School With a College Internship

By Violet Williams

Students often find themselves in too deep when it comes to school work and have trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Suggesting they do even more work through an internship does not seem like a plausible solution to any fears they may have about getting some experience for the real world. These internships may actually be just what they need, as they may benefit more from an internship than any class they take in college.

A college internship for a college student can prove to be a very valuable resume tool and can even help the student secure a job for after graduation. Many companies end up hiring their interns to full-time jobs upon the completion of their degree. If the student works hard enough, they may build a name for themselves and the right people will probably notice. If the student chooses not to pursue a career with the company they have been interning for, it can still work as a valuable recommendation, especially if the right people notice their hard work and determination. A recommendation from the right person can take you miles; so performing well while you have your college internship will help you succeed later in life.

A recommendation is not the only thing you should be striving for in a college internship. Valuable work experience and real world knowledge can help take you very far as you begin your career. It can help you set yourself apart from your fellow recent graduates who may be employed by the same company. Being noticed for your hard work is something that many do not recognize as something that can take you far. However, work ethic and a determination to succeed will eventually be noticed by the right person and can help jump start, or even skyrocket, your career. Having a valuable college internship displayed prominently on your resume will help you be noticed by an employer or recruiter during the interview or applicant stage of the job hunt. This is before all of that hard work and knowledge gained from the internship pays off, but it is still important to utilize any lessons or experiences you learned to help you secure the job.

Having a college internship under your belt going into an interview gives you all kinds of confidence speaking to the interviewer. Let's face it, many of us enter interviews having no clue what we are going to say, and trying to figure out what the right things to say actually are. With an internship behind you, you will have experiences to draw from and can speak truthfully about knowledge of the business field, or whatever field you choose to intern in. Having this bank of experience and knowledge can help you think on your feet in parts of your interview if you have to. It will make you sound much more genuine than if you are stumbling through, trying to draw the slightest connection between an obscure demonstration of leadership from your high school drama club and your future as a true leader within the company.

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Finding Your College Tuition

By Violet Williams

So you got into a good school, have all of your classes picked and are excited to pursue a major in whatever field you have chosen. Now how are you going to pay those tuition bills? There are always ways of coming up with the money to pay tuition if you have the determination to find the money and are committed to getting the education you deserve.

College tuition has become a common problem for American families as they try to find ways to send their children to school. Attending college is not for everybody, but for those who see themselves walking onto campus come Fall, letting money stop you should not even be on your mind. There are always going to be ways of fulfilling financial obligations to schools. Some schools hire their students to jobs around campus, while others offer grants and scholarships to deserving students. Still, some students still come up short and must look to other means to pay their college tuition.

Internships with responsible companies can be a saving grace for many students looking to come up with their college tuition money. Not only does an internship help pay for school, but it also allows the student to get some real world experience while working towards a degree. This experience will prove invaluable as the student embarks on their first job hunt and eventually as they start their new career. So, when determining how to pay for college, think about a college internship, it can prove valuable now, as well as later.

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Drawing From a College Internship

By Violet Williams

Today, more and more students are taking advantage of an opportunity to get some real world experience while in college. Interning at local businesses, research facilities and law offices has become a popular pastime of many college students. There is much to learn from an internship, as the student will be better prepared for life after class shower shoes than his fellow students who did not take advantage of these opportunities.

An internship college students can learn the most from is those that offer the student more responsibility, outside of the usual filing, data entry and listening to the bitter old man of the office telling them how bad 'the system' has been to him. Having some real responsibility will increase the student's opportunity to gain some real world experience and carry these experiences to job interviews and eventually to their new job as they embark on the rest of their careers. Restricting the duties and opportunities for these young students in their college internship is something many companies end up doing, perhaps unintentionally, however.

Look for an internship that will ensure you a good deal of exposure to their business practices. This will let you get a feel for how business is done in the real world and what you can expect from your career. This is also true of a college internship that takes place in a lab or other venue. Having this exposure to the 'real deal' will help you not only get the proper experiences, but also allow you to decide whether or not the job and career choice is right for you. Determining this early can prove to be a valuable asset, as you may want to switch majors after your revelation.

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Can You Afford Not to Take a Gap Year?

By Peter Miles

You've finally made it into the upper sixth - Year 13 - the very top of the school. Day by day you are heading towards the departure lounge and, within a matter of months, all that studying for A-levels, all that harassing from sixth form tutors to get your act together and complete your UCAS form, all that nagging by worried parents, will all be water under the bridge. University beckons.

But do you really want to go straight to university next autumn? After thirteen uninterrupted school years - most of your life to date - what about sampling life and the world beyond formal education before getting stuck into a degree course?

Think about it now. Obviously your A-level work and preparation for mock exams will leave you precious little time for reflection this term. But you need to make up your mind before you complete your UCAS application - or postpone applying for university until another year. One way or the other, unless you press the pause button now, the chances are you'll find yourself morphed willy-nilly into a student attending Freshers' Week 2009.

If you do decide to get off the education escalator for a year, you'll find taking a year out can be a very good thing, especially if you are interested in life beyond education and your personal ambitions go beyond getting a degree and a safe job. So, what to do with it?

Doing nothing is definitely not recommended - it's boring for you, tedious for your mates and above all irritating for your parents if you lounge around at home for 15 months. Do your own thing. You don't have to plump for one single way of spending the year - and, in any case, you probably want to make a bit of money to keep body and soul together and/or to start you off when you get to university.

The opportunities are almost endless. Broadly speaking, you can spend the time partly at home, fully or partly overseas; and mixing and matching some or all of travel, voluntary work and paid work.

For instance, lots of gappers take paid work in the UK for a few months, then voluntary work overseas for another 2-3 months and round off the year with international travel up to the end of the summer.

Overseas travel obviously 'broadens the mind' but it also forces you to live on a budget - a vital experience for your years as a cash-starved student. Working overseas (paid or unpaid) can prove both more interesting and more useful than just travelling. And paid work, particularly if it is lucrative, can help towards the costs of your travel, any voluntary work you fancy doing and the cost of your university course.

There are plenty of ways of filling the year actively without breaking the bank. And, often forgotten, it's a rare opportunity to acquire skills you missed out on at school eg portrait painting (perhaps taking an art foundation course?) or fluency in a foreign language (eg at a local language school in, say, China or Germany). And there are wonderful, more exotic opportunities on offer - to teach English in Bolivia, save turtles in Sri Lanka, work in a hospital in Thailand, lead adventure training courses in Canada...

You're spoilt for choice but how to go about choosing? Do you really need to plan your gap year two years ahead as the pundits say you should? The answer is emphatically No! The vast majority of sixth formers end up taking very successful gap years arranged in far less time. But one caveat: if you wait until you have left school, some of the more popular gap year opportunities may be booked up - the early bird may get the worm!

There are many professional gap-year organisations, which offer structured programmes in many parts of the world, with local support arrangements in place (worth it, if it's your first time away, even if it just allows your parents to sleep at night). Some of the best belong to a self-regulatory group called the Year Out Group, so probably worth going for one of them.

You should expect to pay somewhere between 1500 and 4500 pounds to a gap year provider. But what they offer, and how effective their local support is, will vary. So check what is actually on offer - accommodation, flight, food, training, visa, insurance, meeting you at the airport, coping if you are sick etc. What they don't provide, you will have to pay for.

Placement organizations do not offer Club 18-30 holidays for the brainy. If you want to go to the developing world, get ready for basic conditions and don't expect everything to be handed to you on a plate.

Lots to think about. But don't funk choosing a gap year just because it is a lot easier to float into university after your last school holiday than it is to branch out on your own for a year. It's your life that you are developing beyond the confines of academic life - not your teachers' or your parents'. Go for it!

Student Book is a website for prospective and current students. It offers a university comparison tool and a wealth of information on the ins and outs of applying to university. The site is also a guide to student life with advice on finance, welfare, study skills, accommodation and a lot more. These are helpful, relevant and entertaining articles aimed at students and future students.

Narrowing the Field in a College Search

By Mohammed Jamali

There are all sorts of guides and recommended criteria that aim to help students and their families pick a college or university. Quite often, however, there ends up being several schools that easily meet all of the criteria and a student may have to further narrow the field and eliminate some colleges or universities from their list. This is a time that requires very specific information for a successful college search, and there are a few easy resources for locating such facts.

Examine the Degree Requirements: To begin narrowing the field, take all of the selected schools and do a thorough examination of the degree of study or major intending to be followed. Will the school require an established background of participation, volunteerism or study in the field of choice? For example, if a student is seeking a degree in some sort of social work, will they need to have all ready participated in social work activities or organizations? If this is a requirement, there is no method of working around it and a student who is lacking this experience must eliminate the school from their list.

Visit College and University Web Sites: Go the school's web site and find out what percentage of the student population is enrolled in the degree or major of choice.

Why is this important? For several reasons, first it gives a good idea of what the student to teacher ratio becomes for the specialized course work. Second, it will allow a student to see how many school resources are available for this degree focus. For example, if a student would like to focus on astronomy or physics and the school has a planetarium and several related clubs, then it might be a good idea to visit the school and get a stronger picture of how it fits the need of the student.

Find Out About Student Statistics: Many schools will also list some statistics about each incoming freshman class, with information such as certain test score averages, overall GPA for a "standard" member of the class, geographic backgrounds and other relevant facts. A student who analyzes this information is more likely to get a better understanding of the school as well as a stronger gauge as to whether or not the school is a good "fit" for their needs.

Visit As Many As Possible: Before deciding to eliminate many of the colleges and universities from a list of consideration it is a good idea to visit as many as possible. This could be a weekend marathon with one or two campuses each day, or it could be an ongoing project over the course of a few months.

What is critical to each visit is to make a written record of the "pluses" and the "minuses" of each experience. Many students will begin to see a pattern that they may not have even been aware of prior to visiting the schools. Some students believing they want a city college or university may realize that a large green campus with many natural areas is appealing to them. This can change or shift the criteria for the list of schools completely.

For more visit our college search resource center for the most comprehensive article database we can provide, whether you're searching for the perfect college or university, doing a scholarship search or a career search. College is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life and it's important that you make an educated one.

Campus Life and a College Search

By Mohammed Jamali

Everyone remembers their college years not just for the education, but because of the friends they made and the activities and events they participated in. Campus life plays a huge role in the college experience. When a student begins their college search, on campus life should play a major role in their decision-making process.

Any student should determine whether or not they will require dormitory accommodation. Some schools have limited numbers of rooms available, and can recommend area apartment buildings and owners for those who do not get into a dorm. While many larger colleges are surrounded by private homes that are available for rent, the costs can be prohibitive or not covered by college or academic loans. It is important for a student and their family to address their housing requirement prior to settling on a school. This can be a costly, frustrating and disruptive issue if not dealt with very early in a college search.

Dormitory life is radically different from school to school, with some colleges offering co-ed living or gender specific housing. Some schools make two, three and four person rooms available, and some will even offer single apartment style dwellings. All of these options should be reviewed when considering a student's study needs, personal issues and budget. For example, if a student finds they must leave their room in order to study, a dormitory setting may not be the best choice for academic success. Instead a student such as this might want to explore a single housing option, or an independent "studio" style apartment near the campus.

Another important element of campus life includes the kinds of extra curricular activities available. Many people choose a certain school because of a sporting team or club affiliated with the college. This can play a major role in the student's life while in college, and for many it can affect their post-graduate years. For example, a strong career in a sporting team, or teams, can help a graduate get a job with a school or professional team after they complete their graduate work.

Fraternity and sorority availability is also important to many students when beginning a college search. The social connections made in these organizations last a lifetime. Many people stay in touch with their "brothers" or "sisters" and many find that the affiliations can literally "open doors" for them in a professional or career capacity.

For some students who choose a gender specific environment, campus life presents a whole new world. A student at an all-girls college might find that they are more dedicated or focused on their studies than ever before. They may find that a certain degree of shyness or reluctance to participate in certain group functions or activities is eliminated by the gender specific community. This is a serious consideration when beginning a college search, and should not be taken lightly. Some people do well under such conditions and other do not. This should be openly discussed with counselors and parents before enrolling in such a school or college.

For more visit our college search resource center for the most comprehensive article database we can provide, whether you're searching for the perfect college, doing a scholarship search or a career search. College is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life and it's important that you make an educated one.

You Can Find a Good Job in a Bad Economy

By Bob Roth

Employers are always on the lookout for college students who stand out in some way. However, when times are tough, college students should consider some additional ways to make themselves more visible and attractive to prospective employers.

When fewer employers have jobs to offer, good students should be prepared to employ methods that may not be necessary when jobs are plentiful. Here are a few examples of what you can do.

Your Reputation - Good or bad, your reputation precedes you. However, it should be obvious that you will increase your chances for employment when you have an outstanding reputation. Generally, this means that you work hard, are trustworthy, friendly, well liked, positive, honest, stand up for what is right and get things done well. Others want to associate with you because you treat everyone with respect and are there for them when people need you. Also, people look up to you because you accept responsibility, perform well and achieve superior results. Do you need to work on your reputation?

"Begin somewhere; you cannot build a reputation on what you intend to do." -- Liz Smith

Your Performance - Outstanding performance over a long period of time shows a consistency the all employers need and want. Every employer needs people who can perform at a high level. They want people who can get things done. That's why they are eager to learn about your accomplishments, positive results and successes. When you are able to provide stories and details about your achievements, employers will take notice.

Your Attitude - People with a positive, can do, let's give it a try attitude will always be more attractive to employers than negative, fault finding, complainers. When you demonstrate your positive attitude in everything you do, you will find that it opens doors for you.

Excel At Something - Find something you love and show people what you can do. If you have a unique ability, it may be something on which you can capitalize. Embrace your talents and use them to make something better. Employers are always interested in people who can make a difference. It doesn't matter whether you excel in an academic area, at work, in a campus activity or in the local community. However, employers especially appreciate people who have exceptional leadership and communication skills.

Do One Great Thing - Sometimes, by luck, genius or skill, we find that we have done something great. Whenever someone does something large or spectacular, other people will take notice. That one great thing may be the result of a long and sustained effort or it may be a split second reaction in an emergency. Regardless of how it happens, you can make it work to your advantage.

Make Others Look Good - Whenever you make others look good, it reflects favorably on you. This is especially true when you talk about and support your college, your employer or your community. When your words, actions and results are positive and beneficial, others will reciprocate. Over time, this kind of behavior will be recognized and rewarded by people with influence.

Be Visible - Your words, behavior, participation and results all contribute to your visibility. When these four things are positive, you are more likely to be noticed by employers. Get involved, join, attend, participate, contribute and achieve results. Few people will become aware of your capabilities if you don't insert yourself into the activities and places where you can demonstrate your potential.

Promote Yourself - Look for ways to get noticed by others. When you do things of note, get them into the paper and include your photo. Find ways to get into the Campus Paper or onto a Campus Radio or TV Program. If you are active on campus and in the community, seek coverage from the campus and local media, whenever something special is about to happen. Always invite high profile campus and community leaders and executives. You will get much more coverage when these people attend. The more times you can into the Newspaper or on the Radio or TV, the better. Your positive contributions are easier for employers to recognize when your name and face are already familiar to them. Also, don't ignore something as simple as handing out your business card.

Cultivate Recommendations - Let an array of well respected and influential people speak to potential employers about you. Use your references, supervisors, advisors and network for this. You can even have a "Here's what others say about me" handout sheet. Employers love candidates who have built relationships with people who are willing to provide enthusiastic recommendations and references.

Nearly every college student has the ability to do at least one or two of these important attention grabbers. Employers much prefer to learn about people who are "one in a million" than candidates who are "one of a million." That's why savvy students, especially in a bad economy, make a point of finding ways to stand out from the crowd.

Visit Bob's web site: http://www.The4Realities.com Bob Roth is the author of The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College -and- The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job. by Bob Roth The "College & Career Success" Coach Bob Roth is the author of The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. He also write articles for more than 175 college career services offices and campus newspapers. Additionally, Bob has developed 15 self-scoring learning tool that help college students find success. http://www.The4Realities.com Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. Known as The "College & Career Success" Coach, Bob also writes articles for more than 200 College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Additionally, Bob has developed 20 Self-Scoring Learning Tools that help college students find success. He has been interviewed on numerous radio programs across the country and also by many newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal. Lastly, Bob has served as an Adjunct at Marist College, teaching a course in Career Development. The4Realities.com

College Study Tips on the Proper Ways to Study

By Anne Harvester

Since the first day of school, we are constantly told that in order to succeed we need to study. We'll never pass that important metric conversion test if we don't study our metric conversion calculator, for example. The only problem is we were never really taught the proper way how to study.

From kindergarten all the way to high school, we have bee on our own when it came to studying. The only thing we knew was that if we did not study, we'd probably fail. To help you out further, here are a few steps on the proper way how to study.

The Need to Study

Worried about a big metric conversion test? Then get properly prepared to study the metric table then. This means all of the necessary reading and writing materials should be at your immediate disposal.

The need to study doesn't mean you are in any way less intelligent. It's just the opposite. A college education is important, and more than likely, you will struggle with some of the more difficult classes. Everyone needs to study at some point.

Prepare to Study

Prepare a plan of action for studying. Preparation is necessary. The extra effort put forth on that metric conversion table test will pay off in the end with a passing grade.

I recommend finding a quiet and comfortable place where you can focus. You can easily lose your concentration studying metric conversion with a lot of noise or distractions going on around you. Make sure the television is off, the music is off, and the phone is off. Buy any needed extra reference material on the metric calculator from a book store. Keep your mind on the metric conversion table subject matter and try to avoid distractions.

Take Plenty of Notes

Take plenty of GOOD notes in the classroom. If you have a professor who speaks too quickly for you to take accurate notes, try recording the lecture and replay it when you are able to write the information down. The better and more detailed your notes on the metric table are, the easier your studying for that metric conversion table test will be.

Join a Study Group

The best study groups are the ones which include students taking the material and the course seriously. Remember, you are there to study and not discuss the latest fashion trends or mindless gossip. I recommend taking up a collection to purchase and share the class reference materials on the metric conversion table, for example.

If a group of people focus on the class material, you could pick up information you may have previously missed. You also have the ability to help the others out by providing missing information. It never hurts to hear another student's take on the class materials, either. It may give you a better understanding of the work.

Anne is a math teacher who loves teaching her students all about metric conversion. Recently, her classroom has been covering all there is to know about the metric table and a metric calculator.