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Show nion AboutUs OurView Editor in Chief Arie Kirk Networking useless unless backed by skill News Editor Rachel A. Christensen Assistant News Editor Greg Boyles r ou have to network." / J "It's all who you know, not what you know/' or at. least that's what everyone tell you. The repl Secret.is that networking d o e s n o t work.'"o-^v.'. • ; Features Editor Courtnie Packer Assistant Features Editor -' v V - " V ''•"' • v Really, we should say that networking as understood by the general public doesn't work. This may be the reason you are getting frustrated about potential employers not calling you back about the job that was "in the bag." Most people think that networking is about collecting business cards and making sure that someone "inside" knows their name. It may be more effective than walking into an interview cold, and different mindsets can ensure greater business success. Let's pretend you actually are a good candidate for the job. In the name of "networking" you could "butter up" the representative in order to "get in" with the company, but professionals can see through your acting. Networking is not selfishness, but relates more to service. Too often in business,, individuals seek their own interests without regard for the effect it will have on others. Unfortunately, this has carried over into our job prospecting and even our personal lives. If you often find yourself thinking about how you can benefit from the person you are talking to, you might want to rethink your strategy. In the words of Thomas J. Stanley, "Me, me, me is dull, dull, dull. It's give, give, give before you ever receive." Individuals who harbor a "me first" attitude find very few people willing to partner with them. The roots of networking lie in proof. As you show people or businesses that they are your main priority, they will choose to work with you. You must prove it to them. You may be the person for the job, packed with all the skills they need, but if you can't validate tho^e capabilities, you may find yourself puzzled as to why the phone just isn't ringing. Companies gamble every time they make a hire. Prove.to them beforehand that hiring you will make perfect sense. Asking for a job is merely a way to solve your problem. Seeking to help the company and solve their problems is a way that you can be a positive contributor. It always comes back Amanda Mears Sports Editor Tim Olsen Assistant Sports Editor Paul Kelley Copy Editor Lisa Christensen Forum Lett e PS Cutting degrees lowers diversity To the editor: The economy is forcing budget cuts and wiser use of financial resources in many areas. One area is that of education. Unfortunately great schools like Utah State are also forced to overcome financial hurdles. Utah State offers many different programs, bringing a variety of students and creating the diversity of people and ideas that makes those who are enrolled glad to call themselves Aggies. The proposed budget cuts include restructuring departments and some of the majors within those departments. Departments like HASS have considered dropping their less popular degrees. What about those students who came to USU solely because they offer a specific degree? Many of these students would be lost if less popular options were dropped. Diversity among the student body around. - ; ;. y ! ; ; • •'• would also be lost if these . So does networking really work? Yes it programs were dropped. does, but only if done with the right inten- Every student at USU has tions. Prove it by bringing new customers, something unique that only they can offer. There not more liability. It is about who you know, are better alternatives to but it is more about what you do for who saving money than dropy o u k n o w . :-j-,V;.;,-'-•-: , v < ' . • . , . * • ; . . ; > . • : : •/; .. ping programs. Pats and Jabs V A pat on the back to the graduating seniors and valedictorians. £ And a jab in the ribs to the Fieldhouse for taking student fees and then closing the facility for the summer.^ . ;. v ;r; -( I attended discourses given by several lecturers last semester, while it is great to hear from someone new I could have gone without hearing them. Especially with how much money USU would save by bringing in gradu- ate students, rather than paid lecturers. I've found through experience that it's easier for me to relate with graduate students than with some famous person that wrote some book that sold x amount of copies. Graduate students can present the information we as students need to know without all the extra fluff and irrelevant material that you usually get from lecturers. If USU can bring in four graduate students for the same amount of money they would need to brine in one lecturer it would be money smart to start using our graduate students more often. Taylor Read Accountancy at USU worthwhile To the editor: I recently had a conversation with a friend, and she explained how she loved her major, but her department was weak. She despised how the faculty ran the program, and was frustrated over how poorly they taught the material. She felt that the whole program had been a waste of her time. I am graduating this spring from the School of Accountancy and my experience has been completely different. I have taken a class from nearly every professor in the department, and 1 have positive things to say about all of them. Many of the professors have received degrees from notable universities Letters to the editor • A public forum and have several years experience in the public accounting. Their classes have all been high quality; none of them fall into .the realm of a "fluff class. Outside of the classroom setting, they have helped me with career advice and with my applications to graduate school. The School of Accountancy has given me multiple opportunities. The clubs and organizations within the school have offered ample opportunities to network with professionals. I have also been involved with working as an Undergraduate Teaching Fellow, which has helped deepen my understanding or the business world. The School of Accountancy is a strong program. According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey in 2008, USU accounting graduates received more than 400 job offers last year. According to the National Association of the State Boards of Accountancy, USU ranked with the 5th highest percentage of graduates passing the CPA exam on the first try. James Quigley, CEO of Deloitte (the largest accounting firm in the nation), is a graduate from Utah State's accounting department. If anyone is considering a career in business, particularly in accounting, I would recommend USU's School of Accountancy. It has been a very worthwhile experience. Nathan Needham Life is meant to be loopholed, so take advantage I t always seems to be the end of the semester when I make astounding discoveries, discoveries that involve taking advantage of certain prime situations. If only I had known about these loopholes earlier. I would have much more greatly abused my knowledge to get gain at this university. Imagine me heaving a ginormous sigh of regret. Curse the if-onlys and might-have-beens. For instance, did you know that you can check out 30 books at a time from the Merrill-Cazier library? Holy smokes. Next time you see me in this gray, concrete building, I will have a little red wagon piled 30 stories high with bound writings of erudition. Imagine the possibilities. I could wipe out an entire collection in one go. And get this - grad students and professors have permission to take out a hundred items. I think I would faint if I had that privilege. It is extremely tempting to steal the identity of a grad student. Jatie K. invited me to go to a Robins Awards dinner of sorts last week. She got the "in" because she was playing her violin as entertainment for the honored few. I got the "in" because I was her best friend. The dinner, full of elegantly gourmet finger foods and fancily posh lemonades, was held just outside the TSC. I expected there to be a guest list, because everyone was dressed so formally in tuxes and gowns that it made me feel queasy about my belongance, but, amazingly enough, the event was considerably open. No one asked me any questions as I piled heaps of kabobs and peppers and chocolate mousse cups onto my plate. Speaking of dinner, you gotta love spending three hours gorging your face in the Marketplace (the cafeteria in the TSC). I did not come up with this brilliant idea on my own; Dr. J did. On occasion he hops into the cafeteria with his laptop and backpack, sets up camp at a table in an obscure corner, and goes on a homework marathon, taking occasional breaks to eat watermelon and watch YouTube clips of Mongolian vocalists. Jatie K. and I decided that this would be the perfect method (minus the Mongolian vocalists) to get our heinous Music Theory project out of the way. We arrived at the Marketplace befoce 4 p.m. and we stayed until 7 p.m. We spent our time munching on egg rolls and scouring musical scores for 21stcentury techniques and elements. We got way too comfortable; we even took off our shoes and socks. I can still picture Jatie now, shouting excitedly across the boothed table, "This is the biggest tertian chord ever!" "That deserves some Aggie Ice Cream/' I respond as we resultantly oblige ourselves. Speaking of Aggie Ice Cream, did you know that you can use those blue free ice cream coupons (that the Food Science people award for test-tasting delectable foods in the blessed room of Nutrition 209) as credit for other items? Approximately two coupons equals one sandwich or baggie of squeaky cheese. Ugh. For all of this time I have been getting ice cream with my coupons instead of a substantial, nutritious and hearty lunch. Here's the plan: taste test as much food as I possibly can, hoard the awarded coupons and have.a five course meal tnat culminates with a single ice cream cone of glory. Mmm, good. I am positive that I have put panic into the hearts of all the librarians, Marketplace managers, engineers and taste-testing organizers out there, for sharing these epiphanies with the innocent brains of each literate, Statesmansawy student, but in all frankness, my dear comrades, life is meant to be loopholed. You can bet your bottom dollar that I will continue to seek out these secret loopholes lurking on campus until the bitter end of my stay in this Logan place. Consider it a service to mankind. USU, watch out. (And thanks for feeding me.) Melissa Condie is a junior majoring in music education. Comments can be sent to m.condie@ aggiemail.usu.edu. Photo Editor Cameron Peterson Assistant Photo Editor Tyler Larson Editorial Board Arie Kirk Rachel A. Christensen Courtnie Packer Tim Olsen Amanda Mears Lisa Christensen About letters • Letters should be limited to 350 words. • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters. • Letters must be topic oriented. They may not be directed toward individuals. Any letter directed to a specific individual may be edited or not printed. • No anonymous letters will be published. Writers must sign all letters and include a phone number or e-mail address as well as a • student identification number (none of which is published). 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