ComputerTraining.com: Providing Training Since 1985!

With multiple locations across the east coast, south and midwest regions of the United States, ComputerTraining.com has been providing training and certification for students since 1985.

ComputerTraining.com helps eager students get certified with various Microsoft certification levels. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Computertraining.com provides the training for all of these.

For more information, feel free to view the Computertraining.com YouTube video or check them out on LinkedIn!

My Artist’s Place – Become a Star

My Artist’s Place is a resource center for budding child actors, singers, dancers and comedians. Hollywood has a tendency to be a closed industry – a place where you have to know somebody to even get your foot in the door, much less get ahead.

My Artist’s Place is that somebody.

Not a talent agency and not a placement place, but a networking center. By signing up with My Artist’s Place, children – and their parents – get an opportunity to work with other professionals, to develop their contacts, and to audition for internal shows – a great way to build and practice skills.

Many children take this as an opportunity to improve their portfolio, take acting or singing classes or get their headshots professionally done.

And because My Artist’s Place has years of experience navigating the treacherous Hollywood waters, it’s a great place for both children and their parents to get advice on how to manage an entertainment career! Our talent directors have years of professional experience – some were even child actors themselves!

Talent will get you far in the entertainment industry – but knowing the right people will get you even farther. Check out this My Artist’s Place video on Revver.

Vatterott College

Top 10 questions about distance learning

Distance learning is a viable option for anyone considering going back to school. Online education is quickly becoming a legitimate way to earn a degree to start a new career. However, online education isn’t necessarily for everyone. Before enrolling in an online education program, ask yourself the 10 questions we have listed below.

Will I be able to balance my family, work and school life?
This is an important question. Will you be able to take on all of this responsibility while still giving yourself a great chance at being successful? This question relates to all forms of school, not just online learning. But it relates to online learning in a very specific way, as many online courses allow you to work at your own pace. Will you fall behind and hurt your chances of college success by juggling school, family and work? If so, perhaps taking an on-campus class would help you stay on schedule.

Is there a rigid schedule, or can I take courses at my own pace?
This is a serious question that must be asked. Many institutions will allow you to take the courses at your own pace as long as you finish the class within a pre-specified amount of time. However, some institutions require you to take exams and turn in coursework on specific dates. If you are considering taking online courses because of the convenience with your schedule, you will want to know which policy the university of your choice has in place.

Your teachers – are they qualified, and how many students do they work with?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with inquiring about the qualifications of your online course instructors. You are taking these classes to better yourself and help your chances in the job market. You have a right to know what kind of education you will be receiving, and you have a right to know how much individual attention you can expect.

What if I need extra help? How do I get in touch with my instructors/school?
Not all online schools offer extra assistance; you will want to know if yours does. Many schools offer certain hours you can get in touch with your instructors and ask questions, either via telephone or e-mail. Also, most institutions will offer you a phone number to get in touch with them if you have any additional questions or concerns.

How much is tuition – how much will attending this school cost me?
Compare the cost of tuition of this university to other universities, online and otherwise. Make sure you are not being overcharged. Also, don’t forget to include the price of textbooks (if any are required) when adding up the overall cost.

Is this institution accredited, and by whom?
The credibility of your education can hinge on whether or not the university you attend is accredited by a well-known accrediting agency. Make sure that your education will mean something to potential employers and won’t be a waste of your time and money in your pursuit of a new career.

What hardware/software is required?
This sounds like a no-brainer, but you don’t want to end up enrolled in a course that you literally will not be able to take due to technological limitations. Make sure your computer and system are compatible with the required technology of the institution so you can get the full educational experience.

How many students are currently enrolled, and how many have graduated?
Avoid the instability of a new school. Make sure that the college you are considering has graduated many students so you know that others have had success on the path you are considering taking.

How will this school lead to a new career? Do they offer career services?
Many institutions offer career services that can help students find that first job out of college. Also, it may be a good idea to check with professionals in your field of interest to see if the classes you are interested in taking will help you begin a career in that field.

When do classes start?
Some schools offer start dates, while some allow you to begin at your leisure. Don’t end up having to wait for months beyond your desired start date because you didn’t find out which policy your school follows.

Online education may not be for everyone, but it has helped many people and changed many lives. Keep an open mind and thoroughly check out all of your options before deciding which plan of action is right for you.

For more information about Distance Learning, you might want to check out Peterson’s Guide to Distance Learning Programs 2005 and Bears Guide To Earning Degrees By Distance Learning.

The right weight is the key to building muscle!

This weekend, I consulted with a new client who had a typical problem among people new to bodybuilding — she wanted clearly defined muscles, but it just wasn’t happening on her own.
She had been working out regularly and was in pretty good physical shape overall, but her goal was to become a lot more ripped. She said she’d been trying for months without really seeing a difference.

Going through her regular routine with her, it quickly became obvious what the problem was: it wasn’t that she wasn’t working hard, it was that she wasn’t working smart. Her routine wasn’t the right way to build muscle.Building muscle is very different than losing weight, improving heart condition, building flexibility or any of the other exercise-related goals that someone might set for themselves.

When you’re weight-training, whether with free weights or exercise machines, the goal is to build muscle mass, increasing the strength and size of a muscle. Unlike other exercise, extra activity isn’t what makes the difference in muscle mass – what matters is how much you actually lift! Lifting a ten pound weight thirty times does not give an equal result to lifting a thirty pound weight ten times.

When you’re trying to build muscle mass, you should chose weights that weigh at least 60 percent of the maximum that you can lift.

But remember! It’s important to be very careful when figuring out that number. The best way to find out is to consult with a personal trainer. Not only can a certified personal trainer safely help you determine the best amount of weight to use to achieve your goals, they can also make sure that you’re lifting safely, to help prevent injuries.

As a good rule of thumb, if a weight is going to help you increase muscle mass if you can only do a between eight and twelve repetitions before you’re too exhausted to keep lifting!

Good luck and keep working! And remember, as you increase in strength, be sure to keep increasing the weight!

Weight training – Female bodybuilding isn’t about bulk

A week or so ago, I mentioned that I had a client who wasn’t exercising effectively, considering her goals. She wanted strength and visible muscles, but she didn’t particularly want the mass that a lot of people associate with bodybuilders, male and female.

There seems to be a lot of interest in weight training for women, so I thought I’d delve into the subject a bit more over the next few weeks.The fact of the matter is — and I can’t stress this enough, to my clients or to anybody else — that it does little for your body to lift tiny weights many times. Even the calories burned by the repetitive exercise is fairly light.

When you’re planning on building muscles, you need to concentrate on adding weight that’s serious enough to make a difference and will really help you build muscle mass. Ding so will not, despite what many people believe, turn you into the female version of the Incredible Hulk!

Muscle mass increases steadily, not overnight — so you can really control the exact look you want. Since muscle burns more calories, even when resting, alternating weight training with your aerobic exercise can ultimately be one of the most beneficial changes to your exercise routine.

There is a lot of info out there about weight training and over the next few weeks I’m going to sift through it, with hints, tips, tricks and the occasional debunking of myth. Stay tuned!If you interested in education or training in sports medicine follow this link.

Online MBA Program

How incredible would it be to finish your MBA online?

Online MBA programs are becoming the preferred method for students looking for ways to earn a graduate degree while keeping their current employment. 

Online MBA programs for professionals who need to earn a degree without sacrificing their job and home lives.  The flexibility that online learning offers doesn’t exist in traditional school settings.

The next 18 months will go by anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to have your MBA?

If you’re considering earning an online MBA, make sure you visit Vocational Schools Guide by clicking here.

Oh yeah,   Congratulations on earning your MBA………. 

Medical Assisting as a Career

Healthcare is one of the largest employment fields in the U.S., employing more than 12.9 million people.Healthcare jobs are expected to be among the fastest-growing in the future, with more than 3.5 million new jobs being created through 2012.A career in the rewarding, fulfilling healthcare industry can be yours with the right training. Our healthcare training school partners can give you the training you need for a successful career in healthcare administration, radiology, medical coding and billing, medical technology and other high-demand medical fields.Our healthcare training schools offer flexible program options, including online healthcare training that allows you to fit classes around your busy schedule from the comfort of your home.The healthcare industry needs trained professionals. Get the training you need for a healthcare career and find employment with a future — your future — in the healthcare industry.

Medical Assisting Training

Did you know that in less than 18 months you can have a career in Medical Assisting?Healthcare is one of the largest employment fields in the U.S., employing more than 12.9 million people.  Healthcare jobs are expected to be among the fastest-growing in the future, with more than 3.5 million new jobs being created through 2012.

A career in the rewarding, fulfilling healthcare industry can be yours with the right training. Our healthcare training school partners can give you the training you need for a successful career in healthcare administration, radiology, medical coding and billing, medical technology and other high-demand medical fields.Our healthcare training schools offer flexible program options, including online healthcare training that allows you to fit classes around your busy schedule from the comfort of your home.The healthcare industry needs trained professionals. Get the training you need for a healthcare career and find employment with a future — your future — in the healthcare industry.

Setting up your portfolio

• The print portfolio
• The online portfolio
• The CD portfolio

Your art portfolio represents you. It is an extension of your artistic experience, education and talent. You want to make sure that your art portfolio reflects your very best work.

Showcase the pieces that make you proudest, even if you have fewer pieces to include in your art portfolio. When it comes to an art portfolio, the quality of your work is far more important than the quantity. Your goal is to successfully show a potential art school, employer, gallery or buyer the kind of work you are capable of doing.

Different portfolios are used for different occasions. Portfolios for galleries are different than those used for buyers, and those are different from ones used for exhibitors or employers. Despite these differences, all art portfolios contain some general items.

Every portfolio should contain a cover page identifying the portfolio owner, an artist’s statement, a current resume, documented descriptions of each piece included in the portfolio and samples of your best work arranged according to a theme or subject. Art portfolios can be compiled in print, online or CD.

The important thing is that you remember to present your best work, organize it in a way that makes sense, customize it for specific needs and keep it professional. If you follow these tips, it should be a lot easier to achieve your end goal of attending school, finding a job, having a gallery showing of your work or even selling your art!

The Print Portfolio

The more traditional print art portfolio is still requested by most schools and companies, especially if print output is their main business function. These portfolios tend to be displayed in a notebook-type case that allows you to add pages as necessary for customization. While these portfolios look professional, they can also be expensive.

A regular notebook with a clean, professional front cover and enough space to properly display your work is ideal for students on a budget. The key is to keep it clean and professional. You don’t want a potential employer, school or buyer distracted from the quality of your work because your presentation is displeasing to the eye.

The Online Portfolio

Having an online portfolio is almost a requirement in our high-tech world. Just like print portfolios, online portfolios are extensive resumés that link to an online repository of your work. Presentation and the careful selection of your work is just as important with an online portfolio as it is with a print portfolio. You are still presenting yourself to people seeking your talents.

You want to make sure that your best is available for them to view. Use thumbnail samples of your work to make pages easy to load and view. Larger pictures of each piece can be available through links from the thumbnails. Keep the navigation clean and easy to follow for easy access to art work of interest. If you are a savvy web designer, consider adding Flash to your online art portfolio. Remember to also include a simple HTML version of your web site for those not capable of displaying Flash.

Another benefit of an online portfolio is that it is essentially a part of your portfolio as it must be designed with thought and creativity just like the other pieces of your work. If you really want to get the most of your online portfolio, secure your own domain name and use your visual communications skills to create a portfolio that is a branding tool complete with logo for your letterhead, business cards and e-mail address.

The CD Portfolio

Creating a CD portfolio is a great way to distribute large numbers of your portfolio when applying for jobs after graduation. By sending a CD portfolio with your job applications, you are giving potential employers a preview of your work before they even call you in for an interview. While this strategy cannot guarantee an interview or job, it certainly increases your chances of being noticed, if done correctly.

The rules for a CD portfolio are the same as for print and online. You are presenting your best work. An easy way to do this is to simply put your web site on CD. Make it clear how to open the index page and hide the other files in a folder so they aren’t visible to the viewer. Create CD labels and CD inserts for jewel cases. The more professional your work, the more you will be taken seriously.

Getting a gallery show

 

• Pitching your work to galleries
• Creating a successful opening

Art is made to be on display. Whether it’s mounted in a museum, prominently displayed on a coffee table or hung over a fireplace, the beauty of your artwork is meant to communicate with others. Securing exhibition space in a gallery could take your artistic expression from a lifelong passion to a viable career. Art Training Schools has talked with art galleries and artists around the country to come up with a few recommendations to securing successful gallery showings.Before you go any further, you must understand how mainstream art galleries work. They are in the business to make money. If you decide to go with a mainstream art gallery, you must accept that these art galleries will take a share of your profits. Most art dealers make 40-60 percent of retail prices. If you can deal with a lower profit margin in exchange for third-party pitching, an enhanced resumé, increased visibility and greater financial security in the future, mainstream art galleries can take your art career to new heights. Alternatives to mainstream art galleries are non-profit galleries, art organization exhibition spaces, artists’ galleries and studio space. Any of these spaces are a great place to start displaying your work while you wait to get a showing at a mainstream art gallery.

Pitching Your Work to Galleries

Before you begin soliciting art galleries for exhibition space, you must decide your primary objective. Do you want to sell your artwork or just show your artwork? Once you decide what your goal is, you can begin planning your art exhibit strategy. Here are a few things that you must do before contacting potential art galleries:

• Get slides of your work or very good prints. Make sure you put the originals in a safe place.
• Get duplicates made, label them and put them in slide sleeves or sheets.
• Write a compelling cover letter that introduces you to your audience.
• Write an artist’s statement about your ideas, your work and your techniques.
• Update your resumé with all contact information, awards, art education, art organization memberships and affiliations and places your artwork has been exhibited.
• Make sure your portfolio is updated, too.

Once you have completed your pitch materials, you are ready to start contacting art galleries to set up a showing. Begin by visiting the locations you are interested in. Pay attention to how they display the art. How is the lighting? Is the work protected? Does the space look tasteful and appealing? Remember, you are seeking exhibit space for the purpose of selling your work. Contact key people to start the negotiating process. Present your pitch materials. If they reject you, remember to thank them for the meeting and stay in contact with them. Art galleries often book shows up to a year in advance. Send slides of new pieces periodically to keep them interested and familiar with your work. A rejection today can very well be an acceptance tomorrow if you keep the right attitude. If your work is accepted for a showing, get ready. Putting together an art showing in a mainstream art gallery is a lot of work.

Creating a Successful Opening

For a successful art opening, you must create anticipation in advance. You want as many people as possible to attend your art gallery opening, which means your pre-show opening must include an aggressive public relations campaign. Make a list of contacts who you want to attend. This should include art collectors, art critics, friends, faculty and fellow artists. Combine a well written press release with a promotional announcement. Publicize the opening on community bulletin boards, in newspapers, on the radio and on public access television, in local and regional visual arts publications and through e-mail. Plan to have enough food to keep people at the art gallery opening. Finger foods work best as this allows guests to mingle with each other while discussing your work. You will need to practice your presentation before the art gallery showing to make sure you speak with confidence and clarity. You are your best salesperson and no one understands your art better than you. Let people arrive at their own conclusions about your artwork.Make yourself available to speak with potential buyers. The more people understand your work, the better connected they feel to you and the more likely they are to purchase a piece of art. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t sell a lot of your artwork during your art gallery showing. Building a reputation as an artist is just as important as making sales. If enough buzz is generated surrounding your art, your chances of being asked to do art shows in the future, or even being contacted for commissioned artwork, increases. You want to sell your artwork, but you also want to develop a following. When your art show is over, evaluate how it went. Was the publicity strong enough to get people in the door? Was the environment conducive to mingling and conversing about the art on display? Did guests understand your explanations of your work, or were they confused? Was the gallery pleased with the way things turned out? Did you make solid contacts and connections with those in attendance? How can you improve next time? Regardless of how things turned out, pat yourself on the back. You survived and that is something to celebrate. Work on making necessary improvements for your next showing. The more exposure you have, the more successful your art career will be.