Category: Culture & Student Life

“The First-Gen Club” offers advice on how to thrive despite the challenges of navigating through life as a first generation student. Commentary and real testimonials from first generation post-grads on what they wish they knew before starting college, and how to manage the unique challenges that come with seeking a higher education. This episode features special guests Itzel Hurtado and Eduardo Coyotzi Zarate. Itzel Hurtado is a coordinated paralegal at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) and graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Eduardo Coyotzi Zarate is a communications associate at Chorus America, and graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. 

Love the podcast? For more advice with college students in mind, visit VC Social for more content by Jocelyn Herrera. 

Description: Tips to stay or start to be organized and use those same tips to be able to find resources to graduate debt free from college/university.

For other tips and content take a look at these links:

VC Social:  https://vcsocial.biz/

My social media accounts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamelisabeltran

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelisabeltran/?hl=en

WordPress: https://elisabeltranphotography.wordpress.com/

Scholarships/Grants:https://www.collegeboard.org/ https://www.fastweb.com/ https://www.cafebustelo.com/en/scholarship https://vccf.org/scholarships/ https://venturacollegefoundation.org/scholarships/

FAFSA: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

CA Dream Act: CalDreamAct.org

In this podcast I talk about why I decided to go back to college after 19 years while struggling to be a mother of 3 kids. I also include the importance of investing in yourself and encourage students never give up.

Culture and Student Life. This episode discusses managing time and finding your “routine” between school and work. I use myself as an example with a little background and what has become my “routine”. I also use the “routine a lot.

On this episode of the VC Social podcast, Professor Nick interviews student Caleb Scott live in class. They discuss Caleb’s recent travels, educational journey, and possible professional direction. 

If you’d like to hire Caleb to teach you how to play the guitar, please email him at cscott013@gmail.com.

The Ventura College Educational Assistance Center is a supportive resource for students with disabilities. They provide many classroom accommodations for many students with learning or intellectual disabilities, visual, hearing or speech disabilities, psychological disabilities such as depression or anxiety, mobility disabilities, acquired brain injury, attention disorders, autism and all health impairments.

How to Apply for Services

There’s a few ways you can qualify for services with the Educational Assistance Center.

First, you will need to fill out an application online or in-person. The E.A.C. office is located in the Administration Building (east wing) at the Ventura campus.

Second, provide verification of a disability such as a copy of an IEP (individualized educational plan), a 504 plan, or provide verification from a physician or therapist verifying a disability that would qualify.

Disability Testing

If you don’t have a diagnosed disability, contact the E.A.C. office to discuss what your options are. Ventura College offers free personal counseling through the Student Health Center where they may be able to provide a referral for services. After the application and verification is provided, you schedule an appointment with an E.A.C counselor to discuss accommodations that you could be qualified for. Disability testing oftentimes, learning disabilities are diagnosed later on in life or not at all. It’s beneficial to be aware of these types of disabilities because it can help you understand why you struggle more than others and/or you can try different learning approaches that are more successful for you. If you feel that you may have a learning disability, you may be tested by a certified Learning Disability Specialist at the E.A.C. The first step would be meeting with an E.A.C. counselor to discuss your learning experience.

Accommodations Offered

If you would’ve asked me 2 years ago if I ever thought about going back to school, I would’ve said, “with my work schedule? That’s impossible.” At the time, that was the correct answer. I work as a musician and the rest of 2020 was already mapped out, so there was no way to attend school. Home for a few months here and there, on the road the rest of the time. And then, well you know what happened.
After the first couple months of uncertainty and indulging on too much red wine, I think I fell into the same boat that many other people found themselves in, asking the same questions. “If this goes on for awhile, I’m going to need to find something to do, but wait, what do I like to do? What am I interested in?” It was around summertime when the possibility to go back to school was realized. Nothing was opening back up like they thought it might and everyone was buckling up for the long haul, including VC.
I signed up for the fall 2020 semester with a major in music. I mean music, right? After not being in school for a couple decades, that seemed like the obvious, logical choice. I soon realized that I wasn’t interested in taking any music classes (though I did take a really cool music history class). My interest were in marketing, business and film. Which is how I find myself writing this blog now.
I think a lot of people have similar stories right now. School registration had to have been at an all time high, right? Now that things are slowly opening back up, people are incorporating what they do now with what they did before, so scrapped what they did before all together. For me as an example, at present moment, I’m on the final week of a 5 week tour across America while being a full time student. Before the shutdown, after a show I would’ve ask someone to point me to the nearest watering hole. Now after a show, I ask for the WiFi password cause I have an assignment due.

How to snag your dream job after graduating from college.

Congratulations! You have officially completed your journey as a college student. So, what now? Unless you plan on taking a gap year to “find yourself”, à la Eat Pray Love, then it’s likely you have started the process of hunting for your dream job. Whether you are a recent college grad or a seasoned professional in the workforce, the fundamentals of recruitment have remained the same. Want to snag your dream job? Try these 10 tips when you are ready for your next professional opportunity:

The Pre-Interview

“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.“

Seneca

1. Do Your Homework: Before you think about applying to that job, you need to do your own research on the company you are interested in. 

• Familiarize yourself with the company, its values, and employee culture.
• Use employment websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and Linked-In to read company reviews and learn about the challenges of the role you’re applying to.

2. Revise Your Resume: A no-brainer when job hunting is to update your resume with current and relevant experience.

• Limit resume to one page-only include experience that relates to the job position you are applying to.
• Proofread your documents to catch any typos or grammar mistakes.
• Keep multiple copies on hand for in-person interviews and store them inside of a folder or binder.

3. Practice Makes Perfect: Practice your interview presentation in preparation for your official interview.

• Practice speaking in front of a mirror to improve your communication skills.
• Review commonly asked interview questions such as: “tell us about yourself” or “why should we hire you”.

Now that you’re refreshed on the pre-interview ritual, let’s jump straight to business: how to prepare for the big meeting.

The Interview Process

“Dress how you want to be addressed.“

Bianca Frazier

4. First Impressions: Professionalism never goes out of style, so dress accordingly and keep a polished appearance when meeting with a potential employer for the first time.

• Check your interview outfit for stains, loose threads, or any imperfections; keep a lint roller handy if needed. 
• Steam or iron your garments: wrinkles look cute on French Bulldogs, not on your button-down shirt. 
• Maintain proper grooming standards to look bright eyed and bushy tailed in person or on camera.

5. Be On Time: Whether it’s virtual or in-person, don’t be late for your interview! 

• Allocate time for traffic and other factors out of your control.
• Ask for directions so you are familiar with the building number or office space.
• Show up 10 minutes early to your in-person interview; for virtual meetings, arrive at the waiting room before your interviewer.

6. Mind Your Manners: Be aware of your non-verbal and verbal communication when interacting with recruiters.

• Positive body language: firm handshake, make direct eye contact, sit up straight, and smile.
• Be confident and speak clearly when answering questions.  
• Avoid using excessive filler words (“uhm”, “uh”, “like”) when you get a nervous tick; use pauses instead.

7. Do Not Disturb Mode: Only bring necessary materials that you will need for your interview process.

• Silence all devices to avoid disruptions during conversations.
• Un-sync smart devices that are programmed to ring at the same time; this is crucial for virtual meetings/Zoom calls.

8. Humble Brag: Showcase your personality and accomplishments to make a lasting impression.

• No self deprecating talk; this makes it seem that you are lacking in confidence.
• Speak positively about your accomplishments; mention any proud moments that occurred in school, clubs, sports, or other extra curricular activities. 
• Be honest about your current skill level and don’t lie to impress a potential employer; you may be asked to follow up on your words.

Great job! You survived the interview process. Now it’s time to finish off strong and close the deal.

The Post-Interview

“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.“

Rosalynn Carter

9. Q&A: Be inquisitive and ask questions at the end of your interview to stand out from other candidates.

• Use your research from Tip #1 to base your questions; include questions that reflect your interest in the position.
• Ask for clarification from the interviewer if you are confused about what is being asked.
• Listen carefully before answering and think about what you are going to say next.

10. Send a “Thank You” Note: Follow up with your interviewer and send them a “thank you” note for taking the time to meet with you.

• Keep important contact info if you are interested in the job to make follow ups easy.
• Reference what was said during the interview in your note. 
• Enhance your chances of getting hired by expressing your appreciation.

Now that you’ve made it to the end of this list, it’s time to show the world what you’re capable of! Remember that preparation is the key to your success. Make a memorable first impression by minding your manners and remaining professional. Set yourself apart from the competition by practicing the 10 Interview Etiquette tips listed above and pretty soon you’ll be celebrating your new hire status. Good luck!

Need more information about your career needs? Visit Ventura College’s Career Center for access to seminars, help with resume writing, job postings, career planning, and much more!