You can receive Featurettes by e-mail daily, weekly or monthly by request. We can e-mail by your choice of topic or all stories as you may prefer. To make it even more convenient for editors to use our stories, NAPS has added an RSS syndication feed to our Web site. Simply hit the RSS button on our site for automated updates on available content. Please contact us to arrange to receive Featurettes in the format that works best for you at (800) 222-5551 or e-mail your request to us at printmedia@napsnet.com. We can provide Featurettes on CD-ROM or you can download it online at www.napsnet.com. Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2693 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 415 Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017 Leaders Of Change IT Innovation Is Creating Career Opportunities (NAPSA)—Technology is a driving force in today’s economy, powering innovation and creating jobs. The rapid adoption of cloud computing, mobility, social media and other innovations has accelerated the importance of technology in the workplace—and the need for information technology (IT) technicians. Desktop support has long been one of the most fundamental jobs in all of IT. However, what was once a reactive job—waiting for the phone to ring or an e-mail to arrive summoning you to fix a broken PC—has evolved into a proactive position that’s far more critical to day-to-day business operations. More Than Maintenance Technology “maintenance” is much more sophisticated in 2015 than it was 20, 10 or even two years ago. Today, it involves supporting handheld devices (iPads and Androids), rolling out software to thousands of computers and conducting server migrations. Today’s IT technicians get handson experience and insight into fast-changing technologies, including cloud computing, cyber security, data analysis, mobility and telecommunications. There remains in some corners a misperception that the majority of IT support jobs have been shipped overseas. The reality is that in many organizations, there are new, more significant opportunities for technicians. And the IT technician’s role remains the best, first step someone can take to launch a career in technology. Knowledge Workers Today’s engineers and technologists are knowledge workers, possessing a unique combination of skills that can’t be easily outsourced or delegated. With IT departments becoming more closely integrated with other lines of business, the technical knowledge and skills employed by Today’s IT technicians get handson experience and insight into fast-changing technologies. IT technicians are something that can’t be delivered efficiently or effectively over the phone from a call center. Is It Right For You? If you have an interest in technology, along with the ability to solve problems and possess strong people skills, you may be a candidate for a career change and step into a job as an IT technician with a minimal amount of training— either in a classroom, online or through self-study. One way to tell if you have the aptitude is the CompTIA IT Fundamentals certification. This professional credential is available through CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the IT industry. The exam covers five categories: software, hardware, security, networking and basic IT literacy. Earning a credential from an organization well known and widely respected for its certification program demonstrates to p r os p e ct i ve em plo ye rs t hat yo u ’ re re a d y to e nter t he IT workforce. It can also serve as a springboard to more advanced IT skills certifications and set the stage for new career opportunities and advancement. To learn more, visit http://certi fication.comptia.org/getCertified/ certifications/comptia-it-funda mentals. (NAPSA)—Best practices and student learning are at the center of an upcoming learning opportunity for educators. ASCD, a global community dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching and leading, will hold its 70th Annual Conference and Exhibit Show in Houston, Texas, March 21–23, 2015. The event will showcase proven strategies for educators, from expertdriven ideas for classroom management and student engagement to leading and inspiring entire school communities. The theme of an important educator’s conference is “Challenging Convention: Leading Disruptive Innovations.” There’ll be more than 350 sessions on effective school leadership, teaching and learning in a digital age, personal resiliency, and the myths and realities of the education profession. Speakers include author, curator and historian Sarah Lewis, Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop per Child, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. In addition, the ASCD Conference will include book signings, author talks and school improvement forums. Educators can register at http://annualconference.ascd.org and learn more at www.ascd.org. Did You Know The Affordable Care Act Can Affect Your Taxes? Let The Experts Help (For Free!) (NAPSA)—Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and GetInsured, a leading health insurance online marketplace, are joining forces for a second year to help consumers understand how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may impact them. By answering a few simple questions during the tax interview, clients will understand if they qualify for money-saving tax credits, and with the help of GetInsured, can enroll in a health insurance plan that fits their budget. Research by Kaiser Health shows that 90 percent of Americans are unaware of when open enrollment is, and many aren’t aware there’s a tax penalty for being uninsured or that they may qualify for money-saving tax credits to help them pay for health coverage. “Open enrollment began November 15th and there is still a lot of confusion among Americans about the ACA and how it will actually impact them,” said Chini Krishnan, co-founder and CEO of GetInsured. In order to avoid a tax penalty, you must buy health insurance before open enrollment closes on February 15, 2015. The tax penalty for remaining uninsured is $325 per adult or up to 2 percent of your income—whichever is greater—and $162.50 per uninsured child. But thanks to tax credits, health insurance may be more affordable than expected. “The ACA affects Americans beyond health insurance—it impacts their taxes,” said David Prokupek, CEO, Jackson Hewitt. “The tax penalty for being uninsured in 2015 can have a significant impact on people’s refunds. At Jackson Hewitt, we want clients to get the biggest refund possible. That’s why we’re working to help clients understand how It’s estimated that 90 percent of Americans are unaware of when open enrollment is and many aren’t aware there’s a tax penalty for being uninsured. they may be affected, and offer them an easy process to get enrolled in health insurance, thanks to GetInsured.” “With a limited time frame for consumers to enroll, we’re happy to be working with Jackson Hewitt again this year to make it as efficient as possible for Americans to understand the implications of the ACA and find a plan that’s right for them,” added Krishnan. For many Americans, their tax refund is the most important paycheck of a hard-worked year. With recent changes in health care tax laws, having expert tax preparers who know how to protect clients from possible penalties is important. Jackson Hewitt guarantees 100 percent accuracy and biggest refunds. In fact, every one of Jackson Hewitt’s tax preparers makes a personal pledge to treat each tax return as if it’s their own. Free health insurance assistance is available at any of Jackson Hewitt’s 6,300 locations, by phone at 866-652-6321 or online at getinsured.com/jacksonhewitt. Terms and conditions apply to all offers. Ask a Tax Pro or see www.jacksonhewitt.com for details.