(ARA) - If you're one of the 150 million Americans older than 18 who does not have a degree, you may need to explore your options. A degree is rapidly becoming a necessity in this job market, as 4 out of 10 new jobs in the next decade will require some type of college diploma. But the huge number of choices can sometimes lead to confusion.
Where do you go for clarification? Jan Schulte of Atlanta, Ga., recently sought assistance from career coaches at the Empowerment Tour 2009, an educational counseling experience offering education opportunities and career advice through a program called the Career Stimulus Package. "My background is in real estate and because of the volatile market, I was recently laid off," says Schulte. "The coaches gave me some great advice. This is a fabulous time for me to retool and add to my resume and online education can give me the flexibility to do exactly that."
Schulte was among the many job seekers in Atlanta and nationally who have taken advantage of the Empowerment Tour. Designed to "Educate. Empower. Employ," the tour is sponsored by eLearners.com, an education company that in the past two years has sent 6,000 adults to college by raising more than $6 million in full-ride scholarships. The Career Stimulus Package is providing an additional $4 million in full-ride scholarships. The tour will travel to some 40 cities, concluding in Los Angeles on Sept. 9.
Many prospective students like Schulte see flexibility as the key to their educational future. They are looking for schools that embrace online and hybrid (on- and off-line) education. As a result, they are increasing their productivity, reducing the time needed for a degree and assisting in controlling their own destiny.
In addition to free career counseling, participants in the Empowerment Tour will have the opportunity to apply for more than $4 million in scholarships at 8 accredited online colleges, including American Public University, Capella University, Ellis University, Everest University Online, Bryant & Stratton College, Virginia College, Ashworth, and Western Governors University. Scholarship recipients will also receive a 1 week, paid internship at 1 of 9 innovative companies, including CareerBuilder, Dictionary.com, EducationDynamics, Elance, Entrepreneur.com, Habitat for Humanity, Spud!, ZipRealty, and Orbitek.
President Barack Obama noted at a recent announcement on job training that, in today's economy, "education is the single best bet we can make." The Empowerment Tour is proving this true on a daily basis and has laid the foundation for many Americans to improve their careers when they did not think it was possible. It has enabled people to make the smartest investment possible in these times -- themselves.
Invest in yourself by going to
CareerStimulus.com and take advantage of the programs available to improve your career -- $4 million in scholarships, free career counseling and paid internships in the field you desire.
Sponsored content provided by ARALifestyle.
Sponsored content provided by ARALifestyle. Copyright ARAnet, Inc.
