Wednesday, January 6, 2010

College Tip: Turn old textbooks into cash

If you are a college student, you probably spend quite a bit on textbooks. And then you have a pile of them at the start of each new quarter. You should not let them lie to rot, but sell them to put some cash back in your pocket. There are many ways to do so.

Easiest place is probably the college bookstore if that's where you bought them. Look for the dates and times they are buying them back. But, they may not give as much for your textbooks as other places. Also, if you bought them at a local college textbook store, you may be able to sell them back there as well.

Beware of new editions. Many professors and students insist on the latest, greatest edition, but many times the old edition is just as good. You may have to ask for a lot less if there is a new edition. A way of saving on textbooks is to go with an earlier edition if you can. You can save a bundle.

You may be able to get more for your used textbooks by selling them online at ebay, craigslist, even amazon. You will probably need a paypal account as well. If you bought textbooks from an online textbook seller, like Bigwords.com, you should be able to resell back on their website.

Other places to sell books: Social networking sites like facebook, twitter, myspace, but you may not get as fast of a response like on the previous mentioned.

Don't wait to resell them. A week after a quarter starts is probably too late. Factor in your shipping cost if selling it online.

Don't overprice your books. Just because the college bookstore gets $50 for a certain crummy used book, yours is probably worth $25 or less.

When you buy a textbook, keep in mind the reselling process. That is, keep the book in great condition. Students like marking and highlighting texts. If you plan on reselling your book, skip the defacing. Keep the pages and corners in good condition. And most important, keep all materials it came with: study guides, cds, cards, etc. This will make the book more sellable and worth more.

>>More tips on saving money on college textbooks.

>>30 any college student can save money.

>>Financial Aid Secrets.

Friday, January 1, 2010

College majors for the future

If you are wondering what to major in, you need to look at what industries or companies will be hiring, and what skills will be needed. Here is a quick look at future jobs for college graduates.

Computer science will still be in high demand, but...
Computer science majors will be in demand. But the future for these jobs lies in security. If you are getting a degree in computer science or computer engineering, get some experience in online security and risk management. Also, financial jobs will also rise, so computer science majors with a little finance can enhance their resumes. Social sites will continue to grow and companies will expand their presence as well. A computer science major should look at those possibilities as well. Marketing will is a skill that computer science majors will need as well. Also in demand will be designing and maintaining web based applications.

Green Jobs
Engineers who can specialize in green and alternative energy will be in demand. This includes wind and solar. Green construction jobs will also grow. Getting the skills to design, build, run, and maintain green projects will be in very high demand.

Medical field still growing and hot
Physical therapists will continue to grow in demand. The emerging field of risk and case management will be huge. If you become a registered nurse and have minors or certificates in those fields, you will be in high demand. Cost and risk containment will be a high priority for hospitals. Another slant is computerized records. Having computer and nursing skills will be much needed.

Financial jobs still exist
Even with the downturn, financial jobs will be in demand. But not all. Risk management is now the new buzz word. Avoiding scams will be high priority. Lessening financial risks is an emerging field as well. Getting a degree in finance or business, and knowing how to manage assets wisely is a big plus.

>>Getting a job after graduating college.

>>Job interview tips.

>>Financial aid secrets.