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Career Profile: Culinary By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal • Photo by Lauren Wood Stefanie Watkins bakes for a living. Her path to becoming a professional pastry cook began when Watkins was a child, as she often spent summers with her grandmother helping in the kitchen and watching legendary chefs like Julia Child on TV. Fast-forward to 2005 and Watkins began her first year at Mississippi University for Women, where she began to pursue a degree in art education. However, after taking an intro-level culinary class, she decided to enroll in MUW’s culinary program. Like with any program, students in culinary school start with the basics. Watkins said everyone begins by learning basic techniques, dices, cuts, how to debone a chicken, basic butchering techniques, how to clean a kitchen properly, how to keep the kitchen organized and about the work of famous chefs. Then, they begin to learn beginning level recipes and work their way up. In addition to cooking classes, students are also required
to take business management classes in which they learn to calculate the cost of ingredients and recipes, among other business skills. Watkins said culinary school is what you make it, and students who decide to go to culinary school should seek every opportunity to learn. Through volunteering and working outside of her classes, Watkins said she gained a lot of experience. Watkins encourages culinary students to make their classes a priority, especially because in school students have access to more specialized equipment and larger kitchen work areas. “If they are going through with culinary school, they should take advantage of that,” Watkins said. “Don’t just do the minimum.” Watkins did an internship with Oxford restaurant City Grocery while in school. Now, Watkins is part of the team that bakes all desserts for Chef John Currence’s restaurants in Oxford – Boure, City Grocery, Snack Bar, Lamar Lounge and Big Bad Breakfast, as well as for the Main Event Catering company.
Her internships, Watkins said, gave her a better understanding of the work expected, the hours required and the pressure involved in culinary professions. High schoolers who think they may want to go to culinary school should cook and bake as much as possible, Watkins said. She stressed that they should step out of their comfort zones, be creative and travel to find inspiration to bring back to the kitchen. She also suggests high school students try to work in locally owned restaurants or bakeries. “There are people all over the place that are willing to take on interns and teach them everything,” Watkins said. Food blogs, Watkins said, can also be a great learning tool for young cooks and bakers. Having a thick skin is especially important when restaurants or catering companies get busy, and there is a lot of pressure to get dishes made quickly, Watkins said. >> continued on page 7
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College
After getting through college applications and admissions, you’re one step closer to a new and exciting time of your life. College is an experience like no other, and it’s entirely up to you to make the best of it. It’s a great place to discover who you are and what you want. I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout my time at Ole Miss. I’m a junior and can finally say that I’ve settled on a major after changing it four times. It’s OK to change your major throughout college because you’re still growing and finding yourself. The differences between high school and college are enormous. For example, you’ll have lots of free time in college, but use this time wisely. (It’s OK to nap … sometimes.) College is a great place to make new friends; everyone is new, so everyone is trying to make friends as well. I can’t stress how important it is to get involved around campus. My freshman year, I sat around and waited for things to happen, which is a major regret that I have. It wasn’t until second semester I realized sitting around and waiting for someone to hand me something would not get me involved on campus. I began applying to various organizations and after some rejections, I finally found my niche with
student housing and continue to work for this department today. I am a community assistant and love my job; I love being able to guide freshmen through their first year of college. Getting involved will make your college experience the best it can be and nothing is better than giving back to the university that has given you so much. Your college will have organization fairs so make sure to attend them. Class is another difference between high school and college. Organization is the key to success. In order to stay on top of your work, write everything down. There were lots of times my first year where I thought I would be able to remember things in my head and that surely was not the case. Each professor will hand out a syllabus with every due date and it is critical that you revisit those syllabi at least once a day. Professors expect you to check their syllabi daily, so they will not remind you when there is an exam or when an assignment is due. You may feel overwhelmed when your journey through college begins, but you will fall into your routine. Do not forget to take care of yourself and have some fun. Take time to unwind. Some of my favorite things to do in Oxford include exploring, shopping, or grabbing coffee on the Square. You’re the most significant part of your college career. So stand tall, be confident, and do not forget where you come from. Be open to changes and you’ll be able to transition smoothly into this new and exciting time of your life. Emily Schneider is an integrated marketing communications major at the University of Mississippi.
Get connected: The key to successful transition to college The transition to college is both exciting and daunting for first-year students. Excitement begins at orientation when students first are introduced to campus traditions and learn about how to be successful. The excitement continues as students move into their on-campus residence halls or attend their first welcome-week activity. At the same time, the beginning of the college experience can be overwhelming and sometimes a little bit intimidating. First-year students should start their transition by remembering two words – Get connected. Students get connected by going to class, meeting faculty members, asking questions and interacting with classmates. While class attendance is the No. 1 factor in student success, going to class is not enough. Students should be prepared for class by reading assignments and completing coursework. They should be attentive when in class, which includes sitting in the front of the room, staying off the phone, and actively listening to their instructors. It also means asking questions when material is not understood and seeking out resources like the math or writing resource centers when help is needed. Moreover, students can get connected by building rapport with faculty members by visiting during office hours and actively getting feedback on class performance. To get connected outside the classroom,
students should attend campus events and explore student organizations. Every college or university hosts welcome week activities where student groups showcase their opportunities for involvement. Students should attend various activities and consider joining student organizations affiliated with their majors or areas of interest. The benefits of this kind of engagement have a significant impact on student success. Active students have higher grades and are more likely to graduate on time. Finding just one social connection can make the difference in how students think about their college experience. Those at Mississippi State have more than 300 student organizations from which to choose, and every day there are groups participating in everything from intramurals to cultural activities to student government. Students who get connected can make their new campus feel like home just by getting involved. A final way students can get connected is by making use of campus resources. First-year students can be surprised by the academic challenges they face with college-level work, and often students who have been very successful academically are most surprised by the amount of time and energy they must commit to get the grades they expect. Once on campus, students should locate the writing center, math lab, tutoring support and other resources. These services help students get connected and help them take responsibility for their academic success. Regina Hyatt is vice president for student affairs at Mississippi State University.
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Make the most of your college experience, from the beginning
The next step for high school seniors can be both frightening and challenging, but adequate preparation and self-examination can ease some of that anxiety. If you are a few months away from graduation and trying to figure out the first step toward your future, it’s easy to think about the fun and excitement college has to offer, but the most challenging is self-discovery. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re unsure about a major or career choice, think about where you want to be in the future. Through its Advising Centers, Itawamba Community College offers career inventories to assist in the development of an educational plan to enable students to attain their future goals. All students are assigned advisers, who are committed to student success, which is ICC’s top priority. Declaring a major when you enter college is not absolutely necessary. In fact, many students who are unsure of their career track prefer to explore their options while enrolling in the basic courses. In addition, study, note-taking and time management skills are critical to student success, and ICC ensures their attainment in a supportive atmosphere through PACE, a first-year experience course which is required for recent high school graduates. It is critical for the development of the tools for becoming both a successful and satisfied college citizen, including the acquisition of life skills needed for the collegiate classroom, on campus and in the community. PACE incorporates goal setting, time management, study skills, self-discipline, financial planning, college traditions and navigating technology for college success in
its curriculum as well as exposing students to campus organizations, student activities and community awareness. Connection with and the utilization of college resources needed to achieve both personal and career goals are also imperative to student success. Students who work collaboratively with and through ICC’s Success Centers have an edge in becoming more independent, self-confident and efficient learners. In determining their next step, students must also consider college as an investment in their future. No matter your major, during the first two years while you are still trying to find yourself, enrollment in community college, where you won’t have to spend a fortune, is a wise decision. Scholarships, grants and the tuition guarantee program combine in most cases to provide a low cost or free educational foundation. In fact, ICC has been ranked sixth among the nation’s best community colleges by WalletHub. Factors such as tuition costs and the availability of no cost tuition were the basis for the ranking system. The two years you spend at a community college will prepare you to take the next step, to transfer to a major university or to enter a career, which will provide instant return on your investment. Consider, too, that community colleges, such as ICC, keep tuition affordable, offer flexible scheduling and provide comprehensive educational options including transfer and career courses as well as an extensive support system to ensure student success. Although challenging, your next step following graduation can be anxiety-free if you prepare now. Enjoy the journey. Larry Boggs is director of Student Recruitment and Orientation at Itawamba Community College.
College Myths By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal As juniors and seniors in high school, students can have certain expectations or misconceptions about what college will be like. Here, I debunk a few common myths about college. 1. If you don’t rush, you won’t have any friends or fun. If you do rush, all of your time will be spent partying and socializing. As someone who was both Greek and nonGreek during my time at Mississippi State University, I can tell you that Greek life is what you make it. Yes, some sororities and fraternities take academics more seriously than others. Yes, some sororities and fraternities take their social calendars more seriously than others. In any given chapter you will find all kinds. My advice would be to rush as a freshman, and if you feel like Greek life isn’t for you, you don’t have to pledge. The bottom line is, Greek life isn’t for everyone, but the decision to rush or not should not make or break your college experience. The University of Mississippi’s student body is 41 percent Greek, and about 20 percent of Mississippi State University’s students are Greek. Give it a shot, and if it doesn’t work out, I promise you will still find your niche on campus. 2. Professors don’t take attendance, so you can skip as many classes as you want and still do well if you study for the tests. False. Professors do take attendance, and
they will penalize you for missing too many classes. This is for your own good. Professors often make important changes to the syllabus in class or cover things in lecture that aren’t covered in textbooks or supplemental reading. Kyle Ellis, professor and director of student services and first-year experience at Ole Miss, said traditionally, students who have three or fewer absences perform best in class. Besides better grades, students who attend class also form better relationships with professors, which can help when they need letters of recommendation or extra help in a class. 3. Everyone gains the ‘Freshman 15.’ Although many students do gain some weight upon entering college, some lose weight. The pendulum swings both ways, and it all has to do with adjusting to a new environment and the freedom to make one’s own choices. Mandy Conrad, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at MSU, said students gain or lose weight for a number of reasons, but should do their best to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Students should avoid the idea that gaining weight is inevitable or that being healthy is too hard. Avoid excuses. And avoid feeling guilty for indulging now and then,” Conrad said. “I feel that students should focus on what they can do for health – eat consistently, look for foods that will satisfy their body’s needs, utilize resources to help learn more about healthy options available, and get some type of physical activity on a regular basis.”
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Good advice for collegebound high school seniors: Be prepared
Thinking about the transition from high school to college can be a bit intimidating for students, partially because they are thinking about a season of life that is relatively unknown to them at this point. As a counselor at Northeast Mississippi Community College, I speak to hundreds of incoming freshman every year, and I have learned that while everyone’s personality is different, there are some preparatory practices that produce very predictable outcomes. I’ll share with you a few practices that produce student success. Learning to be prepared is an area of great importance, and preparation requires planning. So my first question for students is, “Have you thought about where you want to attend college?” While there are many more questions to answer, if you answered yes to this one, you are already working through the planning process for college. If you are unsure about something or would like information on a particular school, take advantage of your high school counselors. Chances are, they already have information on the school you are considering, and if they don’t, they know where to access it. Good preparation requires many questions; so don’t feel silly about asking. After preparing, you can begin taking ownership over your education, which occurs when you realize that the most determinative factor in your education is you. One way you can begin taking
ownership of your education right now is by asking your high school counselor about duel enroll/duel credit classes. Many high schools give students the opportunity to take classes that will allow them to earn college credit. If this sounds like something in which you would be interested, don’t wait for someone to approach you about it; take the initiative and ask your high school counselor for more information. In my experience the most important thing you can do to prepare for college is to cultivate a “student” mindset. There are many distractions that come in many different forms on a college campus. If you do not intentionally approach college with the mindset that your job is to go to class, study, and receive a degree, you will have a difficult time succeeding. While there will be plenty of opportunities to have fun, the primary goal is to receive the training and education you need to be able to reach your long term goals. Students who come to college with a “hang out” mentality, tend to have a very difficult time succeeding. Your mindset toward college is something I would encourage you to begin working on now. You will be glad you did. While much more could be said about preparing to be successful in college, the things I have mentioned are things you can begin working on now. Preparation takes time and effort, but it is well worth the investment. Take time to discuss these matters with your family, teachers, school counselors, and friends. You will be taking a big step toward being prepared to successfully enter college. Louis Sacran is a counselor at Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Declaring a college major: Why is it important? “What’s your major?” This is probably one of the most asked questions for newly minted college freshmen. Your relatives want to know. Your friends want to know. Your professors want to know. Why is everyone so interested in your major? After all, it is estimated that 75 percent of all college students change their major at least once. Many do it more often than that. Having worked in academic advising for much of my career, I have seen students change their major five times or more. So why is a major so important if it can be changed so easily? There are a couple of reasons: From the most simple, “You will eventually need a major in order to graduate from college.” To the more pragmatic, “Having a major provides structure to your college career.” To the far reaching, “In many instances, the job you get after college is related to your major in college.” Does that mean you need to have a major picked out when you apply for college? It isn’t necessary, but it helps. As a college student, you will spend the first year taking core courses. Think English Composition, College Algebra, Introduction to World History, Art Appreciation, etc. This is a good time to explore the majors available at your college. In addition to your required courses, take a class you find interesting. Schedule an appointment with a career adviser to discuss potential majors that
match your interests. At Mississippi University for Women, we offer our students free access to programs that help match interests to majors and career fields. Most universities will have services such as this available through a career center or an academic advising office. There are also free assessments available online such as the ACT Profile, available at www. actprofile.org. They can help you to decide on a field of study, or at least give you a general idea of what will be a good fit. In addition to using these services to choose a major, it is helpful to enter into the process with an open mind. You may or may not have the same career interests four years from now. This is normal, and expected. One of the great things about college degrees, and the majors associated with them, is their versatility. One major does not translate into just one type of job. There are many options out there for someone with a college education. The skills developed in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree will allow you to qualify for many jobs that right now aren’t even on your radar. The key to matching your academic major and your career aspirations can be found though building connections with your professors and advisers. Add to that the experiences you gain over your academic career and you will be well-prepared to make the move from college to your career. This is a process that takes time, so don’t feel like whatever major you decide on now has to be your final choice. David Brooking is director of the Student Success Center at Mississippi University for Women.
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Taking ownership of education is an important aspect
The task of choosing the right college is a big one, but it can be a great adventure as well. This time of life is one in which an inventory is needed, a fact-finding mission of sorts. Begin by looking at the options: • Community colleges offer great opportunities for academic, technical, and certificate careers. • Large public universities offer a wide range of areas of study and often family-instilled sports loyalty. Tuition is often at a good price, but generally the cost is higher on room and board. • Private colleges are generally thought to be expensive and not an option for most, but in truth, they generally offer comparative tuition, room and board costs and are really worth a look. • Faith based private colleges offer students an education with a Biblical worldview. • On-line learning has grown considerably with a wide range of colleges offering all types of courses and degrees. (Be careful of accreditation issues when choosing an on-line college. Just because a college says it is accredited, doesn’t mean that credits will be able to be transferred to another college. Just as colleges are different, so are accreditation agencies.) It is a great thing to narrow your choices down to three colleges before Christmas. Visiting college campuses will help this greatly. Large organized preview events are fun and a great way to get the feel of the campus, but a personal visit allows serious questions to be answered. Usually, high schools host a college fair for their students. This is an event where all types of colleges
put up displays to entice prospective students. It’s a great opportunity for students to pick up recruitment material and information about upcoming campus events. Make sure your student has taken the ACT or SAT. Colleges will want a copy of the scores upon application to the school. For many, cost of attendance is key, but there are many more factors to think about. Studies show that most parents think about security first, while students think about following their peers. Tuition costs presented will most likely be for the current year, because in most cases, next year’s tuition has not been set. Most colleges/universities raise tuition each year, so be aware of that fact. In addition, make sure and get information regarding the cost of room and board and all fees. Out-of-state tuition may also come into play. When comparing, weigh everything as evenly as possible. In other words, apples to apples. This way, surprises in cost will be minimal. Is the amount of scholarship money offered to your student going to be the decision-making point? Does the college choice have more to do with whether or not your child will play a sport or is it based upon academic reputation? Do other factors such as athletic loyalties or the choice of a faith based education come into play? Most importantly, keep the lines of communication open between parent and prospective student. Sit down together and make a list of what is important in the college choice. Respect one another’s opinions and then agree on a plan for finding the very best college/ university. Make the choice together and enjoy the adventure. Lynn Gibson is vice president of Enrollment Services at Blue Mountain College.
Financial Aid 101 By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal Financial aid can be an overwhelming part of preparing for college, but knowing the aid options available coupled with good time-management skills can ease some of the stress for students and parents. There are financial aid options available to students at the federal, state, county and community levels, as well as specific scholarship opportunities at their chosen college or university. According to Itawamba Community College Financial Aid Director Terry Bland, the first step to receiving financial aid should be filling out the FAFSA form. The FAFSA form determines the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid in the form of pell grants, loans or a work study program. Federal aid is need-based. These forms are then sent to the student’s college or university. After a student has applied for federal financial aid, Bland said, he or she can then apply for state financial aid through the Institute of Higher Learning. With the state aid application, students will also have to opportunity to be awarded the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant, Mississippi HELP Scholarship or the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant. Lastly, Bland said students can fill out their college or university’s specific scholarship application, many of which are online.
Students in 15 of Northeast Mississippi’s 16 counties – all except for Marshall County - may also receive financial aid through the tuition guarantee program. This program covers the cost of four semesters of community college tuition beyond what is covered by other financial aid and scholarships. Bland said students should be aware that there are a plethora of scholarships out there to help them. There are many community scholarships available through local businesses and organizations like Toyota, Bland said. He suggests students visit www.fastweb.com, where they can search for scholarships from a database of over 1,000 scholarships nationwide. High school counselors and the financial aid departments at students’ respective schools are also good resources, Bland said, and should be taken advantage of. When it comes time to file FAFSA and apply for scholarships, Bland said his advice to students is to do these things as early as possible. “The biggest advice is do not wait until the last minute,” Bland said. “Whether it’s filing your FAFSA or applying for scholarships.” Parents can file FAFSA as late as June 30 for the current school year, and the money they are eligible to receive can be applied to the semesters just completed, Bland said. However, Bland said, most people prefer to receive their aid up front, and should apply July 1 before the academic year begins.
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Choosing the right college is a big and important task
By Riley Manning // Daily Journal • Photo submitted While college is usually associated with the realm of academia, there are plenty of degrees – and opportunities – for those who want a career a little more hands-on. More and more, two-year colleges across the state are offering studies in directly employable skills, from diesel engine maintenance to nursing. Amory native Jonathan Morgan was introduced to welding while attending Amory High School. After he graduated, he took his knowledge to Itawamba Community College and ma-
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get that in your head, it’s not hard,” he said. “If you show you can come in on time and give a good day’s work, that you want to learn, you can come up quick.” Austin Whitworth graduated from Northwest Mississippi Community College in 2014 with a degree in heat and air programming. Though he had a vocational job while attending high school, his studies at NMCC are what gave him a leg up from minimum wage to starting out at $15 per hour. Now, he makes even more. “I was just a young kid looking for a pay check, but then I got interested in it,” Whitworth said. “My pay shot up once I got my degree. In college, you get your feet wet and it gets you in the door. It shows employers you went a step further and took the time to learn your trade.” Vocational careers are booming at the moment. Just last year, Whitworth said, 80,000 jobs opened in the heating and air field country-wide. Many of his peers went to college for careers leading to an office job. This has left a huge window in the service industry. “There are always people hiring and looking for hands-on help. I’ve never had to worry about not having a job,” he said. “And they’re looking for young guys. In every job I’ve worked, there’s always that one guy who knows everything, but those boomers aren’t going to around forever to show us the ropes.” But while the window is big for landing a position, it’s small for those who don’t treat their customers professionally. “My boss told me in my interview that he wouldn’t hire anyone he wouldn’t trust in his own house,” Whitworth said. “You have to be willing to work hard and get dirty. But if you do a good job, and always try to learn, it’ll pay off. And the sooner you do it, the better off you are.”
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Vocational Degrees
jored in tool and die technology on a scholarship. “It was pretty intense,” he said. “You’re in the book learning, but you spend just as much time going out there and doing it.” ICC has a fully-furnished machine shop that closely mirrors a factory shop floor. Each semester of the two-year program demanded at least 22 hours. “It used to be different, like, my boss’ dad owned the shop I work at now, so that’s how he learned it,” Morgan said. “Some of my friends went straight to work after high school, but I decided to go to college and now I feel like I’m in a better spot.” His program coordinators and professors at ICC had a good sense of where graduates might look for jobs, Morgan said. He graduated in May 2011 and found work by July, after his high grades and shop experience caught the eye of employers at Waterford Systems Contracting. “There’s tons of opportunity. You can go anywhere and be a machinist. It’s something different every day, and not everyone can turn on a mill or a lathe and go to work,” Morgan said. He began as a machinist’s helper, but it didn’t take long to advance. “In class, if you mess up, you lose a point. In the real world, if you mess up, you’re losing the company money, but once you
emma.crawford@journalinc.com Twitter:@emcatcrawford Chef or Cook Average yearly salary: $46,600 Minimum education requirement: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree // Majors to consider: Culinary arts; food science; food, nutrition and wellness studies; restaurant and culinary management
Career Profile: Nursing By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal As a registered nurse at North Mississippi Medical Center, Kathyrn Smith has a job she has been planning to hold since middle school. Smith said she knew she wanted to go into nursing early on, so she got involved in NMMC’s Summer Health Academy program, which allows 7th- through 12-graders to shadow medical professionals at the hospital for a week during the summer. After participating in the program through middle and high school, Smith said she felt more prepared to attend nursing school because she had the opportunity to see various types of doctors at work and observe the way they interacted with patients. As a senior in high school, Smith applied for the Nursing Internship Academy, which gives participants a more in-depth experience. Smith went to nursing school at Itawamba Community College, and while she was in school, she became a certified nurse’s assistant at NMMC. “I feel that because of those programs that I went through, I was more equipped and ready to become a nurse,” Smith said. Smith said she highly encourages middle and high school students with an interest in the healthcare field to get involved with NMMC’s student and youth programs. “It’s definitely a profession that will always be needed,” Smith said. “I don’t think there will ever be a time when nurses aren’t needed.” Not only did the programs give her an idea of what life on the job would be like, Smith said, but they motivated her to
work toward her goal of becoming a nurse. Smith said the hands-on nature of the programs and insight into how to interact with patients were especially valuable to her. As a labor and delivery nurse, specifically, Smith said her job is particularly rewarding. “I love witnessing the life coming into the world,” Smith said. Students thinking of becoming any type of nurse, Smith said, should possess good people skills and a servant attitude. With the patient’s optimum health as their goal, Smith said, nurses are servants with the goal of helping people day in and day out. There are many types of specialty nurses including neonatal, cardiology, intensive care, oncology and post-partum, among others. Smith said she loves her job, and would encourage young people to pursue a nursing career because they feel a passion for helping people. “There are so many opportunities,” Smith said. “Don’t do it for the money. You can do it for the money all day, but the money won’t add up if you’re not happy.” Registered Nurse Average yearly salary: $69,810 in hospitals; $60,830 in nursing homes; $72,890 in doctor’s offices. // Minimum education requirement: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree // Majors to consider: Nursing; biology; nutrition sciences; premedicine; prenursing studies; social work
What drives us to do more? At the UofM, we believe it’s the city that surrounds us. Here, students can make real-world contributions every day in Fortune 500 offices, art galleries, community programs and research labs across Memphis. As a result, we have a learning relationship that not only helps our own city thrive, but also drives our students to success both here and beyond.
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Career Profile: Culinary continued “You meet all kinds in a kitchen,” Watkins said. “You have to learn not to take things personally.” Some people are more suited to either cooking or baking, Watkins said. “I would suggest that people who like to cook or who like to bake are different,” Watkins said, noting that baking requires more precision and discipline, while cooking tends to be more creative. Watkins said on a typical day, she comes in between 7 and 8 a.m. and prioritizes the work for the day according to when the restaurants need the food. Lunch items get made first, as well as some of the items that take longer to make. She said she loves her job, but professional cooks and bakers are not as glamorous as they may seem. “Kids grow up watching the Food Network, but it’s not really like that in real life,” Watkins said. Her favorite part of her job, Watkins said, are the opportunities to try something new, whether it be a recipe or a technique.
By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal • Photo by Thomas Wells When Kurt Shettles was growing up he had never thought about being an architect, but he was already developing a knack for drawing. Now, Shettles is an architect and vice president at McCarty Architects in Tupelo. Shettles said he grew up drawing objects in and around his house and doodling in class, which often got him in trouble. “One day, I thought that if I could draw for a living, I’d be all right with that,” Shettles said. After graduating high school, Shettles attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and studied drafting. It was at NEMCC that one of his professors encouraged him to explore the option of architecture school. Shettles said he had never had a particular interest in architecture, but decided to try it. What pushed him to go to architecture school, he said, was his love of drawing. Architect Average yearly salary: $79,300 // Minimum education requirement: Bachelor’s degree. Most architecture programs are five-year programs. // Majors to consider: Architecture
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Career Profile: Architecture
Shettles graduated from Mississippi State University’s School of Architecture in 1996 and came to work at McCarty, where he had already done a summer internship. Architecture school was hard work, Shettles said, so students thinking of going into an architecture program need a strong work ethic and a creative passion. “You have to be extremely disciplined to get through the rigors of school,” he said. “If you don’t have that drive in you that makes you want to create something, then you probably won’t last long.” Shettles stressed that students do not have to know how to draw going into architecture school because there are many opportunities to learn once they are in school. Most of the architects at McCarty are MSU graduates. The university has a five-year architecture program. MSU’s architecture program, Shettles said, is predominantly design-oriented, so some graduates have to learn the more technical skills upon entering the workforce. Proficiency in technology should also be a focus for students who hope to become architects. From specialized modeling programs to Microsoft Office, Shettles said computer skills are crucial. Shettles said those interested in architecture should try to take drawing or drafting classes to get their feet wet. Math and writing are also valuable skills on the job, Shettles said, along with the ability to convey a message clearly in writing. “What we do as architects relies so much on documents and how they’re interpreted by a contractor,” Shettles said. Exploring art forms can be good for young people considering architecture as a career, because architecture is an art form, Shettles said. “At its core, architecture is three-dimensional sculpture that is inhabited by people,” he said. Business skills are some of the lesser-known skills valuable to an architect. For this reason, Shettles said students could take business-related classes to prepare them for the business and management tasks that come along with owning an architecture firm. Especially because in the state of Mississippi, firm-owners must also be licensed architects.
By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal • Photo by Thomas Wells Debbie Brangenberg found her niche as director of the Tupelo Main Street Association after volunteering for the Corinth Main Street Association sparked her interest. Before she began volunteering, she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Millsaps College and then taught second grade and third- and fourth-grade remedial reading.
project has been carried on through three of the city’s mayoral terms. The ability to work with many different people throughout the life of a project, Brangenberg said, also makes a positive impact on those outcomes and the work itself. “In my position, and in a lot of Main Street communities, you are a city employee, so you have to be able to garner relationships with elected officials,” she said. Ultimately, Brangenberg said, she wants to see those plans and projects come to fruition, which makes her job worthwhile. “I think my favorite part of my job is seeing a plan executed,” Brangenberg said. “I think it’s the ultimate implementation of the visions and dreams of the stakeholders.” Brangenberg suggests that young people interested in pursuing a career in event planning or working for their city or Main Street Association get involved as soon as possible to see if it’s for them. Volunteering can be a great opportunity to get a feel for what jobs like Brangenberg’s entail, she said, and students should take advantage of those opportunities. She also said some schools offer degrees in event planning. “I would say the biggest thing is definitely, you want to find something you are passionate about,” she said. Meeting and Convention/Event Planner Average yearly salary: $49,840 Minimum education requirement: Bachelor’s degree Majors to consider: Communication; public relations; hospitality administration and management
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Career Profile: Event Planning
She began volunteering for the Corinth Main Street Association after she had children and stopped teaching. Eventually, she became a board member and later, interim manager. When Tupelo was designated a Main Street of America community in 1990, Brangenberg was presented with the opportunity to lead the new Tupelo Main Street Association, and she took it. Brangenberg has been director of Tupelo’s MSA since January 1991. What originally drew Brangenberg to working with the Main Street Association in Corinth was the events planning side of things. What then drew her to Tupelo was the city’s need for that type of organization. “It was just sort of an evolution into something I’m very passionate about,” Brangenberg said. “The grassroots effort of working with the community and setting goals and objectives, and then to see the community change and see those goals reached is just what really has kept me so involved.” Brangenberg said her job involves a multitude of skills. “You have to stay focused on the vision but be able to multitask,” she said. “You have to understand the logistics and layers of planning.” The ability to see a long-range plan through, particularly, is an important skill to possess when planning, Brangenberg said. “The planning process from teaching has helped me a lot,” she said. For example, Brangenberg said the Main Street road work
By Emma Crawford // Daily Journal Jerry Garrett spends his work week sampling rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater, often wading into the water to collect samples and data. Garrett said although he spends more time indoors now, when he first started his job as a hydrologic technician for the United States Geological Services, he spent 70 to 80 percent in the field and on the water. As a hydrologic technician, Garrett works for the Water Resources agency, which installs and monitors water gauges in bodies of water across the nation. The job is extremely data-driven, according to Garrett. “We’re data hungry, the more information we can collect the better,” he said. Hydrologic technicians monitor the flow of water and water levels and collect data for use by the public. The agency can also perform any type of water-quality test, if needed. This involves measuring the level of sediment or dissolved oxygen in water or the pH of a body of water. This information can be used to determine if an area is in drought, if a body of water is flooded or if a body of water can supply drinking water to a given population. Occasionally, Garrett said, the agency performs fish samplings, which reveal the number of species and members of those species in a body of water.
Larger organizations and agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Weather Service use the water data Garrett and his colleagues collect to develop reports or enforce regulations. Young people with strong math and science skills who enjoy spending time outdoors, Garrett said, would probably find the work enjoyable. Garrett began working for the agency 37 years ago and said the job does not have a high turnover rate. “It’s really kind of a unique agency in that there are a lot of long-term people who do this job,” he said. His job involves both technical skills and more specialized, hydrology skills, Garret said. While the primary tasks involved are collecting and processing data, he said there are research opportunities for employees to further interpret the collected data and write journal articles and other materials about their findings. Garrett said technicians are required to have at least a twoyear degree in a related field, although most have a four-year degree. Hydrologists must have a minimum four-year degree in a related field and be strong in calculus and chemistry. The agency has a program for students and recent college graduates called Pathways, a highly-competitive internship that gives them experience and eventually, a full-time job with the agency.
“The Pathways program is probably the easiest and the best way to get on these days,” Garrett said. Garret said his job is perfect for students don’t mind jumping in and out of rivers and who are interested in chemistry, biology, engineering and geology. Anyone can volunteer with the agency, so Garrett encourages young people to get involved that way. “If you like to be outside and you like to study things, this is a great job” Garrett said. “It’s been a super, super job.”
Hydrologist Average yearly salary: $79,070 // Minimum education requirement: Master’s degree // Majors to consider: Geosciences; Hydrology and Water Resources Science; Environmental Engineering; Natural Resources and Conservation; or other science major. Hydrologic technician Average yearly salary: $43,968 // Minimum education requirement: Two-year technical degree, Bachelor’s degree preferred // Majors to consider: Geosciences; Hydrology and Water Resources Science; Environmental Engineering; Natural Resources and Conservation; or other science major.
Paying for College
What Parents of Toddlers Should Know Now By Sandra Knispel In a nutshell? Don’t dither. Saving for college can be daunting, considering the cost of college tuition has been rising about 4 to 6 percent annually, well ahead of inflation and certainly ahead of most parents’ salary increases. While it’s hard to put an exact figure on how much it takes to finance your prodigy’s four-year degree program, it can rival the cost of your home. The precise amount depends on how old your child is today and what kind of university he or she will attend. Experts calculate a current 1-year old will need about $206,000 from enrollment to graduation. If your knees are going weak, you are probably not alone. “Start as soon as possible. That way you have time on your side to save,” says Don L. Frugé Jr., president of Oxford-based Frugé Capital Advisors, LLC, a Mississippi registered investment advisory firm. “Do what you can, but do it.” Faced with a dizzying array of choices, including guaranteed pre-paid college plans, brokerage and custodial accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and 529 college savings funds, many parents feel overwhelmed. Frugé, who is also a tax lawyer, says the majority of his college-saving clients follow the national trend (hovering at about 90 percent) and end up choosing a 529 plan. Created in 1996, the 529 plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside money for future college costs. Its earnings grow federally taxfree and will not be taxed when the money is taken out to pay for college. “It’s like building a house. Start with a budget. Parents need to determine how much they can save on a monthly basis,” says Tupelo-based Robin Haire, founder and president of Haire Wealth Management. “Determine if you can do $50 dollars a month, or $100 a month, but don’t stop saving for your own retirement,” says Haire who as an independent advisor is a registered principal at LPL Financial. While Mississippi offers its own 525 plan (ms529.com), you are not obligated to invest here. Instead, regardless of your location and the location of your child’s future university, you can choose a 529 fund in any state you like. The advantage of selecting the Mississippi plan would be an additional state income tax reduction – on top of the automatic federal tax break. However, compared to other state’s 529s — Mississippi’s is not a top performer and its fees are just average, some other states’ plan management fees are considerably lower. Where to start? A good source of information is the website savingforcollege.com, which every parent should read. Its nifty calculators will help you figure out how much you ought to
save and the section “College Savings 101” is essential reading. What should you look for in a 529 fund? “Watch for the fees. There are some that are over 2 percent,” which is basically a no-no to Haire. “Ideally you want to keep it under 1 percent,” Haire advises. “Low costs,” echoes independent advisor Frugé. Next, check its performance without being blinded by last year’s stellar fund earnings. Instead, look at the 3-, 5- and 10-year returns, Frugé explains. And no, you won’t have to look up all 50 states’ 529 funds. Reputable rating agencies like morningstar.com have done the legwork, as have other industry stalwarts like forbes. com and CNBC.com. Morningstar annually publishes its rankings of the top 529 plans, where solid returns and low costs are combined to calculate the list of winners. Look for a plan with age-dependent automatic adjustments. When you start saving for a newborn you have about 18 years to accumulate wealth. Experts agree that means opting for a fund mix that carries a higher risk by investing in a large percentage of stocks. “From a long-term perspective, they [parents of small children] need to be growth-oriented, they need to be in equity mutual funds, at least for the beginning years of a child’s life — [through age] five, six, or seven,” says Haire whose own son just started college at Ole Miss this year. As the child gets older the fund’s risk should decrease and with that the percentage of stocks in your plan portfolio. Many 529 plans offer an automatic age adjustment, which means you don’t have to keep track as your kid slowly metamorphoses from pre-schooler to high school grad. Totally overwhelmed? An independent registered financial advisor might be your best pick. He or she will charge you a fee up front for the service, but has no ties to the companies that are managing the funds. Of course, you can also go with a broker model where your advisor is indirectly paid by the funds for bringing them your business. That way the advice is free to you. Curious to know what our local experts like? Frugé favors the 529 plans of Nebraska, Utah and Ohio. Haire says Virginia’s 529 plan (which earned a silver rating from Morningstar in 2014), has a stellar performance but “their fees are not the cheapest.” Whatever you choose, don’t opt for putting saving off for fear of getting it wrong. “If you can’t decide now, put it in a savings account for 12 months and then make a decision,” says Haire. Relying simply on your child’s native genius and her ability to snag enough scholarships for a free ride may otherwise turn into a costly bet that most parents can’t afford to lose.
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Career Profile: Hydrologic Tech
It can be a matter of cost and maturity
By W. Derek Russell // Daily Journal • Photo submitted It’s October. You’ve successfully completed a little over a month of your last year of high school. Congratulations. But what’s next? That may be a question on a lot of high school seniors’ minds as 2015 dwindles down, but when choosing the right college and degree, several factors have to be considered before taking the next step forward. Fortunately for soon-to-be-grads across Northeast Mississippi, high school counselors have a wealth of knowledge when choosing the correct path in the educational fork in the road. “We have to look at what interests them for the career they want to have in the future,” said Saltillo High School senior guidance counselor Susan Dillard. “There are two-year childhood
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Two Year vs. Four Year
programs, nursing programs, labor positions like welding or health sciences. For other programs, graduates need a four-year degree. Those are massive in number, but if they wanted to major in art, for example, they would need a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university. So it really depends on what they would want to do.” Students that are considering a trade or technical vocation also benefit from a community college program like Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College and East Mississippi Community College have to offer. But degrees aren’t the only thing to consider when looking at the benefits of a two-year school. “Some students wait until the last minute to prepare, and by that point they’re not ready for a four-year university,” said Tupelo High School senior guidance counselor Manessa Hadley. “To those I suggest they sharpen their skills by going to a community college. The maturity level is a big part of it as well. Some just aren’t mature enough. It can be a lot on them.” Cost is another factor when comparing schools and degrees. Two-year schools tend to attract commuters which helps with cost, as well as reduced costs of tuition. “Some just aren’t financially ready for a jump like that,” Dillard said. “It’s really a case-bycase basis.” “A community college is, of course, less expensive,” said Hadley. “That can come in handy economically, but it can also come down to whether or not they want to get a quick start to their career path or just help with the cost of their degree. If they need more academic preparation, a community college will help to build a record of good grades and polish their academic record. They then can transfer and maybe even get scholarships so that when they are ready for a university, then they’re ready.” But for those looking at larger-scale universities, the possibilities are vast. “They just have to fit it to their educational needs,” Hadley said. “I always tell the students that it’s according to what they want in a college. It’s never the same answer across the board.” “It really is, because kids are different,” Dillard agreed. “We like to recommend that they visit the schools they’re thinking about and go look at the programs they’re interested in.” Dillard also suggested talking to people already in the careers they’re interested in. “We have some kids that go out and job shadow and see about the jobs they may be interested in or not interested in,” she said. “That often helps make a decision easier for them.”
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