hey guys! as i was procrastinating on studying, i came across this article that i think would behoove those that update their statuses a lot to read this article. please be aware of the things you post concerning your vacations or whereabouts to prevent any misfortunes!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20090608/ap_tr_ge/travel_cybertrips_vacation_messages
and GOOD LUCK ON FINALS!!!!
<3june
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Well, here we are...
It's Week 10. Officially less than two weeks until I graduate from UCI...which still freaks me out every time I think about it. And it's not like I haven't really considered it before either...about a year ago, as my Junior year was wrapping up, I finally had the "Oh shit!" (the first curse word on the counseling blog? Anything is possible!!!!!) epiphany that my life as a college student would end sooner rather than later. And ever since then, almost every school-related decision I've made has been framed around this realization.
As a matter of fact, I was very close to not applying for PASS Board last year when appointed applications were due in late-May. I actually missed the initial deadline, and had an "Ah well..." attitude towards it. But then I thought about how I wanted to spend my senior year of college...would I regret not having the experience of being on the board of a organization that had already given me good times and good friends during my two years as a general member? I knew the answer was yes, so I finally applied as Counseling Director (because the deadline was thankfully extended).
I couldn't be happier with that decision. My entire Senior year has pretty much revolved around PASS and the people within it, and I wouldn't give that up for anything. There are simply too many great memories to list, but even more than that, it's the people I will always remember. Board (past and present), counselors, interns, and general members...I will never forget them, and I sincerely hope we remain friends through the years.
I couldn't be happier that I ended up at UCI. Let's just get a simple truth out there: UCI was probably not the first choice school of a majority of students here, and I'm no exception. In fact, four years ago when I was rejected by my top choices, I was downright crushed. And when I started taking a look at the UCI campus and turned in my decision to attend, I was optimistic but still couldn't shake the feeling that I belonged somewhere else.
Well, my undergraduate experience has had it's shares of highs as well as extreme lows, but four years later, I really feel that my ending up in Irvine was the best thing that could happen to me. I have really grown personally from my experiences here, and the funny thing is, UCI has gone through just as much of a transformation during this time. And I'm not just talking about the constant construction that goes on (VDC Norte and the Student Center didn't even exist yet when I was a freshman), but UCI's rise in its national academic profile, athletic teams, and its new schools and majors. I hear UCI mentioned more often on the news, we have TWO #1 sports teams, and we have exciting majors in business and nursing, as well as a brand new law school opening up next year. The amount of growth has been astonishing in the four years I've been here, and I'm extremely proud that I will be receiving my degree from UCI.
But in the end, what makes a campus strong is the people within it, and on a final note, I'd like to thank some very important people who defined my senior year: Michelle, Sam, Steph, Mel, Jamie, Kat, Leanne, Jezzle, Ian, and Anthony. Working with a group of smart, talented, inspiring, and most important to me, funny people such as yourselves has been such an honor. Maybe it's not for us to say, but I really feel proud of what we've accomplished with PASS this year, and I feel we've done enough to really leave our mark on this young but strong organization. And I'm very optimistic that Steph, Mel, and Jezzle will be great leaders for next year's board so that PASS may grow even more.
Just as leaving UCI gives me a bittersweet feeling, leaving PASS is just as hard...I know for the next few months, my Sundays will feel strange without having to go to board meetings, or Wednesdays without general meetings. Experiencing PASS withdrawals is almost a certainty. But I've made such great friends from PASS that I know a fellow member will never be too far away, and we will always be there to support each other. Congratulations to all my fellow seniors, and good luck to all the rest.
Thank you,
Steven Katigbak
2008-09 PASSAGE Counseling Director
As a matter of fact, I was very close to not applying for PASS Board last year when appointed applications were due in late-May. I actually missed the initial deadline, and had an "Ah well..." attitude towards it. But then I thought about how I wanted to spend my senior year of college...would I regret not having the experience of being on the board of a organization that had already given me good times and good friends during my two years as a general member? I knew the answer was yes, so I finally applied as Counseling Director (because the deadline was thankfully extended).
I couldn't be happier with that decision. My entire Senior year has pretty much revolved around PASS and the people within it, and I wouldn't give that up for anything. There are simply too many great memories to list, but even more than that, it's the people I will always remember. Board (past and present), counselors, interns, and general members...I will never forget them, and I sincerely hope we remain friends through the years.
I couldn't be happier that I ended up at UCI. Let's just get a simple truth out there: UCI was probably not the first choice school of a majority of students here, and I'm no exception. In fact, four years ago when I was rejected by my top choices, I was downright crushed. And when I started taking a look at the UCI campus and turned in my decision to attend, I was optimistic but still couldn't shake the feeling that I belonged somewhere else.
Well, my undergraduate experience has had it's shares of highs as well as extreme lows, but four years later, I really feel that my ending up in Irvine was the best thing that could happen to me. I have really grown personally from my experiences here, and the funny thing is, UCI has gone through just as much of a transformation during this time. And I'm not just talking about the constant construction that goes on (VDC Norte and the Student Center didn't even exist yet when I was a freshman), but UCI's rise in its national academic profile, athletic teams, and its new schools and majors. I hear UCI mentioned more often on the news, we have TWO #1 sports teams, and we have exciting majors in business and nursing, as well as a brand new law school opening up next year. The amount of growth has been astonishing in the four years I've been here, and I'm extremely proud that I will be receiving my degree from UCI.
But in the end, what makes a campus strong is the people within it, and on a final note, I'd like to thank some very important people who defined my senior year: Michelle, Sam, Steph, Mel, Jamie, Kat, Leanne, Jezzle, Ian, and Anthony. Working with a group of smart, talented, inspiring, and most important to me, funny people such as yourselves has been such an honor. Maybe it's not for us to say, but I really feel proud of what we've accomplished with PASS this year, and I feel we've done enough to really leave our mark on this young but strong organization. And I'm very optimistic that Steph, Mel, and Jezzle will be great leaders for next year's board so that PASS may grow even more.
Just as leaving UCI gives me a bittersweet feeling, leaving PASS is just as hard...I know for the next few months, my Sundays will feel strange without having to go to board meetings, or Wednesdays without general meetings. Experiencing PASS withdrawals is almost a certainty. But I've made such great friends from PASS that I know a fellow member will never be too far away, and we will always be there to support each other. Congratulations to all my fellow seniors, and good luck to all the rest.
Thank you,
Steven Katigbak
2008-09 PASSAGE Counseling Director
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
CALLING ALL SENIORS
CHECK OUT THE DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS THAT ARE HAPPENING THIS WHOLE WEEK AT THE CAREER CENTER TRAINING ROOM!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Obamas doin' work
Every time around this year, universities court big profile speakers to come talk to their graduating classes, and in such precarious times, perhaps no graduating class in recent memory needs inspiring advice as badly as 2009's.USC had Governor Scharzenegger, Duke had Oprah Winfrey, and Tulane University had Ellen Degeneres, among other celebrity speakers. But perhaps the luckiest graduates were from Arizona State, Notre Dame, and UC Merced because they had the privilege of hearing the President and First Lady speak at their ceremonies.
Michelle Obama spoke yesterday at UC Merced's first graduating class, and you can watch the first part here (click the vid to see the other parts):
Mrs. Obama said, "We need your ideas, graduates. We need your resourcefulness. We need your inventiveness. And as the students who helped build this school, I ask you, make your legacy a lasting one. Dream big, think broadly about your life, and please make giving back to your community a part of that vision."
She also talked about the importance of those who are blessed to give back to the less fortunate, saying, "Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back. You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so they can see a brighter future."
President Obama spoke earlier today at Notre Dame, and you can watch the first part here (click the vid for the other parts):
There were protesters who criticized the choice of Obama as a speaker because of his pro-choice stance on abortion, and he commented on the abortion debate in his speech. He said, "the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature."
As for the graduating class, Obama said, that graduates were part of a "generation that must find a path back to prosperity and decide how we respond to a global economy that left millions behind even before this crisis hit an economy where greed and short-term thinking were too often rewarded at the expense of fairness, and diligence, and an honest day's work."
If you have time, I recommend listening to both speeches because I found both truly inspiring. Here's to hoping that UCI gets a commencement speaker that's even half-decent as both were for their 1 PM Social Science grad ceremony.
-Steven
Michelle Obama spoke yesterday at UC Merced's first graduating class, and you can watch the first part here (click the vid to see the other parts):
Mrs. Obama said, "We need your ideas, graduates. We need your resourcefulness. We need your inventiveness. And as the students who helped build this school, I ask you, make your legacy a lasting one. Dream big, think broadly about your life, and please make giving back to your community a part of that vision."
She also talked about the importance of those who are blessed to give back to the less fortunate, saying, "Remember that in exchange for those blessings, you must give something back. You must reach back and pull someone up. You must bend down and let someone else stand on your shoulders so they can see a brighter future."
President Obama spoke earlier today at Notre Dame, and you can watch the first part here (click the vid for the other parts):
There were protesters who criticized the choice of Obama as a speaker because of his pro-choice stance on abortion, and he commented on the abortion debate in his speech. He said, "the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature."
As for the graduating class, Obama said, that graduates were part of a "generation that must find a path back to prosperity and decide how we respond to a global economy that left millions behind even before this crisis hit an economy where greed and short-term thinking were too often rewarded at the expense of fairness, and diligence, and an honest day's work."
If you have time, I recommend listening to both speeches because I found both truly inspiring. Here's to hoping that UCI gets a commencement speaker that's even half-decent as both were for their 1 PM Social Science grad ceremony.
-Steven
Monday, May 11, 2009
UCI Career Center on NBC4
NBC Channel 4 paid a visit to the UCI Career Center to interview some of the students as well as the Director of the Career Center. Check the video footage out! :) It has some facts about job search after graduation for the class of 09 but also offers some hopeful & encouraging advice!
Class of 2009 takes a leap into the Job Market
Class of 2009 takes a leap into the Job Market
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Love Resonate
Hey all!
I wanted to introduce you all to my friends' band/ movement/ non-profit
Love Resonate is a band/ non-profit organization that is working to helping disparaged places around the world.
Taken from their website:
"LOVE, RESONATE.
Their cause:
"[love, resonate] For a Green Church 2009. From July 27 to August 20, 2009, we will be touring the Manila Archdiocese in the Philippines to share our music and our faith to the Philippine youth. In the poorest slums of Manila, school dropout rates continue to rise. In addition, our planet is in peril and environmental awareness is minimal. They need our help more than ever. LR is raising funds for the Divine Word Missionaries in the Philippines for out-of-school youth programs, environmental services, and the construction of a new environmentally-friendly church."
For more information check out
If you would like to donate to their cause check out this link:
For their music hit up their MySpace
They also have a Twitter, Facebook & Zazzle.
They are a Catholic band, but they their cause is much larger than religion. They hope to positively affect poor areas around the world and whether you're Catholic, Christian, or not even religious at all...your contribution will go towards helping a very poor area of the Philippines. Even if you don't want to donate...check out their music! They're pretty legit!
-Dennis P.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Obama: The First Asian-American President?
Alright, so you know President Obama is the first African American President (well, hopefully you already knew that), but did you know, according to a new article, Obama may be the nation's first Asian-American President? Read about it here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090427/pl_afp/uspoliticsobama100daysasia
So the title is a little misleading; Obama does not in fact have any personal Asian heritage, but it is clear that he does have a strong connection to the region, having spent some of his childhood in Indonesia (something which is elaborated much further in Obama's memior, "Dreams from My Father," which is a book I really recommend to everyone). Many of Obama's policies and cabinet appointments have shown remarkable concern for Asian-American interests, including one matter very important to Filipinos: the granting of benefits to WWII Filipino Veterans.
It is clear that from the President's first 100 days in office he has done much to progress the Asian-American agenda, and we can only hope that he will continue to do so in the years ahead.
So the title is a little misleading; Obama does not in fact have any personal Asian heritage, but it is clear that he does have a strong connection to the region, having spent some of his childhood in Indonesia (something which is elaborated much further in Obama's memior, "Dreams from My Father," which is a book I really recommend to everyone). Many of Obama's policies and cabinet appointments have shown remarkable concern for Asian-American interests, including one matter very important to Filipinos: the granting of benefits to WWII Filipino Veterans.
It is clear that from the President's first 100 days in office he has done much to progress the Asian-American agenda, and we can only hope that he will continue to do so in the years ahead.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Short Film on Life in the Philippines
Hello PASS!
Just thought I would share this 6 minute video with you guys because this is about our homeland. This film by a Filipino won a prize in the 2009 Berlin Movie Festival. It displays the reality of life in the PI.
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte
Beware! It may be hard to watch, but this is just a reminder that we are truly blessed to have a life here in the US as a student. Be thankful for little things in life =).
<3 Leah
Just thought I would share this 6 minute video with you guys because this is about our homeland. This film by a Filipino won a prize in the 2009 Berlin Movie Festival. It displays the reality of life in the PI.
http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1081/Chicken-a-la-Carte
Beware! It may be hard to watch, but this is just a reminder that we are truly blessed to have a life here in the US as a student. Be thankful for little things in life =).
<3 Leah
Thursday, April 23, 2009
walk for autism this saturday
hello everybody!!!
if you have nothing planned this saturday i invite you guys to join me as i walk for autism saturday morning!! the last day to register online is the 24th...
for more information please visit: http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=288321
as we are hopefully all aware, autism has been around for ages and it recently has been something so important for us to try to find a cure for. so if you guys are free, please help show support for finding a cure. not only will you be able to get some good exercise and have a chance to meet a few celebrities, but you'll also be making a difference in many children's lives. if you can't make it, please pass the word on to your friends to see if they're interested.
thank you!
<3 june
if you have nothing planned this saturday i invite you guys to join me as i walk for autism saturday morning!! the last day to register online is the 24th...
for more information please visit: http://www.walknowforautism.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=288321
as we are hopefully all aware, autism has been around for ages and it recently has been something so important for us to try to find a cure for. so if you guys are free, please help show support for finding a cure. not only will you be able to get some good exercise and have a chance to meet a few celebrities, but you'll also be making a difference in many children's lives. if you can't make it, please pass the word on to your friends to see if they're interested.
thank you!
<3 june
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
senior BBQ tomorrow!! FREE FOOD!!
to all the graduating seniors!! stop by for free food tomorrow!!
Senior BBQ Thursday, April 23
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until we run out of food!)
Phineas Banning Alumni House
FREE
Join the UCI Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association for our 7th Annual Senior BBQ at the Alumni House.
Senior BBQ Thursday, April 23
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until we run out of food!)
Phineas Banning Alumni House
FREE
Join the UCI Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association for our 7th Annual Senior BBQ at the Alumni House.
FREE Senior BBQ Coffee Mug (first 200 attendees only!)
Live D.J.
Giveaways
Free food
Information about Commencement
MORE!
No need to R.S.V.P, just come by the Alumni House.
NOTE: This free event is the first time you can purchase just you cap or tassel for Commencement.
CAREER FAIR!!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
PASS is on YouTube!
We recently launched a PASS YouTube channel in which we will be posting videos from our meetings and other random PASS events.
Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PASSatUCI
Currently, we only have a few videos up. One is from Winter Quarter's counselor-led meeting where we led group skits on how to conduct a proper interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjmnSDH83ts
The second one is a PASS commercial we made during the very first general meeting back in Fall. Personally, there is nothing I hate MORE than seeing/hearing myself on camera, but be sure to watch this video for my much anticipated acting debut! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-n8Osq7eY
Check back often because more will be added. Thanks!
-Steven
Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/PASSatUCI
Currently, we only have a few videos up. One is from Winter Quarter's counselor-led meeting where we led group skits on how to conduct a proper interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjmnSDH83ts
The second one is a PASS commercial we made during the very first general meeting back in Fall. Personally, there is nothing I hate MORE than seeing/hearing myself on camera, but be sure to watch this video for my much anticipated acting debut! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD-n8Osq7eY
Check back often because more will be added. Thanks!
-Steven
Monday, April 20, 2009
article about global warming....
A friend posted this link on Facebook. I thought it was an interesting opinion/article/view regarding global warming, that I decided to share it with you guys.
"A study says...thinner is better to curb global warming"
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely warm day! Remember to put on sunblock! I don't anyone getting sunburned! If you forget to, invest in aloe... it helps! :]
"A study says...thinner is better to curb global warming"
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely warm day! Remember to put on sunblock! I don't anyone getting sunburned! If you forget to, invest in aloe... it helps! :]
Thursday, April 16, 2009
PASSAGE TUTORING
hello fellow PASSers!!
FYI we have just concluded our first PASSAGE TUTORING meeting of the quarter and we are excited to start tutoring next week! it was REALLY FUN (and funny with lots of laughs)!!! i'm super excited to start tutoring! for those of you who weren't able to make it to the meeting tonight, our PASSAGE TUTORING director, Ian Teodoro, will contact you concerning a second meeting before next Tuesday so that you guys may be informed of what to expect and to further inform you about the PASSAGE TUTORING program. The tutoring program is open to all majors, including Civil Engineering, so don't be shy to apply! so make sure to check your emails and/or expect a call from Ian sometime soon!!
YAYYY PASSAGE TUTORING!! :D
have a wonderful weekend!
<3 june
FYI we have just concluded our first PASSAGE TUTORING meeting of the quarter and we are excited to start tutoring next week! it was REALLY FUN (and funny with lots of laughs)!!! i'm super excited to start tutoring! for those of you who weren't able to make it to the meeting tonight, our PASSAGE TUTORING director, Ian Teodoro, will contact you concerning a second meeting before next Tuesday so that you guys may be informed of what to expect and to further inform you about the PASSAGE TUTORING program. The tutoring program is open to all majors, including Civil Engineering, so don't be shy to apply! so make sure to check your emails and/or expect a call from Ian sometime soon!!
YAYYY PASSAGE TUTORING!! :D
have a wonderful weekend!
<3 june
Seniors, the world is NOT ending in June!
To those of you who are unsure about what you're doing after graduation (myself included), it may seem like life after June will bring about much doom and gloom. But take heart in this article from The New York Times which gives some advice to graduates about what to do after graduation.
Among the questions answered are:
- Is the job market REALLY that bad?
- Are there any less populated job listing sites out there (which would increase your chances of recruiters seeing your resume)?
- Would taking an hourly job unrelated to your future career hurt your resume?
- How can you use Facebook and Twitter to find a job?
Hopefully this article will reassure you that things may not be as bad as the media portrays it to be. It's not too long of a read either, so check it out! Good luck to all the seniors out there!
-Steven
Just for Fun
For those of you who (like me) would like to get into Marketing...just a fun little ad....
http://www.psfk.com/2009/04/pic-car-dealer-wars.html
Avoiding Credit Card Debt
Hey everybody! Here's the link the website I found with tips regarding how to avoid credit card debt. Enjoy and spend wisely!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Ten Minutes
Just a little something I found online...
The 10 Biggest Minutes of Your Interview
Why the first 10 minutes of your interview can make or break you and how you can prepare.
By Joe Turner, Career Coach
You've heard it said often: "First impressions are the most important."
When it comes to the job interview, here's recent proof that bears this out:
"Hiring managers often know whether they might hire someone soon after the opening handshake and small talk," a new survey suggests. Executives polled said it takes them just 10 minutes to form an opinion of job seekers, despite meeting with staff-level applicants for 55 minutes and management-level candidates for 86 minutes, on average. Executives were asked, "How long does it typically take you to form either a positive or negative opinion of a job candidate during an initial interview?" The mean response was 10 minutes.*
This came from a survey published April 12, 2007, and developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the largest specialized financial recruitment service in the world. It included responses from 150 senior executives with Fortune 1000 companies.
So what does this mean for you as you approach job interviews?
Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, sums it up when he says, "The interview begins the moment job seekers arrive, so applicants need to project enthusiasm and confidence from the start. The opening minutes of the conversation often set the tone for the rest of the discussion, making it wise to prepare especially well for the first few interview questions."
Here's how to make the first 10 minutes of your interview work in your favor:
1. Know the four most important questions
Pay close attention to those four most important questions they want answers to:
Why are you here?
What can you do for us?
Will you fit in? (Will you get along with our values and culture here?)
What makes you different from everyone else that we may have talked with? (Will you go that extra mile?)
Rehearse your answers with your own personal "stories." These are short narratives describing times when you overcame a crisis, led a team, met a deadline, resurrected a failed project, etc.
Some common questions you'll often encounter at the beginning of the interview:
"Tell me a little about yourself." (Question #2: "What can you do for us?")
"What do you know about us?" (Question #1: "Why are you here?")
"Why are you here today?" (Same)
"Why are you looking to change jobs?" (Question#2: "What can you do for us?")
"What's your most important accomplishment to date?" (Same)
Why should we hire you (over everyone else we've seen)? (Question #4: "Will you go the extra mile?")
2. Know the company
Do your homework. Always research the company before you interview. Know who they are, what they do, what their major products and services are, who their competitors are and the current "buzz" about them.
Here's why:
The first few minutes of the interview are the time to flatter them. Remember the question, "Why are you here?" Show them that you've done your research and not only know something about their company, but also have several reasons for being enthusiastic about working for them. Let this enthusiasm carry over into your demeanor as you walk in the door.
3. Know your role
First impressions count for a lot, especially in the job interview. You're on stage from the minute you enter the room. So play your role by first getting into character:
The "character" you play is that of a problem solver, not a job seeker.
As a problem solver, you know why you are here, you're excited about this company, and you know you can help them achieve their goals. With this kind of ammunition, you can score direct hits on their opening questions and win big points for yourself by demonstrating you are both knowledgeable and excited about their opportunity.
Now have a killer interview!
As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.
Copyright 2008 Joe Turner. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
The 10 Biggest Minutes of Your Interview
Why the first 10 minutes of your interview can make or break you and how you can prepare.
By Joe Turner, Career Coach
You've heard it said often: "First impressions are the most important."
When it comes to the job interview, here's recent proof that bears this out:
"Hiring managers often know whether they might hire someone soon after the opening handshake and small talk," a new survey suggests. Executives polled said it takes them just 10 minutes to form an opinion of job seekers, despite meeting with staff-level applicants for 55 minutes and management-level candidates for 86 minutes, on average. Executives were asked, "How long does it typically take you to form either a positive or negative opinion of a job candidate during an initial interview?" The mean response was 10 minutes.*
This came from a survey published April 12, 2007, and developed by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, the largest specialized financial recruitment service in the world. It included responses from 150 senior executives with Fortune 1000 companies.
So what does this mean for you as you approach job interviews?
Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, sums it up when he says, "The interview begins the moment job seekers arrive, so applicants need to project enthusiasm and confidence from the start. The opening minutes of the conversation often set the tone for the rest of the discussion, making it wise to prepare especially well for the first few interview questions."
Here's how to make the first 10 minutes of your interview work in your favor:
1. Know the four most important questions
Pay close attention to those four most important questions they want answers to:
Why are you here?
What can you do for us?
Will you fit in? (Will you get along with our values and culture here?)
What makes you different from everyone else that we may have talked with? (Will you go that extra mile?)
Rehearse your answers with your own personal "stories." These are short narratives describing times when you overcame a crisis, led a team, met a deadline, resurrected a failed project, etc.
Some common questions you'll often encounter at the beginning of the interview:
"Tell me a little about yourself." (Question #2: "What can you do for us?")
"What do you know about us?" (Question #1: "Why are you here?")
"Why are you here today?" (Same)
"Why are you looking to change jobs?" (Question#2: "What can you do for us?")
"What's your most important accomplishment to date?" (Same)
Why should we hire you (over everyone else we've seen)? (Question #4: "Will you go the extra mile?")
2. Know the company
Do your homework. Always research the company before you interview. Know who they are, what they do, what their major products and services are, who their competitors are and the current "buzz" about them.
Here's why:
The first few minutes of the interview are the time to flatter them. Remember the question, "Why are you here?" Show them that you've done your research and not only know something about their company, but also have several reasons for being enthusiastic about working for them. Let this enthusiasm carry over into your demeanor as you walk in the door.
3. Know your role
First impressions count for a lot, especially in the job interview. You're on stage from the minute you enter the room. So play your role by first getting into character:
The "character" you play is that of a problem solver, not a job seeker.
As a problem solver, you know why you are here, you're excited about this company, and you know you can help them achieve their goals. With this kind of ammunition, you can score direct hits on their opening questions and win big points for yourself by demonstrating you are both knowledgeable and excited about their opportunity.
Now have a killer interview!
As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: http://www.jobchangesecrets.com.
Copyright 2008 Joe Turner. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Financial tips for College Students
Here's a link for 27 money saving tips for college students as well & getting rich slowly.
Yay for saving money! :]
Yay for saving money! :]
Monday, April 13, 2009
Does using Facebook lower your GPA?
According to a new study, students who use Facebook on average have lower GPAs than students who do not.
The study found that Facebook users have an average GPA in the range of 3.0 to 3.5, compared to a 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users. Of course, this doesn't prove that Facebook alone CAUSES students to get lower grades, it just shows a correlation.
Another interesting fact from the study is that 85% of all undergrad students are on Facebook. This makes a lot of sense because in the rare ocassion that you meet someone who ISN'T on Facebook, don't you look at them like they're weird? (I know I do)
Oh well, that's all for now. Hopefully the next time you have to study for an exam but are just browsing around on Facebook you'll remember this study...but then you'll probably update your status to something like, "I should be studying right now!!!!"
The study found that Facebook users have an average GPA in the range of 3.0 to 3.5, compared to a 3.5 to 4.0 for non-users. Of course, this doesn't prove that Facebook alone CAUSES students to get lower grades, it just shows a correlation.
Another interesting fact from the study is that 85% of all undergrad students are on Facebook. This makes a lot of sense because in the rare ocassion that you meet someone who ISN'T on Facebook, don't you look at them like they're weird? (I know I do)
Oh well, that's all for now. Hopefully the next time you have to study for an exam but are just browsing around on Facebook you'll remember this study...but then you'll probably update your status to something like, "I should be studying right now!!!!"
Sunday, April 12, 2009
pet expo 2009
hello everyone!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
for all you pet lovers out there that spoil your pets (i'm guilty!!), you guys might be interested in attending the OC Pet Expo!! it is going to be held in costa mesa next weekend! one of my favorite things about going home on the weekends are being able to spend time with my doggies because i miss them like crazy during the school week :( if you guys have nothing to do next weekend, i suggest you check it out! it'll be a great family experience and bonding time with your pet! :)
and for those of you that don't have pets, it'll be a cool way to look at different animals!!
here is a list of activities/things to expect to see if you decide to go:
IAMS SUPERDOGS
Iams Cat Education
Kid’s Aquarium Decorating Contest
Pet Adoption Dog Makeovers
Dog Fancy/Cat Fancy Fashion Show
Creepy Crawly Critter Show
Splash Dogs
Free Flight Bird Show
Petting Zoo
Pony Rides
Hollywood Cats presented by
Critters of the Cinema
Police K-9 Demonstrations
Adoption Dog Grooming/ Bathing Demonstrations
for further information about this event, here is their website
http://www.petexpooc.com/
hope to see you there!!
have a great rest of your EASTER weekend!!!
<3 june
HAPPY EASTER!!!
for all you pet lovers out there that spoil your pets (i'm guilty!!), you guys might be interested in attending the OC Pet Expo!! it is going to be held in costa mesa next weekend! one of my favorite things about going home on the weekends are being able to spend time with my doggies because i miss them like crazy during the school week :( if you guys have nothing to do next weekend, i suggest you check it out! it'll be a great family experience and bonding time with your pet! :)
and for those of you that don't have pets, it'll be a cool way to look at different animals!!
here is a list of activities/things to expect to see if you decide to go:
IAMS SUPERDOGS
Iams Cat Education
Kid’s Aquarium Decorating Contest
Pet Adoption Dog Makeovers
Dog Fancy/Cat Fancy Fashion Show
Creepy Crawly Critter Show
Splash Dogs
Free Flight Bird Show
Petting Zoo
Pony Rides
Hollywood Cats presented by
Critters of the Cinema
Police K-9 Demonstrations
Adoption Dog Grooming/ Bathing Demonstrations
for further information about this event, here is their website
http://www.petexpooc.com/
hope to see you there!!
have a great rest of your EASTER weekend!!!
<3 june
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Peer Educator Workshops
Dear UCI Students,
At some point in your life you may have found yourself concerned about a good friend or colleague but were unsure how to approach and support this person. We at the Counseling Center believe that you can, in many cases, play a significant role in assisting someone you care about to get the help that she or he needs.
Friends Helping Friends seminars, presented by the UCI Counseling Center Peer Educators, provide psycho-educational advice and training for students who are interested in increasing their social, self-management and helping skills. The seminars, covering a wide range of topics, will assist you in developing skills that will enable you to identify and support a friend in distress. There is no cost for this program and it is open to all UCI students.
If you have any questions, please stop by the UCI Counseling Center or call (949) 824-6457
“Living Together”
Tuesday, April, 21, 2009; 7-8:00pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
For many of us, the college experience includes living with other people. This workshop is designed to help you develop a better relationship with your roommate(s) and make living together a positive experience.
“Test Anxiety & Study Skills”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Discover ways to reduce your anxiety and to better prepare for your exams. Overcome procrastination by setting your goals ahead of time.
“Stress Management”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will explore practical techniques that can help you alleviate stress and better manage your time. Come discover ways to cope with stress.
“Is My Friend Depressed? What Can I do?”
Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Woods Cove Rm. B, Student Center
It is estimated that at any one time, 20% of the UCI population suffers from some symptoms of depression and that 3% meet the criteria for clinical depression. Topics will include recognizing the signs of depression and suicide ideation as well as how to support and assist a friend in need.
“Communications Skills”
Tuesday, May 5, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Communication is essential in many aspects of our lives. Come to our workshop and learn how to organize and express ideas clearly. Help build your self-esteem by listening, observing, interpreting, and understanding others. Our workshop will also help you gain public speaking skills and improve your interpersonal relationships.
“Abusive Relationships”
Wednesday, May 6, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Develop a clearer understanding of what an abusive relationship is and become familiar with the warning signs suggesting that you or a friend may be in or entering into one. Learn how to end and move on from a destructive relationship.
“Intimate Relationships”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will address the ways to maintain a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship. The primary focus will be on 1) the importance of understanding yourself and your needs regarding the relationship, and 2) the importance of good communication skills in a successful relationship.
“Helping a Friend with an Eating Disorder”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Do you think that your friend may have an eating disorder but are not sure how to approach her or him? Learn to identify common behaviors among people who have eating disorders and receive suggestions on how you might assist your friend in getting the help she or he needs.
“Mediation Skills”
Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
We all have conflicts now and then but it is important to deal with potential disputes before they become key triggers of stress. This interactive workshop highlights effective ways to deal with conflict before it damages or destroys a relationship.
“Supporting a Grieving Friend”
Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
All loss is difficult to go through alone, the death of a loved family member, the loss of a cherished relationship, the loss of a highly expected opportunity. In this informative workshop, we will discuss ways to assist friends who suffer from grief or loss.
If you attend 5 sessions you get a certificate at the Friends Helping Friends banquet.
At some point in your life you may have found yourself concerned about a good friend or colleague but were unsure how to approach and support this person. We at the Counseling Center believe that you can, in many cases, play a significant role in assisting someone you care about to get the help that she or he needs.
Friends Helping Friends seminars, presented by the UCI Counseling Center Peer Educators, provide psycho-educational advice and training for students who are interested in increasing their social, self-management and helping skills. The seminars, covering a wide range of topics, will assist you in developing skills that will enable you to identify and support a friend in distress. There is no cost for this program and it is open to all UCI students.
If you have any questions, please stop by the UCI Counseling Center or call (949) 824-6457
“Living Together”
Tuesday, April, 21, 2009; 7-8:00pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
For many of us, the college experience includes living with other people. This workshop is designed to help you develop a better relationship with your roommate(s) and make living together a positive experience.
“Test Anxiety & Study Skills”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Discover ways to reduce your anxiety and to better prepare for your exams. Overcome procrastination by setting your goals ahead of time.
“Stress Management”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will explore practical techniques that can help you alleviate stress and better manage your time. Come discover ways to cope with stress.
“Is My Friend Depressed? What Can I do?”
Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Woods Cove Rm. B, Student Center
It is estimated that at any one time, 20% of the UCI population suffers from some symptoms of depression and that 3% meet the criteria for clinical depression. Topics will include recognizing the signs of depression and suicide ideation as well as how to support and assist a friend in need.
“Communications Skills”
Tuesday, May 5, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Communication is essential in many aspects of our lives. Come to our workshop and learn how to organize and express ideas clearly. Help build your self-esteem by listening, observing, interpreting, and understanding others. Our workshop will also help you gain public speaking skills and improve your interpersonal relationships.
“Abusive Relationships”
Wednesday, May 6, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Develop a clearer understanding of what an abusive relationship is and become familiar with the warning signs suggesting that you or a friend may be in or entering into one. Learn how to end and move on from a destructive relationship.
“Intimate Relationships”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
This interactive workshop will address the ways to maintain a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship. The primary focus will be on 1) the importance of understanding yourself and your needs regarding the relationship, and 2) the importance of good communication skills in a successful relationship.
“Helping a Friend with an Eating Disorder”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
Do you think that your friend may have an eating disorder but are not sure how to approach her or him? Learn to identify common behaviors among people who have eating disorders and receive suggestions on how you might assist your friend in getting the help she or he needs.
“Mediation Skills”
Tuesday, May 19, 2009; 7-8:30pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
We all have conflicts now and then but it is important to deal with potential disputes before they become key triggers of stress. This interactive workshop highlights effective ways to deal with conflict before it damages or destroys a relationship.
“Supporting a Grieving Friend”
Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 7-8pm
Crescent Bay Rm. C & D, Student Center
All loss is difficult to go through alone, the death of a loved family member, the loss of a cherished relationship, the loss of a highly expected opportunity. In this informative workshop, we will discuss ways to assist friends who suffer from grief or loss.
If you attend 5 sessions you get a certificate at the Friends Helping Friends banquet.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
warehouse sales!!
hello everyone!!! welcome back!!! i hope everyone's break went well and that everyone is having a great first week back esp. to our graduating seniors!! cherish this week because it is your last week 1 in UCI everrr!!! *tear*
anyway, with the recession in mind, here is a link to some warehouse sales you guys might be interested in.... Hurley off of the 55 FWY is having one this week until friday.. so check it out while we don't have super busy schedules!!!
http://www.whsale.com/sale411.html
enjoy!!
<3 june
anyway, with the recession in mind, here is a link to some warehouse sales you guys might be interested in.... Hurley off of the 55 FWY is having one this week until friday.. so check it out while we don't have super busy schedules!!!
http://www.whsale.com/sale411.html
enjoy!!
<3 june
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Welcome back!
Welcome back, PASSers! Hope you had a great Spring Break...I know some (ok, probably MOST of you) aren't too thrilled to be back at school so soon, but it's the last quarter of the year, and the last quarter EVER for a lot of you (including me), so here's to hoping we end the 2008-09 year on a good note!-Steven
Saturday, March 14, 2009
FREE FOOD FOR FINALS!!!
Hey everyone. I know with finals here there is a tendency to pig out so I just wanted to let you all know about the free stuff UCI Dining is offering. Free=good, because I know I' broke. GOOD LUCK ON FINALS.
BC's Cavern Food Court: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with pasta or salad
Cyber A Cafe: FREE bagel & cream cheese with purchase of a large coffee
Bene (visit me its my last week of work :D): FREE 22 oz. fountain drin with pasta or salad
Phoenix Food Court: FREE fries with purchase of any burger
Cafe Med: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with purchase o any entree
Quiznos: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with purchase of a regular sandwich
Tortilla Express: $1 taco special
Rice Garden: $1 Boba drinks
BC's Cavern Food Court: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with pasta or salad
Cyber A Cafe: FREE bagel & cream cheese with purchase of a large coffee
Bene (visit me its my last week of work :D): FREE 22 oz. fountain drin with pasta or salad
Phoenix Food Court: FREE fries with purchase of any burger
Cafe Med: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with purchase o any entree
Quiznos: FREE 22 oz. fountain drink with purchase of a regular sandwich
Tortilla Express: $1 taco special
Rice Garden: $1 Boba drinks
Friday, March 13, 2009
SSARC leadership certificate & UCI instant messaging?!
Hey PASSers,
Steven Lee and Steph Ramos were discussing about the SSARC Leadership Development Series and it sparked some interest in me. Here's the e-mail I received:
------------------------
You'll earn a certificate at the end of attending 13 Seminars. If you plan on managing a business, going to grad school, or just increasing your leadership skills I suggest you attend. :]
Here's a random tidbit. EEE displayed something new-- a UCI instant messaging system. You can register your UCI id for the instant messaging network. Oh UCI... what other wonders will you bring upon us.
GOODLUCK WITH FINALS, EVERYONE! :]
arrividerci <3,
Juvy
Steven Lee and Steph Ramos were discussing about the SSARC Leadership Development Series and it sparked some interest in me. Here's the e-mail I received:
------------------------
UCI LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SERIES--------------------
What: Leadership Theory and Development Seminar
Topic: Social Identity Theory of Leadership
Guest: David Rast | Claremont Graduate University
When: Thursday, 12th | 2pm
Where: SST 318 | Research Opportunities Available
Contact: Andrew Gonzales | andrew.gonzales@uci.edu
Description: If you are a leader in an organization or
club, or just want to develop a better understanding of
the science behind leadership, then do not miss this 13-part
series on leadership theory brought to you by the Social Sciences
Academic Resource Center (SSARC). Each seminar will take you on
a tour of different levels of analysis and application on the
topic of Leadership in modern companies. Participants in the
series will receive an official certificate of completion
- perfect for your future resumes and graduate school applications.
To RSVP, contact SSARC Events and Programming Manager, Ana Maria
Sanchez, at ssarc@uci.edu. Type ''leader rsvp'' in the subject line,
and include your full name and major in the body of the email.
For more information on this and other similar events, contact SSARC
Associate Director, Andrew Gonzales, at andrew.gonzales@uci.edu.
You'll earn a certificate at the end of attending 13 Seminars. If you plan on managing a business, going to grad school, or just increasing your leadership skills I suggest you attend. :]
Here's a random tidbit. EEE displayed something new-- a UCI instant messaging system. You can register your UCI id for the instant messaging network. Oh UCI... what other wonders will you bring upon us.
GOODLUCK WITH FINALS, EVERYONE! :]
arrividerci <3,
Juvy
Monday, March 9, 2009
Help Wanted!
Seniors, listen up! Despite the recession, there are still more than 2 MILLION job openings across numerous industries according to a recent government estimate. HOWEVER (you thought it would be THAT easy?), there are an average of 5 people competing for each of those jobs, up more than double the ratio for job openings that existed around December 2007. In a nutshell, this means there are DEFINITELY jobs out there...the problem is that the level of competitiveness for these jobs has increased greatly.
So what job industries have bright prospects in this otherwise dismal economy? Read this recent Associated Press article to find out.
Also, because the available talent pool for employers has increased in quality, it would be a good idea to talk to your counselors or visit the UCI Career Center to brush up your resume, cover letters, interview skills and anything else that will help you stand out from the pack.
Good luck!
So what job industries have bright prospects in this otherwise dismal economy? Read this recent Associated Press article to find out.
Also, because the available talent pool for employers has increased in quality, it would be a good idea to talk to your counselors or visit the UCI Career Center to brush up your resume, cover letters, interview skills and anything else that will help you stand out from the pack.
Good luck!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
GRAD SCHOOL.
I attended a Peer Leadership Conference at UCR this past weekend and they shared with us their many Career Center resources. Among them is the Grad Portal with ALL the information you could possibly need on preparing for, finding, & applying to grad school. The plus side of it is that you don't need to be a UCR student to use it! It's definitely worth taking a look at, especially for you juniors & seniors who are beginning to consider grad school. Follow this link & get educated :)
UCR Grad Portal
UCR Grad Portal
Webshop on How to find a job in this economy!
It's no surprise that the economy we're living in is struggling right now. As a graduating senior, I find myself extremely anxious & worried about finding a job this summer. However, one word of advice to my fellow seniors... breathe, relax, & start your job search as soon as possible. This webshop is provided to you by the UCI Career Center in hopes of easing your anxiety about the dreaded post-graduation job search. Check it out. It might be exactly what you need to get you motivated & start taking action.
Current Economy Webshop
Current Economy Webshop
Importance of HSO
First of all, I would like to acknowledge last week's HSO One-Day Conference! Congrats to all the members who cooperated and a wonderful thank you to our one and only Anthony Chanrasmi for putting all of this success together! The students had a lot of fun and enjoyed spending their day in the shoes of a college student! :)
However, as most of us heard, Magnolia High School had some violence on campus which led to a lockdown. Many of our students that were with us on Friday were thankful to have been on UCI's campus rather than their very own. Some students in my group were mentioning to me other violent acts that they had to experience during their past years in Magnolia High School. One student even said that their area is really dangerous and that you can't go ten minutes without hearing a police or fire siren passing by.
Hearing this really saddened me. I always knew that HSO was important, but it didn't hit me until i heard those words how important the HSO program really IS. Through guiding students in the right path, we help them stray away from such violent activities. HSO is an important program that shows these students that there is more to life than what they experience now. We also show them that they are capable of anything and everything they want to be in the future. They say there is a reason for everything that happens. I feel that there's a reason why our Magnolia students were on our campus last Friday rather than us being on theirs.
With that said, I would like to encourage more people to continue joining our PASSAGE HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH program. One day a week out of your life, can make a huge difference in these High School students' lives.
Also, for all of you wondering what happened on their campus on Friday, here is an update I found online.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/anaheim-magnolia-2326975
have a wonderful week, everyone!
<3 june
However, as most of us heard, Magnolia High School had some violence on campus which led to a lockdown. Many of our students that were with us on Friday were thankful to have been on UCI's campus rather than their very own. Some students in my group were mentioning to me other violent acts that they had to experience during their past years in Magnolia High School. One student even said that their area is really dangerous and that you can't go ten minutes without hearing a police or fire siren passing by.
Hearing this really saddened me. I always knew that HSO was important, but it didn't hit me until i heard those words how important the HSO program really IS. Through guiding students in the right path, we help them stray away from such violent activities. HSO is an important program that shows these students that there is more to life than what they experience now. We also show them that they are capable of anything and everything they want to be in the future. They say there is a reason for everything that happens. I feel that there's a reason why our Magnolia students were on our campus last Friday rather than us being on theirs.
With that said, I would like to encourage more people to continue joining our PASSAGE HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH program. One day a week out of your life, can make a huge difference in these High School students' lives.
Also, for all of you wondering what happened on their campus on Friday, here is an update I found online.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/anaheim-magnolia-2326975
have a wonderful week, everyone!
<3 june
Counseling Lunch Tomorrow, 12 PM @ Anthill Pub! All are welcome!
Dear PASSers,
On behalf of your counselors, we would like to invite you to lunch tomorrow (3/8) at the Anthill Pub at noon. We will be there from about 12-2 so if you're on campus, please feel free to stop by, say hello to your counselors, and grab a bite to eat! All are welcome!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We hope to see you all there tomorrow, thanks!
-Steven
On behalf of your counselors, we would like to invite you to lunch tomorrow (3/8) at the Anthill Pub at noon. We will be there from about 12-2 so if you're on campus, please feel free to stop by, say hello to your counselors, and grab a bite to eat! All are welcome!
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We hope to see you all there tomorrow, thanks!
-Steven
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Want to earn $50/hour?
It's this simple: score one of the five jobs that this new Yahoo article lists.
To be sure, there are many more careers that offer comparable and even better wages than $50/hour, but the five are:
1. Pharmacist
2. Actuary
3. Marketing Manager
4. High School Principal
5. Petroleum Engineer
The most surprising entry to me was high school principal...it definitely makes you rethink the stereotype that career in education (K-12, anyway) doesn't pay.
Is anyone out there interested in any of those careers? Please leave a comment or contact me, your counselor, or our VP of Career Development Jamie! Hopefully we can set you up with some contacts to get you started on your path to a six figure career...
To be sure, there are many more careers that offer comparable and even better wages than $50/hour, but the five are:
1. Pharmacist
2. Actuary
3. Marketing Manager
4. High School Principal
5. Petroleum Engineer
The most surprising entry to me was high school principal...it definitely makes you rethink the stereotype that career in education (K-12, anyway) doesn't pay.
Is anyone out there interested in any of those careers? Please leave a comment or contact me, your counselor, or our VP of Career Development Jamie! Hopefully we can set you up with some contacts to get you started on your path to a six figure career...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Stimulus Plan!!!
For those of you that may not know, Obama's stimulus plan that passed last month included a provision that will provide compensation to Filipino veterans who fought in WWII. This is something that several Filipino-Americans have been fighting for and it is unfortunate that justice has come so late, but better late than never. To read an article about it
click here. |
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Happy Birthday to PASS!
Today, the UCI organization we all know and love turns 5 years old! Thanks for all of those who came to our meeting today to celebrate, as well as those who came to the after event to share in some of our delicious cookie cake.
Happy birthday PASS! Hope there are many more to follow!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Political Compass
In this crazy day and age, it's worth understanding where you stand on the many issues that tug at your heartstring or wallets. I know some of you may have heard of it or probably tried it already, but taking an online political compass test is a fair indicator of where you stand on the political spectrum.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
Having a clearer idea of where you stand politically can lead to more concise and more thoughtful commentary in your classes or even in everyday conversation. It's better than just jumping on the blind bandwagon of axe-grinding so terribly common among college students.
--Myk
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
Having a clearer idea of where you stand politically can lead to more concise and more thoughtful commentary in your classes or even in everyday conversation. It's better than just jumping on the blind bandwagon of axe-grinding so terribly common among college students.
--Myk
Some amazing candid photos from Obama's presidential campaign...
Hey guys, I wanted to share with you something that I actually found several months ago, but just remembered when I was digging through my Favorites. During Barack Obama's historic campaign, Time Magazine photographer Callie Shell had unprecedented access to the then-Senator from Illinois. She took some incredible candid shots, starting from late 2006 when he announced his candidacy up to his speech at the Democratic National Convention last August.
You can take a look at those images here.
Shell has actually stuck around with the Obama family and is now considered to be their unofficial private photographer. To learn more about Shell, her friendship with the Obamas, and a bit more background on some select photos, check out this recent Guardian article.
-Steven
You can take a look at those images here.
Shell has actually stuck around with the Obama family and is now considered to be their unofficial private photographer. To learn more about Shell, her friendship with the Obamas, and a bit more background on some select photos, check out this recent Guardian article.
-Steven
Monday, March 2, 2009
top ten traveling tips
hi guys!!! as steven mentioned in a previous blog, spring break is coming soon!!! here are some tips to help you guys save money for those of you traveling during spring break!
Top 10 Tips for Saving on Airfares in 2009
No one really knows where airfares are headed this year (beware anyone who claims they do; they're probably just trying to grab headlines). But here are 10 tips that will point you in the right direction next time you're looking for an airfare bargain.
1. Look for promo codes.
Airlines are increasingly resorting to promotion codes in order to bypass online travel agencies and meta search engines, driving traffic to their own sites, which are, after all, valuable properties selling everything from credit cards to hotel rooms. (Of course, this strategy also eliminates the need to pay commissions to other sites, but Airfarewatchdog suspects that this is only part of the story.) Discounts range from $10 to 50% off published fares. Southwest, American, Allegiant, Spirit, Air Canada, JetBlue, Virgin America and others used this strategy in 2008 and we expect to see more of this in 2009. To get the codes, sign up for the airlines' frequent flyer programs and emailed newsletters. These fares are never listed on Travelocity, Kayak, etc. (Airfarewatchdog lists promo codes in its blog postings as soon as they become available.)
2. Surprising sales sometimes appear on Saturdays and holiday weekends.
There is no one best day of the week or time of day to buy airfares. The best time is when the fare on the route and travel period you prefer (or are willing to travel), on an airline you like (or don't hate at least), goes down to its recent low point. That could be any minute of any day.
However, over 2009's MLK 3 day weekend, US Air launched an unadvertised sale to Europe for May, June, August, and September travel with fares up to 60% off the previous prices. This is not the first time we've seen a Saturday morning fare massacre and while it may not happen very often, for various competitive reasons, airlines sneak in the very best unadvertised sales when they think the competition is watching the big game or taking the kids to the movies rather than monitoring what other airlines are charging (Saturdays, and holiday weekends are an obvious choice).
3. Search for fares throughout the day, several times a day.
No one can precisely predict where airfares are heading (airfare pundits who claim to have a crystal ball should go play the oil futures market and make some real money instead of trying to get their mugs on the TV). Fares go up and go down throughout the day like the stock market, so if you don't like what you see at 10 AM, come back a couple of hours later and search again. Just as important as the fare, seat availability can change throughout the day. Airlines adjust the number of seats available at different fare levels, so even if the fare hasn't changed, the availability of seats at that fare may fluctuate, so you'll see a $120 fare to where you're going one minute, but the next it's twice that. Obviously, seats at the lowest fares sell quickly and in 2009 airlines will offer fewer seats at their lowest fares. If you see something good, grab it.
4. Use flexible date searches.
Adjusting your dates of travel by just a day or two can save hundreds, especially if you're buying for more than one person. This is one area where online travel agencies such as Orbitz, Cheapair, Cheaptickets, Hotwire, and Travelocity shine and often have an advantage over most airline sites and meta search engines. Travelocity will show you the lowest published fare (irrespective of seat availability) over a 330 day period on all domestic fares (except those on Southwest, Allegiant and a few niche carriers) and on major international routes; Orbitz and Cheaptickets do the same over a 30 day period of your choosing (on nearly all domestic and international routes, and they do a better job of assuring seat availability than Travelocity does). Look for the "flexible travel" box or "Find low fares for flexible trips" link on these sites and follow the instructions. In 2009, we predict that more airlines will offer some kind of flexible date search tool; last year, several added or improved this useful device.
5. Use Priceline, especially if you don't have a sufficient advance purchase window.
The cheapest fares often require a 7, 14, 21, or even a 28-day advance purchase. What if you need to leave tomorrow or on short notice? That's where Priceline's "Name your own price" bidding process can help. Typically, savings reach 40-60%, sometimes more. The site has added a page showing a daily list of discounts on the top 50 routes, revealing how much other users have saved by bidding on fares. Click on the route and you'll see actual bids vs. the lowest retail price
6. Sign up for fare alert services, but don't blindly rely on ones that monitor price only without considering seasonality.
Fare alert services (such as those offered by Farecompare, Yapta, Farecast, Travelocity, Kayak, Orbitz, Priceline and Airfarewatchdog [airfarewatchdog.com]) are valuable tools. Each offers its own advantages and limitations. But many of them alert consumers based on price only. So if the lowest possible fare between New York and London on a Friday is $600 RT but only for winter travel, and on Saturday the lowest fare remains at $600 but travel is valid for travel all summer at that fare, you will not necessarily receive an alert about this "higher value" fare in your email. Same goes for nonstop flights: many consumers prefer to fly non stop and justly believe that a $200 connecting fare is not the same as $ 200 nonstop, so choose an alert service that allows you to specify nonstops only or alerts you upfront that the flight is nonstop.
7. Search Southwest and Allegiant separately.
These low cost leaders do not share their lowest fares with third party web sites, such as online travel agencies or meta search engines. (They're also frequent issuers of promo codes, which are redeemable only on their sites.) Southwest doesn't always have the lowest price, but in many markets they're the only airline flying a route nonstop, even if just once a day. Plus, they have the lowest extra fees (see tip 10).
8. Use consolidators for international business and first class fares.
Especially with the economic downturn, business and first class cabins will be emptier in 2009, and deals will be amazing. Consolidators specializing in premium cabins will have some great deals, and the airlines themselves will be heavily discounting their premium cabins, so check the specials on their web sites. Do a google search for "first class consolidators" to see some of the firms in this space.
9. Check the airlines' sites directly.
We're not talking here merely about saving the $7 or $10 booking fee you might be charged on an Orbitz or Travelocity. Several international airlines regularly offer significant savings on various routes, but only if you buy from their sites. Among these are Aer Lingus, China Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Tahiti Nui, and Air Canada. Savings can be as high as $200 roundtrip.
10. Consider the extra fees before you buy.
If Southwest has a fare of $198 round-trip and United has one for $148, and you are checking three bags, then Southwest actually has the lowest fare because Southwest charges nothing for the first two checked bags, whereas United would charge you an additional $165 each way for three. You can find baggage fee charts here.
Looking for something to do next year?
APPLY TO BE A PEER EDUCATOR FOR THE COUNSELING CENTER!!!!
- put on psychoeducational workshops for undergraduates on topics such as test anxiety, living conditions, life transitions, coflict mediation, depression, eating disorders...
- work with a group of peers and gain close friendships
- get to know counselors at the counseling center and gain great mentor
- Get 3 units credit for Directed studies
- counts at field study for SE195
- Gain valuable and practical experience in public speaking, communications, leadership, teamwork etc.
- possible letter of reccomendation
- Go on fun retreats and take part in amazing socials
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
- + much much more
Applicatons are available at the counseling center, the counseling center website, or here:
http://www.counseling.uci.edu/pdf/PEERAPPLICATION09-10.pdf
DUE Tuesday March 31st @ 5pm in the Counseling Center and the front desk.
GOOD LUCK :D
- put on psychoeducational workshops for undergraduates on topics such as test anxiety, living conditions, life transitions, coflict mediation, depression, eating disorders...
- work with a group of peers and gain close friendships
- get to know counselors at the counseling center and gain great mentor
- Get 3 units credit for Directed studies
- counts at field study for SE195
- Gain valuable and practical experience in public speaking, communications, leadership, teamwork etc.
- possible letter of reccomendation
- Go on fun retreats and take part in amazing socials
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
- + much much more
Applicatons are available at the counseling center, the counseling center website, or here:
http://www.counseling.uci.edu/pdf/PEERAPPLICATION09-10.pdf
DUE Tuesday March 31st @ 5pm in the Counseling Center and the front desk.
GOOD LUCK :D
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Planning a spring break trip to Mexico? You might want to reconsider those plans...
Dear PASSers,
We are less than a month away from Spring Break! Hard to believe, but that awkward week off between Winter and Spring Quarter is almost here.
Not sure what you guys have planned (for me, probably some R&R back home, a little work, and spring cleaning my apartment), but if you guys are planning a trip to Mexico with your friends, you might want to reconsider...
The US State Department has issued a warning for all students planning to go south of the border due to a surge of drug-related violence. Though most of the violence occurs away from popular resort spots like Cancun and Acapulco, there has also been reports of violence in those areas.
By telling you this, I don't mean to sound like your parents, but just giving you guys a heads up. Hope everyone will have a fun AND safe spring break...
-Steven
We are less than a month away from Spring Break! Hard to believe, but that awkward week off between Winter and Spring Quarter is almost here.
Not sure what you guys have planned (for me, probably some R&R back home, a little work, and spring cleaning my apartment), but if you guys are planning a trip to Mexico with your friends, you might want to reconsider...
The US State Department has issued a warning for all students planning to go south of the border due to a surge of drug-related violence. Though most of the violence occurs away from popular resort spots like Cancun and Acapulco, there has also been reports of violence in those areas.
By telling you this, I don't mean to sound like your parents, but just giving you guys a heads up. Hope everyone will have a fun AND safe spring break...
-Steven
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Some important last minute reminders...
Hi guys,
There are several things I want to remind you guys about, so I'll get right to it:
Our Week 8 meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday at 6 PM in room SSL 145. Come learn how to make a Personal Statement with help from Kaplan! This is really useful if you're thinking of applying to graduate school in the near future!
Money for Winter Retreat is due TOMORROW during the meeting. We will be going to beautiful San Diego this weekend, so don't miss out! If you still want to go it's not too late! Bring a $20 deposit to the meeting tomorrow and you're good to go!
PASS Honor Society Apps are also due TOMORROW during the meeting. Being a part of Honor Society gives you many benefits, including:
Well, that's all, hope to see you guys tomorrow!
-Steven
There are several things I want to remind you guys about, so I'll get right to it:
Our Week 8 meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday at 6 PM in room SSL 145. Come learn how to make a Personal Statement with help from Kaplan! This is really useful if you're thinking of applying to graduate school in the near future!
Money for Winter Retreat is due TOMORROW during the meeting. We will be going to beautiful San Diego this weekend, so don't miss out! If you still want to go it's not too late! Bring a $20 deposit to the meeting tomorrow and you're good to go!
PASS Honor Society Apps are also due TOMORROW during the meeting. Being a part of Honor Society gives you many benefits, including:
- The opprotunity to list PASS Honor Society on your resumes
- Recognition at our End of the Year ceremony and the opportunity to win the annual PASS scholarship
- A special honors stole upon graduation
Well, that's all, hope to see you guys tomorrow!
-Steven
Monday, February 23, 2009
The 776th time's the charm...
How far would you go to pursue your life's goal? I found this story on Yahoo News of a South Korean woman who has failed her driver's test 775 times. Despite all the setbacks, she's just as ready to take the test again as she was on day one.
This story raises a few questions (Why doesn't she just save the money she spends on applications to take a driving class?!), but there is something to be said about the perseverance this woman displays in order to fulfill her life's passion. It definitely makes you think about how much of a price would you pay to do what you want in life (apparently for this woman it is $6,000 and counting).
-Steven
This story raises a few questions (Why doesn't she just save the money she spends on applications to take a driving class?!), but there is something to be said about the perseverance this woman displays in order to fulfill her life's passion. It definitely makes you think about how much of a price would you pay to do what you want in life (apparently for this woman it is $6,000 and counting).
-Steven
Thursday, February 19, 2009
10 Jobs Where Employers are Looking for You :]
Hey Passers,
I found this article off of Yahoo! that tells you what jobs are in demand now and soon.
- Juvy
I found this article off of Yahoo! that tells you what jobs are in demand now and soon.
Wanted: You! 10 Jobs Where Employers Come Looking For You
:]- Juvy
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
new webreg & spring enrollment window
Hey Fellow Passers,
UCI webmasters decided to update webreg. It finally has colors! Wheeee~! Your Spring '09 enrollment window is up, so go check it out! [webreg]
Also, don't forget to plan your schedules so you won't miss out on classes you need during your enrollment period! [Schedule of Classes]
If you need any help or advice for signing up classes, let one of us counselors know and we can help you. :]
It's 7th week already?! The weeks are just flying by quickly. G'luck on midterms and hope they are going well!
<3 Juvy
UCI webmasters decided to update webreg. It finally has colors! Wheeee~! Your Spring '09 enrollment window is up, so go check it out! [webreg]
Also, don't forget to plan your schedules so you won't miss out on classes you need during your enrollment period! [Schedule of Classes]
If you need any help or advice for signing up classes, let one of us counselors know and we can help you. :]
It's 7th week already?! The weeks are just flying by quickly. G'luck on midterms and hope they are going well!
<3 Juvy
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Are hugs the new handshakes?
Hey guys, hope you're having a great weekend. Just wanted to share this Time Magazine article that asks whether hugs are becoming more common and even starting to replace the traditional handshake as acceptable office protocol.
Having worked in an office environment, I can say from experience that getting a hug from a co-worker you're not very well acquainted can make a pretty awkward moment so that's where I draw the line. Otherwise, I'm fine with this new wave of hugging. What do you guys think?
-Steven
Having worked in an office environment, I can say from experience that getting a hug from a co-worker you're not very well acquainted can make a pretty awkward moment so that's where I draw the line. Otherwise, I'm fine with this new wave of hugging. What do you guys think?
-Steven
Thursday, February 12, 2009
10 part time jobs that really pay!
Good evening everyone,
I know a lot of you out there are looking for part time jobs to get some much needed $$$ in school. Well, I found an article on Yahoo! that highlights what are some of the best part jobs in terms of salary and benefits (yes, you CAN get benefits as a part-time worker!).
Many of the types of jobs listed can be found easily on campus! Want to be a barista? Ask Starbucks if they're hiring! Do you yearn to share your knowledge with students who need help? Apply to be a LARC tutor! Have you always wanted to be a cashier (what a dream!)? Check with the bookstore (they hire towards the end of the quarter, around weeks 7-8. I would know, I work there!).
And even if you don't want to work on campus, there are plenty of outside businesses that may be hiring! Just keep asking around for applications...even if they tell you "We're not hiring" (something you will hear often...even in good times), just be persistant!
-Steven
I know a lot of you out there are looking for part time jobs to get some much needed $$$ in school. Well, I found an article on Yahoo! that highlights what are some of the best part jobs in terms of salary and benefits (yes, you CAN get benefits as a part-time worker!).
Many of the types of jobs listed can be found easily on campus! Want to be a barista? Ask Starbucks if they're hiring! Do you yearn to share your knowledge with students who need help? Apply to be a LARC tutor! Have you always wanted to be a cashier (what a dream!)? Check with the bookstore (they hire towards the end of the quarter, around weeks 7-8. I would know, I work there!).
And even if you don't want to work on campus, there are plenty of outside businesses that may be hiring! Just keep asking around for applications...even if they tell you "We're not hiring" (something you will hear often...even in good times), just be persistant!
-Steven
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Recession? What's that?
Are you completely lost when it comes to all of the news we constantly hear about the economy? Do you wonder how exactly we got into this recession? Do you not know what the heck a recession IS?
Well, don't be intimidated by all of this information because we at PASS are here to help. At tomorrow's meeting, we explain everything in the simplest way possible! How did we get in this mess and what does it mean for ordinary folks like you and me? Join us for a very informative AND interactive meeting that will give you a better understanding about our current economic climate!
As always, our meetings are Wednesdays at 6 PM in room SSL 145. Our after event this week is Pick-Up-Stix! Get your free cream cheese wontons with your PASS membership card. I also heard there's a $4.99 combo special going on right now, so even MORE reason to come out to eat with us tomorrow!
Hope to see you guys there!
-Steven
Well, don't be intimidated by all of this information because we at PASS are here to help. At tomorrow's meeting, we explain everything in the simplest way possible! How did we get in this mess and what does it mean for ordinary folks like you and me? Join us for a very informative AND interactive meeting that will give you a better understanding about our current economic climate!
As always, our meetings are Wednesdays at 6 PM in room SSL 145. Our after event this week is Pick-Up-Stix! Get your free cream cheese wontons with your PASS membership card. I also heard there's a $4.99 combo special going on right now, so even MORE reason to come out to eat with us tomorrow!
Hope to see you guys there!
-Steven
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Business Minor Application Deadline is This Friday
Hey Passers,
Any of you interested in applying for the accounting or management minors? Just giving you a heads up that the deadline for applying for one of these minors is this Friday, February 13, 2009 at 5:00 PM.
Here's the link to the apps:
Management or Accounting
To take a break from midterms, enjoy this video about a kid's recent trip to the dentist.
[David After Denist]. Poor kid... haha.
Enjoy and good luck with your midterms, everyone! :]
Juvy
Any of you interested in applying for the accounting or management minors? Just giving you a heads up that the deadline for applying for one of these minors is this Friday, February 13, 2009 at 5:00 PM.
Here's the link to the apps:
Management or Accounting
To take a break from midterms, enjoy this video about a kid's recent trip to the dentist.
[David After Denist]. Poor kid... haha.
Enjoy and good luck with your midterms, everyone! :]
Juvy
RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH
Hey everyone,
For those of you interested in research over the summer, here are two opportunities that a friend of mine sent me.
*AGEP Summer Research Program (at UCI)
Deadline: *Feb. 27thProgram Summary Link (for more info aboutprogram)<http://www.grad.uci.edu/diversity/agep_srp.htm>
*Letters Should be addressed to:
* Mariana Garcia, AGEP Coordinator
University of California, Irvine120 Aldrich HallGraduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
*Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at UCI**
Deadline: *Feb. 27thProgram Sumary Link (for more info aboutprogram)<http://www.grad.uci.edu/diversity/surf.htm>
*Letter should be addressed to:
*Daniel Fabrega, Coordinator of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention
University of California, Irvine120 Aldrich HallGraduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
Have a good week,
Khrystyn
For those of you interested in research over the summer, here are two opportunities that a friend of mine sent me.
*AGEP Summer Research Program (at UCI)
Deadline: *Feb. 27thProgram Summary Link (for more info aboutprogram)<http://www.grad.uci.edu/diversity/agep_srp.htm>
*Letters Should be addressed to:
* Mariana Garcia, AGEP Coordinator
University of California, Irvine120 Aldrich HallGraduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
*Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) at UCI**
Deadline: *Feb. 27thProgram Sumary Link (for more info aboutprogram)<http://www.grad.uci.edu/diversity/surf.htm>
*Letter should be addressed to:
*Daniel Fabrega, Coordinator of Outreach, Recruitment and Retention
University of California, Irvine120 Aldrich HallGraduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
Have a good week,
Khrystyn
Spring 09 schedule of classes now online!
The schedule of classes for the last quarter of the year is now online! As always, you can find all the info on WebSoc. If you guys have any questions about what classes you can or should take, we are here to help! Don't be afraid to contact your counselors or you can send an email to pass.counseling@gmail.com. Have a good week!
-Steven
-Steven
Friday, February 6, 2009
Do you get pulled over a lot while driving? Maybe it's your car's fault...
Hey PASSers, hope you made it through midterms unscathed, and if you still have some coming up (like me), best of luck to you on those!
Anyway, for all the drivers out there, have you ever been pulled over by a cop on the road for what you think is no good reason? Well, maybe your driving isn't to blame...maybe it's your car! US News just came out with a study that identifies the Top 10 Most and Least Ticketed Cars in the US.
From the looks of it, if your vehicle is 1. imposing (Hummer H2), 2. a brand aimed at young drivers (Scions), or 3. a luxury performance brand (Mercedes AMG, Audi A4) then you might want to be a little more cautious around cops.
Of course, there's no real proof of causation to any of this, but I think the list is interesting enough to take a look at anyway. Either way, drive safely!
-Steven
Anyway, for all the drivers out there, have you ever been pulled over by a cop on the road for what you think is no good reason? Well, maybe your driving isn't to blame...maybe it's your car! US News just came out with a study that identifies the Top 10 Most and Least Ticketed Cars in the US.
From the looks of it, if your vehicle is 1. imposing (Hummer H2), 2. a brand aimed at young drivers (Scions), or 3. a luxury performance brand (Mercedes AMG, Audi A4) then you might want to be a little more cautious around cops.
Of course, there's no real proof of causation to any of this, but I think the list is interesting enough to take a look at anyway. Either way, drive safely!
-Steven
The All Nighter
So funny thing...I was pulling an all-nighter and procrastinating on Facebook when I came across this post. I thought it was interesting and could be quite helpful. I know that the peer counselors touched on this at the last meeting, but a little extra information couldn't hurt...
It's an article on WikiHow about "How to Pull an All Nighter".
http://www.wikihow.com/Pull-an-All-Nighter
Happy studying!
-Dennis
It's an article on WikiHow about "How to Pull an All Nighter".
http://www.wikihow.com/Pull-an-All-Nighter
Happy studying!
-Dennis
Monday, February 2, 2009
Social Science Majors: Deadline to apply for Spring 2009 graduation is FEBRUARY 6TH!
Seniors,
Just wanted to give you guys a handy PSA in case you haven't done this yet. For Social Science majors, the deadline to apply for graduation in Spring 2009 is THIS FRIDAY, February 6th!
You can apply for graduation using Student Access.
Personally, I feel that this information has not been very well communicated to students which is why I feel compelled to remind you guys about this. Plus, according to the application, NO EXCEPTIONS will be given to students who submit their applications late...sounds pretty serious, so GO APPLY NOW!
If you're not in the School of Social Science, then it's best that you check with your respective school in order to see what your deadline is.
And if you're not a senior, consider yourself very lucky because you'll be here at UCI again next year!
:(
-Steven
Just wanted to give you guys a handy PSA in case you haven't done this yet. For Social Science majors, the deadline to apply for graduation in Spring 2009 is THIS FRIDAY, February 6th!
You can apply for graduation using Student Access.
Personally, I feel that this information has not been very well communicated to students which is why I feel compelled to remind you guys about this. Plus, according to the application, NO EXCEPTIONS will be given to students who submit their applications late...sounds pretty serious, so GO APPLY NOW!
If you're not in the School of Social Science, then it's best that you check with your respective school in order to see what your deadline is.
And if you're not a senior, consider yourself very lucky because you'll be here at UCI again next year!
:(
-Steven
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Mind your (workplace) manners!
Hey PASSers,
Happy February (already?!?!!!?!?!)! I hope your midterm studying is going well!
I meant to share the following info with you guys a few weeks ago, but I completely forgot, so here it is now:
According to this news article, a recent study found that Americans were among the most sensitive among different cultures when it came to workplace etiquette.
The top five most offensive workplace behaviors were:
1. Not saying hello or good morning to co-workers
2. Not offering office guests a beverage
3. Speaking loudly across the room
4. Using swear words
5. Taking call on mobile phones
Not surprisingly, the perception of each of these behaviors differed across each culture, but since Americans are one of the most sensitive nations, it would be very wise to keep these behaviors in mind when you work!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact your counselors or myself! You can reach me at pass.counseling@gmail.com
Have a good week!
-Steven
Happy February (already?!?!!!?!?!)! I hope your midterm studying is going well!
I meant to share the following info with you guys a few weeks ago, but I completely forgot, so here it is now:
According to this news article, a recent study found that Americans were among the most sensitive among different cultures when it came to workplace etiquette.
The top five most offensive workplace behaviors were:
1. Not saying hello or good morning to co-workers
2. Not offering office guests a beverage
3. Speaking loudly across the room
4. Using swear words
5. Taking call on mobile phones
Not surprisingly, the perception of each of these behaviors differed across each culture, but since Americans are one of the most sensitive nations, it would be very wise to keep these behaviors in mind when you work!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact your counselors or myself! You can reach me at pass.counseling@gmail.com
Have a good week!
-Steven
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Feeling Stressed?
Hey PASSers it's midterm time!!
Midterms can get pretty stressfull and a lot of people don't realize what stress can do to our bodies. Our mind and body have a connection. What is going on in our mind causes our body to respond. Some affects of stress on our body are:
-headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, breaking out in hives, body aches, sweating, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, having a tight chest etc.
- being irritable, overly aggressive, forgetful, unable to make decisions
- having mental block, feeling depressed, having anxiety
THE LIST GOES ON!!!
so what are some ways you can deal with stress?
1. exercise
this helps release endorphins. go to the ARC. do yoga. take a quick walk.
2. Visualization
they say that when you visualize yourself in a peaceful place (kind of like meditating) your body becomes more relaxed. Close your eyes and picture yourself at a beach or anywhere peaceful and really think about the details of the place.
3. Breathing Retraining
Did you know that you breath incorrectly??? most of us do. When we are stressed/have anxiety we tend to have short quick breaths which come from the chest. THIS IS THE WRONG WAY TO BREATH!!! Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. As you breath make the hand on your stomach move while minimizing the movement of the hand on your chest. Taking deep breaths from your stomach relaxes your body because it tells your mind to calm down. It also helps increase blood circulation.
4. Eating
Eating all that nasty junkfood isnt going to help your stress. Try eating cooling foods like melons, or cucumbers. Also, proteins like nuts.
Also, if you ever need anyone to talk to about stress, your counselors are here for you AND you can also make an appointment at the counseling center which is located across from starbucks next to the career center. UCI students have 8 free sessions so use them!
Hope all this info helps & good luck on midterms :D
-Khrystyn
Midterms can get pretty stressfull and a lot of people don't realize what stress can do to our bodies. Our mind and body have a connection. What is going on in our mind causes our body to respond. Some affects of stress on our body are:
-headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, breaking out in hives, body aches, sweating, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, having a tight chest etc.
- being irritable, overly aggressive, forgetful, unable to make decisions
- having mental block, feeling depressed, having anxiety
THE LIST GOES ON!!!
so what are some ways you can deal with stress?
1. exercise
this helps release endorphins. go to the ARC. do yoga. take a quick walk.
2. Visualization
they say that when you visualize yourself in a peaceful place (kind of like meditating) your body becomes more relaxed. Close your eyes and picture yourself at a beach or anywhere peaceful and really think about the details of the place.
3. Breathing Retraining
Did you know that you breath incorrectly??? most of us do. When we are stressed/have anxiety we tend to have short quick breaths which come from the chest. THIS IS THE WRONG WAY TO BREATH!!! Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. As you breath make the hand on your stomach move while minimizing the movement of the hand on your chest. Taking deep breaths from your stomach relaxes your body because it tells your mind to calm down. It also helps increase blood circulation.
4. Eating
Eating all that nasty junkfood isnt going to help your stress. Try eating cooling foods like melons, or cucumbers. Also, proteins like nuts.
Also, if you ever need anyone to talk to about stress, your counselors are here for you AND you can also make an appointment at the counseling center which is located across from starbucks next to the career center. UCI students have 8 free sessions so use them!
Hope all this info helps & good luck on midterms :D
-Khrystyn
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
NEW MEETING ROOM tomorrow, SSL 145!
Yes, it's true, we have yet another meeting room for tomorrow's meeting. It will be held in SSL 145, same ol' time (Wednesday @ 6 PM). Sorry that we keep switching it up on you, but at least it's not at HOB II like last week! (BTW, thanks to those of you who made the long walk over there...)
Tomorrow's meeting is on studying abroad. Learn about how you can find a travel study program suitable for you and hear all about the overseas experiences of your fellow PASS members. Also, we will give you guys a preview of what to expect on our WINTER RETREAT in San Diego.
Don't forget that the CAREER FAIR is Thursday. Tomorrow would be a GREAT opportunity to talk to your counselor for any last minute questions you might have for them. Make the most of these Career Fairs, especially if you're a graduating senior! It's a fantastic opportunity to see what kind of jobs/internships are out there.
Well, that's all for now, hope to see you guys tomorrow!
-Steven
Tomorrow's meeting is on studying abroad. Learn about how you can find a travel study program suitable for you and hear all about the overseas experiences of your fellow PASS members. Also, we will give you guys a preview of what to expect on our WINTER RETREAT in San Diego.
Don't forget that the CAREER FAIR is Thursday. Tomorrow would be a GREAT opportunity to talk to your counselor for any last minute questions you might have for them. Make the most of these Career Fairs, especially if you're a graduating senior! It's a fantastic opportunity to see what kind of jobs/internships are out there.
Well, that's all for now, hope to see you guys tomorrow!
-Steven
Monday, January 26, 2009
Courtyard Study Lounge
Hey PASSers!
Just wanted to let you all know that I work at Courtyard Study Lounge (it's that study place where you check out rooms in the Student Center). It's an awesome place to study, especially during finals week.
Here are the hours!
MON-FRI 7:30AM-11PM
SAT 10AM-11PM
SUN 12AM-11PM
The best way to get a room is to call and make a reservation at (949)824-0651. You can make a reservation up to 2 weeks in advance, and to extend your time, just have a friend reserve the time right after yours and so on.
If those hours are just not cutting it for you, remember that Gateway across from Langson is open until 3AM on most days, and Engineering Gateway is 24 hours!
GOOD LUCK ON MIDTERMS!!!
Leah
Just wanted to let you all know that I work at Courtyard Study Lounge (it's that study place where you check out rooms in the Student Center). It's an awesome place to study, especially during finals week.
Here are the hours!
MON-FRI 7:30AM-11PM
SAT 10AM-11PM
SUN 12AM-11PM
The best way to get a room is to call and make a reservation at (949)824-0651. You can make a reservation up to 2 weeks in advance, and to extend your time, just have a friend reserve the time right after yours and so on.
If those hours are just not cutting it for you, remember that Gateway across from Langson is open until 3AM on most days, and Engineering Gateway is 24 hours!
GOOD LUCK ON MIDTERMS!!!
Leah
hello everyone
This is Juvy, one of PASS's 2008-2009 counselors! I just wanted to say hello and I hope everyone is doing well in school as we jump into the 4th week. Whooo~! Also, good luck with upcoming midterms and study well! Just a friendly reminder, the counselors are here for you-- whether it's to talk about school/grades/classes or just to hang out. Just holla at us! :]
I'd like to share this letter written in PARADE 01/18/09
"What I Want for You-- And Every Child in America" by President Barack Obama
Click the title... since the article is pretty long and I don't want it to cover most of this blog's space. :] Comment about what you think about it. I know some of you PASSers have read it and influenced me to read it, so I shall pass it on to the rest of you. It's quite touching. :]
<3 arrividerci,
Juvy
I'd like to share this letter written in PARADE 01/18/09
"What I Want for You-- And Every Child in America" by President Barack Obama
Click the title... since the article is pretty long and I don't want it to cover most of this blog's space. :] Comment about what you think about it. I know some of you PASSers have read it and influenced me to read it, so I shall pass it on to the rest of you. It's quite touching. :]
<3 arrividerci,
Juvy
New Year Resolutions...
hey guys!!
now that January is coming to an end, i thought it'd be interesting to see how everyone has been doing with keeping up with their resolutions! :)
My resolutions were:
1. staying on track with school assignments/readings
2. losing weight!!
3. just being a better person than the person i was yesterday, everyday
4. Pay off my credit cards!!!
1. staying on track with school assignments/readings
ok. so i must admit i haven't been on top of things lately. I noticed that I have so much time to study, but I just push things aside for "later" because I have all the time in the world and before i know it, that time manages to disappear. So I came up with a solution that i hope to put into practice this week especially with midterms coming up soon. I figured that if i were to dedicate at least three nights to hardcore studying, it would be more productive than "studying" everyday with facebook breaks, ice cream breaks, and all other types of breaks in between. And it IS realistic because i NEVER touch my books on the weekend since I miss my doggie too much and I just miss being home, so I just spend time with my family during weekends. And Thursday after class I always catch up with the shows i missed during the week then go out after... Fridays are when i drive home right after class. Therefore, it would benefit me to study productively on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights or before class since my classes start late... Hopefully, this technique will help me out this week and next week for midterms!!!
2. Losing weight...
Although I haven't been going to the gym since school started, I've been a good girl when it came to dealing with my weight. I was able to maintain being 100 lbs the first two weeks. However... I ate way TOO much this weekend :( Right when I got home, I had yummy home-cooked food waiting for me so I ate more than what I should have eaten. I then had to go to a family party on Sunday... There was sooo much yummy filipino food.. I couldn't resist!! So now my stomach is a little too happy and my pants are a little bit angry.. Tomorrow I have to break the habit of overindulging and going back to the habit of only eating what satisfies my hunger. I guess going to the gym doesn't matter because walking to school is a workout on its own.
3. just being a better person than the person i was yesterday, everyday
I can definitely say that I have been succeeding in this resolution. :) I've learned to step out of being "too nice" to the point that people would walk all over me, but I have also learned to voice my concerns in a reasonable and mature manner-- and still being able to maintain the respect I deserve. I have also been able to put into practice the things I've learned in my Ethics in Education class last quarter. I've learned to make ethical decisions correctly rather than acting on things simply because "i feel bad" for an individual. Being optimistic about things and not focusing too much on the negative also helps with this goal!!
4. Pay off my credit cards!!!
There's no other way to do this than hide your credit cards, so that is exactly what i did. As for paying them off, i'd use half my paycheck to pay off my bills, then put the other half in my savings account rather than my checking account. That way, i won't be tempted to continue spending when I know I have credit cards to pay off.
With that said, I hope everyone is doing great with keeping up with their resolutions. If not, it's not too late to start! AND it's TOO EARLY to give up on them as well!!!
Good luck to everyone with midterms coming up!!! :)
<3 june
now that January is coming to an end, i thought it'd be interesting to see how everyone has been doing with keeping up with their resolutions! :)
My resolutions were:
1. staying on track with school assignments/readings
2. losing weight!!
3. just being a better person than the person i was yesterday, everyday
4. Pay off my credit cards!!!
1. staying on track with school assignments/readings
ok. so i must admit i haven't been on top of things lately. I noticed that I have so much time to study, but I just push things aside for "later" because I have all the time in the world and before i know it, that time manages to disappear. So I came up with a solution that i hope to put into practice this week especially with midterms coming up soon. I figured that if i were to dedicate at least three nights to hardcore studying, it would be more productive than "studying" everyday with facebook breaks, ice cream breaks, and all other types of breaks in between. And it IS realistic because i NEVER touch my books on the weekend since I miss my doggie too much and I just miss being home, so I just spend time with my family during weekends. And Thursday after class I always catch up with the shows i missed during the week then go out after... Fridays are when i drive home right after class. Therefore, it would benefit me to study productively on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights or before class since my classes start late... Hopefully, this technique will help me out this week and next week for midterms!!!
2. Losing weight...
Although I haven't been going to the gym since school started, I've been a good girl when it came to dealing with my weight. I was able to maintain being 100 lbs the first two weeks. However... I ate way TOO much this weekend :( Right when I got home, I had yummy home-cooked food waiting for me so I ate more than what I should have eaten. I then had to go to a family party on Sunday... There was sooo much yummy filipino food.. I couldn't resist!! So now my stomach is a little too happy and my pants are a little bit angry.. Tomorrow I have to break the habit of overindulging and going back to the habit of only eating what satisfies my hunger. I guess going to the gym doesn't matter because walking to school is a workout on its own.
3. just being a better person than the person i was yesterday, everyday
I can definitely say that I have been succeeding in this resolution. :) I've learned to step out of being "too nice" to the point that people would walk all over me, but I have also learned to voice my concerns in a reasonable and mature manner-- and still being able to maintain the respect I deserve. I have also been able to put into practice the things I've learned in my Ethics in Education class last quarter. I've learned to make ethical decisions correctly rather than acting on things simply because "i feel bad" for an individual. Being optimistic about things and not focusing too much on the negative also helps with this goal!!
4. Pay off my credit cards!!!
There's no other way to do this than hide your credit cards, so that is exactly what i did. As for paying them off, i'd use half my paycheck to pay off my bills, then put the other half in my savings account rather than my checking account. That way, i won't be tempted to continue spending when I know I have credit cards to pay off.
With that said, I hope everyone is doing great with keeping up with their resolutions. If not, it's not too late to start! AND it's TOO EARLY to give up on them as well!!!
Good luck to everyone with midterms coming up!!! :)
<3 june
Career Week at UCI
Hi PASSers!
Are you a first year that needs help writing a resume? Are you a second year looking to find that perfect internship? Are you a junior unsure of how to approach a recruiter at the Career Fair? Are you a graduating senior in search of a job post-graduation? Are you worried or stressed about your career plans and need a little guidance?
If you said yes to any of those questions, don't worry because not only do your PASS counselors got you, the Career Center's got you too!
This week is none other than... CAREER WEEK!
and what does that mean for you? It's a week filled with different workshops leading up to the Internship and Career Fair taking place this Thursday, JANUARY 29th!!!
Here's the schedule, if you're interested! It's never to late or too early to start looking for a job or start networking for that matter. As we learned this past week at PASS, getting that dream job is not just about WHAT you know, it's also a lot about WHO you know. so get to it PASSers!
CAREER WEEK 2009:
January 26th :
INTERNSHIP & CAREER FAIR 10-3pm!!!!!!!!!
click HERE to view the list of employers coming to the fair.
January 30th:
SIDENOTE: MOST OF THESE WORKSHOPS ARE LED BY THE EMPLOYERS THEMSELVES SO THIS GIVES YOU THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THESE COMPANIES!!!!!!!! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
Okay that's all I've got for you tonight! Hope to see you this week at the meeting AND at the Career Center! :)
PASS Counselor, Anna
Are you a first year that needs help writing a resume? Are you a second year looking to find that perfect internship? Are you a junior unsure of how to approach a recruiter at the Career Fair? Are you a graduating senior in search of a job post-graduation? Are you worried or stressed about your career plans and need a little guidance?
If you said yes to any of those questions, don't worry because not only do your PASS counselors got you, the Career Center's got you too!
This week is none other than... CAREER WEEK!
and what does that mean for you? It's a week filled with different workshops leading up to the Internship and Career Fair taking place this Thursday, JANUARY 29th!!!
Here's the schedule, if you're interested! It's never to late or too early to start looking for a job or start networking for that matter. As we learned this past week at PASS, getting that dream job is not just about WHAT you know, it's also a lot about WHO you know. so get to it PASSers!
CAREER WEEK 2009:
January 26th :
- Dress for Success @ 11am
- Interview Techniques @ 1pm
- Career Fair Success: Standing Out From the Crowd @ 3pm
- Career Fair Success: Standing Out From the Crowd @ 11am
- The Resume Writing Workshop @ 2pm
- Technical Interviewing @ 3:30pm
- Interview Techniques @ 11am
- Last Minute Tips for the Career Fair @ 2pm
INTERNSHIP & CAREER FAIR 10-3pm!!!!!!!!!
click HERE to view the list of employers coming to the fair.
January 30th:
- Post Career Fair Tips: What's Next? @ 11am
- Introduction to On-Campus Interviews @ 1pm
- Networking for those who hate networking @ 3pm
SIDENOTE: MOST OF THESE WORKSHOPS ARE LED BY THE EMPLOYERS THEMSELVES SO THIS GIVES YOU THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THESE COMPANIES!!!!!!!! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
Okay that's all I've got for you tonight! Hope to see you this week at the meeting AND at the Career Center! :)
PASS Counselor, Anna
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Money, it's a gas...
Curious how UCI students stack up in their post-graduation starting salaries in comparison to other universities statewide? I found these statistics from The Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Region-sort.html
According to the site, the average median starting salary of a UCI grad is about $48k. That ranks 5th among UCs, behind Berkeley, UCLA, Davis, UCSD, and UCSB.
And if you're interested in seeing average salaries by major:
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Degrees_that_Pay_you_Back-sort.html
Not surprisingly, medical and engineering-related majors top the list, and the highest listed social science major is Economics with a median starting salary of about $50k.
By sharing these numbers with you, I don't mean to discourage you or encourage you towards any major. Instead, I just wanted to give you guys an idea of what kind of salaries you can expect post-graduation. I know it's a REALLY tough job market out there, but with perseverance and a good knowledge of where to look, I'm sure you guys will have success in obtaining a job/internship!
Of course, if you have ANY questions at all about the job search/internship process, contact your counselors OR send an email to us at pass.counseling@gmail.com
-Steven
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Region-sort.html
According to the site, the average median starting salary of a UCI grad is about $48k. That ranks 5th among UCs, behind Berkeley, UCLA, Davis, UCSD, and UCSB.
And if you're interested in seeing average salaries by major:
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Degrees_that_Pay_you_Back-sort.html
Not surprisingly, medical and engineering-related majors top the list, and the highest listed social science major is Economics with a median starting salary of about $50k.
By sharing these numbers with you, I don't mean to discourage you or encourage you towards any major. Instead, I just wanted to give you guys an idea of what kind of salaries you can expect post-graduation. I know it's a REALLY tough job market out there, but with perseverance and a good knowledge of where to look, I'm sure you guys will have success in obtaining a job/internship!
Of course, if you have ANY questions at all about the job search/internship process, contact your counselors OR send an email to us at pass.counseling@gmail.com
-Steven
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Want to Help Save the World? Want to Live Longer in the Process? Don't Know Where To Start?
Hello PASSers!
What helps end global starvation, protects you from deadly diseases, prevent global warming, aids in ending world-wide suffering, preserves depleting natural resources, counteracts pollution, helps you maintain a healthy diet AND makes you live longer? Stumped? It’s called Vegetarianism. I don’t want to sound like a hippie-tree-hugging-health-freak, but Vegetarianism really does counteract an astounding amount of our health and environmental concerns.
Random Interesting Facts:
It requires 10 times as many crops to feed animals being bred for meat production as it would to feed the same number of people on a vegetarian diet.
Additionally, animals raised for food in the U.S. consume 90 percent of the soy crop, 80 percent of the corn crop, and a total of 70 percent of its grain.
If all the grain currently fed to livestock in the United States were consumed directly by people, the number of people who could be fed would be nearly 800 million.
Animal agriculture has been pointed out as one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases – responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalents.
If you would like to learn more, please visit these sites for more information =].
http://www.goveg.com/vegetarian101.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarian
<3 Leah Acosta
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