How Do I Become A Recreational Therapist?

Imagine being able to become a recreational therapist and go into the office to treat just a few patients every week. Maybe you only work 10 or 15 hours a week, and you get to help people overcome their illnesses through creative ways. Maybe one week you teach senior citizens how to paint beautiful impressionist paintings. Maybe another week you get to host a talent show that encourages people with disabilities to show off their singing abilities. You can have this sort of fulfilling career by taking just a few steps and having the right attitude.

Get Your Associate Degree

First, you will need to meet some educational requirements before you can step into this field. It will be essential for you to get an associate degree in the medical field or therapeutic recreation. An associate degree will usually take two years to complete. While you can enter this field by just having an associate degree, it can be helpful if you have additional degrees in other fields. If you have a degree in music or art, then this can prove to be beneficial for nursing homes. Nursing homes may even give you a better position if you have additional qualifications. You may find that you become the director of an entire program when you have a background in music, theater or art.

Obtain Your Bachelor’s Degree

This field is becoming increasingly competitive. If you want to stay at the cutting-edge of recreational therapy, then obtain a bachelor’s degree in this field. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree will help you to stand out from the crowd. With a bachelor’s degree, you will automatically be considered for better positions than an entry-level job. It will be possible for you to negotiate a better salary with hospital entities too.

Be Aware of Certifications

Certain employers may want to see that you have obtained a certification in this field. Because of this, it does not hurt to work for a certificate from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation offers a course that allows you to obtain your certificate in less than a year. In order to obtain your certification, you will need to pass a written exam. The program also requires that you complete 480 hours in an internship in the field. The internship can provide you with a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at a particular hospital or nursing home.

Attend Networking Events

Whenever conferences are being held for nursing home professionals in your area, you should be attending these types of events. Any type of charity event that benefits the local nursing home is also something that you should attend. This type of event will give you the opportunity to meet with other professionals in the field. The more contacts that you gain, the better chance you will have in landing your dream job as a recreational therapist. You should attempt to gain as many connections as possible in the field before you start the process of submitting applications.

Pursue Your Passion

During the interview process, you will set yourself apart if you are applying for a position that you truly want. If a nursing home is looking for a music director and music just happens to be your passion, then convey this passion in the interview. Don’t waste your time in applying for positions that are not relevant to your background or interests. If you are not interested in painting or sculpture, then don’t apply for a position as an art director for a health care facility.

Pursuing your dream of a recreational therapist can give you the chance to have a career that gives you independence and the ability to touch the lives of other people.

How Do I Become A Physics Teacher?

In the United States, there is a great demand for educators who can effectively teach physics to high school students. There is currently a widespread shortage of physics teachers in the United States. If you have always excelled in science and love to teach, then this may be a great career option for you. Individuals who are currently entering this profession have the power to negotiate their salaries and even teach part-time if they desire. Here are the steps that you should take in order to fulfill your dream of becoming a physics teacher.

Refine Your Interest in Math and Science

If you decide that you do want to become a physics teacher, it is essential that you enjoy learning about math and science. If you do not enjoy either of these subjects, then you will not enjoy teaching physics to students. The field of physics is usually one of the most difficult subjects that a student will study in high school. He or she may require additional help throughout the semester. To prepare yourself for the demands of this career, try to take as many math and science classes as you can through high school, college and graduate programs. This will help you prepare for the challenges that you face in the classroom.

Pursue Your Undergraduate Degree

After you have decided that you have a strong interest in math and science, you should take the time to pursue your undergraduate degree in teaching. The Physics Teacher Education Coalition is attempting to place more teachers into the field who have a specialization in physics. Currently, only one-third of physics teachers actually have a specialization in physics. You should try to pursue an undergraduate degree that has an emphasis in physics. This will make you a more attractive candidate for positions in private schools and colleges. You may also have an easier time in obtaining a position at a local community college for teaching an intro-level physics course.

Take the Praxis Exam

Most high schools now require that you take the Praxis exam to prove that you have a thorough knowledge of the field of physics. Try to take the Praxis exam before you begin applying for positions at high schools. This will make the process of finding a job easier for you, since employers will be more willing to invest in a teacher who has proven his or her knowledge of physics by passing this exam.

Gain Experience Before Applying

Before you begin applying for teaching positions, you may want to try getting a position as a physics tutor with a local tutoring company. If you do not have a tutoring company in your town, then try looking online for tutoring jobs. The Internet now provides you with thousands of opportunities to serve as a tutor for students. You can earn a great income by doing online tutoring while you are still looking for a job at a high school. You can also ask local schools to place you on a list for referrals. Some schools keep lists of local tutors in the area for concerned parents who want to help their children. By gaining experience in teaching physics to students ahead of time, you can gain confidence in your teaching abilities before you get out into the “real world.” You can also make your resume more attractive by including this experience on your resume.

When you want to succeed in the world of teaching, pursuing a physics teaching degree can be the right start. Your career will be in demand for years to come, and you can make a difference in the lives of students.

How Do I Become A Physicist?

If you love the field of physics, then a career as a physicist may be perfect for you. You can excel in this career path if you love to understand the way earth moves and how molecules work. If you have a natural curiosity and passion for science, then this field may appeal to you. To become a physicist, here are some of the steps that you can take.

Earn Your Teaching Degree

For those who have a genuine desire to become a physicist, teaching can provide them with a great start. Teaching can give a person the opportunity to solidify his or her knowledge of physics. It is also a great way to network and meet other physicists in the field. Since you will be choosing the textbooks for your students, you will have the opportunity to support the work of particular physicists that you admire. You will only need a bachelor’s degree if you want to teach physics at the high school level. If you want to teach physics at a local community college or two-year college, then you will only need a master’s degree. Teaching at a full-fledged university will require that you pursue a doctoral degree. Jobs at the university level are very competitive for physicists.

Work in Computer Technology

There are a growing number of individuals who are choosing to work in the computer technology field before becoming physicists. You can learn so much about the field of physics by choosing to work in the computer technology field. The typical jobs that people with an interest in physics seek in this field are as software engineers or software developers.

Choosing to Do Theoretical Work

Theoretical work in the field of physics explores all of those difficult questions about the universe. When you pursue theoretical work in the field of physics, you will be searching for answers to the reasons for why the earth has been created. This can be a controversial area of physics, and you can also establish a career as a pundit for news channels if you choose this area of study. You will also be setting yourself up for positions at the university level if you decide to pursue theoretical work in the field of physics. You can also gain a job as the leader of a research project in theoretical physics.

Choose a Specialization

Choosing a specialization is another way to make your career as a physicist more profitable. There are thousands of opportunities in this field. If you choose a specific niche of study, such as atomic physics, then you will find that people constantly come to you with work projects. You can even start your own independent business if you want to be in full control of your destiny.

Consider Writing Grants

One of the most popular career options for those in the science field is a career as a grant writer. If you have a knack for writing and love to express yourself, then you may enjoy a career that focuses on writing applications for grants. Hundreds of physicists need help from excellent writers in submitting proposals for grants from the government and universities. You can lend your writing skills to these physicists and earn a stable salary too. You may even want to open your own business that specializes in grant writing for professionals.

You can excel in a career as a physicist if you just keep an open mind. Being open to a variety of careers will ensure that you always have a steady flow of work and can earn a nice income at the same time.

How Do I Become a News Reporter?

Being a news reporter is one of the most thrilling careers out there. When a politician is running for office or a major world event is happening, you get to be at the center of it all. The world learns about new things through the lens of your reporting. As a journalist, you hold an incredible amount of power for shaping the way that people interpret world events. You have a great amount of influence, and it is up to you to use that influence in a wise manner. When you want to become a successful news reporter, here are the steps that you should follow.

Have a Love for Stories, Research and Information

As a journalist, you should have a passion for being part of the culture and greater society. You should have a love for stories and for telling a story in your own words. Another important aspect of being a news reporter is being able to do research and analyze information. If you have a love for learning and a natural curiosity, then you will love being a news reporter.

Have the Right Skills

In addition to having a passion and natural love for stories, you should also have excellent oral and written communication skills. As a news reporter, you will be reporting on stories that are aired to thousands of people. Having an upbeat and positive attitude is another essential part of being a news reporter. You should also be able to communicate stories in an intelligent and serious manner.

Pursue a Journalism Degree

When you are in college, you have an incredible opportunity to pursue a degree in journalism. Make sure that you attend a college where you can hone your written and oral communication skills in classes. It is okay if you attend a university that does not offer a specific journalism program. Some universities, such as the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, only offer communications classes. You can pursue a general communications degree and use this in your career as a journalist. In a general communications program, you will learn about the power that the media has for shaping the way we perceive world events. You may also be able to learn how to do research on the impact of the media in a general communications program.

If you do find a college that offers a specific journalism program, then chances are that you will learn how to communicate through broadcast television. A lot of the journalism programs now focus on how students can use social media and communicate to wide audiences through the television. Students usually no longer focus on learning how to write and report newspaper articles in journalism programs since newspapers are now becoming obsolete.

Gain Experience

Try to gain experience in any possible way that you can. If you are still in high school, then reporting for your school newspaper is one way to gain significant experience in the journalism world. If you are in college, then you can find more specific opportunities that cater to the exact type of journalism that you want to pursue. If you want to write for a newspaper, then you can gain experience by writing for one of the college newspaper. Your college may also have its own television station to give students experience in reporting. Try to seek out these experiences since they may be the only opportunities that you have to gain experience.

Lastly, always try to find an internship with a major journalism outlet if you want to pursue a career in journalism. This will help you establish yourself in the field.

How Do I Become A Library Assistant?

Being a library assistant can give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the library world. As an assistant to the main librarians, you will be responsible for helping patrons at the circulation desk or for shelving books. If you are applying for a position as an assistant librarian, here are some ways that you can improve your chances of landing a job as an assistant to the librarian.

Have a Passion for Books

People who typically end up working at libraries love the pursuit of knowledge. They have a genuine passion for reading and keeping books in an organized fashion for patrons. If you grew up hanging out at the library, then chances are that you are a perfect fit as an employee for a library. Make sure that you can handle working in a quiet environment before you take on a library job. Some people are unable to handle the constant quietness of a library, so this should be something that you actually enjoy.

Pursue a Library Science Degree

You can pursue a library science degree to bolster your chances of landing a job as an assistant to the librarian. You can find a job as an assistant in a variety of libraries. You may want to try finding a job at a library for a college, law school or other graduate school. The public library will likely also have positions for assistant librarians. The positions can be more competitive at public libraries, so you should try to think outside of the box when applying for positions. You may also be able to find positions with a local high school or private school.

Show Your Skills

There is no formal training that is officially required to become an assistant to a librarian. There are some valuable skills that will help improve your chances of landing this career. If you can show that you are a highly organized individual, then this will be a trait that takes you far in the library world. Librarians constantly want to find individuals who possess strong organization skills. You can also start out volunteering for a library to see whether it ultimately turns into a full-time position. If you can become a volunteer, then this will give you an opportunity to become well-known in the library.

You may also be able to take courses in college that help you learn about technologies that can be implemented in the library. If you can show that you have a great knowledge about ways that the technology can be improved in a library, then you will be able to be a valuable asset to the library. Librarians always want to see that individuals can make valuable contributions to the technology used in a library. If you bring some fresh ideas to your interview, then you may find that you are hired on the spot!

These are a few ways that you can succeed in pursuing your dream of being a library assistant. There are many different routes that you can take in becoming a library assistant. If you excel in your job, then you may just find that you are ultimately promoted to a full-time librarian position.

Becoming a librarian assistant can be a very fulfilling career for you. If you enjoy having the opportunity to work part-time or full-time, then you can succeed in this career. There is no better way to get into the library world then by taking on a position as an assistant. You can also learn a great deal about the organization of libraries when you pursue this type of position.

How Do I Become A Librarian?

As a librarian, one of the most enjoyable aspects of your job can be helping people find the right information that they need. Information can empower people to do incredible things in this world. A person may find the book that allows him or her to understand laws in this country, or a person may simply learn better eating habits and lose weight as a result of reading the right book. If you want to become a librarian, then you should make an effort to follow these steps in the process.

Gain Part-Time Experience

Libraries are always looking for helpers for the circulation desk and shelving books. In high school, serving as a helper to a librarian can provide you with great experience. Try to find out whether your high school is accepting applications for part-time help. You can always ask the librarian whether it is possible to do an internship during study hall hours in order to learn more about the library cataloguing system. You can also find hundreds of library jobs at a university. Learning how to work in the library system of a university can provide you with valuable experience that future librarians will love to see on your resume.

Know What’s Required of Librarians

Librarians do far more than keep a library organized. While librarians do have an astute understanding of the organization necessary for managing thousands of books, they also have other tasks required for their daily jobs. Librarians are supposed to engage the public. Librarians can engage the public by teaching them about a book series through a seminar. They may decide to host events at the library to build up interest in the community. Librarians may also be responsible for building a children’s library for kids in the community.

Skills Needed

Librarians should possess excellent organizational skills. They should also be outgoing and willing to help others find the information that they need. A librarian should be a friendly person who others can trust for receiving help. Librarians may also be required to create the budget for a library. They should understand ways to cut costs for the library every year. They should also always be on the look-out for the latest best-selling books in pop culture. A librarian may also need to know how to increase the donations for a library by engaging the local community. A librarian should have a pssion for networking with people and increasing support for the library.

Gain a Broad Education

Some colleges offer a degree in library science, but this is not the case for every college. You should also be aware that this type of degree is not required if you want to enter the library career field. Librarians actually like to see that you have an expansive knowledge about a variety of topics. If you gain an undergraduate degree in a broad field of study, then you will be empowered to pursue a job as a librarian.

Maintain a High G.P.A.

If you are able to maintain a high G.P.A. in high school, then you may be offered scholarships to attend college and pursue a library science degree. Because there is a shortage of individuals who are entering this career field, you can also gain scholarships to pursue a graduate degree in library science. You should always make sure that a graduate school has been approved by the American Library Association before you decide to pursue a degree at the school.

If you are able to do these things, then you can ultimately succeed in a fulfilling career as a librarian.

How Do I Become A Legal Assistant?

Being a legal assistant can be a very satisfying way for any person to make his or her way into the field of law. As a legal assistant, you can learn the ins and outs of being a lawyer through first-hand experience. You can also learn how to work with legal documents, meet with clients and work in specific fields of law. As a legal assistant, you may also find that your law firm ultimately wants to cover the tuition so that you can attend law school and become a lawyer. Being a legal assistant for a few years is a wise way to gain an edge for employment at a law firm in the future. Here are some steps that you can take if you want to become a legal assistant.

Have a Passion for the Law

Having a passion for the law is a must if you decide to pursue the route of a legal assistant. As a legal assistant, you will have to work with thousands of different documents that lawyers hand you in a rush. It will be your job to research different laws and draft memos for the lawyers in your firm. If you do not have a love for the law, then this task can get very boring very quickly. Many people lose their drive and ambition when they work for a law firm for just a few weeks. Make sure that you are prepared to handle the challenge of working in a law firm.

Know How to Play Secretary

You may have to do various secretarial duties as a legal assistant. A lawyer may expect you to answer phones and file various documents. It will be up to you to learn how to do these tasks. You likely will not be trained by anyone if you are working in a small legal office. You will be expected to handle everything entirely on your own. You should also learn how to work with high-powered people. There will likely be many other lawyers visiting your firm, and you will have to know how to engage them in conversation and make them feel at ease.

Obtain a Certification

There are various certifications that you can obtain if you want to become a legal secretary or a paralegal. Having a certification can set you apart from the others in your legal office. It can also put you on the track to become a secretary or a paralegal in a much faster time period than your colleagues.

Try Out a Temporary Position

If you are not sure that you want to be a legal assistant for a long period of time, then you can work with a job placement agency. A job placement agency will put you in a temporary position with a law firm. You will be able to try out the law firm and decide whether you like the environment. It also gives an employer the opportunity to decide whether he or she wants to hire you in the future.

Pick a Specialty

If you want to prepare yourself for going to law school and becoming an attorney, then try to become a legal assistant in a specific field of law. Being a legal assistant in a specific field of law, such as bankruptcy, can give you the knowledge that you need to be an effective bankruptcy attorney in the future.

By choosing to be a legal assistant, you are making a wise investment in your career. You are making a wise choice that may open doors you could have never imagined in the legal profession.

How Do I Become A Land Surveyor?

Being a land surveyor can provide you with the opportunity to play an important role in the science world. When you are a land surveyor, you have the power to help in the project of creating maps and analyzing different geographic locations of the world. People who have a natural curiosity for geography will enjoy careers as land surveyors. Being a land surveyor can provide a person with consistent employment and a stable income. Here are some of the steps that you can take in order to become a land surveyor.

Earn the Appropriate Degree

Most states require that professional land surveyors have an undergraduate degree. Depending on which state that you live in, you may need to pursue an undergraduate degree in a specific area of study. You may need to pursue a degree in civil engineering or foresting, depending on exactly which type of tasks you want to do in your job as a land surveyor. If you want to work directly in natural habitats, then you should pursue a degree in forestry.

Use the Latest Software

Understanding how to use the latest land surveying software will make you more attractive in the eyes of land surveying companies. Companies will be more apt to hire you if you can save them time and money by using land surveying software. There are a few different types of systems that you should be sure to research and use in your field. You should try to use the geographic information system. You should also try to use the global positioning system or computer-aided design program. These are all programs that will make you appear to be more tech-savvy to your future land surveying employer.

Pass the Exam

You will need to take a specific exam and pass it if you want to enter this profession. You will need to take the Fundamentals of Surveying examination. This examination can be very difficult, so you may want to invest in a tutor or company for assistance in studying for it. The exam is offered two times every year. You will be able to take the exam in April or October every year.

Pass Additional Exams

You may need to take other exams in order to become a professional land surveyor. Check with your state to determine whether there are any additional exams that you will need to take. Once you pass the exam that is administered by your state, then you will be able to start working as a professional land surveyor.

Apply to Companies

After you have done all of the necessary preparatory work to become a land surveyor, your next step will be to apply to land surveying companies in your area. Applying to multiple companies will help you find the one that has the right fit for you. Some companies may require that you work very strenuous hours and travel a lot throughout the year. Be sure that you can handle these commitments before you decide to work for a particular company.

How Do I Become A Firefighter?

Imagine being able to save the lives of hundreds of people every year. Not everyone has the privilege to say that he or she served as a hero in the life of another person in this world. Being a hero in someone else’s life is such an incredible experience that you can have for the rest of your life as a firefighter. During September 11, 2001, there were no greater heroes that we can all remember than the firefighters who willingly gave their lives to rescue other burning victims in the twin towers. As a firefighter, you take on a powerful role and are willing to sacrifice your own life so that others can be saved. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this honorable position in life.

Know Whether You Can Handle It

At first, the thought of being a firefighter can be very glamorous to people. It is to a person’s benefit to really think about whether he or she can handle the stress and physical labor that is required to be a firefighter. Deciding that one can not handle the stress and labor of this job does not always mean that a person has to stay out of the firefighter profession forever. There are other ways that people can be involved with a fire department. One may work on the administrative end of things, or one may be an assistant to a firefighter. These are just a couple of things that people can do to stay within this field.

Establish Your Credentials

The best type of schooling that a person can obtain to become a firefighter is to receive an EMT license. An EMT license helps a person to be able to administer CPR and other life-saving maneuvers during an emergency. Having an EMT license puts a person in a competitive position in relation to other applicants for a job.

Taking the Exam

You will have to take a firefighter entrance exam in your community. This test varies from city to city. It is to your benefit to speak with other firefighters in the community to get a feel for what the exam is like. You can get a feel for whether you can handle this exam if you speak with other firefighters. They may clue you into some of the subjects that are regularly tested on the firefighter entrance exam.

Other Aspects

You will have to pass a thorough background check before you are hired as a firefighter. It is best for you to be entirely honest during the interview process. You should be completely upfront about any past criminal convictions that you have. You should also be completely honest about your educational background. If you do not have an undergraduate degree, then you should be frank about this fact during the interview.

If you take some time to get organized, you can truly thrive in this profession. Take some time to really think about the reasons for why you want to be a firefighter. It is a very honorable profession, and you could become part of it.

How Do I Become a Drafter?

Drafters are called upon in a wide variety of industries. An architect may find a drafter is extremely helpful in putting together the ultimate vision that an architect has for a building. An engineer may find that a drafter is helpful in creating the vision of a great invention idea that the engineer has. Drafters can be helpful in so many ways for people. From drafting construction projects to the beautiful inventions of individuals, drafters truly play an important role in the world. If you want to become a drafter, then here are some steps that you can take to succeed in the process.

Understand Your Abilities

As a drafter, you should have a natural knack for art and creating beautiful drawings. You should be someone who excels in creating precise drawings. It is essential for you to be able to draw with a very fine eye to detail. You should also be able to create drawings that have a neat and professional appeal to them. People are going to be paying you hundreds of dollars so that you can create their ultimate vision on paper.

Create a Portfolio

You should already be in the process of creating a portfolio of all of your works. If you want to attend a design program, then you will need to submit a portfolio of your work to the program. The design program will analyze your portfolio and ensure that your portfolio works meet their standards. Your admission into a program will likely depend on the quality of the works within your portfolio.

Excel in Math and Science

In addition to having exceptional artistic abilities, you should also be someone who excels in math and science. You may need to apply various calculations to create building structures for architects. You will have to have a knowledge of how different materials work together in order to create solid structures and buildings.

Enroll in Relevant Classes

Whether you are in high school or college, you can begin enrolling in classes that will help you build up your portfolio. You can take art classes in high school to build your portfolio for admission into a design program. You may also be able to apply to specific programs at colleges. A college may even allow you to earn a dual degree in architecture and another field. Pursuing a double degree can be helpful if you eventually want to open up your own architecture business.

Learn About Drawing Software

As a drafter, you will be expected to have a working knowledge of all of the latest drawing software that can be used in your field. You should know which drawing programs are on the cutting-edge of technology.

Work at a Small Company

If you want to eventually own your own firm, it does not hurt to gain experience in a small company for a few years. Working in a small company can help you make the valuable connections that you will need to succeed in this field. It can also help you to refine your drawing style.

Becoming a drafter is an attractive option for people who enjoy having their independence and who want to be able to make their own schedules. It can also be a very lucrative career choice for people who work in the architecture field.