Finding new ways to be ahead of the curve....

If you're an online student (like me) or considering online learning, there is a way to familiarize yourself the course material before class starts. When you first log on to Blackboard, you can print out the syllabus, what material the first week's readings will cover, and any supplementary notes that you can then study and read over once more to get the material fresh in your mind. This will then help you to contribute more significantly to any discussion boards that you have in that class, and it would really help you in any homework assignments you have. Then you would do better on any tests and have an excellent understanding of the material, which would certainly help you in the long run when you get out into the working world.

So which course material have I printed out? I think you know, but I'll say it anyway: statistics. I printed out the syllabus (for keeping up with the weekly readings, assignments, and discussion boards. The first chapter was actually pretty simple, so it'll be more of a review; however, the more complex topics are what I'll give more careful attention to this time around. As Professor Feinstein pointed out--and I failed to realize when taking statistics the first time--it is truly a different course from algebra, and this is where I may have made my mistake initially (in addition to not allowing sufficient study time). Of course, I intend to take all of my studies and courses very seriously, but this will help me to get a significant head start (particularly since I already have the book and can read the required chapters before the session actually begins).

One more week....

And after that, a new session starts!!! I already have one of the books I need, so I'm going to get the other books that I need and get a head start on reading the material and posting to the discussion board. I also plan to be more active in the clubs, possibly scheduling time off to get to the West Paterson campus. I've only been to the Newark campus of Berkeley College so far, and I really want to see what the West Paterson campus looks like (I've heard that it's really beautiful). One's thing for sure, though: I won't miss the unmistakable Berkeley College logo on the building.

But back to the new session: I'm really excited (as usual; I'm probably the only one who gets this excited when a new quarter starts). As long as I keep going and don't take a break for any reason, then I'm guaranteed to finish what I started in terms of schooling. I don't want this to be like the last time I went to college; I want this to be the last stop in terms of schooling. And one other thing I've noticed is how often the alumni check in and read these blogs. That, in itself, is an encouragement to me, that they care that much about how their fellow students are doing.

New classes posted....

So I'm perusing the course documents for some of the classes that I'm taking next semester; Finance 310 actually has the slides for the first couple of chapters that we'll be going over. I am very excited to be going into a new quarter, learning new things, and "meeting" new students. This finance class looks to be dealing more with the insurance side of things, which will be pretty interesting to learn about--especially when you consider what types of insurance you'll have to buy for things such as cars, homes, and other household items like computers. I wonder if this course will delve deeper into health insurance, as well?

I will also be taking Intercultural Communication as my other Liberal Arts elective. This will be an interesting course to consider, as well, when we consider the different languages and cultures we have in the United States alone, as well as worldwide. This will also be helpful when we consider how to communicate with others on a business level in a way that gains their understanding and doesn't risk offending them.

Statistics is the one I'm concerned about, for obvious reasons, but I have faith in myself that I'll do it this time. As long as I get an understanding of the material and ask the professor for help where I need it, I'll be fine. And I'll finally see an A in the final grade column when I complete the course.

Perusing Career Servics more and more.....

I like the fact that they have guidelines for when we're out in the real world after we've graduated and we're looking for a job in our field. I like what was mentioned, too, about internships and how we should show initiative, even if we don't have anything specifically assigned to do. Another document that I've recently discovered that can help Berkeley students is the "Classic Interview Do's and Don'ts" (or, what to say or not say or do or not do). Many of us feel that we can ace an interview simply by telling the employer what we think he or she wants to hear, but it's often these very responses that can sink us before the interview is even over.

My favorite experience is the experience of the gentleman who told his prospective employer that he left his last job because his boss was a "snotty little rich kid who went to Haa-vud law school"...only to find that his prospective employer was, himself, a Harvard graduate. It also helps to do a little research on the company, a lesson learned the hard way by a young woman who interviewed for a position with Pizza Hut, which is owned by PepsiCo. When offered a beverage, she asked for a Coke; both she and the job were history.

Another thing that is common interview ettiquette--that many of us fail to even take notice of--is the thank-you notice. Even if we don't get the job, we thank the employer for his or her time and consideration, so that we may be thought of favorably the next time a job opens up with that particular firm.

So I posed the idea of a financial plan to the Finance Club....

I think it would really help us to not only get our finances together, but to get to know and encourage one another as students. In fact, I was sharing what I've learned with some of my co-workers, and they all agreed that having a financial plan makes sense in order to accomplish any goals that you've set out for yourself. When you think about it, that applies to any aspect of your life; you need a plan. That definitely applies to going back to school, as well.

Speaking of planning, I've found another way that this will help me. For the money that I don't spend on vending machine snacks, I can purchase snacks from the store to get me through the week, as well as lunch meats and drinks that would run me a fraction of the cost of what I would otherwise spend. I had brought this up online during one of the Healthy Cafe discussion boards, and the professor agreed that this was a good way to up one's finances and shrink one's waistline. The more money you spend on non-essential--okay, junk--food items, the less money you'll have and the more weight and stress you'll have (I learned all of this from reading the discussion boards at the Healthy Cafe). So this is not a New Year's resolution, but a resolution for life; I'm going to work, work, work at it until I get it right. And that continues to include the classes that I've signed up for, as well. (I feel like such a cheerleader now, rallying the students to action, but I kinda like being Berkeley's cheering section.)

I have to take Statistics again...

I'm prepared this time, though; I'll have my TI-83 ready for class, and I'm really going to make a concerted effort to understand the material better this time, as I really want to pass the course this time around. I know I'm not an idiot, but I really didn't take to the information the first time around, and it showed. I did well on some homework assignments, but for the most part, I lacked an understanding of the material. Am I embarrassed to share these things with you, Berkeley students? No, because each experience is a teaching tool for me to learn and to grow from. For instance, this term, I learned that no matter what adversities I face, I still have a goal and a vision that I want to achieve; and that I've come too far to let anything stop me now. I've invested time and energy into making sure that I don't make the same mistake of jumping ship when things get hectic. Again--and this bears repeating--this can help one to develop a strong work ethic.

I'm basically done with Finance for this term, with the exception of a discussion board and a survey that I have to complete. I could've done better on my financial plan, but I can always review and adjust it for future use. I will always take what I've learned from this class and put it to good use, because the information that I obtained is invaluable. In fact, anyone can benefit from the practical information found in both the textbook readings and the financial plans. And the discussions were always very interesting and spirited; apparently, I'm not the only one who can benefit more from bringing lunch to work and healthy snacks, as opposed to frequenting the vending machine. I look forward to what the new quarter will bring.

Finance has been an eye-opener....

So we just discussed our weekly log that we've been keeping in Finance class, and the opportunity costs associated with what we've decided to spend money on. I discovered, first of all, that I spend WAY too much money on junk foods and/or snacks. Over the course of eleven weeks, I spent a whopping total of $165 on daily travels to the snack machine. This money could've been put to better use: better investments, paying down of debts, etc. There was no way that this benefitted me financially or health-wise. So I'm going to make it my business and my resolve to readjust and reexamine my spending and find ways to make my dollars stretch further and to acquire what I need. This is a great class for students looking for ways to spend and save money--wisely.

This would actually go along with what I'm learning about in the Healthy Cafe. We were talking about ways to save money and be healthy, and cutting down on junk food and replacing it with healthier snacks and drinks for the week would be one way to do this. For instance, if we spent 18.76 on lunch, we could take that same 18.76 and buy lunch meat, bread, juice drinks (or bottled water) for a week or two; and that way, we could reinvest any leftover monies into savings for a future purchase. This is what I plan to do in the very near future (tomorrow, to be exact).

FINALLY!!! I'm set for the new quarter....

Yes, I finally hunkered down and checked my e-mails and registered for classes for next quarter. I know I probably shouldn't be sharing this information with people, but in a way, it's good for me and for prospective students who might be in a similar situation--whether it's their first time in school or they're re-entering the educational system. This quarter has been a true testament to my endurance and the belief that if I want something bad enough, then nothing can dissuade me. Truthfully, this is one of the most trying quarters I've had since my enrollment at Berkeley College, and if there were ever a time for me to give up and throw in the towel, this would be it. But I haven't, and I won't. Life is going to be full of setbacks and challenges, and how you handle things when you're in school will determine how you handle life's problems.

Which brings me to my Marriage and Families class; this class is a good one that helps prepare us for the real world and deal with issues as they pertain to young men and women who either hope to enter the workforce when they graduate or be stay-at-home parents (men are starting to make up more of the parents who stay home with their children while their wives work). This class has taught me that many women have many roles: wife, mother, employee, etc. and can successfully balance them if she has the training and life experience to deal with such situations. But it is also helpful for single students who are in the workforce while trying to balance schoolwork with work and home life.

Two more weeks and a new quarter starts....

Where has the time gone? I guess it's true what they say: Time sure flies when you're having fun....although I wouldn't exactly call this semester a barrel of laughs (I've really struggled through some tough stuff this quarter). But it has flown quickly, and I look forward to being challenged academically, as well as really participating in club activities and really immersing myself in other school activities, like trips and on-campus mixers.

This week we're turning in our "Creating Your Own Financial Plan" project for Finance; I've really learned a lot about myself and how I can accumulate savings and get the most out of my money with regard to short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.

In Sociology, we learned about family life and work. We also discussed the roles of women in the workplace and how we've made some advancements, but still have some struggles. Women are often underemployed, particularly if they have children. The reason for this is because of inadequate and/or unaffordable child care options; many mothers are working part-time to either contribute to the household or to run it. They cannot afford the luxury of full-time care on a part-time salary; on the other hand, if they work full-time, they cannot afford to spend time with their children and watch them grow from day to day.

This week's Marriage and Families...

This week, we discussed raising children and different parenting styles. Four of them were discussed, three at great length. One of them was the authoritarian style, which discouraged free exchange of thoughts and ideas and basically taught children "be seen and not heard" or "do as I say". One of the positives (in fact, the ONLY positive) associated with this style of discipline is that children are taught early on to respect parental authority. The negatives are many, including low self-esteem, depression, irritability, moodiness, and unfriendliness.

The permissive parenting style does not impose any restrictions on a child or children, and they are encouraged to do as they please. The positive aspect of this type of parenting is that children are given confidence and self-esteem and not hemmed in by rules. The negative aspects are that children who are raised with this style of parenting are often immature, rebellious, and irresponsible in their adolescent--and quite possibly, their adult--years.

The authoritarian style of parenting is demanding and restrictive, but to the proper degree. Verbal give-and-take is encouraged, with parents focusing on the rights of the children as well as of themselves to parent. This produces focused, respectful, achievement-oriented children in the long run.

The fourth style of parenting is uninvolved parenting. This type of parenting shows little or no interest in what a child is doing or has done, be it good or bad. Uninvolved parents can be seen as neglectful in the eyes of society.

Taking this course really helps where I work, where I do see all different types of parenting styles; and I think about how I want my own children to be raised. Education is very important in this regard; also, if one wants to become a social worker, he or she would have to know the signs to look for in a family if there is evidence of discord, stress, or abuse.

I have to get moving....

I still haven't registered for the coming quarter; I know, you might say, "What's wrong with you?" But again, this has been a particularly tough time for me. It's not an excuse; it's just that some things have taken place that have sort of thrown me for a loop. I won't let that happen to me again, though, no matter how bad things may get. I intend to rectify this come Monday.

So we're discussing marketing research this week, and the different ways that firms market to customers and prospective customers based on their spending habits and patterns. Truthfully, although it can help in determining a customer's interests and helps a company to determine what may best suit a customer's needs, it is also somewhat invasive and impersonal. A computer is allowed to gather information about you based on what you spend, and one of the main ways they can do so is through the use of the store cards that many stores offer these days. Credit card purchases are also tracked, so as to allow a company to send you coupons for use on products that you normally buy or similar products.

This keeping of a daily spending log for Finance is a really helpful tool (I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating). I have cut back on unnecessary spending in so many ways because of it, and I might have a dollar or two to retire with, after all.

Disappointment...

I am disappointed with myself this quarter (and no, not because of my grades or anything). I'm disappointed because despite joining two online clubs in an effort to be more than just a student in academics only, I haven't really participated in them the way that I feel that I should. So, I'm just taking this time out to apologize to any faculty and students who might be reading. I've had some personal setbacks this term that I won't really get into in this blog, but mark my words: I WILL DO BETTER. I will start making more use of the Student Services, Financial Aid, and Career Services sections on Blackboard, as well (and Carol, I haven't forgotten you, either; I just need to get you an updated pic).

Well, back to the class front, we're doing some research online with regard to stocks for Finance. While we're all pretty hopeful that the market will eventually turn itself around, you can't blame us if we sound less than hopeful. From what I've heard economic analyst say, they haven't seen the economy this bad since the Great Depression--and they fear that it'll be worse than that. I wonder what the Finance Club's take is on the economic crisis facing us. I'll definitely be checking in these next couple of weeks.

In sociology (Marriage and Families), we're learning about child rearing and differences in parenting and discipline styles. This chapter was a challenge to me, considering that the way I was raised is what some people look down on. But for the most part, I saw myself in the light of a child who was loved and well taken care of, particularly inspiring considering my mom was a single mother of THREE. But she went to school, worked part-time, and kept us clothed and fed, and kept a roof over our heads, contrary to some of the findings in the book concerning African Americans and parenting.

Sociology test....

I just turned in this week's sociology GHA, and it was a discussion on singlehood and why people choose to be single and what some of the common myths are about singlehood. One of the reasons mentioned that people are remaining single for a longer period of time is to focus on school and their careers. And I thought about that with regard to my situation; I know that right now I'm in no position to get married and care for anyone else other than me (although I do have a niece who I'm responsible for). While being single, I can complete my education and get myself set before I can focus on a husband and family.

Think about it; I'm learning valuable life lessons right now in class that can help me if I should ever choose to get married (which I'd like to, but I'll be fine if I don't, because I'll know how to take care of me). With regard to finance, I'm learning how to make wise choices that will make me savvy with my money; with regard to marketing, I'm learning how to present my "product"--myself--to prospect employers; and with regard to sociology, I'm learning how to be a better person and a productive citizen.

Rate of return on investments.

This is one of the things we discussed in Finance this week. We talked about why it is important to diversify investments, and how risk was related to the rate of return on investments. The one thing that was mentioned was that diversification was important because while it didn't guarantee a return on investments made, your money spread out in different investments would have a greater chance of a higer return than all of one's eggs put into the proverbial basket. For instance, the employees who invested all of their funds in Enron stocks lost their entire investments. If they had diversified portfolios, they might not have lost their entire investments. We also talked about how the rate of return was related to risk; it stands to reason that the higher the return expected on an investment, the higher the risk was for that investment. For instance, with a stock vs. a CD, a CD guaranteed a return on investment, but at a lower rate, whereas a stock yielded a higher rate of return, but the risk was higher because there is no guarantee that the stockholder or investor would get a return on their investments. The chapter implored investors to consider the pros and cons of different investments and to make the wisest choices for themselves.

In sociology this week, we discussed the concept of cohabitation. Some of the suggested advantages of cohabitation were as follows: ease of terminating a relationship if it didn't work out, getting to really know a person when you live with them, and separate family lives (visiting with one's own family members separate from their partners). One of the disadvantages included not being able to collect on a partner's insurance for oneself and any kids created during the time of cohabitation in the event that one's partner dies or otherwise defects from the relationship. Another disadvantage is that more women find themselves caring for more of the domestic responsibilities than married women, as the partner is not that committed to the relationship.

In marketing, we learned about one-on-one marketing and how companies can utilize this particular marketing strategy to build their customer base by paying attention to customer purchase patterns and targeting that customer or those customers with specific merchandise and/or mailings.

Identity theft is REAL....

Another thing we learned about this past week in Finance is the use of credit cards and how we can guard against identity theft. Many times, we can become victims of identity theft through our own carelessness. One thing that was mentioned was the carrying around of one's social security card in a wallet or purse; in the event that such is lost or stolen and your Social Security number is in your purse, a thief could use that number to gain access to valuable information, including financial records, statements, and the like. Once such information is obtained, fraudulent bank and/or credit card accounts can be used in your name. One can even become a victim of medical identity theft, where a thief may glean information and obtain medical services in another person's name through fraudulent means. Meanwhile, the victim is left holding the bag--literally and figuratively, having to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to clear his or her good name and restore his or her credit standing (which can never be fully repaired once it is breached).

Some of the things suggested in the chapter included: shredding all financial statements, shredding pre-approved credit applications as opposed to just tossing them into the garbage, shredding receipts with the credit card numbers on them, not carrying around one's social security card unless he or she needs it for a specific purpose that day, using only secure websites when making purchases online with a credit card, and not including your social security number on check stubs on workplace IDs. These are just some of the things that can be done on our part to help avoid identity theft.

Race, religion, and romance....

This sociology class is not what I expected; it actually delves into so much more of what's going on in our society. This week, we're discussing the dating process, and the discussion board question dealt with criteria that we have for choosing a partner/mate. A few of us touched on the race and religion aspects, saying that while we would choose someone similar in faith to us, we wouldn't necessarily choose someone who was the same race/ethnicity as us. Another very inportant question that was asked with regard to the mating and selection process was: How much influence do your family and friends have over your choices? While we would like to say "none"--and particularly, as adult women--the truth is, to some degree, we still hold to some of what our loved ones say. At the same time, however, many of us have recognized that ultimately, we have to follow our hearts and our own minds in this regard in order to truly be happy.

In Finance this week, we learned about insurance and the different types of insurance. We also learned what the function of insurance is: to protect your assets and guard against liabilities of any sort. It also helps to preserve your level of wealth in the event of an unforeseen occurence. We also talked about HMOs and PPOs and what questions we should ask before considering either an HMO or a PPO (I have the former, unfortunately).

Credit cards and creditworthiness....

In my finance class this past week, we talked about how creditors determine your creditworthiness. Some of the things they check include your FICO score, your personal cash flow statements, and your payment history (how much have you borrowed in the past and how timely have your payments been?). These factors are important to a company; if your credit history is less than satisfactory, you could be considered a great credit risk and the company takes the risk of the debt not being satisfied. They also consider things like income and assets, which they can use as collateral to satisfy a debt/loan obligation.

Not to be left out, credit factors can also affect your search for a job. Many employers are now doing credit checks on prospective employees, and they tend to look more favorably on applicants whose debt load is low than on an applicant who has less cash flow and more debt.

The chapter also talked about how we can use credit cards wisely and thus avoid the trap of falling into debt (or deeper into debt); one of the hardest--but best--things we can do for ourselves is to not use a credit card UNLESS we are absolutely sure that we can pay the balance the next time the bill cycle comes around.

The roles of men and women in society....

So this week, we're expounding on the topic of relationships and certain "roles" that men and women are expected to play in society. Without going too much into detail or getting too explicit, we again have the glaring--and maddening--double standard, which suggests that it's okay for a man to engage in certain behaviors, but is frowned down upon if women engage in this same behavior. It all goes back to upbringing in the families; boys are encouraged to express themselves freely and are permitted to engage in certain activities; while girls are supposed to be nice, quiet, and dainty. Should a girl show any signs of aggression, she could be viewed unfavorably by not only family and friends, but by society as a whole.

This is of concern for those of us in school or the workplace. When we enter the workplace, if people continue to hold to these perceptions of what is acceptable behavior for men and what's acceptable behavior for women, then we will continue to have issues of sex and gender come up in the workplace, such as sexism, sexual harrassment, and other related issues. I remember going over this information at work and the gentleman I worked with told me that for what I do, this type of course is necessary. And he's right; it's only by understanding our co-workers and our clientele and what they define as "normal" behavior for themselves and their families that we can satisfactorily meet their needs. And this is interrelated in the other two courses that I'm taking, as well.

The feminization of love....

In sociology (Marriages and Families), we are discussing love and loving relationships and how love is multi-faceted and different for different situations. One of the things we also discusses was the feminization of love, which focuses more on feminine qualities of love and excludes the masculine, rarely noticed masculine qualities. The feminization of love suggests that by focusing exclusively on the female emotions and actions of love, we exclude men's loving contributions to a relationship simply because they show their love in different ways.

The chapter also discussed the maddening double standard: men who can date as many women as possible without commitment and be considered a "stud", "the man", etc. But a woman who does so is not as respected, and this is a concern to many because it hinders the development of love. In fact, it is suggested that this double standard creates a lack of mutual trust and respect.

Going further into the chapter, we also read about jealous and stalking; stalking is defined as behaviors that invade a person's privacy and cause fear (such as telephone harrassment and surveillance). With the advancement of technology also comes cyberstalking, which is threatening behavior or unwanted advances using e-mail, instant messaging, and other electronic communications devices.

Global marketing and MTV....

So we're talking about global marketing in Mktg 220, and MTV was our discussion board topic this week. We talked about how MTV is one of the premiere cable entertainment channels, and how they're reaching out to customers abroad. One of the ways--which I thought was really neat--is that they actually have a virtual veejay in their Asian market named LiLi, who speaks five different languages. So, five different languages for five different segments of the Asian market will be able to get the music and culture to the masses and the markets MTV hopes to serve. I think about that in terms of its American audience, too; we have certain shows marketed to certain cultures in this country, as well. Another thing that MTV has done in terms of reaching its global audience is meeting with respected leaders regarding the concerns they may have had about their culture being Westernized by MTV. President Bill Roedy meets extensively with such leaders to assure them that their concerns will not be unheeded, that he only means to bring entertainment that they, too, can enjoy.

So this is another thing those considering a career in marketing would want to take note of: we concern ourselves with not offending those of other cultures if we want their continued support of our products. Extensive research and study is necessary to make sure that we respect their local customs while promoting our brand.

This week in Marriages and Families, we're considering love, relationships, and sexuality. More on that later, but I can guarantee that this will be one spirited conversation.

This finance class is helping me so much....

So for finance, we've been building a financial plan, based on our income, assets, and outflows of cash. Well, I've figured out a way to beef up savings immediately, and I can use this next paycheck to do it. I've decided to pay off my credit cards with the lowest balances first, so that there's no longer a need for that money to go out of my account. Sure, it's one credit card at a time, but once they're all paid off and I stick to a budget and buy what I can afford with cash only, then I'll start to see a rise in savings. Self-control and budgeting is the key. And the neat thing is that the book we're using came with a notepad for writing down everything we spend money on daily. This is good for those of you interested in a career in the business and finance field.

In marketing, we discussed the influence of marketing and labeling as a means to attract customers. The one company we focused on was Rockstar Video, who are responsible (and might I add, in a BAD way--though you can be sure it's just my opinion) for the creation of the game "Vice City". We talked about the case where two youngers were arrested for going on a killing spree; and when asked why they did what they did, they cited boredom and being influenced by the aforementioned game. The Chief Operating Officer, of course, stated that it was not his responsibility to parent and that the M rating alone should suffice; otherwise the government would be stifling "free speech" and "creative expression". He also went on to say that the game was for adult males who wanted to release tension. In an age where disregard and disrespect for life is all too rampant, we don't need video games reminding us of the grim realities of life or continuously targeting women and minorities, stating that it's just harmless fun. This is what the two youngsters stated; yet, these people can't come back in the next round. They're dead. This is also something for those interested in marketing to consider, as well.

Sociology can be maddening and interesting...

So this week we're discussing social learning theory (learned and biological behaviors), and it's interesting to note that in almost every society, women are almost always undervalued. In some societies, it's even illegal for a woman to know how to read. The most pervasive idea of all is that women are simply put here for the purpose of bearing children, keeping house, and looking pretty. This is reinforced consciously and subconsciously; "Boys will be boys" while "nice girls stay out of trouble". This ultimately means that little girls aren't expected to raise their voices in jest or in anger, while this type of behavior is "expected" from little boys.

However, what I read was particularly interesting with regard to one of New Guinea's cultures; it is the exact opposite in the Tchambuli culture. The men adorned themselves for festivals and kept house and performed the "traditional" roles that women performed, such as caring for the home and the children. The women went out and worked and hunted for food. When I read that there was a culture out there like that, I was shocked and intrigued. For so many years, we learn what our "roles" are in society; we are not used to having the norms challenged.

Putting together my financial portfolio is somewhat difficult. It requires forethought and planning, ranging from short-term financial goals to long-term financial goals. I know I'll be able to do it, though. I just have to consider how much I'm spending per month (or on a daily basis) and where I want to be in the next 5-1o years.

Finance and Accounting Club....

So I just recently checked the Berkeley Blackboard, and I've discovered that the Finance and Accounting club will have some activities planned for us this quarter. I'm going to email the contact person and find out when these activities are so that I can plan my days off from work accordingly. This will be the first time that I actually get to interact with students face to face on a Berkeley College campus; in the Newark campus, I was just there to do work, and I was gone. This time, I'll be talking with other students and giving my input.

On the classroom side, we have another assessment to take in Sociology. This one deals with social theory, and we were asked to talk about the roles each person in our household fulfilled. Well, my mom was one who was both mother and father because my father was deceased. She managed to raise two of us, work, finish school and graduate. This is part of the reason that I've gone back to school; my mom showed us not just by words, but by action, that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve it.

This discussion on culture is pretty interesting....

So as I posted previously, we've been discussing culture and family and what the two really mean to us, in terms of our experiences, upbringings, and backgrounds. What an interesting revelation has taken place among us. Some of the things that we've been brought up with (belief systems, traditions, customs, etc.) we hold dear, while others we don't necessarily agree with. And what I've been learning about some of my classmates' cultures is pretty interesting, as well. Some of them are not that different from my own, in fact, like one person's cultures views on cohabitation and whether or not that defines a family.

It's interesting because for all of our differences--language, ethnic background, social status--we're really not that different from each other. We all want to live happy, fulfilling lives (some of us with children, some of us without children). A deeper understanding of cultures will point us in the right direction so that we can make the choices that will benefit us (from whether or not we choose to work or stay home with our children).

As far as Finance goes, I've been keeping a log of my spending for about two weeks now, and I'm WELL over the $400 mark. I've seriously got to do better in curbing my expenditures, examining expensive habits and substituting them for less expensive, yet effective, ones. This would help to increase cash inflow and net worth and wealth.

How would you define culture?

So this week in Soc 410, we're being asked to define culture in our own terms. To me, culture is an expression of who you are and the way you're used to living: your norms, your customs, your beliefs, etc. However, it got a little tricky when I was asked to describe my family culture. My family's ethnic background is African American; however, we are so vastly different, even within the family unit. We have so many different beliefs, likes, dislikes, political views, etc., that it's hard to pin down exactly how I would or could define African American culture, even within the unit that I was born into. My brother isn't necessarily religious, but does express a belief in spiritual things; while my mother and I belong to practiced religion, but different organizations.

Even long-held views about the types of music we like, the clothes we wear, or the ways we style our heads of hair, get different responses from among us in the African American community. So Berkeley College, how do YOU define culture? We could even say that the school, itself, is a culture; we adhere to a certain cirriculum of learning, although the subjects we choose to sign up for may be vastly different. We then come together--either via classroom or the Internet via Discussion boards--and exchange these views and point out our similarities, as well as our differences.

In Finance, we were asked to calculate our debt using MSN's money calculator. While it turns out that I'm handling my debt obligations pretty well, I could stand to do more to beef up my savings for the future; as we all know, people are living well into their 90's and 100's and cannot afford the basic necessities. So by preparing now, we can ensure our futures.

Marketing is really interesting.....

We learned in Chapter 1 that marketing is not only the responsibility of the marketing department, but that of the whole organization. And that's very true; as the chapter brought out, a customer can make a marketing decision when he or she is deciding what to buy or what appeals to his or her needs and wants, and can decide whether or not to deal with an organization based on experiences with just ONE member of the staff. For instance, if a customer has a good experience with an employee in a store or other organization, he or she will recommend the business to his or her friends, and there will be not only repeat business from the satisfied customers, but new business from friends and family members.

However, all it takes is one negative experience to do just the opposite, no matter how satisfied the customer has been in the past. A rude employee can do much to hurt the image of a company, no matter how sterling its reputation has been in the eyes of the customer in the past. So all must learn to play a part in effective marketing, from our dealings with customers down to our goods and services. We should try to focus more on the marketing concept--which states that customer satisfaction, not sales, should be our focus as well as meeting organizational goals.

Just thumbing through my Marriage and Families book, I saw some pretty interesting topics for discussion. The first chapter we have to study deals with the changing definition of family from the traditional family (a husband who's the breadwinner; a wife who's the homemaker; and any children that may be in the home). There are other chapters, however, that I believe will challenge what I hold true, and that I may get somewhat perturbed by what the readings are suggesting (one chapter, in particular, has to do with rearing children). But I will remain respectful and courteous of all my classmates and try to explain my beliefs and values in the best way I can. After all, we are all different, and our upbringings don't make us any better or worse than anybody else.

The new quarter's here!!! The new quarter's here!!!!

Man, am I excited about THIS quarter!!!! "What's so different about this quarter?" you might ask. Well, in Finance 305, we're being asked to do something that I don't think I've ever been asked to do before: we are to keep a daily and weekly log of our spending activities. Consequently--and to my dismay--I've discovered that I've been spending WAAAAAAY too much money on snacks and miscellaneous things, and not enough on items that I actually need. So what I hope to take away from this course is how to budget my money wisely, as well as how to make my money grow in the future. (Hey, that might not be a bad topic of conversation for the Finance and Accounting Club: goals regarding how we can spend money wisely and save money for the future.)

Speaking of money, I spent a LOT of it on books for this quarter (well, the books didn't cost that much; it was the expedited shipping fees that put a hole in my pocket). At the same time, though, I didn't owe any balances for the quarter, so the money was available to me to buy the books when I needed them; so this helps me keep abreast of all my current assignments. I just updated my homepage for Soc 410, as per this week's graded homework assignment. And I just have to read Chapter 1 and go over the notes from this week's PowerPoint slide presentation, and I'll be right up to speed. This semester, I'm starting out ahead of the curve.

Speaking of financing and spending wisely, I wonder if we'll touch on the current financial crisis that we're facing in this country right now and how it will affect spending (one of my coworkers has already said that she and her boyfriend have cut down drastically on eating out). Yes, this looks to be a pretty interesting quarter, indeed.

So I already ordered one book....

There was a little bit of confusion as to what editions I was supposed to get, because the syllabus said one edition, and the announcements had another. I guess my Soc410 professor fixed the link, because now the syllabus and the announcements have the same information printed. But I did get my Finance book ordered. I would've ordered the Sociology book already, but I lost my password for the Berkeley Online Bookstore, and I requested it be sent to my email address, and it never appeared. But alas, I can order it from amazon.com with expedited shipping, and it'll be at my location in a couple of days. So I can keep up with the notes and discussion boards, in the meantime.

Also, looking at Blackboard, I noticed that this quarter's Virtual Job Fair is November 7, 2008. I'm going to try and send my e-mail via the Internet for some of the companies that looked pretty interesting. I'm also going to make it a point to look more at the Career Services board this quarter.

So far, I haven't really been keeping up with the water-drinking challenge from the Healthy Cafe Club. I will make a more earnest effort, though, because I know how important water intake is. Water makes up about 65% of one's body, blood being the other 35%. It also flushes out the impurities in our system, so that we can be healthy and productive. I'm also going to see how I can spend more wisely on foods and link that with the project that I'll be doing for Finance 305.

Next week starts a new term...

I've already started reading some of the work we're doing for Finance305; we're to keep a weekly log of our spending (what we spend our money on daily, such water, coffee, candy, etc.), as well as come up with a financial plan for ourselves. This looks like it will be a pretty interesting class, not to mention an interesting semester. I'm gonna order the books this week, as well, soon that I'll have what I need next week.

For the Healthy Cafe club, Professor Cohen also wants us to do something; she wants us to wear seven bangles and for each glass of water we drink per day, we're to move one bangle to the other arm. In that way, we'll see how much water we really take in per day and see if we can increase our water intake. Smart, fun, and innovative--not to mention promoting healthy habits.

But getting back to finance for a while, I wonder if we'll ever be asked to do fun projects like the one in Finance305 for the Finance and Accounting Club? Because when I think of finance, I think of ways to save and grow money. So that was a thought that had occurred to me. Time will tell as we go forward in the quarter(s).

So the quarter's over for me....

I'm just waiting for the new quarter to start. Well, as it turns out, I have to take statistics over. I'll admit it, I didn't do as well as I would've liked this semester, but I didn't think I was doing that badly. But I won't cower in embarrassment. I'll just use this opportunity to learn from my past mistakes so that I can avoid repeating them. While I wouldn't say I slacked off this term, I would say that I didn't give it my usual attention, and my grades reflected that. At the same time, I was also thinking that I probably wouldn't be able to attend school this quarter and have to wait for the fall, anyway (long story), so when I found out that I was able to attend school, I was already a week or two behind. And with math classes, once you fall behind, it's a little harder to catch up. This is a temporary setback that I mean to correct. I want to show the professors--and the staff in general--at Berkeley that I do take my education very seriously.

On a lighter note, I am still going to pose my idea to the Finance and Accounting Club for a mixer for the club members to get to know each other and come up with some interesting ideas for each quarter or each meeting. I also want to come up with some ideas for the Healthy Cafe club, such as a healthy mixer for all of the students of Berkeley College (maybe even from different Berkeley campuses).

A close call....

Well, as it turns out yesterday, I had saved my final GHA to Content Collection in Blackboard, but for some reason, the library computer wouldn't allow me to upload the file (my local library's computer, that is). Thank God I had the presence of mind to print out a copy of the final GHA; I was able to re-type it up and answer the questions in the format that the professor required. I thought I was sunk, for sure.

But the last two weeks have been pretty interesting, as far as topics for discussion were concerned. We talked about employment-at-will, unionization in jobs (and how to avoid it), and electronic monitoring of employees (for purposes of curtailing inappropriate Internet use and misuse of other electronic equipment such as e-mail or voicemail).

Employment-at-will is a rather controversial subject; it states that either the employer or the employee can terminate the business relationship with or without reason. Well, some employers have taken liberties with this approach, firing individuals for whatever reasons they see fit that are not always related to job performance; it could be due to economic downturn. This is what I believe I was a victim of when I worked for Lord & Taylor; they never talked to me about my performance, so as far as I knew, I was doing a great job. I was never later and never had a discipline problem. And then, all of a sudden, I got called into the office and was told I was being fired. If I'd known then what I know now, I would've fought them on it. But it was very interesting to note that I could apply almost every aspect of this class to some part of my work life.

Electronic monitoring of employee use of the Internet is also a controversial topic, because it touches on employee rights. But at the same time, employees using company time for personal means is inappropriate, so these things must be dealt with, as well.

Unionization is another touchy subject; employees want to feel protected and secure in their jobs, and sometimes they feel like the best way to do that is to form a union. But unionization can be avoided if the employer makes sure labor laws are followed to the "T" and that employees are earning a competitive rate compared with similar organizations in the city in which they operate.

I have my final statistics exam soon....

I'll admit it, I'm a bit nervous about it, as the past few weeks have been particularly challenging with regard to the topics covered in class. While I've been practicing over and over using Excel, I keep making some mistakes that I'm afraid may cost me on the last two assignments I have due. But I'm gonna make it my aim this weekend to study, study, study. As we know, prior proper planning prevents poor performance.

With regard to this week's GHA for Human Resource Management, I have a feeling that I did really well. I'm less confident about my discussion board grade this week, however, because I tried to post to Blackboard several times this week, and for some reason, it wouldn't take. I finally submitted my original post via email to my instructor. But as it turned out, there were other students who were having the same trouble, so maybe I won't be penalized.

Once again, I am looking forward to the new quarter, particularly Soc410. I really feel that it will touch on many of the topics we covered in Human Resource Management this quarter, but with a particular focus on how it affects women. Being an African American female, I'm sure that I will have PLENTY to contribute to the discussion boards--at the same time, being courteous and respectful of all of my fellow students.

The official winding down process begins...

So, this is the next to last week of classes for the summer session, and I'm anxious to begin the new term. I want to order my books as soon as possible so that I'm not waiting for them after the new term has already begun. I have three more exams to take, as well as some posting to the message boards that I have to complete by late tonight/early tomorrow. I also want to peruse the Healthy Cafe and Finance and Accounting message boards, as well as Career Services. I specifically want to peruse Career Services so that I can keep an eye on upcoming events at Berkeley College, like the Job Fairs that we have periodically. Even if I can't attend, I can at least see which companies will be there, and I can contact them, telling them that I'm a student at Berkeley College and would very much like the opportunity to interview with them.

Speaking of the Healthy Cafe, I notice that sometimes the other online clubs have such activities as mixers and parties for the members to reunite and discuss business, as well as meet new and prospective members. I haven't seen that for the Healthy Cafe, and maybe I could suggest that to the professor. And we'll have healthy food, drink, and snacks for all in attendance as we discuss ways to be physically and mentally healthy, as this would go a long way in our being productive students.

This week's statistics....

This week, we learned about correction of continuity and approximating the binomial distribution by using the norma distribution. You use the normal distribution by following these steps:

Verify that the binomial distribution applies
Determine if you can use the normal distribution to approximate X, the binomial variable.
Find the mean and standard deviation for the distribution.
Apply the appropriate continuity correction. Shade the corresponding area under the normal curve.
Find the corresponding z-scores.
Find the probability.

Do I know what all of this means? I'm still working on it, but I have tried out some of the problems using Excel, and this week I used it on my homework. It worked out exactly as it should, although I'm still trying to understand the concept of it all. I did take this point away, however: approximating a binomial distribution is concerned with finding the approximate number; it either has to be greater than/equal to or less than/equal to the number to its left or right.

So I finally got my grade for my Human Resource Management class...

While I got a good grade, I did get some feedback from the teacher on how she wants me to submit my tests (format, etc.). This is probably the difference between my 80's and the 100's that I'd prefer. But I am really learning a lot, and it will definitely help out when I take my Soc410 class this coming quarter. We will most likely delve deeper into topics dealing with race, class, and gender. And again, I look forward to well-thought-out responses to the professors' discussion board questions from our bright, intelligent student body.

And speaking of student bodies, I wonder when we will have new messages on our discussion board on the Healthy Cafe discussion board? I really enjoyed what I read in the past, but I look forward to reading more of what insights the professor has to offer as far as healthy tips that can not only slim our waistlines, but fatten our pockets (i.e., not spending so much money on junk food, but using that money to buy our lunch items for the week).

I also plan to make more use of the Career Services section, as well as get more prospective students interested in Berkeley by talking about all the activities there, as well as pointing out the benefits and challenges of online/distance learning vs. classroom learning. With Berkeley, you're sure to get a superior education, either way. However, what works for one student may not necessarily work for the other.

Week 9 is upon us already....

Wow, I can't believe that in three short weeks, we'll be starting a new quarter. I'll start ordering books as soon as possible so that I'm not falling a week behind, the way it did the first quarter I was registered at Berkeley. All my class selections seem to be registered and accounted for (I had to confirm it via email with the Financial Aid office), and now I just need the professors to post the required text books for that class so that I can get a head start. I don't plan to fall behind anymore. This quarter has not been without its challenges, that's for sure, but I feel that I'm working hard and at least understanding the material assigned by my professors. It's less about grades for me this time around, and more about understanding what role these subjects will play in my life in the future.

This brings me back to the normal distribution chapter in Statistics. I am really having quite a time with this subject, but I won't let it get the best of me. I am going to post questions to the professor and have him help me so that the same mistakes I made on the homework assignment won't be repeated on any future tests.

Speaking of tests, I feel really confident about the one I just took for short-term management. I wasn't sure about an answer or two, but I really feel like I did well on this exam. I can only wait to hear from the professor in this regard.

Statistics is getting more challenging....

So I think I've run into one of the more challenging topics in statistics: normal distribution. Who would've ever thought that one chapter would have required so much of my time and attention? But that's a good thing, discipline and a stick-to-it ethic. I know that my studying and understanding of the material will pay off in the long run.

So I was checking the message boards for the online clubs that I'm associated with, and I haven't really seen any new posts. Maybe this period of inactivity is normal for the summertime; I'm just starting out, so I'm not really sure what to expect. In the meantime, I can still benefit from the older, yet still valuable, information.

In regards to my human resource management class, we're now discussing the challenges associated with women in the workplace. A few of them that were touched on included issues of family obligations and sexual harrassment.

Everything takes some getting used to....

Well, it took some getting used to, but I finally am able to follow the formats for the GHAs in Management249 with little to no problems this time. It really takes a lot of study, a review of the information, and really putting things into one's own words and/or understanding. This is what we seem to do more of at Berkeley than at any other school I've been to. I feel that you get a better understanding of the information that way, when you're encouraged to put it into your own words and understanding. The students who succeed in class aren't necessarily the ones who read the material, but the ones who can explain and apply the material.

We already have our assignment for next week for statistics, and I am going to study it very carefully, as usual. It has to do with the normal distribution, and I'm sure that once I see a few examples of the material, as well as trying out a few of the problems on my own, that I'll be able to almost perfectly master that section, as well.

Berkeley College commercials....

So I've been seeing Berkeley College commercials periodically on the t.v., and I get excited, because these are real testimonials from real students about how they either found out about Berkeley or why they re-enrolled in school, and why Berkeley was the choice for them. And I got to thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice if I were ever asked to do a commercial for Berkeley College?"

But then I thought about it some more, and in a way, I and some of the other student bloggers are a commercial for Berkeley College. Think about it: we talk about what led us to Berkeley College as the college of choice; we talk about our class assignments; we talk about the class trips we've either been on or want to go on; we talk about the various services offered through Blackboard; and we also talk about the various online clubs that one can become a part of. We also talk about the do's and don'ts of college life, as well as the benefits and challenges of going to school online vs. on-campus.

And it makes me feel good to know that I'm a part of a growing phenomenon of students who chose Berkeley College--whether as first-time students, transfer students, or students who, for one reason or another, are choosing to come back to school. And this is the truth; when I compare Berkeley to other schools I've ever been to, I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a college experience more. (Now if they could just bring back those Blackboard polls....)

I'm all set for fall...

I just got an email confirming all of my classes for the fall quarter. I'm really excited, as each quarter brings me closer to my graduation day. I'm excited because, as some of you already know--I sound like a broken record by now--I've been trying to get back into school for a couple of years. Well, I finally did it, and it seems nothing can break my stride this time. This isn't to say that it's been all roses and daisies, though; anything worth having is worth working toward. And we all know it doesn't always come easy. Many of us who are in school right now have family and work obligations to contend with--not to mention other obligations (religious, etc.) that we may have to put into perspective.

At the same time, however, we haven't let these things sidetrack us from our goal of finally finishing school and getting a job/career in our field of study so that we can adequately care for our families, as well as be an inspiration to any little ones in our families (I remember writing something along those lines in my essay when I did the placement test for Berkeley College--and again in one of my first few blogs here).

So for whatever reason you've been sidetracked and you're now back in school (and at Berkeley College, in particular), keep forging ahead, because it'll all be worth it in the end. The faculty here at Berkeley will make sure you never slip through the cracks. I remember a particularly rough patch I was going through just before one quarter was to start, and the helping hand I got actually brought tears to my eyes. They really do care about the students here.

"The early bird captures the worm"

You know that old saying, "The early bird captures the worm?" Well, that can certainly apply to registering for courses AS SOON AS REGISTRATION STARTS. Because I hesitated a bit, I actually got closed out of one class (which I plan to register for for the winter quarter), MKT220. So instead, I chose a Liberal Arts elective in its place. But it should be fine, and I plan to buy books at least two weeks prior to classes starting.

On another note, I did my homework assignment for Statistics on probability and got a 100. A 100 on a homework assignment in a math class?!? But as I stated before, I really understand the material in statistics, and I really feel like I'm getting a lot out of this course.

I also submitted my discussion board assignment for Human Resource Management, regarding the pros and cons of personality tests when used to weed out job applicants. On the pro side, you don't waste a lot of time and expense with applicants who just aren't suited for the job; or applicants who are suited, but have the wrong attitude and/or idea about what the job is about. On the minus side, personality tests don't take into account the whole picture--culture/background, religious upbringing, etc. So I stated that while personality tests are fine to use in interviews, they should not be the ONLY determining factor in considering applicants for further interviews.

One Quarter Ends as a New One Starts...

So I finally selected the classes that I want to take during the fall, and I'm now awaiting feedback. I hope to be take Fin300 and 305, as well as Mkt220. These are necessary classes for the field of study I've entered, and so I hope they're available at this point (I never usually wait this late to register for classes). That way, I can start to set aside the money I need for books, since my financial is covered for the following quarter and the winter quarter--which helps me out tremendously.

I'm still working vigorously on my statistics homework, in addition to keeping up with the reading assignments and homework assignments for my other classes. I really, really want to get this down pat; as we all know, math is not my strongest suit, so I really have to work at it. But I am at least understanding statistics (better than algebra, I might add). I am having trouble with the standard deviations in binomials, though, so hopefully the professor can point me in the right direction.

I also have submit my answer for Human Resource Management regarding the pros and cons of personality tests when it comes to the interviewing process. This assignment promises to be very interesting, as applicants and others argue that there is no real way to assess a person's true personality from a test. We use the Library database for most of our research, and the articles have been very helpful.

Blackboard is down...

So it seems that Berkeley Blackboard is down at the moment, just when I was about to register for classes and post to my discussion boards for the week (in my classes and for the online clubs I signed up for). For all my urging current and prospective students to "get on the ball and sign up" for classes when registration starts, it seems I haven't take my own advice this time. But I will definitely sign up as soon as Blackboard comes back up.

On the plus side, all of my assignments are due at the end of the week, so that leaves me more reading, studying, and comprehension time--particularly for a subject like statistics. Staying ahead of the curve definitely helps in classes, particularly in online classes. You just never know when something will come up (an emergency, computer breakdown, etc.), and so it helps when you start at the beginning of the week to study that week's material and don't wait until the last minute, when you'll feel rushed and frustrated and not put forth your best effort to complete the assignment; or you submit your assignment, knowing that you didn't do your best.

But I am excited about the new quarter coming, and once I know which classes I want to take, I look forward again to interacting with fellow students and getting their unique perspectives on certain subjects.

An Adjustment of Sorts

I like the format that my statistics professor has set up for us to do our homework; it is multiple choice, just like our math tests. That means no time frustrating oneself and doing the homework manually (although it does help if you write it out and then come across the same answers in your assignment).

As for my Human Resource Management class, I'm not really used to having to do research on my answers and writing them out in essay format for these GHAs. I must say, it is very challenging, yet rewarding. You're really using your brain to sort out the information that you want to use.

Which brings me to this: I have to make an adjustment of sorts to my way of thinking about the level of difficulty of each class. They are all challenging in their own ways and all merit careful time and attention in order to get the best understanding of the material that there is available, and that we should never be afraid to call on our professors if we do not understand something. This is something for all of us, as prospective or current students, to think about when we think in terms of what will be an 'easy class' for us to pass. Approach it with the same studiousness you would approach a slightly more difficult class, in order to do well in all of your classes.

Fall registration begins...

Fall registration is already upon us of the online variety at Berkeley College. I'll admit it, though; I'm excited. One reason is I'm halfway to the finish line. The second reason is that I'm eager to see what classes they have to offer for both the fall and winter quarters. I understand that I'll have to take other computer courses, and I'm eager to start applying some of them at work.

I also got a chance to read the Finance and Accounting message board, and I got a response back from the individual who was wondering how to keep his/her job in a competitive job market, thanking me for the information I provided. I'm always glad when I can be of help to someone else, especially when it's a situation that I'm familiar with. It's hard to find--and keep--one's place in this time of economic downturn. So keeping your skills up-to-date and marketable is a must.

In line with that, we have been asked in our Human Resource Management class to devise a plan of action for relocation, as well as to consider staffing options for those positions where about 30% of our staff chooses not to relocate with us. If managers/human resources hire people who have competitive skills in today's job market, then the transition from one location to another would be a smooth one.

Reading Aleksandra's blog, I guess I'm sort of glad I didn't get to go to Six Flags this July. I'm sorry to all of the staff and student body who experienced what they did, and hopefully this can be chalked up to one bad experience.

And reading Vanessa's blog, I must say that I am BerkAlert ready. I actually got the voicemail first, then I checked my email. It is true; one never knows what can go wrong, and it can go wrong quickly. So fellow students, if you are not ready now, GET READY. You don't want to be left out of the loop concerning important announcements.

"Workplace diversity is a good thing, but explain why it can be a good thing." That's essentially what our Human Resources Management professor asked us to explain, why we felt diversity was a good or a bad thing, and whether or not we agreed with the articles posted. I feel that it is a good thing for businesses to have people of all diverse backgrounds--socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, racial, etc. How else can a business serve its community and thrive and survive if it does not meet the needs and/or tastes of not only its core audience, but its supplementary audience? It's always a comforting feeling to know that you can be helped by an individual who might be in tune with what your tastes or needs are, and diversity in businesses can help to achieve that.

With regard to statistics, I'm still working on the problems (I said this was one of those courses I'd really have to buckle down on), but I feel like I'm getting it, that it's not all in vain; so that's a plus. I don't know why it took me until college to finally figure math out, but I'm glad I am finally figuring it out. If I want to be successful in any sort of financial position, math is EXTREMELY important. It would be nice for the employer to know that I had computer savvy and perfect business grammar; but he or she would also want to know that I can handle the books, so to speak. So this is one area I absolutely must do well in.

Short-term financial management looks like accounting and business math all over again, so I don't figure I'll have much trouble in that regard, what with financial statements, FIFO/LIFO, and accounts receivable and payable.

I made my first posting on the discussion board of the Finance and Accounting club this morning, and one of the things I posted about had to do with helping an individual stay current and inexpendable in today's waning job market. I posted to this individual that he or she should keep up with today's technology, possibly re-enrolling in college to do so if necessary. I also pointed out that a willing, cooperative spirit would make an employer more willing to hold on to an employee than would tenure (provided the employer is not asking the employee to do something unreasonable or illegal).

There was also a post regarding ideas for the fall quarter. One of our members suggested two good ideas: having a representative from Citigroup visit the campus to discuss finance with us; and another idea was to have our club compete against another club in a kickball game. I consider myself pretty good at kickball, so it would be a lot of fun. I would just have to keep my eyes open on Blackboard, as this is how I miss a lot of information.

I also recently got an email from Career Services about meeting times at the Garret Mountain Campus. I'm so disappointed that I didn't check my emails earlier; I would've taken the time needed to go down to West Paterson for the day. Again, I'll have to pay more attention to these things, but I would really be interested in meeting with the staff in Career Services.

So we're going over probability and counting in Statistics this week, and it's actually easier to understand than I would've thought. It's interesting to note, also, how much Statistics actually relates to algebra, with one minor difference: statistics applies to real-life situations moreso than algebra (at least, that's what I feel). But the probabilities were interesting to note, particularly with regard to permutations and combinations. Permutations suggest that the same three factors, switched in different orders, will produce different results; while combinations of the same three numbers done in like manner will still produce the same results.

Probabilities also suggest a likelihood of something happening, not being definite by any means, but having a strong likelihood that it will happen. For instance, the study material talked about how children raised by single mothers are more likely to engage in deviant behavior (poor performance in school, drug use, permissive sexual attitudes, etc). But knowing my own situation, I would say that that is not always the case. It depends on how the child is raised, as well as the circumstances under which he or she is raised (single-parent vs. married parents).

I really will enjoy statistics, this I am sure of.

GAAAAH!!!! I've just read the Berkeley Blackboard announcements section, and once again, I won't be able to participate in one of the class trips that they have scheduled for this term. It's for a play entitled "In The Heights: Summer in the City". It would be a perfect opportunity for me to go, but I'll be on vacation, while attempting to keep up with my school work at the same time. Besides, the time doesn't work for me; I have to travel by public transportation, and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. I'll just have to keep my eyes opened in the future for more opportunities to finally meet some of my fellow students face-to-face. In a way, I've already met and become acquainted with Vanessa and Aleksandra via their pictures and their blog postings, but what a treat it would be to finally meet up with them at some Berkeley event. That would be awesome.

On the plus side, I've finally signed up with the Finance and Accounting club, and I look forward to being an active participant, making my educational experience at Berkeley a well-rounded one. This is the sort of thing that catches the eye of prospective employers. And again, it would really enhance my learning of the material in Finance 205, and vice versa.

I also noticed in the Career Services section that they have some full and part-time openings for criminal justice students. So if this is your field of interest and you haven't had a chance to peruse the blackboard or Career Services section, you just might want to take a look. Earn credits and a paycheck at the same time; what could be better than that?

So I'm really learning a lot in my Human Resource Management course. The information is very pertinent to today's working climate, particularly in the area of workplace diversity. Here, you have a company filled with people of all different walks of life who come together to perform one specific function: to help an organization function smoothly. But what happens when that organization is filled with strife, strife due to racial, religious, gender, and sexual differences? What happens when individuals fight with each other based on said differences? Then diversity management comes in to play. To be an effective diversity manager, one must understand the differences and work on playing up the positives of those differences rather than highlighting them in a negative fashion. For instance, a person of Hispanic descent would be an asset to a company if they are looking to fill a position which requires an individual to be bi-lingual, particularly if the company serves a large Hispanic population (such as the one I work for).

One other issue discussed with regard to workplace diversity that I had never considered was nepotism, which deals with the hiring of someone's family member or friend of the family looking for a job, instead of hiring a more qualified candidate. One way to be fair in this regard would be to have all prospective candidates (including the family member or friend) interview for the position, and if it is determined that this individual is the best person for the job, then they would be hired. However, if a more suitable candidate is found, then this is the person that should be chosen for the job.

I am also looking to join the Finance Club, as I hope it will enhance what I'm learning in Finance 205.

So, week 1 of the summer session is finally finished, and boy do I have a lot of studying to do. Statistics looks like one of the courses I will really have to buckle down on. Treasury management seems to be the second course that I'll have to give major consideration to, and Human Resources Management seems like the third one I will have to give major consideration to. This is not to rank classes from hardest to easiest, just the order in which the classes are more challenging. Math, as many of you may know from previous blogs, is not really my strong point; ironically, however, I find that I like numbers and am good in many ways with numbers. So a former classmate suggested to me that I take accounting and statistics if I liked numbers a lot. And as with accounting, statistics will present its challenges, but if I just study hard and contact the professor for help should I need it, I'll do fine in this course.

Another thing I want to get more involved in is more online clubs. I am enjoying the Healthy Cafe, but I want to be more well-rounded. And since I mentioned that I enjoy numbers, what would be a better way to show my interest in finance and numbers than in the Finance Club? Yes, soon I will be a member of the Finance Club, once I looked at the requirements and the features. And as usual, I will also be giving the Career Services section a look-see. Perhaps while still earning my Bachelor's degree, I can find a position with another company that allows me the flexibility of schedule and the work-life balance that my current position affords me (I can actually do my schoolwork right there at work before it gets extremely busy during the day).

So, Berkeley, we're back in the swing of things. A new quarter has started, and while a little grateful for the two-week break, I was anxious about getting back into it. I'm not one who likes to sit around for a long time and do nothing, at least as far as school and work are concerned. Perhaps my biggest fear is that I don't want to wait too long to re-register for classes like I did with Union County College and miss out on a whole semester because I became totally unmotivated. And when you come up with enough excuses like, "Oh, I work" or "I have a family", you can see how school can easily become an afterthought. So then I realized that I have to have a balance--and a schedule. I'm still tweaking and adjusting said schedule, but it seems that I'm finally on the right track.

As far as the trip to Great Adventure that Berkeley College is hosting, it turns out that I'll have to wait yet AGAIN for another opportunity to meet with my fellow students. :( I am disappointed, but as Berkeley hosts many wonderful trips and events, I'm sure I will be able to find something to attend that will put me in the mix of a wonderful student body. So my chin is up, and I look forward to a wonderful quarter.

Are you ready, fellow Berkeley College students (and prospective students)? "Ready for what?" you may ask. Well, are you ready for the upcoming quarter? If not, why not? And if so, well done. And to all new students entering for the first time this quarter, welcome aboard. You honestly will not find another college that keeps you up-to-date with the latest technology like Berkeley College (at least, this is what I have found in my own experience). And not only that, but you will also find a wealth of information on Berkeley's blackboard (which is like an online bulletin board, chock full of interesting announcements with regards to things like school trips, clubs, and scholarship and career information). Just a few strokes of the keyboard and a few clicks of the mouse, and a wealth of information is literally at your fingertips. I definitely encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful provision from the College.

That's actually how I got started with this blogging for Berkeley; I saw an advertisement on the Blackboard, and I contacted the person in charge, and they set up an account for me to be able to tell about my experiences at Berkeley, about what it is to be an online student (as I'm super busy and would not possibly be able to come to a college campus every day), and about the wonderful club options that they have available. I said it before, but it bears repeating: I like being one of the voices of Berkeley. It gives you a real sense of belonging, a sense that you're actually being heard--by students and faculty alike. Even with regard to anything that you may be dealing with that may be less than perfect, you can talk about how you've learned to handle it and be positive about it. It's not what happens; it's how you handle it after it happens. And that's with regard to anything--school, work, life, etc. But not to veer off-topic, I hope that this quarter (and succeeding quarters, if it applies) finds you all successful.

So I saw on Berkeley Blackboard that there's student trip to Six Flags Great Adventure. And they're departing from all campuses. What a great way to have fun and meet fellow students in the process!!! I am hoping to be able to take advantage of this great offer that takes place on July 25. I am going to get the rest of the information necessary, and if everything's a-go, I'll be on that bus to Six Flags come that Friday morning--instead of being at work, watching the kids have fun.

I also did some more browsing on the Career Services website, and they actually have a database listing of companies that are hiring. So I'm going to be viewing those pretty thoroughly. Now is the time to get companies looking at your credentials and letting them know that you're interested in working for them.

As far as the Healthy Cafe is concerned, I'm going to use the information I saw posted there to my advantage--particularly with regard to eating healthy and on a budget. We know how much money we can spend on fast food that does absolutey nothing for our physical health. Why not use that same money on ingredients that can go into heart-healthy recipes? Like this week, I didn't go out once to a restaurant to get something to eat; I went straight home and made lunch. This way, I can benefit two ways--my waistline gets smaller and my pockets get bigger. Believe it or not, this is something that I connect to my finance class. My term paper happened to be on ways that one could save money, and I mentioned that one of the ways we could go about saving money is by cutting lunch costs; prepare your lunch at home instead of always eating out for lunch.

I just got finished checking out Career Services on Berkeley College blackboard. I didn't know that there was a career fair going on, so I may have missed out on some really good choices. But now that I know that these fairs happen periodically, I'll definitely be checking Career Services on a more regular basis. Now that I've acquired some additional skills, I am better able to market myself in this merciless job market. Only the strong survive, and you have to have strong writing and computer/technical skills, along with a strong work ethic, to survive.

The tips on what to wear for interviews is also helpful, as many people today do not seem to know how to dress for success. They feel that their skills are the most important thing. To some degree, this is true; however, the way you present yourself to your prospective employer and your prospective customers is the way you will be perceived to work and handle situations. So if you're seated before your prospective employer neatly dressed, hair combed, shoes shined, teeth brushed, and sit erect and poised, even if you shouldn't get the position, the employer may well remember you if he or she has another position in mind. However, if you come to a job interview with torn bits of clothing, hair uncombed, unwashed, and looking totally disheveled, your interview won't last very long. In fact, you may hear those fatal words: Don't call us; we'll call you. Of course, other factors could play a part in your not succeeding in the interview, but don't let your appearance close the door before you even open your mouth.

So I finally got my grade for my term paper in Finance 200; I managed to get 80 out of 100 percent on it. I'm sure I know where I went wrong and what I could've done to get a better grade, but it is still a good grade. And the ideas are still ideas that one could use with regards to saving and investing for the future. As I mentioned in a previous posting here, one of the concerns in the future is that social security will not be available to this current generation when we retire, and we have to support ourselves somehow. So it is wise to store up savings for yourself to live off of during retirement. You don't have to have the most lavish things; if your basic necessities are covered, then you're doing better than most.

All in all, I must say that this has been a particularly harried quarter for me. I mean, it wasn't all bad, but it just seemed like one thing after another kept taking place, and I wasn't able to really give my studies the attention they warranted. Will this put me off of online learning? Not by any means. It just means that now I'll go ahead and put that schedule in effect that I'm always mentioning. "Prior, proper planning prevents poor performance", as my mom would say (not that my grades were so awful, but I know I could've done better). And anyway, it's not like I'm just gonna give up because I had a semester where I didn't perform exactly the way I wanted. If anything, this is a motivation for me to keep on and to really do my best. As I mentioned in my first-ever blog here, I want to be an inspiration to not only my two nieces, but my mom and my sister, as well, so that they can say, "Assata went back to school and succeeded; there's no reason I can't."

I'm also going to look into joining more online clubs, as well as participating more in the Healthy Cafe. If my fellow club members could see me now, they'd tsk, tsk, tsk at me. I'm not the world's greatest example of healthy living, which is why I joined, so that I could pick up some helpful suggestions. The suggestions I've been reading so far are wonderful, but I'll admit that I have a little problem with follow-through.

So I just finished my final GHA for Finance 200 and I got a 93. I am very happy; howwever, I'm a little fidgety about getting my grade back for the term paper that I submitted. Dr. Rapanos wasn't kidding when he said he wouldn't have time to read papers that were submitted late. At the same time, I didn't think it would take this long.

The next quarter is upon us, people, with lightning speed. Time to get your books if you haven't ordered them for your classes already (I'll have to do so come next pay period at my job). And if you haven't registered for summer classes yet, some of your courses may already be closed. So don't dawdle about your futures. May that one of your top priorities this week or as soon as you can get to it,

I also intend to thoroughly search out Career Services on the Berkeley Blackboard and get tips on how to market myself in this ever-changing workforce. One of the steps I'm actually taking right now; I'm re-enrolled in college and learning new technology and skills that will open doors for me that had formerly been closed due to lack of education and expertise.

I just got my grades from both my GHA #4 and my term paper for Management 220. I got an 88 on my GHA and a 90 for my term paper. Needless to say, I am estatic. It also looks as if I'm getting a B+ for the term. My final for algebra is available until next Wednesday, which is good, because I sure could use the extra study time. At the same time, though, I am getting the hang of it. Once I get into other math subjects, it'll be a piece of cake to me, and I'll wonder why I ever fretted over it. Math hasn't always been my strongest subject, and I think I understand why. It's because of the way I viewed and approached it in the past. Once you understand the breakdown of certain math concepts, however--which are generally applicable to any type of math course--you can accomplish just about anything.

I'm now awaiting word on my final paper for Finance 200. My topic had to do with investing and savings and how we can even invest and save on smaller paychecks. It has to do with a variety of things: creating a budget, living within our means, paying down debt, finding the right financial institution for our needs, setting up retirement accounts/maximizing our 401(k) plans, and investing in securities. There was also a breakdown of how this could be done. I plan to utilize the strategy that I saw in Essence magazine's "Work & Wealth" section. It was a pie chart with a breakdown of what funds should be allocated where.

I plan to also start posting more on the Wellness discussion board with the Healthy Cafe Club. I want to be in better condition for the upcoming courses so that I can be an overall good student. After all, we know that a healthy body is linked to a healthy, functioning mind. And a healthy, functioning mind does well in any class, whether it is a course that's relatively easy or a class that requires some effort. I also want to get more information regarding how we eat being directly related to how much we spend. Things are looking up right now, and I want to keep working toward that.

It's nearing the end of this quarter, and I just turned in two of my research papers that were due at the end of this week. Now I have to finish up my assessment for Management 220 by 11 p.m. tomorrow. The format is different this time around, as this time we have essay questions that we have to answer, in addition to the multiple choice questions we have to answer. It'll be interesting to see what the essay questions entail. Also, some of the students have been having trouble submitting their papers through Blackboard. Fortunately I wasn't one of them, but the professor made arrangements for any students having trouble to submit their papers via email, so that was good.

In Finance this week, this discussion dealt with full-service vs. discount or online brokerage firms. Most of us felt that for first-time investors, full-service brokerages firms were the way to go, while some felt that there was no guarantee either way--and there really isn't. But the main point that came up was that first-time investors do the research before dealing with any company, and that if they felt comfortable enough in investing their funds with a particular company, they could do so comfortably with the knowledge that held at their fingertips.

Two papers to turn in, two more assessments, and one final exam--boy, is my brain TIRED!!! To be honest, I'm grateful for the two-week reprieve in between quarters. But I can't complain; I love being in school, after having been out for a while to care for personal matters (family, employment, etc.). And once again, I'm excited for the summer session coming up, where I won't have to do as much running around, since my niece will be out of school and in camp for the summer.

One of my papers is for Finance, and it deals with investing and saving more of your hard-earned dollars. I basically did some research using some finance articles from Essence magazine issues, and they really have some useful information (information which I'm now applying even in my own personal life), such as investing in stocks, how to start your own side business, paying down debt to increase your net, and much more. I have a 'wealth' (pardon the pun) of information at my fingertips, and to think, I almost didn't use these magazines as sources of information--or even think that I had any sources. I hope I do well in presenting the information in a clear, understandable way that will impress my professor.

The second paper has to do with selecting a company and listing its company history, financial standing, CEO, and why this is a good company to invest in. And I've already chosen a company that I'm familiar with--Wachovia Bank. I've been a customer since 2005, and I can certainly attest to the wonderful services that they have as a financial institution. But as I mentioned before, it is very hard work. Not impossible, but I will be working my fingers to the bone this weekend, typing and studying, typing and studying.

I cannot believe that in three short weeks, this term will be over, and the summer session will be starting. And then I have to stay on top of my studies while on vacation, as well as my blogging sessions here. But I have every confidence that I can keep up with the work over the summer. I have taken summer courses in the past at UCC; the difference with Berkeley College is that I will be able to go at my own pace, but at the same time, getting my work in on time. I am really looking forward to this summer.

I also just completed my third GHA for Finance, and I got an 84. I'm very happy, as in the past, my GHA scores have been good, but not great. But I really connected with the information this time around, and I hope to do so on the last GHA for our class. We also have a paper due at the end of this week, and I'm excited to see what kind of grade I'll get on it. It will include all of my blood, sweat, and tears (as well as what the teacher asks for as far as sources, etc.), so I'm really anticipating a good grade. But alas, enough about grades. I just want to see how much information I'll be able to uncover on my topic.

So this week in Finance, we discussed planning for retirement (particularly with the demise of Social Security seemingly imminent), and a lot of our classmates seem to have hit on sound bits of advice. What we all agreed on was that young people hoping to support themselves in their retirement years should do all they can to start saving now so that they can enjoy their retirement later. Our strategies were a bit different, but we all agreed on pretty much the following points:

We agreed that there should be some type of retirement account that young people should start investing in, putting monies aside every time they get paid so that the money can earn interest. Some of us even suggested putting our money into securities so that our money can earn interest, which could ease our retirement significantly. I suggested sitting down and talking with a financial planner who could help us to determine exactly what type of financial future we would like to have and how we can achieve it. Another thing I pointed out is that some people are content to live in the now with the attitude "we can always start saving later". "Later" turns into years, and before you know it, retirement is imminent, and these people have little or nothing to show for their efforts. So it is important to look seriously at our retirement in terms of our financial future.

So this week in Finance, we discussed foreign capital inflows and whether or not these should be restricted and even prohibited. Some people feel that the U.S. economy can stand on its own without the help of foreign capital inflows; however, it is somewhat naive to think this way, because we have relied on foreign capital inflows for years, particularly where the U.S. has companies located in foreign lands. So to suggest that now the U.S. is ready to stand on its own as an economic super power is actually risky thinking, and we could potentially lose out on great ideas that foreign investors could bring to the table for us. So while we would want to be careful in our acceptance of foreign capital inflows, we could do so in a way that would benefit everyone involved, both foreign and domestic investors. And at the same time, it would keep out individuals who would only be interested in selfish gain.

in Management, we talked about how a manager could determine what the culture of an organization is, and I talked a bit about my company, and what our aim is--to promote confidence and self-esteem in women and young girls primarily (although men are allowed to use our facilities, too). I find that I'm able to use my organization for a lot of examples, as we deal with any of the subjects that are touched on in each chapter.

So I just made my first posting on the Discussion Board of the Healthy Cafe, and I feel really good about it. They really do have a wealth of information that I know I can benefit from. There are going to be some changes in the way I eat and live, and with the help of felllow students/club members, I know that I can be successful.

So I finally joined a Berkeley club this week; that would be the Online Health Club. I just did a search of all the topics, and one that I came across really struck a chord with me. It related how much money we have to how healthy we can be. One of the things it pointed out is that a diet loaded with junk foods can be very costly--both healthwise and financially. It also pointed out that if we have little cash, we can have lots of stress. I didn't get to read the whole thing yet (although I will), because I was doing homework, as well.

But one other thing that it pointed out--and which I've always learned from childhood--is that a healthy student is a productive student. We all hear it almost constantly about certain "brain foods" that will help us do better not just in schools, but on the job, as well. Certain foods stimulate our brain cells and help us to think better and perform better. Looking forward to getting the most out of this club.

The amazing thing about joining this club is that it wasn't much of a process; I just clicked a few buttons, and I was enrolled, just like that. Now that I know it's that easy, I'll be looking at a few other clubs. I'm looking forward to finally becoming a well-rounded Berkeley student.

So we're still discussing the decline of the American dollar in Finance. One of the things I brought out is that with the release of the economic stimulus payments, the government is probably hoping that it can pull this country out of its economic slump. One of my classmates brought out a point, too, that with the war currently being fought in Iraq, we thought that war would stimulate the economy, which would lead to the creating of employment opportunities for all. But then another student brought out a counterpoint, saying that during previous wars, the employment was pretty much need-based, with regard to building of tanks, shipping materials to the soldiers, etc. He then went on to say that that's not really needed in the wars being waged today, which leaves many unemployed, and thus the economy slumps further. It is scary to even think about, what with so many well-educated people who are still unemployed or underemployed in jobs that can barely cover their own expenses, much less the expenses of a family.

I finished my assignment in Management 220, as well; it was interesting to see the job descriptions that many of my classmates came up with, and they managed to touch on each of the five points (among them, job autonomy). I was going to use the example of a lifeguard that I saw advertised on one of the bulletins at my job, but I knew more about my own position, so I decided to go with that one instead. In terms of what employers are looking for in an employee or the right person for the job, I viewed myself in light of the job description I posted; and I realized something. While I have been doing my job and sometimes going above and beyond the call of duty, I could certainly be a bit more creative, and this is one area I intend to tackle.

Job descriptions, quadratic equations and the American dollar....

So this week in Mgt 220, we're discussing job descriptions, as well as skill value, task value, and other points related to a job or position that a person is recruited for. We had to list the skills, what made the job attractive, the autonomy of the position (minimal supervisor, motivated self-starter, etc.), etc. And it's interesting to me, because this is some of what I'll be considering in the summer in Human Resources Management--how to match the right individuals to the right positions. This, in and of itself, is a real challenge, because you have to make absolutely sure that the candidate that you select can do the job (much like the leaders of our nation).

In Finance 200, we are discussing the declining value of the dollar and its effects on the economy. When a dollar depreciates--or loses value--American businesses are less competitive and the products become cheaper; whereas in the foreign market, there is more of a demand for the product, and the foreign currency gains value. Conversely, when the American dollar appreciates--or increases value--there is more of a demand for the products in the American market, and companies become more competitive; and the value of the currency in the foreign markets drops.

In Algebra, we are now going over quadratic equations, which I actually understand with regard to graphing and assigning values. I cannot wait until we go over factorization and FOIL--First, Outer, Inner, Last. I have a feeling that I will do really well in algebra this time around, because I'm going over the information, doing the practice problems, and making myself understand it better. This will help me when I get to Business Statistics.