Supplement of Suburban Newspapers
September 16, 2020
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SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS INC.
September 9, 2020
What is a gap year? And should grads take one? By Metro Creative Connection Members of the class of 2021 have many decisions to make in the coming months. Many high school students enroll in trade schools or colleges after graduation, while college graduates start their careers or begin their pursuit of advanced degrees when their undergrad days draw to a close. But more and more high school and college graduates are taking gap years. According to the American Gap Year Association, a gap year is defined as an experimental semester or full academic year taken between high school and college grads in order to deepen practical, professional and personal awareness. Students often take a break from school as a chance to travel or gain some professional experience. Others use gap years as a chance for personal exploration before moving on to the next chapter in their lives. Gap years may once have been looked at unfavorably, but they have evolved from such perceptions into
opportunities to volunteer abroad, learn a new language in a foreign land, visit one’s ancestral homeland, or work as an intern. While many students take gap years prior to entering college, even college graduates can benefit from taking time off after earning their degrees. Gap years are now seen as a way to improve a curriculum vitae and gain relevant work experience in a particular field. The resource GapYear.com indicates employers actively employ people who have taken a gap year, preferring candidates who have real-world experience. Preparation is necessary before diving head first into a gap year. Students can speak with people who have already taken gap years and ask questions. Graduates should approach the decision of whether or not take a gap year just as they would any other large, life-changing decision. Experts say that it can take between nine and 12 months to plan a gap-year itinerary. Finances are a consideration, and gap years require ample savings and a carefully constructed
Courtesy Metro Creative Connection
A gap year is defined as an experimental semester or full academic year taken between high school and college grads in order to deepen practical, professional and personal awareness. budget in order to be transformed from a dream into a reality. Gap years are a growing trend that
can help students improve their rĂŠsumĂŠs, see the world and gain invaluable experience.
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5 tips to ace college entry exams eLivingtoday.com via Family Features Because most colleges and universities require applicants to submit ACT or SAT results as part of admissions consideration, prepping for the test itself can be a critical component of that process. While it can oftentimes be hard to deal with the anxiety that comes with a rigorous test meant to show your mastery of certain subjects and concepts, such as reading and mathematics, consider these test prep tips to help boost your score while simultaneously lowering stress.
Sign Up for a Prep Course
If you find studying on your own difficult or not as successful as you’d hoped, a prep course can put you through the paces and hold you accountable. Complete with homework and in-class practice, prep classes can range from small groups to larger classes taught by test experts. Some school districts even offer after-school programs dedicated to ACT or SAT prep.
Gather Supplies
To allow yourself as much flexibility as possible, taking college entrance exams during your junior year of high school is encouraged. If you don’t get an ideal score, you can refine your approach and retake the exam with a better idea of what to expect.
To help reduce test day stress, gather everything you’ll need the night before. Check the list of banned items – cellphones aren’t permitted – to make sure you don’t accidentally bring something you’re not allowed to have. Ensure your bag is packed with your admission ticket, valid photo identification, several sharpened pencils with erasers, an approved calculator (with fresh batteries) and a watch, if allowed.
Take a Practice Test
Get a Good Night’s Sleep and Eat Breakfast
Register Early
Any test prep plan should start with a practice SAT or ACT exam. Taking practice tests under realistic conditions can help you gain a better understanding of the content of the test, improve your time management and help combat test anxiety. You can use your practice test as a baseline to set goals and focus the rest of your prep on areas you would like to improve before the real thing.
While it can be tempting to stay up late the night before the test to cram, you’re likely to perform better with a full night’s sleep. Sleep is important for retention, and eating a balanced breakfast before heading out the door can aid in your ability to focus. To make your morning easier, prep breakfast before bed to keep an early morning from starting even earlier. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more education information.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images via Family Features
College admissions process involves more than just test scores.
Path Forward
To knocking out your gen-eds. FIRST TWO YEARS AT MCC CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS. Take your general education requirements at MCC, then transfer to a four-year institution. • MCC tuition averages less than half the cost of two years at a four-year school • Transfer agreements with more than 30 four-year Nebraska colleges
• Financial aid and scholarships are available • Online classes in ways that work for you
TO GET STARTED TODAY, VISIT MCCNEB.EDU OR CALL 531-MCC-2400. Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.
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September 9, 2020
Midland University Counseling Center helping students find balance in pandemic By Collin Spilinek Fremont Tribune Through virtual sessions and a new initiative with the university’s staff members, the Midland University Counseling Center is preparing to service its students as the new semester begins. Leaha Hammer, director of student counseling and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordination, said the center has gained a second field placement student to work part time with counseling this year. Together, the three are having to find balance in how they address issues students are facing with the COVID-19 pandemic. During last year’s fall semester, Hammer said the center had just shy of 250 counseling appointments. That spring, the two workers saw 168. But 68 of those sessions had to be held online in just under a two-month period, as COVID-19 closed the university. “Just as all of our courses had to go online, so did counseling services really, because it was so important to still be able to offer services to students, especially during such a time of crisis,” Hammer said. “And so we immediately went to telehealth and were able to offer services to students.” After the center transitioned from in-person sessions to virtual, Hammer said she reached out to every student they had currently been meeting with to see if
they wanted to continue virtually. “And many did, but some didn’t because I think that for them, it was a real challenge to transition to telehealth services,” she said. “So initially, I think that there was some discomfort, but I feel like our students are so resilient that they really adapted.” Although the added ease of not having to leave their homes made the new format much easier for many students, Hammer said regulations on practicing stateto-state prevented them from providing services to students who lived outside of Nebraska. “If a student moved back to Washington or Texas, there were some legal issues with practicing outside of the state in which the student was currently residing,” she said. “But there’s actually laws in place now that are, if they haven’t gone into effect, I think they’re going to go into effect soon so that you can practice across state lines.” Hammer said after consulting with other schools in the area that are similar in size, the center will stay with predominately telehealth services for Midland students. “We are going to be on campus, but still providing telehealth services,” she said. “There might be some sort of an emergency, and in that case, we do have masks and we do have a safe shield.” As students move from their homes back to the dorms, Hammer said the added ease of holding sessions online also had
some drawbacks. “One thing that we kind of recognized might be an issue is maybe a student comes in through the telehealth system, but their roommate is there or they really don’t have a private space,” she said. “So we’ve identified a space on campus where students will be able to go to so that they can have a private counseled conversation if their room is not available.” As the center’s services have changed, so have the issues that students bring forth to the counselors there. Initially, when the pandemic started, Hammer said many students felt they had no time to prepare for having to go home. “They felt very anxious because of course these are things that are out of our control and, ‘I’m not allowed to stay in the dorm anymore and I have to move home and I have no options,’” Hammer said. “And when anybody feels like decisions are made for them or if they don’t have control, anxiety really goes up.” Now, Hammer said the students’ anxiety is more anticipatory as compared to last spring. “Now they know what could potentially happen, they know that closures could potentially happen, they know that our athletics could potentially be canceled, they know the reality of the COVID-19 virus and what limitations that can put on their life,” she said. “And so I think that now is more so just this kind of not knowing and this anticipatory anxiety.” In dealing with these issues, Hammer
said she and her team prepared over the summer in trying to teach students to find a balance between knowing what they can and can’t control. “We can’t control the community spread, but we can control our own decisions,” she said. “I just don’t want my students to assume like, ‘Well, I have no control, so I’m just going to, who cares, hands in the air.’” Additionally, Hammer said she’s trying to show students that they shouldn’t be so naive to the realities of COVID-19 that they essentially render themselves nonfunctioning. “But I don’t want the pendulum to swing so far that they are making bad decisions and are really careless,” she said. ‘And so I think what’s important is to talk to students about balance and knowing, ‘I do have needs, but also I need to respect myself and others in the community.’” But Hammer said some changes made last year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic have also helped her in her work. After Lawrence Chatters took his position as student affairs vice president in October 2018, she said the center shifted its model in how it provides services. “In the last couple of years, we’ve done so many things that I think helped us to navigate this pandemic in that we have a much more holistic approach,” she said. “It’s not just my job as a counselor, it’s everyone’s job, because I rely on our coaches, staff, faculty, advisors, I depend on them all for referrals.”
Update your résumé for job hunting during COVID-19 By Metro Creative Connection The economy has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many people are concerned by what the future may bring, particularly regarding their careers. Some fields may continue to scale back while others may increase operations. There is much uncertainty for those looking for new work or considering changing jobs. Even though the coronavirus may slow down the process of hiring and make it even more competitive, job seekers must avoid the notion that they should throw in the towel and try to wait out the lull. Many people have found new jobs
during the pandemic, and these strategies can help men and women do just that.
Update your résumé
Many people may think that résumé writing is a “one and done” process, but that’s not the case. The Balance: Careers says a résumé should be updated and tweaked each time a person applies for a position. Keep a generalized outline for your résumé, but be sure to modify your skills and accomplishments as they pertain to the specific job for which you’re applying. In many instances, a functional résumé format, which
emphasizes skills over linear job experience, is a good choice because it can gloss over gaps in the résumé or frequent job changes. Remember to fill the résumé with the same verbiage used in the job posting. If scanning software is used to cull résumés for key words, yours will have the right words and phrases.
Update social media
If you use a social media application like LinkedIn, Plaxo or Jobster to network, be sure to keep your profile current. It also may be helpful to join industry networking groups and organizations at this time,
as they may have an ongoing aggregator of job openings in particular fields.
Research the industry
While travel, hospitality and event planning have been hit hard due to COVID-19, other industries like online shopping, delivery, healthcare, grocery stores, cleaning services, and more, have experienced growth. Many industries also have revamped operations and may need a consultant or expert to help them change over their business formats. Do not assume that the pandemic has stalled all job prospects.
Prepare for remote interviews
Even after businesses have reopened, remote interviews will likely be the norm. Set up an interview spot in your home with good lighting, a neutral background, limited distractions, and a desirable camera angle. Practice being interviewed digitally. Master various meeting applications by downloading necessary software in advance so that technical difficulties will not derail the process. The interviewer sees only your background, so utilize a paper or whiteboard in front of you with notes or talking points.
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Bellevue University on-campus partnerships remain strong By Cheyenne Alexis Bellevue Leader Bellevue University has gained many unique and close partnerships since its beginning. Some of these partnerships have their own offices to further integrate themselves into the BU community. Mary Hawkins, BU’s president, said these on-campus partnerships are important to the school because they help show support for the Bellevue community. “We try to be open to people who walk on campus,” she said. “If we have the capacity, we’re happy to support these offices. The partnerships located on campus are the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Quest Forward Academy, US Census Bureau, Aladdin Food Service and the newest addition Habitat for Humanity. Besides on-campus partners, BU has also teamed up with several other business to provide for those affected by the 2019 flooding and COVID-19, such as the Red Cross and Wenninghoff Farms. Hawkins said the on-campus partnerships share their capacity by contributing to events, hosting meetings around
campus and also having semi-permanent office spaces for groups, such as the Boy Scouts and Census Bureau. Gina Ponce, director of Latino Community Outreach for BU, said when she began work at BU for the second time, she felt there was a “disconnect” between the school and the community. “Developing partnerships is important because it creates camaraderie between agencies, the community and businesses,” she said. “BU has been very open to work (with partners). We stand out from other universities.” Ponce said she’s looking forward to also creating a partnership with the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mutual of Omaha and others to open a Latino center on campus for students. “We’re very excited about that,” she said. Hawkins said it’s important for BU to create friendships with and become more familiar with different businesses around the community. “It’s healthy to have people on campus,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know the university, so having offices on campus creates good public relations and people become more interested. “We have a lot of exposure with partners who respect and share values.”
Photo submitted by Gina Ponce
Bellevue University has a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, and will host an event in September to help participants fill out their census forms. Pictured: Gina Ponce, left, director of Latino Community Outreach at Bellevue University, and Maria Valentin, partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau.
Bellevue Public Schools opens Career Launch Center By Cheyenne Alexis Bellevue Leader
Photo by Cheyenne Alexis
The Bellevue Public Schools’ Career Launch Center program has more than 30 students enrolled in its automotive program for the 2020-21 school year.
Junior and senior high school students now have a chance to get a free head start on their careers. Bellevue Public Schools has opened its Career Launch Center, located on Arboretum Drive. The center launched for the 2020-21 school year with its first program, automotive maintenance. During this program, students can earn dual enrollment credits through Metro Community College toward an associate degree in automotive. Students can earn 24 credit hours per year for Metro and four credits for high school. So far, more than 30 students are taking the automotive maintenance courses.
Brad Stueve, coordinator of college and career education and program services for BPS, said the district was excited to bring the center for students to tackle more technical skills. “We found the automotive and transportation industries, there was a big need for technicians around the area, not only in Bellevue, but in the region,” he said. Though the first program has already begun, the district is planning on its next programs to be added to the building, including health sciences, computer sciences, manufacturing and processing services and potentially culinary arts. “It’s going to take three to four years to get this place completely filled out,” he said. “We’re excited and can’t wait to keep moving forward.”
The district partnered with several businesses to offer equipment and to cover the cost of tuition for students, including the Moglia Family Foundation, MCC, Corwin Toyota and Beardmore, among others. “The partnerships we form in the industry within our region and community has just been outstanding,” Stueve said. “We’re hoping to do the same thing with health sciences, culinary and other programs.” Though the program currently serves BPS students at both high schools, Stueve said there is a possibility of offering the programs to neighboring districts if there is space to fill. Stueve said with the success of the first phase thus far, he’s looking forward to continuing adding more programs for students interested.
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How certain degrees in nursing can help aspiring nurses By Metro Creative Connection The field of nursing is complex. Much like physicians specialize in particular areas of medicine, nurses often narrow their focus to certain disciplines within the profession. Education is vital for anyone aspiring to become a nurse. The American Nurses Association notes that there are various requirements for licensure within the field of nursing. Such requirements typically begin in the classroom. When considering a career in nursing, aspiring nurses should recognize that there are various degrees they can pursue, and that each of these degrees can pave the way to a rewarding career.
Associate’s degree
The online nursing resource Nurse.org notes that nurses who have earned their associate’s degree in nursing, or ADN, are the professionals
year degree offered by community colleges and hospital-based schools of nursing.
Bachelor’s degree
Courtesy Metro Creative Connection
When considering a career in nursing, aspiring nurses should recognize that there are various degrees they can pursue. most people first consider when thinking of nurses. ADNs speak directly with patients about their symptoms and conditions and monitor and record vital signs. An ADN also is qualified to administer medication and can offer advice on self-care af-
ter surgery and how to confront illness or injury. ADNs work in a wide range of health care settings, helping to provide services for everyone from infants to the elderly. The American Nurses Association notes that the ADN is a two-
The ANA notes that a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BS/BSN) is a four-year degree offered at colleges and universities that prepares graduates to engage in the full scope of professional nursing practice across all health care settings. En route to earning a BSN, students will concentrate on an assortment of disciplines that will benefit them throughout their careers. Psychology, human growth and development, biology, microbiology, organic chemistry, nutrition, and anatomy and physiology are typically the focus of the first two years of study. As students advance toward earning their BSN, they also will learn about adult acute and chronic disease, maternal/ child health, pediatrics, psychiatric/mental health nursing,
and community health nursing. Nursing students pursuing a BSN will also study nursing theory, physical and behavioral sciences, and humanities. Health care economics and policy also may be studied as schools hope to educate aspiring nurses about the cultural, political, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence how health care is delivered.
Advanced degrees
Aspiring nurses also may want to pursue advanced degrees. Master’s degree programs prepare students to become advanced practice nurses, nurse administrators and nurse educators. Aspiring nurses interested in research may want to pursue a doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D., while those interested in clinical practice or leadership roles may pursue a doctorate of nursing practice, or DNP.
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Iowa Western Community College expands programs, night classes By Tim Johnson The Daily Nonpareil Iowa Western Community College offers a variety of programs that are relevant for today’s students, job market and university curricula. “Iowa Western’s health and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs have consistently been favorites among students seeking solid career choices,” said Don Kohler, vice president of marketing and public relations, in June. “Our dental hygiene program has been filled with a waitlist since January, and our associate degree in nursing reached capacity at the end of the spring semester, and we currently have a waitlist. The remaining (programs) — dental assistant, practical nursing and veterinary technology — are still accepting students for the fall 2020 start. We often see our practical nursing and veterinary technology programs fill after the summer session has ended.” Iowa Western introduced some new courses this fall, Kohler said. The college expanded its slate of evening classes to accommodate students and working adults who have busy schedules. The programs of study offered at night include the fol-
lowing: • Civil Engineering Technician Diploma • CNC Machining Diploma • Construction Management Certificate • Drafting and CAD Certificate • Electrical Technology Diploma • Electrical Technology Certificate • HVAC Technology Diploma • HVAC/R Maintenance Certificate • Industrial Technology Certificate • Media Studies: Social Media Certificate • Plumbing Diploma • Residential Plumbing Certificate • Welding Technology Diploma • Welding Certificate “The plumbing diploma program was the result of many months of planning with our advisory board partners, who identified the need for workers in that field,” Kohler said. “The faculty is excited to begin offering that diploma program so that IWCC can help businesses meet that demand in our communities.” Iowa Western has also heeded the call for more computer technology programs, Kohler said. “The college has taken great strides to improve its academic offerings in the growing field of computer technology,” he
said. New programs in this area including the following: Cyber Security Pathway • Cyber Security Certificate (fall semester only): Students develop a basic foundation of system administration, information security, cyber investigations and forensics • Cyber Security Diploma (one-year program, fall semester start): Students demonstrate an understanding of network systems and network security, manage firewalls and install and configure systems and applications • Cyber Security AAS (two-year program, fall semester start): Students hone their skills and focus on becoming experts at identifying threats; students perform threat assessment and apply best practices towards defending and securing a computer network Web Design and Development Pathway • Web Design and Coding Certificate (fall semester only): Provides students the opportunity to prepare for a position in front-end web design by focusing on web coding and graphic design principles needed to be successful in the field • Web Design and Development Diploma (one-year program, fall semester start):
This is where my passion became my major. With more than 80 areas of study, including online and hands-on courses, discovering your career is easy at Iowa Western.
BeYouAtIW.com / 712.325.3277
Zoe, Student
Provides students the opportunity to prepare for a position in front-end web design, graphic design principles and server-side web programming • Web Design and Development AAS (two-year program, fall semester start): Prepares graduates for an entry-level position in front-end web design, back-end web programming and app development. Students create static and dynamic websites, web applications and mobile applications from start to finish Iowa Western Community Collegeprepared for a safe return to campus on Aug. 17, when the fall semester began. “The IWCC administration and its emergency management team (worked) diligently on a plan to create a safe environment for staff and students upon returning for the fall,” Kohler said. The plan includes the following learning platforms: • Face-to-face class instruction with smaller class sizes • Hybrid classes incorporating face-toface and online learning • Fully online course offerings • Expanded evening course selection In addition, the staff enforce strict sanitizing efforts to keep the campus safe.
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