CollegeSurfing Insider

Well, now you can… Each week CollegeSurfing.com profiles a different school to inform students of what they have to offer. Because with so many schools out there, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Let us do what we do best and give you the inside scoop on programs, offerings, and school-cool tidbits that’ll help you in choosing a college or university right for you.

Take a look, and then take a moment to view all our past Featured School sneak peeks. Reading. It does a body good.

ITT Technical Institutes
Students interested in a technology-based career are in the right place at the ITT Technical Institutes, which boasts more than 90 campuses throughout 30 states in the U.S. The technological advances are limitless here.

Milan Institute
The Milan Institute has many campuses in the western part of the U.S. and online to enhance your career and the appearances of others within cosmetology programs.

Arizona Culinary Institute
Arizona Culinary Institute has been helping students mix up a great education since 2001. The culinary school offers many different programs in culinary arts, baking, and restaurant management.

Rasmussen College
There are many different programs in different schools that are offered in different states at Rasmussen College. Students can find many different opportunities at this career school.

Why do you think most people leave their jobs? You might think it would be to escape a flesh-eating virus of a boss. Or it could be boredom or wanting to try something new. Others may jump on job opportunities that come out of nowhere. But surprisingly (to me at least), none of those are the most popular reason.

For the majority of employees recently surveyed by BelssingWhite, a consultant and training firm, it’s the lack of advancement opportunities that motivate them to leave. A whopping 29 percent say they want to grow, advance, and learn, but feel their current place of work is holding them back.

Here’s how BlessingWhite CEO Christopher Rice puts it: “They want to pursue their interests and goals, but aren’t dissatisfied enough to take action. From a practical standpoint employees can often satisfy their need for career growth, change or better use their talents with a current employer, but it’s not always obvious to them how they might do so.”

So what’s the best way to take action when your current job just isn’t doing it for you? Well, I’ve said it before, dear bloggers, but it merits repeating — you won’t get ahead unless you take your knowledge to the next level. Whether that’s by volunteering to take on new assignments, going back to school, or shadowing a higher up who’s willing to train you in a new skill, it all equates to continuing your work education.

Is your company big on education? For starters, take the initiative to see if there are any employer-sponsored training classes or tuition reimbursement programs you can sign up for. If not, do some research to find a class in your field you’d like to take, and talk to your supervisor about how you think it can help improve your productivity. If he or she agrees, you just might have earned a fat tuition check.

Still, your skills are your responsibility. If the boss won’t pay, so what? That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Decide what you’re willing to invest in terms of time and money and seek out a program of study that can put you in line for the next promotion, or if you’d prefer, help you qualify for a position in a different department or new company altogether.

Why not give it a try? Then if things remain stagnant, you’ll know your employer is a dud and ultimately may decide it’s time to move on — only now, you’ll be packing a shiny new set of skills.

Are you ready for the fall TV season? Despite my deep disappointment in the cancellation of “Veronica Mars” (VM fans, I know you feel my pain), the fall TV lineup doesn’t look completely bleak for me … Kristen Bell (Veronica herself) is going to be on “Heroes”! When I heard she signed on for a 13-episode arc, I was hooked. The only problem: I didn’t watch “Heroes” last season.

So I did what any other die-hard fan would do — I rented all seven “Heroes: Season One” discs, and had a nail-biting, edge-of-my-seat, 23-episode marathon this past week. I’m watching the last two episodes tonight, and I can’t wait to find out what happens. Will the bomb blow up NYC? Which exploding man will need to be stopped: Peter? Ted? Sylar? Who will finally kill Sylar?

To the rest of the world that has known the fate of the heroes for months, my questions might sound lame. But I’d like to point out a parallel between my “Heroes”-latecomer status and the plight of a career changer. Humor me.

If you’re a career changer, you might feel like a latecomer in the game of life. Maybe all your friends have secure and satisfying careers, but you still haven’t found your niche. You went into business, but you really wanted to teach. You became a nurse, but you’ve been developing an interest in yoga. You work with computers, but you’ve always wanted to try your hand at the culinary arts.

I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late, and you’re not alone. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, by 2010, 16 million people in the country will be enrolled in colleges and universities. More than half of these students are baby boomers. With this education investment, adult career changers are poised to penetrate the workforce en masse. When you consider previous experience and workplace skills, these adults may even be a hotter commodity than the young, newly minted grads making that first foray into the world of work.

Back to TV: You could say that I missed out by not watching “Heroes” last season. But in actuality, I saved myself from some late nights and was able to experience the whole season at once, without waiting a week to soak up the next installment. (A bonus for me, who hates when those three little words appear at the end of a TV show: “To be continued.”) Instead of watching in drips and drabs last season, I didn’t start until I was committed to the show.

That’s not to say that those who have already happily found their career (or those who watched “Heroes” last season) got the short end of the stick. In fact, there is no short end of the stick. It doesn’t matter when you make a career commitment, whether you’re 20, 30, 40, 50 or older–it only matters that you make the commitment at all.

The fact is, it’s never too late for you to find the career of your dreams. And it’s never too late for me to catch up on an amazing show. The experience is still fresh, new, and exciting for us, and that’s all that matters.

Just don’t let anyone give away the ending!

Photo: NBC/John Russo

-Robyn Tellefsen

When I was asked to write a guest blog for the CollegeSurfing Insider, I started thinking about the stigma that often surrounds career education. Admit it — no matter how enlightened you might be, you still have an idea floating around somewhere in the back of your head that career school is somehow not a “real” school. It’s a safety school, a fall-back option, a choice for kids who only excelled in shop.

OK, I’m guilty. I recently heard that a girl I know, a bright high school grad, is going to beauty school in the fall. And my first thought was that she could do better.

Or could she?

Maybe I shouldn’t turn up my nose at career education just yet. Consider this: Another friend of mine went to a large state university a few years back, but was unable to land a job after graduation. This smart, motivated guy with a bachelor’s degree in engineering found himself knocking on the door of a local career training school, taking classes to gain practical experience in computer programming. He earned his diploma in computer networking and security in less than a year, got a job shortly thereafter, and today is a supervisor at a leading investment banking firm, supporting his wife, two kids, and a baby on the way.

So back to my friend who’s fresh out of high school. Beauty school might just make perfect sense after all. She’s 18, she’s on her own, and she’s pretty much broke. She knows she needs more than a high school education in order to get anywhere in life. She saw the opportunity to apply for beauty school as well as a generous financial aid package, and she took it. Plus, she’ll be earning money along the way in the clinical portion of the 18-month program. So she’s found a way to get educated, certified, and professionally licensed, and she’ll be able to support herself through it all. Underachiever with a low IQ? I think not.

The point? Career education isn’t for burnouts, underachievers, or kids who haven’t lived up to their potential. It’s for honors students, engineers, self-starters, and anyone else who is driven to succeed. It may even be for me.

-Robyn Tellefsen

So I was away last week sipping all-inclusive drinks at a Caribbean resort. A long holiday weekend followed that, and 90-degree weather has rounded out the last few back-to-work days here in New York. It’s no wonder I’ve been stricken with severe blogger’s block. I think I’ve got an early case of “summer brain.” You know what I’m talking about.

Remember when you were in grade school and you literally forgot how to spell and multiply by the time you returned to school in September? My editorial team discussed this very topic yesterday because it’s happening to all of us. And wouldn’t you know, I found out this morning that it’s not just a lame excuse to subconsciously try to extend our time away from the office.

According to a study of Baltimore students by Johns Hopkins University researchers, students fall almost 2.6 months behind in math skills over the summer. Furthermore, the study showed that 65 percent of the achievement gap between poor and affluent children can be explained by unequal summer learning experiences during the elementary school years.

In other words, kids (and adults, too) need to keep their brains stimulated to avoid permanent brain vacation mode. How can you do that this summer? Why not use the extra downtime and office summer Fridays (if you’re lucky!) to research a return to education that’ll boost your career or start a completely new one?

Whether it’s a full-fledged degree or certificate program, a computer training course to bulk up your lacking tech skills, or some on-your-own reading, dedicate some summer time to improving your skills or learning something new.

Whew… now, I’m spent! (Sorry — still working out those summer brain issues.)

First thing this morning, my sister emails me. After graduating with a degree in biology a few years back, she’s taught bio at the high school level, worked for the department of health doing West Nile research, and now is a lab instructor at a college. So today when she emailed me that she’s “looking” again (she’s had it with the roach problem and computer glitches in her classroom — don’t ask!), I was a bit surprised. Not that roaches and lost Internet connections turned her off to her current employer (ew!), but that she wants her next job to offer a better salary but be totally unrelated to science! It’s going to be tough to make comparable money in a new field when all of her experience is science-based. What to tell her?

Soon after, a former writer colleague confided in me via IM that she’s also on the hunt despite everyone assuming she’s totally content in her current position. It’s not about money for her; she just doesn’t feel challenged. Of course, this isn’t exactly the best climate to be changing jobs in the journalism arena, with people getting laid off and mags folding left and right. But still, she’s not willing to wait around to see if things improve.

What’s the common thread here? Besides the fact that they both came to me for advice (as if someone who’s been at the same company for nine years knows anything about changing jobs!), both gals do have what by most standards would be considered respectable positions in fields related to their college degree. Yet, for very different reasons, they’re both looking to move on. And guess what? They’re hardly alone.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the average person holds 10 different jobs over their working lives. Full-blown career changes are a different story altogether, and not officially tracked by the DOL, but career experts say changing paths is not all that uncommon. Add to that the fact that they’re both young, independent, and career-driven, and you’ve got yourself the perfect job/career change cocktail.

So how can I best advise them? Despite my anti-job-hopping background, I’ve learned something over the years by speaking with numerous career and education experts, successful pros, and students. So girls, here’s the deal:

For my sister, the career changer: Be prepared to take on something administrative or a temp job and hit the books during off hours. You’ve been thinking about returning to school for some time now, but haven’t been sure about what to pursue. This might be the time for you to take a risk in a totally new field and go for it. Even better, try to get an entry level position in your new field of choice. Although it might mean a pay cut now, when you finish your coursework, you’ll have that all-important experience to pair with your book knowledge.

For my friend, the job changer: If you really feel you’ve grown as far as you can with your company (or don’t like the direction it’s going in), then it’s time to pack up your cube. Be sure to leave on good terms and keep in touch with colleagues, though. Networking might matter someday (like if your editor moves to your dream publication and needs to recommend someone for an opening).

For both of them: Every job should give you something you can take with you to the next job. Put aside the negatives and think about skills you developed, things you learned, and experiences you had that can be strong talking points in your next job interview. Sis, you can describe how you overcame the challenge of teaching a course with limited resources — such improvisation is an impressive trait for any employee. And, gal pal, you can discuss how you taught yourself to create slideshows for your magazine’s Web site to make the most of your downtime and your work more rewarding.

Hope that helps, ladies! And if either of you need a personal reference, I’m your gal!

“Exploring and acting upon one’s educational goals should definitely not be a solo process.”

In fact, I was quoted as saying just that in a recent company press release (it does sound press releasey, doesn’t it?). But, really, I meant what I said.

That’s why I thought I’d share with you some of the interactive ’support systems’ that CollegeSurfing has recently put in place to help you find the right school and career path for you.

> There’s this blog… but you knew that already.

> Then there’s “A Minute with SpaBeautySchools,” another blog that offers a refreshing look at the world of beauty and wellness. If alternative health, holistic healing, and beauty and glamour excite you, add it to your bloglist for sure!

> Then there’s you — our User-Generated Content portal at CollegeSurfing.com to be more accurate. Here, whether you’re an aspiring, current, or former student, educator or industry expert, we invite you to share your experiences, questions, and advice. Check it out and go create your profile.

> Then there’s Career “Ed,” CollegeSurfing’s MySpace persona. Ed’s got an entertaining and informational blog of his own, which riffs on pop culture, career trends, and school stories, along with numerous links to career articles and polls. Similarly, SpaBeautySchools.com’s MySpace presence highlights unique career trends and profiles of top industry professionals within the beauty and wellness fields.

> Don’t forget your offline life. Family, good friends, colleagues, someone you know or get to know in the industry of your interest, the list goes on and on. Nothing compares to the opportunities that arise as the result of talking up your endeavors. That’s what that whole networking thing is about.

And, there you have it! Go forth and surf… And, please do drop me a line to let me know what you think and how else we can help. We’re listening!

It sure doesn’t feel like spring today, weather-wise, but with talk of chocolate bunnies, Spring Break memories, and buzz about “The Sopranos” new season finally coming back on HBO (do you think Tony will make it out of the series alive?), it’s definitely that time of year.

And, of course, there’s also that whole urge to spring clean every aspect of your life, including your career. In fact, experts say it’s a good idea from time to time to rethink your goals and refresh your skills. Even if you’re happy at your job, for instance, it’s smart to keep your resume current.

For those of you looking forward to starting a new career season, however, take some cues from “The Sopranos”:

Wiretap your aptitude. Can your skills and talents translate into a different line of work? Say you’re a waste management consultant. While that job title might seem totally irrelevant to other professions you want to pursue, you probably gained experience like customer service, employee relations, sales, marketing, and more. Think about what you’ve done and what you’re good at, and then listen carefully to advice on how it can apply to a new career field.

Consider offers you can’t refuse. Perhaps the number one reason for putting off a new job hunt or career change is fear of going broke. Unlike placing bets with the local crime boss, though, investing in education isn’t a foolish gamble. When it comes to adult education, you might be surprised to know that financial aid opportunities are available, from Uncle Sam’s assistance and scholarships, to on-the-job training programs and tuition reimbursement from your boss.

Enter a career protection program. With people currently changing careers over five times in their lives, there’s no reason to feel like a disloyal rat if your first (or second, or third) career stint doesn’t work out. Explore various industries to determine where you’ll be happiest, and don’t look back.

If only Tony would do that…

Photo: Barry Wetcher/HBO

The big talk this week is March Madness, but I’m more psyched for April baseball. Ahh, baseball…

I’ve been counting the months, weeks, days, and minutes until Opening Day since last November. There’s just something about the game — those walk-off homers in the bottom of the ninth; the knot in my stomach when the closer comes in to (hopefully) save the game; David Wright’s supreme cuteness; the triumph of an underdog team celebrating on the field. I can hardly wait until my Metsies take the field on Sunday night. While I wait patiently (OK, more like obsess over Game 1 starters), I’m realizing that there’s a lot to learn from America’s pasttime — not to mention countless baseball metaphors to exploit (my apologies in advance). So without further ado, please rise for the singing of the national anthem — er, sorry — I mean, check out these baseball-inspired success strategies…

“You gotta have heart” - So the famous song from the broadway musical says. And, if you do, you can even beat those “Damn Yankees” (I hope the Mets do this year, anyway). In other words, drive, dedication, and lots of practice can take you to the big game, even if you’re starting from last place (a.k.a. have no educational background or career experience). To get one step closer to first base, start researching hot career paths and swing away.

“Who’s on First?” - I love Abbott and Costello’s famous, hysterical skit, don’t you? But it goes to show that if you don’t get to know the who’s who of your field, chaos and confusion might ensue. Take the time to research career paths, speak with industry MVPs, shadow someone on the job in your field of choice, seek out professional affiliations and organizations, etc. Staying in the know will help you warm up for your big game debut.

“Field of Dreams” - Remember that movie and that whisper: “If you build it, they will come?” And that last scene between father and son? Just thinking about it makes me teary-eyed! But I digress… What I really wanted to say is that to find success in the field of your dreams, you’ll have to do some building. Skills building, that is (who’s backyard is big enough to build a ball field anyway?!). Take a course, earn a certification, or pursue a full-fledged degree. The choice is yours, and the educational opportunities are there. Once you’ve completed your “spring training,” you’ll be ready to play the field.

So follow your heart, find out who’s who in the field, and build your career dreams! And if you strike out once or twice, don’t sweat it. You’ll knock one out of the park next time… just like David Wright will against the Cards, God willing.

This past week, I was a guest speaker at a public relations course at St. John’s University, which also happens to be my undergrad alma mater. It was the first time I stepped foot on campus since I graduated in ‘98. In fact, the classroom I spoke in was housed in a gorgeous new academic center that used to be a lawn. It made me realize that some things are still the same (like the bad parking!), but mostly, times have changed.

When I was a college senior nine years ago, for instance, doing an internship was hardly a given. Not all students did them, and the ones who did, chose to as an excuse to take less classes. Lucky for me, I took the “easy” route and decided to intern for a small publishing company just down the road from campus above a strip mall. It was sort of related to my major — English — and I figured it was more interesting than taking some goofy elective like Astronomy or Medieval Archeology. The last thing I wanted to become, however, was the intern cliche, swimming in a sea of file folders, coffee filters, and band-aids from all the paper cuts. Hence why I figured a small company would be my best shot at getting some good experience under my belt.

So low and behold, I went to my internship 12 hours a week as my school required, and to my surprise, I learned so much. It was the first time I saw this new computer thing that made a gurgly fax machine noise called “the Internet” (yes, I’m serious!). I also handwrote my first article, and typed it into the company’s one computer while the other employees went out to lunch, and it eventually resulted in my first published byline.

As my internship progressed, I slowly realized I was hooked on seeing my name in print, and I wanted to be a journalist, a writer, and an editor. I graduated that May, but kept writing articles for my internship editor — some of which I was paid like $50 for. I was so ecstatic about all the extra income! As I’ve said, times have changed.

All these years later, that small publishing company is not so small anymore. They’ve relocated from the strip mall to a corporate office building, have a way larger staff, and everyone even has their own computer. Including me! That’s right — the internship that got me out of Intro to Woodworking, turned out to be where I’ve made my career home for the last nine years. I’ve grown along with The CollegeBound Network (and thankfully, they pay me now!).

What does this all mean for you, readers? Let’s extract some lessons:

- Don’t always go with the crowd. Had I taken Marine Biology for English Majors instead of testing the waters of a possible career path, I may never have discovered my affinity for journalism. To that end, had I listened to my college advisor and majored in business, I’d be punching numbers into spreadsheets right now — which is great if you’re good at that sort of thing, but I’m definitley not. And while it’s perfectly OK and quite common to change careers a few times over the course of your working life, it’s so much easier when you nail it the first time, don’tcha think?

- Decide what you love to do, and get good at it. Before I officially considered myself a journalist, I felt I needed to get some formal training, meet people in the field, and choose the right track for me. So before I went full-time with CollegeBound, I pursued my master’s degree in journalism at NYU to really hone the craft, and I realized my preference for magazines over newspapers in the process. Plus, it opened up a world of industry events and opportunities — in fact, I’m going to a media lecture for alumni next week. Which brings me to my next point…

- Build career relationships. You never know from whom your next job offer will come. Whether you intern for someone, meet at an industry trade show, or take classes, stay in touch with former employers, colleagues, professors, and classmates. Inevitably, networking is almost always how people land their dream positions.

- Change with the times. I wish I could travel back to ‘98 to tell myself to get in on the ground floor of that weird “Internet” thing. Oh well… But I did have the sense to keep up with technology and it’s a good thing. My print journalism career has completely transformed to a Web-based, blogging, HTML-ing one. And, well, the Internet basically runs my whole working life.

It goes to show that although times change, and campuses and companies grow, everything eventually comes full circle. Even if that circling happens to take place in a crowded college parking lot.