TIP OF THE WEEK – October 25, 2010

Extracurricular Activities As Career Prep
Between juggling a full course load, social life and work-study job, it can be easy to forgo extracurricular activities. However, involvement in student activities can be a valuable asset when the time comes to apply for jobs.

The skills and experience you develop through student activities can be what puts you ahead of your competition in the interview process. Extracurriculars build the qualities - teamwork, commitment, responsibility, leadership - that employers value. Whether your preferred activity is the college newspaper, student government, a theater production or athletic team, your involvement indicates to employers that you possess the communication and teambuilding skills they value.

Develop Real-World Skills
Extracurricular activities can provide you with a higher level of responsibility and opportunities to supervise than those available at summer jobs. They can hone time management and organization abilities that will cross over into the professional world.

"Being involved in an organization where the students are setting goals and objectives and motivating other students is more beneficial... than spending a summer looking at a spreadsheet or crunching numbers," says Dana Ellis, firm director of recruiting for a financial services firm.

Recruiters look for students who have shown that they're effective communicators, can work as part of a team, and have good networking and relationship-building skills.

Student activities are also great for helping you figure out possible career paths. Most organizations offer a wide range of roles and responsibilities that accommodate a variety of interests and talents. You can experiment with different roles that will help you identify your own strengths, weaknesses and preferences.

Enhance Your Resume
Use student activities to add to your portfolio of work samples. This is especially important for visual and liberal arts majors, but it can be useful for all students come interview season.

Keep a souvenir or copies of materials from events and activities you helped organize. Press kits, theater production programs, even a budget spreadsheet you created can give potential employers a better sense of your skills and accomplishments.

Also, maintain a record of your tasks and projects within the student organization. What was the purpose of your role? How did that contribute to the organization or project

Selling Your Experience to Employers
When interviewing for jobs, it's very important to communicate to the recruiter how your extracurricular experiences translate into real-world skills.

Be ready to provide examples of your work and skill set.
"We devote a fair amount of attention to applicants' extracurriculars," Ellis says. "We like them to give us specific examples of their experiences and accomplishments because that gives us an idea of their potential and what they might do in our organization."

Do your homework.
Research the company, know the job description, and look at the responsibilities of the position you're applying for. Think about your extracurricular experience and how you've demonstrated those skills in the past. Tie them in with the responsibilities of the job position.

Don't Over-Commit.
While being involved in a large number of activities might show good time management skills, most employers would rather see a person who has achieved senior or leadership positions in only a few organizations.

Keep in mind that extracurriculars are still just one part of your resume. Employers look at the whole picture, including grades, internships, volunteer work, references and life experience. Therefore a good balance is important.

TIP OF THE WEEK – October 18, 2010

7 Practices for Computer Security

Access to information and entertainment, credit and financial services, products from every corner of the world — even to your work — is greater than ever. Thanks to the internet, you can play a friendly game with an opponent across the ocean; review and rate videos, songs, or clothes; get expert advice in an instant; or collaborate with far-flung co-workers in a "virtual" office.
But the internet — and the anonymity it affords — also can give online scammers, hackers, and identity thieves access to your computer, personal information, finances, and more.
With awareness as your safety net, you can minimize the chance of an internet mishap. Being on guard online helps you protect your information, your computer, and your money. To be safer and more secure online, make these seven practices part of your online routine.

1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
To an identity thief, your personal information can provide instant access to your financial accounts, your credit record, and other assets. If you think no one would be interested in YOUR personal information, think again. ANYONE can be a victim of identity theft. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission, millions of people become victims every year.
2. Know who you're dealing with.
And what you're getting into. If it's your first time on an unfamiliar site, call the seller's phone number, so you know you can reach them if you need to. If you can't find a working phone number, take your business elsewhere.
Type the site's name into a search engine: If you find unfavorable reviews posted, you may be better off doing business with a different seller.
Consider using a software toolbar that rates websites and warns you if a site has gotten unfavorable reports from experts and other internet users. Some reputable companies provide free tools that may alert you if a website is a known phishing site or is used to distribute spyware.
3. File-Sharing: Worth the hidden costs?
Every day, millions of computer users share files online. File-sharing can give people access to a wealth of information, including music, games, and software. How does it work? You download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through this software at one time. Often, the software is free and easy to access.
But file-sharing can have a number of risks. If you don't check the proper settings, you could allow access not only to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal documents. In addition, you may unwittingly download malware or pornography labeled as something else. Or you may download material that is protected by the copyright laws, which would mean you could be breaking the law.
4. Use security software that updates automatically.
Keep your security software active and current: at a minimum, your computer should have anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a firewall. You can buy stand-alone programs for each element or a security suite that includes these programs from a variety of sources, including commercial vendors or from your Internet Service Provider. Security software that comes pre-installed on a computer generally works for a short time unless you pay a subscription fee to keep it in effect. In any case, security software protects against the newest threats only if it is up-to-date. That's why it is critical to set your security software to update automatically.
5. Keep your operating system and Web browser up-to-date, and learn about their security features.
Hackers also take advantage of Web browsers (like Firefox or Internet Explorer) and operating system software (like Windows or Mac's OS) that don't have the latest security updates. Operating system companies issue security patches for flaws that they find in their systems, so it's important to set your operating system and Web browser software to download and install security patches automatically.
In addition, you can increase your online security by changing the built-in security and privacy settings in your operating system or browser. Check the "Tools" or "Options" menus to learn how to upgrade from the default settings. Use your "Help" function for more information about your choices.
If you're not using your computer for an extended period, disconnect it from the internet. When it's disconnected, the computer doesn't send or receive information from the internet and isn't vulnerable to hackers.
6. Protect your passwords.
Keep your passwords in a secure place, and out of plain sight. Don't share them on the internet, over email, or on the phone. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) should never ask for your password.
In addition, hackers may try to figure out your passwords to gain access to your computer. To make it tougher for them:

• Use passwords that have at least eight characters and include numbers or symbols. The longer the password, the tougher it is to crack. A 12-character password is stronger than one with eight characters.
• Avoid common words: some hackers use programs that can try every word in the dictionary.
• Don't use your personal information, your login name, or adjacent keys on the keyboard as passwords.
• Change your passwords regularly (at a minimum, every 90 days).
• Don't use the same password for each online account you access.

7. Back up important files.
If you follow these tips, you're more likely to be free of interference from hackers, viruses, and spammers. But no system is completely secure. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc or an external hard drive, and store it in a safe place.
8. Learn what to do in an emergency.
If you suspect malicious software is lurking on your computer, stop shopping, banking, and other online activities that involve user names, passwords, or other sensitive information. Malicious software could be sending your personal information to identity thieves.
Confirm that your security software is up-to-date, then use it to scan your computer. Delete everything the program identifies as a problem. You may have to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

TIP OF THE WEEK – October 11, 2010

To all of you with Colllege Bound Students, friends with College Bound Students and those of you who know folks with College Bound Students, this material and all the other material in our package for College Bound Students is no longer an option. 
It's a necessity!

Test Anxiety
Most students experience some level of anxiety during an exam.  However, when anxiety affects exam performance it can become a problem.

General preparation/building confidence:

• Review your personal situation and skills
• Developing good study habits and strategies
• Managing time (dealing with procrastination, distractions, laziness).  Organizing material to be studied and learned
• Take a step by step approach to build a strategy and not get overwhelmed.  Outside pressures success/failure consequences (grades, graduation), peer pressure, competitiveness, etc.
• Reviewing your past performance on tests to improve and learn from experience

Test preparation to reduce anxiety: 

• Approach the exam with confidence.  Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking to yourself, practice, team work, journaling, etc.  View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done
• Be prepared!  Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test.  Use a checklist
• Choose a comfortable location for taking the test with good lighting and minimal distractions
• Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early
• Avoid thinking you need to cram just before
• Strive for a relaxed state of concentration.  Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation
• A program of exercise is said to sharpen the mind
• Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam
• Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress.  Stressful foods can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices.  Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind off of your anxiety.  Avoid high sugar content (candy).

During the test:

• Read the directions carefully
• Budget your test taking time
• Change positions to help you relax
• If you go blank, skip the question and go on
• If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing.  It may trigger the answer in your mind
• Don't panic when students start handing in their papers.  There's no reward for being the first done

If you find yourself tensing and getting anxious during the test:

• Relax; you are in control.  Take slow, deep breaths
• Don't think about the fear.  Pause; think about the next step and keep on task, step by step
• Use positive reinforcement for yourself.  Acknowledge that you have done, and are doing, your best
• Expect some anxiety.  It's a reminder that you want to do your best and can provide energy.  Just keep it manageable
• Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use it as a tool to succeed

After the test, review how you did:

• List what worked, and hold onto these strategies.  It does not matter how small the items are.  They are building blocks to success
• List what did not work for improvement
• Celebrate that you are on the road to overcoming this obstacle
• Check out local centers and resources in your school for assistance!  If you are aware that you have a problem with test anxiety, be sure your teacher or instructor knows before any testing begins (and not the hour before!).  There may be other options to evaluate your knowledge or performance within the subject matter.

TIP OF THE WEEK - October 4, 2010

10 Money Tips for Students

1. Spend less than you earn. Don’t earn much? Then don’t spend much. If your spending and income are roughly even, you have two choices: earn more or spend less
2. Be an outstanding employee. Good work habits can pay enormous dividends, leading to recommendations and contacts that you can use after you’re out of school. Many students turn work-study jobs into launching pads for future careers.
3. Don’t get a credit card unless you absolutely need one. Don’t be a sucker. Those guys sitting behind the sign-up table are not there to help you. They’re there to make money.
4. Avoid non-academic debt. It might seem like a good idea to put that Xbox on a credit card, but it’s not. Focus on developing good money skills with cash. Worry about credit later.
5. Save and then splurge. If you decide you must have that Xbox, then save for it. Wait until you can pay cash.
6. Pay your bills on time. Basic advice, but it’s surprising how many people lose track of things. If you pay your bills as they arrive, you won’t have to worry about forgetting them.
7. Track your spending. Use a notebook, or use Quicken if you have it. Good records will prevent you from getting overdrawn at the bank or charging more than your credit limit. This habit also allows you to detect spending patterns.
8. Make a budget. It doesn’t have to be fancy. At the start of the month, estimate how much money you’ll receive and decide where needs to go. Remember: you don’t need to spend it all.
9. Save your receipts. Put them in a shoebox under your bed if you must, but hold onto them. You’ll need to be able to compare them with statements at the end of the month. And some you’ll need to keep for several years.
10. Guard your vital stats. Don’t give out your social security number or your credit card info except to known and trusted sources.