If you are an active duty or National Guard/Reserve servicemember, veteran or military spouse - have you thought about the portability an online education could offer you? Online education is a great way for servicemembers to go back to school while serving their country. Online courses and degree programs are developed specifically to provide the flexibility needed to fit the op-tempo and duty schedules of servicemembers as well as the hectic lifestyles of military spouses. How Online Education Works Online courses follow the same format as traditional college courses, with a professor, textbooks, homework, exams, etc. However online courses have a much higher degree of flexibility and usually use a combination of message boards, e-mail, chat rooms, CD-ROMs and textbooks. In a typical online course the professor will post weekly reading assignments, study questions and schedule a group online chat time. The student must post answers to the study questions and respond to at least one other student's postings by the end of that week. Online courses typically have weekly deadlines - however, your daily/weekly study schedule is completely up to you. At the end of the course or module you will have a final exam (lower level) or written essay requirement (upper level) summarizing the context of the class. Just like in traditional college classroom courses, your success comes from a willingness to commit to your coursework. On average, online students spend a couple of hours a day studying. It is also essential for you to have a strong desire to learn and remain focused on the goal of earning the college degree - it is your degree that will expand your career opportunities. There are a number of questions you should ask when choosing the right school and program for you: Does Military Tuition Assistance or the GI Bill cover the costs of the courses? Does the school grant academic credit for Military schools and experience, as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE)? Does the media (CD-Rom, e-mail, internet, etc) fit your needs and abilities? Does the school have the program that fits your education goals? If you think "online" may be the best fit for you, we encourage you to begin looking for the school that meets your needs. Schools usually have free information packets they will mail you with answers to the questions listed above, more on tuition costs, and an application. Ed4Online offers over 600 online courses in 4 distinct areas of online education: 1) Career Training, 2) Personal Enrichment, 3) Professional Development, and 4) Health and Human Service Training. Find out more here! For more information and blog posts on Military Career Education please visit here: http://milcareered.com/       

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave".  ~Elmer Davis July fourth is a time to slow down, take stock and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy every day.  All of us at Ed4Online wish you a safe and wonderful 4th of July.   Please take a few minutes to watch this inspiring tribute:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_U1sK4s_Ek         

In many high schools across the nation, shop class is non-existent.  Consequently, so are the potential trades-people that are born out of that early exposure to tools and machinery.  What is America going to do without skilled workers who can build and fix things? According to American Job Training Investments: Skills and Jobs to Build a Stronger Middle Class, "Too many businesses can’t find skilled workers for jobs they want to fill, while too many people looking for a job may be ready to learn new skills but may not be certain that there’s a job waiting for them on the other end. Community colleges are one of the best ways to train workers with the skills they need for a job, and hands-on apprenticeships are one of the clearest paths to a good, secure middle class job. In fact, 87 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs and the average starting wage for apprenticeship graduates is over $50,000. " In 2011, Mike Rowe, creator of the TV show "Dirty Jobs," testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on the  ways in which skilled manual labor has been undervalued in America. "In a hundred different ways, we have slowly marginalized an entire category of critical professions, reshaping our expectations of a "good job" into something that no longer looks like work. A few years from now, an hour with a good plumber -- if you can find one -- is going to cost more than an hour with a good psychiatrist. At which point we'll all be in need of both." It’s time to reach out to a new generation of tradesmen and women and encourage them to use their skills and talents to find careers within a skilled trade that will help to pave the way to a fulfilling career and a bright financial future. Ed4Online is proud to support this effort by offering many courses in the Skilled Trades category.  Please visit our Skilled Trades Career Course Catalog to peruse courses in Medium/Heavy Diesel, Automotive and Motorcycle Technician, HVAC/R Technician, Gunsmithing and more!   Sources: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/16/fact-sheet-american-job-training-investments-skills-and-jobs-build-stron http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarabrown/2012/05/30/the-death-of-shop-class-and-americas-high-skilled-workforce/ http://www.mikeroweworks.com/2011/05/mike-rowes-oral-testimony-to-the-senate-commerce-committee/         

Military life is difficult and adding going back to school can seem like an extremely daunting task. The first challenge is finding a school that is not only flexible but also offers the degree you desire and that fits with your budget. The first time I went to college it was a brick and mortar school. Online education did not really exist at the time making it the only option. I was young and had fun. I played a sport, lived in the dorms, and went to class. I had very few responsibilities, however that quickly changed. After graduating I had a degree and with it came a job and lots of bills and eventually an amazing husband which brought with it a very challenging life. The degree which I had worked so hard for was not applicable in most locations the military could send us. That was when I turned to online education. There were many hurdles in deciding which school to attend. First was the cost, then the flexibility, the ability to stop and start the program and whether or not credits earned would be transferable in case something happened and I had to transfer. While the school I was attending was a little more expensive for graduate school in Education than most state schools, I was able to apply for scholarships that helped to cover some of the cost.  Apply, apply, and apply for any and all scholarships. Every little bit helped and I was surprised at some that I was eligible for and received. Call the admissions office and the financial aid offices; there were scholarships available just for the school I was attending as well as they had knowledge of the best ways in which to apply for some of them. The program however proved to be flexible in that there were class times available in the evenings; it was inflexible in that there were set class meeting times twice a week. One major challenge I was not prepared for was the guilt of having to do homework or be "in class" while my husband was home. He was always gone at work, TDY or deployed and while he was home it was difficult paying attention to school work and "class", especially knowing that he would most likely leave again soon. Thankfully my school was flexible in letting me stop and start the program and while the program was supposed to only take 2 years it ended up taking me 3. I decided to try online education once more, hoping that an additional bachelor's degree would help to open up job opportunities. I decided to pursue a degree in Psychology. While the same challenges arose, at least with the school I chose it was a little more affordable and again I applied and kept applying for every scholarship I could find information about. While I still have the guilt of having to do homework instead of spending time with my husband when he was home, the program is more flexible in that most classes give you a week to complete assignments, which allowed me to spread out the reading and class work to complete assignments while my husband was TDY or at work. While I also work full time, I could read the textbooks on breaks and at lunch. We even PCS'ed directly in the middle of a few of my classes and with the help of Starbucks free wi-fi and the local USO, I was able to find internet connections to complete assignments. While not ideal, I was able to continue taking classes even though we had moved to a different state. Going back to college and being a military spouse has been challenging, however if you have the support of your family and you are motivated do not let anything stand in your way.            

In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, designated July as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Bebe Moore Campbell was an accomplished author, advocate and national spokesperson, who passed in November 2006. Campbell advocated for mental health education and support among individuals of diverse communities.  This month, we bring awareness to the disparity in mental health treatment and access to care among minority groups in the U.S. with the hope that increased public awareness could bring about positive changes for these communities. Background Mental illness affects one in four adults and one in ten children in America. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to and availability of mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care. Furthermore, mental illness is a leading cause of disability; yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment, and racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. are even less likely to get help, according to the National Alliance for Mental Illness. During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, help raise awareness in your community. Encourage your family, friends and loved ones to learn more about improving mental health and illness. NAMI and Ed4Online ask you to Take Action to raise awareness about mental health! Why is this awareness so important? According to the Office of Minority Health minority groups in the U.S. are experiencing a disparity in care and increased mental health problems as a result: African Americans and Mental Health: African Americans are less likely to receive accurate diagnoses than their Caucasian counterparts. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are 3 times more likely to report psychological distress. African Americans are 20% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non-Hispanic Whites. Non-Hispanic Whites are more than twice as likely to receive antidepressant prescription treatments as are Non-Hispanic Blacks. The death rate from suicide for African American men was almost four times that for African American women, in 2009. A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 - 1995; the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233%, as compared to 120% of Non-Hispanic Whites. Asian Americans and Mental Health: Older Asian American women have the highest suicide rate of all women over age 65 in the United States. Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death for Asian Americans in 2009. Southeast Asian refugees are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with trauma experienced before and after immigration to the U.S. One study found that 70% of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care were diagnosed with PTSD. For Asian Americans, the rate of serious psychological distress increases with lower levels of income, as it does in most other ethnic populations. Hispanic-Americans and Mental Health: Hispanics living below the poverty level, as compared to Hispanics over twice the poverty level, are three times more likely to report psychological distress. The death rate from suicide for Hispanic men is almost five times the rate for Hispanic women, in 2009. Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 70% higher than for White girls in the same age group, in 2011. Non-Hispanic Whites received mental health treatment 2 times more often than Hispanics, in 2008. American Indian/Alaska Natives and Mental Health: While the overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Natives is comparable to the White population, adolescent American Indian/Alaska Natives have death rates at twice the rate for Whites in the same age groups. In 2009, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10 and 34. American Indian/Alaska Natives are twice as likely to experience feelings of nervousness or restlessness as compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Violent deaths - unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide - account for 75% of all mortality in the second decade of life for American Indian/Alaska Natives. While the overall death rate from suicide for American Indian/Alaska Natives is comparable to the White population, adolescent American Indian/Alaska Native females have death rates at almost four the rate for White females in the same age groups. In the face of these statistics, it is important to encourage increased diversity and diversity training among those who serve minority populations. Some things to consider when working with minority populations: Many minority groups tend to rely on family, religious and social communities for emotional support rather than turning to health care professionals, even though this may at times be necessary. Mental illness is frequently stigmatized and misunderstood in minority communities. Members of minority groups are much more likely to seek help though their primary care doctors as opposed to accessing specialty care. With greater understanding, awareness and education around cultural differences, we can all do our part to decrease the stigma and improve access to care for all. One important piece is education. Ed4Online offers a course on Culture, Race and Ethnicity among others to increase the cultural competence of providers of mental health services as well as to provide students with general information for working with specific racial and ethnic groups. All with a vision towards improving access and removing barriers to mental health care for all. For more information on courses offered, please visit: https://ed4online.com         

Professional Development is an ongoing process that should continue throughout one's career.  It’s necessary to stay up to date on the latest trends and information in your field in order to remain capable and competent in your position.  Many professionals find that online learning is a perfect fit for them and their development needs.  Why? Flexibility and Convenience.  Online learning can be done from your office or home at your own pace. In this flexible learning environment (wherever, whenever), you set the pace. Open scheduling also allows you to take the courses you need whenever it best suits you and your schedule. Networking.  Online courses allow you the opportunity to network with your peers all over the country. In addition to connecting with mentors via email to address concerns or questions, an online student center gives you the opportunity to interact with others through discussion boards, etc.    Accessibility. Online courses allow access to information 24/7, 365 days a year. You simply need a good internet connection and you are ready. Learn from the best. Look for courses developed by industry professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise in your area of study.     The latest information at your fingertips. For those who want to stay informed about changes in the business world or are perhaps exploring moving to a new career; there is no better way to get up to date on current trends and information.  If you are currently out of the work force; taking online courses can show prospective employers that you have worked to stay informed and are prepared. We are continuously adding to Ed4Online’s course catalog in order to give professionals the information they need to keep their skills and knowledge relevant.  We are a wonderful resource for all of your online learning needs. Continue learning with Ed4Online!         

When businesses hire military veterans, the workforce gains invaluable skills because of military training. As a veteran transitioning out of the military, you may have doubts about the type of jobs out there and whether or not you may qualify for it. Employers take on the job training such as military experience, but if you are looking in another field you have no experience in - there are options for you to obtain the training in that field in as little as 60 days and use your GI bill and tuition assistance in the process. Here are the top 4 in demand jobs for transitioning military and how you can obtain training and certification in these fields. Information Technology IT was rated one of the top jobs for transitioning military as well as military spouses because of the portability of this job. Many jobs in this field are even work from home and can fit right within your busy schedule. Medical & Healthcare The medical and healthcare field is always on the list because this is one field that will never disappear. Hospitals, medical offices and even rehabilitation centers are always looking to hire skilled medical employees. Skilled Trades What are skilled trades? Actually a large majority of military already have most of these skills, and perhaps they never thought about applying it to a job once out of the military. Mechanics and technicians are just a couple of the skilled trades out there that are in demand. Business Management Business makes the world go round, which makes this field very flexible for what you want to do and also can be applied to almost anything. Business can vary from project management, human resources, marketing, public relations and even social media. Ed4Online's career & vocational training courses contain everything a student needs to succeed in their field of choice. If you don't want or need a college degree, then career training is the perfect fit to help you find your dream job. Many military veterans already have the experience, why not turn it into a career?         

With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer.  Many know of the benefits to their community. But did you know that as a volunteer, you gain many benefits as well? Volunteering can help protect your mental and physical health; it can improve your social and even your career networks and so much more! According to Help Guide and a Harvard Study the many benefits of volunteering to you can include: Increased self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals. Decreased depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and help you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. Improved physical health. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease. Gaining work experience: working in the field or a position that has transferable skills will help you become more experienced when you are looking for that job. Help with resume building: add volunteering to your resume. Businesses, either for or not for profit, want to see you that you’ve been busy, so show them how you took the initiative to volunteer at a local nonprofit and be specific of what you did. Being the leader or creating a new and helpful tool will prove to the potential employer that you are an asset to their organization. Gaining new skills: work experience is invaluable; there are some things you can’t learn in school. So by volunteering, you are in a new environment, observing people in their jobs and hopefully you are given tasks that challenge you. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first. Helping you to spread your wings and try something new: try something you are interested in. This way, if you don’t like it, you’ll know before you take classes or apply for the job and then realize it’s not what you want to do as a career. Meeting new people: not only do you get to gain experience, but you meet people who can be a potential reference when your job hunting if you made the right impression, or they may recommend a place to apply. Let them know you are looking and ask for them to be on your list of references, after you’ve shown them what you can do! The potential of getting a new (paying) job: This may lead to a job. Nonprofits make up a large percentage of organizations in Sonoma County, and therefore many jobs are found there. Prove what you can do, and they may find funding to keep you. Improving your College application: College applications ask for community service. But since it’s getting more competitive, not only do you show your volunteer time, but you need to stand out by taking a leadership role or again, creating something new that addresses a need in the community. Making a real difference in the lives of others: Lastly, but more importantly, volunteering leads you to find the joy of serving others and helping to improve your local community. Helping others kindles happiness. When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work can be an escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life, and all while helping out in your community. It’s a win-win proposition. Ed4Online offers courses in personal development, personal enrichment and even in health and human services. Learn more about courses that can help you have an edge in your journey as a volunteer or if you are interested in exploring career options in the helping professions visit our website at Ed4Online today!         

As a professional, it’s important to maintain your knowledge and skills by frequently pursuing Continuing Professional Development opportunities. Benefits include: 1.    Developing new skills and gaining a competitive edge It’s never a good idea to become complacent about your professional development.  Employers value those who strive to keep their skills current with workforce needs. 2.    Keeping up-to-date with your industry Staying current with new developments in your industry is invaluable.  From new regulations to techniques and methodologies, it’s important to stay abreast of the newest information. 3.    Refreshing your memory and relearning old techniques and theories It’s easy to fall into a habit of doing things "just because".  Refresh your memory of WHY things are done the way they are and explore the latest advances that might show a better way to get the job done. 4.    Networking with peers Networking and sharing information with others may open up new ideas and experiences. 5.    Re-energizing and sparking creativity Pursing Professional Development opportunities outside of your regular workplace can re-ignite the passion that drew you to your field originally.  Learning new things can energize you and bring new life to your position. Pursue your Professional Development with us! Ed4Online offers over 700 courses in 4 distinct areas of online education: 1) Career Training, 2) Information Technology (IT), 3) Professional Development, and 4) Behavioral Health Training.  Learn more here: https://ed4online.com/.       

Many businesses that rely on skilled workers report difficulty finding qualified individuals to fill open jobs. In fact, skilled trades have been the hardest segment of the workforce for employers to staff for the last three years, according to Manpower Group. Skills for America's Future reports that "our economy, in fact our very way of life, depends on skilled countrymen working at every stage of business: designing, testing, producing, transporting, selling, and servicing. These include those working in American energy, creating the electricity and fuel to power our offices, stores, plants, vehicles; and in telecommunications, ensuring that we can transmit and access vital data across distances. They also include technicians who operate equipment in our production and distribution centers, mechanics who keep engines and plant equipment humming, transportation drivers and operators who bring products to market, and skilled construction workers and trade specialists who build and maintain roads and buildings in every community across America." Use your skills and talents to obtain training in a skilled trade that will help to pave the way to a fulfilling career and bright financial future.  Ed4Online offers the following Skilled Trades Programs and Courses: Course Programs Automotive Technician Associate Program HVAC/R Technician Associate Program HVAC/R Technician Specialist Program Medium/Heavy Diesel Automotive Technician Associate Program Professional Gunsmithing Single Courses Automotive Service Management Automotive Technician (ASE) Gunsmithing: Course 1 Gunsmithing: Course 2 Gunsmithing: Course 3 HVAC Customer Service HVAC/R Technician Medium / Heavy Diesel Automotive Technician Motorcycle Technician It’s time to reach out to a new generation of tradesmen and women and encourage them to use their skills and talents to find careers within a skilled trade. Ed4Online is proud to support this effort by offering many courses in the Skilled Trades category.  Please visit our Skilled Trades Career Course Catalog to peruse courses in Medium/Heavy Diesel, Automotive and Motorcycle Technician, HVAC/R Technician, Gunsmithing and more!