How to Overcome Being Burnt Out

How to Overcome Being Burnt Out

Emily Larrabee

It is that time of the year where we all consider dropping out of school because the stress is overwhelming. Spring break is over, tests are coming up, and final projects are nearing an end. With all this in mind, it is important to take care of yourself mentally. Dealing with burn out can be easy if you follow these 3 steps.

1.    Meditate

Meditation can be difficult for some of us. Trying not to think about all the other things you could be doing is no easy task. Here is my suggestion: Turn on some meditation music on Pandora and just lay on your couch, bed, or floor for just ten minutes. Set an alarm in case you fall asleep. This short about of time can give you the energy to finish the day strong and your mental abilities will not be altered.

2.    Become a Time Management Professional

Managing your time is important if you want to avoid being a procrastinator. I know I have a tendency to wait till the last minute to do something. This causes an overwhelming amount of stress that could have been avoided if I had managed my priorities better. Mark your calendars and make sure that you have a system each week to get a little bit done on your projects or to study for 30 minutes for that upcoming final. 

3.      Make Some Time for Fun

This goes along with time management. Make sure you get some work done so that you can go out and enjoy yourself while in college. There are so many fun and interesting things to do in a college town. There are festivals, coffee shops, wine tastings, and sporting events. No matter what you plan on doing, make sure you rest your brain from all of studying/working you have been doing. You will thank yourself later. 

Handling Criticism Professionally

By: Emily Larrabee

When I first started here at Purdue, I have to admit that my professional skills were weak. My resume writing was sub-par, my interview technique were decent (but not great), and my networking ability only consisted of me speaking to people my parents knew. BUT, the skill I lacked the most was being able to handle criticism. Me striving to be perfect was impacting my professional career in negative ways. No one likes being criticized, but with every negative interaction, there is a silver lining. Criticism allows for you to grow positively in the long run. When you allow feedback on your work, it opens a line of communication that helps improve the working relationship among your peers. So, how can you handle criticism if you're struggling? Here are 4 tips to help you handle criticism professionally. 

1. Criticism will help you grow

Constructive criticism is one of the most important aspects to growing as a company and as a person.  How would you know what to improve or change to make your product better if you were never given any feedback? The answer is you wouldn’t. Remember, it is nothing personal. Your boss is trying to help you and the company succeed. They are trying to run a business. 

2. Listen, do not defend

At the end of my internship, my boss conducts end of the year evaluations. One of the points my boss addressed was that I get somewhat defensive when given feedback. To be honest, I was shocked. I had never seen myself as someone who would get defensive. Professionally, it is one of the worst things you could do when given feedback. According to Sacha Strebe, a blogger for MyDomaine, she says that if your co-workers or boss are worried about giving you feedback because you get emotional or defensive, thats a red flag on your end. Again, it is NOT PERSONAL. Always remember that. 

3. Process what you heard

Sometimes, feedback can come out of no where. Sometimes, it can seem unfair. Before responding emotionally, process what was said. Once you have processed the feedback, respond professionally to their critique. There are two sides to every story so they may have seen something that you didn’t. Think before you act. 

4. No matter the criticism, keep calm

According to Sacha Strebe, "Losing your cool is never a good look, wherever you are, so please do not let your boss or colleagues see you get angry". Save the anger for at home and vent to a friend or family member. Keeping calm shows that you can handle high- stress situations. Be sure you have mastered this skill before you enter the workplace. 

For more information or blogs, check out Sacha Strebe at http://www.mydomaine.com/



Strebe, S. (2015, July 31) . How to Handle Criticism in the Workplace. Retrieved From: http://www.mydomaine.com/criticism-at-work

Three Time Management Tips I Wish I Knew a Long Time Ago

Three Time Management Tips I Wish I Knew a Long Time Ago

Emily Larrabee

As a senior in college, you would think that my time management skill would be impeccable. While I may be better at managing my time than some of my fellow peers, I could still step up my game. These are three time management tips that I wish I would have known a long time ago.

1.      Make sure you know what you are capable of.

If you are able to stay up 4 a.m. and study for that upcoming test, then go for it. If you aren’t, then make sure you block out a time during the day where you can sit and study. Make sure to ask the question, “Will I really commit to this at this time”? If you don’t think you will, then you should reconsider another time or day to complete the task at hand.

2.     Energy Management is just as important

Filling up your schedule can sneak up on you. Making sure you have enough energy to complete all those tasks is key. If one task requires more energy than others, making sure you schedule a break in your day can help you recharge. Having this break can help you more effectively do you job. Sometimes getting caught up in our work can cause us to not live in the moment. Make sure you make some time for yourself.

3.     Track ahead

Think of this step as a game of chess. You are always planning your next move and the move after that. Anticipating their next move is and adapting is how successful people win the game. Thinking ahead to what the next project, task, or job will help you to successfully manage your life without causing a mild heart attack. Always plan ahead. 

5 Easy Ways to Network

5 Easy Ways to Network

By: Emily Larrabee

Network. Network. Network. It seems like that is the same advice I get from every employer, recruiter, or mentor when I ask what the best way to get noticed is. It is tough to approach someone to network with them, but there are ways you can network without even knowing it. With these 5 tips, you will be able to approach and network like a professional:

1.       Take advantage of group projects

You never know who people in your group know. Plus, getting to know people can be a great way to branch out and grow to know more people. It can be easy practice for when you approach the CEO of your dream company. You are kind of stuck with these people for this project, so use it to your advantage!

2.       Use Social Media

Follow your dream company or a recruiter you met on Twitter. Many companies look at your social media to see what you do in your free time. They also take a look at who you follow, and more importantly if you follow them. Now not all companies have a Twitter or Facebook, so just do your research to see what is out there. They will appreciate the interest and want to connect.

3.       LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great way to connect with many professionals from numerous job sectors. You can find alumni from your school and recruiters that you have previously met. When you are connecting with someone, make sure to include a personal message. Explain why you want to connect and what information you are looking to get from them.

4.        Join a Club

Networking is so much easier when the group of people share a common interest. It is a great conversation starter. You can ask why they chose this club and why they have a passion for the clubs mission. Occasionally, clubs will have guest speakers come in and give a lecture on a topic related to the club. This is a great way to network with some people around the community and get your name out there.

5.         Have a Friend Introduce You

Having a friend introduce you to someone makes networking so much easier. It helps avoid the awkward “standing there waiting for them to look at you” stance. Your friend can help develop a conversation and you can express how interested you are in their company or them as a person. 

How to Defeat Senioritis

How to Defeat Senioritis

The seniority struggle is indeed real. As a senior myself, it is extremely hard to stay on track with school and job searching. The temptation of giving yourself well- deserved break after being in school so long is enticing, and the temptation grows stronger as the year goes on. Here are some tips to help you fellow seniors to fight the overwhelming desire to fall into senioritis. 

Set goals for for yourself

I know for me, keeping grades up is a real struggle during my senior year. I made a goal for myself though to not let myself get a C in any of my classes. This allows me to take the break I want while still motivating myself to go to class. It is hard, especially when taking difficult classes you just want to quit on. Stay strong though! You are almost at the end of your educational career (for some).

2.    Create a schedule

Since it is your last year, you are going to want to spend as much time as possible with your friends. To help balance your social life and schoolwork, you need to create a schedule. You will be surprised how much time you have for both. Make sure your grades come first. There will always be time for fun. 

3.    Stay Active

Being active will help you stay on tasks with school and sticking to your schedule. It will also prevent you from becoming a couch potato. Though a lot of your friends will want to do this (especially in the winter), you must avoid this!

The Real Reason you didn’t get an A on your Essay

The Real Reason you didn’t get an A on your Essay

By: Emily Larrabee

As a student majoring in communication, I have written my fair share of essays. In today’s workforce, it a huge skill set to be able to properly write emails, papers, press releases, etc. I recently turned in a paper that I thought I did an exceptional job on. When it was returned to me, I had received a B. I looked back through the directions and reread my paper and here are some of the things I noticed I did wrong that may help you in the future.

Your thesis statement is still not perfected yet. 

It seems like this is what I struggle with the most when it comes to writing a paper. It is hard to get all your ideas into a single sentence, but it can be done! If you struggle with it, go to Purdue’s writing lab and get some help! They are experts in writing and have written their fair share of thesis statements. You can always ask your professor if he or she thinks your thesis statement is on point with the assignment. 

2. Too much fluff

Each sentence in your paper should serve a purpose. There should not be a sentence in your paper that serves no purpose. For example, you know that your professor or TA is grading the paper, there is no need to write a page summary of the book or topic unless it is required in the instructions. Otherwise, cut that summary to about a paragraph and go along with the rest of your paper. You want to prove that you have a logical argument and not fill your paper with somewhat useless information. 

3. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

Make sure that you are answering all the points required for the paper. Make sure that there is an introduction, body, and conclusion. You want to make sure that there is some organization to the paper. Also, some professors require a certain format for their papers. ALWAYS make sure you follow their directions. You don’t want to lose baby points over a simple formatting error. 

How to Ace that Interview

How to Ace that Interview

Interviews. For the longest time, people have been afraid of them. As a senior at Purdue, I have learned to embrace them as a learning experience. I can remember going to an evening seminar about elevator speeches and interviews and the speaker said, “never ever be afraid of interviews. You get to brag about yourself without looking arrogant. So brag away for as long as you have the chance”. Ever since then, the idea of an interview has not scared me. Here are some ways to ace that interview. 

Dress to Impress

Obviously, the number one rule is to look presentable. Be sure to dress to the environment of the company. If the company is more laid back, you could get away with a shirt and tie or a modest dress. If the company is more stern, then a tailored suit for both men and women would be most appropriate. 

2. “Tell me about yourself”

This answer seems broad, but it needs to be under 2 minutes. It is your elevator pitch in the interview. Talk about where your from and what you are studying. Also include the major leadership roles you are involved in to show your interests outside of school. 

3. The handshake

The handshake must be firm and confident. I hate shaking hands with limp hands, but i absolutely cannot stand the bone crushing handshakes either. Show you have confidence but please don’t break their hand. 

4. Body Language

I know tend to move my hands a lot when I am trying to think of something to say. This can be very distracting to some interviewers. Try to learn the habits you have during stressful situations and try to control them so that when the interview comes around, then your body language wont be such a distraction. 

Things You Should Not Stress Over In College

Things You Should Not Stress Over In College

By Emily Larrabee

I get it, its impossible not to stress over things. College does not make it any easier. With all the job/internship postings to apply for and all the homework assignments, it is easy to get caught up in the stresses of daily life. Here are some simple things that you should not stress over in college.

Homework

Again, I know it seems impossible to not get stressed over homework.Let me tell you something, we attend one of the hardest, most challenging colleges in the nation, homework has nothing on us. If homework is tough, we have some of the best resources available when it comes to math and english. Professors and TA’s will be more than accommodating as well. Use those resources to your advantage!

2.    Friends

It is nice to have a few friends that you can go to for advice or late night food runs, but do not freak out when it comes to having a ton of  (especially speaking to those freshmen out there). Having too many could possibly lead to more drama, which does not help you attain your goal of a stress free life. Do not worry about finding friends, they will come into your life when you least expect it!

3.    Where you sit at the dining courts/ Union

I can remember going some nights without eating because I didn't want to eat alone at the dining courts. HUGE MISTAKE. It is perfectly fine to sit alone. It gives you time to meditate on the day and on what you need to accomplish throughout the week. You may even pick up another straggler who joins you and you strike up a conversation. Trust me, it is not something you want to worry about. 

4. Textbook costs

As a Purdue student, we are so incredibly blessed to have the Amazon store right smack dab in the middle of our beautiful campus. Books are incredibly cheap to buy and even cheaper to rent AND you can get your books within a day of ordering it. Plus, it is super convenient to return or for them to buy your books back. 

Why you need to travel

During the summer of 2013, I decided to take a spontaneous trip to London, England. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life and I am so thankful to be able to go experience all that I did. I was alone, going abroad for the first time ever, and going to one of the most populous cities in the world. Needless to say, I was nervous. Though I was meeting a friend there later on that week, I was still in a foreign place. I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of doing during that trip. My friend and I visited so many historic places and even got one of the British guards to talk to us! Then, once the city life became too much, we headed to the scenic Isle of Wight. It was full of the nicest people and the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. It is a once in a lifetime kind of view that you will not want to forget.  

So what is the point of me telling you this? Well, as a college students and even adults, I think we are trying to find ourselves in the world. Occasionally, we get confused as to what exactly we are supposed to be doing with our lives. I know that before going abroad, I was confused as to what I was supposed to do with my life. I was hesitant on how much I could accomplish. After going abroad, I know for a fact that I am able to do anything that life throws at me. There are going to be good times, there are going to be bad times. Going abroad helps you put your life in perspective and realize that life is too short to be worried about the little things. You meet so many cultured and intelligent people and you learn so much just from having a 10 minute conversation on the subway. You are able to take what you learned, and apply it to you work/ school life. You can provide input from a different perspective then other people can. I learned so much about life and about myself, that I want everyone to be able to experience what I have. Life is short, go out and explore all that you can!

5 Big Questions

5 Big Questions

Being interviewed can be a scary process. It can either land you a job, or on the continuation with the job search. But, the interview process can also be a great way to show a company how amazing you really are! To help with the interview, here are 5 big questions that companies will most likely ask you. 

“Describe a time where you had to demonstrate leadership skills.”

Ah the leadership question. Every company wants to hire someone they can see becoming a great leader within the company. Each person is an investment to them. They do not want to waste their time on someone that cannot be seen leading a team. This question seeks out what leadership qualities you have and how that is going to help the company grow.

“How do you work with someone you do not like or do not get along with?”

This question is asked to see if you can handle the stress of working with a difficult co- worker or boss. You are not going to like everyone and not everyone is going to like you. They want to know how you would handle a difficult situation with a co-worker and how you would still be able to accomplish a goal.

“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”

This is a hard question. No one really knows what they want to do in 5 years. It is really hard to determine that. My advice, be honest. If you see yourself living in a big city then let them know that. The question is asked to see if you have goals and motivation to keep going even after a few years with the company. 

“Why do you think you are right for the job?”

Towards the end of the interview, this question will come up. This is where your confidence needs to come out and you need to let them know that you are more then qualified to do the job they are asking you to do. They want to see that you have passion for the company and what the company stands for. This is where your research on the company will come in handy. You can draw on the company’s mission statement and values to help you set yourself apart from the other candidates. 

“Do you have any questions?”

NEVER SAY NO! Asking a question shows interest in the company. If you do not ask a question, it may seem like you are not that interested in what they have to offer. A few questions you could ask are “what is the company’s culture like?” or “What do you love most about working here?” They want to talk about themselves too, so let them! 

For more tips, check out Chegg's blog at 

http://blog.chegg.com/2015/02/23/5-big-questions-youll-have-to-answer-during-your-next-job-interview-and-how-to-tackle-them/

"Soft" Skills that Employers are Looking for.

Soft skills are just as important as hard skills. Without these skills, companies would not be at the success that they are today. Steve Jobs, for example, did not understand the technology side behind his Apple products. What he did know was how to generate an idea and get people to believe in his product. Below are a few “soft” skills that employers look for in an employee.

Communication and Team Work

Seems obvious right? Though it seems obvious, a lot of companies require you to work in teams and have effective communication. Without these skills, a company cannot grow or succeed. Say what you are feeling! A lot of business’s love fresh new ideas and you never know what could spark the next big thing.

2.    Problem Solving

There are going to be problems that arise within the company. When these problems come about, you want to be able to show your boss that you can work around these problems to help you attain your goal. If you cannot find the answer to a question, ask or google it. Finding the answer will show your boss that you’re willing to go above and beyond. 

3.    Adaptability 

Being able to learn things quickly and adapting to change is something that employers want in an employee. If they see you developing your skills in a certain area, it will show dedication to the company and to yourself as an employee.

4.    Confidence

Employers want to see that you can handle tough situations and keep your confidence while doing it. Without this confidence, it will be hard to stand out to employers. You also need to believe in what you are doing. If you do have faith in your business or company, then the confidence will come naturally. 

For more tips, check out Chegg's blog at 

http://blog.chegg.com/2015/01/28/6-deceptively-simple-soft-skills-that-every-employer-is-looking-for/

First Impressions

First Impressions

Emily Larrabee

When talking to recruiters, it is important that you makes an excellent first impression. First impressions have a huge impact on whether or not you get a job. First impressions help recruiters pick out the people who stand out and the people that do not.  Here are some tips to help you make that awesome first impression:

Dress well

If you show up looking like you just rolled out of bed, there is no way they are going to even look at your resume. They not even waste their time talking to you. Dress to impress the people you are wanting to talk to. Even if you do not plan on talking to recruiters, you never know who you are going to meet randomly one day.

2. BE ON TIME

My biggest pet peeve is when people are not on time. If you plan on being late, try to let the person know. If you don’t, it shows a lack of respect for the person you are meeting. If you cannot show respect, they are not going to show it back. Make sure you are always on time.

3. Confidently introduce yourself.

If you introduce yourself confidently, they will have confidence in you to hire you. Confidence is important when recruiters and even people are talking to you. If you seem timid or nervous, it makes for a very uncomfortable conversation. They do not want uncomfortable people in their workplace or future. 

4. Ask questions

When you ask a question, it shows that you are curious about learning more about a company or a recruiters personal experience. They will love to talk about themselves and who they work for. It will leave a lasting impression and they will remember you when looking through the resumes.

Stress Control

           It is crazy to think that it the year 2014 is almost over. With the holiday season coming up, New Years will soon knocking on our door to help us welcome the new year. In a way, it is sad to think that time is flying by so fast, but in a way it can be a way to start clean. With finals week slowly approaching, take a moment and think about the best moments in 2014. What would you have changed? What did some of your mistakes teach you? What were some of the best moments? Sometimes thinking about the year will bring up joyful memories and can help with the stress of finals. It is not uncommon to be the most stressed during finals week, since a lot of your grade depends on the final test. Here are some tips that I use to help deal with the stress of finals:

1. Sleep!
Seems obvious, but with no classes scheduled, make sure you get some sleep. Pulling all nighters is not an effective way to study. Sleep helps you to retain the information and it can help you fight all those colds going around right now. Sleeping helps to keep your stress levels down and will help you to focus more on studying.

2. Go for a walk.
I know its cold, but sometimes just walking to class or to get food can be very relaxing. Fresh air is a great way to help the body relax. Ask a friend to join you too. Sometimes company is a great way to forget about everything going on.

3. Talk to family or close friends
I know that when I get overly stressed, I call my parents. Knowing that your parents and friends always have your back is relaxing to the body and mind. Sometimes you need to come back to reality and realize what is truly important in your life. I know that when I call my parents, they always make me laugh and I realize that I can do anything with the support of my friends and family.

I wish everyone the best of luck studying for finals!
Boiler Up!

Taking the Stairs

Taking the Stairs 

By: Emily Larrabee

      For our weekly intern meetings, we have been learning from Rory Vaden’s book, Taking the Stairs. He book focuses on how we should “self- discipline” ourselves. We can discipline ourselves in our school work, eating habits, or work habits. Vaden talks about how we live in a world that is full of shortcuts and quick fixes. These things can lead to procrastination and mediocrity. As college students about to enter the working world along with millions of other college students, what can we as Purdue students do to stand out? We can avoid taking the easy way out of things. Though the easy way is still a path some take, it is normally not the best path for students to take to help advance themselves in the workforce. Here are some ways we can avoid taking the easy way out. 

      For one, we can go the extra mile. Taking classes that you know will expand your horizons could help you stand out to potential recruiters. Striving to do well in all your classes and retaining that information will also help you in your future endeavors. If you have a job, going to extra mile to learn how do something you are not familiar with will show your boss your determination to learn. Learning to avoid procrastination and falling into bad habits at work will be a benefit in the future. 

     Second, we need to stay motivated. I know this can be hard, especially now that it is cold, snowy, rainy, and everything else it seems like. If we can wake up and think about why we are here at Purdue, I believe it will help you stay out of the winter slump and keep you on the right track. You could be at Purdue to help your parents when you get older or to better yourself and grow as a person. Being motivated helps give you a purpose to do your best and it helps you avoid falling into the shortcuts and quick fixes. 

     Finally, taking the hard (or path least traveled) way may lead to new and innovative technologies, ideas, or actions. If we can think outside the box, we will be able to think about new ways to do tasks. Not conforming to the “easy” way will allow you to grow and self- discipline yourself. 

     Being able to self- discipline yourself extremely difficult. It is hard admit that you have a problem procrastinating or being a mediocre student. Figure out what you need to do to change your ways and learn why the easy day isn’t always the best way. Do not take the elevator to get to where you need to go, take the stairs. 

Effective Time Management Tips

Effective Time Management Tips

By: Emily Larrabee

There are times in my college career where I felt so on top of things. Nothing could distract me from the goals I had. Then there are those times in my college career where I have felt like there is not enough time in the day to even finish half the goals I set for myself. I looked back and thought, “Why is there a difference in the way I have been handling things? I haven’t changed a thing”. Wrong. I was not using my time efficiently. Having effective time management abilities is a skill to be admired. If you do not have good time management skills, here are some tips to help you get on the right track!

1.    Plan it out!

Sounds obvious, but you REALLY need to invest your money into a nice planner to help you organize your daily activities. Without it, you may forget about a huge project or not go to your important meeting with your boss. Even just putting it into your phone would be helpful since you look at it everyday.

2.    Get up at the same time everyday.

I know, it is so difficult somedays to get up early. If you can get up around 8 every morning, you would be surprised how much you will get done. On the weekends, you can sleep as much as you want, but during the week, make sure you get up at a consistent time. First, it is healthier for your body and second, it helps you manage your time more efficiently.

3.     Daily to-do lists

Before you begin your day, make sure you create a to-do list of the things you want and need to get done for the day. Make sure you list them according to the level of importance. If you want to finish a paper that is due tomorrow, you may want to list that first so you can finish it in time to proofread it. 

4.     Shut off your phone

This one is tough, even for me. I know that if I shut my phone off for at least an hour a day, that I would get so much more accomplished then I do now. Now, I make sure I shut it off (or at least don't look at it) for at least an hour a day. Make sure you shut your phone off or put it on do not disturb. This will help you get your work done without any distractions. If you can’t concentrate on one topic, your work will be mediocre and your professor or boss will not be pleased. Try it for an hour a day, see how much you accomplish. 

5 Things to Consider Before Taking the Job

5 Things to Consider Before Taking the Job

By: Emily Larrabee

Congrats! You just got a job offer from an amazing company. Your first instinct is to say yes! But, before you do that, consider these things before taking that amazing job.

1.    People

You will be spending 8 or more hours a day with your co-workers. You want to start your new job in a great work environment. You especially want to make sure your manager is easy to get along with and that they will allow you chances to grow everyday. The key to being a great manager is to let your employees know that they are wanted and that you want them to grow as a person. Make sure that the environment is a positive one before taking the job. 

2.    Culture

The culture of the office is huge when deciding whether or not to take the job. Is the work environment competitive? Or is it more collaborate? Depending on your personally, you will want to make sure you enjoy the work environment that you will be in. I know that when I worked at a small t-shirt printing shop one summer, and I enjoyed it so much. We all worked together and we could ask for each others help at anytime. If the culture was any different, it would have made my job more difficult and stressful then needed. 

3.     Career Development

As a young student, I want to make sure that my job allows for me to grow so I can advance myself in the company. Discuss your career path to your manager so that they can help you get to where you want to be in your career. You do not want to be in a dead- end job, especially when you first enter the job world. 

4.     Stability 

You do not want to accept a job offer and a few years later find out that the company is shutting down. You want to be able to stay with a company for the long run. It looks good on your resume because it shows loyalty to the company. A good sign that a company is stable is the company’s leadership and management ranks. If the company has a clear vision and a strong leader for themselves, then you know that they are a great and stable company to work for. 

Properly Presenting Yourself

Properly Presenting Yourself 

By: Emily Larrabee

We have all had to give a presentation in class or give an elevator pitch in front of recruiters. These events cause nerves to arise, which causes blockage between your mouth and your brain, making you to say things you do not really mean. Here are some tips to properly present yourself:

Shoulders back, stand up straight- No one is going to take you seriously if you have poor posture. By pulling your shoulders back and standing up straight, it makes you look approachable and gives you the feeling of confidence. If you can fake confidence for a few minutes, it will get you far when presenting yourself.

DO NOT say um, so, like, yeah, or curse- When using filler words constantly during a conversation or presentation, it sounds like you cannot organize your thoughts. Make sure you do not rush yourself and make sure you know what you want to say before you say it. Also, if you tend to swear, make sure you are able to filter your words before speaking. Nothing makes you look worse then cursing during presentations or an interview. 

Avoid Fidgeting- It is ok to be nervous during a presentation or interview, but you want to try to avoid showing your nerves to your audience. Fidgeting or stuttering can take your audience’s attention away from what your main point is. Again, confidence needs to be shown and fidgeting shows a lack of confidence. 

Speak Up- Do not be as quiet as a mouse when talking to your audience, but also do not talk so loud that people across the street could hear you. You want to make sure people hear what you have to say and that you are excited about what you are talking about. Also try to avoid mumbling. It shows that you are not confident in what you have to say and that can turn people off during a presentation or interview. 

Again, it is ok to be nervous when talking in front of a large group or an interviewer. It is perfectly normal for that feeling to occur, but have the confidence to get your point across. Everyone has been in your shoes. If you feel like you are lacking confidence, fake it till you make it. 

Conquering Fear

Conquering Fear
By: Emily Larrabee     

     With all the tests and midterms coming up this week, it is easy to feel fearful for what is to come. There are also a few career fairs occurring this week and the fear of not having a job or internship scares us as students. For me, I believe fear is my biggest setback when it comes to succeeding in life. I know that many other students feel the same way.  Whether it be at your job or in your personal life, fear is something that seems to hold me back the most. I thought of some benefits of facing your fears and why you should never let your fears get in the way. 

1.   Facing your fears expands your limits.

If you constantly stay within your comfort zone, then you will never grow. By going to new places or applying for that job that you think you would really excel in, you are expanding your horizons. When you face your fears head on, you will be amazed to see what could happen with your life. 

2.   Once fears are faced, confidence soon follows.

By stepping out of our comfort zone, this allows confidence to arise. Confidence is something to be respected when applying for jobs and in everyday life. Of course there is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Make sure you are careful and do not come off as arrogant. When your confidence peaks, then it makes it harder for fear to come back and control your life. 

3.   You won’t know until you try. 

One summer, I decided to go to London, England by myself. Even though I was scared out of my mind, it was the most unbelievable experience I have ever been on. I loved every minute I was there and I was thankful that I forced myself to do it. I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. My advice is that if an opportunity comes up, take it. Do not let fear get in the way of an amazing opportunity, whether it be a job, a study abroad program, or an internship. You never know what you will enjoy!

     Like I said earlier, fear is my biggest setback in my personal life and professional life, but it is easy to put aside. Once you realize that you can do something, nothing will be able to stop you. Sounds cliche I know, but it is true! To end, I would like to share the famous quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself”. Get out there and face your fears! 

Things you Should NEVER Say to your Professor

By: Emily Larrabee

When you are speaking to your professors for the first time, you want to leave a positive impression. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Professors can have a huge impact on your future if you ever need a letter of recommendation or even just help in the class. I have to admit, my friends consider me the “goody two-shoes” of the group. I always try to get the professor to view me in a positive light than rather a negative one. So, when I hear some of the things students say to professors, my mouth drops. Here are some things you should NEVER say to your professor:

1. “Hm? I wasn’t paying attention”

In high school, I mistakingly said these exact works to one of my teachers. Needless to say, he was not happy. This response shows that what the professor is saying is obviously not that important to you. We do occasionally zone out, but there is a better way to respond than saying “I wasn’t paying attention”. You could say “I’m sorry, I did not hear you. Could you repeat the question?” It is a better way of showing respect to your professor. 

2.   “I had so much homework for my other classes that I didn’t do the assignment”

Professors hate hearing this, especially when it is through an email at 11 o’clock at night. The professor will feel that their class is not as important to you as your other classes. Being able to manage your time is essential when finishing school work. Of course, there will be emergencies where the professor will not mind giving you an extension on your homework, just make sure you do not get behind. 

3. “What topics will we need to know for the test?”

Though we all want to study hard and get A’s in our classes, professors want you to understand ALL the subjects they teach and how it all connects. I know, it is overwhelming, but asking this question leads the professor to believe that you are only taking this class to get an A and move on. Helping students retain information is the number one goal for professors. 

In the end, we just need to realize that there are just some things you should NEVER say to your professor, no matter how comfortable you are with them. Think before you speak! 

Oh, and one last thing, never ever never call your professor “bro”. I witnessed someone call a professor "bro" last week. Needless to say, it did not end well, at all. 

For more information on things you should never say to you professors, check out Francesca Manto at http://blog.chegg.com/2014/09/24/the-worst-things-you-can-say-to-your-professor/

Answering the Difficult Question

Answering the Difficult Question

By: Emily Larrabee

“So, who are you? Tell me about yourself.”, the most universal question asked during career fairs and interviews. They may even ask you to walk them through your resume. Seems easy to talk about yourself and your resume, but how do you talk about yourself in a way that makes the company want to hire you? Here are some tips to help you figure out how to answer this simple, yet difficult question.

Figure out your own personal brand.

Before getting to the career fair or interview, figure out what you want recruiters or interviewers to know about you. Do you want them to know about all your leadership skills or do you want them to know about the internships you have completed? Which ever you choose, make sure you give examples based on experiences you have had (clubs, jobs, internships). 

2. Tell a story.

Connect your key points to your past. You want to add some emotional appeal so that the recruiter or the interviewer can relate to you! For example, you could say “I have always been interested in Political Science. I used to come home everyday and my dad and I would read Political Science Quarterly together. I was an assistant for the Mayor during his campaign during the year 2012. Also, I was the President of Student Council at my high school”. This shows that you truly are interested in political science and that you have some experience in the field. 

3. Keep it short.

When explaining yourself, make sure you do not tell them your WHOLE life story. Little stories are perfect but stay away from telling them EVERYTHING about yourself. They do not have time for that. Find 2 or 3 key points from each section of your resume you want to emphasize and really bring those to life. 

4. What do you want from them? 

Once you are finished explaining your resume and who you are, tell them what you are looking for. Is it an internship or a job? Also tell them why you want this job/ internship. Showing them the passion you have for the job/ internship opening shows how passionate you could be in the workplace. 

With career fairs and interviews going on, the best advice I can give is to be confident. If you can show them that you are passionate about the company and have confidence in your own abilities, then answering the question “who are you?”, will be a piece of cake.