Out & About in the Campus Center

I hope everyone enjoyed Fall Break.  The weather tried to cooperate and a few of the days were nice.   It is a pretty time of year in New England.   Take some time and enjoy the foliage, have some apple cider (the cider donuts from Atkins are the best) and bake something with apples in it.

Check out Are You Smarter Than Your Professor on Thursday night at 9 p.m. in the Carroll Room.   This event is always fun and entertaining.   

This weekend will be very busy on campus.   Friday night has an BSA party, Midnight Silk, in the Carroll Room at 9 p.m. and Rec Council party, ShipRECked in Davis Ballroom at 9 p.m.

The Rec Council movie is Year One and that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Weinstein Auditorium. 

 Saturday night has several events as well:  7 p.m. is a Five College Film Screening in Seelye 201 and Float Night begins at 7 p.m. at the Boat House.   Nosotras has a party, Fiesta por Una Causa at Davis Ballroom at 9 p.m. and Smith To Do will be decorating paper lanterns in CC 103/104 at 9 p.m.

There is always something to do at Smith.   dg

A compilation of “One Liners” including fun facts, upcoming events, and various other topics you may find interesting.

“Love Your Body Day” will be held on Chapin lawn on Thursday, October 15

The Grecourt Bookshop has just received a shipment of “Smith” fleeces and they’re only $19.95. They’re actually quite nice so check them out!

“Float Night” will take place at the Boat House on Thursday, October 15.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

The Ford Hall Dedication will be held on Friday October 16?

October 24 marks the International Day of Climate Action. Take a minute and visit www.350.org. This website will provide useful information regarding the planet’s C02 emissions, challenges and goals. A series of “climate action events” scheduled for October 24
are in the planning process.

Family Weekend will be October 23 & 24.

International Students Day will not be held on Family Weekend in 2009.

Wesley House was relocated to create space for the Campus Center construction project in 2003.

Julia Child Day will be held on Thursday, November 12.

The “Years of Service Luncheon” for Smith staff will take place on Wednesday, October 28 in the Campus Center Carroll room.

The H1N1 Student website has been recently updated. Here’s the link:
http://www.smith.edu/influenza/students.php

Isn’t “leadership” just all the rage these days?  It’s in Smith’s design for learning and seems to be the new key word.  But what exactly is leadership?  Does everyone think they are a leader in some way or another?

Since there is no working definition of leadership here at Smith, we offer the LEAP program to encompass the needs of any Smithie looking to learn more.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to define certain skills, our workshop series is for you.

Check out our calendar online for the latest and greatest LEAP offerings!

http://www.smith.edu/campuscenter/leadership/index.php

SJM

It never ceases to amaze me how much folks forget over the summer or maybe it is how much they never really paid attention to what was going on last year. Things like the Welcome Week Carnival, the Go! Calendar, the Student Leadership Conference are not new yet so many people are surprised by them. Whether you come into the Campus Center looking for something to do or you are searching from your room, know that there is always something going on! Take a trip to the CC web page and check out the calendar, look through the LEAP Calendar or find out how to join one of our 100 student organizations. We’ve been waiting for you to get back and dive in – don’t disappoint us!

After experiencing commencement and second reunion weekends as an ‘09 graduate, I’m in my childhood house for a week, on a very strange sleep schedule, unpacking and repacking for the move to grad school in a new state. The birds have started chirping outside my window, and because facebook is the easiest method of using up early morning quiet time, I couldn’t help but muse over pictures and stories from the last year or two.

At dinner last night, my best friend’s father (who is also a father to me) asked me how I felt about my undergraduate experience. One of those big fluffy questions where no answer is wrong but no answer is right. I went on about how I did well academically, wish I’d done a little better, yadda yadda.

When I look at the past four years, it isn’t quite about the academics. Working with my supervisors in the campus center during leadership dialogues, they talked about the hierarchy of Smith. It’s taken until now to realize how right they were.

First-years are eager, nervous, ready to jump in. I headed a 60 student org as a first year, took on classes I hated and learned which ones I liked.

Sophomores rule the school. I headed the chorus for a second year. I was HONS in my house. Some of my best friends are the first-years who studied every night in my room. I co-directed my a cappella group. I finished up my STRIDE scholarship.

Juniors on campus are trucking along, still involved and learning from the seniors, but becoming role models for the underclassmen. I was the business manager of my a cappella group, a devoted member of the glee club. I continued to make connections with my faculty. I began work at the campus center.

Seniors are on their way out. They’re leaders, but not THE leaders. They’re making the way for the underclassmen. I headed the Glee Club, directed Groove, and was a Campus Center Manager. I was a leader, but looking back now, I realize how much of that time was spent working with those who’d take on my position, empowering them to act now rather than just later.

Smith was about what I learned about me and the people around me. Smith is about the connections I made with peers, faculty and staff. Smith is about the future. I will be proud of my performance in Peter Bloom’s Wagner and Berlioz seminar, but I will always smile because of my time in CC 106 or Sweeney Concert Hall. I look forward to my graduate internship at CCSU with excitement that could only be preceded by my Smith experience.

All this to say, work hard but have fun. Smithies are smart. We get our work done. But Smith, and all else, is about the journey. “It takes a lot of butterflies to make a world full of flowers.” It all works out somehow, so enjoy it.

Signing off,

ferserious,

EAM, ‘09

For all Smithies that will be graduating next month:  The following articles are excerpts from MSN offering tips and suggestions related to seeking employment as you enter the workforce. Included are a list of companies that are actually hiring recent college grduates.  Best of luck with your search!

As graduation nears and the economy remains in shambles, college graduates are faced with one of the most competitive job markets in years. Although employers are proceeding with caution, many of them are still hiring.  Forty-three percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates in 2009, down from 56 percent in 2008, according to CareerBuilder’s Annual College Job Forecast. The survey was conducted among 2,543 hiring managers and human-resource professionals from Feb. 20 to March 11, 20.  “While recent college graduates are facing a highly competitive job market right now, there are still opportunities out there,” said Brent Rasmussen, president of CareerBuilder North America. “The biggest challenge is showing relevant experience, which employers say is one of the most important factors they look for in applications from recent college graduates. This isn’t limited to professional work experience, so don’t get discouraged. Class work, school activities and volunteering also qualify as relevant experience and can be included in your résumé as well.”

What are employers looking for?
Obviously, certain job requirements like education, technical skills and years of experience will vary from one employer to the next. When we asked 25 companies that are hiring new graduates this year what they look for in a candidate, the following qualities were cited numerous times:

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Possess entrepreneurial spirit
· Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
· Proven track record of success
· Strong work ethic
· Demonstrated leadership
· Competitive attitude
· Goal-oriented and  results-driven
· Internship experience in related fields
· Must thrive in a team environment and work well with others
· Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
· Strong educational background

1. Allstate
Industry: Insurance
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Claims adjuster trainees; financial analysts; investment analysts; actuarial assistants; application developers (IT); business analysts (IT)

2. Arcadis
Industry: Engineering
Estimated new graduate hires: 30-40
Open positions: Geologists; environmental scientists; engineers (civil, geological, geotechnical and transportation)

3. Cbeyond
Industry: Technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Sales associates

4. Dish Network
Industry: Television entertainment provider
Estimated new graduate hires: 40-70
Open positions: Various

5. Geico
Industry: Insurance and financial services
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Business operations and IT management; supervisory leadership programs; management trainees; liability claims representatives; auto damage trainees; sales and service representatives; actuarial assistants; analysts; IT programmers; Web developers; systems analysts

6. GMAC
Industry: Finance and banking
Estimated new graduate hires: 40-50 graduates to start in 2010 (recruiting on campuses in fall 2009)
Open positions: Finance, risk, treasury, audit and IT jobs

7. Harris Corp.
Industry: Communications and information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 170
Open positions: Engineering (software, mechanical, electrical, network); geospatial analysis; supply chain and procurement; accounting and finance

8. Kaplan Higher Education
Industry: Education
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Corporate, operations and ground campus positions in marketing, finance, sales and human resources

9. The Kroger Co.
Industry: Grocery and retail
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Information systems; engineering and corporate audit; retail; store management development program; career training program in manufacturing

10. Maxim Healthcare Services
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 500
Open positions: Entry-level sales recruiters

11. Perot Systems
Industry: Information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 50
Open positions: Business analysts; project coordinators; desk side support technicians; revenue cycle representatives

12. Quest Diagnostics
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 20-30
Open positions: Finance, human resources IT, sales, marketing and operations jobs

13. Rite Aid Corp.
Industry: Retail pharmacy
Estimated new graduate hires: 250-350
Open positions: Entry-level management trainees; store management

14. Robert Bosch LLC
Industry: Technology and services
Estimated new graduate hires: 20
Open positions: Professional development training (bachelor’s level candidates) and junior management program (master’s level candidates)

15. Ryder System Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Customer logistics specialists; logistics engineers; rental management trainees

16. Sabre Holdings
Industry: Information technology
Estimated number of new hires: eight 
Open positions: Programmers; developers; marketing; business operations (finance)

17. Sara Lee
Industry: Food and beverage
Estimated new graduate hires: 30
Open positions: Assistant brand managers; HR generalists; category analysts; operations supervisors; maintenance supervisors; associate scientists; demand planners; customer service account managers

18. Shell Oil Co.
Industry: Oil and gas
Estimated new graduate hires: N/A
Open positions: Meteorology; industrial hygiene; geosciences; engineering (mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, environmental, petroleum); finance and accounting; health, safety, security and environmental programs; sales

19. The Sherwin-Williams Co.
Industry: Retail
Estimated new graduate hires:  550
Open positions: Management and sales trainees

20. Sodexo
Industry: Hospitality/contract services
Estimated new graduate hires: 95
Open positions: Food services managers; environmental services manage

Having been present at last year’s Senior Ball as the Campus Center Manager on duty, it was a very different experience to attend this year as an actual senior. I’m rather excited about graduation and wherever my steps after Smith will take me, but last night may have been my first “it’s really coming to an end” moment.

As the Campus Center already holds a special place in my heart, Senior Ball was all the more bittersweet. The building looked beautiful. I remember how much work goes into getting this place into that kind of condition and I can speak for all seniors, I’m sure, when I say how much we appreciate the efforts of all the student and professional staffers.

The seniors and their guests looked fantastic. I’m certainly a people watcher and enjoyed watching everyone enter the CC in their dresses. It was so nice to mill around, running into people I don’t often get to see, checking in and catching up. I find it so fitting that such an event should be hosted in the Campus Center – a building very much at the heart of the Smith Community. There’s really nowhere else on campus I’d have wanted to be last night. -EAM

Hard to believe it’s this far into the Spring semester already. With five weeks or so of classes left, job applications and grad school interviews on the horizon, I’ve hopped a plane with Tamra and Sara to meet Patrick here in Anaheim for the Annual ACUI Conference. During my first year on the CC staff, the professionals in 106 hooked me on a Student Affairs future by bringing me to an Association of College Unions International Regional Conference. Since, I’ve attended another Regional Conference, joined the Regional Leadership Team, and geared myself up for this annual conference where all the Regions come together.

After a long day of planes and somewhat sketchy vans getting us to the hotel in Anaheim, we’re settled and just about ready to start up tomorrow. (Meaning, Tamra and Sara are zonked out in bed at what is 8:00pm for us here but is 11:00 at home.) Tomorrow there are a few meetings, maybe some looking into the Career Center, and the opening keynote address.

I’m looking forward to a good selection of Ed Sessions about Student Unions, what we can do better. It’s always fantastic to just hear from others, to learn what others are doing, to see what else there is. I also just love meeting people and making connections. There are some really fantastic people in this field and traveling to a conference like this is the perfect opportunity to meet them. I used to be nervous about conferences and meeting people and choosing the right sessions, etc. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous about this conference (what with possible employers around) but I’m a lot more at ease and the idea of getting to learn more about what I want to do is enthralling.

So, I guess, I’d like to leave this cracked-out, thirteen-hours-of-travel and three-hour-time-difference blog by imploring other Smithies to travel and to experience. It is Smith that has encouraged these things for me, so you take advantage of it to. Travel while you can and while you can get funding. Find good mentors who can stand by you but also push you a bit closer to the edge of the cliff that you’re just gonna have to jump off of soon.

Wish me luck, folks. See you back at Smith in a week. EAM

Spring lives up to its name.  It bounces around.  One day warm and welcoming, the next day slipping back into slush, ice, and snow.  That’s ok.  We’ll put up with the sputtering because we know we will eventually have our way with weather and we’ll put winter down for a long nap.

Spring also brings hope for another semester under our belt or, for some, gearing up…for graduation.  All things new.  We here at the Campus Center open our doors to you for fun, late-night events, staff council book exchange, the safety fair, meetings, or whatever your needs may be.  Let spring…SPRING you into action!  Shed your winter clothes and say goodbye to winter blues!  Come join us as we usher in the new and push our new green shoots up and out towards the sun where we can blossom!  (ok, I admit…over the top corny, but…what else would you expect from me?)  Best wishes for all, Jan

The Cross Campus Safety Committee will be sponsoring a Safety Fair On Tuesday, March 31in the Campus Center’s Carroll Room.  The fair will cover a variety of work related safety topics including ergonomics, fire safety, driver safety, bike safety, general workplace safety including lifting & back safety procedures, hazardeous materials communications, boat safety, cosswalk safety and germ prevention. 

The fair was conceived from the recent crosswalk accidents that resulted in injuries to three Smith students over the last 4- 5 months.  Hopefully, the Safety Fair will be the first  annual event to create campus wide awareness to insure the safety of Smith’s students, faculty, staff and community visitors that frequent the college grounds.

Save the date – We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, March 31 -11:15AM – 12:45pm