My 4-year-old son headed to his first day of a state-funded pre-K this week with his new Buzz Lightyear backpack, bought in the Target school supplies aisle and packed with items from the teacher’s recommended list of supplies.

Shopping for supplies and preparing Ty for school brought a bit of nostalgia for many reasons.

We had a small list of school supplies to buy (fortunately, for the budget), but I loved the look on his face when he saw the “Toy Story 3” backpack and immediately made his choice from the rows of backpacks boasting cartoon characters and other pop culture icons.

It was my first time shopping for school supplies since I earned my college degree 15 years ago. Then (and even now) I enjoyed getting set with notebooks, planners (in the pre-BlackBerry age), pens and pencils and other items that could get me prepared as a student.

You might have already waded through the school supply aisles, like me, or are preparing to do it while also keeping an eye on your budget.

But as your kids get ready to head back to school, are you starting to think about doing the same? Maybe the nostalgia you’re feeling while back-to-school shopping isn’t just about the smell of new notebooks and picking out the cool backpack.

With the CollegeBound Network’s #CollegeBound chat on Twitter – every Monday at 4 p.m. EST – you’ll find other people who have taken the step or are thinking of pursuing a college degree as well.

Maybe it’s time to look again at the roadblocks that have kept you from pursuing a college degree or certificate program in the past. As the kids go back to school and you may have a little more free time during the day, there’s an opportunity for you to consider what type of subject area and education program could assist you in your career goals.

Funnel the nostalgia you’re feeling into researching programs and schools. This time next year, maybe you will be picking out a new backpack and supplies, too.

-Lori Johnston

Gen Y sure has it rougher than I did when it comes to finding a job! Despite the fact that they are mostly college-educated, there’s a good chance that the only result of that education is having to pay back student loans.

As reported in  an MSNBC story today, the job outlook is grim for the youngest members of the workforce:

Among 18-to 29-year-olds, unemployment is the highest it’s been in more than three decades, according to a recent report from Pew Research Center. The report also found that Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are less likely to be employed than Gen Xers or baby boomers were at the same age.

How’s that for an excuse to drown your sorrows at the beach?! Of course, if you’re a Millennial, or anyone at all who’s dealing with the sad state of affairs that is the job market, giving up is the worst thing you can do. Here are some proactive ways to ditch your unemployed status:

Make connections with everybody. Whether it’s your local grocery store owner, your dog groomer, or your nosy neighbor, anyone might have just the connection you need to break into your field. During friendly conversations, let them know you’re in the market, and what your  skills are, and don’t be surprised if you’re on the phone with someone’s uncle’s best friend’s wife before the day is out!

Get your foot in the door. It’s cliche, but so many companies hire from within, so taking a low-wage entry-level or temp job could be your ticket to full-time opportunities. You’ll be right there in the face of the hiring manager, as opposed to a faceless piece of paper on his or her desk. And, hey, you’ll at least have a little income coming in while you keep your eye out for other opportunities.

Consider relocation. If you’re young and mobile, you might think about going where the jobs are, instead of waiting for them to come to you. And that’s not necessarily a major metropolitan area. Depending on the industry, it might be better to scour jobs on the outskirts or in neighboring suburbs, where competitions is less fierce.

Don’t let ‘em see you sweat. Even if you’re feeling desperate for a job, if you tell a potential employer that you’ll take anything they offer, you’re setting yourself up for a job you’ll hate and less income than you deserve. Instead, play up your strengths and highlight why you’re perfect for a particular position.

Have you been looking for a job this summer? Tells us about your experience, share tips, or feel free to vent… we’re listening!

Good luck with the hunt!

-Dawn Papandrea

Have you ever heard about a wacky college class and wondered, “You can actually get credit for that?” So have we. Thanks to funky pop culture and the rabid fans that go along with it, colleges are getting pretty creative with their curriculum. Rest assured, these classes are far more than just fluff—but still, we wish these were around when we were undergrads.

South Park & Contemporary Social Issues

Discussion could never be dull in the “South Park & Contemporary Social Issues” class at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, since it is the very agenda of “South Park” to insult everyone and everything in society. That might soon change, however, given that a radical Muslim group has recently sent death threats to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over their depiction of the prophet Mohammad.

Television Culture and Cult TV: Critical Approaches to Fandom

At Washington University in St. Louis, students enrolled in “Television Culture and Cult TV: Critical Approaches to Fandom” now have a legitimate excuse for watching TV for hours each week. The course explores the themes of current and past television shows and why some seem to resonate with audiences more than others. Past research papers include topics like “Lost” and “Gilmore Girls.” We have a feeling one could write an entire book about Simon Cowell on “American Idol.”

Department of Popular Culture

How about a whole program in pop culture? They’ve got one over at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. The idea of studying popular trends and their effect on our culture will always fascinate us, though we see limited job prospects for grads of this program: pop culture professor/author/expert is the obvious way to go, but we envision a lot of permanent fixtures at office water coolers, too.

The Power of Comics

“The Power of Comics” at Wittenberg University focuses on the phenomenon of superheroes that rule the comic book universe. Wonder if this class could answer that one burning question: Why is it that smart and sassy Lois Lane could never recognize Clark Kent as Superman?

Computer and Network Security

Students are getting their phreak on at Merrimack College in North Andover,  Massachusetts. The Computer and Network Security class teaches students the basics of hacking and phreaking computer networks so as to better protect their own systems later when they own their own business ventures. Sounds awesome in theory, but if our computers get hacked any time soon, we’re pointing the finger at Merrimack.

Understanding Video Games

Video game mavens rejoice at Lasell College in Newton, MA, where an “Understanding Video Games” class is offered. Put down the controller, though—this class is an academic one that focuses on the marketing and cultural phenomenon beyond the sex and violence portrayed in games like “Grand Theft Auto,” not on perfecting your Wii technique.

Disneyfication of American Culture

Students are required to take writing-intensive classes as part of the curriculum at University of Texas at Austin, one of which is called “Disneyfication of American Culture.” Perhaps in addition to reading and writing about our country’s obvious obsession with pretty princesses and the Mouse himself, students in this class might shed some light on why the main character’s mother is always killed off in the first 15 minutes of Disney movies.

The Science of Harry Potter

Readers who were youngsters when the Harry Potter series debuted have now come of age and are heading off to college. So it makes sense that at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, MD, one can enroll in “The Science of Harry Potter,” a physics-focused look at the magic that takes place at Hogwarts. Wicked.

Twilight—The Texts and the Fandom

Love it or hate it, the Twilight series is imbedded in our pop culture. Starting this fall at Cal State San Marcos, students can take “Twilight—The Texts and the Fandom,” but don’t expect any heated Team Edward-vs. Team Jacob debates in this classroom. We spoke with the creator of the class, Dr. Natalie Wilson, who is a professor in the Women’s Studies program that is offering this class, and she tells us that this is an academic-centric class in which students will discuss the characters, setting, and themes in a feminist/sociological way.

~Barbara Bellesi

The 4.2 million administrative assistants and secretaries working in the U.S. and 8.9 million in administrative support roles (according to the U.S. Department of Labor) are getting well-deserved attention in the form of lunches, flowers, and gifts from bosses and colleagues this week.

The career choice has grown in duties and demand for workers (362,000 jobs are expected to be added by 2016, a 8.5 percent increase over a decade).

Administrative professionals are being asked to handle more higher-level projects and responsibilities typically done by mid-level managers who have been downsized during the recession, according to the International Association of Administrative Professionals. If you’re interested in this career field, you may be asked to do budget analysis, project management, internal communications, and buy software and train the management on the programs.

Here are some things the IAAP suggests you consider if you desire to go back to school to pursue that could be valuable to you as an administrative professional:

1. If employed in an office, ask an executive what degree they might recommend. The IAAP says they may be aware of projects or more restructuring where a particular degree and set of skills could be a benefit.

2. Four-year secretarial degrees aren’t as common these days, so you may want to focus your final two years on a business degree.

3. With managerial skills in demand among administrative support staff, consider business-focused programs and courses that focus on topics such as budgeting, negotiation, delegation, and project management.

4. Technology can get you in the door, so if you’re entering into the field make sure the program you’re choosing places an emphasis on technology skills.

5. A liberal arts degree also can be a good route because you will appear to be well-rounded to a potential employer.

If you know someone who works as an administrative professional, tell them thanks this week, and maybe you’ll get some of the attention next year.

-Lori Johnston

If the Mayans had it right, we’ll all be dead very, very soon. The year 2012, according to John Cusack and a bunch of meteorites, will bring about the fall of all we hold dear. Life as we know it will cease and we’ll be left with nothing but gas masks and comically worn clothes. A chosen few will survive – those whose pre-apocalyptic “clothes” are comically ragged to begin with… those oh-so-snarky and ironic college students modern science has labeled “hipsters.” Here, specifically formulated for the “self-aware” crowd, are some tips to survive a post-Facebook (and post-safety) world.

photo via http://www.latfh.com

1. Wear less flannel, more body armor.

If you can’t get body armor (I mean, this is post-apocalypse), maybe wear, like, 10 flannel shirts at once. When life gives you lemons, dress up like fat Kurt Cobain and hope for the best.

= 

2. Cut vinyl albums into throwing stars.

I know it’s the rarest of the rare – a test pressing from Indie & The Indies, say – but survival comes first. Vinyl is actually pretty pliable, so (and this is just a guess) you can probably melt records down into little musket-balls a la Mel Gibson in “The Patriot.” This tip also requires a musket, apparently. Good luck with that.

3. Store food in your hair (or beard).

Starving animals and radioactive super-people will be able to smell food from a mile away. Greasy hipster hair is one of the more odiferous substances in the universe, and usually comes with a good deal of volume (and bounce!). Animal crackers fit perfectly under a wave of unkempt nonsense.

4. Trade your knowledge for skills.

Farmers, scientists, and doctors love to learn about Polaroid photography and poker playing. They just do. Bring back the barter system and give it a go.

5. Vespas get good mileage, but also burn real nice.

Expect the nuclear fallout to keep most of the sun’s rays at bay. Your scooter is cute and all, and the color really works with your outfit, I know… but fire is fire and Vespas are mostly oil and plastic.

6. Quit smoking, undead dogs are fast

By my calculations, a certain percentage of college students smoke. Stop it. You need those lungs to outrun the zombie Cujo that’s anxiously awaiting an eyeball feast. Chances of survival remain slim even if you roll your own cigarettes – it’s tough to impress zombies with your “street smarts.”

7. Leave the sarcasm at (the smoldering remains of) home.

When accosted by a gang of ruffians wearing gas -masks and overalls, be polite. “Wow, how original!” is not the appropriate way to respond to their dress or overtures. Neither is yelling “whatevs” when being dragged back to their truck so they can “Search ya for eaties!”

8. “Green” means nothing when the sun is dying.

If your college or university really pushed the “go green” thing, you’ll need a change of habit. Composting should be at the back end of your list of priorities. Don’t even worry about recycling – there’s no world to save, for one, and you just know it all goes to the same place anyway. Oh, wait, the glass-sorting factory is now where the local warlords meet. Never mind.

9. Don’t pay back college loans.

Seriously? You’re still sending checks to the people who financed your most expensive achievement to date? Stop it! Save your money on the off chance civilization survives and college debt is miraculously forgiven due to extenuating (alien invasion, etc.) circumstances.

10. Trust the math majors.

They were useless before all the calculators were broken. Now they are gods. Treat them as such, or ration your remaining food like the English/history/sociology/philosophy/theater/music/general studies major you were.

11. Cheap beer = Foot soak

First, a note: Do not drink the beer. I know you want to, but don’t, especially if you are under 21. (Even cannibals don’t drink and drive!) In case you stocked up on PBR rather than batteries and water purification tablets, know that a good “Beer Soak” is said to combat foot fungus. Thirty minutes, twice a day.

12. Do not drink what is left from #11.

Seriously. Beer’s nutritional value is scant at best, and foot water is generally not a good thing to imbibe, even in the future.

13. Facebook is now unarguably a waste of time.

If it still works, Facebook will initially seem like a great way to get in touch with old friends, play games, and create groups with titles like “I bet I can find a million people who hated it when there [sic] parents got eaten!!?!!!” In light of recent (future) events, maybe you should rethink the time you spend tagging pictures and walking around in Farmville.

14. Posses are like electropop/dance-rock/synthpop bands – a dime a dozen.

Don’t just switch gangs all the time. Nobody really trusts the “new guy.” One thing’s for sure… you’ll never climb the hierarchy if your blood-thirsty colleagues think you’re nothing but an opportunist. Staying in the same group from the beginning (of the end) of things can make you seem “totally legit.”

15. Be careful where you sleep.

In other words, do not follow your old habit of sleeping wherever you happen to be at three in the morning. In a post-apocalyptic world, friends can become enemies and enemies can become super time-traveling enemies with a taste for flesh. Find some cover from the elements and other people, be it an underpass or pile of refuse.

Now, brave adventurer, set forth. Just be cool about it!

-Max Barth

When President Obama stepped forward to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the world’s attention shifted to the annual celebration of prestigious achievements at the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. But unbeknownst to many are the Ig Nobel awards, which bestow honor among some of the world’s most outrageous research projects. From ovulating lap dancers and Nigeria email spam to archeological-dig wrecking armadillos and the beloved pink flamingo, the Ig Nobels are inspiration that one day, even your silliest school project can shine.

1. Ovulating Lap Dancers Get Higher Tips

The 2008 ECONOMICS prize went to Geoffrey Miller, Joshua Tybur, and Brent Jordan of the University of New Mexico, USA, for discovering that professional lap dancers earn higher tips when they are ovulating. The findings were so earthshaking at the time that a famous sportsman was rumoured to be considering a follow-up study he planned to finance personally. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have made Mr. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods’ participation all but impossible at this time.

2.  Rats Understand Backwards Languages

In 2007, the LINGUISTICS prize was awarded to Juan Manuel Toro, Josep B. Trobalon, and Núria Sebastián-Gallés  of Universidad de Barcelona, for showing that rats sometimes cannot tell the difference between a person speaking Japanese backwards and a person chilklispeaking Dutch backwards. The operative word in this finding is “sometimes,” meaning rats can apparently understand languages spoken backwards. If this information isn’t enough to chill you to the bone, nothing will.

3. The Plastic Pink Flamingo

The Ig Nobel prize for ART in 1996 went to Don Featherstone of Fitchburg, Massachusetts for his ornamentally evolutionary invention, the plastic pink flamingo. While there is little that has remained unsaid about the infamous pink flamingo lawn decoration, it can be agreed here and now that not honoring it would have been a modern crime. I mean c’mon, it’s pink. And a flamingo! It deserves a stinkin’ prize.

4. “An Analysis of the Forces Required to Drag Sheep Over Various Surfaces”

In 2003, the Ig Nobel prize in PHYSICS was awarded to seven Australians for their report, “An Analysis of the Forces Required to Drag Sheep over Various Surfaces.” While the title itself stirs almost as much Monty Python-esque imagery as John Cleese doing a funny walk, it remains a given that the content would likely be of intense interest to sheep herders (and lovers) the world over. Commence shuddering now.

5. Nigerian Scam Emails Win Best Literature

The Ig Nobel LITERATURE prize of 2005 went to the Internet entrepreneurs of Nigeria for their creation of, and subsequent use of email to distribute a series of “bold short stories” about rich Nigerians separated from their wealth. It was mind boggling how the tale of needing only “a modest sum in advance” from a helpful stranger to get it all back was actually capturing the attention of a large group of (gullible) people. While the promised rewards never actually materialized, the expectant greed these spam-fired tales brought to the faces of far too many dense North Americans is unquestioned. Sadly, General Sani Abacha, Mrs. Mariam Sanni Abacha and Barrister Jon A Mbeki Esq are presumably still in exile, awaiting news on the imminent return of their purloined fortunes. We’re all pulling for them.

6. Archaeological Dig-Wrecking Armadillos

The 2008 ARCHAEOLOGY prize was presented to Astolfo Mello Araujo and Jose Carlos Marcelino for measuring how the course of history, or at least the contents of an archaeological dig site, can be scrambled by the actions of a live armadillo. While such a realization may strike most as common sense, it was apparently news to scientists. That untrained, and obviously non-credentialed (or tenured) wildlife might pose a threat to an open dig site begs the question: Was getting a few rolls of chicken wire really that much of a stretch? Sheesh…

7. Rectal Foreign Bodies: Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of the World’s Literature

Special recognition must go to 1995 prize for LITERATURE. It was awarded to David B. Busch and James R. Starling of Madison Wisconsin for their research report, “Rectal foreign bodies: Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of the World’s Literature.” Oh yes, this detailed, and shall we say “pointed” review chronicled the various and surprising things found inside the human rectum. All together now: 11 different fruits, seven light bulbs, two flashlights, a knife sharpener, a wire spring, a snuff box, an oil can with potato stopper, vegetables and other foodstuffs, a jeweller’s saw, a frozen pig’s tail, a tin cup, a beer glass and one very special ensemble collection of spectacles, a suitcase key, a tobacco pouch, and a magazine. While the partridge in the pear tree was not immediately evident, it has been more than a decade since this prize was awarded, so hope springs eternal.

~Jarrod Thalheimer

As you’re looking at your bank account during your school search, also check out the financial situation of the schools on your list and the unique ways in which they raise money. For many students, being part of the student body means helping out with cool fundraising events and even rub bing elbows with celebrities!

One of the county’s most popular annual foodie events is the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which helps raise money for the Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality. The school raised a record-breaking $2 million last year for its Teaching Restaurant Program and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, both on FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. Students weren’t left out — $400,000 of the money went toward scholarships.

Food Network stars Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri, Paula Deen, Sandra Lee, and Michael Symon and prominent chefs like Daniel Boulud, Ming Tsai, Michelle Bernstein, Lidia Bastianich, David Burke, Scott Conant, Laurent Tourandel, and Alfred Portale are scheduled to appear at the this year’s Feb. 25-28 event.

The fact that such respected chefs are willing to attach their names to the event speaks to the reputation of the school and of course, the appeal of its hospitality program. Plus, the school says more than 850 students are involved in the planning and putting on the festival, even getting to cook with and for the chefs.

My mouth’s watering after looking at the dinner, seminars, and other special events scheduled for the weekend, and consider this: Attending a school with events like these also give you a taste for how your college choice can open the doors to unique experiences in the hospitality and culinary field.

Bon appetit!

…Yes, we just made up “WBPS,” but c’mon now… can’t you relate?!

For many of us, procrastination isn’t even a “sickness,” it’s a way of life. You know you’re a procrastinator if you still had a gift on hold and a few more to buy on Christmas Eve. And, if you are still buying gifts for those you’ve yet to see, it’s time to take a moment to re-evaluate things. Is this the same way you approach studying, schoolwork, or even seeking admission to college?

Fortunately, colleges are aware of students’ tendency to procrastinate and how it could keep you from doing your best in school.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to procrastination (a New Year’s resolution, maybe?), see if your schools offer workshops to beat this bad habit. Seminars have included “Winning the Battle with Procrastination” at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and “Procrastination Holding You Back?” at Virginia Tech. The free or cheap workshops also often don’t require pre-registration, probably a plus for procrastinators.

I found some really useful tips offered by Nebraska’s Chadron State College on how to change your mindset from procrastination to action.

1. Instead of: I don’t know where to begin so I can’t begin at all.
Do this: The most important step is to pick one project to focus on.

2. Instead of: It’s too much. I’ll never get it all done.
Do this: What is the one next step on my list? I’ll concentrate on that step for right now.

3. Instead of: I’ll do my writing this weekend at home.
Do this: I’ll write during the week in the library.

I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to shopping this year – and it’s definitely something worth learning when studying, too.

This is first in CollegeSurfing Insider’s series, “From Laid Off to Learning.”

Even in the midst of a layoff, some people prefer to consider the glass half full rather than half empty. And instead of focusing on the lack of a steady paycheck or the interruption in one’s career, there are a growing number of individuals who view the forced hiatus as a blessing rather than a curse. Once the sting of a layoff wears off, many take the time to focus on things that might have been overlooked during years of employment, like getting a degree.

Going back to school is always a good idea, but it makes even more sense after you’ve been laid off. It’s important to refocus your priorities after being let go, and for some, there’s no better way to get a fresh outlook on life than to enroll in a degree program.

John Hedtke, 53, is a Eugene, Oregon-based writer who was put on “working notice” by his publication—that is, he will be laid off by the end of the year so that he can finish his assignments. Hedtke is taking it all in stride—as a writer with 26 non-fiction books to his credit as well as a healthy savings account, he’s not too worried about his career or his financial solvency. In fact, he’s quite excited, because shortly after he found out about his layoff, he decided to go to college—for the first time.

That’s right—despite a lengthy and fulfilling career as a professional writer, Hedtke doesn’t have a college degree. And now that he has made the decision to earn a degree after all these years, you can bet that he’s not doing it to further his career. Rather, Hedtke is heading to campus to pursue a passion that he’s had for more than 40 years—art.

“I am planning on going to college to get a degree in art, because I’ve wanted to be a painter for more than 40 years,” Hedtke says. He adds that he will also take classes in art history, French, and Italian because those subjects interest him as well.

We often think of a college degree as a means to an end, with that end being the start of a new career. But whatever happened to learning for the sake of learning? Hedtke might just be single-handedly bringing it back into style.

“This degree is largely for my own satisfaction,” he says. “Getting letters after my name would be nice, but I really want to learn to draw and paint rather than rack up an accomplishment.” Hedtke does admit that being able to illustrate will make him more valuable as a writer for certain publications, but it’s just really icing on the cake. “All of this is secondary to my primary goal of learning how to draw and paint.”

Hedtke will begin his college career by taking placement exams and a few courses—drawing will be one of them—at Lane Community College in Eugene starting in January. His plan is to eventually transfer to the University of Oregon, but he wants to start, as he says, “a little gently” at first, noting that he will most likely be 30 to 35 years older than the majority of the students.

Hedtke plans to support himself through freelance writing projects as he pursues his degree, but he is also looking into any financial aid benefits he might be eligible for through the Displaced Workers Program.

Whether Hedtke turns out to be the next Picasso remains to be seen, but what is more important is that he is fulfilling a dream that has been several decades in the making.

–Barbara Bellesi

DO IT NOW: Read more of CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning.

The year isn’t over yet, but it’s already time to start thinking about  your summer plans. Just the other day, a junior in college was telling me she is looking at internships but hadn’t found many advertised.

She was considering using Twitter. Making connections on social networking sites such as Twitter can help as internships have been scarce in some fields. Hey, even Pizza Hut used Twitter this past summer to find a  Summer Twintern to tweet about the company.

I recently received an email from a former journalism student of mine at the University of Georgia seeking an intern in New York City. I mentioned it to a student in a class I was teaching and passed along an e-mail address as the contact info.

They began communicating via Twitter after my student saw in the internship coordinator’s e-mail signature that she had a Twitter account. She began following her on Twitter and replying to her comments, and she landed an interview for the position.

So how can you find opportunities on Twitter? Start with a search for your industry, the job you’re looking for, the city in which you want an internship and keywords such as internship, a company name, and titles such as human resources director. As you find relevant matches, start following them, as well as people who work for the company of interest.

Don’t hesitate to keep in touch with someone who hires interns via Twitter throughout the year. Reply to their comments with information about their industry. Lastly, add some internship Tweeps to your follow list like @internqueen and @internweb.

Best of luck with your search, and happy Tweeting!

-Lori Johnston