Best Places to Start a Career in the Energy Industry

Working in the energy industry is one of the quickest ways to find high-paying work readily available.  Although moving for a job isn’t something that everyone is willing to do if you have the education and are passionate about it: moving for an energy career can be the right move for you!

These are the best places to start a career in the energy industry, and what they offer new arrivals!

Chicago, Illinois

Electricity first reached Chicago in 1892, and the city hasn’t been the same since.  Green energy has become Chicago’s most recent obsession, even though it’s not as windy as the nickname may imply.

Across multiple career websites, there are currently over 95,287 clean energy jobs, ranging from installing solar panels to working as an engineer.  Although there’s a large variety of work, almost all of it requires education of some sort to get into the field.

Houston, Texas

Houston has been known as the oil and gas capital of the world for decades, pulling in tons of work from production to working on oil rigs off the coast of Texas.  Although it isn’t clean energy, it’s still necessary to work that will keep the country running.  This city is known as the world’s energy capital and employs over 200,000 workers to ensure that the work is done and it’s done well.

This is a great city to move to if you want a low cost of living since houses for rent in Houston, TX, are far cheaper than most of the other options on this list.

Los Angeles, California

The first municipal power pole was installed in LA in 1916, and the city hasn’t slowed down since! Unfortunately, Los Angeles is home to over four million people and is a huge drain of electricity at all times of the day.

Fortunately for the environment, much of California is pushing towards being greener and using more clean energy.  Because of this, Los Angeles currently has over 160,000 clean energy job openings, seeking skilled professionals who can do everything from repairing energy lines to installing and inventing green energy machinery.  This city takes its power seriously. 

New York City, New York

In the late 1890s, electricity was widely available in most areas of the city.  This meant that people could easily source power whenever they needed to live their daily lives.  Unfortunately, as the population has skyrocketed: so needs power.

One megawatt of energy is enough to power a hundred homes for a day, and NYC takes up 11, 000 Megawatt-hours per day.  This has led to a power crisis and has made this city desperate to hire as many people for energy jobs as possible.  

Although the pay is bigger in the big apple: so is the cost of housing.  This is by far the most expensive place to live on this list, but if you have the skills and can prove yourself in your field, you’ll have no trouble making enough to make a living in NYC!

IISTE News

, , , ,

Is Pathology The Right Career Path For You?

If you are a student in college studying medicine but haven’t quite made a firm decision about what your specialty should be, you might consider the cutting-edge field of pathology.  Why? Because pathology offers a dizzying array of opportunities for medical professionals.  While pursuing your medical studies, you will find that pathology spans over a myriad of different disciplines and can also be a lucrative path in your career.

From forensic pathology to cytopathology – this exciting and diverse field of medicine has the potential to enhance your personal growth beyond your wildest reckoning.  Furthermore, the demand for qualified pathologies in all areas of medicine has skyrocketed in the last few years.  And the job market for pathologists is only expected to increase.  Read further about what it takes to be a pathologist, and what this stimulating career path can offer you.

What Pathology Is and The Two Main Branches

At its simplest, pathology is a branch of medicine that studies the cause, nature, and origin of diseases and disorders.  Pathology is at the forefront of devising innovative treatments and solutions to combat disease, viruses, and other health disorders such as cancer.  This field of study plays a crucial role in the development of vaccines and medical treatments for all manner of conditions. 

There are two main types of pathology, clinical and anatomical.  Clinical pathology explores diagnosis and cures for disease using laboratory equipment such as microscopes and centrifuges.  A clinical pathologist works in a highly controlled environment where sterile testing is done.  These facilities must operate under accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and should adhere to the lab CAP guide to make sure testing is in compliance and accurate results are determined.

Anatomical pathology is similar to clinical in that this field still executes demanding tests to find answers to medical disorders and diseases.  The most common example of an anatomical pathologist is a medical examiner that performs an autopsy to determine the cause of death.  An anatomical pathologist takes samples from the human body and conducts tests in order to find answers about the human condition.

What Are The Requirements To Be a Pathologist?

There is no exclusive educational degree for a pathologist per se.  Rather, a pathologist is a medical doctor who chooses pathology as his or her specialty.  As such, a pathologist must attain a medical doctor’s degree. This path usually starts with a student obtaining a bachelor’s degree.  No major must be claimed at this time, but students interested in medicine and pathology typically take pre-med courses with a concentration in biology and microbiology during their bachelor’s education.

Pathologists are often referred to as the “doctor’s doctor” because pathologists must be medical doctors (MD or DO). They go through all the training medical doctors do including attending a residency program, internship, board certification, licensing, and ongoing training.

Who Would Enjoy a Pathology Career?

Of course, a love of medicine should be a priority for anyone considering a satisfying career in pathology.  Also, if you have a curious mind and a genuine passion to help others heal, then you may make a great pathologist.  People who work well in this medical discipline are those who have investigative propensities. In other words, they like to do intense research to hunt down solutions to health problems. 

Furthermore, if you are detail-oriented and appreciate order in the workplace, pathology might be a satisfactory field.  Pathologists are required to take copious and accurate notes and their jobs rely heavily upon research, testing, and data analysis.  All this requires a meticulous mentality and a high standard for accuracy.

What Are The Benefits of Being a Pathologist?

The benefits of becoming a pathologist are many and varied.  Firstly, you will never lack a job as long as you work with integrity and keep your medical credentials current.  Pathology is such a diverse field, that jobs are plentiful throughout all disciplines of medicine.  You can choose from dozens of different specialties and subspecialties. This affords pathologists the freedom and flexibility to make lateral moves in related yet different aspects of medical research. 

For instance, you may start out your pathology career as a forensic pathologist.  Over time, you may choose to switch gears into pediatric pathology or neuropathology.  Because this field of medicine is so diverse and covers a broad territory in the healing sciences, pathology is a great career for those always learning and exploring different aspects of their professional life.

Furthermore, pathology can be a lucrative career.  Currently, the average physician of pathology salary is over $250,000 a year.  That salary can increase in time as more experience is gained in the field.  Pathologists are typically hired by major medical facilities and these institutions usually provide excellent benefits such as insurance, retirement, and paid holidays.

Lastly, and perhaps the biggest benefit of being a pathologist is the opportunity to help humanity overcome illness.  As a pathologist, you could be contributing to the cure for cancer, doing life-saving research, or discovering vaccines that heal people with crippling conditions.  Pathology offers diversity and the opportunity to help mankind.  So, if you’re seeking the satisfaction of helping your fellow humans and want a rewarding career you can be proud of, pathology might be the perfect path for you.

IISTE News

, , , , , ,

8 Tips On Running A Successful Volleyball Fundraising Event

Are you planning to run a volleyball fundraising event soon, but don’t know where or how to start?  Are you worried that the event will turn into a disaster? 

A volleyball fundraising event is a great way to expand your network and build camaraderie, but keep in mind that having one requires a lot of time and effort. You’ll have many things on your plate, and not having any plan will likely leave you stressed. In worse cases, you might end up having a fundraising event that won’t accomplish any goal. 

Here are eight tips to help you run a successful volleyball fundraising event:

 

1. Identify Goals

 

Running a volleyball fundraising event without having set goals is pointless. It’ll be challenging for you and your team to assess the success of the event if you don’t know what you want to achieve in the first place.

To run a successful volleyball fundraising event, identify your goals first. If the event is aimed to gather funds to send a local volleyball team to international competitions, break down the projected costs to help you identify the amount you need. 

If you also want to recruit new supporters and increase awareness through the fundraising event, make sure to share your goals as you’re marketing the event. It’s crucial to plan how you’re going to communicate your fundraising goals to the general public. 

 

2. Get Help

 

Running a volleyball fundraising event can be daunting and time-consuming that you need a whole team to help you out. Remember that you’ll have a long list of to-dos before, during, and after the actual event. 

Minimize stress when running a volleyball fundraising event by getting help. Today, you can hire companies that can give you a helping hand in planning for the event. These companies have years of experience in completing tasks necessary for fundraising events, which means that they can provide volleyball fundraising ideas to ensure that your next event will be a success.

You can also ask for help from your friends, family, and other individuals in your community. The more people helping you out, the easier it’ll be for you to run a successful volleyball fundraising event.

 

3.Set A Budget

 

Successful fundraising events always have a budget that covers expenses for food, space rental, catering, security, transportation, utilities, and other essentials necessary to make your volleyball fundraising event a success. 

When creating a budget for your volleyball fundraising event, don’t forget to consider your fundraising goal. Your event should raise funds greater than the amount of your expenses. While you’re at it, be sure to include a budget for emergencies as well. You’ll never know what will happen before or during the event, so it’s important to be financially prepared. 

 

4.Assign Roles

 

The committee can make or break the success of your volleyball fundraising event. Even if you set realistic goals, your event won’t be as successful if committee members don’t properly execute their roles.

To put together an effective event committee and foster teamwork, take note of these tips:

  • Get the right people on board: Your committee members should represent different social circles and demographics in the community. If possible, look for individuals who have connections with potential sponsors. 
  • Foster teamwork: Teamwork and collaboration can turn a stressful event planning into something that’s fun and fulfilling. Since you’ll oversee committee members, encourage effective teamwork by understanding everyone’s work styles and setting clear expectations on what you want the team members to accomplish. 
  • Maximize meetings: Only hold meetings if there’s a clear agenda. Keep discussions about the event and encourage committee members to participate. 

 

5.Decide On A Date

 

How soon your volleyball fundraising event is can affect the number of attendees. If you set the event a few days from now, you’ll likely have less attendees. 

If you want to attract as many attendees as possible, plan the event in advance. Ideally, you should announce the event at least one month before the date of the event to have ample time for organization and marketing. It’ll also be easier for the attendees to adjust their schedules and show up for the event if you inform them ahead of time. 

When setting a date, consider the purpose of the event. For example, if the fundraising event is for sending a local volleyball team abroad, make sure that the event is scheduled on a date that allows the team to arrive at the location on time. 

6.Think About The Setup

 

 

Planning the setup of the volleyball fundraising event is, most likely, one of the most time-consuming and daunting tasks. This is especially true if you’re expecting a massive number of attendees.

For your upcoming volleyball fundraising event to be a success, plan where the event will be, what kind of food will be served, and if there’ll be any entertainment. If there’s a dress code, list down all the dos and don’ts, and include them in your marketing collaterals to ensure everyone follows.

You should also come up with a plan to help attendees find their way around the location. Since it’s a volleyball fundraising event, include signs on where attendees can watch the games and get refreshments. If you’re selling merchandise on the day of the event, display large signs to help attendees find the store or booth. 

If the event will be held outdoors, pay attention to the weather and have a backup plan. For example, you can prepare portable pavilions or rent a nearby covered court just in case it’ll rain. 

 

7.Prioritize Marketing

 

Your volleyball fundraising event needs to be marketed to convince attendees that your event is something worth attending. The quality of your marketing can also influence donors’ decisions to give money to your cause.

You can effectively market your upcoming volleyball fundraising event without spending thousands of dollars. Some of the most common methods of marketing you can use include sending out mail invitations, posting information on social media, and encouraging your committee members to amplify your promotions. 

No matter what marketing strategy you’re planning to use to get the word out, do it multiple times as you’re nearing the date of the event. This can keep attendees engaged and excited.

 

8.Send Thank You Notes

 

After the volleyball fundraising event, take the time to send thank you notes to all of the people who helped—from the committee members, to the attendees, to the donors. This is a simple way of showing gratitude and fostering healthy relationships with others. Besides, you’ll likely have another fundraising event soon, so it’s always important to keep friends and donors happy! 

Start Working ASAP

Running a volleyball fundraising event is challenging, but it’s not impossible. The tips presented in this article can be your key to running the best volleyball fundraising event your city or town has ever seen!

IISTE News

, , ,

A Must-Have Guide to Finance Tips for College Students

Whether a brand-new college student or about to be an alumni, finances are difficult, and they continue to haunt college students everywhere. From living on a ramen noodle diet to counting pennies to determine if you can afford to go to the movies, it happens to the best of us. 

While finances are often a burden and sometimes hard to understand or deal with, these finance tips can help you get off on the right foot while you are in college. 

Check them out!

  1. Make Yourself a Budget 

Okay, let’s just put it out there. Having a budget in mind and having a budget on paper are two DIFFERENT things. You definitely want to take some time and sit down to make a budget. As you do this, think about each dollar that comes in and each dollar that goes out. This will allow you to gain better control of your money and you will not find yourself short every month. Uncontrolled spending can quickly land you in a debt hole. 

  1. Avoid Plastic Cards 

Credit card offers can be quite tempting, especially as a college student but you want to avoid those plastic cards as much as you can. Credit cards do not mean that you get free money that is being stored somewhere for you and you will end up paying for them PLUS interest. Therefore, if you spend $500 on a credit card, add interest and you may be paying $630 for that $500 purchase. 

If you are trying to build your credit and want a credit card, choose one with a low interest rate, pay off your bill each month, and only use the card when you know you can pay it off when the statement drops. 

  1. Automatic Payments Can Mean Overdraft Fees 

If you are already on a tight budget, you may not want to sign up for automatic payment and instead utilize apps or reminders to help you pay your bills. While automatic payments are nice, they do come directly out of your account, so if you do not have enough funds in there, you will incur an overdraft charge and those charges are not cheap. 

  1. Consider Buying Your Own Food 

While the meal plan at school may seem like the right choice for you, it can be quite the expense, especially if you do not eat a lot of food. Sometimes, purchasing your own food is the better way to go, especially if you have a microwave or fridge in your dorm. 

Meal plans are ideal for some students, so you will need to look into the plan, the cost, and consider how much you will eat.

  1. Only Borrow What You Need

Seeing that loan offer come in and cause you to jump for join but remember, you must pay it back at some point. This means that you want to limit how much you actually borrow to receive your degree. The lower the degree costs, the less you will pay back. 

If you do need to borrow money to receive your degree, do not fear. Many students do. You should make sure to read over the loan terms, know the interest rates, and understand all aspects of the loan itself. 

  1. Get A Job 

While it does not sound like something you want to do, getting a job while in school such as a waiter, working a local storage unit facility or even participating in a work study program at your school can help you not only pay for school but also afford to live while you earn your degree. It is something to think about. 

College is expensive. Living away from home is expensive. Consider the tips above to help you gain better control of your finances while you are away at college.

IISTE News

, , , ,

4 reasons to keep a courier service on your books

A thriving business deals with many other businesses and people in a variety of capacities many of which will involve requiring you to send either essential paperwork that is to be signed or has been signed, or sending goods that have been sold. Whatever the reason for needing to send items elsewhere, by keeping a courier service on you books your business will benefit in a number of ways.

It’s all about reputation

Businesses that do well all have one thing in common, they work hard to build a good reputation and being prompt to return paperwork or send bought items is imperative to this. By having a reliable courier service on your books when you have something that needs shipping you can have it sent on it’s way promptly as there is no ringing around looking for a company to use. Rather you can pick up the phone or arrange online and have it sorted by a company you have an existing account with for a seamless service to your own clients and customers. When you use the right external agencies to compliment the running of  your own business, your company reputation directly benefits. 

There is no messing about

Because you are using the same company and therefore building a good business relationship with your courier company, when you need a priority service your company will be able to reliably fulfil that need. So if you are offering a quick delivery and rely on using a same day delivery service your customers will not be let down as you know that the courier company you retain will be there when needed. This is also important where your industry requires having documents delivered with a short turnaround time, as documents that can’t be sent electronically are assured to arrive not just within the required time frame, but safe and securely also. 

Happy customers

Fulfilling customer orders quickly and reliably will make for happy customers who will potentially become repeat customers and or recommend your business to other potential customers. That’s how important your choice of delivery services are to the well-being of your company so having a good relationship with your chosen courier company is vital. By keeping them on your books shows a loyalty to them and that you are serious about providing a service that makes your customers happy.

Make couriers work for you

Sometimes you may find you’re the one needing to have something brought to you, perhaps a missing component for an item you make or someone else has not had a vital contract delivered to your premises within a required timeframe. Having that pre-existing relationship with a courier company allows you to easily organise the collection of that vital item from where it currently is, and have it brought to where it needs to be. This could well save that important deal from falling through or allow a big order to be fulfilled within the promised time, thus saving your company’s reputation. 

IISTE News

, , , , ,

7 Gift Ideas for Students

Statistics show that over half of all Americans are last-minute shoppers. Are you someone who will wait until the last minute to buy a gift? How can you prepare ahead of time so that you are not rushed? What are some good gift ideas for the students in your life that you are buying for? Having an idea of what to get them ahead of time can make the entire process less stressful. Keep reading to learn more about some gift ideas for students.

Headphones

While most students may have access to a pair of headphones, there are many options for you to give this as a gift. For example, purchasing noise-canceling headphones could be very helpful for a student who is trying to study in loud areas. This is applicable to anyone from the age of middle school to college. With the increase in laptop and desktop usage at school, students may need headphones as a part of their everyday school supplies. Given that most headphones are priced higher than a box of pencils, they are a great gift to give a student so that they don’t have to buy them themselves.

Practical Backpack

Not all backpacks are created equal. Every student has a variety of needs when it comes to the bag that they bring to school. Some students like to be able to store everything in one bag, others will carry their lunch or change of clothes for gym class in a different bag. The addition of laptops to learning has increased the need for a laptop sleeve within backpacks to protect the laptops from getting crushed by the books. Finding out what the needs of your student are and how they prefer to organize their school and extracurricular items can help you determine which backpack to purchase. 

Lunch Storage

Whether someone is in fourth grade or about to graduate college, they will need food to get through the school day. Having an economical lunch storage option is key to staying fueled throughout the day. Packing cold options doesn’t help if the container doesn’t keep the food cool. The same can be said for a college student wanting to bring hot leftovers to eat between classes. Investing in the proper lunch storage will help the food from spoiling or being less desirable for the student to eat. 

Comfortable Shoes

School requires long hours of walking and being on your feet. While college classes are typically more spread out, some high schools have long walks between each class. Investing in comfortable shoes that your student can wear to school is a huge benefit. This will help keep them from fatiguing or getting sore from their walks when they have proper shoes for the occasion. Picking options that they can wear with several outfits may help encourage them to wear the shoes more often.

A Guitar

Purchasing a guitar for your student can serve several purposes. First, it can be a way to relax. Learning how to play the guitar can be a therapeutic experience that allows them to get lost in music and challenge themselves in a new way. There are several options for acoustic guitars that you can purchase. Some students take up playing music as an extracurricular activity and others do it as a hobby. Regardless of which route your student chooses, investing in a guitar could be the perfect gift!

Planner

We might have calendars on our phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops but no one really wants to add their homework to their social calendar. Buying your student a planner or wall calendar can help them stay organized with their schoolwork and any extracurricular activities. If portability is important, a notebook-sized planner may be the best bet. A college student might like a wall calendar if they are spending a lot of their time in the dorm room studying. 

Now that you have read more about the gifts that you can buy for students, you can pick the right one for your student today. All of the items discussed are not the typical gifts that they would receive prior to returning to school. The thoughtfulness of the gift will be appreciated and it shows that you put more time into it than a last-minute purchase.

IISTE News

, , , ,

How to Deal with Financial Difficulties as a Student

Financial difficulties can be extremely worrying as a student. They may affect your ability to focus on your studies and continue your time at the university or college of your choice. In order to prevent financial difficulties from overwhelming you halfway into your studies, here are some of the steps that you can take toward dealing with and overcoming them in the 2021 academic year. 

Look Into Hardship Funds

However, most universities and colleges have financial advisors and finance departments that can help you organize your finances and give you a variety of options that can help you stay at the university regardless of your financial situation. For instance, many universities offer students facing financial difficulties a hardship fund. This fund can help to keep you going when you are far into your overdraft and will allow you to keep your finances afloat for longer. To get this fund, you should schedule an appointment with the finance team at your university as soon as possible. If you predict that you will find yourself in financial difficulty before you go to university or college, you may be able to apply for certain grants before you even leave home. 

Get a Part-Time Job

If you need some extra cash to help you pay your bills and fund your nights out, you should consider applying for part-time jobs in your area. As you progress through your studies, it is unlikely that you will have more than a few contact hours per week, especially if your course is currently focused on your dissertation or independent study. This gives you plenty of time between your lectures and seminars to head to a part-time job, where you can earn the money that you need to support yourself. SavetheStudent has collated some of the best part-time jobs that students can find at the start of the new term. However, you should make sure that this job does not distract you from your studies and that you still have enough time to complete all of your assignments. Some courses may even recommend that you avoid taking on a part-time job, where possible. 

Apply for Grants

You might be able to apply for grants, even if you are halfway through your studies. Grants are given by the university itself and give extra funding to people who meet certain criteria. These criteria could be anything, from coming from a low-income background, having a parent who works in a certain field, being a mature student, or taking a certain course, such as healthcare or teaching. 

Speak to Your Landlord

One of the main issues when you run out of money as a student is being able to afford your rent, especially if you are staying in private accommodation. While it may be easy to contact your university’s accommodation provider about any late payments, and these usually come out of your student loan directly, it can be harder to speak to your landlord about any problems you are having in getting the money you need together. However, in most cases, student landlords will be lenient or will allow you to pay your rent when you receive your next loan installment. This is not always the case, though. So, before you speak to your landlord, you should plan exactly what you are going to say and make sure that you know your rights while renting out their property. 

Short Term Loans

If you are struggling with financial difficulties as a student, you might consider taking out a short-term loan. This is a possibility as long as you have some sort of income (e.g. from a part time job) but this should be a last resort and you would need to be confident you can and will meet all of the loan repayments, as failure to repay a loan can lead to further financial difficulties. If you do decide to go down this route, it may be a good idea to use an FCA regulated loan broker to try and get the best APR available to you and your personal financial circumstances.

Cut Your Costs

As a student, although it is unlikely that you will be making a large income, you will not have as many fixed costs as other people living independently. For instance, you will be splitting your bills between multiple people and will usually not have a vehicle to run. So, once you have paid your rent and your student loan, the majority of your costs may be spent on fun and luxuries. It can be difficult to manage your money in the first years of being a student, especially if you have never had to do so before. So, you should find ways to better manage your money and cut your unnecessary expenditure. For instance, you should cook at home more often, attend free events or societies, and consider walking or taking the transport put on by your university rather than public transport or taxis. If you are struggling to cut down on your costs, you should consider downloading a finance tracking app that will allow you to see and manage what you are spending at all times. 

Many students deal with money problems before they leave university or college, especially if your student loan covers less than you imagined. You may encounter these issues even if you previously believe that you were financially savvy. However, these issues do not mean that you will have to return back to your hometown and abandon your degree. Although being in financial difficulty can be stressful for students, it is not usually the end of the world, and there are plenty of steps that you can take to get you back on your feet and which can ensure that you stay financially afloat enough to pour most of your energy into your studies and achieve academic success, and with that success carve a great career for yourself. 

IISTE News

, , ,

5 Tips For A First-Generation IT College Student

As a first-gen student, you face expectations unlike any other. You’re trying to figure out how to make your parents proud, how to make new friends, how to live on your own for the first time. There’s no denying it’s tough, so we want to make it a little easier. 

Get ready for campus life by reading our five tips for being a first-generation college student below.

1. Apply for Scholarships 

If you’re a first-generation college student, you may have additional financial stressors others don’t. Thankfully, there are great scholarships out there specifically for you — and plenty are offered by former first-gen students. 

Jasdeep Singh created a scholarship in honor of his parents, who valued education and helped their son through secondary schooling. Apply to as many of these opportunities as you can to help alleviate the financial burden college places on you. 

2. Get Involved 

College isn’t just about locking yourself in your dorm and studying — it’s a time to have fun and discover yourself. 

Joining clubs, attending school events, and participating in campus activities will help you feel more at home. Fostering your social life is almost as important as handling the academic side of things (just ensure you find a nice balance). 

3. Understand Your Limits

Chances are, you’re on your own for the first time. You’re away from your routine and juggling a schedule that revolves solely around you. There’s no denying it’s difficult figuring out what and who to prioritize. 

The trick is to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. This may mean saying no, denying an extra project, or opting out of a social situation. Burnout is very, very real, and taking on too much puts you at risk. 

4. Assess Your Study Habits

Don’t base your study habits on those around you. Your roommate may be able to absorb all their info from the lecture alone, leaving him plenty of time to party. But that doesn’t mean your brain works the same way. 

In your first semester especially, take the time to determine what method of studying works best. You may have solidified certain habits in high school, but as college coursework is more involved and requires advanced understanding, your study sessions will need to keep up. 

5. Network

Some people with connections — they’re legacies, their parents were in a particular sorority or frat, etc. — and some don’t. If you’re a first-gen student, there’s a high chance you’re in the latter group. But don’t panic; college is the perfect way to make the connections you need. 

Picture-perfect academics isn’t the only way to jumpstart your career. A 2016 survey concluded 85% of jobs are filled because of networking. 

So, don’t be afraid to attending dedicated networking events. Have that elevator pitch in your back pocket. And, for the love of all things good, take advantage of your professor’s office hours! Before you know it, these foundational relationships may present you with a career path. 

Final Thoughts & A Bonus Tip

It’s time to let go of the expectations you think others have of you. College is a time to discover your interests and explore potential career fields you’ve never thought possible. So, meet new people, join fun clubs, and explore your hobbies in full. 

It’s challenging to decide what you want to do at 18, even more so when you feel the pressure to make your family proud. But chances are, they already are. Use this opportunity for yourself and see what the future holds. 

IISTE News

, , , , ,

How to Choose the Right College for You

There are so many choices to make when selecting a college, it is a wonder anyone does it at all. Analysis paralysis can really be a hindrance to moving forward. You are not just looking for a good college, but the perfect college for you. This can be hard for 18 year olds with no life experience to guide them. They really don’t know what they want. When you don’t know what you want, it can be really hard to find. One should also remember that perfect is the enemy of the good. There are plenty of good colleges you might overlook because you are set on finding the perfect. That merry chase is more of a fool’s errand. Perfect doesn’t exist.

What you need is a clear understanding of your needs. Make a list of priorities in the order of importance. There are a lot of things you think you need at first. But later, you realize you can live without them. Give yourself enough time to change your mind a few times. Get input from people who have been to college and can help you know what to look for. Some priorities are obvious. The following items might not have made your first draft:

Access to Charging Stations

If you are thinking about getting an electric car, you are not going to be able to park that thing in your dorm room and charge it from an outlet. You are going to have to make sure there is at least one charging station nearby so you can juice up before heading out. There doesn’t need to be a charging station on campus. It is not like most campuses have their own gas station. But you do need one or two nearby, and in route to places you normally go. Fortunately, the charging station infrastructure is really starting to fill out. So that is much less of an issue than it was 10 years ago. 

While you’re at it, check the parking situation. Not all campuses have ample parking spots for students. Some might charge a high fee for parking. The same is true for a lot of cities. One of the biggest downsides to owning a car is parking. Many places are simply not car-friendly. Again, this is just one of those things you need to ask about and not take for granted. If you have a car, or plan to, be sure the infrastructure on and near campus is right for you.

Job Placement

You definitely have to make sure you choose the right college for your major. What you also have to know is if the college has a successful job placement program for the kind of job you want to do. Every college likes to boast about their job placement successes. But general numbers don’t mean a thing if they are not good at placing people in the type of job you want to do. 

The best business school from 2015 might not represent the best you can do today. So be sure your recommendations are current. Again, there is a difference between the best business school and the school that is best at getting their graduates into good jobs. That’s a big difference. Don’t get a degree that will not get you hired. 

Tech Ecosystem

If you are a Mac user and your school only does Windows, you are in trouble. You are going to hate every minute. And the transition is not automatic. You are also probably looking at a school that is technologically regressive if all major platforms aren’t supported. If you Use ecosystems from Microsoft, Apple, or Google and it is not supported, look elsewhere. While you’re at it, be sure that the WiFi is plentiful, fast, ubiquitous, and reliable. Your college career will depend on the internet even if you are taking all of your classes on campus. Bad internet services equals a bad college. Even if everything else is perfect, that school is a big pass. Don’t ignore technological red flags.

While it is not impossible to transfer to a different college, there is a reason it seldom happens. The place you land at first is more than likely the place you will graduate. So be sure to choose wisely. Be sure it has the right infrastructure in place for the car. Be sure the job placement program is right for your major. And check the tech before signing the dotted line.

IISTE News

, , , , ,

Easy ways to finance your education in 2021

As we move into a new decade, it is important to consider what your education will cost you. There are many reasons for this and can vary from person to person. Some people may be looking at getting their degree because they want to advance in their current career, while others may be looking at the long-term opportunity to get an advanced degree or certificate that could potentially exponentially increase their earning power. Whatever the reason, it’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to finance your education in 2021.

This post covers easy ways to finance your education in 2021, which include;

1. Getting a scholarship

Getting a scholarship is one of the most popular ways to finance your education, as it doesn’t usually require repayment. Some examples are academic scholarships, which may be based on GPA or SAT scores, and athletic scholarships for athletes who showcase their skills at various universities during recruiting events.

Scholarships are determined by the college, which means that you should be proactive about applying for them. The best way to do this is to research scholarship opportunities and find ones that match your academic interests or lifestyle preferences to increase your odds of getting one. In addition, there are also scholarships available through private organizations.

2. Student prizes

If you’re a student looking for easy ways to finance your education, consider entering some of the many competitions geared towards students. These could range from beauty pageants and academic contests.

Students can also enter essay or photography competitions sponsored by companies such as Microsoft.

Some companies offer a scholarship to the top three finalists in their essay or photography contest. The only requirement is that you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate student and at least 18 years old. One of these scholarships may be enough for your entire education, so it’s worth entering if you’re eligible.

3. Getting an online loan instead of a student loan

One of the easiest ways to finance your education in 2021 is by taking out an online loan. This type of loan should be taken as a last resort, but some people may find that they’re unable to get any other form of financial aid because their credit score isn’t high enough or they don’t have any assets (for example).

The good news is that some loan providers like CashFlex offer online loans for students without a credit score requirement and can be applied through an easy process in just under five minutes. No paperwork or faxing is required.

Online lenders don’t rely on your credit rating to approve the loan application, so it’s worth considering.

However, there are some downsides to taking out an online loan for your education as well; the APR rates can be much higher than what you would pay with a student-loan provider, and they may also require collateral such as a car or house to ensure that the person takes out payments on time.

4. Part-time jobs

If you don’t want to take out an online loan to finance your education, there are other ways that you can earn some money. One of these is getting a part-time job on-campus or off-campus during the school year and summer break.

This could be anything from being a peer tutor for students who need help working in the campus cafeteria.

The bottom line with part-time jobs is that you need to do your research beforehand without letting any opportunity slip away.

5. Student grants

There are also some student grants available for students to apply for that can help with tuition or living expenses. These could be either merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both.

The first step in applying for these grants is to fill out the form and see if you’re eligible. You’ll know that you are once your financial aid award letter arrives with a list of scholarships, loans, or other types of student-aid available to you. This can take some time, so it’s important not to wait until the last minute.

Conclusion

Financing your education in 2021 is easy. With different ways available, it’s a good idea to get started early and figure out which one is best for you. To do this, we recommend researching scholarship opportunities and what other types of financial aid may be offered to you.

IISTE News

, , ,