Carol Platt was caught in the middle of the economic downturn with no backup plan. Searching for a stable job in an unstable economy proved to be difficult without a college degree. Her work history and past successes were overlooked. It had always been a dream of hers to complete her degree; after a failed first attempt, she was unsure of her ability to follow through. She began researching online education options and felt that Kaplan University stood out; she decided to complete her college degree online. Carol enrolled in Kaplan University’s School of Business and Management and earned her bachelor’s degree online, focusing on business with an emphasis in human resources.
The adult continuing education program at Kaplan University is designed for working professionals who seek to further their career or, like Carol, want to earn their university degree online.* Students can complete assignments on a schedule that fits their lives. It’s this type of flexibility that helps prepare Kaplan University online students for success. Even if you already have an established career, it’s never too late to consider online business school to further your knowledge and update your skills. Increase your marketability with one of Kaplan University’s online bachelor degree programs without taking time off of work to attend class.
* Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
“I grew up in Graham, North Carolina. My parents both worked for the textile mills, both had fourth grade educations and my mom always wanted me to get an education. When I graduated from high school it was my dream to go to college. I failed the first class of my life which was my chemistry class. I was just overwhelmed so I left after about a year and half, got a job and kept trying to go back to school. For me it was personally devastating. It really bothered me. I felt like I was failing. I had one shot and I blew it.
When Jenna left for boarding school I couldn’t even open the door and go in the room and I was almost 52. All of that coincided with the downturn of the market. I had almost $6 million dollars in contracts waiting to close and they all fell through—every single one of them. I thought, ‘now what? I don’t have a degree, there are no jobs.’ It doesn’t matter what I had done or how much success I had, the requirements are to have a degree. Not only that, I had to walk back in the door competing with people half my age and many of them had MBAs.
It was just a matter of figuring out how to do it—so that’s when I started to check into what were the institutions, what was the cost, how were they respected. Kaplan [University] had a degree in business with a specialty in human resources. As I started narrowing the options down, it made it into about the final three. I took those three finalists to my traditional education friends and I said, ‘I want to know what the most respected online degree would be if someone was coming into your office looking for a job.’
The IT Dean, the Computer Science Dean, felt like Kaplan [University] had the best online delivery program that was out there. The Academic Dean’s advice was that this is a respected degree that you’re not going to have people questioning whether you were competent when you came out. Everything that you take there will be accepted if you go on to a master’s [program] anywhere so that was a very good recommendation. When I sat down at graduation, 31 years later, and I’m looking up at the podium and it says, ‘Kaplan University: a Different School of Thought’ that was probably more me because I do think a little differently. I’m willing to work on things that innovate and I think that’s more of an opportunity for me and many students like me.~N
According to a new survey from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Ad Council, one in three millennials (34 percent) ranked saving as their number one goal for the year – ahead of living a healthy lifestyle (20 percent), paying off debt (19 percent), and losing weight (14 percent). But while saving was a top priority, a majority of millennials attributed their lack of saving to impulse buying (65 percent).
For older millennials, those born between the early 1980’s and early 1990’s, saving is crucial as they work towards major milestones in their lives. When asked what they were saving money towards, respondents sought to secure their future by saving for an emergency fund (40 percent), saving for retirement (22 percent) or starting a family (15 percent). They also reported saving for larger purchases like a vacation (36 percent), a new house (27 percent), a car (26 percent), home improvements (20 percent), or a wedding (8 percent). To provide Americans aged 25 to 34 with the tips and tools to take control of their personal finances, AICPA and the Ad Council’s national advertising campaign, Feed the Pig, is continuing to collaborate with new partners to deliver this critical content in a relevant and engaging way.
“Many young adults think saving is impossible,” said Gregory Anton, CPA, CGMA, chair of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “While low salaries and high debt levels can certainly be barriers to saving, the key is to create a budget and stick to it. Establishing a disciplined saving strategy early in life and avoiding missteps will reap substantial long-term dividends.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7790851-ad-council-feed-the-pig/
Debt is a buzzword for politicians, a burden for students, a necessity for most homeowners and a reality for 70 percent of Americans.
But despite this fact, 30 percent of those in debt have no plan to pay it off, according to a recent survey conducted by Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB).
Fifth Third commissioned the national survey to examine the financial beliefs and behaviors of American adults. The results provided a snapshot of our nation’s financial literacy, with 82 percent of respondents citing financial independence as a goal in their lives. The survey also revealed how the three largest generations in America differ in their understanding and management of savings, budgeting, retirement planning and credit.
“At Fifth Third, we were curious to discover how knowledgeable Americans are about their personal finances,” said Jada Grandy, senior vice president and Community Reinvestment Act strategies director, Fifth Third Bank. “The results of this survey give insight into financial literacy in America, as well as the needs of customers at different key stages of their lives. This knowledge arms Fifth Third with the tools to support our customers at every step on their journey to financial independence.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723851-fifth-third-bank-life/
Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) today announced a first-ever, company-wide initiative to deliver its Empower U financial literacy courses throughout its 10-state footprint. The Empower U initiative brings Fifth Third together with more than 60 local nonprofit organizations in outreach to nearly 3,000 individuals in the communities it serves.
According to a recent study commissioned by Fifth Third, more than 40 percent of Americans feel they could benefit from professional advice about their day-to-day finances. Empower U, one of the Bank’s signature L.I.F.E. (Lives Improved through Financial Empowerment®) programs, is designed to do just that.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7723853-fifth-third-bank-empower-u-initiative/
Israel completely withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, to enable Palestinians to live their lives in peace alongside Israel. But since then Hamas took control of the region and is subjecting Israeli citizens to rocket attacks inside sovereign Israeli territory, in flagrant violation of international law. Israel does not want a humanitarian crisis and is shipping daily supplies of humanitarian aid. The Hamas authority in the Gaza Strip is the only cause of the suffering and distress of the population there and the deterioration in their situation
At a time when cotton’s market share is threatened by synthetics, Cotton Incorporated responds with authenticity. The latest offerings in the 26-year run of the highly-regarded The Fabric Of Our Lives™ campaign from the not-for-profit research and promotion company focus on individual consumers and their personal stories of why cotton apparel items are their favorites.
Introducing the tagline, “Cotton. It’s Your Favorite for a Reason(SM),” the first commercial will launch on April 20 with thirty- and fifteen-second spots; additional commercials will be rolled out over the course of the year. The campaign also includes: a digital video series of consumer stories, some expanding on the stories told in the commercials; a unique, cotton-focused collaboration with online retailer Rue La La and a trade print advertisement.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7490551-new-cotton-incorporated-campaign/
If you’re seeking a strong human interest story, then take a look at the European Social Fund. Far from being a set of dry statistics, the ESF is the framework for thousands of fascinating tales of individual human endeavour.
In response to the economic crisis, the ESF is helping 10 million Europeans a year to overcome obstacles and get their lives back on track. It invests €10 billion annually in projects that enable individuals to train in a new skill, find a better job, set up a business, and much more. The ESF was launched over 50 years ago, and since then it has expanded to meet the changing needs of Europe’s population. From just 1% of the EU budget in 1970, it now accounts for 10%. Between 2007 and 2013, some €75 billion is being invested.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/europeancommission/44185/
The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) has launched the third and final booklet in its Life with Parkinson’s series. This latest edition concludes a four-year awareness campaign, which aims to highlight the lack of understanding and knowledge concerning Parkinson’s that exists throughout Europe today. The booklet’s launch, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was one of the many activities in a weekend dedicated to celebrating the organisation’s 20th anniversary year and its commitment to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s (PwPs).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56619-epda-launches-life-with-parkinsons-booklet
Lake Research Partners and Bellwether Research and Consulting recently released a new national poll sponsored by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) that finds likely 2016 voters have widespread and serious concerns about ethanol’s unintended consequences—including damage to engines, land conversion and food prices.
“Voters across party lines express grave concerns for the impacts of the corn ethanol mandate from the Renewable Fuel Standard that touch many parts of their lives from the cars they drive to the food they buy,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners. “They strongly support bi-partisan proposals that would reduce the impact of corn ethanol, and particularly support the Environmental Protection Agency reducing the amount of corn ethanol required by law.”
As the EPA recently closed the comment period on its proposed ethanol volumes for 2014, 2015 and 2016, the poll also shows that 67 percent of people favor the agency setting ethanol volumes below what is required by law, with 68 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans supporting volumes lower than the statute.
To view the multimedia release go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7576751-ama-national-ethanol-voter-poll/
Seattle – The EMP Museum board of directors announced today that EMP is now the Museum of Pop Culture – MoPOP. The name MoPOP better reflects the museum’s vision for curating, exploring, and supporting creative works that shape and inspire our lives across many aspects of our culture. The museum will launch the new name on November 19, 2016 with a celebration that is free and open to the public.
“MoPOP reflects who we are today and the future of the museum,” said Patty Isacson Sabee, CEO and director of MoPOP. “Pop culture is a platform that resonates with audiences in a powerful way. And at MoPOP we provide avenues through our exhibits and programs for people to explore, learn, create, and celebrate pop culture in all of its diversity.” Founded by Paul G. Allen and opened in 2000, the non-profit museum has organized more than 57 exhibitions, 20 of which have traveled in the U.S. and internationally. The Frank O. Gehry-designed building hosts more than 100 arts and cultural events annually.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7967751-emp-museum-of-pop-culture-rebranding/
Easy Spirit, a division of The Jones Group Inc. (NYSE: JNY), announced today that it has unveiled a regional campaign that celebrates the heritage of the Easy Spirit brand by helping women live their lives in comfort. As part of the campaign, the brand recently unveiled the newest addition to its Anti-Gravity collection, the Parnella pump. The collection kicked-off with the launch of an online campaign, in-store signage and flash mobbers who danced in the streets of New York City to “Pump up the Jam,” wearing the Parnella pump.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52474-easy-spirit-unveils-looks-like-a-pump-feels-like-a-sneaker-campaign
According to a national study released today, moms are feeling overwhelming pressure to overspend on products for their babies even as they significantly cut back in nearly every other area of their lives to cope with these challenging times.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54418-kelton-research-mom-study-baby-products-store-brand-infant-formula