Health and Human Services Professional Development

Strategies for Communication and Organization When Struggling in Classes During the Pandemic By: Jill Bowers & Sabrina Roley It is always best to turn  the assignment in early or by the due date. Yet, we have been living in a pandemic. I am a graduate student and know that a lot of students struggle with online classes though that is their only option right now. Some of us work at least part-time while navigating a full course load and have family responsibilities. Some students are trying to home-school a few children and or struggling to access the Internet from home because everyone in their home is online at the same time. The struggle is real. But, we will get through it, and there are many things that we can do to take responsibility for our course work and life. Small changes can also influence how professors respond to us. Professors continuously hear about students needing or asking for extensions with assignments, yet some individuals take the wrong approach with thei...

Communicating with Professors, Employers, or Potential Employers by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Communication is a social or personal skill that when done right, plays a role in your success in college, on the job market, and in work settings. Here are some basic tips to consider when communicating (written, oral, or nonverbal) with others in professional settings. Written or electronic communication Written or electronic communication may be one of the first contacts that you make with a professional. First impressions are critical. Address professors, employers, or potential employers with proper salutations. Although you may hear someone else call that person by their first name, do not take it upon yourself to consider it okay to do the same unless that person offers (e.g., “You can call me ‘Justin’ rather than Dr. Smith.” For those that have PhDs or MDs, addressing them as “Dr. X” is appropriate. If it is a professor and you are unsure, you can always ...