Restoration Time

Time to Recharge -

 

Most of us are already pining for the days of the long holiday break to sleep late, gorge ourselves on sweet treats and cheese ball, spend hours in front of the television watching reruns of King of Queens or perhaps head to the movies.  No doubt, we are in need of rest and relaxation and enjoying time with our families.

  It is important to clear your mind of algebraic equations, sociological theory, or the Georgia constitution, and fill your head with dancing sugar plums for a while!

I want to suggest that during the many days away from school and the computer that you keep yourself motivated so that you can return in January with tenacity and a fresh perspective. 

Here are a few tips while recharging over the break.

Keep reading.   Finding things you love to read over the break will keep your mind stimulated and your vocabulary sharp. (Please don’t rely on Facebook for ALL of you intellectual perusing J ).  

Maintain “to-do” lists.  Staying on some kind of schedule and accomplishing tasks is important for a healthy outlook and keeps you from staying up all night and sleeping all day.   Jot down a few things to accomplish daily. Examples might include: cleaning out a closet, writing a letter, volunteering at a local agency for a couple hours, washing your van, etc…

Stay active. There is something to be said for getting 30 min of exercise a day.  This can be a simple walk around your neighborhood, heading to the mall (without a pit stop at the food court), or light housework.  Exercise keeps your heart healthy and your mind rejuvenated.  It sure doesn’t hurt to help prevent those notorious holiday pounds either! 

Eat one healthy item (at least) a day. If you love to eat, like I do, it is too tough to steer clear of the holiday sugar cookies, Aunt Betty’s meatballs, or the homemade bacon wrapped scallops.  So try to balance out the gorging by keeping some healthy items on hand.  Have a bag of apples or fresh cut veggies in the fridge.  Sip on water all day- every day.  It will help keep you feeling fuller and also does wonders for your skin!

Keep school in mind.  Classes will resume before you know it. Be sure you get your supplies (books/ notebooks) before classes start. If you are an “online” student review your email periodically.  Be aware of the new “log in” procedures for eCore/eMajor and get yourself acclimated in class the first available date.

So, go ahead!  Enjoy the extended winter break!  May it be a time of restoration and peace.  If you follow a few of these outlined items it might just allow for you to have an easier transition into the spring semester.

by: Karen Lingrell, Collaborative Programs Assistant Director

Reference: http://personalexcellence.co/blog/healthy-living/

Meet eMajor Student and Newlywed Brandi Carpenter

1. What is your occupation? Medical Billing Specialist

2. What is your college major? Office Administration and Technology

3. How did you come about choosing this major? I work full time, and it was becoming very hard to make sure my school schedule fit with my work hours. I needed to be able to take classes online. I talked with a few people who recommended the degree program and I changed my major. It has been very helpful with my work schedule.

4. What career path do you want to take upon graduation? I really enjoy medical billing. I've changed jobs a few times in the past year, but I went right back to my old employer with the same position. I enjoy my job, and would like to further progress in the position and possibly earn the title "billing manager".

5. Why eMajor? The online courses are perfect with my work schedule. My job requires that I be available for our patients during the hours we are open. If they have billing inquiries, I need to be there to help them. Also, my job is non-stop, so there is always more to do. I was getting behind at work having to physically go to class.

6. Who is the biggest inspiration for your education? My mom. She managed to get her GED after having to drop out because my sister was born, and after I was born she managed to still go back and get her Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management. I respect that she did not allow anything to hold her back from pursuing her dreams.

7. What is something cool you've learned this semester in eMajor? I'm in a class right now that teaches Quickbooks. I am not at all familiar with this program, but I realize I was missing out. Quickbooks is a amazing program that teaches you not only the accounting that I learned in beginning accounting classes, but also teaches me the things I did not get to learn. Payroll was the biggest thing. I have always been curious, but now I know.

8. What three words would you use to describe one of your online instructors? Organized, Responsive, Understanding

9. Where is your favorite place to visit in the USA? Helen, GA - It is so beautiful!

10. What kind of mood are you in right now, and why? I'm a little frustrated, I have an online assignment that is labeled as a "group" project, but my partner is no where to be found. I don't understand doing a group project in an online setting.

11. Your favorite study spot? The library at the VSU campus. They have an internet cafe with a small coffee place in case you need a boost of energy.

12. What is something your online classmates don't know about you? I'm originally from Kennesaw, GA. I'd never lived anywhere else until I moved to Valdosta for college.

13. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?

I got married this semster, on October 6, my instructors were so supportive and understanding of this major life event.
(And, the poor planning on my part-which was having it during a school semester!) They worked with me and gave me all the tools I needed to succeed in class, while still abiding by their guidelines and due dates.

CAREER 101 -- What can I do with my Major in...

ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

I began a web - based search to explore where a student majoring in Organizational Leadership major might go post graduation. What kind of jobs are out there? How is field perceived?  What kind of salary should I expect?  Well, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this degree holds some substantial creditability within the job sector and allows for candidates to have a great variety of job options when schooling is complete. The curriculum seems to cover everything from practical skills in organizational finance to leadership theory.  Organizational leadership gives students skills and knowledge necessary to serve in a multitude of leadership or management roles.

What is this degree?
Organizational management involves the strategic leading, organizing, planning and team supervising of companies, firms, businesses and organizations in many job industries. Management can involve leading an entire organization or supervising specific departments, such as human resources, information technology, finance and marketing.

What skills are necessary to become successful?
To become an effective organizational manager, you'll need to develop excellent interpersonal skills, understand human behavior and know how to develop credibility with colleagues and employees.
Also, one has to be be a critical thinker with ability to make decisions and develop strategies. Many companies will seek advice and guidance on how to improve their bottom line and streamline their operations; lucrative job skills for organizational leadership candidates.  On the job, professionals must confront problems or issues, develop and meet business goals, and ultimately  build a company culture that is high-performing. 

What's the pay & job outlook?
Justin Davis outlined in his College Advice Blog: "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general and operations managers earn an average of between $63,000 and $137,000 annually, while upper level executives earn significantly more. CEOs and top level management at major corporations can earn salaries of well over $1 million each year. Of course, how much you earn depends largely on your organization and industry."

Depending on the degree level you pursue, you can find management positions for small companies, large corporations, government agencies and schools. Organizational management professionals wishing to pursue the education sector can work for a school's development office, registrar's office, school administrative unit or charter school association. With a bachelor's degree in organizational management, you could become an entry-level manager for business departments, such as human resources, operations, marketing and information technology.  Other examples of management positions include:  community services manager, health services manager, information technology manager, general manager or management consultant.

If you have already selected this as a career path I foresee a beautiful future. 

by Karen Lingrell, Assistant Director of Collaborative Programs and Career Genius



Sources:
http://emajor.usg.edu/degrees/organizationalleadership/organizationalleadership.php

http://www.collegeadviceblog.com/2012/06/what-is-job-forecast-for-2013-in.html

Additional Resources:
VSU Career Services:  http://ww2.valdosta.edu/career/
O-NET: http://www.onetonline.org/
Degree Directory: http://degreedirectory.org

Org Leadership Approach to Turkey Preparation

1.      Articulate your mission. What is your long-term vision of how the turkey will look at the end of preparation? This should drive all aspects of decision-making, including recipe selection.

2.      Motivate family members  to carry out critical tasks, including preparation of basting sauce and proper formal table setting. Utilize just-in-time training as appropriate.

3.      Strategically leverage innovative technologies, including electric carving knives and internal meat thermometers.

4.      Conduct continuous data analysis of temperature and taste-effects, using fingers if needed. Be cognizant of risk management concerns during this phase.

5.      Embrace a transformative approach to final product rollout, to include active listening strategies during dinner, and a meaningful reward structure of various pies and chocolates.

Meet Cindy Futch Burgoyne

What is your occupation? 

Unemployed (20 year sales veteran)

What is your college major?

Organizational Leadership w/ Spanish Concentration

How did you come about choosing this major? 

I have over 20 years of  experience in Organizational Leadership, and thought this was the perfect degree to fit with my profession.

What career path do you want to take upon graduation? 

Sales Manager or CEO

Why eMajor?  

Flexibility of hours.

Who is the biggest inspiration for your education? 

My family.

What is something cool you've learned this semester in eMajor? 

There are many other non-traditional students like myself re-educating themselves. 

What three words would you use to describe one of your online instructors? Supportive, available, intelligent.

Where is your favorite place to visit in the USA? 

New York. It's where I am from.

What kind of mood are you in right now, and why? 

I am in a great mood as I am closer to my degree!!

Your favorite study spot? 

Outside on the grass.

What is something your online classmates don't know about you? 

I'm 47, speak Spanish, and I ride my own motorcycle.

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

I feel so much better since I decided to finish my education.

Kendra Hollern - eMajor Political Science instructor with fun side.

Kendra A. Hollern is a Lecturer in Political Science at Valdosta State University and teaches eMajor classes.

I teach in our Legal Assistant Studies program which is housed in VSU's Political Science Department.  We have been moving our program from strictly face to face to online.  I enjoy the flexibility and challenge of being able to teach online.  I have taken online courses myself when I completed my LL.M. in Elder Law.  It is great to be able to conduct classes from home or on vacation!

Outside of the eMajor delivery system, I try not to do anything differently.  I encourage open discussions in my face to face courses and have translated that into my onine dicussion boards.  I am very interactive with the students in my online courses so that they get the same feedback as my face to face students. I am very active on my discussion boards so the students can get feedback.  But in the online environment you do need to be more careful in your communications as emails/postings can be interpreted in more than one way.

In the past to change things up I have taken away exams and use alternative assessments.  I give real world based projects that students can expect to get in a law office.   Our clients have been Kermitt Frogg and Under Dog.

An interesting event that happened on a trip was at the Special Needs and Trusts Conference in St. Pete Beach in October.   This is conference that is hosted by Stetson College of Law where I got my LL.M. in Elder Law.  I ran into my Ethics professor and she asked me to help critique her Moot Court students who were about to go to competition.  Moot Court is appellate brief writing and oral arguments.  It was fun to watch and reminded me of my law school days...and how I sometimes miss the courtroom.

Funny job story (aka things we do for money): When I was in high school I worked at a grocery store called Hy-Vee.  The Nabisco representative couldn't come every week so he "hired" me to help him make sure his stock was full on the shelves the weeks he wasn't there.  But, then one day he wanted to do a promotion that involved handing out cookies...and I had to dress in a Ernie the Keebler Elf costume...and I am a short woman...I stand about 5 foot 1.   My co-workers called me Keebler for 6 months after that.  I still won't eat those darn cookies.

*eMajor students have access to great faculty like Kendra Hollern who teach great classes and as you can tell from her story is not afraid to go above and beyond for her students. Take a look at eMajor to learn more.

CAREER 101: INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING

Have you wondered what it might be like to be an Emergency Nurse? How about a Computer Programmer?  If you believe that you are gleaning all of your knowledge of a Crime Scene Investigator from watching CBS’s CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) you may encounter a rude awakening when you go for your education and actually get your job.

Informational Interviewing is another foundational step within career exploration.  While you are in your own investigative place as a student you would be wise to conduct informational interviews of people within the potential careers/jobs that you think you might enjoy.  The informational interview communicates the first hand experiences and impressions of someone in the occupation, and is directed by your questions.  Steps to conducting an interview of this type consist of locating a person that is currently employed within the field and calling to request a visit with them while they are on the job.  The amount of time together is negotiable.  You could spend an hour or you could plan to spend a day.  Please be respectful of the professional’s time when making your request.  Determine on your initial phone call if you might like your visit to include a departmental tour or perhaps a day long “job shadow” appointment.  These may be items that your contact person can arrange.  Also, regard the time together as a business appointment.  Dress should be "business casual" and be sure to have a planned set of questions to ask. 

Questions can vary based on what you wish to glean.  Sample questions include: “What are the best and worst things about this career? Why might somebody leave this career? What are the things that it really takes to be great in this career? What is the smartest way to get trained?” Additional questions can be found HERE. Plan to take notes while with your interviewer being careful not to detract from the conversation. After your appointment, create an outline of themes from your questions asked. This can then carry you forward into next steps with your career exploration.

Feel free to connect with me with specific questions. Some information referenced can be fully located by visiting About.com/Informational Interviewing

Karen M Lingrell, M.Ed, Assistant Director of Collaborative Programs

Awesome eMajor Student: Meet Zebedee Lawton

What is your occupation? I am an IT professional for Valdosta State University.

What is your college major? Finance & Office Administration and Technology.

Why did you choose this major? I chose this major because of my interest level in the Financial Field, which has been instilled since I was a teen. The technology part I started working on for Valdosta State 2 years ago and the experience has been purely golden. I love computers now.

What career path do you want to take upon graduation? Project Management, Financial Analyst or Software design.

Why eMajor? eMajor is convenient to double majors, and it gives the student the option take another class while working. It also gives students such flexible times the student can take those classes that are not offered at night or around their work schedule.

Who is the biggest inspiration for your education? My 6th grade math teacher Mr.Brown.

What is something cool you've learned this semester in eMajor? My peers are all over the States and that is truly amazing!

What three words would you use to describe one of your online instructors? instructor, understanding, equal

Where is your favorite place to visit in the USA? New York, New York

What kind of mood are you in right now, and why? Energetic, Because I am working on scholarship entries.

Your favorite study spot? Bathroom!

What is something your online classmates don't know about you? I listen to classical music.

CAREER 101

Karen M Lingrell, M.Ed,

Assistant Director of Collaborative Programs

Are you stuck in the crossroads of switching your major? Are you finding yourself enrolled in classes but having no clear direction of where you might be heading after graduation? Has a significant other inquired with the dreaded question: “What are you gonna do with your life?”

If you had a head nod to any of these questions then I hope to offer some quick advice on career planning to get you stepping in the right direction. For 6 years I worked as an Assistant Director of Career Services of a Georgia higher education institution. I have many memories of students who would come to my office the Monday after graduation and remark “Hey, Mrs. Karen, I need a job!”  Some of those students had never taken advantage of the fine services we offered previously. At the conclusion of many an appointment I can recall that most, if not all, of the visitors emphatically declared, “Man – why did I not come here SOONER??!”

As an eMajor student, I know that you are super busy. You are juggling coursework, maybe a part time or full time job, family obligations… just LIFE!  However, are your putting 2 and 2 together that the whole purpose for your education is to find out what you might want to do with that LIFE? So, it is crucial that you spend some energy and time to do some exploring. Taking the time to investigate and decipher your strengths/skills along with possible career fields and actual jobs is foundational. Many students think this can be done pell-mell. In reality it deserves significant time and focus. 

I wish I could say that there is ONE pathway to take but the truth is there are many fabulous ways to glean knowledge. I would be remiss if I did not direct you first and foremost to a most logical spot.  Valdosta’s office of Career Services is where I found this direct link to virtual career related concepts.  There are practical steps including putting together a resume and preparing for a job interview. It is also wise to take a look at the steps outlined for Career Planning including a handy outline of what to pursue during different intervals of your post-secondary experience.

If you are the one who has no earthly idea what you might like to do “when you grow up” I will suggest that you begin with some fundamental questions as put forth by Debra Davenport (Executive Professional Mentor, Licensed Career Counselor & Employment Agent). What do I really feel passionate about? What do I love to do so much that I would do it for free?"  Answering those questions will help drive your search. She goes on to state that “Your career should be a natural extension of who you are as a human being.”

Another career expert, Marty Nemko, Ph.D. (Contributing Editor, Careers, U.S. News & World Report) asks different yet just as compelling questions. “What do you think you would prefer in your ideal job? Working with data? Working with people? Working with words? Or working with concrete objects?” Are these tough questions? Take a moment now to explore the resources offered in this article.

This article was designed to get you thinking about how to begin career exploration steps. Feel free to connect with me at klingrel@westga.edu to discuss your unique situation. And be sure to look for more concrete ideas in the near future!

Fantabulous eMajor Student: Meet Christina Watson

1. What is your occupation? I am currently helping my father run his floor covering business. I do all of the bookkeeping and assist residential retail customers in choosing the best flooring for their homes.

2. What is your college major? My college major is Legal Assistant Studies.

3. How did you come about choosing this major? It has been a dream of mine since middle school to attend law school one day. During my first 2 years at VSU I had a different major, after trying out a few classes in that major I decided that I needed to change. While taking my first Legal Assisting class, I knew this was the major for me! I love the professors in this major and the classes prepare you for the work you will be doing in law school. A few of my textbooks are even currently being used in law schools.

4. What career path do you want to take upon graduation? I graduate Summer of 2013 and plan to begin law school in the Fall of 2013.

5. Why eMajor? I chose to take eMajor classes in conjunction with in-class lectures because I don’t like to sit in class ALL day, EVERY day. With eMajor you can work on your classes on your own time and at your own pace. eMajor allows me to get ahead on my school work if I know I am going to be busy a certain week and will not have much time for my class work!

6. Who is the biggest inspiration for your education? My biggest inspiration for my education is my boyfriend! Before I started dating my boyfriend I was discouraged about law school, in fact I had decided to no longer pursue it. After we had been dating a while, he encouraged me to give it one last shot, do my best in my classes, and take the LSAT. Ever since that day I have made straight A’s, taken the LSAT, and set up some law school tours to attend!

7. What is something cool you've learned this semester in eMajor? This semester I am taking 3 eMajor courses and so far I have learned so many new things. Through my Criminal Justice eMajor course I have learned a lot from the student interactional posts about crimes on college campuses.

8. What three words would you use to describe one of your online instructors? Three words to describe one of my eMajor instructors would be: Helpful, Accommodating, and Intelligent.

9. Where is your favorite place to visit in the USA? My favorite place to visit in the USA is New York. Such a common answer, but never-the-less true! The shopping and Broadway shows are AMAZING!

10. What kind of mood are you in right now, and why? Anxious! Why? Because I receive my LSAT scores, the “make it” or “break it” of law school admission, in 20 days to be exact!

11. Your favorite study spot? Those that know me, know I do most of my big thinking late at night; so, I would have to say my favorite study spot is in my bed! It seems like the time my brain should be shutting down, it decides to be rebellious and THINK…

12. What is something your online classmates don't know about you? The one thing my online classmates probably don’t know about me is that one day I WILL be an attorney!