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What to Look For In Career Technology Education

By leidson on Friday, January 24, 2014

Whether you’re considering expanding your education for the first time or wanting to learn a new trade, your local career technology school could be just what you’re looking for. A career technology education often provides quality training for less time and money than more formal university programs. And, with Harvard University’s 2011 “Pathways to Prosperity” report showing that more than 25% of those holding post-secondary licenses or certificates from a career technology education earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient, getting a career technology education is a great way to further your career and increase your earning potential.

If you do decide to attend a career technology education, you still need to do a little research to make sure you’re choosing the best one for your needs. Here are four things to keep at the top of your checklist as you make your decision.

The Program You Want
Not all career technology education’s offer the same programs and certifications, so start out by finding the ones that offer what you’re looking for. If you aren’t quite sure what type of career you’re interested in, career technology schools are also great places to try different fields of work until you find one that fits. According to the New York Times, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that “of the 30 jobs projected to grow at the fastest rate over the next decade in the United States, only seven typically require a bachelor’s degree.” So you might take job security, projected growth, and earning potential into consideration as you decide on a program.

A Price You Can Afford
One of the best aspects of a career technology education is its affordability. “Because trade and technical schools are often directly tied into the employment needs of their region or state, prospective students can find low cost or free programs,” Mary Docken, director of market development at Hobsons, an education solutions firm, told Fox Business News. It is important to compare all the career technology schools within driving distance to see if one is cheaper than the others or if one has better scholarships or financial aid options.

Quality Teachers
Once you decide on your area of study, take a look at the various career technology teachers. What type of training do they have? Have they worked in the real world? What’s their reputation among their students? Often times, the instructors are more down to earth and approachable than university professors. “Instructors are usually well seasoned professionals with direct experience in the field, which is often not the case in the traditional college setting,” Erin Davis, director at McGraw-Hill Higher Education, said in a Fox Business News article.

A Good Reputation
Attending a career technology school that has a good reputation with local professionals and employers is critical if you want to maximize your chances of quickly landing a job after completing your training. So try to talk with some potential employers and find out what schools and programs they prefer to hire from. When a career technology school has a good enough reputation, some employers will even hire students before they graduate.

Just because career technology schools don’t receive all the hype that universities often do doesn’t mean they aren’t a great, viable option for you. Many of the jobs you can receive training for from a career technology school will provide stable, well-paying careers. And, even if you were already proficient in your field of work, sometimes getting that formal certification is what it takes to make you stand out from other job seekers.

Did you attend a career technology school and now have a great job? Do you think career technology schools can prepare you for a career just as well as universities? Let us know in the comments sections below.

Inside Express Reader Surveys

Poll: Who are you?

By Rachel Rudisill on Wednesday, September 18, 2013

In order to provide the best content for Movin’ On Up blog readers, we invite you to participate in a brief survey. Your answers will be used to help plan future article topics for our blog and further career assistance from Express Employment Professionals.

Job Interviews The Job Search

Lack of Job Offers is Biggest Frustration to Job Seekers

By Rachel Rudisill on Monday, August 5, 2013

This summer, Express Employment Professionals asked job seekers what the biggest frustration is in the job search via a poll on our Movin’ On Up blog, which received over 1,000 responses.

While not receiving job offers is notably the largest frustration, lack of feedback during the application process and struggling with online applications systems were the largest majority of responses within the “Other” category. 15% of respondents found the pay inadequate or unexpected and another 10% cited that the positions available weren’t jobs they wanted.

This survey corresponds with a deeper look at the employment situation by Express in a series of reports titled, America Employed.

Career Options The Job Search

Unemployed vs. Underemployed – The Struggle

By Job Journey on Friday, July 19, 2013

Over the past five years the terms, “unemployed” and “underemployed” have unfortunately become common place. Even if unemployment hasn’t impacted you directly, chances are it has affected someone close to you. And the same can be said for underemployment. In 2011, Fox News reported on a Gallup study which found that nearly one in five working Americans describes themselves as “underemployed”. A year earlier, in 2010, Reuters reported a similar Gallup poll that revealed that 30 million Americans were underemployed.

Neither of these situations is pleasant to be in, and they both can have long-term effects on workers’ lives. A Fox News article from May of this year reported that the Center for American Progress estimated that young Americans who are currently either unemployed or underemployed will likely lose a combined $20 billion in earnings over the next decade. That’s a major loss. But, if it came down to it, which predicament would you choose?

Unemployed vs. Underemployed
No one wants to describe themselves as unemployed, and being without work is one of life’s biggest stressors. But, as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, and this circumstance is no different. When you are unemployed, you have the flexibility and time for interviews and job searching, and you have time to learn a new skill or increase your knowledge. However, unemployment creates a gap in your work history and can have harmful psychological effects, including hopelessness or depression. Additionally, with unemployment comes the stress of missing income and benefits from an employer.

When you feel underutilized and underpaid, sometimes the idea of not working at all can seem appealing. But, just as there are two sides to every story, staying engaged in the workforce, even in an undesirable position, has its benefits, including psychological ones like having a sense of purpose. Additionally, you’ll be contributing to your work history and can possibly have access to some employer benefits. The concerns with underemployment include having less time to look for a better job, and the possibility of being overlooked for a better job because of the work you are doing.

The Better Option
Obviously, everyone hopes to find a fulfilling job they can enjoy and be successful at. However, when that’s not a possibility, our suggestion is to find a job and do it well even if it means being underemployed for awhile. Here’s why:

Skill building – while they may not be the skills you wanted, you can always learn something new.
Networking opportunities – being in the workforce can put you on the inside track for other jobs at that company and puts you in daily contact with people who may know someone that is hiring.
Future job potential – Having a job, any job, can help with your job search, especially since long-term unemployment has been shown to make finding your next job even harder.

In an article on CampusProgress.org, Tory Johnson, an ABC News Workplace contributor and college advisor for Fairfield University, said, “Don’t wait for the market to magically get better, or for your dream job to come along. Enter the market with a field that is somewhat similar to your career interest, and align yourself with a company or industry that benefits your passion.” And, we couldn’t agree more.

But, you might disagree with us. Which do you think is better? What have been your own experiences with being either unemployed or underemployed? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

The Job Search

Top Cities Express Jobs are Looking for People

By Rachel Rudisill on Monday, July 15, 2013

Job seekers often ask about how Express Employment Professionals finds jobs. Express is a network of locally owned staffing franchises that helps job seekers find jobs with good, local companies.

When you work for Express as an employee, you’ll be placed on assignment at one of our client companies, but you’re employed by Express. So, our jobs are a reflection of the talent demand in the local market.

In 2012, Express Employment Professionals put more than 330,000 people to work across North America. It’s our mission to help people find good jobs at great local companies, and right now, Express has more than 16,500 jobs looking for people.

The top 10 cities in which jobs are looking for people:
1. Nashville, TN – 559 jobs
2. Napa Valley, CA – 235 jobs
3. Dallas, TX – 222 jobs
4. Eau Claire, WI – 220 jobs
5. Oklahoma City, OK – 197 jobs
6. Portland, OR – 175 jobs
7. Austin, TX – 168 jobs
8. Indianapolis, IN – 162 jobs
9. Tacoma, WA – 153 jobs
10. Terre Haute, IN – 143 jobs

If you’ve applied for work at Express through our online application process, you should know your application was only submitted to the locations you requested. It’s important to take a look in the job search function on ExpressPros.com to see which location is hiring for the position you’re interested in and make sure to apply to that location. Express franchises work with clients in their local market, so if you’re looking to work in a certain part of town, apply at the location in that area.

If you’ve already applied at Express, make sure to check in with your staffing consultant to see if there are open positions right now that match with your skills.

Current Affairs The Job Search Work/Life Balance

How to Beat the Fear of Long-Term Unemployment

By Job Journey on Friday, March 9, 2012

There still seems to be a stigma in today’s society about those who have been unemployed for more than a few months. It’s hard for some to understand how anyone could fail to find a job for more than a year without being lazy or unreliable. But, according to Business Insider, an online source of financial, media, and tech news for businesses, nearly four million American job seekers have been unemployed for more than a year, not including the millions of other individuals who gave up the job search, retired, or took part-time jobs.

Long-term unemployment is something millions of Americans still struggle with. Not only is it financially, emotionally, and physically straining, but it’s also psychologically taxing while dealing with the notion that your skills, talents, and attitudes aren’t good enough. It can be a difficult time in anyone’s life when going several months without work, but there are means to cope. Here are four ways to manage long term unemployment.

Meditate

Meditation doesn’t have to be a religious or spiritual experience, and there are several methods and activities to help you lower stress and anxiety. If you let the tension of unemployment affect your life, you will start making rash decisions instead of making clear, educated decisions.

Whether it’s going out to a lake for fishing or spending an hour alone with good music and a book, there are things you can do that will be beneficial to your mental and physical health. It can be difficult keeping a positive attitude during such a long transitional period, but taking time for yourself can go a long way to keep that positive feeling going forward.

Build Family Bonds

Game designer and president of Ozark Softscape, Inc., Dani Buten Berry, said, “No one on their death bed ever said ‘I wish I had spent more time at work.’” Use your time not devoted to the office to build better relationships with loved ones. Not only can family be a great networking avenue, but they can also be a strong support tool for you to lean on during the most difficult times of unemployment. And if you can help out the elderly, relatives, or care for children, it can bring a sense of purpose and routine to your day.

Join Social Clubs

Join something and really get involved. It could be a charitable organization like United Way, civic groups like the Kiwanis, or local choir, sports, or hobby groups. Just as long as you get active. Having a social footing outside of work is important support against the stress and strain of unemployment. When unemployed, it’s important to keep a sense of purpose and willfulness that you may have previously found in your job. Long-lasting stability in life comes from the relationships you make that serve something bigger or serve a bigger cause. Find your place in a local organization of some kind.

Do Work

Just because you aren’t being paid for a job doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working. Start a project that could boost your résumé. Use your talents to help local charities fill needs. It could be something built in your garage, or a project that can help improve your community. Research local businesses and see if you can offer pro bono freelance work. You may be surprised at how many businesses will jump at the offer for free help.

Everyone faces tough times at some point in their lives. Even if you are dealing with long-term unemployment, it doesn’t mean you have to be in despair about the situation. If you follow these helpful hints on how to cope, it will only help your job search.

At Work Leadership My Entry-Level Life New Job Tips The Daily Grind The Job Search Work/Life Balance

Five Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

By callie collins deroldan on Friday, December 17, 2010

It’s winter and chances are you may feel less energetic than usual. Shorter days with less sunlight, coupled with the season’s characteristically inclement weather, may have you reaching for sweat pants and flannel sheets, comfort food, and the remote control.

The weather outside may be frightful, but the recession’s climate of uncertainty can also make for a bleak forecast. Coupled with job and financial stress this year, the usual winter blues may be magnified for some with headlines that are hard to ignore.

Unemployment has remained steady throughout the past year as companies have cut their workforce to operate with minimal staff. Research conducted by Express Employment Professionals found that 68% of employed survey respondents feel that their workload has increased, with 49% also reporting higher stress levels.

Whether you’re looking for a job or feeling stressed in your current position, here are some ways to stay positive this winter and throughout the new year:

Stay engaged with lifelong learning: Whether it’s through a local college or just your local library, pursue an interest with an evening class or seminar. You’ll have something to look forward to a few nights each week and the experience can help spark creativity, an attribute that’s highly sought in professionals.

Get some exercise – with a friend: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that winter weight gain averages four to six pounds. Make plans with a friend to take a brisk winter walk, go ice skating, or head to the gym. You’ll release stress-fighting endorphins and have the opportunity to spend quality time with others.

Write a card to someone: Write a cheery note to someone, just because. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to make a friend feel valued, and it can actually boost your mood as well.

Change your work routine: If your work allows you to take an additional break now and then, try to get up, stretch, and walk around during the day. Bring a special blend of coffee to try with your co-workers, organize a fun lunch together, or find other meaningful ways to change your work routine.

Take a break from technology: Society is now more connected than ever and it’s easy to feel bombarded by negative news. Give yourself permission to turn off your TV, mobile devices, and computer for awhile. A little down time can go a long way.

Find a balance: While sleeping to avoid stressful situations can be a sign of depression, it’s also important to get plenty of rest. Eight hours of sleep and sticking to an established sleep schedule is part of wellness. A good night’s rest can change the next day’s perspective.

Don’t let the winter blahs get the best of you. Stay focused on feeling confident in your job or job search, and seek out the support you need. Regardless of the season, you always have the ability to make positive changes to impact your life today.