Health and Human Development Mentoring Program: June 2009 Newsletter
Spotlight on: James Decker and Jessica Burns
James Decker ’97 HRIM is a sales manager for Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. Although he is far away from University Park, he is committed to assisting students and chose to become an alumni mentor. In the fall of 2007 he was matched with Jessica Burns, a Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management major who is interested in a career in sales and marketing. Their first goal and action plan included setting a time for monthly phone communication, becoming familiar with a typical work day in sales and marketing, and preparing for graduation and job placement.
Jess says they frequently reminisced about Penn State Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management classes and compared the current curriculum with the curriculum when Jamie was a student on campus. They discussed careers and job searches as well the importance of establishing a network to assist in finding employment.
As Jamie and Jess entered the second year of the mentoring relationship, their goal and action plan included résumé review and job opportunities. Jess sent her résumé to Jamie and they spoke on the phone about how Jess could best market herself to potential employers. That is when Jamie mentioned LinkedIn, a business-oriented social networking site mainly used for professional networking. Jess became a member and has been keeping her profile on the site updated. She feels that a professional networking site is something every college graduate should consider.
Jamie also worked with his professional network to assist Jess with identifying potential job opportunities. Despite the distance between them, they communicated with one another on a regular basis, shared student experiences, and created manageable goals and action plans. Their commitment to the mentoring relationship made the distance between them a non-issue. Jess graduated in May and may be relocating to Philadelphia to work for Ecolab or taking the GMAT exam and getting her M.B.A.
Topic of the Month: Emergency Preparedness
Mentors:
Ask your protégé if he/she has signed up to receive emergency messages via PSUTXT. Has your protégé had any training in CPR, automated external defibrillator (AED), or other life-saving skills?
Proteges:
Ask your mentor if his/her company has protocols in place for emergencies. Does your mentor have any emergency preparedness training?
Upcoming Events
- Traditional Reunion Weekend
- June 5-7, 2009
- Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts
- July 8-12, 2009
Save the Date
Mentoring events for 2010 will take place:
- Friday, February 26, 2010 (dinner)
- Department of Biobehavioral Health
- Department of Kinesiology
- Department of Nutritional Sciences
- Saturday, February 27, 2010 (lunch)
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
- School of Nursing
- Saturday, February 27, 2010 (dinner)
- Department of Health Policy and Administration
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies
- School of Hospitality Management
- Saturday, April 10, 2010
- Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
Helpful Links
Daily Collegian: www.collegian.psu.edu
Penn State Newswires (subscribe): newswires.psu.edu
College of Health and Human Development Homepage: www.hhdev.psu.edu
Penn State Live (daily news from Penn State): live.psu.edu
Penn State Alumni Association Homepage: www.alumni.psu.edu
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