A court reporter salary can reach upwards of six figure salaries according to the newest career trend predictions. Depending on the level of courts that they are working in, the type of reporting that is done and whether the reporter works in an office or is a freelance contractor for a client.

Court reporters have an important job in the judicial system as they create transcripts of court hearings, legal proceedings, conversations, meeting and other important events verbatim for records, legal purposes and other places where transcripts need to be preserved in writing.

While many court reporters work for a judicial branch or court system, most work as freelancers hired by attorneys. The average court reporter salary for an entry level employee working in a judiciary office is most often between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. For those that have racked up a few years of experience, a court reporters salary can reach up to $90,000 per year.

Freelance court reporter salaries vary greatly depending on experience and the amount of work the court reporter does on a freelance basis. A freelance court reporter starting salary can be even greater as they have the option of offering other services as well, so that can increase their salary greatly. Also, besides offering their services for a fee, they can also earn money with the transcripts that they make as well, which typically range in price from between $2.00 and $4.00 per page.

To earn a certified court reporter salary, a person will have to complete a certification process that should include two to four years of education at an accredited schools, and passing a certification exam. Of course, a court reporter must be proficient with the computer or typing programs they are expected to use in their field. They must also possess a strong sense of vocabulary and have excellent language skills.

The job market for court reporters and freelance court reporters is expected to expand by over 25% within the next decade with the increase in judicial cases, lawsuits, and increased popularity in airing court sessions on television. Freelance court reporters may even see a bigger jump in demand for their services than predicted as they can provide multiple services without the employer having to hire a full time employee.

Of course, greater demand for this position will more than likely drive the average court reporter salary up from the amount that it is set at now, especially in a freelancing position as freelancers have the freedom to accept work from many clients instead of only working for one for a set wage. With increased technology, new positions may come available for court reporters over the next few years as well. Overall, studying to become a certified court reporter is a fairly safe career choice for the future.

*Note from Damen: Most of the discussions done here apply to USA only, but you can still consider this career based on your home country's situations as many points raised should be valid in other countries as well. For any questions, feel free to leave your comments here.

Related Article(s):

Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs with an Associate Degree

The requirements to obtain a registered nurse certification vary from state to state. However, in every state in the US a nurse must have some type of nursing certification before they can legally practice their profession.  There are many types of degrees and nursing certifications that a nursing student can work toward, here are a few of those opportunities. No matter what type of certification a future nurse chooses, they will have to pass a state administered examination before they can officially work as a nurse.

A Licensed Practical Nurse certification usually requires one year of college or vocational school training and/or hospital training. After an LPN has completed the required educational and training requirements, they can opt to continue their education for one more year to earn their Associates degree as an Licensed Practical Nurse. The Associates degree LPN program focuses more on technical skills than the one year program observes and also allows for the LPN to continue their education if they so desire.

If the nursing student chooses to continue their education after they have obtained their Associates of Nursing degree, they can continue on to attain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This is normally a four year program, although there are so fast track programs that allow an already licensed LPN to earn their BSN in just four semesters.

An LPN can then take the state registered nurse certification test and can then use the title of RN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN degree program and those with registered nursing certification are the most preferred by most employers as this type of degree offers flexibility in what tasks the nurse can perform.

For those Registered Nurses looking to continue their registered nurse certifications, there is a Master of Science in Nursing Degree program available through many universities throughout the country. Those wishing to specialize in a specific medical field, administration or research will usually be required to obtain a Masters degree and coinciding nurse certifications.

Those interested in obtaining a PhD in nursing can then go on to become hospital administrators or even open their own practice giving limited care to patients under a doctor’s orders.

Positions in health care, especially nursing are expected to raise dramatically over the next decade and beyond. (Side Note: Some said the reasons are populations are aging in many developed countries) If a nurse possesses a registered nurses certification, they can expect to earn significantly more than those nurses that have a LPN certification. Registered Nurses will also be offered more positions and higher up positions within their field in the coming years as well.

As you can see, there are many career options available for nurses of all levels. Experts suggest that in the future there will become even more opportunities for nurses in specialized fields. Many states understand the need for qualified nurses and offer many educational benefits for those wanting to obtain registered nursing certifications.

Related Article(s):

Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs with an Associate Degree

Radiology technicians work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and centers using diagnostic imaging. Besides being properly trained in the field, the radiology technician must also possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors and other medical professionals. They must also be efficient in operating radiological devices by obtaining diagnostic images. One of the most important parts of the job is providing accurate summaries of their professional findings within the x-rays themselves.

Those interested in becoming a radiology technician should be aware that the job does require that the applicant obtain a degree before they can begin their radiology technician training. For those wishing to complete their degrees online, there are many accredited courses available. The student should always research the college they choose thoroughly and might even call the medical facility they plan to apply for a job at to make sure that they accept a certain school’s degree programs. Some employers will only accept students from certain schools.

There are many radiology technician degree programs that one can complete in order to enter the work force as a radiology technician. An associate’s degree is the most common type of degree program for this profession and normally takes two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree will take up to four years for completion and will allow students to specialize in their field in areas such as MRI diagnostics or CT scanning. Some educational institutions offer master’s degree programs for those students wishing to build their career as chief radiologist, or even an educator in the field of radiology.

Once a student has completed their formal education, they usually have to attend specialized training classes or work in the field as an apprentice before they can take the test to become a certified radiology technician. The amount of training a radiology tech needs varies so it is important to check with local authorities to find what the laws are.

Radiology technician jobs are in high demand in most parts of the world and the demand is expected to increase within the next ten years. Radiology technician degrees can also be found as x-ray technician degree programs and are offered by many trade schools and community colleges as well as universities.

Radiologists are also paid a fairly high salary. In most parts of the country, radiology technicians at entry level positions were earning around US$30,000 per year, while those in the highest positions earned close to US$100,000 per year. The current average salary for a radiologist with two or more years of experience is around US$50,000 per year.
 
Related Article(s):

Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs with an Associate Degree

Anyone interested in becoming a funeral home director may be interested in obtaining a college degree in mortuary science. Many colleges offer two and four year degrees in the subject. Courses in physiology, pathology, embalming, restoration, and anatomy should be included in both associates and bachelor degree programs.

Once a person has made the decision to become a funeral director, they will need to become licensed by the state that they are practicing in. All states require that a person be licensed by that state before they can become a funeral director. Many of these states require that a person have completed an apprenticeship before they will issue a license. Each state requires that a person pass a state licensing examination before obtaining a license.

Funeral directors need to not only be good business people, they also need to have excellent communication skills and be compassionate and sympathetic. As a funeral director, one will arrange details of a funeral, prepare remains for a funeral, perform ceremonies (depending on the deceased person’s religion), provide spiritual guidance and comfort for those that have lost loved ones, and carry out the disposition of the deceased person or persons. Most funeral directors are also licensed to practice embalming, which is a preservation process of deceased bodies.

Many funeral director jobs are within small, family run funeral homes so the funeral directors salary will depend on the amount of business they get throughout the month or year. Most funeral homes only have one or two funeral directors, so they also serve as the record keeper, bookkeeper, etc. A funeral director salary can also depend on the amount of sales they make each month. Many funeral homes also provide caskets for sale and rent, and will make a profit from these as well.

In larger funeral homes, there is room for advancement and a chance to increase funeral director salaries by becoming home manager, branch manager or even general manager or the funeral home company has more than one funeral home that they run.

With the population of baby boomers reaching old age within the next ten years or so, funeral directors will become more and more in demand. Job growth in the funeral home director industry is expected to grow at above or at the least average rate over the next ten years, especially for those funeral directors who also specialize in embalming. Funeral directors salaries are also expected to raise on average as much as other industries within the next decade.

(*Note from Damen: Most of the discussions done here apply to USA only, but you can still consider this career based on your home country’s situations as many points should be valid in other countries as well. For any questions, feel free to leave your comments here)

To begin a dental hygienist career, one must complete at least two years of school, earning either a certification or an associate’s degree plus complete an accredited dental hygiene program in order to become licensed. Of course, the education requirements will vary from state-to-state. If a person wants to earn a larger dental hygienist yearly salary, there are also bachelors degree  programs available through many colleges, universities, and trade program schools. It is important to be aware that there are many colleges and online “diploma mills” that promise an accredited diploma or certification by paying money and doing little work. These places are bogus and you will not be hired by professionals with this type of diploma.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is real growth in the dental hygienist job area. Growth in the job field and dental hygienist salary range is expected to continue to climb in the next ten years as well. While many dental hygienists go on to work with dentists, there are many other professions that they can go into as well.

Some licensed  dental hygienists salaries can be increased significantly by transitioning into sales of dental equipment and supplies. These hygienists travel to dentist offices around the country showing dentists the newest in technology and latest dental products available for them to potentially offer their patients. Others transition into the education field teaching dental hygiene to school-aged children and through college workshops.

As you can see there is a wide variety of career opportunities for dental hygienists with room for a large increase in a dental hygienist salary. If you  are interested in this type of career, it is important to research the opportunities available in your area as well as the types of accredited programs available. With the right training, you can begin your rewarding career in dental care by helping teach and assist others in maintaining healthy dental habits.

Related Article(s)

Top 15 Highest Paying Jobs with an Associate Degree

For new high-school graduates and adults already in the job market alike, the question of furthering your education can weigh heavily on the mind. Should you enroll in a four-year university? Or should you consider a two-year associate’s degree at a community college instead?

Continuing your education either way will certainly enhance your value in the job market, but while both options have their benefits, enrolling in a community college may be the best choice for many people. Here are some reasons why:

Community college offers smoother transition for high school grads

High school seniors go from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a huge ocean, and this transition can be very difficult for some students. The smaller campuses and class sizes are a gentler introduction to college life, allowing younger students a better opportunity to adjust to greater independence and heavier workloads.

Greater individual instruction at a community college

Because universities are typically so much larger than two-year junior colleges, class sizes are much larger and personal instruction is less possible. This is especially true of most the pre-requisite courses taken during the first few years, which are typically held in large auditoriums. Smaller two-year colleges, on the other hand, offer the same courses in much smaller classes, with more opportunity for personal interaction with instructors and other students. Since oftentimes the instructors at community colleges are active in the workforce themselves, this one-on-one interaction with the professors gives you access to more real-world experience.

Community college prices are more affordable

Some recent sources indicate that the average annual cost of attending a community college can be as little as one third the cost of a year at a four-year university, placing a much lighter financial burden on families and your budget.

Easier access

If you do not live in a major metropolitan area, then attending a large university may involve a long commute. However, community colleges are just that: in your community! The convenience of a closer location not only saves time and money in commuting, but also helps those who already have a job and are looking for a career change. Many community colleges offer night and weekend classes, as well as online coursework for even greater flexibility.

Targeted preparation for specific jobs

Attending a four-year university usually involves about two years of taking preparatory pre-requisites for your major course of study. However, at a community college you can begin training in a specific field right away, with more targeted two-year degrees that will jump-start your career much more quickly.

Hot jobs available for community college degree holders

 There may be more well-paying jobs available to two-year Associate Degree holders than you think.  Did you know that a dental hygienist, for example, can make up to $58,000 a year? If you don’t already have a career in mind, talk to a Career Advisor on staff at your local community college for ideas.

For a list of the top 15 highest-paying jobs that are available with an Associate Degree, visit: 15 Hot Jobs for Two-Year Degree and Associate Degree

If you’re undecided about the field you want to enter

Many people, especially recent high-school graduates, may not be quite ready to declare a major course of study. Since in general the first two years of a four-year degree are spent taking general courses required in many fields of study, it makes sense to take these classes at the less expensive junior college.  After two years, if you have a better feel for the field you’d like to enter and decide to continue with a four-year degree, almost all universities will accept your coursework credits from an accredited community college.

Deciding to make a career change isn’t an option reserved for younger workers.  Older members of the workforce are still in demand and will find many opportunities when it comes to making changing careers.

The following statistics show that employers value older and more experienced employees:

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that from August of 1989 to August of 2003, more than 380,000 jobs were lost by workers ages 15-24 in favor of older workers.  Some of this was brought on by younger workers becoming full-time students, but it also shows that Australian employers sought out older workers.
• In the Netherlands, according to figures from December of 2000, over 500,000 employees are age 55 and older.  This number has grown steadily since 1995.

If you’re an older worker who has decided to make a career change, here are some tips for getting the job you desire.

Career Change Tip – Emphasize Experience

When older workers update their resumes, they should highlight their experience and accomplishments.  In most cases, these will outweigh the experience of younger applicants and give the older applicant a definite advantage.

Employers often look a steady employment history and for long periods with the same employer.  Since employment history is one of the most important parts of the resume, older workers should focus on it.

Older workers who have frequently changed jobs and only spent a short amount of time with each employer should de-emphasize this in their resumes.  Many employers see frequent job changes as a negative.

For more information about putting together a strong resume, visit The Nuts and Bolts of Writing a Good Resume

Career Change Tip – Update your Skills

Update your job skills when making a career change.  If you are seeking employment in a professional field, look into certification programs.  Read up on new developments and trends in your chosen field.

Read this section on Further Studies to Advance your Career for more information.

Career Change Tip – Conduct an Online Job Search

Conduct an online search for job openings.  Some employment agencies advertise jobs for seniors online.  Using internet search engines, you can narrow your search to the jobs which you’re interested in and to the geographical area where you want to work.

The following resources are available for older workers making a career change who live outside the United States.

For Asian jobs, visit The Top 5 Career Websites for Asian Jobs.

For European jobs, visit Top 5 Career Websites for European Jobs.

For Indian jobs, visit Top 5 career websites for Indian Jobs.

Career Change Tip – Suggested Jobs for Older Workers

Jobs that are not limited to younger workers include the following:

1. Specialized professional work, such as medicine or engineering.  Experience is a strong factor when being hired in these fields.

2. Lecturing and public speaking.  There is no age requirement for speakers who are invited to lecture on a specific topic.  Knowledge and experience are determining factors for this type of job.

3. Writing.  Non-fiction and fiction writing require good writing skills.  Many writing jobs can be done at home, which is a plus for older workers.  With more writing opportunities opening up on the internet, this is a good area for a career change.

Here are a
few tips to help you cope, and get started on your next executive
career search, if the axe happens to fall on you during the recession.

Don’t take it personally.
If the official position given for your lay-off is the recession, make
the choice to believe it. Sure, it goes against the grain, but it is
still the right attitude to hold. It is a far more empowering choice of
attitude than choosing to think that the boss has recommended you for
the axe for personal reasons, which is where the mind is likely to go
by default.  Yet, if you choose to take the recession-induced lay-off
personally, you might find your self-esteem shattered, which might lead
to anger and deep depression, making the task of starting an executive
career search and securing another job a difficult, if not impossible,
undertaking.

Don’t go into denial. The earlier you accept
the sad fact that the inevitable has happened, the better for you. 
Harboring the illusory thought that the company is likely to reconsider
their decision and reinstate you is likely to do you more harm than
good. Remember, everything happens for a reason, and your lay-off could
actually be a blessing in disguise. In fact, you have the power to make
your lay-off a blessing (at least in some way), if only you choose to
use that power. You could, for example, use the period between your
lay-off and getting another job for self discovery, which can then lead
to lifelong happiness.

Get Moving Immediately. A
recession-induced job loss is not like being fired for other reasons.
You don’t need to put yourself in an extended period of mourning and
torture yourself with extended soul-searching. Instead, you need to
start looking for other opportunities immediately; knowing full well
that getting a job in a receding economy is likely to take longer than
it would otherwise take. So the earlier you start the search, the
better for you. You don’t need a situation where you end up exhausting
all your savings before you get your next job and earn your first
paycheck. A good place to start is with an executive career search.

Improve on Your Skill Base. If
getting another job during the recession indeed takes longer than you
had anticipated, use the increased free time to update your existing
skills, and develop other skills relevant to your career. This is bound
to increase your marketability in the job market, and help your
executive career search go more smoothly,  as job tasks tend to get
consolidated (to save on the headcount) during the recession.  This
task consolidation in turn favors multi-skilled individuals. Moreover,
updating your existing skills and developing others is bound to keep
your mind occupied during the period between your lay-off and getting
another job, thus immunizing you from the negativity which tends to
take root during such hard periods.

As discussed in some of the
articles in this site, make sure to take classes and complete
certification programs to boost your skills in various areas. Refer to
the section Further Study on this website, to read more about this topic.

With
aid of these tips, you can keep yourself afloat, or at least keep your
head above the waters, even after falling victim to the recession axe.

Another situation in which asking for a raise during a recession is justifiable is in the cases where when you were hired (before the recession really manifested) you took up a job with evidently lower pay, with a promise of a more realistic pay package once you proved yourself on the job after so many months.

Failing to ask for the raise can lead to feelings of apathy towards your job, which could result in poor performance, with the consequent tragic effects on your career. Being paid far less than you are worth could also lower your self esteem, impeding your general sense of happiness in life.

The Importance of Justifying Your Reasons for a Raise

Studies show that, during a recession, companies tend to lay off redundant or in-competent staff. But, surprisingly, employers will raise the salary of competent staff to keep up their morale. Before you ask for a raise, think about if you belong to the competent group!

Review your past work and what you have done to help advance the company. What have you contributed? Are you directly involved in the revenue-generating operations for the company? If not, can you make that connection?

It is important for you to justify your own reasons for a salary raise. The easiest way to sort that out is to relate your work to any possible contribution to your company’s revenue. Think about this creatively.

Even if you are not in the sales positions to generate direct business revenue, you can think about ways you have helped the company save money by enhancing internal efficiency or reducing man power.

This helps enhance your negotiation skills when bargaining and it helps your boss agree with your justifications more easily.

The Importance of Proper Timing

The key to successfully asking for a raise during a recession is proper timing. You don’t start hustling your boss for a raise just as he has received a report painted in red circles. Asking for a raise is bad news in itself for your boss.

The reality of the matter is that you are a resource (a human resource) to your boss, and a raise for you means increased cost for the business. This is bad news for a manager, whose brief is to minimize costs and maximize profits.

The worst thing, then, that you could ever do then is to bombard your boss with such ‘bad news’ when he has just received some other bad news from elsewhere — and bad news for businesses is not in short supply during a recession. 

Not even excellent negotiation skills are likely to help you if you bring up the issue during a time like this. Therefore, you should try to ensure that your raise request coincides with a positive time for your boss and the company. 

The good news we are talking about here need not be good in absolute terms. Absolutely good news for businesses is a rarity during a recession. The good news we are talking about includes relatively good news, like when the business, on landing a certain deal, realizes that the effects of the recession won’t be so hard on it, after all.

The Risks

Keep it in mind that asking for a raise (even in a flourishing economy) is always a risky but often necessary. Also remember that asking for raise is sure to induce your boss to reconsider his options, at least momentarily, so make sure that you are worth the money you are asking for and that you have the negotiation skills to back it up.

In the end, a properly timed salary increase request, even in a recession, is bound to be looked at favorably, if not immediately honored.

There are quite a few internet resources at your disposal for finding a good job in Europe. The top five career websites for European jobs include Monster.com, JobcentrePlus.uk, Stepstone.com, Careersineurope.com, and Jobnut.co.uk. These sites focus on many different types of jobs, including technical support jobs and related IT computer categories.

Each site is unique, and each can help you find a rewarding job in the European Union. Here is a little more information about each site:  

http://www.Monster.com: It’s little wonder why Monster.com is so highly rated. With an estimated 6 million visitors weekly, Monster.com provides career seekers with an extensive job database highlighted by an “International Jobs” link, which will help you find a rewarding technical support job or other career in the IT industry in any country in the European Union! Not only that, Monster.com offers great advice on building your resume, attending job fairs, and even paying your taxes abroad.

http://www.JobCentrePlus.gov.uk: This is one of the UK’s largest and most popular career websites, and can boast nearly 2.5 million hits per week! This site offers a wide range of jobs, including technical support jobs and IT career fields, and also provides sound advice on living and working in Europe, worker’s benefits, and more.

http://www.stepstone.com: with nearly 2 million visitors weekly, Stepstone.com taps into some of the most popular careers in 13 countries. This comprehensive site offers online job boards and career advice for job seekers and also human resource organizations. Particularly emphasized are the IT career field and technical support jobs.

http://www.careersineurope.com: This site offers “virtual attendance” to live job fairs to many of the highest salaried careers in Europe, and at the same time offers a comprehensive database that is broken down by company or category.

http://www.jobnut.co.uk: This one is an easy-to-understand career website that breaks down listings into 32 different categories — including technical support jobs — which in turn link to countries throughout the European Union. Updated “daily vacancies” make this job site one not to miss.

Careers in the European Union can’t really be pigeon-holed into one specific category, as each country has its own demands. For example, in Italy there remains a great need to fill skilled positions such as electricians and pipe-fitters, while at the other end of the spectrum sales opportunities abound. In Germany, IT jobs such as software engineer, IT trainer, computer technician, and network developer are in high demand, while other countries such has Austria have a great demand for technical writers and web developers.

The best advice: narrow your search for a specific job in a specific European country and start submitting a resume that is crafted to the career of your choice.