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Historically, the college system has been flawed. It is geared specifically for students who have just completed high school, usually between the ages of 18 and 22. But more recently, colleges have been making more and more concessions for non-traditional students, including working adults. Colleges are making it easier for working men and women, many of whom are supporting their families, to complete their degree.

There are many myths about degree completion that need to be debunked to ease the minds of working adults considering obtaining their degrees. Below, we will try to debunk five of these myths.

It’s too late for me.
Frankly, no, it is not. It’s never too late to return to school. That is why many universities offer online courses, weekend courses and telecourses. They exist to help the working adult get back into college. Many teachers offer study sessions, just in case there is something you don’t understand.

I won’t succeed in college after all these years.
Says who? Just because you’ve been out of school for a long time, or even if you’ve never been to college, that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed now. You can’t be afraid to try new things, and you can’t be afraid of failure. Failure is the worst-case scenario – the best-case scenario is your dreams come true.

Going back to college can’t really help me.
Sorry, wrong again. There are many benefits of returning to college. It’s a great way to gain education and better yourself. It’s a great way to learn about a new field so you can start a new career. And even if you don’t plan on starting a new career, it’s a great way to impress your current boss and move up in your current field.

I won’t have time for my family between work and school.
That’s the beauty of online degree completion courses. You study the lessons and do the homework when and where you want. Telecourses allow you to videotape your courses and get to them whenever you can. Weekend courses are on a rigid schedule but generally don’t bite into too much of your weekend. These courses are planned around your convenience.

It’s just a combination of the above factors. I’m scared.
Don’t be afraid to change your life. It’s your life, and it’s in your hands. The next step is up to you. Make the leap – contact a counselor and discover how degree completion can make a difference in your life today!

For more information about Degree Completion, check out these schools with degree completion programs.

What you earn for any given job is based on a number of factors.

Your annual salary is a combination of work experience, education, location, industry and profession. It’s not uncommon for those employed in healthcare to earn more than those in early childhood education. Those who work in accounting and business will typically earn as much as those working in computers and information technology. But there are ways to boost your salary.

Most people would readily argue that they don’t earn what they are worth. It seems everyone believes they deserve higher salaries. According to Don Straits, CEO of Corporate Warriors, "too often our expectations are not founded on the realities of the marketplace or on our ability to ‘earn’ our income based on performance."

Although there is no guarantee that you will get a raise, here are some strategies to keep in mind as you prepare to go to your boss about a salary increase.

1. Establish a track record – Most people believe that their accomplishments speak for themselves, and that may be true; but if you can’t communicate them to the person who gives the raises, you will have a hard time convincing them to increase your salary. One way to highlight your professional accomplishments is to put them in writing. Review your work to see where you showed innovation in solving a problem, prevented a significant loss or increased profits in your division. Write them down and when you have your review, show your boss your track record of success.
2. Learn from successful people – Having a mentor seems to be the "in thing" right now, but that doesn’t minimize its importance in the professional world. Whether the person is with your company or simply in your profession, a mentor can offer valuable insight and guidance as you advance in your career. Look for someone who demonstrates the qualities you want to possess, as well as the success you desire to achieve. The mentor relationship should be beneficial to both participants. Look for a mentor who is willing to let you into his or her life as you invite him or her into your life.
3. Never stop learning – Continuing your education is a necessity in this age of rapid technological advancements. As things change, those with the proper education are able to change with the times. Continuing education can include college courses, advanced degrees, certifications, training seminars, conferences or independent study. The key is to keep learning. The more you know, the more you earn.
4. Know your industry – There is no excuse to be "out of the loop" when it comes to your profession. In this age of information, you can find whatever you need to know from industry trends to company mergers to personnel changes at the click of the mouse. Join professional organizations. Read trade publications. Network with others in the industry. When you understand your industry, you enhance your value to your company and make yourself more marketable.
5. Out-perform yourself on a regular basis – You would be surprised how many people want a raise or promotion but never do more than what is expected of them. To catch the eye of senior staff, you have to display initiative and innovation. Make unexpected contributions to a project, or do research on a new market to present as a potential area of expansion.
6. Speak up for yourself – If you know that your work ethic and performance have earned you a raise or promotion, don’t be afraid to ask for it. Be prepared to demonstrate in writing why you deserve a raise or promotion. Be realistic, but don’t back down if you can demonstrate intrinsic value to your company.

The old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder has never proven truer than in our hyper-glamorized society, where beauty over brain is the norm.

No longer do the beautiful people just get the best dates and enjoy the best social lives; they now have access to better housing, better jobs and higher salaries.

According to a study on appearance discrimination conducted by University of Texas economics professor Dr. Daniel Hamermesh, personal appearances count when it comes to success in the workplace. He found that good-looking people earned about 12 percent more than less-attractive people over the course of a lifetime. His findings were published as Beauty, Productivity and Discrimination: Lawyers’ Looks and Lucre.

This preference for attractive features has been coined "lookism" by psychologists and social science professionals. "Good-looking men and women are generally judged to be more talented, kind, honest and intelligent than their less-attractive counterparts," said Dr. Gordon Patzer, who has been studying physical attractiveness for several decades.

The same proved to be true for taller men versus shorter men. Taller men tended to earn more on the job and were considered more desirable by women. Andrea McGinty, founder of San Diego-based dating service It’s Just Lunch, admitted that "women will take just about any shortcoming in a man, except in the height department."

A survey of male graduates of the University of Pittsburgh found that the tallest students’ average starting salary was 12 percent higher than their shorter colleagues’. The London Guildhall study showed that overweight women are more likely to be unemployed and that those who are working earn, on average, five percent less than their trimmer peers.

Looks play an undeniable role in the way we perceive competence and talent, but some argue that looks alone don’t cut it. Rick Busby, vice president of Busby’s Heating and Air Conditioning, was quoted in a Phoenix magazine article, saying, "whether or not a person is good-looking is not important. However, professional appearance is important."

It is also a good thing to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. "It’s like being a college student," said Jim Duffy, human resources director at MAU, a large staffing firm in Augusta. "What good is a college education? It gets you in the door. But after that — just because you’re pretty, or you’re tall or you’re physically active — you’re not going to get a promotion if you flopped on the first job."

Hiring managers say it is the appearance of confidence they find attractive, not the presence of physical beauty. They also contend that attractiveness has more to do with how you carry yourself and the energy you exude. So, even if you are not what some would consider a "looker," you can still excel in the workplace.

If you have a lot of responsibilities, finding the right way to balance your time can be difficult. But no matter how busy your life is, the right education can make all the difference to your future – and the sooner you start, the sooner you can begin to achieve your personal and professional goals.

If you’re trying to figure out how to balance work, family and education, try some of the following tips:

Try distance learning

With distance learning, such as an online school, you can eliminate dealing with a commute to school. Many online schools also offer very flexible scheduling, so you can take classes at times that work around your schedule. Even if you don’t have a computer or Internet connection at home, there are often options at local libraries!

Choose a school with flexible scheduling

Many schools offer evening or weekend classes, in addition to regular daily classes. This can be a great option if you’re a student who really likes being able to see and interact in person with instructors and classmates, but who is still trying to work around a regular daytime job.

Talk with friends and family

Having a supportive network that really understands your goals is invaluable. If you’ve got kids, having friends and family who are willing to watch them while you study or attend classes can really make a difference.

It can be tough balancing work, family and your new education. But you can do it – and the rewards are worth it!

Sorting through a lot of information, whether it’s a list of names, addresses, or store inventory, can be difficult without the right organization. As businesses and the Internet generate more and more data, there is a growing need to organize this data effectively. Database administrators (DBA) work with database management systems to store, manage and extract data.

Creating and maintaining databases is a job that requires attention to detail. A database administrator needs to identify the necessary components, set up an efficient database structure and maintain the system. Administrators ensure performance of the system and design security measures for it. Because of the volume of sensitive data being utilized in the world, security has become an increasingly important aspect of a DBA career.

Employers seek database administrator candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Those who have a Master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in information systems, are increasingly desirable as more companies move their businesses to the Internet.

As technology becomes more sophisticated and complex, employers may demand a higher level of skill and expertise from their employees. Individuals with an advanced degree in computers or with an MBA should enjoy favorable employment prospects.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 104,000 people were employed as database administrators in 2004. DBA careers should grow much faster than average through the year 2014, as this is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.

The median annual earning for a database administrator was $60,650 in May 2004. The middle 50% earned between $44,490 and $81,140, the highest 10% earned more than $97,450. The median annual earnings of database administrators employed in computer systems design and related services were $70,530, and for those in management of companies and enterprises, earnings were $65,990.