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Top 5 Paying Careers in Restaurant/Culinary Training

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

Everybody has to eat even during tough economic times. According to research, this is one reason why the restaurant and culinary field will experience a continued 10% growth rate through 2020. Formal culinary training typically provides greater job opportunities for those pursuing jobs in this career field. Trade schools give culinary training on food safety and preparation in a commercial environment culminating in an earned associate degree in Culinary Arts.

Top 5 Paying Careers in Restaurant / Culinary Training

1. Food Service Managers. Food Service Managers work in restaurants, cafeterias, and dining halls and are responsible for the overall customer dining experience. Daily operational management of the restaurant including supervision of subordinate restaurant workers is part of the Food Service Manager job description. Those promoted to Food Service Manager often have reached that position through many years of experience in the food service industry. Recently, there has been a trend within restaurants to require post secondary education for those holding restaurant management positions. The median pay for Food Service Managers is around $48,000 yearly.

2. Head Chef/Cook. Head chefs oversee daily food preparation and supervise other kitchen workers. Average restaurants may not require that head chefs have formal training, but these culinary professionals almost always need to have several years of experience. Upscale or specialty restaurants often employ head chefs and cooks that have specialized training from vocational or other culinary schools, and the competition for these positions is high. The average pay for head chefs and cooks is around $40,000 yearly.

3. Baker. Bakers and pastry chefs are found working in restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty pastry shops. Bakers follow predetermined recipes and mix ingredients to make breads and other baked goods. To become a baker, one typically has a few years of on the job training. Baker’s pay averages about $23,000 yearly.

4. Meat Packers. Meat packers and slaughterers kill and clean meat for meat markets, grocery stores, and sometimes restaurants. They need only on the job training. The average yearly pay of meat packers is $23,000.

5. Cook. Cooks are usually subordinates of a head chef or work as the sole food preparer in small restaurants. Some cooks attend formal training, but average restaurants do not require cooks to attend culinary school. The average yearly pay of cooks is around $20,000.

While many careers within the restaurant and culinary job category do not need formal training, those seeking management positions should consider obtaining formal culinary education. Obtaining the right training often make those possessing culinary credentials competitive for many fun and exciting restaurant jobs.

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Tags: chef, restaurant, restaurant manager
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A Vocational Education: An Exciting, Fresh Start for Students

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

Thanks to Arizona education and business leaders, vocational education has seen a dramatic change in its curriculum and its general perception by both the public and educational system. It wasn’t too long ago a technical schooling was seen as no more than a means to clean the schools of the academically lazy and ‘bad’ students.

Today, these schools are viewed as exceptional jumping points for strong careers in a number of industries. They’ve become a respected part of economic recovery and development and an extraordinary opportunity for our young to train for welding, nursing assistants, auto technicians, machinists, electricians and more. Today, students take nationally recognized exams and get accredited certifications. The statistics between available jobs and qualified applicants in the fields these schools cover is expected to expand over the next 10 years, especially as baby boomers retire and the technology proceeds to advance. Vocational schools are preparing high school students today for that contingency.

Training programs are more focused and practical than in the past, when they were used to fill seats with troubled teens. Today, these schools are getting more and more applicants that are looking for vocational training. They are aware this training could cost thousands of dollars at private trade schools and community colleges. Under the right circumstances, many vocational schools can offer tuition free schooling.

In some circles, a vocational education is still stigmatized. There are those in the educational system that believe a high school graduation to college path is the only way. Some parents are concerned that this training limits a child’s potential and vision for the future. Neither view takes into account that the next step in any student’s life isn’t necessarily college.

Students often realize the benefits of having a skill straight out of high school to present to potential employers. A number of vocational programs actually have waiting lists. And college should never be counted out. High school grads that move into good jobs can always decide to attend college later. Only now, they will focus as well as have the opportunity to pay for it, alleviating burdens on family.

Far too many of our high school students are graduating into minimum wage positions. Too many of them accept that as their station. There should be encouragement to get into programs. Certification as a nursing assistant can lead to other opportunities in the medical field, such as Head Nurse or Dental Assistant. This would require going back to school and potentially increasing their salary by tens of thousands of dollars. But first, these students need to get their foot in the door with the proper training and support.

A good program can also help our students develop discipline. By mastering technical skills in a focused group environment, they learn to show up on time, become team players and demonstrate initiative through projects.

If you know of a high school student that is in need of career advice or hasn’t really decided where the next step after graduation is going to be, or if their plan is to get a job straight out high school, help them learn about vocational schooling. It’s not the end of their future, it’s the beginning.

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Tags: technical and trade schools, Technical Schools
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Top Five Things to Know About Graphic Design Technical School Training Programs

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

Traditional skills of painting and drawing are still needed, but graphic design today is focused on computers, tablets and other technology. Here are five things students considering a technical degree in graphic design should know:

1. Interests and Personality: Students interested in a technical degree in graphic design should have a talent or passion for artistic expression and visual communication. Graphic designers should also be interested in working with others, because they frequently meet with clients or an art director to create projects. They should enjoy working with others and be flexible and able to incorporate changes that are requested by clients or supervisors.

2. Skills Learned and Courses: Graphic design programs focus on increasing skills in visual communication, including typography, photography, illustration, layout design, and the use of color. Other skills learned include how to create images that clearly identify a product or convey a branding message. Graphic design is critical for effective marketing and sales, and designers will also learn about advertising and promotions.

Most graphic design technical school programs include courses in basic graphic design principles, digital media, Photoshop image software, layout skills, digital illustration, web page creation, and basic drawing skills. Students also need to complete courses in how to run a business or work in a professional graphic design environment. Special focuses include more advanced courses in drawing and illustration, photography, creation of web graphics and animation, and often, on the job work experience.

3. Special Focuses: Graphic design students can specialize in 3D modeling, graphic and photo manipulation, illustration using various techniques, and design and creation of websites.

Some programs offer certificates in specialized skills like Photoshop and digital photography, web design and web graphics, and illustration for entertainment or the gaming industry.

4. Equipment and Tools: Software and computer hardware such as drawing tablets and laptops with graphics capability are needed. Students will learn how to use up to date software programs for digital image creation, layout, and print and internet publishing. Many schools provide access to all needed equipment while on campus, but most students require software and hardware to do assigned work at home. Students should be prepared to keep up to date with the latest software and hardware after they graduate in order to remain competitive.

5. Employment Opportunities: A technical degree in graphic design will qualify graduates to work for advertising agencies, web design companies, printing companies, or graphic design firms. Businesses and government organizations also employ graphic designers. Entertainment and gaming companies also have a constant need for entry-level employees in graphic design.

Technical degrees in graphic design prepare students to create graphic communications and design projects across all media, from print to internet to mobile platforms. They can explore their creative talent while preparing to work in entry-level positions in graphic communications and design for media companies, printing companies, government organizations, schools and businesses. They have a good job outlook, and can look forward to earning an average of $43,500 a year according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics.

Interested in gettign started? Apply to a Graphic Design program near you today!

Tags: graphic design
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Accounting in Technical Schools

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

People who are interested in accounting and finance should be patient and enjoy working with mathematics. Although much of the work has been made easier by computer software, you will need to be certain that the entries have been made correctly. Financial statement analysis and comparing annual reports play a significant role in determining the direction the business is taking.

Find an Accounting and Finance Program Near You.

Required Courses

Accounting Courses – Accounting procedures for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations are distinguished in the basic accounting courses. After learning how to record the assets, liabilities, equity, income and expense accounts, the student is introduced to the equity accounts for the various types of organizations.

Sole ProprietorshipsThe sole proprietor has a drawing account from which he withdraws funds from the business. He also has a capital account that represents his hare of the ownership. At the end of accounting periods, income is added to the capital account, and losses are deducted from the capital account.
PartnershipsEach partner is assigned a drawing account and a capital account. Profits and losses are distributed according to the partnership agreement.
CorporationsCorporations issue stock and sell bonds. The accountant learns how to record profits and losses in the retained earnings account, and how to record the issuance and purchase of stock.

Federal Tax -A knowledge of federal tax laws is essential for withholding taxes and recording FICA and FUTA taxes.

Business Law – A knowledge of business law is needed so that you know the liabilities of owners, partners, stock holders and the fiduciary relationship that you have with your employer.

Spreadsheets – Spreadsheets are valuable tools for the accountant. By using formulas, you can change one figure in one cell and have the value change in other cells. Spreadsheets were designed for accountants, and they have many useful accounting purposes.

Accounting Software – Most accountants use accounting software such as Intuit Quickbooks. Although the software does most of the work, you should be familiar with accounting principles so that you can recognize error recorded in data input. Data input is responsible for most errors, but errors can occur when you are setting up the accounts.

Business Mathematics – Although calculators and computers are available, you should have a knowledge of basic business mathematics. Understanding what the computer and calculators are doing is as important as entering the right figures into the proper cells.

Financial Accounting

Financial accounting deals with financial statement analysis. In analyzing the income statement, the accountant learns the rol percentages play in creating relationships between the various sections of the income statement. Current ratios, working capital and various relationships of balance sheet items that are desired are suggested. The accountant learns various ways to adjust operations to maintain thedesired relationships.

The accountant should be have patience because finding errors may be a long, hard task. Computers have made the work easier, but patience is still a virtue. In addition, the accountant should have an analytical mind so that he can project ways to meet goals. Although most work is done individually, the accountant is a team member5,and interpersonal skills are helpful.

Tags: Accounting, Finance/Accounting
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The Top 5 Paying Careers in Psychology for Technical School Grads

Tuesday, November 20th, 2012

The field of psychology is an interesting area that entails the study and analysis of human behavior and mental health illnesses. Professionals in this field treat personality and psychological disorders, and they are involved in the research and development of therapeutic solutions, herbal remedies, and pharmaceutical drugs for those ailments. For individuals who desire to assist others in maintaining their mental wellnesses, there are many accredited colleges and universities that offer Associate’s in Psychology Degree programs that can be completed in one to two years of study.

Immediately following graduation from those programs, students are not only rewarded with outstanding, entry-level salaries in their field, they are also gifted with the advanced skills that are essential to their new roles as mental health counselors and advisors. Listed below are the top five careers in the field of mental health that pay the best salaries to Associate’s in Psychology professionals.

Since all individuals possess unique personality traits that result in an array of mental ailments and insufficiencies, psychology professionals who assist with those ailments will always be in high demand. All of the occupations described below represent exceptional career opportunities for individuals who obtain an Associate’s in Psychology Degree.

Social and Human Service Assistants: These individuals provide support services and tools to people who are suffering physically and/or mentally. Social and Human Service Assistants possess salaries of about $28,200 per year. In addition, these occupations entail a job growth rate of 28%, which is faster than average.
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides: Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides work in conjunction with occupational therapists to help individuals maintain their daily activities and qualities of life. They earn around $47,490 per year in hospitals and health facilities around the nation.
Substance Abuse Counselors: These mental health professionals provide individuals who are suffering from alcohol addictions with support, treatment, and counseling services. Substance Abuse Counselors enjoy an average salary of $38,120 per year.
Social Workers: Qualified individuals can work as Direct-Service Social Workers or Clinical Social Workers. Direct-Service Social Workers assist people with dealing with problems in their day-to-day lives, and Clinical Social Workers treat people who suffer from behavioral, mental, and emotional disorders. Both groups of professionals earn annual salaries of $42,480.
Behavioral Disorder Counselors: Behavioral Disorder Counselors treat individuals who are suffering from eating disorders, compulsive disorders, phobias, and other behavioral health ailments. Similar to Substance Abuse Counselors, these professionals also earn about $38,120 annually.

From Human Service Assistants to Substance Abuse Counselors, professionals in the field of psychology play essential roles in their communities as advocates for mental wellness. Most of those individuals acquire at least an Associate’s in Psychology Degree, which provides them with the skills in human behavior, psychological analysis, human anatomy and development, and cognitive behavioral therapy that are important to their careers and potentials for advancement in healthcare facilities and speciality clinics. Most importantly, Associate’s in Psychology Degree programs are most often affordable, and they provide their students with entry into a field that will continue to grow, change, and develop for decades to come.