Education and Training

Showing 84 articles

Career Development

Learn How to Code and Take Your Career to the Next Level

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

Want to boost your career prospects in the modern workplace? Dive into the technological world and learn to code! Whether you're aiming to pivot your career path or beef up your skill set, it's a smart move. Coding is more than just writing programming languages; it's about creating, solving, and innovating in a world where technology touches every...

Career Development

The Highest Paying Master's Degrees for a Lucrative Career

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

In today's rapidly evolving job market, the value of higher education remains undeniably high. Obtaining one of the highest-paying master's degrees is a particularly effective way to achieve financial satisfaction and open doors to advanced career opportunities. Statistics indicate that individuals holding master’s degrees earn an average of 16%...

Career Development

How to Find Management Training Programs + 8 Companies that Offer Them

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

Management training programs are crucial to your career development, especially if you're aiming for leadership roles. So, finding a company that offers these programs should be a top priority in your job search. It's not just about getting a job — it's about building a career with a company that genuinely invests in you. Firstly, these programs...

Career Development

How to Get a Job After College

By Elana Gross and Jennifer Verta

Four years ago, you chose your college major because you were interested in that subject. Now you're starting your job search and wondering how to get a job after college. You’re not sure where to start. Who knows, maybe you’re not even sure you want to work in the same area you majored in. So, what now? Prepare for the Job Hunt The good news...

Career Development

Is Transitioning from ADN to BSN Good for Your Career?

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Are you an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) holder, or still a student, wanting to take your nursing career to the next level? Advancing from ADN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) might be the right move. Despite the nursing shortage in nearly every U.S. state, many nurses with an associate degree are struggling to find a job. On the cont...

Career Development

13 of the Highest Paying Jobs for MBA Graduates to Pursue

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Continuing your college education is both a large time commitment and an expensive decision, but with the right degree and career path in mind, the payout could be well worth it if you land one of the highest paying jobs for MBA graduates. Consider this: The unemployment rate is 2.6% for master’s degree holders, compared to 3.5% for bachelor’s degr...

Career Development

Should I Go Back to School? Here are a Few Things to Consider

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Going back to school as an adult can be a decision as tough as it is exciting. Don’t feel alone if you ever find yourself wondering: Should I go back to school? Is it worth going back to college? Are there any programs or grants to go back to school for adults? Am I too old to consider going back to school? Numerous Americans share these about such...

Career Development

6-Month Certificate Programs That Pay Well

By Dawn Papandrea, Monster contributor

Breaking into a new career might be something you want to do, but depending on the field, the time and investment to do so can seem daunting. Not everyone has the means to go back to school for a four-year degree full-time while not earning an income. The good news is that you don't have to get your bachelor's degree. There are some 6-month certifi...

Career Development

How to Get a GED and Get the Job You Want

By Dillon Price, Monster Contributor

There are many reasons why teenagers never finish high school. More than 5% of students drop out due to challenging life circumstances or lack of interest in learning. Others get expelled for serious violations of school policies. If you never got that high school diploma, don’t be discouraged. Monster can show you how to get a GED to open the door...

Career Development

5 Easy Certifications to Get Online

By Omar Sommereyns, Monster Contributor

Benjamin Franklin was definitely onto something when he said: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Because the more you know—the more skills and training you acquire—the more you’re likely to get the job you want. And to rake in higher pay. And it’s never too late to start learning, as there are many easy certifications to get on...

Career Development

Why You Should Get an Administrative Assistant Certification

By Omar Sommereyns, Monster Contributor

Almost every industry has a need for eagle-eyed administrative assistants who can handle a variety of clerical, organizational, and proofing tasks. From answering phones and emails to scheduling meetings and appointments; prepping memos, invoices, presentations, and reports; editing documents; updating spreadsheets and databases; and possibly doing...

Career Development

Associate Degree Jobs That Pay Well

By Jon Simmons, Monster contributor

Think you need at least a bachelor’s degree to land a high-paying job that you can turn into a rewarding career? Think again. Associate degree jobs are just as—and in some cases, even more—valuable. With just a few years of education (the typical associate degree is two), you can find yourself well-equipped to make a higher-than-average salary doin...

Career Development

Is a Master's Degree Worth It? That Depends

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

No matter where you are in your career—whether you're fresh out of undergrad or a working professional with loads of job experience—surely, at some point, you've asked yourself, "Is a master's degree worth it?" That depends. Grad school isn't right for everyone, especially when you consider that the cost of tuition alone can reach well into the six...

Career Development

What to expect from your college career center

By Peter Vogt, Monster contributor

Your campus career center is a very valuable but likely underused resource. Unfortunately, some college career centers go underutilized, but that often reflects a fundamental disconnect between students' expectations and their career-center staff's limitations. Just what can you reasonably expect from your campus career center and its staff? Tha...

Career Development

10 things to do senior year of college to set yourself up for career success

By Jon Simmons, Monster contributor

As a college senior in this day and age, you've got to contend with a whole new set of challenges. And that's in addition to whatever required courses you need to finish. But don’t lose sight of the end game: getting a job after graduation. To set yourself up for better job prospects, you need to create a plan for success during your senior year of...

Career Development

Where to find online classes to boost your profile

By Patricia Scanlon, Monster contributor

Looking for online classes to sharpen your skills? You’ve got plenty of company. In late April 2020, online learning platform Udemy reported a 425% increase in enrollments among consumers since the first COVID-19 shelter-in-place requirements began in late March. Whatever kind of learning experience you’re looking to find online—whether it’s to ...

Career Development

Why you should consider an apprenticeship

By Dawn Papandrea, Monster contributor

When you add together the fact that college tuitions have become unaffordable for many families and that many businesses are having trouble finding skilled workers, apprenticeships can help solve both problems. The challenge is that many people don’t know that these apprenticeship programs exist, or they believe some misconceptions about them. T...

Career Development

Make the most of career counseling

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

No matter what stage you’re at in your career, there are bound to be periods when you just feel stuck or uncertain about your next moves. When that happens, career counseling can help take some of the stress off your shoulders. Whether you’re looking to find a job, revamp your resume, improve your job interviewing skills, or just nurture your caree...

Career Development

5 Things You Learned in College That Will Pay Off

By Nicole Yang, Monster staff

“When am I ever going to use this?” You’ve definitely asked yourself this age-old question one too many times at school—much to your professors’ (and parents’) chagrin. From the ins and outs of calculus derivatives to the historical timeline of the War of 1812, it seems like half of what you learned in school didn't exactly qualify as life lessons ...

Career Development

10 high-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree

By Lily Martis, Monster staff

College tuition might cost a pretty penny, but data shows that the payoff can definitely be worth it when it comes to finding a job. While the median salary for workers with bachelor’s degrees is $1,305 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest-paid bachelor degree jobs can earn you as much as six-figures. With a bachelor’s ...

Career Development

Where to Find Free or Low-Cost Job Training

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: There’s a real skills gap in the job market. A whopping 87% of companies surveyed by McKinsey said they are experiencing gaps or expect to in the coming years. The good news? There are low-cost and free job-training opportunities that can help you not only gain new skills but also sharpen the skills that...

Career Development

The secret to balancing school and your senior year job search

By Elana Lyn Gross, Monster contributor

Let’s face it: Juggling your college courses, social life, and a job search is stressful. You want to soak up your senior year and spend as much time with your friends as possible...but you also need to amp up your job search so you can pay those all too real, real world bills. “Time management is key,” says Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, co-founder, C...

Career Development

Jobs that pay $50k without a degree

By Lily Martis, Monster staff

In an analysis of more than 2,000 U.S. employers, Monster data recently identified some of the highest-paying jobs without a degree that you can get—all of which pay more than $55k a year. After all, college isn’t for everyone, and if it’s not part of your plan, that doesn’t mean you’ll end up working a low-paying job. Topping the list are janit...

Career Development

How to juggle a full-time job while getting your MBA

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

In an ideal, world, everyone who goes to grad school would quit their jobs and focus on achieving that advanced degree full-time. No distractions from life—or more specifically, from work. But for most people, quitting a job to go back to school just isn’t an option financially—especially for those who are already buried in undergraduate student lo...

Career Development

It's probably OK to bomb your finals...

By Elana Lyn Gross, Monster contributor

There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Being a senior in college is stressful. Not only do you need to manage a ton of current school responsibilities, but you also have to consider your future—like that little thing called finding a new job. Because the college gods definitely have a sense of humor, they also put finals smack in the middle of this str...

Career Development

10 totally-worth-it online courses for executives

By Dominique Rodgers, Monster contributor

Just because you’re no longer sitting in a classroom five days a week doesn’t mean your student days are behind you. As an executive, you know the value of an employee who is committed to self-improvement. Well, the same goes for, you, a company leader looking to make your next big move up. If you’re serious about taking your career to new heigh...

Career Development

This is the skill you need today if you want a job in one of the highest paying industries

By Lily Martis, Monster staff

Do you speak HTML? Is Java your second language? Can you navigate PHP, .net or C++? If you said yes to any of these questions, you have a huge advantage in terms of landing a high-paying job, new research shows. According to an analysis of 26 million job postings by job market analytics firm Burning Glass, about half of the jobs paying $57,00...

Career Development

10 totally-worth-it online courses for mid-career professionals

By Dominique Rodgers, Monster contributor

Just because you’re no longer sitting in a classroom five days a week doesn’t mean your student days are behind you. Remember, there’s nothing hiring managers love more than an employee who is committed to self-improvement. And if you’re serious about putting your career on the fast track, you need to demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow....

Career Development

10 totally-worth-it online courses for early-career professionals

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

Just because you’re no longer sitting in a classroom five days a week doesn’t mean your student days are behind you. Remember, there’s nothing hiring managers love more than an employee who is committed to self-improvement. And if you’re serious about putting your career on the fast track, you need to demonstrate your willingness to learn and gr...

Career Development

Should you take summer classes?

By Isabel Thottam, Monster contributor

School’s out for the summer...or is it? While the majority of students spend their summer vacation relaxing, others will speed up their graduation timeline by enrolling in summer courses or doing for-credit internships. If you’re wondering why someone would voluntarily attend summer school, the reason is simple: You complete your degree faster—a...

Career Development

5 programming languages that every techie should master

By Kristen Felicetti, Monster contributor

There are hundreds of programming languages out there, from the well-known to the ultra-obscure, and gaining fluency with one or more is a must if you want to make yourself a hot ticket for employers and score awesome coding jobs. Sure, there are plenty of colleges and universities offering coding courses and degrees, along with tech bootcamps f...

Career Development

Best athletic training degrees and colleges

By Robert Fucci, Monster contributor

The best athletic training programs should be at the top of the list of anyone interested in a sports-related healthcare career. Does that sound like you? Athletic training degrees are perfect for people who are compassionate and detail-oriented, and who possesses excellent decision-making and interpersonal skills. It should go without saying th...

Career Development

Why your college major doesn't really matter

By Mary Ellen Slayter, Monster career expert

When I was in college, I majored in agronomy. I loved that it was an applied science and offered a holistic way of looking at the world. But that’s not where my career path took me. Instead, I became a journalist; building on the experience I gained working in newspapers since right after high school. I started out as a typist, writing up weddin...

Career Development

How to make a business case for your boss to pay for training

By Mary Ellen Slayter, Monster career expert

According to a recent study by Deloitte, 85 percent of HR and business leaders ranked learning and development as a top issue, up from 70 percent last year. Clearly, development is on leaders’ minds. But making the case for yourself can sometimes be tricky — perhaps your company has put training on hold for awhile or your department’s budget has be...

Career Development

The Promise of a Pencil: Building Education From the Ground Up

By Isabel Thottam

It was in backpacking around the world during his college years when Adam Braun, 31, discovered how he would turn his passion into opportunity. While traveling, Braun got into the habit of asking children, “What do you want most in the world?” The response from a young child in India: a pencil. “I handed him one from my backpack and watched as a...

Career Development

10 resources to teach your kid to code

By Sarah White, Monster contributor

When most millennials were growing up, the extent of computer class was a round of Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, and if you were really lucky, Oregon Trail. Today, the idea of teaching kids basic typing skills has gone out the window. And it makes sense, have you ever seen a toddler navigate an iPhone? Kids are growing up with computer skills as sec...

Career Development

Advance Your Construction Career Through Education or Training

By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

What sorts of construction skills are in demand in 2011, as the industry begins to dig out from one of its worst recessions in memory? Simply put, construction and design firms and project owners are looking for people with the know-how to bid successfully for projects and execute them profitably while managing risk and paving the way for future bu...

Career Development

6 Courses That Will Boost Your Chances of Landing a Job

By Monster Contributor

Taking extra classes, even after you’ve graduated, can make you a stronger job candidate. By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer If you’re still in college, it doesn’t hurt to look at taking a few electives that can boost your job prospects after graduation. And if you’re already done with school, adding to your education is a great...

Career Development

25 Graduate Degrees with Huge Payback Potential

By Monster Contributor

PayScale published a list of graduate degrees ranked by salary, so if you’re thinking about furthering your education or making a career change, you might want to consider some of these options, and be sure to check out Monster's grad site for more great info. Engineering Engineering graduate degrees had some of the highest salaries on this l...

Career Development

Top 5 Most Regretted Majors

By Monster Contributor

By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer Buyer’s remorse is never fun, but it’s particularly painful when it comes with the time and cost of getting a college education. To help you avoid this stinging regret, PayScale has ranked the majors college alumni recommend least. If you have your heart set on one of these, you don’t necessari...

Career Development

6 Colleges that Get You the Most Pay When You Graduate

By Monster Contributor

By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer If you’re making plans to go to college and want get the most out of your investment (or your parents’), PayScale has some information you won’t want to miss. Their salary pros talked to graduates with bachelor’s degrees who are employed full-time and not on active military duty or in a contrac...

Career Development

5 Law Degrees that Get You The Most Money After Graduation

By Monster Contributor

By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer According to U.S. News & World Report, the the median private sector starting salaries for lawyers has been falling as average debt loads for law-school graduates have been rising. If you’re thinking about going to law school, you’ll want to consider the debt you’ll be graduating with compared to ...

Career Development

7 Most Underemployed Majors

By Monster Contributor

By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer Many college grads with four-year degrees face underemployment after graduation as they find that a bachelor’s degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee a job in their chosen field. If they don’t have plans to go on to graduate school, they may have to settle for jobs that don’t match their education o...

Career Development

5 $100K Jobs That Don't Require a Bachelor's Degree

By Monster Contributor

College tuition continues to skyrocket year after year, while salaries for those with degrees are not rising as quickly. Many people are often led to wonder if a degree is even worth the price of tuition. There are jobs that pay decent wages without requiring an upfront investment of at least four years and several thousand dollars. It's easy to se...

Career Development

Six Ways to Invest in Your Career

By Monster Contributor

By Margaret Steen In uncertain economic times, you may hesitate to spend money to advance your career. But some investments -- of money and time -- can really pay off. One of the main ways to invest in your career is through education. "Don't think of it as going back to school, which sounds like you didn't get it right in the first place ...

Career Development

Best certifications for boosting your salary

By Monster Staff

Want to make more money doing the job you already have? Before you try negotiating a pay raise, you might want to think about going back to school. Getting certified in your field can often mean the difference between pulling down a middling salary and making serious dough. Recently, PayScale provided Monster with the best certifications and the...

Career Development

Surprising jobs with $100K salaries--after only a two-year degree

By Charles Purdy, Monster Senior Editor

Think of some typical jobs that pay six-figure salaries, and you likely imagine careers that come with a four-year college degree (if not four years plus advanced degrees). Now think about some of the highest-paying jobs with a two-year degree. You're probably drawing a blank, and with good reason: The common perception is that a traditional univer...

Career Development

Nine Degrees That Put You on the Fast Track to $100K

By Monster Staff

Deciding on a college major is difficult: Should you follow your passions, or should you choose a four-year degree that promises to net a high salary? There are good arguments for both paths, but if you choose the latter, consider the disciplines on this list, which features some of the top four-year degrees that get earners to big bucks in a de...

Career Development

High-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a Four-Year Degree

By Monster Contributor

By Charyn Pfeuffer, PayScale.com Do you like the sound of making $65,000 a year without a four-year degree? Well, with a few years of training, and in most cases, an associate’s degree, it’s possible to pull down this kind of salary within five years. We’ve all been programmed to believe that getting into a good college and getting the “right...

Career Development

Five Two-Year Degrees That Pay Off

By Monster Contributor

By Lydia Dishman, PayScale.com When you want a career change -- or just a career start -- one of the lowest-cost and quickest options for gaining a new skill is earning an associate’s degree from a community college or technical school. But with all of the associate’s degrees available, it can be hard to pick one, especially one that will last. ...

Career Development

Questions to Ask Online MBA Schools

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

If you're thinking about signing up for an online MBA program, it's wise to know what you're getting into. Here's a list of questions to ask the admissions counselor: What percentage of the coursework is presented online, in person, via phone or on video? What career counseling and placement options are available, and how long after grad...

Career Development

Worst-Paying College Degrees

By Monster Contributor

By Charles Purdy, Yahoo! HotJobs Senior Editor There's no denying the value of a college education: According to US Census surveys, the median salary for college grads is more than $20,000 higher than that of people with only a high school diploma. And the unemployment rate for people with bachelor's degrees is almost half the rate for people wi...

Career Development

The Power of the PE License

By Monster Contributor

By Jason Kent, PE Monster Contributing Writer Somewhere near the end of your university engineering program, you face a choice about whether to pursue the Professional Engineer (PE) license by taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE exam), or skipping it altogether. If you do take and pass the FE exam, you face another choice after roug...

Career Development

Get a Nursing License in Another State

By Shelly Field, Monster Contributing Writer

Moving is a way of life for many people today. For nurses, whether crisscrossing the country or just moving over state lines, obtaining licensure in the new state is usually essential. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers a program called the mutual recognition model. This interstate compact allows nurses licensed in...

Career Development

IFRS Education: Why Accountants Should Get It Before It's Hot

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

As the largest public companies in America begin their transition from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), they’re going to need accountants to show them the way. Just over 100 of the largest public companies will be eligible to file IFRS statements with the Securities and Exchan...

Career Development

Professional associations for nurses

By Monster Staff

Whatever your nursing specialty, you can bet there’s an association out there to offer career information, continuing-education credit, networking opportunities and other resources to meet your professional needs. Here are some nursing organizations to check out, listed in alphabetical order: Academy of Medical-Surgical-Nurses Academy of Neonatal...

Career Development

How to Get Into Nursing School

By Camilla Andersson, Monster Contributor

Despite the nursing shortage in many states, nursing schools reject many eager prospective students every year. Schools don’t have room for everyone who wants to become a nurse, and they also have high requirements for future nurses. But once you get in, you’ll be taking the first step towards a rewarding career with many opportunities for growth. ...

Career Development

Volunteering Can Buy You IT Experience

By Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert

A supposedly hot certification or a few months of technology training isn't always enough to propel you into the market for tech jobs. Employers almost always prefer to hire people with real-world experience. To aspiring techies, it's a catch-22: You can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. One solution: Volun...

Career Development

Pharmacist Specialty Certification: Can It Help Your Career?

By Cindy Mehallow, Monster Contributing Writer

Now that all freshly minted pharmacy grads have PharmDs, the degree is no longer the distinction it once was. So ambitious pharmacists are looking for new ways to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. For a small but growing number of them, specialty certification offers one way to demonstrate a high level of clinical knowledge. But which ce...

Career Development

IT Certification Tests: What to Expect

By Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert

Imagine this scenario: You haven't taken a test since your college SATs, and now you're sitting at a certification testing center, wondering why you ever decided to pursue an IT credential. What will the test be like, and are you really prepared? Certification programs eventually lead to a test, or in many programs, several tests. If you want the c...

Career Development

On-Site Construction Training Can Offer More Than a Paycheck

By Aileen Cho, Monster Contributing Writer

Looking for a well-paying construction job but don't have the skills to land one? Good news: Increased demand means that a number of organizations can help you get the training you need. Why the Construction Industry Wants You Demand is currently high for construction workers. Among the reasons for that demand is the economic stimulus that will hel...

Career Development

10 Computer Science Degrees for the Tech Savvy

By Dillon Price, Monster Contributor

Are you the go-to person for all your friend’s computer problems? Is coding like a second language to you? If so, there are tons of computer science degrees that may interest you. You’ll get to explore the vast digital landscape and understand the inner workings of technology while opening several professional doors into the IT world. Research s...

Career Development

Will an Advanced Degree Advance Your Career?

By John Rossheim, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

It seems like all the pieces are in place for the next giant leap in your career: Your friend told you his sister went back to school for a professional degree and, a week after graduating, landed a job with a $10,000 salary increase. So you know a degree would boost your pay. You know from your college experience five years or three decades ago th...

Career Development

What Nursing Refresher Course Is Right for You?

By Camilla Andersson, Monster Contributor

Are you looking to return to nursing after taking time off, but want to brush up on your skills before you start looking for nursing jobs and caring for patients again? You may want to enroll in a nursing refresher course. Offered through colleges and healthcare facilities, nurse refresher courses are designed for nurses who have been out of the...

Career Development

CPA or CMA?

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

When you're searching for certified public accountant (CPA) or certified management accountant (CMA)? It depends on your career goals, but here are some points to consider. What Do You Want to Do? Because core areas of expertise for CPAs and CMAs differ, knowing the type of accounting you want to do is key, says Kathleen Downs, recruiting ma...

Career Development

Is the CFA Right for You?

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

Earning the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation can move your resume to the top of the pile in extremely competitive fields, including portfolio management, investment banking, business development, and corporate mergers and acquisitions. The catch is that to earn the CFA, you must pass a grueling, three-part exam. “When I see a candid...

Career Development

Why Do Companies Prefer MBAs?

By Jennifer deJong, Monster Contributing Writer

The phrase "MBA preferred" gets a lot of play in Monster's online job listings. But what does it really mean? According to the schools that educate them and employers that hire them, MBAs are sought after for their ability to think critically, deal with ambiguity and solve complex problems. In the broadest sense, the master of business administr...

Career Development

A DPT in Your Future?

By Cindy Mehallow, Monster Contributing Writer

In 2000, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) set forth a vision statement that by 2020, every practicing physical therapist would be trained at the doctoral level, earning a doctorate in physical therapy (DPT). This level of education is essential, according to the APTA, given the growing body of knowledge in physical therapy and the n...

Career Development

Clinical Ed Checklist for Radiologic Technologist Students

By Cindy Mehallow, Monster Contributing Writer

If you’re studying to be a radiologic technologist, you know that working in a clinical setting will be an integral part of your education. Such experience helps solidify your clinical skills, build professional contacts and prepare you for the working world. How can you get the most out of this critical learning experience? Clinical coordinators a...

Career Development

Physical Therapists Stand Out with Specialty Certification

By Cindy Mehallow, Monster Contributing Writer

When it comes to opening doors and opening eyes, specialty certification lets employers, colleagues and patients know that a physical therapist (PT) possesses advanced clinical skills in a particular area. Board-certified therapists truly stand out from their peers, considering fewer than 10 percent of the roughly 66,000 members of the American Phy...

Career Development

A+ Certification

By Allan Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert

Among the certifications available for computer professionals, A+ is probably the one cited most often as a starting point for careers in information technology (IT). More than 260,000 people have received A+ certification, viewing it as a way to find jobs as computer service technicians or to gain enough skills to move on to further training. S...

Career Development

Are Software Certifications Worth It for Admins?

By Anya Martin, Monster Contributing Writer

Gwen Dickerson, CPS, decided to strengthen her resume by earning Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. "I wouldn't say the vast majority of employers are requiring or asking for MOS certification, but it is a way to validate that you have a good working knowledge of office software used by approximately ...

Career Development

Sorting Out the Options in Accounting Education

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

Accounting is hot, but if you want to move into the field without getting burned, it’s important to choose the right educational program. Your choices include an accounting certificate, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Each takes you to a different career starting point. Certificate: A Good Start An accounting certificate provides t...

Career Development

Where Can You Work with a Master's in Healthcare Administration?

By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

A master's degree in healthcare administration (MHA) is mostly a blessing with a bit of a curse tossed in. It's a blessing in that you'll be able to explore management-oriented careers in a wide range of healthcare-related organizations and settings once you've finished your program. You'll also have the potential to oversee an assortment of essent...

Career Development

Advance Your Career with a Healthcare Master's Degree

By Megan Malugani, Monster Contributing Writer

These days, you need a master's degree to move up the administrative ranks in most healthcare facilities. But choosing from the many types of graduate programs, including the MHA, MBA, MPH, MPA and MSN, can be confusing. Here's a look at this higher-education alphabet soup: Master's of Health Administration (MHA) The MHA is the most common ma...

Career Development

CPA or MBA?

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

The alphabet soup of finance credentials and degrees causes plenty of folks to agonize over pursuing a CPA or MBA. Both the Certified Public Accountant designation and the master of business administration degree may appeal to those who have not yet found their finance niche. What's the difference, and which is better to pursue? The answer depends ...

Career Development

Best bets to prep for the CPA exam

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

You can do it online, in person or by watching a DVD. No, it's not a close encounter of the personal kind -- it's preparing for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination. Pass the CPA test, fulfill education and experience requirements, and you qualify as a CPA in the 50 states, Washington, DC, and the US territories. However, the C...

Career Development

Why Employers Hire MBAs

By Monster Contributor

Once the mark of finance and consulting professionals, the MBA degree is now considered a key qualification for many positions at a broad range of employers. Hiring managers, business educators and job candidates all agree an MBA is valuable -- and it's not just about finance and accounting anymore. Sectors such as healthcare and nonprofits now hir...

Career Development

Does Your Minor Matter?

By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

Many students spend so much energy deciding on college majors that they sometimes overlook a related –- and sometimes equally important –- question: What minor, if any, should you choose? As with so many career issues you'll face during the college years, there is no straightforward correct answer. Insofar as prospective employers are concerned, i...

Career Development

Turn Co-Ops or Internships into Full-Time Jobs

By Peter Vogt, Monster Senior Contributing Writer

If you want to land an entry-level job at a specific company after graduation, the best way to do it is to first prove yourself at that company through an internship or co-op. But you can't expect to turn an internship into a full-time job just by showing up for your assignment with a pulse and a clock to watch the time go by. "As an intern, you ar...

Career Development

10 Reasons to Invest in Your Career

By Ian Christie, Monster Contributing Writer

Not investing in yourself is like floating down a fast river without a paddle, map or knowledge of what's around the next bend. Things may go fine for a while, but at some point, you're going to realize you made a giant mistake. To avoid such unforeseen disaster, you need to make a proactive and thoughtful investment in a plan for achieving your ca...

Career Development

Retail Management Training Options

By Valerie Lipow, Monster Contributing Writer

So you want to be a retail manager? Do you have what it takes? Retail managers are the people charged with making a store, group of stores or a retail company profitable. They thrive on making it all click week after week and year after year. They are passionate about the products and services their stores offer and care about developing the kind o...

Career Development

Retail Education Options

By Valerie Lipow, Monster Contributing Writer

If you think retail isn't rocket science, you're right. There are entry-level retail jobs you don't need a degree to get. And you can move up the retail ladder with drive, hard work and persistence. However, retail is an intensely competitive industry. It's also becoming more technology-focused. So although years of formal education or speciali...

Career Development

Are You Ready for an MBA?

By Susan Aaron, Monster learning coach

If you're considering an MBA, you may wonder if you're cut out for the experience. Joanne Starr, assistant dean of admissions at the University of California (UC) Irvine's The Paul Merage School of Business, shares her insights into the process of considering, applying for and taking part in an MBA program. Is It Right for Me? "An MBA is a generali...