Lifestyles & Career Choices

ARCHITECHSPerfect Combination…

art & math = Jerome & Shaun

Back to School & Getting Down to Business!

TOP 10 STEM CAREERSWhat is STEM and ARE YOU READY?

Are YOU On Track For Success?

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Founder and editorial director Tony McMurray

creative directorSulonda Smith, MFT

editor in chieFDenise DiMaio

editor at largePandora McMurray

contributors:

Asa Williams (Engineer)Dr. Tim Knowles

Dr. Marrio ThomasDr. Clarice CarterRichard Rothstein

Mandy Bell (Media Specialist)

in partnership with:Career Choices, LLC

www.careerchoicesmagazine.com

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine welcomes comments from our readers.

Email your comments to: [email protected]

Email should include your full name, email address and telephone number.

Letters are subject to editing. LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine is

published nine times a year by: Career Choices, LLC

3695 Cascade Rd SW, Ste 400Atlanta, GA 30331

Subscriptions are $27 per year. For back issues or to request permission

to publish an article, photo, illustration or any part thereof, please contact 855-237-9060.

Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written consent.

All rights are reserved.

Publisherfrom the

Tony McMurrayPublisher

What does getting an education mean really?

First before I answer that, let me tell a little story!

I dreaded going to school. I thought, “Going to school meant keeping the school principal, my teachers and especially my mom off my back.” School administration called parents quickly if students misbehaved. My mom would say, “You better behave because if I have to take off work and come to your school I’ll straighten you out.” And hearing that was enough for me because I knew the consequences all to well.

So I went. Even though, I skipped occasionally many classes and slept through the others, I was not a trouble maker. I was bored of school by the tenth grade and often daydreamed of my own car, hanging out with my friends and doing nothing.

As a drummer for a band, I was hot and knew I would be famous some day. And just knew I would be rolling in the cash because I was the best drummer in the city, at least that’s what my mom always said.

My friends and I thought were the coolest people in the school. I remember when Renato (a nerd from school) would try to hang with us; we would shy away and dodge him because he was square (Lame). Hey, this dude was into studying and getting good grades and no one wanted to hang with him. How much fun could he be,

right? Well…

Fast ward, ten years later my friends and I were in our late twenties; and were pretty cool but not doing so well financially. We were struggling! Except for Renato, he became a physician making extremely good money at least five times as much as we were. As a physician he could afford to live in a high-rise condo overlooking downtown and drive one of the coolest and most expensive cars. He also had a beautiful and smart wife and smart children.

NOW, I wonder who the Square was really. Maybe Renato was the cool dude and I and my friends were the squares. Renato knew something we didn’t and that was school wasn’t for the rest of your life but school can determine the quality of the rest of your life.

Stay in School!

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C O N T E N T SValue of Education in South Korea

New Schoool

Building on a Solid Foundation

College is Within Your Reach

An Eye for Detail and Love for Reading

Brain Boosters

Top 10 STEM Professions

Internet Jobs

Architecture May Be the Career For You!

Word Search

Largest Projected Job Growth

Choosing a Career, Where to Start?

Invest in Your Happiness

What’s Credit & How Does It Work?

The Pie System

The Doctor Knows

Little Things Make a Big Difference

I Can Do Anything

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Lifestyle & Career Choices Magazine is designed for you, a young person with a mission and desires to accomplish dreams! The purpose of this publication is to support and inspire you by sharing valuable information that is life changing. The more you know the more choices your have. So use this publication as a information warehouse. You are the asset of your family, community, and the world! So bring it on Lifestyle & Career Choices Magazine has got your back!

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine ™ is inviting high school seniors from public, private, and homeshools to submit essays on the significance of STEM education and what it will mean to the United States over the next decade and beyond. Essays must be original and creative works of less than 1,000 words and the student must be majoring in an area of STEM their freshmen year of college.

Three top prizes will be awarded. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $1000 cash scholarship. The First Runner Up will receive a laptop valued at $500 and Third Prize will receive a Kindle reader from Amazon.

Please see our website for additional details and enter to win at: www.CareerChoicesMagazine.com

LifeStyles & Career Choices Magazine ™ Announces its

STEM Essay Contestand Scholarship for 2012

First AnnuAl

JUST FOR YOU!


The Value ofEducation in

I WOULD LAZILY REACH over and hit the snooze button several times before deciding to get up and prepare for school. When I arrived at school, usually late, I’d stare at the clock hoping that my gaze would move time forward. This would continue every Monday through Friday for my entire school career. School was always a chore for me. Aside from my extra-curricular activities, I hated being there. Now that I’m older (age 23), a college graduate and a teacher in South Korea, I realize just how good I had it. Going to school five days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. seems like nothing compared to the seven hour six days a week Korean students attend school. Not to mention the fact that many of the students attend classes that start before the regular school day and go to private academies afterward.

South Korean students’ school schedules are extremely intense. South Korea, an education crazed society, believes excelling academically is extremely important. Being self-motivated is influenced families. In America, parents are upset when their children don’t perform

well in school but in Korea it is bringing dishonor to the entire family. Contrary to American culture where the needs and wants of the individual are most important, Korea stresses family and community.

As a teacher, I appreciate my students’ tenacity. It always leads me to reflect on my own educational career and feel I could’ve worked harder. I believe that American students take their education for granted. No matter how much students hear about the importance of education, many students still regard school with contempt and approach their classes and teachers with little to no respect not recognizing the value of a good education. Having had the opportunity to learn about people from many different cultures, I now see why students in other countries do so much better than American students. I’ve noticed that no matter where you go, whether it is Korea, France, or South Africa, students may not love going to school but they understand the importance of an education shown through their dedication.

“Growing up, I always dreaded the sound of my alarm clock!”


54Middle to HigH ScHoolFro

mBy Dora

New School

The first day of middle school was an exciting, yet, a scary day for me. All of the new challenges that I had to face was stressful and exciting at the same time. Riding the city bus to a new school in an

unfamiliar area of town, getting new teachers, and making new friends was just too much! Yet I was in middle school and I was growing up.

All new students reported to the auditorium for a new student orientation. We were greeted by Mr. Gilmore, a short stocky guy, that gave us piercing looks over his eye glasses as he made a list of demands and expectations of us, code of conduct. When asked to line up in alphabetical order, we all nervously scurried to position ourselves as a group of ninth graders entered the room and selected each of us to mentor. My ninth grade ambassador was Linda Thomas, captain of the drill team, well liked by everyone including all the boys- The things that I only dreamed about!

“Hey Linda girl who is that?” and “This is my little sister,” replied Linda. This gave me an instant sense of security. Continuing the tour, Linda introduced my teachers and me the scoop on each of them. She also reminded me that my teachers and counselors were a part of my keys to a successful high school experience. This prove invaluable

advise because I asked my teachers and counselors many questions about my career options and personal goals.

Anxious and nervous later become calm, secure, and pleasurable. I enjoy my first day of middle school. Other did not enjoy there

first days but later said It got better.

So my message to you transitioning students is that yes it may seen a bit intimidating, just remember this will be the beginning of many new beginnings.

So embrace this time, learn all you can and enjoy the journey.

“Riding the city bus to a new school in an unfamiliar area of town,

getting new teachers, and making new friends was just too much!

Yet…”


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BACK IN THE DAY after entering the tenth grade, I found myself in a math dilemma. I had not taken any advance mathematic courses that were pre-requisites for admission into an Engineering program. So from tenth grade through my senior year my math subjects took on the names of Algebra I & II, Calculus I & II, Geometry I & II, and Trigonometry. My math foundation was strong and I passed these subjects without a problem. A strong math foundation is needed to attend a university with a great Engineering program. The following list will help you develop your engineering career path:

1). Decision. The question…“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Knowing the answer to this question will help you chart a course of action preparing you for college. You should consult with your parents, counselors and mentors to help you select a satisfying career. Complete a career assessment on-line by searching “Career Self-Assessment” on the internet.

2). Timing. “Timing is everything” this old cliché is very true. You should have a career in mind by the time you enter middle school. This will give you time to schedule advance math and other courses you need. Also, for collaborative and creative thinking, you should start focusing on science, technology, engineering and yes math courses. Advance courses are what Colleges look for in future students.

3). implemenTaTion. Researching your career choice is critical. You will find that math is a core part of all careers. Therefore make sure your math courses compliment the other courses. Get involved with engineering related programs and activities. Extracurricular activities are a plus+ when applying to colleges. You must do more than expected to get ahead!

Math is one of the basic building blocks to every career and the more mathematics you know and understand the higher your Potential Earnings (PE). You can find help in selecting an engineering career at Engineering: Go for it! (eGFI) . Have a great year!!


COLLEGE is within your reach! by Emily Jack

What do they have in common? They’re all jobs that require a college education. While that may not surprise you, this might: A typical person with a college degree will earn almost twice as much as a typical person with a high-school diploma.

No matter who you are and where you come from, you have what it takes to go to college. It can be hard to imagine from where you are now, especially if you’re one of the first people in your family to get a college degree. But there are many steps you can take right now to put you on the path to college – and to succeed when you get there!

�� START EARLY AND TAKE THE RIGHT CLASSES. Most colleges want you to take as many core courses as you can. Those courses are math, English language arts, science, and social studies. Ask your school’s guidance counselor what courses you should take in middle and high school if you want to go to college later. If there isn’t a counselor you can talk to, ask a teacher you trust.

�� SPEAK UP. If there’s something you don’t understand in one of your classes, ask your teacher about it. He or she is there to help you learn, and knowing when to ask for help is an important skill – in college and beyond.

�� GET CAREER EXPOSURE. Volunteer after school in your area of career interest, or ask a professional you admire if you can shadow him or her for a day. Spending time in career environments can help you narrow down what you want to study and give you experience talking to adults in professional situations. A volunteer supervisor can also write you a college recommendation letter later on, or may even help you with the college application process.

�� GET SCHOOL SUPPORT. Look for groups to join at your school that help students prepare for college. Programs like AVID, Talent Search, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and Project Grad can be found in many schools. The earlier you join, the more you’ll benefit!

Veterinarian Music teacher Bank Manager President


An Eye For Detail

And A Love Of Reading

by Emily Jack

GETTING PAID TO READ may not sound exciting to some, but for others, it’s a dream come true. Professional editors spend their days reading written work and helping to prepare it for publication.

When you read a book or a magazine article, you probably don’t think about the many people who helped to create it. But every book, magazine, and newspaper you’ve ever read has been in the hands of an editor. Even the best writers make mistakes, and it is the job of an editor to fix those mistakes and make suggestions for improvement.

The job of an editor has many parts, and working with writers is one of the most essential. When a writer produces a draft, it goes to an editor to be reviewed. The editor fixes spelling and grammar problems, cuts out unnecessary words, and recommends changes for the author to make in the next draft. The revision process may require several drafts,

and many rounds of communication, before the piece is approved and ready to be published.

Many editors get an early start by editing their school’s newspaper. Serving as the school newspaper editor can be a fun way to try out editing and see if it’s right for you.

One of the great things about working as an editor is that it’s an incredibly

flexible career. Jobs can range from editing books at a small publishing company to working with several other editors at a fast-paced newspaper. As internet publications continue to grow, demand is increasing

for people with both editing and technology skills. And because most of the work is done at a computer, many editing jobs can be done from a variety of locations –

office, home, or coffee shop.

If you like reading and writing, and if you have an eye for detail, a career in editing may be perfect for you!


www.CareerChoiceInt.org


� Did you know you have fewer muscles than a caterpillar?

� Did you know oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen make up 90% of the human body?

� Did you know wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times?

Question: Put a coin in a bottle and then stop the opening with a cork. How can you get the coin out of the bottle without pulling out the cork or breaking the bottle?

Answer (don’t peek!):

At the music store I purchased 5 music Cds for $12 each plus tax of 7%. Oh, I also had a coupon for $2 off the entire purchase. How much did I pay?

BrainBoosters

Did you know?

Try This!

Solve This!

Push the cork into the bottle, and shake the coin out.


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STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & MathAccording to the National Science Foundation, STEM fields are collectively considered core technological underpinnings of an advanced society. In many forums the strength of the STEM workforce is viewed as an indicator of a nation's ability to sustain itself.

Top 10 STEM Professions http://stemcareer.com/topcareers/

adVanced Manufacturing

Customization and scalability are important, while advancing the technologies necessary to improve capabilities. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services, “the how-to of production.”

aerosPace

Working with the atmosphere and the space beyond considered as a whole. This industry is concerned with the design/ manufacture of aircrafts, rockets, missiles, and spacecrafts that operate in aerospace.

Biotechnology

This involves studying the relation between workers and their environments; especially the genetic handling of microorganisms for the production of, for example, antibiotics and hormones.

energy

To manage, develop, and design energy

conservation projects that involve ensuring the acceptability of budgets and time lines, as well as monitor and analyze energy consumption.

geosPatial technology

Works data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates. It includes the tools and techniques used in land surveying, geography, remote sensing, cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and the global navigation satellite systems.

health care

To diagnosis illness, treat and prevent disease and injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners who are medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, and alternative medicines.

inforMation technology

It defines an industry that uses computers, networking, software programming, and other equipment to process, store, retrieve, transmit, and protect information by way of the internet, for example.

Industry areas in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math where jobs are available and need employees.


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Don’t just surf the NET, Get in on the action! Internet Jobs pay over $100,000 per year in your first three years of work! Who says you have to be a medicine doctor to earn over $100,000 BIG ONES a year? Check these out these Top dollar paying jobs at http://www.onetonline.org & salary.com

Just a few clicks to a bright future!

� ApplicAtions Developer � Business intelligence MAnAger (AerospAce & Defense inDustry focus)

� DAtABAse systeM Architect AnD WeB Developer

� c++ progrAMMer

� it Director

� netWork security engineer

� project MAnAger

� softWAre engineer

� senior jAvA Developer

� senior WeB Developer

� user interfAce engineers

nanotechnology

The exploration of the molecular world of atoms and molecules with the intention of rebuilding and replenishing our usable materials, as well as creating new and improved materials along the way.

Professional, scientific and technical careers

This industry provides services to clients in a variety of industries. Activities performed

include: legal representation; accounting; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; and veterinary services.

roBotics

As an engineering science and technology of robots, this field is related to electronics, mechanics, and software.


From The Cover! Meet Jerome and Shaun Martin… a thriving architectural team from Atlanta, Georgia.

“By reading industry research papers, going to seminars and getting involved

with professional organizations I become more creative.”

As Architects they are licensed professionals who organize space. Architects design houses, office buildings, skyscrapers, landscapes, and even entire cities. Architects are trained in many areas, from historic preservation to structural engineering.

Read more about our Architects.LifeStyle: Where were you born and raised?

Shaun: I was born in Miami Beach, Florida and raised north of Miami in Carol City where I spent a lot of time popping wheelies on my bike and drawing pictures.

Jerome: I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida with two loving parents and one brother.

LifeStyle: My favorite subjects in school were…

Shaun: Drama, graphic arts and math. I also enjoyed visual and performing arts.

Jerome: I loved Art because I loved to draw and it gave me the opportunity to express my ideas in creative ways.

LifeStyle: My best test taking or study tips are…

Shaun: Starting early and working in small time frames. I use different media to decipher and digest information.

Jerome: Go over your notes and textbook several

days before the test and not the night before.

LifeStyle: My toughest time was… And I overcame it by…

Shaun: My toughest time occurred when I was in Middle School attending a school where mostly Latin-American’s attended. Despite the challenges I learned to love myself. I overcome it learning to accept people for them and forgive. I learned that most times people did not know the impact of their negative comments on others.

Jerome: My toughest time would be graduating from the School of Architecture. It required extreme amount of hard work and dedication.

LifeStyle: I knew I wanted to become an Architect when…

Shaun: I was seven years old and loved to draw and work with my hands. I was empowered by the idea of creating “space” and that’s what I wanted to do.

Jerome: When I took a drafting class in high school


“The world is a learning laboratory and everywhere I go there is

something to know and learn.”

because it kept me interested.

LifeStyle: I chose…

Shaun: Florida A & M University because it is a historically black university and the tuition was reduced significantly compared to attending an “out-of-state” school.

Jerome: Florida A&M University because of my mother went to that University.

LifeStyle: I currently work for…

Shaun: Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global transportation/transit company.

Jerome: Myself, as I own my own architectural firm.

LifeStyle: My dream job is…

Shaun: Owning a studio that uses the collaborative design process to develop projects.

Jerome: Is being able to run a successful architecture firm that provides employment to creative talented people.

LifeStyle: My next career goal is…

Shaun: To develop my design studio enabling young minds to be a part of the process in creating and improving the world they live in.

Jerome: To increase the size of my firm and

complete innovative & challenging projects.

LifeStyle: I continue to learn as much as I can because…

Shaun: The world is a learning laboratory and everywhere I go there is something to know and learn. Books expand my thinking and provide a window into places that set the backdrop for amazing stories.

Jerome: By reading industry research papers, going to seminars and getting involved with professional organizations I become more creative.

LifeStyle: My best advice to students is…

Shaun: Now is the time to take every opportunity to experience the world around you. This means you should turn off the TV, put down the Playstation, pick up a book, and use your hands to explore the world.

Jerome: To find out what you want to do early and learn everything possible about that your hands to explore the world.

LifeStyle: My favorite hobby outside of work is…

Shaun: Art. I have a Sunflower Project I am currently working on that includes a puzzle, layers of glass, wood and flowers.

Jerome: Being creative!


Word Search

find ‘em!


Largest Projected job growth for the Next decadeBelow is data from the Bureau of Labor Statitics which shows the occupations with the largest projected Job Growth from 2008 through 2018. So think about what year you graduate and consider one of these occupations that will be in high demand over the next several years.

Occupation Percent GrowthNetwork systems and data communications analysts 53.36

Home health aides 50.01

Personal and home care aides 45.99

Computer software engineers, applications 34.01

Medical assistants 33.90

Management analysts 23.87

Registered nurses 22.20

Physicians and surgeons 21.79

Accountants and auditors 21.65

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 20.65

Construction laborers 20.49

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 18.78

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers 18.00

Customer service representatives 17.74

Elementary school teachers, except special education 15.76

Receptionists and information clerks 15.18

Postsecondary teachers 15.12

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food 14.59

Security guards 14.16

Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer 12.95

Carpenters 12.87

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants 12.82

Office clerks, general 11.86

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers 11.00

Child care workers 10.91

Maintenance and repair workers, general 10.86

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 10.29

Teacher assistants 10.28

Retail salespersons 8.35

Waiters and waitresses 6.37


Choosing a Career…Where to Start?By Sulonda Smith, LPC, MFTHOW TO CHOOSE A CAREER:

Selecting a career or occupation is not always easy. A good place to start looking for your first career is within your own personal interests. For example do you like taking things apart or drawing? A man named John Holland designed a system called “Theory of Career Choice,” a Personality Type program that helps people select a career based on their personality and interests. Vocational Counselors assist people using this program in choosing suitable career paths. This program may not work for everyone; however,

at least it gets you connecting a career goal with something you enjoy doing and not just selecting a career for the money. Being happy with your career choice is important.

Read the Personality Types below and see if any Types describe your interests. Below the description you will find a list of careers that may suit you based on what you like to do and what you do best.

1. realistic Personality tyPe

People with this Type likes working with animals, tools, or machines/mechanical drawings; generally avoids social activities like teaching, counseling, nursing, and informing others. They value practical things you can see and touch- like things you can build or make better. These people are practical, mechanical, and realistic in thinking.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Farmer Forester | Fire Fighter | Police Officer Flight Engineer | Pilot | Carpenter | Electrician Diesel Mechanic | Locomotive Engineer Truck Driver | Locksmith

2. inVestigatiVe Personality tyPe

Usually this Type of person likes to know why things happen the way they do. They like to investigate and ask a lot of questions. For example, they are precise, scientific, and intellectual and are good at understanding and solving science and math problems.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Chemist | Mathematician Meteorologist Biologist | Dentist Physician | Veterinarian | Pharmacist Medical Technician | Architect | Surveyor Electrical | Technician

3. artistic Personality tyPe

Creative people fall within this Personality Type. They are expressive, original, and independent and have good artistic abilities in creative writing, drama, crafts, music, or art. Often times they are outgoing and enjoys being the spot light in front of people.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Dancer | Book Editor | Art Teacher Clothes Designer | Graphic Designer Comedian | Actor | Disk Jockey | Composer | Musician


5. enterPrising Personality tyPe

These individuals are commonly energetic, ambitious, and sociable. They are good at politics, leading people and selling things or ideas. They can initiate conversations and enjoys talking to different people.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Auctioneer | Sales Person | Travel Agent Recreation Leader | Judge | Lawyer City Manager | Sales Manager | Bank President TV Newscaster | Customs Inspector Camp Director | Hotel Manager Real Estate Agent | School Principal

6. conVentional Personality tyPe

Often these people are orderly, and good at following a set plan. They are good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic, orderly way. Usually their personal areas are organized and everything accountable.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Court Clerk | Secretary | Bookkeeper Bank Teller | Post Office Clerk | Mail Carrier Typist | Title Examiner | Timekeeper

4. social Personality tyPe

People in this Personality Type are typically helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. They are at good at teaching, counseling, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. They enjoy doing things, unasked, for other people.

OCCUPATION POSSIBILITIES…Counselor | Parole Officer | Social Worker Dental Hygienist | Nurse | Physical Therapist Teacher | Librarian | Athletic Trainer

More information at http://www.careerkey.org


Law school was it! I wanted to be an attorney after years of being a loyal viewer of a late 80’s drama called L.A. Law. I would watch the show in amazement as the lawyers would battle it out in the courtroom and drive nice luxury cars. That was the life I wanted!

I met with several law school admissions counselors who encouraged me to get started. I took pre-law classes and LSAT prep tests to get ready. Right before I graduated from college, a professor said to me, “Make sure it is your passion before you invest in it,” referring to my career choice as an attorney. I quickly realized that I was not really ‘in-love’ with being a lawyer; I was in love with the feeling of prestige and power. My true passion was to own my own business and make a real difference in people’s lives.

I started my own business in my living room in 2004 with just a computer, printer and a phone. My company, New Edge, served as a multi-service consultant firm to people who could not afford regular attorney fees. It did not take long before the business took off as I was gained local news exposure and business from well known companies. Today, I have branched off into other areas of interest. I am now a published author with three best selling books

By Carol Sankar

Invest in Your Happiness!

“Make sure that you further your education and explore the things you are passionate about, rather than just focusing on making money.”

to my credit, I own my own publishing company entitled I.L. Press, and I am a business coach and have been featured in several radio shows and articles. I credit it all to determination and drive to try something new every day that will make a difference in this lifetime.

Make sure that you further your education and explore the things you are passionate about, rather than just focusing on making money. You will always be more profitable when you are doing what you love to do everyday; and it will never feel like work.

Remain Successful!Carol Sankar

www.CarolSankarEnterprises.com


What’s Credithow does it work?

CREDIT IS HAVING the ability to buy items by signing a contract agreeing to pay later with interest and fees added to the original purchase cost. {For example, when you buy a car on credit for $19,000 and you may pay 5% interest ($1,330) plus $950 for sales tax. Total cost of the car would be $21,280.}Credit history or a credit report (like a report card) is a record of how and when you borrow and repay money to lenders (bank).

There are three major credit bureaus Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax that lending company’s report to on how you make your payments - on time, late, and even early. When you repay “on time” that reflects good credit and when you repay late that reflects bad credit.

You are scored on how you pay. When you apply for credit to buy a car, for example, the lender will want to know what type of risk you are and will pull your credit history/report and your FICO score (Fair Isaac Corporation- credit scoring model). Lenders will use this history & score to decide if they should lend you money and at what interest rate.

FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Here is what they mean to a lender:

1. Excellent: Over 750

2. Very Good: 720 or more 3. Acceptable: 660 to 7204. Uncertain: 620 to 660 5. Risky: Less than 620

Here are some credit tips for teens that can keep you out of trouble and help you maintain a

high credit score.

Don’t take out too many credit cards or loans

(the fewer the better) • Make your payments on time Pay as much

as you can • Keep your borrowing below the

maximum • Don’t apply for several credit cards at one time (don’t use credit cards for living expenses) • Manage your credit wisely and you will improve your

score

Avoid Pitfalls!

Ruining your credit when you are young, takes years

to repair!

Remember…

There are higher interest rates on houses, cars, and home fixtures with low credit scores!

Keep in mind using credit is not always necessary to purchase items. Not everyone uses credit, they save money and delay immediate gratification. In doing this extra cost, such as, interest and bank fees are avoided. Credit used wisely can assist making your dreams come true

and


HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT about buying a house or a car, or how about taking a vacation?

It starts with earning an income and budgeting your money!

The pie represents your monthly income; for example, if you made $2,000 a month you would pay:

The Pie System:

“GETTING YOUR

PIECE OF THE PIE”


Savings is the money you do not spend on any part of your pie system. It’s money you put away to spend later. The more you save, the bigger your dollar amount grows.

Saving money monthly increases your buying power (ability to buy more) above and beyond your paycheck.

“Saving” money gets you all the bigger things that you can not buy with your one monthly pay check, such as, a flat screen television and safe reliable a car.

Note: If you increase your monthly earnings using investments the extra money, say 25% can afford you a nicer car. The more income, the more savings, then nicer the items you buy.

For example:

25% of $2,000 allows for $500 in invest in a nice and safe vehicle



It makes sense to spend money wisely, invest, and buy nice quality things to life a healthy and happy quality of life.

There are other ways to increase your earning as well; for example, preparing for a higher paying job leads to better earning power.

Certainly an engineer earning $5,000 per month buys more items than someone earning $2.000 per month.

*Notice “Savings” has a star indicating it’s important.

Earn—Save—Spend Wise!


The DocTor knows… Pre-college TiPs!

“A good education, after all, is what it takes for most people

to reach success in life”Dwight Lewis – Editorial Page Editor

The Tennessean, July 24, 2011Dr. Knowles*

THE MOST IMPORTANT Pre-College Tip I can offer is to always stress to our youth, grades K – 12, that they must ‘work hard in school to learn as much as they can as fast as they can.’ Let them know at an early age and often that a good education is the key for them to achieve their goals in life. In today’s job market and future professional career environment, we can all agree that attending and graduating with a college degree is an Investment in Self. Hence, here are my other top three Pre-College Tips for parents, teachers, coaches, preachers and especially students who someday plan to pursue higher education beyond high school.

Pre-college tiP #1: Begin early understanding the importance of doing your very best to earn top grades and to participate in a variety of extracurricular programs. A key step in preparing for admission to a four-year college is to enroll in college preparatory high school courses, as follows:

English - Four years of English (Take an English class every term).

Mathematics - Three years of math courses including Algebra I & II, Geometry, and Trigonometry/Calculus if offered at your school.

Natural Sciences - Three years of science in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as well as a laboratory course.

Social Studies - Three years of social studies preparatory for college majors.

Additional Courses - Two years minimum of the same foreign language occasionally prerequisite to colleges.

Go on-line and search key words such as: College Preparation & Planning for College.

Pre-college tiP #2: Begin the process of becoming familiar with ACT and the SAT as well as the PLAN and PSAT Exams when entering 9th grade. Understand that the ACT and SAT are standardized tests meant to show how you compare to others. Pre-test to help you find any weaknesses before the real test.

Pre-college tiP #3: Apply to more than one college. Group A Colleges are your top three to five schools and Group B Colleges (back ups) are your next three to four schools that your grades & test scores most evenly match their admitted student profile.

Now you know what the doctor knows.

*Dr. Timothy Knowles, Retired Vice President for Student Services and Educational Consultant on College Student Retention and Graduation


Everyone works and lives among the choices that they

make and the routines and patterns that they create and accept or follow. When school begins doors open to a new year of opportunities to learn more and expand skills and talents. You will experience different schedules, teachers, classes, locations and friends. Choices, routines and patterns make you feel comfortable and confident.

A pattern is a reliable set of actions or traits that represent a behavior. It is a single set of routines that can be so easy to carry out that you hardly notice them. Patterns are building blocks for the schedules that you will follow in classes that you attend.

Patterns and routines should be practical, promote academic progress and they should help you push forward and learn more. You set up morning patterns at home and like the patterns you form at home; there are school patterns for success. School patterns include listening attentively, practicing self-discipline, completing your assignments, being responsive and on time for

class and respecting yourself, your schoolmates and your teacher.

By repeating patterns that are effective in helping you to learn you are forming habits. A habit is a behavior that develops with frequent repetition. Patterns and routines can be changed easily. A pattern becomes a habit when you practice long enough. The more you practice a pattern, the stronger a habit becomes. Know that you have much to offer and to give to the world. You are studying to learn and discover the wonder of who you are. You have talents and abilities that you don’t even know that you have. By going to school and integrating your choices, routines and patterns into the schedule of classes and program of the school, you help yourself immeasurably. Many factors contribute to your success: teachers, parents, school, homework, schoolmates and your determination and vision. These and other factors will help to complete your circle of learning this year. The school is the location. The schedule is the plan. The teachers and parents are the support team. The schoolmates and friends are the teammates.

Notice your choices,

They become routines.Notice your routines,

They become your patterns.Notice your patterns,

They help you fit into your schedule.

Little ThingsMake A

By Dr. Clarice Carter


ICanDoANYTHING!Paying attention in class, sitting at a desk for a long time, and earning good grades is sometimes hard to do. Especially if you think the assignments are boring! So what can you do? Read on and find out!

By Sulonda Smith, LPC, MFT

First, think of your favorite subject. Is it Math, Language Arts, maybe Science? Once you know, work

hard at learning it. For those boring assignments, do your best and do not give up. After you have tried once, then try again. And keep trying and believing you can do it if others can. (1) Ask for help early if you need it. (2) Don’t wait to admit you need extra help. (3) There is no shame to this game.

Second, use positive words! When you say, “I can’t do that,” then you will not succeed because you have not even tried. Instead, say, “I will at least try it.” Use positive words in everything you do, visualize (sort of like daydreaming) about completing your class work or getting the very best grade you can. It is like telling and showing your mind what you want it to do. This probably sounds weird, but people like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Ludicrous, and Russell Simmons all visualized themselves

doing what they wanted to accomplish.

Give it a try right now: Picture in your mind, you, seeing a score of 100 on your spelling test. See yourself sitting down at a table and spelling your words. See each letter in each word and see yourself writing them down on paper. Visualizing can help you stay focused and reach your goals!

Lastly, use good study habits. Good study habits include getting home from school and doing your homework right away, finishing assignments in the classroom with the teacher’s help, if you need it, and taking your time instead of rushing through assignments. If you need help, do not be afraid to ask for it.

Ask for help until you get it! You can do whatever you want when you put your mind to it - Just visualize it, believe it, and do it!


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