Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Tips for This Week



This is an exciting week for everyone with CAMEO and the Spring Connection Job Fair. Sorry I cannot be there to encourage you all on.

A few tips – breath mints, firm hand shake, know the 3 things you can say about yourself (say them now) and the business card tip. Remember those and you should be fine. 

The business card tip. For those that don’t know, my tip. After you speak to someone and get their card make a note on the back of the card about what you discussed with that person. This way, when you contact them later you can mention the conversation you had with them and bring them back to YOU. Do not tell me or yourself that you will remember who is who – at the end of the day you will have several cards and not know the sky from the blue ocean. Take a second and make a small note on the back of the card.

My Schedule 
My knee is healing better than expected. I fully anticipate being back in the office on Monday. (If I’m not in the office it’s because I went crazy at home not being allowed to do anything but keep ice on my knee.)

Scheduled meeting times are available 10-11:45 & 1:30-415. To schedule a meeting please log into your Scholar account.

Senior News
Please ask that your parents RSVP to me for the Graduation Reception with the number of guest in your group.

Important Dates
2/24, Tues – Spring Connection Job Fair
2/26, Thur – CAMEO, Engineering CareerFest
3/2, Monday – Last Day to Drop – check with me first
3/2, Monday – Last Day to change grade option to P/F – check with me first
3/18, Wed - CEIP Orientation; how to find co‑ops, internships & other experience

Helpful Tools
Apply for all jobs – yes, all jobs.
Why You Should Apply for Jobs when You’re Not a Good Fit

Random 
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.

Ut Prosim  / Words To Live By / Ted Talk
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard

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Monday, February 16, 2015

Rule of Thumb



… the rule of thumb is “if the BT is moving, VT moving.” Please remember that VT will NOT announce closing on the radio or TV. Additionally, they will NOT announce closings through your best friend’s uncle’s nephew’s girlfriend either.  You can find out for yourself by calling the VT Weather line at 540-231-6668.

Now, there is something important that has been weighing on me that must be addressed. The use of pocket computers has taken over and turned our society into technology driven idiots. I know you are thinking you don’t have a pocket computer you have a laptop; completely different.  Yes, you do have a pocket computer – AKA, your smart phone.  There are two recent excellent examples of how a smart phone has led to moronic behavior.

The first is this Dipsh*t (channeled my grandfather there, sorry about that) went whale watching and missed the whales because he never took his eyes off his phone. And the second is this moron who texted walked into a grizzly bear.

What these two geniuses have in common are they are missing life. They are missing the beauty of nature. Not only are they literally missing what is right there in front of them but they are not living life to the fullest. They are not living this moment. And that is a shame.

I challenge each of you – for just one day a month, every month – to use your phone as just a phone. On the 20th of every month use your phone to make phone calls only. No texting, no facebook, no Instagram, no tender, no nothing – just phone calls.  Look up from your phone and live this moment.


My Schedule 
As many of you know, I will be having surgery on my right knee this Thursday. So, I will be out of the office from Thursday till March 2. However, I will be available by email next week. Normal office hours should resume March 2.
 

Senior News

The proofs have been selected and submitted for the senior composite.

Important Dates
2/24, Tues – Spring Connection Job Fair
2/26, Thur – CAMEO, Engineering CareerFest
3/2, Monday – Last Day to Drop – check with me first
3/2, Monday – Last Day to change grade option to P/F – check with me first
3/18, Wed - CEIP Orientation; how to find co‑ops, internships & other experience

MSE Engineering Communications Program
Internship and Coop fairs are right around the corner. So get your resumes and cover letters ready for this Spring we will be opening its doors to help you develop and revise your application packages. We can also help you prepare for your interviews!

Walk-In Hours:
Holden 211A, Mondays and Wednesday, 9:00-11:00, 2:30-4:30

ECP TEAM
Christine Burgoyne, Program Director 
(cbala@vt.edu), 540-231-5305, Holden 304
Email for appointments.

Rachel Corell, ECP GTA
rcorell@vt.edu, Holden 211A
Monday/Wednesday, 8:45-11:15 or by appointment
  
Kayla McNabb, ECP GTA
kmcnabb@vt.edu, Holden 211A
Monday/Wednesday, 2:00-5:00 pm or by appointment 

Random 
Here's Why McDonald's Burgers Don’t Rot

Ut Prosim  / Words To Live By / Ted Talk
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. - Albert Einstein

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Monday, February 9, 2015

Valentine’s Day follows Friday the 13th



Have you looked a calendar for this week? If you have, you would know that what is called the most romantic day in the year follows what some consider the scariest! 

A reminder to all to follow the Opportunities Blog. I post the job, inter/coop or scholarship announcement I often receive on this blog. You must "follow" the blog to receive notice when an opportunity has been posted. 

This blog is a great way for me to share information with you, provide you with useful tools, tips and ideas while being entertaining. Several of you use it for just those reasons. However, I'm finding that not everyone reads or uses the blog as I would hope. In an attempt to improve the Blog and better serve the MSE Undergrads I am asking that you tell me what you want to see on the weekly Blog. Please, everyone, complete the short questionnaire as soon as you can. 

Senior News
Are you running your DARs?

If you name is listed below you have not picked up your senior proofs and I will be selecting the photo that will be used in the composite…. Ok, fine. You have till Friday to select the photo, after that I get to pick!   Corcoran, Eckard, Erb, Fleetwood, Hodgkinson, Huling, Kirk, Luo, Seay, and Wiltman.

Important Dates
2/12, Thur - How to make a career fair work for you; contact cbhaynes@vt.edu
2/24, Tues – Spring Connection Job Fair
2/26, Thur – CAMEO, Engineering CareerFest
3/2, Monday – Last Day to Drop – check with me first
3/2, Monday – Last Day to change grade option to P/F – check with me first
3/18, Wed - CEIP Orientation; how to find co‑ops, internships & other experience

Helpful Tools
Lately I’ve been talking to several of you about class preparation. The common thread in most of these conversations has been about doing the readings before class. Many of you don’t see the importance. Well, I’m here (and all your instructors) are here to tell you it matters, you should do it, it does make a difference, and just do it.

That said I understand several of you are not going to heed our advice. So here are 5 Ways to Get Away With Not Doing the Readings. 

5. Vaguely ramble on the subject
4. Extensively describe a completely difference reading
3. Claim illiteracy
2. Play dead
1. Drop out of school


Random 
With Friday the 13th approaching, I wanted to let you know that Cardiophobia- Fear of the heart. (Oddly enough, I couldn’t find a fear of candy or chocolate.)

Ut Prosim  
Football Players Defend Bullied Teen Chy Johnson, who suffers from a brain disorder, used to find school intolerable, reports. But now that a crew of football players have taken Chy under their wing, the 16-year-old no longer has to worry about bullies mercilessly taunting her anymore.

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/8579599/chy-johnson-boys

Sandbox

My Schedule 
Scheduled meeting times are available 10-11:45 & 1:30-415. To schedule a meeting please log into your Scholar account.

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Flying Time



Is anyone keeping track of time? Does anyone actually keep track of time before they run short of time? (Silly, rhetorical question.)  With ten days of school done there are only 57 more to go!  Please spend these 57 days wisely.


MEPS News
The first Wednesday of the month is this week and that means the monthly MEPS meeting. Please meet in Holden 114 at 6 PM, where there will be food and drinks.

Additionally, we will be holding officer elections on 2/4/2015 at 6 pm in Holden 114.  If you are interested in any of the positions available, please contact the current officers to learn what they do every month to keep the organization running.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Senior News
Grad Fair, Wednesday February 11

All your graduation needs in one location!
  • Caps and Gowns
  • Diploma Frames
  • Graduation Announcements
  • Official Balfour Class Rings
  • Senior Portraits
  • Commencement Information

Important Dates
March 2 – Last Day to Drop

March 2 – Last Day to change grade option to P/F - check with me first


Helpful Tools
The BEST Study tips for College

  1. Get Organized
  2. Get a study buddy
  3. Take notes by hand
  4. Study off flashcards
  5. Study EVERYDAY
  6. Don’t always study your book
  7. Reward yourself
  8. Set Goals
  9. Relax
  10. USE YOUR SYLLABUS

Random 
February 3rd is National Carrot Cake Day.

Words To Live By
"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can never live long enough to make them all yourself." - Groucho Marx 

Sandbox
My Schedule 
Scheduled meeting times are available 10-11:45 & 1:30-415. To schedule a meeting please log into your Scholar account.

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