So I was a little nervous about my presentation on "how to create your own website"; I kept having to restart and restart, because I was a little nervous, and then I didn't end it exactly the way I wanted. But when I checked the grade book today, I saw a 90 out of 100!!! It feels so good to know that when you've worked hard and practiced and practiced, it pays off. I feel that I will definitely be a confident public speaker in the future in my professional career (I also get plenty of practice at my place of worship).
The Berkeley College Help Desk is also very helpful; if it hadn't been for them, I would've flunked my essay test. I attempted to take my test on Saturday and was doing fine, except for one thing...I couldn't submit it afterward. Turns out the timer for the test was blocking the "Submit" button. So the gentleman who helped me figured out that it was because I was usually Internet Explorer 8, which caused the timer to block the Submit button. Once I downloaded Foxfire, as he suggested, it worked out fine. I was able to submit the test with no problems (and more importantly, no penalty, as I had already emailed the professor, who agreed to give me an extension). This is important to note, because I have a test to take for Finance this week, and I wouldn't want to run into the same problems.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
All set for fall....
I have the classes I need for the fall quarter, and as it turns out, I'll be doing my internship in the winter quarter, after which I'll be graduating from Berkeley--officially. And for once, I'm not feeling a sense of anxiety about my internship, as I have a few ideas about what I want to do in this regard and who I want to work for. I'll have to discuss it with Professor Berman in Career Services, but I'm sure something can be worked out where I complete my internship successfully and not completely disrupt my work schedule (I'll have to make some adjustments, to be sure, but not to the total disruption of my work schedule).
Last week, we had to submit our research project on applying for a job; we had to research a company, look for a position with requirements that matched our current skills (they had to be skills we possessed either through school or work experience), and learn how to apply. I had to redo mine, because my first choice was through a temporary agency, and there wasn't much information provided, like where the company was actually located and who I would be reporting to. So I changed industries completely and put down Investors Savings Bank as my second choice. I did much better this time, missing the mark by only three points. I'm actually doing really well in this Business Placement class, possibly because I've been working for so long and have some experience with job interviews and the application and interviewing processes.
Last week, we had to submit our research project on applying for a job; we had to research a company, look for a position with requirements that matched our current skills (they had to be skills we possessed either through school or work experience), and learn how to apply. I had to redo mine, because my first choice was through a temporary agency, and there wasn't much information provided, like where the company was actually located and who I would be reporting to. So I changed industries completely and put down Investors Savings Bank as my second choice. I did much better this time, missing the mark by only three points. I'm actually doing really well in this Business Placement class, possibly because I've been working for so long and have some experience with job interviews and the application and interviewing processes.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Prepare for your interview....
In our business placement seminar, we are learning how to prepare for the interview, and many of us have researched and given suggestions on how to prepare well for the job interview (some of us used past experiences, as well, which usually makes more of an impression and drives the point home more fully than just posting from various websites).
One thing I think we all agreed on was that your appearance at a job interview is EVERYTHING; employers usually assess how you look with how you will work. You may think that this is unfair, that the employer could be judging you unfavorably based on your hair, jewelry, and attire...and you may be right, particularly if you're interviewing for a position where you're in constant view of the public, such as a receptionist, cashier, or bank teller. Some interviewees don't feel that they should have to "dress up" when going for a job interview; after all, they may assume, they'll dress up when they get the job. But you have to look the part before you're even allowed in the door.
Confidence in yourself and your abilities is also key, as is doing a little background check on not only the company you'd like to work for, but also the person you'd be reporting to. If you don't know something about the company before you get to the interview, you can look up the company on the Internet and do the research or in libraries where they have old microfiche machines. This lets your prospective employer know that you cared enough to take the time and learn about the company. This is good information for my fellow Berkeley students who will be graduating soon and can help you successfully land a job in your career of choice.
One thing I think we all agreed on was that your appearance at a job interview is EVERYTHING; employers usually assess how you look with how you will work. You may think that this is unfair, that the employer could be judging you unfavorably based on your hair, jewelry, and attire...and you may be right, particularly if you're interviewing for a position where you're in constant view of the public, such as a receptionist, cashier, or bank teller. Some interviewees don't feel that they should have to "dress up" when going for a job interview; after all, they may assume, they'll dress up when they get the job. But you have to look the part before you're even allowed in the door.
Confidence in yourself and your abilities is also key, as is doing a little background check on not only the company you'd like to work for, but also the person you'd be reporting to. If you don't know something about the company before you get to the interview, you can look up the company on the Internet and do the research or in libraries where they have old microfiche machines. This lets your prospective employer know that you cared enough to take the time and learn about the company. This is good information for my fellow Berkeley students who will be graduating soon and can help you successfully land a job in your career of choice.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
It's not too late....
So I just found out that one of the classes that I wanted to take for the fall quarter is not being offered. What this means is that I'll have to choose another course that is being offered and that falls in line with my degree progression. But it's not too late; at least I'm not scrambling around at the last minute, trying to find classes. I plan to go online tomorrow and make another selection. Hopefully this one will work out. I also look forward to my internship in the near future. I still have to figure out my work schedule, but I'm feeling more confident and less anxious these days that things will work out.
This week in Finance, we're discussing the tax benefits of making payments on behalf of someone else vs. giving them the money as a gift and they make their own payments. If one were to make payments for someone else and they are not legally obligated to do so, no one gains a tax benefit. The reason being is, if one is not legally obligated to financially care for someone else's debt, then a deduction cannot be claimed for that purpose; and the individual that did not care for his or her own debt cannot claim a deduction, either. However, if a gift is made to the individual and he or she cares for his or her financial responsibility, while the person making the gift cannot claim a deduction, he or she will not incur a gift tax provided the gift amount falls within the tax amount allowed. And the person who makes the payments with the money he or she is given can then claim the amount on his or her own tax return. It makes sense when you think about it; why should either party get a tax break for something that was established between them, with no legal obligation to the payor?
This week in Finance, we're discussing the tax benefits of making payments on behalf of someone else vs. giving them the money as a gift and they make their own payments. If one were to make payments for someone else and they are not legally obligated to do so, no one gains a tax benefit. The reason being is, if one is not legally obligated to financially care for someone else's debt, then a deduction cannot be claimed for that purpose; and the individual that did not care for his or her own debt cannot claim a deduction, either. However, if a gift is made to the individual and he or she cares for his or her financial responsibility, while the person making the gift cannot claim a deduction, he or she will not incur a gift tax provided the gift amount falls within the tax amount allowed. And the person who makes the payments with the money he or she is given can then claim the amount on his or her own tax return. It makes sense when you think about it; why should either party get a tax break for something that was established between them, with no legal obligation to the payor?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Am I quick, or what?
Guess who just submitted requests for class enrollment for the fall? You guessed it....ME!!! And WELL ahead of schedule, I might add. If it hadn't been for the "tweet" that I got from Twitter, I would've forgotten about it for that time, and registration would've crept up on me like it has in past quarters (I've gotten better, though; I got my books just in time for classes to start this time). See, Twitter's not just good for following celebrities and "tweeting" between friends. You can obtain important information from Berkeley College.
Well, classes seem to be going smoothly this term for me. I don't know what it is about this summer quarter vs. last year's summer quarter, but I'm not falling behind like I was last year. Maybe the fact that I have my own personal laptop this time vs. having to share with people/take trips to the library/take trips to the school that's helping; and maybe continuing to study the information ahead of time is playing a factor. But I feel confident in saying that I'll pass all of my courses with no less than a B (I'm aiming for all A's, but no less than a B). I also feel confident in saying that I may be able to take advantage of one of the many events that Berkeley sponsors for its students. This is shaping up to be a great quarter.
Well, classes seem to be going smoothly this term for me. I don't know what it is about this summer quarter vs. last year's summer quarter, but I'm not falling behind like I was last year. Maybe the fact that I have my own personal laptop this time vs. having to share with people/take trips to the library/take trips to the school that's helping; and maybe continuing to study the information ahead of time is playing a factor. But I feel confident in saying that I'll pass all of my courses with no less than a B (I'm aiming for all A's, but no less than a B). I also feel confident in saying that I may be able to take advantage of one of the many events that Berkeley sponsors for its students. This is shaping up to be a great quarter.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
This week's assignments...
This week in Oral Communication, we read two chapters regarding how to give an effective presentation, using vocal variety, pitch, and other techniques. One type of speech that was mentioned was impromptu speech and extemporaneous speech, which are sometimes used interchangeably, but are different. Impromptu speech is little or no use of notes or an outline, while extemporaneous speech involves preparing a speech so that it comes across as spontaneous and natural. The assignment that we had to complete with regard to this week's assignment was that of a crossword "quiz"; that is, we had to enter the answers in crossword form. I tried copying and pasting the quiz, but it didn't work; so I typed out the answers and submitted them through Assignment Manager that way.
This week in Fiction, we had to read and comment on the story "Greasy Lake", which describes the setting in which the characters find themselves. It was really eerie how the story seemed to mirror their lives and how they almost didn't get a chance to make things better for themselves. A dead body is discovered in the lake, which leads the narrator to want to do better.
This week in Fiction, we had to read and comment on the story "Greasy Lake", which describes the setting in which the characters find themselves. It was really eerie how the story seemed to mirror their lives and how they almost didn't get a chance to make things better for themselves. A dead body is discovered in the lake, which leads the narrator to want to do better.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Berkeley College is on Twitter!!!
That's right, Berkeley students; if you have a Twitter page, you can follow and be followed. Berkeley College is now on Twitter, which gives you yet another way to keep up with the events going on at Berkeley College regarding online clubs, student trips and events, and job fairs sponsored by Career Services. I really am impressed with the way that Berkeley uses every avenue available to keep in touch with its students. They even have polls regarding students' use of such messageboards as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. I was against it at first, but as long as one is careful, these can be useful avenues--particularly with regard to career advancement.
So if you're not following Berkeley College--or Berkeley College isn't following you--what are you waiting for? All you have to do is click on the "Follow" button to start receiving Berkeley's updates (particularly if you aren't an online student; and realistically, most students don't check their emails on a daily basis, due to busy work/school schedules). You can also receive updates on how former students are doing in their careers, as well (I saw a former fellow blogger on Twitter), which is great. You get to see how Berkeley College helped them prepare for their careers in their current fields and how you can benefit, as well.
So if you're not following Berkeley College--or Berkeley College isn't following you--what are you waiting for? All you have to do is click on the "Follow" button to start receiving Berkeley's updates (particularly if you aren't an online student; and realistically, most students don't check their emails on a daily basis, due to busy work/school schedules). You can also receive updates on how former students are doing in their careers, as well (I saw a former fellow blogger on Twitter), which is great. You get to see how Berkeley College helped them prepare for their careers in their current fields and how you can benefit, as well.
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