Reasons To Consider Alternatives To College
There are many reasons to consider college alternatives, including time investment, personal interests and cost. You might find that college degree programs dont match your career interests or skills. Earning a college degree also usually takes a minimum of two years for associates degrees, four years for bachelors degrees for full-time students, and even longer for masters degrees. If youre planning to go to school part-time, it can add several years on the path to your degree. College alternatives make it possible to get started on your career much sooner.
Although people choose college alternatives for various reasons, cost is often the primary consideration. More than ever, an understanding of personal finances is an essential skill for determining the costs and benefits of your career options. There was a time when achieving a college degree virtually guaranteed an excellent career path and was a no-brainer investment for many professionals. As college costs have been significantly outpacing wage growth, the investment in traditional education takes additional consideration. The average tuition and fees for colleges for the 2020 school year are $41,411 for private colleges, $11,171 for in-state tuition at public colleges, and $26,809 at public colleges for those who live out of state. Considering the continually rising costs, choosing an alternative could save you a significant amount of money while helping you build a career.
Turn A Hobby Into A Moneymaker
If your teen has a special talent or hobby, perhaps she can turn it into a career. With enough passion and drive, a hobby such as painting, music, or baking could become a viable moneymaker. If your child is able to do what she loves, and make a living at it, she’ll never feel like she’s worked a day in her life.
What Kinds Of Companies And Organizations Hire Former Teachers
So where are all the companies that hire teachers? No other professional has the work ethic of teachers. These are people who spend 8 hours a day wrangling the bored, the frustrated, the distracted, and the unwilling, and then go home to spend even more time grading, planning, and putting out fires. What company wouldnt want those people on their team?
Some of the best jobs for ex-teachers are in start-ups and tech , where the soft skills of teaching can combine with the hard skills of coding and developing. Technology has made deep inroads into education, and the next big transformation in education will come from the virtual tools being developed now. Having experienced, knowledgeable teachers involved in these projects help ensure that they will be useful and valuable in the classroom.
There are also many small companies that hire teachers, particularly in areas like corporate training and talent development. Many teachers display a high level of emotional intelligence and management skills, which are highly prized in smaller companies. Teachers exceptional ability to motivate people and bring out the best in each team member is key to these sorts of jobs. Often the best jobs for ex-teachers still involve working with people.
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Things You Can Do In College To Boost Your Resume
Posted by on November 8, 2017
Todays college graduates face a bit of a dilemma when beginning their job searches. Employers want candidates with experience even for entry-level positions. But how can you land a job when you havent had experience in the workforce? Its a Catch-22 many face after graduation.
So what is a college student to do?
The good news is there are many ways for college students like you to avoid being caught in this trap. You can make the most of your time in school to help build a stand-out resume ready to make waves in your job search.
We connected with career counselors and hiring managers to learn what exactly employers are seeking in recent college graduates. Keep reading to gather some tips and tricks to help make your resume one that cant be ignored.
Go Shopping At The Mall
I L-O-V-E going shopping. Sometimes I just go to window shop, but sometimes I go to spend some money. If you have one nearby, an outlet mall is even better Shop the clearance rack of any store to stretch your budget so you can spend a longer time at the mall.
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The True Cost Of College
Opportunity cost refers to the fact that when you make a decision to take one action you miss a benefit of another action.
In this case, going to college means you miss out on the opportunity to work full-time.
So if youre total cost of college after tuition, living costs, and books is approximately $40,000 a year, thats not the true cost of college. If you could have made $25,000 a year working full-time , then your true cost is $65,000.
Got it?
And since the average student spends six years in collegeaccording to Complete College America and the Department of Educationnot four, this makes the true cost of college $390,000.
Doesnt look very good on paper right? Thats because college is plain and simple not a good deal. Its overpriced and theyve raised tuition too high.
It makes me sick that some 18 year olds are signing up for college solely on the fact that the media and society say its smart, then are stuck paying off debt until theyre 30.
I want to help people see the light that not everyone needs college and they can avoid this depressing plunge into debt.
Take a look at these very enticing alternatives to college.
Its Never Too Early To Start
Whether youve only just turned 18 and decided not to go to college, or youve hit 40 and realised its time for a change, its never too soon to start exploring new opportunities. For this, Google is your new best friend. Search for information on any new career youre interested in from learning a specific work-related skill, like coding, to reading up on how other non-graduates made it happen.
Even if you feel like youre years away from being paid to do the thing you love whether its being a business consultant or inventing a new app, you can benefit from starting now. Some businesses fly on their 23rd or 24th versions. You may not succeed the first time you take on a professional challenge. So start now and get the experience that will help you succeed when the time is right.
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Is Taking A Year Off After College Bad
As graduation approaches and many students have not found a job and are not interested in immediately going to grad school, some have considered taking a gap year when school ends. But with many more choices available and in a slow economy, taking a gap year after college can be a worthwhileand economicalexperience.
Get Involved On Campus
College campuses across America are rife with student organizations, clubs and activities. Not only do they foster friendships, but club involvement enriches student resumes. Participation shows employers you did more than the bare minimum in college. It demonstrates that you can balance school work with extracurricular activities. In many cases, it also shows your ability to work with a team. Campus involvement also builds a transferable skill set you can apply in the workforce.
One way to gain professional experience is to join groups that have a board, suggests Monica Kielawa, talent acquisition specialist at Combined Insurance. She explains that many colleges have degree-specific groups that allow anyone to join. You can gain experience by assisting in event planning, managing the groups budget and more. It may not be professional work, but it can be added to your resume with the skills you learned during your time there, she says.
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Start Your Own News Network
Back in college, I dreamt of starting my own freelance news network and going off to report in war zones.
I researched places like Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan endlessly.
I obsessively watched tons of war reports and analysed what they did.
With the news in its state of disarray today , and with how easy it is to start a website or put a video up on the internet, starting your own news network has never been easier.
To those who doubt that, remember that Branson started Virgin by calling by Boeing and asking if they had a spare jet available. Often it really is that easy.
Foundation Degree Or Hnd
Focused on building the skills employers look for, foundation degrees provide a strong platform for those looking to enter the workplace.
The equivalent of two-thirds of a full honours degree, they’re usually offered by universities and further education colleges working in partnership. If courses are studied full time, they usually last two years. Part-time programmes take around four years to complete.
To find out more about the benefits of this qualification, see foundation degrees.
The Higher National Diploma is a vocational qualification usually studied full time for two years or four years part time. It can prepare you for a career in specific industries, such as engineering, business, hospitality, computer science, design or health and social care.
However, if you want to apply for a graduate scheme or graduate-level job, you’ll need a full degree and so most HND graduates choose to ‘top up’ to this higher award.
Consider your options after graduation at HND courses.
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How To Exercise And Be Fit
Unless you played lots of sports or came from a particularly fit family, you may never have learned to exercise as a kid. It sounds silly, but I found myself in that situation when I started college. Thankfully, I ended up learning how to create a regular exercise routine.
If you havent done the same, I highly recommend it. Being fit makes life a lot more enjoyable, and its also a chance to learn some new skills.
Not sure where to start? Nerd Fitness was the website that taught me how to exercise, but you can also just pick an activity you enjoy and do it regularly. Try different things and see what you enjoy.
And remember that theres no such thing as the best exercise program. The best program is the one youll actually stick with.
Build An Audience With Content
This is what Im working on every single day: Publishing content with the goal of building an audience and providing value to them.
I so wish I started this at age 18 instead of age 21, but it is what it is.
So how is this accomplished? There are only three options to publish content and build an audience:
Those are the three tried and true methods that wont go away. My recommendation is to start with one of those and then add another or all three mediums once youre more established.
Thousands of people are making a fortune doing this already. So the path to success is there if you know how to build a community around you.
Honestly, itd be wise to publish content whether you dont or do go to college. Having a personal brand and following you can take with you always gives you leverage in the future.
That leverage can be deployed to build your own business or to win interviews and job offers.
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Choosing A College Alternative
At Praxis, we believe that you should do everything in your power to inform yourself and test your assumptions before making decisions that require a significant time or financial commitment.For each path youre considering, weigh the downsides against the potential payoffs, and select the path with the lowest downside-to-payoff ratio .For instance, if youre weighing whether you should go to law school or give starting that web design business youve been daydreaming about for months a shot, compare the up-front costs and time commitment of both options. Which hypothesis would be the least expensive to test?The web design business has low up-front costs, and you could give yourself a deadline by which you need to hit a specific goal. Compare that to the per-year cost of college and the multiple-year commitment, and suddenly college seems like the bigger risk.As you go through the alternatives to college below, keep this equation in mind: ask yourself which options require the highest up-front investment and risk, and which offer the highest potential reward and, of course, weigh these factors against what interests you and aligns with your personality, skills, and goals.So without further ado, here are our 21 top college alternatives for 2021.
Is College For Everyone Series Conclusion
Weve brought you full circle with this series on the necessity and worth of a 4-year college degree. We started with a look at the history of higher ed in America, and how that past has informed the current situation. We then discussed the pros and cons of a traditional 4-year college and concluded that when you get down to it, theres no easy yes or no answer as to whether or not one outweighs the other. And finally, today weve presented a variety of options for the graduated high schooler who wishes to do something different with his life.
Ultimately, our goal with this series is not to convince you of one side of the argument or the other. There are serious pros and cons no matter what you do, and there are opportunity costs for every choice well ever make in life. College just happens to be one of the biggest decisions youll grapple with, so the opportunity cost could well be high.
Its with that in mind that we ask students to thoughtfully engage with the question of whether or not to attend a 4-year college. As an 18-year-old, thats admittedly a tough task. You have peer pressure, parental pressure, societal pressure its almost more than anyone can really sort through and examine clearly. And yet, the college decision will have implications that impact the entirety of your life. Dont assume that a 4-year school is the best option just because thats what everyone else says.
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Getting An Accounting Degree
With an academic or professional background in accounting, you will be well prepared for a host of different career opportunities. Champlain College Onlines accounting degree program equips students with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to find success in both traditional and non-traditional accounting career paths. The hard and soft skills obtained through Champlains accounting curriculum qualify students for a multitude of job titles relating to finance, economics, consulting, and data analytics.
Learn about the value of an accounting bachelor’s degree from Champlain College Online.
How To Speak A New Language
If your only experiences with language learning have been in high school or college, then you may mistakenly believe that youre too old or not smart enough to learn a new language as an adult.
However, I challenge you to question those assumptions. You absolutely can learn to fluently speak new languages, and you can do so in less time than you might think.
To start, you need to pick a language. While you could pick a language based on its usefulness , its better to pick a language you feel a connection to and are interested in.
This could mean learning a language that your ancestors spoke, a language your friends or family members speak, or the language of a country youve always wanted to visit. Youre more likely to stick with a language you care about than one you feel obligated to learn.
To start your language learning journey, read this guide from Martin .
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Make The Most Of Your On Or Off
Having a part-time job is very important in helping students learn transferable skills, says Miner-Rosen.
Whether youre giving campus tours throughout the school year or working summer jobs, dont overlook these work experiences on your resume. Be sure to outline the transferable skills you gained on your resume, such as communication, customer service, organization and administrative skills. Any added responsibilities or initiatives should also be highlighted. Employers like to see examples of you going above and beyond.
Look for part-time or summer jobs related to your major or career path. Boston-area employers in the education, human services, and nonprofit fields are always looking to hire students for part-time and summer opportunities, says Kelly Graham, Director of Career Services at Wheelock College.
Why Do Teachers Leave Teaching
Teacher exhaustion and burnout are endemic to the occupation, but its also often taboo for teachers to discuss. Teachers who speak out about why good teachers quit are accused of whining and complaining teachers who strike or call for unionization can get blackballed.
But teacher burnout statistics are troubling. More than a quarter of US schools are overcrowded, and that number is only expected to increase with the population. More than half of teachers work hours that are considered unsustainable, well over 40 hours per week. That is, after all, just the hours in the school day not the evening, night, and weekend hours that all teachers commit to.
For those who wonder about teacher burnout causes, the evidence is clear overcrowded classrooms, excessive hours, financial stresses . So it comes as no surprise that more than 40% of new teachers quit in 5 years, and more than 50% of teachers consider quitting. Its no mystery why good teachers quit but many can find greener pastures in alternative careers.
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