LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals. Job seekers use LinkedIn to network with hiring managers and to score jobs. While many high school and college students have profiles on sites like Facebook, there are fewer students on LinkedIn. Compared to the other social networking sites, what makes LinkedIn different? Why should you create a profile? And how will that profile be different from Facebook?

Connections

Unlike other social networks, LinkedIn shows your connection to people that aren’t your friends yet. Imagine you want to get a job at a local bookstore, and that your guitar teacher knows the store’s manager. You can look through your connections on LinkedIn to find their link, and then ask your teacher to introduce the two of you.

Professionalism

Think of Facebook as trying to sell you as a friend using photos, status updates, and lists of interests. LinkedIn, on the other hand, sells you to a potential employer. You want to seem smart and hard-working. Make sure your writing has proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Seriousness

On Facebook, you can get away with silly parts of your profile, like calling your religious beliefs “Oprah.” On LinkedIn, people are expected to take themselves seriously. While jokes may show a side of your personality, a LinkedIn profile is for describing yourself as an employee. Make sure that your LinkedIn photo is a normal picture of yourself.

Job Descriptions

The work you do at your part time job may be clear to you, but it’s important to describe the specific tasks you have done. If you babysit, go into detail. Say that you “were responsible for the well-being of two young children” and “made sure that they followed the rules of their household.” Those descriptions offer more detail by demonstrating your responsibility and leadership skills.

The Short List

1. Use your real picture. A picture of your cat may work for Facebook, but your LinkedIn picture should be you looking positive and professional.

2. Befriend adults. You may not want to be Facebook friends with your aunt and uncle, but LinkedIn is about getting connected with people that can get you a job. Networking with adults is a good way to do that.

3. Don’t be boring. Include your interests! If you like to bike, play guitar, and paint, include that in your LinkedIn profile. It gives potential contacts something to talk about, and goes to show more about your personality.

Want more time with a college admissions counselor? Unigo has the answer.

The path to a college admission is not always clear, and there is a lot of information to remember. With all there is to know—from college applications and choosing a college to standardized tests and school transcripts—many high school students can feel lost. A good high school guidance counselor can help, but most guidance counselors have so many students that they can’t give every student the attention he or she deserves.

Luckily, Unigo.com has new services to help students who still have college questions. You may have already visited Unigo.com to learn about colleges by watching videos from real college students. You may have read Unigo Expert Network articles on this very website. Now, you can also use Unigo to talk face-to-face—or at least webcam-to-webcam—with a professional counselor.

Visit the virtual counselor site to check out what Unigo has to offer. Choose an expert counselor by searching through counselors’ profiles, complete with pictures, ratings, and introduction videos. Then pick their brains about the entire college application process. Or talk to real college students from across the country and ask about their experiences at their schools.

So check out what’s new at Unigo.com now. It may put you one step closer to succeeding in your plans after high school.

• Most mastering engineers hold at least a bachelor’s degree in sound recording technology, audio production, or a related field.
• In-depth understanding of digital production equipment is crucial.
• Mastering engineers must have an ear for music and an aptitude for improving its sound.
• Internships can help students grown professionally and get work experience.

Earnings

The mean annual wage for all sound engineers is $54,030 or about $26 per hour. 

Job Prospects

• Job growth will be average.
• Engineers with excellent portfolios will have an edge in the market.
• There will be job growth in smaller cities and towns, with stiff competition for jobs in larger cities.
• Some mastering engineers may be able to work in home-based studios.

Job Duties

• Consulting with client-musicians or managers to determine production objectives
• Using digital equipment to master or re-master music to meet these objectives

Working Conditions

• Mastering engineers spend very long hours in the studio working with digital equipment.
• Understanding client needs and preferences may require significant time and sensitivity.
• The job can be stressful, especially when the engineer works under a tight deadline.

Adam Ayan, Mastering Engineer

Courtesy of Adam Ayan

Adam Ayan says mastering is “the final creative step in the recording process.” He adds, “A mastering engineer makes recorded music sound as good as it possibly can, regardless of delivery format.”

Adam is the owner of four Grammy awards in mastering engineering.

From Musician to Mastering Engineer

When he enrolled in the Sound Recording Technology program at University of Massachusetts at Lowell, he was a musician interested in getting into the music industry.

And as president of the student chapter of the Audio Engineering Society, he was responsible for finding professionals to speak to the group. Bob Ludwig was mastering engineer at Gateway Mastering, and Adam invited him to Lowell.

“The experience of having Bob speak unearthed mastering for me,” he says.

Ludwig remembered him and gave him a job after graduation. “I fell into great opportunities,” Adam remembers, “and I worked hard to make the most of them.” One of those opportunities was working directly with Ludwig to learn mastering.

Collaborating with Great Artists

Early on, Adam worked with the band Rush on a live release on DVD and CD (Rush in Rio, 2003). Guitarist Alex Lifeson visited the studio to talk about what the band wanted.

“I had always been a big fan of Rush,” Adam says. He knew, however, that he could not appear star struck, but instead had to focus intensely on the work. This focus is the key to his success.

“The industry is not all glamour, but takes hard work and dedication,” he emphasizes. At school, he stayed up half the night to get his calculus homework right. Now, he stays in the studio just as late to get the music right.

Be Determined

“If you want to get into the field,” he says, “push through setbacks.” Work hard on good musicianship and ear training, and maximize every opportunity.

To learn more about Adam and his work, go to www.adamayan.com and www.gatewaymastering.com.

Week of January 9, 2011

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

Navigating the financial aid system can be one of the most important (and confusing!) parts of the college application process. For international students, this process can be even more frustrating. This week, our experts weigh in on your financial aid options as an international student and give you the best tips on how you can get money to go to college in the US.

“What financial aid is available for international students?” — Jake Nichols, Grand Rapids, MI

See all 9 answers to this week’s question

Experts	Expert Answers
Anne Richardson        Director of College Counseling, International, & ESL Programs, Kents Hill School See All of Anne’s Answers	A: If You Look For It, You Can Find It!It can be very hard for an international student who needs need-based financial aid to find it. While merit aid is often available, need-based is not usually available.  Generally speaking public institutions are less likely to give need-based aid than private universities; however, it is important to call each admissions office and ask whether or not they do. Ask your guidance counselor for help. This is also where having a special talent – athletic or artistic – can be helpful, as well as excellent grades. However, it does exist; it just takes patience and time and a savvy guidance counselor to help you.
Ken Huus        Dean of Admissions, Sweet Briar College See All of Ken’s Answers	A: Depending on the Institution, Some Assistance May be AvailableStudents who do not hold US citizenship or are not permanent residents of the US are not eligible for federal financial assistance.  Policies about institutional financial assistance will vary by institution – some will award only merit/scholarship assistance; others will award some assistance based on a family’s need; others will have a competitive application process for full or half-tuition scholarships. It will be important to be in contact with specific colleges of interest to determine each institution’s availability of aid for non-US citizens.  Note: US citizens living in a country other than the US are fully eligible for federal assistance – citizenship is the determining factor, not country of residence.
Marjorie Shaevitz        Author, Founder of adMISSION POSSIBLE See All of Marjorie’s answers	A: Financial Aid for International Students? Well, It Really DependsUnfortunately, there is no one answer to this question. Whether financial aid is available to international students varies from college to college. Students should check college websites and/or contact schools directly. All international students should complete the International version of the CSS Profile, a College Board financial aid form. To determine if a college even accepts this form, students can consult an up-to-date College Board list offered at http://bit.ly/sAGD5P. Applicants should also know that many colleges require a Certification of Finances form for international students, that asks questions about an applicant’s ability to pay his/her college expenses.

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About the Unigo Expert NETWORK: The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts across the US dedicated to the success and well-being of high school students as they make the transition to college life. With members from two-year, four-year, private, public, and independent institutions, the network has over 3,000 years of collective experience, spanning all areas of admissions, financial aid, and how to succeed in college. To see all members of the Unigo Expert Network, visit www.unigo.com/admissionsexperts. Unigo.com is the web’s largest, 100% free resource for college information, used by over four million high school students and parents.

• Most sports equipment designers hold bachelor’s or more advanced degrees in industrial engineering or industrial design.
• Education and experience in business administration, marketing, accounting, quality assurance, and computer modeling are also important.
• Good communication skills are essential, along with creativity, time management skills, and ability to meet deadlines.

Earnings

The median annual wage for industrial designers of all sorts is $57,350, or about $28 per hour.

Job Prospects

• Jobs in this field will grow at an average rate.
• There will be strong competition for openings because many highly qualified candidates are drawn to creative work.
• Independent thinkers with a broad range of skills, especially those who can imagine marketable new products, will have the edge in landing jobs.

Job Duties

• Developing new product designs
• Assessing marketability of proposed products through research
• Using computer modeling to create detailed sketches and instructions for manufacturing
• Working with managers and colleagues to develop prototypes, marketing strategies, and safety and quality assurance tests

Working Conditions

• Sports equipment designers spent much of their time in comfortable, climate controlled offices.
• Workers also spend time in factory areas and outdoors to oversee manufacturing and testing of equipment.
• Meeting deadlines and making sure equipment operates successfully may be stressful. 

Courtesy of Dan Stevens

Dan Stevens, Manager of Industrial Design, Callaway Golf

After beginning college as a physics major at University of Utah, Dan Stevens saw his friends in mechanical engineering get involved in building things, especially robots.  It looked like so much fun that he changed his major to join in.

He intended to work in the aerospace field and landed an internship at NASA. He was lucky enough to work with a mentor there who was a “very smart inventor” and who inspired him to go to graduate school.

When he got his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, Dan thought about earning a Ph.D. “I was intrigued with the idea of continuing my education, but I was also ready to start working in the real world,” he says. He got a job interview with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Deciding on a Career

At the same time, he was playing a lot of golf and loving it. He was also close to an aunt who lived near Callaway Golf’s headquarters and knew someone there who could help open doors. “In the end,” he says, “I decided to go for a job in the golf industry.”  Today, he manages a department that designs high-end golf clubs.

“A number of aerospace engineers work in the golf business,” he says. “The golf industry utilizes many of the same materials that are also used in aerospace design, such as titanium and carbon fiber.”

Favorite Job Experiences

“I get to work with touring professionals, customizing their clubs,” he says. “It’s been so much fun to help design clubs for Phil Mickelson, one of the highest-ranked players in the world, and Annika Sorenstam, probably the best female player ever.”

Advice to Teens Interested in the Field

“Be a good golfer,” he says, “and learn to apply math and science to the game that you love. Use engineering training to gain problem-solving skills, especially in computer-based analysis. Then play the equipment you helped design.”

Get golf tips from Callaway pros at http://www.callawaygolf.com/Global/en-US/TheTour/Instruction.html

• Many computer animators hold associate or bachelor’s degrees in fine art, graphic design, multi-media, and related disciplines.
• An excellent portfolio, however, may be even more important than a degree.
• Successful animators must be able to draw expertly as well as use computer animation software.

Earnings

Median annual earnings for multi-media designers and computer animators are $63,440 or about $30.50 per hour.

Job Prospects

• Job growth will be average for the foreseeable future.
• Competition for jobs will be fairly intense as talented people continue to enter the field.
• New jobs will emerge from new technology in entertainment and communication fields.
• Job seekers with excellent portfolios and broad skills will have an edge in the market.

Job Duties

• Creating characters, imagery, and special effects via computer software, for film, television, games, advertising, and other formats
• Modeling characters and other moving images through rigging or other techniques
• Working effectively within a team to execute large projects

Working Conditions

• Long hours spent working on a computer can be physically stressful.
• Many jobs in the field are given on a freelance or contract basis.
• Harsh deadlines may require long work hours.
• Working effectively with team members may require flexibility.

Q & A with David Allen, Computer Animator

What is your educational background, and how did you get interested in computer animation?

I have always been inclined toward drawing and math, but eventually decided on gaming because I enjoyed it so much in high school.  I earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art for Computer Graphics and Multi-Media at Pratt Institute.

I found my job at 1st Playable Productions through volunteering at events produced by the New York City chapter of the International Game Development Association (IGDA).

When I met Steve Derrick of Vicarious Visions, a speaker at an IGDA event, I told him I wanted to work on educational games.  He introduced me to Tobi Saulnier, founder and CEO of 1st Playable, a start-up company with a vision for developing educational content. I applied for a job there and was hired to create artwork in handheld children’s games.

Tell me about a favorite project.

My favorite project by far is Rio DS, a musical game spinoff from the animated film Rio by Blue Sky Studios.  First, I had the pleasure of working with a great team, from the amazing people at 1st Playable to the creative department at Blue Sky Studios. Everyone made this an inspiring experience for me.  Second, as a Puerto Rican raised in Columbia, I also thoroughly enjoyed being involved in a Latin musical rhythm game where I was able to give personal creative feedback on the audio.

Any advice for students?

I highly recommend getting involved in professional communities like the IGDA.  It’s the best way to meet people, make connections, and find the companies that are right for you. Two other great groups for digital artists are ACM SIGGRAPH (Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques) and the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts).

To develop art skills, I recommend drawing from observation. There is something deeply communicative and tangible about drawings made from real life.  They really stand out and strengthen your portfolio, which is ultimately what gets you hired.

• Many computer animators hold associate or bachelor’s degrees in fine art, graphic design, multi-media, and related disciplines.
• An excellent portfolio, however, may be even more important than a degree.
• Successful animators must be able to draw expertly as well as use computer animation software.

Earnings

Median annual earnings for multi-media designers and computer animators are $63,440 or about $30.50 per hour.

Job Prospects

• Job growth will be average for the foreseeable future.
• Competition for jobs will be fairly intense as talented people continue to enter the field.
• New jobs will emerge from new technology in entertainment and communication fields.
• Job seekers with excellent portfolios and broad skills will have an edge in the market.

Job Duties

• Creating characters, imagery, and special effects via computer software, for film, television, games, advertising, and other formats
• Modeling characters and other moving images through rigging or other techniques
• Working effectively within a team to execute large projects

Working Conditions

• Long hours spent working on a computer can be physically stressful.
• Many jobs in the field are given on a freelance or contract basis.
• Harsh deadlines may require long work hours.
• Working effectively with team members may require flexibility.

Todd Ammons, Computer Animator

Todd Ammons has always been interested in visual art.

At Citrus College, he earned an associate degree in Fine Art, and then began night school at Cal State Long Beach, studying illustration.

Then he heard about a local high school program coordinated by Dave Master.  Big studios liked the program and were hiring its grads.  Todd took a leap of faith, quit Cal State, and enrolled.  It paid off—he got an internship on The Simpsons and then was hired by Disney.

“In this industry,” he explains, “A portfolio may be more important than a degree.”

He did hand drawing at Disney, and Hunchback of Notre Dame was his first movie.  “I had only a four-month contract,” he remembers, “and it was hard work.”

He continued on a string of animated films—Fantasia 2000, Hercules, Tarzan, The Tigger Movie,  Atlantis, Home on the Range, and more.

Turning Point

One day, Disney’s president told a group of employees that the future lay in 3D animation, and Todd began studying 3D in his spare time.  Today, he realizes the transition was crucial.  “Many animators didn’t make it into 3D,” he remembers.

It was a time of big layoffs at film studios.  “Unproven people couldn’t get jobs,” he says.  But Todd had learned so much he could teach 3D classes, and this opened doors.  He got a call from Omation to work on the Nickelodeon show Back in the Barnyard.   He got into game animating as well (Thor, THQ, WALL-E, Ratchet, and more).

“Computer animating” he explains, “is a lot like puppeteering. You are given a model or rig, and you make it come to life.  You get a creative role, but you must work closely with team members.”

Advice to Young Artists

“The technology changes,” he notes, “but drawing is still important.”  Do it well and visualize well.  Draw from life.  Keep growing technically and artistically.

• Travel agents need specialized training, available from four-year institutions, community colleges, career centers, and adult education programs.
• Continuing education is important, as travel agents must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of destinations, forms of transportation, special events, and more.
• Business, marketing, public relations, and communication skills are vital.
• Good computer skills are essential.
• Many states require travel agents to be licensed.  They may also need certifications from organizations such as the International Airlines Travel Agency Network.

Earnings

The mean annual wage is $33,950 or about $16 hourly.

Job Prospects

• The number of jobs in the field is expected to remain about the same for the foreseeable future.
• Agents with good education and those who have specializations in particular destinations, themes, or clients will have an edge in the market.

Job Duties

• Maintaining detailed knowledge about tours, transportation options, hotel accommodations, destinations, local events and attractions, and the special requirements of foreign travel (passports, customs, vaccinations, currency exchange, and more)
• Working effectively with staff in hotels, airlines, resorts, cruise lines, and other organizations
• Advising and assisting clients in making wise and economical travel arrangements.

Working Conditions

• Most travel agents work in comfortable offices, but may also spend significant time on personal travel to investigate new opportunities for clients.
• Workers may face extra stress during travel emergencies or peak travel times.

Ryan McGredy, Travel Agent

Ryan McGredy, owner of Moraga Travel in Moraga, California, was recently named Young Professional of the Year by the American Society of Travel Agents.

Ryan, who has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and organizational studies from University of California at Davis, became a travel agent almost by accident.

“My dad started a web development company,” he says, “and I was already an employee when I began college.”  As a result, he got interested in computers and using technology to run a business efficiently.

Getting into the Travel Business

“After graduation,” he remembers, “I ran into some guys who wanted to get a website up and traded a portion of their travel agency for the work.”  As the economy got tougher, they offered to sell Ryan the rest of the agency.

His first thought about all this was, “Really?  Travel agencies still exist?”   Then he got excited about the industry because he felt he could bring something new to it.

“I wanted to create a new model that included working with a supportive human being and using digital tools,” he explains.

The Best Possible Product

Ryan enjoys helping people.  “We become our customers’ trusted advisors,” he says. “We have personal relationships with vendors and suppliers at destinations and in transportation.  We can share inside information, fix problems, and get special perks.  Without us, travelers have only the computer screen and an 800 number.”

He’s also active in the profession.  He and others in ASTA’s Young Professionals Society travel to destinations together, gathering information and sharing tips.

On the business side, he emphasizes, financial, marketing, and communication skills are crucial.

“This career,” he says, “is about service to others. You have to present good products to customers and make sure they have great experiences.   You help people when they are vulnerable.  You are someone’s lifeline.”

• Most commercial and industrial designers need a bachelor’s degree in industrial design or engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Many car designers hold advanced degrees in an engineering field, business, or project management.
• Internships are a way to gain hands-on training and get an insider’s view of an occupation.
• Teamwork, computer, and communication skills are essential.
• On-the-job training is very important.

Earnings

Median annual earnings for commercial and industrial designers are $57,350.

Job Prospects

• Job growth will be average during the coming years.
• People with strong engineering backgrounds, advanced degrees, skill in computer modeling, and management and teamwork experience will have an edge in the field.

Job Duties

• Identifying key stakeholders in new design or in changes to an existing design.  Determining their priorities, needs, and input.
• Investigating costs and logistics for correcting existing design issues and for implementing new design features.
• Creating sketches and/or computer-aided models of new designs.
• Working with marketing and business staff to finalize designs.
• Working with production staff, suppliers, and others to implement processes for manufacturing.

Working Conditions

• Most industrial designers work in comfortable offices while spending significant time on the manufacturing floor.
• Long hours drafting designs via computer can be stressful.
• Working with team members requires flexibility.
• As deadlines approach, designers may have to spend extra time at work.

Adam Hussemann, Automotive Design Quality Leader

Courtesy of Adam Hussemann

Adam Hussemann is an engineer at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.  As Quality Project Leader, he helps people and departments work together to iron out design decisions for new Hondas.  “Everyone must understand each other’s needs, recognizing the requirements of the vehicle and that of the manufacturing plant, and considering process layout, equipment constraints, logistics, ergonomics, and safety,” he says.

The plant recently completed the new Odyssey now on showroom floors.  “I was the Quality project manager for that,” Adam says.  “Part of my job was making sure any warranty issues or customer concerns were addressed during new model development.”

Because the Odyssey is such a large vehicle, customers had said the sliding door was sometimes difficult for children to open.  Adam listened to each department’s input on this issue and brought it to the engineers.

It meant looking at processes on the manufacturing floor, talking to workers, investigating purchasing and transportation for new parts, and translating concerns into engineering terms.  “We had to think about cost, weight, customer needs, logistics, supply train, and lots more,” he says.

Getting into an Automotive Design Career

Adam has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering with a focus on Engineering Management.

Growing up, he loved auto racing.  He attended a magnet high school for students interested in technology.

As a college freshman, he got involved with his school’s Baja racing team.  “The Society for Automotive Engineering sponsors the competition every year,” he explains.  Each school’s team gets the same engine and the same set of rules, and then designs and builds a car to use in off-road competitions.

At the University of Central Florida, Adam’s team treated their Baja project like a small business.  “We had a budget, and we had to balance costs against technical needs,” he says.  “It taught us real-world skills.”

A Honda representative attended the competitions and, several years later, helped recruit Adam.  Today, he sees how important the SAE Baja projects were. “They gave me the hands-on experience I needed to excel in my career,” he says.

• Because space architecture is a new field, no formal education or accreditation requirements exist.
• Space architects need at least a bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related field, as well as a degree in a technical field such as engineering or the sciences.
• An advanced degree in a technical field may also be necessary.
• Computer and communication skills are essential.

Earnings

The mean annual wage is $111,000 or about $53 hourly.

Job Prospects

• The future of this field is unpredictable, as it depends on space exploration and space colonization in the future.
• Workers with advanced degrees, broad experience in engineering tasks, and excellent communication skills will have the best chances for jobs.

Job Duties

• Designing, building, testing, and evaluating space vehicles, habitats, and hardware aids for government space agencies and industry partners
• Performing management tasks including budget and schedule planning, and working with customers as well as subcontractors and vendors.
• Conducting technical working groups, making presentations at engineering review boards, and participate in many technical and status meetings.
• Prototype solutions for human needs in extreme environments.

Working Conditions

• Professionals in the field spend a lot of time using computers and other scientific equipment.
• Workers may have to test prototypes in a lab or analog setting.
• Meeting deadlines for engineering reviews or hardware delivery may be stressful.
  

  Courtesy of Maijinn Chen

Maijinn Chen, Space Architect

Maijinn Chen grew up reading science fiction, fascinated by space travel and worlds constructed by writers like Robert Heinlein and Larry Niven.  She graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Architecture, then earned a master’s degree at Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture at University of Houston.

She worked on building projects in New York and traveled in Asia, Europe, and Russia to study how people live in different cultures and harsh environments.

Maijinn applies her passion in habitation design to her work in aerospace.  She has designed spacecraft interiors, worked as a systems engineer, and helped develop hardware for astronauts.  She is currently part of a team researching and developing advanced life support technology.

The Career

Space architecture, she says, is about designing and building human habitats in outer space.  These habitats must protect people from extreme conditions such as vacuum, radiation, reduced gravity, and extreme temperatures.  In addition, space travelers need food, water, oxygen, and basic comforts.

Space architecture is a new field.  Until space travel becomes routine and the importance of habitation design is recognized, aspiring space architects work alongside engineers in mission design, systems engineering, and hardware design.  “The key,” Maijinn says, “is staying versatile.”

Exciting Work

Maijinn recalls her time as the hardware lead for crew aids, when she flew on a C-9 parabolic flight to test the design.  “For 30-second intervals,” she says, “I experienced wonderful weightlessness and could almost imagine what it is like to live and work in space.”

Another time, she was hoisted by a crane into a space module already packed for shipment, to make some final repairs to the vehicle’s equipment.  “It was one of the craziest things I’ve had to do in the name of advancing human spaceflight,” she jokes.

Lifelong Learning

The work demands lifelong learning.  Space architects must know aerospace engineering as well as architecture.  They must handle technical challenges and manage complex systems. They must hone their big picture vision, always aiming to merge the creative and the technical.