Published on: 14 January 2023
Last Updated on: 04 September 2024
STEM subjects are some of the most in-demand fields of study right now. They’re also some of the most competitive.
To stand out in an increasingly competitive job market, students need to make sure they’re making the right choice when it comes to their college education. Even if you don’t plan on pursuing a STEM career, these degrees can open up new opportunities for you after you graduate.
Here are just a few benefits of earning SUNY Math & Science degrees:
You’ll Be Able to Find a Job Fast
In case you were unaware, STEM degree holders are in high demand. And what’s more, there are often more positions than there are candidates available.
That means that after you get a degree in a STEM field, you’ll have a distinct leg up over other job seekers. Job-finding websites like Indeed and SimplyHired are full of hiring managers looking for candidates with a variety of skills in STEM.
Therefore, you’ll be better positioned as a degree holder to stand out from the crowd.
You’ll Have Access to Higher Pay
STEM jobs are some of the highest-paying fields available. Healthcare, for instance, is one of the highest-paying industries, but IT/computer science and engineering are high-demand fields that typically pay well.
However, note that having a degree can help you earn a higher salary. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll earn a higher salary, but it does give you an advantage. Employers seek specific skills, experiences, and traits when filling jobs. They’re also looking to see if you have the motivation and drive to perform well.
That said, having a high-paying job can help you build your savings. This way, you’re more likely to be able to afford a house and a family.
It Can Help Lead to Other Careers
Getting a degree in one of the most in-demand fields opens you up to other careers. You can’t necessarily expect to transition easily into a new career from your current one, but you can use the skills you’re developing in a differnt career. This can open up multiple career paths.
You’ll Develop Important Skills
STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and biology are a part of your daily life. Therefore, as a degree holder in one of these fields, you can look forward to working in a field that requires a significantly different mindset than your typical college courses.
You may already find yourself applying your critical thinking skills as you tackle challenging projects. With a degree in a STEM field, you can continue to refine these skills in a job setting quickly and efficiently, and, ultimately, increase your overall marketability.
Even if you don’t plan on pursuing a STEM career, SUNY Math & Science degrees can open up new opportunities for you after you graduate.
In Conclusion
STEM subjects are some of the most in-demand fields of study right now. They’re also some of the most competitive. To stand out in an increasingly competitive job market, students need to make sure they’re making the right choice when it comes to their college education.
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Networking is the process where you make connections and build productive relationships in your professional field.
It is an important factor if you want to grow professionally and seek new employment opportunities. A major aspect of networking is to get referrals. In this article, you will learn how to ask for a referral request.
Here, you will learn how to use your network to get referrals. As a result, you will have a better likelihood of getting access to new opportunities or cracking interview processes. Thereby, you can get better job offers and get professional growth. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
What Is A Referral Request?
Having a professional network is essential for every employee or businessperson. This helps you get access to referrals faster. Basically, when you ask a member of your professional network to endorse or introduce you to a prospective employer, it is a referral request.
For example, it can be something like reaching out to a recruiter on LinkedIn or asking a previous employer to refer you.
In fact, if you have a referral in your arsenal, you give employers a chance to distinguish you from other job candidates. This will increase your chances of getting an interview or getting the job offer itself. Generally, employers go for candidates with referrals since it shows that the candidate has skills and experience.
Apart from that, if you have a referral with you, it shows that you can form and maintain good work relationships. Also, it shows that you can form and nurture networks. For instance, you can request a referral from a personal acquaintance. Moreover, your interview preparation gets easier if you have a referral.
Hence, you must ensure that you are choosing the right person for the referral. Moreover, you must approach them in the right manner.
How To Ask For A Referral? – Steps To Follow
The following are some steps you must follow if you want to ask for a referral from a professional you know:
1. Choose The Right Medium
While asking for a referral, you must consider your relationship with your referrer. Generally, the best medium to reach a referrer is through writing. For example, it can be a message, an email, a LinkedIn chat, etc.
Basically, the choice of medium depends on your relationship with the person. If the relationship with the person is formal, the best option is to use a written medium. However, if you have a causal relationship with the person, a face-to-face conversation can be handy.
2. Find The Right Person To Ask
Another important factor to consider is whom to ask for a referral. This can be anyone you know, a former employer, a friend, or anyone else. Moreover, you can also ask someone in your existing network.
However, the best person to ask for a referral is someone you already know. In fact, that person can attest to how you work and what your character is. Basically, the stronger the connection, the better the chance of getting a referral. Hence, the best option is to ask an ex-boss, colleague, former client, or even a college professor.
Additionally, make sure you are honest with the referrer and explain what you need. Also, explain to them how they can help you and how beneficial it will be for your career.
However, don’t ask for a referral from someone close to you, like a family member or a friend. In such cases, the referral request is obvious and does not help you during an interview.
3. Give The Referrer More Context And Reasons
It is important to provide your referrer with the context of the referral. In fact, tell them why you need the referral and what exactly you want to achieve with it.
For instance, if you apply for a job, be sure to attach a resume and the job listing to your request. Moreover, mention why you are asking them for a referral. For example, if you ask your previous employer for a referral, include a note that you have worked together.
Additionally, you can also include a portfolio of your other work if you want to provide extra context.
Here, you must make sure your request is not vague where your referrer is unsure about what you want. Also, ensure you give them an idea of how they can help you in the first place.
Actually, this extra information will make it easier for them to agree with you. Hence, they will be eager to give you a referral that will help you grow professionally.
4. Ensure The Process Is Easy And They Say “Yes”
When the referral process is easier, it will provide you with better results. Apart from providing them with a context, make sure they find it easy to refer you professionally. Additionally, you can also send your referrer with your career portfolio or your website. However, it needs to be relevant and must be an easy reference to consider.
On the other hand, you can face a situation where the referrer wants to provide you with a referral but does not have the time to do so. In such cases, you can offer a draft letter on your referrer’s behalf. This way, they can just add a signature to it or attest to it.
Hence, you make it easier for them to give you a referral. Moreover, they do not feel like they must push themselves to give a reference to you.
However, if you are an independent professional, you can make it easy for your clients to refer you. Here, you just need to create and provide marketing materials for them. For instance, you can use a business card, an email template, or just a website button. This way, they can quickly refer you to their network with minimal effort.
5. Give Them The Option To Opt Out
You can request someone to provide you with a referral. However, that does not mean that they will agree to provide you with that. On the other hand, you can feel that an ex-employer or a friend can help you. However, they might not feel comfortable referring you to their network.
Hence, you must accept the possibility of rejection and move on. Therefore, to prevent an awkward situation, you can provide an opt-out option in the referral request.
For instance, in your request, you can write, “It’s alright if you can’t provide a referral…” Hence, you are giving your referrers an option to exit. Also, you are not jeopardizing the relationship with them.
6. Ensure A Follow-Up And Express Gratitude
When you receive a referral, you need to express gratitude. In fact, it is not a good idea to take a referral for granted. For instance, if someone refers you to their network, make sure to send them a thank you note. This way, you are expressing appreciation.
Moreover, if a professional contact offers you a dream role, you must thank them for their time and support. Furthermore, even if you do not land the job, you must still express your gratitude.
How To Ask For A Referral? – Tips To Consider
Apart from conceptual skills, companies also look for networking and communication skills. You can prove your networking skills with the help of a referral. Hence, getting a referral is essential for business growth.
The following are some of the tips you must follow if you want to ask for a referral from a professional network:
1. How you ask for a referral depends on your relationship with the referrer. For instance, if you ask someone an authority figure, you must use a formal tone.
2. You can also personalize your request if you understand it will work. For instance, you can include a thoughtful message. Apart from that, even if you are asking different people, make sure to write each referrer differently.
3. By being specific and providing context behind your referral request, you increase your chances of getting a referral.
4. Timing is the most important aspect of your referral request. For instance, if you know that the potential referrer is currently busy or not in the right mood, you must hold your request. Basically, you can yield better results if you ask at the right time.
5. You must build your network and grow it with time. In fact, once you prioritize your networks, you will not need to ask for referrals, as they will start coming your way. For instance, you can use a mutual connection when you are looking for a job or building a business from scratch.
Referral For Professional Growth: The Way Forward
Now, you know how to ask for a referral from someone from your network. Understand that the best referral comes from people you already know. Basically, if you have built professional relationships in your network, always feel free to ask for referrals.
Do you have more suggestions to offer on how to ask for a referral? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
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Is medical assistant a good career path in 2021? How many jobs are available in the medical assistant sector? What are the best paying jobs in the medical assistant?
Let’s discuss the above queries in detail.
Becoming a medical assistant doesn’t take long, and the job is excellent in several ways. First, if you are interested in working with medical patients, then the medical assistant sector can be the right career choice for you in the long run.
Medical assistants are becoming an increasingly crucial part of the healthcare system as hospitals try to accommodate the needs of the increasing patient population. Besides, medical/dental instruments are also regarded as a great career path due to the rising demand for medical assistants.
Medical Assistant & Job Responsibilities - What You Need To Know?
Medical Assistants are healthcare experts who assist doctors in medical offices as well as clinics. This is one of the nation’s careers growing much faster than average for all occupations.
Medical assistants work directly with doctors, but they can’t give any medical advice to patients. It is because their duties are very limited as they work to prepare the doctor and patient for the medical visit and collect information for the same.
Now, what does a medical assistant do? Their duties and responsibilities vary according to the requirements. Some of their common tasks are like:
Bookkeeping, handling bills, etc.
Making arrangements for a hospital visit
Coding and completing insurance forms
Updating medical records
Greeting patients and their families
Scheduling appointments and answering phones.
Doing electrocardiograms
Drawing blood for lab tests
Changing wound dressings
Discussing the general information with patients
Preparing laboratory samples with patients
Updating medical histories for both doctors and patients
Is Medical Assistant A Good Career Path In 2021?
The answer to this question is an absolute Yes. Although there are no formal education requirements for becoming these assistants, you need to complete Medical Assistant Program training to become one.
Meanwhile, some of the important skills required to become a medical assistant are technical skills, interpersonal skills, detail-oriented and analytical skills. Now, we are going to describe several reasons to consider medical assistant as your career path.
i). Career is stable: Working in the healthcare industry seems like it is a non-stop job. There is a need for assistants, surgeons, doctors, nurses, and other individuals working 24*7, 365 days a year. Thus, the career is stable in this path, and the future is rewarding.
ii). It can be a gateway to greater things: Another reason to consider medical assistant as your career path is that it can be a gateway to greater things in life. This sector has more potential to become a fulfilling career.
iii). You can work anywhere: Another benefit of choosing a medical assistant as your career path is that you can work anywhere. The skills required to become a medical assistant are helpful in every hospital across the country, which is, in turn, beneficial for you.
iv). Certification can increase marketability: You need to pass some Medical Program test to get this job role, and the test requires a broad understanding of healthcare implementation, and all the information will prove incredibly useful to you.
v). You can enter the field immediately: The job of a medical assistant is accessible, which makes it easy for you to enter the field immediately. You can just complete a Medical Assisting Diploma for the post of medical assisting.
vi). Jobs are increasing faster than average: Another benefit of this sector is that jobs are increasing faster than average. Therefore, there can be lots of opportunities for you in the long run.
How Many Jobs Are Available In The Medical Assistant?
According to the reports, there were around 720,900 jobs in 2020 alone. This number is increasing at present and is expected to increase in the future as well. In the United States, three are more than 4.5 lakhs people working in the medical assistant field.
Now, we are going to discuss the best paying jobs in the medical assistant sector in 2021.
1. Medical Assistant Vaccine Coordination
The Medical Assistant Vaccine Coordination is mainly responsible for administering vaccines to patients. In this position, you need to perform various patient care activities and related services.
This pandemic has given rise to this post, and it is available in many states of the United States where you can apply now.
2. Research Medical Assistant
Another best paying job in this industry is Research Medical Assistant. In this role, you need skills in speaking and writing to persons of diverse cultural, economic, social, and educational backgrounds.
At the same time, you must possess the ability to question research participants about sensitive behavioral issues and also the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
3. Medical Support Teaching Assistant
Medical Support Teaching Assistant is also one of the great career paths in the healthcare industry. Here, you have to take the responsibility of a general Teaching Assistant for a year.
To qualify for this post, you must be at least a Level 2 qualified Teaching Assistant and must possess prior experience helping diabetic children and have a good knowledge of the KS1 curriculum.
4. Clinical Assistant
As a Clinical Assistant, you must be dedicated to providing accessible testing for all. It’s important for you to be self-motivated in order to face clients to help run COVID testing clinics.
Here, you need to comply with safety policies, answer patients’ questions, run test results for COVID 19, register patients in a drive-up setting or on-site, and much more.
5. Back Office Medical Assistant
Back Office Medical Assistant is another best paying job in the Medical Assistant industry.
Your main role would be monitoring the inventory of medical supplies, ability to utilize computers, conducting birth control, providing information to patients regarding birth control, assisting doctors with examinations, setting up exam rooms, etc. At the same time, you must believe in work-life balance and how to maintain the same.
The Final Thoughts
Is medical assistant a good career path in 2021? I have tried my best to explain to you why being a medical assistant is a great career path for you and how you can benefit from the same. The above-listed information will help you to start your career in the healthcare industry. Besides, let me know your queries in the comment section below if you develop any while reading this blog.
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When it comes to administering first aid to people, it is always best to leave it to professionals.
However, there are certain instances when you simply cannot, or should not wait for them to arrive.
There are some studies which show just how important it can be to administer first aid to a person until professionals arrive.
First aid experts at Advanced Healthcare Education share with us what the chain of survival is and why it is so important, that it is taught in all health courses approved by the American Heart Association.
What Is the Chain of Survival?
In the simplest terms, the chain of survival is a string of important actions which need to be taken in order to maximize the likelihood of survival of a person who experienced a cardiac arrest or similar problem.
If you know what the links in this chain are, you are far more likely to be able to help someone, no matter if you have any medical experience or not.
Links of the Chain:
The first and perhaps most important step in the process of saving someone’s life is recognizing that there is an emergency and that action needs to be undertaken.
If this ever happens to you, you need to call 911 immediately. Even if the situation turns out to be less critical than you originally thought, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
If you are at a place which has an automated external defibrillator, have someone bring it to the person in distress.
CPR and Chest Compressions:
Once the emergency services have been alerted to the situation, the first link of the chain has been completed. However, this is not where your help ends. If you have any BLS training, you can actually administer CPR and chest compressions.
Even if you are not skilled in basic life support, the 911 operator can guide you through it and you can greatly improve the chances of a person’s survival until help arrives.
You should continue with CPR until professionals arrive.
Rapid Defibrillation:
If you have an automated external defibrillator (AED) at hand, it is another step you can take in order to help a person in distress.
The machine needs to be placed next to the person you are helping. There are clear visual and audio instructions on the device itself which will help you attach the machine to the patient.
The machine itself will inform you if the shock is required. If so, make sure nobody is touching the patient and administer the shock.
Some of these machines can actually help you administer proper CPR and chest compressions.
Basic and Advanced Care:
This fourth step in the chain refers to the trained medical professionals who should be able to provide not only the basic medical support you could but also more advanced treatment, such as administering medication.
Additionally, medical professionals are trained in advanced respiration procedures which can help provide oxygen to the patient even if they are unconscious and not breathing on their own.
However, in order for the medical professionals to respond to an emergency, the first link of the chain is crucial – someone needs to contact emergency services.
Advanced Life Support:
Finally, advanced life support is largely left to the professionals. If the situation with the patient is that critical, the patient needs to be taken to the hospital where a team of different medical professionals can take care of them.
Even though you can help someone without any medical training, you can be much more effective if you have simple BLS training. This course is relatively simple, but it instills some of the crucial points about saving lives, including the chain of survival.
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