Test Out University - Let's Make the First Year Free

I bumped into an interesting article on MacLean's OnCampus website.  It suggests making the first year of college or university free for students so they can 'test' out post secondary education.  The author, Todd Pettigrew, bases the article on a study that concludes students aren't prepared for the challenges and rigor of a post secondary education.

I'm conflicted as to whether this is a good idea or not.  I do agree that young adults who aren't sure if they are ready for post secondary education should consider testing it out.  I don't think I agree with a whole year of education as a free hand out.  Education isn't all about what you learn in classes or labs.  I believe that part of the post secondary educational experience is learning to manage your money, learning to know if you are ready for more formal schooling or not, and learning to be responsible for your own decisions.  It's the best, most practical kind of learning.  Besides, who is going to foot the bill for all of these first year students with the governments running deficits like they are?

Personally, I did one year of college directly after high school that I paid for myself - out of money that I had saved and earned on my own - and I realized that I wasn't ready to continue with more schooling for while.  Frankly, I was burned out on formal education.  I had been very busy with extra curricular activities in high school along with my course load, and I was tired of being lectured on theories of 'the way things are' without a practical application.  I had to discover some of those things for myself.  I needed to travel and have 'hands-on' learning experiences for while. 

Everyone is unique.  Some people are ready for post secondary education right out of high school and it's not a problem for them.  Others, like me, are not.  If the tuition of a full year is a concern for you if you are considering 'testing out' a post secondary education, cut your costs in half by starting with a single semester!  No one is saying you have to take a full year.  In the end, I guarantee you'll learn more powerful lessons if you make and pay for this decision on your own.

College/Post Secondary Education Alternative

Here's one of the ways the traditional college model is changing. More students are realizing they can achieve a college degree on-line, coupled with real life experiences, and save the time and expense of attending a 4 year institution for a diploma and a boat-load of debt.
Go to www.collegeplus.org to find out more.

Another challenger to the traditional college education is Minerva Schools at KGI.  Classrooms are in a different city every year.  Tuition is capped and every qualified student is accepted.  Courses are given online in a seminar format and limited to 19 students (so you can't fly under the radar).

Also, don't forget to check out our 'Education Resources for High School Graduates and Young Adults' page for more links to post secondary education resources.

Financing Your Post Secondary Education with Oil

Ever wondered about how to finance your post secondary education?  Growing up in British Columbia, I had no idea that I could work on the oil rigs in Alberta and Saskatchewan to help make money for my education.  However, I've just finished a couple of web sites for the CAODC that help young people find entry level work in the oil patch.  It's hard work, shift work - but its good money and good experience.

Tristan, the leader of one of the bands I play with occasionally,  worked in the oil patch on the rigs for a couple of years to do just that.  He saved money while he was working, then went to school with the money he made.  After doing this for a few years he eventually gained enough experience to start his own cabinet fitting company (that's what he was going to school for). He financed all of his education, his tools, and his truck through his work on the rigs.

The two sites that I've just finished working on that are great resources for finding entry level positions in the oil patch are:

ServiceRigDrive.ca

and
RigTech.ca

Check them out!

A Letter to My Piano Teacher

Dear Betty-Anne,

I haven't seen or talked with you in over twenty years, but you are still a part of my life almost every day.

When you first started teaching me, I knew the rudiments of playing the piano.  I could mechanically play a piece of music.  However, you taught me how to make music.  Recitals were scary, but I remember playing pieces like 'The Pink Panther' and 'The Policeman' and learning to enjoy them because they became music to me and to the people who listened as well.  Playing the piano for you wasn't just about hitting the right notes at the right time - it was about moving people - making them see you, the music, or themselves in a different, new way.  Your encouragement has helped me use music to be a catalyst in healing hearts, minds, emotions, and relationships.

Your influence on me didn't just stop with music.  Through your example and your enthusiasm, you taught me how to teach.  I have taught others guitar, piano, drums privately, and I've taught classes in software programming publicly, all with great reviews because of your impact on my life.  Going to piano lessons every Tuesday night, I never would have dreamed I would learn to become a teacher.  But that's what happened!  You awakened another gift in me - the ability to pass knowledge onto others.

I'm sure you wonder what happened to me after all these years.  I still play bits and pieces of the songs that we worked on together on the piano.  I compose my own music on the piano and the guitar.  Maybe you'll still hear that one day.  And I play and sing in bands.  In fact, over the years I've played many different instruments in many bands in front of thousands of people.  The joy of being able to share this gift of music with others is precious.

My life is more rich and full because of you, Betty-Anne.  You made a difference in my life and you are not forgotten.

Affectionately,
Perry

One of the Most Important Things...

Malcolm Gladwell has interviewed a lot of people.  He writes for a living and has written several engaging, non-fiction books that I really enjoyed reading.  One of his books, What the Dog Saw, has a chapter called 'The New Boy Network' in it.  For most of the chapter, Malcolm is intrigued with why one particular college student is perceived  to have 'the right stuff' by big IT companies within seconds after they talk with him.  Throughout the course of his interview, Malcolm finds himself agreeing with the companies.  Why is this fellow so likable that Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, would offer to be his mentor after hearing him ask one question in a conference setting?

The student reveals one of his big secrets to Malcolm at the end of the chapter.  He says, "One of the most important things is that you have to come across as being confident in what you are doing and in who you are.  How do you do that?  Speak clearly and smile."

I couldn't agree more.  This lesson struck a chord with me as I was watching different bands in our church play on different Sundays.  Why did I feel more relaxed and engaged when one particular band was playing?  It was because the lead singer often smiled when she sang.  When I got assigned to a band myself, I tried to make a point to do the same, and we as a band were commended on it.

Want Some Career Search Help?

Having problems finding your place in life?  I think almost everyone at some time or other has struggled with where they 'fit'.  Even after being established in a career for a decade or two many people have days or weeks where they question everything (middle age crisis).  Maybe it should just be one of those things that we should accept as part of living and maturing.

If you do happen to find yourself lost or struggling in your career search, it sometimes helps to give yourself a different perspective on life.  Consider trying one of these mental exercises:

• Imagine you are a career counselor.  How would you advise yourself in making a career choice?  Even better, go to the library and get The Career Counselor's Handbook by Howard Figler and Richard Nelson Bolles.  It has some great chapters that I think offer an interesting perspective on the career search, even for people who are lost in it.  The chapters on 'Tools' and 'Special Problems' are great.  Also, the sections at the beginning about 'What does 'Career' mean?', 'The mystery of career choice', and 'Facing the Challenge of Ego' are very applicable to disoriented individual looking for career help.  If nothing else, this book will help you know if you are getting your money's worth from your current (or future) career counsellor.
• Image you are eighty.  What would you like to have accomplished with your life by that time?  Make a list of things that come to mind.  Travel?  Live in another country?  Learn to speak another language?  Learn to play a(nother) instrument?  Have kids/grandkids? Own a cabin by the lake?  Volunteer in Africa?  Teach a course?  Write/publish a book or article?  Learn to paint/draw?  Many of the items in my list above are things that many people aspire to, but don't necessarily attribute to being a 'career choice.'  Once you have your list, ask yourself how the things in your list could fit into a career choice and what steps you need to take to accomplish each item.  
• Image you suddenly became independently wealthy.  (An independently wealthy person is one who doesn't have to worry about working for the rest of their life).  After getting over the euphoria of your sudden freedom, what would you do with your life?  How would you fill your time?  When I've imagined this, some thoughts I had were:
• I'd go back to school and study geology.  After working in the oil/energy sector for several years and living close to the Rockies, I think geology is fascinating.
• I'd study the violin and try and become a member of the orchestra
• I would move every 2-3 years to another country and get exposed to their language/culture.
• I think I'd put some serious thought into how I could give back to society so I could make a difference and feel good about what I'm doing.

Young Persons Occupational Outlook Handbook

Young Person's Occupational Outlook Handbook, 7th Ed by the Editors at JIST is billed as an 'essential guide for Career Exploration.'  This book documents almost 270 different careers, detailing information about what it's like to work on the job, what kind of an educational path to follow, earnings and outlook potential and more.  The 'Discover More' sections are valuable in helping readers get a more hands-on idea of what the occupation might be like. The appendix and the index at the back are definitely beneficial.  This was a medium read at 300 pages. 3.5 out of 5.