He speaks a language you understand. But only you. The rest of the squad hears only his stress. He talks so fast that you miss a word now and then. It’s like listening to HipHop backward. But you get it. You and only you.

The squad on patrol wears armor, carries automatic weapons, and they are tired, disgusted, and they have seen too many of their buddies blown away. Someone inside the house with cracked walls is sobbing in terror. The day is hot and dry and dust is blowing and and flies drink your sweat.

The windows of the house are blocked from inside. That’s why the patrol stopped here.

“Ask him why the windows are blocked off,” says the Patrol Leader, a tough sergeant on her third tour. “What’s he hiding?”

You ask the man this. In his language, he says, “We cram old blankets and cardboard and hay into our windows to block the heat and light and noise, to give a little privacy.”

“That’s crap,” the Patrol Leader says. She’s lost two troopers in the past month. She no longer believes anything anybody says. “Tell him I’ll arrest him if he tries to stop us searching his house for weapons.”

You know she could be right. It might be a trick. A trap. An ambush.

You know the soldiers have seen it all. They don’t believe anybody except each other. They don’t speak the language. You don’t want them hurt.

You interpret and they wait, warily, sullenly, numbly, their weapons ready. Their night-vision goggles give them the aspect of ants from another world. The local old people are terrified of this, but the children laugh and call them bugs. Only you know what the kids are saying. The soldiers hate that.

“We’re going in,” says the Patrol Leader, losing patience. “Tell him not to resist and no big deal.”

Now other villagers have come out to stare. It’s well-known that every home has a hidden weapon. Bandits, renegades, so common. Every father keeps a gun hidden.

“Please believe me, sir,” says the man on his knees. He knows you are his only hope of being understood. “My children are crying, my mother is old, my father is sick. You say you come to free us all, yet you have shamed me on my knees. I have daughters inside. My mother. My father and grandfather. Do not search there. Please. To search women is a sin. To humiliate old people is a sin. Do this bad thing, and all my family, from every village, will repay this act in kind, in blood, as a sacred oath I swear it.”

You interpret, exactly. You speak alternately in two languages. The situation has gone from commonplace to very dangerous. You believe that every soldier should be required to speak the language of any country they invade, for their own protection, if nothing else. But they know barely a phrase or two.

You’re the only hope of every human here. More villagers are coming out to stare, to mutter among themselves.

In their language, they shout: “We know this man! He is a very good man! Why humble him like a cur?”

The soldiers have no idea what the shouts mean. The Patrol leader says, “Watch your 6, people.”

Hearing only the tone of aggression, the surrounded troopers move apart in combat spacing, turning to face the seeming threat. They lock and load their M4’s.

You are the only thing keeping back a colossal disaster. An incident here, this potential tragedy, could impact a thousand soldiers and ten thousand inhabitants of this land. You and only you can stop it. Only you can speak both languages.

You convince the patrol leader to try a different tact. “Let the man stand up. Offer him something, a little gift, anything.”

The Patrol Leader is smart, not softening, but seeing another way to get the job done. Gives him a melted Snickers. “Okay, I’ll play the cliche good guy.”

The man looks oddly at the candy bar, but is glad to be standing. The neighboring villagers seem to relax just a notch.

The squad shifts restlessly. They don’t want a fight but they are willing to do what they are here to do. One way or another. That’s what they do. It’s why they’re here.

You talk fast and keep talking, bridging two worlds. With the magic of your language skills, you communicate. It’s a dance of life or death.

You feel the tension lessen, defuse. You negotiate. If you can somehow just get the villager to invite the Patrol Leader into his home, maybe nobody will die.

You know all this because you are an interpreter.

Your power to translate is a gift of life. Because you have a degree in languages, you have stopped death here and now, in it’s tracks.

You enable the cross-cultural communication necessary in today’s society by converting one language into another. You do more than simply translate words— you relay concepts and ideas between languages.

You thoroughly understand the subject matter in which you work— in order to accurately convert information from one language, known as the source language, into another, the target language. And you are sensitive to the cultures associated with your languages of expertise.

Interpreters and translators are often discussed together because they share some common traits. For example, both must be fluent in at least two languages—a native, or active, language and a secondary, or passive, language; a small number of interpreters and translators are fluent in two or more passive languages. Their active language is the one that they know best and into which they interpret or translate, and their passive language is one for which they have nearly perfect knowledge.

Although some people do both, interpretation and translation are different professions. Interpreters deal with spoken words, translators with written words. Each task requires a distinct set of skills and aptitudes, and most people are better suited for one or the other. While interpreters often work into and from both languages, translators generally work only into their active language.

Interpreters convert one spoken language into another—or, in the case of sign-language interpreters, between spoken communication and sign language. This requires interpreters to pay attention carefully, understand what is communicated in both languages, and express thoughts and ideas clearly. Strong research and analytical skills, mental dexterity, and an exceptional memory also are important.

There are two types of interpretation: simultaneous and consecutive. Simultaneous interpretation requires interpreters to listen and speak (or sign) at the same time. In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter begins to convey a sentence being spoken while the speaker is still talking.

Ideally, simultaneous interpreters should be so familiar with a subject that they are able to anticipate the end of the speaker’s sentence. Because they need a high degree of concentration, simultaneous interpreters work in pairs, with each interpreting for 20- to 30-minute periods. This type of interpretation is required at international conferences and is sometimes used in the courts.

In contrast to simultaneous interpretation’s immediacy, consecutive interpretation begins only after the speaker has verbalized a group of words or sentences. Consecutive interpreters often take notes while listening to the speakers, so they must develop some type of note-taking or shorthand system. This form of interpretation is used most often for person-to-person communication, during which the interpreter is positioned near both parties.

Translators convert written materials from one language into another. They must have excellent writing and analytical ability. And because the documents that they translate must be as flawless as possible, they also need good editing skills.

The way in which translators do their jobs has changed with advances in technology.

Today, nearly all translation work is done on a computer, and most assignments are received and submitted electronically. This enables translators to work from almost anywhere, and a large percentage of them work from home.

The Internet provides advanced research capabilities and valuable language resources, such as specialized dictionaries and glossaries. In some cases, use of machine-assisted translation—including memory tools that provide comparisons of previous translations with current work—helps save time and reduce repetition.

Conference interpreters work at conferences that have non-English-speaking attendees. This work includes international business and diplomacy, although conference interpreters interpret for any organization that works with foreign language speakers.

Employers prefer high-level interpreters who have the ability to translate from at least two passive languages into one active (native) language—for example, the ability to interpret from Spanish and French into English. For some positions, such as those with the United Nations, this qualification is mandatory.

Court interpreters work in a variety of legal settings, such as attorney-client meetings, preliminary hearings, depositions, trials, and arraignments. Success as a court interpreter requires an understanding of both legal terminology and colloquial language.

Literary translators adapt written literature from one language into another. They may translate any number of documents, including journal articles, books, poetry, and short stories. Literary translation is related to creative writing; literary translators must create a new text in the target language that reproduces the content and style of the original. Whenever possible, literary translators work closely with authors to best capture their intended meanings and literary characteristics.

This type of work often is done as a sideline by university professors; however, opportunities exist for well-established literary translators.

Localization translators constitute a relatively recent and rapidly expanding specialty. Localization involves the complete adaptation of a product for use in a different language and culture. At its earlier stages, this work dealt primarily with software localization, but the specialty has expanded to include the adaptation of Internet sites and products in manufacturing and other business sectors. The goal of these specialists is to make the product to appear as if it were originally manufactured in the country where it will be sold and supported.

Medical interpreters and translators provide language services to health care patients with limited English proficiency. Medical interpreters help patients to communicate with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. Translators working in this specialty primarily convert patient materials and informational brochures issued by hospitals and medical facilities into the desired language. Medical interpreters need a strong grasp of medical and colloquial terminology in both languages, along with cultural sensitivity regarding how the patient receives the information. They must remain detached but aware of the patient’s feelings and pain.

Sign language interpreters facilitate communication between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Sign language interpreters must be fluent in English and in American Sign Language (ASL), which combines signing, finger spelling, and specific body language. ASL has its own grammatical rules, sentence structure, idioms, historical contexts, and cultural nuances. Sign language interpreting, like foreign language interpreting, involves more than simply replacing a word of spoken English with a sign representing that word.

Self-employed and freelance interpreters and translators need general business skills to successfully manage their finances and careers. They must set prices for their work, bill customers, keep financial records, and market their services to attract new business and build their client base.

Interpreters and translators must be fluent in at least two languages.

Their educational backgrounds may vary widely, but most have a bachelor’s degree.

In high school, students can prepare for these careers by taking a broad range of courses that include English writing and comprehension, foreign languages, and basic computer proficiency. Other helpful pursuits include spending time abroad, engaging in direct contact with foreign cultures, and reading extensively on a variety of subjects in English and at least one other language.

Although a bachelor’s degree is often required, interpreters and translators note that it is acceptable to major in something other than a language. An educational background in a particular field of study provides a natural area of subject matter expertise.

Formal programs in interpreting and translation are available at colleges nationwide and through non-university training programs, conferences, and courses.

Many people who work as conference interpreters or in more technical areas—such as localization, engineering, or finance—have master’s degrees, while those working in the community as court or medical interpreters or translators are more likely to complete job-specific training programs.

Volunteer opportunities are available through community organizations, hospitals, and sporting events, such as marathons, that involve international competitors. The American Translators Association works with the Red Cross to provide volunteer interpreters in crisis situations. All translation can be used as examples for potential clients, even translation done as practice.

The American Translators Association provides certification in more than 24 language combinations for its members; other options include a certification program offered by The Translators and Interpreters Guild. Many interpreters are not certified.

Federal courts have certification for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole interpreters, and many State and municipal courts offer their own forms of certification. The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators also offers certification for court interpreting.

The U.S. Department of State has a three-test series for interpreters, including simple consecutive interpreting (for escort work), simultaneous interpreting (for court or seminar work), and conference-level interpreting (for international conferences). These tests are not referred to directly as certification, but successful completion often indicates that a person has an adequate level of skill to work in the field.

The National Association of the Deaf and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) jointly offer certification for general sign interpreters. In addition, the registry offers specialty tests in legal interpreting, speech reading, and deaf-to-deaf interpreting—which includes interpreting between deaf speakers with different native languages and from ASL to tactile signing.

Interpreters and translators held about 41,000 jobs in 2006. However, the actual number of interpreters and translators is probably significantly higher because many work in the occupation only sporadically.

Interpreters and translators are employed in a variety of industries, reflecting the diversity of employment options in the field. About 33 worked in public and private educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, and universities. About 12 worked in health care and social assistance, many of whom worked for hospitals. Another 10 worked in other areas of government, such as Federal, State and local courts. Other employers of interpreters and translators include publishing companies, telephone companies, airlines, and interpreting and translating agencies.

About 22 percent of interpreters and translators are self-employed. Many who freelance in the occupation work only part time, relying on other sources of income to supplement earnings from interpreting or translation.

Interpreters and translators can expect much faster than average employment growth over the next decade. Job prospects vary by specialty. Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to increase 24 percent over the 2006-16 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.

This growth will be driven partly by strong demand in health care settings and work related to homeland security. Additionally, higher demand for interpreters and translators results directly from the broadening of international ties and the increase in the number of foreign language speakers in the United States. Both of these trends are expected to continue, contributing to relatively rapid growth in the number of jobs for interpreters and translators.

Current events and changing political environments, often difficult to foresee, will increase the need for people who can work with other languages. For example, homeland security needs are expected to drive increasing demand for interpreters and translators of Middle Eastern and North African languages, primarily in Federal Government agencies.

Demand will remain strong for translators of the languages referred to as “PFIGS”—Portuguese, French, Italian, German, and Spanish; Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages; and the principal Asian languages—Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Demand for American Sign Language interpreters will grow rapidly, driven by the increasing use of video relay services, which allow individuals to conduct video calls using a sign language interpreter over an Internet connection.

Technology has made the work of interpreters and translators easier. However, technology is not likely to have a negative impact on employment of interpreters and translators because such innovations are incapable of producing work comparable with work produced by these professionals.

Urban areas, especially Washington D.C., New York, and cities in California, provide the largest numbers of employment possibilities, especially for interpreters; however, as the immigrant population spreads into more rural areas, jobs in smaller communities will become more widely available.

Salaried interpreters and translators had median hourly earnings of $17.10 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.94 and $22.60. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.88, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $30.91.

Individuals classified as language specialists for the Federal Government earned an average of $76,287 annually in 2007.

Limited information suggests that some highly skilled interpreters and translators—for example, high-level conference interpreters—working full time can earn more than $100,000 annually.

Our rapidly shrinking global society demands ever faster means of universal communication. This is as true in politics, as it is in business, or any area of society.

Every university or college offers language programs in depth.

Online learning is an excellent tool for language degrees.

Our multi-cultural global economy — and our beast global social networking sites, like Facebook and Perfspot— all bring many opportunities for translators to learn, earn, and flourish.

Choose the language that suits you best.

Get a degree that truly empowers you. That helps our world become a little better, every time two cultures meet.

Bring an interface of understanding to a world stressed by ignorance, danger, and suspicion!

For general career information, contact:

• American Translators Association, 225 Reinekers Ln., Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314. Internet: http://www.atanet.org>

For more detailed information by specialty, contact the association affiliated with that subject area:

• American Literary Translators Association, The University of Texas at Dallas, Box 830688 Mail Station JO51, Richardson, TX 75083-0688. http://www.literarytranslators.org
• Localization Industry Standards Association, Domaine en Prael, CH-1323 Romainmôtier, Switzerland. http://www.lisa.org
• National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators, 603 Stewart St., Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98101. http://www.najit.org
• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care, 270 West Lawrence St., Albany, NY 12208. http://www.ncihc.org
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 333 Commerce St., Alexandria, VA 22314. http://www.rid.org

For information about testing to become a contract interpreter or translator with the U.S. State Department, contact:

• U.S. Department of State, Office of Language Services, 2401 E St. NW., SA-1, Room H1400, Washington, DC 20520-2204

Information on obtaining positions as interpreters and translators with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment information system. This resource is at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov, or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not toll free, and charges may result.

Want to be the next Steve Jobs? To create the next laptop, or a device that makes I-Phone obsolete? Maybe a radical new game console, the next fuel-efficient engine design, the next green-friendly house design?

Eli Whitney, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Nicolai Tesla, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, every age has them.

In his time, Raymond Loewy, often called “the father of modern industrial design”, created a new look— from the curvy Coca-Cola bottle to the finned Studebaker. And you probably never heard his name before reading this. But, Loewy was very very wealthy, in huge demand, and very famous in his time.

Our world is continually changing. All the objects that change in our world, are creations, by design.

Everything around you, your coffee mug, your car outside, your laptop, your desk, was designed to fit your human body parts and motions.

Commercial and industrial designers combine the fields of art, business, and engineering to design the products you use every day. In fact, these designers are responsible for the style, function, quality, and safety of almost every manufactured good. Usually designers specialize in one particular product category, such as automobiles and other transportation vehicles, appliances, technology goods, medical equipment, furniture, toys, tools and construction equipment, or housewares.

Industrial design. Design engineering. Commercial design.

Commercial and industrial designers usually work closely with a range of specialists including engineers, materials scientists, marketing and corporate strategy staff, cost estimators, and accountants. About 30 percent are self-employed; many designers work for services firms.

A Bachelor’s degree is usually required to start. Many top designers pursue a Master’s degree.

Strong competition for jobs is expected; those with strong backgrounds in engineering and computer-aided design and extensive business expertise will have the best prospects.

The first steps in developing a new design, or altering an existing one, are to determine the requirements of the client, the purpose of the product, and to the tastes of customers or users. When creating a new design, designers often begin by researching the product user or the context in which the product will be used. They ascertain desired product characteristics, such as size, shape, weight, color, materials used, cost, ease of use, fit, and safety. To gather this information, designers meet with clients, conduct market research, read design and consumer publications, attend trade shows, and visit potential users, suppliers and manufacturers.

Next, designers prepare conceptual sketches or diagrams—by hand or with the aid of a computer—to illustrate their vision of the product. After conducting research and consulting with a creative director or other members of the product development team, designers then create detailed sketches or renderings. Many designers use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create these renderings. Computer models make it easier to adjust designs and to experiment with a greater number of alternatives, speeding and improving the design process. Industrial designers who work for manufacturing firms also use computer-aided industrial design (CAID) tools to create designs and machine-readable instructions that can direct automated production tools to build the designed product to exact specifications. Often, designers will also create physical models out of clay, wood, and other materials to give clients a better idea of what the finished product will look like.

Designers present the designs and prototypes to their client or managers and incorporate any changes and suggestions. Designers often work with engineers, accountants, and cost estimators to determine if a product can be made safer, easier to assemble or use, or cheaper to manufacture. Before a product is completed and manufactured, designers may participate in usability and safety tests, watching consumers use prototypes and then making adjustments based on those observations.

Increasingly, designers are working with corporate strategy staff to ensure that their designs fit into the company’s business plan and strategic vision. They work with marketing staff to develop plans to best market new product designs to consumers. They work to design products that accurately reflect the company’s image and values. And although designers have always tried to identify and design products that fit consumers’ needs, more designers are now focused on creating that product before a competitor does. More of today’s designers must also focus on creating innovative products as well as considering the style and technical aspects of the product.

Designers employed by manufacturing establishments, large corporations, or design firms generally work regular hours in well-lighted and comfortable settings. Designers in smaller design consulting firms, or those who freelance, may work under a contract to do specific tasks or designs. They frequently adjust their workday to suit their clients’ schedules and deadlines, meeting with the clients evenings or weekends when necessary. Consultants and self-employed designers tend to work longer hours and in smaller, more congested, environments. Additional hours may be required to meet deadlines.

Designers may work in their own offices or studios or in clients’ homes or offices. They also may travel to other locations, such as testing facilities, design centers, clients’ exhibit sites, users’ homes or workplaces, and manufacturing facilities. With the increased speed and sophistication of computers and advanced communications networks, designers may form international design teams and serve a more geographically dispersed clientele.

Creativity and technical knowledge are crucial in this occupation. People in this field must have a strong sense of the esthetic—an eye for color and detail and a sense of balance and proportion. Despite the advancement of computer-aided design, sketching ability remains an important advantage. Designers must also understand the technical aspects of how products function. Most employers also expect new designers to know computer-aided design software. The deciding factor in getting a job often is a good portfolio—examples of a person’s best work.

Commercial and industrial designers held about 48,000 jobs in 2006. About 30 percent were self-employed. Another 15 percent of designers were employed in either engineering or specialized design services firms. Manufacturing firms and service providing companies employed most of the rest of commercial and industrial designers.

Strong competition for jobs is expected; backgrounds in engineering and computer-aided design and extensive business expertise will have the best prospects.

Employment of commercial and industrial designers is expected to grow 7 percent between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as average for all occupations. Employment growth will arise from an expanding economy and from an increase in consumer and business demand for new or upgraded products.

Increasing demand for commercial and industrial designers will also stem from the continued emphasis on the quality and safety of products, the increasing demand for new products that are easy and comfortable to use, and the development of high-technology products in consumer electronics, medicine, transportation, and other fields.

Despite the increase in design work performed overseas, most design jobs, particularly jobs not related to high-technology product design, will still remain in the U.S.

Design is essential to a firm’s success, and firms will want to retain control over the design process.

Many talented individuals are attracted to the design field. The best job opportunities will be in specialized design firms which are used by manufacturers to design products or parts of products. Designers with strong educational backgrounds in engineering, and computer-aided design and extensive business expertise, will have the best prospects.

As the demand for design work becomes more consumer-driven, educated designers who can closely monitor, and react to, changing customer demands—and who can work with marking and strategic planning staffs to come up with new products—will also improve their job prospects.

Median annual wage-and-salary earnings for commercial and industrial designers were $54,560 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,270 and $72,610. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,970. Earnings information for the self-employed is not available.

A Bachelor’s degree in industrial design, architecture, or engineering is required for most entry-level commercial and industrial design jobs.

Coursework includes principles of design, sketching, computer-aided design, industrial materials and processes, manufacturing methods, and some classes in engineering, physical science, mathematics, psychology, and anthropology. Many programs also include internships at design or manufacturing firms.

Many aspiring commercial and industrial designers earn a Master’s degree in industrial design. Some already have a bachelor’s degree in the field, but an increasing number have degrees and experience in other areas, such as marketing, information technology, or engineering, and are hoping to transfer into a design occupation.

An increasing number of designers are pursing a Master’s degree in business administration, to gain business skills. The growing emphasis on strategic design and how products fit into a firm’s overall business plan, gives these MBA grads an edge in competing for business.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits approximately 250 postsecondary colleges, universities, and private institutes with programs in art and design.

About 45 of these schools award a degree in industrial design; some offer a Bachelor’s of art, some a Bachelor’s of science.

Many schools require the successful completion of 1 year of basic art and design courses before entry into a Bachelor’s degree program. Applicants also may be required to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.

You love art, you love gadjets, you love science? It’s all waiting for you.

Unlock the ideas in your mind. Get the knowledge to make them into reality.

Go get the degree that will be your doorway to industrial or commercial design. Then use those tools to change the world we live in!

For general career information on commercial and industrial design, contact:
• Industrial Designers Society of America, 45195 Business Court, Suite 250, Dulles, VA 20166. Internet: http://www.idsa.org

For general information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190. Internet: http://nasad.arts-accredit.org

You’re willing to work hard to get your Bachelor’s degree. You can’t get a Master’s, not enough money or time right now; maybe later, but not now.

You need to hit the ground running. You want to move out, get your own place, maybe get married, start a family. Your Bachelor’s has to be a home run.

Or maybe you already are employed and have hit the promotion ceiling. You want to get a different Bachelor’s degree to move up in the company where you’ve gone as far as you can go.

Or maybe your old job (the one that you thought would last your whole working life) has become “redundant”? And you’re retraining, and you want to make absolutely sure that— this time!— you will find a solid job in a growing field.

In all these scenarios, you want to know that your Bachelor’s degree will work for you, will give back. You need to be sure you’ll find a good job, that you’ll be wanted.

Sure, you know that all education enriches. Knowledge in all forms pays off, in one way or another, yes, you know that, you know it’s true.

But now we’re talking salary and demand.

A high starting salary is a good indicator of employment demand in that field. So let’s explore…

• Engineering, analytical, and math-related employment Demand for these jobs is rising much faster than the number of available graduates. That’s why Engineering degrees nail seven of the top ten undergrad degrees by salary.Entry-level jobs demand a bachelor’s degree in engineering, with highly specialized skill sets required, such as Environmental Engineering. new fields open in constant pace with emerging technologies, creating an ever-renewing demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that demand for specialized engineers will grow 25 percent by 2016, much faster than the average for most careers.

  Median starting salary for an Engineering Bachelor’s Degree: $53,400
  Median mid-career salary: $94,500
  

• Computer science The global revolution in computer technologies, means a limited number of workers with sufficient skills. The US-BLS reports job growth for computer scientists will be among the fastest growing in the United States through 2016— a stunning 37 percent!A Bachelor’s degree in computer science will prepare you for work as an inventor or researcher in a corporate or university setting.

  Median starting salary for Computer Science Bachelor’s Degree: $56,400
  Median mid-career salary: $97,400
  

• Economics A bachelor’s degree in economics opens vistas of very high-paying jobs, including economist and actuary. Actuaries play an essential role in analyzing statistics and predicting risk, particularly for the insurance industry. The BLS expects that increased opportunities in health care and consulting will lead to much faster that average job growth of 24 percent within the next decade. If you love crunching numbers, spreadsheets, and analysis, a traditional or online degree in economics might be worth the risk.

  Median starting salary for an Economics Bachelor’s Degree: $50,200
  Median mid-career salary: $101,000
  

• Finance A Bachelor’s in finance could be the fast track to high salary entry. Financial analyst, banker, company executive, investment broker, and financial advisor— these are jobs with much room at the top, to advance within a company. The ability to work with numbers is essential, but working with people is important, too, and many finance jobs offer good opportunity for promotion into management. Job growth for financial managers should remain solid into the next decade, according to BLS reports.
  
  Median starting salary for a Bachelor’s in Finance: $48,500
  Median mid-career salary: $89,400
  
• Marketing Marketing managers are crucial to the survival of companies, creating product and promotion strategies, analyzing pricing and competition, and developing plans for the future. Marketing offers significant visibility and influence. The BLS projects strong job growth into the future. Well-qualified candidates should be in high demand.

  Median starting salary for a Bachelor’s in Marketing: $41,500
  Median mid-career salary: $81,500

So, now it’s up to you. The jobs are waiting.

Your Bachelor’s degree has to pay off, because now you must earn.

You have responsibilities, to yourself and to others. You can’t afford for the time and energy you invest in your education to not repay itself financially.

And now you can see what to go after.

So go learn, so you can earn— get the Bachelor’s Degree of your choice!

Up high, the water vapor chills, is blown over the land, then it melts, and falls as rain. The land floods. The rain keeps coming. And yet in other regions there is terrible drought.

The carbon footprint of the 200-year Industrial Revolution is why, say scientists called Climatologists.

Climate change is real, they say. The rise in ocean temperature is accelerating, proven absolutely by marine data over the past two decades.

And yet new polls show that about half as many of the public believe climate change is real, than believed it five years ago.

The energy lobbies are spending tons of money to defend themselves. And there is a full-on talk-war. Talk-show pundits say— “No, climate change is a liberal scam! Trust the big energy congloms. We can burn all the stuff we want, they say— coal is clean, burn oil, burn trees— the earth is huge, the oceans are huge, the oceans can swallow it all!”

So, who to believe?

Let’s see, hmmm… do I trust the earth’s top climatologists, or the big-time talk-show screamers? Hmmm, hmmm…

Many of the Pundit-Screamers have stand-up comedy backgrounds. Very impressive! So. Which should I believe? Let’s dig deeper…

Just who are these climatologists? How do they claim to know so much?

For one reason, a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, (or in a closely related field with courses in meteorology), is the minimum educational requirement.

A master’s degree is necessary for some positions. And a Ph.D. degree is required for most basic research positions.

Atmospheric science is the study of the atmosphere—the blanket of air covering the Earth. Atmospheric scientists study the atmosphere’s physical characteristics, motions, and processes, and the way in which these factors affect the rest of our environment. They often become meteorologists, and forecast weather.

In addition to predicting the weather, atmospheric scientists attempt to identify and interpret climate trends, understand past weather, and analyze current weather.

Weather information and atmospheric research are also applied in air-pollution control, agriculture, forestry, air and sea transportation, defense, and the study of possible trends in the Earth’s climate, such as global warming, droughts, and ozone depletion.

Meteorologists use sophisticated computer models of the world’s atmosphere to make long-term, short-term, and local-area forecasts.

While meteorologists study and forecast weather patterns in the short term, Climatologists study seasonal variations in weather over months, years, or even centuries.

Climatologists collect, analyze, and interpret past records of wind, rainfall, sunshine, and temperature in specific areas or regions. Patterns in weather determine whether a coming season will be colder or warmer than usual.

Some atmospheric scientists work exclusively in research. Physical meteorologists, for example, study the atmosphere’s chemical and physical properties; the transmission of light, sound, and radio waves; and the transfer of energy in the atmosphere. They also study other atmospheric phenomena, such as the factors affecting the formation of clouds, rain, and snow; the dispersal of air pollutants over urban areas; and the mechanics of severe storms.

Environmental problems, such as pollution and shortages of fresh water, have widened the scope of the meteorological profession. Environmental meteorologists study these problems and may evaluate and report on air quality for environmental impact statements. Other research meteorologists examine the most effective ways to control or diminish air pollution.

Atmospheric scientists held about 9,400 jobs in 2008. This doesn’t include individuals employed in college and university departments of meteorology or atmospheric science, physics, earth science, or geophysics; these individuals are classified as college or university faculty, rather than atmospheric scientists.

Median annual wages of atmospheric scientists in May 2008 were $81,290. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,140 and $101,340. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $127,100. The average salary for meteorologists employed by the US Federal Government was $93,661, in March 2009.

Entry-level meteorologists in the US Federal Government is a bachelor’s degree—not necessarily in meteorology.

Just for the entry level, you’d need all this— 24 semester hours of meteorology/atmospheric science courses, including 6 hours in the analysis and prediction of weather systems, 6 hours of atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics, 3 hours of physical meteorology, and 2 hours of remote sensing of the atmosphere or instrumentation.

Other required courses include 3 semester hours of ordinary differential equations, 6 hours of college physics, and at least 9 hours of courses appropriate for a physical science major—such as statistics, chemistry, physical oceanography, physical climatology, physical hydrology, radiative transfer, aeronomy (the study of the upper atmosphere), advanced thermodynamics, advanced electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and computer science.

And that’s just for your Bachelor’s degree.

Impressed? I definitely am. Why would you believe talk-show screamers, over scientists with this depth of knowledge?

Why would you not believe what Climatologists are saying?

And more— if you do believe, and you want to join the fight against Climate Change— why not arm yourself with knowledge, with a degree in Atmospheric Science?

Educate, educate, educate!

General information about careers in atmospheric sciences is provided by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research at: http://www.ucar.edu/student_recruiting

Information about careers in meteorology and a listing of colleges and universities offering meteorology programs is provided by the American Meteorological Society at: http://www.ametsoc.org

Information about meteorology careers in the Federal Government can be obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at: http://www.careers.noaa.gov

Information on obtaining a position as a meteorologist with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management through USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404.

Today we’re talking mega-bucks. Salaries over 1 million per year.

He who has the gold makes the rules. That’s the tone today. Cold and cruel. The big fat money, standing alone, taken as a goal in itself.

The anarchy of the high-end game, that brings pure corporate profit. Is that what you want? or what you think you want?

Fine. Let’s dig in. Look up, way up the ladder.

Whew! The air is suddenly rarified. Who makes that big money? How did they get up there? Who made them Gods?

Many top guns at big companies top $1 million USD annually. Salaries vary wildly. By type of company, by level of responsibility, and by industry. And more, by the amount of control (power) the exec has, over his/her destiny, at that company.

Those are the corporations. It’s highly revealing that government execs earn much less. The public eye is on them, limiting their grab-gravitational power.

For top guns in the big companies, piled onto the big salaries, are mega-fat stock options and a panoply of other (often very creative) performance bonuses.

We’re talking about company-owned aircraft and cars, access to expense allowances, lifetime insurance, amazing pay incentives of all kinds. Oh, and the company-paid club memberships and other amenities like world travel to 5-star destinations. Sure, that means long hours, considerable travel, and you’re only as good as your power to control others. Not to mention 100-million-dollar golden parachutes.

Wow. So. What kind of degree do you need, to get your foot on the bottom rung… of one of those tall ladders into the sky?

Formal education (and experience) of top execs vary with the game they are playing. But most have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many years of key experience. That means experience both in their industry type, and in the killer politics of corporations.

There’s a wide range of titles and duties involved. Chief executive officer, chief operating officer, general manager, president— but all of them direct the operations of businesses and corporations.

They call the shots. In prisons such gang-leaders are called the “shot-callers.” But their gift for organization and control are the same.

A corporation’s goals and policies are established by the chief executive officer in collaboration with other top execs— closely monitored by a board of directors. The chief exec meets frequently with the other top execs, enforcing the operation’s goals in every way needed or wanted.

The top guns fire, they hire, they recruit talent, and they make things happen. If they fail, everyone fails. If they win, everyone wins. That’s why they get the huge money. And it’s why lower execs benefit— a rising tide lifts all boats.

These top execs have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, liberal arts, and sometimes in a more specialized discipline that relates to the nature of the company— the specific type (and level of education required) often depends on the type of organization for which top execs work.

Many top exec positions are filled from within the organization, by promoting experienced lower level managers when an opening arises. In industries such as retail trade or transportation, for example, individuals without a college degree may work their way up within the company and become executives or general managers. When hiring top executives from outside the organization, those doing the hiring often prefer managers with extensive managerial experience.

A degree is always a big boost to potential promotions. Those chosen for company training programs are often degree-holders. Execs with degrees and experience in a particular field, such as accounting or engineering, benefit from executive development programs geared toward their backgrounds.

Experienced managers always reflect strong leadership qualities. The execs, who build a rep for improving the efficiency or competitive position of their company, will soar to the top. They will always own the best opportunities for promotion.

The changing world opens many doors. In an increasingly global economy, degrees in international economics, marketing, and information systems, as well as knowledge of several languages, are a huge plus. Preparing yourself with the right degree puts you in the game.

Management is another avenue of approach to the golden doors. General managers may advance to a top executive position, such as executive vice president. In the vicious competition today, they may take a corresponding position in a competing firm. Some rise that way to peak corporate positions, such as chief operating officer or chief executive officer. There is fierce recruiting of top managers.

In the most rarified of corporate stratospheres, a CEO becomes a member of the board of directors of one or more firm—- sometimes a director of their own firm, and often as chair of its board of directors.

Some top executives even establish their own firms, to own the whole game and break out the profit ceiling, where even the sky is no longer the salary limit.

If that is the life you want, find your niche, get your degree, and use it like a sword to fight your way up the ladder.

Some Grad2B tips… get yourself a jockey inside the company, a seasoned mentor who knows the politics. Prove your value and your loyalty, and always keep open to corporate change, for as the proverb says, in chaos there is opportunity.

And opportunity always begins with your degree. Your degree is your key to the corporate door. But once inside, the rest is up to you.

Educate, educate, educate!

For more information on top executives, including educational programs, contact:
• American Management Association, 1601 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10019. http://www.amanet.org
• National Management Association, 2210 Arbor Blvd., Dayton, OH 45439. http://www.nma1.org

For more information on executive financial management careers, contact:
• Financial Executives International, 200 Campus Dr., Florham Park, NJ 07932. http://www.financialexecutives.org
• Financial Management Association International, College of Business Administration, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave., BSN 3331, Tampa, FL 33620. http://www.fma.org

For information about management skills development, including the Certified Manager (CM) credential, contact:
• Institute for Certified Professional Managers, James Madison University, MSC 5504, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. http://www.icpm.biz

You run the money. You know the money. You buy the money and you sell the money. It’s not even money to you, it’s numbers, global numbers.

But you make a truckload of the stuff when you score, and you’ve scored big enough to be stared at when you walk into another office.

Each day, you handle so much money. You and other brokers move hundreds of billions of dollars that change hands on the major securities exchanges. This money is used to invest in securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds— bought and sold by large institutional investors, mutual funds, pension plans, and the general public.

You are one of a small but powerful group of brokers, working directly on the floor of a stock or commodities exchange. When a firm or investor buys or sells a security or commodity, your computer zaps the order straight to the floor of the exchange.

Power? You negotiate the price with other floor brokers, make the sale, and forward the purchase price to the sales agents.

And you’re totally making bank, doing this. It’s like printing money, when you make it work.

How did you get your career rolling to begin with? When you began, you relied on Cold Calling to start your day, rolling a list of leads. You called it Collie Cold Calling— even a dog can sell, if he rolls enough telephone numbers.

(A hundred calls a day and maybe one-tenth hooked up and maybe 2 or 3 were a sell. The more you called the more you sold. Brutal numbers. But now you’re past that. Now you have built up your own big client accounts.)

You are a securities sales agent— a broker, or stock broker.

You advise your clients to invest, or not invest. You know their tendencies and their financial clout.

You electronically sends the order to the floor of the securities exchange, to complete the transaction. After the transaction is finalized, you charge your commission. Sweet!

You’ve had offers and you’ve toyed with becoming an Investment bankers— a sales agents who connect businesses (that need money to finance their operations or expansion plans) with investors interested in providing that funding, in exchange for debt (in the form of bonds) or equity (in the form of stock).

This broker process is called underwriting, and it is the main function of the investment bank. Investment bankers have to sell twice: first, they sell their advisory services to help companies issue new stock or bonds, and second, they sell the securities issued to investors. You’re still thinking it over.

Then there are the big fat IPO’s. Initial Public Offerings. Maybe the most important advisory service, provided by investment bankers, is to help companies new to the public investment arena issue stock for the first time.

Then there’s mergers and acquisitions. Investment bankers advise companies, find buyers and sellers, and broker enormous deals.

What do you need to know to broker all these big money deals?

At minimum, most broker positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or economics.

Try to get your foot in the door ASAP. Brokerage firms hire summer interns before their last year of college. Many successful interns are offered full-time jobs after graduation.

Brokers often go ahead and earn their Master’s degree in business administration (MBA), which is often a requirement for high-level positions in the securities industry.

Because the MBA is a professional degree designed to expose students to real-world business practices, it is considered to be a major asset for jobseekers. Employers often reward MBA holders with higher-level positions, better compensation, and even large signing bonuses.

Brokers and investment advisors must register as representatives of their firm, with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Before beginners can qualify as registered representatives, they must be an employee of a registered firm for at least 4 months and pass the General Securities Registered Representative Examination—known as the Series 7 Exam—administered by FINRA. (The exam takes 6 hours and contains 250 multiple-choice questions; a passing score is above 70 percent.)

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents held about 317,200 jobs in 2008. About 49 percent of jobs were in the securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities industry. About 15 percent of all workers were self-employed.

Employment of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents is expected to grow 9 percent during the 2008-18 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Consolidation of the financial industry, mainly stemming from recent global financial problems, will be the largest inhibitor of employment growth. Increased levels of industry consolidation often result in duplicated tasks among workers, a scenario that is expected to result in layoffs of many broker, sales, and investment banking positions.

The median annual wage-and-salary wages of securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents were $68,680 in May 2008. The middle half earned between $40,480 and $122,270.

Benefits in the securities industry are excellent. Healthcare, retirement, and life insurance, paid lunches with clients, paid dinners, extensive travel opportunities.

You will live in a big city somewhere in the world. That’s where the money markets thrive.

London, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Zurich… exciting, huh?

In the USA, the stock exchanges and large banking operations— and most of the major investment banks, are based in the New York metropolitan area. (Smaller investment banks can be found in many major American cities and some major investment banks have operations in other cities, although most of their business remains in New York.)

If the big-city fast-track life appeals to you, go for it.

And job security? It depends on your competitiveness. The financial world isn’t going away. The world revolves on money.

And the adrenal rush for many brokers is highly addictive. Global securities trades are arranged through brokers of securities, commodities, and financial services— whether the trades are between individuals with a few hundred dollars, or huge institutions with hundreds of millions of dollars!)

So how do you get there? The broker lifestyle demands that you work hard, that you build toward an advanced degree. Remember, an MBA (or professional certification) accelerates advancement.

It’s THE BIGS, a total money game. And you need to educate yourself— to compete on the world stage.

(And as Shelley said, its much easier to be generous, when you have earned a ton of money to play with!)

For information on securities industry employment, contact:

• American Academy of Financial Management, 245 Glendale Dr., Suite 1, Metairie, LA 70001. http://www.financialanalyst.org
• Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, 120 Broadway, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10271. http://www.sifma.org

For information on licensing, contact:

• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), 1735 K St. NW., Washington, DC 20006. http://www.finra.org

For information on CFA certification, contact:

• CFA Institute, P.O. Box 3668, 560 Ray C. Hunt Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22903. http://www.cfainstitute.org

Foresters— conservation scientists. Such work would require a vast army of forestry experts. The cost would be enormous. Foresters have college degrees.

We all know that deforestation accounts for a huge amount of human it’s emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

And now, finally, six major industrial nations have announced a stunning new plan to save the world’s forests.

France, the USA, Japan, Britain, Norway, and Australia are pledging billions of dollars. They are dedicated to the task of preserving woodlands, to protect biodiversity, and the recognition of indigenous people’s rights.

The governor of Amazonias State in Brazil said, “Industrial nations are responsible for most of the emissions in the atmosphere; they owe us a debt.”

True, but slash-and-burn ranching (of a colossal scale seen from satellites) has devastated Amazonia, often called “the lungs of the planet.”

And the Ethiopian prime minister proposed that rich nations would pay poor nations to help control the effects of climate change.

It all sounds amazing. it’s the hope for the planet’s ecosystems that we desperately need.

Conservation scientists will be needed in large numbers, to make this great plan effective worldwide. The world will need more foresters and range managers, to monitor, manage, improve, and protect natural resources.

They will work with landowners and Federal, State, and local governments to devise ways to use and improve the land while safeguarding the environment. They will advise farmers, farm managers, and ranchers on how they can improve their land for agricultural purposes and to control erosion.

Range managers may inventory soils, plants, and animals; develop resource management plans; help to restore degraded ecosystems; or assist in managing a ranch. For example, they may help ranchers attain optimum livestock production by determining the number and kind of animals to graze, the grazing system to use, and the best season for grazing.

Conservation scientists and foresters often specialize in one area, such as wildlife management, soil conservation, urban forestry, pest management, native species, or forest economics. But most work falls into one of three categories: forestry, conservation science focusing on range lands, and conservation science focusing on farming and soil.

Foresters oversee the earth’s forests and direct activities on them for economic, recreational, conservational, and environmental purposes. Individual landowners, the public, and industry own most of the forested land in this country, and they require the expertise of foresters to keep the forests healthy and sustainable.

Often this means coming up with a plan to keep the forests free from disease, harmful insects, and damaging wildfires, for example, planning when and where to plant trees and vegetation and when to cut timber. It may also mean coming up with ways to make the land profitable but still protected for future generations.

Forestry requires extensive tech training. Clinometers measure the height of trees; diameter tapes measure tree diameter; and increment borers and bark gauges measure the growth of trees so that timber volumes can be computed and growth rates estimated.

Remote sensing (aerial photographs and other imagery taken from airplanes and satellites) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data often are used for mapping large forest areas and for detecting widespread trends of forest and land use. Once a map is generated, data are digitized to create a computerized inventory of information required to manage the forest land and its resources. Moreover, hand-held computers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and Internet-based applications are used extensively.

Most forester and conservation scientist positions will require a bachelor’s degree.

A bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, natural resource management, environmental sciences, or a related discipline is the minimum educational requirement for careers in forestry.

However, higher-level research and teaching positions usually need a graduate degree. Foresters who wish to do research or to teach usually need an advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D.

Conservation scientists generally have at least a bachelor’s degree in fields such as ecology, natural resource management, agriculture, biology, or environmental science. A master’s degree or Ph.D. is usually required for teaching and research positions.

Most land-grant colleges and universities offer degrees in forestry. The Society of American Foresters accredits about 50 degree programs throughout the country. Curricula focus on four areas: forest ecology and biology, measurement of forest resources, management of forest resources, and public policy.

Median annual earnings of foresters in 2006 were $51,190. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,870 and $62,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,570.

In 2006, most bachelor’s degree graduates entering the Federal Government as foresters, range managers, or soil conservationists started at $28,862 or $35,752, depending on academic achievement.

Those with a master’s degree could start at $43,731 or $52,912. Holders of doctorates could start at $63,417.

In 2007, the average US Federal salary for foresters was $65,964; for soil conservationists, $64,284; and for rangeland managers, $60,828.

According to the US National Association of Colleges and Employers, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in conservation and renewable natural resources received an average starting salary offer of $34,678 in July 2007.

In private industry, starting salaries for students with a bachelor’s degree are comparable with starting salaries in Government, but starting salaries in State and local governments were usually lower.

Conservation scientists and foresters who work for Federal, State, and local governments and large private firms generally receive more generous benefits than do those working for smaller firms. Governments usually have good pension, health, and leave plans.

Conservation scientists and foresters manage, develop, and protect natural resources.

Other workers with similar responsibilities include environmental engineers, agricultural and food scientists, biological scientists, environmental scientists and hydrologists, geoscientists, and farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers.

The rich nations of Earth are at last facing the challenges of conservation science.

They are putting their billions of dollars to work, and conservation managers like foresters will be at the forefront of the battle to stabilize our earth’s ecology.

If you feel strongly about joining this war against the destruction of the very air we breathe, a degree in conservation science will arm you well.

Like US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “Protecting the world’s tropical rain forests is not a luxury— it is a necessity!”

For information about forestry careers and schools offering education in forestry, send a self-addressed, stamped business envelope to:

• Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Ln., Bethesda, MD 20814-2198. http://www.safnet.org

Information about a career as a range manager, and a list of schools offering training, is available from:

• Society for Range Management, 10030 West 27th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80215-6601. http://www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml

Information on getting a job as a conservation scientist or forester with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government’s official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not toll free, and charges may result.

That’s why we need a licensed pharmacist. They know exactly what the doctor has prescribed for you.

Medications can save life or damage life. Dosages are critical.

That’s why the licensed Pharmacist, and assisting Pharmacy technicians, and aides, must understand thousands of FDA-approved formulations— in order to correctly dispense the prescriptions of doctors, to patients.

Pharmacy technicians help licensed Pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients.

Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles. They also perform administrative duties, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers. Technicians refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.

Pharmacy technicians who work in retail or mail-order pharmacies have varying responsibilities, depending on State rules and regulations. Technicians receive written prescriptions or requests for prescription refills from patients. They also may receive prescriptions sent electronically from the doctor’s office. They must verify that information on the prescription is complete and accurate.

To prepare the prescription, technicians must retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medication. Then, they prepare the prescription labels, select the type of prescription container, and affix the prescription and auxiliary labels to the container. Once the prescription is filled, technicians price and file the prescription, which must be checked by a pharmacist before it is given to the patient. Technicians may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

In hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted-living facilities, technicians have added responsibilities, including reading patients’ charts and preparing the appropriate medication. After the pharmacist checks the prescription for accuracy, the pharmacy technician may deliver it to the patient. The technician then copies the information about the prescribed medication onto the patient’s profile.

Technicians also may assemble a 24-hour supply of medicine for every patient. They package and label each dose separately. The packages are then placed in the medicine cabinets of patients until the supervising pharmacist checks them for accuracy, and only then is the medication given to the patients.

Pharmacy aides work closely with pharmacy technicians. They often are clerks or cashiers who primarily answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical duties. Pharmacy technicians usually perform more complex tasks than pharmacy aides, although in some States their duties and job titles may overlap.

Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. However, there are currently few State and no Federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians.

Employers who have insufficient resources to give on-the-job training often seek formally educated pharmacy technicians.

Formal education programs and certification emphasize the technician’s interest in and dedication to the work.

In addition to the military, some hospitals, proprietary schools, vocational or technical colleges, and community colleges offer formal education programs.

Formal pharmacy technician education programs require classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy record-keeping, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy law and ethics. Technicians also are required to learn medication names, actions, uses, and doses.

Many training programs include internships, in which students gain hands-on experience in actual pharmacies. After completion, students receive a diploma, a certificate, or an associate’s degree, depending on the program.

Prospective pharmacy technicians with experience working as an aide in a community pharmacy or volunteering in a hospital may have an advantage. Employers also prefer applicants with experience managing inventories, counting tablets, measuring dosages, and using computers. In addition, a background in chemistry, English, and health education may be beneficial.

Two organizations, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, administer national certification examinations. Certification is voluntary in most States, but is required by some States and employers.

With a substantial amount of formal training, some pharmacy technicians go on to become Pharmacists.

Pharmacy technicians held about 285,000 jobs in 2006. About 71 percent of jobs were in retail pharmacies, either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, department store, or mass retailer. About 18 percent of jobs were in hospitals and a small proportion was in mail-order and Internet pharmacies, offices of physicians, pharmaceutical wholesalers, and the Federal Government.

Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 32 percent to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people—who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will spur demand for technicians throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances bring treatments for an increasing number of conditions, more pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill a growing number of prescriptions.

As cost-conscious insurers begin to use pharmacies as patient-care centers, pharmacy technicians will assume responsibility for some of the more routine tasks previously performed by Pharmacists. In addition, they will adopt some of the administrative duties that were previously performed by pharmacy aides, such as answering phones and stocking shelves.

Median hourly earnings of wage-and-salary pharmacy technicians in May 2006 were $12.32. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.10 and $14.92. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.56, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $17.65.

One thing for certain— the dispensing of medications by pharmacies will only increase, as the population continues to age, and new drugs are developed by major companies.

If you seek a career in an important growth profession, one vital to the health and well-being of others, a life in Pharmacy may be perfect for you.

Contact your local university, community college, or online training institution, and take the next step forward.

For information on pharmacy technician certification programs, contact:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, 2215 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington DC 20037-2985. http://www.ptcb.org
• Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, 2536 S. Old Hwy 94, Suite 214, St. Charles, MO 63303. http://www.nationaltechexam.org

For a list of accredited pharmacy technician training programs, contact:

• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. http://www.ashp.org

For pharmacy technician career information, contact:

• National Pharmacy Technician Association, P.O. Box 683148, Houston, TX 77268. http://www.pharmacytechnician.org