Veronica Bainton’s drive to complete an MBA has led her to achieve her biggest career goal, an internship at the United Nations, New York headquarters.

The 32 year old was named as one of three Edinburgh Business School (EBS) MBA scholarship recipients in 2010.

“I received news of the scholarship with EBS at a time when I wanted to further my career through post graduate study but financial pressures were high,” says Bainton.

Bainton was seeking an MBA to complement her past study and experiences in the social sciences and law. She selected EBS because of its reputation as one of the best online MBA providers and its wide selection of electives.

“Being able to study online was critical as I was about to move to Papua New Guinea at the time of applying. Studying with EBS has allowed me to juggle my career and study in a remote environment,” says Bainton.

Bainton had moved to Papua New Guinea to take up a role liaising between the mining industry and local communities. Her study with EBS and work to improve mining stakeholder and community relations has now led to a two month internship with the United Nations.

“An MBA was a prerequisite for the internship in New York. I was accepted as a result of my current study in business administration and strong background in the social sciences,” says Bainton.

Bainton has one month of the internship program to complete at the United Nations. To date, her internship role has included assisting in human rights research and policy development for Global Compact.

“I have done a lot of research on global corporate social responsibility initiatives in the past and now I am working right at the heart of it. It is an amazing experience that is broadening my knowledge on international policy,” says Bainton.

Bainton says the experience would not have been possible without EBS.

“I live remotely and travel frequently. Online study allows me to learn anywhere and at any time.

“I thought completing the MBA via distance education might be difficult without classroom support, but there is plenty of interaction through the online forums,” says Bainton.

“I have recommended EBS to all my colleagues looking to further their education. It has allowed me the freedom to focus on my career and study simultaneously,” concludes Bainton.

Edinburgh Business School Australasian Scholarship Scheme

The Edinburgh Business School (EBS) is currently accepting applications for its Australasian Scholarship Scheme. Each scholarship is valued at $19,600.

Scholarships are awarded competitively to nationals from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Applicants are assessed based on their level of financial need, intellectual ability, evidence of national commitment and their future impact.

“The scholarship program gives disadvantaged individuals the opportunity to complete postgraduate education when it would not otherwise be possible,” says Malcolm Kinns, General Manager of EBS.

“Just as Veronica has experienced, the MBA program opens doors for your career and can help you to achieve your professional and personal goals,” concludes Mr Kinns.

Individuals can apply for a scholarship directly to the Edinburgh Business School. For more details visit: http://www.ebsglobal.com.au

Applications must be submitted by 19 December, 2011.

About EBS

EBS is the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University and the only international college accredited by the Department of Education and Training to provide Masters of Business Administration (MBAs) in Australia. Think Education Group is the local partner for EBS in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Johanna Rowlands, a marketing student at APM College of Business and Communication is one of a new generation of overachievers taking on busy schedules to prepare for a bright future.

With Gen Y predicted to occupy 50% of the workforce by 2020 and have more than five careers over their lifetime*, employers will have plenty of proactive, young professional all-rounders to pick from.

At just 19 years old, Johanna is an efficient multi-tasker juggling study, working at the local bakery, as well as more than two hours of hockey training a day with the NSW Institute of Sport.

“My goal is to hopefully play for the Australian Hockeyroos one day, but I am conscious that most careers don’t last forever.

“I chose to study marketing so I will have a qualification that will open many other doors and allow me to specialise down the track. I enrolled part-time study at APM, a Diploma of Marketing, so I could fit my study in around work and hockey training,” says Rowlands.

Head of College at APM College of Business and Communication, Jeff Laurie, says Gen Y needs a solid foundation of skills to ensure employment and quick progression from entry level roles.

“Employers are looking for skilled, job ready graduates who can embrace new roles and adapt to the organisation’s needs as they arise.

“Aussies love their gap year, but a gap in early career training of two years or more sets off alarm bells to prospective employers. Gen Y can’t just rely on experience to get their target job and need to develop further skills through formal training on a regular basis,” says Jeff Laurie.

Rowlands is already looking towards further study upon completion of her marketing diploma at the end of this year.

“I would consider APM’s flexible online study options in the future. Part-time study has already given me the opportunity to gain skills while I train and work to pay the bills. I have an interest in so many areas of business and would love to continue to study at my own pace,” says Rowlands.

APM has introduced online courses in management and marketing. The Diploma of Management via flexible online study is a multi-sector qualification for those who wish to develop knowledge and skills to work as a team leader or for progression in managerial roles, for both small and large organisations. The course covers core business areas of accounts, marketing and HRM.

The Diploma of Marketing via flexible online learning covers base elements of management with a focus on key categories of the marketing discipline – consumer/ business-to-business marketing, sales, distribution, pricing, advertising and promotion.

APM also offers Bachelor degrees in Business and Communication (with majors in Marketing,  Event Management, Public Relations, Advertising and Journalism) which  have been developed in consultation with leading academics and industry bodies, such as the Australian Marketing Institute and Public Relations Institute of Australia;

“We are beginning to see an even split in demand between online and face-to-face study enrolments. Many educators are stunned by the Flexible Online Learning delivery method – It is extremely popular and suits the lifestyle of the time poor adults who are looking to kick-start or restart their careers. They feel comfortable in the online environment,” concludes Jeff Laurie.

Applications for 2011 and 2012 study are being considered, on-campus (Sydney & Brisbane) and Flexible Online Learning courses (which are open to students across Australia).

All Australian students can apply for FEE-HELP or VET FEE-HELP. For more information please call APM College of Business and Communication on 1300 880 610 or visit www.apm.edu.au.

*CareerFAQs 10 reasons to hire generation Y by Andrea Riddell http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/employment-news/1668/10-reasons-to-hire-Gen-Y

If you are looking to become more successful in life, a degree can really help you. While it is better to have a degree than to not have one, there are some degrees that are considered to be more profitable than others.

Before choosing a degree you should think about what you really want to do in life. Look at your chosen career path and see exactly which degree would help you to further your career. The last thing that you want is to spend money training for a degree that will earn you a lot less than a different degree that costs the same money to train for.

Backgrounder: Employment Forecast in Australia

One of the best ways to figure out which degree to apply for would be to look into Australia’s employment forecast. If you visit mycareer.realviewtechnologies.com then you will be able to see the current employment forecast in Australia.

It has been running since 2003, and it is a comprehensive report that shows you just what the employment sector is looking for.

More than 316,000 new jobs have been introduced in Australia over the course of the last year. The amount of full time jobs available is increasing despite the recent economy crisis. Unemployment is now only 5.0%.

The report shows that there are currently skills shortages for professional and managerial roles. Sectors that are the most affected include child care workers, engineers, the health sector and truck drivers. The country has also recently cut the number of migrants which could in turn cause even more skill shortages.

One surprising sector that has seen a revival in business is mining. As of February 2011, positions within mining had grown by 18%. However, one sector which has seen a downturn is the financial sector. Positions within the finance sector declined by 1.9%.

Another sector that will likely see more growth in the next few years is computer technology. Practically everything is done online these days and through a computer. Therefore if you are looking for the best employment prospects you should focus on getting a degree in any of these areas.

In Western Australia, there is a particular need for sales and marketing professionals. Mining engineers are also wanted, as are marketing and human resource professionals. In Central and Northern Queensland, there is a shortage of engineering technical sales roles.

While not one of the highest paying sectors, there is a demand for bakers in the country. Local company Brumby was forced to close down due to the fact that there were no local bakers.

Best Paying Careers

In a time where the cost of living seems to be forever increasing, it is only natural that you will want to find the best paying career.

Currently it is engineering managers who are receiving the highest pay in Australia. The average annual salary of an Engineering Manager is $136,700. These statistics were published by news.com.au and it is also worth noting that the Engineering Managers earning this amount of money were in their late 30’s.

General Managers came next, earning around $2276 per week, followed by financial dealers who earn around $1976 per week. When you compare this to the lowest paid sectors such as florists who earn on average $493 per week, or hairdressers who earn $555 per week, you can see that these are very well paid positions.

The great news is that there is an increased demand in Australia for specialist managers. There is a particular need for managers in ICT, research and development, and sales managers. Therefore taking a degree in management would be your best chance of getting into these high paying careers.

One interesting career that you might want to get into which pays really well is an Anaesthetist. They are there to help out during surgeries and to ensure that the patient does not feel anything. It is an important job and a very well paid one. The average anaesthetist will earn around $1957 per week. You would be responsible for ensuring that the patient receives the right amount of anaesthetics and you will also need to monitor the patient throughout the procedure. Therefore this is not a job for the faint hearted!

Best Paying Sectors in Australia

It is a good idea to look at the top best paying sectors in the country. Sometimes the highest paying career choices are based upon jobs that you have no interest in. Engineering Managers may get paid the most in Australia, but what if you are looking for a slightly more generic career?

Accounting always tends to come out on top.

The minimum average salary that most people earn within the accounting sector is $44,749, whereas the highest is $142,314. Admin support is another top player with the minimum average wage earning you $31,029 to $101,940. In order to receive the highest possible salary in each sector, you will need a specific degree.

The Automotive sector is also quite strong with the minimum average salary amounting to $39,000. The highest average salary is $120,000. The banking and financial sector is also strong with a minimum average of $46,000 and a maximum of $236,000.

In order to find the best paying sectors you do need to look into how the employment industry is growing. The Employment Forecast is always a good place to start your search. It definitely helps students to choose the right degree when they learn what the highest paid sectors are. Ideally you should choose a career that you are actually interested in.

While you may want to find the best paying job, is it something that you will actually enjoy doing? If not then even the highest salary won’t make your life fulfilling. Finding a well paid job that you actually like is always the first step to happiness. Think of doubling your career enjoyment as well as the money that you earn.

Overall the above sectors are the ones that are currently lacking skilled professionals in Australia. Take a look at the degrees relating to these sectors to find the most suitable one to suit your needs.

This article was written by Timothy Ng. You can read more of his work at creditcardfinder.com.au where he has a number of comprehensive guides including how to get the most out of your tax return.

London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) will offer MBA course material free online through Facebook, only charging if you choose to sit exams to gain your formal accreditation.

LSBF founder, Aaron Etingen said the free online MBA course material will include lectures online from its faculty and panel discussion groups including industry highflyers such as Partners at Accenture Management Consulting and Deloitte, the Head of Royal Navy Leadership Academy and the Director of Marketing at Viagogo.

“Earlier this year Bill Gates claimed: ‘Five years from now on the web for free you’ll be able to find the best lectures in the world online. He was partly right – our announcement today has fast tracked his vision.  The LSBF Global MBA starts today.”Said Mr Etingen.

This revolutionary “try before you buy” approach offers two unique advantages: Firstly it means that those interested in learning business skills can now do so from some of the best business lecturers, through an innovative and familiar delivery channel at no cost; and secondly those considering going for formal MBA qualification can test both the quality of the programme and their aptitude and interest before any financial commitment.

“Even if people do not decide to go for formal accreditation, the LSBF Global MBA will, at no cost, better equip business students to deal with the global job market” said Etingen.

Three studios in the LSBF’s London campus continuously record constantly updated study material to keep in line with business events.

“Historically there are real barriers for people to take the time to do an MBA.  Our new product uses the Facebook platform.  We expect to get over 500,000 users in the first year but that is a conservative estimate.  Seven years ago we had four students in London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) will offer MBA course material free online through Facebook, only charging if you choose to sit exams to gain your formal accreditation.

LSBF founder, Aaron Etingen said the free online MBA course material will include lectures online from its faculty and panel discussion groups including industry highflyers such as Partners at Accenture Management Consulting and Deloitte, the Head of Royal Navy Leadership Academy and the Director of Marketing at Viagogo.

“Earlier this year Bill Gates claimed: ‘Five years from now on the web for free you’ll be able to find the best lectures in the world online. He was partly right – our announcement today has fast tracked his vision.  The LSBF Global MBA starts today.”Said Mr Etingen.

This revolutionary “try before you buy” approach offers two unique advantages: Firstly it means that those interested in learning business skills can now do so from some of the best business lecturers, through an innovative and familiar delivery channel at no cost; and secondly those considering going for formal MBA qualification can test both the quality of the programme and their aptitude and interest before any financial commitment.

“Even if people do not decide to go for formal accreditation, the LSBF Global MBA will, at no cost, better equip business students to deal with the global job market” said Etingen.

Three studios in the LSBF’s London campus continuously record constantly updated study material to keep in line with business events.

“Historically there are real barriers for people to take the time to do an MBA.  Our new product uses the Facebook platform.  We expect to get over 500,000 users in the first year but that is a conservative estimate.  Seven years ago we had four students in Hyde Park Corner, this year we have a group turnover of £100m with 12,000 students in campuses around the world.  The online world makes it hard to predict but what we do know, is that this is going to change education forever!” said Etingen.

The LSBF MBA course through Facebook can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/LSBFGlobalMBA

Source: Dynamic Business

Long considered the domain of the mature-age or postgraduate student, distance education has often been regarded as plan B when it comes to gaining a tertiary education. But for the jetsetter, corporate climber, or even the social climber, studying by distance education allows you to pursue your dreams and ambitions by acquiring the qualifications to make this possible, regardless of your age or education level. We have explored five little-known truths about studying by distance that might surprise you.

1. You don’t need a computer to study by distance

There are three styles of course delivery you can choose from: by correspondence (by mail), online (by email) or flexible learning (a combination of both). Some universities will also offer you the chance to include some on-campus study in your delivery package. Many course providers will allow you to choose the delivery method that best suits your lifestyle and preference. .Libby Hamel chose to have her course materials for a combined Certificate III and Diploma in Children’s Services through Cengage Education mailed to her doorstep in Texas, Queensland, finding it easier to learn from hard copy rather than on screen.

‘They would send all my study materials in the mail and then I would email back my responses. They did offer to email my materials but I chose to have it all sent by mail. I preferred to receive it in the hand – I’m a bit old school,’ says Libby.

Similarly, at SEEK Learning course consultants work with prospective students to create training packages and delivery options that accommodate their students’ needs and wants.

2. You have as much support as on-campus students

Contrary to popular belief, the level of support offered by distance learning providers is equal to the support you would receive on campus. The difference is, again, in the delivery. While on-campus support can be found in class, distance-learning support is provided by phone, email and on forums, as well as by SMS, teleconferencing and online chat – almost always 24/7. With such an array of contact points, obtaining support from distance education providers can often be more interactive and instantaneous.

You will also be assigned a tutor or mentor, and for the duration of your study this person will be your best friend. For Libby, her Cengage tutor was crucial to the successful completion of her combined Certificate III and Diploma program.

‘I had excellent support from my tutor. If I had any questions or anything, I ended up emailing her directly instead of going through the forums and she’d email me either that day or the next, or give me a call,’ says Libby.

SEEK Learning training consultants also provide career support in addition to study support. The consultants talk with potential students to find the right course for their career goals and needs.

3. Self-motivation is achievable
While distance education affords you greater flexibility, it also requires greater discipline – only you can decide when and whether you study. Having the responsibility of your education fall squarely onto your shoulders alone can seem completely overwhelming. However, this is the case with any form of tertiary education, on campus or not. If you plan on studying by distance there are many strategies to beat the distance education blues.

One scenario you definitely want to avoid is procrastination – leading, inevitably, to a daunting study load moments before your deadlines. Melissa Plant, studying a Bachelor of Communications through Open Universities Australia, chose to start her study early and spreads her workload as much as possible.

‘As soon as the online information is available, get straight on and try to navigate your way around and get a feel for what’s there,’ says Melissa. ‘It’s up to you to sort out what needs your urgent attention and what can be left to do at your own pace.’

‘I have a calendar which reminds me when I’ve two weeks to go until something is due, then one week and so on. I try to also keep tabs on the discussion boards for my units to see if other students are raising anything I should be thinking about.’

Course providers are aware that it may be harder for distance students to maintain motivation, and most strive to provide extensive support to counteract this. Cengage Education provides a team of experienced mentors to help encourage motivation when needed.

‘Our experience tells us that the best study habits deliver the best outcomes, so it’s crucial to establish good habits from the word go. Setting a timetable and having a specific place to study can be very useful, as can breaking the coursework down into smaller tasks,’ says the Academic Director of Cengage Education, Dirk Drieberg.

4. Finding the time to study is simple
Many people think that they will find it hard to find time to study. While your other commitments may make it more difficult to eke out solid study time, course providers recognise this with flexible assessment dates and long study periods.

Organising your workload will stop any forgotten assessments becoming nasty surprises and allows you to plan your time wisely. As Melissa says, ‘Doing a bit each day is much easier to manage. And if something comes up and you can’t study, it’s much easier to catch up.’

Melissa creates a timetable for her study, leaving enough flexibility to work around her other commitments.

‘I set aside certain nights of the week where I do different parts of study, and then try to fit in other study time around the rest of my life,’ says Melissa. ‘Map out what needs to be done by when. If you have a lot of readings, try to get them all in a pile and then section them up week by week, allowing for any readings to be completed before exams or quizzes, as necessary.’

For Libby, her study time was less about creating a structure and more about fitting in with her two children.

‘When the kids were asleep or outside playing happily, I’d get my books out and sit and watch them. I didn’t make my own timetable; I just studied whenever I got the chance. With kids you don’t have a timetable.’

Many course providers also guide students through their distance learning. The Australian Institute of Applied Sciences (AIAS) provides students with guides to self-paced learning and writing assessments.

‘Each workbook for each subject has study tips and ways to help studying. The Guide to Self-Paced Learning provides timelines and more study tips,’ says CEO of AIAS, Cherie Morley.

5. Your classmates are within reach
It can be intimidating to study by distance, with the lack of regular contact with tutors, lecturers and classmates making you feel like you’re all alone in your educational endeavours. However, course providers supply a multitude of avenues for you to communicate and interact with fellow students, meaning not only can you compare notes, but you can also make friends for life.

Browen Westley is studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) through Open Universities Australia and enjoys interacting with her classmates despite the distance.

‘I have made a “study buddy” that I will always count as a friend – we phone, email, text and share assessment problems.’

Finding a study buddy online can also help you regain the confidence you need to excel. Cengage Education has recently launched a study buddy locator, allowing students to connect with others in their locality who are studying the same units.

For Melissa, the main issue was remaining confident that she was on the right track with her assignments, and interacting with her classmates helped her with this.

‘Just like in a classroom, other students will raise ideas and questions that you perhaps hadn’t thought of. The answers are really helpful, either to give context to the readings or textbooks or to help with navigating through the unit itself,’ says Melissa.

It is one of the many advantages of distance education – being able to tap into a large collective of brainpower from students all over the world. This network of minds is accessible simply by logging in to your student portal, discussion board, forum or any other form of online community offered to you by your course provider. And as Melissa found, these online meeting places can hold the key to the success of your education.

‘I have a greater sense of who the tutor is and a better understanding of what she is looking for from being involved with the discussion boards. And I am also very aware of my fellow students – for one subject I believe there are around 140 of them!’

Source: Career FAQ’s

Whether you’re writing content for a website or you are just composing a proposal for a client, good writing is essential. Maybe you missed a few lessons in school or you want a refresher. Either way, these online writing classes can help you craft your words for maximum impact. I’ve scoured through a bunch of online writing course materials to bring you those I think will be most valuable for freelancers. Best of all, these are absolutely free online writing courses.

English Grammar in Context. The Open University in the UK has a huge assortment of writing classes. English Grammar in Context is one of them, and it offers a great overview of grammar basics and the importance of good grammar. Because grammar is such an important aspect of writing, you can start with this if you want to touch up on your grammar know-how.

Intro to Tech Communication. Whether you are drafting a proposal or another technical report, this course taught by MIT instructor Kimberly De Vries includes a great background on technical communications. And you don’t have to be a tech writer to benefit. While it’s geared for scientific writers and researchers, anyone can find this course useful.

Communicating in Cyberspace. I know many freelancers work online, so I had to mention MIT’s course as well. You won’t just learn about the art of writing here. Concepts of design, information architecture, communication, and community are also covered.

Cleaning Your Copy: Grammar, Style and More. Everyone has to edit their work, so this will likely be a useful course for many freelancers–especially those that don’t write. It will help anyone develop a sharper editorial eye and remain aware of common flaws that can ruin an entire project.

HTML Basics. Because non-writers need to know about writing, writers also need to know about things other than the craft of writing. That’s why I liked the idea behind University of Washington’s HTML course. If you are doing any writing on the Web, knowing more about basic HTML is a great skill to acquire.

Any of these courses would be ideal for just about every freelancer to take. So if you’re looking to expand your skill set and don’t want to spend a ton of money, consider perusing online resources to find out more about the many free online classes out there.

Source:  Freelance Switch

Short courses are practical, convenient and can really ramp up that resume.

For those of us for whom our university degrees are getting a little dated, who never went to Uni and jumped straight into the workforce, or who have taken a “career break”, short courses are ideal for brushing up on skills.

While obviously not as solid as a degree, short courses keep the mind sharp and active, and open up new windows and opportunity when it comes to thinking about your career.
They show potential employers you are motivated, keen to learn and sharp. They show current employers you are not content to rest on your laurels, and that you see continual improvement as a priority.

Short courses are also convenient for those who simply don’t have the time, or the inclination, to commit to a longer degree or TAFE course. They often offer the option to learn by correspondence, online learning or require just one evening or afternoon a week.

Aside from the career advantages short courses can offer, they are also perfect for people who are at home: carers, stay-at-home parents and even retirees can really benefit from short courses in a range of ways.

Keeping the mind active is just as important as keeping the body active, and learning new things. Testing yourself, can be so rewarding for those who might feel bogged down in their day to day obligations.

As a working mother who is involved in the recruitment industry, I have no doubt of the value of short courses. Those who have completed short courses to brush up their skills at work show self-discipline, drive and the desire to do well. Those who have completed short courses in fields unrelated to their careers show an open and interested mind, an enthusiastic attitude and a lust for life.

What employer wouldn’t want these attributes in their employees?

Short courses can also benefit those who work for themselves and are self employed. Working every day on the same tasks, small business owners run the risk of their ideas getting tired, their minds uninspired. A short course, which may offer new ideas and skills, can really fire up the mind and inspire greater business success.