Northeast Ohio has always been a tough job market. Unless you have a rich uncle -- it's paramount to have a solid strategy for your college education and career.
If you take the trouble to identify a top-paying occupation early in your college career, would you also want to know about where you can find a top-rated academic program, locally?
-- Or, would you also be interested in finding a top-rated program, locally and at the lowest cost?
Answering these questions may seem unwieldy.
You could define your "best fit" college by finding one that gives you a top education in a top paying, promising field. Of course, for most students, it's not quite that crystal clear. Your college lifestyle is also an important consideration.
In Ohio, Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio State University both offer a top rated program in Computer Science, according to both The Gourman Report and Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges. (The Gourman report was acquired by The Princeton Review in 1997.)
Rugg's includes Denison University in its best Computer Science majors list in the "most selective" category.
Hiram College and Kent State University are also included, although considered by Rugg's to be "very", not "most" selective in admitting students.
Baldwin-Wallace College and Mount Union College also make the cut in the more general, "selective" category.
Majors in computer and information sciences, computer systems analysis, networking and telecommunications or information technology can leads to a position as network systems and data communications analyst, the best job for college graduates, as defined by Laurence Shatkin.
Shatkin and Michael Farr, authors of the "200 Best Jobs for College Graduates", say that Systems analysts design, test and evaluate systems such as intranets and local area networks. The average starting salary is $40,100 and there will be over 35,000 openings for them annually, through 2016.
Sources: Forbes, 1/9/09
Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges, 2006
The Gourman Report, 1997
My mission is to empower youth with: - The knowledge about career possibilities, and the education and training needed to attain them - The creative-thinking and emotional skills that make for good career decisions and which employers prefer; - And the resilience needed to flourish in life.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Even High Demand Degree-Holders Need to Get Smart about Developing "Soft" Skills
College Graduates! Do You Know Who is Hiring? Or Who is Being Hired?
Don’t overlook the importance of proving your soft skills to employers when entering the job market for the first time. Everyone – regardless of your degree -- has to overcome employer bias against recent college graduates.
Employers want communication and team work skills but they believe that young people lack them. You will be better off in this flat job market, if you can demonstrate your team work experience and individual contributions from college classes, extracurricular experience, internships and “first jobs”.
According to the 2009 Job Outlook Survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the job market is flat. And it's more competitive. There are more job-seekers; recent graduates and job changers are pursing the same positions.
Engineers, accountants and computer scientists with "people smarts" will be very competitive in the 2009 job market.
The highest demand is for bachelor's degrees are in the following fields:
Accounting
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Business Administration/Management
Economics/Finance
Information Sciences & Systems
Computer Engineering
Management Information Systems
Marketing/Marketing Management
At the master's degree level, the highest demand is for:
M.B.A.
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Accounting
These hiring trends are likely to continue for awhile, so undergraduate students who are considering one of these majors will be well-advised to confirm that decision.
Where Should you Target your Job Search?
If you're a newly minted degree-holder in Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Business Administration/Management, the Federal Government is the best place to seek a job.
If you're an MBA, you will lead the pack at 60% of employers surveyed by NACE.
Who's Hiring by Employer Type
(Bachelor's Degree)
Accounting:
Accounting (public)
Financial Services
Utilities
Government (Federal)
Mechanical engineering
Government (Federal)
Chemicals & Allied Products
Food & Beverage Processing
Electrical engineering:
Government (Federal)
Electrical & electronic machinery & equipment manufacturers
Chemicals & allied products
Computer Science:
Computer software development& data processing services
Communication Services
Government (Federal)
Business Admin./Mgmt.:
Insurance
Financial Services
Food & Beverage Processing
Government (Federal)
Associate degree holders in business, engineering, drafting, design, and computer-aided design (CAD) are also in demand. Industries that are doing the most hiring for associate degrees are utility companies, research organizations, communications services, electrical/electronic machinery and equipment manufacturers.
High Demand "Soft" Skills
Employers want skills that they say recent college graduate lack; most importantly:
1. Communication skills, especially writing
2. Strong work ethic
3. Teamwork skills (works well with others)
4. Initiative
5. Analytical skills
6. Computer skills
7. Flexibility/adaptability
8. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
9. Problem-solving skills
10. Technical skills
High GPAs and Internships are Other Ways to Get Over the Hurdles
Over 50% of employers use a GPA cutoff of 3.0 to screen out candidates. Adding an internship or two in your field will show an employer that you’ve tested your new knowledge.
Even better, internships are a foot in the door. Employers often use them for try-outs; a talent pool for future employees. So, even if it's an unpaid internship, if it's with a desirable future employer, you should seriously consider it!
Don’t overlook the importance of proving your soft skills to employers when entering the job market for the first time. Everyone – regardless of your degree -- has to overcome employer bias against recent college graduates.
Employers want communication and team work skills but they believe that young people lack them. You will be better off in this flat job market, if you can demonstrate your team work experience and individual contributions from college classes, extracurricular experience, internships and “first jobs”.
According to the 2009 Job Outlook Survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the job market is flat. And it's more competitive. There are more job-seekers; recent graduates and job changers are pursing the same positions.
Engineers, accountants and computer scientists with "people smarts" will be very competitive in the 2009 job market.
The highest demand is for bachelor's degrees are in the following fields:
Accounting
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Science
Business Administration/Management
Economics/Finance
Information Sciences & Systems
Computer Engineering
Management Information Systems
Marketing/Marketing Management
At the master's degree level, the highest demand is for:
M.B.A.
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Computer Science
Accounting
These hiring trends are likely to continue for awhile, so undergraduate students who are considering one of these majors will be well-advised to confirm that decision.
Where Should you Target your Job Search?
If you're a newly minted degree-holder in Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Business Administration/Management, the Federal Government is the best place to seek a job.
If you're an MBA, you will lead the pack at 60% of employers surveyed by NACE.
Who's Hiring by Employer Type
(Bachelor's Degree)
Accounting:
Accounting (public)
Financial Services
Utilities
Government (Federal)
Mechanical engineering
Government (Federal)
Chemicals & Allied Products
Food & Beverage Processing
Electrical engineering:
Government (Federal)
Electrical & electronic machinery & equipment manufacturers
Chemicals & allied products
Computer Science:
Computer software development& data processing services
Communication Services
Government (Federal)
Business Admin./Mgmt.:
Insurance
Financial Services
Food & Beverage Processing
Government (Federal)
Associate degree holders in business, engineering, drafting, design, and computer-aided design (CAD) are also in demand. Industries that are doing the most hiring for associate degrees are utility companies, research organizations, communications services, electrical/electronic machinery and equipment manufacturers.
High Demand "Soft" Skills
Employers want skills that they say recent college graduate lack; most importantly:
1. Communication skills, especially writing
2. Strong work ethic
3. Teamwork skills (works well with others)
4. Initiative
5. Analytical skills
6. Computer skills
7. Flexibility/adaptability
8. Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
9. Problem-solving skills
10. Technical skills
High GPAs and Internships are Other Ways to Get Over the Hurdles
Over 50% of employers use a GPA cutoff of 3.0 to screen out candidates. Adding an internship or two in your field will show an employer that you’ve tested your new knowledge.
Even better, internships are a foot in the door. Employers often use them for try-outs; a talent pool for future employees. So, even if it's an unpaid internship, if it's with a desirable future employer, you should seriously consider it!
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Innovative, Cross-Disciplinary Golf Management Program at Ohio State University
Try telling mom and dad that you want to major in “golf”.
Even the savviest college shopper might never ask him- or herself:
“What do science, business, and golf have in common?”
Ohio State University (OSU) provides all the right justifications for turning your golf passion into a lucrative career. The right facilities, broad cross-disciplinary coursework and specializations, premiere faculty and intensive professional networking can make you a sought-after candidate in a $62 billion industry.
OSU' s creative four-and-a-half year Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program collaborated across three academic departments and with a leading professional association to offer high-potential student golfers an opportunity to make their passion into a career. The program combines the academic requirements of The Ohio State University with the golf business knowledge and golf aptitude expectations.
The OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) houses the program, which is delivered by the Horticulture & Crop Science Department. CFAES, the College of Education and Human Ecology, the Fisher College of Business, and the OSU Athletics Department partnered to develop the program, which is sanctioned by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA). PGA requires students to become Class A PGA professionals after graduation
Why OSU? Why a Career in – of all things – Golf!?
According to program officials, about $4.4 billion of (the $62 million golf industry) is produced in Ohio, according to a PGA study. “The starting median salary for someone going through a PGM program is about $50,000 and can eventually reach six figures,” program literature points out.
Ohio is fifth among U.S. states for the number of golf courses (~ 800). Most of them serve as sites for OSU PGM students to conduct internships.
Ohio State was the 18th institution in the United States to implement a Professional Golf Management program, and has the distinction of offering the only PGM program in Ohio, and only the second in the Midwest.
What’s Involved with a Golf Management Major at OSU?
Applicants to the PGM program must be admitted to the University and provide proof of an 18-hole golf handicap of 10 or better. This provides evidence that PGM students have the potential to pass the PGA of America’s Playing Ability Test (PAT).
This degree is multi-disciplinary and incorporates on-campus courses required to complete the major and the General Education Curriculum. Students must also complete the course requirements for a minor in many areas of interest, such as General Business, Agribusiness, Coaching Education or Exercise Science.
All students majoring in PGM at Ohio State complete at least 16 months (five academic quarters) of internships prior to graduation.
Courses are offered in finance, personnel management, marketing, merchandising, plant science, inventory control, lesson planning, individual and group teaching, and social and professional interactions. Students learn to operate a golf course or resort, studying accounting, food and beverage management, event planning, turfgrass science - while honing their golf skills and teaching expertise.
A range of internship opportunities allow OSU PGM students to gain a breadth of experience in the golf industry, as well as focus on specific career interest areas. Students intern at high quality sites across the United States and internationally at university, municipal, public, private and semi-private courses/clubs, resorts, retail stores, learning centers, golf club manufacturers, and sport management companies.
The program is led by Dr. Ray Miller, who has been a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University since 1985 and was previously employed in the chemical industry and served as an environmental consultant.
"(Our PGM students) begin gaining the knowledge and skills required to become a resort manager, club pro, equipment representative or instructor in the golf industry," Dr, Miller notes.
"Other schools, especially the smaller ones, are very 'golfcentric,'" Miller says. "Even though students might learn human resource management or restaurant management, their programs are really focused on the golf part of that. Our students here, even if they decide to get out of golf, will have a broad enough background to do other things in life."
Dr. Miller helps students succeed in their academic program to become members of the Professional Golfer's Association of America. He carries a 7 handicap.
I’m Interested! What Do I Need to Do Next?
Prospective students must show proof of an 18-hole golf handicap of 10 or better. Proof of this handicap may be established by any one of the following:
· Confirmation of playing ability form signed by a high school golf coach
· Confirmation of playing ability form signed by a PGA of America member
· Current United States Golf Association Handicap card
· Confirmation of Playing Ability form - download form
Students can also visit the PGM website at pgm.osu.edu or call Mary Rose Molinaro at 1-866-367-5268 for further information.
Source: http://hcs.osu.edu/pgm/
Even the savviest college shopper might never ask him- or herself:
“What do science, business, and golf have in common?”
Ohio State University (OSU) provides all the right justifications for turning your golf passion into a lucrative career. The right facilities, broad cross-disciplinary coursework and specializations, premiere faculty and intensive professional networking can make you a sought-after candidate in a $62 billion industry.
OSU' s creative four-and-a-half year Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program collaborated across three academic departments and with a leading professional association to offer high-potential student golfers an opportunity to make their passion into a career. The program combines the academic requirements of The Ohio State University with the golf business knowledge and golf aptitude expectations.
The OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) houses the program, which is delivered by the Horticulture & Crop Science Department. CFAES, the College of Education and Human Ecology, the Fisher College of Business, and the OSU Athletics Department partnered to develop the program, which is sanctioned by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA). PGA requires students to become Class A PGA professionals after graduation
Why OSU? Why a Career in – of all things – Golf!?
According to program officials, about $4.4 billion of (the $62 million golf industry) is produced in Ohio, according to a PGA study. “The starting median salary for someone going through a PGM program is about $50,000 and can eventually reach six figures,” program literature points out.
Ohio is fifth among U.S. states for the number of golf courses (~ 800). Most of them serve as sites for OSU PGM students to conduct internships.
Ohio State was the 18th institution in the United States to implement a Professional Golf Management program, and has the distinction of offering the only PGM program in Ohio, and only the second in the Midwest.
What’s Involved with a Golf Management Major at OSU?
Applicants to the PGM program must be admitted to the University and provide proof of an 18-hole golf handicap of 10 or better. This provides evidence that PGM students have the potential to pass the PGA of America’s Playing Ability Test (PAT).
This degree is multi-disciplinary and incorporates on-campus courses required to complete the major and the General Education Curriculum. Students must also complete the course requirements for a minor in many areas of interest, such as General Business, Agribusiness, Coaching Education or Exercise Science.
All students majoring in PGM at Ohio State complete at least 16 months (five academic quarters) of internships prior to graduation.
Courses are offered in finance, personnel management, marketing, merchandising, plant science, inventory control, lesson planning, individual and group teaching, and social and professional interactions. Students learn to operate a golf course or resort, studying accounting, food and beverage management, event planning, turfgrass science - while honing their golf skills and teaching expertise.
A range of internship opportunities allow OSU PGM students to gain a breadth of experience in the golf industry, as well as focus on specific career interest areas. Students intern at high quality sites across the United States and internationally at university, municipal, public, private and semi-private courses/clubs, resorts, retail stores, learning centers, golf club manufacturers, and sport management companies.
The program is led by Dr. Ray Miller, who has been a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University since 1985 and was previously employed in the chemical industry and served as an environmental consultant.
"(Our PGM students) begin gaining the knowledge and skills required to become a resort manager, club pro, equipment representative or instructor in the golf industry," Dr, Miller notes.
"Other schools, especially the smaller ones, are very 'golfcentric,'" Miller says. "Even though students might learn human resource management or restaurant management, their programs are really focused on the golf part of that. Our students here, even if they decide to get out of golf, will have a broad enough background to do other things in life."
Dr. Miller helps students succeed in their academic program to become members of the Professional Golfer's Association of America. He carries a 7 handicap.
I’m Interested! What Do I Need to Do Next?
Prospective students must show proof of an 18-hole golf handicap of 10 or better. Proof of this handicap may be established by any one of the following:
· Confirmation of playing ability form signed by a high school golf coach
· Confirmation of playing ability form signed by a PGA of America member
· Current United States Golf Association Handicap card
· Confirmation of Playing Ability form - download form
Students can also visit the PGM website at pgm.osu.edu or call Mary Rose Molinaro at 1-866-367-5268 for further information.
Source: http://hcs.osu.edu/pgm/
Thursday, January 01, 2009
College Majors that Pay the Most!
In August 2008, Payscale, Inc. released its annual rankings for college majors that result in the highest salaries, based on data from 10 million users.
When looking at private sector jobs (excluding social work and education) and excluding graduate degrees, Computer Engineering is one of the highest paid occupations with the greatest demand. Furthermore, Computer Engineering achieves this salary range in under five years of experience.
The only downside of this occupation is that job growth isn’t particularly high and salaries don’t tend to grow with experience.
According to the College Board, "Computer engineering technology students learn the technical skills they need to help computer engineers design computer hardware and software. Class topics include computer electronics and programming, computer installation and testing, and report writing."
Nearest to Northeast Ohio, the Firelands campus of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Huron offers an associate degree in Computer Engineering. For information, contact:
Admission Office
One University Drive
Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-5560
Fax: (419) 372-0604 fireadm@bgsu.edu
Contact: Debralee Divers Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
According to the IEEE Computer Society:
"Computers are used in almost every aspect of today’s life: in automobile engines, microwave ovens, video games, watches, telephones, desktops at home and work, mainframe computers in government and industry, and in supercomputers extending the frontiers of science and technology. The computer, network and Internet industries are the fastest growing segments of our economy and of the new millennium."
BGSU says that "students who are interested in computer and network engineering technology can pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate degree. Technologists with the bachelor’s degree may work creating scientific and engineering advances or producing high quality products and are more likely than the technician to take on a project-leadership role after a year or two of experience.
A student with a two-year degree can enter the industry as a member of an engineering team working with engineers, technologists and other engineering technicians. Technicians are often involved in the maintenance, repair, installation, industrial application, testing, trouble-shooting, sales and field service of computer and network systems. They are expected to keep up with the latest technological advancements.
Typical job titles include: computer systems specialist, computer support specialist, computer maintenance technician, software engineering technician, installation technician, field engineer, field service representative, systems integrator and applications specialist, and systems support technician."
BGSU's Program Requirements Include:
Communications (6 hours minimum), General Studies (6 hours minimum), Basic Courses (20 hours minimum) and Electronics and Computer Technology Major (37 hours minimum) covering:
Design (DESN 104)Manufacturing (MFG 112) or Basic Computer-Aided Design (DESN 131)Energy, Power, Instrumentation and Control (ECT 191)
Electric Circuits (ECT 240)
Electronic Circuits (ECT 241)
Digital Electronic Components and Systems (ECT 249)
Real Time Microcomputer Systems for Industrial Control (ECT 250)
Programmable Logic Controllers (ECT 310 or ECT 248)
Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation (ECT 247)
Digital Computer Analysis (ECT 349)
Network & Internet Principles (CST 181)
Network & Internet Implementation (CST 281)
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Dept. of Labor expects the computer and network engineering technology career to be the fastest growing field well into the 21st century. According to the latest figures from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, computer support specialists and computer engineers are the top two fastest growing occupations through 2008. Projected growth employment rates exceed 90 percent.
So, knowing the trade-offs in picking a major is critical. If you’re out for the quickest return on your investment in college, and you’re willing to stick out a tough academic program, don’t want to pursue a graduate degree and are fascinated with how computers work, Computer Engineering could be the perfect choice for you!
Sources:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=5304488
http://www.firelands.bgsu.edu/academics/asas_eeet-ect.html
www.collegeboard.com
When looking at private sector jobs (excluding social work and education) and excluding graduate degrees, Computer Engineering is one of the highest paid occupations with the greatest demand. Furthermore, Computer Engineering achieves this salary range in under five years of experience.
The only downside of this occupation is that job growth isn’t particularly high and salaries don’t tend to grow with experience.
According to the College Board, "Computer engineering technology students learn the technical skills they need to help computer engineers design computer hardware and software. Class topics include computer electronics and programming, computer installation and testing, and report writing."
Nearest to Northeast Ohio, the Firelands campus of Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Huron offers an associate degree in Computer Engineering. For information, contact:
Admission Office
One University Drive
Huron, OH 44839 (419) 433-5560
Fax: (419) 372-0604 fireadm@bgsu.edu
Contact: Debralee Divers Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
According to the IEEE Computer Society:
"Computers are used in almost every aspect of today’s life: in automobile engines, microwave ovens, video games, watches, telephones, desktops at home and work, mainframe computers in government and industry, and in supercomputers extending the frontiers of science and technology. The computer, network and Internet industries are the fastest growing segments of our economy and of the new millennium."
BGSU says that "students who are interested in computer and network engineering technology can pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year associate degree. Technologists with the bachelor’s degree may work creating scientific and engineering advances or producing high quality products and are more likely than the technician to take on a project-leadership role after a year or two of experience.
A student with a two-year degree can enter the industry as a member of an engineering team working with engineers, technologists and other engineering technicians. Technicians are often involved in the maintenance, repair, installation, industrial application, testing, trouble-shooting, sales and field service of computer and network systems. They are expected to keep up with the latest technological advancements.
Typical job titles include: computer systems specialist, computer support specialist, computer maintenance technician, software engineering technician, installation technician, field engineer, field service representative, systems integrator and applications specialist, and systems support technician."
BGSU's Program Requirements Include:
Communications (6 hours minimum), General Studies (6 hours minimum), Basic Courses (20 hours minimum) and Electronics and Computer Technology Major (37 hours minimum) covering:
Design (DESN 104)Manufacturing (MFG 112) or Basic Computer-Aided Design (DESN 131)Energy, Power, Instrumentation and Control (ECT 191)
Electric Circuits (ECT 240)
Electronic Circuits (ECT 241)
Digital Electronic Components and Systems (ECT 249)
Real Time Microcomputer Systems for Industrial Control (ECT 250)
Programmable Logic Controllers (ECT 310 or ECT 248)
Electrical Measurements and Instrumentation (ECT 247)
Digital Computer Analysis (ECT 349)
Network & Internet Principles (CST 181)
Network & Internet Implementation (CST 281)
Employment Outlook
The U.S. Dept. of Labor expects the computer and network engineering technology career to be the fastest growing field well into the 21st century. According to the latest figures from the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, computer support specialists and computer engineers are the top two fastest growing occupations through 2008. Projected growth employment rates exceed 90 percent.
So, knowing the trade-offs in picking a major is critical. If you’re out for the quickest return on your investment in college, and you’re willing to stick out a tough academic program, don’t want to pursue a graduate degree and are fascinated with how computers work, Computer Engineering could be the perfect choice for you!
Sources:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=5304488
http://www.firelands.bgsu.edu/academics/asas_eeet-ect.html
www.collegeboard.com
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