I would make a really good millionaire. I’m certain of it.
I would live in a huge house, drive a variety of luxury cars and attend charity luncheons wearing fabulous shoes.
It’s really my destiny.
Of course, I would be happy to share my extravagant lifestyle with all of you on some “Real Housewives” show.
Unfortunately, the majority of us aren’t millionaires, and our parents aren’t either.
This means we haul ourselves off to college in hopes of preparing for a career that will afford us happiness and a lifestyle hopefully higher than middle class. Although, statistically we’ll all think we’re middle class, no matter what.
Our parents support us as much as possible in our academic endeavors, but paying an average of $10,000 a year in public college tuition doesn’t fit easily with mortgages, car payments and today’s cost of living.
As a result, students graduate with an average of $25,000 in academic debt, according to the The Chronicle of Higher Education. This doesn’t necessarily include the money needed for the student to put fuel in their car and food in their mouth.
More than half of college students must work at least part-time while they attend school. They work for reasons including paying for tuition, books, food, housing, clothing, fuel, and, of course, recreational spending.
When it comes to employment options, students can choose to work on- or off-campus. There are positive and negative aspects to either choice. It also is difficult to balance a full-time course load, a job and extracurricular activities.
Campus Employment is the topic of this week’s #CollegeCash Twitter chat, which I am guest hosting with the amazing Jodi Okun. The chat is at 9 p.m. CST Thursday. (If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat, check out my post on how to do so.)
During the chat, we will discuss the pros and cons of on- and off-campus employment and how to balance work and school life. We also will talk about how parents can tell if their child is over-extended and having problems balancing the load.
I agreed to co-host the chat on this topic because Jodi is a financial aid specialist and I employ an average of 30 students a semester in my job as director of student publications. I also worked part-time during college, both on and off campus.
Since most of you are either living this or will be, I really hope to see you at the chat. I look forward to answering your questions.
If you can’t make it to the chat, please feel free to post questions below.
