First off, we all need to congratulate the winner of our first giveaway for the “Limeade” notebook for Edesse Designs. Megan will be doodling to her heart’s content this fall. And if back-to-school cuteness escaped you this time, no fear, you have another chance! This time we are giving away two notebooks and a pack of pencils from Earmark. Earmark products are the creative crafting of adorable couple Bridgette and Mike from Oceanside, California. Their items have been featured in Bridal Guide Magazine, Women’s Health, Daily Candy, InStyle, Poppytalk Handmade, Indie Fixx, A Cup O’ Jo, Glamour Magazine online & more! We will be giving away the “Venice” notebook, the “Radiance” notebook and some cute green pencils.

To be eligible for the drawing you must make a comment on this post about a topic or article you would like to see My Colleges and Careers post about. Good Luck!

Look what the cat dragged in….a high school diploma? Yep, little Oreo the cat from Macon, Georgia got her diploma from Jefferson High School Online. Oreo was part of a sting operation by the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, designed to expose phony “diploma mills” that have popped up all over the internet. These sites give people “diplomas” if they answer a few questions and write a short essay, and fork over $200 dollars. There are no correct answers, no one reads the essay, the computer simply generates a fake diploma once a credit card number has been provided.

Oreo’s adoptive father Kelvin Collins asked Oreo if she would participate in the sting operation to which she answered with a simple “meow.” Sweeter words have never been meowed.

Oreo sat on Kelvin’s lap as he typed the answers and the “life experience” essay as Oreo dictated to him, “Meow meow meow….meeeeeeeeeoooooooooowwww…(Oreo’s licks his paw)….hisss…..meow.” Collins did not disclose the essays contents but many have speculated it discusses the hardships Oreo went through when she got worms as a kitten. Or maybe it was about her addiction and recovery from catnip. That Oreo is a real survivor.

We’re onto you Jefferson High School Online. The cat’s out of the bag. (Sorry I just couldn’t resist).

“The GED Tests cannot be taken online,” GED Testing spokesperson Cassandra M. Brown told msnbc.com. “They are only available for in-person testing at an Official GED Testing Center.” Brown said via e-mail that the GED Testing Service, a Program of the American Council on Education, has issued warnings about programs like Jefferson High School Online.

Ok seriously though, even though this story is straight hilarium 2009, DO NOT believe any website that tells you they can give you a diploma without actually doing any work. For real colleges classes and programs visit My Colleges and Careers.

Many people believe that there are only a few careers where there is money to be made. We think that you have to be a doctor or a lawyer to get your hands on some green that but is becoming more and more untrue everyday. While you can make money doing those things there are hundreds of other careers and occupations that can put you in the six-digit range. We here at My Colleges and Careers are just as excited at the idea of you rolling off in a Mercedes Benz G Wagon or a Masserati as you are. But in order to do that you have to get that education and training. Do you know how much these careers pull in?

Check out the My Colleges and Careers Salary Quiz

Thinking about becoming a chiropractor or physical therapist? A new study will have everyone running for the table!

“Patients who received chiropractic or physical therapy had lower total health care costs and were less likely to have surgery than demographically similar Wellmark members who did not receive such services, and overall, 89 percent of all patients receiving physical medicine services reported improvement of at least 30 percent within 30 days.”

Read more here.

Has chiropractic work or physical therapy benefited your life? Do share below in the comments!

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch and “they” might be right. But you know that could be yours for free? This adorable notebook from Edesse Designs. It is back to school season, whether you are gearing up for some online classes or you are braving campus, cute school supplies can help you get motivated to conquer academia. To be a candidate to win this notebook simply leave a comment and if you are the lucky number that we select at random we will shoot you an email. This is the beginning of a My Colleges and Careers Giveaway Series so stay tuned!

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Problem: You’ve spent the last few years…umm…”finding yourself” which could include playing video games, watching America’s Next Top Model reruns, or trying to make it as an actor. You have wasted some time and need to graduate fast!

Solution: Online Education. You can more classes online than you are allowed to at a traditional university and you can work as fast you need to.

Problem: You have an on-again off-again illness. You would love to take classes but you can really time your nauseous bouts to occur before or after American Heritage 110.

Solution: Online Education. When you’re feeling great you can finish tons of lessons online to make up for those days when you aren’t feeling well.

Problem: You have little ones. 2-year-olds aren’t the most portable things on earth (the carseats, the blanket, the toys, the snacks) and they don’t really get the concept of being quiet during your Chemistry 101 class.

Solution: Online Education. You can take quizzes online while little Suzy watches Dora the Explorer (PS. Why does Dora always seem to be yelling?) and you can read your assigned chapters for English during her nap.

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Becky, a university graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing, took time out of her busy week going through hospital orientation as a recently certified Registered Nurse, to answer some questions about the world of nursing.

When did you become interested in nursing?

I became interested in nursing after my freshman year of college. I was Pre-Med and the fit just didn’t seem right for my long term goals. I knew I wanted to be a mom, but at the same time, I wanted to have a career. I love that nursing will afford me the opportunity to identify with something outside of mothering. Also, after a few years of work experience, I plan to go back to school and get my master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner, or possibly even get my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. I love that I have these choices!

What is your favorite part of being an RN?

I love that I am always learning! It can be frustrating at times to not know everything, but the learning and growth can be so rewarding because you really see the impact in people’s lives! As a nurse you get to be with your patients during some of their most vulnerable times-being a part of that and helping them through the process of healing, loss, whatever their situation may be is really fulfilling.

What has been particularly memorable about your job now or nursing school?

I can’t pinpoint one single patient. You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.

“You see everything in nursing! Really, everything.”

I love the growth that I have seen in myself throughout nursing school, and even now as a RN- I learn something new each day, and have so much left to learn. I also love knowing that I really helped someone in my day.

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Foodie Gwyneth Paltrow (love her!) sure does have a knack for slipping into Prada…whilst being able to both stomach and whip up some home cooking (hate her!).

Click here to see her channel her inner Martha Stewart/Julia Child/Giada DeLaurentiis and roast a chicken, along with potatoes and a garden salad.

For more information about culinary careers, visit My Colleges and Careers.

Professor: Ms. Sarah Jessica Parker. she also responds to Carrie Bradshaw.

Class Rules: Only those who speak Prada or are wearing stilettos will be admitted to class. No exceptions.

Class substitute: Kim Cattrall. Watch out, freshmen boys.

Brown Nosing Technique of Choice: Designer gifts. A pair of Manahlo Blahniks is a guaranteed A.

Multimedia Aide: Season 6 of Sex and the City.

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The current political climate has put education at the forefront of everyone’s mind. How do we improve our school systems and even if we figure that out, who will be picking up the tab? Much of the world views America as the place where anything is possible. “The American Dream,” anyone? Here is a list of some of the most important events in Educational History.

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