"They Didn't Teach That in School!" No Longer an Excuse

Being thrust into "the real world" comes along with some scary tasks we are going to need to do ourselves.  Not only will be full-time, but students graduating often have a hard time adjusting to taking care of personal finances.

College does grant students with a piece of an independent lifestyle, but there are still those things we often let our parents deal with : tax forms, rent checks, insurance etc.

We often say give the excuse our courses don't prepare us for these real-life tasks.  However, you are in luck.  JMU is now offering a new course this spring to help students learn about smart ways to handle your money.

Dollars and Sense- IS 275
Mondays- 3-5:30
Burruss Hall Room 139

The course is 3 credits, and focuses on the basics of handling an adult life.  It is not a high level economics course, and is suggested for all majors.  The topics covered will include budgeting, money and relationships, insurance, saving, debt, house shopping, and other real life applications.

Instruction comes from Brad Barnett, an Accredited Financial Counselor and JMU's Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships.  He will share his vast knowledge and expertise throughout the semester. 

If your schedule permits, this class is a great leg-up to get ready for "the real world."  Don't forgot Spring registration beings Monday, November 1st!

Stick to DC- A Promising Region for Job Hunting

Part of looking for the right job is knowing where you want to be.  While many return to the places they grew up, others look to cities full of jobs and the young urban professional lifestyle.

In our current economic, cities who seem to be at the center for prosperity, including New York, are not offering the opportunities they have in the past.  An important part of being marketable is being flexible on location.  New cities might be scary, but college graduates are at the prime age for travel and new changes.

A recent Business Week study showed the south as a prime region for recent college graduates, including Washington, DC.  Due to the high cost of living in cities such as Boston and New York, cities like DC and Houston, TX are more practical for those with entry- level jobs.

This is great news for JMU students, who have many DC employers seek on-campus interviews for possible job opportunties.  Due to our geographic location, many people originally outside the DC area  have access to an area less affected by the economic drowns.

So why DC?  The expansion of the Federal Government has increased employment opportunities.  The government provides security and benefits, unlike many the rocky businesses of today.

LEARN!  Career and Academic Planning is hosting a Student Webinar with information on Federal Jobs.  Students must reply on Recruit-A-Duke to attend.  The event will show students how to apply, and the benefits of going governmental.

Student Webinar- Federal Jobs
Tuesday, October 26th 4:30-6:00 pm
Festival Conference Room 3

Another great tool is DCJobs, which provides a comprehensive search to everything in DC.

Happy Job Searching !