The Hook Spring 2016

The Hook

Spring 2016

The Hook is published twice a year by East Carolina University students at the Magazine Division Office, Self-Help Building, Second Floor. Greenville, NC 27858

Magazine Division General Manager Puja Patel

The Hook Editor-In-Chief Amanda Adkins

Business Manager Braxton Paine

Design Chief: Designer: Photo Editor: Writers: Contributors

Thomas Davis

Ashton Tygart

Samantha Harvey

Taylor Hickman

Brianna Horton

Kai Jones

Annah Schwartz

Carlyn Legg

Daniel Kariko ECU Media Relations

Student Media Professional Staff

Director: John Harvey

Administrative Support Associate: Yvonne Moye

Publication Adviser: Terrence Dove

Productions Adviser: Judy Quinn

Advertising & Marketing Adviser: Elizabeth Semple

Operations Manager: Janet Rollins

The Hook is copyrighted 2016 by The Hook Magazine and East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. It is printed by University Printing and Graphics, Greenville, N.C.

The Hook is operated by ECU students who are members of Student Media, an East Carolina University student-led organization operating under the auspices of the Student Media Board and through the Division of Student Affairs. The magazine is produced twice a year by ECU students for the East Carolina University community.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers and editors and DO NOT reflect those of the faculty, staff, administration of ECU, Student Media Board nor the University of North Carolina System.

Partial funding for this publication is provided through Student Fee Funds. Advertisements fund the remaining costs. Advertising inquiries may be sent to Office of Student Media, 202 Self Help Building, or by calling the Business Office at 252-328-9245. Inquiries concerning content should be sent to Magazine General Manager Puja Patel at Thehookmag@ecu.edu.

All students are allowed to have one free copy of this publication. Additional copies cost $1 each and are available at the Office of Student Media. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site will constitute theft under state law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Ahoy, pirates! Allow me to wish The Hook a happy first anniversary! This entertaining student magazine was first published last spring and since then, we have grown as a staff and worked even harder to put out content that readers eagerly wait for. In this new issue, we strived to provide the community with articles that are relatable as well as fun, amusing and informative.

Now that the dead leaves and winter woes are behind us and the promise of sunshine is here, one thought that students are probably having is: What do I do now? This issue of The Hook is here to help you with that question. Our staff decided to provide you with articles that inspire you and will help to prepare for a fun-filled summer with travelling. We even have tips for travelling cheap and locations to visit in Greenville if you decide to have a “staycation”. Check out our three-ingredient meals article for quick recipes when you’re on the go and if you’re graduating and about to begin on a whole new travelling journey, then we’ve got tips to help you have successful job interviews. There is something interesting and entertaining for every Pirate so get reading and get hooked!

AMANDA ADKINS Editor-in-Chief

Started From Greenville, Now We’re Here

Where Pirates Get Their Booty

Pirates Receive New Coach

AIMO Brings Paris to Greenville

Cooking Made Easy

Did You Say “Free?”

Art That Takes You Places

A Day in the Life of a...

Humans of Greenville

Roommate or Rival?

21 Without the Hangover

Stop Student Stress

With Summer Comes Festivals

Preparing for the Professional World On

WE’RE NOT DONE YET

Campus needs gender-neutral bathrooms for equality.

by BRIANNA HORTON | photo SAMANTHA HARVEY

The world was filled with smiles, tears of joy and hope when same-sex marriage was made legal in the U.S. Although a battle for the LGBT community was won, there are still obstacles that need to be addressed, especially in the trans community.

“Same sex marriage being legalized was not the only problem, there’s so much more. I’ve been doing research on trans interactions with the justice system and our work is not done,” said Korey Simmons, junior criminal justice major.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, the word “transgender” — or trans — is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex assigned to them at birth. Although the word “transgender” and the modern definition of it only came into use in the late 20th century, people who would fit under this definition have existed in every culture throughout recorded history, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Despite the rising visibility of transgender celebrities such as Laverne Cox, who graced our campus in 2014, or writer Janet Mock, many Americans still don’t personally know anyone who is transgender or what battles they may be facing – so The Hook went exploring to help bring awareness and support to our campus.

While some students draw attention to discrimination that is happening in the world against members of the LGBT community, others like Lucas Hudson, transfer student and junior communications major, are focused on what is going on at ECU’s campus right now, such as the need for gender-neutral bathrooms.

“I do believe that we need gender neutral bathrooms on campus, not only for those that are non-binary, and they really should be spread out over campus. There’s one bathroom in one location. Don’t exclude

us and put us right there, we need them everywhere,” said Hudson. “The living situation is extremely unsafe. If I go into a stall, cisgender men act strangely and I’d rather not get beat up and die in a bathroom, not the legacy I want.”

“Gender-neutral bathrooms provide a form of safety that transgender and gender nonconforming students don’t necessarily have access to here. Although we are a very inclusive campus, changing a single bathroom to a gender-neutral bathroom could go a long way in creating a safer and more inclusive environment here on campus,” said Mia Willis, junior anthropology and classical civilization double major. “I think there needs to be a concerted effort to implement them [genderneutral restrooms] in residence halls, it’s one of the places that a student is most frequently at and the place they’d be utilizing that bathroom most frequently. Will that require a restructure of the campus living model? Yes, but that’s worth doing to provide a level of safety and security for those students and make them feel like they are welcomed in their own space.”

Other students did not even make it onto campus before they experienced discrimination. Hudson has been on hormones for nine months in his transition and has also experienced discrimination in his every day life.

“The discrimination started before I even got here [to ECU]. My roommate said she’d rather not have me as her roommate and now I’m by myself in

another residence hall,” said Hudson. “Before we are anything, we’re people, we’re all friends [in the LGBT office]. I’m not looked at as transgender [here], I’m a person.”

Another trans student at ECU, Elera Jennings, freshman international studies and political science double major, went another route to bring awareness to the restroom crisis on campus by writing a letter to University officials.

“My letter was talking about bathrooms in the dorms. I can’t go into the male bathroom and shower so I have to go into the female bathroom and sometimes it’s too much,” said Jennings. “A lot of times I’ll find a friend who lives off campus and shower there so I don’t have to deal with what would happen if I showered in my hall.”

Some of the major problems that members of the LGBT community face are lack of legal protection, harassment and stigma, anti-transgender violence, barriers to healthcare and complications with identity documents.

“LGBT young people are at a high risk for all of this stuff and trans are at eight times the risk to increase likelihood of suicide. Our office provides a space and we’ve received a lot of support for every initiative. The existence of our office is witness of the fact that ECU wants to provide a safe environment for the LGBT community members. They’re welcomed here,” said Mark Rasdorf, Associate Director of LGBT Resource Office.

Majority of the students interviewed in the LGBT office all had the same advice

for anyone who was questioning their sexual identification and whether they should open up about it.

“My biggest advice is don’t come out for anyone else. Come out because you’re proud of who you are and comfortable in your own skin. For anyone who is still in the closet or questioning their sexuality, the first step to coming out is coming out to yourself and it’s the hardest step to take. When you come out to yourself, coming out to everyone else is easy,” said Willis. When you’re in that discovery period, the hardest thing is looking in the mirror and saying ‘this is who I am.’ It’s not going away, I can’t wake up tomorrow and be different, so now I have to stand in front of myself and say ‘I am who I am, I can choose to accept this or not accept it.’ Be honest with yourself about it before you try to be honest with anybody else and know that the students and faculty in our office are here for you.”

Members of the LGBT community come from all walks of life. From dads and moms, brothers and sisters, and even to sons and daughters. They are coworkers, neighbors, best friends and enemies. The LGBT community is a diverse one, representing all racial and faith backgrounds, as well as ethnic backgrounds. Take a moment and ask what can be done to spread more support around the world and help people like Jennings and Hudson and other ECU students feel like they can safely do something as simple as use a restroom in a place they pay to live.

by CARLYN LEGG | photo FLICKR COMMONS

Musicians That Made It Big From Greenville.

Greenville has a lively music scene, which has produced big names in the music industry. In just the last decade, giants in music have risen out of the underground music scene in Greenville.

The indie-rock band Future Islands formed in Greenville and now has an international presence in music. Releasing their first album in 2006, Future Islands performed at bars and taverns in Greenville before launching their first tour in 2007, after which they relocated to the Baltimore area. Appearances at house parties and venues in downtown Greenville led Future Islands to be noticed and signed to a record label in 2009. Future Islands has since toured the United States, played on live national television on The David Letterman Show and has sold over 1 million copies of their 2014 album “Singles.”

Another big name in the music industry that started in the ECU community is The Avett Brothers, who formed while attending East Carolina University. Scott Avett, of The Avett Brothers, recently returned to ECU to speak at the Fall 2015 Commencement ceremony.

Avett discussed his and the band’s journey to stardom and how hard they had to work to achieve their goals. Their appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Night Show Starring Jimmy Fallon made the Greenville natives a household name.

Greenville has been the breeding ground of a wide range of musical genres including country music. From LoCash to Parmalee, the Greenville community is the origin of many rising stars in country music. LoCash formed in the Pitt County area and recently opened for country music star Lee Brice at ECU’s homecoming concert. The cowboy duo with rock and roll influences has worked to climb their way to the top, landing a spot touring with huge headlining act Lee Brice in 2014, with the dream to be their own headliner someday. With their dreams coming true, LoCash will kick off its “I Love This Life” tour at the start of 2016.

“I’ve been following them since I saw them a few years ago, and they always put on a rockin’ show,” said Kielee Brown, sophomore biology major at East Carolina University and LoCash fan.

Parmalee, a twangy rock and roll style country band, performed at Minges Coliseum in November, where hundreds of country music fans from ECU and the Greenville community came out to see them. Their album “Feels Like Carolina” features multiple country radio chartoppers, which they performed for the high-energy crowd. As their own homecoming show, Parmalee makes a point to return to their roots and play a show here in Greenville each year.

“It’s really cool to see singers you hear on the radio come to your school,” said James Mathewson, junior intended nursing major at ECU and Parmalee fan. “These guys are from eastern N.C. and I enjoy seeing that sort of success that’s made in your backyard, which is what these guys have done.”

The music scene in Greenville is ever-evolving with incoming talent each year at ECU and an increased interest in a more focused nightlife. With live music every weekend at venues like Crossbones Tavern, Christy’s Euro Pub and Crave, there are endless opportunities to experience the raw talent and skill of musicians of the Greenville area.

Annual events like Spazz Fest that typically occurs in March features Greenville and surrounding area musicians alongside guest and touring performers from as far as Philadelphia and New York to play in the four day music festival. Created by Jeff Blinder and friends in Greenville in 2007, Spazz Fest has come a long way in the last decade. Starting with house shows shut

down by the fire marshall, to a small venue outside downtown which was shut down because of safety and fire code violations, the festival has turned around and is now a friend of law enforcement.

Now hosted at various venues downtown, such as Christy’s Euro Pub and Crave, Spazz Fest has the financial support and community interest to bring in more musicians with higher quality performances than ever before. Bands like Aether Realm, a spaceage pop-punk band from Greenville, and Thunderlip, a metal punk-rock band from Wilmington, have performed at Spazz Fest. Up-and-comers Matt Phillips and the Philharmonic along with Rebecca Todd and the Odyssey, whose first live performances were on Greenville stages, also come back to Greenville for Spazz Fest. With an audience of over 2,000 people this year, Spazz Fest gets bigger each year.

“I’m always excited to see how Spazz Fest keeps growing,” said Jeff Blinder, creator of Spazz Fest. “The more people who come out to the shows and meet new people and watch new bands, the more the experience of the whole thing just gets better and better.”

Another festival that highlights the music scene for artistic creativity on the live stage is Pirate Fest. The fest featured Caroline Dare in the 2015 festival, the rising country music star who started in North Carolina and is now a well-known name in Nashville for country music. The acoustic singer kicked off the Pirate Fest live music acts on the second day of the festival this year. Opening for The Mikele Buck Band, a country act that started as a father-son band just outside of Greenville, made a name for itself in the community. Performing regularly at Buccaneer Music Hall and Tavern on 4th, the country band has come a long way from its start just a few years ago.

In an age where innovation is nonstop and creative expression is everywhere, Greenville has also seen R&B musicians and DJs rise to stardom. Bubba Sparxxx, the hip-hop rapper turned country star from Georgia, recently took the stage at Uptown Saloon in Greenville.

As a hub for creativity and musical expression, the Greenville community is one that welcomes musicians with open arms. Annual festivals also provide performance opportunities for local and touring musicians in the Greenville community.

left BUBBA SPARXXX | top right LEE BRICE | bottom right LOCASH All photos under public domain

by ANNAH SCHWARTZ | illustration THOMAS DAVIS

In between going to classes, studying and working, companionship may be hard to come by. Popular mobile apps such as Tinder, Badoo and Plenty of Fish are now on the rise amongst college students as they offer a quick and convenient way to get to know some of the singles in their area.

For those unfamiliar with these apps, the setup is relatively simple. Users browse through a collection of potential local matches and if someone happens strike their fancy, the user is given the option to send some type of notification to the person showing their interest. However, the process isn’t as simple as it sounds. Pickup lines and small talk are still a necessary evil, even in the online dating world.

When it comes to starting a conversation with a newfound match, everyone has their own approach. Some prefer to break the ice with a joke or simple question while others have their own signature introduction.

Senior information technology major Teaven Johnson likes to keep it classy and clean when it comes to first impressions.

“I just simply say ‘hello, beautiful.’ One thing I learned growing up with two sisters is that girls appreciate being called beautiful,” said Johnson. After breaking the barrier by starting the conversation, that’s when users get to know their match to see if they are compatible. Though some may find it tempting to adopt an online persona that is different from their true self, it is important to avoid putting up these fronts especially when there are intentions of eventually meeting up in person.

“Being yourself and not stepping out of character is the best way to attract a woman’s attention,” said Johnson. “A woman knows within the first few seconds of speaking with you whether or not she’s going to take you seriously, so just be yourself.”

While Johnson’s conversation techniques have garnered favorable responses, other users seem to have an alternative approach when it comes to starting a conversation. Behind the protective screens of their phones, some users take advantage of the opportunity to test out the raunchy and the vulgar.

Sophomore theatre education major Elizabeth Garrett has had her fair share of strange one-liners.

“The weirdest pickup line I’ve ever encountered was when I had braces,” said Garrett.

The guy sent me a message saying ‘hey baby let me jizz in your mouth so my kids can swim all up in your grill.’ That was probably the worst thing anyone has ever said to me,” said Garrett.

So while online encounters can range anywhere from charming to cringeworthy, there’s no doubt that a few wild cards are bound to pop up at some point. Keeping an eye out for red flags before meeting someone off of these apps is crucial. While these apps allow users to report suspicious members to weed out the catfish*, it’s still best to be cautious when deciding whether or not to meet face-to-face.

Senior public health major Jorge Almonte weighs in on the risk of these applications.

“I believe that dating apps are safe because it’s up to the person to choose

whether or not they are going to meet the individual that they’ve connected with on the app,” said Almonte.

When meeting a match, make sure to do so safely.

“My first tip is always to meet at a public place where there are a lot of people such as the mall or a heavily populated restaurant like Carolina Ale House or Sup Dogs. You never know what can happen to you in this crazy world,” said Johnson. “My second tip is to always tell a close friend or family member that you are going out to meet someone online, so they will know your whereabouts if something were to go wrong.”

And for those planning to ‘Netflix and chill’ with their match, make sure to get all of the personal questions out of the way ahead of time if possible.

“If you and a member off of Tinder or any other app wish to become intimate, don’t be afraid to ask if they have or have had any sexual diseases,” said Garrett. With all the worry of what could potentially go wrong when using a dating app, it’s also important to remember what could go right. Exploring who’s out there is now at our fingertips. So if face-to-face interactions aren’t working, consider online dating options.

*Catfish- someone who deceives people by pretending to be somebody they’re not on social media.

DATING APP USERS

IT SAFE?

USES FOR APP

64% Have used a dating app

56% Thought that these apps are safe

48% Hook-ups

43% Relationships

9% Friendships

Being yourself and not stepping out of character is the best way to attract a woman’s attention ”

— Teaven Johnson, Information Technology Major

Chancellor Steve Ballard (left) and Jeff Compher (right) welcomes incoming Coach Scottie Montgomery (middle) to the Pirates.

PIRATES RECEIVE NEW COACH

New Football Coach to Shape Program.

by KAI JONES | photos ECU MEDIA RELATIONS

“Talent won’t beat hard work when it [talent] doesn’t work and that’s what our guys need to understand,” said East Carolina football first-year head coach Scottie Montgomery.

Montgomery was given nothing in his football life, especially as a player. The Pirates’ new leader was an undrafted free agent but earned his way on the field for three seasons in the NFL. He was first picked up by the Panthers in 2000 but never played a game for the team. Montgomery then found a home in Denver for three seasons. In his three seasons with the Broncos, Montgomery posted 16 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown.

“I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder because I was always told, ‘well, you’re not quite big enough,’ or ‘you’re not quite fast enough,’ [or] ‘these guys are better,’” said Montgomery. “My whole life, I’ve continued to try to knock down those doors.”

Montgomery brings that chip on his shoulder from his playing days to his coaching. He began coaching at his alma mater, Duke, in 2006 as the wide receiver coach and stayed until 2009 when the NFL came calling. Coach Montgomery coached the wide receivers in Pittsburgh, where he trained All-Pro Antonio Brown, Pro Bowler Mike Wallace, along with two-time Super Bowl champion Hines Ward. He stayed in the NFL for three seasons before deciding to return to Duke in 2012, under his old boss and Duke head coach, David Cutcliffe.

“I was willing to listen, and I was willing to grow, but more so because he was willing to teach,” said Montgomery about his relationship with Cutcliffe. “There’s a lot of people willing to grow and willing to listen, but there’s not very many mentors willing to teach you and sit down with you and continue to grow you, no matter if you leave. I left him, went to Pittsburgh and we had more conversations then than when I was there.”

Like any head coach, Montgomery wants to shape this program his way. He started that on Feb. 3 when he brought in his first recruiting class of 22 players.

“The guys we’re bringing in on this class I think will have a direct and positive effect on the student body

here and they’re great football players as well,” said Montgomery.

Montgomery is excited about the football aspect of his new players and culture, but he will build his program on character.

“We want every time they step out on campus, people to understand, ‘yes, those are football players,’” said Montgomery. “And not from a standpoint of looking at them physically, but also just looking at them to understand, ‘look at how they act,’ ‘look at how they dress,’ ‘look at what they talk about,’ ‘look at their belief systems.’ So that’s where we want to start in our foundation of our program is going to be character.”

Coach Montgomery mentions that recruiting new players for the 2016-2017 football season was an easy job, and that is attributed to Pirate Nation fans.

“When you have a group of 10,000 people that are willing to do what The Boneyard is willing to do and what our student body is willing to do every single weekend, it makes it easier in recruiting,” said Montgomery.

When Montgomery leaves the field, he spends time with his three sons and wife, whom he describes as a lucky blessing in his life.

“Every now and then you get lucky, and I was smart enough to use that blessing,” said Montgomery.

Montgomery leaves Duke to become ECU’s head man for the first time in his coaching career. The challenge for the new head coach is to follow in the footsteps of the last head coach, Ruffin McNeil, who created quite a legacy in his time here at ECU. Though McNeil was an extremely popular coach, Montgomery isn’t worried about filling his shoes.

“I’m just going to be myself and if that’s not enough then I don’t know what to say,” said Montgomery. “One thing about me is that I am what you get. There is no sugarcoating any of that, I’m going to be who I am.”

AIMO BRINGS PARIS TO GREENVILLE

by BRIANNA HORTON | photos SAMANTHA HARVEY

PANTONE SPRING 2016 COLORS

Annual Fashion Show presents Pantone colors.

The Apparel and Interior Merchandising Organization (AIMO) is rolling out the carpet this spring and surprisingly, it’s not red. Their 12th Annual Fashion Show will continue to bring class and elegance as well as excitement over their theme colors this year at the Rock Springs Center in Greenville on April 14.

Florals and pantone colors are all the rave this year, especially after Pantone, Inc. for the first time has selected two colors for their color of the year. The two colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, joined together demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, which reflects connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of peace and order.

“We’re playing on the Pantone colors for this year’s show along with our Paris in springtime theme,” said Charnae Brown, senior fashion merchandising major. Doing a theme so simplistic gives us lots of creative freedom. We’ve also changed the venue from last year so it should be a nice change in every aspect for our audience.”

Brown is also the Décor Chair for the event. “I’m really excited to work in the venue for this year and create a zen garden like space. I really want the audience to feel like they are having an experience when they walk into the room.”

According to Pantone, Inc., the prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity is not only soothing and provides tranquility, but also challenges traditional perceptions of color association.

In many parts of the world a gender blur is being experienced as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted

color trends throughout all other areas of design, such as fashion, advertisement designs and even architecture according to Pantone, Inc. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, according to Pantone Inc. The consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

The fashion show was held at the Greenville Convention Center last year, but the venue change won’t affect the turnout, according to Brown.

“The seats are always full and there are people standing in the open space, which is filled up as well, and we as a group loved the aesthetic there,” said Brown.

Tysheena Wilkins, senior fashion merchandising major and historian for AIMO, also talks about another change that the organization has recently dealt with.

“Our program moved to the College of Health and Human Performance this year, so we were thinking about incorporating some fitness wear into our show, which is something we’ve never done before,” said Wilkins.

This incorporation works well, as consumers today are seeking mindfulness and well-being as an antidote for day-today stresses.

The team usually works in the fall, asking the local boutiques if they would like to be in the upcoming spring fashion show.

“Sometimes they reach out to us,” said Wilkins. “In the spring, we send them

contracts and they pay for a certain amount of looks they actually want to be worn in the show.”

Aside from handling the logistics of the show, Wilkins has also been a model in some of the fashion shows in recent years.

“Walking in our fashion show was really fun. It’s fun working with local boutiques throughout the spring and then being able to show off their newest merchandise in the show,” said Wilkins. “My favorite that I’ve done in the past was ASOS, it was the first time that we had them in our show.”

Some big names on the line up for the spring show so far are Pink, Belk, Monkee’s and Confetti.

“Fashion has given me the opportunity to work in Atlanta in wholesale. I’ve also met so many people in the industry,” said Wilkins. “Now I’m more aware of things, such as why things are priced the way they are and how clothing gets from the design to the customer. I’m more knowledgeable about jobs in the industry instead of the retail level.”

“A lot of my creativity within fashion is my gifting, something predestined and being within my major and AIMO has helped groom those skills and given me an environment to enhance and use them,” said Brown.

AIMO’s “Paris in Spring” theme and Pantone color choices serve the Greenville community a never before felt experience and a welcoming and soothing hand to all. This fashion show offers an opportunity for participants to experience the creative art that is fashion.

Textile Design majors create pieces for this year’s fashion show, held April 14 at the Rock Springs Center in Greenville.

COOKING MADE EASY

4 EASY RECIPES!

Three-ingredient meals that satisfy taste buds.

by AMANDA ADKINS | photos SAMANTHA HARVEY

1 2 3 4

CHICKEN SALAD

With summer just around the corner, cookouts are about to begin again for the season and this healthy chicken salad recipe from hip2save. com would make for a good appetizer or main entree.

Ingredients:

Two cups of shredded chicken. Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts can be used

One avocado, chopped and cored

One-fourth a cup of chopped cilantro

Directions:

If the chicken is raw, then cook it until it is done and then chop the cilantro and cored avocado. Add all three of the ingredients into a bowl and stir and mash them until they are thoroughly combined.

NUTELLA MUFFINS

Nutella has become a favorite sweet addition to sandwiches and waffles, but this muffin recipe from greatist.com will make it easier to incorporate nutella into a daily snack.

Ingredients:

One jar of Nutella

Two eggs

Half a cup of flour

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir until the mixture is smooth. Place the mixture into muffin liners and allow enough mixture to fill half of the liner. Cook the muffins at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. The mixture should make 10 muffins.

BANANA PANCAKES

Pancakes are a breakfast favorite, but they can be somewhat messy and not always healthy. The Food Network offers a recipe for pancakes that are gluten free and high in protein.

Ingredients:

Two eggs

One banana

Half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

Directions: Combine all three ingredients into a bowl and mix them together until they are creamy. Heat the stovetop to a medium setting and grease the pan before cooking the pancakes. Pour the batter onto the pan, approximately six tablespoons and cook for two minutes on each side. The ingredients should allow for two pancakes.

STEAK KEBABS

Kebabs are always a quick and easy dinner idea because it only takes a few minutes to cut up the meat and vegetables and takes under 10 minutes to cook them. These kebabs can be served as a meal or an appetizer.

Ingredients:

One pound sirloin steak cut into one inch slices

Two peppers cut into one inch slices

Black pepper

Directions:

Put the grill on a medium heat setting. Rinse the wooden skewers before applying the steak and peppers. Alternate the steak slices and peppers on the skewers. The ingredients should allow for six skewers. Sprinkle on black pepper for added taste and allow the skewers to cook for approximately eight minutes.

Lauderdale, the Director of the Pitt County Arboretum, not only do they have flower gardens, but they also have vegetable, herb, butterfly and many other gardens to observe.

Lauderdale says that there are many unique things about the arboretum, but one of the most unique things would have to be the wildflower garden because it is one of their most attractive areas from May through the end of the year.

Travel back in time

For those who are interested in eastern N.C. history, Winterville offers a village exhibit portraying agricultural life.

“The Village shows a way of life during the years of 1840 to

1940 through a large collection of tools, farm implements, vehicles, furniture and many other forgotten treasures,” said Joanne Honeycutt, president of the Eastern Carolina Village

While most museums are covered by a roof, this is not the case for this village, which Honeycutt says is an open air museum. Phone call reservations should be made for tours

According to Honeycutt, the Eastern North Carolina Village and Farm Museum “…preserves and interprets the architectural and agricultural life in Pitt County and eastern N.C. We have two cultures to share between how the backwoodsmen lived and how the man with a few extra coins might live. We also can show the progression of farm machinery through

Students can also engage in the artistic aspects that Greenville has to offer. Gazing at different forms of artwork can be a good form of stress relief for many students, or it could be a potential date night, so spice things up and throw on a jazzy outfit and get lost in the world of art. The Greenville Museum of Art located on Evans Street is just the place to do this. According to their website, there are numerous free exhibitions that will be taking place that are open to the

public for viewing. The last exhibition scheduled on the website is Aug. 14.

Another way to still have fun on a Friday night when finances are frugal is the First Friday ArtWalk. This striking event brings the community together on the first Friday of every month, excluding the months of July and August. Uptown art shops allow citizens to come in freely and take a glimpse of what is in the gallery, according to uptowngreenville.com. After a long day of walking around from shop to shop, students can hitch a ride with the Greenville Jolly Trolley on this day.

So don’t get sucked into doing the usual lazy afternoon routine of munching away on chips and binge watching movies when Greenville offers free destinations to students and the community.

Affordable vacation tips

For the college student that wants to get a group of friends together and hit up a vacation spot out of town that requires an expensive airplane

River Park North, located down the street from PGV Airport is home to hiking trails, rental boats, an aquarium and much more.

ticket, there are some ways to make that summer vacation possible.

Take some time in the next month to plan a summer trip and make the extra effort to cut back on unnecessary expenditures the months before a trip to help save money.

“It’s important to know where you’re going and to do your research,” said Jonathon McDougle, junior communications major. “I went to Cancun and found out that it would have been cheaper to go somewhere else tropical because of the currency from my domestic bank. I paid a lot of fees when using the Mexico ATMs.”

Excessive ATM fees can be avoided if one does their research before travelling and that means not being afraid to ask around about other people’s vacation experiences.

Andria Brown, sophomore child development major, says another tip college students should prepare for is budgeting accordingly.

“Try to save about $20, $50 or depending on how big your paycheck is, $100 each time you get paid because there’s always surprise expenses when you go on a trip,” said Brown. “When I went to Philly for the Made in America concert, we didn’t calculate parking or souvenirs so we ended up spending like $200 we didn’t expect to spend and that hurt us once we came back from the trip.”

McDougle also gave tips about flying. “When traveling internationally, don’t be afraid to buy a plane ticket with layovers. When I travelled with my

friends, we just ate inside one of the restaurants and passed time,” said McDougle. “If it’s cheaper, it’s definitely worth it. When I traveled to Puerto Rico, I had a group of five people in a suite and we each paid under $150 for the entire five day weekend stay.”

Eating allowance

Budgeting also goes for food and drinks on a trip, not just the expenses for getting there and back.

of legal drinking age, it’s always cheaper to buy bottles than to purchase the typical overpriced shot in a club.

McDougle also recommends travelling with multiple people to alleviate some costs.

“Travel with a group of more than four people, this will help split the hotel cost,” said McDougle. “If you plan ahead the excursions and daily activities, this will help to make you avoid spending more money throughout the weekend.”

Another helpful tip that a lot of college students don’t think about is using a student ID for discounts and couponing. The discounts that some establishments give to college students may not be a lot, but if used everywhere, it adds up to a lot of saved pennies.

Many college students think packing lightly is the way to go, but it may be best to just pack everything that may be needed. Buying a camera, sunblock or other common tourist items are much more expensive at gift shops than at regular stores at home.

“When eating and drinking, try to split some meals. In Spain, sometimes they give big portions and you and a friend can split a meal and still be full,” said Brown. “Also, don’t cancel out fast food. Towards the end of my Spain trip, my friends and I were getting low on money so we went to McDonald’s and Burger King a lot for a quick fill up.”

Another helpful tip with food and drinks is to buy groceries with the rest of your crew. Eating out is fun but it can get pretty expensive to pay restaurant prices for every meal. For those who are

“

If you plan ahead the excursions and daily activities... you avoid spending more money...”

— Jonathon McDougle, Communications Major

From riding the “Tail of the Dragon” along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line with friends to teaching his two boys how to skate after school, Professor Dan Elliott still finds time to create art that inspires.

“I always felt drawn to create. When I was ten, I wanted to be a shoe designer for Adidas and I still have the sketches to prove it,” stated Elliott.

Once in high school, he moved into architecture which brought him into the world of graphic design. The two course shops were near each other at his school and Elliott got curious one day. An instructor informed him that with graphic design “you get to make things with your hands” and that’s when he had made up his mind.

ART THAT TAKES YOU PLACES

by BRIANNA HORTON | photo DANIEL KARIKO

Originally from DeKalb, Ill., Elliott attended Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. He made some pit stops at the University of Illinois and taught at a private school in downtown Chicago for six years. Elliott finally made his way to the Pirate nation in the spring semester of 2014.

Elliott joined the School of Art and Design as a tenure track faculty member teaching classes like interactive graphic design and an experimental letterpress class.

“The classes teach how graphic design interacts with people and how people interact with the artifacts of graphic design,” said Elliott. “I’m also teaching an experimental letterpress class, it ranges in levels of experience and it’s more so a problem solving class using the letterpress as a platform.”

Elliott also makes time in his busy schedule for things he enjoys outside of the classroom, like taking his sons skating, personal projects and riding his Honda Shadow.

“My dad sold his motorcycle when I was young and I remember seeing pictures of me as a kid sitting on the back of my dad’s cycle and right after grad school I bought my first one,” said Elliott. “If you have this idea of who you are, and as silly as it sounds, if you find something that makes you feel like a more complete person, go for it. That’s motorcycles for me, I have to have one or I’m not me anymore, just like printing letterpress and graphic design and why I married my wife and that’s why I do what I love at ECU.”

Elliott is most known for his letterpress work and working on road maps. Most of the gallery exhibitions that he’s gotten into were because of his letterpress pieces. He is currently working on an art project with the purpose of preserving the culture of small towns/neighborhoods taken over by things such as higher tourism or industry move out.

Between his undergraduate and graduate career, he worked at a small design firm in Chapel Hill where he designed catalogs, art books, magazines and even a newsletter for the Girl Scouts of North

Carolina which he claims was one of his biggest learning experiences.

“I had to realize that I’m not designing for myself but for 8-year-old girls, so my aesthetic doesn’t matter anymore,” said Elliott.

“The first time I taught a letterpress class was in the summer and I had the chance to come up with my dream class and run it as a five week course. I allow students to find solutions to their problems and I help them do that. I help guide them through it and it solidified it for me, that’s why I came here.”

Elliott chose to come teach at ECU for a number of reasons that seems touching to anyone who is family-oriented.

“One of the things that attracted me to coming here was the letterpress shop that the school had. It’s the thing I love doing that’s outside of the standard profession of graphic design,” said Elliott.

The second reason was Elliott’s connection with the graphic design program’s philosophy which is “Thinking Through Making.”

And his last reason for coming to ECU was for his family. “I wanted to raise my kids in a family oriented place and not a busy city, I want them to have a similar experience to how I grew up.”

Teaching here at ECU has been gratifying for Elliott in an everyday sense, he says. “There’s not much I miss about my other schools. I had a great time and loved the students, but a bigger university that forces students to make connections with everything is what’s different about ECU. You’ll take philosophy or english or math and be able to connect it with graphic design and it makes the experience and learning environment strong.”

Elliott encourages his students to try and find connections between things you don’t find necessary to the things you like doing.

“After that, I got straight A’s in school. I cared more about learning after that. Take advantage of this time for learning and growth, not that it ever ends but you do get less and less time to do stuff,” said Elliott.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A...

by TAYLOR HICKMAN | illustration THOMAS DAVIS

FRESHMAN /

Flashback to freshman year routines and nightlife fun.

Some students probably wish they could jump in a time machine and flashback to freshman year. As upper classmen sit back and reminisce on the exciting journeys and revelations they made as a freshman, they might be wondering if anything has changed, such as how many classes it’s normal to take or where freshman students like to go on the weekends. Unfortunately, there’s no time machine, but freshman art major Jon Freeze has given insight into his world.

Morning and day routine: Wake up at 8:30 a.m. to attend five classes that relate more towards foundations credits. The 18-year-old says that after freshman year he expects his schedule to change in that he will be taking more classes involving art. Out of all of the classes Freeze had to complete over the semesters, he says his favorite was “probably design 1 because I learned a lot about presentation and layout in class and I would recommend it to students who like being creative.”

SENIOR /

Procrastination weakness: Watching comedy shows such as Workaholics or That 70’s Show.

To get away from stress: “I like to skate and hang-out with friends cause I don’t really have to think of stress about when I’m skating.”

Favorite local restaurant: “Omar’s late at night’ cause the food is really good and it’s like a family run business.”

Weekend adventures: Going to house parties and venturing downtown.

As students enter freshmen year, they find that their mind starts buzzing with numerous uncertainties, but by the end, students become more aware of how to get a grip on their academic and social lives. While freshman are usually stressed at the beginning by trying to get a spot in a popular foundations class, seniors are usually able to relax more and pick the time they want to take a class without worrying if it’s full. In one word Freeze describes his freshman year as being “fun.”

Travel ahead to see what senior year could look like.

While everyone loves the freedom that comes with being a college student, many students can admit that they pined to know what it’s like to be a senior and to be almost done with school. We go over all the possible scenarios in our heads, but we don’t have all the pieces to put the puzzle together. With the help of senior communications major Tarah Coley, we can get a better look at what the average day of a senior looks like.

Morning and day routine: Wake up and go to four classes. Coley typically works 30 hours per week at Logan’s Roadhouse and after calling quits on a long day, “I typically try and go to bed around the same time every night to keep my schedule in tact.”

Weekend adventures: The almost graduate says she normally hits the downtown scene twice a week and she picks her location depending on the group of friends she is with that night. “I wear sweats and a t-shirt to class and try and look my best while going out, it’s a complete 180.”

When it comes to her stress levels changing since freshman year, Coley says that she is “More relaxed, I’m not so worried about what I’m going to do after I graduate. I know I’ll figure it out.” With all of the different majors to choose from and all of the different aspects of life, everyone’s schedule is going to be different. When asked to describe being a senior in one word, Coley describes it as being “simple.”

HUMANS OF GREENVILLE

Capturing stories and interests of local residents.

by TAYLOR HICKMAN | photos FLICKR PUBLIC DOMAIN

A growing trend among Instagram and other media outlets is the popular Humans of New York, documenting the real life events of people on the wide spectrum of life. Some of these stories are heartbreaking, while others are uplifting and for the softhearted. This trend has set sail in Greenville, N.C. thanks to the creator Joe Pellegrino, photojournalist for The Daily Reflector.

The page shows photos of citizens in Greenville with a quote from them about something that may be happening in their life or a memory. The photos allow viewers of the page to get some insight into the personal lives of citizens in Greenville and learn a story about someone we may one day see walking past us on the sidewalk or in a store.

Humans of Greenville, which can be accessed via Facebook and The Daily Reflector, is “a project that attempts to create a photographic census of the people that live in Greenville, N.C.” according to their Facebook page.

Abbey Mercando heard about Humans of Greenville through Facebook and is currently one of their photographers. Mercando has been the photographer for nine months and she says that the inspiration was from Humans of New York.

“The idea is to capture the diversity of our community. It’s to get stories from people that you may see on the street or in a coffee shop or something everyday, but you never talk to them, and everyone has a story you just don’t ever hear it,” says Mercando.

Growing up in Greenville and a former Pirate, Mercando says that Humans of Greenville has made her realize how large Greenville is and that there is a bountiful amount of individuals she wouldn’t have received the opportunity to know. One of Mercando’s goals for the future is for the page to thrive and for page viewers to continue to enjoy what Humans of Greenville does.

When it comes to finding locations to interview people of the community, Mercando says that where she is and wherever her life takes her is where she finds the people she interviews.

According to Mercando, only less than half of the participants she asks to interview decline her request. For those that do allow Mercando to interview them, she says that she is able to get them to open up to her by expressing genuine interest.

Whether she is venturing through a park, strolling through downtown or visiting a local business, Mercando says “I don’t expect anyone to open up. I think some people just want someone to really listen, and I love to be that person.”

There are various forms of how working for Humans of Greenville has

been rewarding in life for Mercando who she says, “It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.” Stories from individuals that center around distresses, suicides, battles and agonies have had a colossal impact on Mercando. She says that during and after these conversations she has been driven to tears and that sometimes one can’t even have communications to that degree with friends.

“There’s value in solidarity and shining light on topics with stigma and I know that other people can identify with their stories, myself included,” says Mercando.

Even after the articles are published, Mercando says that they still impact her. “Doing ‘Humans’ has restored my faith in humanity and in this town that I’ve always taken for granted,” said Mercando.

All of the stories can be seen via numerous social media outlets under the name Humans of Greenville.

photo ASHTON TYGART

ROOMMATE RIVAL?

by TAYLOR HICKMAN |

HARVEY

Moving away from home can be a struggle for most incoming freshman, but it’s something most students have to face. For the most part, it is very thrilling because it is the first time a student is really living on their own. Unfortunately, there are some downsides to starting a college career, such as sharing a tiny room and bathroom or having a dreadful roommate.

For ECU student Ally Armstrong, choosing a random roommate did not work out in her favor. Armstrong used a website to help her find a roommate that had similar interests as her, but her roommate matchup was not what she was expecting.

“She was a really cool girl, but had lied about a lot of things on her RoomSurf profile and when I had gotten to know her through Facebook, she had told me she was super tidy and liked to go out which ended up being the complete opposite,” said Armstrong.

Luckily for Armstrong, after a hurricane went through Greenville, she moved out of her residence hall and into another one, leaving behind her unpleasant roommate. No longer would she have to endure being “grossed out when she would leave her cereal on her desk for 3 days.”

Armstrong is not the only student who had to endure an unpleasant roommate. ECU student Emily Hudson lived at a campus residence hall and had a roommate randomly selected. Her roommate decided to hop onto the college trend of adopting a dog soon after moving away from home, even though they lived in on-campus housing.

“I came back to my room one day to discover that she had adopted two dogs and had pee pads spread out around the room,” said Hudson.

According to Hudson, she experienced many

other obstacles with her roommate and she mainly stayed in her boyfriend’s dorm so they were never able to completely resolve their disagreements.

Although experiencing a dreadful roommate can be common for those who decide to have a random roommate, Edward Bywaters, a resident advisor for College Hill Suites, has some advice for getting through it.

According to Bywaters, a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations, “Make sure that communication breakdown is not the issue. In most cases the biggest problem is the roommates not communicating enough or clearly for one another.”

Bywaters says that most quarrels he has heard about are over minuscule things, such as the temperature of the room, using your roommate’s things without permission, loudness of music and having a significant other over while your roommate is there.

“I would start by discussing the main concerns and issues with the roommate directly,” said Bywaters. “Not by being passive aggressive or Yik Yaking about it. Be upfront and get your point across. Make sure to set boundaries for yourself and your roommate, that way there is a black and white guideline for the both of you to follow.”

Disagreements are natural and are bound to happen here and there with a roommate. If something becomes a regular conflict and does not seem to be getting better, try communicating with each other to help have a more enjoyable time living with each other.

“If there are still issues, having an RA come and be a moderator should help alleviate any of the remaining issues,” said Bywaters.

of locations and persons changed to maintain anonymity)

photo SAMANTHA

Random

roommates

can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

21 WITHOUT HANGOVER THE

Relaxing, adventurous and nonalcoholic birthday celebrations.

by AMANDA ADKINS | photos SAMANTHA HARVEY

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR SOBER 21ST

“You should go on a cruise with your best friends,” Samantha Adams, senior sociology major.

Take some friends and go skydiving. There are multiple locations in N.C. that offer skydiving sessions.

Give back on your special day by volunteering. The Greenville Homeless Shelter offers volunteer opportunities, as does the American Red Cross.

Take a trip via car, greyhound bus, plane or train to D.C. It is only five hours away and offers plenty of museums, memorials and monuments.

“Throw a huge party on the beach and invite everyone you know,”Alexia Williams, junior business management major.

For those wanting an adrenaline rush without doing anything too dangerous, then go water rafting. For fun water activity without rapids, River Park North offers kayaking and pedal boats.

Going on a trip or doing an activity can be fun, but so can cupcake hopping. Grab a friend and spend the night going to the different bakeries and cupcake shops that Greenville has to offer.

“Reunite with all of your closest friends and dance the night away. Do not pass out,” Kaberlin Hansley, junior exercise physiology major.

With all the stress of school, it can even be fun to just kick back and get a manicure or pedicure.

A classy way to incorporate alcohol into birthday festivities without getting drunk is to take a Wine and Design class. Most classes provide all of the materials so participants can just sip wine and paint.

“Stay away from alcohol. The hangovers are so not fun,” Cawona Raw Bell, senior social work major.

Another sweet treat idea is to throw a waffle bar party. Provide the waffles and ask guests to bring a topping.

Buy tickets and go to a sporting event. N.C. is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, the Carolina Hurricanes and many more.

For those wanting an adrenaline rush without having to jump out of an airplane, take some friends bungee jumping.

“Make a list of 21 things to do and try to finish them all on your birthday. Not all of the things have to be about alcohol. Just pick 21 things you would enjoy,” Elizabeth Kaiman, senior communications major.

Everyone loves to see how colorful and pretty cocktails can look, but for those not wanting the alcohol that goes along with daiquiris, throw a “mocktail” party. Invite over friends and buy the fruity mixes with water in place of the alcohol.

Buy something that you’ve had your eye on. We all deserve a little spoiling every now and then.

Recreate your favorite childhood birthday party. Maybe it’s bowling or maybe it’s a family dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Take a cooking class. Ramen can be cheap and easy to make after a long day at classes, but try your hand at something new and learn how to make that fancy meal that would cost a week’s worth of your paycheck at a four-star restaurant.

Grab a tent, marshmallows and take some friends camping. Tell ghost stories and enjoy the nature.

Don’t forget to eat lots of cake. Birthdays only come once a year, so grab every flavor possible and try to forget the gym.

STOP STUDENT STRESS

by TAYLOR HICKMAN | photo SAMANTHA HARVEY

A common issue students have to battle on a day-to-day basis is stress. The amount of stress a person carries around comes in all different levels. Maybe it’s stress about studying for an exam or juggling daily activities and trying to make sure there is time to do everything. Here are some tips students should keep in mind the next time stress emerges.

No matter how long students have known about an exam in a class, it

can still be exceptionally stressful when it comes to studying for it. Staff counselor and outreach coordinator for the ECU Center for Counseling and Development Lauren Thorn says to “Develop a plan for studying even if you don’t stick to it hour by hour, many students feel more at ease if they have a plan in place.”

According to Thorn, students also need to prioritize which classes have the greatest effect on their GPA. For example, if a student is enrolled in a one hour credit course, Thorn says not to become devastated over that course work as much as a four hour credit course which has a bigger consequence on a student’s academic standing.

Majoring in art, 19-year-old Lindsay Hutchins says the thing that stresses her out the most when it comes to school is “dealing with my financial obligations, paying for books, fees, living, etc. I’m always worrying about money.”

Currently a sophomore, Hutchins also says that her stress levels have changed from freshman year in that the classes for her major have higher work demands and she feels that she needs to put her all into every assignment.

With trying to manage classes, homework, friends and family, jobs and extracurricular activities, it is easy to become frantic and stressed.

“It can be done, but not everything all at once. Learn to say no without feeling guilty,” said Thorn.

Thorn says that some students who know they are about to embark on a stressful semester will go inactive in the Greek organization they belong to and students who have jobs will request fewer work hours.

“It’s not failure to take these proactive steps and it can often improve your overall quality of life and enjoyment of these activities while avoiding an emotional meltdown,” said Thorn.

Some other ways to handle stress, according to Thorn is to “address the basic needs first.” These needs consist of a well balanced diet, exercising and a satisfying sleep schedule. Thorn says that if students put these needs first, then students can dodge many of the issues that are causing stress.

Hutchins’ way of relieving stress is to draw or run, and her advice to other students is “I would say to take a deep breath, talk it out with someone and find time to do things you enjoy.”

Thorn advocates that students shouldn’t keep their emotions “bottled up” and that “activities of self-care are essential for stress management, and they often get put last on our to-do lists because we think other things have to take priority.”

When Hutchins feels stress overcoming her, she says “I will listen to music, or sketch in my sketchbook, something to distract me from overthinking.”

If feeling overwhelmed, Thorn advises students to travel to the Greenway or park, or even take a road trip to the waterfronts that New Bern and Washington offer as well as to partake in the resources that the campus offers. As for Hutchins, she says she enjoys being outside on a sunny day surrounded by trees or looking at beautiful scenery.

“It can be done, but not everything all at once. Learn to say no without feeling guilty.”

— Lauren Thorn, Staff Counselor

WITH SUMMER COMES FESTIVALS

Celebrate sunshine and fresh air at these local annual events.

by AMANDA ADKINS | illustration THOMAS DAVIS

FARMVILLE DOGWOOD FESTIVAL

The Farmville Dogwood Festival takes place in late April at the Farmville town commons. The event features arts and crafts, a stage where local musicians perform, amusement rides and food vendors. The event specifically highlights displaying artistic talent by artisans of eastern N.C.

PIRATE FEST

The 10th annual Pirate Fest takes place in early April at the banks of the Tar River. The fest will feature live music, arts and crafts, a grog garden, a Parade of Pirates and food from around the world.

WINTERVILLE WATERMELON FESTIVAL

This annual festival takes place towards the end of August at Sylvania Street in Winterville. The event features food vendors, amusement rides, crafts, a car show, concerts, an Armed Forces appreciation parade, contests and of course, watermelon.

PIGSKIN PIG-OUT PARTY

The annual party typically takes place towards the end of April at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. The event features a pig cooking contest, movie night, a meet and greet with the Pirate Football team and the spring game.

PREPARING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD

by TAYLOR HICKMAN | photo NEW OLD STOCK

As college seniors embark on a journey into the real world, composing resumes and preparing for job interviews become more and more instilled into their brains. The stress piles up endlessly over having the perfect resume and hoping a future employer will acknowledge the hard work achieved over the years. There is also stress about having to go on the first professional job interview. “What do I wear? How do I prepare? I’m not ready for this!” are just some of the many thoughts that run through the head of a college senior. Patrick Roberts, assistant director at ECU’s Career Services, gave some tips on how to create a correct and professional resume and how to nail a job interview.

For anyone worried about resumes, the Career Center’s website has samples of resumes that can help guide students on what their resume should look like. The center provides resumes by major and by college so that students have a larger selection.

The most important aspect of a resume is “communicating your education, because it qualifies you to apply for the job”, said Roberts. “I kind of look at it like it’s the key to opening the door, and second would be communicating that you have relevant experience, because the relevant experience would be the thing that lets you walk through the door,” said Roberts.

Roberts also recommends that students double check their resumes for layout and format consistencies.

Consistency mistakes aside, the most common mistake Roberts sees when looking at students’ resumes is “not emphasizing related experiences.” He says that students need to make sure they put their most compatible experiences and skills at the top when it comes to the job that they are applying for.

Other resume-related errors students need to look out for are grammar and spelling mistakes.

“They should also avoid using templates because you won’t be able to edit or customize your resume,” said Roberts.

As for job interviews, the first tip Roberts provides is to make sure that the interviewee has gathered information on the company and position he/she applying for. According to Roberts, one should think about why they want the job and why the company is unique.

The next step is to prepare any materials that might be needed, as well as clothing. Roberts says that men

CEO’s of a company and you’re trying to get a job, you’re not going to say it perfectly if you’ve never said it before out loud,” said Roberts.

It can sometimes be hard to prepare for the potential questions that may be asked in an interview, but Roberts says that students should make sure that they are specifically prepared to answer the “tell me about yourself” question. He says the root of this question isn’t that the company wants to get to know the interviewee, but rather why he/she wants this position and why the company should care about the interviewee.

“I always tell students to start with where you are from as an ice-breaker, but from there you want to be specific on your education, where you went to school, and then try and bring out some unique experiences that separate you from other people. You can throw in personal connections to the job or the industry,” said Roberts.

Another aspect Roberts says students should include is relevant work experience. “You should always try and highlight specific internships or jobs you’ve had, student leadership, that’s really important in the ‘tell me about yourself’ question,” said Roberts.

should make sure to have nice and clean shoes that match the belt they wear, a conservative colored tie and to cover up tattoos and piercings. For women, Roberts suggests making sure a pencil skirt doesn’t go above the knees, heels don’t exceed more than two inches and makeup and jewelry are conservative.

After preparing the resume and gathering materials for the day of the interview, practicing out loud is one important step that students seem to overlook, but it is one step that is necessary.

“Another way to look at it is everybody sounds like a genius in their head when they think they’re going to ace a question. But when they’re sitting in front of three people and they’re the

Interviewing for a job or for a graduate school program can be a stressful and tense time, but preparing for the professional world is all about taking a deep breath, being confident and putting your best foot forward.

“everybody sounds like a genius in their head when they think they’re going to ace a question”

— Patrick Roberts, Asst. Director, ECU Career Services