Benefits of Enrolling in a Career College

January 1, 2018 By Anne

Benefits of Enrolling in a Career College

If you are nearing the end of your high school career, or if you are at a juncture in your life at which you want a job or career change, you may be wondering whether you should enhance your education. One option that you have available to you is to enroll in a career college. There are some significant benefits that you can realize by enrolling in a career college, when contrasted with some of your other options.

Fast Route to a New Career

One of the benefits associated with enrolling and attending a career college is found in the fact that you typically can complete your course of study efficiently and in a relatively short period of time.

Depending on the course of study you select at a career college, you may be able to finish a certification program in a matter of months. If you seek out a career college that offers an associate’s degree program, you can typically complete that course of study within a couple of years. This permits you to be in the workforce in your new line of employment in a relative short period of time.

Hands-on Education and Training

A key component of many career college programs is hands-on experiences. This presents itself in a number of different ways at a career college. First, many instructors in career colleges have real world experience in the field in which they teach. In other words, these instructors bring hands-on experiences directly into the classroom.

In addition, many career colleges incorporate internships and externships into their courses of study. These opportunities give students a head start when it comes to seeking employment at the conclusion of a career college course of study.

Education in High Demand Careers

Career colleges tend to focus their training and educational opportunities in areas in which there exists high employment demand. These schools strive to match their training and educational offerings with what employers of different types are seeking in this day and age.

Schedule Flexibility

Another benefit of career colleges is found in schedule flexibility. For example, these schools offer classes not only during the day, but many at night to accommodate your current job requirements. In addition, an ever increasing number of career colleges offer an array of their courses on the internet. You won’t need to worry about crime rates at a campus.

Your Preferences Matter

Unlike four-year colleges and universities, career colleges allow you the ability to get right into the meat of your course of study. You do not need to spend a great deal of time and money trying a complete general education courses.

Quick Admission and Class Start

Career colleges typically have rolling enrollment and class start dates. In other words, you do not need to meet certain application deadlines to gain admission. In addition, to rolling enrollment, classes start with greater frequency than is the case with four-year institutions that have class starts timed with semesters or specific terms.

Career Support Services

A benefit of career colleges is that their staff has a sharp focus on students finding employment upon graduation. Career colleges tend to have well structured career services programs that assist students in finding suitable employment upon graduations. These resources can prove to be truly invaluable to students.

Financial Aid

In most instances, students attending career colleges are able to access helpful financial aid. This comes in a number of different forms, including federal financial aid. Career colleges have proactive admissions staff, that included well-trained personnel that assist prospective and existing students in obtaining the financial assistance necessary to pursue a certificate or degree.

Career College Accreditation

When considering a career college, you need to make certain that a particular school appropriately is accredited. You can obtain this type of information from the school itself. As part of your pre-enrollment due diligence you can verify that accreditation with the accrediting authority. There are specific organizations that offer bona fide accreditation to institutions of higher education like career colleges.

Reputation of Career College

When consider enrolling in a career college, you will want to ensure that it is reputable. You likely have friends, family, and colleagues who have attended one career college or another. Even in this digital age, word of mouth remains a powerful way to obtain useful information about the reputation of a career college. You can also consider collecting references from former students of particular career colleges to obtain feedback on their feelings about the offerings and courses of education of these schools. A career college should have no problem providing you with references.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Abby Iron Doors. Abby Iron Doors specialize in designing and manufacturing wrought iron entry doors, wine cellar doors, windows and balconies for residential and commercial customers.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

11 Key Reasons Why Your Business Should Participate in Tradeshows

January 1, 2018 By Anne

11 Key Reasons Why Your Business Should Participate in Tradeshows

In the 21st century, businesses of all types are relying heavily on the internet and digital media to promote their goods and services. Some businesses have concluded that tradeshows have become a thing of the past. Concluding that tradeshows are no longer useful or relevant can be a mistake.

The fact is that tradeshows can prove to a valuable resource for many types of businesses, perhaps even your own. They are a way you can showcase your business with custom exhibits from start to finish, showing off the best of your company! There are seven key reasons why your business should give serious consideration to participating in tradeshows.

Close Sales, Make Contracts Faster

One of the primary benefits of participating in tradeshows is that they provide you an opportunity to close sales and to make contracts faster than otherwise can be the case. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research reports that events like tradeshows accelerate the sales process faster than is the case with any other type of media or direct marketing endeavor.

Decision Makers Attend Tradeshows

Decision makers attend tradeshows. These individuals appear to have a propensity to like to have face to face discussions about products or services for their business enterprises. Tradeshows provide a ready opportunity for a business owner or manager to have direct conversations with multiple exhibitors in a short span of time.

The Cost Per Lead at a Trade Show is Less

Another reason why your business should consider exhibiting at tradeshows is because of the fact that the cost per lead at such an event is less than is otherwise the case. Research demonstrates that the it costs about $215 to generate a lead at a tradeshow. The cost for generating a lead from the field is approximately $443.

Preferred Method of Face to Face Interaction

Research studies have analyzed how businesses, organizations, and professionals like to interact with vendors. These studies reveal that these entities and individuals oftentimes prefer to interact face to face in a tradeshow setting. 48 percent of these entities and individuals list tradeshows in the top position when it comes to their preferred manner of having face to face interaction with vendors .

Tradeshow Attendance is Increasing

During the Great Recession of 2008, attendance at tradeshows started to decrease. That trend reversed course in recent years. Attendance at tradeshows has started to rebound, and quite significantly so, in recent years.

Tradeshows Contribute to the Economy

Tradeshows contribute significantly to the economy, and can boost the financial bottom line of a business like your own. Tradeshows add about $44.8 billion annually to the U.S economy.

Companies that Exhibit at Tradeshows Have Positive Experiences

Companies that do participate in tradeshows report positive experiences in the vast majority of cases. These enterprises note that tradeshows have been financially beneficial. They also note that tradeshows provide them with other benefits as well, including developing connections with other businesses, connections that prove beneficial in a number of different ways.

Experts Draw Crowds

Another primary reason why you should consider involving your business in tradeshows is based on the reality that “experts” draw attention. By that is meant you very well may be recognized on some level as something of an expert in your industry. With that noted, your mere presence at a tradeshow will draw attendees to your booth. The reputation of your business draws attendees to you and when attendees are drawn to your booth, your reputation boosts further.

Tradeshows Advance Branding

Developing and enhancing the brand of your business is crucial. Tradeshows provide an excellent opportunity through which you can develop and enhance the brand of your business. This can prove to be the case particularly when you have launched a new venture and are in the process of presenting your brand initially. As an aside, you can also test your brand by monitoring how people respond to it.

Tradeshows Level the Marketing Field

Tradeshows allows you to level the marketing field. At a tradeshow, you have the opportunity to present your products or services in the same space with larger enterprises. You are placed on the same level as the competition, including large companies with which you would not otherwise have the opportunity to be presented on equal footing.

Understanding the Competition

On a related note, attending a tradeshow permits you the opportunity to scope out the competition. A tradeshow gives you the chance to see up close what the competition is doing. Understanding what the competition is up to is a vital part of advancing the interests of your business. Rather than conduct expensive research on the subject, you can garner a great deal of vital information strolling through the exhibition hall.

Jessica Kane is a writer for 777Sign, a leading provider of wholesale advertising flags, banners, tablecloths, and more.

Anne

January Holidays

January 1, 2018 By Anne

HAPPY 2018!!!

Check out all of the holidays for the month of January!

January 3 – Festival of Sleep Day – Festival of Sleep Day is a favorite holiday to catch up on a little sleep. Whether its all day, a full 8 hours, or just a power nap, enjoy the day sleeping. Cozy up in bed on the couch, or any other comfortable place. Oh…. don’t forget your favorite stuffed animal. It’s okay to sleep alone, sleep alone or with someone else. We do not recommend groups sleeps.

January 4 – National Spaghetti Day – Did you Know? Americans consume about 20 pounds of pasta per person per year.

January 10 – Houseplant Appreciation Day – This holiday was created by the folks at The Gardener’s Network

It was created for two reasons:

To remind people after the holidays, that their forgotten houseplants need a little attention.
To celebrate beneficial houseplants and to encourage growing houseplants.

January 15 – National Hat Day – Did you know? More body heat is lost from your head than other parts of the body. So, wearing a hat goes a long way towards staying warm on a cold winter’s day (or night).

January 19 – National Popcorn Day. Go catch a movie and enjoy some popcorn today!

January 21 – National Hugging Day – Hugs are loving. Hugs are therapeutic. Hugs are caring. Hugs are celebratory. Hugs make you feel good inside. A hug is a way to say everything is, or will be okay. Have you ever received a hug from someone who didn’t care? I didn’t think so. That’s proof positive that you’re loved and cared about.

January 25 – Opposite Day – Thought for the Day: Opposites attract.

January 29 – Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day – Feeling a little stressed lately.? Then, this special day is made for you!

It’s Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

As anyone who has ever come in contact with it knows, bubble wrap is not just a protective wrapping for things. It is also a wonderful stress reliever! Just squeeze the bubbles in the Bubble wrap, and feel the stress disappear with each POP…POP…POP.

So, grab a piece of bubble wrap today, and go to town!

January 31 – Backward Day – Backward Day is a day to do everything backwards. Use your imagination, and Backward Day can be lots of fun. It’s especially popular with school aged kids.

Try writing backwards or reading backwards. Wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your meal, starting with dessert. Now that’s what I call fun! Walk backwards, or talk backwards. Play a board game backwards, from the finish line to the start. Are you starting to get the picture!?

This day is limited only by your imagination.

Anne

Twinkle Play Tents Review

December 28, 2017 By Marijean

If you have children that LOVE to play make believe, they will love this awesome product I was able to review with my kids. Twinkle Play Tents are fun for children of all ages, and will bring magic and make believe to play time!

About Twinkle Play Tents:

Enter the magical world of Twinkle Play Tents, the light up play tent that interacts with you! From Jay@Play, the creators of the popular two-in-one FlipaZooTM, comes Twinkle Tents, magical play tents that light up and shine bright while you play your favorite music out loud!

Camp inside with your Twinkle Play Tent and watch the starry lights move and change color to the sound of your voice. Kids can go on an all-day adventure in the Dragon Lair or Princess Palace and get lost in a whole new world. Each Twinkle Play Tent comes with a travel bag, so you can take it everywhere you go!

Twinkle Play Tents comes in two different styles, Dragon Lair or Princess Palace. I have a 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl, so I decided to review the Dragon Lair.

When you receive the play tent, you must assemble. It is pretty easy to do yourself, but for me it was easier when my husband was able to help. The magic light does require 3 AAA batteries which are not included. The lights are LED, which is great because the batteries will last awhile in the magic light. There is an auto shut off, so when your child is not playing in the tent, the lights will shut off when it does not detect motion.

Once the tent was set up my kids were so excited to start playing in it! The tent is very brightly colored with really cool designs on it. My favorite part about this tent is that it is super tall! Most tents cannot fit my 6 year old standing up and this one sure can. Also, the lights are super cool…they light up different colors and change via sound or music. The kids love dancing in it and playing music so the tent lights up. You can also keep the tent doors closed, or tie them back so they stay open. . A carry case is included for easy storage or when your kids want to bring this to a friend or relative’s house.

If you are looking for a really fun and unique gift to give, Twinkle Play Tents would make an ideal one. This tent is sure to bring fun and magical playtime to any girl or boy!

Twinkle Play Tents are available at Walmart stores, Walmart.com and Twinkleplaytents.com . Price is $39.99.

* I received a complimentary Twinkle Play Tent in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Copper Pots And Pans: Pros and Cons For Everyday Kitchen Use

December 18, 2017 By Marijean

Copper Pots And Pans: Pros and Cons For Everyday Kitchen Use

What makes copper pots and pans great? Discover the differences between copper and other materials and how to choose the best cookware for your kitchen.

There’s an old adage that claims “only a poor craftsman blames his tools.”

Some people think that this means that tools aren’t important. I think it’s the opposite. I think that it means that a skilled artisan is responsible for procuring and maintaining a set of quality tools to work with. After all, if you can’t even craft an appropriate work environment for yourself, how can you be expected to produce anything of value for someone else?

How Does This Work In The Kitchen

Kitchen tools are no different. Before you prepare a recipe, you should read through it and make sure that you have everything you need to begin. This includes both ingredients, containers, cooking implements, and other kitchen tools.

Many recipes become much more difficult without a food processor or a stand mixer, for example. If you don’t have these tools, you should figure out what you’re going to use instead well before you begin to cook.

What Does This Have To Do With Cookware?

The pots and pans that you use in your kitchen are very much a kind of tool. Their job is to transfer heat to an easy-to-clean cooking surface that’s appropriately sized and shaped for your use. Having the right pot or pan can make all the difference in preparing a recipe. It can make things very easy or very hard.

Pots and pans differ in a number of important ways. They come in different sizes and shapes, they’re made from different materials, they have different cooking surfaces, and they have different amenities like rubberized handles or well-fitting lids with steam vents. Depending on the recipe you’re trying to follow, some or all of these things might make a big difference in how easy it is for you to cook a dish.

Does Cookware Material Matter?

The material that cookware is made with determines a lot of things. The two most important factors are heat transfer and durability. You want your cookware to conduct heat really well (we call this “thermal conductivity”) in order to take energy from your stove and transfer it to your food. If your cookware conducts heat poorly, it’ll take a long time for your cookware to get hot enough to cook your food on, it’ll stay hot after you turn off your range, and it won’t necessarily heat up unevenly.

Durability is another big factor. You don’t want your cookware to scratch, bend, or chip easily. Ideally, it’s made out of a dishwasher-safe metal that’s very hard and easy to clean.

How Does Copper Stack Up?

Most cookware is made of aluminum. This is because aluminum is cheap, light, and an excellent conductor of heat. It’s also fairly durable, although most cookware manufacturers coat it with stainless steel or use a special treatment process to make it harder, stronger, and safer to use with food.

Pro: Excellent Heat Transfer

Copper is an even better conductor of heat than aluminum. It’s got roughly twice the thermal conductivity, meaning that it heats up about twice as fast and twice as evenly. When you turn your burner off, a copper pot or pan will cool off much faster than an aluminum one. Copper cookware is highly prized among candy makers and other chefs who have to work with precise temperatures on the stove.

Con: Heavy

Copper weighs a lot more than aluminum. Copper pots and pans are heftier than their aluminum counterparts, even if there’s only a thin core of copper to help with heat distribution. They’re still light enough to move around, of course, and they’ll spend most of their time in a cupboard or sitting on the stove, but they are a bit more awkward to work with.

Con: Soft and Delicate

When you think of “durable” and “easy to clean,” what metal springs to mind? It’s definitely not copper. Copper pots and pans can last for years with proper care, but they’re much easier to accidentally damage than pans made from stainless steel. They also need to be cleaned with special chemicals in order to maintain their alluring luster. Finally, copper isn’t the best cooking surface. You can’t cook with acids or acidic foods without causing a reaction that will discolor the copper and make your food taste bad.

Pro: Beautiful

Aluminum pots and pans don’t have the aesthetic appeal of copper pots and pans. A well-maintained piece of copper cookware is a thing of beauty. In my opinion, the metallic reddish hue of copper manages to create a much bolder statement than any painted ceramic or anodized pan ever could. It’s just much more vibrant and natural.

Verdict:

Copper isn’t necessarily used on its own. Many cookware manufacturers have begun to sandwich it between layers of stainless, aluminum, or both. In such a package, copper cookware is a great option for most kitchens. This is because the extra layers sidestep most of the downsides while still giving you better thermal performance.

If you need precise temperature control for candy making or another cooking task, full copper cookware is an excellent choice. Otherwise, I’m very much of the opinion that it’s a mixed bag. On the one hand, you get beautiful cookware pieces that are fantastic to cook with. On the other hand, these pieces are more difficult to maintain and you’ll still need to have some non-copper pots and pans to cook things like tomatoes or wine-based sauces.

If you’ve got the budget and cupboard space for an extra copper cookware piece to supplement your other pots and pans, buying one is a good option. If you need an 8″ frying pan to cook eggs in every morning, you probably shouldn’t go full copper. Instead, choose a piece with a copper or aluminum core and a more durable exterior and cooking surface.