The Power of Literacy and Why You Should Expand Your Summer Reading List

By Valerie Nam on July 12, 2010

The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them ~Mark Twain

Take a moment to ask yourself: What was the last worthwhile novel I read? Unfortunately for all us Twi-hards, the popular vampire saga is not exactly the most educational summer read…

It is unrealistic to believe that simply receiving a college education will lead to success after graduation. In order to breed generations of thought-provoking, productive, multi-dimensional citizens, college students must consistently focus on the core of education: literacy skill.

While still in college, students with higher reading abilities will be more engaged in all subject areas. This will thus lead to more learning and greater potential for the future. Students must master the necessary skills needed to be effective in the workforce during their college career. Only through reading can a person acquire the critical skills further developed through writing and discussion. By picking up a book, you really can influence your own individual motivation and success.

"There was no real need . . . of crasting any more pretty polly to tolchock some old veck in an alley and viddy him swim in his blood… nor to do the ultra-violent on some shivering starry grey-haired ptitsa in a shop and go smecking off with the till's guts."

The use of nadsat in Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange – a harsh, Russian accented slang – initially parallels to that of gibberish to the common reader. On the contrary, it was this strange language that first intrigued my interest in the novel.

This particular book, with its unique title, stimulated my interest with its underlying political and moral dilemma. A young sociopath droog, Alex, is given the opportunity to be freed of his prison sentence if he chooses to submit to the repressive super-State's 'Ludovico Technique' – an experimental aversive conditioning which will ultimately deprive him of his self-determination to choose a path of violence.

As one of “The 100 Essential Books You Should Have Read in College” by OnlineCourses.org, and as one of my personal favorite novels, I highly recommend finding a time to read A Clockwork Orange this summer. While you have time to spend on some books that aren't in your class syllabus, take time to look over the list and pick out some titles that will give you more to think about over summer break.

"books in a stack (a stack of books)” courtesy austinevan via Flickr Creative Commons

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Keeping Organized During the Summer

By ConnieMcD on July 8, 2010

Even though these are the months that all college students live for, (no 9 am classes, no all nighters to finish that 15 page paper, and no professors emailing you about the number of absences in their class..) it is important to make sure that you use this time wisely and stay focused. This is especially true for rising seniors. There are a number of steps you should be taking in order to prepare yourself for your upcoming graduation. Although it seems like it is sooo far away, it will spring up faster than you can ever imagine. Here are a couple things that you should definitely accomplish this summer and within the first few weeks of your first senior year semester:

1. Check Out Your Tracking Sheet

Make sure that all of your classes are in order! Be sure that you are up to date on all of your courses and you are scheduled to take the remaining courses in the correct semester. Forgetting to check your tracking sheet at least once a semester is just begging for disaster. If you are unsure of something contact your advisor immediately! Which leads to my next To-Do…

2. Contact / Meet With Your Advisor

Whether or not there is something wrong with your tracking sheet, you should be meeting with your advisor on a regular basis. Advisors are there to help when YOU come and seek their council. Your college advisor is not meant to act like your parent away from home. You advisor will help when you ask for it but will not come chasing after you. Having a healthy relationship with your advisor will pay of f in the end because once they know you better they will know how to best guide you, especially when it comes to searching for companies and places to apply to for your post-college career.

3. Join Extra Curricular Activities / Land an Internship

Joining a club or starting at an internship can be very beneficial in multiple ways. Being in these two social settings can help you meet new friends, network, and vamp up your resume. As much as you probably want to hang with your best friends and make plans for the weekend or catch the weekly marathon of your favorite show, MTV’s The Hills or a weekend away from campus are not necessarily going to help you once college is finished. Of course it is great to spend time with your friends and relax, but this must be balanced out with activities that are actually going to benefit you in the future.

4. Update Your Resume

Be sure to maintain a regular upkeep of your resume along with your contacts list. It will be easier to make the changes gradually rather than the morning of your all important interview. Also, try to keep a printed resume on you at all times, you never know when a professor or advisor will ask if you would be interested in having them send your resume out to an important contact of theirs. Also, have friends or someone at your college’s writing center read over your resume and contact list to make sure that everything is in order. The last thing a possible employer wants to see is a grammar mistake on a resume!

Just because these are your three months of freedom doesn’t mean you should drop everything! Doing a little bit of work here and there throughout the summer can go a long way during the school year!

"Gold Coast Winter 01” courtesy Paull Young via Flickr Creative Commons

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Thoughts on Networking

By Valerie Nam on July 7, 2010

Ever heard the old adage. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? An anonymous yet inspirational quote about networking, personal social networks are in fact key sources of labor and information in a rapidly growing, global economy.

The dazzling stream of available technology enables workers to connect to diverse, far-flung networks that can help them leverage their own careers. Known as a kind of “invisible work,” creating social networks can empower workers if they are successful at maintaining them, and can also help them take on their jobs effectively.

However, as the global economy continues to become even more …global, the competition in the job market continues to grow as well. A graduate college student must not only be qualified for a job, he or she must exceed expectation. Rather than simply knowing the right people, gaining real world experience is also a critical step. It’s what you know and who you know that often makes the difference,

College student internships are a great way to build an impressive resume, as well as give students the opportunity to make valuable industry contacts. The people you meet along the way during your college career may be essential in helping you land that ideal job upon graduation.

Many other opportunities to gain work experience can even be found on your college or university campus. By utilizing resources at school, you may find a campus job in your own field of study. That valuable experience may one day land you a position in the career field that you love.

By keeping in mind the social aspect of making good contacts while gaining real world experience, you can be well on your way to landing that dream job. My advice to you? Get in there and mingle.

"Floating Network” courtesy WebWizzard via Flickr Creative Commons

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Six Ways To Increase Your Summer Cash Flow

By Valerie Nam on June 30, 2010

It's summer break. You don’t necessarily want to work, but you need the money to support your social life. If you’re not cute enough to run that little lemonade stand like you used to, then it's time to find another way to improve your summer cash flow. Luckily, there are numerous opportunities for you to make some side money. And you can do this by using the skills you already have!

I met my good friend Valerie my freshman year of college, and I remember her telling me how she got paid for making company advertisements using her expert Adobe Photoshop skills. Here are some other clever ideas to earn some extra cash:

1. Social Marketing Consultant: So it sounds like a fancy job title, but in reality, you can simply use your Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. skills to help companies with their marketing efforts. If you’re going to be on Facebook anyway, why not get paid for it?

2. Write Product Reviews: If you want to complain or rave about something you bought, write about it! Voice your opinion while typing reviews for places like Epinions.com or ReviewStream.com.

3. Sell Stuff on eBay or Have a Garage Sale: Mom and Dad must have some kind of junk lying around in the house… Turn that clutter into profit! It wouldn’t hurt to find that old box of toys you used to play with either. The neighborhood kiddies would definitely appreciate them.

4. Take Online Surveys: You can complete surveys through legitimate online survey sites, and get paid for it. Sounds easy doesn’t it?

5. Take Pictures and Sell the Photos: Keeping it strictly PG, you can make money as a photographer. Lots of sites are looking to buy digital photos such as Shutterstock.com or 123RF.com.

6. Tutor: Are you a math or science whiz? Many parents are willing to pay for someone who can help their child develop skills and succeed in certain academic areas. Opportunities can range from designing web logos to joining a focus group.

These are just a few ideas out of the endless possibilities… Do some research and earn yourself some cash this summer!

"Lemonade stand” courtesy EvinDC via Flickr Creative Commons

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The Power of Staying Positive

By ConnieMcD on June 29, 2010

Hi there ThinkTalkers! My name is Connie and I am currently a senior Media Studies Major at CUA. During my time here at ThinkTalk, I will be blogging about my experiences and lessons learned in the work place in order to give you guys some tips and advice on what to expect and prepare for at your own internships.

Every morning of my internship I usually run through the same routine. I wake up, get ready, grab the largest cup of coffee known to mankind and then make my way into Washington D.C. On the way in I usually think about what I should write about that day and then catch up on the daily news on my phone. Today however, I couldn’t really think of something to write about so I decided to read the news instead.

Immediately the first headline I saw was “10 Attitudes of Successful Workers”. Ahha! A possible theme for my blog! After reading through the article, I knew it was something I had to write about and share.

The article, by Kate Lorenz, explains how staying positive can help you not only stay healthy and live longer, but also help you succeed at your job. The article also reveals that positive people can make more money! Lorenz offers ten ways in which any person can change their attitude in and out of the work place:

1. I am in charge of my destiny. If you spend your entire career waiting for something exciting to come to you, you will be waiting a long time. Successful professionals go out and make good things happen. So commit yourself to thinking about your career in an entirely different way. You will make it to the top, and you are in charge of making it happen.

2. Anything is possible. Think that there is no way you will ever be at the vice-president level? Then you definitely won't. Remember: If you think you can't, you probably won't. Adopt the attitude of The Little Engine That Could -- "I think I can."

3. No task is too small to do well. You never know when you are going to be noticed. That is one reason to take pride in your work -- all of it. One public relations executive in Chicago said that her first task in the PR department of a ballet company was reorganizing the supply closet. She tackled the project with gusto and was immediately noticed for her hard work and attention to detail. Remember this the next time you feel like slacking because you are working on a menial task.

4. Everyone is a potential key contact. While you do need to be aggressive in the workplace, you can also go far by being nice to those around you. Do you think it's unimportant to establish a good rapport with your boss's secretary? Well, just try getting your meeting squeezed onto the schedule when you really need it. Be courteous to those around you -- you never know when your past contacts will play a role in your future.

5. I was made to do this job... and the one above me. If you spend your days feeling like you are not cut out to do the work you are responsible for, your performance will suffer. Your job may not be the perfect fit, but successful workers act like they are in their dream job, no matter where they are.

6. It's not just what I know, but who I know. Successful workers understand the importance of networking, both in and out of the office. You need to proactively establish professional contacts. Invite a colleague out to lunch. Go to the after-work happy hour. Join your professional association. Do your part to establish a networking path for your future.

7. What else can I do? Since you are in charge of your destiny, it's your job to look for ways to improve your professional self. Volunteer to take on an extra project. Learn a new skill that will make you more marketable. Stay late to help your co-workers. Successful workers don't just complete the job and sign out -- they look for additional ways to make their mark.

8. Failure will help pave the way to my success. While it seems like some people never experience setbacks, the truth is everyone fails from time to time. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they deal with failure. Those who find success are the ones who learn from mistakes and move on.

9. I am my own biggest fan. Have you been waiting for someone in the office to recognize your talents and efforts? Maybe it's time you start tooting your own horn. Step up and talk about your accomplishments and what you have done for the company. Successful workers know how to point out their achievements without sounding boastful.

10. My opportunity monitor is never turned off. Yes, there will be days when you will want to just be happy with the status quo. But remember that successful workers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve. Keep your eyes, ears and your mind open to new opportunities -- you never know when you will discover the one that will change the course of your career!

These easy little steps can help change your life in a big way! Not only could they help you live longer but you could be getting the promotions you only once dreamed of! Don’t forget to keep on track and stay positive!

"Joy.Youth.Sky.Blue.Sun.Shine. Sunshine.Happiness” courtesy irina via Flickr Creative Commons

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How to Ace Your Phone Interview

By Valerie Nam on June 25, 2010

Congratulations! You’ve applied to that job or internship position that you’ve been working towards and have made it over the first obstacle. Someone at the company or organization has reviewed your cover letter and resume, and has contacted you to schedule an interview – a phone interview. You don’t even have to wear that uncomfortable suit!

In today’s world, it’s not unheard of for companies to conduct telephone interviews in order to rule out unqualified or inferior candidates. Long gone are the days when managers granted every job candidate an hour of their time to discuss potential placement in their company. There just isn’t always enough available time, resources, and funds to do so.

Full interviews are now conducted via telephone (or even through webcam for which you would have to dress properly), and so it goes without saying that you should carefully prepare for the interview. Let’s face it, if you don’t pass the phone interview, you simply won’t get the job.

To make the best impression possible, here are a few tips:

1. Take the phone interview seriously

The time you have to talk to your interviewer is your only chance to position yourself as the best candidate for the job. It’s your few minutes to express yourself in the best possible light.

2. Prepare and succeed

Review your own credentials: Remember that application you sent it? Take a few minutes to run through your resume and refresh your memory about all the great stuff you’ve done. What are some successful stories? Outstanding achievements? Without a doubt, your interviewer will be asking lots of questions about your background and skills. Make a list of key points you want to make. If you prepare for this, you will be ready to answer any question the interviewer may throw at you.

Conduct research about the company: Get acquainted with the company. Use any information that may be listed on the Internet to your advantage. The company is bound to have it’s own website and it’s important to know the facts.

Make sure you have all the necessary resources to conduct a phone interview: Using a cell phone? Make sure you have a charger nearby. The last thing you want to happen is for your phone to die – a silly nono. To be safe, make sure that your cell phone is fully charged. Also, plan ahead and ensure that you are in a location that is quiet and free of distractions. Yes, that means turning off the TV and leaving your barking pup in the other room.

Make a list of questions you have about the position: Prove to your interviewer that you are acquainted with the requirements of the job. Ask specific questions that were not answered through your own research. Show interest!

3. The Phone Interview

Listen and answer: Carefully listen to the interviewer and focus your attention on the question being asked. Take a few moments to compile your thoughts, and then answer. You’ll sound more confident and in control if you don’t ramble.

Sell yourself: Speak in a straightforward, confident tone. When people are nervous, they tend to talk too fast and with a higher tone. Try to relax. You’ve got this.

Don’t forget the thank you! Thank the interviewer for taking the time to speak to you and re-iterate your interest. Follow up with a thank you e-mail.

Overcome the phone interview hurdle with these tips and you’ve landed the job. Good luck!

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Hump Day Movie Day: Michael Moore on Capitalism, A Love Story

By Mindy on June 23, 2010

Welcome back to ThinkTalk's Hump Day Movie Day. Every Wednesday we're going to pull a favorite interview from the archives. This week, our feature showing is a Director's Cut interview with Michael Moore, the famous documentary filmmaker. This is the first part of an hour long, Town Hall style Q&A Moore. ThinkTalk host Zack Sherwood talked with Moore at an event at George Washington University in conjunction with the GWU College Democrats- you can watch the rest of the show here. The students came fully prepared and peppered Michael with questions about his new film, Capitalism: A Love Story, his thoughts on the US economic crisis, health care, and partisan politics.

Michael Moore's other works include Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko. His latest film, Capitalism: A Love Story tells the story of the U.S. financial collapse and the corporate greed that caused it.

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What Employers are Looking for in Future Employees

By ConnieMcD on June 21, 2010

Hi there ThinkTalkers! My name is Connie and I am currently a senior Media Studies Major at CUA. During my time here at ThinkTalk, I will be blogging about my experiences and lessons learned in the work place in order to give you guys some tips and advice on what to expect and prepare for at your own internships.

With the current state of the job market finally on the mend, I thought that now would be a great time to set up a list of attributes that your possible future employers have in mind when looking to hire someone new. Competition in the job market is incredibly tough, so following through with these tips could give you the step up that you need to land that perfect job. CNN.com offers the following list of characteristics that you should be aware of before your next interview:

1. Long-term potential

Why it's important: Employees want to see their future within a company so they are motivated and excited about their career path, the company's future and their role in it, says Celia Santana, president of Personal Risk Management Solutions. From the employer perspective, you want people in your organization to work their way up. It is best to have someone who is multidimensional and can grow with the company.

2. Ability to work well with others

Why it's important: "We spend a lot of time at work; there is nothing worse than someone who cannot get along with others," Santana says. "[It's] so important and involves being helpful, understanding the unwritten rules, being respectful, reliable and competent."

3. Ability to make money

Why it's important: Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization's revenues or decrease its costs, Rothberg says. "During a recession, revenues are difficult for organizations to generate and employers have typically already cut their costs about as much as they can. Their emphasis is on increasing their revenues."

4. Impressive résumé

Why it's important: "A résumé is a person's billboard; a reflection of the applicant in the eyes of the reader," said Jay Meschke, president of EFL Associates. "First impressions are lasting ones and a résumé is often the vehicle to either make a good impression or a poor one."

5. Relevant work experience

Why it's important: "Experience levels generally allow a person to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding," Meschke said. "Managers do not have time to mentor and train people as in the past."

6. Creative problem-solving skills

Why it's important: "Employers know that in business, the chessboard changes daily. As soon as we think all is fine, the economy changes or the competition makes a surprise move and the company's own strategy must change," said Mark Stevens, author of "Your Marketing Sucks" and CEO of MSCO, a global marketing firm. "A person who gets locked into a set way of doing things finds it difficult or impossible to adjust. They are a drag on the business as opposed to an asset for it."

7. Strong online presence

Why it's important: "Social networking has become the primary way that people communicate. But it is a double-edged sword. Employers have access to your personal life, likes and dislikes, political views, good and bad behavior. Because of that exposure and the speed at which information is distributed, it is important that you be digitally dirt-free, especially when job hunting," said Chris Laggini, vice president of human resources for DLT Solutions.

8. Multitaskers who thrive on variety of projects

Why it's important: "Business today moves at supersonic speed, and effectively managing a variety of different projects simultaneously is essential," said Susan Stern, founder and president of Stern + Associates, a public relations and marketing communications agency. "If an individual demonstrates a passion for learning new things and enjoys a variety of work, chances are she is also ambitious and inquisitive -- two qualities that are critical to success and advancement."

9. Enthusiasm and initiative

Why it's important: "If you show consistent enthusiasm and take initiative on the job, you can count on being noticed and rewarded. Every business looks to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers," Stern said. "By taking initiative, you convey a true team spirit and illustrate that you are not someone who simply meets the criteria of a job description, but who goes above and beyond what is required to help the business succeed."

10. Good cultural fit

Why it's important: Recruiters are pressured to find the right match for a company; applicants are under pressure to creatively differentiate themselves and demonstrate a desire to succeed, said Jenny Floren, founder and CEO of Experience Inc., an online recruiting community. "Hiring managers are particularly interested in how a candidate is going to adapt to their unique organizational culture."

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Career Reading for Your Weekend

By Mindy on June 18, 2010

Happy Friday ThinkTalkers! We want to help heat up your job hunt this summer, so take a look at these articles over the weekend for some expert advice. We'll see you back here Monday!

The Personal Branding Blog Helps Your Fix that Boring Resume Objective: You've spent hours tweaking and manicuring the perfect resume, so it's frustrating to realize how little time hiring managers take to look at it. You need to grab their attention as quickly as possible. One of the best ways is to wow them with your resume objective turned branding statement. Check out these tips!

Movin' On Up Picks the 5 Questions You Have to Be Ready For: While every interview will be different, there are definitely some go-to questions that most employers will end up asking you. Find out what they are and why you should be prepared.

Bob Sutton Offers Strategies for... Swearing in the Office?: This article responds to the question, "Is it ever appropriate to use [swearing] as a bonding device or a way to motivate people?" The number one rule: If you aren't sure, then don't do it. But Sutton has some interesting thoughts.

Keppie Careers Has Ten Ideas to Help You Find a Job Now: My favorite tip: "Talk to people you do NOT think can help you. Just because someone isn’t in your field doesn’t mean they don’t have useful information for you."

The Student Branding Blog Teaches You to Reverse Google Before the Interview: Have an interview coming up? More than likely, the hiring manager will Google you. So why not "reverse Google" your interviewer to help you prepare some relevant questions? There are some good ideas of things to look for in profiles or articles and how to turn them into leading questions.

"Sun” courtesy jasonippolito via Flickr Creative Commons

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The Benefits of Taking Summer Classes

By Valerie Nam on June 16, 2010

June, July, August. Those three months of bliss when you can finally unwind from the stress of classes and those pesky final exams. It can be the perfect time to focus on your social life or find relaxing time for yourself. Read a book, get a tan, travel. Who knows? You might even be motivated enough to find a summer job or an internship to earn some extra spending money.

OR, you can do something that will benefit both your education and future. Enroll in summer classes. Okay, so you can call it summer school, but really, how bad can taking a class or two be? Especially when there are so many advantages in doing so…

1. Suffer a whole semester vs. suffer a short amount of time

Most summer classes last about five weeks and meet two to three times a week. If you know that there is a class that you will absolutely dread sitting through for an entire semester, why not take it early? Summer learners also benefit in that they are not distracted by the rigmarole of school year obligations. They do not have to simultaneously worry about extracurricular activities and social obligations. You can focus all your attention on that one class and earn that A grade – no excuse! Balancing academics becomes easier when you have more leisure time, of course. And after you complete your educational requirements, you have the rest of the summer to go on those exotic vacations you’ve been waiting for.

2. Graduate sooner

Get a jumpstart on the school year and get those core classes out of the way. If you are looking to graduate early or plan to earn a double major, summer classes can prove invaluable. Dedicate part of your summer to a class, and then enjoy easier course loads during the semester. Also, whether or not you decide to stay in your college town or head back home for the summer, you do not actually have to take courses at your college or university to earn credit. Often times, your community college offers classes whose credits are transferable to a range of majors at your own school.

3. Don’t “kick the habit”

After a few months of zero academic responsibilities, it’s always rough going back and readjusting to the school year. However, if you never fall out of the loop of learning, it will be a much easier transition for you. Plus, you forget the stuff you learn when you don’t practice the material, so summer classes will keep you smart.

4. Make New Friends

Taking summer classes gives you endless opportunities to meet new friends before the school year begins and expand your social circle. The class sizes may be smaller and more personal as opposed to those huge lecture halls where you may not even spot the same person again for the rest of the semester. Trust me, it happens.

Remember that you can always use the summer time wisely. And it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sacrifice fun.

"A lot of school buses” courtesy wheany via Flickr Creative Commons

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