Saturday, March 14, 2020

Real Talk Is grad school worth it

Real Talk Is stufe school worth itIt comes with a high price tag and time commitment, but lots of jobs seem to want a degree beyond a bachelors or associates. So, is rang school worth it? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the simple answer is yes. Those with doctoral degrees, professional degrees, or masters degrees have higher zentralwert usual weekly earnings and lower unemployment rates. While there are counterpoints to this idea (like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, or Oprah, who made their wild successes without obtaining any degrees in higher education) and data showing that an electrician or plumbing apprenticeship may be a better investment than either a B.A. or a Ph.D., generally speaking the higher degree of learning you have, the higher your weekly income.But this is all in the abstractand your real-life situation may not appear so simple as a bar chart. What about the tuition costs, the inve stment of your time and effort, the job opportunities and earning years you give up in the meantime, and the possibility that it might not work out the way you want?The question most people need to ask first is can I afford the short-term pain for the potential long-term gain? There are also differences in every industry and every degree programsome, like a medical degree, will get you a monetary return on investment sooner than an MFA in painting. Earnings vary by industry, demographics, and location, and of course by individual, and a graduate degree does not automatically line your pockets with more cash each week. (In the short-term, it will do the exact opposite.) Degrees also gain and lose earning potential over time going to law school was a much better bet in the year 2000, before natural learning search algorithms eliminated much of the entry-level work, than it is today. You may also consider other factors like the value the graduate degree has beyond earning potential.But no matter what type of degree you seek, it is work and it is a gamble. So here are a few factors to consider before you fill out your FAFSA and brush up on your math skills for the GRE.If you are currently employed and the company will pay for itTake advantage of professional advancement programs within your current job. If your employer helps pay for grad school and you can juggle courses and your day job, then go for it. This helps take care of one of the main drawbacks of graduate school going broke. Depending on the degree program, universities might even offer stipends and assistantships.Getting funding assistance of any kind is one of the key bonuses that can help you get that degree to take you further in your professional endeavors. And, if you can remain gainfully employed while seeking a degree, your personal risk is considerably diminished. At the very least, you wont need to find a new job if the degree program does not pan out.If you consider your qualifications for fu ture positionsFor some positions, you simply need a graduate degree. Librarian? Yes. Architect? Yes. Doctor? Yes. If the dream job you always see posted on your favorite job website requires a graduate degree, then its time to seriously consider investing in that future to make the dream achievable. The trickiness of the situation comes when you make yourself overqualified for other positions. For example, if you have a graduate degree in marketing, but have no job experience, you may be screened out of the applicant pool for entry-level jobs. In cases like this, it is vital to explore internship opportunities while in school and cultivate real-world work experience too.If the degree has value beyond earning potentialIf you simply have a love of learning or a passion you want to follow, is it worth it? This is the case where worth may be defined beyond the monetary value. This means you will enjoy grad school with its challenges, but you may set yourself back monetarily for a few ye ars. If you want a degree in art history, theres no guarantee you will ever get a job as a museum conservator. You may still end up with a sales job and a vast knowledge of 16th century painters in your head.Beyond personal enrichment, there are other types of value for a graduate degreefor example, if the program offers good connections and internships. This can help with careers that are harder to break into like television, acting, or journalism.If you consider the money now vs. money in the futureDegrees with more immediate pipelines to job opportunities (like nursing, law school, or an master of business administration program) tend to charge tuition artists MFA degrees or a PhD in academic subjects that are less market-oriented tend to offer tuition remission, stipends, assistantships or on-campus jobs. (If they dont, then its much less worth it dont go into debt for a nonprofessional graduate degree) If youre not in a professional degree program, the lean years may extend a b it longer beyond grad school, and you may only gain success years later as you work towards your goal around your day job.If you are considering using the degree to teach at the college levelThe job market for professors has stagnated over the last decade, with a severe glut of degree holders and a dearth of jobs teaching full-time in university departments. Increasingly those earning a PhD in programs of study that can last 5-10 years are seeking out alt-ac jobsmeaning nonacademic jobsor spending years doing low-wage, low-security teaching work before leaving the profession. Do the research on your field and its job prospects before you commit to spending so many of your prime earning years in graduate school for a teaching career that might never materialize, no matter how smart you are or hard you try.

Monday, March 9, 2020

4 Ways My Style Changed When I Became a CEO

4 Ways My Style Changed When I Became a CEO Throughout history, warriors used tools like armor and makeup to prepare themselves both physically and mentally for battle. While we may leid be storming the battlefield these days, women put on their own form of armor each morning when they get dressed. Being a female CEO comes with an endless list of challenges that requires a closet full of armor. I founded my company Armoire on this exact premise providing women with power through the clothing they wear. Heres how I started using my clothing as my armor when I became a CEO.1. I dress with intention. At Armoire, we call our members anfhrer ladies confident women who own their strength in whatever they do and support each other along the way. If my outfit doesnt make me feel like a total boss lady, its not the one. Donna Karen once said Power dressing is designed to let the woman inside us come through, and I couldnt agree more. The self-assurance you absorb from your outfit radiates ou t of you, bringing added confidence no matter what the day throws at you. True boss lady power comes from within, regardless of what you are wearing.As the face of my company, I also consider how each outfit reflects the values of it as a whole. Being a boss lady is also about lifting other women up. When I need an extra confidence boost before I step into an important investor meeting, I like to wear something by one of the female-founded brands we carry. When I look in the mirror, Im reminded of the greater purpose of my company.2. I celebrate being a female leader with my clothes.While Armoire is a fashion-focused end product, we are rooted in tech. It is largely data-driven, using a combination of a machine-learning algorithm and a team professional stylists to curate members closets. The lack of women in leadership is still a hot-button issue, but Im proud to say we are steadily gaining ground. As a female entrepreneur, I walk into many male-dominated rooms. Instead of masking my femininity in these environments, Ive come to celebrate it While its important to look professional and be taken seriously, I still want to feel like myself.3. I focus on quality.While clothing should make you feel empowered mentally, its equally important to feel good physically. I have far too many things on my plate as is, and I have no time for bothersome clothing to be one of them. Our thoughts have energy, so I want to make sure my energy is going towards what really matters instead of thinking about how bad my feet hurt in heels.As the CEO of a clothing rental subscription company, my wardrobe is entirely rented. Having access to well-fitting, versatile pieces I love wearing makes it easier to maximize my wardrobe and makes packing a breeze. I focus on wearing pieces that travel well, can be easily layered and worn multiple times. Every woman should wear clothes that makes her feel like a total boss the moment she puts them on. 4. I find strength through my style.Seeing Ar moire members find their confidence through their clothing inspires me each and every day to do the same. I love hearing from our members that they wore our clothes during an important moment in their lives. Whether they just landed a promotion or testified in front of Congress, I like to think a bit of each boss ladys confidence gets passed along to the next person that rents that particular item.