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What to Do About Your Job When the Writing’s on the Wall

By U.S. News & World Report

Have you been getting vibes that not all is well with your job? Maybe you’re no longer included in team emails, your boss is giving you less work or you just have a feeling deep down in your gut. Or there may be rumors that your company will be cutting down on staff. Most business professionals try to ignore the signs and push through the awkwardness. But instead of shoving that creeping feeling aside that your job may be on the line and hoping the situation clears up on its own, do what you can to take charge of the situation. The following questions can help you determine what your next career move should be.

[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]

Are you sure your job is on the line?

Are you just being paranoid or is your job actually in danger? There is a difference between needing to step up your performance after one bad project outcome and regularly performing poorly. There is also a difference between a few office cutbacks and being told that the company is going to merge with another one. In either case, don’t just go on hearsay from people on your team. The easiest way to find out facts is to ask your superiors. Schedule a meeting with your boss and ask him directly if your job is in danger. If he doesn’t give you an answer that makes you feel confident, it’s time to ask yourself the next question.

Is this your dream job or is it just paying the bills?

How you feel about your job will help you to decide what your next steps will be. If you aren’t in love with your job or career, this may provide an opportunity you have been avoiding or putting off. In simple terms, it is time to move on. It will be much better for your job search to say you left your last position than to say you were fired from your last position. Saying you were fired usually raises red flags for hiring managers. So if the signs are clear that your job is coming to an end, update your resume, put some feelers out with your professional network and start the job hunt. Most managers will appreciate that an employee leaves willingly instead of having to be fired. And in most cases, the hardship that comes with being fired isn’t worth any small benefits you may get from it.

[See: 14 Best Jobs for Work-Life Balance.]

Are you willing to fight for your career?

On the other hand, if this is your dream job, this is your chance to fight for it. If your superior didn’t give you an answer to make you feel that your job is safe due to your performance, ask them what you can do to improve the situation. If needed, schedule a separate meeting with your boss and go in willing to accept feedback and suggestions. Decide on a reasonable time frame for implementing improvements and set a follow-up appointment. Do your best to fit into the office culture and show you want to be a part of the company. This may include staying after hours, going to work early or being more dedicated and positive about your work. Ask a trusted co-worker for their honest opinion as to how you currently fit in with the office culture and what changes you could make.

[See: 10 Ways to Perfect Your Personal Brand.]

Is the situation out of your hands?

Sometimes, however, the situation is beyond your control. If the business is merging or closing, you may not be able to keep your position no matter how much you love it. And your superiors may not be able to offer any clear answers even when asked. In this case, learn as much information as you can. Read any articles available online about the company, talk with experienced co-workers and your mentor and then prepare yourself for how you’ll transition if you are on the cut list. Take time to update your resume, stay active with your professional network and look into similar positions at other companies. In this case, you could schedule some informational interviews to get an idea about what they are like without committing to a job interview. Then, if the worst happens, you aren’t left reeling. And if it doesn’t, you will have some great new networking connections for the future.

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What to Do About Your Job When the Writing’s on the Wall 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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