From don't be afraid to be smart to nothing is worth lying about, comedian and actress Tina Fey offers some good advice for teenagers on this Monday morning.  Happy last day of September everyone!

Scholarships Anyone Can Win

Sure, it may be a long shot, but when there's no essay to write or resume to submit, why wouldn't you at least try.  Check out USAToday's "4 Easy Scholarships Anyone Can Win." http://usat.ly/1fqE9vP

What will future careers look like?

While attending a conference in Toronto last week, I had the opportunity to hear The New York Times columnist Tom Friedman discuss the future of education.  As part of his speech, he also discussed what the world of work might look like five or ten years from now, and he got me thinking: when we send girls out to shadow a lawyer, an engineer, or a insurance agent, will the job they see be the same job by the time they graduate from college?  I think the answer is no, but some things may always be the same.

A recent Northeastern University study reported that six of ten business leaders survey said that soft skills like written and oral communication and problem-solving skills are still the most important for college graduates to have. The report also said that 84% of business leaders believed the ability to think creatively was just as important as the ability to think critically.  So Mr. Friedman's comment makes sense: when companies are downsizing, the people who will be kept are the ones who can do old things in better ways or new things in better ways. 

Fundamentals are also always going to be important, and whether or not you pursue a degree in engineering or English, if you have a solid foundation, you can move on to just about anything. (And by the way, there is evidence that you can earn a living with a liberal arts degree.)  To quote from a recent blog by Michael Lindsay, President of Gordon College, "...a student's chosen major will not, in most cases, determine the financial viability of his or her long-term career. Students from any major can use their time at college to explore practical ways to turn their academic passion into a good investment."  Being able to turn your interests into a career is what Tom Friedman meant when he said, in the future "you won't be able to find a job; you will have to invent a job."

The jobs of the future may look nothing like the ones of today, but no matter what career a student pursues, she will need the following: strong fundamentals, the ability to think both critically and creatively, the ability to collaborate with others, and a solid background in technology.  In other words, all of the skills a GPS graduate will have.

Engineering Scholarship

Time is short, but here's a new scholarship opportunity ($500) for those interested in engineering.  Students will need to submit an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship page of the AES website http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm. The deadline is October 4, 2013. 

If you have any questions, please come see us.

How much do you love us?

At times it seems that is the question some colleges are asking.  Have you visited the campus? Have you talked to the admissions representative when they visited your school?  Did you attend a college fair? Have you filled out the information card?  Why are you applying to this school?  It's called "demonstrated interest," and some colleges are really tracking it. 

So how do you demonstrate your interest? 

There are some obvious places to begin.  You should, in fact, stop by to speak to the college rep when he or she is at GPS.  They may be here during the day, or they may be visiting during one of our four evening GPS/McCallie programs.  Yes, you have classes and homework and Candlelight and other activities, but taking fifteen minutes out of your day/evening to introduce yourself and ask a few questions is a first step.  Many colleges will also be at the Coast to Coast College Fair in April, 2014.  If you are a sophomore or a junior, you should be there too, and you should fill out and return the inquiry (information) cards.  Touring the campus is a valuable part of the college search process, but if the college you're interested in is on the other side of the country, what else can you do?

Ask to be put on the school's mailing list if you're not already.  If the college has a blog, read it. If there are on-line chats for prospective students, participate. If the school emails you, answer it.  If you have questions, email your representative. If you met with a representative, went to an information session, took a tour, send a thank you note.  A real hand-written thank you note. If there is a local reception, attend it.  If you do have the opportunity to visit, make sure you register and let them know you're there.

Many schools will ask you "why this college?"  They want to know you've done your homework, so be specific. Refer to something you saw while you were on campus, something you learned from the admission officer, something you read on the website. Make a connection between what you want to do - your goals - and what the college has to offer.  If you can't explain "why," then do you really like and understand the school?

Everyone likes to be wanted, and I think colleges are no different.  It will take work, and sometimes you will wonder why you're going to all the trouble.  But, how you interact with a college can and will affect your college process.

Random Friday Thoughts

I thought seniors might appreciate this Pennsylvania student's post on the things she wants to remember about her senior year.  There are a few I like more than others - like sign out of facebook, twitter, etc. - but I wonder if there are other things my students would like to remember about this year?  Let me know if you think of something.

And since seniors are in the midst of college applications right now, you might be interested in this advice from college students who have been where you are right now.

Finally, maybe it's the former English teacher in me, but I particularly enjoyed this list "Ten Books Every College Freshman Should Read."  I'm going to have to think about it, but I might want to add some books to this list.

Narrowing Down the College List

Megan recently wrote about the process she's going through as she whittles down her college list. You can, as she did, go through all the mail and sort into three categories - yes, maybe, and no.  But looking at brochures will only get you so far.  What other questions should you be asking yourself?
Zinch, a college/scholarship search web site, recently offered five good questions you should think about as you create your own college list. 

Any time you visit a college campus, talk to a representative or even read The Fiske Guide, you should ask seriously ask yourself: "Can I see myself at this school? What academic and extracurricular opportunities would I take advantage of?" 

Many times when Mrs. Goldbach and I visit colleges, we can almost immediately think of a student who would not only benefit from the college community, but would also add something to it.  Now, not everyone is hit by a thunderbolt, but you should spend some time thinking about how you would fit into the college community. And of course, if you want some suggestions, your college counselor is always willing to assist you.

And just as an aside, I like Zinch's motto "I am more than a test score." That is absolutely true. You are.