College students these days have packed schedules. When you're rushing around campus all day, it can be hard to find the time to eat a meal, let alone cook one. That's why most students rely on their school's meal plan. These days, meal plans give you lots of food options to choose from, including off-campus eateries that can serve up meals late into the night.But this convenience comes at a high cost. According to the Hechinger Report, the average college meal plan costs $4,500 for three meals a day, eight months a year. That works out to about $18.75 per day. By contrast, the average … [Read more...]
Is Getting an MBA Degree Worth It? – Value & Costs of Business School
Is the MBA degree a victim of its own success?"[E]asier access to an MBA has changed what the MBA means to employers," writes C. S.-W., in The Economist. "Simply put, MBAs are no longer rare, and as such are no longer a guarantee for employment."More than 191,000 U.S. students graduated with advanced business degrees following the 2011-12 academic year, per Forbes. They accounted for approximately 25% of all graduate school degrees conferred in the United States, nearly triple the 1970-71 proportion. The next most popular advanced degree, a master's in education, accounted for less … [Read more...]
Should You Pay for Your Child’s College Education?
College keeps getting more expensive. According to the College Board, in 2016-17, the average cost of a year at a public four-year college - including tuition, fees, room, and board - was $20,090 for in-state students and $35,370 for out-of-state students. At private, nonprofit colleges, the average cost was a whopping $45,370 per year. At those prices, it's no wonder a 2015 Gallup poll found that over 70% of parents say their single biggest financial worry is how to pay for their children's college education.But perhaps all those parents are worrying about the wrong thing. Maybe the … [Read more...]
10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business Writing Skills
Stop and think about how many emails you write each day at work. According to a study conducted by Carleton University, professionals spend one-third of their time at work reading and answering emails. You might spend more than this, or less, but chances are, a significant portion of your day is spent writing something.Now think about how much time you've wasted trying to decipher an email or report that's poorly written. Not only is it frustrating and annoying to read, but bad writing can also lead to serious miscommunications, lost opportunities, or even workplace accidents.The point … [Read more...]
How to Identify & Report Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A touch on the knee. A lascivious glance. A crude comment by a colleague. An inappropriate suggestion. Most people have witnessed or experienced inappropriate sexual comments or actions at work that made them uncomfortable. However, all too often a careless comment or gesture turns into something more and crosses the line from inappropriate to harassment.There is a strong "culture of silence" surrounding sexual harassment, especially in the workplace. However, talking about what happened, and reporting it, is the only way to change our culture to one where everyone feels safe and … [Read more...]
Workplace Bullying Prevention & Resolution Strategies
According to research published in Forbes, 75% of U.S. workers have been affected by workplace bullying. A survey by VitalSmarts puts this number at 96%.Chances are, you've experienced it yourself. A boss who regularly hurls insults at you in front of your coworkers, a project manager who frequently undermines your work by withholding information, a colleague who spreads rumors and considers it her mission in life to ruin your reputation - these are all common examples of workplace bullying.Workplace bullying is traumatic and incredibly costly to your physical and mental health. It … [Read more...]
22 College Towns That You Can Live in Forever
Looking for a place to settle down after you graduate?Big coastal cities like Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco have jobs galore for well-qualified grads. If you like energy and excitement, they're also undeniably fun places to live. You don't have to go far to take in world-class culture, try exciting new cuisines, or be a tourist in your own town for a day.Problem is, big-city life is expensive. Really expensive. Do you know how much it costs to rent a one-bedroom apartment in New York City? If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it.If your new hometown need only have … [Read more...]
22 Tips for Your First Day at Work Starting a New Job
Reliable statistics about the frequency with which Americans switch jobs are surprisingly hard to find. One of the broadest-based measures of economic mobility is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), which tracked the early and middle careers of thousands of people born between 1959 and 1964.From age 18 through age 48, the average male study subject held 11.8 jobs, or one every roughly 2.5 years, according to the BLS. The average woman held 11.5 jobs, or one every roughly 2.6 years.Forward-looking analyses suggest that job-hopping will … [Read more...]
Networking for Introverts – 7 Simple Steps for Success
Do you cringe when you think about networking? Whether you love it or hate it, networking is an essential skill that could pay huge dividends in your career.For example, networking can help you land a promotion, or find your dream job at another company. If you're in sales, networking can help you connect with lucrative new clients, or build stronger business relationships with the clients you already have.If you have an outgoing, extroverted personality, networking is probably easy and enjoyable. However, those of you with introverted personalities probably find networking to be … [Read more...]
6 Education-Related Tax Credits & Deductions for College Tuition & Expenses
Unless you have wealthy parents or are blessed with a full-ride scholarship, your own or your children's college education is going to be a financial challenge. In-state public colleges cost an average of $24,610 per year, and private universities boast a massive average annual tuition price of $49,320, according to the College Board. College seniors who borrowed money to pay those costs now graduate with an average of $37,172 in student loan debt.While tuition costs are high and increases seem inevitable, there are ways to alleviate the financial burden. The federal government currently … [Read more...]
4 Job-Related & Job Search Expenses That Are Tax Deductible
If you use your own vehicle for work and are not reimbursed for your mileage, or if you incur expenses in looking for work, you may be able to deduct those expenses on your taxes. Similarly, if you travel for work and your travel expenses are not reimbursed, you may be able to deduct those costs. And, if you must take courses to maintain your job skills, certification, or license, those expenses may be deductible on your taxes as well.Record keeping is an important facet of claiming these exemptions, so it is a good idea to "record as you go," rather than trying to reconstruct expenses in … [Read more...]
