The “I Stand For” video series is designed to showcase all the causes and values that Golden Key members stand for as well as highlight conferences and service events. The ninth video in our series is titled “2012 International Summit.” In this video, Summit attendees […]
A new Associate Director has joined our team! It’s Jordan Lyons who will be overseeing US Region 4. Region 4 is comprised of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and the west part of Pennsylvania. Get to know her better with this Q&A. Where are you from? I […]
In the fifth and final part of this blog series, two more Golden Key alumni will share the resources they recommend to graduate students. We hope you’ve found the advice shared these past few weeks helpful and wish all our members success in your future. […]
Service is one of Golden Key’s three pillars as we strive to help members realize their potential through giving back. Making a difference is important to Golden Key as it not only betters the community but also leads to personal growth and a greater sense […]
Over the last few weeks we’ve shared with you advice from various professionals and graduate students about entering the workforce or graduate school. In the fourth part of this series, we asked those that have or are currently attending graduate school the following question:
Are there any resources you can recommend to students to help them achieve success in graduate school?
Here’s the advice we received…
Part 4:
I strongly advise undergraduate students to talk to family members, parents of their friends, their community and others to develop a support network. Secondly, I will embolden students to obtain internships (whether paid or unpaid/local, international). Third, have personal and professional mentors/coaches. Lastly, to do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis for themselves, so they will know what areas they need to develop, hone and be aware of.
— Sherry M. Hunter
Doctoral Candidate, DePaul University
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My three pieces of advice are to know the APA 6th edition, make sure to always give yourself at least 30 to 60 extra minutes for each written assignment, and embrace peer review as a way to improve your writing and research.
–Mark Preston Mullins
Ashford University, MBA 2010
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One of my favorite resources that I used as a supplement to accounting courses is: http://www.accountingcoach.com/
–Debra Hall
Georgia Southern University, MBA 2010
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I have found three resources to be very helpful as a graduate student. Your academic advisor who can help answer various questions you have, your instructors, and any contacts you have in professional positions in the field you are studying. I routinely contacted all three (many times they might get 2-3 emails a week from me) and I had all the resources I need, opened some new doors, never fell behind, and was very successful in my academic career. I did not follow this advice when I was an undergrad, and it shows!
–George Long
American Military University 2011 and 2013
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My advice in regards to resources for success in graduate school is to choose your major wisely! Visit the college, look for statistics of employment with that major; study the professors and any financial aide you can and understand why you are going to grad school; do some soul searching before you commit your time. Also: scholarships are your friend! You need to maintain a high GPA so study study study. Join associations and attend conferences during your first year and spend your second year hanging out in the career center. You will most likely meet great people who will have first hand information on job openings; you will most likely attend job search functions sponsored by employers; and if you are lucky you will catch the eye of an employer and have a job once you graduate! Great resources in my experience are my professors and their connections and the career center and their connections. They are there to help you; with this economy you will need as much help as you can get. I was also told something that rings true today, “if you are out and about in public dress as if you are casually meeting a potential employer and if you can make some sort of creative business card to hand them, you are really on top of your game!” Last note, if you not burnt out on a thesis/comp exams…a PhD is a good option. Good luck out there!
–Christina S. Tillman
Bowie State University, M.A. 2010
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I found the article database Scifinder a very helpful resource while in graduate school.
–Laura Parke
University of Utah ’09
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Resources in graduate school are not given to a student in full. Students need to seek out resources that are personalized to their situations. Discuss with professors their situations and how they can succeed in their field of studies. Most professors have been in several different positions prior to their appointments in an educational institution. The professors might be aware of other connections who exist in the field, and that could lead to a working relationship in the future.
Get involved! Even if the organization is not related to the students field of studies, this experience might have the potential to expand their horizons in terms of meeting others and growing their mental abilities in ways that might not have occurred if the student didn’t get involved. Student government, community relations, town volunteerism, sporting events, and other experiences could help the student grow in ways other than the studies might offer. A school career center is an option. Visit them and see what they have to offer. The Federal Government has a long list of websites that can help a person succeed in finding what is best for them. USA.GOV is a great resource for anyone who has questions about almost anything. To summarize, make yourself available in all different ways and meet as many people as possible, because one thing could lead to another!
–Andrew J. Vernon, M.Ed.
University of Maine 2010
Stay tuned to the blog for more advice.
–This post was written by Lauren Snow, member at the Metropolitan State University of Denver chapter– The Region 8 Summit was held at the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, Colorado April 5-7th 2013. The Metropolitan State University is located on Auraria Campus, which is the […]
Golden Key uses Chapter Standards to gauge each chapter’s involvement and adherence to our Society’s pillars of: Academics, Leadership and Service. Based on specific criteria set surrounding involvement and accomplishments, chapters are awarded a Bronze, Silver, or Gold status. A Gold level standing means the […]
–This post was written by Narayan Das Khatri, Council of Student Members representative for Region 7.–
Region 7 headed to central Texas for the 2013 Regional Summit, March 1-3. The annual meeting was hosted by the Texas State University – San Marcos chapter. Texas State University – San Marcos is the alma-mater of a true Texan president, Lyndon B Johnson and the campus is a beautiful site as it sits on hilly Texas grounds where you can overlook most of the city.
The Summit was full of fun with 83 delegates joining from Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. We had the opportunity to meet and greet each other as most of us were meeting for the first time. We were happy to have Sareena Helton (Associate Director of US Region 7) and Holly McCaleb (Director of US University Relations) join us for the weekend.
The Summit started on Friday at 3:00 p.m. with registration in the evening and the Advisor Reception. Then the Opening Ceremony started with a welcome address and wonderful introduction of the host committee by the chair of planning committee, Rebecca Saathoff. We than had a fabulous key note address from Whitney Francis, who is Global Community Management Lead for Google Local. She discussed the importance of branding yourself and how to do it. 
All the members then participated in an ice-breaker which involved string, marshmallows and team building. All the members then headed to Sunset Bowling Lanes for to have some fun and socialize with each other. Chapters also had the opportunity to exchange t-shirts with each other. Such fun!
Day 2 started with morning breakfast at the Embassy Suites hotel. Then we carpooled from the hotel to the university campus. There we had three sessions of amazing workshops on wide range of topics such as, GK 101, Poking the Bear, How to Listen so People Will Talk etc. These workshops provided great insight into the realms of leadership, collaboration, team spirit, participation and most importantly, service. We then enjoyed lunch at the university cafeteria. The last workshop of the day was a roundtable conference for chapter members, presidents, advisors & officers. Conversations were constructive and it was a great opportunity for chapter’s to share ideas and brainstorm together. We all learned a lot of valuable information at the workshops that we can bring back to our chapter members.
At the end of our busy day, it was time for the Closing Banquet, which was held at the Embassy Suites with everyone in their classy attire. We were honored to have former mayor of San Marcos, Susan Narvaiz, as our keynote speaker. She gave a moving address regarding community service and how it personally shaped her career. After dinner, we had door prizes and a group photo, not to mention countless photos taken in small groups with some funny and not-so-funny poses. It was indeed a fun evening.
Prior to Summit, the delegates collected items from their chapters to donate to the Southside Community Center of San Marcos. Collectively, the region donated 5 boxes full of hygiene products, blankets, clothing and other essentials the shelter requested. In addition to the efforts for the Southside Community Center the region also collaborated with the San Marcos Green Belt Alliance to clean and preserve trails in the San Marcos area.
To wrap up the weekend, everyone had the option of a Sunday activity. Many members took a river boat cruise, some headed home, while others joined for the additional service project with San Marcos Green Belt Alliance.
Overall, the Summit was a great opportunity to get together and learn; it was a great success. For this, I would like to thank all the delegates for being there and make it what it came out to be. A special thanks goes to Region 7 Associate Director, Sareena Helton, who put so much effort into this and was kind enough to have one-on-one meeting with all the chapters on all three days of Summit.
Last, but not least, many thanks to the host chapter of Texas State University – San Marcos for such a wonderful hospitality and without their dedicated efforts it would have never happened.
NASPA, or the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Association, is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. The NASPA Annual Conference is the premiere gathering place for student affairs administrators in higher education and is a great professional […]
GK SCHOLARSHIPS: Ather Sharif
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