Newsletter for November 27, 2007
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The best careers advice to give to the young is 'Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.'” Katherine Whitehorn
HELP Center Announcements
Changes to Our Computer System
As many of you have likely noticed we are currently undergoing some changes to our computer policies and procedures in the center. We hope to have this worked out very soon, but in the meantime please contact a staff member if you need assistance logging on to our computers as we are no longer able to post the SPHC username and password. Eventually you will all be logging on with your individual X500 username and password and will be able to save documents directly to your own desktop. This will be a more efficient and useful system, but it may take awhile before it is fully implemented. We realize that these changes are causing some delays and inconveniences and for that we apologize. We ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to work with the technology staff to develop the best practices with regard to our computers. Thanks!
New Sign-In Policy
Thanks to everyone for adapting to our new sign in policy. This will provide us with useful information as to the amount of student traffic we have in the center on a daily basis, which is necessary for future funding requests. Remember that if you come in more than once a day, you can simply put a check mark by your name each time you’re here. Thanks for your continued cooperation!
Save the Dates: 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.
November 28, 2007: Lutheran Social Services will be here to present on how to get out of debt and manage budgets.
December 5, 2007: Linda Aaker from University of Minnesota Legal Services will present on current child custody and support guidelines for MN. She will answer questions related to health care directives.
December 12, 2007: Last group of the semester!
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner or Rebecca Hassett 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 website under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address. 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 website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Career Planning, Preparation and Resources
For those of you graduating in the next month or even in the next year, it is never too early to start planning for your career! Graduating from college is a huge step, but there is more work to be done once you're finished and looking for a job. Below you will find tips on writing resumes, interviewing and a host of great websites to guide you as you embark on the career planning venture. The HELP Center has many more resources for you to use, so please feel free to contact any of our staff if you would like more information or assistance in this area. Happy job hunting!
Resume Writing: Remember that your resume will be one among many that potential employers see. Keep the following tips in mind while creating your resume to make it stand out from the rest:
- Strive to create a conservative look. Stick to one font, keep bolding, italics and underlining to a minimum, don't use colored paper, and use a formal, standard layout.
- Make sure there is plenty of "white" space. Your resume should have at least one inch margins. It should not read like a term paper and should be pleasing to the reader's eye. Use bulleting where appropriate.
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Select the type of resume that is best for the job you are applying for and your background. Use a chronological resume if you already have experience in the field you are searching for a job in. Use a functional resume if you are a recent grad with little experience, are changing careers or simply want to de-emphasize your age. **See the staff in the HELP Center for examples of both types of resumes**
- Use action words to highlight your skills and duties.
- Keep your resume current. Keep it saved on your computer and update it with each new job you have. Always keep copies of your updated resume with you when you are job searching. You'll never know when you might need it.
- Have several people proofread your resume before circulating it. Even minor typos can cost you a job.
- Familiarize yourself with your own resume. Be sure that you know the details of your job history by memory. Review job changes, company names and other pertinent information on your resume prior to an interview.
- Don't overlook the cover letter! This is the first thing potential employers will see. It should be informative and should reflect your knowledge of the position and specific reasons why you are an excellent candidate. It should not simply summarize your resume, but rather highlight the most impressive, pertinent elements.
Tips for interviewing:
- Do your best to exude capability, confidence, dependability, an easygoing manner, enthusiasm, flexibility, resourcefulness and a strong work ethic.
- Dress carefully. In the first stages of the interview process, inappropriate dress can be enough to take you out of the running. Men should were a clean, conservative, two-piece suit, a white shirt, tie and clean dress shoes. Women should wear either a skirt or pant suit with low-heeled shoes. Make sure your hair is neat, nails are clean and trimmed and skip the cologne or perfume.
- Leave yourself plenty of time to get ready for and travel to the interview. Don’t arrive more than ten minutes early to the interviewer’s office. Rather, try to arrive to the location about 20-30 minutes early, ensure that you know where you are supposed to go and then take a walk or visit a nearby coffee shop until it’s time for your scheduled appointment.
- Bring a briefcase or leather-bound folder if you have one. Be sure to have in it: several clean copies of your resume and cover letter, a notepad and pen, a list of professional references and any writing samples or portfolio items you may want to share.
- Check your body language! Walk into the office with confidence and smile warmly when you meet the interviewer. Shake hands firmly and be sure that your right hand is accessible so you do not have to juggle your coat and briefcase in order to do so. Maintain an appropriate level of eye contact with the interviewer, but avoid staring them down. Relax and be yourself!
Helpful Websites:
Websites to check out for career planning/job search information:
http://www.iseek.org/sv/index.jsp
http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search.html
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/planning/
http://www.employmentoffice.net/
Websites to check out for information on resumes and cover letters:
http://www.careerlab.com/letters/default.htm
Websites with information on what you can do with your major:
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/mrk.html
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/
University of MN Resources:
U of M Job and Internship Fair
Monday February 25, 2008, 10:00AM to 4:00PM at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Don't miss the biggest career fair in Minnesota, specifically for U of M students!
Executive Pathways Internship Program
This program aims to recruit students who are interested in careers in public service. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in public policy, social work, law, information technology, and other human services-related programs of study are encouraged to consider an internship through the Executive Pathways Internship Program at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
The Executive Pathways Internship Program offers placements for summer internships only. Internships begin in late May or early June and are based on a full-time work week. Students will typically work about 400 hours during the placement. Arrangements to work other than full-time are possible, depending on the specific placement. This program originated in the mid-1990s as an affirmative recruitment tool for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Today, it aims to recruit students of all backgrounds who are interested in careers in public service. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in public policy, social work, law, information technology, and other human services-related programs of study are encouraged to consider an internship through the Executive Pathways Internship Program.
For specific information about the Program, or to apply: Call 651-431-3040 (v), or 651-431-3041 (TTY) or dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529 (MN Relay Service), or 1-877-627-3848 (Speech-to-Speech Relay); or e-mail us at executive.pathways@state.mn.us; or visit our website at www.dhs.state.mn.us and do a keyword search for "internships". You may also send us a letter of inquiry at: Executive Pathways Program, Office for Equal Opportunity, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Box 64997, St. Paul, MN, 55164-09
U of M Career Services: Online Workshops
In the past 6 months, several career offices have been working hard to move their career workshops to an online format that students can access at any time or place. Significant progress has been made on this project over the summer. At this time, 9 workshops have been completed and are available for student viewing. To see a complete list of the workshops now available, feel free to visit the St. Paul Campus Career Center web site - they are a listed at http://www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu/workshops.html
Resume Writing https://umconnect.umn.edu/resumes/.
Job Fair Success https://umconnect.umn.edu/jobfairsuccess/
https://umconnect.umn.edu/gradjobfairsuccess/ (Tailored to Graduate Students)
Interviewing https://umconnect.umn.edu/interviews/
Networking https://umconnect.umn.edu/networking/
Graduate School Planning https://umconnect.umn.edu/gradschoolprep/
Writing Effective Personal Statements https://umconnect.umn.edu/personalstatement
Pre-Law Workshop https://umconnect.umn.edu/lawschool
Professional Portfolios https://umconnect.umn.edu/portfolios/
Transitioning From Student to Professional https://umconnect.umn.edu/transition.
GoldPASS: The U o M Job, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities Database
Be sure to visit http://goldpass.umn.edu to use this great job search tool. Employers are eager to fill their part time and full time jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities. However, please keep in mind that many companies are interested in University of Minnesota students, but may not post positions on GoldPASS. Be sure to visit company web sites directly for information on jobs and internships.
Resource
University of Minnesota Business Reference Library: http://busref.lib.umn.edu/. Use this web site to access many tool for researching employers! Find company annual reports, newspaper articles and much more. Lexis Nexis and Hoovers are particularly useful databases on this web site to research organizations for job interviews and career fairs.
Opportunities to Share
Featured Student: Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson, one of our very own student parents, is now a member of the Gopher Football Team. This is a huge accomplishment and we are proud of what he has done. Here is a brief glimpse into his life as a football playing, student parent:
Tyler has played football for as long as he can remember. He played at Park Center in high school and was made captain his senior year. However, he ended up transferring to Concordia Academy his senior year where he continued to play football. Being a Gopher was always a dream for Tyler and so after finishing his time in the Marines, he decided to go for it. He hoped to walk on to the team this last spring, but missed the tryouts. He tried out this fall after the third game of the year and made the team. Throughout his career, Tyler has played linebacker, full back and running back. Now he is a running back/full back and plays on special teams. Football at the U is a big commitment. Practices, workouts, travel and games take up much of his time during the week. It's like having a full time job! Tyler notes that it is tough being pulled in multiple directions, no matter what you are doing in life, but he handles it by making the best of everything he has been given. He loves being a dad and says that his daughter brings smiles to his face like no one else can. He also loves football, and feels young again playing with a crew of young, talented guys! Tyler does his best to balance school and sleep, but says it’s worth it to be able to play ball again. This is an exciting time of life for him and he hopes to make the best of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
We’re proud of you Tyler. Keep up the good work!
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.
Parenting Information and Resources
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.
Postpartum Support International
The mission of this organization is: “To promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide”. If you or a family member or partner is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety call their warmline at 1-800-944-4PPD for emotional support and resource referral. For more detailed information visit the Postpartum Support International website www.postpartum.net.
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
Energy Assistance
Whether we like it or not the cold is upon us! 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=-
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.
Community Events and Activities
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Ten Sundays each year the Art Institute hosts Family Days. These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids. The next event, "Weathervanes and Whirligigs", is in January. There will be hands-on activities, live bluegrass music and access to the work of local artists. This event is free and takes place on Sunday, January 13th 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.
MN Science Museum
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 11:00 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY
Hot Tip
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 is the best time to get great deals:
January/February: Shop for lines, 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.
Quick and Easy Recipe
Corn Chowder (You may recognize this one from group!)
8 cans (16 oz) of whole kernel corn
4 cans (16 oz) of potatoes (sliced)
8 cups of vegetable broth (or to taste)
4 cans (16 oz) of creamed corn
1 big onion or 2 small onions
Several stalks of celery
Saute the celery and onion to soften. Around 2-3 hours before you plan to eat put all ingredients into a slow cooker and heat to simmer. Around 1/2 hour before serving, add about 8 cups (or to taste) of milk and 2 sticks of butter. The milk shouldn't be added too soon or else it will curdle. Pepper/salt added to taste. This recipe could be done on the stovetop as well.
**Note that this recipe makes enough for a HUGE crock pot full of soup. Be sure to adjust to your desired number of servings.
Grants Update
The list for the CCAMPIS Grant is closed at this time.
Post Secondary Child Care Grant: First tier students who have already submitted applications have been processed and you should check your student accounts for an entry labeled, “MN State Child Care Grant” (same thing as Post Secondary CC Grant). When you see that hit your account the grant has been disbursed. At this point in time we do not know whether there will be enough money to cover the second tier students, but we will keep you posted.
Please contact us if you need further information. If you do not already have an application that means that you were not eligible to apply when we mailed applications in August. If you are an on-going student who registered late or filed a FAFSA late, you should contact us immediately to update your status if you have not done so all ready. That number is: 612-626-6015. New students registering with the SPHC will be waitlisted for grants dependent on availability of funds at the time of intake.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINKS:
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/tips_tametube.shtml
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst
- Mario Andretti, The Complete Record by Mike O’Leary
- Night-Night, Settle-Down Activities for Easy Bedtimes by Cynthia MacGregor
- We Can Get Along, A Child’s Book of Choices by Lauren Murphy Payne, M.S.W.
- Communication Miracles for Couples, Easy and Effective Tools to Create More Love and Less Conflict by Jonathan Robinson
- 31 Words to Create an Organized Life, Simple Strategies and Expert Advice to Win the Battle Against Chaos and Clutter by Marcia Zina Mager, 2 copies
- Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh, Ph.D.
- NO-Why Kids-of All Ages-Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by David Walsh, Ph.D
- Brain Tools: Say NO! to Frustration & Distraction by Dr. Gary Johnson (This is a stress relief CD for adults and teens)
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 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. 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. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Rebecca Hassett, Katie Schoeppner, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 8th 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. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Clark 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!
Rebecca Hassett
Hello! I am one of the new Graduate Social Work Interns this year. This is my first year in the MSW program and my first year at the U of M. I studied Political Science and Spanish at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. I am very excited to be working at the Student Parent HELP center; I think it is an amazing program with much to offer students. I will be helping Jerri out with group during fall semester and I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you!!
Katie Schoeppner
Hello student parents! I am so excited to meet all of you and get to know you over the course of the school year. I am in my first year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M and will be interning here for the entire school year. It has been five years since I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in Psychology and Scandinavian Studies. Since graduating I have worked as a nanny in Sweden, as a program manager at an agency for adults with traumatic brain injuries, as a legal assistant at a small personal injury law firm and in the publisher’s office at the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, MN. It is sure to be an eventful and exciting year!
Zer Xiong
I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my second year as the UGTA. Part of my responsibilities is to assist you in the Center so feel free to ask me for help. Like you, I am also a student parent. My son Alexander will be 2 on November 27th, 2007. In May 2008 I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health from the Inter-College Program. It has been a pleasure and privilege getting to know all the student parents who use our center and I am looking forward to another great year!
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Katie Schoeppner at Sphc@umn.edu.