Have You Networked Today?

Photo Taken from http://blog.peertransfer.com/2013/01/16/5-tips-on-how-to-network-in-college/

College students are not doing enough networking.

They are either too scared or they don’t know how important it is to their future.

Networking is building connections in a specific area. College students usually attend events in order to meet people in said area to exchange contact information, and build the connections needed in their intended field.

Brianna Milon, an undergraduate student majoring in Journalism Broadcasting at SUNY Brockport, says, “I didn’t know how important networking was until I got to college.”

Milon knew she wanted to be more involved in her field but thought the idea of networking was daunting.

She said, “I wanted to start early, even though it was intimidating, because I knew if I didn’t start early the process wouldn’t be as easy and I might feel discouraged later.”

Like many college students, Milon did not know where to start.

“As a college freshman, all the people that I knew were freshmen. They were also clueless. In the beginning it was definitely hard but then I heard a classmate of mine, who wasn’t a freshman, talking about the PR (Public Relations) club here at Brockport and I thought this was my in,” said Milon.

Milon joined the Public Relations club at The College at Brockport and met some amazing people who encouraged her to get a job on campus at 89.1 The Point. Currently, Milon is the Radio Director at the station.

“I attend conferences and any other events that are happening in hopes of meeting new people to build these connections,” said Milon. She continued to say that sometimes professors can also be helpful because they themselves know people in the field who can really help you along the way.

Milon plans on getting an internship on campus next semester to continue building her network.

Milon added, “My advice to incoming freshmen is to start early. Ask questions and don’t be timid because you really want people to know what you are about. Networking is essential to any career path that you plan on taking.”

(Check out these 5 tips on how to network in college)

Need Help? Ask a Librarian.

Photo Taken at SUNY Brockport Library. Photo Credit: Siomara Germain

Freshmen students are sometimes surprised to find out that their college library is not like their high school library.

Wendy Prince, evening library supervisor at Drake Memorial Library at SUNY Brockport, says that students should know that “whatever they want is within their reach” because the library has a lot of databases to help the students.

There are some students on campus who doesn’t know where the library is located. Of this, Prince said, “Stop breaking my heart.” She believes these students does not know where the library is located because it is not located in the central field of campus. “We’re off to the side. I also blame those train tracks in the pathway.”

There are many things that students can do at the library. Prince said, “There are casual readings and movies over the weekend. It’s just something that we encourage the students to do. Something other than drinking.”

According to Prince, there are a lot of computer labs at the library and some students do not seem to be aware of the amount of computers the library has. For the students who are not aware of the resources that the department provides, they should know the library is personalized. Prince said, “The library is not all about the academics. There are some relaxed materials. We provide IPads, books, laptops, phone chargers, and much more.”

However, students should also be aware that if they do not return checked out materials from the library, such as a book, they will be charged. Prince said, “Every book is an automatic $100. If you have a library fine, you can’t register for classes.”

Librarians also help students with their research. “It allows us to show off what the library has and what we can do because people underestimate the job of a librarian. They think I just sit around and read books all day when I do the complete opposite.”

The library may be overwhelming at first, but with the help of librarians, it won’t be among the things that you have to worry about in college.

Don't wait too long!

Photo Taken at SUNY Brockport Rakov Center by me

A lot of students wait too long to get a job on campus. What they also don’t know is that on-campus jobs are hard to find when going away to college.

Adam Standish, who works at Career Services at SUNY Brockport, said students wait too long to find a job on campus. “My advice to any freshmen is to come to Career Services to talk to our Career Counselors.”

According to Standish, when students come to career services, “they have the chance to build their resumes and cover letters.”

Career Services provides online programs. “What that does is match the students up with what they want to pursue. We do that so we make sure that students are happy with that occupation and they get to work in the field they plan on getting their degree in,” said Standish.

Standish said a lot of students work on campus. “There are 2,200 jobs on campus for work study and non-work study combine.”

“The only difference between work study and non-work study is where the money comes from. The departments that have money hire non-work study student. While the departments that don’t have money, get money from the government to hire work-study students. But other than that, the pay is the same,” said Standish.

Some students often complain that there are more jobs based on work-study then non-work study but Standish shook his head and said “That’s not true. 2/3 of the jobs on campus are non-work study and 1/3 of the jobs on campus are work study.”

Standish said that students say that because non-work study jobs are more competitive. “Non-work study jobs are open to all 9,000 students. It gets very hard to get a job when students are competing against 9,000 students.”

Using email as their form of communication, Standish strongly encourages students, especially freshmen students, to come to Career Services as soon as possible, check out their workshops that promotes jobs on campus or look at Eagle Connect for job opportunities. Waiting too long won’t do any good and only makes the process harder. 

If it Doesn't Look Good, Don't Eat it!

Photo Taken From http://vanessalarson.com/2013/03/07/school-cafeteria-food/

“I hate college food.” That’s something you will hear a lot from college students because they do not like the food served in the cafeteria. Chances are, you won’t like it either. By the first week, you will question why you paid $2,225 that semester for a meal plan and you’ll learn to appreciate the good home cooked meals that your parents cook.

Can you get out of your meal plan? Sadly, no. As long as you live on campus, it is mandatory for you to have one, just as it is mandatory to live on campus for the first two years if you’re not commuting.

SUNY Brockport student, Kymesha Reid, does not like the food served in the cafeteria. If she had it her way, she would never step her foot into that building. Reid does not use her meal plan as she should because she finds the food “disgusting.”

“I try my best to eat it, but when they put potato chips in the macaroni and cheese to make it taste better, that’s problematic,” said Reid.

Sometimes the cooks have their good days and serve something edible. Other times, that “Almost Apple Pie” at the salad bar is only “almost” okay. Most of the time, even when it is edible, it still doesn’t look good.

Expect to run out of your dining dollars quickly because you’re only going to go for the fried and greasy food at alternative dining locations instead of what they are serving in the cafeteria. You don't want to starve yourself or keep gaining pounds by eating junk food that is not good for you. (Check out these 10 nutrition tips for college students)

However, if you call your parents and tell them that the cooks are trying to get you fat or kill you with their attempts at a good meal, they’ll transfer at least $50 into your bank account. Or if they are anything like my parents, they’ll make the seven hour drive with containers of your favorite meals that will last you a week.

Remember, if it doesn’t look good, don’t eat it