Many students and young professionals dream of a career that takes them around the world. If you’re wondering how to work abroad in the future, it’s important to know that you can start preparing now. Here are 5 ways to prepare for an international career: […]
Make sure you are up to date the latest honor society membership news with Golden Key. Get all the latest Golden Key International Honour Society scholarship deadlines, event updates, member stories, and career advice right here. Here are the top 5 stories you need to […]
Applying to grad school this year? Golden Key prides itself on being a top honor society for grad students, and we’re here to help you get prepped. We know it can be an intense process, and getting super organized will make all the difference.
You need to start now (if you haven’t already) and make sure you tick all the boxes to help you achieve success. Here are eight things you can do to help you get ahead of the rest:
Deadlines vary from school to school, so it’s good to map out all the dates in one place. Grab a piece of paper, and write down all of the important deadlines for the schools you might be applying to and work out your own deadlines from there. Break down each big scary deadline into smaller subtasks (so that you’ll actually get them done) and set smaller deadlines for yourself before the big due date. The same goes for financial aid, standardized tests (see #2) and other related deadlines.
One of the main predictors of success is accountability. Not in the way your parents kept you “accountable” growing up by nagging you and punishing you – think more along the lines of someone you trust and respect to check in on you and measure your progress. If you know someone else applying to grad school, perfect! Ask them to be yours because they’ll know exactly what you’re going through. If not, ask a friend, family member or coworker who you can check in with regularly.
Do as much research as you can about the schools and programs you’re considering. The more you know, the better. Go through their websites in as much detail as possible, reach out to people via email or LinkedIn to (politely) ask for information or advice, speak to people in your network who might have relevant knowledge and experience.
If you’re still looking to improve your score or haven’t taken these at all, it’s a good idea to use your time wisely over the next couple of months. Whether you choose self-study or a course, set dates for yourself to take practice exams and get comfortable with the format. By the time you go in for the real thing, you’ll be ready to pass with flying colors.
The kind folks you’re asking to write your recommendation plans are probably pretty busy and important people, and your recommendation letter is just one of the many things they have to do. Plan for this process to take a few weeks, otherwise you’ll probably end up frustrated and maybe with a few bald spots. Be respectful of their time (remember, they’re doing you a favor) and make it SUPER easy for them to get you what you need by the time you need it. Following these steps should do the trick:
Spoiler alert: applying to grad school can be kind of expensive and the costs add up quickly. Also, grad school isn’t exactly high-living time. The goal here is to start grad school with no debt and as much savings as possible. Make a plan to pay down debt and develop a budget you can stick to this summer. Save all you can before school since you’ll be foregoing at least 2 years of income and there’s only so much pizza you’ll want to eat while you’re getting your degree. Grad school is stressful enough on its own, so eliminating additional stress from finances is really helpful.
Little known fact: getting copies of your transcripts sent to grad programs is more annoying than you think. You don’t want to wait until the night before your application is due to do this only to find out that it will take 5 business days to deliver these. It’s an easy thing to do when you’re not hyper-stressed about applying. Find out how it works and how long it will take to get your transcripts delivered. Likewise, the process for submitting your recommendation letters could differ from school to school. The more you know, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to hit the final “Submit” button.
Continue volunteering, your hobbies and everything that makes you an interesting human being. Don’t stop doing things you enjoy, or you’ll burn out before you reach the finish line! Grad school applications are just the beginning; it’s going to be an intense few years, so make sure you keep your spirits up and your mind clear.
This article is based on a blog originally published by Golden Key partner Gradschoolmatch.
Gradschoolmatch provides students with matches to help find exactly what they are looking for. Gradschoolmatch also brings representatives from the top universities to recruit and communicate with students that fit their programs best. Search, be discovered, and connect with the top graduate programs on Gradschoolmatch. Golden Key is a top honor society for grad students and membership provides unique access on Gradschoolmatch.
Thinking about doing a semester studying abroad in 2020 – but not sure how to get your parents on board for the adventure? Having the support of your family can make a huge difference to the success of your venture, but sometimes it takes a […]
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Traveling and studying abroad can be an incredible and life-changing experience. Many Golden Key members go on adventures overseas during and after their studies, and we do our best to make these opportunities available to as many of our members as possible through scholarships, grants, and partnerships with organizations such as Study Abroad. But if you’re heading off for the first time, here are some tips to help you prepare:
It is important that you are organized in your schoolwork and in your traveling plans. Studying abroad can be pretty hectic at times so it can be helpful to have a planner for you to write down when any assignments, quizzes, papers, etc. are due. As well as keeping track of any trips you plan with the right flight information, hotel reservations, additional transportation, etc. Being organized can help you a lot abroad, especially when you need to be on time when catching a bus, flight or train. Also, planning your trips beforehand can save you a lot of money on transportation and stay. If you know of a city or country where you really want to go, book it as soon as you can. Don’t wait until the last minute.
It is easier and cheaper for you to check in online and print your boarding passes before you arrive at the airport. It can be more expensive for you to check in additional luggage at the airport instead of checking in and paying for the luggage online. If you are worried about not having a printer, you can still check in on your phone and have your boarding pass that can be scanned when going through security or boarding the plane.
Packing light is also easier and cheaper because you can bring a small carry on that can fit on airlines such as RyanAir and Vueling with no extra cost. Air compression bags can be a lifesaver when traveling. You can fit a lot of clothes in these bags and then press the air out of them to save more space in your carry on. Remember, it’s okay to wash and re-wear outfits!
Don’t be afraid to talk to locals and practice new languages. It’s the easiest way to learn a new language and learn about cultures and the people living in that country you are visiting. If you want to meet people, it is important to be confident and initiate conversations with new people. You could end up creating long lasting friendships and possibly visiting them later in life.
Traveling can be very tiring and stressful at times. Being patient can help you and the people you are traveling with. When you are living and traveling to different countries, it can be scary adjusting to such a new and different environment. There is such a different lifestyle abroad that it can be hard for people to get used to. Language barriers can make people impatient and cause confusion between two people from different places or cultures. As long as you are patient, you can adjust easily to the language barriers and different cultures.
This article was originally published by Golden Key partners The Intern Group.
Whether you’re a student, recent graduate or full-time employee, you’re probably trying to maximize your productivity. No matter where you’re at in your professional journey, there are several ways to be more productive in your day to day activities. 1. Get enough sleep Although it […]
Completing a professional internship is one of the easiest ways to set yourself up for success after graduation. However, the application process can be daunting. For most students and young professionals, the most challenging element of landing a role is the interview. In this informative […]
With the holiday season in full swing, your priorities might include finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list (all while making sure you don’t break the bank), mingling with friends and family at holiday parties, indulging in the scrumptious treats that seem to be around every corner, and watching your favorite holiday classics.
The festive season can also inspire compassion and generosity. Offices and nonprofits sponsor food drives and gift drives, the Salvation Army bell ringers are out in full force, and charities around the country are accepting donations.
If the warmth of the holiday season has inspired you to give back, you might consider making a charitable donation. These recommendations could help you make the most of your philanthropic efforts—even if you’re on a tight budget.
Between traveling, holiday gifts, and your regular expenses, you may already be nervous about overspending in the last few months of the year. Making an effort to stay on a budget with all of your expenses can be one of the best things you can do for yourself financially heading into 2020.
I encourage the members I speak with to follow the 50/20/30 rule for budgeting. This way, no matter how old you are or how much money you make, you always have an idea of how much you have for discretionary spending—like charitable donations—each month.
If you’re lucky enough to cover your holiday-related expenses within your discretionary budget in just one or two months—awesome!
For many of us, it may take putting a little aside each month leading up to the holidays to cover those expenses. Whatever the case is for you, it can be helpful to account for these charitable donations like any other planned expense—this can help you avoid going over-budget when the time comes.
Great news! There are a variety of ways to be charitable without writing a check. Consider these three approaches if you’re feeling more philanthropic than your bank account:
Donating Time
Volunteering your time can be great for your soul as well as your budget. In some cases, a charitable organization may benefit more from donated time than donated money. Additionally, spending time behind the scenes with an organization is a great way to understand how a charity is run and how any future donations may be used. This can be a great way to get to know a charity more intimately and determine if it’s a cause that will continue to be important to you.
Donating Stuff
If your schedule limits your ability to commit time to an organization, consider donating gently used home goods or clothes. Cleaning out your closet can be great for the mind and soul if you know that items will go to a good cause. Organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army will happily accept gently used clothes, and local homeless shelters or women’s shelters can benefit from home goods and even furniture.
Being Deliberate with Planned Spending and Investing
Another way to make an impact without giving more is by being more deliberate with the spending and investing you’re already doing. This holiday season, you could try to shop with a purpose by supporting brands or companies that have a charitable mission statements like Bombas or Patagonia.
It’s also possible to allocate existing investments to socially responsible funds. For example, someone who is passionate about the environment can look at an environmentally-driven ETF. Or if someone wanted to invest beyond the sector more broadly, they could look into a fund that uses the popular S&P 500 index stocks but removes the oil, gas, and fossil fuel companies. Learn more about the various socially responsible ETFs available to you on SoFi’s Active Investing platform.
Once you have made the decision to give time or money to an organization, it’s important to do your due diligence on a charity to ensure they are reputable and will be putting your donation to good use.
But how do you choose the right charity? Using sites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance can give more insight to charities. This can help charitable individuals avoid any potentially questionable organizations.
If you want to feel like your individual contributions are making a larger impact, consider taking a more targeted approach to your giving. Sometimes it’s hard to say no when someone asks you to sponsor them in a charitable 5k or a friend requests donations to one of their favorite organizations for their birthday, but by concentrating your giving to just one or two organizations throughout the year, rather than sprinkling small dollar amounts to a variety of causes, you’ll find that your gift feels more meaningful.
Still doesn’t feel like what you’re contributing is enough? Don’t forget that charities also appreciate your time, skills and support. You can always find additional ways to give through volunteering, offering your professional skills, and even just spreading the word in your community about the great impact the organization is making. You can also check with your employer to see if they have a gift-matching program.
This article was originally published by Golden Key partners SoFi. You can read the full article here: https://www.sofi.com/blog/charitable-giving-budget/
SoFi helps people achieve financial independence to realize their ambitions. Their products for borrowing, saving, spending, investing, and protecting give our more than half a million members fast access to tools to get their money right. SoFi membership comes with the key essentials for getting ahead, including career advisors and connection to a thriving community of like-minded, ambitious people. Whether they’re looking to buy a home, save money on student loans, grow in their careers, or invest in the future, the SoFi community works to empower its members to accomplish the goals they set and achieve financial independence as a result.
What’s a professional tribe – and more importantly, why do you need one? As part of our ongoing Golden Key Talks series, the amazing Linnita Hosten (our keynote speaker in Houston earlier this year) joined us to answer these questions and more. She showed us […]
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