Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Targeted Training
- Accredited Degree Programs
- Online Certificate Programs
- Online Doctoral Programs
- Online Degree Programs
- Online Masters Degree
Many working adults are at a point in their career where experience alone will not allow them to advance any further. They are excellent workers, but their education level is not high enough to push them up to the next rung on the ladder. For many people, getting a college degree is the answer. This is always a good idea, and will almost always pay off. But, going the whole nine yards for a degree is not always necessary. For almost any career path out there, specialized career training is available that will give you the advanced skills you need to advance while letting you complete the training in as short a time as possible.
Career training courses are almost the same as college degree programs. The big difference is that the training programs are targeted towards a specific skill, while the degree programs are very broad. This means that instead of requiring the student to take language, humanities, general math, and history classes, all training will be geared specifically towards the certification topic. This might not be the best course to take when looking for general business skills. However, when you want to advance in IT, graphic design, project management, Six Sigma, finance, health care, or any of a number of specific categories, these training programs are perfect.
When one of these training programs is complete, the student receives a certificate of completion. The programs are offered at most colleges and universities, so there is no concern about the legitimacy of the certification. The certificates might not represent as much study as a full college degree, but when coupled with work experience, they show the student to be a master of his chosen field. Truly ambitious students will go for a college degree first and then attend one or more career training programs to hone their expertise. Learning new skills is always beneficial. The more you know, the more you are qualified to do, the more valuable you will be to your employer. This means that you are more likely to be considered for that promotion, and are more likely to be safe should a round of layoffs occur.
Career training programs are available in many forms. Most traditional colleges and universities have career training departments. The classes are often geared towards working adults and are held in the evening or on weekends. If the student prefers a classroom environment, this is a great path to take. For students who want to learn from home, more and more online programs are being developed and made available all the time. These programs offer the same training opportunities, but deliver them in a different format. Many working adults have enough trouble juggling work and family responsibilities. Trying to add school can be very difficult. Online programs give you a chance to stay home to complete the classes on your own time.
Education is important. The lack of education is what might be standing in the way of you and a lucrative promotion. With the profusion of certificate programs available, you are running out of excuses to continue delaying your education.
Making Money as a Genealogist
People that enter the field of professional genealogy do so because they are drawn to the work that is done and because there is a high demand in this field. However, everyone that is involved or wants to become involved in professional genealogy wonders what he or she will do to actually make a living. They wonder what they will end up doing on a day-to-day basic to make ends meet and pay for their education. There are several ways for a genealogist to make money in this high market for family history. Many professional genealogists also function in more capacities than just one, drawing income from several places. Here is a synopsis of several different ways current professional genealogists make their living.
One thing you can do is conduct genealogical research for others. When people decide they would like to find out more about their own family history, they often have no idea where to start. Also, without access to local history in the area they are researching, they are at a loss. There will always be a market for researchers with solid knowledge of local sources.
You could also do research for asset recovery firms and heir tracers. When people lose track of their relatives before their death, the estate they leave behind will be unclaimed. Recovery firms try to match unclaimed estates, stocks, bonds and real estate with the rightful heirs. They do this by doing research death certificates, more recent census schedules, city directories, phone books, probates, obituaries, land records, cemetery files and any other record that may divulge biographical information and prove relationships to locate the nearest living relative.
Another outlet for a professional genealogist is to write family history articles and books and enter the world of genealogical publishing. There are more than 30 book-publishing companies and four magazines in the field. Also, with this demand there will be a need for editors, designers, marketers and other publishing jobs that will require a background in genealogy.
There are an estimated 2,000 genealogical societies in the United States. All of these societies are looking for new people to discuss new topics with the members. These societies will usually pay a fee to a lecturer. However, it might be beneficial to start on a smaller circuit with Lions Clubs and church groups to get practice in public speaking on your particular subject area expertise.
Teaching classes in genealogy at local colleges and universities is a steady form of income. This growing field has students interested in many subtopics in the field of genealogy and therefore, the need for teachers in these fields are also growing.
Lastly, you could work as an archivist, librarian or society administrator. These jobs are located within local libraries, university libraries, museums and even the National Archives. Certain genealogical societies also have paid positions in management that require a background in genealogy as well.
This is just a few of the ways to get paid in the field of genealogy. There are other positions and income producing work that can be done. This work is rewarding, but professional genealogists work hard so they can do what they love to do.