Kate's Real World Blog.

Generation Why?!

2009-12-11T11:30:00.002-05:00

About a month ago I had an interview with Congressman Eric Massa's District Manger in Pittsford at 10am. Luckily, the snow didn't start flying yet so I had no need to worry about the drive, and it was a beautiful sunny day. I looked through the "professional" part of my wardrobe, automatically assuming the workplace would be suit and tie. I settled on a button-down shirt with a sweater over it, black dressy capris, stockings, and 3 inch heels. Capris? Yes. I know. But, work with me here... You have no idea how nice it was. Really. I would have considered the outfit business casual, but this morning I came across an article that would describe that outfit more business professional.

I've talked about this before, but Generation Y has a new and different way of doing things. We are now playing iPods at work, and wearing flip-flops to the White House. Remember the controversial lacrosse team who did that a few years back? Yeah, so do I. I would have hated to be one of those girls in national news the next morning. But then again the more I thought about it... I live in flip flops. My last internship allowed me to wear flip-flops, capris, button down shirts, khakis, and really anything I pleased as long as I looked clean, put together, and appropriate. I'm not saying go to work in shimmery, glittery tanktops, or let your cleavage show, but there is an increasing amount of slack being placed on the dress code. Answer the question for yourself - If you were meeting President Obama today, what would you wear?

An article from USA Today by Olivia Barker and Sarah Bailey describes the ongoing trend: "This is what Generation Y -- and its ultra-casual culture -- hath wrought at work, a place where style and technology trends are more woven in than ever."

Another great quote from the article describes JPMorgan interns... When I hear JPMorgan I think ties, suits, low heels, professional all around, but "JPMorgan interns can listen to their iPods at the office. IM, too, is increasingly becoming an accepted part of the workplace. According to a report in September by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 21% of IM users send instant messages at the office; a third of those at-work IMers acknowledge that they're usually blitzing friends and family. And even as some businesses brand IM a distraction to productivity and ban it outright, 47% of at-work IM users say it has "regularly provided moments of relief from the daily work grind."

So, it's not just they way of dressing that we are changing. Gen Y is changing the idea of office etiquette completely! I can't imagine bringing my iPod to my internship. I can't even imagine listening to my iPod while working at Career Services. Is Gen Y changing the face of office etiquette completely? Are the baby boomers ready for all the changes we're making? We grew up with computers. We hardly have the option, right? I mean, it's second nature for us to be able to play with our toys.

I think the most interesting part of this entire shift in the office place is that Gen Y aren't slackers. We are motivated. We simply want what we want when we want it...

Is this bad or good? It's up to you to decide.

End of Semester Blues

2009-12-09T09:17:00.003-05:00

As I come to the end of another semester of my college career I wonder where all the time went. As a senior, I have come to reflect on many of my semesters at Brockport in amazement. How did I survive those 20 credit semesters while working at Career Services for twenty hours a week, and still having a social life on the weekends? How did I manage internships, classwork, and living off campus? Looking back I am always considerably more impressed with myself than I am during the semester. Of course, during the semester I'm getting roughly 6 hours of sleep a night, and hardly stopping to catch my breath so who knows what I am really thinking during the semester.

Then there is one inevitable thought that always stops my heart for a few beats, and consistently scares me... Was it worth it? Were the 15 - 20 page papers worth the effort? What about the endless hours of class I sat through? After I walk the stage will I be employable? Will someone hire me? Will the classes I barely made it through be worth the sleepless nights and tired days?

When that moment passes I start to realize that throughout my college career everything I did was worth it, and after graduation what happens is entirely up to me. It is like looking at another semester of college - I can handle that gets thrown at me from group presentations, to presenting by myself for 45 minutes, to a 20 page paper about a topic I know nothing about. After learning how to cite things in multiple ways in my sleep, researching scholarly topics, and taking finals I could swear I don't know anything about - I'm confident that I can survive the "real world."

Seven semesters of college down, one semester to go. In the end...it will be worth it. Every single thing I did while I was at Brockport made me a better, smarter and stronger person. So whatever is up next...I'm ready for it. The trick is preparation for your future. As an employee of Career Services you think I would be on the game. You would assume that I know exactly what I want to do, have made all the contacts for it, and need to just graduate already so I can do it. But the truth, in fact, is the exact opposite. I am neither sure of what I want to do when I grow up, or if I want to grow up (appreciate my comedy).

That doesn't change the fact that my internships and my experiences at Career Services have taught me a few things about my future. You know how people always say internships solidify what you want to do in your professional career? Well, in my case internships have allowed me to find out what I don't want to do. Internships have created a base of experience for me. Experience is something that classrooms, professors and all the books in the world can't teach you. Yes, professors can talk about it, and books can use examples, but nothing creates your experiences. Internships, and hands on experience is something that you have to be motivated to do yourself.

So, it's a week before finals and I'm talking about experience because it's more important! Good grades are great. Studying is great. Learning and understanding the material presented in class is great! But, let's face it: experience is the key to a worthwhile college experience, and that is why I know something will work out in my professional career after I walk that stage.

My advice to you? Get an internship. You have all winter break; use it wisely. Start researching a company you like, and find yourself an internship for the spring semester. The experience will shine on your resume, and it will allow you to have a base of familarity within a field. Internships have the ability to change your view on your career college. It allows your knowledge based on textbooks and lectures to become second hand nature in real life situations.

Need credits?!

2009-10-29T15:18:00.005-04:00

Are you looking through the course catalog thinking "I don't want to take any of these classes." Well, welcome to my world. I am a senior, and desperately searching for twelve credits that I am interested in!

Here's the thing...there are still things I am interested in learning about, and I can kill hours of time on Google just finding interesting things out. What should I do I asked myself last night in the library. I need twelve credits, and there are only about nine that I'm interested in in taking? Solution: Independent Study! (this came to me at 12:30am in the library)

Since I am a senior I have several professors who know me on a personal level, and most of my professors I have taken several classes with. One professor, Dr. Levy, is an expert in American politics, and during a class of hers I became extremely intrigued with the Bill Clinton legacy. After a project and a paper I would randomly myself in the library stacks looking for other Bill Clinton books. I craved to know anything about him - his policy, his speeches, his scandals, his marriage, and pretty much anything that was about him. I know, I know I'm probably boring people, but I can't help my interests.

Anyway, an independent study is great for any student who is interested in getting more information about a topic. Plus, having a connection with a professor can lead to networking for you! It's an added bonus; don't forget that professors probably met many people in your field of interest, and may have done something else before they started teaching.

An independent study can also be a launching pad for many students. It can be the first step for publication. You may be saying, "Well, why is publication important?" First off, it's a great resume builder. Having a published article as undergraduate will definitely set you away from the pack. It's a great way to get your name into the field early. On top of that, building your resume with publications is good because it lets recruiters or admissions counselors know that you take your education seriously. It's going that one step further than you have to as an undergraduate.

Secondly, if you choose to get your Masters degree in your field of study you are going to have to write a thesis paper. This paper could be up to 50 pages. You probably want some practice before you can get sit down and whip one of those out. Seriously - an independent study course is all about one professor guiding you through the process of making a paper with an original thesis, and a new look at something.

Independent studies allow for students to grow comfortable doing original research and delving into a topic that interests them. Plus, think about how much of your time an independent study can free up! Most likely you will have to present your research (in the spring most professors have their students present their work at Scholar's Day), and be able to speak fluently on the topic. This is another added bonus - it will look great on your resume!

Interested in politics?

2009-10-26T09:53:00.005-04:00

I actually started my career at Brockport as a political science major and a communications minor. With no real idea what I wanted to do in politics I felt lost in the major, whereas I immediately fell into communications so by the time I was a sophomore I switched my major and minor. My minor mainly focuses on American politics which has always been my true interest. As I started looking into more political programs I started realizing that more people focus on American politics than I originally thought.

I think the hardest part about being involved with politics at a small school is getting onto the career path. So when you are searching for a political internship around the Brockport area, don't get discouraged because they are many opportunities in the Rochester region!

If you are interested in working for a House representative, you're in luck. Brockport is in Monroe county, represented by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter who has several offices in the surrounding areas, and right next door is Ontario County, represented by freshman Congressman Eric Massa. I'll be interning for his Pittsford office in the spring semester! There are also regional opportunities in intern with State Senators in the office. And beyond this, Rochester is a fairly large city in New York State allowing for opportunities with an important mayor and his sucessful staff. These are just a few ideas to get your search started.

Don't forget about two programs that Brockport offers for anyone interested in politics - Washington Semester Program and Albany Semester Program. These offers allow students interested in politics to get their hands dirty in D.C. and Albany. Check out the Brockport Career Services website for more information!

Reaching for the stars!

2009-10-23T11:12:00.009-04:00

As a senior at Brockport, with one semester to go, I realized that to start accomplishing anything I needed to simply make goals. So I started with something simple, finding a final internship. After a few weeks I was getting no where, so I started looking to goals. I wanted to know what I needed to do to make mine work. Turns out it's simple - when reaching for the stars you need concrete time lines, written down goals, and you have to be realistic. Like most things, you have to start small, and build up to your big goal, and it certainly will not come quickly.

A goal can be key to accomplishing almost anything. Let's start with why some goals just won't work. According to John M Grohol, Psyd, 75 percent of people who make a resolution fail on their first attempt and most people, 67 percent, make more than one resolution. WHY? First, New Year's Resolutions are often caused by a negative response to something. This means that something bad happened, and they feel like they need to correct it. Second, New Year's Resolutions are often too broad. To reach for a goal you need to have something concrete and specific. And finally, there is typically a lack of true motivation behind New Year's Resolutions. To really accomplish a goal a person has to be willing to try.

What should goals really do? A goal is an effective tool when you need to focus your direction, get the maximum use of your time, achieve the best results possible, and it can also boost your self-esteem and confidence. Keep in mind that a goal shouldn’t be a mashed together effort, but it should be specific to each thing you are interested in accomplishing.

If you are interested in making a goal work for you then I suggest you use something called a SMART goal. This is a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goal. Having these five components be a part of your goal will ensure that you are effective when working through your goal. So, let’s start with the “S.” A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished versus a goal that embodies too many objectives. To reach one specific goal try asking yourself the six W questions: Who, what, where, when which, and why.

Now we will move on to measurable. This represents how much you will accomplish during your goal. When you are working with the M word you want to measure your progress to ensure you stay on track. This means reaching your target dates and tracking your experience. For example, if you were doing an internship search I suggest having certain dates like, “I will contact Company X by this date,” as well as saying, “I will contact X amount of companies.” Along with the measurable aspect, you need to have an attainable goal.

Having a goal that is something along the lines of owning a $10 million home goal is not attainable right now. Something more attainable is finding an internship for the spring semester. Goals are attainable if you can plan steps to get there and establish a time frame. But even if you set a goal like owning a $10 million home it may become reachable as you grow and expand to match your goals. It all depends on YOU.

Next you need a goal that will be realistic. You want to have a goal that you are both willing and able to work towards. A goal can be high and realistic; for example if you were looking for a paid internship you might consider this high, but as long as you decide to work towards the goal you are more likely to accomplish this. The more you believe in your goal, the more realistic it will be. And finally a goal must be timely.

And finally, goals should be grounded with a time frame therefore you will know that you are working towards something. Think about it like a “due date.” If you are lacking that finality then there is no sense of importance.

Buy an umbrella!

2009-09-28T11:47:00.001-04:00

Rainy days are back at Brockport.

This isn't really life or goal related, just a simple reminder that everyone needs an umbrella or a good rain coat if you attend The College at Brockport.

It doesn't do it on purpose, but the rain seems to happen at the most inopportune moments. Days I want to keep my hair straight because I'm presenting for a class, or days that I'm in a good mood but because it's raining I'm automatically more prone to be quiet because of the rain. So instead of walking around campus getting soaked and being more miserable than you probably are already (because you're going to class) invest in an umbrella or a raincoat! Wear shoes that won't get soaked throughout the day, and of course when you are done for the day enjoy the sound of the rain. It's soothing, and can add an incredibly calming effect to your day.

Money? That's right. Money.

2009-09-28T11:30:00.003-04:00

College kids, and money. Oh - what a topic to embark on...

Compulsive shopping habits.
Walmart. Wegmans. Tanning. Movies.
Stress means spending money.
Food! Alcohol! Bars!
Shoes. Clothes. Bags.

If any of these ring a bell to you, it's probably because you send your cold, hard-earned cash on it...errr, rather swipe a plastic card, but still you're spending the money you worked for!

Here's the thing: We are bombarded with credit card offers in the mail. We are bombarded with advertisements for new cellphones, new laptops, new iPods, and even the hottest fashions. How do we get what we want without overspending? How we do define the difference between things we want versus things we need, and how do we get through college without going into credit card debt?

It's not just Brockport, and it's not all college students, but it is a growing concern for our generation. Lucy Lazarony, from Brakrate.com, sums it up the best "It's absolutely epidemic the debts I see with young people and it follows them into their 30s and 40s."

Check out this article for tips about how to avoid credit card traps: How to budget, limit yourself, and use your credit the way you should.

But reading an article won't solve your problems. As a fellow student, let me give you some tips and ideas...

I don't carry cash. Ever. For a few reasons - it can get stolen much easier, I spend it much quicker, and honestly I hardly ever need it because credit is accepted pretty much everywhere. So how did I manage to make it through college without any debt? I'll give you a few ideas...

1. Keep an eye on your money. You should always know how much money you've been spending, and how much is in your account.

2. I want that new iPod. It doesn't mean that you have to have it RIGHT now. If it's going to blow your bank account, then leave it in the store. Like it? Love it? Start a piggy bank for your expensive gifts to yourself. When enough change builds up you'll be able to get it. Or try and make a deal with your parents. Got a younger sibling? When you are home for breaks try this: "Listen, I'll pick up _____ whenever this break if you guys chip in half of my new iPod." They might surprise you with a yes answer.

3. Limit yourself to one credit, and one emergency card. Set a limit for yourself. If the company tries to give you a $5000 limit, call them and ask them to lower it. Limits can be overwhelmingly high, so you have to force yourself to make a budget. Know your monthly bills - your cell phone, car insurance, gas and electric, food bills, cable and internet, and anything else that you pay monthly. Once you have your monthly bills set, you can know then how much money you have to play with!

4. Are your friends going to the bars, and you don't have the money for it? Offer to be the DD, that way there is no temptation to spend the money you don't have on alcohol.

And finally 5. Don't waste your money! Don't go to Walmart or Wegmans and buy eight things you won't ever use. Spend wisely - it's key to making the right decisions.

Senioritis

2009-09-16T11:15:00.004-04:00

In August I slowly started to realize that this year would be senior year of my undergraduate. Going to college I never pictured myself graduating. I pictured myself going to class, finding a job, doing internships, but I never pictured myself receiving my degree. As weird as it is I find myself in the third week of my second to last college semester. With only 12 credits, I'm working 17 hours a week, and also teaching swim lessons. It turns out 12 credits feels like quite a bit more when you have the dreaded...SENIORITIS.

It's true; I have the bug. Although I managed to make it out of high school without getting it I seem to be one of the first infected for my senior year. It started slowly; you know things like, "Oh I'll do the reading later..." and get to class just to remember I had not done the reading yet, and now I just admit to, "Yeah I'm probably not going to do it." So what now? I have 27 weeks of my college career left. I can't spend the rest of it slacking...

Of course, it is not just seniors that need to be worried about the "itis". Many underclassmen will experience the same feelings. Thoughts like "does this really matter?" and "it's just one chapter" should be your first sign to knowing you need to pull it together. No matter if you are a freshman or a senior you should your do work well, in advance, and ask questions about the material if you are unsure.

So let me give you some advice for kicking your "itis;" It is a a real challenge, I know.

Tips to get your head back in the game!

1. Make a schedule! Knowing where you should and when you should be there is key to success. And beyond that knowing when things are due, when your group meetings are, when you are working, and anything else that you need to know or be at put on a calendar. Planners, agendas and wall calendars can help to get your head in the game. Use a whiteboard if you need to write you homework somewhere that you can see it. Don't put this in a place that it can be ignored!

2. Keep regular activity in your life! If you are a daily runner, swimmer, weight lifter don't let these things slip out of your life. It's okay if you don't do it everyday, but you should try and keep it in your week schedule 3 to 4 times a week. Physical activity allows your body to release different chemicals in your order to keep from getting overly stressed. Plus, when you are eating like most college students do you should keep active just to keep off the weight!

3. Eat healthy! College is not an ideal place for lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains, but try making good decisions. Fast food is an easy answer for when you are hungry, but it won't fill you up. Researchers also believe that fast food makes your brain work slower, and motivate you less to do work - physical activity or mental.

4. Constantly remind yourself that there is LIFE after college! Really. There is. I swear; Brockport has alumni that can prove it. Life doesn't end after you get your degree. In many cases, the real world will just be starting for you. Make the best of your college experience by learning as much as possible when you are here. Regardless if you are going into the workforce, or right into graduate school, your last here at college matters.

and finally...

5. Don't distract yourself! If you have things that you need to get done, then do it. Turn off the television and music, close your bedroom door, get away from your friends, housemates, roommates, and even turning off your cellphone will help. Close your Internet browser - Facebook is the number one distraction for college students, and we have learned to waste priceless hours on it. Whatever it takes, get your work done.

In the end kicking the senioritis bug is a choice. It is not a real disease, and it only affects you if you let it! Take advantage of these tips, and get started. No one wants to finish their college career on a bad note.

Figuring out what to do when you grow up is tough

2009-04-27T15:08:00.003-04:00

There is a few days of class left and a week of finals. It’s exciting, but I know a lot of people are people saying, “Another year has gone by, and I still don’t know what to do with my life." Here are a few tips to getting a head start on figuring out what you want to do with your life!

The first thing you should realize is that you probably want to do many things with your life. Your enthusiasm for starting to search and realize what you want to do later is applauded. Many college students pick their major freshman or sophomore year, and think sooner or later they will stumble into the career that suits them best. Often this does not work out as well as they hope, so the sooner you start your search for your “real life” interest, the more likely you will end up being happy in your career.

Figuring out what you want to do when you “grow up” is a hard decision, but there are a few things that you do not need to worry about when picking a path to find your life goal. First, your major will not define what you spend your life doing. If you major in political science and later decide to become a physical education teacher, it is okay. The world is not going to come to a screeching halt crashing and burning. It is going to take some work, but it is still a possible. Any major can lead to a variety of things. Ask your parents what they majored then compare what they are doing now – it may not seem to add up, but in the end they did what made them happy. For more information about what you can do with your major check out our website. We offer wonderful information about all majors, and if you are still interested in finding more information you can always make an appointment with a Career Counselor.

Second, college is an opportunity to find what you are passionate about. If there is anything to take into consideration when you are finding your career, think about whether you like it or not. Passion is important. If you do not like what you are doing every day of every year then how are you going to keep doing it? Make sure you are happy in your field, and if you are not – change it up. Figuring it out now is a lot easier than figuring it out when you graduate college, and already have a job, family and bills. College makes it easy to try out new classes and internships are great experience to see if you like a career field or not. For example, if you are majoring in physical education and decide you cannot stand teaching to your own peers, there is a good chance you may want to try out some classes, and maybe change direction. Keep your options open.

Third, your summer can be used productively by talking to people. Anyone is a good resource when it comes down to questions like, “How did you end up where you are today?” There is never just one way to get a job you dream of. People take all kinds of paths to end up where they are. Backgrounds and education comes in all different packages. Your professors at The College at Brockport could have been majors in history and may now be teaching you communication. You never know what someone did with their life before you ask. Take this summer to make conversation.

And finally, never get discouraged. It is okay that you are in college and cannot decide how you want to spend the rest of your life. It may take a while for you to figure out your calling and decide where you will be happy. Take advantage of the several opportunities at Career Services. We have four internship programs open to all majors. Internships are one of the most effective ways to figuring out what you want to do with your life. Even if you hate the internship – you will learn something. Go out there at try everything you are interested in! There is no experience that can’t help you.

And please do not forget to have fun this summer!

Real Reasons to Revamp your Resume!

2009-04-20T14:26:00.002-04:00

I have an eight-gigabyte jump drive. Bear with me for a moment... I'm going somewhere with this. I have every semester that I have been at college labeled with all my classes, and I also have a Resume folder. This is when you should start saying, "She has a folder...dedicated to resumes?"

Yes, I do. And you should too.

Let me explain the benefits of having your resumes organized.

First, resumes are important. You might need one at any moment. For example, I was just asking for a letter of reference and she asked for a copy of my resume. And ta-da, I pull out my flash drive, print her a copy and bring it right back to her. Plus, you always needs a resume for a job application. Whether it is on-campus or an internship, people are going to want to see your resume.

Second, resumes show what you have done. Your resume is your guidebook. It shows your positions, accomplishments, and activities. It gives prospective employers an excellent look into your business life. Now, this is why I have a folder. You should cater your resumes to each specific job you apply to.

Third, your resume should be catered to each position you apply to because no job is the exact same. For many companies/businesses/schools each position will be somewhat different. And because of this you will need to cater your resume according to your strengths and what the job will require.

You might be asking, "WHY?!" It's a simple answer - No employer wants to look at the same canned resume that everyone else is looking at. You should add a personal touch to your resumes.

Take me for an example - I am interested in applying for an Event Programming position at Brockport. My resume for this position is going to look drastically different than my resume if I was applying for an Office Assistant at Career Services. Your resume should be used to your advantage. Push your skills and abilities that you would use the most at your prospective job. Taking my example I work and help set-up several events at Career Services so when I am getting my resume ready for the Event Programmer, I will make those bullets most important. Now if I was applying to be an Office Assistant I would use the skills that I gained doing office work - answering the phone, filing, taking message, and so on.

Why is this important? Let me answer that with a statistic...63% of HR managers report that spelling errors are the most annoying mistakes they see on resumes. Other top mistakes include - Resumes not customized to the position (30 percent). Beyond the statistics though prospective employers aren't going to be as interested in you if you are applying for 18 other jobs. They are looking for someone motivated and committed to their company. By making your resume custom and personalized you can still apply to many jobs.

I'm not saying your need to make a brand new resume for each job you are applying for, but with a few minutes tweaking your resume you have a better chance of getting noticed. Recruiters like to see that you are customizing your resume to fit their job description. It can only help you in the end.

Surprise...I'm going to write about Internships!

2009-04-17T16:36:00.004-04:00

Lately I've been thinking about that pesky "I" word again. Summer is coming, and people are talking about the awesome internship they are getting psyched for. Well, for me, this summer will be about finishing my foreign language credit, working a lot for some money, and of course...relaxing. I'm taking, what I like to call, an internship vacation.

Internships are draining; they are awesome experiences, but they can tire you out with a full-time job on top of it, but as I spoke to some of my friends they were unsure how they even got their internships. Most used their parent's friends, professor's friends, or a website. Although these are all great ways to get an internship they are plenty of other ways to find an opportunity that could rock your socks off!

But before you can get these other internships you have to have proper after-internship etiquette. After you get through however many hours of free (or the rare paid) internship you must do the right thing to make sure your supervisor will remember you. If they remember you, they are more likely to help you in the future.

So - after your internship, what do you do? Many students come into Career Services to ask questions about proper networking, and this is a major concern. Networking in one of it's best forms is using your former internship coordinator. For example, when I interned over the summer for the Promotions/Marketing Coordinator of the Business Improvement District she took me out to lunch the last day of my internship. In return, I sent her a thank you card and beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was a gesture of appreciation, and a way to say, "I hope you keep me in mind if you hear of any opportunities." In fact, three weeks later I received an email from Nicole saying that her friend in Rochester at an event planning business had an internship available and would I be interested.

If you are in the teacher certification program you should always give your teacher a thank you card, and if you really enjoyed the experience something small for the classroom or their personal use. Physical education majors could give them a new whistle, or a small gift card to Wegmans, Starbucks or anywhere else. If you are observing in a kindergarten class you could give the teacher a Webkinz for the class to play with. Think about all the time you spend with these people - you are bound to know something about their likes, dislikes and interests. Use it to your advantage. The same applies for any teacher certification candidate. You spend hours with these teachers learning their job and helping to teach their class - don't you think you should give them something in return?

You should always, always keep in touch with your internship coordinator and supervisor. I still drop regular emails to my internship supervisor from my freshman year. We have dinner or lunch once a year, and regularly keep in touch every few months through an email. If you build a relationship with these people good things will happen to you. Your internship supervisors know a lot of people in your given field, and they may know when and what jobs are going to open before it's released publicly. When you are on a search for your next internship, get in touch with them. Chances are good that they will know someone or can get you in touch with the right people. Network, network, and network more. It is one of the best ways to find your dream job.

If you ever feel guilty about doing this, which I know could happen, think about it this way - they used your free labor for so many things you deserve something back. This is their way of showing appreciation! Most people are more than happy to help their students find internships!

I hope you find this information helpful! Internship etiquette is very important, and all students should learn to use this to their advantage!

Be a Detective!

2009-04-08T16:09:00.007-04:00

Brockport Career Exploration Course!

BCEC is the opportunity to find your own internship. It is a course designed for students who are interested investigating a career through an internship. Through BCEC students will gain experience related to their career and get credit for it! Students can do this internship in the fall, winter, spring or summer! It is available whenever semester you are interested in.'

Students must be second-semester sophomores with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. The application process is done through Career Services. It involves basic information about yourself and a "Learning Agreement." The Learning Agreement is a form that includes the internship description, training and on-site supervision, and learning objectives. To take part in the program students need to have a faculty sponsor to report to. In the case of winter and summer internships, Rob DiCarlo will serve as your faculty sponsor.

To receive and complete the BCEC course students must attend an orientation meeting with Rob DiCarlo in Career Services after they have registered for the course, attend 3 Monthly Seminars to discuss internship experiences, create an updated resume with the internship on it, and a final paper analyzing your internship experience. These academic credits are upper-division elective and for an internship a student can gain anywhere from 1 to 6 credit hours. 1 credit hour is equal to 40 hours of work, 3 credits is 125 hours, and 6 credits is 250 hours. Keep this is mind when making your academic schedule for the semester that you are doing your internship. If you are doing in internship in an office keep in mind they are usually only open from 8am to 5pm. You should keep large chunks of time open during the day in order to intern. Grading for the BCEC credits are done on a Pass/Fail basis. If you complete all the major course requirements and your internship hours you will receive a passing grade.

Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to find your own internship. Many companies and businesses have dates for potential interns to apply by. The internship world is extremely competitive, so make sure to get your resume out there. Even if you have your heart set on one internship there is a chance you won't get it, so apply, apply and then apply some more. There may be more than an application for the process; you might need to have an interview, or maybe two. Take charge early on with getting your internship and BCEC application filled out.

If you need help finding an internship, Career Services can help. On the Career Services website there is a listing of employer's who have used Brockport interns before and their contact information. Also, we have a Jobs & Internships Fair in the Fall and Spring semester. Check it out! Recruiters from over 50 companies gather to recruit from Brockport. You should also use your network to find an internship. Talk to your professors - they know a lot of people in their field, talk to your family and friends - you'll be surprised at who they know, and talk to anyone who have worked for before - if they liked you they would be happy to help you out.

In the end internships give you an incredible amount of experience that you will not find in a classroom. Take the opportunity to find out if you like a career, or find out if you hate it. Either way the experience will be worth your time, energy and effort.

Career Services is hosting a Lunch & Learn about Career Services's internship programs! If you have more questions about BCEC, America Reads, Disney College Program and the Albany Semester, please come see us on Tuesday, April 28th from 12pm to 1pm in Union Room 228. Call 395-2159 to RSVP. We provide pizza and soda for lunch!

Going Abroad

2009-03-30T16:13:00.004-04:00

Should I go abroad?

Should I get out of here for a semester?

Won't I get homesick?

What if it's weird?

How will I survive for a whole semester with NO ONE I know?

These are all the typical questions that people ask themselves when deciding if they want to spend a semester abroad or not...

Yes, going abroad is a BIG DEAL, but it's such a great opportunity to explore other cultures, other people, and most of all have the time of your life.

When will you ever get the chance to go somewhere for fifteen weeks, and have almost nothing to worry about?

So, let me make a case of why you should go abroad during your college career.

Going abroad....

1. is all about learning who you are.
By putting yourself in an abroad situation you are going to learn how you deal with different cultures, missing home, and more about your likes and dislikes.

2. is a chance to explore the world.
Traveling from country to country in Europe is way cheaper than traveling in the United States. Imagine jumping on a train when you are in Venice and ending up in Amsterdam a few hours later. You can hear different languages, see different sights, taste new foods, smell different cities, and touch all the different streets in different cities! Going abroad puts your five senses in a whole new light..

3. is a way to meet new people.
When you go abroad you will meet students from different parts of the United States, natives of the country, students studying abroad from different countries and many other travelers. The amount of people you meet will amaze you, and build a worldwide network of friends, especially with the worldwide craze of Facebook.

4. is great if you want to learn (or polish) a different language.
For students who are majoring in a different language, studying abroad is a must. Many people have told me the only true way to become a true bilingual speaker is to live and learn from natives. For students who are interested in picking up some conversational language skills in another country, going abroad gives you the opportunity to do that as well. If you live somewhere for fifteen years there's a good chance you will be needing a few phrases and words.

5. makes you more knowledgeable about world affairs and politics.
Students come back over to the United States knowing far more about the world when they left. Hearing different opinions and viewpoints about politics, world affairs, and domestic issues helps broaden your horizons.

and finally...

6. will change how you think about your life.
You may have never wanted to study abroad until college, but now that you have the opportunity it could change what you want to do when you graduate, or maybe it will make you realize that you want to live abroad.

So...take advantage of your Study Abroad program. Brockport Study Abroad is a great program, and is one of the best in the SUNY system. We have programs on every continent. The people in the office will be inviting, make you feel comfortable, and help you every step of the way. From picking a program, to figuring out how many credits you will get, to arranging your financial aid - they are there for you.

If you aren't interested in going for a whole semester EF College Break tours offers shorter programs. They have trips during the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer semesters. These are "touristy" programs, but they allow to you go abroad while traveling in a group, and having a set itinerary. Check out their website if you are interested!

Get out there! Travel the world, meet new world, try new things, and find out who you are!

Spring is here...

2009-03-23T15:04:00.007-04:00

March 21st brought us the new spring season! With that comes warm weather, green grass, days of laying in the sun, and of course less clothing.

After reading that second sentence you are probably wondering, "Where is she going with this?" Well, this blog is going to talk about dressing professionally no matter the weather. Wherever you work there is likely to be a "dress code." It might not be formal, written down or even enforced, but there is always that silly dress code that you must abide by. For example, think about your classes at college; you all dress alike. Jeans, sweatshirts, sandals, boots, button downs, khakis, and overall a casual look. I bet you can find the same pattern for college professors, college staff and various other career professionals.

So, there are two main kinds of dress in the business world: business professional and business casual.

Business professional incorporates more formal attire. For men this will include suits. Keep them classy - no baby blues or pinks! Think solid colors, and pinstripes. I suggest staying with navy, charcoal, gray and black. As far as ties go, make sure they match your suit and shirt. Red, navy, striped and patterned ties will look great. Make sure your socks match your outfit. You would be surprised how many people notice this! As for you shoes you should have a pair of dark slip on or lace up shoes that are appropriate. Keep in mind when laying out your outfit that your belt should match your tie. A sport coat with trousers would also be appropriate for a business professional look. Males should take it easy on the cologne. Smelling up an interviewer’s office will leave a bad impression.

For ladies, business professional will be suits in dark colors as well. Women can also wear a contrasting jacket and skirt, or a two-piece dress. Always have a few white or cream colored blouses to wear. They match anything in your closet! A scarf can spice up your outfit, as well as bring hidden colors out. Have dark colored high heels that are appropriate to wear to the office. They should be close toed, and not too high. Shoes that are over 4 inches are not appropriate for the office. Also, it is extremely important to wear neutral or taupe hosiery. In business professional settings it is considered very inappropriate for women to not be wearing stockings. Simple jewelry – earrings and a necklace is okay as long as it’s not too flashy. Don’t forget to take it easy on the perfume. Just a few sprits – don’t overdo it.

Now, most people that are business professional have dress down days. It can be once-a-month or sometimes weekly. Just make sure you have a handle of when the days are and what is appropriate. If you are new to workplace try and be a little dressy until you get the hang of what people are wearing. It is better to be overdressed than underdressed in any situation.

Business casual is a little less tricky to maneuver. For men it can include slacks, khakis or Dockers-type trousers. It can also be sport shirts, polar shirts with collars, sweaters, and sport jackets. For your feet it can be causal loafers or lace-up shoes…with socks, please.

For the ladies, business casual includes skirts and slacks, neatly pressed khakis and corduroys. Cotton shirts are appropriate in solids, and prints. Make sure the color isn’t too bright. Women can also wear sweaters as long as they are not too tight or reveal too much. And finally, low-heeled shoes and flats are appropriate on your feet. The most important thing for ladies in the workplace is to make sure they don’t reveal too much.

Even when the warm weather starts coming, try and abide by these basic rules. It will keep your employer happy, and it will keep you professional; business or casual.

How to Deal with Priorities

2009-03-09T16:04:00.003-04:00

Managing your time can be tough, especially in college. There are always 8139874201 (quite the exaggeration, I know) things to do; it can be hard and extremely frustrating. Even if you think you are managing your time effectively, there are probably some tips you can live with knowing. It never hurts to manage your time better.

Here are some things that I do to better prioritize my life. These tips can apply to work, school, your social life, and anything else that is on your mind.

The most important thing is, obviously, the due date. The most common way a person can prioritize their work is by due date. When you know when something must be finished, it is easier to find the time to finish it by its due date. For example if something is due on Tuesday, then obviously it will be more important the assignment due on Friday. If your tasks do not have any concrete due dates, assign them due dates yourself. By giving yourself a time frame to accomplish the work, you will likely be more productive.

The next thing to focus on is the weight of the project. If the task is falling heavy on your mind then you may want to put it at the top of your list. Keep in mind that some things may need to be done first, just to get them off your mind. If you have a task that is bothering you, then get it done because that way the you will be able to accomplish your other tasks with the least amount of stress possible. By getting the heaviest projects out of the way, you will be able to get everything else done with the least amount of stress.

The third tip I abide by is the length of a project. If the project is long and tedious then you are going to want to start it far in advance, so you can work on it in pieces. You should probably start this is the morning because you are more likely to have energy and do a better job of the task at hand.

Another great way to stay prioritized is by using your emotions. If you are passionate about one project, it means that you will put it at the top of your list. If you are excited about a project or task you should put it near the top of your daily list. The same goes if you are dreading a project; if you think you are going to hate doing it, then get it done and out of the way first. If you do it first, chances are better that you will accomplish the task quicker and better because you will be able to relax for the rest of the day.

If you like to group your work by degree of difficulty, then your work by level of ease. This means that you might feel most comfortable doing your easy daily tasks at the beginning of the day to get them out of the way. You may be the type of person who likes to get the most tasks done early in the morning. If you would rather save the easy tasks for the end of the day, then tackle the difficult tasks in the morning, before you are tired from the day.

And finally, let me tell you what works best for me! I make lists. A lot of people hate making lists, and actually now that I think about it...so do I, but I enjoy crossing things off my list, so I guess it evens out. My favorite thing to do is to complete a task and then cross it out of my agenda. It is a stress reliever.

When you are prioritizing you need to done what needs to be done. The key is a well accomplished day is being a great "prioritizer." The sooner you start prioritizing, the better you will be later! Being organized never hurt anyone...so give it a shot!

The "I" Word

2009-03-02T16:24:00.005-05:00

Internships, internships, internships...

You will hear that word from the time you walk onto your college campus as a freshman to the time you leave as a senior.

As a Delta College student I knew walking into Brockport that I would be doing internships. The programs mandates that a student does at least one local internship, one national internship and one international "experience." The international experience can be either a study abroad program or an abroad internship. So, by the time I was a sophomore my resume was already growing with internship experience. You can look into the Delta College program more at www.brockport.edu/delta!

I did my first internship at (this is when I get a little embarrassed) Governor Spitzer's Regional Rochester Office. I was a little freshman with no office experience and I was terrified, not to mention the fact I somehow was picked out of ten applicants and all of the other interns were juniors and seniors. I had only ever been a lifeguard! That's all I knew. Although now I realize that I gained many transferable skills through that job, I had no idea that it would help me when I was getting ready for the internship process.

When I interviewed for the internship I was shaking, literally. I couldn't control it. Although I may have seemed and sounded confident: I was scared...for my life. Even after I received the great news that I got the internship, I was still terrified for the first day. Of course, I was still pretty shaky on the first day. The drive to Rochester was a my calming down time for the first few weeks, and then as I grew more and more comfortable I started being able to answer the phone without my blood pressure rising at the office. My internship consisted of answering the phone, writing short press releases, clipping all the important regional Rochester-area newspapers to go to the Albany office, talking with constituents in the regional areas if they were having problems, and making sure the office was in generally working order.

As an internship, it was one of the best I could have asked for. I quickly learned that spending my life in politics was not something I was interested in. My minor of communications became my major and my major of political science became my minor. Because I still hold an interest in the field, I still keep in touch with the woman I worked for. I send her an email every six months to catch up and see how she is doing. It pays off, trust me. This way she always has me in mind. For example, in January of 2007 First Lady Silda Spitzer came to the Canandaigua Wine and Culinary Center. Since Jennifer knew I was still in the area, she immediately called and asked if I was interested in helping her with the event. Another great experience gained from a past internship...

My second internship was in my hometown. I interned for the woman in charge of marketing and public relations at a Business Improvement District Office. Since working at Career Services I had become obsessed with making flyers and coming up with catchy slogans. That was the basis of my internship, but I also was able to connect with many of the downtown merchants. I learned about the hardships they were finding, and the constant problems they faced. The internship opened my eyes to many things I had never thought of before.

Along with marketing the events, I was able to do some event planning and really enjoyed that aspect of my internship as well. I also was able to work all the summer events in my hometown, so I was able to broaden my interpersonal skills. Of course with all the exciting times of an internship there are an equal amount of boring things that happen in an internship. When I didn't have an event to plan or market I helped Nicole update her lists of contacts, break down her press contacts for her event press releases, and make sure that her files were all in order.

Here are a few tips for getting through your internship.

1. Internships are boring sometimes. Every intern has to do some office work. It's not the worst part. Just remember, in your real job you are going to have some boring work to do.

2. If you work at your internship for a few days and know already that you are going to hate it, just think that it's one future career that you can cross off your list.

3. Talk to your supervisor. Let him/her what you are thinking and how comfortable you are with what you're doing. Your internship is partly what YOU make of it.

4. When you finish your internship, be sure to ask your supervisor for a letter of recommendation and keep in touch so that you can call upon him/her later when you are in need of a reference. This will also help your supervisor keep you in mind when future opportunities arise.

5. Be easy to work with. Accept assignments without complaint, ask for more work when assignments are completed, and turn out good quality work.

Internships are worth it. They can change your major, your interests, your thoughts on a certain career field. Believe your professors when they say "Employers want to see that you had an internship!" It gets you experience in the field before you are out of college. Employers will see that you went out, found an internships and gained a valuable experience - whether you enjoyed it or not. So, when you hear something about an internship, find out!

Brockport Career Services offers four internship programs. They include America Reads, Brockport Career Exploration Course (BCEC), Albany Semester Program, and the Disney College Program. You can find out more about these four internships at www.brockport.edu/career!

Sleep!

2009-02-18T14:39:00.002-05:00

SLEEP!

Okay, okay...we all know sleep is important. We all know that we probably don't get enough sleep for our bodies and our crazy schedules. We all know that we're college students, and we clearly don't need sleep. Wait, I take that back. We are college students, and that's exactly why we do need sleep.

How can we expect our bodies to operate for 18 hours a day, sleep for a mere six, and then get up and do it again back to back for 15 weeks? But, somehow, in the matter of 18 hours we make it to our classes, still have our social lives, manage to do all our homework, go to our extracirriculars and still be breathing. We push ourselves to every limit, and then somehow we are still able to go out on Friday and Saturday night to be with our friends. I like to make the famous argument, "Oh, I'll just catch up on sleep this weekend." Like sleeping this weekend is going to help my body when I'm not sleeping during the week?

The National Sleep Foundation says that "Sleep is not merely a 'time out' from our busy routines; it is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety." They also make sure to point out that "sleep loss has been found to impair the ability to perform tasks involving memory, learning, and logical reasoning. This may contribute to mistakes or unfulfilled potential at school or on the job and strained relationships at home."

I know I wish there were a few more hours in the day, but sometimes it's best to call it night, turn off your brain, leave the homework for the next day, leave the internship search for the weekend and get some sleep. Your body and mind will thank you.

Facebook

2009-02-04T14:30:00.012-05:00

The topic of conversation between my friends lately has been Facebook. Shocking, I know. All college kids talk about is Facebook. The typical line goes something like, "If it's not on Facebook, it's not official." Yeah, yeah, whatever. Our parents don't get Facebook, but our lives revolve around Facebook. Parents, professors, companies and grad schools are all trying to get why we're Facebook-obsessed.

Well. I'm not sure why I really use Facebook. Is it because I love "stalking" people? Or is it because it's easiest way for me to keep in touch with friends? Or do I love putting all my weekend photos up for everyone to see? Of course as my mom would say, "My generation did the same things you guys are doing, but we didn't publish our lives on Facebook." We live in a completely different world compared to our parents. The technology and constant connection to Internet that we have makes us obsessed with knowing things at the exact moment. We don't have any patience. We can upload sixty pictures in a Facebook album in less than two minutes. Of course, this applies to more than just Facebook.

We can Google a question like, "Where can I find jobs in the Rochester, NY area?" In .3 seconds I received 2,650,000 results. Our generation turned "google" into a verb.

Or this is a good one too... There is a service called Cha-Cha. The number is 242-242. You can text this number any question you have from, from being lost and needing directions to needing to know if there is a new episode of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice on. Cha Cha will text you back within three to five minutes. The only charge is your standard text messaging fee.

We can hop online during class with a cellphone to get an answer for a professor. We can cheat on tests, quizzes just by using our phones. We have access to technology that our parents gawk at.

So, what's wrong with Facebook?

The world wide web creates an alternative reality. Facebook makes it harder to define our social lives from our academic lives because now it's not as simple as going out on the weekend, having a good time and then going back to class on Monday and being that stellar student. Now it's much more complicated. What you do on the weekends is publicized on Facebook. If you make a bad decision and someone has it on camera, you can bet you won't be living it down for a LONG, LONG time. If you are shaking your head right now, thinking "Oh no, I never do anything stupid," please, please, remember that you're sitting behind your computer and it's okay to admit it. We've all done it. We're college students; we're learning about life. Our parents did it too. Our professors caused just as much trouble. Oh yeah, and those future employers? They probably got into a little trouble in college as well. It's a part of life, but we're on a fine line. Our stupid acts, our bad decisions are on Facebook. Is it public information to the people we hang out with, the professors who brave the Facebook world, and to the employers who check students before they hire them? We are putting it out there for all kinds of people to see.

Here's the real question: Do you honestly want some of those tagged pictures? Sometimes everyone has a little too much fun. Sometimes we all do those stupid things. So, why? WHY do we leave pictures like that tagged? Because we're college students. We love pictures, we love documenting everything we do, and most of all we LOVE seeing it on Facebook. Using Facebook appropriately is great. It is a great tool for networking and keeping in touch. But please, use some Facebook etiquette....

Number 1

Be thoughtful of what your profile picture is. That doesn't mean it needs to be your high school senior picture or something boring like that, but your use judgement. If you are underage college student you probably don't want to be holding a beer or doing something inappropriate. According to an article on http://www.pcworld.com/ you don't want profile pictures that are "too sexy, cartoonish or that might alienate your audience." Look through your friend list really quickly. You'll start making some assumptions about people just by what their profile pictures are.

Number 2

Be careful when filling our your information section. It's okay to put some personal information out there, but you should keep your religious beliefs and political beliefs to yourself.

Number 3

Many users never glance to the privacy page of Facebook, but there are some important things there. You should make sure your Facebook is private to your friends. It can be completely public, semi-public, just open to networks and etc. But, make sure you know who can see your profile.

Number 4

Be courteous. If you have an extremely embarrassing picture of someone ask before you put it up, or don't put it up at all. Some people don't want their pictures floating around Facebook.

Number 5

Make sure you aren't writing inappropriate things on people's Facebook wall. If you were an employer, would you hire yourself from your writing ability on Facebook? And yes, it's true that may not be the way you would write professionally, but employers make assumptions on what they see and what knowledge they can gather.

Number 6

When it comes down to it, are you friends with people you wouldn't say "Hi" to on campus? Then delete them. The more people that have access to your Facebook the more people that can see what's going on in your life. Go on a "defriending" kick every once in a while.

So, the next time you log onto Facebook, just think about this question. "Would I want my mom to see this?" It's the best trick.

On campus vs Off campus Housing

2009-02-04T13:24:00.002-05:00

At Brockport you always know it is spring semester when people ask you this: "So, do you know where you are living yet? Have you signed a lease? Are you staying on campus for another year? Can I have your landlord's number?"

Extreme example, but true. Even after a long winter break people would rather know where you are planning on living in the next academic year versus how great of a break you had.

So, let's get to the truth about living on campus and living off campus...

My freshman and second year were spent on campus. The first year I lived in Thompson Hall, a corridor style dorm, and the second year I was in Mortimer Hall, a suite style dorm. I have few complaints about my living situation freshman year. My roommate and I got along great, the room was not too small, and walking down the hall for the bathroom was not even that bad. I was so excited to be in Mortimer that I did not even think about how small the room were when I first saw it. I thought would go just as smoothly. But, when you are living in a room that would be small for ONE person, things can get a little messy. Needless to say, my roommate and I barely survived the year with one another, and now we cannot even stand to acknowledge each other.

This is the first year I lived off campus, but I can say that it has been so much easier than living on campus. Not only do I have my own room, I also have my own kitchen and share a bathroom with only one other girl. The other positives of living off campus are infinite. Then again, if you are not responsible enough to pay your own bills, clean your own kitchen and bathroom, talk out problems that you are having with your housemates, then you probably want to stay in the dorms, but if you have never tried before you should give it a shot. It's practice for the real world. When you have a job, you certainly won't be living in the dorm rooms. You may have your own house, mortgage and family to support.

If you parents don't want you to move off campus then let me share some advice with you.
1. Don't room with your best friend unless you are positive it won't ruin your friendship. It's better to have to cross campus to hang out then dread going back to your room because you can't stand another second with her or him.
2. Remember, we all crave personal time, so when you need a break from the person be honest. I can't stress this enough; if you need a break it's okay to leave your room. Take a walk, head to the library, spend some time in the study lounge of your room. Your roommate won't be mad.
3. Your stuff is your stuff. If you don't feel comfortable sharing with your roommate, then don't. Clothes, utensils, bedding, chairs...if it's yours, let your roommate know.
4. If you have a problem with your roommate, talk to him or her about it. The worst thing in the world is when you are talking about your roommate and he/she finds out and ends up hating you for it.
5. Use your Resident Assistant. They get paid to help you solve problems. They know how hard it is to have new roommates, be in a new place and have to pass all your classes. They were once freshman too!
6. If you never are scared of your roommate, get out of there. Go to your friends, go to your RA, go to someone. Never put yourself in danger because of a other person.
7. If you don't like a certain behavior your roommate has (ex: having the television on when they are sleeping, blasting music when you are trying to sleep, drinking every night) try talking to he/she about it. Chances are pretty good that he won't want you to hate him.
8. Personalize your dorm room. Make it feel like home, because face it, you'll be spending more time in your dorm room then anywhere else. It needs to be "your" place.
9. It's going to be a challenge trying to work out all the new things you will be getting used to, but try and learn how to manage your time early. Set aside time for hanging out with friends, doing homework, going to class, and etc.
and 10. Just remember this - worst comes to worst, get some red duct tape and put in down the middle of your room.

Now if your parents will let you move off campus, then here are a few tips for finding a house:
1. Start early! It's never too early to sign a lease and it's never too early to start looking. The best houses go fast, so be on your game.
2. Don't share a room off campus. That's probably why you moved off campus in the first place. You wanted your own personal space. Don't compromise that.
3. Your housemates will be edgy when it comes to housing. Broach the subject gently, but always, always, ALWAYS make sure you are on the same page. You don't won't to get burned when it comes to signing a lease for the house of your dreams.
4. Keep your parents in the loop. Surprisingly enough the majority of them probably lived off campus and probably know a thing or two about finding a house. And remember, they live in a house now.
5. When it comes to your lease, if you aren't sure what something means, go head and ask. You and your landlord will be in contact on a weekly basis for the next year.
Okay...now that you found your house and signed your lease:
6. Be nice to your housemates. Even when you are having a bad day, walk in the house ready to smile and say "Hi."
7. Make a chore list if things are not getting done. No one wants to live in a messy house.
8. Again, talk to eachother. If you are having problems with the living situation, talk it out. Make compromises, and change some habits. No one wants to be miserable when they have to go home.
9. If something breaks, call the landlord. They will want to fix it. If they don't, they know that it will get around that they aren't great landlords.
10. Always have carpet cleaner on hand. You would be amazed at many things spill in your apartment.

So - make your decision wisely. Your housing situation can make or break your college career, plus it helps you prepare for you future.

Just a little about me...

2009-02-04T13:12:00.002-05:00

This will be the first time I have ever posted on a blog. So, if anything goes wrong, it's not my fault.

Since this is my first post on my blog I thought that I would share a little about my background.

First and foremost, I am in my third year at The College at Brockport, SUNY which means I am a junior, but credit wise I am a senior already. This is a) because I came into Brockport with eighteen credits (one semester's worth) and b) because of Delta College. Delta College is an honors style program with accelerated general education courses. This means that we take our general education classes in smaller groups and combine the necessary classes through interdisciplinary ideas. For example, our freshman year we take a class called Society & Culture I in the fall and II in the spring semester. This class incorporates world history, art, sciences. In words of the Delta College description it is an "interdisciplinary approach to the College's required undergraduate liberal arts and science courses."

Making the decision to enter Delta College was a particularly difficult decision for me. When I first was accepted to Brockport I was interested in both Delta and Honors and after a month of hemming and hawing, I decided I would go the way of Honors. And then after I graduated from high school I was at my summer job and I had just worked a long day of lifeguarding when I decided that Delta was the place I belonged. And I was right. A few weeks later I was at the Brockport summer orientation with the Delta group and I immediately felt right at home. My freshman year is a blurred memory of Delta projects, classes and public speaking. Delta has the ability to take the "shy kid" of a class and make him or her an active member of the class. Needless to say, by the spring semester rolled around, talking in front of a class was a breeze for me.

It's a good thing Delta College cured my fear of public speaking because I am a Communication major with a concentration in Persuasion studies. One of Brockport's mandatory Communication classes is Public Speaking. By the time I got around to taking it, I knew how to use my nerves as a motivation to speak better. I also have a minor in Political Science and today, I decided I would pick up a Business minor.

Another thing to know about me is that I was a competitive swimmer at the age of seven and this is the first year in my life that I haven't swam for a team. It was a strange transition to make, but it was for the better. Although I miss the team atmosphere and the pool, I don't miss competing at all.