Conducting yourself in the workplace, focusing o

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Surviving Your First Year After Graduation

• The Mary Baldwin Way!!!

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Surviving Your First Year

• Conducting yourself in the workplace, focusing on
  differences between college and the world of
  work.
• Differences between graduate education and
  undergraduate education.
• Maintaining a social schedule is important to
  your well-being.

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How we dress in College

• Blue jeans
• Sweats
• Piercings
• Unironed, unwashed.
• Short skirts, shirts, shorts
• Baseball caps
• NO MAKE-UP

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Presenting a Professional Appearance

• DOs
• Look at what others are wearing, especially your
  boss
• Wear pants with jacket
• Wear stockings
• IRON, wash, groom
• Watch length of skirts
• Conceal tattoos, piercings

• DONTS
• Wear items that will not permit you to do your
  job
• Wear torn stockings, clothing
• Show cleavage
• Wear sleeveless shirts
• Show bra strap, panty lines, etc.

5
Your Class Schedule

• Attend classes sporadically throughout the day
• Have many breaks
• You schedule your day
• Attendance is not always mandatory
• Professors provide you with syllabi

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Your Work Schedule

• Arrive before/ leave after boss
• Use sick days only if absolutely necessary
• Schedule vacation in advance
• ASK for days off
• Keep day planner
• Develop a routine

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Positive Work Habits

• Keep partying at a minimum
• Work items should be visible
• Take advantage of EVERY educational opportunity
• Keep a positive attitude
• Cell phones OFF

• Stand-Smile-Shake
• Keep personal correspondence to a minimum
• Set high but realistic goals
• MOST IMPORTANTLY BE ABLE TO SHOW RESULTS!!!

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Build Positive Relationships

• Honor commitments
• Volunteer
• Dont insult boss, or talk negatively
• THANK YOU
• Listen and communicate
• Accept responsibility
• Return calls, e-mails
• Get a mentor
• Ask questions

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Build Positive Relationships (Contd)

• Walk in others shoes
• Remember the GOLDEN RULE!!!
• Respect others time and space
• Dont take sides
• Be adaptable
• Set the example

• Be willing to pay your dues
• Take risks
• Give credit to others when they assist you
• Learn how to take constructive criticism
• Show initiative

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Differences Between Graduate School and
Undergraduate

• Expectations
• Survival Tips
• Where to go for more information

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Expectations Undergrad. v. Grad.

• Number of Course Hrs./Sem. 12 18
• Classes Meet 2-3 times per week
• Classes varied at a Liberal Arts College
• Assignments Structured
• Grad. Requirements min. 132 hrs., GPA gt 2.5 in
  major, and senior sem.

• Number of Course Hrs./Sem. 9 12
• Classes Meet once a week for more than 1 hr.
• Classes Career/Program Specific
• Assignments- Unstructured
• Grad. Requirements 30-40 Credit hours, lt2 Cs,
  comps, and/or thesis

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Undergrad. v. Grad. (Continued)

• Housing probably on campus
• Work Work Study, campus job, or maybe off
  campus

• Housing probably off campus
• Work Grad.,Teaching, or Research Assistant, or
  off campus

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Grad. School Survival Tips

• Have clear career goals
• Learn to manage your stress by managing your time
  well
• If you dont already have them, develop good
  study and work habits
• Network, Network, Network!!

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Develop Clear Career Goals

• Know why you are in the program its easier to
  stay motivated with a clear goal in mind
• Develop a 5 year plan for your life how does
  graduate school fit into it?
• Decide on whether you will attend full-time or
  part-time
• Decide about working on campus, off, not at all

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Manage Your Stress and Your Time

• Develop a master schedule for the semester which
  includes class times, assignment due dates, and
  work schedule
• Dont procrastinate!!
• Make a friend in your program

• Prioritize tasks such assignments, housework, and
  other commitments
• Schedule your most difficult work during your
  most productive hours
• Make time to exercise and relax

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Study and Work Habits

• Attend every class
• Turn in assignments on time or sooner
• Ask for clarification on assignments when needed
• Use course syllabus to stay ahead of reading
  assignments

• Try to schedule classes at the time of day when
  you are most alert
• Dont skip work to study for a class
• Get permission before studying on work time
• Utilize campus and online resources

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Networking in Grad. School

• Get to know your advisor and other professors in
  your program
• Attend any extracurricular activities sponsored
  by the program (e.g. holiday party, receptions)
• Join professional organizations as a student

• Try to find a job in your field while in school
• Volunteer to aide professors in doing research
• Keep a journal of your accomplishments, papers,
  and duties
• Find a mentor

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Life after the 5 oclock whistle blows

• Plan things to do with friends
• Make new friends
• Exercise
• Eat well (learn to cook)
• Learn to live on a budget
• Remember on their deathbed no one ever said, I
  wish I spent more time at work.

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Resources for Survival

• www.gradresources.org
• www.gradresources.org/menus/freestuff.shtml
• www.gradschool.com
• www.embark.com
• www.jobweb.com
• www.monster.com
• READ Next Step The Real World