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7 Ways Your First Career Differs From College

By U.S. News & World Report

Congratulations to all the new (or soon-to-be) college graduates. Completing your degree is a great accomplishment. There is no doubt many things were learned during those academic years that will help to prepare you for the future. However, there are some things that often come as a shock to new graduates starting their first career role. Here is a list of seven to watch for.

[See: The 25 Best Social Services Jobs of 2017.]

The workday probably lasts more than eight hours. (And eight hours feels way longer than the longest, most boring class you ever took.) For many office-related roles, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. is a typical workday, which equals nine hours. Why do you need at least nine hours to make an eight-hour day? Lunch breaks and runs to get coffee and snacks a few times per day take up time. If you are not working, that time is usually not considered part of your workday. So, with a lunch and a couple of 20-minute breaks, your nine hours become more of an eight-hour workday.

You should not text and talk to your boss (or co-workers) at the same time — ever. It may have been OK with your friends. It may even have worked with your parents — but it should not be tried with your manager. Focused attention is important to truly understanding what is being asked of you. It makes the other person feel respected and valued. Plus, it is usually much nicer to see someone’s eyes instead of the top of their head. Act like the person your colleagues saw in the interview process — an attentive professional.

[See: 10 Ways Social Media Can Help You Land a Job.]

Take selfies sparingly — if at all. Selfie-taking is rampant on campus and in social settings. Apparently, there are many times throughout the day when it makes perfect sense to take a picture and upload it to your social media. However, the “work selfie” is not as popular and can often be unacceptable. (The only exception is if you are hired as part of the social media team charged with conveying internal corporate culture.) For everyone else, temper your desire to capture the moment with a pic when in the office. Your restraint will add years to your perceived experience level.

Confidentiality matters. Treat information about pay, someone’s performance and proprietary company information as one-way streets. Information may come in your direction, but do not send it back out. Employees who are unable to keep sensitive information confidential cannot be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, you are rarely a top candidate for promotions to management.

Think before you react. Outside of work, a knee-jerk overreaction may require some apologetic conversations with a healthy dose of groveling. At work, overreaction may result in termination. Upset the wrong person, and you may not be able to undo the damage. Before responding to any emotionally charged situation in the office, pause and ponder what is the most appropriate response. Often, the best reaction is not to react at all.

[See: 16 Things You’re Doing All Wrong on LinkedIn.]

When in doubt, talk (don’t text) it out. Resist the urge to text or email whenever a question comes up. It is very challenging to control how another person will interpret a written message — especially when you are still learning the ropes of professional life. Relationships are built with in-person conversation. Look for opportunities to talk directly with someone and leave email as a last choice.

You do not know how much you do not know. It makes quite a tongue twister, but it accurately reflects how many people feel as they adjust to life off campus. The good news is that the shift from accomplished student to naïve career newbie to focused associate can happen swiftly if you plan for it. No one expects the new grad to know much about the workplace. Chances are you were hired for your keen ability to learn new things and to apply your energy and passion to solve problems. In short, companies hire new graduates to benefit from their future growth, not because of their past experiences. Embrace this new phase and let your potential help you make the most of your first career role.

More from U.S. News

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The 25 Highest-Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree

7 Ways Your First Career Differs From College originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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