Student Loan Debt And Why It Is A Problem Essay - 1507 Words

Student Loan Debt and why it is a Problem Student loan debt affects college students all over the United States. Today students are having to take out loans in order to pay for all of their college expenses. It can be a pain to deal with the hassle of paying back the loans. The problems with student loans include causing students to go into debt that they are not able to pay them off in the given time which makes them put major life decisions on hold, and the debt stay with the student even through bankruptcy. A solution that would solve these problems is the idea of debt forgiveness which is the idea that the government will get rid of all the loan debt for college graduates. A problem with student loan debt is that students gain more debt because they are not able to pay off the student loans within the given time which also causes them to put certain life decisions on hold. According to Sophie Quinton debt is a problem for the recent college graduates because â€Å"There’s currently no way to get rid of federal student debt other than paying off the loans. while some borrowers are paying off their debts just fine, overall they are adding debt faster than they are shedding it†(Quinton). According to Jamaal Abdul-Alim stated that a â€Å"survey - titled Student Loan Debt: Who’s Paying the Price?- revealed a number of troubling statistics about the practical ways that student loans are impacting college graduates in their everyday lives. For instance the survey found that: 49Show MoreRelatedDebt Is Not Only A Sum Of Money Owed For Money1626 Words   |  7 Pagesyou want to learn the secret to being debt free? Is simple, make sure y ou have the winning numbers to the lottery. Debt is not only a sum of money owed for funds borrowed, but an actual impediment to the decisions we conduct concerning our education and our lives in general. Debt is considered to be the reason behind the headaches, the financial concerns, and mental stability of multiple individuals who day by day find themselves consumed in debt. In my case, debt would either be a factor I will beRead MoreStudent Loan Debt Is Not Worth Going Into1335 Words   |  6 Pagesdecade student loan debt has risen substantially and is now one of the largest form of personal debt in America, totaling about one trillion dollars, with 71 percent of students who earn a bachelors degree graduating with debt, with the average amount of debt being $29,400. This topic has become a very important issue, with some people saying that student loans could be the next bubble and could do what the real estate bubble did to the U.S economy in 2007 and 2009. If student loans are becomingRead MoreStudent Loans For Education Equal Success997 Words   |  4 PagesStudent Loans Assisting For Education Equal Success After reading the articles on, â€Å"The Myth of the Student Loan Crisis† it was stated that student loans are the crisis because of the hundred dollars worth of debt. The second article, â€Å"Here’s Your Crisis: Student Loans Debt Isn’t a Myth† explains that student loan crisis is not a myth but the fear of debts are preventing students from attending college. These articles provided information to prove my beliefs that the government has a responsibilityRead MoreIncome Share Agreements ( Isa )1169 Words   |  5 PagesWith student loan debt becoming increasingly worse year after year, new and potentially better avenues for students to finance a college education are emerging onto the market. In particular, income-share agreements (ISA) have appeared on the scene for a few years now, but not have attempted to modernize the way students pay for college. The big take away from ISA’s is the shift of financial risk from the student to the investor, unlike the traditional government or private loans. A student promisesRead MoreIs Forgiving Student Loan Debt A Good Idea?972 Words   |  4 PagesAnalysis of Is Forgiving Student Loan Debt a Good Idea Many people would love to have their student loans debt forgive but do not believe it will happen. So Kayla Webley decided to write an article about student loan forgiveness, at the time Webley wrote the article she was the education correspondent for Time magazine. Now she is currently a staff writer for the same magazine. In her article, she claims that the student loan dilemma that is facing a lot of Americans is a problem for your country andRead MoreStudent Loan Debt: Is it worth it?1364 Words   |  6 PagesStudent Loan Debt: Is it worth it?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many high school students are beginning their senior year and have already started to stress about how they will pay for their higher education. Although many students will have scholarships and financial aid, a lot more will struggle to pay for schooling and will have to take out multiple student loans. Many people wonder if higher education is worth the debt the country and the students are in and it is, however, there are alternatives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Read MoreThe Problem Of Student Debt Crisis1592 Words   |  7 Pageswould create a problem on how we as people are going to pay for our higher education. Today college has become almost a necessity to have a satisfactory life, and with these rising prices some individuals believe student loans are the only option. There are many reasons as to why the prices have risen, but the one undeniable fact is that this has created a problem within our country. Which, is known as the student debt crisis, and it has been on the rise the past couple years. This problem is affectingRead MoreStudent Debt Is A Significant Social Problem Essay1297 Words   |  6 PagesExamining Student Debt When we think about college and a college education, it seems as though our first initial thought is the student loans and debt that can result in achieving a college degree. Looking back, student debt has risen drastically and has made it extremely stressful for students and families. Many people go through their entire life in debt, especially from being a student. Student debt has always existed; however, now, it is so extreme, almost all students who attend college findRead MoreThe Role Of Federal Loans Became Dependent On American Families1455 Words   |  6 Pagescostly. The use of federal loans became dependent on most American families that try to provide such an education to their child. Before World War II, academically advanced students from families that were unable to finance college could apply for competitive scholarships; Scholarships mutated into â€Å"financial aid† when the GI Bill of Rights financed college for the discharged veterans (Toby, 2010). Since then, student loan debt has surpassed $1 trillion, which is larger than debt accumulated from bothRead MoreEducation : A Way Of A Better Life?1615 Words   |  7 Pageshigher education in the United States is to take out student loans. Although student loans can be helpful in getting an education they can also be very burdening. Even as student debt is being seen as harmful to several individuals, there are people in the world that are benefitting from the acquiring of this unique type of debt. The sad reality that we live in is that not everyone in this world is educated. Though there are many reasons for why everyone doesn’t have an education the main reason that

Homelessness Discursive free essay sample

Homelessness is seen as a controversial subject that statistics show is on the increase. This makes homelessness a problem in society that cannot be ignored. Firstly, let us examine some of the causes of homelessness and views about the homeless and from the homeless. Also, let us examine some initiatives that may help or solve the problem of homelessness. After extensive research, it can be seen that there are many reasons for becoming homeless such as: family problems, debt, drink and drug abuse and arguments in a family. Some people who become homeless are homeless because of debt. This happens when people do not have enough money and have to borrow loans which they cannot pay back. This can lead to homelessness. The following quotes are taken from case studies of some homeless people; they tell us how their personal situations lead to homelessness. Mary, who is a â€Å"bag lady† is in her early fifties and cannot remember how long she has been homeless: â€Å"I‘m like this because everyone died†¦ I could get away without working because of the benefits†¦ Mum died first then dad gave up a few years later†¦ Benefits stopped†¦ I wanted to live a bit so spent more than I had†¦ I said I was here because everyone died but it‘s really because of debt. † Mary’s homelessness was caused by her spending more than she had and therefore she was forced onto the streets. Mary was offered advice but she did not take it so her only alternative was to live on the streets as she had no family left or around her to offer any practical help. Subsequently, studies have shown that homelessness is experienced by younger people as well as older people. Let us consider Kelly, who is seventeen years old and is homeless in Aberdeen: â€Å"My mum was told by my step dad that I could stay till my family allowance ran out. I didn‘t go back to school when I turned sixteen so the benefit stopped. He was as good as his word. I went to my gran‘s first†¦ gran saw me as one of my mum‘s problems†¦ When I first came to Aberdeen it was to stay with a friend†¦ I tried hostels so I had an address to apply for jobs but I didn‘t get the jobs because of my appearance†¦ I never looked right for the job†¦ People won‘t believe that someone can just put you out of your own home but that‘s what happened. † Kelly became homeless because her step dad put her out of her own home. As a consequence of this, Kelly became homeless. This case shows that even with family around them young people can be vulnerable and can suffer. Kelly had no real alternative but to leave home. Society views the homeless in a very stereotypical way’s the following people show. Karen, who is twenty eight is a young mum with a part time job and has lived in a small town all her life, explains why she thinks people become homeless: â€Å"I will cross the road before I would pass them†¦ I used to go to college in Edinburgh and I would see them at the station†¦ They are mostly junkies†¦ I don‘t know where they get the money to drink and do drugs but it must come from somewhere. † Alison is a housewife with a part time job and three children and she comments: â€Å"When I come into town on the train†¦ I am put off when I see homeless people. I always feel, when thy beg for money, that they are trying to make me feel guilty†¦ As a family, we work hard to get what we need†¦ I would rather give my money to a proper charity. † The above comments suggest that most homeless people take drugs and drink and also that they do not work hard enough to get what they need. Both Karen and Alison fail to see the individual person as all they see are people to be criticised and avoided. Some homeless people find it very difficult to seek help when they are seen only as a stereotype; peoples body language as they walk past can lower the self esteem of the homeless and make them feel like they are not wanted and therefore feel they cannot go to any one for help. Stereotypical views are harmful. Homeless people can feel that they cannot talk to anyone but they can post information on a website called: â€Å"The Way They See Us†. This site lets the homeless post how they feel; almost like a diary but everyone can see it and it allows them to unburden themselves. The next two people have posted on this site how they feel. Here, Vicky explains how she feels when people pass her: â€Å"The worst thing for me was people looking at me in disgust. I had no control over my appearance†¦ When I begged for spare change I could see the disgust in peoples‘ eyes. † Vicky must feel horrible when people look at her in disgust and she might be worried that if she asks for help they might just turn her away. Her personal problem which has arisen from being homeless is one of low self esteem. Darren comments: â€Å"I have been back home now for almost a year. My parents and me, we patched things up. It got so bad on the streets that I phoned home one night†¦ It was that best decision I made†¦ It is all horrible, especially in winter, but the worst thing is forgetting who you are and losing your identity. We go by street names and you start to think of yourself as a bit of the street rather than an individual person. † Darren is lucky that he reconciled with his parents but others are not so lucky. This story shows that low self esteem can also lead to a lack of identity and eventually many homeless people feel that they are so unimportant that they disappear altogether. Vicky and Darren demonstrate that the homeless are individuals with individual worries and concerns. Studies have shown that homelessness is very serious and is on the increase. In North Ayrshire there was an increase in homelessness of 66% and in Argyle and Bute, there was an increase of 70% all due to unemployment and a lack of opportunities for both young and old alike. On the whole there are approximately 1. 463 children under the age of five that are homeless with their families and 37% of homeless people are under the age of 18. All these studies were done in 2009/2010. Accident and Emergency departments have seen a 7% rise in the number of homeless people coming in with homeless related illnesses like hypothermia and flu. Dr. Alexander of The Southern General states: â€Å"It is upsetting to think that once we have put these people back on track we send them, once again out onto bitterly cold streets†¦ Each winter takes its toll. Lack of food and water and constant exposure to the elements mean that winter related illnesses such as colds and flu can become dangerous to these people. † As some homeless people have no shelter, they cannot recover from illnesses as well as others. Increasing numbers of homeless people can be caused by debt or unemployment, at this point in time, the credit crunch may be playing a part in the increase of homelessness, people might not be able to get jobs and will get into debt and then will have to leave their homes and therefore become homeless. I think that new methods should be used to help the homeless people find shelter and a place where they feel safe, for example, buildings that are empty at night should be opened up and could be paid for by the council or volunteer funding, I also think that shelters should be opened up during the day so that it can be used as an address for the homeless. I think that the council should build affordable homes for people who do not have enough money. As a lot of people are homeless because of debt and this would help reduce the increase in homelessness. In conclusion, having examined the topic of homelessness, I have found that homelessness is an increasing problem that no one wants to help with. My research has shown that society should not turn their back on the homeless and pretend it is not a problem. I think that initiatives should be introduced to help make the homeless’ life better.

6 Things to Do When Changing Jobs

6 Things to Do When Changing Jobs The days of the â€Å"company man,† are in the past. In fact, Americans tend to stay at their jobs for an average of just 4.6 years, according to the most recent report from the Bureau of labor Statistics. That means that these same Americans will hold a total of nearly 10 jobs during the course of their working lives. With the likelihood of so many job changes in your future, understanding best practices for moving on is essential. Read on for six tips to ensure that you leave your job on a positive note. 1. Give Ample NoticeWhile the phrase â€Å"two weeks’ notice† is often heard, there’s no hard and fast standard for how much lead time you need to give your employer. To make sure the timing of your resignation is acceptable, review your employee handbook or check in with a human resources representative.Also, keep in mind that your job history will stay with you as you move through life. Even if you despised your boss, it’s important to keep your relationship on good terms by turning in a professional letter of resignation.2. Do Your JobEven if you’ve handed in your resignation, your job is still your job. Resist the urge to be a â€Å"lame duck† and instead use this time to show you’re committed to the team even if you’re moving on. Make your best effort to complete all open assignments, and if you are unable to finish them up on time, leave a detailed report for your fellow workers or replacement.Speaking of your replacement, offer to help your boss with the search to fill your position. If your replacement has been hired, offer to help with his/her training.3. Cover Your BasesReview your vacation days, sick days, commission payments, outstanding salary, and any other compensation which may be owed to you. Schedule an appointment with your supervisor and/or a human resources manager to negotiate a fair settlement and confirm that you’re on the same page regarding what your final paycheck will look like.4. Don’t Let the Door Hit You †¦The old expression goes, â€Å"Be nice to people on your way up. You’ll meet them on the way down.† Just because you’re leaving a job doesn’t mean you’re cutting ties with the company and its employees. Before leaving, make sure you have contact information for your teammates.Also, take a moment to express your gratitude for the time you spent working alongside coworkers.5. Be PreparedYou may be happy that you’re leaving, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is. Your boss may make a counteroffer to ask you to stay, or your co-workers may make you try to feel guilt about abandoning the team. Keep your interactions professional and pleasant at all times.At some workplaces it’s standard operating procedure to have an employee escorted out of the building on the spot after tendering his/her resignation. Be prepared for this scenario by packing up all of your personal belong ings, removing personal files and software from your computer, and cleaning out your desk.6. Ace Your Exit InterviewExit interviews are standard operating protocol at many places of employment. Give some thought to what you’ll share about your reasons for leaving. This is a chance to leave your workplace one last parting gift: the opportunity to make it a better place for the next employee who fills your shoes.While an exciting new job remains ahead, you’re still employed by your current company until the last time you walk out that door. Following these six steps can help ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of your career.

Free Essays on MySportTraining

This report was done using Microsoft Word 2000. When I first saw the title of the article â€Å"Stay Fit with MySportTraining† I expected that the article would be about some new kind of fitness program where I would learn how to increase my speed, endurance, strength, etc. for sports but as I started to read the article I realized it had nothing to do with increasing speed, strength, or endurance it was about a computer program made for Windows Powered Handheld or Pocket PC that keeps track of your workout progress. The author John D. Ottini explains in the introduction paragraph just who the product is made by (Expose Corp.) and what exactly the product does. â€Å"The program provides support for both strength, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercises. If you activity is not include among the 30-plus supported workouts, you can create your own custom activity†. The first paragraph in his next section of the article John D. Ottini explains what you would see when you first start up the program, â€Å"When you start MySportTarining you are presented with the â€Å"health† section of the main screen†. His next few paragraphs go into more of an overview on how to use the program and what he thinks would make the program a little better In the Month, Report, and Graphic Views portion of the article he sums up what the Month, Report, and Graphic views display. â€Å"The Month view displays a calender with icons indicating each day you’ve trained, the activity, and the duration of the workout†, â€Å"The Report view lets you create a list of workouts for one day, week, or month or for any range of dates†. â€Å"The Graphic view displays your workout data in bar charts and line graphs†. In John D. Ottini’s last paragraph he not only goes on to explain how that his overview of the program doesn’t even begin to cover all the great features in MySportTraining but also he tells us what the program is available on and the prices. â€Å"MySportTrai... Free Essays on MySportTraining Free Essays on MySportTraining This report was done using Microsoft Word 2000. When I first saw the title of the article â€Å"Stay Fit with MySportTraining† I expected that the article would be about some new kind of fitness program where I would learn how to increase my speed, endurance, strength, etc. for sports but as I started to read the article I realized it had nothing to do with increasing speed, strength, or endurance it was about a computer program made for Windows Powered Handheld or Pocket PC that keeps track of your workout progress. The author John D. Ottini explains in the introduction paragraph just who the product is made by (Expose Corp.) and what exactly the product does. â€Å"The program provides support for both strength, and cardiovascular (aerobic) exercises. If you activity is not include among the 30-plus supported workouts, you can create your own custom activity†. The first paragraph in his next section of the article John D. Ottini explains what you would see when you first start up the program, â€Å"When you start MySportTarining you are presented with the â€Å"health† section of the main screen†. His next few paragraphs go into more of an overview on how to use the program and what he thinks would make the program a little better In the Month, Report, and Graphic Views portion of the article he sums up what the Month, Report, and Graphic views display. â€Å"The Month view displays a calender with icons indicating each day you’ve trained, the activity, and the duration of the workout†, â€Å"The Report view lets you create a list of workouts for one day, week, or month or for any range of dates†. â€Å"The Graphic view displays your workout data in bar charts and line graphs†. In John D. Ottini’s last paragraph he not only goes on to explain how that his overview of the program doesn’t even begin to cover all the great features in MySportTraining but also he tells us what the program is available on and the prices. â€Å"MySportTrai...

Organizational Change Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Organizational Change Paper - Essay Example This vision must encompass a vision for future - a vision which can virtually transforms people to be more enthusiastic. Further, to achieve transformation of an organization, it is critical that the same vision must be successfully sold to all stakeholders i.e. to employees as well as shareholders and consumers who must accept how their future is going to look like if that vision is going to be followed. It is also critical that the transformational change must find its way i.e. strategies must be developed to realize that vision and change besides ensuring that leadership must take charge of the transformation taking place within the organization. Apple Computers or Apple is one such company which completely transformed itself during last 10 years by adopting innovative and transformation business practices. This paper will analyze how the transformational changes impacted its workforce and external stakeholders besides analyzing how those changes took place within the context of transformation. Apple has a very troubled history as it failed to achieve market share despite being one of the early pioneers in computer hardware and software manufacturing. With the removal of Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, company further plunged into crisis and were virtually on the brink of collapse when return of Steve Jobs resurrected the company and transformed it into one of the best consumer brands in the world. Apple's transformation is the result of visionary leadership and a marked change in the way company was operating. It transformed itself from a mere computer manufacturing firm to a firm which is now more of a consumer electronics goods manufacturer. This transformation was the result of drastic changes into cost cutting and control, rationalization of existing product lines, improving upon the distribution system of the company as well as introducing new products. (Hays, 2007). However, above all there was complete transformation into two of the following key areas: Employee Skills & Stakeholders One of the earliest impacts of such transformation at Apple was the fact that employees of the organizations were taken on-board regarding the change i.e. they were involved in the whole process of bringing that change. One of the actions which Apple took while starting transformation was the fact that they radically changed the designs of its products to make them more sleek and attractive. This was done basically to create luxurious products for masses however, what is most important is the fact that employees were part of that whole process of design especially engineers at the firm were involved heavily in the process. Therefore, the skills required by management and employees to accommodate change were to be part of that process. Steve Jobs achieved the same by involving employees into this supposed transformation. Further, as a leader and manger, Steve Jobs communicated that change internally as well as externally i.e. to external stakeholders such as shareholders and consumers where as employees as internal stakeholders. Further, it is also critical to understand that as a transformational process was under its way, Apple also implemented programs to continuously grow and learn in order to anticipate market changes more easily. Support Systems In order to accommodate ch

My Position On A Healthcare Or Social Issue Essay

My Position On A Healthcare Or Social Issue - Essay Example ld be afforded quality healthcare is the main concern and how to go about it when most of these individuals are employed secretively without contributions to major healthcare services. From a personal view, I believe illegal immigrants should be granted the same quality healthcare provisions as the American citizen regardless of their financial or career status. There are many risks associated with hospitals and clinical environments when dealing with illegal immigrants, as many diverse demographics of immigrants do not have access to the same variety of healthcare providers as those who contribute weekly to such programs through their place of employment. The risks include non-payment after services have been rendered or simply having this group exploit the system through fraudulent activities. Even though there are failsafes to prevent this, in areas of the country where there are concentrated populations of immigrants, this becomes a significant concern especially for the self-practicing physician networks that rely on timely revenues from patients. Illegal immigrants, especially certain ethnic groups, have large family networks either domestically-born or travelling as a group into the country without governmental support. Poor wages and lack of access to quality healthcare providers, such as Health Alliance Plan or Blue Care Network, bring into question whether or not these large family groups will be pursuing medical treatment on an ongoing basis as part of preventative care services. There is already over-crowding in certain clinical environments which puts tremendous strain on physicians and patients alike, thus these immigrants pose risks to the general community population. However, the reason I feel so strongly about the importance of providing healthcare to this group, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, is due to my personal beliefs on the ethical value of human beings. The American healthcare system is one of the most advanced in the

Womens Issues Essay Example for Free

Womens Issues Essay This research was conducted from an investigate concept through personal interviews of minorities and female executives, Human Resources executive recruiters, through journals, articles from websites, peer publications, and secondary research of studies performed through data collection and data analyzation. The various articles and journals reviewed will provide an overview of the glass ceiling, address the problems and challenges, identify the types of barriers and trends, and propose a solution. Through this study we will attempt to measure whether organization’s recruitment process, criteria, and strategic plans are aligned with the goals and objectives to meet the needs of the organization and better identify the best qualified candidate and improve the organization’s bottom line. Glass Ceiling Overview Definition The â€Å"glass ceiling† is defined as the invisible but real barrier through which the next stage or level of advancement can be seen, but cannot be reached by a section of qualified and deserving employees. Such barriers exist due to implicit prejudice on the basis of age, ethnicity, political or religious affiliation, and/or sex. Although generally illegal, such practices prevalent in most countries (www. businessdictionary. com) Overview The analogy â€Å"glass ceiling† is a terminology used quite often in corporate America to best identify just how far women or minorities have or will rise up the corporate ladder. Many feel it is often impossible for that demographic to exceed beyond the level of mid-management; and although we have made some strides and have increased the number of women and minorities entering today’s workforce, it’s no surprise a small fraction of those have successfully risen to the executive level in the corporate environment. Problems and Challenges Women Women face greater barriers and rely on strategies for advancement that are different from those of their male counterparts (Lyness and Thompson, 2000). There are many ways discrimination against women exists, such as job segregation, gaps in compensation, sexual harassment, inability to participate in career developmental opportunities, lack of available mentorship programs, and the lack of career advancement opportunities. According to a report from the federal bipartisan Glass Ceiling Commission (1995), 95% to 97% of senior managers of Fortune 1000 industrial and Fortune 500 companies are men, yet white males make up only about 43% of the workforce. The same study reported that only 5% of senior managers in the Fortune 2000 industrial and service companies are women. These commission findings are especially striking since women make up nearly half of the workforce (www. highbeam. com). One would have you believe the success of women career both economically and self gratifying can only be accomplished if and only if there is a change in behavior. We want to believe the selection process is objective and carefully thought out. Yet, others expect the process to be about the individual’s performance and merits and together the choice is based on the right fit for the organization. I conducted a total of 22 individual personal interviews, 11 of which included female executives. When asked what were some of the challenges they faced throughout their tenure? The responses varied but the one thing each clearly stated was â€Å"learning the language of the male dominant role†. Other challenges provided were: †¢ Advantages males have related to social networking †¢ Lack of mentorship †¢ Wage gaps for comparable work †¢ Work-life balance †¢ Shadows of the predecessor Minorities The remaining personal interviews conducted were with 11 male minority executives. When asked what were some of the challenges they faced throughout their tenure? Again, the responses were in variations; however each clearly identified â€Å"race† was the greatest challenge. But, the one thing that I found to be quite astounding when each expounded on race as an issue, was they all made the decision in their career they would not make this their problem, yet it would be others. What I got out of those words was without acknowledgment there cannot be acceptance. Other challenges provided were: †¢ Respect †¢ Removal of identity crisis †¢ Externally viewed before internally judged †¢ Education inferiority (studies outside of the U.  S. ) †¢ Mindset of organizational promotions Human Resources Meeting with executive recruitment representatives, I found they in fact face many of the same challenges women and minorities face. As a recruiter their responsibility first and foremost is to stay in-lined with the organization’s mission and vision. However finding the most qualified candidate is the biggest challenge. In terms of demographics, they aggressively seek to recruit more women or minorities for those positions because there is such a small percentage currently in place. Unfortunately if the candidate is not the right fit or if felt the cultural and/or environment carry an abundance of testosterone, many of the female executives are driven away which begins the recruitment process. Another challenge is with the selection process and not being able to question the decision-making especially when clearly felt other candidates were possessed more qualifications. Glass Ceiling Barriers Types The gender wage gap if asked is probably the biggest challenge women executives will tell you they encounter. A study conducted by the National Census Bureau showed U. S. omen still earned only 77 cents on the male dollar in 2008, according to the latest census statistics. That number drops to 68% for African-American women and 58% for Latinas (www. time. com). When speaking with one female executive she explains â€Å"one of the biggest challenges she faced would be the initial promotion as an executive. She indicated she was very excited because she knew the promotion was not only well deserved but she would be the only female executive within the organization. However in looking back she realized how the male dominant environment worked as she would only receive a 3% pay increase†. She regrets that decision but stated she attributes who she is today because of that unfortunate event. Discrimination or harassment is another challenge women and/or minorities face in achieving executive positions. African American executives feel to survive this culture it is essential remain true to themselves. However women executives will tell you there is a constant misrepresentation related to the gender and the ability to maintain as their counterparts. Although illegal, discrimination and harassment occurs subtle and overtly, with the glass ceiling harassment being the most difficult to prove. Work and family is another major challenge women face because many of the female executives are made to choose between working long hours and their family; while their male counterparts don’t have to make such decisions thereby giving them the opportunity and ability to put in those extra hours. The lack of mentorship is also challenging. One of the interviewees stated â€Å"higher profile jobs at the executive level will require more of your time. It is felt that males can depart and detach, however females feel an excuse has to be made†. Women enter the business environment in the early stages of their careers and in many instances are usually on the same level as men. However, according to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) studies show in the next 5 to 10 years, men seem to benefit from upward career movement more than women, in part because women do not locate mentors as easily as men (www. shrm. com). Some organizations have recognized the need to assist in getting mentors and have also implemented training and development programs in support of women and minorities to develop mentoring relationships. Leadership Challenges Roles and responsibilities Many female and minority executives say leadership can be quite challenging especially being in the shadow of a predecessor. For women achieving this role, it is a constant second guessing of management styles. Clearly men and women possess different leadership styles. However one group may view as more of the nurturing role whereas counterparts are viewed as having no personal or emotional ties and are in capable of relating to personal issues. Many women feel like the outsider at the executive management level. They also have to deal with the shrewdness of having to prove they belong in that role. One of the interviewees is a Captain in the Police Department who not only was the first female she was the first African American to obtain that high ranking in the organization. One of her greatest challenge is having to constantly prove that she fits into this male dominant career. Many decisions are questioned and she often times finds herself having to put on the hardcore role to show she is capable of performing her roles and responsibilities while her counterparts are received with blessings.