September 2018 Newsletter

travellers

SEPTEMBER 2018

SATISFY YOUR WANDERLUST

Transportation A review of the different transportation options on and off campus!

Getting a Job! International students are eligible to work on campus.

Understand what a resume and cover letter are when applying for a job!

WELCOME

Welcome West!

ISAP TEAM Welcome to the University of West Georgia! We are

we welcome your feedback, topics suggestions, and

excited that you have decided to make UWG part of

submissions for the newsletter. Contact Brandy Rivera

your journey. The International Student Admissions &

at brivera@westga.edu to give any suggestions or

Programs office is here to assist you with anything you

submissions. Below is a tentative list of the upcoming

may need during your studies here. We assist students

topics for the Fall 2018 semester.

in everything from immigration compliance and regulations to programming and learning about

AUGUST- Beginning the Semester, Things to do in

American culture. If you need assistance with anything

Carrollton

during your course of study, please don't be afraid to reach out to our office and we will help in every way

SEPTEMBER- Job Searching on Campus, Culture Shock,

we can!

Transportation, and Campus Directory

Each month, our department will send out a newsletter

OCTOBER- Optional Practical Training, Homecoming

to all international students. The newsletters are designed to give you important information that is

NOVEMBER- Money Matters, Thanksgiving Traditions

pertinent at the time the issues are released. We have a lot of exciting topics coming up this semester and

DECEMBER- Before You Travel, Surviving Finals Week, Graduation Information

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features ASIA

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AFRICA

01 .......

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EUROPE

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AMERICAS

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AUSTRALIA

Welcome by ISC

03 .......

How to Job Search on Campus

05 .......

Why Culture Shock is Good for You

10 .......

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Fall 2018 Programming Schedule

New Transportation: Carroll Connection

12 .......

Higher Perspective: Adjusting to College

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Try Some New Food: Baja Chicken Bowl

14 .......

Resumes and Cover Letters

18 .......

Birthdays and Reminders

19 .......

September Calendar

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How to Job Search on Campus

International students are elgibile to work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters. During the summer and on breaks, students can work up to 40 hours! Please see the information below from Career Service's Website.

Students obtain part-time employment while attending UWG for various reasons. You may need to work in order to meet educational and living expenses. You may work because you feel the experience could be a valuable part of your education. The skills you obtain from working complement your academic performance and communicate to future employers your ability to succeed in a professional setting.

Studies have shown that students who work do just as well or better academically than non-working students. In addition, working students are more likely to complete a degree program than non-workers. Working part-time allows students to become more “engaged” with their school and community and results in higher satisfaction with college life.

Working on Campus Benefits Earn money to help pay your expenses

Opportunity to sample different career choices

Reduce necessity for student loans

Valuable and practical career-related experiences

Get to know other students

Connection to full-time staff interested in your success

Acquire valuable work experience for your resume

as a student

Opportunity to enhance fundamental work skills

Opportunity for networking and develop relationships

Work with employers who tend to be more flexible with

with professionals that can lead to letters of

your hours

support/recommendation

Opportunity to “engage” with UWG School and Community

Types of Student Jobs STUDENT ASSISTANTS Who is eligible: Undergraduate and Graduate International Students A Student Assistant (SA) is a part-time employee who is currently enrolled at University of West Georgia (UWG) with the primary goal of achieving a degree. Student Assistant Positions are jobs located on campus. These jobs can range from clerical to landscaping positions. Student Assistants can work up to 20 hours a week during the semester.

Any student currently enrolled in classes can apply for Student Assistant jobs on WolfWorks.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY International students are NOT eligible for Federal Work Study positions.

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STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITIONS Who is eligible: Undergraduate and Graduate International Students The Student Research Assistant Program (SRAP) is funded by the University of West Georgia Foundation. SRAP enables faculty and staff to employ undergraduates to assist in research or other college-related work. SRAP encourages students to participate in research and other educational opportunities anchored to their chosen fields of study in order to enhance their learning experience, improve their quality of life, advance their academic research skills, and promote the University of West Georgia. The program will also help diminish the attrition rates among underclassmen at the University of West Georgia while accomplishing at least one of the following goals: Contribute in some significant way to the quality of life on campus. Advance some recognized academic or research project. Promote the institution and enhance its reputation.

For questions and opportunities in the SRAP program please contact Stacey Rowland by phone at 678839-0628 or by email atsrowland@westga.edu.

Any student currently enrolled in classes can view SRAP jobs on WolfWorks.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT/GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT/TEACHING ASSISTANTÂ Who is Eligible: Graduate International Students The University of West Georgia provides a number of Graduate Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistantships for our students. These assistantships offer valuable professional development opportunities in various programs and departments within the university for our degreeseeking students through supervised work experiences. Assistantships support the research, teaching, and service responsibilities of the University and help students pay for their graduate training. Therefore, graduate assistants must maintain satisfactory academic progress and performance and successfully complete the assigned research, teaching, or other responsibilities.

To view all Graduate Assistant/Graduate Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant positions please visit WolfWorks.

This information is adapted from westga.edu/careerservices/student-employment

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New Transportation!

ETTING AROUND CARROLLTON

CARROLL CONNECTION TRANSIT SERVICE AVALIABLE ANYWHERE IN CARROLL COUNTY MONDAY - FRIDAY (EXCEPT HOLIDAYS) The Carroll County Board of Commissioners realizes the importance of getting you where you need to go as efficiently as possible. That is why the board is working closely with federal, state, and regional officials to make Carroll Connection, a transit service, available to everyone. Carroll Connection is part of the Three Rivers Regional Commission’s transportation service.

CONNECTING WHERE YOU NEED TO GO! Medical appointments, bank, employment, senior centers, educational facilities, social outings, shopping, and much more!

SCHEDULE YOUR RIDE Call 1-844-RSVP-VAN (1/844778-7826) Call toll free, at least 24 hours in advance, to schedule a trip. All stops must be scheduled when appointment is made. Rides are scheduled on a “First Come, First Service” basis.

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CARROLLTON CONNECTION FEES $3 ONE-WAY TRIP $6 ROUND TRIP Fees must be paid at the time of boarding or prior to pickup. Drivers cannot make change or extend credit.

1-844-RSVP-VAN

SEE THE WORLD FROM A HIGHER

Perspective ADJUSTING TO A NEW CULTURE IS DIFFICULT. Going away to college can be scary, especially if you’ve hardly ever left the area where you grew up. You don’t have to live in fear, though; with the right mindset, your college experience will be exciting and life changing, not frightening and overwhelming. Follow the advice below to acclimate to your new environment (and grow as a person along the way!).

1. Open up your mind to new experiences.

Surviving culture shock has a lot to do with how you choose to approach your new environment. If you decide to simply hole up in your dorm room, you probably won’t acclimate very well. However, if you choose to open your mind up to all the cool new experiences at your fingertips, you’ll start thriving sooner than you think. Try new things and take risks! If you’re from an urban environment and are now in a rural one, take a nature hike; if you’re a desert transplant at a college in the northeast, go sledding after the season’s first snowstorm. Don’t hide from the things that are new to you; celebrate them instead.

2. Take this opportunity to meet interesting people.

College gives you the chance to meet people from all sorts of places, backgrounds and cultures. Take advantage by getting to know your classmates and listening to their perspectives. If you’re at a school with a large population of international students like The New School, Wesleyan College or Florida Institute of Technology, get to know your classmates from overseas -- you’ll be shocked at how much you can learn just by hearing their stories.

3. Study up on different cultures.

Many colleges offer courses and majors in worldwide cultures and religions; in fact, schools like Merrimack College, American University and Humboldt State University each have an entire World Languages and Culture academic department. Make it a priority to fit a few (or more!) of these courses into your schedule -- they’ll help you in your effort to expand your worldview…and may even inspire your choice of major.

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Try Some New Food!

BAJA CHICKEN BOWL

INGREDIENTS 2 teaspoons olive oil 4 ounces diced cooked chicken 1/2 cup frozen corn 1 red bell pepper, sliced salt and ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup salsa 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

DIRECTIONS Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir chicken, corn, and red pepper in hot oil until heated through and pepper is slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Spoon rice into 2 bowls, divide chicken mixture between the two bowls, and top each with salsa and Monterey Jack cheese.

MINUTES TO MAKE!

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EMPLOYMENT

Resumes and cover letters are requested on almost all job applications. Your resume and cover letter can really set you apart from the competition.

What is a Resume?

Simply put, a resume is a one- to two-page document that sums up a job seeker's qualifications for the jobs they're interested in. More than just a formal job application, a resume is a marketing tool that job seekers use to communicate their value to employers.

What Goes into a Resume?

A resume summarizes the most important information an employer needs to know when they consider a new hire. The job seeker's relevant qualifications, training, and work history are listed under easily understood resume headings such as "Summary of Qualifications," "Professional Experience," or "Education."Â

Who Needs a Resume?

You'll need to submit a resume if you're applying for a job with an organization that doesn't rely solely on standard, handwritten application forms. Companies that require resumes will say so in their job postings,

Resumes & Cover Letters Issue 27 | 234

and those that don't will ask you to fill out an application. But it's also a good idea to have a typed resume to submit with the application form, especially if your handwriting can be difficult to read.

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What's the Purpose of a Resume?

The popular belief is that resumes land jobs. Not true. The resume's sole purpose is to land you an interview. If employers like what they see in your resume, they'll contact you to schedule an interview. During the interview, they'll evaluate how well your skills match the job requirements, and how well your personality fits with their team.

Types of Resumes Many kinds of resume templates are available, but the top three formats are:

Chronological: With work history listed in reverse chronological order (most recent position first, oldest position last), this traditional type of resume focuses on titles and dates.

Functional: This less-common format focuses on skills and accomplishments, rather than dates and titles. It divides your qualifications into functional categories, such as Administrative, Marketing, or Project Management.

Combination/Hybrid: Featuring a mix of elements from both of the above resume types, this format is the most versatile for individual scenarios. Many feel this format gives hiring managers the best of both worlds.

What is a Cover Letter?

Your resume is intended to lay out the facts, but your cover letter is meant to convey more personality. The cover letter is your first introduction to the person who may hire you, and its goal should be to make you as memorable as possible, in a good way.

That means writing a unique cover letter for every job you apply to. No templates. No pre-written nonsense. The format of your cover letter should also match the company and the industry you’re applying to.

There is no “official format” for your cover letter or the information you include in it, but your cover letter should be visually organized, and orderly in its presentation of information.

Successful cover letters go something like this: - Memorable introduction - Specific, organized examples of relevant work done and problems solved - Concise conclusion with a call to action The rest is up to you. As we’ll go over in the next section, “What to Include in Your Cover Letter,” successful cover letters prove that you are qualified for the job by telling stories that demonstrate your skills and experience.

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September Birthdays 01

02 05 07 08

Yuanpeng Li

13

Finance Major China

Lanxin Peng Finance Major China

15

Magno Soria Toniolo

25

Mitul Patel Biology Major India

Adeyimika Sijuwade Business Major

26

United Kingdom

Chemistry Major Brazil

Yuying Li Finance Major China

18 23

Ninikachi Anukwu

25

Melat Worede Accounting Major Ethiopia

Marion Kwaghe

28

Franziska Bremm Biology Major Germany

Tumi Owa Biology Major Nigeria

Laura Lopez-Florez Special Education Honduras

Stephania Vargas Franklin Marketing Major Colombia

Biology Major Nigeria

Biology Major Nigeria

reminders BE SURE YOU HAVE COMPLETED

Ask questions if you are

THE MAINTAINING STATUS QUIZ!

unsure of anything.

Check your UWG student email often!

Check back for the October issue on September 28th!

Ask questions if you are unsure of anything.

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September 2018 Calendar

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