Going to school isn’t just about gaining an education; it’s also about forming professional relationships that’ll help you carve the path to your dream career. From your first year in college to your last, part of your time as a student should revolve around preparing for your career and making sure to use all of the resources at your disposal. Networking is an essential and integral part of your professional development and definitely shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Even the best students make these gaffes, so let’s go ahead, and get your professional network in tip-top shape by discussing the top 5 mistakes students tend to make.

1. Thinking It’s Way Too Early to Start

A common mistake students make is believing that they need to be juniors or seniors before starting to build their professional networks, but like any relationship in life, the more time you invest into it, the stronger it becomes. As early as your freshman year (if not earlier), you should begin forming a career plan and be on the look-out for opportunities to connect with companies and professionals in your industry.

A great way to get started is by joining a professional organization at your school! Industry-minded organizations such as the ACS (American Chemical Society) and the SEA (Student Education Association) have chapters located in colleges all throughout the country. They host networking events of their own all the time, focusing on providing students of all years with valuable knowledge and connections in their fields. Some may require membership dues (as low as $10/year), but the leverage gained really pays for itself.

It is never too early to go out and gain exposure in the professional world. Show up to events, talk to everyone, be honest about where you currently are, express your interest and stay in touch. A conversation you had your freshman year might score you a job upon graduation.

2. Connecting Only With Students in the Same Major

Some of the greatest collaborations and partnerships known throughout the world began between college friends. It’s a commonly overlooked fact, but you might have a potential business partner sitting in your classroom right now. Start talking to some of your peers, and you might find that your career goals align.

Don’t just focus on connecting with students only in your major, though. Strive for compatibilities, not just similarities, so that you create a wider and more diverse network. If you’re a graphic designer with hopes of creating your own magazine and your roommate is an English major and aspiring editor, keep in touch! These are the times to form those relationships that will help carry your career forwards, so hold them close.

3. Speaking to Professors Only About Grades

Your greatest source of support and connections will sometimes come from the very individuals teaching your classes. Your professors are people who have years of experience and are more than willing to share all of that with you (otherwise they wouldn’t be teaching!).

If you have questions or would like recommendations for graduate programs or professional options, send your professors an email or talk to them after class. Set up a time during their office hours to discuss your career path; they can shed a light on any doubts or concerns you might have.

4. Keeping Circles Local

As a student, it may be tempting to keep your contacts within a few miles outside of your own home or college town, but this isn’t a wise move in the professional world. There are plenty of opportunities available to you beyond your town and state, so don’t be shy about branching out. In this age of social media and the internet, it’s easier than ever; companies located miles away are now only an email or tweet away!

Even if you aren’t contemplating relocating after college, keeping your network wide and open will lessen the risk of you missing out on a great opportunity not only within, but also beyond your own backyard.

5. Failing to Stay in Touch

Once you’ve made a connection with someone, it is essential to keep in contact with them over time, or else that connection will fade. Sending people a quick “hello” or tagging them in a relevant article with a note like “This reminds me of your work” keeps the conversation going even years after you’ve last seen each other. You don’t have to maintain in constant communication with them, but do be present and accessible.

Feel free to reach out for advice or an opinion concerning something relevant; just be sure not to ask for too much or make the conversations all about what they can do for you. Don’t worry if they don’t respond right away; recognize that they may be pretty busy, so remember to be patient. If it’s been some time since you’ve met, begin first by reminding them how you know each other, and always be sure to exercise proper social media and email etiquette in order to keep your communication professional.

So, which of these mistakes are you guilty of? The good news is, it’s never too late to fix any of them. Make the most of your life as a student and set yourself up for even greater success with strong connections and contacts. So, be bold and get that network growing!

The post 5 Networking Mistakes Even the Smartest Students Make appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Brace yourself for cheesy cartoon hearts and a strictly pink and red candy aisle in your local convenience store. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is here again. With limited time to plan, you may be asking yourself what you should do—especially on a student’s budget, where anything more than a few servings of ramen could cause a financial strain.

This year, you can save your ramen money. Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with friends or a significant other, here are five ways to celebrate that won’t leave your bank account heartbroken.

1. See if your university offers any movie ticket deals.

Yes, this might be the most stereotypical date idea, especially for Valentine’s Day, but it’s tried and true for a reason. Movie tickets nowadays can cost an arm and a leg (seriously, who wants to drop $40 just to see a movie?) so it’s worth it to check and see if your school offers any movie ticket deals.

At Syracuse University, students can purchase $9.50 tickets at the box office in the student center and use them for any movie at the local theater. This is great if you want to get off campus for the night, and it still leaves a little wiggle room in your budget for snacks (because what’s a movie without the popcorn?). 

Who doesn’t like a good movie?

2. Find out what’s going on around campus. 

Chances are, there’s at least one student organization hosting an event on Valentine’s Day, so use it as an excuse to check out what different clubs are doing. Events can range from dances to Valentine’s themed crafts or cooking demonstrations. Go with an SO or bring some friends along to celebrate! If you’re feeling really adventurous (and you’re single) see if any organizations are hosting speed dating events—even if you don’t hit it off with anyone, it’s bound to be an interesting experience!

Hopefully your Valentine’s Day dance is less awkward than this…

3. Check if any off-campus restaurants are having special deals.

Even if you consider Valentine’s Day one of the top 10 worst days to go out to eat, a great deal could change your mind. Do some research to see if any of your favorite spots are offering deals, like a lunch or appetizer special that can let you feel fancy for less than an average meal. Make sure to read all the fine print before actually taking advantage of any deals, though—just to make sure what you’re signing up for is actually budget friendly.

Yay good food!

4. …or use it as an excuse to cook something yourself!

It’s no secret that dining hall food can get old, fast. So use Valentine’s Day as the perfect excuse to cook something yourself! This does require a kitchen and access to ingredients, so you may want to plan before the actual day (you could always ask to use a friend’s kitchen in exchange for leftovers). There are tons of recipes online for any palate, and putting the word “simple” in front of whatever dish you look up works wonders for new chefs (especially if you’re apt to burn pasta like myself). So grab some friends or an SO and get cooking!

Find a recipe suited to your cooking skills, whatever they are!

5. Finally, take time to appreciate the people you love in your life.

Everyone loves to feel appreciated, so don’t be afraid to show your friends/family/SO a little extra love, especially on Valentine’s Day! This can be as simple as calling them to tell them you appreciate them, or even making (or buying) your own valentines! You know, like the ones you used to get in elementary school (side note: why did people stop giving these out? They should definitely be brought back.) You can also see if any group on campus is delivering Valentines to people and buy a few for friends. They’re usually cheap, and some organizations donate profits to a charity, so it’s a win-win!

How everyone will feel when you give them their valentines!

Bonus budget-friendly tip: Make sure to stock up on candy after February 14th. Stores usually have steep markdowns on holiday-related candies, so you can get all the sugar you need to make it through midterms season for a great price!

Half-price chocolate is the best chocolate.

The post 5 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day On A College Student’s Budget appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The act of networking can happen in any place, at any time and under just about any circumstance. From big-time events made specifically for this type of relationship building or in the smallest and least typical moments in life, you might find a chance to reach out, shake a hand and potentially cause a chain of reactions which can lead to the career breakthrough or collaboration you’ve always dreamed of.

No matter what the chances are, here are a few opportunities you might have overlooked where genuine and beneficial relationships can be made.

1. Your Current Job 

Let’s say you had to take a server job at a local burger joint or pick up the night shift at your school’s library; no matter what it is you’re currently doing to pay your bills and keep your fridge full, there is a networking opportunity available to you!

There are plenty of supervisors and managers who are willing to connect students who work hard for them with perhaps professional and even personal connections of their own. Even if all you manage to receive is a stellar letter of reference, that will take you one step closer towards potentially fulfilling the career of your dreams. Don’t let the rough shifts and maybe uninteresting tasks fool you otherwise.

2. “Meet & Greet” Events

There are plenty of events hosted by your school and local organizations with the purpose of bringing all kinds of like-minded individuals all under one roof. That’s where you should be, in the panel discussions hosted by your department chair or at the rally where important social issues are being discussed. That is where you are going to find people who have the same passion, whether it’s biological sciences or climate control. Grab a planner and take note of these days lest you miss out on some fantastic “matches!”

3. Your Social Media Networks

Use your social media accounts for more than just sharing memes and commenting on each other’s selfies. There are millions of companies right now in every field and industry in the world waiting to hear from you. Send a tweet to your all-time Wall Street role model or comment on a reporter’s article, asking an important question that shares a fresh point-of-view. Participate in weekly Twitter chats or in Facebook groups, and watch as the right people come along, willing to connect with you and discuss your favorite topics further, leading to the kind of constructive and inspirational relationships your network should be made out of.

4. Daily Commutes

If you take the train or bus (or even walk) to travel around, you are bound to eventually notice familiar faces going in your same direction, especially if you’re doing this multiple days around the same time.

Yes, there’s the age-old belief implanted in us as children of “not talking to strangers”, but come on; these are your co-workers, classmates, neighbors, you name it. Strike up a conversation with them while you’re waiting for a bus or for the street sign to say “walk.” If you’re seeing them frequently enough, chances are they’ve been noticing you too. Get to know your commute buddies better, small moments at a time, and eventually, you just might create a relationship that can carry beyond what would be your typical walk or train ride.

5. Your Local Newspaper Or Blog

This is not an opportunity reserved for just for established writers and editors! There are plenty of college-related publications and blogs that are always looking for the next voice of your generation.

Not only is this a fantastic chance to share your point-of-views with your community and age-group, but you will also find yourself quickly being established as an authority on whatever it is you’re writing about. This can easily lead to readers and fans to remember your name as someone who is driven and in love with a cause or industry, making you a point of contact for anyone seeking to further the conversation or offer you an opportunity to discuss the topic in other venues and forms. Sometimes networking isn’t about who you know, but about who knows you instead.

Remember, networking is all about creating valuable relationships, which can hopefully last a long time and benefit both sides in your quest to live your ideal life. Take any chance you get to talk to someone about your major, your aspirations or what you’re passionate about! Use the unexpected and the overlooked moments in your college life to set up the future you’ve always wanted.

The post 5 Networking Opportunities You Never Realized You Were Missing Out On appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

One dilemma that nearly every college student will face is whether or not to live with a roommate. Let’s face it, there are quite a few benefits to living alone. It means more privacy, more control over personal space, and the ability to avoid the experience of a bad roommate.

But with tuition price tags continuing to skyrocket, many students are opting to forego the comforts of living alone to cut back on expenses. Though it may be less than ideal for some, the savings earned from living with a roommate throughout college may have a bigger impact on students’ financial futures than they might expect. Here’s a look at exactly just how valuable a college roommate can be.

Methodology

For this article, we first collected costs of both private and shared dorm rooms across more than 200 college campuses with the highest undergraduate enrollments. We then found average costs of both one bedroom and two bedroom off-campus apartments in those same cities.

The scenarios included in this article are built on several assumptions:

• We assume the student graduates from college in 4 years
• We assume the student spends the first two years of college living in an on-campus dorm and last two years living in an off-campus apartment
• While living in an off-campus apartment, we assume the student has signed a 12-month lease for each of the last two years of college
• We assume that in the instance the student lives with a roommate in a 2 bedroom, off-campus apartment, the lease is split 50:50, so the student is only paying half of the total rent
  Further detail on methodology and calculations are provided under each scenario below.

How much does living with a roommate in college save you?

Living with a roommate can save renters up to $800 per month in some major cities. That’s just short of $10,000 in a year. But what about for college students who have the option to live on or off campus? We took a look at the average amount college students can save by living with a roommate during four years of college.

Next, we took a look at the potential impact that savings like this could have on the financial future of college students.

What’s the value of living with a roommate in college?

We crunched the numbers and found that the money saved by having a roommate has a significant financial impact on students’ lives. Due to rising costs of attending college, more students are taking out student loans to cover the expenses of their education, including the costs of housing. The latest stats show that 44.2 million Americans currently have at least some student loans.

But regardless of how students are financing their education, $15,542 is a huge amount of savings. Even a small percentage of that could have an enormous impact on their financial futures. Here are a few examples.

In a Savings Account

With the budgets of college students being as tight as they are, it can be hard to set a little aside each month in a savings account. In fact, it turns out that saving is a habit that most Americans struggle with, as 34% have nothing at all put away. But the earlier in life you get into the habit of saving, the better off you’ll be.

Of those who are between the ages of 18 and 24 years old, 72% have less than $1,000 stashed away in savings. Meaning when they leave college, they have almost virtually nothing to help them get started to find an apartment, invest in a professional wardrobe, and more.

“The biggest habit a college student can get into is saving a portion of his or her income,” said Derek Hagen of Fireside Financial, “Saving is a powerful habit that will stick with you for life. Your savings habits are a much bigger determinant of your future wealth than the returns on your investments. There are some guidelines out there, such as saving 10 or 15% of your income, but I feel that saving anything will start the process of becoming a saver. Once you are a saver you will naturally want to save as much as you can”.

With that in mind, we took a look at what just 10% of the total average savings would mean for a college student.

For a Down Payment on a Starter Home

As students graduate from college and move on to the next stage in their lives, many are postponing buying a home. In fact, the median age for a first time homebuyer is 31 years old. And despite knowing that owning a home is a more financially sound decision than renting, most Millennials don’t believe they can afford to take on a mortgage.

But even a small percentage of the average total savings from living with a roommate throughout college, such as 10%, could help soon-to-be graduates get a head start on saving up for a down payment on a starter home. For instance, in Pittsburgh, $1,542 is 48% of the average down payment on a starter home. It’s 50% of an average down payment on a starter home in Cleveland and 73% of an average down payment on a starter home in Detroit.

In a

Retirement Investment Account

College students sometimes have a hard time understanding the need to start saving for retirement. After all, they haven’t even truly started their careers yet. Why should they start planning for the end of them?

But those with the foresight to begin investing into a retirement investment account while still in school can take greater advantage of compound interest and have a little extra set aside for their golden years.

In Student Loan Payments

While it might be nice to imagine college students setting aside their savings from living with a roommate, these scenarios are not necessarily realistic for most students. Today, graduates from public universities have an average debt of $25,550 while graduates from private, nonprofit universities have an average debt of $32,200.

Students who are using loans to finance their education should focus their attention on paying back their loans as quickly as possible and preventing interest from capitalizing. Students can minimize the amount they need in loans in the first place by agreeing to live with a roommate throughout their college education. Moreover, with an income, these savings can be used to begin paying back loans while students still attend classes.

For instance, here’s a look at how much a student who will have $39,967 in outstanding loans can have paid off by the time graduation comes around:

It turns out that a college roommate can be quite valuable. College students can save enough money to have a significant impact on their financial futures, as the savings are enough to make a dent in a savings account, an emergency fund, a down payment on a starter home, a retirement investment account, and perhaps most importantly, on student loan payments.

The post Living with a Roommate Can Save Students $15,000 in Total Cost of College Attendance appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Roughly a year and a half ago, during my freshman year of college, I became a campus rep for WayUp. I first found out about the company from a post my floormate put in a Facebook group. At the time, I was extremely eager to take on my first part-time job in college and, looking back now, it was the best decision I have ever made.

I’ve come to know over the past 18 months that WayUp makes a difference in people’s lives, including my own; both my mind (and my resume) are at ease because of the countless opportunities that have come my way, as a result of this amazing company, including the chance to intern in the office this summer.

Back on my first day in May, I distinctly remember walking into the building feeling both incredibly nervous and excited as I wondered what the next 12 weeks would bring. From the moment I walked into the office, I immediately felt welcomed as a part of the team, and the nerves faded away. That was when I knew that this summer would be an experience I would never forget, and as I approach my last week, it’s clear that I couldn’t have been more spot on.

Throughout my time here at WayUp, I have learned more than I thought possible from the nearly 60-person team. I have had the opportunity to pitch my own ideas and publish my own work on our blog, but most of all, I have been able to write directly to my fellow college students across the country, giving them advice about internships, careers, majors and college life. Perhaps the most incredible part of my experience was my participation in the creation of the first-ever National Intern Day.

As an intern myself, I can’t even begin to describe how rewarding it was to help create a day to celebrate interns. From researching a variety of topics related to internships to writing content for our blog, email and social media channels to helping film intern testimonials and even  putting together intern celebration kits, I am so proud of the work I have done here and so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing campaign.

Additionally, having the chance to complete a wide variety of tasks throughout the internship, like helping to develop the campus rep program and providing feedback about the site’s current onboarding process, has taught me so much about myself. I have discovered new interests and explored existing ones, developing them even further in the process. I am absolutely blown away by how much I’ve learned this summer, and none of it would have been possible without WayUp. It has been a privilege to learn from the group of talented and brilliant individuals who make up the WayUp team.

I looked forward to coming into work every day, and as a native New Jerseyan making an almost two-hour commute each way, I can honestly say that it was worth every delayed train and crowded bus. I wouldn’t trade my experience here at WayUp this summer for anything (even more sleep!).

Between choosing a major, thinking about what you want to do as a career and ultimately figuring out who you are, college can be a rough time. Because of that, I want all of my fellow college students to know that WayUp truly cares about helping us find jobs, internships and our career paths, and at the end of the day, I honestly believe that you’re not going to find that sort of connection or compassion anywhere else.

And finally, to WayUp, thank you for helping to shape me into the person I am today and thank you for turning me into a true New Yorker. #IFeelBlessed.

The post Thank You, WayUp: Reflecting on My Summer Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are an important way to jumpstart your career, but there’s a lot more you can do to strengthen your resume and set yourself apart from your peers. When evaluating you as a candidate, employers also take into account your extracurriculars and on-campus jobs as well as your leadership and volunteer experience.

If you’re looking to be a well-rounded student in order to land yourself that dream internship or entry-level job, check out how you can make yourself stand out by becoming more involved in campus life this fall.

1. Join Greek life.

Not only are there amazing social aspects of these organizations, there are also opportunities to showcase your dedication to volunteering and giving back to your community. Philanthropy is a big part of most fraternities and sororities, so you will spend your time helping out a cause, which is great in and of itself, and you’ll also demonstrate to employers that you’re passionate about making a difference in others’ lives, which can translate into making a difference within the company.

2. Take on a leadership position.

Whether you’re part of the Math Club or Animal Benefits Club (and by the way, if you’re not in any clubs or organizations, you should join activities that you’re interested in!), run for a position on the executive board. You will learn a lot of skills that are perfect for the workplace, such as leadership, teamwork, planning, etc. Plus, getting more involved with an organization you’re passionate about will enable you to make connections with people who share your interests and hobbies.

3. Apply for an on-campus job.

Because it can be very difficult to work part-time at an internship or other off-campus job for several reasons, like time constraints, lack of transportation and more, working on campus is the perfect solution. You’ll gain experience to add to your resume (and some money for your bank account) without having to make a long commute. There are several offices on campus looking for administrative help, and on many campuses, tutors and tour guides are paid as well, so there is an abundance of options at your feet.

4. Talk to your professors.

Depending on your field of study, you can get involved in a research project with your professor. Several professors look for students to help them experiment in their research labs and publish papers. You’ll have the chance to work closely with a professor who may be able to provide you with a letter of recommendation down the line and career advice along the way, and you’ll be able to add that paper to your portfolio or that research assistant position to the work experience section of your resume. Professors are often overlooked resources that can be extremely helpful in guiding you towards the right career path for you.

There are several attributes and experiences that will look good on your resume, so while internships are extremely beneficial (and we encourage every student to do an internship), remember that there are other components to your resume too. So, if you haven’t had an internship yet or your internship experience wasn’t exactly what you were expecting, getting involved on campus can keep your resume from being just another one in the pile.

The post 4 Ways to Get More Involved on Campus This Semester appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student, finances can be a rough subject, so we want to remind you of some of the awesome discounts you can access with that student ID. As the fall semester quickly approaches, these discounts will be sure to help you out as you buy stuff for your dorm or apartment and will lessen some of your other expenses throughout the year.

Electronics:

Microsoft – Need a new laptop this year? Students get a 10% discount on Surface laptops.

Adobe – Say goodbye to that expensive software for class and save 60% on Adobe products!

Best Buy – Check out the variety of discounts on some of their most popular products.

Apple – You can save up to $300 on a Mac AND get free Beats headphones.

Lenovo – Students get a 10% discount off their entire orders.

Norton – You get up to 50% off virus software for your Mac or PC.

Apparel:

Levi – Receive a 25% discount exclusive to college students.

Express – Time to take 15% off your purchase.

Vineyard Vines – Don’t forget to show your student ID next time you’re in the store for a 15% discount.

Crew – Make sure to bring that student ID next time you go shopping to get 15% off your purchase.

Banana Republic – You don’t want to leave that college ID behind when you can get a 15% discount in-store.

Charlotte Russe – Your 10% discount makes bringing your student ID worth it.

Ralph Lauren – Don’t miss your chance to get 15% off your next purchase.

Brooks Brothers – Enjoy 15% off your purchases.

Kate Speed – Spice up your wardrobe with a 15% discount in-store.

Transportation:

Amtrak – Got a case of the travel bug? Get a 15% discount with your student ID.

Penske – Get a 10% discount for a U-haul truck for your dorm or apartment.

Greyhound – Students get 10% off all travel AND 40% off all shipping.

General Motors –  If you’re in need of a car, head over to get discounts on select vehicles.

Allstate – Got good grades? Then, you get a 20% discount.

State Farm Insurance – Subtract 25% from your price for being a stellar student.

Entertainment:

Spotify – Pay only $4.99 per month for ad free music.

AMC Theaters – On Thursdays, students get a 10-15% discount on tickets.

Broadway – Buy tickets with your student ID and pay only $20-30 per ticket.

Regal Cinemas – Keep your student ID in your wallet to get up to 15% off an adult ticket.

Apple Music – Enjoy music for $4.99 a month for your four years of college.

Food:

Waffle House – Save 10% for breakfast or lunch when you show your student ID.

Chipotle – Ordering a meal? As a student, you get a free drink too.

McDonald’s – Take advantage of 10% off your order at select restaurant locations.

Papa John’s – Experience the joys of discounts depending on your location.

Buffalo Wild Wings – Do you like wings and sports? Get a 10% discount when you show your student ID.

Chick-Fil-A – Ordering a meal? You can get a free drink with it.

Subway – Get rid of 10% of your cost.

Dairy Queen – Say hello to discounts that vary based on location.

Other:

The Economist – Choose your ideal option and get a student rate.

The New York Times – Students pay only $1 per week.

FedEx – With your student ID, you’ll get 20-30% off shipping.

The Wall Street Journal – Catch up on your news for the semester for only $15 for 15 weeks.

Washington Post – Get free digital access just for being a college student.

Amazon Prime – Get this — you’ll enjoy free two-day shipping for your six month trial and then receive 50% off Prime membership when it ends.

This list could go on forever, since many companies offer student discounts. Don’t know if a particular brand or company has a discount? It’s worth looking up online or asking at a checkout counter; what have you got to lose? We hope you enjoy these discounts and that you explore your many other options as well.

The post The 40 College Student Discounts You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Are you a college student who is looking to get PAID while adding awesome experience to your resume?

What is a campus rep?

A Campus Rep is an individual who represents and promotes a company using their on-campus networks, online networks or both! Our reps get paid to work on their own time and have fun while doing it!

Getting started

As a Campus Rep for WayUp, one of the fastest growing tech startups in the world, you’ll have access to all the materials needed to execute any ideas you have to promote the brand. Your program manager will send weekly updates, provide you with helpful resources and unlimited optional training, as well as answer any of your questions.

You have creative control

The best part? You control how you market WayUp. Some successful reps in the past have given presentations to classes and clubs, reached out to their campus career center and posted in Facebook groups. Take advantage of YOUR skills and networks to strategize what works best for you.

How payment works

Your pay is directly related to your performance. Reps are paid $1 per verified signup and we offer several other bonuses throughout the semester. You have complete flexibility in your schedule and the more time and effort you put into the role, the more money you will make. It’s that simple. Best of all, there’s no cap to how much you make — past reps have earned more than $3,000 per semester. We encourage you to be a WayUp BOSS and make as much money as possible!

Other perks

In addition to cash rewards, there are a ton of perks of being a WayUp campus rep! For example:

• Add experience to your resume
• Receive a resume and cover letter critique from our Head of Recruitment
• Receive a letter of recommendation from WayUp CEO, Liz Wessel
• Work with some of our biggest clients such as Starbucks, Unilever and Under Armour
• Select top reps will have the opportunity to tour the NYC WayUp campus and have a 1:1 with the CEO!

Interested in being a WayUp Campus Rep? Apply here!

The post Why You Don’t Want to Miss Out on the WayUp Campus Rep Program appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Summer is flying by, which means that the fall semester is quickly approaching. Between moving in, starting classes and getting back into your daily routine, it can be an overwhelming time both for incoming freshmen and returning students. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help you out.

Getting organized will make your return to school a lot less hectic, so check out a few organizational tips below to kick off the fall semester on the right note.

1. Invest in a planner.

The beginning of a new semester is the perfect time to get organized. Having a planner will help you to keep track of your class schedule, work schedule and extracurricular activities. You don’t want to miss a meeting or be late to work, because you have so many responsibilities on your plate. Using a planner will help you plan out your day, so you know when you have free time and when you’re busy. It’s also important to schedule in time to do homework, study, relax and spend time with your friends. College is a balancing act and although sometimes it may seem like you have no time, a planner will help you visualize your day-to-day activities and stay on top of everything you need (and want) to do.

2. Pack ahead of time and unpack right away.

When you’re rushing to get all of your belongings together at the last minute, you’re more likely to forget something. You don’t want to feel stressed out before the semester even really begins, so do yourself a favor and begin packing in advance. Make a checklist of all of the items you’ll need and be sure to check them off as you pack. This is a great way to keep your stuff organized, so when you arrive at school, you’ll know what you have with you. Just like packing early is critical, unpacking immediately is as well. The last thing you want is to still have a room full of bags and suitcases once you’ve already started classes.

3. Be honest with yourself.

Take the time to sit down and think about your priorities and responsibilities over the course of the semester and set reasonable goals for yourself about what you’d like to accomplish. If you want to get better grades in school, leave more time for studying and maybe cut back on your extracurriculars. If you need to make more money this semester, consider taking on a part-time job or internship. Compromising is a huge part of staying organized and if you have an idea of what you can and can’t commit to throughout the next few months, it will be a lot easier to say no (or yes) down the line.

4. Don’t forget about miscellaneous responsibilities as well.

When you plan out your day with a planner, it can be easy to forget about the little things like eating meals, cleaning, grocery shopping and doing laundry, but these tasks must still get done, so don’t forget about them. If you think about these things ahead of time and keep in mind that other unexpected things can and will happen, you’ll feel much less overwhelmed when you realize that you have to take an hour or two to clean your room or you get sick and need to go to the doctor. Self care is extremely important in order to work efficiently and lead a happy and healthy college life, so don’t push it to the back burner because of your busy schedule.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to a more relaxing and organized semester. If you organize your schedule, your life and your thoughts, you’ll start off the fall semester ready to take on another sixteen weeks of class, work, clubs and fun too!

The post 4 Organizational Tips to Kick Off the Fall Semester appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Internships are a hot topic for college students, because they are extremely important for your career and can help you get your foot in the door to the professional world. There’s no doubt that having an internship is a wonderful opportunity, but if all of your friends are talking about their internships when you haven’t had one yet, it can be easy to feel left out and possibly even behind, so it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

You have time.

Maybe you’ve already begun applying for internships or maybe you haven’t even thought about them yet. Whichever situation you find yourself in, you still have time. As a freshman or sophomore in college, you should focus on fully exploring your options. Think about the different industries and positions that interest you and consider applying to as many as possible. This will give you the best chance of landing a great internship and also help you figure out what you want (and don’t want) to do.

You can take on an unpaid internship.

Even if your ideal internship isn’t a possibility yet, there are definitely other ways to build your resume and your skill set. If you’d like to get as much experience as possible as an underclassman, consider taking on an unpaid internship. Startups and nonprofits are the perfect places to start because many offer these types of internships and having that unpaid internship under your belt will help you land a paid position later on in your college career.

You can join other clubs and organizations to boost your resume.

Internships aren’t the only types of experience that look good on a resume. To turn yourself into a well-rounded candidate, join clubs and organizations on campus or volunteer at a local nonprofit. Having a part-time job is also a great resume booster for freshmen and sophomores, because it shows your work ethic and your ability to balance the responsibility with your schoolwork, social life and other obligations. No matter what you’re involved in, your dedication to your future will be evident in your resume, in your application and in a potential interview, so no experience will go to waste.

It’s only natural to worry when you feel like you’re the only one who hasn’t had an internship, but there are many other students in your shoes. If you keep adding experiences to your resume and applying for positions, the time will come for you to be the one talking about your internship to your friends and family. Just remember not to stress too much, because the fact that you’re already thinking about it is a big step in the right direction.

The post 3 Reasons Not to Panic if You Haven’t Had an Internship Yet appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

From Steve Jobs’ now-famous advice to “Stay hungry…stay foolish,” to J.K. Rowling’s suggestion that “it is impossible to live without failing at something,” college graduation speeches have provided some of the greatest moments of inspiration and encouragement in recent history. That trend continues this year with celebrities and entrepreneurs like Will Ferrell, Sheryl Sandberg and Oprah Winfrey sharing their wisdom at commencements around the country.

Ready to be inspired? Here are the three best pieces of advice from this year’s graduation speeches.

1. Follow your dreams

When Will Ferrell graduated from college, he was not an overnight success. In fact, the comedian and actor spent the first two years of his post-college life sleeping on his mom’s couch in Southern California. What he discovered along the way is that success is not an easy road or a straightforward one. “Yes, I was afraid. You’re never not afraid,” Ferrell told students in his graduation speech at USC last week. “But my fear of failure never approached in magnitude my fear of what if. What if I never tried at all?”

By trying, failing and finding his strengths, Ferrell eventually earned a spot on SNL and launched his career as a sketch comic and, eventually, a movie star.

2. Build resilience

As the chief operating officer of Facebook and author of The New York Times best-selling book, “Lean In,” Sheryl Sandberg is familiar with success and the hard work it takes to sustain it. But the lesson she shared with graduating students at Virginia Tech last week wasn’t just about success, it was about resilience. After losing her husband, management consultant Dave Goldberg to a heart attack in 2015, Sandberg set out on a journey of self-discovery in an attempt to work through her grief. What she discovered was that the way to work through that grief was to become more resilient. “We are not born with a certain amount of resilience,” Sandberg told the crowd in her commencement speech at Virginia Tech. “It is a muscle, and that means we can build it. We build resilience into ourselves.”

After studying the concept of resilience for two years, Sandberg joined forces with Wharton School professor Adam Grant to write “Option B,” a book dedicated to uncovering answers about how to cope with adversity and find joy again.

3. Expand your definition of success

Oprah Winfrey may be a global media personality but she didn’t have the easiest time establishing herself in the field. Prior to landing her famous TV talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Winfrey was fired from her job as a news anchor for Baltimore’s WJZ-TV. The reason? Producers claimed Winfrey was too emotional about the stories she covered.

Rather than feeling defeated, Winfrey embraced her interest in unique stories and became a talk show host. As she shared with students in her commencement speech at Agnes Scott College, the main lesson she’s learned throughout her career is that there is no single definition of success. “Those of you who have a lot of shoes know having a closet full of shoes doesn’t fill up your life. Living a life of substance can.”

Ready to find your calling in life? Check out some of the amazing companies hiring this summer and start building your own path to success.

The post The 3 Best Pieces of Advice From This Year’s Graduation Speeches appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This story was written by StudySoup, a peer-to-peer learning marketplace that connects top students in the class with those who need a little help. Top students can upload their notes and study guides to the StudySoup Marketplace, providing their peers with helpful materials while also earning some extra cash.

College isn’t doing a very good job of teaching students the critical skills they need for the “real world” anymore. There’s a gap between what students are taught in college, and what they actually need to be successful on the job. But not all students are aware of this.

According to Payscale.com, 87% of graduates say that they feel prepared to start working in their field, but only 50% of hiring managers feel the same way. What’s worse is that when it comes to finding a job, almost all graduates believe that they won’t have a problem getting hired. But 51% of graduates had to deal with underemployment.

Turns out there’s a pretty big difference between what college students think they need to do to find a job compared to what hiring managers are look for.

In this post, I’ll talk about a few critical skills that college won’t teach you, and why they’re important.

Critical Skill #1: Proactiveness

College can help students grow in a lot of different ways. But it teaches them “to test” instead of helping them to think creatively. That means students have to follow a set syllabus, do all the assignments and follow all the instructions, and figure out what type of answers the professor wants to hear. That’s how they get an A.

But that same approach students become so accustomed to doesn’t translate so well when it comes to applying for a job. Most graduates scroll through job boards like Indeed or CareerBuilder, read through the job description, and if they feel like they fit most of the requirements, they send off a resume. And in many cases, they don’t hear back for a long time…if at all.

But proactive students take a different approach.

Take Nina Mufleh, for example. She wanted to get a job in marketing at Airbnb. So instead of sending out a standard online application, she created Nina4Airbnb.com.

She put together some well thought out ideas on how Airbnb could grow on her site, and sent it to the company’s CEO. She got an interview almost immediately.

Being proactive shows employers that you have the drive to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Critical Skill #2: Adaptability

The world is changing faster than ever before.

The skills critical to success in any job are changing rapidly. If you learned a programming language in school, chances are it already changed by the time you graduated. Ten years ago, Facebook advertising wasn’t a tactic that marketers thought a whole lot about. But today, almost every digital marketer has at least some experience in it.

Nowadays, graduation marks the beginning of your learning. Not the end of it.

In school, learning takes place at a relatively normal pace. You have time to do your assigned reading, work on your homework, go to office hours if you have any questions, and make sure you understand everything perfectly before the exam.

But the real world isn’t like that.

You might have to execute on projects rapidly before you get a perfect understanding of how everything is supposed to work. You’ll have to constantly keep learning by doing things like reading the right books, blogs, listening to podcasts by experts in your field, enrolling in online classes, and applying what you’ve learned by doing something.

Critical Skill #3: Critical thinking

60% of employers say that critical thinking is the skill that new graduates lack the most.

Critical thinking is the ability to gather information from sources you can trust and analyze them. Being able to solve problems and make decisions based on gathered information is something that employers place a high value on.

Seth Godin said in an interview once that if you can only do what someone else tells you to do and nothing more, then they can find someone (or something) cheaper than you to do it. If you can creatively think through problems, present solutions, and make decisions, then you’re a resource that can’t be replaced.

One way to prove that you’re a creative thinker is by coming up with new and interesting ideas for how you could help a company before you apply, like Nina did.

Conclusion

The growing “skills gap” between what colleges teach and what employers want is more about soft skills than hard, technical skills. In fact, only 12% of employers say that graduates lack technical skills like computer programming, and 7% say they lack skills like SEO/SEM.

Most people are proficient enough when it comes to the technical aspects of their job, or they can be trained to become proficient pretty quickly. You can train someone in program in basic Javascript within a few weeks.

What’s much harder to train are the soft skills. It’s hard to teach someone how to be proactive. Managers struggle to teach critical thinking. It’s almost impossible for them to teach adaptability and to have a constant hunger to learn more.

That’s why you’ll have a massive leg up over other candidates if you have these three critical skills before you apply.

The post 3 Critical Skills College Doesn’t Teach You appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Throughout your time in college, you’ll find yourself taking similar classes over and over, usually because they are required for your major. In the midst of all of that, there is usually room for a few electives and picking those is never as simple as it seems. Yes, most students look to take easy electives that will give them the credits they need to graduate, but we shouldn’t forget that these are opportunities to expand our knowledge in different areas and possibly apply this to a future career.

With that in mind, here are a few classes that you may have not thought about but could be helpful and worth your time.

 1. Law and Criminology

Yeah I know, unless you’re majoring in it, law doesn’t sound the most appealing, but a lot of schools offer classes on a variety of different types of law, which is actually really cool and of course, super helpful. The law is something nearly everyone is aware of, but not all of us really know how it works, what it means and what consequences come with it. A class like this can open your eyes to the law-abiding world we live in and some of the restrictions that come with certain industries.

For example, if you are a business major, a business law class will be super beneficial in showing you the ins-and-outs of the industry and will hopefully give you some leeway into what you might encounter in the future. Also, chances are that you’ll get to meet a lot of important figures in the world of law, and there’s never anything bad about doing some networking.

2. Public Speaking

Gives you chills just thinking about it, right? Speaking in front of a large group of people can be quite intimidating, and we’ve all seen incidents where nerves take over and someone freezes up, which is super embarrassing!

Luckily, most universities offer classes that are meant to prepare you for this, because in the real world, it is a super important skill to have. Don’t be scared to take a class like this, especially since mostly everyone in the class is taking it for the same reason. It’s totally worth it, and you really won’t have many other opportunities to practice public speaking before you graduate.

3. Digital Media

This can really be any reporting or journalism class that is offered at your school. I’ve found that classes like this can be super helpful in a variety of circumstances as these classes get you talking to people, doing research and exploring your personal interests even further.

To go with that, they can even be pretty fun, especially a digital class in which you build your own site and post regularly (it’s a great way to create a portfolio that can be shown to future employers!). You also become more experienced in the new wave of websites and social networks and employers love that.

4. Foreign Language

Pick any language! I can’t even tell you how helpful it is to be able to show an employer that you have studied (and hopefully learned a lot about) another language and culture.

No, you don’t need to be an expert Spanish speaker or fluent in Chinese, but the fact that you expanded your horizons by studying another culture shows employers that you’re constantly improving yourself. To better this opportunity even more, try studying abroad in a country that uses the language you take.

5. Marketing

Recently becoming a quite popular area to study, marketing is a very interesting area of study, as every business and industry in the world uses it. It is also a great way to expand your thought process, learn about potential markets and even make some money. Really doesn’t sound that bad, right?

Universities offer a lot of different electives to students, and opportunities like those listed above are only meant to help you, rather than hurt you. Take advantage of these classes before it’s too late!

The post The 5 Types of Classes That’ll Give You A Career Boost (No Matter Which Field You Want to Go Into) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Senior year can be a mixed bag. You’re excited (or terrified) about the next chapter in your life, and just like your college experience, it’s up to you to make the most of your adult life after graduation.

With that comes some tough conversations with the family about your post-graduation plans. If you feel like you’re the only one dealing with your family during your senior year, good news: Four fellow college seniors are sharing their current almost-graduation realities with helpful tips to remember when you’re talking about your post-grad life.

1. It’s Okay If You’re Unsure

“I have no idea what I want to do after graduation. My parents keep bothering me about it; I’m just trying to see what’s out there and not go straight from school to working full-time.” – Jake, University of Oregon ‘17

Who knows what the future holds? You could have every detail worked out in your post-grad plan, from the minute you cross the stage at graduation to when you’re driving your kids to their soccer practice.

But no matter how much control we think we have over our lives, there will always be new challenges or opportunities thrown in our faces. Although it’s always good to have a backup plan, allow your current choices to lead you to where you’re meant to be. Your job is to figure out how you will begin to contribute to the rest of the world in a way that aligns with who you are and the person you want to be, and that’s enough for right now.

2. Get Outside Your Comfort Zone

“This internship I’m at offered me a full-time position in their East Coast offices. I’m a little nervous about it because I’ve lived in California my whole life. I don’t know how my parents are going to feel about it because I’ve never been that far from home.” – Megan, University of California, Los Angeles ‘17

Don’t be afraid of new opportunities, embrace them! When you’re offered a full-time position, that means your employer appreciates you and sees your potential.

New environments can be intimidating, but you should always be open to positive change! The pressure of having to explain to your family that you won’t be within driving distance from home anymore may convince you to stay after all, but be prepared to console them with the fact that now they have a place to come visit when things get stale back at home. (And the same goes for you too!) You’re an adult and it’s up to you to create a life for yourself; your family will respect you for taking those necessary steps.

3. Be Selfish

“After graduation I’m going to take a year for myself and just travel. I’ve never traveled overseas before and I’ve been saving up since my junior year of high school to do this. My parents have been pressuring me to set up a job for myself and start right away, but if I don’t do this now when will I ever get a better chance?” – Allison, University of Washington ’17

They say the best time to be selfish is during your college years, because you’re constantly learning new things about yourself. However, what about after college? The time between graduation and settling into your nine-to-five job is the best time to do whatever it is your heart desires.

If you want to travel and expand your knowledge of different cultures around the world, do it, especially if you’re like Allison, who has been saving for years to take this opportunity for herself. (Plus it won’t hurt to always send a postcard or some souvenirs back home to the family, because trust me, they’ll definitely be bragging about all your adventures!)

4. Have a Prepared Response

“I’m a fifth-year senior, so you better believe I’m ready to graduate. My whole family has been on my case, especially after taking this extra year of school. I’ve found the best response, when you’re unsure, is to make a joke about it and they’ll get the picture. In the past I’ve said things like, “I just applied for the next season of Survivor.” – David, Oregon State University ‘17

It’s always good to have some answers up your sleeve, ready to go, when asked by friends and family about your plans. These can be humorous, especially if you’re not ready to share what your plans actually are, because ultimately it’s your call. Plus, a funny answer helps take the edge off the pressure and lightens the mood!

Remember, you’re almost done with school. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Senior year isn’t just about saying goodbye; it’s about anticipating all the new hellos. You’re entering adulthood and with that comes a lot of responsibility, but you’ve been preparing for this for the past 20-plus years.

You’re ready, now get out there!

The post 4 Things to Remember When People Ask You About Your Post-Grad Plans appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Before I had any idea what the word “love” meant, I loved books. I loved words. I loved the way a book could make me reconsider and reevaluate the world I live in and the people I interact with. I loved the way a book could quicken my heart with its words, bring tears streaming down my cheeks while I, sniffling, turned the next page, and leave me lying awake at night long after I set the book down by my nightstand, with so many thoughts churning in my head.

I still love the way books affect me, though college has shifted my pleasure reading time into a more academic one. Still, many of the books I have read for my classes were just as enjoyable and mind-changing as any of the ones I read before college. I could tell you the books that signaled great changes in my life: How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell, The Giver by Lois Lowry, When All the World is Old by John Rybicki, and now, in college, Louise Glück’s Averno. Each of these books taught me something about challenge, the world, love and loss, and identity, things which I am still mulling over today.

If you’ve been wanting to find some books that can get you thinking or feeling new things, check out the books that changed everything for these college students.

1. The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

“The Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket forever changed my life. It sounds dumb, but the series is such an introspective and thoughtful series for children that exhibits heavy themes that are important for children to know and for adults to engage with as well. The series is what began my love for reading in the fourth grade and that’s why it changed my life! I truly think I am a better/smarter student because I started at an early age with this series.” – Matthew, Louisiana State University ‘20

I remember reading this series as a kid as well, and I was always fascinated with the mystery of the Baudelaire children’s family history. For a dark but humorous and complex mystery, The Series of Unfortunate Events series is the one to get you thinking about people’s motivations for doing what they do, while also giving you some down time from reading all those academic textbooks for classes.

2. Breaking Clean by Judy Blunt

“The book Breaking Clean by Judy Blunt really helped change my perspective on certain aspects of my life. It helped me realize that I could break out of the norms of the life I was born into and do more. From reading this book, I found that change is inevitable in life. It is just something that you may have to be thrown into sometimes and hope that you swim instead of sink.” – Sarah, Clemson University ‘18

College is such a big change in our lives, it can be scary, intimidating, and daunting to try and tackle alone. But reading about change as a positive thing is helpful during this time in our lives, and it’s comforting to find identification with the fact that life itself is just one change after another.

3. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

“Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand has made me really step back and look at the way governments act and how society reacts to today’s newfound income inequality. It’s made me realize that some people want complete autonomy in everything they do and they don’t believe in sacrificing themselves for anything lesser than its value. Others believe that no one should be left on the streets or be denied “basic human rights.” This book has made me question where I stand on issues like government, capitalism versus socialism, altruism, and society’s perception of what is right and valuable to myself or to others.” – Anna, Presbyterian College ‘18

With all the recent political and social drama happening in our increasingly global world, college gives us a space to explore where we stand on such important and influential issues. Books like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged can especially give us even more perspectives to consider when making such decisions on personal values.

4. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

“Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I love that Scarlett will go to any lengths necessary to protect herself and those she loves. I find her strength and perseverance inspirational after everything she had to go through.” – Laurel, Presbyterian College ‘17

For the pick-me-up you need when life and college get tough, Gone With the Wind offers that strong female protagonist who, even when her world is becoming unrecognizable, fights to keep her integrity and changes with the times, showing her as a role model for persevering through difficult challenges.

5. The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P. Young

“The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P. Young changed my life because it gave me a different outlook on how to have a personal relationship with God. It showed me how to have faith when life throws storms my my way. Also, I read it when I was having a hard time in my life and it restored my happiness.” – Jessie, Midlands Technical College ‘19

Some of us college students find comfort not just in the strength of a strong character, but also strength in a certain faith. While The Shack offers a Christian perspective on the relationship one develops with God, it remains a book that at its core stresses the value and meaning of love even when it seems that love is gone.

6. Bluets by Maggie Nelson

“Bluets by Maggie Nelson changed my life. Not only did I read it at a time in which I related to it acutely, but it also pointed me in the direction of the form I’m most interested in studying (lyric essays), and inspired me to write one of my own. Bluets changed the way I thought about form, loss, and the experience of pain.” – Jozie, College of Charleston ‘17

A collection of short lyric essays that read like poems, Bluets explores “personal suffering and the limitations of vision and love, as refracted by the color blue.” For anyone seeking solace and emotional expression through words, especially if you are trying to find some sense of meaning for what lies in the future, this book is one to consider.

7. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

“I graduated a year and a half ago and recently read East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I found it to have a certain profoundness to it, a treatise on human nature. I think what I loved so much about it is that in it Steinbeck examines, without fear, some of the most common human flaws (and virtues) that we see around us or in ourselves. It is not a fantastical story that could never have happened; it sounds an awful lot like a story that was real, that happened to a family in California many years ago. I think the main thing I got out of it was that humanity is beautiful. Terrible sometimes, but beautiful. We have the power to choose between good and evil; we are terrible because we choose evil, and we are beautiful because we choose. And all because “thou mayest.” – Isaac, California State University-Chico ‘15

I recently finished reading East of Eden myself and found some of the most haunting and inspirational and thought-provoking moments and sentences written in that book that I had to take my time thinking about it, because there was so much to unravel. It’s a beautiful book that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a story about a family and what it means to love and be loved.

I’m adding many of these books to my summer reading list, because soon I’ll be out in the “real world” having to look for a job, and books can be both escapes from and guides to this bustling, creative, uncertain but exciting world we live in. There is always something to be said of humanity in every book we read. Especially in college, when we’re trying to figure out who we are and why we do what we do, reading books can give us that much more insight into who we can be and what we can do in the world.

The post 7 College Students Reveal the Book That Changed How They Thought About Everything appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whether you’re a student or an entry-level employee, talking to your professor, supervisor or boss can sometimes seem a bit scary. You want to seem competent and educated without coming off like a suck-up; it’s a difficult balance to achieve.

In order to successfully chat with your professor about your performance in class or with your boss to discuss that potential raise, consider the following points as a guide for your future conversation.

1. Get Over Your Fear

First and foremost, you will have to simply get over your fear of talking to authority. While it might sound easier said than done, it’s actually not. It is in the job description of your professors and work supervisors to talk with students and employees. They are there to listen to your concerns, questions and just about everything related to your class or job.

Most of the time, professors and bosses enjoy discussing these matters with people like you, especially if you’re prepared, so take a deep breath, pull yourself together and get rid of those pre conference jitters.

2. Come Prepared for Your Chat

Just like class, you should come to your professor or boss’s office for your conversation prepared and ready to discuss anything related to your class or job. You wouldn’t come to class without having done the assigned reading or checking that long email thread from your boss, would you? The same applies here; this is definitely not a “just wing it!” situation.

If you have a question about an upcoming test or essay prompt, make sure you have specific questions that can help you make the most of your professor’s office hours. If you’re asking for a raise or promotion, make sure you have all of your research and supporting evidence like successful projects to help them make a decision. Essentially, you can make the whole process easier and more effective if you come prepared.

Another key part of being prepared: Think about all potential outcomes, especially if you’re going in with a request. If you’ve prepared yourself for every result, you’ll feel a lot more confident going in.

3. Research What the Other Person Has Done Beforehand

People, especially those in authority, love when their employees or students humor their ego, so use the Internet to your advantage for when you want to talk to your boss or professor. Look up your boss’s professional history and see who he or she knows in your current field or a field you are hoping to break into, or use your university’s library to read your professor’s research or doctoral thesis. All of these will make great jumping off points and will show your boss or professor that you did your homework for the conversation.

4. Be Proactive

It cannot be stressed enough that you should never prolong a discussion with your boss or professor if you are experiencing a problem at your job or if you are struggling in the course.

First, it’s irresponsible to you as a student and employee. Your job or class standing could be jeopardized just because you didn’t go and talk to your supervisor before the problem got out of hand. Second, your boss or professor will probably not treat you with the same amount of sympathy and understanding that they most likely would have bestowed upon you if you came to them when you first started having problems. So, the first sign of struggle is when you should schedule a time to sit down with your boss and professor and attack the problem.

Now that you know how to talk to your professors and bosses like the adult you are, go and schedule a time to talk with them. Whether it’s just to chat or to discuss a problem, they will appreciate that you took the time to speak with them. Now get talking!

The post How to Talk to Anyone (Boss, Professor, or Otherwise) Without Sounding Like a Suck-Up appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Now that I’m about halfway done with my junior year of college, there are a few things that I wish I had done differently. I went into college pretty unsure about what I wanted to do with my life, like plenty of other students. There are a few small things I did in college so far that I would definitely go back and change. I wish that I declared a major as soon as I knew what I wanted to study, rather than waiting. I also regret not taking summer classes while I had the opportunity. Both of those are just minor regrets, especially when I look at the big picture.

However, the biggest mistake that I’ve made in college was not asking for help. I’ve always prided myself on my independence, especially when it comes to my future, so I was convinced that I did not need anyone else’s help.

As college students, we have a lot of additional resources available to us while we are in school. Now is the time that people are actually willing to help us out. All you have to do is ask, but there are so many of us that simply do not. I know that I’m not the only one who refused to ask for help in the beginning, but I hope that others do not make the same mistakes that I did. The people that I wish I had asked for help from much sooner are my professors, academic advisors, alumni and my peers.

Professors

This semester has been the first that I have participated constantly in all of my classes. I was previously the girl who sat in the back and kept to herself. In September, I walked into class and sat in the front. By simply sitting in the front and participating in classroom discussions, your professors will notice you.

Believe it or not, they actually want you to do well in class! They have office hours to help you with your assignments, but they might even be able to help guide your career too. Professors often have many years of experience in their industry, so they know all of the tips and tricks that will get you on the right path.

Ask them about how they got started right after they graduated college. Do they have any advice for you that they wish someone had told them in college? Were they involved in an organization that helped them land their first job? One educated conversation with a professor will help you in more ways than you originally thought.

Academic Advisors

During my freshman year of college, I didn’t quite have the greatest advisor. Maybe he was just new or something, but he knew nothing about the programs that the school offered. I left feeling like I wasted my time, so obviously I did not meet with my advisor ever again. Even though I have since been assigned a new advisor within my major, I just recently met him for the first time.

All of the questions you have about classes, graduating and the real world can be answered by your advisor, so they’re definitely worth a visit. Definitely find out if your advisor has any recommendations on classes to take next semester. You can also ask them to make sure you’re on track to complete all of your credits on time (or early!). Need help with something on campus? Your advisor is aware of all campus resources, so they can connect you to the right people to get you exactly the assistance you need. They can also help plan out the rest of your time in college. All you have to do is ask for help!

Alumni and Peers

Most college campuses also have a program to connect current students with alumni of the school. Meeting with an alumni of the school who recently graduated is the perfect way to figure out possible career paths. They will tell you exactly what the real world is like, where you’ll have a lot more responsibilities, along with 40-plus hours of work a week. Ask them about what they concentrated on while in college, when they started applying for jobs and if they have any general advice for you.

Asking for help from your peers is another way that will benefit you. Chances are, you’re all going through the same struggles, so why not get through it together? Try brainstorming with your peers next time you have a huge project coming up. You can even join organizations with each other if you have the same interests. If a classmate made a presentation that you absolutely loved, tell them and ask them how they researched for it! Your peers should be the easiest people to ask for help, as they are in the same position as you.

Although not asking for help is the biggest career mistake I made in college, I am not going to let it ruin my career. Passion and hard work go a long way, so I genuinely hope that other college students do not make the same career mistake that I did. Your professors, academic advisors, alumni and peers are all there for a reason. Asking for help will not make you weak, it will help you improve yourself and further your education and career.

The post The Biggest Career Mistake I’ve Made in College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student, I think it’s safe to say that time management is the devil. You know there is always something productive you could be doing, but leisure time is also so incredibly important to staying focused and motivated throughout the year. Making sure you find that perfect balance between work and play is imperative to a life of joy and success.

How can you keep yourself from burning out and recharge in a productive way? Here are a couple of my favorite things to do.

1. Get Some Steps in When It’s Convenient

Believe it or not, it has been proven time and time again that exercise helps to stimulate the mind. Maybe you don’t feel like you can spare two hours on a regular basis to make the schlep to the gym, shower and then hit the library again, but there are other ways to still get a few steps in without making this huge time commitment.

If you find yourself having an awkward 45 minutes in between classes, take a longer, more scenic route. Try and embrace your surroundings, and clear your mind a bit. You’ll thank me later.

2. Hit the Gym

If you do think you can spare those extra two hours a few times a week, do it. Getting into good habits at a young age will lead you to live a longer, happier and healthier life. Join your local yoga studio, or make your way to your gym on campus. Maybe watch some Netflix while you’re on the elliptical, or listen to your favorite hype playlist.

By doing this, you are stimulating your mind and treating yourself by watching or listening to something you enjoy.

3. Get Ahead of the Game on Assignments

Stay on top of all assignments and get ahead if possible. If you notice your schedule is light, but you have an assignment due in a week, begin looking into it. It can’t hurt! Leisure time is important, but it’s also important not to overindulge in it because that is when bad habits start forming.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand laziness happens, but if you’re feeling stimulated and proactive, take that energy and put it to good use. Then, when you are feeling super lazy a week later, you’ll already have an outline for that upcoming assignment or even the assignment itself completed. Maximize your potential, people!

4. Take Advantage of Your University’s Resources

Calling all freshmen: Discover your likes and dislikes right away and get involved! As a senior, I can admit I did not quite do this and I wish I had. If you love TV and movies, don’t be afraid to be independent and check out that movie club you heard about. You are very lucky to be attending a university that has so many different resources available at your fingertips. Don’t waste your time and money by not taking advantage of them.

Fill up your free schedule with courses, clubs, intramural sports teams and possible internships or jobs that actually interest you. Doing this will both help you learn more about what you are interested in and meet people with similar interests. Not only will this make your resume look great, but it will also make you a happier, better you.

If I am being completely honest with you, I wish someone had told me these tips day one freshman year. I most definitely do all of the above now, and I’ve never felt so confident in myself and my future. Of course your GPA matters, but what it all boils down to is experience. Are you doing all that you can with your time to maximize your potential?

If the answer is no, follow my advice and make the answer yes to get yourself out of that college slump once and for all.

The post In a Rut? 4 Ways to Snap Out of It Today (Like, Right Now) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We’ve all had those days where we’re struggling to finish a paper for class or are simply nervous about doing well. Either way, we all know what it’s like to stress about writing college essays. This a guide to help you do your very best, so you can relax and focus on other things.

1. Set Aside at Least Two Days to Work on a Paper

Even though it’s easy to procrastinate and leave your paper until the night before, this is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Not only are you in a rush to finish it, but you’ve eliminated extra time to revise.

Since most students don’t spend weeks and weeks writing a paper, the best strategy is to spend at least one day writing the essay and a second day editing and revising it. Two days is, of course, a minimum. Generally, the more time you put into writing and reviewing your paper, the better it will be. Proportioning this time is important too. For example, you will want to spend more time on papers that are more important, such as finals and mid-term papers.

2. Form an Outline First

I always start my papers by writing out my thesis and main points. It’s pretty simple and doesn’t take much time since I type a simple sentence explaining my point and then build on it to fill in the outline. Outlining first ensures that you’ve thought through your points and that each argument will flow into the next. I’ve found that this also keeps me on-topic and makes it easier to continue working after each break.

3. Get Rid of Distractions

When it comes to working on a paper, most students will use any distraction as an excuse to put off writing. Even when you’ve turned off the television, it can be all too easy to get lost in the internet, which is why I recommend turning off your wifi connection while you write. There are also apps you can download that will block social media channels (hello, Self Control), allowing you to focus on your paper instead of Facebook notifications.

Another thing that distracts a lot of people is listening to music while they write. I’m guilty of this as well, and all too often end up typing song lyrics into my essays. Luckily, there is still music you can listen to while you work, just without lyrics. My personal favorites are movie soundtracks because they are designed to be motivating.

(Here’s a Spotify playlist for studying that I like to use.)

4. Write Your Introduction and Conclusion Last

These two paragraphs are usually the most difficult to write, so why not leave them for last? The opening and closing paragraphs are supposed to introduce and sum up your thesis and main points, so it’s smart to wait to write them until you’ve finished writing the body of your paper.

When you do get to writing your introduction and conclusion, don’t stress too much. Many students feel unsure about what to write, so they rush something they aren’t confident in. It’s important to remember that the introduction is just proposing the topic and setting up the background for your paper. The introduction sets up the discussion and the conclusion highlights the most important points. The conclusion is a summary of your whole paper – what were the important points and why is it important? Try to tie the introduction and conclusion together by using similar opening and closing statements.

5. Take Breaks

Depending on how efficiently you’re working, you can take this between every paragraph or after finishing several. Don’t let it be too long; I like to take a break to check notifications on my phone (which is another distraction you should put away while you work), or watch a short video on YouTube.

Taking a break allows your mind to clear and let new ideas in. It also gives you some perspective on what you’ve just completed, just like the first point about putting some time in between writing and revising. If you’re really stressed, this can be when you switch subjects and work on another assignment or reading you need to do, but it’s preferable to do something unrelated to school work to allow your mind to stop working for a short while.

6. Keep Referring to Your Professor’s Guidelines

It may seem like a no-brainer, but professors almost always have their expectations on the syllabus. They may even have an outline of content they expect to see and how they grade papers. Professors may also list places you can go for extra help on a paper, whether it’s meeting with them during office hours, on-campus resources, or websites, so it never hurts to check the syllabus.

7. Reference Class Materials Before Looking Things Up Online

When it comes to citing information, it’s better to use what you already know than to grab bits of information you found online. Using your notes and textbook shows your professor that you paid attention in class and know the material.

8. Don’t Use Words You Have to Look Up

It can be tempting to use a thesaurus in order to sound more educated on a topic, and, while it’s true that an expanded vocabulary adds flavor to the diction of a paper, looking up new words just for an essay is not a good idea.

Sometimes this can lead to word-vomit, a pile of overly complicated sentences that distract from the message of the paper. You also run the risk of using words that don’t fit into the definition you intended. For Friends fans, you may remember the episode when Joey uses a thesaurus to describe Chandler and Monica but ends up calling them “humid, prepossessing homosapiens with full-sized aortic pumps” instead of “warm, nice people with big hearts.” This is the last thing you want in your paper, and, rather than making you sound more intelligent, you sound silly and desperate.

9. Fix Formatting After Finishing Your Paper

If you’re anything like me, you tend to waste an hour adjusting the formatting of your paper instead of actually writing. You fiddle with the text size, font, spacing and paragraphing, and then, you take a break even though you’ve accomplished nothing. I’m certainly guilty of this all too often. A better option is to start writing; eventually you’ll get into a writing rhythm. Once you’ve finished writing, or at least made a good start, you can go back and adjust the format. This is a step that I usually leave for last, along with my revisions.

10. Read Your Paper Out Loud

Spell-check doesn’t catch everything, so this a good method to find small errors in your work. Another alternative is to copy and paste sections into Google Translate and listen to it. It’s easy to miss spelling and punctuation mistakes when you’re skimming through a computer screen, but reading aloud is a pretty good way to catch some of those since it forces you to look at each word individually. It’s also a great way to make sure your sentences make sense outside of your head. Not only is it good for catching mistakes, but it also gives you a break from sitting at the computer and typing.

Ultimately, the best strategy for a good paper is to put in a lot of work. Multiple revisions will never hurt, nor will taking a lot of time to think through what you’re writing and researching on the topic. College papers shouldn’t be anything to stress too much about and everyone has their own champion techniques. Good luck on that essay!

The post 10 Tips for Slaying Any College Paper appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student and a creative entrepreneur, I am always on the lookout for books and articles all about getting there. I think reading books has been one of the best motivators for me when I feel stuck in my work on my website, my articles for WayUp or my work on Her Track.

If you’re a fellow college student with big dreams and goals for the future, my best tip to get motivated or inspired is to pick up one of these fantastic books!

1. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

Can I just say that I am obsessed with this book?  Don’t let the title scare you; this book is for everyone, not just women. Sophia Amoruso is very blunt and comical, and she talks about everything that allowed her to get her clothing empire, Nasty Gal, off the ground with no loans or investors whatsoever. Sophia Amoruso emphasizes the idea that a person must earn his or her success and be very smart with their finances. She is also very assertive about her point of maintaining the company values herself, not just expecting them for others.

2. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero

This book is often compared to #GIRLBOSS in its comical and blunt tone; in fact, it ‘s described as a “verbal meat cleaver” in it’s Google profile. Jen Sincero is very relatable and displays a bit of that teen angst that millennials tend to enjoy. If you’re up for some comical advice on being a “badass” (excuse my language), pick up this book.

3. Becoming the Boss: New Rules for the Next Generation of Leaders by Lindsey Pollak

I love the title of this book! I truly believe that business does run differently nowadays. As millennials who don’t have a lot of respect in the professional world due to stereotyping, the ways in which to “become the boss,” so to speak, have changed. Lindsey Pollak begins with her story of “becoming the boss,” making her a very relatable writer. She provides clearly defined rules and actions for millennial leaders to follow through with.  

4. Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck by John Acuff

This is an excellent book for college students, especially those who feel they are stuck in the wrong career path and aren’t sure where to go. John Acuff talks all about doing it over and reinventing your work rather than throwing it away. Acuff has said that he took 16 years to write this book, and the long wait doesn’t disappoint. If you need to reset and update, this book will help you do it.

5. Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei

This book is seriously amazing! I truly believe that routine is a life changer. Glei talks about various well known people who feel the same way such as Woody Allen, Twyla Tharp, and Ross Bleckner. Glei covers how to lay down a routine and get into your groove. She talks about every possible aspect of a routine, from specific morning routines to utilizing certain tasks such as meditation. If you want a step by step for your day to day, this book is your best bet!

What are your favorite books to encourage leadership, creativity and learning? Have you read any of these? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The 5 Best Books for Young People with Gigantic Dreams appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Society has made us believe that we need to have our whole lives planned out by the time we step out in front of the crowd and grab your diploma at graduation. How can someone really have their career, college and future plans all made out at 18 years old when they haven’t even had a real taste of what the world has to offer?

Students who go into college undecided are looked down upon, but they might be the real masterminds of the whole college experience. Coming from a guy who changed his major six (yes, six) times, I have finally come to terms with the fact that your major is definitely not something you need to be worrying about.

1. Your Major Doesn’t Decide Your Future

Part of the reason why I switched my major so many times was because I felt like I needed to decide what career I wanted for the rest of my life. With so many different options in the world, how could I possibly decide on just one? “Just one” is the detail that people, including myself, focus on too much.

People change their career paths all the time, and it has become a modern decision that has led to praise. Although it takes a lot of courage to make a college major (or career) change, it’s not impossible to do. If you’re not feeling satisfied or accomplished with the path you chose in college, there is nothing stopping you from going down a different path but yourself.

2. Employers Aren’t Focused On Your Major

When creating or modifying your resume, how much space does your college major take up compared to all of the experience you would like to include? For the most part, employers couldn’t care less about what you majored in. What they really care about, however, is the experience you have relevant to the position they’re hoping you can fill.

3. College Has Enough Stress, So Forget About Your Major

With horrors like midterms and finals, loans, maintaining grades with a social life and being on your own, why subject yourself to worrying about something that in the end doesn’t really matter?

Like I mentioned before, your major doesn’t decide your future, so worry about the things that do. Details like grades, extracurriculars and who just died on this week’s episode of American Horror Story should be top priority, rather than worrying about how your major is controlling your life.

4. College Changes You

For me, college was an entirely different ballpark than high school. It was the place where I really grew to be the person I am today, and that person is so far from who I was back as a freshman.

College is nothing but new experiences and access to information you’ve never seen before, and it has a way of molding you into a successful member of society. That being said, your goals and aspirations are also very likely to change throughout the whole college experience. Starting my college career as a zoology major and finishing off as a journalism major, I can proudly say I’m not the person I was when I sent in my first college application.

5. It’s All About The Skills

A college major is basically just a namesake. Each department has a focus on skills that individuals need to succeed in that area. For example, English majors will have strong writing skills that extend to excellent grammar, attention to detail and a more qualitative look at life. Engineering majors, on the other hand, usually have a more analytical mind. These skills can be used in other fields besides the department in which you learned them from.

Being a journalism major, I have come to be able to gather information skillfully while also being able to properly hold an interview. This has extended me into getting working in radio, independent business and even some event planning. None of those have anything to do with journalism, but because I hold on to the skills I’ve learned from it, I have experience in fields behind the walls of my major.

Your college experience should be spent focusing on more important things than your major. Many have let an educational title define who they were, despite how much they grew and changed over the course of finishing their degree. Your major can be a great ball and chain in your future job endeavors, but only if you let it be.

The post 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Stress About Your College Major appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s been an insane day starting with class and ending with studying; the only thing left to do is make up for those meals that you skipped, while you were busy doing work, but while you’re waiting in line at Chick-fil-A, you realize your bank account is drained from all of the textbooks you just bought, and you’re standing there, confused and hungry.

It’s time to start learning to eat cheaply. I know what you’re thinking: There’s no time and it’ll be way too much work! Well, you’re in luck. There are tons of ways to eat on a shoestring budget, especially in college. Take these tips into consideration as you start learning how to cook at home, and you’ll be on your way to culinary and financial freedom in no time.

1. Invest in Cooking Appliances and Utensils

Start out with the essentials, like forks, knives, spoons, and basic pots and pans (a frying pan and medium pot will do). Eventually, you will reach a point where whisks, meat tenderizers and sauce pots will become essential, but start with the basics, and work your way up as you get used to the life of cooking.

2. Shop in Bulk for Cooking Ingredients

Tired of going to the store and paying exuberant prices for individual items and small portions? Start to perfect the art of shopping in bulk. Some stores offer bulk shopping options, such as Costco and Sam’s Club, as well as many local grocery stores.

3. Learn to Spot Cheap, Filling Meals

Cheap meals are everyone’s best friend, but sometimes those meals aren’t so filling. Focus on getting a lot of protein and good carbs into your body, like rice and beans; canned beans or even beans in bulk are extremely cheap and provide a ton of nutrition and protein for your body, while the rice offers healthy carbs. If you want to be even more healthy, throw in some veggies!

4. Keep Track of Sales in Grocery Stores

Many grocery stores offer weekly sales on certain food and drink items. They have recently made it even easier by adding these sale schedules to iPhones and Androids apps, so download these apps, and get ready to improve your savings on a weekly basis.

5. Utilize the Community Kitchen If You’re in a Dorm or Similar Situation

Older dorms don’t offer the amenities of having a kitchen in your dorm hallway or room, but most universities offer community kitchen spaces in their dormitory buildings. Yes, it might be awkward to have to lug your cooking supplies around your dorm, but think about the chances of meeting new friends and fellow chefs in your building!

 6. Search for Coupons, Coupons, Coupons

This goes hand-in-hand with downloading grocery store apps, but you can have these coupons mailed to you as well. You might not completely love the idea of having to use coupons to pay for your food, but this will save you loads of money in the long run.

7. Buy a Reusable Water Bottle

I had to learn the hard way how expensive buying plastic water bottles from the store can be in the long run. Not only is this a waste of plastic and a serious harm to the environment, but it costs a significant amount of money to stay stocked with them. Consider buying a Nalgene or Hydro Flask; both are reusable water bottles that can save you a ton of money and help the environment at the same time.

8. Watch for Free Food on Campus

Organizations on campus are notorious for giving away free food–they understand the struggle that is finding cheap meals in college. Check your college’s events page to see which organizations will be giving away free food. This will also provide you the chance to get involved with helpful organizations that understand students.

9. Avoid Straying From Your List

We’ve all done it: We go to the grocery store on an empty stomach, only to empty our bank accounts too. Whenever shopping at a grocery store, make a list beforehand and stick to it as best you can. Sure, you’ll find items you forgot to include on the list, but make sure that these items are absolutely necessary and fill up on a snack before you start shopping.

10. Use Freezers

Is your food that you just bought already expiring? Don’t waste your food and money like this. Throw some of that food into the freezer; the freezer will preserve the food and slow the aging process of it significantly. Having a freezer will be your life saver when you don’t use some of your food quick enough.

Put down your meal plan card and stop dipping into your savings to pay for meals. Utilize the tips in this guide, and you’ll be on your way to financial stability when it comes to the food you need!

The post The Lazy Student’s Guide to Eating Cheaply in College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When you first get to college, everything is new and exciting. Freshmen are ready to engage, get involved and devote all their spare time to activities.

Subsequent college years are a little trickier. As college goes on, people have their core friend groups. They are less likely to reach outside their comfort zone, as the “newness” of college has faded off and classes start getting harder.

This combination usually leads to a debilitating condition known by some as “senioritis,” but don’t be fooled by the name. Seniors are not the only people susceptible; juniors and sophomores are too. This creates what is known as the “sophomore slump” or the “junior drag” (a term I have heard but is less well known.), and good news: These conditions are not uncommon. I, for one, had a major issue with the sophomore slump, as did many of my friends.

Based on my experiences getting through these difficult times and watching other students do it too, here are some tips to help you get through a similar slump, or even avoid one altogether.

1. Get Active

Ever since I was a little girl, my mom has told me that running fixes things, but I was stubborn. Running, or any type of cardio exercise, is hard, so I ignored her. Big mistake!

As usual, moms are always right, and now I, too, believe that running (or really any movement) fixes things. Exercise is a great way to clear your head and be productive and also avoid work. It is good for your physical health, mental health and emotional health (especially during the colder months), so getting active is the perfect first step to breaking your slump.

2. Keep Yourself Busy

One great way to break the slump is to avoid it all together. Get busy. Join student groups, run for positions on the club board, sign up to do community service, take on an extra project or get an internship or job (hint: WayUp has thousands of listings for you!).

Keeping yourself busy (like exercising) encourages you to be productive in ways aside from school work, allows you to use different parts of your brain and increases your overall motivation.

When you are busy and have commitments, it ensures that you can’t spend the whole day sleeping or avoiding your work. Everyone needs a break day every now and then, but when a break day turns into a daily excuse, things get dicey. I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone: Plan an event no one has attempted before, apply for a job or try something totally different. When people are depending on you, it makes accomplishing tasks and taking on responsibilities much easier and much more rewarding.

3. Set Goals for Yourself

You’ve got to take everything step by step. Whenever I get behind on work, I know that I easily become overwhelmed. If this has happened to you, the best way to avoid massive amounts of panic is to step back, take a breath and do each assignment one by one.

“Divide and conquer” is the name of the game. I am not sure who said it first, but dividing up your work and setting smaller, more tangible goals for yourself will help you avoid becoming stressed or overwhelmed, no matter how far behind you are.

4. Get in a Routine

It is scientifically proven (at least my friend who is a biology major says so) that people with a routine are happier and more productive than people without one. Additionally, science has proven that getting on a routine sleep schedule with a set bedtime and set wake up time, is one of the healthiest things a person can do for their body.

Set times for yourself, and even schedule in your breaks. Routines will help you avoid stress while also allocating time for each assignment or activity so that you never get “too caught up” at work, on a paper or on a project and ignore your other work. This will also help you study or do work ahead of time!

These methods really helped my friends and I break our slumps, and I hope they can help you too! Just remember, there is always a way if you are committed, and no matter how far behind you are, how out of shape or how disorganized, it is never too late to fix it.

The post 4 Ways to Crush the Sophomore Slump (Or Any Slump) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We all know that surviving as a college student can be tricky; there’s so much to pay for and so little time to keep track of all of the academics, extracurriculars and monetary obligations we have to abide by.

Lucky for you, five smart students are weighing in on how they manage money and limit their stress.

1. They Stick to a Budget

“I always break my budget down per month based on food, transportation, and spending money (for everyday things, clothes, etc.). This way, I can allot money for the essentials I truly need while cutting out excess expenses on things such as that bag that I might really want but don’t necessarily need. I have to give myself parameters.” – Calvin, University of Charleston ‘17

Organizing your expenses can make all the difference and help you choose what to spend excess money on. Not sure how to make a budget from scratch using Excel? Look no further than this great step-by-step guide. In addition, here is an awesome spreadsheet to use that is very detailed and can be downloaded and customized.

In order to create an effective budget, make sure that you remain aware of how much you spend and give yourself incentives that will help motivate you and keep you on track!

2. They Limit Fun to the Weekends

“I usually reward myself on the weekends if I have been good at managing my money during the week. For me, this means eating dessert, as well as going out for food or to the club with friends. I need an incentive during the week to keep me motivated in all aspects of my life, whether it is academics or managing my money. I make sure that I take advantage of free food opportunities on campus, since most college students’ money usually goes to food.” – Leah, Hofstra University ‘17

Treat yourself on the weekends for all of your hard work during the week! There’s no need to be eating out or celebrating every day of the week, but it’s okay to splurge now and then.

3. They Use Apps to Track Spending

“I use an expense app called Pocket Expense to track my spending. This app is great because it allows you to track your income and where it comes from, as well as your bills, and separates your spending into different categories. It also allows you to set a timer on your bills so that you never get behind in your finances. In this way, I can see where most of my money goes (towards groceries, books, pets/apartment maintenance, or bills).” – Calum, Mahidol University ‘19

Technology can make it much easier to keep you on track, since you have so many different things to worry about.

Pocket Expense stores multiple banking accounts in one place, determines how much of your budget is spent on certain things, and times your bills. Spending Tracker is similar, but does not give you the option of paying bills. It does, however, allow you to put a date and time on recurring transactions and gives you data in both line and pie graphs. HomeBudget Lite syncs with your iCalendar on your iPhone and Mac to help you keep track of your bills and expenses and keeps your budget with you, so that you can keep up with how well you are sticking to it.

4. They Use College Breaks and Free Time to Earn More Money

“In college, it’s hard to find free time to work. With classes, homework, studying, and basketball games, it seems like finding time for a job is just too much. For me, I’ve found that the best time to work is during breaks. Over the summer, and in between semesters, I get two or three jobs, and take time to work as much as I can. That way, if I don’t have time to work during the year, I can still pay my bills with savings from the summer before. In addition, I also take on a lot of freelance work as a graphic designer, which only takes a couple days to get a good paycheck.” – Sarah, Virginia Commonwealth University ‘17

Finding time to work when not attending school is your best bet, but many students do work while taking classes.

5. They Prepare in Advance

“At home I save a lot of money by meal prepping. On Sundays I’ll cook food that will last me the entire week. It saves me a ton of money because individual meals can get really expensive. Also, while studying abroad here in Bangkok, I eat food from local Thai restaurants where the prices are very reasonable.” – Mason, University of North Carolina ‘17

Preparing for the week ahead can make all the difference! For example, investing in coffee and tea at home instead of spending that five dollars at Starbucks can quickly add up to big savings, or researching where you can rent your textbooks or access them online can help save you tons, and you usually won’t use your textbooks after your class.

By preparing for the week ahead, creating a budget that you monitor with apps on your phone and limiting fun as an incentive, managing money can be a breeze!

The post 5 Ways the Most Successful Students Manage Money appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

As a college student, you have plenty of opportunities for employment, federal work-study being one of them. Work-study jobs are positions funded by the U.S. government and offered exclusively to college students for the purpose of providing them with income at a minimal time commitment. It is easily one of the many career resources ignored by students and remains virtually unknown by many.

So what do actual student workers have to say is unique and has shocked them the most about their current jobs? I spoke with three college students to see what they say have been the biggest surprises (and perks) of the federal work-study program.

1. Flexibility in Hours

“The staff was very understanding about my classes and my extracurricular activities. They allowed me to work during the times I wanted to work, and not during the times I couldn’t…I don’t think you could find such a hospitable job anywhere else.” – Benjamin, Highland Community College ‘20

The work-study program was created to help students earn an income while in school, but without taking away time from their studies. If offered funds for this type of job, you’ll have a great amount of control over your schedule. The typical college student will never work more than 20 hours a week, allowing for plenty of time for classes and other activities.

2. Location

“I [don’t] have to go off-campus to work since I live in a dormitory on-campus…I don’t have to use gas and spend gas money to travel off campus. This benefit allows me to save money by walking about 10 minutes to my work-study job.” – Mick, University of Arkansas-Little Rock ‘19

Most work-study positions will take place directly on your college campus. Positions range from working the front desk for the History Department, like Mick, or offering tutoring in math in the evening as I did.

Offices all over campus rely on student workers to assist professors and admins with their day-to-day tasks and big-time research projects even. Minimal amounts of traveling are required, especially for students living in campus residence halls, which makes it a cinch to get to your job (and get there on time.)

3. Supervisors Who Understand Student Life

“It feels like not only they [my supervisor and other staff] care about your studies, but if you do good work for them, the relationship is that much better.” – Ekene, University of Texas-Knoxville ‘18

As school administrators and staff themselves, supervisors remember that you are a student before you are a worker or anything else. They are very familiar with the needs and time constraints you might have and are more than willing to accommodate when assigning workloads and schedules. This way, you can rest assure that you won’t be missing important events or burning out during the semester. Office staff will work with you, helping you to minimize stress as much as possible and keep your main priorities first.

As a student worker myself, I can speak on the benefits of such a great job opportunity. Work-study has its perks and is an offer you should definitely seize if you get the chance to. Just another way the government is able to put some extra cash in your pocket!

The post What 3 Students Say Surprised Them Most About Work-Study appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

There are so many great things about college, and so many opportunities to get involved, meet people and forge connections that you will continue to value in the future.

One of the most underrated but important resources are professors. You interact with professors several times a week in so many ways, including class lectures, group presentations and class discussions. Considering how much time you spend in their presence, it makes sense that professors are valuable resources beyond the grades you earn in their classes.

So, how do you approach getting to know your professors? Here are five easy steps.

1. Actually Go to Office Hours

The most obvious, but often underutilized strategy, is to go to office hours. Every professor holds office hours at least once a week, giving students a chance to drop in for help or to discuss something from class.

Even if you aren’t struggling in the class, it is a good idea to stop by office hours a few times to discuss the material with your professor. Show that you are interested and that you want to have a deeper understanding of what you are discussing in class, and allow your professor to get to know who you are. This is especially important if you have a lot of big lecture classes! Starting a conversation with a professor is as simple as asking a question about a concept from the previous class or asking for study or essay writing tips before your first test or assignment.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Email

If you’re too nervous to go to office hours, or if you can’t make them, try sending an email to your professor with your questions. I had a professor whom I occasionally emailed to ask questions about what we were talking about in class.

This showed my professor that I was really interested in what we were talking about in class, and now my professor will actually email me extra pieces of information outside of class to push my understanding of what we’re discussing in class.

3. Make an Effort in Class

Participate in class. Ask questions. Answer questions. Make observations. Be an active and engaging student. This becomes more intimidating if your class is huge and mainly lecture-based because there may be less opportunities to participate.

Nevertheless, doing what you can to stand out in a sea of students is vital, even if this is as simple as keeping your eyes open and engaging in class. Once, a professor told my class that one of the most gratifying things to see when teaching is a student nodding along to what the professor is saying. So, if you think your professors don’t notice when you’re paying attention or dozing off, think again.

4. Talk to Your Professors After Class

If your class is a large lecture with little opportunity for participation, why not spend a few minutes after class talking to your professor about what was discussed? Save your questions for afterwards. Don’t immediately bolt when class is over; instead dedicate five or 10 extra minutes to have a short conversation. Professors appreciate this more than students realize.

5. Take on Opportunities to Work With Professors Outside of Class

Participate in any outside activities. This one may not be applicable to every class, but this could include extra credit assignments, department activities that your professor advertises in class, a guest lecture and more. Once again, if you take time out of your schedule to show your interest, it can only benefit you in the long term.

Professors can be intimidating, but they are incredible resources. They can help you find jobs or internships, introduce you to people in the field you’re interested in, help you find undergraduate research positions as well as give you useful advice. And, if you follow these steps, I can guarantee that by the end of the semester, you’ll be able to ask for a letter of recommendation.

The post 5 Proven Ways to Connect With Your College Professors Right Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ll have a lot of different emotions during your freshman year of college: Excitement, eagerness, enthusiasm, and so much more. One particular feeling that lingers in all of us, however, is anxiety. It’s a whole different world out there, and you don’t know what to expect. But guess what? You’re not the only one! Most people have this exact feeling, and they’re here to share their tips to make your freshman year as amazing as possible.

Below, seven upperclassmen share the one thing they each wish they’d known when starting their college career, so hopefully these can be taken into consideration for you in the future!

1. They Wish They Didn’t Focus on Learning for the Sake of a 4.0 GPA

“My mistake was that I cared too much for that perfect 4.0 GPA that we all know is a myth when it comes to college. Your mission shouldn’t be to get good grades in class and forget everything you’ve learned within a week. Key points about your studies and life skills are revealed in class and all these things should in the back of your mind always because that’s what you’re at school for: to learn!” – Brent, University of Miami ‘17

It obviously doesn’t hurt to receive good grades! At the same time, really learning something can be even more beneficial.

2. They Wish They Took Office Hours Seriously

“Go to office hours; it actually helps! Taking advantage of outside resources like office hours and campus learning assistance services definitely are one of the most underrated resources ever! Your poor professor or TA sometimes has to endure an hour by him or herself, and it would be nice to just go in there, get some help, and connect with him or her. Create a good relationship with your professors and your TA, because when it comes to letters of recommendation and references for research, internships, and jobs, your MVPs will be these very individuals.” – Christine, University of California, Santa Barbara ‘18

Utilizing your professor’s extra hours are the key to success. While some students can overcome difficult classes independently, stopping by for even just a few personal sessions with professors and teaching assistants can help develop your relationships and optimize your assignments for the best work.

3. They Wish They’d Taken Advantage of Student Benefits and Discounts

“Did you know you made a pre-payment to get swole at the gym when you paid your tuition? You already paid the money and now the gym is open to you! Did you know printing is free if you’re enrolled as a student? That’s some major moola that you can save on ink, paper, and a large printer! Did you know that if you go to the movie, you can get your expensive ticket for less with a student discount? I didn’t know any of these things, and trust me, it feels like poop to see all those dollar bills jumping out of my wallet over the years. So utilize your discounts and benefits!” – Justin, University of California, Los Angeles ‘18

College tuition is rough, so you might as well take advantages of the different things that can save you a few bucks here and there. Students discounts are definitely everywhere; in fact, we put a list of 100+ discounts to help you out.

4. They Wish They’d Planned Their Schedules Better

“Don’t sign up for an 8AM class just because you did this all fours years in high school; it doesn’t mean it’s possible to wake up for your 8AM in college. Unless you’re open to the idea of falling back asleep while your deafening alarms annoy your roommates, falling asleep in class where your teachers may use you as an example, or falling asleep on your way to class which is a hazard and something I’ve seen, I would definitely figure out how to plan out your classes better. There is always a way.” – Taylor, New York University ‘17

Choosing classes is also essential, so planning and being honest and realistic with yourself will really help. Buy yourself a planner or utilize your calendar apps on your phone; they help a lot!

5. They Wish They Put In More Effort to Meet People

“Building a social life from scratch is scary and intimidating. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and go up to that stranger and strike up that conversation. You’re not alone, everyone is in the same boat. First semester everyone is open to meeting new people. You will meet people you don’t like and you’ll also meet your niche of people you’ll grow with! Try to solidify lasting friendships.” – Kristy, Chapman University ‘17

When you move into your dorms or join in a new organization, it’s good to know that most share the feeling of worry about making friends and being social. As cliche as it sounds, just be yourself and open to meet new people, because it comes a long way in college. And If you want more advice, fellow WayUp contributor Robert DiDonna crowdsourced a ton of great tips for making long-lasting friendships in college.

6. They Wish They’d Fixed Their Bad High School Habits Early on in College

“Definitely expect to change from who you were in high school. The dynamic of college is so different from that of high school that your work ethic, overall attentiveness, and even sometimes personality is bound to change in even the slightest.” – Chris, University of Southern California ‘18

College, without a doubt, is way different than high school. You’re an independent individual who has to handle meals, travel, and school work by yourself. Be ready to adjust, and if there were any unsavory habits you had in high school, be honest with yourself about them and take steps to fix them.

7. They Wish They’d Tried Every Experience

“Go crazy (but smart crazy)! Enjoy every moment while it lasts. Socially, college will probably be the best time of your life because there are so many opportunities to meet people and let loose. Whether it’s club meetings, cultural events, concerts, raves, dance groups, planning committees, or even parties, be open to every experience because college is probably one of the best times to get involved and have the time of your life.” – Vi, University of California, Irvine ‘17

For the most part, as important as schoolwork is, you shouldn’t be tied down by your classes; embrace the fact that there are so many things to do within your four years as an undergraduate. Think about it: you could be a member of a breakdancing club, cultural student association, orchestra, and food publication website at the same time; when else in your life can you do that ? Drop the school work for a bit, go out, and find something you love to do!

Your freshman year is what you make of it, so take these tips to heart. College is an awesome time and it is not something you should be afraid of!

The post 7 Upperclassmen Weigh In on the One Thing They Wish They’d Known as College Freshman appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I began my college journey, my mom told me a story about her relationship with one of her professors who guided her towards the job she works at today and who she still talks to on Facebook every now and again. “You have to build a network, Allison,” she told me (and has continued to tell me ever since). “That’ll get you a job.”

Certainly, I thought, there was more to getting a job than just “networking” (whatever that word meant), but there is truth in what my mother told me. Networking—building relationships and connections with people who can lead you to incredible opportunities—is just as important as any other skill or achievement you have written on your resume.

So when I began studying in a small private liberal arts college in a rural Southern town, I began to wonder: How do I create a network at such a small college in the middle of nowhere?

You’re probably wondering the same thing. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of tips and ideas to help you get started on building your network when the options seem few and far between.

1. Understand the Power of Being a Big Fish in a Small Pond

A friend’s father told me this tidbit of advice years ago when I told him where I’d be attending college, and it’s been the best way to motivate and inspire me to build my network. Developing a network at a college in the middle of nowhere means that you need to stand out and make yourself known on campus.

While this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be the most popular person on campus, it does mean that you need to stand out in the minds of your peers (your professors, especially, at this time) as someone worth knowing.

2. Talk to Professors and Administrators

Ultimately, networking involves people, and talking to your peers will help you develop those relationships and connections that sometimes can lead to unexpected opportunities for you. Professors are also great people to begin to network with, so talk to them outside of class or during their office hours. Sometimes, professors even bring in colleagues or speakers to campus, both of which are perfect opportunities to ask questions, make statements or introduce yourself to begin building your network.

Talking to counselors and other administrators will also help you to grow your network. They are a bountiful source of connections and are there specifically to help you make and utilize those connections.

3. Get Involved

Involvement can mean a lot of things, but it’s a great way to get yourself into a new experience where you can build meaningful relationships that may lead to future employment opportunities.

Besides just extracurricular clubs and intramural sports, other ways to get involved include undertaking internships (this is especially cool if you can get one with a professor on campus), volunteering on campus or in the community (like at the local community garden or animal shelter), joining a committee (for example, I just joined my school’s Women’s Leadership Committee) and traveling.

This last idea is really great when you can befriend international students on campus or meet up with other kinds of people who all enjoy exploring an unknown place, because you all get a shared experience and a deeper connection to each other. Involvement shows that you care about issues and hobbies outside of your academic work, and your involvement in these areas may help land you a really cool, fun job or internship later on. You never know until you try!

4. Take Advantage of On-Campus Events

Schools organize potential networking events all the time, including forums, seminars, lectures and panels with professionals. In-person connections are where you first want to make yourself noticeable to future employers or admissions counselors, but the follow-ups with the people you meet are just as, if not even more, important. If you get any business cards, make sure to reach out and remind the person who you are.

The virtual connectedness of technology today makes keeping in touch a lot easier than sending snail mail or visiting a place in person. Social media can be used to connect with people, future jobs or graduate schools. By simply posting or tagging the company, school or professional in relevant posts or tweets, you show investment and interest in what that organization or person has to offer.

Emails are also often effective ways to keep in touch with future employers or professionals. One way you can reach out to your network connections is to send a message saying how interested you were in what they had to say at the event. Asking a question or two about any further information or involvement with the company or school also helps you stand out as someone to remember. You can even ask if there are any internships or potential positions opening up in the future, or you can ask for advice and guidance on how to enter into a career field.

The key point to remember about taking advantage of those on-campus events is showing interest beyond the event itself.

5. Make Networking Work for You

The word “networking” sounds incredibly formal, technical and intimidating when you first think about it; I know it sounded that way for me, but networking is not as hard to do when you’re honest and open about yourself with those people you want to make connections and relationships with. Just as you would try to make a friend in an informal way, you try to make a relationship that is more professional but still personable. Honesty, sincerity and friendliness go a long way in creating your professional network, especially when some resources found in larger cities are not available.

One last tip about networking that is important to consider: Try not to think about it so much. It’s definitely important to recognize a networking opportunity when you see one and to take advantage of that opportunity, but I’ve found that it works best to think about networking not as “networking,” but as just introducing yourself and speaking a little bit to someone about some common idea or experience.

It’s hard to know at this time where you’ll end up exactly, so developing a network when you’re in the middle of nowhere is especially important. It may seem difficult to do, but the fun thing is that you can get creative with how you network.

The post 5 Tips for Building Your Network in College (Even If You’re in the Middle of Nowhere) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

With college comes new responsibilities. One of these is tackling officer positions in student organizations. This is very new territory in comparison to officer positions in high school, so if you want to make a great first impression, here’s how to do it!

1. Know Your Place

As a student group leader, it can be very easy to slip into the mindset of being “above” the other students. It is a very difficult balance to manage peers because you are their friend.

It’s important to figure out how your organization operates in terms of leadership. Are you “in charge” of your peers at a job or in charge of the decisions of a club? That will determine your balance of friendship and management as a leader. For example, for a club leader, it is a 50/50 balance of friendship and leadership, whereas a manager of peers in a professional job has more of an 80% leader/manager and 20% friendship balance.

So, a part of knowing your place is knowing when to be harsher towards your fellow club or organization members. It is likely that you are not the only person in charge. So, let’s say you are the president of an organization, and your treasurer has missed the last two officer meetings. At this point, it is fair of you as the president to step in and speak with the treasurer, but remember to be kind and fair and hear him or her out as a friend and a manager, not one or the other.

2. Make a Plan

Make a plan with your fellow leaders! Consistency is key to successful management, especially among your peers. Figure out how to deal with conflict and how to delegate (who is supposed to deal with money, notes, contacting fundraiser sponsors and other responsibilities?).

The best way to do this is to meet with the other officers and write out a formal plan. Make a list of all the tasks that need to be done, and then distribute the tasks between officers and members. Be sure that it is all written down and accessible to everyone.

3. Lead by Example

A leader leads by example, which means being professional, respectful and friendly to those around you. As a student group leader, you can’t expect everyone in your club or organization to be friendly to new members if you aren’t yourself! In my personal experience, I get along with and respect my leaders more when they lead by example rather than just instruct others.

4. Show Initiative

As a student leader, you are in charge of yourself, obviously! You need to come up with your own ideas and initiate tasks for your club, because you are the boss.This has a lot to do with time management. Whether you want to use a planner or a digital calendar, it’s up to you. Write out goals and ideas for the club, and make time to talk with the other officers about it.

5. Be Fair and Listen

When you are in a position of leadership, it is easy to fall into playing favorites with friends and people who have been around longer. Be sure that as a leader, you can put aside bias when you are making decisions in regards to the club or organization. The best way to do this is to focus on the facts, not the feelings. If you need to, write them all down, and look into the pros and cons. You need to listen to everyone in your organization openly and without bias, but make your own decisions at the end of the day.

6. Enjoy Your Time

Being a leader in an organization is a special experience. When you’re a leader, you have a lot more say in the direction the club or organization goes, and you really form solid relationships with the other officers, so enjoy it! Don’t get caught up in the stress. Take a moment to talk about something besides officer related things and just talk like friends. Go out to eat with some of the club members and put away the paperwork.

These tips should whip you into a brag-worthy student leader in no time at all. Be sure to share it with your fellow officers and friends!

The post 6 Tips for Being a Brag-Worthy Student Group Leader appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’re signing up for classes, looking at the seemingly insane amount of credits needed to graduate, when the idea to take a full load or even overload, strikes you. There are many things you can do in college, like joining clubs and traveling abroad, but enrolling in more than four classes definitely falls into the Things You Really Shouldn’t Do category.

While taking a bunch of classes may appear great–making it through college faster, being able to learn more or even just having a chance to take that one class that you hear is fun–here are several big reasons why you shouldn’t take a ton of classes in one semester (trust us!).

1. More Credits Means More Money

“You should [take more classes] if you want to get your credits out of the way, but it [could cost] extra money so you have to consider that. If you take music classes, those don’t usually count for overload so those are a good way to get extra credits for the normal amount of tuition.” –Sarah, Alma College, Class of 2018

The poor college student stereotype can hold strong when you take more classes, as some colleges or individual classes charge you more for taking them. More classes and less free time means less time to work and more money to pay, unless the credit hours somehow fall outside of that. If you want or need more credits, making sure there aren’t extra charges is a must.

2. Time Management Becomes Pivotal to Passing

“I think as a freshman, in your first semester, it’s best to avoid overload credits. Despite having less class time in college, the workload is heavier and you have to set your own work schedule, so the majority of students will not have the mentality necessary to handle it. A lot of students struggle with their first semester of college anyway, so overload would tank your GPA if that happens. The risk isn’t worth the reward of a few extra credits you could get later on. If you’re accustomed and think you’re ready, then it’s worth considering and talking to an adviser about.” –Alexander, University of Michigan, Class of 2020

Beyond having money, one of the most important things to have in college is time management. The problem you get from taking on more credits than recommended is that you have to be super careful with how you schedule; that’s something that students coming out of the rigid scheduling of high school might not know how to do. If you can give up free time to do something last minute, maybe it’s worth it.

3. It’s Better to Do Well Than Do More

“Do it if you either need the credits to graduate on time, or do it if you are really interested in whatever class you’re taking in addition to the ones you already have. If you have the time and the desire to learn, then you should definitely go for it, but if it detracts from your ability to do well in all your classes, don’t.” –Emily, Kalamazoo College, Class of 2019

Don’t compromise your ability to do well in fewer classes for the chance to be passable in more. If the extra classes will hurt your ability to graduate and/or show your full potential, why risk it?

4. Take Fewer Classes to Manage Your Stress

“The best choice I’ve made this far in my college career was going down to four classes a semester. Taking more than the recommended 15 credits a semester basically means you’re going to be studying the entire semester from beginning to end. It doesn’t leave you for time for a job, joining clubs, participating on campus, volunteering, socializing, or participating in any of the other things that shape a person’s college experience. The academics is important, but in different ways so are all of the other aspects of the college
experience.” – Dana, SUNY Oneonta, Class of 2017

The most common advice someone with more than the recommended credit hours hears is, “Don’t burn yourself out.” Stress from the classes and the lack of time will slowly eat away at you if you don’t know how to manage it. If stress is something that drives you, go forth, but don’t take those extra classes when they will make going to them more of a chore.

5. You Can Get the Credits Without Overloading

“In four years, you should be able to get the credits you need for graduation. Honestly, if you do 18 credits every semester, you can probably [graduate] in three, plus any more than 18 is super stressful if you are in anything other than just class. Everybody does something more than just class.” – Audrey, Alma College, Class of 2017

Overloading your schedule isn’t the only way to pass college quickly. Often the highest margin for a full schedule is the amount needed to get through, with even a semester less of time if you only have a single major. If you don’t need the classes, why take them?

Taking those two extra courses is not worth it in the long run if you’re stressed, broke and tired. Give a good look at what you need to graduate and what you need to have fun in college, because overloading your schedule is, more often than not, the wrong choice.

The post 5 Students Explain Why You Really, Really Shouldn’t Take Tons of Classes in One Semester appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Midterm season is rapidly approaching, and it seems like everyone around me is cramming for exam after exam, trying to make sense of the scribbles in their notebooks in the hopes of getting that ‘A.’

Taking notes, whether you’re in lecture-style classes or in smaller, more text-heavy classes, can be extremely difficult, specifically in terms of trying to find the important facts and separating these from everything else.

After years of experience of trying a bunch of different styles of note-taking, I’ve finally found a way to make sense of the seemingly meaningless textbooks and the long, detailed lectures to ensure productive studying and retention.

Here are my top six tips on how to take killer notes and rock any exam you’ll ever take.

1. Don’t Waste Time Making Them “Pretty”

I feel like in today’s world, we are all so preoccupied with trying to make things look creative enough to make for a solid Insta post. I’ve seen so many people (and have done this myself) use at least six different colors when taking notes, trying to color-coordinate literally everything. While this makes for a beautiful, colorful-looking notebook, it’s counterproductive when you take into consideration how much extra time you spend doing this when you could be reading a little more critically.

Instead of spending so much time trying to make every color count, I suggest picking two or three different colors and sticking to black ink for the rest of the text. For example, you may use blue to write your key points/facts, red for definitions and green for people, dates, and locations. This way, you are still emphasizing the important information and differentiating between the different kinds of information, but you aren’t overwhelming your brain or eyes with too many colors.

2. Don’t Take All Your Notes in One Location

In an age where virtually everyone is busy trying to balance jobs, school and social activities, sometimes it feels like the only way to really be productive is to block out a certain amount of time, lock yourself up in your room (or a cubicle in the library) with a coffee, headphones, laptop and books and get all of your work done in one sitting. While this may work for some people, research has shown that sitting in one place for too long or working on one thing for too long can actually hinder your productivity and drain your motivation.

Instead of forcing yourself to sit in one place, try to move around as you finish different assignments. For example, you may sit in the library to write two pages of your research paper and then relocate to the student center to work on a bio lab and then go back to your room to take psych notes. Constantly changing your environment refreshes your mind, body and brain, making you more productive as a whole.

In the event that you absolutely do not have time to keep changing buildings, perhaps consider just moving cubicles in the library or tables in the student center. Even this slight change of environment can make a world of difference.

3. Don’t Go on Study Dates (Even If You Think They’re Effective)

I struggle with this one myself but I’ve found that going on “study dates” (as in sitting at a table with your best friend and studying together) is actually one of the most counterproductive things to do. I can’t remember the last time I tried studying with one of my friends and actually retained any of the information. Furthermore, if you’re taking notes, it’s harder to spread all of your stuff out and really concentrate on transferring the information when you’re constantly interrupted by your friend who is trying to show you a food video that popped up on her Facebook feed or the cutest Vine of a puppy jumping up and down on a trampoline. If your thoughts are constantly interrupted, you’ll never be able to focus long enough to take notes, and you definitely won’t retain the few notes you actually can write.

Instead, use this potential hang out time to motivate you to finish your notes and work. For example, if your best friend asks if you can hang out and go on a study date at 2pm, ask her if you can instead just get coffee at 3pm and challenge yourself to finish whatever you’re working on by the time you meet up. This way, you have something to look forward to at the end of the insanely boring psych chapter you’re reading, and you can use that time as a break between two of your assignments.

4. Don’t Rewrite the Textbook

I know it can be difficult to follow this because it’s hard to figure out what information is actually relevant and necessary, especially if you are using one of those newer textbooks that has a more conversational approach rather than a “here are the facts, learn them” approach.

However, it’s important to remember that you are taking your own notes for a reason. Try to paraphrase and omit lines that seem unnecessary. It may also help to try to condense a whole paragraph into one sentence to see if you really understand the point of the paragraph. If the whole paragraph or all of the text on the page seems necessary, challenge yourself to turn the sentences into questions and see if those questions reveal information or are just vague and thereby unnecessary.

For example, if there’s an entire paragraph about how grainy the sand is on a particular beach, turn that paragraph into “How grainy is the sand on the X beach?” and simply write a one to two word answer to the question. If the question you produce makes no sense to the context of the rest of the chapter, it’s probably just an opinion the textbook’s author has and isn’t really necessary to try to understand or memorize.

5. Embrace All Those Middle School Acronyms

I don’t think I can emphasize how important it is to not write in complete sentences when you’re taking notes. While this may be difficult for you if you are someone who really cringes at every grammatical mistake and struggles to write in shorthand, the amount of time it saves is so significant that I feel like you should really challenge yourself to push past this mental block. There’s literally no reason to write the word “because” when you could write “bc” or spell out states when you can write their abbreviation.

For example instead of writing “In 1692, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue because he wanted to discover land and increase trade relations with other countries,” you could write “1692: Xris Columbus sails Atlantic bc 1) he wanted to discover land and 2) increase trade w other countries.” This is a shorter sentence and still conveys the original point. Furthermore, I usually follow the general rule of thumb that once I write out someone’s name once, I abbreviate their name the rest of the time they are mentioned. Since these are your own notes and no one else will really be reading them, it’s totally okay to make things easier on yourself, as long as you still understand what you’re trying to say.

Also, along the same lines, sometimes I’ll write my notes in a more conversational tone because it makes things a lot easier to remember. For example, if you were talking about the causes of the 100 Years’ War, instead of saying something like “There were many disputes between the French and English monarchies because everyone thought they were amicable and had good relations, but France really did not want to pursue these relation,” you could say “French and English monarchies were fighting bc France was fake as hell to England.” Already, that sentence is much simpler, conveys the main point of the reading and is in colloquial language, making it easier to remember.

6. Record Lectures That Don’t Have SlideShows (With Your Professor’s Permission)

I’ve been in so many lecture classes where the professor does not use a PowerPoint and I struggled to keep up with what he or she was saying. Often times, since I’m so focused on getting the important information down, I miss the next part of what they say in class and then before I know it, I’m so far behind that there’s no way I would be able to get all the information down in my notes.

I’ve found that the best way to combat this is to ask the professor if it’s okay to record his or her lectures. You can use the recording app on either your phone or computer, and instead of writing down everything in class, you can spend your time writing down the big ideas and then going back and listening to the recording to get the specific details. This has been amazing in terms of my note-taking and ability to study the notes before the exam because it’s allowed me to really pay attention to the professor, the discussions in class and the overall dynamic of the class, instead of wasting my time trying to speed write all the info the professor gives (which also results in really sloppy, illegible notes).

You may even want to invest in a recorder (you can find them for really cheap on Amazon), so you don’t have to worry about draining your phone or laptop’s battery in class.

I hope these tips help you out and allow you to spend your time being more productive than ever before. Good luck on all your exams and note-taking endeavors!

The post 6 Tips for Taking A+ Notes (Hint: We Guarantee You’re Writing Them All Wrong) appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Going into college, there is one tough, critical question that you need to figure out as the years fly by: Your college major, but if it’s taking you a while to decide what you want to do, you’re not alone; in fact, a recent Penn State report showed that 20-50% of students entering college come in undecided and around 75% of students switch majors!

There is a lot to consider before officially declaring what your major is, but were you right? Here are five ways to tell if you’re in the perfect major!

1. You’re Not Dying of Boredom (or Dreading the Future)

We’ve all had those days where we wake up, realize which class we hit that snooze alarm for and nonchalantly burrow deeper into the softness of our beds.  

While not all classes will be a jolly good time even if you love your major, having a general appreciation for your classes, professors and studies is very important. Being anxious about not just one, but multiple present and future classes may be a sign that the major is not quite what you expected it to be, so might not be for you.

That being said, it does take some time to conquer those tedious intro classes to get into real material, so give it some time!

2. You’re Not Bothered By Other People’s Opinions of Your Major

Taylor Swift said it first: Haters are going to hate, so you got shake it off.

Majors are very peculiar in the sense that we sometimes may let other people’s opinions get to us, so we end up choosing the wrong major and going down the wrong path. That’s not to say you shouldn’t listen to other people’s opinions at all; however, you should ultimately be the main decider of your own career path.

Don’t let comments of others lower your enthusiasm, because in the end, you know what you love better than anyone else!

3. You’re Not Afraid of the Consequences That Come With Your Major

Every major (and I mean, every major) has downsides. Whether it is having to sell your soul to your studies or entering a field that may not have the best starting income, there are trade-offs going into any area of study.

There is not a lot that can be done to avoid these, and at some point, you have to figure out if these consequences will be worth it in the long run. If they are, then the sacrifices you make will be worth the benefits!

On a personal note, when I switched from an accounting major, which has been known to be a high-paying job even from the start, to a communications major, which varies and is a mystery as far as the money, it wasn’t as big of a deal as some might think. In the end, it came down to me being happy with what I did rather than dreading my work every day.

4. You Already Have New Ideas for How to Contribute to Your Field

When the light bulb in your brain turns on and you know you have the next big idea help your field, you may have found your calling!

If it looks to you that you are doing work in your major classes quickly and even doing your own extra research to further your own understanding, that really says a lot about how dedicated you are to the major and your potential industry.

New ideas don’t even have to be revolutionary in a sense either! Little by little, if you take your major seriously, a lot can happen from the smallest things. For example, to help increase social media engagement at a company I interned for over the summer, I tested different emoticons on the feed and saw huge improvements. It’s just a drop in the bucket in terms of how big the field of communications is, but something as small as this can go a long way and can help further your interest in your major.

5. You’re Happy

The golden rule in picking your major: Make sure you’re going to be happy! This major should keep you interested and intrigued, wanting to learn more and smiling.

You obviously don’t want to go through college half-heartedly with a major that adds a sour taste to your college experience. If you’re feeling compelled to tell your friends about the rad, cool things that are happening in your major classes and are content with where you are at in your college life, the best bet is that you finally found the perfect major for you!

You have to understand that no matter what your major may be, there is a big chance that it will not reflect the type of job you will have in the future. You do not have to be tied down to certain jobs because of your major; there’s so much out there! Do what you want and let your major be a stepping stone into what you really want to become.

The post 5 Signs You’ve Picked the Perfect College Major appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I was a freshman in college, I heard about the career center, and while I passed the door to the office every day on my way to class, I never dared to venture inside. It wasn’t until the middle of my sophomore that I made an appointment with the office, and my only regret is that I didn’t go sooner. Other students I know have other career regrets and wish that someone had given them the heads up when they were just starting college.

While every college differs, there are lots of career opportunities on campus that I guarantee most students are not leveraging. What are the top three? Check them out for yourself.

1. Talking to Someone in Real-Time About Specific Career Questions

If you have any anxiety about interviews or the interview process or want someone to double-check your resume for typos, don’t fret; many career centers can set up mock interviews with professional counselors, and they have staff on hand who can give your resume that final look. This will help you prepare answers to frequently asked interview questions while also working on your etiquette and attire, and they can pick up on things you didn’t catch in application materials.

Furthermore, don’t underestimate how much other people on campus, like professors or administrators, can also answer questions you may have about a specific field. The bottom line? There’s a lot more help out there than you think, and you should take it!

2. Learning About On-Campus Events

Before I went to the career center at my school, I didn’t even know where to start. I didn’t know that it had a website or a student portal where I could sign up for lectures, workshops, information sessions, or conferences.

Many students aren’t aware of the breadth of opportunities available to them on campus that could really help their careers. For instance, the career center or an academic department could bring a renowned expert in the field you hope to pursue to you. Why wouldn’t you take the chance to see what that industry is all about? Keep an eye out for posters, and see if there’s a specific email list or Facebook group you can follow to get these types of updates.

3. Getting in Touch With Helpful Alumni and Parents

Additionally, the career center or alumni office can put you in contact with alumni, both recently graduated and further along in their careers, with similar goals and aspirations as you. You can also get in contact with parents of fellow students so you can find out if their companies are hiring.

In addition, finding out your dislikes is important, and talking to as many people as possible (and using their connections to snag a job or internship) can be crucial. The career center and your college’s alumni network don’t just want to just help you find a job that pays the bills; they want to help you find a job that you will love. To do that, it is important to understand what you don’t want to do.

For example, I have an older friend who was dead set on majoring in biology, so for two years, she took nothing but science courses. After checking out her options, she got some help getting internships working in labs, shadowing doctors, typing up reports, the works. She had all these great opportunities and experiences, but through them, she realized that the professions that suited a biology major were not for her. She changed her major to creative writing and never looked back, and she wouldn’t have been able to do that without the exposure she got.

And let’s face it, all of us college students really want to prove that our parents are wrong and we are, right? Right?

Forging ahead with your career while on campus is an overwhelmingly positive thing that will do nothing but enhance your overall college experience. Get started sooner rather than later!

The post Here Are the 3 On-Campus Career Resources Most Students Ignore appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

On the list of phrases college students hate to hear the most, “no work experience” is without a doubt near the top. Although now we understand that being hired right out of college isn’t impossible and having no experience might even work to your advantage, the fact is that without a relevant job or internship to put on your resumé, the job search can feel stressful.

If you’re struggling to figure out which extracurriculars will help you gain work experience in no time, here’s a list of extracurricular activities you can capitalize on for gaining crazy valuable (and rare) skills desired by pretty much every employer.

1. Student Representative in Larger Organizations

While sometimes a bit difficult to find, there are school clubs and groups which are led by professors and staff members but cater to students, and they are always seeking student perspectives. For example, when I served as the student rep at my college for M3S (Minority Mentoring in Math & Science) and WiSM (Women in Mathematics & Science), I participated in panel discussions as the student speaker and provided leaders with input on event titles and services desired by students.

This form of extracurricular activity is taken seriously during the job search. Confident people who know the value behind their experiences and opinions are strong assets to businesses, and employers know that. Show yourself as someone who has a passion for the field, who knows the value of their opinion, comes up with fantastic ideas and who isn’t intimidated or afraid to play with the big dogs.

2. Student Government (or a Different Student-Run Association)

Companies are always looking for great applicants who can represent the company brand, and represent it well. Start practicing what it takes to speak on behalf of a team by being a part of your school’s student government. Both these student-run organizations come together to make important and sometimes critical decisions for a school, but they can’t do it alone. Whether you’re simply a representative for your class year or your residence hall, it will be your job to research the needs and wants of other students, bring them to important meetings with school staff and leaders and then play a part in implementing change!

In a day and age where customer relations is the backbone of most successful businesses, employers are willing to pursue applicants who can demonstrate an ability to see the people, hear the people and most importantly act on their behalf. Let your list of extracurriculars demonstrate just that.

3. Intramural Sports Teams

Intramural sports are considered one of the most popular forms of extracurricular activity, but they’re often underestimated in terms of the value they can add to your professional image.

Teamwork has forever and always been considered one of the most valuable skills sought by employers in the workplace. In addition to teamwork, other skills come into play, including recognizing and focusing on your strengths, delegation, and work-life balance. Sure, having “2016 Intramural Rugby MVP” on your resumé won’t automatically get you hired, but the skills you gained to earn that title just might.

4. Tutoring

Somewhere in your school, someone is looking for help in exactly what you’re majoring in, and that’s good news if you’re looking to gain new skills.

The best tutors are masters of articulation, written and verbal communication, technological competencies (if sessions are done online), active listening, critical and creative thinking and showing the ability to master a skill.

5. Create Your Own

Few things in this world will catch the eye of an employer quite as quick as saying you founded a team, club or student organization during your college tenure.

For instance, I noticed a high demand for academic help with my friends and an underutilized study hall (along with a severe lack of extracurriculars on my resumé), so I started a tutoring program right inside my residence hall, “by residents, for residents”! Here’s another example: My sister wanted to compete in national dance competitions while in school, so she and a friend created a professional Latin dance team.

Seek out a university staff or faculty member who functions in your area of interest. Read up on your school’s guidelines for campus organizations and how to begin one. Even if your first sign-up sheets have to be sheets of loose-leaf paper taped on bathroom mirrors with a pen tied to it (no shame), then so be it. Your future career will regret nothing.

Show employers that when you see a need, you do something about it. Companies always look for people who are great at forming innovative ideas,  who are experienced in methods of recruitment and marketing, who are natural born leaders and managers of both teams and of time, and so much more.

So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, it is not too early or too late to begin cultivating the skills and experiences for attaining your dream job. Don’t let a lack of industry experience stand in your way any longer. Make your extracurricular experiences count today and say “hello” to your future career!

The post 5 Extracurriculars for People Who Need Work Experience Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Making friends in college is tough, no matter the size of the campus you’re on, but everyone knows that having friends in school is a must. You can’t just ride through college feeling alienated and alone; there needs to be a balance between your school life and social life.

So, how do you make friends? There’s no perfect formula, and often you’ll hear people talk about “just meeting people,” but that’s easier said than done. Luckily, plenty of other students have been where you are now, and they’re giving great concrete advice for how to actually make friends.

1. They Were Honest About Their Values and Interests

“Coming out and being true to myself and to my friends my freshman year of college was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After coming out I was able to be the most authentic version of myself, and since then have only sought to attract equally authentic people. Our friendships can only be as transparent as we are with ourselves and each other.” – Marine, Marymount Manhattan College ‘18

There is a lot we don’t know about ourselves when we enter into the scary abyss that is college and the real world, but figuring those things out and being authentic and unapologetic about who you really are will eventually help you make close friendships.

What do you really like to do? What makes your face light up every time you talk about it? Pursue these interests and be open with people about what you want to pursue. You’ll be surprised at how many similar people come out of the woodwork.

2. They Joined Organizations That They Care About

“I found organizations that I’m passionate about, and from there I was able to make genuine connections. Whether it be a Greek organization, a philanthropy organization, or an honors organization, there’s a place for everyone in their school.” – Rita, Florida International University ‘18

Every school has a wide variety of organizations that are there for your benefit. Your school doesn’t know you’re interested, so you need to be proactive and find different organizations that mean something to you.

There are so many ways to find organizations within schools; at some schools, there is a specific website that manages the organizations tied to the university. Facebook groups and club fairs are two other great ways to find out about different events and organizations.

For instance, if you are interested in writing, google your school newspaper and email the editor-in-chief. You’ll be sure to find out more through the members.

3. They Accepted Discomfort and Put Themselves Out There

“Finding discomfort in my environment brought with it a great deal of joy, whether it was slipping into meetings where I didn’t know anyone or joining a church that I heard from a friend of a friend. It was awkward, but it was the most rewarding thing I did.” – Amanda, University of Central Florida ‘17

There’s never going to be a right time to do anything, especially when it comes to going to events that are foreign to you. Take comfort in knowing that there are people out there that want to know you and want you to walk through those doors.

For example, if you live in a dorm, go to the dorm study hall on your floor and start conversation. If you live off campus, go to the library or student union and join in on whatever looks exciting. Stretch your comfort zone.

4. They Kept Their Doors Open (Literally!)

“Since it is a new beginning for everyone, everyone will be shy, awkward, passive, and so on. I kept my door open when I was in the room, and over time people would come in and chat. Luckily, I had hall mates that would do the same for me.” – Devante’,  Michigan State University ‘18

If you want others to be warm and open to you, be warm and open to them. Open your dorm room door and let others come to you if you don’t want to be the one to approach others.

But if you want to be the one to walk into the open doors of others, that’s just as friendly and shows that you truly care. And don’t think keeping your door wide-open is dorky; some people may feel this way, but they would quickly change their opinion if they started good conversation with someone who had their door open.

5. They Took Advantage of Experiences to Travel Off-Campus

“When you travel with people, you get to know each other very quickly; it was useful in making strong friendships with people I otherwise wouldn’t have met. It was also a break from school, where people don’t really have time to just hang out, because we were taking ‘classes,’ but in reality most of the time we were just exploring new cities together.” – Flavia, Harvard University ‘18

Travel and study through your school and you’ll be surprised how many like-minded individuals you’ll find on these trips. Whether it’s students from other countries or students you made the trek to other countries with, you’re bound to find friends through these circumstances.

If the finances of studying abroad are too much for you to handle (and let’s be real: it’s a little too much for most people), check your school’s organizations to see if they provide volunteering opportunities that require travel. Whether those volunteering events are in other countries or right around the corner from your school, you’ll meet like-minded individuals who are passionate about what you’re passionate about.

Go out there, make connections, and be true to yourself and others. Friendships are built upon these simple notions. Go get uncomfortable and leave your door open while you’re at it.

The post 5 Students Weigh in on the Best Things They Did to Make Friends in College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

We know how much of a struggle bus college can be financially, but the good news is that you definitely don’t have to go it alone.

We’ve compiled a list of over 100 amazing discounts available to all college students right now and broke them down by category, so take a gander and get ready to save major money this semester.

Electronics

1. Dell: Students can get a free TV with the purchase of a PC.

2. Sprint: Customers get select user discounts on their plans when they verify their student status.

3. Norton: You can get $30 off Norton’s security services for your electronics.

4. Fujitsu: Take 5% off of your purchase.

5. Ableton: Save 60% on Ableton Live.

6. T-Mobile: Get $50 cash back when you activate a new phone line.

7. Microsoft: You can save 10% or more on products depending on your school.

8. AT&T: The cell phone service provides discounts for students on select plans.

9. Best Buy: You can get up to 25% of savings off of Best Buy electronics.

10. JourneyEd: You have access to a variety of discounts, including a Microsoft Office subscription for $30, two Photoshop editions for less than $80, and more.

11. Apple: Students can get discounts on laptops and computers as well as special financing deals.

12. Bose: You can save up to 15% off of all Bose products.

13. B&H Electronics: You’ll have select discounts available for thousands of products.

14. Das Keyboard: Get 20% off of any keyboard plus free shipping.

15. Adobe: Students can save up to 60% of Adobe Creative Suite (which includes popular products like Photoshop and Illustrator).

16. Lenovo: You can save anywhere from 10-20% on a variety of electronics, from laptops to tablets.

Food

17. Arby’s: You can 10% off your entire order if you show your student ID.

18. Qdoba: Students get free drinks when they order food and a $5 burrito meal.

19. Dunkin’ Donuts: Time to take 10% off of your order.

20. Chipotle: If you order a meal and show your student ID, you get one free drink.

21. Burger King: Take 10% off that Whopper when you flash your valid school ID.

22. Chik-fil-A: Get a free drink with your food purchase.

23. Pizza Hut: You can earn 10-20% off of your order.

24. Dairy Queen: DQ offers a variety of deals for students depending on the location.

25. Taco Bell: Take 10% off of your order when you show your valid school ID.

26. Health Snap: Get a 5% discount on health food, supplements, and more.

27. Shoney’s: Enjoy a 15% discount year round off of your meal.

Entertainment

28. Spotify: Your Spotify account will only cost $4.99 per month.

29. Apple Music: Spotify competitor Apple Music is also offering a $4.99/month deal.

30. Lincoln Center: Lincoln Center offers a variety of discounts to its different shows, from $10 jazz tickets to $29 entry for the New York City Ballet.

31. Denver Art Museum: Take 20% off the normal ticket price.

32. Harkins Theaters: You can receive 20-25% off the ticket price on Thursdays.

33. AMC Theaters: Students can take 10-15% off of their movie tickets on Thursdays.

34. New England Aquarium: Take $2 off ticket prices for admission and IMAX.

35. Carnegie Hall: See a show in one of the most renowned arts spaces for only $10.

36. Memphis Symphony Orchestra: You’ll be able to purchase a $10 ticket for a performance.

37. Broadway: Snag a Broadway ticket for only $20-30.

38. Museum of Modern Art: Students get nearly 50% off of the ticket price.

39. Broadway in Chicago: Tickets are as low as $14.50 for students.

40. Regal Cinemas: You can knock off 5-20% off of the normal adult ticket price.

41. Art Institute of Chicago: Take 25% off of the ticket price for admission.

42. Metropolitan Opera: Students can register for special discounted ticket prices.

43. Caesars: Students get a 10% discount off of any Caesars entertainment events.

Transportation

44. Amtrak: Save 15% on train travel.

45. MBTA: You can receive 50% off of your travel.

46. Eurail: You’ll get a whopping 35% taken off of the normal ticket price.

47. General Motors: You can receive select discounts on specific car models.

48. Penske: Take 10% off of your truck rental, and get another 10% off if you book a one-way rental online.

49. Sixt Rent A Car: Students can take 5% off of their reservation.

50. Greyhound: Students get 20% off Greyhound travel.

51. STA Travel: The site is entirely dedicated to student travel discounts.

52. RailEurope: The company offers select deals on its various lines, like a $65 ticket from London to Paris.

Apparel

51. Necessary Clothing: Enjoy 8% cash back.

52. Club Monaco: Take 20% off of your purchase at Club Monaco’s in-person and online stores.

53. Levi’s: The classic denim brand is offering 15% off for student purchases.

54. Under Armour: Take 10% off of your purchase.

55. Vineyard Vines: The brand offers a 15% discount to students in stores when they show a valid school ID.

56. Dockers: Time to take 20% off of your Dockers purchase.

57. Hanes: Hanes offers a 15% discount.

58. American Apparel: Take 15% off of your American Apparel purchase online and in stores.

59. Topshop: Say hello to 10% off any purchase.

60. Boohoo: You can take a whopping 50% off of your purchase.

61. SurfStitch: Enjoy a 15% discount off of your purchase.

62. Alex and Ani: Take 10% off of your Alex and Ani purchase at retail stores.

63. Just My Size: You get a 10% discount.

64. Urban Outfitters: There’s a 10% discount with your name on it.

65. Jack Wills: Say goodbye to 10% of your bill.

66. Modcloth: Slash 15% from your purchase.

67. In Love With Fashion: Enjoy a 15% discount off of your purchase right now.

68. Pacsun: It’s time to take 10% off of your purchase.

68. Express: A 15% discount is calling your name.

70. Madewell: Madewell’s offering 15% off of a full purchase for students with a valid school ID.

71. Banana Republic: The clothing company is taking 15% off of your purchase.

72. ASOS: Students get 10% off of their full purchase with a valid school ID.

73. Dune London: A 10% discount is calling your name.

74. JCrew: Have a valid student ID? You can take 15% off your purchase.

75. The Limited: Take 10% off of your purchase.

76. Dorothy Perkins: Say hello to a 10% discount.

77. Original Penguin: Take 10% off of your purchase.

78. Public Desire: Students get 10% off.

Beauty

81. Ulta: Get 5% cash back on orders of $50 or more.

82. Sigma: Students instantly get 10% off of all products.

83. Sephora: You’ll receive 10% off of your purchase.

84. Sally’s Beauty Supply: You can get $5 off of any purchase of $25 or more.

85. Urban Decay: Say hello to 10% off of your Urban Decay purchase.

Media

86. The New York Times: Get Times access for just $1 a week.

87. The Wall Street Journal: You can get the WSJ for $1 per week during the semester for $49 for the whole year.

88. Barnes & Noble: Time to save up to 90% on textbooks.

89. Washington Post: You can get free digital access.

Other

90. Travelers: Travelers is handing out 8% discounts to students.

91. Evernote: Students can get 75% off of a premium subscription.

92. Sam’s Club: Get a $15 gift card just for being a student.

93. Walmart: The retail giant has a number of dorm room accessory deals you should take advantage of.

94. FedEx: Save 20-30% off of your FedEx order.

95. Goodwill: Say goodbye to 10% of your bill.

96. West Elm: Take 15% off your order.

97. Allstate: Got all A’s? Take 20% off of your insurance bill.

98. State Farm: Take 25% off of your insurance for good grades.

99. Zipcar: Many college campuses receive huge discounts for student Zipcar users.

100. Amazon Prime: You’ll get a number of sweet deals, all with free two-day shipping.

101. PB Teen: Shopping for new furniture? You can get 15% off of your purchase.

102. Esurance: Are you a good student with at least a 3.0 GPA? You can get 10% off of your car insurance.

103. GEICO: Save up to $200 for good grades and good driving.

Can you say ka-ching?

The post 100+ Awesome Student Discounts You Can Use Right Now appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Thinking about taking on a part-time job or internship during the school year? If you’re not sure if now’s a good time, you’re in luck: We talked to Gabby Aikawa, a YouTuber whose videos take on topics like thriving in college and getting a job, about why this is the perfect semester to start working.

Aikawa knows what she’s talking about when it comes to being smart with money and landing a job: She received $46,000 to pay for college and also used her collegiate work experience to land a role she loves after graduating.

Because of her experience, Aikawa is a big advocate for working in college, and while there are many reasons for doing so, here are her top 3.

1. You’ll Gain Important Time Management Skills

The biggest lessons you’ll learn in college won’t necessarily be in your biology or English classes; one of the most important is time management.

“[Working a job in college] will teach you how to manage your time and plan in advance so you can juggle work, your grades and fun all in one semester,” Aikawa tells us. It may seem overwhelming at times, but understanding how you’ll get everything done and how you work best are valuable pieces of information to know.

Nervous about how to practice good time management skills if it’s not something you’ve focused on before? Here are a couple of key beginning tips:

• Pick a calendar system you like, like Google Calendar or iCal (and if you’re old-fashioned, invest in a nice paper planner!). Trying to keep your schedule in your head doesn’t bode well; write everything down.
• Schedule everything at first. Instead of just writing down work and class times, also include time in your schedule for studying, extracurriculars, meals and free time. It might seem like overkill, but until you get in a rhythm, it can be a lifesaver.
• Create a to-do list. This can be as simple as writing down your daily to-dos on a Post-It note. Similarly to your calendar, you don’t want to keep everything you have to get done in your brain. You’re bound to forget something if you try.

2. You’ll Gain Valuable Personal Finance Skills

Personal finance is an area that everyone can learn more about, so why not get a head start?

“[Working a job in college] will also teach you how to manage your finances and [save] up,” Aikawa explains. “Finance [is] one of those topics that they don’t teach you in school, but once you get out, you are bombarded with a plethora of taxes and bills that you didn’t even know existed!”

Getting a paycheck every month allows you to start saving for the future, paying off any student loans or outstanding debts and investing. It’ll also give you a little extra cash for fun in college, which is always a bonus. Aikawa also recommends using your school’s financial aid office as a resource if paying for college is something you’re worried about.

If you’re unsure how to even begin dealing with money, here are a few quick tips:

• A general rule of thumb is to save at least 10-15% of your paycheck every month. This will ensure you’re setting aside something no matter what.
• Create a basic spreadsheet of your income, expenses, taxes and savings. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and it’ll give you the insight as to where your money is going. You’d be surprised how much money you spend on late-night food runs on the weekends when you’re not keeping track of it.
• Start thinking about taxes long before April 15th. If you have no idea where to even begin figuring out taxes, the IRS has a helpful guide here.

3. You’ll Gain Professional Development

Regardless of where you work, there’s an opportunity to gain valuable professional skills for the future.

“Every part-time job in college will teach you something useful for your future career,” Aikawa says. “Whether it’s getting a part-time internship at a company you would consider working for or becoming more comfortable talking to people by working in a diner, there is a lesson in every job that can be utilized.”

During her college years as a Human Biology major and Chemistry minor, Aikawa worked as a volunteer student researcher in a lab on campus, a lab assistant for a local biotech company and product development intern for the cosmetics company, all in addition to running her successful YouTube channel. The cosmetics company actually offered Aikawa a full-time product development role, proving that you can do anything no matter what your college major is!

If you really want to supercharge your professional development on the job, there are several steps you can take right now:

• Sit down with your supervisor regularly for feedback. This way, you’ll continue to grow no matter what.
• Take on new responsibilities. By getting even more experience, you’re setting yourself up for greater opportunities in the future.
• Build professional relationships. You never know who can help you in your career in the future, so develop strong bonds with the people you’re working with now.

Taking on a part-time job or internship in college is a big responsibility but offers lots of perks, so start applying for opportunities on WayUp, and get even more advice from Aikawa’s channel.

Cover image courtesy of i10s.

The post An Influential YouTuber Explains Why Getting a Part-Time Job or Internship in College Rocks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Ever since I can remember, I have loved learning. As kids, my older sister and her best childhood friend would sit me down on the floor and develop lesson plans to teach me math and reading before I was old enough to attend school. They would assign me homework, and I would do it, diligently and eagerly.

I was fortunate to have such a passionate love of being a student, as it would be my main role for the next 18 years. Last year, however, as I put on that black cap and gown for my college graduation ceremony, I realized it was all coming to an end. With a degree in hand and no plans to attend grad school—at least not immediately—my time as a student seemed to be over. At the age of 22, I was faced, for the first time, with the task of defining myself. Who am I if not a student?

The first couple of months after graduation were a whirlwind of moving to a new city, starting a new internship and making new friends. I didn’t have time to question my identity—nor did I need to. I was busy floating in an I-just-graduated-college sense of accomplishment.

But then the internship ended and I moved back to my home state for the first time in four years. I started looking for jobs and, with my friends scattered all over the country and world (studying abroad a lot means having far-flung friends), I had to start building a new life for myself, but first, I had to figure out who I was.

I have always been a good student and, if money was no object, I would love to be a fifth, sixth or tenth year senior, racking up endless degrees, but more than being a good student, I just love being a student. I love picking up a new subject and discussing it with people who are interested and engaged. I love taking what I know and pushing into it further, until it reveals a complexity and depth I hadn’t been able to see before. I love learning from passionate teachers and subject experts.

I just love being a student.

And once I understood that, I also understood that I will always be one, despite having graduated from college. I just have to make an effort to be a student in new ways. Now, I learn from my supervisors and colleagues. I take language classes for fun, not a grade, and I pick up new hobbies to keep things fresh. I experiment with new cuisines and then test them out in my kitchen, and I force myself to use Photoshop to design baby shower invitations because I want to get better at it.

When I graduated college, I thought that I lost my status as a student. It took a little time to realize that all I need to be a student is mindful engagement and the eagerness to learn.

The post On Losing (and Regaining) My Identity as a Student appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

When I first start working with a college student or a recent grad, I ask his or her most dreaded question, “tell me about yourself.” Within biology, engineering, accounting and sociology, the answers are always the same -“I’m a (fill-in the blank) major at such and such university.” Did I learn anything about you that isn’t on your resumé? From an employer’s perspective, what does that response tell them about what you bring to the position and the company? Nothing. That’s because you are talking about your college major not your skills. What’s the difference?

Major vs. Skill

A college major is a group of courses required by a college in order to receive a degree –– an area you specialize in. Colleges assert— I am quoting from several college websites—choosing your major is an important life decision because your major affects your college success and happiness, your future career, who you associate with during and after graduation and how you see yourself and the world around you. Think about those claims. I’m calling bullshit!

Ah, now a skill is something you are able to do and do well. Some skills, I think of as abilities that are, for the most part, inherited like having a penchant for math or a beautiful singing voice, for example. However, many skills are learned. Skills are goal-directed because having a skill can allow you to attain a higher level of performance. Skills connect to a particular job. The engineering major who gets a job offer at one of the most highly regarded business strategy consulting firms is hired because of the skills learned through his major, not because of his major. The library science major working at the global technology company is there because of the skills acquired through her degree, not because of her degree. Your skills are why you are hired.

Could you choose a major based on your abilities? Yes. Could you choose your major because of the skills you will acquire that will make you marketable to employers? Yes.

Transferable skills

I work with college students long after they have selected their majors when they are starting to figure out what they want to do and what the value of their major is in the job market. Together, we focus on their abilities, the skills they acquired through their majors and how these apply to careers and employers.

You’re a biology major. For you, it helps to explain how things work after all; biology is the study of life. That’s pretty cool! However, you don’t want to go on to med school. Where do you go from here? I don’t know much about biology but I do know skills.

Research skills ▪ Advanced mathematics ▪ Critical reasoning, analytical and evaluation skills ▪ Ability to handle and analyze complex data ▪ Written and oral communication skills ▪ Time management and organization ▪ Monitoring and recording

This range of skills is transferable to a variety of roles and workplaces and therefore, of interest to a wide range of employers. There are a huge range of options available, for example:

Financial Analyst ▪ Business Development ▪ Project Management ▪ Sales ▪ Attorney

What are skills developed from an anthropology degree?

Active listening ▪ Observation ▪ Research ▪ Interviewing ▪ Analyzing organizational structures and processes ▪ Communicating effectively with individuals in other cultures ▪ Critical thinking

And careers….
Market research ▪ Human resources ▪ Cultural resource management ▪ Forensic organizational development

I think you get the point. Employers interview to uncover your skills not your major. So, when I ask you, tell me about yourself, your answer is…..

The post Know the Difference between Your Major and Your Skills in a Job Search appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you’re searching for a promising career, accounting may hold the answer. According to the staffing firm Brilliant, more companies have reported an increase in vacant accounting and finance positions — with 30 percent in the study reporting openings in these fields. And according to Manpower Group, accounting and finance professionals are among the top 10 occupations that are the hardest to fill for companies.

With a healthy outlook and good pay, maybe you should consider accounting for your future. Take a look at a few jobs you can get with an accounting degree.

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

A CPA is a qualified accountant who has passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination in order to obtain certification in the profession. This title may or may not define the professional’s actual job title, as a CPA could, for instance, work as a tax examiner or personal financial advisor.

A CPA may work as a business consultant or, more commonly, in the corporate world. From a trusted advisor for a small startup to a chief financial officer for a Fortune 50 company, a CPA can exist in virtually any type of business or industry. This person may be involved in any area of finance, including tax preparation and planning, venture capital, estate planning, financial reporting and more.

PayScale reports a median salary of $58,666 for CPAs.

2. Tax Examiner

A tax examiner ensures that tax returns are filed properly. This is performed by analyzing tax credits and deductions that are claimed to see if they are lawful. The examiner may adjust the total amount and notify the taxpayer of this result.

Most tax examiners work in the federal government, while others work in the state government, followed by the local government. Some tax examiners may progress to the tax collector or revenue agent title, which entail similar job responsibilities.

For tax examiners and collectors, as well as revenue agents, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $50,440.

3. Forensic Accountant

A forensic accountant applies the field of accounting to legal purposes. The forensic accountant may conduct an examination into a company’s financial statements to provide an analysis of the situation that is appropriate for court.

A forensic accountant can provide litigation support and investigative accounting, typically for use in fraud cases. This assistance can play an important role in civil and criminal trials — ultimately saving companies money. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that organizations lose $670 billion per year to fraud and abuse.

Forensic accountants earn a median salary of $85,000, with certified fraud examiners earning $104,000 per year, according to the ACFE.

4. Financial Examiner

A financial examiner helps businesses stay compliant with the laws that govern financial institutions and transactions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the majority (24 percent) of financial examiners work in the federal government, excluding the postal service.

A financial examiner will typically work in consumer compliance or risk scoping. The former pertains to ensuring that financial institutions remain stable by providing sound loans and keeping enough cash on site. The latter area of concentration deals with the fair treatment of borrowers; the examiner will help consumers avoid predatory loans and ensure that banks do not discriminate against borrowers.

The BLS reports a median annual wage for financial examiners of $75,800.

5. Personal Finance Advisor

A personal finance advisor helps people with important financial decisions and planning. Typically, people will come to an advisor for help with investments, taxes, insurances, budgeting or other primary financial needs.

A personal finance advisor will meet with the client and discuss relevant goals that they have. After outlining short- and long-term goals, the advisor will provide updates on progress and meet as needed to reach these objectives. Many personal finance advisors are licensed to buy and sell stocks, bonds, insurance and annuities.

According to the BLS, personal finance advisors earn a median annual wage of $67,520.

Concordia University, St. Paul offers an online bachelor’s in accounting. This program helps you learn the latest in business analytics, tax and audit, as well as other useful subjects.

The post 5 Jobs You Can Get With an Accounting Degree appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

1. Something Ventured–Netflix–Documentary

(If you’re interested in…venture capital)

This 85-minute documentary takes a look at how venture capitalists have helped shape some of the biggest companies in the world like Apple, Intel and Cisco. It’s an interesting discussion of how these business risk-takers helped make the startup culture possible in America. Speaking of startups…

2. Silicon Valley–HBO–TV Show

(If you’re interested in…startups)

Silicon Valley stars Thomas Middleditch as a programmer who finds himself in the middle of a tech media whirlwind after he debuts his new algorithm. The show follows the birth of his tech startup and beyond in a hilarious take on what it means to be a startup in Silicon Valley. It’s clear the writers get it because much of the humor is eerily spot on.

3. Steve Jobs: One Last Thing­–Netflix–Documentary

(If you’re interested in…marketing)

There’s no shortage of talk about Steve Jobs these days. If you aren’t already burned out from watching Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs (2015) and Joshua Michael Stern’s 2013 film, Jobs, then take a look at the PBS documentary, Steve Jobs: One Last Thing, on Netflix. It’s only 55 minutes, proves the importance of great marketing and doesn’t require you to leave your bed.

4. Shark Tank–ABC–TV Show

(If you’re interested in…entrepreneurship)

Shark Tank is an ABC show about entrepreneurs who pitch their products and businesses to a panel of sharks, or wealthy investors. It is a reality show, so expect tears, yelling and dramatic music synched with endless eye contact, but it is also educational to study what makes an impressive pitch, product and business model and who walks away with a deal.

5. The Newsroom–HBO–TV Show

(If you’re interested in…politics and journalism)

The Newsroom is an HBO show created by Aaron Sorkin who wrote The Social Network, Moneyball and Steve Jobs, which are all great business-related films as well. The show follows a cable news network anchor (Jeff Daniels) and his news team as they struggle against ethical, political and corporate problems. It may be about broadcast news but its lessons are useful for anyone planning to work in a corporate setting.

The post 5 Titles Every Business Student Should Binge-Watch This Break appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Do you remember the months approaching high school graduation when everyone was gushing about the schools they’d gotten into and bashing the ivy league they didn’t?

Many professionals will tell you that it doesn’t matter whether you go to one of the leagues or a state school; a C is the average across the board. If you go to a state school, however, you’re probably better off because  you won’t have nearly as much debt.

All the same, I can remember envying those that got into big name schools, experiencing anxiety about my own college enrollment, and I’m ashamed to admit, feeling a hint of pity for those who only got into community college.

But having attended both a two-year and four-year school, I have to admit I liked the two-year better. Not only were the classes shorter and less intimidating, but more of my professors were professionals still applying their trade.

I don’t know if I felt more sure of myself because I had a vision of my future after graduation or because I thought community college was for people who didn’t meet the grade requirements of four-year schools, but I felt more sure of myself than I ever had at my previous school.

It’s better to say that community college is for those who want to ease into college, whether you’re not emotionally or academically ready, or you just don’t know what you want. I went two years at a four-year school without declaring a major even though my classes were in the general direction of pre-med and English. Upon enrolling in a two-year program, the advisor sat me down and asked what my major would be. I chose English, and they offered journalism. Therein lies the fundamental  difference between a two-year and a four-year school: limited career-based curriculum.

My four-year degree prepared me for further study, but my two-year degree prepared me to work.

My professors required that I go out and find stories, conduct interviews and write pitch letters along with attending regular English lectures, completing readings and writing essays all in a year and a half. Best of all, I graduated with an awesome GPA and a letter inviting me to apply to Columbia at a fraction of the cost.

After graduation, I got my first internship with an award winning website and magazine publisher, which led to my first printed article. These were little victories that boosted my confidence and my marketability in a fraction of the time.

Upon returning to a four-year college, I was ineligible for any journalism classes since I had already taken them at the associate level. I’ve also finished all my requirements for my bachelor’s  degree, with the exception of five elective credits I don’t have the use or money for. I could take a seminar analyzing South Park for all the university cares, all to achieve a “well-rounded” academic portfolio. Maybe in this job market, where everyone demands a four-year degree, we should examine how much real world work experience  goes into it.

The post Revisiting the Value of Community College appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

The traditional way of choosing a major was usually based on your genuine interest in that particular field. Today, interest still plays a role in choosing a major, but so does earned income that your degree can generate for you after graduation. USA Today College posted this article about the economics of students pursuing low-paying degrees.

The post Should You Consider Pursuing a Low-Paying Degree? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If you are one of the 30,000 college students in the Montana University System, you may be eligible for a tuition freeze.

The tuition freeze is said to spread across 11 different campuses within the Montana University System.

USA Today College reported that this is the 10th year in a row for two-year colleges to have  a tuition freeze, and it’s the eight year for four-year universities.

The post Tuition Freeze for Some Montana Colleges and Universities appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

If human beings can be defined by anything it is our ingenuity, the ability to learn, to share knowledge, and to build upon what we already know. In my opinion, it is our capacity to learn which is our greatest strength, and education – by extension – our greatest tool for achieving prosperity and excellence as a society.

Whether in a particular trade, in the arts or social sciences, or in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, education is what allows a population to advance, both by nurturing a more skilled and well-rounded labor force and, in democratic countries like the United States, creating a more engaged and informed electorate.  Considering all this, it really isn’t hard to see why many argue that higher education is a public good, and that collective investment in higher education is an obvious benefit to society as a whole.

Unfortunately, with the skyrocketing cost of college tuition in the United States and the ever increasing prevalence of student loan debt as an obstacle to attaining the traditional milestones of adulthood – marriage, having children, owning property – for many millennials, it’s clear that we’ve come to view education not as a public good but as a private investment which individuals must make at their own peril.

It’s hard to see the logic in placing such a heavy burden – both a financial one and a social one – on the backs of young generations who still haven’t found their footing in the realm of adulthood.  Yes, the saying in economics that there is no such thing as a free lunch holds water here; as much as I would like it to be, there is no such thing as free college.  Every program that we endeavor to create inevitably takes resources, time, money, and labor, and investing fully in the education of new college students is no small goal at all.

It is also true that a college degree has become in present day what a high school diploma represented in the 1950’s, a readiness to be competitive in the U.S. job market as only an education can prepare you for.  The growing necessity to have at least some higher education on your resume has become a hot topic in political circles as the issue of crushing student loan debt begins to show its heavy impact on the other sectors of the economy – namely, the housing market, which Millennials still have yet to touch.

Many in the United States are still in dire straits after the economic downturn in 2008, despite the economic successes in more recent years in the private sector.  Many young adults – myself included – are living at home much longer into adulthood than our parallels in previous generations, and the prospect of getting a higher education has become an expensive endeavor that seems out of reach (without becoming heavily indebted) for all but the comfortably wealthy.

The U.S. culture places heavy emphasis on personal responsibility and individual initiative, both wonderful values to nurture.  However, when individual responsibility, initiative, and hard work are not enough to succeed, something needs to change.  It is a bit too much to place the burden of erecting a stable, prosperous future for the country and an innovative, profitable economy upon students even as we struggle through a lacking job market and unforgivable, cringe-worthy amounts of debt.  Public investment in free higher education has been suggested by politicians like President Obama, and free tuition (income-based) policies implemented in institutions like Stanford University. So far though, we have yet to develop a comprehensive way to both the growing student indebtedness and the fact that despite spending more on education than any other country, our students’ performance clearly lags behind.

Still, when the benefits of an educated populace are so great for both the individual and the whole of society, I can’t help but think that a collective, public investment in our future leaders is worth rising to the challenge.

The post College Education: The Privatized Public Good appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s that time of year again: For college students everywhere, finals are approaching and professors are dying to cram a few more assignments in before finals and winter break. There’s no question that we can all benefit from a few more good grades, but getting them is definitely easier said than done.

While getting plenty of sleep and managing your studying time are essential, an easy way to improve mental health and focus during these stressful times is by controlling what you consume. Here are 10 of the most beneficial foods and beverages to consume to make those hours of studying count.

1. Green Tea

In addition to caffeine, green tea contains L’Theanine, which helps to release caffeine slowly into your body rather than all at once, preventing a crash in energy later on. In addition, L’Theanine increases relaxation, making studying slightly less awful.

2. Dark Chocolate

Despite being delicious, this treat contains flavonols, which are said to lower blood pressure and calm you in stressful situations. If you’re not a fan of the bitterness of dark chocolate, you can always temper it by trying dark chocolate covered nuts or fruit.

3. Blueberries

While all fruits and berries are delicious and nutritious, blueberries contain gallic acid, which protects the brain from stress. To avoid over-indulging in these easy to eat treats, try making a smoothie or juice with a healthy amount of berries. Your brain will thank you for it later.

4. Celery

Celery is often viewed as that green stuff served with wings, but there is much more to these underrated veggies. Celery is high in antioxidants, which aid in reducing inflammation and can help you study without any discomfort or feelings of sickness. An easy way to enhance this otherwise boring snack is by adding a light salad dressing or a nut spread.

5. Walnuts

While there are a lot of different nuts out there, walnuts are the ones you’ll need at your study session. They contain a variety of vitamins like vitamin E, which helps improve memory, increases alertness and reduces future susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease. Also, this brain food is extremely shareable, making for a perfect addition to any study session.

6. Popcorn

Popcorn isn’t just for movies. This fun and easy snack is loaded with fiber and carbs, both known to improve alertness. Whether you’re popping your own or grabbing a party sized bag of SkinnyPop, revel in knowing this fan favorite has some solid benefits too.

7. Coconut Oil

At some point, every student needs to take a break and eat a meal. Why not make that meal work for you? Cooking with coconut oil is a perfect alternative to heavy, greasy oils that will weigh you down and make you tired. Coconut oil fights inflammation, boosts memory and fulfills salt cravings. Some easy ways to incorporate this beneficial ingredient into your kitchen is in coffee and smoothies, as well as replacing things like butter, olive oil and mayonnaise.

8. Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are one of nature’s greatest gifts to us. This superfood is loaded with B-vitamins, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which all assist with mental clarity, weight loss and focus. Another easy snack to grab-and-go, these seeds are a perfect addition to any late night work in the library.

9. Citrus

Citrus is a great snack to enjoy early in the day. In addition to vitamin C, these fruits contain flavonoids and sugar, which both increase alertness. You aren’t limited to simply eating an orange to reap these benefits. You can also drink citrus juices, incorporate citrus into smoothies or add citrus juice to your beverage of choice.

10. Water

Some known benefits of drinking water include increased energy, fatigue relief, weight loss, improved skin quality, boosted immune system, headache relief and cramp prevention. Known disadvantages of drinking water do not exist. Drink water!

So, now you know what it takes. Unfortunately I cannot write your paper, take your exam or study for you, but I can promise you that eating well and taking care of your body will help your mind get to where it needs to be to succeed.

Eating mindfully may be the easiest way to be aware and proactive about mental and physical health while simultaneously working for your grades. So work hard, study harder and eat up!

The post 10 Study Snacks That’ll Help You Get Down to Business appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It’s that time of the semester again: finals week.

For the thousands of college students across the country, finals week  is the only thing standing between them and summer vacation.

You’ve sat through countless lectures and have gone over so much material, and at times, it can feel like you haven’t retained any information.

Don’t let the stress of exams cloud your thoughts. Instead, try changing your study habits. Whether you’re a senior who has been through the finals week struggles numerous times or a freshman, take a look at this article by USA Today College for tips on how to have a smooth finals week.

Good luck on exams and summer internships!

The post Finals Week Tips and Tricks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Spending a semester or year abroad in college can be the most profound experience of one’s young adult life. Boarding a plane and jetting off to a land unknown is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying. Unearthing courage you never realized you had and pushing yourself further than you thought you ever would are experiences that are rewarding in ways that one can hardly achieve from the comfort and safety of a familiar country and culture.

Some fear that studying abroad is akin to taking a semester off school. They fear that they will miss out on building relationships with professors at their university or waste time abroad that could be better spent interning or building a career at home. However, if one is proactive and strategic about studying abroad, it can be just as useful, or even more so, than spending the time at home. Studying overseas does not have to mean losing out on building your resume. If you want to study abroad, but want to do it in a productive way, here are 5 tips to make the most out of your experience.

Learn a Language

Studying abroad in a country where they speak something other than English can be a great way to pick up or practice another language. Being multilingual is hugely beneficial in today’s world of business and there is no better place to learn a language than in a country where you can practice with native speakers.

Volunteer/Intern

Educational establishments abroad, both universities and study abroad institutes, usually have programs set up specifically for exchange students. Often times, they offer volunteer opportunities for students. Although it requires a bit more planning and research, international internships and work experience opportunities are also available. Because of visa restrictions, these will probably be limited to unpaid jobs, but having international work or volunteering experience is a great resume builder. You can contact your host institution’s exchange program coordinator to inquire about opportunities.

Take Relevant Courses

When signing up for courses abroad, choose courses relevant towards your field of study or career goals. Your host institution will probably offer courses your home university does not, so it is a great chance to take location-specific classes. Are you a business major? Take International Accounting. Film major? Take Korean Cinema.

Stay in Contact with Professors

Your professors abroad, just like your professors at home, are a great source of knowledge and wisdom. Just because you are studying abroad doesn’t mean you should slack on your networking duties. Having an overseas connection or two could prove really helpful down the line when you are looking for a recommendation to make you stand out from the pack or for insight into the job market abroad.

Make Friends with Locals

It is easy to spend all your time hanging out with other exchange students while abroad, but really make an effort to meet locals. Your host university might throw events for the purpose of meeting native students, but sometimes you just have to go out and do it on your own. Native friends help you learn to live like a local, speak the language, and leave you with connections, and friendships, after you have left the country.

The post 5 Ways to Stay Productive on Your Study Abroad appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Studying abroad was not on many people’s radars until Michelle Obama spoke of its importance in early 2011, saying, “When you study abroad, you’re helping to make America stronger.” Although overseas studies are sometimes thought of as extended vacations with more time spent partying than studying, the truth is that studying abroad, when done right, can be an invaluable tool for broadening your education and an asset to your resume. Here are five reasons why you should make it a priority to study abroad:

1. International Experience is Key

Our world is more globalized than ever before and the ability to work with international partners and clients is no longer a specialty, but a necessity. And it’s not just Michelle Obama who thinks so. The Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Evan Ryan, has stated, “Having a broad worldview is an essential characteristic of leadership in the twenty-first century.”

2. Resume Booster

For college students and the recently graduated who are looking for work, it is no secret how competitive the job market is. The significance of having something that sets you apart is not lost on those searching for employment, especially when so many resumes look the same. Listing your study abroad experiences on your resume—and being able to articulate the skills gained through that international education during interviews—gives you one more advantage over other equally qualified candidates.

3. Build Overseas Connections

Your network should not be limited to those at your university or workplace. Being able to build contacts during your trip can open up completely new opportunities that you may have never come across at home, and having a professor from your time abroad who can speak to your adaptability and ability to work in culturally diverse environments can prove quite valuable.

4. Diversity Training

Growing up in a culturally diverse area of America is one thing, but to spend time learning and working in a foreign country, likely with a diverse range of students studying from other countries all over the world, is another thing entirely. Being exposed to cultural and racial diversity is not just a resume builder, it actually prepares you for real workplace encounters. While this seems like an obvious one, not everyone is used to working with people who are culturally diverse, and being able to do so is a necessary skill.

5. Broader Perspective

You will probably hear it from every person who enjoyed their time abroad: overseas studies will alter how you look at your customs, educational experiences, and place in the world. Those who go into their time abroad with an open mind and willingness to admit when a different approach is better will return home with a broadened world view. Having a more expansive perspective will be infinitely helpful in tackling challenges, working with others, and taking on leadership roles.

The post 5 Reasons Why Michelle Obama is Right About Studying Abroad appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I went to Berkeley and double majored in English Literature and Linguistics. Based on that sentence alone, not many startups I was applying to were impressed or interested. However, once I said the magic words, “I took a programming class at Berkeley,” the interview requests started pouring in. 

I was initially insulted at the change in reaction I got from companies when I played up this part of my background, and honestly didn’t understand the bias until I started working. I was (foolishly) miffed that all the time I spent writing in cuneiform and analyzing symbolism in Chaucer was not impressive enough for these startups to hire me. I wanted people to understand that English Literature is actually highly analytical and that Linguistics is incredibly data-driven, but those are battles that I can’t and won’t win in my lifetime. Once I came to terms with that, and became comfortable playing up my background and interest in programming, I started to use it to my advantage. 

That’s why I tell people: It just takes one class. Really.
I love the internet and had been tinkering around on it since I was in middle school, but I struggled to construct a career path that included my interests in writing, communication, and technology. In college, I did what my idealist self thought was the right thing: “Study what you love!” So poetry and Russian it was. But I did make a small concession for my future career prospects in the form of more tech-based classes and experiences. And honestly, they were enjoyable and educational, and they helped me a lot in the long run—without having to make a full departure from my main fields of study.

I took AP Computer Science in high school, took an intro EECS class at Berkeley, and taught a LaTex class to fellow college students who were primarily Mathematics and Physics majors. I did not want to be a Computer Science major, I did not want to be a coding ninja, and I was not—based on my majors alone—in the STEM/hard sciences camp. I enjoyed computer science on an academic and theoretical basis, not a vocational one. However, it was incredibly fruitful to have these minor experiences under my belt to point to as signs of my analytical ability. 

Why startups liked me more

I was applying mostly for business and marketing jobs at startups, so it’s not like I would be building out products or apps for these companies—not that I would have been able to anyway! But I think many of these founders and hiring managers had such a tough time finding business or marketing people with any technical background that they were happy with even my paltry set of experiences. They could have just hired pure analysts, but would have been missing out on “soft” (I hate this term) skills like writing and communication. Startups on tight budgets need people with a breadth of skills and potential, and even if you have analytical skills with an English degree, it is difficult for people to understand that you are are capable of different styles of thinking until you put a label on it, like “Computer Science.”

How I apply CS to my everyday work

I can’t build out a whole site, but I can:

• Think of workflows and problems abstractly, and as repeatable processes with rules
• Have a rough sense of how development works and the amount of time/effort certain projects take
• Do initial “debugs” technical issues by isolating variables and testing
• Pick up things like MySQL, advanced excel formulas, basic HTML/CSS quickly

 I did not predict that these things would happen. I thought CS was just my foot in the door and certainly was not thinking about the real-life applications my work would have when I was sitting in the computer lab doing problem sets. I was just enjoying the learning process, and didn’t think that it would be part of my future career in many aspects (management, business, marketing). 

It doesn’t help the “English majors are not just baristas” cause when the business and marketing people in startups say things like “just ask the developer” or “I don’t know how any of that stuff works, it’s just magic.” Even with a basic amount of exposure, people can get over the intimidation they feel about speaking and thinking intelligently about technical work and realize that the fundamentals are quite simple. Take one CS class while you’re at school—not only is it “in” right now, it will also help you succeed in both the short-term and long-term!

The post Why an English Major Took a CS Class: How to Get A Foot in the Door of Startup Land appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Every generation faces new obstacles that often arise from consequences of choices made by those who came before us. For those of the Millennial generation, our newest obstacle is the massive economic aftershocks from the Great Recession of 2008. The specter of student loans, an unfavorable labor market, and the realization that the fairytale we grew up with – that a college education equals effortless access to a well-paying job – isn’t true, have made it difficult for many to see the value in post-secondary education. However, that doesn’t mean that value doesn’t exist, or has lessened.

Disillusionment with Secondary Education

As a recent graduate living in the post-Great Recession United States, I have been confronted with the growing wave of anger toward university education. Online, televised, and printed media alike are quick to remind new graduates and those well on their way to joining them, that for us the cornerstones of adulthood – marriage, parenthood, ownership of property – seem a long way off. And with a lukewarm job market that prizes experience above all else, it would seem that my fellow graduates and I have been pushed into a career catch-22: we need experience to get a job, but we need that elusive job to get experience.

So, relegated to the unpaid internships and minimum-wage fast food jobs that characterized our undergraduate career, new graduates find ourselves doing exactly what we were told a college education would help us to avoid: flipping burgers. Not only that, but the omnipresent phantom of student loans is looming close by for many. Overinflated tuition costs certainly have not aided in the battle to maintain morale among those with collegiate aspirations.

With all the hurdles set before us, it is little wonder many of us have become a little bitter toward that piece of paper we received after four years of stress and cramped writing hands. That’s why it is key to remember the bigger picture: coming into adulthood means that we – the generation of the internet and instant gratification – must be patient with our future as it unfolds.

Our disillusionment with our education, however, doesn’t lie in college education itself, but our collective realization that post-secondary education is not, in fact, a get-rich quick scheme.

In fact, it is much more than that.

The value of a college education

When I was still an undergraduate student, I often ran into new students, freshmen and transfers alike, who sought advice from me on how to make their college experience more fulfilling. How did I find and obtain paid internships? Have I always been so at ease with public speaking? How can I be a more successful student?

More often than not, I answered these questions with one succinct statement: the value of a college education doesn’t rest only in the classroom or in the diploma one receives at its conclusion, but in the whole of campus life. A college, whether a four-year university or a community college, is a breeding ground for new ideas, new visions, new connections, and new projects. The tuition we pay (or paid) doesn’t just go to checks cut to professors and high-profile chancellors, but to funds for on-campus organizations, research, community service projects, sports, organized festivities and more.

It was my entrance into my Alma Mater, the University of California Riverside, that opened up my opportunity to work as a Physics Research Assistant, to serve as a board member for two academic honors societies, to become proficient in a foreign language, to intern with government institutions and to have in-depth conversations with some absolutely brilliant people (students and faculty alike) all within the span of four very busy years. I don’t know where else I could have had access to so many wonderful opportunities to learn new skills, and if I had wanted to there is so much more I could have done.

Not only did my being a college student open up opportunities to learn new skills and to work with a very diverse group of people, but it surrounded me with a wealth of new information. I confronted, debated, and came to terms with the views of those I disagreed with, and developed an appreciation for the differing views and life experiences of others. The arising of the ‘Arab Spring’ during my time as an undergrad inspired my need to understand the goings-on of the world around me, has made me more aware of the social inequities in my own society, and has pressed me to find workable solutions for the problems my own community faces.

Now, it may be my background in Political Science talking, but becoming more informed, better educated, and better skilled as a civil society certainly makes college education worthwhile.

It’s just a piece of paper, right?

Wrong! …well yes, your physical degree is a piece of paper, in much the same way that a trophy is just a piece of metal (or plastic). But what it symbolizes is much more profound. A degree is a symbol of academic accomplishment, something that not many people have the opportunity to pursue, and even fewer, to finish. Those four or more years of stressful all-nighters, finals, study groups, and volunteer or paid work have culminated in the honor of being called a college graduate.

Not only this, but it symbolizes the knowledge one has gained as an undergraduate scholar. For example, the universal skills one inevitably gains while in college are versatile: organization, time management skills, oral and written communication, and critical thinking, to name a solid few. Couple this with one’s specific area of study, and any extracurricular involvement, and one finds potent, weighted importance: all that we have accomplished, and all that we have yet to accomplish is drawn up in that bit of paper.

So yes, maybe right now I am using that glorious potential to be the best Target employee I can be. But I am also using it to organize a food drive for the local homeless shelter, to pursue my desire to become an accomplished writer, and to continue teaching myself new skills. Just like beauty, value is in the eye of the beholder, and if one has not considered the merits of something, it is a fault of theirs and not those who pursue it. Considering this, there is certainly no use in devaluing the goals one has accomplished simply because the expected reward (in this case a dream career somewhere with a corner office and a great view) has yet to present itself. Obtaining one’s Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is a great feat in its own right, a large step in the right direction; like all other choices in life, it is up to us where we go from there.

Eye of the Beholder

It is important to remember that we don’t live in a vacuum. There is no cookie-cutter method for landing exactly where you want to go, because we are always impacted by the goings-on around us. The Great Recession, and its projected effects on the Millennial generation, are a clear example of this. But setbacks do not mean inevitable failure by any means. In fact, as expensive as college education has become, the numbers still point to a clear advantage for college graduates in the current labor market versus those without a college degree.

The disillusionment with one’s academic accomplishments in the face of unemployment and underemployment can be a great hindrance to success, both for current students and recent graduates. However, there is great value to be found in post-secondary education, a wealth of opportunities ready for the taking, experiences that ready us for the ‘real world’ after graduation. It is a source of justifiable pride to receive one’s college diploma, a symbol of all that we are able to accomplish. The trick is to remember that it is.

______________________

Catherine L. Williams recently graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Political Science and do research on identity politics and economics in developing countries. She is currently working on becoming a published author and poet. Follow her on Instagram at @msblackcat93!

The post In Defense of College Education appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

It is easy to understand why you might try to leverage your first international traveling experience as an internship abroad. You have convinced Mom and Dad it is a good idea, and are willing to pay the (sometimes hefty) program fee in order to get the “leg up” you need in your career. Not only will you be exposed to the complex and interconnected globalized world of your industry, you will also meet interesting foreign peers, perhaps work in your second language, and have an adventure to boot.

While you may think your internship abroad is a step ahead of your classmates who are simply studying abroad, you are actually doing yourself a disservice. Don’t believe me? Read on.

1. Traveling abroad is hard.

I know your friends make it look like living abroad is all fun and games, but pictures of the consulate, that time they got lost, the long line at the bank, and their horrid apartment hunt just don’t seem to earn enough “likes” to make those memories worth posting.

Since functioning in a foreign environment is difficult in and of itself, you will have less energy to devote towards kicking butt at your internship. This has a serious potential of compromising your learning potential as well as your overall work performance.

2. You’ll want to play.

You’re in a new country!! Why spend 40+ hours a week sitting behind a desk doing professional development? If it is your first time in destination X or Y, you should spend time getting to know the place instead. Visiting another country is exciting, and it will be hard to focus at work if your mind is wandering to the list of landmarks you want to squeeze in on your precious weekend hours.

If you haven’t spent enough time taking in the sights and sounds and smells of your new country, you might be overly tempted to ditch work a few days a week. Not only is this extremely unprofessional, it reflects poorly on your work ethic and dilutes your intentions for interning abroad.

3. You won’t have a holistic understanding of the country.

Unintentionally or no, it will be difficult to empathize and understand your coworkers if this is your first time in a country. Their workplace behaviors or attitudes may seem weird, frustrating, or deferential when in fact they are quite normal in this culture. Unless you have familiarized yourself with the city, country, and region’s recent history, politics, economics, and contemporary issues, you will spend more time trying to survive instead of thrive.

4. You might offend your co-workers.

You wouldn’t want to accidentally offend a co-worker by making them lose face in front of the boss, would you? If you are new to a country and aren’t tapped into their business cultural nuances or social norms, your regular ol’ behavior may fluff a feather or two. Not a great start to asking for that recommendation letter!

In short, oftentimes people intern abroad with honest aims of getting to know a foreign culture while also gaining some advantageous career skills. This method may seem like a great short cut and provide excellent ROI, but you are inherently discounting the benefits of learning in an international environment, and limiting your ability to enjoy those benefits.

Once you nail that job op or score that internship, commit to spending a few weeks before your start date getting to know the country. You might opt to sign up for a language class or do some independent cultural exploring. You might even opt to spend one summer studying in your country of choice and the next donning your suit and tie for your work week.

The post 4 Reasons Why Your First Trip Abroad Should NOT Be An Internship appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

So you worked hard in high school and got into a great liberal arts college with a beautiful campus, small class sizes and engaged, informed professors. Awesome. But as graduation draws near and the ill-fated question about your next steps gets asked with an alarmingly higher and higher frequency…what now? You aren’t ready for a world of applications and interviews, commuting, status calls and benefits registration! Religion Studies 201 did NOT prepare you for this. Your capstone research project on gendered communication habits of government officials in Malaysia did NOT prepare you for this. What the heck did you just spend four years of your life and $200,000+ on if you aren’t prepared for the “real” world??

Shhh. It’s okay.

First of all, don’t start hating on your liberal arts background just because you’re freaked out about finding a job. Liberal arts educations are incredibly valuable and enriching. Whether or not you have a clear path set, a quality liberal arts college or university will broaden your perspective, engage you to think critically, and challenge you to ask important questions of the world around you. These are skills and traits that any employer should want to see in an applicant. But how do you get your qualifications across when recruiters and hiring managers have never even heard of your tiny prestigious school? Or worse, what if they have no idea what you studied?

It may be time to beef up your background if you want to ensure your hard work and quality educational background shine in the board room and pay off once you leave campus. Below are a few ideas that have helped me gain street cred with employers and might do the same for you:

Take a few technical courses

I’m not here to tell you that your degree in Anthropology or Art History lacks value in the professional world (that’s your family’s job), but I will advocate for taking a few technical courses on the side if you can. Good companies seek diversity among their employees, but great companies seek diversity from within their employees. What does this mean? In the words of Google X’s Rich DeVaul, “What we want, in a sense, are people who know less and less about more and more.”

So if you have room in your schedule, opt for a more technical class instead of another section of Creative Writing. Try a 100 or 200-level class in Accounting, Economics, or Statistics. Or if you’re really freaked out by numbers, maybe look for a Quantitative Research Methods course or an introductory Marketing course. Your school will probably let you Pass/Fail or audit the class if you’re particularly worried.

If you already have a background in the kind of courses listed above, stretch yourself further! Try Business Calculus, Advanced Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Corporate Finance, Law – anything your school offers that will engage a more analytical and process-driven area of your brain. When you apply for a job, highlight these courses when discussing your education. A hiring manager could very well dismiss your degree in Classics, but might take a second look if they notice you augmented your field of study with more challenging, technical offerings.

Learn a technical skill on your own

What if your college doesn’t even offer the kinds of courses I described above? You may have to take some initiative and develop more marketable skills on your own. The good news? Your options are almost limitless (or in the words of Cady Heron from Mean Girls, “The limit does not exist!”)

Bored over winter break? Get certified in Google AdWords for free! Marketing and Public Relations employers will probably drool. Have some spare time during your summer break or evenings during the school year? Take a technical class at the local community college or vocational school. My college doesn’t offer any advertising courses, so this summer I enrolled at a vocational school and studied Advertising Layout, User Experience Design, and Creative Direction – skills that will directly translate into the kind of work I want to do.

Another great option? MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)! Learn anything from personal finance to JavaScript on your own time from some of the best Universities and instructors in the world, often at no cost. You likely won’t receive credit for the courses, but you can most definitely add them to your resume and learn from them in preparation for your chosen profession.

Intern. Intern. Intern. 

Get an internship. There really is no better way to augment your education and prove your professional competency than by completing an internship. If you can, try to land a paid internship in your field of interest. With a good internship, you will gain experience with the software, systems, technologies, and processes that (get this), you will actually use after college. There’s nothing more valuable than that.

Numbers and computers and internships and interviews can be scary, I get it. There’s a reason you chose a liberal arts school, after all. So can you still land a job with a liberal arts degree if you don’t follow my advice? Totally. Is there a chance it might be as a retail sales associate or a restaurant server? Possibly. You’re a smart person and you worked incredibly hard during college (sometimes). Make those all-night essay writing sessions and grueling Faulkner readings pay off after graduation. Prove your parents wrong. Show employers that you’re not just a froufrou liberal arts grad. You’ve got some beef, goshdarnit! Now go forth and make Cady Heron proud.

The post How to Beef Up Your Liberal Arts Degree appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Your career is just that…yours! More often than I would like, I meet students and graduates choosing their career options based on what others want them to do. When I say “others” I most often mean parents or personal support systems. Now, I’m not saying family pressures aren’t something to take seriously. Family and friends are a huge part of your life, but sometimes what they think is “good for you” isn’t always the best fit.

Some families may help pay for college under the expectation you become a doctor, lawyer, or some high achieving business person – dealing with external financial pressures for college is a whole other conversation. If we can try and put the financials aside for a moment, what are some of the other reasons you may be feeling the familial pressure? Perhaps your parents are trying to live vicariously through you and steer you towards a career path that they wish they had taken. Reality check: is your mother the one who will be soliciting donations in that development job? Will your father be helping you close out that key account for the company? I didn’t think so. The reasons people are pushed into careers they aren’t passionate about are infinite, but the outcome is almost always the same: burnout and career dissatisfaction.

Personally, I’m not much of a quote guy, but a mentor of mine gifted me a mug for graduation with a quote on it that particularly speaks to me. It reads, “This is your world. Shape it or someone else will.” Authored by Gary Lew, I am reminded of these words daily when I’m getting my morning caffeine fix. So here are a few tips on how to show your support system that you want to shape your own career.

Do your research

If becoming an interior designer suits your interests more than a regulatory affairs specialist, be able to articulate some facts and concrete reasons why this is the career for you. Telling your parents you’ve chosen your new career path “because it’s what I want to be” won’t convince them. Talk to working professionals to learn about their day to day life. Informational interviews are one of the best ways to gather rich, meaningful insights into a career, not to mention build a lasting professional connection! Check out your alumni network or do a search on LinkedIn to target professionals you’d like to learn more about. Shadowing someone for a day or few hours is another way to get a firsthand look at what a career is really like. If numbers and hard data are what you need, explore the Occupational Outlook Handbook or O*NET. Both are fantastic resources to get information about employment trends, salary, and job outlook for careers and industries. With this wealth of information at your disposal, you will be more confident and prepared when the time comes to talk.

Timing is everything

So you have gathered some research and are ready to present your case. The next thing to consider is timing. This may seem obvious, but depending on your audience, you may not want to casually throw around a major life choice. Take a look at your schedule and who you want to talk to. When are the best times for you to have your family’s undivided attention? Could this conversation be accomplished during a holiday break, weekly phone call, or Sunday dinner? Consider the location and medium for this discussion.

Be prepared to compromise

Obviously everyone’s situation is different. As I mentioned earlier, financial dependence may be a large factor in a college major choice or pressure towards a career path. That is a sensitive subject, without a doubt. Each party has some level investment in your success, financial or not. I am in no way suggesting you should run away from your support system, whatever that may look like, and never look back. That would be unwise and rash in most cases. At the end of the day you know your situation better than anyone, and the best way to navigate it! Consider compromise and dialogue when discussing your career future with your support system.  Be objective and fall back on the facts when things aren’t going the way you planned. If you’re still in school, is there a minor or courses you could complete to gain experience that wouldn’t affect your major? Alternatively, explore informal ways you can further your career. Are you able to complete a part-time internship to gain industry experience outside of your coursework? Can you find a mentor in your desired industry that can guide you and connect you to other professionals? Think outside the box; there are many paths to your dream career and not all connect to a major.

In the end, just like many things in life, this conversation is a process! It is not something that will happen overnight. Be patient, stay calm and remain level headed throughout it. Remember while you certainly want to respect and be gracious of your support system, it’s ok to be a little selfish when you choose that dream career, even if it’s not the President of the United States like Grandma always wanted.

The post Dear Mom: I’m Changing My Major appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I was a freshman in college in 1993 and I vividly remember that one of the first questions anyone asked me was “what’s your major”. Like all 18 year olds, I thought I knew it all and I would respond without hesitation “my major is political science with a law and legal concentration – after I graduate I plan to go to law school and be a prosecutor.” Fast forward 20 years and about the only thing that holds true from that statement is that I did major in political science with a law and legal concentration.

I have a Master’s degree in Psychology and am currently pursuing doctorate degree. I am the president and founder of Right Path New England, an educational consulting and career consulting firm and a professor of psychology. I am one of the lucky ones, my journey was filled with great opportunity and achievement, I was able to figure out my educational and career path and find a field that I am passionate and enthusiastic about. A career that where I am successful and incredibly happy. My major does not have anything to do with my career and while I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate years I sometimes wonder ‘what if I explored other options than pre-law, what if I knew myself better at 18, what if I actually didn’t think I knew it all at 18 years old’ what if….what if….what if……

As an educational and career consultant I meet with students on a daily basis and always ask why – why is __________ your major. In my tenure I have come across very few students who know the answer to this very important question. Typical answers are:

• I think I will make a lot of money in this major.
• My parents told me this was a good major.
• My friend has this major and we want to take classes together.
• I heard this is an easy major.
• I have no idea what I want to do when I graduate but I like classes in this major.
• I heard there are lots of jobs in this major.

Clearly these are not the right answers for choosing a major and a career path. The choice of major can be one of the most important decisions that a student makes. Consequences for choosing the right major last beyond college. Nationally, three out of four entering students denote some uncertainty about their choice of major and between one and two thirds change majors at some point in their academic career. Students who choose the right major earn higher grades, persist in their choice of major, graduate on time, are more satisfied with their career, have greater job satisfaction and job stability.
The question now becomes, how is a typical college student supposed to know what the right major is. As a personality expert, I believe that the answer lies in individual personality traits and major match. Personality typing is the innate way people naturally see the world and make decisions. The basis for personality typing is the belief that there are sixteen distinct personality types and each person has one type that most accurately describes him or her. Personality traits are inherent and people’s type does not change throughout one’s lifetime. By knowing their personality traits, students can make informed decisions about their major selection and have greater satisfaction and success with their college experience.
Students who choose a major that is not congruent with their personality tend to: study subjects that are not suitable with their interests or skills, as well as, finding themselves in an environment of students and faculty members who have different, skills, and values. As a result their grades suffer, they have lower graduation rates and are less satisfied with their careers.
If you are a student who is beginning your journey this Fall think about who you are and the way you view the world. Seek advice from an educational consultant or a career counselor and examine your personality traits. Choose a major that fits your personality traits and allows you to be successful. Choose an area of study that can lead to a career path where you can be happy and successful. Finally, the next time someone asks you “what’s your major?” turn the question around and ask then what theirs is and then ask them why. You will be surprised by the answers they give you. You are about to embark on a wonderful journey of self-discovery and academic enrichment – enjoy every moment and take the time to ask yourself a question that is far more important than ‘ what’s your major’ – ask yourself ‘who am I?’.

The post What’s your major? Personality Type and Major Match appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Home sweet home is something we all strive for. That may be defined by coming home to the sweet smell of your favorite scent, warm coffee or perhaps, that elusive tote full of laundry you put off all week. These scents may all tie into exactly what lifestyle you would like to lead. Choosing the right housemate, or perhaps no housemate at all is crucial in finding your prized home sweet home.

There are many reasons to consider a roommate. For example, financially it is easier splitting bills, this also splits the headaches trying to remember when the electric, Netflix, rent, water and garbage is due. Not to mention other worries that wreak havoc on your psyche. Roommates are great ways to split up chores, groceries and costs for other things like microwaves and toasters: two major life saving appliances for your 21st century collegiate.

Considerations? On the positive side a roommate or perhaps, roommates can help save money and help alleviate some additional stresses in each others lives. On the more pessimistic side of things, roommates can add stress into each others lives if not chosen wisely. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a partner in your new humble abode:

• One, do you have boundaries and can this roommate accept them?

• On the flip side, do you lack boundaries and will you be the cause of future annoyances?

• Are you all able to share responsibilities responsibly?

• Do you enjoy the company of others?

• Do you share well with others?

• Define your line on certain issues. Don’t allow yourself to get swept under the rug and share your concerns with confidence.

Keep in mind that your best friend may not be your best roommate. Think about how much time you spend together and how often you may get on each other’s nerves. Does time apart do you good? Could you see yourself possibly sharing a bathroom with this person and not wanting to rip out every follicle of hair on your head?

Don’t be afraid to lay out how you would like things to run in your shared home, but be open to change, and be willing to compromise. However, if you see yourself living happier alone, there is no problem to that. Life is a journey and if you best trek it alone, so be it!

The post Choose Your Roommate Wisely appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Whenever I’m asked about my college major, I subconsciously grit my teeth and blurt out, “Anthropology and Creative Writing,” bracing myself for the look of skepticism and confusion that will be quickly followed up with a depreciating or vague statement along the lines of, “So what do you plan on doing with that?”

Before graduating college, when I had no clue as to what I’d be able to do with any of the education that had been both gracefully and ungracefully shoved into my brain, this question would make my heart flutter in a nervous, oh-what-have-I-put-myself-into sort of way. People felt that there was nothing I could possibly do in the real world with such a major, so how would I ever find anything?

Now I know better. Now, whenever anyone asks me what I “plan on doing with my major” or “what options are available to me,” I tell them, quite simply, “Whatever I want.”

One of the most conflicting messages that our school system and society at large feeds to us is this idea that our college major completely determines our career path and the choices set in front of us. That, somehow, if we don’t apply ourselves directly in the field we spent four years or less studying in, our lives are somehow a failure.

I have a message to that mentality: you’re wrong.

Others in the World Wide Web agree with me, but the truth of this position is drowned out by both other internet pressures and the more pervasive and persuasive opinions of the people around impressionable youths and young adults.

I get it: it’s hard to overcome the idea that the subject you dedicated or will dedicate your college career to won’t actually be the center of your career. If you really want it to be however, it can. Nothing’s stopping you, except you. But instead of seeing this flexibility and freedom as a bad thing, this can be a wonderful opportunity. By not confining yourself to the idealizations and constraints of your chosen field, you can experience the wide range of job and career opportunities around you.

Though I studied anthropology and creative writing, I have worked as a hostess, a server, an office assistant, a camp counselor, a travel magazine intern, an assistant cook, a marketing writer, and now a group counselor for a full-time school. Some of these may more directly relate to one of my majors, but for the most part, these jobs leave friends and families grasping at straws for how they are at all related to my studies.

Let me make a point clear: following in the subject and the steps of your major is never a bad thing. If there is an opportunity that is in front of you and makes you truly happy, then I extend my fullest congratulations. Not many people get to know that joy. But for those of you out there who are struggling to find employment and happiness in your intended field, then just remember: you’re a complex person that can, will, and should pursue job happiness in any capacity that presents itself to you, whether or not it’s in the packaging you anticipated. Much more important than following your major or following expectations is finding a drive that makes you want to get up and go to work every morning.

Maybe one day I’ll go to graduate school and become a professional anthropologist and really “put that anthropology degree to work”. Or perhaps I’ll become a published novelist and show off the skills I learned from my writing undergraduate degree. Or perhaps I’ll find yet another job outside of either of my majors that makes me happy and combines my interests that, within the narrow scope of my university experience, I didn’t even know I  had. But what’s important is that all of these options are perfectly appropriate, no matter what my judgmental neighbor or unresponsive family member thinks.

The post Why Your College Major Does Not Define Your Career appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

My friends with humanities majors often joke about the obscurity of subjects like math and engineering, and how they can never wrap their heads around them. But having seen both ends of the spectrum as a Math and Econ double major, I don’t think the two fields are mutually exclusive at all. In fact, there are many reasons for non-tech majors to actively gain some technical knowledge.

You Will Stand Out in Both Crowds

Not to confirm the stereotypes, but engineers are sometimes not among the most sociable while humanities majors are often not that well-verse at quantitative analysis. Thus, having knowledge from both fields can become your forte and a strong selling point to future employers.

It Trains the Way You Think

Yes, it’s not that I use proof by induction or Gaussian eliminations everyday at work, but as I completed my courses, I realized that being a mathematician became a habit. My math degree helped me train the way I think. It shaped me into a logical, analytical, and careful thinker. You know those phrases thrown over everyone’s resume, such as “critical thinking” or “problem-solving skills”? Turns out, they are real skills that you can gain from taking technical courses!

It Opens More Doors

I think at least a part of the reason why people think that they aren’t “math people” is because that’s what they tell themselves. Take some classes or do some exploring. you might find your hidden interests and talent! Studying political science doesn’t mean you are excluded from technical fields. Many industries have skills that overlap. You will find many more opportunities with a new skill set.

Now what are some ways to gain technical experiences if you are study humanities in college?

Consider a Minor 

College time is limited and many of you are likely to have finished your first year already. So if a double major isn’t practical, try pursuing a minor. Especially if technical fields are not your main focus, then a minor will prepare you well enough.

Take Selective Courses

Being in California and witnessing the prevalence of technology, I once considered doing a minor in computer science. But the idea was soon proven to be impractical given my double major. But now I wish I at least took some classes to familiarize myself with the basics. For those of you that are still in college, pick a focus and take some lower division classes. You never know what might come in handy one day.

Utilize Online Resources 

From video tutorials to MIT lectures, the Internet offers an amazing array of free education. It’s especially useful for some specific skills that you want to acquire. I’m currently going through the SQL tutorials by Caleb on YouTube and they are awesome. You can get yourself started on whatever technical skills that interest you.

In Conclusion

I had the best 4 years of college experience at UC Berkeley. So I’d say, yes, have a lot of fun and don’t be afraid to be silly. But remember that it’s unlikely that you will have another 4 years relatively free of other obligations to study. The resources offered by your university are probably among the best you will receive, and they are right at your fingertips now! Take this opportunity and learn as much as you can.

The post Not a “Math Person”? Think Again appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Winston Anthony for Student Stories. 

I love my job.

I get to work everyday with leaders in my field, trying to understand how animals age and gaining real life experience towards my next step: Graduate School.

When I look back, I can’t help but laugh at the mysteries of the universe. I share my story in the hopes that it will be helpful to other struggling students or recent graduates, who I feel a kinship with.

After I finished high school, my education was paused for a few hot months while I waited to start at UMASS Amherst. The summer stretched out before me like an endless road of idyllic indolence.

The only hitch stopping my fun in the sun: I had no money, and job opportunities were limited in the small Massachusetts suburb I grew up in. I lucked out when an organic non-profit vegetable farm I volunteered at during high school needed an “intern” (i.e. someone they could pay $6 an hour.)

It was an exhausting job, and I have never physically worked harder in my entire life. However, the mental stimulation far outlasted the sore muscles.

Every day I was confronted with what at face value seemed simple: dig a hole for a root cellar, clear trails through a blackberry bramble, or weed a field. It quickly became apparent though that without working knowledge of farming technique, I was doubling the amount of time needed to complete a task.

In farming, when you make mistakes, it results in immediate and often painful consequences! Not wearing gloves while clearing a field of stumps resulted in a particularly bad case of poison ivy (long after the plants are gone, the oil continues to survive in the soil).

It was on that dry and dusty field in Massachusetts I discovered the price of learning and the value of experience.

This humble labor helped me land my first scientific job: a Field Research Assistantship during the summer of 2010 helping a graduate student in the Department of Entomology.

We spent long days monitoring insect-plant interactions in a small strip of flowers we planted by hand. While the previous summer was physically demanding, this one was hectic: I was working part time at a hardware store and the other half of the week commuting 2 hours to work in the field counting insect visits to research flowers. The field position was unpaid, and there were many times when I felt the job was absolutely worthless, that I was putting needless time and gas money into watching flowers grow. Literally.

With a little reflection I now see it for what it truly was, an important stepping-stone towards future work, and a primary reason for where I am now.

My life was about to take a very dramatic turn. On a whim (and desire to get out of a state I had spent the last 23 years of my life in), I decided to take advantage of the Student Exchange Program offered through many state universities. I enrolled for a semester at the University of Hawaii on the Big Island.

Perhaps the smartest move I made in undergrad, I cannot speak well enough about the experience. I was officially enrolled as a new student at the University, and I lunged at the chance to reinvent myself as a student and a person in a new place.

I excelled in studying Marine Biology, traveled the island, fell in love, and experienced a culture unlike any other in the United States. I grew up a boy living in a very sheltered community, and the most vivid lesson I learned during my time in Hawaii was not taught in class, but in day-to-day life. Learning to live with people who on the surface seem so different from you in the way they look, dress, or talk is one of the most rewarding experiences; the doors it opens into others’ lives and the ability to feel comfortable in strange circumstances are just a couple skills I picked up there.

Hawaii taught me perspective: the most stressful job interview is a piece of cake after sitting on a beach at night amidst the crashing of waves on the reef, listening to Native Hawaiians speak of the annexation of Hawaii. How it crushed their hopes of being a sovereign nation-state and altered the course of their lives forever.

Now that is a tough conversation.

During the last few months of the exchange I decided to apply to some national internships in the sciences, and on the strength of my new transcript and my personal statement detailing my experiences on the island I landed my first paid internship: I was to be a National Science Foundation Fellow in their Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of Texas’ Marine Science Facility in Port Aransas.

Those were truly halcyon days: given free rein to conduct my own research project, fishing off the rocks of the jetty every night, and exploring a new part of America I had never been to before. Oh and did I mention I was making $15 an hour?

My initial interest in scientific research was replaced with a deeper passion for the investigation of natural phenomena.

Coming back to UMASS I felt like I had really accomplished something in the short year I was away, and I was determined to continue my trend towards greatness (as I viewed it at least). I met with the professor who I worked for in the past, and was able to convince her I would be an asset to a research project she was starting due to my accomplishments during my internship. This project occupied the rest of my time during undergrad, and even spun off into my own side project studying the drug dependent effects of parasite infection on bumblebees for which I completed a manuscript (another great learning experience for work in Academia).

My story is my own, it is unique to me, and I use it to my advantage whenever I have the chance, such as when (through a great act of chance and luck) I found myself chatting with a Harvard Professor. I was able to captivate him with my story, interest him with my experience in science, and gain a tour of his laboratory. One thing led to another, and I was hired on as an intern.

6 Months later, due to my direct supervisor leaving, and in the face of a very compelling job offer, I was counter offered with a pay raise to stay on as a Research Fellow.

Life works in mysterious ways.

Working on a farm for $6 an hour may not seem like a way to become a research assistant at Harvard Medical School, but I am living proof that the most random or inconsequential actions can propel you towards a future doing exciting work.

It is more a matter of how well you can leverage your history and skills to work for you which determines how well you achieve your dreams.

Gaining a foothold in a laboratory as a hardworking volunteer turned into a paid research assistantship. Starting fresh on a tropical island turned into an amazing summer research experience in Texas.

All of this I was able to distil into an exciting story that got my foot in the door to a great department, and resulted in the job I currently hold.

My story might seem extraordinary, but it really isn’t. Every single step followed logically from the one preceding it, and as disjointed and different as each of my experiences seem on the surface, they follow a linear path that, had any of the order been changed, would probably have resulted in a completely different outcome.

However, that is not a bad thing! I guarantee I would still be somewhere fantastic doing things I love.

Leave yourself open to the world, and the world will open itself to you.

Points to take away:

1.  Take any opportunity when it comes, you don’t know what amazing things it will eventually lead to. I have never felt like I was a person who knows what I want to do in life, and I still don’t. I am merely a wanderer using interest and opportunity as my compass.

2. Don’t allow “common sense” to stop you from walking your own path. I was told that most Biology students forgo exchange or study abroad programs due to stringent requirements for major classes to be taken on the home campus, but my exchange made me a more attractive candidate for an internship due to my new transcript, higher GPA, and interesting personal statement.

3. Getting established takes time and work, often with very little reward at first. I have put in hundreds of hours of volunteering or working for very little money in order to gain the skills that then made me a valuable commodity later on.

4. Market yourself: You business school kids are often a bit ahead of the art and science majors in this regard. All of my blood, sweat, and tears would have been for naught if I didn’t also know how to turn my history into a compelling story and my skills into valuable assets. Having an excellent command of the English language is just as important as an understanding of higher level biology for a scientist.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Winston Anthony is a native of Massachusetts who currently works as a Research Fellow using survival analysis to study aging in the Systems Biology department of Harvard Medical School. He is 24 and looks forward to applying for graduate school in biology in the fall.

The post Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Jennifer Mleczko for Student Stories. 

College is arguably the most stressful, confusing, challenging, and sometimes downright terrifying time of our life.

We live in an era of so many choices: different majors, minors, careers, employers, programs, internships, and jobs.

We hear literally everything: “If you have below a 3.0 GPA you can say goodbye to your career”, “No one cares about GPA anymore, it’s all about experience”, “What do you mean you’ve changed majors twice?”, and the all-encompassing, petrifying question of  “What do you want to do with your life?”.

Although no mandrake root potion can help make it any less petrifying, there is something that all college students need to keep in mind: College is a beautiful thing.

Although people will have various “rules”, “expectations”, or “do-this-or-you-will-fail” ideas, college is what you- the student- choose to make of it.

There will be no other time later in life where not knowing what you want to do is perfectly okay. It is a time where you can spend whole semesters in other countries learning about different cultures, meeting new people, exploring the world, drinking sangrias, and it all still counts towards your education.

College, when done right, will show you that doors are open to new opportunities all around you.

Yeah, you can look in through a window at an opportunity, but why should you stop there? When college allows you to take a few steps through that door, try something new and experience something different.

The beauty of it all is that those steps can be retraced at little to no consequence, and you gained new knowledge about yourself and the world because of it.

Three major tips on how to make the most out of your college experience:

1. GO ABROAD!

I cannot stress this enough. It will not only change the way you perceive life, it will make you into a better person, it will challenge you, you’ll meet amazing new people and places, and you will have fun doing every bit of it.

2. APPLY TO EVERYTHING. Literally.

If something even remotely sounds interesting or like something you would want to do, go for it! It doesn’t matter if it’s not necessarily in your major, or if you’re not a 100% sure it’s for you. That doesn’t matter. New experiences will help you discover so much more about yourself (especially if you’re like me, with interests all over the place). If you get the study abroad trip, internship, or job- well more power to you!

3. NEVER LIMIT YOURSELF.

If there’s one thing to take from this article it would be this. Never ever, ever set limitations for yourself. You are never too shy, too inexperienced, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not fit enough, or just “not that type.”

If there’s one thing that would be detrimental to your life, career, and to the discovery of who you are, it would be setting any sort limitations on yourself.  Period.

I, like many others, am passionate about the world, the way everything works, traveling, gaining firsthand experiences, making new friends, and learning anything new. I do all this in hopes that I will continue to learn and discover more about myself and additionally shed some good wherever I go. I do this trusting that my actions-big or small-make the world a slightly better place.

I have traveled to Australia, backpacked in Spain, Poland, Costa Rica, and have whitewater rafted down the Colorado River. I have seen glaciers, jungles, the Grand Canyon, the great Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, and have been to St. Peter’s Square.

I have worked in a variety of places –– restaurants, sales, research, construction sites, and at the President of Poland’s office.

Every new place, experience, and every person I meet and whose story I get to hear becomes a small part of who I am and want to become. Regardless, do I know what I want to do with my life? Not a clue. Am I ashamed of not knowing? Not at all, and neither should you. In an era so full of choices, how can a student expect to figure that out freshman year of college?

That is why college is a time to take chances, try new things, learn about the world, and more importantly take shots at every new opportunity, and lots of them.

I learned quickly that for everything that I was too scared to try or apply, I could be missing out on an incredible opportunity. You miss all the shots you don’t take. Even if you miss, you still have come farther than if you hadn’t shot at all.

To end on a personal note, last summer I decided to get off my beach chair and play some soccer in the sand with some locals in Costa Rica. There was three minutes till game over and we were winning by one. This bigger guy had the ball and was making a b-line for my goalkeeper, and I decided I would be the one to stop him. I lunged forward, tripped us both, and it ended up in me flying forward at quite the momentum.

Did I break my collar bone? Yeah, I did. But did my team win? Yes, we sure as hell did.

The post You miss all the shots you don’t take: 3 big tips on making the most out of college appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Megan Pridemore for Student Stories. 

One school transfer, two major changes, three years of college later and I’m still not sure what I want to do with my life.

As a kid, planning my life was easy. I would graduate high school and get into a very prestigious college on a full scholarship. I would then become a marine biologist and swim with dolphins everyday for the rest of my life – no problem.

False.

No one ever told me that college was so difficult and expensive. And that going to college does not guarantee you a job in the field that you wish to work. It’s taken me 21 years to remotely figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life and no, it’s not marine biology.

I’ve recently started working as the graphic design editor for my bi-weekly campus newspaper – far from marine biology, I know.

Considering that this was the first job I’d gotten that was relevant to my major, I was completely excited to get some experience under my belt. After all, I had taken one whole semester of Intro to Graphic Design at my university, which made me more than qualified for the job…..at least, that’s what I thought.

For anyone who does not know, a graphic design editor designs the overall layout of the newspaper and places the stories and images on the page. As our first issue of the semester rolled around, I slowly realized that I had no idea how to layout a newspaper. I’d never done it before, so what did I resort to?

Google.

Google would surely teach me how to layout newspapers like a professional. Wrong.

As I struggled through the night to create something that resembled a newspaper, it finally occurred to me: this is only the beginning.

By trial and error I would find my way through the makings of my career.

And there would be many more nights when I will have fallen into another hole and wonder how in the world will I get out of this? That’s just another one of those things that no one ever told me as a kid.  It’s just something you have to figure out for yourself.

Even though I’ve gotten the hang of designing the newspaper, I always have to remember that there is still so much to learn. And there’s always more than one way to do things, so I can’t get discouraged if things don’t work out just right the first time.

Let this be advice to my first-day-on-the-job self and to anyone else who will face his or her first day on a new job, especially anyone who aspires to be a marine biologist.

About the Author:

My name is Megan Pridemore and I love doing creative pieces of work. I enjoy writing, crafting, design, singing, and acting. I like to embrace anything that provides a creative outlet to the mundane schoolwork that I endure from day to day.
Email: meganp912@gmail.com Twitter: @meggylou11

The post Wait, you never told me this would be hard appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

College students are typically under a tremendous amount of stress during each semester. Between academic responsibilities and personal goals, it can be a lot for one person to handle, especially if you commute.

Many people that attend art schools in New York commute on a daily or weekly basis. This might cause some students to shy away from these types of schools.

However, commuting should not hold students back.

Colleges like the Art Institute of New York City are great for those who’d like to get their start in the ever-popular world of design.

However, much can be done to minimize the amount of stress from commuting. Art school can be hectic enough, after all. In order to make your time in art school – or any type of campus, for that matter – as rewarding as possible, here are 5 tips to keep in mind:

1. Study the directions and campus early on

If you are going to drive to school each day, study the footpaths and campuses before the semester begins. Commuting requires you to understand where it is that you are going.

Try to follow different routes a few times to ensure that you do not get lost. In addition, study campus parking lots to determine the best area to park. Typically, during student orientation events, this subject will be discussed, and students may receive tips on this subject.

2. Decide if meal plans are best for you

One of the positives about the meal plans offered by campuses across the board is that they practically eliminate the need for students to go out to find their own meals. If students have the means, it’s easy to see why this option should be taken. Of course, college students are typically not the best-off in regards to finances, so meal plans may not be worth it.

For students who are more conscious about their finances, packing lunches and smaller snacks in between might be the most frugal option. It’s important to note, though, that this subject is entirely subjective.

3. Have emergency contacts on hand

Let’s say that you are driving to school and your car suddenly stalls or runs out of gas. Without any way to get back on the road, you might have to take it upon yourself to get in touch with one of your emergency contacts. In most cases, this is a parent, but you can list other family members as well, in addition to close friends. Essentially, emergency contacts should be those who you trust. In order to avoid staying stranded, have a few phone numbers handy.

4. Be mindful of the weather

One of the things that I stressed about the most during my academic career was the weather, and how it would impact classes. For the most part, though, college instructors know how extreme weather can be certain days, especially during the winter, and may cancel class as a result. In the best case scenarios, instructors make it a point to inform students about cancellation through email. If you see tremendous snow or sleet outside, and you do not feel comfortable going out on the road, check your email.

5. Get involved in part-time work

Those who are financially conscious are usually the ones who have taken it upon themselves to find work. Part-time jobs do not have to be the most glamorous; they simply have to be positions in which money can be earned.

This is especially true for commuters, since they not only have to think about food-related costs, but money for fuel as well. While many commuters opt to take the bus, there are those who have their own vehicles and gas is not exactly cheap. This is where part-time work can come into effect and it is highly recommended.

About the Author:

Rob Sutter graduated from Farmingdale State College with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Communication. Writing is his preferred art form, as he has written several blogs in the realm of social media.

The post 5 tips for commuting art students appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Sonce Reese for Student Stories. 

When looking towards graduation, often one is thinking of a long lasting career, a really good life and let’s face it–– finances. Why else would one go to college, study, stress and burden themselves with the cost of a good education.

But how often does one think of growth, transition, and change? And why would they?

Sources say the average college student changes their major at least three to five times in their college career (Source: berkeley.edu) and why would a student do that unless they are growing, transitioning, and changing.

My story is no different.

Well, maybe a little.

Having seen my parents and grandparents pass away at a young age (me coping with the passing of people I loved and them – passing and never really experiencing life – they never saw retirement),  I decided to retire first.

None of that settle down stuff for me. I wanted to see the world and experience the things they never did (they were waiting for retirement to do them).

Retirement first woo-hoo, this is fantastic. So I moved away from home, traveled to foreign places, met new people, tried different foods,  and tried to experience as much as I could, until one day… I decided that retirement was over and it was time to go to work. I liked the jobs I had and the places where I was employed, but knew I needed to do something a little more meaningful and maybe help someone along the way.

So college it was… and off to college I went.

Because I worked in the business world anyway, I decided to become a Business major and found out rather quickly that I didn’t want to do that for a living (although I was very good at it.)

So I changed majors.

I really felt lost; like I had no direction or sense of purpose. All my life, I had worked in the business world, my family worked in the business world and business was all I ever knew. But it just wasn’t my thing.

It hurt a lot, feeling as though I had no plan, direction or sense of purpose because it seemed as though everyone around me did (I felt left out, shoved aside, and in a sense, worthless).

It was almost like “where do I go from here?”

I did know that I wanted the same things as other people: success, enjoyment of life, a place where I fit in/belonged, and financial security. What else is there? But for some odd reason, when I speak with people, it certainly doesn’t appear as though I want the same things, well at least it doesn’t come out that way.

So really, what’s one to do and then day I attended a seminar called “Communication Matters: Using Your Voice To Lead” which was presented by Steven D. Cohen, one of the professors at the University of Baltimore. At the seminar, we were asked to draw ourselves doing the things we were passionate about.

I was a blank.

After years of working and going to school, I found there wasn’t anything there.

Maybe I didn’t relax enough or had spent so much time on autopilot that I forgot to stop and smell the flowers. I forgot what it was like to retire. I forgot to grow; I forgot to transition; I forgot to change. I literally drew a blank – my tagline was that I was still painting my picture, still filling in my canvas.

I’m a Forensics major now (it’s the change that I made from the Business major) with aspirations, but I take it one day at a time because I want to know what I’m passionate about, I want to be there 110% and I want to be able to stop and smell the flowers too.

The first step in my growth, transition and change was admitting that I had a blank canvas, the second was being comfortable with the blank canvas, and the third is not forcing my direction.

My story, continues…

About the Author:

I am Sonce Reese, a Forensics major at the University of Baltimore. I support growth change, transition and the willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone to become the best person they can become. My email address is sonce.reese@ubalt.edu

The post Who Needs Growth, Change and Transition? appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Sriram Jegatha Aranganathan  for Student Stories.

Below are 10 tips for international students studying in the United States, based on my experience moving from India to study at Indiana Tech:

1. Connect with your university’s career center and build a relationship with them

Career Center staffs will go a long way to help you connect with an employer

2. Start thinking about Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Go to your international office and enquire about them. It is valuable to gain experience while you are in United States

3. If you are going into your senior year then, please start your OPT application

Because it takes at least 3 months to process them. And you don’t want to have your job offer letter but not have that OPT employment card to start working

4. Participate in your school’s alumni activities

You will never know how powerful some alumni are. All the alumni want to give something back to the school and they will be very willing to help you

5. If you are an athlete, then you will have a very busy schedule

Have your priorities straight, academics always comes first and then athletics comes second. Do not live your life like it’s the last day, there is always a tomorrow. Likewise, there is always a weekend after five weekdays. So, do not party every weekend, just because your friends peer pressure you

6. Having a good GPA when you graduate is a great achievement

If you are shooting for 3.8 or 4.0 GPA, then start getting good grades from the first year. If you mess up on your first semester, then it is really hard to get back to 3.8 or 4.0

7. Check your passport’s, visa’s and I-20’s expiry dates every semester end

It is very critical for international students like us to have a valid passport when we enter United States after coming back from home country

8. Start an organization or be a leader of the international club

You will learn to organize events, market and also communicate well. It is very critical to have leadership and organization skills, college is where you can try anything and also fail miserably and no one will notice it

9. Get an on-campus job, it will be a starting point to your career

An on-campus job will let you connect with many people from campus and it will also help tackle your expenses. Your parents will be relieved when you say you don’t need any money for personal expenses

10. Try to go home during the winter break and utilize your summer break

Summer is usually three months long and you can use it to do an internship.

About the Author:

My name is Sriram. I am an international student from Chennai, India.  Currently a senior, graduating in May 2014 with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Indiana Tech. I am also a student athlete who plays tennis for Indiana Tech. Throughout my college career, I have been working for the International Student Admissions Office and also became a resident assistant in my junior year. LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/sriramjegatha 

The post 10 Tips for International Students Studying in United States appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Megan Deis for Student Stories. 

Stress, road blocks, tough decisions and sleepless nights….all of these are challenges faced by Americans, but when you are a college student struggling to find out who you are and what you want to accomplish within your lifetime, these things seem to happen habitually.

After switched schools, switching majors, and taking an “easy year” with only a few classes at the local community college, I finally transferred to a university I love and discovered my true passion in psychology. How people think, how people react to situations, people’s attitudes and peoples predispositions, I love it all.

As soon as I began reading my psychology textbooks for fun I realized this was something I was truly interested in. I was ecstatic to have finally found the topic I want to expand my knowledge on. I soon realized though, just because I liked studying a subject didn’t mean I was headed anywhere specific. I knew I had to pull myself together and get started in a direction, thus began my internship search. Yes, my resume was jam packed with volunteering opportunities and odd jobs but nothing says “This girl has real world experience…” like an internship. Am I right?
My older sister, the star child of the family, completed an internship her junior year of college and currently has a salary job with the company she interned for. I could practically feel the pressure of my parents placing cinder blocks onto my shoulders. Since I transferred, though the new school and college experience was everything I could hope for, I always felt a little jumbled and behind. It seemed as if I was constantly dealing with credits that didn’t transfer or “freshmen problems” like “Where the heck do I find a fax machine on campus?”, so it was no surprise when my window of internship applications was closing quickly and I had only applied for a few perspective companies.

There are many directions a major in psychology can take you, and I was terrified that if I applied for a social psychology marketing internship I would be stuck in that part of the psychology field forever. I would wake up each morning to go to my job I ‘not so secretly’ detested. My worst nightmare! Therefore, I only applied for a few internships that involved helping others with psychological problems, behavioral issues, anxiety, and OCD because my main interest is in Personality Psychology.

Waiting was torturous but eventually one of the few internships emailed me to set up a phone interview. I was so incredibly excited I didn’t even realize how nervous I was until the day of the interview when the woman asked “What qualities do you possess that would make you a great fit for our company?” and I replied “Uhhhh…well I’m nice, and uhhhh… my horoscope says I am patient”. (Word of advice. Do not talk about horoscopes during a very important interview. Luckily she had a sense of humor and laughed…a lot).

After the interview, where the nice woman on the phone made it evidently clear that she had MANY perspective students to interview and she would ‘keep me posted’, I made sure to try and find other options. I was not holding my breath for that internship.

Eventually, April approached and I slowly realized I had no plan. School was beginning to pile on countless ‘end of semester’ projects and there was mention of perspective study guide’s for finals. I was beginning to freak out a little, (COMPLETELY FREAK OUT!) I tried to play it off in my head, “It’s no big deal! You can have an amazing summer hanging out with friends. You can take a summer off and go on road trips with friends, try out all the cool eatery’s downtown and attend a million concerts. It will be the summer of a lifetime.” But truth be told, I had no money to do that, or even an easy summer job set up for the summer.

I tried searching for last minute internships or volunteer opportunities that had a least a little association with the study of psychology. Eventually I found a volunteering assignment for the summer. It was not what I wanted, sitting in on court cases to learn how to be a victim advocate, but it was something.

Then, a few weeks after the volunteer opportunity arose, I heard from one of the last minute internships I had applied for (What? Is this really happening?). It was unpaid, and I would be babysitting victim’s children who reside in the Battered Women’s Shelter, but it was an internship and I would be helping people!

Then, a week later, I heard from the internship I had applied for, interviewed for and truly aspired for! Apparently my mother lied to me, my sense of humor will get me somewhere someday!

At first I had no opportunities. My summer was free and full of only perspective sea breeze and sunshine but now I had…options? What?!

As this school year fades away, my older sister is graduating, my friends are scattering off to follow through with their summer plans, I am headed to Tennessee for a paid internship where I will be helping disgruntled youth with behavioral and mental problems. This is exactly what I wanted and I could not be happier.

Sometimes what you want seems unattainable. Sometimes what you wish for is within your grasp but you mess it up. But sometimes, when you stay calm, think positive and work hard towards what you want, things will work out!

Life is hard, but you are stronger than any rock or roadblock it throws your way!

About the Author:

Hi! My name is Megan Deis and I am currently a junior at Miami University studying psychopathology and personality psychology. I aspire to help those who can’t help themselves! I love writing, art, yoga, psychology and being a kid. Growing up is scary and I am all about staying in, eating half-baked cookies, and watching Disney movies (Can I get a “Whoop! Whoop!” for Brother Bear, Frozen and A Bug’s Life?). 

The post Persevere Till the End appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Christopher Nguyen for Student Stories.

It’s a great feeling to be able to reflect back on my four years of college and say that I’ve made giant leaps in my professional and personal development. 

It’s the product of staying active on campus, surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family, and being in environments with good vibes all around. But if somebody were to ask me, “What’s one thing you would recommend every new freshmen to do at college?” without hesitation, I would answer, “Join a student organization.”

Realistically speaking, it’s true when employers say the job market just becomes more competitive after each year. But this isn’t to say that the “American Dream” no longer exists! During the transitional phase of “college life” to “real life” (as we like to say), students overlook other options, besides internships and job experience, of professionally developing themselves throughout their four years. Staying active on student chapters of professional and social organizations could mean the difference between discouragingly cold-applying for jobs in April during your last semester as a senior and accepting your dream career in October, way before the rest of your peers. And the earlier the better!

1. Make some of the best friendships you’ll ever have throughout college.

Joining an organization on campus allows you to meet other students who have similar interests and goals. Not only are you able to make friends within your immediate chapter, but in some cases, you’re also able to make friends from other chapters across the nation and potentially across the world. And as you all grow together, competition is rarely a concern; rather, you build up an incredible support system whenever you need advice or just good company. Ever since I joined Boston University’s chapter of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), I’ve been grateful to be able to befriend students from other northeast chapters, even friends from University of Denver. And the best part is feeling proud of all your peers’ accomplishments!

2. Make lifelong professional relationships.

Throughout my time as an active member and leader of NSMH, I’ve been able to not just network with countless managers and directors in the hospitality industry, but also re-network with them time and time again. In the past three years, I’ve been to over 6 conferences and have attended multiple info sessions on campus and networking events in Boston.

What’s the common denominator? 

All of these programs have had more or less the same recruiting managers attend. To this day, I’m able to speak to some recruiters on a first-name basis and jump the gun during conversations to talk about how one thought about a certain TV episode. I’ve been able to even have casual conversations via Twitter with recruiters…professionally of course! This speaks volumes! A recruiter is more likely to hire someone they know a little better than someone they just met. I’m sure you can connect the dots!

3. Expand on your leadership experience.

All of the most valuable skills I have under my belt have come from my leadership experience on a student organization. My fellow executive board members and I like to describe it as almost like running a business. At the end of the day, you’re running an organization (your business), trying to attract more active members (your customers), while trying to keep your executive board motivated to provide quality events (your employees and work ethic). And like a business, you have all your key players: the president and vice president act as your top decision makers, your treasurer is your financial partner, your secretary facilitates internal communication and then you have the rest of your supporting roles (i.e. event coordinator, public relations chair). And the earlier you become a leader, the more comfortable you will feel with the professional world as a senior.

4. Expand on all those skills, big or small.

I remember someone asked me what it is I learned being in so many different organizations. It was nearly impossible to answer because I could’ve gone on and on for centuries. Many students underestimate how many skills you slowly start to pick up when it comes to being on student organizations, especially on leadership.

To name a few: email etiquette for managers, email etiquette for your peers, communication skills, time management, thinking on your feet, thinking quickly, thinking efficiently, team work, positive reinforcement, negative confrontations, constructive criticism, crisis management, reputation management, conducting interviews, networking etiquette, professional dress etiquette, ironing your shirts and pants, timing your commute to important engagements in order to appear promptly, a sense of urgency, and most importantly, figuring out how to be yourself in a professional manner. And it’s safe to say that all these skills come to play everyday. The more you hone on these skills, the more natural it will become.

5. Leave your campus, your city, your state.

Most professional organizations have conferences that occur at least once a year and they’re typically in primary and/or secondary cities that can withstand a large group. My experience on NSMH has allowed me to travel at least 9 times outside my campus and outside my state. Though these small travels are no match for a study abroad experience, they still offer a different experience for you to keep in your memories. In the past three years, I’ve been to places such as Washington D.C., New York City, Atlantic City, and Orlando for conferences. And though they’re professional endeavors, conferences always give you downtime to explore the city in which they occur. I will always remember my favorite conference: the NSMH Nationals Conference in Orlando, Florida. It was a chance to escape Boston’s winter and bathe in sunshine, revisit the most magical place on earth, while gaining access to valuable conference material, and doing it all with over 50+ chapters, 2000+ managers and students. And as a plus side, who doesn’t love taking small trips with their friends?

6. Create and tell amazing stories. 

I remember multiple recruiters explaining their appreciation for stories. When it comes to interviews, we’re moving towards a more “behavioral-based” world. And a lot of the responses to these types of questions are typically well-thought out and well-spoken stories. Many of these stories are found when you’re an active member of an organization. You could talk about your working dynamics on an executive board to answer a question regarding teamwork. You could talk about “that one time” your event almost didn’t happen because of paperwork issues to answer a question regarding crisis management. You could talk about an infinite number of situations when it comes to what you’ve learned throughout your college years. The amount of stories I’ve collected as a leader for three professional chapters have proven to be extremely valuable. But not only that, they’re also memories I will be able to cherish forever.

I’m truly passionate about students being active in organizations because it has proven to be such an incredible part of my life throughout college and I want others to be able to experience the same. It brings me such great pleasure to be able to say I will be working for my absolute favorite company, in the city I’ve been always dreaming about moving to, in a department I’ve been most passionate about, in the position I’ve been aiming so hard to earn. And this isn’t just limited to post-graduate opportunities; it also includes internships and jobs via direct placement. And it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for my leadership experiences on  student organizations.

As a Dean’s Host speaking to prospective students, I love when someone asks me about the “college experience”. Because the last thing I always tell students is to experience.

Never ever shortcut your experiences in college!

The more people you meet, the more professors you speak to, the more friends you make, the more programs you attend, the more dances you dance, the more restaurants you dine at, the more tears you cry and the more laughs you gather: the more experiences you experience! They all truly shape you to become the epitome of a well-rounded adult.

About the Author:

I’m Christopher Nguyen and a senior at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration with a focus on sales, marketing, and digital media. I am an active leader on three professional organizational chapters: the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, and the School of Hospitality Administration Student Government. Currently, I am interning for Jetsetter, a TripAdvisor company, on the sales team. After graduation, I will be working for Hyatt Hotels Corporation as a Sales Corporate Management Trainee in San Francisco. For some added personality: on weekends, you could see me strolling down the street, head bobbing to some good jams on Spotify, sipping on a Dunkins iced coffee, all in my love for tribal patterns, just soaking up the atmosphere! You can find me on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The post 6 Reasons Why Joining a Student Organization is the College Experience appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

I leapt from the couch awoken by a loud thud. Alert, I stood up and rubbed my eyes making sure each contact was still intact. I waited for another series of boisterous sounds to follow, but the house stood still. I thought nothing of it, glanced at my phone to note the time, then made my way upstairs to use the restroom and check on the children.

As I tiptoed back downstairs, desperately trying not to wake the kids, I heard another bang. This time it continued, and I was able to follow the thuds through the kitchen, directly leading to the back door.  Once I undid the lock, the parents I was babysitting for drunkenly stumbled into the doorway demanding an explanation for my late arrival. They forgot their keys and claimed that they’ve been waiting more than 20 minutes for me to let them in. Ruefully, I pondered on my answer, and laid out my rebuttal.
Should I:

A. Tell them I had my headphones in and I was listening to music.

B. Tell them I thought it was the cat fumbling around.

C. Tell them about this week. This long miserable week that ended with them scuffling into the house on Saturday at 3am, when my shift began on Friday. The Friday exactly after the Monday and Wednesday night I spent wired on Red bull studying for finals. The Friday after the Tuesday and Thursday spent working long hours as a nanny in Marin. My terrible week of finals had ended with them and I fell asleep after putting the children to bed 5 hours ago. That’s why I didn’t hear their rambunctious knocks to enter through the back door.

My answer ended up consisting of a combination of all three and I lost my job babysitting for that particular family. That night, like many other nights spent babysitting for Bay Area aristocrats, haunts my college career memories. I fell into the profession during my first years of college and while I needed the money, it kept me from pursuing my dream career as a journalist. The hours spent babysitting grew longer, the money got better, and before I knew it I was almost a junior in college. I had only completed one internship and was overworking myself in the WRONG industry.

That particular family, on that oh so miserable Friday, pushed me to study abroad. I needed to take a leap of faith and move as far away from my comfort zone as possible. I longed to spend each day experimenting with new and exciting ways to convey visual and editorial storytelling. I was also diving deeper into my major, and it was almost impossible to get into the classes I needed in order graduate. Major courses were always full by the time I registered, and if you attend a state school, you probably understand my pain. I figured studying abroad would help me flee from the torture of budget cuts and oversized classes.

After visiting an informational meeting I decided that Denmark would be the best place to ground my focus. The anxiety I built around my professional career evolved into excitement as I pictured a new educational setting, different from the hustle and bustle of the city.  The application process was time consuming, but I will never forget the happiness I felt once accepted.

Joyfully, I quit my position as a “mommy intern,” ordered my passport, applied for housing (early), sent in the paperwork for my visa, and researched everything I could about Denmark. My financial aid covered the school’s tuition, but I had to provide the money necessary for living expenses. I took out a small loan, emptied my savings, and bargained with my grandparents. Although the experience was costly, it was worth every cent.

Studying abroad changed my life, my outlook on education, and the way that I view myself. Each semester at the Danish School of Media and Journalism led me on a new adventure. I was able to act as an international correspondent, interviewing officials at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. I set sail for Samsø, the 100% wind powered island off the coast of Denmark, and created a news clip about electric cars. I even crafted a short documentary in Malmo, Sweden about an all girls skateboarding team. Best of all, I learned journalistic techniques from students visiting from twenty different countries.

Thanks to my voyage abroad, I have a conversation piece, an extra section on my resume, and skills that I wouldn’t have received at my home university. I turned my life around and now I am college graduate focused on succeeding as a multi-media journalist.

If you’re contemplating on studying abroad, I highly recommend it. Although the application process may vary depending on program and school, make sure to prepare yourself for the following:

1. Attend an informational meeting.

2. Apply for a passport NOW!

3. Order official transcripts.

4. Speak with professors about letters of recommendation.

5. Research study abroad programs that match your professional interests.

6. APPLY!

It’s never too early nor too late to shuffle the cards and change your life around!

The post Why I decided to Study Abroad: From Nanny to European Globetrotter appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Adam Jorgensen for Student Stories. 

I have successfully managed to survive working multiple jobs, full-time class loads and on top of that, mainlining an active social life.

Some may call me crazy, bionic, or talented. I simply prefer Adam. I have done so through sacrifices and compromises in many forms. I have sacrificed opportunities to have the average teenage life and immersed myself early into adulthood. I overcame my party stage very quickly. Not saying I did not partake in occasional parties and social gatherings, it is important to release and decompress every now and then. How you do that is up to you entirely.

I say I successfully managed to accomplish all of this in that I am happy with where I currently stand. I am holding two jobs that are relevant to my major and can be potential outlets for a career. I also hold the title “Volunteer Coordinator” at a local LGBT non-profit that has always been a dream of mine. Growing up in a small, Midwestern town truly was discouraging for a young gay man. I knew I was gay when I was seven years old and since then, I have desired to empower those to believe in whom they are and what they stand for.
Managing work, education and relationships is a very interesting and delicate endeavor. It is crucial to have moments to oneself, even if this moment means waiting five minutes to start your car between your first job and the second. I have been there, numerous times. These five minutes will help you collect, breathe and evaluate. Keep positive, there is a light at the end of this seemingly never ending tunnel. Despite already balancing two full time jobs, school and other aspects of life it is wise to set limits. I will drop everything I am doing if I am becoming burnt out. Sloppy work is not reflective of your potential. Take a nap, eat a snack or take a drink; do what you have to do to recuperate.

Despite a meager appearance of your personal life, you still can manage to interact, with humans, yes real humans. Friends and family will understand, and respect your drive to be successful. I have come to the harsh realization that the ones that are not present while you work hard, and dedicate your time to something productive are not the ones you need in your life to help preserve and revel in your eventual success. Keep in mind that managing jobs can be easier depending on the occupation you choose. Try to pick a job that will allow you to do homework and study during slow times. Jobs that are constantly go, go, go are not conducive for students. The constant motion, paired with lack of sleep and brain strain will burn ultimately burn you out faster than you can say, well anything.

When choosing a future career that is specific to your major know that you are not likely to immediately get your dream job. You may not be ready for your dream job quite yet. If you do land an entry level position that you highly prize, don’t be afraid to ask questions and push the barrier. Don’t blend in and just be “the intern” be you, and they will remember you and keep you in mind when full time and upper level positions open up.

In the end, I hope this little story will be a sign of motivation for those who need to work full time, or more while in school. It can be done effectively, you just need to map out your priorities, set aside alone time and learn to accept your mistakes and learn from them.

About the Author:

Adam Dale Jorgensen enjoys writing witty copy and is highly focused on learning and gaining skills to be successful in the field of marketing and account services. He loves multitasking and managing several projects at a time. Adam also enjoys seeing diversity in advertisements. Currently Adam is working as a Direct Support Professional for South Dakota Achieve. He is a Sales Associate for Pier1 Imports and a Volunteer Coordinator for The Center for Equality. Adam spends most of his time planning, volunteering, and listening to music.

The post Full Time with Time to Spare appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Rachael Vacanti.

It’s no secret that balancing college and work is tough.  Add in honors classes and a third dedication, and it’s even tougher.  However, there’s a few tricks to managing the stress.

1.  Take time for yourself

This could be as simple as going home for a weekend, or getting together with friends for an evening off of studying.  I took a Saturday one time and went to a really fun chorus retreat where the alto section had a blast taking a picture outside playing on playground equipment.

2.  Take it one day at a time

I know, it’s a lot harder than it sounds.  But eventually the day will be over, no matter how horrible it was.  You will get through the semester, even if it feels like you have 1,000 things to do, which I feel that way a lot, especially when things overlap in my calendar and I have to miss choir practice because of work.

3.  People will understand if you’re busy

College is known to be stressful, and have a lot of papers.  I spent 2 days writing a paper on nothing but Disney.  It took a long time and it stressed me out.  But I told my friends about it, and they were actually highly supportive.  The first thing out of their mouths was “school comes first”.

4.  Go to a sporting event

Take a Friday night off and go to a sports game.  It can be anything.  Some people might love going to basketball games, but for me personally, it’s hockey.  Go out and scream your team to victory and have fun while doing it.  Wear your school pride, grab your friends, or go solo, and sit by the loudest crowd you can find.

5.  Time Management

Managing your time is crucial, but also really hard.  Personally, pick a method of writing things down and stick to it.  Use your smartphone, use reminders, or go the old-fashioned way with a paper planner and pen (my personal favorite).  Either way, as soon as you know something is going on, writie it down.  Write down all your assignment due dates, all your appointments, your work schedule, all in the same place.  Although, a tip: color-coding works great.  Use one color for school, one color for work, one color for extra-curricular activities, etc.

6.  Don’t Look at the Entire Semester All at Once

It WILL make you break down.  I did that and I ended up in tears.  Keep track of due dates certainly, but scratching out days of class on the schedule makes it that much more satisfying.

7.  Eat

This is again, a big one, especially for people like me.  Whether you want to or not, you have to eat.  Otherwise your blood sugar gets low, and then you feel dizzy and almost pass out, which I’d rather not pass out in class.  Even if you’re not hungry, at least try and eat.  I’m constantly reminded to eat at least 2 meals a day.  I’m not much of a sit down and eat type person, but I try to aim for 2 meals a day and grazing on (hopefully healthy) snacks in between.

Personally, I still struggle with some of these.  It is tough, it is annoying and boy do I HATE sitting still trying to read very dense material.  However, at the endof the day, good or bad, I always to try to realize that I have had some great opportunities already.  Keep track of the little things, and just keep reminding yourself of them, like that A on a paper, or that really awesome email, or even just a simple text from a friend.  I wish you luck in your future endeavors.

About the Author:

Rachael Vacanti is a Journalism major at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  With an emphasis on reviewing, and writing opinion pieces, Rachael has a knack for being both objective, and an ability to relate to students.  She maintains a blog for one of her classes, and just recently accepted a part-time job at Shelterbelt Theatre, as a photographer, in Omaha, NE.  Rachael is passionate about mentoring her peers, and demonstrates exceptional leadership.

The post 7 Tips on College Survival 101 appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Dorm room startups, new app developments, and entrepreneurs in college are no new thing, but it’s always exciting to see the success stories. We had the opportunity to interview Brian Adams, an Entrepreneurial Communications major and Senior at Ohio University, who founded the app MyCampus. MyCampus is an app that allows students to communicate with one another about textbooks that they want to buy or sell. They can use the app to contact one another, send payments, and get their textbooks without having to divulge any personal information. It’s a safe way for students to get rid of old textbooks and make some money. Future plans for app include to expand to a shipping method as well, so students are not limited to their own campuses.

What inspired him?

Brian was inspired to create the MyCampus app after buying and selling items on Craigslist during his early college years. He wanted to create an app that could help students buy textbooks by providing a safe service where students could reach out to others on campus. He began with the idea and spent about 10 months going over it and getting feedback so he could tailor it to students’ needs. Then through an accelerator program he moved forward with the app, with the help of seed funding. With the help of the accelerator he was able to get guidance and feedback for his app, as well as assistance creating a business model. He outsourced development, and with the help of beta testers and reliable feedback, worked on an interface that is user friendly and something students want to use. In 2012, he had 14,000 visitors from his college alone.

What was the most difficult part?

Brian’s journey to create the app came with struggles, which were mostly from the technical standpoint of application development. His main suggestion for creating a successful app is feedback, since he heavily relied on it from beta testers and users, in order to make improvements.

How did he get the word out?

Through channels like Twitter, Facebook, and other social media, Brian partnered with popular accounts and pages to let him advertise his app, which promoted the app to a wider audience. Since the majority of the traffic he initially received for the app was from Apple iOS, the app will first be release for iPhones, but  he intends to make it available on the Android platform as well. The app will officially launch in January for Ohio University and Ohio State.

The post Student Creates App to Sell Textbooks appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post by Madeline Leahy from Emmanuel College.
I had slept a total of 8 hours in the past three days, leaving me at work downing a five-hour energy and praying that I didn’t fall asleep on my desk. If you are a college student, you can most likely relate to this scenario. I accepted it as an inevitable part of the college lifestyle.

My internship last summer at New England Country Rentals taught me that this “unavoidable” situation is very much avoidable. I found that there are four things you can do to avoid a sleep-deprived, draining four years and instead have a fulfilling and energetic college experience. Using these four tips, I am now able to juggle being a Marketing Assistant at Argopoint, a full-time student, and captain of the varsity lacrosse team.

Set goals.

Write out where you want to be in the next week, month, year, and couple of years. This will bring what is important to you to your attention and help you to guide your daily decisions and priorities. This past summer I interned, took classes, waitressed, and attempted to have a social life. While I enjoyed everything I was doing, this lifestyle was not sustainable – I got five hours of sleep a night and barely saw my friends and family. I made a list of goals of where I wanted to be both professionally and personally that helped me to focus. Now I have a more manageable schedule, and my daily priorities have more direction than before.

Identify your best work environment.

Sometimes we have other motivations that get in the way of how we accomplish tasks. For instance, when first starting at my internship at New England Country Rentals, I wanted to meet everyone and spend time socializing.  Consequentially, I would do my work in what was the loudest part of the office. This ended up limiting the amount of work I could get done. One morning, I sat alone and accomplished more than I usually accomplished! I realized that there was a time for socializing, but when I really wanted to get work done I had to find an environment fit for that. Some people can work in a loud, boisterous environment; I am not one of them. Now when I want to get something done, I find a quiet place, put on noise-canceling headphones, and get to work. Getting more work done in the allotted time also lowered my stress level.

Schedule everything.

Before you begin your day, take the time to plan out everything you need to do. Writing out a to-do list will help you manage your time so that you do not forget or have to rush through anything last minute. One thing I learned while interning is that you should not write anything off as unimportant or quick, such as checking your e-mail, making a call, or going to buy lunch. These “quick” tasks can add up and cost you a lot of time. Instead, stay distraction-free and plan for these things, so they don’t end up taking time from other activities. My internship enabled me to take on this new approach at Argopoint, and every morning I formulate a list of priorities to help me stay on task.

Take breaks.

Sometimes we just cannot handle any more, yet we continue to battle through our work–albeit in a non-productive way. Avoid the torture and take a short break before returning to your work. This can include a walk around the block, a trip to the vending machine, or a quick flip through a magazine. Taking this break will give you the energy you need to continue.

I still get to a point where I don’t think I can juggle working at Argopoint, lacrosse, school, and a social life. However, what I have taken away from my internship at New England Country Rentals, classes, athletics, and jobs, is that taking a step back and prioritizing time and tasks can truly make what is impossible, possible.

The post Making the Impossible – Possible! Four Tips to Juggle A Busy College Schedule appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

You’ve heard it before that extracurriculars are important, but did you know that they are a great way to gain experience that could help you land a job or internship? At the beginning of the school year you’re bombarded with opportunities to join and try out for different organizations and groups on campus. Going into a club fair can feel a lot like walking into a career fair because there are many options that require you to do a bit of  research before arriving. How do you figure out which clubs are right for you and will help you on your career path? The most important things to keep in mind when choosing a club are making sure that you are passionate about it and making time for it in your schedule.

Here are a few tips to help you join the right groups that could provide you with great opportunities:

• Do what interests you, not what you think looks good on paper.

• Do your research.

• Don’t overcommit yourself.

• Become a leader.

1. What are you interested in?

There are probably dozens of clubs at your school and even more opportunities in the greater city or town. Before you commit to the first organization that asks you to sign up, ask yourself what you’re really interested in. College is the perfect time to try something new and figure out what you want to do in your career. The Entrepreneurs Club won’t necessarily be a good experience unless you are actually passionate about the topic. A dance or music group might prove more useful for making friends and building connections, if that’s more your thing.

2. Do your research.

Know what clubs and organizations are at your school. Find their pages on social media sites and event reviews in your school newspaper to see if you’re interested in participating. Social media is also a great way to ask members questions before you decide to join. If you are unsure about a group, you can also try out meetings to see if the club meshes with your personality and will be a good use of your time.

3. Don’t overcommit yourself.

Clubs and organizations are supplements to what you’re learning in the classroom. Some meetings can run late and volunteer events can be early in the morning. Participation will require you to manage your time effectively and sometimes make sacrifices. Since school is your first priority, you must ask yourself if you have time to attend meetings and events. Committing to being an active member of a few groups will likely provide you with more benefits than being an occasional member of many groups.

4. Become a leader and connect with members.

Once you go to a few meetings and decide that you want to invest in the club, volunteer to take on leadership roles. Help plan a fundraiser or put up flyers. You might not be able to have a full leadership role until the following year, but you can still help out and become an integral member of the club. Members and alumni can be helpful resources in your internship or job hunt because they can connect you to even more people. Clubs are great opportunities to expand your network, interests, and career prospects. You should be picky about which ones you join because they will have an impact on how you spend your time and could even affect what you do in the future.

5. Put those skills to work.

Clubs and groups are great opportunities to get involved, get connected, and get ahead in your career. Extracurricular activities can teach you skills that are transferable and appealing to employers. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, some of the top skills that employers look for are: leadership, problem solving skills, and the ability to work on a team. All of these key skills can be learned through club and group participation. Planning fundraisers gives you event planning skills, sending out newsletters teaches you about email marketing, and managing social media sites teaches you about community building.

The last step of getting extracurriculars to help your career is putting your experience into words. The “Interests” section of your resume should mention which clubs you’re involved in and the applicable skills you gained. Providing information about your extracurricular activities is a great way to market your skills and show how qualified you are.

The post How to Choose Extracurricular Activities to Get Ahead appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

Open online courses are the future of education. Despite what the name implies, they can provide a more personalized approach to learning than 300 person lectures. Plus you can take them in your pajamas.

Did you know?

• Stanford professor Sebastian Thrun’s online course on artificial intelligence attracted 160,000 students from 190 nations.
• EdX.org, the collaboration that started with MIT and Harvard, now has 27 schools offering 52 free online courses for this summer alone.
  
• EdX.org also has about 890,000 unique users, of which 12 to 15 percent earn certificates (complete and pass the course).

Professor Terrance Odean of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business talked with us  about how and why students should take open online classes:

Q: You teach at the Haas Business School and are planning an online course on personal finance for January 2014—what would be the benefits for a student to take it, and other online courses in general?

A: I am going to teach a massive open online course (MOOC) on personal finance starting next January on the EdX platform. Personal finance is well suited for a free online course because many people who are not enrolled at universities find themselves faced with financial decisions that they don’t well understand. The course will ask hard questions such as “how much do I need to save?” “how should I invest?” easy, though critical, questions such as “why are mutual fund fees so important?”, and practical questions such as “how do I look up my credit report (and why should I care)?”

People should take this course for what they might learn, not the certificate.

MOOCs are only one form of online courses. More and more colleges and universities are offering online courses for-credit courses. After I teach the personal finance MOOC, I’m hoping to create a for-credit online course on personal finance for Berkeley undergrads. This will be an easier course to design than the MOOC because most of the students will be around the same age and facing similar financial decisions. However, with a for-credit online course, I’ll need to put more effort into assessment and grading. Quite possibly, the course final will be taken in proctored classrooms.

Q: The financial sector is notoriously difficult for students to break into; do you see these courses as helping students to land internships or jobs after graduation?

A: Things you learn in a MOOC could potentially help you land—or do—a job, but the MOOC certificate is unlikely to do so itself.

Q: What is the biggest barrier for students to successfully complete online classes? What does it say to you about the students that do?

A: Many online courses are offered asynchronously. Students can watch the lectures, work examples, and take quizzes when they want. It is a bit like homework, you need to do it by a certain time but not at a certain time. While this flexibility is convenient, it can also be dangerous. Undoubtedly some students will wait until the last minute—or perhaps beyond the last minute—to watch the online lectures and do online work. Some instructors will set incremental deadlines and try to monitor student progress, some won’t. Students who are better organized and more disciplined are likely to fare better.

[For more on time management check out this post from last month!]

Q: Do you see online courses as the future of education? What do they offer that traditional college courses don’t?

A: I see online for-credit courses as part of the future of education. I hope not all of the future. While I believe that online courses can be more effective than large lectures, they are not a substitute for small seminars. (Though one could teach a small seminar online to students in diverse locations.)

Free online courses reach people all over the world—many of whom don’t have access to good universities—people who have retired, and people who simply want to come home from work and learn. They reach people currently not served by traditional college courses.

Q: What advice would you give for students looking to take an online course? What skills do you see as being critical to success in this arena?

A: Be sure to fully engage at the beginning of the course. Don’t do the online course while you watch TV, surf the net, hang out with friends (who aren’t studying), talk on the phone, or sleep.

Curious to learn more? The following are a list of resources to jumpstart your online education:

• Udemy.com
• Coursera.org
• Oedb.org
• Byu.edu
• EdX.org

The post How Open Online Courses Can Help You Land a Job appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

This is a guest post from Noodle Education, a life-long education related search company by the founder of The Princeton Review.

We get it; school can be a drag. Between the all-night study sessions, group projects, and research papers, it’s easy for even the most organized of students to burn out. To remind you of the wonders of collegiate academia, Noodle Education has compiled a list of courses that break the mold.

From Fermented Beverages at Michigan State University to Magic and Witchcraft in Pre-Modern Europe at Davidson College, the classes apply academic discourse to topics that usually get snubbed in course offerings. Not only are they interesting in and of themselves, but they’re also a refreshing reminder that learning happens all the time, and it’s not always about preparing for your future job.

View the full post, “Top 10 Most Interesting College Courses,” on the Noodle Education page, and then tell us in the comments below: what was the most offbeat course you’ve taken in college.

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Do you ever arrive at your desk to start the day only to realize that you can’t even find your pen because it’s covered by a heap of papers as tall as Mt. Vesuvius? Organizing the places where you intern and live will refresh you and help you work more efficiently. So here are some tips for organizing your space.

“Clean your room”

Your house or apartment should be a place where you can relax and prepare for another workday, but if it’s messy it will just be a place that wears you down. A messy room can drain your energy just by causing you to think of starting to clean it all up. Set aside 15 minutes to put some music on and dance around your room spiffing it up. You’ll be surprised by how much you can get done in just a few minutes of focused organization.

Assess your work space

Do you feel cluttered when you’re at your desk and other places in your office? Clear away any old papers, old post-it-notes, and old coffee cups. Consider keeping a plant by your desk. Not only will it liven up your workspace, but it will give off oxygen that will refresh you throughout the day. Put pictures of your family, favorite sports team, or hero by your desk. These images will give you positive vibes and encourage you when you’re not feeling motivated.  Click here for an excellent source that will help you be comfortable and healthy at work.

Throw away anything you don’t need

After you use papers or cards, store them or throw them away. After someone gives you their business card send them an email, put them in your Google contacts
, and then put all the cards in a small tupperware or other container. There’s no reason to have to sit sideways because you have a wallet that’s 2-inches thick full of papers you don’t need.

Arrange your virtual space

A disorganized computer can also have negative affects on your work.  Create multiple folders and be specific when naming any document. If you have so many tabs on your browser that you can’t read them, it might be time to close some of the ones you no longer need.  Click here for more information on how to organize your desktop.

Habituate yourself to daily organizing

Don’t wait until you’re covered in trash to start digging your way out of the rubble; organize your materials throughout the day. Get in the habit of arranging everything you use, and you will save yourself a lot of time and stress. Organization is a skill that will serve you throughout your life and in every job, so why not start developing this quality during your summer internship?

The post Refresh Your Space This Summer appeared first on Job and Internship Advice, Companies to Work for and More | WayUp Blog.

By Andrew Grauer, CEO and Co-Founder of Course Hero. Andrew was recently listed as one of America’s Best Young Entrepreneurs by BusinessWeek.

Fall semester is starting up in no time, and that means it’s time to start picking courses. A lot of students ask me how I founded Course Hero while I was still in college at Cornell, and the truth is that I took advantage of the resources around me to get my company off the ground.

Not every school offers a separate program, but if you’re interested in expanding your entrepreneurship experience or just building a solid foundation for pursuing your own business down the line, I’ve shared some advice from my experience as an undergraduate entrepreneur.

No Brainer: Check out your school’s entrepreneurship program

First and foremost, the best, if not simplest, way to kick off your entrepreneurship education is to enroll in an Intro to Entrepreneurship course at your school. Cornell actually had a full entrepreneurship program, and I made sure to not only take the courses, but to also talk to key faculty in the program to learn more. I got great advice and mentorship from John Jaquette, and I’ve carried that relationship with me after I graduated and as I continue to move forward with Course Hero.

Attend a Lecture Series

Take advantage of the lecture series offered by your school. These events are great opportunities to hear from a breadth of influential people who, whether entrepreneurs themselves or successful in other areas of their lives, have had to strategize and surmount tremendous obstacles to get where they are. You can learn a tremendous amount by exposing yourself to their stories. Cornell actually offered an entrepreneurship-specific lecture series as a 1-credit class that I found really inspiring. Speakers like Bill Trenchard did a great job of demystifying the process of building a company from scratch. The key take-way was, “just do it.” Clearly, I haven’t forgotten that.

Research, Research, Research

Have questions, like how do I incorporate? How do I value my startup? We all do. Don’t worry, it’s normal. Take the initiative to read a book, read online, and find a mentor. You can always find a solution to problems and questions that arise throughout the process, and what really distinguishes an entrepreneur is his or her dedication to tracking down the answer. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that if you hit a point where you feel like you can’t find the answer on your own, go find someone who can help you. Entrepreneurship is constant problem solving.

Participate in a Competition

Many schools offer entrepreneurship competitions, and if one is not available at your school, there is likely one in the area. Admittedly, I didn’t participate in the Big Idea Competition at Cornell, but these competitions are great opportunities to build out your idea. Many have a forced timeline that entrants have to adhere to (eg, present your idea on X date, present research on X date, full fledged business plan on X date etc). Competitions force you to examine your idea thoroughly and judges give you valuable feedback on your progress and presentation. Even if you don’t win, just being a part of the experience will help you better formulate your idea.

Reach Out to a Professor

See if there is a professor expert (e.g. doing research) in your potential startup’s field. Reach out. I talked to some Entrepreneurs in Residence at the Johnson Business School at Cornell, like Zach Shulman, in addition to several professors doing research on social media in Cornell’s department of IT. Professors really appreciate you showing interest in their field and will more often than not be willing to help you out or at least sit down with you to talk through your ideas.

Connect With Fellow Students

Initiate a conversation with a student who may have skills you need to accomplish your startup’s goals or may just know someone he/she could introduce you to. When I was starting Course Hero, I went to the engineering quad at Cornell’s College of Engineering and talked to the registrar to see if I could send out an email to Computer Scientist students. I actually met my first programmer and team outside a room in Duffield Hall (a main building in the college of engineering). Albert Ho, Course Hero’s first programmer, was a complete stranger before that initial conversation. I showed him mockups of what I wanted to build and gave him the pitch. We started working the next day. And then he helped recruit more student programmers: we were up to 6 of us within 2 months. The ripple effect of each new relationship never ceases to amaze me.

Look For A Near By Tech Incubator

Go beyond campus and see if there is a tech incubator near your university (hell, there may actually even be one within your school). If there is a startup incubator on your campus, like Cornell’s EStartupLab, or near your campus, learn more there. In the Bay Area, check out Y Combinator, Plug And Play Tech Center, 500 Startups (though this by no means is an exhaustive list, especially here in Silicon Valley).

In the end, being an entrepreneur is not just about having an idea—it’s about having the initiative to go out and make that idea happen. Take advantage of the abundant resources available in college to expand your entrepreneurial education, and when you have a great idea, as Bill Trenchard said, “Just do it.”

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