Moving Forward

By Shelley D. Zajaceskowski

Editor, Author and Creator

www.workday-café.freeservers.com

This is a step-by-step guide to aid in moving forward in your career life. No one is going to "roll out the red carpet" for you. You have to find your inner strength and move forward. A friend of mine once said "If you feel scared about what you are about to do, then you will know you are on the right path." This referring to any steps one chooses to pursue in improving their life or career path.

I can personally attest to the feeling of fear or being nervous about things which at first you know nothing about. It certainly can scare a person when trying to get yourself moving into a new area, such as returning to college. I can assure you that once you take that first step you will feel so good that you will want to take another and another and pretty soon you find that you have realized your goal.

Listed below are the many steps one has to follow to get going in the right direction. These are just helpful suggestions. This is a guide to help people who desire to return or begin college.

 

•  Call, email or drop by in person (if possible) to the college of your choice to request a college course-listing catalog. This catalog contains vital information about course offerings, rules, course fees, regulations and requirements.

 

•  Schedule a visit to the Adult Admissions Office. Here you can meet the staff that will guide you about re-entry if this is the case or first time entrants. Here you can also inquire about when semesters begin, when applications are due, how to register and what are the expected fees upon registration. Some colleges ask you to take a placement test, which usually cost a minimal fee but at the same time it is put toward your tuition costs. Ask if you need such a test.

 

3. Schedule a visit to the Financial Aid Office. You will want to do this early on because it can take some time to do and you will need to plan ahead. The Financial Aid Office will ask that you contact all former schools that you have ever attended and ask them for a sealed copy of your immunizations or health records and school transcript. Call the schools and ask them to mail such sealed copies directly to the college. Ask for as many copies as needed. This is a common request and a fee usually isn't charged.

 

•  Plan your courses. Visit a college counselor at the college to help you in your decision on what courses would be best for you or are required for you to take. Check on admission acceptance and registration for classes. If you have not received your letter of acceptance and the time is drawing near for courses to begin, call the Admissions Office.

 

•  Childcare: plan ahead. Ask a family or friend for help or ask if the college provides a day-care option. Some colleges offer day-care on the premises while you attend classes.

 

•  Buy supplies . Buy supplies needed to aid in your study time like pencils, pens, notepaper and calculator etc.

 

•  Study time. Find a place or time so you can study. Stick to it. Make a schedule up for yourself. Class time/child care, work hours and study time.

 

•  Discuss household chores . Who in your family can help out while you attend classes and/or studying?

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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