Peer Advisor Weekly Words of Wisdom
Andrew Nussbaum

Resource of the Week
The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas

This Week In Recruiting
YouthWorks, Fund for Public Interest Research ...

Internship Opportunities
Entrepreneurship Virtual Fair ...

Workshops
Internship Search for Psych Majors...

Events
Oles Gone Global ...

Scholarships
Civic Engagement and Leadership Scholarships

Graduate School
MCAT Strategy Session, Free Practice Tests...

Job Humor
Financial Planning...

Peer Advisor Weekly Words of Wisdom

"Searching and applying to law schools can often times be a stressful event. It does not have to be! Make sure you have a detailed plan of all the different goals that need to be accomplished for a strong application. Remember to apply to a diverse set of  schools. And, more than anything, do not be afraid to ask for help!”

—Andrew Nussbaum '10, Peer Advisor

Resource of the Week

The BIG Guide to Living and Working Overseas
So you want to work overseas but you are unsure how to make it work. You’re not alone! Plenty of people have successfully found international jobs, and now you can too with the help of this excellent resource. The BIG Guide has been referred to as “the bible” on how to build international work experience. It organizes contact information as either a profile of an organization, or as a resource. An organization is profiled if it helps you gain experience or can offer you an international job. A resource, on the other hand, is a book, a Web site, or an organization which provides services to help you with your international job hunt. With careful planning and investigation, you can line up an interesting international career that is just right for you!

This Week in Recruiting

Upcoming Information Sessions...

YouthWorks
Thursday, March 6, 4:00-5:00 pm, BC 144

Fund for Public Interest Research
Thursday, March 6, 6:00-7:00 pm, BC 144

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Friday, March 7, 6:00-7:00 pm, BC 143

Internship Opportunities

Entrepreneurship Virtual Fair
Looking for a cool summer job or internship? The CEL has teamed up with Ole alums from six organizations around Minnesota to bring you exciting opportunities with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. Check back for more opportunities throughout the month-long e-fair, which lasts until March 15! Check out the Entrepreneurship Virtual Fair for more information on specific opportunities.

CIMA LABS- Analytical Chem Intern
CIMA LABS is a drug delivery technology company that develops and manufactures prescription and over-the-counter drug products using proprietary drug delivery technologies.  As a summer intern, you will work in the Research and Development Analytical Group.  The scope of the work comprises analytical chemistry activities associated with the development of new dosage forms and drug delivery systems.  These activities include method development and validation, analytical support for formulation and process development, drug product stability testing, laboratory sample analysis and documentation.  Analytical technologies employed include HPLC, dissolution/drug release, and various types of spectroscopy.
Please fax your cover letter, resume, and college transcript to Katina Shelton by March 14, 2008.

RECEPTORS LLC - Laboratory Intern
We offer the opportunity for a student to work as a paid intern in our laboratory in the summer. Our college interns routinely interact with technicians, team leaders, and our lead scientists. To apply for a summer internship, please submit high-school and college transcripts, along with a resume and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this opportunity and what scientific experience you have to kris@receptorsllc.com. You should also detail any schedule commitments you may have already made for summer.  If you are invited for an interview, we will require two letters of recommendation, one from the professor who recommended you for this internship opportunity and another from someone able to comment on your scientific classroom or laboratory performance, if applicable.

LKT Laboratories, Inc. - Organic Chemist Intern
We are looking for two interns this summer to perform organic synthesis, natural products isolation and purification.  Qualifications include at least two years of college coursework towards a degree in chemistry. Must be able to design and set-up small and large scale reactions, execute planned experiments, and summarize and draw conclusions. Candidate must be a highly motivated individual with a good work ethic, excellent communication skills and organizational skills.  Responsibilities include developing and optimizing synthetic and purification processes of organic products; using filtration, precipitation, distillation, crystallization and chromatography techniques; and extracting and purifying natural products from plant material. Students who are interested should send their cover letter and resume to Aleksey Kurdyumov: akurdyumov@lktlabs.com

Journalism and Web Content Internship-
Northfield Community Action Center
Mission includes serving the Northfield area, to promote a healthy, caring and just community for all people through resources, advocacy and volunteer effort.  Responsibilities include utilizing WordPress (a blog tool) to keep the CAC's web-page content artfully presented and of current relevance as well as planning, collecting and editing relevant stories about CAC's work.  For more information visit the website or contact Jim Blaha.

Summer Internship- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
This position is primarily a news writing position.  The intern will conduct interviews and write news stories for distribution via ELCA News Service channels.  Some audio and video news work will be included.  News stories will include a wide variety of subjects related to ELCA ministries and its people.  The intern will be considered a member of the ELCA news staff, and will be expected to attend regular staff meetings.  The intern will be expected to travel with the staff to various locations to attend and report on ELCA events (there will be some travel in summer 2008).  There will be other news duties as assigned.   If interested please submit current resume' and writing samples.  Writing samples may include unedited and/or unpublished work. To apply, contact Letty Villalon, or for questions about the internship, contact John R. Brooks.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2008

Workshops

Identifying Vocational Interests (Part 1 of 3)
Understand how your VISA (Values, Interests, Skills, and Abilities) relate to specific career options. Workshop will introduce two assessment inventories, the Myers-Briggs and the Strong Interest Inventory, to help you find the best career for your personality type!
Tuesday, March 4, 3:45-5:00 pm, BC 144
Thursday, March 6, 11:20-12:30 pm, BC 143

Internship Search for Psych Majors
Tuesday, March 4, 8:00-9:00 pm, BC 144

Media Studies Digital Portfolio Session
Learn more about the portfolio requirement of the MS concentration. Attendance required for graduating seniors.
Thursday, March 6, 11:30-12:30, BC 144

Social Work and Family Studies Career Night
Tuesday, March 11, 6:30-8:00 pm, BC Sun Ballroom

Events

"Oles Gone Global" Series

International Internships Poster Session/Open House
Come and see where Oles went over Interim! This poster session will highlight the broad variety of internships St. Olaf students completed this January 2008. Come and see pictures, hear stories, and gain valuable insight on how YOU can pursue an academic internship abroad!
Thursday, March 6, 10:00-1:00 pm, BC Crossroads

International Alumni Panel
Come and hear stories from alumni who have pursued careers abroad: Erin Vos '00, Erik Cleven '87, Richard Rortvedt '69, Tim Holtz '86, and Synneva Zempel '97.
Monday, March 10, 7:00-8:30 pm, Sun Ballroom

Searching for International Internships & Jobs
Learn more about what it takes to get international internship, volunteer, and career experience.
Wednesday, March 12, 4:00pm-5:00pm, Viking Theater

Pathways in Careers in the Biosciences
Learn more about opportunities in research, food science, pharmaceuticals, lab science, and much more. This is your opportunity to gather career information and network. The afternoon break-out sessions will have 3-4 professionals (alumni from MN Private Colleges) with experience in one of 4 topic areas: Clinical Research/Regulatory Affairs, Food Science/Personal Care, Medical & Pharmaceutical Sales & Marketing, Research & Development/Lab Science.  $5 registration fee or $10 for registration and transportation. Register at the Center for Experiential Learning by March 5.
Thursday, March 13, 2008, 3:30pm. – 7:00pm, U of MN Continuing Education & Conference Center, St. Paul

Exclusive Experiences
Exclusive Experiences  is introducing an “alternative spring break.”  If accepted, applicants can expect to donate their time and resources over the spring break period to help with volunteer work, community service, etc. To enter, applicants will need to submit a video journal of experience. The three finalists with the best videos will have their work displayed on Experience.com and win $500 to help pay for their break. For more information, visit University Resources.

Peace and War in the Heartland Discussion Panels
As part of the "Peace and War in the Heartland"event, there is a discussion panel on March 1. All of the discussions will take place in the Trollhaugen Room in Buntrock Commons. They are free and open to the public, although meals are not provided. The discussions include:

Saturday, March 1, 2008

10:30am-12:00pm Faith and War
Rev. Tom Duke, Ph.D, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, St. Paul Interfaith Network, Frank Kroncke, Member of Minnesota 8

1:00-2:30pm Social Justice and the War
Mel Duncan, Executive Director, Nonviolent Peace Force
Mary Beaudoin, Executive Director, WAMM

2:45-4:15pm Veterans and the War
Chante Wolf, Vets for Peace
Representatives from "Iraqi Veterans Against the War"

5:00pm Dinner and Concluding Discussion

Nicaragua Education Solidarity Dinner
Want to get more civically engaged? A Nicaraguan dinner will be served and a brief presentation will be given by three students who spent January 2007 in Nicaragua. They are raising awareness about education in Nicaragua as well as doing a good-will (give as you can) donation. All of the money will go directly to buy school shoes, uniforms, and supplies for students who can't attend school because they don't have these items.
March 5, 2008, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Rose House (1st Ave and Lincoln St.)

Marketing Case Challenge
General Mills Marketing Case Competition is back for the 4th year at St. Olaf College. The program provides an opportunity to work on timely, real-world marketing challenges faced by one of the top Consumer Packaged Goods companies in the world. The kick off is April 2nd where General Mills marketing associates will present the 2007 "marking new products" case and students can learn marketing strategies and how to bring ideas to life. The Case Competition at General Mills World Headquarters will be on May 1st where students will present their ideas to a panel of leaders across a variety of functions at General Mills. There students will tour the headquarters, have lunch with an Ole alum working for General Mills and learn about careers in marketing, sales, finance, and promotions. Applications should be submitted via OleRecruiting.
Application Deadline: Thursday, March 13

Scholarships

Civic Engagement and Leadership

Campus Compact Student Honors - Minnesota
Minnesota Campus Compact announces three opportunities to recognize students for their exemplary civic leadership and community service while also providing financial support toward continued efforts. A statewide committee will select both the grant recipients and the Newman/Swearer state finalists from Minnesota. State Finalists will be presented at the Annual Meeting on June 2nd, 2008, and National Award Recipients will be determined by May 2, 2008. 
Applications Due: Friday, March 21, 2008.  

Melvin George Leadership/Service Summer Fellowship
Named for St. Olaf College President Emeritus Melvin George, this award is intended to support activities that encourage and develop leadership skills and commitments of service among students. The award is directed toward students who would be otherwise unable to engage in service activities during the summer. Click here for more information.
Applications Due: Tuesday, April 1

Joy Korda Schaefer Scholarship for Summer Experiential Learning
Named for Joy Korda Schaefer, who during her life demonstrated a desire to learn by doing, the scholarship is given to student(s) participating in off-campus experiential learning opportunities that contribute to their search for meaning in life and learning. Click here for more information
Applications Due: Tuesday, April 1

Kloeck-Jenson Scholarship for Peace and Justice Internships
The Kloeck-Jenson Scholarship provides funding to support students pursuing an internship related to peace and justice issues. Typically the internship occurs during interim or the summer. Click here for more information
Applications Due: Tuesday, April 1

Graduate School

Graduate School Quick Stop Walk-In Hours
Do you have questions regarding graduate school or wish to have your personal statement or CV critiqued? Stop by the Modular Village!
Thursdays 9:00–11:00am at the CEL
Fridays 3:00–5:00pm at the CEL

MCAT Strategy Session
So the MCAT is computer-based. No worries! Join us at this free strategy session to experience the most comprehensive MCAT prep course there is.
Registration is required at www.princetonreview.com/events.
Wednesday, March 12, 7:00–8:30pm, Buntrock 144

LSAT Practice Test and Strategy Session
Want to know how you’d score on the LSAT? Join us to take a free full-length practice test! This is the best first step to determining your preparation strategy. We’ll give you a detailed score report reviewing your strengths and weaknesses, at the follow-up strategy session. You'll experience the most thorough, demanding LSAT prep course around. An instructor will teach effective testing strategies, and lead you through LSAT sample problems. Tip the scales in your favor by coming to Buntrock Commons to learn about the LSAT test, law school admissions, and valuable test-taking tips from the experts at The Princeton Review. Registration is required at www.princetonreview.com/events.

Free Practice Test
Saturday, March 8th
9:00am–1:00pm
Buntrock 144

Strategy Session
Tuesday, March 11th
6:30pm–8:00pm
Buntrock 143

Job Humor

Student Spotlight on
the "Express Yourself for a Better World" Contest Winner:

Kate Tecku

What is your winning piece and what is it all about?
My piece is titled“My Evening Prayer”, and while it's about many different things ranging from global warming to social injustice to materialism, the overarching issue is the apathy among my generation to address the really dire problems in today's world. I begin the poem looking inward, questioning what I am doing in my own life and if I am making ample use of my time. I quickly realize the answer is no, and that most of my peers are following suit.

Did you have any specific inspiration to start writing it?
Yes, it was inspired by a speech Van Jones gave at Powershift 2008 in Washington, D.C. I traveled there in November with eight other Oles. Powershift, the largest summit on global warming in U.S. history, brought together over 6,000 students to learn, lobby, and rally, all with the purpose of stopping global warming. Van Jones is a human rights activist who started the “Green Jobs, Not Jails” campaign that aims to transform our economy to one that runs off sustainable energy and puts millions of people to work retrofitting houses, building solar panels, and assembling wind turbines. The final lines of my poem, where I sarcastically mention needing more “rugged individualism” and my rejection of that notion in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, were lines based off his speech. They really hit home with me, because it is American individualism that is partly to blame for our disconnect from nature, our disbelief in our government, and our divide among one another. It has lead our society away from community and into our suburban homes watching four and half hours of television a day. I scratched Van's inspirational words down onto a napkin, and once home I found it in my coat pocket while I was walking to class. For days, I couldn't focus, all I wanted to do was talk about the things I learned at Powershift. About climate change, green jobs, exploited workers in Nicaragua, and the deforestation happening in New Guinea. But no one wanted to listen. So, one night I stayed up and just started writing. I have no idea why it came out in the form of a prayer, I'm not a particularly religious person, but, I felt like perhaps God was the only one who would listen to the frustration I was feeling.

We heard you performed your piece at "Focus the Nation." What sort of response did you get from students and faculty?
The response was fantastic! It ended up being a really great performance, and even two weeks afterwards I had people approaching me telling me how much they truly felt moved by it. It felt really good to know that it made people think twice about the lives we live, and that it possibly restored the forgotten idea by many Oles that we are all connected to each other and this planet. I am convinced that people are not inherently selfish or not empathetic; in fact I think it is the very opposite. We simply don't understand the repercussions of the things we do, and how not playing a role in politics allows governments and corporations to run rampant. And the subsequent problems that are caused by corporations and governments that are not held in check by their citizens. We must become engaged, but first we must become aware.

For instance, take a pair of jeans; very few of us understand the very complex and often-negative process it takes to get the products we consume (often overly consume) to us. A single pair of jeans may have taken hundreds of gallons of water to grow the cotton to make them, was then doused with extremely toxic dyes in a factory in China that is pumping out pollution at such a rate you can't see the sun most days of the year, made by a worker that is earning fifteen cents an hour and can't say anything about it, then put on a boat that travels across the world, then loaded into a truck that travels across the country, all the while pumping out millions of pounds of Carbon in the process.

Any advice for fellow Oles on how to sustain the momentum of the environmental movement here on campus?
There are so many ways to get involved! The beauty of this movement is that it already has such strong momentum.  A few weeks ago the students that I traveled to Powershift with held a forum in Viking titled“The New Green Movement” where we displayed the dichotomy between this new environmental movement and the tree-hugging, back-to-the-landers of the Sixties. We explained how we are a politically minded, economically thinking, educated, passionate, and mobilized group of people who are sick and tired of our government idly watching workers be marginalized by our economy and our planet destroyed in the process. (What's worse is that our government is subsidizing the very culprits of climate change and the outsourcing of our companies.) We are not as happy as our Hippy parents were, we are an irritated force, determined to alter the destructive path our nation, and the world, is heading down. There is an array of opportunities to become involved in all of this right here on campus.  Whether it is attending environmental coalition meetings and helping out on projects, or calling your senators and representatives to voice your opinion on upcoming bills concerning climate change and energy independence. Even if you are not of a political or civically engaged nature, you can do individual things every day to get involved and help keep the movement going. Stop buying bottled water and drink tap instead, turn your lights and appliances off when you aren't using them, recycle more often, and most importantly of all, encourage your friends to join in your efforts. However small, every action counts, and however faint, every voice matters.

Students have to make up their minds if they are going to join the millions of other people calling for change, or if they are going to sit this fight out. I believe once people understand just how much these issues will affect our future, they'll decided they aren't going to sit this one out, not this time.

If you'd like to read Kate's winning poem and see the other winners of the "Express Yourself for a Better World" contest, click here to be inspired!