When you work as a software architect, you have the incredible opportunity to mold the type of software that is used by companies throughout the world. You will be able to design new software programs and give them to companies to use. An employer may have a specific type of program that he or she wants created. The employer will then work with the software architect in order to make sure that the program is developed. The software architect will then do a variety of research projects for the employer. He or she may need to review the codes that have already been used for a computer program. If you work as a software architect, then you will need to also develop programs that fully meet all of the policies of a company. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a software architect?” When you want to become a software architect, it is essential for you to obtain the necessary education.

What’s it like to be a software architect?

When you are a software architect, you will have the ability to work on very important projects for companies. A company may request that you develop a new virus protection program for its servers. Another company may ask that you develop a new e-mail program for all of your employees. You may need to design and implement a new software program that improves the method of communication for employees in a company. As a software architect, you will likely work about 40 hours a week. You may need to work overtime if a business has additional demands for you. You may need to pick up other tasks that are related with technology in your company.

Education Requirements

One of the major education requirements for a software architect is that he or she obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. It will be essential for a software architect to learn how to create computer code in order to be successful as a software developer. One should also possess excellent written communication skills if he or she wants to succeed in this career field. Software developers frequently have the responsibility of creating feasibility reports for a supervisor. A feasibility report will outline all of the objectives and goals for a software project. A software architect will be able to use a feasibility report in order to keep track of goals for the creation of a new software program.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary of a software architect is about $60,000 a year. A software architect will earn a greater salary if he or she works for a company for over five years. If a software architect works for a company for over ten or fifteen years, then he or she will be able to earn over $80,000 in his or her lifetime. When one wants to get a job in this field, he or she should look for open positions at companies. The BLS reports that the employment rate for software architects will grow by at least 30 percent in the next ten years. Companies will want to hire more software architects who can update their websites and other social media networks.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/about_5427676_job-description-software-architect.html

As a school psychologist, you have the profound opportunity to be a supportive person in the life of a child. A child may be going through great emotional turmoil due to bullying at school or a parent’s divorce situation. When you are a school psychologist, you are able to provide guidance and support for the child. You are able to listen to his or her issues and help the child resolve those issues. One of your other tasks is to help a child stay focused on school and develop a plan for him or her to succeed. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a school psychologist?” When you want to become a school psychologist, it is essential to pursue a doctoral degree.

What’s it like to be a school psychologist?

When you are a school psychologist, you deal with very sensitive issues in the lives of students. You may deal with a student who is being physically abused in his or her household. It may be your responsibility to report the abuse to the necessary authorities. School psychologists may work with social workers in order to help transition students into a more stable household. School psychologists will frequently meet with students in appointments during school hours. They may need to meet with a student who has been causing trouble in the classroom. One of the other major tasks of a school psychologist is to make sure that a student is completing all of his or her work. A school psychologist may need to check up on a student and ensure that the student is sticking to a study plan that has been developed for him or her.

Education Requirements

To become a school psychologist, a person will need to obtain a Master’s degree or doctoral degree. Becoming a school psychologist requires a deep commitment. One will need to spend many years of his or her life in school in order to pursue this goal. It is essential to research the types of counseling programs that are offered at universities before you enroll in any particular university. You may want to make sure that a college offers a program that is tailored to the pursuit of a career as a school psychologist. Participating in an internship program will also help a person understand what it is like to serve as a school psychologist. An educational program may require that you complete at least 1200 hours in an internship program in order to become a school psychologist. You should research the specific requirements of your state in order to determine what is required in order to become a school psychologist.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The starting salary of a school psychologist is about $35,000 to $50,000. As a person gains more experience, he or she will be able to earn a higher salary. When one has at least twenty years of experience in this career field, he or she will be able to earn a salary of $60,000 to $80,000. To obtain a position as a school psychologist in a school, one should try to participate in a clinical program within the school. Participating in a clinical program can give a person the opportunity to develop valuable connections in the school.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2093393_become-school-psychologist.html

Dental assistants can work part-time and enjoy seeing a variety of patients every day. Being a dental assistant can be a very satisfying career choice for individuals who want to help teach others how to properly take care of their teeth. A dental assistant also plays an important role in supporting a dentist during surgeries and operation procedures. The dental assistant helps calm down patients and also performs other maintenance tasks on the teeth of patients. The dental assistant may be required to do a teeth cleaning for patients. He or she may also help teach young children how to take care of their teeth during a class field trip. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a dental assistant?” When you want to become a dental assistant, it is key to begin researching dental assistant programs that you can attend.

What’s it like to be a dental assistant?

When you become a dental assistant, you will enjoy working normal hours in a dental office. You will likely work 40 hours a week. Your main tasks will be to work with patients who come into the office. You will need to perform cleanings and prepare patients to be seen by a dentist. Some offices may require you to perform record keeping, and you may need to transcribe patient files. Dental assistants are also responsible for maintaining a safe atmosphere in the dentist office. They may have to ensure that equipment remains sterilized so that patients are not infected with germs during operations. Dental assistants frequently have to use suction hoses on patients’ mouths to keep them safe from drowning during appointments with a dentist. Lastly, the dental assistant may work with a patient in order to determine the billing and payment methods that are appropriate for him or her.

Education Requirements

To become a dental assistant, individuals should complete an accredited dental assistant program. One may look to see whether his or her local community college offers this sort of program. It is helpful to have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology if one wants to be a dental assistant. One should try to take courses that focus on dental terms during his or her time in college too. Courses that focus on human anatomy will also be helpful for dental assistants. The Dental Assisting National Board also offers an exam that must be completed in order to obtain a dental assistant certification. Over thirty states require that you complete the exam in order to be a dental assistant. It will also be important to take continuing education courses in order to maintain a certification status.

Salary & How to Get a Job

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a dental assistant is about $34,000 a year. When one wants to become a dental assistant, he or she should look for open positions in dental offices. Hospitals may also have a need for dental assistants. Dental clinics can also provide individuals with the opportunity to make valuable connections in the dental field. When one participates in a dental clinic, he or she will be able to shadow other dentists and learn about the profession. One may eventually be offered a long-term position with a dentist office if he or she participates in a dental clinic.

References:
1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_4762278_become-certified-dental-assistant.html

If you dream about working in New York City and being at the center of the financial industry, then being an investment banking analyst is the perfect career choice for you. Investment banking analysts make important financial choices that have a direct impact on the economy in the world. They also manage money for high-profile people and companies. An investment analyst can be critical to the financial health of any major entity. If you like the thought of investing in stocks at just the right time, then you should think about pursuing this career path. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become an investment banking analyst?” If you have thought about this career, then you should be prepared to face tough competition. This career choice is the dream of thousands of college grads with business backgrounds.

What’s it like to be an investment banking analyst?

When you become an investment banking analyst, you can expect to work at all hours of the day. You may need to pull an all-nighter in doing research on specific stocks within the gas sector. You may need to find just one investment that will balance the portfolio of one of your clients. You will likely have multiple meetings scheduled with clients for the week. Meeting with clients and explaining the consequences of certain investments will be typical for you. If you become an investment banking analyst, you should also be prepared to work with the legal team of your finance firm. Ever since the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the government has put forth very strict compliance requirements for financial firms. Investment banking analysts now need to offer certain information to their clients and the public. An analyst may not understand whether he or she has to offer information about a stock that has tanked to one of his or her clients. In this instance, the analyst would take the time to meet with a lawyer to discuss the issue.

Education Requirements

It is essential to have an understanding of business and finance if you want to become an investment banking analyst. That being said, plenty of people end up in this career field without a specific degree in finance or business. The major way that people make their way into this career field is through connections. You may see that people with an English or Art History background are serving as financial analysts for major firms like Goldman Sachs. You should have a knack for being able to pick out wise investments in the stock market. You should be able to predict the success of certain investments for a portfolio. If you have a gift for increasing the profitability of a portfolio, then you will make a very good investment banking analyst.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The typical financial analyst makes about $75,000 a year. However, this figure can change if a person works for a major finance firm that offers bonuses and other perks. One may actually earn a percentage of the portfolios that he or she manages. If a person earns five percent of a $10 million portfolio, then his or her salary for the year would be about $500,000.

To break into this market, you will probably need to apply for positions in New York City. This is the major financial hub of the world. You should also understand the intricacies of business etiquette and have societal graces. This type of position requires the ability to network with high-powered people and to make a great first impression. You will be highly successful in this field if you have a passion for math and possess great communication skills.

References:
1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm
2. http://www.careers-in-finance.com/ibskill.htm

If you enjoy working in high-pressure fields, then marketing may be for you. As the director of a marketing program, your work has a direct impact on the success of a company. Your work is what helps a company become renowned in the world. You may be responsible for directing television ad campaigns or figuring out other promotions that will help the company become well-known in the world. If you are driven and enjoy organizing promotional events, then you will succeed as a marketing coordinator. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a marketing coordinator?” If so, there are a few ways that you can pursue your dream of managing the marketing department for a major corporation.

What’s it like to be a marketing coordinator?

If you want to become a marketing coordinator, you should expect to work long hours and endure high amounts of stress. That being said, you can also expect to enjoy a lot of perks with your position. Because you are in charge of managing high-profile events and television ads, you have the opportunity to meet famous movie stars, politicians, athletes and other individuals who may be promoting your company’s product. It is an exhilarating experience to be able to shake hands with some of the world’s most powerful people. You also have the respect of the team of employees that you manage for a company. You will oversee anywhere from ten to hundreds of employees for a major corporation. You should be comfortable in leading a large group of people if you want to become a marketing coordinator. Marketing coordinators must be able to inspire and motivate employees to effectively get the name of a company out into the world. Creativity is also a huge part of this job. You should be ready to take risks on unusual creative promotional campaigns that push the boundaries.

Education Requirements

To become a marketing coordinator, there are some educational requirements that you should have under your belt. It is important for you to obtain a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a communications-related field. Having a degree in business administration will also put you at an advantage in applying for a position as a marketing coordinator. People will typically start working for a major corporation with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, marketing, communications, business or another field. They will then work their way up through the corporate hierarchy to become a marketing coordinator. Having a master’s degree can be helpful in applying for this position, but you should be aware of the fact that most companies will hire individuals who already have worked within the marketing department for a given number of years. These individuals will usually obtain a master’s degree after they have received a position as a marketing coordinator.

Salary & How to Get a Job

When you become a marketing coordinator, you can expect to earn a salary of about $150,000 a year. You should expect to face very stiff competition in applying for a position as a marketing coordinator. The competition that you face in applying for this position will usually be colleagues that you already know within your own company. You may also apply for a position through referrals in your industry. It is not uncommon for a person to become a marketing coordinator when his or her talents and skills are recognized by other companies in the industry.

If you want to become a marketing coordinator, you should go after your dream with full ambition and full force. Having this high level of energy will separate you from the crowd.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2068875_become-marketing-coordinator.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112021.htm

If you watch CSI and love the thought of playing a role in major crime investigations, then you may love being a latent print examiner. The latent print examiner plays a crucial role in major crime investigations. He or she analyzes finger prints in order to match them with suspected criminals in the world. A latent print examiner may work for a private detective or the FBI. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a latent print examiner?” The good news is that becoming a latent print examiner does not require years of education. Instead, you can become a latent print examiner with only a high school diploma.

What’s it like to be a latent print examiner?

When you become a latent print examiner, you may receive phone calls from the local state attorney or an FBI agent. Usually, these individuals will request copies of finger prints for certain individuals who are suspected to be part of major crimes. The majority of your time will be spent in taking finger prints for individuals and analyzing these finger prints. You may need to research the records of individuals to find copies of their finger prints. Other individuals may have more advanced positions within this field, and they may actually assist in the development of electronic technology that can be used to take finger prints. People who work in this career field usually enjoy being part of FBI investigations and knowing that their work contributes to the greater good of society. Knowing that your work has helped prosecute major criminals in the world can be very satisfying.

Education Requirements

To become a latent print examiner, you will need to complete a program. You may find that your local police department offers this type of program. The fees for these programs is usually much less than obtaining an associate’s degree in the field. Some government agencies will require that you have a more advanced degree in forensic science. You should always research the requirements for your position before you submit an application. If you only want to work for a local investigation office in your community, then you may only need to complete an associate’s degree or certificate program from the police department. If you plan on advancing in your career, then you should go ahead and pursue a bachelor’s degree in a science field such as forensic science, chemistry or biology. Ultimately, you should take courses that teach you how to analyze data and finger prints. You should understand the different features of finger prints. You should also feel comfortable in offering expert testimony in the courtroom.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The average salary for a latent print examiner can vary between $35,000 to $55,000 a year. There are many different types of positions in this field. One can take an entry-level position, and he or she will only be required to take finger prints of individuals. Other advanced positions will require that latent print examiners actually analyze the data to match it with particular people. When you become a latent print examiner, you may be called upon to do last-minute research for a major case that is going to trial. You may eventually become the head of a latent print department within the FBI. If you become the director of one of these programs, your salary can easily increase to $70,000 a year.

If you are looking for a cutting-edge career in the crime investigation field, then being a latent print examiner may be just the right career choice for you.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_6786303_become-latent-fingerprint-examiner.html

If you enjoy the thought of exposing major drug crimes, then you may be the right match for becoming a K9 officer. A K9 officer does very important work in exposing major drug crimes and thefts in the world. With the help of a trained dog, this type of police officer helps arrest some of the world’s most powerful drug dealers. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a K9 officer?” If you want to pursue this type of specialized career, then the good news is that it will not take years to make your dream become a reality.

What’s it like to be a K9 officer?

When you become a K9 officer, you will have the thrilling experience of investigating drug scenes. Your daily activities may include traveling to the inner city with your canine and investigating parts of the city where drug dealers are found. You may take a walk with your canine around cars that are purported to be owned by drug dealers. Your major task is to find out whether your canine responds to the small of drugs within any of these vehicles. Because you are a K9 officer, you have the legal authority to conduct searches of any cars in which your canine smells drugs. If your canine does sniff drugs in a vehicle, this will give you probable cause to break into the vehicle and seize any drugs that may be within the vehicle. Your job can be a very exciting and dangerous one. It is not uncommon for drug dealers and other individuals to become very defensive during these types of searches. You should be physically able to handle attacks from criminals, and you should also not have a fear of searching cars of very powerful people in the crime world.

Education Requirements

You will need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in order to become a K9 officer. Your undergraduate degree can be in any subject, but it is a good idea to try to learn as much as you can about the law enforcement aspect of society. You may even want to pursue a pre-law major in order to learn about the laws that restrict the searches that police officers may conduct. It is important for police officers to know when they can search a home and seize evidence that can be used in a trial. If a police officer conducts an illegal search, then the evidence that has been obtained may not be able to be used in a trial. To become a K9 officer, you will then need to attend a police academy in your city. The police academy will thoroughly train you to handle all of the challenges that you will face in your career. There may be prerequisites that you need to complete prior to attending a police academy. You must not have a felony on your record. You must also pass a very rigorous physical examination in order to attend a police academy.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The typical salary of a police officer is about $55,000 a year. To become a K9 officer, you should apply for a position with your local police department. You should first attempt to establish yourself as a patrol officer within a police department. After you have worked for a police department for a couple of years, then you can apply for a position within the K9 unit.

Being a police officer in the K9 unit can be a fulfilling experience for officers who enjoy working with animals and arresting powerful criminals.

References:
1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Protective-Service/Police-and-detectives.htm
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_4424007_become-k9-police-officer.html

A juvenile probation officer plays a special role in the life of a young person who commits crimes. As a juvenile probation officer, you have the power to be a very positive force in a person’s journey toward rehabilitation. You can help a young person stay away from crime, pursue his or her education and escape a cycle of crime. If you enjoy the thought of making a positive difference in the lives of young people, then you will like being a juvenile probation officer. Maybe you have thought, “How do I become a juvenile probation officer?” To become a juvenile probation officer, you should pursue a bachelor’s degree that relates to criminal justice or juvenile probation.

Featured Criminal Justice Programs

1. American InterContinental University – Bachelor (BSCJ) – Corrections and Case Management
2. Rasmussen College – Criminal Justice Bachelor’s – Client Services/Corrections
3. Walden University – B.S. in Criminal Justice – Crime and Criminals

What’s it like to be a juvenile probation officer?

When you become a juvenile probation officer, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your work helps young people escape a system of crime or poverty. You will have the task of checking in with young people to make sure that they have completed their time in a juvenile detention center. You will also make sure that a person is completing his or her community service hours. Another condition of probation may be that a young person obtains his or her education and attends all classes. You have a powerful role in making sure that a young person stays away from crime and makes choices that can benefit his or her future. Juvenile probation officers typically have a passion for helping young people turn a negative past into a learning experience for the future. You may even counsel young people and help them deal with the trauma that they have experienced in being involved in crime in the past.

Education Requirements

To become a juvenile probation officer, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree from a college. You will need to pursue an area of study that relates to juvenile probation. The typical four-year degrees that people choose to complete have a focus in criminal justice, juvenile probation, social work or psychology. Police science and political science are a couple of other options that may relate to this career choice. You should have the ability to relate well with young people. Strong communication skills are essential if you want to enter into this field. You should also have a strong understanding of human nature and an ability to counsel people through difficult times. Often, a young person enters the world of crime due to the influence of his or her parents or negative societal forces. You should be able to have a certain level of compassion for individuals who have entered the world of crime due to their upbringing. Individuals who are raised in impoverished parts of the country have a greater tendency to become part of a gang or be involved in theft.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The average salary of a juvenile probation officer is about $47,000 a year. A juvenile probation officer usually works about 40 hours a week. He or she may work extra hours if a particular young person needs extra attention or counseling. To obtain a position in this field, you should apply for positions within a juvenile detention center. You can also apply for a position in the State Department of Corrections.

Being a juvenile probation officer gives you the tremendous ability to make a positive impact on society. You have the power to get children back on the right track. You also have the ability to make sure that justice is upheld in greater society.

References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_4431305_become-juvenile-probation-officer.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm

If you enjoy supervising major health programs that help patients, then you may be a great candidate for a position in hospital administration. Being a hospital administrator gives you the power to make important decisions that affect the planning and supervision of a health care facility. You may manage administrative tasks for an OB GYN clinic or a drug treatment center. You may work for the local public interest hospital. There are plenty of ways for you to have a positive impact in the health care world if you are an administrator. Maybe you have thought, “How do I become a hospital administrator?” If you want to pursue a career in this field, then you should be ready to pursue at least four years of education toward completion of this goal.

Featured Health Care Administration Programs

1. Capella University BS – Health Care Administration Leadership
2. Kaplan University BS in Healthcare Administration
3. Colorado Technical University Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

What’s it like to be a hospital administrator?

When you become a hospital administrator, you will be charged with the task of making sure that a hospital operates in an efficient manner. You have the task of recruiting new doctors for your hospital. You also may recruit other professionals for the hospital, such as nurses and interns. One of your other tasks for the week may be to set the budget for a hospital. You may be responsible for ensuring that a hospital meets its financial goals for the month. You may also need to pick out specific ways that a hospital can cut its expenses in order to meet its budget goals. Administrators also have the task of planning seminar series for the local community. They ensure that a hospital is in compliance with legal regulations. Lastly, you may have the difficult task of applying for government funding that will benefit your hospital.

Education Requirements

The best way to enter into this competitive field is to pursue a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. Jobs in the hospital administration field have become very competitive. You can find a bachelor’s degree program that is catered to hospital management or public health. These sorts of degree programs can expose you to the daily tasks that a hospital administrator faces. A bachelor’s degree in business administration may also provide you with a helpful background for hospital administration. Upon the completion of a master’s program, you may apply for residency or fellowship positions. It is becoming much more common for students to participate in a year-long fellowship with a hospital before taking on a full-time role in hospital administration.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The salary of a hospital administrator can vary depending on the health care field that he or she chooses. The salary is usually between $70,000 to $110,000 a year. Hospital administrators who work in pharmacies usually have the greatest salaries. If you want to enter into this field, it is a good idea to obtain experience in an internship program. You will be provided with valuable networking opportunities in a hospital if you participate in an internship program. You should apply for positions within pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and other entities that offer health services for people. You may even work in a nursing home or hospice facility.

Pursuing a career as a hospital administrator is a good idea for anyone who wants a stable career and the ability to make influential decisions in the health care field. You can help improve the medical facilities that are in your local community when you decide to become a hospital administrator. It is important for you to complete the necessary education requirements and try to gain a fellowship experience upon the completion of a Master’s degree.

References:
1. http://www.healthcarepathway.com/Health-Care-Careers/Hospital-Administrators.html

As a home health nurse, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the well-being of a patient. You may treat patients with a variety of illnesses. You may be sent to a home in order to care for a woman who is recovering from chemotherapy treatments. You may serve as the sole caretaker for an elderly person who has dementia. There are a variety of ways to enter this career field and be one’s “own boss.” Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a home health nurse?” Fortunately, you do not need a college degree in order to enter this career field. This field has a great demand for compassionate people who can administer basic medical care to individuals who need it.

What’s it like to be a home health nurse?

When you become a home health nurse, you will travel to homes in order to care for patients. Patients in this type of situation usually are not able to partake in basic living functions on their own. They may need help cooking, cleaning and having their medication administered to them. A patient’s family may even want you to live in the home to provide care to the ill person. When you go to a home, you may have to dress the patient and get him or her ready for the day. You may also bathe the patient. A home health nurse can almost become like part of the family when he or she is caring for a patient. The home health nurse also helps a patient adjust to a new way of life. If a patient recently had a surgery completed, then he or she may need to relearn ways of consuming food or walking around the house. You may even have to provide assistance with physical therapy exercises for the patient.

Education Requirements

There are no formal requirements for becoming a home health nurse. If you do have a nursing degree, then this will make you a highly sought-after home health nurse. You may also find that you can bill patients for very high rates if you have a nursing degree. The majority of home health nurses do not possess a college degree. You can complete a certificate program through a local community college. These certificate programs usually teach home health nurses about different medications and how to treat patients. You may learn about the common disorders and illnesses that patients frequently have. It is also wise to take a certificate course in order to learn more about billing patients. You can learn about the proper way in which you should bill patients.

Salary & How to Get a Job

The typical salary for a home health nurse is about $20,000 to $30,000. If you want to obtain a position in this field, then you should apply for a job with a home care agency. These types of agencies will provide you with your first few patients. After you work for a few patients, you may be able to gain additional clients through referrals. You may also choose to independently market yourself. You do not have to work for a home care agency if you want to be a home health nurse. You can post an ad through Craigslist or other venues in order to gain new clients.

When you become a home health nurse, you can feel satisfied in knowing that your care is helping a patient recover from a severe illness or disorder. You can help a patient adapt to a new way of life after a tragic accident.

References:
1. http://www.mynursingdegree.com/home-health-care-nurse/
2. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-and-personal-care-aides.htm