Volume 1, Issue 21
by Michael Wagner
Knowledge Pilot, Launch Global Education
This past week was an important one during the college application season; it is the opening of the FAFSA financial aid form that all students and families need to complete to receive financial aid from colleges and universities in the U.S. If you are applying to a school in the U.S. it is critical to complete this form. I cannot emphasize it enough. Learn more in our Tip of the Week.
This week we are focused on the importance of internships and pathways to work after college. Let’s get right to it.
Discoveries
Will your work be related to your major?
One of the most important factors in selecting a college is what will happen after you graduate. Most college graduates are concerned about securing employment after graduation and specifically finding work in their field of study. This is a worldwide issue, as highlighted in a recent survey of a group of researchers in Vietnam. Thanh Hung of Vietnam Net Global reports on the findings.
Many graduates work in fields unrelated to their university major: survey
The need for soft skills
Students spend countless hours studying structured learning in a classroom setting. However, there is an ongoing concern about how classroom learning relates to the real world. A recent survey by Talentbank reinforces the concerns of employers that college graduates lack the necessary soft skills (human skills) needed in the workplace. Muhammad Muftahu of University World News outlines the issues.
Soft, smart skills key to graduates’ workplace success
Colleges’ role in job placement
One of the factors students should consider for criteria when creating a college list should be how good the career services office on their campus is in helping students find relatable work to their field of study after graduation. Jeffrey Young, producer and host of the EdSurge Podcast and the managing editor of EdSurge, explores the topic in a podcast.
What should colleges do to help students find jobs?
Shared courses and majors
Many students find themselves in a dilemma when selecting a college. They want a big school experience with access to a large variety of courses but at the same time feel they will be better off at a smaller school because of their learning styles. Now, students can have the best of both worlds through a new academic program called course sharing. As Jo Marcus from The Hechinger Report explains, smaller schools are teaming up with larger colleges and universities to provide classes to students.
Struggling small colleges are joining the ’sharing economy’ — teaming up to share courses and majorsNew paths to internships
One of the best ways for students to experience the real world while attending college classes is to successfully obtain internships, sometimes called experiential learning opportunities. Melissa Ezari of Inside Higher Ed shares a recent interview with Daisy Gonzales, Interim Chancellor of the California Community Colleges system, about the opportunities available for community college students.
Breaking down barriers to internships
Tip of the week
FAFSA
One of the most important dates in the U.S. college counseling process is October 1st. This is the date that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application opens for students to complete for financial aid awards from colleges and universities. It is critical that ALL students and their families complete this vital application.
The application is rather cumbersome, and it is definitely not a favorite activity, but it is a necessity. I am asked all the time from families: If we are not seeking aid from a college, do we still fill it out? YES! The process is necessary for colleges to process financial aid for students, and it is necessary for college financial aid offices to obtain the FAFSA in order to award aid. My response is, would you accept aid from a college if it was offered? It is likely you would.
Once you complete the FAFSA and establish an account, completing it in the subsequent years is far less time consuming. If you are applying to a U.S. school, I urge you to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
Before you go...
This week something out of this world happened; the first native American woman has been launched into space and arrived at the International Space Station. How cool is that. Please watch the ABC News video of her arrival.
When students look at applying to colleges, I always advise them to research the career services off and the services they provide, both during college and upon graduation. This week we focused on the importance of internships. Obtaining these experiences is critical and beneficial for students to gain real world experience before entering the job market. In addition, it is a good way to get one's foot in the door for future employment at that institution or business.
I hope you enjoy the articles in this week's newsletter. If you are looking for specific topics about the college-going process to be covered in this newsletter, do not hesitate to contact us. Have a great week and don't forget to tell a friend about the Odyssey newsletter.
Take care,
Mr. Mike