December 2008

A Q&A session with Marc Lilly, a 44 year-old Master Plumber, who works for his company, Marc Lilly LLC. Marc has been working in the plumbing industry for 25 years and has been a licensed plumber for 13 years. He is also a member of his state’s Plumber Trade Association.

Q: What type of education and training did you need for this job?

A: The law requires that you have to be in the business 7 years before you can apply for Masters Plumber license unrestricted. With a Masters Plumbing license, you can do work on all plumbing systems including hospitals, high rises, office buildings, residential, commercial, and industrial. I did not go to school, but learned on the job. I took some preparatory classes to prepare to write my licensing exams. Classes are available at technical schools around the country. Interested students should ensure that the program is approved by the Department of Labor.

Presently, I have an apprentice working with me. I am teaching him the basics of what he needs to know in the field. You cannot learn all you need to know in school, it is a hand on learning job. Tagalongs are not allowed in this field due to the dangers associated with the work. [Note: tagalongs are co-op high school students]

A Journeyman can work on residential systems and do service, an apprentice can work in the capacity of a helper.

Most plumbers start off as apprentices and graduate to Journeyman. An apprentice that is unlicensed and untrained can expect to earn $10-$15/hour and Journeyman that is licensed but with some restrictions can expect to make $35/hour.

Q: What do you like the most about your job?

A: I love interaction with people and love the challenge of solving problems. I love the fact that I work for myself and the money is good.

Q: What do you dislike most about your job?

A: I don’t like being dirty all the time and the hours can be tough 24/7. It is cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

Q: What happens on a typical day at work?

A: I am up at 6 am and start answering phones at 7 am. I am at my first customer’s house by 8:00 am. I do about 5-6 service calls per day and I am home by 6:00 or 7:00 pm to receive calls again for work the next day. Emergency calls are done as they come in. The other day I had emergency call – a two-inch water main burst at an assisted living home. Clogged toilets are not an emergency.

Q: What do you think your next career step will be?

A: Surviving plumbing – I plan to do this until I am unable to do so. I will continue to work as long as I can and past 65 years old if I can.

Q: What previous job history prepared you for becoming a plumber?

A: I came right out of high school and did some general labor jobs until I got a job as a helper with a plumber. I have good mechanical skills.

Q: What kind of traits does a person need to have to be successful at this job?

A: You will need good mechanical skills and be self-motivated. You will need good people skills and the ability to manage paperwork. You also need good problem solving skills and good communication and listening skills.

Q: Would you recommend the job to someone else?

A: I would absolutely recommend this job to someone who had the motivation or the skills to do it. It is a good public service and you can make a good living. People are always going to need a plumber despite the economy. A good reputation is the best advertising you can have. I haven’t advertised in 5 years – I work from mostly referrals.

If you think you’re cut out to be a plumber, take a look at our list of plumbing programs offered in California.

Holistic Health Practitioners use a number of methods to provide alternative health care to their clients. Typical practices include acupuncture, herbology, essential oils, massage, reflexology, acupressure, Ancient Chinese Medicines, Yoga, Polarity, and more. In general, not every state requires holistic health practitioners to be licensed (depending on the specialty). Due to the increased interest, however, many programs offer training that takes a few months to a few years.

In September 2002, the current Californian governor, Gray Davis, signed a bill ensuring that holistic health practices could offer services without penalty or harassment from other medical practices. This lead to a major surge in schools offering holistic health certification programs. Today, California has a number of excellent schools teaching interested students skills required to run a holistic health practice.

Some counties in California require 1,000 hours of training before you can open your own holistic health practice. For example, San Diego County requires all holistic health practitioners to become licensed. A hands-on exam must be successfully completed, and membership in a nationally chartered holistic health organization is also required.

Under the new law, holistic health practitioners can practice holistic medicine providing they do not advise clients to stop using prescription medications, puncture the skin, prescribe any form of x-ray or radiation, treat a medical or psychological ailment that required medical care, conduct any surgery, treat any open wound with electrotheraphy, or set broken or fractured bones.

With a huge selection of holistic health schools, it can be hard to choose which is best. Look for schools that are praised by their students. It pays to go to area holistic practices and ask the holistic health specialists working in those practices where they received their training. Avoid online schools, while they are high on book learning, there truly is no way to get hands-on training.

Within any holistic health school, there are a number of programs that can be completed.

Holistic Health Practitioner:

The Holistic Health Practitioner program requires 100 hours that completed in six month’s time. Courses include:

• Anger Release
• Ayruvedic System
• Communication
• Counseling Skills
• Emotional Balancing
• Forgiveness
• Herbal Health
• Holistic Nutrition
• Homeopathy
• Inner Dialog
• Introduction to the Immune System
• Lifestyle Balancing
• Personal Goals
• Principles of Holistic Health
• Self-Awareness
• Self Care
• Self Esteem
• Self Responsibility
• Somatic Psychology
• Stress Prevention
• Wellness Inventory

Once all courses have been completed, a certificate is issued. It is a good idea to get additional training with a skilled holistic health practitioner before breaking out on your own however.

Holistic Massage:

Holistic Massage uses massage therapy as a means to clearing harmful stress and creating a stronger, healthier patient. California has many Holistic Massage schools. Generally, a program in Holistic Massage takes 120 hours to complete. If an advanced certificate is required, expect to put in over 250 hours of study and practice. The basic course is broken into five sections that start out with the basic classes and work upward. The 120 hour program includes classes in:

• Body Mapping
• Business Principles
• Chakra Clearing and Balancing
• Deep Breathing
• Emotional Release
• Energy Balancing Massage
• Energy Fields
• Ethics
• Internship
• Introduction to the Seen Chakras
• Licensing
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Neck and Shoulder Energy Release
• Organ Cleansing
• Polarity Yoga
• Pressure Points
• Psychotherapy
• Reflexology
• Relaxation
• Self-Care
• Self Esteem
• Swedish Massage

For the Advanced Holistic Massage program, expect to take these additional courses:

• Advanced Reflexology
• Advanced Relaxation Techniques
• Crystallization & Stagnation Techniques
• Deep Perineal Techniques
• Holistic Bodywork
• Hypnosis
• Mind-Body Principles
• Pathology
• Revitalization Massage
• Spine Balancing Massage
• Tree of Life Energy Body Work
• Vital Organ Cleansing
• Yoga for Healthy Psoas

Rebirthing:

Rebirthing has been a highly debated practice for years. During a “rebirth” the client is tightly wrapped /tied into sheets and forced to work his or her way out of this artificial womb. The process is supposed to refresh the mind and soul releasing negative energy and regaining the calm sense of being from childhood. There are two levels in rebirthing. The basic program requires 100 hours. The Master program requires and additional 80 hours of training.

Courses in the basic program include:

• Cellular Memory/Imprinting from Birth
• Codependency
• Internship
• Introduction to Birth Trauma
• Origin of Negative Thoughts
• Perinatal Psychology
• Preconception
• Prenatal Capabilities
• Primal Health

To gain the Master certificate in rebirthing, you must participate in five rebirthing sessions in a warm water environment, complete classes in self-esteem, ethics, and business principles.

If you do decide to get into holistic medicine, make sure you are meeting your county’s requirements. Malpractice is an issue, so even with the change in Californian law, you are open to malpractice suits so make sure you purchase malpractice insurance. California is one of the only states in the United States to openly approve of holistic care, so make sure you are ready to join a fast growing health care movement that is going to keep you extremely busy for years to come.

View a list of schools offering holistic health programs in California. Also, you may be interested in the directory of massage schools in California.

California is full of animators hoping their cartoon or comic strip will become the next sensation. Some artistic flair is necessary, but most animators need more than talent with pen and paper, computer skills are an integral part of today’s animations.

Take a look at the ever popular South Park®. The animations team does not draw figures, instead they started with cardboard cutouts to create the always lovable, but sometimes crude main characters Stan, Kyle, Eric, Kenny, and their families and friends for a couple of episodes. After that, they switched solely to computer animations.

It is important to realize that a career in Animation takes time and energy. Many of today’s best animators got their start on the very bottom of the career ladder. A college degree in media arts is required and then most animators start out as low-level assistants and work their way up. Gaining a college degree is not as easy as it may seem!

San Francisco is home to one of the best art universities in California. Academy of Art Institute debuted in 1929 and has honed the skills of many including Deanne Maurice, a Pulitzer Price winner; Mari Matsumoto, a highly praised fashion designer; and John Seasick, producer and director of Voyeur. The professors are also well known. Many of them have worked on some of today’s top films including The Lion King, Mars Attacks, Men In Black II, Star Wars Episode II, and Tarzan.

Anyone trying to become an animator must be ready to work long, difficult hours. Work loads can be heavy one month and then low the next. At Academy of Art Institute, 132 credit hours are necessary to gain a Bachelor’s degree. Required courses include:

• 20th Century Art
• 3-D Modeling
• Analysis of Form
• Anatomy
• Animation Perspective
• Animation Portfolio
• Art History
• Color and Design
• Computer Animation Production
• Computer Graphics
• Digital Photo
• English Composition
• Facial Expressions
• Figure Drawing
• Figure Modeling
• Gestual Figures
• Hard Surface Modeling
• Head and Figure Sculpting
• Heads and Hands
• History of the U.S.
• History of Animations
• Modeling
• Narrative Documentary
• Narrative Storytelling
• Organic Modeling
• Photo Storyboarding
• Texturing and Lighting
• VFX Environments
• Z-Brush Modeling

Other electives are required to fill in Math, History, Science, English, and Physical Education requirements. After four years, those who have completed the necessary requirements will gain a degree and then need to find jobs. Many graduates find it easier to find teaching jobs first and then build up experience while waiting for their dream job. Others manage to land starting positions with animations companies and then must slowly work their way up the career ladder.

Looking at Monster, there are a few positions that those with degrees in animations could accept. It is important to understand that the market is highly competitive and thinking out side of the box is often necessary. One listing states they will consider anyone with a Bachelor’s degree, but they would prefer applicants to also have knowledge of website programming. Dreamworks often hires animators, but they require three years of experience before considering anyone for a job. Finally, one of the major television studios is looking for production assistants that have a degree in animations and are willing to be a gopher.

Duties include running computer programs, picking up food and beverages for meetings, running the president’s personal errands, answering phones, researching necessary items on the internet, and picking up or making deliveries. The job duties are varied, but it is a way to get your foot in the door. Starting salaries tend to begin at $550 a week, which can be hard to live on in certain areas of California. After a few years of experience, an average salary is $58,000 per year.

Dreamworks has an entry-level position that may appeal to those needing to start their career. Animations Technical Director/Engineers must handle all data saves and backups, monitor available disk space, test software, help with production control, and handle all other jobs assigned by the management. Walt Disney is another option. Their entry-level jobs often require expertise in Flash Animations, web design knowledge, and strong verbal and written skills.

All of these jobs require skill with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash. HTML knowledge is also important. The programs you learn in college can be a huge help in finding a decent job after graduation. When at all possible, take as many different computer classes as possible for electives.

Those interested in a career in animations must gain a degree, take as many computer courses as possible, and be prepared to work hard to reach decent salary levels. Many animators will say the most important thing to realize is that animators are a dime a dozen, it is your perseverance that helps you achieve your dream.

View a list of schools in California offering animation programs.

There are more than 55,000 plumbers in California, and the career field keeps growing. On average, plumbers in California make $16 to $30 per hour depending on the training and years in the field. Schooling is not required to become a plumber, but those who skip a vocational training program must have completed an apprenticeship with a licensed plumber.

Plumbers have a number of options when it comes to work. Most people think of a plumber as one who comes to fix a leaky pipe, faucet, or other water related fixture, but plumbers can do far more. Plumbers can install or repair boilers on a furnace, hot water tanks, sewer lines, sprinkler systems, water purification systems, and well systems. Different specialties offer high pay scales, but they may come with more risks. Someone working on boilers has a much higher risk of getting severe burns.

The Daily Operation of Being a Plumber

On a daily basis, those employed in the plumbing field will use blue prints, pipe cutters, Teflon tape, welding torches, hammers, pipe threaders, and pipe bending tools. It is important that any plumber be properly trained to diagnose problems and use the tools to fix the problem quickly and effectively. Plumbers installing new water fixtures often work in new buildings that are not heated. A tolerance to the cold is often necessary, especially in areas of Northern California.

Training and Education

Apprenticeships can be difficult to get in California, so a number of schools now offer vocational programs to help interested men and women learn Plumbing Technology and enter the field of interest. A typical program includes instruction on reading blueprints, installing pipes, working with gas and water heating systems, and working with septic or sewer systems. Wyotech offers the best plumbing program in California, but the school has no tolerance for partying. Those expecting to attend college and party will quickly find that Wyotech’s Zero Tolerance policy ensures students are there to learn, not play.

During a plumbing degree program, it is usually required to work with a licensed plumber during schooling, usually for a total of four years before going out on his or her own. Plumbing can be very tiring and tedious work. Upper body strength is involved, especially for pipe layers who are hefting copper or PVC piping around all day. Plumbing can be extremely messy, especially for plumbers who work on residential emergencies. Outdoor leaks can mean water pipes need to be unearthed first making for muddy conditions. Sewer issues are also messy and very unpleasant.

Often plumbing apprentices split their time between a job site and school. Schooling takes up a few hours a week, and then the apprenticeship is a full thirty to forty hours a week. This leads to long and exhausting days.

A plumber who deals in residential issues often spends time in an office waiting for emergency situations to arise in between scheduled appointments. People often call plumbers to install dishwashers, new sinks, toilets, shower fixtures, and water purification systems. When pipes leak, plumbers receive calls to repair the cracked/damaged pipe or fixture that is causing the problem. Due to the emergency situations, many plumbers work much later than the average 9am to 5pm worker. Weekend work is also necessary due to emergency situations.

The Importance of a Job Well Done

Reputations can make or break a plumber. If a plumber botches up a job, word of mouth can ensure that that plumber never gets another job. Quality control is extremely important for those who want to earn a living plumbing. Passing the California Plumbing (C-36) Exam is not always enough to build a decent clientele.

The Plumbing Exam consists of seven sections that must be completed successfully in order to become a licensed plumber. The test is easy if a person studies their trade well. The seven parts are: Safety, Remodeling Plumbing Systems, Repairing Plumbing Systems, Installation, Rough Plumbing, Testing, and Plumbing Project Planning. The exam covers everything from how to design the system to installing it to testing it out to ensure it is fault free.

Memorization plays an important part in any plumber’s life. The State of California requires all new constructions and plumbing projects meet the state’s strict building codes. A plumber who has to refer to the codes in a book regularly will waste valuable time on the job site. It is important to have the codes memorized in advance. As codes change, the plumber must keep up with the changes.

Plumbing is a profitable career that offers the opportunity to become self-employed. Many people dream of being their own boss, and plumbers can easily make that happen. With a proper education and apprenticeship, a student interested in plumbing can become a licensed, self-employed plumber within five years time. The challenges are there, but the knowledge is certainly worthwhile. The world will never stop needing plumbers!

If you are intersted in becoming a plumber, check out our list of schools in California that offer plumbing programs.

Surgical technologists act as surgeon assistants during operations and surgical procedures. Qualified surgical technologists are in high demand and the pay scales are in the $35,000 range. Surgical technologists can work in a doctor’s office, dental, or hospital setting and the salaries vary depending on the field entered. In general, surgical technologists in dental settings tend to earn the highest incomes while hospital surgical technologists earn the lowest incomes.

Salaries vary due to the different tools used during medical and dental procedures. It is a surgical technologist’s responsibility to quickly locate and hand surgeons the proper tools while also handling sterilization of the tools and room following a surgical procedure. There are many duties that a surgical technologist must perform, they include:

• Preparing trays with the necessary tools needed for the surgical procedure before hand
• Assembling necessary equipment following safety procedures
• Ensure surgical equipment is functioning correctly
• Preparing the patient for surgery, including sterilizing the area where the procedure will be performed, shaving the incision site if necessary, and cleansing the incision site with a disinfecting solution
• Help the surgeon and medical/dental team get into their gowns, gloves, and other sterile clothing
• Handing surgical instruments to the doctor or dentist during the dental procedure
• Apply suctioning when required
• Keep track of patient’s vital signs during the procedure
• Monitoring the patient for signs of pain or need for more anesthesia
• Ensure the equipment, including sponges, are all back on the tray before the incision site is closed
• Some surgical technologists also bring the patient to the recovery room and monitor their recovery
• Pick up all tools used in the surgery, and wash and sterilize them for the next time
• Remove all sheets, pads, and other protective material used on the tables and chairs during the surgical procedure
• Set up the surgery area for the next procedure

Surgical technologists work with many patients on a daily basis and can become exposed to communicable diseases from colds to the flu to hepatitis. Smells of disinfectants can be troublesome, so those with allergies to strong cleaners may find the job to be intolerable. Surgical technologists work in bright lights and in a temperature controlled climate, so these situations are to be expected. Finally, some surgical technologists work far more than 40 hours per week. Emergencies and night time procedures are common, so one must have a very flexible schedule and be available weekends, nights, and holidays.

All surgical technologists must complete an accredited program before they can start working as a surgical technologist. It is important for someone entering into this field that they understand they must have strong memorization skills, capable of viewing blood and other bodily fluids, remain alert and often predict the doctor or dentist’s next move, be able to stand for long periods of time, and enjoy working under the close supervision of others. Surgical technologists must pass the CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) certification exam before taking a job as a surgical technologist. The certification must be renewed every four years and requires continuing education and reexamination.

Before one can take the CAAHEP exam, they must complete a Surgical Technologist Certificate or Associate Degree program. Higher pay scales are given to those who take the full two-year Associate program, but the job can be attained after the year long Certificate program. Before one can qualify for any of these programs, they must usually successfully pass a course in Body Systems for Health Professionals, Medical Terminology, and Pharmacology. Other courses that are required include:

• Anatomy
• Clinical Practices
• Patient Care
• Surgery Procedures
• Surgery Specialties
• Surgery Technology

On top of this, college settings require all students who are interested in the field of surgical technology to have all immunizations, including Hepatitis, up to date. They also require students to be able to lift and carry 50 pounds and be able to maneuver 100 pounds. They must be able to squat, bend, and kneel, have steady hands, speak fluent English, have good eyesight and hearing, be able to stand for long periods of time, be able to see colors (no colorblindness), be capable of staying calm in high stress situations, remain organized, work well with others, follow orders precisely, and be able to work quickly without error.

Those who enjoy working with people, can think quickly, make few errors, and enjoy helping others will find that working as a surgical technologist is a rewarding career. It does require one or two years of college before starting a career, but this is far less required schooling and job availability is strong. Anyone with an interest in surgery or anatomy who do not want to invest many years in medical school will find surgical technology to be an excellent option.

View a our Medical Training programs page to view a list of surgical technology programs in California.

If there are businesses in California that do not use computers, they are few and far between. In businesses and homes, people rely on their computer for research, record keeping, email, and many other important tasks. Without a working computer, people can go through serious withdrawal symptoms and they may find it hard to function entirely. Computer repair specialists are necessary to maintain and repair computer systems.

While some computer repair specialists learn through an apprenticeship, it is often best to complete a vocational program or college program to gain a degree or certificate in computer repairs. The schooling can be tough, and it is definitely geared towards those who like working with their hands and don’t mind assembling items.

What to Expect when Working as a Computer Repair Specialist

Computer repair specialists often set their own hours and own their own businesses. They can work within a larger corporation, but with the high demand for computer repairs, it can be just as easy to set up a home office and work privately. Business is always steady, but workloads can fluctuate, so proper scheduling is necessary in order to keep busy.

Within a corporate setting, computer repair specialists maintain, upgrade, and repair the computers used throughout a business. Updates must often be scheduled for after hours, so working late into the night is common. Troubleshooting is important and must be done quickly in order to keep a business operational and making a profit. Computer repair specialists often spend time helping workers navigate through computer programs and fixing user errors. Phone support is used to fix smaller problems without having to go to the office where the computer is located. Computer repair specialists must be able to give clear instructions over the phone. Patience is required, especially given the fact that many people are less knowledgeable with the interiors of a computer.

From a home setting, computer repair specialists will often drive to a person’s home and fix the computer as needed. If the computer needs major repairs, computer repair specialists will take the computer home, take it apart, and replace broken parts such as hard drives, fans, and modems. Thorough knowledge of the manner in which a computer is built is required, therefore a computer repair degree is required.

A Day in the Life of a Computer Repair Specialist

In general, computer repair specialists spend their days:

• Setting up or fixing networks
• Installing virus, spyware, and spam software
• Scanning for viruses, spyware, and spam and removing any troublesome issues
• Installing firewalls
• Installing software
• Troubleshooting and repairing computer problems
• Reformatting hard drives
• Helping get computer systems set up in a home or office
• Setting up wireless modems
• Helping recover lost data
• Backing up data
• Computer Upgrades
• Installing computer components such as printers and scanners
• Setting up new computers and removing unnecessary or unwanted software
• Tweaking settings for improved computer speeds and performance

On a typical day, a computer repair specialist working from home will often start out working on a computer in his or her home repair shop. If an emergency call comes in, the computer repair specialist will travel to the company or home that calls up and troubleshoot the computer’s problem. This can take a few hours to travel, troubleshoot, and then explain the problem and necessary fix. With a business, it is important to get their computerized system up and running quickly due to the costly loss of business.

Computer repair specialists will also take appointments for routine maintenance or upgrades on a daily basis, so emergency situations must be worked around these regular appointments. Routine appointments may require software upgrades, installations of a new printer to be shared by a number of office workers or private users, or routine cleanings of fans and disk drives.

In California, computers are also used in thousands of classrooms. School districts often hire computer repair specialists to work within the school setting working to upgrade outdated computer systems, install new computers, and solve problems that may occur in both classroom and office computers. School settings often require a lot of patience because it is easy for children to push a wrong button causing frozen screens and more. Additionally, many classroom computers are used for internet research making it easy for some students to end up in sites where spyware and viruses are prevalent.

Computer repair specialists have one of the most important jobs in the world. Without them, computers would become outdated, fail to run properly and cost businesses incredible amounts of money in replacing. The pay is excellent, and work flow is steady. Due to the freedom of either working for a company or working as an entrepreneur, computer repair is a field that is growing steadily and drawing more and more people in.

View a list of schools in California that provide computer repair or support programs.

Before anyone can enjoy their first day as an accountant, a college degree must be achieved. To receive a Bachelor’s degree, a number of courses must be completed successfully. In California, this list includes:

• Accounting, both Financial and Managerial
• American Culture
• Business and IT Environments
• Business Communications
• Business Finance
• Business Operations
• Business Writing
• Calculus
• Cultural Anthropology
• Economics
• Exports-Imports Financing
• Geography
• Information Systems and Applications
• Macroeconomics
• Management
• Marketing
• Microeconomics
• Politics
• Probabilities and Statistics
• Psychology
• Securities
• Sociology
• Writing

The coursework is generally hard for the majority of students, so people should not expect to breeze through college easily. In addition, before receiving the Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, all California students must pass the EWP (Examination in Writing Proficiency) with at least a 71%. Accountants constantly use basic math procedures to record debits and credits. Those who detest math will find that a career in accounting can be very tedious.

Getting Started

Proper college schooling only lands a person a degree. Many employers will not hire those with accounting degrees that have no actual work experience. It can be extremely tough to find a high-paying job right off the bat. An apprenticeship in college can help provide on-the-job training that can help land a good job after graduation. Other men and women holding a degree in accounting should expect to start on the lower-rung of a corporate ladder and work their way up. Starting salaries for an accountant average $40,000 in California. After a number years in the job, these salaries can rise to a little over $100,000. It is, however, rather difficult to afford suitable housing in many Californian cities on $40,000 a year. Any person interested in this career must learn to scrimp while starting out!

Specializing

Many accountants hold specialties in certain industries. For example, a construction accountant will have a general knowledge of construction terminology, the method in which construction projects go together, and general prices for equipment and supplies. General Ledger Accountants maintain the ledgers for a company. Tax accountants deal strictly with personal or business taxes. The same is true for the travel industry, entertainment, banking, and major corporations.

Accountants are responsible for keeping that specific company’s financial records current. Usually, companies hire an accountant and at least one helper. The accountant’s duties include:

• Recording and maintaining all general ledger (records) of debits and credits (expenses and revenue.)
• Budgeting money for supplies, salaries, and other necessary expenses, including emergencies, that are necessary to a business’s operations.
• Handling all month end and year end financial reports.
• Review and approve all financial transactions to ensure they are legal.
• Hire and manage accounting staff.
• Selecting and operating accounting software.
• Keep financial information securely stored away and keep financial information private and out of conversations.

In addition, many companies require their accountants to help with weekly or bi-weekly payrolls, year end taxes, and often researching finance regulations and other financial issues is involved.

For those who are lucky enough, a travel agency accountant is very enjoyable and beneficial because of the job perks. Many accountants in a travel setting work the average 9 to 5 hours Monday through Friday and are eligible for travel discounts, including hotels, airfare, package vacations, and cruises, which makes it a highly sought after specialty. Take a look at the day in the life of an accountant for a travel agency:

Every Monday, an accountant in this type of business must gather up the previous week’s ticket sales and perform the ARC (Airline Recording Corporation) reports. This report tallies up all of the airline ticket sales and then the travel agency’s commissions, if any are involved, are reduced from the amount the travel agency then sends out to the ARC. While a travel agency is paid for the full ticket price for any airline ticket, only a portion of that money is legally theirs. If an airline offers a 5% commission on a ticket that cost $500, the travel agency only gets to keep $25 of that money. The rest is sent to the ARC to be distributed to the airlines.

During the rest of the week, accountants pay the bills, budget for upcoming expenses like rent, business supplies, and employee salaries. Many accountants in travel agencies also handle weekly payroll, business taxes, insurance plans, and customer refunds if necessary.

Accounting is an extremely rewarding career, though it does require a solid, four-year education. Those seeking the highest pay scale will need to finish their college degree and then study for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam. This difficult and lengthy exam covers all aspects of accounting including legal issues, the basics, and more. The four exam sections take a total of fourteen hours and include Auditing & Attestation, Business Environment & Concepts, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Regulations. Many states are starting to look into making the CPA exam a mandatory step in becoming an accountant, so current uncertified accountants may want to look into the CPA soon.

View accounting programs in California.

By gaining an Associates or Bachelor’s degree in business administration, a number of careers are available. For most, the biggest problem is narrowing the field while in college. It is best to specialize in one area (Accounting, Communications, Finance, Information Systems, Health Services, Hospitality, Human Resources, Management, Sales/Marketing, and Small Business) because many careers look for those with specialized skills. Job duties and salaries vary greatly.

Specializing in Accounting

One who has a degree in Business Administration with accounting as a specialty can then go on to gain jobs working alongside an accountant, work as a bookkeeper for a small company, or work as a tax consultant. Those interested in this specialty should enjoy working with calculators, financial software such as Quickbooks, and have an eye for detail. One mistaken figure can throw financial records off.

Specializing in Communications

A Business Administration degree with a specialty in Communications is great for those interested in becoming a technical writer. This is a growing field as more companies are in need of men and women who can write thorough, easy to follow computer manuals, training materials, instruction guides, and more. Often these people must have high typing speeds, an excellent grasp of grammar, and enjoy writing detailed material. Work days include plenty of time spent typing up and editing these guides, but working from home is an intriguing option.

Specializing in Finance

Today’s world seems to revolve fully around money. A Business Administration degree concentrating on finance allows a man or woman to work in banking, financial firms, and other related businesses. Again, a person interested in this field must enjoy working with numbers and must have an eye for detail. Pay in this field is often higher than in other fields due to the natures of the businesses.

Specializing in Information Systems

Information Systems are necessary in any business because they are the programs that keep customer records, sales records, and more. Those with this specialty will work with computers regularly maintaining computer records and software. Due to the wide range of businesses out there, those with this degree can work for virtually any computer helping with data entry, reports, and the programs themselves.

Specializing in Insurance

Health insurance companies are growing in leaps and bounds and there is a strong need for conscientious workers who can process medical and dental claims, handle patient records while following the strict privacy laws, and also help run a medical or dental office. Those whose degree focuses on Health Services often find high paying jobs quickly and easily because of the high demand. Job duties may include checking in patients, coding medical forms following a patient’s visit, or handling insurance claims to ensure the doctor is paid.

Specializing in Hospitality

Working in a hotel or resort is a dream job to many. By gaining a Business Administration degree with a focus in hospitality, a student is prepared to run the front desk in a hotel, restaurant, or other travel or entertainment venues. Often a job of this nature comes with a discount that makes the job highly desirable. Pay scales are not as high in this field, but the perks make up for it!

Specializing in Human Resources

Those interested in handling payroll, employee benefits, hiring/firing, and labor relations should go for a degree that focuses on Human Resources. Job duties often include running a front office, handling payroll, handing out paychecks, scheduling vacations, interviewing potential employees, managing and researching job benefits, and handling exit interviews for exiting employees.

Specializing in Management

A degree with management as a specialty is necessary for anyone interested in managing a business or department. This can be a rather stressful job as many loathe their boss because it is that person who assigns work. Pay scales are higher though and with good management skills, it is easy to gain friends with your employees.

Specializing in Marketing

Sales and Marketing is a perfect career for the outgoing men and women who want to spend long hours talking to potential customers. Sales can be high pressure and often salaries are based on commissions, so to make a lot of money, one must succeed at selling. Public relations is another option for those with degrees in marketing. Public Speaking skills are important, but one spends plenty of time meeting with other men and women, going out on business lunches, or dinners that the company pays for making it an intriguing career.

Specializing in Business

Finally, if you have every dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, a Business Administration degree with a focus in Small Business is the best way to go. This degree shapes people to eventually own and run their own business. Hours can be very long while starting out, and often there are money struggles while building the business, but once a business is successful, the owner can set his or her own hours, work from home when desired, and have the freedom of being his or her own boss.

Find a program in business administration in California.

Within the field of Aviation, there are a number of careers available. Different jobs entail different education paths, so it is important to decide which career appeals most before entering technical training or college. The list of jobs is wide:

• Aerospace Engineers
• Aircraft Assembly
• Aircraft Engine Inspectors
• Aircraft Mechanic
• Airline Customer Service
• Airplane Designers
• Air Traffic Control
• Aviation Administration
• Baggage Handlers
• Emergency Crew
• Flight Attendants
• Helicopter Mechanics
• Pilots
• Runway Crew
• Security Officers

Getting the Education You Need for a Career in the Aviation Field

Schooling is required for some aviation careers, but others require little more than on-the-job training and a high school diploma. Each job requires different tasks. For example, a flight attendant goes through a flight attendant training program and then must be willing to fly from area to area regularly. Flight attendants spend more time on a plane than in their own home or apartment. They handle waiter/waitressing tasks, in-flight safety instructions, customer complaints, passenger control, check-in, and more. An airline customer service representative, on the other hand, usually receives on the job training and is required to make reservations, handle telephone or live complaints or questions, check-in baggage, and other duties related to getting a passenger onto a plane.

One of the most rewarding careers within the aviation field, however, is that of an airframe and powerplant technician. Even better, jobs in this field are quite plentiful.

Working as an Airframe and Powerplant Technician

Throughout the world, airframe and powerplant technicians inspect planes before flights ensuring that the plane is in top condition and working properly. This makes the airframe and powerplant technician one of the more important jobs in the field of aviation.

To prevent airline crashes, all airlines must be thoroughly inspected before the flight. Everything from landing gear to engines to the mechanical controls are checked to ensure they are in prime condition and will not fail during a flight. While the occasional accident does occur, airframe and powerplant technicians are the best change to prevent catastrophes and quickly fix problems so that flights are not delayed for incredible amounts of time.

To become an airframe and powerplant technician, a number of courses are required.

• Aircraft or Helicopter Theory and Operations – Understanding how aircraft or helicopter works
• Airframe and Powerplant Fuel Systems – Proper techniques used when fueling aircraft and how to inspect the fueling system and fuel lines
• Airframe Assembly
• Airplane Maintenance – Step by step instruction in handling an in – depth inspection of a plane prior to a start
• Avionic Circuits – Learning how an avionic circuit board is assembled
• Avionic Regulations – Learning all the rules and regulations involved in avionics that pilots and flight crews must follow, includes laws regarding pre – flight maintenance and inspections
• Communication Systems – Inspecting and repairing, if necessary, the communication system on an airplane or helicopter
• Engine Repairs – Simple and extensive repairs to an airplane or helicopter’s engine system. Usually involves learning how to build an engine from scratch
• Environmental Controls – Learn how to prevent engine ice – ups or other environmental issues that can cause engine failure
• Gas Turbine Engines – Learn how to repair and inspect gas turbine engines
• General Maintenance – How to perform routine oil changes and routine engine maintenance
• Helicopter Maintenance – Specialized maintenance procedures that are mandatory in helicopters
• Hydraulics and Landing Gears – Learn how to inspect the airplane or helicopter’s hydraulic system and the landing gears
• Ignition Systems – Steps for inspecting an airplane or helicopter’s ignition system
• Instrument Panel – Understanding the function of all aircraft instrument panels including why they are used and how to troubleshoot problems with their functioning
• Lubricating Systems – Maintenance and inspection, including repairing, the airplane or helicopter’s lubrication system
• Materials, Processes, and Welding – How to make general repairs to the airplane’s form, includes how to weld metal, clean metal, and check all hardware for rust and corrosion
• Navigation Systems – Inspect and repair the airplane or helicopter’s navigation system
• Pneumatics – Inspect, assemble, and repair the pneumatics system
• Principles of Electricity – Understanding all circuits, including series – parallel circuits, parallel circuits, AC/DC circuits, and the Ohms laws
• Propellers – Learn how to inspect, repair, assemble, and disassemble the propellers
• Reading Blueprints – How to read for design an engine’s blueprint
• Record Keeping – How to maintain proper records for all airplane or helicopter inspections
• Structural Repairs – Use sheet metal and welding skills to repair damage to the airplane or helicopter’s exterior and interior
• Weight and Balance – Inspecting aircraft for safe loads to prevent an overweight plane or helicopter from taking off
• Working with Sheet Metal – Principles to reforming a plane or helicopter’s exterior using sheet metal for repairs

Following this intensive program, students are expected to prepare for and then successfully pass the GROL exam (FCC’s General Radiotelephone Operations License) before one can take on work as an airframe and powerplant technician. Due to the extreme importance in doing a job correctly, it is important for all aviation airframe and powerplant technicians to be licensed and well trained.

Are you interested in a career in aviation? Take a look at our list of schools in California offering avaiation programs.

August 2008
A Q&A session with Michelle, a medical assistant, who works at a local hospital in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Michelle has worked as a CNA for 3 years and has worked as a medical assistant for 5 years.

Q: What type of education or training did you need in order to become a medical assistant?

A: I first became a CNA through the Certified Nursing Assistant class at Lakeshore Technical in Cleveland, Wisconsin. I learned about taking care of people as well as how to perform my duties. I did this for three years before the hospital needed medical assistants. I applied for the class at Lakeshore Technical. The class was the next step up for me. I plan to continue my education and become a nurse.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like being able to work as both a CNA and a medical assistant. It gives me more flexibility. I am scheduled for medical assistant three days a week and as a CNA two days a week. I like the freedom to work anywhere in the hospital or at other places such as nursing homes and retirement homes.

Q: What do you dislike most about your job?

A: The one thing I dislike is that we are always short-handed it seems. They need more healthcare workers. I work long hours sometimes. It does take its toll on you mentally and physically.

Q: How would you describe your typical day on the job?

A: A typical day starts at 5 AM. I pass out medications to my patients. This usually takes me two hours to do. Then I do blood pressure checks and see how the patients are doing. If they need something, I get it for them. I answer call buttons and help with moving patients to the bathroom when the CNAs are running short. By the time this is all done, it is time to go home. The day goes by fast.

Q: What is your next career step?

A: I want to start my classes in the fall to become a registered nurse. It will take me some time, but I plan to work full time and continue my education. The only time I will have to take leave from work is when I do my clinicals, unless I can do them at my hospital. The hospital pays for the continuing education, so it is well worth it for me.

Q: What previous job history prepared you for your job?

A: My CNA training helped me prepare for the medical assistant job. You do not need previous job history to become a medical assistant but it helps. It was my motivation to further my career.

Q: What kind of traits does a person need to have in order to be successful at this job?

A: You need dedication. The medical field can be demanding and leaves little time for family. You need to be able to separate yourself from your patients. Being polite and friendly is needed, but you cannot let yourself get emotionally involved. You need to be strong. Many people are demanding so having a strong personality that can take things with a grain of salt is needed.

Q: Would you recommend this job to someone else? Why or why not?

A: I would recommend this job to someone that wants to make a difference. If the person is emotional, this is not the job for them. You have to accept death almost every day. That can burn you out. You need to find a place inside of you that you can go to get away from your job sometimes.

Take a look at a list of medical assisting programs in California to take the next step towards becoming a medical assistant.