Friday, March 30, 2012

Achieve the American Dream with These 4 High-Paying Jobs

Recently, there was an article written in a popular newspaper about the condition of the U.S. job market. Although jobs are sporadic these days, there are several companies hiring. However, many of these companies are unable to fill high-paying positions because they’re having a difficult time finding qualified employees.

Whether we like it or not, companies with the extra capital to spare for hiring are going to focus on applicants that will add value to their company. If your goal is to find a high-paying job with excellent benefits, you will need a college degree.

You Can Afford College with an FAFSA Student Loan


Often times, people will put off going to college because they can’t afford the expense. They assume the only way they can pay for college is to work two or three jobs. The good news is you can afford college with an FAFSA student loan.  An FAFSA student loan can help you pursue your dream of getting a high-paying job with a thriving company.

Here are the top four high-paying jobs that require a college degree:

Marketing Manager Salary- $100,000

Marketing managers have a diverse amount of responsibilities ranging from brand development to public relations. Additional job tasks include providing financial analytics, promotions development and media buying. The type of responsibilities of a marketing manager depends on the size of the company you work for. For example, you may work at a small business to help coordinate chamber appearances and coordinate ads. If you work with a large corporation with a large marketing budget, your responsibilities will be more diversified.   

Companies who hire marketing managers look for ‘movers and shakers’ with marketing prowess and exceptional communication skills. Degree requirements include a four-year degree. Those who earn their MBA will more than likely get hired for high-level executive marketing positions.

Air Traffic Controller Salary - $100,430

Air traffic controllers are employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They are responsible for the safety of private and commercial aircraft. Air traffic controllers help in reducing air traffic delays. As an air traffic controller, your job responsibilities will include arranging the movement of air traffic to keep aircraft at a safe distance from one another.

An air traffic controller helps planes position for landing and takeoff. They also communicate with pilots and warn about hazardous weather conditions. In order to earn top-level pay, a four-year degree and three years of experience are required. Plus, you must also pass an aptitude test.

Lawyer Salary - $110,590

A lawyer's specialty isn't limited to criminal law or personal injury law. There are numerous opportunities for individuals with law degrees. There are several industries that need legal representation in a variety of areas, such as: intellectual property law, family law, environmental law, civil law and even entertainment law. In addition, many lawyers choose to specialize in waste management, insurance, construction, securities, etc.

In order to become a lawyer, a four-year degree from an ABA-accredited law school is required and you must pass the bar exam.

Airline Pilot Salary - $134,090

Becoming an airline pilot is one of the most exciting jobs. It not only offers a nice salary, it also comes with excellent benefits. Plus, you’re only required to work 100 hours per month due to FAA regulations. Although having a four-year degree is not mandatory, it is suggested because of the competitive landscape of the airline industry. Certification is also required and you must have 250 hours worth of experience in order to become a licensed pilot.  Once you get hired by an airline, it usually takes 5-15 years to become a captain.

Achieve the American Dream!

FAFSA Student Loan programs make it possible for people to achieve the American Dream. Now is the perfect time to pursue your degree.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

3 Fastest-Growing Careers with a B.A. Degree

Are you thinking about applying for a FAFSA student loan to pursue a B.A. degree but you’re unsure of what career path to take?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people have the same concern. The good news is there are plenty of paths to take when it comes to finding a solid career.

According to recent statistics taken from the Bureau of Labor, there are a few jobs that will grow extremely fast between now and 2018.  Here are three of the fastest-growing careers:

Athletic Fitness Trainers

An athletic fitness trainer basically helps athletes heal and prevent injuries. Becoming an athletic trainer provides a swarm of possibilities. For example, you could work in a variety of settings, such as working with professional or amateur sports teams.  You can work in a sports medicine clinic, university sports programs or work with athletes on a private basis. Some athletic fitness trainers choose to teach at a university level -- the options are endless. 

Income: The median income level for an athletic fitness trainer is approximately $39,640. If you choose to work independently as a trainer, you can earn considerably more.

Computer Applications Software Engineers

A computer applications software engineer develops, designs, evaluates and tests software and systems that make computers function properly.  In this particular career, you will be involved in a variety of software types, including business applications, word processing, network distribution, operating systems and even computer games. 

As a computer applications software engineer, you can work with a company and help them organize their computer needs.  For instance, you can help them coordinate their computer system for payroll record-keeping, billing, inventory, order processing and more. 

Income: The median income starts at $79,780.  Some engineers start off working with a company and branch off onto their own by starting a business. As an independent software engineer, you can earn an unlimited amount of money.

Environmental Engineers

What do Environmental Engineers do? Their job is to ensure that our planet is in livable condition for future generations. The ultimate goal of an environmental engineer is to help construction companies and cities discover ways to build (homes, businesses, etc.) efficiently without harming the environment.  They also aid in cleaning up environmental mistakes from previous years and work with factories to ensure they operate without excessive pollution.

Income: The median salary of an environmental engineer is $74,020.

There you have it, three of the fastest-growing careers you can choose with a B.A. degree. To get started on your path to success, simply apply for a FAFSA student loan. Before you know it, you’ll be living your dream of earning a bachelors degree and landing a good job.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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Monday, February 6, 2012

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Top 4 Future Careers That Pay Over $60k

Thinking about attending college to land a good paying job? Are you concerned about the high costs of obtaining an education? You may want to consider applying for a government student loan program.  With a government issued student loan, you don’t have to worry about paying your way through school.  All you have to do is focus on the one thing that matters most -- your education.  So, whether you want to earn your Bachelor's degree, Masters degree or PhD, now is the time to grab the bull by the horns and get your degree.

Why is Getting a Degree Vital?

Having a degree is more important in today’s job market than ever before.  Recently, Newsday published an article that discussed the state of the job market.  Small and large businesses are no longer hiring workers just to fill a position. They are ‘only’ hiring qualified employees that will enhance their company’s growth and profitability.  If you want to be a part of that number, you will need to have a degree.

Here are the top four future careers that pay over $60,000 a year:

Personal Financial Advisors

According to experts, there is an estimated 62,800 new jobs that will be added between now and 2018.  The median income for personal financial advisors is $64,750. Personal financial advisors help individuals with insurance, investments and taxes.

Market Research Analysts

Thinking about starting a career as a market research analysts?  By 2018, there will be 70,000 new jobs added in the U.S. The average income is over $60,000.  Degree requirements include a bachelor’s degree.  What is a day in the life of a market research analyst like? A market analysts works with Fortune 500 companies to provide special insight into target audiences and demographics. More and more companies are hiring marketing professionals to help grow their business.

Registered Nurses

Within the next 8-10 years, there will be a total of 581,500 jobs added according to labor experts. The median income level is $64,690.  As a registered nurse, you will give basic medical care to patients and manage their records.  With baby boomers getting older, there will be a major increase in the amount of people seeking medical treatment. Plus, there has been a greater emphasis on preventative care. The medical industry is growing at a rapid pace. There will be plenty of jobs available for those within the health field.

Accountants

If you're thinking about pursuing a career as an accountant, your tasks will involve preparing financial statements, managing books and tax payments.   According to recent labor statistics, there has been a significant increase in the number of businesses. There has also been several changes in corporate regulations and financial laws. This has all contributed to the demand for more accountants in the job market. The median income for an accountant is $61,690 a year.

There you have it -- the top four careers that pay more than $60,000 per year.  Don’t put off earning your degree any longer.  Applying for a government student loan gives you peace of mind while pursuing your degree and your dream job.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

How Gifts Can Effect Your FAFSA

Graduation is approaching for many students and relatives are trying to figure out the best gifts to hand out. You’d probably assume that money would be the most economically smart thing to ask for. You’re definitely going to need the extra cash, what with all the expenses that come with going to college, making new friends, eating out, etc. But wait! Receiving money as a gift may effect how much money the federal government is willing to give you.

Now, a gift of $10 from your 2nd cousin will not do any damage, but if you know someone who is planning on giving you a substantial monetary gift, you may want to ask them for something else. Rick Darvis, co-founder of the National Institute of Certified College Planners in Plentywood, Mont. warns that "A cash gift from (anyone) other than a parent is reported as income on the (federal) financial aid form," says Darvis. "(Student) income is assessed at a 50% rate. That means that a gift of $10,000 could potentially cost $5,000 in financial aid." Your FAFSA has a section dedicated to such gifts. This section is called “student’s untaxed income.” This part wants to know the amount of "Money received, or paid on your behalf (e.g., bills), not reported elsewhere on this form." This includes any money you’ve received from grandma and grandpa, your mom or dad who doesn’t have custody of you, and any family friend. Any cas you receive subtracts fifty cents on the dollar from your need-based federal aid.

By-passing the FAFSA trouble and going straight to the college wont help either. If the college/university was planning on awarding you a $10,000 grant, but they see that you have $10,000 coming in, they’ll take your grant away.

Read next time for Part 2