Taking Your Teaching Beyond Public Education
The cost of public education has been increasing dramatically over the years. Actually the cost of education has increased 30x the rate of inflation. This is making it even harder for people to not only start their education, but continue their education at a later date. After coming across a company called Rule the Room, I really started to think about other options that are out there for continuing your education in a non-academic setting.
Apprenticeship
A lot of companies prefer to train their own employees right out of high school or college. Best of all apprenticeships are usually paid. Really, you are continuing your education while at the same time getting paid to do so. A lot of companies would much rather hire experience over education, making this situation ideal for a lot of people. Learning on the job can be just a beneficial if not more beneficial than learning in a classroom setting.
Online Schooling
Online schooling is one of the most popular forms of continuing one’s education in today’s digital world, and at many of the schools you can get the same education at a fraction of the cost of a traditional education. Schools such as Charter Oak offer such a competitive fee structure that it can really be worthwhile looking into continuing your education online instead of at a traditional college campus.
Training Courses
The internet has transformed the way we can learn. We now have the ability to learn more through blogs, webinars, YouTube, and other online education resources. With this method, verifying your area of expertise to a potential client/employer can be hard to do, and while this isn’t the ideal way to get an education, it is probably the best way to stay up on current trends in your industry, and see where the leaders in your industry are going. It can also help fine tune your expertise and learn new tips and tricks. From becoming a better teacher to advancing in web design training courses provide a unique opportunity.
Let’s look at website design as an example:
If you were looking for somebody to design a website for your business would you rather hire somebody who graduated with a 4 year degree in computer science in 2004, and has failed to continue his education and stay up on the latest design techniques. Or, would you rather hire somebody without a 4 year degree who continually takes online training to stay up to date on the latest design trends and techniques?
The Take Away
Public education is still a great opportunity for a lot of people, and nothing can replace a degree from a four year university, but with the rising costs, rising competition, and an ever changing world there are quite a bit of really good alternatives.
Getting a Proper Education as a Real Estate Agent
Working as a realtor is a good way to make a living. If you are outgoing, love talking to people and enjoy working independently out of the office this could be a career for you. It does take some training to become an agent and you will have to pass a state exam before you are given real estate license. In many cases the courses can be taken at state funded public community colleges. The requirements will vary by state. The following is
a quick rundown of what you need to do before you can start selling Sun Prairie Home Listings:
Research State Requirements – Real estate law is regulated at the state level so you will need to research your state requirements. Every state requires a certain number of training hours in state approved courses before you can apply for a license. You can find out the requirements by contacting the Real Estate Commission for Department of Licensing in your state, or stopping by a real estate office. Most brokers will be happy to discuss the requirements with you and can often guide you in the right direction for training options.
Fill Out Application – You will need to fill out an application with the Real Estate Commission before you start your training. There are will be a fee for filing and the rates for this fee will vary by state. This application alerts the commission that you are pursuing your license.
Schooling – The required training hours will vary by state but 50-100 it typical. You can often take these classes at state run and public community colleges. In some states you can actually do the training online but most professionals recommend the more personal touch of the classroom setting. You will become an expert on real estate law in your state and the required regulations for buying or selling a home. These classes will cover the entire sales process and all of the paperwork that needs to be handled.
State Exam – Before you are issued a license to start listing Madison homes for sale. The test can be quite difficult so be sure to study and have a deep understanding of the material before you sit the exam. As with the classes there will be a fee to sit the test which will vary depending on the state that you are working in. If you fail the test it can be retaken.
Find a Job – In the majority of states you will be required to have a job with a broker before your licensed will be issued. Agents work out of broker’s offices which are also regulated by the state. You will need to have a position with a broker before you can start selling.
Ongoing Education – Once your license has been issued you will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date through continuing education. As state regulations or laws change you will need to update your skills and knowledge.
Working as a real estate agent is a wonderful exciting career path. While it will take some time and education to get started it will be well worth it when you cash your first commission check.
Get on the Bus! Rally in Sacramento!
As such we are doing our part to build a larger movement to reclaim the public role in shaping public education in California. At that day’s rally at the state capitol, legislative leadership addressed the students and showed their awareness of the power of our demonstrations. The governor’s office has also already acknowledged the importance of student demonstrations for public higher education, saying it was the reason they raised CSU’s allocation when they released their budget in January. March is a critical month in the state budget cycle as many of the big decisions are still pending, but close to being made. So, we’ve got to keep up the heat on the governor and legislative leadership. Say no to increasing privatization of public education.
Our next opportunity is a March 22nd rally for public higher education at the state capitol. The SF State chapter of the California Faculty Association is helping to sponsor buses to send students, faculty, and staff to that rally. They will leave from South State Drive, at 6:30 AM. Coffee, pastries, bagels, and fruit (donated by by Chartwells Catering) will be served before the buses leave and box lunches will be available after the 11 AM rally at the state capitol. All should be back on campus by 3 PM. City College of San Francisco is also sending buses to the capitol and many of their faculty have arranged to have their students’ participation count as class field trips. Once in Sacramento, students will disembark from buses at Raley Field in West Sacramento and march to West Steps of the Capitol. Check out a map of the area from the I Will March website
Political Theater Puppets
Puppets from Theater Arts Dept. in March 4 political theater production against budget cuts to public education
In addition, SFSU’s now famous “giant puppets” will be making the trip by bus as well. The performers and puppets will be heading to Sacramento on the Mexican Bus, a moving folk art museum. Prof. Carlos Baron and the theater students will do another version of their political theater skits in Sacramento. If you didn’t see them before or just want to enjoy them again now is your chance.
Coalition of Faculty, Staff and Students adopt non-violence stance for all events
Following in the tradition of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, Ghandi, MLK, Cesar Chavezon February 25, 2010 the California Faculty Association (CFA) – SFSU Chapter adopted a statement of non-violence regarding all events they are co-sponsoring for the March 4, 2010 Statewide Day of Action. Catherine Powell of the SFSU Labor Archives drafted the statement because violent actions infringe on the Constitutional right to protest. She strongly believes that social change must be non-violent in order to make real lasting positive changes. The statement reads as follows:
* California Faculty Association (CFA), San Francisco State University Chapter shares in the anger and frustration of students, faculty and staff regarding budget cuts that are destroying public education. We believe that peaceful protest and civil disobedience are powerful forces for change in a democratic society, and we defend the rights of individuals and organizations to practice them. However, CFA does not support or condone violence in any form. We oppose any vandalism or destruction of property. We also oppose the excessive use of force by law enforcement. This is our university – students, faculty, staff, and the community – and such acts undermine efforts to protect San Francisco State from those who would dismantle it. We seek a university founded upon mutual respect, social justice and accountability.
According to Ramon Castellblanch, President for the CFA -SFSU chapter, “Our March 4th political actions are about showing state and federal politicians that Californians
want them to fully fund public education. Our actions are also about building public support to put more pressure on these office-holders. We know that non-violent mass action is an indispensible way of showing Sacramento and Washington how much we support education.” Because of threats of violence and violent actions that have occurred on other campus the CFA and other organizations coordinating with the CFA on March campus activities have pledged to avoid any acts of violence or vandalism to keep these events informative and engaging as opposed to violent and dangerous.
Public Education and Small Business Web Design
According to an Ad-ology study, in 2010 a staggering 46 percent of small businesses surveyed said they did not have a website. While the number of small businesses with a web presence has steadily grown over the last few years, it is shocking to find that almost half of the small businesses out there have still not moved online. If you are a business owner and are still on the fence, here are just a few reasons that you should consider contacting a company like Milwaukee Website Design to help you put up a website sooner rather than later:
Phone Books Are Dead
The majority of people are using phonebooks mainly as doorstops these days and a significant number of people don’t even have one in their house. They are using their phones, computers and tablets to find the products and services they need and if your business is not listed online, they will be buying from your competitors.
People are Buying Online
Nowadays you can sell just about anything online. The fear of making purchases on the web is gone. Consumers enjoy the selection, pricing and convenience that shopping online provides. If your company does not have a presence online there is no doubt that you are losing sales, even if your product does not lend itself to being sold in cyberspace.
Where People Research
The ease of comparing products online means consumers are often researching and comparing competing products before they make a decision. Even if you product is not something that most people buy online, they are investigating their options and reading reviews of the choices that are available to them, the more information you provide online, the better chance you have of closing a sale.
Costs Have Dropped
Everything from the cost of hosting a site to the fees of a company like Austin Website Design have dropped in the last decade. It is now very cost effective to put together a professional site. While it is possible to build your own site it is best to leave it to a professional. A site that is buggy and looks amateurish will turn off today’s tech savvy consumers.
Project a Bigger Image
You only get one shot at impressing prospective buyers. A professional looking website lets customers know that you can compete with the big boys in your industry. A well designed website can close the gap between your small company and the largest of competitors.
Having a well designed website is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity if you want to remain competitive in today’s small business environment. A website is not only a great marketing tool but can also increase sales either through direct online sales or bringing customers in the door. If you have been sitting on the Internet fence its time to climb down and hire the Best Web Design Madison WI and move your business into the 21st century.