According to SingleParentCenter.net, there are approximately 14 million single parents in the U.S., caring for 21.6 million children.

The website reports that about 80 percent of single mothers are employed outside of the home, with 50 percent working full-time and 30 percent working part-time. In addition, as many as 27 percent of single mothers live in poverty with their children.

Now, a new study conducted by the Women's Foundation of California suggests that many of the state's single mothers are struggling to make ends meet.

The "Falling Behind" report reveals that only six out of ten single moms in California were working in 2010. KGO-TV News reports that that's the smallest proportion since 1996.

"As California inches out of the Great Recession, the state's women, particularly single mothers, are still struggling," the news source reports. "[The study] reveals that men are finding jobs at a faster rate than women."

The lack of jobs isn't the only problem single mothers in California and elsewhere are facing. The economic downturn has caused many states to cut funding for assistance programs many mothers and their families count on for financial assistance.

"Single mothers have lost more jobs than anybody else ... at the same time the safety net has been shredded," Jean Ross, executive director of the California Budget Project, told the Stockton Record.

According to the newspaper, the report also found that employed single mothers are now working two hours less each week. These women now average a 36.6 hour work week, meaning that they are losing out on additional income because they are trying to balance the demands of raising a family with working.

Single mothers who want to increase their marketability in a difficult job market and help ensure their family's financial independence should consider getting a college degree.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2010, individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,038 per week, compared to $767 per week for those with an associate's degree, $712 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $626 per week for those with a high school diploma.

While paying for a college education while supporting a family may seem impossible to some, single mothers should know that they may qualify for various single mother scholarships, grants for single parents and other financial aid for moms that can help them pay for school while being financially responsible for their families.
 

While many mothers work out of necessity to help their families financially, others join or stay in the workforce simply because they like it.

A recent study of employed mothers conducted by researchers at the University of Louisville found that many would work even if they didn't have to.

Researchers interviewed 40 American and Canadian working mothers for the study, which is published in the February issue of Gender & Society. Most women in the study were born between 1970 and 1985 and each had at least one child under the age of 5, while more than half had two children.

Most of the women interviewed for the study - regardless of their class, race/ethnicity or marital status - said they would work at least part time even if they didn't have to. Many married and single mothers cited the fulfillment and self-confidence working outside the home affords them, and some said that being a part of the workforce offered them and their children more benefits than being a stay-at-home mom.

"About one-third of the 40 employed mothers expressed some ambivalence or guilt over their employment, but most justified their paid work by saying it made them more fulfilled people, in addition to better mothers," lead researcher Karen Christopher said. "So, these mothers are not only reframing what good mothering entails, they also frame employment in ways different than do earlier studies of mothers."

While almost all of the subjects said they want to work and enjoy their careers, many said that they must place limits on how much they work so that they can remain connected to their children. For example, some of the working mothers in the study said that they seek out employers who would not demand that they work overtime or nights on a regular basis.

The research also found that working mothers do about two times as much childcare and housework, compared to their husbands.

Researchers say that in 2010, approximately two-thirds of North American mothers with young children worked outside of the home.

Many who want to make the transition from a stay-at-home mom to a working mother often choose to pursue a college degree in order to prepare themselves for the workforce, learn and increase their earning potential.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2009, the average salary for adults ages 25 to 34 with a bachelor's degree was $45,000, while those with a high school diploma or other equivalent degree earned an average of $30,000 per year.

Those who need help paying for a college education can apply for various grants for parents, scholarships for mothers and single mother scholarships to make getting a degree financially possible.
 

If you are a working mom, managing your job and parental obligations can be extremely difficult. However, by pursuing a position that allows you to freelance and work from home, you can develop a schedule that facilitates your role as a mother and employee.

Several industries support workers who operate entirely on a freelance basis, including print and online media, graphic design and data entry. You can train to work in one of these fields by going back to school with the financial support of scholarships for mothers and grants for single parents.

If you want to work in the editorial or design field, majoring in the corresponding degree (whether it's creative writing or illustration) and building a portfolio while you're in school will be key. Keep in mind that your assignments for class are not only necessary for getting the grades you need to graduate. Stellar work can also be included in the application you send to potential employers.

A strong portfolio is essential when working as a freelancer as it's one of the primary ways potential employers can determine whether you're capable of executing the assignment well. Building a list of references and recommendations will also work to your advantage.

While you're in school, get to know your classmates, which can help expand your industry network and sources for job leads. 

With high unemployment rates continuing throughout the country, many people who are looking for work may be wondering where the best place to find a job is.

Mothers who begin or return to college often do so to increase their earning potential and help make their families more financially independent upon their graduation. After all, getting a bachelor's degree can positively impact just how much money one brings home each week.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,038 per week, compared to $767 per week for those with an associate degree, $712 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $626 per week for those with a high school diploma.

The good news is that moms who want to pursue a college degree can get help paying for it through various grants for parents and scholarships for mothers.

How quickly they find a job after graduating depends on a number of factors including which industry they want to work in, their previous experience and where they live.

A recent study conducted by the Brookings Institute identified the best cities for educated individuals.

According to AdvisorOne.com, the report titled "Education, Demand, and Unemployment in Metropolitan America" found that some cities are suffering from "education gaps" - or a shortage of educated workers compared to employer demand.

The study reveals that unemployment is closely tied to the size of the education gap in a given city.

"On average from 2005 to 2011, metro areas with education gaps above 1 experienced unemployment rates 1.4 percentage points higher than metro areas with education gaps below 1," the study stated.

That being said, cities with smaller education gaps are likely to be better for educated individuals to find work.

The Brookings study found that Madison, Wisconsin, is the U.S. city with the smallest education gap. Other metropolitan areas that may offer educated people a lot of opportunities include Washington, D.C.; Provo, Utah; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota and San Jose, California.

On the other side of the coin are the places that may not present a lot of opportunities for educated individuals, or areas with larger education gaps.

These cities include Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lakeland, Florida; Youngstown, Ohio; Riverside, Stockton, Fresno, Modesto and Bakersfield, California as well as El Paso and McAllen, Texas.
 

Individuals who want to land a high-paying job after graduating from college may want to consider going to work on Wall Street.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports that securities employers paid the highest average starting salary for Class of 2011 bachelor's degree graduates.

NACE's Winter 2012 Salary Survey shows that securities employers paid an average starting salary of $58,571. Overall, these employers provided jobs to 42,000 Class of 2011 grads.

The securities industry includes "firms that underwrite securities issues, act as agents (i.e. brokers), provide securities and commodity exchange service and provide services such as managing portfolios," according to Workforce.com.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment opportunities for financial analysts are expected to grow much faster than other occupations until 2018. However, competition to get these positions is high, especially among recent graduates.

"For those aspiring to financial analyst jobs, a strong academic background, including courses such as finance, accounting and economics, is essential," reports the BLS.

A master's degree in business or finance as well as certifications such as a CFA (chartered financial analyst) may also improve an individual's job prospects, according to the BLS.

Those who want to work in this high-paying industry but need assistance to complete their college education can rest easy knowing that various scholarships for adults, grants and financial aid exist to make getting a college degree achievable for everyone.
 

Many people use social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to stay in touch with friends and family. However, soon-to-be college grads should know that many employers are also using these sites to recruit and research potential employees.

While some believe that social networking may help them in their job hunt, others worry about blurring the lines between their professional persona and their personal one.

In fact, Mashable.com reports that a recent worldwide survey of more than 30,000 students and graduates found that just 25 percent said they were comfortable connecting with potential employers via Facebook, with many citing privacy concerns. In other words, most want to keep their personal and professional networks separate.

"The concern would be, 'I don't want a potential employer to be able to see my personal information. I don't want to connect with a recruiter on Facebook because they'll see a picture of me at party,'" Rick Marini, CEO of BranchOut, a professional networking service available through Facebook, told the Wall Street Journal.

Data shows that there may be a reason to be nervous. MediaBistro.com reports that 70 percent of job recruiters have rejected candidates based on information found online, In addition, Mashable.com reports that a recent study found that as many as 80 percent of employers will review a candidate's "online presence and behavior before making a hiring decision."

So, how can you ensure that your profiles are appropriate for would-be employers? First and foremost, it's important to keep your online profiles clean. Pictures of crazy, drunken college parties or anything else that does not make you look good could end up costing you the job of your dreams.

"Everything you post, tweet or comment on is being recorded, and will come back to haunt you," advises Mashable.com. "Not to mention, if a tweet can get you fired, it can also prevent you from being hired the next time around."

If you're like many moms who go back to college to pursue a degree, you're eagerly looking forward to seeing the pay-off from all of your hard work and dedication in the form of a job offer. Whether you pay for your college education on your own, or get assistance through grants for parents, scholarships for mothers or other financial aid, taking steps to ensure you are properly represented online is important these days.

Want to see what potential employers can learn about you online? Simply run a Google search with your name as the subject.

Mashable.com recommends future or recent grads spend some time working on their online presence to attract as many employers as possible. It's totally acceptable to use the internet as a way to show a company that you're interested in working for them. "Like" them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and use the sites to help build your knowledge of what's going on with the company.

While unemployment rates remain high, the good news for recent graduates is that employers are expected to hire more grads in 2012 than they did in 2011. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers are expecting to hire 9.5 percent more graduates in 2012 than they did in 2011, with an average salary of $51,000 - six percent more than graduates in 2011.