Getting to Know You

One of the really great things about WSU, in my opinion, is the diversity. Students come from across town, other areas of the state, other states, other countries! You come from all economic backgrounds. And, at all stages of life-- from high school students taking classes for college credit to older adults auditing classes. What a great opportunity to get to know people from all different situations. What a great opportunity to learn about other cultures, other situations, and other generations. I hope you don’t limit yourself to spending time with only people just like you. Reach out – I bet you will be glad you did.  

Opportunities

 

It’s a brand new semester and a brand new year. Full of possibilities and fresh starts. If you are new to WSU, we welcome you. If you are returning, we welcome you back.

It is probably a fair guess you are here to increase your chances of landing the job you want as a result of your college education. Please don’t assume that is a given.  You will face lots of stiff competition when you leave WSU to join the ranks of full time college educated workers. Those of us in Career Services hope you will use your college days to develop yourself into a person who will stand out from other job candidates in your field.

1. Earn good grades. And, get experience related to your major and/or career goal. Employers expect a high gpa and/or experience in your field.
2. Learn to work with other people. Employers repeatedly tell us they want employees who are "team players". 
3. Join organizations. Be an active member. Develop leadership skills. Why? You know why – employers expect leadership skills.
4. Get to know people. Your instructors. Fellow students. Employers who come to campus. The nice folks in Career Services. . . When you are ready to get a job, you will find out just how important networking is. Begin now!

College offers you the opportunity for so many experiences. Take advantage of them. I wish you an exceptional semester!

 

~ jan

Talents and Strengths

We all come into the world with many unique talents. Talents are the ways we naturally think, feel, and act.  Another word for talents might be gifts.

A strength is the ability to produce a positive outcome repeatedly when completing a certain task. A strength is made up of a talent combined with skills and knowledge.

Each of us achieves the best results when we work with our talents; therefore, it just makes sense to want to know what our talents are. How do you identify your talents? Go no further than WSU Career Services! For $18 and a few minutes of your time, you can take the StrengthsFinder instrument, which will identify your top five talents.

Knowledge of your top five talents will offer insight into who you are. Using that information, you can determine appropriate study techniques, what type of work environment would be best for you, and how get along with other people.

Rachel Gibson and Val Perkins just returned from a Strengths conference. They would be more than happy to talk talents and strengths with you. What are you waiting for? Call 978-3435 today and make arrangements to take StrengthsFinder.