Student Success Office @ TSTC Harlingen

3 Services EVERY student should know...

2010-09-28T15:38:00.001-07:00

Being a college student is somewhat hectic. Having to jumble a full course load, homework, a job or two and possibly children is not the easiest set of tasks to do simultaneously. I've put together THREE web 2.0 technologies that may possibly ease your burden. I've personally used them and recommend them.

1. Jott.com - Assistant Features

- This service was an excellent help while in school and while managing work. When I first started using this service, it was free. Unfortunately, the service is now $3.99 a month. I still use it because it has come in handy MANY times.

- With Jott, you can capture quick thoughts...quickly...just by using your phone. You can call, text or email "notes" to your Jott account where they are then sent to your email inbox. You can call Jott and "Jott a note". From there, your message is transcribed and converted to text, then sent to your email address on file.

- It was great for setting up reminders about test dates, birthdays, random thoughts and even emailing the professor.

- Jott is also compatible with many Web 2.0 social sites such as Google Cal, Remember the Milk, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc., so you can post status updates or add calendar events from this ONE service.

While you are at it, you can create lists and add to them whenever you recall something that should be on it.

EXAMPLE: I have a list called "Store". Whenever an item I need to get from the store crosses my mind, I "jott" it using the Jott.com service. It is then added to my "Store" list and I am able to get that list text'd to me or emailed to me when I actually go to the store. Now...THAT's convenience.

If you get interested in it, let me know and I'll send you a coupon code for a free month of service.

2. ScanMyEssay.com - VIPER Anti-plagiarism Scanner (FREE)

- Easy, accurate...FREE.

- This downloadable program scans your computer and the internet, then compares them with your essay to make sure you can't get busted on plagiarism. It will scan other essays on your computer, published essays on the internet and bring up a highlighted side-by-side comparison of items that look similar.

- I'm sure you can see the benefits to this. No further explanation needed.

3. FreeFileConvert - File Conversion (FREE)

- If you have ever come into the situation where you need to convert your Microsoft Word Document into a PDF, but just didn't know how...this site is for you. You can thank me later.

- Simply goto the site, upload your file...choose the format you need it converted to (i.e., docx, pdf, jpg, etc.) then click "convert". Badda-bing badda-boom.

These three sites will be life-savers sooner or later if you use them correctly. For extra tips and tricks or to ask specific questions...respond to this post or email me. I also have videos up on various topics that may help you out.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

3 keys to showing students you care

2010-08-27T06:58:00.001-07:00

Advisors, when they first start off, are motivated and dedicated. Over time, some tend to lose the sense of accomplishment that comes with service. Often times, it isn't complacency that gets in the way, it is communication.

Communication is critical to the advising process, and the foundation of good communication is respect and caring. I've taken a step back from the job. I've taken a retrospective look into what has worked, what has not, and why. Here is what I came up with:

1) The first key is to take students seriously. Each has a different perspective and each student brings a new situation with them.

2) The second is to never assume a student knows everything. Many advisors just jargon and tend to assume that every student knows the admissions process or the process to add/drop courses, etc. This is one of the worse mistakes an advisor can make. Your goal should be to enlighten and educate, regardless of the student's age or perceived knowledge.

3) You MUST make it personal. Students are coming to you for guidance and direction. If they wanted a systematic response, they would use the online chat feature on your school's main website for help. Students are looking for that personal touch from an advisor. As an advisor, you should remember their name and situation because of all the thought and time spent on their case.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's 2nd Posterous

Don't BUY it...RENT it instead!

2010-08-25T08:47:00.001-07:00

Did you know that the average student will spend over $500 per term buying textbooks? Seems like an awful lot of money to buy textbooks that often get opened one time, right? Well, with Chegg, you will save hundreds!

So stop wasting your money and start renting from Chegg. I’m on the bandwagon and I’ve saved enough to buy all my term papers! Not really, but I have saved some serious cash by Chegging my books. I have a promo code that will save you an additional 5% off your total order, useCC107728.

Want proof?

Essential Biology by Campbell, Reece & Simon is $83.18 if you buy it on Amazon.com. If you rent it on Chegg.com, it’s only $11.78. That’s a savings of over $71!

It’s so simple, just search for the books you need and place your order. Chegg will ship them to you fast and at the end of the term you ship them back for free. What’s really cool is that they plant a tree for every order (for all you tree-huggers out there).

Don’t forget to visit Chegg.com and use

promo code CC107728.

--
Joshua Hernandez
" if you can't solve a problem...You're probably playing by the rules."

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

A little chat with UTB's Transcript Evaluator...

2010-07-22T19:49:00.001-07:00

The University of Texas at Brownsville exposes the truth behind the mystery that is "transcript evaluation". An interview with one of three transcript evaluators currently working at UTB/TSC leads me to answers I (and every other student) have been searching for since our inception to higher learning.

I started off slow, with some general questioning before tackling the major issues. Here's the noted version...

How long does it take for a transcript to reach you personally (minus mail carrier time)?

- Bottom line, it can be anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks honestly. Once the transcript is received at the Admissions Office, it is processed by student workers who place the transcript information into a system, then it is passed over to an actual evaluator.

What do you do with it once it reaches your hands? How do you evaluate it?

- I immediately input the grades for common courses into Datatel. Typically, transcripts from local RGV colleges are quickly placed into the database since their academic core courses will transfer over. When I receive transcripts from other colleges outside the RGV or the state, I first

Check accreditation of that college
Research descriptions of courses that may transfer in

As you can imagine, this may take a while so we generally leave outside (the RGV) colleges for last.

Courses that absolutely do NOT transfer are remedials, certificate of completions, academies (Police Academy, etc.) or Graduate Study courses.

How does that work? Is there a rubric you use or point system to determine what courses are "worthy of transfer"?

- Honestly, it is technically up to each of our opinions. A bit of power on our side I suppose. I check for matching course descriptions, but generally I don't evaluate every course unless the student asks.

Alright, KINE courses...spill it.

- I will generally give transfer credit into the college for any KINE course that involves a physical activity (even the online versions) except for KINE 1301. As far as KINE 1301 goes...if you took that course on or before Fall 2009, we will take it...if you took it Spring 2010 and on, we won't.

How do you handle Foriegn Universities?

- That's a horse of a different color...for another conversation.

Very well.

After that conversation, we decided to have a few follow up interviews in the future to dig more in depth on transfer questions. I'll be out for a month on military training, but rest assured, I will be tackling this upon my arrival. If you have specific questions you'd like answered, this is your chance. Leave them in the comment section for me.

Don't forget to "like" us at Facebook.com/TSTCgst

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

TAMUK transfer equivalency courses are here!

2010-07-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

TAMUKequivCourses.pdf (39 KB)
View this on posterous

Here are the most recent courses that are transferable to Texas A&M Kingsville from Texas State Technical College Harlingen.

Enjoy.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Updated List of UTB Course offerings at TSTC

2010-07-14T09:22:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! Here is the updated list of UTB Courses that will be held at TSTC Harlingen. If you have any questions...just ask.

There are new updates made as time passes, please understand if locations/times change from now until course start dates.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Technology will keep Advisors on their toes..

2010-07-06T21:34:00.001-07:00

There is a difference between ideal advising and a student's view of advising. Advising is helping students become self-sufficient. Effective advisors care about students and want to make a difference in their lives. Great advising is also interactive; both the student and advisor contribute.

The use of technology should not be an excuse to abandon the relationship or accountability aspect. Instead, it should be a tool to aid in enhancing those aspects. The tricky part is that with the use of technology, advisors must be true to the cause; advisors will have no choice but to keep up with the relationships and stay prepared to answer questions in a moment's notice. If the advisor is not organized and prepared then it will immediately show and the student will lose trust.

From the student's perspective...the advisor should automatically be accounting for the following questions:

Are the course and/or section number accurate?
Do any of these courses conflict?
Does the student have the necessary prerequisites, co-requisites, placement scores or other preparation to take the course?
Are any courses for "instituitional credit only" that will not likely transfer to another institution?
Is the student taking the courses in the proper sequence?
Does the student need to take any courses this term that aren't offered in other terms?
Have any course/program requirements changed from the previous semester?

The number one student problem is confusion. As the advisor, you are expected to be the expert.

How technology changes things...

If you are considering implementing, or perhaps have already implemented, technology and social media into your daily operations then I suggest you be aware of the side effects. Technology brings three key factors to the equation of advisement:

1) Increase in turn-around time
- Web 2.0 tools and social media platforms are syncronous. This means virtually instant communication. Whether it be via e-mail, blog, instant message or the like...the communication is instantaneous. Students are well aware of this and expect instant, tangible results. If they send an e-mail to you with a question, they expect a response within minutes.

2) Increase in advisor accountability
- The instantaneous nature of communication technology creates a new sense of accountability on different scales. Keep in mind that students communicating with you via e-mail, blog, etc. have the ability to track their communications. This means that not only are they able to be made aware of when you opened or deleted their e-mail, but they are also able to track and record the information transfered between both parties. Advisors can no longer afford to make careless mistakes or answer a student without having done the proper research ahead of time.

3) Adjustment to daily activities/work style
- New technology sometimes requires an adjustment to current work styles. If you are a bit more on the traditional side when it comes to tools you are using for advisement, consider the adaptations you will need to make if you plan on incorporating new technologies. Aside from a possible learning curve, you will need to plan adjustments to keep up with the technologies and consider which mediums you will use to do so. The majority of web 2.0 tools are able to be accessed via smart phones, desktop applications, web applications, text message and email. Do some research on the tools you are considering to utilize. Instead of waking up in the morning to read the paper, you may have to alter that to checking your blog comments or email.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's 2nd Posterous

3 "better" ways to get a hold of a student...

2010-06-29T07:59:00.001-07:00

As many of you know...attempting to establish or re-establish communication with a student is similar to hunting down a Sasquatch. With the advent of Pocket, Cricket and other similar pay-as-you-go phone plans, a student's phone number can change three or four times within a semester!

This places the academic advisor in a bit of a predicament. An advisor is expected to maintain lines of communications regardless of a student's actions; with everything going on in a student's life, a student isn't always thinking about updating their resources with their new contact information. As a result, advisors are left with nothing more than a dried up trail of old communication avenues that may or may not work when you need them.

Through experience, I've reached a conclusion...it is time for advisors to get even more aggressive in their tactics. Here are three "better" ways to contact a student, aside from the traditional phone call and disconnection recording:

1) Collect Personal Email Addresses. Traditional students reaching the post-secondary level are all too exposed to solicitation. Since the birth of the non-static web, our students have been asked to give their email address up on a contact form only to find out their inbox is filled with SPAM two seconds after hitting "enter" or submitting the paper form. As a result, this new generation of students have adapted and now own 2 or more email addresses - specifically for this reason. Each email has it's purpose for the student. It would benefit us to collect these addresses in an attempt to obtain their "true" personal email. Here are a few tips:

- On any form that collects student information (whether via web or hard copy), add at least two slots for email addresses and label them "primary" and "secondary/alternate"...much like our phone number section.

- Add a disclaimer that you will not use their contact information for solicitations or allow access to any third party affiliates, even other departments in the college.

- Use their personal email in addition to their student/college email address to ensure your communication is delivered.

2) Facebook/Myspace REQUIRED. Over 95% of traditional student entering or currently in college have either a Facebook or Myspace account, depending on the region you live in. It takes time and effort to set these accounts up and establish their social community, especially if they have "custom" page names as part of their URL. Take advantage of this and set up a Facebook or Myspace account for your specific department. You will get better return rates on communication via social sites than a typical phone number. Here are some tips when using these social media sites:

- On any form that collects student information (whether via web or hard copy), add a section that allows them to write in their social media links. Not only will this save time, but it's an official way of a student giving you permission to contact them in this manner. A disclaimer for this would be a good idea as well.

- If you are going to use this method as a contact source, you must remember that it comes with rules and a dedication to building that personal rapport. In doing so, you will be amazed at how much access to a student you can have and the perks of seeing "status updates" work well when you are having trouble finding out what a student may need to improve their grades, etc.

- If you have the ability to do so, I'd recommend making their involvement on your Facebook or Myspace account mandatory for your program/department/club, etc. The key is to keep them engaged or request "friend status" with your account.

3) U shld IM them. Virtually every student has a smart phone. With that, comes mobile accessibility to IM services and providers such as Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Digsby, etc. Find out (via surveys, etc.) which services are most popular in your student base and set up professional accounts with those services. Not only will you be making your services more convenient for them, but you will also be able to see when they are online or reachable. All IM transcriptions can be logged and tracked, downloaded and emailed.

Trust me, these methods work. It is all a matter of preparation before the execution. Check to see what your college's policies are regarding social media and communication with students prior to establishing these methods. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the response you get.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's 2nd Posterous

test

2010-06-29T07:19:00.001-07:00

test

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's 2nd Posterous

Education's version of Facebook...

2010-06-28T14:27:00.001-07:00

A report in eSchool News documents the combination of learning and social networking by dissecting a new social site, Grockit. This site is eventually going to be geared toward creating a "collaborative learning space online where students can help one another solve homework problems and study".

I could personally see how that would work, so long as there are students in your region using this site. There wouldn't be too much use for it if there is nobody in your area utilizing the service. Ideally though, you'd be able to access your peer's homework assignments 24/7. The enticing aspect is that a student can receive aid and advice from peers - instantly. Since Grockit is an altered social networking platform, those individuals participating in the community will be graded and rated by their peers for integrity and service...much like eBay.

At the moment, Grockit only serves grades 8-12 (Math and English) and Test Prep for the SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT. I've registered an account at www.grockit.com to explore the service more in depth. So far...I've been impressed by how they go about analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. You start off by creating a profile and taking some exams depending on what service you will be using (GRE, SAT, etc). These exams will test your Verbal, Quantitative and other skills. From then on, it is up to you to take Lessons to work with instructors in group classes and one-on-one, partake in a Group Study where you can chat live with other students, exchange tips, and learn by teaching, or Practice Solo and focus on areas all on your own.

Of course..everything comes with a price...so in that aspect, it really isn't anything like Facebook...

BEWARE!

The "Introductory" plan is free...which comes with unlimited Group Study Questions, 20 solo questions, etc...you don't get progress reports or performance reports. The online personalized tutoring is a "pay as you go" plan..with is pretty pricey, $50 an hour for the GRE section!

The "Standard", "Tutoring" and "Course" plans range from $79.99 to $399.99 one-time fee for a year's membership.

My Opinion:

The site seems to be well thought out but over all projects the "I'm here to make money" vibe. E-learning is relatively new and many studies are being conducted on the pros/cons of e-learning and social groups. The concept rocks; the "business" side doesn't.

As it stands, I'd recommend using Grockit for the free "Introductory" offer to see where you may need some improvement on your skills then find other means of studying...BUT the product is there if you want it.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Another University program available on TSTC Harlingen's Campus!

2010-05-24T13:02:00.001-07:00

Times...they are a-changin'.

Earlier I announced some specifics for the University of Texas at Brownsville's BA of Business Administration in Management to be housed on Texas State Technical College Harlingen's campus this Fall 2010. There are a few colleges and universities that have already begun to implement a pathway to their bachelor degree(s) and Graduate programs without the inconvenience of leaving the Rio Grande Valley.

Welcome Our Lady of the Lake University - San Antonio!

Our Lady of the Lake University started with the implementation of a local graduate program, the Doctoral Degree in Leadership Studies program, that proved to be a hit. They now have plans to introduce a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Computer Information Systems and Security (which is certified by the National Security Agency) at TSTC Harlingen. This program is offered through OLLU's Weekend College Program and will meet eight times per semester which comes out to be every other Saturday and housed here in Harlingen. According to Charles Puente, the Program Management and Advisor for Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio Weekend College, students with an Associate in Applied Science technical field will receive approximately 54 to 60 credits toward their Bachelor degree! That's practically two years worth of credits.

Of course, the total amount of courses that transfer over depend on your associate degree field. Professor Ahlberg, the Department Chair of the BAS.CISS program, tells me that the TSTC program with the most transferable courses is the Computer Networking and Security Technology (CNST) with a total of 60 transferable credits (including the Academic Core).

So far, the breakdown of courses available only extends to Fall of 2010. A cohort of 15 students must be established before OLLU can continue the planning process for the remaining semesters. Professor Ahlberg explained a portion of it to me earlier today. Students who participate in this program can expect to receive 6 courses per year for an average of 3 years. Granted, this is a slower process than the traditional amount of time for a Bachelor degree BUT what one sacrifices in time, one makes up for in convenience. After you complete your academic core, and transfer over your associate degree credits, the average student will be looking at approximately 22 courses left (which is 1/2 the battle for a bachelor degree).

I'm still doing some more research into it in order to provide everyone with a transfer equivalency chart. This will allow us to see exactly what we have to play with. In the meantime, I welcome any questions you may have.

Our Lady of the Lake University Department Chair and advisors will be on campus to answer questions regarding their program on:

Wednesday, June 16

1 - 6 PM

Building "S" - 122

Thursday, June 17

10 AM - 3 PM

Building "S" - 122

To RSVP for the event/forum...please follow this link.

For a list of degrees offered from OLLU at TSTC or OLLU online...please follow this link.

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook!

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Surviving Online Courses

2010-05-19T12:23:00.001-07:00

Taking an online course is very very very different from the traditional classroom environment, which you may have guessed (or noticed). Many students come through my office inquiring about online courses or requesting general advice on completing them without dying. :-/

I've taken MANY online courses through TSTC, DeVry, AIU and UTB. Every college had different requirements and course set-up. I've put together my top three pieces of advice:

1) READ the syllabus. This course information sheet will be your best friend when attempting to knock out an online course. It will have ALL the important information like Instructor Contact Info, Course Requirements and Materials, and above all...it will state the weight of all assignments, quizzes, and tests.

2) Print out the Grade section. Every course I've taken online has a section that clearly outlines the items you must turn in for a grade. This section is typically an automatic creation due to the software program(s) (Learning Management Systems) that schools use. It is very helpful when an instructor says you are "required" to participate in discussion boards/forums but in all actuality, she isn't officially giving you a grade for it.

3) Print out the Grading Rubric. The reason for this is that since the course is online, the only way to "officially" measure a student's knowledge is to compare assignments, tasks, etc. with a grading rubric. This grading rubric is what instructors must go by when grading your assignments. The BEST thing to do is review the rubric prior to completing the assignment and specifically mention those requirements. With online grading, there is a huge sense of "business is done in writing" approach. Instructors need to prove their reasoning behind the grades they give.

The above may sound like odd items of advice, but I promise you...it helps. I've learned a lot from my experience and trust...lessons have been learned.

www.facebook.com/TSTCgst

www.twitter.com/TSTCjosh

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Earn one Associate and two Bachelor degrees in 3 years!

2010-05-12T10:17:00.001-07:00

Looking to cut your education years in 1/2? Follow this plan, and you can earn ONE Associate of Applied Science degree and TWO Bachelor degrees in 3 years!

Many students linger in college, it's practically a part of society's norm. College is typically the "Let Loose" years for the average students. On the opposite side of that norm are the students that want to get in and out without sacrificing time, money or convenience. This blog shows you how to do just that.

The two institutions involved are Texas State Technical College Harlingen, and the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Step 1: Enter the Education & Training Program at TSTC Harlingen. This 2 year program has the most Academic Core courses included in the degree plan than any other program at the college. Once you receive your Associate of Applied Science in Education & Training, you will have 33 credit hours of the academic core (your basics) under your belt. This leaves you with 15 credit hours left, which translates into five courses. You must spread those five courses out during your time at TSTC, which means that you need to take 15 credit hours every semester, instead of the usual 12. Trust me, one extra class won't hurt, and by doing so, you will finish your basics at the same time as you get your degree.

Step 2: Enroll at the University of Texas at Brownsville and pursue the Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences (BAAS) Interdisciplinary Studies degree as well as the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) Workforce Leadership and Training Degree. This means you plan on getting a double-major. Your Associate degree that you earned at TSTC will automatically give you 33-36 credit hours towards your bachelor degree(s), which shaves off one year of school. Lucky you.

Step 3: Reference the included picture, those are the classes you MUST take in order to receive each degree. Notice that they are all the same, with the exception of those two highlighted in red. All you have to do now is add one of those courses to each semester (which would only be for two semesters), and you will waste ZERO time.

Note: ALL the referenced UTB courses are available COMPLETELY online. This would be the "convenience" part. ;-)

All you must do, is be serious...not fail ANY course, and keep strong! In the end, you will have one associate degree, two bachelor degrees, and only sacrificed 3 years of your life. :-)

Please note though, that there are a few more options for you as far as degree choice goes...connect with me on facebook or comments on this blog to learn more.

Facebook.com/TSTCgst

Enjoy.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

College 101 Workshops work...

2010-05-11T07:45:00.001-07:00

As our time in the General Studies in Technology Program grows, our adaptation of administering the "College 101" workshop series has altered. We have included more students populations to include the Helping A TSTC Student Succeed (HATSS) Program, External Articulation Population, High School Equivalency Program (HEP), and the General Studies in Technology GED component.

Our original survey has been modified to reflect a more precise assessment of freshman student knowledge. The survey now includes questions on Financial Aid Probation, "6-drop" rule, etc. Being able to administer this general survey/assessment to our students prior to taking our workshop, then again after receiving the workshop information and seeing the results is astonishing.

The question still remains as to how many students who are NOT classified as freshman, will actually pass this survey/assessment. The General Studies in Technology Program advisors and mentors went on a quick 100-student survey spree during the Summer of 2009. The targets were random students in order to not lean one way or the other and receive an accurate portrayal of the knowledge of an "average" student.

We have presented ourselves with the same task, except the focus will be on students who are NOT freshmen. This survey will be conducted Summer of 2010 with another 100 students from Texas State Technical College Harlingen. We'll see what the results bring. Perhaps we will be able to assist students who are still mid-way to completing their educational goals.

The workshop series has been such a success that there are plans to implement the workshop series into the Allied Health programs on campus. We are looking forward to contributing to the support provided for Texas State Technical College Harlingen students!

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

THE list of courses from UTB taking place at TSTC Harlingen

2010-05-10T15:19:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Utb_at_TSTCfall10.pdf (69 KB)

Come One, Come All!

The list has arrived (See Attached)...included in this post are courses being offered by the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) but being hosted at Texas State Technical College Harlingen (TSTC). Remember, these courses come with UTB's tuition and instructors. TSTC is only providing the classroom space.

If you are planning on completing your Academic Core from TSTC, please try to speak to an Advisor prior to registering for ANY KINE course. That course will not count toward your academic core completion.

There has been a lot of collaboration between the two colleges in order to make this a reality. Please also remember that a UTB advisor comes to the Academic Achievement Center virtually every Thursday, so feel free to contact us to set up an appointment for you.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Get a Bachelor Degree at TSTC

2010-04-26T08:03:00.001-07:00

This Fall (2010), you will be able to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management degree at Texas State Technical College Harlingen....literally. TSTC Harlingen has cooperated with the University of Texas at Brownsville in order to provide the physical location for courses pertaining to the BBA in Management.

In english: You can take UTB courses in TSTC classrooms and get your bachelor degree without setting foot at UTB...until you graduate of course (unless you'd rather not walk).

Of course, there is a process that goes along with it. This degree is setup up to automatically feed in from TSTC's Academic Core with a Field of Study in Business (EA.FOS.BUSI) degree plan. This means that after you take the 66 credit hours with TSTC, you become academic core complete AND can start taking your bachelor level courses because you now only have two more years to go.

April 16th - an information forum was held at TSTC's LRC Orientation room.

In attendance:

University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College

- Dr. Rafael Otero, Interim Dean of the School of Business

- Maggie Arriaga, Program Coordinator

- Cledia Hernandez, Program Director - Off Campus University

Texas State Technical College Harlingen

- Joshua Hernandez, Lead Pre-Tech Advisor - Academic Achievement Center

- Yvonne Browning, Instructor/ Associate Program Chair - Academic Business Programs

Dr. Otero mentions that an alignment has been created between TSTC's and UTB's Associate Degrees, respectively. The General Core and Business Lower Division Core can be taken at TSTC. (in the "DRAFT" image, the top two blocks are the the General Core and Business Lower Division Core)

Much like other degrees and colleges, the School of Business at UTB has an application process. You must apply to become part of that school within the university, in order to pursue the degree. Students must have a 2.5 GPA minimum when applying to the School of Business.

There is also a minimum amount of student interest needed in order for the course to "make". For this particular set of courses, that number is 15. Which means that 15 students must register in each course in order for it to come to fabrication.

This is one of the first steps toward TSTC's ultimate goal of providing a convenient and more affordable means for reaching higher education levels. The University Articulation Center, that is set to be under construction at TSTC in the near future, will be the centralized location to house various university instructors and program ranging from RGV Universities as well as Central/North Texas Universities.

For more information regarding the BBA in Management from UTB, such as which courses are being offered this Fall, etc., please feel free to contact me in the medium you are most comfortable with:

twitter.com/TSTCjosh

Facebook.com/TSTCgst

Yahoo IM: TSTC_Joshua

Phone: 956.364.4142

Email: joshua.hernandez@harlingen.tstc.edu

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Get at Bachelor Degree at TSTC

2010-04-26T07:54:00.001-07:00

In english: You can take UTB courses in TSTC classrooms and get your bachelor degree without setting foot at UTB...until you graduate of course (unless you'd rather not walk).

April 16th - an information forum was held at TSTC's LRC Orientation room.

In attendance:

University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College

- Dr. Rafael Otero, Interim Dean of the School of Business

- Maggie Arriaga, Program Coordinator

- Cledia Hernandez, Program Director - Off Campus University

Texas State Technical College Harlingen

- Joshua Hernandez, Lead Pre-Tech Advisor - Academic Achievement Center

- Yvonne Browning, Instructor/ Associate Program Chair - Academic Business Programs

Dr. Otero mentions that an alignment has been created between TSTC's and UTB's Associate Degrees, respectively. The General Core and Business Lower Division Core can be taken at TSTC. (in the "DRAFT" image, the top two blocks are the the General Core and Business Lower Division Core)

Much like other degrees and colleges, the School of Business at UTB has an application process. You must apply to become part of that school within the university, in order to pursue the degree. Students must have a 2.5 GPA minimum when applying to the School of Business.

There is also a minimum amount of student interest needed in order for the course to "make". For this particular set of courses, that number is 15. Which means that 15 students must register in each course in order for it to come to fabrication.

For more information regarding the BBA in Management from UTB, such as which courses are being offered this Fall, etc., please feel free to contact me in the medium you are most comfortable with:

twitter.com/TSTCjosh

Facebook.com/TSTCgst

Yahoo IM: TSTC_Joshua

Phone: 956.364.4142

Email: joshua.hernandez@harlingen.tstc.edu

Joshua Hernandez
" if you can't solve a problem...You're probably playing by the rules."

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Attending TWO Colleges simultaneously while on Financial Aid

2010-04-08T07:41:00.001-07:00

The "unknown" Consortium Agreement is perhaps one of the hidden gems for transfer students. Many students ponder the thought of attending two schools at the same time, but figure that Financial Aid (Federal Pell Grant) will only cover one school. Well, to a degree - this is true. BUT (there's always a "but") in all actuality, Financial Aid only requires to have a "home school" recognized to send the funds to. That "home school" may use a Consortium Agreement to recognize your attendance at another college.

Students are able to spend a semester or academic year at another domestic institution and transfer the hours earned back to their "home school". Students can combine the hours at both institutions for financial aid purposes. It is possible to receive financial aid under these circumstances as long as certain requirements are met.

Let me give you an example run down...

Little Johnny is attending Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Harlingen, and is in his last semester before graduating. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he only has one class left to take that is included in his degree plan. He is on Financial Aid, and only classes that are on his degree plan will be covered. Little Johnny doesn't want to waste time, and wants to continue his education at the University of Texas - Pan American (UTPA).

Using Consortium Agreements that are already in place, he can attend both colleges at the same time and have Financial Aid recognize every course he takes. He logs in to FAFSA Online and changes (or adds) UTPA's school code.

After completing the application and registration process at UTPA, he decides to take 3 classes at UTPA and 1 class at TSTC. He takes his registration statement from TSTC to his new "home school" (UTPA) Financial Aid Office and pursues the Consortium Agreement. UTPA recognizes that 1 course from TSTC and tells FAFSA that you are a Full-Time Student.

End result: Little Johnny gets to have his cake and eat it too. He graduates from TSTC and doesn't miss out on time by taking his Bachelor courses at UTPA.

NOTE: This is also possible with the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB). I personally find that this process is easier at UTB simply because you don't have to wait for the Census date to receive funds. At UTPA, you must wait until the Census date (12th class day) to get approved for funds, which means you have to find a temporary means of paying for your class at TSTC.

Here are links to Consortium Agreements in the Rio Grande Valley:

UT - Pan American

UT - San Antonio

UTSA - Health Science Center

South Texas College

Joshua Hernandez
" if you can't solve a problem...You're probably playing by the rules."

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Take UTB courses at TSTC!

2010-04-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

Many students wish they could take courses from out of town Universities without sacrificing the ability to physically be present in the class. After all, not every student is comfortable enough to take online courses or have the financial means to travel everyday to class.

Good News: The University of Texas at Brownsville will be offering their Bachelor of Business Administration in Management degree at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. No more traveling. No online courses. Just a different location.

This is a tremendous opportunity for students who live in Harlingen or neighboring communities to take advantage of pursuing a Bachelor Degree without having to travel to the University of Texas at Brownsville.

UTB understands that there are going to be questions...so in order to clear up any miscommunication(s), they will be hosting an Information Forum at the TSTC LRC Orientation Room on April 15th at 6:00 PM.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Possible Change in Regulations May be Bad News for Students at TSTC

2010-03-25T10:24:00.001-07:00

There is an alert system in place at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. As it stands, a student is given several chances (3 to be specific) to be satisfactory regarding academics.

In English: You have 3 strikes to get your GPA over a 2.0 or else you forfeit Financial Aid funds.

There is a proposal being made to the Board of Regents that govern the TSTC System, which will change the regulation.

The Current System looks like this:

1st semester of having a GPA below 2.0 = Warning

2nd semester of having a GPA below 2.0 = Probation

3rd semester of having a GPA below 2.0 = Suspension (which effects the next semester)

Suspension = 1 semester.

The Proposed System looks like this:

1st semester of having a GPA below 2.0 = Probation

2nd semester of having a GPA below 2.0 = Suspension (which effects the next semester)

Suspension = 1 year.

So, in essence, TSTC is merely adopting a formula that the majority of other universities and colleges already have in place. We were one of the rare colleges that had a "3-strikes and your out" rule...most have "2-strikes and out".

Again, this is just a PROPOSED modification. It is NOT in effect just yet.

The next Board of Regents meetings should be around the month of May, so with planning and execution..we're probably looking at the FALL 2010 semester that it would be in effect.

Just thought I'd give you a heads up.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

TSTC on Facebook

2010-03-17T10:14:00.001-07:00

As you have probably guessed...the majority of students have a Facebook account. TSTC realizes the importance that students receive information as soon as possible, so the Social Media Marketing Committee of the TSTC System has begun to put together an "inventory" of social spaces that TSTC currently has published.

For Harlingen Students...this provides an excellent opportunity to be included in the most up to date information and subscribe to/become a fan of/friend your valuable departments, instructors or clubs!

TSTC Harlingen Corporate and Community Education

TSTC High School Equivalency Program

TSTC Harlingen CNST Club

TSTC Fieldhouse

TSTC Phdclub (Photojournalism and Design Club)

TSTC SGA

TSTC Employment Opportunities

TSTC Harlingen

Photojournalism and Design Club

TSTCjosh (Advisor)

TSTC Harlingen

TSTC GST & Transfer Program

TSTC Harlingen

TSTC Distance Education:

TSTC Fieldhouse:

Student Run

TSTC SGA:

TSTC Harlingen Aviation Technology Club :

TSTC PhD Club:

TSTC DMD Club

--
Joshua Hernandez
" if you can't solve a problem...You're probably playing by the rules."

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Are YOU Non-Traditional? You'd better hope so...

2010-03-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

Non-traditional students typically have more opportunities for scholarships, grants, and minor benefits. All of which are better alternatives to not having anything.

Did You Know? An occupation in which your sex (male/female) make up 25 percent or less of employment is considered non-traditional for that sex.

Some examples of non-traditional jobs for women are architects, auto mechanics, drafters, machinists, and insulation workers. Women employed in these jobs typically earn higher wages and have more opportunity for advancement than their male counterparts.

Some examples of non-traditional jobs for males are nurses, veterinarians, dental assistants, dental hygienist, medical assistant, surgical technician, teacher assistant.

If you are going to college, check with your institution to see which degrees/trades may qualify you as a non-traditional student.

Choose your college to be directed to a resource: TSTC, STC, UTB/TSC, UTPA.

The benefits?

Child Care Services
Textbook Assistance
Grant Funds
And More!

It depends on each educational institution, so make sure you follow up on that. If you qualify...then Congrats! Take advantage of what ever opportunity is available for you...YOU deserve it. ;-)

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

New registration "Laws" at TSTC Harlingen

2010-03-03T14:24:00.001-08:00

Listen up! There are some new "Laws" effective immediately for Texas State Technical College Harlingen...YOU or someone you may know, might be affected.

"Law" # 1:

Effective immediately all new students registering for the first time at TSTC, including transitory college transfer students, must complete new student orientation PRIOR TO REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES. For now dual enrollment students who graduate and come to TSTC are not required to complete NSO, nor are returning stop-out students.

Faculty may advise new students prior to NSO, but will not be able to enter the courses into Datatel until NSO has been completed and the Datatel block removed by the College Information Office. That block will be removed as soon as the live orientation ends and within 24 hours after online orientation is completed.

Explanation: The way it used to work was, a student would come to an advisor - wanting to register for courses. The advisor would register them for the New Student Orientation (NSO) if they were attending TSTC for the first time, then register them for regular courses. Now, the student has to register themselves for the NSO (and complete it) before an advisor can register them for courses. So more responsibility has been put on the student.

"Law" # 2:

Effective this Summer/Fall registration period, the course schedule book will be available online only. No more printed course schedule books.

Explanation: As you may or may not know, TSTC would print "course catalogs" for students to view which classes were being offered the following semester. We have done away with them. Now they are only available online.

The Summer schedule is already available online at http://www.harlingen.tstc.edu/services/CourseSchedules.aspx

You can get to this link from the Quick Links drop-down box on our college home page. A button will be available on the home page soon. The fall schedule is still under development and won't be available until March 29.

As always, if there are questions...feel free to contact us!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

A Social Media Savior...Google's Chrome v. Mozilla's Flock

2010-03-03T06:59:00.001-08:00

Aggregation. Automation. Action.

There's a new web browser in town...a browser that doesn't just allow you to surf the web, it allows you to organize it. It's a new Social Web Browser.

For the longest time Internet Explorer by Microsoft controlled the web as THE browser to use. Then Mozilla Firefox came along and brought new features like "tabs" and others. Then Google introduced their browser, Google Chrome (which is what I favored).

Now...Mozilla has introduced (since 2006 actually) a new browser, made specifically for aggregating our social media: Mozilla Flock.

There's a browser war going on in my desktop and the battle is getting heated. Flock has won two "Under the Radar" awards since its creation, and has been building up strength ever since. I personally started using it just recently because I'm not a fan of Beta Versions of any software.

Here's a synopsis of this browser:

Connects to - Bebo, Digg, Facebook, Facebook Chat, Flickr, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Photobucket, Picasa, TinyPic, Blogger, Blogsome, LiveJournal, Typepad, Wordpress, Xanga, Delicious, AOL Mail, Yahoo Mail, Gmail,

From one window pane on the browser, you are able to stay updated and update all those services at once.

Interesting stuff..I suggest you give it a test run. (I wouldn't recommend this browser for those of you who use computer screens smaller than 17'')

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

"Careers 202" Communication Etiquette

2010-03-01T16:03:00.001-08:00

The day finally came...

...The General Studies in Technology Advisors and Mentors presented a workshop on the etiquette of communication and how to use it effectively. The workshop started off with a "Listening Game" activity. The object was to form two even lines, and see how accurate information can be passed from one individual to another.

The results were...HILARIOUS!

One sentence was whispered into the first person's ear...that person had to whisper it to the next person, etc. By the time the sentence was repeated at the end...it was COMPLETELY wrong. Funny stuff...you should have been there!

And next time you can! Visit us at our website by clicking here. And view our pictures that we've posted too!

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Communication Etiquette Workshop Pics 02/2010

2010-03-01T15:56:00.001-08:00

Our "Careers 202" workshop series includes Communication Etiquette, showing participants the importance of effective communication in the workplace and at school.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Untitled

2010-03-01T15:50:00.001-08:00

Posted via web from Student Success Office

Insider Tips to college

2010-02-16T09:34:00.001-08:00

TRUST ME...we know exactly how you feel when you get caught off guard by a negative "oh, you didn't know?"...

So...we compiled a list of "Insider Tips" and presented them at one of our workshops.

Please see video below:

Sometimes we doen't pay attention to the minute details simply because we never thought it would pertain to us. Then one day, you're heading to your car after school only to find out you have a boot in place because you owe $99 or more in parking fees. (yes...it happened to me)

PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO.

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

A Different Perspective

2010-02-11T17:55:00.001-08:00

The majority of the time, those who have not yet begun college...or have just started their college journey...feel VERY VERY lost.

I know I was in that boat when I began in 2005.

From that point on...it was a never ending, twisting road to "on the go" knowledge. A lot of us don't have, or didn't have, mentors to guide us along the way...especially in South Texas where most of us are first-generation college students.

Prior to developing the College 101 workshop series at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, we couldn't help but create a survey (more like a mini-test) to see exactly how much knowledge our incoming cohort had in regards to college. The results were NOT surprising.

After our initial workshop series was provided, we were asked to present at the 2009 Tech Prep Regional Conference sponsored by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.

The purpose of this presentation was to provide an overview of the inner workings of the Student Success Office and Academic Achievement Center at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, and explore the use of technology, advisement, mentoring, tutoring and supplemental instruction available to students.

While we are at the conference, we decided at the last minute to conduct the same survey at the beginning of our presentation and compare the results to our students.

The results were STAGGERING.

When asked "How much do you understand about college?", the majority replied "Almost Everything".

Come to find out, the questions most regularly missed were no different than that of the students we had surveyed only weeks prior.

There seems to be a bit of confusion or need of clarification regarding the amount of semesters in an Academic Year, and the definition of College Credits, or how to calculate your GPA on a 4.0 scale.

It was then that we realized how important our workshops were going to be and the hidden need we will be fulfilling. With that, I'd like to emphasize to everyone who thinks they are behind the curve of college...YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

College 101: "College Degrees" PowerPoint

2010-02-11T17:16:00.001-08:00

The levels of degrees are thrown around in casual conversation all the time...but sometimes...if you are not familiar with it, you can be thrown off. Here is a PowerPoint presentation given by one of our On-Campus Mentors, that may just help clarify some definitions...

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

College 101: "Financial Aid" PowerPoint

2010-02-11T17:12:00.001-08:00

Financial Aid can be confusing, hopefully this will clear the air a little.

Included in this presentation is a list of documents you will need for filling out the FAFSA application, including the websites to visit and a general knowledge of what FAFSA is.

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

College 101: "College Scholarships" PowerPoint

2010-02-11T17:09:00.001-08:00

Here is another PowerPoint version of our College 101 workshop series, created for easy use by those students unable to attend our workshop dates and times.

This particular one was created by one of our On-Campus Mentors (a service provided by the Student Success Office).

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

s

2010-02-11T17:01:00.001-08:00

Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Did You Know...

2010-02-11T16:51:00.001-08:00

Did you know that the last day to drop courses at Texas State Technical College Harlingen - varies depending on whether you are taking courses in-house or online?

It's TRUE!

The official last day to drop courses with a "W" (for the 15 week session):

In-house (in person) = April 1, 2010

Online = Differs depending on the start date of the course...

FYI: Classes must be officially "dropped" to avoid receiving a failing or incomplete grade. Please stop by the Office of Admissions and Records to pick up a Course Schedule Change Form or call 956.364.4320 for more information.

I would recommend you call Distance Learning (956.364.4950) to see when the official "last day to drop" is for your course(s).

If you are on the regular 15 week session schedule, here's a little confusing insider information that my co-worker, Robert Foshie, researched...

From 2/8/10 until 3/12/10: A student is allowed to drop ONE class without owing anything. If the student decides to drop all of their classes, they would be responsible for paying back their Financial Aid.

From 3/12/10 until 4/1/10: This is the 60% period...students may drop with a "W" during this time.

Basically, if you plan on dropping only ONE course, you can do it anytime before April 1. If you plan on dropping more than one, you should wait until AFTER March 12th.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Dropbox: A Student Must-Have

2009-12-29T21:32:00.001-08:00

As students, many of you know the stresses and headaches of file sharing and transportation. Having to remember which pen-drive you saved your Comp 2 essay on, or confusion as to which file was the most recent.

Here's a solution...

Dropbox.

This application allows you to sync up any files you put in it, from any computer.

I never recommend anything that I have not personally tried for at least a month. This application is a LIFE-SAVER!

Click here to check it out...

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

60% of our GST Students were awarded a Scholarship!

2009-12-16T12:12:00.001-08:00

Yes...it IS possible to receive a scholarship...even if you don't have volunteer hours under your belt, just started college, or think you have nothing to say!

As part of our requirement for the General Studies in Technology (GST) Program at TSTC Harlingen, students are required to attend a workshop on scholarships and then apply for at LEAST one.

Part 2 of our "College 101" Workshop Series takes the student through a behind-the-scenes look at Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Celia Merrell (above) conducts a thorough workshop on Financial Aid and Scholarships - pulling from her past experiences

while working at the Financial Aid Office at Texas State Technical College Harlingen.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

"College 101" Workshop Series

2009-12-16T11:57:00.001-08:00

Throughout my college career, both as a student and administrator, I have been overwhelmed with the amount of information most institutions believe to be "common knowledge".

The result?

The "College 101" Workshop Series

Originally, I developed this program for family members, but once I acquired my current position with the Academic Achievement Center at Texas State Technical College Harlingen, I felt it would be a greatly needed asset for our students.

This program covers ALL the basics of college, and ALL the specifics of TSTC Harlingen. Students who go through the program are taken through a thorough explanation of

What college credits are

How semesters are structured

How financial aid works

How to read those pesky course catalogs

And much more!

From there on, we provide them workshops on volunteerism, civic engagement, study skills, etc.

The results?

95% increase in college understanding! (from students who attended every workshop)

*increase results from a pre/post assessment on general college/campus knowledge.

If you are interested in participating, please feel free to contact us in building D-138 or via phone: 956.364.4163 and ask for any of the Pre-Tech Advisors.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Tech Prep Conference Presentations! (Dec. 2, 2009)

2009-12-16T11:41:00.001-08:00

Here are some snapshots of the Student Success Office giving presentations on Achieve Texas and Student Success at the Annual Tech Prep Regional Conference 2009.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

College 101

2009-10-30T09:12:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos from our College 101 Workshop series...Part 1 - College Basics!

Date: 10/29/09

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Untitled

2009-10-30T09:09:00.001-07:00

Download now or watch on posterous

MVI_0002.avi (13025 KB)

Just

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Welcome Week

2009-10-09T06:58:00.001-07:00

Here are some shots from Welcome Week of Fall 2009!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Behind the Scenes of GST

2009-10-09T06:57:00.001-07:00

The GST Advisors and Student Success Director going through our "Needs Assessment" profiles to make sure we help our students in EVERY way possible.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

ST Observation update 09/24

2009-09-24T13:37:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous

GST_ST_TourObser.pdf (9 KB)

Please make arrangements with me if you have yet to get an orientation. Thanks!

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Time to Submit your Co-Curricular Activities!

2009-08-31T14:30:00.001-07:00

Hola! Alright, so the Co-Curricular Transcript is in FULL EFFECT starting...TODAY!

You can now begin to submit your Validation Forms to receive credit for your extracurricular activities!

I've uploaded two documents for you...

1) The Co-Curricular Validation Form

2) A Frequently Asked Questions sheet (FAQs)

***Please note that this FAQ list is what will be on the website, so you will see little tid-bits such as "LINK" or "Click Here". Just ignore that for now. The website will be up and running within the next two weeks...just in time for you to get your new transcript printed!

Download now or preview on posterous

TSTC Co-Curricular Validation form.pdf (28 KB)

Download now or preview on posterous

TSTC FAQ's.docx (17 KB)

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Co-Curricular coming soon!

2009-08-18T06:15:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous

TSTC FAQ's.docx (17 KB)

Alright everyone...as I had mentioned earlier, the Co-Curricular Transcript is becoming a reality THIS SEMESTER!

That's right...starting AUGUST 31st...Texas State Technical College Harlingen will be the FIRST and ONLY college in South Texas that provides its students with an official log of their work OUTSIDE of class. Pretty big deal if you ask me.

I STILL NEED YOUR HELP!

Check out this FAQs page and let me know if there are any other questions you'd like posted on there. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Some grades are in...

2009-08-17T07:19:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the results from my 10-course experiment...

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Co-Curricular Validation Form (Tags: co-curricular, transcript)

2009-07-30T17:27:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous

TSTC Co-Curricular Form.pdf (30 KB)

Here is a copy of the soon-to-be new Co-Curricular Transcript on campus.

What does it do?

It provides an "official" record of what you've done ASIDE from your regular academics. It'll be great for those of you in clubs on campus, etc.

How can you help?

Take a look over the validation form, let us know what you'd like to see on there.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Will not be in the office today. Will return Aug. 15

2009-07-30T07:13:00.001-07:00

Posted via SMS from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 3 (tags: Mentoring)

2009-07-28T12:18:00.001-07:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 2

2009-07-28T12:10:00.001-07:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 1

2009-07-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

Check out the 2009 Mentor Summer Camp held at TSTC Harlingen!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

POST TEST

2009-07-28T11:52:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joshua Hernandez <Joshua.Hernandez@harlingen.tstc.edu>
Date: Tue, Jul 28, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Subject: POST TEST
To: hernandez.joshua@gmail.com

The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:

13580001.jpg
13580001_0001.jpg
13580002.jpg
13580002_0001.jpg
13580003.jpg
13580003_0001.jpg
13580004.jpg
13580004_0001.jpg
13580005.jpg
13580006.jpg
13580007.jpg
13580008.jpg
13580009.jpg
13580010.jpg
13580011.jpg
13580012.jpg
13580013.jpg
13580014.jpg
13580015.jpg
13580016.jpg
13580017.jpg
13580018.jpg
13580019.jpg
13580020.jpg
13580021.jpg
13580022.jpg
13580023.jpg

Note: To protect against computer viruses, e-mail programs may prevent sending or receiving certain types of file attachments. Check your e-mail security settings to determine how attachments are handled.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

1.2.3.

2009-07-28T11:42:00.001-07:00

TESTING

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Student Success Office

Updat: I will be out of town July 31 through August 1. Also, I'm only in the office Tuesday and Thursday of this week!

2009-07-26T15:59:00.001-07:00

Posted via SMS from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Book List for 2009 Surgical Tech Corhort

2009-07-22T06:48:00.001-07:00

Download now or preview on posterous

SRGT TEXTBK LIST FALL 09.doc (48 KB)

Well, here's a listing of the books you will need for the rest of your Surgical Tech courses!

Good Luck!

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

New Law for Surgical Techs

2009-07-15T06:56:00.001-07:00

In case you didn't hear, or didn't go to the meeting on Thursday the 16th, the Texas Legislature passed new legislation governing Surgical Techs.

HB 643 "requires a health care facility to employ a surgical technologist who has certain qualifications set forth by the bill's provisions." - Effective 9/1/2009

What does this mean to you?

It means, that starting September 1, 2009 - Anyone employed as a Surgical Tech needs to be certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting or it's successor, the National Center for Competency Testing.

The bill also provides an exemption for a health care facility to employ a person to practice surgical technology from the date the person graduates from an accredited educational program (i.e., TSTC) for surgical technologists until the 180th day after the date of graduation but prohibits the person from continuing to practice surgical technology after the specified time period without showing documentation to the health care facility that the person holds and maintains the required surgical technologist certification.

So, you have approx. 6 months after you graduate to get your certification to keep/find a job.

The process is very similar to students who go for their LVN or RN..you graduate, but you still need to take a licensing test to get a job anywhere, only it's a certification for Surgical Tech students.

If you have questions, ask them at the next meeting, email Robert Sanchez, or read into it..here's the link:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/pdf/HB00643H.pdf

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

How I took 10 courses and came out with a 3.9 GPA

2009-07-13T12:46:00.001-07:00

Catchy title?

I am doing a small, minor, itsy-bitsy experiment with my education. With all the available technology, software, etc., I wanted to know if it were possible to take 10 courses and not only pass, but have an A/B average without sacrificing too much of my personal time and maintaining my 40 hour-per-week job.

So...I challenged myself to see exactly how possible it would be. I'm taking a total of 10 courses this semester:

8 at UTB

2 at TSTC

What I would like to know, is how many would be interested in seeing the result and how I get there. Comments/Suggestions are very very very very welcome!

- Josh

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

HB 2504 - College

2009-07-07T23:12:00.001-07:00

HB 2504 Relating to requiring a public institution of higher education to establish uniform standards for publishing cost of attendance information, to conduct student course evaluations of faculty, and to make certain information available on the internet.

HB 2504 also require all institutions of higher education to establish and maintain an online list of work-study employment opportunities and ensure that hte list is easily accessbile through the institution's website.

It will be required for a college to display the work-study opportunities on the website in no more than 3 links with no login required.

Effective date: Immediately: with online access to course information available to the public beginning the Fall 2010 semester; and the work-study employment opportunity listing as soon as practicable.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

HB 269 Veterans

2009-07-07T17:17:00.001-07:00

HB 269 Relating to course credit for certain students at a public institution of higher education

" HB 269 requires institutions of higher education to grant course credit to honorably discharged military veterans for any physical education course requirement and course credit for up to twelve non-major or minor elective hours. "

By submitting your DD-214 to the office of admissions, you will automatically recieve credit for KINE, or similar required course(s). The "up to 12 non-major or minor elective hours" is up to the institution itself. Which could mean there is some flexibility on which or how many courses may be substituted. Whether thats a good or ad thing...is another story. Keep in mind, you must have been honorably discharged.

Effective Date: Immediately.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

TACRAO Conference - Austin

2009-07-07T12:55:00.001-07:00

I've been sent to the TACRAO Conference in Austin, Tx for a week to learn the updates in state legislation regarding higher education. What does this mean for you? I will be posting new blogs every so often about different law changes that:

1) you need to be aware of

2) might be a huge benefit to you.

For those of you who don't know, TACRAO (Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers) is a non-profit, voluntary, professional educational association of cooperating collegiate level institutions.The purpose of the Association is to advance professionally the work in the office of admissions, records, registration, and other related functions of higher education.

They have direct involvement in new legislation and the laws that are passed from that legislation.

Keep an eye out for the updates. I will be titling the blogs by their HB (House Bill) numbers, but tagging them with the relevent info.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

Not thinking about College? Think about this...

2009-05-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

Making the decision to attend college is life changing. Some think it’s a waste of time, others think you can’t succeed with out it. What most people don’t recognize is that college really is what you make of it. If you are scared of it, it’ll eat you alive. If you aren’t too worried about it, you may slack off too much. On the other hand, if you acknowledge it, and respect its purpose, you just might find what you are looking for.

Everyone has a fear of the unknown. If you are like me, you are or will be the first person in your family to attend college. That in itself is pretty terrifying. Looking back, I realize that there really wasn’t anything to fear. College wasn’t boring, or a waste of my time, but it was complicated though. All of a sudden you are thrown into this world of deadlines, policies, departments, advisors, deans, tuition, and loans. Deans, Dorms and Loans…Oh my! A completely different experience than what you had during high school.

Before you convince yourself that it sounds too overwhelming, keep in mind that

1) you are not alone. Hundreds and Thousands of students your age are entering college for the first time too. Don’t sweat it, you’ll meet plenty of new friends to help you along.

2) Colleges aren’t ignorant to the fact that freshman students are experiencing college for the first time. They already have programs set up to help you out! It used to be a dog-eat-dog world for higher education, but as times change, so do work ethics. In south Texas, especially, you will find an abundance of programs, clubs, societies, and students that are more than happy and willing to help out a fellow student.

Don’t throw the idea of college out the window just yet. Even if you are married, with children and a full time job, you can still attend college. There are evening courses, online courses and weekend courses available to you. Will it take you longer? Sure, but it’s a worth-while sacrifice to accomplish your goal.

If nothing else, at least give it a try. Register for classes in the next semester and go from there.You may just get hooked and become a “professional student”.

Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous

TX Common Course Numbering System highlight

2009-05-19T14:08:00.001-07:00

In the Texas Common Course Numbering System each course is identified by a four-character "rubric" (i.e. prefix or department abbreviation) and a four-digit number:

The rubric is always four upper-case alphabetic characters.

The first digit of the course number denotes the academic level of the course; the second digit denotes the credit value of the course in semester hours; and the third and fourth digits establish course sequencing and/or distinguish the course from others of the same level, credit value, and rubric.

"Uncommon" Courses

Texas community colleges have adopted TCCNS rubrics/numbers as their internal course numbering system. However, many courses at two-year institutions are not actually common in content, nor generally transferable to universities, and assignment of a Common Number to such courses is inappropriate.

For this reason the system provides several means by which to indicate courses are not part of the TCCNS :

"7" as the third digit of the number excludes a course from TCCNS guidelines, even though the rubric and the course number conform to the TCCNS format. Such courses are not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize them according to their normal transfer practices.
"0" (zero) as the first digit of the number identifies a course as subfreshman-level and therefore remedial/developmental in content. Such courses are not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize them according to their normal transfer practices.
Any course carrying a nonstandard rubric is not part of the TCCNS and is not presumed transferable under TCCNS guidelines, though receiving institutions are free to recognize such courses according to their normal transfer practices. (See the list of approved TCCNS rubrics, below.)

Approved TCCNS Rubrics:

ACCT	Accounting
AGRI	Agriculture
ANTH	Anthropology
ARAB	Arabic Language
ARCH	Architecture
ARTS	Art (including Studio Art, Art Education, & Art History)
BCIS	Business Computer Information Systems
BIOL	Biology (including General Biology, Botany, Microbiology, & Zoology)
BUSI	Business
CHEM	Chemistry
CHIN	Chinese Language
COMM	Communications (including Advertising, Journalism, & Radio/Television/Film)
COSC	Computer Science
CRIJ	Criminal Justice
CZEC	Czechoslovakian Language
DANC	Dance
DRAM	Drama/Theatre
ECON	Economics
EDUC	Education
ENGL	English
ENGR	Engineering
ENGT	Engineering Technology
ENVR	Environmental Science
FORE	Forestry
FREN	French Language
GEOG	Geography
GEOL	Geology
GERM	German Language
GOVT	Government
GREE	Greek Language
HECO	Home Economics
HIST	History
HORT	Horticulture
HUMA	Humanities
ITAL	Italian Language
JAPN	Japanese Language
KINE	Kinesiology (alternative to PHED)
KORE	Korean Language
LATI	Latin Language
MATH	Mathematics
MUAP	Applied Music
MUEN	Music Ensemble
MUSI	Music
PHED	Physical Education (alternative to KINE)
PHIL	Philosophy
PHYS	Physics (including Astronomy & Physical Science)
PORT	Portuguese Language
PSYC	Psychology
REAL	Real Estate
RNSG	Nursing
RUSS	Russian Language
SGNL	American Sign Language
SOCI	Sociology
SOCW	Social Work
SPAN	Spanish Language
SPCH	Speech
TECA	(Texas Early Childhood Articulation)
VIET	pp Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous Financial Aid's 72 hour cap 2009-05-18T07:52:00.001-07:00 If you have taken, are currently taking, or will eventually take your "basics" or academic core at TSTC, then you'll want to keep this in mind. As most know, the Federal Pell Grant will only cover courses that are in your program of study. So if you want to take Cooking 101 and it's not in your degree program, Financial Aid will NOT consider it for funding. So...once upon a time...TSTC created the "EA" (external articulation) program to create an official program of study for students who needed to take their basics. Aren't we considerate? The EA program includes ANY academic core course, including KINE. What you might not know, is that Financial Aid puts a 72 credit hour cap on you basics. This means, that after you hit your 72nd credit hour, ANY course after that is NOT going to be funded by financial aid. Don't freak out just yet. 72 hours equates to about 24 courses (assuming they are 3 credits each). That should be more than enough for your basics, so long as you aren't taking courses just for the heck of it. Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous Future Degrees of TSTC 2009-05-12T13:26:00.001-07:00 Texas State Technical College is known for it's technical trades and Associates in Applied Science (AAS) degree tracks. Currently we have over 30 different programs and certificate offerings. Soon, we will be adding a few additions and options for our students. Introducing: an Associates in Science Degree...(AS) ...??? ...Think of it as a step up from AAS and a pre-cursor to a Bachelor (BA). We are aiming at offering the AS starting Spring 2010 in the Education and Mathematics fields. The main difference is that it deals with more theory and less application of that particular field. Take for example: Computer Networking Technology (Keep in mind this is ONLY an example) With an AAS (Associates in Applied Science) - you deal with more hands on application and less theory. With an AS (Associates in Science) - you will deal with more theory and less hands on application. Hope that's making sense. This typically means that it will transition more smoothly into a four-year degree, i.e. Bachelors in Education, than the formal AAS. Just FYI. Are you tired of the acronyms? Haha ;-P I'll elaborate more on the topic once there is more to elaborate on. Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous Rent Textbooks! Save $$ 2009-05-08T10:08:00.001-07:00 Hey everyone! I had a couple of buddies use this service and it worked out pretty well for them. They received their books about a week later...so it's more FYI and another option for you. <a href="http://www.chegg.com?referrer=kEAn9mFhsA&link_id=1376&SID={SUBID}" target="_blank">Rent Textbooks & Save 60-80% at Chegg.com!</a> Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous KINE sub for Military Experience 2009-05-07T14:47:00.001-07:00 If you have served in the Armed Forces (regardless of branch) - you WILL have credit granted at UTB for KINE. All you have to do is submit your DD-214 to get the credit. You can also fax it to Admissions - ATTN: Vanessa Maldonado. Don't forget to include your Student ID # UTB is currently in the process of identifying which other courses may be substitutable, so until then, KINE is the only course you can knock out. I'm currently looking into that information with UTPA as well, so bare with me. Hope that helped. Please submit any questions to joshua.hernandez@harlingen.tstc.edu Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous ATTN: Transfer Students! Double Check your UTB Plan 2009-05-07T14:39:00.001-07:00 via utb.edu If you are boldly taking courses at both UTB and TSTC, please check your plan. DON'T assume that every course will be available every semester! Above is a link that directs you to the available online courses this Summer at UTB. Choose wisely. :-) Posted via web from Joshua Hernandez's posterous Co-Curricular Update 3 2009-05-05T11:23:00.001-07:00 We just had our "final" video conference with the other TSTC System Colleges. There was actually little discussion; everyone was on the same page. There was a suggestion that we include "internships & Co-ops" as a category, which was unanimously voted for. Here's a look at what was presented: The image below is a general overview of how the process would work. It's basically a visual diagram of the Co-Curricular Post BEFORE this post. Now, this next image is just a VERY BASIC example of how the end would resemble: As you can see...it's still a work in progress. I'll post up more information as it comes. Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous Test 2009-05-05T11:07:00.001-07:00 Here's a test email for you... Posted via email from Joshua Hernandez's posterous KINE course update 2009-05-04T05:53:00.000-07:00 Alright, this past Thursday - I discovered some unfortunate news. The Good News: PHED 2301/2401 will still transfer over as UTB's 1 credit KINE course The Bad News: The course is currently only available to Dual Enrollment students (students who are still in high school). BUT, it is still a work in progress - and there is much talk about having it available to all students. Co-Curricular Transcript 2 2009-04-30T12:49:00.000-07:00 There's been a lot of talk about the Co-Curricular Transcript logistics between the entire TSTC System. Harlingen campus is taking the lead on the project and attempting to get it up and running by the Fall 2009 semester. Quick briefing: The Co-Curricular transcript is meant to "officially" log a student's extra curricular activities while they attened our college. All of the clubs you joined, or honor societies or community service will be tracked and printed onto an official-TSTC Approved-transcript! Where we are at now: Next week, the Chair for the Harlingen team will be presenting our updated information to the Vice President's of the entire system. I can't go into EVERY detail, but here is the synopsis: There will be 5 categories included on the transcript: - Awards & Honors - Student Organizations - Leadership Development - Community Service - Activities & Participation For each of the categories - the Semester, Title & Role will be logged. Example: Awards & Honors Summer 2009 Student of the Semester President's Office Student Organizations Summer 2009 Basketweaving Club Vice President Leadership Development Spring 2010 Valley Leadership Coalition Participant Community Service Fall 1999 Beach Clean Up Participant Activities and Participation Fall 2000 SGA Finance Committee Chair The Process: In theory - a student will attend an event, or workshop, etc. - and wants to put it on the transcript. The student will fill out a "validation form" and submit it (don't know to whom yet). Once submitted - the activity is entered into your record and when you want a copy, you can just request it like a regular Academic Transcript at the Admissions Office. From there, you can attach it to scholarship applications, employment resumes, or university applications! If you have any suggestions, please let me know! Have a Student Debt? 2009-04-17T13:35:00.000-07:00 Would you like to register for Summer or Fall courses, but have an outstanding debt holding you back? What if I told you, you can still register? Here's how: 1) Go to the business office and talk to Adela Alaniz. 2) She will tell you how much you owe, and what is required as a minimal deposit. 3) After you set that up, you two will then set up a payment plan, on a weekly/bi-weekly/or month by month basis. *Special Note: I owed $295 and was able to put $50 down and pay $61.50 a month until it was paid off.* 4) Now you are cleared to register and get on with your education! Just...a...don't forget us little people when you reach success! ;-P Mustang Bucks 2009-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:00 In case you don't know...your student ID plays two roles: 1) Bank Card Where you receive your financial aid refund, can write checks, deposit money into, withdraw, everything you can do with a normal bank. I'm sure you've figured that part out already. 2) Campus Mustang Buck Card Here, you can basically deposit money into your Mustang Buck card and use it on campus, same as cash. Where can you use it? Cafeteria (and you'll receive a 6% discount) Bookstore Copy Machines (in the LRC) Bookstore vending machines (and the Eddie Lucio Building "U") Coca-Cola machines (the ones with Card readers) Snack Vending machines (with Card readers) Card Reader vending machines are located: LRC Student Services Building Autobody Collision Technology Building F Advanced Manufacturing Building M Computer Science Programs Building G Building Systems Technology Building H Health Information Technology Building L Eddie Lucio Health Science Tech Buildng U How do you purchase Mustang Bucks? Student Services Building Cashier's Window Learning Resource Center (LRC) SCVT machine (ask a worker there) Request up to $50 to be transferred from your Financial Aid funds. Hope this helps with your spending on campus! Not actually a Humanities/Fine Arts course 2009-04-15T13:46:00.001-07:00 Recently, I had to go through a great deal of research for one student of mine who needed to take a Fine Arts/Humanities elective for his degree. Due to scheduling, one option seemed to be ARTS 1316 Drawing 1. The prefix elludes us to think that the course is categorized as a Fine Art course and part of the Academic Core. Niether is correct. By taking the course, you are only doing it for "self development". It will NOT substitute for Art/Music Appreciation, nor will it be accepted as a graduation requirement course for TSTC. This information comes from the External Articulation deparment. KINE substitution at UTB available at TSTC! 2009-04-13T14:30:00.000-07:00 There was quite a bit of confusion after the last bit of information was revealed. After meeting with UTB advisors and transcript evaluators, we have had a break through! The following courses will transfer over to UTB and sub for the 1 hour KINE course credit required to meet the BAAS Interdisciplinary degree requirements: @TSTC PHED 1123 & PHED 1124 for @UTB KINE 1____ Remember, this only subs for the 1 credit hour KINE course at UTB. If your degree track requires a 3 hour KINE course, you will more than likely need to take the course at UTB. KINE no longer transfers to UTB 2009-04-01T14:42:00.000-07:00 That's right. As of approximately two weeks ago...the KINE course most of us take online through TSTC will no longer transfer to UTB and possibly to any other public university in Texas. Why? ANY "Academic Core Course" will transfer between ANY public university or college. Problem is, TSTC does not recognize KINE as part of our Academic Core Curriculum. So it technically isn't part of our "basics". Therefore, UTB will not accept it into their programs. The University itself will give you credit for it, and it will transfer to the college, but only for credit or status purposes, not for graduation fulfillment. You're going to have to take the course through whichever university you want to transfer to. What if I have already taken it? Alright, if you have already taken it, you may be spared. BUT, only if you have already been accepted into the university (UTB) and declared a particular program. If you fall into that category, you will be "grandfathered-in". If you have NOT been accepted into the university AND declared a major, you will not be able to use it. This applies so far to UTB that I am aware of, I'm assuming it will be the same for other universities once they catch wind that they can't allow the substitution or transfer. As time passes, I'll be posting up new knowledge on the entire area. Co-Curricular Transcript 2009-03-30T13:42:00.003-07:00 If you haven't heard the news already (and if you haven't, then you probably haven't been attending the Student Government Meetings)...Texas State Technical College is adopting a Co-Curricular Transcript, effective Fall 2009. Some of you may be wondering what this transcript is exactly. To sum it all up in short, it logs your extra curricular transcript, much like how your college courses are logged. This way, it will give validity to ALL of your work outside the classroom. It'll help your resumes, and chances for recieving scholarships as well! So..WAKE UP! If you haven't been active on campus, now would be a great time to start. There isn't a set amount of time that the transcript will be back-logged, but no worries, for those of you who have been active, I'm sure it will go back at least a year or two. I currently sit on the committee that is putting this whole thing together, so if you are interested in knowing the news as it happens, please continue following this blog. You can also send me a message/email with any questions or comments...I'll be more than happy to help you out. Transfering from a 2 yr. to 4 yr. college 2009-03-24T14:22:00.000-07:00 Key Tips for transferring to a 4-year University as adopted from The Transfer Transition: Facilitating Student Advancement from 2- to 4-Year Institutions.  Meeting the Key Criteria Used by 4-Year Colleges to Evaluate Sophomore Transfers 1. Academic Record: Your overall GPA and grades in your pre-major courses. 2. Out-of-Class Contributions: Campus involvement and Leadership You can provide proof of ongoing, long-term involvement (e.g., involvement in clubs or student government) on a co-curricular transcript, and you can note short- term involvement (e.g., a volunteer experience or participation in an on-campus event) on your resume, in your personal statement (letter of application), or on a personal “fact sheet” you provide to those who will write your letters of recommendation. 3. Letters of Recommendation: a) Choose people with whom you’ve had an ongoing relationship—e.g., academic advisor, employer, or instructor from whom you have taken more than one course. b) Choose instructors with whom you’ve done well and who know you well. c) Seek a balanced blend of letters from academic, co-curricular, and experiential sources (e.g., teachers—especially those in your major, academic advisor, club sponsors, employers). d) Ask the person first if s/he is willing to write you a letter, then come back with forms and envelopes (rather than coming to the person with these materials in hand—which may send the message that you have already assumed the person will say yes). e) Give the person you’re asking plenty of time to write the letter (e.g., at least two weeks in advance of its due date). f) There are three things that you should provide those who are writing a letter of recommendation for you: (1) a “fact sheet” about yourself that will make the task easier for them, and more importantly, will enable them to cite concrete examples or specific evidence of your achievements and contributions (which will make the letter much more powerful); (2) a stamped, addressed envelope (a personal courtesy that makes the job a little easier for your reference); and (3) a thank-you note close to the date that the letter is due—which is not only a nice thing to do, but also serves as a reminder for the person, in case s/he has forgotten about your letter, or has not yet set aside time to write it. 4. Personal Statement (Letter of Application) In the statement or letter you write when applying to a school, try to demonstrate your knowledge of: a) yourself (e.g., your personal interests, abilities, and values), b) your intended major (e.g., why you’re interested in it and what you might do with it after graduation), and c) the college to which you’re applying—show that you know something specific about the school (e.g., its mission, philosophy, and specific programs—especially the particular program to which you’re applying).  To maximize success at larger, 4-year colleges, take the initiative and make an effort to “connect” with key people who can contribute to your success: 1. Faculty—make sure they know who you are (sit in front of class; come up to speak with them after class; visit them in their office; volunteer to help them with research they’re doing that you find interesting or relevant to your career interests). 2. Students in your major—connect with them in study groups and major “clubs” (psychology club, history club, etc.). 3. Career development specialists—connect with them on strategies for enhancing your marketability after graduation; ask them about out what graduates (alumni) with your major have gone on to do, and if they can connect you with an alum in who is already in a career that you intend to pursue. Resume Writing Tips 2009-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00 Create a “master” resumé. This will include all of your experience. Make an electronic copy which you can tailor to specific jobs. We strongly recommend formatting a chronological resumé because it’s the most widely used and the easiest to prepare. It also provides the employer more contextual information about your skills and talents. (A functional resumé is most appropriate for people who have an abundance of experience or who have experience in many different types of settings and jobs that they are trying to identify and focus on skill sets relevant to a particular job.) Tips Never use full sentences. Use verb phrases. Cover the top 10 attributes that employers are looking for.* Be sure to assess your strengths in these categories and include them in your resume under specific job descriptions using specific descriptions or in a skills category using specific descriptions. In other words, do not write "Strong Communications Skills (verbal and written)". Do write, for example, "drafted correspondence from Vice Provost's Office to various Chairs and Deans" under your job description as Office Assistant. Another example is: "Experience in written reports and professional correspondence. Designed and conducted workshops and presentations for groups ranging from 5-30 people." Communication Skills (Verbal and Written) Honesty/Integrity Teamwork Skills (Works Well With Others) Strong Work Ethic Analytical Skills Flexibility/Adaptability Interpersonal Skills (Relates Well To Others) Motivation/Initiative Computer Skills Detail-Oriented Always format with a 1” margin on the left, .5” margin on the top. Depending on space, use a .5” – 1” margin on right and bottom. Be consistent on all pages. Most jobs will review a 2-3 page resumé. For very large companies such as Boeing, a 1 page resumé is recommended. University or education jobs will typically expect longer resumés detailing relevant experience. Use nice paper in a color/texture that looks good when it’s photocopied. Buy enough to print your cover letter on it too. Buy matching envelopes if you anticipate using “snail mail.” On subsequent pages, include your name and the page number. Be sure to have your resumé proofread by someone who has strong English skills. Getting Started Print out the list of Action Verbs. Look at each verb. Jot down the names of places you’ve worked next to the verbs that resonate with your experience. Print out the Chronological Resumé Sample. Take a careful look at the formatting and content. Print out Resumé Elements. Read it carefully, keeping in mind your experience. Print out the Resumé Worksheet. Fill it out using the formatting you see in the Sample. Use extra sheets if needed. Create your “master” resumé. Tailoring to a Job Description Read the job description carefully. Conduct thorough research on the company or organization. Revise your resumé based on their job description. Use their language, buzzwords, or keywords to describe the skills or experience you have. Be sure your experience includes details that they've mentioned in their job description. For example, if they're looking for experience with word processing programs and you used Microsoft Word in an office job, be sure it's listed under that entry. If you never used it in a job but use it often for school, make sure it's listed in your skills section. All the skills they're looking for that you have should be somewhere on your resumé. Consider removing entries that do not include transferable skills (skills that you can use in the job you're applying for). For example, if you are applying for a job in a legal setting, the people skills you gained working at K-Mart or waiting tables should stay on your resumé. However, you might want to remove the housecleaning job. If you have a Qualifications Summary section, make sure to revise it to highlight the points on your resumé that make you a strong candidate for that job. If you are submitting this document electronically, reformat your document using commonly available fonts and simple formatting so that you'll minimize distortion when the employer opens it. Type in your name (and title if applicable) where you would normally include your signature. Do a practice test by sending your document to a friend, particularly one who has a different type of computer. *Sources from Northern Arizona University & the National Association of Colleges & Employers Job Outlook 2006.* Status Quo 2008-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:00 Forget the status quo. By sticking to the status quo, you give up control of your life to others. You no longer do what you want, you do what others expect you to do. That is what hold you back. That is what strips you fo your individuality. I look back at my life, and can't help but notice the amount of time I wasted thinking about what I should dress likfe, or how I should talk, or what TV shows I should think are "cool". Take some action - "Men are alike in their promises, it's only in their deeds that they differ". Get past yourself and think about others. Chances are, there has been a time in your life when you needed help, or where something could have gone smoothly if person "A" would have done their part. Be selfless and give it a try this season, see where it takes you. What would it hurt? Top Undiscovered Web Sites 2008-10-14T08:36:00.000-07:00 Greetings! After sifting through some magazines, we stumbled upon some interesting web sites that you may want to take a look at. We have personally used them for weeks now (just to make sure they helped), and we must say...we stand impressed. College students are always on the go. We are naturally, a migrating culture. The following websites will assist you in your digital, time-efficient world. Jooce (www.jooce.com) Access your personal stuff from any computer. Just load up your browser-based Jooce desktop with files, music, videos, IM buddy lists, and anything else you might need, and get to it all by logging in (PC Magazine, Nov.2008). We tested this site out, and it really helps. Currently, there is no limit to the number and size of files you can upload onto your Jooce desktop. That’s right, it’s unlimited. So go forth and upload to your heart’s content. This site was very useful in getting rid of pen drives and discs. We just upload everything on to Jooce, and away we go. Jott (www.jott.com) One of the coolest applications of speech-to-text technologies we have seen. Sign up for a free account, then call Jott on your phone and leave a message. The messeage will be converted to text and posted on your blog, Twitter feed, or to-do list. The conversation is surprisingly accurate (PC Magazine, Nov. 2008). Again, we tested this site, and we don't see how we lived without it. No more excuses for forgetting things. Jott will email or text you with your reminders, to-do lists, etc. If you opt to pay for the upgrade, you can even send emails and texts to your contacts over the phone! We found it especially useful in conjunction with other sites, such as WordPress, Google Calendar, etc. This site is a must-have for parents in college. Sandy (www.iwantsandy.com) Here is another free service that is reveloutionary. Sandy is a virtual assistant. She can do just about everything, except your homework. The service is completely free, and a perfect way to stay organized. Sometimes school, work, and your personal life can be overwhelming. With Sandy, you simply email, text, or call her and tell her to remind you about your test this week, or to pick up a birthday gift for Bill. One cool trick is that Sandy is able to be linked to your Jott account! So you can call Jott on your phone, leave the message, and Jott will send that message to your Sandy account. Presto-chango, you now have a lightning-quick way of never forgetting ANYTHING again. Aside from school, or work, you may want to take a gander at the following sites. We promise you'll like at least one of them. CalorieLab (www.calorielab.com) Check the nutrition info for just about every restaurant chain and type of food before you head out to eat. Then consult the calorie-burning statistics for day-to-day activites (PC Magazine, Nov. 2008) You may not find local mom-and-pop diners, but you will find all the major franchises. This site is very helpful for those of us who want to lose wieght but don't really want to diet. HowCast (www.howcast.com) The best-looking how-to videos on the web. Learn "How to become an ultimate fighter" or "How to drive a stick-shift." Sign up to get a How-To Video of the Day via e-mail (PC Magazine, Nov. 2008) This was an interesting site. It really was very appealing to the eye, nothing looked like an amatuer made it. RepairPal (www.repairpal.com) Until recently, God and your mechanic were the only ones who knew how much it actually costs to replace the fuel injector on a '95 Toyota Previa. Punch in your car info, necessary repair, and ZIP code and RepairPal will tell you how much to expect to pay and where you can get the work done (PC Magazine, Nov. 2008). This was amazing. We spent hours trying all of our vehicles. They also had numerous repair shops in our area (Harlingen), although, we never say Midas there...hmmm.... BillShrink (www.billshrink.com) If you think you're paying too much for your wireless plan, BillShrink can help. Just tell it how much you pay monthly, your ZIP code, and usage details like how often you send text. BillShrink will suggest which wireless carrier plan is best and estimate your potential savings (PC Magazine, Nov. 2008). BillShrink crunched millions of options, based on what we currently used. Of course...our current carriers were not the best choice. This website would be beneficial to ANYONE, regardless of your age, or occupation. Well, we know these sites may be of use to you, so happy surfing! If you want some more sites, that we didn't get to list, you can always visit www.pcmag.com and search November's issue. They have the top 100 undiscovered sites listed. We told you we were nerds ;-P Not thinking about college? Think about this… 2008-10-13T13:40:00.000-07:00 Making the decision to attend college is life changing. Some think it’s a waste of time, others think you can’t succeed with out it. What most people don’t recognize is that college really is what you make of it. If you are scared of it, it’ll eat you alive. If you aren’t too worried about it, you may slack off too much. On the other hand, if you acknowledge it, and respect its purpose, you just might find what you are looking for. Everyone has a fear of the unknown. If you are like me, you are or will be the first person in your family to attend college. That in itself is pretty terrifying. Looking back, I realize that there really wasn’t anything to fear. College wasn’t boring, or a waste of my time, but it was complicated though. All of a sudden you are thrown into this world of deadlines, policies, departments, advisors, deans, tuition, and loans. Deans, Dorms and Loans…Oh my! A completely different experience than what you had during high school. Before you convince yourself that it sounds too overwhelming, keep in mind that 1) you are not alone. Hundreds and Thousands of students your age are entering college for the first time too. Don’t sweat it, you’ll meet plenty of new friends to help you along. 2) Colleges aren’t ignorant to the fact that freshman students are experiencing college for the first time. They already have programs set up to help you out! It used to be a dog-eat-dog world for higher education, but as times change, so do work ethics. In south Texas, especially, you will find an abundance of programs, clubs, societies, and students that are more than happy and willing to help out a fellow student. Don’t throw the idea of college out the window just yet. Even if you are married, with children and a full time job, you can still attend college. There are evening courses, online courses and weekend courses available to you. Will it take you longer? Sure, but it’s a worth-while sacrifice to accomplish your goal. If nothing else, at least give it a try. Register for classes in the next semester and go from there. You may just get hooked and become a “professional student”.

Student Success Office @ TSTC Harlingen

3 Services EVERY student should know...

3 keys to showing students you care

Don't BUY it...RENT it instead!

A little chat with UTB's Transcript Evaluator...

TAMUK transfer equivalency courses are here!

Updated List of UTB Course offerings at TSTC

Technology will keep Advisors on their toes..

3 "better" ways to get a hold of a student...

test

Education's version of Facebook...

Another University program available on TSTC Harlingen's Campus!

Surviving Online Courses

Earn one Associate and two Bachelor degrees in 3 years!

College 101 Workshops work...

THE list of courses from UTB taking place at TSTC Harlingen

Get a Bachelor Degree at TSTC

Get at Bachelor Degree at TSTC

Attending TWO Colleges simultaneously while on Financial Aid

Take UTB courses at TSTC!

Possible Change in Regulations May be Bad News for Students at TSTC

TSTC on Facebook

Are YOU Non-Traditional? You'd better hope so...

New registration "Laws" at TSTC Harlingen

A Social Media Savior...Google's Chrome v. Mozilla's Flock

"Careers 202" Communication Etiquette

Communication Etiquette Workshop Pics 02/2010

Untitled

Insider Tips to college

A Different Perspective

College 101: "College Degrees" PowerPoint

College 101: "Financial Aid" PowerPoint

College 101: "College Scholarships" PowerPoint

s

Did You Know...

Dropbox: A Student Must-Have

60% of our GST Students were awarded a Scholarship!

"College 101" Workshop Series

Tech Prep Conference Presentations! (Dec. 2, 2009)

College 101

Untitled

Welcome Week

Behind the Scenes of GST

ST Observation update 09/24

Time to Submit your Co-Curricular Activities!

Co-Curricular coming soon!

Some grades are in...

Co-Curricular Validation Form (Tags: co-curricular, transcript)

Will not be in the office today. Will return Aug. 15

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 3 (tags: Mentoring)

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 2

Mentor Summer Camp Gallery 1

POST TEST

1.2.3.

Updat: I will be out of town July 31 through August 1. Also, I'm only in the office Tuesday and Thursday of this week!

Book List for 2009 Surgical Tech Corhort

New Law for Surgical Techs

How I took 10 courses and came out with a 3.9 GPA

HB 2504 - College

HB 269 Veterans

TACRAO Conference - Austin

Not thinking about College? Think about this...

TX Common Course Numbering System highlight

Financial Aid's 72 hour cap

Future Degrees of TSTC

Rent Textbooks! Save $$

KINE sub for Military Experience

ATTN: Transfer Students! Double Check your UTB Plan

Co-Curricular Update 3

Test

KINE course update

Co-Curricular Transcript 2

Have a Student Debt?

Mustang Bucks

Not actually a Humanities/Fine Arts course

KINE substitution at UTB available at TSTC!

KINE no longer transfers to UTB

Co-Curricular Transcript

Transfering from a 2 yr. to 4 yr. college

Resume Writing Tips