Most students today are preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, or due to the economy, finding themselves preparing for a job search for that new career.

While the academic programs teach us what is needed to perform the duties of your chosen career path, there is still the need to prepare to find that new career.  Through the academic programs offered here at Maryville University, students are given the opportunity to expand their education to include the skills needed for that job search.

The Communication department here at Maryville University has a course that will help with these needs.  Dr. Barb DeSanto is head of the department and agrees that everyone in saying not just communication students can benefit from this course.  The course is COMM 233, Professional and Organizational Communication.

Students entering any of the communication degree programs will be required to complete this course.   However, any student can complete this course for an elective course and should consider doing so.

This course contains so much information to help you get started in preparing for entering the workforce.  Dr. Leilani Carver will help you from the beginning in building that network of contacts, to the resume, to the interviewing process.

This course was developed to help the student understand today’s job and career market before the time comes to face the task of finding a job.  Part of the course work is to develop a portfolio which will promote the student to prospective employers.

All students should consider this course early enough in their education to allow them to develop their portfolio for that individual path they have chosen.  Your portfolio is like an extension of yourself.  It will show samples of your skills, work samples and so much more.  This is important for entering today’s work force.

Do not let the syllabus scare you away.  It is an action-packed program that will provide the student practical assignments, providing the students opportunities to experience real interviews, attending networking events, and building that network of professionals that might be able to help you find that perfect job.

Another part of this class is to help the student find that mentor.  A mentor is crucial to success in any field.  A mentor in your field of work will help guide you in locating that perfect job and help ensure you have the skills for that job.

And did you know of all the places for finding an open position?  In this course, you learn of places that most people do not think about looking at for employment.  And have you thought of “Informational Interviewing”?  Show a company that they need you before they realize.

Dr. DeSanto said, “This class is more than a class, it’s an investment that each student must make in his or her professional life.  Our Maryville Communication Program’s goal is simple:  We want employers to request a Maryville graduate.  And a class like Dr. Leilani Carver’s professional and organizational development is one specific class target to providing the knowledge and skills that employers are seeking.”

Whether you are stepping out into the “real world” for employment for the first time, or making that career change, consider the opportunities this program offers.  Many of the students that recently took this class took the class to fill an elective and by the end of the program were very glad that they did.

As we learn so much from our professors and the hands on experiences in life, this is one course that helps you promote all of your skills in the best manner.  Consider the possibility of rounding out your education with the one class that can truly prepare you for the future, the future of employment and your career.

For additional information for this course, please contact the Communication Department, Dr. DeSanto at bdesanto@maryville.edu or Dr. Carver at clcarver@maryville.edu.

Magnolia Submission Deadline Moved to March 25.

Dear Maryville Community,

The staff of Magnolia is soliciting submissions to the magazine for this coming spring. Please announce this to your classes, colleagues and fellow workers. We have a new and easy way to submit all kinds of material to the magazine. See the directions below.

Secondly, Magnolia earned another first place with special merit in our division from the American Scholastic Press Association for last year’s issue (2011). So, we need your submissions to continue to do such good work

If you have any original pieces of art or writing that you want to have published, please submit!

You can submit short stories, essays, poetry, photos, ceramics, designs and digital media (video/music) through our online form.

Submission deadline is March 25!

Thank you,

Magnolia Staff

This letter was submitted by Dr. Germaine Murray, professor of English and faculty advisor to Magnolia

Greetings Graduates!

Students and their families are invited to attend Graduation Fair 2012, a great opportunity to take care of all the necessary details for Commencement.  Graduation Fair provides you the opportunity of a one-stop-shop experience to prepare for commencement:  primarily, your inclement weather tickets for Commencement (should the ceremony be held indoors), your cap and gown, have your picture taken wearing your cap and gown, order announcements and class jewelry as well as purchase diploma frames and get your free Cardinals baseball ticket.  Refreshments will be provided and dates and times of the fair are listed below:

Graduation Fair will be held in the Donius University Center Atrium both dates:

Thurs. Feb. 16
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Or

Sat. Feb. 18
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

INCLEMENT WEATHER DATES
Thurs. March 17  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat. March 19  10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

(also in Donius University Center Atrium)

You are encouraged to visit the Commencement website at www.maryville.edu/commencement (choose Graduation Fair on the left navigation bar) to find all the latest commencement information. However, should you need further assistance, please contact the Office of Student Life at 314-529-9485 or 314-529-6686, or email jkoenig@maryville.edu

See you at the Fair!

This is the second animated film that Disney has re-released in 3-D, the first being “The Lion King 3D” in September of 2011. Considering the astounding success of the film, it is no wonder three other movies are schedules to be re-released after “Beauty and the Beast 3D”. Look to September of 2012 for Pixar’s “Finding Nemo 3D”. In January of 2013 the lesser popular “Monsters, Inc.” will be re-released followed by the beloved “The Little Mermaid” that September.

Considering the sensationalism surrounding the re-releases, one must think that Walt Disney Pictures must be on to something, but these precious animated films are not the only ones to be gracing the big screens for a second time. In February 2012, fans will be able to enjoy George Lucas’ “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” in 3-D. Also returning this year is “Titanic”, directed by James Cameron, being re-released April 6, 2012.

With all of the upcoming re-releases in 3-D, one has to ask: is 3-D our future, or just a fad?

This story was written and submitted by senior Ashlee Brockenbrough

Article submitted by reader Amanda Gertner

I recently began taking self-defense classes from Charlie Foxman at Midwest Martial Arts Academy .  Foxman, who is an eigth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a first-degree black belt in Karate, and knows Muay Thai, Escrima and Krav Maga.  Foxman teaches Tae Kwon Do along with self-defense. In addition to being a Certified Martial Arts Instructor (ACMA), Certified Fitness Kickboxing Instructor, and a Certified Wellness and Weight-Loss Coach, a Group Barbell Conditioning Instructor, a Seniors Fitness Instructor.  He is a member of the International Disabled Self-Defense Association.

Foxman teaches Tae Kwon Do, self-defense, and a modified form of many martial arts to people who have several kinds of disabilities. He has taught camps for Variety Club, T.A.S.K., St. Louis Arc and more.

“Martial Arts is very beneficial in building self-esteem and self-confidence while becoming more physically fit. Learning self protection is an added bonus,” Foxman says.

The only difference in how he teaches his disabled students is that they receive more one on one attention, in addidtion to training in a group.

I have only been training at Midwest Martial Arts Academy for about a month, but I already feel stronger, more in control, and am learning more defensive moves each class. During each class, I warm up before I begin punching and blocking. Part of my warm-up is jumping rope, which is ironic since I could not jump rope to save my life before I was confined to a wheelchair. I was confused when Foxman first told me that I could jump rope, as you probably are as you are reading this; but he had invented the solution. He invented and patented the EZRope, which is a jump rope that is able to be used by seniors and disabled people. Since it is basically a jump rope with the middle part that one jumps over cut out, it can be used when the user is sitting down, including those in wheelchairs.

In addition to the EZRope, Foxman has invented an ID Kit and a telescoping cane for blind people.

“We received a grant and distributed several thousand to blinded American veterans” (www.bavf.org).

The fundraiser was hosted by three important figures.  Dr. Samer Elbabaa, a surgeon, has operated on many Palestinian children for free to support them and help them survive.   Dr. Elbabaa joins a great and huge group of doctors from all over the world, such as America, Italy, and France, who go into missions to Palestine to perform some really important surgeries that change many children’s lives.  The doctor showed some really sad pictures of little kids who have been under treatment, survived and lived a normal life.  In addition, he presented the process of the mission they go through while they are in Palestine and how and where they would do these surgeries.

Shadi Abdelaziz, a Palestinian activist, explained an overall review of what is happening now in Palestine and how Palestinian people here in the United States can help those kids.
Yousef Erakat, the Youtube star and entertainer, who is also Palestinian, has a dream of giving the right message of Arab/Palestinian families in a humorous way that does not offend others.  His famous quote is “I have a dollar in my pocket plus a dream”.

This fundraiser and PCRF will change many lives of children who have been attacked in the war and could not go and get the right treatment for many reasons, such as lack of money, not having permission to leave the country to get treated, and other reasons as well.

Ashley Bergman and Sydney Bariller of the Maryville Community Service Club answer phones during the Jerry Lewis Telethon at Grant's Farm on Sept. 6.

Submitted by Steve DiSalvo, director of Campus Ministry and Community Service