Internships Offer Introductions to the Post-Graduate World

       In an already competitive workforce, what will make your student stand out among the competition? Internship experience!  Internships allow students to gain practical experience in the field(s) they would like to pursue and determine if the interest is still there.  

       Now is the time for students to step up their search for internships as deadlines vary, even as a freshman in college.  The Gateway Student Success Center just sponsored a career fair on campus a few weeks ago and their staff is always available to assist with writing resumes and cover letters, as well as provide other information about career services.  As a parent, you might have some questions about how internships can truly benefit your student and we hope to address them here.

Are internships paid or unpaid?

It depends.  There is much debate about the legality of unpaid internships, but whether or not your student gets paid is dependent on the organization. Information regarding pay should be made clear up front.  Students may also college credit for internship experiences and should consult their academic adviser for particular details on how to do so.

Where should my student search for internships?

First, he/she should start with Gateway Connects, then talk with the internship contact in their respective academic department.  They can also directly search for opportunities with the company or organization they are interested in working for. 

What should my student expect from an internship experience?

Practical experience! You’ve heard the stories about the intern being responsible for getting coffee for the boss and that should not define their experience.  The assignments might start off small, but interns have been known to contribute to projects in a major way!  Overall, your student should be able to apply what they have learned in the classroom and walk away from the experience with the ability o articulate exactly what they learned.

How will my student benefit from being an intern?

They will gain more practice in learning workplace etiquette and how to properly interact with people from diverse backgrounds.  Additionally, it is the opportunity to meet people within their desired career field that may later serve as a reference for future employment or provide connections for other opportunities. 

We wish your student all the best in their quest for an internship!

Before You Drop a Course, Consider This!

We are in the midst of midterms and Spring Break is a few days away.  Your student may be feeling the pressure of coursework, extracurricular activities, work duties, along with general life obligations.  Friday, March 23 is the deadline for students to drop individual courses.  If they begin to think about dropping courses for the semester, keep reading for a few things to consider before they make the final decision.

How do you feel about your academic progress up to this point?

Encourage your student to be open, honest and realistic about this.  If they require additional assistance through tutoring or Supplemental Instruction, encourage them to seek help now.

Have you met with your professor/instructor about your progress?

This is a key factor in the discussion.  Students should consult with their professors to determine if a withdrawal is the best decision.  They will be able to have discussions with your student about their progress in a particular course.

Have you talked with your academic adviser about how dropping a course will affect your degree progress?

Your student’s academic adviser will be able to discuss options with your son/daughter and be able to show them how dropping a course could potentially play a role in their progression toward graduation.

If you drop this course, will you be able to take the course over the winter or summer school term?

Your student should be aware of course offerings for each term as every course is not offered during each term.  Summer course offerings are available online.

How will dropping this course affect your financial aid package?

Some scholarships and tuition waivers require students to achieve a certain number of credit hours within an academic year for renewal.  Students might have to take additional credits in the summer term to make up for dropped courses.  Additionally, students need to be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered full-time.  Consult the Office of Financial Aid to inquire.

The best thing you can do as a parent, coach and mentor to your student is to have and express faith in your student.  Remind them of past success and encourage them to buckle down, get motivated and get to work!  There are resources in place to assist, but they must take advantage of them as well.

An Alum Describes Her Love for the Lumberjacks

Linda Imonode graduated from NAU in 2003, as a Communications major.  She is currently the Staff Attorney for the Court of Appeals of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.  

I love NAU because it nurtured the intellectual, social, and emotional growth that occurred during my college years.  I took advantage of the small classes offered at NAU and truly felt engaged by my professors and classmates.  My way of thinking was challenged inside and outside the classroom on a regular basis.  I lived on campus all four years, which allowed me to take advantage of the many clubs, activities, and social events on campus.  I went to homecoming games with my hall mates and camping with friends I’d made in class.  Flagstaff is such a beautiful city that I found myself hiking, biking and camping more than I had ever done before. I built a community of friends at NAU whose friendships still sustain me today. In addition, I always felt like the faculty and staff were supportive and wanted me to succeed at NAU and beyond.

I encourage current and future students to take advantage of the smaller classes, live on campus and get involved.  Your experiences at NAU will stay with you for years to come and the growth and friendships you gain will stay with you for a lifetime. 

Special note: Linda is one of nine children, six girls and three boys.  All of the Imonode sisters have either graduated from, attended or are currently attending NAU. (left to right: Sylvia, Miriam, Linda, Neveah (niece), Janet, Jennifer and Jacqueline)

Love Transcends Time: A Dean Shares Why He Loves NAU

Eric Yordy serves as the Associate Dean for The W.A. Franke College of Business. 

I have been at NAU for the past 12 years.  I started as a graduate student, became the Assistant Dean of Students, then Director of New Student Programs (Orientation), then Assistant Professor of Practice in Business Law in The W. A. Franke College of Business and now, Associate Dean of the college.  In all my different roles, I have loved the commitment of NAU to the students most of all.  The faculty care about the students as learners and as people.  The faculty and staff are always available to help students with their problems while teaching the students how to solve their own problems.  More than any other university I have attended or at which I have worked, the faculty and staff at NAU want to know the students and get to know the students.  As an administrator, I have watched faculty in discussions about curriculum and classes to offer and the focus is most certainly on what students need as opposed to what faculty want to teach.  We have a committed student body who works well with us to make NAU a better place every year.  I love that we have students who stay in touch and come back to visit once they have graduated. It is true that once one is a Lumberjack, one is always a Lumberjack.  

A Double Dose: A Parent & Alum Shares His Love for NAU

(pictured left to right) The Dwyer Family: Dugan '16, Tim '84, Tracee '84 and Maddie '13

I love NAU for a number of reasons………..

It started after high school graduation with several of my buddies planning on attending NAU.  I had had a little too much fun in high school and needed a special favor called in from my principal to get accepted to NAU – with the promise to him that I would graduate in four years…………I did!

Many of the people I met while at NAU are my best friends today, including my wife, Tracee (’84 Dental Hygiene).   She was a member of a sorority and a little sister of the fraternity I belong to.  We’ve been married for 25 years.

Our NAU experience was so rewarding that when our oldest child, Maddie, was trying to figure out where she wanted to go to college, we introduced her to the NAU campus.  I’m sure the countless stories of our great NAU times that she heard growing up had a little to do with her decision to attend NAU.  She will graduate in 2013.

Keeping the tradition alive, our son, Dugan, now a senior in high school, will be attending NAU next fall.  He’s anxious to try out his new snowboard and embrace everything NAU has to offer. 

Finally, when I meet someone and the conversation reveals that both of us are Lumberjacks – there’s always a special bond, a camaraderie, that is only available to people who are True Blue.

Oh, and one more thing, you can always count on an NAU grad.  My best friend, Scott Hanson (’83 Journalism) helped me write this.

Why I Love NAU: A Student Perspective

Julius Young is a senior from San Diego, California, majoring in  Journalism, with a minor in Advertising.  

NAU has given me some of the best college and life experiences to date.  I came to the university as a track and field athlete in 2008. After running my first year, I battled a lingering hamstring injury, which ultimately forced me into making a decision of whether to continue running or to hang up my spikes. I decided that my education was far more important to me and the consensus was that I needed to direct my attention towards the initial task of my degree. After spending 2 years as a business management major, I decided that for the time the business route wasn’t for me, though I still plan on earning my master’s degree in management. I’ve always had a passion for writing and being creative, so I decided to change my major to Journalism and minor in Advertising. Upon doing so, I quickly realized that this was my calling. 

In my third year, I served as president of Black Student Union, which proved to be vital to my development as a student leader. The communication building has been pivotal to my success as a communication student. Regardless of your major, the structure and criterion of being a communications major challenges you to do more than you believe you can. This building has everything a student needs to be successful in this field. Radio station, television studio, visual and graphic design labs with the latest professional software, and photography labs are just a few of the tools at your disposal. Coming to NAU was the best decision I have ever made. The atmosphere coupled with the relationships I have formed with my peers and professors are some of the best and NAU is a rising institution that should not go overlooked.