ONEVision Summer 2012 by Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

Summer 2012

FROM THE

PRESIDENT Dear Sisters,

Images courtesy of Google Images.

Welcome to

THE MOTOR CITY NATIONAL CONVENTION | AUGUST 3RD TO 5TH, 2012

For those of you attending Convention this year, I’d like to be the first to welcome you to Detroit and our 2012 National Convention celebrating our 15th anniversary. As the President of this organization and member of the Central region GAP chapter, Xi Iota, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this event in the heart of the Midwest. Our National Convention serves as a time to do the work of our organization, but it is also a time for discovery and renewal of spirit. Take time to reach out to both the newest and the oldest members of our organization while you are in Detroit. You’ll find that our ritual ensures that we share the same basic experience, but our regions and personal histories make our journey in Theta Nu Xi completely different. I hope to spend part of our next year together talking more about our ritual and how we live it out every day. While you are in Detroit (and when you go back home), take a moment to reach out to members beyond your chapter and regional affiliations. I know that stepping out of your comfort zone can be difficult, but National Convention has a way of turning strangers into the best of friends. You’ve just got to give it an honest try. Finally, take a moment to remember why we are here and what we are celebrating. It takes a lot of work,

Continued on Page 2

What’s In This Edition? Chapter Activities... Networking Tips... Sisterhood Spotlight... Chapter Highlights...

2 FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM THE PRESIDENT Continued from Page 1

Staff Editor-In-Chief

Jamie Dawson

Senior Editors

Elizabeth Edwards Dara Monasch Senior Designer

Jamie Dawson Copy Editor

Caitlin Bassett

Staff Writers

Tanya Arditi Strawbry Jiles Carley Wyche

Table of Contents

Cover Features.................................... 1 “From the President”

Sisterhood Spotlight............................3 Featured Articles “Aung San Suu Kyi: The Lady”............4 “Chapter Activities: Getting To Know Your Sisters”...........................................6 “Connecting With Sisters As A New Chapter Member”................................ 8 “Network Like Your LIfe Depends On It”.......................................................10 “What They Didn’t Tell Me When I Got My Cap & Gown”........................12 “How Theta Nu Xi Helped Me Land My First Real Job”............................... 14 “Wisdom Of The Ages”..........................16

Chapter Highlights............................... 18

Letters to The Editor

We welcome feedback regarding the ONEVision newsletter to director.communiations@thetanuxi.org. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity or style. Please include full name, season, year and chapter of initiation.

dedication, and commitment to reach the 15 year milestone. It wasn’t easy to get here and it won’t be easy to reach the next milestone. Please take a moment to renew your commitment to Theta Nu Xi and serve our organization in some way. We will only survive and thrive when we are all working together. For months, the dedicated women on the 2012 Convention Committee have been working hard to ensure that you have a great time at this event. You will recognize these women by the special flags on their nametags. Please take a moment to thank them for the hard work on your behalf. Your National Board of Directors will also be recognized with a flag on their nametags. Please take a moment to thank them for their selfless service to our organization over the last year. I am truly grateful for their work. This year’s convention committee is chaired by Zemen Marrugi. Zemen is a Detroit native, teacher by day, wedding and professional event planner by night, and just completed her graduate school studies. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Zemen from the time she expressed her interest in Theta Nu Xi as a member of Wayne State University’s “Circle of Diverse Women.” Along with her 11 other line sisters, I was honored to serve on her expansion team, as she helped found the Alpha Beta Chapter at Wayne State. After her graduation, she joined Xi Iota for a year, but then life and familial responsibilities made it difficult for her to remain active in Theta Nu Xi. When I learned that Convention was being held in Detroit, I called Zemen and told her she had to come back and lead this event. It was going to be a challenge for her. She hadn’t been active in Theta Nu Xi for several years and was unfamiliar with how our traditions had changed. But, she took on the role and she has excelled. Her work with this Convention exemplifies an everlasting truth; no matter how long you’ve been gone, there is a place for you to use your skills and passion in this organization. With your help, I hope that Zemen’s story can inspire other inactive members to come back to our organization. We miss them and know that Theta Nu Xi is better with them. Thanks Zemen! I hope that you have fun this Convention weekend. Be Top: Convention Chair Zemen Marrugi (top safe. Please remember while row, far left) in 2006 with Alpha Beta Sisters. you’re here and everywhere you go, that you are always a Below: Zemen and Alpha Beta Sisters enjoy Detroit’s nightlife in 2012. reflection of this sisterhood. Let’s show Detroit the very best of Theta Nu Xi. ONE Love,

Cianti Stewart-Reid

National President #2 Steel Magnolia Spring 1999 Xi Iota by way of the Alpha Chapter

SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT 3 How did you learn about Theta Nu Xi? Why did you want to join?

I learned about Theta Nu Xi from a few amazing and dedicated women when I was a sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Sorors Kenaya Camacho, Christine Thai and Hannah Dillion were so passionate about their Sisterhood and I definitely wanted to know what it took to be a butterfly!

What are you passionate about in life?

I have two main passions that drive my life, my family and helping others. I come from a tight knit family that provides unconditional love, support and guidance. As a first generation college student I try to make my family proud every day! Another passion is my desire to make a difference in others’ lives. I try to do this while on and off campus. I am a student employee at the Student Outreach and Retention Center (SORCE) on campus and I work with underrepresented students, K-12, to inspire them to pursue higher education. Off campus I hope to continue my passion by pursuing a career in Speech Pathology. I hope to provide speech therapy to underrepresented children in preschool and elementary school.

Describe one thing that you hope to achieve during your membership in Theta Nu Xi.

As a Sister of Theta Nu Xi I always strive to be a solid support for my fellow butterflies. As the years pass, I hope to continue to play this role and be a rock for my Sisters. The women of Theta Nu Xi are all strong, motived, and successful, and we often have many things on our minds. Theta Nu Xi is one of the only places I have to lean on other women who really understand and can relate to what I am going through. As I have learned from the Sisters before me, it is important to be there to laugh, cry, be silly with and support your Sisters!

How would your life be different if you had not joined Theta Nu Xi? If I did not join Theta Nu Xi I would not have gotten through my senior year as well as I did. I had an amazing core group of women who picked me up when I was down and celebrated with me in happy times. These women allowed me to take a break from being a student and just have fun as a person. I am forever grateful for the support and encouragement I received from all of my Sisters. Thank you Alpha Zeta!

What would you tell someone who is interested in joining?

I would tell them that a butterfly is the way to go. I would share a little bit of my journey about the opportunities I have had through Theta Nu Xi, my role models within the organization and the amazing support I receive from my Sisters across the nation.

If you could select one achievement in your life that you are most proud of, what would you select and why?

My biggest achievement in my life thus far was graduating summa cum laude this past May. I was the only person in my major to receive this distinction because of a written Honor’s Thesis and oral defense. I was proud of myself for being able to juggle being a full time student, a part time student employee, my commitment to Theta Nu Xi, my family and a challenging honor’s thesis. The long nights and hours of worked paid off when I saw how proud my family was of me.

Choose one word to describe yourself.

Achiever. I put all my effort and heart into my commitments.

What is the quirkiest thing about you?

My intense spurts of energy. Sometimes for no reason I get really hyper and do and say crazy things. I am glad I feel comfortable with all of my sisters to show them my hyper side.

Miranda Aragon #1 Zafiros Spring 2011 Alpha Zeta Chapter

Image courtesy of Google Images.

4 FEATURED ARTICLE

Aung San Suu Kyi: THE LADY By Carley Wyche Staff Writer

On April 1, 2012, Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to a seat on the national Parliament in her native country of Burma. For more than two decades Suu Kyi faced the intimidation of the military junta which controlled Burma with drastic and violent measures. Aung San Suu Kyi suffered through two decades of sacrifice, perseverance, house arrest, and separation from family in order to fight for human rights and democracy in Burma. Her continuing story is one of the power of determination and nonviolent protest in the face of oppression. Aung San Suu Kyi is the daughter of two Burmese political leaders. Her father, Aung San, is known as

the father of modern day Burma for facilitating Burma’s independence from Britain in 1948. Shortly before this accomplishment he was murdered by a political rival. Her mother, Khin Kyi, was appointed as the Burmese ambassador to India in 1960. Suu Kyi left Burma for India in 1960, after which she moved to England to continue her education at Oxford where she met her husband, Dr. Michal Aris, an Oxford scholar of Tibetan Studies. They married in 1972 and had two sons. During this period of domestic bliss, Suu Kyi went on to earn her PhD in 1985 from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, while dutifully caring for her family. Suu Kyi’s life in England was interrupted in 1988, when her mother suffered a stroke and Suu Kyi rushed back to Burma to care for her.

The Burma Suu Kyi left in 1960 was under the control of dictator, General Ne Win, who led the resource rich Burma into economic decline and international isolation. Suu Kyi’s arrival in 1988 coincided with the military junta seizing power from this dictator. In the same hospital in which her mother was recovering from her stroke, Suu Kyi encountered hundreds of injured students who had been violently attacked by the junta. This experience sparked Suu Kyi’s tenure as a political leader. In August 1988, she addressed half a million people at a mass rally calling for a democratic government. She stated, “I could not as my father’s daughter, remain indifferent to all that is going on.” As a leader of the Burmese opposition movement she helped found the National League for Democracy, an oppositional political

FEATURED ARTICLE 5 party. international leaders to aid her in her be with his wife. Aris filed over thirty The military junta remained in efforts. In a letter she wrote to him while visas applications. But the junta, hoping power and Suu Kyi was placed under they were dating, Suu Kyi states, “I only that this tragedy would push Suu Kyi to house arrest in July 1989. She was offered ask one thing, that should my people need leave, refused to grant him entry. After freedom if she left the country but she me, you would help me do my duty by all attempts to grant Aris entry into the refused, knowing that if she left Burma them.” Aris stayed true to this promise, county had been denied, Suu Kyi dressed she would never be allowed back up in her husband’s favorite color, in. In 1990, the military junta put the ever present flower in her called for a general election in hair, and taped a final declaration which the National League for of love to her dying husband. He Democracy received a nearly 60% died on March 27, 1989, two days majority; citizens hoped that the before the video was delivered. results would guarantee Suu Kyi Heartbroken but the position of Prime Minister. unbroken in resolve, Suu Kyi Instead the military junta refused continued her nonviolent protest to hand over power and Suu Kyi of the junta regime for the next remained under house arrest. The decade. In a constant cycle of next year Suu Kyi won the Nobel house arrest, imprisonment, short Peace Prize for her non-violent releases, and visits to the hospital struggle for democracy and human for bad health associated with rights and her status as a symbol hunger strikes in alliance with the against oppression. thousands of political prisoners in Suu Kyi spent the next two Burma and the deplorable decades in a constant struggle with condition of her house, Suu Kyi’s the military junta. Suu Kyi had an house arrest came to an end on unwavering belief in her cause, November 13, 2010, six days after expressed poignantly in these the country’s general election that words, “I don’t believe in people she was barred from running in. just hoping. We work for what we On March 30, 2011, want. I always say that one has no powers of the government were right to hope without endeavor, so given to General Thein Sein. we work to try and bring about the While General Thein Sein is a situation that is necessary for the leader of the old regime, he is seen country, and we are confident that as a moderate and reformer who we will get to the negotiation table has relaxed the censorship and at one time or another.” While the violence in the Burmese military junta had violence, government. In addition, by to intimidation, and forced separation allowing Suu Kyi to run in the from her family in their arsenal, recent 2012 elections where she Suu Kyi had only her iron will, won a parliament seat, Thein Sein love for her country, and loyalty met with Suu Kyi to discuss the to the cause of democracy with future of Burma. which to battle against her captors. The strength and resolve However, while the junta could not that Aung San Suu Kyi possesses execute her because she was “The Images courtesy of Google Images. can only be compared to figures Lady,” the personification of the such as Mahatma Gandhi and Top: Suu Kyi greets supporters in the street. fight for democracy and human Nelson Mandela. Her sacrifices rights in Burma, they could keep and the sacrifices of her loved ones Middle: At left, Suu Kyi featured on the cover of her away from her family. Time Magazine. At right, Suu Kyi on her wedding day have allowed her to champion the with husband Dr. Michal Aris. While she was under cause of her people and make real house arrest, the junta only progress toward the Bottom: Suu Kyi pictured with her party’s voting allowed her husband into the democratization of Burma. It is emblem, an image of a fighting peacock gazing at a country to visit her five times, the through one of Aung San Suu white star. last visit occurring in December Kyi’s most famous quotes that of 1995. After this visit, the government encouraging her to stay and fight, even in we can use the lessons of her strength in refused to grant Aris an entry visa into the 1997, when he was diagnosed with our own lives. “Please use your liberty to country. Through this ordeal Suu Kyi alterminal cancer. Aris, Suu Kyi, and promote ours.” ways had the support of her husband who leaders of the international community worked behind the scenes by contacting begged the government to allow Aris to

6 FEATURED ARTICLE

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES: Getting to

Know Your Sisters By Carley Wyche Staff Writer

Summer is coming to a close and the Fall semester will soon be in full swing. Now is the time to make our Chapters better functioning than ever before. Below you will find several activities that can be used to do just that for your Chapter in the coming year. Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: Surveys, links, and additional resources marked with a asterik (*) can be found on Orgsync: http://tinyurl.com/OVChapterResources.

FEATURED ARTICLE 7 Surveys, Questionnaires, and Tests Oh My!

Communication Styles Survey*: Some people are loud and upfront, while others are quiet and internal. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to know what type of communicator a person is in order to approach them in the most productive and conscious way.

When approaching anything in life it is best to be well informedâ&#x20AC;Ś imagine if you used this same approach with your Sisters. The number of cultural and communication faux paus that are experienced on a day to day basis could significantly decrease. Below are useful tests and surveys to help you better understand yourself and your Sisters:

Goals Survey*: In order for a group of people to function properly they must have common goals or at least an understanding of each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual goals. Every Sister comes into Theta Nu Xi with a different goal for herself as a Sister and for her position in her Chapter. These holistic and personal goals are important to know, not only in order to make sure Sisters are in the best positions within the chapter to accomplish their goals, but to also help individuals accomplish their personal goals.

Personality Tests

True Colors: This test uses color as a metaphor for understanding human characteristics and how intrinsic behavior must be rewarded differently to create success and attain self-esteem. Each distinct perspective and personality type is represented by one of four colors: Blue, Orange, Green, or Gold.

Jung/Briggs Meyers Typology: This test is used in organizational settings to assess management skills, facilitate teamwork and encourage problem-solving, all while reducing communication difficulties. This is a great tool for self-discovery about specific personality aspects.

Timelines: Individual timelines include the 5 best and 5 worst events in your life (birth to present) that have shaped who you are as an individual. This exercise can be really helpful in discovering why a person reacts to certain situations in a particular manner and what events or situations they may be sensitive to.

Images courtesy of Google Images.

Chapter Trainings

Safe Zone Training: Most college campuses have qualified Safe Zone Trainers housed somewhere within their Student Affairs department. These individuals have completed a training program which contains information necessary to dispel myths and understand negative and hurtful stereotypes and increase awareness of misinformation regarding LGBT people. In addition, this training gives participants the language and skills they need to provide support and to create environments that are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Language Etiquette*: When it comes to race, gender, culture, disabilities, socioeconomic status, etc., there are words/ actions that are appropriate and others that can be either blatantly or subtly inappropriate. Taking the time to reach out to the Continued on Page 19

8 FEATURED ARTICLE

Connecting

with Sisters as a New Chapter Member

By Strawbry Jiles Staff Writer Becoming a new Sister of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., or becoming a new Sister transitioning into a GAP chapter is extremely exciting. It can also be intimidating many new Sisters are still in the Aspirant mind frame and have a hard time breaking out of their shell and interacting with more seasoned Sisters they may not know all that well. This is perfectly normal and is something that is easily fixable. With an open mind and the right attitude, you can refrain from feeling intimidated and instead, feel more enthusiastic about building a stronger bond with your new Chapter Sisters. One way to start bonding with Sisters is to strike up a conversation about their Intake Process. This is a great way to find some similarities you may share with

another Sister because you can relate to each other through this experience. You might find that some of the things you had difficulty with, others have as well. This personally worked for me. I remember asking one of my Chapter Sisters this very question and we had a whole conversation about it and more. Opening this line of communication can also lead to finding out some interesting facts you may have not known about a Sister. This can open the door for comfort, as well as bonding. How can you expect to get closer to someone if all you know about that person is their name? Always remember that communication is key! Hanging out with Sisters is another way to build a stronger bond. In GAP Chapters, for instance, everyone doesn’t get to see each other as often as they do in undergraduate Chapters, so linking up with each other outside of

Chapter business is another way of getting the feel of each Chapter Sister as well as how the Chapter functions. You can choose to hang out individually with another Sister, or as a group, but you should try to spend time with each individual in the Chapter, this way you feel connected with the Chapter as a whole. Hanging out with Sisters doesn’t have to be formal either. You can choose to have lunch, go to a movie, sit in the park, or even have a game night, but whatever it is you decide, just remember that a form of conversation should take place. Talk about your pet peeves, your favorite things to do, or your family-any topic that requires more than a “yes” or “no” answer. You should also allow the other person to ask you some questions as well. A conversation isn’t one sided, so always keep that in mind and again, be open.

FEATURED ARTICLE 9 Being a Sister of Theta Nu Xi, you should feel nothing but excitement for achieving such an accomplishment. Don’t let something like being shy or feeling

intimidated hinder your experience. This Organization is about accepting people’s differences and coming together as ONE. Always remember that Sisters who have

been in the Organization are here to help you in every way, shape, and form. So get out there and start bonding, you’ll never know what can happen if you don’t try!

(1) Xi Lambda at the 2012 Southeast Regional Retreat (2) Beta Chapter participates in fundraiser (3) Alpha Zeta after Spring 2012 Emergence (4) Alpha Chapter poses for Chapter Photos (5) Xi Alpha welcomes new member and author Strawbrry Jiles after her Fall 2011 crossing (6) Alpha Alpha Spring 2012 Line (7) Nu Chapter Spring 2012 Line (8) Omicron after Spring 2012 Emergence (9) Alpha Iota partakes in sisterly bonding (10) Alpha Beta volunteers at Midtown Makeover event in Detroit (11) Mu after Spring 2012 Emergence (12) Xi Gamma and Mid-Atlantic Sisters at the annual Summer in D.C.ity event (13) Southeast Sisters bond at the 2012 Southeast Regional Retreat (14) Xi Eta volunteers at Phoenix Marathon (15) Upsilon and Alumnae at Reunion Weekend (Cover) Alpha Lambda Chapter poses for Chapter Photos

10 FEATURED ARTICLE

Network

Like Your

Life Depends

On It By Tanya S. Arditi Staff Writer There’s one thing that if you’re paying attention in college you’ll hear repeatedly that you must do: NETWORKING. Now, if you’re lucky, you’ll actually learn how to network while you’re in college. But if you’re like the majority of us, getting a grasp on what networking is and learning how to do it effectively is like catching a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow -- two equally improbable feats. The problem with saying “I don’t understand what networking is, so I’m not going to bother with it” is that in order to get ahead in life and succeed, networking is as essential as the passion you put forth and the skills you employ. So let’s start with the basics: What is Networking? According to a definition (one of many by a countless number of people!) by Annie Mueller in her book “10 Steps to Successful

Social Networking,” “networking is about meeting and building relationships with people for a purpose.” You must wonder, then, if networking is about meeting and building relationships with people, then aren’t you doing that all the time with your friends? And isn’t that enough? The answer is, quite simply, no. While networking should be genuine and personal, it’s not always about making friends. It doesn’t mean that it can’t be about that, but it doesn’t have to be. Luckily for us, there are so many people living in the world, that we are bound to interact with people all the time. And every interaction you have – whether it’s with someone who works in your office but doesn’t work with you, or the person behind you at the check-out line of the supermarket, or the person sitting next to you on the train or bus – is a

networking opportunity. Surely it can be intimidating and frightening – striking up conversations with strangers isn’t something that comes easily to all of us. Like everything else in life, this is a skill that can be improved upon with practice. There is a lot of truth in the saying that magic happens outside of your comfort zone. But why does networking matter? Because we’re human beings, and human beings are social beings, and we live in a society where avoiding interaction is about as easy as trying to avoid breathing in air. Opportunities present themselves in the form of transactions, and the majority of times, transactions occur between people, and even though people often attempt to make decisions that are free of judgment and strictly based on facts, there is a part of us that yearns to make connections with other

FEATURED ARTICLE 11 individuals and bases most of our actions on those connections. Now, how do you DO it? How do you actually network? Let’s start with some basics:

#1: Always remember that first impressions are key. This is really at the bottom of that piece of advice that says you should “dress for the job you want not the job you have.” Even if you’re simply going to the supermarket, make sure you are always presentable – you never know who might be behind you at the check-out line! This doesn’t mean that it’s all about your appearance – it’s also about your demeanor. How you carry yourself – with self-respect, dignity, pride, control, and confidence – speaks volumes about who you are and who you want to be, and you wear that like a piece of jewelry.

#2: We are all important.

Despite what your mom told you growing up, it’s not all about you, and the world does not revolve around you. So learn to find a way to see every person you interact with as important. The man who works at the booth in the train station is as vital to the flow of the universe as President Obama is to this country.

sharing the title of a book with them, pointing them to a place where they may be interested in working – follow through on helping them. If you tell someone that you will give them a call – do it. And if you didn’t mean it when you said you’d call them, go back to practice #3 above and be more genuine! At the end of the day, networking is all about value – the potential value someone else has for you, the potential value you represent for them. For this reason, you should strive to be valuable – add value to someone else’s life, and don’t necessarily expect anything in return. There are others out there practicing the same, so they will seek to add value to your life. And because it’s all about value, you should strive to know and stay connected to key people – nurturing your network is as important as making sure your resume is impeccable. Even if it means sending just one short email every couple of days to people like former professors, one-time bosses, or family friends who are established in life, get in the habit of doing it. And while you’re at it, make sure to perfect your elevator pitch – that 30 second “who am I in a powerful nutshell”

#3: Be genuine.

When you’re speaking to someone, practice being as genuine as possible. Don’t fake interest – FIND interest. It may not be apparent to you how a conversation you’re having right now could impact your future – and it may very well be that it won’t – but give it a chance. The same way that you just never know who you’re sitting next to on the train, you never know if a passing exchange with a stranger, a 15 minute conversation with someone at a coffee shop, or a 30 minute conversation with a professor, has the potential to change your life.

#4: Do what you say you will.

If you meet someone at an event and you strike up a conversation, and find out you have similar interests and there is something you can help that person with – putting them in contact with someone,

Image courtesy of Google Images.

introduction that is proven to open doors for you. If you remember nothing else about what can make you a better networker, remember the following: • Behave like your grandmother is watching • Dress appropriately for whatever you’re doing • Wear a smile • Be open and ready for anything • Carry business cards, or make yourself personal cards if you need to • Remember all aspects of yourself – you’re not JUST a student, you’re not JUST an employee at XYZ: You’re a woman with many interests and passions, whether it’s crocheting or reading, rock-climbing or growing heirloom tomatoes, and you need to actively know yourself and have all this at the forefront so you can make connections with other people. • And finally, follow-up and follow through – always follow-up with people you meet, and follow through on any and all things you may have said you would do.

12 FEATURED ARTICLE

What They DIDN’T TELL ME When I Got My Cap And Gown By Strawbry Jiles Staff Writer

Images courtesy of Google Images.

Did you ever think that when you graduated from college and obtained a degree that you would dive head first into a career of your dreams? If you have, then you are not alone. The truth of the matter is that this is not always a realistic idea. Many of us have constantly been told that once we attend college and graduate that we will be able to have a career, making a decent amount of money. While this is true, it doesn’t necessarily happen right after graduation (especially in the economy and job market we live in today). One thing you should not be is discouraged if this perfect scenario doesn’t happen. Nothing occurs overnight. Getting into the career of your dreams takes time, patience, and a driven mentality.

Don’t Be So Down in the Dumps

Don’t stress yourself about finding a job as soon as you graduate. There is no specific time in which one should have found the career of their dreams. This period in your life is like college all over again…a learning experience. Relax and figure out if this is what you really want to do and continue on with your plan from there.

Some Alternatives in the Meantime

Although you may not be able to jump right into your dream career, finding other jobs in the meantime can help alleviate some of the stress of paying for those outrageous student loans that hit us as soon as we graduate. While retail seems not to be the first choice

FEATURED ARTICLE 13 for many, it is a field that hires frequently. No one is saying that you mut start a career in retail (if that’s not what you want to do), but it puts extra money in your pockets and keeps your mind from dwelling on not beginning your preferred career. I personally was one of those people. I felt that if I started in retail, I’d eventually get stuck because I’d become too comfortable in that position. Again, this should not be a reason to keep you down and out. Taking the time to relax is another way to get your mind from asking “now what?” During this relaxation time you should be making a plan about how to achieve your goals. This may include sprucing up your resume, looking for grad schools (if you’re interested in furthering your education), or creating a realistic time frame and action plan for obtain your dream career. Many people get scared of the word relaxation because they equate it with being unproductive. Sometimes a break is needed. Remember, you just crossed a milestone in your life and you deserve a break.

Remember you are not the only one going through this. There are many college graduates in your position. Don’t allow people to tell you how you should go about your dreams or that there is a

certain time frame to follow. Only you know what’s best for you and how to get there. One thing you should always remember is to be open-minded and take every experience as a learning experience.

Networking

Networking is the key to getting where you want to be. It’s not always about what you know, but who as well. Join the alumni association at your alma mater. This gives you the ability to interact with other recent graduates and maybe even get your foot in the right direction and steer you towards landing that dream job. You can also choose to network via the internet. One great networking site is LinkedIn (www.linkedin. com). Here, you’re able to display your previous experiences and possibly gain some new ones.

Images courtesy of Google Images.

14 FEATURED ARTICLE

My First “Real” Job By Dara Monasch Senior Editor Having been a Dean of Intake for several lines and having participated in numerous recruitment activities, one question inevitably arises from women interested in our Organization… “What is the benefit to joining your Sorority?” Some people are offended by this question and immediately write off the women asking it, thinking that they’re asking because they want to know, “what’s in it for me?” In a way I suppose that’s correct at the heart of the matter; however, in my opinion, you have to respect them for having the guts to broach the subject. Why should they join Theta Nu Xi? They should have a right to ask not only about how they can enrich the

Image courtesy of Google Images.

How Theta Nu Xi Helped Me Land

Sorority, but also how the Sorority can wasn’t necessarily the case. Lots… no enrich them. We all talk really… LOTS of about how membership is a students graduated with two way street, so I’d like to similar, if not the same, share with you my personal accolades as me, and many journey to employment at of them from more a company where I can see prestigious institutions. The myself making a career and job market being what it is, how Theta Nu Xi helped me I decided to register with a get there. temp agency to start When I graduated working – which worked out from college in 2009, I wonderfully! I was sent on came out with my “BA in assignment right away Psychology, minor in East because of my elite Above: Asian Studies, summa cum word-per-minute typing laude, honors program,” and ONEVision Senior Editor skills, clearly a skill I paid Dara Monasch I thought those accolades a handsome fee (both in Xi Xi Chapter, were as exciting to everyone by way of Alpha Theta time and money) to earn in else in the world as they college, right? Not quite. were to me. Quickly, I realized that this However, it was paying the bills, so I was

FEATURED ARTICLE 15 selling myself with everything that I have to offer? Once I started utilizing my “Theta Nu Xi” revamped resume (I will admit, I did also include my involvement with Nekocon, an annual anime convention, as well!), I began to hear back more often from recruiters. I’m not saying it was magic, but there was a clear distinction between the two. I applied for several positions that I was very interested in, and some others simply intrigued me. After several interviews with different companies, I was called back by Infragistics to come in for a preliminary interview. That’s where the fun really began… Nervous as always on a job interview, I went in to meet the HR representative to go over some information about the position I applied for, hear more about the company, and go on a tour. As we walked around the building and the representative briefed me on the company and its’ history, I fell in love. The building was amazing, the company mission was progressive and engaging, and the atmosphere was youthful but determined. I definitely wanted to work there! Upon conclusion of the tour, the HR representative and I went into a conference room to discuss the position and if I would be qualified. As

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happy to have a job because so many of my fellow graduates were struggling to find employment of any kind. And yet after having been on assignment at my office for almost two years (they eventually hired me full time), I realized that I was floating along in complacency. I wasn’t fulfilling my promise to myself to always continue to educate myself, to push myself farther, and I wasn’t doing something that I truly loved. It was at this point that I sat down with a printout of my resume, a red pen, some acoustic music, and decided to really crack down. I wanted to ask myself the hard questions, to try and figure out some kind of direction for myself. I ended up asking myself three things: 1. What have I done successfully that can set me apart from my fellow job applicants? 2. What have I done that I enjoy? 3. How can I combine these two things into something sellable that will land me a job? In order to help myself answer these questions, what I ended up doing was making what I called my “master resume,”: a listing of every job, leadership position, and quantifiable role I could remember. I could remember. I used that as my starting point. Several arduous days later, I realized something – most of what I’ve been successful at and truly enjoyed doing, I could tie back to my involvement with Theta Nu Xi. I’ve been on the ONEVision staff essentially since I crossed into the Sisterhood, I’ve been ADI, Dean, and on several Expansion Teams, along with several national committees… I love to organize things! Putting together a project, whether it be an Intake Process, an edition of ONEVision, or a National Elections cycle… I was beginning to see the pattern. I took this information and drafted my new resume, highlighting my Theta Nu Xi experience, when applicable, in a “related experience” section of my resume. I realized that I’m much more than just my “BA in Psychology, minor in East Asian Studies, summa cum laude, honors program” accolades; it’s my “extracurricular” activities that set me apart. I’m sure many of you can and will have a similar epiphany at some point. I still remain incredibly proud of my academic achievements; however, they’re not the only thing that defines me. They’re definitely not the only thing I’m passionate about, so why wasn’t I

plans and training for potential new initiates of the Sorority. In the middle of our talk, she grabbed her phone and said “hold on! One second!” and started furiously typing. A moment later, with a smile, she said, “listen to this…” and read me a different job description. Upon conclusion of hearing the details, she said, “if you’re interested, I would very much like to forward your resume to the hiring manager for this position. In addition, based on our conversation, could you write up an even more detailed description of your Sorority work for him to review?” Clearly, I answered “yes,” and much of the rest is history! I got a call a few days later to come in and interview with the hiring manager, who is now my direct supervisor. He also was incredibly interested in my Sorority “work” (I hesitate to call it work because in so many instances, it’s a labor of love) and asked me quite a few clarifying questions about what I’d done with Theta Nu Xi. The next week, I was offered the position, and happily accepted. As of February 21st, 2012, I have been the Technical Project Manager at Infragistics. I know sometimes that as Sisters we ponder the question of, “what can Theta Nu Xi do for me,” and some of us are even concerned about listing our Sorority involvement on our resumes because of potential stigma and stereotypes of “Sorority Girls.” However, all I can say is that if you don’t try, then you’ll never know. I’m glad I took the leap of faith and promoted myself as a true “Sorority Woman,” spoke on what I’m passionate about, and I’m pleased to

Right:

Dara (pictured at far right) with Spring 2012 Xi XI Chapter Sisters. she reviewed my resume, she asked me more about each section, and we got into a very detailed discussion about my Sorority involvement. We talked in depth about my work with ONEVision and as a Dean of Intake, particularly about coordinating schedules, creating action

say that because of those things, I’m in a place now where I can begin to build my career. Author’s Note: Special thanks to Infragistics (www.infragistics.com) for allowing ONEVision to reference them in this article!

16 FEATURED ARTICLE

WISDOM

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of the ages

By Tanya S. Arditi Staff Writer When I joined this Organization I was asked in many ways, by Sisters, family-members, and interested friends alike, one question more times than any other: “Why?” The “Why Theta Nu Xi” inquiry is much larger a question than one simply answered with a “Because.” Explaining why Theta Nu Xi always turns into a conversation about a larger desire for social justice at home and in the world, equality for women, young and old, the longing to see racism and all other forms of “isms” somehow done away with in our lifetime. Then there’s the unquenchable thirst for learning. Practically each Sister I’ve ever spoken

to has mentioned how much she loves exploring and learning about other cultures -- and her own - as much as

possible. Our Sisters are women from all cultures that I can talk to about the similarities and differences inherent in our cultures and ourselves. We can always gain insight into not only that culture but also the human race and the human experience as a whole by interacting with one another. The more I learn, the more I realize that there are certain guiding principles inherent in the teachings of our cultures and religions that stand out as universal and transcend the confinements of their own cocoon. The way I like to think of them is this: If there was one thing that you’d like others to know about what your religion/culture teaches you, what would that be? So I’ve decided to start a collection of these teachings as they relate to ways of fulfilling each and