Archive for October, 2011
Funding A College Education
Posted by este in Student Loans on October 27, 2011
In today’s ever changing world the most important thing that a person can have is a college education. Without some form of higher learning, it is close to impossible to obtain a career that will be satisfying and rewarding in one’s life.
The United States Census Bureau has reported that a person with a Master’s degree will earn $1.3 million more income in a lifetime than a person who holds only a high school diploma. This fact is boggling to say the least. And for women and minorities that figure is even more depressing. With this understanding, a person should be looking to obtain a higher level of education to increase their standard of living, their quality of life, and their overall well-being. It is proven that people with higher levels of education tend to improve their health as well.
The problem with obtaining an education today is that college tuition rates have been on a steady rise while funding for college level education has been declining. Through the recent fiscal crisis and economic downturn, the states have steadily reduced funds available for college education. Increasingly, college is become more for those who have an athletic ability to earn a scholarship and those whose families are financially able to support them. With this in mind the future college student must look to every possible avenue to obtain financing for a college education.
With public four-year college tuition and fees averaging $7,605 per year for in-state residents, and $11,990 per year for out-of-state residents, even the cost to stay close to home can be unbearable for the average family. When one looks to the private institutions the cost are even greater with the average yearly tuition and fees rate of $27,293, which for most families is their yearly salary from employment. The cost for attending a two-year community college can lessen the impact, but the average is still costly at $2,713 per year for tuition and fees. With the average annual increase of 4%; how does the average family pay for college education to better their lives and the lives of their family?
The most common funding source for college students is to seek federal loans and grants to pay the necessary cost. However, not all families are eligible for the full amount of the federal Pell grant. The formula for awarding Pell grants to future college students includes the total income of the household. If this income exceeds the federal threshold formula then the grant will be reduced accordingly. The maximum amount that a Pell grant will cover is up to $5,500 a year for tuition, if eligible, and the remainder must be covered by loans, family, and the student working. This causes a burden to the family and the student working to obtain a higher degree. With the the financial burdens and the yearly increases for the cost of college education, a family should be looking for multiple alternative financing methods and options.
Get Your Higher Education From the Most Affordable Psychology Colleges in the US
Posted by este in Psychology, Reference and Education on October 23, 2011
Higher education plays an important role in determining the future of every person and its one thing which cannot be compromised. Today thousands of people are looking to pursue different careers in psychology which has resulted in the demand for certified psychology colleges.
Though many institutes are set up to see to the rising demand, majority of the students who are interested in getting higher education in psychology usually cannot afford the tuition fee and learning cost implied by many psychology colleges.
Hence many of these students either opt for another career or else are left stranded without any choice. This is a major issue which cannot be ignored as the future development of psychology depends on the present progress. Therefore stated here below are the top 5 most affordable psychology colleges you will come across in the country which offer easy pricing, grants and scholarships programs for learners, helping them to get a grip on the career they seek.
Post University
Post University was set up in the year 1890 which focuses in offering student centered programs in psychology which are delivered both online and on-campus. The university is recognized for its affordable pricing against the quality education it provides and makes it possible for all to get hold of their successful psychology careers. This university can be the ideal place for all those seeking affordable higher education in psychology. Post University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is also one of the notable psychology colleges present in the country.
Argosy University
Argosy University is home to one of the top psychology colleges in the country. The university’s college of psychology and behavioral sciences has provided effective and valuable education in different areas of psychology at very low tuition fees compared to other psychology colleges of its caliber and status. Currently Argosy University is operating with over 20 campuses in the US.
Liberty University
Liberty University has the distinction of being not only the largest university in Virginia but also holds the status of being the largest non-profit university in the nation. The university’s department of psychology offers reasonably priced undergraduate programs which it offers on its different campuses as well as online. Liberty University is undoubtedly one of the distinguished psychology colleges and can be a stepping stone for your future career.
Kaplan University
Kaplan University along the years has become one of the notable psychology colleges in the nation, mainly due to the commitment it shows towards the students, giving them access towards affordable, flexible and competent education. This university has been like a beacon of hope for both online and traditional students pursuing psychology degree programs.
Walden University
Walden University is a distance education offering higher educational institute which is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a number of psychology programs online to help with the needs of the 21 century learning communities. Walden University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral leveled psychology programs all at inexpensive rates making it easy for you to mange with your educational needs.
Education or Experience – What’s More Important?
Posted by este in Human Resources on October 19, 2011
If you were a recruiter given a choice between two candidates-one with a few years of industry experience and the other with excellent qualifications but no “real world” training-who would you choose?
There’s no easy answer to this question, as there is no clear winner in the age-old debate on the importance of education vs. the value of experience. With one random search on the Internet, you’ll find tons of people sitting on both sides of the fence. Pages and pages have been dedicated to the debate, but it seems far from being settled.
Those who think education has little bearing on success never tire of throwing out the names of famous university dropouts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to win their argument, while the proponents of a college education quote statistic after statistic to prove its impact on a person’s employability and earnings.
Education or Experience
So what’s more important-education or experience? The truth is that both have a place in a person’s career trajectory.
While someone with experience but no formal degree may be favored for certain jobs, he or she may find himself or herself reaching a saturation point in his or her career earlier and may struggle to advance professionally because the person is not considered adequately qualified. On the other hand, a college grad with the best education and book smarts may be completely at sea when it comes to dealing with real-world work situations if the graduate has no prior industry experience.
The truth of the matter is that it’s not so much about education vs. experience, but education and experience. They’re not mutually exclusive, but actually go hand-in-hand in charting out a person’s career growth.
The corporate landscape is getting more and more competitive with each passing day. Employers neither have the money nor the willingness to make huge investments in developing raw talent. They are more interested in acquiring talented candidates with demonstrated ability, and they look for a complete package at the time of hiring. That’s why someone who has solid educational credentials as well as real-world experience stands a better chance of making the cut.
Why is Education Important?
Companies are not just hiring with the aim to fill the current position, but have an eye on the future. If you have not already demonstrated that you have the potential to grow with a job, they may very well pass you up for another candidate who has shown that promise.
Having completed undergraduate degree program can demonstrate to them certain qualities in you. A college grad, for an employer, is often a person who has a proven academic record, has mastered complex subject matter, has the ability to think analytically and logically, and has been exposed to an intellectually stimulating environment.
In short, they see a person who has demonstrated that he or she can rise up the ranks and can be trusted with more responsible roles, rather than someone who can only perform tasks the person’s familiar with.
Make no mistake-just having a resume embellished with fancy undergraduate or graduate degree programs will not do the trick. Your employers expect you to bring to the table everything you have learned as part of your education and apply your skills and knowledge to solving real-world work problems.
How Do I Gain Experience?
As already mentioned, employers are looking for a perfect blend of experience and education in their employees. But the process of gaining experience has to start somewhere.
As a fresh graduate playing the field, you can wait for someone to give you that first break-or you can work toward getting your hands dirty with some real-world experience before you ever finish your formal education.
There are several ways of doing it: internships, co-operative work placements, industrial trainings, apprenticeships, freelancing, and more. Some academic programs have a mandatory practical training requirement, while others may need you to take the initiative.
With the right combination of a successful academic career and relevant experience in your field, you could be giving yourself a leg up against the competition.