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Show ., THE THUNDEABIADOSOUTHEAN UTAH UNIVEASITYDMONDAY FEBRUARY 3, 19920 PAGE 3 SU expands placement efforts to aid more grads BY CATHLEEN CASTLE Thunderbird Cgruspandmt Job placement efforts have been expanded co help more students find jobs in the work force after graduation, according to Sterling R . Church, vice president for student services. This year an additional placement cou nselor, Calvin Stroud, was hired to work specifically with noneducatio n majors in their career search. SUU saw the need for the addition after surveying last year's graduates. According to Church , those graduates were concerned about placemen t, or lack thereof. Part of Stroud's assignment is to educate students as to what kinds of jobs they are qualified for with particular degrees, and will work with students directly to help them find employment. In order for Stroud to help students, however, they must establish a placement file . Once this is done, Stroud can let students know about appropriate jobs. "It is important that students understand the job search process, especially in the recessionary environment," he said. He also noted that students should be familiar with the hiring cycles of the industry in which they plan to work . Besides the addition of Stroud's job, a placement advisory board was created. The board consists of the dean or department head from each college, a student, a n alumni representative, the placement office director and the assistant vice president for student services. According to student representative Peter J ohnson , " the board meets to discuss ideas on improving placement in all areas, including graduate programs and jobs and to improve the reputation of the school among employers." Jack Cannon, director of placement, said that the involvement of faculty is vital to the success of the board . '' It is essential that deans are aware of what's going on and give input," said Cannon. Business professor and chair of the board Gary Giles said that since its inception in September, the group is still in a developmental phase in finding out exactly what the board can do to help students. He said there are some areas on campus that need more attention than others. For example, he said , " We want to find out what [we can] do for political science and social science students. Some areas, like accounting and education , already have a good marriage between potential employers and graduating students." Giles said the board is covering a broader range in trying to help students than originally anticipated . " We are trying to help with placing students in graduate school, employment while still in school, and to get internships that could tum into jobs." The board is working on a career fair set for March 29 and 30 in the Centrum with more than 30 employers currently slated, and more anticipated . Election dates set BY R.J . HESS Thunderbird Staff Writtr It's 1992 and time for elections, not Federal or State elections but student government elections, and students arc already talking about running for office. However, it will take more than just wanting to run for office co qualify for candidacy in the upcoming March 4 election. To qualify to run, would-be SUUSA leaders must comply with the SUUSA Constitution outlining campaign rules and election procedures. Rules include a minimum GPA of 2.0 and campaign spending of a maximum of $1,700 per party or independent candidate. To form a party, students must fill 15 elected positions, making sure that there are three senators from each of the four colleges. T he deadline for candidacy application form s, available in the Student Government Offices, is Feb. 5. A nominations assembly will be held Feb. 12, and meet the candidate night is Feb . 19. Primary elections are Feb. 26. NASA Directgr Joseph C. Sharp outlines needed improoemmts in the American educational system during his Cgnoocation lecture Thursday. Sharp nails education flaws BY KATIE BRIGGS Thunderbird Staff »+iter Although Thursday's Convocation guest currently serves as the director of NASA, Joseph C . Sharp spoke only briefly of h is work at NASA , talking mostly about America's education system, which he believes is faltering . As a director of space research at NASA's Ames Research Center in California, one of Sharp's most recent projects involved the Discovery space shuttle, which returned to earth Thursday morning. People with different areas of expertise, inlcuding engineers, economists, astronauts and ground crew, worked for this event. In interviewing people for all of these positions, Sharp found one thing alarming, most of them were missing one or more of the basic elements of a good education . " My generation has done many things, some very good ... some very bad," Sharp said. He said the biggest mistake it had made was an '' indifference to our children as reflected in their mediocre to abysmal education." According to Sharp, some of the best teachers come from SUU. "This institution, SUU, is willing to examine itself and change. (That) takes leadership and managemen t. " Leadership is the ability to cope effectively with change." he said , " Management deals with complexity." H e then asked, " Public schools have management, but are they led?" Sharp feels that leadership in the schools should be provided by teachers who are professionals. " W e must have a large number of excellent teachers at all grade levels and they must all be professionals." Professional, Sharp said, means people who produce quality products and take responsibility for their mistakes. They strive to improve their knowledge and skills and work together to strengthen communication about new innovations. H e noted, " A master's degree doesn 't make you a professional." Sharp said teachers should be educated the same way other professionals are. Most professional schools are autonomous and carefully choose their students. They place heavy emphasis on the basics and never make exceptions. Students practice under the watchful eye of a professor and are taught the most current practices. After graduation , they continue and often intensify the learning process. They are taught ways to evaluate their performance and make changes when necessary. ACCELERATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Professional opportunities are currently available in the areas of Medicine, Nursing, and other Health Care Specialties. A Naval Officer will be on campus February 4-5 for informational interviews. There is no obligation 1n exploring these options. Call 1-800-543-9820 for ·an appointment. or stop by the Career Placement Center between classes. SECURITY TRAVEL BENEFITS VARIETY '. |