Mike’s advice for students contemplating applying to a Rolling Admissions college?  Don’t wait!  Given these economic times and the fact that more people than ever are applying to colleges, all universities are more selective than ever.  The earlier you apply, the better your chances will be for being accepted.  In addition, scholarship opportunities, financial aid offers and housing are more readily available the earlier you apply and are accepted.

The benefits of applying to a Rolling Admissions college are twofold.  First, you will receive a quick decision on your application thereby eliminating the stress of waiting to hear from colleges.  Second, in case you are rejected from other colleges, a Rolling Admissions college may be an excellent alternative.

One word of caution.  If you intend to apply to both Rolling Admissions and traditional admissions colleges, check to see when your decision needs to be made to the Rolling Admissions college.  If you apply by early December to both types of institutions, and receive your acceptance from the Rolling Admissions college by the end of the year, will your decision be required prior to hearing back from the other schools to which you have applied?  Make sure to check those requirements before submitting your applications.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Jerry Frungillo, Caterer

In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Jerry Frungillo, co-owner of Frungillo Caterers, www.frungillo.com.

Frungillo Caterers is a family-owned business, started by Jerry’s parents in 1973.  Knowing that he was going to go into the family business, Jerry opted for a business major as his undergraduate degree from William Paterson University.  He feels that is formal education provided a solid background into running a business, which complemented his previous life experiences, and offered much insight as he grew the business.  Under Jerry’s stewardship with his brother Robert, Frungillo Caterers has grown from a single catering location to four banquet halls plus off-premise catering capabilities.

Jerry views his career as a caterer as a way to make people’s dreams come true.  His job is not limited to the four or five hours that the event is taking place, but rather encompasses many hours prior to the event in planning with the client.  “Holding hands” with the client, as Jerry says, making sure their vision comes to fruition seamlessly.

In the podcast, Jerry shares a harrowing “war story” about a tent that literally blew away!  Listen as Jerry explains how he was able to save the day, and how guests were totally unaware of the last minute changes due to his professionalism, the mark of a superb caterer.

Jerry offers great advice for students considering becoming a caterer.  The first piece of advice that he shares is to know yourself and your limitations, as being a caterer will work 90 hours per week.  Next, shadow a professional for a week to walk in a caterers’ shoes to make sure you like it.  Third, start at the bottom as a dishwasher and move up the ranks, so that you thoroughly understand each position and how it fits into the whole organization.

On April 16, 2010, Jerry is being honored by William Paterson University with a Distinguished Alumni Award at the school’s Legacy Award Gala.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Is 38 Minutes Enough?

In this podcast, Mike Rivera poses the question:  “Is 38 minutes enough?”  This question derives from a study by Dr. Patricia McDonough that found that an average student will spend only 38 minutes per year with his or her high school guidance counselor discussing college counseling and/or career counseling.

Now, this fact is through no fault of the high school guidance counselors themselves.  It is based upon the realities of numbers.  While the American School Counselor Association recommends 1 guidance counselor per 100 students, the national average is 1:315 (or much more) in public high schools and 1:241 in private schools.

During the podcast, Mike offers questions for parents to ask the high school office regarding this issue.  He also recommends seeking external college counseling to best position the high school student for success in college and beyond.

Source:  Sanders, B. (2008, January 18). Parents – Guidance at School May Not be Enough. Retrieved January 18, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Parents-­-­-­Guidance-­at-­School-­May-­Not-­be-­Enough&id=935539

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Kevin Slavin, Hospital President

In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Kevin Slavin, the President and Chief Executive Officer of East Orange General Hospital, www.evh.org.

Like so many people we’ve interviewed for this Ear on Careers series, Kevin does not work in the field of his undergraduate major:  engineering from Rutgers University.  In the podcast, Kevin explains how he first became interested in healthcare administration during his initial job search.  This interest led him to the University of Colorado, where he did his graduate studies.  Kevin first worked as an orderly/nurses aid and saw the hospital organization from the ground up.

Currently, as the President of a non-profit community hospital, Kevin has a two-fold job.  First, is staff management, where he recruits and maintains the best doctors, nurses and staff, and then oversees the operations of the hospital.  Second, he develops a strategic plan for the hospital, which includes working with advocates in Trenton and Washington, D.C. as well as the Board of Trustees who oversee the hospital.

Kevin says that college prepared him by teaching him good communication skills, both verbal and written.  In addition, it provided him a solid analytical foundation and introduced him to the world of finance.  His advice to students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration?  Seek a psychology undergraduate degree.  Listen to Kevin as he explains what has surprised him the most as a hospital president and as he shares a very interesting “war story.”

Kevin offers many tips and ideas for you to digest in deciding whether a career in healthcare administration is for you.  Among them are to be prepared to work long hours interacting with people on many different levels, to hone your financial skills, to seek balance and to love what you do.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Ryan Dorchak, Restaurateur

Ryan grew up at the Cloverleaf Tavern, originally founded as a “man’s bar” by his grandfather in 1933.  Knowing that he would enter the family business, Ryan graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, with a degree in marketing and a minor in finance.  Both his major and minor contribute to the continuing success of the Cloverleaf Tavern, as Ryan employs “4-walls marketing” and keeps an eye on the finances to increase the restaurant’s profits even in these uncertain times.

Listen as Ryan explains the delicate balancing act he oversees as a restaurateur.  Believe it or not, restaurants have the number 1 failure rate in the United States.  While the restaurant opens for lunch at 11 am, Ryan’s day begins at 7 am attending to staff operations, finances and marketing, allowing him to be on the floor during the lunch and dinner rush.

In the podcast, Ryan shares the surprises of being a restaurateur as well as a very important war story.  For those considering a career as a restaurateur, Ryan offers his advice:  do your homework and be a cook and manager while honing your people skills.  Most of all, maintain high standards!

Ryan sits on the Board of Directors for the North Essex Chamber of Commerce.  His father, Richard Dorchak, was named Restaurateur of the Year for 2009 by the New Jersey Restaurant Assocation.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Meghan, Spanish Tutor, with Mike recording this podcast

In this podcast, Mike Rivera introduces our listeners to Meghan McGeehan.  Meghan is a Spanish language arts tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, who has developed an affinity for Spain and its culture, and imparts her enthusiasm for all things Spanish on to her students.

Meghan holds a B.S. in Spanish and Criminal Justice from Penn State University.  She has her Master’s Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Middlebury College.  Her studies have taken her to Sevilla and Madrid, and she has taught in Madrid for two years.  Meghan also is a Spanish teacher at Morristown-Beard High School in Morristown, NJ.

During the podcast, Meghan explains her philosophy about tutoring – in both English and Spanish! - which is to take the Spanish language seriously but have fun in the process.  Judging from her students’ tutoring sessions and successes in the classroom, we think that she is executing on her philosophy seamlessly!  To schedule an appointment with Meghan, contact Rhonda at Top-Tier Tutoring today.

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

T. Jens Feeley, Ph.D., NASA

At the tender age of 6, Jens witnessed Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon, and his fate was sealed. Politics were always hotly debated in the Feeley household growing up. So, space exploration, politics and political science are truly in Jens’s blood.

Jens earned his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University in New Jersey, followed by an M.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Jens was awarded his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Washington. His publications span a broad range of topics, including space policy, earthquake policy, the history of science policy, and science communications. He is also the author of a congressional study on Foreign-Trade Zones. His dissertation research explored partisan politics in the modern Congress, and documented the limitations on partisan ambition that result from the governing responsibilities of the majority. In addition, Jens worked as an intern in the Pentagon’s Office of International Security Affairs and was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow (Class of 1987). He has received numerous merit awards, including the NASA Exceptional Performance Award.

Jens has spent 16 of the past 23 years of his life working at NASA. In his current position as a Senior Policy Analyst, Jens prepares senior managers and scientists at NASA on how to best handle issues, testimony and presentations. Jens truly enjoys blending his writing skills with science, making even the most complex scientific hypotheses and discoveries accessible to everyone.

What has surprised Jens the most about working at NASA? His ability to interact with literally the smartest people in the world, who can break down extremely intricate concepts so that he is able to communicate them effectively to Congress and other interested parties. He enjoys learning about science and technology, two things that change on practically a daily basis at NASA. In addition, Jens derives satisfaction from the culture of interaction between people and ideas at NASA.

If you are considering a career at NASA, Jens recommends “preparing to be the best.” Such preparation should include internships that are available at such websites as http://university.gsfc.nasa.gov/programs/ (for NASA internships (paid & unpaid)) and http://www.studentjobs.gov/ (for summer jobs/student jobs – Government wide).

We hope that Jens’s story will inspire you to consider a career at NASA, even if you do not want to be a rocket scientist!

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Steven Janett, Real Estate Broker

In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Steven Janett, a real estate broker. Steve currently is the Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Prudential New Jersey Properties, www.prudentialnewjersey.com. Steve has won many awards, including “REALTOR of the Year” from both the New Jersey Association of Realtors and the West Essex Board of Realtors.

Steve graduated from Stockton State College, with a major in business and minors in finance and real estate. His late father had started a real estate office in 1954 and, after graduating, Steve soon joined the family business. He really enjoys the fact that real estate is not a 9 to 5 business, but rather is very flexible according to the client’s needs. Steve started as a sales representative in his father’s office, became a broker within two years and sales manager three years later. Today, in his role as Senior Vice President and Regional Manager, Steve oversees many offices in the Prudential New Jersey real estate corporate structure. He supports managers and sales people in their efforts to provide the best real estate experience for their clients.

When asked about the biggest surprises in real estate, Steve noted the legal complexities involved with riders and inspections. His advice to aspiring real estate specialists is to get a solid educational background, join a good broker that has a training program and to remember that real estate is all about relationship building. Steve notes the impact that technology is having on real estate agents and how real estate is marketed and sold. Even in this economy, the second half of 2009 has been a great time in real estate for Steve!

We hope that Steve’s story will inspire you to consider a career in real estate, a challenging field that combines relationship building, legal knowledge and technology with the possibility of great rewards.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

James Nachbaur, Federal Agent

James was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and graduated from Passaic County Community College (“PCCC”) and William Paterson University. After graduating with a degree in Communications in 1995, James entered the financial industry, where he worked until after the attacks of September 11^th. He, like many, decided that he wanted to make a difference in the world and – after a brief time as the owner of an Applegate Farms franchise – was accepted into the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in 2006. James was drawn to the DHS because of its opportunities to transfer within the department and thereby gain experience with a variety of different agencies.

James notes that PCCC was a great experience because the value was extremely high, he had great professors, and it allowed him to gain the maturity needed to continue for a four-year degree. At PCCC he majored in Criminal Justice but does not recommend that major for anyone considering a career in law enforcement because the Academy will teach you everything you need to know.

In order to be eligible for a career in law enforcement, a 4-year college degree is a requirement; a graduate degree can only help your chances of securing a position. Given a federal agent’s rigors, being in good physical shape is also nearly a requirement. In addition, being a volunteer with an organization such as being an EMT, as well as participating in martial arts, is viewed favorably. James is most surprised about the dedication of his fellow teammates, as a federal agent’s job is extremely important but, being a federal position, does not pay like in the private sector.

When asked for tips about becoming a federal agent, James stresses the importance of reading the paper and keeping up with current events, as you may be called upon to speak with dignitaries and politicians. He also emphasizes staying out of situations that can get you into trouble and staying hyper-aware; volunteering; getting a skill set such as a foreign language, staying in shape; and developing a good character and abiding by a high standard of ethics. James also notes that when you are applying, a thick skin will help you get through the “hurry up and wait” process.

We hope that James’s story will inspire you to consider a career federal law enforcement, a challenging field that allows you to both protect and give back to the community.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Cindy Salvo, Attorney

In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Cindy Salvo, a civil litigation attorney and founder of The Salvo Law Firm in Fairfield, New Jersey, www.salvolawfirm.com.

Cindy’s path to becoming an attorney was anything but straight. After several detours, she obtained both an undergraduate and graduate degree in psychology, and founded the Miss American Petite Pageant. While running the Pageant, she had a lawyer on retainer to assist her with various legal issues. Seeing the value of the attorney’s skill, Cindy went to law school in order to better run her Pageant business. However, after spending her summer between her second and third years at law school with a large New York City law firm, she decided that the legal profession was right for her, and closed down the Pageant shortly thereafter.

Cindy does not regret her previous educational and life experiences, as they have shaped the type of lawyer that she is. Her psychology degree taught her compassion, while her experience as a businesswoman brought her understanding for clients. Her advice to aspiring lawyers is to study really hard and make sure your first year law school grades are very good. She finds being an attorney to be very rewarding and she very much enjoys the field, especially when she obtains a good result for her clients.

We hope that Cindy’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the law. If you like to write, argue and think on your feet, the law may be a perfect fit for you!

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

In this twist on the traditional job resume, your academic resume markets you to colleges. It focuses on your strengths and shows how you will make the most out of what the university has to offer. Your academic resume lists your interests and identifies what you intend to do after college.

Also, do not shy away from your weaknesses; your academic resume is your opportunity to show how you are working to rectify a possible perceived flaw. For example, if you have a low GPA or SAT/ACT scores, indicate that you are taking summer courses or tutoring to improve your results. Have historically few volunteer experiences? Create a solution by listing a new volunteer position you have just begun.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Sarah Ober, Accountant

In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Sarah Ober, an accountant with Tobia & Hillyer in Fairfield, New Jersey, www.tobiahillyer.com.

Sarah’s path to becoming an accountant is not at all what you would imagine. She never even took one accounting class in college! She graduated from Seton Hall with a degree in International Relations and a minor in business, and planned to work at the World Bank. A requirement before applying there, however, was having experience in the working world. It so happened that Sarah was hired by the accounting firm of Tobia & Hillyer as an Office Manager, and simply fell in love with tax returns!

Sarah has now worked at Tobia & Hillyer for seven years, and has earned two Master’s Degrees in Tax. In her position, she reviews bookkeeping and tax returns for small companies and individuals and says that there is no typical day. In fact, during tax season, Sarah logs 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and loves every minute of it. Sarah is very proud of her recent IRS win in tax court, as she is an enrolled agent with the IRS and was able to secure a sizeable victory for her client who had lost all receipts in a fire. She credits her win to her knowledge of tax law and her people skills, obviously an unstoppable combination.

Sarah offers the following advice for aspiring accountants – take advantage of any internships offered at your college. She also suggests taking accounting classes and learning how to multitask. We hope that Sarah’s story will inspire you to consider a career in accounting, a complex field that challenges you to provide answers to clients in all types of situations.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Mike then goes on to go over the differences between Early Decision and Early Action programs. For Early Decision, your application, once accepted, is binding. This means that you can only apply to one college using the Early Decision mechanism and upon acceptance, you must withdraw any other outstanding applications. Moreover, an early deposit will be due and you must attend this college. Some schools, such as Princeton and Harvard have stopped using the Early Decision process.

On the other hand, Early Action is not binding. You may apply to as many colleges as you want using the Early Action procedure and, when you are accepted, you are under no obligation to attend. Your decision will be required in the Spring, when regular acceptances and deposits are due. Mike prefers applying Early Action, if you are inclined toward early application.

A hybrid of these two is called the Single Choice Early Action plan. This plan is not binding like Early Action; however, you can only apply to one school using this process like Early Decision. The hybrid is less common than Early Decision and Early Action plans.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Marlene Waldock, Communications Specialist

In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Marlene Waldock, a communications specialist based out of Verona, New Jersey, www.becausewearewomen.com. Among other things, Marlene is the founder of 1^st Impression Communications and of Because We Are Women, a teen counselor at the Rothman Institute and the immediate past president of the North Essex Chamber of Commerce.

Marlene received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Adolescent Psychology, with the goal of helping teens transition to young adults. However, early in her working life, she went into sales and eventually became a Regional Training Consultant. In the mid-1990’s, Marlene turned to communications and public speaking Throughout her career, Marlene has constantly doing public speaking in front of groups, either while training or as a television host on NJ Channel 12. In-between, she obtained a management degree from Georgia State.

In her role as a Communications Specialist, her typical day consists of prioritizing activities based upon what is important rather than what’s urgent. With regard to public speaking, she encourages young people to “go through” their fears; anxiety before public speaking is actually a good thing. Marlene notes that communications and psychology are about changing behaviors, and encourages young people to believe in themselves and reach for your dreams.

We hope that Marlene’s story will inspire you to consider a career in communications, a challenging field that constantly prompts professionals to reinvent themselves and stay ahead of the curve.

We are very excited to bring to you another episode in the series we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more. Consider this your podcast “career day”!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Bernard O'Rourke, College Professor

In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Bernard O’Rourke, an associate College Professor in International Business at Caldwell College in Caldwell, New Jersey. Caldwell College can be found on the web at www.caldwell.edu.

Bernie hails from Ireland, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. After college, Bernie was sent by the Irish Government Development Office to the United States to promote inward investment to Ireland. While here, he met his wife, got his M.B.A. at Fordham University and held positions within various corporations.

In this podcast, Bernie discusses the different types of professorships. He shares his love of college campus life with our listeners, finding his role as Professor never tedious. Bernie genuinely enjoys teaching (and learning from) his students, and is extremely fulfilled in his chosen occupation.

His tip for aspiring college professors? Secure the best credentials by way of degrees. Experience counts, but credentials are key. We hope that Bernie’s story will inspire you to consider a career in academia!

We are very excited to bring to you another episode in the series we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more. Consider this your podcast “career day”!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

The SAT is designed to test a student’s test taking skills and innate ability, as it was designed based upon the IQ test. It runs three hours and forty-five minutes, has 140 questions and tests critical readying, writing and math. The perfect score is 2400; 1/4 point is deducted for each incorrect answer.

On the other hand, the ACT tests scholastic achievement, and it was designed based upon the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The ACT is three hours and twenty-five minutes long, has 215 questions and tests math, English, reading, science and writing. The perfect score is a 36. No points are deducted for a wrong answer.

Both the SAT and the ACT are accepted at virtually every college. Starting with the class of 2010, the SAT joins the ACT in allowing you to select which scores (entire test) to send to the colleges. The bottom line: take practice exams for both exams to determine with which test you’re most comfortable. Then, study for that one, and get the best score possible!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

J.P. Hamel

In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome J.P. Hamel, the publisher of The Essex Fells Magazine. J.P. grew up in Rahway, New Jersey, and attended Albright College in Pennsylvania. In college, J.P. majored in biology and math, intending to enter the biotech/research field. However, his first job took him into the marketing and recruiting field and in January 2009 – the same time that Top-Tier Tutoring was launched! – J.P. started his franchise business with N2 Publishing, www.n2pub.com.

Publishing, according to J.P., requires him to coordinate material for the monthly publication. He is always seeking relevant and creative content of interest to the readership. In addition, a publisher functions in a business development capacity, as advertising provides necessary funding. Accordingly, J.P. has to both find advertisers and maintain good relationships with them.

J.P. says that no one type of major is required to enter the publishing field. His degree in math and biology provided him with a solid foundation, as the scientific/analytic approach he learned in college enables him offer his publication to advertisers as a logical business decision. J.P. notes that his career in sales also has benefitted him tremendously in his role as publisher, especially when dealing with business development. We hope that J.P.’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the publishing industry, an exciting field that brings much needed information to the people!

We are very excited to bring to you another episode in the series we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more. Consider this your podcast “career day”!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Marie holds a degree in accounting, and is a College Financial Aid Counselor with Garretson Financial, located in Cranford, New Jersey – www.garretsonfinancial.com. Marie’s interest in the field stemmed from very personal reasons – her children were of college age! Now she helps parents understand the process and receive the most aid for which they are eligible – and even illustrate how a private school could be less expensive than a public institution!

During the podcast, Marie discusses the FAFSA form – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is through this application that the “expected family contribution,” or the minimum amount a family can pay, is calculated. All colleges receive this report and some also have their own separate supplements, which Marie also touches upon.

Marie’s advice is to plan early. The best time to meet with a financial aid counselor is when your child is in freshman or sophomore year; no later than junior year. Marie stresses the importance of the deadlines, noting that the system is based upon a first come, first served model. So, be quick to download this podcast and get all the information about this very important aspect of college selection!

Pat Nocito, Banker

We are very excited to bring to you our first episode in what is hoped to be a very long series of podcasts: “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more. Consider this your podcast “career day”!

For our first episode, we are pleased to welcome Pat Nocito, a Vice President and Branch Manager at Capital One Bank in West Caldwell, New Jersey. Pat’s route to banking was certainly anything but direct but, in hindsight, his undergraduate degree in psychology (with a minor in finance) prepared him well for the tasks he faces daily. He explains that banking is not just crunching numbers, but really is all about people – connecting businesses to other businesses to develop relationships, and enhance everyone’s bottom line. A “typical” day for Pat consists of multitasking; dealing with the finance side of the business as well as the various people, from bosses and mentors to staff and business and consumer clients. For those considering entering the field of banking, Pat recommends becoming a teller, taking advantage of local college programs as well as applying for paid internships.

Pat stresses the importance of his college education. College taught him life lessons, brought him out of his shell and expanded his horizons, all of which serve him well as a banker. A native of Vineland, New Jersey, Pat attended St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania on a full scholarship. We hope that Pat’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the banking industry, as it’s not just about making deposits anymore!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212

Jeff holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Secondary Education from the University of Scranton. While there, he also was enrolled in pre-med courses. At the present time, he is going for two masters degrees – one in Mathematics from Montclair State University and another in Administration and Curriculum from the University of Scranton. Jeff is a math teacher at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, NJ. Ironically, Jeff says that it was tutoring that got him into teaching!

During the podcast, Jeff explains his philosophy about tutoring, and how he makes students feel “safe” with the subject matter, which leads to their success. We were skeptical at first of how such a math whiz could really connect with students (or anyone for that matter!), but once you listen to this podcast, we’re confident that you will agree that our skepticism was unfounded.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212

During July and August, Mike discusses how Top-Tier Tutoring is challenging all students to Seize the Summer by enrolling in its College Prep Boot Camp. This series of 8, 1-hour workshops will address a variety of topics related to college planning, such as selecting the right schools, creating your academic resume and writing your essays and short answers. One lucky listener to the Top-Tier Tutoring Podcast will be selected at random to win free admission into the College Prep Boot Camp (a $300 value). To enter this contest, please send an email to info@top-tiertutoring.com with “Free Boot Camp” in the subject line.

Mike has been a tutor and college counselor for over 3 ½ years as well as in the financial industry for over 16 ½ years. Mike holds a BA from Seton Hall University, an MA from Kean University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law. He applies humor and a dose of reality into his tutoring sessions, to help his students see the big picture. Rhonda, who does sales and marketing for Top-Tier Tutoring, earned her BA from Bucknell University and a JD from New York Law School. Both have seen the value of education as providing a firm foundation in today’s changing world.