Before you choose a graduate degree program to enroll into, it is very essential to evaluate it. But, how can you evaluate it? Well, there are multiple criteria on the basis of which you can decide whether a graduate program is the most suitable for you. When it comes to choosing a graduate school, there are some of the most common and important criteria that people use. Given below are some of the most important criteria that can really help you make a well informed decision when you plan to get enrolled into a graduate program.

Accreditation
There are several careers where you would need to go for an accredited degree program to become successful. However, accreditation is not only program or degree-based, accreditations are also given to institutions. So, students need to consider both the program specific accreditations and academic institution accreditations. Let us take an example. If you are pursuing a degree in law from an unaccredited law school, you will not be allowed to sit for the bar exam. The case is similar with a host of other careers, where licensure requirements exist.

Cost of Attendance & Financial Assistance
College education expenses and tuition fees are rising continuously. And most of us have a tough time when it comes to bearing the cost of college education. Therefore, considering the cost of attendance is one of the most important issues when we consider enrolling into a graduate program. Whether it is the tuition fees, book expenses, housing costs or other similar education expenses, you need to review all the associated cost that you would be bearing. On the other hand, you can also get in touch with the graduate schools (where you plan to get admission) for financial assistance programs. The school may also help in finding you some additional resources for financial support.

Admission Standards
When you consider attending a graduate degree program, it is essential to go through the admission standards of the schools you have short-listed. One good idea is to the check out the total number of candidates applying at the graduate school and the number of seats available. If the competition is tough, it means admission standards are tough. And it is always better to be one among select few so you may receive quality graduate education.

Culture
Different graduate schools may have different cultures. Getting to know the culture of the institution where you plan to get enrolled is one of the most important criteria for choosing a graduate program. It is essential to know about the campus culture and the bonding that the faculty and students share with each other. Graduate schools that match your comfort level and style will offer you a nurturing environment.

Degrees Offered
This is, of course, one of the most fundamental criteria to choose a graduate degree program. What is more important is to exactly know about the degree you are looking for. Can you ever compromise on going for a lesser degree when a degree of your choice is not available at the school? If you are really determined and confident to seek a degree of your choice for career advancement, you should never consider getting enrolled into a lesser degree program.

Faculty
It is quite obvious that the quality of a degree program depends on the quality of its faculty. It is most essential to know the professional background of the faculty who would be teaching you. There are multiple ways in which you can investigate about the expertise of the faculty teaching in a specific degree program. The number of scholarly publications and the national or regional plaudits of faculty members and talking to the ex-students will provide you a lot of information about faculty members at the graduate school.

Location of Graduate School
The location of the graduate school has an important role to play when you consider enrollment into a degree program. After you have enrolled, you will need to live in the geographical location till the completion of the degree; it could mean several years. Apart from that, it is advisable to obtain an advanced degree from a geographical location where you plan to start your career. An advanced degree has the greatest value in the region from where it is obtained. Therefore, always consider the location of the graduate school before getting enrolled.

Facilities
Most of the academic institutions boast state-of-the-art facilities for students. Find out whether the graduate school really offers ‘state-of-the-art facilities for students. More importantly, you need to investigate whether appropriate facilities for the degree program you select are available or not. Infrastructural facilities, corresponding to the program you attend, need to be investigated.

Surrounding Community
Also have a look at the surrounding area and environment of the school you are going to attend. Are you looking for a surrounding which is urban, rural or suburban? Would you like your graduate school to be located in a city or a small town?

Have you ever considered a career as a stockbroker? The major responsibility of a stockbroker is to buy and sell shares for their clients and generate maximum profits. These professionals work for a wide range of clients which may include corporate clients, institutional clients and private clients among others. Depending on their work profile, stockbrokers are also referred to as investment managers or wealth managers. Besides working for individual clients, these professionals also work for investment management companies, stockbroking and stockbrokerage companies.

Job Responsibilities of a Stockbroker
So, how do stockbrokers look after and manage their clients' investment profiles? While buying and selling shares, stockbrokers make profitable decisions on behalf of their clients, offer useful advices to their clients and help them identify right investment opportunities. There are many investment managers that work on behalf on their clients, whereas some others also act according to the instructions provided by their clients. Stockbrokers work in close contact with investment analysts and keep a close watch on the performance of companies and maneuvers of the stock market.

Stock brokers have the responsibility of efficiently managing their clients' investment portfolios. Updates are produces on a regular basis, so as to track the stock market movements and recognize investment opportunities that can bring benefits to clients.

A lot of research goes into the work of the stockbroker. To be able to make the right decisions, stockbroking professionals acquire an in-depth knowledge of the market, government stocks, foreign equities, domestic equities, securities etc. It is only after a great deal of research and market analysis that stockbrokerage professionals advice their clients by getting in touch with them via phone, email or meeting in person. When the client gives approval and a go-ahead, brokers or investment managers buy and sell shares on the stock exchange.

Working hours are long and hectic in the trading business. Cutting edge technology plays an important role in making up-to-date information globally available. Trading businesses operate in large open offices, equipped with large computer screens and telephones. Much of the stock exchange business is done using telephone and internet.

Educational Requirement & Training in Stockbroking
A bachelor's degree in economics, law, finance or accountancy can give your career a good start. There are several investment companies and brokerage firms that also train candidates to nurture their talents and polish their job skills. Postgraduate degrees like an MBA or an MSc will also help candidates who wish to make a career as a stock broker.

If you though this career required only a mathematical mind, you need to think again. Besides being a good team player, candidates also need to have the ability of making decisions independently. Strong analytical skill is essential to be successful in this career. While buying and selling stocks and handling the trading business, professionals need to handle a large volume of incoming information with accuracy. There is a lot of work pressure and the stockbrokerage professionals should be capable of handling all the pressure. A minor mistake can cost thousands of dollars. The broker needs to keep their clients well informed of the movements of the market and when investment opportunities open up.

Career Prospects
Plenty of employment opportunities are available with investment management companies and brokerage companies. Professionals also have the liberty of starting their own business and start working for private clients. Excellent prospects also arise when people are not pleased with their current broker and start looking for a more efficient broker. Both full time and part time employment opportunities are available for professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the employment growth rate for stock broker jobs is expected to increase at 25%, through to the year 2012.

Annual Salary
The starting salary offered in the U.S. is around $17,000. Those with five years of working experience earn an annual salary ranging between $30,000 and $49,000. With growing experience and skill set, a stockbroker's annual salary can go as high as $100,000 or more. The career becomes even more profitable when stockbrokers become fund managers and start functioning as independent consultants to banks and investment companies.

Also sometimes referred to as naval architects, marine engineers are involved in the designing of maritime crafts including naval ships, oil tankers, submarines and other related seagoing crafts and equipment. The work of a marine engineer is quite diverse, owing to the wide range of crafts and floating equipment. Depending on their interest and the diverse marine engineering career possibilities, these engineers may also choose to specialize in the designing and construction of a specific kind of seagoing craft. Job opportunities for marine engineers are available both in government departments and the public sector including national defense departments, ship builders and oil companies among others.

Job Description
Job responsibilities of marine engineers may vary depending on where they choose to work and the specific requirements of employers. These engineering professionals spend most of their time in office, creating prototype models for new crafts, ships and other floating equipment. Crafts that move through water come in multiple shapes and sizes. Marine engineers' major role is to supervise the designing of these crafts and inspect the seagoing crafts and other equipment to ensure proper functioning and complete safety.

For creating prototypes for new ship design, engineers make use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Whether it is a submarine, roll-on-roll-off care ferry, sailboats, aircraft carriers, oil tankers or naval ships, marine engineers are formally trained to work on the designs of all these seagoing crafts. There are multiple aspects to the designing of a ship. Some of the important factors include the weight of the ship, altitude of its center of gravity, stability of the ship, steering, navigation of the vessel, propulsion etc. Engineers need to work on the all these aspects of marine crafts and put together the systems to create completely safe and stable crafts for the crew to sail.

Besides spending much of their time in office creating new craft designs, marine engineers may also work in the shipbuilding yard. Right from the stage of laying the keel to finally launching the vessel, engineers work on multiple types of constructions, plan and schedule work during the entire procedure. Managing engineers have profitable careers awaiting them.

Educational Requirement & Training
A bachelor's degree in marine engineering is the minimum requirement to obtain entry level jobs in this field. Candidates can also land jobs in this field of engineering with a degree in mechanical engineering or ocean engineering. Those who aspire to become a merchant marine engineering officer need to fulfill the licensure requirements. Apart from that, candidates need to obtain a graduate degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, or from any of the six state academies. A master's degree in marine engineering is required to have a successful career in this field. Students also need to think carefully before they decide to get enrolled in an engineering program. Do remember to go through the detailed coursework of the marine engineering degree program that you enroll into.

Career Prospects in Marine Engineering
The field of marine engineering offers diverse career possibilities. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for these jobs are expected to grow as fast as the average of all other professions, increasing 11% from 2006 through to the year 2016. The need for these professionals will increase with the increase in the demand of sailboats, naval ships, military ships and vessels. Job positions will also arise as a large number of professionals reach their age of retirement or leave this engineering field for their own reasons.

Annual Salary
Salaries of marine engineers vary depending on the geographical location and the years of experience professionals carry. The median annual salary of most of the professionals is $84,672. A marine engineer's salary ranges between $53,534 and $120,325.

The field of civil engineering offers diverse career possibilities. Civil engineers are formally educated and trained to plan and design harbors, tunnels, bridges, buildings, highways, airfields etc. These engineers may either be involved in field work or perform their work in offices. Their job responsibilities may also combine both the aspects. Professionals can be employed by government agencies (federal, state and local), private construction companies and architectural firms. Civil engineering is a wide ranging field. Civil engineers can also choose to specialize in an area of their interest - construction, environmental, hydraulics, transportation, structural etc.

Job Description
With the increase in population, the requirement for construction and repair of roads, bridges, buildings and other similar structures also increases. Besides planning and designing of a variety of construction projects, civil engineers are also responsible for administrative and supervisory jobs. Some of the civil engineers are also involved in teaching jobs at professional schools, colleges and universities.

Most of the time, civil engineers are employed close to commercial and industrial centers. While some projects are to be completed inside the country, some others may be located outside the country. Many times construction and supervisory engineering work need to be done in remote areas. Depending on the project requirement, civil engineers may need to travel from one place to another.

Civil engineers work in close contact with professionals including architects, other engineers and the construction team. While working on urban planning projects, civil engineers make use of their specialization skills and techniques. In addition to performing their job responsibilities, these engineers also need to take into consideration the safety concerns of thousands of people. More than half of all the civil engineers are employed architectural and engineering firms where their main work responsibilities include designing and development work of different construction projects.

Educational Requirement & Training
A bachelor degree in civil engineering is the standard requirement to land jobs in this field. Candidates need to obtain the engineering degree from an accredited institution or college. Before getting enrolled in the degree program, students should remember to go through the coursework. Besides acquiring the civil engineering degree, candidates also need to meet the licensing requirements of the state where they work. Candidates should select a program that focuses on their specific areas of interest. During the course, students are trained in areas like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structural design and circuitry among others.

Requirements of qualifying for the licensure are as follows -

Completion of a degree program approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET)
Four years of professional working experience
Passing the state licensing examination (Fundamentals of Engineering exam & Principles and Practice of Engineering exam)

For the advancement of engineering career, professionals can also go for additional specialized courses in areas like construction engineering and management, water resources management and transportation among others. Other skills that candidates need to possess include excellent communication skills, logical thinking skills and innovative skills.

Career Prospects in Civil Engineering
Job prospects for civil engineering jobs are strong. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for these jobs is expected to grow at an increasing rate of 18% through to the year 2016. With the expanding growth in country's population, the need for expansion in transportation systems, water supply systems, buildings and other similar structures has also immensely increased. Whether it is the government agencies or the private sector, employment opportunities for civil engineers are abundant.

Annual Salary
Salaries of civil engineers vary depending on the geographical location, where they are employed (government or private sector), their additional certification and experience. The annual salary of these professionals ranges between $44,205 and $62,128. With growing skill set and experience, professionals can earn a higher annual salary.

If you have a flair for writing and a passion for food, becoming a food critic or a food writer can just be the perfect option of launching a successful career. The job proves to be quite competitive, as you will need to introduce and write about new restaurants and new range of dishes to the public. The career of a food critic involves tasting a wide variety of food, cuisines and wines and other beverages. To make the most of your career, you need to know about things that operate behind the scenes. An incredible palate and an excellent writing skill will help you become a food writer or a food critic and establish your identity in the field of culinary arts. Given below is detailed information on the job and career description of this occupation.

Develop excellent writing skills
Just possessing an adventurous palate will not do the job. To express the food tastes, drinks and the restaurant cuisines, you should possess a flair for writing. Keep on writing as many articles on dishes, beverages and culinary arts as you can. A major in journalism or English will help you polish your writing and communication skills. If you are employed or can not make it to a full time course, you can consider part time courses to enhance the style of your writing and become an expert in the art of communicating your experiences on a variety of food and drinks.

Acquire a great food tasting skill
A passion for tasting a wide range of food and drink is a must for becoming a food critic. It is only through an incredible palate that you can distinguish between one food taste and another. Tasting a wide variety of cuisines will also require you to move out of your comfort zones. You should be ready to try just any kind of food and every kind of food. At times, it may seem quite strange or odd tasting different varieties of food. However, you palate should be trained well to taste just any flavor or type of food.

Become familiar with the business of restaurants
Being well versed with the restaurant business and a good knowledge of the field of culinary arts will help you establish your own identity among the crowd of writers. Get to know the things that keep happening behind the scenes. If possible, go for some short term courses that can help your understand the business of restaurant and how the kitchen staff performs their job responsibilities. Ask as many questions as you want to make yourself familiar with the entire procedure.

Become an expert in food and drinks
There are several opportunities to make yourself expert in food and beverages. Be prepared to obtain culinary knowledge which is rare, latest and finest. Read as much as you can to increase your knowledge about culinary arts and a wide variety of dishes. An eagerness for knowing food trends and discovering new food ideas is key to becoming a famous food critic.

Attend food and wine festivals
Study the art and science of food preparation and cooking
Expand your culinary vocabulary
Attend wine classes and visit wineries
Know the historical and cultural background of food

Read other famous food writers, food critics and chefs
To develop your own unique style of food writing, you need to read abundantly. Read some of the most famously known chefs and food critics from around the world. Find out how other famous culinary professionals review a restaurant and cuisines. You can start by reading the works of world famous personalities including Elizabeth David, Calvin Trillin, A.A. Gill, Robert Courtine and M.FK. Fisher among others.

Create a portfolio of articles
If you aspire to become a food critic and be successful, you should keep on writing and create a portfolio of articles that you write. Creating a portfolio of at least 40 published articles is good for showing it to editors. At the beginning, you can start submitting articles on food and drink to local newspapers and magazines and keep adding the published work to your portfolio.

Food critic jobs are highly coveted and sophisticated. Keep expanding your network with culinary professionals, work hard on your writing skills and keep tasting a wide variety of cuisines. The work may also require you to travel frequently. With time, growing skill set and working experience, you will definitely become a food critic.

The field of mechanical engineering deals with the application of physics and other science fields for creating useful vehicles, structures and other mechanical objects. Candidates can either take up the general path to become a mechanical engineer or specialize in a field of interest - aerospace, automotive, robotics etc. Engineers are trained to utilize a variety of skills and techniques for designing, development and testing of mechanical objects. A mechanical engineer can either work alone or as part of a team, depending on the nature of the project undertaken. Given below are details on the job description, how to get trained, job skills required and career prospects.

Job Description
A host of expert technical skills are required for becoming a successful mechanical engineer. These professionals play an important role in the creation of effective tools for a wide range of industries. For instance, the engineer may be given the task of formulating an air-conditioner which is better and more efficient than the existing air-conditioning equipment. Mechanical engineers may also be busy checking flaws in various equipment and engineering products. Computer efficiency is a must to have a successful career as a mechanical engineer. The designing and documentation work behind engineering research is often done with the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD).

The work environment and the work setting of mechanical engineers depend on the industry they choose and their job description. Though engineers spend most of their time in front of computer, they may also be involved in some hands-on work with mechanical objects, materials and structures. Engineering professionals are involved in a variety of projects that may include working on engines, tools and machines to make them more efficient and user-friendly.

Mechanical engineers are employed not only in the development and manufacturing field, but they are also found in fields like sales, maintenance and management. The field of mechanical engineering is not a limited field, but it encompasses a wide range of disciplines. These engineers remain busy in the development, repair and testing of a variety of mechanical structures and objects. Some of these are listed below.

Machines
Engines
Tools
Turbines
Generators
Air-conditioning Equipment
Refrigeration System
Industrial Manufacturing Equipment
Elevators
Robotics Manufacturing

Educational Requirement & Training
Candidates who aspire to become a mechanical engineer need to have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. The bachelor's degree is the least requirement for obtaining entry level jobs in this field of engineering. A master's degree helps candidates in landing higher salary jobs and making the most of their career. If you want to enter the area of management, you can also decide to obtain a master's degree in engineering management. Engineers who serve the public also need to fulfill the necessary licensing requirements.

To be able to obtain this license and become a licensed mechanical engineer, candidates need to first complete a degree program which is approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), pass two exams (Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam) along with spending a few years as an engineering intern or engineer-in-training.

 Job Skills
To remain competitive in this field, candidates also need to possess some other essential skills. Core engineering knowledge and continued professional development are essential to making a successful career. Skills that candidates needs to have include a string knowledge of mechanical systems, a solid understanding of engineering design principles, problem solving capability, excellent communication skills, mathematical skills, information technology skills, power of visualization, persistence and determination among others.

Career Prospects
In the year 2006, the United States had employed around 227,000 mechanical engineers. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for mechanical engineering jobs is expected to increase at a rate of 4% through to the year 2016. However, industries like biotechnology, nanotechnology and materials science will bring the maximum job opportunities.

Annual Salary
The annual salary for entry level job positions ranges between $49,333 and $68,268. Mechanical engineers who work for the federal government earn a high salary of around $84,720 annually. Salaries also vary depending on the geographical location and the work experience you carry.

The occupation of a social worker is both challenging and rewarding. If you aspire to help the less fortunate in the community and have a passion to make a positive difference in the life of those people, you can consider the social work career. While doing your job, you will need to deal with a wide range of sensitive issues in the community and provide workable and useful solutions to those problems. It definitely brings a lot of contentment and satisfaction when you help people improve their lives. The professional career will need you to work with people of all age groups including children as well as the elderly. The Occupation Outlook Handbook (2008-2009 edition), published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says that social workers work for families, individuals, academic institutions, service agencies and state and local government agencies. Read on to know about the job responsibilities, education and training required and the awaiting career prospects in this occupation.

Job Description
Though social workers spend most of their time in an office or a residential facility, their job may also need them to travel locally for getting in touch with clients, contacting service providers and attending community meetings. The job of these professionals can be either full time or part time. Those who are employed full time work for the standard 40 hours a week. Social workers who are employed in voluntary non-profit organizations perform their work part time.

There are times when families and individuals face issues that are quite difficult to handle. If not taken care of properly, these problematic issues can have a fatal effect on the lives of people. Under these circumstances, social workers responsibility is to provide counseling and support to people who are facing a social difficulty or crisis. Problems and social issues may include poverty, unemployment, legal troubles, substance abuse, foster career, school problems, adult guidance, lack of housing etc. Social workers can also specialize in a particular field or area and can perform their responsibilities in a particular work setting.

People living in a community or society are faced with such serious issues. The job responsibility of social workers is to assist people, counsel them and make them learn help themselves. They help families and individuals so that they themselves can also deal with their problems effectively. Those who are employed in the field of social work come across with people of a variety of backgrounds, caste and creed. Social workers have the responsibility of helping people fight against the crisis and social issues, thereby improving people's lives for the better.

Educational Requirement & Training
For entry level jobs in the field of social work, candidates need to possess a bachelor's degree. To obtain senior level positions and make a successful career, candidates need to obtain a master's degree or a doctorate in social work (DSW or Ph.D.). Master degree programs train students to take up job positions in their area of specialization or chosen concentration. If you are aspiring to obtain supervisory, administrative level jobs and staff training positions or wish to take up teaching jobs, a doctoral degree in social work is required.

Whichever state you work in, there are some licensure and certification requirements to be met. The licensing regulations for becoming a social worker vary from one state to another. If you want to become a clinical social worker, you are required to go for 2 years of supervised clinical experience for acquiring the certification, aside from the 900 hours of supervised field instruction while attending college.

Job Skills
To become a social worker, candidates need to have some essential job skills as well. You need to possess a lot of positivity, good problem solving skills, commitment, organizational skills, time management skills, analytical skills, team playing capability, excellent leadership skills etc. In addition, the occupation requires you to be socially competent, have patience and a good knowledge of law and legal procedures.

Career Prospects
There are diverse career possibilities for professionals trained in social work field. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for social worker jobs is expected to grow at a much faster rate than the average of all occupations, through to the year 2016. Though most of the professionals perform their work in cities and suburbs, good career opportunities also await in rural and remote areas. With growing skills and professional experience, social work can be promoted to upper level positions such as managers, researchers, administrators, counselors, supervisors and executives among others.

Annual Salary in the Field of Social Work
The median annual salary of school, family and child social workers is $37,480. Professionals earn a salary ranging between $29,590 and $49,060 per year. With a couple of working experience under the belt, professionals can earn a salary of around $62,530 annually or more when promoted to a senior level position.

Centuries ago, people used plants, foods and herbs for healing purposes. Students have the opportunity to learn the methods of herbal treatment even today. There are multiple medicine colleges and professional schools offering a degree in herbal studies. But what do you learn while obtaining a herbal studies degree? Well, the degree prepares students to work in the field of herbal medicine by providing them a well rounded knowledge of herb cultivation, herbal education and herbal product sales. Equipped with a graduate herbal studies degree program, candidates can find employment as herbal medicine educators, retail salespersons and clinical herbalists among others.

Herbal medicine offers cure to a variety of illnesses. More and more benefits of herbal medicines are coming to light as researches continue to be conducted. To be able to make a career in herbal medicine, students can choose from a range of degrees - an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctorate in herbal medicine. Students can select a degree, depending on the career they want to pursue. The degree program teaches students subjects including physiology, organic chemistry, anatomy, microbiology and plant identification.

Post Secondary Educator
The field of herbal sciences offers diverse career possibilities. One of these careers is becoming a post secondary educator. These educator are responsible for taking classes in herbology, plant science and herb cultivation at colleges and universities. Conducting researches in herbal sciences and medicine is a part of the job of post secondary educators. Those who wish to teach at technical colleges, should possess a master's degree while a Ph.D. is required to teach at four-year academic institutions. The educator also holds the responsibility of supervising laboratory trials, mentoring college students and developing curriculum for students. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for post secondary educators of herbal sciences will be very strong. The median annual salary of these educators is $5,120.

Herbal Retail Salesperson
Another career possibility that awaits candidates is becoming a herbal retail salesperson. To be able to work as a herbal salesperson, candidates need to have a strong knowledge of a wide range of herbal products and their effective use. Professionals should also be quite well versed with how to avoid the misuse of herbal products and their harmful effects. Herbal retail salespersons can find jobs at health food stores, cooperative supermarkets and dedicated herbal stores among others. Sales professionals should be prepared to provide answers to customers' question concerning herbal medicines and remedial solutions. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sales job in herbal medicines will grow at an average rate over the next decade. On an average, retail salespersons earn an hourly wage ranging between $7.80 and $12.90.

Clinical Herbalist
With a degree in herbal studies, candidates can also plan to become clinical herbalists. A clinical herbalist is responsible for conducting lab tests and clinical examination for making diagnoses. After the diafnostic procedure is over, herbalists recommend their clients herbal treatment for recovery from a variety of ailments. Herbalists also suggest useful nutrition plans to promote health. To practise as a clinical herbalist, professionals also require necessary licensing from the state they practise in. Depending on the requirement, clinical herbalists may also work in tandem with a client's regular physician. For initial consultation, herbalists may charge a fee ranging between $50 and $100.

Now that you have known about herbal studies degree programs and who needs them, you can make a well informed decision about what career you want to pursue. With a degree in herbal studies, you can definitely look forward to making a successful career. Always remember to go through the detailed coursework and the accreditation of the degree program before you get enrolled.

Also referred to as respiratory care practitioners, respiratory therapists hold the responsibility for all respiratory care therapeutic treatment. These technicians perform their work under the supervision of and as directed by the physician. Not only therapeutic treatment, but respiratory therapy technicians also perform diagnostic procedure, depending on the requirement. The healthcare industry offers diverse career possibilities for aspiring candidates. And becoming a respiratory therapist is one of the most fulfilling career options. Depending on the patient's individual requirement, the therapists consult the physician and other healthcare staff to develop appropriate plans for patient's treatment. Employment opportunities for respiratory therapy technicians are very strong and job opportunities are available in hospitals and other settings.

Job Description
Respiratory therapists treat patients of varied age groups. Right from premature infants with ill developed lungs to aged people with diseased lungs, respiratory therapy technicians treat them all. Besides providing temporary relief to patients suffering from chronic asthma, therapists also treat patients who suffer from heart attack, stroke, shock etc.

While attending to patients, respiratory therapists interview the patients and conduct physical examinations and diagnosis tests. A part of the job of therapists is to determine the concentration of oxygen in the patients' blood as well as the patient's breathing capacity. When a patient can not breathe or has difficulty in breathing, the therapist connect them with ventilators for delivering oxygen into the patients lungs. To perform the task efficiently, respiratory therapy technicians are well trained to set the rate and volume of oxygen through the equipment. Technicians need to take note and adjust what amount of oxygen is entering the patients' blood.

For patients' treatment, respiratory therapists use multiple medications including oxygen mixtures, aerosol and chest physiotherapy among others. Technicians set the oxygen concentration delivered into the patient's blood as directed by the physician. In case the patient has any difficulty with the ventilator and the concentration of oxygen, it is the responsibility of the respiratory therapists resets the equipment as directed by the physician. The therapist is responsible both for looking after the patient as well as the equipment functioning.

Educational Requirement & Training
To make the most of their career, candidates need to be formally trained. Several universities, professional schools and colleges offer degree programs and courses in respiratory therapy. To acquire entry level jobs, candidates need to obtain an associate degree. For advanced respiratory therapy, a bachelor's degree is needed. Students can choose degree program according to the requirement. Before getting enrolled in a degree program, it is always advisable to check whether the program is accredited. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs has presently accredited 59 entry level and 319 advanced respiratory therapy programs in the United States. Respiratory therapy degree programs include training in subjects including physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, human anatomy, physics, chemistry etc.

Career Prospects
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for respiratory therapist jobs is expected to grow at a faster rate than the average of all occupations through to the year 2012. Career prospects are very good respiratory therapy jobs. Though majority of respiratory therapists are employed in hospitals, a good number of these therapists are also employed in home healthcare services, physician's clinic, health practitioners etc.

Annual Salary
Salary of a respiratory therapist varies depending on the work location, work experience and where they join. The median annual salary of a therapist is $40,220. Respiratory therapists can earn a higher salary of 54,030 annually or more with growing experience and skills.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate for anthropologist jobs is expected to grow at a rate of 15% between the years 2006 and 2016. Those who aspire to pursue a career in the field of anthropology can choose from a host of career options. Job prospects are high in technical consulting and scientific services areas. When it comes to understanding human behavior and development, anthropologists play a vital role. The main job responsibility of anthropologists is to conduct researches on social customs and trends across a range of cultures and traditions. Not only modern civilization, but anthropologists also study the customs and traditions of ancient civilizations.

Specialization Areas in Anthropology
There are four major concentrations in which anthropologists can specialize in. Further, each of these four concentrations provides many specialization areas. One of these specialization areas is biophysical anthropology, which deals with early human life forms and evolution of human body. Those who are into the field of biophysical anthropology analyze human remains to know and understand the lifestyles and demographics of earlier civilizations.

Linguistic anthropologist is yet another specialization area that anthropologists can pursue. These professionals study the genesis of languages of different cultures and how these languages evolved over a period of time. Socio-cultural anthropology studies and observes the human groups across a wide range of economical and geographical settings. The fourth major concentration is archaeological anthropology. Those who are trained in this area study relics of the past. These ancient relics may include tools, jewelry, buildings etc.

The job of an anthropologist is quite challenging. Most of their time is spent in fieldwork. Traveling is also a part of their job, as they are required to move to different places to study human behavior, developments, customs and traditions. Anthropologists may be required to perform their work under challenging physical conditions.

Educational Requirement & Training
To become successful in an anthropology career, a master's degree in anthropology is the standard requirement. For upper level or senior level jobs, candidates require a doctorate in anthropology. A strong background in subjects like statistics and communication is very helpful in shaping an excellent career as anthropologists. The subject of anthropology also makes use of modern technological devices. Therefore, candidates need to be well versed with devices like Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

For some real world experience, candidates can also participate in volunteering work at museums and historical societies. There are multiple archaeological schools and colleges offering relevant courses. Today, students can pursue anthropology degree both via campus mode and online.

Career Prospects & Salary
There are multiple employment opportunities waiting in the field of anthropology. Areas of technical consulting and scientific services offer enhanced job opportunities. Annual salary of anthropologists varies depending on the work location and the years of experience. The average annual salary of anthropologists is $53,000. Senior level professionals earn an annual salary of around $84,000. Patience, perseverance and strong communication skills are important to make a successful career in the field of anthropology.