What’s the most important part of your grad school application? As a top honor society for grad students, we’re always on the look out for information we think you might find useful, and we noticed that GradSchoolMatch founder TJ Murphy has an interesting idea about […]
Standing out in a sea of resumes can seem nearly impossible. So what can you do to set yourself apart and land the job of your dreams? Make connections. A candidate with an in-house recommendation has a much better chance of getting noticed. Insider contacts […]
Things are changing so fast at the moment, and by now many Golden Key International Honour Society members are working from home due to the closure of universities, schools and offices. This means that, for many people, your private space is now your office space. So how do you make this work?
We want to support our Golden Key members in every way we can, especially in this difficult time, and so we thought you might find it helpful to read some simple and easy to implement suggestions for how to make the perfect study environment when you’re working from home.
Create a dedicated work area
Even if you have limited living space and need to pack it up at the end of each day, it’s a good idea to have a specific area dedicated to working – and we’re not talking your bed or the sofa! A desk is ideal, but your kitchen table can work well too. If you don’t have a suitable table, maybe look to get an inexpensive little folding table online. Set up your papers, pens, computer, books. Maybe even a photo frame or little pot plant. A lamp if the lighting isn’t ideal. Make it feel like an office space – it really does make a difference.
Act the part and be professional
Get up each day at a reasonable time. Set office hours for yourself. Get dressed in sensible clothing – this doesn’t mean you have to wear a suit to your home office, but staying in your pajamas all day can make it hard to feel productive. Comb your hair and brush your teeth. These are all little things but they can have a huge impact on your attitude.
Get a work or study buddy
Staying in contact with other people has never been more important, and it can also be a crucial motivator during these tough times when it is understandably hard to stay focused. Pairing up with a fellow student or colleague can be a good way to keep yourself accountable, and checking in with each other a couple of times a day can help you stay on track. Share your daily and weekly goals with each other, and don’t forget to be positive and encouraging at all times, even if one of you loses focus on occasion. We’re in this together and showing support can make all the difference.
As a young professional in today’s competitive job market, developing your personal brand is an essential step in any successful job hunt. Regardless of your career field or background, your personal brand is something that will help you beyond even interviews and applications. A personal […]
My name is Brittany Ladson and I am a 3rd year medical student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am also the President of MSU’s Golden Key chapter and incoming ICSL for Golden Key headquarters. I have been a pre-med student and […]
This week we’re focusing on how to keep a positive mindset – especially when you’re in lockdown – in honor of our Golden Key Talks webinar on Wednesday with Lonnie Mitchell.
It’s going to be a fantastic session – plus it’s free and online, so you can sign up from anywhere. If you haven’t registered already, do it now and join us on Wednesday at 2:30pm EST for some incredible inspiration.
Meanwhile, here are some great suggestions for how to stay positive this week:
Monday:
Take a class: Many colleges are offering free courses online for anyone to take. You can take Yale’s most popular class, “The Science of Well-Being” now! See the link for details, as well as other links provided below:
Tuesday:
Break a sweat: Many gyms are offering free virtual classes to help you stay fit during quarantine. Try a few and see what you’re into:
Wednesday:
Get outside: The best way to break the quarantine blues is to get outside and in nature! Many parks in your area are still open, and now is the time to see them all. Check out the app below if you need some help finding some good trails in your area:
Friday:
Let someone else entertain you: Now is the time to read the book and listen to the podcast that you’ve been meaning to get too! Here’s some recommendations in case you need any guidance:
Golden Key has over two million members across the globe–and every single one of you is special. We know you work hard. Embrace academic work. Contribute to the community. Support fellow members. We’re so proud of each and every one of you, and take every […]
Any given job has an average of 250 applicants, out of which only 2% receive an offer. The numbers are even more competitive for entry-level positions, particularly in desirable sectors such as the tech industry. This can be extremely demoralizing for entry-level candidates whose resumes […]
As you advance in your career field or your studies, you will likely have leadership opportunities. Whether you’re taking the lead on a group project for class, or heading a presentation for your boss, good leadership skills are essential. However, leadership isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. In fact, most of today’s top leaders worked very hard to develop these skills.
An internship is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone your own leadership skills. While it may be a challenge, getting outside of your comfort zone allows you to grow. As an intern abroad you’ll become familiar with different leadership styles within your career field. Developing your own style and focusing on good leadership skills early in your career will put you in a position to maximize your success in the future.
Good communication skills are essential for those in leadership roles. When you’re in charge of a project or team, you need to be able to convey your ideas and instructions clearly. From written instructions to public speaking, you’ll need to have strong all-around communication skills to be a good leader.
For anyone hoping to have an international career or work abroad, cultural sensitivity is essential. Whether you’re traveling, meeting with clients or even other members of your team, you need to know how to give respect and communicate effectively with them. This becomes even more important when you step into a leadership role. Business norms and cultures vary greatly from country to country, so understanding the differences within your organization is key.
In order to understand your team and guide them effectively, you need to listen to what they say to you. However, critical listening goes beyond just hearing what your colleagues are saying. Good leaders also analyze what they hear, and consider it in the context of both the individual and wider team. Good listeners will build stronger relationships with their direct reports, and have better success as a leader because of it.
This is one of the most important good leadership skills. Many people don’t realize that a leader’s role is just as much about taking feedback as it is providing it. When you’re leading a team, you represent them to the organization. It’s important to take their ideas and input into consideration. Good leaders are open to constructive criticism about their leadership styles, ideas and all aspects of their work. Make yourself open to feedback and your team will benefit greatly.
No matter your position, taking on new challenges with a positive attitude will make your role easier and more enjoyable. More importantly, those that you are leading will feel more positive about their own roles. This makes for a happier, more effective team. Now, that’s not to say that you won’t also need to focus on problems and constructive criticism. However, good leaders make sure to highlight the successes and solutions the team comes up with.
Emotional intelligence is one of the most important good leadership skills, yet the hardest to master. It requires you to be in control of and recognize your own emotions. However, you also need to be mindful of the emotions of those around you. The ability to recognize emotions within your team will help you understand what they need, even if they don’t tell you.
This article was originally published by Golden Key partner The Intern Group.
Amanda MacDonald is a powerhouse. After earning her BA from Brock University, where she rebuilt her Golden Key chapter, she landed an impressive job as Executive Director of Welland Downtown, a business development organization. Now in the final stretch of her MA degree from Brock, […]
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