Posts from — January 2010

All Expenses Paid Princeton University Summer Journalism Program
- February 5, 2010 deadline -
Program is for high school student journalists from low-income backgrounds that will take place for 10 days in August on the campus of Princeton University. The program is entering its ninth year; since 2002, more than 165 students from high schools across the country have been selected to participate in the program. They were taught by journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, The New Republic and The New Yorker; they covered Yankees, Mets, Jets and Liberty games and held a press conference with New Jersey’s secretary of state; they met with Princeton University’s president and dean of admissions; they received counseling on their college applications from our staff, which consists of Princeton University alumni and undergraduates; and they published their own newspaper.
The application process will take place in two parts. For the first part, students should fill out the application (www.princeton.edu/sjp), and then email it to sjpapplication@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word attachment. Before emailing us the application, students should name the document using the following format: Lastname.Firstname. doc. So, if the student’s name is Mary Jones, the title of the document will be Jones.Mary.doc. In addition, the student should type his or her name and high school in the body of the email and put only the name of the Word document (e.g., Jones.Mary.doc) in the subject line of the email. We must receive the application by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 5, 2010.
In the second round of the application process, finalists will be interviewed by the program directors-either in person or over the phone-and they will be asked to provide printed copies of the following items via U.S. mail: an official transcript; the first page of the 2008 (or 2009, if available) income-tax return form (the 1040 or 1040EZ form) of their custodial parent(s)/guardian( s),
or a signed statement by their parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that their income is below the level at which they would be required to file income tax returns; a recommendation letter from a teacher; and clips from their high school newspaper or other publication (optional).
To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following qualifications:
- They must currently be juniors in high school.
- They must live in the continental Uni ted States.
- They must have at least an unweighted 3.5 grade point average
(out of 4.0).
- They must have an interest in journalism.
- The combined income of their custodial parent(s)/guardian( s) plus child support payments, if any, must not exceed $45,000.
Note: This program is for students from low-income backgrounds. If the combined income of the custodial parent(s)/guardian( s) plus child support payments, if any, exceeds $45,000 and a student still wishes to apply, he or she may attach a letter explaining why his or her family qualifies as financially under-resourced.
If you have questions, the best way to reach us is via email at sjp@princeton.edu. Please note that applications should be sent to sjpapplication@gmail.com, which is a GMAIL address. Questions should be sent to sjp@princeton.edu, which is a PRINCETON address.
All application materials-as well as additional information about the program-are available at www.princeton.edu/sjp.
A final word: We know that the process of applying to any selective program can be stressful, not to mention a lot of work-for students as well as their teachers. But, over the years, the students we have had come through our program have told us that, ultimately, the work they put into their application was worth it.

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Struggle is the best part of life. Good Times are born from a struggle. If it rains for 40 days, the sun will shine on the 41 day. Let’s do all that we can for our brothers and sisters in Haiti

Happy Monday everyone! I know this recession has hit everyone hard, so I figured this would be a good post, for those unemployed people without degrees.

Check this out

For job seekers without a four-year degree, breaking the $25-an-hour barrier can be a challenge. But with more technical certification and associate’s degree programs than ever, many well-paying career options are accessible in a broad range of industries.
The following is a list of lucrative careers for those without a four-year degree, presented with median annual salary data from PayScale.com. That figure is then broken down to an hourly rate by dividing by 2080, the typical number of working hours in a year, according to PayScale.

1. Sales director
“If you are interested in a career change, but do not want to commit to further education, consider a sales career,” says Sharon Reed Abboud, the author of “All Moms Work, Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success.” Sales directors oversee sales staff to help meet objectives, plan and implement sales programs, and work to maintain budgets, among many other duties. While formal training is not a requirement for this position, sales experience and an outgoing personality are vital, according to Abboud. “Successful sales persons can often have the opportunity to climb the career ladder to increasingly lucrative management positions,” she explains.

Sales director: $91,900/ $44 per hour

2. Security administrators, computer network
“As technology increases its reach, cyber crime is becoming a major concern for companies,” says Debra Yergen, author of the “Creating Job Security Resource Guide.” Security administrators work to prevent, troubleshoot, and repair security breaches while educating network users on cyber safety. Certification or relevant experience is essential to entry to this field, especially in absence of a four-year degree.

Security administrators, computer network: $72,000/ $35 per hour

3. Elevator installer/repairer
Elevator assembly, installation and maintenance are the main responsibilities of this position. Participating in an apprenticeship program coupled with paid on-the-job training is the standard, and workers must pass a licensing exam. Union membership is typically required by employers, and unions can help to ensure “an excellent salary, benefits, and pension,” says Marky Stein, author of “Get a Great Job When You Don’t Have a Job.”

Elevator installer/repairer: $67,100/ $32 per hour

4. Real estate broker
Usually commission-based, real estate brokers’ salaries are sensitive to shifts in the economy. Despite the current real estate market, Yergen predicts “resurgence in salary in 2010 with the extension of the housing tax credit.” Brokers are tasked with understanding real estate markets, performing transactions, and advising buyers on their financing options. Additionally, real estate brokers must pass a written exam and maintain a license.

Real estate broker: $65,400/ $31 per hour

5. Nuclear medicine technologist
“Nuclear medicine technologists administer a type of drug called radiopharmaceuticals to patients and create diagnostic images that ultimately determine the presence of a disease,” explains Yergen. With an increasingly large middle-aged and elderly population and advances in technology, job growth for nuclear medicine technologists is likely to remain steady. A certificate or an associate’s degree is needed, and a license is a requirement for many employers and states.

Nuclear medicine technologist: $64,100/ $31 per hour

6. Radiation therapist
Administering radiation treatment to cancer patients is the main role of a radiation therapist. “As radiation therapists continue to be a critical part of the medical radiation oncology team, it will translate into an uptick of jobs,” predicts Yergen. There is also room for personal advancement in this field, with opportunities that include teaching and research. Training through an associate’s degree or certification program is necessary, and a license is required in many states.

Radiation therapist: $63,500 / $31 per hour

7. Construction manager
Construction managers oversee the construction of structures, facilities, and systems, and are often on call around the clock. On-the-job construction experience and/or completing a construction management certification program provide entry to this position.

Construction manager: $63,400/ $30 per hour

8. Air traffic controller
“As an air traffic controller, your job will be dedicated to keeping the skies safe. It is a very demanding and rewarding occupation.” says Abboud. Providing an essential role in aviation, air traffic controllers ensure that planes maintain a safe distance between each other and help to coordinate efficient scheduling.

With most positions employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic controllers must complete a FAA-approved education program and pass a pre-employment test.

Air traffic controller: $63,000/ $30 per hour

9. Video game designer
Video game designers create the storyline and structure of a video game and determine the rules of play. They typically need to possess an understanding of software design and computer programming, and a degree or certification from a technical school can provide an advantage. Although currently at a point of high popularity, video games tend to go through phases of increased and decreased popularity, cautions Yergen.

Video game designer: $62,300/ $30 per hour

10. MRI technologist
MRI technologists train in programs available through hospitals, colleges and universities to earn a certificate or associate’s degree. With more doctors’ offices and clinics providing diagnostic services, demand is higher than ever, says Yergen. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Health care will generate 3 million new wage and salary jobs between 2006 and 2016, more than any other industry.”

MRI technologist: $61,000/ $29 per hour

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-9 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing. Hourly rates are calculated by dividing the yearly salary by $2080.

Happy New Years Everyone!!! Sorry I have been AWOL for a minute but let’s just say Graduate School is a VERY SERIOUS THING. However, that is not an excuse, so I plan on being back on it in the New Year. Please know that updating the site regularly is definitely on my task list, but I need your help!!! What would you like to see more of? What are you interested in? Hair? Service? We are here for you!!!