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What is MY Times?
MY Times is a monthly online newsletter designed specifically for Millikin Young Alumni who have graduated within the past decade and features information about Millikin events, upcoming alumni events in your area and a closer look at ways to stay engaged with Millikin! |
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6/5/2013 12:00 PM Kara tests out the captain's chair in an Apache helicopter during Fort Riley's "Apple Days" in Kansas.Kara Allison '12 is the public program coordinator at the First Division Museum of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, working with the U.S. Army’s active duty 1st Infantry Division. She has traveled to the division's headquarters in Fort Riley, Kan., to co-host events such as “Apple Days,” where civilians are given access to the base and encouraged to ride in Humvees, test fire weapons, interact with soldiers and more. These events bring more than 10,000 visitors to the base. Kara is also responsible for bringing notable speakers to the museum for a monthly lecture series, “A Date with History.” In February, Kara presented a research paper, “Our Changing Curriculum: Using Local History Institutions as Resources,” at the annual conference for CASE (Council for American Studies Education). In March, she attended the Society for Military History Conference in New Orleans and conducted meetings with the National World War II Museum to discuss implementation of travel programs to battlefields abroad with focus on the 1st Infantry Divisions from World War I and World War II. Kara also was selected by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to help dedicate a memorial at the Rhone American Cemetery in France in May. She spent Memorial Day weekend in Nice, France, learning the history of the Rhone Cemetery, traveling to local museums and battlefields and interacting with guests at the dedication. Her article, “On Point: Journal of Army History,” will be published later this summer in The Army Historical Foundation’s quarterly journal. Kara had a double major in history and social science secondary education at Millikin where she was an active member of Delta Delta Delta, MilliSTAT, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta history honors society. Want to be spotlighted as the "Young Alum of the Month?" We are seeking recommendations and self-nominations for outstanding young alumni who have demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and have the potential for future success. Email Jaclyn Weisenborn '09, associate director of alumni engagement, with a short write-up of why you or your nominee should be considered for this profile. Please include a list of successes and achievements in your nomination, and attach a portrait or headshot (if available). One alum will be featured each month in MY Times. 6/5/2013 11:00 AMBased on the most recent follow-up survey for Millikin’s class of 2012, just over 20 percent of graduates reported working in a position unrelated to their college major, while close to 80 percent felt their career was related to their major. If you are among those looking to find a career beyond your academic discipline, the following information may help you focus on the skills needed to land a job. Whether you are planning a career change or currently looking for a job, it is important to identify the skills a prospective employer is seeking. This information can be obtained by combing through job descriptions and highlighting skills and qualities necessary to succeed in the position. Networking conversations can also provide great insider tips on what it takes to succeed in a particular position or industry (get connected on Millikin’s Mentoring Network ). If needed, step back and explore on O*Net Online and use the advanced search feature, which allows you to explore careers based on areas including interests, knowledge and skills, among other categories. This can help determine other careers that may be a good fit for you beyond your specific area of study. After determining the skills needed to succeed in the career(s) you are pursuing, reflect not only on your academic work but on all of your marketable skills. Knowing what you have to offer is key. Be aware that there are a variety of skills employers look for that can be developed through a range of experiences. According to the Job Outlook for 2013 published by The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the top skills and qualities employers look for in new hires include: - Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
- Ability to work in a team structure
- Ability to make decisions and solve problems
- Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
- Ability to obtain and process information
- Ability to analyze quantitative data
- Technical knowledge related to the job
- Proficiency with computer software programs
- Ability to create and/or edit written reports
- Ability to sell or influence others
If you can demonstrate to an employer that you have the skills needed to be successful in a position, your major is likely to be of less importance. Better yet, having a non-traditional background may be something you can market to show you are capable of taking a creative approach. However, depending on the career you are pursuing, more specialized education may be needed. But never sell yourself short. Consider the value of the transferable skills you can offer an employer. Your well-rounded Millikin education has likely given you a firm foundation. By Kristin Nisbet-White, assistant director of the Millikin Career Center 6/5/2013 10:00 AMFollowing are excerpts from the popular summer reading list compiled each year by Millikin faculty and staff, along with the names of the individuals recommending each book. For the complete 2013 Summer Reading Guide, visit the Staley Library Pinterest page.  Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
by Ben Fountain
Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and a finalist for the National Book Award, this satire is set in Texas during the Iraq war. Billy and his friends are serving in Iraq when they inadvertently become media darlings and are whisked back to the states for a “Victory Tour,” featuring a stop at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. On this last stop before their return to Iraq, the soldiers learn that the real war and the war being “sold” to the folks back home are two very different things.
Recommended by Andy Matthews, adjunct English faculty member.  Women from the Ankle Down: The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us
by Rachelle Bergstein
Bergstein’s book delves into the history of shoes and the women who wear them. A must-read for those who, like Cinderella, have found that the right shoe really can change your life.
Recommended by Judi Crowe, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing Center.  Romey’s Order
by Atsuro Riley
These poems reveal the world of Romey, a half-Japanese, half-white little boy growing up in the South Carolina low country. Visit www.atsuroaudio.org to hear Riley read his poetry.
Recommended by Kate Henson, visiting lecturer in English. Have you read one or more of these books? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 6/5/2013 9:00 AM View the Millikin calendar for more upcoming events. - June 7, 10, 11, 12: Freshman Orientation and Registration
- June 20: MBA Preview Night
- Oct. 4-6: Homecoming 2013
6/5/2013 8:00 AMHere's a glimpse of student events this past month. Have a photo or video to share? Email Jaclyn Weisenborn, and your images could be shared with other young alumni! Photos:
1: The rainy day couldn't dampen spirits of the class of 2013. Following the annual Senior Dinner, the candlelight ceremony was held in Lower RTUC in early May.
2-4: From left: Jake Pearson, Stephanie A. Helfgott and Brian Hilderbrand performed for fellow seniors at the Senior Dinner.
5-6: 2013 graduates gather outside the Decatur Civic Center following the commencement celebration.
 6/5/2013 7:00 AMIn honor of the recent commencement celebrations, we asked our alumni Facebook audience to share their favorite cap-and-gown photos. Visit the Millikin Alumni Facebook page to view some of the great photos that were shared. And don't forget to "like" us while you're there! Have an idea for a Big Blue Question? Email Jaclyn Weisenborn '09, associate director of alumni engagement, with your suggestions. 5/3/2013 6:04 PM Nathan Reisman, at left with the cast of A & E's "Duck Dynasty," is co-owner and sound engineer at The Factory, a full-service creative agency in Memphis, Tenn.
A 2009 MU graduate, he earned a bachelor’s degree in commercial music with a focus on audio engineering and percussion performance. While at Millikin, Nathan participated in the World Percussion Ensemble, worked as an audio engineer and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi. He began his career shortly after graduating from MU when he worked as a volunteer with a film crew in Louisiana, shadowing an audio engineer on a movie set and sleeping on a couch. That experience led to paid work as an audio engineer on a second film, also shot in Louisiana. Those two experiences helped him secure a position as director of audio productions with Dean Film & Video. In 2011, Nathan left Dean to form his own production company, The Factory. Nathan has worked for numerous television networks, including ABC, Animal Planet, CBS, CNN, NBC, TV Land and VH1, completing projects ranging from MTV reality shows to HBO documentaries. In addition to his experience working on films and documentaries, he also has completed commercials and web projects. He notes that his experience in both video and recording studio production provide him with depth and a wide variety of audio skill with a range of knowledge in all areas of audio production. Learn more about Nathan and The Factory at www.thefactorymemphis.com and www.imdb.com, and follow him on Twitter at @Nate_audio. Nathan and The Factory regularly hire interns interested in all facets of production. Want to be spotlighted as the "Young Alum of the Month?" We are seeking recommendations and self-nominations for outstanding young alumni who have demonstrated innovative and responsible professional leadership and have the potential for future success. Email Jaclyn Weisenborn '09, associate director of alumni engagement, with a short write-up of why you or your nominee should be considered for this profile. Please include a list of successes and achievements in your nomination, and attach a portrait or headshot (if available). One alum will be featured each month in MY Times. 5/3/2013 3:00 PM
Just as springtime often reminds us to remove our closet clutter, it is also a great time to consider revamping your resume. Whether on the job hunt or just doing some routine maintenance, take time to refresh your resume with these tips:
Remove personal pronouns. Your resume is about you, so there is no need to say, “I have developed an updated filing system.” Instead say, “developed an updated filing system.”
Clear up inconsistencies. Use consistent formatting throughout your resume. If your job titles are bolded, then make sure each title is in bold and the same font. If Illinois is abbreviated in your address at the top of your resume, it should be abbreviated in every instance it appears on your resume. Make sure you are making consistent choices throughout your resume.
Highlight your accomplishments. If your resume simply lists job duties for previous positions, you are not focusing on your unique selling points. What did you bring to the position? What value did you add? Change a description of “trained employees” to “trained over 15 new hires by creating realistic client-based scenarios.”
Re-organize as needed. Ensure that the most important information on your resume is very visible. How do you determine what is important? Consider the job you want or the type of job you currently have. What skills and experiences are most relevant in showcasing the skills needed to do your desired job or current position? (Reading over a detailed job description can help with this). If necessary, list only the most relevant career work experiences (in reverse chronological order). Then add another section further down, “Additional Experience,” to list other positions that may be less critical to emphasize.
Proofread, then proofread again! Although obvious, it is important to take the time to make sure your resume is well organized, easy to read and error free. Try proofing from the bottom of your resume and moving up. Sometimes it will help you catch things you may have previously missed.
By Kristin Nisbet-White, assistant director of the Millikin Career Center
5/3/2013 2:21 PM
View the athletics schedule for baseball games and track and field meets.
Check out the concerts and shows at Millikin this month. Your Alumni Association membership card can get you a 10 percent discount on select MU fine arts events.
- Broadway Today!, May 11 at Kirkland Fine Arts Center
View the Millikin calendar for more upcoming events.
- May 13-17: Final Exams
- May 18: PACE/Master's Degree Commencement at Kirkland Fine Arts Center
- May 19: Traditional Undergraduate Commencement at Decatur Civic Center
- Oct. 4-6: Homecoming 2013
5/3/2013 1:00 PM
Here's a glimpse of student and alumni events this past month. Have a photo or video to share? Email Jaclyn Weisenborn, and your images could be shared with other young alumni!
Video: Millikin's Department of Theatre and Dance presented "Spring Awakening" earlier this spring. Check out the promo video here.
Photos:
1: MilliSTAT students, with their adviser Jaclyn Weisenborn '09, laid a wreath at the Millikin-Aston mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery as part of the Founder's Day Celebration held April 30.
2: Alex Berry '09 (left) and Christopher Weisenborn '08 were among the MU alumni who met with current students as part of the Speed Networking event at the Alumni and Development Center April 22.
3: Ted Bliefnick '04 served as a panelist during the May 2 Career Workshop and Networking event in Chicago. Pam Folger (right), director of MU's Career Center, was the event moderator.
4: The Millikin Men performed "Hail Our Alma Mater" during the Founder's Day Celebration on the Miller Quad.
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