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Grad School or a Job – Which Should You Choose?

September 2nd, 2010 collegecareerlife

This guest post is by Debbie Owen, who writes on the topic of online doctorate degree programs.

Some people go to college because they’re expected to do so; for most others however, it’s their chosen path to the career they’re seeking. They hope to secure a job at the end of four years, one that pays well and allows them to lead a comfortable life. Yet others know that academia is an integral part of their lives and so they stay in school to complete  a doctorate. However, there are some people who are torn between entering the job market soon after graduation and choosing to pursue their graduate studies. For them, the decision is not cut and dried because of various factors.

  • Some put off going to grad school because money is a problem; they already have a student loan hanging over their head and are not  keen on borrowing more money in order to finance their master’s degree. If you belong to this category, you would probably have to find a job that allows you to pay off your loan and put off your grad school dream for a few years, unless you’re able to secure a scholarship.
  • Some choose to go to grad school because they know that their additional qualifications could help them find a job that pays better and is more suited to their temperament and skills. They don’t worry about the expense because they know money will not be a problem once they graduate, or because they work part-time to finance their education.
  • Some choose to switch majors when they go to grad school because they feel this field holds more opportunities – it’s not unheard of for people to finish college and then want to enter the fields of medicine or law because they’ve suddenly discovered a passion for it. They’re willing to do everything it takes to qualify for admission to the schools that offer these degrees, from studying hard to taking pre-requisite courses and exams.

So if you have the means to pay for tuition and if you’re sure that you want to go to grad school because you feel it will help your career, or because you want to stay on in academia and pursue a career in research, it’s best you find a school that offers the degree of your choice and seek admission. However, if you’re staying in school simply because you want to put off finding a job or because you don’t want to accept the responsibility that comes with no longer being a college student, you’re just hiding from reality and postponing the inevitable.

Also, it’s not too wise to rack up student loan debt just to pursue a graduate degree. You could find a job, save up some money, and then decide to go back to grad school. Alternatively, you could check out online options that allow you to continue to work even as you earn a degree.

Grad school or a job, the decision depends on your financial worth and your goal in life – choose wisely so that you have no regrets.

This guest post is contributed by Debbie Owen, who writes on the topic of online doctorate degree programs.   She welcomes your comments at her email id: debbieowen83@gmail.com.

Making the Most of an Unpaid Internship

August 20th, 2010 collegecareerlife

The following post is by Angelita Williams, who writes for OnlineCourses.org.

In a job market that is increasingly competitive, gaining additional experience can be key when it comes time to look for a job. Internships can be a great way to do just that, letting young grads and students see what the working world will be like before they enter it themselves. Unfortunately, some of the internships that offer the best experience don’t come with much, if any, of a paycheck. That doesn’t mean they can’t pay off in the long run, but they will require some sacrifices to make them work in the present. If you’re debating whether or not to apply for an unpaid internship as a student or a grad, don’t be afraid to make the leap– it can be well worth it. Here are some tips to help ensure you’ll get the most out of every unpaid hour you put into your internship.

Look for perks. You may not be getting paid but that doesn’t mean your job shouldn’t come with any perks. Check with HR to see if you can get in on subsidized housing, help with commuting costs, free meals, or the use of company equipment. If your employer can’t help, see if your college offers an assistance programs for unpaid interns. If you don’t ask,  you’ll never know, so don’t be afraid to take the first steps.

Network, network, network. Since you’re going to be working among people who are already in your field, take the opportunity to get to know as many of them as possible. They may be able to write you recommendations serve as references or even help you find a job after your internship. Remember, who you know can count as much as experience and education when it comes to finding work.

Ask questions. If there’s something you don’t know or want to know more about don’t just stay ignorant. Use your internship as a chance to really learn and expand your knowledge about the field. You might not be getting paid in money, but you can take away some valuable educational experiences instead.

Get college credit. A great many unpaid internship programs come with one big benefit: college credit for time spent working. Don’t miss out on the hours of credit you could be gaining– check with you adviser to see if there are programs in place that can help you work towards your degree while working away your summer at the same time.

Put your best foot forward. If you’re complaining, tired or disheveled at your internship position, you’re not making much of a case for your abilities as a future employee. Treat your position as you would a real job and always be highly professional. It could pay off when it comes time to find work.

Ideally, all internships would be paid positions, offering experience along with the financial support students need, but the reality is that more and more internships are unpaid positions. With some hard work and determination, you can turn your internship experience into a springboard to the career you want and an incredibly valuable asset to your resume. In time, you may come to see those unpaid hours as one of the best career investments you ever made.

This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams, who writes on the topics of online college courses.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.

Characteristics of a Secure Job

August 16th, 2010 collegecareerlife

An economic crisis and high levels of unemployment cause many people to seek out recession-proof industries.  Job security will become a priority for many workers that have experienced layoffs or decreased income.  For a more secure future, consider careers with the following characteristics:

You have to be physically present

One of the biggest threats for both white collar and blue collar workers is off-shoring.  Many jobs in information technology, customer service, manufacturing and other fields have been off-shored.  Having specialized skills or a graduate degree doesn’t necessarily protect your job from off-shoring.  One way you can protect against off shoring is a job that requires your presence.  Most health-care jobs qualify, in addition to skilled trades like plumbing.  Changing industries or careers isn’t always necessary, just choose a specialty that’s harder to off-shore.  Concerns about security and privacy might prevent certain jobs in IT, finance, law, and other professions from being off-shored.

Not reliant on disposable income

Careers in utilities, education and health-care are more secure because these industries provide essential services.  No matter how bad the economy gets, students have to go to school and people experience medical emergencies. Retail, construction, and real estate are less secure areas because they rely heavily on a healthy economy and/or consumer spending.

Rapid growth

When an occupation experiences rapid numerical or percentage growth, many more workers are needed to support cultural, technological, and demographic changes.  However, once a high growth occupation is identified, many more people enter the field.  This may cancel out the high growth to an extent and lead to increased competition, which leads to the next point.

Strict education and licensing requirements

Specific education, experience, certification and/or licensing requirements limit entrants into the field and limit competition for jobs.  This provide some security, especially in a bad economy.  Most healthcare jobs require certification at a minimum, and many require graduate degrees.

Every industry experiences layoffs, including healthcare and education.  However, there are areas that offer more security than others and the factors listed provide a starting point for finding a secure career.  See High Demand Jobs for the Future for careers with high projected demand over the next decade.

How to Cope with a Difficult Job

August 2nd, 2010 collegecareerlife

With the unemployment rate still high, many people are feeling extra pressure at work.  Employers are demanding more, and offering less to employees. These factors are not only contributing to decreased job satisfaction, but also to an increase in mental and physical health problems.  Some tips for dealing with a difficult work situation:

Recognize the Positives

Any job should have some positive aspects, so focus on those factors rather than the negatives. Every day, try to think of one thing you really like and appreciate about your job. One method is to think of how your situations could be worse.  If one of your coworkers has a bad attitude, you can be grateful that you don’t work in an office full of similar people.

Personalize Your Workspace

You don’t have to clutter your desk with photos, but it helps to have one or two personal items to help you stay calm when things get tough. Do you have a favorite funny or inspirational quote you can put up on your wall? Maybe you have a photo from a favorite vacation spot. Think of what calms you down or lifts your spirits the most and find a way to incorporate that into your workspace.

Find a Positive Role Model

Every workplace has a variety of personalities.  There should be at least one person that has a positive attitude and responds calmly to stressful situations.  Watch how he or she reacts to negative events and try to emulate those reactions.  If possible, find a positive network of coworkers to surround yourself with and avoid negative people as much as possible.

Assess Your Accomplishments

At the end of every day, think about what you’ve accomplished.  These accomplishments don’t have to be big; it can be as simple as fixing your printer or helping out a coworker.  You might be surprised at how much you do every day and how many valuable skills you possess.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Most people compare themselves to those with more, rather than looking at how many people have less.  You might be earning less than a friend in the same field, but you may also be earning more than many others in your industry.  Comparing yourself to those who have it “better” will only make you miserable, so focus on the things that you do have (health, good friends, a job, etc).

No job is perfect and no amount of advice can eliminate work-related stress.  You don’t always have control over what happens at your job, but changing your attitude and reactions can decrease your stress and give you a more positive outlook.

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Extrinsic and Intrinsic Rewards

July 19th, 2010 collegecareerlife

Intrinsic and extrinsic rewards should both be considered when choosing a career or deciding to accept a job offer, but special importance should be placed on intrinsic rewards.  Intrinsic rewards appeal to one’s values, interests and personality.  An intrinsically rewarding job will be satisfying in its own right.  Characteristics such as creativity expression, autonomy, and social interaction prove rewarding for many people.  Career tests can help identify those careers that will provide the best inherent rewards.

While initial career planning usually involves identification of a career that offers intrinsic rewards,  the job search involves looking for companies and positions that offer the right combination of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.  Extrinsic rewards include salary, awards, job title, benefits, perks, and verbal praise.   Although these things factors are important, relying only on extrinsic rewards will eventually lead to dissatisfaction because (beyond a certain level) the effects of these rewards only last for a short time.

How do you find a career that offers the right combination of rewards?  First, take career assessments to determine where to focus your job search.  Then, be realistic about what you really need in terms of income and benefits.  A large salary and fancy title probably won’t make a high stress, unfulfilling job worth it.  Research companies on sites like Glassdoor.com to learn about work environment, company culture, pay and other factors.  If you find a job that offers plenty of intrinsic rewards, you’ll need less rewards from external sources.

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