have interest in and/or are passionate about. I am horrible in math, so studying accounting wouldn’t be a good choice for me. I am a people person, so I like to work with people. Picking a career or major where I would be working alone would not be a good fit. So it is very important to get to know yourself and thinking about what fits your personality and your drive,” she said.

Standing out during the job search can take a little work. For decades and decades one of the standard ways job seekers made a good first impression and shared key employability skills has been the cover letter. But, are cover letters necessary?

At the the inaugural “Job Ready or Not?” event, hosted by Bryant & Stratton College Online, leading HR and hiring managers from top companies discussed how this is a tricky area for job seekers because there is not a right or wrong answer. It really comes down to knowing the company you are applying to and what they prefer. Some larger companies that use automatic screening tools skip the cover letter completely and focus efforts on finding the right keywords on a resume to move candidates forward in the process.

At Large Companies “I don\’t really see the value in cover letters anymore, or at least not as much as I used to,” said Heather Tinguely, Program Manager of Global Talent Labs at Microsoft. “Many companies [including Microsoft] just store the resume itself and either discard the cover letter or only search the CVs.” Ms. Tinguely’s advice is to make sure that whatever is included in your cover letter is also represented in the your resume. That way when hiring managers are searching your resume they are not missing out on key information.

At Small Companies But, some smaller companies still value cover letters as a way to gauge the strength of a candidate. Heather Huhman, founder and president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies, said that she still looks at candidates’ cover letters before their resumes. When she advises people on their cover letters she encourages them to tell a story. “I say, ‘Tell me at least two accomplishment stories that are relevant to [the employer]. Tell me the situation, the action you took, and the results of those actions, and really relate them to the company and the position,\” said Ms. Huhman.

Know Your Industry The ultimate answer to the question of “cover letter or not?” is truly knowing the company as well as your own industry. Jessica Lee, Director of Digital Talent for Marriott International said that she put a lot of value in cover letters when she was recruiting for PR or communications positions. “I needed to know that you could write, and write really well. So a cover letter was super important to me,” said Ms. Lee.

An Opportunity to Explain Ms. Lee also added that cover letters can be a great way to explain any blips in your career path, like an extended absence from the professional world. \”What if you haven\’t worked in 10 years? Maybe [a cover letter] is also an opportunity to begin filling in some of the gaps and explaining things that aren\’t really apparent,” said Ms. Lee. So as you are out there applying for jobs, stop and consider where the job is, your particular industry and the job requirements (if strong writing skills are important to the position then definitely include a cover letter) to determine whether a cover letter is necessary or not. Bryant & Stratton College Online is dedicated to helping students improve their employability skills and become job ready. Through outcomes-based education and career training, Bryant & Stratton College Online helps students learn the technical skills as well as the soft skills they’ll need to be successful in a career.

If you are interested in learning more about the online degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College Online, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Technology related jobs are often considered to be only a “young person’s” game. While there is some truth to the under-lying preference for younger workers in at tech companies, there are still plenty of opportunities for older adults interested in IT security training or earning a computer networking degree.

If you are passionate about technology, love to learn and don’t mind working your way up, a career in technology could be a good fit. Too often older adults are scared off from the field because they are intimidated by competing with younger colleagues or unsure of their ability to learn new technology. But, older adults have advantages over the newest generation of employees. If you are thinking about changing careers into a tech field, here are a few ideas to take under consideration.

If an older worker loves to learn new things, then technology is a great fit. New developments are taking place in technology all the time, which means tech professionals need to be constantly learning. Workers who are older need to keep their skills fresh, especially as younger employees who are “natives” of the new technology rise up into the workforce. These younger people may even be a good resource. When considering earning a computer networking degree, asking for help from younger classmates is a great way to kickoff a lifetime of learning.

While older workers will have to compete with younger employees for jobs, they can use their work history to their advantage. Older workers have been in the workplace longer so often understand how an office works. Companies can benefit from an older employees knowledge on project management best practices or efficiencies. Experienced workers should be careful to not act entitled, as this may give employers or hiring managers the idea that the person is overqualified for the job.

In addition to more experience, older works often have had a longer time to develop the soft skills employers demand today. Critical thinking, creative problem solving and strong verbal and written communication skills are characteristics many employers search for in a new hire. Older adults can leverage these soft skills to make the case for being hired or getting a promotion. A good first step for anyone looking to change careers and get into a tech field is to earn a degree.

Bryant & Stratton offers an information security degree, computer networking degree, as well as several other online degree programs. If you are interested in learning more, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

If you are interested in working in hospitality, you are probably someone who enjoys working with and serving others. Job opportunities include a wide range of possibilities all the way from clerical and administration positions, to customer service, sales, finance, and management careers. As a hospitality specialist, your goal is to ensure your company runs smoothly and profitably while providing clients with the ultimate customer service experience.

At Bryant & Stratton College, students who pursue an AAS in Hospitality Management are provided with the well-rounded classes, skills, and experiences necessary to excel in their chosen career field. Here are five examples of real-world jobs in hospitality you can obtain with your degree, as well as the projected job growth. Career opportunity statistics are provided courtesy of O*Net Online.

This is an extremely important position in any motel, hotel, or resort as you are the front line of the company. It’s your face, demeanor, and attitude that makes the first impression on guests and perspective clients. Your job responsibilities include answering phones and entering client information into the data system, as well as general business administration and ensuring guests’ concerns and requests are handled efficiently. Anticipated job growth for these positions is higher than average.

A hotel night auditor shares similar duties to a front desk receptionist and information clerk. In addition to making reservations, taking customer payments, and ensuring the guests’ needs are taken care of, the night auditor is also responsible for organizing the daily bookkeeping transactions, as well as any other accounting responsibilities that are required by the establishment. Job growth for night auditors is higher than average.

The front-line food preparation manager is responsible for ensuring the overall quality, flavor, and presentation of food prepared in the kitchen, while overseeing inventory, cost management, and the training of kitchen staff. You also handle any customer complaints that arise and are expected resolve them effectively. Anticipated job growth for front-line food service managers is average.

The front-line manager of food servers is responsible for hiring and training the food service and wait-staff. In this position you will be responsible for ensuring the dining room is set and ready for service and that food service remains consistent. It’s also your responsibility to address and resolve customer complaints. Anticipated job growth is average.

Just as the front-line manager of food service is responsible for the kitchen staff and food preparation, food service managers oversee the front of the house. You work hand-in-hand with head chef and front-line food service manager(s) to create menus, control portion sizes, and ensure customer satisfaction. The food service manager is also responsible for making sure the dining areas are in compliance with current health and safety codes. You will create employee schedules, oversee payroll expenses, and assist the kitchen managers with inventory and food cost issues. The projected job growth for food service managers is slower than average.

To learn more about the Hospitality Programs at Bryant & Stratton College, fill out this short form to have one of our admissions representatives contact you.

A new feature we are going to unveil on our blog will take a look at different articles that offer job search resources, employability and college tips. These posts will give you advice from experts around the field, allowing you to take you job search to the next level or even to help ace that next exam. You’ll be able to find these job source resources and more on our Twitter account, so be sure to follow along there so you don’t miss a thing.

4 Job Search Excuses That Just Don’t Cut It – US News & World Report The job search process can often be arduous and downright frustrating. Don’t let hurdles keep you from your dream job and use these pieces of advice from US News & World Report to make sure you aren’t using excuses to stall your search.

Was I Right to Refuse This Job Offer? – Forbes Not every job will be right for you. In fact, you may find yourself in a tough situation of turning down a job offer after going in to interview. This article gives some great advice for that tricky situation.

7 Social Media Mistakes Job Seekers Must Avoid – CIO.com Sarah White of CIO.com offers up some terrific advice on making sure your social media profiles don’t cost you an interview or even an important call back.

Don’t Conduct a Job Search, Conduct a Company Search – Forbes An interesting article on the importance of researching and vetting the companies you may be applying with, not just jobs. As the article notes, this won’t just show you’ve done your research before an interview but it will make sure you’re applying for positions where you’ll fit the culture and attitude of the company.

How to Use Social Media to Boost Your Online Employability – OnRec.com More advice on ensuring your social media footprint compliments your job search; this time OnRec, The Online Recruitment Resource, shares tips. The most interesting point made is on using social media to stand out through innovative practices.

What Should I Wear to a Job Interview – Plus Model Magazine Unsure if you have the proper attire in your wardrobe to impress at your next interview? Give this a read to make sure you have what it takes to raise eyebrows during your job search.

 Ask Matt: Are The Job Search Basics Still The Same? – StarTribune An advice column from the Minnesota Star-Tribune touches on some interesting and important topics related to resumes. This will be a great read for anyone who has been out of the job search game for some time.

 7 Ways to Take Control of Your Job Search – LinkedIn.com LinkedIn’s Sarah Haydt runs through a comprehensive list of tips that will help boost any job search. Her note on posting your updated resume to job boards is a particularly helpful piece of advice.

The Information Technology field is wide and varied, as are IT careers and what they pay.

And best of all, the field is expanding. According the federal government, the number of available jobs is rising every year, faster than most other fields.

A new graduate of Bryant & Stratton College’s Networking Technology or Security Technology associate’s degree programs will likely begin their career manning the IT desk at a company. There, they keep the computer systems running and help other employees who do not have extended IT background, fix any problems they experience using the system.

These jobs often mean working odd hours, weekends and holidays since the computer systems need to be on and functioning 24 hours a day:

The great benefit to growing a career in information technology is that there is plenty of room in the IT career path to move upward.

More experience and more time in the classroom can quickly lead to more responsibility and better pay. IT techs can often move on to work with a company’s database, become responsible for protecting the company from cyberattacks as an information security analyst or write code to create software programs. Each of these positions comes with a substantial rise in pay. Some examples of these jobs include:

Experts in the IT field who earn a doctoral degree can earn coveted positions as computer and information research scientists, a field whose median pay is roughly $100,000 a year, according to the US. Department of Labor.

Each of the IT jobs researched by the Department of Labor is growing faster than other careers. The department also reports that employees who put in the time to master the field will do well. Many of the available jobs in IT go unfilled because employers have a hard time finding workers with the skills needed for the position.

Basic facts for Computer and Information Technology, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (for 2015, the last available data)

Job Title: Computer Support Specialist

Median Pay: $ 51,470 per year ($24.75 per hour)

Number of jobs: 766,900

Rate of job growth: 12 percent

What will you study: Education requirements for IT jobs differ depending on the job. Entry level positions may only require applicants to hold an associate’s degree. Large software companies and more technical positions may require a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience.

Growth Opportunities: The nature of the IT business is changing technology. Because of this, many computer support specialists continue their education through their entire career. Also, more experience, more exposure to different systems and the ability to master the technology means employees can advance through the rank, even without an advanced degree.

Professional Resources: To learn more about careers in information technology, check out these professional associations. Each of these organizations can help you find information, connect with mentors and research job opportunities.

Do the courses you took during military training count toward your civilian degree?

The short answer is, maybe.

For military members who are working toward earning a degree, the first step to military college credit transfer is to request a joint service transcript. Members of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines can visit this DOD site and follow the step by step process to order their transcript (PDF).

While there are no limits to the number of transcripts you can order and have delivered to schools electronically, transcripts printed and delivered by the postal service are limited to two every 30 days.

Air Force members must request their transcript from the Community College of the Air Force. You can find that request form at this official site.

Individual schools do not determine what credits on those transcripts transfer to a civilian degree.

Instead, the American Council on Education evaluates every single course offered by every branch of the military. The organization sends professors from different colleges to sit through the military course and evaluate it.

The process takes time. And, in the last decade the military has re-aligned many of the MOS descriptions, and the accompanying course structures. Those new courses have yet to be evaluated and have no credit associated with them that can be transferred.

“It’s a lengthy process to quantify military training experience, put it into correct language and validate it so colleges will accept it,” explained Ed Dennis, Military and Corporate Relations Manager with Bryant & Stratton College.

Veterans should keep in mind that if they are studying for a degree that is different from their MOS, most likely, very few of their military college credits will count for their degree.

The smartest way to reduce your out of pocket expense is to not rely on transfer credits, but instead, to use the GI Bill, Dennis said.  Military members who know they are getting out should begin working on their college degree while still in uniform. That way they are using funds from the tuition assistance program instead of dipping into the money the GI Bill allots them.

Many students can complete up to two years of their degree by following this plan.

Once they leave the military behind, the GI Bill may pay the remainder of the bill for their degree program.

Dennis said making a plan early on, before you leave the military, will help you earn that degree and spend less of your own money doing it.

The upcoming transition to ICD-10 is a hot topic in the healthcare community. Learn more about the transition and how Bryant & Stratton is preparing Medical Reimbursement and Coding degree students for this change.

If you’re a student earning an associates degree in medical billing and coding, then you’ve probably heard about a big change on the horizon. The field is abuzz about the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. ICD stands for International Classification of Disease and is a United Nations-sponsored World Health Organization standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes.

This guide sets the standard for how professional medical coders assign alphanumeric code(s) to a patient’s record. ICD-10 refers to two classifications, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). ICD-10-CM will replace ICD-9-CM volumes 1 and 2 and be used to report diagnoses in all clinical settings. The other update, ICD-10-PCS, is the procedure code group that is for inpatient hospital procedures and will replace ICD-9-CM Volume 3.

The ICD-10 implementation may hit seasoned professionals harder than individuals who are just entering the field. The codes for diagnoses and procedures are both changing with the new system, so professionals who have memorized codes may find themselves referencing guidelines more often than they are accustomed to now. Chris Schenk is a certified ICD-10 trainer and has already trained many people on the new guidelines.

“People think it’s a big scary monster,” said Mr. Schenk. “But, if you can read guidelines, look up words, correlate information, you can do ICD-10.”

Today, the U.S. is one of the last countries of its economic size to still be using ICD-9, guidelines that were created over 30 years ago. Because ICD-9 was developed so long ago, it does not reflect current medical technology and intelligence, which limits how many details can be included in a record. ICD-10 increases this ability to allow for the capture of more specific diagnoses. In the new guidelines there will be approximately 70,000 codes, an increase from the 15,000 codes in ICD-9. ICD-10 also has the ability to accommodate future changes in medical technology or know-how, making it adaptable for future needs.

The ICD-10 transition date has recently been extended and will not take effect until December 31, 2015. Still, Mr. Schenk and many professional medical and coding associations encourage individuals to learn ICD-10 ahead of the new implementation. Mr. Schenk’s advice is simple.

“Get educated and read the new guidelines,” he said.

For new coders, he suggests verifying that degree programs include a background in anatomy, physiology and medical terminology before enrolling in them. Bryant & Stratton College’s associate’s degree in medical reimbursement and coding is currently teaching ICD-10 to all newly enrolled students so graduates are prepared for the upcoming transition.

If you are interested in learning more about the degrees Bryant & Stratton offers in the medical field, particularly an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

The upcoming transition to ICD-10 is a hot topic in the healthcare community. Learn more about the transition and how Bryant & Stratton is preparing Medical Reimbursement and Coding degree students for this change.

If you’re a student earning an associates degree in medical billing and coding, then you’ve probably heard about a big change on the horizon. The field is abuzz about the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. ICD stands for International Classification of Disease and is a United Nations-sponsored World Health Organization standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes.

This guide sets the standard for how professional medical coders assign alphanumeric code(s) to a patient’s record. ICD-10 refers to two classifications, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS). ICD-10-CM will replace ICD-9-CM volumes 1 and 2 and be used to report diagnoses in all clinical settings. The other update, ICD-10-PCS, is the procedure code group that is for inpatient hospital procedures and will replace ICD-9-CM Volume 3.

The ICD-10 implementation may hit seasoned professionals harder than individuals who are just entering the field. The codes for diagnoses and procedures are both changing with the new system, so professionals who have memorized codes may find themselves referencing guidelines more often than they are accustomed to now. Chris Schenk is a certified ICD-10 trainer and has already trained many people on the new guidelines.

“People think it’s a big scary monster,” said Mr. Schenk. “But, if you can read guidelines, look up words, correlate information, you can do ICD-10.”

Today, the U.S. is one of the last countries of its economic size to still be using ICD-9, guidelines that were created over 30 years ago. Because ICD-9 was developed so long ago, it does not reflect current medical technology and intelligence, which limits how many details can be included in a record. ICD-10 increases this ability to allow for the capture of more specific diagnoses. In the new guidelines there will be approximately 70,000 codes, an increase from the 15,000 codes in ICD-9. ICD-10 also has the ability to accommodate future changes in medical technology or know-how, making it adaptable for future needs.

The ICD-10 transition date has recently been extended and will not take effect until December 31, 2015. Still, Mr. Schenk and many professional medical and coding associations encourage individuals to learn ICD-10 ahead of the new implementation. Mr. Schenk’s advice is simple.

“Get educated and read the new guidelines,” he said.

For new coders, he suggests verifying that degree programs include a background in anatomy, physiology and medical terminology before enrolling in them. Bryant & Stratton College’s associate’s degree in medical reimbursement and coding is currently teaching ICD-10 to all newly enrolled students so graduates are prepared for the upcoming transition.

If you are interested in learning more about the degrees Bryant & Stratton offers in the medical field, particularly an associate’s degree in medical billing and coding, call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Paralegal studies are an ideal path to a successful law career. For some, becoming a legal secretary or paralegal is the destination point. For others, it is an opportune starting place to work their way through law school. Either way, in order to learn the skill sets necessary to work competently in one of the most competitive career fields, it is imperative that you get the right combination of practical, theoretical, and technical training so you are adequately prepared for your future job.

At Bryant & Stratton College, we offer an associate Degree in Paralegal Studies with the goal of preparing students for a career in law. When our students graduate from the program, they are fully qualified and prepared to enter multiple paralegal career options such as:

According to the US Census Bureau, these careers have median salaries higher than average, making them appealing to both continuing and returning students. In order to stand out among the field of applicants, make sure your paralegal studies include a foundation of law and ethics, comprehensive practical and theoretical classes, as well as relevant hands-on training so you have a clear understanding of your legal strengths and interests.

Comprehensive Course Listings. In most cases, students who begin their paralegal studies have only a nominal understanding of the law. It is important the program you attend offers a wide variety of courses so you are exposed to many legal facets. Your courses should cover everything from the fundamentals of ethics and legal research, to more specific classes such as:

Through these courses, you will not only gain the education you need to begin working for a legal practice, you will also develop a deeper understanding of where your interests lie as you begin to prepare for your practicum and/or internship(s).

Real World Practicum. While fundamental book learning and lectures are important to learn the ABCs of law, it isn’t until you have the opportunity to put your learning to use that you will understand where your strengths lie, what aspect of law suits you, and where you envision yourself beginning a career. At Bryant & Stratton College, we ensure each of our students in the paralegal studies program has the opportunity to gain real-world internship experience in an area that interests them. During your internship, you will be supervised both academically and professionally to ensure you have the support you need to be successful.

Once you have successfully completed your paralegal studies program, you will have a deeper understanding of the ethical considerations for legal professionals, set by the American Bar Association. Additionally, you will be prepared to become certified by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).

Shakespeare once wrote, “good counselors lack no clients.” Here at Bryant & Stratton, we know that good counselors require superb legal assistants and support staff. Our Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science Degree program will prepare you to become a superb legal professional.

Please contact the admissions office at Bryant & Stratton College for more information about our paralegal studies program. You will be one step closer to achieving your academic and professional goals.

My four-year-old asked me how snakes hear. When I said I didn’t know, she said “Can we look it up on the internet?”

I was proud of her question, even though I have no interest in learning about snakes, because it showed information literacy.

Many people think the term literacy refers only to the ability to read. However, literacy means knowledge. Another way to think of it is competency. Therefore, information literacy means knowing how to access information.

My daughter, at four, already knows that we can look things up on the internet that we don’t know. She even guessed that there would be a video about it. Information Literacy is one of the workplace capabilities listed on all supplemental syllabi. Our Virtual Library has a large amount of academic sources. Learning how to navigate it will not only help you locate academic sources for assignments, it will help you become more familiar with the databases your local library will have.

Using these databases and other credible sources will help you stay current with trends in your field and also be an informed in your community. There is nothing more powerful than being able to research a hotly debated issue and arrive at a conclusion without being swayed by inaccurate information. Another powerful skill is technology literacy. This means learning how to use technology such as software programs and programs particular to a field. It also means a basic understanding of technology to allow for greater ease with new versions of software, for example.

Students at Bryant & Stratton College will develop technology literacy through navigating Blackboard, Outlook and the eportfolio, among other programs and websites. One of the first courses new students will take is INFT 123 Computing Skills, which is focused on learning Microsoft Office. Technology literacy also involves basic troubleshooting skills.

For example if a website is not working, you would first check to make sure your internet connection was working. Then you might try a different browser, or check for needed updates on your computer. These simple steps involve an understanding of troubleshooting that is essential in any field, as well as daily life. In each of your courses you will hone your skills, and will be able to articulate your knowledge to a potential employer. In fact, information literacy can help you locate job listings. Technology literacy will give you the skills to prepare your resume and navigate an online system for job applications.

When you graduate from Bryant & Stratton College, you will be prepared for success professionally and personally!