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Category: Student Voices

EAW student voices tell the stories of what goes on as EAW employees. What do our employees think about the job?  What skills have they learned? How are they meeting their goals?

Our EAW student voices share what it’s like to be a student and a worker. Students are eager to share their experiences, and we are eager to share their stories.

“Many college students – myself included – are weighing the value of online classes for the same tuition costs as in-person learning. In an unstable job market where unemployment is in record numbers, many college students have lost their once-stable incomes. Other students are considering getting their money’s worth by attending in-person classes – risking exposure and further spread of COVID-19.”

Read about our students’ experiences!

Networking Tips

Why is networking in the work environment such a big deal? According to one Education at Work student success ambassador, it doesn’t have to be – and it can change one’s entire career path.

By educationworkadmin
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Students at EAW get a unique opportunity to network among fellow university peers as well as professional staff (including the president of the company). To network is to socialize, typically in a professional setting with the goal of developing a career path.

Naheyla Madina is a junior at the University of Utah, studying architecture as a way to combine her love for art while strategically choosing a high-paying career path. But this wasn’t always the case for her. Naheyla originally started her college career with the intention of earning a degree in biology.

“It was more sort of, something I was doing out of expectation,” Naheyla says. “In training class was this guy named Dante, who was an architecture major, and he was one of the people in my close group of friends within that training class, and he just kind of got me into it because he was doing this insane homework that required a creative mindset over just memorizing stuff, and I thought, ‘Why aren’t I doing that?’ I just dropped everything and I started going into architecture.”

The physical and online interactions students have available to them makes the workplace unlike any other, and EAW’s student success ambassadors have their top tips for networking in a professional environment.

The biggest tip of all: develop social media networks as well as in-person ones.

Peter Sullivan, an EAW student success ambassador for over two years, is a marketing student at the University of Utah, who credits his networking opportunities to his savvy use of his online platforms.

“Make sure those social networking platforms are all up-to-date,” Peter says, “make sure your LinkedIn, your Handshake accounts are up-to-date, those are the two biggest professional platforms you should have.”

Andrew “Drew” Vanhoff has been a student success ambassador in Arizona for over a year while attending school at Arizona State University. He says maintaining a professional profile on social media and in-person is the key to opening up as many networking opportunities as possible.

“It’s all about how you display yourself,” Drew says. “If you want to have that professional display, it’s important to have that through all your social accounts because that’s going to be a lot of people’s first impression of you.”

Drew says online platforms have helped him in networking outside of the EAW center.

“On LinkedIn, always accept everyone,” he says. “You may not have a connection now, but it definitely opens up the opportunities for connections you can make in the future.”

Peter also recommends utilizing campus-career centers to start the networking process for university students.

“Definitely take advantage of your career resource center,” he says. “Definitely utilize that, there’s no reason to go out and rebuild the wheel, in the sense of, you shouldn’t have to go out there and try to look for job the hard way. You’re at school to cultivate your network and to succeed in that field.”

But in-person networking isn’t as easy to develop for all students as it may seem for others. Sometimes talking to others can be nerve-wracking, so these student ambassadors recommend ice breakers and topics to start with when meeting new people.

Mohammad “Moe” Khezrian has been an ASU/EAW student ambassador for over a year, and says he typically talks to his coworkers in the breakroom of the EAW Tempe Center.

“When you try talking to people, you have to break the ice,” Moe says. “Start with talking to your co-workers over a cup of coffee.”

After you’ve “broken the ice,” University of Utah’s Edward “Eddie” Tang says one of the goals of networking is to get to know the person you’re talking with. Eddie’s go-to questions for getting to know people are: “Who are you?” “Where are you from?” and “Why are you doing what you’re doing?”

Eddie has his own networking success story. After networking with not only his peers and co-workers, but also his supervisors and leadership team, Eddie was able to get promoted to his current student ambassador position.

“I was really friends with my supervisor,” Eddie says. “I don’t think a lot of people think of supervisors like that. They think a supervisor is just a supervisor, and that’s it. And then before I applied to the position, I had him read over my resume, and of course, the people who were hiring at the time asked his opinion of me. So, obviously he put in a good word.”

EAW’s student success team doesn’t just talk about the significance of networking in the professional world, they draw from their own experiences and success to encourage others. The biggest tip the team can give to students? Don’t be afraid to talk to people.

“Make a plan,” Naheyla says. “Write your goals down and make sure to include people in them.”

How EAW Helped Me Get to DC

Going to Washington, D.C. has always been my goal – ever since I enrolled into college. After working with Education at Work for over two years, I can say I made it happen.

By educationworkadmin
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I made it to the nation’s capital as a health reporter under one of my school’s professional programs. In the middle of a pandemic and just in time for perhaps the biggest presidential election of my generation, I reported on stories – both breaking and enterprise – meant for Arizona audiences on a national platform.

Professional programs are mandatory at ASU’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. There are over 20 programs a student can choose from, all based at the Cronkite school in Phoenix. All, expect for two: Cronkite News – LA Bureau, and Cronkite News – D.C.

If I had to do a professional program anyway, I was going to go to D.C. The problem was going to be whether I could afford it.

While the Cronkite school paid for plane tickets to and from the capital, transportation around the city and provided a $1,300 scholarship, it was not enough to cover the cost of living in one of the nation’s most expensive cities for four months by itself. That’s where EAW came in.

For the past two years, my tuition has been paid off in full with the added funds from EAW’s Tuition Assistance program. After earning approximately $7,000 in tuition assistance total, I was able to save and allocate extra money toward a saving’s account since my freshman year. On top of that, I earned an hourly wage which paid my bills in the meantime – and of course, I saved all the money I could.

In total, I landed in D.C. with $8,000 to spare for four months (and this was after I was able to pay for student housing in the city out of pocket – from wages alone).

Reporting in D.C. during the COVID-19 pandemic was strange, to say the least. Working as a health reporter during the COVID-19 pandemic was even stranger. But it was an unforgettable experience and one I may not have gotten without EAW.

Week one of reporting in D.C., Arizona surpassed 5,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with the U.S. Health and Human Services department and Department of Defense ramped up Operation Warp Speed to get the vaccine into the arms of Americans as quickly and as safely as possible.

The next month, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away while I was still in the newsroom. My team and I ran to the Supreme Court to cover the vigils, the memorials, and the weeping men and women who looked up to her. We had about a 14-hour day of working that day, getting home at about 2 a.m. and getting back up and out the next morning at 9 a.m.

In October, former Arizona Senator Martha McSally praised Supreme Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett in D.C. while I spoke back and forth with her staffer about possibly getting an interview (the answer was no), and President Donald Trump cited Arizona during the first presidential debate – a citation that I needed to fact-check from my apartment that night, across the street from the Supreme Court.

And finally, in November, I helped my team cover Arizona turning blue for the first time since 1996, electing Senator Mark Kelly, and playing a key role in President-elect Joe Biden’s bid for winning the election. We covered celebrations which erupted in D.C., while protests took place in Phoenix.

My experience in D.C. was unlike anything I can possibly compare it to or otherwise imagine. While I definitely worked hard to get there – even picking up a second job for a year, working to get promoted so earn higher wages, etc. – I still could not have reached that goal of mine without the help of both ASU’s Cronkite School and EAW’s tuition assistance program.

I understand that my circumstances were lucky, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve received and experienced. But ultimately, I believe, a little bit of help can go an extra-long way when it comes to meeting your goals.

How To Finish Your Senior Year

Graduation is just around the corner, and many students are wondering, well, what now? This time can be difficult for a lot of college students. The motivation dips because they often wonder, does this final year even matter?

By educationworkadmin
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You’re so close to graduation, it can be hard to give yourself that final push. Your senior year is still immensely important, even if you try to convince yourself otherwise. You want to finish your senior year proud of your accomplishments; feeling like you came out at your best. Here are our three tips on how to finish your senior year strong.

 

1. Stay organized

This can feel like a messy time in life. You’re balancing work, school and a social life all at once, and all of those things are equally important to you. Often times school gets put on the backburner, but with organizational skills you can maintain your motivation to do your school work! Make sure you keep a planner that details all of the work you need to get done as well as a calendar to make sure alongside work and a social life, you’re still making time for school!

 

2. Let your future motivate you

Push hard now so that future you can reap the rewards. Imagine what your goals are for yourself, your well-being, your future career, and more. Let that motivation guide and push you during your final year of school. Coming out of school knowing you tried your hardest will emphasize the importance of motivation and that feeling will continue with you post-graduation. If you let your inspiration to work hard fizzle out, you’re setting yourself up for not accomplishing future goals. Push yourself now and for forever!

 

3. Remember why you’re in school

You took all of this time and energy to earn good grades in high school, apply for colleges, and work hard all these years, why stop now? Reflect on all the energy and passion you had to get where you are now. You don’t want that passion to diminish. Spark your passion and reinvigorate your love for learning and gaining skills! Just because it’s your senior year doesn’t mean there isn’t more to learn. Your skillset is forever growing, use this time to your advantage!

 

4. Reward yourself

You should be proud of yourself for getting this far! Attending university is no easy feat. If you continue to push yourself and work your hardest during your senior year, you deserve to reward yourself for all of your hard work. Think of what you want your reward to be, a gift for yourself, a mini-vacation, or a trip to your favorite restaurant, and let that future reward motivate you! You’ve earned it.

 

 

 

EAW students share top tips for money and time management

The spring semester has begun for students across the country – almost completely online. Students will be hitting…

By educationworkadmin
Published on

The spring semester has begun for students across the country – almost completely online. Students will be hitting their one-year mark of online school this semester, as the pandemic continues on longer than anyone thought it would.

While most start-of-the-year tips consist of how to stay motivated, how to keep up with classes and study tips to tackle school work, this year is different. This year, time and money are one of the biggest concerns of a few members of the student workforce at Education at Work.

After nearly a year of financial uncertainty, EAW students have been able to safely work from home. And for most students, the option to attend college courses from home via Zoom, or take online courses, is available.

But a pandemic isn’t easy to live through – financially or schedule-wise.

Some EAW students shared their top tips for how to best manage their time and money as they start their spring semesters.

Make a schedule as best as you can

In order to combat the days and nights blending together as everything is done from home, many EAW students are turning toward schedule-keeping. Whether it’s keeping a planner, making notes, or setting alarms, many students require a day-to-day plan of their tasks and responsibilities to keep them on track.

“I’m a really schedule oriented person,” says Fiona Tang, a freshman enrolled at the University of Utah. “I like to be on time with things and get things done quickly, so I always try to just get one thing done, and that’s kind of a reward before I get to have time for myself.”

Fiona has been working with EAW for the past five months. Like many students, she will be working and learning from home this spring. Fiona says having a set work-week has helped her structure her day, even if it’s remote.

“EAW is really nice with it because I like having a set schedule,” Fiona says.

Save at least a little bit

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought financial strains to many students and families. Arizona State University graduate, Nicholas Acciardo III, says that’s why he makes it a point to save as much money as he can.

“It’s really important to save in case you have an emergency – like this pandemic – and have a savings account to be able to back it up a little bit,” he says.

Nicholas says the pandemic has opened his eyes about saving, and he’s not alone. ASU senior Alvin Thai, says he tries to save every month after taking account of his necessary expenses.

Prioritize your expenses, and your time

“I spend money first on necessities and education,” Alvin says.

When he prioritizes his finances, bills, food, and other necessities come first, followed by his educational expenses like tuition, books, and fees. He says it’s not just finances – but prioritizing your time is of high importance too. He says his first priority is always his education.

Fiona sees things a little differently. For her, school expenses come first, because she lives with her family, who help her with necessities.

“I’m fortunate I get to live at home so I don’t really need to pay as much as other students do, but I definitely put school first and keep in mind that there’s going to be textbooks, there’s going to be fees, and all of that,” Fiona says. “So, I really just think about school first, then necessities, then just for fun, and then I always try to save some money for the future just in case there’s any emergency situation.”

Don’t be afraid to spend some time and money on yourself

“It’s kind of hard, not going to lie, but I think it’s important that you find time for yourself,” Fiona says.

She’s not the only one who recommends taking time to step away and reset.

Alvin says he’s “mastered the accordion” in his free time. EAW students also say it doesn’t hurt to spend some money on yourself, when it’s appropriate. Nicholas takes it one step further – spend some time or money, so you can ultimately save time and money.

“Something as small as learning how to cook – so you aren’t spending as much money going out, can make a big difference while you’re saving money along the way,” Nicholas says.

For students who are able to earn an income during this time, there’s always a first step they can take, according to their peers. And for those who are able to work and learn from home, students say time-management will be their keys to a successful semester despite uncertain times.

With a new year, new semester and even new opportunities for students, Education at Work is determined to help students stay home and stay healthy.

The Financial Dilemma in Going Back to School

From financial needs, to complicated housing situations, students aren’t entirely sure what the future holds for them.

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By Joycelyn Cabrera, EAW Student Digital Reporter

Well, we’re halfway through with 2020 and in the middle of a pandemic – and universities are starting back up in August. So, what does that mean for students?   

College students in particular are in a unique bind. From financial needs, to complicated housing situations – not to mention the added layer of the unstable job market – students aren’t entirely sure what the future holds for them.   

It’s pretty safe to say almost all U.S. students, from elementary to college, are feeling some type of anxiety about returning to school. After an abrupt stop to the school year and online-only options for courses in the summer, it’s only natural.  

At Arizona State University, in-person classes, hybrid classes, and remote classes are all offered for students to choose which class-type more so accommodates their needs. ASU is mirroring other universities across the country offering a “hybrid structure,” such as the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and the University of Utah.   

Hybrid structures or online options seem to be the solution to reducing exposure and the spread of COVID-19, however, students are not entirely satisfied with these plans. Students are finding themselves considering their financial needs when considering whether to take in-person or remote classes.    

Many college students – myself included – are weighing the value of online classes for the same tuition costs as in-person learning. In an unstable job market where unemployment is in record numbers, many college students have lost their once-stable incomes. Other students are considering getting their money’s worth by attending in-person classes – risking exposure and further spread of COVID-19.   

According to a survey by OneClass.com, 56% of college students said they can no longer afford tuition. According to Forbes.com and BrookScholar.com, the average cost of 4-year tuition has continually increased from 1971 – 2020, outpacing household income averages. The COVID-19 pandemic on top of this upward trajectory will impact countless students financially.   

Housing is another major factor. ASU, UofU, and UCincy all offer dormitory rooms, roommates, and on-campus/off-campus housing. The want many students have of leaving their hometowns is still a factor in the students’ decision to return to campus.   

If a student will already be living on campus, and paying the costs, why not attend in-person classes? Especially if tuition is set at the same price, regardless?  

Exposure risk is important to consider. Some students in Arizona are worried about on-campus classes, even though it may be the best financial decision to make. In July, Arizona was a global hotspot for COVID-19 cases, reaching over 160,000 cases by the end of the month, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Nationally, the United States has surpassed 4 million cases as of July 27, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Without financial support from our universities, these decisions are harder to make by the young adults who have to make them.  

So, what do we do? What can we do?: 

  • Communicate with your support system.   
  • Protect yourself and others, keep up with information from reliable news sources such as the CDC.  
  • Keep up with your local news – these reporters are part of the communities they cover and will often be publishing stories that are otherwise missed by national news outlets.   
  • Be understanding towards one another – we will all more than likely undergo different struggles this semester. Empathy will be an asset.   
  • Continue to look for opportunities. While times like these might be uncertain and unstable, it’s important to never give up and keep looking for opportunities to succeed. 

Students are eager to return to normalcy as much as possible, but the risks cannot be ignored and financial instability has caused many to weigh their health with their education. The choices are not easy to make and every situation is different, but at least we are all in this together. 

What to Expect for Fall Semester

It won’t be an easy semester but with determination and will power, your passion and resilience will be unmatched.

By educationworkadmin
Published on

Prepare for your classes to move online

Many colleges across the United States have quickly developed new plans to slow the spread of COVID-19 this fall. In June, the Chronicle of Higher Education tracked a list of universities’ plans for the fall semester. The largest category of colleges, at 63 percent, planned to return to in-person class for the fall semester. Seven percent of U.S. universities are planning online only instruction, while another 7% plan to do a hybrid (a mix of online and in-person classes), 9% were undecided as of June, and 11% hadn’t made final decisions as of the date of the article. August is almost over and classes have resumed or are about to begin in full swing, it may be time to prepare for the possibility for all classes to transition to online education.

High schools across the U.S. have been scrutinized for not properly enforcing social distancing and their careless rules on mask-wearing. Elwood High School in Indiana has already closed due to students testing positive for COVID-19, and a few high school’s in a district of Georgia have quarantined over 900 students due to potential exposure to the virus. That being said, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the same thing happened at universities. It’s important to get your mindset ready for your classes to move online in case it happens. It came as a huge shock to students and staff during the transition to online in March but with the cases still surging in locations across the U.S. don’t be surprised if online classes become the new norm this semester.

Get ready to mask up

With a growing emphasis on the importance of mask-wearing, universities will likely require masks for the fall semester. As of now, there’s not one all-encompassing rule regarding mask-wearing that universities are following. Some universities recommend mask-wearing, like Montana University, which means that they will encourage students to wear them, but has no rules in place to make students and faculty wear a mask. Others universities require it, like the University of Georgia. While others have no rules or recommendations in place like South Dakota’s public universities, but are encouraging students to wear masks through college run social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

According to a survey conducted by Business Wire, 62% of Americans, age 18 to 23 years-old, who are a part of Generation Z/Gen Z are always wearing a face mask in public settings.

If that percentage goes up once fall semester hits, Gen Z will have a huge impact on slowing the spread. Some students may live with their families or folks who are immunocompromised. So, it’s important to Gen Z to be safe for their family's sake. This virus makes the college experience quite different for this age group, but having sympathy for others and keeping your morals in check will go a long way to save lives, so prepare to mask up this fall semester.

Say goodbye to fall break

With student travel being an issue regarding spreading COVID-19, many colleges have cancelled fall break. Fall break is usually a time for students to take vacations or visit family, and colleges have cancelled this break so that students are not returning to campus while possibly carrying the virus. That being said, some schools like Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska  have decided to start school early and end when Thanksgiving break rolls around for the same reason.

The main idea is to limit travel to slow the spread, so expect to either go back to class early, for classes to end early, or to not have a fall break this semester.

Budget cuts

COVID-19 is having a serious financial impact on universities. Many schools are having to resort to budget cuts, cancelling programs, and letting staff go. Plan for university-funded clubs to go under, sports programs to be cancelled, and academic programs to disappear.

With low enrollment rates, colleges have had revenue loss up in the hundreds of millions. Robert Franek, editor-in -chief of The Princeton Review, states that priorities will be shifted away from the value of a liberal arts education and focusing on degrees that pay.

“We are going to start to see those programs marketed that have a direct return on investment — that will prepare that student for a job,” said Robert Frank, Editor in Chief.

It won’t be an easy semester but with determination and will power, your passion and resilience will be unmatched.

EAW in the Family

Alan and Amala Paul Mundadan bring a new meaning to “EAW Family.”

By educationworkadmin
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Alan and Amala Paul Mundadan bring a new meaning to “EAW Family.” The two siblings have been working for the same program with Education at Work for about five months.   

These siblings live together with their family and – after the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States – now work together in the same house. Previous to COVID-19, they often wouldn’t be found together outside of work and home life.  That’s because Alan’s class work on Arizona State University’s Tempe campus and Amala’s likewise responsibilities on the Phoenix campus used to keep them apart.   

Before COVID-19, they would work similar shifts, go to class, and see each other again at home – now that ASU has transitioned to online classes, and EAW has launched their work-from-home initiative, the two are spending far more time together.   

“We definitely did not plan this,” Amala says. “I was waiting for my freshman year to be over because I wanted to see how I could handle the classes and working. [Applying for the same company] was a coincidence!” 

Meet Alan

Alan is about to start his junior year at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Majoring in computer sciences, Alan is hoping to learn different aspects of his future career field – specifically the business side of computer sciences and development. If he would give advice to his younger self, Alan says that advice would be to go to college without a salary at the forefront of planning.  

“For me, I just Googled which majors get paid really well, and I chose computer science,” Alan says. “I was like, ‘yeah sure, I can do that,’ and now I would prefer doing something on the business side of that field.” 

While he works on his degree and ventures into the different areas of his field, Alan says EAW has helped him keep up with his major through real-world experience and financial support.   

“It adds to my major and EAW definitely helps me financially,” Alan says. “Most of the things I do here are related to my classes. A lot of technical skills are connected, and while I do them at work, it makes more sense in my classes.” 

 

Meet Amala

Amala just finished her freshman year at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. Amala is majoring in community health with the goal of getting into nursing – then continuing her education in medical school. Amala says she’s always loved helping people and she has many relatives who are in the medical field.   

“When I was younger, I was exposed to hospitals a lot,” Amala says. “I have a lot of family in the medical field, and I am related to a lot of people who used to get sick often. Before my father passed away, he was admitted to the hospital for seven months so I spent a lot of time there. I think that’s when I first thought, ‘maybe I should work to help people because that’s what I really like to do.’” 

Amala says her job with EAW surprised her in how well it suits her major. Amala focused on her coursework during her first year at ASU – once she successfully navigated her academic life, she was ready to start up her work life and learn about work/life balance. 

“I really want to be in the medical field because I like helping people,” Amala says. “Working at EAW – it’s basically the same thing, we’re helping people, just in a different way.” 

While the sibling duo may not have planned to work at the same company, this is actually not the first time their family members have worked together. Alan says his previous job was also shared with another sister.   

“The previous job I had was at a library, and my other sister started working with me,” Alan says. “So, for me, there’s always been a sibling there with me.”  

The Paul Mundadan siblings say working together comes with plenty of advantages – such as turning toward each other when they have a quick question about a customer call.   

“I had just finished my training classes before we started working from home,” Amala says, “and he was right beside me, so whenever I did have a question, I could literally tap him on the shoulder and ask. He’s more experienced than I am, so he’s been able to help me whenever I have an issue. I don’t think many other agents have that.”  

Alan and Amala are both working their way through college with visions for what their futures hold after they complete their education. Along the way, the siblings agree that being an EAW Family has given them both invaluable experience and financial assistance. 

Advice for College Students

Students from various Education at Work programs are sharing advice for their peers and incoming freshmen as the new semester begins.

By educationworkadmin
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By Joycelyn Cabrera, Student Digital Reporter

Student Advice: Starting a new semester, EAW new-hires, and incoming freshmen

Students from various Education at Work programs are sharing advice for their peers and incoming freshmen as the new semester begins.

The past two semesters have caused major changes in student life as the COVID-19 pandemic results in remote learning and working from home. With the fall semester starting back up EAW student-agents have advice for new students, returning students, and EAW new-hires.

During COVID-19 – stay connected

When everything is done at home, EAW agents are stressing the importance of staying connected with each other in order to stay on track.

“At work, we have a group chat set up for us, a video call, and we stay connected that way. If we need anything, we’re there for each other: communication, motivation, anything. It’s like we’re still sitting next to each other," says Ali Aldulaimi, an engineering technologies student.

Ali is a part of EAW’s technology service program – and is one of the few agents assigned to handle service issues from multiple computer programs and tools. The encouragement of his team created a positive impact on his productivity as he worked the job from home.

“I stay connected with my friends online. We play dungeons and dragons. It’s nice to still have that connection when I can’t really see them elsewhere. I think those connections are important,” says first-generation college student, Holly Milosevich.

Holly says keeping in touch with her friends while she’s a 45-minute drive away from campus helps her stay positive. With a positive mindset, she can more easily stay motivated and productive during the day.

For EAW New-Hires – take opportunities wherever you can

While seasoned EAW agents are now familiar with a work-at-home structure, newly hired students will be navigating their program from an almost entirely remote environment. The biggest piece of advice EAW students have for new hires is to take initiative.

“Don’t be afraid of being told, ‘no.’ I think I lost a lot of opportunities because I didn’t want to put myself out there,” says Emma Mower, a student coach from EAW’s Downtown Phoenix program.

Emma has worked her way toward a promotion after working on her program’s production floor for only a month. In pursuit of her career path, Emma says taking initiative was important to her growth in the administration field.

“Be open to different learning experiences, and take every opportunity you can get. You’d be surprised at what those experiences can have in store for you,” says Sam Corrales, a former EAW student success ambassador.

When Sam was promoted into EAW’s student success department, she had to keep an open mind about how it could benefit her career path. The personal connections she made with others over the phone and in-person was a necessary skill to learn in order for her to move upward in her degree program.

For Incoming Freshmen – take a deep breath

While the upcoming semester may be new territory for everyone returning to school, none are facing a new environment more so than the incoming freshmen class.

“For the people feeling anxious, I would advise them to take a breath and live each moment as it comes. After time we know what we are capable of, so don’t ask yourself to do more than what you know you can handle, but don’t underestimate yourself either,” says Patricia Zazueta, a senior from Arizona State University.

Taking opportunities and staying on track is important for any incoming freshmen who is started their degree path toward their career – but so is remembering to take a break and take a breath.

“Probably the best advice I can give is the advice I wish someone had given me my freshman and sophomore year, and that’s: breathe,” says Andrew Bland, an ASU graduate who was a member of EAW’s Universal Team. “You’ll be okay, classes are hard, but you’re get through it. Just breathe.”

As new students begin their first semester of college, their first semester online, or their first semester with a part-time job, EAW agents have been working together to keep each other engaged, motivated, and positive.

The Best Study Tips for Summer

There is always time to become prepared. Get a planner and make a list of everything you need to do for the day.

By educationworkadmin
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By Kelvin Mejia, EAW Student Digital Reporter

The Best Study Tips for Summer!

Instead of enjoying your Popsicle and the absurd hot heat make time out of your day to study. Studying is one of the easiest ways to gain success in college.

There is always time to become prepared. Get a planner and make a list of everything you need to do for the day; set aside time for homework, exams and study days to get started.

During the summer it can be hard to study for classes due to the distractions from your social life. Whether you are in school or start classes in the next term, here are some good ways to regain your study habits and help you succeed in class.

The first mistake many students make when it comes to studying is choosing a study area filled with distractions. A place with a lot of distractions, ultimately, can ruin the study session you planned out.

Set aside some old work or old study guides from previous classes and make sure you are prepared for your class for the semester. You may find it easier to study with a partner (a teacher, a student from the class, or a tutor) this might help ensure you’re staying on task.

The Right Study Environment

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Be Ready: Bring the Correct Materials

One common mistake people make is bringing random material they don’t need which leads to distractions in your study space. Phones are not necessary to a reading a book for class, peers would be able to distract you and you would not be able to get your work done.

Instead only bring:

  • Your writing utensil
  • Paper/scratch paper
  • Texbook
  • The classwork/study guide

Be in the Mindset to Learn

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Miscommunication is another factor that can affect your studying. Ensure you stay on top of what can cause bad grades. Email and communicate to the teacher whether it's before or after class. Make sure you understand every assignment and what is expected.

Don’t feel like studying is a chore or a bother to your day, take your time and don’t rush to finish an assignment. If you’re distracted by an event in your social life or finishing another task for a class, then studying is not going to be productive. Come back to studying when you are freer and in a more relaxed state of mind.

3 Tips to Help You Work From Home Effectively

It’s essential to remain efficient during these times. Here are our 3 tips on how to keep working from home effectively.

By educationworkadmin
Published on
By: Brittany Collier, EAW Student Marketing Assistant

You may have been working from home for a while now, but it’s still a very different feeling! It’s not something that many of us are used to. It’s important to note how we’ve adapted to this great change, and how quickly we’ve done so. It’s essential to remain efficient during these times as we slowly ease back into our work environments. Here are our 4 tips on how to keep working from home effectively. 

Set up a designated workspace

Working from your bed sounds nice, but realistically, it might not allow you to get a ton of work done. Find a desk, or any flat surface like a table and chair to create a similar work atmosphere that you have in an office setting. It’s also important to distance yourself from places of distraction in your home. Create a designated space – you want to create a separation from work and home. 

Practice clear communication 

Now that we are social distancing, we have to adapt our communication as well. Luckily, with technology like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Skype, we have the ability to communicate with our bosses, managers, and team members like how we would in the physical office. It’s important to establish with your superiors what tasks need to be done that day, and have conversations about expectations while working at home. Technology is not a barrier to clear communication, it’s just a new form of communication with its nuances!  

Schedule out your day 

Not being in the office can feel a little bit unstructured, so making a schedule can really help guide you as you adapt to working from home. We thrive on structure in our lives, and without it we often feel lost. Schedules help guide us and give us the motivation we need through the day to get our work done. With your already established clear communication with your boss, you have your tasks lined up for the day, now all you need to do is plan them!  

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