U.S. News Best Careers 2009

U.S. News and World Report released their 30 Best Careers for 2009. An MSW and/or MSI degree can be very useful in the highlighted careers below.

• Biomedical equipment technician
  
• Clergy
  
• Curriculum/training specialist
  
• Engineer
  
• Firefighter
  
• Fundraiser
  
• Genetic counselor
  
• Ghostwriter
  
• Government manager
  
• Hairstylist/Cosmetologist
  
• Health policy specialist
  
• Higher education administrator
  
• Landscape architect
  
• Librarian
  
• Locksmith/Security system technician
  
• Management consultant
  
• Mediator
  
• Occupational therapist
  
• Optometrist
  
• Pharmacist
  
• Physical therapist
  
• Physician assistant
  
• Politician/Elected official
  
• Registered nurse
  
• School psychologist
  
• Systems analyst
  
• Urban planner
  
• Usability/User experience specialist
  
• Veterinarian
  

The MSW and MSI degrees offer lots of flexibility for many different career paths. Many social workers and librarians are realizing that they can use their skills in non-traditional fields, such as policy, fundraising, and user experience.

Officially a U-M Graduate Student

I finally paid my $200 enrollment deposit to the University of Michigan. I am officially an U-M graduate student. I'm currently waiting to hear back on the status of my financial aid awards. I am also preparing for the transition from employee to student life. I will have to move to an apartment in Ann Arbor this summer. My search for housing continues!

I was also accepted to the MSW program at Washington University in St. Louis. They have one of the best social work programs in the country. As a private institution, the cost of attendance would have been over $40,000 a year. The school gave me an $8,000 scholarship for two years, but I would have to come up with an additional $40,000 (most likely in loans).

Although University of Michigan is a public university, it can be an expensive place to pursue a graduate degree. For my degree program, an in-state student estimated cost of attendance is about $34,000. An out-of-state student will expect to come up with $52,000. A U-M education for many non-Michigan residents is similar to paying tuition at private universities!

I will write more about the transition process later this month and throughout the summer.

Personality Test Results: INFP

My personality test results reveal I am an INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving). This is based upon the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator.



INFPs generally have the following traits:

* Strong value systems
* Warmly interested in people
* Service-oriented, usually putting the needs of others above their own
* Loyal and devoted to people and causes
* Future-oriented
* Growth-oriented; always want to be growing in a positive direction
* Creative and inspirational
* Flexible and laid-back, unless a ruling principle is violated
* Sensitive and complex
* Dislike dealing with details and routine work
* Original and individualistic - "out of the mainstream"
* Excellent written communication skills
* Prefer to work alone, and may have problems working on teams
* Value deep and authentic relationships
* Want to be seen and appreciated for who they are

What is your personality type?