Bringing education-related news and trends to the forefront of the conversation.

As previously reported, American jobs in 2012 are on the rise. The even better news is that full time jobs are seeing wage growth in certain cities. This is a great thing to hear considering the recently impacted job market.

The Pay Scale Index tracks the number of times that wages in the private sector have changed. While technology jobs have seen the most wage growth, jobs in construction or manufacturing have started to move in the same direction. The Pay Scale Index has indicated that 18 metro areas have seen some growth in wages. While the increases reported were not specific to any particular jobs it is a great indicator of things to come.

According to the Business Insider, here are the top 10 cities with the biggest wage growth over the past year:

#10 San Diego, Calif.

12-month change: 1.2% increase

#9 Atlanta, Ga.

12-month change: 1.3% increase

#8 Philadelphia, Pa.

12-month change: 1.3% increase

#7 St. Louis, Mo.

12-month change: 1.4% increase

#6 San Francisco, Calif.

12-month change: 1.4% increase

#5 Seattle, Wash.

12-month change: 1.6% increase

#4 Washington, D.C.

12-month change: 1.7% increase

#3 Chicago, Ill.

12-month change: 1.7% increase

#2 Miami, Fla.

12-month change: 1.8% increase

#1 Houston, Texas

12-month change: 2.2% increase

If you are on the move or looking for a new career maybe you should consider one of these top wage rated cities! At UniversityDecisions.com we encourage you to constantly seek academic and professional improvement. According to experts, the outlook for 2012 looks more optimistic than 2011 and will continue to improve. So take advantage of the improving job market and get the degree you have always wanted or make a career change you’ve been putting off.

“The whole is more than the sum of its parts.”

If Aristotle was alive today, he might make a pretty good career counselor. And likely the ancient Greek philosopher would say: you’ll have a better chance to land your dream job if you have a strong network, rather than trying to make head way as an individual.

Whether your plan is to go to college online or at a campus near you, you have the perfect opportunity to start building your career network now. From the students you meet to your instructors, you are being exposed to an array of professionals in a variety of industries. Leverage these experts to find out about job opportunities and get your foot in the door.

Benefits of Networking

Developing a professional network is key to your personal growth and career development. When you build a strong circle of peers, you gain immensely by sharing knowledge and receiving feedback. This is your chance to learn from others who have been down this road before. The end result will help you improve yourself, your opportunities and your reputation.

Networking Best Practices

• Get involved. Attend meetings, exhibitions, seminars and lectures, and mingle.

• Always have business cards on hand and exchange information with everyone.

• Network online through forums and social media sites.

• Develop your own group of professional advisors in your industry.

• Cross network. Expand your own network by meeting people in other networks.

• Promote yourself. Market your skills and talents. Let people know your career goals.

Social Media Networking

The creation of social media and the craze that has followed has made networking even more convenient. Online networking is a faster and more efficient way to make initial contact and increase your reach.

LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are all great places to make connections and learn about industry news, events and job opportunities. Go to these social media websites and create professional profiles, connect with the right people and promote your own services and abilities.

Twitter allows you to connect with people you don’t know. You can follow individuals, companies and groups. Linkedin allows you to connect to people you do know. It also allows you to view profiles of other LinkedIn users, and gives you options to connect to them. Facebook lets you connect to people you meet in your personal and professional lives. You can also connect to friends of friends.

No matter what networking method you decide to use, the bottom line is you need to get connected. You’ll have a better chance to land that dream job and find success if you operate with a strong network.

Begin forming new connections. Visit UniversityDecisions.com and explore your education options.

Looking for a career change but worried you may not be able to find a job? According to a recent study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Medical Assisting Services majors enjoy a whopping 99% employment rate. That means if you successfully complete a medical assisting degree or training program, your chances of finding a job are excellent!

The new report, aptly named What’s It Worth: The Economic Value of College Majors, analyzes 171 majors in 15 categories and tracks earnings by majors, according to a Center press release. Within the Health Care category, medical assisting services ranked in the top five majors with the highest employment rate, but also ranked high across the board.  According to the report, 77% of medical assisting services majors have careers applicable to their majors, steady work, and more options for part-time hours.

Want to learn more about what it takes to get into one of the most stable careers around? Read on to discover what the job entails, the training you need, and what you could expect to be paid.  

 About Medical Assisting

A medical assistant’s job varies depending on the location and size of a medical practice. Medical assistants are responsible for administrative tasks; in addition, they also perform clinical support functions. Clinical tasks given to medical assistants vary according to state laws. Typically, these include taking patients medical histories, recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations and even assisting doctors during examinations.

Full-time medical assistants typically work a Monday through Friday 40-hour work week, although certain offices may require some weekends or evenings hours. Medical assistant may also work part-time as well.

Training

Administrative-driven medical assistant positions often receive on-the-job training whereas clinical-focus medical assistants need to complete a career training, certification or associate’s degree program at a vocational school or career college. Career training, certification and associate’s degree programs offer training in patient care, office management and medical terminology. Many career colleges and vocational schools offer career training and certificate programs in specialized fields such as ophthalmology, optometry or podiatry.

Salaries for Medical Assisting Careers

Frequently medical assisting is considered entry-level in the medical industry. Salary varies by office, location, experience and education level. According to the Georgetown report, the median salary for medical assisting services majors is $56,000. Medical assistant can advance to a broad range of career paths. With further education, certification and experience, medical assistants can become nurses, outpatient medical caregivers, medical office managers and hospital administrators.

As the age demographic of the U.S. shifts with an increasing median age, the job prospects for medical assistants are excellent. The number of positions is projected to grow much faster than the national average of other careers. In fact, medical assisting is considered to be among the fastest growing skilled jobs from 2008 to 2018.

Want to learn more? Try out UniversityDecisions.com’s degree finder to request information from a school offering medical assisting services training programs.

While many of us will be enjoying a three-day Memorial Day weekend, UniversityDecisions.com hopes that you will take the opportunity to rest up, eat right, and consider the importance of recognizing your job’s impact on your health.

Work and Health
Work and personal health are inextricably linked. It is important to understand this relationship and what can be done to thrive personally and professionally.

Stress
Most people experience some form of job-related stress. Stress can cause colds, infections, emotional disorders, headaches and even cancer and heart disease.  If work (or unemployment) is stressful find ways to alleviate the stress and decompress. Organize and prioritize to eliminate frustration at work. Outside the office engage in enjoyable activities, meditate, or seek counseling.

Sleep
Circadian rhythm is the “internal body clock” that regulates the (approximately) 24-hour cycle of biological processes in living things. Disruption of the circadian rhythm is usually related to not getting enough sleep and can result in fatigue and irritability. Do not neglect needed rest. Without proper sleep the body (and more importantly mind) cannot function properly.

Diet
Maintaining a well-balanced diet is important. Nutrition is fuel. Let’s begin with breakfast – coffee alone, or even with a donut, is not a healthy way to start the work day. Even if you can only manage a few bites never go without some nourishment. Most likely you haven’t eaten in over eight hours and deprivation is not conducive to efficiency.

Every system in your body depends on water. Try to drink the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

As for lunch, eating out is okay, as long as you make good choices. Fast food is not an acceptable option more than once a week. Try brown bagging – it will save your waistline and wallet.  And don’t eat at your desk! Even if you cannot take a full break, leave your work station. A break is good for you.

In terms of alcoholic beverages a glass of red wine or beer in moderation is fine but don’t overindulge. Excessive drinking is terrible for your health and career.

Work Area
Do you have a physically demanding job or do you sit in a chair all day? If you are the first type don’t over exert yourself and remember to be safe. If you are in the latter category get up every once in a while. Stretch or take a walk outside.

Do you have an ergonomic workstation? If not, work with your employer to modify your area. Not taking care of this can lead to physical injuries. Similarly, if you work in front of a computer all day be careful not to strain your eyes. They need to be minded, just like the other parts of the body.

Here’s what you can do to maintain your health and manage your career.

Get regular check-ups. Schedule a yearly physical exam and don’t shy away from discussing any issues with your doctor. Also review your family’s history. There may be some preexisting conditions you need to be aware of. Be cognizant of illnesses that run in the family and take preventative measures to promote longevity.

Take a multivitamin everyday. You are most likely not getting the required amount through food and drink so take supplements.

Move around. Everyone requires 30-minutes of physical exertion a day—minimum! If you don’t like the gym stay exercise through dance, running up and down the stairs, walking outside, anything to get your body moving and heart pumping.

Talk to HR. If health issues are negatively affecting your work speak with a human resources professional. They can discuss your options and offer solutions.

Strive for a proper work-life balance. This is the best way to stay healthy and happy at home, and on the job!!!

Whether you need to hone your communication skills to advance your career, are planning on going back to college, or happen to be in-between jobs- mastering verbal and written communication can help you get ahead.

To enhance your verbal and written communication proficiency you must master the Seven C’s of Communication: Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete and Courteous.

Clear – Your communication must be understandable and not ambiguous. It should not be difficult to interpret. Communication that is not straightforward is not effective.

Concise – Being concise is not simply an issue of length, but also of clarity. Keep your communication crisp and to the point. Remove anything that does not contribute to the communication’s purpose.

Concrete – The information you are conveying should be specific and accurate, never vague.

Correct – Spelling, grammar, punctuation and format must be right. Always keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy.

Coherent – Eloquence is the goal. Be sure your communication is logical and consistent, expressive, but not irrational. Be cognizant of how your communication flows. Your presentation must make sense.

Complete – Comprehensive communication is essential. Necessary details must not be omitted.

Courteous – Stay positive and proper. Use appropriate language.

A final critical tip to advance your communication dexterity is to be a good listener. To be an effective listener you must be; attentive, encouraging, focused, silent, non-disruptive, and aware of cues and body language (when directly communicating with someone). Lastly, remember to ask meaningful questions and provide feedback.

An excellent way to add an extra oomph to your communication skills is to take a class! Taking courses-whether online or in the classroom- involves communication with instructors and other students. This can be great practice!

Here’s a great resource if you’d like to take communication classes. If you’re more interested in putting your communication skills to the test in other areas, use UniversityDecisions.com’s degree finder for other study areas.