Career

The United States of America has long been admired around the world as a tower of success and a house of opportunities. For many students having the chance to experience working inside the White House is a dream come. What if this “dream come true� is just a matter of completing an application and closer to reality?

It seems like a distant fantasy to be able to walk on the carpet that leads to the door of the executive department. The walls are as high as the aspirations of the students who will apply for this opportunity. This dream is obtainable and each year the White House opens the doors to young interns interested in serving their country.

For a few lucky students this dream will come true. Setting their plans in motion by making this move of applying for this prestigious internship will likely give them priceless experience that will last a lifetime. Here are the steps needed to apply for the chance to be selected for a White House internship.

1. Take Note
Applications are available only for students who are citizens of the United States. The applicants must be at least 18 years old before the start of the internship program and be enrolled in any undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university. The White House extends its Internship Program to those students who have graduated the previous semester as long as they meet the age requirements and necessary guidelines.

2. Make Your Choice
Applicants must choose the department that best suits their personal qualities and professional goals. There are around 30 different offices in the White House to choose from. Each of them will present a challenging and rewarding way for the students to serve their country while learning in the process. Among the 30 or so possible offices they include the following well known departments; Communications, Domestic Policy Council, Legislative Affairs and Office on the President’s Initiative for One America--- just to name a few.
Every student who applies must select at least three different options of the possible offices they wish to be considered for. In this way, if a student’s first choice is no longer available they can still have a chance to work in another department.
If selected for one of the 3 openings students can begin to serve starting on March 1 (Spring), June 3 (Summer), and October 15 (Fall).
However, the schedule is subject to change. To be safe you should frequently reference the website for any changes or additional information.

3. Take the Next Step
The next step is to fully complete all of the necessary requirements. The application process can be tedious but the reward and experience is well worth the time.
Applicants must complete and submit their White House Internship Application, resume, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants can send these requirements by email to the following address intern_application@whitehouse.gov or submit them by fax to 202.456.7966.

Working in the White House is the best way to gain valuable experience for any future career not just government or politics. Not only do the students obtain knowledge straight from the experts, they also enjoy the exclusive advantages of direct involvement in daily government services and operations.

All applicants must be prepared to absorb an enormous amount of information and understanding. The program also offers a speaking series of some of the most notable political personalities in Washington. Also, the internship program will expose interns to various community volunteer services, special events, recruitment agencies, and program development.

Students can visit www.whitehouse.gov for more information.

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

PEOPLE have different reasons of aiming for the apex of their academic careers: they hanker after a job that requires an educational attainment ahead of a bachelor’s degree; they crave for more challenges; they tailor their knowledge to go well with their needs; and they deem it not just as a career enhancer but as a salary booster.

Broadening knowledge via pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees has attracted many individuals. For some, studying has even become a pastime than a prerequisite.

But pursuing a postgraduate study entails responsibilities and it can greatly affect your entire life. Take your time considering these factors before attempting to go back to school at a fast pace:

Patience. It takes around two years to finish a master’s degree on a full-time basis; three to four years on a part-time mode. Meanwhile, a PhD degree involves three to six years to complete.

Graduate school is a far cry from college—it needs more commitment. If you have the panache for reading, researching and writing (but not committing plagiarism), then this is really for you. If not, would you be willing to do once more all these school stuffs in the next three to six years of your life?

Programs. Do you know what to take up? Are you after a business curriculum or an education program? Do you prefer a non-thesis or a with-thesis program?

Have an intensive research in many schools, keep an open mind and have options: There’s a program of study that’s right for you after all.

Place. Consider where your next school is situated. If you are after accessibility, choose a university that’s just a stones-throw away from your workplace or in close proximity to where you live.

If you want someplace new but it’s is far-flung from your home, be prepared for repercussions like getting homesick, drastic increase in fare costs and even looking for another job to sustain your way of living.

Perspectives. These include all insights of your friends, former classmates and professors, previous and present officemates, and your parents. They can surely share with you information, the pros and cons as well as words of advice with regard to your academic venture.

Price. You may be physically, emotionally, and intellectually capable of pursuing postgraduate studies, but are you that financially able and stable?

If you cannot get a scholarship, can you shoulder upcoming expenses for your tuition, books, food, house rental, and transport fares? Tuition rates in colleges and universities get higher year after year, so count the costs when you are searching for a school.

Education is indeed one of the most powerful weapons that any person can take full advantage of to improve his life. Even the old adage suggests that, “He who has further knowledge can rule and change the world.�

But are you fit for a further study? It’s only you, yourself, can answer. Have faith in your judgments and be optimistic with your decisions.

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the vital keys to a student’s professional success is early preparation. Little wonder why there is a greater need and more competition for internships. Students seek internship so they can gain substantial real-world work experience that companies require from applicants.

Students who think that all the great internship programs are taken are most likely looking in the wrong places, or just do not know how to properly search for an internship. These tips will help you bag a good internship.

1. Let the professor know.
Involve your professor or faculty advisor in your plans. They can provide crucial tips and guidelines you might need in order to get an internship or even a position after you graduate from college. Professors are also well-connected, meaning they can help you land a good internship by calling a few colleagues.

2. Create an appealing resume.
Have a resume that stands out from the rest. Focus on your skills, accomplishments and the positions you took in clubs or organizations.

3. Talk to your parents.
Being professionals themselves, parents know many people who might have connections in the industry you are considering.

4. Go to job fairs.
Countless students got their internships in job fairs. Contrary to what many believe, job fairs are not only good for getting jobs after college; they are also a place where you can find internship programs.

5. Make use of your school’s career service.
Every college has an office that helps students find an internship or a job. When you go there, make sure you know the right person to approach. Talk to the one who is more experienced and has a longer list of potential employers.

6. Send a letter.
Show professionalism by sending letters to potential employers, telling them why you are considering a position in their company. Let them know how much you admire their mission or commitment as a company. Follow-up interviews and don’t forget to send a thank-you letter whether you were granted an interview or not. Your interest will set you apart from all other applicants.

7. Find the appropriate internship.
Make sure your internship is related to the career you want to pursue. Companies are using work experiences to assess an applicant’s skill and ability. A career-related internship can give you a competitive edge when you seek your first job.

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have a few college friends that are here from other countries to study and attend school in the United States. When talking with them they often tell me that being able to attend school in the United States is a pretty difficult process. I have done a little research of my own and found that it really is a long and rough process. I will discuss a few here to help bring an understanding to either new students getting started or if you are just curious. First thing a foreign student has to know enough English to be able to study in the US. This is just common sense to be able to really get the most out of an education and learn the subjects. Next you will have to have a valid passport issued by your native country of origin to apply for any type of “exchange visitor or student visa".

The student applying first has to be accepted by a school or institution approved by the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service). It is a similar process for students who wish to study in the UK Some schools are not able to issue the I-20 form that is needed so you will need to contact any school you are considering to not waste your time. When you find the school you want to go to and apply for the I-20 or IAP-66 form the school will send the form directly to you. Once you have the document you can go to the US Embassy or Consulate’s office and apply for a F-1 student visa or a J-1 exchange visitor visa. Then you have the M-1 Visa (this is issued to students who are studying non academic programs like denial hygienist, machinist, health care technician etc).

Ok so now you have applied and got your I-20 or IAP-66 form back, what is next? Don’t think this is all that it takes and you are in! This is only step one out of what my friends says are a never ending list of requirements. There has been increased pressure on immigration laws and enforcement of the existing laws. It is required now that a person applying to go to school in the US have to show that they really serious about studying and will not overstay their visa. (If you overstay your visa it will be almost impossible to ever come back and study). You must also be able to prove that you can pay for your education and living expenses while you are attending school in the US. There are some grants for international students but I don’t really know much about them and I am sure that they have some requirements you may need to research. The hard reality of this is even if you qualify and have all of the requirements you can still be denied.

Local immigration offices will help foreign students obtain any information on things like work visas, school transfers etc. You should also take note that The Department of State does not issue or renew student or exchange visitor visas in the US. That can only be done in your home country. Hopefully this blog either helps you understand the process or gives you a little information on what steps foreign students must make before coming to school in the US.

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sometimes you can just be sitting in class and all of a sudden you absolutely hate your major, (trust me it happens!) You are not alone it actually happens to many students. In fact it is estimated that nearly 75% of student change their major at least once. A small percentage of these students may even drop out. Bill Gates & Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook were both college dropouts, writes John Markoff. It is natural to be confused or have second thoughts about your education choice that will most likely guide you in to your future career. I personally think your first year of college should be your time to explore and make a real decision about what your major is or will be. It may be hard for you to find out what other subjects you are interested in and what you are good at, so having that first year to get adjusted can be a big help. It is really important to get the most out of your college years and education, so choosing a major that you enjoy and is useful can be priceless. Struggling through something you hate only to try and change your major at the end is just plain stupid in my opinion. Ok maybe not stupid if spending a few more years in school sounds like a fun idea? I believe, we need to do more than “open the door", we also need to provide resources, courses, and assistance so that all students–especially those students traditionally labeled “at-risk"–can succeed, says K. Mahoney

What ever you do you should really think about what your talents & skills are and what you really want to do with your future. For example if you want to be a musician and you are terrible at music but you happen to be a math wizard with no math classes, then perhaps you should consider switching your major. Sometimes it is a simple fact that your major does not fit your area of strength and this too can be a reason for the dislike of your major. If you see your classmates excelling and getting far better grades than you are, this will make you fell pretty crappy about being one of the worst students in the class. Make sure and give it your best shot before you call it quits. Be honest with yourself, if you are drinking all night and not studying, then doing poorly in class. It is pretty much your fault and not the fault of you major, so no matter what you choose you will have this same problem. So be honest and if you just plain suck at what you are doing then after you have given it your best shot, change your major.

Sometimes it is not your fault or the fault of the major. It can be that the school has a really poor program or just a lousy Professor. You really have to do your homework to find out what is the scoop with the quality of the professors and the program that your school offers. Talk to students read the reviews and get the facts before you blame yourself. If this is the case it poses slightly more of a fundamental problem than just a changing of your major or a lifestyle change. You should do your research before you choose your school so you know exactly what to expect. Choosing a school without doing the proper research will save you some serious agony. It can be a terrible surprise for anyone who has not done their homework on the school and the program. You spend allot of time and money only to find out your school has a really poor program or just a weak staff.

Whatever you choose as your major I advise you to use some common sense. Try and imagine what sort of careers are going to be available when you graduate. Does your major support finding a real career? You may be a really good dancer but investing 2 years in to something like “business management" only to find out you want to be a dancer may severely lower your job prospects. I am no expert on the subject but I would imagine that there are more available job positions in the “business management" sector than being a “professional dancer"? My final advice to anyone changing a major is just to put some real thought in to your decision and don’t make any rush decisions that will hurt you in the long run and good luck!

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It looks like the so called “credit crunch" is now going to be hurting students! If you are a student in the US you may find it really hard to get a student loan in the next year or so. Recession, down turn, credit crunch, call it whatever you want. The truth is that it is here and by the looks of things it is not going anywhere for the near future. How does this affect college students you ask? Well when the economy slows down and people loose jobs they start to default on loans and file for bankruptcies. When these things happen banks and investors get scarred because of the risk in private student loans are now higher than the return of their investments. Conditions like this make it really hard for students to have the ability to qualify or obtain a loan.

There are several factors to this problem that are far bigger than just students defaulting on their loans. Housing values crashing, high gas prices, high food prices and the weak dollar are all now starting to affect college students and their ability to pay for school.

Another reason is the massive losses we have seen in the banking industry in the last 2 years and purposed limits on student loan interest rates. Many banks are no longer offering student loan programs. This is going to discourage allot of students, but don’t give up and keep looking for lenders who are still offering student loans. You may also want to find out what programs (if any) your state offers. Some of the best programs around in my opinion are state run or non profits. They offer some of the best terms and conditions you will find because they are not focused on making a profit. Then there are the Federal Student Loan Programs.

One of the best and well known is Campus Based Aid. These are obtained directly through your school’s financial aid office. FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants). You can get anywhere from $150- $4,000 a year depending on your financial needs and what you qualify for. Federal Perkins Loans also allow you to get anywhere form $4,000 and below to a max of $20,000 for an undergrad. These are at a fixed interest rate of 5%. My advice is to learn as much as you can because many federal and state loans have limits and set requirements.

My least favorite option is getting a private student loan to pay for your education. These usually come with pretty high rates of interest, poor benefits and very little flexibility. You should only apply for private funding after you have tried everything else. These are just a few of my ideas to help give students fresh ideas and advice from my experience. As you consider your own ideas for paying for your education stick to the rule of thumb to not borrow any more than you need!

Posted by itznotmee@gmail.com at 5:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)