Inside Information: Interviewing Professionals

Week in Review: A Reflection of February 4 – 10

Somehow I was assigned to conduct interviews for all my classes at the same time, even though I’m taking three different classes this semester.

I interviewed a quality inspector in manufacturing about his computer usage in the workplace. I was surprised to find that he spends 70 percent of his time using computers to look up parts in databases, upload photos, create reports, and communicate with people inside the company through e-mail.

I learned how teams work in the corporate world through another interview for my Team Building & Problem Solving class. Long-standing teams can experience change quite often as new employees are introduced to the team.

My Document Management class required me to interview someone who works with documents. The woman I interviewed works at a non-profit. File management gets complicated when you have different departments that are funded differently. They all have different rules about document management. Some departments need to keep certain documents longer than other departments.

Interviewing professionals is a great way to learn about real workplaces, and I think that’s why our instructors ask us to do them. It’s not based on theory or scenarios in a book; it’s real life, real people, and real companies. They can give you insight on what to expect when you enter the workforce or a new field for the first time.

What’s your dream job? Contact someone in the field and ask them a few informational questions. If you are genuinely interested in what the professional has to say and are grateful, you may be surprised how willing they are to help students like you.

Summer/Fall Registration is Upon Us

While it’s easy to be focusing on this semester’s classes, it’s already that time of the year to start thinking about next semester’s classes. Summer/Fall registration is upon us!

Summer class registration has already started. Summer is a good time to take some general education classes, which usually means a lighter load during the academic year. Since I already have a degree, there aren’t many general education classes for me to take. I thought about taking a class or two, but I decided not to this summer. Instead, I’ll be working on building my personal website where I will be posting an online portfolio with things like my resume and links to my past work. A short vacation or two would be nice to squeeze in before fall as well!

Fall class registration for me is in April, too. Next week I will be registering for classes. I like to write down the CRN number and double-check the time and campus location ahead of time so I’m set to register at 7:30 am. I will be taking Graphics for the Web, Beginning Photoshop and Career Development.

At the beginning of last semester, I met with my advisor to make sure I was taking the right classes. It gets a little complicated knowing what classes you do or don’t have to take when you transfer from another school, especially if you already have a degree. If you’re a current student and haven’t checked in with your advisor, I recommend you do so. He or she can give you advice about what order to take your classes in and let you know if you’ve overlooked something. I didn’t realize I had to take Computer Literacy until I talked to my advisor. Also, don’t wait until your last semester to set up a short meeting with them! You can find out who your advisor is by signing in to myMPTC, click on the “Student” tab, and scroll down to the bottom-right corner. Your advisor’s name should appear. Ta-da!

A few last tips about registration that I have learned through the years:

Look up your registration date and time, write it on the calendar and don’t forget to register. Make sure you get into those classes you need to take, especially those prerequisites needed for future classes. Don’t over-schedule yourself. If you work, have a family and are taking 17 credits in one semester, it may be too much for anyone to take on. It was tempting to take a full-time load, but I think it would have been too overwhelming for me to work 26 hours a week, go to class and do the homework. I believe class work should always reflect quality over quantity. It’s more fulfilling to see two “A+” at the end of the semester than five “B-”.

To find class offerings for Summer/Fall visit:

http://www.morainepark.edu/programs

To see Fall registration dates for returning program students by program, visit:

http://libs.morainepark.edu/docs/academic-affairs/registration/program-registration-dates.pdf

To look up class requirements for your program, or a program you’re interested in, visit:

http://www.morainepark.edu/programs-and-courses/programs-of-study/

The Welcome Blog

Hello to those of you who have come across this blog! Chances are I may not know you, but I’m hoping this blog will give you insight into what Moraine Park Technical College is like through my eyes. I don’t know for sure, but I can guess that you are a potential student, a current student or a parent of one. Although, this being the Web, you may have clicked on many links and ended up here somehow. No matter who you are, I have a few words for each of you.

A Message to the Potential Traditional Student

If you’re graduating from high school soon and are looking to enroll in college, I recommend looking into a two-year college like MPTC. College academics and college life are different from high school. By going to a local two-year college you can get used to the academic expectations of higher education before going on to live in a dorm or an apartment at a four-year college. It’s a little intense to juggle both higher academic expectations and being independent right away. The classes might be more rigorous than in high school, but don’t be discouraged or afraid. Something you may not realize is that you may actually excel here. My grades improved in college. I found the way classes are set up to be more suited for me. You get to choose specific classes in subjects you really enjoy and you don’t have to spend 7 hours Monday through Friday going from one class to the next every forty minutes.

Potential Non-Traditional Students

There are many reasons why people go back to school whether it’s their first time in college or not. Some of you have lost jobs or you’ve decided you want to go for a new, more fulfilling career that requires a diploma. It’s an exciting and often a little scary time in life. You may be nervous to go back to school. You may feel that so much has changed in the academic world, would you be able to keep up with the technology? You may feel like you won’t fit in somehow. However, you may find when you get here it won’t be as difficult as you think it will be. No matter who you are, you are very likely to find a fellow classmate in a similar situation as you. There are students from all kinds of backgrounds and at different stages of their life. There is somebody at Moraine Park who you can relate to. You may be surprised to find that your younger classmates are more than willing to help you when it comes to working with computers. This generation has grown up with computers. They are very comfortable with them and have an enthusiasm for technology. Plus, the faculty and staff are an amazing resource for help.

Current Students

“When did we get a blog for Moraine Park?” “Hey, there are links for Twitter and YouTube.” Yes, we do have all these things. I was surprised, too. If you are a current student you may be aware of all the activities and events at Moraine Park, or maybe you’re not. Either way, you should be aware of all these opportunities. You’re here to get an education, then a diploma and then, ultimately, a job. It’s what you do between enrolling for your first class and graduation day that will determine your success in finding a job. Check out all the academic student organizations that relate to what you want to do with your life. Don’t see one that fits what you are looking for? Start one. Chances are there are other people who want to be in an organization that you already have in mind, and they’re waiting for you to take the lead.

People Who Click on Links

So, you found this blog by chance. Isn’t the Web amazing? Everything is connected, like a spider web. Here is an interesting fact: In 1985, the first domain name, symbolics.com, was registered. It is still in use today making it the oldest website on the Web.

Why does Moraine Park Technical College Have a Blog?

Blogs in general give a personal account of everyday life. This is my life, my future and my MPTC. Choosing a college and making the most of the experience is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. It can change your life and give you direction as you head out into the unknown. If you’re already a student, I want you to be aware of all the opportunities MPTC has to offer, (especially) including the fun stuff. Part of the college experience is socializing and having fun. Make time for that as well as academics. Come back to this blog often and find out what’s going on at MPTC! Feel free to leave comments and/or questions to my posts.