Articles by U Urbano on ArticleSnatch.com

Become a Human Resource Manager

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The title of Human Resource Manager can be applied to a wide variety of specialists, all of who are responsible for one or more aspects of employee hiring, training, treatment, and satisfaction. Generally speaking, they act as somewhat of a liaison between employees and employers. In a large corporation, the Director of Human Resources typically is the overall manager in charge of several departments which cover specific human resources activities. Each of these departments may also have its own manager. Employment and placement managers supervise the hiring and separation of employees. Training and development managers conduct and supervise training and development programs for employees. Labor relations managers implement labor relations programs and prepare information for management to use during collective bargaining agreement negotiations. In some organizations, particularly government agencies or large firms, EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) managers investigate and resolve EEO grievances, examine corporate practices for possible violations, and compile and submit statistical reports. Education, Certification, Licensing Most jobs in this field require either a bachelor's or advanced degree. Many colleges and universities today have degree programs in personnel, human resources, or labor relations. **End Summary** Topics: Human resource]]> manager]]> employee]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on hr management training and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Court Reporter

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Court Reporters are responsible for capturing an accurate and complete record of legal proceedings by recording the verbatim transcripts of testimony, speeches, statements and depositions onto one or more forms of media. There are a variety of methods in which this can be done. One of the most widely used is stenography, in which reporters press keys on a stenotype machine to record combinations of letters representing sounds, words, or phrases which are electronically translated and displayed as text in a process called computer-aided transcription (CAT). Another method is voice writing, where the reporter speaks directly into a voice silencer (a hand-held microphone whose sounds are masked) during testimony and transcribes the audio information afterwards. A third method involves the use of audio equipment to record court proceedings, where the reporter monitors the process and takes notes to identify speakers so that an accurate written transcript of the recorded proceeding can subsequently be made. In all cases, the court reporter is responsible for a final transcript which is clear, free from grammatical errors, and accurate in identification of names and places. **End Summary** Topics: Court reporter]]> court]]> reporter]]> law]]> NCRA]]> stenography]]> CCR]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on court reporting schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Computer Programmer

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Computer programmers are responsible for writing the detailed instructions that cause a computer to perform a specific task. The usually-complex set of instructions, known as a software program, can be written in any of several languages understandable to the computer. Programmers usually work closely with computer software engineers and systems analysts, who design how the software program will work in a high-level sense. The programmer will then take their high-level software design and translate it into a workable set of specific computer code that the computer can follow. Programmers not only write programs but often also update, modify, and expand existing programs. Most programmers know more than one programming language and typically are able to learn new languages relatively easily. The two general categories of computer programmer are applications programmers and systems programmers. Applications programmers write programs which perform a specific task, whereas systems programmers write programs which control how a computer handles the various jobs it needs to do and how it communicates with peripheral equipment such as terminals, printers, and disk drives. Education, Certification, Licensing Although some programmers hold only an associate's degree, most of them have a bachelorâ€™s degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. **End Summary** Topics: Programmer]]> computer]]> computer programmer]]> applications programmers]]> systems programmers]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on programming schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Registered Nurse

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Registered Nurses (RNs) are licensed health care professionals who assess, plan, evaluate, and provide direct nursing care to patients. Comprising the largest healthcare occupation in the U.S. today, RNs practice in a wide variety of settings. Some of these include doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics, outpatient treatment facilities, and home health care agencies. Typical duties for RNs include such tasks as recording patients' medical histories and symptoms, administering treatment and medications, helping conduct diagnostic tests, analyzing test results, and assisting in patient follow-up and rehabilitation. They are very often responsible for establishing a plan of care or taking part in the planning. RNs in many cases also coordinate health screening or immunization clinics, run blood drives, and conduct public seminars on various medical topics. Education, Certification, Licensing Those who aspire to become registered nurses can follow any of four major educational paths: a master's degree in nursing (MSN), a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma. BSN programs, offered by colleges and universities, generally take four years to complete; whereas ADN programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 years. **End Summary** Topics: Nurse]]> registered nurse]]> RN]]> MSN]]> nursing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on RN schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Nursing Aide and Attendant

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Nursing aides (also known as nursing attendants) provide basic patient care under the supervision of a nursing and/or medical staff. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing care facilities, residential care facilities, and patientsâ€™ homes. Actual duties depend on their training, experience, and the type of health care facility they work in. Some of their typical duties include feeding patients who are unable to feed themselves, bathing and dressing patients, assisting patients in walking, measuring and recording vital signs, serving meals, making beds, tidying up rooms, processing patient documents, and assisting the professional staff in examining and treating patients. Aides also monitor the patientâ€™s condition and report any change to the nursing or medical staff. Education, Certification, Licensing Specific qualifications for a nursing aide/attendant vary by state and work setting. Generally speaking, a high school diploma or equivalent is either necessary or highly preferred. Nursing aide training is widely available in high schools, vocational/technical schools, adult education programs, and community colleges. Some employers provide classroom instruction for newly-hired aides, although many aides are trained on the job by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or more experienced aides. **End Summary** Topics: Nursing aide]]> nurse]]> attendant]]> patient]]> care]]> nurse attendant]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on nursing aide schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Physical Therapist

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Physical therapists work with patients who have suffered physical disabilities as the result of an accident or a disease. Together with doctors and other medical professionals, they design a patient's rehabilitation therapy and implement the therapy with the patient over a course of time which may last weeks, months, or even years. The goal of the therapist is to help the patient restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and limit or prevent permanent physical disability. In developing the therapy program, the therapist will first examine the patient's medical history and then follow up with a series of tests that may include strength, range of motion, motor function, balance and coordination, posture, respiration, and muscle performance. They typically prescribe and monitor various sets of exercises for the patient and will continually document the patient's progress. Most physical therapists work in hospitals or clinics devoted to physical therapy. Education, Certification, Licensing The minimum educational requirement for a physical therapist in today's world is a bachelor's degree, although a master's degree is highly preferable. Degree programs in physical therapy are offered at an increasingly large number of schools accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). **End Summary** Topics: Physical Therapist]]> rehab]]> rehabilitation]]> patients]]> therapist]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on physical therapy schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Photographer

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Photographers record images and produce them onto a visual medium. The best and most successful photographers do these things in a highly creative and technically expert way. Photographers deal with a wide variety of variables including lighting, camera/lens quality, visual effects, angling, and presentation of the subject. Blending the proper mix of these variables in a manner that produces a high-quality photo is what distinguishes a mediocre photographer from a great one. Most photographers today use digital cameras instead of the traditional film variety, although some use both types depending on the nature of the assignment as well as their own personal preference. More than half of all photographers are self-employed and working conditions vary considerably. Most photographers spend only a small portion of their time actually taking photographs and much more time doing things like seeking new business or editing images on a computer. There are many varieties of photographer. Some of the more common types include: photojournalists (news photographers), commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, portrait photographers, and fine arts photographers. Education, Certification, Licensing There are no formal educational or licensing requirements for most photographers. As such, there are few barriers to entry into the trade. **End Summary** Topics: Photography]]> portrait]]> photojournalist]]> camera]]> digital camera]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on photographer training and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Middle School Teacher

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Middle school teachers are responsible for the educational development of students who have completed elementary school but are not yet in high school. Typically, middle schools cover students in grades five or six through eight. Middle school teachers delve more deeply into subjects that were introduced in elementary school and expose their students to more information about them. Unlike elementary school teachers, middle school teachers usually specialize in a specific subject, such as English, mathematics, history, or physics. Day-to-day duties are wide-ranging and include such tasks as preparation of course objectives, assignment of lessons, correction of tests, establishment of class rules of conduct, and liaisons with parents to address academic and behavioral issues. Education, Certification, Licensing Middle school teachers are subject to specific educational requirements set by the state in which they teach. Every state requires at minimum a bachelorâ€™s degree from an accredited university along with an approved teacher training program which includes a prescribed number of subject and education credits as well as supervised practice teaching. Many states require teachers to earn a master's degree in education either before they begin teaching or within a specified period afterwards. **End Summary** Topics: Teacher]]> middle school]]> elementary]]> school]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on middle school teaching degrees and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Sonographer

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A sonographer is an individual who is trained to use ultrasound technology to examine various parts of the human body. Sonographers make use of specialized sound-wave equipment to create images which may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for later use by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. They are trained to not only conduct the exam but also to monitor the screen which displays the images during the exam in order to select which images to store and show to the physician. Various specialties within the profession include obstetric sonography (the female reproductive system), cardiac sonography (the heart), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas), vascular sonography (blood vessels), neurosonography (the brain), or breast sonography. Education, Certification, Licensing Formal training to become a sonographer can take anywhere from one to four years, depending on the level of education and the credential (degree or certificate) being earned. Individuals already in the health care field who are looking to increase their marketability by training in sonography may want to consider a one-year certificate program. However, a more common approach is to pursue a two-year (associate) or four-year (bachelors) degree program at an accredited college or university. **End Summary** Topics: Sonographer]]> ultrasound]]> American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on ultrasound schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Medical Assistant

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Medical assistants are responsible for performing administrative tasks to ensure that the day-to-day processes in a health care setting operate smoothly. They work in the offices of physicians, chiropractors, and other health practitioners; as well as in medical centers, walk-in clinics, and ambulatory wellness centers. Specific duties vary depending on the location, size, and specialty of the setting. In small practices, medical assistants typically perform a wide variety of tasks, reporting directly to a physician or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, often under the supervision of a department administrator. Medical assistants can perform administrative tasks such as greeting patients, updating their medical records, filling out insurance forms, arranging for laboratory services, answering telephones, scheduling appointments, and handling billing and bookkeeping. They can also perform clinical duties such as recording vital signs, preparing patients for examinations, collecting laboratory specimens, and sometimes performing basic laboratory tests. Education, Certification, Licensing Although some medical assistants are trained on the job, formal training is preferred. Many medical assistants complete accredited 1-year or 2-year programs offered in vocational schools and community or junior colleges. **End Summary** Topics: Medical Assistant]]> health]]> job]]> assistant]]> medical]]> administrative]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on medical assistant training and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become an HVAC Mechanic and Installer

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) mechanics/installers install and maintain the wide array of mechanical, electrical and electronic components that are part of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Using special tools and equipment, the mechanic needs to be able to maintain, diagnose and correct problems throughout the entire system. Mechanics often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, although most of them are trained to do both. HVAC mechanics and installers work in a variety of locales where there is climate-control equipment that needs to be installed, repaired, or serviced. This includes homes, office buildings, retail establishments, hospitals, and factories. Most mechanics/installers work a 40-hour week and during peak seasons often work overtime or irregular hours. Education, Certification, Licensing Although some mechanics and installers still learn their trade informally on the job, most employers prefer to hire those who have completed formal training and/or an apprenticeship. The U.S. Armed Forces, as well as many technical and trade schools and junior and community colleges, offers 6-month to 2-year programs in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Quality programs are accredited by any or all of three organizations: the National Center for Construction Education and Research; HVAC Excellence; **End Summary** Topics: HVAC Mechanic and Installer]]> job]]> heating]]> Ventilating]]> and Air Conditioning]]> mechanic]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on hvac training and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become an Interior Designer

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Interior designers are responsible for planning the design of interior spaces in commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Their principal objective is to make different colors, textures, furniture, lighting, and space work together to meet the needs of a buildingâ€™s occupants. Most interior designers focus on the decorating aspect of the profession, which involves choosing a style and color arrangement and then selecting the matching furniture, floor and window coverings, artwork, and lighting. However, some designers also address architectural detailing and plan layouts of buildings, including the location of windows, stairways, escalators, and walkways. To an increasing extent, interior designers make use of computer-aided design (CAD) software tools, which provide more detail and enable easier corrections than sketches made by hand. Working conditions for interior designers vary greatly. Those employed by large corporations or design firms generally work regular hours, whereas self-employed designers tend to work longer hours and in less stable environments. Education, Certification, Licensing A bachelorâ€™s degree is highly recommended for entry-level positions in interior design. It is best to choose a school whose design program has been accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER) and/or by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. **End Summary** Topics: Interior Designer]]> job]]> building]]> design]]> Foundation for Interior Design Education Research]]> (FIDER)]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on interior design schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Chef

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A chef is a highly skilled cook who is able to prepare delicious meals and also present them as works of art. They tend to have varying degrees of responsibility, depending on their proficiency level and the type of restaurant they work in. Generally speaking, chefs are responsible for preparing a wide variety of creative and high-quality dishes within given cost constraints on a daily/nightly basis. Much of a chef's time is spent stirring and chopping foods in a hot kitchen while at the same time supervising the various duties of the kitchen staff. There are a number of varieties of chef and different types of restaurants might employ one or more of them. Smaller restaurants may employ only one chef, whereas larger restaurants may have several chefs, each with his/her specialized area of responsibility. An Executive Chef (or Head Chef) oversees every aspect of the kitchen operation, including menu creation, direction of the kitchen staff, personnel management, and business transactions (planning, budgeting and purchasing). A Sous Chef (also known as an Assistant Chef) is the second-in-command in larger restaurants and runs the kitchen in the absence of the chef. **End Summary** Topics: cook]]> meals]]> chef]]> job]]> kitchen]]> staff]]> American Culinary Federation]]> Executive Chef]]> Sous Chef]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on cooking schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Fashion Designer

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Fashion designers are responsible for creating the clothing, footwear, and accessories purchased by the billions on a yearly basis by consumers. Some fashion designers specialize in clothing design (menâ€™s, womenâ€™s, and childrenâ€™s apparel). Others concentrate on footwear (shoes and boots). A third variety of fashion designer specializes in accessory design (handbags, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, etc). Some fashion designers dabble in all three of these fashion categories. A fashion designer will always remain up-to-date by continuously studying fashion trends. He/she will begin the design process by sketching designs and will later begin to select colors and fabrics. The designer will then oversee the evolution of the original designs into the form of new clothes and accessories. The entire process cycle will typically take between 18 and 24 months. Education, Certification, Licensing A degree is extremely useful in this profession. Bachelors and associate degree programs in fashion design are offered at many colleges, universities, and private art and design schools. At a minimum a student should plan on spending two years in any fashion design program. **End Summary** Topics: fashion designer]]> clothing design]]> accessory design]]> fashion trends]]> National Association of Schools of Art and Design]]> clothing]]> footwear]]> accessori]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on fashion design schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become an Elementary School Teacher

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Elementary school teachers are responsible for the educational and emotional development of children in the beginning of their academic years. Most elementary school teachers instruct one class of children in several subjects; although some of them teach one special subject (usually music, art, reading, science, or physical education) to a number of different classes at different times. Elementary school teachers can be found at both the public and private school level. Their wide variety of day-to-day duties include preparation of course objectives and outlines; preparation and correction of tests; assignment of lessons; establishment of class rules of conduct; maintenance of order in the classroom and on the playground; and discussion of academic and behavioral issues with parents. At various times of the year, teachers are also asked to coordinate class field trips. Most elementary school teachers enjoy long holiday breaks and summers off; however they are often required to stay late after school and bring work home with them at night. Education, Certification, Licensing In terms of formal education, an aspiring elementary school teacher needs at least a bachelor's degree. **End Summary** Topics: School]]> teacher]]> elementary]]> subject]]> academic]]> educational development]]> class]]> instruct]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on elementary education degrees and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Merchandise Displayer

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Merchandise displayers are responsible for planning and arranging merchandise in windows, showcases, and/or on the sales floor of retail stores in a way that will best attract the attention of customers. Depending on the store, the merchandise can consist of clothes, accessories, furniture, hardware, or other items. Merchandise displayers take advantage of color, lighting, and space to optimize the appeal of their displays. In small stores, a displayer may work alone, designing the storeâ€'s overall layout and deciding how the storeâ€'s merchandise should be presented. In larger stores, several displayers may work together, sometimes under the supervision of a display director. For large store chains, displayers may work in corporate headquarters, collaborating with corporate marketers to develop display designs for the entire chain. Merchandise displayers generally have a stable 40-hour work week, although they can expect evening, weekend, and/or overtime work for special sales or holiday seasons. Education, Certification, Licensing Although merchandise displayers are not required to have an advanced education beyond high school, a degree or certificate in visual merchandising, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, or fine arts will help greatly in this competitive field. **End Summary** Topics: Merchandise]]> displayer]]> clothes]]> merchandise displayer]]> arrange]]> design]]> display]]> store]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on fashion merchandising schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Baker

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Bakers are individuals who prepare and produce baked goods, including such foods as bread, pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, etc. Many bakers work in small bakeries or specialty shops, where they will make small quantities of baked goods for consumers. Creativity is often required for bakers in this setting, because customers will order specialty items, such as wedding and birthday cakes, baked and decorated to order. Other bakers work in large-scale manufacturing operations, where they use high-volume industrial equipment to mass-produce larger amounts of product in a short timeframe. Many of these types of items are then sold through distributors, grocery stores, or manufacturers' outlets. Opportunities for advancement in the profession include becoming a bakery supervisor, production manager, or owning one's own bakery business. Education, Certification, Licensing An advanced education is not required to become a baker, but it is certainly helpful. A prospective baker would be smart to look for high school or community college courses in the culinary arts. An even better move would be to apply to a culinary school. Most bakers start out as apprentices or trainees and acquire experience through on-the-job training. **End Summary** Topics: Baker]]> cakes]]> culinary arts]]> job]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on baking schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .

Become a Cardiovascular Technician

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Cardiovascular Technicians assist doctors in patient diagnosis and treatment in a cardiology setting. Some of the functions they perform include ultrasound procedures, monitoring of patients' heart rates, cardiovascular procedures, review of patient files, explanations of test procedures to the patient, and operation and care of testing equipment. Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, or vascular technology. Specialists in invasive cardiology assist doctors with invasive cardiac procedures such as heart catheterizations and angioplasty. Specialists in echocardiography render assistance with non-invasive procedures which do not require the insertion of probes or other instruments into the patient's body. Some common examples are ultrasound or echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and stress tests. Specialists in vascular technology assist physicians in the diagnosis of disorders affecting circulation and blood flow. Education, Certification, Licensing Although some cardiovascular techs (most notably those who focus on administering EKGs) tend to be trained on the job, most receive training in 1- to 4-year programs. Two-year programs offered by junior or community colleges are most popular, although four-year programs are increasingly available. Those who specialize in ultrasound and vascular study will need at least a 2-year program. **End Summary** Topics: Cardiovascular Techs]]> job]]> job description]]> invasive cardiology]]> echocardiography]]> electrocardiograms]]> EKG]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article on cardiovascular technician training and careers has been provided courtesy of City Town Info .