The Current | Vol. 32 Issue 1

February 6, 2018 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 20 Ap il 14, 2021 | nsucu r nt. Advice May 25 Christina McLaughlin Co-Editor-in-Chief It’s time to think about your credit If you’re like me, you probably didn’t have your own personal credit card or banking account that wasn’t connected to your parents prior to college. It’s a major financial commitment, and if you do not understand exactly what it is used for or how it can affect your future, you can put yourself in a position of financial hardship. According to a Sallie Mae survey, in 2019, only 60% of college students reported paying their credit card bills in full each month. So, what does this mean for you? How can you make sure that you are part of the 60% that can pay off their credit card bills with confidence? It starts with understanding what credit cards are and what credit can do. There is this common misconception that credit cards are essentially free money. However, this is far from the truth. The way our economy works and the personal financial hardships Americans face, there is a need to rely on credit cards to make purchases on items that you need while also guaranteeing that you will pay it back at a later date. This line of credit that you create with your bank or other financiers -- other than helping you pay for purchases that you are unable to make on your own -- also helps you build credit. By building your personal credit, loan providers, insurance companies, leaseholders, homeowner associations and others have the ability to know if they are going to get paid and paid on- time. In other words, it lets them know if you are a trustworthy person to rent out or give a loan to. If you have good credit or you frequently make payments to your credit card, you are likely to get a break on interest rates, get accepted at homeowner associations and make the purchases that help shape the life you want to make for yourself. Whether you like it or not, this is how a lot of business is done and it can give you a little bit of a financial cushion when you are in need. In cases of emergencies or unexpected expenses, having good credit can be a great helping hand. One of the benefits of building credit, especially during your college years, is the lack of immediate financial obligations and the increase of financial independence. Essentially, right now, most college students either live at home with their parents or in the student dorms and are on meal plans. This is a great time to start making small purchases with a credit card, such as on gas or grocery items, without the financial stress of keeping a roof over your head or other immediate necessities. By building credit in college through purchases on a credit card and keeping up with payments, you can get a step ahead in your financial future. So, how do you keep up with payments and ensure that you don’t overdo it? My suggestion is, if you are about to get gas, buy groceries or make another purchase with your debit card and you have that amount in your bank account, get in the habit of putting those payments on your credit card and pay it back later. Even if you literally pay the credit card balance when you get home, this is a simple way to start building your credit safely with the ability to recover. Even if you are especially careful with your money, there will be situations that you will find yourself in debt -- even if it is as little as $10. So, what do you do in that situation? Keep up with your minimum payments, set a reminder on your phone or rely on some of your savings to keep up with payments and replace it later. This may seem confusing and maybe even a little overwhelming, but it is an important skill that takes some time to adjust to and manage. Everyone has their own way of managing their money and financial independence, but sometimes, you need some guidance when you fall behind or when you are not sure what to do -- and that’s okay, too. Feel free to reach out to your bank or look for online resources for support in helping you navigate your financial goals and building your credit score. If you really feel at a loss, ask a trusted family member, parent or friend how they manage. It can only help. Blake Malick Contributing Writer Internships in a pandemic As a college student, internships are one of the most important things that you can add to your resume. Internships allow you to experience a career firsthand and learn from those who are in that field. As you go through your time at NSU, depending on your major, you may be expected to complete an internship before you graduate. While it may not be necessary, every student should try to secure an internship while in college. EDGE and career advisors Incoming freshmen, you will be given an EDGE advisor. Incoming students that aren’t freshmen will be given career advisors. EDGE advisors and career advisors are here to help you secure internships and guide you through your career. If you have any questions about your career or internships, they are the people you should speak to. To find out who your career or EDGE advisor is, you can call 954-262-7990. Emilio Lorenzo, NSU’s associate director of Employer Relations, oversees the internship opportunities for students. “The best advice I can give an incoming student is to meet with your career advisor or EDGE advisor in the Center for Academic and Professional Success, or CAPS. They can coach you on how to approach the internship process,” said Lorenzo. If you are still unsure about what you want to do, an internship can be one of the best ways for you to know if that career is for you. Handshake Handshake is an imperative tool that you will use throughout your time at NSU. Handshake is a site and app that you will find internship opportunities on. “Handshake is the one-stop-shop for your career needs. The great thing about Handshake is it isn’t just a local search, but also a national search for internships. Students can use Handshake to help them get internships across the country. If a student knows they will be in New York for the summer, they can specifically search for that on Handshake,”said Lorenzo. Additionally, freshmen will need to use Handshake to sign up for their Early Immersion, an opportunity to experience a profession of your choice for a day. Your Early Immersion is a large portion of your grade for UNIV 1000, so getting familiar with Handshake is essential. On-campus internships: NSU’s Division of Clinical Operations If you want to be an intern on campus, NSU has a myriad of places that you can intern for. NSU’s Division of Clinical Operations is just one of the places on campus that allow students to intern for them. Nicole Osorio, a junior finance major with a psychology minor, is an intern with NSU’s Division of Clinical Operations. Osorio found out about the internship through Handshake, a site and app that helps college students find internships and jobs. “I was searching for internships in my area and saw NSU’s Division of Clinical Operations. I did my research and liked the internship’s description. I applied, and about a week later, they reached out to me and asked me for an interview,” said Osorio. Osorio says she has learned a lot from being an intern with NSU’s DCO. “I’m seeing things that I have learned in class be applied to the real world. I’m understanding these concepts even more.” You can learn more by visiting nova. edu/career or by contacting the Center for Academic and Professional Success at 954-262-7201 or caps@nova.edu. Madelyn Rinka Co-Editor-in-Chief A guide to landing and keeping a job on campus Visit the Office of Career Development If this is your first time applying for a job, you might need a little guidance to get you interview-ready. Career Development can help you write a cover letter, beef up your resume or fill out applications, or just offer you tips on how to make yourself more marketable. Don’t get tunnel vision If you’re just starting college, chances are you’re looking for a job, not a career. Even if you really want a specific on or off-campus job, sometimes, things just don’t work out — you get a rejection, you don’t get called back or they fill the spot with someone else. Don’t fret. Almost everyone will get denied a job at some point in their life. It’s better to apply to more jobs all at once instead of applying to one, getting denied and starting from square one again. Prepare yourself for an interview Getting a call or email back about a job you’ve applied for is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking because now you most likely have to prepare for an interview. It’s smart to ready yourself for this beforehand. Look up commonly asked interview questions and think about how you might respond to them. On the day of, make sure you have your resume and cover letter printed out, as the interviewer may reference them. Also, portray yourself as a professional. If your interview is in person, be sure to dress well and appear clean, calm and collected. The same goes for a video call, but just make sure you’re in a quiet room — you don’t want your roommates to be walking around in a bathrobe behind you listening to punk music while you’re trying to land a job. Know what is expected of you Congratulations. You got the job. The learning doesn’t stop here, however, because you still have to keep it. Upon employment, communicate with your boss. Ask them exactly what they expect of you and adhere to it. Be sure to read over an employee handbook if you’re given one as it can offer valuable information about dress codes, attendance, off or sick day policies and much more. And, of course, show up on time, be polite and professional to your coworkers and do your job. Want some advice about professional development, specifically during a pandemic? Check out this article by The Current. With permission to print from Christina McLaughlin