My Cap and Gown

I have just purchased my cap and gown for my graduation from VCSU and can hardly believe that I will soon be traveling to North Dakota to walk across the stage to receive my diploma / bachelor’s degree.

This simple act of contacting a very pleasant person at the VCSU bookstore that helped me select the proper size graduation attire and didn’t even wince when I asked for it to be shipped to Maryland has me reflecting on all the positive people, staff and professors, I have encountered at this university during my tenure.

Who would have thought that when I first found the online professional degree program at VCSU that I would have also found an institution with a soul and whose commitment to students and their learning experience was so profound.
I should recognize my friend Colleen from Florida for her glowing referral of the university. Her husband was a former professor at VCSU and she couldn’t say enough nice things about the people who work at the university. As we all know, it is the people and their commitment to learning / teaching / customer service that makes a student’s higher education experience worth while and memorable.

What I should mention is that I am a non-traditional student. I register, receive counseling and attend class virtually. Yet from the moment I began the process to attend this university I was never treated as a second class citizen, it was clear that I mattered. When I was in the application stage at VCSU I received constant updates and phone calls to let me know where I was in the process and what steps I needed to take next. This initial contact reaffirmed my decision to attend this university. What can I say, I believe in communication and excellent customer service of which both were in abundance during this phase.
Did I mention that I have a type A+ personality? That’s right, I’m “perky” with an “I don’t like to lose attitude.” Say it with me…”show me the A.”

Over the course of years that I have been attending this university I have found that the communication got even better. The professors, although firm, also understood and helped guide me through the learning process. The organization of the coursework, clearly stated requirements and objectives along with project deadlines kept my education on track.
Initially I thought that the communication via the internet would be impersonal, I was mistaken. Through my virtual communication with the professional staff and professors at VCSU I feel as though I have come to know each one of them and consider them among my close associates and friends.
As no man is an island, I must add that I could not have traveled my education path alone. I have an advisor who would make many students out there green with envy. She listen’s, follows’ up on her promises, finds me answers to my endless questions and makes sure that I have what I need to succeed at VCSU. She is not the traditional professor / advisor in the fact that she only has office hours and that’s all, she goes above and beyond her role and for that I say thank you.

For those out there that may be considering non-traditional learning to achieve their educational goals or attending a university in the mid-west I would offer that VCSU should be on your list of universities to check out. I have listed a few I can’s below that reiterate my stance on the excellence of receiving my education from VCSU and why I consider, and use, their staff and professors as examples of what is right with a university.



How many people out there can say?

• That they have contacted the registrar’s office and a real person answered the phone and you were able to speak with the registrar who helped you solve your problem? I can…
• That they have sent an e-mail to the registrar’s office and heard back within an hour with a response and resolution to an issue? I can….
• That they can call the bookstore and speak with any of the staff to get the books needed and shipped the same day? I can…
• That they can send off a message to a professor and hear back immediately with a response / answer? I can…
• That they can converse with the Financial Aid Office to find out what they need to do to obtain financial aid and then the office follows up with e-mails and calls to ensure that you understand and are comfortable with the process? I can…
• That they can call or e-mail the business office and talk to a real person, find out tuition payment options and have the person be friendly? I can…
• That they can e-mail an advisor an educational track question at midnight and get a response? I can…
• That they can learn about the other students in their class. That they will know fellow students likes, dislikes, favorite color, pets and much more? I can…
• That they have had a univeristy director offer to take time out of their vacation to visit you and make sure you have the career tools you need to be successful? I can...
• That they can participate in group projects from thousands of miles away? I can…
• That they receive daily updates on activities, university newsletters, invitations to events and much more? I can…
• That the university finds them whether via e-mail, text or phone to let them know about emergency campus updates? I can…
• That the university provides help to the community around them during a disaster; such as the mass flooding that Valley City recently endured? I can

There is so much more I could say about the positives of VCSU but then that would make this a book and not a blog.
Suffice to say that I am thankful that I found a university that has provided me with not only the education I needed but the academic and social networks that rounded out my collegiate experience. Just think, one side step and I may have ended up at another institution where I would have been a number and not a name and my higher educational experience would not have been so rewarding.

Perish the thought!

Yes…Virginia there is a Christmas without modern technology.

One of my Facebook friends reminded me today that there are only
18 days left until Christmas.

Only 18 days….so little time for me to complete my college course work, finish decorating the house, throw two holiday parties, shop for friends and family, complete a freelance research project, and try to squeeze a day trip to New York to see Rockefeller Center.

Where the heck has all the time gone?

Every year I promise myself that next year I will have a plan of action / strategy for success and be well prepared for my favorite holiday.

One would think in this age of digital communications, social media and internet based shopping I would be able to locate all the great decorations for the house, send out Christmas Cards (yes we say Christmas in our house) and shop for the perfect gifts.

Technology is great and I enjoy its benefits everyday yet somehow at Christmas I want things to be more personable and friendly and the computer seems to be a bit more impersonal than performing the task myself.

I want my friends and family to know:

- That I spent the time thinking about them and took great care in preparing a meal or creating a special holiday event versus having a caterer show up at the house.
- That the Christmas card I sent them has a hand written note from our family versus buying the cards with our names printed on them or electronic cards sent to an email address.
- That the gift I handed them was thought out carefully and not purchased on a whim.
- That I still love my mother even though she absolutely makes me crazy with her list of what to do’s.
- That our children understand the true meaning of Christmas and how important it is that we share the holiday together.

Each year technology advances but it still can not take the place of a Christmas Movie night with the family. Watching the classics such as Rudolph, Frosty, Miracle of 34th Street, or It’s a Wonderful Life with family and friends isn’t digital social media but is social.

So for your holiday I wish everyone gifts that enhance their social media and the time to spend with family and friends that will enhance you socializing.

So, Yes Virginia there is a Christmas with out technology.

For those who had never had a chance to read the famous letter to the New York Sun written by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church to Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon to answer her question “Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus”. Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog,

For the first time this holiday season I had my OH MY moment. I realized that it is December and Christmas is less than 22 days from now. My mind was a jumble of things I need to do: send a box to our son in Iraq, decorate the house for our holiday parties [yes more than one], finish two papers for VCSU and then the fun task - shop for the kids.

As I sat down to write this week’s blog I have the verse from Let it Snow running through my head and I wondered…

What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

I searched online for something to inspire me on what to write. I thought to myself what is on the top of everyone’s mind this time of year, Santa – Cards – Friends and Family. So I Googled these key words and found a sited called make your own Dancing Santa Card. The site DancingSantaCard.com allowed me to upload a photo and make a jolly e-card to send to my friends and family. I created one and emailed the link to those in my contact list.

I digress…What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

The phone rings, it is our daughter with some Christmas hints. Our kids have to have their hints in by a specific date or we buy them what WE THINK they need. She gives me the list with some links so that I can go online to see what she wants this year. I find the items and we discuss others.

I digress…What to Blog, What to Blog, What to Blog?

I begin to wonder how can I tie the holiday season with digital media and social networking and use it in my blog. This is when I have what many would call a DUH moment.

Today I created a Santa e-card that was sent out electronically to friends and family, I searched for gifts online, I searched Facebook for updates on my friends’ holiday plans and I checked the status of those attending our holiday parties from our Evite invitations. Without knowing I just tied the digital age and the Christmas holiday together and found a message for my blog.

The digital age and medical peace of mind

Not long ago I would have searched online to find

• Great recipes
• Places to dine
• Vacation packages
• Best selling novels
• Check my Facebook page

Recently I have used the full resources of this digital age to search the internet for information on Cervical Cancer and Diabetes to help me with my medical piece of mind. Within the last few months several people close to me have been diagnosed with serious medical condition, one with cervical cancer and the other with type 2 diabetes.

These two medical conditions are deemed silent diseases due to the fact that the person may not know that they have the condition until it is too late. This is why most physicians’ suggest that women get annual pap smear and that everyone have a routine physical with blood work.

Thankfully with my online research I have found that both medical conditions are treatable when detected early, although both have vastly different types of treatments. Cervical cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation and if spread to the other areas of the body chemotherapy while type 2 diabetes can be regulated with medication and diet. Yet if left untreated either of the two diseases is left untreated they can result in a loss of life.

Some of the credible sites that I found to learn more about these two diseases are the American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association. The American Cancer Society’s website deals with all forms of cancer while the ADA only discusses diabetes. Both sites provide explanations of the disease, research taking place, success stories, and support group services as well as hyperlinks to other sites that can provide additional information.

So what does surfing the web have to do with medical peace of mind?

Think back to some of the clichés that we use in modern society. Knowing is half the battle, forewarned is forearmed, live and learn, failing to prepare is preparing to fail and so on. What does this mean? That by knowing what is happening a person can determine what needs to be done to conquer any or either of these two diseases.

The Fan Page and more…

Many of you many have read my previous weeks blogs and Tweets know that I was in the process of creating a Fan Page on Facebook. The Fan Page has been activated and was named Cervical Cancer: Radiation Patients Unite.

This Fan Page was my way of inviting others to see some of the equipment and to learn more about what women with Cervical Cancer endure during radiation treatment. To also provide a platform for those diagnosed with Cervical Cancer along with their friends, family, and associates to talk about the disease and create a virtual support group.

During the research process for finding electronic / digital links to post on the fan page I found that there were a lot of sites dedicated to breast, lung and skin cancer yet very few that spoke about Cervical Cancer. This seems add since the statistics show that 13,000 women each year are diagnosed with the disease. One group that looked to be more Web 2.0 savvy was the CDC (Center for Disease Control) they have a Pod Cast that discusses how getting regular Pap tests can save a woman's life.

The next step…

So let’s see I have blogged, tweeted and created a FanPage on Facebook. The next step is a video for YouTube. When I was speaking to my sister she thought that a it would be nice to see a video that she could watch that would life her spirits not be a doom and gloom presentation. Why not, I created the presentation in power point added some music I purchased and tried to upload. What was I thinking; this was the wrong type of presentation, no PPT or PPX allowed only WMV

This is when I thought that I was going to have to pay to convert the presentation and was wondering what I had gotten myself into. My normal perky attitude had abandoned me, as I scoured the internet to find out how to change the file from PPT to WMV, in its place was the pouty expression of exasperation. Thankfully I found that the wonderful IT person who loaded my computer software had included Windows Movie Maker. I made the changes and uploaded the video. Yahoo we are back in Perkyville!

Enjoy:

Please note that the images were either taken by myself or obtained free of charge from royality-free internet sites. The music was from the CD I purchased "A Tribute to Lurther Vandross" and is not intended for reproduction but merely to enhanace the presentation.

This is one tattoo no one wants…

Have you every thought about getting some ink on your body?
Would it be a butterfly, ship, disney character or perhaps a heart with your loved ones name? What about freckles that triangulate a direction?

Several weeks ago my sister received a new tattoo. It was located on her abdomen. It was inked in blue and looks like freckles on her body. These freckles are to show the physicist where to administer a radiation treatment. This unwanted ink will be a permanent mark to remind her of a disease that she didn’t want and is working hard to eradicate from her body.

This was the beginning of her external radiation treatment to cure Cervical Cancer

They tell her that External Radiation is used in the first phase of her Cervical Cancer treatment. A machine directs high-energy rays at the cancer site. The treatments are usually painless and take less than 30 minutes. She will have a team the helps her during her treatments.

The Radiation Team usually consists of the

• Radiation Oncologists – This is the doctor who determines the type and amount of radiation for your treatment.
• Physicist - This is the person who sets the machine to disperse the correct amount of radiation
• Dosimetrist - Helps your doctor calculate the right amount of radiation
• Radiation Nurse - This is the nurse who you get to know quite well. This nurse tells you what you are going through and is there to help you through the process.
• Dietitian - Helps you to manage the side effects that can affect your diet
• Social Worker - Helps to arrange for community and at home services that may be needed
• Service Coordinator - This is your own personal concierge. This person greets you when you arrive, helps you to register and schedule future for your appointments, and points you to the right person to answer all questions.

How’s does digital age or social media help cancer patients?

Having cancer treatment can be a stressful time, getting together with others who are also having treatment is helpful. National Cervical Cancer and HPV Coalition has an online support area that connects patients, families, friends and caregivers for support and inspiration. One November 14th Facebook will have a Fan Page for Cervical Cancer Radiation Treatment Patients who will be able to connect with others who are going through cancer treatment or receive support from the virtual Facebook community.

A Web 2.0 Project – My Facebook Fan Page in the Making…

It began with a class assignment of what to do for a Web 2.0 Project that could be distributed to the masses. It became an assignment of the perservance and hopefully of triumph…

What could I do? What would have meaning? What has affected my life that should be heard? I could think of only one thing that had dramatically affected my life in the last month and of those of my family, the diagnosis that my sister had been stricken with Cervical Cancer.

Many do not know my sister; she is a tell-it-like-it-is person with a brash attitude and a straighter shooter vocabulary. She likes to be informed about all of the details and hates those people who can never give a person a straight answer. Her gruff manner and direct conversation mask her sensitive and caring personality that many have witnessed and been recipients of her let-me-help nature. Those who do know her soon realize that she has the one of the biggest hearts in the U.S.

So now you are asking what has this to do what digital communication. My sister is one of those people who does not have a traditional social life. Yes she goes out to dinner and to see my brother when his band is playing. Yes she enjoys shopping and talking with friends. Yes she is in a wheelchair and many of those people she knows and speaks / communicates with are online.

Although difficult for me and my sister to reveal information about a very personal situation our hope is that through social media we can inform others about this cancer and how with proper detection this cancer can be detected early thus making it curable. Also, that we create a forum for those who are undergoing treatment to speak with others and learn that they are not alone.

This brings me to my Web 2.0 project. I, with my sisters blessing, choose to create a Fan Page on Facebook that discusses the radiation treatment that my sister is undergoing to cure this cancer. This Fan Page will have links to sites that will help define Cervical Cancer, different forms of treatment used to cure the disease and sites / places where those affected by this cancer can go to seek answers.

Early next week I will be posting this Fan Page on Facebook with a link to my blogg and Twitter account. I hope all of you who read this blog will help me by sending the link to others so that together we can inform women of the importance of yearly exams and let those who are undergoing treatment know there are others out there who understand exactly what they are enduring.

What would we do without computers?

This evening as I was taking an exam online and the compatible internet feed went down half way through my test. As I sat in front of the screen and stared at the computer, I was contemplating whether I should use a hammer on the unit or toss it down the staircase, I wondered, what would I do without the internet and more importantly this computer.

I began my lessons using a pen and paper to take exams and turn in assignments. I can recall Sister Mary Frances still saying that penmanship was a key element in our future successes in school and life.

Time moved forward, I was able to use the new electric typewriter, the IBM Selectric. It was a marvelous invention for me. I took a typing class in high school so that I could learn how to use the modern invention. It was nice to know that I would be able to fit so much text on a single sheet of paper with out having to handwrite the pages. Then there was the correction tape –no more having to redo an entire sheet of typing now I could backspace and delete. This was fantastic.

Years ago there was such uproar that the machines, aka computers, would be the ruin of the modern world. Fast forward to the modern world and those same naysayers now use their high speed computers everyday to communicate shop and track household expenses. What would these people do without computers?

I think about our son serving in Iraq. He now can send us photos, e-mails and if he has any time left after working, sleeping and eating we can speak with him utilizing Skype. I can not imagine what the mothers’, fathers’ wives and children went through during WWI and WWII. Weeks and months went by before you heard one word from a loved-one. The stress must have been incredible.

I know that I can count money without a calculator, drive down the road with out a gps system and find my way to where I am going. Take college classes at a university versus online / distance learning and I could use a typewriter versus my computer.

What would I do without my computer?

Let’s hope I never have to find out!

Left in Limbo…

Job hunting in the digital age has an adverse affect not only on the employer who is posting the position but also the person via for the job. Current statistics state that for every job there are 6 qualified individuals who could be hired for the position.

Employers are inundated with resumes and have to sift through, interview and find the person who is the “correct fit” for the job. Many employers, including the Federal Government, issue disclaimers that says “Please also note that due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to all candidates. Due to the large amount of applications we receive we will only contact those who are successful in their applications.”

Although this statement is great for the employer it leaves the job seeker in limbo wondering if the resume was received, reviewed and recommend for the next step in the employment process.

Even more distressing in this job seeking digital age is the post-interview process. Many employers will mass interview to fill a single position and other will interview and never inform that another person had been selected for the position.

What’s a job hunter to do?

Here is a great article from NPR “Jobless? Get Noticed In The New Economy” People are now creating social media resumes and web resumes getting them noticed by employers and others. This is one way to track who sees your resume so that you can follow up.

Success for Women: Living with Purpose and Passion noted in the “Make an Impression” article one common job seeker misconception, that the person with the best experience is the one who gets hired, WRONG. It is about chemistry and how well you get along with the interviewer.

Finally I wondered what does a job seeker do when left in limbo by a company. Interviewer? Human Resource Manager?

I believe the job seeker should employ tried and true sale techniques. A site where a person can do some research on sales comes from Lee Ann Obringer “How Sales Techniques Work”

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Focus on your prospect or client's needs
• Use language that focuses on your prospect or client
• Help your prospect see the bottom line
• Find out your prospect's priorities
• Know your prospect
• Sell the benefits - not the product - That would be you!
• Know your products, as well as the market - be a RESOURCE
• Focus on your client's success
• Use explanations rather than excuses

Also remember be to persistent not a pest.

Finding Federal Jobs in the Digital Age….

Relocating to Maryland and searching for employment you would naturally think why not find a job with the Federal Government. For most of Marylanders, Washington DC is only a Metro Ride, so why not work for our country and help people similar to ourselves.

Welcome to the digital age of finding a Federal job

The issue is that candidates lining up in droves for these positions. Sites such as USA Jobs and Ave Central are excellent sites to find open positions for Federal jobs across the country. Yet compiling a resume and turning on the internet just isn’t enough to land one of the prized positions. The Federal Government has there own language and classifications for positions.

Steve Opperman said it best “Applying for Federal Employment is like trying to survive the perfect storm.”

Forget the resume writing class you were taught in college now a person has to learn the federal-talk to ensure that the resume you submit stand outs. Federal job seekers need to know the ins and outs of Federal resume writing so that they don't get shut out before they get to the door. Hence the need for researching how to write an federal electronic resume and perhaps purchasing novels such as The Federal Resume Guidebook: Strategies for Writing a Winning Federal Electronic Resume, KSAs, and Essays by Kathryn Troutman.

Time and patience are crucial for applying online for a Federal Job

Once you have done your research and found a position on USA Jobs or Ave Central now comes the fun part…applying for the position and Realizing that most Federal agencies to do accept your uploaded resume.

You HAVE to create an electronic resume on each job seeking website. At first when you begin the process of creating a digital resume you may want to toss your laptop across the room! Now you absolutely wonder why you thought that applying for a job online was going to be easy….breathe deeply and realize that it’s just the process. This is the tedious part of the process and soon will be over.

TaDah you have finished your online resume but I caution you. Many of the positions require you to answer supplemental questions can either be multiple choice or the dreaded essay. BE PREPARED to write up to 3000 – 4000 word answers on questions that vary from why you should be the person selected for the position or Please describe your experience in composing documents or correspondence involving moderately complex or technical information.

Good Luck!