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College Major Spotlight: Forensic Technician
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/

What is a forensic technician?
A forensic technician investigates crimes by collecting and analyzing evidence. Scientists often pursue a forensic science major to specialize in specific areas such as DNA, firearm, fiber, glass, hair, tissue and/or body fluid analysis.

What does a forensic technician do?
A career as a forensic technician involves the analysis of criminal evidence including DNA analysis, firearm examination, or the testing of weapons or substances such as fiber, glass, hair, tissue, and body fluids. A forensic technician may also provide information to the legal authorities in the form of expert opinions, reports, or expert witness testimonies.

Outlook for forensic technician jobs:
Because of the increased use of forensic studies to solve and prevent crime, jobs for forensic technicians are expected to increase much faster than the average. Strong forensic science job growth is expected for forensic technicians who work for state and county crime labs.

Types of forensic technician jobs:
Forensic technicians work primarily for state and local governments. Careers in forensics also include jobs as a medical examiner, crime scene examiner, or a forensic engineer.

What type of degrees should you consider to become a forensic technician?
This field generally requires a forensic science bachelor’s degree. There are several forensic science universities to choose from. Approximately 30 colleges offer a forensic science major / forensic science bachelor’s degree and there are several online forensic science degree programs.

Average salary for a forensic technician:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics forensic science online resource, forensic technician earned an average hourly salary of $25.46 and a yearly salary of $52,960.

Additional forensic science online resources:
Average salaries for a forensic technician

Job outlook for a forensic technician

College Major Spotlight: Drafting Degree

 What is a drafting degree?
A drafting degree allows you to prepare technical drawings and plans which are used to build everything from manufactured products such as toys, toasters, industrial machinery, and spacecraft to structures such as houses, office buildings, and oil and gas pipelines.

What do people with a drafting degree do?
People with a drafting degree provide visual guidelines and show how to construct a product or structure. Drawings include technical details and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures. Drafters fill in technical details using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, and calculations made by engineers, surveyors, architects, or scientists. For example, people with a drafting degree use their knowledge of standardized building techniques to draw in the details of a structure. Some use their understanding of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine; they determine design elements, such as the numbers and kinds of fasteners needed to assemble the machine. Drafters use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to complete their work.

Future prospects for those with a drafting degree:
Employment for those with a drafting degree is expected to grow by 6 percent between 2006 and 2016. Industrial growth and increasingly complex design problems associated with new products and manufacturing processes will increase the demand for drafting services. Furthermore, those with a drafting degree are beginning to break out of the traditional drafting role and do work traditionally performed by engineers and architects, also increasing in demand.

Although growth is expected to be greatest for mechanical, architectural, and civil drafters, demand for particular drafting specialties varies throughout the country because employment usually is contingent on the needs of local industry.

Average salaries for someone with a drafting degree:
Earnings for those with a drafting degree vary by specialty, location, and level of responsibility. Median annual earnings of architectural and civil drafters were $41,960 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,550 and $52,220. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,010, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,310.

Median annual earnings of mechanical drafters were $43,700 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,680 and $55,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,860. Median annual earnings for mechanical drafters in architectural, engineering, and related services were $44,120.

Median annual earnings of electrical and electronics drafters were $46,830 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,660 and $60,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,490. In architectural, engineering, and related services, median annual earnings for electrical and electronics drafters were $44,140.

What should you consider when thinking about a drafting degree?
The kind and quality of drafting degree training programs vary considerably so prospective students should be careful in selecting a drafting degree program. They should contact prospective employers to ask which schools they prefer and contact schools to ask for information about the kinds of jobs their graduates have, the type and condition of instructional facilities and equipment, and teacher qualifications. Courses in mathematics, science, computer technology, design, computer graphics, and, where available, drafting are useful for people considering a drafting career. Employers prefer applicants who have also completed a drafting degree at a technical institute, community college, or 4-year college or university.

 Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009 -http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos111.htm

College Major Spotlight: Degree in Making Films

What is a degree in making films?
A degree for making films allows you to participate in the production of feature films, filmed television programs, made-for-television movies, music videos, and commercials. A degree dealing with films also introduces you to postproduction services to the motion picture industry, such as editing, film and tape transfers, titling and subtitling, credits, closed captioning, computer-produced graphics, and animation and special effects.

What do people with a degree in making films do?
Making a movie can be a difficult, yet rewarding, experience. Although studios and other production companies are responsible for financing, producing, publicizing, and distributing a film or program, the actual making of the film often is done by hundreds of small businesses and independent contractors hired by the studios on an as-needed basis. People with degrees for making films can work for one of these companies, providing a wide range of services, such as equipment rental, lighting, special effects, set construction, and costume design, as well as much of the creative and technical talent that go into producing a film. A degree in making films also helps you to understand the large number of workers in other industries that supply support services to the crews while they are filming, such as truck drivers, caterers, electricians, and makeup artists.

Future prospects for those with a degree in making films:
Keen competition is expected for the more glamorous, high-paying jobs—writers, actors, producers, and directors—but better job prospects are expected for multimedia artists and animators and others skilled in digital filming and computer-generated imaging. Small or independent filmmakers may provide the best job prospects for beginners.  Wage and salary employment in the motion picture and video industries is projected to grow 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, about as fast as growth projected for wage and salary employment in all industries combined. Job growth will result from the explosive increase in demand for programming needed to fill the rising number of cable and satellite television channels, both in the United States and abroad. Also, more films will be needed to meet in-home demand for videos, DVDs, and films over the Internet.

Average salaries for someone with a degree in making films:
Earnings of workers in the motion picture and video industries vary, depending on education and experience, type of work, union affiliation, and duration of employment. In 2006, median weekly earnings of wage and salary workers in the motion picture and video industries were $593, compared with $568 for wage and salary workers in all industries combined. Unions are very important in this industry. Virtually all film production companies and television networks sign contracts with union locals that require the employment of workers according to union contracts.

What should you consider when thinking about a degree in making films? 
Formal training can be a great asset to workers in filmmaking and television production. Individuals interested in production management who have a bachelor’s or associate degree or 2 years of work experience may qualify for the Assistant Directors Training Program offered jointly by the Directors Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Training is given in Los Angeles with the possibility of travel to other locations. To enroll in this highly competitive program, individuals must take a written exam and go through a series of assessments.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009 - http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs038.htm

College Major Spotlight: Degree in Animation  

What is a degree in animation?
A degree in animation allows you to participate in the production of feature films, filmed television programs, made-for-television movies, music videos, and commercials. A degree dealing with films also introduces you to postproduction services to the motion picture industry, such as editing, film and tape transfers, titling and subtitling, credits, closed captioning, computer-produced graphics, and animation and special effects.

What do people with a degree in animation do?
Animators work primarily in motion picture and video industries, advertising, and computer systems design services. They draw by hand and use computers to create the series of pictures that form the animated images or special effects seen in movies, television programs, and computer games. Some draw storyboards for television commercials, movies, and animated features. Storyboards present television commercials in a series of scenes similar to a comic strip and allow an advertising agency to evaluate commercials proposed by advertising companies. Storyboards also serve as guides to placing actors and cameras on the television or motion picture set and to other production details. Many multi-media artists model objects in three dimensions by computer and work with programmers to make those images move.

Future prospects for those with a degree in animation:
Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Competition for jobs is expected to be keen for both salaried and freelance jobs in all specialties because the number of people with creative ability and an interest in this career is expected to continue to exceed the number of available openings. Despite the competition, employers and individual clients are always on the lookout for talented and creative artists.

Average salaries for someone with a degree in animation:
Median annual earnings of salaried multi-media artists and animators were $51,350, not including the earnings of the self-employed. The middle 50 percent earned between $38,980 and $70,050. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,720. Median annual earnings were $57,310 in motion picture and video industries and $48,860 in advertising and related services.

What should you consider when thinking about a degree in animation?
Artists usually develop their skills through a bachelor’s degree program or other postsecondary training in art or design. Although formal schooling is not strictly required for craft and fine artists, it is very difficult to become skilled enough to make a living without some training. Art directors usually have years of work experience and generally need at least a bachelor’s degree. Due to the level of technical expertise demanded, multimedia artists and animators generally also need a bachelor’s degree.

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009 - http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos092.htm

College Major Spotlight: Communication Studies

What is communication studies?
Communication studies is a program that looks at various types and aspects of mass communication and interpersonal communication, examining communication theory, the role of communication in society, interpreting different forms of media and putting it all into practice. Types of communication covered in a communication studies program could range from mass media and journalism, multimedia communication such as film and broadcast, strategic communication, and sometimes even theatre.

What do graduates of communication studies programs do?
Graduates of communication studies programs take on a variety of careers. Communication graduates can go into public relations, print journalism or broadcast journalism, advertising or marketing, publishing, writing, editing and many other pursuits.

Types of jobs available to communication studies majors:
There are several jobs open to graduates of communication studies programs, especially since the concepts and skills learned in communication studies apply to arguably any field, such as teaching and business. Often, graduates of communication studies integrate their written and spoken communication skills into journalism as reporters, writers, news analysts, editors, broadcast correspondents and broadcast newseditors. Other communication studies graduates may apply interpersonal communication skills in public relations careers as consultants, promoters, spokespersons and writers.

Job outlook for graduates of communication studies programs:
There tends to be tight competition in fields common to graduates of communication studies programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations, however, there are still more graduates in related programs than jobs available.Employment of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers should be similarly competitive and is also expected to increase by 12 percent through 2016.

However, employment in writing, editing and broadcasting are only expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations or slower, from 2006 to 2016, and employment of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents is expected to have little or no change in employment (an estimated 2 percent between 2006 and 2016), making these fields particularly difficult to break into, especially in large cities and metropolitan areas. In these fields in particular, many find that the lifestyle of freelance writing or working with the news can be too stressful or less glamorous than anticipated, producing more job openings for more serious candidates.

As in any field, employers will seek candidates who have notable work or internship experience, especially since careers in communications are so competitive. Candidates with computer skills, especially those familiar with new media and social media, will also have a much higher advantage.

What type of a communication studies program should you consider?
Practical career experience is extremely important when searching for a career in communication studies, but many in communications careers have a bachelor’s degree in communication studies or a concentration of communication, such as journalism or strategic communication. Those interested in a career in communications are also encouraged to take courses in the liberal arts and should look for communication studies programs that encourage both hands-on experience and a broad foundation in the liberal arts. Consider taking the myUsearch college match quiz to find communication studiesprograms that meet your needs.