Worried that Don’s 6 transcripts, from two high schools and four junior colleges, with several D’s, arriving cold, could ruin his chances, I convinced him to write a cover letter, even though none of the colleges he was applying to required a personal statement.
He explained that after working part time jobs and taking occasional courses, he had in the past year focused more seriously on his studies and attended community college full time. Both his life and his school experiences now led him to choose a program in international relations. He had lived and traveled in the Middle East, and was comfortable with and knowledgeable about foreign cultures. While his academic performance was uneven, his grades in courses related to his intended major were excellent, with A’s in government, history and anthropology.
Don’s well crafted note drew attention to what he wanted to emphasize in his record and communicated that he had become mature, focused, and ready to succeed.
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jobs. Show all posts
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, August 30, 2010
Online Resources - Career
Career Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bld.gov/oco/
Jobweb
http://www.jobweb.org/
Employment Guide
http://www.employmentguide.com/
Job Options
http://www.joboptions.com/
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bld.gov/oco/
Jobweb
http://www.jobweb.org/
Employment Guide
http://www.employmentguide.com/
Job Options
http://www.joboptions.com/
Monday, May 31, 2010
Why Go to College?
If you are uncertain about going to college or if you just need some reassurance that you're on the right track, here are a few reasons to go to college:
• Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay. Most college graduates earn a lot more money during their working years than people who stop their education after high school graduation.
• Besides good pay, the more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.
• Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents' generation. Today, most good jobs require more than a high school diploma. Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.
• Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, such as meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests, and experiencing success.
• Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay. Most college graduates earn a lot more money during their working years than people who stop their education after high school graduation.
• Besides good pay, the more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.
• Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents' generation. Today, most good jobs require more than a high school diploma. Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.
• Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, such as meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests, and experiencing success.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What to do Right After High School?
Some students will go to college right after college. Others will not want to. And others still may not need to... The good news is that there are options other than going straight to college that may be worth considering.
The following questionnaires will help you decide whether, after high school, you’d be wisest to:
• go straight to a four-year college
• go to a two-year community college with plans to transfer later to a four-year college
• obtain training at a community college or vocational apprenticeship program that will prepare you for your career in two years, often less (many vocational schools offer programs in medical, trades, business, and other areas that earn you a diploma in about nine months – and then you are in the job field).
• join the military
• learn how to start your own business (with a mentor’s help)
• look for a job straight out of high school.
Questionnaire 1
1. Do you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
2. Did you score at least 1050 on the SAT (22 on the ACT)?
3. Do you like most of your academic classes?
4. Do you aspire to a career that requires a four-year college degree?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider going straight to a four-year college.
Keys to finding a good and well-suited college:
1. Ask the college’s admissions office for a copy of its latest student satisfaction survey and accreditation report.
2. Read about the college in the book, The Best 357 Colleges. Each college’s profile summarizes a survey of 100+ of that college’s students.
3. When visiting the campus, hang out in the student cafeteria; walk through the residence halls, and into a busy classroom building and peek into 5 or 10 classes. Can you see yourself fitting in?
4. Ask at least five students, “I’m thinking of coming here. What should I know about it that wouldn’t appear in the official brochure?” “What sorts of students fit best and worst here?” and “Do you think this college is worth the money?”
Questionnaire 2
1. Would the cost of a four-year college likely severely strain your family’s financial security, even assuming you got some financial aid? (If you don’t know, use the college cost calculators at www.finaid.org.)
2. Did you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
3. Did you score at least 950 on the SAT (19 on the ACT)?
4. Would you be able to stay motivated to do well in college even if many fellow students were not?
5. Can you live with telling your friends you’re starting out to a community college even though it doesn’t have the prestige of a four-year college?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider starting out at a two-year college with the goal of transferring to a four-year college.
Questionnaire 3:
1. Would you prefer to get a job now but fear that without training, you’d end up stuck with low-level work?
2. Did you often get C’s in high school?
3. Was your SAT score below 900?
If you answered yes to all three questions, consider enrolling in a community college’s career preparation program. Offerings are extensive, ranging from nursing to robotics repair, cheffing to cosmetology.
Or consider an apprenticeship. These mainly prepare you for hands-on careers such as electrician or surveyor. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job mentorship with classes often given at community colleges. You immediately earn entry-level wages and after four years are fully trained and can expect to earn a solid middle-class living. For links to apprenticeships in your state, go to www.nastad.net and click on “links.”
Questionnaire 4:
1. Would you benefit from being in a highly disciplined, structured environment for at least two years?
2. Are you at least not anti-military?
3. Are you willing to accept the possibility that you’d have to go to war? (The good news is that most military recruits never serve in combat.)
4. Are you or could you get into very good physical condition?
5. Are you attracted to the idea of starting your career directly out of high school?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider a career or at least a stint in the military. The military offers extensive opportunities and financial aid to attend college during and after your enlistment.
If you have at least A- grades and a 1250 SAT and are athletic, consider applying for one of the US Military Academies: West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy. These provide a fine college education for free but you must commit to at least four years afterwards as a military officer.
Links: www.goarmy.com, www.navy.mil, www.af.mil, www.marines.com, and www.uscg.mil.
Questionnaire 5
1. Are you a self-starter, not needing a boss to keep you working?
2. Do people tend to like you immediately?
3. Would you not be shy about asking people to buy things from you?
4. Do you have a nose for getting bargains?
5. Does your gut tell you you’d be successful owning your own business?
6. Would you like to start your own business without first completing college?
If you answered yes to all six questions, consider preparing to own your own business. It is usually wisest to defer starting your business until you’ve been trained by a successful businessperson. Likely suspects: a parent, relative, friend of your parents, parent of one of your friends. Ask if you can work alongside them—for free if necessary--in exchange for your being able to watch the master at work and ask questions. Also consider taking courses and mentorships offered by the federal government’s Small Business Administration. See www.sba.gov. Click on “starting your business.”
Questionnaire 6
1. Do you need to make money immediately?
2. Do you like the idea of doing all your learning on the job?
3. Are you willing to start at the bottom?
4. Are you willing to accept that to rise far above the bottom, you’ll probably need to show leadership qualities and be assertive enough to get your bosses to take a special interest in you?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider looking for a job straight out of high school. Don’t settle for a job likely to be dead-end, for example, a janitor or burger flipper. Find a launchpad job. That’s a job that while entry-level, offers significant opportunities for advancement, for example, receptionist at a high-quality company, non-profit, or government agency.
Of course, no questionnaire should determine your final decision. Share your answers with people you trust: parents, counselor, friends, and relatives. Consider what they say but don’t necessarily do what they say. The best decision is made when you’ve open-mindedly considered others’ input and then made up your own mind.
If my child had bottom-quartile high school grades and SAT score, I’d suggest he or she consider a Small Business Administration program on how to start a business, or courses on how to become an effective yet ethical salesperson. If my child preferred a hands-on career, I’d encourage an apprenticeship or military stint to become, for example, an electrician or surveyor.
Of course, your decision isn’t permanent. Many people who, after high school, don’t go straight to college, go on to college later in life. For now, the question is, “What should you do directly after high school?”
The following questionnaires will help you decide whether, after high school, you’d be wisest to:
• go straight to a four-year college
• go to a two-year community college with plans to transfer later to a four-year college
• obtain training at a community college or vocational apprenticeship program that will prepare you for your career in two years, often less (many vocational schools offer programs in medical, trades, business, and other areas that earn you a diploma in about nine months – and then you are in the job field).
• join the military
• learn how to start your own business (with a mentor’s help)
• look for a job straight out of high school.
Questionnaire 1
1. Do you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
2. Did you score at least 1050 on the SAT (22 on the ACT)?
3. Do you like most of your academic classes?
4. Do you aspire to a career that requires a four-year college degree?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider going straight to a four-year college.
Keys to finding a good and well-suited college:
1. Ask the college’s admissions office for a copy of its latest student satisfaction survey and accreditation report.
2. Read about the college in the book, The Best 357 Colleges. Each college’s profile summarizes a survey of 100+ of that college’s students.
3. When visiting the campus, hang out in the student cafeteria; walk through the residence halls, and into a busy classroom building and peek into 5 or 10 classes. Can you see yourself fitting in?
4. Ask at least five students, “I’m thinking of coming here. What should I know about it that wouldn’t appear in the official brochure?” “What sorts of students fit best and worst here?” and “Do you think this college is worth the money?”
Questionnaire 2
1. Would the cost of a four-year college likely severely strain your family’s financial security, even assuming you got some financial aid? (If you don’t know, use the college cost calculators at www.finaid.org.)
2. Did you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
3. Did you score at least 950 on the SAT (19 on the ACT)?
4. Would you be able to stay motivated to do well in college even if many fellow students were not?
5. Can you live with telling your friends you’re starting out to a community college even though it doesn’t have the prestige of a four-year college?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider starting out at a two-year college with the goal of transferring to a four-year college.
Questionnaire 3:
1. Would you prefer to get a job now but fear that without training, you’d end up stuck with low-level work?
2. Did you often get C’s in high school?
3. Was your SAT score below 900?
If you answered yes to all three questions, consider enrolling in a community college’s career preparation program. Offerings are extensive, ranging from nursing to robotics repair, cheffing to cosmetology.
Or consider an apprenticeship. These mainly prepare you for hands-on careers such as electrician or surveyor. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job mentorship with classes often given at community colleges. You immediately earn entry-level wages and after four years are fully trained and can expect to earn a solid middle-class living. For links to apprenticeships in your state, go to www.nastad.net and click on “links.”
Questionnaire 4:
1. Would you benefit from being in a highly disciplined, structured environment for at least two years?
2. Are you at least not anti-military?
3. Are you willing to accept the possibility that you’d have to go to war? (The good news is that most military recruits never serve in combat.)
4. Are you or could you get into very good physical condition?
5. Are you attracted to the idea of starting your career directly out of high school?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider a career or at least a stint in the military. The military offers extensive opportunities and financial aid to attend college during and after your enlistment.
If you have at least A- grades and a 1250 SAT and are athletic, consider applying for one of the US Military Academies: West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy. These provide a fine college education for free but you must commit to at least four years afterwards as a military officer.
Links: www.goarmy.com, www.navy.mil, www.af.mil, www.marines.com, and www.uscg.mil.
Questionnaire 5
1. Are you a self-starter, not needing a boss to keep you working?
2. Do people tend to like you immediately?
3. Would you not be shy about asking people to buy things from you?
4. Do you have a nose for getting bargains?
5. Does your gut tell you you’d be successful owning your own business?
6. Would you like to start your own business without first completing college?
If you answered yes to all six questions, consider preparing to own your own business. It is usually wisest to defer starting your business until you’ve been trained by a successful businessperson. Likely suspects: a parent, relative, friend of your parents, parent of one of your friends. Ask if you can work alongside them—for free if necessary--in exchange for your being able to watch the master at work and ask questions. Also consider taking courses and mentorships offered by the federal government’s Small Business Administration. See www.sba.gov. Click on “starting your business.”
Questionnaire 6
1. Do you need to make money immediately?
2. Do you like the idea of doing all your learning on the job?
3. Are you willing to start at the bottom?
4. Are you willing to accept that to rise far above the bottom, you’ll probably need to show leadership qualities and be assertive enough to get your bosses to take a special interest in you?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider looking for a job straight out of high school. Don’t settle for a job likely to be dead-end, for example, a janitor or burger flipper. Find a launchpad job. That’s a job that while entry-level, offers significant opportunities for advancement, for example, receptionist at a high-quality company, non-profit, or government agency.
Of course, no questionnaire should determine your final decision. Share your answers with people you trust: parents, counselor, friends, and relatives. Consider what they say but don’t necessarily do what they say. The best decision is made when you’ve open-mindedly considered others’ input and then made up your own mind.
If my child had bottom-quartile high school grades and SAT score, I’d suggest he or she consider a Small Business Administration program on how to start a business, or courses on how to become an effective yet ethical salesperson. If my child preferred a hands-on career, I’d encourage an apprenticeship or military stint to become, for example, an electrician or surveyor.
Of course, your decision isn’t permanent. Many people who, after high school, don’t go straight to college, go on to college later in life. For now, the question is, “What should you do directly after high school?”
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Latest and Greatest
Well I must have forgotten that we created this blog to document the growth of the Bing Foundation and our non-profit endeavors. Either that or I am just too busy trying to work 80 hours a week and get this business of the ground...
Since the last post in January the Foundation has become completely financially stable. We have officially earned back every cent that was invested to launch our company and then some. Thanks to the Sam's Club Foundation, and some smaller donors we are in the black! That made my wife happy, now we saw something for all my efforts.
We are now official registered as a non-profit on www.GuideStar.com (a leading registry and information provider for non-profits and prospective donors - essentially linking those who want to give with the cause they want to support). We have also started a cause on Facebook and have a Facebook group you can follow for more news and updates.
Aside from all the phone calls, email, letters, and visits to local businesses we have also submitted dozens of grant applications of various other charities, foundations, and companies who have supported education with donations and grants in the past. Most applications are still pending the final results. I am very hopeful for the local interest in our efforts to not only award scholarship funds, but reach out to high school students to prepare them for college as well.
The Foundation's latest endeavor involves sending volunteer counselors to the local high schools for career and college fairs, college workshops, as well as setting up in the Counselor's Office or Career Center (when I was in high school there was no such thing as a career center at each school...). All our counselors are thoroughly trained in college admissions, and have had extensive background checks. The idea is individual time with each student or small groups of students to get them ready for the college application process and walk them through step by step. Don't you wish you had a personal admissions counselor to help you when you went to college?
I know the kids really appreciate it a lot. The school districts like it too because it opens up time for their counselors to do more counseling for the struggling students and those that would not have been seen otherwise. And we get to work with thousands of students in the local districts - making a visible difference in a short amount of time!
For all the hard work, I really love my job! Speaking of jobs, we are seeking to hire donation representative (letter writers and phone warriors) to expand our list of potential donors, raise awareness, and earn money while helping change the future of education in this country. Call, email, text, or message me on facebook or linkedin. Be prepared for a short interview and have a resume handy!
Since the last post in January the Foundation has become completely financially stable. We have officially earned back every cent that was invested to launch our company and then some. Thanks to the Sam's Club Foundation, and some smaller donors we are in the black! That made my wife happy, now we saw something for all my efforts.
We are now official registered as a non-profit on www.GuideStar.com (a leading registry and information provider for non-profits and prospective donors - essentially linking those who want to give with the cause they want to support). We have also started a cause on Facebook and have a Facebook group you can follow for more news and updates.
Aside from all the phone calls, email, letters, and visits to local businesses we have also submitted dozens of grant applications of various other charities, foundations, and companies who have supported education with donations and grants in the past. Most applications are still pending the final results. I am very hopeful for the local interest in our efforts to not only award scholarship funds, but reach out to high school students to prepare them for college as well.
The Foundation's latest endeavor involves sending volunteer counselors to the local high schools for career and college fairs, college workshops, as well as setting up in the Counselor's Office or Career Center (when I was in high school there was no such thing as a career center at each school...). All our counselors are thoroughly trained in college admissions, and have had extensive background checks. The idea is individual time with each student or small groups of students to get them ready for the college application process and walk them through step by step. Don't you wish you had a personal admissions counselor to help you when you went to college?
I know the kids really appreciate it a lot. The school districts like it too because it opens up time for their counselors to do more counseling for the struggling students and those that would not have been seen otherwise. And we get to work with thousands of students in the local districts - making a visible difference in a short amount of time!
For all the hard work, I really love my job! Speaking of jobs, we are seeking to hire donation representative (letter writers and phone warriors) to expand our list of potential donors, raise awareness, and earn money while helping change the future of education in this country. Call, email, text, or message me on facebook or linkedin. Be prepared for a short interview and have a resume handy!
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