Archive for January, 2009

Jan 29 2009

Just Got the Chills that Warmed My Heart

Published by kpelchat under Career Changing Advice,Student Success Stories

Today one of our Academic Advisors received this email from the brother of a student that just enrolled. He had tried many options to secure funding for tuition and wasn’t having much luck. Our Advisor went to bat for him and found some Grants to assist in his tuition and he was able to enroll.  In these trying economic times it is more important than ever to help each other and find solutions! Thanks to our Academic Advisors for taking our admissions process so seriously and ensuring we get great students who really want to change their lives.

Dear Shelley,

I received a call from my brother the day before yesterday. He was ecstatic about what you had done to make his future education possible. I just want you to know the extra work you did to make this possible for him is very much appreciated. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty here. On behalf of (NEW STUDENT), his family, and my family I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you. You have shown that good, caring people still do exist in this troubled world.

Sincerely,

The Brother of a Future IT Professional

No responses yet

Jan 27 2009

Another CLICK!!!

Published by kpelchat under Student Appreciation,Student Success Stories

One of our instructors got this email from a former student from 1 1/2 years ago on Saturday.

“I’m up to my ears in technology. Now I’m at work keeping company with the 400+ servers (not counting virtual ones) = ). Just wanted to say thanks for the help! I grossed $1800 last week… a far cry from the $250-300 I was used to. You guys are all awesome! I am going to have to make the trip up there and visit soon. I hope all is well with you. How did your car turn out that you were putting a PC in? I’d love to see some pictures if you have time! Take care, I hope to hear from you soon.”

YES… I did the math right away too…$1800/ week at 52 weeks/ year = $93,600 after 1 1/2 years!

This industry is AMAZING!!!!

No responses yet

Jan 23 2009

Be Here Now

Published by kpelchat under Career Changing Advice,Study Tips

Does your mind wander when you need to study? Here is a deceptively simple strategy that is probably the most effective out there.

When you notice your thoughts wandering astray, say to yourself

“Be here now”

and bring your attention back to where you want it.

For example:
You’re studying and your attention strays to a family issue, to the fact that you’re hungry…… Say to yourself

“Be here now”

Focus back on subject with questions, summarizing, outlining, and other study methods and maintain your attention there as long as possible. Breaking your studies into smaller chunks through these activities will help greatly.

So… when it wanders again, repeat

“Be here now”

and bring your attention back. Continue this practice, repeatedly. It will work!

One response so far

Jan 16 2009

Success At Last! CLICK!

Published by kpelchat under Career Changing Advice,Study Tips

Recently, PC ProSchools’ Campus Director shared this great story!

Bob is 46 years old, is single and has no children. He has lived in Racine since he was a child and started in manufacturing as soon as he graduated high school. He spent a number of years assembling motors for speed boats, and made $18/hr + overtime. Just recently Bob was laid off from his job because of cutbacks at his company. Although he was making around $18/hr, he knew there was no additional room to grow, so he was relieved to be laid off. This forced him to really dive into his job search.

When Bob started at PC ProSchools, he lacked confidence. Through the Career Development classes and multiple meetings with me, Bob grew into a well-spoken, more self-assured person. He passed AT&T’s technical exam (given at PC ProSchools’ Brookfield campus) with flying colors. He studied hard for his interview and met with me to discuss and practice answers to possible questions.

On the night of his graduation ceremony, Bob got a call from AT&T with the final job offer. He started on January 5th and will be making $52,000/yr on the Help Desk. He couldn’t be happier with his new job!

CLICK!!!!!

2 responses so far

Jan 09 2009

What kind of learner are you?

Published by kpelchat under Study Tips

Find out what kind of learner you are by taking this quick online quiz.

1. When I try to concentrate…

I grow distracted by clutter or movement, and I notice things around me other people don’t notice.

I get distracted by sounds, and I attempt to control the amount and type of noise around me.

I become distracted by commotion, and I tend to retreat inside myself.

2. When I visualize…

I see vivid, detailed pictures in my thoughts.

I think in voices and sounds.

I see images in my thoughts that involve movement.

3. When I talk with others…

I find it difficult to listen for very long.

I enjoy listening, or I get impatient to talk myself.

I gesture and communicate with my hands.

4. When I contact people…

I prefer face-to-face meetings.

I prefer speaking by telephone for serious conversations.

I prefer to interact while walking or participating in some activity.

5. When I see an acquaintance…

I forget names but remember faces, and I tend to replay where we met for the first time.

I know people’s names and I can usually quote what we discussed.

I remember what we did together and I may almost “feel” our time together.

6. When I relax…

I watch TV, see a play, visit an exhibit, or go to a movie.

I listen to the radio, play music, read, or talk with a friend.

I play sports, make crafts, or build something with my hands.

7. When I read…

I like descriptive examples and I may pause to imagine the scene.

I enjoy the narrative most and I can almost “hear” the characters talk.

I prefer action-oriented stories, but I do not often read for pleasure.

8. When I spell…

I envision the word in my mind or imagine what the word looks like when written.

I sound out the word, sometimes aloud, and tend to recall rules about letter order.

I get a feel for the word by writing it out or pretending to type it.

9. When I do something new…

I seek out demonstrations, pictures, or diagrams.

I want verbal and written instructions, and to talk it over with someone else.

I jump right in to try it, keep trying, and try different approaches.

10. When I assemble an object…

I look at the picture first and then, maybe, read the directions.

I read the directions, or I talk aloud as I work.

I usually ignore the directions and figure it out as I go along.

11. When I interpret someone’s mood…

I examine facial expressions.

I rely on listening to tone of voice.

I focus on body language.

12. When I teach other people…

I show them.

I tell them, write it out, or I ask them a series of questions.

I demonstrate how it is done and then ask them to try.

Total

Visual:

Auditory:

Tactile/Kinesthetic:

The column with the highest total represents your primary processing style. The column with the second-most choices is your secondary style.

Your primary learning style:

Your secondary learning style:

Use these tips to help you study according to your learning style!

Visual
Visual learners learn best from what they see: diagrams, flowcharts, time lines, films, and demonstrations.
  • Add diagrams to your notes whenever possible.
  • Organize notes so that you can clearly see main points and supporting facts and how ideas are connected.
  • Use visual organizers (graphs, charts, symbols, etc.) to help show relationships between concepts/ideas.
  • Color-code notes to help you to see categories of information.
  • Use visualization as a way to study/prepare for tests and to retrieve information.
Verbal
Verbal learners gain the most learning from reading, hearing spoken words, participating in discussions, and explaining things to others.
  • Attend lectures and tutorials. Re-watch the recorded online lectures multiple times.
  • Ask questions to hear more information.
  • Read the textbook and highlight no more than 10%.
  • Rewrite your notes and add what you missed from the tape.
  • Recite or summarize information.
  • Talk about what you learn. Work in study groups.

Active/Tactile
Active learners need to experience knowledge through their own actions either by “doing” or by getting personally involved in their learning. They prefer quick paced instruction– and instructors that keeps things moving.

  • Utilize as many senses as possible while learning.
  • Go to labs, exhibits, tours, etc. to experience the concepts being learned.
  • Try out example problems and questions.
  • Study in a group.
  • Relate the information to concrete examples as you read or listen in lectures.
  • Think about how you will apply the information being presented.
  • Pace and recite while you learn.
  • Act out material or design learning games.
  • Use flash cards with other people.
  • Teach the material to someone else.

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10 responses so far

Jan 02 2009

Happy New Year!

Published by kpelchat under Career Changing Advice,Student Success Stories

New Year’s has always been a time for reflecting on the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make the top ten list from a popular online publication?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year.

2. Lose Weight & Get Fit

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions.

3. Get a New Career

With the struggling economy this resolution has moved up the rankings over years past. Getting a new career for some is more than a resolution, it’s a requirement for survival.

4. Quit Smoking

Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step into a happier and healthier you!


6. Quit Drinking

Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.


8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteering can take many forms. There are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help like New Horizons Unlimited or the Boys and Girls Club that several PC ProSchools students have served over the past year.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. There are several resources that should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

With the exception of the quitting smoking and drinking and losing weight resolutions, PC ProSchools helped hundreds of graduates achieve their goals in 2008. I know our resolutions for 2009 include you and your goals. Happy New Year! Here’s to a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2009!

4 responses so far