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Author: Golden Key Innovation Team

Meet the new International Council of Student Leaders (ICSLs)

Meet the new International Council of Student Leaders (ICSLs)

With the new school year rapidly approaching, we are very excited to announce our 2020-2021 International Council of Student Leaders (ICSLs). These students have been elected to address the needs of each chapter in the region ranging from implementing new service projects, answer questions from […]

Golden Key Spotlight: Jaishree Subrahmaniam

Golden Key Spotlight: Jaishree Subrahmaniam

Jaishree Subrahmaniam has been a Golden Key member since 2011 when she was doing her Bachelors in Botany from Miranda House in University of Delhi in India. With her 10-year anniversary coming up, Jaishree has a Master’s in Botany and recently finished a PhD in […]

Golden Key Spotlight: Kailanianna Ablog

Golden Key Spotlight: Kailanianna Ablog

Meet Kailanianna Ablog! She’s a graduate of 2020 from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa where she finished with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a certification in Ethnic Studies and Korean. She was born in Hawaii but partially raised in Saipan, where her parents are originally from. Since high school she’s had an interest in leadership and in studying Korean, and has been harnessing both throughout college where she served as editor for UHM’s student newspaper and was the author for the column Ka Leo Aboard at Yonsei University’s Korean Language Institute.

Now Kailanianna has graduated, and while she continues her work as a journalist for the magazine Lady Pasifika, she is now taking a gap year to rediscover herself and get ready for graduate school. We had a little chat with Kailanianna on how feels to be graduating as a Golden Key member:

How does it feel graduating and finishing your degree at UHM?

“It feels surreal yet rewarding. It’s the moment that highlights all the hard work you’ve done to complete your degree, as well as a celebration of how far you’ve come. I’m grateful for those I collaborated with, as well as the lessons I’ve learned during my three years at UHM. I also feel better equipped to be a leader in the fields I will work in.”

What have you enjoyed about being part of Golden Key?

“My favorite part were the opportunities for volunteer work, leadership growth, and networking. For example, we’ve had workshops with our local YMCA and “Hawaii Meals on Wheels”, as well as connected with and learned about Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) culture and sustainability by volunteering at Ka Papa Lo’i O Kānewai, a lo’i (taro patch) located on UHM’s campus.”

What’s your favorite Golden Key memory from college?

“It’s difficult to choose just one, but I would say baking goods for the UHM Golden Key chapter’s fundraisers are a favorite memory of mine. My mother is a baker, and it was instilled within me at a young age that home-baked goods can bring a sense of comfort. College can be a turbulent time, and the possibility of making a fellow students’ day better through the Oreo bars, brownie cookies, or lemon matcha muffins I made, while also supporting GK, always left a smile on my face. I will miss baking in this capacity.”

What’s your advice to other GK members who have not yet graduated?

“Golden Key offers various opportunities, but what matters more is what you do about those opportunities. A quote that resonates with me comes from the movie Gladiator – “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” What we think, say, or do, no matter how small, will leave some sort of impact. Golden Key will give you the tools to improve ourselves and our communities through compassionate, ethical work – but we must be willing to take that step forward and meet those opportunities halfway.  We have a lot more power than we think, and what we do is and never will be for nothing.”

This article was written for Golden Key by Julie Poulsen.

Golden Key Spotlight: Nozipho Nkabinde

Golden Key Spotlight: Nozipho Nkabinde

Nozipho Nkabinde is unstoppable.  While serving as fundraising director of her GK chapter at the University of Pretoria and majoring in accounting and auditing, she transformed a simple school book drive into a full-fledged multi-year library project. Nozipho, a servant leader inspired by Michelle Obama […]

A message from our CEO Melissa Leitzell about Black Lives Matter

A message from our CEO Melissa Leitzell about Black Lives Matter

On behalf of Golden Key International Honour Society, and our over 2.5 million members around the world, I wish to express my deep sadness over the senseless and horrible deaths of far too many black lives. Men, women and children of color across the US, […]

10 reasons why you should join an honor society

10 reasons why you should join an honor society

There are many benefits and reasons why you should join an honor society – and you often hear that being a member can help you in many different areas of your life. However, what exactly are these benefits of honor society and how do they help you in reaching your goals and dreams?

Our team at Golden Key we have made a little guide to why you should join an honor society, and why it would be a great asset for you and your future. Here are our top ten reasons:

1 – Scholarship and Grants

In an honor society there are scholarship and grants you can take advantage of, which can help take off the financial burden and the cost an education brings. Top honor societies like Golden Key offer both scholarships based on education and grants for achievement to support your dreams and goals. See some of the options available here.

2 – Jobs and internship

An honor society has many partners that can offer both job and internship opportunities, which can help spike your resume to get amazing jobs in your future. The experience you will gain at a job or internship will help you to set a foundation for the professional background needed to pursue your dream job after college. See some of our career and internship partners and opportunities here.

3 – Leadership and mentorship

Top honor societies like Golden Key offers many different opportunities to build and develop amazing leadership skills such as empathy and perspective, which are so valuable in the future. These opportunities include programs like live webinars, Golden Key Talks, and summit events where you can meet and learn from the top leaders in the world.

4 – Academics

There should be no doubt that honor societies help you achieve your academic goals. Whether it is the opportunity to apply for scholarships to obtain a degree at your dream college, or it is grants for studying internationally that can give you unique experience, honor societies support you in whatever your academic dreams might be.

5 – Networking

A key asset of being a member of an honor society is the privilege to meet and network with top professionals in various industries and with our amazing alumni, who have reached their goals and dreams with help of the honor society. This networking with top professionals can help you pursue your dream job after college through the tips and connections they can offer you.

6 – International travel

International travel and the experience that you gain while studying aboard is invaluable, and it is an opportunity not many people get to experience. It is a very unique and amazing opportunity where you get to learn a whole different culture while studying in your field. It is something that will not only stand out on your resume, but it will stand out in your memories for the rest of your life.

7 – Likeminded people and community

Honor societies help you meet and connect with likeminded people from different degrees, who have the same high ambitions as you do in your life. Golden Key has chapters at universities all over the world, where we give ambitious people a space to share their ideas and dreams. By joining one of these chapters you become a part of a community where you will meet the top best students at your university who will help push you out your comfort zone to become the best version of you.

8 – Friendship

In honor societies like Golden Key you will meet people who will become some of your closet friends in life. Just like being a part of a college athletic team, you get a terrific opportunity to connect with people on a different level compared to what you might experience as a normal college student. We can say with pride that people in honor societies like ours have formed friendships for a lifetime.

9 – Community service

Community service is a big part of being a member of an honor society. Golden Key and honor societies offer many amazing opportunities to uphold and help their communities in the best way possible, with everything from beach clean-ups to service projects like helping at a pantry.

10 – Professional and resume building

Being able to say that you are a member of an honor society gives you something special for your resume, so that you will be in the top of the pile when applying for jobs. If you are an active member and take part in activities, events and leadership opportunities – it can also help you create and form the professional skills needed in today’s work field, which has never been more competitive than it is today. Golden Key offers expert tips on how to write a resume, prep for an interview, and get started on networking through the resources found on our online database and through our webinars, some only offered to members. This is something that will help you get started on your professional career the best way possible.

Apply now rather than later…

There are many benefits to becoming part of an honor society that will help you develop and grow as a human being. The small fee you pay becoming a part of an honor society and the little effort it takes to sign up, will be paid back many times again through accomplished dreams, great experiences, and many other benefits. The experience we can give is something you will not find anywhere else. So, if you consider yourself as being ambitious with big goals and dreams go apply to an honor society today!

This article was written for Golden Key by Julie Poulsen.

How to proofread your resume to perfection

How to proofread your resume to perfection

Writing your resume, especially for the first time, can be a stressful experience. Figuring out what format to use, what details to include and how much detail to offer can be hard. The most important part of writing a great resume is making sure it’s […]

How to make mindfulness part of your daily life

How to make mindfulness part of your daily life

This week we’re focusing on mindfulness, as it’s the theme of our talk with Dr. Shannon Nolan-Arañez. Need some good tips for how to integrate mindfulness into your daily life? Our Golden Key community have suggested a selection great articles for you to read to […]

How to use your internship as a stepping stone to a successful career

How to use your internship as a stepping stone to a successful career

In today’s fast paced business world, taking on a full-time internship can be daunting and, at times, stressful. Taking on that challenge in a foreign country and a new business culture takes it up a notch. Learning how to deal with stress in a professional setting is an excellent skill to develop early in your career. Effective stress management is one of the best ways to stay ahead in challenging environments, and will also allow you to develop into a top-notch leader or manager.

When you’re feeling stressed at your internship, or even in your personal life, it’s important to analyze where the stress is coming from, and to take proactive steps to deal with your stress. Discover how to deal with stress at your internship through these tips:

Get enough sleep
Sleep has been scientifically proven to reduce levels of stress. However, at the same time, high stress can also make it difficult to get enough sleep. If you’re feeling stressed during your time abroad, take a look at how much sleep you’re getting. In between social events, networking, interning and traveling, a good night’s sleep doesn’t always come first. However, getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep is crucial to a successful, low-stress experience. For many young professionals, a rejuvenating night of rest is how to deal with stress.

Exercise
One excellent way to ensure you’ll sleep well at night is to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine. Exercise produces endorphins, hormones that are natural painkillers. The release of endorphins makes it easier to sleep, which as we know, decreases stress levels. In fact, exercise is one of the most common ways global professionals deal with stress.

Practice good time management
Time management and stress management go hand in hand. For obvious reasons, good time management is one way to keep your stress levels low during your internship. Of course, this is easier said than done, when you have an entire country to explore and a full-time internship. When you’re managing your time well, you feel more in control, and less stressed.

Slow down
Slowing down can be very difficult when there’s a lot to do and see, for example when you’re living abroad. However, if you slow down and focus on one thing at a time, it can also help you to manage your stress level. Taking time in your day for a few deep breaths, or stepping out for a walk on your lunch break are great examples of how to deal with stress during your internship. Additionally, consider blocking out one day a week for yourself. Without any events or plans for the day, you can spend the time to gather your thoughts and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Ask for help
Sometimes, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is ask for advice on how to deal with stress. As an intern abroad, you’ll have a strong support system, both in person and online. Utilizing TalkSpace is one of the best ways to get help dealing with your stress. As an intern with The Intern Group, you’ll have access to this anonymous online platform, where you can speak with a professional about culture shock, stress, and anything else related to living abroad.

This article was originally published by Golden Key partner The Intern Group. You can see the original article here.

Golden Key Spotlight: Glennetria Harold

Golden Key Spotlight: Glennetria Harold

The mission of Golden Key International Honour Society is to foster a spirit of collaboration, leadership, and service. When I began attending Golden Key meetings at the Florida State University’s chapter, I wasn’t sure of what I would get out of this membership. I thought it […]