From PowerPoint to Prezi

Many students grew up learning the tips and tricks to all the Microsoft Office programs including PowerPoint.  I remember learning it as early as 5^th grade and now it’s almost ingrained into me.  I sometimes think I could close my eyes and still have the ability to create a PowerPoint presentation.

Last summer my eyes were opened when I started my new job here at Career Services.  Could it be, there was a new, potentially better presentation tool out there?

It seems like every one has seen the same presentation over and over…and over.  With “Prezi, a free and easy to use presentation tool that enables you to create visually engaging and unique presentations with little technical knowledge, this is no longer the case,”(forbes.com).  It’s easy to create these twisting, turning and eye catching presentations for your class or business presentations. 

Have you tried it yet? If not, I suggest you check it out.  It’s a free tool, there is free training and once you learn it is free fun!

Ashley Salim

Career Educator

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/23/stand-out-from-competitors-with-prezi-presentations/

It's All About the Attitude!

I’m not sure about you, but when I was growing up my mom always told me, “Attitude is everything.”  Little did I know way back when; this statement is true for many aspects of life, even while on the job hunt.

The article “Attitude Makes a Huge Difference When You're Trying to Get a Job,” by Hank Stringer,  talks about how important being positive and having a good attitude is to employers.  You might think that you sound cheesy or corny, but without the “cheesiness” you might not sound like a go-getter or motivator which is important at most jobs.

Stringer writes, “many companies may find that attitude is more important than one having the specific skills needed, combined with a questionable attitude.”

You can always be trained in specific skills, but teaching an attitude or behavior is much more difficult to change.  If you want the job, make sure you have a positive attitude and it is much more likely it will be yours.  Everyone is likely to have a bad day every now and then, but thinking positively is an easy way to turn those days around.

Here are some things I like to do to stay positive:

1. If you sit down and think about it, there are always two sides to everything.  Look at the positives in your sticky situation.
2. Always remember, life goes on.
3. Tell yourself every experience is a learning experience, good or bad.
4. Challenge yourself and remind yourself you can do anything.
5. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you.

Now I want to hear from you. Tell us what some of your attitude tips are or how you sell yourself to employers!


Ashley Salim
Career Educator

Industry Employment Trends

Since 2011 is long gone and over with and the economy is on a predicted rise, it makes perfect sense to explore what industries are booming and which ones haven’t met expectations. According to indeed.com’s recent Industry Employment Trends statistics, most of the industries that I thought would be expanding seem to be going in the exact opposite direction. For example, the accounting and financial service sectors have declined throughout these tough economic times. Real estate employment has also degenerated with many people hesitant to relocate due to tough financial situations within the home.

I hope that these three divisions will soon pick up because if not, many students entering the workforce with majors in subjects pertaining to these industries will have much difficulty finding a job.

Although only the accounting, financial services, and real estate markets were the three industries that took the biggest hit last year, it is noteworthy that all of the industries’ employment rates weakened within the past month. Hopefully for college students’ sakes, more industries will be hiring for entry-level positions in the coming months and a new economic leaf will be turned over in 2012.

Shayla Frinks

Career Educator