Monthly Archives: April 2012

The Devil Wears Prada… You Don’t Have To

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Expanding a professional wardrobe isn’t easy. When you’ve been in school for a long time, it is easy to get away with throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt in the morning and running out the door. When you enter the real world, it takes time to choose a professional outfit and it will take some time to build the wardrobe that you’ll be wearing to work. Here are a few tips as you begin this journey:

1. Start Early

You already made the decision to go back to school. Your reasoning behind this decision probably had something to do with wanting to start a professional career when you graduate. This means you already know that you’ll be interviewing when you complete your program, so even if you are in the medical field and might wear scrubs every day, you will still need professional clothes for interviews. 

Start thinking about this early! The earlier you start getting professional pieces together, the easier it will be when you graduate. Even if you can only afford one part of a suit at a time, start setting the pieces aside so you are ready when the first interviewer calls you for an appointment.

Another option is to start setting aside a certain amount of money from each paycheck you might receive. Even if you set aside $20 a check, these numbers will add up when you’ve done it for 18 months or the length of time you were in school. Then, as a nice graduation gift to yourself, you can go out and buy a new suit or professional outfit.

2. Budget!

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to look professional. Select stores that fit your budget, your body style and your age. Whether you can afford to head to Macy’s or Ann Taylor, Gap, JCPenney or Gabe’s, it doesn’t matter…the only thing that matters is that you are wearing professional wear that fits you and your generation.  The key is that you want to promote a professional first image of yourself that employers will remember.

3. Age and Body Type Count

Shop at stores that carry clothing appropriate for your age and body type. Take the time to find stores that are right for you at this point in your life and use it to your advantage! Shop around to find stores that carry the kind of clothing you want without breaking your bank. This also means that you need to make sure clothing is not too tight, the “Two C’s” are covered (cleavage and crack – hahaha) and that lengths are appropriate for your sleeves, skirt or pants.

Take a moment to consider where you should start shopping and the types of professional clothing you want to buy. Follow these easy tips to begin gathering your budget-friendly wardrobe today! If you need some help starting in the right direction, you can always visit the Career Management Director at your campus for ideas, advice and extra tips.


For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.

Medical Assisting Student Highlight – Jessica Wilson

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Jessica Wilson is a Medical Assisting student at the Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology. Before deciding to come to PIHT, she attended Connellsville Area Senior High School.

Many factors contributed to Jessica’s decision to come to the Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology.

She explained, “I didn’t want to go to a big campus and just be a number, I wanted to go to school at a place where my instructors would know my name. Also, this school is close to home for me and I love the four day 8am-2:30pm school week.”

Jessica’s biggest challenge during her enrollment so far is maintaining her grade point average as her classes become tougher.

“I am overcoming this challenge by attending and paying attention in class and studying as hard as I can,” said Jessica.

Jessica has a goal to graduate from PIHT and work in a hospital utilizing the skills she learned from the Medical Assisting program.

Jessica says her parents are a very strong support system for her while she continues her education. Also, she said, “I am also a big self-motivator, so I love coming to PIHT everyday and learning something new in the healthcare field.”

The instructors at PIHT truly have made a difference in Jessica’s enrollment. She said, “All of my instructors have been absolutely wonderful with their methods of teaching. They go the extra mile to offer me extra help and support.”

One instructor, in particular, has made a huge difference.

Jessica said, “I must highlight one specific person, Pam Hughes. There are no words to describe how much she means, not only to me, but to fellow students at our school, too. She has been a wonderful friend and mentor throughout my journey and is an all-around smart, kind, caring and loving individual. Pam is simply awesome!”

Thanks to great students like Jessica, PIHT graduates students who are ready to begin their careers every six weeks! Are you interested in any of our programs or our externship or career services? Visit www.piht.edu for more information!


For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.

First Day at her Externship – Amy Dawson

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Amy Dawson is a Business Administration student at Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology and she was nice enough to share her thoughts with us.

Amy was definitely nervous before starting her externship at Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation.

She said, “I am nervous because it is something that I am not very familiar with.”

Amy’s education at Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology prepared her to succeed in her externship by training her using the tools that are needed in the business field of study. It paid off, too….Amy was able to learn something that will set her apart from other candidates in her field!

“I feel very confident from the skills I learned from my instructors at PIHT,” she said. “Plus, I had the opportunity to learn a new software system that I had never worked with at my externship and that has opened many new doors for me and my future in the business field.”

With a goal to learn as much as she could through her business externship, Amy definitely did just that.

An externship is a great learning experience and students at PIHT are paired with companies that fit their desired career path. This enables them to gain real hands-on experience in their field with qualifications and skills that can be added to their resume to prepare them for their job searches! Great job, Amy!


For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.

Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology Practical Nursing Program

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Have you dreamed of working in a profession everyday that allows you to help others and truly care for medical patients? Would the letters, LPN, look good after your name?

With the Practical Nursing program at Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology, all of these dreams are possible!

Our program will train you to administer medications and handle wound care. You will perform IV therapy, monitor vital signs, give injections and conduct physical assessments. The hands-on training you receive from PIHT will have you prepared for the PA State Licensing test when you complete your program and the Career Management Department will have you ready to start your new career.

Licensed Practical Nurses enjoy careers in a wide-range of healthcare facilities such as doctors’ offices, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, just to name a few. LPN’s do not always only work in the hustle and bustle of a hospital emergency room, some work with elderly patients in long-term care facilities and community health care facilities. There are many career options to choose from when you graduate from our Practical Nursing program and they offer a wide variety of healthcare environments.

What are you waiting for? This is your chance to start training for a career that will truly make a difference in the lives of others. If you want to find out more, be sure to visit the student tutorials to see what our grads think and check out the program details on our website at http://www.piht.edu/detail.php?page_id=5.

For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.

A Great Module Starts with You!

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The relief of a module ending and having a few days to rest will quickly diminish with the start of a brand new six weeks on Monday. Don’t stress! Here are a few tips to help you get on top of your game as this module starts.

1. Remember why you are here. At some point before enrolling, you made a decision that furthering your education was the right choice for you. Take some time to reflect on your decision. Think about all of the positive outcomes you can look forward to once you complete your program: a degree, a new career, self-satisfaction, etc. You have already won half the battle by choosing to continue your education, selecting the school that was right for you and making the decision to enroll… Now it is time to make the best of it!

2. Be prepared! Make sure you attend the first day of class. Pay attention when the teacher discusses your syllabus for each class so that you know exactly what to expect for the courses you are taking this term. Make sure you ask any questions you might have including what supplies you will need for the course. Knowing what to expect will help you feel confident and prepared and the more confidence you have before the work in the course begins, the better chance you stand at staying in school and receiving exemplary grades.

3. Realize that Change Will Occur. Whether it is the change in your life because you are starting school or the change in your classes, you can expect to see noticeable differences. Face the fact that some courses are going to be harder than others and make plans to accommodate this. In addition to attending your courses each day, you need to make sure you have time set in the evenings to study and complete your homework. Leave time for rest, too. Recharging at night gives you energy for the next day.

4. Use Your Resources. You have chosen to attend Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology where our students matter. We have several resources available for you in case you have any questions or concerns while you are in school. A mentorship program ensures that you have someone you can easily speak with if you have any questions. Tutoring courses are offered if you feel that you are falling behind and our instructors make themselves available to assist you outside of class time. The Learning Resource Center with our awesome librarian can help you find a car pool, learn study skills, assist with research, and it offers many other great programs. The Career Management Department can help you find employment or externships in your field. These resources are available for our students because we want you to stay in school and succeed and ultimately find the perfect job for you in your field. We are here to help…so use us!

5. Be Here! Attend your classes and be ready to learn. You have made the step to enroll in school to further your education so now it is up to you to make the best of it! Prepare yourself, be confident and proactive, set goals and work toward success. Get involved in the clubs and activities at PIHT and give yourself a positive and professional reputation. Don’t fall behind by missing classes. You have committed your time and money to get your education and you chose a great school to help you every step of the way. Now it’s up to you.

For more information on graduation rates, median debt of students who have completed their programs, and other important information, please visit our website at www.piht.edu/programs.