Renewal

So many adults I talk with express an interest in coming back to school but have several hesitations or second thoughts. They are afraid they aren't smart enough, won't be able to keep up or catch on to the material in class, too old, forget how to study/take notes/take tests, accommodating work schedules, fitting school responsibilities into family and work responsibilities. I'm sure the list can continue on and on. These are all valid reasons of things to think about and consider when an adult is considering returning to or beginning a higher education plan. We call these Returning Adult Students RAS.

But trust me, when a RAS walks into the classroom, most of the younger students breathe a sigh of relief. "At last, A grown up I can study with! I bet they know something!" :) The professor is always glad to see you also. They know you have chosen to be there and will work to get your money's worth from the class.

IU Kokomo offers several services and resources to assist, not only the traditional age students (18-22 yrs old) but our RAS students as well. I would highly recommend you contact IU Kokomo and let us help alleviate some of your fears about coming to our campus. The Office of Career Services even has a handout that offers all kinds of helpful tips for RAS. Just give us a call at 765-455-9301 or email to carserv@iuk.edu and we will be happy to mail one of them to you.
In the meantime, here is a list several ways to know you are a Returning Adult Student:

• You didn't graduate from high school last year
• The elementary school you attended was not outfitted with computers.
• You're the first one to arrive in class, and the last one to leave.
• You are worried you don't remember how to study.
• You're a male student and you haven't checked out the intramural teams or the gym yet.
• You're divorced and this is part of a new start.
• You have a teacher you suspect may be younger than you.
• An astonishing percent of your history course will actually be current events.
• You suspect that the girl next to you paid more for her jeans than you paid for your first car.
• You suddenly notice one day that you're asking more questions than the rest of the class combined.
• You think you're the only student in class who doesn't know what the professor is talking about.
• You're juggling home, family, and school.
• One of the reasons you'd miss class is babysitting problems.
• Everyone stares in disbelief, when you tell them you're "Just here to learn."

Source: Adapted from an article by Dale K. Reich published in The Chronicle, April 14, 1982, Vol.2, No. 7

Successful Students

A colleague recently shared a book with me entitled "College in a Can". It contains more than 250 lists of "what's in, who's out, where to, why not, and everything else you need to know about life on campus."It was written by Sandra and Harry Choron and published by Houghton Mifflin.
One of their lists include the 8 simple secrets of successful college students. I thought I would let you in on these secrets and share theme with you. According to the Chorons, successful students:

1. Work efficiently.
2. Try to find classes that interest them.
3. Follow directions.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Eat well.
6. Learn from their mistakes.
7. Network.
8. Have extensive experience in the areas that interest them.

I think several of these fall into the catagory of common sense. I also believe many of these "secrets" could also be applied to secrets for a successful life or job experience. Whether you are thinking of attending college, are already a student, or just trying to figure out how to make it through each day, keep these tips in mind as you progress through the stages of school, life, and work. How can you go wrong?! :-)

Green job awareness

What do you want to be when you grow up? We've all heard that question asked of us since we were about 5 years old or so. In my generation (the Boomers), we all wanted to be nurses, astronauts, teachers, or fireman and policeman. The Millinial generation has a much wider spectrum of professions to choose from. Many will find their way into the traditional professions but bringing the new world and technology with them. I'm ever amazed at the great ideas that continue to spring from our new students and graduates as they develop professionally and work to make their chosen academic major fit into the world they want to walk into after graduation.

This generation wants to take care of the planet as they make their way. Going "Green" is the way to go. As this philosophy continues to catch on and grow, the job market is growing with it. The opportunities in environmental fields still include a wide number of the traditional careers; we just do them a bit differently. The eco-friendly awareness continues change the way we do business and the job functions along with them. A rank of professionals is being created to boost the belief of "sustainable sharing" of earth's resources. Check out this resource page http://www.cseindia.org/programme/env_edu/career_plan.htm listed on the Centre for Science and Environment web site to learn more about career planning that keeps the environment healthy.

Summer catch up

Summer is the time in our office when we are able to recharge, prepare, and plan for upcoming workshops and career related events for the next semester and beyond. The professional developement workshops for fall are now on the calendar and posted to our web site. I have been working steadily on updating and revamping our Career Services web page and have a meeting scheduled this week with our campus webmaster to put that into place.

Our campus is getting set to go through many changes over the next few years. There will be new leadership in several key spots, including the chancellor position. Our current Chancellor, Dr. Ruth Person, will be moving to take over the helm at University of Michigan - Flint campus in mid-August. http://www.umflint.edu/chancellor/ruth_person.htm We wish her well in her next step and thank her for the many forward steps in which she has led our campus.

However, we all know that change can be intimidating and many of us are wondering what is in store for our campus as new leadership begins to be identified. The same holds true for all of our students. Our new students are taking those first scarey steps in learning about becoming a college student and our current students are hopeful, and maybe a bit nervous, about the chosen path they have taken as they continue toward graduation.

My favorite thing as a Student Affairs professional is to see our students meet their own definition of success. For some, it's landing their dream job after graduation. For others, it's the fact that they are the first in their family to attend college. Whatever that definition may be, it is a delight to be able to watch when everything clicks. There are also sad and frustrating moments in the student affairs profession. Not everyone will make a successful transition through IU Kokomo. When those instances occur, I want our students to know there are many great people and resources on our campus - if they reach for them. They range from having someone to help plan to just having someone to talk to about your concerns for the future. Don't hesitate to let us know how we can help you. We are all here because you are all here.
Change can be a bit scarey but can also be good!

Internship experience creates edge in job search market

Are you wondering if participating in an internship would be a valuable experience? According the article below, it will definitely give an edge to new college graduates participating in a job search.

If you are a current student at IU Kokomo, you can contact Candy Norman to learn more about the campus internshp program. Candy can be reached at caanorma@iuk.edu or in KO 280B to set up an appointment to meet with her. Meanwhile, check out the information posted on the web which can be accessed from the Career Services webpage. The internship link is: http://www.iuk.edu/~koctsd/internships.htm.

New College Grads With Internship, Work-Related Experience Have Job Market Edge

New college graduates looking for a job will likely have an edge over their competition if they have participated in an internship or otherwise gained work-related experience, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Approximately 95 percent of the organizations responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2008 survey said candidate experience is a factor in their hiring decisions. More than three-quarters are most interested in relevant work experience, but nearly 20 percent give candidates points for any type of work experience. On the question of how the experience is gained, respondents were split.

“Slightly more than half of employers told us that they didn’t have a preference on how the candidate gets experience, but nearly as many—47 percent—said they prefer candidates to gain their experience through an internship or cooperative education program,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director.

In addition, results of a separate NACE study show that employers are placing more emphasis on internship and cooperative education programs to “grow” their own employees—looking first to their own interns when they have job opportunities.

“Not only does participation in an internship make the student a more attractive candidate, but also it can be an avenue to a job,” says Mackes.

About NACE: Since 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has been the leading source of information about the employment of college graduates. NACE maintains a virtual press room for the media at http://www.naceweb.org/press.

Conducting an Effective Job Search

It can be a full time job to find a full time job. Fortunately, there are lots of resources out there to help you reach your professional apirations. Here are a few ideas to help you get started. Best of luck in your job search process!

1. Go to your campus career center. They can provide general career guidance, skill and interest assessment tools, help in preparing résumés and cover letters, and practice with your interviewing techniques.

2. Review your recent history. Consider an internship, volunteer work, even working while attending school. You need real experience.

3. Compile an effective résumé. Employers make decisions on whether to interview a candidate in less than 30 seconds, so it's critical to get your résumé right the first time. After creating your first draft, pay a visit to your career services office to assist you in creating the final résumé. Be sure the final copy is error free. Let several people you trust take a look at it.

4. Narrow your search. Begin by making a list of what you want from a job. If during your research you find your college major and career objectives aren't a good match, don't be discouraged. You may need to take some additional courses, acquire a certification or find an internship or job experience to make it happen, but don't let your college major limit your aspirations.

5. Work your network. Use the Internet and campus career services office to look at specific companies that might be a good fit. Do some field research. Attend job fairs to meet prospective employers. Join and make contacts through professional organizations to find out more about your options. Talk to your professors, classmates, alumni, friends and family members to learn more about industry trends - or even about job openings. Use the "ripple effect" to help you learn more about your chosen career field.

Welcome!

Welcome to the IU Kokomo Career Services blog page. As events, news, and happenings come along we will pass and post this information along to you.
We are the "what do you want to be when you grow up" people on campus and are happy to help you work through the stages of career development while you figure out what you want to be ...
Please feel free to comment and ask questions at this location. I look forward to "talking" with you!

Julie D.
Manager, Career Services
Indiana University Kokomo