Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis

By Nicole Gennarelli

Why should students and recent college graduates read Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis? Because it is written specifically for young adults by recent graduates who can relate to their experiences.

According to the website, “Share or Die is an anthology with stories by an astonishing variety of recent graduates and twenty-something experimenters who are finding (and sharing) their own answers to negotiating the new economic order. It contains 25 articles with hands-on, practical advice about career, relationships, travel, education, housing, and volunteering.”

Don’t forget to visit & read more information about the book’s editor Neal Gorenflo, co-editor Malcom Harris & all the different authors who contributed to the book.

Interested? Check out some of these excerpts from the book!

•        “Unprepared: From Elite College to the Job Market,” by Sarah Idzik
•          “The Gen Y Guide to Collaborative Consumption,” by Beth Buczynski
•          “Get on the Lattice,” by Astri von ArbinAhlander and Yelizavetta Kofman

Post-College Flow Chart of Misery & Pain by Jenna Brager

Interview with Malcom Harris, co-editor of Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis

• Why do you think this book is so influential and helpful for recent college grads and twenty-somethings?

I think there’s a lack of writing by and for young people about their lives that isn’t also trying to sell them something. If our readers identify with the book, that’s partly because it’s written almost entirely by people facing the same life conditions as they are.

• Why did you enjoy being an editor & author for this book?

A great thing about the process was getting to work with so many great young writers and artists. Some of them were friends in advance, but a lot of them weren’t. Doing a collection means searching out some voices people haven’t heard before, and that was a lot of the fun.

• What do you think the greatest message in this book is to the Generation Y population?

It’s right there in the title: Share or Die! What I hope people take away from the book is that what feel like individual problems are often times social problems, especially with this generation that’s been pathologized, entitled, etc. And social problems only have social solutions.

• Why do you think this book is something the Generation Y population needs at this time in society?

I’m not sure if society needs the book necessarily, but I think we’ve got to pay attention to some of the ideas in it. We’re up against the hard bounds of resource crisis, and if we don’t find ways to share what we’ve got, there’s going to be even more unnecessary misery.

• Would you have found a book like this helpful when you were a recent college graduate?

I’m sure I could have used it!

• How do you think the different stories by different authors help contribute to the diversity of the book?

The goal is for every reader to connect with at least one portion of the book. The more ways we can find to reach out to people and show them that they’re part of larger social patterns, the more people will find the book useful.

Grades are not the only thing that matters

By Anne Dudley

PR Daily re-released an article by Becky Johns from May that reminds students that their GPA is not the only thing that matters.

As a student, we know that our GPA is important for reasons we all understand very well.

But, it’s easy to forget about the other things that employers will look for when graduation rolls around. Skills and experience will certainly come into play when employers choose the most qualified applicant.

If I had to choose the two best takeaways from this article, they’d have to be:

1. LEARN
2. APPLY

Learning is easy, but we take it for granted every day. College is the time to learn as much as you can. Learn about yourself (time-management, personal skills and how you prefer to learn) and learn about your work (build presentation skills, increase your writing ability and gain professional experience).

Applying is the more difficult, but much more important part. Apply your skills to build a portfolio that showcases what you are capable of accomplishing for a company. Apply your talent and increased confidence from all that you have learned to build your network and make connections to professionals.

It is so easy to get caught up in a semester full of projects, papers and exams. But keep in mind, it is the people who are building meaningful relationships and improving their personal portfolio that will stand out, not the ones with the most A’s. 

Anne Dudley is a second-year master’s student of public relations and graduate assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.

PRSSA Kent’s “How to Handle Difficult Personalities”

By Anne Dudley

PRSSA Kent hosted Ben Brugler and Brandi Neloms at their Nov. 16 meeting on “How to Handle Different Personalities” in Franklin Hall.

Ben Brugler is the vice president at Akhia, a full-service public relations and marketing communications agency and an alumnus of Kent State’s public relations program. Brandi Neloms is also an alumna, and a marketing and sales support manager at Digital Color International.

The pair discussed their experience with handling an array of personality traits as coworkers, account service managers, team members and supervisors.

Some key takeaways:

1. “You can never over-communicate” – Ben B. Always make sure you are on the same page as your coworkers and clients. Ask for clarification and understanding in a sincere and respectful way.

2.  Deal with conflict immediately – Disagreements will happen with coworkers, especially when people are passionate about their work and/or their stance. When work is over, be sure to leave the conflict at door.

“When you walk out of the door, make sure you’re on the same page. As coworkers you will be spending so much time together. You will have to learn to work together. Don’t leave things left unsaid.” – Ben B. In the end, you and your coworkers must be on the same team and be able to support and defend each other.

3.  Follow the Golden Rule – As easy as kindergarten. Treat others how you want to be treated.

4.  Be honest, authentic and consistent – Choose your words carefully based on your objectives in conversations. It is not always necessary to tell a colleague everything on your mind regarding a project. Also, consider the consistency of your actions. If you are known to always tell someone where you stand, be sure to always do that. Be deliberate in your approach. Do not be unpredictable or wavering in how you deal with situations or conflicts as it could mislead people.

5.  “There is no little thing” when it comes to building relationships – Ben B. Remember the little things about your colleagues and clients. Birthdays. Favorite restaurants or movies. Hobbies. Find meaningful ways to connect with people, even if they seem small.

Show an interest in people – Brandi N. Maybe you’re the youngest one in the office or one of the only males or females. Make genuine attempts to get to know your coworkers. An understanding of their perspective and background may help you get along. 

6.  Manage expectations – Try to understand the pressures your clients may be under. How does your work fit into their business objectives, their plan and even their day-to-day life? What is their industry like? What kind of expertise or experience do they have?

7.  Say “I’m sorry” and “thank you”- Ben recalled Amber Naslund’s presentation at the YouToo Social Media Conference in April 2011. Working with clients requires a practitioner to build relationships and a mutual understanding of objectives and intentions. Always try to be understanding of what client goals, deadlines, supervisors, etc.

8.  “Be a sponge” – Brandi N.  Absorb everything you can for the first six months. Brandi’s analogy not only illustrates how to be respectful in a new position, but also why it is so greatly important to learn as much as you can. Consider the appropriateness of your words and actions as a new hire and the expertise and experience your colleagues may have that you do not. 

Anne Dudley is a second-year master’s student of public relations and graduate assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.

Networking in Six Easy Steps

By Jayne Fenton

Often students will ignore emails urging them to attend an event for the college. Sure, it’s easy to not attend an event if you won’t receive credit or a grade for it. But are you considering the draw backs to not attending a FREE event? As often as students discuss the cost of tuition, and room and board, one would think students would jump all over the opportunity to learn something for free.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the Center of Student Involvement and the Alumni Association regarding a free event titled “Networking in a Flash.” The email boasted an opportunity to help prepare panicking seniors in regards to lack of networking skills. I was intrigued by the thought of networking with actual Kent State alumni. The email explained in order to attend the networking opportunity you must attend an orientation night, where you will receive FREE business cards. I thought to myself “Even if the event is a bust, at least I get some business cards out of it.” I signed up for orientation and filled out the form for my business cards. Networking in a Flash here I come!

Orientation night came around, and I arrived 45 minutes early to the Williamson Alumni Center. I had a chance to speak with the organizer of the event, Carrie Circosta, Assistant Director of Student and Recent Graduates Programs. Circosta explained to me that the event received such a high amount of interest they had to turn away students who wanted to participate. I asked Circosta what the goal of the orientation was this evening. She mentioned the following items:

• Help change the student’s attitude about networking
• Alumni care for the university, good opportunity for them to give back
• Teach students how to set goals with social networking

I was anxious to begin. We were provided a folder full of useful documents regarding networking. In a document adapted from Grand Valley State, networking summed up in six obtainable goals.

1. Define your networking goals.
2. Devise your compelling message.
3. Identify who you are.
4. Identify your personal networking style.
5. Keep a record of your networking activities.
6. Follow up graciously.

I found this to be the most helpful in explaining networking. The orientation on networking assured me I could network professionally, even with social media, such as LinkedIn.

 I urge every senior to go out of their comfort zone and approach someone who you look up to. Anyone can lead to your chance at landing a job.

Jayne is a senior interpersonal communication major and marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information this fall.

Why Summer Classes?

By Britany Ruby

Summer, the best time of year right? Filled with vacations, tanning and pure relaxation. At least that’s how it goes for everyone but me. While I would’ve loved to spend my summer taking road trips with my friends. I decided to put on my big girl pants and spend my summer in Kent taking classes. And although Kent seems barren this summer, I know that I’m not the only student spending their summer in school.

Many students are on Kent’s main campus, regional campuses, and even at home taking various classes for many reasons. The most common reason students take summer classes is to get ahead in their major. One summer of taking classes could allow a student to graduate a whole semester early. Another reason is to boost their GPA, for example I am taking a special topics course this summer that will definitely boost my GPA. A lot of students also take summer classes at their home community colleges or Kent regional campuses to save money. In some cases taking one of your Kent Core classes at another university can be almost $500 cheaper than taking them at Kent’s main campus.

While there are a lot of positives in taking summer classes there are also a few negative aspects. The obvious one is giving up at least a part of your summer. The classes that are offered during the summer are sometimes more intense than they are in normal semesters because of the shorter time span. There is also the financial aid issue, where you may have to pay out of pocket for a class at another campus.

Whether you were looking into taking classes already or this post sparked your interest, take a look into taking summer classes. Compare the positives and negatives of spending your summer in school. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide that taking summer classes will benefit you in the long run.

Britany is a senior applied communication studies major and a practicum student for the College of Communication and Information.

What will you do after graduation?

What do you plan on doing after graduation? Seniors that are graduating this summer are starting to figure this out. Some are applying for graduate school and others are applying for jobs. Some are trying to relocate and others are ready to pack up and go home. Two seniors from the College of Communication and Information have started to get their lives on track for after graduation on May 7^th.

Rachel Wall is a senior interpersonal communications major from Westfield, New Jersey. Rachel plans on going home for a few weeks before coming back to Kent to finish a few classes to graduate in August. In the meantime, Rachel is exploring her options in the culinary arts field by visiting local culinary schools. She wants to attend culinary school and is looking to get out of Ohio as soon as she can. Rachel says she is leaving Ohio because, “For one I’m not from here. I hate that most of the year is consumed by winter. I want to experience other parts of the United States, broaden my horizons.” In an ideal world Rachel would be a restaurant manager outside Ohio. When asked what scares her most about the months after graduation Rachel had only one concern, switching locations. She knows starting new in a strange place and “growing up” can be a task in itself, but doing it alone is so much harder. Even with her fears Rachel stays positive. She did it once before when she came to Kent State University and has faith she can do it again.

Another senior from Lakewood, Ohio has a different plan for after graduation in May. Charlotte Van Duzee is an applied communications major with an art history minor. Charlotte is looking for work around the Kent area until her apartment lease ends in August. She hopes to find any type of work for the few months she will still be around. Ideally, in August, Charlotte plans to move to either Colorado or Portland although she is willing to stay if she is offered a full-time position in Ohio. Relocation is not a problem for Charlotte. When asked why she wanted to leave Ohio, Charlotte said, “Because I am sick of the weather, the economy and I’m ready to start fresh.” So far Charlotte has edited her resumes and applied for jobs in and out of state. Her ideal job would be to become an art history professor in Portland, Chicago, or Colorado. Charlotte is still looking for her first breakthrough into the professional world but will not let the bad economy and weather stop her from achieving her goals. When asked what her biggest fears about the months after graduation, Charlotte replied, “Finding a decent job and being able to pay my loans back.” Money is always an issue for new graduates and not everyone is lucky enough to get a job right out of college.

As for me, I am an applied communications major from North Royalton, Ohio. After graduation I have received a temporary position at Playhouse Square, in Cleveland as the Assistant Director of Outdoor Events. I begin the Monday after graduation and work until mid September. Planning events is only one of the many things I would like to do in my professional career. I am not thinking about graduate school for at least a few more years. Hopefully I can find a job where I will get paid to go back to school. I currently am still looking for jobs for after September by applying online through Monster.com. I have also expanded my LinkedIn connections and hope to find a position I will enjoy. My biggest fear about the months after graduation is being able to support myself. Like Charlotte, I want to be able to make all the payments I need and still be able to eat. I do not mind relocating and plan to move in with a friend in Cuyahoga Falls until I find a permanent position.

For those who have not yet received a job and are concerned about loans, AmeriCorps is a great way to gain experience and have your loans managed. AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults to serve with local and national nonprofit groups. It involves services that make a community safer, give children a second chance, or help preserve the environment. This program has helped many college graduates focus their careers into fields they had never thought of before.

Graduation is a time for celebration, so set aside your fears and enjoy the fact that your life is just beginning.

AmeriCorps website for more information: http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/why/index.asp

 

Julie Battaglia is a senior applied communication studies major and practicum student in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.

 

Graduate School—How do I do it?!

By Emily Carle

In today’s world, it can feel like a bachelor’s degree is the new high school diploma. Many students may feel the need to get a master’s degree just to stand out in the workforce only to be overqualified for entry-level positions. Also, many career paths today require a graduate degree simply to get started out. For example, to be a librarian, one must earn a Master’s in Library Science.

The most important step in making a decision about graduate school is research. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Should I Choose Graduate School?

1.      Does my desired career field require a master’s degree?

Go to professional association websites for information about careers in a desired field.

Popular choices

Library Sciences: American Library Association, http://ala.org

Public Relations: Public Relations Society of America, http://www.prsa.org

Communication: National Communication Association, http://www.natcom.org

Journalism: Society of Professional Journalists, http://www.spj.org

Graphic Design: AIGA, http://www.aiga.org

Law: America Bar Association, http://www.americanbar.org

Business: Association of MBAs, http://www.mbaworld.com or American Marketing Association, http://www.marketingpower.com

Higher Education: NASPA, http://www.naspa.org or ACPA, http://www.myacpa.org

2.      What programs should I apply to?

Just like applying for undergraduate admission, many of the same factors apply in graduate school application.

Caliber of the Program: Traditionally the number one starting point in the application process. US News & World Report always publishes the Grad School Rankings of over 1,200 graduate programs in the United States. Their website  lists the top programs in everything from Education to Engineering to Economics. Once choosing a desired program, US News & World Report gives advice on the application to grad school, paying for grad school, as well as information on the GRE.

Degree Requirements: After picking some top choices of programs, do some research and find out what comes along with the degree.

• How many years?
• How many credit hours?
• Extracurricular requirements?
• Assistantships/Internships?
• How much research is involved?
• Master’s thesis?

Again, every university’s program varies, even if it’s within the same career field. Make sure you understand what you want out of it. For example, if a program requires their students to instruct a course, but you don’t want that experience, it may not be the right program for you.

Funding: As in undergraduate programs, finding out how students pay for their education plays a large part in the deciding factor. If you know you want to have funding assistance, look into programs tuition costs as well as their scholarship possibilities. Many programs allow students to work part-time in an assistantship to help cover tuition and other costs.

3.      What steps do I need to take to apply to graduate school?

Entrance Examinations:

Many programs require an entrance exam along with the traditional application. For many programs, the GRE is standard. This encompasses fields like education, social sciences, public affairs, and humanities. Other programs have more specific tests. Business requires GMAT, Law requires LSAT and the Medical field requires MCAT, DAT, or OAT. The Princeton Review outlines what is required for each of these examinations plus it includes links to scheduling the exams as well as resources for students.

Application Requirements:

Typically, the graduate school application is much more in-depth than an undergraduate application, and for good reason. Graduate programs are more selective and after four years of college and a bachelor’s degree, applicants should be ready for a more rigorous application.

The most important aspects of a graduate school application would be the recommendation letters and the essays or personal statements. These two pieces say the most about you as a student; the references tell about you from another person’s perspective while the personal statement should show part of your personality and your desire for graduate school.

• When it comes to finding your references, make sure you talk to each of them individually and explain your career goals. Also, provide them with a copy of your resume and your personal statement so they know exactly where you are coming from and how to highlight your biggest accomplishments.
• For an essay or personal statement, check with the program to see if they have any specific requirements. Usually questions are similar, so it always helps to have a rough outline of points and then write one specifically for the program to which you are applying.

Application Deadlines:

Unfortunately, these deadlines vary greatly between programs and schools, so be sure to check with each program you’re considering to see what deadlines they require. For programs requiring an assistantship or internship position, typically deadlines will be earlier.  Conversely, there may be programs you can apply to just weeks before classes start. Whenever you apply though, be sure to call or email the department and confirm your application materials were received.

Waiting for Acceptance:

Many programs will give you a general idea when you should hear back from them in regards to your acceptance. Remember: this is not an overnight process! Often times, schools put together committees to review applications and decide on their top students. Programs can be selective and unfortunately they cannot accept everyone. If you feel like you should have heard one way or the other or the deadline has passed, you can call and check on the status of the applications. Even if they cannot tell you specifics over the phone, they should be able to give you a better idea of a timeline.

4.      Wrapping it Up

The most important part of any graduate school decision is do your research; decide what program you want, where you want the program to be and what you want out of the program. Make sure you visit any prospective school and meet with faculty and current students. There are some places that are perfect on paper but it can be a different story once you’re there!

If you aren’t sure about grad school right now, don’t stress. Take time in the workforce to see if that fits your style. If you’re dying to get back to school once you start a full-time job, it’s time to consider graduate school. Some programs prefer work experience, so it won’t hurt to take time if it’s best for you.

Remember there is no wrong or right decision! It takes a little bit of soul-searching, but it’s all about what is best for you and your career goals.

To start off your research, check out some of CCI’s very own master’s degree programs!

School of Communication Studies:

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Concentrations: Interpersonal Communication, Mediated & Mass Communication, Health Communication

School of Library and Information Science:

Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

Master of Library and Information Science  

School of Journalism and Mass Communication:

Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication 

Concentrations: Media Management, Public Relations, Reporting-Editing, Journalism Educators, Broadcasting, Newspaper, Convergence.

School of Visual Communication Design:

Master of Arts in Visual Communication Design

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design

Emily is a senior communication studies major and a marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information.

Hardworking design students prepare to “Enter the Game”

By  Julie Battaglia

As the semester comes to a close, our graduating Visual Communication Design (VCD) seniors are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their portfolios for the annual Senior Portfolio Show on April 12 – 15, from 11:00AM to 5:00PM,. This semester highlights 28 students ready to become “Free Agents” who are entering a competitive playing field at the professional level. The showcase’s theme this year is baseball, mostly red and white, and will include favorite snacks of a major league baseball game.

Throughout the week area professionals, family and friends have the opportunity to visit and survey the gallery. Friday, April 15, is the big day. At 4:00PM the Pre-reception review will begin. The students will present and be available for brief informal interviews about their work for local professionals seeking new talent in various fields. The students have studied a variety of topics including two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, illustrations, photographs, package design, information design, motion graphics and interaction design.

The purpose of the exhibition is to highlight the consistently strong portfolios of our hardworking students. AnnMarie LeBlanc, Director of the School of Visual Communication Design, describes the portfolios as, “the direct result of many hours of hard work, research and creative problem solving. It is a celebration of the culmination of many hours, weeks and years of student and faculty dedication.”

Friends, family, and VCD alumni are invited to attend at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 15 to show their support and also watch a brief awards ceremony to honor strong student portfolios. In past years the event has attracted as many as 300 visitors on Friday night.

No RSVP is necessary to attend. Follow the event on twitter @vcd_seniorshow. The gallery is located at 400 Janik Drive, Kent, OH 44240. Any other questions can be directed to the School of Visual Communication Design at Kent State University at 330.672.7856.

Where Can I Find a Job or Internship?

By Brianne Kimmel

Nineteen KSU Alumni Work with the Big Dogs in Cleveland Marketing Communications

Marcus Thomas LLC an integrated marketing communications agency in Cleveland offers everything from advertising to public relations for clients such as Akron Children’s Hospital, Dunlop Tires and Nestlé Nesquik.

Marcus Thomas LLC employs over 108 staff members making the agency one of the largest and most successful in Northeast Ohio. According Vice President of Human Resources Lori Pennica Hedrick, 2010 was the agency’s most successful year to date.

Kent State University students should consider this agency for summer or winter internships for hands-on agency experience and future opportunities. Seven out of the nineteen current KSU alumni at Marcus Thomas were previous interns, so there are opportunities to turn your internship into a career. Kent State University affiliation does not stop at internships; many adjunct professors in the advertising sequence are Marcus Thomas employees, and Franklin Hall is home to the Marcus Thomas Focus Group Room, which students use for qualitative research.

http://www.vimeo.com/7099751

As if you needed additional reasons to check out this local agency, Marcus Thomas was also voted “One of the Best Places to Work in Northeast Ohio” by NorthCoast 99. The agency’s unique office space and dog-friendly environment makes Marcus Thomas an exciting place to learn from the area’s best in marketing communications. You can even match employees to their faithful companions online! http://www.marcusthomasllc.com/etc.php

Brianne Kimmel is a senior advertising major and marketing assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.

Image Links:

http://www.marcusthomasllc.com/news.php

http://coolrain44.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/nesquik_bunny.jpg

Looking for some face-to-face job searching?

Step away from the computer for an afternoon to attend the Spring Job and Internship Fair at KSU!

By Anne Dudley

This Friday, April 1, the Career Services Center at Kent State University will hold its biannual Job and Internship Fair.

The fair will run from noon-4 p.m. in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and is open to all students and alumni looking for professional opportunities.

More than 80, (yes, 80!), employers will be present.

Library Careers Night in KSU Ballroom

Just a few of the attendees include:

• Cavaliers Holdings LLC
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Hyland Software, Inc.
• American Greetings
• Western Reserve Public Media
• Allegis Group – Aerotek
• The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

According to the event website students should:

• Arrive dressed for success
• Bring a supply of resumes
• Check out what employers are coming
• Pack your Flashcard to attain 500 FLASHperks (set up your account on Flashline)

The Career Services Center website offers a remarkable amount of information on job searching, interviewing, networking, and even another great checklist on preparing to attend a job and internship fair.

Image from Library Careers Night in KSU Ballroom

Don’t be stuck just searching online! Join us at the Spring Job and Internship Fair Friday from 12-4!