LearnHowToBecome.org wants you to achieve your academic and career goals. To help, we've provided in-depth information on how to pursue a myriad of careers, as well as how to conduct an effective job search in a variety of fields and industries. Our guides include insight and advice from several experts and extensive research on different career paths. Peruse this section for a look at the education and training needed to begin - or advance - your career.
Paying for college and getting used to college life can be difficult for LGBTQ students who may be ostracized for their differences. By assisting LGBTQ students in figuring out how to pay for college, we hope to help relieve some of the stress. This guide provides resources and identifies scholarships for college-bound LGBTQ students.
Historically, minority students have had to overcome many hurdles in order to attend college. This guide helps them overcome one of those hurdles by providing resources to identify scholarships and financial aid for minority students heading to college.
As tuition costs continue to rise even for distance learning programs, it is important for students to learn about the financial aid options available to them. To help make online college more affordable, we've put together this guide on scholarships, loans, and other funding available to distance learners.
In addition to the fixed costs of college, students with disabilities often face additional financial hurdles to attending and succeeding in college. This guide focuses on highlighting the financial aid and scholarship options available to students with disabilities.
There are many options and opportunities for financial aid available to military veterans and service members, and thousands of dollars go unused every year. This guide helps eliminate confusion by helping students find financial aid offerings while avoiding scams.
To combat the rising costs of higher education and continue ensuring women's access to a college education, many scholarship and financial aid opportunities have been established specifically for female students. This guide helps women find the financial resources they need in order to fund their college education.
While many students choose to begin their career in the military directly out of high school, others choose to pursue a bachelors degree before enlisting. Holding a bachelor's degree can open up additional career paths in the service, and this guide answers questions and provides details for students interested in college before the military.
Interested in pursuing a career that’s far from normal? This page explores 15 weird and unusual careers, how much each pays, and what level of education is required to get there.
After spending years in a career, it can be difficult to transition into a new one. This is particularly true for workers over 50. In this guide, older job hunters learn how to leverage their extensive experience, as well as get trained on new skills, in order to successfully change careers.
People who enjoy working with numbers have many career options. From accounting to engineering to marketing analyst positions, people who work with numbers may be more likely to get lucrative salaries in the Silicon Valley and beyond. Find out what types of careers are available to numbers people, if a master’s degree pays off, and where you can get started.
Having a career in sports doesn’t mean you have to be an all-star athlete. From mental and physical health services, sales and marketing revenue, and sports media content, there are plenty of opportunities for sports fanatics to be a part of the game. Find out what it takes to turn a passion for sports into a career.
Heroes come in many forms, especially when it comes to the nurturing and protection of children. While some jobs, such as a child therapist, are an obvious fit for helping children, you might be surprised at the breadth of careers where you can make a difference in the lives of children. Learn more about careers where you can be a champion for children including what these jobs entail, salary details, and education required.
From birds to whales and dogs to tigers, the animal kingdom offers several different employment opportunities for animal lovers. This guide explores the top fields and careers within the animal industry and provides detailed information on how individuals can turn their passion into a fulfilling career.
Ready to grow a new career? Green thumbs and gardening fans can take their hobby to the next level by exploring the many educational and job opportunities available in plant-based industries. From agriculture and horticulture to landscape design, a career working with plants can be both scientific and creative. This page helps degree-seekers dig into the possibilities.
Even though much progress has been made since the 1963 Equal Pay Act, women still earn less than their male colleagues. From education to improving negotiation skills, this guide explores why this is still the case and what women can do to help close the gender gap.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees offer a firm foundation for some of the more stable and high-paying jobs being offered in the U.S. This guide explores some of the high-paying STEM careers available and offers dozens of educational, financial and career resources for those interested in pursuing a degree and career in the STEM specialties.
More and more people are trading in the traditional 9-to-5 job to become a digital nomad. If you've been dreaming of traveling the world without sacrificing a paycheck, read this guide for expert information on how to make the transition.
Going green is not just a slogan or something people do on recycling day. As consumers become more concerned about protecting the environment and businesses gain awareness about the importance of offering environmentally-sound products, the green job sector continues to grow. Learn about the green job market, including what careers are booming, where students can find internships, and what degrees best prepare students for this exciting and impactful field.
Mention forensic science, and most people immediately think of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. They picture hard-working individuals taking pictures at crime scenes, bagging evidence, looking intently through microscopes in a spotless laboratory and getting immediate answers from high-tech equipment – as well as interviewing suspects, chasing down the bad guys and even getting into shootouts. On the screen, one person does numerous things in the law enforcement and criminal investigation world. But the truth is that each of those important steps is usually done by a different person, someone trained in a particular branch of forensic science. Learn all about these careers in this comprehensive guide.
Stress is a healthy and common response to challenging situations. Chronic stress, however, can lead to a range of unhealthy outcomes. This guide looks at the most common sources of workplace stress and offers expert tips on how to deal with it. Find out what you can do to keep your stress levels manageable and at a healthy level.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be extremely challenging for professionals who travel often for work. However, with a little bit of planning and mindfulness during your trip, you’ll be more equipped to a maintain healthy diet and fitness regimen. This guide offers expert tips and advice for traveling professionals on how to choose healthy foods, keep up with exercise, and monitor your health on the go.
Staying in the same career for 30 years is quickly becoming a rarity. Whether one decides to go back to school, takes time off to care for a family member or goes from military to civilian life, this guide provides advice and resources to help ease the stress of the transition.
The unemployment and under-employment rate for spouses of active military members is approximately 56%. Learn about the challenges spouses face and solutions, along with valuable resources.
Some careers, like elementary school teachers and nurses, have been traditionally held by women. But these female-dominated careers can have a lot of benefits for men, too! Find out the advantages and challenges of having a non-traditional career for men.
Often called the backbone of society, teachers fill a crucial role in our communities by educating young generations and preparing them for adult life. And while many teachers couldn’t imagine themselves in any other profession, their days are often filled with both highly rewarding experiences and significant challenges. Because our nation’s educators don’t have much extra time on their hands, this guide was created to connect them to useful resources that will help them in their jobs.
From gravediggers to floral designers and all the spooky jobs in between, there might be a creepy career that’s right for you. This guide dives into the most lucrative careers that deal with the dead, as well as a list of scholarships to help you avoid being buried alive in student debt.
For some, a high-paying career is a top priority. This guide offers information on 30 different careers with high salaries, along with details on what you can do to earn the top dollar.
Volunteer work is not just a great way to contribute to a local community it can also be used as a stepping stone to a rewarding career. This guide covers the importance of volunteering, what it's like to work in the nonprofit sector, and how to find the perfect volunteer or non-profit opportunity.
Women are increasingly being encouraged to pursue careers in nontraditional fields such as science, technology, engineering, medical, military and blue collar fields. From higher salaries to a diversified skillset, learn how women may benefit from pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Hear that shattering sound? It’s the sound of women breaking glass ceilings everywhere. One of those places in in law enforcement, where the ceiling was once so thick that women couldn't hope to break through. But over the past several decades, women have proven themselves in a wide variety of positions that were once reserved for men, and more departments across the nation are seeing the value in hiring female officers and other law enforcement workers. Get job growth, salary information, resources and expert advice for careers in law enforcement for women.
Veterans are often known to carry their work ethic, discipline, and dedication with them into the workforce when their military career is over. This guide highlights the career opportunities that may await veterans with disabilities and why employers should seek to hire them onto their teams.
Despite the protection of anti-discrimination laws, there are still thousands of reported discrimination incidents each year. This guide helps employees identify problems, know their rights, and take the right steps to report their complaints.
Most recruiters use software to screen resumes, and that requires job seekers to personalize their resumes with the right keywords to match specific job descriptions. This guide helps candidates learn how to tailor their resumes to make it past the software screening and improve their chances of landing a new role.
Job hunting can be time-consuming, so it’s a good idea for people to use their search time wisely. Apps are a great way for job seekers to find their dream career anytime, anywhere. This guide features the 12 best job search apps, why we think they’re useful and how to use them to get your hired.
While job search sites are abundant, they're not all created equally. Looking for a job is a job within itself, so seekers don't have time to mess around with sites that aren't going to be a fruitful use of their time. This guide highlights the best job search sites and why they're on top of the heap.
Apprenticeships have been a valuable tool for training new craftspeople for thousands of years. They work under the supervision of expert-level craftspeople while also completing classroom hours. Apprenticeships are basically a paid scholarship, where the study is highly focused on one subject. Learn more about how to find apprenticeships and what kind of industries employ them.
Ready to work remotely but not sure where to start looking for work-from-home positions? These cities and companies are a great place to start. Check out the best cities and top companies for remote work in today.
College career centers offer a lot more than just help with your resume. Find out what services your career center may offer, such as mock interviews, networking help, and robust job listings. Plus, discover how you can take advantage of these services to help you choose a career path and land your dream job.
At least 1 in 5 employers has asked an illegal question during a job interview in the past, while approximately 1 in 3 employers don’t know whether it’s legal to ask those questions. This guide highlights some of the most common illegal interview questions and what to do when you’re presented with them in an interview.
Employment numbers for individuals with disabilities are on the rise in the United States. More and more people with disabilities are finding successful, meaningful careers in a variety of industries, thanks to accessibility accommodations and businesses employment diversification efforts. Though mental and physical disabilities can still present unique challenges when it comes to finding work, a disability should not limit anyone’s career aspirations. Learn more about how to navigate the job search and find ideas for the best career for your abilities.
Knowing how to dress professionally and deciding what to wear can be overwhelming, especially for those new to their career. From casual attire to business formal, this guide covers how to dress for success, wardrobe staples everyone should include for work, and expert tips to consider when choosing your professional outfit. Brush up on professional attire tips and guidelines here.
It’s never too soon for graduating college seniors to begin their job search. In this challenging job market, it’s imperative for students to get a head start on their search and a leg up on their competition. This guide helps college students through the job hunt, from the initial job search to landing an offer.
Degrees and certificates earned from vocational and technical schools and community colleges enable workers to seek out specialized careers requiring focused training. While the careers featured in this guide require two years or less of formal training and education, workers choosing these paths will be on the front lines of exciting new positions in high demand, particularly in the healthcare industry.
Even the most qualified candidate can get shaken by an unexpected or difficult interview question. Examining tough questions, their purpose and ways to approach them can help job-seekers feel confident and prepared going into their interviews. This guide highlights several of the toughest interview questions job-seekers face today and incorporates expert insights on how to tackle them.
Some job-seekers may believe that when they’re hired for a job, they must accept what’s being offered to them in terms of salary and benefits. But in fact, in many cases, they can successfully negotiate better terms for a job offer so they don’t end up leaving money on the table. Continue reading for negotiation strategies, as well as information on what parts of a job offer can be negotiated and how to create an effective counter offer.
LinkedIn is a popular source for professionals to find jobs and for employers to find potential employees. Plus, recruiters are constantly reviewing applications sent through the social network and conducting their own searches based on keywords, groups and user profiles. However, you don’t have to wait for employers to come to you. As soon as a profile is complete, LinkedIn members can start their own job hunts using site resources. Check out this guide to learn how to effectively job hunt on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a great tool that professionals can take advantage of to build valuable connections with others in their field, establish thought leadership, and keep a pulse on industry events and updates. However, when looking to use this platform to your advantage, it’s important to be aware of best practices and etiquette rules. Check out this guide to learn how to effectively network and use LinkedIn for professional development.
It takes a lot of work to land a job interview, but that's only half the battle. Interviews are a hurdle that candidates must successfully jump in order to get the position they want and they should be taken as seriously as any other part of a job search. Candidates will learn what to do before, during, and after a job interview as well as what blunders to avoid.
There are many positive reasons for job seekers and current professionals to attend a career fair. Whether you’re looking for a new position or taking the next step in your field, career fairs are a great way to network with other professionals and learn about job opportunities. This guide offers expert advice to help you plan for, attend and nail your next career fair.
Considering the amount of time people dedicate to their jobs, it’s important for them to be able to navigate the workplace in a way that reduces stress. This guide provides tips on how to make mental health a priority and information on how some organizations have made improving mental health a part of their culture.
Paid training programs, such as apprenticeships, private training programs or even workforce development opportunities, can help students achieve their career goals while still getting paid. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the possibilities available through paid training programs and how you can get started with your education and training.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to job hunting online. The best practices for handling a job search can vary, depending on where applicants are in their career. This guide provides advice on how to conduct a job search online specifically for recent graduates, mid-level professionals, career changers, and executives. In addition, there is information for veterans who have freshly completed military service, as well as those who have recently lost a job or relocated.
Although the need to have a resume has remained tried and true, the way resumes should be presented has changed over the years. In order to present themselves as serious candidates, job seekers must craft a resume that is both professional and eye-catching. Explore the evolution of the resume, including what hiring managers currently expect and what old-fashioned resume writing advice should be retired.
Going back to work after raising kids can be hard, but many parents successfully reenter the workforce after taking significant time off. Get expert advice on choosing a new career, building a current resume, preping for interviews and transitioning back into the workforce.
In the current, competitive job landscape, generic resumes won’t get job-seekers past the initial screening, let alone land them an interview. But with a few tweaks, candidates can tailor their resumes to specific positions, industries, or job levels. Find out what changes you should make to your resume to increase your chances of landing your dream job.
Short-term certification programs, where a student can earn a career certification in six month or less, can help you achieve your career goals faster, and in turn start earning a paycheck faster than if you were studying for a college degree. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the fields offering the best certification programs and how you can get started.
When you’re in search of a new job or career change, updating your resume to reflect your current skill set is step one. As technology advances, your skills need to reflect those changes as well. Find out which skills companies prize most in 2019.
Plenty of companies in the U.S. are known for their veteran hiring practices. They recognize the skills that set veterans apart: leadership, commitment, discipline, flexibility and mission-orientation. These are traits that take years to develop in non-military employees and they are in high-demand. Find careers and companies where you can put these skills to use.
When servicemembers complete their military obligations, the next phase in their working life begins. It can be challenging for veterans to navigate their way through the civilian workforce, but this comprehensive guide can help. Learn about the job search tools available specifically for veterans, how companies benefit from hiring these candidates, and the vocational rehabilitation programs that vets can take advantage of.
Internships provide valuable hands-on experience and networking that one typically doesn't get in a classroom. Get resources, tips and tools to find the perfect internship locally or abroad.
Do you feel like your job isn’t challenging enough? Or that you’re not putting your hard-earned college degree to good use? Many college grads start off their careers underemployed and find themselves in that same situation years later. Find out what underemployment is, learn about the warning signs of underemployment and get expert tips on how to get the job — and pay — you truly deserve.
Looking for a way to travel while earning a steady income? Many employers are beginning to understand the value of telecommuting to the virtual office, and there are new opportunities every day for careers in fields like medicine and travel tourism that will keep you on the go. Find more careers and learn what you can make when you combine work and travel.
Students choosing between an online program or traditional, on campus college experience should consider the unique professional skills an online education provides. Learn more about how online learning can prepare you for workplace success in a global workforce, and which skills may put you ahead of the class when it comes time to land a career.
To help keep you on top of your professional game, it’s important to constantly be developing your professional credentials. This usually consists of activities like attending conferences, completing various courses and learning opportunities. However, social media platforms like Twitter allow for constant professional development. Twitter is an incredibly powerful tool for sharing information, meeting new people with similar interests. Learn how to set up a professional Twitter account and kickstart your professional development and networking here.
Although Twitter is mostly viewed as a social media tool, it can also be an excellent resource when searching for and landing a job. This guide details why this platform is an underrated job search tool, how to best utilize Twitter to find hidden job leads, prepare for an interview, and offers a look at great Twitter accounts all job hunters should follow.
Work experience programs enable potential employees to build skills and contacts while earning a paycheck. This guide addresses important questions about work experience programs, highlights 10 roles that allow workers to learn on-the-job, lists some of the best prospects for careers that may offer paid training, and provides expert advice.
Working remotely appeals to a lot of job seekers. However, there are many work-from-home scams that can cause real trouble for potential employees. Learn how to spot common scams and get tips for finding legitimate remote job.
Working from home sounds appealing to a lot of job seekers, but not everyone is well suited to remote work. Find out the common challenges of working from home and get tips to overcome them. Plus, find out where to find remote jobs and get answers to FAQs.
For transgender students, entering the workforce can create many questions and concerns. But even seasoned professionals who are transgender can find it challenging to navigate the workplace. In this guide, transgender employees and job seekers can learn more about their rights and protections as well as get expert advice on job hunting and coming out at work. Employers can also see what basic steps they can take to ensure their office is inclusive and find a list of helpful resources for more information.
While most recent college graduates are eager to start their professional careers, it can sometimes be difficult to land a job straight out of school. Find out why you may be having trouble getting hired. Plus, discover what you can do to improve your chances and keep motivated when morale is low.
With public and private universities, online education, and vocational schools, there are many options available for students to obtain higher education. Deciding on what option and program is right for a student takes time and effort. This guide helps prospective students discover the top schools near them, read about financial support options, and get started on the path to higher education.
While recent strides have been made in the effort to achieve equal rights for the LGBTQ community in college, the need for help and support remains. This guide helps LGBTQ college students learn about and access those resources to help them succeed in higher education.
Over 80% of single parent households in the U.S. are led by women, who often face financial hardships in providing for their families. One way to ease the burden is through career prospects that open up after obtaining a college degree. This guide provides resources for single mothers to help them start and complete their journey through college to a better paying career.
Although more young students with disabilites than ever are completing their college degree, more than half still are not successful in that pursuit. This guide helps students with disabilities understand their rights, access resources available to them, become self-advocates, and fulfill their educational goals.
Returning to cilivian life can be a challenge for military servicemembers, but it can be made easier by pursuing or continuing a higher education degree. There are abundant resources available to veterans, although it can be difficult to know how to best take advantages of those opportunities. This guide provides a starting point for veterans looking to fulfill educational goals after the service.
More than half of military spouses are unemployed or underemployed, and an additional 25% have to work multiple jobs in order to meet their expenses. This guide provides spouses of our servicemembers with specific resources and tools that can help them further their education and advance their careers.
Minority student enrollment in college has had strong growth over the last several decades, but access to the resources which address the ongoing disparities in education is inconsistent. This guide aims to connect minority students with those resources so that they can successfully pursue their educational goals.
If the thought of taking the ACT stresses you out, you’re definitely not alone. Luckily, there are several ways to prepare for the exam and alleviate that stress before the big day. This guide offers a detailed overview of what college-bound students can except to see on the ACT, information on how to understand scores, test prep resources from apps to tutorials and advice from a test prep tutor who achieved a perfect 36 on the exam.
Balancing the demands of work while also seeking an advanced degree may at first seem like a recipe for disaster, but with commitment and planning it can be done. Learn more about specific companies that offer tuition help, how to balance work and school and common requirements to qualify for assistance.
College students decide to transfer to other colleges or universities for many reasons. They may have exhausted their credit opportunities at a two-year school and need to transfer to a four-year school, they may decide to switch to a major that their current school doesn't have, or they may just find out that their current school just isn't a good fit. Whatever the reason, they're not alone. Learn more about why college students transfer school and how to transfer schools in the most painless way possible with tips, expert advice, and valuable resources.
Almost 14 million people work while pursuing some form of postsecondary education or training, according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. That’s about 70% of college students and 8% of the labor force. This may be the new norm but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. If you’re a student – or are thinking about going to college – and working full-time, this guide offers expert tips to help you balance the demands of school, work and everything in between.
Undertaking an online college education is a big decision and LearnHowtoBecome is here help students smash through challenges and achieve success in the digital classroom. We’ve rounded up an exhaustive list of helpful resources, tips and strategies to ensure new online students are well-prepared for the road ahead. We have also called on experts and graduates who have succeeded in online education to provide insider knowledge and advice.
Before kicking off their college career, most students will need to complete the SAT to prove to admissions offices and scholarship panels that they are ready to study at the postsecondary level. This guide is here to help students understand the SAT, learn valuable test prep strategies and connect to additional resources that are designed to help them prepare for and nail the SAT.
Career and vocational schools serve the purpose of getting students into the workforce via classroom learning and hands-on experience. This intense, targeted instruction and training is increasingly available online, as online schools strive to offer two-year and vocational students the opportunity to pursue parts of their education and training online. These schools have many features that allow them to offer better online instruction to these students than ever before. Find out how online schools can prepare students for careers in vocational subjects such as medical support, nursing, information technology and more in our Online Schools Guide Book.
Returning to college as an adult might seem overwhelming and unrealistic, whether you attended college in the past or never pursued a higher education. Fortunately, there are many perks for adults who are returning from college. If you’re considering returning to college as an adult, this guide can help you understand the benefits of attending college, how to balance life outside of your education, how to apply life and work experience towards your degree, and how to best pay for school.
Going to school while maintaining a career can be challenging but beneficial. Fortunately, employers increasingly understand their employees aren’t the only ones who benefit from increased education — their companies do, too. This guide explains how you can take advantage of your employer’s education benefits.
The amount of information on smoking and its health risks is staggering, yet its use around the world is significant – particularly in underdeveloped countries. This guide explores degrees and careers in public, mental, and physical health where individuals can help others quit this life-threatening habit.
Regular access to clean water is something most of people take for granted. Yet hundreds of millions live without this essential human right. Many communities lack the proper infrastructure to connect to clean water sources, and global warming is predicted to increase water scarcity even further. To help end the water crisis, professionals in public health and other fields are applying their expertise. Learn more about pathways to these careers and how they are helping bring clean water to communities in desperate need.
We're facing a global shortage of teachers and English-speaking educators are in high demand. There are numerous ways American teachers can go abroad and make a difference in world education. Find out how to find a volunteer, tutor or teaching position overseas and how to educate the world's children while seeing the world.
Whether through research, education, counseling or treatment, experts in many fields dedicate their professional lives to fighting HIV and AIDS. Learn more about careers where you can make a meaningful difference in HIV/AIDS prevention (including potential employers), explore trustworthy donation opportunities, and get tips for steering clear of the HIV virus.
English illiteracy is a problem that impacts individuals and communities alike, with rippling effects that can influence broader issues such as economic stability. Fortunately, there are many opportunities to help. This guide shows who needs the most literacy help while highlighting career and volunteer paths where caring individuals can share the joy and fulfillment of reading and writing.
People who want to have an impact in the fight against poverty probably don’t have to look far beyond their personal and professional interests to make a difference. From teaching and urban landscaping to law and mental health, there are many career and volunteer opportunities available for people who want to help others escape poverty and lead more fulfilling lives.
For many people, keeping their weight at a healthy number is a constant struggle. But it’s a challenge that must tackled head on: Today, over one-third of American adults and one in every six children and adolescents are considered obese. Professionals are battling the obesity epidemic through research, treatment, counseling and coaching – yet more are needed. Learn about the dire health consequences of obesity, and careers where you can help others live life at a happy, healthy weight.
Vaccinations and immunizations continue to play a major role in stopping disease outbreak across U.S. and foreign communities. This guide takes a comprehensive look at vaccinations and immunizations (including why they’re still necessary) as well as careers where individuals can make a difference on the front line of disease prevention.
Mental health issues are a very serious concern in the United States. Unfortunately, there aren’t nearly enough professionals or volunteers available to provide adequate care to everyone who suffers from mental illness. This guide provides insight into what help is needed, the various careers that individuals can pursue in the mental health field, and how those who step up to help can truly make a difference.