Michael Kirst's Blog, page 19

5 Tips to Create the Perfect Resume

BY KATE LARSON

 

Keep it Simple

Forget fancy fonts and show-off designs: your resume must be simple so that a recruiter (or computer software) can quickly digest the information within it. Always choose commonly-used sans-serif fonts, such as Calibri or Arial, and make sure your font size is 11 or 12.

Your name should be displayed at the top of your resume along with your contact information. Using “multiple” line spacing and keeping a one-inch margin around all sides of your document will make the content easier to read.

Headings and job titles should be in a slightly larger font size and bolded so that they stand out. Italicize previous job titles and educational institution names to help set them off from headings.

 

Include a Short Profile

A well-crafted profile should give the reader a short indication as to your experiences so far and why you wish to apply for the role. Place it under your contact information and make sure it isn’t more than three sentences long. If your resume is written in the first person, your profile should be as well.

 

List Your Technical and Professional Skills

As a college student, you’re unlikely to have a long list of previous jobs to list on your resume. The good news is that you can use the technical and personal skills you’ve picked up over time to help pad out your resume.

Always read through any job advert you’re applying for and try to pick up on any keywords they’ve included. Listing them in your own skills list will help your resume to pass screening software that recruiters commonly use.

 

Experience Should go Above Education…

…but only if you’re working. If you’re currently studying and don’t have a job, list your education first.

Always list past jobs and education history in chronological order. Include dates, titles, and location. When it comes to describing what your previous work experience entailed, be sure to list your achievements rather than just your job duties. Use active verbs, such as succeeded, helped, or won, to start each bullet point and include examples of specific projects or tasks you’re most proud of.

Remember to switch between past and present tense if you begin talking about a role that you’re currently in.

 

 

 

Use Online Tools for Proofreading

Over half (58%) of employers admit to throwing out a resume if it contains a typo. Thankfully, there are now several online tools that can help you to spot any glaring errors before you hit the print button.

Grammarly and the Hemmingway Editor are a great place to start. They pick up on faulty determiner use and alert you whenever your sentences become overlong.

Once you’ve done all your online checks, print out your resume and read it aloud slowly. It’s then best to turn to another task for half an hour before returning for one final check with a pair of fresh eyes.

Finally, try to pluck up the courage to ask your friends or family to read through your resume. While they might not pick up on any errors, they could provide you with valuable feedback that helps you to land that all important interview.

What Should I Do If I’m Not Getting Any Responses?

Don’t panic. You can either start applying for lower-paid positions or decide to get creative. What do we mean by the latter? Well, start to think of yourself as a new business that needs to get their name out there. To do that, you need to advertise.

Start by taking the online route. Create your own website that shows off some of your skills in more detail. Then use Bannersnacks and create a banner ad to advertise your services on carefully selected websites.

Next, come up with your own business cards and print them out alongside some copies of your resume. Dress to impress and head to local businesses in your area asking whether they have any positions available. An employer will always be impressed by a student taking a proactive approach in their job hunt.

To help you think of yourself as a new business, it’s a good idea to spend some time researching advice from top entrepreneurs and CEO’s. You can find podcasts and interviews online to help you get inspired by those who have already achieved what you aspire for, to get you into the right mindset for creating that perfect resume.

Kate Larson is a college student and aspiring blogger, who has a strong interest in the environment and personal well-being. She enjoys travelling and reading, as well as writing novels.

 

 

University Or College Can Be The Ultimate Social Support Circle

BY ANNABEL MONAGHAN

 At university, students go through one of the most transformative stages in their life. From the moment they walk through the gates of their university (their new home in a sense), to the second they graduate and begin their journey as a career-driven individual in the real world, it is a beautifully chaotic experience. Some students are naturally able to handle the experience better than others, and this is nothing to be ashamed of. Comparison to other students is not only unhealthy, but it is potentially incredibly damaging to one’s psyche and whole health. The key to getting through university, especially when one feels they are struggling, is forging strong relationships with other students and friends. Because of the sheer scale of most universities, having strong, dependable relationships can and mostly does prove to be the ultimate social support circle. Students these days put more pressure on themselves than ever before. It is upsetting, to say the least, but it is also easy to understand how and why this occurs so often. Of all the pieces of advice that university students get, the best one is to find their comfortable balance, and to ensure that they consistently work to maintain it. But how?

Students today take on more of a workload while trying to balance more work at their jobs, more time with their families, partners, and friends, and more time for themselves. Finding the peak balance is more difficult than ever. It is also more important than ever that university students can find the balance. Going into university as a student can be a tremendously difficult transition for some individuals. It is important to go into the experience with an accepting, an  open  mindset, first and foremost. University is a time for trying new things, and it is advised that one should always make the most of the experience and to do exactly that. From finding new hobbies, like  a garden or a book club, to finding one’s personal research and study strategies, students can find out an absolute wealth of knowledge about themselves when they are at university. Self-discovery is incredible, and letting university help one with that is the best move.

Of course, the nature of university is that it challenges you, but at no point in life – especially when going through such a challenging experience – should one’s mental health be put on the back burner in favor of advancement in other aspects of life. Therefore, forging and maintaining strong relationships with other students can be the saving grace for many. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with the university experience, and having a social circle that doubles as a support system is incredibly important. Even when an introvert at heart, making a friend or two can truly make all the difference in the world. When studying for finals becomes too much, taking a break and doing something fun with a friend is a great way to hit the reset button and allow for a stronger grasp on the environment and current circumstances around a person.

Aside from having some positive hobbies and supportive relationships while at university, maintaining a strong sense of one’s own emotions and current mental state is incredibly important. University helps to shape students into who they are going to be once they graduate, but a lot of that evolution of the individual is up to the person themselves, too. Students these days are so focused on maintaining the best grade scores they can, that they often push their own needs to the back of their minds. Sometimes, they are not even aware of just how important their personal needs are. This is dangerous territory to be in, and the reason that making consistent mental check ins on oneself is so crucial. Even if it means discussing one’s current headspace with a course coordinator or faculty head, and possibly taking some time out, it is important to ensure our mental health is being taken care of.

When individuals walk onto campus or sign into their student log in for the first time, they start a three to four year experience that is challenging, demanding, and rewarding all at once. It is easy for students to become overwhelmed with the university experience, especially when they are relatively new to it. The key to maintaining strong relationships and integral understanding in university is to surround oneself with positive, engaging relationships while making time for things that are not related to the university experience. Because of the busy lives that modern students leave, they put more pressure on themselves than they ever have before, and this pressure can result in unhealthy responses. The best advice any university student can get is to ensure they find their comfortable balance, and to make sure that they maintain that balance – no matter what.

Annabel Monaghan is a writer with a passion for education and edtech. She writes education and career articles for The College Puzzle with the aim of providing useful information for students and young professionals. If you have any questions, please feel free to email her at annabelmonaghanwriter@gmail.com. 

 

 

Avoiding 6 Common Money Mistakes College Students Make

BY JIMMY POPWORTH

Starting anything new in life can be quite challenging. This is especially true when it comes to college. It doesn’t matter if you are entering college directly from high school or you have been out of the classroom for several years and looking to plunge back into higher education. Sure, studying and taking tests are going to be hard, but the hardest thing about going to college is the financial side of things. Being in the classroom from six to eight hours a day makes it hard to hold down a full-time job. At the few least you can get back with a part-time job, which isn’t going to provide the income that you need to cover the costs of your books let alone your cost of living. This is why it is imperative to avoid making financial mistakes whenever you can. Below, you will learn the 6 most common financial mistakes that college students make and how you can avoid them.

  Choosing A School That Doesn’t Suit Your Needs

One of the most exciting things about the whole college experience is choosing where you are going to go. Searching through the different campuses and touring them can be a thrilling experience. It is true that there are many different factors that will go into choosing a school. However, the most important thing is that you choose a university and program that supports your career goals.

This is much more important than worrying about the price tag. This is going to be your life when you graduate and it will be worth the extra investment. Just remember that the only way that your wasting your money is if you aren’t getting what you need out of the experience. Plus, there will be financial aid and student loans available as well as other financing options that will help you pay down your debt in the long run.

  Taking the Time To Review FAFSA

 FAFSA, officially known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is without a doubt the most important financial tool for any college student. It is something that should never be overlooked. Taking the time to sit down with your family and filling out this form will tell you exactly how much you will have to pay for college. In addition to this, it will tell you how much financial aid you can qualify for and if you are eligible for any grants. If you do not the time to fill out this application you are missing out in a huge opportunity that could help ease the burden of your financial situation.

  Being Too Prideful To Ask For Help

 If you are entering college from high school this is your first opportunity to prove yourself in the world. You get the chance to prove that you can stand on your own two feet. Sometimes this new found discovery makes people prideful and they don’t want anyone to know that they are struggling or need help. Well, sometimes you are just going to have to swallow that pride and ask for help. It doesn’t matter if you are struggling academically, personally, or financially, most colleges offer students free resources that can help.

With some inquiries, you will probably find that your campus offers free tutoring, counseling, and the financial aid department will be more than grateful to help you with anything related to financial aid or student loans.

  Not Taking Advantage Of Scholarships

You don’t have to be a 4.0 GPA honor student to get a scholarship. You don’t even have to be a high school student entering college for the first time to get a scholarship. There are a number of scholarships available to students of all ages and backgrounds. Yes, it will be a lot of hard work finding these scholarships and applying for them, but this is an opportunity to save money. Even the smallest scholarship can go a long way. Remember to use the Internet to your advantage. There are a number of guides online that will help you find and apply for scholarships. Just remember that most of these scholarships will come along with requirements and if you do not meet the requirements they might be ripped right from underneath you.

  Misusing Credit Cards

When the credit card companies find out that you are in college you are going to be bombarded with offers. These companies also set up booths outside the campus to tempt you even further. Some of these offers might seem good, but you only want to get a credit card if you know that you are financially responsible enough for one. Credit cards are a great way to establish a credit report, but if you misuse them it will have an avalanche effect that will snowball you right into bad credit before you even start your life. There is nothing wrong with getting a card, but you only want to use it when necessary and make sure that you pay back the balance in full every single month.

  Not Using Student Affinity Networks

 Not only does college bring about the cost of tuition and books, but there are going to be other expenses as well. You will have to shop for clothes, you will need binders, and you might even find yourself in need of a new laptop. Well, most college students don’t know that there are hundreds of brands out there that are willing to cut you a break, but finding these brands can be difficult. This is where student affinity networks come in handy. With the help of these networks, you can redeem rightfully what is yours.

These student affinity networks partner with fashion firms, tech industries, grocery stores, and a variety of other establishments to help college students get discounts on just about anything they can imagine. The best thing about these student affinity networks is that they are completely free to utilize and they work extremely hard to bring you the best-in-class offers from all your favorite brands.

References:

https://creditcards.usnews.com/student
https://www.quickloansdirect.com/fast-business-loans/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/affinity-networks-inc-
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

Jimmy Popworth is an online journalist, writer and web developer with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. His writing style is both informative and witty, and his tastes are eclectic.

 

Getting Ready For A National Test: Dental School As An Example

Success on any exam depends solely on the level of planning, the time dedicate of dedication, and the quality of focus put into preparation. This is same with the DAT-Dental Admissions Test. Truth be told, you can’t just get lucky and score well without executing a sufficient review beforehand. Hence in this article, we will be discussing the necessary tips that will prove useful when preparing for your DAT.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) has been in use since 1950 as an exam to measure prospective dentists’ ability to manage the rigorous schooling required to achieve a DMD. Overall, the test measures general academic ability, how individuals understand and apply scientific information, and the applicant’s perceptual ability.

Tips Needed for the DAT

Before proceeding to take the test, here are some essential tips to help you set yourself up for success.

 

The Calibration Stage

Before you can even register to take the DAT, you will be need to first acquire a DENTal Personal Identifier Number (DENTPIN®). Pre-dental and current dental students can log in to their DENTPIN account or create a DENTPIN account through the ADA.After acquiring a DENTPIN, next, you should take a hard look at your schedule to decide upon the best date and time for you to sit for the exam. Be realistic with your schedule. Are you working fulltime? Are you a fulltime student? It’s going to take you at least a few months to master the material, so scrutinize your schedule before selecting a test date and time.

If you are two weeks out from your test date, and just know in your gut that you’re not ready to achieve your potential, then you will be required to pay an extra fee to reschedule your test. But in the end, it’s a small sacrifice.

It has been proven over time that registering for a DAT test date as soon as registration becomes available makes it possible for you to select the most preferred date, as Prometric centers have limited seats available for each test date.
Develop a Study Schedule

As important as registering for the exam is, preparing for the test is of utmost importance. You can buy a flight to France, but you’ll need to pack a suitcase first. You must develop a regimented study schedule that with weekly goals or deliverables, so that you can have milestones building up to test day.

When preparing, using the right material is essential, and that is specific for each individual. Some people work with a DAT tutor, some people review old course notes and DAT prep books on their own, and some people watch science videos on YouTube. Find what works best for your learning preferences, given the foundation of knowledge you are building upon.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle

You’re going to be dedicating a lot of hours (and maybe blood, sweat, and tears) into your DAT prep. Thus, it is essential that you do all you can to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some people invest all waking hours into studying for the test, and as important as this may seem, allocating time to exercise, eat healthy foods, sleep, and socialize is also a crucial part of the studying process. With this, your brain won’t be overly anxious, and you will be able to have the needed rest.
When your test is soon

Once you near test day, try to remember the following in order to put yourself in the best situation for success:

Make sure you sleep well the week leading up to the exam. Get a noise machine, a fan, whatever it is to ensure you have the best possible sleep conditions.
Allow time for review the morning of test day. Read through your notes before leaving home for the testing center.
Make sure your alarm is working. Set multiple alarms the night before. You must appear!
Eat a healthy breakfast before leaving home.
Make sure you get to the Prometric center early. Research the route the night before, and allocate extra time in case of traffic.
Take your notes in the car with you. Or whatever method of transportation you are using. It’d be great if you can get someone to drive you, so that you can review your notes en route. Just don’t get carsick!

 

Conclusion

Many people take the test each year (approximately 13,000, in fact). If you’re nervous, talk with someone who’s taken the test and enrolled in dental school. Ask for tips for strategy or psychological preparation. So long as you study adequately, you can do this!

Eliza is a co-founder of Tutor the People. She works mostly advising students on their academic and professional pursuits, and matching students one on one for MCAT prep, GRE tutoring, CPA prep, LSAT test prep, and GMAT tutoring.

Comprehensive Guide For Getting Federal And Student Aid: Part 2

BY DREW HENDRICKS

Federal Student Aid for Returning Adults

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 8.1 million college students are aged 25 and older. This number is continuously growing, expected to multiply by 18 percent by 2025. With a continually changing economy and technology that consistently evolves, it’s essential to stay up to date on skills and information to land the best possible job. Whether you’re getting an extra Associate’s, attending a vocational program, or continuing to your Master’s or Ph.D. after completing your BA some time ago, you’re still eligible to receive federal student aid.

Once you’ve applied to your programs of choice (making sure that they can accept federal funding, of course), you can complete the FAFSA paperwork like any other student. Your grant size depends on your current job, family, and financial status. While younger students in need still get priority, you’re likely to get a good-sized contribution if you qualify, regardless of your age. Older students that have dependents usually receive more grant money, unless their income is above the federal limit for financial aid. If you attended an undergraduate program and received Pell Grants in the past, you may not be eligible this time around. Even if you can’t receive Pell anymore, you can still secure your tuition money from FAFSA.

The government offers FSEO (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity) Grants to returning students looking for a career change or upgrade their level. Like other grants, these don’t have to be repaid. On the other hand, not every college accepts these grants, so you’ll have to apply to a participating program.

The best thing older students can do after applying for financial aid is inquiring about scholarships. There are so many scholarships that are not dependent on previous grades. Awards can be state-funded or privately funded, so there are no limits. As a returning student, you likely have a certain point-of-view that makes you an asset – and believe it or not, plenty of organizations would love to give you a scholarship. Depending on your interests, work experience, and personal story, you can find dozens of qualifying scholarships to apply for. The process might be lengthy, but it’s worth it. You can also ask your school’s financial aid team to direct you to a list of scholarships.

Lastly, try your employer. You’d be surprised at the number of companies and brands that offer continuing education opportunities to their employees. Especially large companies and corporations almost always have extra courses you can take or programs that supplement your tuition or textbook costs. It makes sense for businesses to invest in their workers. Some companies might require you to stay with them for a few years after completing your education, and others will grant you promotions if you can come in with an updated diploma. Ask your HR department about continuing education opportunities.

What to do When Financial Aid Isn’t Enough

In some cases, your family’s income might be too high to receive full federal funding. You might get find that FAFSA covers just a part of your tuition, leaving you to scrounge up the rest. Fortunately, you can augment your tuition costs in a few simple ways.

 

Federal Work-Study programs – These usually fill up quickly, but it’s always worth applying. Colleges set up specific jobs that pay minimum wage and offer part-time hours for students enrolled in the school. It’s an easy way to get work experience, make your tuition money, and have a job you don’t have to commute to.

 

Work from home – For students with specific skills, or returning students with work experience, consider freelancing and working remotely. If you can write, design, program, translate languages or have nearly any other skillset, you can offer your services. Working from home, you can set your hours and work at a pace that allows you to put your education still first. Take a look at this list of 25 tips for working from home and see if this type fits into your school/work balance.

 

Tutoring – If you have excellent grades in any particular subject, you can stay on campus and offer your tutoring services to your classmates. It’s an easy way to make money, and come finals season, you’ll notice a burst in business. When you can’t get a job on or near your school, try working for yourself. You can advertise on student boards and social media, or even get your professors to endorse you.

 

Payment Plans – Your school may offer payment plans through the Bursar or student accounts office. You won’t have to take out a loan, and an officer will help you budget the payments so that they are affordable. These payment plans might have strict rules though with costly late fees, so check over all the fine print before you sign anything.

Secure Your Federal and State Financial Grants Before Fall 2019

You can usually expect to wait a while before receiving an answer from FAFSA, Pell, or any other scholarships you’ve applied to. Since this process takes months, it’s important to start early. You should receive an answer if you are awarded any money by August. If you’re not sure or haven’t heard back, contact your school’s Bursar office. They’ll let you know right away if there are problems with your paperwork so that you have time to make corrections and receive full benefits before the Fall semester starts. Most schools require payment up front, so if your grants don’t come through, you’ll be sent a bill for the full semester. Failure to pay will cause you to be discharged from all of your registered classes.

You can check for updates on your FAFSA application by logging in through their website. You’ll also see any information regarding Pell or state grants as well. Scholarships will contact you through email or direct mail whether or not you’ve been accepted. Give yourself a three-week grace period and check up on your financial aid status before you’re due to start school. That way, you can avoid any major issues and go into the semester worry-free.

Drew Hendricks  contributes to Forbes Inc and Entrepreneur

 

Comprehensive Guide For Getting Federal and State Student Aid:Part One

BY DREW HENDRICKS

Finding and filling out financial aid documents is a confusing and time-consuming process, whether you’re just finishing high school or an adult ready to return to higher ed. The best way to simplify this procedure is to prepare everything you need in advance. Take a look at this comprehensive guide to filing your federal and state student aid in 2019 before you submit your FAFSA, and make sure it’s done correctly.

Federal financial aid opens up to applicants every October 1st, with the deadline usually looming at the end of June the following year. It’s vital to fill out these forms as soon as possible to secure a grant in time for the Fall 2019 semester. Once you’re officially accepted to a school of your choice, you can start figuring out how you can secure your funding.

How Financial Aid Works

If it’s your first time attending a post-secondary program, you’ll likely have a lot of financial information, loan offers, and scholarship applications to figure out. Before you make any commitments to Sallie Mae, consider the benefits of federal financial aid.

The United States Federal Government offers financial aid for qualifying students. A certain amount of the country’s federal tax income goes towards offsetting tuition costs for students that need the resources. Once your application is processed, the funding goes directly to the university you’re attending, and any leftover grant money is sent to you for books and materials.

The amount of the grant varies depending on each student’s financial standing. Those under 24 years of age are assessed according to their parent’s tax returns, while students over 24 are eligible on their own merits. This aid is available to anyone currently accepted to a college, university, and specific vocational programs. It’s worth filing for, even if your grant is a few hundred dollars. Any money towards your education will help in the long run.

Financial aid is free, meaning you will not have to pay it back. This money is allocated explicitly by the government to level the higher education playing field. Scholarships are another way to get money to go to a school that won’t put you into debt. Otherwise, the next step is to turn to federal and bank loans.

State Financial Aid and Pell Grants

Another option is to file state student aid. Every state has programs, which is where you’ll have to go digging to figure out exactly what your area can offer you. These awards come in the form of grants. For example, New York currently provides free public colleges for residents, while California’s Cal Grant depends on high school GPAs. Federal aid is available to a broader range of students, but it’s recommended to fill out both to take full advantage of the awards.

The Pell Grant is another favorite way of funding higher education. Designed explicitly for lower-income students, the Pell Grant is the “single largest source of grants for postsecondary education” in the last 40 years. According to the Department of Education, Pell distributed around $28.8 billion in aid to students across America. After submitted your FAFSA form, you’re automatically considered for a Pell Grant. You do not have to apply separately for this program.

The average Pell Grant is a little below $6,000, and even if you don’t get the full amount, you will likely at least get enough to cover the cost of textbooks. Pell only covers undergraduate students, or those pursuing a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate. Additionally, there is a 12-semester lifetime limit on Pell Grants, so the funding does run out if you take more than four years to complete your degree.

How to Start the Financial Aid Process

As soon as you know you’re accepted to your school of choice, it’s time to gather your documents and sit down to file your FAFSA. The best thing to do is to get it out of the way, read through the entire application, and double check it to make sure it’s filled out correctly. Opening the FAFSA link for the first time is a little overwhelming, but the process is not incredibly complicated. You can save each section and come back to it so that you can take your time.

Firstly, you’ll have to create an FSA ID, which you can do here. The process takes about ten minutes and requires you to create a PIN password. Parents will have to fill this part out with their children, as they might have to sign some of the forms. Once you have your login, you can keep it forever. Even if you’re done with school, you can access your financial aid records through the FAFSA website with your ID.

The only correct form of federal financial aid will come from a .gov address. You can apply for FAFSA here, or print out a PDF from the website and mail it in.

Your form will have a few key steps you should pay attention to:

 

Choosing the right form – The 2019-20 FAFSA form is for students planning to attend college between July 2019 and June 30, 2020. You’ll likely have a variety of dates to choose from, but this is the correct option if you’re starting with the next fall semester.

 

Filing out the demographics section – This is for each student’s personal information. It’s important to copy your info exactly from your social security and other documents. This is not a place to put nicknames or change your name. It’s also illegal to lie about your ethnicity to secure a more substantial grant. Any inaccuracies might lead to your case being denied.

 

List your schools – This space is for programs you have either officially applied or been accepted to. If you don’t get into some of the schools you referred to; the FAFSA form will disregard them and grant the funding to the institution you will register with. None of the schools can see this information, so don’t worry about including them on your application.

 

Dependency status – This is likely the most complicated part of the form. They’ll require exact financial information. Unfortunately, if you’re under the age of 24, even if you live alone and make your income, your FAFSA will only take your parent’s income records. For this section, have your previous tax documents ready. For parents that rely on social security or disability, have your statement letters ready, as FAFSA takes that into serious consideration. The information in this section decides your grant amount.

 

Parent demographics – If you’re over-age, this section may not even come up. Otherwise, you’ll have to answer necessary information regarding your family, including your parent’s social security numbers, incomes, jobs, and education levels.

 

Supplying financial information – This is where you and your parents will have to provide proof of your economic status. If you’re relying on past taxes, there’s a data retrieval tool that makes it easy to upload past tax returns. If you have other paperwork, you may be required to make copies and bring it in person to your school’s Bursar office.

 

Signing and submitting – Your FAFSA form isn’t done until you’ve officially signed it with the PIN you created for your FSA ID. Once you’ve made sure you answered every section to the best of your knowledge, sign it and submit it.

 

Documents Required by FAFSA

Before starting your FAFSA application, you should gather all the necessary proof and paperwork, so it’s easily accessible. You’ll need:

 

Your previously created FSA ID
You and your parent’s social security numbers
Drivers license or ID number (student or parent)
Previous year’s tax records
Records of untaxed income (like child support or federal benefits)
Asset Records (including your savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds, and real estate holdings)
List of schools you’ve applied to

Most of these documents should be at-hand anyway, but if you’re missing any, you should work to obtain copies before you move on to filling out the application. FAFSA requires exact numbers, so it’s a bad decision to estimate o your family’s holdings. Completing the document as accurately as possible for the best result.

Drew Hendricks is a contributor to Forbes Inc and Entrepreneur

 

Why You Should Study Finance in College

BY CHAD OTAR

Trying to find the right focus to study in college or university can be a bit of an uphill battle, particularly because a lot of the “tried-and-true” areas of study and industries that use to be rock solid in the past have started to slip – or disappeared completely.

Thankfully though, that’s never something you’re going to have to worry about when it comes to the world of finance.

People are always going to need money either in the form of small business loans or unsecured business loans, are always going to need to manage and invest their wealth, and are always going to be looking for ways to do just a little bit better tomorrow than they were yesterday financially.

Best of all, when you start to chase the FAME (Finance, Accounting, Management and Economics) opportunities in your college and university days you set yourself up for a tremendous amount of success in a world that needs more people in the world of finance now more than ever.

Here are just a couple of reasons why you should study finance in 2019 and beyond!

A narrow focus with unlimited opportunities

If you are looking for a career in business there’s no smarter move than diving headfirst into the world of finance while you’re at school, a relatively narrow focus with an unlimited amount of options that you will be able to take advantage of.

The coursework you will be tasked with studying and researching is going to be laser focused, but the lessons you learn can be applied in so many different industries and instantly different situations that you will have the ultimate level of flexibility when you pursue your career.

A lot of other narrow focus study opportunities really pigeonhole your career opportunities, but that’s never going to be a problem when you dive into finance.

Finance is a personality driven world

While a rock solid grasp of mathematics and clear communication skills are a huge piece of the puzzle to mastering the world of finance, learning these fundamentals are well within the reach of anyone and everyone willing to apply themselves.

Even better, finance in particular is very much personality driven and soft skills and “people skills” will definitely help you get a leg up on the competition. Those that are outgoing, inquisitive, curious, and eager to continue learning well after they receive their diploma are going to find a tremendous amount of success in this field.

This levels the playing field considerably when it comes to how your grades stack up against the rest of your graduating class from all colleges and universities, individuals that are no doubt going to be competing for positions that you are up for as well.

Job prospects are on the rise

According to information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a significant growing range of financial products being released and a serious demand for in-depth knowledge of the financial world.

Careers in the financial analysis industry, for example, have grown by 23% over the past five years and are expected to grow even faster in the next five years. Financial management has grown by 14% over the same time with financial advising growing by 32% as well.

Where other career fields are contracting because supply has far outpaced demand (just ask anyone that has studied to be a lawyer over the last five years and what their career prospects look like right now), finance continues to be wide open and there’s going to be even more room and more opportunities to take advantage of by the time you graduate.

Maybe the coolest thing about the world of finance, and one of the best reasons to focus on this field of study for 2019 and beyond, is that you will be able to take jobs and develop careers in a wide variety of areas – maybe more areas than any other field of study out there.

Corporate management, international financial management, investment strategies and services, financial planning opportunities, brokerage work, insurance company work, commercial and investment bank opportunities, and so much more are all going to be available once you graduate with a degree in finance.

On top of that, should you decide to become the captain of your own ship and dive deep into the entrepreneurial world your finance degree is going to come in pretty handy, too.

Chad Otar

Chad Otar is the CEO at Excel Capital Management, a pioneer in the Fintech and alternative lending space. He has assisted thousands of business owners to receive funding over the last 10 years and is focused on helping one small business at a time achieve access to capital.

 

 

How Liberal Arts Can Prepare College Students for The Workforce

BY JORI HAMILTON

The power of a college degree in today’s workforce cannot be understated. Having a degree is an important indicator to hiring professionals that a student has learned the necessary basics required to qualify for a position within a company. Furthermore, it puts students on a professional track that will allow them to move up and increase their salary potential far more quickly than someone without a degree.

The real debate begins when determining whether the more advantageous route to a degree is through a specialized professional education or a liberal arts education. Both offer substantial positives and negatives, especially depending on which type of career is ultimately chosen. Given the impressive rates of globalization and collaboration of companies, there is a growing benefit of obtaining a liberal arts style of education.  

Every year, more and more companies are expanding opportunities in career paths linked to a rapidly evolving global market. Unfortunately, in many of these global workplaces, there is a growing gap between employees and skills necessary to navigate the marketplace. Employers are looking for new employees that are able to utilize critical thinking and communication skills, which are exactly the skills gained in a liberal arts college.

Specialized vs. Liberal: What’s the Difference?

The obvious major difference between specialized professional education and a liberal arts one is the scope of the educational focus. Within a specialized professional education experience, students are largely focused on a specific topic and trained to leave school ready to become a professional. It is a particularly useful educational style for students that are interested in STEM topics or who know exactly what they want to do upon graduating.

A liberal arts education, on the other hand, focuses students on a variety of topics and ultimately prepares them for a range of possible careers after graduation. A liberal arts education builds critical thinking skills by giving students the opportunity to engage and connect skills learned in different departments — for instance, economics and psychology. Liberal art educational styles are more common in the humanities and useful for students seeking options or diverse career experiences.

That is not to say that there is not some level of crossover between educational styles. There is plenty of room for creativity and discovery in STEM education, and there is plenty of room to specialize in humanities. Which route is best ultimately depends upon the career goals of each particular student.

Chameleon Skill Sets

Perhaps the single most significant benefit of taking the liberal arts educational path is the development of an incredibly broad and diverse skill set. Professors work across disciplines to give students an understanding of all subjects ranging from history to biology. This well-rounded education and exposure to multiple fields of study can help graduates make creative connections and communicate fluently about a wide range of topics.

Liberal arts graduates are the chameleons of the workforce in that they are able to change and adapt to whatever situation they are thrown into. Students are taught to develop core skills such as writing, analysis, and research, which can be adapted in some form or another to any career. The development of critical thinking skills, which is a major focus in liberal education styles, enables students to look at problems from multiple angles and look past major biases and can block progress.

Likewise, graduates are encouraged to express the connections between topics that they have made, building ever important communication and interpersonal skills. As workforce chameleons, liberal arts graduates can use these skills to navigate important presentations and collaborate more effectively with co-workers and clients wherever they are employed.

Workplace Advantages

This liberal arts education and the ability to blend in well in any office space, especially one that is rapidly globalizing, grants many advantages in the workplace. While one may think that employers value STEM skill sets, many large companies actually look for skills that are learned in the liberal arts.

“Think of a quintessential tech company and Google might spring to mind,” write the child education experts at Kindercare. “Looking to hire the best talent, Google studied its own workforce to understand what skills made its top managers so successful. The Silicon Valley heavyweight naturally expected mastery of STEM skills would be key—but no. Instead, qualities like empathy, creativity, communication, and critical thinking were the superpowers that their top performers shared.”

It’s an idea that’s backed by research. The Association of American Colleges and Universities completed an online survey and found that 93 percent believe critical thinking, clear communication, and complex problem-solving skills are more valuable than a specific undergraduate major when looking at prospective employees. Additionally, four out of five indicated that they preferred an employee with a broad knowledge of many topics.

On average, data indicates that people are changing jobs more and more frequently. Gone are the days when a person would work with the same company for their entire career. A liberal arts degree can be a significant benefit here as well. Because liberal arts degree holders are more chameleon-like, they are more likely to successfully move between companies and continue building upon skills gained in each work experience.

 

Some experts have noted that immediately after graduation it can be more difficult for liberal arts students to find a steady job than those graduating with a specialized professional degree. However, this can be buffered with greater amounts of experiential learning, internships during and immediately after a degree program, and further education. Many measures indicate that by mid-career those with liberal arts bachelor degrees make as much or more than those with professional degrees.

Overall, there are numerous benefits to having a liberal arts degree, particularly when it comes to filling a critical workplace gap in critical thinking and communication skills. In a globalized economy and rapidly changing ways of doing business, these skills are more important than ever. Employers are eager to hire employees with a broad understanding of multiple subjects and an ability to fit in in a wide array of situations.

Bio: Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Northwest who is passionate about education and social justice issues. You can follow her on Twitter @HamiltonJori

College Habits – do we carry them through life?

 BY SOPHIA SANCHEZ                             

 

If we google ‘college habits’, we get a list of good habits that college students should focus on for success. Then there are articles with lists of habits that successful students typically have. At the bottom are other suggested searches related to college habits which include study habits, healthy habits and the proverbial black sheep of habits – the bad ones.

Habits – the good, the bad and the ugly

After going through the stress of preparing, shortlisting, applying, and getting into college, the years at college are when students revel in the middle of an explosion of information. It’s when they learn from their faculty, peers and the ecosystem they are in. Through these years they form habits which range from the trivial, like using flash cards for making notes, to life sustaining ones like practicing meditation for reducing stress. If they admire a peer or a faculty member, students might actually imbibe one of their habits knowingly or unknowingly, however good or bad it is.

  H is for Habits and for Happiness

Many of the habits formed in college aim for a life of success – good job, great money, and greater prestige via keeping up with the Joneses. The well internalized ones are carried through into life after college, sometimes without the person being aware of it. Unfortunately many of these habits do not bring happiness in their wake, turning people into statistics for studies on happiness or a lack thereof.

One of the most popular classes in Yale’s 300 year history was Psychology and the Good Life conducted by psychology professor Laurie Santos in 2018. One of the reasons she put together that class was because there was a study which showed that a large number of people were not happy and one sub-group which stood out and worried her was fresh graduates.

It’s perhaps time to unlearn goals like success in careers and society; and put happiness and cooperative living in their place. Success, money, and prestige will follow; instead of writing off happiness and well-being as collateral damage. So how does one find these habits to develop? Studies analyzed happy people and tried to find out what made them happy. It was simple – happy people were generally optimistic, enjoyed spending time with family and friends, were grateful for their lives, and enjoyed being physically active.

Create a new list

A college education must not become the goal of life, instead a college education must prepare a student for life, and a state of happiness must be the goal of our life. Therefore it must be interwoven into the very fabric of our everyday lives. As the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard states – we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment.

Frequently, with pressures of money, more and more students try to build a repertoire of skills which will help them find the finest job with the best salary. What is frequently forgotten is that college is a safe place where interests must be explored and friendships made. This is a place where intellectually stimulating discussions that open the mind to possibilities must happen, eventually leading to the laying of a strong foundation of beliefs.

We carry our internalized habits into our fully adult lives, therefore it makes sense to develop habits in college which will help one  stay happy and fulfilled through college and in later life. Here’s a working list for you to add to –

 

Be optimistic
Enjoy the real world company of friends and family
Attend your lectures and use every opportunity to interact with your faculty/mentors
Be physically active as far as possible
Look around at Nature’s awesomeness
Be grateful for what you have
Offer your help where you can
…
…
..

Bio: Sophia is a newbie online ESL/EFL instructor. She is a passionate educator and blogs about education on her personal blog. She found her true calling — teaching — while she was juggling writing and a 9-5 desk job. When Sophia is not busy earning a living, she volunteers as a social worker. Her active online presence demonstrates her strong belief in the power of networking.

 

 

Mental Health on University Campuses Must Be A Higher Priority

BY ANTON LUCANUS

 When going to university, there are a million and one things to juggle at any given time. Aside from the standard lectures and tutorial classes, there is the study at home for upcoming examinations, the research for ongoing assessments, and having to balance four or more courses at once – not to mention all the other aspects of life like work, personal time, and spending time with loved ones. It is difficult to truly understand the weight of being a university student unless one has been through the process themselves. Because of the ongoing juggling act, it is not at all uncommon for students to struggle at some point with aspects of their mental health. It is a constant reminder to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally, but when it comes down to it, physical health is the facet of whole health that tends to get the most attention, the most mileage. The single most important piece of advice that a university student will ever get is to find their balance. Nothing else can really work long-term without that.

 

When students struggle, it can be difficult to know what the steps are that can help them get back on track. Sometimes the answer can come as easily as taking Astaxanthin or other health vitamins, and sometimes the issue runs a lot deeper and requires ongoing therapeutic work to find a solution. Either way, the most important thing is understanding that, even when it feels hopeless, there is always help. Even with one of the most consistent ailments among university students being mental health struggle, it is a shock to realise just how many students have these issues, verses how many actually get assistance for their struggle. In the US, for example, 66% of students surveyed said that they had experienced or were experiencing mental health struggles. In the same study, just 29% said that they actively reached out or were offered support for their struggles. This is an astonishingly significant gap between those that need help, and those that actually get help.

 

Because of the chaotic nature of university – particularly around the time that assessment tends to pile up – it is easy for students to fall into counterproductive patterns. Over time, because of the anxiety that counterproductive measures can end up causing a lapse in mental health. Having a system in place that helps the student balance their chaotic schedule works wonders and is more valuable than many students can comprehend. It is easy to go into the semester thinking that one has everything under control, but once the ball starts rolling it can be immensely difficult to take back control if there is a slip. Righting the ship can be next to impossible, and it is so important that students are aware that if their balancing system does not work, if there are cracks, then they have options available to them to help. Academic success is important, but nothing is more important than maintaining positive whole health – and that includes mental health.

 

On campus, there are multiple portals of assistance that students can use. No matter where a student is going to university, there should always be mental health assistance platforms available. Obvious reasons aside, these platforms literally have hundreds of lives annually. When a student feels overwhelmed and there does not seem to be a place to go to find help for those feelings, they can fall further into their mental health lapse. There is nothing more important than being healthy – that cannot be stressed enough – but amid the chaos of a full university semester, it can be easy to shove one’s own needs to the back of their minds in order to ensure that they are getting their workload complete by the set deadlines. While university is an incredible experience for many students, it can be stressful. Being aware of the ways to lessen that stress and anxiety is crucial.

 

Life as a university student can be tremendously difficult at times. With so many moving pieces constantly shifting at the same time, it is little wonder that many students deal with mental health struggles at some point throughout their time at university. Of all the pieces of advice that university students are ever likely to get, the single most important one is to ensure that they strike a comfortable balance. In short, what this means is that every student has a different pace, a different way of finding their way through the chaos of university semester. The key to getting through that chaos is to have a system that works for them, and that they can alter and shift where need be. Mental health is complicated, and sometimes even a balancing system cannot solve the entire issue, but it sure helps. There are always platforms that are there to help students where they experience struggle, and these platforms should be taken seriously and utilized often.

Byline – Anton Lucanus is the Director of Neliti. During his college years, he maintained a perfect GPA, was published in a top cancer journal, and received many of his country’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships. Anton writes for The College Puzzle as a means to guide current students to achieve personal and academic goals