This week

Summer Jobs and Activities

• Feature — An interview with a college representative on the importance of work experience
• It's a fact — Job search tips
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

An interview with a college representative on the importance of work experience

For this issue, AIEmail chats with Brother Victor Monette, associate director for student financial services at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. Bro. Victor is a member and past president of the National Student Employment Association (NSEA), an organization of professionals involved with programs for college students who work.

AIEmail: Why should high school students consider getting job experience?

Monette: Part-time work is as important as grades. It increases confidence, fosters time-management skills, promotes vocational exploration, and enhances subsequent academic success. An additional benefit is that those who experience work-related stress as teenagers are better able to cope with job stress later on in life.

AIE: What types of jobs or experiences should high school students look for?

Monette: Students should look for jobs that give them the opportunity to interact with people, allowing them to learn how to deal with customers and how to manage stress. Students usually mature faster when working, studying, and attending classes. A job closely aligned with their career goals is what high school students should be seeking.

AIE: How important is work experience on college applications?

Monette: Work experience is looked at to see how students balance work with studies. In other words, time management is important. Can you balance your activities and still maintain good grades? Is your job related to your career goals? Work experience in an area related to your future career may carry more weight than simply working at any job. But leadership experience gained from student activities or other after-school activities carries far more weight.

AIE: What do high school students need to know about college Work-Study?

Monette: Student employment in college is funded either by the college itself or through the Federal Work-Study Program. The Federal Work-Study Program is a need-based program. This means that eligibility is determined by the results of the FAFSA (the Free Application For Federal Student Aid). The college employment program is open to any student attending at least half time, or full time, depending on the policies established by individual colleges. Students should check with the Student Employment Office early to see what is available in the fall semester, or check with Web sites maintained by colleges where this information is listed. The student employment office is always there to help students seeking employment.

AIE: What resources do you find helpful for students?

Monette: The Web is probably the best resource available these days. Local job boards can be found there, as well as employment opportunities on college campuses and volunteer organizations that list positions. Local chambers of commerce also frequently provide job listings of employers in the area.

AIE: What would you recommend to high school students to prepare for future employment?

Monette: We have found that students who work during high school and college, particularly in a job related to their majors or initial career aspirations, have a better understanding of what their job entails. They advance in their careers faster and attain a higher level of professional responsibility early in their career. Part-time employment in an area closely related to their major is the key. Work with your counselor or your career placement/student employment office to find career-related employment.

Back to top

It's a Fact

Job search tips

Looking for a first job can be a difficult task. Many employers look for experienced workers. But how do you get experience without having a job? You have to expand the way you think about experience. Volunteer programs, school projects, and organizations sometimes provide experience that is useful in a work setting also. Identify your skills when thinking about job hunting, but also keep track of experiences you've had that an employer might be looking for.

To learn more, visit AIE's Get A Job page (http://www.AIE.org/HighSchool/Jobs/index.cfm).

Back to top

Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen, sophomores and juniors

• File all report cards and standardized test score reports from the school year in a secure place.
• Be sure any class notes that you want to save are also filed.
• Go by the library or bookstore and pick up some books to start reading.
• Read daily from different types of books to build your college readiness skills.
• Review the family summer vacation schedule with your parents so that you can let your employer or volunteer service supervisor know of any days that you will not be able to work.
• Start a savings account with your summer earnings.
• Use your extra free time to visit college and career Web sites, such as www.AIE.org.

For seniors

• File all report cards and standardized test score reports from the school year in a secure place.
• Sort through class notes and tests (particularly those of AP courses) and save and file those that might be helpful later.
• Visit the library or bookstore and pick up some books to start reading.
• Read daily from different types of books to build your college readiness skills.
• Review the family summer vacation schedule with your parents so that you can let your employer or volunteer service supervisor know of any days that you will not be able to work.
• Plan the dates of any summer college campus visits.
• Start a savings account with your summer earnings.
• Use your extra free time to visit college and career Web sites, such as www.AIE.org.

For parents

• Assist your teen in filing school report cards and standardized test scores from the year.
• Encourage your teen to start a regular reading program. Reading comprehension skills are critical to college readiness.
• Post a family calendar where your teenager can record work schedules or volunteer service schedules. Keeping the calendar helps everyone to be aware of family member obligations.
• Have a discussion with your teen regarding summer job earnings. Assist him or her in planning a savings program. If you have a senior, now is a good time to talk about the upcoming years' expenses and the cost of college.
• Arrange household chores so that your teen has regular responsibilities.
• Summer is a good time to start teaching your teenagers self-sufficiency skills such as ironing, laundry, car care, etc.
• Tour college campuses with your senior.

Back to top

Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

Back to top

All about AIEmail

Subscribe, suggest, review

• To change your e-mail address, change the format in which you receive AIEmail, or cancel your subscription, please visit the AIEmail subscription area (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/subscribe.cfm).
• If you have problems stopping your subscription or have comments about AIEmail, please send a message to webmaster@tgslc.org.
• Visit the AIEmail Archive (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/archive.cfm) for past issues.

Bookmark & Share:

AIE is a free public service of TG.
©2008 Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (www.tgslc.org)