Good-bye, Mentees!!

So it's been a long road here, but we made it! Congrats to all the students who participated in the blog and we wish you all the best in everything that life brings you! Whether traveling, working, or continuing your education this summer, always keep your interdisciplinary skills sharp and ready for action! As we have seen through the semester, so many different activities can benefit from an interdisciplinary mind. If you are working, going to school, raising your kids, going to a job interview, or anything in between, try to remember some of the things we have talked and read about this semester.

I know I will always remember Rule #6 and Jill Bolte Taylor's message. Equally so, this conversation that we've had on Blogger has revealed some really interesting stuff, too. I am always going to try to remember to keep an open mind and search for an alternative solution to problems through other disciplines. I hope you all take something away from this experience as well.

Hope you all had a great semester!
Good luck with finals!

Amber, Jess, and the Crew

*week 8*

Hi Mentees,

The end of the semester is coming up before we know it, so exciting! This week we will reflect on your e-portfolio, and your career goals.

*Share how you're planning to use reflection in developing your e-Portfolio content pages * Everyone will have a different opinions with this, there is no wrong answer.

I plan to use reflection in my portfolio by revealing a few details about myself that, while at first may seem unimportant, are the basis for work ethic that I am proud to have today. My love for reading and writing is a detail that is very important to me and is something that future employers may not think to ask about. I can read a book cover to cover in a few hours, while writing notes and creating my own work in the meantime. This skill is integral to my ability to process information and has helped me succeed in many areas of my life so far to this point. By reflecting on these skills and the accomplishments, I will provide a solid reflection into my own life.

Sometimes it is hard to understand what the difference is between to words that are very similar. We came up with this, and after we want you to *Share your understanding of reflection. How is it different from description?To us a reflection is different than description because it is a deeper look within yourself. A reflection is when you explain yourself in a manner that a person may not expect, bringing to the surface details that they may not have noticed otherwise. Reflection is a discussion of who you really are, the things you like most about yourself and things others may not be able to tell just by looking at you or your resume. It goes beyond the traditional parameters of what makes a good job candidate and makes the candidate stand out from the crowd.

To keep up another great week of conversations, *we want to know what your personal philosophy is on your professional life, is it interdisciplinary or not? Have your career goals altered? Lets hang in there everyone, its almost the end. Do not forget to sign your full name at the bottom of your post. Happy blogging! :)

week 7

While a cover letter and resume serve as a way to introduce your strengths and experience to a potential employer, it is important to remember that this is often a first impression that can be the determining factor in securing an interview.

With that said, the presentation can be just as important as the content itself, so it is important to remember that it is not simply what you say, but how well you say it.

Think about your cover letter and resume and how they work hand in hand to provide a snap shot of who you are as a professional.

Some quick things to remember are that your resume should summarize your abilities, skills, and accomplishments. While your cover letter should not duplicate your resume, but should highlight your qualifications and achievements that relate to the position that you are applying for in an enthusiastic, confident tone.

Let's examine cover letters and resumes a bit further...

What are ways your resume can highlight your interdisciplinarity?

What are some questions about cover letters you've have?

Share your best cover letter

What are questions about resumes that you have and/or share some advice?

Share any resources you've found about cover letters and/or resume

The semester is almost over, lets keep up the good conversations! :)

Happy blogging!

Week 6 * Interview

This week we will practice our interview skills. Visit the link below
and follow the instructions listed here.
http://www.perfectinterview.com/ucf/
Instructions:
1. Complete one "short" interview where the selections are chosen for
you. Complete one "short" interview where you make the selections.
Choose at least three areas you'd like to work on the most. Note the
options of the "Alternate Response" and the "Coach" that can be used.
2. You may choose to either use video capture or no video capture. If
you choose no video capture you will be required to type your
responses. Save both interviews.
3. Draft a reflection about your practice interview, commenting on the
questions asked and your responses to the questions. You might comment
on what questions were problematic. What were the strengths of your
responses? What could you improve in your responses? How did you
responses compare to the "Alternate Response"? What did you learn from
the "Coach?"
4. Give one question about interviewing or a piece of advice that
you've gained in your interviewing experiences.
5. Click on "Review Saved Interviews." Click on the "Share" button.
E-mail yourself your interview and include the links in your posting.

Interviews are inevitable when you enter the workforce. Think about
the interviewing process and some of the exercises above. . Post your
thoughts about the results of your interview practice, the best
answers you can come up with for standard and non-standard interview
questions, how you might deal with a phone interview or an interview
in front of a panel, and if and when there is a good time to talk
salary with an interviewer.

Week 5

Hi mentees! Hope everyone is having a great week. We have made it half way so far, yay! J For this week’s topic we will be discussing professional opportunities and job skills. Being interdisciplinary students we are lucky enough to say we have more job skills than most graduates because our degrees focus on more than one area. I have personally worked many jobs that were not involved with my areas, but with all my skills I have learned being an interdisciplinary student, I was able to relate. Most of us don’t realize but we use our interdisciplinary skills a lot more then we think. Please answer the following question and share about your job skills! In Ambers personal experience and work history, I have used my interdisciplinary skills in many different ways. I had an office management job that required multiple disciplines of knowledge. For instance, one minute I would be fixing some technological problem with my computer, the next talking on the phone utilizing my customer service skills with a guest of our hotel. And even just moments later I would be tallying up someone's resort bill using my mathematical skills (however lacking they might be lol). Over the years I have also had waitressing jobs in which the same skills as well as many others are utilized on a daily basis.

· How have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?

· What has been your professional history?

· What are your strongest and weakest job skills?

· What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?

· Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.

· How have internship or externship helped your professional development?

· Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life

· How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?

· How have your career goals altered?

Please dont forget to sign your name at the bottoms of your post, and have a great weekend!

Week 5 - Interdisciplinary in your professional life

• How have you used your interdisciplinarity in your professional life?
• What has been your professional history?
• What are your strongest and weakest job skills?
• What can you do to develop and improve upon your weak skills?
• Identify two professional clubs or organizations that are useful to your chosen career.
• How have internship or externship helped your professional development?
• Discuss your personal philosophy concerning your professional life
• How is or isn't this philosophy interdisciplinary?
• How have your career goals altered?

Week 4* Interdisciplinarity

We hope that everyone is enjoying the blog so far. This week we will be discussing interdisciplinarity.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word interdisciplinary as "involving two or more academic, scientific, or artistic disciplines." Our major is a great example of this. It requires us to use multiple disciplines in order to create a unique program of study. Some of us are already moving a step further and integrating those disciplines, while others are not yet ready. You have likely given thought to what interdisciplinarity is. This week, we would like you to try something a little different.

What do you think interdisciplinarity is not?

Are you currently integrating your disciplines? If so, how do you do this?

Outside of the major, there are other places where we may apply our interdisciplinarity. It can be applied in number of places, including the workplace, a volunteer opportunity, or even your kitchen. Something as simple as baking a cake can be interdisciplinary, as you may use math and science during the baking process, and art while decorating.

How do you apply your interdisciplinarity in daily situations?

Do you know anyone who has an interdisciplinary profession?

What are some opportunities (personal, professional, or academic) that can increase our interdisciplinarity?

Finally, we would like to share two opportunities with you.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Student Association is a club specifically for IS majors. It allows students to "meet and network, share diverse experiences, talents, resources, and skills." More information can be found athttps://www.facebook.com/ISSA.UCF.

Volunteer opportunities often provide a setting that can increase our interdisciplinarity. Volunteer UCF "links interested students with community organizations that best fit their interests, talents, and majors." More information and upcoming volunteer opportunities can be found at http://vucf.getinvolveducf.com/

We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Happy blogging! :)