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In this week's e-newsletter . . .
Workshops
Get Experience!
Events and Announcements
Transportation Career Expo, Essay Contest . . .
Career Opportunities
Datalink Corporation, Event & Training Coordinator
Internship Opportunities
Swiss Finance Academy, St. Paul Synod ELCA (communications) . . .
Summer Jobs
Seagull Canoe Outfitters (BWCA)
Scholarship Opportunities
Humanity in Action's Summer Fellowship Programs
Job Humor
Not My Job
Residence Hall Event: Experiential Learning: Making it Happen
Mon., Jan. 15, Mohn Dorm Lounge 9:00 p.m.
Get Experience!
Tues., Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m., BC Black Ballroom
Residence Hall Event: Experiential Learning: Making it Happen
Tues., Jan. 16, Hill-Kitt Dorm Lounge, 7:00 p.m.
Residence Hall Event: Experiential Learning: Making it Happen
Tues., Jan. 16, Kildahl Dorm Lounge, 9:00 p.m.
Indentifying Vocational Interests (Part 1)
Wed., Jan. 17, 4:00 p.m., BC 143
Events and Announcements
Transportation Career Expo
March 1, 2007
1:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Click here for more information.
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Information sessions on graduate programs in Public Policy (MPP), Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (MS-STEP), and Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) will be held on the following dates:
Wed., Jan. 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Thurs., March 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Mon., April 23, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
All sessions will take place in Room 205 Humphrey Center (Freeman Commons) on the University of Minnesota campus. Beverages and pizza will be served. Faculty and current students will speak briefly about each degree program and will be available to answer questions. Space is limited, so please RSVP to: HHHadmit@umn.edu or via phone at 612-626-7229. Visit the website for more information.
Attention all students:
Essay Contest
The CEL's Service and Civic Leadership Program announces an essay contest open to all students. Original essays of 2,000 words or less should respond to the question:
"As a student at St. Olaf College, how are you preparing to live a life of worth and service that demonstrates Another World is Possible?"
Click here to download complete contest rules or contact Merrie Benasutti -
Deadline: February 12, 2007
Career Opportunities
To view more position openings and recruiters visiting campus, go to OleRecruiting.
Datalink Corporation
Event & Training Coordinator
Paid Summer Internship (part-time)
Saint Paul Area Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Summer Internship (Communications) - See OleRecruiting
Swiss Finance Academy
4-week, summer 2007 International Wall Street training program
See OleRecruiting
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
Film Marketing/Film Festival Internships (Facets/Chicago Intl Children's Film Fest) - See OleRecruiting
Seagull Canoe Outfitters
Summer Staffers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of NE Minnesota
See OleRecruiting
Attention sophomores, juniors, and seniors:
Humanity in Action's Summer Fellowship Programs
HIA offers 5-week Fellowships in Europe and the U.S. focusing on human rights and minority issues.
The purpose of this message is the following:
Application deadline: Wed., Feb. 7
Call for Applications - American Programs
Call for Applications - European Programs
Visit www.humanityinaction.org for further information.
Job Humor
(from http://www.dw-jotd.com/not_my_job_award.htm)
Not My Job!
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Student Entrepreneur
Scott Wopata ’07
Business: Rent-a-Son
Major: Economics
Hometown: Northfield, MN
Why applied for grant?
I applied for the grant because I was up against a wall to financially support a business I thought would be a great educational and life experience.
Venture working on?
I’m running a construction company called Rent-a-son in which I do various home repairs and improvements. I’m currently working on a large four-season porch project as well as a re-siding job totaling about $25,000 together.
Best part about running my own venture?
I love the fact that I can be myself in my own business. I don’t have to buy the corporate line and support, work for, or pretend to believe in something I don’t. I can skip out on all the "games" I don’t want to play. I don’t have to memorize interview approaches, build up my résumé, or dress up for meetings. If I have something more important to do than go to work, I just don’t go to work. When you get stuck in a corporate, policy-driven environment, there is little flexibility to accommodate the reality of an unpredictable life.
Challenges?
It’s challenging to enter situations and problems where there isn’t a right or wrong solution. Many times I take on jobs that I’ve never seen or heard of before. It’s also challenging to find work in the beginning. You have to stick to the plan and fight through the hard times. It’s also hard to make sure you don’t get wrapped up in your job. Work is only work and it isn’t as important as God or family. Sometimes I justify spending 60-80 hours a week working because either I’m “growing my business”, “making extra money”, or “doing something I love to do”. However, if it’s distracting me from my relationship with Christ or family, I’m doing the wrong thing and God won’t bless it. I’ve seen multiple friends and family members try to run their own business working 80-100 hours a week. Bottom line is that they lose the support of their family, they miss out on their kids’ lives, and the company eventually fails.
Advice?
There are a lot of ideas out there that are possible grant-winning ideas. It’s important, however, to take the money given to you seriously. Know how much you actually want to put into your business and decide whether it’s worth the initial investment. Whether it’s your own money or from a grant … it’s still money out of someone’s pocket.
Experience useful after college? My grant helped launch my potential career. With the help of the money from the grant, I was able to start my business over a year and half earlier than I had expected. That extra time has really paid off in terms of making important contacts and relationships with some really great individuals. Also it gave me extra time to do a trial run before I plunged in head first. As a college student, you sometimes don’t have the ability to take financial risks (if you’re paying your own way through college). The grant gave me a chance to take a risk in something I thought was worth it, and it has proven to be very successful.