The Paisano College Living Guide 2013

T HE P A I SA N O P RE SE N TS:

+ PAISANO

T HE U T S A C OLLEGE L IVING G UIDE:

IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?

pg. 11

INTERNSHIPS: MORE THAN GETTING COFFEE pg. 7

MIXING CONCOCTIONS IN THE RIVER CITY pg. 9

CONTENTS 4

College Roommates

7

Expanding Your Resume

“The Good, the Bad, and the Culinary Impaired”

“Internships: More Than Getting Coffee”

8

Getting the Job “Dress for Success”

9 11

Trending: Cocktail Bars

“Mixing Concoctions in the River City”

College and its Cost “Is College Worth It?”

The Good, the Bad and the culinary impaired As students transition from living at home to moving into a dorm on campus, roommate situations can become interesting life lessons. Fellow students comment on their roommates: “Asian cuisine is one of my all time favorite foods, and when he unpacked a rice maker and several woks, I thought I was going to be in heaven!

Then one night, he asked me if I had already eaten dinner because he was going to cook me stir-fry noodles. My heart skipped a beat, and I told him that I couldn’t wait. I looked in the kitchen and there were empty packages of Ramen noodles and hotdog weenies on the counter.

It was at that moment, I knew that what I had imagined was nothing like what I was about to eat. When I took my first bite, I instantly thought I had been food-poisoned and wanted to vomit, but he was watching, so I had to swallow. I realized I should never eat homemade

“Living at home is great because I’ve “One became my best friend. We

write snail-mail to each other since she moved to San Diego. The other one, I was super close with until she started dating the guy I had a fling with in the so I can’t stop him.” summer. When they started dating, she closed herself off from us and was never Alyssa Dunn junior infrastructure assurance and home. I think the fact that her boyfriend information systems major, and I had a summer fling made her UTSA uncomfortable.“ been able to save a lot of money. The only problem is that my little brother eats everything, and he’s bigger than me

Kelly De La Garza

business management major, UTSA alumna

“For my birthday, my roomie decorated my entire bathroom while I was asleep.

She filled my shower top-tobottom with balloons, wrote all over my mirror and had streamers hanging all over the place. It made it a little difficult to get dressed, but it was worth

Chinese noodles again.”

Nick Mayorga

senior management science major, UTSA

it.”

“My roommate and I had an

sophomore health science major, SAC

school.”

DJ Merino

Will Tallent/ The Paisano

interesting first semester. I only saw him about three times and ended up spending about 99 percent of the semester staying in the dorms with a friend from high

Cori Key

By Erin Boren

junior government major, UT Austin 4

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Internships: More Than Getting Coffee

By Amanda Dansby Internships improve a resume and allow students to gain real-world experience. So what are some things to look for in an internship?

Tia Robles, a junior communication major, looks for “a great mentorship as well as being able to network with others in my career field.” Robles states that “nothing helps more at learning how to do a job effectively and efficiently than having a mentor to guide you.”

She adds that she likes being able to meet new people and network within the workplace.

“It helps create a future foundation.”

Jacob Falcon, a senior English major, wants to be a part of an organization that shares his same passions.

“A dream internship for me

would be to intern for a professional basketball team. Basketball really helped me through many adversities in my life. I would be honored to be a part of such an organization. Pay would not matter to me,” Falcon says.

Although Falcon is concerned about sharing the same passions and work ethic of other interns, some students are concerned about how they will provide for themselves while completing an internship.

Clifton Gomez, a senior public relations major, says that he looks for a paid internship. Many students are living on their own and have to pay for their bills, living expenses, transportation and other essentials such as groceries and gas. Gomez is not alone in his desire to get a paid internship.

Christian Corrales, the experiential learning coordinator at UTSA’s University Career Center, discussed his views on paid internships: “It’s like a doubleedged sword. I always tell students to look at the content.

Look at the general description of what the individual should be prepared to be engaged in. I frown upon for-profit corporations that offer unpaid internships because that falls within a very thin, grey area of them potentially getting into legal problems.”

The Youth Department of Labor has a six-prong criteria that enforce for-profit companies to pay their interns. Unfortunately, one of the prongs states that the company should not have a direct profit or benefit from the intern’s work. “That’s

kind of hard to prove,” Corrales states. “I encourage students to ask the questions: What is it that I’m going to be learning?

How am I going to be learning?

And who’s going to teach it to me? Overall, that should give insight to the student to see if that’s what they want to do or not.

“An internship at whatever side–non-profit, for-profit, government, higher-education–should be about a learning experience.”

Patrick Gathron, a senior communication major, looks for a fun, yet challenging environment. “I want an internship that challenges me to explore new realms and look at things in a way that I’ve never seen them before as they apply to my area of interest,” states Gathron.

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Will Tallent / The Paisano

Continued on page 14

Dress f o r

SUCCESS

By Janae Rice

Will Tallent/ The Paisano

“D

ress and appearance is a huge piece of a successful interview,” says Morris Ellington of employee relations at UTSA’s Career Center. “Interviewers see with their eyes and that starts with the way you dress.”

Many applicants research, practice their handshake and tire over a well-written resume before an interview. Applicants may feel prepared for the questions, but what should applicants wear? Business-formal or business casual?

While many wear businesscasual to an interview such as dress pants and a polo shirt or a patterned dress, business formal is favored. Dressing appropriately can help a potential employee stand out among other applicants.

Potential employees should consider dressing business-like, professional and conservative.

“Over half of any interview is your appearance,” says Ellington. Once the interviewer greets you, the interview has already started.

Dressing for an interview is unquestionably important, but what to wear and how to style it is not always clear. Dressing in

business-formal rather than casual can set an applicant apart from other applicants. For internships and full-time positions, business-formal dress is preferred. Business-casual may be worn for a part-time interview.

Clothing should be in neutral colors like black, navy and gray.

These choices include cleaned and pressed suits for men and women. Basic dress shirts such as white, collared shirts are recommended with suits. Subtle and conservative patterns are acceptable for suits and shirts.

Men’s ties should also be kept simple and color-coordinated with an applicant’s suit, if possible. For example, different shades of blue could be worn with a navy suit. Tie clips are unnecessary, as they may distract the interviewer.

It is important to pay attention to every detail from headto-toe. Shoes are a crucial part of the applicant’s appearance as well. “The first thing interviewers look at is your shoes,” says Ellington.

Applicants should keep shoes business-formal as well. Men are advised to wear shined, conservative black dress shoes, while women should wear closed-toe, conservative shoes.

Flats are acceptable, although Continued on page 14

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Mixing Concoctions in the River City Kristin Robertson, a bartender at Blue Box Bar, sticks a straw in the Tom Collins she’s making to taste. “This specific customer asked for it to be sweeter than usual,” she says.

Like a chef, Robert-

Katy Schmader/ The Paisano

son tastes each drink she makes before serving it.

The Blue Box Bar is among many of San Antonio’s cocktail bars that take drinkmaking to the level of mixology. San Antonio is known for being the home of the Alamo and the Riverwalk, but as the city grows, its nightlife offers much more than just restaurants and bars.

The idea behind these new cocktail bars is to introduce new flavors to bar goers.

Cocktail bars like Blue Box, The Brooklynite and Bar 1919 are serv-

ing not only drinks, but also using quality ingredients like fresh fruit and fine liquor to formulate classic, sophisticated cocktails. Although crafted cocktail bars have been around for awhile, they are becoming more popular in San Antonio.

Blue Box Bar is the Pearl Brewery’s only bar and has quickly become the neighborhood hangout.

“I’m

looking for a low drama place and a good atmosphere,” says Tatiana Torres, a communication major at UTSA. “The drinks were a little pricey but it was totally worth it. All the bartenders really take their time making your drinks and are really friendly,” says Torres.

With apartments popping up around the Pearl, Blue Box gets busy on the weekends, but, according to bartender James Santos, that’s never a bad thing. Although Blue Box offers a specials menu on the wall, patrons are not restricted to those drinks. “It’s all about the customer. They are the menu,” he says. Patrons who come in and don’t know what to order can ask the bartenders to make a custom drink based on what flavors they like. “Savory or salty, we have the ingredients and we go on that,” says Santos.

Visiting Blue Box or other cocktail bars may make patrons change their concept of liquor

and how it’s used. “I had a lady come in that said she would never drink rum again. I said, ‘How about I make you something without rum?’ And I made her a rum drink and she loved it. When she finished it, I told her it was a rum cocktail and now she’s not so biased.”

Like Blue Box, The Brooklynite is known as a bar representing a new wave of cocktail bars that focus on ingredients and the palette. “You notice a lot more demand for higher quality food and drink,” says Rob Gourlay, a bartender at The Brooklynite.

Patrons unfamiliar with cocktails can choose one of the drinks offered on the waxstamped menu. The menu offers

and drinks are reminiscent of the prohibition era, but if patrons are looking for a speakeasy, Bar 1919 is an establishment where speaking easy is a rule.

Bar 1919, as the name suggests, is a throwback to the prohibition era. The bar offers only one vodka because “There is only one vodka necessary for this establishment,” one of the 10 bar rules states.

“I actually prefer Bar 1919 over bars that resemble a club or speedy experience. Whenever I go to Bar 1919, I feel like a cool kid going underground,” says Christina Britain, a junior English major at UTSA. Bar 1919 adheres to the prohibition milieu with rules

“The drinks were a little pricey but it was totally worth it. All the bartenders really take their time in making your drinks and are really friendly.”

Tatiana Torres

communications major many cocktails, such as Death in the Afternoon (absinthe and champagne) and classics like a Jack Rose or an Old Fashioned.

The Brooklynite does not just focus on ingredients in cocktails, but on all aspects of the bar’s environment. The bar is designed to make customers feel comfortable with antique furnishings, coffee tables and dimmed lighting. Cucumber infused water is served while patrons decide what to drink, and three food trucks are available Monday through Saturday outside the bar.

The Brooklynite’s atmosphere

prohibiting patrons from ordering modern drinks like a Cosmopolitain or anything made with energy drinks. They offer drinks like the Moscow mule or an Apple Pie Martini.

By Janae Rice

“Fifty-seven percent of college students claim they are unhappy with what they receive in return for paying for a college education.�

Will Tallent/ The Paisano

Students question whether the college education is worth the money it costs in return.

Will Tallent/ The Paisano

* ! ? #

IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?

T

he term “worth” can mean many types of values: monetary, personal or something measured by the esteem at which it is held. So what worth does a college education have? Is it worth the money for the education, experience or degree?

According to the Pew Research Center, a whopping 57 percent of college students claim that they are unhappy with what they receive in return for paying for a college education. However, among college graduates, 86 percent agree that they benefit from the personal experience.

At what cost is the experience worth the money?

Why attend college?

There are conflicting opinions on the subject of pursuing a career right after high school graduation rather than packing up for college in the fall. After all, the non-traditional route of skipping college completely or becoming a college dropout has worked for many people including Rachel Ray, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

While some people have the determination and will to succeed in their careers without the help of a degree, others blame lack of financial support for inhibiting their choice to obtain a college education. The growing college enrollment lessens the available financial aid funding per student, and therefore, hinders the 48 percent of non-enrolled students the Pew report found could not afford to

By Erin Boren

continue their education. Also, some 34 percent of high school graduates claimed that higher education was not necessary for their career.

Apart from the number of students incapable of attending college for financial reasons or those without the need for college, there are also students who lack direction.

Former UTSA student Bronwen Kinzler-Britton left college for an internship opportunity in Los Angeles. “I was kind of itching for something different.

Also, I had no idea if what I was going to school for was even what I wanted to do for a living,” Kinzler-Britton says. “I feel bad going to school and spending thousands of dollars on something I don’t necessarily want to do.”

Like many people in her situation, Kinzler-Britton muses that she may not be a “school person.” However, career-seekers should consider the job market statistics for those without a college degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for high school graduates without college experience, as of December 2012, is 8.1 percent compared to the 3.8 percent unemployment rate for college graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Even among those who have college experience or a two-year degree, the unemployment rate is still remarkably higher–6.7 percent.

Some high school graduates may believe the job market is too small and saturated with those carrying a college degree

to spend time and money in college. People with that opinion jump right into the career field with what they believe is a fouryear head start.

But does that head start pay off when it comes to lifetime salaries? Most surveys report an overwhelming “NO.” The Pew report agrees with the majority, claiming that the average college graduate in a 40-year period earns about $650,000 more than the average high school graduate.

The Pew Research Center calculated that the total earnings for a college graduate is estimated at $1.42 million versus the $770,000 of a high school graduate, producing a net earnings of $650,000. Then, subtracting an average of college tuition cost, not including room and

about college education: “While I do think college is a great opportunity and obviously has even greater benefits, I definitely believe that college just isn’t for everyone. I have known some incredibly successful people who never went to college and are so content with life.”

Pay Up The attitude toward completing a college degree is one that changes with perspective, from teacher to student to parent.

According to the Pew report, 94 percent of parents assume their child will attend college.

So, if the student decides to attend college, the question becomes; how to pay for it? Only 22 percent of Americans believe that college is affordable; that

“I feel bad going to school and spending thousands of dollars on something I don’t necessarily want to do.”

Bronwen Kinzler-Britton Former UTSA student

board, at $6,000 and foregone earnings of $94,000, a bachelor’s degree graduate has a net payoff of $550,000 more than that of a student who foregoes a higher education.

However, it is inevitable that exceptions do exist. Selected college majors and particular job market predictions, as well as the amount of loans necessary, all depend on personal circumstances and career goals.

Kinzler-Britton says this

number has been dropping since 1985.

While 48 percent of the public believe the student or his or her family should cover the biggest burden of college expenses, 31 percent believe that it is the responsibility of either the federal or state government.

Eric Cooper, Ph.D., director of Student Enrollment Services, states that within UTSA, 65-70 percent of students rely on financial aid. He claims that there is a

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higher percentage of high-need place. students at UTSA than any other So is the stet worth it with campus in the UT system. debt attached? As previously “UTSA has always been a discussed, the Pew report finds school of access,” says Cooper. in favor of the graduate, who will “We’re always interested in help- ultimately make enough money ing students come to college and to pay off loans and still earn a afford it.” greater amount than a non-gradConsequently, the increas- uate. It’s hard to say yes or no, ing dependence on financial aid since many variables factor into and student loans leads to an in- the final outcome. crease in overall student debt afOne thing is for sure though: ter graduation. The report finds the price of college tuition and that student loan debt, is on av- fees are continuing to climb and erage, a little over $20,000 per show no sign of slowing. College family.

Board reports tuition and fees With that impending debt, have increased 27 percent over 27 percent of college graduates the rate of inflation in the last are working full-time jobs, yet five years alone. underemployed, according to the Huffington Post. And with Changing Attitudes an underemployed job, it would take more than 20 years to pay Despite the recipe for success off college debts. that many college institutions Cooper stresses the impor- seem to offer, the low expectation tance of graduating in a timely of the job market combined with manner, which, traditionally, is the debt that more and more stufour years. Every additional year dents seem to find unbearable is adds weight to becomp ost-college ing a debts and, in threat to some cases, fithe este eme d nancial aid may worth of become unavaila college able. “The federeducaal government is t i o n . really stressing Twentythat financial six peraid is a contract. cent of They expect you workers to earn your de- Bronwen Kinzler-Britton believe gree in a timely Former UTSA student that they manner. Legislation is changing to make sure would make the same money if students aren’t taking advantage they had a degree, while 22 perof the financial aid system,” he cent of those with a degree believe they would make the same says.

Additionally, 48 percent of amount without one. While this graduates with student loans is not the majority opinion, high claim that debt has made it school graduates increasingly harder to pay other bills or make take alternate routes to careers.

Kinzler-Britton warns, “I am a ends meet. Twenty-four percent of those with loans also admit big believer in taking some time that the debt has had an impact after high school before going to on the type of career they pur- a university. I wish I had. There is sued. It is a difficult situation to no rush; a degree will always be imagine that college debt is driv- there.”

Non-traditional companies ing the future, rather than the dreams that brought students to like Google and Zappos are takpursue an education in the first ing advantage of the creative

“I definitely think that a college education is worth something, if not just the knowledge you gain, but also the experiences you have.”

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generation. There is a shift from networking comes from deterlinear, ladder-climbing careers mined students who force their to multiple movements between foot in a door. “Employers like to professions. Gone are the days see experience in a related field of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. suits and ties. and look for internships. The They have been replaced with more the better. One is good; themed dress-up days, laptops two is awesome,” he says. Internand nap rooms. ships can be a good foundation As previously stated, 86 per- to start networking. cent of college graduates believe Like most college campuses, that the colU T S A lege experioffers ence was not students only an edusomecational ext h i n g perience, but valuable– one of pera place to sonal growth help them as well. m a k e “I definitely Morris Ellington importhink that a Project Manager for the UTSA tant lifecollege educachanging Career Center tion is worth conne csomething if tions. As not just the knowledge you gain, Ellington says, “There are so but also the experiences you many ways that we can connect have,” says Kinzler-Britton. “I students and employers togethhad some of the most fun while er.”

I was in school at UTSA and met In the modern job market, it some of the absolute best people. may not be the particular diploI think that it is really unfortu- ma that employers look at, but nate how expensive it has gotten how a student spent his or her to go to college.” time achieving it.

Of graduates who annually Cooper also urges students earn more than $50,000, 91 per- to be mindful of their grades. “I cent believe college was a good think more employers will look investment. That percentage at a transcript versus a diploma. drops to 73 percent for those Bad grades and more W’s on a earning less than $50,000. In transcript will raise red flags.” other terms, the more a graduate Does Cooper think a degree is makes, the more they contribute necessary? “I do, but maybe I’m their salary to their college edu- not the average person. I was a cation. Nevertheless, non-col- first generation college student, lege graduates can still achieve but I also received a master’s and high-paying jobs with the right a doctoral degree. I wouldn’t be connections. where I am right now without a college degree.”

Diploma as a Door Opener Ultimately, college comes with a hefty price tag but also with opUTSA’s Career Center de- portunities and experiences. termined that 35-48 percent of Kinzler-Britton says, “There graduates got their jobs through are so many positives that come networking. According to Mor- from a college education. It’s acris Ellington, project manager tually hard to see many negative for the Career Center, “Network- things that stem from getting a ing and building a network of degree–other than the hole it professional contacts is critical. leaves in your pocket.”

‘It’s not what you do; it’s who you know’ that really helps in this modern job market.” And this

“‘It’s not what you do; it’s who you know’ that really helps in this modern job market.”

From Page 7

While many students at UTSA are required to participate in an internship, students tend to focus more on maintaining a high GPA than searching for an internship. However, employers often look for more than just good grades.

“Get a leg up,” Corrales comments. “Make the effort to help yourself. The degree is part of the equation, but also get experience.”

Corrales encourages students to participate in internships. A good internship, he says, is like the experience of learning how to drive.

“There are two parts to acquiring a driver’s license: the first part is the written test: how well do you know about what you need to know in order to acquire

a driver’s license?” Corrales says.

“The second part is the actual driving part– get behind the wheel and demonstrate that you can drive a car.”

When it comes to hiring an employee, companies tend to consider interns before the traditional external candidates. Internship programs have become a recruiting ground for future employees.

Corrales explains how some companies use their internship program to bring in a cohort of students and evaluate them during the internship to see if they’re a good fit for the company­ – much like the driving test before getting a license.

In some cases, the internship becomes an extended interview in which the company decides if they could potentially extend an

offer.

“It ends up being a [trial-run].

When students graduate and go into the job market, more often than none, there is a high probability that companies are going to hire those they know,” Corrales says.

UTSA’s Career Center works closely with those students who come in seeking employment and internship opportunities.

Not only will they provide information about an opportunity in your major and classification, but they also will make sure that you are placed in an environment that piques your interest.

Giving students options is one of the main goals when helping a student decide on an intership program.

To find out more, visit utsa. edu/careerservices.

{The Paisano} Editor-in-Chief: Katy Schmader

Managing Editor: Stephen Whitaker

News Editor:

Matthew Duarte

Paseo Editor: Sarah Gibbens

Arts Editor:

Jennifer Alejos

Sports Editor: Sheldon Baker

Photo Editor: Will Tallent

Web Editor: Natalie Frels

Ads Manager: Kevyn Kirven

Business Manager: Jenelle Duff

Senior Copy Editor: Alyssa Torres

From Page 8

shoes with a heel look best. Heels should be kept conservative— under three inches.

Personal appearance should be kept simple as well. Facial hair is acceptable as long as it’s kept trim and neat. In order to maintain eye contact with the interviewer, women should pull long hair away from their face. It is also suggested that women wear simple, natural makeup and little jewelry. Loud or colorful jewelry may be a distraction for the interviewer.

Women wearing a dress or skirt may wear nude or black hosiery. Patterns and colors are distracting and should be avoided.

Clothing is not the only factor of a successful interview. Applicants should practice eye contact, posture, hand gestures and, most importantly, smiling. Smiling during an interview demonstrates enthusiasm and openness. Ellington says, “If you have a friendly personality, you are much more likely to give a good impression.”

{Writers} Erin Boren, Amanda Dansby, Janae Rice

{Advisor}

Diane Abdo

{Advisory Board}

Steven Kellman, Mansour El Kikhia, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman

{Special Thanks} Editing 2433

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