Get to Know Your Academic Advisors

By: Meghan Caprez

I was still in high school when I first met my academic advisor. My mother insisted on dragging me into the JMC advising office one Wednesday morning Spring 2011 because she’d heard about the old “Walk-In Wednesday” policy. I’d tried to explain to her that it only applied to kids who were actually in college, but she insisted it was for anybody.

They were surprised to hear we were there, demanding to meet with an advisor, especially since I hadn’t even committed to go to Kent State yet. Nevertheless, they sent Amy Wilkins out to talk to us. I sat mortified in the corner while my mom asked question after question. I thought I’d never live it down.

When I did commit to Kent State and attended Destination Kent State, Amy was the advisor who helped me schedule for my classes. Much to my horror, she remembered me because I came in with my mom earlier that year. I think she must have known how embarrassed I was about being the “kid who came in with mommy,” so she joked about it with me to put me at ease. To this day, she still asks me how my mom is doing, and all I can do is smile and roll my eyes at the memory.

There tends to be a malevolent rumor that runs around college campuses concerning advisors. A lot of people don’t trust in the advice they are given in regards to classes and scheduling because they’ve heard through the grapevine about an advisor who gave incorrect information. Those people are missing out on an incredibly valuable resource.

The cool thing about CCI advising is that it’s decentralized. Instead of everyone in the college going to a handful of advisors who know a little bit about each major, students turn to advisors located directly in their school with knowledge about their specific programs. For example, Amy Wilkens is an advisor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Her office is in Franklin Hall, and she knows about every single one of the JMC majors and minors. If I was a VCD student, I would go see Vince Giles in the Art building. If I was a COMM student, I would go see Lorie Hopp in Taylor Hall.

After working with them all summer during Destination Kent State, I can honestly say CCI advisors are the coolest advisors on campus. Who else would lip sync and play air guitar to “Eye of the Tiger” in front a bunch of incoming freshmen and their parents? Who else would spend a half hour with a student just scrolling through and printing out Photoshopped images of Coney from Collegefest 2012? They really care about connecting with the students.

Make sure you take advantage of the services they provide! Schedule an advising appointment today!

Farewell CCI

I can remember writing my welcome blog post almost a year ago, and now as I sit and write my farewell the irony seems bittersweet.  This past year at CCI has been the best work experience ever! When I started out here as Practicum student I wasn’t expecting to spend the next semester as a Marketing Assistant and even to come back this past spring semester after graduating in December.

My position here at CCI allowed me to work on a lot of fantastic projects, the coolest being the premiere for Research: The Musical. I served as the head of the movie’s marketing and PR team, which allowed me to gain hand’s on experience in planning a major art’s event like the movie premiere. This project also helped me figure out my career goals.

When I first came to CCI, I had plans on being a journalist. See blog post. However I soon realized that my love of writing would go perfectly with my love for the arts. In other words I decided that I wanted to work on the communications side of the entertainment industry. My ultimate goal would be to start my own arts non-profit for children from low-income families. I believe talent should be nurtured no matter what your financial circumstances are. I plan to work towards this goal by obtaining my Master’s from Akron University in Arts Administration in the fall and continuing to do post-graduate internships within the arts and media industry throughout Norteast Ohio.

Working with the CCI staff truly changed my life. I would recommend to anyone who has the oppurtunity to work here to make your experince count by getting to know the people you’re working with and tailoring your projects to fit your future career plans.

Britany Ruby has been a Marketing Assistant for the College of Communication and Information from May 2011-May 2012 . She graduated with her BA in Communication Studies in December 2011 and will be pursuing her Master’s in Arts Administration beginning Fall 2012.

The Great Summer Internship Search: How to Find your Perfect Summer Internship!

By Britany Ruby

I know what you’re thinking.  It’s February why do I need to think about my summer plans? The answer is simple, there are a lot of early birds out there who have already eaten the worm. There are college students all over the world who have already landed their summer dream job. Now it’s your turn!

These key steps should help you get an awesome summer internship:

1.  Search high and low- There are a lot of companies out there in desperate need of hard-working summer interns. The only problem is, the companies are waiting on potential interns to find them. Take the initiative & really search for an internship that fits you and your strengths. After all, if you put maximum effort into searching and applying for a job, it will show when you actually begin working there. Check out the websites below for listings in various communicati0n fields. You can also contact your advisor and professors for leads on internships. Don’t forget to check out the companies website, as well.

-ED2010

-Internprogram360

-Linkedin

-Internqueen

-FreeFashionInternships

2. Prepare, prepare, prepare-Once you have your list of positions you want to apply for, it’s time to start preparing your application packets. Each position calls for a custom resume and cover letter. For instance if you are applying for a public relations job at a university and at a theater company, you would cater each resume for each position.  Also different companies may call for different resume supplements; some may call for writing samples, some may just want a resume/cover letter and list of references.

3. Set up a timeline- You should have a calendar with all of your application deadlines on it. The calendar should also have the date you actually applied, as well as a follow up deadline. If you are contacted  about the position, put the date you were contacted as well as the day you had your interview. It allows you to make sure you follow up and send thank you notes in a timely fashion.

4. Apply- It’s never too late to apply for a summer internship. In fact even in May or June companies are normally still looking for students to fill its positions. However, it is best to start searching and applying for internships as early as possible. This allows you to make all the revisions and changes to your resume, contact your references and even practice your interviewing skills.

Remember, no matter how early you start applying for summer internships, the most important thing to show an employer is that you are organized and hard-working. What better way to show these traits then during the application and interview process? Take this advice, build on it and find the internship you’ve been waiting for!

Britany is a marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information. *Britany also has held four past internships*

Perfect Chaos: How to Handle Stress

By Britany Ruby

Stress. This word has become a part of most college students daily vocabulary. While college is a very beneficial and enlightening experience, it can still be overwhelming. Most full-time college students have jobs, are involved in various organizations, or both. Here a few tips to help students survive those stressful college nights.

1.  Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- You may be stressing over midterms and the fact that all your tests are back-to-back within a week.  However, once you have identified the stressors the best thing to do is stop focusing on it. Dwelling on the fact that you are already stressed will prevent you from accomplishing your goal and causing you to become even more stressed. The best thing to do is to relax and make a plan of how you will get everything done.

2. Try to Rest- Now this is easier said than done. It may seem like a good idea when you have to work at your part-time job the night before a huge exam, to just stay up after work and study. However, too many nights of cramming can begin to wear on your body. When this happens the stress begins to become less mental and more physical. To avoid this try to plan a small nap in your day or try to go to bed at a reasonable time at least once a week.

3. Don’t forget to eat- Being hungry limits focus and causes you to do poorly in classes, as well as not being able to function properly at work or your internship. It’s best to eat breakfast every morning. If a full meal isn’t possible a piece of fruit, a granola bar, or bowl of cereal will suffice. The point is to put something other than coffee on your stomach so that will you be thinking less about your growling stomach and more about what your teacher is saying.

4. Work it out- Exercise releases endorphins that you make you happier and more relaxed. In fact the best thing to do when your stuck on the final page of a paper is to take a break from it and go for a walk.  Now I know you may be thinking I’m already limited on time, how can I schedule in time to workout too? It’s easier than you think. Go for a brisk around campus during your study break. Walk instead of driving to your local diner or coffee shop. Any physical activity will help.

5. Remember to Have Fun- This is self-explanatory but sometimes as college students we forget to relax and just have some fun. Take a break from the books and meet a friend for a cup of coffee.  Also remember that it’s OK to leave the work at work. Now we all try to be super intern or super employee but sometimes you need to meet your friends at your favorite restaurant for happy hour. It’s OK to live a little as long as you still get your work done.

Whether you listen to the tips above or come up with some of your own, it is very important that all college students have some kind of plan to help when things become stressful. What are some way you try to manage stress? We’d love to know!

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

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.

CCI Student Focus: Student Athlete Inspires Fellow Players On & Off Court

By Emily Carle

Over the past five years, Kent State University’s Rodriquez Sherman has led the Golden Flashes Men’s Basketball team to 20-win seasons, back-to-back Mid-American Conference regular season championships all while maintaining a strong GPA and graduating in four years.

In August 2010, Sherman graduated from Kent State with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a concentration in organizational communication. Currently, he is working on his master’s degree in Exercise, Leisure and Sport with a concentration in sport management. Sherman is known for his positive attitude, significant work ethic and an overall great personality which all relates to his ability to manage the life of a student-athlete.

Sherman joined the Communication Studies program in 2006 after switching from business administration. Sherman liked what Communication Studies had to offer and how the discipline relates to basketball. “Being an athlete is like a business and you have to be able to communicate,” he said.

 “Being an athlete is like a business, and you have to be able to communicate,” Sherman said. Through his coursework, Sherman continued to get practice with communicating, “I was able to get past my fear of talking in front of people… I’ve turned into a great speaker even though I used to be nervous.”

From the classroom, Sherman applied his skills to the court. “With basketball, communication skills helped me develop a different role on the court. I was more vocal with my teammates and with my coaches and on the floor because I was able to speak fluently,” Sherman added.

Now that Sherman has fulfilled his goals as a student and an athlete, he is looking towards the future. Down to road, he hopes to stay connected with his love of basketball and work for ESPN as a sports anchor or as a coach. With his background in communication, Sherman feels confident about these job opportunities, as “communication is in everything we do; it’s everywhere… it all plays a part.”

Also in the Communication Studies program, Sherman found that fellow classmates and professors always understood his schedule, even when he would miss an entire week at a time.

“I had really good professors; I was always communicating with them and getting work done.” Through classmates, faculty and staff, Sherman “benefited from the program” and thoroughly enjoyed his time at Kent State. Specifically, he noted that Communication Studies faculty member and undergraduate advisor Rozell Duncan, Ph.D., was “wonderful and a great advisor.”

As a faculty member and undergraduate advisor, Duncan saw Sherman’s potential and recognized his commitment and hard work. “Rod applied himself not only to his academic work but as an athlete. I am confident he will do well in his graduate studies,” Duncan said.

 “It was my pleasure to be one of his instructors and help guide him along his academic path,” Duncan added.

With all of his hard work and perseverance during his time at Kent State, Sherman has learned a lot about what it takes to be a good student and is happy to pass along his wisdom to other students. A rigorous travel schedule and daily practice made it imperative to stay on task and master time management.

 “Stay organized. You’re not going to be able to deal with it all without being organized. Create an order, a plan. If you do that, you’ll be set,” Sherman advised.

Sherman’s academic success would not have been possible without his strong support system. “I would work while I was on the road and on the bus. I would get my assignments done ahead of time and stay in communication with academic advisors, athletic advisors and professors,” Sherman said.

 While not all students juggle demanding responsibilities of a being student athlete, many do stretch themselves thin to cover school, work, family and more, making it all the more important for students to have a grasp of time management and responsibility.

 Sherman, who is known for his positive attitude, significant work ethic and an overall great personality, shared this advice: “Take a deep breath, soak it all in and remember we were raised to get a better education.”

Sherman has been a role model not just for student athletes, but all students aspiring to do more while in college. Looking back, he only has good things to say about his time as an undergraduate.

“Kent State is a beautiful place, and it taught me a lot,” Sherman said. “A lot of kids come in and just think about basketball, but I made sure I had my degree so I would be educated. It was a big accomplishment. Communication Studies is a beautiful program inside and out, and so are the people here.”

CCI Student Focus and Guest Post: Sophomore VCD student Nicole Tomak

 

Photo from Everystockphoto.com

 

By Nicole Tomak

In High School, for the longest time I had no idea what I wanted to major in after I graduated. I have always been a creative person and knew I wanted a career someday that I would love doing. I wanted something that would be different every day and that would allow me to use my talents to create something while getting paid to do it. Finally, after visiting Kent State University and talking to advisors about the Visual Communication Design (VCD) program, I decided it was the school and major for me.

My first year in the program was tough, but I realized it was just something I had to get through to get to the fun stuff. The first year is really all about teaching students discipline and the necessary basics to help them grow as a designer. The second year has been a lot more creative and you learn more useful skills. So if you make it through the monotony of the first year, it gets a lot more interesting.

As a VCD student, plan on spending a LOT of money on supplies. In addition to buying a MacBook Pro, and a SLR camera, and the adobe creative suite student version, you have to buy all of the supplies for all your studio classes. Some people take out student loans just to afford all of this, others have part-time jobs. 

One way to save money is by buying your supplies in advance online. A great website I have had success with is http://www.dickblick.com/. A lot of professors put their supplies lists up, and you can get coupon codes offline. Hobby Lobby often has great deals, sales, and coupons.  As long as you are looking in advance, Hobby Lobby is a great place to shop. And of course, if you wait until last-minute, All Media on Main Street stocks up on all supplies, and you can usually find everything you need there. Sometimes you pay more, but for the convenience, it can really be worth it.

Another helpful tip is if you are having trouble on a project or in a class, most VCD professors are willing to give you extra help. Sometimes professors will even let you email them a .pdf or photos of what you are working on over a weekend so you can get an extra critique. It all depends on the professor and how much time they have, but don’t be afraid to ask. Also, don’t forget about your peers. Although they are not seasoned designers like your professors, sometimes getting a critique from them can give you fresh ideas, or insight into something you may have missed otherwise.

Nicole Tomak is a sophomore visual communication design student and guest blogger for WhyCCIKent.

The Dreaded Finals Week: How do I deal?

By Emily Carle

Thanks to Anne Dudley, all of our blog readers should know where to go to study and how to handle the last few stressful weeks of the semester, but the days leading up to finals week can use some more attention. For a lot of first-year students, finals week is a new or very different concept. Even being a senior and dealing with my seventh finals week (AH!) I know that every semester is different with a variety of exams and projects thrown at me. Thankfully every semester there are also more resources for students to use.

First, it’s important to know when your exams actually take place. A lot of the time, professors will alert the class as to the time and location for the exams but it never hurts to check and plan ahead. The Final Exam calendar can be found on the Registrars website. It gets updated for every semester, so keep that in mind for the future finals weeks. Make sure you contact your professor if you aren’t sure about the exam time. Final exams are nearly impossible to make up without a documented excuse, so there isn’t any leeway with the excuse “I didn’t know.”

Second, remember that there are numerous resources for students on campus. The library not only has study areas but drop-in math tutoring. If you have final papers to turn in instead of final exams, make sure you make an appointment with the Writing Commons to help you edit, cite, and proofread any writing assignment. To sign-up for a time slot, just go to the website and click “Schedule an Appointment” and an email reminder will be sent. More study resources are available through the Academic Success Center  as well as information on Kent CORE Study Groups and Drop-In Tutoring.

If incentives are a priority, make sure to check out the Study-A-Thon on Saturday, Dec. 11th from 12 noon to 12 midnight in the Student Center Ballroom. Every hour of the Study-A-Thon will have 50 minutes devoted to quiet study and the last 10 minutes will be a study break with food, snacks, coffee and prizes! There will be a grand prize of a $300 book scholarship at the event. Make sure to check it out just in time to devote the entire weekend to finals studying.

Lastly, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind while studying:

1. Take care of your body: eat healthy, exercise and most importantly SLEEP.

2. Take short study breaks: non-stop studying is not as helpful, make sure to break up the time.

3. Choose your environment carefully: find what works best for you but a peaceful environment will help your concentration.

4. Become a time miser: identify the time-stealing activities (i.e. television & Facebook) and eliminate them during finals studying.

5. Prioritize: plan your week, your day and what you need to study

6. Get help: don’t be afraid to ask questions of friends, classmates and professors if you don’t understand.

7. Use study groups: learn the material on your own and then review it by teaching/explaining the subject to a group.

8. Make outlines: identify key points and stay focused on what is important.

9. Rewrite notes: the extra time will help engrain the information

10. Get creative!: find the study style that works for you, from sticky notes, to podcasts, to PowerPoint.

By taking advantage of all the resources on campus as well as planning and studying everything accordingly, a successful finals week is inevitable! It is always important to end the semester on a strong note, so there is no excuse to overlook the endless possibilities all around you.

Emily Carle is a senior applied communications major and marketing assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.

Tips and Tricks: Scheduling

By Nicole Gennarelli

Scheduling.
It’s something every student on campus has to do every semester. Looking up classes, seeing if you like the teacher, what times are the courses offered, and asking yourself if you can make it from Moulton Hall to Taylor Hall in fifteen minutes are all valid concerns. Not to mention wondering if you’ll even be able to register for a class that has two spots left. Scheduling on top of school work can add to any college student’s stress level.
However, by following these tips that have proved helpful to me, I’m sure scheduling will become much easier.

1. Make an advising appointment- Make an appointment as soon as possible. You can find links to each of the four schools on CCI’s website. Each of the school’s websites have links and guides to finding information about advising, and you can schedule an appointment online. Advisors are extremely helpful, can help you figure out what classes are necessary to take, and can make sure you have all the prerequisites you need for next semester.
2. Look up your classes & times as soon as possible- This is very important. Scheduling sneaks up fast and many people do not take the time to put together a tentative schedule. It helps to write down all your classes, what times they’re offered, and what hall they are in. This gives you a picture of what your semester will look like and allows you to switch classes around depending on what you want your school week to look like.
3. Write down the CRN numbers for classes- This makes the night of scheduling ten times easier. When everyone goes on Flashline exactly at midnight, they’re all doing the same thing you are- scrambling to get into the classes they want. So by writing down the CRN numbers ahead of time, you can go to the add/drop classes tab on Flashline and just type those numbers at the bottom of the screen and hit register. It eliminates searching for your classes and adding them by department.
4. Make sure you registered correctly- It is easy, sometimes, to think you made it into a class when you actually didn’t. By going to the “My Courses” tab in Flashline, you will see your classes broken down by semester. There, you can scroll down and view what classes you have taken and what you are registered for in the upcoming semester. If you successfully registered for all the classes you wanted, you should see them all listed under spring 2011 (or whichever semester is next).

These tips are easy and actually really useful! I do this every semester and it eliminates a lot of stress. When it comes time to watch the clock, countdown to midnight, and scramble to type the CRN numbers in correctly, you’ll be thankful you followed these four tips.

Nicole Gennarelli is a Junior Public Relations major and marketing assistant in the Dean’s Office of the College of Communication and Information.