learning Archives - A Million Lives

October 30, 2018 by Greg Underwood

How To Prevent College Dropout

On average there are an estimated 20 million students that enroll in either college or university in America every year. The sad reality is that there are high numbers of those students that fail to make it to graduation. There are studies indicating that only 45% of enrolled students complete their studies within six years of starting classes.

The reasons why a student drops out of their education are many, but for those teachers looking for ways to reduce their falling student numbers, there are some clear and practical ways to prevent college dropout. Combining these methods can keep your class size static, and that will mean that you are making a significant difference to the lives and futures of your students, and becoming a better teacher as a result.

Using technologies to reduce dropouts

Technology has become an integrated part of every area of our lives. Teaching is no different. Every good teacher has learned the value of using technology in the classroom, but it can be used in much more direct and productive ways outside of the classroom too.

Data analysis is a proven way of identifying those students who are likely to drop out, and that identification can help you to focus your attention on their needs. It’s a fact that college retention software is able to help not just your attendance rates, but highlight those students that need the help that you can provide, without disruption. Use technology to help your students, and your classes will improve as a result.

Funding aids

One of the most common reasons for college dropout is financial limitations. Mature students are especially prone to this, but it is an issue across every age range. This can be a frustrating issue for teachers because seeing a promising student fall behind due to money problems has seemingly few solutions.

One thing that you can do is to research financial help options, with some states already having in place retention grants that can help struggling students to get access to help with their finances. Grants are in place, so check with your state to see if these are applicable in your case. These retention grants are just that, and they are not loans that will need to be paid back. The more that you learn about potentially life-changing financial resources, the more that you can help your students and reduce your dropout rates.

Recognizing what the problem isn’t

When discussing the reasons for college dropout, it’s essential to look at the problem in a practical way. The fact is that not every student should be in college. There is a minimal work requirement that not every student is going to be capable of, and pushing those students who lack the commitment means taking your time and focus away from those that will put the work in.

Forcing work onto students who simply don’t want to be there is a waste of both time and money and does neither the student nor the teacher any favors in a very real sense. If you identify those students who have simply chosen the wrong course or the incorrect career pathway, then discuss their alternative options clearly. Give them advice on their options, and you reduce their chances of struggling on a course that they have no interest in.

There’s no disputing that America has a problem when it comes to high dropout rates. As a teacher, it is your responsibility to ensure that your students have the resources and help that they need to take full advantage of their education. Take your time and find the best ways to help your students, and your dropout rates will be vastly improved.

August 29, 2018 by Greg Underwood

3 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Psychology

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When it comes to choosing a career path, it’s likely that you’re often spoilt for choice. There are so many sectors to choose from and several roles to fill in each sector, so it ultimately boils down to your interests, skills, and talents. One of the things that can help set the course of your career is the degree that you choose to study. You may be reading this because you’re one of many people that has an interest in psychology and want to make your mark in that sector. If this is the case, you’re going to find three reasons to consider pursuing this career in the below article.

It Can Improve Your Relationships

To begin with, one reason you should pursue a career in psychology is that it can improve your relationships. Seeing as you’re essentially learning about people and their behavior, it can help you put things into perspective regarding your relationship with others. Some of the fundamental things that you do on a daily basis in psychology are assess, diagnose, and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders, so you’re bound to learn about other people and what causes their behavior. You should also know that this knowledge is invaluable and can be used in various relationships and interactions with people whether personal or professional. It is also a very marketable skill that employers look for.

Promising Job Prospects

One of the benefits of pursuing a career in psychology is that you have a range of prospects when it comes to employment. If you’ve taken the time out to get a psychology degree online or attended classes every day, then you should know that it isn’t all in vain. Research predicts that by 2024, the employment of psychologists is expected to grow by 19 percent which is considered a lot faster than average growth. This could be because psychologists are needed in a range of areas whether it be schools, hospitals or social service agencies.

Improving Lives

One of the most important things for most people in life is being able to make a difference, no matter how small. The good thing about pursuing a degree in psychology is that you get the chance to do this every single day. Essentially, you’ll be devoting your time and energy to helping people overcome adversity, reach their greatest potential, and be better versions of themselves. As a result, you may also find that your life is improving as a result of helping others. This could be by making you feel happier, helping relieve stress, and giving you a sense of achievement.

Pursuing a career in psychology can seem like a long road in comparison to other careers. However, it is nonetheless one that can be extremely rewarding, especially when you specialize in an area you love. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the people around you and make a positive impact in society. Hopefully, after reading this, your doubt is cleared, and you’re ready to pursue a career in psychology.

August 29, 2018 by Greg Underwood

What to Do to Become a Data Scientist

When it comes to dealing with the high-tech world of today, there is no more important a job than data scientist. Anybody that embarks on such a career opens themselves up to having to face a plethora of questions from business owners to government officials who want to know how ‘big data’ can benefit them and their organizations.

To know how to answer these questions, as well as how to create new algorithms, data scientists have to go through rigorous amounts of training — to see just what this training entails, read on.

Decide… are you a good candidate?

The profession of a data scientist is tough, and it is certainly not made for everybody. For this reason, before you embark on your journey to becoming one, you have to decide whether you are a good enough candidate for such a role.

First, you must ask yourself if your nature is curious enough to constantly push yourself to pursue more learning, as data scientists never stop learning. You also need to be very organized and incredibly astute when it comes to sorting out the data that you obtain, as losing even one point in a million of different points has the potential to break a project. Also, a degree of stubbornness and a willingness to never give up on a challenge are traits that all data scientists should have because this a profession that brings about more frustration than it does fruition.

Get the education and the degrees

You cannot become a data scientist without an education behind you and the degrees hanging on your wall to prove that you’ve got it.

To begin with, you should be taking a bachelor’s degree in either IT, computer science, physics, or math. By doing so, you will be able to get to grips with the technology and calculus knowledge that all data scientists need as their foundation.

Obtaining such a degree will not see you come to the end of your educational journey, though, as you still need to be taking and obtaining a master’s degree, such as the Merrimack data science degree. Doing so will sharpen your problem-solving skills and give you the tools needed to tackle any analytical methods that you come across going forward, and it’ll give you the stamp of approval needed to entice future employers towards hiring you.

Pick your specialization

Every kind of business and organization needs a data scientist working for them, meaning you have a plethora of specializations to choose from when you come to pick your own. At this point, you have to study your own experiences, and you have to pinpoint the area that you feel most comfortable researching and analyzing.

July 30, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Tips On How To Get Into Human Resources

Becoming a human resource manager stands out as a highly attractive process. This is a position that offers positive work environment, high pay and the possibility of making a true, direct difference in the work lives of people. The career is a really rewarding one since every single industry in the world needs to have human resources staff. Kevin Rolle has high experience with this and mentions some things that should be known by those that want to get into HR. His advice, mentioned below, will surely help.

Review The HR Resume

HR is quite faceted. There are different job responsibilities and job types that exist. Because of this, one of the important things to do is to consider personal experiences and background. It is possible you already have some skills that are valuable in HR, like working well in a team, strong critical thinking and the ability to actively resolve conflicts. Employers often look for such things when they hire. As the resume is crafted, build it in a way to properly highlight the way in which these skills will help the organization reach overall objectives. You can also focus on how employees can be made happier.

Rounding Out HR Skill Sets

As you review the resume you can easily figure out if there are some weakness areas you need to deal with. Analyze HR job descriptions and see what the employers now look for. When you fall short in some parts, you can build up the skills in various ways, including:

Volunteering– This always looks great on a resume but you need to take it one step further and actually find those volunteering options that build up on the required skills.
Advanced study– All ongoing learning efforts develop relevant skills and knowledge. This makes you a better candidate for future positions. Getting masters degrees and advancing your study through other channels should be considered to improve current skills.
Relationships – Learning about relationships is a skill that basically relates to people dynamic and how people are handling work.

Build Your Human Resources Network

When you volunteer your network grows as you get to meet people that know you help. When you get hired for any job, another contact is created. This is how networking starts. The connections that you build will help you to find opportunities faster and get good recommendations.

Remember that social media is also really useful these days when you need to build a network. It is always a good idea to join online HR communities in order to talk to others. Being active in these groups will help you make more connections and will establish a presence.

Be Open

When you want to get an HR job but you cannot actually get one, it is time to look for smaller opportunities. A great way to get into the industry is through internships. They add really valuable real-world experience that will always be seen with good eyes by employers. Understanding HR is very important so when you prove that you can do this, you identify yourself as an asset.

July 28, 2018 by Greg Underwood

John Kang WebMD Contributor on Why So Many People Want to Become Doctors

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A recent study has found that young students across the country have two main interests in terms of what career they wish to embark upon once they finish education, the first is engineering and the second is to become a doctor. Taking on the latter, we spoke to one of the finest doctors to find out more, John Kang WebMD contributor who specializes in oncology and general surgery is a master of his craft, a man who upholds ethical practice and who’s abilities seemingly know no bounds. John Kang liquidmetal surgeries have set him apart from the rest in his field, so what better man than him to tell us why so many young men and women want to become doctors.

Humanity

John Kang MC first tells us that the main reason why these young students want to become doctors is for the same reason as to why people have always wanted to become doctors, saving and helping lives. The ability of doctors these days is simply astonishing and thanks to modern technology and medical practices, we have the ability to diagnose and cure better than ever before. At the very root of every good doctor’s personality, is the desire to do good.

Respect

Another aspect of the job which John tells me is becoming highly sought after is the respect which a job of this gravity can bring a person. Respect can be hard to come by in many industries, but anyone like doctor John Kang MC, will instantly gain the respect of those in the community.

Salary

Whilst it will never be the chief reason that someone would like to become a doctor, the fact that doctors are some of the highest paid people in the country is most certainly a draw. Interestingly in those countries where doctors are not paid high wages as they are here in the US, there is far less desire to become a doctor, the suspicion is that there are just as many people who care for others, but the financial incentive is simply not there.

Job Satisfaction

John goes on to tell me about how much of a satisfying job being a doctor can be, professionally, personally and, as previously mentioned, financially. There are few jobs in the world where you can count on job satisfaction, with many feeling that the job they have been working towards, soon becomes a disappointment. John tells me that in many of the hospitals that he has worked for, that the job satisfaction percentage amongst doctors is incredibly high, in spit of the long, tough hours which they need to work. If you are someone that loves the thought of becoming a doctor one day, it is very likely that you will feel utterly satisfied when you eventually gain the position, a huge draw for anyone.

What would you like to do for your career? How does being a doctor sound? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

July 27, 2018 by Greg Underwood

How Soldiers Can Benefit from Distance Learning about Counter Terrorism According to James Feldkamp

One of the great things about the U.S. Army is that they are committed to providing their service personnel with education opportunities. Much of that is done through distance learning, so that soldiers can increase their knowledge and understanding when deployed. According to James Feldkamp, one of the courses that soldiers could benefit from in particular, including when done through distance learning, is that of counter terrorism.

Why Distance Learning Matters According to James Feldkamp

There are numerous reasons why service personnel should be encouraged to engage in distance learning, only one of which is the fact that they may be deployed. These professionals also work difficult hours and they can be called up at any point. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the U.S. Army has so much online in house training available as well. But, according to James Feldkamp at least, it isn’t just about providing training, it is about providing the right training. This means that their newfound knowledge can be applied to keeping the country safe and free.

James Feldkamp on Counter Terrorism Education

By learning about counter terrorism, soldiers and other service personnel in the army can gain a greater understanding of the real problems that are facing the world today. The media has painted a distorted image of terrorism, branding it as something only done by Islamic jihadists from Arab nations in the Middle East. In reality, however, domestic terrorism is just as dangerous and a lot more prevalent. And a lot of domestic terrorism is not done in the name of Islam, but rather in the name of Christianity.

The definition of terrorism is that it is an action that is designed to instill fear into others, based on a particular ideology. A white young man who shoots up a school, therefore, is just as much a terrorist as a Syrian refugee who drives a truck into a crowd. This is information that all citizens, all over the world, should be aware of, and not just army personnel. However, it is even more important for the army to be aware of this, since they are the ones charged with keeping ordinary civilians free. They must, therefore, be able to recognize the signs of terrorism, domestic and foreign alike, on home soil, in foreign nations, and on land, sea, and air. It is their responsibility to take appropriate action as and when it is necessary.

Army personnel must learn about terrorism and counter terrorism operations. However, due to their time constraints, difficult working hours, and deployments, they can only do so through online learning. Thankfully, interactive learning has proven to be as efficient as classroom learning, if not more so. Hence, James Feldkamp believes that today’s soldiers can become even better at what they do with ease, and he is heartened to see that the U.S. Army is on board with that. After all, this in turn means that people will be safer as well.

July 4, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Advice For New Nurses Looking To Succeed

There are few professions as important or noble as a nurse. A nurse will provide important care to those that need it and are regarded as the glue that keeps a healthcare center running smoothly and efficiently. This makes it an incredibly rewarding line of work, especially for those that consider themselves to be carers or a people person. The nursing profession is also a challenging one which will be a key part of your life with many long hours, but this can make it all the more rewarding. It is a competitive arena and one which can be difficult to stand out from the crowd in – read on for advice on how a new nurse can excel:

Develop Critical Thinking/Decision-Making Skills

There are many skills that a good nurse will have, but the ability to think outside the box and being flexible with decision making can set you apart. No two days or even patients are the same when it comes to nursing, so it is important that you are able to adapt to different situations and come up with the best possible solution whether it is for the patient, doctor or a family member.

Keep Learning

The learning never stops when it comes to healthcare, so it is worth looking to earn more qualifications – in addition to providing you with new skills, these will also look great on your resume. You can also find different programs for different areas of nursing which will allow you to choose a particular path. In many cases, courses can be completed online, such as online nursing programs in Houston, which can make it much more convenient and easier to complete while in your current role.

Stay Afloat On Industry News

The healthcare industry is one which is constantly undergoing change with new technologies, treatments, and research. Staying up to date with all of this will help you to be the best possible nurse and show that you are dedicated, passionate and current on the world of nursing and healthcare.

Improve Interpersonal Skills

Communication is one of the most important skills that you can have as you must be able to clearly and succinctly communicate with doctors, fellow nurses, patients, families and many other people every single day. Improving your interpersonal skills, which will include communication, listening and reading people, will help you to succeed as well as climb the ladder. In addition to these important traits, you must also have an excellent work ethic and relish a hard day’s work as it is a never-ending job where you will spend most of the day on your feet.

Nursing is a special profession and one which can be incredibly rewarding. As such a noble job, it is also one which is popular, so it can be hard to find work and progress. However, the above steps can help any new nurse to develop their skill set and put themselves in a great position to be a top-class nurse.

May 18, 2018 by Greg Underwood

Top 7 Highest Paying Majors You Should Be Declaring

Wondering what major to pursue to get you the highest return on your degree investment? Look no further than this list of the highest paying majors!

With the cost of higher education growing at a rate that eclipses all other aspects of the economy, more and more students are making sure they choose the most profitable majors.

In 2016, students spent $33,215 annually on tuition fees. Staying home for college and starting with a two-year degree in a public college lowers the bills for individual students. But ultimately, going to college costs the equivalent of an annual salary – and that doesn’t even include accommodation, books, and fees.

Then upon graduation, students are saddled with mortgage-sized loans and unfavorable interest rates, leading them to pay off as much as another years’ tuition and fees just in interest.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or you’re going back to school, graduating into a job with a high salary is one of the best ways to pay back college quickly and minimize all that interest. To do that, you’ll need to choose from among the highest paying majors when it comes time to declare.

What are the most lucrative majors today? We’ll give you a hint: you’re going to need calculus.

7 Highest Paying Majors in U.S. Colleges

News flash: the sciences are having a moment and graduates in hot fields are getting paid. We do mean paid – their starting salaries are the salary cap in many other professions.

Add a Masters and management to their list of skills, and those salaries grow again…and again.

These degrees even beat the salaries offered to those with master’s degrees offered by law schools online.

So which of your classmates will start a career that picks up the dinner tab? Will it be you? Keep reading to find out.

1. Petroleum Engineering

No matter what numbers you look at, petroleum engineering comes out ahead.

With a median annual salary of $136,000, it’s the major that pays the bills. These students can expect a starting salary around $94,600 and reach $175,500 by the time they reach the midway point of their career.

Petroleum engineers are responsible for identifying hydrocarbons that allow for the extraction and ultimately production of petroleum. The average graduate goes to work with an energy company or a service and support contract. Many even end up at oil rigs out at sea.

A degree in petroleum engineering takes students on a journey through the fundamental principles of both the fields of engineering and geology. Some of the class you’ll take include:

Geology
Mathematics
Chemistry
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics

2. Actuarial Mathematics/Science

Actuarial mathematics and sciences are two different branches of the same specialist mathematics field. Studying in this field puts students on the path to become an actuary, a person who uses statistics and mathematics to assess risk.

Insurance companies rely heavily on actuaries to produce policies.

Those with the mathematics focus can expect to start out on $56,400 and work their way up to $131,700 on average. A science major might enjoy a higher starting salary at $61,200, but their average mid-career pay is slightly lower at $131,700.

Studying to become an actuary requires an extraordinary amount of math. Many colleges place students in mathematics and statistics degrees before funneling them into the actuarial major.

Some focus solely on the actuarial side of the program while others include an additional focus on financial mathematics. Here are a few of the classes you’ll take:

Mathematics
Economics
Finance
Statistics

While other degrees on this list are more multidisciplinary, actuarial science is a field that is almost wholly mathematics based. Be prepared for a very focused field.

3. Pharmaceutical Sciences

With an average salary of $113,000, pharmaceutical science is one of the highest paying majors available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Pharmaceutical sciences don’t prepare students for a career as a pharmacist. Instead, you’ll be provided with a broad background in the sciences most essential to pharmaceuticals: chemistry, biology, and technology disciplines. All of these subjects are taught as they apply to the development of groundbreaking medicines.

The degree field is relatively new and embraces the multidisciplinary nature found in so many of the most valuable degrees.

You’ll find the job field is varied, too. Work in science and drug development is an option, but so is a job in pharmaceutical sales where you’ll enjoy both a salary and the benefits of a commission-supplemented income.

4. Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical engineering degrees prepare students for a career focus of identifying and extracting the various metals found in the ground. It’s a multidisciplinary degree that can be accessed through a focus on metallurgical engineering alone as well as through geological engineering and other related fields of study.

Many metallurgical engineers end up working within the mining and manufacturing industries, earning an average of $98,000 a year for their work. Problems solved by these professionals are diverse: anything from production to the application of metals and metal alloys fall within their wheelhouse.

5. Nuclear Engineering

A nuclear engineering degree is an uncommon choice among undergraduates. Many in the field begin their education with an engineering or nuclear sciences and move into a nuclear specialization during the latter part of their program or through a specialized master’s program tacked on to the end of their undergraduate degree.

Regardless of the path taken to graduation, a degree in nuclear engineering is worth the wait.

Nuclear engineers earn an average of $69,000 right out of the gate and $127,5000 by the time they reach the midway point of their career.

One of the reasons these degrees are often done later is because they’re complexly integrated.

Nuclear engineers are taught:

Nuclear systems (medical imaging, fusion reactors, nuclear fission reactors, etc.)
Thermodynamics
Electronics
Physics
Material sciences

Each of these comes into play on the job in whatever specialty is chosen.

6. Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers earn $70,300 after graduate and can move up to a salary of $124,500 with further education and responsibilities.

When you study chemical engineering, you’ll use all the major branches of the sciences from chemistry to physics to the life sciences. You’ll also have the opportunity to study applied mathematics and economics. Each of these is necessary to prepare you for any job role within the field.

Why so many sciences? Because you’ll work not only with chemicals but also with materials and energy. As you grow in the field, you’ll find yourself working in production for almost anything including:

biologicals
chemicals
foods
fuels
pharmaceuticals

Your goal will be to find new, better ways of production while also simultaneously minimizing production costs and creating better products.

7. Electronics and Communications Engineering

The electronics and communications engineering track rounds out our list of the highest paying majors. With an early career salary of $69,000 and a mid-career salary of $118,800, you’ll enjoy a career that is mostly recession proof and won’t be regulated by the ups-and-downs of working in energy, as other degrees are.

Most who graduate in this field go on to work in research, development, design, or testing. If there’s a semiconductor device involved, you’ll be working with it.

You can also enter the field with an electronic engineering degree. The two are mostly synonymous and both are on the list of most lucrative majors.

What About the Humanities?

You may not have noticed that the highest paid majors are all in sciences, mostly in engineering.

But what about the rest of us – the ones who hate math?

Enter ‘humanities’ into the Google search bar, and you’ll practically be berated by the number of experts who believe this is simply not the time to study the humanities.

If you do, don’t expect a job at all, much less a well-paid job.

We’re here to tell you that just because it’s in the humanities doesn’t mean it falls outside the list of majors that pay well. In fact, studying the arts does land jobs.

Although initial salaries are admittedly lower than sciences and professional degrees, a new study has shown that by the time they reach the end of their careers, they’re earning an average of $66,000. That’s $2,000 more than workers with a professional degree.

It’s true: studying history is highly unlikely to yield the same financial benefits as petroleum engineering unless you combine history and English to become the next Dan Brown.

But don’t rule the humanities out of the most profitable majors. Here are four degrees to think about if math just isn’t your thing:

1. Liberal Arts

A liberal arts degree is a vague degree, but students who declare this major reportedly earn $51,100 a year once they get going, which makes it one of the highest paying majors outside the sciences.

The sky is the limit with a liberal arts degree. Plus, unlike the sciences, you’re not pigeonholed into a career once you graduate.

2. English Language/Literature

English degrees are more valuable than you may realize. With a degree, you may find you earn an average of $50,125. English majors often become teachers, editors, writers, journalists, or marketers. Or they become kitesurfing instructors.

Once again, it’s a degree that doesn’t send you down a straight and narrow path.

3. Visual and Performing Arts

There’s more to life than science – there is also the theater. Graduates with a visual and performing arts degree can earn an average of $48,714 once they’ve entered their chosen field.

4. Foreign Language Arts

Foreign languages are in high demand in our global world and are one of the highest paying majors in the humanities.

Businesses across the globe are willing to fork over great salaries to native English speakers who speak languages where native English isn’t common. Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian can all earn you serious money as a translator, interpreter, or content creator. With an average salary of $47,000 mid-career, you may find yourself in a well-paid job with international benefits.

Will You Choose One of the Highest Paying Majors?

With fees skyrocketing, it’s essential to choose one of the highest paying majors that offers an opportunity to pay back the costs of your education. But not everyone is called to the specialist sciences so in demand in today’s economy.

Whatever major you choose, make sure it’s in a field that interests and excites you.

Are you about to a choose a major? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

May 13, 2018 by Greg Underwood

7 Reasons For Going Back To School

Are you looking for a way to improve your professional career? Getting a degree will open up amazing opportunities for you. Here are 7 reasons for going back to school and continuing your education.

Would you like to earn a higher wage?

Who doesn’t, right? One of the best ways to make that happen is to go back to school.

But going back to school is not for the faint of heart. As an adult, you may have other responsibilities that you have to keep up. You may have a full-time job, a relationship, and maybe even a kid or two.

Is going back to school worth the work? Let’s take a look at 7 of the top reasons that people decide to go back to college. Then you can decide if it’s the right thing for you.

1. Potential For Earning More Money

People are always looking for a way to add a few extra bucks to their paycheck. Going back to school is one of the best ways to make that happen.

Did you know that college grads, on average, earn 56% more than those with a high school diploma? That’s a huge difference, and the gap keeps getting wider.

You may have to take out a loan to get that college degree. But, if you’re smart about it, you can get that loan paid off and start reaping the benefits of a higher salary in a few years.

2. Less Risk of Unemployment

As education level goes up, the unemployment rate goes down. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that high school grads have a 4.6% unemployment rate. It goes down to 2.5% for those with a bachelor degree, and 1.5% for those with doctoral degrees.

There are many factors that play into this. Companies may be more apt to hire a college graduate. Some may even require a bachelor degree as a basic hiring requirement.

Plus, if you get a degree in a high-demand field like electrical engineering there are a plethora of job opportunities. Even if you move or decide to change jobs, it’s relatively easy to find a new one.

3. More Advanced Qualifications

Going back to school gives you the chance to get more advanced qualifications. Do you want to go further in your field but are held back because of a lack of qualifications? Getting a degree may be just what you need to get ahead.

If you’re already working for a company in your field of interest, check to see if they offer financial assistance for classes. They may require that you have a good employment record and/or maintain a certain grade. But the extra financial help might be just what you need to make it work.

Then, once you finish your degree, you’re practically guaranteed a better job in your field. After all, they wouldn’t have paid for you to go to school if they didn’t think you would do an awesome job.

4. Career Change

Back in the day, people tended to work in the same job for the duration of their career. Nowadays it’s not quite so restrictive. Now people move from job to job and even from career to career with relative ease.

Do you want to be one of those? Maybe you’re stuck in a dead-end job with no hope of advancement. Or maybe you entered a field you thought you’d like but now realize you hate it.

It’s never too late to make a career change and look for something better. Going back to

college can help you do that. Even if you already have a degree, this can be a great way to move in a different direction.

5. Personal Development

Sometimes people go back to college for an entirely different reason. It doesn’t have anything to do with making more money or landing a more enjoyable job. They just want to enrich themselves and learn something new.

Even outside of the classroom knowledge you gain, college is a great experience. You can better hone your self-discipline skills by meeting deadlines and tackling big projects.

It can help build your confidence and social skills. These are things that will come in handy not only for your job but also in life as well.

6. Set a Good Example

Do you have kids or plan to someday? You can set a good example for them now by going back to school.

In fact, for some people, this is their motivation to go to school. Not only do they want to provide better for their children, but also they want to set a good example.

When it’s their turn to go to college, they’ll understand how important it is. Plus, with the way things are going in the US college degrees will only become more important for getting a good job in the future.

7. Be Successful

Sometimes you just flat out want to be successful. You want to prove to yourself, or maybe even friends or family, that you can do it.

What if you’ve always wanted to study law but everyone told you that you couldn’t do it? Maybe it’s time to prove to them–and yourself–that you can. Check out these MLS degrees (legal studies degree programs). You may be surprised how accessible that law degree can be with an online course of study.

The world is full of opportunity. Don’t let anybody, not even yourself, tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams.

Your Reason For Going Back to School

More money. A better job. More education. More prestige.

There are many reasons that people decide to go back to school. Your reason for going back to school may be one of these, or it may be something completely different. Regardless, if you want to earn a degree, you can do it.

For more tips on how to live your best life, check out the rest of our site.

April 4, 2018 by Greg Underwood

DIY education on the subject of personal finance

According to a recent article on the FA News website, South Africans still have a tendency to be poor savers while at the same time being large borrowers. The conclusion is that the financial services sector needs to increase its efforts in order to try and reverse this position.

Statistics gathered by the Old Mutual’s Mass and Foundation Cluster indicate that South Africa’s metro working population uses approximately 19% of their earnings to repay debt. They also show that only about 48% of the 24-million people who have incurred or taken out debt are able to keep their payments up to date.

The problem stems from a lack of knowledge

Although the cost of living is on the rise, this is not the prime cause of the indebtedness and the failure to make payments on time. The underlying reason is the fact that these people suffer from a lack of basic knowledge about how finance works, and more importantly, what incurring debt can do to those who are ill-prepared.

A lot of people are too afraid to attend classes to educate themselves about personal finance. Many course simply cannot afford the cost of courses. There is, however, an alternative solution. You can teach yourself. As well as being much cheaper than enrolling on a course, it also does away with the stigma that many people are scared will be attached to them if they attend classes.

DIY education through reading

The alternative is reading the right books. The question that first springs to mind in most people interested in this option, is what books? Fortunately, you can find help with this online. An example is the Wonga ZA website and their page on “Recommended reading for personal finance.”

Reading is one of the best ways of educating yourself. It’s something that you can do in the privacy of your own home, away from prying eyes, and it is also quite easily affordable; especially when you take into account the benefits you will reap from the exercise, regarding your future financial situation.

Another great thing about educating yourself in this way is that it is something you can do at your own pace. Not only that, but you can also do it at times that suit you. You don’t have to be regimented about having to go to classes at specific times of day or night.

Improving financial literacy from an early age

We already know that one of the fundamental reasons for the increasing trends here in South Africa towards credit and lending, is the lack of financial literacy and this is particularly evident in the country’s youth. By starting financial education at an early stage in life, we can prevent the problem escalating in the future.

Self-education within the family unit is an ideal way of providing this learning. In addition, it will also help to build a financially literate culture as our children pass this knowledge on to their children in later life. In this way, together, the population can contribute to constructing a better, more financially aware South Africa nation for the future.