Getting In: A College Coach Conversation Earning & Learning During Holiday Breaks; The Engineer's Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Nov 20, 2025
Michelle Smoley, a college coach specializing in finance, shares the benefits of working during holiday breaks. She emphasizes how part-time jobs can enhance financial literacy and build valuable workplace skills while also improving time management and grades. Mary Sue Youn, an expert in engineering guidance, discusses the various fields within engineering and the academic preparation needed. She highlights the importance of math and core disciplines and clarifies misconceptions about engineering careers, preparing students for future success.
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Work Holiday Breaks To Build Independence
- Work during holiday breaks to earn money and learn practical workplace skills.
- Use those jobs to build financial independence and learn payroll, taxes, and direct deposit basics.
Part-Time Work Can Help Grades
- Moderate work during college (about 20 hours/week) correlates with higher grades and helpful adult mentoring.
- Excessive full-time work is challenging and can harm academic outcomes.
Teach Real Budgeting By Earning
- Let students earn money to learn budgeting: taxes, take-home pay, and monthly expenses.
- Have them compare gross pay to net pay and estimate rent and bills to set realistic expectations.