First place winner Megan Husk had a cheering section from her fellow Honors College classmates.

 Winners, their majors, speech topic, hometown and instructor are as a follows:

• 1st place winner of a $500 scholarship: Megan Husk, Nutrition and Food, for a speech on “3D Movies.” Husk’s hometown is Canton, Ohio; she is a graduate of Marlington High School. Thomas Gore is Husk’s instructor.
• 2nd place winner of a $300 scholarship: Hannah Bostdorff, Nursing, for a speech on “Implementing A.L.I.C.E. Training in Schools.” Bostdorff is from Bowling Green; she is a graduate of Otsego High School., Ohio. Brian Pattie is Bostdorff’s instructor.
• 3rd place winner of a $100 scholarship: Lane Forthofer, Middle Childhood Education for a speech on “Cyber-bullying Must Stop!” Forthofer is from Elyria, Ohio; she is a graduate of Elyria Catholic High School.  Phillip R. Reed is Forthofer’s instructor.

 Winners of a $50 Scholarship and Honorable mention in alphabetical order are:

• Rushia Edwards, Pre-nursing major and Communication Studies minor, for a speech on “Affirmative Action: What Really Matters?” Edwards’ hometown is Toledo, Ohio; she is a graduate of Central Catholic High School. Kathryn Brittany Golsan is Edwards’ instructor.
•  Alyssa Galmish, Nutrition and Food, “Eating Organic Food.” Galmish’s hometown is Canton, Ohio; she is a graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School. Kathryn Brittany Golsan is Edwards’ instructor. Galmish was also the People’s Choice Award recipient as determined by popular vote of the audience.
• Michelle Hayes, Interior Design, for a speech on “Joining the Air Force.” Hayes’ hometown is Lisbon, Ohio; she is a graduate of David Anderson High School. Rekha Sharma is Hayes’ instructor.
• Elizabeth Heibertshausen, Fashion Merchandising, for a speech on “Changing Language Barriers: Learning a Second Language.” Heibertshausen’s hometown is Attica, Ohio; she is a graduate of Seneca East High School.  Roxanne Hall is Heibertshausen’s instructor. 

Introduction to Human Communication Instructors whose students were among the Hyde Park Forum finalists are, from left, Roxanne Hall, Rekha Sharma, Brian Pattie, Kathryn Brittany Golsan, Phillip R. Reed, and Thomas Gore.

The Hyde Park Forum is a tradition in the School of Communication Studies which allows a public forum for students to share their persuasive speeches on topical issues, according to Jennifer Chakroff, Ph.D., course director and assistant professor of Communication Studies.

James Ponder, instructor and doctoral candidate, who assisted as a statistician for the Hyde Park Forum, shares results with Jennifer Chakroff, Ph.D., Introduction to Human Communication course director and assistant professor in Communication Studies.

Students from a variety of academic majors enrolled in the school’s Introduction to Human Communication course compete for cash awards and special gifts. Students enrolled during Fall and Spring semesters of the current academic year were invited to submit their persuasive speech outlines for the competition.

Guest judges for the competition included leaders from business, education, government and civic service communities.

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

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

Now more than one year into remission and back to health, Kaplan’s goal for the “Not As I Pictured” film is to get thousands of free copies in the hands of any patients, survivors and caregivers who would desire one, says Kaplan.

John Kaplan in action at a speaking engagement

Diagnosed at age 48 with a potentially deadly form of lymphoma, Kaplan ”turned the lens on himself” and chronicled his experience in this moving visual journal. An educational kit produced in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology accompanies the DVD, addressing the emotional side of cancer with coping and lifestyle tips for patients, caregivers and survivors.

Kaplan, a University of Florida professor of journalism, husband and father of two young children, says, “The film uses anything but the typical melancholy, clichéd approach toward cancer stories. “Not As I Pictured” is upbeat and life affirming.”

With help from his family, doctors, and even Mother Teresa and a rock star, Kaplanshares the same boundless determination and powerful storytelling ability that helped him become one of America’s best-known photojournalists. Although the topic is serious, the film is positive and ends with the news of “complete remission” and Kaplan’s return to good health.

“During my treatment, we received so much unexpected help along the way, often from strangers,” he says. “By giving away the film, I’m determined to give some of that back.”

One in three Americans will get cancer, touching nearly every family in the nation. Many cancers today are beginning to be looked at as chronic illnesses, rather than death sentences as in years gone by. Kaplan’s cancer diagnosis forever changed his outlook. “Your priorities become crystal-clear, immediately. The veneer is stripped away. I just want to be alive to see my kids grow up.”

“Not As I Pictured” has won national acclaim, with more than 20 film honors, including two prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Awards and several Best Documentary film festival accolades.

Many well-known musicians donated musical rights for the film soundtrack, including Michael Stipe and R.E.M., Chris Martin of Coldplay, David Bowie, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Justin Timberlake, Pantera and the Cowboy Junkies. Their contributions helped the film win Best Soundtrack at the 2010 Maverick Movie Awards, and the ADDY Best of Show for Public Service.

The impact of Kaplan’s film among patients, caregivers, and the medical community is evidenced by posts at the “Not As I Pictured” Facebook page. Kathy, whose husband is in treatment, shares, and “I was greatly moved. It would have touched me before, but now that we are dealing with a diagnosis of aggressive illness in my husband, it means far more. I am in awe of your film.”

Kaplan’s leading honors include the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1992. He is also a winner of the Overseas Press Club Award and national Photographer of the Year (POY) honors.

For additional information, contact Jennifer Kramer at jlkramer@kent.edu.

Posted March 28, 2011

First Impressions are Everything, Especially in Business

The last thing a broke college kid wants to hear is “It’s time to invest in a good interview suit.” Many young professionals believe they know all the keys to assembling an acceptable interview outfit, when in fact they are completely wrong. Hopefully after viewing this you will not fall victim to an embarrassing interview moment.

Women in Business Image from burninsilence.tv

For Women:

Since women started working in the office, several changes have occurred.  No longer must a woman’s professional dress mirror her male colleagues. Be careful to remember that business clothing is not a reflection of the latest fashion trend.

The best place to start is with a skirted suit or pant suit. Skirts should be knee-length or slightly above or below. Avoid extremes. A skirt more than two inches above the knee raises eyebrows and questions. Some wonder if a dress is appropriate; dresses do not offer the same credibility unless they are accompanied by matching jackets. Pants should break at the top of the foot or shoe and should not be cropped or shortened. Unfortunately this means Capri pants are unprofessional.

Blouses and sweaters provide color and variety to women’s clothing, but should be appealing rather than revealing. Inappropriate necklines and waistlines can give the wrong impression.

Neutral or flesh-tone stockings are the best choice. Never wear dark hose with light-colored clothing or shoes. Keep an extra pair of stockings in your desk drawer. Shoes should be of sensible height; wedges are most comfortable. A closed toe is the best option before May, in Ohio at least. A low heel is more professional than flats or high heels. Sandals, open-toed or backless shoes are not office attire.

When it comes to accessories and jewelry, keep it simple: one ring per hand, one earring per ear. Facial piercings must be removed. Accessories should reflect your personality, not diminish your credibility. Buy a watch, a cheap one tells the same time as an expensive one. It is considered rude to constantly check your phone for the time. A bag, large enough for a folder or laptop and include all essentials for possible emergencies throughout the day (extra pens, medicine, phone charger, etc.).

Image of man's suit from ties-necktie.com

For Men:

It’s about presenting yourself in a way that makes your clients feel comfortable and confident in you. Dressing for success is still the rule. The professional businessman should keep in mind these few points when deciding what to wear to work.

Choose a conservative suit in navy, black or gray either pinstripe or solid. Gray suits are easy to match with black or brown shoes and look great with a variety of colored shirts. The quality of the material speaks as loudly as the color and can make the difference between sleaze and suave.

Ties should be made of silk or a silk-like fabric. Avoid the cartoon characters and go for simple and subtle if you want to enhance your credibility. Wear a pocket square. Pocket squares have been worn with suits ever since the beginning of the 20th century and are still fashionable. It makes you stand out.

Socks should be calf-length or above. Make sure they match not only what you are wearing, but also each other. A quick glance in good light before heading out the door can save embarrassment later in the day. Check for holes as well if you’ll be going through airport security and removing your shoes.

Shoes should without question be conservative, clean and well polished. Lace-up shoes are the choice over slip-ons.. Many people will look at your feet before your face. Try a brown shoe. Black leather shoes are nice but having a brown shoe with a carefully matched brown belt will help you to stand out.

Belts need to match or closely coordinate with your shoes. Once again, quality counts. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Limit yourself to a conservative watch, a wedding band and maybe your college ring. Freshly scrubbed wins out over heavily fragranced any day of the week. Always remember to shave.

The finishing touch for the business man is his choice of accessories: briefcase, portfolio and pen. Keep in mind that a messenger bag over a briefcase can again help you to stand out over others. Just make sure the bag is stylish and business appropriate.

Small Reminders:

Pack a decent folder with business cards, resumes, notes for your thirty-second about me speech, agenda, etc. When buying business attire remember to find things that are considered classic. This means they will not immediately go out of style and use accessories or jewelry to dress up. Buy clothes that fit. Clothes from high school usually do not still fit. For women many sizes change with seasons or from year to year. Buy clothes big enough to be comfortable and feel good. Yes, many of us are broke, but finding something you look good in and invest in it is very important. Quality over quantity always prevails.

Lastly,  do not forget about manners. It may sound silly but having professional manners can rocket your career without you even knowing it. Some common mistakes are highlighted below.

Mistake #1: Show up late and think it doesn’t matter. Anticipate getting lost, getting stuck in traffic or spending 10 minutes looking for parking. Time is money and the person interviewing you has set aside a period of time for you. You’ve just wasted his/her time and that’s a bad thing. It also plants the seed in his/her head that you are someone who doesn’t plan for contingencies and are likely to be consistently late for work if he hires you.

Mistake #2: Keep your cell phone on so he/she knows just how important you are. Turn off your cell phone — altogether — before entering the door to that office. You only have a brief window of time with your interviewer, and you want to make sure that you have no interruptions that might break the interviewer’s concentration. It shows how important this job interview is to you.

Mistake # 3: Offering a limp handshake. People who do this are generally intimidated by the situation. Don’t be that person. Extend your right hand in vertical position with the thumb upright and fingers extended. Shake web to web firmly. Don’t squeeze so hard that a trip to the ER becomes necessary. Shake with two pumps, then release. Also, wait for the interviewer to extend his hand first. If the interviewer is seated at the desk when you enter the room, wait for her/him to rise and walk around the desk to greet you. You don’t want to invade the interviewer’s personal space.

Mistake #4: Chat up a storm. When nervous, there’s a tendency to verbally rush in and fill the silence.. The key to being a good conversationalist is to listen and ask thoughtful questions. Do your research beforehand.

Mistake #5: Don’t slouch. Stand up straight. People who stand with erect shoulders make a better impression.

Mistake #6:. Do not act too familiar with the interviewer. Maintain a professional distance and do not get too personal. Avoid nosy questions.

Mistake #7: Ignore body language. Actually, you give a lot away by how you sit. Gaché says to keep your arms and legs uncrossed and be aware of excessive fidgeting. No foot tapping, hair twirling or nail biting. Crossed limbs signal that you are on the defensive and uncomfortable. Women should sit with ankles crossed and angled toward the right. Place your left hand on your left thigh and your right hand on top of that. Hand gestures are wonderful, if kept in proportion. Never flail. For men, feet and knees are shoulder-width apart and hands are on top of the thighs near the knees.

Mistake #8: Remaining too serious. In fact, you should smile a lot. The job market right now is cut-throat competition and even if you are feeling discouraged, put on your happy face and “fake it until you make it”. There is nothing worse than a bad attitude; leave your personal baggage at home. Nobody wants to hire a Debbie Downer.

Mistake #9: Let the employer know just how entitled you are to this position. Leave your sense of entitlement at home.

Mistake #10: You may think snail mail thank-you notes went out of style like eight-track tapes. Send a handwritten, snail-mail thank-you note. Writing a thank-you note demonstrates professionalism. You’ll stand out because most other applicants won’t bother. You can also add a comment or insight that you forgot during the interview. And writing a thank-you note gives you another opportunity to restate your interest in the position. Saying thank you leaves a strong and positive impression.

Mistake # 11: Treat an interview over a meal as if you were dining with your pals. Meal interviews are standard operating procedure for a lot of jobs in high-end sales. It is a chance for the boss to observe your public behavior. It’s important to treat wait staff with respect. Don’t order messy pasta or a big plate of beef ribs. Absolutely do not order alcohol unless your host does first. Even then, it still may be a test. Business shouldn’t be discussed until your host brings it up, generally after the meal.

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

Lake-Olson turns 50!

Lake Hall and Olson Hall, the home of CCI Commons, are turning the big 5, 0 and are celebrating in style with a weeklong celebration.

Monday, March 28th

The Fancy 50th Kick Off Lake Lounge 8:30pm

Tuesday, March 29th

Gilligan’s Treasure Hunt Island The Quad 4:00pm

Wednesday, March 30^th

Beach Boy Beach Party The Quad / Olson Lounge 4:00pm

Thursday, March 31st 50th

Birthday Bash Lift Off The Quad  5:00pm

Friday, April 1st

60’s Sadie Hawkins Dance Lake Patio / Lounge  7:00pm

Other Lake-Olson Upcoming Events

CCI would also like to encourage participation in The Black Squirrel Film Festival. This student-judged event, is open to all KSU students. Short films less than 10 minutes of any genre will be accepted. Entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. Friday, April 8th, in room 201 of Franklin Hall. Contact Simon Husted at shusted1@kent.edu with any questions.

The films will be shown in the Kiva 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20th.`

Prizes:  Avid Media Composer 5 software Audio Technica Shotgun Microphone

On April 4^th, come volunteer with POWER corps. This is a non-profit organization in the portage county area. They provide social, recreation, and leisure activities for adults with disabilities. Come to the Lake Lounge for BINGO as always, there will be dinner and prizes! This is a great opportunity for you to try something new, and it may even spark an interest for you.

Suggestions to Stand Out Against the Templates

With summer just a couple months away, it’s time to start applying for jobs and internships, or even change your current strategy to ensure a few call backs.  Resumes have significantly evolved over the years, so making your resume pop will take some research… and maybe a few stitches.
1.)    Embrace your inner salesperson

Pitch yourself like a product:  Think why an employer NEEDS you… not why you WANT to work for them.
A video resume is the ultimate way to present your thirty second elevator pitch, sites like RezBuzz or Say Hello There offer free video platforms to show off your interview skills.
Keep your pitch simple and effective. Avoid clichés, HR has heard it all. Think confident professional, not used –car salesman.

Used Car Salesman from http://www.trishskram.com

2.)    Interact with HR

Place yourself in HR’s position. After reading hundreds of black and white PDF resumes, wouldn’t you love to have an interactive, visual experience?  With Visual CV, you can upload a professional photo, documents, charts and videos… basically anything to get you in for an interview.  Black and white gets monotonous, show some color and initiative.

Visual CV Image from http://www.visualcv.com

3.)    Forget Steps One and Two

Let’s face it, we all aren’t techies.  Resumes are meant to showcase your talents and personality. Creativity can come in many forms; try creating your resume using a medium that’s symbolic to your personality.  If you enjoy fashion or simplistic design, put your resume on vintage fabric. If you can paint, try an art canvas.  Not only will you stand out; your resume will be harder to throw away.
Don’t be afraid to highlight what sets you apart. At the end of the day, HR wants someone pleasant and enjoyable to work with each day.

Resume on Fabric from http://www.unruly-things.com

Visit the Web for additional unique resume ideas and designs, sites like Noupe.com and Razume offer resume design techniques and advice.

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

The application deadline is approaching for the annual Cleveland Communication Day! Applications are due Tuesday, March 29, 2011 by 5:00 PM in the School of Communication Studies Office, 135 Taylor Hall and copies can be picked up in the same office or downloaded below.

Cleve_Comm_Day_Application_Form_2011

This year, the all-day event will take place on Friday, April 15, 2011. Students will travel to Cleveland, Ohio for a day of meeting with area businesses and learning about the job opportunities for communication studies majors. Among this year’s companies are the Playhouse Square Foundation, a non-profit organization, and Sammy’s, an event planning/food service organization. The cost of the event is $40 and it is due once the student is notified the application request is accepted.

Any interested communication studies students should apply. It’s a unique opportunity that could lead to potential job or internship offers. Networking is an incredibly important tool as an undergraduate student that leads to even more opportunities after graduation. Students who are looking to start or widen their networking circle will find benefit in this event.

Questions can be addressed to Dr. Rozell Duncan, 330-672-0184 or rduncan@kent.edu.

We hope you enjoyed your Spring Break!

Today through Friday, WhyCCIKent will be featuring its first-ever “Post Graduation Week!”

This week’s posts will feature information on what to expect after graduation, what other CCI students are doing, options for what to do after graduation, and much, much more! Our bloggers plan to provide plenty of valuable information for you to take with you after you graduate, or to prepare for graduation.

Image from http://www.free-graphics.com/.../graduation-cap.shtml

Comment, reply, or email to let us know what you think or what your post graduation plans are!

On March 9, 2011, the School of Communication Studies awarded its top students at the Celebration of Success. Students were invited to take part in a light reception with refreshments and mingle with current students, faculty and staff while being recognized for their scholastic achievement.

The students who were awarded included all seniors graduating in May or August who achieved a 3.50 or better grade point average while at Kent State University.

Senior organizational communication studies major Arianne Gasser noted that, “I was honored to be invited to the Celebration of Success! Though I am excited to take the steps after graduation in May, I am so thankful for everything that the School of Communication Studies has done for me over the past four years.”

“I enjoyed the opportunity to talk to my professors and the faculty about what I plan to do after graduation. Their guidance along the way has been significant to my success and it was nice to be able to share in celebrating with them”

The School of Communication Studies graduate students will be awarded at their own reception, April 14, 2011.

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