Critique Magazine Fall 2012

Volume Vi, Spring 2013

Inside BSC SHAMELESS MONEY SAVING TIPS

DELILAH CRUZ BUILDING AN EMPIRE

HOw to HIghlight Your Resume

Penn State is the home of the

LARGEST ACTUARIAL SCIENCE

undergraduate program in the nation

BEING AN ACTUARY = MATH + RISK MANAGEMENT + STATISTICS + FINANCE + BUSINESS + ECONOMICS USE QUANTITATIVE SKILLS TO BECOME AN UNPARALLELED BUSINESS LEADER

http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/actsci/ facebook.com/PennStateActuarialScience

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COmposition of

Critique is the Pennsylvania State University’s first and only student-run business magazine. We are compromised of six committees: Ad Sales, Public Relations, Writing, Editing (including Photography), Event Management, and Thon. All the committees fall under one of three departments: Finance, Editorial, and Event.

PSU students Sami Badri, Ashrutha Ravimohan, and Valerie Etienne founded Critique in November 2009. Badri, Ravimohan, and Etienne wanted to create a magazine that students could rely on to become successful on campus and in the job market.

The Fall 2010 leadership team adopted three values that Critique will follow for years to come: Professionalism, Leadership, and Collaboration (PLC).

Professionalism. The organization functions as a professional entity.

Leaders receive feedback after everything they do, and end of the semester evaluations are mandatory.

Leadership. The president encourages all leaders to develop their members by empowering their responsibilities.

Collaboration. Critique is a small organization with many responsibilities; all committees know that they can depend on one another. Collaborations with members, external organizations, and Smeal Staff are highly valued as well.

Critique is a limited seat organization as only 50 seats are available.

The founders wanted to create an organization where everyone knew everyone. Committees are really small; therefore it is very obvious when a member is missing and it is very easy to reach out to them.

The first issue was released in April 2010 and was very well received.

During the fall 2010 semester, Critique focused a little more on giving back. The organization was an official sponsor of “A walk for a better Haiti” presented by Club Kreyol and conducted blood drives. In Spring 2011, with the theme of sustainability, Critique released their second magazine and held clothes drives throughout campus. In Fall 2011, with the leadership of Stacey Etienne, Critique released their third magazine with the theme of small businesses. The main story was on one of State College’s best small businesses, CATA and the feedback was by far the best yet. In Spring 2012, Critique released its fourth magazine with the theme of diversity. Three Penn State student leaders from diverse backgrounds graced the cover. For the first time, the leadership team took a risk having people on the cover contrary to our typical graphics.

The leaders of Critique in Fall 2012 decided unanimously to release every issue at the beginning of each semester as opposed to the end. This decision prevented Critique from releasing an issue in Fall 2012. With the theme of corporate life and environment, the fifth magazine is a great improvement from the last in both content and appeal.

With the intent to keep growing and improving, this issue is our proudest work yet. Critique is run like a business and just like any business, we will keep striving to achieve the impossible. We have many more issues to come.

President Stacey Etienne Vice President/ Event Chair Bhavya Malhotra, Treasurer/ Finance Chair Sydney Palmer, Secretary/ Writing Chair Joanne Augustin, Program Coordinator Amy Goldberg, THON Chair Amrita Ramachandran PR Head Brian Dubow, Ad Sales Head Jimmy Thelusca, Writing Head Gloria Fan, Design Head Kimberly Price Members: Anna Wildman, Holly Hou, Braydon Gemmill-Beck, Jay Vintimilla, Shamir Lee, Eric Hang, Erik Zalewski, Vanessa Li, Crystal Jones, Tamara Hall

The content and opinions of this publication reside solely with the authors and not the Pennsylvania State University or the University Park Allocation committee. FUNDED BY UPAC! Your student Activity Fee at Work.

Table of Contents Experience 12 14 15 16 18 20

Summer Semester: Florence, Italy Education and tourism A Business to Study Abroad The perks of studying abroad Bank of America From internship to full-time offer Trying Something New Behind the Scenes of Master Chef There’s a New designer in Town From fear to success Kayimit Hotel Bar & Grill A marketing international experience

B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I C AT I O N S 22 24 26 28

Embracing Challenges If you don’t understand, ask!

Highlight your Resume Tips on how to tweak your resume Dealing WITH difficult bosses Communication is key The Last First Impression Don’t compromise who you are

I N N O VAT I O N 3 8 User’s Guide to Linkedin Self-Marketing 4 0 a culture of innovation Challenges, solutions, and projects 4 1 Apps that can help in the workplace Utilizing technology

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 4 2 Executive Insights Jeff Immelt’s Story 4 4 Dunking for Dakota For The Kids 4 6 Inside BSC: The Umbrella Org Community, Unity, and Culture

PSU LIFE 48 50 51 52 54

Shameless Money Saving Tips Survivng in a rich man’s world What’s Your Motivation: The Senioritis Edition The finish line How to stay Healthy During Crunch-time Making good choices ZWOW Exercising made convenient Top 5 Study Places Find your new spot

3 0 ON THE ROAD TO BUILDING AN EMPIRE Delilah Cruz

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CRITIQUE PAGES

CRITIQUE PAGES

LEA D E R S o f

FROM LEFT: Amrita Ramachandran, Kimberly Price, Amy Goldberg, Brian Dubow, Jimmy Thelusca *Not Pictured: Gloria Fan

FROM LEFT: Joanne Augustin, Stacey Etienne, Sydney Palmer, Bhavya Malhotra

THON

What does THON mean to you?

Personally, THON is not only a philanthropic effort to battle pediatric cancer, but also a means of creating togetherness at Penn State. Every year, this incredibly large campus joins together for one mutual goal; we all share something so profound and unique to our school. THON to me means camaraderie and teamwork stitched together by strength and determination.

What did you enjoy most about being a THON Head?

President’s Letter Dear Readers, Thank you for reading the 6th issue of CRITIQUE. This edition is a great achievement for our organization. As the president and speaking on behalf of all the devoted members and leaders of CRITIQUE, I sincerely hope you find this publication informational, engaging and innovative as we intended it to be.

With valuable feedback from our past readers and the CRITIQUE’s team devoted effort, this issue with sizable improvement from the last we produced.

We never settle but strive to better our content and overall appeal after every magazine release. And, I believe that we have done it once again.

With hundreds of corporate recruiters coming to Penn State each semester,

numerous Penn State alumni work in corporate America and current Penn State students strive to acquire a corporate position in the near future. Due to the overwhelming student interest of corporate America, the leaders unanimously selected the theme, Corporate Life and Environment, for this issue.

Throughout this publication, Corporate Life and Environment is highlighted. From resume advice in order to stand out in the career fair, to a success story from an internship and obtaining a job offer, to advice for those interested in corporations are included. A very courageous student with successful corporate experience and an entrepreneurial drive is featured.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone who

contributed to the magazine. Thank you to the amazing CRITIQUE team.

Though relatively small in size, CRITIQUE members and leaders devoted endless hours to make this issue a reality. Thank you to our advisor Bill Lippert who graced us with his advice. Thank you to those who shared their stories and advice, acquired advertisements, and supported our efforts for this issue.

Sincerely,

I participated in my high school’s Dance Minithon as a dancer, but I was never behind the scenes planning events to raise money. Being a THON Head brings a large amount of self-satisfaction and accomplishment I had never experienced in years past.

Becoming a part of something that contributes to the well being of others, and getting more people involved in the efforts, is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had.

What is your most memorable event during canning?

Counting our total raised in such a short amount of time. In four short hours, we had raised more money than some had made through a whole weekend. I felt a great amount of pride in myself and Critique in that moment.

Please briefly explain CRITIQUE’s THON efforts.

Stacey Etienne President of Critique Magazine sae5120@psu.edu

CRITIQUE has participated in all fundraising options THON has to offer. We have gone canning, we have sent THONvelopes, and we are now in the process of sending out THONline

emails. For the future, CRITIQUE may be partnering with other Business organizations at Penn State to increase our fundraising efforts and spread the word about Dance Marathon.

How much did Critique raise so far?

At the moment we stand at $500.

However, in the next couple months before THON, we will be in the process of several fundraisers that will surely bring in more money for the cause.

Our President, Stacey Etienne, a senior majoring in Supply Chain had the opportunity to go canning. Below she expresses her thoughts on THON and her canning experience.

What is your most memorable event during canning?

The most memorable event during canning was conversing with a Penn State alumnus. She told me she never saw a canning group in her town before and she truly appreciates us coming to her town and spreading awareness. She really made me feel like I was making a difference.

Our Editorial Chair, Joanne Augustin, a senior triple majoring in Communication Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies, and French & Francophone Studies, also had the opportunity to reflect on what THON means to her and her experience canning.

What is your most memorable event during canning?

The most memorable event during canning was when a little boy ran out his house and ran to me to place some change in my can. He said, “This is all I had in my piggy bank.” I answered, “EVERYTHING COUNTS.” The smile that came across his face just lit my heart up. I knew that I was helping to make a change and it was refreshing to know that a child his age was so ready to give all his savings for a cause.

CRITIQUE PAGES

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CRITIQUE

Critique has been involved with THON since Fall 2012 in which the members of the THON committee helped raise $3,000. This year, Critique’s THON Head is Amrita Ramachandran, a freshman majoring in Nutritional Sciences. Below are her feelings towards THON and her goals for Critique this year.

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EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Gina Critelli

by Gina Critelli Senior, Finance & International Business

SUMMER SEMESTER FLORENCE, ITALY

How do I begin to put into words one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my life? I will start by stating that I am currently a senior in the Smeal College of Business majoring in Finance and minoring in International Business.

During the summer of 2011, between my sophomore and junior years, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, at the Institute of Palazzo Rucellai. I took a management course taught by a Smeal professor, plus an art history course taught by an Italian professor. During the art class, we spent our time touring beautiful art museums and cathedrals. I never really appreciated art until I was surrounded by a city filled with so much beauty.

I chose to study abroad during the summer semester because that is when

it fit best into my undergraduate class schedule. I met with the Smeal Study Abroad Advisers and the Study Abroad Peer Advisers when I was trying to choose a program that was best for me.

It was at this time that I learned about the Smeal study abroad programs held during the summer semester. The credits that I completed while abroad were applied towards my International Business minor. There are specific programs offered through Smeal that are great options for business majors.

While abroad, I lived in a typical Italian style apartment house in the heart of Florence. Eight other students from various universities shared the apartment with me. We began our journey together as strangers, but ended the summer as life-long friends. Every day was full of wonderful new experiences.

My daily walk to class was filled with

the sights and sounds of this gorgeous city in Tuscany, as well as my stops at an espresso cafÊ and the farmer’s market.

Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to see and do things that I never imagined. I traveled throughout Europe, floated on a gondola in the canals of Venice, made pizza in an Italian restaurant, gambled at the Monte Carlo Casino, hiked along the breathtaking coast of Southern Italy, and lots more. I grew so much in two short months. I strongly encourage every Penn State student to study abroad during their time as an undergraduate. It is a great opportunity to learn in a unique setting, while fully immersed in a different culture. Choosing to study abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made. The countless memories made are unmatched by any others. If you want to go abroad, there is always a way to make it possible!

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EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

SUMMER INTERNSHIP

WITH BANK OF AMERICA Based in Charlotte, NC

HRIM: Puerto Rico Summer, 2010 CIEE: Palma de Mallorca Summer, 2011 CIEE: Seville, Liberal Arts Spring 2012

A Business Approach to Studying Abroad

by Philip Wisner Senior, Marketing & Spanish

Probably one of the hardest things to do is summarize studying abroad in a couple sentences but I will try my best.

It is a life changing opportunity. Not only do you learn about a new culture, you learn about yourself. I know the experiences I have had abroad will help me personally and professionally in my future. International experience is very important to me because the economy is becoming more and more global.

While abroad I was able to complete my International Business minor by taking a class about the history and formation of the European Union. This helped me to better understand the current economic problems in the European Union. I am now more comfortable discussing business aspects of the European Union, which is beneficial since

many companies conduct operations globally. Going abroad and understanding foreign cultures and ideas is invaluable, not only in order to bring the world closer but also in expanding your global knowledge. If you are unsure or considering studying abroad and have the time and resources to go abroad, do it!

There are plenty of people at Penn State who can help answer your questions and guide you in your path to studying abroad. Smeal students are constantly challenging themselves to further their knowledge and professional skills. Studying Abroad is a great way to gain an edge in the increasing competitive job market. So being a Smeal student should not discourage you from studying abroad but rather encourage you. So if you are interested, take a look at the global programs website, meet with your advisor and get started on a life changing opportunity.

by Stacey Etienne Senior, Supply Chain & Information Systems

Reflecting on my internship with Bank of America is so surreal. I was given an opportunity that I had only dreamed of; the actual experience greatly exceeded my expectations. My first 9 to 5 job experience was demanding and informative, but it was mainly enjoyable. Thankfully, Bank of America also enjoyed my contributions and I was given a full-time offer that I gladly accepted.

My journey started with career fairs.

Smeal College of Business is known worldwide for its impressive supply chain program. Thus, over 50 corporate recruiters will come to its atrium to select Supply Chain students for internships, co-ops, and full time positions. As a junior, internships were more appealing to me than co-ops. Co-ops required taking a semester off and my personal goal was to graduate with my class in spring 2013. But, I would not steer anyone away from co-ops. Internships were my preference.

In spring 2012, as a junior, I was determined to be one of those students who had a summer internship. Since so many opportunities are given to supply chain students, I wanted to take full advantage. I was fully prepared for

the fair. Professors, advisors, and peers reviewed my resume. I narrowed my companies to my top 20 and did intense research on my top 10. With my elevator speech ready, I felt confident talking to recruiters.

After a very successful fair and a handful of interviews, Bank of America gave me the opportunity to intern with their Enterprise Services department.

The 10-week summer program was based in Charlotte, NC. I was beyond thrilled. I was up for the challenge of the unknown in such a beautiful city.

As an intern, I worked with the Global Records Management division within the Enterprise Services department. I had four projects that endured the entire summer. I assessed various supplier documentations such as contracts, periodic evaluations, and audit readiness files. I verified the documents’ completeness and ensured the application of all bank standards and requirements. I also constructed an intranet site for the Global Records Management team.

My projects were my priority but I also took time to network, attend various executive speeches, and visit Charlotte’s attractions. Networking with managers, associates, and executives was much easier than I once

believed. All the successful Bank of America professionals I encountered with were willing to share their experiences and provide advice to newcomers like myself. Executive speeches provided me with a broad outlook of the bank outside of the Enterprise Services department.

Lastly, I enjoyed my time in Charlotte. I went horseback riding, ate at some of the best restaurants the city had to offer, and visited some of Charlotte’s most beautiful attractions. I also appreciate that many career driven young professionals like myself reside in Charlotte. Looking forward, I’ve realized that surrounding myself by motivated young professionals can only help my career.

My advice to students would be do your research, get advice, and network.

Research on your major and opportunities available to you (internships, co-ops, or full-time positions), you should know as much as possible on your future career. This is your time to take charge of your future. Get advice from peers, advisors, professors, and recruiters, you will quickly find out that there’s never enough advice especially when it comes from people who have what you want. Finally, you need to network. Networking will only carry you along your career, so why not start now?

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EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

TAKING CHANCES AND TRYING SOMETHING NEW

by Gloria Fan Senior, Print Journalism

Internship with International Channel Shanghai in Shanghai, China In the spring semester of my junior year, I knew that I had to look for a summer internship. For the past two summers, I had already done two study abroad programs. My goal before graduating was experiencing an extraordinary internship that would either help me explore a career or strengthen my main interest in print journalism.

After reviewing a few of the daily emails from the College of Communications about internships and job openings, I narrowed it down to a few internships I might like and sent my applications in.

Four weeks later, I got my first response. The response was for a twomonth summer internship as a production assistant in Shanghai for Shanghai

Media Group for their channel: International Channel Shanghai. I never had any broadcast experience, but I was willing to try it out. I had passed the first round of interviews and they wanted me to submit a clip of any broadcasting work I might have had. Although I had never done any broadcast work, I did not lose hope. I told them of my lack of experience and my willing to try out something new. A few days later, I surprisingly got an email back from them stating that they wanted me and if I wanted to accept the offer. They also chose one other person in Penn State that would follow me to the channel.

Without hesitation, I accepted the offer. Since it was early April, I was not going to wait for any more responses.

I was ecstatic and nervous at the same time..

The day I arrived in Shanghai, the human relations director briefed us on

what our main projects would be. She told us that we both were assigned to separate departments: my colleague was to work in the visual department, and I was going to work on a production. I choked when I heard the name of the production. It was MasterChef China. Just a few days ago, I was intently watching and following MasterChef America at home and now, I was going to work in the China version of the show.

Even if I only held an intern position with International Channel Shanghai on the filming of MasterChef China, I was put in the most strenuous team: the food production team. Without that team, there would be no show. There would be no ingredients, no appliances, no challenges, no kitchens, no utensils, and no pantry. We were the team that would be in charge of making sure that the show had enough ingredients, mak-

ing the ingredient list of each challenge, making sure that all kitchen items were placed correctly in each kitchen, and so much more.

Being in the food team also meant that I had to come into the filming site at least two hours before the rest of the film crew and were one of the last ones to leave. In my two months, there were more than eight days in which we worked 20 hours straight with only 15-minute breaks for meals. Our longest working day was 30 hours long.

But even with the stress and lack of sleep, I was more than happy that I was working in that team. This internship not only taught me that teamwork and responsibility both are especially important in any job, but that in the work place, you must be hardworking and professional. On the first day, I took a bold move and introduced myself to the over 200 member filming crew. This

actually gave me a strong advantage. My introduction made me communicate with the entire filming crew better and soon, even if I was supposed to only concentrate on the food production team, I was working on several other production teams and even with the VIP guests and celebrity judges. Because of my proficiency in both English and Chinese, I was also often the translator and host for the VIP guests, which included people such as the managing consultant of the studio behind the MasterChef show, and the director of MasterChef America.

The show also had several offsite shooting locations, which gave me an opportunity to take several flights with the entire team. One of our offsite locations was in Dunhuang, China. Since the shoot was in the middle of the Gobi desert, the crew experienced severe sand storms and temperatures that reached

115 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though conditions were harsh for almost all of the offsite locations, the entire show was on a strict deadline. Nothing could stand in our way of filming.

Truly, my two-month internship flew by. Although I could not stay till the last day of the filming, I was glad that I got to keep in touch with the head staff of the filming crew. Now, my mentor still sends me links in which the episodes of the show are showing and various clips of the behind-the-scenes since I am in many of them. Even with my print journalism background, this internship motivated me to try the broadcast and film side of television and journalism.

Deep down, I think that it may be my true calling and all I did was go for it.

You might never know: take chances because even one small chance might take you far.

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EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

by Daba Kora Junior, Management

There’s a New Designer in Town

Something that started off as just a vision in my dorm room freshmen year, has taken on a whole new life recently and it’s happening faster than I’d ever imagine. My name is Daba Kora and I am the founder and CEO of Purple Planes Co. I established Purple Planes in 2010 as something that was essentially a form of a hobby.

Little did I know, I was about to take on a business venture that will would become a nationwide trend.

Since the creation of Purple Planes, I’ve been blessed to have my products featured in fashion shows in Philadelphia the past two years. I’ve met with various celebrities such as Will Smith, Reverend Run and Wiz Khalifa. They all highly support the meaning of Purple Planes and have shared their excitement in seeing a young entrepreneur making his dreams come true. It is with great pleasure to state that since I’ve launched the clothing site (www.purpleplanesco.com), my sales went from statewide to nationwide. I have customers from major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and even Miami! Since the rise of consumer action has taken place, the rise of receiving positive feedback on the quality of my apparel has also risen.

For my business, that has been the most rewarding. I believe strongly in customer satisfaction, and that means more to my company than any type of popularity profit. To me, this is just the beginning.

My business colleagues and I believe that Purple Planes is more than clothing and entertainment; we believe that we are a culture. The

point of Purple Planes isn’t just to be a hot commodity for the consumers but it is in fact limited. Each line released has an inspirational meaning that has been following my vision of having a respectable and unique brand.

Many have asked: why did I name my clothing company Purple Planes?

Well first, purple has been my favorite color throughout my life and secondly, many do not know, but growing up I had the biggest fear of planes. The thought of even being on a flight was petrifying and I honestly believed that I would never get over the fear.

Eventually, I did have to fly in a plane for a family trip and I had to repeatedly tell myself over and over again that everything will be okay and that I will get through it. It was in fact a successful flight and that overpowering feeling of relief rushed through me immediately as soon as I stepped foot off of the plane. It was right then when I realized I could really overcome anything and do everything I set my mind to. I just have to consistently remind myself “I can get through it”.

Taking something that I loved growing up and molded it with something I feared growing up, that is how I came up with the name Purple Planes. We all have to eventually overcome our fears in order to excel in life. When I wear my Purple Planes gear, the story of me overcoming my fear is constantly reminded. I know everyone has their own story to tell and I want them to think about any and everything they’ve overcame while wearing my clothes.

I know I was able to conquer my fear and I was able to build a nationwide company off of one fear alone.

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EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Summer Intership at Kayimit HOtel Bar & Grill

by Joanne Augustin Senior, Communications Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies, and French & Francophone Studies

This past summer, I had the opportunity to work as a Marketing Intern at Kayimit Hôtel Bar & Grill. This beautiful hotel and restaurant is located in Gressier, Haïti. It is a fairly young business. It celebrated it’s one year anniversary during my time there as an intern.

My responsibilities included handling all promotional materials such as the website, the various PowerPoints presented to prospective clients, flyers and brochures. When I wasn’t working on the marketing ends of things, I was updating and setting up the hotel and restaurant’s templates including invoices, contracts, check-in/check-out sheets, inventory sheets, etc.

I also was considered the liaison between Kayimit and prospective clients. Due to my organizational communication background, I was selected

Based in Gressier, Haïti

to be the direct contact whose job was to turn prospective clients into actual clients. The hotel and restaurant functioned in their respectable domain, but because of it’s beautiful location, many non-profit organizations and other businesses wanted to use the space as a venue. Their initial contact was myself.

I held several business presentations for these prospective clients, including walking tours of the venue, discussion of contracts, a PowerPoint presentation consisting of images of previous conferences and corporate dinners held at the venue. But, businesses and non-profits weren’t the only ones interested in Kayimit as a venue, many people came to the business inquiring about weddings, baptisms, communions, etc.

All of these events that wanted to be catered were provided food by the restaurant portion of the business.

Kayimit Bar & Grill is known in the area for it’s elegant presentation of wonder-

ful traditional Haitian dishes such as, Poulet Boucané, Griot, and Riz Colé.

In Haïti, the official languages are French and Haitian Creole. I am fluent in both. This not only helped me in interacting with the locals, but also in translating the various documents.

Every document or template was made available in French, Haitian Creole, and English. Translating these was one of my major projects during my time there. The translation is extremely important, especially when it comes to contracts. The information presented must be clear and concise, so that there is no confusion.

One of my major projects was planning and executing the 1-year anniversary of Kayimit Bar & Grill. After a series of meetings with the management team, we came up with a concrete plan of action for the event. It would be culturally themed. We collaborated with many cultural groups in the area, such

as dance groups, spoken word performers, actors and actresses, etc. During the event, there were various cultural acts that demonstrated Haiti’s rich and long history and also the history of the town itself, Gressier. The title of the event was Ann Vann Gressier-Haitian Creole for “Let’s Sell Gressier”-. It was a free event and people were offered drinks and appetizers. I was in charge of managing the acts. I had to hold auditions and schedule dress rehearsals. I created and designed the invitations and programs for the events. I also drafted the menu with the executive chef at the restaurant. The event was beyond a success. Afterward, the clientele increased tremendously.

I value this experience so much for what it has taught me. I learned that I am a great multi-tasker and that with great time management skills, drive, and accuracy, any project can be executed in an efficient and effective way.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 23

22 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

EMBRACING CHALLENGES AND

FAILURES IN THE

WORKPLACE

by Vanessa Li Sophomore, Communications

Working at a corporate office or any workplace can be a daunting experience, especially for new interns or first-timers at work. You will most likely be given assignments or projects you have no idea how to complete, and there is a chance that you will panic. I know that the thought of messing up and embarrassing yourself in front of all your peers is not exactly pleasant. I have worried and fussed about projects and making mistakes at the office, and it can definitely be stressful to think about.

Despite this, I came to understand a few key points in regards to overcoming challenges and failures at work, and how making mistakes may not be as traumatizing as one may imagine.

First and foremost – if you do not understand something, ask! Kerry Guerin, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering who worked at Admore Air-Conditioning Corporations this summer, said, ”When I was working on a project that I didn’t know too much about, I would go and look for my coworker and clarify any questions I had.” It is always better to be certain about a project you are working on, instead of taking guesses about what you are supposed to be doing. You definitely do not want to realize at the last minute that you have completed your project with irrelevant or incorrect information. Additionally, there

is nothing wrong in asking coworkers questions about an assigned project.

They will most likely be more grateful that you are trying to complete your project accurately.

However, if you do manage to make a mistake, be honest about it. One small lie may escalate into bigger problems later in your working career. To be able to be truthful about a failure you commit, that is a valuable quality. Even though it may be first instinct to blame it on someone else or make excuses, in doing so you may lose the trust of your coworkers, and it may also lessen your chances of receiving more projects in the future.

Finally, take a breather – there is no need to over think about a mistake that you have made. It is most probable that the mistake that you made was not as a big of a problem as it seems. Instead of beating yourself up over it, focus on quickly correcting whatever it was you done wrong. Being able to show that you can immediately recover from failures is also another important trait that anyone should have.

If these key points are kept in mind, I believe that it will be less horrifying to embrace future challenges that come your way. Just remember, there is nothing wrong with making mistakes. You have to remember that everybody starts somewhere, and making mistakes is one aspect of growth that every one experiences and goes through.

Highlight YOUR RESUME

by Joanne Augustin Senior, Communications Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies, and French & Francophone Studies

As a senior, preparation for life post-graduation is at the top of my to-do list. What does that preparation entail? : Finding and obtaining a respectable job to be the first stepping-stone of the path towards a long and prosperous career.

What are the first steps in the job search?

•Research the type of work you would like to be doing.

•Then, research the field in which that work pertains to.

•Finally, research the companies that can offer you the work in said field.

Every year, Penn State holds two career fairs, one in Fall and the other in Spring, in the BJC, where over 100 companies send recruiters to meet and speak with students seeking full-time/parttime, internships, and co-op positions for both non-technical and technical fields.

These career fairs are a great opportunity to not only be active in your job search, but to also network with companies that you see yourself working for. I am sure that most of these companies are aware of Penn State being ranked by the Wall Street Journal as “#1 among career recruiters.”

I attended this year’s Fall 2012 Non-Technical Career Fair at the BJC.

Before attending, I went to the Bank of America Career Services Center and met with a career counselor to review my resume. Below are some tips that I was given to highlight my resume, in other words, how to have certain things on my resume stand out more than others at first glance.

Tip #1 •Bold. If the recruiter had fifteen seconds to scan your resume and had to get a sense of what you have done during your student career at Penn State and was only looking at items that stood out, what would you bold?

•Bold your categories (objective, edu cation, work experience, etc).

•Bold your name at the top of your resume.

•Bold your “Expected Graduation” date.

•Bold your concentration in your major. (i.e: B.A in Communications Arts & Sciences- concentration in Organizational Communication) •Bold the company that you work or worked for and the position that you hold or held. (i.e: E-Learning French Tutor Assisting students in overcom ing language barriers in order to be successful in their courses)

in highlighting your resume. How? The more consistent your resume, the more “ reader-friendly” it becomes. Disorganization can become distracting to a recruiter and can take away the focus of the great accomplishments you have presented in your resume.

•Follow a chronological format.

•Follow the “action word” stylistic for mat (starting your descriptive sen tences of your tasks for a certain position with an action word like “Delegated”).

•Follow consecutive layout including margins, font type, font size, spacing, bullet points, etc.

Tip #3 •Use Resume Paper. Presentation is KEY! First Impressions last a lifetime.

I hope that these tips have given you a better idea on how to tweak your resume and how to highlight it in order to catch the eye of a recruiter. For more information, stop by the Bank of America Career Services Center for Drop-In Counseling.

Hours: 8:00a.m. – 5p.m Weekdays Until 7:00p.m on Tuesdays Also visit: studentaffairs.psu.edu/career

Tip #2 •Be Consistent. Consistency can aid

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 25

24 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

How to

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 27

26 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

How to Deal with Difficult

Bosses and Co-workers

by Crystal Jones, Junior, Print Journalism & Spanish

Sooner or later, we will be entering the workforce in some capacity. Some of us may already be a part of it through our experiences in part-time jobs and internships. Whatever the case may be, an important component of working at any job is learning how to effectively communicate and work with co-workers and bosses.

Dennis Gouran, a professor of Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Labor and Employment Relations (LER), said that most workplace problems could be solved by learning how to effectively communicate and understanding how your position in the organization relates to others’. According to Gouran, problems can start when there is a perception of unfairness on the part of one person or a group of people.

“Perceptions of reality are what people act on,” Gouran said.

‘Unfairness’ may actually be a different way in how a leader may interact with team members differently in what has been coined as ‘leader-member exchange theory’. Leaders may develop closer relationships with advisors or assistants they work closely with. As a result, an ‘in-group’ is created in which

those employees may work harder, get more responsibility with tasks, share administrative duties, and more.

Conversely, the employees in the ‘outgroup’ are given low levels of responsibility, choice, or influence within the organization.

“To a lot of people, difference implies inequity,” Gouran said. “That’s what people really mean when they talk about unfairness.”

When faced with this, the employees in the out-group tend to conform to the most basic requirements of the job description. If they won’t be trusted with a lot of responsibility, then they see no reason to perform at a high level since there will be no reward for their performance. After a certain period of time, those employees will begin to disengage from the inner group and superiors. Then when the superior sees that certain employees don’t perform at a high level, they will begin to reciprocate in a similar manner.

But knowing this now before entering the professional workplace and falling into this cycle is a major step in learning how to deal with those difficult bosses and co-workers. Gouran had several pieces of advice for future leaders and those who may be dealing with those leaders.

Leaders: 1. Know what you’re getting into before you take steps. This goes for accepting a role higher up in the organization that may require more leadership skills to solving a problem within the office. Try to gather as much information as possible and try not to assume anything.

2. Accent difference rather than value judgment. There are no traits or roles that make one person better than another. Appreciate the difference by focusing on what the employees can bring to the table.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 29

28 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

by Shamir Lee Junior, Advertising

The Last

First Impression

Sometimes we feel pressured into changing ourselves in order to impress those people. You know what people I’m talking about. Future bosses and coworkers, classmates and professors, those sorority girls and frat guys, potential friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and sometimes, even our own family members. We lose ourselves in the process.

We try to look the part, act the part, rehearsing unknowingly for years to become the part. But what is ‘the part’?

Why do we have to try to be anything other than ourselves?

In the professional world first impressions are definitely important, you can’t deny it. But a first impression

shouldn’t be about trying to win “those people” over. It should come naturally.

Your passion and enthusiasm should exude from within. Forcing it, although it might get you quick results in the beginning, won’t secure longevity.

Eventually, those people you worked so hard to impress will see through the facade. People like authenticity. People like a genuine spirit.

So when you’re vying for a position at a new company, don’t compromise who you are. Do what’s necessary to make that good first impression. Show respect. Dress modestly. Show your enthusiasm. But don’t let go of your personality. We’re all different. We were all given our distinct personalities for specific reasons and we’re supposed to let

them shine. Believe it or not, it’s you, the inner you, that people truly respect. Not all the organizations you were involved in, not the amount of internships you completed, and not the brand of the suit you wore to the interview. These aspects can be of great help, but who you are inside, as cheesy as it sounds, is the most important aspect of all. It’s rare in this time to come upon a true genuine spirit. But when people do, they remember. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” And being yourself, as proven by all of the great leaders who have come and gone on this earth, will bring you the greatest success.

ON THE ROAD TO BUILDING AN EMPIRE

by Gloria Fan Senior, Print Journalism

Delilah Cruz had no idea what was coming for her. A media studies major and a senior, she’s probably one of the youngest people I know that has already become a founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization by the age of 21.

She’s passionate and confident in her work and one can easily see that in her poise and smile. You can even see that same passion in her signature for her email: “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.”

- E. M. Forster Delilah grew up building leadership skills that would be excellent for the workplace. For over eight years, Delilah had been serving on various executive boards for school organizations.

Delilah took those skills she learned into her first communications related paid experience. The job was for Amer-

ican Idol (AI) as production assistant.

Although there were long and strenuous hours that came from being part of a production crew, she always made sure that the producers knew that she was willing to stay extra hours or could help in getting extra work done. She wanted to obtain as much experience as she could and one of the ways to achieve that was by standing out from the other production assistants. From her hard work, she received an email stating that she was amongst the few that had been issued a call back to work the judging round. Later, she was promoted again to being the casting director’s assistant where she dealt with paperwork for all the finalists that made it to the Hollywood round. To her, the highlight of working for American Idol was getting the opportunity to meet Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson.

While reminiscing about her work in American Idol (AI), Delilah’s eyes would

dazzle with fascination. She grew to love working in the entertainment industry and loved the fact that the lifestyle was continuously moving and fast-paced.

During that same summer, she also had the opportunity to assist with the live production with myTV WHVL live fourth fest firework show, which helped her strengthen even more skills in the broadcast field.

From her resume, one can see that Delilah was right when she says that she likes a fast-paced and continuously moving lifestyle. She is currently the Account Associate for the Dream Agency (State College Branch), a virtual intern for Braathe Enterprises, and a program representative for Karmaloop. com.

“It is a curse yet a blessing that I never feel satisfied with what I have and just continue to strive for more, because there’s always more that can be done.

That’s the immaculate thing about being

a communications major! There are no limitations on what you can learn!”

Before coming to college, Delilah always wanted to enter some type of entrepreneurial work. She never knew exactly what it was that she wanted to do. She describes herself as self-motivated and has a determined mind-set.

She doesn’t see herself working under someone for the rest of her life.

So what motivated her to start her own nonprofit organization? It all started in Fall 2011 when she was taking a class in Penn State. The class was Race Relations and was taught by a well-known professor and sociologist, Sam Richards.

In that class, Delilah completed a project about Haiti’s poor conditions and found a way that people can contribute money to help Haiti. Her project also included a YouTube video in which she talks about Haiti and how people can donate money. After her video went viral, she was surprised to see that peo-

ple were actually donating money.

With this project, she has acquired extreme passion and energy and decided to make it her life’s work. She called her project a Dream Dedicated to Change (DDC), which actually are also the initials of her name. All of the money currently being donated is being sent to Haiti and next, she would like to help India. However, her final goal for DDC is to raise funds through various events to help feed children around the world. Right now, she is arranging a concert that will have poets, singers, and more help to raise money for a particular country. This concert will be her first large event and she plans on having it in Philadelphia, her hometown, at the beginning of next year. If DDC becomes more successful in the future, she does plan on putting the home base of DDC in Philadelphia.

I decided to talk with Delilah right before her photo shoot and ask her a few questions.

On this issue of Critique, our main theme is Corporate Life and Environment. How do you manage your employees and what is your managing strategy?

Right now, I do not have a board of directors just yet but having Sam Richards by my side helping me is a great advantage. I am now setting up several fundraising events that can be held around the area. I keep in touch with my employees through email, conference calls, or calls. Technology is a great thing these days, isn’t it?

What strategies have you acquired that have contributed to your success today?

Everyone I have worked with wanted to make sure that I should not lose focus and to stay passionate and motivated. I’ve been reminded many times to release all negativity in my life and to always chase after what I want.

How has your Penn State education help you in your current position?

I will have to say that Sam Richards, my professor for my Race Relations class, and networking with Dean Selden in the College of Communications. They both are great mentors and lecturers who constantly told me not to lose focus. In the beginning, since I really did not have a business plan, I took every advice I could get and am glad that I have benefited from them.

How do you manage the demands of balancing school and having such an important role in your nonprofit organization?

Currently, everything is in building status. All meetings are either by phone or emails – definitely through technol-

ogy. It’s easy for me to just check and answer my emails through my phone.

The organization is virtual right now. So it’s not too bad now.

What challenges have you had when forming your nonprofit organization?

A definite challenge I had was establishing the name for DDC. I had lawyers help me with everything. They helped me answer questions on what I could do and what I could not do. Right now, I have been working with them for a month and a half and they have been a great help for me. Another challenge is waiting for the finalization of DDC to be considered official. The process takes a year and I submitted the application in April 2012.

Where do you aspire DDC to be in 5 years?

I don’t know. I will start a broadcast show in January of 2013 and will speak with people in the entertainment industry about contributing to these countries that need help. In the future, I do want to start a clothing line and open a chain of boutiques in which a percentage of that revenue will go to DDC to keep the organization alive. Also, I definitely want to move to Los Angeles to establish a better network of the entertainment industry for DDC. What is your message to others that are aspiring to be in the position you are in today?

Stay motivated. Don’t let anything stop you and don’t let go of anything you are passionate about. This is a dream that I know will soon become a reality because I did not lose focus of it. It is exciting to receive so much support in helping prepare for it all! I consider myself very blessed to have gained the experiences I have along with meeting the people such as mentors and great networks to help me get to where I am today.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVQ7ZiBteqY to check out DDC

INNOVATION

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38 INNOVATION

LinkedIn User’s Guide

A New Method to Enhancing Your Networking Skills

by Joanne Augustin Senior, Communications Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies, and French & Francophone Studies

LinkedIn is one of the top social media networks that companies are using for recruitment. It currently has over 140 million members, of which a large percentage is companies. The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network held an info session on October 2, 2012, where Elif Balin, a Career Counselor, provided students with a User’s Guide to LinkedIn. Why use LinkedIn? 1.80% of successful job applications are coming from social networking.

2.It is a method to connect with companies on a more PERSONAL level (enables you to tell the company what you LIKE about them) 3.LinkedIn is for EVERYONE and

is NOT according to major, mostly resolved around SKILLS. In order to understand the advantages of networking, we must first understand what it is.

What is Networking?

•An art of building alliances that are MUTUALLY supported and benefi cial to the parties involved.

The key word here is “mutually”.

This means that there needs to be efforts from BOTH parties. Networking is a two-way street; the goal is BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. A common myth about Networking is that you just ask the company or it’s recruiter one or two questions and gather information. An example of this is going to the career fair and asking

recruiters information about their application process and deadlines.

This is NOT networking; this is just gathering information. Networking requires building a relationship with that recruiter. For example, asking that recruiter for their business card and following up with them after your further research of the company will be a step toward building a relationship. If you play your cards right, this recruiter may even end up being one of your references when you do actually apply for that position at the company.

Networking Involves: •Establishing goals (what posi tion are you looking for, what area of expertise) •Practicing & developing your people & communication skills (Professionalism)

•A commitment to building and nur turing your network OVERTIME (It is not only about establishing relationships, but also MAINTAIN ING them.

Examples of Everyday Networking •Student Organizations •Department Listservs •Events held by your college These examples are areas that condone interaction. Here you can meet new contacts through friends, peers, and faculty and BUILD YOUR NETWORK. Why use Social Media to find jobs?

1.There are Head Hunters, people who look for peoples’ profiles that would be in interest of a company. The key point is that THEY SEARCH FOR

YOU! 2.89% of US Company recruiters currently plan to use Social Media as a tool for recruitment.

How to make Social Media Work for You •The Rule of the Game is to MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE! How do you do this? Make your LinkedIn profile tailor to the companies you are targeting.

Tips for your LinkedIn Profile •Create a Profile Summary that HIGHLIGHTS what you can offer.

•Personalize your email to potential connections/recommenders.

•Keep your profile CURRENT & ATTRACTIVE (Well-Organized/ Easy to Navigate) •Add extra-curricular.

On LinkedIn you must know the person’s email to CONNECT with them. (This encourages you to get in contact with people by sending them a message, further INCREASING YOUR NETWORK! LinkedIn is very interactive. The more you search companies and/or people, the more it gets to know you and what you like. This allows it to show you companies that you may be interested in following on your homepage. Also, it will show you who the people that you are connected with are following or who they have just linked up with.

LinkedIn also gives a list of your Alumni that are with the company that you are researching. This enables you to reach out to your Alum and BUILD YOUR NETWORK. If you play your cards right, you may be able to have them read over your résumé or cover letter and get feedback.

INNOVATION

41

40 INNOVATION

New Apps

THAT CAN HELP IN THE

WORKPLACE

by Tamera Hall Junior, Broadcast Journalism & English

HOW TO CREATE A Culture OF INNOVATION

by Crystal Jones, Junior, Print Journalism & Spanish

Innovation is something we have all heard about at one time or another. But what exactly is innovation? And how is it important to our workplaces? In the article, “How to Create a Culture of Innovation” By Stephen Shapiro, he defines innovation as “organization’s ability to adapt and evolve repeatedly and rapidly to stay one step ahead of the competition.” However, Shapiro says that innovation is not solely about new ideas and concepts. Innovation needs to have a process in order to work properly.

The three key steps that Shapiro points out as crucial to innovation are: 1. Focus on the “right” challenges 2. Find appropriate solutions to those challenges 3. Implement the best solutions When that process is successfully completed, the business or organization

will have a “portfolio” of challenges, solutions, and projects.

All organizations have challenges.

The organization’s ability to change is dependent on its ability to identify and solve challenges. These challenges can be found anywhere, from employees to customers to shareholders to consultants to anyone or anything else involved in the organization or company. It’s obvious that a long list of problems could be generated that the organization could spend a lot of time solving them. Shapiro says that a common problem for organizations is the inability to prioritize and determine which challenges should be solved in order to create the greatest value to the organization.

As Albert Einstein put it, ““If I had an hour to save the world, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute finding solutions.” Once you find the right problems to solve, Shapiro says

that then the organization can go about finding solutions.

Every challenge has multiple solutions. Shapiro says that some of the most basic solutions involve either having an internal or external individual or group to devise solutions. For example, having someone in the customer service department come up with an idea for the branding department. Or that same problem could be outsourced to an outside individual or group. Regardless of the technique, the portfolio of solutions will be created.

The last step is creating that portfolio of projects by turning the ideas into reality. At this point, Shapiro says that it is critical to track the value proposition of each project and change direction as needed. As a final take-away, Shapiro has this to say, ““When the pace of change outside your organization is faster than the pace within, you will be out of business.”

If you own a smartphone, you’re most likely aware of the fact that there is a vast amount of apps available on the market. With so many to choose from—and even more becoming available everyday—you are likely to get lost in the huge quantity of games, music, news, entertainment and even more categories of apps!

Since we at Critique Magazine love all things new, business savvy and useful, we’ve put together a list of the top 6 newest iPhone and Android apps that will help to in the workplace.

Newest iPhone Apps Walker is a smart app that walks you through daily tasks. It’s great for anyone who wants a guided way to get organized. You can add tasks to Walker’s Inbox from Siri, iCloud.com or your Mac’s reminders app.

PDF Reader offers a great combo that gets all of your work done on the go. You can covert a variety of formats and files, sign PDF forms, sync files and folders on your device through iCloud, share files on Dropbox and GoogleDocs, and more!

Splashtop is an easy and fast way to

access your Mac or Windows PC from your iPhone or iPad. This app can be used to access your computer on the local network, with great video and audio streaming performance, Microsoft Office Suite and PDF viewing and editing and full browser access with Flash/Java support. There’s 100 percent compatibility with all of your programs and files including PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Word. It’s like putting your Mac or PC into your pocket!

Newest Android Apps The Google Calendar app displays events from each of your Google accounts that synchronizes with your Android device. With this app, you can also create, edit, and delete events and view all of your calendars at the same time, including non-Google calendars.

SkyDrive is an app that gives you a place to store your files so that you can access them from virtually any device.

You can easily access and share files on the go.

PocketCloud is an app that provides you with a unified view of all of your remote computers from your Android device. With this app, you can open remote files and create folders.

Smeal’s Special Edition of Executive

INSIGHT Featuring Jeff Immelt: Chairmen and CEO of GE

Who is Jeff Immelt and what is his story?

Immelt studied math in college, graduated in 1982, and started his career in sales. Early in his career, his boss asked him to abruptly move and fix a failing project. Doing that is what ultimately made him the CEO. Looking back, Immelt cited this job as a critical experience in his journey toward becoming CEO. He made sure to add, “Tough jobs are what make you a CEO”. GE is the second-biggest exporter. One of his goals as CEO of GE is to try to make a big company seem small through transparency. He always strives to give employees constant access to everything the company is doing by doing things like blogging on a regular basis. This allows him to construct the work culture that encompasses the “We” mentality. He believes in creating personal ties with his employees. He is known as “Jeff” around the office. GE culture is about believing in a search for a better way. It is mission based with problem-solving values. Immelt also

Jeff Immelt’s Advice to Students: Below are a few quotes that Jeff Immelt wanted to make sure to share with students.

“Get yourself ready, don’t be afraid, have confidence!”

“We (GE) need your confidence, spirit, and skills.”

“Success starts with curiosity and a thirst to learn.”

“GE values people who still want to learn.”

“Always be searching for the next

big idea.” is to say thank you for the contributions that Penn State has given to GE. In return, “Have persistence and be willing to during his trip to Penn State he presented keep trying.” $400,000 in donations for scholarships and research on behalf of GE. While on “Business is not about perfection.” the topic of GE’s satisfaction with Penn “Care about others, be a learner, be State Recruitment, Immelt added “Hurry persistent.” up and graduate. I’m getting tired. Let’s go”.

“This generation entering the

Day in the Life of Jeff Immelt:

workforce has to have an appreciation for science and technology

A typical day starts off with Immelt waking up at 5:15am. He then gets in his daily hour morning workout while catching up on the latest news on CNBC, reading, or just listening to his favorite music on his iPod. He mentioned what an impressive multi-tasker he is. He is in the office by 7:30am every day. His typical days at the office involve numerous meetings ranging from conference calls to video chats. Even when not in the office, he is always on the job. He travels 60% of the time and half of that is international.

A lot of his schedules while traveling are comprised of numerous speeches and dinners..

(globalization and science are getting big).”

“Need to hang around with smart people doing interesting stuff.”

“Giving an example of success, he talked about Michael Phelps and how he has “no wasted movements.”

“Make the right risk-reward decisions.”

“Be constantly reinventing and staying paranoid.”

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 43

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 42

believes in and feeds off of GROWTH and INNOVATION. To keep employees on As students eagerly awaited the event their toes he sends them articles about to begin, they watched Jeff Immelt, competitors’ progress. Immelt added, John and Becky Surma, and Charles “It’s just my way of saying hello.” Immelt Whiteman, Dean of the Smeal College also expressed his belief in COLLABORAof Business, , sit in armchairs on a TION. He often meets with other CEOs, and temporary stage set up in the Business they bounce ideas off of each other.

Building right outside of The Blue Chip Bistro. The College of Information The Reason for his visit: Recruitment.

Sciences and Technology, College of Engineering, Corporate and FoundaGE has an incredible relationship with tion Relations, and The Smeal College Penn State. 1,300 Penn State alumni work of Business hosted the event. The event for GE. centered on Jeff Immelt’s success, GE’s Immelt opened the presentation with exceptional recruiting efforts at Penn a very enthusiastic “WE ARE” chant. He State, and his advice to students. mentioned that this trip to Penn State

by Joanne Augustin & Sydney Palmer

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 45

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 44

Dunking for Dakota

by Gloria Fan Senior, Print Journalism It was the perfect day for a Dunk-a-Thon: the week just warmed up after a few cloudy and

ed money gots the chance to try and dunk the person that sat in the tank by throwing tennis balls at the target. Throughout the event, many students and children took shots at dunking

cold days and plus, it was the end of the week.

members of the organiztion – and many suc-

Many were sitting outside on the HUB Lawn

ceeded! Remember, although it was a warm day,

tanning or reading a book, and at the corner

the water in the dunk machine was still very

of the lawn, there was a large blue and yellow

cold. There was a series of constant dunking

dunk machine and a sign that said: Prices: $5 =

because of the success of its participants.

6 Balls / $1 = 1 Ball / FTK. The Professional Management Association

Lauren Fusco, a member of the organization, was helping out at the event table. “It is such a

(PMA) had a Dunk-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 5

gorgeous day to have this and it is also such a

p.m. on the 5th of October on the HUB Lawn.

good location. Everyone is enthusiastic about

The organization was trying to raise money

helping to support the kids,” she said.

for Dakota, their Thon child. During their

Since the organization is small, everyone

first canning weekend, the organization went

knows each other by name and had grown close.

to Lititz, PA, where Dakota’s family lives and

Jackie Giraldo, THON chair for PMA, had been

canned around the area in support of him. The

planning the event over the entire summer.

family even let the organization stay with them

After a few months of planning and advertising,

while they were canning. PMA has had Dakota,

she was excited to see the Dunk-a-THON prove

a 9-year-old boy, as their Thon Child for six

successful. “This is the second time doing this

consecutive years.

event. Last year, although it was freezing cold, it

The Dunk-a-thon was an event in which featured a dunking machine. Anybody that donat-

was still successful. So we decided to try it again this year,” Jackie Giraldo, the THON chair for

Inside BSC “The Umbrella Org” Community, Unity, and Culture

I had an opportunity to sit down with Smeal’s very own Business Student Council President Tonia Damiano and their new 2013 elected President, Will Olson. During our conversation, we discussed the three things that make BSC what it is today: Community, Unity, and Culture.

Tonia Damiano (2012 President) is a senior majoring in finance. When asked how she came about discovering BSC and then becoming the president, she discussed her time in the Academics Affairs Committee within UPUA. That is where she heard about BSC and saw the potential that the organization had in bringing the Smeal organizations together for a common goal of helping Smeal students. How exactly was BSC going to contribute to this goal? Well, by giving organizations a stronger voice in administration and creating a sense of community. Damiano decided that she wanted to see these ideas put into action when she ran for presidency in Fall 2011 (December). She was elected BSC Year 2012 president.

Will Olson, BSC’s newly elected president, is a junior majoring in supply chain. He has been with BSC since his freshman year and also started off as a UPUA delegate. Olson expressed that being lead down the path of student government, especially being a part of the Academic Affairs Committee, allows you to be aware of what the other colleges at Penn State are up to. This aspect, then contributes to the openmind mentality of the individual, and also allows fostering that Open Culture that BSC tries to uphold. Damiano commented “Knowing the pulse of the university helps shape your own org.”

Olson is also the secretary of Penn State Association of Blind Students. When asked why he decided to run for presi-

dent, Olson stated that he was the Vice President of BSC when certain pertinent decisions and changes towards a new and better future were being made, such as the expansion of BSC with the addition of the Smeal Allocation Board, (the UPAC for Smeal Orgs) and the merge between BSC and the Roundtable. “I wanted to make sure that these changes were followed through.”

When are to choose one word to described BSC, Damiano chose “community”. She stated, “BSC is the Umbrella Org, our mission and goal is to unify the Smeal organizations. Smeal has a strong community. Everyone shares a common thread within Smeal, while maintaining Penn State pride. BSC is supposed to foster that community.” Olson chose “Open”. “We are open to anyone with an interest in business.” Damiano added, “We are an open community, any student can come and voice their concerns about the college.”

When asked, what BSC’s goal is, Olson answered, “Our goal is to leave Smeal a better place then where we started, to improve the Smeal experience.”

The structure of BSC is, as Damiano puts it, “ three orgs in one.” BSC is comprised of the general memberships, 35 active members inside and outside of Smeal, the Business Roundtable, which meets once a month and includes leaders from all 40 Smeal orgs, and the Smeal Allocation Board, which meets weekly and has 7 appointed board members who do the allocating.

Some of the annual events that BSC holds are “The Student Org Awards Dinner” in April, where BSC members plan and choose the winners, “Are You Smarter than a Company?” where orgs compete with corporate recruiters in a game show setting and the prize money is funding for organizations, and BSC also holds Resume Workshops.

For events in the future, Olson plans on organizing more events for the Business Roundtable in order to extend the

sense of community, create and establish more relationships, and have more collaboration with other orgs.

When asked, what makes BSC different from all the other Smeal Orgs, Damiano responded, “ We are now the umbrella org. We have a different purpose. We’re here to unite not to compete.” Olson added, “ It’s not about the best events; it’s about the tie to the administration as oppose to the org, it’s definitely a wider scope.”

The event or program unique to BSC is Smeal Apparel. BSC designs the apparel, votes on it as an org, and sells it. It cannot be found in the bookstore, it is uniquely at Smeal. This definitely reflects the branding efforts of Smeal and establishing a sense of community amongst Smeal students. Damiano added, “ one of my biggest accomplishments with Smeal Apparel this year, was adding “Penn State” to the design.

Before it just said Smeal. I think that it is important that we recognize and demonstrate our Penn State pride.”

BSC is also heavily involved with THON. The organization has a THON family, the Cooks, and of course a specific THON child they support. Both Damiano and Olson agreed that THON aids in establishing and reinforcing the sense of community within BSC. BSC members help with canning trips, THONvelopes, and other forms THON fundraisers.

Last, but definitely not least, I asked both Damiano and Olson about BSC’s culture. They both emphasized the OPENNESS of the culture and of course the FUN. Olson stated,“ We maintain a fun environment. We play funny videos in the beginning of meeting. We make fun of each other. We are definitely our own little community.” Damiano added, “We take our jobs seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.” Our excellent conversation ended with Olson simple yet insightful and reflective statement, “ If we don’t have a smile on our faces, we aren’t doing it right.”

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 47

SMEAL SPOTLIGHT 46

by Joanne Augustin Senior, Communications Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies, and French & Francophone Studies

MONEY SAVING

TIPS

by Vanessa Li Sophomore, Communications

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Money must be funny, in a rich man’s world. College is a huge investment for most students. There are so many things that need consideration – such as buying textbooks, foods, clothes, and other miscellaneous items. More often than not, money can be quite a hassle to think about, and can be a heckling problem that permeates into our daily lives. Well no need to worry, I am here to provide you readers with various tips on how to save smartly in college:

If you noticed your meal points are running low way too quickly, make your own food! Joy Lai, a sophomore majoring in marketing, says that she finds this method of conserving cash quite efficient. “I like to go to stores such as McLanahan’s to pick up miscellaneous foods to make myself. I can create foods that I prefer, and get a decent meal at the same time.” In many convenience stores on campus and around town, there are tons of foods you can purchase, such as a variety of bread and deli meats. This way you can create a satisfying meal without worrying about your quickly dwindling meal points.

1 4 2 Buy used textbooks, or rent them!

Most students have probably told you this before, but this is undoubtedly useful. Used or rented textbooks can be half or a third of the price of the original, which can definitely put less pressure on your bank account! You should also check out the different bookstores that are available in town before making a decision, or you can even go to online websites such as Amazon and Half.com to buy your books!

Use coupons for discounts!

M T W F S 10-6, Th 10-7, Su. 12-4

Instead of going to the Commons every meal, try DIY food!

Remember those coupons outside the bookstore in the beginning of the year?

Take a few - those are free for students to take, and why not make use of that opportunity? You can save quite a bit of money by using these coupons on food and activities listed on them. If you forgot to pick these up, do you have a smartphone? Download apps such as Campusspecial.com onto your phone for instant coupons, or simply go to the website itself!

If possible, get a part-time job!

Having a part-time job can definitely help sustain your cash flow. There are all types of job options available on-campus and around State College – you can work for our campus’s dining commons, or as a residential assistant (RA) at the dormitories. There are benefits in working on campus – if you work at the dining commons, you will get a discount every time you purchase a meal at the commons; and if you decide to become an RA, your housing will be fully covered. However, you can also work at the variety of stores that are located downtown, such as clothing or food service stores! So you should definitely not shy away from applying for one.

I hope these tips are helpful. But at the end of the day, responsibility is key! Always monitor your cash flow and expenditures, and your worries should be considerably lessened. Good luck!

PSU LIFE

228 East College Avenue

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HOW TO STAY

WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVATION? The Senioritis Edition

by Vanessa Li Sophomore, Communications

All of us are at different stages in our lives. While some Penn Staters may be rejoicing the fact that a semester has past, there are some that are questioning what the future brings. In particular, I believe that our Penn State seniors may be harboring such feelings. For this article, I had the chance to sit down with two soon-to-be graduating seniors and discuss their standpoints on senioritis, and what stimulus keeps them on the right path to receiving their diplomas.

My first interviewee is an accounting major named Jane Lee, who states that she has most definitely been experiencing a busy senior year. As she pushes through her final year, she has come to realize that her availability to enjoy her favorite activities, such as sleeping, has unfortunately become limited.

Additionally, she notes that the combination of senioritis and lack of sleep

does not help either, as she becomes more lethargic and discouraged from completing assignments. In these situations, she says that the thoughts of surrendering herself to senioritis are unavoidable. However, as a senior with responsibilities that she has to fulfill, she understands that she truly cannot allow herself to embrace senioritis. “As an international student, there are lots of expectations that I need to worry about – especially from my family back at home. I also understand that my family sending me here was not exactly an inexpensive ordeal, so I am trying to graduate as soon as I can.”

At the same time, Cedric Stewart Lewis, who is majoring in biotechnology with a minor in microbiology, has an equally busy agenda himself. As the president of the badminton club on campus, and also an active member of multiple organizations, he finds himself constantly on the go with his hands full with engagements. With so many

responsibilities, he says that he finds it a positive challenge, as he is learning how to efficiently balance academics and extracurricular activities. Nonetheless, he says that there are moments where he does falls victim to senioritis. “I am definitely at a time right now where academics is not the most appealing,” he expresses, “but I am aware that I am already nearing the end of my academia.

I know that I want to end my senior year on a high note, so that is what’s motivating me in finishing my senior year.”

Although two individuals are not representative of the whole senior population, I am sure that many can relate to their viewpoints. With one more semester remaining, emotions are at all-time high for many seniors. Some may have important final projects that await completion, while some may be already done and are enjoying the final months before graduation. This is the final stretch, and for all the Penn State seniors graduating in May 2013, I want to ask – what is your motivation?

HEALTHY DURING CRUNCH TIME

by Crystal Jones, Junior, Print Journalism & Spanish

Days at Penn State are normally packed. After going to all three of your classes, spending four hours at your internship, six hours at your part-time job, studying for both of your exams, and trying to fit in a few hours for sleep, the last thing you think of is staying healthy. You’re already ten minutes late and just need to get going.

But there are a lot of easy ways to stay healthy in these busy times. A lot can be changed just by making different choices.

•Drink more milk. Yes, it has tons of calcium and vitamins. But according to the Got Milk campaign, milk contains a naturally-occurring protein that can improve sleep quality and help you feel alert the next day.

•Drink more water. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. When you feel thirsty, that means your body is already dehydrated. Dehydration can make you feel physically tired quicker and also result in headaches or dizziness. For a little flavor, add a drop of lemon or limejuice and a packet of sugar.

•Take breaks. Sitting for too long

while studying or doing other activities can lead to long-term health problems such as obesity and diabetes according to a study done by the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health. Take a quick walk to visit friends, stand up while talking on the phone, or just take a quick breather to move your shoulders and take deep breaths.

•Make different choices when eating.

You can still have your favorite foods, just moderate how often and how you eat them. For example, Ben and Jerry’s classic Cherry Garcia ice cream has 240 calories per serving (and keep in mind that it has 4 servings per container). The same flavor in the frozen yogurt version is only 200 calories per serving. Be sure to read food labels to help you make a decision regarding what you’re going to eat.

•If you find that you’re struggling to find time to eat during the day, try eating small meals throughout the day.

Have a piece of fruit with yogurt and granola, a small salad, a sandwich loaded with veggies, soup, etc. Try to avoid letting yourself get too hungry in order to avoid overeating when you actually have the time to sit down for a meal.

•Take time to wind down at least ten

minutes before going to bed. Turn off the TV, computer, and phone to get your body in resting mode. Students spend all day looking at a screen of some sort, so disengaging from electronic devices is a psychological switch for the body to know it’s time to start resting.

•Keep it clean. Carry hand sanitizer in order to clean hands before eating.

•Make a pact with friends to stay healthy together, encourage good food choices and exercising on a regular basis. It’s a lot more fun and easy to stay healthy if you have a cheering squad to back you up.

•Finally, make sure to be well-rested.

Naps during the day are okay as long as they’re not too long. A nap should not be any longer than half an hour at most. Remember to save the better part of your sleeping time for night or when you are able to get at least six hours of sleep.

With these tips, it will be easy to stay healthy even when you’re busy with all the fun things to do on and off campus.

The important thing is not to perfect your healthy habits or beat yourself up if you don’t do everything perfectly one day but to stay aware and mindful of healthy habits.

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ZWOW Exercise without leaving your dorm or apartment

by Shamir Lee Junior, Advertising

What if I told you it’s possible to workout in your dorm room for a maximum of only twenty minutes without buying any gym equipment? And what if I said by doing this you can get in the best shape you’ve ever been in your life?

You think I’m lying? Well, I’ve done it.

And many people around the world have done the same. All you have to do is go to Youtube, which I’m sure you do daily, type in ZWOW, and there she is, calling your name.

Zuzana Light. You might have heard of her. She was formerly a part of BodyRock.tv, an at home online workout company she cofounded. After leaving, she created her own workouts, calling them ZWOWs, Zuzana’s Workout of the Week. The workouts are just as intense, just as satisfying, and of course, just as sweat inducing as before.

ZWOWs are suited just for college students; no money is required to participate and, even better, all workouts can be performed in your dorm room or apartment. The workouts have

made it possible for me to continue my fitness lifestyle without exercising on campus, an attribute most college students desire. Most of her workouts use bodyweight only. A few do require five to fifteen pound dumbbells, but if you don’t want to spend money on equipment, there are enough bodyweight-only exercises. The ZWOWs only require a small space to perform them successfully. Furniture may have to be moved to get the amount of space desired, but no drastic changes are necessary. Each exercise ranges from ten to twenty minutes and still achieves the same results, if not better, than going to the gym (which by the way requires a fee of $54 for a semester, and $103 if you’re going for the whole school year). HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is utilized in every workout. This consists of short but intense cardio and weight training, a mix that promotes high fat burn and muscle toning. Combining the two is what gets you those results you fight for at the gym. Running on the treadmill for an hour or spending thirty minutes on the elliptical machine

might burn a few calories. But they’re not full-body encompassing workouts.

And even worse, they take away from your precious time and from your bank account.

After classes, tests, papers and work, fitness is the last thing on our minds.

But health is also important. We can’t forget about it in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. ZWOWs are a great way to maintain or even begin a healthy lifestyle. By doing these exercises, you’ll lose weight in no time. But remember to incorporate a nutritious diet, including many vegetables. And of course, drink water! This is important in any kind of healthy lifestyle. It’s good to know that at the end of a long day, you can come home, turn on your computer, and quickly do a fifteen-minute workout. You don’t have to leave your room, you don’t have to pay any money, you don’t even have to put on pants if you don’t want to, well, depending on if your roommate minds.

For more information on ZWOWs, visit www.youtube.com/ZuzkaLight, or you can visit the official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ZuzkaLight.

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7 Sparks Penn State Learning

“ I like studying in Sparks because it’s very spacious and the dim lights set a pretty cool and calm setting. There is always computer access and it is also close to the library, which is convenient for me because I’m also a library junkie.”- Ashley Loiseau, Junior, Psychology

Business Library: 3rd floor Paterno

“I like studying in the Business Library on the 3rd floor Paterno because it is peaceful, has group table options, group study rooms, and computer access.”

-Charlotta Wertz, Junior, Communications, Media Studies

PRCC Library “I like studying in the PRCC library because it’s a quiet place right in the middle of campus where I can get my work done and then still make it to class on time.” -Kia-T’nique Thomas, Senior, Sociology, Global & International Studies, French & Francophone Studies

Smeal Atrium

“ One of the advantages I enjoy here in Smeal is the ability to focus and interact with others in the same environment.

A perfect example is studying in the Atrium in between classes. I can review the material with my colleagues before class or even over coffee. And if there is an uncertainty about a topic, I know my professor or TA is only a few steps away!”

– Sabrina Rodriguez, Senior, Management Information Systems

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Top FIVE STUDY PLACE on Campus

Life Science Bridge

“I enjoy studying on the Life Science Bridge because the chairs are comfy, it’s just the right amount of quiet, the view is soothing, and the coffee shop is conveniently located on the same floor.

What more do you want?” – Joanne Augustin. Senior, Communication Arts & Sciences, Global & International Studies. French & Francophone Studies

Bhavya Malhotra AUGUST LEADER OF THE MONTH Supply Chain & Information Systems Class of 2014

Why did you join Critique Magazine?

I joined Critique because I saw great potential in the magazine. When I first read the mag-

Penn State community. Critique to me, has so much potential on becoming the next big thing.

What leadership skills do you think help you become leader of the month?

azine, I instantly wanted to become a part of something that would be so successful. I could see how Critique Magazine could benefit the

Organization, time management skills along with people and communication skills

Jimmy Thelusca SEPTEMBER LEADER OF THE MONTH Double Majoring in Economics and Business Management Class of 2014

Why did you join Critique Magazine?

The previous semester, I got a hold of the latest issue and immediately the articles and the overall concept of the magazine caught my attention. I thought it would be great to be part of a student run organization with such great

allowed me to tone my leadership skills by networking with individuals, organizations and companies on and off campus, while leading a committee of students.

What leadership skills do you think help you become leader of the month?

potential. Thereafter, I became aware of and interested in the opportunity and challenge of leading the Ad Sales Department. This has

Commitment, consistency, and creating time for my responsibilities to the organization.

BIG BUSINESS. BIGGER FAMILY. RUSH SPRING 2013

“The Networth of your Network”

A D B M A L A T PHIBE rushpbl.psu@gmail.com

Date: Friday February 8th, 2013 Time: 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM

ΦΒΛ

Location: Business Atrium

Registration begins at 2:30 Free 3-course meal provided Attire is business casual

Please RSVP by Friday February 1st, 2013 at sites.google.com/site/nabapsuchapter

ALL MAJORS ARE WELCOME!