Right now, CAWS is pretty busy!! Yesterday (Oct. 27th), we helped with American Family Day to raise money for our club. American Family Day is a company that specializes in corporate family days...companies pay AFD to plan a carnival-like event for all of their employees and families and, instead of having workers travel around the country, AFD hires local organizations to work the events and gives them a donation. We had 20 people work the event and got to raise $850 for CAWS, so it was definitely worthwhile! This was the second time we worked an event like this and the event itself is really easy to work (paint faces, help with crafts, etc.), but the clean-up is a pain because all of the carnival tents, games, etc. have to fit in one Enterprise truck. Luckily, the Clemson men's Rugby team was working that day also, so they got to lift all of the heavy things : )
Next Saturday, (Nov. 3rd), CAWS is going to Asheville to help with the Wolfdog Rescue. As I mentioned in class, this rescue is a sanctuary for the "wolfdogs" in the mountains that are a problem due to wild dogs breeding with wolves. The animals have a difficult time because they have too many domesticated traits to make it in the wilderness with the wolves, but not many people want to adopt a dog that is half wolf. There are quite a few wolfdogs that are really loving and some have found great homes. I've never been to this rescue before, so I'm excited to find out more.
CAWS is also advertising our first annual calendar fundraiser. Everyone is encouraged to enter! Submit a photo of your pet showing "Clemson spirit" (be creative--it doesn't have to just be a costume). Right now the deadline is November 2nd, but we are considering extending it because we haven't even received 12 entries so far. The entry fee is $10 per photo entered, and you can enter more than one photo to increase your odds. The top twelve picks will earn spots in the calendar, a free calendar, and a customized bag of your pet's favorite treats. The top two photos will also win a $25 Petsmart giftcard. Talk to me to learn more or download the application from our website: www.clemson.edu/~caws
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Mock Interview Reflection
I thought the mock interview was a helpful way to prepare for a real interview in the near future. Mrs. Rogers asked us to bring a description of a job, internship, or graduation school description that we were interested in so that she could tailor the questions to each student. She did a great job of keeping her “professional” demeanor during the interview and asking us questions that we more than likely will be asked at an interview.
When I prepared for the interview, I tried to imagine some of the challenging questions I could be asked, like “greatest strength,” or “greatest weakness.” I was not asked those questions, but she did pull some things directly off my resume to ask me about that caught me off guard. “How do you think your minor in Psychology will help your career in Health Science,” and “Since you have been involved with primarily quantitative research, would you be willing to work with qualitative research?” were a couple of the questions she asked.
Having this experience of thinking quickly to respond to questions helped build my confidence that I will be able to effectively hold up in a real interview. I was nervous before the interview, but I grew more comfortable as it went on. Three important lessons I learned were to relax, focus on each question, and make eye contact (even if it feels uncomfortable).
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Great Presentations!
Everyone in class did a fantastic job on their presentations. One topic that particularly interested me was Stephanie Mitchell's topic on Alcohol Amnesty. I had actually never heard of this before, but it really makes sense. Despite underage drinking laws, MIPs, fines, etc., alcohol use/abuse will ALWAYS be an issue on college campuses, especially large universities.
Just recently I attended a university organizational meeting for leaders in various clubs on campus, and we had a speaker explaining how we (the clubs) always hold responsibility for the consequences of underage drinkers at our events. In the past, organizations have gotten by with using the "BYOB" rule ("Bring Your Own Beer") and would not be held responsible if a minor was charged for a possession, misdemeanor, etc. Now, even if they bring their own alcohol, the organization can get in serious trouble if a minor has possession of alcohol at a function.
While this may seem to cut down on underage drinking (doubtful, though), this raises a serious issue of safety...If a minor becomes obviously sick to the point of alcohol poisoning, some groups may be even more hesitant to call for help knowing that they can be charged for it. I certainly don't think ANY organization would deny someone of help just to keep themselves from getting in trouble, but they would be more likely to postpone calling and "wait it out" or "just make sure" before they call. This could inevitably lead to death.
Stephanie's presentation explained how certain universities have already passed alcohol amnesty laws stating that if students call for help for a fellow student, neither the caller nor the student could get in trouble. I think Clemson needs a law like this because I have witnessed very sick students begging their friends not to call the ambulance because of fear of "getting in trouble." When there is threat of losing a life, there should be no question whether to waive a charge or not.
Some might argue that this will condone underage drinking, but I disagree. Underage drinking always has and always will be a problem. I really don't see how this law could be abused because I doubt anyone would call in a "fake" alcohol poisoning case--if anything, a trip to the hospital is expensive and students would not want to pay this cost if it weren't even real. If there was a problem with students abusing this law to avoid an MIP, policymakers could address it then. Certainly they could look at the records of other universities that have already passed the law and see if they had a problem with this.
This was a great presentation because it addressed a very relevant issue at Clemson University as well as other universities--good job Stephanie!
Just recently I attended a university organizational meeting for leaders in various clubs on campus, and we had a speaker explaining how we (the clubs) always hold responsibility for the consequences of underage drinkers at our events. In the past, organizations have gotten by with using the "BYOB" rule ("Bring Your Own Beer") and would not be held responsible if a minor was charged for a possession, misdemeanor, etc. Now, even if they bring their own alcohol, the organization can get in serious trouble if a minor has possession of alcohol at a function.
While this may seem to cut down on underage drinking (doubtful, though), this raises a serious issue of safety...If a minor becomes obviously sick to the point of alcohol poisoning, some groups may be even more hesitant to call for help knowing that they can be charged for it. I certainly don't think ANY organization would deny someone of help just to keep themselves from getting in trouble, but they would be more likely to postpone calling and "wait it out" or "just make sure" before they call. This could inevitably lead to death.
Stephanie's presentation explained how certain universities have already passed alcohol amnesty laws stating that if students call for help for a fellow student, neither the caller nor the student could get in trouble. I think Clemson needs a law like this because I have witnessed very sick students begging their friends not to call the ambulance because of fear of "getting in trouble." When there is threat of losing a life, there should be no question whether to waive a charge or not.
Some might argue that this will condone underage drinking, but I disagree. Underage drinking always has and always will be a problem. I really don't see how this law could be abused because I doubt anyone would call in a "fake" alcohol poisoning case--if anything, a trip to the hospital is expensive and students would not want to pay this cost if it weren't even real. If there was a problem with students abusing this law to avoid an MIP, policymakers could address it then. Certainly they could look at the records of other universities that have already passed the law and see if they had a problem with this.
This was a great presentation because it addressed a very relevant issue at Clemson University as well as other universities--good job Stephanie!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Fair Weather Fans
This weekend, as everyone knows, most of us Clemson students witnessed a horrible game of Clemson vs. VT. I'm just as disappointed as the next person that we lost, but I became really frustrated during the game at some of the comments and actions of our supposed Clemson "fans."
Maybe we're losing the game--maybe even by a large spread--but when fans all start packing up and heading out how does that make our players feel? Does it give them motivation to put up a fight until the end? They are frustrated and the coaches are frustrated--the last thing they need is for the fans to be frustrated with them to the point that they feel a football game is no longer worth their time. I question their motives in the first place--do they only enjoy the game when Clemson is winning? What happened to watching the game for the sake of the game--applauding successful plays, trying to predict the next one, or just hoping for a turnover. I personally enjoy the game MORE when we're losing, because it gives me something to cheer for and makes me focus more intently on the game. What fun is it to cheer for a team that wins most of their games?
As if leaving isn't bad enough, rude comments from the fans about their own team anger me even more. If I heard another "What is he doing?? Anybody could have caught that" or "I could coach this team better than Tommy Bowden" comment I probably would have kicked someone. To make matters worse, a "Fire Tommy" chant started behind me to the tune of "Let's go Tigers." Of course I started chanting "Let's Go Tigers" as loud as I could.
Whatever their personal opinion is about the coach, a losing football game is not the time to bring it up. Write a letter--call Terry Don Phillips--whatever--just don't start a chant against your own Head Coach! When you are a Tiger fan, you are a fan rain or shine, win or lose, and no matter who your coach is. If we were winning the game and their name flashed up on the scoreboard saying they won a Tailgate Package where they got to hang out with Tommy Bowden, I'm sure they wouldn't have turned it down. One game, nor the opinions of some drunk kids in the student section, has little impact on a coach's professional career.
The point I'm making is--if you're a fan, stay until the end and cheer the whole time no matter what. If you don't, that's fine, but don't call yourself a Tiger fan.
Maybe we're losing the game--maybe even by a large spread--but when fans all start packing up and heading out how does that make our players feel? Does it give them motivation to put up a fight until the end? They are frustrated and the coaches are frustrated--the last thing they need is for the fans to be frustrated with them to the point that they feel a football game is no longer worth their time. I question their motives in the first place--do they only enjoy the game when Clemson is winning? What happened to watching the game for the sake of the game--applauding successful plays, trying to predict the next one, or just hoping for a turnover. I personally enjoy the game MORE when we're losing, because it gives me something to cheer for and makes me focus more intently on the game. What fun is it to cheer for a team that wins most of their games?
As if leaving isn't bad enough, rude comments from the fans about their own team anger me even more. If I heard another "What is he doing?? Anybody could have caught that" or "I could coach this team better than Tommy Bowden" comment I probably would have kicked someone. To make matters worse, a "Fire Tommy" chant started behind me to the tune of "Let's go Tigers." Of course I started chanting "Let's Go Tigers" as loud as I could.
Whatever their personal opinion is about the coach, a losing football game is not the time to bring it up. Write a letter--call Terry Don Phillips--whatever--just don't start a chant against your own Head Coach! When you are a Tiger fan, you are a fan rain or shine, win or lose, and no matter who your coach is. If we were winning the game and their name flashed up on the scoreboard saying they won a Tailgate Package where they got to hang out with Tommy Bowden, I'm sure they wouldn't have turned it down. One game, nor the opinions of some drunk kids in the student section, has little impact on a coach's professional career.
The point I'm making is--if you're a fan, stay until the end and cheer the whole time no matter what. If you don't, that's fine, but don't call yourself a Tiger fan.
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