Land The Job

Whether you are seeking your very first job, or you've had many jobs in  your life, it is always a good idea to brush up on your interview skills.

Everything from what to wear to the interview, to the way you behave before, during, and after your interview can affect if you get the job.

In an article written for Monster College, I discuss Seven Things That Can Ruin a Job Interview. Even with the best intentions, it is easy to make one of these mistakes.

The article Showcase the Right Attributes to Land the Job discusses how to shine beyond the information on your resume.  Often employers are presented with several candidates with the same qualifications. It is important to use your personal qualities to sway the hiring manager's decision.

Making the best possible impression  at a job interview, won't guarantee you get the job, but it will definitely help your chances.

Extra Money For College

We all are aware of the image of the broke college student. With college costs on the rise, and an already hectic schedule, it may be hard to find extra money for your daily needs. Still money is often needed for laundry, food, entertainment, or to even contribute to books and school fees.

Here is my latest article from Fastweb which details some ways a college student can earn extra money while maintaining their already intense school schedule.

Check out the article here.

Success At Any Age

I love any story about an adult learner accomplishing great things. Learning to read for the first time, earning a GED, or going to college as a non-traditional student are all great victories.

I came across two stories which highlight the will of adult learners to succeed at their goals.

Willadene Zedan has graduated from college at the age of 85. I know people who are only in their 20's who think it is too late for them to go back to school. Well it is not! Click here to read more about this amazing woman's journey.

Adult learners share their stories in this article. In it they talk about earning their GED's. It truly is never too late to get an education.

 I hope these stories will inspire you to go for your dreams and remember that anything is possible!

Money, Money, Money!

I'm a huge proponent of scholarships. Why borrow money if you can earn a scholarship? Most scholarships are available to college students of any age.

 Here are some recent scholarships opportunities I've come across:

GotChosen: This award is available to college students. The prize is $1,000. A winner is selected at random every month. You don't have to write and essay or have a top GPA. All you need to do is enter to win every month. It's worth a shot.

From Failure to Promise: This award is still available. All you have to do is read a book and write a essay answering the questions on the scholarship website. You also must have a 3.0 GPA to apply. Deadline: July 31, 2013.

Student Transportation Video Contest: Do you like to make videos? Well you could create one discussing some aspect of transportation in America and win a prize of $500. Visit the website for more specific information. Deadline: August 15, 2013.

Here is proof that students actually are awarded scholarships. Read about how one student earned $40,000 here.

What scholarship opportunities have you come across?

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes

I came across this article about a woman who lost 180 pounds, but was still unhappy. As someone who has been working, and more often than not struggling, to get healthy I found this article helpful.

Whether you want to lose weight, start a business, buy a new home, graduate from college, etc. you can not base your happiness on the end  result.  What happens if you buy that new home, or get that degree, or new business and you are still not happy?

Happiness, according to this article, must come from within even while you are on the journey.
I have been guilty of thinking I will be happier once this or that happens.

I've learned, however, that I really do need to enjoy the journey. There will always be something to overcome. The change in my happiness level needs to come from within, rather than without.

What thing or event are you basing your happiness on? Check out this article and find out why being happy in the present is so important.

Your Academic Advisor is Not Your Parent

The academic advisor provided to you once you begin college is not your parent. "Duh," you may be saying to yourself.  It is surprising how many students know this in theory, but when faced with tons of college questions they behave otherwise.

Having friends who are academic advisors, I am amazed at the types of questions students ask them. Questions like:

• Is a teacher nice or mean?
• Why can't I just skip this math class? I'm 40-years-old, I shouldn't have to take it.
• I emailed you ten minutes ago, why haven't you responded yet?

This prompted me to write my latest article for Fastweb.

Making the Most of Your Academic Advisor, explains the do's and don'ts of working with your academic advisor. An advisor is a great resource to have. You want to be sure to use him or her wisely.

Check out this article if you want to make the most of your academic advisor.

Rules for Business A lot Like Life

Many  people have an entrepreneurial spirit. They envision themselves running their very own business and being their own boss.

While working whatever hours you like may sound great, there is a lot more to running your own business than that. It is important to learn all you can about business before you set out on your own.

You can learn about starting your own business by taking college or continuing education courses. You can buy business books or check them out from your local library. Also, you can find out what it really takes to run a business from people who are actually doing it successfully.

I came across an article, Seven Things I've Learned Running a Business. Anne Day's advice seemed to sound like a lot of real life common sense. In the article she writes :

1. You can't please everyone.
2. Try out business relationships before signing anything.
3. You must have balance. Simply put, you can't do it all yourself.
4. Don't expect immediate success.
5. Do your homework.

If you are serious about starting your own business, finish reading Anne Day's helpful article.

Need help writing your business plan? Check out an older post on the One Page Business Plan.

The Admissions Essay Word Limit



As an adult student you may feel like you have a lot of life to try and fit into an admissions essay for college. How do you show the admissions representatives who you really are while staying below a word limit?

The college admissions essay is a part of the application process that often gives students the most anxiety. In the essay, applicants work hard to really let the admissions counselors get to know them beyond their test scores and grades. After writing what they feel is a nearly perfect essay the student finds out that their 800-word essay is longer than the 500-word maximum allowed.

Continue reading my latest article, "500 Words, No Problem: 5 Tips for Staying Within the Admissions Essay Word Limit".



Before You Borrow

Student loans can often be confusing to college students. For adult learners student loans may be even harder to resist. You need money to pay for college tuition, yet because you work a full-time job you may not qualify for need based grants. So what do you do? Check out my article, "What to Know Before You Borrow" over on Fastweb.com that gives you a heads up on student loans.

From Failure to Promise Scholarship

Dr. C Moorer has gone from a college drop-out, to a tenure track university professor. In his new book, "From Failure to Promise" he wants to show how you can do the same.

In an effort to inspire people of any age to finish their education, Moorer created the "From Failure to Promise Essay Scholarship".  All you have to do is read the book. Then write an essay of up to 1000 words that explains how the book has impacted you and what you will do to inspire others.

The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship, second place $1,000, third place $500.  The deadline is June 30, 2011.

Visit "From Failure to Promise Essay Scholarship" for more information.    KP.

It Is Never Too Late

"It’s never too late to be who you might have been”- George Elliott

Welcome to Second Chance. If you are looking for a second chance to fulfill a dream, complete a college degree, earn a GED, start your own business, become who you always knew you could be, or help others along in their journey, then this is the place for you.  Age in our case is nothing but a number. This blog will feature:

-- Inspiring stories about people of all ages turning their lives around. 

-- Tips for going to college at any age.

--Financial aid and scholarship information.

--Information, and resources for taking and passing the GED exam.  

-- Reviews of books and films that speak to the idea of second chances. 

--And so much more!

Here we will share dreams, goals, and victories. Whether you are 16 or 91 this is the place for you.  We recognize that dreams are not only for the young. So here’s to dusting off those old dreams. The ones you have buried in your heart and nearly forgotten about.  Now is the time to dig them up, and let them inspire and motivate you again.

 With faith and hard work anything is possible.  As George Elliott said, “It is never too late to be who you might have been.”  Let’s get started on this journey together.  K.P.