73 t — LION’S EYE — December 3, 1997 Opinion & Review It Takes More Than Good Grades to Get a Good Job By Christina Papa Picture this scene: It is the year 2001 and you are waiting in line to be interviewed for the job of your dreams when you bump into one of your old comrades from college, with whom you happened to share a major. You smugly think to yourself, “Ha. 1 will definitely beat him out in this interview. I got a better GPA than he did.” : Once the interviews are over, you receive a call telling you that unfortunately, you did not get the job. Out of curiosity, you ask who did, and find out that it was indeed your “under-achieving” friend, or so you thought. Feeling hurt, indignant, frustrated, and confused, you ask yourself, “Why? I had much better grades — I don’t understand!” Many students will, in fact, come across a similar situation. Chances are, your friend had experience in his field, including an internship while in college. Instead of putting all his effort into getting a 4.0 GPA, he explored ways in which he could develop his skills specifically toward his major, which in turn, gave him more success in finding a job. I am not saying that good grades aren’t an excellent thing to have, but am saying that employers are also looking for experience. You can have a 4.0 GPA for four successive years, but if you do not have experience, you are hardly as much of an asset as a person who does have experience as well as good grades. An excellent way to obtain an internship is to consult with Sharmon Bryant, career counselor at Penn State Delco. Last semester, I expressed an interest in a paid job relating to communications, and Ms. Bryant said she'd do her best to find one for me. | Then, one summer day in August, Ms. Bryant called me at home to tell me of a job opportunity at a local radio station, WPWA, 1590AM. I called the station, set up an interview, and now I am getting great experience in my field. “Internships are almost a necessity to ensure your marketability upon graduation,” Ms. Bryant said when asked of the importance of internships. “Some employers even require you to have had one or more internships.” Internships are also a great way to find out if you like something or not. Many students end up changing their majors late in the game because they finally realize that they don’t like what they're doing. By getting an internship now, students can get hands-on experience in their field and eliminate the possibility of switching later. Penn State Delco has a great Career Center on the second floor of the commons building that offers endless possibilities for every major. And Ms. Bryant will go out of her way to work with you to find just what you need. So why not take advantage of the services provided for you? You have nothing to lose by acquiring an internship, and if you don’t, chances are you'll and Ottrina Bond. After speaking to a large group at Penn State Delco, Sesame Street’s Sonia Manzano (otherwise known as ‘“Maria’’) chats with students Jose Hernandez regret it. Letter to the Editor Kudos for Volunteers To Whom It May Concern: (it should concern everyone) From time to time we are privileged to witness a triumph of the human spirit over circumstance. Earlier this century we saw a frail Indian man walk across his country to break the yoke of an oppressive imperialistic rule....his name was Mahatma Ghandi. In the 60's we saw a dynamic young preacher emerge from the throes of a small town bus boycott to stir the conscience of a nation, causing it to eventually leave its path of bigotry for a path of racial equality....his name was Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of you may not realize it, but right here among us there is a group of people who are following the lead of these great historical figures. Two people from PSU Delaware County have dedicated their lives to making a real difference in the world. They work with the sick, the elderly, the poor, the hungry, the homeless, residents of the inner city....all of the people and issues that most of us want to forget about. Their names are Nicole Memmo and Melissa Martin. These two students have been leading the PSU Volunteer Service Center, the PSU Service Corps, and the Community Leadership After School Program in an exciting and dynamic way that is making a REAL difference in the world. The work these two have put in has touched the lives of hundreds of people....including the author of this letter. When these students look at the world they don’t just see problems; they see solutions! A lot of people feel that trying to “change the world” is a waste of time - that it’s too ‘idealistic’ to think that things will ever get better, or that one person can make a difference. Let me tell you, when you sit and hope the world will get better while you're watching TV - THAT is futile and idealistic. But when you dream of a better world while you are out there doing something about it...that is as REALISTIC as it gets! One person CAN make a difference, and the world CAN become a better place....as long as people like Melissa, Nicole, (and you?) are willing to stand up and do something about it! So if you see these students in the hallway, stop and thank them for their efforts, and ask them how you can help. You just may find that the person you are helping the most....is yau. A. Sean Worthington Individuals, Student Organizations and Small Groups to Promote 1998 Spring Break Travel Packages Earn MONEY and FREE TRIPS Call INTER-CAMPUS PROGRAMS ap 1-800-327-6013 Dx http:/www.icpt.com Letter to the Editor Dropping Out Is No Way to Get Involved at Delco I recently attended an SGA meeting. For approximately one hour, we discussed everything from club updates to campus events and then, concerns of some students on how the basketball players’ auction was, perhaps, offensive. We discussed different events aimed at making Delco “look good.” Numerous times throughout the meeting I heard us referred to as “campus leaders” by various faculty in attendance. There were only about twenty- five people in the room at the height of the meeting, which was attendance call. There are about 1500 students on this campus. About half of the 18-20 clubs had not one member in attendance. All clubs without a representative are under the new SGA policy threat of a twenty-five dollar fine per missed meeting. Some of the clubs in attendance discussed events they were planning such as a movie screening and a pie throwing contest. A hard working faculty member inquired into the possibility of a Christmas event. It’s nice to know that there are diligent people out there who are trying to give us some type of campus life, but that’s really what we DON'T need right now. It’s time to stop worrying about Delco’s image and start concentrating on Delco’s students. Smart, committed people are dropping out with alarming frequency, and for many more it’s a struggle every day just to keep their heads above water. No one wants to acknowledge our campus’s biggest problem because frankly it’s frightening. Withdrawing from school could happen to anyone of us at any time, for whatever reason. Look around and count how many friends you've lost. : : The problem is right in front o us and we, who have been labeled “campus leaders,” do next to nothing. We occupy ourselves with fund- raisers, banquets, meetings, and games. There are a lot of students out there who are attending twenty hours a week of classes for grades, who are working forty hours a week for tuition, and studying like mad so much that they just don’t have the time to attend a meeting of a group no matter how much they want to. So, as we approach the end of the semester, I urge you to skip that meeting, forget that club, miss that game, and just go to class. Even if you have only one class left you can save, do it. Stay in school, as corny as it sounds. And don’t do it for your friends. Don’t do it for your parents. Don’t do it for the clubs, or even Penn State itself. Your college career should mean more to you than it does to ‘anyone else. Stay in school. Do you have any comments or criticisms? Send e-mail to the address below. Shawn Donohue sxd191@psu.edu Rethinking “Slave” Sales To the Editor: “Did you buy a slave today?” “Yes, I bought one to give to my girlfriend for her birthday.” “What are you going to have your slave do?” These are only a few of the comments that I have ‘heard surrounding the “fundraising auctions” which clubs have been holding on campus. I consider the selling of human beings, under any circunstances, slave trade. I have been told that “it’s all in fun,” “it’s for a good cause,” and my very favorite, “everyone else is doing it.” My question is, how can Penn State claim that it promotes diversity and cultural understanding, when they allow one of the most heinous practices in this country’s history to be used in any way, shape or form, as a fundraiser ? One defense of the auctions raised the issue of freedom of speech and that people chose to be sold off. If there were a group that wanted to portray a lynching, to raise funds, and a Black student voluteered to be the victim, would this event be allowed to happen ? 1 don’t believe so. It is my hope that events like this not be allowed in the future. To accomplish this, I will continue to circulate a petition, which bans that are even remotely reminiscent of the selling of human beings. Darlene Watkins
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