HEC Career Office

A Look at College Majors

2009-05-11T20:53:00.003-04:00

Picking a college major is one of the hardest decisions a student makes. Often there is enormous pressure to make the right selection. I remember when I was a student and the deadline for declaring a major rolled round. I watched while all around me students agonized over the decision: What if I choose the wrong major? Should I double major? Should I declare a concentration (or a minor)? All of these options weighed heavy on their minds. I fell at the other end of this spectrum. Choosing a college major was relatively easy for me: I enjoyed history, I liked the classes and the professors so I decided I would be a history major.

Neither extreme is good. One should not fear picking the “wrong” major because, for all intents and purposes, there’s no such thing. On the other hand, is it the wisest decision to blindly declare your academic study of choice without considering possible careers and life after college? I think not.

For the upcoming months, I will take a look at different college majors. We will look at the types of skills generally gained by pursued a specific major, and the types of careers graduates typically enter. Next month’s post will look at a very popular major: Business Administration.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Accreditation: What Is It and Why It Matters

2009-02-10T23:36:00.008-05:00

If you’ve seen an advertisement for a school with a distance learning program, you’ve probably heard or seen them proudly say they’re accredited. But what does accreditation mean? Is it important? Why does it matter?

This post will explore this important issue. For our purposes, I am referring only to college and university accreditation.

What is accreditation: According to the US Department of Education, “the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” Accreditation gives students a way of knowing that the school is reputable and that a degree earned there will be accepted by the wider community.

Types of accreditation: There are two main types of accreditation: regional and national. There are six regional accrediting bodies, that are responsible for accrediting schools in their regions (visit http://www.chea.org/Directories/regional.asp for a listing of the accrediting bodies and the states they cover). Regional accreditation is the most accepted form of accreditation. It is the way to ensure that the school you attend and the degree you earn there will be recognized, and that the credits will be transferrable if necessary. For example, the accreditating body for Virginia and other southeastern states is The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS). If you attend a college in Virginia that is SACS accredited, you can be assured that the degree will be recognized and that other SACS accredited schools will accept your transfer credits.

National accreditation, as the name suggests, is open to any college or university in the United States (and sometimes schools abroad). Three of the major national accrediting agencies are: the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), and Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The main thing to know about nationally accredited schools is that traditional, regionally accredited schools may not accept the credits from these schools or acknowledge a degree earned at it.

When a college proclaims that it is "fully accredited," that is just the beginning of the story. You need to dig a little deeper and find out whether the accreditation is regional or national, and if the accrediting body is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Now that you know what accreditation is, what do you do next? How do you find out about a college's accreditation and what do you do with that information? These questions will be explored in my next post.

Do you have questions? Leave a comment. Let's get the discussion started.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Why It Pays to Continue Your Education Past High School

2009-01-27T19:24:00.005-05:00

It used to be that a high school diploma was all you needed to find a good job and make a living. In the world of today that is no longer the case. Even in a tough economy (especially in a tough economy), it pays to go back to school. Here are a few reasons why:

More Money: Studies show that the more education a person has the more likely he/she is to earn more money. A 2005 National Center for Education Statistics study found that people who did not graduate from high school earned an average of $21,333. People with some college earned an average of $30,566, and someone with a bachelor’s degree or higher made an average of $40,733. For most people, more education leads to more money.

More Opportunities: More and more employers are requiring job seekers hold a college degree. From the US Census information we know that the number of people 25 years and older who are college graduates is growing. That means if you do not have a degree you’re competing with more and more people who do. When companies have a large number of quality job applications, they can afford to reject anyone without a degree. For most people, more education means more job opportunities.

Lower Unemployment: Unemployment rates are usually lower for people who hold a degree. In 2005, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the unemployment rate for adults 25 and older with a high school diploma was 4.5%. For those with some college the unemployment rate dropped to 3.5%. People with a bachelor’s degree had the lowest employment rates at 2.4%. For most people, more education means more job security.

Lifelong Benefits: Studies have shown that having a college degree helps many areas of your life. A 1998 report showed that people with a bachelor’s degree saved more money, made better buying decisions, and had more hobbies. Even their children had a better quality of life. Also, a 2005 College Board report found that people who graduated from college were more likely to enjoy good health and have lower rates of heart disease and obesity.

Investment In Yourself: Jobs come and go, but knowledge stays forever. Once you earn a degree, no one can ever take that away from you. No matter what degree you pursue, education pays.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Becoming the Adaptable, Flexible You.

2008-12-01T22:28:00.006-05:00

In my last post, I made the case that adaptability and flexibility are the keys in a tough job market and global economy. The question then becomes "How does one gain these skills", or "Can these skills even be learned?" First, an emphatic yes to the question of whether these skills can be learned. Even if you've never thought of yourself as "the creative type" or thought much about your thinking (critical or otherwise), you can definitely strengthen these muscles.

As to how to gain these skills here are some suggestions:

Do puzzles that make you think critically (Sudoku, crosswords, analytical problem solving)
Try to solve logic puzzles (if you do a web search you'll come up with a few. I recently picked up a book at Barnes & Noble full of problems that force you to think "outside the box")
Think of an issue, determine the side that appeals to you, and then defend the other position (this one is particularly fun with friends)
When presented with an issue or problem ask "Why" about 3-4 times, forcing yourself to think through deeper and deeper levels (ex: Country X was recently attacked by Country B. Why? Because B hates X. Why? Because many years ago Country X invaded Country B. Why? and so forth. Don't be satisfied with the first, simple answer).
Read about emerging technologies (use some time surfing the web to learn about the newest technologies that are being used. Try to stay abreast of the technologies that could impact you or your workplace. This may also be a place where you can discover something that will benefit you or your workplace).
Be curious.
Take advantage of workshops, special interest classes, and professional development opportunities that are outside of your normal line of work (remember we're trying to be adaptable and flexible, so if possible take advantage of opportunities that aren't directly related to your current work, but that can provide you with useful, transferable skills.)
Utilize your local community college (community colleges have historically been on the forefront of workforce training and development. Seek them out for classes that can help you gain skills that will make you more adaptable, flexible (and therefore more hireable) in these tough economic times.

These are but a few suggestions. The real key in these trying times is make yourself as marketable as possible. The more skill sets you possess, the more you're able to situate yourself to weather the economic storm.
What did you think of my suggestions? Do you have others? Let's get the discussion started!

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

In a Tough Job Market Adaptability and Flexibility are Key

2008-12-01T21:49:00.004-05:00

Today, it was announced that the National Bureau of Economic Research has determined that the US economy is officially in a recession. That news is actually not news at all to millions of Americans. In recent months, southern Virginia has faced a fresh wave of plant closings and lay-offs. In these tough economic times, discouragement and fear loom large.It may seem like you're at the mercy of uncontrollable forces. This, however, is not the case. The two best assets you can possess to help you weather the storm are adaptability and flexibility.

The model of an employee staying with a single company until retirement is outdated. The reality is that most people will have 7-10 different careers in their lifetime. Globalization and technology has leveled the playing field not just for people in your region or state, but for the world. You are no longer just competing against John from City A; you're now competing with John from City A, Kenneth from State B, and Helen from Country X. Now, more than ever, it's important that you have the skills and knowledge that will allow you to adapt to new situations quickly. You also have to be flexible enough to take what made you successful yesterday and put it aside. Most people think of the need for computer skills--and certainly if you do not have them you definitely need them. But there's also the need to think creatively and critically, and to be open to new ideas and methods.

Ok, I need to be flexible, you may be saying. "But how do I get that? Where do you learn to be adaptable?" The answer to that, my friends, will come in my next post.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Starting a New Job

2008-11-12T15:19:00.002-05:00

In the past few posts we’ve discussed resumes and interview techniques. Now that you’ve jumped through those hurdles and landed the position, what happens next? Starting a new job brings about a variety of emotions: there’s excitement at the new opportunity, perhaps relief at having the job search over, and fear of the unknown. With a new job you’re facing several new situations at once. Not only do you have to learn a new position, but you also have to learn about the organizational culture and expected organizational behavior. Each business has its own set of social norms, or accepted and expected behavior. To complicate matters, the culture of any business is unwritten and must be learned from listening and observing others. All of this can make for a nerve-wracking experience.

One of the first things you’ll want to understand upon starting a new job is the organizational chart. Companies should have a written outline of how people and positions fit within the organization. This will show you who reports to whom and allow you to see what the chain of command is. The organizational chart gives you a visual aid of where you fit within the organization.

Within your first days you’ll want to watch for unwritten rules and social norms. Is it expected that you will bring your lunch and eat in the cafeteria? Does the organization practice "casual Fridays" and if so how is casual defined. If you have questions about something ask. Remember, you’re new and you’re not expected to know all of the answers. It’s a good idea to spend some time talking to your supervisor or trainer about the organizational culture and asking questions about "standard operating procedures." And as time goes on, you will pick up on other organiza-tional expectations.

Last, but not least, remember that as much as you’re observing you are being observed. Your co-workers are observing you to see how you will fit into the organization. Remember, first impressions matter. Even though the official interview is over, the trial period is very much in effect. So put your best foot forward and approach each day as a continuation of the interview process.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

How to Prepare for an Interview II

2008-10-28T13:15:00.004-04:00

Part one covered questions you may be asked in an interview, and now part two will give you some questions you should ask your potential employer at an interview. So often we forget that as the company is interviewing us, we’re also interviewing them. Just as the company wants to know if you will be a good fit for them, you need to know if they will be a good fit for you. Below are some questions you may want to pose at the end of the interview when the inter-viewer asks, "Now, do you have any questions for us?"

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the position?
What are your company’s strengths and weaknesses compared to your competition?
Can you describe the ideal employee?
What kind of work can I expect to be doing during the first year?
Could you describe your company’s management style?
Have people in this position had opportunities to advance within the organization?
What is your company’s position on providing professional development opportunities
for employees to keep up their skills or acquire new ones?
Does the company plan to expand in the coming year?
What will be the greatest challenge of this job?
What are some examples of achievements of others who have held this position?
What are the traits and skills of employees who have been successful within this organization? Why did you come to work here? What keeps you here?
What happened to the last person who held this position?
What can you tell me about the individual to whom I would report?
(Sources Used: http://www.vt.edu/; http://www.monster.com/; http://www.pohly.com/

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

How to Prepare for an Interview I

2008-10-23T08:57:00.003-04:00

If your resume has done its job, then you should be on your way to an interview. It's important to prepare as best you can for your initial meeting with a potential employer. Here are some of the questions you will likely be asked (these questions were originally submitted by Janna Spencer in the May 2008 edition of the newsletter of the Southern VA Higher Education Center).

Tell me about yourself
What do you know about our company?
Why should we hire you?
What can you do for us that someone else cannot?
What do you look for in a job?
What skills & qualifications are essential for success in the position of ____?
How does this assignment fit into your overall career plan?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Why are you looking for a new career? How would your colleagues describe you?
What are some of the accomplishments in your career so far?
Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
How much do you expect if we offer you this position?
Why do you want to work for us?
What other positions are you considering?
What are your career goals?
What questions didn't I ask that you expected?

The final question leads us to the next post: Questions you'll want to ask the interviewer.

Are there other questions you've been asked during an interview? What was the best or worst question you were asked during an interview? Let's get the dialogue started! :)

Resume II: Chronological Resume

2008-09-03T13:31:00.004-04:00

A chronological resume (where items are listed in reverse chronological order and emphasizes your steadily progressing work history and skill attainment) is by far the most popular type of resume. We'll now take a look at what information should be included in a chronological resume.

The essential pieces of a simple, chronological resume are: contact information, objective/summary, education, work experience, and references.
Contact Information: In this section you will need to include your full, legal name, permanent address, telephone number, and email address. If you decide to list your cell phone number, make sure your voicemail message is professional. While having a song play at the beginning or in the background of your voicemail greeting is fun, it is not appropriate when employers will be listening. Similarly, if you include an email address make sure it is a professional one. FYI boomboomgirl@gmail.com is not acceptable; janedoe08@gmail.com is acceptable.

Objective/Summary: This section includes a simple statement about the job you’re trying to obtain, or the type of work you’re hoping to do. A sample objective statement might be, “To obtain an entry-level position utilizing my strong customer service and organizational skills.” If you are sending resumes to multiple employers, make sure you change the objective so it is tailored to each employer.

Education: If you are a recent graduate, or if you do not have a lot of work experience this section should be listed before work experience. Otherwise, list work experience first. Include the degree obtained, the institution attended, and major. You may also use this section to include any academic honors.
Work Experience: Include the dates of employment, name of organization, your job title, and describe your work responsibilities. Be sure to emphasize specific skills and achievements and use action words when describing job duties. For example, saying “I worked in the sales department” is not nearly as strong as saying “I increased sales by 25%.”Because this is a chronological resume, be sure to start with your most recent job and work backwards.

References: If you are trying to get your first job or two you may want to include your references on the resume. Otherwise, stating “References available upon request” is acceptable. Always ask permission before including someone as a reference.

What are your thoughts? Do you have resume tips or advice? Feel free to share them by leaving a comment.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Resumes: Part I

2008-09-02T14:39:00.004-04:00

Resumes. Most people know you need one, but the vast majority are confused about its purpose. "What do you mean--the purpose of a resume is to get you a job, right?" Wrong.
A resume is a snapshot of your education, work experience, and skills; its purpose is not to get you a job, but to get you an interview. So, a successful resume is one that gets you an interview--a successful interview gets you a job. If you're a student a resume is also relevant to you. As you ask for letters of recommendation for college or scholarship applications, a current resume will make it easier for individuals to craft a relevant letter for you. In addition, you may be seeking employment while in school, and a resume is a needed asset.

There are several different types of resumes that may be used at various points in your career: chronological, functional, combined, and curriculum vitae (or CV).

A chronological resume is by far the most popular type of resume. When using this resume items are placed in reverse chronological order. This type of resume showcases your steadily progressing work history and skill attainment. This popular resume type will be covered in more detail in Part II.

Functional Resume: This resume focuses on skills, credentials, and accomplishments across all jobs held. The emphasis therefore, is on what you did not necessarily when you did it. If you have gaps in your job history, this type of resume may work well for you.

Combined Resume: As you may imagine from the title, this type of resume is a combination of the chronological and functional resumes. Relevant skills and experience are listed followed by a reverse chronology of educational and work experience.

Curriculum Vitae (CV): The CV is most often used for positions in science and education. It emphasizes works published, research projects, lectures, teaching experience, honors,etc. It can be a lengthy document with as many as 20 pages for a mid-career professional.

Now that the basics of resumes have been covered, the next post will give specifics on crafting a chronological resume.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Financial Aid 101: Part 2

2008-08-20T00:23:00.011-04:00

The last post covered the different types of financial aid. Now, let's examine ways of finding and applying for financial aid.

To apply for any type of federal financial aid (Pell Grant, Federal Work Study Program, Loans, etc) you must complete the Federal Application for Free Student Aid or FAFSA form for short. You will need your prior year's taxes to file this form. If you a dependent student, you will need your parent or guardian's tax information. While you can apply using a paper application, you are better off applying online. You're information will be received and processed much faster if you apply online. To apply online go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. To electronically sign the form you will need to request a PIN number (if you're a dependent student your parent/guardian will need one too). This is easy and free to get, but it will take a few days before the PIN is sent to you.

The key to the FAFSA is to apply as soon as you can. As soon as your taxes have been filed, you'll want to file for financial aid for the next academic year. Remember, this is federal money and students from all across the United States are applying for this money. There's only so much that's available, so apply early to make sure you get your maximum award.

To find other types of student aid (scholarships and private grants) you'll have to do some research. If you're a high school student your number one resource is your guidance counselor. They will know about lots of local scholarships that are available. Local scholarships (or scholarships provided by groups or organizations in your local area) are what I call the low-hanging fruit. You will be competing against a smaller pool of applicants so you're chances of winning one of these awards are better than competing for national scholarships.

If your parents belong to any clubs or organizations (Lions Club, Rotary Club, etc) ask them if these groups offer any scholarships for its members. You may be able to compete for some of these scholarships because of your parent's group memberships. Along those lines, inquire with your house of worship. Often churches or church associations offer some type of educational assistance.

One of the best scholarship resources online is www.fastweb.com. Fastweb acts will alert you a large number of scholarships that you may be interested in. Fastweb is free to join.

This brings up a key point: When you're looking for scholarships beware of scams. Anything that requires you to pay or send money is a big red flag. You're looking for free money--so why would you need to send in money? Well, you shouldn't. If you come across a website that guarantees you scholarship money for a fee leave the site immediately.

If you're a resident of Southern Virginia you should look into the Southside Tobacco Loan Forgiveness Program. This money is available to individuals who live in the VA Tobacco Commission's large reach. They treat the money awarded as a loan, BUT for every year you work in Southern Virginia in the field you were trained in they will forgive one year of your loan. The goal is to have students stay in the region, working and contributing to the economy. If you're willing to do this you won't have to repay the money. Go to www.tic.virginia.gov to learn more and to apply.

Finally, when you're thinking about what school you'll attend, ask them what type of financial aid they offer. Most if not all will have some type of scholarships and grants available to students. Some schools automatically consider you for this money when you apply; others require a separate (usually short) scholarship application. You'll want to ask about this very early in the process.

Financial Aid Resources

www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
www.collegescholarships.org
http://www.tic.virginia.gov/

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Financial Aid 101: Part 1

2008-08-12T10:19:00.011-04:00

Financial aid is the broad umbrella term that covers all money you can get to pay for college. There are several types of financial aid:

Grants
Scholarships
Loans

This post will examine the three types of financial aid; part II will look at ways to find and apply for financial aid.
Grants
People will often refer to grants as "free money." That's because this type of financial aid does not have to be repaid. Grants are generally need based, meaning you generally have to demonstrate a financial need to be eligible for them. There are 2 types of grants: federal and private.
Federal grants, as you may think, comes from the federal government. The federal government sets aside a large sum of money that's specifically available for students to use to go to college. This is not a gimmick--it really does exists and it does not cost you anything to get it.
Private grants are made available through private citizens generally through foundations or civic organizations. Again, this money does not need to be repaid. The eligibility and criteria for receiving this money will depend on the organization or group offering the money. You will need to read the eligibility guidelines and application materials carefully.

Scholarships
Like grants, scholarships are "free money" for educational purposes. There are all sorts of scholarships given for any number of reasons. Some are given for academic achievement (merit based); others are given to student athletes so they can play sports in college; still other scholarships are given to students who have certain characteristics (like being of a certain religious sect or being a minority for example). Scholarships are offered by a large number of private citizens, foundations, and organizations, each one with its own set of applicant criteria. If you search on the web or go to the public library, you will find a number of resources to help you find scholarships. In addition, if you are a high school student consult your guidance counselor. They will often be the first point of contact when scholarships become available.

Loans
Student loans are the "black sheep" of the financial aid family. Why? Because this is money that you are borrowing, and therefore must be repaid. But, for people who are unable to receive grants or scholarships, student loans provide a way for you to still afford a college degree. So student loans are not necessarily evil; if handled responsibly they can be an important means you of reaching your career goals and investing in your future.
There are loans available through the federal government as well as private lenders (banks, etc). If you must get a student loan you want to try to get a federal student loan. Private loans, for a whole host of reasons, is not the road you want to travel down. Federal loans will have the lowest interest rates and best terms for you in the long run. The government offers 2 types of loans (keeping in mind that both types must be repaid): subsidized and unsubsidized.The main thing to remember about any loan is this: do not as in never no matter how tempting, borrow more money than you need. Believe me, you'll regret it 20 years later when you're still (literally) paying that student loan.
Subsidized Loan: With any loan, interest must be paid. It is simply the cost of you using the money. With a subsidized loan, however, the federal government pays the interest for you while you are a student. That means when you graduate and begin repaying your loan you start out repaying only the amount you borrowed. Now, as you enter the repayment phase you will become responsible for paying the interest.
Unsubsidized Loan: With unsubsidized student loans the federal government does not pay the interest for you. That means that even while you're in school interest will be accruing (or building up). You can choose to may interest payments while you're in school, or choose to have the interest capitalized (that means the interest is added to the amount you borrowed).

Now that you have a basic understanding of the types of financial aid the next post will explore ways to find and apply for financial aid.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

How Do I Find the Right College/Program for Me?

2008-08-04T12:31:00.004-04:00

Finding the right program can be a stressful experience. You may feel that if you don't find the perfect program then your entire professional life is doomed. You need not feel this pressure. First, studies tell us that the majority of people will change jobs 7-10 times in their working lives. I know I didn't believe it either, but at the ripe old age of 28 I'm currently on my 4th career since earning my undergraduate degree.

Now, how to go about a college/program search. First, let's look at how to find a suitable program. If you know the type of job you eventually want to do, that may determine what program you need to find. For example, if you want to be a graphic designer, you'll want to pursue a graphic design or art degree. That in turn, may lead you to the right school (as you'll want to attend a school with a strong graphic design and/or art program).

If you don't know what you "want to be when you grow up" then start by evaluating your interests and hobbies. What are the things you love to do? What are the things that make you feel at peace? What would you do for free? Tap into those things and then research ways to use those skills or work in that industry and get paid. If you don't have a clear idea, or if you have 20 things you'd love to do it may help to take a career assessment. The HEC Career Office offers free career testing and advising. You need only call and make an appointment. Taking assessments like CareerScope or personality assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator are helpful ways of pointing you in the right direction.

Once you've made sense of what you enjoy doing or a career you're interested in, look for programs and schools that are strong in those areas. In college, I had a friend who wanted to be a journalist, but was attending a school that did not have a journalism degree. While she loved everything about the college, she had to transfer to another that would prepare her for her chosen career. She's a great example for another reason: she didn't find the right school on the first try. Don't make a challenging decision any harder with undue stress of making the perfect choice. If you start a program or enroll at a school and you realize it's not where you need to be, then it's ok to transfer.

Finally, it's always helpful to talk to people who have walked the path you're about to embark on. Talk to people who work in the field or industry you'd like to enter; talk to people who are enrolled at the college you'd like to attend; talk to people who are majoring in the subject you'd like to pursue. Ask them how they like the program/school and what they dislike. If you're speaking to someone working in your chosen industry ask them what a typical day is like. Ask them how they entered the field, and what advice they have for you. There's nothing like learning from someone else's life experience.

Did you have difficulty finding your eventual college program? Still undecided about what you want to pursue? Leave a comment. Let's get the discussion started!

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed

Is College Right For Me?

2008-08-02T13:13:00.005-04:00

The short answer is yes. Yes, college is for you; it's for me...college is for everyone. Whether it's a community college, trade school, or 4-year university, post-secondary training of some kind is for you. And more importantly, in today's global economy it is extremely necessary. The jobs of today, and the future, require highly skilled workers. The low or no-skilled, high-paying manufacturing jobs of years ago are gone never to return. The HEC is located in South Boston, Virginia--a region in Southern Virginia hit hard with the loss of its 2 dominant industries: tobacco and textile manufacturing. As this region has learned, those jobs that once sustained an entire economy have been forever lost, and we must think differently and educate ourselves differently to survive. The same is true for you, no matter where you live. Some form of training and education after high school is a neccessity. Increasingly, the minimum standard to gain employment is a college degree. So, yes college is definitely for you.
Ready to go to college but don't know how to find the right program or school? Be sure to read my next post.

Hope Harris-Gayles, M.Ed