Why Travel to China? Exploring the Benefits of China

China has become one of the most popular study abroad destinations for students around the world because of its culture, language, history, and powerful influence in the global marketplace.

Beginning in the fall of 2014, the University of Vermont will offer an 18-credit China Semester Abroad program in conjunction with Ocean University in Qingdao. UVM also offers a Doing Business in China 4-credit summer session. We asked two UVM alumni who travel frequently to China to talk about what they’ve learned from a business perspective and why studying in China gives students a competitive edge.

$James Candido, \'04, and Chris Bariberi, \'64$

James Candido, ’04, and Chris Bariberi, ’64

James Candido, ’04, of Williston, is the former director of Vermont’s EB-5 program and now works as a consultant for CrossHarbor Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in real estate development in China and around the world.

Chris Barbieri, ’64, led the Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s Asia Division for eight years and lived in Shanghai full time from 2003-2007. Barbieri, who lives outside of Montpelier, now works as a consultant helping Vermont companies conduct business in China.

1. What are some important business lessons you’ve learned in China?

James: Attention to detail is key. Every aspect of the deal needs to be carefully thought out and presented, and you must prepare for deep diving questions. Also, it seems as though business partners want to truly get to know you before making a significant business deal. Business dealings in the United States, from my experience, tend to be a bit more subjective.

Chris: It’s absolutely necessary to understand how China works. The culture, business practices, social norms, and history are entirely different than ours in the United States. Chinese people think very differently than we do. To succeed in China, you need to invest the time to dig deep and understand how things work. Chinese business culture is based on personal relationships, not on contracts. It’s all in the handshake.

2. What are some of the biggest cultural and marketplace differences you’ve seen between the US and China?

James: I don’t think that I ever been anywhere that feels as culturally different from the United States as China. I have only spent time in the metropolitan areas of the country, but it feels as if people are constantly moving together as one toward personal and national goals. It’s a trait that does not seem as apparent here at home. No matter what their situation is or their economic status, everyone in China seems to be trying to improve and make sacrifices to move the community forward.

This ties into the marketplace as well, as people seem to work incredibly hard regardless of their position. I have to admit it’s a little startling to come back to the United States after a trip and experience the difference in how service people – even at a McDonald’s or Subway – go about their jobs.

Chris: The cultural differences between China and the USA are very, very different. Marketplace differences are apparent as well and it’s critical for a foreigner to understand these differences in order to succeed in China. Here are a few basic differences:

Work ethic: Chinese workers are as hardworking as any country I’ve ever visited. Long hours and doing the job right dominates. Employees will work late because “I didn’t complete my assignment by quitting time.” This may change as Western business culture gets more exposure in China.
Personal responsibility: Chinese people take responsibility for their actions. The blame game is rare in China.
Business relationships are based mostly on the personal relationship of those involved.
Contracts exist of course, but often mean little as the legal system is still in its infancy.
Communications: Americans tend to get to the point and be straightforward in expressing their opinions whether delivering good or bad news. This is not so true in China.
Education is held in high regard and Chinese students are under great pressure to do well in their studies.
Crime rate and drug use are much lower than in the United States as a result of penalties and cultural norms.

3. What surprised you most about China?

James: As much as there is significant growth, the Chinese marketplace seems like a challenging place to operate. Anecdotally, I’ve heard of the difficulties of growing a business due to the necessity of having central government approval.

Real estate is being built in such magnitude that you often see massive malls and office buildings that are half – or in some instances – totally empty. You will also often see seven or eight people working in a store with almost no customers. It will be very interesting to see how the Chinese market evolves over the next 10 years.

What I found the most amazing about the economic marketplace in China is its scale. It’s impossible to adequately express how big it is. China has massive manufacturing areas, transportation hubs, and metropolitan areas with some cities having a population of more than 25 million.

Chris: What surprised me early on and has kept me coming back are the opportunities for Vermont, the work ethic, the food, the positive energy, the low crime rate, and the pure excitement of being there.

4. The University of Vermont will offer an 18-credit China Semester Abroad program in fall 2014. Why is studying abroad in China so important?

James: China’s marketplace is still one of the most important in the world. I think anyone who would want to be involved in the global economy would almost have to spend significant time there. I also think the perspectives learned can be used across the board in a variety of fields, even if those perspectives involve lessons learned on how not to operate.

Since China is such an emerging global power, there are many lessons to be learned from immersion in Chinese culture. Be it in the social or business arena, there are just so many fascinating differences in how the country operates that will give students incredible perspective.

Chris: If a student wants to understand where the opportunities will be in the future, then they must understand China. I will tell any young person who will listen that if they want an exciting and rewarding future, they should learn Mandarin and pursue a degree in international trade.

Personal relationships are everything in China. Hard work is rewarded and quality education counts. Personal responsibility and discipline count in business. China will soon be the world’s largest economy, and it has 1.4 billion people with rapidly increasing incomes. American products, services, education, and technology are held in high regard by Chinese people. China is where the action is, and students should remember that.

Back to College, But Do You Need Back to School Supplies?

Store aisles are overflowing with school supplies and back to school sales. You may be checking off long lists of must-haves for your children in elementary and high school classes. Even preschools are sending home hefty requirements of paint brushes, playdough Ziplock baggies. But when you head back to class, online, do you need to have a stack of freshly pressed notebooks and red pens at your side

No.

Your only must have is your computer and an internet connection. Brook Urban, Bryant & Stratton Academic Advisor, said students do 100 percent of their work online. “Their papers are submitted online, the quizzes are completed online, even the portfolio they create will be completed online,” she said. Which means your number one school supply is your computer and an internet connection. Students in the public speaking class will need to make sure their computer contains a camera since they will need to record themselves giving a speech. All students are given a list of hardware and software requirements when they submit their application, but in case you missed it, here it is again:

Hardware:

1 GHz processor or higher (Intel core 2 Duo or higher for MAC)
2 GB of RAM
DVD drive
40 GB HDD
PC: Windows Vista or higher operating system
Mac: OS/X 10.4 or higher operating system
Webcam, microphone, and speakers
Printer
Scanner (only for Interactive Media Design AAS)
Other computer accessories may be required in the future
Netbooks, Chromebooks & Tablets do not meet the computer requirement

Software:

Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 23 or higher (Safari & Chrome are also supported by Angel)
Microsoft Office 2013 & 365 (2011 for MAC) Professional to include: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher
All students must have updated anti-virus software
Bootcamp running Windows 7 or VMware Virtual PC for MAC (Highly recommended for some degree fields and classes but not necessary for all students).
Adobe Creative Suite (only for Interactive Media Design AAS)
Adobe Flash 9 or higher (Free download)
Acrobat 7 or higher (Free download)
ITunes 7 or higher (Free download)
Quicktime 7 or higher (Free download)
Other software, including upgrades, may be required in the future

Connectivity:

Broadband Internet service (strongly recommended)
Personal email address

Perhaps the most important thing you can have at the ready as an online student is a technology contingency plan. Storms knock out internet. Computers crash. Toddlers poor juice all over keyboards. It happens. And unfortunately, deadlines keep rolling.

“Having a backup plan is essential for success,” Urban said. “We advise our students to have at least one, at best two back up plans, whether that is a local library, or a friend or family member’s computer. This will also eliminate a lot of stress for the students.”

And just because your professor didn’t send you a tidy list of school supplies doesn’t mean you can’t use them. Urban stresses that students need to understand how they learn best. If that means taking notes on actual paper, making flashcards or highlighting passages in books, go for it!

“Do they need to print out their lecture and highlight portions for better understanding, or do they need to take notes, or record themselves reading the lectures? It is basically the student’s preference for how they learn if they need additional supplies.”

YOUR EXECUTIVES DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING: 4 WAYS TO MENTOR SENIOR EMPLOYEES

When I was a child, it never once occurred to me that my parents didn’t know everything. I mean, sure, they didn’t understand what it was like to be in high school (because they were “so old”), but they obviously knew how to handle car repairs, when to see the doctor, and how to handle my rebellious siblings. (I, of course, was perfect.)

Then I became an adult—and learned that most of adulthood is just winging it.

Children have a whole group of people assigned to them to help them succeed—parents, teachers, older siblings, cousins—but adults either need to figure it out themselves or seek out their own mentors. The working world reflects this progression: Companies have all sorts of mentoring programs and succession planning programs for entry-level to middle management employees, but once you make the senior team, everyone kind of abandons you.

It’s the equivalent of saying, “Hey, you’re an adult now! You’re on your own.”

But it’s time for that to change. It’s expensive for a company to lose an executive—replacing a senior leader comes with a long recruitment phase and can cost up to 213 percent of the employee’s salary—and yet, we don’t worry about their retention and development.

Think about that for a minute—HR is in the business of helping employees succeed, but we see executives as already having succeeded. If you’re the new CFO, how much help do you really need? Well, actually, a lot.

Here’s how HR can better meet the development needs of senior staff:

1) Understand what motivates senior employees

First, it’s important to understand that senior executives have goals and dreams just like the shiny new grad in that entry-level role. In fact, many of them are craving mentorship.

Global executive search and talent advisory firm Egon Zehnder recently polled 1,275 senior execs on their professional development. More than 30 percent of the execs said their companies were not helping them achieve their professional potential and 72 percent stated that they would welcome more help from their companies.

Another study from the firm looked at what motivates executives, and personal growth and development ranked at 45 percent—tied for second place in the list of motivators.

2) Make sure they receive feedback—positive and negative

While it’s absolutely true that some senior people believe they walk on water and get angry if anyone says otherwise, most people want to know how they can improve. Don’t let your CEO skip his annual review from direct reports, and encourage your board to give feedback to the CEO. This information helps a person grow, even when they are at the top of the ladder.

3) Provide professional coaching

A great HR person can often provide professional coaching herself, but when you get into the senior levels, it might be best to find an executive coach. It’s easy to hook your junior accountant up with someone more senior for mentoring, but it’s not so easy for the higher levels. A few executive coaching sessions are far cheaper than turnover at those high levels.

4) Encourage a stronger role in company culture

Sometimes, the need for more development comes down to a stronger involvement in company culture in general. Beyond a specific management role, involving execs in culture exposes them to new challenges and learning opportunities. The senior HR person should encourage the senior team to focus on making the company a better place. Remind them that they can make a difference through simple things, like treating employees fairly, complying with laws such as FMLA, being an example of a great manager and introducing fun events or team activities.

Whatever you do, don’t assume that an executive has all of the support he or she needs. They’re just humans, too.

Important Announcement Regarding Loan Forgiveness Scam

There are several companies currently targeting Bryant & Stratton College students and alumni purporting to assist with student loan forgiveness and consolidation.

These companies are unlawfully using Bryant & Stratton College’s name, logo, and photographs to create the impression that Bryant & Stratton College has endorsed or supports their fraudulent student loan forgiveness program. These companies are marketing their scams through Facebook News Feeds, robocalls, and websites and operating under several different names.

Representatives will promise that the government will forgive your student loans if you can show financial hardship in as few as 3 months. They will encourage you to provide them your name, social security number, and credit card or bank account information. Please do not respond to any companies who advertise to help you have your loans forgiven. If you are looking for advice on student loan repayment options, loan consolidation, or possible student loan forgiveness, Bryant & Stratton College and the federal government provide free resources to assist you.

For more information on the name of your lender(s) and servicers, the amount of money you owe, and your available repayment options, please log on to www.studentloans.gov. This is a legitimate, free, online resource offered by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, you may contact your Financial Aid office for assistance on student loan repayment. If you believe you may have been a victim of a student loan scam please contact your Financial Aid Department immediately to determine if you need to take additional steps to ensure your student loan accounts are being managed properly.

HOW TED GETS YOUR WORKFORCE TALKING

Cornerstone today announced a partnership with TED that brings curated TED Talks to Cornerstone clients and this has a lot of us really excited. TED Talks are a powerful learning tool because they not only provide learning on a vast array of subjects, they change how people think. They introduce concepts and ideas that can challenge beliefs and inspire new ways of viewing the world. More so, employees are excited by TED Talks. Like Nike and Apple, TED has built great brand recognition and is a sought after name. People like TED; they get it and trust it. Introducing TED Talks into your workforce shows your employees that you get them – you understand them. They show that you want your workforce to explore new areas and you want them to think about what they are doing, both in and out of the office, on a larger scale.

TED is unique in that it has created an incredibly successful platform for sharing ideas in a short time frame. TED has figured out how to take large-scale lectures in front of a big, energetic audience, yet make the viewer feel like they are in an intimate, personal learning space. There’s something about TED Talks that make people feel inherently good while watching them. In 6-18 minutes, people get snippets of information in a concise way about topics that really interest them. This interest and engagement stimulates conversation in the workplace that otherwise would not happen, creating an informal learning environment and a work culture that fosters open dialogue. It is changing the way people are talking to each other at work, and contextualizing the work environment in an entirely different way.

A New Way to Learn

Technology has gotten us used to shortening and abbreviating everything. The mobile phone revolution has given rise to a new generation of workers that have grown up multi-tasking and being able to get the information they need, when they need it. Finding information is no longer the issue, information on any subject is readily available. The question now is how one gets access to the best information. This is why curation is critical from an organizational perspective. Anyone can go online and look up a TED Talk, but they will likely end up on a talk that has been deemed relevant solely by a search engine, without context into what objective of the viewer is. Curated talks have been vetted from the thousands of TED Talks available to ensure that these are the best and most relevant discussions that will directly address your organizational needs.

Employees want learning to be easy. Time management and stress management are two of the biggest pain points for employees in their everyday life and anything an organization can do to help people get to quality information quicker is going to be a huge asset. Not only will they get to information quicker, the information they find will be aligned to larger organizational objectives. For example, if fostering creativity in your workforce is a priority, you can roll out a curated playlist on creativity or inspiration and assign it to targeted employees. Curated lists can also be leveraged with other learning and development curricula that also reinforce the importance of creativity in your organization.

Enabling a Learning Workforce

TED Talks can be used before, during, and after trainings to drive home points and reinforce the training’s message. They also add another layer of credibility to a presenter –people tend to trust the message even more if it is supplemented by TED material. TED content also opens up the opportunity for informal discussion after the presentation between the presenters and participants, and between the participants themselves, to further explore ideas raised by the TED Talks. This really gets into the area of learning and engagement and shows employees that learning in your organization is a two way discussion.

Organizations are also beginning to understand that giving their workforce control over their learning is important. Regardless of whether the content is video, mobile, or anything else, people want to autonomously select what they are looking at, they want to be able to talk about it amongst each other, and they want to share it. By giving employees greater control of their learning, organizations can bring down the wall that stands between ‘student’ and ‘teacher’ and create an environment of formal and informal learning where everyone plays a part in each other’s development. Famed psychologist Lev Vygotsky discussed the power of learning residing in co-construction – that we learn best when we learn together and can see each other in each other’s lights.

How many times have you forwarded a TED Talk to a friend because you knew they just had to see it? Either you knew it was something that was already of interest to them, or you found it so interesting that you want them to be exposed to it so you can have someone to discuss it with. Now imagine your entire organization doing that on a regular basis. Your employees want to learn – give them engaging material like curated TED Talks and control over how they do it and you’ll be impressed with the conversations that you’ll hear around the office.

Advice for First Time Online College Students

Starting your online degree program on the right foot is important. Luckily, Bryant & Stratton College Online requires all new students to complete the First Year Experience Program. This program is designed to give you a support system that will help you succeed in your college years and beyond.

Here are more tips on how to succeed during your first year of college:

Know your college support team: Academic Advisors and Instructors
Academic advisors and instructors can be a big part of your support network at college, so get to know them well. New students at Bryant & Stratton College Online will work with a personal academic success coach throughout their first semester. This relationship is key for the first semester as new students have the opportunity to lean on their success coach for guidance when needed. After your first semester a student will continue to work with an academic advisor specific to the degree program they’re pursuing. Academic advisors can tell you which courses you need to take to graduate on time and may help you save both time and money. Instructors on the other hand are a great resource for individual class help. When you establish a good relationship with your instructor you’ll have an easier time asking questions and getting the help you need to excel in a class. Instructors can also serve as great references for job opportunities or networking opportunities.

Buckle down:
Just because you are taking classes online doesn’t mean that you can skate by without putting in the effort. Log into your classes, stay on top of discussions and create plans to complete class assignments. If you’re juggling a job or family responsibilities there may be a time when you need to ask for an extension, your instructor will be more likely to grant that request if your are a student in good standing.

Ask questions:
Don’t wait to ask for help if you find yourself falling behind or struggling with a course. Find classmates you trust to ask for help or reach out to your instructor. Bryant & Stratton College Online also offers tutoring services, online tutors and 24-hour access to our online library to help catch you up to speed.

Stay balanced:
It’s great to be focused on your academics, but you need to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle both in and out of school. Continue to do things in your life that make you happy, like exercising and spending time with your family and friends. Take care of all of yourself, not just your brain, in order to avoid overworking yourself and burning out.

Bryant & Stratton College Online is dedicated to helping students succeed in their first year of college and throughout their entire professional career. We’ve been preparing students for a lifetime of success for nearly 160 years. Call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative and get started today!

How Obama’s Community College Plan Can Help Vermont

By Cynthia Belliveau, Ed.D., Dean of UVM Continuing and Distance Education

President Obama’s college plan to provide post-secondary education that is universally affordable and accessible to Americans could be the answer to our accessibility and affordability problem, especially here in Vermont.

While Vermont has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the country, only 52 percent of Vermont high school graduates go straight from high school to college. About 60 percent of Vermont high school students eventually enroll in college within 16 months of graduation. Still, those figures are below the national average, and are the lowest in New England.

Vermont has made progress on making college more affordable and accessible. Last year, Gov. Peter Shumlin announced the statewide launch of Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) for all Vermont students. The goal of the PLP program is to create a path for all Vermont students toward post-secondary education. Vermont’s Dual Enrollment Program also offers Vermont high school students up to two college courses tuition-free at several Vermont colleges, including the University of Vermont.

Still, we need to do more. Obama’s proposal — America’s College Promise plan — would cost the federal government about $60 billion over 10 years. That would cover three-quarters of the anticipated cost, giving participating states the responsibility of paying for the rest.

The United States has about 1,100 community colleges, which educate about 40 percent of American college students.

Here in Vermont, Community College of Vermont is the second largest college in the state, serving 7,000 students each semester at 12 academic centers all around the state and online. CCV has special transfer agreements with many other colleges – including UVM – to help students in the process of transferring credits. CCV offers many local students the opportunity to further their education beyond high school. Imagine what we could accomplish as a state if more Vermonters were given this opportunity.

Scott Giles, President of Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, put it this way:

“President Obama’s vision for an educated workforce is one we share. VSAC’s goal is to make sure every Vermonter can pursue studies after high school. Today’s economy demands a skilled workforce. Education and training after high school is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. This should be a priority and a commitment to the state’s future – both for Vermonters and the state’s economy,” he said in a prepared statement.

Obama’s plan requires that students would have to attend college at least half time, maintain a 2.5 grade-point average, and make steady progress toward completing their program. The money could only be used for academic programs that fully transfer to public four-year colleges or to job-training programs that have high graduation rates and also lead to degrees and certificates in high-demand fields.

Ultimately, about nine million students across the United States could benefit from Obama’s plan each year, with full-time students saving an average of $3,800 in tuition per year, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Will Obama’s plan pass through the Republican-controlled Congress? That remains to be seen. But imagine the possibilities if college becomes a right and not just a privilege.

6 Tips for Balancing Work and Family

If you’re a business or health care leader who feels as if work is creeping into your home life, then stop and take a deep breath. Achieving a healthy work-life balance might be easier than you think.

Here are six tips for balancing your life at work and home:

Make a list of which activities are most important to you: Is it spending time with family members and friends? Exercising? Meditating? Reading? Consider activities that you may, or may not, spend enough time doing. This list will become your working document for reshaping your work-life balance.

Conduct a “time audit” of your day to see where you spend the bulk of your hours: If you’re like most working people – especially those with children – you may wonder where your time goes. Working parents devote most of their waking time each day to their jobs, household tasks and caregiving, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2012 American Time Use Survey. They average just 2.6 hours of leisure and sports time a day. Americans over age 15 spend more than 60 percent of their down time watching TV or playing computer games, 13 percent socializing and 6 percent exercising.

Stop wasting your time on things that don’t matter: Is social media all that important to you? Are you saying “yes” to every work or volunteer commitment? Are there people in your life who are “energy zappers”? Somewhere in your life, there are probably activities and people who are taking time away from what really matters to you (refer back to your “work-life list’). It’s time to drop them.

Ignore any unnecessary tasks – or outsource them: As part of your time audit, consider which menial tasks at work and at home are taking up too much of your time. You may not be able to afford a housekeeper, but can you live with more dirt? Or devote just 15 minutes a day to one task – such as vacuuming the living room or cleaning a bathroom – to stay ahead of the grime.At work, consider what wastes your time – and your company’s. Which menial tasks can you drop or outsource in the interest of “big picture” activities that meet company goals?

Schedule leisure time into your day: If you find you’re not spending enough time on the activities that matter to you, then try building them into your calendar. Block off this time in your calendar so you force yourself to abide by your new philosophy of time management, and let co-workers know you have an appointment you can’t miss.

Get more exercise: You may not have included this in your list of “to-do” activities, but many studies show that this is an area from which you might benefit the most. Exercise may actually gain you some time by making you more productive at work and at home.

With all of these adjustments to your daily schedule, you may be able to carve out more time – and rise above the daily grind instead of succumbing to i

Bryant & Stratton College Nursing Student Helps Keep the Heart of Jamaica Healthy

Money was tight. Full-time work coupled with a full class load meant little time off to take. It was not a good idea. But at some point, Leah Doperalski and her friend decided to just go for it. woman taking older lady's blood pressure

woman taking older lady's blood pressure

And the pair headed to the steep mountains of Jamaica for a week with a non-profit troupe of medical volunteers.

That was the moment that changed Doperalski’s life.

“I fell in love with it,” she said of the quiet village of Hagley Gap, which teeters at the top of the island destination amid the Blue Mountains. While tourists fill the beaches below, villagers here live an anachronistic life, without cars, running water or medical facilities.

As a second semester nursing student at Bryant & Stratton College’s Wisconsin campus, Doperalski was already able to give the villagers more medical attention than they had ever received.

“We go house to house, we do blood pressure screenings, zika virus education … we’re really huge on education in the community,” she said. “We find people living in the village who haven’t seen anyone in a long time. There are two clinics but they are too far to walk. It’s nice for us to go so they can have a yearly checkup.”

Doperalski traveled as a volunteer for Blue Mountain Project. The non-profit brings medical care to the villages in the region but also supports the local schools by providing tutors, computer labs and library materials. In addition, the group is working to establish a chamber of commerce and grow the local craft industry in hopes of re-routing some of the tourist flow, and income, to the Blue Mountain villages.

After Doperalski returned from the region, she was hooked. She organized a trip in January of 2016 and escorted 18 Bryant & Stratton students to the Blue Mountains.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It was a great opportunity for the community and the students got to have this service on their resume.”

Students stay on the island for one week, and live with host families. Fundraising is a key component of the preparation. Volunteers pay $99 per day for room and board (much of which goes to the host family) as well as their flight. Once there, first year nursing students are partnered with older students as they tend to the villagers.

“It’s good experience to get down there and practice what we are learning,” Doperalski said. “It’s a good learning experience, a good bonding experience, it’s good for Bryant and Stratton. I love it.”

Doperalski is putting together a trip to the Blue Mountains for Bryant & Stratton students in January, 2017. Interested in going? Contact her at: ldoperalski91@gmail.com. To learn more about the Blue Mountain Project, please visit

Financial Aid: Tips for Nontraditional Students

Whether pursuing a degree for the first time, or returning to school in order to make a career change, more and more adult learners are enrolling in traditional and online degree programs. Many nontraditional students, a term that generally refers to students who are age 24 or older, assume that because of their status, they do not qualify for scholarships and federal aid. This is certainly not the case, as there are a wide variety of financial aid options available to adult learners. Here are some tips on how to acquire financial aid if you are a nontraditional student.

1. Look for relevant adult scholarships

Like any college student, adult learners can apply for a variety of scholarships, as most general scholarship funds do not have an age limit restriction. But there are also a multitude of scholarships that are offered specifically for older students. Many scholarship databases, such as Fastweb.com, allow you to search for scholarships by category, making them a great resource for identifying scholarships for nontraditional students that are relevant to you.

2. Apply for federal financial aid for adults

Every student, including adult learners, should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Depending on your age and education history, you may be ineligible for certain grants (for example, if you already have a bachelors degree, and are pursuing a second degree, you may no longer qualify for the Pell grant). But there are still many opportunities for nontraditional students to earn federal aid; depending on your income and family status, you may actually qualify for more aid than a traditional student.

3. Check with your college regarding nontraditional student grant programs

Many colleges restrict their grant programs to students who are earning their first bachelors degree. However, some schools may waive this restriction for individuals who are pursuing a second degree in order to make a career change. Don’t assume you won’t qualify – check with your school to make sure that you aren’t missing out on an opportunity to earn financial aid.

4. Consider student loans

As a nontraditional student, you can still qualify for student federal loans as long as you have not already maxed out your loan eligibility, are not in default on any previous student loans, and are at least a halftime student. But, be wary of over-borrowing in order to minimize your school debt.

If you have questions about financial aid for nontraditional students at Bryant & Stratton College, contact our admissions office or check out financial aid options here.

CAN YOU TERMINATE AN EMPLOYEE FOR LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB?

Dear ReWorker,

An employee told me that she is planning to quit, but didn\’t provide a date for her last day on the job. Her role is critical. I want to start searching for a person to replace her, but do I have to wait until she actually gives me an exact date before hiring someone new?

Sincerely,

Ready to Rehire

___________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Ready to Rehire,

This is a tricky situation. On the one hand, you should be thrilled to have gotten advanced notice. On average, it takes 42 days to fill a vacant position, which is a lot longer than the standard two weeks notice most employees give. On the other hand, now you\’re in limbo. You don\’t have a date, yet you know she\’s got one foot out the door and everyone is waiting for your next move.

Remember, all of your employees are watching how you will handle this situation. Legally, you can go ahead and start recruiting now and, once you find someone, fire your current employee. But, if you do that, no employee will ever give you more than two weeks notice again. You want your other employees to be honest with you about their plans because it helps you prepare, so don\’t jeopardize that openness with a rash decision.

Instead, before starting the recruiting process, have a formal conversation with your existing employee to better understand their motivations for looking for another job.

Ask her why she\’s planning to leave and just how serious she is about it. This may also help you gauge her end date. For example, if she\’s planning on starting graduate school, she\’ll have an end date to give you just as soon as she\’s received an acceptance letter. But, if she\’s just looking for a new job, it could be well over a year before she actually leaves, assuming she finds something better.

When you two speak, don\’t be afraid to explain your situation. Tell her: \”Jane, you told me you were looking for another job. Because your role is critical, I want to fill it as soon as possible. Can you help me nail down a date so I can start the recruiting process? Ideally, a new person would start a few weeks before you leave, so that you can help with training.\”

Jane may have just been babbling out loud and doesn\’t have any real plans to go anywhere, in which case this conversation should alert her to the seriousness of what she said.

Additionally, she may have been fishing for a \”please don\’t go\” raise or promotion. Threatening to quit isn\’t the best way to ask for those rewards, but people often don\’t know how else to do it. If she deserves a raise or a promotion, offer it, but know that it might not fix the problem if it\’s not what she wanted in the first place.

If she is ultimately serious about leaving, then offer to help. Why? Because this behavior on your part will ensure your good reputation in the field, and make other employees feel at ease about coming to you with their plans. Turnover is a part of HR life, but getting advanced notice makes it far less painful.

Your ReWorker,

Information Technology Careers You can Land with an Associate Degree

Bryant & Stratton’s information technology degree programs provide students with the foundation to start their career in the growing IT field.

Information technology is embedded into virtually every aspect of modern life, from the way we communicate to the way our personal, business, and financial records are stored and transferred. As such, information technology careers are some of the fastest growing employment sectors worldwide. According to the US Department of Labor, 46 percent of the IT career force is involved in computer systems design services, 43 percent work in custom computer programming services, and 11 percent work in computer facilities management or other IT related services.

Bryant & Stratton College offers two different associate level degrees, each focusing on a different aspect of IT -Networking Technology and Security Technology. Each of these associate degrees can help you land one of the following information technology careers.

All of the projected job growth statistics through 2020 are provided by O*NET Online.

Software Developers, Applications. Software developers for applications work closely with their clients and businesses to create software or utility programs customized to meet the unique needs of a business or organization. Once the software and/or programs are up and running, the applications software developer will continue to tweak systems and programs to correct errors, adapt them to new hardware and equipment, and keep them running as efficiently as possible. Almost 100 percent of employed software developers in applications have some level of college education. The projected job growth is 20% to 28%, which is higher than average.

Network and Systems Administrators. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for installing, configuring, and supporting the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) and networks for both small and large businesses. In addition to monitoring the network for inefficiencies or errors, network and systems administrators are also responsible for diagnosing problems and creating solutions to keep the network running efficiently. They often manage a staff of IT support specialists. The projected job growth is higher than average.

Information Security Specialists. It is the responsibility of information security specialists to plan, implement, monitor and upgrade security systems to protect the interests of their employers and, when appropriate, the company’s customer and client base. This can involve safeguarding the IT infrastructure and all digital files, in addition to quickly addressing any security breaches that arise. The large majority of information security specialists have an associate degree or higher. The projected job growth is 20% to 28%. Bryant & Stratton’s security technology associate degree prepares students well for this career.

Computer Support Specialists. In most cases, computer support specialists work under the management of a Network and Systems Administrator, although there are cases where they work freelance or provide the sole IT support for a small company or business. They are on call to handle any computer errors or problems that arise for their customers. In some instances, this work may require a visit in person. In others, problems may be able to be resolved remotely or over the telephone. Computer support specialists must also know how to troubleshoot other IT related issues, including those pertaining to printers, email, word processing programs and computer networks. Approximately 84 percent of computer support specialists have an associate degree or higher. The projected job growth is 10% to 19%.

If you are interested in landing a versatile information technologies career, contact the Admissions Office at Bryant & Stratton College. Our admissions counselors can work with you to determine the best online associate degree program to pursue your future career goals.

Bryant & Stratton College Online Honored as a 2012 Military Friendly School for Its Support of Active-Duty Service Members, Military Veterans and Their Families

announced today that it has again been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Only 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools are awarded this distinction.

The list was created so that service members and military veterans can easily find schools that offer the best education, value and welcome. The G.I. Jobs list includes state universities, private colleges, community colleges and trade schools. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board consisting of educators from schools across the country.

\”We are humbled to be again named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine, especially since this year\’s list considered veteran feedback,\” said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. \”We feel that it is our duty to do what we can to help service members, military veterans and their families receive the education they need to succeed, in an environment that understands their unique circumstances.\”

G.I. Jobs Magazine selected schools following extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Bryant & Stratton College Online was selected because it offers scholarships and discounts, has a veteran\’s club and a full-time staff member dedicated to helping students with military experience. Examples of ways Bryant & Stratton College Online supports its military students and their families are below

6 Tips for Balancing Work and Family

Here are six tips for balancing your life at work and home:

With all of these adjustments to your daily schedule, you may be able to carve out more time – and rise above the daily grind instead of succumbing to i

Tips on Transferring Colleges without Losing Credits

Transferring colleges requires meticulous attention on the part of the student to ensure every possible credit will transfer. In addition to reducing the amount of time you spend making up coursework, transferring your maximum credit potential can save you thousands of dollars in tuition expenses. There are specific steps you can take to ensure your new college accepts most, if not all, credits from previous educational institutions. When in doubt, contact the admissions office of your new campus to get personal assistance reviewing former transcripts, course requirements, and syllabi from your previous school(s).

Here are five tips for transferring colleges without losing credits:

Ask before you register. Many students choose to begin their education at a community college in order to save money, knowing exactly where they plan to transfer to afterwards. If this is the case for you, contact the admissions office of the school you will be transferring to. They can help you decide which college courses will be transferable so you can plan your coursework accordingly.
Get unofficial copies of your transcripts. Have a clear idea of exactly what courses you have received credit for. Keep in mind that the school you are transferring into will have specific grade requirements for transfer credits. Remember to get all copies of your transcripts, even if you only attended a single class at a junior college several years ago. Every credit counts. In most cases, students can request unofficial copies of their transcripts online, or by contacting the Registrar’s office. These are cheaper to obtain than official transcripts, which will be required when it’s time to apply and transfer your credits.
Understand credit transfer requirements at your prospective schools. Every school is different. At Bryant & Stratton College, we accept up to 75 percent of the total credit hours required for graduation. Credits can be comprised of advanced placement high school courses, previous college credits, as well as certain proficiency examinations. We assess these credits on a course-by-course basis. Timeliness of the information, or advancements in technology, may prevent certain courses from credit reciprocation. We only accept college credit transfers with grades of C or higher. For transferring credits related to our nursing program, we require grades of B or higher. Upon acceptance, students must complete the credit transfer process prior to registering for their classes. Additionally, Bryant & Stratton can only accept credits earned in technology classes if they are five years old or younger.
Become familiar with the coursework required for your program of choice. Once you have chosen your prospective schools, examine the list of required courses for your program of choice. You may find that certain schools have requirements that better mimic the programs you have started elsewhere, which will ease the credit transferring process. Start working with those admissions counselors and registrar’s offices first.
Save your previous syllabi and course requirements. There are circumstances where we require additional information before we can accept certain transfer credits. For example, every college and university titles their coursework differently. By having our admissions counselors or instructors review your old course syllabi, or the course requirements, we can gain a more detailed understanding of whether or not it is comparable to the equivalent coursework here at Bryant & Stratton College Online. Don’t worry if you no longer have copies. You can contact your previous institution and they can put you in touch with faculty members in the appropriate departments if necessary so you obtain the information you need.

Transferring colleges can be a smooth process as long as you are prepared and willing to work with your prospective campus. Contact the Admissions Office at Bryant & Stratton College so we can get started transferring your college credits.

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1) Understand what motivates senior employees

2) Make sure they receive feedback—positive and negative

3) Provide professional coaching

4) Encourage a stronger role in company culture

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A New Way to Learn

Enabling a Learning Workforce

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