College grads dealing with higher debt

Published May 14, 2009
The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.

by Lindsey Pinkham

In her graduation photo, Meaghan Rodenbush will smile and proudly hold up her diploma from Stonehill College. But what won’t be seen in the photo is the heavy debt from student loans that Rodenbush will also be holding.

A political science and sociology major from Lakeville, Rodenbush will graduate from Stonehill College in 2010 and join a new wave of college students that are experiencing the highest amount of college debt in recent years.

“With the limited amount of financial aid that I have received through Stonehill, I have been forced to take an excessive amount of student loans out,” Rodenbush said.

The average debts of students graduating with loans rose from $18,796 in 2006 to $20,098 in 2007, according to the Project on Student Debt.

The average salary for a newly minted graduate, meanwhile, is $30,000.

Rodenbush will graduate from Stonehill with over $80,000 in debt.

She plans to attend law school after graduation but her debt will dictate where.

“I have enough merit to attend a prestigious law school, but my decision is probably going to be limited to what institution gives me the most money,” Rodenbush said.

The increasingly amount of students that are applying to graduate programs will face the same burden.

Andrew Miskinis, of Worcester, will graduate from Stonehill College this spring. He received a scholarship to Northeastern for graduate school.

"Without the scholarship, I wouldn't have been able to go. I would have moved home and just looked for work," Miskinis said.

Graduate and professional students borrow even more on top of their undergraduate debt, ranging from $26,000 for a Master’s degree program to $114,000 for medical school.

With the current economic crisis ongoing, these numbers are even more alarming.

Lauren Gifford, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, a sophomore at Stonehill College, had always planned on going to medical school to become a doctor. She has already changed her plans about graduate school because of the economy and excessive student loan debt.

“The debt I have already for student loans is just overwhelming,” Gifford said.

Gifford is looking to use her biology degree from Stonehill to get into a more affordable graduate school program like one for physical therapy.

“Being a doctor was my dream since middle school but I just can’t afford it,” Gifford said.

Chris Farrell, a personal finance advisor for Marketplace Money, a public radio program, says that it’s possible to invest in expensive graduate school education despite the current economy.

“Medical school students, law students, MBAs, MFAs, PhDs, future veterinarians and anyone else thinking about earning an advanced degree needs to weigh the income-in-the-future versus the debt-burden-to pay-down trade-off,” Farrell said in his online blog.

But prospective graduate program students shouldn’t be discouraged.

“It's smart to get more education and improve skills during an economic downturn. Hopefully, the economy will pick up before you get your professional credentials and get a job,” Farrell said.
Laura Nimon, of Gardiner, Maine, is a senior Healthcare Administration major at Stonehill. She will be working instead of going to graduate school to pay off her undergraduate loans after graduating in the spring.

“If I could go back, I would have saved more and looked for scholarships to take away some of the burden of student debt,” Nimon said.

Nimon will be graduating with over $40,000 in student loans.

“The reality of paying back all the debt just hits you broadside when you graduate,” Nimon said.
Luckily for Nimon, Healthcare Administration majors usually don’t have trouble finding work after graduating from Stonehill.

In a report released by Michigan State University, the top undergraduate majors in terms of pay in 2006 were chemical engineering and computer engineering, making an average starting salary of $55,000 and $54,000 respectively. Not far down the list were accounting and finance, both at $45,000.

Devan Hartung, a Stonehill freshman from Taunton, has already adjusted her post-graduation plans.

“I am going to have to try to get a job without going to grad school and I am hoping that the school I work at pays for my Master’s degree as an elementary education teacher,” Hartung said.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 72% of all U.S. companies offered some form of a tuition reimbursement program in 2003. 69% of those companies offered compensation for graduate studies.

Looking for an employer that will pay for graduate school is a smart decision but will only ease some of the pressure of student debt.

“I am going to have to probably live at home and work, maybe multiple jobs until I can get some of my undergraduate debt paid off,” Hartung said.

Blogging: The Wave of Change

By Matthew Gemme

In the land of broken banks and closing newspapers there is a savior for aspiring news writers - the Internet.

“It’s the wave of change,” David Hinkle, a blogger for www.joystiq.com, said about writing on the internet.

Hinkle, a 26 year old blogger from York, Penn, has been employed as a full time blogger for the past three years. Before then he bounced around for work, waiting to be discovered.
Hinkle is a part of only 8 percent of bloggers who are paid to blog, according to The Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Hinkle primarily writes about video games, which has been something he’s always aspired to do.

“It’s always been my dream to work with games in some capacity and I’m thrilled that I get to each and every day as my job,” he says on his own personal site, “Dave’s Place (www.david-hinkle.com).”

In March 2006, Hinkle was hired to help start a pair of new blog properties for http://www.joystiq.com/. After a few months he was asked to be the site lead on those sites, a role which he held until the site re-launched in January. His role now is to be a contributing editor for http://www.joystiq.com/.

For bloggers you need many of the same skills as a journalist does, Hinkle says.

“It's a job where you need to have an analytical mind, you need to be objective… it's about tackling stories and following through on things,” said Hinkle about his job for http://www.joystiq.com/.

The difference between journalism and blogging comes from the actual workplace.

“You need able to work on your own. We don’t go into an office every day; we run a virtual one,” Hinkle said.

Despite the fact that bloggers run out of their own homes, it is not quite the ascetic lifestyle critics may see it as.

“Collaboration happens every day in everything we do,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle said that he often talks on the phone to, runs online chats with, and sees co-workers at big trade shows every year. Hinkle also said he has an editor, whom with he is constantly bouncing ideas off of.

“I don’t just write something, click a button, and it goes onto the site,” Hinkle said.
With blogging representing an unfamiliar work style and newspaper opportunities getting smaller and smaller, prospective journalists have a big decision to make.

“A big turn off is the lack of job security in the industry right now,” senior journalism student at Stonehill College Chris Almeida said.
Janina Todesca, a sophomore at Stonehill College, is also looking towards having a future in writing.

“I would love to do anything where I can write for a living and have people read what I have to say and blogging seems to be the newest form of that,” Todesca said.
Blogging, however, it is not only an advancement on standard journalism. It is a new form of entertainment that surpasses the abilities of standard newspapers.

According to The Pew Internet & American Life Project, blog readers in America make up 39 percent of the online population and blog writing population has grown to 12 million American adults.

With so many different writers, blog readers can find topics that most standard papers do not have time to cover.

“I read blogs to keep up to date on the latest news each blog specializes in,” says Caroline Malcolm, a sophomore at Northeastern who reads a blog on North African politics, another about sustainable living, and one about human rights.

Malcolm said that blogs have a bias, but it’s the bias that attracts her to them because she can read two different blogs to get different perspectives with which she can agree and disagree.

“Plus bloggers are usually more entertaining and comedic than newspaper journalists,” Malcolm said.

People, nationwide, blog non-professionally from things such as their opinions on politics to their March Madness picks.

One of the biggest reasons people blog is to share personal experiences with others.
According to The Pew Internet & American Life Project, 76 percent of bloggers say a reason they blog is to document their personal experiences and share them with others.

Kathleen Atkins, a junior at Stonehill College was reading a blog when recently as she talked about the issue.

“I like to read my friends personal blog to see her take on different things. It’s a form of amusement,” Atkins said.

Whether it’s writing to share experiences, blogs provide information and amusement to their readers that standard newspapers cannot always do. The blogging population, mostly un-paid, provides a rivaling service to newspapers. Unpaid bloggers do not have editors, and can freely voice their opinions while paid bloggers are able to get their information to a much greater audiences.

Between the lack of jobs and the lack of money going into the newspaper industry, and its casual appeal to both writers and readers internet blogging may just be “the wave of change.”

The Power of Networking

By Jack Carroll

As Stonehill students near graduation they are all discovering the old saying is true, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

“Networking is students’ best tool for finding a job today,” said Assistant Director of Career Services Ben Chalot. Students visit counselors like Chalot at the Kruse Center to receive help finding a job or internship.

The Kruse Center houses both International Programs and the Office of Career Services, and provides valuable jobs for work study students. The Office of Career Services provides access to numerous online and print resources as well as organizes several programs and events throughout the year.

“It is a much more competitive job market this year than years past. There are less jobs for more applicants,” said Assistant Director of Career Services Ben Chalot.

As seniors graduate and apply for entry level jobs, they are not only competing with countless other recent graduates, but many experienced workers looking for jobs, some with graduate degrees.

“Finance majors are looking for jobs with traditional financial institutions like Merryl-Lynch, but these jobs don’t exist,” said Chalot.

“A lot of students are expecting not to get jobs after graduation,” said Associate Director of Career Services Christina Burney.

Counselors said networking is the best chance for a student to solidify a position.

“Students must rely on old bosses, past supervisors, family, friends, and family friends,” said Ben Chalot.

Stonehill students are finding networking can turn up in a variety of places.

“I got my job for the summer because the building used to be my dad’s factory so he knew the people now working there and managed to get me a position,” said student Victor Regis.

Sometimes students can reach out and make connections with nothing but a name.

“I sent an email to my second cousin who I’ve only talked to once or twice in my life and asked if he had any openings at his construction company. I thought it was worth a shot because we had the same name,” said student Joe Albanese.

Albanese was unsuccessful this time in his attempt to get a job, but similar cases have turned out positive.

“Both of my bosses from last year left and I only had one other phone number left. So in order to get my job back I had to call this woman in Ohio who was the director of the entire Eastern Seaboard division and ask her for my summer job back. She gave it to me,” said student Kevin O’Leary.

Networking opportunities can also turn up in most unlikely of circumstances.

“After I got written up here, I had to do community service. The staff member that signed off on my hours worked, told me that I did such a good job that I should come back in the summer,” said student Kelly Regan. “So basically I have a summer job because I got in trouble at school.”

The Economic crisis wreaks havoc on college grads future

Published April 16, 2009
The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.
Published April 23, 2009
The Lakeville Call

By Janina Todesca

College debt and the recent economic crisis has left Nancy Connolly, a graduate of Bridgewater State College, in a dire situation.

“I am college educated. I never thought that I would have any trouble trying to find a full-time, well-paying job that is a step towards accomplishing my career goal,” said Nancy Connolly, of South Boston, who is currently employed at The Mentor Network and Zipcar.

Connolly is not alone in her attempt to find a suitable job.

Many Americans are looking to find any work, suitable or unsuitable.

Both the number of unemployed persons, 11.6 million, and the unemployment rate, 7.6 percent, rose in January. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 4.1 million. The unemployment rate has risen from 7.2 percent to 7.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“I’m worried that when I graduate this year I’ll be stuck in the same part time job that I was working when I was 16 years old,” said Lisa Totaro, of Worchester, a Stonehill College senior. “And as much as that worries me, I think I’d be grateful if they hired me back right now.”

Connolly faces Totaro’s worries every single day.

“I never expected to be in the same position at my high school job. I thought that by going to college I would earn more money and be put at a higher position,” said Connolly, “I am learning that you have to build years of experience first and I’m hoping that the economy will improve so that my experience pays off.”

Luckily for Connolly she has her jobs to fall back on, unlike many college graduates that are unemployed. The number of people with a college degree who were out of work rose to 1.413 million from 1.411 million in the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Students might have to be more willing to accept lower level positions to get their foot in the door, and then, after things improve, they can negotiate for more responsible positions or re-enter a stronger labor market. Getting some immediate experience is far better than waiting indefinitely for a better position,” said Robert Rosenthal, Professor and Chair of the Economics department at Stonehill College.

Some college graduates are attending graduate school in hopes that when they graduate the economy will have improved.

I just hope students understand that the jobs graduates got last year, won’t be there this year,” said Christina Burney, a career councilor at Stonehill College. “Seniors may be entering jobs as temps. We have less than half the number of entry jobs we had last year and not many businesses are taking part in college recruiting anymore.”

“I owe somewhere around $60,000. But my payments are deferred until I finish graduate school. Hopefully the job market will be better then,” said Connolly.

Connolly will not be alone in her endeavor.

“I am seriously considering grad school at this point,” said Jessica Peck, of Lakeville, a Stonehill senior. “I’m going to be stuck at a job I don’t want to be at anyways. I might as we ll further my education at night to better my chances at getting my dream job, if the economy improves.”

There has been an 18.87 percent increase in graduate applicants because of the failing economy, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“There are not enough jobs for college graduates right now,” said Eric Shelters of Middleboro, a Stonehill Junior, “you need a masters degree to win in this job hunt.”

Many students are in a tight position after graduation day. Some students fear that even with a college degree they could be forced into unemployment.

“I just want a job when I graduate,” said Totaro. “It scares me; I was planning on sending my resume to places that now have hiring freezes.”

The economic crisis may make many employers overlook qualified employees. Businesses, police departments, and college universities are all currently issuing hiring freezes, according to CIO magazine.

“Due to companies not being eager to hire as they were in the past, it is detrimental for students to network themselves and have an outstanding resume,” said Burney. “That is all we can suggest.”

Despite this many said a college education is worth it.

“Although it is tough right now for recent graduates, I think that the overall experience of going to college gives you a lot of experience in many different things. I think college teaches people to overcome obstacles and continue challenging themselves,” said Connolly

Some college grads plan to live with parents after graduation

By: Chris Almeida
Published April 25, 2009
The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.

EASTON, Mass. —

Home with mom and dad may not be where their heart is, but it’s where many college seniors are headed after graduation next month.

With unemployment rates spiking and companies reluctant to hire, many college seniors are facing the prospect of graduating without a job and moving home to save money.

Ben Keylor of Bridgewater, who will graduate from Stonehill College in Easton, is expecting to return to the nest.

“I’m going to live at home for awhile, save up some money,” Keylor said. “But I want to live in a city while I’m still young. As soon as I have a little money, I’m heading to the city.”

While the economic slump and higher costs of living are the primary reasons, moving home also carries little stigma among young adults, many of whom rely on parents for advice and support, experts say.

Students who do hope to relocate after getting their degrees may want to heed the words of Peter Wallace, author of “Life 101: Real-World Advice for Graduating College Seniors” and an associate professor of business administration at Stonehill.

His advice: Research unemployment rates and job opportunities in your field in the city or area you plan to move to.

“In this economy, it might not be that easy,” Wallace said. But, he added, “if you’re willing to take a risk, go for it.”

That’s advice Dave Barkhouse of Randolph may take.

“I want to move somewhere outside of Massachusetts. Checking out the job market beforehand is certainly a good idea,” said Barkhouse, a Stonehill senior.

Ryan Tilley of Marshfield, also a senior at Stonehill, wants to move out of state but will first move back home after graduation to save money.

“As soon as I can get out, I’m getting out,” said Tilley.

While Tilley’s ultimate goal is to move away from Massachusetts, with a sinking economy he realizes this may not be possible.

“I want to move and get a different perspective ... But I don’t want to go somewhere without a job,” Tilley said.

According to Wallace, the Stonehill professor and author, living at home can have benefits.

“It helps networking for two reasons. Number one: parents participate in networking because after three months they want you out of the house. Number two: contacts at your own age level have very little to offer you back,” Wallace said.

However, Wallace cautioned against the “huge psychological burden on both your parents and you.”

After four years apart, both the young adult and his or her parents have changed.

The new college graduates, after dorm life, are used to coming and going on their own timetable. Parents may try to enforce old rules and expectations, but they also may have come to enjoy life as “empty nesters.”

“Set ground rules that are explicit,” Wallace recommended.

http://www.enterprisenews.com/archive/x718270807/Some-college-grads-plan-to-live-with-parents-to-save-money

Talents Showcased at Stonehill Open Mic Night

By Michael Farwell

Stonehill College concert coffee houses are rising in popularity and becoming a place for students to showcase their talent.

Students perform at the coffee house for various reasons. Some play just for fun, others to entertain a crowd, and some to test their own capability.

“I get bored playing guitar in my room. I used to play in talent shows and other concert type events in high school. I figured I should share my music with people who enjoy it.” Junior, Chad Gaughn, said.

Coffee House committee executive Devin Mauch had his own opinion of why people play. “I think it is a personal test for some people. They want to see if they are able to play in front of a crowd and starting out at an open Mic is the best idea. It can be tormenting at times, but it is a way to see if you can get that crowd approval before going somewhere else like a bar or a bigger venue to perform.”

Mauch who is on the concert coffee house committee said there are about 10 to 15 coffeehouses a year at Stonehill with 10 to 15 people, solo or in groups performing.

The concert coffeehouse is a self funded committee; however, at many open Mic nights at various café’s and bars you will find a variety of sponsors. “I sponsor some open Mic nights around Mystic, Conn. and Westerly, RI. They give me a chance to advertise my store and it provides bars with a unique or specialty beer for the evening.” Kevin Wildes, Cask’N Keg owner (A Mystic Liquor Store) said.

It is common to find Liquor stores, beer brands, and even Brick House surf shop in Marblehead/Gloucester has sponsored an open Mic night, all in hopes of getting some good publicity.

“We get bands and live entertainment in here all the time. It creates a good bar atmosphere and lightens the mood. Not only is it a good opportunity for the artists but also a chance to bring people into the bar that normally wouldn’t come in. It works as a positive for everyone involved. We have regulars now at the [bar] because of musicians they have seen come into the bar.” Peter Kelly, Pickled Onion (Beverly, Mass. Pub), said.


Eric Scholl and Shane Caffrey, aspiring musicians, saw the open-Mic night at Stonehill as an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Caffrey who frequents the stage during the concert coffee house felt that it was time that he and fret board-master Eric Scholl finally publically collaborated. “A lot of times we will be sitting in Scholly’s room just fooling around on the guitar and while I’m playing a riff, Eric will just start soloing,” Caffrey said.

It took some coaxing to finally get the two on the stage together.

“Nothing was spur of the moment about this,” Scholl said. “Shane really pushed for me to get up on stage with him. I remember countless times where I would walk over to O’Hara with my guitar and amp, Shane and I would have a few beers, and then start playing together. Even though it isn’t a huge venue its a little different being up on stage in-front of a bunch of people you don’t know. And that spotlight man, that thing seems like the sun when you are up there.”

Caffrey, a Scituate native, began playing the bass in his bedroom when he was 13-years-old. Eric Scholl, a Wilmington native, began his North Shore shredding at the same age of 13 after a heavy Metallica influence from his older brother, Will Scholl.

Caffrey, who now plays guitar, has a slightly different style than that of Scholl. Caffrey, with a phenomenal voice, sings like he is straight out of the south. A seemingly natural southern drawl with some high pitched falsettos seems to swoon any crowd he plays for.

While not only singing storytelling country lyrics, Caffrey also plays the rhythm guitar, keeping pace and tempo of the song in order.

Solo-master, Eric Scholl plays a heavier metal and blues guitar for the duo. Despite having an unparalleled voice, Scholl lets his guitar do the singing. “When Eric solos I get goose bumps,” Caffrey Said.

Despite sounding so different individually, when the two pair up together and play, their musical styles seemingly mix together like The Allman Brothers meets Black Sabbath.

“We’re far from where we want to be, but it is tough in college with so many other distractions. Eric is on the hockey team and I am the manager so that is a big commitment. Not to mention the countless hours of work we have for school. We’re going to keep grinding slowly but surely and hopefully go bigger than Stonehill coffee house with our music,” Caffrey said.

Brockton area college students feeling the financial pinch at spring break time

The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.

By Erin Shannon

The economy is not stopping students from go on spring break trips

“Everyone seems to want to go away still,” said Anthony Chirichiello, the regional sales manager for Student City Travel, a travel agency out of Beverly, Mass. which specializes in college trips.

Instead of not traveling, students are using some money-saving tricks. People are staying for shorter times, going to all inclusive resorts, and budgeting.

“A lot of people want all inclusive so everything is paid up front,” said Arlene Gedgaudas, a travel agent at Card Tours and Stonehill Travel.

Some students are getting help from parents or struggling to pay themselves.

“A lot of families are funding trips,” said Chirichiello. “And there are a lot of late payments and extensions.”

“I had the option of going away with my friends and paying for it myself or going away with my parents for free,” said Katy Buonadonna, a sophomore at Stonehill. “I’m spending spring break with my family this year.”

More people are staying in the country as well. According to Sabre Airline Solutions, airlines have sold 13 percent more domestic tickets for the peak spring break weeks. Still the two biggest trips booked through Student City this year were Cancun and Acapulco.

“My friends and I planned to go to Cancun but we had to cancel because it cost too must,” said Jen Harrington, a sophomore at Stonehill. “Now we’re going to Florida because it was so much cheaper to stay and fly.”

Chirichiello said that Student City also books a lot of trips to Canada.

“It is much more affordable to go somewhere colder than it is to go somewhere warmer,” said John Pouche, a sophomore at Bridgewater State College who is heading to Montreal, Canada.

Travel agencies like Student City are noticing students in particular are still going away they are just finding out how to maximize their dollar.

“I asked my parents to pay for my flight because it was so expensive,” said Bridget Shakan, of Maine, who is taking her first spring break trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

“The economy hit us, just not as bad as most places,” said Chirichiello. “We have had a 10 to 15 percent drop.”

Another popular option for students is the H.O.P.E trips. H.O.P.E stands for Honoring our neighbor, Organizing for justice, Peace, and Encountering God. This is the alternative spring break option that Campus Ministry at Stonehill runs.

“The numbers are up hugely this year,” said Judy Henry MacMullan, the director and organizer of the H.O.P.E trips.

This year there are 160 students taking alternative spring breaks which is up from last year’s 113 and two years ago 70. Funding for these students is not easy.

“There is more difficulty fundraising now than in the past,” said MacMullan. “People are not in the position to give for whatever reason and because of that the scholarships have almost doubled this year.”

“I sold homemade cookies for a dollar in my residence hall as on fundraiser,” said Katie Walker, a senior who is taking a H.O.P.E trip this year. “People wanted to donate more they just didn’t have it because of the economy.”

The biggest trips this year include 40 students who are traveling to New Orleans to start the rebuilding process since Hurricane Katrina wiped out the area in late August of 2005. There are also another 40 students going to Galveston, Texas to clean up and rebuild the damage caused by Hurricane Ike in Sept. of 2008.

“The culture at Stonehill has changed,” said MacMullan. “More and more students feel it is a responsibility to get out there and do service work.”

Many student-athletes are feeling the crunch when it comes to fundraising. The Wheaton College baseball team is traveling to Phoenix, Arizona for the spring break.

“We are definitely noticing the economy [in fundraising],” said Alex Rossi, a sophomore on the baseball team at Wheaton. “We sold $500 worth of raffle tickets each and the prize was originally for Circuit City so when they closed we had to change the grand prize to Best Buy.”

Students are looking forward to their breaks even with the current situation of the economy.

“I’m ready for break to be here,” said Lindsey Herchel, a sophomore at Stonehill. “You’re only in college once.”