September 1, 2015
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Ness- Principal at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Ness speak, I was able to analyze my own personal learning style. My strengths include having good research strategies and being very self-motivated. But, I struggle with presenting my findings to a group. Even though this is an obstacle for me, I can push through it. Some character traits that are necessary for personalized learning include perseverance, communication skills, and the willingness to learn. When difficulties arise, being able to step back and gain a new perspective will help resolve the problem. I could relate to Mr. Ness with wanting to go the extra mile. Doing that can set me apart from my other classmates and help with my future career.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mrs. Buchholz- Admissions and Marketing Director at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mrs. Buchholz is very knowledgable in the field of media design. I learned how to make my website look more professional. You do not want contrasting fonts or layouts and you want to make sure it makes sense when paired with the theme. I never thought about how different something can look on my computer screen compared to when it is printed. There are many different types of color schemes. Take sports teams for example. Most of them use complementary colors. The tone and color scheme of a website are directly related. I am very grateful that I am learning about this now. I have time to improve my skills so when in college, my work will stand out compared to other students.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Rinks- Director of Development at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Rinks shared about all the different jobs he has had. He thought he knew what he wanted to do but God had different plans. He also gave out a list of Bible verses about the future, getting there safely, and enjoying the ride. I had never read a few of the verses and they will definitely help me down the road. Mr. Rinks encouraged me to think big and not waste my opportunities. The Lord can do more than I can imagine. I just have to trust in Him. No matter what career I end up in, God will always be there. Whenever I'm feeling discouraged, I know I can turn to Him.
January 12, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Budnack- Volunteer Chairman of the Parker Task Force
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Budnack shared many interesting stories about the people that come through the Parker Task Force. One that stuck with me was about a person that saw someone packing food into their very fancy car. The person watching was upset and thought that the food went to waste. How could someone with a car like that need food? Mr. Budnack let them know that that person is actually living out of their car. This shows that you cannot judge someone so quickly. There are many kids that go to school in Parker that are homeless. The Task Force does a good job of making sure they have food on the weekends. They make sure that they receive the food privately so other kids will not make fun of them. I liked that Mr. Budnack gives people many chances to turn their life around. You don't always get second chances in life so it's best to take advantage of them. I realize how fortunate I am and the many opportunities I have been blessed with.
January 29, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Albers- Executive for Congregational Services (Rocky Mountain District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Albers shared about his job and how serving God is his main concern. Your foundation should be who you are in Christ. I need to remember that my faith should influence all of my decisions. I do not have to have it all figured out in order to have a fulfilling life. Mr. Albers has had a variety of jobs. God's plan will usually not be my own and I need to accept this. I have also learned that when I am presented with a problem, I need to take a step back and deal with my emotions before I make any important decisions. I do not want my actions to be driven by my feelings.
February 4, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Eckelkamp- Pastor at St. Johns Lutheran Church
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Eckelkamp speak, I learned many things about myself. Anytime I have a problem or something to worry about, all I need to do is ask myself "why" five times. This way, I can quickly get to the center of the problem and figure out where all of my stress is stemming from. Also, I am God's masterpiece and He has given me a unique shape. My personality, gifts, and experiences make me who I am. Whatever job I receive, I need to remember to give God my best in all circumstances. The best way to love my neighbor is to do my best work. My goal in life should not be what I do, but who I am as I am doing it. My work is for God's glory and to help others. No matter where I end up in life, I know that God has a plan for me and all I need to do is trust in Him.
February 10, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mrs. Hedberg- Investment Advisor Representative and Regional Vice President of Primerica Financial Service
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mrs. Hedberg talked about how to be smart with your money. Money in itself is not bad. It is the person that uses it that decides if it will hurt or help them. I learned that I should start thinking about money while I am young. I now know what a credit score is and that whenever I get a credit card, I have to be careful. I usually am able to stay on top of things and that is important regarding money. I saw that the majority of people that are wealthy over the age of 65 are entrepreneurs. Personally, I am not interested in starting my own business but I have still learned the importance of creating my own work. That way, I will never be out of a job. Also, I need to have integrity with my word and keep up my work ethic. Regardless of what job I end up with, I will need these things.
February 25, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Gehrke- Executive Director of Lutheran High School
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Gehrke shared many qualities of what makes a great leader. They have to work well with others in order for the business/school to be successful. You have to be willing to speak up if you feel that the core values are not being followed. Whether the employees work as a team or not can make or break the organization. One way to make sure everyone does what is asked is to write up strategic plans. Actually put down people's names, the task they are to tackle, and the due date. That way, they are held accountable. I think this is a great way to handle people that typically do not do what is asked of them. If they can see it in writing, they are more likely to complete the task.
April 27, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Schoene- Owner of Great Beginnings Cafe
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Schoene shared many important tips about the business industry and what you can expect if you plan to start your own business one day. It is smart if you get a job when you are younger so you can learn how to do this. Here, you can afford to make mistakes. Then later when you have your own business, you will know what not to do. Even though I do not plan to go into the restaurant business, many of the same skills are needed in other industries. Knowing how to deal with unhappy customers is an important skill to have in any profession. Above all, I need to remember that God's timing is perfect. I just have to have patience and trust in Him.
August 31, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Ness- Principal at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Ness speak, I was reminded of what he shared last year about becoming a sage on the stage instead of a guide on the side. I have to be prepared to know more than everyone else. For Lights Academy, our teacher Mr. Black is our guide. We were also shown that deep learning and being able to choose what we study directly affects the amount of passion and work we put into the project. When you are passionate about something, it can be easier to put the time and effort needed into the project. I have used this for some of my presentations and I need to remember this for the future.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Rinks- Director of Development at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
Mr. Rinks talked about what to do when you face obstacles or challenges in your life. He said he will ask God for a sign when he prays if he is ever in the middle of a tough decision. I learned that if you are keeping Jesus as your #1 priority, you can feel comfortable making the choice and not worry if you did something wrong. With big decisions coming up in my life, I will keep this in mind. I know God won’t throw at me anything that I cannot handle.
October 26, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Ms. Oates- Dean of Women and teacher at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Resume and Professional Writing
Short Reflection:
Ms. Oates shared how to properly compose an email, cover letter, and resume. This will be very useful when I'm in college and applying for jobs in the future because I have never had to write a resume before. The handouts she gave us with the format are helpful and I did not realize how structured it is. The majority of the email etiquette tips I already knew but they were good reminders for the future. Even when I feel comfortable with someone, I have to remember to remain somewhat professional in the emails I send. The main point of all three topics were be concise, polite, and grammatically correct.
November 14, 2016
Location:
Douglas County Library in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Short Reflection:
After I heard from the library's branch manager Amy Long, I realized how many factors have to be considered when designing a building. Remembering things like getting the second story cleared to hold the weight of books, having adequate room for meeting spaces and staff offices, and also meeting the needs of the surrounding community are all important. I learned that it is impossible to please everyone but you can go to certain lengths to try to. Get other's opinions and try to accommodate as many people as possible. I can use this skill now and in my future job when I work with people of differing opinions.
November 29, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Gager- Controller and Bookkeeper for Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Overcoming Adversity
Short Reflection:
Mr. and Mrs. Gager have been through so much in life and yet still keep a strong faith in God. It is impossible to go through life unscathed by hardships but it is comforting to know that God will never leave your side. Sometimes it can seem like everything is going wrong, but dwelling on the negative will not help you. God puts the right people in your life at the perfect time. This is something I need to remember in the future whenever I am feeling discouraged. God will never give us more than we can handle.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Ness- Principal at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- Education has changed throughout the years
- "Rather have a guide on the side than a sage on the stage"
- Everyone has insecurities
- Others should be allowed to further the speaker's learning
- Give students a chance to choose what they want to research
- Individualized learning
- Set yourself apart by being willing to dive in
- Don’t allow obstacles to get in your way
- Be persistent and have grit
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Ness speak, I was able to analyze my own personal learning style. My strengths include having good research strategies and being very self-motivated. But, I struggle with presenting my findings to a group. Even though this is an obstacle for me, I can push through it. Some character traits that are necessary for personalized learning include perseverance, communication skills, and the willingness to learn. When difficulties arise, being able to step back and gain a new perspective will help resolve the problem. I could relate to Mr. Ness with wanting to go the extra mile. Doing that can set me apart from my other classmates and help with my future career.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mrs. Buchholz- Admissions and Marketing Director at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- Embellish your work but make sure it fits the tone of the subject
- Certain fonts are easier to read on a screen than they are on paper
- Use contrasting weights to get point across
- Rules are changing as we move to smaller devices
- Years back, the headlines used to be in sans and the body in serif
- Now, using slab makes the header pop
- A logo is only letters
- Find ways to set apart your work so others can easily identify it
- Image resolution has to be 300 dots per inch
- If the load time of a website takes longer than 1.5 seconds, the majority of people will leave
- Be intentional about the layout used for a website and keep it consistent
Short Reflection:
Mrs. Buchholz is very knowledgable in the field of media design. I learned how to make my website look more professional. You do not want contrasting fonts or layouts and you want to make sure it makes sense when paired with the theme. I never thought about how different something can look on my computer screen compared to when it is printed. There are many different types of color schemes. Take sports teams for example. Most of them use complementary colors. The tone and color scheme of a website are directly related. I am very grateful that I am learning about this now. I have time to improve my skills so when in college, my work will stand out compared to other students.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Rinks- Director of Development at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- The number one purpose in life is to get to know your Creator
- God has many opportunities for us but we have to accept them
- See yourself in the game, not on the sidelines
- Life is risky but that doesn't mean you can't work hard and dream big
- You cannot make everything turn out the way you want it to
- Try your best in all aspects of life
- Don't think that once you chose your major in college that it is set in stone and you will never do anything else
Short Reflection:
Mr. Rinks shared about all the different jobs he has had. He thought he knew what he wanted to do but God had different plans. He also gave out a list of Bible verses about the future, getting there safely, and enjoying the ride. I had never read a few of the verses and they will definitely help me down the road. Mr. Rinks encouraged me to think big and not waste my opportunities. The Lord can do more than I can imagine. I just have to trust in Him. No matter what career I end up in, God will always be there. Whenever I'm feeling discouraged, I know I can turn to Him.
January 12, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Budnack- Volunteer Chairman of the Parker Task Force
Key Points:
- People from all walks of life come to the Parker Task Force
- Confidentiality is highly valued
- The average time a volunteer stays is six months
- Don't judge others based on their appearance and possessions
- The majority of people that come in are single mothers where the father is not present
- Being harsh is necessary to get people back on track
- The reason we don't see many homeless in Parker is because the Task Force puts them in hotels and helps them get back on their feet
Short Reflection:
Mr. Budnack shared many interesting stories about the people that come through the Parker Task Force. One that stuck with me was about a person that saw someone packing food into their very fancy car. The person watching was upset and thought that the food went to waste. How could someone with a car like that need food? Mr. Budnack let them know that that person is actually living out of their car. This shows that you cannot judge someone so quickly. There are many kids that go to school in Parker that are homeless. The Task Force does a good job of making sure they have food on the weekends. They make sure that they receive the food privately so other kids will not make fun of them. I liked that Mr. Budnack gives people many chances to turn their life around. You don't always get second chances in life so it's best to take advantage of them. I realize how fortunate I am and the many opportunities I have been blessed with.
January 29, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Albers- Executive for Congregational Services (Rocky Mountain District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
Key Points:
- The LCMS includes over 60 schools, 183 congregations, and 35 districts
- Mr. Albers has spent 16 years in the district office
- He serves as a consultant to help build a sense of community among schools
- Constantly troubleshooting and resolving conflict
- Emotions impact us when we solve problems
- Categorize emotions to better problem solve
- “Count to ten” so your emotions don’t impact what you say or do
- Believes Lutheran schools are the best places to form Christians
- Not a matter of passing tests or confirmation classes
- Spiritual formation of people (students, teachers, staff)
- We are never done being formed, we continue to grow in Christ
- How Lutheran schools are different than public schools
- Lutheran schools still talk about what the world teaches (evolution) and do not hide from it
- Room for grace and mercy
- Foundation firmer to withstand your future
- Rely mainly on tuition or special donations
- Struggle reaching students with special needs
- Need funding to provide for other students
- Don’t want Lutheran schools to be only for the wealthy
- Mr. Albers has had many jobs (8th grade teacher, athletic director, youth minister, principal)
- What you choose to do will change whether you want it to or not
- No clear path in life
- Foundation: who you are in Christ, character, ethics, willingness to learn
- Your faith foundation is critical and should influence all of your life choices
- Learn how to serve both Christ and the world
- What you do matters because of who you belong to
- We have a God that is constantly on the move
Short Reflection:
Mr. Albers shared about his job and how serving God is his main concern. Your foundation should be who you are in Christ. I need to remember that my faith should influence all of my decisions. I do not have to have it all figured out in order to have a fulfilling life. Mr. Albers has had a variety of jobs. God's plan will usually not be my own and I need to accept this. I have also learned that when I am presented with a problem, I need to take a step back and deal with my emotions before I make any important decisions. I do not want my actions to be driven by my feelings.
February 4, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Eckelkamp- Pastor at St. Johns Lutheran Church
Key Points:
- Use mind maps to make decisions and see the variety of possibilities that are out there
- Then, hand the mind map to someone else to get a second opinion
- Mr. Eckelkamp loves to help people experience Jesus for the first time
- He has two degrees in counseling
- What is God’s will for my life?
- That we receive His love, word, and forgiveness and that we share it
- It’s ok to stop and change direction
- We might occupy ten different jobs in our lifetime
- Goal isn’t what you do but who you are as you’re doing it
- Give yourself the freedom of the Gospel
- God has given us a unique SHAPE
- Spiritual gifts
- Heart
- Aptitude
- Personality
- Experiences
- You are God’s masterpiece
- Vocation
- It is a calling, more than a job
- Putting your SHAPE into action
- Best way to love your neighbor is to do your best work
- We give God our best in all circumstances
- The first command God gave was to care for the creatures and the land (Genesis 2:15)
- “Get your hands in the soil”
- From dust you came, to dust you shall return
- We are made from the earth, which should remind us of our place in life
- We take things from the soil to make our lives better
- Our work should be to God’s glory, for the benefit of others, and should also bring us joy
- All jobs matter and we are all given different abilities
- Mr. Eckelkamp had tumors in both eyes and he can’t see the center of wherever he looks
- Watch what God does with your struggles
- Mission statement: Connect with God, Love your neighbor, Serve your city
- Don’t allow shame and fear to manipulate your decisions
- Ask yourself “why” five times to get to root of problem
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Eckelkamp speak, I learned many things about myself. Anytime I have a problem or something to worry about, all I need to do is ask myself "why" five times. This way, I can quickly get to the center of the problem and figure out where all of my stress is stemming from. Also, I am God's masterpiece and He has given me a unique shape. My personality, gifts, and experiences make me who I am. Whatever job I receive, I need to remember to give God my best in all circumstances. The best way to love my neighbor is to do my best work. My goal in life should not be what I do, but who I am as I am doing it. My work is for God's glory and to help others. No matter where I end up in life, I know that God has a plan for me and all I need to do is trust in Him.
February 10, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mrs. Hedberg- Investment Advisor Representative and Regional Vice President of Primerica Financial Service
Key Points:
- How money grows (compounded not linear)
- Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world
- We are young so this can work for us, not against us
- Money shouldn’t be a taboo subject
- Mrs. Hedberg has had her own business since age 23
- Do something you can get excited about and help others along the way
- Anytime you get up in front of a room, people are asking who are you and why they should listen to you
- 54% of people 65 and older rely on social security, 1% become wealthy
- No financial education, game plan, or coach
- Important things are never urgent, urgent things never seem important
- Money is just a resource, it is not everything
- Those that end up wealthy won the lottery or inherited it, are salespeople, CEOs, Presidents, doctors/attorneys, entrepreneurs
- 4 ways to make money
- Employee where income is based on a position, not the person
- Self employed, own a job
- Own business, has others working for them, unlimited income potential
- Investor has money working for them, enjoys freedom, have to get to this point to retire
- Traditional success philosophy
- Study hard, go to college, get a job
- Employee mentality is that someone must create work for me
- Different success philosophy
- Find a way to add massive value to others
- Have a minimum of three sources of income
- Start a part time business, you will pay the least amount of taxes
- Figure out how to create work
- Spend less than you make
- If you don’t try, you are guaranteed failure
- Think about money starting when young
- The Latte Factor: if you spend a small amount of money a day, for a decade you can spend over $12,000
- Credit card traps, know your credit score
- Have integrity with your word and a strong work ethic
Short Reflection:
Mrs. Hedberg talked about how to be smart with your money. Money in itself is not bad. It is the person that uses it that decides if it will hurt or help them. I learned that I should start thinking about money while I am young. I now know what a credit score is and that whenever I get a credit card, I have to be careful. I usually am able to stay on top of things and that is important regarding money. I saw that the majority of people that are wealthy over the age of 65 are entrepreneurs. Personally, I am not interested in starting my own business but I have still learned the importance of creating my own work. That way, I will never be out of a job. Also, I need to have integrity with my word and keep up my work ethic. Regardless of what job I end up with, I will need these things.
February 25, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Gehrke- Executive Director of Lutheran High School
Key Points:
- Mr. Gehrke’s job is to raise the vision, people, and funds
- He is accountable to a board of directors where he is the only employee
- He has the most authority than any other school leader in the country but also has policies to follow
- It’s okay to be behind the scenes
- Evaluate team dynamics and how you work together
- Employee culture can help a business be successful
- Ask for strategic plans that include names and dates for when something is expected to be completed
- Hold each other accountable
- Why does Lutheran High School exist?
- To serve the community and create transformational ministry opportunities
- To provide Christian secondary education
- Grand and aspirational goal is to contribute to a better world
- Unique in that the overall vision of the school is not about our own excellence
- Core values are worth fighting over
- Pursuit of growing the school, maximizing giving, and recruiting and developing talented workers
- New ideas will not be acted upon if they do not help the students or the growth of the school
Short Reflection:
Mr. Gehrke shared many qualities of what makes a great leader. They have to work well with others in order for the business/school to be successful. You have to be willing to speak up if you feel that the core values are not being followed. Whether the employees work as a team or not can make or break the organization. One way to make sure everyone does what is asked is to write up strategic plans. Actually put down people's names, the task they are to tackle, and the due date. That way, they are held accountable. I think this is a great way to handle people that typically do not do what is asked of them. If they can see it in writing, they are more likely to complete the task.
April 27, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Schoene- Owner of Great Beginnings Cafe
Key Points:
- He has worked in the corporate world for 14 years
- He bought Great Beginnings 8.5 years ago
- He was turned down by the bank when he wanted a loan, this taught him to trust God's timing
- John 4:24 and Luke 19 are verses he regularly turns to
- Take the time to see God’s plans and hold on for the ride
- God gave him the money to buy Great Beginnings by putting the right people in his path
- Running a restaurant is not only meeting your customers' expectations but exceeding them
- Manage people to get the job done because you cannot do it all yourself
- Hiring, training, firing, building a team
- Empathize with customers (guests)
- When dealing with an angry customers:
- Be honest, take ownership of any problems
- Remove the guest from the scenario and talk to them
- Not contagious, don’t let it affect everyone else’s experience
- What would you expect if you were that angry guest
- Don’t show stress
- Skills learned can transform over to other industries
- Hiring employees:
- Do research on what the company is
- Attitude matters, you will represent the company
- They are looking for people they can train
- Confidence comes with experience
- In an interview common questions are: tell me about yourself, do you know anything about what we do, etc...
- Learn on someone else before you start your own business
- Think of it like an internship, get involved with people that know what they’re doing
- Surround yourself with people that do the job better than you
- Don’t let your pride get in the way
Short Reflection:
Mr. Schoene shared many important tips about the business industry and what you can expect if you plan to start your own business one day. It is smart if you get a job when you are younger so you can learn how to do this. Here, you can afford to make mistakes. Then later when you have your own business, you will know what not to do. Even though I do not plan to go into the restaurant business, many of the same skills are needed in other industries. Knowing how to deal with unhappy customers is an important skill to have in any profession. Above all, I need to remember that God's timing is perfect. I just have to have patience and trust in Him.
August 31, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Ness- Principal at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- You want to be a sage on the stage, not a guide on the side
- Be prepared, know more than everyone else
- Mr. Black is our guide on the side
- Deep learning + choice education = passion
- You can take your hobbies and create a great presentation
- Can’t tell people what they are interested in
- Give room to be creative and time to do the research
- Deep research can be done on anything
- Obstacles will present themselves and some are easier to overcome than others
- Mr. Ness bought 200 threshing poles at an auction
- They are for harvesting wheat
- He had to do deep research to figure out exactly what it was
- You can take your interests and dive into research
Short Reflection:
While listening to Mr. Ness speak, I was reminded of what he shared last year about becoming a sage on the stage instead of a guide on the side. I have to be prepared to know more than everyone else. For Lights Academy, our teacher Mr. Black is our guide. We were also shown that deep learning and being able to choose what we study directly affects the amount of passion and work we put into the project. When you are passionate about something, it can be easier to put the time and effort needed into the project. I have used this for some of my presentations and I need to remember this for the future.
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Rinks- Director of Development at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- Problem solving life skills
- You want to be the Matthew 25:21 “faithful servant”
- Don’t waste the day
- Accomplish things
- Be a good steward
- Challenges Mr. Rinks faces includes raising money to expand capacity of LuHi, being a good husband/father, and finding archaeology treasure in Israel
- What are my challenges and my plan to solve them?
- Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
- Do my best to make Jesus my #1 priority and just make a decision
- Ask God for signs in prayers and to make it clear to you so you can make up your mind
- Think big like it says in Ephesians 3:20-21 that says God is able to do way more than anything we ask or imagine
Short Reflection:
Mr. Rinks talked about what to do when you face obstacles or challenges in your life. He said he will ask God for a sign when he prays if he is ever in the middle of a tough decision. I learned that if you are keeping Jesus as your #1 priority, you can feel comfortable making the choice and not worry if you did something wrong. With big decisions coming up in my life, I will keep this in mind. I know God won’t throw at me anything that I cannot handle.
October 26, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Ms. Oates- Dean of Women and teacher at Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Resume and Professional Writing
- Use email etiquette especially in initial emails because this is your first impression
- Research before asking
- Use the subject line and use it properly
- Introduce yourself
- Get to the point and be brief
- Don’t shout (all caps, exclamation points)
- Reply in a timely manner (24-48 hours)
- Be courteous and make questions easy to reply to
- Proofread and spellcheck
- Opening line includes your name and the nature of your relationship
- Include phone number if needed to be reached quickly
- Reread email with an ear of professionalism and items that could be misinterpreted
- Cover letter
- Professionalism- essential conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a professional person for an interview
- A cover letter introduces you and your resume to potential employers (first impression)
- First paragraph: get reader’s attention, discuss position applying for
- Body paragraph: emphasize your strengths, how you will benefit the company, examples of previous experience
- Third paragraph: express interest, be genuine, thank them for their time, sign name
- Resume
- Purpose is to secure interview, tailor to job when possible
- Posting resume on job search databases make it visible to anyone
- Sections are objective statement, contact information, education, experience, honors/activities/outreach
- The objective statement should be below contact info, quick picture of your skills, brief, first impression
- Place strongest and most relevant section closest to the top (education, not honors or activities)
- Use action words to describe experiences (developing, organizing, maintaining, providing, managing, etc...)
- Other advice
- Don’t overuse “I” but use “you/your”
- Use only one page
- Grammar, proofread
- Include name, title, address, city/state/zip, and sometimes phone number
Short Reflection:
Ms. Oates shared how to properly compose an email, cover letter, and resume. This will be very useful when I'm in college and applying for jobs in the future because I have never had to write a resume before. The handouts she gave us with the format are helpful and I did not realize how structured it is. The majority of the email etiquette tips I already knew but they were good reminders for the future. Even when I feel comfortable with someone, I have to remember to remain somewhat professional in the emails I send. The main point of all three topics were be concise, polite, and grammatically correct.
November 14, 2016
Location:
Douglas County Library in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
- The design and building process go on for many years
- Partnering with the Town of Parker made the process faster and smoother
- Throughout this time, design elements are discussed and rearranged
- When designing a public space, ask the community what they would like to see
- Make them feel involved
- What is in demand (computers, books, community center, etc...)
- Recognize that it is impossible to please everyone
- Having a lot of windows/glass walls makes the space seem bigger
- Feels modern
- Some miss having individual spaces where they can escape from everything
- The library tried to accommodate this with private spaces to rent out, different seating options
- Most people have their own computers so make them "moveable" (laptops)
- Tripled meeting spaces, flexible
Short Reflection:
After I heard from the library's branch manager Amy Long, I realized how many factors have to be considered when designing a building. Remembering things like getting the second story cleared to hold the weight of books, having adequate room for meeting spaces and staff offices, and also meeting the needs of the surrounding community are all important. I learned that it is impossible to please everyone but you can go to certain lengths to try to. Get other's opinions and try to accommodate as many people as possible. I can use this skill now and in my future job when I work with people of differing opinions.
November 29, 2016
Speaker and Credentials:
Mr. Gager- Controller and Bookkeeper for Lutheran High School in Parker, Colorado
Key Points:
Overcoming Adversity
- There are always going to be people in a worse situation than you
- It is impossible to know what lies ahead
- You will deal with challenges at some point, this is inevitable
- You can’t get through life unscathed
- You will deal with challenges at some point, this is inevitable
- He dealt with them the best he could with God’s help
- It all started in November 2009 when his wife went in for a partial hysterectomy
- After the procedure, they found out she had cancer
- Just like that their life changed
- Tried to get rid of cancer cells as best they could, chemo
- Mentality of “what’s gonna happen next”
- Major surgeries, six different infections, in ICU
- Emotionally not in the right place
- She saw a psychiatrist for depression
- She was in remission for 1.5 years
- The cancer came back, many more surgeries and infections
- Explored different facilities
- They had to go to Illinois because that was the only place that accepted their insurance
- Traveled back and forth for treatments over three months
- In 2014 she was scheduled for a scan in Illinois
- When traveling they got in a car accident
- No one stopped to help
- Wife had 3 crushed vertebrae, 2 major back surgeries
- It was a blessing the doctor could perform the surgery because she had just had chemo
- Her counts were strong enough so they could go through with it
- Were able to return to Denver
- Chemo would not allow her back to heal so she needed some other treatment
- Cancer cells grew, surgery not an option, chemo not working
- At the University of Colorado Health in Aurora they met with a sarcoma specialist and have been with him ever since
- 2 tumors removed, recovery went well
- Blood clots in leg, injections of blood thinners
- Currently waiting on another procedure for a tumor
- She is back to teaching second grade
- Touched the lives of hundreds of people
- If it weren’t for his faith, he wouldn’t be here today
- She’s so strong, still goes back to teach and maintains a positive attitude
- God gives us the strength to get through what he puts in front of us
Short Reflection:
Mr. and Mrs. Gager have been through so much in life and yet still keep a strong faith in God. It is impossible to go through life unscathed by hardships but it is comforting to know that God will never leave your side. Sometimes it can seem like everything is going wrong, but dwelling on the negative will not help you. God puts the right people in your life at the perfect time. This is something I need to remember in the future whenever I am feeling discouraged. God will never give us more than we can handle.