Monday, March 28, 2011

Pennco Tech: Plumbing & Heating Technology Field Overview

Surely you can appreciate the fine work done by pipe fitters, plumbing technicians, or even your more advanced plumbers. Our homes, schools, or businesses would not be whole without their handiwork. The Plumbing & Heating Technology field is responsible for producing workers with expertise in order to complete such tasks.

This occupational track is inviting as it will provide a wealth of information, both hands-on as well as with detailed facts, codes and procedure. This Plumbing & Heating Technology Program is comprised of classes in the following areas: refrigeration, heating systems, and of course plumbing. Most plumbing classes instruct in the various areas working with pipes, waterways, routing water to structures, installation, and last but not least unclogging!

Certainly consider the Plumbing & Heating Technology field as a career choice. The related jobs produce products and services that are a must have for individuals. How ever so often do we take for granted fresh running water, indoor bathrooms, or hot water at the sink? Without these we could almost empathize with a third world country!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Pennco Tech: Tips for Getting the Most from Study Time

Many adult learners are returning to school long after they graduated high school. Many have forgotten how to learn, and must obtain that basic skill. Studying new material can be challenging, especially a subject that is new to you. How you approach learning the assigned material can maximize retention.

Read the summary first. This will give you an idea of the main focus of the entire chapter. When you then sit down to read the text you will find you have a greater understanding of what is being taught. Many professors also post notes or study guides on their websites, utilize these prior to reading as well.

Learn new vocabulary second. Textbooks generally have new terms and important vocabulary highlighted. Use the glossary at the back of the book to gain an understanding of these terms prior to reading the chapters. This will help you to more fully understand the context in which new terms are being used. Even if you think you know what a keyword means, read the glossary anyway. Specific subjects may have a more detailed or different definition with regards to the area of study.

Review topic sentences and conclusions. This method reinforces the points the author is trying to make in each section. This repetitive type of reading will further cement the main points in your mind,

Understand your learning style. Are you a visual, auditory or tactile/kinesthetic learner? If you are visual, pay careful attention to graphs and examples given in text. If you are an auditory thinker, read the text aloud or enlist the help of a friend to read to you. Have discussions about the material, and record any verbal instruction for playback. If you are a kinesthetic learner, rewrite notes, write down main ideas and vocabulary words. Draw pictures or graphs that demonstrate the material.

Be creative. Don't try to memorize the text as written. Search for examples within the material, and think of new scenarios on your own. Paying attention to cause and effect will help facilitate this type of thinking, allow you to see patterns, and encourage problem-solving skills.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Pennco Tech: Test Preparation Tactics

Preparing for a career education test does not have to be intimidating. There are learning techniques that can be utilized to make the process easier.

A positive attitude is essential when preparing for and taking a test. If you remain positive in attitude you will experience less anxiety during the test and have a greater chance of remembering the right answer. Doubting yourself can interfer with the learning process. Keep positive throughout the process. It will help.

Another key point in test preparation is "just do it". Basically, do not pronosticate. Use the time available as soon as the learning materials are available to you begin to review the materials and study. Continue to do so over the next few days or until the time of the test. Even if your life is very busy and you can only review the learning material for a short time each day, please utilize this time. It will make a difference.

Organizing the information that you are studying is helpful. Sequences the information or listing the information will help you remember it. Writing down the information also will help you remember it. Highlighting is a great way to keep points fresh in your mind. When reading the information that you have organized, read it out loud. This helps with memorizing the information.

Imaging skills are important when preparing for a test. Imagining involves the right side of the brain. To visualize what you are learning is a whole learning technique. Imaging and visualizing has a high rate of success.

In summary, stay positive, do not pronasticate, organize and list information, review, and be able to convert the written words into a visual image as you study. If you do all of these, you will have a greater chance of succeeding.

Monday, March 7, 2011

What does a pharmacy technician do?


If you have great people skills, have an interest in healthcare and enjoy keeping busy throughout the day, a career as a pharmacy technician could be the right fit for you! 

With our country’s increasing elderly population and advances in medicine, pharmacies are seeking more and more qualified pharmacy technicians to improve efficiency and accuracy in today’s pharmacy settings. 

But what exactly is a typical day like for a pharmacy technician? Well, for one thing, it’s never boring! 

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including labeling bottles, counting tablets, receiving prescription requests, maintaining patient files, preparing insurance claim forms, explaining medications and operating cash registers.  Pharmacy technicians work closely alongside a licensed pharmacist throughout the day. 

If you’re thinking about going into this field, you need to possess strong communication and customer service skills to interact with patients, coworkers and healthcare professionals on a daily basis. 

Employment opportunities are excellent for pharmacy technicians right now.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition predicts that employment for pharmacy technicians will increase by 25 percent through 2018.  

About 75 percent of pharmacy technicians work in retail settings such as chain pharmacies, like Walgreens or CVS, or privately-owned pharmacies.  Sixteen percent of pharmacy technicians work in hospital settings.

So, put your people skills to good use! Become a pharmacy technician with help from Pennco Tech!