Category Archives: Education
4 Books to Read in Your 20’s That Will Change Your Life
The years you spend in your 20’s are the years meant for making mistakes, learning about love and heartbreak, and growing as an individual. It is the perfect time to navigate through challenges, explore new cities and relationships, and start focusing on career goals. It is also the ideal time to read some amazing books.
You might think that your college courses, new job opportunities, or active social life are too time consuming to ever allow you to read for fun. But no matter what, you should always find at least 20 minutes a day to read something of value. Once you get into this healthy habit, be sure to pick up these 4 books to read during your 20’s – they just might change your life!
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Woolf has come out with quite a few must-reads, but there is nothing like reading A Room of One’s Own if you are 20-something female. Woolf’s writing is typically aimed at empowering young women and thoroughly examining sexism in the modern world.
This book is no exception; it provides eye-opening commentary on influential female figures throughout history. All of you women in your 20’s should head to your nearest bookstore or visit the Kindle store and start reading A Room of One’s Own.
Presence by Amy Cuddy
Not everyone who falls between the ages of 20 to 29 will find Presence a fun read, but you’ll at least find it extremely helpful for the job-hunting process. According to Mike Simpson, an expert on interviewing, making a good first impression during any job interview is key. Cuddy absolutely agrees and she goes over how to do this in detail within the pages of Presence.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
Perhaps you are familiar with Cheryl Strayed’s work, or at least you have some idea of it if you watched the feature film Wild. Strayed is a frontrunner when it comes to providing people in their 20s with long lasting life lessons. She has experienced some serious s*** in her life – as you know if you read or watched Wild – so she has some great insight for young people everywhere.
Tiny Beautiful Things is a collection of pieces from Cheryl’s time as an advice columnist working for The Rumpus. Even if you are familiar with these pieces, invest in the book since there are some never-before-published pieces within its pages. Don’t be surprised if some of the stories make you want to cry, laugh, or just flat out conquer the world.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling is considered to be one of the funniest women of our time, and you’ll be able to see that as you flip through her autobiography Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns). She covers a huge range of topics and touches on her experiences as a child of Indian immigrants, her time working on the set of The Office, and her take on life and love.
How to Find the Right Graduate Program in 4.5 Simple Steps
These Tips, Tricks, and Tools Make Finding a Graduate School Easier Than Ever
You survived undergrad. Maybe you’ve even survived a few (or more than a few!) years out in “the real world”. First of all, congratulations! Making it this far is no small feat. But now that you have decided to pursue a graduate degree, there is a whole new set of challenges to deal with– first and foremost, deciding on the right graduate program for you.
If choosing the right graduate program seems overwhelming, don’t worry– we’re in it with you. That’s why we put together this simple guide to finding the right graduate program for you. Here’s the short version:
- Search the internet
- Make a spreadsheet
- Send some emails
- Take a road trip (or plane trip, or boat trip)
- Get the inside scoop
The first step in finding the perfect graduate program is searching the web for schools you might want to research further.
1. See what the internet has to say about programs in your chosen field.
There’s a reason that the verb google was added to the dictionary— it’s a huge part of how we find out information these days. “Googling it” is a great way to start any information-gathering process, and researching graduate programs is no different.
You can also try using these resources to find some graduate programs that might be a good fit for your goals. At this point, you want to cast a wide net– try to find 15 to 20 potential programs using:
- GradSchoolMatch. Narrowing your search to programs that truly fit your interests has never been so easy. GradSchoolMatch also gives you reminders about application deadlines and other important dates.
- Peterson’s. This is your one-stop shop for all things grad school. Whether you need to find a school, learn about funding your education, or prep for important entrance exams, Peterson’s has you covered.
- GradSchools.com. AKA, the #1 graduate school directory in the nation. If there’s any information you’ve been unable to find thus far in your search, you can find it on GradSchools.com.
Organizational tools like Google Sheets and Gmass are essential to finding the right graduate school for you.
2. Get organized with Google Sheets.
How are you going to keep track of the important information you find during the research phase? With a handy dandy Google Sheet, of course. Part of Google’s cloud-based suite of professional tools, Google Sheets are a free way to keep all of your grad schools in a row (or column– whatever floats your boat).
Make sure you have an email address for each institution on your list– this will be important in step 3.
3. Harness the power of mail merge and put admissions office to the test.
Most guides to selecting a graduate program will tell you to come up with a question you can’t easily find online– such as “What type of career services do you make available to graduate students?”– and email admissions offices to see how they respond.
In addition to getting the answer to your original question, the way the admissions office responds will tell you a lot about how each institution treats its students.
Mail merge is a powerful tool that allows you to use information from a spreadsheet (like the university name, email, and other information you collected in step 2) to streamline the process of sending emails to lots of people at once.
All you have to do is create a message template and link it to your Google Sheet. That might sound complicated, but with the mail merge tool Gmass, it’s as simple as drafting a message in Gmail.
Visiting prospective schools gives you a much better sense of what it will actually be like to attend.
4. Take a good ol’ fashioned college road trip.
Based on the results of step 3, narrow down your list to the 5 graduate programs you are most seriously considering. After that, make some time in your schedule to stop by and visit those schools. Nothing gives you a better sense of what a school’s like than actually being on its campus.
4.5 Get the inside scoop from faculty and students.
While you’re on campus, take advantage of your greatest resources– the school’s students and faculty. Unlike tour guides, who will give you a practiced spiel about the school, you can rely on students you find milling around the library or quad to tell you what it’s really like to attend. Be sure to have questions ready!
Finding the right graduate school can be tricky, but you’ll be glad you did your research and found the perfect program in the end.
Finding the right graduate program can seem daunting, but when you follow these steps, the whole process gets a lot easier. Be sure to take advantage of tools like Google Sheets and Gmass to keep your search organized. Good luck!
How to Be a Better Support System to Your Staff
Every good business owner knows that a pivotal part of there success is attributed to their staff. Without the help of skilled employees to carry out various functions like sales, marketing, and customer service, the company would essentially cease to exist. In light of this reality, employers should always look for ways to show their support and gratitude. Those who go beyond the paycheck and benefits, connect with their staff on a more meaningful level which helps to improve the workplace environment and productivity.
Your Employees Have Lives
Outside of handling their responsibilities at work, your employees have lives. They have children, relationships, financial obligations, and their own personal ups and downs. As an employer, acknowledging that fact and providing them with valuable resources and support can have a lasting impact on the success of your business. How can you be more supportive of your staff? Here are a few suggestions below:
- Professional Development – Most people have professional aspirations when they start working for a company. They have desires to move up the ladder and advance their careers. You can show support for your employee’s careers by having professional development opportunities. Offering free training, assistance or reimbursement on educational courses, and encouraging them to participate in networking events can help advance their careers.
- Mental Health Assistance – As a human being you know that life isn’t always easy. There are a lot of pressures that can push a person to their limits causing them to resort to measures they (or you) never thought imaginable. If you find that one of your employees is struggling with mental health or substance abuse, you can show your support by recommending drug detox centers, therapists, and other solutions to treating their problems.
- Make Health a Priority- It is only when your employees are in their best health that they can provide the best assistance to your business. You can encourage and support your staff by establishing health incentives in your company. Offering discounts to nearby gyms, weight loss program enrollment, free screening services, and other initiatives, ensure that they can remain in their best health.
- Family Inclusion – Family is an important element for most people, and working can often take them away from that. You can let your team know that you’re there for them by creating a family culture within the business. Host events where staff can invite their families, if you have the budget for it, perhaps open a childcare center or offer affordable services to nearby daycare centers. You can also do things like offer scholarships to the children of employees to help lower educational costs.
- Communicate and Be Present – Perhaps one of the best ways to show your employees more support and appreciation is through your presence and communication. Being there when they need to talk, listening to their concerns, and being involved in both their personal and professional lives can help to cultivate a deeper understanding and relationship.
You hand-picked a team that you believed would help you take your business to new heights. These individuals are more than just a gateway to success, however, they are human beings with lives that go up and down just as yours does. As their lifestyles can have an impact on your business it is essential to connect with them. To connect with them on a deeper level, it would be wise to find ways to show your support. Offering the suggestions above and others, let’s your staff know that you see them for not only their performance in the office but for the amazing human beings that they are.
Master’s Degrees to Consider if You’re Looking for Long-Term Job Opportunities
If you’ve completed an undergraduate degree at college and are now thinking about taking on post-graduate studies, or if you have been in the workforce for a while and want to go back to school to get further educated, it can be rather tough trying to work out which program to enroll in.
Today, with the costs of study rising constantly, and with many industries in decline, you need to make your decision carefully so you spend not only your money but also your time and energy wisely. As such, it’s important to be on the lookout for degree options that will help you increase your job prospects as soon as you’ve graduated, and well into the future. Read on for a sample of good master’s degrees to consider.
Engineering
A master’s degree in a field of engineering is a beneficial qualification to have, with engineers being in-demand around the world for all types of jobs. There are a variety of areas of engineering you can specialize in, but whether you choose to check out the best biomedical engineering schools or are keen on getting a post-graduate degree in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical or other type of engineering, you should be set for years.
From a master’s degree, you’ll gain additional technical knowledge and skills which will set you up well for roles and help you enhance your safety record. The extra studies you complete will assist you to become a more reasoned, cautious and experienced engineer, as well as give you the chance to work on more intellectually challenging, and interesting, engineering projects.
Economics
While it has been a popular area of FAME (finance, accountancy, management and economics) studies for many years now, and known for providing good job prospects and pay, right now economics is growing further, for a variety of reasons.
For instance, students who study a master’s in economics will learn how to effectively work with and analyze big data sets, something that is particularly of-use in this tech-driven world. More and more companies across the globe are looking for people who can help them handle their digital information and make decisions based upon it. As such, being able to strategically utilize large amounts of data will certainly stand you in good stead for future roles.
Another reason why economics is big right now is because of the explosion in the global population. This, combined with the banking and other financial turmoil of the last decade, and the huge debt problems of a number of developed countries, has led many people to question the way economics has been approached for decades. As a result, if you complete a master’s in economics, you’ll be able to enter the arena at a time when fresher, more innovative ideas are welcome.
Computer Science
Of course, as you’d imagine, as our world relies more and more on computing breakthroughs and abilities, and technology continues to disrupt industries and change the way we live our lives, having a post-graduate qualification in computer science is a real boon.
The need for computer-savvy job candidates continues to grow and isn’t likely to abate any time soon. After all, businesses in every sector now rely upon technology at least to some degree. If you have a thorough understand of all the elements of computer science, then you’ll be able to work in tech firms and also for any other sort of business that needs your skills.
Plus, with cybercrime such an issue, and something that isn’t likely to go away, people who have trained in computer science can get jobs as security specialists, for both government organizations and private firms.
MBA
A Master’s in Business Administration continues to draw in huge numbers of students because it’s easier than ever for people to become entrepreneurs. Plus, there is more focus on the world of business management and the rise of entrepreneurial superstars, so increasing numbers of people wish to further their skills in business and hopefully follow in the footsteps of well-known leaders.
An MBA is a highly flexible degree, which allows students to learn about and acquire skills in various subjects such as leadership, finance, accounting, sales, marketing, technology, international markets and the like. Being qualified in this area has helped many students to go on not just to earn a lot more during their careers but also to have more career stability. In addition, completing an MBA opens up opportunities to work in varied and interesting fields and diverse geographical locations.
What Else You Can Study Before a Social Work Career
Social work might be the noblest profession. Not only do you devote your career to helping the less fortunate navigate the world around them, but you work long, hard hours and get paid laughably little. Still, the rare satisfaction of improving people’s lives and improving the community pushes a few more people into the field social work every year.
There are social work degree programs – but they aren’t the only way you can get into social work. Because you can find accredited online MSW programs, you can gain the necessary credentials for a social work career while studying a broader, more widely applicable subject for your bachelor’s. If you are afraid of pigeon-holing your career with a niche degree before you enter the workforce, here are a few other programs you can pursue in undergrad.
Sociology
Sociology is the scientific study of society, which often involves studying the development of society as well as the structure and function of existing societies. Sociology can also entail the study of human relationships, which form the backbone of society. Sociology is a relatively new discipline, only just over 100 years old, and it intersects with dozens of similar fields of study, including behavioral economics and social psychology.
Social work can easily be explained as sociology at work; social workers apply what sociologists study and theorize. Therefore, sociology is an exceptionally useful major or minor for those eager to become social workers. Studying sociology will help you understand many of the phenomena affecting modern society, so you can more effectively respond to your clients’ needs and create positive change in their lives.
Political Science
Political science focuses on the theory and practice of government. In the classroom, students of political science study how power is distributed in different systems, how effective certain systems are at meeting the needs of their people, how political thought has evolved over time and more.
Some people believe that the definition of politics is who gets what, when and how. If that’s the case, then social workers equipped with a political science background might be better at obtaining the services their clients need. Especially if you plan to work in a government agency, you might want some experience in political science to help you navigate the complex rules and regulations of the public sector.
Psychology
It should be of little surprise that psychology appears on a list of potential courses of study for social workers. Psychology is an essential tool for the social worker, who must explain, encourage and otherwise embolden clients to improve their lives. With a psychology background, you will be capable of analyzing your clients’ psychological processes and moving them toward healthier emotional states and behaviors. What’s more, you can do the same with yourself, helping you remain calm, stable and productive in your own life.
If you hope to climb the social work career ladder, experience in psychology will become even more useful. Accredited online MSW programs draw heavily on psychology theory and practice, so your undergrad major or minor will provide a solid foundation upon which you can build.
Foreign Language
Unfortunately, the populations most in need of social assistance are often immigrant groups who have come to American seeking a better life. Though they might have marketable skills and a supportive community, they might lack the language capabilities necessary to find a job or a place to live, or they might fear interacting with the government in any way. By studying a foreign language and becoming fluent, you can serve these groups and ensure they adapt better to their new lives in the U.S.
Spanish is perhaps the most useful language to learn because the Latinx population is most underserved and is growing swiftly. However, you can also study French, Romanian, Hebrew, Portuguese, Russian or similar tongues spoken by oft-overlooked immigrants to America.
Business Administration
No matter where you work – no matter what you do – you will be part of an organization, which means knowledge and skill in business administration will be useful. With a business administration degree, you will be better prepared to communicate with colleagues and clients, balance budgets, improve efficiency and manage your time. Undoubtedly, these skills are useful in social work.
Many social workers pivot their careers toward entrepreneurship later in life. Because they see the struggles and challenges of large swaths of the population, social workers are well-positioned to generate solutions prime for the market. If you suspect you might follow this path, a business administration degree would again be useful in the management of your own business.
