Graduate CT Blog

Deciding Which College Degree in CT to Pursue

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Graduating from college and attaining your degree is a great achievement that is ultimately used to fuel a career. Whether you’re in search of your first job, hoping to switch industries or get promoted, a college degree is a tremendous advantage. no matter your age if you're going back to school in your 30's, 40's, 50's, etc; remember, you're never too old to go back to college!

With that said, if you’re looking to propel a career or hoping to switch industries, take some time to examine which industries are hiring and which areas of work may be best-suited for your skill set and your schedule.

First things first, find an area that actually interests you. If you don’t like crunching numbers then something in the field of math, accounting or insurance may not be for you – consider important qualities you want in a future job.

After you have selected an industry or narrowed down the selection, research the landscape. Talk to industry professionals and research online. Look beyond salary information and explore how companies in this industry run and research any forecasting that may affect the outlook of a potential job in the coming years.

Finally, analyze your experience, skills and important areas of study and/or degrees for long-standing growth and success in an industry. Remember that many jobs cross industries, look at applicable and transferable skills that you may have.  This is a time to consider Prior Learning Assessments where you can gain college credit for past work and/or volunteer experiences. This is a great opportunity to speak with the career and educational advisors at Graduate!CT who can provide objective feedback and offer new perspectives.

Our competitive work force paired with our current economic situation has made attaining a college degree more important than ever. With more educated members of the work force, make the most of your upcoming career by researching trends and examining your own skills, needs and long-term goals and CT financial aid.

The advisors at Graduate!CT are happy to help answer any of your questions, whether it's about deciding on a college degree or what colleges in CT may be best suited to fulfill your needs!

Why Some Connecticut Adults Don't Go Back to College

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Check out our recent news release that highlights our survey findings!

Graduate!CT, a program of the MetroHartford Alliance in collaboration with the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education, is dedicated to increasing the number of adults with college degrees in Connecticut. A 2012 survey, Challenges Facing Connecticut Adults in Degree Completion, commissioned by Graduate!CT and conducted by The Pert Group, found family obligations, financial considerations and time commitment as the top three reasons why Connecticut residents don’t go back to college to complete their degrees.  With 75% of CT high school students going to college after graduation and only 41% graduating within 6 years, there is a significant population in the state that never completes their degree.

Thirty-percent of respondents indicate family obligations as the primary reason they have not considered finishing their degree. Of those, women are 25% more likely to cite this concern. Almost 50% of respondents who identify family obligations as their top challenge earn less than $50,000 potentially making childcare challenging to afford when combined with college tuition.

Financial considerations are second most common reason. Two-thirds of these respondents are single with one income and 96% are over the age of 35 and most likely juggling payments on cars, homes, previous loans and perhaps the financial obligation of a child(ren). Loans (both private and government-funded), scholarships and grants can make college more affordable in addition to employer tuition assistance.

Time commitment is the third most prevalent reason that CT residents have not finished their degree. With 20% of respondents signaling this as their top concern and evenly distributed among men and women, it is evident that other obligations commonly take priority (and time). Ninety-five percent of respondents are, once again, over the age of 35 representing a time in life usually full of varying responsibilities.

Despite these concerns, many colleges in and around the Greater Hartford area provide flexible learning environments and class times that can accommodate busy schedules. Prior learning experience in professional responsibilities, civic and volunteer experiences, military and corporate training, and independent study can provide additional course credit and help reduce the amount of class (and time) needed to earn that degree.  

“These three reasons make up the majority (70%) of reasons why CT residents are not finishing their degrees,” Martin Estey, Director of Higher Ed Partnerships, Graduate!CT said. “Our job at Graduate!CT is to help adults overcome those particular hurdles by equipping them with a variety of tools and offering helpful, in-person advice from college counseling experts.”

Interested in going back to college to earn complete you degree? Check out our FREE back to school toolkit today!

Staying Ahead of the Game with Summer College Classes

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Summer college classes in CT are a great way to stay ahead of the game. Taking an extra class in the summer months can shorten the time until graduation and, most importantly, the time until you have your diploma in hand and can start your new career or advance your current career objectives.

It also presents an opportunity to test the waters a bit, especially for those unsure of their desired degree or academic concentration. Try taking a class in a subject area that you have always been curious about but might be nervous or intimidated to take for an entire semester. 

A shortened summer class also gives you the opportunity to learn a new skill or begin building a foundation for one.  If you’re interested in learning the basics of another language or learning how to balance a spreadsheet, introductory classes in a language or financial math would be a great start to familiarize yourself with these new skills.

Being academically proactive is the best way to be. Whether taking a summer class is meant to shorten the time until your graduation or learn a certain skill, registration is open.

Interested in summer classes and starting your career even earlier? Graduate!CT has prepared a white paper just for you!

Summer College Classes Means More Focused Learning

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The traditional school year brings plenty of distractions along with it as well as other class responsibilities. An opportunity to take 1-2 summer classes represents a more focused learning environment important for several reasons. 

Do you have that one required class needed to graduate that you’re dreading? With a more intimate learning environment and increased attention from the professor and classmates, that troublesome class may be a lot more manageable than you may have thought during the summer session.

In addition, without other academic distractions you can focus on one particular class with a smaller overall time commitment. School doesn’t have to be your sole priority and you can knock off a graduation requirement without a schedule jam-packed with class. Enjoy the summer but also enjoy the fact that you’re one step closer to graduation.

Finally, taking a class or two in the summer keeps your focus and attention where it needs to be when seeking a degree. Summer can be a time when skills and positive learning study habits get rusty. Summer classes will help keep your habits fresh and sharp.

Summer classes are an opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead. Contact an advisor at Graduate!CT today for more information.  

Interested in learning about the top 5 reasons to take summer classes?

Heroes 4 Hire: CT State Job Fair for Veterans

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On Friday, April 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., join Graduate!CT at Heroes 4 Hire, a Veteran’s Job Fair, will be taking place at the Rentschler Field Ballroom in East Hartford, Conn.

Unlike most, this job fair will cater directly to Veterans and feature a variety of companies with dozens of open positions. These employers know that veterans understand the importance of teamwork, have many transferable and real work skills and are current with technology – this is a can’t miss opportunity for veterans looking for employment opportunities in Connecticut.

Graduate!CT will also be featured in a panel discussion in room 507 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:20 p.m. Students from CCSU, David Johnson from EducationRWE and advisors from Graduate!CT will provide information about obtaining a college degree in CT.

If you’re a veteran interested in employment or educational opportunities in Connecticut or simply looking to network, make sure to check out Heroes 4 Hire. For more information about the event and for a full list of companies that will be in attendance, click here.

Are you interested in finishing your college degree? Not sure where to begin? Check out our FREE back to school toolkit or contact an advisor at Graduate!CT today!

5 Important Tips for Effective Studying

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Whether you’re studying for your G.E.D, driver’s test, or any final exam, there are some essential tips and important habits for more productive and effective studying. Make the most of your time with the guidelines below.

1. Be comfortable - To make studying as enjoyable as possible equip yourself with plenty of study snacks and a cold drink. Don’t use hunger or thirst as a way to procrastinate. Make sure you pick a well-lit area with few distractions. Remember that a hard or uncomfortable chair might distract you from studying so limit these potential issues before they hinder productive time.
2. Don’t cram - Studying is most effective when you give yourself short breaks and can study at your own pace – not in a race against the clock.
3. Test yourself – Frequently quiz yourself to measure your studying efficiency. For instance, at the end of a chapter, take the chapter quiz or test yourself on your notes before moving on. If you’re not happy with your recollection, go back and review the material. Don’t move on until you’re a satisfied with the results of your studying. This is why it is very important to give yourself plenty of time.  
4. Take notes – It is more than okay to take notes while studying; it is recommended. Underline and review key words and vocabulary. Rewrite troublesome concepts in your own words to test your comprehension. It’s okay to ask for help too and, oftentimes, hearing someone else discuss certain concepts may offer new insights and help clarify confusing material.
5. Stay organized – Organize your material and organize your time. A little proactive effort up front to plan study time and to keep organized notebooks will help. You don’t want to end up rushing or wasting time looking for that handout.

Tests spring up during all phases of life. Knowing valuable study habits will keep you at your most productive when the time does come up!

Do you have more studying-related questions? Or any other questions associated with going back to college? Feel free to contact the advisors at Graduate!CT today for more information!

Corporate tax breaks for employer tuition assistance

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An important Internal Revenue Code regarding employer tuition assistance will expire at the end of this year unless Congress acts to renew it or make it permanent. Section 127 allows an employee to exclude from income up to $5,250 per year in assistance provided by their employer for any type of educational course at the associate, undergraduate and graduate level. Since its inception in 1978, section 127 has been extended nine times and will expire at the end of 2012.

Graduate!CT knows that providing tax-free educational assistance has been a valuable benefit for employers to offer and employees to take advantage of. Today more than 1 million employees use Section 127 benefits, a number that has doubled since 1994.

Cutting Section 127 would not only limit employer-based benefits and the attraction of ambitious employees but also affect the position of the US economy to compete globally.

Our current economic situation has led many potential students to take advantage of their employer assistance program and financial aid in CT, who without its help, might not take classes or pursue advanced degrees. Take action now to extend Section 127.

Please Take Action:
Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the Employee Educational Assistance Act of 2012, H.R. 4137 to make it a permanent part of the tax code using the following steps:

1. Log onto the Coalition to Preserve Employer Provided Education Assistance’s website Action Center by clicking HERE
2. Click "Take Action" tab at the bottom of the alert
3. Be sure to include your complete home mailing address.
4. Please send this alert to your friends and colleagues

For more information on financial aid in CT, check out our FREE white paper!

Tips for handling stress in and out of college

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Stress is completely normal and the way your body deals with emotional and physical demands. It is important to know that stress is not always bad! It can be viewed as a positive effect if it keeps you alert and ready-to-go. However, stress can also bring on negative emotions too.  

One thing is for sure: stress is a part of daily life. Whether you're stressed about the thought of college or going back to school at 30, the advisors at Graduate!CT have provided a list of simple ways to relieve stress.

-       Keep a positive attitude. Know that there are emotions, events and things that you have absolutely no control over – better to focus on the big picture and try not to sweat the small stuff.

-       Use relaxation techniques. There are a variety of ways to relax which may include yoga, meditation, a bath or long run… anything that helps you unwind.

-       Exercise. Try dedicating 30 minutes a day, four days a week to exercising. Whether that means hitting up the gym or making a conscious effort to take the stairs instead of the elevator or park farther away than usual, your body needs a bit of physical exertion.

-       Manage your time effectively. Time management is an important step in controlling stress. Read our blog post about effective time management strategies here.

-       Rest. Your body needs time to recover from daily activities and the many obligations that you have. Give it a break every once in a while and it will most likely repay you in reduced levels of stress.

-       Make time for yourself. Hobbies and personal activities are important for checks and balances. Give some time to yourself in order to reduce the many stresses of everyday life!

Limit the negative stress in your life by following some of the guidelines above. If you're worried about juggling work and school or are unsure of how to pay for college, talk to an advisor at Graduate!CT. They are ready to answer all of your college-related questions.

Also, check out our free back to school toolkit as well for more information.

How to ask for a recommendation during the college admissions process

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Many schools require letters of recommendation as part of their application process. In most cases, there are many people that you can ask: a previous teacher, a coach, a mentor, your supervisor, anyone in a leadership position who knows you well enough to write a letter about you.

Graduate!CT wants you to be as prepared as possible for the admissions or transfer process and has put together a list of guidelines for requesting letters of recommendations.

Ask in person: An in-person conversation is always the best option but, if this is not possible, try calling the person and, at last resort, send an email. This is a formal request, so stay away from instant messenger, social media, or text requests.

Select an appropriate writer: Make sure the person you have selected feels comfortable writing your recommendation letter because you won’t just need a letter, you will need a good, convincing letter. In this case, it is definitely okay to take no for an answer.

Offer a reasonable time table: People have plenty of other responsibilities and writing your letter of recommendation might not always be a top priority. Give the person plenty of time but remember to remind them of the due date. If you do not give them enough time, they might write a rushed or mediocre letter. Time is in your favor.

Provide information/material: Include all relevant material such as recommendation forms and transcripts. Also, print out the information for the school or program you are applying for so that the writer is properly informed. Don’t forget to include envelopes, labels and stamps and provide accordingly in case multiple copies must be made.

The team at Graduate!CT is here to help with all stages of the college admission process and attaining your degree! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!

Are you interested in transferring but don't know where to begin? Check out our FREE transfer playbook!

4 tips for effective time management at a Connecticut college

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Graduate!CT recently released  survey findings of the top three challenges facing Connecticut adults in degree completion. They were: family obligations, financial considerations and time commitment. If you think about it, time plays a substantial role in all three of them. We at Graduate!CT have compiled a list of 4 time-saving tips and strategies which can help lead to a more effective balance of school, work, other obligations and, most importantly, the people in your life.

1. Use a planner – Okay, so this doesn’t have to be an actual planner. If you have a smartphone or computer, you should be able to make to-do lists, fill out calendars and set alarms and warnings for important events/meetings/appointments. Stay organized! Knowing your schedule and being able to plan around it helps your productivity and helps limit overbooked schedules.
2. Try backwards planning – If you have an important meeting or assignment due, try managing your time backwards. This will provide you with a better overall timetable and the steps required to complete the task on time.
3. Multitask – This might sound elementary but this strategy can save you tons of time in the long run. When you’re standing in a long grocery or bank line, check your email or fill out your planner, if possible. Read assignments instead of listening to your iPod on the bus or watching TV before bed. Spend time with your kids while fulfilling other duties or activities like grocery shopping or exercising.
4. Turn off distractions – Be proactive and limit temptation by completely turning off distractions like cell phones!

If you’re serious about going back to school but think time is too much of issue, try these four tips and see how much time you can save!