Reflection and Personal Philosophy Topic #8

So many of us are going to college in pursuit of a fulfilling and great career. As IDS majors we have so many interests, but what are we passionate about? I know I am passionate about Agriculture, which is why I study Environmental Studies. I want to pursue gardening and education in some form, and I know this will make me happy. But I often think, “what if I don’t make enough money”, “what if I could do something else and be more comfortable” , or another words- what if I fail?

Larry Smith goes over “Why you will fail to have a great career” in his 2011 TED Talk. I thought of his talk this week because in our class I completed an exercise that had me write out all the things I want to do and why I haven’t.

I wrote things like:

I want to run more, but at the end of the day I am so tired.

And then I replaced the “but” with an “and”:

I want to run more, and I am often tired at the end of the day. So this week I am going to wake up early and run before work or school.

1. Please write down three things that you have wanted to do, but haven’t for some reason. Change the statements around to help you actualize your goals!

2. Watch Larry Smith’s TED Talk and write a response to the video and the following (2 paragraphs):

http://youtu.be/iKHTawgyKWQ

-How does this make you feel?

-What is your passion? How do you think you could pursue it as a career? (And if you don’t know your passion, how do you think you could find it?)

3. This is your last post, so please reflect and write a bit about how you feel now personally and academically at this point in time (1 paragraph and a response to a classmate).

Topic 7: Cover Letters and Résumés

Last week we spoke about the Interviewing Process. Within that post we also spoke about what you should do at the interview and how to make the right first impression. But, what about getting the interview? That’s where the résumé and your cover letter (CV) come into play. These two items are the key players in the world of employment. The UCF Career Services website has tons of helpful handouts for one to look at and mimic, as well as walk-in appointments at the Career Services and Experiential Learning Building on Memory Mall, where you can go and receive one-on-one help. (Just make sure to bring a copy of both your résumé and your CV.)

My experience with résumés and CVs has always been a tricky one because I didn’t know how to make one the “right way”. So one day I went to the Career Services Center (when it was in Ferrell Commons) and asked for some help. They provided me with a couple of the handouts that are on the website. With the guides, I created a brand new résumé and CV that was geared towards employment history. Now, after years of updating and experiences, it’s geared towards a focus on my community service, volunteer experiences and skill set because I want to work in a Nonprofit Organization.

Your personal résumé and CV may not look exactly like the ones you will review at for your assignment, but it will give you a great place to start. You may even have to spicy up your current ones with the tools provided. Your résumé and CV will be the first thing the employer sees whether that’s online or in person.  And remember, when printing both out make sure they are on the same kind of paper so that there’s consistency and a sense of professionalism.

Your assignment:

Part 1- Handouts: Go to the Career Services website at look all the handouts provided.

http://www.career.ucf.edu/Students/Undergraduate_Students/Write_Effective_Resumes_and_Cover_Letters/Handouts_49_193.aspx

1. Which handouts were the most helpful? The least?

2. Do you have any handouts or tips for writing an effective résumé to share? If so please provide the link.

3. What do you think makes a résumé stand out (in either a good way or bad way)?

4. What do you want your résumé to say about YOU?

Part 2- Cover Letter Exercise: Using the Handouts as a guide, draft the opening, body, and closing of one of your cover letters. Make sure to include the purpose, interests, qualifications, and your experiences in the letter. 

This posting should be labeled “Cover Letter Exercise” and should be at least two paragraphs

Topic 6 - The Interviewing Process

Last week we talked about how being interdisciplinary relates to our professional life. This week we’re going to be talking about the interviewing process.

Before you even think about going to an interview, make sure you Google the company and know who you’re interviewing with. Is it the marketing manager or their assistant? Make sure you know the company’s products, especially if you’re planning to go into sales and marketing.

Most interviewers make their decision about whether or not they’re going to hire you within the first minute. Having said that, it is imperative that you make a good impression!
To make a good impression, here are some simple steps:
1. Dress professionally: Please review this advice from Career Service's website: Dress for Success
2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early: This gives you time to people watch and to get a feel for the work environment. Also, avoid arriving any earlier because the interviewer many feel rushed.
3. Come prepared: Bring at least 2 copies of your résumé, even if you already emailed one to them before your meeting. If relevant, bring a portfolio and CD/DVD copies of work you've done. Providing the portfolio on a disk, will be easier for viewing and allowing the employer to keel a copy without permanently handing over your portfolio.
4. Most importantly, stay off your cellphone/tablet/computer unless you're turning it completely off.


When interviewers ask unusual questions like, “If you were an animal, what animal would you be?” Take a breath and think of the best way to answer the question. In this case, they’re not necessarily interested in the animal you pick, but rather the way you answer the question. They are looking for the quality of your answer.

Not only will the interviewer ask unusual questions, there will be the most common ones such as, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Always be prepared to answer this. When it comes to listing your weakness, make sure you add a positive spin, like how you’re working on making your flaw into a strength. Another major one is, “Why should I choose you for this job?” Please take this moment to politely brag about why you would be the perfect candidate for this job. It is helpful to use examples from your own experience to show credibility.

Preparing for Interviews: A great way to help prepare for interviews is to practice! I have a few apps on my iPhone that list sample questions and answers, like InterviewPrep and JobInterviewEdge. Depending of the job you’re seeking, many websites also offer the same service. I have even found some sites that list questions interviewers have asked for the exact interview I was preparing to have. LinkedIn, Career Builder, and Simply Hired are also great resources to help prepare you for your next interview.

Types of Interviews: There are many different ways one can be interviewed: face-to-face, phone, Skype, in front of a panel or in a group setting with other applicants. Although, face-to-face and phones interviews are the most common, both require a different kind of preparation. It is important you know what kind of interview you will have in order to help you prepare appropriately.


When taking part in a phone interview, make sure you have sent your resume to your interviewer ahead of time. When it comes time for the actual interview, make sure you have a copy for yourself for reference. Just because it’s a phone interview, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare and do your do your homework on the company. Lastly, if you’re the one calling, make sure you’re on time (but no earlier than 5 minutes), and make sure you have quiet surroundings and strong reception.


When is the time to talk about salary?: From my experience it is not something to be brought up in a first interview, unless the interviewer asks. However, you should always be prepared to answer the question if it is brought up. Make sure you research salaries for the type of job you’re applying with the appropriate geographical area. Salaries differ greatly from one city/state to another, depending on taxes and standard living.


Lastly, make sure you thank the person with whom you interviewed. Perhaps you’ll be surprised to hear that most people never send a “Thank you” letter to people they’ve interviewed with, which shows poor follow through and lack of interest. This should be done within a few days after having met with someone, especially if you’re interested in the job position.


Please visit the site listed below to get some interviewing practice. There is an optional video portion, which I recommend doing so you can see your body language. Yes, I know it’s awkward, but it can be really helpful.

http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/


1. Please write a 150-250 word response about your interviewing experience with the Perfect Interview.
2. Are there any specific interview questions you’re unsure how to answer?
3. What is another helpful tip for interviews that I might not have mentioned?

Week 5 - Your interdisciplinary degree opportunities and job skills.

Welcome back cornerstone students! I am sure by now you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of work cornerstone requires. Not to worry! In the end you will gain valuable knowledge about your degree and well on your way to great job opportunities.

Last week we learned about how interdisciplinary affects our daily lives. This week we are going to discuss interdisciplinary studies in a professional manner relating to our job skills and professional opportunities that interdisciplinary studies majors are open to.

There are many positive outcomes in being an interdisciplinary study major. Think of your job history and how your professional and career life wise has changed since becoming Interdisciplinary studies major.  Answer the following questions in a few sentences:

1.      What is your professional history?

2.      How have you used your interdisciplinary studies in your professional life?

3. How have your career goals altered?

4. What are your strongest jobs skills? What are your weakest?

5. What areas can you improve in your professional life using the interdisciplinary studies skills you have learned so far?

Remember to reply as a comment, not a new post. Also, please respond to at least two other students comments!

WEEK 4-Interdisciplinarity in the Real World

Hello Everyone!

We hope you all had a great weekend, and a great President's Day holiday. In this week's discussion topic we are switching gears. This week we will be discussing how interdisciplinarity has had or currently has an effect in our own lives. The ability to recognize interdisciplinary thinking is a crucial skill for an interdisciplinarian. As an active duty U.S. Marine, interdisciplinarity plays a crucial role in my life. As Marines we must posses a wide spectrum of skills. A Marine may have to act as any of these roles in any given time: leader, mentor, student, athlete, historian, peace keeper, humanitarian, first responder, aggressor, and many others. The ability to think from an interdisciplinary perspective and integrate disciplines such as history, criminal justice, sociology, and military science can be the difference between life and death on any given day.

Here is a link to video of our 235th Birthday Message given by our Commandant and Sergeant Major. The celebration of the Marine's birthday every year on November 10th is one our dearest traditions. This video will give you a small insight into the life of a United States Marine.

(Copy this link and paste if to your browser if it does not work)

http://youtu.be/I79UW6-NAAU

Finally, recognizing interdisciplinarity and its applications is an invaluable skill that any interdisciplinarian must posses. You should keep your responses to about two to three paragraphs per question, and also respond to at least two of your fellow cornerstone students. We look forward to reading your responses. Have a great week!

1. How do you apply your interdisciplinarity in daily situations?

2. What is interdisciplinarity not?

3. Who do you do who has an interdisciplinary profession?

4. How are you integrating your disciplines or are you?

5. What are some opportunities (personal, professional or academics) that can increase our interdisciplinarity?

Remember to reply as a new comment not as a post. Please reply to two other students's comments. 

Critical thinking

Hello everyone and welcome to week three.

Last week we learned about Integration and how it applies to interdisciplinary. We also watched a video that showed us how interdisciplinary approaches can solve problems.

This week we will discuss Critical thinking.

Dictionary.com defines critical thinking as a disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.

My own personal definition is a way of thinking that is holistic minded and that utilizes both sides of your brain to solve problems and find possible solutions that might be considered unorthodox.

Answer the following questions in 150 – 200 words and give as many examples as you like.

1) How does your critical thinking relate to being interdisciplinary?

For the next two questions you must complete the exercise found by clicking this link

Virtual Philisopher

After completing the exercise please Answer the following questions in 150 – 200 words and give as many examples as you like.

2) Comment on how the Virtual Philosopher scored your response. From the comments you received about your responses, what insight have you gained about your own critical thinking and reasoning?

3) How does the outline of your critical thinking disposition match with the application of it in doing the Virtual Philosopher?

Remember to reply as a comment and not as a new post! Also respond to at least two other student’s comments.

Integration

Hi Cornerstone Students!  Welcome to week two.  In the first week we got to know a little bit about each other and you shared some great links that showed how some of the activities you are involved in have shaped who you are.  Answer the following questions in 150 – 200 words and give as many examples as you like.

This week we will discuss integration. 

1)       What is integration?  List some examples of integration and then explain how you have or have not integrated your areas of concentration and your minor.

I will start.  My definition of integration is a blending or combining of parts or objects that work together.   My two areas of concentration are Anthropology and Public Administration and my minor is Writing.  I have integrated my minor with my areas to enhance effective communication in interactions with the public and the diverse groups of people that make up the community.

2)      In your own words explain why integration of areas and minor is important in terms of professional, academia, and/or personal developing.  How can your areas and minor be better integrated?

3)      Click on the following link and watch the video to see an example of how interdisciplinary approaches can solve problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XN5YsEHKK0g

4)      Now search for your own current news story, providing the link and explain how it is interdisciplinary or what an interdisciplinary solution might be. 

Make sure to reply as a comment and not as a new post!  Also respond to at least two other student’s comments.