12 Money-Making Certificates


By Michelle Goodman, PayScale.com

Laid off and looking to flee the floundering industry that sent you packing?

Not to worry: Minimum wage work is not your only option.

Whether you're in dire need of a new career, trying to earn more at your current gig or you're returning to work after a prolonged hiatus at home with the kids, a certificate program from a community college or vocational school is the swiftest way to pump up your earning potential.

"Many people refer to community college as the new master's degree," says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of more than a dozen books for job hunters, including 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs. "It's a way to repurpose yourself."

As an added bonus, countless certificate programs train you for cubicle-free jobs - good news for weary office workers who'd like a change of scenery.

Certificate programs vary in length, averaging six months to a year, with evening, weekend, and online classes frequently available. Costs range from several hundred to several thousand dollars (happily, financial aid is sometimes offered for those who qualify).

Review the list below and make note of which certificate programs appeal to you or build on what you already know.

1. Court reporter certificate program.

Can you type like the wind? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters remain in high demand -- by both the justice system and the television industry, which hires these workers to create closed captioning text. Average salary: $39,781 a year.

2. Auto insurance appraiser certificate program.

Appraisers have the best of both worlds: Many split their time between the office and the field, traveling to homes and auto shops to write up repair estimates for crumpled cars. While most work for insurance companies, some are self-employed. Average salary: $50,165 a year.

3. Auto or motorcycle mechanic certificate program.

Are you happiest when wielding a wrench? "Mechanic jobs are particularly good in a recession because people are trading in their cars less," Shatkin says. In other words, there's no shortage of clunkers in need of repair. Average salary: $41,233 a year.

4. Massage therapist certificate program.

If you think the economy is keeping people from getting a massage, you're wrong. The American Massage Therapy Association found that 36 percent of Americans got a massage to relieve stress in 2008, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects these jobs to increase by 20 percent before 2016. Average salary: $35,349 a year.

5. Security and fire alarm system installer certificate program.

Do you live to tinker with electronic devices? Then installing, maintaining, and repairing residential and commercial alarm systems might be the ideal career for you. Most installation work requires driving to various job sites each day. Average salary: $42,763 a year.

6. Emergency medical technician certificate program.

Why sit at a desk all day when you could be out there saving lives? Despite the recession, people will continue to "crash their cars and have heart attacks in the middle of the night," reminds Shatkin. EMT certification requirements vary by state. Average salary: $30,530 a year.

7. Aerobics or fitness instructor certificate program.

If you're already a workout fiend, why not get paid for pumpin' it up? Job openings for exercise instructors are expected to increase by 25 percent over the next decade, Shatkin says, with most located at health clubs and fitness centers. Average salary: $37,113 a year.

8. Medical transcriptionist certificate program.

With healthcare the fastest-growing job sector, there's plenty of work for those who can decipher and type up the audio recordings doctors make about their patients. While a majority of transcriptionists work in a hospital or doctor's office, many telecommute from home. Average salary: $31,286 a year.

9. Cosmetologist certificate program.

Are you the person everyone calls for beauty advice? Then why not go pro? Cosmetologists are trained to cut, style, and chemically treat hair, as well as to treat skin and nails. Bonus: Schedules are flexible and self-employment is common. Average salary: $27,112 a year.

10. Language interpreter certificate program.

Maybe you grew up speaking two languages or picked one up while traveling abroad. If so, hospitals, courtrooms, and social service agencies need your help. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five interpreters works for themselves, and many work part time. Plus, oftentimes, only a one-day exam is needed to be certified. Average salary: $44,175 a year.

11. Sign language interpreter certificate program.

If you enjoy working with others in multiple settings -- from live performances and business conferences to schools and social service agencies -- translating the spoken word for the deaf could be the job for you. Average salary: $36,278 a year.

12. Embalmer certificate program.

Preparing the dead for their final resting place isn't for everyone. But for those with a strong constitution, there's job security in the funeral business -- people won't stop dying simply because the economy's taken a turn for the worse. Average salary: $38,482 a year.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

Michelle Goodman is author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube and My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire.


5 Hot Spots for Free Career Training


By Siri Anderson

Are you looking for a job, a promotion or trying to negotiate a higher salary? Your success will most likely depend on the answer to one question: do you have the skills to pay your employer's bills?

Though years of experience and a positive attitude are important, education is also important for career development. Staying current on your skills is invaluable. Highly-skilled people stand out. Because of this and our economic situation, people are heading back to school in droves to brush up for the future.

Are you worried about paying tuition? Don't be. If you know where to look, you can find free career training. Here are five alternative and absolutely free ways to keep your job skills up-to-date.

1. Online Career Training. Information sources continue to explode on the Web, and online jobs skills training programs are a good way to use the Internet to improve job skills. There are countless courses out there that offer free enrollment for online career training - but "buyer" beware: their quality can range from first-class to a complete waste of time. One excellent career training site is operated by the Goodwill Community Foundation, GCFLearnFree.org. This site, which focuses on vocational and technology training, has received top ratings for its extremely accessible and well-designed career training courses for adult learners of all levels and abilities. Many courses are accredited by IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) and offer certificates for successful completion. You can even register for online career training courses led by a qualified instructor - all at no cost. "There are a lot of places of instruction out there, but not a lot of places where you can find this quality of training for free," says Steve Snyderman, spokesperson for GCFLearnFree.org. "It's always updated, always quality, always there, and it's always free."

2. Open Career Training Seminars and Lectures. Next time you're near a local community college or university, keep your eyes peeled for lectures and seminars that can help shine up your job skills. As a leading example, Pace University has presented a series of free career training seminars that were open to the public, called "Managing Your Career in a Down Economy" with the follow-up session "Learning Lab for Job Preparedness in the New Economy." According to Jody Queen-Hubert, executive director of Co-op and Career Services at Pace, learning institutions want to be seen as responsive resources that are relevant, on top of current trends and able to be resourceful to the community. Offering lectures, career support and job information are common ways they'll do this. "People absolutely should be looking to their colleges and universities to see what they can tap into for career services and training," says Queen-Hubert, "We are not an ivory tower."

3. Career Training Podcasts, Webinars and Blogs. If you haven't already, it's time to jump on the Web 2.0 bandwagon. Job trends and in-demand skills are in flux, and nothing can get you the most cutting-edge information faster or easier than these new media info sources. "In my [field], technology and business are changing at a faster pace than the design principles and methodologies I practice every day, so I tend to track blogs...pretty regularly to keep up on the tech landscape," says Seattle-based, user-experience designer Scott Neilson. In addition to blogs, many organizations publish podcasts or host webinars as a service to their industry. Ben Crosby, national recruiting manager for iSymmetry, said his company noticed the current need in the IT community for specialized job searching strategies and so created a free, five-part podcast series called "How to Land an IT Job in a Down Market." Using iTunes or any search engine, you can easily find this series as well as other podcasts and blogs that suit your career training needs.

4. Government Resources for Career Training. Though most people don't know it, every state has funds to support career training, both for the unemployed and those who just want to improve their job skills and expand their career goals. "It's unbelievable to me how many people think to claim unemployment but don't take advantage of all the other services their state offers," says Kris Linderoth, WorkSource employment and career training expert for the State of Washington. Programs are often federally funded, organized at the state level and commonly found at community colleges, universities, workforce training offices and public libraries. Every state has its own spin on how it uses funds. However, according to Linderoth, "wherever you live, you should be able to type into a search engine 'your state' and 'workforce development,' and that should lead you to information on what your state offers."

5. Career Training Through Volunteering/Internships. Though no one wants to hear that they should work for free, volunteering your time may help to season your resume with much-needed practical career training - some job skills just can't be learned as well in a classroom or through coursework, and employers know this all too well. "If it wasn't for that [internship] experience, there's less chance I would have been hired for my first job in non-profit development," said Kymberly Blackstock, now a development manager for an Anchorage-based organization, "and because of that experience, I was able to leverage a higher starting salary." Free career training is what a good volunteer or intern position offers, all while you plant your foot in the door of a potential employer. Don't get stuck sealing envelopes, though - make sure that you're both learning and using marketable skills to ensure your volunteered time is well spent.

Earn While You Learn: Jobs That Start as Apprenticeships



By Carol Tice

If you're looking to make a career switch but need to stay employed, you can learn on the job through an apprenticeship program. Many apprentices are paid from the start, though at a lower rate than they'll earn once their apprenticeship training period is complete.

Probably the best-known careers entered through the apprenticeship route are electrician and plumber, but you can apprentice in a wide range of jobs, from accounts-payable clerk to wastewater treatment plant operator. The U.S. Department of Labor oversees hundreds of official, defined apprenticeship programs, and a spokeswoman said the agency plans to add new apprenticeship programs for growing fields such as healthcare and "green jobs" involving energy efficiency or conservation.

Industries in each state decide whether they will participate in federal apprenticeship programs (state-by-state list here: http://www.doleta.gov/OA/sainformation.cfm), and in some cases states create their own apprenticeship programs. You'll need to do a little sleuthing to see what's available in your area. Generally, the Department of Labor reports entry requirements are minimal - must be 18 and a high school graduate, as well as physically able to do required tasks.

There are three advantages to participating in an official apprenticeship program, says Laurence Shatkin, co-author of 200 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships (Jist Publishing 2009). With a formal program, you'll complete a training course of a required length, and potential employers will know you've demonstrated a specific skill level. The rules of the apprenticeship will protect you from being exploited on the job, as they define the wages you should be paid. And finally, you'll make valuable industry contacts.

"Often, you'll have worked at more than one job site, so people in the industry get to know you," he says. "When you're done, you can tap into your network for referrals."

The following list of careers you can get into through apprenticeship programs display the great variety of choices available:

1. Fashion designer. The competition is intense, but if you've got an eye for style you may be able to convince a pro to take you on. Once you've completed your fashion design apprenticeship, you can strike out on your own - about one-quarter of designers are self-employed, the DOL reports. $64,161 per year

2. Industrial production manager. If your area has a strong manufacturing base and you have some assembly-line experience, an apprenticeship could help you move up to a supervisory role, Shatkin says. $63,497 per year

3. Air traffic controller. If you live near an airport, this is a great career to enter now. A generation of controllers hired during the 1970s is nearing retirement, so future hiring prospects are bright. $61,956 per year

4. Firefighting manager/supervisor. This is a good option for those who've been first-responders of some kind in the past, even as volunteers, Shatkin says. No matter what happens with the economy, firehouses will still need someone to organize the crews. $53,466 per year

5. Power plant operator. There are power plants of all types, all across the country, including an increasing number of wind farms, Shatkin notes. The Department of Labor reports that most operators learn on the job. $51,1991 per year

6. Building code inspector. Many in this role are employed by governments, which are required to inspect buildings to comply with a range of laws regarding structures. $49,356 per year

7. Telecommunications equipment installer. There's only one way to learn how to set up a wireless network or lay fiber-optic cable - follow somebody around who's doing it. Shatkin notes this career is expected to boom as the economy recovers. $48,772 per year

8. Ship's mate. Many get started in this career in the Navy, Shatkin says, but you can use an apprenticeship as an entry point as well. Mates, also sometimes called deck officers, direct routine vessel operations and coordinate crew activities. $48,401 per year

9. Paralegal. Though most paralegals take a two-year college course, you can find apprenticeship opportunities, Shatkin says. The DOL forecasts rapid growth in demand for this role. $46,628 per year

10. Funeral director. Until someone discovers the fountain of youth, this job isn't going away. Some directors take college courses to become morticians as well, Shatkin notes, but you can learn to arrange funerals on the job. $46,161 per year

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

Business reporter Carol Tice (www.caroltice.com) contributes to several national and regional business publications.

Green Works: Low-Cost Training for a Green Job




The green economy is coming – some say it's already arrived – and around the country new types of careers and programs that offer short training for green jobs are popping up rapidly, while old jobs are changing to align with sustainable practices. Green services and products are already in demand, and workforce development experts agree that this movement is going to have enormous impact on jobs of every level. 

“This will affect all areas of the economy in ways we are only beginning to find out,” says Julian L. Alssid, executive director of Workforce Strategy Center (WSC), an East Coast-based organization that consults with economic development agencies and educational institutions to help state and regional economies grow. “If we do this well, green will become a part of every job.” 

Green enthusiasts believe that blue collar and white collar will one day be ideas of the past; with “green” collar leading the way of the future. Do you know how your job could change to “go green”? And could the green economy present an opportunity for you to increase your marketability and salary potential? 

Low-Cost Training for Going Green at Work

One of the unique features of the green economy movement is its efforts to include the poor and socially disadvantaged as a starting point for change. According to Marcy Drummond, vice president of workforce and economic development for Los Angeles Trade-Tech College, in most economic shifts, “The poor are first to be left behind. We wanted them to be first [to succeed].” 

Over the past three years, this LA community college has pioneered team-taught, comprehensive programs aimed at overcoming traditional barriers that underprivileged students have in attaining a degree and long-term, gainful employment. A range of green certifications are available at LATTC, from solar panel installation and weatherization to sustainable architecture and landscaping. Program lengths range from just a couple of weeks to two years for a certificate. 

Programs like these aren't solely for the underprivileged however, and the first place to look for a similar program in your area is your local community college. Drummond says that more and more programs are going to be available in the near future, especially because much of the stimulus money will be funneled to these institutions first. 

The Green Collar Office Job 

If you don't work in the energy industry, green may still impact on your position. Vicki Krantz, director of business and professional programs at UC San Diego Extension, is seeing that, “Really smart firms are thinking about every stage of the life of their product.” And this goes far beyond just production, packaging and transportation. 

UCSD Extension is one of the first institutions to start training for green jobs from the business point of view, training students for going green by incorporating sustainability into all levels of an organization. Accountants can take carbon accounting classes to track a company's carbon footprint. Marketers can develop skills in green marketing so that their claims to be a green company are valid. Managers can take classes on how to include sustainability into corporate strategies. 

Though a lot of buzz is on emerging clean tech, solar tech and bio fuels, according to Krantz, the best businesses of any industry are going to set the vision for sustainability and encourage all employees to translate that into their discipline – from the receptionist who reduces paper use to the CEO who makes fewer business flights each year. 

The Green CEO and Entrepreneur 

If there's any evidence that the green movement has begun from the ground up, it's shown in how few business leaders are prepared to enter the highly regulated energy field. They want a piece of the pie, though, so they’re learning quickly. Charley Polachi, partner and co-founder of Polachi, Inc., has been a member of the steering committee for the Clean Energy Fellowship Program, a course started in early 2008, designed for CEOs and entrepreneurs who want to get into clean tech industries. 

The unique feature of clean tech is the degree to which it is regulated – there are a whole new set of rules and a large infrastructure already in place that business leaders need to understand before jumping in. In the Clean Energy Fellowship Program, entrepreneurs and CEOs learn how to navigate the regulation, come up with funding and develop partnerships with very big companies so that their innovations can become a part of the larger energy infrastructure. 

This program was the first of its kind in the country, and admission is highly selective. However, there is a lot of interest in expanding, and other organizations have been looking at the Clean Energy Fellowship program as a model to prepare future green-business leaders. 

Green Works: Nab Short Training for a New Job 

“All you need to know is there's a lot of money, in terms of training,” says Alssid of WSC. Federal dollars and consumer demand are supporting huge investments into programs that help to “green” jobs. However, Alssid also cautions, “This is in a totally emergent state... it will be up to the individual to zero in on those places that are doing this well. So do your homework.” 

The importance of community colleges shouldn't be underestimated in this. They have the resources to create programs quickly, and they will be the first to access stimulus funds. Workforce training centers are also great places to ask for help, and every state has their own way of organizing them – search “your state” and “workforce development” on the internet to find one in your area. In addition, Web sites such as GreenForAll.org, CareerVoyages.gov, and Online.OnetCenter.org have excellent information on career outlooks, training programs and financial assistance. 

“If you take advantage of this now, it'll be an edge. Within a couple of years it will be standard,” predicts Krantz of UCSD Extension and, “don't think of this as a passing fad at all. This is the new normal.”

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Asbestos Lawyers By Jason Gluckman



The companies exposed to the hazardous effects of Asbestos continued to expose their workers to the deadly element. No protection from the Asbestos dust and no information on its health hazards were provided to the Asbestos workers. Many died. The result observed was ugly, and it was therefore an essential need to bring justice by law to those who suffered ailments from Asbestos in the environment. lawyer salary

Asbestos Lawyers are the lawyers that specialize in the cases dealing specifically with the hazardous effects induced by Asbestos exposure. They work in the area of law and bring home justice in the form of compensation to those who suffered ill health, because of Asbestos in the present and/or past environment.

A patient of Asbestos-induced health problems, or his family, is eligible for filing a lawsuit. It is important for the patient to choose a lawyer on the basis of his success in the industry of law and justice. The number of successful cases presented to the affected individuals can be a testament of the lawyer’s credibility. Experience in the same or similar area is always an additional benefit.

The lawyer of choice shall then assess the case, answer pertinent queries, predict the direction for the Asbestos lawsuit, and bring home justice in the form of compensation. It is also important to provide clear, true and full information to the lawyer. This adds to the efficiency of the lawyer and his confidence in the case assignment. If one is unable to open all facts to the lawyer, the law firm may choose to hire a person for investigation about the exposure of Asbestos to the patient, and this all is done at no extra cost. The best thing is that all Asbestos Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so the patient or his family members are not required to part with any money before their lawsuit.

Asbestos provides detailed information about asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is the sister site of Malignant Mesothelioma.

Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyers

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used in home construction and the manufacture of vehicle brakes, plastics, paints and some paper products. Asbestos is harmful to human health. It causes many forms of diseases, some of them being fatal. lawyer salary

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside the ribs, or around the abdominal organs. This form of cancer is very difficult to diagnose, and responds poorly to therapy. Mesothelioma is a malignant type of cancer and the survival time is less than a year. Malignant mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, and takes 20 or more years for the disease to develop. Thus, persons who were exposed to mesothelioma twenty years before are still at risk of getting mesothelioma.

In the last 20 or so years, professional and non-profit groups have tried to raise awareness about the ill effects of asbestos exposure. Asbestos laws have been enacted to protect people from the harmful consequences of asbestos exposure. OSHA enforces asbestos law. The law limits the permissible level of asbestos exposure in terms of fiber content and duration. Asbestos laws allow people to get compensation for medical expenses and lost income. The law is proactive, in that it allows anticipatory medical expenses.

Mesothelioma lawsuits are generally medical malpractice cases, but some come under product liability, personal injury and wrongful death laws. A mesothelioma attorney has to be consulted if one was exposed to asbestos in the past. An attorney can help recover the costs. Sometimes, the attorney can also arrange a meeting with other mesothelioma patients to exchange information and support. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help recover benefits from reluctant defendants, sometimes without even going to trial.

Michigan Lawyers provides detailed information on Michigan Auto Accident Lawyers, Michigan Divorce Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers, Michigan Medical Malpractice Lawyers and more. Michigan Lawyers is affiliated with Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers Info.

Asbestos litigations

The Asbestos inhalation-induced toxicity to workers and their relatives has been the cause of serious health ailments, including the malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos Litigation is a multi-billion dollar industry of lawyers and law firms that specialize in the provision of compensation to people suffering from mesothelioma and/or other serious Asbestos-related health ailments.lawyer salary

The law aims to provide “all” that is lost, but fails. The law works to provide compensation for the consequences produced by the carcinogenic Asbestos, and includes the cost of medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and the affected life enjoyment resulting in emotional distress, pain and suffering. Punitive damages that result in the punishment of the defendants for their unlawful and unethical conduct are rare, and are based on the defendant’s wealth size and misdeed extent.

The ugly side of Asbestos Litigation is its misuse for monetary gain. This fraudulent way of gaining riches has taken its shelter in Asbestos Litigation. People who aim for money have been increasingly involved in filing false cases of Asbestos-induced health ailments. This results in the weakening of the cases of those who deserve compensation for real ailments, and brings many questions to mind. It therefore becomes essential to distinguish real sufferers from the expert pretenders in the market of advertised law and lawyers.

It is often difficult to determine whether someone has been exposed to asbestos, aside from their own personal testimony. Medical research on asbestos in humans is rare or non-existent, since the substance is deadly. The fiber is currently being phased out from all public use.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affiliated with Lung Cancer Stages.

How To Compensate From Suffering Mesothelioma

What to do if you or your family are already infected by mesothelioma? It is very important to find a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after diagnosis. This is because there is a statue of limitation from state to state, which means that there is a time limit set with regards to how long you have got to take action.

If you are failing to adhere to this, it could make your case ineligible, and you would surely miss out on a hefty payout which could help you and your family through this difficult time. It is hard to find a corporation willingly settle this problem because a lawsuit from case like this could damage their financial position materially.

I also recommend you look for a mesothelioma lawyer that is experienced in dealing with mesothelioma lawsuits as these mesothelioma lawyer will have the resources and contacts to deal with your case quickly and efficiently. Nowadays you should find no problem searching a mesothelioma lawyer to assist, you can search the internet for a suitable mesothelioma lawyer.

After you found a suitable mesothelioma lawyer for you, make some appointment and discuss your options fully. They could advise you how to pursue your case and other legal advice and assistance as soon as possible. Extra information, you and your mesothelioma lawyer may not even get to court if your lawyer able to get substansial out of court payouts for clients.

Most important advice for you: make sure your mesothelioma lawyer work on contingent fees, which is a percentage of the compensation claimed. If your mesothelioma lawyer are not unsuccessful in getting compensation, then you do not have to pay anything. Because there is no guarantee that your claim will be succesful you should make sure you do not have to pay for legal fees unless you do receive compensation, thus you have nothing to lose by filing a lawsuit.

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