Choosing a major in college can seem like a life changing decision, and in some cases it may be. I struggled for years to decide “what I wanted to be when I grew up”, but have since realized that on in many cases, it doesn't matter at all what your major is, just that you have one. Now, don't get me wrong, you probably can't get into medical school or law school with a degree in basket weaving, but if you play your cards right, get a broad base of knowledge and experiences, and major in something that you enjoy, then you will be much happier than you would if you had struggled through classes you were uninterested in just because someone felt it was a good major.
Take me, for example. I changed my major so many times trying to find the right one that I thought I would never graduate. I ended up majoring in foreign language and then going on to get a master's degree in Psychology. So no, I bet your are wondering what I do for a living. Well, I am in executive operations and finance management for a fortune 1000 medical corporation, which, by the way, has absolutely nothing to do with foreign language or psychology.
The point of going to college is to get a good education. If you focus your efforts on learning about things that interest you and not pushing yourself to be like everyone else, it will pay off in the end. I have had so many different experiences, each one changing my life and molding me into the person that I am today. Each one of those experiences, unique to me, and unique in themselves, gives me an edge. It gives me that little something extra that the other people don't have.
Take a look at the job boards that are plastered all over the web. Most of them require a degree but don't specify what the degree has to be in. If they do specify what degree is preferred, then usually any degree combined with a little experience meets the requirements. So don't wast time worrying what major to choose. Find something you like and stick with it. It will pay off in the end.
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http://www.xomba.com/user/cnj265
http://www.xomba.com/college_credit_traveling_world
http://www.xomba.com/my_favorite_place_world_blenheim_palace
http://cnj265-travel.blogspot.com/
http://opinionsandeverythingelse.blogspot.com/
http://www.xomba.com/choose_your_major_wisely_or_not
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Blenheim Palace: My Favorite Place in the World
My Favorite Place in the World: Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is one of the most beautiful places in the world. For those of you lucky enough to have visited the grounds, you have witnessed nature and architecture come together in a beautiful union. Rich in history and mystery, this palace is my favorite place on earth. From the lakes, to the rose gardens, to the butterfly garden, there is always something to see.
My first and only visit to Blenheim was when I was eighteen years old. I went for a family vacation to see where my parents lived when my father was stationed in England during the war. We stayed in a little town called Somerton in a bed and breakfast across the street from my parent's former house not far from Upper Heyford. They insisted on taking us to Blenheim and I fell in love with it instantly. It is located in Woodstock in Oxfordshire.
Blenheim is the birthplace of Winston Churchill, although he never lived there, as well as the home of the Duke of Marlborough. Shakespeare stayed in the bridge and preformed here occasionally during his time and on a more recent note, part of the movie Entrapment was filmed at Blenheim. Should you have a chance to visit the palace, stop by the Kings Arms Pub for a meal...you must try the potatoes. (I've heard my parents talk about the “potato pub,” as they called it, for 28 years.) Click the links below for more information on Blenheim and it's origins.
Links:
The official Blenheim Palace website: www.blenheimpalace.com
To take a virtual tour of the palace: www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/architecture/launch_pan_blenheim_palace.shtml
To read a history of the palace: victoriahinshaw.com/blenheim.html
Blenheim Palace is one of the most beautiful places in the world. For those of you lucky enough to have visited the grounds, you have witnessed nature and architecture come together in a beautiful union. Rich in history and mystery, this palace is my favorite place on earth. From the lakes, to the rose gardens, to the butterfly garden, there is always something to see.
My first and only visit to Blenheim was when I was eighteen years old. I went for a family vacation to see where my parents lived when my father was stationed in England during the war. We stayed in a little town called Somerton in a bed and breakfast across the street from my parent's former house not far from Upper Heyford. They insisted on taking us to Blenheim and I fell in love with it instantly. It is located in Woodstock in Oxfordshire.
Blenheim is the birthplace of Winston Churchill, although he never lived there, as well as the home of the Duke of Marlborough. Shakespeare stayed in the bridge and preformed here occasionally during his time and on a more recent note, part of the movie Entrapment was filmed at Blenheim. Should you have a chance to visit the palace, stop by the Kings Arms Pub for a meal...you must try the potatoes. (I've heard my parents talk about the “potato pub,” as they called it, for 28 years.) Click the links below for more information on Blenheim and it's origins.
Links:
The official Blenheim Palace website: www.blenheimpalace.com
To take a virtual tour of the palace: www.bbc.co.uk/history/society_culture/architecture/launch_pan_blenheim_palace.shtml
To read a history of the palace: victoriahinshaw.com/blenheim.html
Thursday, October 16, 2008
College Credit for Traveling the World
While I was in college, I stumbled upon one of the best experiences of my life. It was just before my last semester at Community College while visiting one of the four year colleges I was considering attending. I walked in towards the end of May for a tour of the campus. My temporary advisor happened to be located in the same building as the language department so that is where we started...and subsequently ended. I fell in love with the department from the moment I walked through the door. As we talked more, I noticed a poster on the wall for study abroad. I didn't say anything at first, after all, I could never spend an entire semester overseas....right?
Conversations continued and I became more and more drawn to the poster. As I strained to read the small print, I heard the secretary mention the summer abroad program, so I stopped her and said, “Did you say SUMMER abroad?” She knew I was interested. I had the same sparkle in my eyes she had seen all too many times. I listened in disbelief as she told me that the program would consist of a three and a half week stay in the south of France, weekends are free to the students to do as they please, classes are for two hours a day, bi-weekly excursions after class to experience the culture, and the only thing I had to pay for, other than my tuition, was my flight. I was stunned. I asked when the next trip was scheduled since the deadline had long since passed for the upcoming summer. She directed my question to the department head, who informed me that she had had a cancellation for the upcoming summer program that week and had not been able to fill the spot.
I went directly to the computer lab and logged on to the internet to price flights, and to my astonishment, I was able to find a round-trip flight for less than $500.00. I was ecstatic at this point. Almost a month in Europe for under $500.00! My tuition was covered by scholarships, my room and board paid for by the college, and I all had to come up with was the cost of the flight and any extra travel or shopping I wanted to do! So off to Europe I went. It was amazing. I spent two weekends in Paris, one weekend in Italy, one weekend in Barcelona, and I have more stories, pictures, and memories than any one person should be allowed. I had the fortunate experience of learning about the French language and culture first hand, and all the while earning seven semester hours of college credit. It was the experience of a lifetime...so I went again the next summer too!
There are so many colleges out there that offer programs just like this one. Some may be better priced, some may be worse, but the main objective is to learn and have one of the greatest experiences of your life. Go to your local colleges and see what opportunities they may have. Use the internet as a resource to pricing flights and finding the right program for you. But whatever you do, give this a shot. Dare to explore the world and who you are. You will learn more in a few weeks than you ever thought possible. It doesn't matter what your majoring in, language and culture courses are always a plus for employers. I am currently working in executive management in the medical field with a degree in Foreign Language! (Yes, I changed my degree because of this program, and it was one of the best decisions of my life!)
Click on the post name to link to the original article at Xomba!
http://www.xomba.com/college_credit_traveling_world
Conversations continued and I became more and more drawn to the poster. As I strained to read the small print, I heard the secretary mention the summer abroad program, so I stopped her and said, “Did you say SUMMER abroad?” She knew I was interested. I had the same sparkle in my eyes she had seen all too many times. I listened in disbelief as she told me that the program would consist of a three and a half week stay in the south of France, weekends are free to the students to do as they please, classes are for two hours a day, bi-weekly excursions after class to experience the culture, and the only thing I had to pay for, other than my tuition, was my flight. I was stunned. I asked when the next trip was scheduled since the deadline had long since passed for the upcoming summer. She directed my question to the department head, who informed me that she had had a cancellation for the upcoming summer program that week and had not been able to fill the spot.
I went directly to the computer lab and logged on to the internet to price flights, and to my astonishment, I was able to find a round-trip flight for less than $500.00. I was ecstatic at this point. Almost a month in Europe for under $500.00! My tuition was covered by scholarships, my room and board paid for by the college, and I all had to come up with was the cost of the flight and any extra travel or shopping I wanted to do! So off to Europe I went. It was amazing. I spent two weekends in Paris, one weekend in Italy, one weekend in Barcelona, and I have more stories, pictures, and memories than any one person should be allowed. I had the fortunate experience of learning about the French language and culture first hand, and all the while earning seven semester hours of college credit. It was the experience of a lifetime...so I went again the next summer too!
There are so many colleges out there that offer programs just like this one. Some may be better priced, some may be worse, but the main objective is to learn and have one of the greatest experiences of your life. Go to your local colleges and see what opportunities they may have. Use the internet as a resource to pricing flights and finding the right program for you. But whatever you do, give this a shot. Dare to explore the world and who you are. You will learn more in a few weeks than you ever thought possible. It doesn't matter what your majoring in, language and culture courses are always a plus for employers. I am currently working in executive management in the medical field with a degree in Foreign Language! (Yes, I changed my degree because of this program, and it was one of the best decisions of my life!)
Click on the post name to link to the original article at Xomba!
http://www.xomba.com/college_credit_traveling_world
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Introduction
Okay, so I have my Travel blog where I can talk about and reminisce about all of trips I have taken around the world, but I guess this is where I can talk about anything and everything else! So here goes! Right now I'm looking for a job! (Not as exciting as it sounds!) The market is horrible and I don't want to take a pay cut....unless I have no choice....which is where I am afraid I may be shortly. (Either that or take a job where I travel too much....which would be a good thing if I could take my son and my boyfriend with me everywhere!) So here it is, getting that much closer to decision day! I guess I had better think about what decision that will be! Wish me luck!
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