Column
Real World 101:
A needed course
By Erin Martin
■ The Daily Collegian
U. of MasMChuMtts, Amherst
I wish my university would offer
a course entitled Real World 101.1
could use some serious instruction
and guidance these days.
After all, we are attending class
es to learn what it takes to make it
in the real world, like how to get a
good job, how to raise a family and
how to be successful.
But there are no courses that
teach us these things, and I need to
know how to do a few things right
now! How do I pay my bills (the
water, electricity, phone, rent, gro
ceries) on a very limited budget?
It is so easy for me to get caught
up in more immediate things. That
my overdue bills don't matter much
— until my phone gets shut off.
I want someone to teach me how
to balance my checkbook and how
to get the most out of double
coupons. I could also use some
lessons in buying a car.
My dad offered some insight into
the used car industry. When I was
looking for a car, he told me when
the car was too old, if it had too
many miles, and when 1 was being
npped off. Finally, I picked one for
myself. The old man who sold it to
me promised it was a dream. But a
day after I picked up the car, 1 found
it was lacking something I had
hoped for: brakes. I took the car to
a mechanic who proceeded to tell
me I needed $1,100 in repairs!
I returned the car to the dealer
and demanded a refund. But the
salesman refused to take the car
back, so I went home crying — to
mv dnri
That same day, my father went to
the dealer and was successful in
obtaining a refund. I was so proud
of him for the way he was able to
stand up for me and make a differ
ence. especially since I couldn't
help myself.
Still, I cant help but wonder why
no one ever taught me how to han
dle these kinds of situations. I won
der if the only way to learn is with
age and experience, or if some of
these "life lessons’ could be taught
— at least discussed in the class
room?
Life would be much easier if we
could learn how to handle real
world problems before we have to
face them on our own.
ENTREPRENEUR
Trial and tribulation
A U. of North Carolina student faces a potentially
bankrupting lawsuit, filed by Anheuser-Busch, claiming he
is guilty of trademark infringement.
Pag* 14
WORKPLACE
Students join food stamp line
Approximately 100 U. of Georgia students receive feder
al food stamps, commonly thought to be for welfare moth
ers and destitute families only.
Pag* 19
Place ojGoodvftff,
JEOrtGtTTA DOUGLAS. THI 5TATI PR155 AHIXUHA 5TATI U
An Arizona State U. student tries on a beaded blouse at a thrift store similar to the swap shop.
By Lauren Carignan
■ The Slate News
Michigan State U.
Where do you get a pair of
Japanese pajamas with a
5-foot waist?
You might try looking in the mall or
department stores, but if you’re a
Michigan State U. student, your best
bet would be the swap shop. Officially
named the Give or Take Center, the
swap shop is a small store that dis
tributes items donated by the residents
of three universiy apartment complex
es.
Located in a small, white room in the
basement of one of the complexes, the
store holds a wide assortment of cloth
ing, household items and other goods,
which are offered free to other students
who live in the complexes.
Denise Cowdery, the store’s manager,
said the Give or Take Center exists to
help financially pressed students.
See SWAP, Page 16
Jobs turning employees
into professional students
By Julie Inglebret
■ The Minnesota Daity
U. of Minnesota, Minneapolis
If you think you'll never pick up anoth
er textbook after you graduate from col
lege, think again.
In fact, many job seekers are now
looking at what educational opportuni
ties a company offers employees — at
the company’s expense — before accept
ing positions.
“Education has almost become as
important as dollars in taking a new job,*
said Dick Ulland, an IBM spokesman.
IBM spends about $1.5 billion a year
offering employees college opportuni
ties.
Effect on schools, students
Continuing education is widely viewed
as one reason why today’s colleges are
now more populated by non-traditional
students, characteristically an older
group geared toward taking only classes
with direct, practical applications for
their careers
Jim Buchanan, education manager of
a company based in Rochester, Minn.,
said, "I think you’re seeing an increase
on the focus of the importance of educa
tion and how to apply it to your career
rather than just taking it because it’s
there.”
Lynn Wame is one such student. She’s
working toward her master’s degree in
business communication at Minnesota’s
College of St. Thomas, thanks to
Honeywell.
“I might have waited for many more
years to get a master’s,' she said “If
there wasn't this program, I probably
couldn't do it because it’s just so expen
sive.’
Warne, whose tuition is $650 each
semester, said when she was offered the
Honeywell job, she thought of the educa
tional perks “right away.’
“I think it really weighs in Honeywell’s
favor," she said.
Graduation: an end to your
It Is becoming mots the norm to
be rcqufred by your oompsny to
education?
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Management develop
ment programs, both exter
nal and in-house, have been
on the nse since the early
'60s. Internal training
refers to education on the
company's policies and
technology, compared to
external training, in which
employees are sent to col
lege at the company’s
expense.
Companies
protect investment'
And as managers are
required to have more
sophisticated training,
including knowledge of the
international business
world, the popularity of
See PRO STUDENTS, Page 16