Barbara Walters Announces Retirement

The television news pioneer will leave her career next summer

After over 50 years of being on television, broadcast journalist icon Barbara Walters will retire in the summer of 2014. 

Walters made the official announcement on her talk show “The View” Monday morning after news leaked the day before that she would make a statement in regards to her career. 

“I have been on television continuously for over 50 years, but in the summer of 2014, a year from now, I plan to retire from appearing on television at all,” Walters said. 

Walters said she will continue with “The View” as co-executive producer.  

“I am very happy with my decision and look forward to a wonderful and special year ahead both on ‘The View’ and with ABC News,” Walters said. “I created ‘The View’ and am delighted it will last beyond my leaving it.” 

She joined ABC in 1976, where she became the first female co-anchor on an evening news program. Before that, she began her career at NBC News where she spent 15 years and served as co-host of the “Today” show. 

In 1997, she created “The View” where she has been a co-host ever since then.

Throughout her career, Walters has interviewed notable public figures such as Fidel Castro and Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Benachem. 

She has also interviewed every U.S. President since Richard Nixon and was the only journalist to get the exclusive interview with Monica Lewinsky after her romantic affair with President Bill Clinton.  

“I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain,” she said. “I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women and ok, some men too, who will be taking my place.”

You can view the entire official announcement here: 

How I Aced That Interview: Shanika Strings, Senior Mgr. of Product Management at AMEX

Brand strategist shares her tips on how to market yourself in an interview

If you've ever benefited from the cashback reward on your American Express card, you may have Shanika Strings to thank.

As manager of the company's cash rebate portfolio, Strings handles the end-to-end strategy for your little green, gold, or platinum friend. 

A team player to the fullest, on any given day, she can meet with the marketing team to review advertising campaigns, join the technology team to brainstorm new or more benefits on your card, or connect with call centers to ensure "members" receive optimum service.

A veteran in brand management, Strings shared with Loop 21 her keys to acing an interview.

Loop 21: How many times have you had job interviews?
Shanika Strings: I took my first job when I was 15, so I've been interviewing for years now. If we include pre-college, I'd say over 25 -- there have been jobs that I haven't gotten, but those were kind of from career fair interviews. Anything that I've sought out professionally, I've gotten.

Loop 21: How many times have you interviewed others?
SS: I've had three direct reports in my career. I used to be a peer tutor-counselor in grad school, so I interviewed all my classmates, helping them with their career and MBA interview, so I'm comfortable with that.

[Prepared for a 'Culture Fit' Interview?]

Loop 21: On a scale of 1-5, considering resume, experience, and contacts, how important is the interview itself in securing that dream job?
SS: The most important. I mean, if you don't have the skill set, then you're not going to get the job so it doesn't make a difference. But if you do have the tools and actions that it takes to actually get the job, then the interview is the most effective because your resume could get lost, and your contacts -- though they're going to get you a great connection and recommendation -- are not going to get you the job. The interview is when you tell how your skill set aligns with the business's needs.

Are Two-Year Colleges Better for the Next Generation?

If you hate school already, why stick around for four more years?

 Admit it. Watching "A Different World" had your mind set on going to college. HBCU or not, the thought of leaving home and going away to a college where you could be best friends with Dwayne Wayne, date Whitley Gilbert or fight the power with Freddie was just too fun not to entertain.

But it was a TV show. For all its critical acclaim dealing with social issues, one it didn’t touch was the debt that a student accrues in four years for a degree that can’t assure a job.

Recent studies have shown that going to a four-year college is far from a path along the yellow brick road to prosperity. In 2011, 85 percent of recent college graduates returned home because they couldn't afford to take care of themselves.

Why does that happen? Because one in two recent college grads are either jobless or underemployed.

Aside from paying for rent, utilities, food, clothing, and if they're fortunate enough, a car, these same college grads are also living with the burden of student loan debt, which reached $1 trillion in the United States last year. In many cases, a four-year college education can easily exceed a year’s salary. The average student loan debt is $27,000 while the average college graduate's salary hovers around $43,000.

The federal government has suggested changes to its income-based repayment plan, but one study by the New America Foundation says the moves will largely benefit middle-to-high income borrowers – and most of them seeking graduate degrees.

So if the prospects are slim for a graduate with a four-year degree, what other options do you have?

A study conducted by CollegeMeasures.org found that students attending two-year institutions earning “occupational/technical” or associate’s degrees were coming out making more money than their four-year counterparts. Up to $6,000 more to be exact.

Hollywood Wisdom: Tips on Starting Your Acting Career

Whether you are just beginning your acting or show business career or just thinking about it, the uncertainty about how to go about it can be daunting. Here are some words of wisdom from the pros.