COLLEGE & CAREERS INSIDE • Making the most of a college fair • Ranking the best jobs • Broadening your horizons by studying abroad • Weighing the benefits of a graduate degree
A supplement of Suburban Newspapers Inc.
February 24, 2016
Essay winners to get a jump on college savings
E D U C AT I O N Q U E S T
Jana Burns of Wayne State College helps a student during an Omaha Area College Fair.
OMAHA AREA COLLEGE FAIR March 20, 1-3 p.m. Sapp Fieldhouse, on the University of Nebraska, Omaha campus, 6001 Dodge St. Admission, free Follow these tips to make the most of your College Fair visit: » Before you attend, visit NebraskaCollegeFairs.org to register for a barcode that you should 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 you want to visit (find a list of participants at EducationQuest.org). Arrive early so you have time to visit your top colleges. » Prepare a list of questions to ask the college representatives. Ask about deadlines for admission, scholarship and financial aid applications. » Attend a financial aid program at the College Fair to learn about types of aid and how to apply. For more information, visit EducationQuest.org
ABOUT THIS SECTION College & Careers is semi-annual publication of Suburban Newspapers Inc. For advertising information contact Paul Swanson at 402-444-1248.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK AT A COLLEGE FAIR 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 and fees — and room and board? » What is the priority date for applying for financial aid? Housing & Campus Life » How do I apply for college-based scholarships? » What are the housing options? » How many years are students required to live on campus? » Can 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? — EducationQuest Foundation
Students in seventh and eighth grades have the chance to win up to $2,000 by entering the 14th annual “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest. The contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust and the Omaha Storm Chasers. Seventh- and eighthgraders can submit an essay of 750 words or fewer describing their educational goals and dreams for the future. Entries must be typed and double-spaced on 8½-by-11-inch paper. Entries must be the students’ original work and must be accompanied by the required cover sheet. Judges from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Education will choose first-, second- and third place winners for each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. Winners will receive prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 toward a NEST College Savings Plan plus, four tickets to the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game May 1. Winners will be notified in late April.
CONTEST ENTRY » Must be postmarked by March 18, and sent to: Megan Burdek, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046. For complete rules and information, and the required cover sheet, visit treasurer.nebraska.gov/ csp/scholarships/essay/ college/2016/contestannouncement
• Special sections editor: Chris Christen • Project editor and designer: Tom Knox • Copy editor: Melinda Keenan • Writers: Susan Szalewski, Todd von Kampen • Retail advertising manager: Dan Matuella • Project coordinator: Paul Swanson • Cover photo: Rebecca S. Gratz/The World-Herald
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Study abroad options add dimension to decisions on college choice Schools say coursework in foreign countries is an eye-opener for students By Todd von Kampen BH MEDIA NEWS SERVICE
In choosing a college campus, some young people want to know just how far off campus they can get. The opportunity to study abroad — or to at least have the chance to experience another country during college — can be a difference-maker when it comes to school choice, say officials at Nebraska Wesleyan University and Hastings College. Like many other four-year institutions, the two colleges offer formal and informal opportunities to take courses or do research in other nations. Service projects and periodic foreign tours by their musical ensembles and sports teams provide other chances for stu-
dents to see the world through another culture’s eyes. Many come back and say, “I always thought the world had to be organized in a particular way, but now that I see a different way, I realize the way I thought isn’t the only way,” said Sarah Barr, Wesleyan’s director of global engagement. Even a short trip abroad has “a transformative nature” for people just starting adulthood as they make their way in an unfamiliar country, added Liz Frombgen. She supervises Hastings’ study-abroad programs as an associate vice president for academic affairs. “Being uncomfortable at times is probably good for people,” she said. “What’s really important is that students figure out how to be OK (abroad). In my experience, students come back more confident in their abilities.” Recruiters at both schools will promote their study-abroad programs, both women said, but it’s usually prospective students who bring it up. Some 25 to 30 of Hastings’ 1,100 undergraduate students study abroad each year, but about 20 percent of See Abroad: Page 5
N E B R A S K A W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y
Nebraska Wesleyan University faculty and students toured Melk Abbey in Austria during the summer of 2014.
“In my experience, students come back more confident in their abilities.” — Liz Frombgen
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Ten Nebraska Wesleyan University students helped to build a trauma-counseling center in Butare, Rwanda, during a study-abroad program led by Gerise Herndon, director of gender studies, in summer 2014. The team joined forces with Step Up for Rwandan Women, a local nonprofit.
Abroad: An eye-opening experience Continued from Page 4
N E B R A S K A W E S L E YA N U N I V E R S I T Y
Nebraska Wesleyan students show their school spirit while spending the fall of 2013 at the University of Tartu, an Estonian “sister school.” From left are Sarah Kellogg, Skyler May, Molly Cox and Alexander White.
Even a short trip abroad can have a transformative impact on a student.
each class at Wesleyan, which has about 2,000 students, has had some type of international experience before graduation. Barr said the chance to pursue international service work has long attracted young people to Wesleyan, which has close ties with the United Methodist Church. Wesleyan students also have frequently won Fulbright Scholarships for foreign study, she added. Study, research projects or internships in other nations can be incorporated in nearly every degree program at both Wesleyan and Hastings, the two college officials said. It’s normal for such trips to be taken during a student’s sophomore or junior year. Both schools maintain full student-exchange partnerships with several universities in Europe, Latin America and eastern Asia, though neither operates a formal study outpost abroad as Creighton University does in the Dominican Republic. Barr said Wesleyan students also can link up with some 100 universities in 50 countries through five nonexchange networks. Those who take regular courses at their college’s sister institutions — usually for a semester or a year — pay their home college’s tuition rate
HASTINGS COLLEGE
Hastings College students who have worked foreign study or travel into their college years include 2008 graduate Beth Bunde, who visited Vatican City in December 2007. and retain their financial-aid packages while abroad. Grants are sometimes available to help cover living expenses. Hastings and Wesleyan students who can’t be gone that long — whether for financial or academic reasons — often take short courses involving foreign travel during a three-week “January term” between semesters. “It’s the really extraordinary student who can go (abroad) for a year,” Frombgen said. Ireland figures in two of Hastings’ high-profile opportunities for foreign study, including the Northern Ireland Business and Education Initiative, a 15-yearold partnership between the college and the government of
the island’s six British counties. Each awards a scholarship to one student a year to cross the Atlantic and take business courses in the other’s nation, Frombgen said. Students also can apply for and receive travel or “experiential learning” grants that fit into their degree program and win approval in advance of the trip, she added. A friend of the college from western Ireland helps facilitate Hastings’ 5-yearold Irish Fellows Program, in which Hastings students spend a month on the island in the fall to complete brief research projects or internships. Foreign and domestic service projects at Wesleyan, Barr said, are organized by the university’s Global Service Learning program, which is run by students themselves. She said student members, who must apply for acceptance into the program, perform community service in the Lincoln area each month and elsewhere in the United States during winter break. Foreign service trips, such as a 2015 trip to Nicaragua by eight students and two faculty sponsors, are conducted during the summer. “They work very hard when they’re on their service,” Barr said.
TOP JOBS
Where does your passion lie? What’s the best career path for you? 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? Or need something that lets you be creative? A job that pays well would be nice. Something that has job growth would be great, too. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the 100 best jobs for 2016. We’ve highlighted the top 10 here. For the full list go to usnews.com.
THE TOP 10 1. Orthodontist Average salary, $201,030. Creating picture-perfect smiles. 2. Dentist Average salary, $166,810. Treating mouth, teeth and gum issues. 3. Computer Systems Analyst Average salary, $87,320. Design computer systems and processes. 4. Nurse Anesthetist Average salary, $158,900. Working with patients regarding anesthetic treatment before, during and after surgery. 5. Physicians Assistant Average salary, $97,280. Working with doctors to care for the sick or injured. 6. Nurse Practitioner Average salary, $97,990. Perform a lot of the same duties as physicians.
7. Psychiatrist Average salary, $182,700. Mental health physicians who diagnose and treat mental illnesses. 8. Pediatrician Average salary, $175,400. Doctors who diagnose and treat medical issues specific to infants, children, teenagers and young adults. 9. Anesthesiologist Average salary, $246,320. Administer drugs before, during and after surgery, and in other medically necessary situations. 10. Obstetrician and Gynecologist Average salary, $214,750. Offer care related to childbirth and female reproductive health. Source: U.S. News & World Report. Average incomes are from 2014.
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Major is a match game Choosing a major is an important decision for college students. The right major can set students on a path to a rewarding and successful career, which can lead to a more fulfilling life. The gravity of such a decision is one reason many college students delay choosing their majors. Students often find entering college as an undecided affords them the opportunity to explore various courses of study without committing to any particular subject. Though that approach can work while students are still underclassmen, many advisors recommend students choose a major before their third year of college. The following tips can help students make good decisions about their paths through college. — Metro Creative Connection
M E T R O C R E AT I V E C O N N E C T I O N
• Visit your school’s career center. College career centers are a great resource for college students as they narrow their options concerning a major. Many career centers have programs match students’ interests and personalities with courses of study. Utilize these programs if you are having trouble matching an interest with a major. • Take action. Classrooms can be great places to discover a passion for a particular field of study, but lectures or entry-level courses are not always enough to spark interest. If there are particular fields of study that interest you, find extracurricular clubs associated with those majors. Such clubs may host speakers or seminars that can give you greater insight into the field than you might glean from the classroom. Attend such events when possible, and bring any questions you might have about the course of study associated with each field. • Speak to upperclassmen. Underclassmen may make up the majority of students in entry-level courses, but you may encounter upperclassmen who have already chosen their majors in such classes from time to time. Such students can be valuable resources for other students looking to gain greater insight into courses of study. Ask about particular classes and professors who are engaging and encouraging. • Pursue an internship. The hands-on experience provided by an internship is a great way for students to learn if a particular line of work is for them. Internships can provide an insider’s look into particular professions and industries. While internships might once have been designated for older students, many businesses now have more relaxed eligibility requirements. This makes it possible for students of all grade levels to gain practical professional experience.
M E T R O C R E AT I V E C O N N E C T I O N
Graduates who stay disciplined and pay a little extra each month can repay their student loans long before the loans reach maturity.
Three ways to quickly pay down college debt S
tudent loan debt is a big concern for today’s newly minted college graduates. According to an analysis of government data by Edvisors.com, a website that provides financial information about college to students and parents, the average student in the class of 2015 will graduate with more than $35,000 in student debt. That figure is roughly $2,000 more than 2014 graduates faced upon receiving their degrees. With such substantial debts, it’s no wonder many college graduates find themselves looking for ways to pay down that debt as quickly as possible once they leave campus life behind. Paying down college debt may seem daunting at first, but the following tips can help recent grads get out from under that debt sooner rather than later. — Metro Creative Connection
1. Pay more than you owe. The best way to reduce the principal on student loans quickly is to pay more than you owe each month. Once the repayment grace period ends, grads will see what their monthly student loan payment is. Paying more than that amount each month can drastically reduce your repayment period, and you will pay considerably less in interest over the life of the loan. For example, a graduate who owes $25,000 and pays 6 percent interest annually for 10 years will pay roughly $278 per month to eliminate that loan in exactly 120 months. Over those 120 months, more than $8,300 in interest will have been paid in addition to the $25,000 principal. However, paying an additional $50 per month will pay off loans nearly two years earlier and save nearly $2,000 in interest over the life of the repayment.
2. Arrange for automatic deposits into a repayment fund. One of the more difficult parts of repaying student loans is setting aside enough money to pay them off. Upon landing their first professional jobs, new grads are often making more money than they’ve ever earned, and many have no idea how to manage their newfound financial windfalls. In addition to making your monthly payments via your everyday checking account, arrange for automatic deposits into a savings account exclusively for repaying your student loans. You won’t miss the money if you never get used to having it, and you will celebrate the day the balance in your student loan savings account matches the payoff amount on your student loan balance.
3. Make plans. Failure to make a plan is one way to miss the opportunity to pay off your college debt as quickly as possible. Set specific financial goals, such as owning your own home in X amount of years or saving money for postgraduate tuition. Having specific goals and plans in place can provide the motivation you need to pay down college debt sooner rather than later.
Things to look for in an internship
A
n internship looks great on a resume and, in some instances, can lead to an offer of employment upon gradua-
tion. But not all internships are equal. College students might be enthusiastic when landing an internship, only to find out once the opportunity begins that they will • Growth opportunities for interns and employees. Social networking sites can paint a pretty accurate picture of a company’s environment. A culture that allows its employees to learn on the job and grow with the company might be more ideal than a company with a less nurturing environment. In addition, some companies list information about their employees on their website, including how they started with the company and how long they have been there. A company with a roster of long-term employees is likely one where people like to work.
• Potential experience. College students should seek out an internship that allows them to gain valuable experience. Look for an internship that provides an array of experiences within your field. A good internship won’t involve you doing the same thing every day. Instead, it should allow you to try various tasks over the course of your summer or semester with the company. This will give you a more accurate depiction of the industry, while allowing you to list more experiences on your resume. When interviewing for an internship, ask about the specific tasks and responsibilities you’ll be entrusted with.
be doing little more than fetching coffee. However, an internship can provide hands-on experience in a student’s desired field and maybe earn the student a few dollars along the way. Here are a few things a college student can look for to determine if an opportunity is the right fit. • Value and relevance. After completing an internship, some students reconsider their course of study, while others grow even more committed. Look for an internship that is relevant to your current course of study. It’s alright to change afterward, but the internship should be one wherein you can apply the lessons you’ve learned and gain practical experience to complement those lessons. Avoid accepting an internship that has nothing to do with your course of study, as it’s not likely to help you after graduation.
• Impact on your future. An internship not only provides valuable experience, but it also gets you in the door with a company that you might want to work for after you graduate. When interviewing for an internship, ask about the potential for turning an internship into full-time employment. Some companies enable this transition by allowing successful interns to work on an hourly basis beyond the internship period. Others admit they look to previous interns first when entry-level positions become available.
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Steps to a college choice that’s right from the get-go C hoosing a college or university is the first big decision of many teenagers’ lives. A choice of college can impact the rest of his or her life, and it’s important that kids recognize the gravity of this decision. Many who realize the impact are overwhelmed when colleges begin sending information about their programs and campus life. Such information may begin to arrive at the dawn of a high school student’s sophomore year. This often is long before many teenagers have begun to think about their education after high school. But as daunting a task as choosing a college may seem, teenagers should enjoy the process. The choice of where to go to college is unlike any other decision most will make in their life. Parents can ensure the process goes more smoothly by helping their kids find the right school. That’s especially true for parents who have already been through the process with an older child. But even parents going through the process for the first time can take steps to help a grad find the right college. — Metro Creative Connection
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FIRST THINGS FIRST • Discuss finances with kids at the outset of the selection process. While the choice of where a student goes to college should ultimately rest with that student, it’s important that parents explain their financial situations at the outset of the selection process. Explain how much you can contribute toward tuition and fees, and explain the differences between loans and grants. Some students may expect their parents to foot the entire bill for their education, but such situations are increasingly rare due to the rising cost of a college education. Make sure kids understand the financial obligations they have should they need loans to pay for their education. • Ask kids to list fields of study they may want to pursue. While incoming college freshman do not necessarily need to choose a major upon enrolling, kids who know their interests and what they may want to do for a living may be more likely to find the right college. Parents can ask kids to write a list of their interests, including potential career interests. This can help narrow down colleges and universities they are considering. For example, if a student is interested in engineering but a university on their list does not offer an engineering program, then that school can be eliminated. Kids who list multiple potential fields of study may benefit by choosing a larger school with more available programs. This can allow them to pursue more than one major or even switch majors without transferring.
• Visit campuses. Student-athletes who hope to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level may be limited to a certain number of official campus visits, but nonathletes face no such restrictions. While college is first and foremost about getting an education, it’s also an opportunity to grow as a person. Campus visits can give kids a feel for campus life, which varies considerably between colleges. And that feel can help them determine if a given college or university is somewhere they’re liable to feel comfortable over the next several years. Parents can accompany kids on campus visits and ask questions their kids may not know to ask. Traveling to various campuses can be expensive, so parents might want to delay campus visits until students have narrowed down their lists of potential colleges. • Stay involved. Some kids may succumb to the pressure of choosing a college and detach themselves from the process as a result. While taking periodic breaks from talking about college can benefit both kids and their parents breaks should not be allowed to go on for too long. Stay involved in the process so students continue to approach it with the right attitude. If kids appear to be struggling with their decision, act as a sounding board so they can let off some steam and clear their heads.
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M E G A N FA R M E R / T H E W O R L D - H E R A L D
Graduate degree can boost a career, but when is it the ideal investment? By Susan Szalewski
T
BH MEDIA NEWS SERVICE
rying to land a job or promotion? Looking for a new career, a better income or a way to broaden, enhance or update your skills and bring more to your current job? Then a graduate degree might be right for you. But anyone considering graduate school should first carefully weigh the benefits and options, officials at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha said. A graduate degree generally translates into a higher income, but it might not be a good economic investment in some lower-paying fields. Employers can make the degree more attractive by offering help with tuition and other costs, or a college can help find scholarships, loans or other financial aid — or woo students with fellowship offers or research opportunities. Some people know the general field they want to study, but not the particular degree or certification they want. Many seek advanced degrees in a different field from what they earned their bachelor’s degree in, sometimes to switch careers but often as a way to build higher-level or creative thinking or to learn ways to mine information, said Deborah Smith-Howell, UNO dean of graduate studies and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. Another consideration is whether to move on to graduate school right after college graduation or gain some job experience first. At UNO, most graduate students have worked first, Smith-Howell said. They may have realized they want a more focused
approach or skill set at work and went back to school to obtain it, she said. The same is true at Creighton, where about two-thirds of graduates are part-time students, said Gail Jensen, Creighton dean of graduate school and College of Professional Studies and vice provost of learning and assessment. Deciding on a school can be tough. Smith-Howell recommends beginning with a broad search of schools and whittling down the list. UNO graduate students typically learned about their school through word of mouth, particularly from employers or trade associations, she said. Many schools also hold open houses or graduate fairs. Potential graduate students could look at college websites, or stop by a school’s admissions office or visit with professors and students in a chosen field, Jensen said. Earning a degree is more than accumulating credit hours, Smith-Howell said. She urged getting recommendations on courses and learning about the types of experiences a graduate student would have. Potential students also should think about whether they could persist through the demands of a graduate program and look at how graduates of that program have fared in the work world, said Mary Chase, Creighton vice provost for enrollment management. Ask yourself, she said, would your studies force you to think in diverse ways, and does the school and its professors have the values you share? The school has to be a good fit for the student, the administrators stressed. Sometimes the right college might be
where a person earned an undergraduate degree, Chase said, but not always. “Sometimes it’s time to fly the nest, but there are many Creighton students who would go to no other place because of their experience as an undergrad.” Colleges offer flexibility for people busy with work or families, including online classes. A Creighton doctorate in education program has students in 38 states and extends well beyond Omaha, Jensen said. The working, experienced students bring valuable knowledge to the classroom, Chase said, and can apply what they are learning to their work and talk to their professors about that experience. More people are obtaining graduate degrees, and the degrees are becoming increasingly valuable, Jensen said. In the United States and elsewhere, “credentials are important,” she said. Sometimes a graduate degree is necessary just to get an interview, she said. Graduate degrees do more than increase employability and opportunities for career advancement. They offer intangible benefits, too, including learning about oneself and the world, becoming more fulfilled and challenged, Smith-Howell said. Chase suggests looking at graduate school as a way to invest in oneself, to learn how to think critically and creatively, but most importantly, to be formed as a person. “I became a better parent because of my degrees,” she said, “a better person.” Smith-Howell said the cost of tuition is comparable to the price of a new car. And while a new car might last 10 years or so, the benefits of an education last forever.
Steps for applying to graduate programs The application process for graduate school should begin months before the term starts. The first step is to fill out an application and complete any requirements, which might include providing references or a writing sample, interviewing with school officials or taking a graduate school admissions test. Even within the same university, graduate programs vary on what they require of applicants. Some programs don’t require any admissions tests, while others might weigh test scores as just one factor among many. On-the-job experience might weigh heavily in some programs. Next, a college collects applicants’ credentials, including school transcripts, before the entire application goes to an admissions committee. If selected, a student would meet with a faculty member to decide on courses, goals and ways to enhance the experience of being a student.
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