Guest Post from Alisa Johnson, blogger at collegedegrees.com
It’s not a great time to be a student, especially if you were hoping to get a good job in a field that you love on graduation. In fact, it’s not a good time for anyone who does not have a job or who’s in one with little security. It’s worse when you’re in college, because you have a mountain of debt in the form of student loans, debts that you were hoping to clear with a well-paying job. Now that the recession is upon us, the possibility of not being able to gain gainful employment could be weighing heavily on your mind, and you’re at the risk of doing badly in college because of this added stress. When the field is loaded against you, there’s nothing else to do but play to your strengths, and you can do this by:
Although it may not seem to be much of life when you have to settle for what you get rather than what you want, the alternative is much worse. And as long as you maintain a positive outlook and keep yourself out of the claws of debt, it doesn’t matter that the world is in a recession, you’re still going to survive.
Alisa Johnson writes about grants for graduate school at collegedegrees.com. She welcomes your feedback at Alisa.Johnson1982 at gmail.com .
It’s not a great time to be a student, especially if you were hoping to get a good job in a field that you love on graduation. In fact, it’s not a good time for anyone who does not have a job or who’s in one with little security. It’s worse when you’re in college, because you have a mountain of debt in the form of student loans, debts that you were hoping to clear with a well-paying job. Now that the recession is upon us, the possibility of not being able to gain gainful employment could be weighing heavily on your mind, and you’re at the risk of doing badly in college because of this added stress. When the field is loaded against you, there’s nothing else to do but play to your strengths, and you can do this by:
- Focusing on the present: It’s not wise to fret about the future and end up losing what you do have in the present. So for now, even though the job situation does look bleak, focus on your grades and your current life in college instead of worrying about your job prospects and messing up your grades and other things that are going well for you right now.
- Minimizing your debt: You can do this by taking a part-time job, something that will help minimize the burden of your student loans. Even after you get out of college, instead of waiting interminably to get the job that you want, take any job you can get so that your debts don’t pile up and become overwhelming.
- Reducing spending: And by that I mean on the unnecessary stuff. You need to know where your priorities lie, so stop using your credit card unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you’ve already run up a huge bill, transfer your balance to a zero interest card (for a limited period that you can use to pay off the amount). In short, tighten your financial belt before it becomes a noose around your neck.
- Looking to campus placement programs: These are still your best bet at securing a job straight out of college. Instead of holding out for the job of your dreams, apply for anything that sounds good, and if you’re offered a position, hold on to it for the financial security.
Although it may not seem to be much of life when you have to settle for what you get rather than what you want, the alternative is much worse. And as long as you maintain a positive outlook and keep yourself out of the claws of debt, it doesn’t matter that the world is in a recession, you’re still going to survive.
Alisa Johnson writes about grants for graduate school at collegedegrees.com. She welcomes your feedback at Alisa.Johnson1982 at gmail.com .
by Lauren Costella, National Volunteer Coordinator
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." –Margaret Mead
Scholarship recipients for 2008 from St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Career Investment Dollars for Scholars
Every day, our Dollars for Scholars volunteers and supporters create opportunities for student success in our communities across the nation; Beverly Fritz of the St. Paul (MN) Area Chamber of Commerce Career Investment Dollars for Scholars chapter is absolutely no exception. A loving wife and mother of three college graduates, Beverly works day in and day out to ensure that students understand the importance of—and possess the tools for—attaining a postsecondary education.
Beverly was born and raised in Rochester, MN. Her parents offered her and her three older brothers the support and encouragement needed to pursue college; this consistent emphasis on making postsecondary education a priority helped all four siblings became first generation college students. Beverly became the first in her family to attend a private college (Macalester College in St. Paul.) The door to her dream school opened when she received a generous scholarship allowing her to attend tuition-free—an opportunity that meant the world to her: “Sometimes [donors] may not even realize the importance of the scholarships in the lives of students," Beverly says. "But really it means more than words could possibly describe.”
Ever since her own college dreams came true, Beverly has devoted countless working and volunteer hours to giving back to her community, particularly through public education. She worked as an English as a Second Language teacher for 15 years before moving into an administrative position, focusing on enhancing programming for K-12 learning, developing volunteering in schools, and building student enrichment programs.
During her teaching years, Beverly became a regular attendee at events for Henry Sibley Dollars for Scholars in Mendota Heights, MN, and helped her local Rotary Club partner with the chapter to distribute scholarships. When she started a new career working with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation, she immediately set up an affiliated Dollars for Scholars chapter, allowing Beverly to help students pursue their dreams—and to give back the same community support that made her own college education possible. (Including the donation she and her husband made this year, of a scholarship to the chapter.)
The St. Paul Chamber of Commerce chapter focuses on cultivating a strong bond between students and donors. The chapter's annual reception brings the two groups together in person; the students and families get to thank their donors, and the donors witness the priceless impact the scholarship has on the student’s life. (In addition, donors receive framed photos of themselves and their students, reminding them every day how their graciousness and generosity keeps student educational dreams alive.) Beverly points out scholarship recipient Juventino Rodriguez as a quintessential example:
“I feel that I am part of something I care about, and something that influences and encourages me to perform and be the best I can be," Juventino said, upon receiving his American Bank Career Investment Scholarship. "Without you, I would have never been in this position that has not only changed my life, but the lives of those most close to me." Today, as a college sophomore, Juventino is still working to thank the donor and the chapter, frequently volunteering to speak on panels and at local events to impress upon others the importance of scholarships.
Students like Juventino keep Beverly excited and motivated about Scholarship America's mission. And while achieving all goals set forth by the chapter are not always easy—especially gaining the necessary support for expansion—she and her chapter push forward relentlessly. In fact, she offers a very valuable piece of advice to other volunteers who may be struggling to expand the impact they have in their communities: “Don’t be afraid to ask for money. People usually assume that because the economy is weak that people will not give, and that is not always true.” And she reminds us: “You are never going to get a ‘yes’ if you never ask.”
It's hard work, but the combination of passionate leaders and a willingness to ask for time and money are crucial for chapters to further our mission. And, taking one last page from Beverly: when the going gets tough, she simply reminds herself that these daily efforts have unparalleled impact in educating the next generation of bright young minds to change the world.
Inspired by Beverly's story? Want to help? Click here to support Scholarship America.
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." –Margaret Mead
Scholarship recipients for 2008 from St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Career Investment Dollars for Scholars
Every day, our Dollars for Scholars volunteers and supporters create opportunities for student success in our communities across the nation; Beverly Fritz of the St. Paul (MN) Area Chamber of Commerce Career Investment Dollars for Scholars chapter is absolutely no exception. A loving wife and mother of three college graduates, Beverly works day in and day out to ensure that students understand the importance of—and possess the tools for—attaining a postsecondary education.
Beverly was born and raised in Rochester, MN. Her parents offered her and her three older brothers the support and encouragement needed to pursue college; this consistent emphasis on making postsecondary education a priority helped all four siblings became first generation college students. Beverly became the first in her family to attend a private college (Macalester College in St. Paul.) The door to her dream school opened when she received a generous scholarship allowing her to attend tuition-free—an opportunity that meant the world to her: “Sometimes [donors] may not even realize the importance of the scholarships in the lives of students," Beverly says. "But really it means more than words could possibly describe.”
Ever since her own college dreams came true, Beverly has devoted countless working and volunteer hours to giving back to her community, particularly through public education. She worked as an English as a Second Language teacher for 15 years before moving into an administrative position, focusing on enhancing programming for K-12 learning, developing volunteering in schools, and building student enrichment programs.
During her teaching years, Beverly became a regular attendee at events for Henry Sibley Dollars for Scholars in Mendota Heights, MN, and helped her local Rotary Club partner with the chapter to distribute scholarships. When she started a new career working with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation, she immediately set up an affiliated Dollars for Scholars chapter, allowing Beverly to help students pursue their dreams—and to give back the same community support that made her own college education possible. (Including the donation she and her husband made this year, of a scholarship to the chapter.)
The St. Paul Chamber of Commerce chapter focuses on cultivating a strong bond between students and donors. The chapter's annual reception brings the two groups together in person; the students and families get to thank their donors, and the donors witness the priceless impact the scholarship has on the student’s life. (In addition, donors receive framed photos of themselves and their students, reminding them every day how their graciousness and generosity keeps student educational dreams alive.) Beverly points out scholarship recipient Juventino Rodriguez as a quintessential example:
“I feel that I am part of something I care about, and something that influences and encourages me to perform and be the best I can be," Juventino said, upon receiving his American Bank Career Investment Scholarship. "Without you, I would have never been in this position that has not only changed my life, but the lives of those most close to me." Today, as a college sophomore, Juventino is still working to thank the donor and the chapter, frequently volunteering to speak on panels and at local events to impress upon others the importance of scholarships.
Students like Juventino keep Beverly excited and motivated about Scholarship America's mission. And while achieving all goals set forth by the chapter are not always easy—especially gaining the necessary support for expansion—she and her chapter push forward relentlessly. In fact, she offers a very valuable piece of advice to other volunteers who may be struggling to expand the impact they have in their communities: “Don’t be afraid to ask for money. People usually assume that because the economy is weak that people will not give, and that is not always true.” And she reminds us: “You are never going to get a ‘yes’ if you never ask.”
It's hard work, but the combination of passionate leaders and a willingness to ask for time and money are crucial for chapters to further our mission. And, taking one last page from Beverly: when the going gets tough, she simply reminds herself that these daily efforts have unparalleled impact in educating the next generation of bright young minds to change the world.
Inspired by Beverly's story? Want to help? Click here to support Scholarship America.
Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? It's a great reason for everyone to take a few minutes and learn more about keeping their finances in order, and it's especially important for college students, parents and counselors to take a good look at the costs of school.
Fortunately, there are some excellent resources out there, including these two:
• NASFAA, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, has an ongoing Financial Literacy Month series at their Web site, nasfaa.org. This week's entry is on Responsible Borrowing; that link contains fact sheets on the financial benefits of higher education, as well as guides to when it's okay to borrow, how to find tax credits, the appropriate debt levels for various majors and much more. Check it out for an excellent overview.
• The America's Promise Alliance is offering, for free download, its "$aving Our Futures: Financial Responsibility for Young People" curriculum. Teachers and after-school leaders can access the PDF textbook of "$aving Our Futures" here, and marketing and presentation materials are available here.
• And, of course, Scholarship America and the National Endowment for Financial Education have made our "40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know" brochure available in a new edition. Click here to download the PDF.
What other tools do you have for helping students and families manage their money? Let us know in the comments.
Fortunately, there are some excellent resources out there, including these two:
• NASFAA, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, has an ongoing Financial Literacy Month series at their Web site, nasfaa.org. This week's entry is on Responsible Borrowing; that link contains fact sheets on the financial benefits of higher education, as well as guides to when it's okay to borrow, how to find tax credits, the appropriate debt levels for various majors and much more. Check it out for an excellent overview.
• The America's Promise Alliance is offering, for free download, its "$aving Our Futures: Financial Responsibility for Young People" curriculum. Teachers and after-school leaders can access the PDF textbook of "$aving Our Futures" here, and marketing and presentation materials are available here.
• And, of course, Scholarship America and the National Endowment for Financial Education have made our "40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know" brochure available in a new edition. Click here to download the PDF.
What other tools do you have for helping students and families manage their money? Let us know in the comments.
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