College Being

It all starts out like a dream relationship. You and your spouse graduate from college, get married, and even move into your first house. Your spouse now brings up the idea of going back to school. He has always wanted to be an attorney but put it all on the back burner. Now that things are somewhat calmed down the opportunity has presented itself. Instantly, a lot of thoughts go through your head – thinking about exactly how do you become a lawyer? How much does it cost? Or how long does it take to become a lawyer? These questions are valid and important to discuss before making a decision.

What’s Involved in Becoming an Attorney?

Graduating from high school and college are the first steps to becoming an attorney. After getting your four year degree you need to apply and attend law school to get your Juris doctorate degree. After law school the bar exam needs to be taken. Finally, after passing the bar exam a newly appointed lawyer will be sworn in. Including high school, it’s an 11 year journey to become a lawyer. Law school is typically only 3 years though.

What’s The Cost Associated With Becoming an Attorney?

Some schools can be as “inexpensive” as $20,000 a year and more prestigious schools can cost upwards to $50,000 + for each year. The good news is that there are a lot of student loan options available. Interest rates are pretty reasonable and you can take out a little more then what school costs to help cover additional living costs. Some people take out loans to make up for the lack of income the miss out on if they are going back to school later on in their life.

Paying Our Bills? Where Do We Start?

Student loans are available to individuals looking to go back to school. Most student loan programs understand that working full time while attending school isn’t plausible. For the spouse not going back to school is can sometimes be difficult for them to understand but it’s an important part to recognize in order to be supportive. Bills need to be paid but you would be amazed how much you can save by just making small cuts from your normal spending patterns. For example:

• Making your coffee at home – each coffee from Starbucks costs $3-$5.00
• Readjust cell phone plans – $5-$10 per month can be saved by downgrading data & texting plans.
• Downgrade or cancel your cable – Netflix and RedBox is an extremely cheap alternative to cable saving nearly $50.00 per month.
• Call up insurance companies – Do you need full insurance on your car? Can you raise your deductible on your house? These have their pros and cons but you’re looking to cut just a little from several bills. This option can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
• Nobody said the money aspect of going back to school would be easy but outlined above are just a few options to easily save hundred dollars per year. When you’re living off of an income that is less then what your use to every dollar saved counts.

Being Supportive Is Hard But Rewarding

It’s never convenient for you or a spouse to go back to school. It’s a big commitment, expensive, and adds stress to the entire family. Knowing that your significant other is supportive of your career choice is very rewarding. They will remember that you stuck with them and you both can share stories and laugh about the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ experiences together. Life isn’t always meant to be easy, hopefully you both can get through this together and enjoy more good times later on in life.

Nicholas is a husband to a law school student and has gone through the debt and pressures of getting a family member going back to school. To help other aspiring lawyers he created how-to-become-a-lawyer.com which lists all the legal requirements and law schools by each state.

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Do you want to pursue a management career position or want to get promoted in your job? Consider going back to school to increase your education. Enrolling in an online school will help you gain valuable skills and latest knowledge in your respective field. So, if you want to qualify for management job opportunities or wish to move up in today’s marketplace. Consider the below mentioned online degree programs that could help you increase your marketability to prospective employers.

1. Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration

Opting for an online bachelor’s in business administration degree could help you get into the field of management and prepare you to get an MBA degree. A bachelor’s in business administration degree provides students a solid foundation in management strategies, operations management, accounting, economics, and business policy and strategy. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration can hone your leadership and management skills while preparing you for various lucrative careers including financial manager, personal financial adviser, accountant, financial analyst or more.

2. Online Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems

Individuals interested in pursuing leadership positions while using their computer expertise can opt for an online bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. There are various affordable online schools that offer online bachelor’s degrees in the field of information technology (IT) that could greatly help you improve your chances to find management career opportunities. Obtaining an online bachelor’s degree in management information systems can potentially prepare you for a supervisory position. You will likely take courses such as management, finance, marketing, database management, and systems design. Individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems can work as a computer and information systems manager, chief technology officer, computer network administrator, and computer-support specialist.

3. Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)

Pursuing an online MBA degree might be prudent decision for individuals looking to hone their expertise. An online master’s in business administration can help individuals build management and communication competencies through course assignments and projects. In fact, an online MBA degree program prepares students to manage a whole organization while developing their communications skills and the confidence level. In order to enroll in an MBA program, students are generally required to have a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Usually, it takes two years to complete an MBA program, and students will likely take courses in finance, marketing, accounting, and management. Pursuing an online master’s in business administration can prepare you for various lucrative careers including sales manager, public relations manager, advertising manager, marketing manager, top executive and more.

4. Master’s in Health Care Administration

If you want to increase your expertise in the field of healthcare and desire a management level position, an online master’s degree in health care administration is well worth consideration. Pursuing an online master’s degree in health care administration could qualify you for various executive or managerial careers in different organizations. In a master’s degree program, students will learn how to plan, direct, and coordinate health care services in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other health care facilities. Students might take courses such as hospital organization and management, marketing, accounting, law and ethics, and health information systems. Candidates having a master’s degree in health care administration are eligible to work as a medical and health services manager, clinical manager, nursing home administrator or more.

5. Online Master’s in Human Resource Management (HRM)

Opting for an online master’s degree in human resource management is another worthwhile option for individuals who already have experience in the field and want to purse a senior management position. An online master’s degree in human resource management focuses on helping students understand about strategic aspects of human capital management as well as train them to understand how business decisions are made. Indeed, selecting an online master’s degree in human resource management can open doors to careers in global markets. Individuals holding a master’s degree in human resources management can choose to become human resources director, vice president of human resources, director of industrial relations, human resources consultant or much, much more.
Choosing the above mentioned online degree programs are indeed a prudent choice that can not only develop your competencies but prepare you for lucrative management career positions in a myriad of business areas.

Kelly Gibson is a professional webmaster. Her main area of interest is educational research. Check out her blog for online college brochures, useful articles on online education, accredited online schools, universities and much more.

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