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COLLEGE & CAREERS
• Making the most of a college fair • The best jobs ranked • Is vocational training right for you?
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February 21, 2018 •
A supplement of Surburban Newspapers Inc.
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OMAHA AREA COLLEGE FAIR FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE FAIR VISIT • Before you attend, visit NebraskaCollegeFairs.org to register for a barcode to print and take to the college fair. College reps will scan the barcode to retrieve your demographic information so you won’t have to complete information cards. • Determine which college booths you want to visit (find a list of participants at EducationQuest. org). Arrive early so you have adequate time to visit your top choices. • Prepare questions for the college representatives. Ask about deadlines for admission, scholarship and financial aid applications. • Attend a financial aid information program at the College Fair. For more information: EducationQuest.org.
IF YOU GO April 29, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sapp Fieldhouse, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St. Admission, free
SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR COLLEGE REPS Admissions & Financial Aid • Does the school offer academic programs that meet my interests? • What are admission requirements and deadlines? • What is the cost of tuition, fees and room and board? • What is the deadline for applying for financial aid? • How do I apply for collegebased scholarships? Housing & Campus Life • What are the housing options? • How many years are students required to live on campus? • How would you describe the neighborhood surrounding the college? • How safe is campus? What security features are in place? • What are the options for eating on campus (cafeteria, grills, sandwich shops, etc.)? • Can freshmen bring cars to campus? What are the parking fees? College Facts • How many students attend the school? • What makes your college unique? Are there any campus traditions? Source: EducationQuest Foundation
EducationQuest
Jana Burns of Wayne State College helps a student during an Omaha Area College Fair.
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Consider more than salary when choosing career path There are many things to consider when looking at your college major and career path. Do you want a job that isn’t excessively stressful but that is challenging? Do you need something who lets you be creative? A job that pays well certainly would be nice. Something that has job growth would be great, too. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the 100 best jobs for 2018. The top 10 are highlighted here. Find the full list at usnews.com.
The Top 10
1. Software developer
6. Statistician
Median Salary: $100,080
Median salary: $80,500
Innovative and creative skills needed in the problem-solving field.
Using numbers and data to draw conclusions.
2. Dentist
7. Pediatrician
Median salary: $153,900
Median salary: $168,990
Treating mouth, teeth and gum issues.
Doctors who diagnose and treat medical issues specific to infants, children, teenagers and young adults.
3. Physician assistant Median salary: $101,480 Working with doctors to care for the sick and injured. 4. Nurse practitioner Median salary: $100,910 Performs similar duties to physicians. 5. Orthodontist
8. Obstetrician and Gynecologist (tie) Median salary: $208,000 Offer care related to childbirth and female reproductive health. 8. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (tie) Median salary: $208,000
Median salary: $208,000
A dentist with at least four years of additional surgery training.
Creating picture-perfect smiles.
8. Physician (tie) Median salary: $196,380 Provide preventative care, plus treat and diagnose a range of illnesses. Source: U.S. News & World-Report
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Finding balance with extracurricular activities Many high schools, colleges and universities emphasize their goals of producing well-rounded students. Extracurricular activities teach students important life lessons, provide opportunities to socialize and often stimulate their minds and bodies in ways different from the classroom. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that, in 2014, 57 percent of children between ages 6 and 17 participate in at least one after-school extracurricular activity. Children are more likely to participate in sports than clubs or lessons, such as music, dance and language, but each of these activities can be beneficial to students’ development. Students who participate in extracurricular activities may want to limit their participation to 20 hours per week. This is according to a group of professors from Stanford University and Villanova University who have been collecting data on the issue since 2007. In their report “Extracurricular Activity in High-Performing School Contexts: Stress Buster, Booster or Buffer?”, Jerusha Conner and Sarah Miles found that 87 percent of kids who would be considered to have packed schedules were perfectly happy unless they were doing more than four hours a day. The “over-scheduling hypothesis” may be overhyped. This is the concern that too much organized activity participation leads to poor developmental outcomes. This hypothesis also suggests that hectic schedules also undermine family func-
tioning, detract from schoolwork and possibly increase the risk of copycat behaviors and excessive competitiveness. However, in the study “The Over-Scheduling Hypothesis Revisited: Intensity of Organized Activity Participation During Adolescence and Young Adult Outcomes,” researchers J.L. Mahoney and Andrea Vest determined that, controlling for demographic factors and baseline adjustment, extracurricular intensity was a significant predictor of positive outcomes and unrelated to indicators of problematic adjustment (e.g., psychological distress, substance use, antisocial behavior) at young adulthood. Even though extracurricular activities are largely positive — even when schedules are packed — parents need to be aware of the diminishing returns of too many activities. This is something called the “threshold effect.” Benefits from extracurriculars can level off when too many activities are being juggled. If a child is experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness or depression, or seems overly stressed, it could be time to reduce students’ time spent doing structured activities. It’s essential that families use the cues given by kids to assess what students can handle. And children should be encouraged to be honest with their parents about their extracurricular activities as well. — Metro Creative Connection
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Tips for grads considering a study-abroad program Study abroad programs give students unique opportunities to experience other cultures while pursuing their degrees. Such programs appeal to students who want to see the world without interrupting their studies, and many students who study abroad develop an affinity for travel that remains with them for the rest of their lives. When considering studying abroad or attending college overseas, recent high school graduates or current high school students should weight factors in these areas. LANGUAGE BARRIER Students, particularly those who are not fluent in a foreign language, may find it easier to live in countries where English is the primary language. While study abroad students can expect to work with professors who speak English regardless of where they go, life outside the classroom can be difficult for young students who do not understand the primary language spoken
in the country where they will be studying. LIFE OVERSEAS Students who want to attend school full-time overseas may benefit from a study abroad program before committing to a two- or fouryear program in another country. This gives students a chance to get a feel for a country and its culture and lifestyle before making a longterm commitment to living and studying there. PROGRAM SIZE The safety in numbers philosophy is applicable for all travelers, but it can be especially beneficial for young students studying abroad. Students may feel more safe and comfortable when signing up for programs that include many students as opposed to more exclusive programs that include only a handful of students. Large programs provide a built-in social network, and students may feel safer exploring foreign cities in large groups made up of fellow students
than going it alone or traveling in small groups. DOCUMENTATION Students should speak with program directors about the documentation they may need to make the most of their time overseas. CEA Study Abroad recommends that students bring photocopies of all important documents, including passports, driver’s licenses, airline tickets, health insurance cards, and student identification cards. This protects students should their wallets or backpacks be lost or stolen while they’re overseas. Students also should include a list of any medical conditions or medications they take and include their emergency contact information. Studying abroad can be a very rewarding experience for students who consider a host of factors before committing to a program. The goal is to have the most enjoyable experience possible. — Metro Creative Connection
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Paying for college, step-by-step Step 1: Create an FSA ID Both you and a parent will create separate FSA IDs at fsaid.ed.gov. The FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) is a username and password that you’ll need to complete the FAFSA and to apply for federal student loans. You will each need an email address to create an FSA ID. Step 2: Complete the FAFSA The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your application for federal, state and college-based financial aid. Complete the form at fafsa.gov. The colleges you list on the application will receive the results and will use that information to award financial aid. Apply on or after October 1, but before the colleges’ priority dates, to get the best financial aid package. Renew the FAFSA every year you’re in college. Use the FAFSA Tools at educationquest.org. Step 3: Expect a SAR You’ll receive the SAR (Student Aid Report) via an email link 3-5 days after you submit the FAFSA. The SAR acknowledges that your FAFSA was received — and if you need to take further action to process your FAFSA.
Step 4: Watch for a verification request The college(s) might request verification of your FAFSA information. If so, send the required documents to the college financial aid office. Step 5: Compare award notifications Expect a financial aid award notification from the colleges you listed on the FAFSA — if you were accepted for admission. It will detail the assistance they’re offering based on your financial need or FAFSA results. Respond to all award notifications by the deadlines. Compare financial aid awards to determine what you would need to spend out-of-pocket or borrow in student and/or parent loans at each school to cover the full cost of your education. Step 6 Apply for student loans If you need student loans, your college will direct you to StudentLoans.gov to complete the necessary forms. Allow several weeks for processing. Step 7: Apply for scholarships Start searching for scholarships in the spring of your junior or the fall of your senior year. Follow the accompanying tips to find scholarships. Source: EducationQuest
February 21, 2018
Finding scholarships • Organize scholarships in deadline order, and set aside time each week to work on scholarship essays and applications. • If requested on the application, list activities, awards, honors classes and volunteer or paid jobs. Track them using the Activities Resume feature at EducationQuest.org. • If an application requires a letter of recommendation, give the person writing the letter sufficient notice, a specific deadline and a copy of your Activities Resume. • After writing an essay, ask an adult (preferably an English teacher) to review the document for spelling, grammar and sentence structure. • Follow all directions, and make sure the application is complete and submitted by the deadline or it will be disqualified. • Never pay for scholarship services! Talk to your school counselor or contact EducationQuest about the many free options available.
Where to find scholarships •ScholarshipQuest at EducationQuest.org. — contains more than 2,000 local and state scholarships. There are also resources at EducationQuest offices in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha. • High school counselor’s office/website. Visit at least once a month during your senior year to learn about local and national awards. • Potential colleges. Contact colleges of interest for a list of scholarships they offer along with information about criteria, deadlines, and application procedures. • Visit free national scholarship search sites such as: • CollegeBoard.org • Petersons.com • FindTuition.com • Cappex.com • GoodCall.com/scholarships • Other resources include clubs and organizations, parents’ employers and civic organizations. Source: EducationQuest
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Vocational schooling can pave the way to high-paying jobs Many students believe that the next natural step after graduating from high school is to go off to college. Secondary education has become such a common transition that many parents begin saving for college tuition as soon as their children are born. Although college can be the next chapter in a student’s education, many teenagers still choose to attend trade school. Television personality Mike Rowe says the country is in the midst of a skilled labor shortage because workers lack the necessary training to fill the hundreds of thousands of available jobs. Lack of information may drive the notion that trade jobs are nothing more than a backup plan if college doesn’t pan out. However, by realizing that trade jobs, along with short-term vocational training, is a smart investment — and eventually a lucrative career choice — attitudes about trade schools and labor-intensive jobs may shift. A great number of college graduates enter the workforce with degrees that may not help them land jobs. And these students typically carry thousands of dollars in tuition debt. Many college grads are underemployed and working in jobs that aren’t even in their fields of
study. Career and technical schools help students develop specialized skills that make graduates immediately marketable in their chosen fields, and trade salaries can be very competitive. Here are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying trade careers to consider, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Forbes magazine.
• Construction manager: Construction professionals with great organizational and communication skills can enjoy high earning potential as construction managers. Expected growth of this career over the next 10 years is 5 percent. The average income of a construction manager is $87,000. However, with a top-end
hourly pay of around $75 per hour, it’s easy for managers to earn into six figures. • Elevator installer and repairer: This career is listed as a top-earner. These employees can earn anywhere from $74,000 to $105,000 per year. Elevators are in demand as urban centers increase, so this career has staying potential. • Rotary drill operator: The oil and gas industry relies on rotary drill operators to extract oil or natural gas from underground sources. Salaries for these jobs can range from $30 to $40 per hour. • Dental hygienist: Cleaning teeth and inspecting mouths for disease is an important role. Job growth is still hovering around 20 percent, and hygienists can expect to earn up to $98,000. • Electricians and plumbers: Electricians and plumbers are continually in demand. With a short amount of trade school and apprenticeship, it’s possible to earn up to $90,000 per year. These are just a few of the many skilled professions that vocational schools prepare their students for. Scholarships and funding programs are available to help make vocational training an affordable possibility. — Metro Creative Connection
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