Heald College

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IS AN ACCOUNTING CAREER RIGHT FOR ME?
Accounting is the perfect program for people who like to work with numbers. Individuals who specialize in this area are generally good at math and very detail-oriented.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Because financial integrity and accurate reporting are crucial to business success across all industries, the accounting field enjoys relatively consistent growth, even in a fluctuating economy. Since today's accounting professionals play a pivotal role in a company's performance, people with a background in accounting are in demand.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Accounting program can pursue rewarding careers in positions, such as Accounting Assistant, Bookkeeper, Accounting Clerk, Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk, Payroll Clerk, and Administrative Assistant. Your job responsibilities will vary depending on your job title and the size and type of company where you work. In smaller organizations, the accounting staff handles all aspects of financial management, whereas accounting professionals in larger offices are more specialized. While entry-level staffers generally post transaction details, total accounts, and calculate interest charges, more advanced employees balance finances and ensure the accuracy of accounts. No matter what your position, you'll use computers to generate reports and manage spreadsheets.

As technology continues to evolve, accounting professionals will be expected to keep pace. Your Heald education covers financial software and basic computer technology, which can give you the advantage you need to continue to grow and stay competitive throughout your career.

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IS A CAREER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RIGHT FOR ME?
Business Administration is the perfect program for people who want to get broad exposure to the business world and a solid foundation in business fundamentals. Individuals who specialize in this area generally have good multi-tasking skills and a knack for problem solving.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
No business succeeds today without a broad base of versatile employees who can respond to the changing needs of the workplace. Today's job market demands capable, motivated, business-savvy individuals who exhibit proficiency in a range of business applications, and above all, professional polish. That's why employers are looking for people who are team-minded and can juggle multiple tasks at a time.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Business Administration program have a wide range of skills that can be applied in various fields. You'll be qualified to pursue rewarding business administration careers in positions, such as Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Office Manager, or Management Trainee. It's a versatile degree, so the skills you gain can be of use to you in any business administration job.

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IS A CAREER IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE RIGHT FOR ME?
Criminal Justice jobs are perfect for people who are passionate about issues related to public welfare. Individuals who specialize in this area generally have good people skills and a knack for problem solving.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Due to increasing populations in prison, on probation, and on parole, the criminal justice field enjoys relatively consistent growth, despite a fluctuating economy. The demand for employees in this line of work is steadily increasing to keep up with personnel needs in the private sector, as well in federal, state, and local government agencies.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Criminal Justice program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of positions, including Criminal Investigator, Customs Agent, Insurance Investigator, Corrections Officer, and Animal Control Agent. You can also qualify for administrative support staff positions in various law enforcement agencies.

This program prepares students for a variety of entry-level employment related to such areas as criminal investigations, insurance investigations, corrections, customs, and security. While an Associate degree in Criminal Justice may open the door to many of these careers, it is important to note that certain jobs may require additional certification graduation from higher education programs, and completion of additional training.

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If at any point you wondered about becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business or managing a business, you may be a great candidate for Heald's Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.

The Business Administration program with a concentration on Entrepreneurship educates students on business fundamentals as well as the needed skills to know how to start a small business.

Similar to Heald's Business Administration program, students will study marketing and sales, finance for entrepreneurs, and the analysis and evaluation of real business cases by successful and not-so-successful entrepreneurs. Additionally, students will create their own sample business plan at the start of the program and will develop it throughout their education at Heald. In their final course, the students' completed business plan will be presented to a group of local entrepreneurs.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: JOB DUTIES
What is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is someone who begins a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes the financial risks and accountability. The most obvious form of an entrepreneurship is that of starting new businesses. The entrepreneur is the main person behind a firm or business and must demonstrate his or her quality as a leader, choose and delegate to the right managers, formulate policies, and direct the overall operations of businesses and corporations, public-sector organizations, nonprofit institutions and other organizations.

In a small start-up, usually run by a business owner, responsibilities include accountability for the accuracy of financial reporting, purchasing, hiring, training, quality control, and day-to-day supervisory duties.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
According to a national study of entrepreneurship, funded in part by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in May 2010, more than 10 million American adults were involved in the process of starting nearly six million potential new businesses at any given time. According to the study, minorities were 50 percent more likely to start a business than Caucasians.

Additional key findings of the study showed:

• Blacks are 50 percent more likely to engage in start-up activities than whites. Hispanic men are slightly more likely than white men to be involved with start-up.
• Education significantly predicts nascent entrepreneurship, particularly for blacks and Hispanics. Approximately 26 of every 100 black men and 20 of every 100 Hispanic men with graduate education experience report efforts to start a new business. This compares to 10 of every 100 white men with graduate education experience.

Additionally, a number of reports cite women entrepreneurs are growing at a rate of three times that of men, particularly in developing countries as a means to improve the standard of living and reduce poverty.

History has shown that despite the challenges of local entrepreneurs or a mogul in the making, a savvy entrepreneur looks at the current economic climate for potential revenue-generating opportunities and considers ways to capitalize on the resources and the available workforce. Many business magnates have used opportunities presented in a down economy just as they would in a prosperous one to build their empire.

The take away is that anyone with a quality education including solid business fundamentals, and who exhibits resourceful thinking and a clear vision can foster the entrepreneurial spirit and add to the economic growth.

Through Heald's Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, you may get more than career training. You can learn how to capitalize on the "American Dream."

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IS A CAREER AS A MEDICAL ASSISTANT RIGHT FOR ME?
Medical Assistants provide care and comfort to people with healthcare needs. They're good at multi-tasking and work well as a part of a team.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
The demand for healthcare professionals is at an all-time high. As our population rises and technology advances, the need for high quality services becomes increasingly great. Medical assisting jobs are an instrumental part of this expansion. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Medical Assisting program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of settings – including family and internal medicine clinics, hospitals, pain centers – and a wide array of specialty areas.

Medical Assistants' job duties typically include both clinical and administrative tasks. While clinical duties vary according to state law, medical assistants generally write medical histories, record vital signs, prepare patients for examinations or lab tests, and assist physicians with examinations. They also perform basic tests on the premises, including drawing blood, and administering injections. On the administrative side, Medical Assistants typically update and file patient records, handle insurance forms, schedule appointments, arrange for hospital admissions and lab services, and assist with billing. A Heald degree can help you qualify for positions ranging from Clinical Medical Assistant and Lab Assistant to Patient Services Representative.

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IS A MEDICAL INSURANCE BILLING AND CODING CAREER RIGHT FOR ME?
Medical Insurance Billing and Coding is the perfect program for people who want to contribute to quality patient care from behind-the-scenes. Individuals who specialize in this area enjoy working with healthcare professionals and computer technology.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Medical billing and coding specialists play a critical role in healthcare organizations by maintaining accurate records and protecting patient health information. Because healthcare organizations are being held to higher standards, opportunities for medical billing and coding specialists are plentiful. In fact, employment of medical billing and coding specialists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. At Heald, we can help you prepare for a rewarding career in this growing field.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Medical Insurance Billing and Coding program can pursue rewarding careers such as medical record coders, clinical coding specialists, and insurance claims analysts. They communicate with doctors and other healthcare professionals, manage medical records, and code diagnoses and procedures for reimbursement and research purposes.

As a professional in this field, your job responsibilities would likely involve collecting, maintaining, and analyzing the data that doctors, nurses, researchers, and other healthcare staff use to treat patients. You could end up working in a hospital, managed care organization, ambulatory care facility, insurance company, or even a government agency.

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IS A CAREER IN MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION RIGHT FOR ME?
Medical Office Administration is the perfect program for people who want to help provide care and comfort to people with medical or dental needs. Individuals who specialize in this area generally have good multi-tasking and communication skills.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
The health services industry is thriving and medical office administration jobs are at the heart of its growth. As our population rises and technology advances, the need for high quality healthcare services becomes increasingly great. The medical office administration field is an instrumental part of this expansion, so there's never been a better time to follow this career path.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Medical Office Administration program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of positions, including Medical Office Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Patient Representative, and Administrative Assistant. With this expertise, you can be an integral part of any healthcare team, responsible for giving patients the most pleasant experience possible.

If you work for a small practice, you might handle general administrative tasks, such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filing records, purchasing supplies and equipment, and keeping the waiting and examining rooms in order. You might also educate patients about medication and special diets, and call prescriptions into a pharmacy. In larger practices and hospitals, medical office assistants tend to have particular areas of expertise, such as admissions, or insurance billing and coding.

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IS A CAREER AS A NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR RIGHT FOR ME?
Network Systems Administration is the perfect program for people who want to have a mission critical role at their place of work. Individuals who specialize in this area are generally good at troubleshooting and working as a part of team.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Opportunities abound in the network systems administration field, as companies are relying more heavily on computer networks to make their operations run smoothly. Job growth in this field will continue to be driven by rapid gains in computer and data processing services, which is projected to be the fastest-growing industry in the U.S. economy. Today's job market demands capable, tech-savvy individuals who exhibit proficiency in a range of network functions, and above all, professional polish.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Network Systems Administration program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of positions, including LAN Administrator, WAN Administrator, Junior Network Administrator, Technical Support Specialist, or Network Support Technician. You'll also be prepared to pursue the following technical certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+, Security+, and Microsoft® Certified Professional.

As a Network Systems Administrator, you can generate reports, implement and configure customer support databases, install and maintain servers, recommend hardware and software, and monitor network performance. No matter which position you hold, your Heald degree can help prepare you for great success in the network systems administration field.

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IS A CAREER AS A PARALEGAL RIGHT FOR ME?
Paralegals are intrigued by the legal process. They have an inclination towards fact finding and documentation, and are excited by the idea of assisting lawyers with important court cases.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
With Paralegals and other non-attorney law office positions in high demand, there's no better time to enter the legal profession. The consistent rise in operating expenses is forcing law offices to reduce costs by assigning important tasks to motivated support staff. As law firms and legal departments increasingly rely on this support, the demand for qualified Paralegals will continue to rise.

Employers in today's job market are looking for candidates who can multi-task to meet a variety of operational needs. Paralegals play a mission critical role, ensuring that law offices run efficiently and that lawyers are thoroughly prepared for their cases.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Paralegal program can pursue rewarding careers as Paralegals, Legal Administrative Assistants, Legal Office Clerks, and Legal Secretaries. They work in a variety of different organizations, including law firms, government agencies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and social service agencies. A Heald degree serves as a solid foundation for graduates who choose to pursue certification as a CLA/CP (Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal) administered by NALA.org. Heald's Paralegal program was designed around AAFPE's Educational Standards (American Association for Paralegal Education), a well known and respected National Paralegal Organization within the Industry.

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WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Pharmacy Technicians play a very critical role in pharmacies and healthcare organizations by handling prescriptions and medication orders and by providing assistance to licensed pharmacists. Retailers are expected to expand their pharmaceutical services and the workload will increase for pharmacists. This increased workload will spur growth and the demand for Pharmacy Technicians. In fact, employment for Pharmacy Technicians is expected to increase by 25 percent from 2008 to 2018.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Pharmacy Technology program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of settings, including institutional pharmacies (which include hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and long-term or assisted living facilities), retail pharmacies (which include drugstore chains, grocery stores, mass retailers, mail-order and web-based pharmacies), and pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers.

Your job responsibilities will vary depending on the type of company and the state rules and regulations of your organization's location. You can help licensed pharmacists prepare prescribed medications for patients. You can also establish and maintain patient record files, prepare insurance claim forms, and manage prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories. Additional responsibilities may include reading patients' charts and preparing the appropriate medications. In some occasions you might work closely with pharmacy aides performing administrative duties. A Heald degree can provide you with hands-on training in laboratory and real-world settings to get you prepared for a career in Pharmacy Technology.

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IS A CAREER IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES RIGHT FOR ME?
Software Technologies is the perfect program for people who want to master both office and computer skills. Individuals who specialize in this area are generally good at multi-tasking and working with computers.

WHAT'S THE JOB OUTLOOK?
Computers create countless efficiencies in today's marketplace, making them the essential ingredient to business success. The demand for computer support specialists is steadily increasing, as their employers rely on them to provide technical assistance to their colleagues. In fact, computer specialists are projected to be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2010. Employers in today's job market are seeking job candidates who have up-to-date computer skills and the ability to keep pace with evolving technologies.

WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY EDUCATION?
Graduates of Heald's Software Technologies program can pursue rewarding careers in a variety of positions, including Software Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Technology Coordinator, Help Desk Specialist, Customer Service Representative, and Administrative Assistant.

As a specialist in this field, you can perform a variety of administrative and computer support tasks. Your duties might include creating presentation materials for your team members or troubleshooting problems with computer hardware and software. No matter what position you hold, your Heald degree can help prepare you for great success in the workplace.