Author: Brandon Ottley

For my career blog post, what better place to attend an event than the STARR Career Development Center?  Well, that’s exactly where I went, and I definitely do not regret it.  I attended the cover letter workshop for quite a few reasons (other than the fact that I needed a third blog post event.)  I knew that it would benefit me in the near and distant future to learn a few things about creating a proper cover letter.  I wanted to test my current knowledge of cover letters to see if what I thought I knew was true and if there was anything that needed improvement.  At the workshop, Ricki Weitizen, the staff member who led the workshop,  went through a number of activities and lessons to demonstrate how to write a cover letter.  Ricki, with help from the rest of the staff, provided tips that proved to be not only essential but also convenient when making a cover letter.  One main point I took away from this workshop is that cover letters can be utilized on numerous occasions, including not only formal ones for resumes but also for things such as thank you letters.  I was able to learn the basics for writing a cover letter, and I will be sure to use this newly acquired information when creating my next cover letter for job or internship applications; or maybe even just an email or a thank you letter.  I found this information to be extremely useful because even if you are unsure of your career path, these skills will prove to be necessary no matter what field you decide to enter.  I would like to build off this experience by visiting another workshop that has to do with resume writing because I believe these skills go hand in hand.  A strong resume paired with a strong cover letter will make a very solid first impression on any job or internship application, regardless of your career path.

 

Last week I attended a T.E.A.M. Baruch orientation meeting. This event was an informative session to gain students’ attention and influence and encourage them to submit applications. At this meeting, I learned that T.E.A.M Baruch is a powerful program. The acronym itself, T.E.A.M. Baruch, which stands for Together Everyone Achieves More, is a perfect description of the mission and goal that the group wants to achieve.  The goal of T.E.A.M. Baruch is to teach students to be leaders both inside and outside of the classroom and school community.  The group is full of individuals who are looking to make an impactful change in the world around them.

In order to become a T.E.A.M. Baruch member, you have to fill out an application and participate in an interview.  During the interview you must explain why you want to become part of the group.  Then, you have to do another interview for the specific job(s) that you want to apply for. It’s a great opportunity that allows you to get more involved in the school and become part of something that is bigger than yourself.  I believe that getting involved in the school community is a great way to not only help others but to enhance your own school experience.  Being involved makes the school environment much more enjoyable.  It will make school seem like less work when you enjoy the work you are actually doing.  Also it allows you to gain experience for any job interviews you may have in the future. Joining T.E.A.M. Baruch would be a great way to become more outgoing and open towards others, which is a quality trait to possess. It seems like a great organization that will help develop important qualities in a person while also introducing them to the responsibilities that come with having a job. T.E.A.M. Baruch is something that can open up many doors for its members as it exposes them to opportunities that are usually not available to other students.

One of the main reasons I attended this event was to learn more about the responsibilities of a Resident Assistant in Baruch’s dorms. A Baruch RA has many roles and duties, including building a residential community through programming, being a familiar first resource for students with academic or personal questions, needs, and concerns, and enforcing residence policies.  I would consider becoming a Baruch RA because I would like to help build that sense of community amongst the students in the dorms.  In all, this group this group is a fun, productive and innovative way to get involved with the school, prepare for the future and make an impact on the lives of your peers.

This past week during club hours i visited the Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.   The scene was flooded with flashing lights, the upbeat tempo of bachata and the smell of delicious Latin foods.  As you enter the scene you can not help but notice everyone dancing, taking pictures and genuinely enjoying themselves.  At first it seemed overwhelming due to the size of the event, however it was a very inviting environment that made me feel comfortable as I arrived and made my way through.  Growing up in a diverse community consisting of a strong Hispanic population helped me to better understand the festivities going on around me.  Having grown up in that environment allowed me to have a sense of comfort so that i did not feel awkward or out of place.  I was able to recognize many of the foods being served, and I also knew some of the songs that the DJ was playing.  The theme that the hosts were trying to display was one that was inviting and introductory into the Hispanic culture and everyday lifestyle.  The event helped me to realize just how diverse our school is and how united, connected and well represented the Latino student body actually is.  Not only was this first event inclusive, but they also informed people at some of the stations set up of the different Hispanic related clubs they could join, such as the Ecuadorian Club, Latin American Student Association and the Association for Latin American Professionals.  I was interested in the Association for LAtin American Professionals because I thought I might be able to learn about people of color like myself in the professional workplace.  I also wanted to know which other events they would be involved in during the rest of Hispanic Heritage Month.  This event really opened my eyes up to some of the many different things I can look forward to enjoying during my time here at Baruch