Job Fair Employer List

For those of you who are interested in knowing what companies will be on hand at the Job Fair on the 6th, here is a list:

• USD Nursing Program
• BHSU Project SELECT
• Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota
• Fastenal
• Comfort Keepers
• Waddell and Reed
• St. Martin Monastery
• State Farm Insurance-Dave Raml
• Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
• Behavior Management Systems
• Pennington County Sheriff's Office
• US Air Force
• Assurant
• Caterpillar, Inc

Links are included for as many of the businesses as possible.  This will allow you to research the organizations and companies before you arrive at the job fair.

For the Student Veterans

This post is aimed at a very important segment of the student body, our veterans.  These individuals have volunteered to serve and defend their country and are now heading to school to further their lives and careers.  We would like to say thank you to them for their service and go one step further and tell how we can serve them.

There are multiple resources available for veterans through the University Center and their home campuses.  The first resource we can offer vets is one another.  Sometimes all a person needs is to talk to someone else who has been where they have been and knows what they have been through.  Understanding that, the University Center is working with a determined group of veteran students to create a Vets Club, unique to the UC.  Any student who is taking a class at the UC is welcome to join this club, regardless of what institution they are enrolled in.  The purpose of the club is to support and encourage the veterans and provide resources to them as well as instill a sense of camaraderie in these students.

A second resource will be to bring a VA patient advocate to the building once a month to visit with our veterans about any questions they may have.  A representative from the VA Black Hills Health Care System will be available to answer questions and provide information about Veterans Health Care at the Rapid City University Center in the Lobby Rotunda from 3:30 to 5:00 pm on the following dates:

• September 18, 2012
• October 23, 2012
• November 13, 2012

Be watching for upcoming dates in the spring semester.

A third resource available will be various workshops throughout the semester.  While these workshops will be open to all students, not just veterans, there are a few that I would like to draw special attention to.  Throughout the year, Career Services will be hosting workshops on resumes and cover letters.  At these sessions, in addition to reviewing resumes/cover letters, we will have a representative from the Veteran's Upward Bound program on hand to assist with any number of questions the veteran students may have.  This program is a fantastic and FREE resource to all members of the military who have been discharged or released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable or discharged, or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

There are many additional services that are offered to our veterans.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will work with you to answer them or resolve any issues you may be having.  Thank you again for your service and we are honored you chose to continue your education at the University Center Rapid City!

First Day of Class Tips for Success

As we begin another fall semester at the University Center, we would like to share a few tips for success with you.  Please consider implementing these and asking for assistance if you need it.  We are committed to your academic success and will do all we can to help you!  Have a great 2012-2013 academic year!!

• Know why you chose to go to school:  What are your goals?  If your goal is to take a class just to gain knowledge, then you will be better off to take a community education class that doesn't require grading and homework.  If your goal is to obtain a degree, having a clear idea  of what you want to achieve, reaching your goal will be much easier.
• Define your priorities:  If you want to succeed in college, you need to determine what is the most important to you.  Some students had low grades or failed because football came before homework.  Movies came before homework.  Traveling came before homework.  Procrastination only hurts you as a student and shows that you are not serious about your education.
• Set attainable goals:  Pick realistic goals and focus on accomplishing them.  Every success will give you more confidence to tackle your next goal.  If you can only manage to fit one business class into your busy schedule, for example, then just take one class and give it your full attention.  When a goal seems big and daunting, one of the smartest places to start is to break it into different pieces that will build toward the goal.  When you break it into smaller bits, each bit is more manageable.
• Time Management:  Managing your time is essential to succeeding in college.  Each class requires approximately 2 hours of study time outside of class per hour spent in class.  A time management tool such as a day planner is great for time management.  You can use a calendar, notebook or anything that works to help you track your time.  Time blocks can be designated for studying, homework, research, work, family time, errands, and a multitude of activities.  Balancing school and life isn't easy but it can be manageable.
• Attendance:  Class attendance is critical to your success because it is a supplement to your textbook and other course material.  Attendance affects your grade, and missing class when it is not due to illness or other extenuating circumstances is self-defeating.
• Homework:  College classes are taught at a very fast pace.  A math class that takes all year in high school is taught in one term in college.  Planning your homework and working ahead when possible are things that will help keep you on track.  Know when your assignments are due, and don't procrastinate.  Writing a term paper the day it is due almost always guarantees a low grade because your concentration is on getting the paper done, and things such as facts, citations, spelling and grammar errors are often overlooked.
• Have a personal investment in your education:  Ask questions and get involved in class discussions.  Learn your instructor's teaching style, expectations, and preferences for assignments.  If you don't understand something, meet with your instructor after class or schedule office time to go over what you need help with.  If you are getting low grades, seek tutoring.
• You are responsible for your education:  College provides a learning environment to students who want to learn, but it is up to you to go to class, seek help, study and ask questions.  Your investment in your education is what determines your return so make the best of it.  Think of it as money in the bank; the more you put in, the bigger return you receive.
• Care for yourself:  You're going to need to be healthy to succeed, so eat well, drink lots of water and get enough sleep.  Exercise is the best stress reliever of all.  If you can, ride a stationary bike while reading or discuss with a classmate while you walk together.
• Take breaks when you need them:  Going to school is a big commitment.  Feel yourself getting overwhelmed?  Give yourself permission to take a break.  That might mean closing the books, going for a quick walk, or taking a night off from studying altogether.  If you find yourself burning the midnight oil for weeks on end, work some down time into your schedule.  It's important to plan time to relax or you become less effective.
• Stick with it, don't give up:  College changes your life.  You will have good times and difficult times and the rewards are greater than the sacrifices.  The college experience is unforgettable;  it is a time to learn and try new things, meet new people and make new friends.  It takes persistence, commitment and dedication to get through college but you can do it.  Use your support systems to help you through the rough times, and don't give up.  When you make it through, celebrate your success and make a toast to your future.

Good luck on your fall 2012 semester!  Let us know if we can help you in any way!

Class of 2016

As we are gearing up to start a new semester and welcome all of the students back to the University Center, Beloit College has announced their new mindset list for the Class of 2016.  A brief bit of background information first about the mindset list.  This list was first published in 1998, for the Class of 2002.  It all began as a way to let people know the frame of mind that incoming traditional aged students had, also to help professors know that their references may be outdated.  To read this year's list, click HERE. 

In other University Center news, New Student Orientation will be held tomorrow, August 22nd.  For our veteran and military students, there will be a short session at 4:30 pm in room 112.  For all other students, the main session will begin at 5:00 pm in room 112.  Orientation is open to all new and returning students if they wish to attend.  The following sessions will be offered at orientation:

• Veterans' Center and Benefits (4:30 pm for all veteran and military students, new or returning)
• Overview of the Center and services available
• Academic Success Planning
• Study Skills 2 Career Skills
• Balancing Home-School-Personal Life
• Computer/Technology Support
• Financial Aid
• Open sessions with BHSU, SDSU, and USD representatives
• Student ID Cards
• Bookstore will be open until 7:30 pm (if you want to buy your books, please bring a printed copy of your schedule with you, otherwise you may print it in our computer labs)

There is still time to get registered for fall classes, but you need to hurry.  Classes begin at 4 pm on Monday, August 27th! 

New Programs at UCRC

Exciting news at University Center Rapid City, we are pleased to announce that we will now be offering the following degrees from Dakota State University:

• Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Computer and Network Security
• Bachelor of Science in Health Information Administration

We will be offering courses towards these degrees as well as options of classes delivered in person, hybrid, and online.  For more information about these degrees, click on the links above.

Want to know what you can do with a degree in these areas? Here are some examples of jobs that can be obtained with these degrees:

Health Information Technology

• Health Data Analyst
• Insurance Claims Analyst
• Records Technician Specialist
• Clinical Coding Specialist
• Physician Practice Manager
• Patient Information Coordinator

Computer and Network Security

• Network Administrator
• Security Administrator
• Network Manager
• Information Security Manager
• Information Security Officer
• Information Security Consultant
• Network Scanner
• Network Auditor

Health Information Administration

• Clinical Record Manager
• Patient Data Services Manager
• Health Information Services
• Health Data Analyst
• Insurance Claims Analyst
• Clinical Coding Specialist
• Coding Compliance Reviewer

For more information about these programs or to enroll, contact the University Center today at 605-718-4112.

UCRC Updates

Here are just some updates for our UCRC students:

Ready to order your books for the Fall 2012 semester? All UCRC students can now order their books online @ www.bhsubookstore.com and select the "Ship to UCRC now." You can then pick-up your ordered books at the University Center Bookstore! Don't want to pre-order your books? Stop in the UCRC Bookstore beginning August 20 to pick up your UCRC books then!

New Student Orientation will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd starting at 5:00 pm.  If you are a veteran, we have a session starting at 4:30 pm to help explain the services we have available as well as the resources out there for veteran students!  We are asking students to pre-register for orientation as a way of knowing how many people will be there and more importantly, how much food to order!  To register for orientation, click HERE.

BHSU will be holding a New Student Registration day on Friday, August 17th beginning at 1 pm.  If you are a new BHSU student and need to get registered for fall classes, register now to attend.  For more information and a link to the registration form, click HERE.

Finally, for your entertainment for the day, check out this Twitter feed by "Fake Jim Abbott," The Official(ly fake parody) account of the University of South Dakota's 17th President, James W. Abbott.  It is quite humorous and a good way to kill a few minutes when you really need a study break!