Author Archives: schatzi

Earning Your High School Diploma or GED Online

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Too many young people drop out of high school before they graduate and later wish that they would have stayed in school and earned their high school diploma. Fortunately, it is possible to go back and earn a high school degree even if you have been out of school for quite some time. It is never easy to go back, but almost every person who goes back to get their diploma or pass their GED is happy that they did.

There are quite a few different reasons why you may wish to finally get your diploma. These will usually include boosting the number of job opportunities you are qualified for, establishing a school record so you can apply for college or technical school, or perhaps just for your own sense of achievement. No matter what your issues are, you have a certain amount of motivation you can use to help you complete your studies.

There are a few good choices for earning a diploma these days. You can study for and take the GED test, attend a high school diploma course at your local community college, or even take courses online. When deciding which of these alternatives is right for you, try to determine which one will be the easiest for you.

If you are really good at studying and learning by yourself, you may want to go ahead and just take the GED test. You will have to get some GED test preparation guides which will help you brush up on high school topics and they will also include practice exams you can take to see how likely it is that you will actually pass the exam. Be sure to cover the major topics, such as reading and writing, math, social studies and the physical sciences. Be sure to get started studying quite a few months before you will be sitting for the exam. There will be a lot of different topics to read up on. Another option for you may be some test preparation classes at an area school.

Individuals who enjoy participating in classes or perhaps feel that they benefit from a rigid program routine could consider enrolling in a community college. Several community schools offer standardized classes that may help you earn your degree. After you have attended and passed the required number of credits, you will be receive your very own diploma.

If you are currently working full time during the day and need to continue working while you complete a diploma, online courses might be right for you. Plenty of online schools now offer high school programs and some campus-based colleges also offer learning online programs. Before committing to any one online school, find out if the courses are taught according to a strict or variable schedule. Some classes require you to be online at set times of the day or evening, while others are more flexible.

With all of the opportunities for earning a high school degree these days, there is little justification not to try to get yours. If you need structure and a weekly routine, you might want to join a course at a local community college. In case you prefer self-directed learning, try learning online or sitting for the GED exam.

What Has Really Changed in CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-005? An Overview

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Anyone who is aspired to get into the field of computer networking, CompTIA Network+ certification is a great support. Attaining CompTIA Network + training and there upon a certification is a starting point for the aspired candidates those who are looking forward to achieve other high end networking certification tracks, which especially do not have a specific certification exam that covers basic networking hardware and TCP/IP etc.

Recently, CompTIA has changed its CompTIA Network+ exam look, and it is to be changed from N10-004 to N10-005. CompTIA Network+ is a mid-level certification for network technicians, designed to test the competency of a mid- level network technician in supporting and configuring TCP/IP clients in terms of network design, cabling, hardware setup, configuration, installation, support and troubleshooting.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam invariably test the ability of a networking technician to install, maintain, troubleshoot and support a network and understand the various aspect of networking technologies including TCP/IP and the OSI model. Although, the test still cover these areas and also test the knowledge of network component and where they function in association with the OSI model, network cabling, network security and network troubleshooting.

So what are the exact changes in the CompTIA Network+ exam – N10-005?
The new Network+ N10-005 exam is a 90 minutes exam consists of 100 questions. These questions are in multiple choice formats, and mostly with one correct answer. There are often cases wherein multiple accurate selections can be considered. One requires scoring 720 points out of possible 100-900 points. It is considered as an additive test where one gain points for correct answers but there is no penalty for wrong answers. All these mentioned aspects are the same as before (similar to N10-004).

The change is in the fact that before, no actual pre-requisite requirements are needed to get qualified to take the exam. However, now CompTIA recommends CompTIA A+ certification and 9 months of computer network related experience.

No significant changes have happened, however it cannot be said that there are no changes at all, not drastic changes for sure in focus or in content. Many new items are either obvious or direct elements of a topic or are so closely related to networking that they had been common inclusions in well-rounding training and preparation materials. These newly listed exam items are of no surprise to those already familiar with networking concepts in general or for those who have already prepared using N10-004 materials. However, one can always go for CompTIA N+ training program to speed up ones preparation and attain the certification.

There are many methodologies in which one can seek CompTIA Network+ training. With the recent technological advancements various ways has come up making IT trainings easier for us. Some of the few methods to attain this credential are:

• CompTIA N+ bootcamp training
• CompTIA N+ classroom training course
• CompTIA Network+ Online trainings (Instructor led live Virtual)

Additionally, some will also see the increase in Network Security from quite few percentages (11% to 19%). It goes without saying that security has always been an integral part of Network+ since ages. In this version has simply reorganized all the previous unidentified security material under the security domain.

CompTIA certifications are usually more basic and less product specific in comparison to other IT certifications. You may take the Network certification exam, and other related IT certifications at number of testing centers around the world.

Distance Learning Media of Communication – Important Guide To Video and Audio Conferencing

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One of the biggest problems faced by many people who want to study via distance learning is that they still wonder how they can learn and get the education without being in “actual” classroom setting. They still can’t understand how it can be possible for them to get taught without being in the classroom. Well, if you also have such fears, it’s understandable. I also wondered about this the first time I heard about distance learning and online learning, but not anymore. Now, I completely understand how the process works and the various media of communication used. In this article you will also learn about some of the media of communication used such as audio and video conferencing and the likes.

Video conferencing is one of the media used in distance learning. It conversely has two or more persons participating in a class that can be viewed by all participants using their video conferencing equipment. The equipment may vary from a computer with a video camera to a web cam, monitor and speakers that help participants talk to and hear each other.

Setbacks that may arise from video conferencing are in two areas. One results from the challenge of setting up cameras and speakers with a network system that would transmit the data back and forth. This can be rather challenging issue or network failure could effectively nullify the intended effect of the effort.

Students with screen-shy attitudes will be tensed and nervous when they are aware that they are being watched, but they’d probably fare pretty well on audio conferencing programs. The audio conferencing learning type of environment, as different from the videoconferencing, is simply the learning that is done through the use of instructional materials which are recorded in audio format.

It is believed by many, though, that there is need to both be able to hear and to see in order to ideally represent the best learning environment, even on a distance learning program. Following these, you may come to appreciate how that proper handling and getting used to the screen can make the study environment a huge success for distance learning.

As you have seen from the above, these various media of communication are very effective in helping you get the best from your distance learning or online learning. I know you might still feel awkward about them in the beginning but as time progresses they will become very easy to use and understand. If you have any problems you can always ask questions to be better taught so that you also know how to really get the best from the tools.

Also, it doesn’t hurt you to also learn more about these media and tools of distance learning so that you arm yourself with the right knowledge on using and getting the best from them. As they say, nothing learned is ever wasted, so get on with learning about these tools and media of online learning right away!

Maric College-Vista is Part of Career Focused Educational Network

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Campus

Campus of the college is located throughout California; the campus aims at taking health related career based education to the doorsteps of the students.

Educational Approach

With the concept that education should provide services supportive for the students’ efforts to succeed academically, vocationally, and personally, the instructional methods used aims at ensuring improving analytical and critical thinking abilities of the students so that they won’t fail to grab the career opportunities that come their way.

Brief History

With purchase of three Maric Colleges by Educational Medical, Inc in 1987, the process of excellence started in Southern California. Kaplan, a division of Washington Post purchased Quest Education Corporation in 2000, and changed its name to Kaplan Higher Education Corporation in 2002.

Programs Offered

With the objective of providing quality career education the college offers hands-on career education in Arts and Design, Healthcare, Business, and Legal fields. The college specializes in Business Management and Marketing.

Most Popular Programs

Most popular programs in Maric College – Vista are Clinical and Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical and Clinical Assistant, Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse training, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, and Medical Insurance Coding Specialist or Coder.

Unique Feature

Unique feature of the college is that instructors bring the industry expertise directly to the classroom. Both day and evening classes are available providing flexibilities in learning process and adjustment of time. Unique study options and disability services are the highlights of the college.

Admission

Open admission policy has been adopted by the college. Dual credit is the only admission credit accepted by it. Transfer students are not ignored. However SAT and ACT scores are very important for admission.

Student Services

Maric College-Vista offers student services such as remedial services, academic and career counseling, PT cost defraying employment, career placement, and on campus library facilities for the students.

Financial Aids

Maric College – Vista offers financial aids in form of federal, state, local, and institutional grants, scholarships, and student loans are offered by the college. Details of financial aids provided can be viewed on the state university website.

5 Top Tips For Coaching Employees

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Coaching employees is a particularly important factor in what we do as managers. Effective coaching is often the main difference between success and failure. Below are five hints to help you to become a better coach.

1) Find out what they don’t know – Coaching Employees doesn’t just comprise of one morning devoted to training on a single topic. It’s on-going and in a sense, never really ends. You may have coached your staff several times upon certain themes yet coaching is never time misspent. The crucial thing is that you are able to assess what exactly it is that they don’t understand and then train them appropriately.

2) Listen – Following on from the first point is the idea of having two ears and only one mouth. Otherwise referred to as listening! When it comes to coaching, telling is unquestionably not selling. Instead of continually hurling information at the employees, question them about what they know with regard to particular topics. Ask them to demonstrate to you the correct technique for doing certain jobs. Listen to everything that they’re telling you and more specifically to what they’re not telling you and coach them accordingly.

3) Do not take control – In time sensitive circumstances it can be quite tempting to take over from a member of your team who is struggling to complete a specific job. Don’t! This is exactly the time when you have to coach. It can be really difficult, especially if there are customers waiting around but ultimately it will pay dividends.

4) Make time – Despite the fact that training and coaching aren’t exactly the same concept it’s essential that you make time for training each week. You have to arrange a time specifically to train and provide the appropriate materials and there ought to be no distractions, particularly from clients. This session should be the spring-board for all coaching that happens later on and should grant everyone a central point to return to.

5) Be a mentor – Whilst coaching you need to seem less like a boss and more like a mentor. It isn’t necessarily about right and wrong, simply being able to help your team to grasp the right way of accomplishing particular things and to make the correct choices. Think Yoda and Obi Wan and you’ll be well on your way.

Coaching employees is an essential tool in helping your employees reach their potential. Attempt to employ as many of these tips as you possibly can and your team will be better coached and more motivated!

How To Choose The Best Network Marketing Training

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The MLM training that you can get before starting off your network marketing business opportunity could mean the difference between the success or failure of your business. Hence, you cannot take this lightly and invest on getting the proper training you need to gain the edge over your competitors. This is why the importance of choosing the right MLM trainings is vital to kick off your business in the right path.

Although the concept of network marketing appear simple, it is actually a very complex business. First off, you need to find a good product and MLM system. Then, you need to learn what are the most effective techniques to promoting your business and its products. Among the important things you will learn during training are how to generate leads, follow up on your leads, promote through your website or blog, or search engine optimization.

What To Look For?

There are a few basic qualities to look for when choosing which is the best provider of MLM training, which are:

• Expert trainers providing training;
• Access to latest network marketing tools and techniques;
• Comprehensive approach to network marketing;
• Excellent leadership skills from trainers.

You can come up with your own criteria when choosing the best MLM trainings, depending on your own preferences and standard. However, these are basic qualities that will enable you to narrow down your options down to the most qualified ones.

Basic Hurdles

The process of choosing the best training for all aspiring internet marketers sound easier than it actually is. There are a few hurdles that prevent you from making the right choice.

First off, most internet marketers fail to focus only on one aspect of the training instead of the whole. As a result, they do not get efficient results from their training when applied into their business because it has failed on many different aspects despite succeeding in one. Another major hurdle in choosing the right training system is the lack of access to updated technology and training tools. While an experienced trainer is an advantage, it is not enough to ensure that you can get the best training possible that will allow you to become competitive.

Benefits of Making The Right Choice

The value of your Network Marketing training would be of no use if you do not get real serious about your network marketing business. A good marketing training and system is a vital formula for your success. However, it is only one component since hard work is what will make or break your business. But then again, the benefit of effective MLM training will give you one step advantage over the others since the foundation has been laid out for the stability and profitability of your network marketing business opportunity. Hence, it is important to take your time when choosing where to get your network marketing training from.

Top 10 Sports Colleges

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College sports have captured the hearts of millions of Americans, from loyal students and alumni cheering on their schools to local businesses and fans. Whether you follow college baseball, football, gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, or other varsity athletics, these are some of the top universities to beat:

1. Stanford University
With an impressive record in virtually every varsity sport, this Ivy League school holds the top ranking among sports colleges. Stanford has brought home the NACDA Director’s Cup award for Division I sports for the past 15 years, qualifying it as best overall for collegiate sports in the United States.

With a staff of over 100 coaches and assistants, 34 varsity sports, and about 300 athletic scholarships, it’s no wonder this school presented 49 athletes in the 2008 Beijing Winter Olympics and has over 9,000 students enrolled in intramural sports in any given semester.

2. University of Florida
Florida is renowned in a number of varsity sports, notably excelling in women’s swimming and men’s track and field in the 2009-2010 season. The Gators are also known for their strong contenders in football, men’s basketball, and women’s golf, soccer, football, tennis, and volleyball.

3. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
One of the country’s most widely recognized sports schools, UCLA was the first university to win over 100 NCAA championships, making the Bruins a fixture among the top basketball schools. UCLA is also renowned for its women’s sports performances, with the softball, track, gymnastics, and rowing teams excelling in 2009-2010.

4. University of Virginia
The Cavaliers raced to top positions in women’s rowing and men’s soccer in the past year, among the school’s other sporting achievements.

5. University of North Carolina
North Carolina has won 51 titles and 34 national championships in 6 different sports, making its mark as one of the top sports colleges in the United States. The university is known for its basketball team, as well as women’s soccer, women’s field hockey, and men’s lacrosse.

6. Ohio State University
Ohio State has brought home championship wins in all three of the biggest men’s sports: basketball, football, and baseball. The school is also known for victories in men’s diving, swimming, golf, track, gymnastics, men’s and women’s fencing, and more.

7. Florida State University
Florida State is a top contender in a number of college athletics programs, including football, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, and diving. They finished 5th in the 2009-2010 NACDA reckoning of sports colleges, placing them in the top 5 for the first time.

8. University of Texas
This Texas school has won more titles than any other school in the Big 12 League since it was founded in 1996. They’re especially known for their excellence in football, as well as putting forward strong contenders in track and baseball.

9. University of Southern California
Southern California is best known for its varsity football team, which has won 11 championships, but also excels in basketball and a host of other college athletics.

10. University of Georgia
With rigorous academic requirements for all athletes, Georgia is setting the pace for a new paradigm of scholarships among its top level football, baseball, gymnastics, tennis, and swim teams.

With the widespread popularity of college sports teams, and the consistent successes of each of these colleges on the field and in the stadium, it’s no wonder these top 10 sports schools garner the support and spirit of students and fans all over the nation.

Where to Find Electrician Courses

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If you are looking to become an electrician or conduct home repairs involving electricity you will need some training.  Playing with electricity is a deadly game.  There is nothing magical about electricity, working with it is relatively simple and safe if you understand how it works and the best way to do that is to take electrician courses.  Before attempting to work with electricity make sure you understand how to work with it safely.

There are numerous electrician courses available to you and many different avenues that you can turn to find courses that are appropriate for you.  Becoming licensed so you can be an electrician is no small endeavor but is well worth the effort.  Electricians earn a good living and are always in demand.  To become licensed you will need to understand and pass a test that is based on the NEC.  The NEC is the National Eclectic Code and is the industry standard for how electrical work is done.  The NEC is the basis foremost city, county and state electrical codes.  If you become an electrician you will become very familiar with the NEC.

Community college is another excellent resource for electrician courses.  Your community college will offer courses that range from entry level to highly experienced.  To help determine what courses you require to become licensed you can check with your public utilities commission.  Your community college can also tell you what courses are required to become a licensed electrician.

Trade schools also offer electrician courses.  These course will be very specific and will help you become licensed in a very short period of time.  These course might be just perfect for what you are looking to do.  Many electrical companies turn to trade schools for potential employees.  The trade school can provide data about their placement rates.

Another option for electrician courses is the military.  The armed forces uses a large number of electricians and you can receive excellent training that is completely applicable to the civilian market once you get out of the service.  For some people this option makes perfect sense as you not only receive the training and a career that you can pursue for the rest of your life but you get the benefits of being paid to learn the trade, you get medical benefits and if you wish to pursue further education that option is available to you as well.  The military can provide specialized training that is difficult to come by in the civilian sector.  Much of that training will help to provide you with skill sets that are very specialized and in high demand.  In high demand equates to increased earnings and increased job security.

Knowing how to safely work with electricity is very important and it is not something you can afford to learn through the schools of hard knocks.  Electricity can kill you and is completely unforgiving.  Getting the necessary education to work with it safely and competently is a requirement if you elect to work with electricity.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Let A Career Personality Test Help

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In high school, teachers wanted to test our knowledge and measure our improvements in subjects and so they gave us tests. Even though it may have been a few years since high school and evaluative tests, it may bid you well to take a test or two when searching for a job. There are several different kinds of tests you can choose from including personality tests and career satisfaction tests. As a job seeker, finding a career that fits with your personality, interests and financial desires should be a priority.

A very popular test to begin with is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, also known as MBTI. It’s a series of preference questions that takes about ten minutes to complete. Your results are one of sixteen types, represented by extraverted or introverted, sensitive or intuitive, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving (i.e. ISTJ). After you’ve completed the assessment and received your four-letter result, it gives a short description of your personality type and a few jobs that are appropriate for your type.

There are many different websites that offer career tests such as Careerpath.com, a division of Career Builder. The assessment called “What Job is Right for You” consists of career preference and personality questions, similar to the MBTI test. Instead of receiving your results as four letters, you’ll receive a color (red = expediting, blue = planning, green = communicating, yellow = administrating). Careerpath.com also offers “Job Discovery Wizard”, Job Satisfaction Quiz, a Career Planner Quiz, and many more.

Careerfitter.comassesses your work personality, similar to the previous websites. The site provides a long list of possible careers that match your test results, giving you the opportunity to see a greater range of possible occupations dependent upon your personality. They offer a free version and an upgrade, which offers more features.

TypeFocus.comclaims that their tests are scientifically validated, proving their validity and evaluation effectiveness. By concentrating on three traits: personality, interests and values, the site strives to provide “Success through Self-Awareness”. Their tests do not promise that they will help you find the perfect job, but they will help you make some decisions regarding your career.

Lastly, Queendom.com provides a large variety of tests such as a concentration and focus skills test, a leadership style test, a management skills and styles assessment, plus many more. The tests are concerned with relationships, attitude and lifestyles in addition to career-oriented assessments.

Taking a personal assessment test is not going to guarantee you a job but if you’re struggling with choosing a direction or you don’t know what kind of careers would suit you, it’s not a waste of time. Discovering your true personality traits may help you discover the path that you are supposed to travel.

Article Writing Services: Freelance, Consultancy or Dedicated?

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Article writing services are anything but a dime a dozen because ultimately, you get what you pay for. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t thousands or even tens of thousands of companies and individuals offering their “expertise” as professional writers. Unfortunately, the internet allows people who are less than professional to pose as anything they want to be – often at the expense of an unwitting business owner. But because of the fiercely competitive nature of the writing industry, it can be difficult to discern who will consistently deliver finely crafted content. Understanding the three types of article writing services can help you make an informed decision about who to do business with.

The Three Types of Article Writing Services

1.) Freelance Article Writing Service

Freelance writers are generally inexpensive and some provide very high quality work. However, the truly great freelance writers out there are difficult to nail down for a project, and the rest provide substandard work. This makes navigating this particular field rather difficult. And let’s face it: many writers are flaky. Missed deadlines, lack of communication and abandonment of projects are common in the freelance writing industry.

Freelance writers generally write from home. Or wherever they want – that’s one of the primary benefits of the job. But this means that a 17 year old kid living in his parent’s basement can put up a nice website and some decent copy and pose as a professional. Others could be non-native English speakers operating from some third world country. Still others could be former English professors.

How do you tell the difference?

You don’t; not without personal experience or the referral of someone who has worked with the writer previously.

The point is that even the best freelance writers can be flaky, so the only way to distinguish between types is through consistency. If you find a writer that is fairly priced (never less than $0.05 per word) and delivers on time without fail, then you’ve found a freelancer worth keeping.

2.) Consultancy Writing Service

Some consultants are excellent at bringing together the right talent with the right client. For businesses or individuals that don’t know the industry, this can be ideal. However, the work of some article writing services needs to be edited for style, tone, or other issues that don’t involve grammar or spelling. (If your writer of any type returns work with grammar or spelling issues, they are NOT a professional.) This means that the time spent between all factions on the project significantly increases: The writer submits to the consultant, the consultant submits to you, you request edits to the consultant, the consultant requests the changes of the writer, the writer makes the changes and gives them back to the consultant, who gives them to you again for review. All this for one edit.

Consequently, the convenience that a consultant provides is sometimes offset by the frustration of going through a middleman for work that you could easily contract yourself.

3.) Dedicated

A dedicated article writing service is exactly what the name implies: a company or individual that is solely in the business of providing professional articles. Dedicated article writing services have a multi-level staff that includes editors, writers, journalists, fact checkers and – in some cases – attorneys. This allows a number of benefits, the most significant of these being that the writer you hire won’t be the same person conducting the final editing of his/her own work – a big no-no in the industry.

Additionally, when you call or email a dedicated article writing company with a revision request, editing request or simply to check the status of your project, you can be assured of a swift response from the editor who is handling your work. Communication between writers, editors and clients is fundamental to developing an individualized writing plan that incorporates your personal style, flair, marketing intents and target demographic. This level of communication can only be obtained by working with a dedicated article writing service.