November | 2019 | QuadJobs blog

Last week, Secretary of the Education Department Betsy DeVos unveiled the revamped CollegeScorecard.ed.gov, a website originally launched by the Obama administration. The online tool now offers students and parents greater transparency into what graduates with specific degrees from specific colleges earn in the first year after graduation.

This information is important, albeit imperfect and incomplete. It allows a student to compare what an english major and a civil engineering major from her college can expect to make after graduation. She is also able to compare the median monthly earnings and monthly loan payments for, say, computer science at Duke University ($8,300/ $82), at Rutgers ($5,858/ $221) and at Florida State ($4,233/ $231).

Student loan debt in this country has reached $1.5 trillion, a crisis which has politicians proposing universal debt forgiveness or free college. These are big ideas for a big problem. Here’s a more modest idea: Schools should offer students as much information as possible about they can reasonably expect on the other side of their college decision and choice of major. Schools should prioritize gathering this information from graduates, finding new ways to capture more data. The relaunched Scorecard is a win for students. Colleges and universities could keep this momentum going by sharing what they know—and improving how they gather—information about what graduates earn and owe.

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QuadJobs is an online platform connecting college and graduate students to local jobs. From Saturday night babysitting to moving a couch to helping a local business during a busy time, students find flexible jobs that fit into whatever free time they have. By streamlining the employment connection between campus and community, QuadJobs unlocks jobs particularly well-suited for students’ busy, often changing schedules. The platform tracks every job a student takes and gathers performance reviews. Small jobs matter—they help a student network, earn income, and build a track record of work experience. Local employers can hire with efficiency and confidence.

Our college students, who continue to inspire us with their work ethic, enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism. QuadJobs was built on your awesomeness.

Our college partners for understanding how crucial it is for students to gain experience and grow their professional network during the college years. Thank you for getting behind QuadJobs from Day One and promoting us so steadily to your student body. You are the reason we are now 500 schools and growing!

Our employers, who have generated more than $19 million worth of income for QuadJobs’ college students. Thank you for remembering how much your first job meant to you. With 65% of college students in this country receiving financial aid, this income goes a long way in reducing debt while growing a student’s work experience.

Our friends and community: When we launched QuadJobs five years ago, you jumped on board and spread the word. Our initial marketing budget was tiny, but you more than made up for it with word-of-mouth. Neighbors told neighbors about the college students they’d hired through the site, and before we knew it, we had a heckuva lot of jobs to offer. Thank you.

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At QuadJobs, we believe that a good college education can be a game-changer in many ways, including opening up a world of professional opportunities. It’s why we think it’s so important to give college students access to jobs near their campus, so that they have the chance to make extra income to defray the cost of tuition and reduce their student debt.

We’re inspired by the work being done by Children of Fallen Patriots. This non-profit provides college scholarships and educational counseling to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. We can’t think of a better way to honor those who bravely served our country than to provide their children with a game-changing college education.

Research shows that nearly 20,000 dependents have been left behind by troops killed in active duty over the past 35 years. Many surviving families struggle to make ends meet with 63% of spouses earning less than $50,000 per year. With no central database from which to find these children, Children of Fallen Patriots works to find each and every one and assist them in their educational journey. They have given aid to 1,550 students to date. Offering college financial assistance meets a real need felt by these deserving families and honors the legacy of those who gave their lives to our country.

Today, on Veterans’ Day, as we reflect on the gratitude we feel for our veterans and the service members currently serving this country, we’re inspired by the work being done by Children of Fallen Patriots. Not all of us will serve in the military, but we can join together to honor and support those who do. Children of Fallen Patriots is a beautiful example of how to do that.

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Have you ever been with your friends and had the sinking feeling that the social plans taking shape were out of your budget? Most of us have been there and it’s tough! Maybe you’re a grad student surrounded by friends who’ve emerged into the work force and have regular paychecks. Maybe you’re a college student on financial aid who can’t swing going out to dinner very often. Or maybe you’re on the other side of this awkward dynamic—able to afford more than your friends, not wanting to make them feel uncomfortable about keeping up.

The pressure is real. According to a recent study by TD Ameritrade, 34% of millennials feel the need to spend because of their friends’ money habits. College can exacerbate feelings of YOLO. You feel like you’re supposed to be having the time of your life. It can be hard to say no when you wish you could say yes.

The only real way to counteract this anxiety around money is to be upfront with your friends. Say your friends are going to dinner. You could join them with an uncomfortable pit in your stomach, order the cheapest thing on the menu, and then cringe when the bill gets split evenly. Or you could trust them enough to be a little vulnerable. Something along the lines of “I’m feeling a little tight on cash right now” sets the stage for more honest conversation. Ask if you could pay for what you order. Or keep it lighthearted: “I will totally be down for that when I make my first million.”

Be proactive about suggesting plans that are in your budget. It may not always seem to be true, but the best things in life are free. Go for a hike, attend a student play, or take in an author reading at your local bookstore. You don’t need to sacrifice time with friends because your budget is tight. Be open and creative and your social life will be the better for it!

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