Seven Reasons Why College Students Become Unemployed or Underemployed

In recent years, the sad fact is that fifty percent of all college grads have been unable to land good jobs. The reasons for this statistic can be traced to a variety of reasons including the economy and a poor understanding of the employment process.

Too many students fail to follow the steps that are most likely to lead to employment success. They prefer to ignore their employment goals until the senior year. Since gathering the information, creating a plan and carrying out that plan take more time, that strategy does not work well.

Factors That Affect Employment

1. Your Major - Some college majors are in demand, others are not. When you select a major that is not in demand, you can hurt your chances for employment success. When you know that you have selected a major that has limited employment opportunities, you must understand that you will have to look closely at your options and address the issues head on. Burying your head in the sand and ignoring the obvious will not serve you well.

2. Your College - The college you select is a factor in employment success. When your college does not have a good reputation in your field of study, few employers will show an interest. Also, when your college does a poor job of helping students get prepared to conduct an effective job search, those students will be at a disadvantage in the competitive job market. The reputation of the college in your field of study and the ability of the college to help students prepare for their employment search should be known to you before you make your final choice.

3. Your Performance - Students need a semester-by-semester Plan of Action. Those who are not detailed and clear about their activities and performance will loose out to students who are more aware and better prepared. Their performance in the classroom, in campus activities, at work and in community or leisure activities is important. Students who fail to participate in or excel at anything will seldom show up on an employer's radar screen.

4. Your Attitude - There is an enthusiasm that goes along with success. It is a combination of confidence, interest in the work, determination to succeed, a willingness to take calculated risks and a need to get things done and done right. When students fail to demonstrate a superior work attitude, employers will move on to the next candidate.

5. Your Accomplishments - Your accomplishments tell others about you and your capabilities. Therefore, students with few accomplishments will have little to say and will obscure their capabilities from potential employers. No employer is going to spend time trying to figure out what an unknown quantity can bring to the table. Your capabilities must be made obvious by prior accomplishments and handed to employers on a silver platter.

6. Your Job Search - Getting ready to conduct a comprehensive and effective search for employment is a slow process that builds gradually, as you move through college. Preparation includes a goal, a plan, research, classroom performance, campus, community and leisure activities, work experiences, accomplishments and successes, examples and stories, your network, your resume and sales letter, interview practice, employer identification, references and more. Because there is so much to do, students who fail to adequately prepare for their senior year job search should be prepared to fail.

7. Your Reputation - You create the reputation upon which employers make judgments. Charisma, leadership, communication, performance results, relationships, memberships, contacts, influence, references and recommendations all come into play. Your reputation both precedes you and follows you. However, when you have no reputation, employers will wonder why not. When you have done nothing of importance during the college years, it will be difficult for you to stand out. Obviously, when someone has a bad reputation, their chances for employment will be nonexistent.

Although a few students can sometimes get away with ignoring one or two of the seven elements listed above, relying on luck and your good looks is not a reliable strategy for beginning a career. A clear direction, understanding the requirements, a plan, hard work and determination are all needed for employment success. To help ensure that you do not join the ranks of the unemployed and become a statistic, you should take pains to put yourself in the best position to find a job with career potential.

For College Admission Success, Mind Your Manners

You may be wondering how college admissions and manners could possibly be related. The connection is surprisingly clear. As you go through the college planning process, you'll deal with adults who have some influence on your future. How you handle these encounters can make all the difference.

Frequently, the college admissions process seems quite impersonal, but there are many interactions with college representatives, admissions officers, alumni and high school teachers. This is where manners and appropriate behavior play a role.

Read on to find out the five areas of college admissions where manners do matter:

Teacher recommendations

Students usually ask high school teachers for college recommendations. Obviously, if teachers are asked to write a recommendation in the spring of your junior year, they have plenty of time to get this done during the summer. If, on the other hand, you wait until the recommendation is almost due, many teachers resent the rush and pressure to get the job done quickly. Teachers are busy people, and they're doing you a favor. It's important to thank them for taking the time to write you a letter. Don't forget about your counselor, too.

Social media

Students don't always use the best judgment on their Facebook pages or other networking sites. Before you apply to college, clean up anything that could jeopardize your opportunities for college acceptance. Colleges DO care what you post and show online. If it's inappropriate, there's a good possibility it will be noted on your college application. A surprising number of college admissions officers reported social media sites have had a negative impact on a student's possibilities for college admission. Don't take that chance. It's poor manners to say things online that you might regret later.

Email and cellphones

It's wise for students to have a separate email address for all college correspondence. Your current address might be cute but doesn't convey the image you want to project to colleges. It's also smart to review your cellphone message. College representatives will often contact students on their cellphones to set up interviews. Most college reps would like to know that they've reached the student for which the call was intended. If the college representative hears blaring music, he or she may not know whether to leave a message. You might miss an important opportunity to connect with someone from a school that interests you. Also, know how to answer a phone. When asked, "Is this Rob?" say, "Yes, this is he," not "Yeah, this is him." First impressions count.

College interviews

If you have a chance to interview with someone from a college or university, by all means do it. Dress appropriately, and be prepared with a few questions you would like to ask about the school. Arrive at the interview at least 10 minutes early. College officers are busy and can't wait if you're late. It's important to meet your interviewer with a firm handshake. You should also maintain good eye contact throughout the interview. When you return home, it's polite to send a thank-you note, not an email. Ask your interviewer for a business card so you know where to send the note. Show interest in the school and listen to what the interviewer has to say.

College visits

College admissions committees like to accept students who show an interest in their school. One of the best ways to do this is through a college visit. Call in advance to set up a tour, information session and possible interview. Avoid using your cellphone or texting while you are visiting a college campus. Pay attention to the guide, and don't talk with other people during the tour. Colleges realize that you're a teenager and don't expect you to act like an adult all the time. However, they do want to know that you can demonstrate appropriate behavior and know how to conduct yourself, so keep in mind that manners are important for college admissions.

An Accounting Diploma Is a Cross-Disciplinary Asset

Accountants understand three things incredibly well: taxes, money and profit. Incidentally, these are the three most keys elements to any successful business. Accountants know this, and this is why, quite often, they can work in almost any industry, at any level. They hold the keys to the financial kingdom, due to their ability to safeguard the assets and numbers of any business or individuals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting is the only job that has experienced a rise in the growth among all occupations since 2008, surpassing other employments by approximately 22%. The BLS has also estimated that the employment levels in accounting will only continue to grow. That's great news for a job that has a starting salary of almost 59,000 going into an economic recession.

The right training can help prepare potential applicants for these jobs. While accounting is a great career, it requires extensive training, both in theory and in practice. Professional accountants must also stay up to date on the current tax regulations and laws to ensure their efficiency. Also, be aware that following accounting training, all accountants must obtain their Certified Public Accountant certificate (CPA). A CPA is what is used to verify the credibility of a trained accountant, whether they are employed, or independent. With a CPA, accountants can work for public, government or private accounting firms. They aren't limited to office jobs, either. They can work in auditing jobs (a particular field that can lead to traveling all around the world in changing environments), in financial or marketing-based positions, or independently. Imagine any field, from film production to education. They all need accountants, or at least someone with financial expertise.

With all of these facts in mind, now consider the overall value of an accountant. Or rather, weigh the value of an individual with a background in accounting, working in any job? Accounting training exponentially increases the value of an employee, regardless of the field that they choose to work in. Every job benefits from someone who is financially skilled, and it definitely places financially capable applicants in a very favorable light.

If you are considering an employment change, or just beginning your career, then consider accountant training. If you simply want to increase your employment value, an accounting certificate can take you a long way. Today, it is very important to ensure that you have the assets to make you stand out in a room of applicants (or fellow employees). Don't choose a field of study that can only take you to a certain level; choose a career that will benefit you and your family in the long run. If you're uncertain, simply try taking one accounting course to see if a financial career is in your future.

Consultative Selling, Say What?

Consultative selling is a seven-syllable way of conveying what is at heart a very simple concept.

You don't have to be a graduate of sales leadership training to be able to grasp it.

Consultative selling is based on building a foundational relationship with your prospect before launching into a list of all the bells and whistles of your product and service.

Think of it this way: conventional selling is product-based. My product is great. You should buy it because... But consultative selling is prospect-based. Who are you? What are your needs? How can I best help you? It's a subtle shift in perspective.

Sales coaching in this kind of selling teaches salespeople to take their time with the client, to view them as a relevant, even indispensable, source of information. A salesperson engaged in this kind of selling relationship is actually conducting an informal method of market research, by taking the time to find out what solutions their clients would need or wish existed.

Sales leadership training for this kind of selling teaches salespeople to view prospects as partners, with whom to work towards solutions. It does not assume that the salesperson knows the solution at the beginning of the process, nor that the prospect does. The choice of product depends on the answers to the many questions that the salesperson puts to the client. In consultative selling, there is no marching in and saying, "This is what you need." Nor can the salesperson meekly give the customer what they claim to need at first interaction. It is a more careful, thought-out process.

That said, consultative selling doesn't work for all situations, for, of course, in some situations, the client does know exactly what they want, and would be annoyed by unnecessary questions. They might resent a salesperson trying to slow down the process, and stand in the way of a sale. That is why sales coaching sessions devoted to this style must also teach salespeople tips for deciding on how and when to use it. In what kind of situations is a relationship-based selling approach to be preferred? In what kind of situations should it be avoided? Many a sales leadership training session has been devoted to answering these difficult, but crucial questions.

So what might sales coaching in this style of selling look like? It might involve the following:

· role playing

· participants may be asked to clearly establish a goal, such as "Learn more," or "Ask questions," for each interaction with a client

· learning how to let go of the pitch as a crutch

· collaborative problem solving

To sum up, consultative selling will not be right for all situations, but for some situations, it will be the best approach possible. The right kind of sales coaching can teach a salesperson to recognize which situations are best suited to this customer-based selling style.

A Tailor-Made Corporate Event

Trade fairs, conferences, and seminars are three types of events that are all great ways to allow people of the same industry to get together in a non-competitive atmosphere for mutual exchange of information, and to expand their professional network. It is important for people of business to occasionally put the bottom line of buying and selling on hold purely for the sake of the advancement of industry expertise. This way everyone working in the industry, as well as the average person who depends or benefits on the products of that industry, can count on a continual improvement of the quality of business and its fruits.

Event planners have a responsibility to understand these three different kinds of sponsored events. Trade shows allow companies and individuals to demonstrate and inform other industry people and the public to new developments in an open, market-place style atmosphere. Conferences have more of an academic feel as opposed to the market-place feel of trade shows, with representatives giving lectures, taking part in debates, and fielding questions regarding their subject. Seminars normally focus on one specific subject, and combines information sessions with exercises and trial periods.

But it is not only the three style of corporate events that the event planner must know. It is up to them to take the time and do their research regarding the specific industries hiring them to plan their events. Everything from the design of the space, the food being served, and the extra activities offered to the participants should be tailor-made to those attending. Here are some examples of specific industry events and what is done to customize the event.

- Trade shows for new machinery: This requires large exhibition rooms with high ceilings depending on the machines. Many power outlets should be safe and secure and well distributed throughout. Lounge areas nearby to escape the noise for more private conversations is a good idea.

- Teacher's conferences: Comfortable lecture rooms with good visibility to the stage or podiums. Access to projectors, photocopy machines, and internet is important. A lot of good available coffee is also recommended.

- Business motivational seminars: Large rooms for lectures with quick access to smaller rooms for group activities. Guests should also be housed in close proximity to further encourage team building during non-seminar hours, like meals and recreation.

- Food fairs: Well-ventilated rooms to avoid mixing aromas between booths. Lots of garbage receptacles and regular garbage removal is very important. There should be good mix of standing and sitting room. Access to bathrooms and other sanitation stations is also needed.

These and many more diverse and unique events make up part of the education one gets in event planning courses. Learning to respond to each event's custom needs is what makes for a great event planner, and a memorable time for everyone showing off their trade, lecturing on their skills, or simply learning about new developments in their industries.

Where to Get the Best Free Education Online

Going out to college is cool but it can also make you flat busted. Rent, books, meal - the college expenses list can go endless.

But if you're not that degree freak, check out some of the best MOOCs (Massively Open Online Course) found for free. Keep in mind that they offer free courses online in the form of video podcasts, audio lectures, and written transcripts, but NOT college credits or degrees.

The Harvard Extension School's Open Learning Initiative made available the eight free Harvard courses on video format. You do not need to register just to watch the lecture videos. Sets, Counting and Probability, Abstract Algebra, Intensive Introduction to Computer Science are some of noncredit courses which are open to the public for free and are taught by eminent Harvard faculty. Browse their more than 600 evening and online courses, many offered for credit and at a reasonable tuition rate, if you are interested in exploring what else Harvard Extension School has to offer.

MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) web-based free open publication of MIT course content and materials that mirror almost all undergraduate and graduate courses taught at MIT. Because OCW is not a credit-bearing or degree-granting initiative, there is no registration or enrollment process. You may work through the materials at your own pace, and in whatever way you want.

Supported by a grant from William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (yeah, the ones behind HP computers), Open Yale Courses (OYC) offer their notable lectures and other instructional materials from some of their collegiate Yale courses free through internet. OYC covers the wide range of liberal arts disciplines, such as social sciences, humanities, and biological and physical sciences.

Each course has a set of class lectures produced in top-quality video along with other course materials like syllabi, problem sets, and suggested readings. The lectures are available in downloadable videos, audio-only version, and written transcripts. Prominent Yale scientists and scholars who teach excellent courses at the undergraduate introductory level take part in Open Yale Courses.

Taught by regular Stanford faculty, Stanford Free Online Courses are particularly interactive and envisioned to continue Stanford's leadership in providing excellent education to its students and to the world. Like other MOOC, you don't get credit for your work, but with Stanford, you will receive a statement of accomplishment if you successfully completed a course. The classes are offered on many different delivery platforms like Coursera, Class2Go, and Venture Lab.

Free online courses solve a number of other needs which cannot be handled by regular schools and are not intended to replace formal degrees at a reputable degree-granting school.

Why Counseling Is Important Before Committing To Distance Learning Education Courses?

Importance of Counseling

Counseling for students before starting with distance learning education courses is important to ensure that the chosen course is appropriate for students. Generally, this process is organized and governed by authorized professionals. This helps students to understand their goals and set their priorities right for the academic future. Here are a few topics that are discussed in the counseling process.

· Theory of Education

· Psychology of intellectual development

· Career Counseling

· Planning for educational career

· Cross-Cultural Counseling

Counseling is a part of educational development that ensures a bright future for students.

Objectives of This Therapy

Counseling has multiple objectives that work in favor of students. Building a strong academic foundation for future is the main objective of this process. Let us talk about a few other objectives of counseling.

· It helps students to learn about their social responsibilities and reduces communication gap between teachers and learners.

· It is not about providing a set of rules to students, but to encourage them to follow a certain process that includes information exchange, advising, and counseling.

· As this process is organized prior to the start of education program, therefore, students get better confidence about their choice of the course that they are about to pursue.

· Throughout the session, counselor's knowledge of courses helps the students. This helps them to make the right decision.

· Counseling is not about lecturing; it is all about finding the most suitable way to gain success in education through debate and discussion.

· Some of the students often feel troubled making decisions when it comes to distance education. However, with the help of counseling, students overcome their fear and make bold decisions for life.

What these Sessions are based on?

Counseling therapy depends on the acceptance, genuineness, and empathy of the counselor. However, there are different types of subjects that make this therapy a success. This therapy teaches a few basic skills to the students that help them in completing the assignments. The manner of counseling changes according to the course that an individual student wishes to pursue. It offers a clinical experience to the students and helps them to be more clear-minded regarding the long career ahead of them. Here are a few parts of counseling that changes in respect to the distance learning education course.

· Theory of Counseling

· Counseling philosophies to make ethical decision

· Management of information

· Counseling of vocational or writing issues

So, counseling is one of the most important parts of distance learning education courses.