Alex Chediak

Helping young adults thrive at college and beyond

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Should We Become a Cashless Society?

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Confession: I hate carrying and spending cash. Always have. I like the convenience of putting everything on one credit card, being able to have an instant record of my spending, and (of course) earning 1 percent cash back. I'm not prone to impulse purchases, and I've always paid my bill in full and on time. But Derek Thomas has a provocative article in The Atlantic on the downsides of our becoming a cashless society. Thomas writes: "In the 1970s, fewer than 20 percent of the adult population owned a credit card. Today, between 70 and 80 percent of the adult population does." So what? Thomas … [Read more...] about Should We Become a Cashless Society?

Is Your Child Prepared to Major in a STEM Field?

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Fascinating post by Lynn O'Shaughnessy on the popularity of STEM majors and the importance of preparation for success in them.  The 2013 report she cites notes the need for students to "understand what takes place in a specific major or occupation." When they do, the report shows, their ACT scores rise, which implies better preparation for the rigors of college and a greater likelihood of success in a family of majors with a higher than average attrition rate. Like I explained in Chapter 9 of Preparing Your Teens for College, we need to help more HS students understand what's required for … [Read more...] about Is Your Child Prepared to Major in a STEM Field?

Paul Miller – A Loving Life – 50% Off (Or More)

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Paul Miller, author of the fantastic book A Praying Life, has a new title out called A Loving Life. The publisher's description: How do you love with no love in return? How do you love when no one notices or cares? Best-selling author Paul Miller tackles these tough questions at the heart of our struggle to love head on. Drawing on the book of Ruth, A Loving Life offers the help we need to embrace relationship, endure rejection, cultivate community, and reach out to even the most unlovable around us as we discover the power to live a loving life. For 72 hours only, this book is available … [Read more...] about Paul Miller – A Loving Life – 50% Off (Or More)

Tim Keller on Morning Joe

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Tim Keller appeared on Morning Joe recently to discuss his new book, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering.  On a personal note, he shares that his father passed away in February and his mother passed away earlier that very week. I'm two chapters into this book and really enjoying it. He's comparing the Christian view of suffering to that of the Greek stoics and Eastern mystics. A quote, "Christians don't face adversity by stoically decreasing our love for the people and things of this world so much as by increasing our love and joy in God....Grief was not to be eliminated but … [Read more...] about Tim Keller on Morning Joe

Highest and Lowest Paying Majors

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Update: I don't believe earnings prospects should be the major factor in how a teen goes about choosing a college major. They should look to the intersection of their God-given talents and interests, as I've explained here and here.   That said, studies show that many teens don't have a realistic sense of their earning prospects when they choose a college major.  As a result, they might take on tens of thousands of dollars in student debt, and spend years struggling to pay it off.  I'm not suggesting Christians should avoid low-paying careers.   But we should decide how to pay for college in … [Read more...] about Highest and Lowest Paying Majors