TU: Thursday’s Editorial

Link to article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2017-05-03/thursday-s-editorial-trump-needs-push-new-roads-bridges-and-jobs

COLLEGE GRADS REJOICE

This looks like a good year for hiring college grads. In fact, it’s the eighth year in a row that employers said they were increasing their college hires, reports the National Association of Colleges and Employers in The Wall Street Journal.

But the survey of employers showed that college grads have some work to do.

The college job applicants need to do more homework on the company and its industry.

And they should ask good questions during the interview. One of the main reasons hires go bad is that there is a bad fit between employee and company.

Also, 3 in 4 applicants fail to send thank you notes after interviews. That’s a great tip. Since so few do it, a well crafted thank you note will stand out.

WEIGHING COLLEGE CHOICES

At the other end of the spectrum, when selecting a college it makes sense to check it out. Universities have their own personalities. And they tend to specialize in certain fields.

Choose the one that’s right for you.

Do you like the choices available in a large state university or the more personal touch of a smaller institution?

Cost needs to be a major factor. One rule of thumb is not to graduate with more debt than one’s salary in your chosen field.

Since 1980 the cost of attending college has soared faster than inflation. The ease of obtaining college loans has often left students with a huge burden of debt.

The cost of college would be half what it is today if costs had increased at the pace from 1940 to 1980, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Florida State College at Jacksonville has a wide variety of campuses and choices.

Perhaps one of the best values in public education is to graduate from a Duval County Public school with an AA degree. That’s offered in several high schools.

Visit your chosen college campuses. How do you feel? Does the campus feel welcoming or a little chilly?

For many students, the college experience is a powerful influence on the rest of their lives. Treat it seriously. If your parent didn’t attend college, seek out a mentor who has.