Month: January 2014

Getting Started: Resume Writing

Your cover letter and resume are typically the first information a potential employer sees about you. Therefore, you want this first introduction to make the best impression possible.

Potential employers are going to spend about 30 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding if the applicant is worth more review, so be sure to make it easy to scan: well organized, concise, and descriptive. Every resume should be accompanied by a cover letter. The cover letter should grab their attention and generate interest by linking your abilities with their needs. Following an interview, you should send a thank you letter. It should be sent by e-mail or snail mail within 2 days following the interview.

Last Day to drop without a “W” (Withdrawal), January 31, 2014 (Friday, Week 3)

All first-year students must meet with their academic advisor to drop a class after orientation. All students must go to the Student Service Center to drop classes after 1st week.

When a student drops a full semester class between 1st and 3rd weeks, nothing appears on their transcripts. When a student drops a class between 4th and 10th weeks, a withdrawal grade (W) appears on their transcripts. This indicates that the student took the class for a significant amount of time (more than 3 weeks) and then decided to drop the class. One W on a transcript is not a big deal (check with Financial Aid to see a W grade will affect your financial aid, scholarships, or loans). More than a couple of Ws will start to indicate to a potential employer that a student cannot complete what they set out to do.

No Time For Lunch?

Do you have a meal plan with the Residence Hall but skip lunch because you have classes through lunch time? You could get a bag lunch from your dining hall, and here is how it works:

Dining Service provides bag lunches for students in the residence halls that cannot make it to lunch due to their class schedule (note, class schedules will be checked to confirm lunch-time conflicts). To request a lunch, ask any dining services staff person for a Bag Lunch form. To complete the form, you will need to specify service days and pickup times. Bag lunches, which will require a swipe when picked up, include a sandwich of your choice, fruit, chips, yogurt, and cookie. You will need to pick up your bag lunch at your dining hall.