As the old saying goes your home is your castle. Whether you are building, improving, or just maintaining your home, many tradesmen or women will be assisting you to that end. When such a valuable asset is being worked on by another, quality is one of your foremost concerns. This quality comes from knowledge and experience in ones field as well as a certain amount of self respect and pride in ones work. Unfortunately, previous generations regarded these jobs with more respect, which has precipitated a collapse in the size of our younger labor pool. “Over the past ten years construction workers in the 20-30 age group declined from 40.5 percent to 26.5 percent. The percentage of workers in the 41-50 age group increased from 18 to 26 percent”(1).

Labor drying up has made it so “contractors of all sizes are on their own, forced to recruit and train on an individual basis. This is an ineffective process and cost prohibitive” (1). In a time when fewer workers are entering the market the industry is poised for growth. This gives employers fewer choices, causes them to settle for lower standards in workers and service, and allows competitors to gain market share who are willing to compromise service standards even further. “If companies want to fill their vacant positions, they might have to loosen up their hiring standards, too, said Jim Mize, manager of employer outreach at Pima County One-Stop Career Center”(5). Does this seem unfair for the consumer with their castle and the honest hard working Americans that have pride in their work?

Most high school students have no idea what one can earn by learning a trade, “A journeyman generally earns between $28 and $32 an hour (up to $64,000 a year)–a pretty nice wage for a 23-year-old. Most states require a plumber to have 2 to 10 years of experience at the apprentice level to qualify as a journeyman. My neighbor attended a trade school. He is a tool and die maker. He learned the skill in night classes. After spending time as an apprentice, he opened his own shop. It is now a multi-million dollar business” (3,4). A competent person learning a skilled trade can easily achieve the American dream. We at 10 best Tucson are on a mission to find the best home service professionals in Tucson and share them with the community. By uniting community officials and business leaders under the common goal of higher quality trades in the labor pool, the ability for honest companies to grow without compromising their excellent service records will be achievable. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao recently announced her “Skills to Build America’s Future” initiative. It “will reach out to a new generation of tradesmen and women and encourage them to use their skills and talents to find careers that will help to pave the way to a fulfilling career and bright financial future” (Doleta).

This message must be made clear to the future of our local labor market and to current workers who are considering changing careers. These skills that are currently cultivated by a unique few are ones to be proud of, and can be quite lucrative as well. Becoming a journeyman and with an entrepreneurial co-education or an enterprising spirit practically ensures an exalted status of financial wealth. These are pragmatic messages that must be presented to our youth. Our businesses can grow while maintaining their integrity and providing the absolute best possible service to home owners and customers. They deserve it. Keep a watchful eye on this topic. 10 best Tucson will be the catalyst for change.

-Todd Cuson Article Source

Article Reource:

1. Louis J. Coletti, Workforce development needs for industry are great, Real Estate Weekly, Feb 23, 2005.

2. Ilana Mercer, U.S. Jobs: Reach for the Stars e or a Hammer, Insight on the News, May 11, 2004.

3. Billijo Saffold and Bobbi Aschwanden Thomas, Should high schools prepare all students for college?, NEA Today, November 2005.

4. Susan Sales Harkins, Plumb perfect: sure, drains and pipes can be messy-but plumbing has plenty of rewards, Career World, September 2005.

5. Shelley Shelton, Local companies find tight market for workers, Arizona Daily Star, September 02, 2007.

Everyone gets stuck in a rut professionally at one time or another. Sometimes it’s just a temporary state of mind, which passes quickly and you soon find yourself back on track after a weekend off or a holiday break. But what happens when that feeling inside does not pass? You start to realize that you are unhappy more than you are happy. The job you once loved, just doesn’t excite you anymore. You get up in the morning dreading going to work and once you get there, you just can’t concentrate. You find yourself becoming what you thought you’d never would when you took that job, a 9-5 clock-watcher.

Well, buckle your seatbelt. It’s time to take the Career Change Challenge and see if you need a career change boost. Take the simple quiz below and see how many apply to you.

The Top 10 Signs it’s Time for a Career Change:

1) You no longer feel excited about going to work.

2) You find yourself daydreaming during meetings.

3) You leave a bit early or sneak in a bit late.

4) You aren’t as thorough as you once were when it comes to completing projects or meeting deadlines.

5) You aren’t feeling challenged anymore – your workday is just a routine.

6) You call in sick more often.

7) You haven’t come up with a new idea or procedure in months.
You go through the motions at work and put in minimum effort.

9) You surf the Internet looking at other opportunities when you should be working.

10) You make more personal calls on company time just to make the day go faster.

If you saw yourself in more of these than you’d like to admit, perhaps it’s time to consider making that change and finding that passion again. It’s time to decide if the right move for you is pulling out the classifieds and finding a new position in your field or perhaps finally taking the plunge you’ve always dreamed of and starting your own business. Entrepreneurship, being your own boss, financial independence, it sounds too good to be true. But it’s not.

For those wanting to start their business, it is important to find the right home-based business. You need to match your skills and experience with the business that will leave you the most satisfied and also one that will give you the greatest profits. One option that many career-minded individuals are turning to is starting a business in the lucrative educational industry. With the right skills and tools, you could become a home-based tutor broker and match qualified tutors with students in your area.

One of the reasons this is such a good business opportunity is the demand for qualified tutors is at an all time high. Nationwide, parents spent $5 billion to $7 billion on tutoring sessions last year, an 18 percent increase from 2005 according to the Education Industry Association. Five years ago there were approximately 800,000 tutors nationwide, today there are approximately 2 million tutors according to the National Tutoring Association. As you can see, now would be the perfect time to start your own business in this thriving Industry.

Laurie Hurley of Home Tutoring Business http://www.hometutoringbusiness.com is one such tutor broker. She contracts with qualified tutors and matches them with students in need of one-on-one tutoring. She has successfully connected hundreds of students with dedicated, professional teachers and tutors and is now offering her effective business procedures to entrepreneurs looking for a strong business with great earning potential.

So if you know it’s time for a career change, look to starting your own business. Find a business with lots of support, the tools needed to begin and succeed, and also a proven track record of success. 2007 can be your most profitable and enjoyable year ever.

Midlife career changes are nothing new. If you’re looking for a field with abundant opportunity and if you enjoy caring for others, nursing might be right for you. The job outlook is robust: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment among registered nurses will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008. Some reports indicate that more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. A career in nursing is also lucrative: Typical salaries start in the $35K-$50K range and increase significantly for more specialized positions. Some hospitals are even offering signing bonuses upwards of $14K. So if you’ve spent some time off from work or are looking at a career switch, following are a few tips to help get you started in a nursing career:
Do your homework. There are numerous specialties to choose from—including oncology, pediatrics, recovery, and emergency care—and several settings in which you can work. Practices range from home care to private practice to clinics to hospitals. Determine your course by actively networking. Attend career fairs and educational sessions. Contact your state nursing board, the local nurses association, or the closest chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society. The more informed you are, the better you can map out your direction.
Types of nurses include:
• Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California and Texas
• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
For more specific information on the differences, visit The Nursing Degree Guide: http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/articles/types_of_nurses/
Recognize the steps involved. According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, several steps must be taken before a nurse can enter the profession. This usually involves:
• Graduating from a recognized nursing program
• Meeting the specific requirements of the state board of nursing
• Passing the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX® examination for registered nurses (RNs) or licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs).
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Directory (list of nursing boards by state): http://www.ncsbn.org/regulation/boardsofnursing_boards_of_nursing_board.asp
Carefully choose a school. There are over 1500 nursing programs in the country. The minimum education requirement to get into nursing programs is a high school diploma, but advanced degrees require higher education. Most require an entrance exam. There are three basic types of programs available:
• For those with bachelor degrees, post-bachelor programs are available which build on your previous education and put you on an accelerated course. This allows you to finish in 12-18 months.
• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN degrees) are four-year programs at colleges and universities. They build a strong foundation, providing leadership and management skills.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) are available at two-year programs found at many community and junior colleges. Pre-nursing courses are typically required.
The school you choose is vital. It will largely determine how prepared you are for the NCLEX. The schools you consider should be state board approved and accredited.
The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.: http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm
The Nursing Degree Guide:

http://www.nursingdegreeguide.org/

The College Network (online degree options):

http://www.college-net.com/nursing/cybernurse/

American Association of Colleges of Nursing:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/

Research the financial commitment. Make sure you understand the financial commitment associated with nursing school. Tuition varies but can cost up upwards of $30,000 per year. Daunting, but the typical nurse’s salary should make it easier to swallow.
Financial Aid Resources:
• US Department of Education: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• Nursing Scholarship Search: http://www.discovernursing.com/scholarship_search.aspx
• Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
• Stafford Loans: http://www.staffordloan.com/
Take The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Once you’ve made it through the craziness of school, you still have to pass the NCLEX. Regular study combined with the education you’ve acquired should prepare you.
Link to an NCLEX fact sheet: http://www.ncsbn.org/pdfs/NCLEX_fact_sheet.pdf
Know your state’s licensing requirements. Get all the specifics on state licensure including the license period, fees, and continuing education requirements. Look into CEUs even if they’re not mandated. It’s always a good idea to stay current on knowledge and practices, and many CEUs are easily available online. SpeedyCEUs (www.speedyceus.com) offers several online continuing education courses. Make sure your state board accepts the CEUs you’re interested in.
The Nursing Center (list of state licensure information): http://www.nursingcenter.com/careercenter/licensure.asp
Go get your job! Finally, after researching, attending school, and passing your boards, it’s time to embark on your new career. Luckily, the job search should be the easy part. Your school’s placement program or an intent search should provide abundant opportunities. Enjoy the job shopping spree!

Clients considering a midlife career change often call with the question, “Should I go back to school for another degree? So I wasn’t surprised to find an article in a major business journal, featuring a Q&A around the question, “Should I get an Executive MBA after 50?”
Frankly, I wonder why the question even comes up. The real question is, “How will I benefit from a new educational credential? And how can I steer clear of embarrassing headlines, like ‘Top Executive Reveals Degree from Diploma Mill?’”
(1) Instead of asking “Am I too old,” ask, “What do I need now.”
For an under-30 student, a traditional MBA can be an express elevator to the executive suite. For a midlife career change, you’re more likely to use your MBA for networking, starting a business, or jump-starting a new career.
But will you get a lower return on your investment, with fewer years remaining in your career?
Who cares?
Five or ten years after completing your degree, you’re facing a brand new career with technologies that weren’t invented when you started out. Or you realize you’ve outgrown your career.
So these days any degree, at any age, has a ten-year life span at most. Midlife career change happens more than once in a lifetime.
(2) Education programs offer unparalleled networking opportunities.
Midlife career change usually requires networking. Degree programs offer a unique way to network without feeling pressure, bypassing informational interviews.
Your fellow students will have information about other companies, industries and professions. Professors at business schools (and other specialized degree programs, such as psychology, engineering and even music) often maintain a network of contacts.
Once I taught a class for an executive MBA program. Shortly after entering the program, student “Meredith” lost her job. Her resume landed on the desk of her classmate “Rodney.” Rodney recognized her immediately, as they’d been on a class project team together.
(3) Degree programs give you new ideals.
You’ll meet people and take classes on subjects you’d never consider otherwise. Most career change comes from serendipitous encounters, so you’ll raise your chances of finding the best opportunity for your next move.
(4) Choose a program that won’t land you on the wrong side of Sixty Minutes.
You’ve probably seen the horror stories flashed across your television screen. Mid-career professional gets doctoral degree — and then gets fired for displaying bogus credentials. Senior executive discredited when sources reveal degree from non-accredited university.
One technique: Does the university have an alumni program? If the answer is “no,” don’t bother applying. If yes, attend a few meetings as a guest. Talk to alums about their success, experiences and their memories of academic rigor.
(5) For any educational program, set realistic goals and decide whether you can meet them.
Signing up is easy. These days, you’ll find a warm welcome at universities, certificate programs, coaching programs – just about anything you might consider.
Figuring out the benefits? That’s the hard part. Let’s say your local university offers a certificate program in Human Resources. It sounds great: just four courses and you get to write on your resume, “Earned HR certificate from Local U.”
How will future employers regard your certification? That depends on the reputation of Local U, the experience you bring to the table and the qualifications of your competitors.
Any of those factors could change overnight. So entering Local U with the goal of “a career change to human resources” may not be realistic.
But your certificate can pay off through networking opportunities, an extra edge if you change jobs, even a jump start to your bored professional self.
Bottom Line: You get my favorite answer. It depends.