Are you a future or past college grad that could use a quick update on the state of higher education? Knowledge is power, so that means every little bit contributes to your effectiveness in the working world. Did you realize that big-name colleges and universities are not always the best bargains in education? Another useful fact for those who have recently embarked on new careers is it’s possible to save just by refinancing those lingering school loans.
For younger or middle-aged adults who are searching for a good school, it’s important to know that there are scholarship opportunities out there just waiting for applicants. Plus, when choosing a major field of study, consider business or STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, math), all of which enjoy high employment rates. For job hunters who already have diplomas, it’s imperative to understand how a weak resume can spoil an otherwise excellent job prospect. For current college attendees, adding just one extracurricular activity can vastly enhance the chances of landing a job soon after graduation day. Here are more pertinent details.
You Can Refinance Student Loans
One of the most efficient ways of dealing with school debt once you start a new job is to refinance one or more loans into a single obligation that has one monthly payment. Working grads typically have better credit scores than when they were in school. That situation often means getting better rates, more lenient repayment schedules, and overall favorable terms. There’s no reason to struggle financially during the first years of a career. Many grads decide to use an Earnest student loan refinance agreement to smooth the move from the classroom to the office. The refinancing strategy works well whether you’re dealing with one or several monthly college loan payments.
Famous Undergrad Programs Are Usually Overpriced
You know all the big names in higher education. Some are famous because they’ve been around for a century or more. Others are well-known because of their sports teams. But what many people don’t realize is that a major name does not guarantee a stellar education. In fact, many of the annual magazines that track the best value in higher education include small institutions, state schools, and community colleges that offer much more return on every tuition dollar invested. For the most part, hiring agents don’t scan resumes for name schools. Instead, they look for good grades, relevant majors, extracurriculars, and whether job candidates gained on-the-job experience via internships or part-time jobs while attending classes.
Scholarships Go Unclaimed Every Year
For whatever reason, far too many people assume that scholarships only go to academic stars or top athletes. The truth is that there are millions of dollars in scholarship money handed out each year to average students. Many of the grants and scholarships are given to people who choose particular majors or decide to compete for monetary awards by writing essays. However, the bulk of the money goes to the first qualified applicants who request it and meet all the minimum requirements. Rarely are grades or athletic talent the sole criteria for receiving a scholarship opportunity. Work with a search agency to find out which opportunities you qualify for and apply online to as many as you can.
Business and STEM Majors Can Get Jobs Fast
Science, technology, engineering, math, and business majors land jobs faster than any other category of grads. Excluding those who go on to medical and law school, and who have several more years of study ahead of them, STEM and B-school majors can typically find good-paying positions within six months of receiving a diploma.
A Weak Resume Can Nullify a Great Degree
Don’t let a one-page document spoil your chances of snagging a great position. Unfortunately, young adults who ignore the importance of their resumes are susceptible to this great misfortune. Hiring agents look askance at resumes that contain typos, poor grammar, odd punctuation, and unclear wording. What’s the solution? Hire a professional, certified resume writer who has experience creating resumes for people with backgrounds similar to yours. This is not an area where you want to hire low bidders. Instead, make an effort to find a qualified expert and fork over a couple of hundred bucks for a top-notch resume.
Extracurriculars Matter
Grades are critical, and you need to keep your mind on your studies, but your resume will sparkle if those above-average marks are supplemented by at least one, preferably two, extracurricular activities. It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as the club or society includes developing interpersonal skills and perhaps learning a thing or two about leadership.