Fast-Growing Careers With High Salaries

by Gabby Hyman, career writer

Thinking of changing careers? Whether you're just beginning your education or returning to college, there are fast-growing professions that show no signs of slowing down through the end of the decade -- and they pay.

Let's look over some fast-track career groups that offer strong salaries with room to grow:

Commercial Loan Officers. Commercial loan officers work for banks, credit unions, and other lenders to help them analyze loan applicants for their consumer credit history and financial status. You'll need strong financial skills and a degree in business, economics, sales, or banking. Many online finance or management programs can get you up to speed in a hurry.

According to Salary.com, the national average of entry level earnings for commercial loan officers ranges from $55,475 to $71,382 with $3,000-$7,000 in bonuses. After six to eight years of experience, commercial loan officers can earn between $95,015 and $116,670, to a top salary of $128,034.

Financial Analyst. Financial analysts develop critical revenue projections and investment analyses for individuals or companies. There are online MBA or undergraduate business degree programs offering courses in statistics, accounting, economics, and business law that can prepare you for this fast-growing field.

The national annual salary range for entry level analysts is between $40,632 and $51,982, but with seven years experience, you'll leap into the $90,690 to $99,972 range.

Senior Database Administrator. A senior database administrator can design, maintain, and crunch a company's database to dramatically affect the operational bottom line. An online computer science degree or computer programming degree can provide fundamental skills necessary to thrive in this IT career. You'll need at least a bachelor-level IT degree to play on this rewarding field.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that senior database administrator jobs will grow faster than the average rate for all career groups through 2014. And you'll look forward to your paycheck. Top salaries range from $90,690 to $113,849, with a top tier around $125,379.

Network Security Administrators. Like their database cousins, network security administrators are among the fastest-growing career groups in the nation. In this role, you'll be the architect and security watchdog for an organization's voice systems, LAN/WAN, and telecommunications networks.

You'll need at least an IT bachelor's degree to compete, and you can better your prospects through online IT network certification and graduate degree programs. But it's worth it. Top annual salaries range from $61,117 to $100,685, with a high end around $123,585.

Registered Nurses. There's no shortage of nursing jobs. According to the U.S. DOL, nurses make up the second-largest career group in the country. There are registered nurses and registered nurses with bachelor's degrees. The difference in earnings and the ceiling on your career can depend on your willingness to enroll in an online RN to BSN degree program.

Consider the evidence: entry level wages for an RN floor nurse range $53,398 to $68,263. Nurses who want to move into supervisory positions better their chances for advancement with a BSN degree. For example, head nurses average between $74,965 to $97,276, and head operating room nurses average from $80,084 to $112,090.

Web Interface Design Directors. Among all the graphics design professions, the U.S. DOL predicts that Web designers with animation experience will have the best job prospects through the decade. And, among these, Web interface design directors are the best earners. You can enroll in online graphics design degree programs and software courses to bone up on the latest graphical user interfaces (GUIs), usability trends, and code management techniques.

In return, look for the national earnings average of $47,551 to $66,277 for entry level designers to ramp up to a muscular $121,310 to $141,662 range -- with top salaries at $148,374 -- for senior interface design directors.

Restaurant General Managers. Restaurant general managers work for major restaurant chains, private bistros, hotels, resorts, and casinos. The Department of Labor predicts best opportunities will be for salaried managers than self-employed restaurateurs. You'll prosper from completing online hotel and restaurant management programs.

National average wages for restaurant GMs range from $53,255 to $60,765, with an average at $70,546 for managers of fine restaurants.

Paralegals.Paralegals provide critical support to attorneys, law offices, corporate legal departments, courts, and government agencies. The Department of Labor predicts brisk growth in the field, especially for graduates of paralegal courses offered through online paralegal degree programs.

The national salary range for entry level paralegals is from $36,641 to $49,754, however, paralegals with eight years experience may earn upwards of $86,666.

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Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.

Making love is the best sleeping pill

By Cory Quirino

Getting up every morning is such a chore for most people. More challenging is to wake up with energy. Do you know that when you’re asleep:

Body temperature drops to its all-time low.

Muscles and joints are stiff, blood pressure falls and blood pools in the extremities (legs and arms).

The body undergoes a state of paralysis during sleep cycle for 20-30 minutes to prevent reacting to dreams.

If you have insomnia:

Wind down in the late hours of the evening. Don’t cram so many activities at night.
Avoid eating heavy dinner.

Let go of problems concerning your finances, job, husband/wife/lover/family.
Don’t bring home work.
Soak in a hot tub.
Drink a glass of warm milk or chamomile tea.
Use the bed only for sleeping—not watching TV or surfing the net.
Stretch your spine.
Have a massage.
Read yourself to sleep.
Watch an uplifting, relaxing movie, not a horror film.

Make love at bedtime, it’s nature’s best sleeping pill.

If you need to take an antihistamine or decongestant, do so at least three hours before bedtime.

Finally, visualize you are in a place of serenity—a beach, a mountain top, etc. See it, feel it, experience it.

Stop telling yourself and others you are an insomniac. Don’t label yourself. Reinforcing it makes your subconscious accept it as truth.

Meditate five to 10 minutes before bedtime.

Take 1-3 mg of natural hormone, melatonin, 20 minutes before bedtime. If this doesn’t help, then you are stressed about something that needs addressing.

Instead of a sleeping pill, take inositol and 2,000 mg of pantothenic acid from Vitamin B to induce sleep the natural way.

Mother of all illness

Stress has been called the mother of all illness. It is a condition of the mind that affects the spirit and emotions and ultimately, the body. Experts say treat the cause, the symptom will go away.

If you are in a state of stress:

Sit down. Take a full glass of water.
Get hold of yourself. Release your frustration slowly.
Take a deep breath, slow down your breathing. Do this for five minutes.

Close your eyes and talk to yourself. Affirm: “I am in control of my feelings and situation. The solution is coming.” Or “No problem is too great. My prayers will be answered.”

Listen to relaxing music.

Be in the presence of happy people.

Get up and go. Do something positive that you’ve never done before. Surprise yourself.
Load up on Vitamin B complex, (500 mg daily). This is an anti-stress supplement (especially B1, B2—50 mg each daily), natural sources: green leafy vegetables, liver, eggs, dairy, oatmeal, peanuts, brewers yeast, fish, lean meats, figs, prunes, poultry, root crops.

If you need to turbo-charge your day, get up in the morning with a goal designed to excite you. Make sure your eyes are exposed to daylight. This will directly stimulate your brain. Think of a happy thought that will put a smile on your face. Drink one to four tablespoons of virgin coco oil in the morning, either on an empty stomach or mixed with your juice or oatmeal. Do 20-30 minutes of exercise daily, even brisk walking will do. Have a hearty breakfast. Take your vitamin-mineral supplement. Have a good laugh. Face yourself in the morning before you go out and affirm “You’re a winner. Go out and claim your prize.”

Love and light!

References: “Vitamin Bible For The 21st Century” by Earl Mindell; “Sleep Rx” by Norman Ford

Ways to help prevent cervical cancer

As early as age 10, one can already acquire the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus affecting one out of 10 people worldwide, or approximately 630 million people.

When left untreated, certain types of HPV may lead to cervical cancer, the second most common form of cancer worldwide, with almost 600 women dying each day.

In the Philippines, 4,349 women had died of cervical cancer, out of the 6,000 new cases reported in 2002 alone, according to pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD).

At a briefing hosted by MSD, Dr. Efren Domingo, president-elect of the research organization Asia Oceania Genital Infection and Neoplasia Philippine chapter, explained that most women suffering from cervical cancer have probably acquired or been exposed to a high-risk type of HPV when they were still in their teens.

In an interview, Dr. Domingo said however that most women show signs of cervical cancer only by age 30-35 and this becomes even more prevalent at age 40-49.

“It takes a while before the tumor fully develops and generates into cancer,” Domingo added.
Contrary to common beliefs, cervical cancer, a serious life-threatening condition is not hereditary. Rather, it is caused by certain types of HPV—particularly types 16 and 18—that women may acquire in their teens just when their body is developing, Dr. Domingo said.
How cervical cancer develops

Cervical cancer develops when these abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix start to multiply out of control. Cervix is the part of the uterus that connects the upper part of the uterus (womb) and the vagina.

The transition from abnormal cell growth due to HPV to cervical cancer often takes a number of years, although in rare cases, it can happen within a year, MSD said.

According to MSD, there are more than 100 types of HPV, affecting both men and women. Most types of HPV do not cause any symptoms, are harmless and go away on their own in 1-2 years through the body’s natural immune response.

While HPVs are usually transmitted through sexual activity, MSD claimed that new studies are now emerging, citing new sources and new ways of acquiring certain strains of HPV.
It further explained that low risk HPV types can cause the formation of genital warts, fleshy, noncancerous growths that appear on or around the genitals. There are, however, 30 types of HPV affecting the genital area that can possibly lead to cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
Domingo explained that once these types of HPV are left untreated and the immune system does not clear the infection, abnormal cells may begin to grow and develop into precancerous lesions. He added that most often than not it takes a number of years before it develops into cancer.

Symptoms

While highly preventable, cervical cancer like other forms of cancer usually has no early symptoms which make it all the more difficult to detect. More often than not cervical cancer is discovered at a more advance stage, Domingo noted.

According to him, the most common symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge usually whitish to yellowish in color, pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse.

MSD also warned that precancerous changes and early cancers of the cervix do not generally cause pain or other symptoms and thus, it is essential to get regular pap screenings to detect cancers at a stage when they can be treated most effectively.

Domingo echoed MSD’s warning that only pap smear can detect possible signs of cervical cancer. He stressed that once a person gets sexually active, she should start getting pap smear tests a year after.

Studies have proven that pap smear had significantly reduced cervical cancer deaths. However, like any other medical tests pap smears aren’t perfect, he added.

Cancer prevention

Another way to help prevent cervical cancer is through MSD’s cervical cancer vaccine called Gardasil.

Recently, MSD launched its cervical cancer prevention advocacy dubbed “Everything I Can,” which is aimed at encouraging mothers and young women to do everything they can to prevent cervical cancer.

They are encouraged to understand the risks of acquiring HPV and to visit their OB-gynecologists and/or their daughter’s pediatrician to discuss ways on how to help prevent cervical cancer. ( Tess S. Samaniego; INQ.net)

World's Best Places to Live in 2008

New York, London, and Paris are internationally renowned cities but consultants at Mercer Consulting have picked Zurich, Switzerland, as the best place to live in the company's annual survey.

Consultants rated each city on a variety of factors including the level of traffic congestion, air quality, and personal safety reported by expatriates living in more than 600 cities worldwide. In the top 25, U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago were all edged out by Geneva, Switzerland, Vancouver, B.C., and Auckland, New Zealand. The highest-scoring U.S. city is Honolulu, which came in at No. 28.

Still, Mercer acknowledges that cities with a high quality of life are not necessarily the most exciting. "There are a lot of 'sleepy' towns that got high ratings," said Rebecca Powers, a principal consultant in human capital for the company. "But if you were to judge them on something like nightlife, there are some that probably wouldn't have rated as high."

No. 1: Zurich, Switzerland
Mercer score: 108*2007 rank: No. 1GDP: $300.9 billion (2007 est.)**Population: 7,581,520 (total country); 347,517 (total city)Life expectancy: 80.74 years

No. 2 (tie): Vienna, Austria
Mercer score: 107.92007 rank: No. 3GDP: $319.7 billion (2007 est.)Population: 8,205,533 (total country); 1,825,287 (total city)Life expectancy: 79.36 years

No. 2 (tie): Geneva, Switzerland

Mercer score: 107.92007 rank: No. 2GDP: $300.9 billion (2007 est.)Population: 7,581,520 (total country); 185,000 (total city)Life expectancy: 80.74 years


No. 4: Vancouver, Canada

Mercer score: 107.62007 rank: No. 3GDP: $1.274 trillion (2007 est.)Population: 33,212,696 (total country); 560,000 (total city)Life expectancy: 81.16 years

No. 5: Auckland, New Zealand

Mercer score: 107.32007 rank: No. 5GDP: $112.6 billion (2007 est.)Population: 4,173,460 (total country); 1.18 million (total city)Life expectancy: 80.24 years

No. 6: Dusseldorf, Germany

Mercer score: 107.22007 rank: No. 6GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 581,858 (total city)Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 7 (tie): Munich, Germany

Mercer score: 1072007 rank: No. 8GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 1,332,650 (total city)Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 7 (tie): Frankfurt, Germany

Mercer score: 1072007 rank: No. 7GDP: $2.833 trillion (2007 est.)Population: 82,369,548 (total country); 3,700,000 (total city)Life expectancy: 79.1 years

No. 9: Bern, Switzerland

Mercer score: 106.52007 rank: No. 9GDP: $319.7 billion (2007 est.)Population: 8,205,533 (total country); 122,178 (total city)Life expectancy: 79.36 years

No. 10: Sydney, Australia


Mercer score: 106.32007 rank: No. 9GDP: $766.8 billion (2007 est.)Population: 20,600,856 (total country); 4,297,100 (total city)Life expectancy: 80.73 years

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The rankings are based on a point scoring index, with Zurich scoring 108 and Baghdad scoring 13.5. Cities are compared to New York as the base city, with an index score of 100. The quality-of-living survey covers 215 cities and is conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. The survey also identifies those cities with the highest personal safety ranking based on internal stability, crime, effectiveness of law enforcement, and relationships with other countries.


More from BusinessWeek.com: • World's Most Expensive Real Estate Markets • World's Most Affordable Housing Markets • Countries With Most Millionaire Households

Coffee - Fact or Fiction?

By Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN

Can that afternoon Americano actually be good for you? Does that Red Bull have more or less caffeine than the same amount of coffee? Test your coffee knowledge with this coffee 101!

Fact or fiction? 3 cups of daily joe helps boost your memory...

Fact. In November 2005, Austrian researchers confirmed that caffeinated coffee can temporarily sharpen your focus and memory. After giving volunteers the caffeine equivalent of about two cups of coffee, their brain activity was increased in two locations - the memory-rich frontal lobe and the attention-controlling anterior cingulum.

Now a new study published in the August 7, 2007, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found the effects of coffee may be longer lasting - specifically in women. At the end of this four-year study, researchers found that women age 65 and older who drank more than three cups of coffee per day (or the caffeine equivalent in tea) had 33% less decline in memory over time than women who drank one cup or less of coffee or tea per day.
This caffeine-memory association was not observed in men - the authors hypothesize that perhaps that's because men and women metabolize caffeine differently.

This is exciting news for women, though it's certainly too premature to recommend caffeine as a memory cure-all. And it's important to point out that this study found no protective effect for true dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Fact or fiction? Coffee and exercise prevent skin cancer...

Perhaps. According to a new Rutgers University study on mice (it has yet to be tested on humans), the combination of exercise and caffeine increases the body's ability to combat precancerous cells damaged by the sun's ultraviolet rays. The caffeine consumption alone helped destroy precancerous skin cells, as did the exercise alone. But the two together provided significant protection. Dr. Allan Conney, one of the paper's authors, points out the possibility of some sort of synergy between the two.

Of course, this is not a substitute for sunscreen!

Fact or fiction? Coffee is a potent diuretic...

Fiction. It's true the stimulant effect of coffee can act as a slight diuretic. However, the overall volume of water you consume while enjoying your cup of coffee will more than make up for the small amount lost in your urine.

Fact or fiction? Energy drinks deliver more caffeine than coffee....

Perhaps. It varies from drink to drink. For example, Red Bull is known as an ultimate energy drink, but it only contains 80 milligrams of caffeine in one 8-ounce can - less than the 100 milligrams in an average cup of coffee. That said, this is a case-by-case comparison.... check the caffeine amount on the label to know for sure.

Fact or fiction? Coffee enhances your workout...

Fact. A burst of caffeine before a workout can give you a slight edge: As little as 100 milligrams of caffeine - the amount in just a cup of coffee - has been shown to improve the athletic performance of dedicated exercisers (though casual exercisers won't experience the same boost). Researchers aren't sure why, but it may be because caffeine signals your muscles to ignore fatigue and contract differently.

P.S. The following folks should avoid caffeine altogether:

People who are caffeine sensitive: The stimulant effects of caffeine will exacerbate restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and/or headaches.

People with sleeping issues: Caffeine can stay in your system anywhere from three to eight hours. So depending on your personal sensitivity, stop drinking it accordingly.

People with gastrointestinal problems: A dose of caffeine may irritate your stomach if you have irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers.

People with elevated blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythms: In this case, your personal physician knows best.

People with severe PMS and cystic breasts: Caffeine has been shown to worsen these conditions.

When you have 'feeling' for a friend

Crossing the 'Friend Zone'
By Andrea Syrtash, ONDating

You've had feelings for your friend for a while and you're worried about crossing the line and ruining the friendship. That's not really true, of course, but that's what you keep telling yourself so you can justify not putting yourself on the line and risking rejection.

Sure -- it's possible to love a friend of the opposite sex without picturing him or her in bed. Having feelings for your friend doesn't necessarily prove Harry's theory in "When Harry Met Sally" who famously declared that "No man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her."

There are exceptions to Harry's rule, but one thing is certain -- being seen as just a friend by all the people you want to date can be frustrating. So here are a few ways to prevent being stuck in (cue scary music): 'The Friend Zone':

1. Do Flirt

It's okay if romance is on your brain when you greet your friend. In fact, it can fuel the chemistry. It's good for your friend to catch you subtly checking him or her out. As long as you're not drooling or gawking, it can be sexy. You want your friend to think he or she imagined the look. Light touching and sincere and specific compliments are great for flirting, too.

2. Don't Be the Problem Solver

Are you on speed dial every time your friend needs something fixed or wants to process a bad relationship? It's nice to help your friend occasionally, but make sure you're not the one he or she associates with problems.

If you do come over to help, mention that you're happy to assist for an hour but have plans after that. Better to remain a little mysterious and have your friend wondering who else is getting your attention.

3. Have Fun

Create unique memories. You're aware of your friend's passions, so initiate fun and interesting activities that you know your friend will enjoy but isn't doing with others.

And -- if someone has dumped you, confide in a friend you don't have feelings for! Remember to keep an upbeat attitude and stay confident -- those are two of the most attractive qualities cited by singles when looking for a mate.

Of course, not every friendship ends with a romantic happy ending and you may have to be prepared that your crush just wants to stay your friend. You'll have to decide if that's enough for you.

In the meantime, if you feel like you often end up in the friend zone with people you want to date, plant some of these seeds and see if anything grows in your relationship. Sometimes a glass of wine or a flirtatious exchange can change the dynamic... and you look at each other and wonder why it took so long.