BackToLearn.com: going back to college, adults returning to school, college degrees and MBA programs

College programs for adults looking for careers in cosmetology
June 1, 2010 at 11:40 am — by Laura | 1 Comment
Category: Blog, Choosing a College, Uncategorized

Do you like to make people feel good about themselves? Want a fun and creative career?

Then consider a future in the cosmetology industry.

Note that each state has different licensing requirements for beauty-related careers.

A career in cosmetology provides flexible hours and locations and may include work in hair care, skin care, nails and makeup.

Now’s a good time to pursue a cosmetology career—the need for salon professionals is increasing. It’s also a great business if you are entrepreneurial. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that about 44 percent of workers in the personal appearance industry are self-employed!

Some career ideas (and their average earnings, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) include:
* Theater makeup artist ($12.63/hour)
* Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists ($11.13/hour)

Start your search for beauty-related college programs here!

Careers in aviation
May 26, 2010 at 8:06 am — by Laura | 1 Comment
Category: Blog

Maybe you’ve toyed with the idea of a career in aviation. Maybe you’ve even thought about becoming a pilot.

As you consider what careers in aviation might be suitable for you as an adult learner, check out these career profile articles from NextStepU.com.

* Careers in airport security, aircraft maintenance and other positions at an airport
* Pilot

You can start a career in aviation as an adult learner! How will you find the best degree program for you? It’s easy—just start your search here!

Can you pursue an aviation career as an adult?
May 25, 2010 at 8:22 am — by Laura | No Comments
Category: Blog, Choosing a College

Have you ever thought of becoming a pilot? Or maybe you like the hands-on aspect of working on aircraft maintenance.

Airports provide a wealth of diverse and interesting jobs. Careers can be found in security, maintenance, or take to the skies as a pilot. Most civilian aircraft maintenance workers earn their credentials through a FAA-certified program. Many have worked on avionics in the past for manufacturers or in the military.

Often, pilots also have related military experience and have also earned a college degree.

If you’re a vet looking for a second career, or an adult learner looking for an interesting job choice, then check out aviation programs!

Start your search for a career in aviation here.

Will you earn your degree in 16 months or less?
May 20, 2010 at 8:44 am — by Laura | 1 Comment
Category: Blog, Inspiration

One of the hurdles adults may face when considering going back to college is the time commitment involved.

But the wealth of college programs specifically for adult learners means that you might be able to graduate in as few as two years—or less.

Arena Dixon of Clarksville, Tenn., is a single, working mother of two. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to finish her degree.

But she found a program that allowed her to complete her degree in a reasonably short amount of time. While browsing the web, Dixon found a website that introduced the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (B.I.S.) in Organizational Communication program at Murray State University’s Hopkinsville Regional Campus.

Short courses, evening courses and online courses meant that students could complete the program in as little as 16 months.

Read more of her story here.

How long will it take you to complete your degree? Search for your perfect match today!

Careers in art and design
May 18, 2010 at 9:00 am — by Laura | No Comments
Category: Blog, Careers

What can you expect to do after graduating with a degree in art or design? Here are some career profiles from our sister site, www.NextStepU.com.

* Desktop publisher
* Art careers
* Art director
* Graphic designer
* Photojournalist

Thinking about heading back for a college degree in an art or design program? Start your search here!

Art and design college programs for adults
May 17, 2010 at 11:32 am — by Laura | 1 Comment
Category: Blog, Careers

Have you always been admired for your creativity? Do you enjoy understanding how visuals help attract buyers to a product?

Then consider enrolling in an adult learner program for art and design.

Design is a fast-paced, competitive field that relies as much on persistence and follow through as it does on your unique ideas.

Designers—whether they work on a computer, with clothing or in another medium—take their creative ideas from conception through implementation. That could mean deciding the look and layout of a magazine, Web site, clothing line or more. The best designers are detail-oriented, computer savvy and have at least an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Design is also a field in which you may work as a freelancer. That means you might work for several different companies at the same time—maybe from home. Freelancers should be business savvy as well as talented in the field, as they are responsible for invoicing clients, selling their skills, and keeping their books.

Have you thought about pursuing an art or design career?

Check out the careers that you might be eligible for:
* Architecture (average salary: $70,320)
* Game art (average salary: $56,330)
* Graphic design (average salary: $42,400)
* Interior design (average salary: $44,950)
* Photography (average salary: $29,440)

Search for colleges in your area that offer degrees in art and design programs!

Seven seconds to make an impression… How will you make yours?
May 12, 2010 at 2:30 am — by Laura | No Comments
Category: Blog

The end result of going back to college as an adult learner is, hopefully, having a different or better job at the end of it.

Keep that goal in mind while you’re in college, and you’ll be able to develop a game plan for when you graduate.

But why wait until graduation is near to work toward that goal? Instead, get your resume perfected now.

“Often I have heard students and alumni state that they have applied to 50 jobs or more, but have received no responses!” says Sharitta Gross, program coordinator for the Office of Cooperative Education & Career Services at the Rochester Institute of Technology. “Every industry has its own buzz words, so the skills you would need to be a Senior Administrative Assistant versus a Case Manager would differ.

This may also mean that you will have more than one resume if you have a variety of interests.

Job postings tend to contain key words that you should implement to show an alignment between your skills set and the needs of the company or organization. Remember: the average resume gets about seven seconds of review!”

Seven seconds? Wow.

What can you do to impress a potential employer in seven seconds?

Well, going back to college for a degree in your field can help. Search today to see what degree YOU will pursue!

A quote to live by and a free, helpful guide
May 6, 2010 at 9:08 am — by Laura | No Comments
Category: Blog, Inspiration

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” —King Whitney Jr.

How do you view going back to college? Are you fearful, hopeful or confident?

For many adult learners, going back to college is a relief. Especially if you’re taking the first steps to finish something that you already started years ago.

Still thinking about how you can manage heading back to school? Download BackToLearn.com’s FREE Inspiration Guide for financial aid help, advice from successful adult learners, and more.

Good luck!