<p>^^^Wow, they can be barbacks under 21?</p>
<p>We visited the Biloxi casinos for Mothers Day lunch this weekend, and I was thinking son would like to get a job as a blackjack dealer, but I think he’ll have to wait a few years for that.</p>
<p>You can get your ABC card to serve alcohol (at least in TN) at 18 even though you can’t legally drink. I don’t think you can be on a casino floor till you’re 21 though.</p>
<p>I was just joking, RobD, but good to know! In New Orleans, you only need to be able to see over the bar to be served liquor, but I don’t know what the rules are to actually serve it!</p>
<p>^^^LOL! It was a surprise to me last year when D’s friend got his ABC card; I thought you had to be of legal drinking age to serve. But back in my day the legal drinking age was 18 and I just assumed…</p>
<p>Not sure of the laws in Mississippi or Louisiana but in NJ and Nevada you only need to be 18 to be a casino dealer. I know this because I worked in both locations and was in the business for 15 years. </p>
<p>It’s a fun job but you get burned out pretty quick. Would make a great summer job for a college student though if you can get in.</p>
<p>As far as barbacks go you only need to be 18 in NJ. Guess they look at them same as a waiter delivering alcoholic drinks to a table.</p>
<p>S was a barback last summer at 16. He didn’t serve anyone, just carried boxes to the bar, reloaded stuff, brought glasses. He does not want to do it again this summer unfortunately- the 10 hour shifts th, fri & sat night until 2 am were a lot. He wants a day job this summer. I keep telling him he will make a lot less money, but I think it’s a good lesson to learn.</p>
<p>Older son (the one who just graduated) has been selected to do VIGRE at LSU this summer. It’s a paid experience that includes housing and transportation costs.</p>
<p>The VIGRE program, or Vertical Integration of Research and Education, is one of the main parts of the NSF Enhancing the Mathematical Sciences Workforce in the 21st Century (EMSW21). It started around ten years ago, with the long term goal to “increase the number of well-prepared U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and to broaden their background and perspective. The program is intended to help stimulate and implement permanent positive changes in education and training within the mathematical sciences in the U.S.”, as stated in the program solicitation. </p>
<p>The reason I wanted to mention this is because I didn’t even know these things existed until recently. If we had known about them, S1 would have applied to many others (they’re offered at various univ across the country). We just found out about this one because the math advisor said to apply. We didn’t know what it was or that it’s offered at various campuses.</p>
<p>This is somewhat like the REU (research experience for undergrads) that S2 will be doing at Univ of South Carolina this summer, but VIGRE involves combining students/profs into some kind of research and education experience…while REU is more purely research (I think).</p>
<p>Anyway…if your child is in a STEM major, encourage them to apply to these. Apps are usually due in the Spring and often require a couple of LORs (letters of rec). </p>
<p>You can just google… REU or VIGRE…REU is for all kinds of STEM majors…while VIGRE is for Pure Math or Applied Math majors. And, a student can apply to any program at any school. Stipends and travel allowances are the norm. Housing is provided as well.</p>
<p>m2ck - Thank you for these wonderful insights. </p>
<p>I know my S applied for one REU program (unfortunately with @100 apps and only 12 spots he didn’t get in) and we didn’t find out about it until almost deadline (scrambling for those ROCs didn’t help or provide much time for the kind “volunteers”). We NOW know there are many other programs out there (also another nice input from m2ck in earlier post) and have researched these a little further. We know to keep checking for opportunities next summer. My S is an EE major but is thinking of getting double major in Math which might make VIGRE another option (?). </p>
<p>This summer he’s looking for a job to hopefully contribute to spring study abroad extras - if anyone out there has insight to any engineering programs we’d love to hear from you. I’m trying to get a (whole) family trip coordinated. Unfortunately for him it’s been advised he get his wisdom teeth removed :(</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Socal…</p>
<p>Tell your son not to give up hope. One of the REUs that my son applied to responded with a nice letter saying that they mostly take rising seniors and only a few rising juniors. And, some don’t count APs in those calculations. So, that may have been the case with your son. This REU strongly advised him to reapply next year when he’d be a rising senior (even tho he already has senior standing because of APs)</p>
<p>The trick seems to be to apply to 6-10 or more…get your LORs in order…and write great essays.</p>
<p>Another tip…if a REU asks for 2 LORs…ask 3 profs. Always ask one more than you need. Some profs are not too quick about sending and can miss deadlines. One of my son’s recommenders missed the deadlines of 2 of his REU apps, so S was automatically disqualified. Frankly, if I had known that this prof was being asked, I would have told son not to use her. She’s VERY part-time, raising a family, and obviously distracted. </p>
<p>However, his other recommenders were great. </p>
<p>That said…make sure that your kids get to know their STEM profs. As soon as a class is over, mention that you might be needing a LOR in the future.</p>
<p>when you need the LOR, send an email with an attached resume, mention the need for the LOR, mention career goals, and ask if the prof would like to set up a meeting to discuss. Sometimes a prof will set up a meeting, and sometimes the prof will say that the attached resume will suffice for him to use as a guideline. </p>
<p>Lastly…if you’re pre-med, do not mention that in your REU app or essays. there is kind of bias against pre-med majors.</p>
<p>socal2bama: Also, encourage your son to attend the prestigious scholarship meeting that Alabama holds a couple of times a year. This is for students interested in applying for the Hollings (sophomores primarily with a STEM major), Truman, Goldwater, Marshall and Rhodes awards. It is a great chance to learn about these opportunities, which often have summer programs that offer paid internships. This year, Alabama won four Goldwaters and two Hollings.</p>
<p>^^^Thanks for keeping us new undergrads informed of these opportunities. We’re definitely going to be looking at doing something like this next summer, and hopefully something close to home. Also hoping to hear of study abroad/internship opportunities overseas as well. </p>
<p>The VIGRE program sounds great. What a great opportunity!</p>