| | | Career GPS
"global positioning system for your future" Courtesy of WTAMU Career & Counseling Services | | 
Skills you learn in college and life without actually meaning to ... Interpersonal, communication, time management, etc. | | Volume 7, Number 6 November 2009 | | | | | | | "To listen well is as powerful a means of communication and influence as to talk well" | May 2008 Now a Critical Care Nurse at Northwest Texas Hospital. Read his candid responses to our questions about transitioning from college to the working world and about his health related career. | "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney | Pampa Regional Medical Center 
Pampa Regional Medical Center is a 115-bed acute-care community hospital serving a population of approximately 65,000 residents in the Texas Panhandle. Founded in 1950, Pampa Regional employs more than 275 full-time and part-time staff members many of whom are WTAMU graduates! PRMC takes an active role on the WT campus, visiting classes and attending job fairs among other activities. Visit their website for more information about this outstanding regional employer. | "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
- Anatole France
| | Nov. 5 - Fall Educator's EXPO
Nov. 9 - Mock Interviews
Nov. 12 - Nursing Career Fair
Dec. 1 - Mock Interviews
Dec. 2 - Stress Free Day sponsored by Student Counseling Services | "Don't waste time learning the "tricks of the trade. Instead, learn the trade."
- Anonymous
| | Jan 28 - Summer Camp Fair Feb 4 - Spring Career EXPO Feb 9 - Mock Interview Night Feb 25 - Nursing Career Fair Mar 8 - Mock Interview Night Apr 6 - Mock Interview Night Apr - Summer/Part Time Job
Apr 26 - Mock Interview Night | | | | | Greetings! You are receiving this newsletter because you have logged in to BuffJobs, the free resume and jobs database offered through the office of Career Services at West Texas A&M University. This month's theme is "Skills you learn in college and life without actually meaning to ... " - I hope you will find information you can use regardless of where you are in your education or job search. In addition, each month Career GPS will contain information about upcoming activities and events as well as day-to-day services available to you as a WTAMU student or alumnus registered with the Career Services office. Contact our office if we can assist you in ANY way in your job search or on a career-related matter. In case you haven't heard, we've moved to the first floor of the renovated Classroom Center. We hope you'll stop by and say "Hello!" next time you are on campus. Good luck and call or come by at your convenience. CCS Staff | | | Communication Styles - which is yours? In an interview process, communication is the primary vehicle for sealing a deal and getting noticed. However, our words alone are not enough to make a stand-out impression. It's all about our delivery that makes a memorable and favorable impact in an interview. Below are four communication styles and a look at how they work in an interview. Passive-Aggressive: People who communicate using this style believe they have a right to express their opinions and feelings, but refrain from doing so. Instead getting concerns out in the open, they resort to being agreeable to an employer's face, but criticizing and bad-mouthing around the water cooler. Employers may be cautious of passive-aggression as a predictor of a dishonest troublemaker. Assertive: For interpersonal as well as business  communication, assertiveness is ideal. Assertive people know their strengths and feel they have the right to express their own interests and opinions. They are open to hearing others' opinions or suggestions without feeling threatened. Assertive communicators leave a lasting impression of confidence, ability, and respectfulness to potential employers. Aggressive: This in-your-face style of communicating leaves a listener feeling intimidated, put-down, or down right mad. Using aggression is effective for making sure your voice is heard, but ineffective in making a positive impression on future employers.
Passive: Being passive in communication is a sign of low self-confidence. Passive interviewers are forgettable. Employers looking for pro-active, motivated employees will certainly overlook a passive interviewee.
Pay attention to your primary style of communication. Practice assertiveness in both your professional and personal conversations. Use this checklist to determine the effectiveness of your present communication skills, then read this article for more information on assertive communication. For help in developing assertiveness skills, contact Student Counseling Services at 806.651.2340 or in the Student Success Center on campus. | | Coping with Uncertainty
As a kid you may have played with an eight ball in order to answer the questions weighing on your mind. You may have  thought of a question such as "For Christmas, will I get those expensive tennis shoes I've been wanting". Then you shook the eight ball with both hands and looked at it, anxiously awaiting the answer.
Uncertainty makes it difficult to relax, plan for the future, or organize life. This can make us feel uncomfortable, stressed, and out of control. Many turn to horoscopes, or individuals to read a palm or tea leaves, or even flipping a coin to help find answers.
As humans, we tend to view the unknown as a negative. However the majority of the time the outcome is either neutral or positive, not negative. Yet we focus on the negative possibilities which add increases the stress. November 17th is National Coping with Uncertainty Day as there are a number of persons dealing with the negative affects of living in an uncertain world. It was Benjamin Franklin who stated that "nothing is certain except death and taxes".
There are ways to deal with the unpleasantness of uncertainty in our lives. Begin with sifting out the known from the unknown. When we are faced with elements of life that seem negative it can take over our thoughts. So remind yourself that you do have control over many other things in your life.
Gaining information can also ease the tension of uncertainty. If you aren't sure about something, ask others, research, search for a solution. You can also ask a valued friend or respected coworker to help you evaluate the situation. Sometimes having an outside opinion can help you gain perspective and often solutions to your questions. Lastly, give yourself a break. Do something to take your mind off of the worry and stressful thoughts for a little while. It will be a welcome break to your body and mind. Often when you return to your thoughts after a break you will have a fresh perspective. For more information read this Washington Post article. | | MANAGE YOUR TIME, MANAGE YOURSELF Time Management is more than just managing your time; it is managing yourself in relation to time. It is setting priorities and taking charge of your situation and time utilization.  It means changing those habits or activities that cause you to waste time. When you spend or waste time, there is no improvement in efficiency, productivity, or effectiveness. The good news is that it is never too late to learn how to effectively manage your time. Whether you tend to procrastinate or just let time slip by while checking out all your social networking websites - you can change your behavior. The first step is to look for ways you can save and invest time. To do this you must being willing to experiment with different methods and ideas to enable you to find the best way to make maximum use of time. Visit mindtools.com for more terrific information on managing your time. | | Tips for Surviving the holidays at home after living on your own at college Going home for the holidays can either be a joyous relief from the pressures you experience as a college student OR a nightmare of returning to structure and rules. Your parents and family may have a difficult time adjusting to  your newfound maturity and independence, so a bit of planning ahead can make the time more enjoyable for all of you. Gobble gobble and a Ho Ho Ho, y'all! | | | | | 
WTAMU Box 60728
Canyon, TX 79015
806.651.2345 phone
806.651.2925 fax
Physical location: Student Sucess Center
Classroom Center Suite 113
website: http://www.wtamu.edu/career
| | | | | | | West Texas A&M University | 2403 Russell Long Blvd. | VHAC Suite 210 | Canyon | TX | 79015 | |
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