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Show v, 03 'J1 lfl327 CD2D U', rjiiirro3 ji? iifrn C N , x i .. jLl -- 2- r 1 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 201; DIXIESUNNEWS.COM oGd stolfellftS BY DAVE GARDNER DSNDave Many college students in Utah lack the verbal and written communication skills employers want, according to a recent survey. Concerns about the coming crop of professionals arose in a recent convention of Utah educators and businesses. In a recent survey by Dan Jones & Associates, 90 percent of employers felt recent graduates lack adequate oral and written communication skills, as reported by the Deseret News. Some of Dixie State University's students, such as Damian Miera, a sophomore general education major from Kearns, are confident in their capabilities. Miera credits participating in student government and performance groups such as Raging Red for part of his communication confidence. I think the article is an but I can see where the companies are coming from, " Miera said. Robert Long, a junior elementary education major from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, said he sees both sides. Prior to attending DSU, Long' spent three years teaching special education in Hawaii. Honestly, after my two years here, Ill probably be about ready, Long said. Ive found my college classes havent totally prepared me, so Ive had to do some training. Jeremey Forsberg is an adjunct instructor of digital design and art director at TCS Advertising & Public Relations. Forsberg sees poor communication skills from new graduates during interviews at his workplace as well as students presenting projects verbally to their classmates or in INTERNS Blocker said. This is mostly due to students cultivating an imbalance of hard and soft skills. Blocker said hard skills are based on knowl- edge. For example, an English major is required to learn advanced writing, grammar and American literature in order to graduate ..These hard skills are particular to a degree and prepare students for a future in that field. Blocker said soft skills are the talents and experiences students need to learn non-academ- ic VP continued from Page 1 wasnt planning on losing her halfway through the year, I though. Price was also sad to leave DSUSA. My only regret is that writing. I think people need to be more aware of how they communicate, Forsberg said. If you're typing something that youd type to your friend through a text message, that's not the same as when you apply for a job. Forsberg said he feels the convenience of technology sometimes leads to causal behavior. You have to make sure youre speaking appropriately, Forsberg said. If you send some kind of introductory letter to a prospective employer and theyre like, Whoa ... should I text back or just update their Facebook status? Or the way youre spelling and the way youre speaking is the equivalent of a fifth grader, that's not going to transition well to the job market. Forsberg advised students who want school to help prepare to look at the required English or communication classes as an opportunity to improve themselves rather than a burden. I think a lot of it is attitude and how we look at our classes, Forsberg said. They might not be the most fun classes ever, but if its going to help us be better prepared or better for going out into the workforce, do it. Jocelynne Hayward, a senior medical laboratory science major from Castle Dale, said she knows staying in student housing has improved her communication. Ive had to be able to communicate with my roommates and suitemates, Hayward said. Joy Cooney, English adviser for literary studies and technical and professional writing, said she feels if employers better understood and valued the humanities, students would have the skills employers seek. The humanities particuteach all larly literary studies along the way to graduation. These skills include interactive, communicative and organizational skills. Soft skills are typically learned outside the classroom in extracurricular internships or events. Its soft skills that will set graduates apart from other job applicants with degrees, Blocker said. In order to help students market themselves better and prepare for post graduation, the first program the Career Center will introduce is Dixie Interns. The Career Centers internship board on the DSU website operates similarly continued from Page 2 degree-specifi- c a I couldnt have seen it through to the end, Price said. Crockett said he is excited to DD IDGG pDGOOGGiL skills listed in of the Jacobsen's Deseret News article: oral and written skills, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, social sensitivity and cultural awareness, Cooney said. Cooney draws fault away from students or teachers and toward culture. The problem is that we receive strong messages daily that the professional emphasis is on specialized skill and vocational oi'stoisl? or technical skill, which are necessary, of course, Cooney said. But so too is the ability to complement these skills with good communication and critical thinking. Steve Bringhurst, executive director of the career center, said DSU students are well prepared for the workplace in many ways but overlook gaining experiences, especially internships. If youre going to college P s to get a job, ... the internship piece is pretty important, Brij a c ghurst said. Bringhurst stressed that students seek help in their prepara tions. The experience piece is real big," Bringhurst said. We can help you do that, your professor can help you do that. ... we're always trying to engage student to get connected to us so we can connect them to employers. P V !ii8SJql iSnl'rtsJi- - (SttRislftijltsl! ijMII?, Ability to work in a team structure, Ability to obtain and process information. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work. http:www.forbes.eomsitessusanadams20141 removed from the site. The Dixie Interns program will change that by creating static internships from semester to semester for students to continually apply. Some internships might be every spring and fall semesters while oth- ers might be consistently summer internships. Dixie Regional Medical Center and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are two organizations for sure that will be accepting applications for Dixie Interns in February, and we will be adding more companies as we establish permanent relationships with them, Blocker said. bylaws for the best interest of both the clubs and DSU., encouraging clubs to become more involved in the community through service outreach and attempting to improve communication between clubs and DSUSA. SW&Jy7 8CGVS wfcvM 'li&atiii ipiQi fdSiyj iMHiiD) fro fiyiacilillp) ANjPTrlllS1 ciOjyuIiSjil'? to job listings. Once an internship is filled, it is take on the responsibility and has a specific vision for the future of DSU clubs. Crockett hopes to improve and grow clubs at DSU by reviewing and possibly changing clubs a In conjunction with Dixie Interns, the Career Centers second program, Dixie Career Tours, will . accelerate students skills in the workplace literally. Dixie Career Tours are based on open house-typ- e settings on location at a companys facility for students to understand what work life is like and to network with executives that are hiring regularly, Blocker said. These open houses are meant to be informal occasions to explore workplaces and ask questions, but students may dress formally and bring resumes as well. Some of the first businesses on the tour list include Busy- - He said he hopes to improve the clubs at DSU by giving them guidance on how to provide a niche for people to belong. I hope to gain personal connections between DSUSA and campus clubs, Crockett said. Crockett also has experience in leadership positions and in the clubs at DSU. I believe I can contribute my unique background and outlook to DSUSA in this position, Crockett said. 11 Busy, a tech firm, and weBoost, a company dedicated to cellular signal boosting. Most students think, Ill get my degree and then Ill figure it out, Blocker said. Its important to think about now. numare the Internships ber one way to get in with employers and establish those hard and soft skills. Kaylee Kirkland, a senior accounting major from St. George, will begin her internship in February, thanks to the Career Center. I wanted to participate in an internship to get as much real life, hands-o- n post-graduati- Crockett was involved in student government at Dixie High School and enjoys leadership positions, he said. At DSU, he was elected to be the paramedic program president and spokesperson. Crockett also started an emergency medical services-base- d club to help students learn more about EMS careers. He was then selected as the health sciences club representative during fall semester. After Price resigned, Crock experience as possible. I was able to meet with Blocker and he set me up for success by telling me what I needed to bring and how to present my resume. They are very helpful at the Career Center, Kirkland said. on up To be coming events and oppoi tunities, the Career Cenu will be publishing dates and applications on their web page in February. For any questions regarding future internship opportunities, email Shar Blocker at BlockerdiM edu. To schedule appoint ments at the Career Cent or to submit feedback fo past Career Center activi ties, call up-to-da- te 435-652-773- 7. ett interviewed for the position with the administration and Layton. Crockett said he has immediately started work. His first endeavor as VP of clubs wastf try to get to personally know club presidents and reps of ah 79 clubs. Brogan is experienced and very knowledgeable in clubs,' Layton said. All of the club reps he works with have high k respect for him. it r |
