Are you interested in a career in photography? Perhaps you are a photography enthusiast who wants to learn more about the creative and technical aspects of this industry. If so, you could enroll in a photography program at an accredited college that has an Arts & Design program. You will generally be instructed by professional photographers who have worked in the industry, as well as those who are currently working as a photographer. After you have completed an associate degree in applied business photography program, you could become a certified photographer.

Program 

You will need to enroll in a photography program offered at an accredited college. The associate of applied business degree program typically takes students two years to complete. The photography program will help you learn more about lighting, photography techniques, graphic design, digital photography, color theory, artwork critique, and more. This program is necessary to take before becoming a photographer because it allows you to experiment with the photography skills that you already possess, as well as those you need in order to have a successful career as a photographer.

Coursework and Training

While enrolled in a photography degree program, you will be required to take a variety of courses that could prepare you for a successful career as a photographer. Some of the courses that you will need to take in order to become a photographer include: 

• Digital Publishing and Layout
• Motion Photography
• Photo Design
• Digital Image Manipulation
• Computer Applications for Photographers
• Documentary Concept
• Photojournalism
• and more…

The training that you receive outside of the classroom prepares you for actual positions as a photographer. You will train in a studio, as well as on-location photo shoots. The associate degree in photography program that you enroll in will also teach you the business side of photography. While enrolled in the photography program, you will work on building a portfolio that could be used later on down the line when you are applying for positions with a variety of employers. 

Job Outlook 

After you have successfully completed your associate degree program, there are a variety of career opportunities that may be available to you. Some of the job opportunities include:

• Photojournalism
• Portraiture
• Nature Photography
• Publishing
• Wedding Photography
• Graphic Design
• and more…

Sign up for an associate degree in applied business photography program and begin working towards a successful career as photographer. The first step is choosing a college with a photography program that is the best choice for you!

As a dental assistant, you will work under the supervision of a dentist, assisting her as necessary, in addition to performing clerical duties around the office. You may be required to prep patients for an oral examination, or you may need to sterilize dental equipment. Becoming a dental assistant will allow you to work in a fast-growing industry, without spending years and years in college studying or training. You could complete a dental assistant diploma program in as little as 10-12 months, and earn an average of $34,000¹ after you have found a job in the dental industry. The salary for a dental assistant will vary, depending on a variety of factors, including location, years of experience, and the type of employer.

Average Salary of a Dental Assistant

Although the salary for a dental assistant will vary, there is an average salary for individuals who work a typical 40-hour work week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a dental assistant in 2012 was $34,500. The lower 10 percent of dental assistants earned an average of $23,550, while the top 10 percent of dental assistants earned an average annual wage of $47,580.

Some factors that can cause these average wages to increase include profit sharing, overtime pay, and bonuses. While a large percentage of dental assistants work full-time, a large number of employees worked part-time as well.

Experience

The amount of experience you have as a dental assistant could affect your salary. The increase in pay is credited to the training you will receive while on-the-job. The more time you work as a dental assistant, the more you will learn and be able to apply to those duties you already know how to complete. The more experience you have, the more money you could earn. For example, a dental assistant that has less than one year of experience could earn $30,000 per year, while a dental assistant with more than 20 years of experience has the potential to earn $41,000. 

Job Location 

The state that you work in will determine how much you could earn working as a dental assistant. In California, dental assistants could earn an average salary of $40,000, while a dental assistant working in Oklahoma earns an average of $25,000 per year. 

Type of Employer

The employer that you work for will also determine how much money you could earn working as a dental assistant. Those employees who work in a hospital tend to earn more money than those who work as a dental assistant for a federal government agency. Dental assistants who work for non-profit organizations and private dental offices generally earn an average salary of $34,000, while a dental assistant who works for a hospital could earn an annual wage of $40,000.

Source: US Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics

As a practical nurse, you will work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician, performing a variety of duties. You will receive the training and skills necessary while enrolled in a diploma program at an accredited college or vocational school. The practical nursing diploma program will typically take between 10-12 months to complete, depending on the educational institution that you enroll in. Once you have successfully completed your practical nursing degree program, you will need to take a certification exam before you can begin practicing. Once you pass the exam, you could have the ability to work as a practical nurse and earn an annual salary of $41,000.¹ 

The Average Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a practical nurse is $41,000. The top 10 percent of practical nurses earned an average of $57,000, while the lowest ten percent earned $31,000.

As a practical nurse, you have the option to work full-time or part-time, depending on your preferences. Some nurses work shifts that last longer than eight hours; this will depend on your employer. 

Location

The state that you work in could impact your salary as a practical nurse. It is true that some states pay higher salaries for nurses than others. For example, a practical nurse in Connecticut could earn $52,000 a year, in comparison to a practical nurse in Louisiana who earns an average of $37,000.

Some of the other highest paying states for a practical nurse include California, New Jersey, Mexico, and Rhode Island. Nurses in these states earn an average of $49,000 to $51,000. 

Type of Employers

The employer that you work for could have a major impact on your salary. Most practical nurses that work in a nursing home will earn more money than those who work in other healthcare facilities. The average salary for an individual who works in a nursing home facility was $42,000. Practical nurses working in a physician’s office earned $36,000, which is $3,000 less than a practical nurse who works in a hospital.

Future for Practical Nurses

The future for practical nurses is bright; in fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the job growth for a practical nurse to increase by 25 percent. This is at a much faster rate than other occupations.

If you have a specialization, you could earn a higher salary as a practical nurse. Some areas of specialization include hospice care, labor and delivery, and pediatrics. An emergency room practical nurse can earn a higher salary as well - $44,000 per year. 

Source: US Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics

You have decided that you want to become a dental assistant. Before you can begin applying for jobs in the dental field, you will need to complete an associate degree or diploma program in dental assisting. The purpose of these programs is to help you gain the skills that will be necessary when working under the supervision of a dentist. The programs and training received in an accredited college will help you develop the skills that you need to work in a variety of dental settings, whiling completing various dental assistant duties. The more education you have, the more duties you will be able to perform.

Courses and Training

If you are enrolled in the associate degree program for dental assisting, it will typically take you 24 months to complete. The dental assistant diploma program at an accredited college generally takes 10 – 12 months to complete; this will vary from student-to-student, and college-to-college. The courses that you take in a dental assistant degree or diploma program will vary, but most colleges require you to take:

• Biology
• Anatomy
• Chemistry
• and more…

In addition to classroom studies, you will be required to complete training outside of the classroom. This includes laboratory work where students learn more about teeth, jaws, and gums, in addition to other areas of the mouth that dentist will work on. You will also learn more about the instruments that dentist use.

Certification

Depending on the state that you are practicing in, you may need to pass the Certified Dental Assistant exam (CDA). This examination can only be taken once you have satisfied all of the requirements pertaining to the dental assistant degree or diploma program that you have enrolled in. Before taking the CDA exam, you can download a copy of the exam and guide to study. Remember that the questions offered on the exam you download will not be the actual exam questions; these are similar questions that could help you prepare for the actual test. You will need to submit an application before you can take your exam; once your application has been received and processed, you will be prompted to schedule your CDA exam. The exam is taken on the computer, and it generally consists of three components:

• General Chairside
• Radiation Health and Safety
• Infection Control

Job Outlook

Once you successfully complete your dental assistant degree or diploma program, you could apply for certification. After you have passed your exam, you could begin applying for positions as a dental assistant. The employment in the dental assisting industry is expected to grow by 25 percent over the next few years. The median annual salary for a dental assistant is $34,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Enroll in an accredited dental assistant degree or diploma program to work on obtaining the skills and knowledge necessary to work as a dental assistant.

While it is true that both dental hygienists and dental assistants will assist with patients, these two professions are not entirely the same. The main difference is the type of work a dental hygienist will perform, in comparison to that of a dental assistant. A dental assistant will work in a smaller dental practice, assisting in the office, performing clerical duties; however, a dental hygienist will help a dentist by performing actual dental work. The type of education that a dental assistant is required to have is not as much as a dental hygienist. Before you decide which of the two professions is the best choice, take a look at some of the differences between the two.

One-on-One

A dental assistant will begin working under the supervision of a dentist immediately, helping the dentist out with various tasks, most of which involve the office. Some dental assistants will help a dentist work on a patient’s teeth, but they will need to be supervised at all times, and the jobs that an assistant does pertaining to a patient’s teeth will be small. In contrast, a dental hygienist has the ability to work under the supervision of a dentist, but he can also work alone, in a one-on-one setting with the patient. The tasks assigned to a dental hygienist will be more advanced, in comparison to those assigned to a dental assistant. 

Educational Requirements

The education requirement is another contrast between these two career choices. As a dental assistant, you will need to enroll and successfully complete a diploma program; you do not need to pass a certification examination to become a dental assistant. However, in order to become a dental hygienist, you will need to receive certification, but you will not be able to take the exam until after you have successfully completed an associate degree program from an accredited college or university. If you would like to receive more job opportunities, you could go back to school and earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the future. 

Equipment 

As a dental assistant, you will not have access to the same equipment that a dental hygienist does. For example, a dental hygienist will be permitted to use equipment to clean a patient’s teeth, in addition to lasers, probes, x-ray units, scalars, and more. A dental assistant is not trained to use this type of equipment; instead, an assistant will work with software, and use dental dams, forceps, and other accessories.

Pay Scale

The amount of money that a dental assistant could earn is less than a dental hygienist. Dental assistants earn an average of $34,000 per year, while a dental hygienist could earn $69,000 per year.

Working in the nursing industry may be your goal, but you do not want to spend years and years in school training and taking college courses. If this is the case, you should consider becoming a practical nurse. You will typically complete your nursing program in less than 12 months; some students can earn their nursing diploma in 10 months, depending on the program you take, and how well you do in the program. Once you have successfully completed your practical nursing diploma program at an accredited college, you could take the certification exam necessary to begin practicing as a practical nurse. 

Courses and Training

Once you find the practical nursing program that is best for you, there are a variety of courses you will be required to take. Some of those courses include:

• Pharmacology
• Biology
• Nursing
• and more…

In addition to the classroom work you will need to take in order to complete your practical nursing diploma program, you will need to be trained. This training will take place outside of the classroom in a clinic or hospital setting. The clinical experience you are required to have before you can receive your practical nursing diploma will be under the supervision of an instructor.

The training and skills that you learn while enrolled in a practical nursing diploma program could help you develop the nursing skills that are necessary to work in the medical field. Some of those skills include compassion and communication. You will be required to assist patients, which will require you to communicate with the patients and their family member effectively. You cannot give a patient the wrong type of advice; this could be bad for their physical well-being. These skills are necessary for you to build a rapport with your patients.

As a practical nurse, you could be required to spend a majority of the day on your feet, which is why physical stamina is also required; you may also be required to move and transport patients.

License

Even if you have successfully completed your practical nursing diploma program, you cannot begin working as a practical nurse. Employers will require you to be certified before you can begin practicing. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) is required by all nurses who want to practice, regardless of which state you are practicing in.

Advancing your Career

After you have completed a practical nursing diploma program, you could further your education. Some options include earning specializations and certifications in specific areas, such as IV Therapy, Gerontology, and more. You also have the option to enroll in a degree program to earn your associate or Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Before you send a resume to a potential employer, consider for a moment - what will that employer find if they google your name?

Face it, the web and Social Media are whole new avenues for employers to find information on you, and it’s their job to find as much as they can before they make you a job offer.  Studies show more and more employers are using it as a hiring tool.  So try it.  Google yourself and see what a potential employer will find.  Then work to create an online profile that will get you hired, not fired.

Set up your privacy settings on material you don’t want to be made public.  Remove posts and photos that you don’t want to be shared with co-workers and bosses, and delete email accounts that are working against you in your search.  Sure, you may feel like you’re not being honest, but an employer is going to want an employee that is professional and is going to benefit the business.  The material you share with the public online can also be found by your customers, so they need to know you aren’t going to hurt business.  Make sure that is the person they find online is professional.

But Social Media is more than just a way for a potential employer to dig up dirt on you.  It can also be one of the best tools you have to get the job you want.  Abby Gilmore, an Internet marketing specialist with Vertical Measures, has written an excellent guide to using Social Media in your job search.  She offers quick and easy tips that ensure you are maximizing your job search potential.

In today’s economy, there are many things you can’t control in your job search.  Make sure to maximize the things you can control to your benefit before you send out your first resume, and you’ll be well on your way to finding a new job in no time!

You are ready to join the workforce, but what does that mean? How are employers going to know YOU are a rock star and potentially THE candidate they have been looking for?

Your resume is the first impression they have of you.

So what really is a resume? It’s a brief history of your accomplishments, skills, and qualifications that you prepare for potential employers.

 How does it work?

1. Introduces you to employers
2. Chance to describe who you are
3. Guide for you and the interviewer to discuss your background
4. Reminder to the interviewer of who you after the interview is over

 10 Resume Tips:

1. Look at resume examples
2. Start with a resume template
3. Choose a basic font throughout your resume
4. Include all of your contact information
5. Choose the right resume format
6. Include keywords in your resume
7. Prioritize your resume content
8. Customize your resume
9. Tailor your resume objective to specific job openings
10. Tweak for technology

 What to include in your resume?

1. Heading: Full name, complete address, phone number, professional email address
2. Education/Training
3. Work Experience
4. Awards/Affiliations/Skills

 Other Resume Tips:

1. Sell your strengths
2. Highlight accomplishments
3. Use action verbs
4. Avoid wordiness
5. Proofread carefully and let someone else proofread it with a keen/critical eye
6. Create an “e-friendly” version of your resume

 Keisha White is a Career Services Coordinator and instructor at Antonelli College in Ohio. Connect with her on Linked-In to learn more about the career placement opportunities.  Her professional skills have come a long way since the second grade when she was forced to take a school picture AFTER cutting off her own eyebrows.

As a student at Antonelli College, it is our goal to put your needs first. In fact, that is the highest priority of our Student Services department. Student Services is the direct point of contact on campus for students in need of assistance. From your enrollment appointment, and if needed even after graduation, Student Services will be there to help make your experience at Antonelli College as rewarding as possible. 

Did you know your journey at Antonelli College begins with Student Services? That’s right, the Student Services department actually enrolls all students during the admissions process. As a result, the department is responsible for keeping track of all pertinent information about each student. They may not need to know your shoe size, but if you move, create a new email address or get a new cell phone number, they are going to want to be in the know! The department keeps close tabs on this information for many reasons. Think of it this way, both you and your best friend in the program are named Will Hunting. You have straight A’s and your friend has a B or two this quarter. In order to avoid confusion on your transcripts, Student Services needs to be able to distinguish which of you is a member of the Director’s List and which earned Dean’s List honors. By tracking this information, each Will Hunting will have the correct transcripts and avoid confusion in the system.

Speaking of transcripts … the Student Services team is responsible for requesting high school/GED transcripts and processing any previous college transcripts for incoming students as well as maintaining an up-to-date Antonelli College transcript for continuing students. Once they have received all previous transcripts, the team will review the document and verify you have met the necessary entrance requirements set by the Department of Education.  Also, Student Services maintains all Antonelli College transcripts for former and current students; this means, if you are looking to further your education, and need a copy of your Antonelli College transcripts, Student Services is the department to contact!

And, in addition to transcripts, they also are responsible for accepting transfer credits. Students are allowed to transfer in academic credits from previously attended colleges until the end of their first quarter at Antonelli College. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity you must contact your previous college and request an official transcript be mailed to Student Services.  All official college transcripts are reviewed to determine which classes are transferable; eligible classes will then be entered on the student’s Antonelli College transcript as transfer credits.

 Now that you are enrolled, Student Services wants to help you get to graduation! Because our academic calendar is broken into 10-week quarters, absences from class are closely monitored by Student Services, but, at the same time, we understand life can throw unforeseen circumstance at a student. Let’s chat about Will Hunting again; maybe he is a father with a very sick child and no daycare options. As he tends to his child he might miss a few important classes – in fact, he might miss more than the allotted number. This is where Student Services can step in to help. If Will schedules a time to chat with Student Services, together they can get a meeting on the calendar to review his situation, stay in school and on track to graduate.

If you have any further questions, please drop by the Student Services office at your campus!

You can see on NSLDS's website. Here are the steps:

When students are trying to keep track of their student financial aid whether it is loans or grants, there is one good website to reference.  The National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) stores loan and grant information that both Financial Aid Professionals and Students can utilize.

For students searching for information on their loans such as current lenders, total amount borrowed (Direct and FFEL loans), and current enrollment status they can visit NSLDS for this information; https://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/SaFinLoginPage.do.  When you sign in, you will need your Personal Identification Number (PIN) used to electronically sign your FASFA which can be found at the following link http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp. If you have changed your last name, you will need to remember which name you used to sign up for the PIN as this is the key identifier associated.

Once you have logged into the student side of NSLDS you can look at all your loan and grant information under “Financial Aid Review”.  A list of Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Consolidated loans and grant information are listed with numbers next them.  If you click on the number next to the loan you will be given more information regarding the loan in question.

Within that loan you will know the current outstanding balance, if the loan is in repayment, deferment, forbearance, etc. Other information provided is your Servicer, Lender, and Guaranty Agency Information with their address and phone number. This information is extremely helpful if you are unaware of whom to contact regarding your student loans.

Another helpful tab within this site is the “Glossary of Terms” page.  This page provides a brief definition of what a word or group of words mean.  For example, if you were to click on the term “status” it would bring you to the definition and shows all the codes that are used within NSLDS.  You can use this reference to see which type your loan falls under and if you should be contacting your lender immediately. Also, don’t forget the “FAQ’s” tab.  Here you will be able to find commonly asked questions with answers.

Remember this website contains a bundle of information for the student to use in managing their debt and deferment status. If you have any questions, contact your lender or your schools Financial Aid Department with any questions.  There are many resources available for managing your loans and this is one of them.

Don’t forget to log off!

Last week I was at a soccer game, and a high school student (who knew I worked at Antonelli College) asked a simple question, “Why go to college?  Is it really necessary?”

I paused before I answered him.

Five-years ago, I wouldn’t have paused.  “Of course,” I would have said, with no doubt or hesitation in my voice. “Go to college!”  The person I was five-years ago would have believed the answer with all my heart and soul.  EVERYONE needed a college education.  College was a crucible where students were magically transformed.  College was a rite of passage.  Students had parties, stayed up late and talked philosophy and politics.  Students were exposed to new music, new entertainment, new experiences, friends, and ideas.  College was coffee shops, late-night cram sessions, pizza and computer labs.

Times change, the world has changed, and I’m a different person.  I once believed going to college was embarking on a heroic adventure, and when you had a degree, jobs fell into your lap and debt was slowly, but magically, wiped clean.

“Why go to college?”  The question was spinning in my mind and making the memories of me five years ago seem so naive.  Now I pondered debt, contemplated current job prospects, gave gainful employment regulations a thought, and considered childcare and commuting costs. I wasn’t considering parties, the “experience,” or late nights discussing philosophy.

Luckily, I stopped myself before I answered.  The truth is, his question wasn’t about a rite of passage, a risk/reward analysis of debt, or my opinion on philosophy.  A party is a memory of our time in college.  We all face potentially difficult job prospects, no matter if we have a degree or not.  Debt is an investment we make in our future, with the expectation of a return.  None of this defines a college experience.

The goal of college is building a better future.  That is why we pay tuition and invest our time and effort.  We go to college in the hopes of creating a better life.  is a tool we use to create a better future.  In college, we seek knowledge, skills, experience, the opportunity to network, build relationships and ourselves.  Considering college like that, then the question is, “Why should we create a better future for ourselves?”  The answer is obvious.

“Yes,” I told him, after a LONG pause, but with no doubt in my mind.

You should go to college, but only if you are ready to make an investment.  To be honest, the five-years-ago me was a fool.  College isn’t a crucible that you dip yourself into.  College is a tool that requires an investment of time and energy.  You have to actively use it, to make an investment of effort.  Some people are happy where they are and don’t see the need to work hard, and that’s fine.  If you can find happiness in your current situation, then there is no reason to invest in the future.  The purpose of college is giving people who want to change their life the resources to change.  We should continually strive for improvement.  College is necessary because our goal should be to make our world a better place.

Looking back, the moment it took to formulate an answer to his question was packed with a lot of thought.  Good thought, I believe.

“Huh,” the High School student replied.  “Cool.”

It was a soccer game, not a late-night college discussion about philosophy.  I really shouldn’t have expected much, but hopefully, I’d made the world a better place with my answer.

Written by David Oeters, Ohio PR Associate

Interested in what employers want? Watch the video, it's good. 

As the end of the quarter nears, many students are excited that they are approaching the end of their Antonelli College career.  With that excitement often comes the mixed emotion of dread knowing that they are also getting ready to begin their internship.  Yes, countless hours were spent in the classroom, but why is it also important to do an internship?

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers taking part in their 2010 Internship & Co-op Survey reported that 44.6 percent of their Class of 2009 hires came from their own internship programs.  Among these employers 83.4 percent said they designed their internship programs to help the organization recruit entry-level college hires. This speaks volumes of the impact that an internship can have on jumpstarting your career.

In addition to possibly receiving your first job offer, internships also offer the following opportunities:

• Experience.  The first thing most hiring managers ask is do you have experience doing the job that the open position requires. Internships give you an opportunity to get hands-on practice, as well as see first-hand the ins and outs the industry.  Through this experience, you can figure out what your strengths are and really shine. It is also a good time to identify your weaknesses so they too can become stronger.
• Direction. An internship allows you to observe professionals on a daily or weekly basis in your interested field. This allows you the chance to see how they would handle certain situations without feeling the pressure of having to make the decision.  It aids in answering key questions surrounding how they handle a difficult situation or their work ethic.
• Compatibility. Internships are a unique opportunity that you may never get a chance to experience again in your career. Maybe you know that you want to work in the medical field; however, when it comes to what position, your mind draws a blank.  An internship aids in helping you figure out such things.  This is your chance to test drive different positions to see which one you enjoy most.  
• Networking. It is true that many of our students actually land a job from their internship; however, it is never promised.  Even though you do not receive a job offer, you do walk away with something else of value.  You have just proven to them that you are skilled in your profession and worthy of recommendation. When it’s time for you to try to find a job, it may be one of the people in your network who informs you about an open position and/or helps you land an interview.

If you are unsure how to begin the internship search process, Career Services is available to assist you. Simply stop by and visit your campus Career Services department to make an appointment, and together you can take a step in the right direction.  

About the author: Dwanna Toney is a Career Services Coordinator at the Antonelli College Hattiesburg Campus. Connect with her via LinkedIn.