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Professional Buzz

Professional Buzz

Professional Buzz is a blog warehousing relevant information, tips and tools for students and professionals looking for career development and advice. Topics range from leadership and management skills to interpersonal communication and innovation in the workplace. The blog is written and curated by Associate Dean of the Graduate College, Anne Converse Willkomm – drawing on her academic and professional experience to provide insight into the latest professional trends, challenges and skills needed to thrive in today’s everchanging workplace.

Categories

Professional Development & Career TipsLeadership & Management SkillsInterpersonal CommunicationInnovation in the Workplace
Image of hands all around the edge with the word Millennial in the middle

Embracing Millennials

How often have you heard – the Millennial generation is lazy, they don’t respect power structures, or they need constant reinforcement, in other words they are the generation that expects a trophy just for showing up?

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Letters of recommendation

A good recommendation is not a bad thing, but there may be some who will be better able to write you a meaningful and strategic LOR that speaks directly to the desired skills.

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Image of a file folder with the label "Employee Benefits" on the front

Education Benefits

Does your company offer education benefits? Tuition reimbursement? According to a survey conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, as cited in Fortune Magazine, 83% of companies offer some type of educational reimbursement benefit.

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Choosing a graduate program

Graduate school is a gift, you should take advantage of every opportunity available, but your journey has to begin with a decision about the best degree for you. There is no right or wrong program – only a right and wrong program for you.

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Black & White image of doodles: hearts, squiggly lines, etc.

How Drawing & Doodling Boost Creativity

I’m a doodler. I doodle during meetings. I doodle while I’m on the phone. I doodle when I I’m trying to think. Are you a doodler, too?

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Initials W F H which stand for Work From Home.

WFH? When is it okay to Work from Home?

What do you need to know if you are considering working from home? First, it is important to note that working from home is not for everyone. To be effective, you need to have good project management skills, be disciplined, and have reliable technology and access to the internet. And it is important to note that working from home is not right for all businesses.

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How to deal with device distractions

Advice for the Device Dependent

Mobile devices have transformed how we work and live — mostly for the better. Still, there are some side effects to relying too much on our devices during the workday, including a decrease in productivity.

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Three Essentials to Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

I recognize public speaking on any level causes some great anxiety. While some people exude confidence with they speak from a podium or up on a stage, I can assure you, they developed that confidence over time. Let's look at three key elements to public speaking.

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Veteran carrying an American Flag

Happy memorial day

For many across this country, this weekend signals the start of summer. There will be pool parties, cookouts, and trips to the beach to welcome the warmer weather and the lazier days that will follow. And while I enjoy all of those things, I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon the holiday and what it represents.

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Computer keyboard with a clear fingerprint on the return key.

Juggling Security Concerns and Employee Privacy

There are a more than a dozen companies that offer various employee security and monitoring software. While they may differ slightly, they all monitor emails (content and destination), file usage and access, inactivity, social media usage, websites visited, and even keystrokes. The intention is to ensure employees are productive and efficient with their time. According to CNBC, the amount of time employees across the world “wasted” on Facebook totaled $3.5 trillion (in US dollars).

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Think Like an Entrepreneur: Seven Strange Business Ideas that Worked

Ever wonder who thought of Crocs? Beanie Babies? The Go Pro? Or the newest trending teenage craze- the Fidget Spinner? Or what about diaper delivery services, dog walkers, food delivery services?

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Politics at Work

What happens when a political debate unfolds in the office? If the colleagues are of similar mind, then little of any consequence, but what if, especially in this political climate, the colleagues hold different beliefs, voted for different candidates, support different causes?

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