However, it still leaves a wide array of legal duties that paralegals can perform.

Here are a few paralegal/legal assistant duties:

• Researching legal documents
• Drafting contract, mortgages, separation agreements
• Help in the preparation of legal arguments and drafting pleading and motions
• Investing cases
• Helping to locate witnesses
• Providing trial assistance
• Organizing and tracking case files
• And more!

Many people become a paralegal and find out that their responsibilities can vary a great deal. A lot of time is spent on the computer or researching in a legal library. In a law firm setting, it's quite often that paralegals are privileged to enjoy their own private office in the midst of well-appointed surroundings. Paralegals in corporate or government settings may get to work in cubicles or share office space.

Paralegal training is great for the individual who's fascinated by the law, but doesn't really want to go the distance to become a lawyer. Make no mistake, a paralegals job can be taxing with long hours. More than likely though you'll earn every dollar you make.

The fact that you’ll be in demand and that you can specialize while increasing your knowledge of the law is well worth it to many for the time and effort spent becoming a paralegal/legal assistant.

You'll be needed anywhere there's a lawyer-and lawyers are everywhere. The skills you pick up will be formidable to say the least: research, writing, assisting clients, and preparing and drafting legal documents of all kinds.

Why not make this the year to put your career in high gear and train to become a Paralegal/Legal Assistant at Everest.

Contact us today and begin training for a new and exciting career in the legal field as a paralegal/legal assistant.

Saturday, July 4, is American Independence Day, on which we celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Here are some things you may not know about Independence Day:

• Although war had been waging between the American Colonies and Great Britain since 1775, not all the Continental Congress delegates were immediately in favor of declaring independence from their mother country. In fact, delegations from many of the “middle colonies,” including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware resisted for months, hoping to make peace with England.

• Congress actually declared independence on July 2 just as the British Fleet was pulling into New York Harbor. But they didn’t formally ratify the Declaration itself until July 4.

• Britain’s support of the slave trade was originally one of the “grievances” against King George III listed as justification for rebellion. Thomas Jefferson, himself a slave owner, included in this original draft, “He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither." The delegations from slave-holding states of George and South Carolina objected, and the offending passage was removed. Slavery remained legal in parts of the United States until President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

• Although the Declaration was adopted on July 4, the famous printed version wasn’t actually signed until August 2nd…and even then it took several weeks for all the signers to affix their signatures.

• In all, 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence. The oldest signatory was Benjamin Franklin, age 70. The youngest was Edward Rutledge, age 26, a delegate from South Carolina.

• There was no “United States of America” at the time the Declaration was signed. The country as we know it today did not formally exist until the Constitution was ratified in 1788.

• Twenty-four original copies of the Declaration are known to exist. Two are in the Library of Congress. George Washington was given one as a souvenir. The others are either destroyed or are being held in private collections.

• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both original signers as well as former Presidents, lived to see the United States of America celebrate its 50th Independence Day. Ironically, both died on the evening of July 4th, 1826, unaware of the other’s passing.

* FDA Panel Issues Warnings on Prescription/Non-Prescription Painkillers. Acetaminophen, the popular over-the-counter pain reliever that has been widely used for nearly a half century, has been taken to task by a Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel. The panel recommended that the maximum dosage allowed for acetaminophen, which is marketed under such brand names as Tylenol and Excedrin, be lowered because of the general public’s tendency to over-use the product, which can result in severe liver damage and even death. The panel noted that people often take more than the recommended dose to address severe pain, or accidentally overdose when combining acetaminophen tablets with other products that contain the drug, such as NyQuil or Theraflu. The panel also recommended that two popular prescription painkillers, Vicodin and Percocet, which combine acetaminophen with an opiate narcotic, be banned because of drug-related deaths. The panel’s recommendations are not binding, although the FDA is expected to adopt them. Since its introduction in the 1950s, acetaminophen has been popular because it does not cause stomach upset or bleeding like other pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprophen, neither of which are affected by the current advisory panel recommendations.

* Vitamin D Deficiency on the Rise. A new study appearing in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International warns that people all over the world, including the United States, are suffering from increasingly serious deficiencies of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is associated with calcium production in the body, which is critical to proper organ function as well as bone health. The most common problems linked to Vitamin D deficiency is osteoporosis (brittle bones) and bone fractures. In severe cases, it can lead to rickets, a bone softening disease that can result in permanent disfigurement. Although Vitamin D is found in many foods, and is added to many milk products as a supplement, perhaps the best way to get more Vitamin D is to go outside. Yes, the richest source of Vitamin D is natural sunlight. (The more bare skin that is exposed, the better.) Sunlight is available all day long and, best of all, it’s free!

* Proper Grilling Can Reduce Cancer Risks. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has issued a set of recommendations for helping people make outdoor barbequing a healthier activity. In addition to recommending that people barbeque more vegetables, chicken and fish in place of traditional red meats, they also suggest ways they can decrease the cancer risk associated with charred meats of any kind. These suggestions include: Pre-cooking meats in a microwave before putting them on the grill; lowering the heat on propane grills or using hardwood briquettes, such as hickory or maple instead of pine (which burns hotter); and flipping meat frequently while cooking. Also, marinating meats beforehand can not only improve flavor, but also reduce carcinogen production during cooking.

* Food Commercials Linked to Overeating. Yale University researchers publishing in Health Psychology have shown a powerful link between food ads on TV and overeating. In a series of experiments, the researchers found that both children and adults compulsively ate more after watching commercials for restaurants and food products on television—even when they weren’t necessarily hungry. So next time you’re watching TV and have a sudden urge for tortilla chips and bean dip, remember, it may be your eyes, not your stomach that’s doing the talking.

Professional Medical Assisting Programs at Everest College

Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting health care field? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest College. Contact Everest for more information.

Pharmacy technicians work in drug stores, supermarkets, hospitals or mail-order facilities helping licensed pharmacists prepare and dispense prescription medications and other health care products. They also often perform administrative duties such as greeting customers, answering phones, filling out labels and running cash registers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that more than 285,000 professional pharmacy technicians currently work full- or part-time. The field is expected to grow far faster than the national average, and those just entering the field should enjoy excellent job prospects.

So why is this such a popular career choice? Why be a pharmacy technician?

Here are some key reasons for choosing this career path:

• Working Conditions. Pharmacy technicians have a wide choice of facilities to choose from, including traditional drug stores, supermarket pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and mail-order facilities. All of these tend to be clean, well-organized and very professional.

• A Range of Responsibilities. Most pharmacy technicians perform a variety of duties. These can include receiving and verifying prescriptions; counting, pouring, weighing, measuring and sometimes mixing medications; preparing prescription labels; filing prescriptions; stocking shelves; greeting customers; and running cash registers.

• Qualifications. Most states have no licensing or certification requirements for pharmacy technicians. Professional training in this field can usually be completed in less than a year.

• Income Potential. According to the BLS’ most recent data (May 2008), the median hourly income for pharmacy technicians nationwide is approximately $12.32, with half making more than that and half making less. Nationally, the middle 50% earned between $10.10 and $14.92 per hour. The lowest 10% earned less than $8.56 per hour while the highest 10 percent earned more than $17.65 per hour. Note that income potential varies significantly from state to state and from city to city depending on local economic and employment conditions, as well as your years of experience and the type of facility where you choose to practice. For more information, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics and your local state labor department Web site.

• Job Prospects. Again, according to the BLS, employment opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to be far better than average in the years ahead. On a national level, employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to have increased 32 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the BLS. Projected statewide 2006-2016 growth projections in the pharmacy technician field currently ranges from a low of 12% in New York state to a high of 57% in Arizona and Tennessee. (Occupational growth rates are projections only, and will vary from community to community.)

Professional Pharmacy Technician Training Courses Offered at Everest College

Everest College is one of America’s leading providers of professional pharmacy technician training.

Because Everest has dozens of urban campuses conveniently located throughout the United States, men and women interested in pursuing this exciting and rewarding career can likely find a campus conveniently close to their home or work. Everest pharmacy technician career training courses can be completed in less than a year, and graduates are supported by Everest’s Career Placement Teams to help them get the kind of job they want, where they want it. All Everest campuses provide financial aid services for those who qualify.

People interested in pharmacy technician training should contact Everest today for information on class schedules.

Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. With North America’s Baby Boomers now entering retirement age and pressure coming from all sides to lower health care costs, more and more hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, hospices and other health care facilities are calling upon medical assistants to perform the day-to-day tasks formerly done by nurses as well as secretaries and office managers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that more than 417,000 professional medical assistants currently work full-time. The field is expected to grow far faster than the national average, and those just entering the field should enjoy excellent job prospects.

So why is medical assisting such a popular career choice? Why be a medical assistant?

Here are some key reasons for choosing this career path:

• Working Conditions. Medical assistants tend to work in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics or other medical facilities. These tend to be very clean, well-lit and orderly. Most offices maintain conventional 40-hour work weeks, although some evening and/or weekend work may occasionally be required.

• A Range of Responsibilities. Most medical assistants are first and foremost responsible for running day-to-day office operations. Activities can include preparing, maintaining and filing patient records, dealing with insurance forms, talking with insurance companies and suppliers, making appointments and greeting patients upon arrival. Other responsibilities may include prepping patients for their appointments, including taking vital signs (weight, blood pressure, temperature, etc.) and getting patient histories. In some states, regulations allow medical assistants to perform even more advanced “hands-on” duties, such drawing blood, preparing X-rays, removing sutures and changing dressings.

• Qualifications. Although most states do not license or otherwise regulate medical assistants, most employers prefer candidates with formal training and certification. Most medical assisting education programs can be completed in less than a year.

• Income Potential. According to the BLS’ most recent data (May 2008), the median annual income for medical assistants nationwide is approximately $26,300, with half making more than that and half making less. Nationally, the middle 50% earned between $21,970 and $31,210. The lowest 10% earned less than $18,860 while the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,840. Note that income potential varies significantly from state to state and from city to city depending on local economic and employment conditions, as well as your years of experience and the type of facility where you choose to practice. For more information, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics and your local state labor department Web site.

• Job Prospects. Again, according to the BLS, employment opportunities for medical assistants are expected to be far better than average. On a national level, employment for medical assistants is expected to have increased 35 percent between 2006 and 2016, according to the BLS. Projected statewide 2006-2016 growth projections in the medical assisting field currently ranges from a low of 18% in Oklahoma to a high of 54% in Texas. (Occupational growth rates are projections only, and will vary from community to community.)

• “It’s a ‘People’ Job.” As a professional medical assistant, you will not be stuck in a drab office cubicle but will be working regularly in a variety of environments (reception area, office, examination room, laboratory) with doctors, nurses and patients. A lot of interpersonal activity is inevitable, so it definitely helps if you are a “people person.”

Professional Medical Assisting Training Courses Offered at Everest College

Everest College is one of America’s leading providers of professional medical assisting training.

Because Everest has dozens of urban campuses conveniently located throughout the United States, men and women interested in pursuing this exciting and rewarding career can likely find a campus conveniently close to their home or work. Everest medical assisting career training courses can be completed in less than a year, and graduates are supported by Everest’s Career Placement Team to help them get the kind of job they want, where they want it. All Everest campuses provide financial aid services for those who qualify.

People interested in medical assisting training should contact Everest today for information on class schedules.

* Anxious Students Work Harder, Learn Less. Researchers funded by Britain’s Economic and Social Research Council have discovered that anxiety can be a major obstacle to learning. In one study, the researchers found that anxious students are more easily distracted than their calmer peers, and have a more difficult time shifting from one set of tasks to another. Another set of experiments revealed that students can perform well under pressure, but expend far more energy and effort doing so than do students with less psychological or emotional “baggage.” Conclusion: If you want to do well in class, don’t sweat the small stuff. Worrying will only make things worse.

* Sleep Shown to Be Essential to Long-Term Memory. How do short-term memories become permanent ones? Scientists at MIT now believe that sleep plays a critical factor in this process. Using mice genetically mutated especially for this experiment, the researchers discovered that learned experiences are funneled from one part of the brain to another through a biological “circuit” that only become active during sleep. These results suggest that sleep is not only critical to clear thinking and mood stabilization, but also to long-term learning. So if you want to remember tomorrow what you learned today, sleep on it.

* Weight Linked to Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in the Untied States. Now, researchers at the University of Texas have established a link between obesity in young adults (age 14-19) and incidents of pancreatic cancer in later life. When pancreatic cancer does occur, it tends to be detected three years earlier in overweight people compared to those of average weight, and five years earlier in people who are obese. Also, overweight and obese people who get pancreatic cancer are less likely to survive than those who are slimmer. The researchers were unable to explain why this relationship between the pancreas and poundage exists, but if you’re looking for one more reason to cut out desserts, this could be it.

* Domestic Pets Linked to “Superbug” Infections. Fido may no longer be man’s best friend. A new study by the University of South Florida College of Medicine identifies domestic dogs and cats as a major new source of the super-bacteria known as MRSA. With increasing frequency, this drug-resistant and sometimes deadly strain of bacteria is being transmitted to humans by bites from household pets. Small children, who are more likely to play roughly with pets, are said to be most at risk. Should a child you know be bitten by a dog or cat, the researchers suggest you seek immediate medical attention at your nearest Hospital Trauma Center. Treatment should involve washing the wound with high-pressure saline if possible and, if deemed necessary, antibiotics. That advice applies to adult bite victims, too.

Professional Medical Assisting Programs at Everest College

Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting health care field? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest College. For more information, please contact Everest College today!

It's safe to say that most everyone has a talent that’s "waiting" to be discovered. And you can bet you're one of those people.

No one can really tell what their life will look like in the future, but it's a given that if you want a measure of control over how it all turns out, it's going to take some serious and deliberate planning on your behalf.

If you're asking yourself questions such as, "What do I want to do after attending college?" "Can I get a better job than the one I have?" "Where will I most likely be in five years?" It could mean you've already taken the crucial first steps of self-examination.

Goals are much easier to set and follow through if you have a solid grasp of what your passions are. And drafting a serious plan of action is a key element in helping you create a future that could possibly be far more reliable and stable.

At Everest College, we don't think you have to settle on making a gamble of what your life might turn out to be, especially when you can take the career training classes and programs that can prepare you for entry-level employment in many of today's in-demand career fields such as business, health care and criminal justice.

At Everest College, we also believe that providing a solid support structure that's nurturing and encouraging can go a long way in helping you to successfully complete your training with us.

If you're looking for a more stable future, there's no time like the present to check into the career training programs at Everest that can help you launch an exciting new career.

Contact us today and let the adventure begin.

Self image is built up over a long period of time; and it's how we see ourselves and how we think others see us.

One of the biggest mistakes we often make is in thinking that others, who appear successful, arrived at where they are completely on their own. The truth is no one who accomplishes anything of significance is able to do so without the support and help of key people or organizations that somehow manage to touch their lives.

In fact, it's almost impossible to find and develop a sense of belonging without the help and support of those who care about us and have our best interests at heart.

The ability to understand your challenges and meet those needs with sound career industry training is what truly separates Everest College from the rest of the pack.

Here's what we know at Everest College:

• You want to discover the real you
• You don’t want to fail in life
• You would prefer an interactive learning environment
• You want an education and training that goes beyond career training-and that can help prepare you for life.

Here's what Everest College can offer!

We can help you find the real you. Through dedicated instructors and classroom training that can help make you ready on day one, you'll be inspired to launch a career and get on with your life.

Failing in life can be the result of many things, some obvious and others not so readily identifiable. No one succeeds in life without a strong support group of some kind. You'll discover a sense of belonging that can grow each and every day at Everest College.

At Everest College, we believe that a small classroom environment makes learning easier, and that you'll develop vital industry skills quicker.

But most importantly, Everest College can help prepare you for life. Success is about identifying and breaking the habits that lead to failure.

A sense of belonging isn't hard to find at Everest College. After all, your success is our success, and this is why we strive so hard to make you feel appreciated and respected for what you've accomplished so far.

Contact us today to find out how a sense of belonging at Everest College can help you set attainable goals and realize your dreams.

The circuit element is called a “memristor,” short for “memory resistor.” Made from the latest generation of nanomaterials—composites so small they can only be seen with a microscope—the memristor is unique in that it can “remember” the amount of current running through it. Computers with memristor circuits could boot up almost instantly, load even complex programs in just one or two seconds, and even “learn” from accumulated experience much like the human mind.

The idea of the memristor was developed all the way back in 1971 by an engineering student named Leon Chua. (Chua is now a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California-Berkley.) However, it remained only a theory until just recently when, quite by accident, HP researchers stumbled across some new nanomaterials that behaved much like Chua’s theoretical “memristors.” Follow-up experiments suggested that, indeed, these materials are memristors and could soon revolutionize the computer industry.

Because of this breakthrough, electrical engineers must now add memristors to the list of other fundamental circuit elements, which include the resistor, the capacitor and the inductor.

Start Earning Your Degree in Information Technology

IT remains a rapidly growing field. You can start on an IT career path with professional career training from Everest College. For more information on professional Computer Information Science courses and the location of a campus near you, contact Everest today!

Dental assisting is an increasingly popular career field with a bright future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates there are approximately 280,000 dental assistant jobs throughout the United States, with 65 percent of these being full-time. The BLS also reports that job prospects in this field are expected to be “excellent,” with more than 80,000 new dental assistant positions expected to have been created between 2006 and 2016.

Why consider a dental assisting career? Here are some key reasons for choosing this career path:

• Flexibility. As noted above, about a half to two-thirds of dental assistant jobs are full-time with 35- to 40-hour work weeks. The rest are part-time positions or have variable hours. Some dental offices are open evenings and weekends; you can choose the office and schedule that best fits your income and personal needs.

• Work environment. The vast majority of dental assistants work in dentist’s offices or dental clinics. These facilities tend to be very professional, well-lighted and clean. The work itself can be varied. Common responsibilities include preparing and setting out instruments for examinations, preparing patients for various procedures, removing sutures, applying topical anesthetics and perhaps even performing administrative and billing functions.

• Qualifications. Most states require dental assistants to be licensed and registered. This usually requires that you pass a written or practical examination. Professional training in this specialty can usually be done in less than a year at any number of public or private schools.

• Income Potential. According to the BLS’ most recent data (May 2008), the median hourly income for dental assistants nationwide is approximately $14.53, with half making more than that and half making less. The middle 50 percent earn between $11.94 and $17.44 per hour, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $9.87/hour and the highest 10% earning more than $20.69.

Many other factors can affect earning power in this field. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), the industry’s largest certification and testing agency, reports that hourly rates can vary by type of practice, office/practice setting and experience. For example, dental assistants working in periodontic offices make an average of $19.00/hour while those in general dentistry make an average $17.75/hour. Those working for a public health department may make only about $13.90/hour while those employed by a college can make $20.00/hour. Dental assistants just starting out average $15.00/hour nationally while those with 20 or more years of experience tend to make $19.00-$19.70/hour.

Note that income potential varies significantly from state to state and from city to city depending on local economic and employment conditions, as well as the number of hours you choose to work and the type of facility where you choose to practice. For more information, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics and your local state labor department Web site.

• Job Prospects. Again, according to the BLS, employment opportunities for dental assistants are expected to increase much faster than average over the next six years. On a national level, employment for dental assistants is expected to have increased 29 percent between 2006 and 2016. Statewide 2006-2016 growth projections in the dental assisting field currently ranges from a low of 11% in Hawaii to a high of 51% in Idaho and Nebraska. (Occupational growth rates are projections only, and will vary from community to community.)

• Opportunities for Advancement. Dental assisting can be the first step on an upward career path to the more specialized—and higher paying—dental hygienist field.

Dental Assisting Training Courses Offered at Everest College

Everest College is one of America’s leading providers of dental assisting training.

Because Everest has dozens of urban campuses conveniently located throughout the United States, men and women interested in pursuing this exciting and rewarding career can likely find a campus conveniently close to their home or work. Everest’s courses are designed to prepare students for the licensing or certification exams most states require in less than a year. Everest’s Career Placement teams work to prepare each graduate for their job search and interface directly with major health care employers to help fill new job openings. All Everest campuses also provide financial aid services for those who qualify.

People interested in training in dental assisting should contact Everest today for information on class schedules.