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Stop playing Alice Cooper—school's back from the summer. There are new experiences to look forward to as well as welcome traditions. Excitement is visible at the beginning of the school year with move-in day, the start of classes, meeting new people, football games, and seeing friends for the first time in months. However, creating a SuccessFund can make this school year better than you ever envisioned.
When you're working in order to go to put yourself through school, your job shouldn't hinder your education. I consistently worked one or even two part-time jobs while I was a full-time undergraduate student. Balancing studying and work is no simple task; it's easy to get overwhelmed and sacrifice one aspect of your life for another. However, reaching your financial goal on your SuccessFunding campaign can alleviate some of your financial stress, thus allowing you to cut back on the number of hours you need to work.
While college is more expensive than ever, there are also more options and opportunities offered by universities for their students. SuccessFunding isn't only a resource for reducing your higher education expenses. You can use the website to enrich your college experience by raising the money required to take advantage of scholastic opportunities. For example, you can use the funds you raise on SuccessFunding toward studying abroad for a semester or taking summer term classes.
Once you graduate from college, you'll have the degree to show for your time in school. Use SuccessFunding to make memories and relationships the byproducts of your college education, not crippling student debt.
by: Paige Witthar
All student debt myths really boil down to one underlying question--"Is College Really Worth It?" As sticker prices for degrees soar and the job market grows more competitive, it's natural to wonder if a degree will pay off. A Pew Research Center Report and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data provide some insight. On average, income increases as higher levels of education are attained. Additionally, unemployment levels have an inverse correlation with education--as the level of education increases the average unemployment rate decreases. It isn't difficult to find individual cases that don't align with the statistics, but by and large, a college degree is a sound investment.
If the statistics largely validate the decision to seek a college degree, why is there so much dispute about the issue? I believe this debate stems from unclear expectations about higher education compounded by the growing cost of college. Some see college as a time for personal growth; others think college should focus on professional development. Schools vastly differ in their costs, opportunities, and the strength of various programs. We have every flavor and assortment of higher education in America, but you can leave school dissatisfied and in a lot of debt if your choice in college didn't align with your expectations for your higher education.
Education creates opportunities in life. Nearly two years ago, I wrote that an education is an asterisk--one of the "terms and conditions"--for achieving life dreams. Educated people have created the world we live in today. They have been founders, creators, inventors, leaders, and explorers. However, I don't think there's one educational pipeline we should send all students down. Some of the greats were the product of the best colleges and universities in the world while others were autodidacts. College is worth it. Advancing your education is worth it. But, each college's offering won't be "worth it" to every potential student.
by: Paige Witthar
Imagine. A genie grants you three wishes. How shall you spend your wish currency?—On power? On fame? On fortune? For Vidal, a young man from Brownsville, Brooklyn, the genie bottle appeared in the form of a Canon camera and a question posed by Brandon Stanton, the man behind the photo blog Humans of New York (HONY). “Who’s influenced you the most in your life?” The question befit a college admittance essay; Vidal's answer will one day be responsible for college acceptances.
So what was his response?—Ms. Lopez, his middle school principal at Mott Hall Bridges Academy. But the title principal isn't sufficient for Ms. Lopez. She's an encourager, a believer in her students, and a transformational leader. Though Mott Hall Bridges Academy's students live in a poor, crime-ridden area, Ms. Lopez calls her students scholars and has high expectations for all of them. Vidal's answer stuck with Brandon. Stanton decided to follow up with Ms. Lopez and chronicle the school's teachers & students. He also started an Indiegogo campaign to send the school's students on an annual field trip to Harvard University. The story resonated and the school's wishes were granted.
Fortune
The crowdfunding campaign raised money, a lot of money. Within the 20-day fundraising period more than 51,000 donors gave a combined 1.4 million to the cause. The field trip to Harvard was funded for ten years after $350,000 was raised. Then, a summer school program for the middle school was funded when the $700,000 mark was reached. All money over $700,000 went into a scholarship fund for the middle school's scholars; the first beneficiary will be the student who started it all, Vidal.
Fame
The stories on Humans of New York garner attention. In addition to the blog, HONY's social media accounts have many followers; its Facebook page has over 12 million likes. But the story of Mott Hill Bridges Academy went viral, even by HONY's standards. Widely-read news publications like The New York Times and USA Today published the story and Brandon, Vidal, and Ms. Lopez were interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres and Robin Roberts. The school's story and aspirations became more than something that its teachers and students championed—it became something Humans of the World championed.
Power
The story reached the White House where Vidal, Ms. Lopez, and Brandon met President Obama in the Oval Office. Though the White House is the biggest symbol of power in the United States, the campaign really proved the power of individuals. The power of a twelve-year-old's words. The power of a man's camera and his interest in strangers' stories. The power of a woman's vision for a group of underprivleged preteens. The 1.4 million dollar impact of 51,467 people making an average donation of only $27.55. Knowledge is power, and caring people are powerful.
by: Paige Witthar
We're well into 2015. How successful have you been in keeping your New Year's resolutions? New Year’s resolutions all really boil down to the idea that you’re the captain of the S.S. [Insert Your Name Here]’s Life. Sure, all the factors aren’t under your control—your ship might spring a leak, a storm may form, etc., but you can fight the elements to make your life joyful and fulfilling.
In the spirit of reasserting control, let’s talk about one of the most frightening storms out there — Student Debt. Debt is the all-too-often byproduct of higher education. Our future benefits from the accumulation of education and suffers from the accumulation of debt. The effects of debt shouldn't negate the effects of education—with SuccessFunding they won't. We want our platform to facilitate your higher educational dream whether it is to finish your college degree, enrich your college experience through a study abroad opportunity, or enable you to obtain your degree with minimal student debt.
2015 is your oyster. This semester is your oyster. There are many opportunities ahead of you this year as well as unforeseen challenges. Start a SuccessFunding profile so you can take advantage of the opportunities and be prepared for the challenges. Keep your educational resolutions this year and you'll see the payoff long after 2015 is over.
If you’re a college student, you may listen to “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” and hear "It's the Most Hectic Time of the Year!" You just finished juggling finals, projects, papers, and presentations with your life and holiday plans. All I wanted to do was eat, sleep, and have myself a merry little Christmas when I put down my pen after my last final. Though it's difficult to find motivation during your much-needed break, it's advantageous to spend some of your time planning for the upcoming semester. Here are a few proactive, productive steps to take during your R&R:
Create a SuccessFund
During undergrad, I received a letter every year around Christmastime informing me of the tuition and fees increases the board of trustees had approved. It never failed to put a damper on my otherwise favorite time of year. Creating a SuccessFund is a great way to get a gift you'll really use—your funds can go toward a range of educational costs from tuition to study abroad. It’s an easy gift for family members who are separated by distance or are unsure of what to get you. They’ll feel good contributing to your education and their gift is meaningful in your life. Through SuccessFunding, your great-aunt can donate toward your dream of studying in France. Wouldn't you rather enjoy a croissant in lieu of her holiday fruit cake?
Do Your Research
This is the perfect opportunity to look out into the horizon and evaluate your life. When I say "do your research", I don't mean thesis or research paper sorta research. Do life research. Which grad school would be the best fit for you? What apartment complexes have a good reputation and the amenities you want? What classes will you have to take and GPA will you have to maintain to get into that program you're interested in? During the spring semester you'll be charged with making decisions left and right. Start researching and thinking about your options now so you'll be ready to make a choice when the time comes.
Apply
You have more time now than you will in the midst of next semester. Take this opportunity to apply for all the programs and opportunities you’re interested in. Once you factor in class, your social life, involvement in organizations, job, etc. it’ll be much harder to write a required essay or ask for a letter of recommendation during the semester. If you're not quite ready to apply, take a prep class for a grad school admissions exam (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc.), work on your resume, etc. so you'll be able to apply soon.
Now's Your Chance—Send that Email
Do you need a career counselor's help with your resume? Is the 4th edition of the textbook really necessary for your sociology class or will the 3rd suffice? There are probably professors, advisers, and other staff on campus who you have questions for or need assistance from. Now may be the best time to email them with your questions or ask for their help. Their life has likely slowed down between semesters just like yours has. Allow them to have their time off; don't contact them before January 1st. There's no guarantee they'll respond. They might be playing catch-up, teaching an intersession class, or taking a vacation from email during their break. However, any headway you make or resolution you get now will lighten your load in the spring.
by: Paige Witthar
Community College
Community colleges play an imperative role in the communities they serve. They fulfill a variety of educational needs for students from a range of backgrounds, offering continuing education and certificate programs in addition to associate’s degrees. However, as our national student debt escalates, community college is becoming an attractive option for those planning to continue on to a bachelor's degree too. Many name community college as the quick-fix to the student debt crisis. Is it?
This post may very well be the most controversial installment in the series. However, it’s important I address community colleges because they are often cited as the go-to solution to the student debt crisis. From the get-go I want to make it clear that I appreciate community colleges, and I don’t want to undermine their value and place in American higher education. I am grateful for the community college in my hometown and the roles it played in my life. I took violin lessons at the college for seven years and began my freshman year of college with many credits already fulfilled because I took dual credit classes through the community college during high school. To the myth believer’s credit, community colleges are usually the cheaper alternative to the same credits at universities. However, community and junior colleges are not direct substitutes for four-year institutions.
Fact: community colleges do not confer bachelors or graduate degrees. Mark Kantrowitz, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Edvisors, stated in an interview, “Starting off at a community college may save money, but that’s a detour that may cause you to miss your destination. Community colleges are great if you want to get an Associate’s degree or certificate. But among students who intended to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, only about a fifth of those who started at a 2-year institution succeeded in getting a Bachelor’s degree within six years. That compares with two thirds of students who started off at a 4-year institution.” I’m not trying to confuse correlation with causation; an astute student isn’t going to lose any academic prowess by attending a two-year school. However, they have more ducks to line in a row in order to earn their bachelor's degree in the same time. Furthermore, the financial benefits of community college can be negated when it takes additional time (and additional funds) to complete a four-year degree.
What are you looking to get out of your college experience? Universities and community colleges offer different trade-offs. Community colleges offer the same lower-level classes universities do for less per credit hour, and many students choose to live at home which saves money. They also give students the opportunity to improve their academic record so they can try to gain admission into universities they may have been unable to get into earlier. Additionally, they can offer a more relaxed setting for college students to take core classes and explore potential fields to choose as a major. Universities have academic opportunities community colleges don't like involvement in research and study abroad opportunities. A program allowed me to enroll in a class comprising of mainly juniors and seniors as a first-year student. There are many more extracurricular opportunities at universities with more widespread involvement because universities foster student life. Community colleges serve the community; universities create a campus community.
When evaluating the two financially, community colleges usually beat out four-year colleges and universities. But I'm a proponent of anyone seeking higher education no matter where that may be. Some people start out at a community college or take classes online because it's the best fit for their situation. Some people start out at a public or private university because it's the best fit for their academic and career ambitions. There's room for both and a need for both.
by: Paige Witthar
Other Resources: Breakthrough Collaborative outlines why it focuses on four-year colleges and universities instead of community colleges.
Don’t Want Student Debt? Pick a Different Major.
People frequently question a student's choice of major in discussions about the student debt crisis. I commonly see comments like “don’t take out student loans for a degree in underwater basket weaving,” when perusing articles' comment sections. There are inherent inequities when comparing college majors, including differences in expected salaries and employment rates. Additionally, the salary potential and employability of specific degrees make them easier to repay student debt. However, are Millennials really any more "impractical" than any other generation in their choice of studies? And more importantly, is it a good idea to choose your major based on the current marketplace demand and salary for a degree?
Millennials May Be More “Practical” than Your Generation
Though Millennials take the brunt of this criticism since we consist the current college-aged and young adult population, statistics paint a different story. I plotted NCES (National Center for Educational Statistics) data on the distribution of degrees conferred by postsecondary institutions over the course of 40 years. The most dramatic changes you notice are the staggering increase in students with degrees in Other Fields and the plummet of Education degrees. Traditionally "impractical fields" (Humanities & Social Sciences) are equally or less popular than they were in the early 1970s. While degrees in Business and Computer Science & Engineering are less popular than they were in the 80s and early 90s, they have increased since the 1970s. Our interests and career goals aren't any less practical or more outlandish than those of generations who came before us—there are more of us getting degrees (more than double those awarded 40 years ago). Because of this, we are not being absorbed into the job market as easily and in the same way earlier generations were.
Click here to see the data in table form.
*Other Fields include "Agriculture and natural resources; Architecture and related services; Communication, journalism, and related programs; Communications technologies; Family and consumer sciences/human sciences; Health professions and related programs; Homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting; Legal professions and studies; Library science; Military technologies and applied sciences; Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies; Precision production; Public administration and social services; Transportation and materials moving; and Not classified by field of study."
Should the Marketplace Dictate Students' Majors?
Your view on this topic largely boils down to your educational philosophy—whether you’re in the “Follow Your Heart” camp or “Show Me the Money” camp. Do you think a liberal arts education or one focused on a student's chosen discipline is better? I believe college students should educate themselves on the potential pitfalls of their desired career (the projected growth of the industry or discipline, the anticipated salary, saturation of talent, and the barriers and timeline for advancement). One major drawback of many careers is the size of student loan payments in comparison to each month's paycheck. However, choosing a major based on current in-demand fields is also flawed. Positions that are readily available and pay well now may very well become a saturated or nonexistent industry by the time new college grads retire 45 or 50 years after graduation. You've heard Confucius's quote, "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life". As the hours in a workweek continue to grow and the age of retirement rises, choose a job you don't love, and it may seem like you're working every day for the rest of your life.
by: Paige Witthar
