As I’ve written in an earlier blog, the some of the largest lending institutions have ceased providing loans to students at community colleges or some for-profit colleges. Now, some community college presidents have decided to cut the availability of federal loans to some of their students, too. (more…)

At least, they disagree with my blog post last week. The Gates Foundation is now actually funding a program that encourages high school graduates to be prepared to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Okay, okay, maybe I was a little harsh on the scientists last week. (more…)

A bunch of business groups got together and decided that America is “losing” in the competitive world of business. What’s their solution - double the number of bachelor degrees in science, math, and engineering. Gee, way to think outside the box a little. (more…)

Yep, it’s proven. In the US, people earn more money when they have a higher degree. In this cruddy economy, you now need a bachelor’s degree just to be a busboy at some places. And there can be a difference of at least $10,000 just if you have a master’s degree as opposed to a bachelor’s. (more…)

An internship at the Beijing Olympics? Talk about a resume builder. How could you say no?

Well, I suppose if you are boycotting the Olympics for the Chinese political domination over Tibet, you could technically say no. (If you’ve seen or read Seven Years in Tibet, you’d have some sympathy.) But, overall, as a college student who wants a career in media broadcasting, it’s hard to turn down the opportunity to intern with Olympic News Service. (more…)

Think all college students spend their free time doing keg stands and shots of bourbon? Well, for many students, college life is more than late-night study sessions and parties on the weekends. For them, college is a time of life to push the social norm a little bit and volunteer their time for a good cause.

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That’s right - some colleges actually allow you to create your own major. For some students, this idea is horrifying - they find it hard enough to pick a major from a list, much less come up with their own idea of one.

But for others, the freedom of Interdisciplinary Studies means unlimited choices of what you can officially earn your degree in. Plus, enough variety for those easily-bored students who tend to think courses like statistics are about as exciting as candle making. (more…)

Not your typical after-school internship. A college freshman who would otherwise be chillin’ on summer break is instead reviewing a city budget of over $28 million.

No, he’s not a business major working on a summer project. He’s a 19-year-old political science major who’s just been elected mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma. (more…)

You don’t have to be engaged to love those hefty, tree-destroying bridal magazines, or WE’s endless reality shows about bulging bridezillas and platinum weddings. If you think you’ve got a better idea for those bridesmaid dresses, and your reaction to a screaming MOB (Mother Of the Bride) is to calm her down with a cup of tea instead of hiding, you might be wedding planner material. (more…)

I couldn’t resist mining Monday’s San Francisco Chronicle article about Jacob Lee, the mayor of Sheepskin City, for a riveting discussion of small business ownership and management. Lee, a Korean immigrant who couldn’t get work at home as a lawyer, has been selling fluffy sheepskin car seat covers to sore-bottomed San Franciscans for almost 20 years.

Lee is the opposite, in many ways, of today’s multitasking society: he sells sheepskin seat covers.

And nothing else. (more…)