SUNYUlster

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Why You Should Be Using LinkedIn

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Cartoon heads connecting to a LinkedIn logo

You’re probably familiar with major social networking sites like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook. One other platform that you might hear about is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is possibly the most valuable of all the social networking sites when used correctly, as it focuses on something that young adults need when getting a job: connections in their industry. Whether you’re just beginning your college journey or you’re graduating this semester, you should join LinkedIn right away! Here’s just a few reasons why:

Connect with Professionals in Your Field

You may enjoy checking your friends’ stories on Instagram or catching up with far-away family members on Facebook, but in most cases that won’t be too helpful when getting jobs after graduation. That’s where LinkedIn comes in. LinkedIn works similarly to these “just for fun” platforms in its ability to connect, but while it could be awkward to add your boss on Facebook, on LinkedIn, that’s exactly what you SHOULD do. You see, LinkedIn gives you the chance to connect with people who can help you throughout your career, be it old or current bosses and coworkers, professors you established good relationships with, or other professionals you met through networking events in person or online. These are all people you can count on when applying for jobs, and in many cases their shared knowledge pool can help you while you’re employed, too.

Find Jobs or Internships (and Apply for Them!)

LinkedIn has a space in its site just for job seekers. In this area, you can find, view, and even apply for jobs posted on the site. It works like Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, or any one of the other job seeking sites out there, as you can search for a variety of jobs based on profession and area. If you want jobs to come to you, you can always turn on the “Let Recruiters Know You’re Open” feature.

Get Extra Info for an Interview

As every good job applicant knows, you should do some background research on an organization and your potential boss before the interview. LinkedIn gives the perfect opportunity for that! Find out more about your interviewer or future employer by visiting their LinkedIn page. LinkedIn will alert a person when you view their profile (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, they often take it as a sign you’re doing your research), but if that makes you nervous, you can always turn on Private Mode.

Keep in Touch with Your Alma Mater

After graduation, it’s easy to get caught up in everyday working life, but it’s good to see what’s going on at your old college so you don’t miss out on job fairs, networking events, and other opportunities geared toward alumni. LinkedIn will help you connect with your college as well as other alumni and students, so you can stay updated with what’s going on and meet others in your field with the same educational background. That’s important, because you never know when you could find a great job just because you went to the same college. When you make an account or update your current one, make sure you follow SUNY Ulster!

Kickstart Your Tech Career with a Computer Science Degree

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Student working on a computer project in class

If you’re interested in technology and want to work in a field with great employment and financial opportunities, a Computer Science degree from SUNY Ulster may be for you! Computer Science students prepare for a variety of software related careers, including Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Game Design, Mobile Application Development, Web Development, and many others. The job market for Computer Science graduates has always been excellent, and projections show future demand will continue to outpace the number of students receiving Computer Science degrees. As a result, starting salaries for computer science and engineering graduates are among the highest of all majors.

The Computer Science program at SUNY Ulster offers an Associate’s degree in Computer Science which can be taken on campus or fully online. This degree prepares students to transfer and pursue further Computer Science degrees or go directly into the workforce. Alumni have gone on to complete Bachelor’s degrees at schools such as SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Albany, Brooklyn College, RIT, and RPI. Alumni going straight into the workforce can be hired for a variety of positions through both traditional routes and SUNY Ulster partnerships, including the one recently developed with IBM as part of their New Collar Jobs Initiative.

Computer Science alum Jesse Thibault graduated in 2014 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s from SUNY New Paltz; while there, he participated in an internship at IBM that led to a full-time position. He now works at Microsoft in Washington as a software engineer. He says, “I still follow the principles taught in the software engineering class even now, and I refer to the notes from the foundation classes when I refresh my data structures knowledge. Thank you for the education!”

Students who want to take a small number of courses within computer science can earn up to three microcredentials in Computer Game Design, Mobile Application Development, and Web Application Development. SUNY Ulster Continuing Education also offers a Web Developer / Fast Track Mini Boot Camp program that’s ideal for working professionals who would like one or more evening courses in topics important to Web Development. Students interested in computer topics may also find their place in two other closely related majors at SUNY Ulster: Computer Engineering and Computer Networking.

John Sheehan, Computer Science Department Coordinator, says, “The SUNY Ulster Computer Science program is a great option for any student, whether just graduating high school, seeking a new career, or just enhancing skills in an existing career.  Between on campus, online, and continuing education, we have options available for all scheduling needs. This is a great opportunity for anyone, anywhere, to become a part of the exciting and ever changing world of computer technology!”

SUNY Ulster Nursing Students and Alumni Study Abroad in Durban, South Africa

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SUNY Ulster students and alumni pose with members of a South African village

From March 9-17, 2019, a group of nine SUNY Ulster nursing students and alumni traveled to Durban, South Africa with Dr. Ellen Tangney, Associate Professor of Nursing, for a study abroad opportunity. While they were there, they visited fellow COIL collaborating students at Durban University of Technology (DUT), traveled to nearby health clinics, met traditional village healers, and visited a few of the local attractions!

SUNY Ulster students and alumni with Auntie Connie and Elliot Makhathini
SUNY Ulster nursing students and alumni meet Auntie Connie and DUT Nursing Professor Elliot Mqansa Makhathini at DUT Pietermaritzburg campus.
Students and alumni at a South African radio station
The group participates in a radio talk show with host Ingelosi Engenamaphiko, discussing the integration of traditional healers in western medicine.
SUNY Ulster students and alumni participating in a Zulu dance
The travelers are entertained and educated on Zulu dance.
Dr. Dudu Sokhela, DUT, Dr. Ellen Tangney, SUNY Ulster, Professor Elliott Makhathini, DUT, and SUNY Ulster Nursing Student Chelsea VanKleeck outside a clinic
Dr. Dudu Sokhela, DUT, Dr. Ellen Tangney, SUNY Ulster, Professor Elliott Makhathini, DUT, and SUNY Ulster Nursing Student Chelsea VanKleeck outside Cato Ridge rural clinic.
Students and alumni hand out bags at a South African clinic
SUNY Ulster students and alumni at a South African clinic. People walk 2-3 hours to arrive at this clinic, which has a western medical doctor, nursing, homeopathy, and chiropractic services.
Students and alumni pose in front of Cato Ridge in South Africa
SUNY Ulster travelers at Cato Ridge, South Africa.
Students and alumni eating dinner at their bed and breakfast
The group prepared and enjoyed an African-style beef stew with the assistance of Lillian, the B&B cook.
Students, alumni, and Durban locals in front of the Nelson Mandela capture site
The travelers visit the Nelson Mandela capture site in Howick, South Africa.
Students, alumni, and Durban locals at a picnic table by the Indian Ocean
SUNY Ulster students and alumni join Durban friends for an evening meal by the Indian Ocean.
Students and alumni in front of sea creatures at the Ushaka Marine aquarium
Before leaving for home, the travelers visit Durban’s Ushaka Marine.
Students and alumni pose on airplane steps
The group heads back home!

Go Far with a SUNY Ulster Theatre Arts Degree

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Theatre students on stage after a performance

If you dream of performing for the stage or screen, then obviously a Theatre degree is for you. But if your passion lies in writing, woodcraft, art, makeup, or anything else creative, really, then Theatre could be for you too!

Students who receive a theatre degree are well equipped for a variety of jobs in performing arts and beyond. Students immerse themselves in diverse classes, including performance, playwriting, directing, and technical theatre. When they graduate, most students transfer to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, sometimes even going on to get a Master’s. SUNY Ulster students are prepared for further education by building the necessary skills a theatre student needs, including communication, organization, public speaking, community building, self-discipline, and motivation.
Students leave SUNY Ulster knowing how to work power tools, read effectively, paint and build structures, and create their own work on and off stage. They learn the importance of a play and how to interpret text as actors, designers, writers, and directors.

Many students who are undecided (regardless of age or self-described level of “talent”) find their place in the Theatre program, since there’s something for any creative person. The program is excellent for those who like to work with their hands and think critically. Theatre Program Coordinator Stephen Balantzian says, “Our goal is to teach students respect and understanding of all the roles in theatre. It is a community of wonderfully creative people whose jobs ultimately depend on each other. It’s exciting, challenging, and worth the ride.”

Alumni from the Theatre Arts program are now running their own theatre companies, freelance playwriting, creating their own businesses, and working as drama therapists and educators. Kaitlynn Bridget graduated with an AA in Theatre Arts in 2011. She went on to earn a BA from Brooklyn College in Theatre Arts, then received a Master’s from NYU in Drama Therapy. She currently works as a Drama Therapist in New York City, working with children and adolescents with complex trauma histories and conducting a research project with veterans using therapeutic theatre. She says, “Within the coursework and performances I participated in, I discovered the therapeutic nature in theatre. It’s at Ulster where I developed the foundation for the Drama Therapist I am today, and I could not be more grateful for the amazing professors and colleagues I studied with.”

Rita Ritolo-Miranda graduated from the Theatre Program in 2012. After graduating, she received a professional makeup certificate from Make Up For Ever Academy in New York City. She now works as a freelancing makeup artist for weddings and theatre performances. She says, “I’m doing makeup and wardrobe for incredibly talented, experienced actors. The last show I worked on was with the legendary Sean Astin, with a surprise audience member appearance from Stephen Colbert!”

Whether your goal is to perform in the spotlight, create a production behind the scenes, or even help others find themselves on stage, the SUNY Ulster Theatre Arts program can be a rewarding and formative experience.

What Are Microcredentials? How Can They Benefit Me?

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Woman presenting at a business meeting

Both locally and nationally, today’s employers are now looking for candidates with more than a college degree. Employers are looking for personnel that have detailed credentials with a proven and tailored skill set to fit a specific job description. A combination of applied learning experiences, credentialing, and a quality degree stack the competencies needed for graduates to succeed in today’s highly competitive job market. SUNY Ulster is one of the growing number of colleges providing these credential options for individuals and students looking to enhance their skill sets with highly marketable qualifications.  

What is a Microcredential?

At the most basic level, microcredentials verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible time frames and tend to be more narrowly focused. Microcredentials can be offered online, on campus, or via a hybrid of both.

Who Needs a Microcredential?

The industries with the most common use or requirement of microcredentials are in Industry Trades (including technology and advanced manufacturing); Health Care, Computers, Networking, and Engineering. The majority of licensure‐related offerings are within Education and Health Care. Others who may be interested in microcredentials are individuals working in fields such as Business, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Paralegal Studies, Mental Health, Protective Services, Veterinary Sciences, and more!

MicroCredentials at SUNY Ulster

SUNY Ulster currently offers four microcredentials, with several more currently in development. The four currently offered are Accounting Computer Skills, Computer Game Design, Mobile Application Developer, and Web Application Developer. Each consists of four classes which, when finished, earn the student a 14 or 16 credit microcredential. Accounting Computer Skills is designed primarily for Business majors, while the other three are geared toward those with a Computer Science background.

Start Your Creative Career with the SUNY Ulster Graphic Design Program

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Graphic Design students holding the bee brochures they designed

Are you a creative person? Do you dream of making money from your art or designs? If so, a degree in Graphic Design may be for you!

Perfect for traditional and adult students who are looking for more employment options or a career change, students can find themselves on a path to success when they start with the Advertising Design and Graphic Technology Program at SUNY Ulster, also known as the Real World Classroom.

The Real World Classroom is a unique opportunity for SUNY Ulster Graphic Design students. Each semester they are paired with local clients who are in need of design help. Recently, these classes have designed a brochure for the Ulster County Jewish Federation and created packaging for SOUL, a socially responsible coffee company supporting farmers in Rwanda. In addition to classroom work, students have the opportunity further their education in specific disciplines by participating in local internships.

Numerous graduates have transferred to four-year programs or gone directly on to employment within the fields of Print Media, Multimedia, Video, Web Design, and Illustration. Design careers combining graphic design and technology, including Video and 3D Printing, have become especially popular.

Students from a variety of backgrounds find a great fit in the Graphic Design program. SUNY Ulster student Sharon Wasko received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in the past. She came to SUNY Ulster after learning about the Real World Classroom, as she wanted directly employable skills with real clients. Graphic Design alumna Leanna White has had an exciting career since her 2012 graduation, designing album covers, patrol car wraps, and advertisements featured in magazines right after graduation.

No matter what stage of life you’re currently in, you have to take the first step to begin your career if you want to make a living doing what you love. For artists and designers, the Graphic Design Real World Classroom can be the perfect place to start.

Make the Most of Your Time this Winter Break

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Person walking in the woods

The fall semester is over, and the spring semester is still a few weeks away. Winter break is here! It’s important to wind down and enjoy some time with friends and family during your time off. However, once the holidays are over and everyone goes back to work, life can sometimes get a bit boring – so here are some great activities to help you make the most of your time off this winter break!

Volunteer

If you have some free time, local organizations and charities are always looking for extra help! Think of something you’re passionate about: chances are, there’s an organization for it! There are many unique groups who need help right here in the Hudson Valley, including animal shelters, libraries, museums, mentorship programs, and many more. By volunteering, you can meet new people, have a great addition to your resume, and have fun, all while supporting a cause you care about! If you won’t have much time when the semester starts again, you can always look into one-time volunteer gigs; organizations often need extra help with special events that only happen once. Check local websites, keep an eye out for bulletin board notices, and stop by places that might need extra help to see what’s out there.

Work on Your LinkedIn Profile

No matter what your major is or what your plans are for the future, having a network of professionals will help! Even if you haven’t decided on a major yet, you can benefit from creating a professional profile and adding professors, fellow students, bosses, and coworkers whose experience and advice could be useful as you begin to search for jobs or transfer colleges. While you’re at it, you may also want to take the time to tidy up your personal profiles on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to make your online persona more professional and appealing to future bosses and admissions representatives.

Make a Career or Financial Plan

When you’re in the middle of the semester, it’s easy to get caught up in the little day-to-day struggles like figuring out where to get dinner and completing the assignment that’s due early the next day. It’s easy to get discouraged and begin questioning why you’re working so hard for your career and degree when you’re tired, stressed out, and broke. While you’re on winter break, it’s easier to see the big picture, think positively, and plan for the future. You can plan for just the spring semester, or take it further and plan the next few months or years, in terms of both your finances and where you hope to be with college and your career. Having your plans and goals mapped out and written down will help you get through the mid-semester blues if they set in.

Apply for Scholarships

Every January and February, the Ulster Community College Foundation opens their scholarship application website to continuing and transferring students. Winter break is an excellent time to work on your applications and get them sent in before the full force of the spring semester sets in again. Check out our scholarship application tips post to get started!

Do Something You’ve Been Putting Off

We all have those things we put off, either because we don’t want to do them or because there’s just no time to do them. Winter break is an excellent opportunity to go for a dentist appointment, take your car in for the service it’s been demanding, or clean that closet (or room) you’ve been shoving things into for years. Even if it’s something you absolutely dread, just do it! You’ll be glad you did once you’re low on time again when the spring semester begins.

Do Something FUN!

Is there a book you’d love to read? A trip you’ve been wanting to take (even if it’s just for the day)? Maybe you want to start learning a new language or practice your drawing skills. If you haven’t seen your friends in a while, you might want to invite them over to catch up. Whatever it is, take the time to do it! Doing something meaningful and enjoyable is an important part of rejuvenating yourself after a long semester and enriching your life.

Get Started Today

Hopefully these tips have inspired you with some fun and productive things to do! What plans do you have for winter break? Comment them below!

Top Five Tips for Winternet Class Success

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Cat laying by keyboard

The fall semester is over and the holiday season is in full swing, which means it’s just about time for Winternet classes! If you’ve signed up for one of these intersession classes, you’ll be taking an online course that covers all the information covered in a 15 week in-person or online course in about 3 weeks instead. Though that may sound overwhelming, it is manageable, and you can greatly benefit from taking one! Since we’ve already discussed what Winternet is and why you should take one of these classes, today we’ll jump right in to how to succeed at Winternet courses this break!

#1: Check Early, Check Often

Your email and course site on Blackboard, that is. Normally professors will post information about the course, including necessary textbooks, introductions, and sometimes even icebreakers and class content before the technical “start” of the class. At the absolute minimum, you should read the syllabus, have your textbook, and familiarize yourself with the course site before the start of class. Finding out this information as soon as possible will put you on the path to success, especially when working with such a small window of time to begin with. If you can’t find something or it doesn’t make sense….

#2: Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Your Professor

Remember, your professor wants you to succeed as much as you do. Reach out to them via their email or online office hours with any questions you have, and be sure to let them know of any problems you’re having with the material or logistics of the course sooner rather than later.

#3: Have A Strict Daily Schedule

A common estimation for a winter session class is that students should set aside 30-40 hours per week to do all that needs to be done if they’re taking a 3-credit course. It’s not recommended that students try to work at full-time jobs while taking Winternet classes. For optimal results, log in daily to check and make sure there are no new assignments or readings.

#4: Maintain a Distraction-Free Environment

Ideally, you will have a consistent space to use each day for Winternet work. This could be your bedroom, a home office, or the local coffee shop, but it needs to be somewhere where you can focus and not be distracted during the time you’re working. Put your phone on silent, turn the TV off, close the door and put a “Keep Out” sign up… do whatever needs to be done so that you can work efficiently! Remember, it’s just three weeks!

#5: Complete ALL Assignments (On Time)

Since Winternet classes are short and online, your professor has even less to go on, which means every forum post, test, and paper counts even more toward your grade. One missed post or late quiz can be the difference between an excellent and mediocre final score. Keep an updated planner with ALL due dates, no matter how insignificant they may seem, so that you can maximize your time on projects and hand things in when they’re due.

Now Go Check Out Your Own Course Site!

By following these tips and working hard on your Winternet course for three weeks, you’ll likely pass with flying colors! Even though it’s a lot of work, the short time frame can be a blessing, especially if you’re not particularly interested in the subject matter. Have you developed any helpful tips and tricks for Winternet or online courses in general? Comment them below!

South African Nursing and Human Services Faculty Visit SUNY Ulster

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Professor Makhathini with Health Alliance Hospital staff

From December 1-7, 2018, two faculty from Durban University of Technology (DUT) visited SUNY Ulster and the local area! Elliot Mqansa Makhathini, Professor of Nursing at DUT, and Nomashodo Mirriam Siluma, Professor of Child Welfare at DUT, visited from South Africa to meet SUNY Ulster’s Nursing and Human Services faculty, students, and alumni. Professor Makhathini met with nursing students, faculty, and alumni, as well as the Ulster County community of health practitioners, including doctors, nurses, and the chief administrator of Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston. Professor Siluma met with Human Services faculty and students at SUNY Ulster and the KCSU, attending a few of Vicky Burgh-Harris’ and Keri McArdle’s classes.

Hope Windle with South African Professors
COIL Coordinator Hope Windle welcomes Professor Siluma and Professor 
Makhathini to New York!
SUNY Ulster Nursing Professor Dr. Ellen Tangney and Professor Makhathini working together with Sage College professors.
Professor Mirriam Siluma visits a Human Services class.
Professor Makhathini takes a scenic walk in Rosendale with local healer Kate Anjahlia Loye and Hope Windle.
Professor Makhathini and Professor Siluma have dinner with a group of Hudson Valley healers and SUNY Ulster Nursing alumna Elizabeth Bourne.
Professor Makhathini learns about the SUNY Ulster Simulation Lab from Nursing Program Assistant Jackie McDowell.
Professor Makhathini and Professor Siluma visit the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster, meeting nursing professors and students who will be traveling to South Africa in March 2019, as well as Human Services professors Vicky Burgh-Harris and Keri McArdle.
SUNY Ulster Nursing Alumni Jess Robie and Nurse/Reiki Healer Jeannette Duffau at the Health Alliance Kingston Hospital visit with Professor Makhathini about the healing arts incorporated at their hospital.
 Professor Makhathini also got to visit with Health Alliance CEO David Scarpino.

Fashion Students Create Apparel Designs for Guatemalans in Need

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Fashion students working on their apparel designs

SUNY Ulster fashion students are participating in a great service learning opportunity and gathering intercultural experiences this semester! Students in Professor Angela Kunz’s FAS 220: Apparel Design II class are working on a set of pattern designs that two Guatemalan women’s groups, one a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and the other part of a small rural community who recently lost all their crops, can use to create fashionable, export-friendly clothing to sell.

The project began when Angela took a trip with a SUNY New Paltz professor and students to Antigua, Guatemala to work with local women. While the group was there, they visited one of the three domestic shelters in the country, where Angela discovered that the shelters were given limited funding. After finding a local with a large warehouse of traditional Guatemalan shirts, she decided to bring a few back for a class project that would give her students a chance to help others in need.

The students have refashioned the Guatemalan shirts that Angela brought back into new, easy-to-sew attire that the Guatemalan women can easily recreate on a larger scale and export. When finished, the students will be able to use the sample they created in their professional portfolio. In December, Angela and one of her students will return to Guatemala to deliver the finished concepts and help teach the steps to the women so they can recreate the garments.

Angela hopes that this exciting new project will build longevity and financial security for these women. She hopes to return in the future with more students from SUNY Ulster and create an ongoing collaboration between the women of Guatemala, SUNY New Paltz students, and SUNY Ulster students.

Angela Kunz poses with several Guatemalans