Maintaining Your Brand.

 In keeping with this out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new time of year,  Planet College offers this.

"Brand" is the common term now for most every product or service available in this consumer economy. Companies work earnestly to maintain, protect and improve their computer's, automobile's or soft drink's, i.e. their "Brand's" image, (the commonly held public perception of the product or service the brand represents.) Corporations are careful, vigilant and even jealous of how their brand or more exactly brand's image is used.  This vigilance is eminently practical. They likely have spent millions establishing and maintaining this image and will spend just as much to protect it.

You too are a brand and your image also deserves care.  Electronic communication, available now for years to students on Planet College, invites the distribution of images of you.  You have likely responded to this opportunity with images of your student life.  With a major part of college life at least supposedly dedicated to partying and other such pursuits it is not surprising that evidence of this behavior has found its way on to the internet. While useful for connection with other revelers some students, especially those approaching graduation  - and by that Planet College means getting serious about looking for work beyond valet parking for tips-  have found this evidence to be inhibiting to their job search.  Employment screeners, the workers who initially review applications and resumes, are often younger, newer members of the hiring staff and not too far past college themselves. So, they know all the same sites you do.  Their excuse for searching these cites maybe expediency, it may be security but for whatever reason, if your favorite social media page features a photo of you painted to look like that gekko with the annoying accent that sells insurance inhaling six beer bongs at the same time, - well - they may think twice before calling you in for an interview.

Planet College is aware that there are some enterprising individuals who offer to 'scrub' your internet history of such images and references. Well, OK, there's that. It certainly is worthwhile considering especially if you are approaching graduation. Alternatively, it is certainly possible, that you, in one of your increasingly frequent sober moments might accomplish the same thing yourself.

So, there you go, out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new,  give it some thought.  

Hey, Could You Watch My Stuff?

You're probably out of Finals by now and maybe even off campus for a while. If  not and you are still in Finals this is a Planet College reminder about "your stuff".  During finals students basically occupy the library24/7.  Sleeping bags, microwaves and tiny tvs clutter some of the areas usually reserved for students actually studying.  College librarians, tolerant and patient people that they are, usually over look this behavior during finals week despite the neatly lettered signs which clearly prohibit 'squatting".

If you have been or are a finals week squatter you have no doubt asked some other student or had another student ask you, "Hey would you watch my stuff?"  This while they or you run to the rest room for the break that consuming buckets of coffee demands.

Here's the warning.  It is about your stuff.  College campuses attract large amounts of people, usually young but not always  students.  Some of these non-students, aware that students are friendly and tolerant,  congregate on campuses for the opportunities that a large group of tolerant young people present. They are not on campus to learn. They are on campus to steal.

So when you find that rest room run is irresistible and you are tempted to ask anyone with a back pack, "Hey, could you watch my stuff?" make sure you actually know them.  Rest room runs at 3 a.m. are not the best opportunity for clear thinking -BUT- that is just when students are vulnerable and career thieves know this.  Even if they've been hanging around for a while, if you really don't know them ask someone you know to watch your stuff. Or at least grab the most valuable stuff you have, i.e. keys, room and car, phone and wallet or what ever with bank cards and cash. These easily transportable objects or the most likely to be stolen in your absence. 

Good luck on finals from Planet College.

Loan Review

This time of year Planet College usually presents a short reminder about student finances. You can read a couple here and here.

Here's this year's.

In case, you forgot, the money you get, if you get money for school, is mostly comprised of loans. Loans have to be re-paid.  The lender wants the money back.  Just that simple.  Loans must be re-paid.

Just recently Bloomberg, a financial reporting publication, featured a story about a congressional representative from Wisconsin and his proposal concerning student loan re-payment. You can read the story here.

This story is indicative of several factors which have a direct bearing on any typical student's future. First the proposal is from a congressman, a duly elected representative.  This means his proposal, should it make its way through the various committees and votes and procedures necessary to become a law will have just that.  The force of law.

 Secondly,  this law could possibly directly affect your paycheck. Not exactly your ability to earn but your actual paycheck, the means by which you receive what you've earned. All experienced working students on Planet College know, the only thing that really, really counts is what is in your paycheck.

This representative has proposed a direct withholding system for student loan payback.  You've experienced withholding since you've been earning paychecks.

The pros and cons, ins and outs, rights and wrongs and such of this proposal Planet College has not opinion about.  But Planet College does care about accurate information being available to students who can then make informed decisions.

So, when you have time, read the story, think it over and then, possibly, take an action. What ever you decide, it is important because it is your money.

Just sayin' .