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FastStart:
March, 2004
Newsletter
----------------------------------------------------------------
(written by members of the FastStart Student Advisory
Group)
This
issue includes:
What
alumni know that you should too
FastStart event rundown
Getting fit for summer
FastStart Advertisements
Upcoming FastStart events
Upcoming campus events
What alumni know that you should too
By Betsy Roy
Spring is around the corner and with it comes finals week
and for many FastStart students this marks the end of their first year
at Penn State. Having already made the decision to pursue a Penn State
experience, the question that often times arises is: What benefits or
advantages can a Penn State degree offer me when I enter the professional
world? To aid me in attaining a better insight to this question I had
the privilege of speaking to Penn State alum Johanna Ramos. Johanna graduated
in 1992 with a degree in aerospace engineering. In 1999 she came back
to pursue a graduate career in the same field. Having wet her feet in
the world of work, Johanna can confidently say that the greatest benefit
of a Penn State degree is name recognition. Flashing the Penn State name
immediately lays down a connection between fellow Penn Staters. Whether
it is seeing someone wearing a Penn State shirt or passing a car that
has a lion paw decal, these insignia create a bond and recognition that
has the power to unify strangers. This same ideal plays itself out when
one goes for interviews or other aspects of their professional career.
Being in the engineering field, Johanna can affirm to the presence of
many alumni in the field and their open willingness to help out a fellow
Penn Stater; resources that may otherwise not have been easily offered
to anyone else.
Walking away with a Penn State degree can help me later down the line.
However, you may ask what benefits can my alumni mentor offer me in the
here and now? From having spoken to some current FastStart students, it
is safe to assume that there are certain common traits and factors that
are sought for in their mentors. From freshman finance major, Kenneth
Alman’s perspective, an ideal mentor would be someone who is successful—specifically
in the field of business; someone who is experienced and knowledgeable,
personable, fun, easy going, and willing to communicate. Aside from personality,
students are looking for mentors who can help them make an easier adjustment
to the University; who can show them the ins and outs of their classes
and guide them; making good choices about classes and their majors. As
former FastStart student Jeney Joseph had put it, mentors are first sought
as helpful resources, and as the relationship progresses they are endeared
as friends.
As new students, you have to learn how to make the most out of every resource
that comes your way. Alumni mentors carry with them a wealth of knowledge
and experience that they are more than willing to share. Having survived
the undergrad years and sometimes even grad years, these mentors can provide
you the ins and outs of classes to take, general knowledge about how to
make the best of your academic career, and the various paths that are
open to you in reaching your goals. When I asked Johanna what drew her
to be a mentor with the program, she replied that the greatest factors
were the countless positive experiences she had with the University and
her desire to give the same back to other students. She wanted to offer
students the same if not better opportunities that were offered her as
a student at Penn State, and serve as a positive and successful role model
for students who may otherwise lack any in their lives. Know that mentors
are there to guide, advise, and aid you. As summer roles around keep them
in mind when you start to think about summer internships and co-ops, see
what references they have available, and network with them. Most of all
just talk to them and you may be surprised to see the countless possibilities
that may be opened up for you.
FastStart Event Rundown
By Ted Honyumptewa
FastStart has been very active thus far. With full class schedules and other club activities, FastStart participants still took the time to relax and have some fun. Following are a few of the FastStart events that took place since last semester’s newsletter.
 |
| (photo:FastStart mentor, Carla Rossl, playing Pictionary with her student, Thy, and others at the Fall Celebration.) |
Enjoying some light snacks and meeting new people, it was a good way to relax just before the hectic finals season.
January 7 marked FastStart’s first event outside of State College. FastStart held a winter reception at the new location of the Philadelphia Recruitment Center, right in Center City Philadelphia. The event was a great opportunity for mentors and students to meet over the winter break. It also gave alumni mentors who infrequently make it to campus a chance to meet others who are involved in FastStart.
 |
| (photo:FastStart Students enjoying an afternoon at the ice rink) |
FastStart’s Ice Skating Party was January 21 at the Greenburg Ice Pavilion. About 40 mentors and students showed up despite the already cold winter to meet and enjoy some time to relax. For many students and mentors, it was their first time on the ice. With a little help from our own FastStart skating experts, they were able to learn a few fast tips and show off their skills.
After skating on the ice for a while, the participants warmed themselves up with some nice hot chocolate and had a bite to eat. “I think it’s absolutely great. The participants are out here having fun and I am sure they’ll be back”, said Judy Hewes, a FastStart mentor. Once again, another FastStart success!
This year
the FastStart program got off to a great start and it has continued to
offer great opportunities throughout the year. The fun is not over yet
though. Look for e-mails and other information about future FastStart
events coming your way. Have fun, stay involved, and teak a break with
us. It will ease your mind and you will get to meet some great new people!
Getting fit for summer: The best ways on campus to keep in shape
By Sean Torino
The snow’s starting to melt, winter parkas are fading
to the back of the closet, and legs are starting to appear out of shorts
and skirts. That's right, summer is right around the corner, and not a
moment too soon. If you're like me, and have acquired some extra "insulation"
for the winter months, it may be time to consider one of the many fitness
opportunities offered at Penn State. Not only will exercising get you
back into shape, but it’s also a great way to get out and relieve
some pent up energy or stress caused from being inside all winter.
So, what’s the best way to get started? Well, everyone is different,
but it’s important to do something you enjoy, and to start off slow,
gradually working into a weekly routine. Let’s start our workout
by going for a run, and along the way, we’ll stop at four places
that will help you get back into/stay in shape. Our run begins at the
Alumni Center directly across from the two EE buildings. After a good
stretch, start running east, relative to campus, running past the HUB
to White Building.
Probably the most popular building on campus for exercising, White Building
has almost anything you would need to get a good workout. Featuring a
complete weight room, fitness classes, and a cardio room with treadmills,
stationary bikes, stair climbers, and elliptical machines, you’re
bound to find something healthy and enjoyable to do. Being the most popular
place on campus also comes with a downside. If the weight room or the
cardio room is your fancy, be prepared to wait in line to get in. My advice
is to read the “peak hours” notice on the door to the weight
room, and try to not go at those times. As for the fitness classes, show
up 10-15 minutes early, and you’ll have no problem. Fitness classes
are popular among male and female students who fill classes including
yoga, muscle toning, aerobics, kick-boxing, washboard abs, interval training,
and spinning.
Continuing our jog east, let’s make a quick stop at the ice rink,
where many FastStart members have recently found out that ice skating
it is just as much of a work out as running or other cardio activities.
We now make our way north, up across campus toward East Halls. Across
the street from Shields Building, we arrive at the IM Building. The only
way to get into shape and stay in shape is to do something you enjoy.
IM Building hosts countless number of intramural sports leagues and also
has a number of basketball, racquetball, volleyball, and wallyball courts
for students to use. So find something you enjoy, and get involved.
Starting the final leg of our journey, we are going to jog westward across
the top of campus, past Forum Building, ending up at Rec Hall. Rec Hall
is a less populated combination of the previous two buildings. There’s
a weight room, basketball courts, racquetball courts, an indoor track,
martial arts classes, and even an indoor driving range for those waiting
for the campus links to thaw out. Unlike the White Building, the Rec Hall
weight room is free of charge and usually much less crowded. It’s
a great alternative, but a farther walk for most.
As the days get longer and the snow gets thinner, there’s no question
summer’s on its way. So get out there, try something new, have a
good time, relieve some stress, and get fit while you’re at it.
There’s no better feeling than that after a good workout.
For more info on the fitness activities at Penn State
visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/athrec.html.
Advertisements
by Nancy Trinh
Congrats/Salutations
Want to congratulate your mentor/protégé on a recent accomplishment. Did you do something worth recognition? We want to know. E-mail us at FastStartInfo@psu.edu, and we’ll post it in future newsletters. Be sure to include your name, the name of the person you are congratulating, and a brief description of the accomplishment.
FastStart Advisory Group
It’s that time of year again…apply for our famous FastStart
Student Advisory Group. The Advisory Group consists of 16 previous FastStart
students and helps to coordinate many events and programs. If you would
like to continue your involvement with FastStart, please fill out a form,
and return it to Lydia by March 17. Hurry now, spots are limited.
Dear
Advisory Group
Dear Advisory Group,
Where would I be able to send questions and/or comments about my experiences
with FastStart? Thanks.
Sincerely,
A FastStart Student
Dear FastStart Student,
This is the perfect place to send your questions or comments. The student
advisory group would like to help make your experience with FastStart
a more positive one. E-mail us at FastStartInfo@psu.edu,
and your questions will be answered by a member of our group. Mentors
are welcome to e-mail us as well. We’ll pick a question or comment
to post in future newsletters.
Sincerely,
The Student Advisory Group
Spring 2004 Upcoming Events
Ice Cream Social
March 21, 2004
2:00-4:00 p.m.
MBNA Career Services Center
RSVP by March 17, 2004
Spring Celebration
April 20, 2004
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Hintz Family Alumni Center
RSVP by April 12, 2004
| Date | Campus Calendar of Events |
| 3/16 | 11:30
a.m.—1:00 p.m. Penn State Forum: "Native American Empowerment Through Control of Our Stories and Image in the Media and Financing Control and Literacy, 'One Entrepreneur's Story. . . '" with Valerie Red-Horse |
| 3/16 | 7:00
p.m.— 8:00 p.m. |
| 3/20 | 12:30
p.m.— 4:00 p.m. |
| 3/20 | 7:00
p.m.— 1:00 a.m. |
| 3/23 | 7:00
p.m. —8:00 p.m. |
| 3/28 | 6:00
p.m.—8:00 p.m. |
| 3/29 | 9:00
a.m.—4:30 p.m. |
| 3/28 | 6:00
p.m.—8:00 p.m. |
| 3/29 | 1:00
p.m.—2:30 p.m. |
| 4/13 | 1:00
p.m.—6:00 p.m. Spring Career Day 2004 |
| 3/20 | 12:30
p.m.—4:00 p.m. Interntional Children's Festival, Volunteers Wanted |
Speakers and Talks:
March
16
11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Penn State Forum: "Native American Empowerment Through
Control of Our Stories and Image in the Media and Financing Control and
Literacy, 'One Entrepreneur's Story. . . '" with Valerie
Red-Horse
Tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members and include lunch.
Reservations can be made by mail or at the Faculty Staff Club office,
103 HUB-Robeson Center. Call 814-865-7590 for tickets or more information.
Location: Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
March
16
7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
Surviving Relationship Breakup
Details: Joyce Illfelder-Kaye and Courtney Clay of CAPS will facilitate
this program as part of the CAPS Personal Issues Series. Topics include:
identifying difficulties related to breaking up, coping with loss, and
strategizing ways to "move on."
Location: 304 HUB/Robeson Center
March
23
7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
The Impact of Depression On Relationships
Details:CAPS staff Julie States, psychologist, and Kathy Corcoran, psychiatric
nurse practitioner, will discuss signs and symptoms of depression, ways
depression impacts relationships, and how to help yourself or a friend
or family member.
Location: 304 HUB/Robeson Center
March 29
1:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
The African and African American Studies
Department
and the Africana Research Center 2004 Spring Brown Bag Series
Details: Don Heller, Center for the Study of Higher Education, "Merit
Scholarships for College: The Impact on College Access and Racial Equity.”
Location: 216 Willard Building For more information,
contact the Africana Research Center at AfricanaCenter@la.psu.edu
or 865-6482.
April
14
12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind? The Relationship among Fitness,
Cognition, Brain Structure, and Function
By Arthur F. Kramer, Ph.D.
Location: 108 Wartik Laboratory
Career Related Events:
March
28
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Multicultural Networking Reception
Location: Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel
Details: Part of the Education Career Day, this networking event is a
good way to meet employers. 20 business cards will be given to all students
who pre-register at Career Services.
March
29
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Education Career Day
Location: Penn Stater Conference Center
Details: Approximately 100 school districts will attend. The main format
of the Career Day will be an open fair with district representatives available
to talk to students throughout the day. Penn State students and alumni
may begin registering at 8:00 a.m. the day of the event.
Additionally, many organizations will accept résumés in
advance of the event—you will see the information on our Web site
and need only select the e-mail for submitting résumés and
attach your résumé to a brief e-mail message.
*For more information check the Career Services site
April
13 1:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.
Spring Career Day 2004
Details: Admission is free, and no pre-registration necessary.
Students and alumni from all majors are encouraged to participate. Employers
are interested in candidates from a wide variety of fields. Additionally,
many organizations will accept résumés in advance of the
event – you will see the information on our Web site on the Pre-Fair
eFair pages. There is a registration for this portion of the event.
Location: Bryce Jordan Center, gates A and B
Cultural Events:
March
20
12:30 p.m.—4:00 p.m.
Interntional Children's Festival, Volunteers Wanted
Details: There
will be performances and crafts with an international flair, and a Cultural
Expo with international student clubs presenting information. We would
love to have 10-12 Scholars as volunteers for the event. If you're interested
in volunteering, contact Joanne Green, acting director of the IHC, at
863-3927 or ihc@ip.psu.edu.
Location: State College High South Building
March
20
7:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m.
Iranian New Years Celebration
Details:Iranian Student Association (ISA) presents the annual semi-formal
Noe-Rooz (the Persian New Years) Party. Tickets can be purchased at the
HUB ground floor on March 1, 2, 17 & 19 from 10am-5pm. Come celebrate
the arrival of spring by dancing to live Persian music and enjoying a
variety of delicious Persian foods & desserts.
Location: Heritage Hall, HUB
Questions
We welcome your comments and questions. To get involved, please call 814-863-6386
or e-mail FastStartInfo@psu.edu.
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