You’re thinking of becoming a chef because you really enjoy cooking and eating delicious food.  But are you able to cope with hot kitchen temperatures and a physically-demanding work environment?  Do you have the creativity and courage to adapt and develop recipes?  Good.  Then you are an excellent candidate for attending a culinary arts program and starting your career as a chef.

Continue reading…

In times of bad economy many people are looking for a job that they know won’t get outsourced to another country. Working on someone’s hair, is not something that can be done from far away, and in the country we live in, looking good and being groomed is always important. If you have an eye for style, maybe cosmetology is the job for you. Texas has strict regulations on the cosmetology industry to ensure that the proper skills are learned and that sanitary and safety measures are followed.

The career title of cosmetologist can mean different things to different people, but because of oversight by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the title does have as specific definition. A cosmetologist is allowed to prep, style, cut and color hair, including beards. Cosmetologists are also allowed to give facials, and massages or other superficial treatments for hands, feet, neck and face, and give manicures and pedicures.

Other titles include a manicurist specialty, a facialist specialty, and in addition, depending on how and where you want to work, you must also apply for either an operator license to open your own salon, or a booth rental license if you want to contract the space.

Cosmetology Training

Cosmetology programs must be approved by the state in order for the class time to count for your license. You can search for approved cosmetology schools on the TDLR website.  The programs will teach students about hair styling, hair cutting, chemical treatments, weaving, straightening and coloring hair, as well as skin care and nail care. You will also learn about hygiene and sanitation techniques.  Most programs consist of 1,500 hours, which is a number mandated by the state for the cosmetology license. However if you only want a facialist specialty license you are only required to take 750 hours, and 600 for a manicurist specialty license. Less hours are required for the less common hair weaving specialty or hair braiding specialty licenses.

Most cosmetology programs allow you to practice outside the classroom in a salon setting to allow students to perfect their skills, although you may have to pass a round of exams before you are allowed to practice on real clients.

At the Regency Beauty Institute, you can finish a program in about a year if you attend full time, but they also offer part time or evening schedules that would take longer. When you graduate you earn a diploma intended to leave you fully prepared to take the state licensing test.

The program at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi is designed to be completed in three semesters for a total of 42 semester credits. The price per semester is about $1,220.00, and does not include books, supplies or uniforms. Other schools, like at the Paul Mitchell school, textbooks and a kit with equipment is included in a total tuition price that varies from campus to campus.

Some schools will help you get a shampoo or student apprentice permit to work in their salons shampooing and conditioning people’s hair while you are in school. This permit is free.

Getting your Cosmetology License

At the end of the trade program, you must take a state exam to get your license. The exam consists of a written and a practical part. The written part of the test consists of 100 multiple choice questions administered on the computer, and you have two hours to complete the test. To pass you must get at least 70 percent on the test. The practical exam tests you for basic skills, with a focus on proper disinfection and sanitary techniques, or proper consumer safety protocol. You must have someone accompany you as a model for you to work on during the facial and manicure services.

Once the school sends proof to the board that you have completed their program, they will consider you eligible to take their exam for a year, and you can re-take the exam an unlimited amount of times during that year.

Tests for the specialty licenses vary but are similar, for instance the manicurist specialty written test only has 90 questions taken in an hour and 45 minutes.

The costs for the tests are all the same. The written portion is $55, and the practical portion is $78. If you fail the test, or don’t show up when you are scheduled to take it, you forfeit what you already paid for it  The license must be renewed every two years. If you complete the required 6 hours of continuing education there is no need to take the exam again, unless you allow the license to expire without renewing it for 5 years. If you are over age 65 and have had your license for more than 15 years, the required continuing education is only 2 hours.

View a list of cosmetology programs in Texas.

Electricity is one of those careers that likely won’t disappear as our dependency for electricity only increases. Our society is dependent on it in many ways. As an electrician, you can work in a variety of settings from working with computer systems, or you can wire new homes, alarm systems, or eventually move up to wiring city buildings.

Educational Programs

Electrical Technician Diploma Programs

Electrical technician programs at vocational schools are usually offered as diploma programs. Having an Electrical Technician diploma in Texas can be used as a starting point to get a job in the electrical field, although you should be aware that your career opportunities will be limited unless you complete an apprenticeship program and gain your official license.  Some of the positions that may be available to you with just a diploma are as a service technician working with computers, wiring cars or working on agricultural equipment.

Most of these diploma programs will have little variation on what they teach you. On one important side you will learn about is compliance with national electrical codes, environmental protection agency (EPA) standards and guidelines, and occupational safety rules. More specifically for electrical technicians, you will learn about motor and transformer systems, reactance and impedance, and conduit bending.

Penn Foster Career School has a unique program that includes these lessons and a few more in 15 instructional sets that are sent to your house so you can learn at your own pace and then take regular tests online to earn the diploma. The other schools, such as Kaplan and the Lamson Institute, have more traditional in-class programs that aim to include hands-on training.

The Penn Foster program allows students to take up to two years to complete the program, but estimate students usually take an average of 14 months. An average for other electrical technician diploma programs is of nine months, or less than a year.

The Southeastern Career Institute, that is now part of Kaplan’s network of schools, charges an estimated $14,000 for its nine-month program. Penn Foster’s program is an exception in prices as well, charging $998 for its 15 instruction set diploma program.

View a list of Electrical Technician programs in Texas.

Apprenticeship Programs

In order to work in most areas of the electrical field, Texas requires you to be licensed. To become licensed, the most basic starting license is a journeyman’s license, which requires 8,000 hours of on the job training work, or the equivalent of about 4 years of full-time work.

Although the time-commitment is significant, the good news is that you are paid a reasonable rate during your apprenticeship and employed the entire time.  Kelly Steele, a receptionist at El Paso Electricians Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, said students start earning $9.10 an hour, and are eligible for raises twice a year if they satisfy school requirements such as not missing class more than twice per year.

As part of the apprenticeship program, you are enrolled in electrical classes but the tuition is covered as part of the program.  However, the student is usually responsible for tools, equipment and required safety clothing, and occasionally for books.

At the end of the four or five years working and learning as an apprentice, you can apply for a license. Steele said at the end of the four years students are often able to get jobs with their license, earning about $20 per hour.  To keep working as an electrician in Texas, the license also has to be renewed every year and requires four hours of renewed education each time.

You can apply for an electrician apprenticeship through the Texas department of Licensing and Regulation.  To get into an apprenticeship program, many places will also require a valid driving license, and a clear background check with no convictions.

Apprenticeship programs are offered at:

ABC South Texas Chapter, San Antonio

ABC Southeast Texas,  Nederland

Austin JATC, Austin

Beaumont Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Beaumont

Britt Rice Construction Company, College Station

Centex Independent Electrical Contractors, Austin

Construction Education Foundation Inc, Irving

Construction Workforce Training Center, Odessa

El Paso Electricians Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, El Paso

Houston Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, Houston

IEC Dallas, Irving

IEC El Paso Chapter Inc, El Paso

IEC, multiple Texas locations

North Texas Electrical JATC, Grand Prairie

Pfeiffer & Son, LTD, La Porte

South Texas Electrical JATC, San Antonio

Texas Gulf Coast Electrical JATC, Corpus Christi

West Texas Electrical JATC, Amarillo

Wichita Falls JATC, Wichita Falls

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Programs

You can also go to school for a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering which can open up a different set of career opportunities, often offering higher pay.

Computer Networking Technology training can fall under various different program names such as information technology, network technology, computer support technician, or network engineering. The programs vary slightly – as all programs do at different schools – but they will get you to roughly the same place in terms of education. At a high-level, you will learn to set up and maintain computer networks, troubleshoot network issues, teach users how to work on the network and be responsible for administering company-wide software applications.

Computer networking career opportunities

Graduating from one of these programs can get you a job as a network operations analyst, network technician, or as a member of an information technology support group. These days it is common for almost all companies to have an IT department, whether it’s a one man job or a 100 member support staff.

If you run a search for job requirements, you will find that for most entry-level jobs in this field, having knowledge of the specific technologies used by the hiring company can be very important.  Some schools offer certifications as part of their programs (or at least they prepare you for the certifications).  Popular networking certifications include Microsoft, Cisco, and A+.  Certifications pertaining to network security are also becoming more and more critical.  Even if the school doesn’t offer these certifications, you may want to consider it as something to do after you graduate because these certifications can often help you get your foot in the door if you do not have relevant job experience to boast on your resume.

What a computer networking program will teach you

Kaplan College, with several locations in Texas, indicates on their website that students will learn, among other things, managing databases, ensuring network security, and how to troubleshoot hardware and software problems. Other schools also include classes on specific software programs, or classes about routing internet protocol (IP) addresses.

The Hallmark Institute of Technology teaches you the latest technology, client systems, and operating systems, according to the program chair at the school, Gumaro Cabrera. DeVry University has a lot of variations of their programs that include Associates, Bachelors and Masters degrees, plus specialization options including project management and security management.

How long are the programs and how much will they cost

The length of a program will almost always impact its price. If you decide to tack on extra certifications, the price of your program will be different.  If you already have some college credits that you think will transfer, you may be able to pay less, and spend less time.

At the Hallmark Institute’s program in San Antonio, Texas, you will spend about 12 or 13 months to earn an Associate’s degree, said Cabrera. For an Associates degree at DeVry  University, with locations across Texas, you need about 67 credits or 5 full-time semesters. The price for their program is cheaper if you attend full time. The price per credit hour is reduced to $350 compared to about $580 if you go to school part time, or taking less than 12 credits each semester.

What schools look for in you

To get into a computer networking program, make sure you have completed your high school diploma or the General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Some schools will require you to take a placement test that will show you are ready for college level studies. At the Hallmark Institute, an acceptance committee will review your past grades, test scores, and the kind of support you have to determine if you will be a successful student at their school. You should also anticipate an application fee that you have to pay in order to be considered at the school, whether or not they ultimately accept you.

View a list of computer networking schools in Texas to learn more.

An interview with Jennifer Miranda, a graduate of an Associates in Accounting program offered by University of Phoenix – Austin.

Q:  What program did you attend?

An Associates degree program in Accounting at the University of Phoenix. The program was based out of Austin, but I took the classes online.

Q:  How long was the program?

On average it runs 2 years. I took a year off in between so it took me 3 years.

Q:  Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?

It was considered full time. You only take two classes, but because of the workload it is full time. Each class goes for nine weeks.

Q:  Were you happy with the training that you received?

I would have to say it was intermediate. I had some classes I received excellent training in, but then there were some classes that I did not feel like I learned anything. In those, everything was like grade school; the answers were there in front of me.  My core classes I virtually taught myself by going out and buying different books and learning the techniques through those.

Q:  What was the most difficult part of the program for you?

Really the whole interaction with the staff. My counselors were awesome and sometimes I felt bad for them because I would take out a lot on them. They were always very motivated, it just felt like a lot of times they had their hands tied.

Sometimes I couldn’t get a hold of my instructors online. I had one teacher flag me for plagiarism, but what had happened is that somebody else had posted the assignment a year prior, and the assignment required specific headings, so when you use those headings that she required those still pop up as plagiarized sections because they’re on the internet. I tried for three weeks to get a hold of her to talk about it.

Q:  About how many other students were in your classes?

On average there are 20-25 people in the classes, but you really only interact on the forums with about 8 that really take it serious.

Q:  What is your current career?

Right now I’m working part time at PetSmart.  I went on an accounting interview but was not selected.  There’s a lot that I still don’t know.  The program didn’t require any internship or externship. I wish it had. An Associates is not much in the work place these days. They often want you to have a Bachelors or 5 to 7 years experience.

Q:  What was the most important class/lesson from the program?

I learned about diversity and cultures and religions, that helped me understand different people. Also I learned a lot in leadership and management, things that make it easier for me to follow through and of course science courses I learned a lot in because I love science.

Q:  How much did it cost for you to complete the program?

$22,000. So far that’s what I’ve added up, they used more than one lender, so I’m not sure.

Q:  Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships?  Which ones?  Were these easy to obtain?

They helped with Pell grant money, not scholarships, I did try on my own but it never came my way. The only downfall is I didn’t get as much as I thought I would. I don’t know if my counselor didn’t know how much I was eligible because  they included my husband’s income, so I don’t know.

Q:  Were any of your classes online?

Yes my whole program was online, I did love that part.

Q:  Did you consider other programs?

Yes. First I wanted to do business management. When I went in they asked me if I was a number cruncher, things like that. I am good at things like that, so they talked me into going into accounting.

Q:  Did you consider other schools?

When I went back after taking a year off, I originally wanted to switch schools but I kept thinking I should just stick it out, plus I still owed money to the University of Phoenix.

Q:  Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?

I would for those who want the online convenience, I was able to log in at my own leisure and stay logged on however long I could, I loved that about it. The only thing I would say is before they get enrolled, be sure of what you want to go for. It’s very hard to transition. It’s not like a typical college where you can change your major five times. But if someone is dedicated it’s a good school.

Q:  For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job?  If so, what are they and what do they entail, and did you get them by the time you graduated?

The CPA, certified public accountant.  I still need to go take that test, but I’m dreading it.

Q:  Any other advice?

Just do your research and find the school that’s going to fit you, and that’s more geared to what you want, if it’s business geared, don’t go there if your going to be a teacher. Look at what schools that are good for that. Just because they offer a program doesn’t mean it’s good. Look at the classes you take and really ask if you’re going to use that in your career. I didn’t do my research, but I intend to do my research next time for my Bachelors to know where I want to go.

View a list of Accounting programs offered in Texas.

An interview with Mayra Diaz De Leon, a student of the medical assisting program at Western Technical College, located in El Paso, TX.

Q:  What type of medical assisting program you are in?

You earn a certification, and it’s 14 months long. I finish in February.

Q:  Are you going to school on a full-time or part-time basis?

Full-time.

Q:  Are you happy with the training that you received?

Oh yes it’s a lot of hands on, it’s great.

Q:  What has been the most difficult part of the program for you?

Nothing really. They explain everything a lot, they can always go back and review it with  you or there’s always tutoring available too.

Q:  About how many other students were in your classes?

It varies. We start with about 32 and we are ending with like 14.

Q:  Are you currently working?

No, I’m a stay at home mom.

Q:  How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?

Well first I tried to be a full RN at another school, El Paso Community College, but there it’s harder and I had a tough time contacting the teachers.  So I was going in for my RN but only  finished some basic stuff at the beginning. I didn’t like it, but I might have had to do  something like that if I didn’t have this training.

Q:  What was the most important class or lesson from the program?

The hands on nature. You have to pay really close attention, like for phlebotomy, and taking shots, and the EKG’s.

Q:  How much did it cost for you to complete the program?

It was $13,000, but it includes uniforms and books, tools, everything.

Q:  Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships?  Which ones?  Were these easy to obtain?

You get an $8,000 grant, almost everyone gets that one. The rest, you don’t have to pay until 6 months after graduation with the loans and if your still having trouble they’ll work  something out for you.

Q:  Were any of your classes online?

No they don’t have any for this program.

Q:  Did you consider other programs?

No, I went right to it this time.

Q:  Why did you choose the school you did?

I didn’t look at another school, I had received a really good reference from a friend about  that school.

Q:  Would you recommend this school to someone else?

Yes, like I told you, you can always go back and ask the teachers if you don’t get it.  They’re always asking you if you need help with anything.

Q:  For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job?  If so, what are they and what do they entail, and will you get them by the time you graduate?

You get a national certification just as long as you pass the test, and the price for it is  included as well in the tuition. You don’t have to pay that unless you have to take it a  second time. I don’t  know if you have to renew it.

Q:  Was there anything that you wish you would have known at the start to help you get through the program?

When you register you get an orientation where they tell you what to expect and it’s truly  what you get. So you don’t go in expecting the unexpected.

Q:  Any advice for those considering a medical assisting program?

It takes a lot of dedication. Make sure you really want to do it. If you don’t have patience or don’t like to work around people, you shouldn’t be a medical assistant.

If you think you want to be a medical assistant, the first thing you’ll want to do is find the right program.  Check out our list of Texas schools offering medical assisting programs to find one near you.

An interview with Alicia Vaca, who graduated from a nursing program at MedVance Institute in Houston, Texas.

What program did you participate in?

The Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, specializing in emergency medicine.

What is your current career?

I am an RN in an ICU for Adult Care.

What’s a typical day in your career?

Normally I work a 12-hour shift in the Intensive Care Unit. I am also on the on the 24 hour on call list as a flight nurse. I range from having a patient load of 3-5 at any particular time. My duties include taking vitals, giving meds, and more.  I have been on two emergency flights in the last year. Now I am also on the list as a traveling nurse. That was my dream since I first heard about those kinds of opportunities in high school.

How did your training help you get into this career?

Well, I have always known that I wanted to go into nursing, but it wasn’t until my experience at college and living away from home that I saw how great it was to see new places and work at different types of medical institutes and hospitals. That is when I really knew I wanted to get into flight and traveling nursing. Any opportunity to save someone’s life or make a difference is worth the hard work it takes to get there.  What I learned at Medvance will stay with me forever, as well as the relationships and friendships I built. Obviously you cannot become a nurse without going to nursing school, and I wouldn’t be where I am in my career if it had not been for this school.

How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?

Without going through a proper nursing program I wouldn’t be able to work as a registered nurse, and most definitely wouldn’t be able to work on medical flights. Employers prefer a traveling nurse to be either an RN or LPN. I worked in a nursing home facility before college, and I would still be there today, or perhaps even have given up on the medical career had it not been for this education.

Were you happy with the training that you received?

Yes. I was really timid going to a college so far from home. However, after learning the lay of the land, meeting new people, as well as dorm mates and classmates, things started going very well.  Houston was very welcoming and the training I received was fantastic. Not only did I get the education I needed, but I also learned how to apply it to my daily life, in and out of the workplace.

How long was the program?

I was there for roughly a year and a half. I had completed my pre-requisites while still in high school allowing me to jump right into the nursing program. I believe there are different programs and amounts of classroom time for everyone.

What were your favorite classes and why were they a favorite?

Clinicals were my favorite; you can learn only so much from a textbook. It was great hands on work with added pressure. That is how I learned, and it stuck!

What did you take from the program that you use in your everyday job tasks?

I don’t think that there is anything in my everyday life that I don’t use. As an RN you are responsible for someone’s mother, father, best friend, or grandparent. These are not just patients these are people with lives. You have to accept everyday challenges, and that there are some things you cannot control. Everything I use in my daily work life I learned while I was in the nursing program at the MedVance Institute.

Did you receive any financial aid or scholarships?  Which ones?  Were these easy to obtain?

I had a savings fund from my parents and other family members. I did not work while in Houston. All of my time and concentration went to my studies.

Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?

Full time.

Were any of your classes online?

No.

Did you consider other programs?

No.  I had always known nursing was where I wanted to concentrate my time and energy. I chose a school out of state to broaden my horizons.

Why did you choose the one you did?

I have family near Houston. I also have a family member who also graduated from the MedVance Institute and I saw what they are doing with their career. I want the same for my future and myself.

What other programs did you consider?  Why did you choose the one that you did?

If I had gone with a different nursing program it would have been something local just to stay close to family and familiarity. However, you have to step out of the box every now and then.

Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?

I already have. My younger sister sees what I have done with my life, and she wants to follow in my footsteps and pursue a career in medicine. She’s not sure as to what level yet, but I do know she loved Houston when she was there visiting and she loved the campus as well.

If you could do it all over again, would you?

Yes. There is no doubt in my mind.  I have been out of school only three years, and I am already assisting in different medical cases that I could only dream of, riding on medical flights, and getting the opportunity to see the world and help people. I would say this was definitely worth the wait, and the hard work.

About how many other students were in your classes?

My graduating nursing class was rather large. There were 28 of us. I come from a smaller community so that seemed like a lot to me. Most of our community colleges back home normally hold 10-12.

For your particular program, are there any special licenses or certifications that you need to receive before getting a job?  If so, what are they and what do they entail?

Yes. There is a Board exam that I had to prepare for and pass. Without the training and classroom time I had at MedVance I would not have been prepared for that.  They sat us down and did a test prep the best that they could and it helped tremendously.

If you’re interested in a career in nursing, find a school in Texas that offers a nursing program near you.

An interview with Bridgett, who works in a dental office and earned the Dental Assistant Diploma from the Texas School of Business North Campus.

Q: Why did you decide to get this type of training?

A: I have always been interested in dentistry. I know it is kind of weird, but I have always been a little obsessed with my teeth and with other peoples’ teeth. At the same time, I really didn’t want to commit 8 years of my life to going to dental school!  Becoming a dental assistant seemed like a good compromise.

Q: What is your current career?

A: I work as a dental assistant at a local dentist’s office. He actually has two different offices, so I sometimes bounce back and forth between the offices. I don’t mind, though, because I have come to know the patients at both places and I really enjoy getting to know them.

Q: How did your training help you get into this career?

A: There is no way I would have been able to get into the business if it hadn’t been for completing the program.  I mean, I suppose it is possible I could have got a job doing the clerical work at a dentist office, but I wouldn’t have been able to work directly with the patients like I do if I hadn’t completed the program.

Q: How would things be different for you if you hadn’t received this training?

A: I would be stuck behind a desk answering phones and making appointments!  Now, I get to work side by side with the dentist and actually get to work inside the mouths of our patients. That is a whole lot more fun to me and I earn more money than I would if I was just doing secretarial work.

Q: Were you happy with the training that you received?

A: Yes. I feel like the program really helped prepare me for my job.

Q: What was your favorite class?

A: I really liked the classes about handling dental emergencies. I have always been interested in knowing more about how broken teeth are repaired and things like that. Although I am not exactly qualified to perform all of the emergency procedures that a dentist can do, I do have a very good understanding of how it works now.

Q: What class do you think was the most useful?

A: For my current job, I think the classes about how to identify cavities and the different types of teeth was the most useful because that is what I spend a lot of my time doing. Learning how to properly handle dental instruments and how to properly assist the dentist has also been very helpful. After all, the more I can please the boss, the more I can be sure to have a job!

Q: How long did it take you to complete the program?

A: About two years.

Q: How much did it cost for you to complete the program?

A: Thanks to the financial aid and grants I received, it only cost me about $1,500 to complete the program.

Q: Did you go to school on a full-time or part-time basis?

A: I attend full-time while working in a dentist office on a part-time basis. Thankfully, the North Campus has flexible scheduling, so it wasn’t too difficult to work my classes around my schedule. Besides, since I was already working in a dentist’s office, I was able to start applying the things I learned right away and I was able to get a little extra help from the boss with understanding the material.

Q: Would you recommend this school to someone else? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I found the program to be very useful and the teachers were very knowledgeable. I also liked that the school was so flexible with its scheduling. That really made it easier to keep working while going to school.

Q: If you could do it all over again, would you?

A: Yes.  I have two kids at home, so trying to juggle work, school and family was challenging at times. Still, it was worth it and it has all paid off in the end. I am making more money and am doing something that I really enjoy doing.

Q: What was the most difficult part of the program for you?

A: I think juggling my personal responsibilities while going to school was the hardest part for me.

Q: About how many other students were in your classes?

A: I’m not sure. 15 or maybe 20.