co-ops, co-ops everywhere!

I love the idea of co-ops. In an ideal world, I'd like to live in a co-op. I like to shop in co-ops. We had one of the best co-op stores in Bloomington...and I always loved shopping there. I even like banking co-op style...using credit unions over regular ol' banks. I just think the whole idea of co-ops are fascinating.

I was reading recently about a college that works as a co-op. At first, my initial thought was...umm, what does that mean? I didn't see how being a co-op could lead itself to a college setting. So, I clicked on the link and started reading. The school is Kettering University in Flint, Michigan (you know the place where Michael Moore's movie Roger and Me was based upon).



So, what does it mean? Well, Kettering has engineering co-op programs. They place students starting in their freshman year with different companies and rotate them in order to get training and on the job experience. I think a program like that is fan-freakin-tastic! You not only get the education in the classroom, but you get practical experience in your field from your freshman year on. There are so many benefits to that. One, you get to truly know if the field is for you...and know pretty early on. A lot of school require an internship in your senior year, but what if you do your internship...months away from graduation...only to realize that it isn't the right field for you. Two, you get to apply all the stuff you are learning in a practical setting from day one. And three, you get on the job experience...which we know is so beneficial in getting a job after graduation. I imagine a lot of these companies end up hiring someone who has worked for them in their "co-op" experience. I know that the job I am currently in...started as an internship and now I am a full time, paid employee. I imagine that happens all the time there.

When I was getting my degree in social work, if there was a school who had this co-op philosophy, let me tell you, I would have signed up in 2 seconds flat. The ability to get practical experience and on the job training as part of my degree...I would consider that invaluable.

So, check them out...Kettering University...a co-op institution. Who knows, maybe it'll be the wave of the future.

Making alternative energy research a competition!!

I just think this is the coolest thing ever. BP is sponsoring something called a BP Solar Decathlon. BP is partnering with the US Department of Energy to sponsor a contest where 20 university teams from across the country compete to design and build completely usable homes that function solely on solar power. The competition takes place every two years and the next competition is coming right up the week of October 11-19. There is a weeklong competition that each team participates in held in Washington, DC.

I know that BP is an energy company and that they make their money selling oil, but I think it is awesome that they are sponsoring something so environmentally friendly. They are encouraging Universities and the next generation of bright thinkers to be thinking about alternative energies. I can't wait for a day when all homes are powered by renewable energy. It seems like something so far away, but it is well within my lifetime, if the research is supported and funded.

Check out their site throughout the week because there are having each team blog about their successes and challenges throughout the week of competition.

Oh yeah...and if you get the opportunity, choose to go GREEN!

scholarships for school

You know, it wasn't a million years ago that I was in college, but sometimes it feels like it. One thing that I know is different now in terms of college is how financial aid and scholarships worked. I mean, we still have to fill out the FAFSA, but other than that, it's a whole new ball of wax.

I can remember searching for scholarships and grants for college when I was in high school. You went to the guidance office and got this packet full of local scholarships. You also went through the gigantic book which was published in 1983 of all of national scholarships out there. With the internet, scholarships are a completely different game. When I was college aged, you had to get one from the school you were going to, the one you were graduating from or be lucky and get one from the community. I can tell you...other than the money the school I was going to gave me, I wasn't very lucky..and all in all, I was a pretty bright kid.

CollegeNET has an interesting concept when it comes to giving away scholarships for school. It's called scholarship election and it works by having people sign up at their website and then they need to compete to win the scholarship. They have discussion forms on their site and if you like what the person has to say, you vote for them. In the end, the people with the top 4 votes get scholarships for school. They aren't huge scholarships, but they are decent. The top 4 win $5000, $3750, $2500 and $1250 respectively. It's not going to give you a free ride, but it'll definitely help to pay room and board.

So...check out their site. If you're college aged, sign up and try to win. And if you are not college aged, sign up for a voter account and help some kids pay for college.