In today's mail I got a nice little surprise. An invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi. I was nominated by my university because of my grades. If I pay ... $70 initiation fee, then in December I get to attend an induction ceremony where I'll receive a certificate. I also can use their seal on my resume, they have some insurance discounts, as well as discounts at other places.
I was inducted in the Psychology honor society when I was in college (can't remember its name) but I don't think I had to pay anything for it ... I'm not really sure how I got in that one, since at that time my overall GPA was barely hanging on to a B- -- wait, that was the semester before my two C's (Statistics and Chemistry.)' 
When I was in high school I was nominated for the Who's Who in High School. That one my parents actually paid the money for a book - my picture and a bio. That was definitely an ego booster only thing.
So... what do you all think? The invitation sounded really salesy. Like it was really trying to puff me up and consider it a great honor. If it's something that might actually be useful, as in getting a job, maybe I'll go for it. But if all it will be is something I can say about -- oh yeah, I'm a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Aren't I so smart? (Not!) Then I think I'll pass on the $70 initiation fee, and then the membership dues which increase each year up to the third year of $130.
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Korean Boy made me really mad today. I got a couple emails from his math teacher asking to get together with both of us. So, at the time we normally tutor, we met with his math teacher. She pretty much was saying that she doesn't think he's ready to do Pre-AP Pre-Cal due to a couple different homework assignments he'd completely failed, as well as the fact that he'd have to read and understand the extra material mostly on his own. He stubbornly did not listen and insisted that he could do it. I reiterated that Pre-Cal is Greek to me, seeing as though the highest math I had was Algebra 2 and Statistics.
So we get in my car. He doesn't have any homework to work on because he's taking the PSAT tomorrow. So I'm just going to drop him off at home. I tell him that we'll stop by the bank so he can pay me for the week. That's when he tries to tell me that I shouldn't be paid for today, since I'm not working with him.
Arghhh!! Really? I'm there at the school at 3:30. I met with you and your teacher about your classwork. I'm driving you home. Do you really think I'm doing all that out of the goodness of my heart???
So I said to him that although we may not be working on schoolwork together, I still have given him at least 30 minutes of my time. That is worth at least $15. So, $90 total for the week, since we won't be working on Wednesday (due to the PSAT). He agrees that's fair. We stop by the bank and he doesn't have enough money. Arghh!!!
Next week they're having a 2 1/2 day Fall break. So I'll be working with him only two days. as well as Korean Girl. Between the two, that means a loss of $100 for that week. 60% of my weekly income.
In some ways I really enjoy tutoring. In others though, I really, really, hate it!
Hmm ... Ego Booster or Worthwhile? + rant
October 13th, 2010 at 02:34 am
October 13th, 2010 at 03:42 pm 1286984529
October 13th, 2010 at 03:48 pm 1286984905
October 13th, 2010 at 04:07 pm 1286986078
I was actually in an academic/honor fraternity (whatever you call it) in college, but the real ones take a lot of work and you meet a lot of good contacts. I met all my potential employers long before formal interviews.
Ironically, I just got nominated for some professional "Award." They said they will list my name for free in a local magazine, but I am not sure I Want to be associated with the award. For a huge fee, I can get a full page profile, of course! I Was waiting for the paperwork to ask my wiser boss about it, but it seems to have gotten lost. Feels like a sales pitch than anything.
October 14th, 2010 at 02:28 am 1287023305
I've read a bit more on their website, as well as reading their history on Wikipedia. They actually do seem fairly legit - third oldest honor society. I'm still not sure if it would be worthwhile right now - so I probably won't join. Like my mom said - You could get two manicures and pedicures for that amount!