After last Tuesday’s midterm election votes were tallied, Republicans gained control of the House. Dems still control the Senate, but the right has certainly swept in and gained an enormous (and not unexpected) amount of clout on Capitol Hill.

What does this mean for the next two years? Will there be massive changes in America or will the country suffer an endless and aggravating partisan tug-o-war over legislation?

Several weeks ago, the top issues going into the election were the economy, the deficit, and health care. Now that the election is over, it’s interesting to revisit these issues and figure out what the atmospheric shift means.

The Economy
On December 31, the tax cuts that were created during the Bush presidency will be reassessed. Obama claims he will be open to conversation with Republicans concerning an extension, but has given no word on a compromise. Considering it would be difficult for many of the current legislators to create a comprehensive bill during the lame duck period, the most plausible solution would be a one-year extension of the Bush-era cuts. This will not really help or hurt the economy, but will lead to further conversation concerning the economic future of America. Read More »

Obviously the current job market isn’t looking so hot for anyone right now.  Most of us don’t have a trust fund to fall back on, and the state of our economy makes attending grad school a distant dream for so many of us.  With the pressure to land an entry-level position armed only with perseverance, savvy, and Bachelor’s degree in hand, the importance of choosing the right college major is more crucial now than ever  before.

In a recent article, Newsweek names the nine majors that lead to the “best” jobs.  The list includes majors along the lines of finance and information systems – things that have always been regarded as boring safe and prestigious.  I have to say, though, that the value of a career can’t be summed up by the median starting salary.  Sure, some people are actually passionate about construction management (hey, we don’t judge) and if you are, then of course this is the perfect major for you.  But for those of us who prefer to pursue skills that are slightly less mainstream (or that won’t make you want to bludgeon yourself with a calculator during your third all-nighter in a week), I say “why not?”

Throughout college, I remember seeing my peers who chose to major in things like biology struggle to stay awake during their work days while my Communications major (obviously not the most conventional) allowed me to spend the days of my internship interviewing high profile celebs at a major magazine. Win!

With that being said, we say “suck it, high paying jobs!” and have compiled 5 majors that put you on the path to career awesomeness. Read More »

I feel like everyday I’m reading stories, such as the one The Huffington Post ran yesterday, that dish out an extra-large helping of negativity aimed at my generation- the Millenials, Gen-Y, the Peter Pan Generation, Generation Next, the Echo Boomers.  We seem to inspire a lot of labels, but sadly not as much confidence from our predecessors.  They say we’re drowning in debt, hopelessly unemployed, cluelessly over-educated…I say f*ck you.

Do I sound bitter?  That’s because I am.  As a recent graduate, I’m experiencing a lot of what my elders are talking about.  Yes, I’m unemployed.  Yes, I’m an intern.  And yes, I will be paying off my student loans for the next thousand years.  But, unlike Mom and Dad, I’m not writing my generation off just yet.  Here’s why:

We’re pretty freakin’ smart. In numbers exponentially greater than previous generations, we’re earning college degrees and seeking even higher education.  Add the fact that we’re tech-savvy and hip to social networking and you might just say our generation revolutionized the way humans interact.  Next time you catch your mom getting her Facebook fix, tell her Mark Zuckerberg was just 20 when he launched the site from his dorm room in 2004.

We’re ballsy. I believe the term “disrespectful” has been tossed around quite a bit in regard to the spawn of the Baby Boomers.  Now, I’m not about to defend Kanye’s stage manners (and lack thereof) or the oft-terrifying rap stylings of Eminem, but I will say that young people today know what they want and aren’t afraid to be outspoken about it.  We engage politicians, confront campus officials, and know how to protest like it was Vietnam all over again. Read More »

Here at College Candy, we’re huge supporters of the college experience.  Whether you’re navigating the sometimes-choppy waters of freshman year or dealing with a horrible roommate, dealing with an LDR or preparing for graduation, we think all these experiences are crucial to shaping post-high school you.

Apparently not all of you agree with us, though.  The Wall Street Journal is reporting that only 63.5% of those aged 18-29 believes college is a good investment. Somewhat more shocking is that 61.5% of those over 65 agree that college is a worthwhile experience.  These numbers have dropped significantly since 2009- from 76.7% and 82.1% respectively.

Given the current economy, it’s not difficult to see why young people regret or want to avoid strapping themselves with hefty student loans.  But for people who went to college over forty years ago, have they not enjoyed receiving a significantly higher paycheck?  Or working in a field that requires a degree?  Do they think that spending four years among other educated young people, sharing ideas and growing together as a generation, isn’t important?

I know we often talk about the more lighthearted highs and lows of campus life, but the truth of the matter is that colleges genuinely benefit those who graduate from their hallowed halls.  Between tailgating and hooking up, five days a week you’re sitting in a classroom actually learning something and working towards a degree that will help you earn almost double what you would with only a high school diploma.  Prior to reading this study, I would’ve felt this is the point at which you’d all be shouting “Duh!”, but I question that now. Read More »

When you left for college freshman year, did you ever try picturing your life after graduation?  Did you try to imagine how radically different things would be in just four short years?  You’d have the job of your dreams, for sure- the big desk, the sleek office, even the requisite evil boss a la Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada.  Sure, she’d hate you at first, but you’d prove yourself to her over time, earning a reputation as a cunning, hard-as-nails employee.  One day Meryl would offer you the keys to the kingdom, and unlike that saintly Anne Hathaway, you’d grab them and run.  Three words ring in your head as the mental image fades in a cloud of pink: World’s Youngest CEO.

Wake up, babe.  This isn’t dreamland.

The “real world,” as some of you may have found out, doesn’t really care if you want a career or a steady salary.  It doesn’t matter if you went to Harvard or Podunk Community College- record numbers of graduates are finding themselves jobless these days.  If you want to throw a statistic out at mom and dad (because of course you moved home after school) tell them this:  Not only are you competing against 1.6 million other degree-toting candidates, but the Huffington Post says the youth unemployment rate is at 19.6%, the lowest on record since 1948.

Take my friend Matt Grant.  Okay, he’s not really my friend but aren’t we all brought together by hard times?  Anyway, Matt went to Ohio State University, graduated in 2009.  He was a chemical engineering major and scored three internships as an undergrad.  Basically, Mr. Grant’s a smart guy.  Please, ask me what he’s doing now.  Go ahead, ask me.

He is a waiter at a Clarion Inn.  And that’s the best job he could find after a year of searching! Read More »

Money!

Happy Tax Day! I know it’s not the best day for those of you who have to hand your hard-earned money over to the government (perhaps a free donut will help?), but some of you might be lucky enough to be getting some cash back. Hooray! If you’re anything like me, you were so excited at the prospect of having triple digits in your bank account that you started spending that money before you even got it.

Good for you! Stimulate that economy! Treat yourself to something wonderful. Just don’t let all the excitement blind you. Below, 5 things you shouldn’t waste your money on. Seriously. Read More »

Recently, graduating from college, it seems, has sprouted a ripe mid-life crisis for the college student.  It may not result in buying a convertible and a condo in southern Florida, but it does send soon-to-be college grads in a downward spiral as they freak out about their futures, their jobs and, well, surviving real life.

Graduating is almost like watching Paranormal Activity; it’s just plain terrifying.

Because of the current economy (read: in the toilet) many of us are making some pretty rash decisions when it comes to choosing majors and getting the ball rolling on our futures. Students are trying to do whatever they can to get ahead of their peers, often choosing majors early in order to get a head start on internships, jobs and other experiences valuable to an attractive resume. Some schools are even getting rid of their “useless” majors – like Philosophy – in favor of majors that will actually get students some jobs – like Business.

But is being so totally focused and career minded in college really the right way to go?
Some people don’t think so.

Besides specializing in “Ramen Cuisine,” college is an essential time to focus on your career. I mean, that’s why we’re here, right? It often feels that you haven’t even unpacked your bags into your tiny dorm room before your academic advisor is pressuring you to declare your major, and fast. And it makes sense; money is tight and it’s important to get moving on a path that will secure a successful job in the future.  Unless you want to live in your parents’ basement with the family pet, college is the key to jump-starting your life.  Declaring your major early gives you more experience in the field and the opportunity to rope in an internship right away. All things that will eventually make you more appealing to that HR guy in the suit.

At the same time, though, maybe this isn’t the only aspect of college we should be focusing on.

Is getting a job the only reason people get a college education? And is a business student who only knows statistics, finance and how the banking industry works really the most appealing job candidate? What happened to being well-rounded? To being multi-dimensional? That was really important during the college application process, so why not now? Even more, how are you supposed to know what you want to do if you’ve never given anything else a chance? College is a time to explore. To learn. To try new things and find your path. Not to choose the major that makes the most money and hope you can survive it.

College, if you take advantage of all the opportunities it has to offer, opens more doors than Inconsiderate Ian did for you on your last blind date.  It also happens to be the last time you’re really given the freedom to explore such a wide variety of options. I get that we’re all desperate to nab those highly coveted jobs post graduation, but that doesn’t mean we have to lock ourselves into a box just yet. Nor that doing so is the key to success.

So, what do you think? Are we wasting our time on those art and religion classes? Should we be more focused on our trade?

As a senior entering her last semester in college, there’s really only one thing on my mind: doing stupid things one last time before they are no longer socially acceptable finding a job after graduation.

But no matter how often I search “high-paying magazine job” on Monster.com, or how many fake ads I peruse on Craigslist, the harsh reality is that our economy still kinda sucks…and finding a job (where I don’t have to take off my clothes…) isn’t easy for anybody. Even a charming, well-educated woman like myself.

But don’t fret, my collegiate friends! Earlier this month the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted the top 10 industries that will GAIN jobs in the next decade. If you think you would enjoy changing old people’s diapers, filing medical records or serving the “Rise and Shine” breakfast on a regular basis, you might be in luck. Even jobs that involve helping other people find jobs made the list!

Who woulda thunk?

It’s a little too late for me to change my major to “Hospitality Management,” but for those of you still in school (or thinking about changing your major/your entire life plan), I would heed this advice. Job security is hard to find these days, so if that’s what you’re after you just might consider putting those journalism dreams on hold and put in an app at your local Target.

At least that’s what the experts say.

Class all year? FML.

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman, so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like what is cheating!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

There’s been some debate recently about increasing the number of days public school kids have to spend in class, and while you may be thinking “man, I’m glad I’m not in high school anymore,” think again. Colleges, especially public ones, generally follow the patterns set up by lower levels of schooling, which means that if they cut back on summer, you could kiss it goodbye too.

I’ll give you a moment to go find a paper bag to breathe into.

Proponents of adding school days to the calendar – including President Obama and the Education Secretary – note that American kids go to school fewer days than other countries, the same countries that tend to do better in math and science than we do. And, they claim, adding days has proven effective in some places in the U.S.  Loathe though I am to say it, they do have a point. Test scores do rise in schools that have longer school days and years. Read More »

Pregnant woman gets pregnant AGAIN.

Um. I have no words. This is disgusting.

The army gets its  first female drill sergeant!

Wait. Which Kardashian is getting married?!

Cray cray Kelly Bensimon will be taking it all off for Playboy.

Hipsters will save the economy (or at least PBR).