University Life Weekly Highlights – week ending 9-12-08

Career Services, University

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD. One or both of these conditions are present in an increasing number of Mason students who are veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and of course many students who are not veterans of the trauma in the Middle East. Dr. Jacqueline L'Heureux Mason alum) presented excellent information on brain injury to a group of about 40 (8/27/08) staff from Counseling and Psychological Services, University Career Services, Disability Resources.
• SOM Career Census response rate increases. There is a wonderful trend in securing more outcome data on SOM grads using the Mason Career Census. SOM's undergraduate (UG) response rate went up from 41% in August '07 to 52.6% in August '08, the best response rate recorded for SOM August grads. Tech Man August '08 grads also increased their response rate from 60.5% in August '07 to 76%.
• "Wear a tie," aka Practice Interview Days campaign. Wearing ties for the day, Career Services staff heightens awareness of the three practice interview day opportunities for students. Staff handed out Payday; candies and spoke to over 200 students from 11-noon in the JC. All of the 19 slots for 30-minute practice interviews with employers are filled for Sept. 12.; Two more interview practice days are scheduled -- Sept. 16 and 26. Thanks to James Barricelli, Leslie Perez, and Rebekah Truog.
• Fair update: Over 175 organizations are already registered to attend the Job Fair on October 7th and 8th. To review/search the list of employers coming to the fair visit: https://gmu-csm.symplicity.com/events/students.php?cf=jobfair2008&cck=1&au=&ck=
• An increasing number of employers are interested in co-facilitating career and job search workshops at Mason.; In addition to sharing their expertise on topics such as Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Job Search in a Tight Market, and many others, employers enjoy making contact with students outside of the hiring process. This fall 18 employers are assisting with workshops, and many more will participate in Interview Practice Days, Resume Clinic, Job and Internship Fair, and Career Panels. (All events are listed on http://careers.gmu.edu/calendar.)
• Federal Govt Job Hunting: On Wednesday Sept. 10th, more than 36 students, one faculty member from SOM, and several alumni participated in a lively workshop on Finding Federal Government Jobs and Internships.; Two federal government representatives, Roger Campbell SOM '84 and Garbo Cheung-Jacik, MPA '06 presented their experiences and advice on searching for federal jobs.

Counseling and Psychological Services

• Jeff Pollard attended the Virginia Counseling Center Director's conference in Richmond. James Stewart, Inspector General for the Commonwealth of Virginia presented a 4 hour program based on the new mental health laws for Virginia.
• Ten peer advisors and faculty members from the Freshman Center completed the Mason Cares gatekeeper training.; Anchal Khanna and Justin Massey facilitated the session.

Multicultural Research and Resource Center

• Garey Davis and Rebecca Walter facilitated a successful one-day welcoming diversity workshop on Saturday, September 6th, in the midst of Hurricane Hannah. The workshop was attended by student activities graduate students, New Century College graduate students, a Mason Alum/Community member.