DeVry University provides you with the skills you need to succeed. Choose from one of DeVry's many campuses to earn an associate or a bachelor's degree in a variety of fields. This university is located in Cincinnati, one of the largest cities in Ohio.
Get on the fast track to success. DeVry University provides you with the skills you need to succeed. Choose from one of DeVry's many campuses to earn an associate or a bachelor's degree in a variety of fields, including Business Management, Technical Management, Computer Information Systems, Telecommunications Management, Electronics Engineering Technology and so much more. Flexible scheduling and extensive job placement assistance make DeVry University the perfect choice to advance your career.
The following information is about Cincinnati and the surrounding areas.
While many students choose DeVry University because of its programs, some students decide to attend because of its location. This university is located in Cincinnati, one of the largest cities in Ohio. This city rests along the Ohio River. This city has numerous nicknames including 'The Queen City,' 'Cinci,' and 'the 'Nati.' Some industries contributing to the area's economy are banking, finance, musical instruments production, electronic equipment manufacturing, and packaged meats.
This city is also home to several interesting sites such as Fountain Square, Cincinnati Botantical Garden, Krohn Conservatory, and Mt. Airy Arboretum. It is also home to numerous museums, which are located in the Cincinnati Museum Center. For those interested in sports, Cincinnati is the home of MLB's Cincinnati Reds and the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. This location may be best suited for those who want to live in a large city.
Recommended Schools for Users Who Read DeVry University - Cincinnati:
Selected Search Criteria:
* Degree Level: Undergraduate
* Zip Code: 45201
* Radius: 100 miles
http://education-portal.com/articles/DeVry_University_-_Cincinnati.html
Monday, June 4, 2007
Associate of Electrical Technology: Degree Overview
Earning a degree in electrical technology is an exciting career for those who enjoy repairing and maintaining electrical equipment. Using computer technology software for troubleshooting purposes is another interesting element of this career. Read more about electrical technology degree programs below.
What is an Associate of Electrical Technology?
An associate of electrical technology can offer students an in-depth look into electrical systems used in residential and public structures. Students will also learn about electrical motors, how to repair and maintain equipment, and about the latest in computer software that can make troubleshooting easier.
Required Courses:
The courses required in an electrical technology program will give students the hands-on training they will need in order to repair equipment that is not working properly. Basic course requirements include:
* Introduction to National Electric Code
* Transformers
* Motors
* Computer Software Programs
Skills Obtained:
The skills obtained from earning an associate of electrical technology degree will allow students to use computer software to find problems within electrical circuitry, motors, and transformers. These skills are valuable in keeping electrical power working at all times during the day and night.
Career Related Information
Reasons to Earn an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, there are many areas in this field that are worth exploring including electrical technicians, small business ownership, and electrical installation. These jobs are much needed in many business and residential settings.
Salary Information:
Those who have an associate degree in electrical technology can expect to earn between $12.00 and $23.00 per hour.
Economic Outlook and Growth of the Electrical Technology Field:
While big employment industries of the past such as railroads and ship yards are slowly fading away, other industries have a demand for those who can use their knowledge to keep plants, factories, and homes running on electric power. The demand is higher for experts in this field in more populated areas.
Recommended Schools for Users Who Read Associate of Electrical Technology: Degree Overview:
Selected Search Criteria:
* Subject Category: Engineering Technologies
* Subject Subcategory: Computer Engineering Technologies
* Specific Program: Computer Software
* Degree Level: Undergraduate
http://education-portal.com/articles/Associate_of_Electrical_Technology%3A_Degree_Overview.html
What is an Associate of Electrical Technology?
An associate of electrical technology can offer students an in-depth look into electrical systems used in residential and public structures. Students will also learn about electrical motors, how to repair and maintain equipment, and about the latest in computer software that can make troubleshooting easier.
Required Courses:
The courses required in an electrical technology program will give students the hands-on training they will need in order to repair equipment that is not working properly. Basic course requirements include:
* Introduction to National Electric Code
* Transformers
* Motors
* Computer Software Programs
Skills Obtained:
The skills obtained from earning an associate of electrical technology degree will allow students to use computer software to find problems within electrical circuitry, motors, and transformers. These skills are valuable in keeping electrical power working at all times during the day and night.
Career Related Information
Reasons to Earn an Associate Degree in Electrical Technology:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, there are many areas in this field that are worth exploring including electrical technicians, small business ownership, and electrical installation. These jobs are much needed in many business and residential settings.
Salary Information:
Those who have an associate degree in electrical technology can expect to earn between $12.00 and $23.00 per hour.
Economic Outlook and Growth of the Electrical Technology Field:
While big employment industries of the past such as railroads and ship yards are slowly fading away, other industries have a demand for those who can use their knowledge to keep plants, factories, and homes running on electric power. The demand is higher for experts in this field in more populated areas.
Recommended Schools for Users Who Read Associate of Electrical Technology: Degree Overview:
Selected Search Criteria:
* Subject Category: Engineering Technologies
* Subject Subcategory: Computer Engineering Technologies
* Specific Program: Computer Software
* Degree Level: Undergraduate
http://education-portal.com/articles/Associate_of_Electrical_Technology%3A_Degree_Overview.html
Career Information for a Degree in Human Sciences
Are you interested in human beings and want to know the innerworkings and psychology of our species? Perhaps you should pursue a degree in human sciences. With a degree in Human Sciences you could work as a marriage or family counselor, nutritionist, or human sciences teacher.
Human science devotes itself to understanding the principals that make humanity the way it is. If you are interested in the anthropology, sociology, psychology, and evolutionary theories of humanity, this might be a great major for you. Classes may include:
Abnormal Psychology
Adulthood and Aging
Children and Public Policy
Close Relationships in Families
Death and Dying
Human Sexuality
Internal Dynamics of Families
Interpersonal Communication
Leisure and Aging
Leisure in Modern Society
Life Cycle Nutrition
Life-Span Human Growth and Development
Psychosocial Development
Remarriage and Stepfamilies
Research Methodology
Stress
Work and Family
Working with Parents
With a degree in Human Sciences you could work as a marriage or family counselor, nutritionist, or human sciences teacher.
Marriage and Family Counselor
Marriage and family counselors can be invaluable to those that utilize them. Often, a married couple may need the guidance of a third party in order to settle their differences. More and more couple are realizing this and bettering their marriage through counseling. Families whose members have reached an impasse with one another can benefit from counseling as well. Because counseling is becoming more accepted throughout mainstream America, the job market for counselors is growing rapidly. The median annual salary for a counselor in 2002 was approximately $44,000.
Nutritionist
Because the study of human science includes subjects that enhance the basic human condition, the subject of nutrition is often included in the human science field. Nutritionists are usually employed in hospitals or clinics, and help people change their eating habits. Nutritionists perform diet analysis, which consists of logging a patient's dietary intake, of what they eat everyday, and comes up with vitamin supplements, and diet strategies that will be useful for a client. Job growth for nutritionists is forecast to be average in the next few years. The median annual income for a nutritionist in 2002 was approximately $42,000.
Teacher
Of course, many of those that earn a degree in Human Sciences go on to teach courses within the field at a college level. Most of the time, college level instruction requires advanced degrees, but the requirements do vary by field. The job growth for post-secondary teachers is forecast to be high over the next several years, but mainly in part-time positions. Tenure track professorships tend to be much harder to come by. The average annual income for post-secondary school teachers was approximately $49,000 in 2002.
For more information on a Degree in Human Science, or for related programs, visit the US Bureau of Labor, www.bls.gov, iSeek.org, www.iseek.org, or College Board, www.collegeboard.com.
http://education-portal.com/articles/Career_Information_for_a_Degree_in_Human_Sciences.html
Human science devotes itself to understanding the principals that make humanity the way it is. If you are interested in the anthropology, sociology, psychology, and evolutionary theories of humanity, this might be a great major for you. Classes may include:
Abnormal Psychology
Adulthood and Aging
Children and Public Policy
Close Relationships in Families
Death and Dying
Human Sexuality
Internal Dynamics of Families
Interpersonal Communication
Leisure and Aging
Leisure in Modern Society
Life Cycle Nutrition
Life-Span Human Growth and Development
Psychosocial Development
Remarriage and Stepfamilies
Research Methodology
Stress
Work and Family
Working with Parents
With a degree in Human Sciences you could work as a marriage or family counselor, nutritionist, or human sciences teacher.
Marriage and Family Counselor
Marriage and family counselors can be invaluable to those that utilize them. Often, a married couple may need the guidance of a third party in order to settle their differences. More and more couple are realizing this and bettering their marriage through counseling. Families whose members have reached an impasse with one another can benefit from counseling as well. Because counseling is becoming more accepted throughout mainstream America, the job market for counselors is growing rapidly. The median annual salary for a counselor in 2002 was approximately $44,000.
Nutritionist
Because the study of human science includes subjects that enhance the basic human condition, the subject of nutrition is often included in the human science field. Nutritionists are usually employed in hospitals or clinics, and help people change their eating habits. Nutritionists perform diet analysis, which consists of logging a patient's dietary intake, of what they eat everyday, and comes up with vitamin supplements, and diet strategies that will be useful for a client. Job growth for nutritionists is forecast to be average in the next few years. The median annual income for a nutritionist in 2002 was approximately $42,000.
Teacher
Of course, many of those that earn a degree in Human Sciences go on to teach courses within the field at a college level. Most of the time, college level instruction requires advanced degrees, but the requirements do vary by field. The job growth for post-secondary teachers is forecast to be high over the next several years, but mainly in part-time positions. Tenure track professorships tend to be much harder to come by. The average annual income for post-secondary school teachers was approximately $49,000 in 2002.
For more information on a Degree in Human Science, or for related programs, visit the US Bureau of Labor, www.bls.gov, iSeek.org, www.iseek.org, or College Board, www.collegeboard.com.
http://education-portal.com/articles/Career_Information_for_a_Degree_in_Human_Sciences.html
Career Education: Setting Your Students on the Path to a Valued Vocation!
"Only rich people can go to college!" That is what one third grader told teacher Heather Root. Now, Root and other educators are emphasizing career education in their classrooms, even at the elementary level. With the resources of the Web as your guide, you too can implement a study of occupations that enlightens, inspires, and encourages your students to succeed! Included: Online resources for screening personality and interest, writing résumés, and the all-important job interview. Lesson plans for teachers too!
The casual comment of a student who remarked that only the wealthy could go to college prompted third-grade teacher Heather Root of Barnard Elementary School in Rochester, New York, to incorporate a study of careers into her curriculum. A special project Root created, the Occupations Project, allows students to perform research about careers on the Internet and talk about their plans with other students and with parents.
"We discussed student loans and the fact that there was a time when women and blacks were not even allowed to go to college," Root recalled. "That one really got them fired up! And [we talked about] the different subjects that you could study, and the idea that 'you' are in control of the classes you take, whatever interests you."
Root described steps involved in the Occupations Project, created to encourage the students to think about their future, for Education World:
* The project began with students' discussing different occupations with their families and bringing in lists of jobs. The students then talked about the various jobs and shared their ideas.
* The students chose occupations in which they had an interest and conducted online research, visited libraries, and interviewed family and friends.
* They then created rough drafts of their career reports and began the editing process.
* The final copies of the text were posted on the project Web site along with pictures that featured the students participating in their would-be careers.
"Students brought in a picture that they felt reflected the occupation," said Root. "After scanning in the occupation picture, I took digital pictures of each child's face and used Paint Shop Pro to clone their face over the occupation picture. The students had no idea what we were going to do with the pictures! What a surprise when I displayed these images for them."
Root feels an obligation to introduce her students to the endless career possibilities that lie ahead of them. "Many students come from families that have very little education or parents who never went on for additional education," she explained. "It is extremely important to educate and open their minds to the possibilities that are available when a person has an education, to help students establish good routines, and to prove to them that demonstrating responsibility now will benefit them in the future -- so they will look to their future and have aspirations, hopes, and dreams!"
CAREERS IN THE CLASSROOM
Root's occupational project brought career education into her language arts curriculum. If you are looking for more ways to incorporate career education into classroom activities, check out these suggestions that make use of career resources from the Web!
Résumé writing. The résumé is an indispensable tool to help job seekers obtain their goals, but how many children have them? MyFuture's Work Interest Quiz will help students explore their skills and interests, while the site's Résumé Builder will help them match those skills and interests to a career. JobStar also provides tips for creating resumes and cover letters.
Dream job classified ad. What would your dream job look like on paper? This is the question your students get to answer as they design an ad for their "job of a lifetime" with our Dream Job teaching master. Students reference job search Web sites to find descriptions of opportunities after which to pattern their ads. The ads should reflect their skills and interests as well as the demands of their chosen profession.
Taking inventory. Not only can tests help students get to know themselves, they can also point out possible vocations that may be of interest. An online inventory based on theories by Dr. John Holland is available at Taking the Self-Directed Search. Taking the test is free, but participants must pay a fee to receive results. You may have your students engage in the test and look for indications as they work about what areas they favor over others. The categories for the questions, which denote the different groups or styles of personalities, are included at the top of the page for each question. When they have finished with the test, send students to The Career Interests Game. This Web site explains the various groups and suggests occupations that may appeal to individuals who display some characteristics of each type.
Finding a career. How many people wish that they could change career decisions they made when they were young? Perhaps your students can avoid those regrets with the aid of The Career Key. This inventory, also based on Holland's theories, is presented in two different versions online, one for older students and adults and one for middle schoolers. For those without a computer lab, a printable copy in Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded and distributed to students. The test assesses students' personalities and careers that appeal to them at this time. It helps students match their interests and skills with types of work.
Building skills. What skills are employers looking for in new employees? What should your students learn now that will help them secure jobs in the future? The U.S. secretary of labor's appointed group the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) developed a list of skills that employers need and students should have. How many of the SCANS Skills do your students possess? Allow them to investigate this list to see, and have them examine Life Skills Standards to determine their achievement of these additional skills. How many skills have already been cultivated? How many do the students need to refine?
Seeing the state of the states. If your students are planning on specific vocations and know where they want to live and make their homes, America's Career InfoNet can show them whether they have made a wise decision before they are ready to leave school. At the State Profile Search, students may select any of the 50 states and find out about its population, employment statistics, and projected opportunities for various fields. Are veterinarians needed in Alaska? Will many teachers be hired in California? Instruct your students to list a few occupations that interest them and choose some states that might be good places to call home. Then have them research opportunities with this site to find out whether the occupations they chose are among the fastest growing and well-paying jobs in the states.
Finding hot jobs! Choosing a job is an awesome task for young people, and it is one that is best made when they are well informed. The Outlook Handbook is the handbook of career opportunities. Through this online publication, students may research jobs of interest and find out about the nature of the work, the working conditions, employment statistics, training, earnings, the outlook for opportunities in the field, and more. Encourage your students to examine a few careers and record the earnings that are commonly paid. Then allow them to use The Salary Calculator to find out how much they would need to make in your area and in others that they like. In addition, if students would like to see the outlook for the future of these vocations, tell them to read Money Ranks 50 Hottest Jobs. They may go back to the Occupational Outlook Handbook to see whether it concurs with the Money findings and discover whether these growing careers hold interest for them.
Performing at the big interview! One difficult experience common to almost all job seekers is the crucial interview, a moment that can make or break a candidate's chances for employment. With Interview Tips from Monster.com and Movin' On: Tips for Interviews, your students won't be caught in this pitfall. Schedule an opportunity for your students to play the roles of interviewer and interviewee for each other by gathering questions and answers. When your class performs the exercise, have students work with partners to practice their interviewing techniques, and rotate the groups so each student has many opportunities to play both roles.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson160.shtml
The casual comment of a student who remarked that only the wealthy could go to college prompted third-grade teacher Heather Root of Barnard Elementary School in Rochester, New York, to incorporate a study of careers into her curriculum. A special project Root created, the Occupations Project, allows students to perform research about careers on the Internet and talk about their plans with other students and with parents.
"We discussed student loans and the fact that there was a time when women and blacks were not even allowed to go to college," Root recalled. "That one really got them fired up! And [we talked about] the different subjects that you could study, and the idea that 'you' are in control of the classes you take, whatever interests you."
Root described steps involved in the Occupations Project, created to encourage the students to think about their future, for Education World:
* The project began with students' discussing different occupations with their families and bringing in lists of jobs. The students then talked about the various jobs and shared their ideas.
* The students chose occupations in which they had an interest and conducted online research, visited libraries, and interviewed family and friends.
* They then created rough drafts of their career reports and began the editing process.
* The final copies of the text were posted on the project Web site along with pictures that featured the students participating in their would-be careers.
"Students brought in a picture that they felt reflected the occupation," said Root. "After scanning in the occupation picture, I took digital pictures of each child's face and used Paint Shop Pro to clone their face over the occupation picture. The students had no idea what we were going to do with the pictures! What a surprise when I displayed these images for them."
Root feels an obligation to introduce her students to the endless career possibilities that lie ahead of them. "Many students come from families that have very little education or parents who never went on for additional education," she explained. "It is extremely important to educate and open their minds to the possibilities that are available when a person has an education, to help students establish good routines, and to prove to them that demonstrating responsibility now will benefit them in the future -- so they will look to their future and have aspirations, hopes, and dreams!"
CAREERS IN THE CLASSROOM
Root's occupational project brought career education into her language arts curriculum. If you are looking for more ways to incorporate career education into classroom activities, check out these suggestions that make use of career resources from the Web!
Résumé writing. The résumé is an indispensable tool to help job seekers obtain their goals, but how many children have them? MyFuture's Work Interest Quiz will help students explore their skills and interests, while the site's Résumé Builder will help them match those skills and interests to a career. JobStar also provides tips for creating resumes and cover letters.
Dream job classified ad. What would your dream job look like on paper? This is the question your students get to answer as they design an ad for their "job of a lifetime" with our Dream Job teaching master. Students reference job search Web sites to find descriptions of opportunities after which to pattern their ads. The ads should reflect their skills and interests as well as the demands of their chosen profession.
Taking inventory. Not only can tests help students get to know themselves, they can also point out possible vocations that may be of interest. An online inventory based on theories by Dr. John Holland is available at Taking the Self-Directed Search. Taking the test is free, but participants must pay a fee to receive results. You may have your students engage in the test and look for indications as they work about what areas they favor over others. The categories for the questions, which denote the different groups or styles of personalities, are included at the top of the page for each question. When they have finished with the test, send students to The Career Interests Game. This Web site explains the various groups and suggests occupations that may appeal to individuals who display some characteristics of each type.
Finding a career. How many people wish that they could change career decisions they made when they were young? Perhaps your students can avoid those regrets with the aid of The Career Key. This inventory, also based on Holland's theories, is presented in two different versions online, one for older students and adults and one for middle schoolers. For those without a computer lab, a printable copy in Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded and distributed to students. The test assesses students' personalities and careers that appeal to them at this time. It helps students match their interests and skills with types of work.
Building skills. What skills are employers looking for in new employees? What should your students learn now that will help them secure jobs in the future? The U.S. secretary of labor's appointed group the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) developed a list of skills that employers need and students should have. How many of the SCANS Skills do your students possess? Allow them to investigate this list to see, and have them examine Life Skills Standards to determine their achievement of these additional skills. How many skills have already been cultivated? How many do the students need to refine?
Seeing the state of the states. If your students are planning on specific vocations and know where they want to live and make their homes, America's Career InfoNet can show them whether they have made a wise decision before they are ready to leave school. At the State Profile Search, students may select any of the 50 states and find out about its population, employment statistics, and projected opportunities for various fields. Are veterinarians needed in Alaska? Will many teachers be hired in California? Instruct your students to list a few occupations that interest them and choose some states that might be good places to call home. Then have them research opportunities with this site to find out whether the occupations they chose are among the fastest growing and well-paying jobs in the states.
Finding hot jobs! Choosing a job is an awesome task for young people, and it is one that is best made when they are well informed. The Outlook Handbook is the handbook of career opportunities. Through this online publication, students may research jobs of interest and find out about the nature of the work, the working conditions, employment statistics, training, earnings, the outlook for opportunities in the field, and more. Encourage your students to examine a few careers and record the earnings that are commonly paid. Then allow them to use The Salary Calculator to find out how much they would need to make in your area and in others that they like. In addition, if students would like to see the outlook for the future of these vocations, tell them to read Money Ranks 50 Hottest Jobs. They may go back to the Occupational Outlook Handbook to see whether it concurs with the Money findings and discover whether these growing careers hold interest for them.
Performing at the big interview! One difficult experience common to almost all job seekers is the crucial interview, a moment that can make or break a candidate's chances for employment. With Interview Tips from Monster.com and Movin' On: Tips for Interviews, your students won't be caught in this pitfall. Schedule an opportunity for your students to play the roles of interviewer and interviewee for each other by gathering questions and answers. When your class performs the exercise, have students work with partners to practice their interviewing techniques, and rotate the groups so each student has many opportunities to play both roles.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson160.shtml
Secure your career
With IT security threats becoming order of the day, enterprise security has become a critical issue in most organizations. This increased security consciousness among enterprises has also made security professionals much sought-after. The software body Nasscom too pegs vacancies in this field at as high as over 1,88,000 by 2008. Riding on the wave are numerous security courses. Latest is a new certification launched by Manipal and Appin Security Group, called Manipal Appin Security Expert (MASE) certification course.
The certification course has been developed by security professionals working in companies including IBM, Microsoft, Sapient, Motorola, HSBC and alumni and professors from IIT Delhi, University of Texas, Austin and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US.
When asked about the distinctiveness of this course, Anand Sudarshan, Group President, Manipal, said, “The course is different as no such equivalent course has been developed so far. There are courses on security system, but they are technology-centric ones. While MASE lays the foundation of security system in a complete way and gives a good understanding of threats and challenges.”
Rajat Khare, Head, Appin’s technology wing, further added, “The course covers all aspects of the IT security system. We have developed the course not only keeping in mind aspiring security professionals and academicians but also the hacker community. With this course you will not only learn about hacking but will be equipped to fight a hacker. The course will be delivered at three different levels, each of two-month duration.” The fees of first, second and third level will be Rs 7,499, Rs 9,500 and Rs 12,500, respectively.
The course offers the flexibility of learning from home while enjoying the benefits of classroom teaching. Contact classes will be conducted across major cities at various learning centres and also, coaching for the certification exam will be made available to students. The course is scheduled to start within a month’s time. All those who are 18+ can apply for the course.
The course endeavours to open a plethora of opportunities for students interested in entering the burgeoning industry of IT security. They can make a good career as network security systems manager, network security systems administrator, network security engineer, systems/applications security executive, web security administrator, web security manager, security auditor, ethical hacker, data security specialist, chief information security officer, computer forensics investigator, IT security consultant/manager /administrator, security certified programme and forensics investigator.
http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Tech_News/Careers/Education/Secure_your_career_/articleshow/2006851.cms
The certification course has been developed by security professionals working in companies including IBM, Microsoft, Sapient, Motorola, HSBC and alumni and professors from IIT Delhi, University of Texas, Austin and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US.
When asked about the distinctiveness of this course, Anand Sudarshan, Group President, Manipal, said, “The course is different as no such equivalent course has been developed so far. There are courses on security system, but they are technology-centric ones. While MASE lays the foundation of security system in a complete way and gives a good understanding of threats and challenges.”
Rajat Khare, Head, Appin’s technology wing, further added, “The course covers all aspects of the IT security system. We have developed the course not only keeping in mind aspiring security professionals and academicians but also the hacker community. With this course you will not only learn about hacking but will be equipped to fight a hacker. The course will be delivered at three different levels, each of two-month duration.” The fees of first, second and third level will be Rs 7,499, Rs 9,500 and Rs 12,500, respectively.
The course offers the flexibility of learning from home while enjoying the benefits of classroom teaching. Contact classes will be conducted across major cities at various learning centres and also, coaching for the certification exam will be made available to students. The course is scheduled to start within a month’s time. All those who are 18+ can apply for the course.
The course endeavours to open a plethora of opportunities for students interested in entering the burgeoning industry of IT security. They can make a good career as network security systems manager, network security systems administrator, network security engineer, systems/applications security executive, web security administrator, web security manager, security auditor, ethical hacker, data security specialist, chief information security officer, computer forensics investigator, IT security consultant/manager /administrator, security certified programme and forensics investigator.
http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Tech_News/Careers/Education/Secure_your_career_/articleshow/2006851.cms
How to beat mid-career crisis
Kamal Hingorani started his career some 20 years ago as a reservation-ticketing agent at a foreign airline. A science graduate, he had got admission at Cornell University, but couldn't afford the fees. So, he made the best of his job, was promoted to senior reservation-ticketing agent then to a supervisor and then to a sales representative at the same office.
He also realised that management education would take his career ahead, but knew that he could not afford to take time off to enroll in a full-time course. Instead, he signed up for a one-year diploma course in management offered by the local YMCA. "Classes were held in the evening and it was also close to my office. I could do my course and my job, simultaneously," says Hingorani. He paid the Rs 10,000 course fee out of his savings.
From then on, there was no looking back. Hingorani began a rapid ascent up the corporate ladder, first as senior sales representative and then as sales manager. When he decided to move to another airline, he moved as sales manager controlling a bigger territory, and was soon made country manager. From there, he moved to Kuoni Travel as vice-president. But Hingorani was still not satisfied.
He knew that the management course from YMCA was now obsolete. "Most of the concepts that I had learnt at that time had changed," he says. So he decided to join the first batch of the Executive General Management Programme floated by the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. He finished his course and stuck it out at Kuoni for another year before moving to ITC Travel House as an executive vice-president.
It's not difficult to see how Hingorani grew - hard work, dedication and constant re-skilling to stay abreast of latest developments. The last is possibly the most important, as hard work and dedication is pretty much taken for granted. Outlook Money takes a look at the efficacy of mid-career programmes and at what you should look for before you decide on a programme.
Need for re-skilling. "These days, most skills have a very short shelf life," says Ambarish Raghuvanshi, CFO and director, Infoedge India, which owns the job portal naukri.com. That's why you need to keep abreast of the rapid changes in space where you operate. How soon do skills become redundant? It's hard to put a number to this, as it depends on the industry you work in. If you work in the IT field or in taxation, for instance, rapid changes cannot be ruled out.
New rules and changes in technology will render your current skills obsolete before you even realise it. "The need for re-skilling in the present day is critical. At different stages, you need to evaluate yourself if you need to acquire new skills to remain competitive at the job," says Deepak Chandra, assistant dean, Executive Education, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. There are two ways professionals learn. One is on the job and the other is when you make a conscious effort to pursue a programme to upgrade skills.
Bakul H. Dholakia, director, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), offers another point of view, saying that only a few make it to the good management schools every year. Those who don't, either join relatively unknown management schools, or join a profession. When these people move up the corporate ladder, the need for quality education rises. "As a result, demand for quality mid-career programmes is immense in India," says Dholakia. This is one reason why IIM-A plans to commence its executive education programme in the latter half of this year.
When to re-skill. "Waiting for the mid-career wake-up call is not the best way. One should proactively take an inventory of the present skill sets, identify the needs for the next levels of management and try to do a programme to bridge this gap. If you wait for signals, you may not be able to move with external changes like technology, business models and mergers and acquisitions," says E Balaji, CEO, Ma Foi Management Consultants.
Having said that, it also depends on the organisational need and evolution of an industry. "Industries like IT, retail, telecom have fast-changing paradigms in the market dynamics," says Achal Khanna, country general manager, Kelly Services India.
However, there are signals you can look out for, which would suggest that you are in need of re-skilling. "One indication is if you are paid less than your peers within the organisation and within the same industry," says Raghuvanshi. The other indication is how you are perceived within your own organisation. If you are not given due importance and are not involved in decision-making and your peers are, then you should seriously consider evaluating your profile and identifying the areas where you fall short.
How to re-skill. Once you have identified the areas you need to beef up, how do you choose a programme that adds value to your profile? "It is better to choose programmes that complement one's career aspirations by leveraging past experience," says Balaji.
Take the case of Vivek Varshney, 37, head, Project Implementation, Siemens Information Systems, Gurgaon. A maths graduate from Agra University, Varshney also has a PG Diploma in Computer Science, as well as a masters degree in Computer Science and Application. After his post-graduation, he worked for numerous organisations in the IT field, including a Noida-based company called Network Programs. "Although it was a small company, it gave me many opportunities to grow and learn on the job," says Varshney.
From there, he moved to Perot Systems, where he learnt of IIM-B's management course for working professionals. "I had around 13 years of work experience and felt the need for a structured management education as I was moving to positions that required more management than technical skills," says Varshney. The course was for less than a year and the classes were held on weekends. His big break came after he completed his course. "I got the job at Siemens more because of my experience but the IIM-B course did give me an edge," says Varshney.
Choose right. Varshney did not have to do too much homework regarding the quality of the course and the institute, since IIM-B is well recognised. But if you aren't sure, spend some time in finding out the quality of the course and the brand value of the institute conducting the course. Also, make sure that the course timings suit your work schedule.
Your best bet could be online learning, a concept that's rapidly gaining importance. Most premier institutes conduct executive development courses using broadband technology. These days most such programmes focus on management education. However, there are mid-career programmes for professionals working in other spheres as well, generally offered by skill specific institutions. For instance, ICFAI conducts a CFA programme, and QAI conducts programmes on quality and project management.
However, if you plan to take any of these courses, check if you are eligible for the same. Most courses require a minimum amount of work experience. For instance, to be eligible to apply for the programmes to be launched by IIM-A, you need to have at least five years of work experience.
The cost. Mid-career programmes typically cost between Rs 40,000 and Rs 2 lakh. Shorter duration courses cost less. However, short-duration courses conducted by premier institutes may set you back by more than Rs 1 lakh. For instance, the six-month programme conducted by IIMA costs Rs 1.8 lakh. Banks usually finance these courses through education loans. Or, like Varshney, you can fund your own studies.
No matter how much you pay, remember that there is usually a commensurate benefit. "These programmes are really effective in terms of bringing fresh ideas and creative thinking to old issues," says Khanna. "I came back with a different mindset after completing my course. It changed my perspective towards management," adds Hingorani.
Varshney adds these courses also give you a chance to network. "In our class we had 108 students from diverse fields. The opportunity to gain from their experience was immense," he says. In the case of both Hingorani and Varshney, the knowledge gained through these programmes propelled their careers, which also translated into heftier pay packets. And, of course, there's the brand value of doing a course from a reputed institute.
"These programmes should be viewed as an investment in self development that would help during future career opportunities," says Dholakia. However, make sure that the course that you select adds value to your profile. If you choose with care, you can rest assured that rewards will follow.
This is What They Cost
Institute
Programme
Fees (Rs)
Duration
IIM-A
General Management Programme1
1.80 lakh
6 months
Strategic Business Communications Programme2
50,000
4 months
IIM-C
Executive Programme in Business Management
1.60 lakh
12 months
Executive Programme for Development of Strategic Skills
75,000
12 months
Executive Programme on Management of Financial Services Business
1.30 lakh
12 months
MICA
Certificate Programme in Advertising Management
88,500
12 months
Executive Development Programme in Media Management
99,000
12 months
Executive Development Programme in Marketing
49,000
6 months
Research & Data Analytics
XLRI
Post Graduate Certificate in Business Management
1.80 lakh
14 months
Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
1.80 lakh
14 months
Manipal
Academy of
Higher Edu.
Executive MBA Programme
59,600
12 months
Executive MBA - Global Management
89,000
12 months
The list is not exhaustive 1To be launched in October 2006 2To be launched in November 2006
http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/08career.htm
He also realised that management education would take his career ahead, but knew that he could not afford to take time off to enroll in a full-time course. Instead, he signed up for a one-year diploma course in management offered by the local YMCA. "Classes were held in the evening and it was also close to my office. I could do my course and my job, simultaneously," says Hingorani. He paid the Rs 10,000 course fee out of his savings.
From then on, there was no looking back. Hingorani began a rapid ascent up the corporate ladder, first as senior sales representative and then as sales manager. When he decided to move to another airline, he moved as sales manager controlling a bigger territory, and was soon made country manager. From there, he moved to Kuoni Travel as vice-president. But Hingorani was still not satisfied.
He knew that the management course from YMCA was now obsolete. "Most of the concepts that I had learnt at that time had changed," he says. So he decided to join the first batch of the Executive General Management Programme floated by the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. He finished his course and stuck it out at Kuoni for another year before moving to ITC Travel House as an executive vice-president.
It's not difficult to see how Hingorani grew - hard work, dedication and constant re-skilling to stay abreast of latest developments. The last is possibly the most important, as hard work and dedication is pretty much taken for granted. Outlook Money takes a look at the efficacy of mid-career programmes and at what you should look for before you decide on a programme.
Need for re-skilling. "These days, most skills have a very short shelf life," says Ambarish Raghuvanshi, CFO and director, Infoedge India, which owns the job portal naukri.com. That's why you need to keep abreast of the rapid changes in space where you operate. How soon do skills become redundant? It's hard to put a number to this, as it depends on the industry you work in. If you work in the IT field or in taxation, for instance, rapid changes cannot be ruled out.
New rules and changes in technology will render your current skills obsolete before you even realise it. "The need for re-skilling in the present day is critical. At different stages, you need to evaluate yourself if you need to acquire new skills to remain competitive at the job," says Deepak Chandra, assistant dean, Executive Education, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. There are two ways professionals learn. One is on the job and the other is when you make a conscious effort to pursue a programme to upgrade skills.
Bakul H. Dholakia, director, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), offers another point of view, saying that only a few make it to the good management schools every year. Those who don't, either join relatively unknown management schools, or join a profession. When these people move up the corporate ladder, the need for quality education rises. "As a result, demand for quality mid-career programmes is immense in India," says Dholakia. This is one reason why IIM-A plans to commence its executive education programme in the latter half of this year.
When to re-skill. "Waiting for the mid-career wake-up call is not the best way. One should proactively take an inventory of the present skill sets, identify the needs for the next levels of management and try to do a programme to bridge this gap. If you wait for signals, you may not be able to move with external changes like technology, business models and mergers and acquisitions," says E Balaji, CEO, Ma Foi Management Consultants.
Having said that, it also depends on the organisational need and evolution of an industry. "Industries like IT, retail, telecom have fast-changing paradigms in the market dynamics," says Achal Khanna, country general manager, Kelly Services India.
However, there are signals you can look out for, which would suggest that you are in need of re-skilling. "One indication is if you are paid less than your peers within the organisation and within the same industry," says Raghuvanshi. The other indication is how you are perceived within your own organisation. If you are not given due importance and are not involved in decision-making and your peers are, then you should seriously consider evaluating your profile and identifying the areas where you fall short.
How to re-skill. Once you have identified the areas you need to beef up, how do you choose a programme that adds value to your profile? "It is better to choose programmes that complement one's career aspirations by leveraging past experience," says Balaji.
Take the case of Vivek Varshney, 37, head, Project Implementation, Siemens Information Systems, Gurgaon. A maths graduate from Agra University, Varshney also has a PG Diploma in Computer Science, as well as a masters degree in Computer Science and Application. After his post-graduation, he worked for numerous organisations in the IT field, including a Noida-based company called Network Programs. "Although it was a small company, it gave me many opportunities to grow and learn on the job," says Varshney.
From there, he moved to Perot Systems, where he learnt of IIM-B's management course for working professionals. "I had around 13 years of work experience and felt the need for a structured management education as I was moving to positions that required more management than technical skills," says Varshney. The course was for less than a year and the classes were held on weekends. His big break came after he completed his course. "I got the job at Siemens more because of my experience but the IIM-B course did give me an edge," says Varshney.
Choose right. Varshney did not have to do too much homework regarding the quality of the course and the institute, since IIM-B is well recognised. But if you aren't sure, spend some time in finding out the quality of the course and the brand value of the institute conducting the course. Also, make sure that the course timings suit your work schedule.
Your best bet could be online learning, a concept that's rapidly gaining importance. Most premier institutes conduct executive development courses using broadband technology. These days most such programmes focus on management education. However, there are mid-career programmes for professionals working in other spheres as well, generally offered by skill specific institutions. For instance, ICFAI conducts a CFA programme, and QAI conducts programmes on quality and project management.
However, if you plan to take any of these courses, check if you are eligible for the same. Most courses require a minimum amount of work experience. For instance, to be eligible to apply for the programmes to be launched by IIM-A, you need to have at least five years of work experience.
The cost. Mid-career programmes typically cost between Rs 40,000 and Rs 2 lakh. Shorter duration courses cost less. However, short-duration courses conducted by premier institutes may set you back by more than Rs 1 lakh. For instance, the six-month programme conducted by IIMA costs Rs 1.8 lakh. Banks usually finance these courses through education loans. Or, like Varshney, you can fund your own studies.
No matter how much you pay, remember that there is usually a commensurate benefit. "These programmes are really effective in terms of bringing fresh ideas and creative thinking to old issues," says Khanna. "I came back with a different mindset after completing my course. It changed my perspective towards management," adds Hingorani.
Varshney adds these courses also give you a chance to network. "In our class we had 108 students from diverse fields. The opportunity to gain from their experience was immense," he says. In the case of both Hingorani and Varshney, the knowledge gained through these programmes propelled their careers, which also translated into heftier pay packets. And, of course, there's the brand value of doing a course from a reputed institute.
"These programmes should be viewed as an investment in self development that would help during future career opportunities," says Dholakia. However, make sure that the course that you select adds value to your profile. If you choose with care, you can rest assured that rewards will follow.
This is What They Cost
Institute
Programme
Fees (Rs)
Duration
IIM-A
General Management Programme1
1.80 lakh
6 months
Strategic Business Communications Programme2
50,000
4 months
IIM-C
Executive Programme in Business Management
1.60 lakh
12 months
Executive Programme for Development of Strategic Skills
75,000
12 months
Executive Programme on Management of Financial Services Business
1.30 lakh
12 months
MICA
Certificate Programme in Advertising Management
88,500
12 months
Executive Development Programme in Media Management
99,000
12 months
Executive Development Programme in Marketing
49,000
6 months
Research & Data Analytics
XLRI
Post Graduate Certificate in Business Management
1.80 lakh
14 months
Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
1.80 lakh
14 months
Manipal
Academy of
Higher Edu.
Executive MBA Programme
59,600
12 months
Executive MBA - Global Management
89,000
12 months
The list is not exhaustive 1To be launched in October 2006 2To be launched in November 2006
http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/08career.htm
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