Tomorrow's College Education Options Today at a Bargain!

Western Governors University (WGU) is a one of a kind university for working people needing a degree (bachelors or masters) covering over 70 degree offerings.   For a detailed list of degree programs, click here.  WGU is a completely virtual, competency-based university founded by 19 governors of western states.  The governors of Utah and Colorado spear-headed it and the main HQ was originally located in Denver.  Now it is located in Salt Lake City.  Dirt cheap and fully certified and accredited nationally without any questions or reservations.  And also is the largest on-line college in the country.

WGU is a serious alternative for those who need to upgrade their careers and not interfere with their families and their present employment.  And affordable all at the same time.  My son earned 90+ semester credits in 3 semesters at a list price of $3,500 per semester but also had a half tuition scholarship because his career was already in place before he became unemployed.  And there are no charges for text books!  And he immediately earned a master's degree from August 1st to April 1st following his B.S. degree last July graduation.  Now his Master's thesis is all that is left and he graduates on July 14th with a master's degree in Internet Security in less than 12 months.  And the college paid for all national certification tests required for the degree such as the Microsoft Networking Certifications, CISCO tests, and many more which are in themselves very expensive.  And again, no charge for any of these national tests that can be taken at local colleges.

Self-Paced instruction may not be everybody, but students can earn unlimited number of credits per semester.  Students enrolled in a 6-month term and can accelerate to take as many courses as possible in that term at no additional cost.  My son finished each course usually in 2 weeks.  Then takes another course on and on to the end of the semester.  And that's how he earned in excess of 30 semester credits every semester.  Plus passing national computer certification courses.   What a no-nonsense approach to upgrading ones profession.   Academic support is provided by academic mentors who specialize in content areas through online learning communities.

Online instruction offers advantages that can help people upgrade their professional skills while not disrupting their lives:

1. Distance learning does not require commuting.
2. You can complete all of the classes at your convenience.
3. You can live anywhere, study from anywhere while pursing the education of your choice.
4. Gain extra knowledge on the subjects of your choice.
5. Self-paced learning is for both slow and quick learners.
6. Accessibility in the confines of your own home
7. Issue of time.  The learner is not confined to a classroom for certain number of hours on a given day.  

It is an amazing story to motivate others to do something besides do little and wish their careers were more competitive. For more information about Western Governors University, click here.

The Secret of Networking! It May Surprise You!

You have heard over and over again that the key to a successful job search and long-term career advancement is networking. Almost every article touches on this fact. Emphasis is placed on the following fundamentals:

• Develop a target list of companies and make contact with employees and, ultimately,hiring managers.
• Clearly articulate what you would like to do in a job (positioning statement).
• Clearly explain why you are looking for your next job (exit statement).
• Ask for additional networking names.

For more information, click here.  Article is written by Matthew Levy.

7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers

By definition, the term networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships. It’s not schmoozing; it’s not just handing out business cards, selling, marketing or small talk. Those activities are part of networking, but unfortunately, many people’s misunderstanding of the term causes them to network ineffectively.   

For detailed information about the 7 Habits of Horrible Networkers, click here.

10 useless résumé words (and 10 eye-catching ones)

Instead of being another candidate professing to be a "hard worker," revitalize your application with a little seek-and-replace exercise. Scan your résumé for empty, overused words such as the following:

Click here for more details and essential tips to improve your resume instantly.

Resume Rescue-Is Yours Full of Fluff?

Hiring managers read hundres of resumes per day. Their main challenge includes weaving throught the endless cliche's, jargon, and over-used marketing terminology to really discover what you have to offer. Are you limiting your changes of getting the job by burying your skills and accomplishments among resume fluff?

For more insight, click here.

US in Longest Stretch of High Unemployment Since Depression

Friday, February 17, 2012 02:09 PM  By: Greg Brown

The United States is experiencing the longest stretch of high unemployment since the Great Depression, according to a new study by the Congressional Budget Office.  U.S. unemployment in the United States has exceeded 8 percent since February 2009, making the past three years the longest stretch of high unemployment in this country since the Great Depression, writes CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf on the CBO Director’s Blog site.

For more information, go to the published article by clicking here.

Your Background Check Is Now with Facebook

The next time you apply for a job, don't be surprised if social-media is used as a background or reference check.  Many U.S. companies and recruiters are now looking at your Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other accounts and blogss -- even YouTube --to paint a clearer picture of who you are. 

• It is not the party photos
• What you should do?
• Almost all employers do some form of background screening because they have to avoid negligent hiring.; 
• For the entire article, go to:  http://tinyurl.com/3w2tozr