(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 25, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – “How competitive is an online degree in the job market compared to the traditional degrees?” This debate has been going on for far too long and that is why the United States Department of Education conducted a study to put to rest the curious minds of many. Results from the 12-year study revealed that online degrees which are as a result of online classes and examinations are somewhat more effective than the traditional degrees which are as a result of face-to-face tuition. Online classes are convenient, interactive, interesting (due to the audio, video etc materials used in teaching) and the fact that one has direct access to an assigned professor or lecturer makes it far much more effective than traditional face-to-face classes.

Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, http://www.Degree.com, the Internet’s premier online study portal states that many people have been skeptical as to why it is cheaper yet more convenient to get an online degree than traditional ones; the answer is simple — all you have to pay for is tuition and study two hours a day when you are free. Other implicit costs such as accommodation which take the largest share under ‘fees’ are scraped off the total you are supposed to pay because you operate from the comfort of your home.

Other advantages of on line studies (and classes include):

- Students can work from any location and at convenient time – this is commonly referred to as the JIT (Just-In-Time) benefit.

- Easily updated – The sessions are especially easy to maintain as relevant and up-to-date material are just uploaded onto the server.

- It is self paced – The e-learner is able to read a certain topic several times so as to grasp the concept before moving on to the next.

- Lead to better grasp of subject area – Due to the various content of e-sessions like; video, charts, graphs, one is able to commit to memory better and recall with ease.

The truth is that online degrees are not considered lesser degrees in the job market compared to traditional degrees. In some fields, e.g. IT degree, online degrees are considered as having much more value. Studies have shown that they are being accepted world wide as comparable to brick and mortar programs as long as they are fully accredited.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 23, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Health care reform in the US is a hot-button topic these days. According to a recent New York Times article, Americans are divided evenly in number as to their feelings about the issue. Though the debate over the issue is likely to continue for a while, action to implement a nationally networked health record system was put into place in February 2009 with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With or without Obama’s health care reform bill, revolutionary changes in the medical field through information technology are right around the corner.

Known as the ARRA, terms of the final bill that is now law calls for $19 billion to be directed towards health information technology in general. Additionally, another $500 million is to be distributed through the Department of Labor for the training of a workforce to implement the new technology. Combined with the Obama Administration’s vigilant pursuit of post-secondary education reform and increased access to education, it is possible that the time has never been better to advance your career or train for a new one in health information technology.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in the health information field will go up almost 20%. Experts say that, even now, the number of people trained in electronic medical coding and health information management is not sufficient to fill the need. Compliance with the new law will require at least an additional 30,000 workers specially trained in universal medical coding and how to implement it electronically.

Training for a career in health information management spans a wide range of possibilities, but ultimately, employers will be searching for the candidates who have earned certification through the American Health Information Management Association, or AHIMA. Generally, completion of a two-year health information management course from an AHIMA-accredited school is required to be able to take the certification exam. The organization also offers coder certification, which requires only 9-12 months prior training.

Educational programs in health information technology will most likely increase as the demand for training increases. At present, a good selection is available to those persons who are looking for a degree or degree programs in the field. Many of the institutions offer accredited distance learning programs in the way of online courses. So many, in fact, are offering the programs online that, according to Sheila Danzig, director of www.degree.com, enrollment numbers in these courses have been growing yearly by at least 10%.

As the dismal financial climate persists worldwide, survival depends on the willingness to adjust to change. As health care reform becomes more imminent, it may be worth noting that some changes, though painful, can provide more solutions than might be immediately apparent. With the increased availability of funding for education, easier access to educational programs, and the shifting of national economic focus, health care reform is in our future, and in fact, is already here.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, November 20, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL – Those looking into starting a career or changing career paths might be interested to look into “Green Jobs” which are expected to triple in the next 10 years, according to a study released last year by the United States Conference of Mayors.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, green jobs or green collar jobs are “work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, these include jobs that help protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.”
With President Obama’s new economic stimulus, which allocated $50B as incentives to encourage job creation in green initiatives, the projected three-fold increase in green jobs is not far off.

Last year there were around 750,000 green jobs in the United States, 55% of these jobs were in Engineering, Legal, Research and Consulting, which are considered support or indirect green jobs which help lead the country toward energy independence. Renewable power generation, the next largest category, accounted for 16% of “green collar jobs”.

Renewable power generation holds a lot of promise in the development of new jobs as America looks to remove its dependency on fossil fuels. Wind Power in particular is expected to create more than a quarter of a million new jobs by the end of 2010 if the full effect of Obama’s stimulus funding is realized, this according to a recent study done by the Democratic Leadership Council.

The same study said that jobs in the solar energy sector will grow by 110,000 by 2010 and employment in biofuels production and development could expand to 94,000 by 2016.

Other than generating “green energy”, the reduction of energy consumption through energy-efficient engineering is another aspect of this trend of going green. Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient materials and technologies will employ architects, carpenters, electricians, engineers and designers which are also expected to add significantly to the number of green collar workers.

Colleges and universities are ready to fill in the demand for new green jobs by adding courses like environmental studies in their course offerings; likewise, traditional courses such as architecture, engineering and management have included “green subjects” to their curriculum.

According to Sheila Danzig, founder of Degree.com, one way for adults looking for a “green” career change and taking advantage of the expected boom in green jobs is by taking online courses from online universities such as those found at online education portal www.degree.com. By earning a college Degree online with online study, busy career men and women can maintain their current jobs while improving their career outlook by supplementing their academic credentials.

Heading back to college for the first time since high school graduation? Are you feeling uncertain about the whole experience, and wondering exactly how you are going to survive? Here are some tips to help get your feet wet without getting in over your head.

First, start slowly with your degree program. If you are able to, begin by taking one or two classes. This is an excellent way to gain confidence without becoming overwhelmed. This will also help you to reorganize your work and family situations to find prioritized study time.

Begin with classes you understand. If, for example, your strengths are in English or Literature, don’t take Calculus or Physics first. Allow yourself to adjust to the new demands of university education in the context that is most comfortable to you.

Consider an online degree or a few onine courses. Students who take college courses online often report feeling more flexibility and less stress than students who try to enter new career fields through traditional, campus-based programs. In addition, you will typically be able to complete the course in your own time frame. Be aware, however, that people who lack self-discipline or motivation often struggle with completing online degree programs.

Form relationships with other students. This offers you a sense of community and support in preparing for difficult classes. Furthermore, friends may understand homework or lecture concepts that you find incomprehensible. Don’t be shy about discussing these concepts with your professors, either. Most professors appreciate the depth of experience adult students bring to the classroom, and often respond well to interested questions or requests for assistance.

These strategies will help to maximize the success of your experience in returning to college. Allow yourself plenty of time to prepare, and be aware that you will probably feel overwhelmed at first. Just continue studying, work hard, accept these feelings, and soon you will find yourself sailing along to success!