I go to Network Night . . . awkwardness insues.

     So, since I have been here, I have been given the opportunity to go to Job Fairs and Network nights.  Some of these are open to all majors, some open to specific ones.  These job fairs are also open to Alumni of the college.  If you have ever been to one in the "real world" it is just the same on campus.  As an older student or alumni, you tend to stick out.  This is how it goes down.  First, you attend the seminar/open house/panel.  This usually has a list of employers who will speak for a few minutes, unless there are many.  Then, you would have a sheet of employers emailed to you ahead of time.  After the discussion, there is a period where snacks are provided while the panel goes out to their respective tables.  Then comes the inevitable discusion that goes like this.

ME: (thinking)  O.K.  Make sure you make eye contact.  Smile, but not too much.  You only have a moment to make a good impression. *breathe*

Person Behind Me: "Hiiiii.  I couldn't help but notice that you had some good questions in the seminar.  What's your major?"

ME: "International Studies.  And you?"

PBM: *Insert Major"

ME:  "Wow, Interesting . . ." * Insert small talk and  laugh*

PBM: *Insert more bs small talk and return nervous laughter*

ME:  "I'm a junior.  I'm a little bit older."

PBM:  "Really?  How old?"

Me: "Thirty Five"

      Awkward pause.

PBM: "Really, I thought you were, like, twenty six, tops!"

ME: "Thank you.  Chalk it up to heavy drinking.  It kept me preserved.  Just joking."


PBM: "So, why are you here?  Why did you come back to school?"

     At his moment, I never know what to really say.  I don't want to tell my life story, but at the same time, I didn't want to say that life is all wine and roses.  What to do . . what to do.

ME: "I don't want to work at a restaurant all my life. And I have worked with way too many Liberal Arts majors as a bartender and waiter who can't get jobs.   I want options so I can do better for myself.  And the job market is tough without a good degree.  And even that is not guaranteed."

PBM: "Umm . .  I am graduating in May with a *Insert Liberal Arts Degree* "

     Awkward silence as he/she contemplates how life will be and me wishing I didn't have to be here, at this moment.

Musings on Financial Aid

     I am on financial aid.  I am not ashamed to admit it.  In order to try to graduate in a timely manner, I am taking aid fort the last 1 1/2 years of school.  Why 1 1/2?  Because, like many older students, I put myself through community college while working full time.  I got my Associates Degree.  Now, I am at University. 

     So, I opened up my school e-mail to find that I am close to my maximum credit limit and am in danger of falling out of the Financial Aid program.  Scratching my head, I walked over to the Financial Aid Office to find out what was going on.  This semester was the second semester that I have taken aid.  How could I be over the limit?

      Some of you who are reading this are probably wondering what cap I'm talking about.

     It goes like this.  As a student, if you are eligible to receive aid (Pell Grants and scholarships) you have to graduate with under a certain amount of credits, depending on your major (if you are Pre-med, your cap would be higher).  I was approaching that cap.  I asked how could I be approaching that cap since I have never taken aid before?  Well here is the scoop.  Perhaps some of you failed out of school the first time and this is your second shot at school (like me).  But here is something they don't tell you:  If you retake classes you failed, even if you paid for them out of pocket, they still count towards your credit cap for aid.  Even if you have NEVER taken it before.  It is a catch twenty-two.  They want us to go to school, but you don't get credit for not leaching of aid while doing it.  However, people can be on aid for six years before they graduate.  Money they don't have to pay back or pay back on generous terms.  And if you want to appeal the cap, you have to have a very compelling reason (death in the family, traumatizing event at school, etc.).  Where is the parity in that?

     So, what does that mean for yours truly?  My aid will run out in Spring 2011, 1 1/2 semesters short of graduation.  Which means that I will have to get a job, or a paid internship.  I am not opposed.  Except, the way the formula tends to work is based on income.  You can be penalized for making too much money, even though you are going to school full time.  Which means you don't get as much aid.  Which means you may not finish as fast as you want because you can't afford it.  Or, you take out massive loans. 

     It is kinda like the welfare system.  Penalize people for trying not to use too much, reward those who won't try.

     Welcome to another wonderful part of being an older student.  Enjoy your stay.