Post Synopsis - Summary of Posts From October 2011 - May 2012

Every six months or so, I like to list the topics of posts I've published and briefly summarize them. In that way, you may be enticed to go back into the archives to read blogs of special interest to you. As in past synopses, this post will also include some of the websites and books mentioned.
   
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - Declaring a Major, Early Action and Early Decision
Some thoughts on declaring a major and, as the title says, an explanation of the "Early Decision" and "Early Action" options.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - On the Job
A discussion of apprenticeships.
US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website: www.doleta.gov/oa


Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - Earn While You Learn
The subject of this post was Cooperative Education, a program that integrates academic learning and practical work experience.
The World Association of Cooperative Education website: www.waceinc.org
The National Commission of Cooperative Education: www.co-op.edu
The Journal of Cooperative Education: www.ceiainc.org

Wednesday, January 4, 2012 - Show Me the Money!
A discussion of sources of information regarding financial aid and how to determine your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Calculator found at: www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml 


Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - Show Me the Money! Part II
A continuation of the previous post.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Time Out
A break in the financial aid discussion to re-assess "why college?"
Going Broke by Degree by Richard Vedder
Crazy U by Andrew Ferguson

Center for College Affordability and Productivity:  www.centerforcollegeaffordability.org

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Show Me the Money - Part III
Resources that provide information on scholarships.  Scholarship finders can be found at:
collegeboard.org, , www.Scholarup.net, www.scholarships.com, www.heseaa.org
Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowitz
Get Free Cash for College by Kelly Gen Tanabe

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - Working the System
Strategies to maximize your financial aid package
Paying for College Without Going Broke - Princeton Review

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - The Six Year Undergraduate
Recent reports show that many students take longer than four years to receive their undergraduate degree.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - If Spring Training Is Almost Over, Can Summer Be Far Behind?
Discussion of summer programs for students
Peterson's Summer Programs for Kids
Kaplan Yale Daily News Guide to Summer Programs


Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - Hurry Up and Wait!
Discussion of the likelihood of students being offered admission if they have been wait listed.

On the Job

This post was to be published on November 2. Due to our unexpected snowstorm and a 74 hour power outage!!!!, I had to postpone publication until this week. I apologize to those who may have signed on only to be disappointed. I will resume my bi-weekly schedule starting today. The next post will be on Wednesday, November 23.


In this very difficult economy (an understatement at best), many young people who have spent four or more years to earn a costly degree find themselves at a loss for a job. We hear that word so much, job market, job growth, etc. Unfortunately, we mostly hear about how many graduates don't have them!

In my post way back on September 8, 2010, I discussed what I call the "Scarecrow Syndrome" and the reasons why young people may decide to go to college. It's worth a read, if you haven't done so already. I know that there are many studies and even TV commercials that tout how much more money you can make with a college degree. (Although, in this bad economy, who knows if that "conventional wisdom" even holds true?) To what end, especially if you can't find a job and your heart, your passion, wasn't really in your studies to begin with.

A route to fulfilling and well paid employment seems, woefully, to have gone out of vogue - apprenticeships. We are not talking Dickensian England here! As Wikipedia defines them, apprenticeships are systems of "training a new generation of practitioners of a skill..Most of their training is done while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn their trade in exchange for their continuing labour for an agreed period after they become skilled. Theoretical education may also be involved, informally via the workplace and/or by attending vocational schools while still being paid by the employer." (emphasis added)

The United States Department of Labor has an Office of Apprenticeship. Their site, www.doleta.gov/oa, gives information about registered apprenticeship programs in 1,000 career areas including chef, child care, dental assistant, electrician and many others. The site is certainly worth investigation, as is the idea of an apprenticeship for those interested in more applied training and careers.