Top 10 Guidance Counselor Posts - August 2010
ShareThisWhen researching ways to complete your education online, it can be tempting to enroll in a program promising minimal time and effort. In the post entitled Is My Online Diploma Valid?, our career expert cautions you to think twice before enrolling in such a program; they may not be credible.
"An online program that offers you a quick diploma without any coursework to go with it is illegitimate," she writes. "So are online 'schools' that promise that you can take the GED, which is a diploma equivalent, online."
Fortunately, there are a number of accredited online schools offering legitimate high school diplomas. These schools have an approved curriculum that requires effort on your part. You can also interact with staff by phone or computer to enhance your learning.
You're 5 Steps Away from Earning Your GED
If you'd prefer to earn your GED, our guidance counselor walks you through the process in the post entitled Top Five Ways to Get Your GED, including:
- How to find the information you need through the American Council on Education
- How to locate a testing center
- Why support from friends and family is a must
- How to prepare for the exam
- How to avoid scams
Need Financial Aid? Start Here
Higher education is an investment, and often a pricey one. Fortunately, you don't have to let finances stand between you and your dream career. There are a number of financial aid options available to you, and you can learn how to find them in Can You Help Me Find Out About Financial Aid?.
Our career expert suggests beginning with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can apply for free online to determine what types of federal aid you qualify for, including subsidized and unsubsidized student loans or grants. She also notes that many schools or organizations award scholarships based on either need or merit.
Keep your options open and don't hesitate to apply for several different types of aid. As our expert notes, "In the end, you will probably need to do a mix of several things to be able to pursue your degree."
Shifting Gears after Unemployment, Retirement
Despite what you might think, retirement doesn't have to be forever. As our expert notes in I am Retired and Want to Go Back to Work! What Do I Do?, more people than ever before are launching "encore careers," or careers pursued later in life for personal fulfillment or to just begin earning money again. While some retirees re-enter the same careers from which they retired, others look for something new.
But what if you never chose to leave your career in the first place? A difficult economy has left nearly 10 percent of Americans jobless, so it is becoming increasingly common for people to have to re-enter the job market after a spell of unemployment, and often to new careers entirely. In Finding a Job in North Carolina after Unemployment, our expert advises one such worker to advance his education to break into a new industry. "I suggest you research the many certificate and associate's degree programs available both in your state and online," she notes. "Community colleges are an excellent place to start.
