If you’ve recently graduated or finished school, it’s likely that you’ve used some federal student loans to help pay for tuition. Now that you’re no longer in school, those loans will soon go into repayment.

Here are five tips to help you prepare for paying back your student loans:

1. Take advantage of exit counseling

Exit counseling provides information to borrowers about their specific federal loan situation, such as balance, interest rate, monthly payment amount and loan servicer. You can access exit counseling services by logging into your account at studentloans.gov. The system will ask you to enter some personal information, such as your income and family size, and will then provide you with estimates for different repayment options. In addition to this, you can learn how to make payments, what to do if you’re having trouble making payments and tips for financial planning. Keep in mind that if you have any private student loans or debts directly with your school, they will not be shown in exit counseling or in your federal student loan account.

2. Contact your servicer

Your federal student loan servicer is available to help you determine which repayment option is the best fit for you and your current situation. The servicer may also ask you questions about your income and family size, which allows them to determine payment plans and if you would qualify for deferment or forbearance options. Depending on which payment plan you choose, you may be required to fill out paperwork and provide income documentation. If so, your servicer will send you the document and assist you with any questions you might have. You can find your federal student loan servicer, or servicers, through exit counseling or by creating an account with the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). If you have more than one servicer, it’s important to contact each servicer.

3. Review your repayment options

When federal student loans first enter repayment, they are typically placed on a standard plan. This plan is strictly based off of a student’s total loan debt and paying off the balance in 10 years. These payments can be quite high and are often unaffordable. Luckily, there are different options for lowering or temporarily postponing your payments. You can also learn more and choose a payment plan that best fits you through the U.S. Department of Education. 

4. Update your contact information

If you move to a new address or get a new phone number or email address, remember to update your contact information in your account. Loan servicers need to have your current contact information on file in order to send you updates about upcoming payments and notices about your account. It can be easy to fall behind on payments if you’re not receiving statements, so make sure this section is up to date.

5. Understand your other educational debts

In addition to your federal student loans, you may have private loans or loans directly through your school. If you receive a bill or statement about a debt, don’t ignore it. Call your school immediately to find out more information.

Understanding and regularly checking on your federal student loan debt is a good way to make sure your loans stay in good standing. If you can’t afford your monthly payments, contact your servicer to look into other options.

Also, remember that you never have to pay for help with your student loans. Herzing University’s Alumni Support Center can help you with all of your federal, private and school debts.

Have you been to a career or job fair yet? Think it’s too early because you are still in school? Think again! College career fairs are an excellent way to meet employers, explore different positions in your field, and sharpen your professional networking and interview skills.

Follow these tips to make sure your visit to the career fair is worthwhile and leads to meaningful employment.

Before the career fair:

Preparation is key. Many students receive job offers at career fairs if they take it seriously and put in the work beforehand. Before you attend a career fair, make sure you:

1. Polish up your resume. This is your ticket to the big event. Work with your career coach to make sure you are representing your skills, experience, employment gaps or any other hard-to-explain topics the right way on your resume. Then, print off a dozen copies (or more) to hand out at the career fair. Plan ahead for how many companies you would like to speak with and how many representatives they may have, then add a few extra copies as needed.

2. Use your network. Hopefully by this point you already have a standout LinkedIn profile, but if not, it’s a good time to get in the game. Career fairs usually advertise the companies that plan to attend. On LinkedIn, you can look up those companies, see what connections you have there, and connect to hiring managers or recruiters. You can also use LinkedIn to research open positions at the company, and see if there are any that you would be interested in or qualified for.

3. Do your research. There’s no reason to stop your research at LinkedIn. It’s a good idea to spend some time browsing each company’s website to better understand who they are, what their mission is, and if you believe you would be a good culture fit for the organization. Make a list of all of the companies you would like to meet with and make note of topics you could bring up in a discussion with their recruiters. Make sure you prioritize who you would like to spend time with — you might not get to them all, especially if one asks for an impromptu interview!

4. Plan your outfit. Professional dress is incredibly important at a job fair. Every discussion has the potential to turn into an interview, and you want to dress the part. This means looking sharp and well-groomed. Men should wear a suit, or at minimum a collared shirt and tie. For the ladies, skirts, dresses, business suits, professional blouses and close-toed shoes are always impressive. Make sure you are covering any tattoos and your clothes are wrinkle-free.

5. Practice your interview skills. Picture yourself stopping to chat with an employer. The first thing you might be asked is, “Tell me about yourself.” What do you say? How can you brand yourself as the best candidate for the role in less than 30 seconds? Again, this is where your career coach can really help you get on your A-game. They can help you rehearse your responses to common interview questions, and come up with an elevator pitch that showcases your skills and who you would be as a future employee.

During the career fair:

It’s important to make a good impression during your discussions with employers, but you also want to make sure you get all the information you need about the company. Here are five questions you should pan to ask.

1. Ask about open positions. You want to frame this question in a way that shows you did your research beforehand. For example, you could ask, “I noticed you had an opening for an RN in the ICU. I would love to know more about the details of this position. What specific skills are you looking for in a nursing candidate?” Asking those follow-up questions will show how well-prepared you are and how serious you are about applying.

To continue the conversation and guide it in a positive, yet investigative way, here are a couple of additional questions you should ask:

2. What do you love about working here?

3. Is this a growth position or a replacement position?  These two questions will give you insight into the culture of the unit, team or department, which you cannot easily get from the website. If you had a LinkedIn connection who worked in this department, these are also questions you could have asked that person before the career fair. Asking specific questions about the position and the company help you stand out as a candidate but also allow you to learn more about the employer and gauge whether it would be a good fit for you. Lastly, ask a couple of questions that move you forward to a more formal interview or job offer.

4. How soon are you looking to hire?

5. What would the first 30 days on the job look like, if I were offered the position? Asking these questions helps the employer envision you in the role and what it would look like to move you forward. Make sure you give them your resume, possibly a cover letter and/or business card and make sure you take down their information. If the employer has printed job descriptions or any material to give you about the company, take it and review it. These pieces of information will be key for your formal interview.

After the career fair:

It’s always best practice to send a thank-you note after an interview. The same goes for career fairs. Emailing a quick thank you and summary of the conversation to people you talked with makes a big impact, and could help continue the discussion going forward. Send an email as soon as possible, ideally that night or the next morning.

Lastly, I cannot stress enough how much networking will help you in the long run. Chat with everyone on your priority list at the career fair, and add them to your LinkedIn network. You might not be ready for a job right now, but you never know where that connection could take you in the future.

As you continue your job search, it’s a good idea to meet with some of your peers who will be or are in the industry. They can be a valuable source of information and give you first-hand insight into what it’s like to work at a particular company or within a certain role. Get their cards and add them to your network, too.

I know it seems like a lot, but let’s break it down once again: Career fairs are incredibly important for landing your dream job. In a world of electronic Applicant Tracking Systems, this is your ticket to stand out among your peers by being READY. Take time to get your resume in shape, polish your interview skills and attire, and flex your research skills before getting to the career fair – and don’t hesitate to make an appointment with career services as you prepare. Call (866) 508-0748 x 240 or contact us via email.

At the fair, make sure you ask questions that show you have been researching the company and why you are the best fit. Have the confidence to ask about next steps and get the contact information of the recruiter or hiring manager. Best of luck!

Nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers, with employment for registered nurses (RN) expected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While salary levels vary by state, RNs who earn their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) have the opportunity to earn more than their peers, with the highest 10% bringing in more than $106,530 a year.

A BSN is quickly becoming the industry standard for RNs, but earning a BSN degree can take anywhere from three to four years. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to transition to a career in nursing have another option available to them – an accelerated BSN program.

What is an accelerated BSN program?

An accelerated BSN pathway is designed to provide a fast track to a BSN degree for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. An accelerated program can be completed in as little as 16 months, helping you advance your career faster and putting you on the path to a higher salary.

Many BSN programs also allow you to earn credits toward your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) to provide even more advancement opportunities in the field while saving you time and money on both degrees.

If you’re looking to earn your BSN degree quickly, here are five tips for getting into an accelerated program:

1. Choose the right school

Because accelerated programs move quickly and demand a lot of your time and effort, it’s important to select a school that will work with you and support you in your career transition. Look for a school that offers smaller class sizes, supportive faculty and staff, and flexible course schedules. For students concerned about the cost of an accelerated program, look for a school that offers financial aid options and scholarships for nursing students.

2. Make sure you meet program requirements

Qualifications for an accelerated BSN program will vary depending on the school, but students enrolling in Herzing University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Because the curriculum in accelerated programs can be very challenging, schools also require a certain grade point average (GPA) for admission. Herzing students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher from the college they earned their bachelor’s degree.

3. Take the TEAS

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is designed to assess students’ readiness for entering the health science fields. You might be required to take this test on your own for admission into an accelerated nursing program. To qualify for Herzing’s ABSN program, students must receive a composite score of 66 on the TEAS. High-scoring students might qualify for additional scholarship opportunities, such as the Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.

4. Determine which credits will transfer

Students enrolled in an accelerated BSN program can receive transfer credit for general education courses they completed during their previous undergraduate studies. Once you have selected a school, schedule a meeting with an admissions advisor to discuss your previous work and education experience and determine which credits will transfer over to your new program. For example, if you previously earned a degree in another healthcare-related field, you might be able to receive credit for basic science courses you completed in your original bachelor’s program.

5. Be prepared for fast-paced learning

An accelerated BSN program is just that – accelerated. Make sure you have the time, energy and work ethic that’s needed for this demanding profession and the fast-paced learning and training that comes along with it. While the curriculum is difficult and moves quickly, Herzing University’s faculty and staff work with you at every turn, offering support when you need it.

If you’d prefer an alternative route, there are other nursing paths you can explore, including becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), earning your associate degree or enrolling in a traditional BSN program.

Learn more about Herzing University’s accelerated nursing program and get on the fast track to becoming a registered nurse.