Blog

Socioeconomic Inequality’s Impact on First-Generation Students

Students interested in taking the first brave step toward earning a college degree often need help and guidance throughout their journey. Many turn to parents, relatives, or siblings who have earned a degree for advice on various aspects of higher education, from filling out college applications and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to choosing a major. First-gen college students, however, often have to navigate an unfamiliar path on their own. Socioeconomic inequality — often experienced by first-generation families — can also impact students’ success at enrolling in and completing a college degree program. A longitudinal study conducted […]

How to Make Stress Work for You

Everyone experiences stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed because you’re balancing professional duties, homework deadlines, and family obligations or you’re on edge because you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic, stress is normal, and it happens to everyone. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, other personal stressors — such as financial pressures, difficulties managing remote work while caring for children, and limits on social interactions — are at an all-time high. Although many people assume the best way to deal with stress is to find ways to tamp it down, a better strategy can be to make stress work for you. When […]

Personal Brand Tips: How to Promote Yourself Without Overselling

To advance your career, self-promotion — publicizing your skills and aptitudes to further your professional growth — is crucial. This is especially true in today’s competitive work environment. Those who understand how to establish and promote their personal brand can gain an edge over their peers. The first step toward establishing a personal brand involves deciding how you want to be perceived. Are you a marketing professional who wants to be seen as the go-to authority in your field, or are you an IT engineer with a knack for developing creative, forward-thinking software solutions for your clients? To create your […]

Safeguard Your Next Contactless Card Payment and Mobile Purchase

Despite recent advancements in credit card safety protocols, such as temporary card verification value (CVV) numbers, chip cards, and contactless payments (which encrypt information for every transaction), consumers must continue to be diligent in safeguarding their information. Why? Because identity theft and credit card fraud are more prevalent than ever. According to Define Financial, in 2020, the Federal Trade Commission received approximately 4.8 million reports of ID theft and credit card fraud, a 45% increase from 2019. In addition, “card not present” fraud (transactions conducted when the consumer isn’t physically present) is on the rise. A June 2021 Merchant Fraud […]

Student Activities and Volunteering: How Getting Involved Helps with Career Development

Juggling the responsibilities of college is more than enough to keep students busy. However, even in the thick of full course loads, assignment deadlines, and test prep, you shouldn’t overlook opportunities outside of academics to enrich your overall college experience. Volunteering and staying active in campus life — in person or virtually — can add an invaluable layer to your college years and prepare you to succeed after graduation. Whether you’re working on a campus recycling initiative or offering up your website management skills at a local nonprofit, the benefits of volunteering and staying active during college are undeniable. Not […]

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vs. Past Pandemics

The global impact of the coronavirus is striking. According to the World Health Organization, from December 30, 2019, to the end of July 2021, there have been around 200 million cases and more than 4 million deaths from COVID-19. In the U.S. alone, there have been over 34 million cases and more than 600,000 deaths during the same period. The statistics are sobering but also enlightening. Governments, scientists, and public health officials have learned a lot from pandemics going back to the 1918 influenza and even the Black Death of the 14th century. And one thing is certain — when […]

The Next Normal: The Future of Work After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic changed many aspects of our daily lives. The abrupt lockdowns of early 2020 not only altered how companies operated, but they also spurred significant changes in how employees worked. Many of these changes, such as staff members working remotely, will likely be part of the “next normal” in some form. However, the next normal won’t be the same for workers across all sectors. Data from Pew Research shows that at the start of the pandemic, while many white-collar, high-income professionals found they could perform their jobs remotely, those in the retail, hospitality, and food service industries could […]

Your Education and Career are Important to You. We Can Help You Prioritize Both.

According to a report from the World Economic Forum, more than half of employees (54%) will require upskilling or reskilling to stay competitive in their current jobs. As the job market and economy continue to modernize, new innovations are causing massive changes in workplaces across all fields. It’s a seismic shift that can’t be ignored. At Maryville University, we’re here to help you keep up — and stay ahead — because your success after you graduate is the most important outcome. The return on investment of a college education can be incredible, and it’s our aim to help you maximize yours and achieve the best possible outcomes. To help you achieve your goals, we offer future-focused online degree and certificate programs […]

Want a Curriculum Designed to Set You Up for Career Success?

You have goals. That’s why you’re here, getting ready to pursue your college education. At Maryville Online, we believe the success of our graduates isn’t just the best measure of an effective college experience — it’s the only one that matters. We built our degree programs, courses, and curriculums from the ground up to support your goals and your career outcomes — on your terms. Our students-first approach is part of why our students find such consistent success after they graduate. In fact, 96% of our online bachelor’s graduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduation. We believe […]

How to Make the Most of Your Financial Aid Options

Going to college is a long-term investment in yourself. Your dreams. Your goals. Your future. And here at Maryville University, we offer a flexible, high-quality education at an affordable cost. That’s why we’ve frozen undergraduate tuition for the past several years — a trend we’re continuing through the 2021-22 academic year. Maryville is consistently named a Kiplinger’s Personal Finance best value in private college education, and we’re ranked in the top 25% nationwide for return on investment by Educate to Careers. We’re committed to helping students plan an affordable path to a Maryville education — and to their personal and […]