AnneOnCollege.net

Sorry for the delay in today's Saturday Scholarship Roundup. I will have it available tomorrow for your viewing pleasure and so you can peruse all of those lovely opportunities to find money for your education.

This month is going to be a little hectic for me as I am a full time student [much like most of you], have a family to tend, chickens on the mini-farm, Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and am participating in the annual NaNoWriMo in an effort to jumpstart my pitiful writing dreams.

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and its premise is to give aspiring writers a goal of 50,000 words in 30 days. The prize is simple: you did it! Oh, and a banner that says you won. It's about the journey as much as the accomplishment, much like our continued pursuit of higher education.

If you would like to follow along with my progress, check out the widget below. Every time I update my word count, this widget will update. When I win [because I will win] PARTICIPANT will automatically change to WINNER and I will then be ready for a long winter's nap

I came across this great article on Unemploymentality which then points to the original article on Boston.com [yes, I am giving both credit]. This speaks to my thoughts on choosing a major based on what others say you should do [for the money] versus what you want to do. Go check it out :

I love getting these emails telling me the top paying degrees. As if that will really matter to me if it is not something of interest to me. I know they are just trying to be helpful, but be helpful to whom? and at what cost?


1. Chemical Engineering ($59,218)
2. Electrical Engineering ($55,333)
3. Mechanical Engineering ($54,057)
4. Computer Science ($53,051)
5. Civil Engineering ($48,998)
6. Economics ($47,782)
7. Management Information Systems ($47,407)
8. Finance ($46,442)
9. Accounting ($46,292)
10. Business Administration/Management ($43,256)


Now what? Am I supposed to change my major or decide to major in something just because it is considered a top paying degree? Loyal reader Luna commented last week on just this very thing. Well, not this very thing, but in response to my quandary on my choice of major. Luna started out as a Computer Science major. [Notice Computer Science is number 4 on the list above.] After spending some time actually working in that field, Luna decided it was not for her. Luna is now a Business Management major and happier for it. [Business is number 10.] There is a good $10,000 difference in those two yearly incomes. Does this mean Luna made the wrong choice? Absolutely not.


I am an Accounting major [number 9]. I will be receiving my degree in January 2010 and can look forward to making a whopping $46,292 (on average) per year. I was making $39,000 + benefits without the degree. This is not making me think I made a good decision in returning to school. And, to top it all off, there are NO JOBS where I reside. None. Zip. Nada. And those few random positions listed by temp-to-hire companies want you to have a Masters degree. For no more money! You have got to be kidding me.

Oh, and that is not even the worst part. Really, there is more. I do not want to be an accountant. I know, why did I choose to study accounting if I do not want to be an accountant? Well, my thinking was it is what I know. I have an Associates degree in accounting and have worked in the bookkeeping, office management, accounting field for the past 15 some odd years. And there was the slight possibility I would be moving back to my old stomping grounds in South Florida and I did not want to start at the bottom, AGAIN. Therefore, the continuation only made sense. I never moved. In fact, so much changed where I was working that I ended up losing my job when new management came in and I was deemed incompatible - read: had a mind of my own and did not mind using it.

What does this mean to you? Did you choose your major based on salary? And do you think it is the money or the love of what you do that makes you successful?


image courtesy of swamysk.

That is $25 worth of going out for $1.  Be sure to read the restrictions.  Most restaurants have a minimum purchase requirement (typically $35) and the gratuity is included at around 18%.  I usually tip 20%, so this is even better for me!

But wait!  This offer gets even better.  Shop Restaurant.com through UPromise (it is free and super simple to join) and save 17% towards college.  Would you rather get that in the form of cash back?  UPromise does allow you to request cash payment.  In the top toolbar just click on use your earnings, then click on collect a check.  Payment is not as fast as some other rebate sites (takes up to 12 weeks), but 17% is the highest payout I have seen for Restaurant.com. 

Mashable is a wonderful site with the all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-social-media-but-were-afraid-to-ask information.  Quick!  Get an extra A for effort if you can name the movie reference!  =)

Thanks to Mashable and David Spinks for this wonderful list of social media sites every college student should check out:

• Cramster.com - Find resources, answers to questions, study help, and more.  And did I mention this is free?
  
• IntershipRatings.com - Want to know what to expect when it comes to internships?  Find out from those with experience.
• Zimride - Carpooling for college students.  Find a ride across town, across state, or across the country.
• Box.net - Collaborating software for college and beyond. 
• Remember the Milk - A task master for those who need some help in keeping it all straight.  Works with various applications.
• Gradefund - Get paid to make the grade.
• Evernote - Find information now, retrieve it later from any computer or internet-capable device.
• Zumeo - Find a job, connect through Facebook.
• CampusBooks - Search for your textbooks, get the best price, sell them back when you are done.

And as if that list was not extensive enough, I would like to add a few of my own:

• ISleptThroughClass - Connect with other students, upload notes, share, get points, earn rewards.
• SallieMae's Free Scholarship Finder - A great resource from a name synonomous with higher education.
• ExpoTV - Submit video product reviews, apply to be the first to try new products (for free), get paid for doing so.  This is not specifically for college students, but what student couldn't use a little extra spending money or free products, am I right?

Know of any great sites not listed here?  Looking for something specific?  I want this site to be as helpful as possible to all that visit.  Your comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Here is a great deal on an Acer Aspire One netbook over at TigerDirect.com. This is a refurbished netbook with 1.5 GHz, 1 GB DDR2, 160 GB, 8.9" LED, GSM Card, and Windows XP Home. I have been trying to justify getting one, but without an actual job I will just have to wait. But, you can get yours now for as little as $214.78 shipped.

Here is the deal:

1. Shop through Ebates. If you do not have an account, then get one today; it is free. And, just for signing up you will get a $5.00 bonus making this an even sweeter deal.
   
2. Find TigerDirect.com and click on the link to receive 3% back on your purchase.
3. Find the Acer Aspire One netbook (item # S445-89007) and add to your cart.
4. If you live in Florida or North Carolina you will be charged sales tax, if not, then you only have to pay shipping. Shipping for me is $1.99 for 3-7 day ground, so this could be inexpensive.
5. Pay using PayPal and receive $20.00 cash back. (this is good on any qualified purchase of $200 or more made by August 31, 2009)
6. Receive $7.20 cash back from Ebates ($239.99 x 3%)

That is it. A netbook for as little as $214.78 shipped. Just in time for back to school, too. I have purchased computer supplies and upgrades from TigerDirect for years. Shipping is fast and they are super reliable. You can rest assured you will not be disappointed.

Ever wonder how the different online colleges stack up? Ever wonder how many choices there are? Online Education Database has listed and ranked them for you. Check it out, my school is number 11! To me they are number 1, but hey, to each their own.

I know this is a bit off topic, but feel it a worthwhile post all the same. During these tough economic times, I know this is nothing new, we have to watch every penny. During my online, and offline, shopping I have come across several sites that are a "must see" before any shopping trip.

So, I am a member of a site that is supposed to draw traffic to your web page. What happens is you add a link to your site with a short description. Then you click on other people's links and review their sites, while generating traffic (your clicking on their link). So far I have about 11 comments (on the link referral site, none on my actual site) and about 160 clicks (again, no actual comments on my actual site). This then makes me wonder if this link referral site is actual worth it for the sake of generating interest in my blog.

As we start out in life we do not pay much attention to credit and its overarching effect on our lives. But credit affects our lives, present and future, in many ways. Good credit begins with paying bills on time, every time. Having good credit means lower interest rates on credit cards and loans. And lower interest rates translate into smaller payments. This is important when buying a car or house.

Today I learned an all-important lesson - knowledge before testing.

See, this awesomely great bookkeeping from home opportunity was within my grasp... until I had to take a test. I know how to follow directions and figure out just about any computer program out there - if I truly have an interest in it. Tests, not so much. I understand their importance. I truly do. But when I say I do not use a program often as I have been using industry-specific software this should be an indicator to how well I will do on a test for this not often used program. Needless to say, I am fairly certain unless everyone else does exceptionally bad, I blew this opportunity... for now. Next time I will be prepared.

For any position applied it is important to be able to fully comprehend the knowledge you will be required to prove. I know, the interview process is stressful enough. Let's make it less stressful by preparing ourselves for anything that may be thrown our way. I will be working on my quickbooks knowledge. This seems to be important. And brushing up on my Excel skills. One can never have enough letter writing experience. Most importantly, follow directions. Read everything. Read it twice or three times if necessary. Become familiar with the language and its use. The placement of words can change the entire meaning of a sentence.

It is important to get things right when you need to get them right. It also is important to learn when you get something wrong and not repeat it. Knowledge is power. Next time I will get it right the first time. Next time... because there will be a next time.

So, I heard back regarding that awesome bookkeeping job. They had a few questions and wanted to clarify a few things. No problem. I am thinking, "They responded. This is awesome!" I actually thought that. Of course I wanted to sleep on it to gather my thoughts and respond properly. I just replied and am keeping my fingers crossed, again.

Then, last night while watching t.v. my phone rings. This time it is for a conventional bookkeeping position at a company 5 minutes down the road from me. I had thought this position was filled. Imagine my surprise at hearing from them. I am not all that interested in this particular position as I have already adjusted to the being at home state of mind. Hopefully the contract position will pan out.

I have gotten approval from a few more of the affiliates I was interested in promoting. Not sure how or if it will work. I am not sure of many things. I am sure of not giving up. That and I am in the strangest mood with regards to my choice of music. I do not understand a word of it but the beat is awfully catchy. I am currently listening to Juanes. I guess language does not matter when it comes to music.

In day 7 of my search for some way to earn money online I have decided to look into affiliate programs. Now, I have belonged to BookCloseOuts.com for a few years now. Since I only have advertised through email and I only email friend and family (and that is not all that often, by the way) this has not been the most effective venture. I am now branching things out to my spanking new blog - Ta Da! Let's see if that works better - I'll let you know.

Then there is Amazon.com. I have shopped there for years and am almost never let down. I say almost never as no site is perfect. They are a recent addition for me - and again - we'll see how this goes. I would suppose the amount of site traffic would be in direct proportion of my success. This means I need to write about something relevant and poignant. Something worth reading.

I did find some great sites for finding affiliate programs. You can search those sites and apply for the affiliate programs that interest you. The first is LinkShare. They work with sites like Apple iTunes and TigerDirect. It is important to know the sites before you promote them, so I am choosing only sites I have used or have done some research. The other is Commission Junction. They work with sites like Books-A-Million.

Time for a FREE coffee break! Just click below to get your free sample of coffee. It's been a long time since I have had Dunkin' Donuts coffee, I hope it is still good!




Special thanks to the Work At Home Mafia website!