Essentials of C-manship

This site is called Planet College. This site is dedicated to the proposition that not all students are created equal. But everyone can get a C. A grade of C is a passing grade. The essentials necessary to pass practically any college course are within the range of every student who was ever admitted to any college. All that is necessary is a plan, an approach, a strategy. I call these essentials C-manship, the ability to pass any class. The most necessary element of any strategy is one basic tactic. The basic tactic which is necessary for a plan to pass any class is to attend. Attend the class. This is so essential that students often over look it. After a while and maybe successfully passing the first exam in a course some students often think, "Oh, I'm doing ok, I don't have to go." Yes. You do. No matter how well you think you are doing in any course you still must attend every session if you expect to complete the course with a passing grade. This is a basic of C-manship.

There are other essentials. Turn it every assignment, check with the instructor a few times during the term to see how you are doing, basics like these. But none of these can be accomplished unless you go to class.

When should I call back?

Soon.

At this time where job getting is critical ,new returnees to Earth from Planet College may be a little hesitant about following up on calling employers back after interviews. Following rounds of interviews sometimes potential new hires can me timid about calling the company back after an interview. Sometimes, thinking they don't want to look to hungry because it might erode their bargaining position, a candidate may delay or skip calling back entirely. This in other times might be coy and even effective.
Not now.
It is wise, smart, useful, clever and even necessary to call any company you've interviewed with and ask if the position has been filled or are you still being considered. This now is crucial. There are quite a few graduates who are trying for very few jobs.

A useful time frame for a call back is about a week after the initial interview. If you are not too clear on the details it is ok to simply call the reception and ask for Human Resources. When they answer, introduce your self and tell them you had interviewed recently for a position and you'd like to know if you are still being considered or should you continue looking elsewhere.

Right now, you really need to know, so, do this. Call back and good luck!

Secured Credit.

On Earth in General and on Planet College much of the basic assumptions have changed. One area in particular has changed and affected life everywhere. That is finance. Finance is money or credit. Finance. Previously it had been fairly easy for a college student to get a credit card. Not so any more. Now, the requirements are steeper and applied more stringently. One of the terms you may now encounter which you had not previously is "Secured Credit" or "Secured line of credit." While up until recently credit cards had been issued on the simple assumption that the user would pay the bill. Now, however, credit issuers are requiring more. This means they may require some security before they issue a card. The security may be money. Secured line of credit means the borrower has provided some real object, usually either money or property, in order to insure the lender they will repay. This is what is meant by secure line of credit.

If you've got it, well, flaunt it.

OK. At this point if you graduated it is time to boast. The rush of emotions usually associated with finally graduating does not last forever. So, while it lasts tell everybody. Tell friends, relatives and total strangers. Tell everybody at work. Tell 'em all. "Hey! I graduated!" Let the world know you finally made it. Graduation glow will not last forever but your degree will. It is now yours. Permanently. You earned it and no one can take it away from you. Now that is really something to shout about.

BAC vs. GPA

On Planet College now, student thoughts turn to summer. Jobs, parties, trips and summer school classes. Before we disburse to our various destinations it could be important to go over final grades. Especially if they are not up to the standards you projected back in January. If they are there is no need to read on. You've made your grade goals and life can go on.

If not it could be useful to check your average BAC during the last term. Your BAC is your blood alcohol level. Blood Alcohol Level is simply the percentage of your blood which consists of alcohol. In most jurisdictions, and jurisdictions are where this becomes important, if you have a blood alcohol level of .08% you are considered to be under the influence. This content impairs your ability to function, most notably in operating a motor vehicle.

Alcohol use is a legendary part of Planet College. Some schools are more directly aware of this than others. Some of these schools even have programs directed toward moderating student alcohol use.

But what about you? How is your BAC awareness holding up? Did it exceed your GPA. If so there may be a clue to your over all performance this last term. Check it out.

Simple formula; When your BAC exceeds your GPA your career on Planet College is impaired.

If this has been a factor in your progress or lack of progress think about getting some help. And help can be as simple as talking things over with a friend.

Back To Earth Part Two: What does this company do?

In a hurried swelter of interviews which often accompanies graduation some students get a little lost as to exactly who they are talking to and what they are interviewing for. Sometimes even which company and what it does is unclear.

It is a safe bet that unless your uncle owns the company, you are interviewing for what amounts to an entry level position. Customer Service, Executive Assistant, Marketing Associate these are some of the titles which are available to what the companies call "new hires."

When you are being interviewed it is probably by someone from a department called Human Resources or HR. There often are other individuals at the interview but you will probably be dealing largely with the HR person.

Now, what does this company do?

Beyond the obvious, well known national and even regional or local companies, it is sometimes unclear what a company does. Usually for example with a company called Solid Waste Management Incorporated it isn't too tough to figure that their business has something to do with managing solid waste. If you are in the offices of Airport Car Rental then it wouldn't be unlikely that this company rents cars from offices at the airport.

If, however you find yourself in the offices of National Allied or The Amalgamated Group you might be wondering what exactly this company does.

Here is a Planet College tip for interview success. Ask. Ask the receptionist. You may have to arrive a few minutes early but you've been doing that anyway, right? When you do arrive usually you find the reception area for the company. When you do introduce your self, tell the receptionist you are there for an interview. Check out the walls for posters, advertising or plaques with the company name on it. This is to make sure you are in the right place. If it seems to you that it isn't clear exactly what business this company is in, ask the receptionist.

"Excuse me, I just want to make sure I'm in the right place. What does this company do?"

Ask politely. Be really careful not to sound like your making a joke. (College students have a reputation as fun-loving pranksters. But you are here for an interview for a real job.) Listen carefully to what the receptionist says. And politely repeat it back to her.

This should help cut through the confusion often generated by interviewing at many companies in the same week. It will also save you from the embarrassment some have experienced during interviews when it became apparent that the interviewee did not know what business the company was in.

Good luck!

Back To Earth.

At this time of year most students are thinking job. Summer job, better job, more work, real job. Summer is the prime earning time for many residents of Planet College. For some, though, graduation can mean returning to earth for a real job. The next permanent step in your career.

And a real job means a real change.

Particularly if you have been slobbing your way through the past four or five or six years. The same pair of jeans and t-shirt you've been wearing to class for the last year and a half is not recommend attire for job interviews.

Preparing for your interviews does not necessarily mean buying a snappy new three piece from Barney's of New York at the cost of half of your expected annual income. It does mean paying a little more attention to your appearance than you have been.

Right now your best reference for this is one of those rare "jacket and tie required" events which you may have borrowed a jacket and tie to attend.

Now it is time to step up and get your own.