What Miley Cyrus' New Year's Resolution Teaches Us

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In between the gift-giving and turkey stuffing, its human nature to think about what you'll do differently next year or, to the very least, make the new year better than the last.

For me, becoming debt-free is at the top of my list, including applying for Ph.D programs before I graduate with my Masters and re-applying to all the scholarships that turned me down last year. Oh, and getting back in the gym is somewhere in the mix.

That's a tough order, uh? The hardest part of setting a new year's resolution is simply staying on course, as teen pop icon Miley Cyrus explains, its easier said than done. When asked what was her 2010 resolution, Miley admitted: "I need to stop talking about things I want to do, and just go out there and do it." (Read more celebrities' 2010 resolutions here)

In some definitions, resolution means "firmness of purpose," a solution or "settling of a problem." In the Greek language, it means "untangling" or, as Miley said, to "get up and go." How could you perfect your academics if you didn't allow what you said and what you did to become tangled? If you had the "get up and go" mentality, what would you accomplish?

Granted, time machines don't exist outside of 80's movies. There are no telephone booths or magic cars that'll blast you back and forth between the future and your past, but you and God have the power to untangle what you said in 2010 and turning them into actions in 2011. He's your fixer-upper.

You can easily redeem your academic pursuits by first letting go of the past and resolve to start over. The year 2010 is nearly behind us; we have to concentrate on the many blessings in 2011. Now that we know better, we can do better from today onward.

Yes, the list of New Year's Resolutions may seem long, but the rewards are even greater. We are our own competition. If you say you'll study even when you don't have an exam coming up, be disciplined. If you're going to save $1,000 toward your tuition, have integrity while holiday shopping. Don't keep yourself from being blessed.

This morning's Facebook message from gospel minister & musician, Marvin Sapp, profoundly supports this point: "For everyone who feels like not trying again. 'Failure will never overtake you if your determination to succeed is strong enough.' Do you have the strength to begin again?"

Let's not discuss what happened last year; what are you looking to 'get up and get' in 2011? Do you have the strength to start over?

Took a Guilt Trip Lately?

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College is tough—and that’s a fact, but at what cost would you forfeit it all? Would you sell your virginity (assuming you still have it to give away) or sell your tuition on eBay? Although the latter sounds like an interesting idea, some college dreams have been dashed by the inability to pay tuition costs and maintain reputable grade point averages to stay the course.

In an article, Brother, Can You Spare a Few Thousand to Cover My Tuition?, it shows how desperate young adults are nowadays to erase traces of their financial and academic mistakes.

A would-be law student took on a campaign to earn her degree debt-free, but quickly retreated after some backlash. For $145 a week, some British students were willing to be walking billboards—seriously. My favorite panhandler mentioned is a third-year law student who wrote an open letter to the dean, asking for a refund in exchange of him dropping out of school.

Most of us probably wouldn’t go to the extremes as outlined in the article, but how many of you felt guilty for pursuing your dreams because the college loan sharks were drawing neigh or you couldn’t push past the 2.0 G.P.A. mark?

We’ve all been there—second-guessing our decision to pursue higher learning, wondering if college life was truly God’s will. Does this sound familiar: If this is my destiny, then why is it hard? There are so many obstacles keeping me from my dream. Maybe, college life wasn’t meant for me.

Snap out of it! You are where you are in your life because that is your destiny. There’s no test without a testimony, right? Well, likewise, you wouldn’t appreciate the next step in your life without first struggling through this one.

Don’t feel guilty or defeated for the career fantasies you have or wanting a degree. Those desires were put in your heart by God. Instead of moping, instead of thinking of academic suicide, remember Psalms 37:4-5, which reads, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will do this.”

See, God wants you to accomplish your academic dreams as much as you do. It’s only when we move without consulting Him that we become out of sync with His will for us. For instance, creating unwarranted debt, when we should have saved or applied for free assistance; or didn’t perform well in the classroom, because of ‘other’ distractions. That was our fault, not God’s. God didn’t tell us not to study or not to save for the future. That’s all on us. (For tips, read: Degree or Debt?—That is the Question)

The good thing is, He’s still with us. He never left and those heart desires are still on His agenda. Make sure it’s still on yours.


What are some of the hardships causing you to consider academic suicide? What are you doing to push forward in faith?

Thanksgiving Leftovers

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First off, my humblest apologies for my week-long hiatus; I guess I needed some time to reflect. Although, as God sifted me, I sifted my mind, thinking of what you must be going through as I went through. (Does that make any sense?) You see, I rode an emotional roller coaster this week. Highs and lows. As I pick myself back up to stay in the climb, I’m pressured not to write another “it’s gonna be alright” post. Instead, I want to write for those that are climbing, on a high point and those who, like me, are so very thankful.

Being thankful—that’s what I wanted to write about last week during Thanksgiving, but personally I needed that time to be with God. No shopping. No gluttony. Just me & Daddy.

As the semester comes to a close (Congrats to the Class of 2010), you can’t help but reflect on where God has brought you from. What others thought was impossible, you’ve made possible.

Thankful!

For some, you may not be in school or was forced to take time off. Take heed in knowing God hasn’t forgotten His promise to you nor is He ignoring your faith.

A very good friend of mine is six months from graduating with his BA. He should have graduated eight years ago, but a terminal disease deterred those plans. Not only did it affect his body, but it polluted his confidence. Whenever I think of his story, I’m so grateful to God, knowing how bad things could be. Eight years could not stand in his way; nothing can stand in yours.


Thankful!

We’re God’s people. We’re bursting with potential, talent and possibility. Sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating, as if someone jammed me in a box and locked up my destiny. Do you ever feel that way? You’ve been locked up for so long that you forget that seasons come and go. When the idea of giving up seeps into my spirit, I’m pushed by many factors, including mere curiosity. I want to know how my story ends.

Call my crazy or just call me a Jesus-lover, but I feel the knot that Oprah felt, that little inkling that President Obama felt, the twitch that nagged Donald Trump. It’s the tiniest, itty bittiest feeling that something humungous is going to happen in my life. That I reek of greatness, my name will appear in big letters somewhere and I’m just a leap, skip and a jump away from it.

Thankful!

So, as you can tell. God and I had an intense conversation last week. And, again this morning and the bad news is still reeling in, so we have a lot more to talk about. I’m taking off my mask and will be simply vulnerable. I’m probably gonna cry… a lot. In the end, I’ll find the rock within, be reminded of where he brought me from, where I am & what He has prepared for me. Thankful!

What are you thankful for? What are you trusting in God for?

Leave No Intern Behind: Part II

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Internships are like a test-run. While they're not full-time, real-life jobs, they should be taken as seriously; and although you may be paid less (if at all) than you're worth, it's an extended job interview that will reap great rewards for you.

In Part I, you learned about the benefits of interning, including work experience in your major, improved networking and interview skills, references, replacing nervousness with confidence and a competitive edge over your classmates, and the ability to apply what you learned in the classroom and your career. In this half, you'll learn 10 Steps to Getting an Internship and view a sample timeline for planning and applying for internships that'll prove valuable toward your success. So, let's get to it...

The best time to look for summer internships is during the spring semester (or quarter), but if you'll be too busy with course work, then start looking during the winter break when you'll have more free time. It's better to have booked an internship while attending to final exams and finishing the semester on a strong note.

Step One: Check on whether your school or department head has an internship program or know of available internships in your field of interest. Then, visit their websites and collect info about the internship positions, including deadlines, prerequisites and qualifications for each. Also, choose which ones best fit your abilities. For instance, if you don't have a car and an internship is far away from where you live, that may not be the best fit for you.

Step Two: Ask your advisors, professors, past and current employers for recommendation letters. What others have to say about your personality, potential and achievements hold enormous weight when your application is reviewed. Have one or both talk about your personal and professional self, including the traits mentioned in the previous sentence.

Although you can 'recycle' a recommendation letter, be sure that each letter is aligned with the internship you're applying for. For instance, don't use a letter that speaks mainly about your public service work for an nternship that didn't list public service as a prerequisite. If all that employer cares about is your great personality and good grades, then use a letter that's attesting to that.

Also, be very careful to change addresses and names on each letter you decide to recycle to prevent denial and embarrasment.

Step Three: Research local companies that you would like to intern. Utilize search engines and ask your advisor and professors for a list of companies you should try. Doing this might result in them making a few phone calls on your behalf. Also, just because an employer did not advertise that they're looking for or host interns does not mean they won't hire you as an intern. Be aggressive! Be proactive!

Step Four: With your new list of potential employers, decipher which will provide the most experience, guidance, knowledge and stand out the most on your resume. No one wants one of those 'fetching coffee' internships... unless you're fetching Donald Trump's coffee and offered him a few investment tips.

Step Five: As mentioned in the first half of this series, employers don't expect collegiate to be gurus in their field (or you'd be applying for a 9 to 5, right?), but they do expect hard work, genuine interest and competency. Make sure your skills and interest mimick the company's services and mission, and that they're displayed in your resume and cover letter.

Step Six: If your major is journalism, like mine, or graphic or web design, photography, fashion design or anything artistic, a portfolio is the receptionist that introduce potential employers to your quality of work. "Hi! Welcome to John Doe, where brillance and creativity is paramount. Would you like to see more?"

Use about 10-12 samples of your best work. For those that don't fit in the above majors, use personal and class projects, and research papers to develop your portfolio. Your completed portfolio may include your resume, cover letter and contact info (although it should be on your resume, it's okay to repeat this, I feel). My portfolio reads like a magazine with a personalized, yet simple cover. It's also available in pdf form, allowing me to quickly email employers for competitive jobs.

Step Seven: Speaking of emailing... nowadays, the first moment of contact with employers is via email. The body of the email has become your cover letter, so the same rules apply. Briefly, explain who you are, what you admire about the company, what you hope to gain from an internship there and which qualities you possess will be an asset to the company. You can attach your resume and portfolio then.

Step Eight: Once the email is sent, follow-up within three days with a phone call to confirm receipt. Be cheerful, but professional. If you get a voice mail, leave a message with your phone number. Speak slowly, but not 3rd-grade-education slow. If the call is not returned, call back the next day.

Step Nine: When you hear back from a company rep, this shows interest. They'll most likely make arrangements to interview you or ask for more information.

Some companies are busy year-round, so be aggressive in scheduling an interview after they show interest. Although, there is a thin line between assertiveness and stalker, so maintain professionalism. It's kinda like having a crush on a cheerleader, but you play it cool whenever she passes by. She knows you want her, but has no idea how much. Play it cool!

Step Ten: Finally, once you secure an internship, be sure you understand your duties and the little, but also vital details, such as what time should you be at work, work attire, etc. If you're not sure about these details, make sure you ask on your first day.

In doing research for this blog, I realized there aren't much resources about applying for internships. The numbers are scarced compared to online info about scholarships and applying for college. I did, however, stumble upon a refreshing website, Intern Queen Inc. that provided a Summer Internship Timeline. Use this sample to organize your own strategy to land an internship, whether it be during the summer or next semester. To calm your nerves, this website also offers interview tips and a personalized list of internships in your area—all of that in one place... incredible!

We covered sooo much in two halves. Now, all that's left is seizing all the blessings God has for you. Enjoy!

What questions do you have about internships? Employers, any advice for our potential interns?

Leave No Intern Behind: Part I

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Just like scholarships and a college degree, applying for internships are as vital and crucial to your post-graduation success than a 4.0. It's the cherry on top of a sundae. It's the extra candy that rattles out of the vending machine. It's the... well, you got it.

This post was split into two parts: In Part II, you'll receive 10 Steps to Getting an Internship and a sample Summer Internship timeline. In this half, we'll explore the benefit of internships and dismiss the fear that the old and experienced or the young and inexperience are somehow disadvantaged in applying for internships. We have a lot to cover, so...

The Benefits

After spending my summers at paid (and unpaid) internships, I was shocked to hear my fellow graduate classmates admit they'd never interned while in undergrad. Four years of college. Each summer lying on the couch doing nothing toward their degree. Quite simply I was dumbfounded and my ego shot up couple notches, because I realized the edge I had on my classmates. Always the competitor, I calculated how my job history would award me coveted writing assignments, jobs and other internships over my classmates. While these 20-somethings feared the newsroom, I'd raked up broadcast and print mentions on my resume. Whether or not you get the internship, you'll eliminate nervousness and sharpen your interview skills long before your job search if you start early.

Other interns will also attest that working in their major improved their understanding and classroom participation.

Lastly, and probably the most valuable benefit from interning, is networking. There's really no value you can place on networking with other professionals in your field. That's why you should never turn down an unpaid internship without first evaluating the experience and networking pool, where you'll rub shoulders with executives and CEOs—future employers and references. You can't compare $8 an hour (depending on where you're earning it) to experience and a reference letter from a prominent employer.

Older & Experienced

In the post, Suit Up! Get Back in There! you learned that you're never too old to earn a college degree. Time can never elapse on your dreams if you let it. Here's more proof: one of my favorite people and PhD candidate at Southern Methodist University, Chris Davis shares how he, at age 27, interned and how it redirected his career:

The program I was aligned this past summer is called Education Pioneers. Ed Pioneers is a national organization that recruits talented individuals to the education sector. Most people who participate are in MBA, Education, JD, MPP (public policy) or PhD programs. A lot of my fellow pioneers this summer were in school full-time while I was looking to make a career change.

Ed Pioneers partners each fellow with an education institution partner. Mine happened to be Teach for America. I worked on a strategy project for the Teacher Preparation, Support and Development wing of Teach for America.

The internship made sense for me, because I was looking to change careers. The internship was the best opportunity and the opportunity I was really looking for. I am now connected nationally and locally with all education key players. I have a better understanding of what Texas and the rest of the country are facing as far as the "achievement gap."

I had to quit my full-time job at TXU Energy, because they would not support my 10-week fellowship. This was ok, because I knew TXUE was not in my immediate plans and sticking around would only show a lack of faith and courage. When I decided to quit TXUE to complete the fellowship, I had no job in hand except for two part-time positions. This was a far cry from the salary I was making at TXUE. However, God blessed me with a full time position with Dallas ISD which was where I wanted to be, making more money. I was offered the job roughly two weeks after resigning from TXUE and two days before I started my fellowship with Teach for America. God is good.

Advice: If an internship will get you to where you want to go, don't be scared. Leap out on faith knowing God will have your back. If I were still at TXUE, I would have a paycheck but no fulfillment. At Dallas ISD, I have a larger paycheck and, more importantly, fulfillment.

Chris' words and the true story-turned movie about Chris Gardner's The Pursuit of Happyness proves that older college students are not crippled when applying for and benefitting from internships. Played by Oscar nominee Will Smith, Chris Gardner is a homeless salesman and single father who interns his way to a broker job for a better life.

One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when he tells his son: "You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you (that) you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period."

Young & Inexperienced

Likewise, don't believe that you're too young or inexperienced to ace an internship interview. Employers don't expect you to have a whole lot of experience, anyway. They just want to see passion, potential and purpose. If you love learning about your major that you want to gain as much knowledge as possible then you'll be sure to be hired. What if you're not hired? Treat not getting an internship as practice for the one you will get.

The key to applying for any internship is preparation and displaying all those traits in your cover letter (which we'll explore in Part II). The fact that you're young is a plus, meaning you're impressionable, a clean slate. The benefits are the same for you as are for an older intern. Take advantage of them.

How did you benefit from interning? What do you know now that you wish you knew back then about internships?

Redeem Your Academic Pursuits with Three Rs

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Two months ago I wrote about the importance of writing out your six-month, one-year and five-year plan for enrolling or graduating from college. If you read the post FINAL CALL: Hop On The Train to Success then you know how important it is to write and spiritully digest your goals. In case you've fallen off, there's redemption, as I've created a more in-depth outline for you to get back on track:

You didn't think I would let you off the hook that easy, did you? Aha!

Re-Group & Do Over
First things first—write a new list of goals, beginning with your 6-month plan with a deadline for each item. It may include items as simple as "mail off my college application by Dec 31st" or "email my advisor about the status of my application this week."

Next, complete your one-year plan of what you'd hope to accomplish in a year's time, such as "earn a 4.0 in my first year" or "have saved $4,000 toward my tuition." Whatever your goals may be, make them practical and attainable.

Finally, in your five-year plan write down your post-graduation and career goals. In this list, you may include such items as, "graduate with honors," "land an internship or permanent job with a Fortune 500 company" or "begin applying for graduate school." Remember, all things are possible for those who follow & trust Christ.

Re-Mix & Do Better

Place your list of goals in a prominent place. I've written mine in my devotional notebook, so whenever I flip through my church notes I'm prone to stop and take a look. Immediately, I'm reminded of my goals, my progress in accomplishing them and how I can do better. My PhD-pursuing sorority sister has hers on the refridgerator door, so every time she wants a late night snack, she's reminded that she should be studying, instead of pigging out. Your special place may be the bathroom mirror, your wallet or the back of your bedroom door.

Whatever space you decide upon, outline it with scriptures and motivational quotes that'll uplift you and propel you to your destiny. In Part II of Pigeons or Eagles: Which Are You? I offered several quotes that'll do just that.

Re-Connect & Due Time

In my own academic, financial and spiritual pursuits, I've realized that they are all linked. My academic dreams depend on my spiritual desires just as much as my financial goals do. I need a closeness with God in order to be patient and discipline to get out of debt. Likewise, I need God's favor and guidance while in college. You see? It's all connected.

I encourage you to also find the connection. Ask God for guidance, wisdom, knowledge and faith to accomplish everything on your lists in His time. I promise, the rewards will be great.

For more assistance, email me about joining my (free) Xclusive Mailing List for in-depth, one-on-one encouragement on pursuing your educational goals.

What are you struggling with in writing or pursuing your academic goals? How are your academic, career, physical (health), emotional and financial goals connected to your relationship with God?

When Waiting Gets Tough

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Waiting—there's nothing I detest more than waiting. Waiting for the bus. Waiting behind two miles of traffic. Waiting for the water to boil. Waiting on the hot water to come through the pipes. I'm ashamed to admit it now, but I've even gotten tired of waiting on the Lord. (gasp!) Oh, am I the only one?

Waiting to hear back from a scholarship selection committee or an acceptance letter can be a dreadful, worrisome segment of your college career. Waiting for a call of acceptance into grad school meant I stopped breathing each time an unfamiliar number appeared on the caller-ID, as I anticipated the 'yes' or 'no' that would change my life.

It's like waiting for the results of a tumor. C'mon doc!! Is it cancerous or benign or what?! Sitting in a waiting room for 10 minutes can seem like a decade. Anxiety has bitten your nails to stumps and hammered a cramp in your left thigh.

We can be anxious, too. Maybe you were like me, saying: I want all the stuff that the devil stole from me NOW!! What a spoiled brat I was. Before snapping out of that selfish, blasphemous mentality, I thought because I was ready to be blessed, God should simply bless me. Sooner than later, I learned that it's in the waiting room that God molds us. Waiting on the Lord offers more tips on this concept.

For many, the economy has slowed life down. It takes longer to get out of debt, purchase a home, refinance the car and earn a degree. Every day we grow older, move slower while working twice as hard to reach our academic dreams. Even while praising Him every day and reminding God that your greatest desire is to graduate from college and earn a degree, it can be disheartening. You pray: Lord, I need this 'A' on my final exams. I need a financial breakthrough to pay for my tuition next year. The Lord knows. He heard your prayer. He keeps His promises.

Just like the children from Egypt, God waited generations (or 40 years) to deliver them from the wilderness, and even more from Pharaoh, before leading them to the Promise Land. He allowed Joseph to suffer at his brothers' hands, slavery and captivity before sitting him on the throne. Joseph was refined and polished in his spiritual relationship before receiving his divine destiny.

Surely, in the presence of your haters you will graduate from college. Surely, God will bless your career beyond your imagination... if you just wait. And while you wait, have hope, have faith and never take your heart off of God and what He promised you. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to not be anxious for anything, but be prayerful and rest in the peace of God.

While we may be impatient about trivial things like 5 o'clock traffic and waiting for the water to boil, take comfort in knowing that God has your best interest at heart for the bigger things. His supernatural power and divine intervention exceeds deadlines and cut-offs points. Be anxious for nothing, but giving Him the glory in advance.

What are you waiting on the Lord for? Have you ever gotten impatient with God or the destiny that you see for yourself?

When the Door's Locked, Try a Window

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Faith without works is dead, work with no faith behind it is a waste of energy—you've seen this scripture paraphrased on this blog many times like this that it may seem like a broken record. To over analyze that logic, one might say that a missed opportunity is the product of workless faith. We all have good intentions. You had good intentions when you filled out your college application. You had every intention to get an A on that test last week, but when you decided to go out instead of study a failing grade was inevitable.

In every aspect of life, we have windows of opportunity and, regardless of our good intentions, we must prepare for them whether we know when they’re coming or not. Let’s look at two scenarios I made up on a whim:

Tom is about 20 years your senior. He the wisest man employed at Render, Stucky and Associates. As the senior partner of the firm, Tom entered the ranks as a Columbia graduate and through thousands of team projects and a rolodex-filled with clientele he proved himself over the years to be a prime gem in the company. But, like everyone else that reaches the top with nowhere else to go, Tom's time has expired. In fact, the rumor is that the CEO wants to replace him with a fresher, younger version of Tom very soon.

So, here’s a window of opportunity so wide open you can fit an elephant through it. And, then there’s you—a cubicle employee, who has proven himself loyal, eager and determined, but will never go beyond what he’s asks. He comes to work at 9 am sharp and leaves, with precision, at 5 pm into a maze of traffic everyday. Too bad, the job offer goes to Mark, the corporate buddy. Not only has Mark exceeded his job duties, but he goes to work early and leaves late. What could he possibly be doing in the cubicle next to you? At least once per week, Mark looks for new clients for the company, assists other partners in landing deals and has moved the company ahead without even receiving a bonus for his efforts. He’s done exactly what Tom did when he first got to Render, Stucky & Associates. He seized the opportunity and a corner office with a view of downtown. Yep! Life is grand for Mark, Tom has a great retirement package and… oh yeah, you still have a cubicle square.

Now, let’s apply this to your academic world. You’re walking past a bulletin board. On most days, you’d just skid on by, but something grabs your attention. It’s a poster advertising a $10,000 scholarship. Man, could you use that money to pay off your student loans, buy books for next semester and pay off an outstanding balance with the university. Just before you drift into a “what I could do with all that money” daydream, you scan the requirements. You’ll need a resume, a 200-word biographical essay and a 500-word essay on what you want to do with your major. Pretty easy, right? Not for someone that’s not prepared. With the deadline a week away, the Mark of this world will print out a saved copy of his resume, tweak a pre-existing scholarship essay and mail them off without a hitch, while you missed the deadline because you created the documents from scratch with no time to spare. Meanwhile, Mark awaits his $10,000 prize. $10,000—in some cases, that's the price of being prepared when opportunities come.

In order to seize the degree, career or academic opportunities God has for you, you must go the extra mile. Be like Mark in the first scenario. Be a go-getter. Make yourself stand out from the other college applicants, who, by the way, are talking the same gibberish as you. Rather than say what makes you special, show it, reveal it before you’re asked.

What are some opportunities you’ve missed that you wished you’d jump through? What did you learn and how are you preparing never to miss out again?

Degree or Debt? That is the Question

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Talking today with one of my Xclusive Mailing List subscribers made me realize what a bind this generation of students are in. This modern-day depression has stolen their dreams of funding their college careers worry-free. On top of all that, they've been fined with ridiculous and mounting student loan debt.

Reading these Student Loan Horror Stories kept a constant flow of wow's and hmm's from my lips. Read it yourself. One guy fled the country to escape creditors' phone calls and his $1.5 million debt. You might ask: What's the point of proving how smart and talented you are in college that once you're out you spend your life warding off collection agencies? The Bible tells us that being broke (or in the deficit) is a sin. Yes, a sin! You were created to be a lender, not a borrower. Living a life that's not prosperous spiritually, physically and financially is a sin against Christ.

Personally, I can not relate to those who suffer with student loan debt. Yes, I have debt, but none of it's from college expenses. You see, I worked my butt off before applying for college and, although a shop-aholic at first, I saved nearly $30,000. Additionally, I applied for scholarships like my life depended on it and was awarded a $3,500 stipend each semester because of it. In four years, I earned my Bachelors and owed no one.

Today, its a different story as I chose to enroll in graduate school two months after graduating from undergrad and incurred a few pricey road blocks, which I'm rolling over this very moment.

Academic merits have awarded some of us scholarships, while others diligently work and save or discover other avenues (i.e. sponsorships, athletic scholarships, etc.) to fund college costs. Take for instance Ralph Jones Jr., as 16-year-old who turned down Ivy League schools and their partial scholarships for a full-ride at Florida A&M University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Jones' decision has come with backlash. Some say he should simply pursue his dreams, incur the extra tuition costs and let his Harvard or Yale degree pay it off for him. Clearly, I'm on the other side that says, its better to be debt free than work off paying a mortgage-size debt in his 20's and 30's.

While I sympathized with young people that drop out of college because of lack of funds (heck! I'm one of them) or graduate into harassment from Sallie Mae & her friends, I truly believe that if we spent as much time applying for scholarships and grants as we did on Facebook and Twitter, they'd be less creditors calling. If we worked at summer internships rather than lay off on the couch watching reality shows, our reality would include a paid-off semester. Forgive me for ruffling feathers, but FAFSA and bank loans should always be your last resort, not your first option.

To continue this debate, read "What is a College Degree Really Worth?"

For those of you that are in debt, don't read those horror stories thinking that there's no way out. Your situation may not be as bad as theirs, but even it is, rest assured that God doesn't dwell on your mistakes. You shouldn't either. You wouldn't have a testimony if you didn't first have a test.

I like what Bishop T.D. Jakes says: "New levels brings new devils." He continues: "That's why you need God's grace and favor at work in your life—to do what you can't do and change what you can't change. God's promise to you is that His favor will always outweigh your adversity."

I encourage you to locate a financial coach or ask someone within your Top Five, who shows great money management skills, to mentor you toward no debt. Subscribe, as I do, to blogs like Mocha Money and the Washington Post's Color of Money weekly column written by Michelle Singletary for financial advice. As a New Year's resolution, I plan to take a 21-day financial fast as spelt out in Singletary's book "The Power to Prosper: 21 Days to Financial Freedom." Also read "First Generation White Collar," written by MoneyMonk.net's L. Marie Joseph on saving and investment tips for new graduates.

I promise, these tools will help you erase your student loan debt and emancipate you from financial bondage.

How are you overcoming your horror stories with student loan debt? What do you think about Ralph Jones' decision?

Whoopings Don't Last Always

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Like most children, I was scared of getting spankings. In fact, I was so scared that once confronted with a "Why did you do that?" or a "Didn't I tell you to...?" I would freeze in place, fretting the inevitable whooping that was seconds away from my behind. As my mother reached for a stray bedroom slipper or belt, one thought helped me to endure and somehow ignore the pain—it'll soon fade away.

Even as an adult, I use the same concept to deal with dissappointment or heartbreak. To ease the knot in my chest, I'd say to myself: this will soon past, and it did. After a while, I didn't even remember it. All the anguish vanished, leaving me with only a memory.

As we move closer and closer in the kingdom of God, it'll seem that we're dealing with more, and bigger, dissappoint-
ments in life. Not getting into the college of your choice, dropping out of school because of poor grades, a tuition that out-matches your bank accounts. (sigh) It's depressing just to think about it. Life's setbacks sting just like a whooping from your mom or dad, but whoopings can't sting forever. The pain wears off.

Your heavenly Father knew what battles you would endure. In fact, He knew how much it would hurt you and thus develop a better you. James 1:2-4 reads, "Be joyful when you find yourself in seemingly impossible situations, which tests your faith in the seen versus the unseen—what men says is impossible versus what God has already made possible for you—and mature you."

God has set you up to win and win you will. "Troubles don't last always" is not just a cute saying. It's real. Don't you want to know what happens in the next chapter? How does your story end? If Oprah can overcome incest and promiscuity, if Tyler Perry could hold onto a dream while living in a car, why should you be exempt from your success story.

Next time life gives you a spanking, reach back, grab God's promise to you and hit back. When there's no more punch in you, kick! When there's no more kick, shout and when you shout, shout out the biggest praise that you can. Even the smallest faith can create divine favor with college administrators who'll give your application a second look. With God giving you brand new mercies every morning, a financial blessing is heading your way.

I am a walking, living and talking witness that we go through challenges to do just that—challenge us to trust Him more, love Him more, give up more and do more in His name. Like the songs says, let God prove that He keeps His word.

What are some of your academic setbacks? How are you coping with the sting?

Stay In The Climb!

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After a week like I had, I found myself reading a familiar story as if for the first time. Fresh from shooting For Colored Girls, film maker Tyler Perry nurses his drained mind and spirit with a trip to Hawaii. His take on life's struggles seem to nurse mine, as well. Earlier this week, I struggled to focus solely on God's promises while ignoring life's earthquakes. How do you stand when your academic future seems so shaky? What do you hold on to when everyone around you is falling through the crevices? When fear, lonliness and doubt seems to seep in and the earthquakes of this world threatens my faith in God, I read this:

Yesterday, I was hiking a mountain in Hawaii with a friend. I was laboring up this beautiful green pastured mountain, looking down at my feet trying to be sure of my footing, while at the same time trying to catch my breath from the altitude. At times, I would make big steps, sometimes all I could do was take small ones. The terrain was uneven and rough at times. It took a lot of effort and a lot of thought so, needless to say, I was getting really tired and at times wanted to stop or just turn back.

 I got to one peak and thought "I'm here! Great, we can rest now" only to realize that just because I was at the top of one peak, that didn't mean I had arrived. There were more…more valleys to go through and more heights to reach. It was interesting to me, that in order to go higher, we usually had to go down through a valley, and it went on and on and up and up. I was tired and wanted to sit down but my friend said, "Come on, let's go a little higher." So, not to be outdone by a girl (lol), I dug my hiking boots in and went a little higher. We finally got to one of the highest points and she said to me, "This is the best part, now turn around." I turned around and behind me was the most amazing view that I had seen in my 40 years on this earth. As far as my eyes could see, beauty reigned. The Hawaiian Islands seemed to be leaping up out of the silver blue sea, stretching up to catch the dust of the sky. The clouds seemed close enough to catch in my hand and make a wish; rays of sunlight danced through them trying to find a path to show off their own glow and power. Not even Picasso could have out-painted the canvas that was before me. The heavens were declaring the glory of God. I saw Him in motion.

I said to my friend, "When did we get this high?” and she said, "It was in the climb." I couldn't help but think about life--mine and maybe even yours. I thought about how hard it had been for me chasing down my dream. I thought about how hard it can be to believe sometimes. I thought about the entire struggle, all of the pain, all of the hope, all of the doubt. I thought about the times I was working a dead end job, trying to believe; moving through day-to-day with my head down just taking one step at a time, some small, some big ones, wanting to give up; wanting to stop and sit for a while; wanting to lay in my sorrow; nobody believing in me; nobody thinking it would come to pass and never realizing that every step was taking me closer to higher. That hike was painful, it hurt, but through it all I was getting higher and had no idea how high I was. That's what it's like to chase down a dream.

Sometimes in life dreams are hard to follow, like that climb. You don't know how high you're going or even if you're moving, but every step, even when you can't see what's behind you, will take you closer to your goals. It's in the climb. I know you may be struggling right now, but you're in the climb; things may be hard right now, but you're in the climb; people may not believe in you, but it's part of the climb. They may take shots at you, but stay in the climb; you may have to stand alone, but you're in the climb. Even if you're not where you want to be right now, I want to say to you what she said to me, "This is the best part. Now, turn around." Look how far you've come. God has not brought you this far to leave you. Stay in the climb.
 ~Tyler Perry

I've lost my footing in pursuit of my Masters degree this year. Financial woes and self-blaming was eating away at my faith in myself and God, but He never stopped believing in me. Sometimes, we just want to sit, quit climbing and call the climb impossible. I've wanted to retreat, but something in me—a nagging feeling wants to know what's on the other side. I want to see the view that Tyler talked about. The Bible says that Jesus came that you and I may have an abundant life. Let's get our mountain top view, our abundant life. Stay In The Climb!!

Tell me, what's keeping you from pushing forward in your educational pursuits? What roadblocks have you encountered along the way and how will you (or have you) overcome?

Suit Up! Get Back In There!!

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Are You Ready for some FOOTBALL! Yes, it's pig's skin season again. For many of us, that means we're elbow-deep in a bag of chips and our eyes are glued to the TV for two days straight (or longer, if you count Sports Center replays).

While covering football for about two years, I was fascinated by how overly enthusiastic players were. Spitting profanities, slapping each other on the chest, back, neck and upside their helmets—all that for a first down. Sitting on the bench was their only depressor. No one wants to sit on the bench; every player wants to be in the game, not watching from the sidelines. Staring aimlessly at the field like a dazed puppy, these hefty barbarians ignite as soon as their coach turns and calls their name. "Get back out there!" That's how we should feel about returning to college.

God did not create you sit on the sidelines, watching as others dive for touch downs and fly into a sea of adoring fans. With God as your head coach, he has set up the quarterback to deliver a perfect pass to you.

Too Old To Score

You might think: "I'm too old to go back to college" and the devil would have to believe that silly lie, but as this article explains there is nothing to fear and, in fact there are benefits to returning to college as an older adult. When I began my graduate studies, I thought 26 was too old, but I found my classmates were even older. Gray-haired professionals, corporate executives and baby mamas were getting their degrees, too. These fathers, mothers and mothers-to-be rolled out of bed and drove past their homes in traffic to claim what was theirs. So can you! Excuses are for losers and fear that you've lost your mojo has you pinned to the bench.

My brother was valedictorian of his high school class, but having been out of the classroom for 15 years had hurt his confidence. He thought he would never catch up to his younger, seemingly smarter counterparts, but he was dead wrong! In fact, he quickly earned higher grades than everyone else and reclaimed his throne as an over-achiever. My brother researched extensively before enrolling in college, so that by the time classes started he had the mindset of an 'A' student once again.

So, you're only as old as you think. As the mind thinketh, so is he, remember?

Insecurities Lead to Fumbles

Have you ever seen a kicker freeze up? The pressure of a game-winning kick is so unsurmountable that a kick 45 yards away seems tougher at 20 yards, as the team's fate sails far wide of the goal posts. God opens windows of opportunity for us all the time, but we allow insecurities to freeze us. Rather than reap our academic blessings, we think: What if I don't get accepted? What if I'm just wasting my time? What if college's too hard for me? Those 'what if's' will make you drop the ball if you don't believe that God will cover you. Crosswalk.com's Whitney Hopler explores how Christians can Overcome Insecurity.

Galations 6: 4-5, which reads: "...then they can take pride in himself, without camparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load," reminds me of my two sorority sisters' journey toward their Masters degrees. Although they enrolled and attended the same university, they had different struggles. One attended college full-time while juggling other commitments, including a stressful full-time job. The other was forced to lessen her course load with online classes due to an unplanned pregnancy, but they both graduated. Everyone has struggles (and God knew you'd have them), but you must get in the inzone. As my sister said, she may not have been able to handle college and a baby, just as the other may not have juggled a full-time job with a full-time class schedule. Who cares how you finish once you do.

Good thing our team is fully equipped and stocked with everything you need to claim your college degree—a coach the works overtime, a play book and defenders, like me, who'll help block satan's plans.

How are you suiting up for the game of life? What insecurities are holding you back from a college degree?

Pigeons or Eagles: Which Are You? Part III

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Change never stops, as we’re constantly evolving into the success story we were destined to have. So, although we vowed to renew our minds through quotes and scriptures in Part II and Part I's Top Five to guide us along the way, this is just the beginning.

Proverbs 1 teaches us that only fools despise wisdom and discipline and, in order to get ahead, those two traits are indispensable. So are educational blogs, websites and search engines. Make them your best friends.

Below, are a few of my favorite education sites and search engines, two of which I’ve used myself:

Fastweb.com: I used this search engine my entire college career. It matches colleges, scholarships, internships and jobs according to your major, career interests and group affiliations. Plus, they email alerts about deadlines directlly to you. And, don’t worry about updating your profile each year, as the classification and other info updates itself.

OutlawStudent.com: I stumbled across this blog a few months ago. The writer uses emails he receives and answers the senders' questions on the site, mostly to prove that we all have the same concerns. Subscribe to this site, as it offers great advice about paying off loans, career and course choices and info for the untraditional collegiate.

CollegeScholarships.org: This site offers tons—100, to be exact—more websites, blogs and search engines for college-bound eagles, like you, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Just take your time and visit the ones that most pertain to your needs.

Please do not just rely on the list above. If you have developed your Top Five, as mentioned in Part I of this series, then tap into their network of sites and blogs to gain more info.

If you developed the academic plan (Remember: Where there is no vision, the people perish - Proverbs 29:18), as described in the Final Call – Hop On Board The Train of Success post, but having a hard time sticking with it, educational blogs, like this one, can recharge your focus.

And, as always, please email me about openings in my Exclusive Mailing List for one-on-one in-depth tips designed specifically for your needs. I love education and helping you realize that God did not make you to be pigeon, but an eagle, is simply my pleasure.

What blogs or sites are you currently checking out? How are they helping you on the road to academic success?

Pigeons or Eagles: Which Are You? Part II

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As mentioned in Part I (and again in Part III) of this series, if you’re applying for grad school and none of your friends have ever earned a masters degree or higher, or worse, have no intention of going back to school... it’s time to leave the pigeons alone & fly with the eagles.

If you’ve been out of college for whatever reason, but you’re ready to finish up your degree, then it’s time to leave that pigeon-mentality to soar with eagles.

If you've ditched the sidewalk to soar high above mediocrity, then you're now ready to renew your mind:

After last week’s post, Silence the Monster in You, I reflected on the past year of my life. I was depressed, sulky and had a low self-esteem about my academic career. Things just weren’t going my way—scholarship committees weren’t seeing my worth, financial mistakes proved I wasn’t smart enough and professors and my classmates gave me dirty looks, as if to say, ‘Why's this dumb girl here?’ Of course, this was all in my head. That monster attacked my confidence and divine purpose. Thank God the King in me showed up and expose that monster for what he truly was—a liar and a fraud.

In any event, I re-traced my undergrad years to pinpoint what worked back then, as to reinvent them for my graduate studies so I'd never question my destiny and potential again.

Quotes & Scriptures

If there’s one thing social media sites are flooded with that's inspirational quotes. Check out the Twitter box at the upper right corner of this page. From my twitter account, I retweet influential quotes all day long. Follow the sources by clicking on the hash tags (if you're wondering, what are hashtags? i.e. @1DgreeSepration). My new favorite quote is: “Rejection isn't saying that you're not good enough for them, it's saying they aren't good enough for you!” from motivational speaker and fellow-believer, Tony Gaskins.

Here are a few more I’ve collected over the years:

Inconsistency is of the devil

Faithfulness in this season prepares you for the next season

Never settle for ‘good enough’ if ‘better’ is a possibility

Faith without work is dead; work without faith is euthanization

Just Do It… and Move On

It’s Not What You Say, It’s What You Do

Type or write these out, add some of your own and hang them where you’ll see them every day. I taped them as strips to the back of my bedroom door, but you may prefer a mirror or your steering wheel. Say them aloud to yourself until they begin to spew out of you throughout the week. Every month or so, replace the ones you know by heart with new quotes you pick up at church, social gatherings, etc.

What are some of your favorite scriptures or quotes? How have they helped you in your career or in college?

 

Pigeons or Eagles: Which Are You? Part I

Tweet  This blog post was a part of a three-part series, which includes Part II & Part III.

One day I was watching (more listening than watching) to an interview on TV One. You know, that show where creator and broadcast mogul Kathy Hughes interviews a black celebrity and walks them down the nostaligic route of their success… yes, that one! Well, whenever the show is on, I always make a habit to stop and watch. One time, Kathy was interviewing Will Smith (where my Will Smith-lovers at!?) and she asked him a question that stuck with me forever. But, it’s really Will Smith’s answer that resonates with me more. When I heard it, I swear my life just paused, giving the two pioneers my full attention.

Kathy asked: What has made you so successful? Now, let’s explore those six words. To what do you credit your success? How did you create such an error-less empire? What is IT that makes you so great?

Will replied: “I have a Top Five. I’ve surrounded myself with five people who are not where I am, but are where I want to be in my life—in my acting career, music, spiritually—and I just shadow them and see what they do to be successful.”

BAM!! Will's reply blew my mind! How’s yours doing? Exactly.

Suddenly, I picked up my T-mobile phone & looked at my five favs and realized I had some deleting to do. Although, Will wasn’t just referring to whom he talks to and spends the most time with, but moreso who was he allowing to influence his career and life the most.

Whether it’s education, finances, marriage or parenting, health and wellness—we all need advice, because we don’t know everything. So, if you were in a jam—let’s say, you can’t decipher which college course best fits your career goals—who would you call?

Who in your top five, someone who knows you as good as you know yourself, could you rely on to give you spiritual guidance through grad school? And, if that person didn’t answer, do you have at least four more folks to call? Who in your life is where you see yourself in the future?

As an eager intern at LaFace Records, P. Diddy did any and everything for music mogul L.A. Reid, including fetching his morning coffee. Diddy was upfront when he told his boss, ‘I want your job!’ and, as history and tabloids tell us, he eventually earned that status, by simply soaking the advice and mentorship from someone he admired and wanted to be like.

One of my mother’s favorite mantras is “eagles don’t fly with pigeons.” Eagles soar higher than any other feathery species on earth, while pigeons are content walking on the ground. Pigeons limit themselves to a street level view, eagles soar high in the heavens and can spot their next meal thousands of miles up in the air—nothing escapes their vision. So, what are you, a limited pigeon or a limitless eagle? It’s time to choose sides.

Pigeons, stay here!

Eagles, come with me…

Ask yourself—Do you want to be successful? How are you aligning yourself with the successful person who you wish to be?

Silence The Monster In You

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In my pursuit of becoming debt-free by mid-2011, I read anything & everything that'll give me guidance. Today, I came across a powerful article on Mocha Money that I believe could rip off the chains that covers the doorway to your academic dreams. The author, Dr. Charles Alonzo Peters candidly and expertly writes:

A monster resides in all of us. It silences our opinions, cages our dreams, and buries our ambitions. It’s time we destroy this beast once and for all....

The inner playa hater. The dream slayer. The fear creator.

That little voice that hashes up every past failure as evidence you’ll never succeed.

....You’re not alone. The inner antagonist plagues us all – even the most successful amongst us. Knowing this is liberating. Once you realize it’s not personal, the inner bully’s venom no longer has power.

Those that are more successful at creating truly liberating and amazing lives are not devoid of the inner devil, they’re just better at dealing with it, at kicking the voice inside into submission.

...Just think, someone’s life could be made better by the ideas, actions or thoughts that your inner foe is trying to suppress.

The concept your inner voice slams as silly or stupid may be the one that feeds a hundred people, clothes a thousand kids or saves a million lives. The business you plan to start could provide a valuable service to those who need it or employ people desperate for work.

Yes I’m sure the inner bully tried to prevent Steve Jobs from inventing Apple, Oprah from creating the Oprah Show, Michael Jordan from becoming a superstar, and a little Black boy with a strange sounding name from becoming President....

Anyway, you get the point. I could copy & paste the entire article, but I encourage you to read it yourself as the affects, I believe, could be life-changing--and that's no cliché.

I'll go on a limb first and admit, I, too, struggle with my inner monster and it's meaner than mean could get. It tells me: "Quit dreaming so big!" "Quiet down, you're too opinionated!" "You're not as good as you think you are." We all struggle with that inner voice that muffles the confidence of the 'king in you' (one of my favorite influential songs - see audio/video below. I'm listening to it as I type this; join me). But, just as the Bible says our minds can not fathom nor contain the true magnificence of God, our minds can not fathom nor contain our true destiny and potential—we have absolutely no idea what we're capable of doing... unless we step out and simply allow God to carry us to that place. In other words, what ever academic or post-graduation dreams you see, multiply it 20 times—that's what God sees.

God created you—his perfect creation—not to live in fear, but in joy, love, peace & sound mind. We know these traits, but the latter, sound mind, means to have common sense. Why would the same God that created Heaven & Earth, delivered Daniel, David, Joseph & the children of Egypt, put food on your table and clothes on your back suddenly desert you now? Get some common sense and tell that stinking monster: my Daddy did not redeem me to leave me. He will give me every college degree I desire... and then some.

The King in me is talking directly to the King in you. Slay that monster & take everything that the Lord has for you!