College Life

If Prince were to perform a song called "Party Like it's 2009", he'd probably hear crickets.  For the first time in my life, I know what it's like to reminisce with appreciation for the luxuries of the pre-millennium United States.  In just nine years we've replaced a booming economy and a favorable job market with runaway deficits and growing unemployment.  Sounds scary, right?  The good news is that, unlike the hostile job market that awaits us all upon graduation, campus jobs are somewhat insulated from the harsh realities of recession economics.  In the spirit of service, we as students should embrace our opportunity to work.

If you're hanging around campus this summer or want to lock up a job for the fall, now is the perfect time to line up some extra cash for...well whatever you normally buy.  Whether you're the type who can't pry themselves away from your studies or you refuse to spend all day at a desk, nearly all campuses have a job that will work for you.

The Workaholics

It's as simple as opportunity cost.  Would you rather be sitting in the library writing a brutal twenty page paper for ZERO dollars or sitting behind a library reference desk getting paid?  Everyone has time to work; it's just all about multitasking.  Most jobs at university libraries allow you to get school work done for well over half of your shift.  But don't think the front desk is your only option.  From computer labs to special collections - you'll be surprised by the number of departments in the library that have job openings.

The Fresh Air Lovers

If you need a break from your books and are sick of starring at a computer screen, a job can be your escape.  Fans of the outdoors can apply to work as a campus tour guide or intramural sports referee.  Not only do these jobs tend to pay well, but they provide much-needed relief from the carpel tunnel you feel like you're getting from typing away on your laptop.

The Career Developers

If you're one of those people who just can't relax, a research assistant job is for you.  Academic departments offer plenty of opportunities to help professors with research.  Not only does this simultaneously stimulate your wallet and your brain, but you've just landed yourself a great opportunity for a future letter of recommendation.

The Night Owls

If you're one of those people who can't wake up before 11am, take advantage of your insomnia and work the night away.  Jobs like driving safe rides, late-night library shifts, or working at the campus convenient store can provide some much-needed dough that you don't have to wake up early for.

While these great job options can be found at most schools, every college is different.  Are there any standouts that I missed?  Tell us about other ways to earn some cash on your campus.

Midnight orders of pizza, Big Ten football games, and a front row seat to history this past fall in Chicago's Grant Park.

As I gear up for post-college life (and brace for a treacherous job market), I think of all the unforgettable memories from my time at Northwestern.  But it's hard not to think about that 900 pound gorilla in the room named Student Loans.

For many students, college loans are unavoidable and debt is something that you'll have to come to terms with.  But there are plenty of easy ways to save some much-needed cash.  So, if you're a freshman, listen up.  If you're a seasoned campus veteran, compare notes.  Here are some easy ways to pad your wallet.

Buy text books online

Think of your college bookstore like you would a convenience store.  You'll find what you want, but you'll overpay.  So rather than shelling out 130 bucks for that Intro to Macro textbook, go online and buy a slightly used copy for a fraction of the cost.  Most classes will have their book lists online and for the ones that don't, a quick trip to the campus bookstore to copy down some ISBN numbers is definitely worth it.  I've found some amazing used book deals at Amazon.com, but don't overlook Textbooks.com and Barnesandnoble.com where you can earn 3% of your eligible purchases into your Upromise account, plus you'll receive free shipping in three days or less* on orders over $25. Campus bookstore: Thanks but no thanks!

Change your meal plan to fit your needs

The vast majority of freshmen have a meal plan that they don't fully use.  If you're paying for 16 meals per week, but consistently only using 13, that's a problem.  Most schools have a wide variety of meal plans that balance "meals" with "points" that can be used at locations on campus.  Find what you use most and get a meal plan to match.

If you're in the mood for take-out, Upromise has you covered.  By placing orders with Campusfood.com through Upromise, you can get 4% for college on your first order and 2% on every order after that.  Saving money while eating takeout?  Not too shabby.

Challenge your financial aid package

While a lot of schools will claim to cover "100% of your need", most families would beg to differ.  With the skyrocketing costs of a four-year degree, every dollar saved is important.  Try writing a letter to your school's financial aid office to explain family expenses that aren't always evident on a 1040 tax form.  While getting substantial amounts of additional aid is unlikely, a lot of schools will tack on a few hundred dollars more in scholarship.  I tried this and got an extra $500 my sophomore year.

Travel without breaking the bank

When looking for airfare deals, check to see if it is offered by any of Upromise's airfare partners (cheaptickets.com, expedia.com, hotwire.com, orbitz.com, priceline.com, travelocity.com).  If you find a match, you can search for that airfare deal through Upromise.  Not only will you have found the best deal, but you'll be growing your Upromise account as well.

And if you're looking for a vacation package, or some combination of flight, hotel and car rental, be sure to try Southwestvacations.com through your Upromise account.

*See site for details.

Whether you're still on winter break or just starting up your spring semester, its easy to think that June is still light years away.  But for those of you who want to find a challenging and rewarding summer internship, don't wait until the snow melts.  January is the perfect time to get to work on the application process.  Here are a few tips that could help you maximize your chances for a great summer internship.

Start early

This rule might seem like common sense, but as members of generation procrastination, we tend to break it at every opportunity; start early.  With our trusty Google search engines by our side, our generation has developed a reliance on last second information gathering.  While that might work for writing a paper on 19th century philosophy, it doesn't give you time for a thorough internship search.  With midterms and finals still several weeks away, January is an excellent time to make a list of where you want to apply, slick up your resume, and start writing cover letters (I know, I know, you have 5 months; but you'll be relieved come spring time!).  Searching online job databases like Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com can be helpful, but also include companies and organizations that you want to work for, even if you can't find open positions.  There are lots of internships that aren't advertised, and even if your top choices don't have any open positions, putting your resume on their radars can't hurt.

Resumes that Stand Out

When updating your resume, keep this in mind; you can't throw in everything but the kitchen sink.  As most career services advisers will tell you, a resume is supposed to emphasize what makes you stand out in a clear and concise fashion.  Hirers won't have time to look through dense layers of text about every single one of your accomplishments.  Highlight your past experiences, skills and achievements that make you look the strongest for the specific position you're applying for.  These things don't all have to be directly tied to the field in question, but they should highlight your greatest strengths as a prospective employee.

Connections, Connections, Connections

While some people get lucky and snag an awesome internship based solely on the merit of their application, don't just sit back and roll the dice on whether someone will notice you.  It's debatable as to how big of a role patronage plays in our society, but it's a given that personal connections can do wonders.  This is not to say that merit doesn't matter.  But in order to maximize your internship possibilities, you can't just rely on applications alone.  Get your resume into as many hands as possible.  Whether it's family, friends, former employers, or professors at school, use every possible resource available to you.  Ask them for advice on where to apply and who to talk to.  I know several people who have gotten great internships by giving their resume to someone they know, who passed it on to others until it finally got into the hands of someone who could offer a position.

Good luck!