Day: March 30, 2020

Instructor Blog: Juggling School and the Holidays

For many students, December is a busy time of juggling holidays and the end of school. While some of the time crunch can’t be avoided, a little perspective can help keep you from getting caught up in unnecessary stress.
The most important question to ask is: What is important to you? There are almost endless opportunities for holiday celebrations, and an endless to-do list.  Without prioritizing, it can be easy to run out of time for schoolwork.
For me, sending out Christmas cards was challenging with my work obligations. After a few years of stressing out, I realized two important things. The first was that most people on my Christmas card list already knew what was going on in our family and had seen recent pictures of us. The other was that I had ample opportunity to send cards around New Year’s.  Then, you can even include family pictures from the holiday itself! I was able to preserve something I enjoyed without unnecessary stress.  I haven’t received a single complaint from family or friends.
Another important consideration is to look at what is important in the long term. While so much about the holidays may either seem obligatory or something you just don’t want to miss, it’s important to think about what might be sacrificed by each holiday party attended. Not devoting time to schoolwork will have long-lasting impact. Time management is essential for ensuring you spend the time you want to devote to schoolwork. Look closely at the requirements for your courses. Which courses have final exams? How are you progressing on your portfolio projects, and how much time do you need to complete a quality project?
As you carve time for your schoolwork, think about how the knowledge you are learning will help you in your career. Think about why you want to finish school.  This will also help you avoid giving in to obligations you don’t feel that you have time for
If it feels like it is already too late to avoid stress this year, it is certainly not too late for next year! Think about what you could change for next year that will help you accomplish more.  Would you be less stressed if you started portfolio projects sooner? Are there friends or family members you can agree to see slightly after the holidays? They might be as relieved as you! Thinking ahead about how to balance school and work is an essential tool for enjoying balance in career and life. What a great gift to give yourself!
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WHY YOU SHOULD RARELY FIGHT AN UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM

Business owners, especially small business owners, are constantly concerned about keeping costs down—and rightfully so. But there are some scenarios in which culture and costs clash—and employee departures is one such area.
If you have too many unemployment claims, your cost as a business goes up. As a result, many businesses go to great lengths to ensure that employees do not win their unemployment claims. For instance, instead of firing employees, companies place heavy pressure on employees to resign, making them ineligible for unemployment.
Is this an effective strategy as a small business? Should you try to save money by forcing resignations, instead of terminating an employee? Should you challenge every unemployment claim in order to keep your costs down?
No, no and no. After years of experience in the HR industry, I feel confident saying you should rarely oppose an unemployment claim.
This advice seems to run contrary to popular wisdom. Your goal is to keep costs down, right? So not getting dinged for unemployment seems like the right thing to do, but let\’s break it down. Here are a few things to think about.

Lawsuits Are Expensive

When you terminate someone, what\’s your real goal? To get that person to go away and not bother you again. And by bother, I mean sue you.
When you fire an employee, for whatever reason, they are likely to be angry. Most likely they think you were unfair. While you followed procedures and made decisions by the book, all it takes is this employee convincing an attorney that he was treated differently than other employees who were a different race, gender, religion, or other protected class, and you\’re on the hook for thousands of dollars—not because you\’re guilty of illegal discrimination. But, even responding to the attorney will cost you money, and it could cost you your reputation if the employee can garner public support. Cutting someone off from employment and unemployment makes people angry—and angry people will be far more likely to retaliate in court.

It\’s Your Fault If Someone Is Fired

Anytime you have to fire someone, you should look back on what you did wrong. Rarely is the answer \”nothing.\” Did you ignore red flags in the interview? Did you let bad behavior slide for a long time until you couldn\’t stand it any more? Are your managers not compassionate? Do you focus on rules, rather than employees? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you\’re partly to blame for the termination. Don\’t punish the person because your managers can\’t manage.

You Want to Build Goodwill

You may have fired John for insubordination, but chances are he has friends at the office. These friends already think you were unfair, and when you fight back against unemployment, their shaky trust in you shatters. You don\’t want that. You want your employees to know they\’ll be treated well should something happen.
Another important thing to remember is that unemployment payments aren\’t exactly a reward. You\’re not giving former employees unemployment payments; you\’re just not opposing that they receive them. Employment attorney Robin Shea advises:

If an employee (let\’s call him “Jimmy\”) is being terminated for “misconduct,\” I\’d fill out the unemployment paperwork giving the true reason for the termination. If you want Jimmy to be able to collect, you may want to be gentle with the details. But by all means be honest. And then add, “Employer does not intend to contest Claimant\’s claim for unemployment.\” Depending on the (truthful) reason you gave for the termination, Jimmy may be initially disqualified from receiving benefits.

If Jimmy is denied and appeals, you can just not show up to the hearing. You aren\’t rewarding bad behavior. You\’re not lying. You\’re just being kind. And we all know the world needs a bit more kindness.
Photo: Creative Commons
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Real-World Experience: Why it Matters

College students hear it over and over again – to get a job when you graduate, you need to have some real-world experience under your belt. While it may feel repetitive, the sentiment rings true, Experience matters to employers.. One study found that approximately 79 percent of employers expect real-world experience and education from college graduates when they evaluate potential hires.
But why do employers want applicants with real-world experience? Here are three reasons: 
1. Some things can’t be learned in a traditional classroom setting.
Not to knock lectures or textbooks, but for some , experience is the best teacher. That’s why it’s important to practice your skills, both through hands-on classroom activities that simulate the workplace as well as off-campus opportunities, like internships and job shadowing.
2. Your soft skills need to be on-point.
Employers are looking for young individuals who will fit into their company right away. That’s why soft skills – teamwork, managerial skills, work discipline, etc. – need to be developed before you take the plunge into your job search. Participating in work experience programs like interning at a business, delving into class projects that emulate workplace scenarios, and even working at your part-time job all present opportunities to gain this experience.
3. Employers want proof that you’re career-ready.
Having experience in your field of interest shows potential employers that you’re ready to meet – and hopefully exceed – their expectations. The connections you make along the way (e.g. your supervisor from a past internship) can also serve as great references so that employers know you’re not all talk.
So you want more real-world experience. Now what?
While Bryant & Stratton College’s Career LifePrep program integrates workplace skills and practice into each program’s curriculum, you should also seek opportunities outside of the classroom. The Career Services Center offers a ton of helpful resources for students. You can also turn to the Web – there are many websites that list internship opportunities based on career field, location and more. The most important thing is to get out there – the real world is waiting.
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What does it Mean to Pay it Forward?

The “pay it forward” movement is not a new concept. According to Wikipedia, it dates all the way back to 317 BC where it was used as a key plot concept for a play in ancient Athens. There are small documented events of the “pay it forward” notion throughout history; however, it became a widely popular concept after the 2000 movie of the same name, which was based on the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
The simplest way to define “pay it forward” is that when someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you pass it on to another person instead. One of the easiest examples of this is buying a coffee for the person in line behind you at the coffee shop and then they buy a coffee for the person behind them and so on.
What is the point of all this? Why do so many people live their lives according to the “pay it forward” principle? It has been proven that acts of kindness build exponentially in a community and because people believe that one good deed deserves another. “Paying it forward” can make the world a better place. That was what Leah Doperalski thought when she used her nursing skills to help make life better for Jamaicans living in the Blue Mountains. But even if you don\’t go to the Blue Mountains, nursing is just one wayto live your life paying it forward.
Paying it forward can be part of anyone\’s daily life. Whether you decide to take up a life of service to the community or join the business world, you can incorporate the philosophies of the Pay it Forward Movement into your career. Paying it forward can be rewarding in other ways too. By volunteering to help a manager or a supervisor from another department with a project, you might stay in the back of their mind when an opportunity for a promotion comes up. Even as you build your professional network, people who you’ve paid it forward to will certainly hold you in a higher light than individuals they’ve never met or even have had bad experiences with. So paying it forward can enhance your personal life and your professional life as well.
Have you ever done anything to “pay it forward?” Has anyone ever done a good deed for you? Tell us about it and how it made you feel in the comments below.
References
Pay it Forward. [Online image] Available http://yourcaringangels.com/blog/?p=1010, February 26, 2009.
For more information on Pay it Forward from Wikipedia, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward.
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How to Meet People in College

Meeting new people can seem daunting! On UVM campus, there are so many ways to get meet people while you expand your skills and knowledge. See what these organizations can do to get you connected make your experience at UVM more memorable:
Sign up for a class in Pottery or Photography at the Living/Learning Center and put your skills to the test!  You’ll meet students and artists, get to practice your craft, and walk away with a few works of art.
Join an organization. The Women’s Center, LGBQTA Center, religious organizations, and ALANA Student Center (ASC) are all identity-based organizations that support students by providing diverse events, support staff, study space, and advocacy to support students’ academic experience on campus. Get involved with students who care and make a difference on campus!
Participate group study session through in the Learning Co-op. Drop-in tutoring allows you to take advantage of a great study environment and to ask a tutor for help if you need it.  Stop in with specific questions or to get feedback from your classmates – no appointment necessary.
Take a drop-in Group Fitness Class through UVM Campus Rec. They have fun classes at various times every day where you can easily meet people and get into a healthy routine.
Be part of a club that makes a difference. End world hunger one grilled cheese (or vegan) sandwich at a time!  FeelGood offers gourmet sandwiches and donates 100% of the proceeds raised to the Hunger Project.
These are just a few of the ways you can meet people and learn outside of the classroom.  With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get involved on campus. With all of the clubs and organizations available to support you, you’re bound to find your groove in no time.
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HOW TO INCLUDE YOUR REMOTE WORKERS IN HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

Remote work is becoming increasingly popular, offering employees a flexible schedule and saving them time and money that is usually spent on commuting. Studies show that telecommuters are more productive than their office counterparts. According to a FlexJobs report, 65% of workers believe they’re more productive at home than in a traditional office. However, there’s also a downside of remote work: Many remote workers suffer from FOMO, or fear of missing out. While their in-office colleagues are spending time together, remote workers are often removed from the social aspect of their jobs.
These feelings of isolation are especially apparent during the holiday season, with events like holiday parties and secret santa exchanges. If your remote workers are local, then you can surely invite them into the office for an annual party and exchange some home-baked cookies. But when you have employees that work from locations all across the country (or around the world), it is unlikely that you’ll be able to fly all of them in for these festivities.
So how can you include remote workers in holiday traditions? Here are some ideas for getting get them involved.

1) Virtual Secret Santa

Instead of exchanging gifts with fellow coworkers during Secret Santa, make the activity about donating presents to those in need. Set a budget and assign every employee a theme (i.e. “math game” or “princess item”) and set a time for everyone to gather around—via video call and in-person—and share the presents purchased. Then, donate the gifts to a children’s charity of your choice.
This activity is budget-friendly, makes for great conversation and benefits children in low-income communities during the season of giving. And, of course, it’s a great way for employees to build relationships virtually.

2) Give Your Remote Workers Time Off

If your office staff party is during working hours, give your remote staff an extra half-day of vacation time to use in December. They may not get to sample Suzanne from HR’s famous vanilla fudge, but at least they will get some time back to spend with family or buy holiday gifts. 

3) Offer Dinner on the Company Dime

On the flipside, if you’re having a party in the evening and you’re serving food, consider sending your remote workers a gift certificate for a local restaurant. Make sure the amount on the card is enough for two people to get a nice meal. This thoughtful gesture will send your remote employees the message that you appreciate them just as much as their in-office colleagues.

4) Throw a Virtual Party

Set up a time, send everyone party hats and a box of treats and host a virtual holiday party on either a video conference call or a Slack channel. Let people chat, hang out and eat their snacks. Make sure to include your remote employees in on conversation—kick things off by going around the room and having everyone share their holiday traditions or moderate another inclusive conversation. This event gives virtual employees the opportunity to get to know their colleagues in a social setting.

5) PowerPoint Karaoke

Scour the web for PowerPoint presentations that are completely unrelated to your area of business. For example, if you work for a financial services firm, you might choose slides on classic 18th century novelists or Physics. Then, ask employees to give a presentation based on these slides. You’ll be laughing as your employees try to talk through slides on topics they are completely unfamiliar with.
Of course, the most crucial aspect of a holiday party is letting your employees know that you care about them. They may not be present for an in-person celebration, but it’s important to show your appreciation for them—regardless of where they work.

Healthy Habits Make Academic Success

School, work, home – it doesn’t take long to get spread thinly between the major responsibilities of your life. Healthy habits are crucial to support that school-work-home flow that fosters academic, professional and personal success.
“The most important aspect is to ensure an appropriate balance between work, school and life — that is so, so important,” said Brandy McDonough, associate dean of instruction for Bryant & Stratton College – Online. “Being able to balance those things creates a much more well-rounded person.”
To do that, you’ve got to make the most of the time you have for each of those major life components. McDonough recommends meticulous, honest time management to keep on top of school, work and life in general. She syncs personal and professional calendars between computer and phone. She even carries a – gasp – paper version to keep herself on track.
“With that, it helps me to remain focused,” she said. “It really takes finding the time sit down and plan out each week. You really have to go day by day by day and say, ‘This is what I hope to accomplish’ and not getting down on yourself when you don’t meet that (goal).”
Another good habit: being realistic about your course load and how you work your way through it.
“The course itself is a determining factor,” she said. “If you have to take a course in an upcoming semester, it’s very important if that’s going to be a difficult course, then you might want to take only one or two courses. If you’re taking courses that all build upon your areas of strength, you could probably take a full course load.”
Be honest with yourself about your work habits. Do you need frequent breaks, or do you prefer to buckle down and complete a task without looking up? When your mind starts to wander or you’re not absorbing the material, that’s a signal that it’s time to step away from your studies.
“When you read something and you get absolutely nothing and you’re re-reading the same passage or sentence over and over again, or you get frustrated, that’s the time to walk away,” McDonough said. “Get a glass or water, take a short walk – stepping away for about 10 minutes and coming back to it from a different angle often is extremely helpful.”
McDonough recommends you start your study by tackling reading materials first.
“That will give you that theoretical foundation to build upon,” she said. “Before you complete a project, (or write a) paper, it’s really important to get that theoretical foundation first so you have that understanding utilizing a lot of resources.”
Understanding your full range of resources is another key to scholarly success, McDonough said. Beyond the digital world at your fingertips, remember family, fellow students, professors and the entire academic support staff at Bryant & Stratton.
“There’s nothing wrong with talking to peers, family members who’ve been through their education, working professionals as well,” she said. “Leveraging conversations with coworkers and peers those can be very valuable.”
Look to people who want to see you succeed to bolster your optimism and academic stamina.
“You have to have a very positive attitude and be surrounded by people who have that positivity,” McDonough said. “Have people you can reach out to on hard days – that’s healthy from a different perspective.”
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