This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

Consider that even though you may be gainfully employed, the numbers of unemployed are staggering. Why did, and do, some people keep their jobs while others have lost their income? Does continuing education account for the difference? And, more importantly, ask yourself, “Could this happen to me? Could I lose my job?”

If you’re questioning which above category you fall into – whether you keep your job or find yourself without a job – either way, one obvious solution is to pursue furthering your education. While numerous industries have taken a hit, there remain fields such as teaching, that will always need more educators.

However, setting yourself apart from the crowd is also an even better idea. This means selecting the best of the best when it comes to getting your Master’s degree.

Of course the challenge of time is a variable most people cannot afford to overlook. However, with the internet, nothing makes it easier to earn a Master of Arts in Education degree then doing so online. Which brings us to the USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program, where you gain the advantage of highly-interactive learning along with field-based experience.

The USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program information is easy to access (just click that link). You’ll find that their accelerated system allows you to complete your Master’s degree in just 12 months. Yes, one year from now and you’ve earned yourself a leading edge degree, and you open up another level, one where teaching positions pay more, sometimes much more.

Earning the AACTE Award for “innovative use of technology in education”, the MAT@USC program is, obviously, highly regarded. And, to make it easier for you personally to attend, they have developed assistance by way of a tuition reimbursement program.

Attaining your Master’s from a university ranked #22 in the country (and #9 in private universities based on a U.S. News and World Report), gaining access to the top USC faculty who are recognized for their contributions in education, and becoming one of the USC Trojan Family Elite are just a few of the many benefits MAT@USC provides its students.

Time and distance no longer matter, not since you can attend your classes online, and work at your own pace from the comfort of your home.

In addition, as a MAT@USC student, you have the identical full status and access to benefits just as those who attend via a campus setting receive. Yes, this includes commencement ceremonies and a lifetime free Alumni Association membership.

Enhance your job security, or switch professions, quickly and easily. Investigate what USC Rossier has to offer.

The other day while visiting and reading a favorite blogger of mine, Lisa had a guest writer post that really struck the right nerve for me. I’m sure it will be true for you, too.

It was another way of looking at success versus failure. Actually, it was much clearer than that – how “Success is not the opposite of failure; it’s merely the other end of the see-saw”.

Succinctly put, without failure, we would never move forward. If life came easily, we would not have to try. Sure we need successes in our lives, but if we cringe at the word “failure” and spend all our time avoiding it, when do we step up to the plate and really give something our all?

The other message writer Brian V. Hunt inspired me with is the thought of how to wake up and approach each day. To, honestly, embrace failure as a friend. He actually has written an entire section on “How to Court Failure”.

Interesting things start to happen when you stop looking at the word from the negative – and no this isn’t some law of attraction post (although it sort of is). My words cannot do justice to the value of reading Brian’s post on Lisa’s blog the other day.

By changing the way we look at success and failure, our family life changes, our business lives change, our friendships change. For me, the affect has been a very positive one, so a big thanks goes to Brian for writing, and Lisa for posting!

My suggestion, and challenge, for you today is to read it, too.

Then be sure to COMMENT and tell me what you think. All the links will open in new windows, so you can return here easily.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of USC. All opinions are 100% mine.

It goes without saying that competition for jobs is getting tougher by the day. Those who choose to can easily earn degrees from home. With a wealth of innovative uses of technology in education, Rossier and the MAT@USC program gives you the flexibility and, best of all convenience, of furthering your education all through studying online.

USC has a 100 year history providing education for teachers. They are an “internationally renowned research institution”. When scouting training online, it is always best to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the school you choose is legitimate. USC’s School of Education sits in the 22nd position nationwide (United States), and is 9th as a private university (statistics courtesy of US News and World Report).

Our son currently takes his classes completely online. For our family, and the state in which we live (Nevada), tightening belts has become the norm. Many families across the country face similar situations. Therefore, combining “highly interactive online learning with field-based experiences in your local area” is one smart move.

If money is a worry, don’t. MAT@USC graduates receive a tuition reimbursement that has been called “groundbreaking”. It is designed specifically for graduates of MAT@USC.

Few opportunities come along where the right balance of convenience, excellence in education, and financial reimbursements blend as well as they do taking courses online through the USC Rossier School of Education’s MAT@USC program.

Enrolling in their program, each person has the identical, complete benefits, and status as if you were on campus. These benefits include commencement ceremonies, along with your very own – and free – lifetime Alumni Association membership.

Explore your options! Discover how to advance in this highly competitive world we now live in. Your chance to “become part of the elite USC Trojan Family” is just a click away.

It’s easy to find out more. Just click program information to find out how easy a qualified degree can be to obtain from a prestigious institution.

Perhaps it’s because it’s “that time of the year” for our household, with a son attaining our local community college, or perhaps my intuition is telling me that many people would appreciate either 1) the information (seen fresh) or 2) a reminder, but during these particularly trying times for many economically, going back to school should be on your radar.

While Nevada’s educational system is nothing to brag about – being 50th in the country is downright shameful from our viewpoint – the fact remains that they do offer Associate programs (and one Bachelors) degrees and certifications. The beauty is many of these courses can be taken directly and completely online.

The benefit to the online course is not only flexibility, but, should money be tight in your family, economical. No gas, no bus tickets, no “extra spending” involved. Just the pursuit of learning.

Which brings me to my purpose for posting today. It’s FAFSA time, and assuming your state has reasonable tuition for its residents, the Pell Grant (in our case) is covering 100% of our son’s pursuit to his (first) Associate’s degree. This means all his credits plus his books (at least here in Nevada) are paid for – and he has the opportunity to advance his learning while not accumulating loans.

If you find yourself and/or family members in a position where pursuing higher education would be most beneficial, be sure to head to FAFSA.ed.gov and get the ball rolling. Cutoff dates for Fall enrollment vary from State to State. Don’t get caught without the potential for assistance with yours or your children’s education.