How do you make over $60,000 a year with 2 years of school? Be a dental hygienist.

Are you a good fit to be a dental hygienist?

• Do you have really great teeth?
• Do you want to teach others how to have really great teeth?
• Does the idea of staring at teeth and gums all day appeal to you in a strange way?

How do I become a dental hygienist?
The bad news is you definitely need a degree to be a dental hygienist but the good news is that you can choose from many different types of degrees. Some dental hygienists obtain an associate’s degree, while some get a bachelor’s degree and some very motivated people get a master’s degree.

So what degree should you get? It depends on what you want to do. According to the U.S. Department of Labor:

A minimum of an associate’s degree or certificate or diploma in dental hygiene is generally required for practice in a private dental office. A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.

You also need to be licensed in your state in order to work as a dental hygienist. The requirements vary by state so be sure to check out your individual states’ Dental Hygienists’ Association. To get an idea, you can check out California’s requirements here. 

What do dental hygienists do?
Many people wonder what the difference is between a dental assistant and dental hygienist. A dental hygienist has a lot more training, which leads to a lot more responsibility, which (hopefully) leads to a lot more pay. Some common duties a dental hygienist performs are:

• Clean and polish teeth, including removing stains and plaque
• Examine patients’ teeth and gums
• Teach patients about oral health
• Administer anesthetics (in some states)

What is the average salary for dental hygienists?
According to Salary.com the average salary for dental hygienists is $64,341.

Helpful dental hygienist links
Dental Hygiene Programs by State 
American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Do you still need help finding a school to become a dental hygienst?  Check out College Directory Network for schools near you that offer dental hygiene degrees.  

Is being a dental hygienist not for you?  Check out the rest of the EdSoup fast track series.

Be a dental assistant in one year or less

Are you a good fit to be a dental assistant?

• Do you have a thing for teeth?  
• No, really… could you look in mouths all day, every day?
• Do you have a knack for putting people at ease?

Yes, yes, and yes? Then this article is for you!

How do I become a dental assistant?

Some dental assistants receive on the job training while others receive the needed training in school and earn an associate’s degree or certificate or diploma. There are lots of schools that offer dental assistant training from community colleges to technical schools with programs taking anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. Most programs take one year or less and result in a certificate or diploma.   

Need help finding a school near you? Fill out an EdSoup profile and one of our college search advisors will help find dental assisting schools in your area.   

What do dental assistants do?

There are lots of different roles a dental assistant can fill. Depending on the office you work in you may perform all of these duties or specialize in one.  

Some dental assistants deliver patient care where their duties include getting the patient ready for treatment and trying to put them at ease while they sit in the dreaded dentist chair. I imagine this may be the hardest part of the job when sharp objects lie in their near future. It would also be your job to clean and sterilize the instruments used, hand these to the dentist while he or she is working on the patient, and many other duties.

Some dental assistants will perform laboratory duties where they make casts of teeth, make temporary crowns, etc. 

Other dental assistants may perform mostly office duties by greeting the patients, scheduling appointments, ordering supplies and materials, etc.  

The bottom line is dental assistants help keep the office run smoothly, whether that means holding a patients hand or sterilizing the instruments.  Are you up for the challenge? 

What is the average salary for dental assistants?

According to Salary.com the average salary for dental assistants is $32,622.

Helpful dental assistant links

Dental Assisting National Board

Dental Assistant Certification

American Dental Assistants Association 

Dental Assistants Association by state

Interested in more fast track programs?  Check out all the fast track careers we look into or read the next post in this series where we look at becoming a dental hygienist.

Go to CAD school and make over $38,000 a year

Are you a good fit to be a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drafter?

• Can you easily picture 3D images in your mind?
• Are you comfortable with math and engineering ideas?
• Can you happily spend 40+ hours a week in front of the computer?
• Can you spend hours looking and awing over great architecture?
• Do you love to create and build?

Did you answer yes to all of these questions? If so, you should consider a career as a CAD drafter!

How do I become a CAD drafter?

Companies who are hiring CAD drafters usually look for applicants who have a certificate or Associate’s degree in computer aided drafting. This degree or certificate can be worked on at many community colleges or technical colleges. To find a CAD school near you, visit College Directory Network.

CAD drafters can also be certified through the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA). Although many employers do not require their employees to be certified, it may differentiate you from the other applicants and make the employer more confident in your superior drafting abilities!

What do drafters do?

There are many specialties to choose from in drafting, and who better to explain them then the U.S. Department of Labor.

Aeronautical drafters prepare engineering drawings detailing plans and specifications used in the manufacture of aircraft, missiles, and related parts.

Architectural drafters draw architectural and structural features of buildings and other structures. These workers may specialize in a type of structure, such as residential or commercial, or in a kind of material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel, or timber.

Civil drafters prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in major construction or civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewage systems.

Electrical drafters prepare wiring and layout diagrams used by workers who erect, install, and repair electrical equipment and wiring in communication centers, power plants, electrical distribution systems, and buildings.

Electronics drafters draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used in the manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic devices and components.

Mechanical drafters prepare drawings showing the detail and assembly of a wide variety of machinery and mechanical devices, indicating dimensions, fastening methods, and other requirements.

Process piping or pipeline drafters prepare drawings used in the layout, construction, and operation of oil and gas fields, refineries, chemical plants, and process piping systems.

The possibilities are endless, which one fits you?   

What is the average salary for CAD drafters?

According to Salary.com the average salary for CAD drafters is $39,761. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty good for 2 years or less of school.

Helpful CAD Links

American Design Drafting Association (ADDA)  

Drafter Certification Program

ADDA Certified Schools

Have you decided that becoming a CAD drafter is the next step for you? Congratulations!  Fill out an EdSoup profile and let our experienced college search advisors help find CAD schools near you!

How to be a bookkeeeper and make over $35,000 a year

Should I be a bookkeeper?

Before you decide to be a bookkeeper, ask yourself the questions below to see if it is actually a good career choice for you.

• Are you extremely (and I mean REALLY) detail-oriented?
• Do you have a love affair with numbers and wouldn’t mind working with them all day, every day?
• Are you computer savvy?

If you can answer “yes” to all of these questions honestly, then you may have a little bookkeeper in you.

How do I become a bookkeeper?

Although a degree is not required to become a bookkeeper it will give you the knowledge you need and open doors for you when you are first starting out. Some schools offer Certificates or Diplomas in bookkeeping, which will you give you the basics that you need. An Associate’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting is another good option, which will give you the basics and then some.

During your training, you should learn how to use financial software packages, such as Quicken or Peachtree. Bookkeeping is becoming way more automated using these systems so it is important to know the tools that will make your job easier! If you are not familiar with either of these, make sure you learn this knowledge before you hit the job market.

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Some use the term Bookkeeper and Accountant interchangeably but there is definitely a difference in the two. Bookkeepers generally “keep the books” by entering business transactions, paying bills, processing payroll, etc. Accountants generally monitor this cycle, interpret what it all means, create the financial statements, etc.

Some small businesses have a full-charge bookkeeper who can do it all, from entering the data into the financial software to preparing the financial statements. Since these employees are performing all the duties they sometimes refer to themselves as accountants.

What do bookkeepers do?

The reason for a bookkeeper’s existence is to keep the books in pristine order. Your typical day would require you to track down the transactions that have occurred so you can then enter these into the books or software. Make sure everything balances, if it doesn’t be prepared to work on it until it does! You should not be surprised to spend a lot of time in front of the computer, dealing with numbers and the people who you need numbers from.

Some businesses have several bookkeepers with different duties, such as Accounts Payable Clerk and Accounts Receivable Clerk. These are more specialized positions that will only work in their particular area. While it is great to be specialized, full-charge bookkeepers have the highest demand since they can perform the most duties.

What is the average salary for bookkeepers?

According to Salary.com the average salary for bookkeepers is $36,416.

Helpful bookkeeping links

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
Certified Bookkeeper Program

Is bookkeeping for you? Let one of our experienced College Search Advisors help you find schools to begin your new career as a bookkeeper.

Back to college with 12 fast track programs

Do you wake up in the morning dreading the moment you open your eyes because you know that means you’re one more second closer to…work. Not only do you shudder at the thought of going to work but you get paid a measly sum for the endless hours you spend at your job.

It sounds like you may be ready for a career change, which means going back to college. Before you make a run for it, I know how you feel, I’ve been there. 

You’re probably thinking “I can’t afford it” or “I don’t have time”.  You may need to come to the harsh realizations I did. You can always find a way to afford to invest in your future; you will be spending money in the short run to make more money in the long run.  As for time, as H. Jackson Brown said:  

Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.    

However, when you’re a working adult you definitely have a different set of priorities. You don’t have time to take classes that are not geared toward your new career. You want to get back to college, take the classes you need, get the training you need, get out and start making more money. Your wish has been granted!  

Below is a list of fast track programs where you can do exactly that. Check out what schooling is required for each, what you can expect in each career, and what the average salary is when you’re done. There are new fast track programs added all the time so subscribe and you will be notified as soon as they appear.

Back to college with these fast-track programs

• Bookkeeping
• CAD Drafter
• Dental Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
• HVAC Technician
• Massage Therapist
• Medical Assistant
• Medical Biller and Coder
• Nurse
• Paralegal
• Pharmacy Technician
• Surgical Technologist

Have you figured out which fast track program is the best for you? Now take the next step in the back to college adventure by finding schools.

7 Questions to help identify the best college

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.  (Yogi Berra)

It is time for a fork in your road. Hopefully, you are following the great Yogi Berra’s advice and taking it.

Goodbye with the old and hello to the new; new experience and new college.

How do you make sure you’re saying hello to the best college for you?

Make sure to ask yourself and the schools you’re looking at the questions below.  

• What is the best college type for me?
• Nationally accredited, regionally accredited, or not accredited at all.  What does it all mean?
• Can credits be transferred to or from this college?
• This one may be a little scary…how much is the tuition?
• Now that you know what you’re up against, what is the financial aid?
• What is the student: teacher ratio?
• What is the job placement percentage for graduates?

What is the best college type for me?

This really depends on what kind of experience and training you are looking for. Have you always dreamed of going to college, taking lots of different classes and playing Frisbee in the quad? Than a public 4 year university or private university may be the best college for you.

If you are looking to receive your education quickly and only take classes that are relevant to your degree, a career and trade school may be your best bet. For many working adults who have a clear career goal in mind and want to get in and out quickly, career and trade schools or online colleges are often the best colleges for them.

Still not sure what the best college type is for you? Check out the EdSoup College Search 101 Series.   

Accreditation…what does it all mean?  

There is a lot of information that goes along with education accreditation but I am going to keep it short and sweet. There are basically two types of accreditation for higher education, regional accreditation and national accreditation. Generally speaking, regionally accredited schools are the “more traditional” and academically oriented schools, such as Yale or the University of Utah.

Nationally accredited schools are generally centered on vocational and career training programs.  Some schools can be nationally and regionally accredited. There is another major difference between the two accreditations which leads us to. . . transferring credits. 

Can credits be transferred to (or from) this college? 

And you thought we were done with the accreditation business . . . think again. When looking at transferring credits, nationally accredited institutions will generally (note this doesn’t mean always) accept credits from regionally accredited schools. On the other hand, regionally accredited schools will generally not accept credits (or sometimes a degree) from nationally accredited schools.    

This may not be important to you if you simply want career training to start a new job. This may be vital if you are planning on doing an advanced degree after the one you are working on. Check with the schools you are considering to see if and which college credits they will accept.  

Let’s talk tuition

Keep in mind that education is an investment in yourself, so how much do you want to invest? Get tuition prices from multiple schools that fit what you are looking for. When asking a college for its tuition, be sure that the price they give you includes all the random fees; such as technology fees, activity fees, and any other fees that may be tacked on at the end. Some colleges’ tuition includes all the textbooks for the program or a laptop, be sure to add these benefits when looking at the cost. Then compare schools and see which one offers you the right education at the best value…which brings us to financial aid. 

How do I apply for financial aid?

Keep in mind when looking at a college’s tuition that sometimes what you are seeing is not actually what you will pay (thank goodness!). There are multiple kinds of financial aid that can help you achieve your dream education.   

Federal financial aid includes grants (money you do not have to pay back) and loans (money you do have to pay back, with interest) through the federal government. These can be applied for using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and there are deadlines throughout the year so make sure you apply early. Note this is a FREE application so you do not need to pay anything to file this (despite what some websites may tell you). You can apply through mail or online here.   

There are also thousands of scholarships available for those who are willing to take the time to apply to them. To begin with, check out:

http://www.scholarships.com/

http://www.fastweb.com/

Also, ask your college of choice if they have any institutional scholarships you can apply for.  

Student: teacher ratio

This may be a very important question for you or it may not matter at all. If you want to be in a small classroom where you can get lots of one-on-one help from the instructor, the best college for you would have a low student to teacher ratio. However, if you are perfectly happy being one of many a higher student to teacher ratio would fit you better. Only you can answer this question for yourself. 

What is the job placement percentage for graduates?   

Ask the admissions representative what percent of students are placed in careers at the time of graduation. This will be a good indicator of where you may be at the time you finish the program at that school. Do companies come to the school looking for graduates to hire?  Is there a career liaison that has good contacts in the field the school specializes in? Can they do mock interviews or critique resumes for those getting ready to graduate? Depending where you are in your career, these services may not be needed or may be a huge benefit. 

By taking the forks in the road, Yogi made it to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Where are you going to end up?

Need more advice to help you along your chosen path?  Check out more information on finding the best college for you at the EdSoup Blog.

Why go back to school?

Money. Money. Money.

These are the top 3 reasons given by many when asked why they are going back to school. Good reason? Yes. Only reason? No.  

“To go back to school or not go back to school?” That is the question.  

Good reasons to venture back to school.

• You want to increase your earnings by $1,031.31 per month 
• You wake up with dread every morning because you are going to a job you despise
• One of your goals in life is to walk across that stage in a silly cap and gown with a degree in hand
• By going back to school you could become even more of a well-rounded person (what a novel idea!)
• You want to know why the question above sounds so darn familiar

Do any of the above appeal to you? Depending on which reason or reasons you want to go to school will help make some of the big decisions that lie ahead. Such as “How am I going to afford school?” and “There are millions of schools out there, how do I choose the right school for me?” Don’t hyperventilate, these questions and more are answered in 7 Questions to Help Identify the Best College. 

Are you looking for a quick program where you can get in and out and begin making more money right away? Coming soon, there will be profiles of Fast Track programs where you can do just that. Be sure to subscribe so you will know the moment it enters the blogosphere!

Also, let us know if you need help finding the right colleges so you can get back to school.

Ready to go to marine biology college and become the next Jacques Cousteau?

After a car accident ended Jacque Cousteau’s dream to be a pilot, he found his true love . . . the ocean. After one swim in the ocean with goggles on, he discovered his new passion and began to think of a way to be in this new world as long as possible.

When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself. (Jacques Cousteau)

One of many of Cousteau’s accomplishments is the Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (also known as the SCUBA) which he and Emile Gagnan invented. Thanks to this invention there are millions of scuba divers exploring the deep blue and all it has to offer. Will your passion still be affecting millions of people after you die?   

Swimming with dolphins at Sea World. Studying the mating patterns of a specific type of clam. Protecting the ocean and all its many inhabitants. If any of these situations sound like a great day at work to you, you may want to be a Marine Biologist.

Before you decide you want to commit to a lifetime of learning, ask yourself a few questions. How do I find the best marine biology college for me? How can I prepare to earn a marine biology degree? What is a marine biologist’s salary?

Marine Biology Colleges and Degrees

If the thought of studying all types of ocean life, from picoplankton to whales, excites you then you probably want to know “Where can I find colleges that offer marine biology?” To start with, it is recommended to major in a broad subject, like Biology, for your Bachelor’s degree. Then specialize in a field of Marine Biology for your graduate degree. 

Since a broad science major is recommended for a Bachelor’s degree there are many schools that may be a great fit for you. Make sure to find a school that has a strong science department and internship opportunities available in the marine biology field to begin gaining practical experience. EdSoup.com can help you start your search for marine biology colleges.   

Next, you will begin the search for top marine biology colleges to earn your Master’s and/or PhD. As you are nearing the completion of your undergraduate degree you should know what your specialization in marine biology will be. With this knowledge in hand, choose a school that has a strong program in your field of interest with researchers specializing in that field. 

To search for marine biology colleges in the United States, visit College Directory Network.

Are you looking for marine biology programs at international schools?  Find international marine biology universities and schools here.

How to Prepare to be a Marine Biologist

You are still reading so you must still think a marine biology degree is for you! So how can you prepare now? 

• Enroll in as many science, math, and physics classes as possible while in high school
• Explore marine biology on your own through science fairs and internships
• Become a certified SCUBA diver and get up close and personal with the ocean world
• Become best friends with your teachers and professors so you will have countless glowing recommendation letters

Marine Biologists Salaries

So after years of schooling, what can you expect to make?

The salaries for marine biologists vary widely from $45,000 to $110,000 per year, according to PayScale. This is a wide range with the number of years experience and type of work heavily influencing what the average salary will be. Many marine biologists emphasize that you should not enter the field of work for the pay, you should have a true passion for what you do.

Now that you are armed with information, get out there and find the right marine biology college, and begin your quest to become the next Jacques Cousteau! 

Want more? Here is an interview of a marine biologist with his thoughts and advice.

Can You Afford The College of Your Dreams?

This is the last post in our College search 101 series. We looked at everything from what you want to do for the rest of your life to whether or not the college of your dreams thinks you’re a good fit.

In this series, we discussed how earnings are affected by education level, the different types of educational programs available today, what kinds of colleges offer what types of programs, and even gave you a list of resources to help you find the right college.

Can you afford the college of your dreams?

It’s no secret that college costs are rising.

According to College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2007, colleges in the United States increased their tuition and fees by an average of 4.2 – 6.3 percent for the 2007-08 school year.

Room, board, books, and supplies only add to the cost. Click here to calculate more complete college expenses.

Don’t let the expenses slow you down. Even though the numbers are daunting, there are many ways to get help paying for the college of your dreams.

What’s the best way to apply for financial aid?

According to a newsletter article from the National Association for College Admission Counseling called Focus on Financial Aid: How to Apply, the steps of the financial aid application process are:

1. A student applies for admission before the admission application deadline.

2. A student applies for financial aid in accordance with stated deadlines, but as soon as possible.

3. The admission committee meets and grants admission.

4. The college or university financial aid office reviews the application carefully, first to judge whether need does, in fact, exist, and second to determine how much aid should be offered.

5. The financial aid office, after determining how much aid in various forms is available for distribution, awards packages of aid to applicants according to need and within limits of the resources at hand.

6. Candidates are notified by the admission office of acceptance and, either at the same time or shortly thereafter, by the aid office of its award.

So, according to the NACAC, prospective students should apply for financial aid before they even know if they’ve been accepted to the college of their choice.

Ask the colleges you research to send you information on financial aid at the same time you request a college catalog and admissions information.

If you have unanswered questions about financial aid from the college of your choice, contact their financial aid office. There’s no charge for their services – they exist to help you pay for your education – take advantage of their help.

Need help finding the right college? Click to get started now!

Are you a good fit for the college of your choice?

Have you been following our College search 101 series? So far we’ve looked at what you want to do with the rest of your life, how education affects earnings, the best types of programs, different types of colleges, and resources to help you find the right college.

Now that you’ve found a college you’d like to attend, we’ll explore whether or not you’re a good fit for it.

Why wouldn’t they want me?

Let’s see, how can I put this delicately . . .?

Certain colleges would only accept someone like you me if a $1-million donation was sent along with your my application.

Seriously. Not every school is for every student.

I, for example, graduated from high school in the top 2% of my class, had great test scores, and could write a mean essay.

All of those things, however, didn’t mean that my first-choice college should have been Harvard (with Princeton and Yale as fallbacks).

Instead, I applied to three non-profit schools, was accepted to all of them, and ultimately chose the one that was furthest away from my parents.

If you’re going to go to the effort of finding a school you think is perfect for you, you ought to take a minute to consider whether you’re right for it.

What do colleges care about?

Some colleges only care about whether or not you’ll be able to pay your tuition. Others look at things like test scores, previous grades, class rank, or work experience.

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s State of College Admission Report 2006, grades and test scores are the top factor considered by colleges during the admissions decision making process.

The report breaks everything down into the following order of importance:

Factors in the Admission Decision:

• Grades
• Standard admission test scores
• High school class rank
• Application essay or writing sample
• Teacher or counselor recommendations
• A students “demonstrated interest” in attending the school

Public schools are five times more likely to use class rank than private schools.

While there are some similarities in what colleges want, each one places varying importance on the items above.

You need to understand what the college of your choice is looking for.

How can I find out what a college wants?

Look in the admissions section of the college’s Web site for any posted guidelines. Often, the site will detail the admissions office’s idea of an ideal student.

If you match up with their description of the ideal student, you can apply with confidence that you have a high probability of acceptance.

If you are sub-standard, it wouldn’t hurt to call or write to the admissions team. Introduce yourself and let them know that you’re interested in attending the college but that you’re concerned about an item or two.

Mention your concerns and ask for their recommendation about whether you should apply or not.

Most admissions officers are interested in finding a win-win situation where the student and the college are happy to be together. Talk to them – they’re around to help.

If you’re not a good match for the college, move on to your next choice. With a little work, you’ll be able to find a good fit.

The next post in this series will help you evaluate whether or not you’ll be able to afford this new relationship with the college of your dreams.

Need help finding the right college? Click to get started now!