Blog - Post University

7 steps for building a strong Internet brand

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Mary Rigali, PMP) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:29:29 PDT

New grads and job seekers, take a moment right now to Google your name. Why? Because chances are, prospective employers are doing it too. A Microsoft survey found that some 79% of employers Google a job candidate's name during the evaluation process. They are analyzing what's called your "Internet brand," which is your image and reputation online.

The importance of your Internet brand can't be underestimated when searching for jobs and internships. Consider these statistics from Mashable.com:

90% of employers use social networking sites to screen prospective employees
68% of employers have hired people based on what they found on the Internet and social media sites
69% of employers have rejected candidates that they've liked based on what they found on the Internet and social media sites

Specifically, two major reasons for rejection are "trashing an employer on social media" (and I'll add in trashing a university, for that matter), and "inappropriate language on social media," according to a Corporate Executive Board study.

WHO ARE YOU? Building your Internet brand is crucial to job hunting success

However, building a strong, authentic online brand can give you a major competitive gain over your peers. Your brand should be highly visible, showcase your capabilities and character in a positive way, and grab prospective employers' attention. While your resume is a very important part of your job search, you are more than a flat piece of paper. Your Internet brand allows you to create a 3-D image of yourself and also demonstrate with examples some of your skills, rather than just talk about it on a resume. Here's a step-by-step guide for how job seekers can build a strong online brand.

1. Google your name. If you haven't done so already, search your name on Google. The first page of Google returns is your Internet brand. What shows up on the first page of results? Are you on there? Are other people with your name on there? Is that your brand that you want employers to see? If anything about you is appearing, do you like what you see? Print this page and mark what you think is the good, bad, and ugly. We'll come back to this later.

2. Choose your Internet name. You might have a couple different names, nicknames, and usernames you use online and offline. Pick one and stick with it online. This helps cement who you are in Google's eyes. The search engine will be more apt to understand that the James Peter Camden on Google Plus is the same James Peter Camden on Twitter. If you switch between James Peter Camden and Jim Camden, for instance, Google might think you are two different people, which can dilute your digital identity.

3. Separate professional and personal content. Determine what you want employers to see about you. Equally importantly, decide what you don't want employers to see. Employers can see anything you make public online -- including Facebook photos and posts, tweets, etc. You might want to share funny photos with your friends, but do you want an employer to see them? Probably not. Think through what your professional and personal content will be. Set your privacy settings appropriately in social media.

4. Brainstorm how to showcase your skills, values, and character. Identify what you want to add to your Internet brand to demonstrate key components of your character and experience that would be of interest to an employer. You are designing your Internet brand at this point. A good way to showcase your character is to describe your activities, hobbies, accomplishments, sports, and skills in your various online profiles, such as LinkedIn and Google Plus. What organizations and clubs are you a member of? Where do you volunteer? Where have you traveled? What awards and honors have you received? Information like this helps paint a well-rounded picture of your character, values, and passion -- all crucial factors employers weigh in candidates. Then make a list of this information to be used later when you create your Internet brand.

5. Clean up your social networks, blogs, and websites. Time to take action and prepare for your job search and for employers to see you on the Internet. Look at all of your sites from the public view, and remove content and adjust privacy settings as needed. You can still have Facebook, but control who can see what. Similarly, be selective about who you add to your various social networks and what you allow them to see. You might not want to connect with a recruiter on Facebook, for instance. LinkedIn is probably better. Also, be sure you have a professional email address to provide employers, not something funky. Your best bet is to simply use your first initial and last name. Have a professional email signature and voicemail greeting, too.

6. Determine where to publish new content. The way to eliminate bad content in your Internet brand is to publish and re-publish content that you want to be seen by employers. In this way, the bad content is pushed down to the second page and does not show up when an employer Googles your name and on the first page -- your internet brand. There are two components to publishing new content. Where you publish is just as important as what you publish. Google ranks websites and content based on its determination of their value and authority. It places more weight on high-value, relevant information on authoritative websites. So major news sites like The New York Times, large social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, and highly trafficked sources like universities and corporations are just a few examples of well-ranked sites. It's important to note that Google owns many online services, including Google Plus, Blogger, and YouTube. Many search engine optimization (SEO) professionals tend to believe Google places more weight on these sites as a result. So consider what sites you want and are able to publish to, including blogging platforms (such as Blogger and Wordpress) and social networks.

7. Develop and publish content. You can create new content or repurpose content you have. Think about files you have -- PowerPoint, Excel spreadsheets, or research papers you have written -- that you can reuse and publish on various websites to demonstrate your skills. Skills that you talk about in your resume -- such as analytical thinking, comprehension of complex material or laws, excellent written communication, and presentation capabilities -- can be seen directly by publishing these examples. So in addition to creating an excellent Internet brand, you are creating that 3-D image of yourself which fills out your resume image. Use the websites you've identified as good places for publishing, and begin feeding content to those places. Your content should showcase your capabilities, knowledge, skills, and character. Here are some ideas and pointers:

Publish your resume on visualcv.com and innovatecv.com. If you're a Post University student, you can also use post.optimalresume.com to build your resume, cover letter, and a professional career website.

Create a profile on about.me, where you can feature your bio, photo, social handles, contact information, and other data to tell employers who you are and what you do.

Repurpose content you already have. This could include assignments you did especially well on, such as a PowerPoint presentation, term paper, or research paper. You might try pasting text-based work directly into posts on a blog. You can also upload presentations to SlideShare, videos to YouTube, and photos to Flickr or Pinterest. You can then embed this content into blog posts to create a central portfolio of your work.

Sanitize the material. There might be confidential or private information in your work, such as names of people or companies. Remove any private information before publishing content. You could use a different name, and note that the actual name has been changed for privacy.

Cross-link your profiles. You need to put all your websites in as many places as possible to increase the possibility of Google's search robot finding them to include in your Internet brand. For instance, you can list up to three websites on your LinkedIn profile. These could be your blog, Twitter, and Pinterest pages perhaps. Twitter lets you display one website, so add whatever site is the most central location for information about you. About.me allows you to list up to seven of your websites. Repeat this method across all your digital properties.

Once you've completed all these steps, your work is not done. You should continuously manage your online brand by continuing to publish interesting, high-value content that showcases your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. Google yourself periodically to see how you're doing.

If you're interested in learning more on this topic, watch this video where I presented on your Internet brand and job search. In the video I walked through an example of how I've done this for myself, which can help you better understand how to apply the steps to your own online brand. You can also read more on creating your digital identity at our Career Services page. If you're a Post University student, be sure to visit our Career Services website and Facebook page for more advice and tips on finding a job and advancing your career. And feel free to let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

Are you in our Commencement 2013 photo slide show?

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:24:15 PDT

If you haven't seen Post University's Facebook page recently, we have a boatload of photos up from Commencement 2013. There are a lot of great shots from the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies that speak more than 1,000 words!

Grads and families have been posting a lot of their own photos on our Facebook graduation event page too. We've assembled several of them here to make sure your part in our 123rd Commencement has the chance to be seen by our community at large. We also included some of our favorite shots from our archives, and even a photo from one of our grads who partook in our online Commencement (whose son generously lent him his Chuck E. Cheese crown to wear as a cap)!

Flip through to see if you're in our slide show, and please share freely. We hope you'll keep the photos coming on Facebook, and on Twitter or Instagram using hashtag #PostUClassof2013.

Couple pairs up on earning master's degrees

noreply@blogger.com (Richard Strompf) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:08:54 PDT

PAIR OF GRADS: Bill and Teressa Tanner earned
their master's degrees together

Married couples have a number of tasks and activities they do together -- raising a family, running a household, managing finances, and hopefully taking some vacation time in between! But it's not often you find a couple that goes back to school together to earn their master's degrees.

Yet Sgt. William Tanner (who goes by Bill) and his wife, Teressa, did just that. The Danbury, Conn., couple and parents of three walked home from Post University's 123rd Commencement on May 4 with master's degrees in hand. Bill graduated from Post's Online MPA Degree Program and Teressa earned her Master of Science in Human Services Degree (MSHSV).

Usually it's challenging enough when one spouse goes back to school, since couples and families are adjusting their schedules to incorporate classes and school work. But the Tanners both went back to school at the same time. As a result, they learned a lot about how to balance school, work, and home as adult learners -- successfully, we might add!

We talked to them a few days before Commencement last week to hear their story. The couple got to the nut of what going back to school as adult learners and parents is really like, including:

How they incorporated classes and school work into their schedules
When they found time to study
How they kept on top of all life's other responsibilities
The impact going back to school had on their relationship and family
The reward they are giving themselves for completing their master's degrees

Take a listen to our interview, or read the transcript at the bottom of this post. You can also download the interview to listen to it on the go.

The Tanners have specific reasons for earning their master's degrees, which they discuss in our interview. Bill is a sergeant in the patrol division at the Wilton Police Department and wants to move up into a lieutenant position, which requires an MPA degree.

Teressa works for the private non-profit agency Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism, and started earning her MSHSV to expand her knowledge and gain a higher position. She has recently moved from a coordinator position to a case management position, which she wouldn't have been able to do without her Post University degree.

There are many more stories like the Tanners -- 989 total, to be exact. We're celebrating each and every one of them as our graduates move on from their Post University experiences to open new doors with their college degrees. We hope to share more Post University 2013 graduate stories on our blog, so keep your eyes peeled. We also have photos and other Commencement coverage in the hopper, so it'll be easiest to bookmark our graduation 2013 tag to get all graduation updates! Maybe you'll be part of one!

TRANSCRIPT

Janelle: Greetings everyone. I am Janelle Kozyra, blogger for Post University. Today we have two special guests with us for a podcast, Sgt. William Tanner, Bill for short, and his wife, Teressa Tanner. They are both graduating as part of the Class of 2013. Bill is getting his MPA degree and Teressa is getting her MSHSV degree. They are coming to the culmination of their journey together. So it's exciting to have you both on the line with us. Welcome Bill and Teressa.

Bill and Teressa: Thank you.

Janelle: So graduation is just a few days away now, so I'm sure there's a lot of excitement going on in the Tanner household.

CONTINUE READING

Giving iPads to kindergartners

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Bailey, Ed.D.) — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:26:59 PDT

ENGAGED: There are some good ways to encourage
kindergarteners' iPad and technology use

Computers, SmartBoards, iPads, and other technologies are increasingly becoming a part of daily learning for kindergarteners at home and in school. It's more common than ever to see a kindergartener -- even a toddler -- playing with Mom or Dad's smartphone and tablet. Many schools are also equipping their kindergarten classrooms with iPads. City Springs Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore and St. Francis School District 15 in Minnesota are two I read about recently.

These schools are starting to see significant benefits from using iPads in kindergarten education. City Springs says iPads make learning fun and more engaging. St. Francis School District 15 reports that iPads are stimulating kindergarteners' mental growth, building and reinforcing skills, and supporting students' varied learning styles. GlobalPost reported several other benefits in an article too, sharing insights from Post University's Jill Buban, Academic Program Manager for our Teaching & Learning and Online Teaching programs.

Yet, as with all new educational tools and approaches, parents and teachers should carefully evaluate what apps and programs are available, determine their merits, and monitor and control their kindergarteners' usage. Here are some pointers from Jill and Dr. Ruby Parker, Academic Program Manager for our TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages) and ELI (English Language Institute) programs. Both are also parents themselves and have introduced iPads to their children as kindergarteners. (Ruby's daughter is now in first grade, while Jill's is still in kindergarten.)

Education apps and programs to try

iDiary. One app that Jill's kindergarten daughter enjoys is iDiary, a journaling platform for writing and drawing on the iPad that her daughter's computer teacher recommended. Children can create personal journal entries, add photos, and draw pictures. It's a great way to encourage kindergarteners to log what they do, tell stories, and express their feelings.

ScootPad. This is an online, curriculum-based program for elementary students. Teachers can assign at-home math and reading practices personalized to each student's learning needs. Parents can review, support, and monitor progress. Another cool feature is the ScootPad Store, which has age-appropriate items from Amazon that children can add to their wish list. Teachers can also create and share items, such as reading lists. Parents can log in to purchase an item as a reward for a job well done, or to supplement their child's learning.

JumpStart. This is another curriculum-based learning software for pre-K to 6th graders. There is a 3D website where children can play learning games in a theme park-like environment, buddy up with their friends, and collaborate with one other on activities. Parents and teachers can track children's learning activities through the Parent Page. JumpStart also has an app for Apple and Android products, so children can play their learning games on tablets and smartphones.

Monitoring children's technology use

At this time, there is little research on the effects that iPads and early technology integration has on children, such as changes in mood and impaired vision. However, we are seeing how early technology integration can help toddlers learn and practice primary skills through fun, interactive games. Nevertheless, parents and teachers should work together to monitor children's technology use and determine the most appropriate usage practices.

For instance, pre-K and kindergarten children should be using technology with an adult or older sibling so the guardian can monitor their learning and mood while using the device. If a child is playing an educational game, but does not comprehend the purpose because the skill level is too advanced, it is not a productive use of technology. Also, some children might become irritable after using a technology too long. So teachers and parents should understand and enforce appropriate time limits.

Dr. Parker and her husband thought about limiting their daughter's use of technology and gaming, but decided that it would severely hinder her ability to integrate into today's learning environment and society. Instead, they have judiciously regulated her access to technology, programs, and apps.

If a program is purely entertainment oriented, Dr. Parker lets her daughter use it on Friday afternoons until Sunday afternoons only (including TV/Netflix/Wii). During school days, however, her daughter may only choose programs with more practical, learning-based games.

Beware of cyber bullying

Bullying can happen in the digital world as much as it can happen in the real world. Parents and teachers can help prevent kindergartners from being cyber bullied by not exposing them to social media and email -- environments where cyber bullying often occurs.

However, as children's technology skills increase, it is likely that they will be exposed to some form of cyber bullying or hear this word in school, on TV, or from interactions with older children. So parents and teachers should help children understand what cyber bullying is, and that it is intolerable.

For instance, teachers can integrate cyber bullying throughout character education units by discussing how disrespectfulness, unkindness, or impoliteness can happen on the computer. Additionally, every November, many schools around the country participate in Anti-Bullying Week, sponsored by Beat Bullying. Schools and parents can work together to discuss cyber bullying with children, why it is not allowed, how to prevent it, how children can recognize it, what to do if they think they've been bullied, and other topics.

Schools can also implement programs to teach children about positive behavior. For instance, Dr. Parker's local school uses PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), which discuss anger control, bullying, conflict resolutions, and effective communication. Through the program, a social worker comes into the class once a week and sends home a flyer informing parents what was taught in class and providing activities that parents can do to practice the same positive behavior at home.

We hope these pointers help you encourage positive, productive use of iPads and other technologies with your kindergartener. Feel free to add more ideas in the comments.

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business earns ACBSP accreditation

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:25:28 PDT

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University accomplished a major achievement. We've earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The organization is known internationally as a gold standard in business higher education accreditation, and earning the recognition is no easy feat.

ACBSP accreditation for the degree programs offered through our business school is in addition to the University's accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which the University has held since 1972.

Being ACBSP-accredited confirms the excellence of the undergraduate and graduate education provided through The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. Earning the accreditation is especially fitting for us because the ACBSP and Malcolm Baldrige School of Business promote and celebrate similar principles -- innovation, business excellence, leadership, creativity, and quality. These are the principles championed by our business school's namesake, Malcolm Baldrige, and we're excited to continue teaching them to new generations of students with ACBSP accreditation under our belts.

Many business students look for colleges and universities that have ACBSP-accredited programs because it's a mark of high quality. Likewise, many employers look for job candidates who earned their business degrees from ACBSP-accredited programs for the same reason. That's one of the reasons earning this accreditation was so important to us, our students, and our alumni.

It's been a thrilling time at Post, and we remain deeply committed to driving excellence and continuous improvement in our business and other programs. For more details on our news, feel free to read our press release announcing ACBSP accreditation for The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University.

Ex Post Facto

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:28:23 PDT

Post University cartoon by Dave Blazek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at http://blog.post.edu.

Who are Post University's 2013 graduates?

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Samph, Ph.D.) — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:48:28 PDT

The Post University Class of 2013 will be our largest, most diverse graduating class to date. Our 989 graduates came to Post with myriad backgrounds, aspirations, and goals, and they are taking the next step in their lifelong learning journeys as enriched people and professionals.

This year's class continues to demonstrate that learning knows no bounds. Graduates hail from around the country and world, and range in age from 19 to 70. In fact, the largest age segment in Post University's 2013 class is adult learners age 25-34. Graduates have earned their degrees by completing Accelerated Degree Programs through our Online Education Institute, and by enrolling as residential or commuter students on our main campus in Waterbury, Conn. And they've studied vast subject matter though both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Here's a look at who's part of our 2013 graduating class.

Post University 2013 Graduates Infographic is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at blog.post.edu.

Post University graduation 2013 updates

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:46:55 PDT

In just a couple of days, we'll be recognizing the achievements of nearly 1,000 Post University graduates at our 123rd Commencement -- our largest class ever! To be exact, our graduates on May 4 will include 135 main campus students and 854 Online Education Institute students, for a total of 989 graduates. We have everything just about squared away, and we wanted to update you on how the day will go.

Since the Class of 2013 is so large, we are holding two ceremonies this year -- one for graduate students at 10 a.m., and one for undergraduates at 3 p.m. If you can't attend Commencement, don't worry -- you can still partake in the celebration! Anyone who cannot attend will be able to watch the ceremonies via a live video broadcast. Grads may also order a commemorative video from either ceremony via our online store.

Chad Wable, Post University 2013 Commencement speaker

We're excited to host Chad Wable, President and CEO of St. Mary's Hospital and St. Mary's Health System, as our 2013 Commencement speaker for our graduate ceremony. He will address our graduate students at 10 a.m.

Wable is one of Waterbury and Connecticut's innovative health care leaders, and understands what it takes to launch a successful career after earning his college degree. He's made notable strides during his time at Saint Mary's Health System in Waterbury, and became president and CEO of the organization in 2008 at only 33 years old.

Under his leadership, Saint Mary's has earned several awards and recognition from the American Heart Association for clinical quality and has significantly improved patient satisfaction. Connecticut Magazine honored Wable with its 40 Under 40 Award in 2011 for his achievements. We're looking forward to hearing his words of motivation and inspiration this Saturday at Commencement.

As for our undergraduate ceremony, our co-valedictorians Jessica Curtis and Tina Pugliese will kick things off at 3 p.m. If you've read my last blog post introducing them, I think you'll agree with me when I say I'm looking forward to hearing more from both of these ladies!

In the meantime, don't forget to join the Post University Commencement 2013 Facebook event if you haven't already, to interact with your fellow graduates before, during, and after the ceremony. We've also set up a place on Twitter for all our graduates to talk. Just use #PostUClassof2013 anytime to share your updates and see your classmates' updates.

Lastly, Post University's graduation 2013 website has more information to help you plan for the big day. You can also contact the Registrar's Office at 800.345.2562 or email graduation@post.edu if you have any questions. See you all soon!

Name that cartoon caption!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Statmore) — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:16:40 PDT

It's time again for another cartoon caption contest on Post University's blog! This time, our inspiration for the contest comes from our recent podcast interview with Dan Pink, which has gotten a lot of listens.

In our interview, we discussed Dan's best-selling new book, "To Sell is Human," which covers why every one of us is a salesperson, whether you fill a traditional sales position or not. Selling permeates many aspects of our lives -- from trying to sell our skills in a job interview, to winning new business, to persuading our kids to do their homework!

To help highlight why being a better salesperson is important, we are launching a cartoon caption contest inspired by Dan's book and our interview with him. The always-trusty Dave Blazek, who draws the Ex Post Facto cartoon series for our blog, has created a comic that pokes fun at learning how to be a better salesperson. Your mission is to devise the funniest punch line you can think of. In fact, we want you to sell our judges on why your caption is the best!

Here's the cartoon.

What's going on here? Who's saying -- or thinking -- what? What the heck is going on with that chart??

We'll pick one winner from the entrants, who will receive:

A copy of "To Sell is Human" by Dan Pink
A t-shirt printed with the cartoon and the winning caption
An original 8.5" x 11" colored print of the cartoon with the winning caption, autographed by Dave Blazek, and able to be framed
Bragging rights

Submit your caption in the form below along with your email address so we can contact you if you win. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, May 22 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Feel free to share this with family and friends. Good luck!

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Post University retains the permission to publish all entries.

This work by Dave Blazek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://blog.post.edu.

Meet the Class of 2013 co-valedictorians!

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:54:56 PDT

Our long-awaited 123rd Commencement is just a few short days away, and the excitement is palpable here at Post University! We wanted to take a moment amid the buzz and preparations to congratulate two very special members of Post University's Class of 2013 -- our co-valedictorians, Jessica Curtis and Tina Pugliese. These ladies have worked hard to excel in their chosen fields of study, and their achievements are admirable. Round of applause, Jessica and Tina!

Over the last few weeks, I have gotten to know more about Jessica and Tina, and I have found their journeys to be truly encouraging and enlightening. We think you'll see some of yourself in their stories, and hope they are inspiring to you. We're looking forward to hearing more from these ladies during Commencement on May 4!

Jessica Curtis, 2013 Valedictorian
of Post University Main Campus

Meet Jessica Curtis, 2013 Valedictorian of Post University's Main Campus

Jessica, 26, from Waterbury, Conn., is the valedictorian of our main campus, and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science. But it took some soul-searching to find out that this program was the right one for her. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School here in town, she attended three colleges and tried her hand at a few different degree programs, including art and design, before discovering that none of them were the right fit for her.

Through it all, Jessica has had a strong interest in oceanography. One day as she was watching an ocean documentary, she had her "aha" moment: Why not explore this passion as a career? She thought about entering a marine biology program, but there weren't any nearby. Then the environmental science program at Post caught her attention, and Jessica decided this broader approach would be better for her. She pursued the program as a commuter student, and hasn't looked back.

She told us that one of the aspects of Post she enjoyed most was the hands-on experience. She and her classmates would regularly go out into the fields and ponds for lab work to "get their hands dirty," as she told us. We were also pleased to hear Jessica's feedback that Beth Johnson, Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences (formerly Academic Program Manager for the Environmental Science program), really made her experience special because of the passion she exuded and the great learning opportunities she provided for herself and her peers.

Jessica looks back on her experience with fond memories of her Post family. "I feel like I got a great experience," she told us. "At the academic level, I thought the small class sizes were great, and every teacher I had was awesome. They all knew my name and got very involved. And all the students, we all knew each other. When you walked through school, everyone was so friendly, and it was a very inviting place. It was a little bit like a family. I've been to a few schools -- I've gone away to school, been to bigger schools -- but I preferred this environment completely. [Going to Post] was the best decision I've ever made."

Jessica's reaction to being named valedictorian really sums up what her Post education means to her: "I was very excited, especially because I've worked so hard. It's gratifying because I've finally figured out what I want to do, and I'm good at it. After all this time, I've found my little niche." Congratulations, Jessica!

Tina Pugliese, 2013 Valedictorian of the
Online Education Institute at Post University

Meet Tina Pugliese, 2013 Valedictorian of the Online Education Institute at Post University

Tina, 42, hails from Plantsville, Conn. She attended the Online Education Institute at Post University, and officially completed her degree program in December. She earned a dual Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Business Administration, and also received a Forensic Accounting Certificate while at Post.

For Tina, her degrees and certificate were her first steps toward starting a new career. She was unfortunately laid off from her contracts administration position during a company-wide downsizing a couple years ago. When she had trouble finding a comparable position, she decided it was time for a career change. After much introspection and even some career counseling, Tina decided she wanted to turn her interest in accounting into a career. But she needed the degree to get the job.

Tina searched for an accounting degree program that would fit her life -- one that would let her get back into the workforce quickly, give her flexibility, and offer supportive faculty and staff. She found the Online Education Institute at Post University, and felt the program was the perfect fit for her.

One of the benefits of the program Tina emphasized is something that we hear from many of our adult learner students all the time: "I really enjoyed the fact that it was asynchronous learning. I could get on in the middle of the night in my pajamas and could be working on homework or putting something up on a discussion board."

She also credits the faculty, staff, and even her peers for making her experience a positive one. She told us, "I think it was the quality of the instructors as well as my classmates that made the experience so great. The professors understood that the students they were teaching were adults. We took our education seriously, we were dedicated to meeting course requirements, and we weren't being treated like 18-year-olds. There was a level of responsibility you had to undertake for each course, and you weren't going to get a free ride."

Perhaps the best part for Tina, however, is that she's been able to launch her new accounting career with her degrees from Post. She is now an accountant with Webster Capital Finance, a Webster Bank company. She told us that she believes she wouldn't have been able to get the job without her Post degree, and that she's using knowledge she gained while at Post in her career every day.

Commencement will be a special day for Jessica and Tina, and all of our graduates. Tina told us that her family will be there, including her mom, who completed her bachelor's degree in her 50s and inspired her to go back to school.

Tina also mentioned one other thing that rings true for nearly all of our graduates -- that Commencement will not only be a celebration of our graduates, but also a celebration of all the family members and friends who have supported and motivated them to reach their educational goals. A big thank you goes out to the Post families and friends, and a big congratulations goes to all our soon-to-be graduates. See you on Saturday!

Integrate laughter into your innovation culture

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:36:01 PDT

If you're like many businesspeople, you have probably seen a swath of news articles talking about why you should be more innovative and how to create a culture of innovation on your team or in your organization. But while the importance of innovation can't be expressed enough, we believe that it doesn't have to be a weighty or stressful imperative wrought onto an organization. It should be fun!

And I have several ideas supporting just that notion -- and which we continue to use successfully at Post University. You can read them in the article I contributed to Wired magazine, "Laughter marks a successful culture of innovation." It lays out eight ways to foster a culture of innovation in your workplace. All the ideas are lightweight, don't require any expenses, and can be started today. I hope they inspire you! Thank you to the editors of Wired for publishing my piece!

Help vote Marie Russell to the top!

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:42:48 PDT

NEXT AWARD WINNER? Post University's
Marie Russell needs your vote!

Many of you know Marie Russell, Associate Faculty and Academic Advisor at Post University. She's just had a bit of great news. She's been nominated to win the Online Professor of the Year Award from Best Colleges Online!

Marie has been an educator for more than 30 years, and currently works with online students in the Early Childhood Education and Child Studies programs here at Post. Her teaching philosophy is to ensure her students aren't just learning, but are learning in ways that are meaningful to them and their lives.

This isn't the first time Marie's students have brought her into the spotlight and sang her praises. One student, Amy Stevens, shared her experience as one of Marie's advisees on our blog that speaks volumes about Marie's dedication to her students. You can also read more about Marie's background on the voting page.

Now, we need your help to vote Marie to the top! The deadline to vote is April 28, so we hope you'll jump over to the voting page and support Marie. In addition to the award, the Online Professor of the Year will receive $1,000.

Thanks to all our readers for your support, and a big congrats to Marie on behalf of the entire Post team -- you've got our vote!

Pursuing a CT early childhood teaching career?

noreply@blogger.com (Deb Watson) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:43:57 PDT

CREDENTIALING: Post University Child Studies graduates are now officially
prepared to earn the Early Childhood Teaching Credential (ECTC)

Most Connecticut students interested in careers in early childhood education (ECE) have their sights set on finding a job with a publicly funded program, as opposed to a non-publicly funded program. That's because publicly funded programs are usually accredited, so they typically offer better salaries, more competitive benefits packages, and high standards.

But to teach in a state-funded program in Connecticut, ECE professionals need to have the new Early Childhood Teaching Credential (ECTC). This credential is a state requirement for teaching in publicly funded preschools and Head Start programs in Connecticut.

Few schools in Connecticut offer degree programs that set students up for earning this credential due to the State Department of Education's rigorous requirements. In fact, we are one of only four schools in Connecticut to have this approval.

This means that the State Department of Education has officially authorized Post University to provide graduates of its Bachelor of Science in Child Studies degree program with a pathway to earning an ECTC. So Post University Child Studies students (main campus and online) are now officially prepared to acquire their ECTC, in order to be eligible to teach in publicly funded early childhood programs in Connecticut.

Post University's Child Studies program has also always aligned with state and national standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the leading organization driving high-quality ECE programs. These standards have grounded our Child Studies program in a strict foundation, to prepare ECE professionals for successful and impactful careers.

We're remaining committed to raising the bar on early childhood education, and will continue to help aspiring ECE professionals carve rewarding career paths. If you're interested in more details on Post University's new ECTC credential preparation, please see our press release announcing the news and our Child Studies web page.

World peace, mastered by 4th-graders

noreply@blogger.com (Jane Bailey, Ed.D.) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:11:33 PDT

COMPASSION: John Hunter's students learn how to
collaborate in the World Peace Game. Photo Credit: Will May

No challenge is too big for John Hunter's fourth-grade students -- even achieving world peace. Their tool is the World Peace Game, an innovative geo-political simulation game John developed that tasks students with tackling international crises and creating solutions to save the world. Students role play as presidents, diplomats, and military commanders to negotiate and collaborate their way to resolution.

The World Peace Game is 35 years in the making, and now John is telling stories from the front lines in his new book, "World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements," released last week. He recounted some of the most memorable stories when we interviewed him for our blog.

It was a true pleasure to talk to John, and we think you'll enjoy listening in. You'll get to hear John talk about:

INNOVATOR: John Hunter, author of "World Peace
and Other 4th-Grade Achievements"

What the World Peace Game is
Why and how John created the World Peace Game
How the World Peace Game continues to stay with John's students years after they've played it
Why John decided use a game to teach educational and life skills
How the World Peace Game carries students through the seven stages of learning
John's most memorable teaching moment with the World Peace Game
If John believes we really can achieve world peace

The transcript is also available below.

The book was born from the growing attention John has received for the World Peace Game over the past few years. Filmmaker Chris Farina discovered it in 2010 and made a documentary, also titled "World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements." The film was seen by viewers around the world, and led John Hunter to give a TEDTalk in 2011. That has sparked many other major speaking engagements on the World Peace Game, including at the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Pentagon, and the United Nations.

John shares many stirring ideas and inspirational insights in our interview, and leaves us with the thought that while knowledge is important for affecting positive change in the world, so, too, is compassion, and we as educators have a special opportunity to impart that to our students.

Thanks, John, for joining us!

TRANSCRIPT

Janelle: Greetings everyone. I am Janelle Kozyra, a blogger for Post University. Today we have on the line with us John Hunter. And John is an acclaimed teacher and educational consultant. He is perhaps most famous for the creation of the World Peace Game, which he developed and has taught his 4th- and 5th- grade students for the past 35 years.

The game didn't garner international attention, though, until a few years ago in 2010, when filmmaker Chris Farina discovered the game, and, fascinated by it, made the documentary entitled, "World Peace and other 4th-Grade Achievements."

The film was seen by viewers around the world and led John to give a TED Talk in 2011. That has sparked many other major speaking engagements around the world, including at the Aspen Ideas festival, the Pentagon, and the United Nations.

We're named a 'Best for Vets Business School'

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:43:41 PDT

It's been exciting and rewarding to see how the industry continues to recognize Post University's approach to education and meeting students' needs. Our latest award comes from Military Times, which has named The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business on its first-ever "Best for Vets: Business Schools 2013" list. We're ranked #11.

This honor is a testament to our business school's ongoing commitment to the principles of its namesake, Malcolm Baldrige -- excellence, innovation, and leadership. It's a testament to the University's dedication to helping military students achieve their educational and career goals since our Military Program's inception in 1976.

Most of all, it's a testament to the approach we've taken with all of our students, not just those in our business school or our Military Program -- one focused on providing high-quality higher education programs and services, founded on those same Malcolm Baldrige principles and designed to fit unique individual needs.

We're especially proud that the Military Times editors rated our veteran staff with four out of four stars for their dedication to veterans' issues. It's no coincidence that our Military Program was developed and continues to be run by former military members. We know how important it is to continuously refine our program around firsthand knowledge of others who've served our country.

That's why we offer students the option of completing their degrees online, on campus, or in a hybrid format, depending on what best fits their schedules and needs.

Here's a glimpse at the role that Post University is playing in many veterans' and other military members' lives today:

3,950 military students (active duty, reserve, and military dependents) are enrolled in Post University's Online Education Institute
69 veterans were enrolled in The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business in fall 2012
2,700 active duty military personal are enrolled in The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business
312 of Post's business students have prior military experience
15 guard and reserve members attend our main campus

When it comes to serving these students and helping them reach their educational goals, the privilege is truly ours.

Thanks to Military Times for recognizing Post University, and for acknowledging the need to distinguish business schools that are setting a high standard for serving military personnel.

Online student support services make headway

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 06:05:29 PDT

SUPPORT SYSTEM: Strong student support services
are crucial to successful online education

There's growing recognition that strong, student-centered support services are vital to successful online education. What's more, this growing recognition could be signaling a new trend in online education, in which institutions are starting to exert a concerted effort to strengthen their online student support services.

I've read several news articles lately that have covered how online students require plenty of student-professor and student-to-student interaction, as well as academic advising, tutoring and library services, tuition planning, and other support to succeed. Here's a handful of them.

A New York Times editorial cited a study of Washington State community and technical school students that found "those who took higher proportions of online courses were less likely to earn degrees or transfer to four-year colleges." The editorial continued: "Lacking confidence as well as competence, these students need engagement with their teachers to feel comfortable and to succeed."

Some MOOC designers are seeing the need to add more instructor-student interaction into their courses, as covered by John Markoff in The New York Times. This is a refreshing prospect, which I mentioned in my comment on the article.

The new NMC Horizon Report found that a major trend in higher education is "shifting education paradigms that encompass online learning, hybrid learning and collaboration." To me, that naturally involves high student-instructor engagement and strong student support services, which I talked more about in a comment I left on David F. Carr's InformationWeek article that covered the report.

Inside Higher Education's Doug Lederman cited several education researchers who talk about how stronger student support services could be the missing link in more successful online education.

Doug's article really struck a chord with me, and as I said in a comment, students are students, however they are taking their courses. We've believed for years that the components that help make on-campus students successful are the same ones that help make online students successful -- i.e., strong, student-centered support services and interaction.

That philosophy now appears to be gaining increased popularity. In fact, a new trend could be emerging in online education in which institutions put forth a national effort to strengthen their online student support services.

Such a trend would be a logical step forward for the online education industry, which continues to grow. Some 6.7 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2011 term, an increase of 570,000 students over the previous year, according to Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board.

In addition, as an outgrowth, I see educational partnerships taking on new importance -- both in the traditional realm and online realm. The industry is facing a crucial moment, as budgets hang in the balance and critics continue to question whether a college degree is worthwhile.

However, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the value of a college degree and strengthen America's global leadership position by making necessary improvements to our education models. Educational partnerships would help us maximize that opportunity by uniting as an industry to share and develop best practices for improving student support and engagement.

One of the next orders of business for higher education should be to extend online learning models beyond the curriculum and focus on the collegial interaction and personal attention that have long been hallmarks of the best traditional education environments. The better we can adapt those services to the online realm, the more successful online students will become and the stronger America will be as a nation.

Spring athletics are just warming up!

noreply@blogger.com (Anthony Fallacaro) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:18:24 PDT

Spring sports are in full bloom, and we have a number of great accomplishments already on the books for the Post University Eagles. Here's a look at some of the most recent highlights from around Post University athletics. As always, you can read about all our teams on the Post University Eagles website, and don't forget to follow @GoPostEagles on Twitter for real-time game updates, recaps, photos, and news.

Having a ball

Junior Ross Earnshaw of the Post University golf team was named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Player of the Week on March 25. This is the second time he's won the award, also having been recognized during his freshman year in 2011. It's the fifth time the CACC has honored Ross in his career.

Big with the bats

The Post University baseball team is 7-7 after splitting a doubleheader against Felician on March 23. The Eagles took game one after Junior Mike Shada hit a walk-off ground-rule double to center field. Shown here is senior Todd Blair, who scored one of the runs in the Eagles' 7-6 win.

Full swing

Softball season is underway, and the Eagles split their home-opening doubleheader against Mercy on March 22. The Eagles dropped the first game 9-5 in extra innings before taking game two with a 6-4 victory. Shown here is Junior Rebecca Erb, who was 4-for-7 on the day and had two doubles and two runs scored.

Best hoof forward

Post University's equestrian teams have had a number of competitions this semester. Our Intercollegiate Dressage Team competed at a show hosted by University of Massachusetts on March 2. Shown here is Alyssa Segala, dressage Team Captain, who placed eighth with a score of 56.6 percent in her First Level class. Our IHSA Western Team also rode at a show hosted by Mount Holyoke College in early March. The team's Amanda Nygren placed third in Novice Horsemanship, and Stephanie Thibault took first place in Intermediate II Horsemanship.

Congrats to all our athletes!

Keep calm and count down to graduation 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:45:00 PDT

CELEBRATION: The bagpipes will return again for Commencement 2013!

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Post University ... graduation season! We've made our list and checked it twice, and are counting down the days until it's time to celebrate the Class of 2013.

Now just 36 days away, May 4th, 2013 will mark our 123rd Commencement. But it will also be a day of many firsts.

It will be the first time we recognize our undergraduate and graduate students in two separate, more intimate ceremonies. It will be the first time many students from our Online Education Institute visit our campus and finally meet the professors, staff, and classmates who have played such a significant role in their journeys.

And finally, May 4th will mark the celebration of our largest, most diverse graduating class to date (just when we thought the Class of 2012 was unbeatable)!

Of course, some commencement staples -- both new and old -- will remain the same. Cap-and-gown clad students will march across the stage that makes their accomplishment a reality. Families and friends will come together to acknowledge the culmination of their loved ones' achievements.

For the fourth year in a row, Post University will also host a supplementary virtual commencement via live video feed, so that those who cannot attend in person have the same opportunity to share the moment with those closest to them.

But don't get too caught up in the countdown to the big event -- you can start celebrating right now! Connect with us on social media to share updates on your final moments as a Post University student; let us know your plans as you prepare for the ceremony; and of course, share photos of the most special moments of your graduation journey.

Join our Facebook event to interact with your fellow graduates before, during, and after the ceremony.

Join the conversation on Twitter using hashtag #PostUClassof2013 to share your updates and see classmates' updates.

Stayed tuned for more exciting graduation updates right here on our blog.

On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Post, congratulations to the Class of 2013, and we can't wait to see you all in May!

Job interviewing: Stop talking with your thumbs

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Mary Rigali, PMP) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 05:50:00 PDT

THUMBS DOWN: Texting and social media could be
weakening your job interviewing skills

There's a big reason you're struggling to succeed in job interviews, and you need look no further than your thumbs. Here's why.

Our fast-paced, hyper-connected society has used ever shorter and faster forms of communication over the past decade. Email. Instant messaging. Text messaging. Facebook. Twitter. And now even all this could be considered passé with the invention of apps like Snapchat, "the fastest way to share a moment with friends."

Amid it all, we have been using our thumbs to communicate through increasingly narrower windows of time, condensing our thoughts and words into micro messages on our mobile devices and social media handles. Indeed, we have virtually created a new language made of shorthand, acronyms, and emoticons. Our brains are increasingly operating in the informal digital realm, weakening our interpersonal skills and causing us to be more casual in our communications.

This is where it starts impacting job interviews. I've helped many students prepare for job interviews over the past several years, and one of the biggest problem areas I've seen is their verbal (and, for that matter, written) communications skills.

The big question is, what contributes to career or business success more: technical knowledge or interpersonal and communication skills? The Stanford Research Institute recently conducted a study to find out. Take a few minutes to watch this video from careers consultant Darryl Cross, "Communication and Listening Skills," in which he summarizes the study. The conclusion at the end will likely surprise you.

Many students are unfamiliar and uncomfortable with engaging in face-to-face conversations. They might not be sure how to read and react to body language; use proper conversational etiquette; and exhibit their personality and charm. Some students also have difficulty forming well-constructed sentences. Others are simply not formal enough in their overall demeanor and dress.

Although many students have historically grappled with these challenges, I'm seeing significantly more students struggling in these areas today. I believe it's because they are used to communicating in a fast-paced, casual, digital world, and they haven't been able to learn and hone all of their formal conversational and interpersonal skills.

Developing these abilities, however, is crucial to positioning yourself for a successful interview, one in which you can impress the hiring manager, demonstrate your intelligence and savvy, and show how you are the ideal fit for the open position. There are a few important steps you can take to overcome communications challenges you might be facing during job interviews and even in your day-to-day. Here are eight do's and don'ts of job interviewing in today's more casual, social media society.

DO …

DO take a leadership position in a club or activity. There are many opportunities where you can play a leadership role, such as in an academic club, student organization, athletic team, group project, community board, or volunteer committee. Find one you are passionate about and take a leadership position. It can be great experience for learning how to set an agenda, guide a team, deploy members, promote efforts, generate support, achieve goals, and report results to constituents -- activities that all require solid written and verbal communication skills. What's more, you can build valuable experience to share on your resume and during job interviews.

DO attend Toastmasters workshops. Toastmasters International is one of the biggest and most reputable providers of communication and leadership development training. The organization holds meetings around the world where participants can practice and hone their speaking and leadership skills, learn how to conduct meetings, and build other vital interviewing and business capabilities. Practicing to speak in front of a room of people might sound intimating and downright frightening, but realize that everyone else there is probably feeling the same way! Beyond this, Toastmasters can also be a good networking opportunity.

DO practice striking up conversations. Striking up conversations with strangers can help you develop small talk skills, teach you how to interact with anybody you meet, and build your self-confidence when meeting and conversing with people -- including hiring managers. Next time you're in the check-out line at the grocery store, comment on a magazine cover to the person next to you. Or when you're shoe shopping, ask someone nearby what they think of the pair you're trying on. Most people will be happier than you might think to engage in some small talk.

DO put your phone down. In most cases, your phone doesn't have to be attached to your hand every waking second. Try leaving it in your room while you're having a meal with friends. Or, if you are more comfortable having your phone on you when you're out, keep it in your pocket or bag until you really need it and set it on vibrate so it does not interrupt any face-to-face conversations. Avoid using your phone as a pastime. Live in the digital world less, and the real world more.

DON'T …

DON'T give one- or two-word answers during interviews. In your day-to-day, you might answer many questions using the least amount of words as possible. You could be dashing off a text, and your goal is to communicate as quickly and easily as possible. Hiring managers, however, are not looking for the quickest reply. They want to get you talking so they can evaluate how you speak and what you say. Provide solid, well-articulated responses that give hiring managers details they need to understand your experience, creativity, innovativeness, honesty, and ability to meet deadlines and accomplish tasks. Remember, most interviews are behavioral tests. When you are asked whether you have experience with a particular area, don't just say yes. Now is the time for you to tell stories and give examples of your past experience and successes so the employer knows you can do the job in the future. Talk! To get in the habit more, you can also start writing complete sentences when texting and communicating on social media.

DON'T use acronyms on first reference. We've invented a great deal of shorthand in our text-heavy, social media world, and many of us use acronyms more frequently. You have probably even created some acronyms that only you understand amongst your friends and family. Don't assume hiring managers understand any of these acronyms. State the full name or phrase on first reference. If you'd like to use the acronym subsequently, you can also say, "or the EFG for short," or whatever the acronym is.

DON'T tell the hiring manager you looked them up on LinkedIn. The Internet and social media can introduce a sticky situation beyond the realm of communications skills. Many job candidates research hiring managers on LinkedIn and Google before their interviews. This is fine to do, to understand the background of the person interviewing you, but do not tell the hiring manager you did so or bring up facts you learned. From the hiring manager's perspective, this feels like an invasion of privacy and it's an immediate turn-off. If you'd like to discuss the hiring manager's background, ask them about it.

DON'T forget the pleasantries. I've found many students aren't sure of the "pleasantries" to use when meeting hiring managers, and for that matter, many other people in general. Pleasantries include smiling, giving a warm hello, and pronouncing your name slowly and clearly so the other person understands it. Ask how he or she is doing today. These are some niceties that can help break the ice, set a friendly tone from the get go, and show common courtesy and formality. This is a great opening to start some small talk. Make a point of remembering (or writing down) at least the first names of people you are introduced to at an interview. When appropriate, use the person's first name, indicating you have respect for them and they are important to you.

Many Generation Zers have been plugged into the Internet, social media, and instant communication from an early age, and many Generation Yers are now well indoctrinated into the culture. Consider, though, could it in some ways be hindering your job interview abilities? Try some of the ideas here, and see how they help you improve your verbal communications and interpersonal skills during job interviews, and in your life overall.

Dan Pink on selling: Why we're all doing it

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:01:54 PDT

Dan Pink, best-selling author of "To Sell is Human"

We're all in sales. We just might not have realized it. That's according to best-selling author Dan Pink in his new book, "To Sell is Human." He cites that one in nine Americans works in sales, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But Dan argues that the other eight are also in sales. We are all trying to persuade, cajole, and convince one another to do something, from pitching a prospect to getting our kids to go to sleep.

We interviewed him to talk more about the ideas in his book, including:

Why there's no such thing as a natural-born salesperson
How we've shifted from a world of buyer beware to a world of seller beware
How the new order of "information equality" between buyers and sellers is shaping our behaviors
Why the ABCs of selling are no longer "always be closing," but rather comprise attunement, buoyancy, and clarity
Why strong extroverts are actually not effective salespeople -- and who is
The three abilities we need to improve to become better salespeople, and tips for mastering each
The best news that Dan's book reveals about us as humans
What sort of person you can become by embracing the ideas and advice in Dan's book

It was a fascinating interview that shows why we're all salespeople and how we can use that to transform what we do at work, school, and home. Listen in to the podcast or read the transcript. You can also download the mp3 so you can listen to it on the go. If the interview grabs you, pick up a copy of "To Sell is Human."

Thanks, Dan, for joining us on our blog!

TRANSCRIPT

Janelle: Greetings, everyone. I'm Janelle Kozyra, blogger for Post University. Today I have with me an exciting guest, Dan Pink, whom many at Post University are big fans of. So welcome to the podcast, Dan. It's great to have you with us.

Dan: Hey, Janelle. It's great to be here.

Janelle: So Dan is the author of five books, including some long-time New York Times best-sellers, "A Whole New Mind" and "Drive." And his latest book is "To Sell Is Human," which is now also a New York Times best seller, Wall Street Journal business best seller, and a Washington Post non-fiction best seller.

CONTINUE READING THE TRANSCRIPT

Post University news for students and educators

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Statmore) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:42:54 PDT

We've had a number of announcements this month -- main campus tuition is staying the same, 80-year-old Charlotte Butler enrolled in Post University, and the Neag School of Education Alumni Society honored Child Studies Professor Patrice Farquharson. Several media have been sharing these and other University news stories, so we thought we'd recap some of the latest headlines in case you missed them.

Post University keeps tuition down

Some of the biggest news to come out of our University lately has been the announcement that Post University is keeping tuition the same for campus students in 2013/14. Several media have covered the news, including Connecticut Business News Journal, Connecticut Post's Education Matters blog, WATR 1320 AM, and Waterbury Republican-American.

This comes against a backdrop of rising college costs across the nation, and in Connecticut in particular -- a trend we are striving to help turn around in our efforts to provide an affordable, high-quality private school education.

Assessing the value of college and online education

Getting the most value from your college education has been top of mind for nearly all students in the face of rising educational costs. Fox Business' Emily Driscoll wrote about some ways students can get the most ROI from their college investment, and featured some insights from Chris Szpryngel, Academic Program Manager for Management at The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business at Post University.

Online education enrollment rose 9.3 percent in fall 2011, which is making it increasingly important for students to understand the benefits of online education and determine if it's a fit for them. Emily Driscoll featured some insights from Frank Mulgrew, President of the Online Education Institute at Post University, to help students decide if online education is right for them.

Also along these lines, many high school seniors are now evaluating their acceptance letters and trying to decide which college is right for them, based on financials, as well as several other important factors.

Emily Driscoll wrote about some pointers to help high school seniors in their college selection process, and included advice from Veronica Montalvo, Vice President of Online Education Institute Enrollment Management at Post University.

Honing your leadership skills

You're familiar with "entrepreneurship," but what about "intrapreneurship?" Fox Business' Emily Driscoll recently covered intrapreneurship, which is when employees are innovative and creative leaders within their own companies. She turned to Doug Brown, Academic Program Manager for Post University's Online MBA Program, for some insights on the characteristics of successful intrapreneurs. If you're looking for more details, Doug will be blogging about intrapreneurship here soon.

You can be an intrapreneur at any age, but we also shared some leadership advice for those under 40 in particular. Veronica Montalvo contributed an article to Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education about how to achieve success before age 40. You can read it on page 13 of the Feb. 4 edition.

And lastly, New Year's resolutions are often made once a year, but rarely followed. That's why Doug Brown wrote an article for Inspiyr about how to get your business in shape for the new year with ideas you can carry through with for 12 months. In that same vein, Doug Brown has also blogged about five New Year's resolutions that every business owner should make to improve their companies' health in 2013.

College and university CIOs should be minding their cloud

Campus Technology covered why educational institutions should start their cloud migration efforts with their admissions offices, which is where institutions could see some of the most return on their investments. Writer David LaMartina tapped Post University CIO Mike Statmore for insight into our approach of using Oracle's cloud-based CRM On Demand to manage our admissions process. Mike has also written about our Oracle implementation on our blog.

News for military students

You might know that Ed Lizotte, our Director of Military Programs and Veterans Affairs, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army/Army National Guard. He shared some insights with Military Advanced Education on how his leadership background has shaped the guidance he provides to military students. You can read his insights on page 7 of Military Advanced Education's March issue.

Lastly, the federal sequestration has unfortunately hit home for many of our students who are active military personnel. Up to $4,500 has been cut from each student's educational funding. However, we are seeking alternative sources of funding for these students to help them continue their education. Connecticut Post covered more details on how the sequestration is affecting Post University students.

We hope these articles are helpful. Thank you to all editors of these publications for featuring Post University.

Ex Post Facto

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Mroz, Ph.D.) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:54:04 PDT

You probably know that cartoonist Dave Blazek normally shares some of his humorous creations on our blog. Usually, they poke fun at the life of an adult learner and student. But since we also blog about business and careers, we asked Dave to come up with a cartoon within that flavor to bring some more variety to our cartoon series, Ex Post Facto.

To that end, I bring you the latest Dave Blazek original.

We thought this was a perfect addition to our cartoon series, since corporate innovation and creativity are at the heart of our Online MBA Program, The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business, and our approach to education as a whole.

Does this cartoon hit home for you? Does it remind you of any of your experiences with embracing innovation or being more creative at your job?

Post University cartoon by Dave Blazek is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://blog.post.edu.

No tuition hikes for Post University campus students in 2013/14

noreply@blogger.com (Thomas Samph, Ph.D.) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:08:35 PDT

SQUEEZED: Post University is keeping its tuition down

We know rising college costs are keeping many students and parents up at night. That's why we're not increasing tuition for students attending Post University's main campus this fall. Tuition, room, and board rates will remain at 2012/13 levels, as our press release details.

In addition, we are continuing to offer a fourth-year full tuition grant to qualified students enrolled in the Post University Honors Program. We're also continuing to offer athletic scholarships, as well as other Honors Program and merit-based scholarships that range from $6,000 to $14,000 a year.

While many colleges and universities across the country have continued to raise their prices over the years, Post University's goal is to increase the affordability and accessibility of college to help students earn the degrees they want and need to succeed in their careers.

A quick look at some figures paints a frightening picture of what students and their parents are facing today. On a state level, Connecticut has recently been in the news about rising college costs. Students at state universities could see a tuition increase of $434 to $778 next year -- or 4.1 to 5.23 percent. The Board of Regents for Higher Education, which governs 17 of Connecticut's 18 state colleges and universities, is expected to vote on March 14 about the proposed tuition changes.

On a regional level, New England is home to a number of the most expensive schools in the country, with one school's annual costs topping $60,000.

And on a national level, the annual estimated cost of tuition, room, and board at four-year public institutions increased 84 percent between 2000 and 2010. At private institutions, the increase was 49 percent. This is according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Topping it off, parents are having more trouble saving for college, which does not bode well for parents or students.

Taking all these realities together, Post University is bucking the tuition hike trend. By keeping costs down, we can offer more students an affordable, high-quality education from a private New England school. In fact, Post is one of the lowest priced private schools in the region.

Yet our academic standards are unwavering. We've continued to increase the rigor of our classes, and equally important, the real-world applicability of our degree programs. Our programs are taught by scholar-practitioners who have advanced degrees and many years of relevant professional experience in the fields they teach to prepare students for the careers that will be available to them when they graduate.

That's the mission we're advancing to bring high-quality, affordable education to more students. It's crucial we cut down the costs of going to college, and we will continue to do what we can to help set a new pace for reducing the cost of higher education in America.

80-year-old Naugatuck woman goes back to school to set an example for her sons

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Montalvo) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:53:40 PST

TIMELESS: 80-year-old Charlotte Butler shows why learning is lifelong

Today is the first day of Module ("MOD") 4 at Post University. But it's more than just the start of new classes for our students. It's the beginning of a new journey for 80-year-old Charlotte Butler, who is starting her online Bachelor of Science degree in human services, becoming one of the oldest students ever to enroll at our 123-year-old institution.

For the Naugatuck, Conn., native, today marks the moment when Charlotte sets an example for her 59- and 60-year-old sons and her 19-year-old foster son to go to school and earn their college degrees. Today marks the moment she pursues a higher education to keep her mind sharp in her older years.

Today marks the moment she begins a new way to improve her knowledge and skills, because she believes a smarter America is a stronger America. And today marks the moment she demonstrates that it's never too late to go back to school, and that you're never too old to earn your college degree.

In fact, one of the reasons Charlotte enrolled in our Online Education Institute is because she believes Americans aren't using their brains enough. At one point when talking to us about why she decided to go back to school she said, "What am I going to do? Sit around in a rocking chair eating ice cream?" Not so for Charlotte! She is eager to use her mind and complete her degree.

When Charlotte was younger, she was focused on growing her family after graduating from Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn., in 1950. After retirement, she started a foster care business. But her desire to earn her college degree remained strong.

She saw how her two older sons grew up and didn't go to college. She is watching how her 19-year-old son is struggling to understand the importance of a college education. Her solution? Go back to school herself, live what she has been preaching, and motivate her sons to follow in her footsteps.

What's more, Charlotte has decided to earn her degree online because, as she told me, "I love the online courses. I couldn't imagine finishing my program without them, with everything I have going on in my life!" To start off, Charlotte is taking one course in MOD 4, "Learning Across the Lifespan," which is specifically designed to help returning adult students develop the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful lifelong learner.

We welcome Charlotte with a big hug! The photo we included here is from the day she visited Post University and met many members of our team. Her story confirms for us why we do what we do, and shows the importance of lifelong learning. We can offer all the degree programs possible, but it's students like Charlotte who truly take higher education to heart and use it to reach new heights.

We hope to share updates on how Charlotte is doing, so watch our blog. Charlotte, you are an inspiration to us, and we hope you are an inspiration to other adult learners, too!

Go confidently in the direction of your new job

noreply@blogger.com (Douglas S. Brown, J.D.) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:14:56 PDT

COUNT ON IT: Self-confidence and finding a new job go hand in hand

Job searching is very similar to sales. If you don't have confidence in your product or service, you cannot expect someone to buy it. Likewise, if you're over-confident, you risk repelling your potential buyer (or employer).

Having the just right amount of confidence is a trait that is very hard to fake because it comes from inside, and so much of it is communicated non-verbally. When someone is genuinely confident, but not boastful, it shines through. That is what employers want to see.

Here are several tips on how you can exude the proper amount of confidence throughout the various stages of the job search process to get motivated, stay on track, and secure your new position.

Finding the right balance

A prospective employer's perception of your confidence level can be seen as a predictor of many things in the workplace. I've talked to many students about this, and most recently I shared some insights with writer Emily Driscoll. She included some of my thoughts in her FOX Business article on having confidence when job hunting.

As I told her, on one hand, someone with low confidence can be perceived as insecure, indecisive, or high maintenance. Lack of confidence can also reduce your motivation to continue looking for a job. If you don't believe in yourself, it will be very hard to stay on track and remain disciplined and persistent.

In addition, it can be more difficult for people to help you find a job opportunity. If you are not confident, then you can't expect people who you know to open up their network to you. And if you feel lowly, you can sabotage yourself during an interview. Remember, trained interviewers care as much about how you answer the question as what you say.

On the other hand, someone who comes off as overly confident can be perceived as arrogant, a "knower" instead of a "learner," or a potentially difficult team member. Over-confidence can also be viewed as a sign that someone is actually quite insecure and is trying to convince himself and the prospective employer of something that's not really there.

This is why it's important to exude confidence without being boastful or a know-it-all when interacting with prospective employers. Let's talk about some ways to do this.

Searching for open positions

Creating the right amount of confidence begins when you are searching for open positions. Keep these guidelines in mind.

Develop a road map. So much of confidence is knowing what to do. I'm not talking about the ultimate goal, such as "get a job." I'm talking about breaking the big goal down into steps you can take this month, this week, today!

Create structure and routines. Impose a structure on yourself and stick to it. It will help you get more done, which will, in turn, build confidence.

Build your network. Find people who believe in you. This includes not only people you know and that your parents know. Think about professors, coaches, employers, and extended friends and family. You can build a strong network by taking a push-pull approach -- gather advice, but also give your own. What's more, you should do this freely without a quid-pro-quo. Remain genuine, and remember that you are always on. Everything you do (or don't do) makes a difference.

Become a student of the job search process. As a student you learned how to learn about all kinds of subjects. A job search is the same thing. Commit yourself to building your expertise at finding a job. In today's economy that is a skill you'll use many times in your career. In fact, this is one of the most important things you can learn because, in truth, your job search will never be over. Once you find your first job you should commit yourself to it, and be thinking about how success in that job will lead you to your next career step.

Interviewing

Practicing interview questions isn't just about rehearsing answers to common questions. It's about telling stories and relating situations. Quality practice has several key elements.

Know your story. Why are you applying for the job and how does it fit into your life story? Employers are wary of graduates who are simply looking to learn on their dime and move onto the next job. You need to be able to explain why the opportunity you seek will be a good fit for the organization and for you -- in that order.

Know the company's story. There is no excuse for not being prepared for an interview. Demonstrate the critical thinking and research skills you learned in school to find out about the company, the industry, the competitors and the interviewer.

Prepare your personal "commercial." How will you briefly sum up your skills and/or experiences in a way that makes it clear that you are a good fit for the position?

Create your portfolio of accomplishments and stories. Really take stock of what you learned. Write down a few takeaways for each of the relevant courses you took. Include what you learned, projects you worked on, and what it meant to you. Also document results you achieved in any clubs, organizations, or other activities. You'll see that you've done quite a lot and you'll have good ideas for stories and anecdotes to share during interviews.

Practice on paper and out loud. I've seen many people write outstanding answers on paper, only to fumble the spoken sentences. The only way to get over this is to practice often, and to remain flexible.

Set up mock interviews. Mock interviews need to be real. Give the interviewer the company profile you prepared along with a list of questions you might get. Include tough ones and those you don't want to answer. Also give your interviewer the job description and an evaluation sheet to grade your performance. Practice interviewing in person, over the phone, and on Skype.

Peer advice

Many job seekers naturally turn to their friends and other peers to get their perspective on how they are handling their own job hunts. This can be a helpful approach -- if you do it with the right mind-set.

Find positive people. Many people tend to focus on negative news more than positive news -- and negativity is much more contagious than positivity. That's why it's important to avoid the negativity by surrounding yourself with positive people who will help you get where you want to go.

Create good luck. If you find someone who found the perfect job quickly, don't let it get you down. Talk to them about what they did, how they did it, and if they have any suggestions or connections that can help you. Remember, sometimes they won't know and will have just gotten lucky. That doesn't mean you are unlucky, just that you have to create the conditions to make your own good luck.

Avoid a downward spiral. If you find others who are struggling, don't let them pull you down. Talk with them about what they are doing and what is and is not working. Help them, and yourself, by trying to elevate everyone's level of play. Sometimes you'll find people who can't or won't be helped. There isn't anything you can do for them, and trying will just sap your energy and your confidence. When you find an "Eeyore," be polite and move on.

Bonus tips

It can be easy to get discouraged when searching for a new job. But it's important to keep your efforts in perspective with a few extra confidence boosters.

Set realistic expectations. If you're being hired for an entry-level position, you are being assessed on cultural fit and the ability to learn and grow more than on what you know or even your tactical skills. If you're coming out of school, you have been working on learning and growing for years. That is the one area where a student should be confident.

Enlist a support team. Everyone with a job has gone through this process, and they generally will want to help you. Surround yourself with people who will be supportive, but who will also tell you what you need to hear when you don't want to hear it. These people will help you stay on track. Find a mentor to provide wisdom and perspective and boost your confidence when you need it.

Be kind to yourself. You're going to have good days and bad days. Great opportunities will slip away because of mistakes you make. That's part of life. It is not about whether we face adversity, but how we overcome it that defines us as people.

Keep calm and carry on. Don't panic or get desperate. Use discipline to create a plan. Take disciplined action toward that plan -- and keep moving. You will build the momentum you need to increase your confidence and achieve your goal.

When it seems like you're doing everything right in your job hunt, yet you're still not getting anywhere, the X factor might be your confidence level. Evaluate your thoughts and actions thus far. Could your confidence use a boost? Try any and all of the ideas here, and see the difference it can make in your ability to make in-roads, forge relationships, find opportunities, secure interviews, and get a new job.