The Core Role of Human Resources

Name: Rossy White
Job Title: Human Resurces Consultant
Where: Fort Myers, FL
Years of Experience: 10 years
Education: Marketing Degree; Master's Degree in Human Resources Administration
Salary: See the PayScale Research Center for the average salary of a human resources consultant.

Human Resources Consultant

Rossy White is a highly trained HR superstar. She has worked in human resources, public management and consulting for a decade. Her human resources career has involved international work, employment in the public and private sectors and success in starting her own HR business. In this Salary Story, read about the core role of human resources professionals and get Rossy's advice on how to succeed in the HR field.

What is expected in the chief role of human resources consultant?

I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) professional. I have over 10 years of experience in HR. My specific responsibilities have included design and implementation of HR processes and projects including recruiting, performance evaluation, job descriptions, training, and documentation. I have worked in both the private and public sectors in the Dominican Republic (D.R.). I worked with the Department of Justice in DR in the design and implementation of a 180 degree performance evaluation model for about 800 prosecutors. I also have wide experience in recruiting, working for Verizon Dominicana and for the Department of Justice.

What were your steps toward becoming a human resources consultant?

While working in Verizon Dominicana, I had the opportunity to be transferred and promoted to the position of HR analyst. I really liked it because I felt I could interact and help people and, at the same time, I was able to meet the company's objectives. By the time I was promoted, I was finishing my career in marketing which I finished in 2002. I continued growing within the company as HR supervisor. I left the company and started working for the government in the Department of Justice as HR manager. During this period, I finished my HR administration master's. While working in Verizon, I always dreamed of having my own HR business. In 2007, when I had enough experience and the academic achievements, I decided to quit my job and started the business which I practiced for almost two years.

What do you love about your job?

I love to interact with people and help them. From the HR position, you can help employees as well as your internal customers through strategies, orientation, counseling, and encouragement. When I worked at the Department of Justice, I was responsible of the design and implementation of the performance evaluation and training for the staff of the Judicial Police for Child Protection. Besides the involvement I had with the young police enforcement, I was also satisfied with the change they had after the evaluation period. It was very enjoyable and satisfying to positively influence their professional careers and their personal lives as well.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a human resources consultant?

My biggest challenge was to become an independent HR consultant. I have to mention the two major projects I worked with:

1. The design and implementation of a 180 degree performance evaluation model for prosecutors in the Department of Justice. The project was completed on schedule with the following results: Model designed and implemented; Communication plan designed and executed nationwide; Information system acquisition; Approximately 800 prosecutors evaluated nationwide.

2. The development of 337 positions and defining the company competency profile for one of the biggest telecommunication companies in DR. The project was completed on schedule and resulted in 40 percent of the employees trained and interviewed, more than 337 job descriptions built, and the company competency profile re-defined.

Can you recall any sobering moments from your job?

I think the most amazing thing that happened to me during my professional career was the continuous growth. Every time I left a job or finished a project, a new and more challenging door was opened. God has blessed me!

Do you have any advice for those interested in becoming a human resources consultant?

The advice I would give is to be responsible and committed to the company you work with. Take seriously this role and pay attention to any action you make because it will impact both employees and employers. As an HR professional, you need to understand that you are dealing with human beings, so I advise others to treat people with respect, encourage people to follow their dreams and encourage them to give their best to fulfill the company’s objectives.

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President of Seattle Remodeling Services Company

Name: Bill Bevan
Job Title: President of Remodeling Services Company
Where: Lynwood, WA - Greater Seattle Area
Employer: Bevan's, Inc. - Seattle, WA Remodeling Services
Years of Experience: 20 years of general contracting and remodeling
Education: Ballard High School
Salary: Use the PayScale Research Center to find the average general contractor salary.

Career Profile: President of Remodeling Services Company

As the president of a Seattle remodeling services company, Bill Bevan has his work cut out for him. His company, Bevan's Inc. handles numerous remodeling jobs in the Seattle area, from small repairs to extensive home expansions. In this interview, Bill shares his experience working in the construction industry. He describes the responsibilities involved in operating a remodeling services company and explains both the challenges and benefits of running a business. For those just entering the field, Bill offers advice on how to get started on a successful career path. 

What are the Role and Responsibilities of a President of Remodeling Services Company?

Bill: As President of Bevan’s, Inc., I have extensive experience in Seattle, Washington remodeling services. Not only do I oversee the company’s operations, I am hands-on with daily projects, ensuring each project meets customer satisfaction. The remodeling services I perform include acoustic ceiling removals; custom bathrooms; custom decks; patios and fences; custom kitchens; energy audits; exterior and interior painting; finish basements and garages; fire, water and other insurance repairs; home expansions; home theaters; new flooring; window installations and replacements and other services as desired by my customers. Every day is a different day, depending on the jobs we have on the schedule. My duties even change throughout a single day. One moment I’m warming up the truck and greeting my staff of Seattle window replacement specialists, hardwood floor refinishers and remodeling contractors. The next moment I am driving around in our Puget Sound traffic taking a phone call from a customer, ordering supplies for a floors job, disposing of old materials, meeting with clients to discuss their next project, as well as managing my company finances. Additionally, there are safety checks on job sites, safety meetings with my staff, signing paychecks, and the list goes on. Owning my own Seattle remodeling services company requires that I wear a lot of hats, and personally, I enjoy the diversity this offers me. It takes me from the office computer to taking phone calls to meeting with clients to getting my hands dirty. Keeping a clean wardrobe is tough in this remodeling contractors business, but worth it at the end of the day.

How did you get started doing this type of work?  What motivated you to start this career?

Bill: Honestly, I needed a job and thought that painting houses may be a good option for me. I began by putting signs on telephone poles and received enough calls to put both myself and my brother to work painting. We Bevan's boys spent many a day together painting both exterior and interior house projects. However, I found myself growing older and with growing family obligations that required me to bring in a steady paycheck to support my wife and children. I went on a job search and was hired by a company that exposed me to not only painting, but masonry, remodeling, estimating, purchasing, and managing this type of business. It is here that I really explored and learned the many facets of Seattle, WA remodeling service, and ultimately how to manage a home remodeling business. However, life brought me back together professionally with my brother when we decided to start our own Seattle, Washington remodeling services company, Bevan's Inc. With everything we had both learned and experienced over the years, we thought it was our time to run the type of business we wanted, doing the type of work we wanted, while having full control over our customers’ satisfaction. Our company mission was to be our customers’ contractor for life.

What do you love about your job?

Bill: Although remodeling services jobs can sway with the economy and require long hard days with a long hot shower at the end of the day to ease the ache of muscles you sometimes you forget you have, I love my job for several reasons. I wanted to own my own company and have control over my work and my customer satisfaction. I love the variety this remodeling service business offers, from changing wall colors to upgrading windows, floors, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, installing custom cabinets, building fences and decks - the list goes on. This job gives me the freedom to enjoy indoor projects during the winter and outdoor projects during the summer. I’m not someone who would be happy sitting at a desk all day, so I really enjoy the ability to get out in the world, meet people, and beautify their home with my very own hands. It is their reaction, their look of complete satisfaction and excitement that makes me love my general contracting job at the end of the day. These reactions come from both small and large projects alike.

Even the smaller projects can give you the largest smiles from your customers. For instance, removing an old and dated “popcorn” ceiling may be on the smaller end of our project scale if that’s all we’re doing for a client, but it certainly gains huge customer satisfaction when that same “popcorn” ceiling has been an eye sore for them for years, and it’s finally gone. Sometimes, once a customer sees their beautiful new and modern ceiling, they may realize that other aspects of their home are also outdated and require additional services from our window replacement specialists or hardwood floor refinishers. That’s when Bevan’s Inc. further enhances the customer experience by updating the rest of their home to equal those ceilings. For instance, we recently had an acoustic ceiling removal project that turned into a larger remodeling services project that included a complete bathroom renovation and custom deck built out of Treks decking material and plastic railings to give the customer a virtually maintenance free end product. We thought she was happy when she saw her new ceilings, but boy was she happy with her new modern bathroom that was twice the size as the old one, and her new deck she’ll enjoy for outdoor recreation. It’s always fun to look at the before and after pictures of all of our remodeling projects.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?

Bill: Your greatest love for doing remodeling can also be your biggest challenge. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and project satisfaction is completely dependent upon our customers and their viewpoint of the end product. We are, after all, human, with differing opinions and viewpoints. What’s timely for one person may not be for another. What’s top notch quality for one person may not be for another. The perfect color for one person may not be for another. I think you get the point. It’s very important to understand your customers’ needs and expectations and ensure they align with your project planning and final remodeling contractors’ product. And because we are just human, mistakes or other simple mishaps are bound to happen. We accept that, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating. It’s frustrating when not enough floors, windows and other project supplies were ordered, or the first coat of paint or mud doesn’t dry in time, or the home owner forgot to leave their key, or your window replacement specialist's equipment broke, or it rained when you needed sun, and so on. It is at these times that your professionalism truly kicks in for the sake of your clients, your staff and your sanity. Because you are your Seattle, WA remodeling services company, it can be challenging to separate the two, to separate your company life from your personal life. Especially on those days that you are so driven to complete a Seattle hardwood floor refinishers project, so excited to truly see the end result, you must still remember that there are only 24 hours in a day. Besides our need to work, there is still the need to eat and sleep. However, the opposite can also be true. Because you are your own remodeling company, it is up to you to maintain your motivation when you’re tired and exhausted, or when work is slow. You, and only you, are responsible for your company’s success at the end of the day.

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this field?

Bill: As for breaking into the field of Seattle remodeling services, your success is based on your knowledge, both innate and learned. Some of us are just born with that desire to work with our hands, be active, create things and find pleasure in the finished product. You can certainly start young by learning from your father or other helpful elder and be the one to help them fix the kitchen sink, repaint your bedroom or build the most fabulous tree house ever. You can also be the person to help your friends and family members when they need assistance with such remodeling projects. But this industry also allows you to learn on the job. Find a Seattle remodeling service employer that offers the type of projects you’re interested in and is willing to start you out “green” and educate you as you go. The more educated you are on the vast spectrum of the remodeling services, the more services you can offer to your clients. Even as a seasoned professional, there are always lessons learned along the way. It’s always a good idea to read the tape measure twice before cutting. Contrary to popular belief, it’s really never the tape measure’s fault if a measurement comes up short!

Because owning your own remodeling services company is truly a part of you, it’s important to separate your company time from your personal time, your company expenses from your personal expenses, and remember to pack a lunch on those days that just consume you, giving you no time to even step out for a quick bite. Because you are your company, it’s up to you to be professional, courteous, and timely, meet deadlines and expectations, order the correct type and amount of supplies, manage expenses, provide accurate estimates, and know the codes and regulations of the industry. However, if the “one man show” for  remodeling services becomes too much, you’ll need to know when it’s time to hire in a staff, like window replacement specialists or hardwood floor refinishers, and/or when to hire out parts of the business that may not be your strong point, like accounting services to manage the books, payroll, taxes and so on. It’s important for you to continue doing what you are best at, what you love the most.

What are the craziest or most interesting things that have happened while doing this type of work?

Bill: It was installation of windows that led me to the craziest thing I ever had to do. As Seattle window replacement specialists, we were working on a six-story apartment building in Seattle in the fall. The building scaffolding was erected by another company and left for us to finish the windows. We got there in the morning and it was a little rainy, a little windy. In other words it was a nice fall day for the Pacific Northwest when Mother Nature decided to kick it up a notch for us. The rain started coming down vertically as the wind picked up to 40 miles per hour. You can only imagine the toll that was starting to take on the scaffolding structure. Before we knew it, the scaffolding was moving up to two feet away from the building and its tie downs were starting to fail. It became obvious that our window replacement specialists’ job for the day was no longer about installing windows, or even about our own safety on the scaffolding, but now had become a public safety issue! We rushed to the local hardware store and asked for their strongest rope they had. We then rushed back to the apartment building to find the scaffolding in further peril. Mother Nature had now pushed herself into full force. We got up to the roof and tied knots around the scaffolding and looped the rope around the elevator shaft of the building in hopes of maintaining stability. With soaking wet clothes and frozen knuckles, we left the site feeling we truly avoided a public disaster that day. The weather continued throughout the day and we even received a phone call from the Seattle fire department that night to tell us that they also took a trip up to that same roof and secured even more of their own ropes. Once all was said and done, it was an interesting and amusing trip to the fire department to return their ropes and recap the whole event. They said we did a good job, but that our hardware store ropes just weren’t strong enough. In the end we were all cracking up and were grateful that we could find the humor in this remodeling project.

Want to know more?

• More Salary Stories - How to Become a Carpenter
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Operations Program Manager Role and Responsibilities

Name: Henry Cubillan
Job Title: Sales Operations Program Manager
Where: Round Rock, TX
Employer: Dell, Inc.
Years of Experience: 3
Education: Goucher College, BA; Thunderbird School of Global Management, MBA; Project Management Institute, PMP Certification
Salary: Use the PayScale Research Center to find the median Sales Manager Salary.

Sales Operations Program Manager Role and Responsibilities 

Henry Cubillan is one of the best inspirations for customer service we’ve interviewed. He has gotten to the top levels of a global company like Dell by working hard and utilizing effective customer service. In a chief role of operations program manager, Henry has been able to help customers from all over the world. In this interview, he discusses the functions of the operations manager and offers some sage advice for anyone pursuing a career in sales management.

What are the functions of an operations manager?

Henry: My main responsibility is to support fulfillment programs for some of our largest public and Fortune 500 customers. It's my job to craft a response plan that meets the customer's expectations in terms of procurement, SLA levels, product fulfillment and delivery. I am the face of operations in front of our customers and I ensure that all support teams throughout the organization work to meet the customer's requirements. For example, we may have a customer that needs 20,000 notebooks delivered to 550 locations around the world within a very short time frame. It's my job to work with the customer to understand their capabilities/limitations at each location, craft a delivery schedule that meets their needs, work with our fulfillment teams to ensure that (once a purchase order is received) we are building the product in a timely manner, comply with all of the customer's specific requirements, and deliver within the agreed-upon time frame at each and every location.

What were your steps toward becoming sales operations program manager?

Henry: My career at Dell started out in sales, as an account manager for relationship customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. This gave me great visibility to our core business, but I wasn't too involved with the inner workings of the company. I then transitioned into a solutions architect role, managing deployment services for large corporate customers. It was in this role that I started to get interested in sales operations. When I had an opportunity to interview for a program manager role, I jumped at it, and here I am, three years later, supporting some of our largest customers around the globe.

What do you like best about your program manager role? 

Henry: I love that every day is a challenge, and every day is different. Even though I sometimes have to spend time on documentation and governance, the challenges that I field from customers - internal and external - are what keep my blood going and bring me to work every day, ready for battle. Whether it's coming up with a creative way to meet a customer's unique requirement or pushing our support teams to the limit in order to deliver to a customer's expectation, every day is different. I also love the fact that, despite being a large corporation, Dell still operates like a much smaller company and we pride ourselves in our flexibility and ability to react quickly and decisively to deliver a great purchasing experience. I probably have a lot more leeway than my counterparts at other firms of this size, and I appreciate the responsibility that I am given to go execute. A couple of years ago I was tasked with delivering a replacement notebook to a USMC corporal deployed to the Green Zone in Baghdad. It took a lot of creative thought and the dedication of many different people in the organization to get this done in a very aggressive time frame, but we rose to the challenge and accomplished our mission. At the time, our delivery confirmation came from the carrier and the generic acknowledgment from the marine's unit, but about six months later, I received a battered envelope at my desk. Inside was a hand-written note from this brave warrior, thanking us for all our efforts and telling us that his new notebook allowed him to keep in touch with his family throughout his deployment. It was one of the proudest moments of my career, and that letter is still on my desk, as a reminder that we don't just manufacture product and deliver it.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as an operations program manager?

Henry: Wow, where do I start? We live in a world of limited (and often competing) resources and it's often a struggle to find a balance. Customers can sometimes take three months to plan an IT refresh, which allows us a robust procurement, fulfillment and delivery plan, but sometimes we get notified that we've received a large, previously un-forecasted purchase order and that can really impact our supply chain planning. Multiply this by thousands of customers and you realize how difficult this can get! Another challenge I often encounter is scope creep; we craft a plan around known variables and - sometimes within hours of pulling the trigger - additional variables are presented and we have to modify the plan on the go. That usually keeps things interesting! Finally, our company's expanding global footprint can also be very challenging. You can have a customer in Europe buying equipment for their operations in the Middle East and Central America, with our own resources based out of Texas, Panama and Quezon City in the Philippines. Bringing everyone together and overcoming language barriers and cultural nuances can be very challenging.

Can you recall any sobering moments from your program manager job?

Henry: Supporting some of our Department of Defense customers, we regularly encounter situations that challenge our logistics capabilities. Without getting into details for privacy/security reasons, we're often called upon to deliver product to very remote locations, during military operations, under very challenging circumstances. It is a sobering task that we take very seriously, and focus on meeting these challenges head on, acknowledging the seriousness of the mission, and the potential impact of failure. As we - and our biggest customers - globalize our operations, we're often caught juggling global challenges and having to craft very creative solutions. As such, it may take a conference call between an engineer in Singapore, a program manager in Texas, a support team in Panama and a logistics team in Poland to address an issue for a customer in Brazil that is trying to expand operations into South Africa!

Do you have any advice for those interested in a program manager career?

Henry: The best advice I can give you is to be open-minded! Throw away your preconceptions about the role of program manager, be willing to be flexible, to adapt, to absorb and accept the opinions of others. Don't spend all your time crafting the perfect plan, because variables that you don't control can often throw the plan into disarray in a matter of minutes, and your success will be measured on your ability to modify the plan to meet the new environment. Don't keep your head in the weeds! While our performance plan may be focused on tactical execution, it's often your ability to see and think and plan strategically that allows you to execute. Be aware of the business environment around you. Don't ignore corporate politics, but don't get bogged down by them either. Most importantly, enjoy what you do! Seek satisfaction in the interaction with peers from all over the world, take pride in what your company stands for, and try to have fun every day!

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Careers In Biology: Molecular Biologist Profile

Name: Shawn Hodges
Job Title: Molecular Biologist
Where: Newark, CA
Employer: Complete Genomics
Years of Experience: 6.5
Education: University of California, Davis, B.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, minor in Economics; Santa Rosa Jr. College, A.A. & A.S. Biochemistry transfer & Engineering
Salary: Use PayScale's Research Center to find salary data for molecular biology careers.

Careers in Biology: Molecular Biologist Profile

In this interview, Molecular Biologist Shawn Hodges provides detailed information on the perks and challenges of his career in biology. He describes what to expect from entry-level positions, how to prepare for entering the field and how to thrive in a skilled science career. Early in his career path, Shawn switched from an engineering major to biochemistry and hasn’t looked back since. Find out why molecular biology has proven to be a rewarding career choice.

What does a molecular biologist do?

Shawn: As a bachelor's-level biochemist, I generally execute experiments in a laboratory and analyze data on a computer. The level of independence varies, depending on years of experience, scientific complexity, and the type of management. As a new grad, I learned many new laboratory techniques from my boss and colleagues; with between three and five years of experience, management was more hands-off, providing general direction. For example, my assignment was to develop a biochemical assay to assess enzymatic activity. Over the course of months, I would meet with my supervisor and group on a weekly basis to collaborate on ideas to improve the reproducibility of the assay. Experiments were planned, executed, data collected, analyzed graphically and statistically, and shared in PowerPoint presentations weekly.

What were your steps toward a molecular biologist career?

Shawn: I began studying as an engineer as my aptitude for "left-brainer," (analytical and mathematical) skills was strongest. Due to the highly competitive nature of the program and the difficulty in maintaining a competitive GPA while working full-time, I chose to major in biochemistry. Math and biological, chemical, and physical sciences were core to this program. Separate, some may consider these "dry" subjects. However, integrating these concepts into the field of biochemistry was a lot of fun! Biochemistry is the study of the chemical reactions of life.

What do you like about being a molecular biologist?

Shawn: I love the ability to have a real impact on people’s lives as a result of collaborative efforts. For example, our company delivered a DNA sequencing technology that made it affordable for people to have their entire genome sequenced! Acquiring accurate sequence data while maintaining affordability were difficult tasks. Characterizing unknown "black box" chemistry in such that it can be controlled to drive down costs was like detective work. The end product will allow for statisticians to correlate the probability of obtaining common diseases such as cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s, etc. with DNA sequence. Such probabilities would encourage individuals to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking, and exercising more.

What are some of the challenges you face as a molecular biologist?

Shawn: At the bachelor's level, you will likely report to a PhD-level scientist who after five or more years in extensive study, (and potentially years of additional experience) is an expert in their field. Depending on personalities and project goals, you may end up with anything from a micromanager to a very hands-off manager. In the micromanagement case, you may have your boss breathing down your neck on a regular basis. The positive attributes may be that your objectives are very clear, relative to the lack of guidance in the hands-off case. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of this cutting edge field will likely result in reorganizations of group members, meaning that you may suddenly be working on a new project with a new manager. (Think of it as management moving chess pieces to maximize success against competitors.) This may happen on the order of once per year.

Do you have an interesting story about being a molecular biologist?

Shawn: Joining a company in a research environment, we were characterizing enzymes that might have useful commercial value. After one year little success was realized. During my second year as part of a development group, we worked as a team of greater than 50 employees from a variety of disciplines (i.e. research, engineering, and manufacturing). Over the course of a year we worked hard and collaboratively to deliver market competitive chemical reagent formulations that would replace prior generation products. Yearly sales were on the order of tens of millions! Being a part of this project, and knowing that these contributions helped the scientific community in studying cures for diseases such as cancer was very rewarding.

Do you have any advice for those interested in a career in molecular biology?

Shawn: Study hard! All of those quantum physics equations, cellular and molecular biology concepts, even statistics, that may seem abstract, have real-world applications in this field. Get experience! Your degree alone will make it difficult to stand out among the crowd of recent graduates. Take advantage of opportunities on campus: volunteer and/or work part-time in labs and obtain internships over summer breaks.

Interested in Learning More?

• Median Salaries for Careers in Molecular Biology
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• Job Outlook for Skilled Science Careers
  
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Finance Careers: Security Pricing Specialist

Name: Jason Richards
Job Title: Security Pricing Specialist
Where: Boston, MA
Employer: Bank of New York Mellon
Years of Experience: 7 years
Education: Eastern Nazarene College, Business Management Degree.
Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for the Average Salary for a Securities Career.

Finance Careers: Security Pricing Specialist

Jason Richards is a security pricing specialist for Mellon Bank. He started at the ground level and is in the process of working his way up. In this Salary Story, Jason explains what public securities markets are and how to make it in Mellon securities careers. He also shares some great advice and stories that would be valuable to anyone working in the stock brokerage industry or pursuing a finance career.

What does a security pricing specialist do?

Jason: This job is considered the operations side of a mutual fund company. Previous to working here, I worked at Fidelity Investments. The operations side is configured of security pricing and accounting for securities held by funds that are in investment portfolios, typically 401k retirement portfolios. Each morning I run a report that shows what new securities were bought by our trading desk, and place them on specific broker or vendor pricing lists. This is to ensure that the bonds are priced on a nightly basis. The fluctuation on a bonds price from day to day affects the NAV (Net Asset Value) of the funds that hold the security. The fluctuation of the NAV on a fund affects the performance of the fund in a portfolio. An individual's portfolio is made up of a group of funds, determined by their retirement goal objectives. Each fund specializes in a certain objective, for instance high risk, low risk, steady growth, and a mix. My job is focused on the pricing of securities that are purchased into a fund. Working for fixed income bonds, we collect prices that are evaluated bids, unlike the traded stock price of an equity. Bonds are considered a debt/credit security, whereas a company issues the bond available to holders (investors) as a "loan" for the company to build or use to grow the company. The company will typically issue the bond with a fixed maturity, and coupon/interest rate that will be paid back to the investors on top of principle. This is how investors make money, and how companies can get money, like a loan, to accomplish growth and objectives for the company.

My job as a pricing analyst is to track the prices on bonds on a daily basis, and check for accurate evaluated prices on bonds with regards to the underlying company's performance, using good or bad news, as well as credit events. We run multiple reports on all the bonds that BNY Mellon holds. Stale Price Report, Broker vs. Vendor, Trade vs. Vendor, NAV Impact reports, New Buys, Day over Day Strat, and many ad-hoc requests from traders, portfolio managers, and senior management. This is a fast paced, detail oriented job with an ever changing environment. We are subject to monthly audits on our practices to ensure we are following and surpassing the strict SEC guidelines set forth for mutual fund companies. Transparency to the shareholder and investors is the most important aspect in my job. Investors want to know how, why, and where their hard earned money is invested, and what BNY Mellon does to manage their assets with the investors' best interests as the number one goal.

What were your steps toward a securities career?

Jason: I started out in finance accounts receivable for Fidelity Capital when I graduated from college. Most graduates have their ideal job in mind after graduation, but the reality is, you kind of go for a job close to what you went to school for. In the finance world, it is hard to jump right into a high paying job right out of school because all companies want to see experience from a candidate. In order to get the experience, you need to start at the basics: accounting and grunge work for low to mid 30's. It's tough, painstaking, and way underpaid, but this is the groundwork for a great analyst. In accounting you learn the basic fundamentals of credit vs. debit, and balancing the two. Unless you know someone in the industry, or come from a wealthy family, you cannot avoid this pledging/hazing aspect of the finance industry. I worked accounting for two years, and saw an opportunity to join a pricing group for the equity side at Fidelity Investments. The requirement of course was previous experience in accounting. I had over two years under my belt and they took me on as a beginner level pricing analyst. Pricing equities is considerably easier than pricing for fixed income. Equities are all traded on an exchange and have open prices and closing prices. Besides factoring in the every other day corporate action on an equity and factoring the exchange rate for foreign countries, it's pretty straightforward. From the equity side, I joined fixed income after two years because I moved out of Boston and purchased a home in NH. Fidelity has its fixed income operations up in Merrimack, NH, which happened to be just 10 miles from my new home. Not wanting to deal with the long commute into Boston, I transferred up to Merrimack, NH, and started a pricing group for fixed income. I enjoyed working for Fidelity, and my personal growth in the company, continuing knowledge, and learning the fixed income field is what motivated me. I have been performing pricing operations for over seven years now, and my next goal is to get over to the research side of the business. With my years of experience pricing out the bonds and equities that were bought into the portfolios, now I want to see the other side. Ultimately, I would like to become a trader.

What do you like about being a security pricing specialist?

Jason:  I like training a newcomer into our group. Based on my experience, it's a good feeling to bring someone else up in the group. I like it when they ask questions and I can help them connect the dots as to how pricing works and interacts with the rest of fund accounting, and ultimately the trading desk. A story I have in particular stretches over a period of about eight months. I was training a new individual on the morning task of new buys. It is a big task, which only the most senior people are certified to handle. Joe was the person I was training. For the first two weeks he just shadowed me, and tried to take notes, and asked tons of questions. He looked at the task as mission impossible. He would constantly ask me how I knew everything I knew, and told me he could never get to the point where I was, and perform new buys efficiently. I kept encouraging him and pushing him to take on the task. Once you know new buys, you can handle anything. I liked it because it was a challenge for me, and it helped me to revisit the reason why we do what we do with new buys. It was a sense of accomplishment, for both Joe and me, and it helped me to realize just how far I had come as an analyst.

What are some of the challenges you face as a security pricing specialist?

Jason: The biggest challenge I face today is fair valuation from all the subprime junk debt that we are looking to get off the books from the big mortgage crisis meltdown. In general, whenever you come into situation where a bond still has holdings, and you are trying to liquidate it, and there is no market for it, that is the biggest challenge. There is typically no broker, dealer, or vendor that will touch it. The fair valuation methodology that you come up with to price the bond has to be approved by like three to four different committees, the auditors have to sign off on it, and it all has to be 100 percent transparent to the investor. It sounds easy enough, but there are a lot of factors that go into writing up a fair valuation. Another challenge in the job is finding the time to respond to all the multiple, "Priority!" ad hoc requests while you are trying to perform your daily operation tasks, and reporting. Some days it seems there is not enough time in the day and the stress level can get quite high. You need to find a way to remain calm under pressure and execute quick and accurate decisions within minutes most times. Sometimes the environment can get tough to handle; the challenge is finding a way to remain positive while the ship seems to be going down.

Do you have an interesting story about being a security pricing specialist?

Jason: While at Fidelity I was in pricing for a total of five years, and I went through nine managers. It may or may not have contributed to the slow climb up the career ladder for me. With each new manager, they "don't really know enough about you" to give you that outstanding review mark for merit. Also, with the high turnaround in management, I was constantly the one to train new members into the group, including my last two managers when I was a lead senior analyst. I was offered manager but refused it due to a fixed salary pay, and working the same hours. As an analyst I was hourly and qualified for the O.T. During my time there in pricing I saw the rise and fall of the junk bond, and CDS swap derivatives. I was working at Fidelity at the time when they would almost just hand you a bonus for showing up to work, through the times when they were doing layoffs. It's interesting to see who you thought would be lifers there, just walk out the door, and those who you thought would leave and move on become lifers there. My buddy Tim who shot up the ladder at lightning speed is a manager now, and pushing unit manager. However, now that he has reached the five year mark, he no longer likes playing the game, and is burned out by the everyday stress. In my five years at Fidelity, it was truly amazing to see the level of responsibility and tasks increase 10 fold, yet pay increases drop by half, with less staff. This is the reality that the world of finance is in right now. It's kinda gloomy, but hopefully someday soon it will turn back around again.

Do you have any advice for those interested in a career as a security pricing specialist?

Jason: It's not easy, and you need to have a ton of patience, and a can-do attitude. Also, politics. PLAY the GAME!! Be a YES man/woman. It will help you climb the ladder in half the time. Management will tell you they want to hear your ideas, but in most cases they don't, and it's a way for them to weed out who will be a nuisance along the way, and who will just do the task. If you are asked to do something, do it, or even offer to do it, even if it's the worse task in the group, and do it with a smile. Management remembers the yes people when it comes to review merit time. Even if you do a great job, and are efficient, if you show the slightest resistance on anything, that will be what they remember when it comes to review, and promotions. I have a key example. I was in pricing for four years and a new kid came into the group. He knew the game and played it well. I was an analyst for two years before becoming a senior analyst, and another two and a half years before becoming a lead senior analyst. This kid was promoted to senior analyst in less than a year of joining the pricing group, and then became a lead by two years time. He was a yes man, and entertained the idea of going out for drinks with management after work, and all social outings. That is also key.

Interested in Learning More?

• More Finance Careers: Stockbroker Salary Survey
• Human Resources tools for Compensation: HR Articles from Compensation Today
• Check out PayScale’s Free Human Resources PowerPoint Lectures and Webinars

What are the Qualities of an Effective Executive Director?

Name: Kris Kingdon
Job Title: Executive Director, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce 
Where: Carmichael, CA  
Employer: Carmichael Chamber of Commerce 
Years of Experience: 2.5 years
Education: High School Grad; Community College Courses, including Business Admin and IT
Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for the Average Salary for an Executive Director.

Executive Director Career

Not all organizations have the same idea of what to expect an executive director to achieve. Executive director positions aren’t all created equal, but one thing is for certain: the essential qualities of an effective executive director stay the same. In this interview with Kris Kingdon, she explains the ups and downs of being an executive director, how she got there, and a detailed breakdown of her job duties.

Executive Director Job Description

Kris: As the only paid staffer in the organization my duties cover:

• Gatekeeper of a nonprofit membership based organization
• All accounts payable, receivable and collections
• Reconcile end of month accounting/treasurer reports 
• Produce and present monthly membership reports for monthly board of directors meeting 
• Update board on issues directly affecting the chamber
• Execute all legal contracts and documents 
• Verify tax preparation is completed 
• Customer service for members and walk-ins 
• Recruit new members & volunteers 
• Keep all databases current 
• Verify all members take advantage of their membership
  
• Write monthly newsletter, print, assemble 400 copies and prepare for USPS bulk mail procedures 
• Plan, execute monthly membership meetings 
  
• Produce monthly board of director meeting, agendas and support materials
• Listen to members' concerns and suggestions and act appropriately 
• Serve and assist the president and other board members
  
• Encourage board members to participate at a volunteer level (commitment to serve) 
• Liaison to all committees and co-chair main committee 
• Be able to multitask daily and always have a "plan B"

What were your steps toward an executive director career?

Kris: For 12+ years I helped my husband create his three businesses from scratch out of our home. When my youngest was on a full-time school schedule, and the economy wasn't very construction friendly, I used the opportunity to get out and volunteer. I chose to volunteer at our local chamber because it revolved around what I knew best - small businesses. That lead to an admin assistant position. That lead to an opportunity to apply for the executive director position. I got the position, but resigned after several months after realizing their priorities were not in line with my philosophy to serve the membership. I then applied at a neighboring chamber and was hired as an office manager, and then promoted to executive director within three months. I love helping people with their businesses. I truly believe a chamber membership is an investment that, if used to it's fullest, can give you business networking and advertising at rates incomparable to most other organizations. If the chamber is doing its job, and you are taking advantage of your membership benefits, you will see a return on your investment. A chamber membership is also an accolade that separates you from another non-chamber business; it states that your business has a stake in the community and you are here to stay.

What do you like about being an executive director?

Kris:  I meet business members in the community on a daily basis. They always have an interesting experience to tell me about and for me to learn from. Most recently, we sponsored, along with the Carmichael Recreation & Park District, the celebration of our community's 100th birthday. After nine months of planning, we put on a day-long free event, including free admission, free parking and free children’s activities (inflatables, rock walls, clowns, theater). We had free live entertainment, over 120 vendor booths and crafters and a classic car show, all prepaid by the member sponsorships. The event was attended by approximately 5000 people, including our opening ceremonies with guests of honor Congressman Dan Lungren, assembly members Roger Niello and Alyson Huber, Supervisor Susan Peters, and Chief Deputy Landry and board members from the Carmichael Rec & Park District, Water District and Cemetery District, emceed by our Honorary Mayor. We buried a time capsule complete with unique items, past and present. We ended the celebration with a grand finale fireworks show! This was a team effort of many chamber and park volunteers, and of course our generous sponsors. My face still hurts from smiling!

What are some of the challenges you face as an executive director?

Kris: As the only staff member, I am responsible for all administrative duties and executive duties. The key is multitasking. I have come to realize it is a 24/7 job. There isn't a day that goes by that someone needs something and it is my job to help them. You have to be able to get along with all board members regardless of your/their personal philosophies. Board members come with their own personalities and agendas and hopefully the chamber's best interest at heart. Board members come and go, but the executive director is there for the long haul.

What are some of the best aspects of being an executive director?

Kris: Challenging myself to take the job. Pulling off an event that people said couldn't be done! Meeting and working with some of the most amazing people in my community. Making mistakes and learning along the way. The satisfaction that I have done my best and seen our chamber grow and rise to a new level of integrity.

Do you have any advice for those interested in a career as an executive director?

Kris: Be flexible - your volunteers are your key. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Learn to be resourceful, work with what you have. Don't reinvent the wheel, find another organization that is successful and tweak it to your organization's needs. Thank everyone for everything they have ever done for you and the chamber, whether via phone or a personal card. Keep plenty of thank you cards on your desk. Ask advice from people who have experience in various situations. Use everyday as a learning opportunity. When introducing a business person, always mention their business name in the introduction. Be an advocate for the chamber/organization in board meetings. Go with your gut; if it isn't right, do some thing about it. Follow your instinct. Let your president shine; if she/he shines, the chamber shines. Ninety percent of your work is behind the scenes. Get used to it.

Interested in Learning More?

• Expert Tips from the Executive Director of United Way
• Research Salaries from our Executive Director Wage Survey
• Human Resources tools for Executive Director compensation: HR Articles from Compensation Today
• Check out PayScale’s Free Human Resources PowerPoint Lectures and Webinars

Secrets of a Discount Designer Clothing Boutique Owner

Name: Betty Lin
Job Title: Small Business Owner, Discount Designer Clothing Boutique
Where: betty lin - Seattle, Washington
Years of Experience: 25 years of fashion experience
Other Relevant Work Experience: retail, department store, specialty store
Education: BS Business Administration, Marketing San Francisco State University
Salary: Research Retail Salaries by job title.

Retail Careers - Owning Your Own Discount Designer Clothing Boutique 

Betty Lin has been in retail for over for over 25 years. She owns betty lin, Seattle's premier discount designer clothing boutique. Her boutique is famous for the excellent customer service they provide. The interview below provides great information on what to expect from a long term career in retail.

PayScale: What is the job description for an owner of a designer clothing boutique?

Betty Lin: As the owner of a small retail clothing store, I take care of everything having to do with inventory from sourcing designer clothes, buying designer clothing, processing inventory, merchandising and selling. I take care of all administrative tasks too, such as bookkeeping, paying all business taxes, accounting and payroll. I also take care of the everyday duties of running a discount designer clothing boutique such as cleaning, and shop keeping, which means being in the boutique! Of course, I would not have anything to manage if we were not selling our discount designer clothing. Therefore, I spend the majority of my time selling. I am in charge of the marketing of my store. The best form of marketing is through word of mouth. We try to impress our customers with the great service they receive here in the store so that they tell their friends about us.

PayScale: How did you begin your career in designer clothing? What motivated you to open your own discount designer boutique?

Betty Lin: Retail was an accidental career for me. It was a suitable part time job throughout high school and college because the hours were flexible. I continued to work in retail because I found that I love working with people. Most of my career has been dressing women. I love to dress women. I know how to make women look great. This is what motivates me to continue working in retail and designer clothing after all these years. I love helping women look great through dressing for their age, body type and expressing their individual personality through clothing. After 20 years of working for others, I decided to open my own discount designer clothing boutique.

PayScale: What do you love about your career in retail and discount designer clothing?

Betty Lin: When customers come back to my designer clothing boutique because they love the way I dress them, that is the ultimate compliment. I love making a woman feel good about herself with a great outfit. Even for myself, when I feel good, I stand taller, smile broader, and feel more powerful. That's what I aim to do for my customers every day. Just yesterday, I met a new customer for the first time. She hated her body. She has gained about 20 pounds in the last few years. She is striving to lose the weight. She wants the body she used to have. Her clothes are all fitting too tightly. She is frustrated every morning when she tries to get dressed. Two hours later, we found two complete outfits which she can mix and match that makes her feel great. I feel so fulfilled! I feel privileged to dress her and help her feel better in the body she has.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges you face as an owner of a discount designer clothing boutique?

Betty Lin: The biggest challenge for me as a manager of a designer clothing boutique is to find employees who share in the same passion I have for dressing women. Since it's hard for me to dress every woman who walks through the store, I need a team of knowledgeable employees who also have the ability and share in the passion to dress women. Retail is a people business. It takes a special "service-oriented" person to want to serve and meet the needs of every potential client who walks through our doors. The reality of retail is that the store must be open during certain hours consistently. I have known shop keepers who close their doors on a whim, go home early, or open the shop late. These are not acceptable practices in running a retail store or discount designer clothing boutique. A storekeeper must be ready to greet with a smile, rain or shine, weather feeling happy or sad, when business is good or bad. If you are not a person who can do that, you should not run a retail store.

PayScale: What advice can you offer to someone in your field?

Betty Lin: If you want to be in retail, you need to love working with people, and love to sell. I cannot emphasize this enough. If you love what you are selling, the job will come easily. Retail is a patient business. It takes time for customers to know you and to trust you. I think retail is a tough business. I do it because I love it. I think there are easier ways to make money. But, I would not trade selling beautiful, discount designer clothing to appreciative customers for anything. Additionally, it takes time to build a customer base for your store or designer clothing boutique. Make sure you have enough money to support many months of slow business.

PayScale: What are some interesting moments that you’ve experienced in your retail career or running your discount designer clothing boutique?

Betty Lin: The most amazing experience I've had in this business is when customers spend money with me and then thank me for being here. I am completely humbled by this experience. I love my customers. I want to offer them the best designer clothing I can find, at the best price, and give them the best service they have ever received in any clothing store or buying discount designer clothing. I am also starting a new adventure to allow my customers to buy womens designer shoes online. All my customer keep saying that we have the lowest prices anywhere for women’s designer shoes, so I decided to start selling our shoes online. Since this is very different from my traditional retail experience, it has been extremely interesting. I am even starting to work on my own fashion blog, so I can share my clothing tips and help women everywhere look great through dressing for their age and body type.

Want to know more?

• Average Retail Store Manager Salary
• Average Retail Associate Salary
• Visit Betty Lin's Discount Designer Clothing Boutique
• Share your Salary Story

Nonprofit Careers in Demand - Program Manager

Name: Pamela Banks-Johnson
Job Title: Program Specialist, Assistant Director
Where: Piscataway, NJ
Employer: Not Disclosed
Years of Experience: 15+
Education: Keller Graduate School of Management, MPA - Concentration in Nonprofit Management
Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for median Nonprofit Salaries, including the Salary for a Nonprofit Program Manager.

Nonprofit Careers in Demand - Program Manager

Working in a nonprofit organization is not only a job, but a labor of love. In this inspiring Salary Story with Program Manager Pamela Banks-Johnson, you will learn all about the workings of a nonprofit organization as well as program manager duties, the challenges of nonprofit management, and what to expect from nonprofit salaries. Pamela is the definition of a quality program specialist. If you’re interested in the nuances of a nonprofit career or looking for a sample job description for a nonprofit program manager, then enjoy. You will find Pamela’s insights informative and invaluable.

Program Manager Job Description

As a program specialist I was responsible for program planning and development of five core programs dealing with asthma and lung health. One was “Camp Superkids,”a week-long residential camp for children ages seven to 13 who have been diagnosed with asthma. The duties included fundraising, grant writing, and recruitment of campers. Marketing duties included advertising and media coverage, creating recruitment brochures, and other needed documents. Then there were logistical duties (securing campsites, transportation, etc.), preparing and maintaining a program budget, and working with camp committee to develop appropriate programs. Since it was a medical based program I recruited medical volunteers (doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists), collected medical documentation, secured medical supplies, etc. I also purchased various items for the camp and campers through the use of bids, and finally, administered and interpreted surveys of campers and their parent/guardian.

Open Airways for Schools/Open Airways for the Community - a six week program also for children ages nine to 11, diagnosed with asthma. The program was administered in a variety of settings, including schools, faith-based institutions, community centers, and health clinics. This educational program was taught by facilitators, with or without a medical background. I was responsible for facilitator recruitment, training, and technical support, media coverage, preparing and maintaining a budget, analyzing program results, ensuring the facilitators received their stipends, and any necessary follow up.

Breathe Well, Live Well - an educational asthma program for adults with asthma. Duties were similar to those of Open Airways, except all facilitators were required to have expertise in the area of asthma.

Asthma Olympics - a one day track and field type event for children with asthma ages five to 12. I was responsible for securing a site, volunteer recruitment, program planning and execution, securing funding and supplies, advertising and media coverage, and recruiting children to participate.

Better Breathers Clubs - an ongoing support group for adults diagnosed with COPD and other lung health issues. I increased the number of support groups in the state of New Jersey by 50 percent. I was responsible for providing technical support, written materials, recruitment and training of new facilitators, and visiting each of the clubs at least annually. I instituted quarterly support sessions for the facilitators and was in the midst of developing the organization's first COPD Sharing Session.

I was also a member of several county and statewide asthma and lung cancer coalitions. I was responsible for representing the organization and reporting on developments of the organization. I have experience advocating on the state and federal levels, discussing the needs of asthma and lung health patients. Furthermore, I was responsible for representing the organization at health fairs and community gatherings and was often called upon by Horizon Blue Cross to provide trainings to school nurses across the state.

What were your steps toward working in nonprofit management?

I have always been interested in helping those in need. I recognized that many individuals were unable to navigate the social services network, making them unable to secure the help they most desperately needed. I obtained my degree in criminal justice, with a goal of becoming an attorney. Unfortunately, life forced me into another direction. I began my professional career as a social worker for a child protective service agency where I was responsible for providing services to families and children victimized by abuse, neglect, and other problems that caused family dysfunction and stress. Eventually I became a supervisor in the organization. I left the field after 9/11; after working in various homeless shelters, I obtained my Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in nonprofit management.

What do you like most about your nonprofit career?

I love being able to help! At Camp Superkids I got to work with a volunteer committee that was active and excited to work at the camp for free. With the help of the committee, I was able to recruit over 80 children to attend camp located in a rural area of New Jersey. Many of the campers were from urban areas and had never experienced wildlife up close or swam in a lake (half of the children were from New York City). Under normal circumstances at home some of the children were not allowed to run and play like their peers for fear of having an asthma episode. At camp, the children were able to run, jump, swim, sit in front of a campfire, and see wildlife like frogs, fish, deer, and an occasional bear in the woods! They met new friends and went on a ridge walk or a hike up a steep mountain. Because of the possibility of an asthma episode, respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians were at the camp at all times. The nurses and therapists also accompanied the children on the ridge walk to assist if needed. I am happy to report that the only medical issues at camp that week were banged up knees, a bruised toe (from jumping off the bunk bed), insect bites, and an occasional stomach ache. None of the children experienced an asthma episode while in camp. Letting the children experience camp was one of the highlights of my job.

What are some of the challenges in nonprofit management?

The biggest challenge for any nonprofit organization is funding. Although the need for asthma and lung health education and programs is desperate, the funding is small. Nonprofits rely on the generous contributions of corporations, governmental agencies, foundations, and individuals. Because of the downturn of the economy, funding streams have dried up. This leaves organizations unable to provide programming or salaries for their employees, which, compared to for-profit companies, is very small. One of my individual challenges was getting programs into the schools. School nurses knew the benefit of having an asthma education program for their students, but time constraints caused by the emphasis of improving standardized tests scores made it almost impossible to institute a program such as Open Airways for Schools. Neither the nurses nor the organization was able, in many cases, to convince the school officials that the benefits outweighed the disadvantages, i.e. loss of school days, increased visits to the nurse, and disruption of the classroom when a child had an asthma episode. Another challenge is time. There are so many in need of services and so little hours in the day to provide them. Time management is a must! The ability to prioritize is a must! The use of empathy and not sympathy is a must!

Do you have any advice for those interested in nonprofit careers?

I would advise anyone interested in working in nonprofit to realize that the salary is small, the work is demanding, but the rewards are great. You must have a heart for nonprofit work. I would advise that you seek wisely the type of nonprofit you wish to work for, as they are all different. I have had the opportunity to work in fields where it would have been beneficial for me to have a Master of Social Work degree. I have worked in fields where it would have been beneficial for me to have a degree in public policy or public health. However, if you sincerely desire to help, you can overcome these obstacles. You need to have thick skin, because often you will be rejected or unappreciated or feel abused. Know that your work is not in vain, even if you don't see immediate results; often you will not. What is rewarding is having someone you have assisted see you in a store or call you on the phone, out of the blue, and tell you how much you helped them years ago. You may not even remember who they are or what you did. I don't know of any advice I could have had when I began because this field really started me, not the other way around. It was not my chosen field, but it turned out to be the field I truly love!

Can you recall any interesting moments from your nonprofit career?

I had the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. That was both interesting and amazing. Walking the aisles of Congress, meeting with senators and members of the House, talking to them about asthma, and the need for generic inhalers and more funding for programs was interesting and rewarding. I met with both New Jersey senators and several members of the House, all of which had a family member or close friend with asthma. I met Congressman Patrick Kennedy (who has asthma) and informed him of the change in the formulation of inhalers. His face lit up as he learned why he suspected there was a difference in his own inhaler.

How does your salary compare to nonprofit salaries? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey.

For more information:

• Sample Job Description - Nonprofit Program Manager or Administrator
• Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers
• List of Program Manager Jobs in the Private sector
• What to Expect from Nonprofit Jobs - New York Times
• Research Nonprofit Salaries by Years of Experience

Nursing Jobs: Neonatal Nursing Career

Name: Donna
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Where: Loris, SC
Employer: Not Given
Years of Experience: 9
Education: Brunswick Community College: Diploma; Neonatal resuscitation program instructor
Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for the median LPN salary range.

Neonatal Nursing Career

Donna has a passion for labor. No, not construction work, but the hardest labor of all, delivering a baby. Though most of the work is done by the mother, Donna shows that it’s definitely a team effort. She shares her newborn nursery nurse resume and describes some personal experiences from her neonatal nursing career. In this labor and delivery nurse article you will also find out what steps are taken to prepare for a delivery all the way to discharge of the newborn, and read about the challenges of the average neonatal nurse. If you are prepared to learn how to care for people during a tornado, then read on.

Neonatal Nurse Job Description

I'm a level 1 newborn nursery nurse. I'm in charge of taking care of the infants in our facility during my shift. I also attend all vaginal and C-section deliveries and assist in labor and delivery by hooking up laboring patients to monitors, starting IV's, assisting with getting patients ready for C-sections, and assisting on the postpartum floor with general patient care. Part of my job is to assist doctors with circumcisions, lumbar punctures, and umbilical catheterizations. I then enter all orders into the database. Sometimes I attend infants on phototherapy, maintain their IV fluids, oxygen needs, and conduct hearing screens on infants prior to discharge. I'm one of four neonatal resuscitation program instructors at my facility. I keep staff up to date on the latest Nurse Refresher Program (NRP) updates and procedures. Patient education is also an important part of my job.

What were your steps toward a nursing career?

I started out working as a nursing assistant at the age of 18 on Long Island, N.Y. I moved to North Carolina in 1995 and started working at Loris Community Hospital as a certified nursing assistant. I decided to go back to school after assisting the nurses with a lot of their procedures. The nurses I worked with were so encouraging and helpful. They were all great inspirations.

What do you like about being a neonatal nurse?

I love the staff I work with. We function as a team instead of individuals. We assist each other with everything we do. Recently we had a 28 week gestation baby deliver at our hospital in May. The baby weighed two pounds and measured 16 inches. We had to implement CPR upon delivery. The baby took a while to respond and even then its breath was very labored, as expected. We incubated baby, started IV fluids, and then transported him to our NICU, which is in another town. Last week we received a surprise visit from the baby and his parents. They came to thank us for all we had done. He is now a healthy, ten pound baby boy with no residual effects.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your nursing career?

We are constantly short of knowledgeable staff, which can be a major challenge. Most of the nurses that assist us are from other areas of the hospital and they may have some fears about assisting on the OB/GYN/NB Nursery/L&D (obstetrician/gynecologist/new born Nursery/labor & delivery). Sometimes we don’t have enough supplies and equipment to work with. Also, many times there is not a manager around to back you in difficult situations. One last thing to consider is that nurses often find themselves working long hours and extra days without thanks from others.

Can you recall any crazy moments from your neonatal nursing career?

One time I worked two and a half shifts in a row. We had delivery after delivery after delivery. All of our labor rooms were full. We had one girl on a stretcher and another in a wheel chair in the hallway both in labor. Yes, as you might have guessed, the girl in the wheel chair delivered first. I wish I’d had a camera to record that delivery. One nurse was tilting the chair back while two assistants held the patient’s legs in position. We got the job done, though.

Another interesting time: about four years ago we had a tornado touch down. The tornado wiped out the emergency generator that regulates our section of the hospital so we had no power for our floor. We had to walk around the hospital and attend patients with flash lights. We got the work done, though. Now we know how Florence Nightingale really felt as she carried her lamp through the dark hospital visiting wounded British soldiers.

How does your salary compare to an LPN salary? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey.

More Nursing Salaries: 

• RN Salary Data
• Median CRNA Salary
• Nurse Practitioner Salaries
• Nurse Assistant's Salary
• LPN Salaries by Hospital Setting

What is the Job Description of a Technical Writer?

Name: Tricia Sullivan
Job Title: Senior Tech Writer
Where: St. Petersburg, FL
Employer: Raymond James
Years of Experience: 30
Education: Downers Grove High School College of DuPage - Journalism
Salary: Use the PayScale Research Center to find median technical writer salaries.

Sr. Technical Writer Career

Tricia Sullivan not only shatters the stereotype of boring technical writer jobs - she makes them sound interesting and fun. In fact, when you read the, “What is the job description of a technical writer” section, you may find out that you've been working as a technical writer all along, just not getting paid for it.

In this Salary Story, Tricia explains the difference between technical writing and other forms of writing. You’ll get answers to questions like, “What are the different types of technical writing?” and “How did she find technical writer jobs?” Most importantly, she offers the inside scoop on dealing with clients and project proposals in technical writing. We hope you enjoy learning about this exciting career just as much as we did.

What is the job description of a technical writer?

I work with the business analyst and product managers in setting up user focus groups to better understand what the users need and want in terms of applications and documentation. Then, once a project is undertaken, I accompany the BA in the collection of requirements and visit with the users to understand how they do the job currently. Once the requirements for a project are collected and signed off on, I work with the business analyst to design and define the screens and reports. We work together to make sure the fields flow in the right sequence, that the field labels are clear and easily understood, and that any onscreen text or embedded help text is clear and concise. At each iteration of the screen design, we involve the subject matter expert, who represents the users, so that we can make sure that all of their needs and concerns are met. I then take the screen mock-ups and use cases and develop the documentation. This can be one document or many. My team creates many different types of user documentation (how-to guides, quick references, quick cards, or cheat sheets). Near implementation for the project, I work on product announcements, marketing brochures, adverts, newsletter articles, and marketing specifications. I also work with the stand-up training staff to put together class materials, CBTs, demos, and other training materials. When not working on projects, I do research into usability and give presentations to my team and other development groups (the business analyst team, the software engineering team, product managers, etc.). I also develop forms or web pages for different business units, produce marketing pieces, brochures, or newsletter articles for both internal and external newsletters. I am also the primary photographer for the newsletters. I take photos of different events, such as the Fall Carnival - an annual event of different games and events. The pie-eating contest and the dunk-your-manager challenge are two of the biggest draws, and we usually have slide shows at the fall team meeting depicting these events. I also mentor some of the junior writers, manage multiple projects, and edit two newsletters, while functioning as the team's information designer.

What were your steps toward a technical writing career?

I went to a party at the university with my husband, and it was there that I found my new career. My husband's professor casually asked me what I did for a living, and when I described my job, he said, "Oh, so you're a tech-writer!" I looked at him blankly, not knowing what he meant. What was a tech-writer? I'd never heard of such a thing. Seeing my blank look, he explained what tech-writers and procedural writers did and how it was a growing profession. It was then that I realized that I had been doing a tech-writer's job, but under the guise of administrative assistant and earning the pay of an administrative assistant. After the party, I started scanning the want ads under IT professionals and was amazed at the number of job openings I saw for tech-writers and procedural writers. It had been there all along, and I had never seen it. Although I spoke with my current employer about a title change and perhaps a pay increase, they were happy getting my services for the hourly wage that they had been paying me and could see no reason to move me to a salaried position or even change my title. So, that afternoon, I started creating a resume outlining all the tasks and responsibilities I had performed. Within a week of sending my resume out to a half dozen of the ads, I had three job offers - one for procedural writer and two for technical writer. They all paid about 30 percent more than what I had been making, and they were all for large companies in the Loop. After discussing my options with my husband, I jumped to a new company and happily began my new career as an official tech-writer.

What do you like about being a senior technical writer?

I love the creativity that's possible. I just spent the past year redesigning some of our company's deliverables. I got to do the usability and information design research; then present the information to the team. After that I and two others from my team set up several focus groups comprised of users and product managers to determine what worked and what didn't. We pulled together the results and came out with some sample documents, which we then presented to users at different client sites. We asked them to try the documents for a month or so and let us know their likes and dislikes. This led to another round of creative strategy as we had to make modifications not only in the design of the deliverables, but also in the delivery type of some of them. After several rounds of testing and redesigning, we got our deliverables approved and are now using them. The product managers love them. The team loves them. But best of all, the users love them. They love the fact that they were included, they love the new look, and most of all, they love how easy the new documentation is to use. We are now working on redesigning the training materials, and again, I'm looking forward to the research and creativity in finding new and better delivery methods for the training. I hope the users will be as helpful as they were before.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your technical writing career?

One of the biggest challenges for me are the users/clients. They usually aren't sure what they want. They want some documentation, but don't know if they want online help, a quick reference, a full how-to guide (which includes the business processes), a quick card, etc. Trying to determine what type of deliverable would work best for the users, plus the format in which the deliverable should be delivered (paper, electronic (PDF, web, CBT, etc.) can sometimes feel like pulling teeth when trying to get the users to make a choice. I usually have to make the choice for them, and then convince them that what I've chosen is their idea. While it's a challenge to get the users to decide what they want, for me, it's also fun. I like putting together samples and ideas and showing them to the clients. I love to see their faces light up when they see some of their ideas become real, or to see their reaction to something they had never thought about. Being a tech-writer is more than just words, it's also being creative and imaginative and being able to come up with different presentation ideas. It might be as simple as adding a bit of color to a how-to guide, or as complex as coming up with a logo or cover. Either way, it can be fun or a chore - it's your choice. The next biggest challenge I usually face is the ever-moving deadline. First, they'll tell you that you have six weeks, and then the next thing you know they've moved the deadline and it's the end of this week. I try to keep my personal plans flexible because I can't always guarantee that I won't have a deadline move on me. Luckily for me, my husband is okay with this, and it always keeps our life exciting because we never know what our users will bring to our lives.

Can you recall any amusing moments from your technical writing jobs?

One of the first jobs I had was for a radio and cellular company in Chicago. On a Friday I was told we were going on a photo shoot the following Monday. I was all excited. In my mind, I was seeing models and fancy sets. Come Monday, I showed up wearing one of my most fashionable outfits (not wanting to be outdone by all the models I was expecting) only to find that the "model" was a van outfitted with some of the latest in cellular tower testing equipment. We took the van out to tower in the countryside, and proceeded to photograph it from every angle, inside and out. Not exactly the glamorous photo shoot I had in mind, but it turned out to be a fun experience, even so.

One of my later jobs was working at a large pharmaceutical company. I was nervous as heck but really wanted the job. When I got to the interview, the gentlemen asked me a few desultory questions, but seemed distracted. I answered, then waited. Finally, he looked up at me and said that he didn't really know what to ask me. He'd never hired a tech-writer before, but the clients wanted some user documentation. Without missing a beat, I jumped right in and told him that I would give him a list of questions to ask the other contenders for the job. So, I fed him the questions, and then answered my own questions. We spoke for about an hour, laughing and enjoying the whole interview process. (I admit it was one of the few times I didn't mind being interviewed for a job.) When we finished, he thanked me for coming and for providing him with some interview questions. I drove home second-guessing myself as to whether I had done right by giving him questions to ask other tech-writers. Finally, I decided that there wasn't anything I could do to change it, and let it go. The next morning I got a call from the man at the pharmaceutical company and he said that he couldn't see the point in talking to the other candidates. After all, I seemed to know what I was doing, and could I just come back up there and meet with the clients and get their requirements. I started that job the next day, and he and I worked together for six years building a team of writers as we went along. By the time I left he knew quite a lot about tech-writers and became quite adept at interviewing them.

Do you have any advice for those interested in a technical writing career?

Be flexible. Granted, when I started out the field was new and we were expected to do many things besides just write technical copy, but even now I find that the more flexible I am, the better I can serve my clients. Most clients think they know what they want, but trust me, they don't. You have to be able to bend like a tree to accommodate their ever-changing needs and wants, and you have to be able to adjust to moving deadlines. Be creative and imaginative. Because the users aren't always sure what they want, you need to be able to read their minds and come up with ideas that spark their interest and convey the message(s) that they're trying to get across. Sometimes they need you to be a graphic artist, and other times they need you to simply take their dry, overly-technical copy and turn it into something interesting and provocative - something that tells their users how wonderful this new application is. You need to be able to see through their eyes, and find creative and unique ways to present information. Love words. If you don't like words or writing, then you won't like this job. And if you don't like the job, the clients will be able to tell. One of my favorite pastimes has always been writing - short stories (blogs now), poems, research papers, and white papers. This job is just an extension of what I love doing anyway.

Want to know more?

•    Salary Stories – A Writer’s Salary: Technical Writing Careers
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How to Be a Good Human Resources Manager

Name:Carol L. Kardas
Job Title:President, KardasLarson, LLC
Where: Hartford, CT
Employer:KardasLarson, LLC, Human Resource Solutions
Years of Experience: 8 years
Education: Marymount College/Fordam University, BS Psychology. SPHR - Senior Professional in Human Resources, CCP - Certified Compensation Professional
Salary:See PayScale's Research Center for the Average Salary for an HR Manager.

HR Manager Career

You are about to read the story of a person who truly loves her job. There are many companies hiring for HR managers, but Carol decided to take a different route. Her resume is unique compared to the normal resume of HR managers. She has found a human resources niche and, if you already understand the administrative duties of an HR manager, her route may be the perfect road for you. In this Salary Story, Carol gives helpful advice on how to find success as an independent HR manager, and shares her passion for the career. Overall, she provides the great example of how to be a good human resources manager.

HR Manager Job Description

Carol: I am an independent contractor with a portfolio career as the human resource person for five companies. Additionally, I provide career counseling to displaced workers to help them find a new career. I also provide compensation services to not-for-profit agencies and create compensation programs for their organizations. I teach HR at a local college for other individuals who want to become certified as an SPHR or PHR. I have been able to take all the things that I love to do and put them into one interesting career. I never thought that I would be an entrepreneur.

What were your steps toward an HR Manager career?

Carol: After being laid off from my dream job, I was paralyzed. Having lunch with a friend one day, I was explaining how I was helping others in HR, but not being paid. She said to me, "Wake up, you are in business." I started my own company and now have retained clients, special projects and actually have found a way to "give back" to others. My business grew so fast that I took on a partner five years ago and will be adding another soon. My first client was actually an interview for a full time position. Realizing that the company was in a downturn, I suggested that they not hire me, but that they couldn't afford not to utilize my services. They agreed and so it began. That was eight years ago. From there, they have referred me to two other businesses. As a presenter at state-wide not-for-profit organizations, I have been able to grow my business having a specialty in compensation for the not-for-profit companies. My name is my brand.

What do you like or dislike about being an HR Manager?

Carol: I love having the flexibility of managing HR for a number of companies that keeps me current in my field. The fact that I name my hours and provide service to clients who could not otherwise afford to have an HR person in their business is a win-win proposition.

The biggest challenge is that I am now responsible for all the business matters: taxes, paying bills, billing companies, and all the other things that come along with running a business. It took some time to adjust to this since I was used to having a secretary take care of all of this. However, there are ways around this. Understanding that my time was worth more actually doing what I liked rather than the financial aspects, made me decide to hire someone to do this. The second challenge was keeping every client straight. With five of them, I needed to remember who was who and which policies applied to whom.

Can you recall any amusing moments from your HR Manager career?

Carol: A life in human resources is never dull. You never can plan a day. Every decision you make affects someone's life. HR people are either disliked or well-liked. There is no in-between. The craziest thing that happened to me was during an interview process. I asked to take the candidate's coat and she said, "Oh no, I don't give my coat to anyone, and don't ask for my hat." She clearly was nervous. Halfway through the interview, she suddenly was short of breath and the next thing I knew, I was riding in an ambulance to the hospital and trying to contact her family. I was also asked by a client to see if I could train his goldfish to all swim in the same direction. There are many more stories like this.

Do you have any advice for those interested in an HR Manager career?

Carol: Anyone can become their own boss. You do need to have a clear vision of what services you offer and try not to be all things to all people. I tried to do all pieces of HR for whoever asked. Choose a niche for yourself and get known for that niche. Also, understand how to charge for your time. I really undercharged my time on my first assignment and became very smart about it very quickly. Lastly, you need support from others. I actually joined a group of other entrepreneurial women. We meet once a month and share marketing tips, fee structures, financial help, etc. We don't compete with each other, but are allies for each other.

Interested in Learning More?

• Expert tips for How to get a Job in Human Resources
• Research salaries from our Human Resources Manager Wage Survey
• How to become a good human resources manager: HR Articles from Compensation Today
• Check out PayScale’s Free Human Resources PowerPoint Lectures and Webinars

Hotel Careers: Hotel Manager Salary

Name: Alissa 
Job Title: Hotel Property Manager
Where: Jasper, Alabama
Years of Experience: 3
Other Relevant Work Experience: Desk Clerk
Education: West Limestone High School graduate
Salary: Use PayScale’s Research Center to find the median hotel manager salary.

Hotel Careers: Hotel Manager Salary

“I clean anything that needs to be cleaned, fix anything that needs to be fixed, and I work non-stop from 8:00am until 11:00pm.” Managing a hotel is a tough job, but the reward of helping a diverse group of guests, and their kind words of appreciation, help offset long hours and often thankless work. In this Salary Story, Alabama-based Hotel Manager Alissa shares an inside look at how challenging hotel careers can be. Learn why the most important qualifications to be a hotel manager might just be determination and a willingness to work 15-hour days. 

PayScale: What is the job description of a hotel manager?

Alissa: Hands-on running of the hotel, working first and second shift on the desk while doing laundry and attempting to make sure everyone is doing what needs to be done. The hotel manager is responsible if housekeepers do not do a good enough job in the least amount of time un-humanly possible. The manager is responsible if not enough rooms are sold daily or if things aren't in perfect condition. I have to report to the owners every little detail three times a day and I have reports that have to be filled out and e-mailed to them every day with the same information that I called them with. I am expected to do all of this while maintaining a clean and inviting area so as to not, by any means, have a paying guest walk out or decide to stay elsewhere. I clean anything that needs to be cleaned, fix anything that needs to be fixed, and I work non-stop from 8:00am until 11:00pm. I pretty much am expected to work every waking moment and that still seems to not be good enough.

PayScale: How did you begin your hotel manager career?

Alissa: I thought I would be able to prove to others that I am good for something. 

PayScale: What do you love about your hotel career?

Alissa: I absolutely love working with the public and meeting their needs. I love the people I meet. I love the feeling of success when a guest commends me on the good work I am doing.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges you face as a hotel manager?

Alissa: Everything! The fact that I work and only work all day every day is a huge toll on my physical and emotional well-being.

PayScale: What advice can you offer to someone in your field?

Alissa: Make sure that you aren't getting into a situation that is good for the owners yet horrific for you. Make sure the money is good and the hours are at least somewhat decent. Do not get stuck in a place that eliminates your whole social and family life!

PayScale: What are some interesting moments that you’ve experienced as a hotel manager?

Alissa: You see some REALLY off the wall things in a hotel....

How does your salary compare to a hotel manager salary? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey. 

• How Much do Hotel General Managers Make? 
• Hotel Management Job Descriptions
• Qualifications to be a Hotel Manager 
• Questions about Salary? - Ask Dr. Salary

Secretarial Careers: Administrative Assistant Profile

Name: Farieda 
Job Title: Secretary and Personal Assistant to the CEO
Where: KLG Architects, Rondebosch, SC, South Africa
Years of Experience: 14
Other Relevant Work Experience: I worked for eight years at Megalo Distributing Agency and managed the fort. I was also the sales rep and got La Vie Mineral Water and Pepsi in Pick N Pay and five top hotels in Cape Town. I then worked for Seeff Properties and managed six agents’ portfolios.
Education: Pat Kelly Bible College, Eschatology Degree; Modderdam Senior High School diploma. I’ve taken 18 computer courses plus training in bookkeeping and typing. I went to seminars presented by Dr. Brian Jude on how to answer a telephone. I learned that the receiver can “hear” your smile when you actually smile before answering the phone. I learned always to be polite no matter how you might feel. 
Salary: Use PayScale’s Research Center to find the median Administrative Assistant Salary or Executive Secretary Hourly Wages. 

Secretarial Careers: Administrative Assistant Profile

“I am alive and love every minute of being alive and live it to the fullest!”  Farieda’s exuberance, love of challenge, diverse work responsibilities, and wonderful boss have made her secretarial career an emotionally rewarding one.  Learn how her positive attitude, love of learning, and fulfillment of a life long dream are grounded in determination, attention to detail, and loyalty.

PayScale: What is your administrative assistant job description?

Farieda: I love the kind of work I do. I manage the office staff and petty cash. I manage the boss' diary and schedule appointments, etc. I work Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 5:00. I answer and screen telephone calls and direct the calls to individual architects. I type meeting minutes, memo’s portfolios, and the updates of new job numbers. I execute cheques for scrutiny fees and for payments for drawings. I contact owners and clients and set up meetings for individual jobs. I worked on a database since 2006 to get all of the old work and check if they might want extensions or alterations. I do payment certificates, practical completion and final completion certificates.

We are a small group of people at the office but the work load can become hectic as we work with big projects like Northlink Colleges, West Coast Colleges as well as CPUT. In between, we are doing extensions of houses as well as plotting and planning new houses on bought ERFs. Things happen so fast. The phones ring, three bosses talk at the same time to set their appointments, and that is why I type everything for the day on a sheet and collectively work my way through the day. In order to manage the architects’ schedules, I have to be at work every day. When the big boss is on leave overseas, then I take leave to take a breather at the same time. I also work on a debtors list. Before I ask for money, I have a conversation with the debtor. You have to be proactive in this kind of job.

I am grateful that I have a "memory of an elephant” to remember all the names of places and people. It sounds very professional when a client calls and you remember their name and surname. I always add a “last conversation” to their file such as, “the granny passed away” or, “the dog was sick;” when you sound like you are interested in their well being, you have a client for life. I am alive and love every minute of being alive and live it to the fullest!

PayScale: How did you begin your career as a secretary/administrative assistant?

Farieda: I watched a lot of TV when I was small and I always saw secretaries in their suits, beautifully pinned up hair and high heel shoes answering phone calls. I promised myself that one day, when I am big, I want to be like that. I wanted to become a teacher at first but when I saw the boys making faces behind the teachers’ backs, I decided to become a doctor. My marks in math in high school were bad and I got into Nico Malan Nursing but decided to work to help my family. I always wanted to be better than the ladies I saw on our road. They were either drunk or some of them looked like they had given up hope. I was determined to make a success of my life. I started off at a fisheries company and I stunk of fish every night. I had a goal in mind: to one day sit behind a desk and call the shots and dress smart. I now smell like panache every day as I made a choice to be different.

PayScale: What do you love about your administrative assistant job?

Farieda: Particularly during this recession time, I hear about receptionists that were retrenched or the company closed down. I am thankful to God that I still have a “good job.” I have a wonderful boss, Geoff George. He is polite, friendly, and very human. He has compassion. What stood out for me was the day that a valuable client called. She was a little upset that Geoff never came to measure her place. Eventually, the plans were approved and the day she came in to the office to pay, Geoff told her it was fine. He told me her husband is very ill and the extension was to have a bed and breakfast at their house as an income. How could he charge her? Was that not wonderful? I was so proud of him. When my kids sang Tygerberg Eistedfod and were in the ATKV choir competitions, I really appreciated Geoff when he insisted that I go with my children for the finals in Johannesburg for a week. When they won, I was a proud mom and still had my job. I came to work on one of these public holidays recently to type a letter that I know Geoff wanted to go out. I got to work and almost left again, but then he pitched in and we sent the letter. He was so thankful that I sacrificed my day. That is what secretaries are there for.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges you face as an administrative assistant?

Farieda: To be able to remember the appointments you set for your bosses. I was very down when I forgot to remind Geoff to leave for a meeting and he ended up there late. He was cheesed off with me and said it was my responsibility to remind him. I will never forget that and I can be a pain. I stand in his office, with his cell phone, his car keys, and the meeting minutes in my hands, and nag him to leave for his meeting. I literally push him out the front door. I would like the challenge of doing the books for the company. I feel I can do it and why should we pay an accountant extra whereas we can invest that money in new projects for our community?

PayScale: What advice can you offer to someone in your field?

Farieda: My advice would be to be diligent, to be honest, and to be dynamite. Talk is cheap. I am sure that when I came for my third interview at KLG, they must have thought that I am a big talker. But I am more than that, I am a doer! I reach my goals because I am determined to make them happen. I never procrastinate. I am sometimes a few minutes late for work due to traffic, which is bad.

I am glad that there was no one to advise me about this kind of career. The things I say here are already a mouthful and I was thrown in the deep end. I can only advise that you mingle with mature people and get as much information and work (voluntarily) as you can. Go to companies and stand in front of their door everyday until they give you a job. If the job is in the tea room, become the best tea lady. Or, the very best floor cleaner or the most excellent receptionist. Then, climb the ladder to company secretary. All things are possible if you really want it. If it comes your way, grab it!

PayScale: What are some interesting moments that you’ve experienced as an executive assistant?

Farieda: The craziest thing is that I never stop until I am satisfied. I have also found I am not satisfied with a little; I want a lot. I am healthy, I have a brain, and I have the inner beauty, so what will stop me? Nothing! I love to be challenged and for me it is to study. You never know enough. I want to do a CIS course at law school to become a company secretary. But, at the moment, I can not afford it. Even if I do these courses, that does not mean I will leave my company. I am loyal to Geoff and KLG staff and the best part is that I am happy at work. You can earn much more money elsewhere, but does that determine that you will be happy? I got life abundantly!

How does your salary compare to an administrative assistant salary? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey. 

• Medical Receptionist Salaries 
• Legal Secretary Salaries
• Administrative Assistant Salaries by City
• Questions about Salary? - Ask Dr. Salary

Nurse Practitioner Salaries

Name: Cheryl Cole 
Job Title: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Where: Private OB/GYN Office, Port Arthur, Texas
Years of Experience: 5.5
Other Relevant Work Experience: Nursing Educator for 13 years, Labor and Delivery Nurse for 20 years and a Childbirth Educator for many years.
Education: 2004, HSC-MSN Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Track, UT Houston; 1995, BSN, University of the State of New York, Regents College; 1984, ADN, Lamar University
Salary: Use PayScale’s Research Center to find the median Nurse Practitioner Salary. 

Nurse Practitioner Salaries

After working with pregnant women for more than 20 years, Cheryl wanted to combine her passions for women's health and nursing, and take her career to the next level. As a nurse practitioner, Cheryl now educates women about women’s gynecological health issues and works with women of all ages in a clinical setting. In this Salary Story, she talks about the wide variety in her daily work and how her diagnoses have changed patients’ lives. She describes her nurse practitioner job description and shares tips on getting started in the field, including a five-year plan strategy that could make or break a job interview. 

PayScale: What is the job description of a women's health nurse practitioner?

Cheryl: I assess and manage post-menopausal women for possible hormone replacement therapy. I also assess antepartum patients and postpartum patients, provide contraceptive counseling and management in addition to insertion of Implanon and IUD's. I do endometrial biopsies for abnormal uterine bleeding, STD assessment and management. I diagnose and treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).I review labs and follow through with treatment as needed or refer to the provider I work with or providers outside of the practice. I teach about everything dealing with women's health, including decreased libido to postpartum depression. The only things I have not done, but have taken courses for, are Colposcopy and Ultrasounds.

PayScale: How did you begin your career as a women's health nurse practitioner?

Cheryl: I loved women's health, and after being a labor and delivery nurse for years and teaching vocational nursing, I felt there was much more that I was called to do. I wanted to educate women about their reproductive health. I also wanted to enjoy the clinical aspects of obstetrics and gynecology in a different setting, and at some point to publish articles related to women's health issues. Becoming a women's health nurse practitioner seemed the only logical road for me to pursue.

PayScale: What do you love about your job as a nurse practitioner?

Cheryl: I love working with adolescents and teaching them how to be healthy young ladies and how to protect themselves from becoming an STD statistic. I love working with the pre-menopausal, recently divorced women and teaching them how not to become an STD statistic as they reenter the dating scene. I love assessing and managing women with post-menopausal symptoms and helping them to continue to feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally. I love writing articles to inform my colleagues about the things I find in practice that may help them assess women more efficiently. I love the technical end of being a women's health practitioner; I like putting in the IUDs and diagnosing chronic interstitial cystitis (IC) in women who have had the symptoms for years. Then, I diagnose IC and watch them become new women because they are able to drive ninety miles and not stop four times during the trip. And I also love speaking to the public, whether it is a church group, a youth group or a women's group of some type, on issues that affect women. So, I love every aspect of my job. I have never been so happy to wake up and get to a job before. Each day is different and offers enough diversity to keep me happy.

One short story that really encourages me is about a young woman who was in her 40's and had been having an abnormal vaginal discharge since she was a teenager. She had been to many providers over the years. Some told her the discharge was normal for her, some told her she had chronic bacterial vaginosis (BV) but none could make the problem go away. Well, when I did her exam I knew the discharge was bacterial but I took a closer look at her cervix and I could see old scarring from what I thought was genital herpes so I suggested testing. She said, "I have been tested every year, and everyone says there is nothing there." I convinced her to allow me to do an antigen specific herpes type II test and it came back positive. She was devastated with the news and the thought that she may have exposed other partners during the years she was dating, but so grateful to have someone confirm that something was really there like she initially had thought years ago. Now she is on suppressive therapy, educated on genital herpes and knows life goes on. Her bouts with BV are few and far between and she knows now that when she has an abnormal vaginal discharge, it most likely is a flare-up on her cervix of the genital herpes. And it makes me proud to know I look beyond what the norm is when assessing problems with my patients.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges you face as a women's health nurse practitioner?

Cheryl: The biggest challenge is to find a wonderful physician and staff to work with. I have been truly blessed to have fallen into an office setting where the staff works well with me, my boss loves working with me, and my boss allowed me the autonomy I needed to get comfortable in my new role as a nurse practitioner. Many of my colleagues have had troubles with the staff not working well with them or the office manager not working well with them. Also, having a physician that either over-worked them for almost the same pay they made as an RN or they paid well but the patient load was such that they could not do the preventive teaching we were trained to give and are accustomed to giving, or the personalities clashed.

I am so glad that one of my professors encouraged us to share our five-year plan with a potential employer during the job interview. This way, you know if your goals and theirs are on the same page. I was very fortunate that my employer was in agreement with everything from salary to personal and professional goals. And all the goals matched what she wanted her clients to enjoy in her office. That’s how we went from having 4,000 patients when I started to 8,000 patients more than five years later. We have only had two employees leave and they left because they retired or they moved out of the area.

PayScale: What advice can you offer to someone in your field?

Cheryl: I would suggest doing a preceptorship in an office you would love to work in. In doing so, once your internship is over, you may have found your dream job. The provider now knows how you work and you have also learned the dynamics of the office and know if you would fit in that setting.

PayScale: What are some interesting moments that you’ve experienced as a nurse practitioner?

Cheryl: I have built rapport with women of every possible ethnicity and social background. I have become a very well-liked and respected nurse practitioner in my community. I have not had to settle for doing only one facet of being an NP and I have written two women's health articles in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners since being here.

How does your salary compare to a nurse practitioner salary? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey. 

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Salary for an Ambulatory Patient Care Coordinator

Name: Julie
Job Title: Ambulatory Patient Care Coordinator
Where: University Medical Center of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
Years of Experience: 26
Other Relevant Work Experience: Assistant Director of Nursing, Nursing Supervisor, Charge and Staff Nurse. ER, urgent care, oncology, medical, surgical, GYN, many others. ACLS, BCLS, PALS
Education: Adelphi University, BSN, 1983; ACLS, BCLS, PALS, ATLS trained, battlefield nursing, FEMA certificates of training, many others.
Salary: See PayScale’s Research Center for median salaries in ambulatory care. 

Ambulatory Patient Care Coordinator Salary

With 26 years of nursing and medical experience to back her up, Julie decided to take the next step in her career. As ambulatory patient care coordinator, Julie has put her extensive knowledge to use, educating other nurses, improving hospital policies, conducting peer reviews and managing numerous other tasks. In this Salary Story, she explains how she reaches ambulatory department goals, improves the system, and thrives in a challenging position.

PayScale: What is the job description of an ambulatory patient care coordinator?

Julie: I coordinate nursing education, nurse and physician peer reviews, quality improvement studies, statistics, patient complaints and praises, emergency management, infection control for the division, inspections, the hospital intranet and anything else that comes up. This is for 22 clinics that include urgent, primary, pediatric, adult, AIDS/HIV, women’s centers, and outpatient clinics.

PayScale: How did you begin your career as an ambulatory patient care coordinator?

Julie: Actually somebody was let go from the position and the director asked me to step in until someone was permanently hired. I ended up liking the job, applied and got it. This job is big on problem-solving and there is a lot of in-depth computer work. I love computers and have always been the first person to jump in to solve a computer problem that arises. To me, it's like a game to beat the problem. It is also a very autonomous position, which allows me to be creative. I have made many changes, and they all seem to be appreciated.

PayScale: What do you love about your job as an ambulatory patient care coordinator?

Julie: I love the genuine, caring people I work closely with. We have had many tragedies in our personal lives over the past year, like deaths of spouses or parents as well as surgeries and major illnesses. This is between the main four or five people I work with. All of us have been there for each other in any way we were needed. This is why I became a nurse, to help people, and all of these people feel the same way. We are there personally and professionally in any way to help each other get through. This is what makes it worth staying at a job.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges you face as an ambulatory patient care coordinator?

Julie: I am the program coordinator of 22 clinics that are all in different locations, including the main hospital.This makes communication a real challenge, especially with the main hospital. I have been working to find a connection between our clinics and the hospital because we are very often forgotten, or left out, causing us to not be on the same page in very important ways. We have a hospital intranet with an e-mail system, but communication problems continue and are the greatest cause of frustration for me.

PayScale: What advice can you offer to someone in your field?

Julie: You need a lot of experience as a medical professional in many different areas to do this job. You have to not be afraid of computers, making decisions, or working independently. You should be comfortable with communicating with physicians, administrators, etc. People look to you for answers, so you need to be confident enough to supply the correct information, or to figure out where to find it. This can be a very satisfying job because I have been able to take my 26 years of nursing and the huge range of experiences I have had and apply all of it in a constructive way. This job is for someone who has been around the "block" or "nurses station" a few times. It's not for a rookie.

PayScale: Could you tell us about some interesting moments that you’ve experienced during your career as an ambulatory patient care coordinator?

Julie: I have finally been able to influence the administration, physicians and many other hospital areas that I never thought would listen. You could go in so many directions with this job and make it as interesting as you like.

I have gotten into emergency management because of my military experience and worked with the county in case of a widespread pandemic or other event. All agencies met and had a drill, including the fire and police departments, all of the hospitals in the area, and the nearby military base. It was an excellent experience.

How does your salary compare? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full Salary Survey. 

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Rehabilitative Engineering: Assistive Devices to Make Life Simpler

Name: Tom Rybak
Job Title: Rehabilitation Engineer
Where: Richmond, VA
Employer: Dept. of Rehabilitative Services, Commonwealth of Virginia
Years of Experience: 15
Education: BFA-Painting, Washington University, St. Louis, MO; MFA-Painting, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Relevant Experience: Exhibits Fabricator, Science Museum of VA; Cabinetmaker, various shops
Annual Salary: Find average salaries with PayScale's Research Center.

 

Becoming a Rehabilitation Engineer

If you want to combine compassion with science to help people with disabilities, consider a career in rehabilitative engineering. This versatile career uses both sides of your brain: the creative and mathematical.

Tom Rybak's art school background and knowledge of mechanical engineering helped him choose this unique career path.  In this Salary Story, Tom Rybak discusses the challenges he faced in becoming a rehabilitation engineer, and what he loves most about his job. Tom’s inspiring career helps make life simpler for people with disabilities by providing them with devices that give them greater independence and quality of life.

Job Description of a Rehabilitation Engineer

I build custom assistive devices to make life simpler for people with disabilities. The assistive devices help them perform employment related tasks as well as other individual daily living tasks, which in turn gives them greater independence.

When I build assistive devices, I start by researching existing products to see if something is available off-the-shelf. Often there is something that is partly useful, but it might need modification to work for a specific individual because of the nature of their disability or the types of duties required for their job. Sometimes we have to make a device from scratch. My modifications include things like modifying switches, putting buttons on electronic devices for easier access, and building stands to hold items where they can be reached by someone in a wheelchair, or from their bed because they have a limited range of motion. I also do things like adjust or fabricate computer workstations for better ergonomics, and add steps to tractors for farmers with arthritis in their legs.

Sometimes I make recommendations for home and work site architectural models so that they meet ADA requirements. For this I work with contractors who perform work by obtaining bids. I provide oversight and final inspection of their work. Sometimes I also conduct workshops and training sessions to share my experiences with those in and outside of our agency.

PayScale: What experience preceded you in becoming a rehabilitation engineer?
Tom: I went to art school since I wanted to be an artist and planned to teach at a college level. When I got out of school I needed a job but could not find any teaching positions. I worked as a cabinetmaker and carpenter for several years so I could pay my bills. Then a friend told me about an open position in a fabrication shop at the Science Museum that required less than two years of building interactive exhibits, and worked with a combination of materials such as wood, metal, plastic and electro-mechanical components. So I applied and got the job.

Once I got the job, I realized that I could never go back to working in a production line cabinet shop since I loved the variety and creativity needed to solve the problems of each exhibit. Then I found an opening at DRS for a newly created fabricator position and got it. After five years, my supervisor left for a better position and I was able to get my current position, where I have been ever since.

PayScale: What do you love about your job as a rehabilitation engineer?
Tom: I love this job because every day is different. I get to use all of my creative skills to develop solutions that directly help people either keep or get a job and become taxpaying citizens. I have built up our fabrication shop from a couple of toolboxes and power hand tools to a well rounded workshop capable of working with all types of materials: wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and electronics. Nearly every day is different since each person's ability, need, and job is different. I thrive on the challenge of finding the right solution. I like that I get to work with a wide range of clients, family members, and co-workers. Often I work with a team of OT/PT, computer systems specialists, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and contractors to help remove barriers from employment.

PayScale: What are the biggest challenges for those interested in becoming a rehabilitation engineer?
Tom: It takes a long time to build up the skills needed to do this job right. You have to be open minded, flexible, and willing to take chances that will likely flop and leave you back at square one. You need to learn a lot about how things work, know how to build with many materials, research existing products, and reach out to others to obtain needed info on how to solve issues. You need to find solutions quickly to save job opportunities for clients, which is often the most difficult part of this job. You also need to learn basic medical info related to disabilities. If the condition is progressive you must consider how that will play into possible solutions in overcoming barriers.

PayScale: What advice can you offer regarding the qualifications to be a rehabilitation engineer?
Tom: It is a very difficult field since there are so few positions like this. Someone with an engineering background might have some advantages but few engineers are taught to be flexible and creative. Some biomedical engineer programs include rehab engineering, but my experience with several student interns from biomedical engineering is that their ability to perform the basics of my job were very poor. Only one out of five was really helpful to me. The others were more of a burden and got in my way.

Anyone wanting to go into this field should get experience with housing construction, cabinetry, welding, sewing, electronics, ADA guidelines, and be willing to get dirty on occasion. Additional experience working with disabilities and wheelchair repair would also be very useful. Basic medical, psychology, and any creative field experiences are also good.

PayScale: Could you name a few interesting moments in your career as a rehabilitation engineer?
Tom: Every day is different and often crazy. Nothing surprises me anymore.

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Nanny Jobs: How Much Money Does a Nanny Make?

Name: Mary Anne Taylor
Job Title: Professional Nanny
Where: Seattle, WA
Employer: Self-Employed
Years of Experience: 5
Education: Bachelor’s in Child Psychology from the University of Washington
Relevant Experience: Part-time babysitting jobs all through high school and college. I helped take care of my little brother growing up. Received a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and now am taking classes to get my teaching certificate.
Annual Salary: How much money does a nanny make? Use PayScale's Research Center to find out.

Becoming a Child Care Provider

What training is needed to be a nanny? How much money does a nanny make? Exactly what is the job description of a nanny? If you’re thinking of becoming a child care provider, these are all questions you are probably asking yourself. In this Salary Story, professional Nanny Mary Anne Taylor answers these questions and explains why her answers tend to vary depending on who she is working for. Overall, becoming a child care provider can lead to a challenging, versatile career that also helps prepare you to raise your own children.

Becoming an Architect - Average Architect's Salary

Name: Jen Uh
Job Title: Residential Architect and Project Manager
Where:Bellevue, WA
Years of Experience: 6
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies (UW); Master of Architecture (UW)
Salary: Use PayScale’s research center to find the average salary for an architect.

Becoming an Architect - Average Architect's Salary

What skills do architects need? According to Jen Uh, a residential architect and project manager, having a love of both math and art is key for a career in architecture. In this Salary Story, Jen talks about how she fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an architect. Even though the education required to become an architect is lengthy, the work is rewarding and the progress is tangible. Just imagine the satisfaction of standing inside of a house you designed, knowing how much planning and work went into the process.

Careers in Science and Public Health: Health Care Management Salary

Name: Lina Pacelli
Job Title: Coordinator, Health Sciences
Where: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Employer: University of Bridgeport
Years of Experience: 13
Education: Quinnipiac University, double bachelor, BS in Business, BA in History.  MBA with a concentration in Health Care Management, and an additional Graduate Health Care Compliance Certificate.
Annual Salary: Use PayScale's Research Center to find Health Care Management Salaries, and compare Salaries in the Health Care Industry. 

Coordinator of Health Sciences for the University of Bridgeport Lina Pacelli loves her job. In this Salary Story, Lina discusses the educational path she took to become a Health Sciences Coordinator, and the rewards and challenges of careers in science and public health. For those who are also looking for health care management, and health science job opportunities, Lina recommends working at a University, and also in a role that will allow you to get away from your desk for part of the day.

Career of Love as a Professional Parent

Name: Alice Miller
Job Title: Professional Parent
Where: Boomer, NC
Employer: Confidential
Years of Experience: 3
Relevant Experience: Clinical Medical Assistant
Education: Medial Assistant Training - Delaware Technical Wilkes County Community College - H R
Annual Salary: See PayScale’s Reseach Center for Similar Job Titles Salaries in the U.S .

Career of Love as a Professional Parent

Being a parent is sometimes a thank-less job.  It should be a profession.  But the official job title of Professional Parent focuses on children with a medical condition. These caring people come in as an “additional” parent and meets the special needs of their clients.  Alice Miller is one of those caring Professional Parents who can give you a deeper insight into this unique career.

As a professional parent, Alice does a lot for her client – from attending his medical appointments to making sure he keeps his room clean – and maintains detailed regular reports about them and her client’s behavior.  In her own words, she is a “cook, nurse, housekeeper, laundress, counselor, chauffeur, pharmacist and best friend.” But if you read her interview, you will see that she has a heart of gold. Alice loves her client and her career. She truly is a second mom to her patients. Love is essential in this career.