Newsletter for January 13, 2009
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Children seldom misquote. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. "
Author Unknown
HELP Center Announcements
Staffing Updates
Please note that Jerri Clark Wagner is out on leave until January 26, 2009.
Free Bowling!
The 70-year-old bowling lanes of Goldy's Gameroom were replaced during winter break. Try out the brand-new lanes with free bowling and shoe rental, January 20-21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., subject to availability (two games per person). For more information, see free bowling.
Save the Dates:
Upcoming Career Fairs
Environmental Internship & Career Fair
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2:00pm-6:00pm
North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center
**Fields/Majors Represented:***
Bio-Products and Biosystems Engineering, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Design, Environmental Education, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Sciences Policy and Management, Fisheries and Wildlife, Forestry, Horticulture, Recreation Resource Management, Soil Science, Water Resources
To see a list of employers attending go to GoldPASS http://goldpass.umn.edu and click on the "Career Events" menu. Start preparing for the career fair by viewing our online Job Fair Success workshop at http://umconnect.umn.edu/jobfairsuccess/
Questions? Contact the St. Paul Campus Career Center at 612-624-2710.
http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/envjobfair/
Monday, February 9, 2009
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center
Come to the biggest student career fair in Minnesota! More than 250 organizations will be there recruiting for hundreds of jobs and internships. The Job and Internship Fair is free and open to all U of M undergraduates, graduate students, and recent alumni. This event was created just for you! Visit http://www.cclc.umn.edu/umjobfair/index.html for more information.
Check out this website for other upcoming Career Events: http://www.career.umn.edu/campusevents.htm
Tentative Date for Student Parent Visibility Day
April 21, 2009
More information to come.
PASS Group (Parenting as Students Support Group)
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 in Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other student parents, discuss the challenges and joys surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!). See below for upcoming group topics.
Updates on Spring 2009 PASS Group
The Parents as Student Support Group will resume in the spring semester on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. This will give students a week to get settled into their new spring schedules. As always, group will meet in Room 24 (Student Parent HELP Center) and will feature FREE food (yummy crock-pot goodness or ordering out from local restaurants); great conversations; meeting new parents; and discussing parent and student-related topics. We always try to leave a lot of time for discussion and fun between parents, but we also attempt to bring in speakers that are relevant to student parent-related topics. This semester, we will most likely feature: Deb Wilkin from Financial Aid, Child Development Strategies, Effective and Positive Discipline Strategies for kids, stress-relieving mechanisms for student parents, a clothing exchange, and a session on job interviewing strategies/fashion tips. We hope to also invite some former student parents to speak. We look forward to seeing you at the next group! Remember: kids, family members, parents and support people are always welcome to attend.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered student parents' priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to you after the group meets.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner
or Melanie Opay at sphc@umn.edu.
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their web site under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address: warfi002@umn.edu.
We will also have applications available at the HELP Center and you can attend a meeting and sign up then as well. Meetings are held each Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM in the Student Parent HELP Center. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their web site to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Frugal Luxuries Feature
Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride
Tracey McBride created the newsletter Frugal Times in 1993 and has since delighted thousands by elevating the skill of living frugally to an art form. Now Tracey's commonsense techniques for making "every day a feast" and her wisdom on how to cultivate abundance are gathered in one volume.
Tracey shows us how to savor the intangible gifts we receive when we create a nurturing home, share luscious yet low-cost meals with family and friends, master our budgets, learn to combine style and thriftiness, and cultivate our dreams and imaginations without spending a cent.
Filled with ingenious, heartwarming, and practical advice, Frugal Luxuries helps us remember what is truly of value in our lives--our time, our loved ones, and our inner sense of prosperity. Combining the spiritual nourishment of Simple Abundance with the practicality of The Tightwad Gazette, Frugal Luxuries is destined to become the classic on how to live every day with a sense of abundance, beauty, and luxury. -Amazon.com
**The SPHC will be purchasing the book Frugal Luxuries to add to our library collection, which will be available for check out to any student parent registered with the SPHC.
Homemade Bath & Body Products
Beauty products don't need to be costly. You can achieve professional results at home!
Bath Snowballs
Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
These fragrant spheres for the bath are made by packing Epsom salts into a plastic mold. The bath "snowballs" can be tinted any color. You'll need 3 to 4 days to make the bath balls because of the drying time between steps. Makes 2 large or 4 small balls.
Tools and Materials
2 cups Epsom salts
2 tablespoons water
A few drops essential oil(s)
1 drop food coloring, plus more if desired
Special equipment: plastic pipette, large or small round bath-ball molds, storage jars
Directions
1. Stir together Epsom salts and water in a mixing bowl. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Add food coloring, 1 drop at a time, until desired shade is achieved; stir until color is even throughout.
2. Spoon a generous amount of mixture (more than necessary) into 1/2 of a bath-ball mold. Pack firmly. Repeat, packing mixture into second half of mold. Press pieces together until they connect. Remove top half of mold very carefully. Let bath ball stand, mold side down, overnight (set ball on an overturned jar lid to keep it from tipping over).
3. Remove mold carefully. Invert, and let ball dry completely, 2 to 3 days more. Transfer to jars.
Body Scrub
Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living
You need only four ingredients to make these moisturizing exfoliants. The base can be made from either Epsom salts or sugar, depending on whether you want a large or fine grain. Color the scrubs with shades that are in keeping with some of the scents you use -- pink with grapefruit, for example, or green with eucalyptus. Makes about 2 1/3 cups.
Tools and Materials
2 cups Epsom salts or organic cane sugar
1 cup carrier oil
8 drops essential oil(s)
1 drop food coloring
Special equipment:plastic pipette, canning jars
Directions
1. Stir together Epsom salts or sugar and carrier oil in a bowl, mixing well.
2. Using pipette, add essential oil, 1 drop at a time. Add food coloring, and stir until color is even throughout. Spoon into canning jars.
3. Download clip-art labels, enlarging or reducing to fit top of canning jar if necessary. Print onto ink-jet bumper-sticker paper (which is designed to withstand water). Cut out the labels, and affix to clean jars.
***For other homemade bath and body products, visit http://www.marthastewart.com/article/natural-beauties
You may want to select containers with colored caps that remind you of the scent you made. For example, pick a clear bottle with a purple cap for lavender.
- Heat up 3/4 Cup of Oil of Your Choice in the microwave with 2 teaspoons of Steric Acid and 1 teaspoon of Emulsifying Wax until melted.
- In a separate plastic bowl with a pour mouth preferably, heat up 1/2 cup of water of your choice (such as rainwater) in the microwave with a 1/2 teaspoon of Borax (the Mule Team stuff) until boiling hot.
- Then use the same plastic pour mouth bowl you boiled the water in and slowly whip in the oil mixture with a hand blender. Keep mixing until fairly cool. At this time, you can add Vitamin E oil, a little color, fragrance, whatever you consider great stuff!
- When the lotion seems well mixed, funnel into pretty plastic lotion bottles. If you are going to take longer than a month to use this, it is recommended that you put in a touch of Germaben II to body products; they will tend to form black little microbes after a few months. Vitamin E is a natural preservative and may help.
Variations:
Once you get the chemistry down, the interplay is wide open. You can use green tea instead of water or rainwater, or water infused with whatever herb you like. On the oil side, you can soak the oils in elements such as bee pollen, strain and then use for the oil part.
Making your own lotions will not only save you money, but also you will have the healthiest possible products around.
To moisturize your skin and make it glow with beauty you can make many different home-made face masks that can help dry or tired skin look and feel its best.
Citrus Fruit Mask
Mix one Tablespoon Honey to two Tablespoons orange juice. Mix completely then add 1 Apple, cored, quartered and pureed till smooth with 1/2 teaspoon sage. Mix it together well and secure your hair back out of your face securely. Heat the mixture a few minutes in the microwave and smooth evenly on your face. Keep it on your face for 20 minutes and then wash clean with a warm wash cloth. This can enhance all skin types.
Cucumber Mask
Add 1/2 a Cucumber, 1 Egg white, 1/2 teaspoon Lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon Lime juice, 1 tsp Apple Mint Leaves to a food processor or blender and puree for 5 minutes until smooth. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face while cool and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with hot washcloth to loosen your pores and then rinse with cool water to finish your treatment. This mask is especially good for oily skin.
Peach Tightening Mask
1 Peach, ripe, peeled, pitted
1 Egg white or 1/4 cup cornstarch
1 mint sprig
Whip the peach, egg white or cornstarch and mint leaves together in a blender until smooth. Smooth mixture evenly over your face and leave on to tighten for 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat dry.
Mix Together:
6 Cups Epsom Salts
6 Cups Sea Salt
2/3 Cups baking soda
A few drops of Essential Oils and Food Coloring is optional
Whichever kind of bath salts you are making you will want to mix the salts and baking soda in a bowl very well. Divide the mixture up between several small bowls to create a fun layered look in your container. For best results mix your coloring and essential oil separately to each bowl. After letting the bowls sit for 24 hours you can add a scoopful to your container. You can make Vanilla, Strawberry and Orange Bath salts and layer them alternately in a sundae dish for a fun gift idea or layer them in a glass pasta jar and tie a wooden scoop on with a piece of raffia or ribbon. Use peppermint essential oil and red and pink food-coloring to make a candy cane bath salt.
Insider Fashion Advice
10 Fashion Tips for the Frugalista
Courtesy of http://frugalforlife.blogspot.com/2008/12/10-fashion-tips-for-frugalista.html
Clothes can be hard to come by if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. If you want to stay frugal here are a few ideas to take with you along with your money so you don't look like.... I'm sure you can think of a few.
1. Buy Quality - Not expensive clothes necessarily, but quality clothes. Many times quality items aren’t cheap, but their brand is known for its quality. If you are unsure, ask around.
2. Shop Sales - You will want to want to wait more toward the end of the season to buy the items you need for next year. Keep track of the sales at the stores you regularly go to.
3. Buy Classics – A good white shirt, a classic black dress, Khaki pants, etc. those things never go out of style.
4. Buy Second-hand - People gain and lose weight or get tired of an item that is quality. This is where you can pick up some good stuff for pennies on the dollar. Garage sales are also good to go to as well.
5. Buy Look-alikes – If you have to have a certain watch, check out other watches that have a face similar to the more expensive one you want. They may never know, but you will know that you have more money in the bank for it.
6. Swap clothes with others – Have some friends that are about the same size as you? Have a swap time once a month to switch up your wardrobes.
7. Budget your wardrobe – Plan ahead and you will come out ahead when it comes to saving money. Impulse shopping is NEVER a good idea.
8. Choose versatile pieces - Clothing that can be worn in several ways and to several occasions make more sense, practically and financially. A fine, black top can be worn night and day, with all colors and a multitude of textures. A satin, floral patterned kimono wrap — no matter how divine — cannot.
9. Less really is more - Fewer clothes with more style should be the aim of every frugal shopper. Better a small wardrobe of high-quality, timeless and versatile pieces, than a large one crammed full of eclectic, cheap and nasty items.
10. Be the master of accessories - Accessories are an inexpensive way to add interest and style to an outfit. Woman more so than men are able to pull this off, but consider second hand belts, ties, scarves, earrings, etc.
One additional item of creativity would be to see how long you can try to wear one piece of clothing for as long as possible in as many creativity ways as possible.
Twin Cities Consignment & Outlet Stores
http://www.alishops.com/twincitiesstoresandshops.asp?sort=Consignment/Outlet
Another Look Resale Boutique: Pickings are almost always prime at this consignment shop which focuses on updated designer apparel and handbags...
Bella Galleria: Not antique, not brand new. Just pretty good furniture and home accessories sold on consignment...
Better Than Ever: If you're willing to wait a season for that Anthropologie skirt or Gap blouse, you just might find it at this contemporary consignment shop...
Boomerang Kids: Whether you've got goods to sell or need to stock up, you could do quite well at this family-friendly consignment store...
Buffalo Exchange: Recycled apparel sure to appeal to independent dressers...
Cherie Consignment Boutique: Mostly moderate brands with the occasional designer gem...
Cinaura: Whether you're in the market to buy or sell, this south suburban consignment shop is a good resource for decent furniture at decent prices...
Elite Repeat: This consignment shop is packed with bargain apparel for men and women, both casual and career...
Everyday People: The hippest clothing exchange in town offering updated trend wear and vintage pieces for girls and guys...
Fashion Avenue: This respected consignment retailer is now sharing designer deals with the lake crowd...
Fashion Avenue: Where budget conscious fashionistas get their fix. A local favorite for high-end consignment...
gh2: This little gem started out as an outlet to sell off last season's merchandise from Edina boutique Grethen House. Now, other fashionable shops around town are joining in...
Hope Chest for Breast Cancer: This upscale outlet supports women in Minnesota who are touched by breast cancer. But that's hardly the only reason to shop here...
June: Designer fashions become more accessible at this high-end resale boutique...
Karma Clothing Co.: A suburban consignment shop packed with enough brand names to appeal to picky teens and tweens...
Kuhlman Outlet: No need to wait for a sale. This outlet serves as a clearinghouse for the Minneapolis-based retailer's colorful tailored apparel for men and women...
My Sister's Closet: A mix of consignment and vintage apparel and accessories...
Nine: Here's one for the why didn't someone do that sooner files: A maternity consignment boutique...
Nu Look Consignment Apparel: One of the few consignment shops in town to offer maternity clothes, along with name-brand options for men, women and children...
Odds N'Ends: If you like contemporary furniture, check out this well stocked warehouse before hitting the retail stores...
Opitz Outlet: Department store brands like Polo, Dana Buchman and DKNY at 70 percent off retail prices...
Plums Plus Size: The only consignment shop in town devoted exclusively to plus sizes...
PPL: Office furniture, pillows, dress shirts - you never know what you might find at this sprawling industrial outlet center...
Rags to Riches: Designer consignment befitting the area...
Second Debut: This is where Goodwill sends its best donations - premium denim, name-brand suits, even wedding dresses...
The Mix: Much bigger than it looks when you're speeding past, this deep outlet houses six vendors selling a broad variety of discounted goods ranging from Asian antiques to handbags...
Thrifty Outfitters: Midwest Mountaineering makes high-quality recreational clothing and gear available to bargain hunters...
Uber Outlet: Deals on fashionable maternity clothes and baby gear, plus...
Healthy Meals on a Budget
Cheaper Meal Planning
By: Maureen Callahan
Slashing the food budget doesn't mean sacrificing flavor.
If you approach things the right way, no one need realize you're cooking on the cheap.
Purposeful Shopping
The first step in slashing food dollars is to plan ahead. Most shoppers waste money on impulse buys or last-minute trips to the supermarket for missing ingredients. When you're ready to put the skids on wasteful cash flow, try these purpose-driven strategies.
- Sit down with supermarket sale circulars before heading to stores. Plan out menus
based on specials and in-season produce. - Always make out a shopping list. Shop and stick to the list.
- Clip coupons from newspapers, magazines, or the Internet for products that you
buy routinely. Take advantage of double coupons days or in-store specials. - Consider stocking up on frequently used items while they're on sale.
- Go through cabinets routinely to use up canned and boxed staples.
- Buy in bulk when the savings prove good.
Eating Ethnic
One of the simplest ways to hold down meal costs is to dine globally. Make it an adventure for your family to try new cuisines. You'll learn fast what most foreign cooks already know: cooking with lots of vegetables and grains keeps food costs low.
- Adopt an Asian mindset toward meals. Fill plates with vegetables and starches like rice and noodles. Let expensive meats and seafood, if you use them at all, act as flavorfulcondiments.
- Play around with spices. Indian cooks add ingredients like coriander,cumin andturmeric to build depth in dishes that contain large amounts of vegetables or lentils.
- Focus on whole grains. Italian cooks stock the cabinet with dry pastas (either regular orwhole wheat varieties), and add roasted vegetable sauces, tomato sauce, or a sauce where meat is a minor player.
Meatless Mondays
While eating ethnic is a start, the biggest way to reduce food bills is to adopt a more vegetarian eating style, at least occasionally. Meat, poultry, and fish account for the lion's share of most grocery bills. You don't need to give them up altogether, just cut back.
- Make the usual roast chicken but put out a wide assortment of vegetables, potatoes, andsides. Aim to fill two thirds of the plate with side dishes and just one-third with meat.
- Shop for less expensive cuts of meat and use them in stews or soups.
- Serve casseroles as the main course rather than dishing up meatand potatoes.
- Stretch meat by adding grains and vegetables to dishes. Add pasta noodles or bulgur to chicken salad. Mix ground beef and beans to fill tacos rather than using meat alone.
- Serve breakfast for dinner. Omelets, pancakes and French toast are inexpensive entrees.
- Try going meatless at one meal each week. Start with simple, well-loved items like
macaroni and cheese. Branch out to ethnic repasts like lentil dals or pasta e fagioli.
***For more budget friendly meal-planning tips and recipes, visit http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Cooking-on-a-Budget-Winter-Edition/Detail.aspx
Shopping Tips
Ever wonder when is the best time to find great deals on items like school supplies, clothing and electronics? As a rule of thumb shopping after the height of any given season will save you cash. Use this schedule to determine when the best time to get great deals is:
January/February: Shop for winter clothes (including coats and shoes), bicycles, baking items, meats (turkey, ham)
March: Shop for ski equipment
April/May: Shop for televisions, appliances, dairy products
June/July: Shop for air conditioners, furniture, fresh fish
August/September: Shop for bathing suits, pools
October/November: Shop for school supplies
December: Shop for holiday cards, decorations and toys on December 26 and after
**A special note about grocery shopping**
Grocery items tend to be on sale when stores are overstocked. Using this bit of knowledge, shop for artichokes in March when they are ripe, buy turkey after the holidays, and dairy products in June and July when the grass is green and lush and production is up. March is National Frozen Food Month, so look for great sales then.
Hot Tip
Scholarships
Association for Women in Science Educational Foundation Undergraduate Awards
Scholarships are awarded to female undergraduates in their first, second, or third year of college who expect to major in science or a related field. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who attend a college or university in the United States. Eligible fields include the behavioral, life, and physical sciences and engineering. Applicants must plan a career in research and or teaching. Selection criteria include academic achievement. experience in research and commitment to a career in research or teaching, overcoming economic, social, or other barriers, and involvement in community activities. The award may be used for any aspect of undergraduate education, including tuition, books, housing, and travel, for example.
http://www.awis.org/careers/scholarships.html Deadline: January 18, 2009
Mr. Jack McCoy Scholarship
Mr. McCoy was in the US Navy in Korea during the Korean War. He also has many years of being a great representative of America to foreign college students in Oklahoma City, OK. He has been so helpful and setting the example of what is great about America for many years. This scholarship was set up as a small thank you for his outstanding service to his country and fellow mankind. We also thank the donor for this scholarship in Mr. McCoy's name. The donor has used this to express her appreciation for Mr. McCoy's wonderful support many years ago. To honor this great American write an essay (600-800 words) with the topic of personal diplomacy, outside of normal diplomatic channels. This can be focused on personal diplomacy successes that can show the impact of one person/group to change the opinion of others around the world. This could also be focused on changes in diplomatic approaches to solve world problems.
http://www.lintcenter.org/2008/mccoy.htm Deadline: January 31, 2009
Ford Mi Fuerza Program
The Ford Motor Company Fund's Mi Fuerza Program supports Hispanic undergraduate students studying any discipline nationwide. Eligible students must be of Hispanic descent, must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, must be studying at an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, must be (or plan to be) enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student, must have earned and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of no less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, must demonstrate financial need. Scholarship awards range from $500-$5,000.
http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org Deadline: March 15, 2009
Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship Program
Established in partnership with the United Negro College Fund, the American Dream Scholarship Program is open to African Americans with financial need. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), who meet Pell Grant eligibility criteria, and are enrolled full time at approved, accredited, undergraduate institutions. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.
http://www.thesalliemaefund.org Deadline: April 15th, 2009
Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation Scholarship
The mission of the Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation is to create a permanent endowment and award scholarships to qualified students for the travel and study abroad, based on merit, personal qualities and/or financial need. Our personal purpose for establishing the Foundation is to tell the story of a beautiful young lady, her rearing, accomplishments and eventual tragic loss. By showing others Ashley's dreams and courageous pursuits, they may be encouraged to explore the unknown, and go on an adventure for their own betterment and understanding of other cultures.
Eligibility Criteria:
• Applicant must currently be enrolled as an undergraduate student in good academic standing at
a college or university in the United States.
• Applicant must have completed at least one year of college-level coursework at the time of
application.
• Applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75. Official transcript
verifying GPA must also be submitted.
• Applicant must prove financial need from their home campus financial aid office or by
completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Applicant must complete a 500-800 word essay on one of the following topics:
(1) Please choose any place in the world that you have dreamed of visiting and explain why.
(Not necessarily a place in which you are applying to study abroad).
(2) Please tell us about an experience that has changed or shaped your life.
• Applicant must submit a resume, including any work experience and personal interests.
http://www.ashleysfoundation.org/ Deadline: July 1, 2009
Opportunities to Share
Student Parent Success Stories
We would like to continue featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu. We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Photo Gallery
Sharing photos of our children and families is a great way to get to know each other. If you have a photo of your child(ren) or family and would like to see it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters, send it as an e-mail attachment to sphc@umn.edu.
Career Services Information
On-Campus Career Centers
College of Education and Human Development Exploratory, Transition, and Career Services
Our mission to prepare and support undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education and Human Development to make well thought out and informed decisions about their present and future academic, experiential learning, and occupational choices. http://cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/
College of Liberal Arts Career and Community Learning Center
CCLC connects U of M students to community involvement and service-learning opportunities and exchanges to other U.S. campuses. CCLC also offers resources and services to help undergraduate College of Liberal Arts students choose a major, get an internship or volunteer opportunity, choose a career, find a job, apply to graduate/professional school, and prepare for the world of work.
http://www.cclc.umn.edu/
CLA career services http://careerservices.class.umn.edu/
We provide comprehensive career development assistance to undergraduate and graduate students through individual appointments, workshops, courses, as well as through online and print resources. http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/
Career Search Preparation Tools
Online Career Workshops
Do you need help writing a resume or cover letter, effectively job searching and networking, or practicing your interview skills, but don’t have time to attend a workshop? Check out these online career workshops, which are a great way to gather basic career information at a time that is convenient to you!
http://cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/career/workshops.html
Practice Interviews Online With InterviewStream!
What is InterviewStream?
A webcam based virtual mock interviewing tool.
Why use InterviewStream?
Because when it comes to interviewing – practice and preparation are key!
You can choose your questions and immediately view your answers online.
It’s convenient, easy to use, and free for U of M students!
How do I start?
Click on the link: http://campus.interviewstream.com/login/?schoolid=323
Create an account, set up your webcam, pick your questions, and start interviewing.
Don’t have a web cam? Students served by our office can check one out from the St. Paul Campus Career Center in 198 McNeal Hall.
What if I want feedback on my interview video from a career adviser?
We’re happy to help! Feedback sessions are appointment based, to set up a time with a career adviser call 612-624-2170
Wetfeet Career Resource
Wetfeet contains advice and information on careers in business and industry and is a free resource for University of Minnesota students and staff. This website allows you to read articles, learn about specific industries and companies, or download “insider guides.” This is a great resource to get a fresh perspective and new ideas on careers.
Employment databases and search engines
University of Minnesota
GoldPASS — University of Minnesota Internship/Job Database
Students are able to post and store their profile and up to five different résumés in GoldPASS’s database. A student can choose to make that information available to employers, who are able to search the database for candidates.
Student Employment at the University
Opportunities for working while attending the University are plentiful and diverse. In fact, there are usually more job vacancies than applicants.
Minnesota
LandIt!
Students — View job and internship postings from hundreds of employers in Minnesota, research employers, and search postings by your field of interest.
ISEEK.ORG
Minnesota's gateway to career, education, employment and business information
Minnesota Teacher Recruitment Center was designed for Minnesota school districts to fill open teaching positions and to assist teacher candidates locate current teaching vacancies in Minnesota.
Minnesota Council of Non-Profits
Search for job openings in non-profit and governmental agencies throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Job Network—website comprised of multiple employment sites focusing exclusively on local communities in Minnesota
Minnesota Jobs—independent career website serving Minnesota job seekers
Minnesota Works – job search website operated by DEED and our Minnesota Work Force Centers
National
Academic Employment Network — If you are looking for a teaching job or other academic position, a successful national employment search is but a click away!
Job Source searches through millions of jobs from thousands of Web sites including Monster, Careerbuilder, Hotjobs, Net-temps, Dice, and Craigslist. Find jobs from all job sites, newspapers, associations, and company career pages at one site.
Resources for Career Clothing
*The SPHC has a limited number of adult interview and career clothing available. Please speak with one of the staff if you are in need or check out one of these resources.
Ready for Success
Sponsored by Episcopal Community Services
2 locations:
1831 E Minnehaha
St. Paul, MN
651-731-6400
425 Oak Grove
Minneapolis, MN
612-872-1509
Martha’s Closet
500 Cedar St
St. Paul, MN
651-224-4728
Elbethel Baptist Church
3953 4th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-825-6469
Community Resources
Tubman
Please note that Tubman Family Alliance and Chrysalis, A Center for Women, have merged their operations and are now known as Tubman. The merge unites the complementary strengths of Chrysalis' chemical dependency and mental health programs with Tubman Family Alliance's domestic violence prevention work. If you are interested in more information on the programs available through Tubman, or would like to download any of their program guides, please visit their website at www.tubman.org.
Fare For All
Big savings every month on fresh, high quality, nutritious groceries – that’s what Fare For All is all about! As food prices continue to rise, more Minnesotans are experiencing significant difficulties affording basic expenses each month. Fare For All is open to anyone who wants to save money on their groceries. Participants have the opportunity to save 40-50% off their monthly food budgets and access fresh fruits and veggies, frozen meats of all kinds, and a variety of non-perishable staple items.
For more information visit www.fareforall.org or call 763-450-3880 or 1-800-582-4291 (outside Metro area).
MinnesotaHelp.info
MinnesotaHelp.info is an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help. It is especially rich in resource information for seniors and their caregivers; people with disabilities and their caregivers; parents and families; and low income people. http://www.minnesotahelp.org/public/
211, First Call for Help
Looking for information on childcare, food, housing, transportation or senior services? The Minnesota 2-1-1 database lists more than 10,000 organizations and 40,000 services throughout the state. Just dial 2-1-1 (or 651-291-0211). It's free, confidential and available 24/7. Trained information specialists can connect you to more than 40,000 community resources. Multi-lingual lines are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. You can also download a copy of the 2-1-1 application and database (http://www.ctkodm.com/gtcuw/211_app/ ) directly to your computer. By doing this, you will be able to search for resources at any time without needing an Internet connection.
Energy Assistance
Whether we like it or not the cold is coming! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, sometimes beyond the ability of some to pay. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need. Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536881374&contentid=
Are you looking for specific information for your County?
If so, please check out the following links for metro Counties:
Parenting Information
Minnesota Parents Know
Trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help your children grow, develop, and learn from birth through high school.
This website features special sections for newborns, children ages 1-2, children ages 3-5, grades K-8, and grades 9-12. Links to other parenting resources are also available.
http://www.parentsknow.state.mn.us/
Parent Zone
Welcome to the most comprehensive resource for Twin Cities parents. This site proves that the area has far more to offer families than the Mall of America! This over-flowing directory of local resources includes free things to do around town, great classes for kids, the most family-friendly of the 10,000 lakes, and more! Plus, the local events calendar features family fun on both sides of the river. It's Minnesota nice! http://twincities.parentzone.com/
Mommy Savers
Money Saving Ideas for Frugal Moms
Welcome to Mommysavers! This is the site for all moms who want the best for their families, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Here you'll find the best internet bargains, money saving ideas, arts and crafts activities, work at home resources, and support from other moms on the internet.
http://mommysavers.com/money-saving-ideas/index.shtml
Mom Talk!
Looking for a place to learn from other moms, share resources, recipes and experiences? Visit www.momtalk.com. This is a great online forum with information on health and wellness, upcoming events, pregnancy and just about anything related to being a mom in the Twin Cities.
Dads Today!
Welcome, Dads! Here's a place just for you to get the answers you're looking for, make new friends and be a part of an active community. Visit http://www.dadstoday.com/. Have fun!
University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu
Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim focuses on providing safety and fun in and around the water. Participants learn a solid base of swimming skills and build upon them throughout the program. The classes are taught following American Red Cross Learn to Swim Guidelines.
Learn to Swim is a program through the University of Minnesota Recreational Sports and classes are offered at St. Paul and Minneapolis. Classes are offered for parents and children (6 months to 5 years old), children lessons (age 4 and older), and for adults.
Rates for University students is: $50 per participant.
For more information visit www.recsports.umn.edu, call 612-625-3794, or email lts@umn.edu
Parent Warmline 612-813-6336
The Parent Warmline is a free consultation service for parents provided by Children’s Hospital. If you have questions or concerns about behavioral or developmental issues such as toilet training, discipline, sleep patterns, temper tantrums, fears, etc., call this free hotline (612-813-6336) and leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your concern. Within 24 hours a professionally trained volunteer will call you back to offer practical advice, encouragement or community resource referrals. Please note that the Parent Warmline is a non-crisis, non-medical service. This service is free to parents who live in the Twin Cities metro area.
Community Events and Activities
Family Friendly Activities in the Twin Cities!
St. Paul Winter Carnival
January 22- February 1, 2009
If we’re all going to freeze, we might as well have fun doing it—that’s essentially the rationale for St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival. And all the usual highlights are back, including ice sculptures, coronations with Klondike Kate and the Vulcan Krewe, the torchlight parade, the Frozen 5K race, and—many people’s favorite—free ice-skating outside Landmark Center.
http://www.winter-carnival.com/
Wild Rumpus Books
Wild Rumpus Books is a great children's bookstore in south Minneapolis where they
have a bunch of live animals for the kids to pet - birds, chinchillas, lizards, even a tarantula. They also let cats & 2 chickens roam around the store freely. There are lots of comfy spots to sit & read stories to the kids & they have a great selection of used books for purchase between $0.25 & $1.00.
Wild Rumpus also offers Tale Time! Stories for the wee....every Monday at 10:30 AM...guaranteed NOT to put you to sleep! Babies through preschoolers welcome! (oh, parents too).
www.wildrumpusbooks.com
State Capitol Art Treasures Hunt Saturday at Minnesota State Capitol
You and your children can travel through the Minnesota State Capitol building on this self-guided scavenger hunt to discover 12 beautiful and important decorations located within the historic site. If your children are successful in their pursuit, they’ll be awarded a gold state seal and become Junior Art Historians. Pick up your scavenger hunt booklet any time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and start searching! Treasure hunt is usually held each Saturday (check online for exceptions).
http://events.mnhs.org/calendar/Results.cfm?EventID= 2358&CFID=6585130&CFTOKEN=70166187
Free Third Sundays at the Minnesota Children’s Museum
Check out this great museum just for kids of all ages, free on the third Sunday of every month!
Saint Paul, MN 651-225-6034 http://www.mcm.org/
Free Thursdays at the Walker Art Center
Admission is free every Thursday at the Walker Art Center.
Minneapolis, MN 612-375-7622 http://www.walkerart.org/index.wac
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Ten Sundays each year the MIA hosts Family Days. These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids. February’s event is “Chinese Lantern Festival” to welcome the Year of the Ox! Events include a lion dance, paper lantern making and a lantern parade, along with other music, story-telling, performances, and art-making activities! This event is free and takes place on Sunday, February 8th between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is no pre-registration required-simply show up anytime between 11 and 5.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404. Visit http://www.artsmia.org/ for more information.
The Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell Museum of Natural History located right on our own U of M, East Bank campus, offers two fun family events. Visit their website for more details: http://www.bellmuseum.org/calendar.html
Nature Play
A drop-in family program from 1-3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free with museum admission. For families with kids ages 4 and older.
Nature Tots
A program for toddlers and preschoolers with their parents, held the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Free with museum admission, but registration is required. Call 612-624-9050.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions: 651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY
Quick and Easy Recipes
Orange Glorious
Makes: 3 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup ice water
- 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 12 cubes ice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 cup white sugar
Directions:
In a blender combine milk, water, orange juice concentrate, ice cubes, vanilla and sugar. Blend until smooth. Pour into three 12 oz glasses and enjoy with a straw.
Microwave Popcorn
"Believe it or not, you can make your own delicious, low-fat microwave popcorn using standard popping corn and a brown paper lunch bag. It works perfectly."
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Directions:
- In a cup or small bowl, mix together the unpopped popcorn and oil. Pour the coated corn into a brown paper lunch sack, and sprinkle in the salt. Fold the top of the bag over twice to seal in the ingredients.
- Cook in the microwave at full power for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until you hear pauses of about 2 seconds between pops. Carefully open the bag to avoid steam, and pour into a serving bowl.
*Note: A few kernels will remain unpopped. Longer cooking may pop the rest, but will burn some of the already-popped kernels, so it is not recommended.
Easy Vegetable Pot Pie
Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of potato soup
- 1 (15 ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 (9 inch) frozen prepared pie crusts, thawed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a medium bowl, combine potato soup, mixed vegetables, milk, thyme, and black pepper.
- Spoon filling into bottom pie crust. Cover with top crust, and crimp edges to seal. Slit top crust, and brush with beaten egg if desired.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy these yummy kid-friendly recipes!
Grants Update
Spring 2009 Child Care Grants
Please note that applications for the Post-Secondary Child Care Grant and CCAMPIS Grant will be mailed to eligible students the week of January 12th. Watch your email for further correspondence from Susan.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINK:
Kids.gov Website
Introduce your children to the ins and outs of the U.S. government from a kids-eye view! Enjoy learning about our country's presidents, states, laws, history, environment and animals, as well as play interactive games!
Visit http://www.kids.gov/
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- Baby Games: The Joyful Guide to Child's Play from Birth to Three Years by Elaine Martin
- Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World by Jessica Teich and Brandel France de Bravo
- Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber, M.D.
- One On The Seesaw: The Ups and Downs of a Single-Parent Family by Carol Lynn Pearson
- Helping Children Cope With Divorce by Edward Teyber
- 10 Things You Gotta Know About Your First Year of College by Nikki Moustaki
- If You Listen by Charlotte Zolotow
- Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share by Molly Bang
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center, managing our child care grants and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having in the past. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk at 612-626-6015. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Clark Wagner (once she returns), Chanee Rudolf or our Graduate Social Work Intern. I am entering my 9th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from on-line staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. Over the summer and beginning of fall term I have had a chance to step back into the direct service world while our Direct Service Coordinatior is on leave; and will be leading group and completing the largest share of the new student intakes for the 2008-2009 year. It has been fun to get a chance to meet and greet our new students and to hang out with our new and on-going students in group once again. Rest assured that whether acting as the stand in group facilitator, or working on grants and other administrative duties for the center, I am always right next door and will always be working hard to bring you the services and funding needed to assure that each and every SPHC student parent has what they need to succeed at the U!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melanie Opay
Hi everyone! I am the new graduate social work intern this year. I am a first-year direct practice student in the Master’s of Social Work program and am very excited to be in the program, at the University of Minnesota, and working in the Student Parent HELP Center for the entire year. I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Augsburg College and since then have been working in St. Paul as an MFIP job counselor. I’m thrilled to be working with student parents in a different capacity and look forward to getting to know you and your families throughout the school year!
Chanee Rudolph
Hello!! I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) here at the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my first year so like many of you I am learning a lot of new and exciting things. My job here is to assist you with anything you need as well as make you feel comfortable and welcomed, so please don't hesitate to ask me for anything if you have questions. I am in my third year here at the University and I am a family and social science major and developing a minor in Family Violence Prevention. So far, I have enjoyed myself more than any of you know and I am looking forward to many more to come!
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Melanie Opay at Sphc@umn.edu.