CLASSES & JOBS

After graduating from high school, some choose to go on to college to study academics. Several types of programs and degrees are offered to cater to the person’s desires. Opportunities range from trade schools and 2-year programs to 4-year programs resulting in Bachelor’s degrees. Once a person knows what kind of degree or experiential education they want to get, they pick a specific major at an institution that suits them. When finished with the requirements of the major, the person graduates from college and then can choose to enter the workforce in their chosen career, or continue their schooling by entering a Masters or Doctoral program in their field of study.

Those who do hold degrees from colleges or universities are more likely to earn a better living than people with high school diplomas. Higher-level learning also opens up opportunities such as internships, career advising and study abroad experiences that secondary level institutions do not. Furthermore, many careers and positions now require a degree of some form to be eligible to apply.

After graduating college or after being in the workforce for some time, many adults choose to continue learning through adult education programs. These programs are set up to help adults continue to grow academically after their college years or the start their academic pursuance for the first time. Many attend adult education classes to get their General Educational Development (GED) if they didn’t graduate high school and desire to get that certification.

Adult education programs range from academic subject matter to teaching trade skills and are usually offered at a variety of times to accommodate the schedules and lifestyles of working adults. Types of classes depend on the institutions offering them and class fees vary as well. They are offered at both high schools and colleges. If interested in such programs, contact the nearest academic establishment or research online to see what is offered in your area.

One of the most rewarding things you can do in life is start your own business and watch it grow, or be part of a start-up company that you respect and help it become successful. Business is an important part of our lives; many of us spend our days working, so choosing the right type of business to involve yourself in is important.

Starting your own business involves registering your business with the state, setting up a payroll and tax payment system with your accountant, and marketing your products and services in a way that attracts customers. Being a valuable part of someone else’s business means understanding their business goals, working to achieve them, and sharing your own ideas to help the business succeed. Taking a business class is one of the best decisions you can make, whether you work for yourself or someone else. A business class at a local college can give you new ideas, help you get started, help you network with other like-minded people, and even boost your resume.

Having insurance is important. This includes health, life, dental, house, car, and even pet insurance. There is insurance for everything you can imagine, and it’s your responsibility to decide what kind of insurance is necessary for you and your loved ones, and what kind you can live without. My grandfather raised his children (my mom) without having any health insurance. He kept a large savings account to draw from if there ever was an emergency, and he chose not to pay a monthly fee for insurance. However, he got lucky. No one was ever seriously injured or ill. His was of providing health insurance for his family is not advisable, especially considering modern medical costs.

Health and car insurance are two types of insurance families should not go without. It is illegal to operate a car that isn’t insured, and it is unwise to live without health insurance. Medical bills can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and very few people have that large of savings accounts. My friend recently broke her arm and is now faced with $40,000 worth of medical bills, all because she chose not to have health insurance.

My mom runs a therapeutic horseback riding program for people with developmental disabilities. Growing up around people with many people with disabilities was really good for me. It taught me to accept people for who they are, no matter their ability level.

My mom befriended Harry, a physically and mentally challenged man who pretty much became part of our family when she first started working for the agency that took care of him. He was about the age to be a grandparent to me, but saw my mom as his mom too. Harry came to all of our family events, every birthday parties my brother and I had, and sometimes even to sports games. He was just like a part of our family. His abilities inspired all of us and made us want to try harder at everything we did.

During my lunch break I’ve been reading alot. My favorite new book is The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. The historical-fiction depicts the Prices, an American missionary family who move to the Congo in the 1960’s to spread the word of the Lord to the tribal people of the Kilanga village. The father takes it into his own hands to convert the local people and denounce their traditional pagan ways of faith and does so in a blatantly aggressive manner. He is also verbally assaulting to his family and belittles his girls when given the opportunity.

The story is narrated by Orleanna, the mother, and her four daughters Rachel, Leah, Adah and Ruth-May. Throughout the book, you see the transformations each of the girls make and how they deal with family and societal issues in living with the Congo. The book follows these characters from when they first arrive in the Congo to their adult lives in the 1990’s and shows the very different routes that each of the women take in their lives. Leah, one of the daughters and Adah’s twin, makes the biggest transition of all the girls in her perceptions of religion. Originally having worshiped her father and his words, she later identifies herself with the Congolese people and questions her father’s actions. This novel is so great because it incorporates the historical background of the Congo in its descriptions, and is a really interesting read.

Fitness is so important for our health, yet it’s very difficult when you have a full time job. It takes some effort, but your body will thank you. Walk your dog a bit farther, sign up with a personal trainer who will motivate you, or set up a running club. Those are just a few ideas that can help you get exercise and stay fit even if you’re busy.

Since starting my first full time job, I’ve struggled with how to stay active even though I sit at a desk all day. I’ve found that if I walk places, instead of driving if possible, I feel much better. Even if it takes a bit longer to get somewhere, if it’s within a mile it’s easily walkable. Also, when I do drive places, I try to park a bit farther than I normally would. It feels good to stretch my legs, even if for just a bit. It doesn’t seem like these little walks would really help much, but I definitely notice a difference when I get to walk a little every day, compared to when I don’t.

I really like eating out. It might have something to do with my overall love for food. But most likely it’s due to the fact that I live alone and I’m an absolutely horrendous cook. Although eating out at restaurants can be expensive, I try to select the less expensive, healthier restaurants. I ask friends, family and coworkers for dining suggestions, and they always give me good advice.

It’s really fun to try new places to eat, and new dishes. I sometimes have something I really like in a restaurant and try to make it at home. It usually doesn’t work very well though; I definitely envy those who have a natural cooking ability.

I think it’s also fun to eat out because then you get to socialize while enjoying delicious food. That’s much better than eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home in front of the TV. There are so many different types of restaurants; it can be an adventure to try a new one out.

Financial Aid is government assistance for those who are attending a college or university. Financial Aid is applied for by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), which requires you to give the student and the parents tax information and other necessary facts about the students education and past. Financial Aid is awarded on a first come, first serve basis so it is very important to get your application sent out as soon as it is finished. Also, make sure to fill it out completely because the committee will put a hold on your application if it is not fully finished, which could lead to a decreased chance in getting aid because of the time lapse.

Furthermore, it is helpful to research the FASFA and its requirements on the Internet before submitting your application because doing so will show you if you qualify for certain allowances or how to maximize your aid earnings. Also, make sure you speak with an academic counselor if you are having trouble in filling out your application to make sure it is accurate.

Whether you’re in school, or well on your way down your career path, keeping good financial records is important for individuals as well as businesses. We all can easily become overwhelmed by paperwork, especially if we don’t have a good financial filing system. I’m a fairly disorganized person, so when it comes to keeping track of things, especially my money, I have a hard time. Luckily I’ve found that most banks, credit, and debit cards have online accounts. That’s been very helpful for me to keep track of everything financial. Pay your bills using your bank’s online bill pay system and get rid of the paperwork!

The best system I’ve found to keep myself organized is immediately filing everything…the very second I get it from the mailbox. I have a “to pay” file as well as a file for “bills paid.” That way, mail doesn’t sit on my coffee table for days, and it also doesn’t get forgotten. I also have a very strict budget. By strict, I mean that I try to account for every penny that goes in and out of my account. I sit down at the beginning of the month and make a budget. I make sure to leave a few hundred dollars as a “safety” in case I forget about something. Then, at the end of each week I make sure I’m on track. I match my budget with my bank account to make sure there aren’t any unaccounted for activities taking place. I always try to end up with a few extra dollars at the end of the month to put in savings or spend on something I’ve wanted for a while.


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