Income Share Agreements (ISAs) are emerging as an excellent alternative to traditional private student loans. With this type of agreement, students pay nothing, in most cases, until after they complete their program. Then, once a student has finished the program and gets a job using their new skills, they pay a percentage of their income for a set period of time until they have either reached the Required Payments, Max Payment Cap, or Payment Window.
Working From Home? Here’s Why You Need a Commute
Before Covid-19, 86% of the 151 million American workers surveyed for the 2018 American Community Survey said they drove to work each day. But the pandemic put this to a screeching halt. People are struggling with overworking and separating themselves emotionally from work. We’re working at home and we’re sleeping at work, and it’s really confusing for our brains. That’s where a commute comes in.
Mastering the Inbound Funnel: How to Become a Great Tech Salesperson
Software as a service (SaaS) is a tech-delivery model where centrally hosted software is licensed and delivered to customer’s on a subscription basis. Also referred to as cloud-software, SaaS has become today’s dominant means of software solutions for virtually every single conceivable business need.
State of Illinois Passes Income Share Agreement (ISA) Act
In a step forward for state regulation of Income Share Agreements (ISA), Illinois recently signed into law the Student Investment Account Act (Act).
Unlocking the Potential of ISAs to Tackle the Student Debt Crisis
This post was originally written by Richard Price of the Christensen Institute. The original post along with his full paper can be found here.
With one million defaults on traditional private student loans every year, and $1.6 trillion in outstanding student debt, it’s clear the U.S. is in desperate need of innovative funding models in higher education. Income Share Agreements, or ISAs, stand to provide a promising alternative to high-risk traditional private student loans, as they better align the interests of students, schools, and lenders.
New Report Shows How Student Borrowers Fare on Income-Driven Repayment Plans
Excerpts below are from the original article written by Thomas Conkling and Christa Gibbs for The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The full original article can be found here.
The Top 4 Online Career Building Programs You Can Do Right Now
It goes without saying that we are living in uncertain times right now, both globally and economically. The world has been in the midst of a pandemic that has turned much of life as we know it upside down. As a result, the rhythm of our day to day lives have changed dramatically and forced us to adapt.
As schools and universities quickly switch their programs from in-person to online, and many businesses have their employees begin working from home, people are having to get used to doing everything remotely.
As serious as this situation is, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance for opportunity. Some of the worlds biggest tech companies we know today were started in the recession of 2008. Their stories can be used as inspiration for those of us who want to grow and develop during these trying times.
and programs are dedicated to helping people build recession-proof in a quick period of time. With software such as Zoom and Slack, aren’t complicated to learn online. Not only are they built to be learned solely online but they also prepare you for the increase of that we’re seeing in the work-force.
If you’ve been longing for a career path change, whether it be coding or SaaS sales, or just want to build more skills to make yourself absolutely irreplaceable, now’s your chance.
Finding the Right Online Boot Camp
Everyone’s goals are different, so it’s important to find the best online program for your needs. While many online boot camps are associated with software coding, they are certainly not the only skill you can learn remotely!
Here’s a list of 4 incredible online courses, with only one being a traditional coding school. The best part, these 4 online programs are all totally remote:
1. Full Stack Coding
Lambda School offers a full-time, 6-month online full stack coding education. This immersive online school is dedicated to teaching the most cutting-edge and in-demand technologies focused around JavaScript. Students will learn front end, back end, mobile, and neural network technologies. Their online classroom experience is the same as any physical classroom, live students, live instructors, full interaction, pair programming, and frequent code reviews. Their online, immersive format allows you to be connected to instructors at all times, chat with other students, or have someone instantly jump in to see your code.
2. Software Sales
PreHired offers an online software sales course with job placement as an SDR (Sales Development Rep) in software sales at leading Technology and SaaS companies. Prehired members will learn sales-related software in various categories like CRM, lead generation, lead enrichment, sales automation, productivity, and artificial intelligence. Prehired’s software sales training and mentoring program aims to equip its members with the skills to help them land a dream job and potentially reach a six-figure salary in the high demand market for SDRs. Members learn interactively through videos, templates, an active Slack community, and one-on-one mentoring via video conferencing.
This online course is for anyone looking to make a career in software sales, whether you have no experience or 15 years experience in the field. Applicants are required to take an application test, and if they pass, can schedule an admissions interview with a Prehired advisor to discuss whether the program is a good fit.
3. College Alternative (Personal Brand Building)
Praxis offers a 6-month Bootcamp for those who want more than college. It’s for entrepreneurial young professionals looking for real-world working experience and a self-directed educational experience all in one – plus, if you complete the Bootcamp successfully, they guarantee you will land a full-time job offer at a high-growth startup. Whether you’re interested in Sales, Marketing, Operations, or something more technical, Praxis will work with you to teach you the skills you want to pursue the best career for you.
Praxis’ most successful participants are hands-on, embrace big challenges and focus on delivering results. They have ambition and responsibility to own important projects and drive their own development. A review of past cohorts shows that the most successful candidates exhibit the following traits: a Strong Commitment to Self-Directed Learning; Openness to Feedback; Strong Communication; Adaptability; and a Remarkable Work Ethic
4. Product Management
Are you a Product Manager (or aspiring Product Manager) looking to take your career to the next level? Product Gym is a 6-week Part-Time program focused on training you to generate more Phone Screens, Onsite Interviews, and Offers to accelerate your Product Management career. ‘Product Manager’ is one of the hottest job titles in the country right now and Product Gym will help make you a Product Management All-Star.
Product Gym’s curriculum covers the product development lifecycle, from ideation to release and maintenance. Product Gym provides their members the skills needed to excel in product management. Courses include learning how to create a product roadmap, conducting business and market analysis, defining an MVP, evaluating OKRs and KPIs, wireframing, prototype testing, and building stakeholder consensus. Product Gym also offers aspiring Product Managers a community for multiple networking, career acceleration, and coaching development channels, all designed to help members and contribute to the Product Management community.
Applicants do not need to have a base knowledge of product management as Product Gym teaches content to beginners. Professionals with at least 3+ years of relevant working experience looking to make a career transition are welcome to apply.
How to Pay for your Online Course?
We know what you’re thinking: “All of this sounds great, but I don’t have the means to start any of these programs”. We at Meratas understand that, and that’s why we’re here to change the traditional model of financing your education.
With every single one of these programs listed above, you don’t have to pay a dime until you graduate and get a good-paying job. Why? Because each of them offer an Income Share Agreement (ISA) as part of their financial program.
With their ISA programs, you only begin paying back their investment once you begin a job making over a certain amount of money. Then you share a percentage of your income for a set period of time with the program. All of these programs are dedicated to investing in the individual student and ensuring you grow into a life-long career.
If you’re ready to take advantage of this time spent remotely, check out our Students page with more info on all of these amazing remote programs plus many more as well as the details on their Income Share Agreements.
Just because these are uncertain times doesn’t mean they can’t be filled with opportunity and progress.
The Best Tips, Tricks, and Tools for Working Remote
With Covid-19 forcing many businesses to quickly move their team to a completely remote setting, this virus will change the way we work from now on. Even before the pandemic, 4.7 million people in the US worked from home. According to a study done on the increase of remote work, in the span of one year, from 2016 to 2017, remote work grew 7.9%. We can use this time to learn the skills and software that go along with working remotely, making ourselves even more irreplaceable as the need for people who can productively work from home increases.
Ten Podcasts You Should be Listening to if You Want to Improve Your Career
For people that love to learn and hate wasting time, podcasts are your best friend. Podcasts turn mundane tasks like commuting, working out, cooking dinner, and cleaning the house into opportunities for professional and .
Podcasts growing popularity has led to no-shortage of high-quality podcasts to listen to that open our eyes to different perspectives in the world. In fact, Edison Research found that 42 million Americans – or 15% of the population – listen to podcasts on a weekly basis, at an average rate of five per week. With an endless amount of s and only a limited number of hours in the day, it’s difficult to know which ones are worth your time. So we’ve compiled a list of some of the best professional development podcasts, so you can pick one that works best for you.
10 Podcasts to Improve Your
Safe For Work
This is all about finding balance and happiness in your . Navigating difficult situations in the office is something we all need to know how to do effectively. Hosts Liz Dolan and Rico Gagliano advise on everything from avoiding burnout to negotiating raises, moving on, how to fake an illness when you’re calling in sick, and more. It has a little bit of everything including hard-earned from top business leaders.
Forward Tilt
The of this , Isaac Morehouse often says, “If you want a great , you’re going to have to create it.” With weekly bite-sized pieces of insight and inspiration, this is perfect for busy individuals. From “Living with Integrity” to “Your Reputation is Your Resume”, Isaac offers in a straightforward and captivating way.
The James Altucher Show
James Altucher is a former hedge fund manager and bestselling author of The Power of No. His s are both insightful, funny, and popular with more than millions of listeners and 40 million downloads. James digs deeper than the typical success story and gives us the moments we relate to: when someone rises up from personal struggle to reinvent themselves. He’s interviewed more than 500+ leaders including Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Peter Thiel, Mark Cuban, and Austin Kleon. From best selling authors to astronauts and athletes you’ll hear from champions in every different field and stage of life.
Smart Passive Income
Pat Flynn from The Smart Passive Income Blog reveals all of his online business and blogging strategies, income sources, and killer marketing tips and tricks so you can be ahead of the curve with your online business or blog. From this , you’ll discover how you can create passive income streams that work for you. Giving you the time and freedom to do what you love. This covers a broad range of topics with insightful conversations from successful entrepreneurs.
Lead to Win
Lead to Win is a designed for leaders. With actionable insights to help you win at work, succeed at life, and lead with confidence. Each is around 30 minutes long and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt. As a former CEO of a $250 million corporation, Hyatt is great at offering on scaling businesses, leading teams, and achieving results.
The Angie Lee Show
If you’re looking for some humor mixed in with smart business look no further than The Angie Lee Show. Angie Lee, a college dropout, is now an who makes seven-figures running her own about business, money management, and just life problems in general. She helps you make friends with your fear and make money doing what you love.
The $100 MBA show
If you’re short on time and need some quick, actionable to make you more effective at your this is for you. An iTunes Best of 2014 , you get practical business in 10 minutes each day. Omar Zenhom shares some of the best business lessons, concepts, examples, and insights from inside The $100 MBA training and community. Omar also invites some of the industry’s leaders as guest teachers on the show. No promotions, just solid business lessons from the best in the game.
The Dave Ramsey Show
If you’re looking to improve your financial state this year, then add this one to your list of motivational podcasts because this one will serve you endlessly. Simply put, Dave Ramsey is a master of inspiring people to change through life-altering on topics such as building wealth, eliminating debt, and personal finances. This has been named as one of Apple’s most downloaded shows in 2018.
Beyond the Todo List
Learn how to choose the right projects, tasks, and goals in work and life by going beyond the To-Do List. The host, Erik Fisher explores all aspects of productivity, including getting the right work done, getting good work done, and the true end goal of productivity: living a meaningful life. Listen to this if you’re looking to be refreshed and inspired after hearing how others fail and succeed at daily productivity.
Pivot
Pivot is a to help you if you’re looking to change your . Whether you’re looking for a new or an entirely new , host Jenny Blake provides great insight into changing up your . Jenny inspires you to find opportunities in unexpected places through and tools. On her website, she states, “If change is the only constant, let’s get better at it”
Professional development isn’t easy, especially when you’re crunched for time but these podcasts can help you get there. If you’re looking for more professional development , change assistance, or even online bootcamps and classes to level up, check out Meratas!
5 Financial Habits To Start Early In Your Career
After countless hours of preparation and multiple interviews, you’ve finally received the job offer! Landing a new job is a cause for celebration, but just like anything new there can be some worry and anxiety that comes with the excitement. Planning for the future is a big part of starting a new job.