Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

      The major topics covered during the seminar including tasks to seek employment. This involved information about resumes, professional networking, interviewing, and social networking. Presenters also shared information about their first professional job experiences, and their struggles and successes in continuing their education. What I found most interesting was the topic of managing their careers, which involved social skills, mentors, taking initiative, and career advancement. The professionals advised us to be honest, confident, and professional. This includes showing up on time, dressing appropriately for the occasion, and displaying our best interpersonal and communication skills.

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

       As I sit at work, hoping that my glare on its own will complete the list of assignments in front of me, I find myself contemplating the knowledge I have gained throughout my first year in college. I wonder if the information I have learned is more useful to use to study for finals or in helping me actually succeed (whatever “success” means, I’m not even sure I know yet…) in life. Here is what I have learned… Also, I apologize for the continuously long blogs that I publish. I am working on shortening them, one step at a time. Take it or leave it! :-)

1)      1) You can’t eat whatever you want.

Yes, it is true; you are what you eat. You may have been able to burn off the fat from the excess snacks that you ate in high school during track or cheer practice but for most of us, we no longer have the privilege to play on a sports team five days a week once we enter college. Academics become our main focus. This means that the snack intake increases, and the exercise decreases. So, pay attention to what you eat. Pick up some celery (which upon eating it actually makes you burn more calories than you gain) instead of the Doritos that are calling your name.

2)     2) Showing up does matter.
In high school, showing up to class was a requirement. In college, it is more of an option. You don’t have the whip of your parents behind you pushing you to school or the phone calls home from the automated voice system if you skip a class. Therefore, showing up to class does make a difference. It will, 9 times out of 10, change that B+ to an A-. It sounds silly to say that simply showing up can earn you credit but nowadays when anyone with a bank account is welcomed with open arms to college, it does make a difference.

3)      3) No one cares what you did in high school.
We get it. You are the A-student, president of every club, and teacher’s pet who was supposed to go to some Ivy League college, but for some reason ended up with the rest of us. You may have perfected the use of note cards, or discovered the format of every test in order to ace it in high school, but in college, you are just like the rest of us. As freshmen, we are all bottom-feeders and you have to start from square one again, just like the rest of us. And please, don’t put that you were in the Leadership Council in high school on your resume. Your employers will be just as irritated as the rest of us.

4)      4) Communication is key.
No matter what major you decide to take, the most important skills will always be communication skills. Above all else, speaking, reading, listening, and interpersonal skills rise above all else in the professional world. This can be reflected in things as simple as how you write Emails to things as nerve-raking as presentations. Take this to your advantage.  Even if you aren’t sure if you used the right equation, present your project to the best of your ability by speaking clearly and enthusiastically. Even if you have to miss an hour or two of work because of extending circumstances, communicate it clearly and in advance to your boss and he/she will definitely let it slide. All of this will make you feel, and look, much more like a real adult and not just some 18-year-old.

5)      5) If they don’t recognize you in public, they aren’t worth your time.
We have all had those flings that are far more romantic in our mind than in public. College is a time to cut that out. Freshman year provides some wiggle room for mistakes. It is a time to discover who is truly worth your time. By your senior year though, there is no reason to continue seeing someone who doesn’t treat you as well as you know you deserve to be treated. A little trick that helps: if you feel even a little bit of that funny feeling in the back of your throat (like when you just lied to your parents) when you think about them, or if you are too embarrassed (after more than two weeks) to look them in the eye, then it probably isn’t the best fit.

6)      6) There is a ridiculous amount of time in the day.
Although as humans we prefer to procrastinate 99% of the time, there is plenty of time during the day to complete what needs to get done. What you want to get done, and what you need to get done are two different things. As long as you have a realistic to-do list, then there is no question that it is possible to complete it. Stop doubting your abilities and making excuses. It’s an embarrassing quality. Realize your potential, and exceed it. We can do it!

7)      7) Doing work doesn’t always involve homework.
For many college students, passing college includes dealing with the obstacles in-between college such as work and other extra-curricular activities. Even if you don’t need the money (even though, in reality, what college student couldn’t do with a little extra cash?), pick up a shift or two at a local coffee shop, or become a member of a club that interests you. You may find that the extra responsibility motivates you in other parts of your life. If not, that’s great, too. Everyone is different. That’s important to recognize within itself.

8)      8) Change adds up.
Attention college students: Piggy banks are back in style! It is no longer worth saving the extra time by letting the cashier “save the change.” Keep every penny, nickel, dime, and quarter and before you know it, you will have clean laundry every week and will no longer need to lend money from your roommate who you plan to “pay back on Friday.”

9)      9) You are no longer under the microscope.
Phew. College does not mimic the small hallways and gossip pool that high school creates. Social stigmas will never fail to exist, but allow yourself some freedom. In college, it’s no longer as important who you sit with at lunch, but what classes you plan to take next semester. Who you spent the weekend with doesn’t compare to the opportunity to represent your college or club at the Winter Carnival or Spring-fest. Professional success is far more attractive than how messy you got at a party last night.

1     10) College is by no means the real world.
Although we are told that college is a “taste of the real world” it is important to recognize that dorm-life etiquette, and dining hall manners are strictly part of the college lifestyle and not the adult (“real”) world. Living off campus may be more rewarding by the time you are nearing graduation, than staying in the small world of campus life for the entirety of the four years or more it takes you to graduate.

I don’t believe that I have ever felt so heartbroken by another event in my life than I have in reaction to that which occurred this afternoon at 2:40 pm in Boston, MA. In my 18 years of life, I have never felt so scared for my family and friends. I have never felt so much empathy for my fellow Bostonians. I have never experienced such an intense yet confused mental, physical, and emotional reaction to the actions of a fellow human being. I have never been so concerned over the violence that so often seems to be consuming our country and our world.

I want everyone in the UMass Lowell community, and further, to know that my heart is with all of you and your loved ones. Today is a day to pray for those in Boston. It is a day to be thankful for our lives and for our stable mental frames. We are reminded that, although we very rarely need to be concerned about our physical safety in regards to natural survival, our lives are not protected. Our government, militia, local forces, and family can only do so much. Today is a reminder that we, as humans, are not invincible.

As we pray for all of those affected by the explosions, we must also pray for those who planned such a violent scene. We must pray that whatever evil inspired the events of today can be recovered. No one should ever feel the need to impose such a threat against his/her own society, just as much as no one should ever have to fear attending what is intended to be a peaceful, annual, city event.

We also must thank the heroes who provided assistance to all of the defenseless citizens who were hurt in today’s events. It is one thing to train for the violence that seems to be inevitable in our world, and it is another to rise to the occasion when evil is presented in front of our eyes. Thank you to all of the police officers, fire fighters, EMS faculty, Boston marathon staff, citizens and whoever else gave a helping hand after the explosions in Boston.

The help does not stop after today, or after all of those who were injured recover. We all must continue to do our best to live in peace, and without violence. It is much easier said than done, but please; spread love and not hate. Please, let’s have faith in our neighbors, friends, and fellow Bostonians.

Sending my love to all of you.

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

There isn’t a more social place on all of the UMass Lowell campuses than Fox Hall Dining Commons. One could rebut and say that the dining hall on South campus, the apartments on Merrimac Street, or one of the sport’s houses provide a better setting for social gathering, but I stand by my statement. I know it because I see it. I know it because I live it. If I am not strong enough of a primary resource, then the facts may convince you more…

1.    1) It is the center place for the 2,000 (about) students who live on East and North Campus

2.      2) It is open on weekends, whereas South campus is not (why?! It’s as confusing to me as it is to you.)

3.     3) It is located above Sal’s Pizza, Taco Bell and the POD Marketplace (supremely convenient)

4.      4) The name “Fox Hall Dining Commons” is a name for fame within itself

Ultimately everyone who lives on East campus, those located in Eames Hall on North Campus, and South campus students (on weekends) must visit Fox Hall Dining Commons if they want to eat without spending an excess of money.

My favorite time to go to there is the morning. If you arrive before 8:00 am, you will find all of the ROTC, honors students, and whoever else is brave enough to wake up early enough before class to make it to the dining hall. It is a generally peaceful time. Although I often feel like I’m trying too hard when I see the students arriving in their pajamas who rush away from me as I retrieve my yogurt because my outfit screams that I am way too ready for the day. What can I say? It’s necessary to arrive before 9:30 am if you plan on getting an omelet without having to wait 20 (or more) minutes (Although I will admit, the wait is worth it!).

Lunch is pretty scattered and boring and consists of individuals (often boys) running in between classes to eat a meal that most people skip due to the common 14-meals-a-week plan which only allows you to eat two meals in a day. Besides these scavengers, around this time the dining hall consists of mostly students who wake up later than the early birds who have just missed breakfast.

Dinner is the most social-able time of all. Right around 6:00 pm the dining hall becomes close to impossible to navigate due to its full capacity. There are the students coming straight from class or who are grabbing a bite right before class, those who are famished due to their work-out at the gym (but who, at the same time, still have the time to re-apply make-up before their arrival), those who have waited since 4:00 pm to eat but are just arriving now, and the rest who really don’t care what’s going on with the rest of the hungry students and who have better things to be doing/thinking about.

Visiting the dining hall can actually be considered intimidating to most. It is uncomfortable enough having to visit a large number of your peers, most of which you don’t know, every time you wish to eat a meal. On top of that, dinner, and sometimes breakfast, in Fox Hall Dining Commons involves waiting in lines for food you don’t want to admit you are excited to eat, and the huge decision of where you are going to sit and with whom. For a freshman (or anyone, really) this whole process can be considered stressful and tiring.

      I could go on in detail about the social interactions, and lack of interactions, that occur in the dining hall between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm, but there isn’t anything I could say that those of you reading, and/or who go to Fox Hall Dining Commons, wouldn’t already assume or know. A little advice though (that I tell myself everyday), there is no need to try so hard; we are all human :) .

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

        There is no more judgmental situation than that in which you are forced to go to the bathroom next to someone you know, but don’t really know. Actually, it is never comfortable going to the bathroom next to someone. If it is, you either came out of the same womb or that person is someone incredibly unique and you’d best plan to marry that bathroom soul mate. It isn’t comfortable sharing a bathroom with someone you don’t know for any reason, in the first place. The relationship we have with the bathroom is a bittersweet one to begin with. It involves a release of unnecessary junk that we have consumed over the past couple of days, which is both rewarding and sometimes uncomfortable. It also involves the intimate activity of showering, which is both rewarding and a nuisance. Although no one likes to talk about it, the bathroom is a trip that we need, either to wash or to use the toilet, and is a guilty pleasure.

As a girl, I love going to the bathroom. Not for the messy toilet part, but to shower because after showering I know I will have at least an hour to take the time to get ready and get “pretty”. I love my pretty time. The time in the morning when I can sing to my favorite song (which sets my mood for the rest of the day, of course) and when I can take an excessive amount of time choosing out an outfit that I will only be wearing for 5 hours tops before I change for either work or to go to the gym.

Unfortunately, a girl’s joy for the bathroom only minimizes upon arriving to college. I am not kidding when I say that a few whimpers did slip out of me while I experienced my first shower in Fox Hall. I come from a household where the shower will not be touched by any member of the house unless the bathroom has been cleaned within the last five days. Given, I come from a family of five kids, and a grandma on the side, so the shower is the most frequently accessed utility in the house next to the fridge, which means an obsessive amount of bleach and Windex every week is seriously needed. That being said, after my first shower in Fox Hall, I seriously considered dropping out of college. Not only for the sake of my current lifestyle and health, but also for the sake of my future family/children (that I may never have due to the lack of hygiene in my near future as a new college student - and other college problems #freshman15 #toomuchhomework #whatiscalculus #failing #alcoholism #collegeprobz).

It isn’t only the vulnerable feeling of showering next to two other people in a bathroom where three other people may be using the toilets and 4 more the sinks that makes the bathroom trips at college so horrible. There are other extremities that come with the semi-public bathroom experience when dorming at college. While in the shower, your feet are greeted by the soap and dirt from your showering neighbors (about 6 inches away separated by one inch thick, easily-disturbed wall) that spews into your shower through the foot high lack of wall up to your mid-calf. There are the hairs that are definitely not yours that not only follow you around during your bathroom adventures, but have a tendency to join you back to your room. Also, when brushing your teeth, you are forced to smell whatever is leaving (or already left) the body of your peers (aka their lunch from a few hours before) as well as the variety of perfumes and gels that they use to try to cover their natural stench. I will mention, too, that brushing teeth (at least well) commonly triggers gag reflexes and with the added forces of the bathroom in a girl’s dorm, it is only a natural reaction to puke when brushing your teeth.

My personal hygiene may or may not now be, unwillingly, worse than it was when I arrived here at UMass Lowell and I may never recover from the traumatizing nights when I was too afraid of the bathroom so I held my pee for over 4 hours. I will send all of my future therapy bills and divorce fees to 100 Pawtucket Street Lowell, MA 01854. Thank you, Fox Hall.

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

             It is easy to wake up every day and continue doing what you have done in the past. It is far too easy to procrastinate, and to be content with being content. Today’s world accepts the millions of us who get by with being mediocre and by smiling at people as they pass by in the hall, even when we don’t genuinely care about how their day is going. A small reminder (if you didn’t already know): being “nice” isn’t good enough. Just “passing” isn’t good enough. Arriving on time isn’t good enough. Getting a job isn’t good enough. Trying your best, though, and giving your all into what you do, will make you and those around you much happier.

            Each and every one of us has something more to give to our community. There is never “enough”. The world always needs more. WE always need more. YOU always need more. The term “more” usually sits on the back burner in my vocabulary because I believe it is a weak adjective that describes our culture in a material sense. In this sense, though, the word “more” means more than it usually does, as well. The word “more” represents the extra ten minutes on the treadmill when you thought you were about to die fifteen minutes previous; the coffee you added to your order to give to your coworker just for the heck of it; the extra hour you spend studying just because you want to be certain you are prepared; and the time you spend comforting a peer through a difficult time even when you don’t have any more time to give.

            Lately, I have found myself being more selfish than usual. I like to consider myself a giving and generous person, but I believe that college has created a new selfish me that wasn’t revealed as much in previous years of my life. In the morning, often I do make only enough coffee for myself, and leave my roommate to fend for herself just because it means I have more time for myself to get to class a little earlier. In the afternoon, I have caught myself rushing to catch the open door without taking the time to hold it for the person behind me. At night, I do wish that fewer students would come into the café where I work, so that I will be able to spend less of my time serving them, and more time working on my homework.

            I am writing this, not only to remind those who read this not to be lazy and selfish, and all of the other negative adjectives that critics use to describe our generation and world, but to also remind myself that positivity is what makes the world go round.

            So, go ahead. Make extra to-do lists to accomplish the numerous assignments that you have procrastinated on throughout this semester. Meet with the tutor you have been avoiding, who is only there to help you succeed. Call your parents in the evening to ask how they are doing, even when you would much prefer to sit back and watch your favorite television show. Help a friend find a ride to work, even when you know that it’s their fault that they’re late in the first place. Tell yourself “No, I will not settle just being pretty” “No, I will not be content living off of what my parents have supplied for me when I am capable of helping myself, too” and “No, I will not merely sit on my butt for the entirety of my entire eight-dollar-and-twenty-five-cent-an-hour shift”. Motivate yourself by reminding yourself that you will earn your place in your workplace. You will earn the grade you are capable of earning in school. You will earn your place in the world.

            And, don’t forget; love yourself just as much as you love those around you. The people around you can see how much you value yourself, and them, simply by how you present yourself through your image, as well as your attitude. Completing tasks on time will help you succeed at this. Extracurricular activities, such as going to the gym, or going to an event around campus with your free time, will assist you in feeling more involved, and complete. You can’t give back to your community, when your own mind, body and soul are in need of attention. It is your job, and your job only, to push yourself onto the next level. And yes, even when you are doing that, it is also your job to help those around you. In doing so, you will only receive more positivity, generosity, and love back from those who receive your warm heart and solid effort. You get what you give.

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff. 

I love the morning. Everything about it. I love waking up to sun shining through my window. I love knowing that I’m waking up with the birds outside and that I am one step ahead of my peers because I do. I love the extra hour or so that I have to myself. I love the time I have to put the finishing touches on my homework assignments, to perfect my outfit and to make my coffee just the way I like it. I love the serenity of the silence and the peace that comes with moving slowly.

            Unfortunately, no matter how much joy the morning brings, the truth of the matter is that the morning only lasts so long. I try my best to transfer the positive energy that comes with the morning to all of those around me. I sometimes even try to save some of that tranquility for the afternoon, when stress levels seem to be at their highest in school and work environments. Sharing, though, is a two way process that is only successful if the receiver is as willing as the giver.

Although, I like to imagine myself as a cheerful person, my fuse lasts only so long. Following my schedule, mornings last from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm. This means that around 12:00 in the afternoon, my patience runs low when others decide not receive my friendliness as willingly as all humans should receive kindness.

When I say hello to a stranger, I expect a response. A simple smile will even do the trick. Better yet, if I greet a peer, classmate, or coworker, I expect a verbal response back because of our school or work connection. To my dismay, responses are rare in our community and culture. There is a cold atmosphere that surrounds New England. This is a reflection of the United States as a whole and the technological advancements that encourage conversations with computers and not with our neighbors. It is an over discussed topic in articles, blogs, and the conversation that we actually do have, but the point remains; you get what you give.

Treating those around you kindly will bring you potentially more joy than your kindness will bring to them. Saying hello to those around me when I am abnormally joyful in the mornings brings me great joy and is intended to bring to the recipients the same. So please, spread the happiness, joy of life and the vulnerability of the mornings that we so often take for granted. Say hello!

We all have those days when nothing is going right. You just cant catch a break.  Life is full of ups and down, but what if you could somehow avoid some of these downs we all experience and make the highs higher than you could ever imagine.  The key to this is to be inspired.

            A step in the right direction would be to find what you are passionate about and excel in that area.  Don’t settle for what society is telling you to do. If you can’t find something that you can enjoy getting up for every morning then your life will be filled with many more “downs” then “ups”.  The minute you settle for less then you deserve, you get less than you settled for.  The more you love what you do the more likely it is that you will be inspired to reach new heights.

            Just because you have found something that you love to do does not mean that you will not experience some of the lows that we all know too well; we all need a kick in the butt sometimes.  If you can’t find inspiration from your own work look elsewhere.  People find inspiration from all kinds of things.  For example, for many people taking a walk and simply soaking in nature can be an inspiration.  For others it could be doing something challenging such as a puzzle or a brainteaser.  Another great tip is to find someone who you can look up to and when things get tough you can turn to this person for a kick-in-the-butt, aka motivation.  For me, this person isn’t someone I can actually talk to but I when things start looking down I like to have someone who can inject some inspiration into my life.

To close, I would like to share a quote from the man I look up to, Eric Greitens, “There were a number of definitions of courage, but now I was seeing it in its simplest form: you do what has to be done day after day, and you never quit.”  This quote stays stuck in my head and helps me through when I just want to slack and blow off my homework.  Sometimes we can all use a little kick in the butt, so don’t let your pride get in the way of seeking out some inspiration.

Disclaimer: Anything written in this blog represents the opinions of the author, and no one else. Each blog is written lightly, and is not intended to offend any of the mentioned businesses, locations, students, or staff.

There’s nothing worse than going in to shake someone’s hands to find gnawed-down, dirty fingernails in your grasp. Failure to pay attention to the hygiene of your fingernails is a failure to pay attention to not only your image as a cleanly human being, but also your representation as a professional worker. Particularly in the business world, appearance, even the smallest details, is important. It tells your boss, coworkers and clients that you care about yourself and what you are doing. you wish for others to perceive you as a worker who cares enough to spend the extra time.

            If cleanliness and professionalism are not reasons enough for you to change your nail maintenance, then the health benefits may push you to take some of these tips. Research shows that nail-biters’ hands and fingers easily become infected. From infection, they are far more prone to contract colds and other illnesses. The constant action of nails to lips and mouth promotes the spread of germs into nail-biters’ bodies.

            Many people, even doctors, are beginning to describe nail-biting as more than a habit. It is more often being referenced as an addiction. As such, it should be tackled just as intensely as any other addiction. Tactics in curing the “addiction” include putting lemon juice of hot sauce on fingers. Another drastic measure includes wrapping nails in tape or Band-Aids. If this seems too extreme, there is also a new clear-color nail polish, specifically for nail-biters, that tastes particularly gross when bitten/eaten. This nail polish is specifically successful for nail-biters because when they go to bite their nails, their body remembers the gross taste of the nail polish and their habit slowly diminishes.

            In today’s world, there is no excuse not to pay attention to your nails.(If your job includes manual labor then you are an exception.) Lowell, specifically has a superfluous amount of nail salons in its downtown. Upon entering “nail salon Lowell, MA” into Google, 35,500 results appear. Not only are there a ridiculous amount of nail salons in our local area, but it is very inexpensive to get nails manicured, cleaned or buffed. The average cost of a manicure is only twenty dollars, and it is only necessary to get a full manicure once ever two weeks. Even after getting a manicure, a polish change can often do the trick and in Lowell a polish change comes to an average of ten dollars.

            For guys, manicures, I realize are a little excessive. I also realize that not everyone has the money to spend to maintain a full manicure all the time. In these cases, personal maintenance comes into the picture. Every household does – or should – contain nail clippers and filers, and there is no reason, besides laziness, to not utilize those tools.

            It may seem dramatic to find fault in such a minuscule detail, but it is the small things that matter in our big world.

The Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell is a growing program that is made to prepare its students for the competitive global business environment. It includes exceptional teaching, learning and research opportunities for its Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. programs. The Manning School of Business is composed of three departments, Accounting, Management and Operations and Information Systems. The program makes it possible for about 1,700 undergraduate students to dual concentrate with two of the eight concentrations that are offered in the Manning School of Business. Within the Management departments, there are eight concentrations that are offered, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, International Business, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing and Supply Chain and Operations Management.

The Accounting Concentration is a good option for students who are seeking a career as a CPA, a position in industry, government or a non-profit organization with a career path to controller, CFO, CEO, revenue agent, special agent or a career as a financial analyst, forensic accountant, tax expert or entrepreneur. The courses required to earn a degree in Accounting include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting I and II, Auditing, Cost Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Taxation, and Advanced Accounting. These classes can teach you how to translate the happenings of a business into financial language, which can help to conduct decision making within the business.

For outside thinkers and innovators, the Entrepreneur Concentration is a fantastic option. The classes required to complete the Entrepreneurship Concentration include Starting a New Venture, Corporate Entrepreneurship, Managing Innovation, and Finance for Emerging Business Enterprises. These classes are meant to teach students how to develop management skills to launch a new business, develop an understanding of innovation and the financial aspects of starting a business and to assist students in identifying themselves as an entrepreneur.

If you are interested in working in an area that is at the center of operations for all companies and want to move quickly into a position with decision-making responsibilities then a the Finance Concentration is a good option for you. The classes required include Management Calculus, Financial and Managerial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Statistics and Marketing Principles, Business Finance, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Organizational behavior, and Capital Planning. These classes will help you gain the skills to analyze capital budgeting problems, assess investment opportunities for institutes and individuals, develop and understanding of techniques needed to finance corporate operations and expansions and to gain the ability to communicate financial concepts to other people.

For students who prefer to travel often and to work with other countries and cultures in business, the International Business Concentration offers a broad range of skills to use those interests professionally. Its coursework helps students become aware of management concepts, systems and practices in different countries. It also helps students understand cultural dynamics, economics and political constraints that affect the marketing and sales aspect of international business. The Concentration’s coursework teaches students how to assess and evaluate the financial risks associated with multi-national firms, addresses global sourcing strategies and helps students learn more about the role that information technology and Enterprise Resource Planning plays in managing global supply chains.

I will write about the other four business concentrations, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing and Supply Chain and Operations Management, in my next blog! If you have any other questions, specifically regarding coursework or dual concentration, you can find information on the UML website (http://www.uml.edu/MSB/Program-of-study/default.aspx), at the Centers for Learning (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/UML-Centers-for-Learning/10875253430), and keep up with campus events and outreach programs that can teach you even more about the Manning School of Business (http://www.uml.edu/MSB/Events-Awards/Events.aspx).

What is YOUR business? Do you tutor your friends in math when you have the time? Are you really good at making earrings? Do you enjoy fixing bikes? The Manning School of Business wants to know what it is that constitutes your business.

Your business does not need to be one of which you make any profit, but one from which you share knowledge that you have with others around you. That is the beginning of all businesses. All you need to start is a skill that you have honed and that you are capable of and willing to sharing with others. The next step is technically receiving something in return for your services. Regularly, this is compensation such as money. In your business that you share with us, though, you do not need to receive money for your work; gratitude is good enough!

The classes provided by the Manning School of Business are meant to prepare its students to participate in the business world. Every student is in a different part of the process of earning their degree in business and it is important that we share our current work with one another while we do so. Sharing your current adventures and work is the first step of recognizing your current abilities. In doing so, you can share with others your present ways of making a business. Sharing helps everyone learn how to use their own abilities as well as the skills they are learning in classes to create their future business or to be a part of one in the future.

To share with fellow Manning School of Business students, staff, alumni and friends, take pictures of you doing what it is that YOU enjoy doing with your spare time and that you would consider to be YOUR business! Like the Manning School of Business Facebook page and inbox the page your pictures and a description of your business. There, your picture will appear and be shared with Manning School of Business students, faculty, alumni and friends.

Sharing your work can help Manning School of Business staff and members adjust its classes and assistance to help you in your business creation and work. It can also help you advertise your business to other students and provide a place for you to find fellow classmates who share your interests. Sharing with us can only help you and your business!

University of Massachusetts Lowell is the largest university in the Merrimac Valley. It is the third largest state institution following University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Massachusetts Boston. With more than 1,100 faculty members, 16,000 students and 120 degree choices, one can imagine how overwhelming entering a semester may feel to any student attending UMass Lowell. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to prepare for the incoming semester and several resources and locations at the University meant to support students and assist them in their preparation for the new semester.

Some great ways to prepare for the second semester of the 2012 to 2013 academic year can begin right now during vacation. In order to feel and be more equipped for your new classes, try to get your textbooks as soon as possible. You can order them online from the UMass Lowell bookstores from North or South campus and call their staff Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 4:00 pm with any questions, or you can order them from an online site such as Amazon or Chegg.

Another helpful task you can complete during this vacation to prepare for next semester is taking a good look at your class schedule. Print out a copy and take a long look at it. Highlight and organize the times in which you have few classes and the days where you will be the busiest. In doing so, you can plan out the time you will have free to work, to study and to do other recreational activities. This may sound like a silly task, but an organized schedule will serve as a solid base for your success this semester!

In returning to school, enter the semester with a strong start. Definitely take your time to settle back into the busyness of the school year, but don’t forget your mission in attending school: to learn! In order to do so, get plenty of sleep and meet your new classmates and teachers with a positive outlook. Also, if you have the time, try to learn a little bit about the course you are about to attend and the professor who will teach the class. The UMass Lowell website provides information on all of this and can assist you in becoming knowledgeable about all of your classes.

Upon looking at your schedule, if you see that you have free time, keep in mind that this time can be used to attend tutoring sessions or meetings with advisors. You can find both tutors and advisors at Southwick on North Campus. In room 308 is the Centers for Learning where there are many knowledgeable staff members who can assist you with your iSiS account, your class schedule, transfer details and much more. In room 321, there are numerous tutors who have taken the classes with which you may need help and can offer you suggestions and directions in best completing the work that brings you difficulty.

With all of this in mind, make sure to live happily and healthily second semester! All of the staff at the University is there to help you and there are many services put in place to guarantee your success. Rest up this winter break and plan well for the beginning of second semester and the ending of the school year!

Are you excited to be on vacation, but not sure how to spend your time back at home? With your free time, try to make some extra money and to find future jobs for the summer. To use your vacation productively, spend this vacation looking for odd jobs and searching for internships for the summer. Almost all college students will be looking for jobs for the summer, so it is necessary to begin your searching as soon as possible. It is never too early to start preparing for the long summer break.

For students, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a job during the school year, which is why it is so crucial to set up a steady job for the summertime. More importantly, it is best to find a job for the summer that has to do with the knowledge you have gained throughout the school year involving your major. During vacation, though, you will more easily be able to find jobs such as babysitting, shoveling, temporary restaurant positions, etc. Try to think of other random jobs as well such as cleaning or helping a friend at an office. In your applications and interviews, don’t be nervous to mention your strengths. If you are particularly good with your hands, or if you enjoy doing math problems, tell your potential future employer and give them ample examples of your previous experiences.

Professional networking is a very convenient way to find both internships and jobs. Don’t be nervous to speak with family members and friends or neighbors and peers about their jobs and how you can find one that fits you. If you’re having difficulty finding a job on your own, your parents may have some suggestions, as well. It isn’t always the most fun working for your parents or for people they know, but very often doing so can give you experience and a strong start in the professional world. Additionally, once you have been hired at a professional job, learn how to use networking sites such as LinkedIn. When you do so, try to make your personal online sites clear of anything illegal or inappropriate!

When applying for jobs, make sure to do more than simply fill out an application. Make yourself unique, in whatever way you know how! When picking up an application, try your best to speak with a manager or owner. Smile and do your best to maintain eye contact and speak fluidly but appropriately. Even if you do not have the opportunity to have an interview, it is always useful to make yourself known when you have the chance, so always try to smile and be friendly with whomever you speak.

Also, make sure to stop by at the places where you applied on weekends when you visit home. It is also effective to call the store, restaurant or business to which you applied and to ask the status of your application. The more they see your face, the more likely they will realize your availability and dedication to work, therefore, the more likely you will be hired! Very often, the business managers and owners of the jobs available to college students do not intentionally avoid applications, but instead are too busy to look at every application they receive.

Enjoy your vacation and don’t overwork yourself, but always keep in mind ways to make money with your free time and prepare a job for the summertime!