Month: May 2013

New Associate Director Spotlight: Jordan Lyons

New Associate Director Spotlight: Jordan Lyons

A new Associate Director has joined our team! It’s Jordan Lyons who will be overseeing US Region 4.  Region 4 is comprised of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and the west part of Pennsylvania. Get to know her better with this Q&A. Where are you from? I […]

GK Member Maggie O'Neill Awarded Fulbright Grant

GK Member Maggie O'Neill Awarded Fulbright Grant

This year, Golden Key member Maggie O’Neill was one of 23 Boston College students and alumni to receive the J. William Fulbright Grant. Maggie intends to use the grant to travel to Germany to teach English. Maggie recently graduated magna cum laude, double majoring in German and International Studies. During her tenure at […]

Advice From Alumni: Part 5

Advice From Alumni: Part 5

In the fifth and final part of this blog series, two more Golden Key alumni will share the resources they recommend to graduate students.  We hope you’ve found the advice shared these past few weeks helpful and wish all our members success in your future.
 
Part 5:
If an undergraduate student is particularly interested in going to graduate school, one of the best resources having that initial conversation with their undergraduate advisors regarding their interests and career ideas. Secondly, I would recommend connecting them with a current graduate student that is doing something similar to what they would like to do. Sitting down and having those conversations can be important first steps in that decision making process. Beyond that I would say browsing the website of the department they might be interested in joining as a potential graduate student would also be a good first step. There they can view graduate application requirements and deadlines for applying. Some departments offer a non-thesis masters degree or may not require needing to take the GRE’s for example. If, however, they are interested in a program that does require those items, I would tell them not to let that intimidate them or detour them from graduate school. Rome was not built in a day and neither is a thesis. It too is a process that is built over time with a lot of support from fellow graduate students and professors. Graduate school can be intense at times, but I love and have a passion for what I am doing and am excited because I am working towards accomplishing my goals and where I want to be in a career.
If a student has already been accepted into graduate school, I would first say, “Congratulations!” and then suggest for them to network with other graduate students for the support they will need along the way. Graduate school is lifestyle change and it can be stressful at times, but it can also be manageable. Some of the things that have helped me have been peer mentoring and staying organized.  For example, I make lists and schedule time for not only homework and assistantship duties etc. but also for myself. Graduate school can easily become overwhelming and it is important to continue doing something enjoyable outside of school activities. Eating healthy and getting enough sleep are also important tools to fuel your mind and body for fulfilling the requirements of graduate school. Something to keep in mind, however, is that two to five years may sound like a long time, but it is still only temporary. Keeping an eye on the future and where you want to be is important and motivating. One final note would be that you are a “resource” yourself! You come with unique knowledge, experience, and perspective; all of which will help you through graduate school.
— Sarah Bickelhaupt, M.S.
Iowa State University
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I would suggest becoming best friends with your student services counselor.  She/he will be the one you can go to for all your operational and logistical questions regarding technology, books, career services, library resources, graduation requirements, course requirements, and any other issues that may arise during your tenure with the graduate school.  Your student advisor is your best friend.  Preparation for classes is half the battle!  Don’t start a class EVER, without having the course requirements, books, course syllabus and contact information for professors and facilitators.
Connect with campus resources like networking events.  Networking won’t help you get a better grade, only you and your self-determination will get you an A, but networking will help you to feel a sense of belonging and connection with the school you’ll be calling your alma mater for the rest of your life!  That is HUGE!  Your fellow graduate students, professors, and facilitators may help you to get a job one day, so it is best to start connecting with them now!  Take advantage of office hours of professors and facilitators.  These instructors are a wealth of knowledge, and being able to sit down and talk with them about course material and assignments is priceless.  These professors will also remember your enthusiasm and engagement when it is time for them to assign a grade to your transcript.  Most employers nowadays require transcripts from all schools.  Gone is the day where you could just put your degree on your resume.  Employers want official transcripts and grades, so it is best to do your best in all of your classes.  Your future employer will see how highly your professor thought of you!
Make good use of an electronic filing system on your laptop of all your classes and papers.  Your weekly assignments are a wealth of information about your work, and when applying for jobs, many employers ask for writing samples.  Your writing/research portfolio can be directly pulled from your graduate school assignments, and easily accessible through your electronic filing system.  Again, preparation is half the battle.
If you have extra time during graduate school, try to pick up a small 10-hour a week research job with a professor or local company/business that you may be able to become connected with from the career services department of your graduate school.  You can always add the job to your resume, and it will provide you with another additional reference that can vouch for your work.  Many professors have their own consulting businesses, and are willing to hire graduate students to help them with research for their own publications.  It’s invaluable experience.  Most graduate schools have an extensive network of alumni who only hire fellow alumni, so make sure to sign up for job posts and list serves even while taking classes!
If your grad school schedules time outside of the classroom to meet with other executives who are working in jobs that you hope to have some day, take advantage of the time to meet with them also to ask questions about their work.  Ask pointed situational questions about how they handle specific professional situations, not just, “What is your day like?”  When you’re in the real world, sometimes you only have a few seconds to make an important decision that may have tremendous impact on the organization and your job.  Asking these executives about how they handle crisis or an ethical dilemma is wise in preparing yourself for your job after you graduate.  Learning from other executives’ mistakes and successes is also a wise way to prepare yourself for your career after graduation, while taking advantage of the resources that your grad school makes available to you.
Your grad school’s classmates, professors, staff, facilitators and other University personnel are the greatest resources.  Make of network of people throughout your grad school experience that can help you along the way, see you through to your graduation, and continue to encourage you on your career path.  And they need you too, so remember you are a resource to them as well!
Good luck to you all!
–Kerry O’Brien Smith
George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management, 2012
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Miss any of the series? Click for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Golden Key Employees In Action

Golden Key Employees In Action

Service is one of Golden Key’s three pillars as we strive to help members realize their potential through giving back.  Making a difference is important to Golden Key as it not only betters the community but also leads to personal growth and a greater sense […]

I Stand For Video Series (8)

I Stand For Video Series (8)

The “I Stand For” video series is designed to showcase all the causes and values that Golden Key members stand for. The eighth video in our series is titled “Why Golden Key.”  In this video, members across the globe share why joining Golden Key was […]

Advice From Alumni: Part 4

Advice From Alumni: Part 4

Over the last few weeks we’ve shared with you advice from various professionals and graduate students about entering the workforce or graduate school.  In the fourth part of this series, we asked those that have or are currently attending graduate school the following question:
Are there any resources you can recommend to students to help them achieve success in graduate school?
Here’s the advice we received…
Part 4:
I strongly advise undergraduate students to talk to family members, parents of their friends, their community and others to develop a support network.  Secondly, I will embolden students to obtain internships (whether paid or unpaid/local, international). Third, have personal and professional mentors/coaches. Lastly, to do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis for themselves, so they will know what areas they need to develop, hone and be aware of.
— Sherry M. Hunter
Doctoral Candidate, DePaul University
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My three pieces of advice are to know the APA 6th edition, make sure to always give yourself at least 30 to 60 extra minutes for each written assignment, and embrace peer review as a way to improve your writing and research.
–Mark Preston Mullins
Ashford University, MBA 2010
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One of my favorite resources that I used as a supplement to accounting courses is: http://www.accountingcoach.com/
–Debra Hall
Georgia Southern University, MBA 2010
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I have found three resources to be very helpful as a graduate student.  Your academic advisor who can help answer various questions you have, your instructors, and any contacts you have in professional positions in the field you are studying.  I routinely contacted all three (many times they might get 2-3 emails a week from me) and I had all the resources I need, opened some new doors, never fell behind, and was very successful in my academic career.  I did not follow this advice when I was an undergrad, and it shows!
–George Long
American Military University 2011 and 2013
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My advice in regards to resources for success in graduate school is to choose your major wisely!  Visit the college, look for statistics of employment with that major; study the professors and any financial aide you can and understand why you are going to grad school; do some soul searching before you commit your time.  Also: scholarships are your friend!  You need to maintain a high GPA so study study study.  Join associations and attend conferences during your first year and spend your second year hanging out in the career center.  You will most likely meet great people who will have first hand information on job openings; you will most likely attend job search functions sponsored by employers; and if you are lucky you will catch the eye of an employer and have a job once you graduate!   Great resources in my experience are my professors and their connections and the career center and their connections.  They are there to help you; with this economy you will need as much help as you can get.  I was also told something that rings true today, “if you are out and about in public dress as if you are casually meeting a potential employer and if you can make some sort of creative business card to hand them, you are really on top of your game!”  Last note, if you not burnt out on a thesis/comp exams…a PhD is a good option.  Good luck out there!
–Christina S. Tillman
Bowie State University, M.A. 2010
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I found the article database Scifinder a very helpful resource while in graduate school.
–Laura Parke
University of Utah ’09
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Resources in graduate school are not given to a student in full. Students need to seek out resources that are personalized to their situations. Discuss with professors their situations and how they can succeed in their field of studies. Most professors have been in several different positions prior to their appointments in an educational institution. The professors might be aware of other connections who exist in the field, and that could lead to a working relationship in the future.
Get involved! Even if the organization is not related to the students field of studies, this experience might have the potential to expand their horizons in terms of meeting others and growing their mental abilities in ways that might not have occurred if the student didn’t get involved. Student government, community relations, town volunteerism, sporting events, and other experiences could help the student grow in ways other than the studies might offer. A school career center is an option. Visit them and see what they have to offer. The Federal Government has a long list of websites that can help a person succeed in finding what is best for them. USA.GOV is a great resource for anyone who has questions about almost anything. To summarize, make yourself available in all different ways and meet as many people as possible, because one thing could lead to another!
–Andrew J. Vernon, M.Ed.
University of Maine 2010
Stay tuned to the blog for more advice.

2013 Denver Regional Summit Recap

2013 Denver Regional Summit Recap

–This post was written by Lauren Snow, member at the Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter– The Region 8 Summit was held at the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, Colorado April 5-7th 2013.  The Metropolitan State University is located on Auraria Campus, which is the […]

Where Does Your Chapter Stand?

Where Does Your Chapter Stand?

Golden Key uses Chapter Standards to gauge each chapter’s involvement and adherence to our Society’s pillars of: Academics, Leadership and Service. Based on specific criteria set surrounding involvement and accomplishments, chapters are awarded a Bronze, Silver, or Gold status.  A Gold level standing means the […]