Masters Degree Guide

Posted on May 10, 2012 by The RIC Team

What is a master’s degree?

A master’s degree is earned through completion of a graduate program beyond a bachelor’s degree. Through work to earn a master’s degree, students gain expertise in an academic discipline through intensive coursework and the preparation of a culminating project or thesis. Master’s degrees are awarded in most disciplines and at a variety of institutions, including public, private and online schools. Those pursuing a master’s degree should have strong commitment, a specific academic direction they wish to pursue for their degree, and an understanding of how the degree will benefit their future.

What degrees must a student have to pursue a master’s degree?

In order to pursue a master’s degree, a student must complete an undergraduate Bachelor degree. Some universities offer a Bachelor/Master combination degree, which is typically a 5-6 year program.

How long does it take to complete a master’s degree?

Traditional master’s degrees take 2 years to complete, with the first year focused on classwork and the second working on advanced research and a final project. Nontraditional programs offer flexible schedules, longer or shorter completion times, and a variety of culmination requirements, including testing and creative projects. Students should carefully determine the program that fits both their schedule as well as their future career prospects when choosing a master’s degree program.

How much does a master’s degree cost?

Master’s degree programs come in a wide variety of formats, which carry different costs. Experts suggest that students should take less money in student loans than they will earn in their first year of working post-degree. Students should have a strong understanding of what jobs their master’s degree will produce and how much total cost they will incur, including living expenses. Public and online institutions can offer cost-effective programs for most master’s degrees. While private schools retain higher costs, they may offer a variety of programs particular to a student’s needs, smaller class sizes, or other amenities.

Those pursuing a master’s degree who can afford to attend school full-time and take out loans to pay for tuition and supplies should consider a smaller private institution or a public school with a full time program. For those who cannot afford both school and living expenses should consider online schools or a program with flexibility. Most online programs allow students to work concurrently with coursework, allowing them to advance careers and not take out loans for living expenses.

What are some popular master’s degrees?

Some of the most popular master’s degree programs include:

Master of Business Administration: The MBA is a versatile degree that gives a student a strong basis in all areas of business, while allowing them to focus their studies in a particular area of interest. While most MBA degrees offer lucrative career advances, finance concentrations offer particularly good potential. Some concentrations include:

Finance
Human Resources
Management
Accounting
Health Care
Entrepreneurship

Master of Engineering: Most engineering careers require the knowledge obtained in a master’s degree in order to continue advancement. A variety of concentrations exist, with computer and software being the most popular and having the best long-term job prospects. Other master’s in engineering focuses include:

Aeronautics
Geotechnical
Structural
Civil
Biomedical
Electronic
Mechanical

Master of Education: Earning a master’s in education or a master’s in teaching is required by most states to earn a permanent teaching credential. To sway costs, many school districts assist teachers with tuition, or offer programming locally. Some concentrations include:

Elementary Education (K-5)
Middle School Education (5-8)
High School Education (9-12)
ESL
Math
Science

Master of Nursing: Nurses require constant continuing education credits to keep active licenses, so many earn a master’s degree in the process. Graduates of nursing master’s degrees can hold positions with great autonomy and far higher pay ranges. Master’s degrees in nursing include:

Nursing Management
Health Systems Leadership
Nursing Education
Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Informatics

Master in Finance: Job prospects in this field are expected to grow significantly over the next decade, and positions are generally stable. Popular concentrations for master’s in finance include:

Actuarial Services
Investment
Banking
Finance Education
Statistics

What are some things a student should look for in a master’s degree program?

Students should take many different factors into consideration when choosing a master’s degree program, including:

Cost
Program Goals: What is the mission statement? Does the program focus on academic work or real-life applications?
Faculty: Who teaches the courses? What kind of contacts will you make in the program?
Accreditation: Where is the school/program accredited through?

OnlineMastersDegree.com provides information and resources to prospective graduate students. There is a wealth of information on the Internet about continuing your education and going back to school for another degree. We made it simple and collected a library of useful information to provide answers to all your questions.

Public Allies Apprenticeship in Pittsburgh

Posted on December 29, 2011 by The RIC Team

Public Allies is a national movement grounded in the conviction that everyone leads. This AmeriCorps program has been in Pittsburgh since 2006, developing young leaders in partnership with Coro Center for Civic Leadership. In its first year, the Public Allies Pittsburgh Class included 25 AmeriCorps members serving as apprentices at 16 partner organizations. Between 2006 and 2009, the staff is proud to have received 249 applications, of which 77 were selected to serve as apprentices in nonprofit organizations across the region.

Public Allies Placements

AmeriCorps members support community projects in partnership with local nonprofit organizations in this full-time, paid apprenticeship opportunity. Participants go through intensive skills training, active community-building projects, personalized coaching, and critical reflection over 10-months.

As AmeriCorps members, Pittsburgh Public Allies have dedicated over 108,000 volunteer hours to Southwestern PA residents, communities and nonprofits. In addition, our allies have served over 74,000 people and recruited over 4,500 volunteers to help the region.

Public Allies: Requirements & Benefits

As Public Allies, you are required to:

1. Serve four days per week at your placement, and train on the fifth day.
2. Create, improve and expand services that address diverse issues such as youth development, education, healthy futures, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship.
3. Attend intensive weekly skill training and leadership development seminars.
4. Work in community building and team projects with a diverse cohort of peers.
5. Perform presentations of learning at the end of the year to demonstrate how each Ally met the learning outcomes of the program.

Public Allies receive as benefits for their service:

1. Critical feedback, reflection, and personal coaching toward individual performance and professional goals.
2. Earn a monthly stipend of $1,400.
3. Health care, child care, student loan deferment, and a post-service education award of $5,550.

The minimum requirements to be a Public Ally are:

1. U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status
2. Be at least 17 years of age
3. Have a high school diploma or GED

Interested in making a significant impact on your community? Public Allies Pittsburgh is seeking dedicated, service minded Allies to be part of this ten-month apprenticeship in nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh area. You must be passionate about social issues, interested in working with a diverse group of people, and ardent about developing your full leadership potential. Click here to apply online - applications are due April 6th!

Please contact Laura Pollanen at lpollanen@coropittsburgh.org or 412-259-3024 to find out more about Public Allies Pittsburgh.

Apply for a Leadership Program in Pittsburgh

Posted on December 27, 2011 by The RIC Team

"Every group has its ultimate challenge, an experience that defines those who participate
as the most talented in their field.  Track-and-field enthusiasts have the decathlon. Whiz
kids have the Odyssey of the Mind competition.  Fitness freaks have the Iron Man
Triathlon.  And aspiring public servants have the Coro Fellows Program."
- the Princeton Review

Coro fellows leadership program participants 2009-2010 Young professionals seeking to jump-start their career in the Pittsburgh region through a leadership program are competing to participate in the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. Fellows of this unique leadership program are given numerous six-week-long placements in local businesses, non-profits and government organizations in Pittsburgh. Additional centers are located in New York City, St. Louis, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Participants build their leadership skills through weekly seminars and group projects, and become intimately connected to the many community issues and leaders in the greater Pittsburgh area, through focus weeks and leadership interviews. Coro Fellows can expect to develop the ability to:

1. Analyze the resources, needs and goals of different institutions and
organizations
2. Communicate effectively with members of diverse communities
3. Build consensus among individuals with differing viewpoints and agendas
4. Envision, plan, implement, and evaluate team projects
5. Build and maintain a career network

Moreover, at the end of the program, Coro Fellows accumulate work experience in a variety of sectors, strong professional connections, and a deep understanding of the community as a whole.

Future prospects are another benefit of being part of this Coro leadership program. Due to Coro’s relationship with local universities like the Heinz School for Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Coro graduates may get:

1. Waived application fees;
2. Joint enrollment opportunities;
3. Minimum scholarship awards ($6000 per semester);
4. Preferred acceptance.

Applicants must hold a bachelors degree or have equivalent work experience to be considered. Those interested in pursuing this opportunity, are encouraged to participate in national informational webinars currently being offered by Coro. Go to www.coro.org/fellowsprogram, to see the dates/time and click on the links to register for the one that better fits their schedule.

The Coro Center for Civic Leadership is a non-profit organization founded in San Francisco in 1942. It now has centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, New York and Pittsburgh. Coro has been developing and connecting community leaders in Western Pennsylvania for over 10 years.

Application deadline for the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs is January 20, 2012. Professionals interested in applying should contact Alma Roberts, Coro Pittsburgh Recruitment Associate at aroberts@coropittsburgh.org or 412-208-0253, or visit www.coro.org.

What to Do After Graduation?

Posted on December 22, 2011 by The RIC Team

wondering what to do after graduation? confused?

You may be asking yourself this question as you prepare to graduate. Most freshmen, sophomores, and juniors once in a while will wonder what to do after graduation. The most obvious option is to get a job (or go to college, if you are graduating high-school) however, especially in this economy, I’m happy to inform you that there are other options.

Fellowships, apprenticeships, and leadership programs are an excellent opportunity for developing skills that will lead to your career advancement. Southwestern Pennsylvania is filled with options for those searching alternative opportunities after graduation as Pittsburgh is home for two amazing programs: the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and Public Allies Pittsburgh, a program of Americorps.

Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs

The Coro Fellows Program is a full-time, nine month, graduate-level experiential leadership training program that prepares participants for effective and ethical leadership in public affairs.

Through placements in government agencies, nonprofits, and for profit entities, Coro Fellows learn how to translate their ideas into action. The goal of the program is to develop leaders that will later be motivated to improve their own communities and “who can skillfully bridge the competing concerns of an increasingly diverse constituency in a world of constant change,” as stated on the program web-page.

This program entails field placements, group interviews, seminars, focus weeks, individual and group projects. The Fellows Program is offered in Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and St. Louis.

If you think you may be a good fit for the Fellows Program, you are encouraged to apply. Applications for the 2012-2013 Fellows Program are due January 20, 2012. For more information about the program and to apply, click here.

Public Allies Pittsburgh

This AmeriCorps program has been in Pittsburgh since 2006, developing young leaders in partnership with Coro Center for Civic Leadership. This full-time paid apprenticeship, is 10 months long and requires that participants (or Allies, as they are called by staff) create, improve and expand services of the nonprofits where they are placed to address issues in youth development, education, public health, economic development, the arts, the environment, and beyond.

As program participants support community projects in partnership with local nonprofit organizations, they also participate in intensive skills training, active community-building projects, personalized coaching, and critical reflection. Public Allies recruits talented young adults from diverse and under-represented backgrounds who have a passion to make a difference.To learn more about Public Allies Pittsburgh and apply, click here.

So, don’t just wonder what to do after graduation. Look into these opportunities and expand your options!

Jessica McGuinness: The Story of an EMT

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jessica M.

My name is Jessica. I’m 36 years old, I have severe hemophilia, I am a transgender woman and I’ve been an EMT in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for almost 12 years.

Jessica at work I was raised in a Marine Corps family. The two people closest to me are my step-father, a WWII veteran and my brother, a retired Gunnery Sgt. I grew up in awe of the Marines and always wanted to become one. Due to hemophilia, this never happened. Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder that causes me to bleed spontaneously, usually into my joints. It’s also extremely painful.

Another “problem” of my youth is that I never really felt comfortable in my own skin. From my earliest memories, I thought I was a girl. I remember around the age of 5, I thought that this feeling was “wrong” and I needed to make it go away. I pushed these feelings so deep inside that I didn’t know who I was. In my teens, I was a quiet, introverted loner and an awful student. I just hated everything about school. Looking back, I might have done better if I was true to myself. It was another 25 years before I put all of this together. But that’s a different story…

When I graduated high school, reality hit me hard. Around this time, I rebelled and had a pretty wild youth. I ended up gaining responsibility when I became part of the management team at my local drug store. With the added responsibility, I calmed down quite a bit. But overall, I hated my job. I felt trapped in that store day after day. I longed to have a job that “mattered”, where I wasn’t stuck indoors all day. Stocking shelves and developing pictures just wasn’t fulfilling for me.

One night, I went to the movies and saw “Bringing Out the Dead”. This night at the movies changed my life. This is a very dark movie about a burned out paramedic and I knew it wasn’t entirely accurate. However, it gave me the idea that being an EMT is an important job that doesn’t require me to be in a store everyday of my life. Within two months of seeing this movie, I was volunteering at my local EMS agency and enrolled in EMT school. In March of 2001, I was hired full time at my local EMS agency and I felt like I fulfilled part of my dream. I would never wear those fancy Marine Corps dress blues, but I got my own uniform to be proud of. I made it.

Within two months of seeing [Bringing Out the Dead], I was volunteering at my local EMS agency and enrolled in EMT school.

The first year of full time EMS work was probably the most memorable of my career. I remember my supervisor telling me, “We’re throwing you to the wolves”. To top it off, my first partner was Josh, a man known as “The Grim Reaper”. Every EMS agency has somebody they refer to as a “black cloud”. This means that bad things follow them everywhere. I swear that the wildest calls I ever had was when I was still learning how to run calls.

I like to say that learning in these “trial by fire” conditions felt like I was drowning. I was desperately trying to keep my head above water. Josh gave me a piece of advise that stuck with me for my entire career, he said “Learn to relax and have fun with it, this can be a very fun job if you let it be”. He was right. Eventually, I caught on to all of the details of my job and I think I became a good EMT. I think it took me about two years to feel that I earned being an EMT. It was now time to relax and enjoy my job.

At the end of the day, EMS really shows you how fragile life is and it’s always in the back of our minds.

I have learned that EMS providers are very unique people to say the least. Most of us become very good at separating ourselves from any situation. We are able to sit in the truck and close the door like the past hour never happened. While families are barely starting the grieving process, we are en route to Wendy’s and talking about a TV show. It’s not that we don’t care or we are made of stone. Each one of us has to deal in our own way but none of us want to dwell on anything. I assure you, thinking too hard about some things will drive you crazy. I assure you that if you take things too hard, you will not last long in the field. Over time, we all become cynical about our jobs. People need to understand that this is our 40 hour workweek. We all clock out and go home to our lives and our loved ones. At the end of the day, EMS really shows you how fragile life is and it’s always in the back of our minds.

Energy Jobs in Pittsburgh

Posted on October 17, 2011 by The RIC Team

We recently came across a fantastic source of information for those interested in the so called Energy Jobs, or jobs and careers in the energy sector. As part of the Regional Internship Center’s continuous efforts to share information about career paths and high demand jobs in our region, we decided to share with you this series of videos with information about the increasing offer of energy jobs in Pittsburgh.

The following videos were produced by WPXI-TV.

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