LBCC Workshop Offers Students Tips for Professional Development

The air was filled with anticipation as the doors of the Cascade View Room in the Calapooia Center opened. As a few students trickled in, the experts got to work.

Headshots by the Commuter’s Sports Editor, Carsyn Meyers, was the first stop. Next, career and advising specialists/navigators Marci Johnston and Tracy Bates helped students work up their resumes.

LeAnn Schamp, LBCC’s Cooperative Work Experience Program assistant, stood by to share opportunities with students looking for internships, apprenticeships, or to fulfill Cooperative Work Experience requirements. Student Employment Specialist Marissa Miles was also on hand to help those needing employment find job leads, as was Aaron Medonich from WorkSource Oregon.

LBCC students were invited to attend a professional development workshop held on the Albany campus on Feb. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. Nothing was left to chance. All needs were covered, giving students the best chance for current or future employment. But it’s not just the mechanics of resumes, interviews, or job searches for which students can receive help.

Many students have the same hurdle to overcome – themselves.

“Most students deal with fear, “ said Rob Camp, LBCC’s Student Leadership Advisor.

“Imposter’s syndrome is real,” said Bates. “I have been teaching for so many years. I come over here and have to re-figure things out. It can be very intimidating.”

“Most definitely,” Schamp added. “We all deal with fear (imposter’s syndrome). It’s hard to overcome, but it can be done.”

Sadly, only a handful of students took advantage of this amazing opportunity that took place in the Cascade View room of the Calapooia Center.

Luckily all is not lost.

“While we’re doing this today,” continued Camp, “Tracy, Marci and Marissa help with resumes all the time. So you can ask your questions. Marissa does mock interviews with students when they are looking to apply for other jobs. So, you can get help in preparing for these things.”

To reach out for assistance, phone or email any of the advisors listed below in the at-a-glance portion of this article.

Professional Development Takeaways:

Fear / Imposter Syndrome is real. Don’t give in to it. Apply for those positions that appeal to you.

You are NOT alone. Advisors are on campus to help you. If one is not available, or you prefer to speak to an instructor or fellow student (tutor), you can find help there, too.

Every single person on campus wants each and every student to be successful and will do all they can to help you succeed.

The job market isn’t easy. Unless you’re seeking part-time, minimum wage employment, it helps to speak to an advisor to tweak your resume / cover letter for the job you want.

Don’t hesitate! Seek out an advisor today to give you the best chance possible at the job you seek.

 

 

 

At-A-Glance

 

What: Student Professional Development Workshop

When: Feb. 7

Where: Calapooia Center, Cascade View Room A&B (203)

By Who: LBCC Student Leadership / Rob Camp, Student Leadership Coordinator
 

Contact Information:
 

Rob Camp                              Student Leadership Coordinator                             (541) 917-4459

campr@linnbenton.edu

Marci Johnston                    Career and Advising Specialist                                (541) 917-4786 marci.johnston@linnbenton.edu

Tracy Bates                           Career and Advising Specialist/Navigator             (541) 917-4803 

tracy.bates@linnbenton.edu

LeAnn Schamp                     CWE Program Assistant                                           (541) 917-4787

leann.schamp@linnbenton.edu

Marissa Miles                       Student Employment Specialist                              (541) 917-4761

milesm@linnbenton.edu or studentemployment@linnbenton.edu

Aaron Medonich                   Case-Worker WorkSource                                        (541) 967-2171 Aaron.J.Medonich@employ.oregon.gov

 

 

Commuter Sports Editor, Carsyn Meyers, takes CWE Program Assistant, LeAnn Schamp, headshot at the

Student Professional Development Workshop, Tue, Feb 7.

Career and Advising Specialists/Navigators, Marci Johnston and Tracy Bates, help students punch up their resume.

Small changes to a resume can make it more appealing to potential employers.

 

Aaron Medonich from WorkSource Oregon’s Albany office helps a student create an i-Match

Profile. I-Match is the job search program for the Oregon Employment Department.It can also

help guide users to find their career paths.

 

This QR code will take students to the CWE Program Application.





           Students take advantage of assistance that will increase their employability.

 

Quinn Wahl Selected to Serve as LB's New Poet Laureate

 

At-A-Glance

What: Poetry Club meetings

When: 3 p.m. every Tuesday

Where: Roast Runners Café, LBCC Albany Campus, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW

When is next meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.

Website: https://www.linnbenton.edu/student-life/clubs-and-programs/poetry-club.php 

For More Information: riselec@linnbenton.edu

 

                                                                                                             Quinn Wahl, 18, LBCC's Poet Laureate Winter Term 2023

As we continue to come out of a pandemic that shut down the world, life looks a bit different than it did before. Some changes are permanent, others only temporary. One such change is in the selection of LBCC’s poet laureate for the 2022-23 school year. 

The bylaws stipulate that the candidate must be a student at LBCC. The selection committee chose Quinn Wahl, 18, however, this is Wahl’s final term before transferring to OSU. Another poet, Sarah Prieto, has been chosen as poet laureate for spring term 2023.

As the poet laureate, Wahl will run the Poetry Club meetings held at 3 p.m. in the Roast Runners Café on LBCC’s Albany campus every Tuesday. He is also working on a collaboration between the Poetry Club and one of LBCC’s music composition groups, as well as establishing events sponsored in tandem with other clubs on campus. The Poetry Club also hopes to hold at least one staged reading this term.

Wahl has been writing what he calls “good poetry” since the age of 12 or 13. As a lover of language, he is drawn to the ebb and flow of poetry. The etymology, nuances, and cadences that often come together to create beautiful poetic prose creates an emotion within him that is hard to articulate. 

“The way it can be weaved together as a fabric to create a beautiful design” brings him such a sense of peace, just as music does to a composer, Wahl said.

Chris Riseley, the Poetry Club’s advisor, said, “Quinn is one of the most observant people I have ever met. He is deeply studious, and funny. He’s got a great sense of humor.” 

Believing that there are two schools of thought when it comes to poetry, traditional and modern/contemporary, Wahl tends to subscribe to the more traditional. However, the Poetry Club itself is open to all poets from every walk of life.

“The Poetry Club is actively welcoming of all poets, regardless of background. If you have never even seen a poem, come and enjoy some poetry. We’ll put a pen in your hand and you’ll be writing whatever comes out. Everybody’s welcome,” Riseley said. 

In fact, a poetry reading will be held on “Friends Friday” in April, at a time yet to be determined. The reading will take place in the Student Leadership Office in the Forum Building. 

“We hope to see you there,” said Riseley.

LBCC Music Program Prepares for First Performance of 2023

At-A-Glance 

What: LBCC Music Program Concert “Elegy on Water”

When: Thursday. March 16 at 7 p.m.

Where: The Tripp Performance Center, LBCC Albany Campus, Takena Hall, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW

Tickets: www.linnbenton.edu/tickets

Website: https://musiclbcc.ticketleap.com/elegy

For More Information: Raymund Ocampo at ocampor@linnbenton.edu

 

Drifting from Room 213 of South Santiam Hall are the melodious sounds of voices blending to make a beautiful harmony. The LBCC Concert and Chamber Choirs are hard at work getting ready for their first performance in 2023.

“Elegy on Water" will take place on March 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tripp Theater on the LBCC Albany campus. This performance will showcase the talents of the Chamber and Concert Choirs, as well as the acapella group Formal Houseparty. It will include pieces such as "Famine Song" arranged by Matthew Culloton, "Carrickfergus" arranged by Sean Ivory, "Trilo" by Bengt Ollen, and "Elegy on Water" by Steve Heitzeg.

“Elegy on Water” really marries the two universal truths: 1) Water, which we need to survive and thrive, and 2) Music, a universal language that transcends our emotions. Led by director Raymund Ocampo, the audience will be taken on a musical journey highlighting the importance of water, how it is part of us and connects us to the world in which we live.

It will show us the privilege of having water, as well as the sadness of having too much or too little. It is something rarely considered here in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. In fact, often water is seen by many as an annoyance as it falls from the sky nine months out of the year. But to those in areas flooding, or those living in extreme drought, water takes on a whole new perspective. “Elegy on Water” is “a musical exploration into water and its importance and symbols in our lives,” said Ocampo.

This performance has not been without its challenges. First scheduled to happen in October 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused much upheaval. Originally set to take place on Albany’s waterfront, those plans had to be quickly changed. During the hiatus caused by the pandemic, the contact with the city was lost. This created the need to move the performance back to the LBCC campus. To create the desired ambiance has taken some logistical maneuvering that was neither expected nor planned, but the results are expected to created the desired atmosphere.

In addition to “Elegy on Water,” the choirs will be performing on March 14 at the District XI Choral Festival, which will include not only LBCC choirs but area high school choirs as well. In addition, in June and July will be their “Our American Journey” performances. These performances are in preparation for the choirs’ United Kingdom tour scheduled for July 10-19.

Not only are there ample opportunities to hear the harmonious stylings of the LBCC choirs, but there are just as many opportunities to join them.

“Music is often scary for people who don’t have previous experience. But an essential element in creating music is that it is a conduit for anything you desire, anything you want to say. Music is more than art … it is a form of communication a millennia old,” said Zane Montgomery, a Chamber Choir member.

To join the choir, reach out to Raymund Ocampo at music@linnbenton.edu. To help support the choirs’ tour in the United Kingdom, you can donate at www.linnbenton.edu/donate.

TipToeing Into Journalism

Topic One

I blame Brené Brown, Mel Robbins, Glennon Doyle, Sarah Knight, and a few more.  Being a fan of self-help books, I feel very versed on stretching my boundaries and undertaking things I've always wanted to do but have just been too afraid to try.  Entré JN 216.  I've always wanted to take a journalism course, but have never had the opportunity, and quite frankly have always doubted if I can do well in. Until now! I am a Practical Business Management major in my final term here at Linn Benton Community College.  I was able to return to school by way of the Trade Act - a government re-training program.  At 50 years old with a family of five to support, the undertaking has been daunting to say the least, but we've made it and are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

With only needing two more classes to fulfill my major, I was able to take a course simply because I wanted to. Writing is a passion of mine and I am always looking to enhance my skills, but when working towards my bachelors in the 90s, I had already taken every writing course known to man (or at least Washington State University). Every course that is EXCEPT journalism. It was the one course I had never been brave enough to try. When I saw an opportunity to stretch myself in JN 216, I jumped on it. Journalism seems to encompass a whole gambit of writing styles.  From opinion pieces, persuasive writing, argumentative pieces to just the facts, there are truly so many ways to skin a cat and journalism seems to embody all of them. And while I cannot wait to dig in and learn, I am nervous. I tend to be more of a fluff writer.  Not to the extreme of some, but more than what journalism often will allow.  Will I be a good fit? Am I the writer I think I am?  As they say in the Disney film Luca...Silenzio, Bruno! Push through and find out what I'm made of.

When not writing or reading, I can be found with my family.  They are my true joys in this world and I am crazy about them. Jessica, my wife, is the best partner I could ever ask for.  She is so intelligent and quick-witted that I am constantly kept on my toes.  She's a wonderful mother to our three children.  Our oldest, Marc, is 21 years old and currently attending Job Corp in Astoria, OR.  He is pursuing carpentry as a trade and is making us so proud.  Our middle child, Peter, is 19 years old and a freshman here at LBCC.  You can see her beautiful smile in the Roast Runners Café where she is a barista. You can't miss her gorgeous auburn hair and big brown eyes.  Tell her that her mama says hi! Up until two years ago, Peter was our youngest.  In 2021, however, Jess gave birth to the queen of our family.  Miss Charley Reynolds was born on Superbowl Sunday and has been my football pal ever since. She is 23 months old and is learning to talk.  She has all of us big people wrapped around her little pinky and can get us to do her bidding with just a little grin.  These people I've just shared with you are my why!  They are why I get up and go to class. Why I want to better myself and my career.  They are my most fervent passion.

Topic 2 

At my heart, I am a writer.  I have been writing for 20+ years, but have never dabbled in the world of journalism.  This is a first, and, quite frankly, is outside of my comfort zone.  Well, the interviewing portion of journalism anyway.  And while I am experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome, I am excited to stretch as a person. With that in mind, here are my three goals for the term:  1) Enhance my writing skills, 2) To overcome my anxiety and get the interview, and 3) Earn my "A."

Topic 3

For my first story, I will be focusing on the LBCC Choir.  I will be speaking with choir director, Raymond Ocampo, and two of the choir members to be named at a later date. I will be asking for specific details concerning the upcoming concert, how the choir is coming together, what are the challenges post pandemic to building a program, future goals for the choir, what music genre will they focus on.