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Posts Tagged ‘School’

The custodial and maintenance staff isn’t just around to sweep the floors, empty the wastebaskets, and clean up messes. They play an important role in the school environment. These people are not only essential to keeping the building and grounds in top shape and presentable to the public, but also keep the various physical systems in the school in working order. These may include heating & cooling, water, plumbing, and electrical systems, and sometimes even technology. They may also put up walls, plow the snow, line the football field, repair the drinking fountains, and put together classroom furniture.

Your custodial and maintenance workers can help you in a number of ways. They certainly can keep your room and hallway in tip-top shape. Many times, custodians will pick up and collect pencils and pens from the halls, and will drop them off in your room if they know you need them.

And they will often help you out if you have requests. In many schools, their contracts and union will dictate what physical jobs can be done by school personnel other than maintenance/custodial workers. So if you’re having trouble with your room heating unit, your clock is not synchronized with those around the school, or your door is squeaky, you can usually get prompt service if they know you and know you appreciate their time and efforts. If you are well liked by the maintenance staff, your requests may often move up the priority list. And if you want those extra ‘little touches’, such as a shelf put up in your room, or document frames mounted on your walls, such favors are often the reward of your time spent building positive relationships.

Appreciation for their work can be as simple as an honest and genuine ‘thank you’. Often times, including the custodial and maintenance staff in get-togethers and school celebrations goes a long way. Some groups will purchase donuts or treats for the custodians during the year. Other groups put on dinners or cook-outs. If your students bring in any extra treats, be sure to send some down to the maintenance staff.

If you take the time to get to know these hard-working people, and build positive relationships with them, you will definitely reap the rewards. Not only will you have handy people willing to help you out when you need it, but you may even find pleasant, friendly faces in and around your school.

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For this article, and more on teaching and education, be sure to check out our website:
http://www.starteaching.com

Frank Holes, Jr. is the editor of the StarTeaching website and the bi-monthly newsletter, Features for Teachers. Check out our latest issue at:
http://www.starteaching.com/Features_for_Teachers_jan1.htm

You can contact Frank at:
editor@starteaching.com

Some people enroll in a business school just for fun, for leisure. Some say it’s for experience, for others career advancement is their reason. Other professionals would say going to business schools is required for a possible job promotion. Peer pressure is also one, “My friends are enrolling in a business school so I’m going to join them too.” No matter what the reason may be, choosing a business school may affect your career or lifestyle. It is imperative that we analyze the business schools first before you enroll, this will help determine your future career.

The website of The School of Management at the University of Dallas in Texas provides the Top 100 rankings of Business Schools. Business Week also features B-Schools page in their site that presents Business School Rankings and profiles. Bschool.com also gives out International Side by Side rankings of the best Business Schools. About.com can also help you in identifying top business schools for grads and undergrads. We may use the database of these sites to track down credentials if a Business School of your choice is really worth your time, money, and effort. Read the rest of this entry »

Business school is probably one of the most unique challenges you’ll face beyond college.  For one, there are certain requirements you’ll have to complete and for another, it does require you to produce essays as part of admissions.  Some programs make it even tougher, obliging applicants to produce not just one but multiple essays.  So how significant is this to you?  It’s an indication that business schools place extra emphasis on your ability to communicate your ideas, your initiative and vision.  It’s also an indication that they put special consideration for your practical experience.  That means you will have to put some serious thought into the preparation of your business school essays.

What your essay will contain

What you will write about will depend on the demands of the particular program you’re applying for.  Generally, though, you will be asked to explain why you chose that program.  You will be also asked to write about your short- and long-term goals, your past working or business experience and how you think that particular business program will be beneficial to your career and your future.  You will also be asked to write about key changes in your life that made you decide to pursue that particular career path.

Writing your business school essay

You might find it difficult to begin writing the very first sentence in your business school essay but once you’ve begun, you will find that it will flow naturally from there.  To help you create a solid essay that is relevant, here are some important considerations you must keep in mind:

Keep your focus on the theme of your essay.

It’s easy to get carried away in your essay, especially if you’re very passionate about what you’re writing about.  Keep in mind that your essay is a reflection of your personality.  If it’s cohesive and well-written, you will be viewed as an organized individual who is capable of presenting his ideas in a format that people will like and understand.

Don’t meander from one topic to the next.  Mention something only if it is beneficial or related to your essay.  If not, keep the anecdote for some other more appropriate time.

Be concise.

Don’t try to overwhelm or awe the admissions department by flooding them with words.  You’re dealing with professionals here, who probably have more experience sifting through business school essays than you have years spent in school.

Use active verbs to imply action and initiative.  Keep your sentences short but complete and be direct to the point.  Don’t speak as if you’re telling them a mysterious tale.  Use what valuable paper space you have to convince them that you are the right candidate for the program.

Watch your structure.

This is post-collegiate level you’re pursuing.  Make sure you write for such level.  Don’t make the admissions department think they’re reading an essay written by a highschooler.  Take note of the technicalities of the language, watch your spelling and grammar.  If some sentences are too short, use transition words such as furthermore, consequently, nevertheless, etc.

Be interesting.

Don’t bore your readers with a half-baked effort.  Remember that apart from you, there are couple of hundred (at least) other applicants for the program.  If your essay doesn’t stand out, the admissions department will have a hard time remembering you and your essay.

If you have weaknesses, don’t highlight them.  Instead, address them.  Your essay gives you the opportunity to tell your program director what you have done to try to improve yourself.

Don’t be afraid to revise your essay.

If you can ask anyone – a family member or a friend – to read your essay and give you good advice, do so.  Reactions from knowledgeable third parties usually help.  If your business school essay doesn’t stand too well, revise it.  Edit, re-write and if necessary, re-write it once more until you come up with an essay that puts your personality, educational background and experience in a good light.