High School and College Tips of the Month

June 2009: New College Grad - and Still Unemployed? Part 1
Many communities are home to job search groups and community career centers where speakers educate job seekers of all ages on best practices for researching companies, writing resumes, and practicing interviewing. These settings can also make networking easier for those who are just learning the skills. Job search groups are fantastic resources, but know that age-wise, new college grads will be in the minority. Most members will be closer to their parents' ages. However, by learning from these mid-career professionals, young adults will quickly become street-smart about how to market themselves to employers.

April 2009: What Kind of Work Experience Do Employers Want?
More than 75% of employers said they prefer to hire candidates who already have relevant work experience, according to Job Outlook 2009, a study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. High school students who identify a career goal and related major as early as junior or senior year can then seek out career-related work experiences during the rest of high school and throughout college. Part-time and summer jobs, internships and cooperative education assignments in their career field provide a significant competitive advantage among new college graduates vying for jobs.

March 2009: When the Financial Aid Package Falls Short
If your student's financial aid package offer is less than you'd like, appeal immediately. The later you wait, the less funds the college will have.

• If your family's financial situation has changed since applying or requires special consideration, contact the college. This includes loss of a job, divorce or separation, and disability or death of a family member.
  

• Appeal in person…and be personable.
  

• Let College A know that College B is offering more aid…but you prefer College A. See what they might be able to add to their offer.
  

• Follow up in the fall. When students who are offered aid in the spring decide not to attend the college, their grant money becomes available.

February 2009: What contributes to college success?
Those students who coped with their career-related choices at the end of their senior years [of high school] had easier academic adjustments in higher education and greater commitment to their chosen fields of study, according to the researchers, V. Germeijs and K. Verschueren. This finding is contrary to the beliefs of some that career decision making and planning should be given a more serendipitous or happenstance approach. - Career Development Quarterly, December 2008

Basically, the research supports Career Vision's perspective - if students go to college with a sense of direction and have the essential Career Literacy skills, they greatly improve their odds of a successful transition.

January 2009: Is Transferring Part of Your College Plan?
Does your student plan to start their academic career at the local community college, and then transfer to a four-year school? Proceed with caution! Credits for coursework are not always accepted when transferring from one college or university to another. Here are two resources to ensure course credits transfer successfully:

• If they know the school they will be transferring to:
  Use the online resource u.Select Illinois and the Transfer section of the college's website to find the course requirements for the academic major as well as general education classes. Work with academic advisors at both colleges to confirm that the courses your student takes at the community college level will transfer smoothly to the new school.

• If they do not know the school they will be transferring to:
  The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide transfer agreement among more than 100 participating college or universities in Illinois. Visit the IAI website to find information related to General Education Core Curriculum as well as Baccalaureate Majors' Recommendations.
  

December 2008: Almost Time for Financial Aid Forms
Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, forms have a June 30 deadline – but states and colleges have their own deadlines, as early as February. Submit as soon as possible after Jan 1. For more information, see www.fafsa.ed.gov.

November 2008: When Students Come Home for the Holidays
The holiday season can be stressful, especially for parents and college students returning home. Young adults who have been living on their own for several months may chafe at having to be accountable once again to parents. Some actions that will help make it an enjoyable visit for all:

October 2008: Practice Effective Study Skills Before College
For optimum academic performance, college professors recommend two hours of studying
for every hour spent in class. Though students say they find that standard excessive, the time
that college students need to devote to studying is more than in high school, sometimes dramatically so.

In high school, much of the homework is assigned by the teacher in small amounts, such as prep for a weekly quiz. Students are not required to do much independent planning, and certainly not for an entire semester. In college, students need to be able to plan on their own. They need to make sure hundreds of pages are read as suggested by the schedule on the course syllabus, well in advance of a mid-term or final exam. Parents who help their high school child practice the skills needed to plan and manage their studying will see it pay off when their son or daughter begins their college classes.

September 2008: More $$$ for Illinois College Students
Eight Illinois credit unions announced recently that they have partnered with two state agencies to provide $100 million in new financial aid. The program is designed to address the funding gaps caused by lenders withdrawing from the student loan market due to the current credit crisis. The funds will be awarded through the Stafford loan program, offering a 6.8% interest rate. Final approval is expected September 19 at the Board Meeting of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

August 2008: Fall application frenzy starts September 1
This month, seniors can begin working on college essays and some application forms. When they return to school, students can plan to run their essays past their high school counselor, but they should make this request as early as possible to respect the counselor's hectic schedule this time of year. Build in plenty of time to allow for unexpected delays or doing some revisions

July 2008: Make Writing Well a Top Priority
Students today communicate at lightning speed through text messages. But all those abbreviations used in texting do not prepare them to write a coherent research paper or essay. Strong writing skills are also demanded for the writing section on the SAT test and college application essays, assessing a student's ability to handle college-level work. During high school, English teachers or private tutors can bolster a high school student's ability to write well. On a college campus, head immediately to the writing center to see all they offer - before you need the help. Trained staff, top English majors, and peer tutors offer free coaching with all stages of the writing process, from formulating a topic to preparing the final copy. Tap these resources early and you'll see the payoff in academic success!

June 2008: Volunteering: You'll get more than you give
If your summer job isn't giving you enough hours, consider a volunteer position a few hours a week to introduce you to career options. Colleges and prospective employers look for leadership and volunteer experience in the backgrounds of applicants. Grab a friend and seek out a volunteer opportunity that you both find interesting. Identify organizations to approach or find some ideas at www.chicagovolunteer.net or www.npo.net/volunt.htm. For those who live outside the Chicago area, search on www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do.

May 2008: Save Gas, Earn Credit
This summer, consider getting a head start on your college coursework by taking an online course. Though there are designated start and end dates, coursework can be completed at any time of the day – or night! This makes it easy to fit around a work schedule. Students submit assignments, receive feedback, participate in discussions with other students and complete testing – all online. These courses are just as challenging as classroom-based courses. If you are self-motivated, and can set up and stick to a study plan, you are a great candidate for this method of learning!

April 2008: College 101 Finale
Spring reminds us that there can always be new beginnings. At college, it is never too late to begin following these success tips:

March 2008: More College Success 101
Making a successful transition to university life and enjoying your experience in college includes practicing some these "basics":