Farmer Training: A Passion for Growing Food

Caitlin and Jason Rodriguez Elberson completed UVM’s Farmer Training program in October 2013. The married couple, who met in a Spanish literature class at Villanova University in 2007, share a love for farming and sustainable living. We interviewed Caitlin and Jason to learn more about their experience in the UVM Farmer Training program and their plans for the future as owners of Sobremesa and as apprentices at Stony Pond Farm.

Q: You joined the Farmer Training program in 2013. Can you tell us about what you were doing before you joined the program?

A: Before we moved to Vermont, we were living in southeastern Pennsylvania. Caitlin has a Bachelor of Arts in humanities, a concentration in environmental studies, and a Spanish minor. She was working as the Director of Development at Kimberton Waldorf School and had previously worked in admissions and marketing. Jason received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, with minors in math and Spanish. He had just completed a season interning at the biodynamic Kimberton CSA. Prior to his experience at the CSA, Jason worked as a mechanical engineer for a small structural analysis consulting firm.

Q: Have you both always shared a passion for farming?

A: Our love for farming arose from a shared passion of cooking with quality, ethical ingredients. Caitlin’s love for farming arose from a childhood in New York City eating delicious home-cooked, nourishing meals chockfull of healthy vegetables. Her parents always made sure that enjoying family time around the dinner table was a priority. Jason grew up in Colorado and had always been interested in gardening and also loved to prepare special dinners. He remembers all the herbs and beautiful flowers that his parents tended when he was a child. Jason had a small vegetable garden below his apartment when we first met.

Q: What as the turning point when you decided to pursue farming full time?

A: When we began dating, Caitlin was taking a number of Environmental Studies classes, which helped us further develop our values around food and increase our awareness of organic and sustainably grown food. Right after graduation, Caitlin spent an invigorating summer working with Triskeles, a non-profit which actively engages teens in sustainable farming, cooking, and entrepreneurship. As our values evolved, we became more conscious of knowing our farmers. We soon realized that we felt strongly enough about sustainable agriculture to want to learn more about becoming farmers.

After leaving his engineering job in early 2012, Jason had a wonderful internship at the Kimberton CSA. His time there was very fulfilling. We made a decision that we were ready to make a lifestyle change and pursue agriculture full time.

Q: What made you decide to choose UVM’s Farmer Training Program?

A: We knew we were interested in pursuing formal agricultural education because the program covers a wealth of subjects, the faculty and guest professors are experts in their fields, and we knew that meeting such a large network of food activists was invaluable. We were thrilled that the program had a number of classes on developing sustainable business and marketing strategies. As students in the program, we were quickly welcomed into the larger Vermont farming community.

Each Thursday is a “rotation day,” spent on farms in the area – Bread and Butter Farm, Intervale Community Farm and Half Pint Farm – so there is exposure to many different farming styles. In a farming education program, students are encouraged to ask many questions and guide their own learning in a safe environment. UVM’s program is in a great location and we instantly felt at home in Burlington. There is an evolved consciousness surrounding food and its source in Vermont and we are grateful to be a part of it.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as farmers?

A: Our main goal is to run a sustainable farm business that supports us, nourishes our community, and nurtures the land. We also hope to continue to learn as much as we can about farming from more experienced farmers in this area, thereby preserving Vermont traditions.

Q: Can you tell us about your new apprenticeship at Stony Pond Farm?

A: We had heard great things about Stony Pond Farm in Fairfield, owned and operated by Tyler and Melanie Webb. Stony Pond offers a farmer incubation program, and we met with Tyler and Melanie to learn more about the apprenticeship opportunity. Tyler and Melanie also encourage interns to begin their own small enterprises. Stony Pond sells 100 percent grass-fed organic beef and sells milk to Organic Valley, which is a farmer-owned cooperative. As interns, we will be living on the farm and milking cows, planning and participating in seasonal intensively managed grazing, feeding and processing of livestock, installing and maintaining fence and water systems, attending farmers’ markets, and more.

Q: What about your plans for Sobremesa?

A: We will also be managing just under one acre of vegetables, which will allow us to launch Sobremesa. We will also be selling our own fermented foods, vegetables, and herbs at farmers’ markets. “Sobremesa” is a Spanish word that can’t be directly translated in English. It refers to the time spent lingering around the table after lunch or dinner, and having food-induced conversations with the people who shared the meal together. Sobremesa is a time to digest and savor food, family, and friendship. This name is at the heart of why we want to grow food.

Q: What do you enjoy most about farming?

A: Caitlin: I love that farming makes me feel alive. The cycle of sowing seeds, transplanting, nourishing, harvesting, and eating – and then composting – is magical. It makes me feel truly in touch with the seasons, and I love living that way. Farming has allowed me to connect with every part of myself: my head, my hands, and my heart. Farming is intellectual, physical, and emotional, and I am grateful to experience these aspects of being human on a daily basis.

Jason: I love working with the plants and being part of their creation, evolution, and life. I feel connected to the natural energy cycle of the universe, and that growing food is the best way for me to experience the cosmic connection. We like to be as close to our food source as possible. Since growing and preparing food is our passion, it is amazing to imagine sustaining our livelihood by doing what we love

Women’s Soccer Starts 2016 on the Right Foot

The Bryant & Stratton College women’s soccer team took a win and a hard-fought draw from two NCAA DIII opponents this past weekend. Senior Kai Jacobs scored a pair of goals in BSC’s 2-0 win over Cazenovia College while senior goalkeeper Megan Hagadorn made 13 saves the following day against SUNY Poly.

Developing Soft Skills While Earning Your Online Degree

Students pursue higher education in order to obtain the skills they need to get the job they want. This often means focusing on training and skills that are most relevant to their vocation of choice. For example, students who are studying to become nurses will spend a significant portion of their education focusing on subjects like biology and health science, while students pursuing an accounting degree, will spend more time studying topics such as finance and mathematics.

But many fail to recognize the importance of developing soft skills while earning their degree. The term, \”soft skills,\” refers to the personal qualities that allow an individual to interact and build relationships with others. Employers have recognized the importance that these skills play in job performance; more and more, they are looking to hire individuals who exhibit intelligence, critical thinking and information literacy, among other abilities.

These skills are crucial for nearly every type of job, and significantly affect your level of employability. Your ability to think, process information, and go with the flow is just as important as typical knowledge and training.

According to Forbes\’ list of the \”10 Skills That Will Get You Hired,\”theseproficiencies are indeed important for establishing your employability – the top four attributes listed were all soft skills. The four soft skills included in the list were:

Critical thinking – using logic and reason to process information in a systematic, purposeful way.
Complex problem-solving – being able to observe a situation, identify and judge all potential solutions, and implement the best possible option.
Judgment and decision-making – the ability to consider the available options, based on the costs and benefits of each, in any given situation.
Active listening – paying full attention to what a person is communicating and being able to synthesize the information, while asking the appropriate questions in a respectful manner.

As you research online degree programs to determine which one is right for you, it\’s crucial to find one that will put some emphasis on soft skills. While it is important to build a foundation of \”hard skills\” pertaining to your degree (e.g. finance and statistic courses for an accounting degree), it is also important to focus on developing and enhancing the interpersonal skills that will help you thrive in the workplace, therefore making you a more desirable job candidate.

Bryant & Stratton College Online aims to help students maximize their employability for career success through its Employability Series. This set of core competencies is integrated in to the College\’s online degree programs, to complement occupation-specific training and help graduates get hired. Interested in learning more about the online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online? Call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Tips for Managing Your Career Fears

John Lennon is often quoted as saying “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love…” While the great musician probably wasn’t dispensing career information and advice, thinking about this philosophy may help you navigate your career – and the rest of your life – with success.

How often have you been motivated by fear? Maybe it started with being afraid to go back to school because you thought you were too old. Perhaps it was not going after a job or a promotion because you feared being rejected. Or, maybe you didn’t volunteer for a career-advancing project because you worried you didn’t have the right skills. Whatever it is, we are all too often held back by our own fears.

Pinpoint your fear

When said out loud (or written down) this can seem like an obvious step but it often takes a little thought to figure out what’s holding us back. One way to identify your specific fear is to think about something you really want in your career. If there’s something holding you back it will likely be at the end of your thought of what you want. For example “I want to that manager’s position but I’m afraid I won’t get it if I apply,” or “I want to go back to school but I’m afraid I won’t see my children as much.” When you understand your specific fear, then you can figure out how to diminish it.

Practice being afraid

Just like everything else in life, overcoming a fear takes practice. You may have seen extreme examples of this in immersion therapy for people with severe phobias. We’re not recommending that you jump head first into your deepest fears – especially without the guidance of a certified professional. But, practicing tackling small fears can help you gain the confidence you need to face bigger career-changing fears. Try to do something that scares you every day and you’ll be surprised how easily your other fears will dissipate.

Focus on the future, not regrets

It’s really easy to wish you had done something differently in the past. But focusing on these moments of regret could be affecting your present day decisions. There is a lot to learn by past mistakes or failures, but make sure you are thinking about what you will do differently next time not dwelling on the mistake itself.

Find a sympathetic ear

In the workplace, it can be hard to admit you are afraid of something – especially if that something is part of your job responsibilities. This can be especially true if you are young and just starting your career. However, finding someone you can trust at work to be an ally and a confidant can help you from getting in over your head or passed up for interesting assignments. By talking to someone in your office about your fear you may find they faced something similar and know what you can do to overcome it. If you can’t find someone at work, turn to your friends or family. Sometimes even just saying your fear out loud can help it seem less scary.

Reduce your stress

Fear is definitely linked to stress, so if you’re feeling particularly anxious about something make sure you add stress-reducing activities to your life. Eating right, exercising and meditating are all known to lower stress. Everyone is different so find something positive that helps take you to your “happy place” and make sure you do it a couple times a week. Conquering your career-related fears can help you advance in your current position and it may also help you get a new job (either now or down the road). When you get over your fears, you’ll be able to take greater risks that will result in greater rewards. Showing that you are the kind of person who can make an impact in an organization is a valuable employability skill and something that will make any employer take notice. Bryant & Stratton College Online aims to help students maximize their employability skills for career success through its Employability Series. This set of core competencies is integrated into the College’s online degree programs, to complement occupation-specific training and help graduates get hired. Interested in learning more about the online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College Online? Call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Carefully Consider the Decision to Change Your Major

Did you just finish your first year of college, only to realize that you do not enjoy your major? Thinking about changing to a new course of study?

You better be sure.

Did you just not happen to like these classes? Did you and your professor not hit it off? Were you bored with the first year of requirements because you want to get to the meatier classes the seniors are taking? If you are going to change your major, you better darn well despise it, because it may take a lot of work to earn back that year.

Brook Urban, senior academic success coach for Bryant & Stratton College Online, said the decision to change your major should not be based on a single feeling or experience.

“It is an important decision and should not be taken lightly,” she said. “It is important to consider the short and long-term effects.”

The first issue: not every requirement you took will transfer to your next degree. For example, if you were studying paralegal and decide to transfer into the medical administrative assistant program and Bryant & Stratton College, not a single paralegal class would transfer.

As for the long-term, Urban said, you need to consider, and answer, a series of serious questions: Why am I making this change? What career field do I want to break into? What credentials/education do I need to get a job in this field? As you consider these decisions, it is important to reach out to your academic advisor who can help them review their answers and determine how many credits will transfer.

If the student decides to make the jump, the academic advisor will be the one to process the request. They key to changing majors is making the switch as soon as you know you have chosen the wrong course of study for you.

“It is never too late to change your major, but I would recommend you try to decide early on in your degree program,” Urban said.

Webinar Recap: “Exploring Career Options: How Many Ways Can You Use Your Degree?”

The “Exploring Career Options” webinar provided tactics and information resources to discover a variety of professional paths to attendees. The presentation also enabled attendees to:

Understand and be able to use the best frameworks to explore the diversity of degree-related career opportunities
Identify and use the best people and information resources for researching their options
Determine the best questions to ask, and how to ask them so potential employers and career-connectors will want to respond

Acclaimed career coach Kim Dority lead the webinar. Ms. Dority is a frequent presenter for Bryant & Stratton College Online and has been writing about and teaching courses on career training for more than a decade.

“Several careers can stem from every degree, but it can be difficult to figure out what possibilities exist. There is both an art and a science to translating knowledge from a degree and personal experience into a variety of careers,” said Dority. “This webinar will provide practical step for job seekers and students wondering what career options are available to them.”

View Recorded Webinar Now

Farmer Training: A Passion for Growing Food

Q: You joined the Farmer Training program in 2013. Can you tell us about what you were doing before you joined the program?

Q: Have you both always shared a passion for farming?

Q: What as the turning point when you decided to pursue farming full time?

Q: What made you decide to choose UVM’s Farmer Training Program?

Q: What do you hope to accomplish as farmers?

Q: Can you tell us about your new apprenticeship at Stony Pond Farm?

Q: What about your plans for Sobremesa?

Q: What do you enjoy most about farming?

Guide to Becoming a Successful Administrative Assistant

Did you know that successful Executive Administrative Assistants work in nearly every industry, from agriculture and manufacturing, to education and Fortune 500 companies. Administrative assistants often make the first impression on prospective clients, and they provide critical administrative support so fellow employees and upper-level management can do their jobs effectively.

The administrative assistant goals you have set now can help you enjoy a successful lifetime career. Here are some administrative assistant goals you can work toward to land a job at your dream company.

Goals and Objectives for Administrative Assistants

Get an education. There was a time where a high school diploma or GED was enough to get a job as a secretary and work your way up to an administrative assistant position. This is no longer the case in a competitive job market and a society in which going to college is becoming the norm, rather than the exception. According to O*Net Online, more than 50% of administrative assistants employed in the U.S. have some type of college education, and that figure is as high as 67% for executive-level secretaries and administrative assistants.

Bryant & Stratton College offers an AAS in Office Management that will show employers you have what it takes to set goals and accomplish them. Your diploma will also demonstrate your proficiency with modern office technology. After taking our administrative assistant classes, you will be eligible to take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification exams for Word®, PowerPoint®, Excel®, Outlook®, and Access®.

Look for an entry-level position. If you are currently in high school, or have the flexibility to get a new job, try to obtain an entry-level receptionist or secretary position at a local company. In addition to determining whether or not an administrative assistant position is right for you, you will also be gaining valuable work experience that will prepare you for your future career. In addition, the positive impression you make in an entry-level position will gain favorable referrals and recommendations that will help you get that next great job.

Some employers will help to finance your education if they are happy with your work and want to support your professional development. If you aren’t able to make a job change right now, that’s fine too. Our online degree program is flexible and fits around your current work schedule.

Be flexible. Speaking of being flexible, flexibility is another administrative assistant goal that should not be taken lightly. Modern innovation is such that the technology you learn and use today might be considered outdated within just a few years. Your ability to adapt to new technology and work theories, and your willingness to continue your training and education will be invaluable to your employers.

Also, the demands placed on an administrative assistant can be overwhelming at times. More than almost any other position in the company, your day-to-day work responsibilities can be incredibly varied. From greeting new customers and top-level clientele, to making last minute coffee or lunch runs, there is almost no task too big or too small for an administrative assistant. Your flexibility will allow you to handle each task with grace.

Contact the Admissions Office at Bryant & Stratton College if you are interested in pursuing a career as an administrative assistant. Our friendly admissions counselors will work closely with you to help you attain your administrative assistant goals

Career Outlook: What is a Virtual Assistant?

Graduates of the Office Management degree program at Bryant & Stratton College are prepared for a number of career options, including working as a Virtual Assistant in a number of business settings.

If you’re starting or in the middle of administrative assistant training, you may be thinking about what you’ll do after graduation (if you’re not, then you should!). Becoming a virtual assistant might be a good option for you. Virtual Assistant working at computer

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is a contract worker that businesses can hire to perform a variety of administrative duties. Virtual assistants operate as their own business, building a client base and working remotely from a home office or an independent workspace. Working as a virtual assistant allows for greater schedule flexibility, and gives individuals the opportunity to specialize in the areas of administrative work that they enjoy the most.

Interested in this unique career path? Here’s what you need to know about becoming a virtual assistant.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a virtual assistant?

Virtual assistants handle a variety of administrative and business tasks, depending on their client base. These tasks may include:

Writing business newsletters, and other communications tasks
Making phone calls, scheduling appointments and sending emails
Updating social media accounts for a brand or business
Managing website content and web design

Many virtual assistants choose to specialize in a particular area, such as web design or social media management.

What is the benefit of hiring a virtual assistant?

Many business owners choose to contract with a virtual assistant because they do not need the support of a full-time employee, but rather, someone to manage a few certain tasks. Hiring a virtual assistant is more affordable because the business is not responsible for providing office space, equipment or benefits. These eliminated costs also benefit the virtual assistant, as they generally make more money per hour than a traditional administrative assistant would.

What is the virtual Assistant salary?

Because virtual assistants are self-employed, salaries vary. According to payscale.com, virtual assistants can make between $21,372 – $64,066 depending on where they are located and their level of experience.

How does working as a virtual assistant differ from traditional employment?

As a virtual assistant, you have more control over your schedule and workload. You decide how big of a client base you would like to maintain, which hours you will work, and what types of services you would like to provide. Location and commute are not an issue, making it an ideal profession for highly mobile individuals (for example, military spouses). But the freedom of self-employment also brings the burden of self-motivation. This role requires someone who is a self-starter, so work gets done and clients remain happy.

What training and skills are required?

There is no formal training required to become a virtual assistant. However, virtual assistants do need the skills and a certain level of knowledge to be successful.

Administrative & Communication Skills: In order to provide a quality service, and build a client base, a virtual assistant must have strong communication skills, and be able to perform administrative tasks.
Office Technology Skills: Technology knowledge is also a must, as you will use a variety of online tools in order to communicate with and perform work tasks for your clients.
Business and Accounting Skills: It is also important to have a certain level of business savvy, as you are essentially running your own business. Understanding how to network, handle clients, and manage your finances are all necessary skills in order to be successfully self-employed.

Having formal administrative assistant training through a certification or degree program can help you hone these skills, and give potential clients proof of your experience and professional know-how.

If you are considering pursuing self-employment as a virtual assistant, online schooling can be a good choice especially if you are on the move or have time commitments restricting your access to on-campus courses. For more information on administrative assistant courses at Bryant and Stratton, click here. Ask about our online course options.

Government Jobs for Criminal Justice Studies Majors

There are many types of jobs you can earn with a Criminal Justice Studies degree, most of them depend on your interests and specialties. Regardless of the career path you choose you will likely start your career in the public sector. Many entry-level jobs for criminal justice majors are in local, state or federal governments so understanding the differences between these levels of governments could be helpful in thinking about where you want to work after graduation.

One of the key differentiators between the different levels of government is geographic jurisdiction – or the physical range of the government’s authority. Local governments have the smallest jurisdiction, typically limited to a single city or county. If you are employed by a local government your roles and responsibilities would only pertain to a small area of activity. Some criminal justice professions you find at the city or county level are:

Police officers
Legal assistants who work for a county courthouse
Security Guards in the Mayor’s Office or courthouse.

State governments typically oversee local governments and activities that impact the state as a whole. Examples of employment at the state level include:

Corrections officer at a state facility
Legal assistant in the State Courthouse.
State Trooper

Federal employees deal with problems, issues and laws affecting the entire nation, like border security or the transportation security administration. Jobs at the federal level include:

Border Patrol
Park Ranger (with relevant experience)
Paralegal Specialist with Homeland Security

Another big difference in working for these different levels of government is how close you will be to the people you potentially serve. Employees of local governments often get to see the impact of their work in their own communities. But, they also may hear criticisms from neighbors or family member about actions taken by their employer. State and federal workers often have greater distance between the people they serve and where they live, in part because the populations affected are much bigger than at the local level.

As you move through your criminal justice studies degree at Bryant & Stratton College think about not only what type of job you want after graduation but also the setting. You’ll be spending a great deal of your week at your job so you want to make sure it is somewhere you will feel challenged, be able to put your skills to work and that will be conducive to your productivity.

Bryant & Stratton College offers an associate degree in Criminal Justice Studies along with diploma programs that focus on the criminal justice field. If you are interested in learning about any of the programs at Bryant & Stratton College, please call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

Five Tips for Setting and Achieving Career Goals

The definition of success is different for everyone. This is why setting goals for your education and future career is so important. Without a plan of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there, it’s difficult to accomplish anything. A healthy dose of willpower doesn’t hurt either.

The task of setting goals and holding oneself accountable should be nothing new to college students who attend, as it requires them to be self-starters, find their own source of motivation, and work at their own pace to get coursework done.

If you are in the process of setting career goals for yourself, here are five tips you can use to make sure you can follow through and accomplish them.

1. Be specific.

When identifying your goals, it’s important to be specific about what you want to achieve. Vague statements like, “I want to be more successful,” make it impossible for you to determine whether or not you have met your goal. More specific goals, like “I want to find a new job,” are easier to visualize and obtain. When possible, set measurable goals – set a time frame and/or specify amounts for your intention.

2. Be positive.

When framing your goal, it’s better to think positive. For example, when setting a standard for your academic performance, instead of saying, “I don’t want to fail any classes” or “I won’t get in to that program with my grades” say “I aim to get at least a 3.0 GPA” or “I can take a make-up course and meet the requirements”. Putting yourself in a positive mindset will help you stay motivated and enthusiastic about your ambitions.

3. Be realistic.

Don’t set yourself up for failure. Identify and choose goals that are challenging, but within your reach. Prioritize a few main goals rather than spreading yourself too thin. Willbpower is like a muscle, and if you try to achieve too many things at once, you just might get “fatigued” and sabotage your chances of achieving any of them. Break each goal into steps, or mini-goals, to make the tasks seem less daunting so they are easier to complete.

4. Make connections between actions and goals.

Once you have decided what you would like to accomplish, it’s important to identify how you will get there. Tying actions to each goal not only helps you build a road map to success, but also verifies that the goal is obtainable.

5. Assess and revise accordingly.

It’s important to have a certain degree of flexibility with the goals that you set. Your aspirations, as well as your circumstances, are likely to change at any point after long-term goals are set. Assess and revise your goals as these changes arise in order to make sure you are working toward something you actually want.

If your path to career success includes pursuing a college degree, Bryant & Stratton College might be for you. Our programs aim to help students achieve their academic goals and prepare for career success after graduation.

Interested in learning more about the online degree programs offered by Bryant & Stratton College? Call 1.888.447.3528 to speak with an admissions representative.

UVM Oaxaca Travel Program Sparks Alumna’s Interest in Immigration Law

Traveling to Oaxaca forced Amber Attalla to question her confidence in governmental policies and the media. It also changed her life.

Attalla, who graduated from UVM in 2011 with a degree in psychology and participated in the Oaxaca Semester Abroad Program, is now a student at the University of Maine School of Law. In November, she volunteered at an immigration detention camp in Artesia, New Mexico, where women and children — who fled domestic and gang violence in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala — were incarcerated after crossing the Southwest border

The conditions were shocking to witness and devastating for the women and children to experience, Attalla says. Children as young as infants were among the detainees. Nearly every child Attalla met with was sick with flu-like symptoms, noting that mothers reported that their children had lost weight and were having nightmares, according to Attalla’s recent interview with the Bangor Daily News.

Attalla spent a week at the Artesia center and was one of two legal representatives from the law school to travel to the southwest in the wake of a humanitarian crisis along the US-Mexico border. Attalla minored in Spanish at UVM and is fluent in the language, allowing her to act as legal counsel to the detainees under the supervision of practicing attorneys.

What troubled her the most was how attorneys for the US Department of Homeland Security had portrayed the detainees — women and children — as terrorists.

We talked to the 25-year-old law student about how the UVM Oaxaca Semester Abroad Program helped shape her views on immigration law and why immigration policy is one of the most severe human and civil rights issues of our time.

Interview on Oaxaca Travel and Policy

You first traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico as an undergraduate at UVM. How did your time in Oaxaca open your eyes to the complexities and unfairness of immigration law and international policy? Did you decide to pursue a law degree after traveling to Oaxaca?

My time in Mexico, if nothing else, made me realize how little about the world I actually know. It has forced me to question every headline I read and every broad categorization I hear about an issue. It made me want to learn more about our country’s immigration laws, because I saw from my time in Mexico that what we see and hear about the issue is extremely distorted.

Oaxaca, Mexico

My time and experiences in Oaxaca were also life changing and guided my future decisions, including going to law school and developing an interest in immigration law. Living in Mexico was an eye-opening experience and allowed me to see first-hand the effects of international and US policy on communities in Mexico, which are intrinsically tied to the driving forces behind our nation’s migration patterns.

About 700 women and children were picked up in south Texas by US Customs and Border Patrol officers last year. They were then turned over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and ended up at the Artesia detention center, according to news reports. Originally held in facilities in Texas, the detainees — women, as well as children under the age of 17, who had no criminal records — were moved to the Artesia center last summer. Can you describe the work you were doing to help the detainees?

We [Attalla and another Maine law student] prepared the women for bond hearings and represented them before immigration judges who sat in Denver, along with the government lawyers, and appeared in Artesia by video conference. We each saw between five and 10 clients every day.

Once a cash bail was set and paid, a woman and her children could be released. Bail ranged between $4,000 and $12,000. Most went to live with a relative until a hearing could be held to determine if she qualified for asylum. If so, she can stay in the US, obtain a work permit and a job, and eventually apply for citizenship. If not, she and her children face deportation and a return to the exact conditions they fled in the first place.

According to a Bangor Daily News article, the conditions at Artesia sounded extremely difficult. Why don’t more people in the United States know about the conditions these women and children people are living in? Why are there the assumptions that these women are “terrorists,” rather than victims of domestic or gang violence?

I think that observation is the precise point that makes the situation so appalling. The lack of transparency and the mischaracterization by the media dilutes awareness of what is, in my opinion, one of the most severe human and civil rights issues of our time.

Amber Attalla spent a week volunteering at detention camp in New Mexico.

I could never have imagined that a system of family imprisonment could become commonplace in this country. Unfortunately, the reason I couldn’t have imagined it is because the information is simply not widely available, and the information that is available is distorted by media bias.

The categorization of these women and children as “national security threats” is based on the need for the government and others in opposition to justify otherwise frivolous, harmful, and costly detention (paid to private corrections companies).

There is outrage among human rights organizations, the ACLU, and legal professionals, but I think the current state of the heated immigration debate in our country has created a bias of hatred and resentment that shields many individuals in our country from seeing this as a humanitarian crisis.

Any plans to return to the Artesia center to volunteer?

The Artesia detention center closed, and all of the families that remained were transferred to a new facility in Dilley, Texas, which has a much greater housing capacity. I am hoping to fundraise in the next couple of months so that I am able to go to Texas in the spring to volunteer at the Dilley Center.

Did your experience in New Mexico make you re-evaluate how immigration lawyers can make a difference?

I was definitely compelled by the experience, and it alleviated any doubts I previously had about pursuing a future career in law. I was able to see how access to legal counsel and effective advocacy can change someone’s life.

I was especially moved by the experienced attorneys I was working with, many of whom had left their practices back home and were using vacation time and their own funds to travel to Artesia and work 15+ hours a day as volunteers. It was inspiring to see both the dedication and outrage among the legal community about what is happening.

How has your volunteer work at the immigration center changed you?

My experience in New Mexico provided me with even greater motivation to be the best advocate that I can be. I wouldn’t say that I will necessarily approach my work differently. Rather, I feel that the experience gave me more exposure and insight into the factors that influence the need to flee one’s country and seek protection under our country’s asylum laws. I think that the exposure will certainly be helpful in terms of being a better attorney for my clients

Health Care Finance Raises Many Questions in Reform Debate

By Steven Kappel

Health care in the United States has been one of the most complex and contentious public policy issues for the last 100 years (Teddy Roosevelt’s 1912 presidential campaign included a call for a national health care system). While the organization and delivery of care have often been a part of reform discussions, financing has most often been the central reform issue, with proposals ranging from a single payer to more competition.

Most obviously, financing is a question because of the economic impact of health care. About one-sixth of the entire United States economy is accounted for by health care, from hospitals to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Even more striking than the size of the health care economy is the rate at which it is growing. In 1960, health care accounted for just over 5 percent of the U.S. economy. By 1990, that figure was 12.5 percent. In 2011, health care was 17.9 percent of the U.S. economy, putting pressure on wages and prices throughout the entire economy.

However, the overall cost of care and its rate of growth are only part of the problem. How those costs are distributed across the population is an equally important and difficult question. Should wealthier individuals pay more than those with fewer resources? Should behavioral choices such as smoking affect contribution?

These questions are mirrored when we think about payment for health services. How should payments be calculated, both within a specific profession (primary care physicians and surgeons) and across professions (nurse practitioners and physicians)? Should the amount paid for a service reflect its value (to the patient? to society?), or the cost to produce it?

Ultimately, the question that lives at the heart of the reform debate – like many other public policy questions – is who gets what when? Put in slightly different terms, who says no? Health care financing is always a balancing act between what we want or need and what we can afford (and who that “we” is). How should that balance be maintained and whose responsibility is it? Government? Private insurers? Do we prefer a market solution – by which we manage this balancing act in many areas of our lives? Or is health care something different, like education – something to which we as citizens have some level of entitlement? Is this entitlement limited or unlimited?

While financial questions are often defined arithmetically, financing questions in health care also have a powerful ethical dimension. Do we have obligations to others? If so, how do we choose to structure those obligations? As Richard Lamm, former Governor of Colorado has said, “Making a budget is the deepest expression of one’s values and priorities.”

Is Criminal Justice Studies Right For You?

The field of criminal justice can be attractive to anyone interested in how justice is dispensed in the US and around the world. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Bryant & Stratton College is the perfect way to pursue a career in the field of criminal justice.

The right program is a mix of finding the right fit for your personality, academic habits and needs, qualified instructors, and the flexibility and structure needed for your unique situation. To help you think through some important characteristics for a degree program, we’ve identified four questions for you to answer.

What degree level is best?
There are a lot of career paths that start with earning a criminal justice studies degree. But, there are differences depending on what degree-level you choose. An associate degree in criminal justice studies will give you a broad understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system by studying its aspects including law enforcement, courts, corrections and private security. A diploma in Criminal Justice and Security Services provides the key foundation for students to pursue jobs in security while also having the opportunity to continue their education with an associate degree if they so choose.

What is your best learning environment?
Some people like to learn on their own and to set their own schedule to work around an existing job, raising a family or other responsibilities. Others like to very structured environments and sitting in a classroom with a teacher and other students. If the first scenario appeals to you then earning a criminal justice studies degree online might make sense. Online degrees offer flexibility to choose set your own schedule, as there is not set class to attend each week. To figure out whether an online classroom or a traditional environment is best for you, spend some time thinking about your life, your weekly schedule and your learning habits.

Is there balance in what skills are being taught?
A good criminal justice studies degree will offer a balance between theoretical training, practical knowledge and soft skills development. The first two types of knowledge in that list may be assumed but don’t underestimate the value of the last category. Employers across all field are increasingly looking for new hires with strong soft skills. In field related to criminal justice the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds, curiosity, analytical skills and good problem solving are all important. Be sure to think about what kind of soft skills are being cultivated in the programs you are considering.

How much field experience do the instructors have?
There are a lot of changes taking place in the domestic justice, legal and security systems. Instructors who have spent time teaching as well as working in the field can offer unique insights the most current information and best practices in criminal justice. Seasoned professionals can also be helpful in building a job search network when you get closer to graduation.

If you’d like to learn more about earning a degree in Criminal Justice Studies at Bryant & Stratton College, call 866-948-0571 today!

Workplace Capabilities: Don\’t be Milton or Nina

Attitude

One of the workplace capabilities listed in all of the supplemental syllabi is attitude. Why is this listed on a syllabus? How is this addressed in a classroom setting, especially in online learning? A great way to think about attitude is to think about what kind of people you would like to work with. Is it more pleasant to work with someone who is friendly and ready to tackle projects, or someone who is sarcastic and grumbling? Why wait until graduation to be the kind of employee that employers want to hire?

The classroom setting, whether online or in person, offers great opportunities to practice cultivating a positive attitude. In interactions with peers and instructors, being polite and positive will make your personality shine. It isn’t necessary to be overly chipper or falsely positive, however taking the time to reign in negative reactions will demonstrate a level of maturity employers value. Read the following short article for more ideas about how attitude impacts the workplace: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/negative-positive-attitudes-affect-workplace-21287.html

Enthusiasm

A related workplace capability also listed on supplemental syllabi is enthusiasm. Again, being over the top and inauthentic can be a turn off. Remember Nina, the perky accountant from the movie Office Space?

However, being eager to work, especially on a new and challenging project, sets you apart from others in the workplace. When employers are considering employees for a promotion, a person with a positive, enthusiastic attitude is more likely to be considered over an employee with similar skills and a less positive attitude. While it may seem challenging to convey these attributes in an online setting, there are concrete ways to accomplish this. Enthusiastic students email instructors to introduce themselves, post early in the discussion week and are polite and friendly in interactions with instructors and peers. In contrast, students who complain about coursework or are less than professional are damaging their relationships with others and missing a valuable opportunity to practice a positive attitude.

Interpersonal Skills

Both of these capabilities are related to interpersonal skills. Remember Milton from Office Space? No amount of productivity would compensate for his painful lack of social skills.

In our virtual world, we all have to try harder to work on interpersonal skills. Making eye contact, paying attention to the non-verbal cues of others and using reciprocity in conversation is essential for success in the workplace. If a co-worker asks you about your thoughts on a project, reciprocate the question after answering it. Reciprocity can easily be accomplished in an online setting.

Making a conscious effort to be enthusiastic and personable will make you shine as a job candidate, and ensure you make some great friends along the way!

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What is a virtual assistant?

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Interview on Oaxaca Travel and Policy

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