Essential Money Tips for Graduates
Ah, graduation. A time when you finally shed your student status and start living like an adult. It’s exciting and frightening at the same time, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these essential money tips, and you can get your finances on track from the start.
Live like a broke college student. Even though you’re no longer a student and you have a decent job, now is not the time to start throwing money in the air. You’re used to living a modest life, so take advantage of this and keep more of your money where it counts: with you. Avoid blowing your cash on nonessentials, live like you’re just scraping by, and you can build an awesome nest egg to use for an engagement ring, house, retirement, and other things that are far more important than having the most flashy car or going out every night.
Keep track of your money. Use a realistic monthly budget and stick to it as well as you can. Little things can add up faster than you may realize.
Create an emergency fund. In case of emergencies or times when you need cash quickly, have money on hand to bail yourself out. This can help you avoid credit card debt and other financial snags, so do yourself a favor and think ahead.
Don’t buy a new car. Wait until you’ve really hit it big to buy a nice car. For now, make do with what you’ve got until it’s too expensive to maintain or isn’t working for your lifestyle. You’ll save thousands of dollars in the long run. It’s even better if you can manage to go without having to pay a car note for a few years.
Rent a modest apartment with a roommate. A luxury apartment downtown might be fun, but you just don’t need it. Save money on real estate and spend it where it really matters by renting an apartment that is nice, but affordable. Find a roommate that you’d like to live with and share expenses to save an incredible amount of money.
Being smart with your money is so important for new graduates. You’re just starting your independent life, so getting started with a good financial foundation can make a great difference. Live simply, save what you can, and think carefully about your financial future.
Dealing with Tuition Increases at College
With the economy still struggling to recover and educational institutions losing money, many universities and colleges have sought relief by raising student tuition rates. With the burden falling on the students to pay, many are finding it alomst impossible to deal with the stresses of college life and these higher payments.
The key to paying for college and dealing with higher tuition rates is to start saving and researching early. As a general rule, tuition at American colleges and universities increases an average of 8% each year. Start saving for college in high school or earlier if possible. If that isn’t an option, or it’s already too late for that, there are many alternative to help students afford higher education.
While the universities and colleges have raised their rates, many have also increased their financial aid budgets. Begin searching for financial aid options while you are researching the right college for you, as not all will offer the same benefits. Universities and colleges can offer students grants, scholarships, and even work study programs to help them afford their higher education. Work study programs are awarded to students that demonstrate financial need and allow students to work, usually off-campus, and earn money in a field of their interest, while still attending school. Also, students can research the possibility of applying for teaching assistantships with a professor. This would also allow the student a chance to interact with other students in their field of study, make money and continue to go to school.
Grants and scholarships are also offered by third party organizations, such as non-profit, community and career associations. These are often awarded to high school seniors who are preparing to enter college for the first time, so be sure to research the local and state options available. Another cost effective way to attend college is to consider going to a smaller and less expensive community college for the first two years of school and then to transfer to a larger school of your choice later. Just be sure to check with both universities to ensure that the classes you take and credits you earn will transfer seamlessly.
Besides beginning to save and research financial aid options early, it is important to remember that most universities discourage the use of credit cards and private loans to pay for tuition. The interest rate for both credit cards and personal bank loans is much higher than a federal education loan would be and most don’t require repayment until after you complete your degree. Higher tuition rates don’t have to keep students from earning a degree and getting a quality education. It just takes some research and a little work to discover the right options for every student.
Becoming a Probation Officer: How to become a Probation Officer
Probation officers have a wide range of duties, from analyzing a client’s behavior and record to communicating with family members and employers of clients to working with lawyers and judges. In order to become qualified for all of these responsibilities, you will need to complete at least a four-year degree, depending on the type of court you want to work with. It is also helpful to have some previous work experience in a related field, like corrections or social psychology.
Top Schools Offering Probation Officer Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Probation Officer degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Probation Officer:
Useful degrees for those wanting to become probation officers include criminal justice, social psychology, criminal psychology, corrections or social work. In addition, students may want to take a couple of computer science classes, as probation officers need to manage a lot of data on the computer. All of these majors and courses will help students develop the analytical and critical thinking skills they need to evaluate clients and issues reports to lawyers and judges.
Duties of a Probation Officer: What are the duties / traits of a successful probation officer?
After going through a training program, probation officers will be expected to meet with offenders who do not need to go to prison for their crime but do need a recommended probation sentence. Probation officers can recommend a probation sentence by evaluating the crime, the client’s record and meeting with his or her family members, friends and employers. They can conduct their own investigations in order to write up reports, and they also use monitoring devices and drug tests to make sure their clients are being rehabilitated.
Probation Officer Salary: How much does a probation officer make?
The salary for probation officers varies according to the type of clients they work with, the court system they are involved in and the city or region they live in. The average U.S. salary for probation officers is around $40,000, but Chief probation officers can earn up to $100,000.
Becoming a Private Security Guard: How to become a Private Security Guard
Becoming a private security guard means that you have a lot of career options open to you, from protecting high-profile professionals at a business to working for a celebrity to working for a store or bank. Just as the job outlook for private security guards is diverse, so are the educational and professional training requirements. Depending on what kind of personal security you want to pursue, you may have to go to law enforcement training school or college, or have experience working in law enforcement. Most positions require that the applicant is at least 18 years old.
Top Schools Offering Private Security Guard Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Security Guard degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Private Security Guard:
If the position that you are applying for does require a degree in criminal justice or law enforcement, you may need to earn an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree. Courses in these programs will probably cover topics in security management, corrections, loss prevention, public safety, terrorism, business security, private security and more. Other positions may only require a law enforcement training program or experience working in a similar position in the industry.
Duties of a Private Security Guard: What are the duties / traits of a successful private security guard?
Private security guards are expected to evaluate situations, people, dialogue and environments in order to protect the public, their business or their one client. They need to be alert and may even be trained to operate or monitor different types of surveillance systems. Depending on their position, they may also be expected to exert some physical force against an offending person or group and/or carry a weapon.
Private Security Guard Salary: How much does a private security guard make?
Private security guards who work for a private firm can earn around $40,000 – $50,000 annually, while government security agents earn around $34,000 – $36,000. Some contract personal security guards could earn up to $96,000 and more.
Becoming a Private Investigator: How to become a Private Investigator
Though there is no specific career path defined for private investigators, a college degree in a criminal justice-related field is recommended. If you want to be self-employed, you should also have some previous work experience in law enforcement or criminal justice so that your clients will be assured that you know how to take on your duties. If you work for a firm, a four-year degree, background check, professional experience and even a physical evaluation may be needed.
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Top Schools Offering Private Investigator Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Private Investigator degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Private Investigator:
Private investigators often work in specialized areas, so picking a degree program that matches your specific interests would be beneficial. Possible subject areas include cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, corrections, juvenile justice, criminal psychology, social psychology, finance and others. These courses and programs would prepare you to work with advanced technological systems, understand how hackers and online scammers operate, understand the basics of fraud and money laundering, and get into the mind of a criminal.
Duties of a Private Investigator: What are the duties / traits of a successful private investigator?
Private investigators will need to conduct surveillance, interview lots of witnesses, use technology and make sure that they are always abiding by privacy laws and other Constitutional rights. They may work with other agencies or police departments on cases involving kidnapping and fraud, or they may be employed to catch a cheating spouse or an employee suspected of unethical behavior. Private investigators need to have excellent critical thinking skills and communication skills so that they can make logical deductions and get information from witnesses, lawyers and clients.
Private Investigator Salary: How much does a private investigator make?
The salary of a private investigator relies on the number of clients he or she is able to recruit. The average salary range is between $19,000 and $38,000.
Becoming a Police Officer: How to become a Police Officer
Top Schools Offering Police Officer Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Police Officer degree program:
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The most basic requirements for police officer positions require applicants to have a GED or high school diploma, be at least 20 years old, and be a U.S. citizen. Many training programs also ask that applicants have some college education, ranging from an Associate’s degree to having a Bachelor’s degree. Police officers also undergo a special training program once they are admitted into the academy. The length of this training program depends on your force and your specialization, if you have one.
Degree Requirements to become a Police Officer:
If you choose to pursue a college education or if you are required to have a degree before you apply for a police officer position, consider enrolling in a program that focuses on criminal justice. If you decide to apply for a job with a state or federal force, you will have to earn a Bachelor’s degree first. Related degrees and areas of study that you may find interesting include law enforcement, forensic science, forensic psychology, corrections and criminal investigations.
Duties of a Police Officer: What are the duties / traits of a successful Police Officer?
Once you have graduated from the appropriate academic and professional training programs, you will be ready to enforce the laws of your city, state or country. Police officers are expected to be alert with good people skills and an analytical mind. Your duties could include anything from managing a security system or force to conducting traffic to managing evidence to interviewing witnesses to tracking down suspects.
Police Officer Salary: How much does a police officer make?
The yearly salaries for police officers definitely varies by location. Police officers in major U.S. cities can start earning around $55,000 or more their first year. The median salary for the country hovers around $46,000.
Becoming a Police Detective: How to become a Police Detective
This exciting career involves a range of duties, and job applicants must be organized, critical thinkers who undergo academic and practical training. To become a police detective, you need to have some college background, preferably a four-year degree. If you are accepted into a program, you will most likely need to participate in academy training if you haven’t already received related training.
Top Schools Offering Police Detective Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Police Detective degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Police Detective:
Because detectives have more responsibilities than regular police officers, they need to meet higher educational standards. A college degree in an area like criminal justice, criminal law or psychology are especially useful. These degrees cover topics that police detectives encounter in the real world, including racial prejudices, juvenile justice, criminal behavior, the Constitution and others.
Duties of a Police Detective: What are the duties / traits of a successful Police Detective?
Police detectives have exciting careers and are dedicated to protecting their communities. Detectives investigate crimes, interview suspects and witnesses, conduct arrests, work with other law enforcement professionals and lawyers and manage evidence. Paperwork is another big part of the job, and most police detectives are assigned a specialized unit that focuses on one type of crime.
Police Detective Salary: How much does a Police Detective make?
On average, police detectives can earn around $54,000. That range extends to about $32,000 on the low end and up to $86,000 on the high end.
Becoming a Paralegal: How to become a Paralegal
The requirements for becoming a paralegal vary based on the work environment you wish to work for. Some law firms may require you to have a complete four-year degree in paralegal studies, while other offices may only ask applicants to have earned an Associate’s degree or shorter professional program from a business school or trade school. Paralegals may want to consider taking the national certification exam for legal assistants, but it usually isn’t needed.
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Top Schools Offering Paralegal Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Paralegal degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Paralegal:
There are currently numerous programs available to those students who want to become paralegals. Some business schools and vocational schools offer legal assistant programs that last only a few months or a year, while other, more in-depth programs can last four years. Typically, paralegals in one of these programs will learn legal terminology, how to draft legal reports and briefs, office management skills, good writing skills and some computer skills.
Duties of a Paralegal: What are the duties / traits of a successful paralegal?
Paralegals are chiefly responsible for assisting lawyers with basic office duties like filing, scheduling appointments, writing up legal briefs, and sometimes even interviewing witnesses. They also need to conduct research on specific cases, rulings, policies and even judges. Paralegals can work for government agencies, independent law firms, or corporate law offices.
Paralegal Salary: How much does a paralegal make?
The average paralegal salary for a legal services office is around $38,000, while paralegals working for the federal government can earn nearly $60,000. This amount varies on the size of your office and your own previous experience.
Becoming an Attorney: How to become an Attorney
There is a pretty straightforward path to becoming a lawyer or attorney. You will need to complete a four-year degree program from an accredited university and then go to law school. During law school, you may also wish to pursue an internship that allows you to gain hands-on experience and make valuable contacts who can help you find a job after you graduate.
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Degree Requirements to become an Attorney:
Getting into law school can be incredibly competitive, so you need to graduate from a legitimate undergraduate program first. There isn’t usually a required undergraduate program needed to apply for law school, but many students opt for a degree in English, political science, history or criminal justice. In law school, you will learn all about the legal systems and processes in the U.S. courts, and depending on your specialization, you will also get an education in family law, estate and property law, contracts and mergers, juvenile justice, divorce law, civil rights, corporate and business law, criminal law, tax law, litigation and much more.
Top Schools Offering Attorney Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Attorney degree program:
Top Online Business Schools & MBA Programs
 B.S. in Criminal Justice |
University of Phoenix – B.S. in Criminal Justice. As a widely recognizable online university, University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree is a great stepping stone for those seeking to pursue a career in law. The program will provide students with a solid foundation of the American legal system, how it operates, and the ethics behind it.
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 B.S. in Criminal Justice/a> |
Kaplan University – B.S. in Criminal Justice. Kaplan University offers a quality Bachelor’s program that will prepare students for law school or an exciting career in business, government, or service industry. Their programs are taught by highly educated and experience professionals who have worked in the field of criminal justice.
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 B.S. in Criminal Justice |
Westwood College – B.S. in Criminal Justice. At Westwood College, students have the opportunity to gain knowledge in the area of law and criminal justice at their own convenience. Their Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is offered online in order to accommodate individuals who have busy schedules.
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Duties of an Attorney: What are the duties / traits of a successful Attorney?
Lawyers and attorneys are responsible for a variety of tasks, including lawsuits, defending clients, prosecuting offenders, interviewing witnesses, presenting arguments to a judge or jury, researching other cases and rulings, preparing legal briefs and more. You may work for the government, a small independent firm, a large corporate firm, as an in-house lawyer for a specific business or organization, or as a pro-bono lawyer. Some lawyers are also consultants for large companies or individuals.
Attorney Salary: How much does an attorney make?
Salaries for lawyers and attorneys are also quite varied. Partners in large law firms can make upwards of $1,000,000, but prosecutors and government-employed lawyers often make between $40,000 and $120,000, depending on their experience.
Becoming a Law Enforcement Officer: How to become a Law Enforcement Officer
There are many different career options for someone interested in law enforcement, and the job requirements for each individual position vary. To become a police officer, security guard, prison guard or patrol officer, you may or may not need to complete a four-year college program. Most jobs will require you to have at least a high school diploma, however.
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Top Schools Offering Law Enforcement Officer Degree Programs:
The links below will allow you to request free enrollment information directly from top national schools that offer a Law Enforcement Officer degree program:
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Degree Requirements to become a Law Enforcement:
If you choose to go to college before entering a training program in law enforcement, you can earn an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in an area like criminal justice. Other options or concentrations include law enforcement, corrections, forensic science, criminal psychology, or computer security, depending on your interests and career aspirations. In these classes, you will learn how the U.S. criminal justice system operates, how to communicate with lawyers and other law enforcement officials by using appropriate legal terminology, and understand the issues that affect criminal behavior.
Duties of a Law Enforcement Officer: What are the duties / traits of a successful law enforcement officer?
Depending on your exact position, you may need to conduct surveillance, make arrests and raids, interview witnesses, escort prisoners to and from court, monitor the patrons and surroundings of a shopping mall and enforce local, state and/or national laws. You will also need to be able and ready to work with other law enforcement officials and lawyers. Law enforcement officers need to have good communications skills and need to be in good physical health.
Law Enforcement Salary: How much does a law enforcement officer make?
Because there are so many different jobs available for law enforcement officers, there is also a range in salary level. Correction officers may earn around $31,000 – $32,000 a year, while higher level police officers and supervisors can earn close to $90,000 a year.
