Saturday, November 17, 2012

Growing a Friend to Be a Friend and Donor to the Ministry

It can be quite complex to balance a friend relationship simultaneously with a donor relationship. Sometimes a donor relationship becomes so friendly that making the bigger asks become difficult and awkward. Other times a relationship starts with a friendship but you also have a keen awareness that this friend is a potential major donor to the ministry. Like good friendships, donor relationships are built with trust, respect, truthfulness, courtesy, honesty, sympathy, joy, love, and a shared understanding of Jesus as the hope of the World. There is no greater shared interest than that of a Shared Lord and Savior.
The challenge is to make this good friend, apart from your personal friendship, a friend of the ministry. Grow this friendship with the ministry in the same ways you grow personal relationships: with a shared passion in Christ as the foundation, building trust, respect, and confidence will flourish.
Below are some ways to cultivate a friend of the ministry relationship that springs from an existing friendship or relationship. This is addressed in three phases: before any gift, growing smaller gifts to larger giving, and maintaining a friend of the ministry.
Before any Gift - Introducing your friend to the ministry is the first step to assess the potential for this relationship to grow and flourish. Assuming there is a high level of compatibility, the friend of the ministry will need to be educated about the ministry. Start by inviting them to visit the ministry and to attend special events, meetings or conferences relevant to the ministry. Show them promotional materials; mail your newsletter in a personalized envelope and with a personalized note; provide them with a copy of privileged communications about future plans, campaign development, strategic planning and ask them to provide input and suggestions.
Once they have been engaged, ask key leaders in the ministry (Board Chair, Founder, President) to host this friend of the ministry in their home. Offer complimentary tickets to kick-off or other special events for the friend of the ministry.
Growing Smaller Gifts to Larger Giving- First, it is important to continue doing the things that made the relationship flourish from the start. Build on this by making this friend of the ministry a special friend that is a confidant and mentor to the ministry. Inform them of future initiatives and seek their guidance and support early in the process. Be sure they are among the first to see information about the Pre-Campaign Study. Continue to grow their involvement seeking guidance in their specific areas of expertise and ask them to support the ministry as committee members for important projects. Get feedback on plans while still in a conceptual phase and share draft strategic plans and ask for their perspective. If this friend of the ministry is in a different geographical location, talk to them about being a project lead for a specific state or region.
Share exclusive premiums such that connect with the ministry with the friend of the ministry. Connect them with other major donors to the ministry and ask them to introduce the ministry to friends. It may even make sense to ask them to host a business leaders' symposium specific to their industry, region, or sphere of influence.
Publicly recognize the friend of the ministry in newsletters, websites, and social media venues. Of course, first ensure that the donor is comfortable with being known as some donors prefer to be less public. As appropriate, seek to have the donor recognized by others in the press or industry publications and then send the press clippings when the donor is recognized in the news.
Continually engage the friend of the ministry in the mission and vision of the ministry by helping them see the impact of the ministry. Share photos of those served by the ministry and ask those that benefit from your ministry to write personal testimonials. Invite the friend of the ministry to become a prayer partner and ask them to pray for specific needs, projects, individuals, or initiatives. This should not be a general "please pray for the ministry" but a specific such as "please pray for our manager in Jacksonville who is struggling with an illness."
Likewise, allow the ministry to be a friend to the individual. Sympathize with the friend of the ministry and pray for them and their personal needs. Ask them if there is anything you could pray about for them and offer to pray with them. Send get well or sympathy cards as well as celebratory cards for birthdays, anniversary, and accomplishments. Visit with the friend of the ministry on a regular basis and make sure the visits are in good times and bad. Be sure the ministry really gets to know the friend of the ministry. Know their family members, know their personal hobbies and interests, know what is important to them and where their heart is.
Maintaining a Friend of the Ministry - Again, continue the friend of the ministry suggestions above but also consider additional activities.
Thank the friend of the ministry and ask others important to the ministry to thank them such as a ministry founder, president, or other respected donors. Make your appreciation known both publicly and privately and seek to have others outside the ministry recognize the friend of the ministry for their generosity and commitment.
Provide them with special premium gifts to acknowledge their donation and provide a certificate of appreciation or engraved plaque. When considering these activities, be sure to take note if the friend has other plaques, certificates of appreciation, or newspaper clippings displayed in their home or office. If it appears unlikely that the friend would display the personal sign of appreciation, instead consider including their name on a giving tree or donor plaque in your lobby.
Become involved in the friend's circle of influence and meet others connected to the friend who may also have an interest in the ministry. Request that they host a table at an annual banquet or special event or ask them to host a reception in their home and invite others that the ministry may otherwise never have contact with. In this way you are asking them to help you raise money. As the relationship grows, the ministry may want to request that they join your board of trustees or a special advisory board.
Continue to request gifts from the friend on a regular basis but be sure these are always personal requests and not requests from a newsletter or mailing. The friend should be removed from your general appeals and should now be communicated with as the friend and confidant they have become. Have a separate newsletter that goes to an exclusive list of friends that does not contain a request but does keep them up to date on ministry activities.
Growing genuine friends of the ministry is an investment in the ministry that will pay huge dividends well into the future. The more involved the ministry becomes in the lives of these close friends and they, likewise, become involved as a friend of the ministry, the more profitable this relationship will become for both parties. The purpose and heart of this development process is so important to the success of growing friends as a development strategy. With a shared passion in Christ as the foundation of the friendship; building trust, respect, and confidence through mutuality and friendship, the friendship with the ministry as well as your personal friendship, will flourish.
Dr. Jeffrey J. Rodman is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a Certified Grants Specialist (CGS). He is an experienced grantwriter, fundraiser, and nonprofit executive, who operates Here-4-You Christian Grant Consulting and Church Grant Writing providing consultation for grant writing to Christian ministries and Churches worldwide. Jeffrey received his BS and his M.Ed. from George Mason University and his PhD in Religion from Christian Bible College in NC.
Jeffrey supervises a team of writers, researchers, editors, and administrative staff in providing consultation for grant proposal writing, nonprofit development, and fundraising in almost every state and a dozen foreign countries and has worked on proposals to Federal, State, and Local government as well as to Foundations, Civic groups, and many others. He has written 100's proposals, secured millions of dollars in funding, and maintains a funding rate of nearly 80%.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Determine Your Bathroom Remodeling Cost

The bathroom is one of the first places homeowners want to remodel, but determining your bathroom remodel cost can be easier said than done. Up until relatively recently, the bathroom was a place people were more likely to sneak off to or get in and out as quickly as possible, but today's modern bathrooms are places of luxury and relaxation, even in modest or small bathrooms. This has led to the bathroom being the top choice for modification and upgrades, but there are other reasons homeowners are turning to bathroom remodeling, including the high potential return on investment, the low comparative cost for the remodel and the level of enjoyment and appreciation a good bathroom design will offer. Talk with a bathroom remodeling and design professional early on in your planning stage and take advantage of in-person advice to create your perfect bathroom remodel.
The right bathroom remodel cost and benefit for you
A quick search on the internet will show you that estimated bathroom remodel costs can vary widely, usually from a low of $4,000 to a high of $15,000, which is a huge variance. There are so many factors that contribute to the cost of any remodel that it's impossible to get an accurate estimate, or even a close ballpark at times, without a detailed list of desired materials and a personal consultation. For example, a small guest bathroom could cost just a few thousand dollars to replace the floor, vanity, countertop and lighting with most of the work done yourself, or you could end up spending several thousand dollars on granite, custom designs and expanding the size of the bathroom into an adjoining closet. While labor plays a huge part in determining your bathroom remodeling cost, so do the materials you want, making a bit of compromise likely if not absolutely necessary. It's also important to take into consideration the time involved with your ideal bathroom remodel, which will help determine your cost versus benefit ratio.
Budget bathroom remodeling
Because bathrooms are the smallest room in the house the cost of a remodel will be much less than one for a kitchen or master bedroom, but because the bathroom is the second most frequented room in the house the need for a good layout and design is crucial. These two factors contribute to the reason bathroom remodels recover nearly all of the cost when the home is sold. Doing much of the work yourself is a great way to get even more value out of your bathroom remodel and keep costs down, and most homeowners can do the demolition themselves and buy their own materials from discount shops to better control their bathroom remodeling costs. Understand, however, that this method requires a good amount of foresight, planning and education, and if your time is very valuable (like if you have young children or only one day a week free) it might be worth the time and frustration to hire a general contractor and have it done quickly and correctly.
Design your perfect bathroom on any budget
Think about what is most important to you in a bathroom remodel: imagine your most perfect design as if the cost was unimportant, and go from there. If you've always dreamed of having a jet bathtub it's OK to splurge a little and save on the less demanding areas. By knowing what you want ahead of time, and having a list of must-haves and a list of areas you can compromise on, you'll be able to better budget your bathroom remodel and save yourself from potential heartbreak after realizing you can't afford a material you've fallen in love with. Talking with a professional at this point can be highly beneficial because you'll learn where you should be spending a little extra and where you should be saving. Don't skimp on the necessities of your bathroom or you'll end up not enjoying the finished product and not getting a decent return on your investment. For example, get a great low-flow toilet that won't give you any hassle or frustration down the road, and the extra money you spend will be recovered in your water bill.
It's good to know that many modifications that seem like luxurious upgrades can actually help you save money in the long run, such as installing radiant floor heating and environmentally friendly faucets and fixtures. Even if green bathroom remodeling isn't high on your list of priorities, it's something that should be considered, especially if you might sell your home in the future, as buyers are increasingly looking for eco friendly products and conveniences. The good news here is that although some green bathroom materials are slightly more expensive than their traditional counterparts, the majority cost about the same and most will contribute to overall household savings.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Unprepared Means Stress for Others

Have you ever been summoned by the family to assist financially with a loved one's closing life expenses? If you haven't, you have truly been blessed. If you would permit me, I would like to share three accounts of some loved ones with diabetes, one prepared the other two ill-prepared for their closing acts.
The very first one I would like to share was an in-law that I loved like blood. I suppose she was diagnosed with diabetes in her thirties and continued on a declining path because she refused to change some very key things in her life. She experienced, along with diabetes, high cholesterol, retinopathy, neuropathy, dialysis, gangrene, amputation, and finally congestive heart failure. There were suggestions of lifestyle change, especially dietary, but the changes were not embraced. She made her decision to enjoy the rest of life the way she had always known. So when she went into the hospital for the final time, we all wondered was she ready. Not only ready to meet God in peace, but financially prepared. We gathered all the paper work we could find and discovered that she had properly put all things in order. I cannot tell you the peace of mind that surrounded the family. She purchased her burial plot 30 years before her death. We found that she had final expense insurance and all things went off without a hitch. We were not soliciting funds to bury someone dear to us. I praise God for her foresight, knowing that we all will go that way one day.
Then there was an aunt on my husband's side of the family that was also diagnosed with diabetes 20 years earlier than when she thought she would be diagnosed. (she figured she would someday get this news because diabetes is so prevalent in this family). She did not follow the doctor's counsel to watch those foods that would cause her blood sugar level to spike out of control. Not unlike my last account, she would also sneak and eat certain things behind closed doors. Well one day she had a heart attack and it was bad. The doctor says it came as a result of being on a certain type of insulin that caused high cholesterol, not watching what she ate, being bombarded with stress (which by the way can make your blood sugar levels spike), and not taking her meds consistently. Finally, artery blockage was the culprit and she passed-- only 62 years of age! She had nothing! No plans, no money, no clue, the family was caught off guard. I got on the phone and started calling, along with other family members, to raise burial funds. We collected and borrowed until there was a sufficient amount for a proper burial. The family was tired, embarrassed, and emotionally drained. We were sad and angry that she left all of that for us to do. This is not something you would wish on even your enemy- if you have a heart.
Lastly there was another aunt, on my side this time that was diagnosed with the same dreadful disease. She was a sweet person, but very quiet. Contrary to the others, she appeared to follow exactly what her physician advised. She was careful as to what she ate and tried to educate others in the family about the disease. However, one Christmas enduring a lot of stress in her marriage, she decided to go all out for dessert. I can tell you exactly what she ate. A piece of New York style cheesecake, a small piece of apple pie and 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream detailed her last meal. Sadly she fell into a diabetic coma and stayed there for 4 months. She had actually planned for final expenses, but the length of the hospital stay, caused the disheartened spouse, to cease payment on the policy and she ended up not being prepared after all. Once again we scrambled, and called, and begged for monies to bury this person overcome by this debilitating disease. What a travesty!
Why did I take the time to share these accounts, well simply to make you aware of what family members are forced to deal with when you don't take care of your own health or final expenses. It doesn't have to be this way. The Holy Bible says God has time appointed for each of us, but it also says in the book of Ecclesiastes that we can die before our time. If the latter occurs, wouldn't you want to be ready? You can be! Simply click on the link below and complete the quote form, so that you can receive everything there is to know about Final Expense insurance. It is nice to know that loved ones have your back, but it is even more assuring to know that you have theirs, and that it has already been handled. Unnecessary stress should be avoided at all cost.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Retrospect and How to Handle the Change Ahead

2011 is come and gone; but not with the memories of events that shaped it. 2011 for me was a year of tremendous growth; unfortunately, it was also a year of critical challenges. I don't know how 2011 went for you but one lesson I picked up in 2011 was this:
"Challenges will never ever go away, and there's never going to be a smooth ride; be it in life of business."
This is a harsh reality but it's either you take it or leave it. Before I proceed further, I want you to understand that I am writing this article from the Nigerian perspective and with the Nigerian business terrain in mind but one thing I want you to know is this: the principles of business is universally applicable. The only difference in business across the globe is the time zone, business environments, political situations, culture and the rest of it. So be rest assured that this article will be of value to you.
In 2011, I started the year with high hopes and enthusiasm; and fortunately, the year ended on a good note but not without its challenges. For six, out of the 12 months of the year 2011, I was practically running on adrenaline. I got robbed at gun point, lost some valuables, ran my business on a high debt to equity ratio, had a strain on my intimate relationships and had my bank breathing fire down my heels. But in all, I survived and ended 2011 on a good note. I hope yours ended well too.
I spent the last days of 2011 discussing with my business team about our plans for 2011. I also mused over my long term personal goals and took time to set goals for 2012. By the last day of 2011, my team was ready for 2012 with a strategic growth plan. But we woke up on 2012 to receive the shocking news that the fuel subsidy has been removed abruptly; thereby sending the price of PMS from N65 to N140. This literally means that the price of goods and services alike are going to skyrocket in correlation with the new pump price of fuel. And sincerely speaking, it's going to affect everyone; both businesses and employees alike. So how do we respond to this change? I will go into that later.
Is this the only change in government policy we will see in 2011? My answer is no. There are going to be reforms initiated by the government that will sweep across Nigeria like a storm. And after the storm dies down, only two classes will be left standing; the rich and the poor. The middle class will be wiped out entirely.
As I write this now, there's a proposed policy that will see a restructuring and a creation of opportunities. With the proposed ban on the importation of rice and the incentives provided for the importation of power generation equipment and cassava processing machines. With the government tilting more support towards the agricultural industry and the current security challenges in the country, a lot of problems will be created; which will in turn create opportunities for smart entrepreneurs.
Analysts across the globe have predicted a tough 2012 and I don't doubt them. After all, they are financial analysts and better understand the statistics of a country's financials. But in the midst of the multiple problems; I see a great gap. I see a deep need waiting to be filled; all I see is a 2012 full of opportunities. Now I am not a soothsayer, religious fanatic or an extreme optimist. I am simply an entrepreneur trying hard to see things from the entrepreneurial perspective. Remember that entrepreneurs are opportunists. Now I am not saying I or my business is immune to the harsh business terrain of Nigeria and the ever changing government policies; what I want you to understand is that I am trying to squeeze out opportunities from the numerous problems that abound in Nigeria. You too can do the same. Do you want to know how? Read on.
How to Handle the Coming Change in 2012 and Subsequent years
1. Restructure your mindset
There are two sides to everything in life. It's either you are one side, or you are on the other side. It's either you are rich or you are poor. It's either you are part of the problem, or you are part of the solution. Most people only see one side to issues and that's why they remain stagnant.
To handle the coming change effectively, you must see the two sides of the coin. You must develop your mindset to work with the perception that there's an opportunity in every problem. You must disassociate yourself from those who only criticize the government and join the group of people who are willing to help the government solve its many problems. And most of all, you must make a stern resolve to be a solutions provider rather than being a complainant.
There's going to be a lot of opportunities in the following sectors: agriculture, education, food distribution, security, alternative power supply, etc. In the face the removal of subsidy, do you see a Nigeria where 5% - 10% of the population will be making short distance journeys with bicycles? Well, that's left for you to envision. This leads me to the next point.........................................
2. Start your own business
When I say "start your own business"; the message I am trying to shout out to you is this: "take control of your life." Observe the effects of most government policies and you will find out that the most affected people are the middle and low level employees; which make up the bulk of the population. I am not saying entrepreneurs are immune; it just that entrepreneurs (I mean smart entrepreneurs) know how to wriggle themselves around obstacles posed by the government. With the escalating inflation and ever increasing cost of living, employees get hit the most because their salary stays fixed, they are overworked with less pay and they risk being downsized without warning. All entrepreneurs do in the same situation faced by employees is to simply cut costs or raise prices after taking the necessary statistics into consideration. Considering all this, why would you want to remain an employee forever? Why not become an entrepreneur and take control of your life? The choice is yours.
3. Always have a plan B
The third strategy to effectively handle change is to always have a plan B. Things never go smoothly; things won't always go in your favor. So what do you do? You put a contingency plan in place; and how do you set the foundation for your plan B? You can begin by asking yourself questions that have the prefix: "What If."
What if the government bans............................?
What if the banks withdraw their support?
What if customers reject our innovation or idea?
What if we don't break even in the stipulated timeframe?
What if the labour congress goes on strike? How would it affect me and how can I reduce the corresponding effect?
The questions above are what set the need and formulation of a plan B in motion. With your plan B in place, situations may take you unaware but you will never lose your footing.
4. Respond quickly to change
One of the many challenges of building a business is responding quickly to change; which may come in the form of upcoming trend, change in government policy, customer feedback, internal crisis and the rest. Unfortunately, this does not only apply to businesses; it also applies to life. To survive and live the lifestyle of your choice, you must be able to respond quickly to change.
Now how do respond to quickly to change when all you see are problems? How do you respond quickly to change when all you do is compound the problems of the government by criticizing and organizing strikes/protests? How do you respond quickly to change when you are stuck in your job with a fixed salary? How do you respond to change when you don't have a plan B? If you critically analyze these questions, you will observe that responding quickly to change is nearly impossible without implementing the step one to three I shared with you above. Just as I said earlier, there are two sides to everything. It's either you adapt to change or you are crushed by it. The choice is yours.
In conclusion, I want to state clearly that 2012 will be gloomy, tough and a lot of people are going to break. It's a hard fact that can't be disputed. On the other hand, I also want to state clearly that 2012 is a year of opportunities; many are going to get richer this year and end the 2012 on a happy note. This is also a hard fact that cannot be disputed. Now the million dollar question is this: on which side of the table do you want to be? The choice still remains yours.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Expect From The Medical Assistant Salary

The role of the medical assistant is to assist doctors and nurses either in doctor's clinics or in hospitals. As for the medical support salary, according to the American Medical Association official website, this could range from $22,000 to as much as $30,000 per year.
The salary would really depend on the training, work experience, and employer. Generally speaking, the medical support salary of someone who has a certificate would be lower than that compared to someone who has an associate degree. There should also be employee benefits like health and dental insurances that may be offered with the salary.
However, there are medical aides who have had several decades of experience and who have received additional training. These assistants can demand a higher salary especially if they have received high recommendations. There are advanced medical aid training like administration of injections, CPR, the use of a cardiac monitor, or even medical transcription. These advanced training increase the chances of the individual to find better paying jobs.
However, the salary is the least to be considered if the trained individual does not like the career they are in. This is a career in service and it can be very demanding, especially if the clinic or hospital work can extend after the work hours. Those who want to enter this career for the sole reason of getting rich will not achieve their goals, instead they could be easily frustrated. Others even claim it can be a dead-end job if the individual does not make the effort of getting additional training.
The good news about being a medical helper is that this is a very flexible career. Additional training can actually open doors to other jobs and careers. The familiarity with the medical field and terminology can lead to bigger careers. There are some MAs who have gone on to insurance work where they encode the medical billings, check on the medical health claims and many more.
The medical assistant salary can only be limited by the individual who puts a limit on their abilities. This is not a career where one is required to be a genius. What is important to have is to gain the education or training from recognized schools be they online or traditional. After getting the certification or degree, go out and experience the work. Get more training if need be so the desired salary goal is achieved.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Re-Inventing Health Class

For most high school students health class is just another filler in their schedule where they can get an easy grade for showing up. This is because many teachers stick with a very "by the book" approach to this class. Simply, a little creativity and imagination could make health a student's favorite class of the day. There is an immense amount of topics that can be covered in health, ranging from eating disorders and drugs to current events and world news. There are many basic activities that can be used to enhance a health class if given the chance. Any activity that helps the students have a hand in their own learning will instantly be more interesting. Health should not simply be a class filled with PowerPoints and lectures. Since the entire class applies to real life experiences students may have, then the activities should do just the same. Lessons should be based around the students themselves and their thoughts and feelings rather than just a fountain of facts.
Classroom based discussions are popular among English and History classes, but how about incorporating them into a health class. A discussion on a current event could have the students enticed for hours. One way to do this is through a Socratic Seminar. This is basically a class discussion lead by the students themselves. With an interesting topic, students will talk about and feed off each other's ideas. As long as everyone agrees to respect each other's opinions and disagree courteously the Socratic Seminar will be a success. Teachers may even be surprised by the participation of some students who may usually be quiet or shy. Teachers, do not worry, you will not lose control of your class. If the discussion goes in an unintended direction the teacher can simply ask questions to the group that direct the discussion any way they choose. Students will really enjoy this because it is a way for them all to be involved with no pressure to give the right answer. Since health class lends itself to so many interesting and controversial topics, the Socratic Seminar can never fail.
There are numerous activities that can be developed around health content, because, again, health content is so extensive and easily relatable. Skits or puppet shows depending on the content are a great way to get students thinking and enjoying themselves at the same time. No one ever said that learning couldn't be fun. Students can be given a specific topic and after doing research or using facts given to them, they can put together a skit or puppet show encompassing the information. This is a creative way to get information across to students and it lets them have a hand in their education. By creating the skits and by watching the ones other students present they are learning the information. Students are more likely to remember the information presented also. If there is a funny or creative skit students will remember more of the information presented then they would from taking notes during a lecture.
For most people when they remember things they learned in school it is not information from notes. No one says "oh yes, I know that the cranium is another word for the head from Dr. Smith's lecture from Anatomy class my junior year in high school." Instead people remember information based on something they did when they learned it, for example someone many people remember all the states in the U.S. from the states song they learn in music class. Any of these creative teaching techniques can be applied to multiple subjects, but health class clearly lends itself very well to these techniques. Students can directly relate to the topics being covered and for many of them the topics directly affect them so they have opinions and ideas to share. By embracing these techniques teachers can re-invent the notions behind high school health and transform it into a subject that students enjoy and find great benefit in.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Computer and Information Technology Jobs

Computer career opportunities are growing faster than average in the overall economy. People who have the necessary information technology skills and knowledge are in demand and have a tremendous number of choices. The scope of the careers in computer information systems field is extensive. Employment opportunities can be grouped in the following general categories:
1. Computer and information research scientists invent and design new technology and find new uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other areas.
Individuals who work in research and development require educational levels that are higher than others (normally advanced degrees). These jobs are fewer in number than other areas and reside on the cutting edge of the technology.
2. Computer programmers write code to create software programs. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.
Programmers create and maintain the instructions that cause computers to do worthwhile work.
3. Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some are called technical support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called help-desk technicians, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.
The support specialists are the people who users call when they get into trouble or experience difficulty in working with information systems on the job site.
4. Computer systems analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and then makes recommendations to management to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.
Analysts and designers determine system requirements and design specifications for systems that meeting the needs of the system. Analysts and designers are familiar with how the availability of information drives organizational decision-making.
5. Database administrators use software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.
Database specialists analyze, design and implement databases that track organizational records. Information retrieved from databases, typically, are presented to users in a report format.
6. Information security analysts ensure a firm's information stays safe from cyber attacks and provide for information assurance. The information security specialist implements organizational wide security policy and best practices. Security analysts work closely with network administrators to provide for the confidentiality, integrity and availability of networks.
7. Web developers create websites to help firms have a public face and develop internal web sites that are known as intranets. Many web developers are responsible for maintaining online websites that sell to customers.
8. Computer network architects and administrators create the network infrastructure that all workers within organizations use. Network architects and administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization's computer networks. They organize, install, and support an organization's computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.
9. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.
Summary:
The best news about careers in computer and information systems technology is the depth and breadth of the opportunities. A highly motivated individual can "write his or her ticket" in the field.