Press Releases for Northwestern Business College

Press Releases for Northwestern Business College
Most of these news releases were intented to provide value to readers on particular topics, while using NBC staff as subject matter experts to subtly market the college. You may click on any title to jump to that article.

Getting the right financial aid package is key

Scholarships vs. grants

Baby Boomers create demand for medical assistants

Computer careers can have many faces

Specialization a key to careers in information technology

Some careers never go out of style

Which college is right for you?

Hospitality and tourism jobs on the rebound

Cyber security a new and fast-growing career

More than just business at Northwestern Business College

Employer needs drive NBC programs and curriculum

Paralegal careers on the rise

Getting the right financial aid package is key

The decision of whether or not to go to college can make you or break you. But even if you’re wise enough to decide to go to college, your ability to obtain financial aid can make or break your ability to attend college.

There are four basic types of financial aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. A grant is an award of money that does not need to be repaid, and is usually based on financial need. A scholarship is similar, except that it is more often based on academic or athletic performance. A loan is administered through the federal government. These are called Stafford Loans, and must be repaid. Finally, work-study is a part-time job that allows you to earn money, paid through the federal government, while going to school.

What’s the best way to get as much financial aid as possible? According to Kevin Sullivan, Financial Aid Director at Northwestern Business College, start early. “The sooner the better,” he says. “As soon as you complete your income taxes, you really should file for financial aid. Playing with deadlines can be a tricky thing, especially when you’re talking about thousands of dollars.”

For example, the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides up to $4,720 per year in financial aid, has an application deadline of August 15, and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. But last year, due to state budget constraints, the available pool of money was exhausted by August 13. “I had five or six students who missed out on MAP money because the state moved up the deadline by just a couple of days,” reports Sullivan. “Multiply that times the 100 or so colleges in Illinois and you have an awful lot of people who missed out on a substantial amount of financial aid.”

This year, Sullivan is advising every student he is in communication with to have all materials submitted no later than June 30 for the 2003 fall quarter.

Sullivan also points out that there are millions of scholarship dollars that go unused every year. These scholarships aren’t from the government, but through private endowments, organizations, associations, and commercial enterprises. Each year Dun & Bradstreet publishes a two-volume directory of these scholarships. Several online resources list them as well, such as mapping-your-future.org and fastweb.com. Sullivan stresses, however, to be wary of web sites that charge a fee or make guarantees that they may not be able to honor.

For every type of financial aid, the first step is usually filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Despite the name, this form is used not only for federal aid, but also for state and institutional scholarships. Northwestern Business College’s policy is to help students and their families fill out the FAFSA, which can be intimidating to some. “We try to help students get all the financial aid they have coming,” he emphasizes, and welcomes any questions.

To learn more about financial aid, contact Kevin Sullivan at Northwestern Business College, 773-777-4220.

NBC is a private two-year college accredited by the higher learning commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College awards associate degrees in 20 different programs, in fields ranging including health care, information technology, legal studies, and commerce. With three locations—Bridgeview, Naperville, and Chicago—the college serves more than 2,000 students per year and places 95percent of its graduates in related jobs.

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Scholarships vs. grants

Of all the various types of financial aid available to college-bound students, the term “scholarship” seems to sound the most alluring. Why might that be?

At their most basic level, “grants” and “scholarships” have essentially the same function. That is, both provide money for college that does not need to be repaid. Looking a bit deeper, though, some differences can be seen.

Grants are generally awarded by the federal and/or state government, and are based almost exclusively on financial need. Scholarships, on the other hand, are most frequently awarded for accomplishments of some kind, and are usually based much less on financial need.

The two most common accomplishments that qualify a student for a scholarship are academic achievement and athletic achievement. For academic scholarships, sometimes the competition for available dollars is fierce, with hundreds or even thousands of students vying for a piece of a very finite pie. In some cases, however, scholarships are available on an open-ended basis.

Northwestern Business College (NBC), for example, guarantees Academic Achievement Scholarships to all entering freshmen with a high school grade point average of 3.5 or more and an ACT score of at least 26. The award amount is currently $7,200, and available to all who qualify—a substantial incentive to maintain good grades in high school.

Athletic scholarships can be for outstanding achievement in almost any sport. The largest, most all-inclusive awards are generally for the more prominent collegiate sports such as football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.

While competition for scholarships is frequently intense, there are still billions of dollars of scholarship money that goes unclaimed every year. Most of these scholarships are privately offered through foundations, organizations, associations, and businesses. These tend to have more qualification criteria, such as religious affiliation, gender, and race, plus generally require students to write an essay or complete a project, which will be judged to determine who will be awarded the scholarship.

Many Web sites have sprung up to help students locate such scholarship dollars, such as fastweb.com and mapping-your-future.org. “But be careful,” says Kevin Sullivan, financial aid director at NBC. “There are sites that ask for a fee, and guarantee at least X amount of dollars in scholarship money. But the scholarship money never surfaces, and by the time the applicant figures it out, the site is gone. It’s caveat emptor: buyer beware. Stick to reputable sites that don’t ask for a fee.”

Really the only down side of scholarships is that the scholastic requirements once in college are more stringent those for grants. For example, NBC’s Academic Achievement Scholarships requires that students maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average throughout their program.

So why does the term “scholarship” sounds so appealing? Probably because it sounds like something earned. Something accomplished. Something a bit more rewarding than the idea of “free money.”

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Baby boomers create demand for medical assistants

Following World War II, the United States experienced a huge population explosion, an explosion so “loud” that it came to be known as the “baby boom.” Well, today those baby boomers are in their 60s. This large demographic shift is now making a substantial impact on many industries, most notably healthcare.

It’s no secret that, the older we get, the greater the need we have for medical care. So now that yesterday’s baby boomers are gradually becoming today’s senior citizens, hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up the pace.

This trend is what has made health care one of the fastest-growing industries and, in turn, field of work. Medical assistants, in particular, are in great demand. The need for medical assistants is expected to grow by 57 percent through the year 2010 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is about four times the national average for all occupations.

Medical assistants perform a wide variety of duties in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices that nurses do not. Although, to the average patient, it may not be clear who is a nurse and who is a medical assistant, there are significant differences. According to Yovanna Caraballo, Medical Assistant Program Director at Northwestern Business College, “Medical assistants really have a totally different scope than nurses do.” She goes on to list some of the things that medical assistants do. “EKGs, vaccinations, allergy tests, draw blood, take samples, pregnancy testing, prep for x-rays, stock exam rooms, manage the front desk, precertifications, insurance and payments, admissions scheduling, filing and recordkeeping, prescription call-ins, reports, filing… I could go on and on.”

NBC’s medical assistant program places a lot greater emphasis on the clerical aspects of the job than do most nursing programs. The curriculum currently includes seven courses focusing on the administrative and clerical aspect of the job, including classes such as Medical Office Management, Ambulatory Health Care Reimbursement, and Records Management.

The broad range of skills and knowledge that medical assistants learn, as well as the increasing demand for medical assistants, is making them a hot commodity. Experienced medical assistants earn in the range of $13 to $15 per hour and enjoy outstanding benefits. Many progress into office management roles, with earnings up to $35,000 per year.

There is an even greater demand for medical assistants that are bilingual. Says Caraballo, “If you can speak another language, you’ll have no trouble finding a job. Especially here in Chicago, employers are really looking for medical assistants who can speak Spanish or Polish.”

NBC’s medical assistant program is a two-year associate degree program, with an externship the final semester. “The externship is a great way for the medical assisting student to not only get hands-on experience working with doctors, nurses, and patients, it also helps get them comfortable in real-world medical environments,” stresses Caraballo.

Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the certification exam administered by the American Medical Association.

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Computer careers can have many faces

While the ability to use a computer seems today to be a part of almost every job, there are those that focus exclusively, or almost exclusively, on computer hardware, computer software, or both. This segment of the computer industry has come to be known as “information technology.”

Information technology is expected to evolve tremendously in the coming years. In terms of employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that eight out of the top ten growth occupations are computer related. But what does “computer related” really mean in terms of the kinds of jobs available?

One way to answer that question is to look at the types of information technology programs that are currently being offered by colleges. Northwestern Business College, for example, offers a variety of computer-related programs through its Information Technology Institute, one of NBC’s four departments.

“At NBC, we offer both associate degree programs, designed to be completed in two years or less, and certificate programs, which can usually be completed in one year,” says Miles Jackson, director of the Information Technology Institute. NBC’s associate degrees include Business Computer Programming, Business Information Systems, Desktop Publishing, Web Site Design and Maintenance, and Computer Technical Support. The college’s certificate programs include IT Support Specialist and three different Microsoft certifications.

The term “computer related” actually runs the gamut from those careers that would be considered highly technical, on one end of the spectrum, to those that require expertise on a user level to create a final product, at the other end of the spectrum.

For example, in the case of NBC programs, Computer Programming might be a good choice for someone with a technical background and interested in writing system and application software. Another possibility would be Business Information Systems, which, at NBC, has two options. Option II is the more technical of the two, and focuses on networks and hardware. For those who like technical aspects but also like a lot of interaction with people, Computer Technical Support might be a good choice.

On the user level, the Business Information Systems Option I is ideal for those interested not just in an Administrative Assisting career, but also particularly focusing on gaining a high degree of proficiency in computer applications, such as the Microsoft Office suite. Web Site Design and Maintenance and Desktop Publishing are both good choices for those who are looking for a career with a blend of technical expertise and creativity.

Earnings for those entering the computer industry vary widely depending on the nature of the job and particular type of career. However, NBC is currently placing students with an associate in applied science degree entering the computer field at average stating salary ranges of approximately $32,000 to $36,000.

For more information on the various different types of computer careers available, you may contact the Northwestern Business College Admissions Office at 773-736-3580 (Polish-speaking staff available).

NBC is a private two-year college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College awards associate degrees in 20 different programs, in fields including health care, information technology, legal studies, and commerce. With three locations—Bridgeview, Naperville, and Chicago—the college serves more than 2,000 students per year and places 95 percent of its graduates in related jobs.

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Specialization a key to careers in information technology

It’s been all over the news for the past several years. More and more information technology jobs are leaving the U.S. borders and going overseas. This has become so prevalent that it has acquired a name of its own, now frequently referred to as “offshoring.” India, in particular, has attracted a large number of these jobs, due to its large English-speaking population and low labor costs.

Does this jeopardize career opportunities in IT here in America? Not necessarily. First, the majority of IT jobs going overseas are call center-type jobs, such as technical support, which are relatively low on the IT scale in terms of salary. Second, you can improve your prospects by specializing. Miles Jackson, Director of the Information Technology Institute at Northwestern Business College, states, “It is now extremely important to be specialized as a computer user.” This is a market shift from the late 90s, when a person with good generalized skills in computers could do well in the IT market. “Today,” Jackson continues, “as opposed to having basic computer skills, people are being forced to be a specialist.”

Some specialties include Web-based training, graphic design, digital video, and networking. One specialty that is showing particularly fast growth is network security. This is being fueled by increasing concerns over both national security in the aftermath of 9-11, as well as personal security with the growth of identity theft. For example, the Microsoft-Certified System Analyst (MCSA) certification allows the student to specialize in encryption used in securing and administering data/packet-based communications for organizations using Microsoft Exchange. Again, specialization is the trend.

In terms of employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics still reports that eight out of the top ten growth occupations are computer related. However, the face of information technology will likely morph into other areas in the coming years. For example, Northwestern Business College is in the process of developing and/or considering programs in video game design, broadcast captioning, and home technology integration.

In short, computers and computer technology aren’t going away. Jackson stresses, “In order for organizations to grow, they have to embrace technology. And the ones who can make technology work for them will be successful.”

For more information on the various different types of IT careers available, you may contact the Northwestern Business College Admissions Office at 773-736-3580.

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Positive impacts of “offshoring”

While the offshoring of IT jobs certainly impacts the number of IT career opportunities available here in America, there may be some longer-term positive economic impacts. CNN/Money Magazine reports that, according to a recent study by Global Insight, a private consulting firm hired by the Information Technology Association of America, the outsourcing of information technology jobs overseas has created tens of thousands of new domestic jobs. The report said that, while outsourcing does result in some short-term U.S. unemployment, its long-term benefits outweigh its costs. “The cost savings and use of offshore resources lower inflation, increase productivity, and lower interest rates,” Global Insight said in a statement.

According to this study, these benefits “ripple” through the economy, leading to about 90,000 net new jobs through the end of 2003 and more than 3,000 net new jobs through 2008. The study also said outsourcing added some $33.6 billion to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2003 and could add a total of $124.2 billion through 2008.

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Some careers never go out of style

Have you ever thought about types of careers that have been around for 2,500 or 5,000 years? The first answer may be “farmer,” but what else comes to mind?

Did you think of “manager?” What about “accountant?” The oldest records and relics available for these positions date back at least 2,500 and 5,000 years, respectively. Ever since, companies have relied heavily on those proficient in the ways of business, and this trend continues today and into the future. Some careers just never go out of style.

Take the example of accounting. Accountants in Babylonia and Assyria maintained records for rulers to ensure that the proper amount of gold and silver, animals, and land was held in trust to memorialize the gods. Today, accounting graduates maintain all the financial data for business executives on which make sound, informed, strategic decisions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for accountants is expected to increase 25 percent between now and 2010, considerably faster than the average for all occupations.

What are the historical roots of careers in management? About 2,500 years ago, in a book entitled “The Art of War,” a Chinese general named Sun Tzu wrote of the need for interorganizational communications, hierarchy, and staff planning. This was followed closely by Greek philosophers Socrates and Aristotle, who expounded the principles of management and the nature of executive power.

Today, we’ve broadened the concept of management under the larger umbrella of “business administration.” The foundational principles these great historical thinkers embedded into management theory are still used today as colleges continually refine their business administration curricula to meet today’s business needs.

Willie Morris, Director of the School of Commerce at Northwestern Business College, explains how the school’s Business Administration program has developed. “We design our business programs to teach students a wide breadth of business applications, including finance, law, technology, management, and marketing. This way, our students are prepared for an increasingly complex business environment, requiring skills in multiple disciplines. With this knowledge, an individual’s career can grow from an administrative services team member to a management position with varying levels of responsibility and supervisory duties, all the way to a top executive.”

Because Business Administration is so broad, most colleges give students the option to concentrate in one or more areas. For example, NBC students have the option to study business administration in general, or add a concentration in Entrepreneur, Finance and Investment Management, Management, or Marketing, depending on their interests and expertise.

As with Accounting, careers in Business Administration are expected to grow faster than the national average, with a growth of 20 percent through 2010.

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Which college is right for you?

Did you know that, in Illinois alone, there are more than 100 colleges to choose from? And Peterson’s, a leading college search resource, currently lists more than 3,700 four-year institutions, as well as thousands more two-year colleges and schools.

From all these, now, you must decide on just one.

The decision of whether or not to go to college can be a far easier task than trying to decide which one to attend. In state or out of state? Public or private? Two-year school or four-year school?

In the case of public (“state”) schools, you can expect to pay considerably more if you attend college in a state other than Illinois. Public schools have “resident” and “nonresident” tuition, with nonresident being considerably higher, as you might expect. In some cases, however, neighboring states have “reciprocity agreements,” in which resident tuition is charged to out-of-state students from a particular state.

Okay, let’s assume you’ve decided to remain in Illinois, and are interested in, say, Business Administration. You still have more than 100 colleges to choose from, most of which have a Business Administration program. Your next decision, then, might be public school vs. private school.

While it’s difficult to generalize, public schools are generally smaller than private schools. This is true both of total enrollment, as well as the size of the classes. In public schools, it is not uncommon for a student to be one of several hundred students sitting in a lecture hall listening to a professor. Private schools, on the other hand, tend to have smaller class sizes. For example, according to Julie Polk, Director of High School Relations for Northwestern Business College (NBC), a private school with three campuses in the Chicago metro area, “Our average class size is only about 22 students. And our student-to-faculty ratio is about 16 to 1. Our smaller class sizes are a major selling point to many of our students, because they enjoy more personal attention from our instructors.”

Cost, of course, is another consideration when deciding on a college. On one hand, tuition at private colleges is often higher than their public counterparts. On the other hand, many private colleges offer very generous scholarships and grants that may not be available to public-school students to offset some of that cost.

Sometimes cost isn’t as much of an issue as is prestige. Many students and parents are willing to pay a higher tuition in order to attend a school with a highly regarded reputation as a quality school, either in general or in a particular field of study.

Another consideration in selecting a college is to decide on a two-year vs. a four-year college. Some colleges, such as Northwestern Business College, do not offer any four-year programs. Other colleges offer only four-year programs. Still others offer both.

Two-year programs, called associate degree programs, are popular with students who want to jump right into a core curriculum in their chosen field, get a degree, and start working. Many of these students choose to work a few years, then start working toward a four-year, or bachelor’s, degree. Polk says this is a very noticeable trend among NBC students. “The number of students who decide to go on for additional education has increased significantly. In the case of NBC, this trend became particularly noticeable after we received our North Central accreditation in 1997.” (The North Central Association is a leading accrediting body for colleges and schools.)

Another factor to look at is the amount of flexibility a college offers in terms of scheduling and status. In the case of NBC, students can choose from part time or full time, and whatever mix of days, nights, and weekends works best for the students. Some colleges do not accept part-time students, and/or restrict students to either a strictly day schedule or evening schedule.

The best way to decide on a college, according to Polk, is to narrow down your list of potential colleges and then visit those campuses. “Talk one on one with an admissions counselor and find out about things like financial aid, scheduling, class sizes, student services, student activities, job placement rate, graduate earnings... Most colleges will allow you to sit in on a class or two to give you a first-hand impression, and many even will make faculty available to speak with you.”

It’s an important decision. Take your time and do it right.

To learn more about selecting a college, contact Julie Polk at Northwestern Business College, 708-237-1205.

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Hospitality and tourism jobs on the rebound

The events of 9-11 probably impacted the hospitality and tourism industry harder than any other. The airline industry, in particular, took a huge hit.

But today, the outlook is more positive than you might think. Over the past year or so, there has been a tremendous effort to rebuild the hospitality and tourism industry. For example, Congress has approved $50 million dollars to help promote international tourism to the U.S. To help promote domestic travel, tourism organizations are entered into partnerships with government agencies such as the United States Postal Service, the Department of Transportation, and the U.S. National Forest Service.

So what does this mean for someone who is considering a career in the hospitality and tourism industry? It means that, if you start working toward your associate degree in hospitality and/or tourism now, you will be able to leave college in as little as two years and enter an industry that, by all economic signs, will be fully recovered and growing.

The Travel Industry Association of America predicts that the jobs in the industry will grow by 27% through 2010. Occupations with the industry include front office, travel professional, general manager, director of hospitality operations, and many others.

According to Pat Schultz, Associate Professor for the Hospitality Tourism Management program at Northwestern Business College, “There are many different types of companies that hire our hospitality and tourism graduates. These include hotels, motels and resorts, airlines, travel agencies, rental car companies, recreation facilities, restaurants, cruise lines, tour operators, convention centers, tourist boards, etc.”

While hospitality and tourism employees earn a respectable salary, this industry is very well known for its added benefit. Schultz continues, “The starting salary ranges between $24-30 per year, and the other benefits other than insurance and pension plans are remarkable. These include discounts at hotels, airlines, cruises, and tours, just to name a few. In addition, employees are usually given the opportunity to travel for free or at greatly reduced rates.”

While the strength of the hospitality and tourism industry has, of late, been challenged, not just by 9-11, but also other issues such as war in the Mideast, the SARS outbreak, and tightened homeland security, the outlook remains positive.

In a report to Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, William S. Norman, President and CEO, Travel Industry Association of America, stated, “Notwithstanding these critical challenges, the U.S. travel industry will continue to be a major source of employment for Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life, and an outstanding opportunity for minority ownership, entrepreneurial enterprise, and upward mobility.”

Schultz echoes this sentiment with respect to Chicago’s Polish community: “We have many fine Polish born students enrolled in our program. They seem to have excellent student skills, were learned at an early age, and usually do very well in classes. Our Placement Office has helped our graduates find employment at several prominent Chicago-area hotels and travel/tourism offices.”

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Northwestern Business College filling the demand for health care pofessionals

Just how difficult is it to keep pace with the demand for health care workers? Take a look at the statistics. Health care one of the fastest-growing industries and, in turn, field of work. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, no less than seven of the top ten fastest-growing occupations are in the health care field,. Medical assistants, in particular, are in great demand. The need for medical assistants is expected to grow by 52 percent through the year 2014. This is about four times the national average for all occupations.

There is an even greater demand for health care professionals who are bilingual. According to Yovanna Caraballo, Medical Assistant Program Director at Northwestern Business College, “If you can speak another language, you’ll have no trouble finding a job in health care. Especially here in Chicago, employers are really looking for health care workers who can speak Spanish or Polish.”

While everyone has contact with health care workers, it is important to realize that there is great demand for those who work behind the scenes. Just as the demand for health care is increasing, so, too, is the increased need to complete the paperwork for medical records and insurance documentation. So it’s quite possible to have a rewarding career both inside the doctor’s office and out.

NBC’s program offerings reflect both aspects of a health care career with a wide range of career choices. It offers associate in applied science degree programs in Health Information Technology and Medical Assisting, and certificate programs in Coding Specialist, EKG Technician, Health Care Billing Specialist, Legal Nurse Consultant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician. It also offers both a certificate and an associate degree program in Massage Therapy.

NBC’s health care programs feature an externship the final semester. Caraballo explains the value of an externship: “The externship is a great way for the medical student to not only get hands-on experience working with doctors, nurses, and patients. It also helps get them comfortable in real-world medical environments, and gives them the opportunity to create some contacts and build a personal network.” This is extremely valuable when it’s time to enter the work force.

NBC is a private two-year college accredited by the higher learning commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. All in all the College offers 25 different programs, in fields including not just health care, but information technology, legal studies, and commerce as well. With three locations—Bridgeview, Naperville, and Chicago—the college serves more than 2,000 students per year and places 95 percent of its graduates in related jobs.

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Cyber security a new and fast-growing career

Of all the fields within the broad umbrella of information technology, one of the fastest-growing is also one of the newest. Cyber security, as it is generally called, deals with protecting organizations and individuals from suspicious or illegal activity over networks and the Internet.

Largely due to security concerns raised in the wake of 9-11, private sector businesses, organizations, and government agencies have become aware of how vulnerable they are to attacks, both from inside and outside their walls. Each year, the Computer Security Institute (CSI), in conjunction with the FBI, conducts a survey of approximately 500 business and organizations. In 2002, survey respondents reported an estimated $455 million is financial losses. In 2003, due largely to increased awareness of security issues and effective countermeasures, that number dropped by more than half to $200 million. Interestingly, however, the number of incidents remained about the same.

An “incident” could be a number of things, including a virus, network abuse, unauthorized access, laptop theft, telecom abuse, sabotage, theft of proprietary information, etc. For example, 82 percent of the survey respondents reported a virus attack; 80 percent reported network abuse.

It is the job of cyber security technicians and specialists, then, to work with network technicians to try to prevent intruders, identify breaches in security, and remedy any problems. Cyber security is the newest educational program at Northwestern Business College, with the first students enrolling in Fall, 2003. According to Miles Jackson, Director of the college’s Information Technology Institute, “Compared to traditional network applications, cyber security is much more specialized. For example, cyber security technicians/specialists use tools like a “sniffer” to detect subtle network activity, and encryption software to encode and decode transaction data and other communications.”

Because the concerns over security are growing so fast, so, too, is the demand for technicians and specialists in that field. Industry experts predict growth of about 25 percent per year, making it one of the fastest-growing jobs available.

For more information on the careers available cyber security, you may contact the Northwestern Business College Admissions Office at 773-736-3580 (Polish-speaking staff available).

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More than just business at Northwestern Business College
100+ year-old college offers wide range of career training

Way back in 1902, when Northwestern Business College (NBC) was founded, the focus was clearly on business; specifically, at that time, accounting and stenography. Over the years, however, as the greater Chicago area grew and the needs of the workplace changed, Northwestern Business College grew and changed along with it by adding new and in-demand career programs, adding and modifying services to students to ensure that they reach success, and by establishing three campus locations that serve communities on the north side of Chicago, the south side of Chicago and southwest suburbs in Bridgeview, and by serving residents in the western suburbs in Naperville.

Today, NBC offers over 25 associate in applied science degree and certificate programs, and not only in business, but also in the fields of health care, information technology, and legal studies. In regards to the business field, Accounting and Business Administration continue to be a solid core, and recently Real Estate and the Human Resources Assistant program were added to further provide options to students and to respond to employer needs.

Health care programs were begun at NBC in the 1980s with associate degrees in Medical Assisting and then in Health Information Technology. While these programs continue to be popular, in-demand careers, the College has added more health care programs due to health care being the fastest-growing industry out there. Seven of the ten fastest-growing careers are in health care according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore in the past five years, Northwestern Business College has added a Massage Therapy degree as well as certificate programs in Health Care Billing, Coding Specialist, and in EKG, Phlebotomy, Patient Care, and Pharmacy Technician.

Another rapidly growing sector is information technology. As there is a strong trend toward specialization in IT, NBC has structured its Information Management System programs such that students can focus on what interests them most. Concentrations in networking, programming, and support are all available. NBC’s Cyber Security associate degree was added in 2003 to help fill the need for computer network technicians trained specifically to manage security issues. And, in 2006, NBC began offering Video Game Design and Development.

NBC has also expanded its offerings in the area of legal studies. The college began offering its Paralegal program in 1993, and, in the past five years, has added Criminal Justice and Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC). The LNC program is unique in that it is open only to registered nurses, and bridges the legal and health care fields.

Through the years, NBC has kept up the commitment and the dedication towards students. And in doing so, the College presently makes more than $4 million in institutional scholarships available. Last year, three new scholarships were added to the growing list: the Military and Family Scholarship is available to those who have served in military and to spouse and child(ren); the Educational Achievement Scholarship is available to GED recipients; and the Transfer Student Scholarship is available to students who’ve attended another college or university and would like to transfer.

NBC also has a full-service Office of Career Development to help students find employment after graduation, including lifetime placement assistance.

When it comes to providing focused, career-oriented training, Northwestern Business College means business. But not just business, of course, but training for a wide range of rewarding, in-demand careers. This time of year has historically been a very popular time to begin or restart college training that can lead to a life-changing career move with the help of professionals who care and want to make a difference in your life.

Anyone interested in finding out more about career options and Northwestern Business College can call 888-205-2283, or visit on the Web: www.northwesternbc.edu.

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Employer needs drive NBC programs and curriculum

It’s natural for individuals to want to continue their education and advance their skills and knowledge in fields that interest them. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that those skills and knowledge will be in high demand in the work force once they graduate.

Northwestern Business College (NBC), with three campus locations in the Chicagoland area, provides education and training that prepares students for a solid career that is in demand by area employers. Its programs focus on health care, information technology, business, and the legal profession—all fields with great opportunity for both initial employment and professional advancement.

Every NBC program has an advisory committee comprised of leading area employers in the field to ensure that the programs’ curriculum is up to date and meeting the demands of the work place. And new NBC programs are developed based on statistical data about emerging occupations, so the college can anticipate future employer demands.

For example, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care practitioners and technical occupations are projected to add 1.7 million jobs by the year 2012 as the demand for health care services continues to grow rapidly. Medical assistants have one of the highest growth rates, predicted to grow by a whopping 52.1 percent by 2014. The number of medical records and health information technicians employed also is expected to grow rapidly. Self-employed health care support occupations are projected to grow 16.6 percent, with greatest growth among massage therapists. Northwestern Business College offers certificate or degree programs in all of these careers.

Despite relatively recent news of information technology jobs being shipped overseas, computer and mathematical occupations are still projected to add 1.1 million jobs. Higher-end IT jobs such as computer security, networking, and system administration continue to be in demand, and NBC’s provides the training for such careers with its cyber security and information management systems programs.

Legal occupations continue to increase in demand, with 190,000 jobs being added through 2012. Paralegals and legal assistants, in particular, will be in demand, with a total growth of more than 29 percent by 2014. NBC’s paralegal program is one of the few two-year programs accredited by the American Bar Association.

Many business careers, while not projected to grow faster than the national average, have consistently shown to be in strong demand. NBC’s accounting and business administration graduates consistently do well in the job market.

In addition to offering programs in some of the most in-demand fields, NBC strives to make a college education affordable. NBC provides more than $4 million in institutional scholarships each year, including three new ones: the Military and Family Scholarship, the Educational Achievement Scholarship for GED recipients and the Transfer Student Scholarship. Furthermore, you can complete your NBC program in just six to 24 months.

Those interested in exploring new career opportunities are encouraged to attend an upcoming Open House at any of the three campuses—downtown, Bridgeview, or Naperville—on August 9 from <insert times>. For more information call <insert number> or visit www.northesternbc.edu.

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Paralegal careers on the rise

Terms like “paramedic” and “paratrooper” have come to sound very familiar to us all. Slightly less familiar, but gaining fast, is the term “paralegal.”

Paralegals are trained legal professionals who work under the direction of an attorney, yet can perform many of the same functions as an attorney. In fact, there are really only three tasks that paralegals are not allowed to do: appear on behalf of clients in court, offer legal advice, and enter into an attorney-client relationship.

Firms are increasingly utilizing paralegals as a vital part of delivering legal services. According to Jim Higginbotham, Department Chair for Northwestern Business College’s Institute for Legal Studies, “Over the years, more and more attorneys have realized the value of paralegals, because they can do almost anything an attorney can do.”

Paralegals regularly perform such tasks as conducting research, writing letters, briefs, and motions, organizing and filing documents, interviewing clients, etc.

The paralegal profession is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing occupations between now and 2010. While the average growth across all occupations is about 15 percent, the need for paralegals is expected to grow by 68 percent, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There are several reasons that attorneys are increasingly turning to paralegals. Higgenbotham continues, “Law firms are hiring a paralegal as opposed to another associate. An associate who doesn’t make partner in three to five years is usually gone by then, while paralegals tend to stay a lot longer. Plus, while associates generally require clerical support or an assistant, paralegals can perform legal functions as well as their own clerical and computer work. And, of course, there is the bottom-line consideration: paralegals simply cost less than an attorney, saving money for both the firm and the client.”

The increased awareness of the value of paralegals presents an outstanding opportunity for those interested in law and making a career out of it. About 60 to 70 percent of paralegals enter the work force with an associate degree, which can be completed in as little as 18 months. Higginbotham reports that Northwestern Business College is currently placing graduates with no experience in jobs paying in the mid-$20,000s, and graduates with experience at up to $40,000 per year.

Employers of paralegals include private law offices, corporate legal departments, and government. For example, the Chicago Transit Authority no longer hires outside law firms. It now has its own legal department, employing many paralegals, including several Northwestern Business College graduates.

NBC’s Paralegal Program is approved by the American Bar Association and the college is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

NBC is a private two-year college accredited by the higher learning commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College awards associate degrees in 20 different programs, in fields including health care, information technology, legal studies, and commerce. With three locations—Bridgeview, Naperville, and Chicago—the college serves more than 2,000 students per year and places 95percent of its graduates in related jobs.

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