Ahead of the Curve

Getting ready to start a new career path or advance in your current career? What sets you and your resume apart from the stack of resumes that employers are looking at when they are getting ready to fill a position? Many employers consider the inter office dynamics of bringing in someone new, but to give yourself an edge above the others, several employers are looking at the volunteerism of candidates as a factor to show a strong work ethic and social responsibility. Many of the school organizations are already involved in community projects like Big Brothers/Big Sisters or community cleanup projects. It's not glamorous work, but it is very rewarding and may offer an extra set of skills that could put you ahead of the competition for that next job. If you want to find out more about the local volunteer opportunities, check with some of the school organizations in your field of studies or check www.volunteermatch.org, there's plenty of opportunities out there!

Brian Strickler

Last Quarter and externship are here

I am in my last quarter now and have started my externship as a paralegal at a prosecutor's office. So far, I have worked there two days, and tomorrow is my third day. It's been very exciting so far, and I have really enjoyed being there. The people I work with are amazing! They are very encouraging, and also very dedicated to making this a great experience for me. I feel welcome, and I know that I will learn a lot while I am there. This will making transitioning to a job so much easier, because of the exposure I am getting during my externship. It starts with driving and parking downtown and making my way through the different court buildings that are there. I know now where the clerk's office is, and I am making important connections with people I will have dealings with on a regular basis once I work at a law firm or any other place where I might be working once I graduate. I took criminal law last quarter at Sullivan, and now I am using my knowledge on a daily basis. It is exciting how classroom theory now turns into real life applications.

I think it is a really good thing that Sullivan makes its students do a externship project as part of the curriculum because this is valuable experience we are gaining as part of our education. Of course it is hard to fit in 15 hours of extra work on top of my school schedule with three more classes and my regular 20 hours I work every week. Right now I am working six days a week and I am not all that happy about my workload. Today is Sunday, and my weekend is already over, and I haven't done anything "fun" yet. By the time I am done with errands and grocery shopping, it will almost be time for bed. But three months from now, I will have finished my degree, and on October 12 I will get to wear my cap and gown and pick up my official papers. This will be so exciting! After all the hard work, to finally hold it in my hands. And you can be sure that I will send out cards to all the people who doubted that it could be done, and to all the people who supported me and cheered for me, and who knew that it could be done.

Claudia

Financial Resources

With just weeks to go before the new quarter, I'm seeing a lot of classmates filing out scholarship applications and lining up financing for the next few quarters of classes. No matter what your program, there is money out there to help you pay your way through school. The Imagine America scholarship offer up to $2,000, various other organizations offer scholarships based on all sort of qualifications. All these scholarships and grants can be found with an online search. So, while student loans are designed to get you through a bachelors degree program, it's helpful to use whatever resources you can to alleviate that debt when you graduate or use it to continue on through a masters degree. Given the competition in the job market, the higher degree you obtain, the more options you have in a job and the more desirable you are to employers. Think of the people out of work that have degrees and the people trying to get a job with out a degree, who would an employer pick first?

Strickler