Sunday, December 12, 2010

Final Reflection

This class has been very helpful and beneficial in learning ways to help me make a decision about a career and major.  Throughout this course, my eyes have been opened to a lot of possibilities that may be right for me.  Through assignments in this class, I was able to think “outside the box” and view different jobs and majors through a different perspective.  Whether it was through my eyes or someone else’s, I was able to collaborate some really great ideas on how to start my searching process and how to go about fulfilling what it is that I decide.
                Making a plan of action for my educational and career goal has helped me to realize how long it will take me in order to graduate.  The plan I made for now is to take all my generals in the next two years and then focusing on a specific degree for the two remaining.  I am just about done with my first semester as a freshman, and am proud of the work I have done thus far.  In the plan of action we were given to make in week 2, that is exactly what I planned and still think it is a smart move for me.
                After doing these class assignments and the experiences I have had because of this course, I am leaning towards Dental Hygiene as a possible career.  I think what made this decision for me was when I was able to interview and shadow two different Hygienists.  I have always been somewhat interested in this profession, but being able to see it first hand and talk to these women that have been in the workforce  has made me realize that it is truly something I can do and possibly enjoy.  I learned things about the profession that I really liked and could see myself being able to live with for the rest of my life.  Some examples of it are the hours and the pay.  One of my biggest concerns in finding a career is that I could still be around my family as much as I could with a good salary.  This job would allow me to do just that.  From what people have told me, it gives me the flexibility to be a good mother and homemaker along with having a great career.
                Since I am Freshman in school, I still have quite a few prerequisites I need to take in order to be able to get into the Dental Hygiene program.  The first thing I am going to do next semester is go talk to the Dental Hygiene counselor and plan out my next couple years of classes I need to take to qualify for the program.  I am also going to find a few more Hygienists to shadow to get different points of views of the pros and cons of this career.  I believe that you can never get too much information about something.  The more information I have, the better of an educated decision I will make for my future career.   
                I am excited to see where this plan takes me and the results that will come from it.  I am ready to put in the work I need make this happen.  I have learned really great lifelong tips that will help me with whatever it is I end up doing, and that my life experiences will only benefit from them.

Decision Making Model

I decided to use the Pros/Cons decision making strategy for this assignment.

My Educational Goal: To graduate with a bachelors in Dental Hygiene in the year of 2014.

PROS:
* I will have a secure lifelong job
* be a role model to my children
* A career with great hours and great pay
* I will have a college degree
* Stability in a career
* Be able to finish putting my husband through school
* Still have the option to go to graduate school to further my career
* Have the option to work as much or as little as I want

CONS:
* Will be stuck with only one job option
* Not much variety
* Will miss out on "moments" with my kids

The pros here outweight the cons by a few. In my mind, I already knew that because the more I think about this decision, I can only find a few not so good things about this particular career. I still have a couple years of prerequisites to really decide and make my decision, but I feel like for just starting out researching careers I would like, this is the best one so far. I guess only time will tell!

STAR Stories


1.What teamwork means to me
Situation:  Last year, I was part of a new team hired on at a call center for a specific part.
Task:  As a team, we had to role play a few different dialogues we could have with our clients and had to choose which were best.
Action:  There were about twenty of us for this new position they were adding on and as a team we had to come up with the best dialogue to have with potential clients.
Results :  Everyone is different and has different views on how things should be approached, but after talking it over all together, we made a conscious group decision and had an outcome that everyone agreed on.  

2.  A Major challenge I faced, how I addressed it and overcame it
Situation:  My husband losing his job a few years ago.
Task: We had to decide what to do for our family of then 4, and choose which pth would be better for us.
Action:  After much thought and considerations, we decided that the best plan for our future was to move out of state and finish school
Results:  It has not been easy cutting back and living more frugally, but it has definitely been worth it because we are now two years closer to finishing what we have always wanted to do.

3.  A past goal I achieved and how I did it
Situation:  Setting a goal to run a race
Task:  I had to train my body by running on a regular basis and for a set amount of miles
Action:  I set up a schedule of when I would run, how long and how far I would run on specific days
Results:  I was able to finish the race by training myself so that my body would be physically prepared for it.

Resume


                                                                    Cecile l. Ewell
607 Silver Leaf Drive
Mapleton, UT 84664
Ph. 916-397-1336
cecile_ewell@yahoo.com

objective

Seeking a position within a growth oriented company where advancement and earnings are based upon performance and achievement. Looking for the opportunity to grow with a company.

Experience

Real Estate Assistant                                                           Orem Ut
                                                                                     2008-20010
§  Showcasing homes to potential clients
§  Attending weekly meetings for my boss
§  Familiarizing myself with available houses on the market
§  Record keeping


Alta Sierra Body Shop                                                   Roseville, CA
Receptionist/ Office Assistant                    April 2003-June 2004

§  Greeting customers, setting appointments
§  Data entry
§  Filing/office work
§  Answering phones

Education

Utah Valley University
·         Ist year student studying generals
·         Emphasis on Healthcare
·         Estimated graduation date in spring of 2014


ACHIEVEMENTS and other info

§  Proficient in Microsoft Word
§  People person
§  Very motivated and fast worker
§  Competed with dance for 4 years in high school
§  Have participated in charity events helping mothers and children in need
§  Speak fluent French
§  Avid Blogger, love to write



cover letter


To Whom it May Concern:
          I am very interested in your dental Hygiene internship you have available right now.  I saw your ad in the paper and am currently doing my undergraduate corses in hopes of getting accepted to the dental hygiene program.  I have always been interested in this field and would love for nothing more than to try it out first hand.  I have heard great things about this office and would be pleased to be an intern there.
            I think I would be a great asset to your office because of the skills I have.  Here are a few personality traits of mine:
·         I am a fast efficient worker
·         I love to work with people
·         I have an outgoing personality
·         I like to stay productive throughout the day
·         I am a fast learner
·         I love to learn and try new things
·         I enjoy knowing that I put all my efforts into my work outcome
·         When I start something, I finish it
Here attached is a copy of my resume.   I would love for you to go over it and consider me for this position.  I promise that you will be pleasantly surprised as to what a great attributes I could bring with me to this internship.  I look forward to hearing from you and setting up a time for us to meet.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

                                                            Sincerely,
                                                                        Cecile Ewell

e scavenger hunt


Explore the Career Services and Student Employment website: www.uvu.edu/csse.   As you complete this e-Scavenger Hunt you will find many resources available to assist you as you prepare for your career.

1.      List at least one event that is happening this semester listed in Calendar of Events.  Are there any employers interviewing on campus this week?  If so who is it and when will they be on campus?
Recruiting for Vector Marketing sales summer job on Dec 1st. No employers will be on campus t  his week.
2.      List 4 services offered by Career Services & Student Employment.
1)     Job and internship opportunities 2) info on grad schools 3) Networking success
 4) career development
3.      What are 4 sources the website directs you to look for job opportunities?
UV job board, search engines, jobs by major, student employment
4.      Locate the names of 4 counselors and what their specific area is.

Christine Daoust for Art, Joyce Henderson for Dental Hygiene, Lyanne Marsing for Nursing and Erin Dunhoe-Rankin for Humanities.

5.      Who is the Director of Internship Services & Student Employment? Who is the Internship Coordinator?

Marsha Haynes and Maren Mather

6.     What are two internships on the “Weekly Hot Internships” list?

One for Big Brother and Sisters of Utah, and one for NuSkin

7.     List two internships available in Washington DC and the current deadline for application

The White House ends Nov 20, and the Department of State ends July 1st.

8.     Find the testimonial page for internships.  (http://www.uvu.edu/internships/students/testimonials.html) View at least one testimonial.  Who did you watch and what did you learn?

I watched Anna Culp, and she said that because of the internship, she was able to know more about her career, get more hands on experience and more confidence.

9.     What internship scholarships are available?

There are General, non-profit, and government scholarships available.


10.  What services are available to help you prepare for grad school?

Grad school fairs, assistance with entrance exam prep, and help with choosing a school.

11.   List the url for help with resumes found on this site.


12.  Find Optimal Resume on the site.  This is a free service to help students create a basic resume.  Create an account and a simple resume with this tool.  Submit the resume you created with this assignment.  (I’m not grading on the resume you create.  I just want you to know about this tool.)



13.  What is the url for student employment and how do you apply for an on campus job?

http://www.uvu.edu/csse/students/employment/   Then go to the UV Job board

14.  What suggestions do you have for the CSSE facebook account that would make it more helpful?

None really, just as long as they keep posting when new jobs and fairs are going on.

15.  Send us an email csse@uvu.edu or go to the “Have a quick Question” box on the internship site www.uvu.edu/internships and ask what are the three words that describe the CSSE mission?


16.   Where is the CSSE office located?  What is the office phone number?

In LC-409, 801-863-6364


Now you know alot about Career Services & Student Employment stop in and get acquainted or email your questions to csse@uvu.edu