Blackstone Career Institute

April/May 2012 Newsletter

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:05:02 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice

APRIL/MAY 2012

Blackstone Career Institute: 2012 “Best of Emmaus” Award-Winner

Blackstone Career Institute strives to be an exceptional online education source every year, regardless of accolades. And once again this year, we are being recognized for our efforts.

The US Commerce Association (USCA) has named Blackstone Career Institute a 2012 Best of Emmaus school. This marks Blackstone’s fourth consecutive year as a recipient, putting us in an elite subdivision of multiple awardees numbering less than 1% of all the honorees.
Needless to say, we are proud of the accomplishment and grateful to the USCA for their positive assessment. The most valued feedback BCI receives, however, is from our students, who have consistently reported positive reviews from their Blackstone experiences. Our true hope is to utilize the “Best of Emmaus” recognition to communicate to our prospective students that Blackstone Career Institute is committed to providing quality education. The heart of the USCA’s judging criteria is the quality of customer service and satisfaction. In contrast to the hundreds of lesser online learning programs, BCI has gone above and beyond the average certification training by attending to our students’ needs first.

Blackstone Career Institute’s affordable, effective programs are designed for real world application, so that you can achieve the career you’ve always wanted. Contact us today to find a course that is right for you.

To read the full press release: Click Here.

Everyday Green Activities!

Worrying about the environment or pollution may seem like a secondary issue to a person in a less-than-ideal financial situation, but a few small lifestyle changes could help you sustain the planet and your cash flow.

Here is a brief overview of the average day in the life of a green everyman:

Morning: Make the morning shower shorter just by a couple minutes, and you could be investing in a seriously reduced water bill. If you have trouble keeping track of time, put a clock somewhere nearby where you can gauge yourself more effectively.
After breakfast and coffee, make sure to unplug your toaster and coffee-maker. Energy (and therefore money) is expended unnecessarily every time you leave an unused appliance plugged in.

Afternoon: Relearn that wonderful rule they taught you in kindergarten: sharing. Carpooling, lending and borrowing books or tools, and utilizing group discounts are all fun ways to reduce your overall carbon footprint.
For lunch, consider making it a vegetarian meal. Regardless of your ethical views, meat is expensive and contributes to the health problems that pollute our body. If you don’t keep yourself healthy, how can you help the rest of the world? Another solution for physical wellbeing is biking to work, or walking during your meal breaks.

Evening: When you stop at the grocery store on your way home, be sure to buy efficiently, and smartly. Hunt for the deals, buy locally, and never purchase products packaged in unrecyclable materials.
And finally, before you go to bed, replace the bulb at your nightstand with a CEL (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb), and dream of all the ways you can spend your green savings.

Gas Prices Fuel Growth in Distance Education

While nation-wide enrollments in distance education programs have been on the rise for many years, educational institutions are reporting even more dramatic increases in recent months. This spike is most likely fueled by the rise in gas prices. Newspapers throughout the country, including The New York Times, have reported statistics from a variety of distance education schools supporting this upward trend.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average price of gas in the U.S. will exceed $4.00 in May−June 2012. For students who commute back and forth to a campus several times a week, this increase has had a serious impact on their budgets. But by enrolling in a distance education program, students can save both time and money. Financial issues related to commuting to consider when comparing site-based vs. distance learning education include:

Wear and tear on your car that can lead to huge repair bills
Parking or public transportation fees if you don’t use your car
Child care fees that you may have to pay while you attend classes
Extra expenses you might incur for dining out when you are on campus
Commuting time leading to less time to spend working and earning a salary
Commuting time resulting in less time to study

Finally, you should also consider the value of your personal time when choosing between distance education and site-based programs. For example, if you could trade a half-hour commute for a half- hour with your family or a half-hour doing something you enjoy, would you?

The State University of New York has developed a “distance learning calculator” that you can use to determine how much money you can save by choosing distance education. Try it online and see how quickly the costs associated with driving to classes can really add up!

Learn something new from this e-Newsletter or want to share a positive experience about Blackstone? Visit Blackstone’s Facebook page to comment and interact with your fellow students, prospective students, and others in our online community.

In This Issue

Blackstone Career Institute: 2012 “Best of Emmaus” Award-Winner

Everyday Green Activities

Gas Prices Fuel Growth in Distance Education

Current Student
Or Graduate?

Help a friend and reward yourself! Click here to refer a friend(s) to Blackstone and receive a $100.00 Visa gift card after they enroll in one of our Career Training Programs! There is no limit to how many gift cards you may receive!

More News from Blackstone

For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items,
visit our web site.

Join Our Community

Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now.

Did You Know?

World Environment Day, which will be celebrated on June 5, 2012, aims to be “the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action,” according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

World Environment Day (WED) has been celebrated around the globe since 1972. It is a call for action to citizens around the world to work towards a cleaner, greener environment now and for future generations.
The theme for WED in 2012 is Green Economy: Does it Include You? A Green Economy is defined by the UN Environment Programme as “one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.” As a socially inclusive ideal, the Green Economy includes all of us and our efforts.

If you are interested in arranging an activity to celebrate our environment during the week of WED, you can
register your activity online with the UN Environment Programme for a chance to win a prize!
Remember, when we each play a role in positive environmental action, everyone wins!

Blackstone Graduate Honored in Writing Competition

Charles Sigerseth, a graduate of the Blackstone Legal Assistant/Paralegal program, was recently named one of two winners in a tax policy/legal writing contest conducted by Kelly Phillips Erb, a contributing writer for Forbes.com. Phillips Erb authors a blog called taxgirl.com at http://blogs.forbes.com/kellyphillipserb, which was named one of the top 100 legal blogs by the ABA Journal.
The competition called for interested law and paralegal students to submit a 500−1500 word guest post about a hot tax policy issue. You can read Mr. Sigerseth’s winning entry on the statute of limitations issue here.

The faculty and staff at Blackstone would like to extend our congratulations on a job well done!

For Your Information

Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities:

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu.

Keep In Touch

To update student contact information, e-mail us or call our office at 1-800-826-9228.

ENROLL NOW

Newsletter February/March 2012

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:58:10 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	February/March 2012

Train for a Hot Job in the Allied Health Field with Blackstone The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare and the allied health fields are expected to generate more new jobs than any other industry over the next several years. As Baby Boomers age there will be a need for more home health care services, residential care facilities and nurses to staff them. Medical group practices and integrated health systems are predicted to become larger and more complex, resulting in an increased need for office and administrative support workers. High job turnover, additional anticipated retirements in the industry and the slowing number of foreign healthcare workers being allowed to enter the country also contribute to the growth of this sector. One of the appealing aspects of working in healthcare and the allied health fields is that many occupations offer a part-time schedule, allowing for more flexibility. Also, a lot of shift work is available because most healthcare establishments operate around the clock and need staff at all hours. Students preparing for an allied health career with Blackstone can train for their new occupation in under a year, allowing them to enter this growing field faster. The number of new positions in the following allied health occupations is expected to grow by approximately 30 percent over the next few years: Pharmacy Technicians: Pharmacy Technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Under direct supervision, they compound and dispense medical prescriptions and may perform clerical duties to assist the pharmacy function. Most pharmacy technicians receive on-the-job training, but employers favor applicants who have formal training/certification or previous experience. The average annual salary is approximately $35,000. Medical Office Assistants: Medical Office Assistants take on a variety of administrative duties in a medical practice. They may work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, or medical clinics coordinating patient schedules, handling financial paperwork, interacting with patients, and more. Medical Office Assistants may earn up to $36,840. Physical Therapy Aides: Physical Therapy Aides are important members of the rehabilitation team who help prepare patients for treatment under the direction of a physical therapist. They may be responsible for the operation and maintenance of equipment, as well as administrative tasks. The average annual salary is $26,661. Dental Office Assistants: Demand for dental care will rise due to population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older persons, and greater awareness of the importance of dental care. Dentists will need hygienists, assistants, and front desk personnel to help with increased workloads. Dental office assistants greet patients, coordinate schedules, manage financial paperwork, and complete other administrative tasks. The average annual salary is $30,222. Blackstone Launches e-Books This month, Blackstone is beginning its transition to e-books in an effort to make its programs and courses even more portable and to enhance the online learning experience. The first courses to undergo this change are the Advanced Paralegal Courses. E-textbooks will be offered through VitalSource, one of the most popular and user-friendly e-textbook platforms for higher education. With VitalSource, students can change the page layout to suit their reading needs and easily search for keywords, tables and graphics throughout the text. Other great features, including highlighting and note tools, will help students to make the most of their studies. With e-textbooks, students have the ability to work online or off…wherever it is convenient! They can download their textbook to a personal computer using VitalSource Bookshelf for offline reading. Or they can access their book online through any device with a modern browser and Internet connection. Since the textbook, study guide and exams are all accessible at home or on-the-go, the coursework can truly be completed anytime, anywhere. At Blackstone, we are always working to make our courses fit the needs of our students. Delivery of e-books is much faster than that for traditional books, meaning that students can really get a jumpstart on their studies. Not only are e-books better for the environment, but they help us to keep costs down – a benefit that we can transfer directly to our students. Even though e-books are fully portable and easily searchable, students have the option to print any sections they may want for future reference. The advantages of using e-books, which may be as simple as resizing font for an easier reading experience, will constantly be evolving. Click here to learn more about the benefits of VitalSource e-books. Daylight Saving Time Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time (DST) at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time. During DST, clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. In the U.S., 2:00 a.m. was originally chosen as the changeover time because it was practical and minimized disruption. Most people were at home and this was the time when the fewest trains were running. It is late enough to minimally affect bars and restaurants, and it prevents the day from switching to yesterday, which would be confusing. It is early enough that the entire continental U.S. switches by daybreak, and the changeover occurs before most early shift workers and early churchgoers are affected. For the U.S. and its territories, Daylight Saving Time is NOT observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and Arizona. The Navajo Nation participates in the Daylight Saving Time policy, even in Arizona, due to its large size and location in three states. The phrase Daylight Saving Time is inaccurate, since no daylight is actually saved. Daylight Shifting Time would be better, and Daylight Time Shifting more accurate, but neither is politically desirable. This spring, remember to move your clocks an hour forward on Sunday, March 11. Learn something new from this e-Newsletter or want to share a positive experience about Blackstone? Visit Blackstone’s Facebook page to comment and interact with your fellow students, prospective students, and others in our online community.	In This Issue Train for a Hot Job in the Allied Health Field with Blackstone Blackstone Launches e-Books Daylight Saving Time Current Student or Graduate? Help a friend and reward yourself! Click here to refer a friend(s) to Blackstone and receive a $100.00 Visa gift card after they enroll in one of our Career Training Programs! There is no limit to how many gift cards you may receive! More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? Valentine’s Day is celebrated in February, but how much do you know about the month of February? Test your knowledge with the following True/False questions… 1. February has 28 days in leap years. 2. February was named after a Latin word that means love. 3. At one point in history, February was the last month in the calendar. 4. In leap years, February starts on the same day of the week as August. 5. In common years, February, March, and November all start on the same day of the week. 6. The birthstone for February is the amethyst. 7. February has two birth flowers, which are the Viola (plant) and the Primrose. 8. Once every four years February has four full 7-day weeks. 9. February and January were the last 2 months to be added to the Roman calendar. 10. February is the only month of the year that can pass without a single full moon. Answers: 1.False 2. False 3.True 4.True 5.True 6. True 7. True 8. False 9. True 10. True For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Newsletter December 2011/January 2012

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:08:00 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	DEC. 2011/JAN. 2012

Happy Holidays from Blackstone! The Blackstone staff wishes you and your family a happy holiday season and best wishes for a joyous New Year! So that our staff can enjoy the holidays, our office will close at 12 noon (EST) on Friday, December 23 and reopen on Tuesday, December 27 at 9 a.m. (EST). If you have any questions or need assistance, you may contact us via e-mail (info@blackstone.edu) or phone (1-800-826-9228), leave a message, and we will respond as soon as possible when we re-open. Is Education One of Your New Year’s Resolutions? Is furthering your education one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2012? Whether you are looking for a new career with good employment prospects, or you want to make sure you continue to be valuable to your current employer, education can be powerful in today’s economy. Becoming a lifelong learner may be the true key to getting ahead. When deciding what you really want out of a career, you’ll first need to match up your current skills to the type of job you would like to have. If you notice some gaps, or your skills need to be updated, then it may be a good time to go back to school. Often, serious job hunters turn to online education to fill in the gaps and learn what they need to be the right fit for the job. This is because online education can be the smartest solution for busy adults with other obligations. Deciding to pursue your education with Blackstone Career Institute is an important step to achieving your goals for 2012. Blackstone offers career training in nine fields that will continue to grow at a steady rate throughout the next decade: paralegal, pharmacy technician, medical office, dental office, child day care, physical therapy aide, and veterinary assistant. For more information, use the links in the sidebar. Stay Motivated and Create Extra Study Time We all know how hard it can be to stay motivated and work towards a long-term goal. When gratification is delayed, you may need an extra boost to get back on track. The end of the year, filled with holiday gatherings and plenty of activities, can also present its own problems when you are trying to complete your studies and move to the next step in your career. To make the most of your studies, you can take advantage of any number of study tips and hints. Below you will find some simple ways to get motivated and create extra study time: Make sure your friends and family know that you are serious about your education goals. Since your goals may also include creating a better life for you and your family, they can become your personal cheerleaders. Let them know about your successes and look to them for help if you feel your willpower wane. Have a special study area set up where you have all of the materials you need neatly organized. This area should be quiet, away from distractions like the phone and television, and comfortable enough that you can spend plenty of time there. Create a study schedule for yourself. If you mark studying as an appointment in your calendar, you may be more likely to stick with it. Also, as your study time becomes routine, it will feel easier to move between work, home life, and studying. You may find it easier to block out a specific period of time or to make a goal to complete a certain portion of your course before you wrap up. If it’s been a while since you were in school, you can make smaller study goals in the beginning until you get into a good rhythm. Take short breaks during your study time so you can recharge your batteries. Get up and walk around…get a drink of water. Plan rewards for yourself, whether they are small rewards at the end of study time (like watching a favorite show), or larger rewards at the end of a productive week or month. Once you get into a study routine, you can always find extra time to sneak in studying if you want to really get the most out of your course. You might create flash cards for difficult vocabulary and keep them with you. You never know when you’ll have an opportunity to review them (on a long commute or waiting in line). You can also keep any notes or short reading assignments with you when you know you’ll have time to read during morning coffee or on your lunch break. January is National Mentoring Month Even as you are working towards your education and career goals, putting yourself in a substantially better position for a more rewarding job or better pay, remember that there are many others out there who need direction and guidance. One way you can help is by becoming a mentor. Many local schools, businesses, faith-based organizations and community groups have open spots for those who are willing to mentor a young person. Everyone needs some encouragement from time to time! Even if becoming a mentor isn’t something you think you can commit to right now, you can still make a difference by participating in Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 16, 2012. You can help to sponsor or organize a community service project or find a team to volunteer with. Learn something new from this e-Newsletter or want to share a positive experience about Blackstone? Visit Blackstone’s Facebook page to comment and interact with your fellow students, prospective students, and others in our online community.	In This Issue Happy Holidays from Blackstone! Is Education One of Your New Year’s Resolutions? Stay Motivated and Create Extra Study Time January is National Mentoring Month Current Student or Graduate? Help a friend and reward yourself! Click here to refer a friend(s) to Blackstone and receive a $100.00 Visa gift card after they enroll in one of our Career Training Programs! There is no limit to how many gift cards you may receive! More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? “Happy New Year!” The celebration of the new year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Romans continued to observe the new year in late March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate declared January 1 to be the beginning of the new year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to the early Babylonians, whose most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Today, the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping of the New Year’s ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter. Another American tradition is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Tournament of Roses parade that precedes the football game on New Year’s day is made up of elaborate and inventive floats. The first parade was held in 1886. Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Some foods are also thought to bring luck in the new year. A traditional southern New Year’s dish is Hoppin’ John-black eyed peas and ham hocks. An old saying goes, “Eat peas on New Year’s day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year.” Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes “coming full circle,” completing a year’s cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year’s Day will bring good fortune. One of the most venerable New Year’s traditions is the champagne toast at midnight to ring in the new year. Toasting can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who would pour wine from a common pitcher. The host would drink first, to assure his guests that the wine was not poisoned. Poisoning the wine was a fairly common practice in ancient times, designed to do away with one’s enemies. In those days, the wine was not as refined as it is today so a square of burned bread (toast) would be floated in the wine bowl and then eaten by the last person to drink. The bread was put there to absorb the extra acidity of the wine. Eventually, the act of drinking in unison came to be called a toast! The song, “Auld Lang Syne,” is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year. While partially written by Robert Burns in the 18th century, it was bandleader Guy Lombardo who popularized the song and turned it into a New Year’s tradition. “Auld Lang Syne” literally means “old long ago,” or simply, ”the good old days.” For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Newsletter October/November 2011

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:47:50 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	Oct./nov. 2011

Celebrate American Education Week this November 13-19 This year marks the 90th anniversary of American Education Week. The National Education Association, in conjunction with the American Legion, sought to improve the public’s awareness of the value of education. The NEA called for “An educational week … observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure the cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs.” This week was first celebrated in December of 1921.There are many things that you can do to celebrate American Education Week this year: If you have school-age children, make sure to communicate with them and discover what they are learning about in school. You can help to make the educational experience even more interactive by going on your own “field trips” to local libraries, museums, and historic centers. Instead of family movie night, try family story night and take turns reading to each other. The more involved you are with your child’s education, the more likely he or she is to succeed in school. You may even be invited into the classroom to observe a typical day if your child’s school celebrates Parents Day. Some communities host Educator for a Day events, in which you may be able to teach classes and take over other responsibilities, such as lunch and recess duty. Standing in for a teacher can really help you to appreciate what he or she does for the children and the community. Look for other ways that you can make a difference in your local schools by finding ways to volunteer. Remember that education doesn’t stop once you leave high school. There are numerous ways that postsecondary education can improve your life. The more education you have, the greater your opportunities. You can see these benefits in measurable terms, such as the achievement of promotions, moving into better-paying or more rewarding jobs, and gaining greater responsibilities at work. You might not, however, notice the smaller payoffs. When you continue your education, you have the chance to relearn study skills and hone both your patience and self-motivation. These skills and habits will help you with other aspects of your home and work life. Follow Blackstone on Twitter! People all over the world use Twitter to keep up-to-date on current events and what’s happening in their friends’ lives. You can also use Twitter to follow your favorite businesses and organizations. Now, you can follow Blackstone on Twitter and discover the latest on special offers, up-to-the-minute school news, useful advice, and information on career training opportunities at Blackstone. If you’re new to Twitter, you can join for free. Simply go to twitter.com and create an account. Improve your Study Skills with Technology As an online student, you may be wondering what methods are available to you when it comes to note-taking and organization. Today, there are many products on the market, and some free alternatives, which can help you get the most out of your studies. One such resource, Evernote, is a free application that is compatible with most mobile devices, tablets, phones and ereaders. Users can enter typed notes, images from cameras and recorded audio notes, in addition to saving favorite web pages and scanned documents. You can sync with your Mac or PC, and have your notes available anywhere that you go. Use Evernote to create a to-do list, make notes for yourself and upload corresponding attachments, and sort your notes into relevant folders. Using technology can help you keep your study notes in order and reduce paper clutter. Similar products include Microsoft OneNote, simplenote, Memonic, and gnote. With a little research, you can find the product that is right for you and fits your note-taking style. Autumn is Here I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air. — Nathaniel Hawthorne Like every season, autumn has its own unique events and sights, sounds and smells. It is a time of harvest and abundance, a time of storing and saving for the long winter season ahead and a time of festivity and reunion. For many, autumn is one of the most awaited seasons; the landscape silently explodes with vibrant colors of red, yellow and orange. The leaves begin to drop off the trees and cooler weather sets in. As the weather turns from oppressive to brisk, with a slight nip in the air, many find themselves drawn to the things that remind them of fall. Children playing amidst the fallen leaves, pumpkin patches, hayrides, apple picking, frosty mornings, and the smell of pumpkin pie remind us of fall. Baseball season hits the home stretch, while football season is just warming up. Temperatures begin to drop, nights begin to get longer, and the woodland critters are storing up for the long haul of winter. Some great ways to spend time with family or friends this season include fall festivals, sightseeing and visiting farms that are open to the public. Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities without the worries of sunburns or frostbite! The Blackstone staff wishes you and your family a healthy, safe and happy autumn! Our office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from 4 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, November 23 and reopen on Monday, November 28 at 9 a.m. (EST). If you have any questions or need assistance during this time, you may contact us via e-mail or phone (1-800-826-9228), leave a message, and we will respond as soon as possible when we re-open.	In This Issue Celebrate American Education Week this November 13-19 Follow Blackstone on Twitter! Improve your Study Skills with Technology Autumn is Here Current Student or Graduate? Help a friend and reward yourself! Click here to refer a friend(s) to Blackstone and receive a $100.00 Visa gift card after they enroll in one of our Career Training Programs! There is no limit to how many gift cards you may receive! More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? Trees take water from the ground through their roots and take carbon dioxide from the air. They also use the energy from sunlight to produce sugar in a process called photosynthesis. Fall colors are best when late summer is dry and autumn has bright sunny days and cool nights below 40 °F. Fall days become shorter and many plants stop making food. That is when the green chlorophyll starts to disappear from the leaves. Most leaves fall from trees because the ends of the branch are sealed off near the leaf stem to protect the tree through the long winter months. Composting fall leaves is an excellent way to improve yard and garden soils. Mixing green and brown materials together is the basic rule. Mulching fall leaves where they fall lets them decompose so that they can release their minerals back to the underlying soil. The leaf colors red, yellow and brown are in the leaves all year long and only become exposed when the green chlorophyll disappears in the fall. Maples, Oaks, Elms, Birch and Ash trees are just a few of the trees that give spectacular colors during the autumn season. For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Follow Blackstone on Twitter

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:35:20 +0000

Blackstone Career Institute (@BlackstoneEdu) is on Twitter! Follow us to get the latest on special offers, up-to-the-minute school news, useful advice, and information on career training opportunities at Blackstone.

Blackstone Named a Military-Friendly School for Third Consecutive Year

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:44:40 +0000

September 2011: Blackstone Career Institute has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine for the third year running. This honor places Blackstone among the top 20% of all colleges, universities and trade schools across the nation.

The Military Friendly Schools Guide was created by G.I. Jobs to help military members, veterans, and military spouses find career training that can meet their unique needs. The methodology used to determine which schools hit the mark was made even more stringent this year, due to steep competition. Schools were chosen based on ratings in several categories, including both financial and non-financial efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, as well as the school’s academic accreditations.

When asked what he thinks makes Blackstone a Military Friendly School, Director Kevin McCloskey said “Whether potential students are active duty military members looking for a civilian career to transition into or are military spouses looking for a portable career that can travel with them, our faculty and staff work with those students from Day One to ensure that they have the tools necessary to meet their educational goals. Since courses are offered online with 24/7 access to lessons, our format is appealing to a wide range of students, but does make sense for military and military spouse students with unpredictable schedules and the possibility of moving from base to base or deployment. Our staff is dedicated to helping prospective military and military spouse students understand the education benefits that are available to them and navigating the process that takes them from thinking about their future to actually making it better.”

All of Blackstone’s online career training programs are approved by DANTES, Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. Blackstone’s career training programs are also approved for VA Education Benefits, Military Tuition Assistance, and benefits available through MyCAA for eligible military spouses.

About Blackstone Career Institute

Blackstone Career Institute, located in Allentown, PA, is a distance education school offering online career training including paralegal training, medical transcription training, dental assistant training, veterinary assistant training, child care training and a number of other allied health and paralegal certificate programs. Blackstone is privately licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), and regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Blackstone has been in continuous operation since 1890, making it one of the oldest distance learning schools in the country. For more information, visit http://www.blackstone.edu/.

About G.I. Jobs

G.I. Jobs magazine is a publication for those transitioning from military to civilian life. It provides information on education and job opportunities, as well as transition assistance. G.I. Jobs is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business that also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines and annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses.”

Newsletter August/September 2011

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:07:48 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	Aug./Sept. 2011

Jobs That Really Make a Difference: Spotlight on Pharmacy Technician Would you enjoy a career working alongside health professionals to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, then the allied health professions may be the right choice for you. Despite economic uncertainty and a weak job market, some industries continue to perform well. While retailing, manufacturing, finance and technology may be vulnerable, the health care sector continues to grow steadily. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 3.2 million jobs will be generated in the health care industry between 2008 and 2018. While many people who work directly with patients to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses need advanced degrees, there are a multitude of job opportunities in the health care industry that you can tap into in much less time. One such career, Pharmacy Technician, is one of the fastest growing careers in the country. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 31% between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Pharmacy technicians play a vital role, assisting pharmacists with a variety of duties which may include entering patient data, filing insurance claim forms, preparing medications, labeling, stocking inventory, and reviewing patient charts. Blackstone’s online Pharmacy Technician Program will provide you with the training you need to enter this growing field. There are many employment settings for pharmacy technicians, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, independently owned pharmacies, drugstore chains, grocery stores, mass retailers, Internet pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, physicians’ offices, correctional institutions, and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Median salaries for pharmacy technicians averaged $27,706 in 2008, with the highest 10% earning more than $39,478 annually. Graduates of Blackstone’s program are qualified to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board as well as for the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) sponsored by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Applicants for either exam must be 18 years of age or older, possess a high school diploma or G.E.D., and not have a criminal record. Prospective students should check with their State Board of Pharmacy regarding specific state regulations concerning licensure, registration and certification requirements. Blackstone Career Institute also offers programs in the following allied health career fields─Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Transcription, Medical Office Assistant, Dental Office Assistant, and Physical Therapy Aide. To explore our career training programs in any of these fields, use the links on the right-hand side of this page. September is Here: It’s Time to Go Back to School! As Labor Day approaches, many of you will begin shuffling kids off to school in the morning or possibly taking older children to college. Even if you haven’t been in school for years or don’t have children in school, this time of year may still remind you of the start of school-you may miss the excitement of learning new things and meeting new challenges. You may even be thinking that the timing is right for you to go back to school yourself, whether you are pondering a career change or just want to advance your knowledge of a particular subject. Many adults are realizing that to get the skills they need to succeed in today’s workforce, they need to go back to school or enroll in a post-secondary school for the first time. With busy family and work schedules, many adult learners are choosing distance education options to meet their goals. Blackstone Career Institute offers several career training programs that can help you break into a new career field, as well as a variety of certificate courses that can help you build your skill base to move ahead at your current job. Once you’ve made that important decision to improve your life by going back to school, here is what you’ll need to know to get started: Have a clear goal in mind. Whether you plan to take a course to get a new job, seek a promotion, or simply learn something new, make sure that you know what your motivations are. If you envision achieving your goals, you will be more likely to stay on track and progress through your course. Decide how you would like to pay for your education. If you are taking a course to excel in new areas at work, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance. This is a benefit well worth taking advantage of if your employer provides it. If you are taking a course so you can change jobs, you can take advantage of Blackstone’s interest-free payment plans to finance your education. Our payment plans can significantly ease the burden of going back to school, so you can focus on your studies. Understand that by going back to school you will be taking on new responsibilities. You have a responsibility to yourself to make the most of your education. You will need to have both the physical space to study and the time to make it happen. Make sure you can set up a quiet workspace where you will not be interrupted. Also, make a schedule for yourself based on the number of lessons you have in your course and the timeframe for completion. With Blackstone, your studies are available online 24/7, so you can fit your education around your current schedule. The study format is also flexible, so if you find that you have a few busy weeks you can always get back on track the next week. During your planning, keep in mind whether you work best in the morning or evening, and pick times to study that you can mark on a calendar ahead of time. This technique will help you think of your coursework as a scheduled activity. Online education offers the convenience you may need to achieve your goals, but self-motivation is the key to successful completion of any program. So be sure to perform an honest self-assessment before enrolling in any education program. Have a clear end-goal and decide from the beginning when you can commit to studying. You should know if going back to school is feasible with your current lifestyle. If so, then now is the perfect time to start! How to Make Yourself More Valuable at Work Whether you are starting a new career or have been at your job for some time, below are a few simple tips that will help you to increase your value to your employer: Be a positive team player. Get to know all of your co-workers and try your best to get along with them, even if your personalities clash. Your boss wants to know that you can work together for the common good of the company. Being nice to others and keeping a positive frame of mind, even in tough times, will help your employer and co-workers view you as someone they want to have around for the long-haul. Network. You should not only try to make connections with the people you work with, but you should join professional organizations in your field and try to attend conferences and industry events. You may also want to join online social and professional networks. You can use these connections and events to meet important people in your industry and learn about the latest trends and ideas in the field. Get noticed. If you have a great idea, be sure to speak up! At meetings, try not to talk about problems, instead offer some solutions. Work on your writing and speaking skills so you are competent and to-the-point. Remember, it’s not just what you say and how you say it, but also how you look when you are saying it. Your words will carry more value if you dress professionally, look confident, and practice good posture. Advance your education. It always helps to further develop your skills or learn a unique skill that will make you more valuable. You can do this by taking training and development courses, and online courses may be the best fit for your schedule. Employers are usually impressed when an employee makes an effort to better him- or herself and still stay committed to the job. Go above and beyond. Always do your best with whatever task you are assigned. If you are able, offer to help others or volunteer for duties outside of your job description. Wanting to move ahead is one thing, but asking to take on more difficult tasks and have more responsibility will demonstrate that you are ready. Learn something new from this e-Newsletter or want to share a positive experience about Blackstone? Visit Blackstone’s Facebook page to comment and interact with your fellow students, prospective students, and others in our online community.	In This Issue Jobs That Really Make a Difference: Spotlight on Pharmacy Technician September is Here: It’s Time to Go Back to School! How to Make Yourself More Valuable at Work Blackstone would like to honor the memories of those who died on Sept. 11th, 2001, including the brave firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel who lost their own lives trying to rescue others. We also salute our military men and women and their families for the sacrifices they continue to make to keep us safe. More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? For many Americans, Labor Day symbolizes the end of summer and a day off from work. It is celebrated with picnics, parades and athletic events. However, there is a history extending back over 100 years that we should all reflect upon this Labor Day: The U.S. Department of Labor describes Labor Day this way: “It is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” By 1893, more than half of the states were observing Labor Day. A bill to establish a federal holiday was passed by Congress in1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, making the first Monday in September Labor Day and a federal holiday. Today, we celebrate the 149.1 million people who represent our nation’s work force. Among our nation’s workers, 80.0 million are men and 69.1 million are women. These men and women represent 66% of the civilian adult population. Labor Unions reached an all-time high in the 1950′s when about 40% of the workforce belonged to unions. Today, union membership is only about 13% of the working population. The 46th annual MDA Labor Day Telethon is getting ready to squeeze 21½ hours of entertainment, awareness-building and fundraising into six prime-time hours on Sunday night, Sept. 4. The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade on September 5, 1882, in New York City. The workers’ unions chose to celebrate the first Monday in September because it was halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. While there is some uncertainty about who founded the holiday, most historians credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, with the original idea of a day to honor workers. Others support that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. The Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic. The idea of a “workingmen’s” holiday spread throughout the nation. With the growth of labor organizations, celebrations began to spread to other states. Workers fought to win workplace rights and better working conditions and wages at a time when they had little power. For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Newsletter June/July 2011

admin — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:55:27 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	June/July 2011

Blackstone Serves the Needs of Military Members and Their Families In honor of our recent and upcoming holidays celebrating the United States and the men and women who have fought to protect it, Blackstone would like to express its deepest appreciation to those servicemen and women who risk their lives to bring freedom to our nation and to the world. Blackstone believes that military members and their families are entitled to the best education possible for their contributions and sacrifices, making it possible to support their loved ones now and in the future. Education is perhaps the most important investment you will make. If you are a service member, veteran, or family member, you have special benefit opportunities that can help provide money for your school and career goals. Distance education is a great choice for those actively serving in the military, as well as for their spouses, allowing you to participate in affordable training from anywhere in the world. Blackstone understands the need for military personnel and their spouses to find education and career training that is flexible and adaptable to their unique lifestyle. Funding options are available, and apply to Blackstone’s full catalog of career training programs. Military personnel and veterans are able to take advantage of DANTES and the Montgomery G.I. Bill for tuition assistance. Eligible military spouses are also able to receive career education funding from MyCAA, the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account sponsored by the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor. Under this initiative, funds are available for training in target industries that represent portable careers, including health care. From its inception, the goal of MyCAA has been to equip military spouses with the skills they need to pursue careers in fields that can travel with them no matter where their families are deployed. For further details, click here. If you or someone you know is a military spouse or serving in the military and is interested in career training opportunities in the paralegal, veterinary assistant, child day care and allied health fields, Blackstone can help! You can use the various links to the right to learn more or contact us at info@blackstone.edu. The Benefits of Going to School Online At some point, every person considering furthering their education has to make the decision about what type of school and what type of training is right for them. Those who are looking into online education, whether it is right out of high school or after many years in the workforce, are hoping to gain some of the same benefits. The following are benefits not only of participating in online education, but of becoming a member of the Blackstone student community: Flexibility and Convenience Not all prospective students have access to the same local resources. Some students live in rural areas without easy access to higher education institutions, and some local schools don’t offer programs that match the fastest growing career fields. Blackstone enrolls students from all over the country and our training focuses on careers in high demand. Online education allows working students and parents to study on their own schedule, when and where it’s convenient for them. Like traditional brick and mortar schools, many online schools follow a semester schedule and force students to complete lessons at specified intervals. Blackstone gives our students a full year to complete their training program, but also provides the flexibility of studying at your own pace. Whether you haven’t been to school for a while and need to ease into it or you want to break into the job market as quickly as possible, you have full control over your progress. Vacations and travel don’t need to sideline your studying. You can choose to take a break from your studies anytime you are away, or you can study on the go. With online courses, your classroom is anywhere you can access the Internet. Savings Online courses save you money on room and board, commuting, activity fees and parking, plus a variety of other fees associated with traditional schools. With Blackstone, your coursework only focuses on the skills you need to succeed, so you don’t have to spend time and money on “extra” courses. You can complete one of our career training programs or certificate courses in under a year and feel prepared for your job search or to take on new responsibilities at work. No extra supplies are necessary, as everything is included in the cost of your program. Learning Atmosphere At Blackstone, you are always treated equally to your online peers and any competition is only with yourself to do better. For many students, this makes online education a less intimidating option than the classroom. You will gain a wide variety of network contacts from the online discussion boards. Blackstone’s online students represent all ages and backgrounds and come from all across the country. Online education works for a variety of learning styles since you are in control. Certification Offers an Edge in the Job Market While certification is not generally a requirement to work in the paralegal or allied health fields, many workers find that earning a certification gives them an edge in the job market. According to the NALA (National Association of Paralegals) Web site, “National surveys consistently show Certified Legal Assistants are better paid and better utilized in a field where attorneys are looking for a credible, dependable way to measure ability.” The BCI paralegal program meets NALA’s 900 clock hour educational requirement to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant exam. While new Blackstone paralegal and allied health graduates may be eligible to take some of the certification exams upon completion of their studies, it is usually recommended that they work in their chosen field before tackling these exams. Work experience is a requirement for many certifications, including the Certified Medical Transcriptionist and Certified Professional Coder exams. Whether you are beginning your studies or have many years of work experience, we encourage you to do some research about each certifying organization and its requirements. It is also helpful to talk to people in the field who have achieved certification to get their recommendations on what you can do to successfully pass these exams. Certification provides further assurance of skills and knowledge to employers and can offer you a pathway to enhancing your career through promotions, increased salary, and additional job responsibilities. To learn more about the requirements of some of the organizations that offer certification in the paralegal and allied health fields, use the links below: National Association of Legal Assistants: Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal National Healthcare Association: Certified Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: Certified Pharmacy Technician Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity: Registered Medical Transcriptionist, Certified Medical Transcriptionist American Academy of Professional Coders: Certified Professional Coder American Health Information Management Association: Certified Coding Associate, Certified Coding Specialist American Medical Billing Association: Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist Dental Assisting Board: Certified Dental Assistant National Center for Competency Testing: National Certified Medical Office Assistant Learn something new from this e-Newsletter or want to share a positive experience about Blackstone? Visit Blackstone’s Facebook page to comment and interact with your fellow students, prospective students, and others in our online community.	In This Issue Blackstone Serves the Needs of Military Members and Their Families The Benefits of Going to School Online Certification Offers an Edge in the Job Market More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? In the months of June and July, we honor our flag, our fathers, and celebrate our nations Independence. The week of June 14 is designated as “National Flag Week,” a holiday commemorating the anniversary of the 1777 adoption of the United States flag. During this week the President issues a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. Celebrate Flag Day by perusing some of the lesser-known facts about the Stars and Stripes, including how to properly let your American flag fly: The flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset. In the morning, raise the flag quickly. In the evening, bring it down slowly. If you are going to fly it at night it should have a light on it. The flag should not be flown when it is raining. After a death or tragedy, you should fly your flag at “half staff” for 30 days. The American flag is always on top of any other flag you are flying. Never put your flag upside down. Never let your flag touch the ground. Fold your flag when it is not flying. When your flag is old and worn out, get a new one. Old flags should be buried or brought to local veterans groups like the VFW for proper disposal, not thrown out. Father’s Day, a holiday which honors fathers worldwide, is celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make for their children’s lives. There are a range of events, which may have inspired the idea of Father’s Day. One of these was the start of the Mother’s Day tradition in the first decade of the 20th century. Another was a memorial service held in 1908 for a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a mining accident in West Virginia in December 1907. Credit for originating the holiday is generally given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge gave his support to the observance, and in 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson officially proclaimed it a national holiday. Observance on the third Sunday of June was decreed by law in 1972. Happy Independence Day! On July the 4^th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. This most American holiday is traditionally celebrated with red, white, and blue, fireworks and parades, stars and stripes, flags and BBQs. Here are some fun facts, history and trivia about this holiday: The first Independence Day was celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time, nor did they sign on July 4, 1776. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776 when 50 men signed it. Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in May or June of 1776. The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal. Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal but was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle. The first Fourth of July party held at the White House was in 1801. The first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi was celebrated by Lewis and Clark in 1805. Over an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on this day. Over $211 million has been spent on the importation of fireworks from China. The words Under God were not added to the Pledge of Allegiance until the year 1954. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826. More than 74 million Americans will BBQ on this day. The Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941. The national anthem is actually set to the tune of an old English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven. Remember that fireworks are a fire hazard and scare animals, so be careful! Also, please don’t drink and drive! For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Newsletter April/May 2011

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:34:31 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	April/May 2011

Blackstone Announces Its New Child Day Care Program Blackstone is proud to announce its latest career training program: Child Day Care. If you have ever thought about working with children in a rewarding career, then becoming a child care worker could be the path for you! Child care workers tend to the safety, health, and well being of infants, toddlers, and school-age children. They provide fun and meaningful learning activities that develop a child’s self-esteem, as well as cognitive and physical abilities. You can find employment in a variety of settings, including child care centers, schools, and even your own home. The employment outlook for child care workers is better than the average for all occupations; according to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in this field is expected to rise by 11% between 2008 and 2018. Job seekers who are qualified through education and training should have little trouble finding employment. Many factors are considered when calculating salary for child care workers such as location, type of facility, ages of the children, job title, education level and years of experience. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the middle 50 percent of child care workers earn up to $23,504 (or $11.30 per hour). There are also opportunities to open your own home-based day care, which can result in a higher annual salary. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Private Licensed Schools, and the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, the new program meets the quality educational and business standards of both of these organizations. Like Blackstone’s other career training programs in the allied health and paralegal fields, the Child Day Care Program offers the convenience of studying at home at your own pace and on your own schedule. Our Online Student Center gives you 24-hour access to your records, study materials, payment history and an opportunity to chat with other students. For more information on this new program, visit our Web site , e-mail us at info@blackstone.edu or call 1-800-826-9228. Build Your Legal Research Skills Using LexisNexis^® Students enrolling in Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal career training program receive a one-year student membership to LexisNexis^®, one of the most popular research tools used throughout the legal community. Current paralegals and other legal professionals also have the opportunity to receive training in online legal research through our Foundations of Legal Research Using LexisNexis^® Certificate Course. Whether you are new to the profession or have been working as a paralegal for many years, it is important to keep your legal research skills current and your writing skills refined. Our courses will provide you with the opportunity to build your expertise and learn what you need to succeed on the job. Both the Legal Assistant/Paralegal program and Foundations of Legal Research course can be completed online and include study materials on legal research and writing, as well as completion of the Paralegal Certificate of Mastery Program. If you are already a certified paralegal, this can lead to CLE credit in many states (check with your state’s paralegal association). Topics covered in the Paralegal Certificate of Mastery Program include instruction on initial case analysis; cite checking with Shepard’s; drafting legal documents; and searching public records, news, company and financial information sources. Using LexisNexis^®, the leading online legal, news, and business information service for paralegals and lawyers, you will get fast and accurate information─a must when working on tight deadlines. As a Blackstone student, you are entitled to one-on-one LexisNexis^® training that fits your skill level and needs, along with access to resources that will unlock the potential of the research tools available to you at lexis.com^®. Learn to harness the power of LexisNexis^® by signing up for Blackstone’s Foundations of Legal Research Using LexisNexis® course today! For those looking to start a career as a paralegal, Blackstone’s Legal Assistant/Paralegal program provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to be successful and land your first job in the field. Both courses offer an interest-free payment plan. Certification Available for Medical Office Assistant Graduates If you are a current Blackstone student or graduate of the Medical Office Assistant Program, there is now a certification exam available to meet your professional development needs. The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) has recently approved Blackstone’s Medical Office Assistant Program. What does this mean for you? Graduates now have the opportunity to sit for a national certification exam, showing current and potential employers their commitment to the profession. NCCT has been certifying individuals since 1989, allowing test-takers to demonstrate their competency in the skills, knowledge and abilities used by healthcare and allied health professionals on the job. Exam question categories include law and ethics, insurance, medical terminology, and office procedures. Exams are given at approved testing centers all over the country. For more information on how to register for the Medical Office Assistant certification exam, contact Blackstone at 800-826-9228. To visit the NCCT website, go to ncctinc.com.	In This Issue Blackstone Announces Its New Child Day Care Program Build Your Legal Research Skills Using LexisNexis^® Certification Available for Medical Office Assistant Graduates More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? Spring Ahead … April is a wild ride of wind, sun, rain, warmth and cold, teasing many with the feeling that good weather is soon to come. At some point, we have all heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers.” This rhyme stems from a poem written in 1557 by Thomas Tusser, an English poet and farmer, best known for his instructional book Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. In the April Husbandry section he wrote: Sweet April showers Do spring May flowers Today’s saying “April showers bring May flowers” has many hidden meanings. It is an example of the spring cycle of renewal that many parts of the Earth go through. It is a reminder that something unpleasant can bring about something enjoyable. It is a lesson in patience in that many of life’s greatest experiences come to those who wait. Spring represents a change of season: a season of rebirth, hope, transformation and new beginnings. William Shakespeare described this month best when he wrote “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” Some may know the flower of April is the daisy (or sweet pea) and the diamond is the gemstone for the month. Here are some interesting trivia facts about April you may not know. April is national Poetry month in the United States. The American Revolutionary War began on April 19, 1775. On April 3, 1860 the Pony Express began. On April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army, surrendered to U.S. Grant and the official end of the American Civil War took place. April 15, 1912 R.M.S. Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. On April 30, 1939 television was first publicly broadcast from the Empire State Building. In April of 1955, the first McDonalds opened. April is Autism awareness month. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. April 23rd is the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birthday. For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Child Day Care Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form.

Newsletter February/March 2011

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:05:13 +0000

News, Information and Career Advice	Feb./March 2011

Blackstone Announces Its New Veterinary Assistant Program Blackstone is proud to announce its latest career training program: Veterinary Assistant. If you have ever thought about working with animals in a rewarding career, then becoming a member of the veterinary office team could be the path for you! Veterinary assistants tend to the basic needs of the animal patients, including their health, safety and nutrition. They work closely with veterinary technicians and veterinarians to provide excellence in care and client satisfaction. Veterinary assistants have the ability to work in laboratories, research facilities, animal hospitals, and clinics. The employment outlook for veterinary assistants is better than the average for all occupations; according to ONet Online, the number of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers employed in the United States is expected to grow by 20% or more through 2018. Many factors are considered when calculating salary for veterinary assistants such as location, type of facility, education level and years of experience. According to ONet Online, the occupational network database, the median wage for Veterinary Assistants was $21,700 (or $10.43 per hour) in 2009. Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Private Licensed Schools, and the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, the new program meets the quality educational and business standards of both of these organizations. Like Blackstone’s other career training programs in the allied health and paralegal fields, the Veterinary Assistant Program offers the convenience of studying at home at your own pace and on your own schedule. Our Online Student Center gives you 24-hour access to your records, study materials, payment history and an opportunity to chat with other students. For more information on this new program, visit our web site, e-mail us at info@blackstone.edu or call 1-800-826-9228. Reward Yourself, Reward Your Friend! Here at Blackstone, we are pleased to announce our Refer A Friend Program to current BCI students and graduates (you simply need a Blackstone Student ID Number). The Refer a Friend Program is our way of saying “thank you” for choosing Blackstone Career Institute. By referring a friend to BCI you’ll give the gift of education and you will receive a gift of your own in return. Here’s How it Works You must be a student or graduate of Blackstone to be eligible for the Refer A Friend Program. You will receive a $50 Visa gift card for every person you refer to Blackstone who enrolls. Your $50 Visa gift card will be issued to you after your friend has enrolled. YES─you can earn a gift card for any friend you refer who enrolls with Blackstone. There is no limit on how many $50 gift cards you may earn. Anyone you refer to Blackstone must give us your name at the time they enroll in order for you to receive your $50 Visa gift card. Or simply complete this form and we will contact your friend(s) for you. It’s that easy! And Blackstone respects your friend’s privacy. Information you provide will only be used for the purpose of informing your friend about online career training opportunities available through Blackstone. Don’t forget! There is no limit to how many $50 Visa gift cards you can receive! Careers That Pay Despite slow economic growth, there are career fields that will continue to expand in the coming years. Employers aren’t just willing to hire in these fields, they are also willing to pay based on experience and qualifications. This means that picking the right education in the right field will be one of the best investments you can make for your future! The following career fields will continue to add jobs that pay a good salary. Paralegal Learn to do legal research, help prepare legal cases for hearings and trials, and work with legal documents. Work in a law firm, bank, court, government agency, or one of dozens of organizations who are depending more on legal assistants and paralegals today. There is a steadily increasing need for paralegals in the private sector as well as in various government offices. Even when other elements of the economy slow down, the need for paralegals will continue to grow. This is because paralegals can provide many of the same services as lawyers, but at a lower cost. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts a growth rate of 28 percent through 2018. According to the National Association of Legal Assistants, paralegals had an average salary of $48,211 in 2008. In addition to a salary, many paralegals received a bonus, which averaged about $3,808. In 2008, full-time, wage and salary paralegals and legal assistants had median annual earnings of $46,120. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,080 and $59,310. The top 10 percent earned more than $73,450. Medical Billing & Coding Payments in the healthcare system depend on proper medical coding, so billing and coding job opportunities abound. Medical billers and coders (often called health information technicians) can utilize their skills in a variety of healthcare facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, medical group practices, clinics and home health agencies. Other settings that may employ health information technicians are insurance firms, public health departments, government agencies and educational institutions. Some job opportunities also exist for home employment. Health information technology is one of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the United States. This career field is expected to grow by 20 percent, or much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018, due to rapid growth in the number of medical tests, treatments, and procedures which will be increasingly scrutinized by third-party payers, regulators, courts, and consumers. Many factors are considered when calculating salary for medical billing and coding specialists such as location, job title, education level and years of experience. According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the middle 50 percent of medical billers and coders earn up to $39,490. Medical Transcription Medical transcription is a growing field with great employment prospects for accurate and efficient workers. The demand for professionals trained in medical transcription is expected to increase in the future, reflecting the rapid growth in the health care industry due to a population that is increasing in number as well as climbing in age. Medical transcriptionists use their talents in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctors’ offices, public and private hospitals, teaching hospitals, medical transcription businesses, clinics, laboratories, radiology and pathology departments, insurance companies, medical libraries, government medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, legal offices, research centers, veterinary medical facilities, and associations representing the healthcare industry. Some transcriptionists choose to work from home as employees of transcription businesses or hospitals. Others provide services as independent contractors by starting a medical transcription home business. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of medical transcriptionists employed in the United States is expected to grow up to 11% by 2018. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics lists the middle 50 percent of medical transcriptionists earning up to $38,584. High production employees have the potential of earning more in this field. For more information on these career training programs, use the links on the right.	In This Issue Blackstone Announces Its New Veterinary Assistant Program Reward Yourself, Reward Your Friend! Careers That Pay More News from Blackstone For more news from Blackstone as well as an archive of recent news items, visit our web site. Join Our Community Join Blackstone’s new Facebook group and connect with fellow students, alumni and prospective students! If you are not already a Facebook member, join now. Did You Know? Prediction According to Punxsutawney Phil─An Early Spring for 2011! The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College: February 4, 1841─from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris’ diary…”Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.” When German settlers arrived in the 1700s, they brought a tradition known as Candlemas Day. It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of winter would be stormy and cold. Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. In Alaska, February 2 is observed as Marmot Day rather than Groundhog Day because few groundhogs exist in the state. The holiday was created by a bill passed in 2009 and signed by then-Governor Sarah Palin. The largest and most famous Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 have gathered to celebrate the holiday since at least 1886. The groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, has his predictions covered by local and national news broadcasts. While Punxsutawney Phil is the most recognized groundhog, many other areas have their own groundhog, such as Sir Walter Wally in North Carolina, Holtsville Hal in New York and Buckeye Chuck in Ohio. Groundhog Day proponents state that the rodents’ forecasts are accurate 75%-90% of the time. Phil’s winter prognostications have been correct 39% of the time. In popular culture, the phrase “Groundhog Day” has come to represent going through a phenomenon over and over until one spiritually transcends it. The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck (Marmota monax), is a member of the squirrel family. Groundhogs in the wild eat succulent green plants, such as dandelion, clover, and grasses. For Your Information Want to learn more about Blackstone programs? Use the links below to explore BCI’s career programs and continuing education opportunities: Legal Assistant/Paralegal Medical Transcription Medical Billing & Coding Medical Office Assistant Dental Office Assistant Pharmacy Technician Physical Therapy Aide Veterinary Assistant Advanced Legal Courses Frequently Asked Questions Visit our FAQs page to learn more about enrolling in any of our programs. If you have additional questions, contact our friendly staff at info@blackstone.edu. Enroll Now Ready to enroll right now in a Blackstone program? Go directly to our online enrollment form. Keep Us Informed If you are a current Blackstone student or graduate, we ask for your cooperation in keeping our staff informed of changes in your contact information, whether it is your mailing address, e-mail address, or phone number. If you do not provide advance notice of a change of address, we will be unable to get your shipments to you on a timely basis and you will be responsible for the costs associated with re-shipping materials. For those who pay for their course monthly via automatic credit card or checking account debits, we also ask you to keep our records up-to-date if you have any changes to your account information. Current e-mail address information is also vital since many of our student communications, such as important reminders from our Education Department and this newsletter, are sent via e-mail in an effort to save paper, trees and money. In addition to helping protect the environment, reducing paper mailings to students offers another benefit as well: it allows Blackstone to control costs and continue to offer our programs at an affordable tuition rate, which we know is important in this economic climate. You can update your contact information when you log in to your student account by clicking on “Edit Your Student Information” at the bottom of the screen. You can also send address changes to us at info@blackstone.edu. The staff of Blackstone looks forward to communicating with our graduates, students and prospective students electronically and we welcome your feedback! Thank you for your cooperation.

Blackstone Career Institute

April/May 2012 Newsletter

Blackstone Career Institute: 2012 “Best of Emmaus” Award-Winner

Everyday Green Activities!

Gas Prices Fuel Growth in Distance Education

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Blackstone Graduate Honored in Writing Competition

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Newsletter February/March 2012

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Newsletter December 2011/January 2012

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Newsletter October/November 2011

Celebrate American Education Week this November 13-19

Follow Blackstone on Twitter!

Improve your Study Skills with Technology

Autumn is Here

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Blackstone Named a Military-Friendly School for Third Consecutive Year

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Newsletter August/September 2011

Jobs That Really Make a Difference: Spotlight on Pharmacy Technician

September is Here: It’s Time to Go Back to School!

How to Make Yourself More Valuable at Work

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Newsletter June/July 2011

Blackstone Serves the Needs of Military Members and Their Families

The Benefits of Going to School Online

Certification Offers an Edge in the Job Market

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Newsletter April/May 2011

Blackstone Announces Its New Child Day Care Program

Build Your Legal Research Skills Using LexisNexis®

Certification Available for Medical Office Assistant Graduates

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