College, Career, Life » college

Summer Reading for College Students

collegecareerlife — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:14:01 +0000

There are several ways to make your summer more productive, including taking classes and working at an internship. Another way to make the most of your summer as a college student is to read books that teach you how to land an internship, identify your best career, and get a great job after graduation. If you’re a college student wanting to get the most out of your time this summer, read on for suggestions.

Internship Success

Internships are becoming increasingly important for college students seeking a job after graduation. An internship can offer experience, connections, and possibly a permanent position. All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience by Lauren Berger (The Intern Queen) guides students and recent grads on finding internships and making the most of them.

Discover Your Ideal Career

With so many choices available, identifying the right career path for your specific personality and interests can prove challenging. Luckily, there are several books available to make the tasks easier. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2012: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers is the updated version of the classic career planning book for individuals at all career stages. With today’s high tuition costs, choosing the right career path is crucial to saving time and money.

Land a Great Job

It’s never too early to start thinking about your job search. College Students Do This! Get Hired! offers advice for students of all levels from freshmen seeking internships to professional-level graduates. The sooner you begin learning the job search rules, the better off you’ll be after graduation.

Network Like a Pro

All the experts say to network, but how do you get started? What if you hate the idea of networking? If you hate networking, read Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected.

For those who just want to get better at networking, another option is Networking Like a Pro: Turning Contacts into Connections. Developing connections may be the most useful career skill you ever learn, so don’t ignore the importance of it even if networking makes you uncomfortable.

Ace the Interview

The interview experience can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t been on a lot of interviews. How to Interview Like A Pro: Forty-Three Rules for Getting Your Next Job covers the basics of interviewing including how to prepare for your interview and how to answer tough interview questions. By having some answers going into the interview, you’ll greatly reduce the stress and make a better impression.

Get into Grad School

Kaplan’s comprehensive guide, Get Into Graduate School, will give you all the tools you need to get into your graduate program of choice. The book covers topics from choosing the right graduate school to meeting the entrance requirements. The earlier you begin preparing for graduate school, the greater chances you’ll have of getting into the program of your choice.

Summer is the time to take a break and have fun, but you can fit in some productive things. Reading is one of the easiest ways to make your summer months more productive. For more summer reading options for college students, visit our Amazon store.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: books, career, reading

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College Habits You Should Bring to the Job

collegecareerlife — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:09:37 +0000

It goes without saying that you acquired a host of new skills and experience during your time in college. Some of them you won’t be sorry to leave behind: consuming more frozen and fried foods than any human being should in a single week, for example, or maintaining the sleep schedule (and hygiene) of a sloth. I hope that you made efforts to change those habits after you’ve graduated.

But as you begin your career as a young professional in whatever field you studied, you should know that there are many viable experiences and habits that you learned in college that will help you make a positive impression in the workforce. I’m talking about strong study habits and the keen networking skills that you acquired as you made your way through classes as an undergraduate. These two habits are among your strongest assets as you begin your career in the professional world.

A strong work ethic

This perhaps the most marketable skill you can bring into your career as you transition from an undergraduate student to a young professional. In college, you (hopefully) took advantage of your free time to study and review course material from the day’s classes. This is after all the grand idea behind a college education: giving a promising young adult unlimited free time with which they can pursue their studies at their own pace, so as to benefit any learning style a student might have. Reading assignments that took hours to complete, class projects that demanded large swaths of your personal time and all of your intellectual muscle: these are the types of experiences meant to prepare you for the fast-paced atmosphere of most professional outfits.

Many college courses are designed to prepare students for extremely tough scenarios that they may encounter in a future workplace environment. If you were able to preserve when your professors assigned you seemingly impossibly assignments, you can surely tackle the hazards of an entry-level job. And should you excel at your job duties, your employers will surely notice.

Forming relationships with your peers

This is another skill that most college students employ during their tenure as a student, and it’s not one to be overlooked by graduates in their new jobs. When you’re in college you’re encouraged to meet and collaborate with classmates and students who share the same major (indeed, sometimes you don’t have a choice in the matter). Though initially uncomfortable, is doesn’t task long for a student to realize that the task of networking and befriending their peers is something that benefits everyone. The more friends you made in your classes, the more people you had to study with and discuss the classes. And the more friends you made in college, the better you could network with other people in your desired field. A friend of a friend may have a relative with a prominent engineering firm that you could contact for a potential job, and so forth.

The same social skills will be a huge boon to you in your first job out of college. You’ll have a much easier time settling in with a company if you’re amiable and engaging with your employees. Networking among experts and well connecting officials in your field is critical for a young professional in any field. The experiences that you had meeting other students in college will undoubtedly help you as you form professional relationships at your workplace.

By-line:

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

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The Best College Career Center Websites

collegecareerlife — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:45:15 +0000

Many students never visit their campus career centers during college. It’s unfortunate that career centers are so underutilized because they can help students choose a college major or career path, in addition to helping with internships and job searches. And while some career centers lack the staff and resources necessary to provide the best services, many offer invaluable information and opportunities. If you can’t make it to your campus career center, try it’s website. College career center sites often list job and internship opportunities, information about job fairs, and career planning resources. Even if you aren’t a student, visit these excellent career center websites:

California State University-Fullerton

California State Fullerton’s Career Center site features interviewing and resume tips, industry information, and salary research sources. If you’re wondering what to do with your major, Fullerton’s career site offers plenty of options for every major(choose Career Exploration, then What can I do with this major).

Colorado State University

The Career Center site at Colorado State has occupational information, college major guides, and industry resource links. Click on the Students tab to explore career the resources, including graduate school basics and information about obtaining an MBA.

Florida State University

The employment and salary statistics will provide useful information not only to Florida State students, but to all college students. Find out which majors earn the most in full-time jobs and internships, in addition to which companies are hiring college graduates. The site also offers resume and career resources accessible to both students and non-students.

UPenn Career Services

The University of Pennsylvania’s career services site includes self assessments in skills, interests, and values. Work-life balance and career-change advice are also available.

University of Michigan

The career center website at University of Michigan includes career assessments, career guides, resume/cover letter advice, interviewing skills, and much more. Michigan’s career center site also provides application and job search advice for graduate and professional students.

The University of Washington

Need help choosing a major, getting experience, or interviewing? The career center at the University of Washington has it all. Explore careers, find out what jobs you can get with your major, and browse internship opportunities on the career center’s website.

Career center sites were judged on four criteria – navigation, accessibility, job and internship opportunities, and career planning resources. Only websites accessible to non-students were chosen for this list.

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Changing Careers? Get College Credit for Life Experience

collegecareerlife — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:07 +0000

With the rate of unemployment lingering at record highs, professionals across the United States have become obligated to re-assess their value in the marketplace should they become unemployed. In fact, many must consider changing industries altogether, which often requires some amount of additional education. Holding multiple degrees can definitely allow for more seamless movement in and out of different fields and greater expansion of career possibilities. However, pursuing any sort of education takes time, which is not always something job-seekers or employed professionals have available. In addition, going back to school can often seem like the equivalent of jumping back down to the bottom of the ladder only to climb back up once more. What many professionals don’t know, however, is that their life experience could allow them to pursue another degree without having to backtrack.

The New York Times published an article in 2008 about a trend toward colleges offering credit for life experience. Many types of colleges and universities, public, private, online and campus-based, are beginning to consider all past experience, rather than solely academic experience, as having the potential to count as time spent learning. According to the article, continuing education programs across the country grant prior learning credits for “knowledge acquired from activities like political work, retail management, corporate administration, writing, [and] even travel.” The skills learned must directly apply to a particular course in order to count as credit, but schools with these programs maintain that many intro-level courses can be fundamentally similar to experiences that teach the same basic knowledge. For example, starting your own business could equate to a business 101 credit, or working as an intern at a newspaper could provide the perspective and industry knowledge a student would attain in an intro journalism course.

What this means for professionals considering a career change is that they no longer have to worry about whether taking the time to pursue another degree will set them back or whether the strides they have already made professionally will be meaningless. Taking advantage of the opportunity to receive college credit for your experience can cancel out both these negatives.

First off, credit for life experience can save you a chunk of time. According to the Times, students in the adult degree program at James Madison University can receive up to a quarter of the credits needed to graduate by applying for experiential learning credits. “More than a third of students receive prior learning credit of some kind,” the Times article reads, and “in the past three years, only one student’s portfolio was rejected without any points awarded.”

Additionally, applying for this type of credit is a great way to assess your past experience and recognize all that you’ve learned. Once you’re aware of your own skill set, you can make academic choices that will work to create a unique professional background. Kim J. Hartswick, academic director of the Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies at City University of New York (CUNY) helps students do exactly that. According to the Times article, Hartswich encourages students to “deconstruct their pasts to determine what course subjects they’ve already mastered…[one] student had founded a nonprofit organization to beautify schools and hospitals. The student was given 15 credits, for proficiency in ‘fund-raising and development,’ ‘creative art for the classroom’ and ‘Web page design.’”

There are many different types of schools that offer credit for life experience, but make sure that the program you choose does not simply give away credit easily, regardless of the type of institution you consider. American Intercontinental University is mainly online and requires students to complete a prior learning assessment to demonstrate their knowledge in any area for which they would like to gain experience credit. According to the New York Times article, if a school does not vet credit requests, take it as a major red flag and move on.

However, as long as the school is accredited, offers an academic program that fits your needs, and imposes rigorous standards for acceptance of life experience credits, it is likely to be a trustworthy program. For professionals who need to expand their career opportunities and secure their ability to handle the ups and downs of a sensitive economy, considering these types of continuing education programs could be a great way to get a head start on the competition.

Byline:

This is a guest post by Kimberly Wilson. Kimberly is from accredited online colleges, she writes on topics including career, education, student life, college life, home improvement, time management etc.

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What's a Useful Degree?

collegecareerlife — Sun, 22 May 2011 12:38:14 +0000

Many lists have been compiled on the most useful degrees, with income usually being the primary factor. But are certain degrees really better than others? And what constitutes a worthwhile degree? Despite what the all the lists may say, any degree can prove useful, just not always financially. A few important ways your college degree can pay off:

Job Opportunities

For most students, job opportunities are an important consideration when choosing a major. It’s not that students don’t appreciate the humanities and the arts, but that college is a huge investment and a lack of income upon graduation can be devastating to students from middle or lower class backgrounds.

Technical Skills

Technical skills generally lead to more lucrative job opportunities. Technical skills include computer programming, database management, accounting, and project management.

Soft Skills

Without soft skills, technical skills are often irrelevant. Soft skills include communication, teamwork, leadership and critical thinking. For most jobs, soft skills matter as much as technical skills.

Ideally, a college education will offer better career opportunities along with the skills to succeed at work and in life. What do you think? What makes a degree useful? Are some degrees useless?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: college, degree, education

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Guide to Changing Your Major

collegecareerlife — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 11:15:31 +0000

With college costs on the rise, students feel increased pressure to choose the right major and to make every class count. Unfortunately, many college students don’t have the knowledge or guidance to help them with this decision. If you want to change your major, follow the steps below to increase your chances of making the best decision.

Consider Your Motivation for Changing

Asking yourself a few questions before changing your major can save time, money, and regret. Why do you want to change majors? A difficult class shouldn’t cause you to change your major. You also shouldn’t change due to pressure from other people. Make sure your decision isn’t based on something that will prove insignificant in the long run.

Research Majors and Careers

As technology changes, so do majors offered by universities. Many interesting, marketable majors are overlooked in favor of more popular majors. When choosing a new major, consider every major available-even those that aren’t familiar to you. To learn the latest on all majors, read Book of Majors 2011 (College Board Book of Majors)

Find Your Best Careers

One method to choose the best major is to work backwards by determining your best career fit. After finding the careers that match your personality, values, and interests, you can identify the majors that best prepare you for those careers. The following steps can help you narrow down your choices.

Take a Class or Two

Some classes are closed to non-majors, but if possible, take a course or two in majors that interest you. An introductory course can help you confirm your interest in the topic, introduce you to areas of concentration within the field, and possibly give you an idea of career options.

Try an Internship

An internship or part-time job could help you make a decision about which major would be best for your career goals. Before spending time and money on a degree, discover what working in a related field is really like. Internship experience will increase the likelihood of getting a return on your investment. You’ll also graduate with valuable work experience – and maybe even a job offer!

Talk with an Adviser

Once you decide on a new major, make an appointment with an academic adviser in the department of your chosen major. Your adviser can help you build a schedule, choose the correct classes, and recommend resources to help you make the transition.

Changing majors happens frequently and many students change majors several times throughout their college years. While sticking with the wrong major isn’t recommended, jumping from major to major isn’t the answer, either. To prevent wasted time and money, take the necessary steps to identify the best major for you.

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New Year's Resolutions for College Students

collegecareerlife — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:00:54 +0000

New Year’s resolutions are easy to make, but hard to keep. Instead of making the same resolutions you make every year, resolve to prepare for your career and improve your grades with a few important steps.

Find Your Best Career(s)

Career planning should be important to every college student, but many don’t consider their career goals until after graduation. Choosing the right career involves learning about your personality, interests and values. Visit the Top Ten Sites for Career Planning for reliable career information. You don’t need to narrow your choices down to just one career. Identifying your ideal work environment, interests, and values will help you choose the right positions throughout your career.

Get an Internship

An internship is the new entry level job. Many companies hire former interns and employers expect internship experience from recent graduates. Internships provide opportunities to make industry connections and pick up valuable skills. If nothing else, you’ll have work experience to put on your resume.

Update Your Resume

A resume isn’t just for finding a job, it’s a way to document your skills and accomplishments. Even if graduation is a few years away, create a resume now and update it at least once a semester. What should you put on your resume? Relevant coursework, projects, papers, volunteer work, and part-time jobs. Employers value work experience, even if it’s just part-time work, because it demonstrates reliability and a work ethic. Read Resume Advice for College Students for more on creating a resume in college.

Set a Time and Place for Studying

Time management may be the most important skill for college and career success. Setting a specific time and place to get work done will allow you to get more accomplished in less time. Find a quiet place with no distractions and set times on your calender for studying.

Keep your resolutions by creating specific steps you’ll take to reach each goal and by making each goal realistic. Visiting your college career center is a great first step for all resolutions listed above.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: career, college, new year's

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10 Things to Do Before Graduating College

collegecareerlife — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:10:02 +0000

The following post is contributed by Mark Davies, who writes on the topic of Online Masters Degree . He welcomes your comments at his email id: markdavies247<@>gmail<.>com.

It’s one of the best times of your life – you’re on your own for the first time in your life, yet free of most of the responsibilities that are a normal part of being an adult when you’re in college. It’s an experience that must be savored and used to the maximum because it’s a time you can never get back. You may go back to school again at some point in your life, but it’s those first four years that count as your real college life, a time when you discover that you had wings and could fly if you so choose to. If you’re looking for ways to make your college life more memorable, here’s a list of ten things to do before you graduate:

1. Take a course just for the heck of it: College is mostly about classes and courses and lectures and exams. They’re necessary if you want to graduate with good grades. However, use your freshman year to take a course that’s not part of your degree requirements, just for fun or for a completely new experience.

2. Get to spend some time with your professors: They’re not just people who walk in and out of your classrooms and spout lectures; they could be much more if you take some time to get to know them outside class. Stopping to introduce yourself and say hello to your professors helps when it comes to job searches, letters of recommendation, and even higher grades if possible.

3. Find an internship position: The best way to find a career that’s suited to your temperament and mentality is to test the waters before you find a job; and the only way to do this while still in college is to work as an intern during your junior and senior years. You spend your time gaining useful knowledge and experience, and you bolster your credentials when it’s time to find a job.

4. Stay up all night: I don’t mean you should drink all night and party away the hours (although that’s not bad if done just once or twice for the heck of it), just that it’s nice at times to sit up with a bunch of friends in your dorm room, library or any other part of campus, studying a little, and having loads of fun.

5. Explore your campus: College campuses are huge, sprawling areas – spend a weekend exploring your campus and discovering nooks and corners that you never knew existed.

6. Ask that hot guy/girl out: You may be shy and short of confidence, but it’s worth the effort to screw up your courage and ask your dream date out. The worst thing that could happen is that they turn you down, and on the bright side, they may say yes and make your day and much more. Wait for the right moment however – catching them alone decreases the probability of a public put-down.

7. Take part in an extra-curricular activity on campus: College is more than just books and lessons; so take advantage of the range of extra-curricular activities that college offers – sports, drama clubs, etc. – and add to your repertoire of skills and talents.

8. Eat something you’ve never tasted before: For once in your life, be adventurous in matters of the palate. Eat something you would never touch otherwise, as part of a bet or just to challenge yourself to try new experiences.

9. Learn how to keep your dorm room clean: College students are not known for being neat and organized; so turn popular perception on its head and start keeping your room clean, your clothes washed and put away, and your schedule organized and planned.

10. Start planning your career: You’ve come to college in order to find and choose a career, so start working on finding a job by the end of your junior year. Build a network of support that you can tap when it’s time to enter the professional world. And work on your grades and academic performance so it’s easier to find a job once you graduate.

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Associates Degrees that Offer Great Opportunities

collegecareerlife — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:00:19 +0000

You don’t need to spend four or more years in school to be qualified for a great career, and the rising cost of tuition makes a four-year degree a financially unwise choice for many. Fortunately, an associate’s degree can be more marketable than a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree, depending on your concentration. Some associate’s degrees with related high demand careers:

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapy assistants not only help physical therapists provide therapy treatments, but may also aide in the development of treatment plans. Employment for physical therapy assistants is expected to grow 33 percent in the next decade. Average annual salary for physical therapist assistants was $46,300 in 2008.*

Veterinary/Animal Health Technology

Demand for veterinarians is projected to increase in the coming years, and employment for veterinary technicians is also projected to grow much faster than average. In addition to completing a 2- or 4- year veterinary technology program, prospective veterinary technicians must pass a state exam. Average annual salary for veterinary technologists was $29,850.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound Technology

Diagnostic medical sonographers use ultrasound technology to produce images of internal organs that are used by physicians for diagnostic purposes. No only must ultrasound technicians be familiar with equipment, but they must also have an understanding of anatomy and physiology. Average annual salary for diagnostic medical sonographers was $62,660 in 2008.

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Technology

HVAC technology is a growing field that suits those with realistic career interests. Employment growth will be faster than average, according to projections. HVAC technicians earned an average annual salary of $42,240 in 2008.

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

Within the IT field, network systems analysis and data communications is one of the fastest growing specialties. An associates degree is a great supplement to work experience or a way to gain the education qualifications required for most IT support jobs. The average annual salary for computer support specialists was $46,370 in 2008.

Other associates degrees to consider: occupational therapy assistant, surgical technology, and radiologic technology. If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher, it doesn’t mean you can’t go back to school for an associate’s degree. Community colleges are full of non-traditional students with a variety of backgrounds, including those with advanced degrees. A two-year degree can lead to a job that not only pays well, but is also in demand and rewarding.

Teaching is one of the most important jobs in society, and schools are always looking for qualified individuals. Have you always wanted to get a masters degree in teaching but struggled to find the time? A masters in special education can give you the tools you need to succeed, and the opportunity to make a huge difference in a lot of children’s lives.

* Salary information from MyPlan.com

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: associates degree, careers, degree, education, healthcare

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Colleges Put Money Before Students

collegecareerlife — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:02:23 +0000

Recent articles have questioned the benefits of a college degree. Tuition costs are rising every year, while colleges continue to churn out thousands of graduates each year in fields where there is known to be a glut of professionals. This practice is more noticeable during a tight job market, but it’s nothing new.

Although prospective students have a responsibility to weigh the costs and benefits of a given degree, colleges are guilty of admitting students that are obviously not prepared for college and for not being honest about job prospects. Some might argue that students who graduate from college are better off than without an education, even if they don’t find a job in their chosen field. Maybe if they didn’t have to take out mountains of loans to finance it, but most students graduate with significant debt. It’s doubtful that these students would burden themselves with tremendous debt if they were told upfront about their career prospects. Yes, some of these graduates will find work related to their degrees , but many won’t (especially those without connections).

If universities are going to charge such high tuition rates, they need to be more accountable to students, parents, donors and taxpayers. First, universities should be more selective. The drop-out rates at many public universities are shameful. These students likely borrowed thousands of dollars and are no better off for it. Secondly, job placement statistics should be honestly reported and prominently published. Finally, colleges should do more to offer internships and other opportunities that increase graduates’ marketability.

A small percentage of lucky students can go to college just for the experience and don’t have to worry about paying off loans after graduation. However, middle and lower class students can’t afford that luxury. These students invest considerable time and money obtaining a college education and need a return on the investment. It’s time for colleges to put ethics and concern for students ahead of money.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: colleges, debt, ethics, money, school, universities

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Getting the Most out of a College Job Fair

collegecareerlife — Sat, 15 May 2010 13:48:41 +0000

The great thing about being in college is that any good university career center organizes a job fair once every semester—or at least once a year. These job fairs can be an absolute goldmine—after all, how often do employers gather in one place and reach out to you, instead of the other way around? It is important to take advantage of these job fairs any chance you get. To help you toward that end, I will discuss a game plan that will help you get the most out of your college’s next job fair.

First of all, as soon as you get wind that a job fair is headed your way, go online and find out about it. Register for the fair if necessary, and if the fair lasts more than one day, make plans to attend both days. Some employers can only send a recruiter out for one day. If you only attend one day, you may miss out on an opportunity. Print out any lists of employers that plan on attending. Circle any that catch your eye so you can do a little research on the company ahead of time and make plans to visit their booth. If you go into a job fair ignorant of who will be there, you may end up wasting a lot of valuable time.

Next, update your resume, print off several copies, and prepare a portfolio of work you’ve done in college or in previous jobs that might be relevant to the jobs you are seeking. You may even want to copy your resume and samples of your work to a portable flash drive so you can easily transfer it to a computer. After all, many career representatives bring laptops so students can apply for jobs online.

The day before, prepare a brief statement about yourself that lets career representatives know your skills and strengths in a nutshell. Keep in mind that these recruiters will be speaking with hundreds of students, and you will need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. Most recruiters will be ready and waiting to sell you on how great their company is, but don’t let them do all the talking. Be prepared to ask questions, like “What type of degree is needed for this position?” or “What positions are available?”

Some recruiters are pushy and attempt to draw students in with candy bowls, spinning wheels and other gimmicks, but don’t feel pressured to waste time with those who represent jobs you won’t realistically pursue. You can politely decline to start a conversation with them. If you’re not sure if you’re interested in a job, wait until the recruiter is speaking with another student, then stealthily swipe a brochure, stepping away to consider the job in peace before approaching the recruiter.

Dress professionally and take the job fair seriously. In fact, treat it like an interview—complete with business casual attire, a welcoming smile and a solid handshake. There’s no better way to make an excellent first impression on potential employers.

Finally, follow up on any good leads or connections you make, reminding employers of your interest in the company. Send a thank you note if they took the time to interview you at the fair. Little details go a long way toward landing a great job.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Alvina Lopez, who writes on the topics of accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez@gmail.com.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, college, employment, guest post, job fair, job search, jobs

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How to Make the Most of Your College Education

collegecareerlife — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:57 +0000

The following is a guest post by Anna Miller, who writes for OnlineDegree.net.

Some people choose colleges with care; others are not so lucky and end up having to go with the college that chooses to accept them. But no matter which of the two categories you belong to, it’s up to you to make the most of your college education, and you can do this by:

Knowing what you want to do after you graduate and working towards it: When you know exactly what you want to do after you graduate, it’s easier to achieve it because you tend to focus all your energies on the task. So if you want to become a doctor, you know that you need to work on your grades and keep them high so that a qualified med school will accept you. If you want to enter the job scene after four years, you need to look for internship opportunities in various organizations so that you can see what kind of job setting you’re interested in and apply for positions accordingly. And if you want to go on to grad school because you’re still not ready to leave the academic scene, you need to work on getting into a good school with an equally good program in the discipline of your choice. When you focus on your goal right from the start, it becomes easy to work towards and achieve it.

Working on your grades from your freshman year: They may not determine who you really are, but your grades do matter one hell of a lot when you’re in college and looking to use your degree to reach the next stage of your life. Whether it’s going on to grad school or looking for a job, your grades are going to come into play in a big way. And the best way to keep your grades high is to work on them right from your first year of college. If you score low grades in your first two years and then look to make them up in the next two so that your GPA improves, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You need to also ensure that you don’t let slip your hold on the good grades you earn each year in the following years, either through complacency or laziness.

Not doing anything stupid to jeopardize your future: It’s not really fair, but it’s true that while it takes a whole lot of effort to make a success of your college life, it only takes one instance of foolishness to throw it all away. So watch out for drunken binges or other forms of inappropriate behavior that could compromise your entire future and leave you with regrets for the rest of your life.

College is the foundation on which you build the rest of your life; it’s only as strong as the degree you choose, the school you choose to earn it in, and most importantly, the way you go about earning it.

This guest post was contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees . She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: advice, college, education, guest post, success

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Questions to Ask When Choosing a College

collegecareerlife — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:53:14 +0000

College is expensive, and tuition keeps rising each year. In order to get the most for your money, you need to choose a college or graduate program that provides sufficient career preparation and support for students. When considering a college or graduate program, assess both the campus career center and the specific department or school of your intended major (if you have one). Some important questions to ask when visiting college campuses:

Questions to ask at the Career Center:

How many licensed career counselors are on staff?
Do you offer help with interviewing and resume preparation?
What does the career center do to help students find a job after graduation?
Do you keep track of job placement statistics? How many students have a job upon graduation?
What other career planning and job placement services do you offer students?

Questions to ask Specific Schools or Departments:

What do you do to prepare graduates for a career in (your chosen field)?
What is the acceptance rate to professional/graduate school for graduates of this program?
What is the pass rate on the (professional/licensing exam)?
Do you help students find internships? At what companies do students intern?
What research opportunities are available to students?
How many graduate assistantship positions are available? How many students that want assistantships get them?

All of these questions may not apply to you, depending on your intended major and whether you’re a graduate student or undergraduate. College rankings can be very helpful but they might not tell the whole story. Representatives will say all good things because they want your tuition money, so you need to be prepared with specific questions.

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Sites to Help You Choose a College or Grad Program

collegecareerlife — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:52:43 +0000

Choosing a college or graduate program involves consideration of many factors, including tuition and program rankings. If you want free information about thousands of colleges and graduate schools, try the following sites.

US News Rankings

Each year, US News ranks colleges and graduate programs. In addition to U.S. schools, the site also ranks the world’s best universities. You can find rankings by location or subject area. Although basic rankings are free, you’ll need to purchase a premium online edition for $14.95 to access detailed admissions and cost information about the graduate programs.

Princeton Review

Explore colleges and majors, prepare for standardized tests, and find scholarships at PrincetonReview.com. The Best Fit School Search suggests the best schools based on your qualifications and preferences. Princeton Review also offers a number of interesting rankings from student surveys.

College Prowler

Register at collegeprowler.com to search for matching scholarships, calculate the real cost of your education, and find schools that match your criteria. The site has thousands of student reviews and editorials, including what students say are the best and worst things about their schools.

Students Review

With around 70,000 reviews, StudentsReview.com is the place to find out what students really think about their colleges. There area also alumni reviewed majors, tips for getting in, and dynamic rankings.

My Plan

My Plan provides college statistics, including most popular majors and graduation rates. Use the query feature to search for colleges by student body, location, resources, cost, campus setting, majors and admissions. Colleges are ranked by overall satisfaction, prestige, school resources, and several other factors.

College Stats

Visit Collegestats.org to find colleges that match your criteria. You can view colleges with the lowest tuition costs, the largest colleges, and much more.

For both objective information and more subjective ratings, these websites can help you narrow down your college or graduate school choices. In an upcoming post, I’ll list specific questions to ask when choosing a college or graduate program.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: college, rankings, websites

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Tips for Saving on Textbooks

collegecareerlife — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:50:41 +0000

A recent CNN Money article has confirmed that textbooks are huge rip-off, with prices nearly tripling from 1986 to 2004. Not only are textbooks overpriced, but publishers will rearrange a few chapters and call it a new edition. I have a few tips to help you save on textbooks.

Use an older edition

Even if the required textbook listed is the newest edition, ask your professor if an older edition will work. Sometimes instructors will provide updates for students if changes are small.

Shop online

You should NEVER buy textbooks from your campus bookstore. Even if you need a new edition, you’ll probably find it cheaper at sites like textbooks.com.

Share a textbook

If you won’t need your book every day, you can share it with a classmate. Find another student that you can rely on to come to class every time.

Check the library

College libraries usually carry copies of textbooks, so look to see if a copy of your textbook is available. You might not be able to check the book out, but you can make copies of any pages you need to take home or to class.

Visit the publisher’s website

If you know you won’t be using the entire book for class, you might be able to buy and download individual chapters online. It’s a great way to save paper and money.

Another way to save money is to sell back your book immediately after the semester is over. Visit Bookscouter.com to find out where you’ll get the most for your used textbook.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2010. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: college, finance, money, textbooks, tips

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Good and Bad Reasons to Get a Liberal Arts Degree

collegecareerlife — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:35:11 +0000

Liberal arts degrees are criticized because people with liberal arts degrees often end up doing jobs that could be done without a college degree. However, a “practical” degree is no guarantee of a job or a good salary. While it is true that graduates with technical degrees generally have an easier time finding employment and have higher average starting salaries, a liberal arts degree can be beneficial in certain circumstances. A few points to help you make a decision about pursuing a liberal arts degree:

You should get a liberal arts degree if..

You’re really interested in a particular subject and don’t mind spending five or six years in graduate school.
You have a certain job or jobs in mind that you would really enjoy and that you can get with a liberal arts degree. See a list of common jobs for graduates with different degrees at PayScale.com.
You don’t want to be limited to a particular field and like the flexibility that a liberal arts degree provides. You’re willing to pursue further education if necessary.

You shouldn’t get a liberal arts degree if….

You want to maintain a high GPA and think it will be easier as a liberal arts major.
You’re interested in a subject, but not enough to spend many years in graduate school studying it in-depth.
You love the classes, but aren’t sure you would love the career(s) related to the degree.

An important consideration when choosing a major is financial aid. Determine the maximum amount of loans you should take out based on your major and try not to go over that amount. If you have a good reason for getting a liberal arts degree, don’t worry about what others think. Don’t put yourself through four (or more) years of misery because of societal expectations about what degrees are best.

For more information see my recommended books for liberal arts majors or the Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors page.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: degree, liberal arts, majors

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Top Ten Most Flexible Degree Choices

collegecareerlife — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:42:18 +0000

The following guest post was contributed by Christine Howell who frequently writes about Accredited Online Degrees and college related topics for Online College Guru, an online college directory and comparison website.

Recent economic conditions have reinforced the importance of flexibility in the employment marketplace. Selecting a degree program that allows a wide range of employment opportunities is essential for new and returning students in order to maximize their chances of obtaining employment quickly. Here are the ten best options for students seeking to ensure their employability in the highly-competitive job market of today.

Business administration

This degree opens doors throughout the corporate world. Whether the emphasis is on accounting, finance, marketing, or management, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration is the starting point for a wide range of careers that are always in demand. For those interested in working in the field of business, this is the most versatile degree to achieve that goal.

Engineering

For technically-minded students, engineering degrees offer a wide range of employment options. Architecture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medicine, environmental science and many other fields of endeavor require the scientific background an engineering degree can afford.

Computer science

Computer science is closely related to the engineering field. Although many feel this degree has lost its luster in recent years, it still provides a large number of career choices to those holding a Bachelor of Science degree. Computer science graduates go on to serve as systems administrators, software engineers, network specialists, and in many other positions and career paths.

Mathematics

Considered the most practical and useful of all general science degrees, a strong mathematics background prepares one for jobs in actuarial science, business, education, and even law enforcement. The analytical skills derived from a four-year program in mathematics can be applied to nearly every field of endeavor.

English and other languages

Often unjustly maligned, a degree in English can provide opportunities for employment in a number of lucrative positions, including editing, journalism, public relations and advertising, and commercial writing. Expertise in foreign languages can allow students to obtain jobs in the government and public service field, as well as a number of educational and administrative opportunities only available to those who speak and write a second language.

Education

This may not seem a versatile selection at first; however, the variety of different disciplines covered under this one degree is immense. For any field of endeavor, there is a degreed professional to teach it; this makes education perhaps the most flexible of all degree programs.

Political science

For those interested in public service, a political science major offers the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue elected, appointed, or agency-level career paths. Political science degrees prepare students for jobs in government, law, budget planning, university administration, and many other fields that require a detailed knowledge of the inner workings of societal structures.

Psychology

Marketing, advertising, public relations, health care, and education careers are among the career options available to psychology majors. While advanced positions require advanced degrees, the knowledge of human nature and behavior allows students to step into a wide range of jobs with a reasonable certainty of success.

Graphic design

Artistically-minded students will find ample career opportunities after graduating with a graphic design degree. Most jobs are found in the advertising and commercial fields, but talented graphic designers can find work as animators, product design specialists, creative directors, and webpage designers.

Economics

An alternative to the business administration degree, economics degrees offer a different range of job opportunities. Many economists are employed by large corporations or government agencies; others work in the area of finance, statistics, or as legislative assistants to elected officials. In any field where financial predictions are useful and necessary, economists find themselves in high demand. An economics degree is also the perfect prerequisite to an advanced business law degree.

These ten degree programs will increase the chances for students to find work quickly in their chosen field after graduation. Opportunities are varied and plentiful in these fields and, while some are more lucrative than others, all offer the chance to excel in one’s chosen field of endeavor.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, college, degree, education, employment, majors

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When and How to Choose a Major

collegecareerlife — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:35:43 +0000

Choosing a college major is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Although many people don’t work in a field related to their college majors, your major can determine what careers you’ll be qualified for after college.

When to choose a major.

Some colleges force students to choose a major at some point, often sophomore year. If you aren’t sure about what major is best, don’t feel pressured to pick a major the first or even the second semester of college. When I entered college, I didn’t even realize that you could be undeclared. I went from the wrong major first semester to another wrong major second semester. Due to this impatience (and lack of knowledge), I graduated with a degree that wasn’t right for me. To meet the requirements for most degrees, you’ll need to choose a major by your sophomore year if you want to graduate in four years. If you wait until junior year to choose a major, summer or intersession courses can help you catch up.

How to choose a major.

The best way to choose a major is to choose a career. Maximize your time and money by choosing a major that prepares you for a great career. Take career tests, talk to college career counselors, and interview the people in careers you are considering. Be aware that a technical degree will probably allow you to find a job more easily and offers more income potential, but a liberal arts degree isn’t completely useless. There are career options for those with liberal arts degrees. Increase your chances of getting a job with your liberal arts degree by choosing a more practical minor.

Choice of major is not given a lot of thought by many students, which leads to difficulty during and after college. Take your time choosing a major and don’t allow someone else to make the choice for you. This is a decision that will affect you the most and one that only you can make.

Some resources to help you choose a major:

Guide to College Majors, 2010 Edition (College Admissions Guides)

Book of Majors 2010 (College Board Book of Majors)

Choose Your Major – Marquette University

College Major Quiz – About.com

MyMajors.com

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: career choice, career planning, college, majors

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Accelerated Learning a Great Option for Adult Students

collegecareerlife — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:09:00 +0000

This is a paid promotional post for Centenary College.

Do you have college credits, but never finished your degree? Are you afraid you won’t have time to attend classes while working full-time? If so, you should consider accelerated learning programs. Accelerated degree programs are especially helpful for those who have finished the core requirements, but haven’t completed their degrees. A few benefits of accelerated degree programs include:

Experiential learning. Courses in accelerated programs focus on real-world skills that adult students need. Discussions and projects emphasize practical problems and solutions. Assignments are designed to show your expertise, not to keep you busy.

Focus on non-traditional students. Because accelerated programs are designed specifically for working adults, your classmates and instructors will understand that you have responsibilities outside of school. Classes typically meet just one night a week and are offered in an ordered sequence.

Small classes. A more intimate class setting allows for better communication between instructors and students. In large classes, students don’t get to know their classmates and may not have the opportunity to ask questions or participate in class discussions.

Convenient locations. Most colleges offering accelerated programs have branch campuses specifically for adult students. Where main campuses offer mostly daytime classes, branch campuses offer night classes for working students. You may also be able to take some courses online.

Centenary College is certified by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) as an accelerated degree provider. Centenary’s accelerated learning program provides students with immediate access to professors and instructors, and has convenient locations throughout New Jersey. It offers the following accelerated degree programs: an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with a Business Emphasis, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: accelerated learning, college, degree, education, mba

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Advantages of an Online Degree

collegecareerlife — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:12:54 +0000

This is a paid promotional post for Bryan College Online.

Online degrees are increasing in popularity because they offer many benefits, particularly for non-traditional students. I’ve taken several online courses and learned as much, if not more so, than in my traditional classes. What are some major advantages to an online education?

Flexibility is the probably greatest advantage to online degree programs. Online classes are particularly beneficial for students who need to work full-time while obtaining a degree. You can work anywhere at any time and you can learn at your own pace. Motivation is key, and those who are self-disciplined usually excel in online classes.

Another advantage of an online education is relevance. With an online degree, you learn what you need to know for your chosen career, not irrelevant information. In addition, many online colleges are focused on providing technical skills rather than just a liberal arts education because they recognize that most students are seeking degrees for the purpose of better career prospects.

Efficiency is also a benefit to learning online. If you’re well-organized and a fast learner, an online degree program can save you a lot of time. Professors often get off-topic during lectures, which can be especially frustrating if you have responsibilities outside of school. You also don’t have to spend time commuting to and from campus when you attend classes online.

If you are considering getting a degree online, there are some things you should look for when evaluating a college. The school’s website should have information about accreditation, which is usually found on the About Us page. You should also talk to a representative about financial aid that will be available should you choose to attend. Read the degree requirements carefully, because some practicum will be required for certain degree programs. Finally, be sure that any credits from courses taken at other institutions will transfer.

Bryan College is a great example of an accredited online college. It has been offering career-focused training since 1982. Bryan College Online offers an Associate of Applied Science in Business degree with an emphasis in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, or Travel Agency Operations. A diploma in Medical Office Coding and Billing is also offered. Visit http://bryancollegeonline.edu/ to find out if an online education is right for you and to take a free online class.

© Andrea for College, Career, Life, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: academic, college, degree, education

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