Today’s young engineers are entering an unprecedented market, as their skills are in high demand due to the specific industry needs resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. It therefore comes as no surprise that with high demand comes a competitive climate. So, what does it take for young engineers to edge out the competition and land the job?
This month, we turned to Dr. Shouling He, engineering professor, adviser and program coordinator for the mechatronic engineering program at Vaughn College, for her advice and tips on how young engineers can become top contenders in today’s hottest engineering market.
Build from the basics
Dr. He began by reinforcing the basic building blocks for anyone with a passion for engineering. She said in order for students to be successful in the field, their work ethic must be deeply rooted in these fundamental elements:
Being a practical problem solver
Ensuring the solution to the problem makes sense, and particularly paying attention to units and the order of magnitude in engineering design and analysis
Breaking a complex problem into smaller and manageable pieces, and then solving them step-by-step
Ability to work in teams and being a good project planner
Top skills for today’s market
Today’s engineering market is fast-paced and changing before our eyes. Dr. He explained that for young engineers to capitalize on this trend, they should have a broad range of knowledge. She said Vaughn’s mechatronic engineering program is the perfect fit for today’s ever-changing market. The program focuses on mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, which are considered among the top skills that companies are seeking today. Were you aware that Vaughn’s mechatronic engineering program is one of only four mechatronic programs in the country accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)? This distinction signifies the rigor of the program and is a reflection of Vaughn’s dedication of giving students the education and tools they need in order to have successful careers in the field of engineering.
Landing the job
In today’s COVID-19 era, competition may be more prevalent than ever. Competition can, however, be a good thing. It drives one to up their game and demands them to fine-tune their skills. Dr. He advises her students to focus on both their personal qualities as well as their professional ones. Here are some tips she offers young engineers to gear up for the job market:
Things to do during a job search:
– Read the job postings carefully
– Fine-tune résumés and prepare best samples from your course projects and labs
– Research the company
Key qualities to edge out the competition:
– Focus on strengths and do not feel intimidated
– Be an excellent communicator and share your thoughts and opinions
– Have confidence in your abilities
– Have hands-on experience
– Have a positive attitude and be willing to work in a team
In addition to the tips listed above, Dr. He emphasized the importance of students attending engineering conferences and job fairs hosted by Vaughn. Even in today’s climate, conference and fairs can be attended virtually. Did you know that more than 164 companies recruited at job fairs hosted by Vaughn last year? Vaughn students have landed jobs with industry leaders that include Lockheed Martin, Boeing Company and Daimler Trucks North America, just to name a few. Read the success story about recent Vaughn graduate, Atif Saeed ’20, and how his degree in mechatronic engineering landed him a job as a mechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin.
Attending conferences has proven to play a vital role in standing out among the competition. Read more about how attending these conferences can set you apart from the competition in our blog, “Top Conferences to Attend as an Aviation or Engineering Student.”
Standing above the competition
Will you be graduating soon? Earning your degree is a milestone and one to be proud of. Combining your knowledge with your unique personal strengths can prove to be a winning combination to a successful career. Here are some additional tips that Dr. He believes can position you for a chance to land your dream job:
Be willing to work hard
Complete tasks on time
Accept there will be challenges to face as technology changes rapidly
Have excellent oral and written communication skills
Have the capability to learn new things—and be prepared to learn them yourself
Dr. He’s Vision
With almost 35 years of experience in the fields of aerospace engineering and artificial intelligence, among others, Dr. He brings a host of knowledge to Vaughn and her students. During her nine years at Vaughn, she said nothing has made her happier than seeing her students follow their passion for engineering. As a woman engineer herself, she is proud to see more female students wanting to enter the field. “As a mostly male-dominated field, we are seeing women having an advantage over men in some aspects of engineering,” Dr. He explained. “Women pay more attention to detail and tend to be more consistent—especially when it comes to computer programming.”
As the world continues to change, Dr. He said one thing remains constant. “We give our students the knowledge and skills they can build on throughout their lives,” she said. “The exciting part is seeing how they will use them to develop and design new concepts and new products for our future.”
It was an exciting time for Vaughn College as we welcomed back our students and faculty to the fall 2020 semester. We understand back-to-school is looking different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with our commitment to our students’ success and safety, as well as our dedication to a high-quality educational environment, Vaughn has worked diligently over the past months to make the transition to online learning smooth and convenient.
In addition to having moved all classes to an online format in a matter of just one week, Vaughn created a lineup of virtual sessions, events and services designed to not only give peace of mind to students and families, but to provide them with the information and tools they need to succeed.
The student affairs department hosted a virtual information session, which offered families and students a platform to ask questions about how Vaughn would be operating in the fall, and how it planned to ensure each child’s safety and success. Here is an outline of the College’s flexible approach to learning:
A flexible approach to learning
Through careful consideration, Vaughn planned a flexible approach to learning that gives students and faculty members some options that incorporated best matches to student learning styles with the modality of instruction. Four types of instruction exist that fall within two categories: synchronous (at the same time) or asynchronous (self-paced). Here is how they break down:
Synchronous (at the same time)
Face-to-face—These courses are taught face-to-face in a traditional classroom setting.
Online—These courses will be taught fully online.*
Asynchronous (self-paced)
Hybrid—Hybrid courses are approximately 50 percent online and 50 percent on-campus. Students can expect to attend lectures online while going to labs in person.*
Online (traditional online)—These courses operate fully online with all content delivered entirely asynchronously.
How virtual learning nurtures life-building skills
We understand how “going off to college” may currently mean staying closer to home. This could actually be a good thing. And here’s why: Did you know virtual learning could help with personal growth? It’s true. Here are some ways virtual learning can help you develop life-building skills:
Builds confidence
Develops discipline
Inspires independence
Creates organizational skills
Encourages becoming a self-starter
Here are some of the virtual experiences Vaughn has offered, and will continue to offer:
Virtual Information and Registration Events to Support Students
Express Registration Events—To ease the enrollment process for students, Vaughn hosted express registration events for continuing students and implemented a new ombudsman tool, named “the Zoom Front Desk,” to make registering for upcoming semesters simple and flexible.
College Success Programs—To help with college preparation, information sessions were hosted for prospective students interested in the Vaughn College Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). This academic and financial support program helps students enroll in and succeed through graduation. The sessions provided insight to the success stories of current Vaughn HEOP students and the opportunities that are available. Read about HEOP graduate, Xylene DeCoteau and how the program helped her achieve her dream of flying and obtaining her bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations.
Transfer Information Sessions—An overview of Vaughn’s academic degrees and programs, a preview of the College’s fees, scholarship opportunities and the admissions process were presented during the sessions for interested transfer students. As a bonus, students in attendance were given the opportunity to apply to Vaughn for free as well as a chance to win a $500 scholarship!
Aviation Training Institute (ATI) Information Sessions—Designed for students interested in pursuing a futureproof career working as maintenance technicians in the fields of aviation, transportation and public utilities, this session explored the opportunities in this growing field, the aspects of Vaughn’s Aviation Training Institute and how to enroll.
Fun events to reconnect are also in full swing at Vaughn
Wellness Sessions and Challenges
Wellness and nutrition go hand in hand to maintain a healthy body and mind. Numerous virtual events were led by the athletics, wellness and counseling departments to discuss these vital elements as they relate to the performance and health of Vaughn’s students and student athletes. Virtual counseling sessions with Dr. Stacey Dutil, director of counseling and wellness, are beneficial to students and provide another way Vaughn is helping support students’ well-being and success during this difficult time.
Here are some other great virtual sessions Vaughn has designed to keep students healthy and motivated while supporting academic success:
Workout boot camps
Tele-counseling
Tutoring
Academic services
Career services
Street hockey—residence hall parking lot
Volleyball tournament—residence hall parking lot
Welcome assembly—via Zoom
First-generation college mixer—via Zoom
Outdoor movie night—campus parking lot
A great year ahead
As we navigate through this “new normal,” we want to assure our students that their safety and education are our top priorities and we will continue to support them in every way we can. We look forward to a fruitful year for all, even during these challenging times.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in engineering and technology, management, or aviation? Today, Vaughn is more committed to your success than ever before. Did you know that 99 percent of our graduates—83 percent in their chosen field—are employed or continue their education within one year?
Since the coronavirus pandemic struck the United States earlier this year, engineers and technologists have remained in high demand. Dice, a leading technology career hub which connects employers with skilled technology professionals, analyzed the job positions and skills that rose highest in demand between February and March of 2020.
According to the results of the Dice Tech Job Report*, the need for technologists is more critical than ever, as technology plays a key role in making this unexpected transition to a remote workplace a smooth and successful one.
Why techies are critical employees
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
The shift from businesses operating from their headquarters to a remote workplace had employers— almost overnight—examining their remote frameworks. Technologists were needed just as quickly to execute critical components to expedite the widespread conversion.
Here are some examples of how businesses pivoted to maintain communication and operations between employees and clients:
Meetings became video calls (Zoom being one of the most popular)
Conferences turned into webinars
Conversations shifted to instant messaging
To keep business flowing as usual, engineers and tech professionals were needed to work behind the scenes to meet the demands of a changing world and workplace. Here are a few job titles of the tech professionals needed to make all of this happen:
Engineers
Cloud architects
Systems administrators
Cybersecurity experts
Application designers/developers
And, here are two critical components that tech professionals addressed to keep the remote workplace running smoothly:
Ensuring remote frameworks and infrastructure are secure
Ensuring employees had reliable connectivity to work from outside the office
Where the jobs are
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
Technology, or tech giants, consulting agencies and government contractors top the list of tech employers who were hiring during the first quarter of 2020, according to the Dice report. This is great news for Vaughn College students who are currently pursuing engineering degrees, as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Boeing Company fall among the list of the top 25 tech companies listed in the Dice report.
Read about Vaughn graduate Atif Saeed ’20 who started a job at Lockheed Martin this summer working as a mechanical engineer.
Engineers and tech professionals may be interested to learn that between February and March of this year, online retail giant Amazon increased its technology job postings by 110 percent—looking specifically for software developers and network engineers. This comes as no surprise since consumers used Amazon as an alternative to shopping at grocery stores and other essential retailers during the lockdown. Walmart increased its technology postings by 64 percent in March—in addition to the 150,000 employees they pledged to hire—and specifically sought to hire software developers and project managers.
Source: Labor Insight Jobs (Burning Glass Technologies)
According to the Dice report, different states showed varying growth, depending on how each state reacted to the COVID-19 lockdown. In New York, for example, the state was quick to enforce a stricter “stay at home” order, compared to other states that were slower to require that non-essential employees work remotely.
Shift in job postings due to pandemic
Cybersecurity engineering jobs topped the list of having the most uptick in job postings, according to the Dice report. Cybersecurity engineering job postings surged by 20 percent during February and March of this year, as businesses took a proactive approach to combating pandemic-themed phishing and cyber-attacks. System engineers were also in demand, having placed at 11 percent, and showing a clear indication that companies were concerned with maintaining their network and computer infrastructure.
Discover a futureproof career at Vaughn
The job outlook for the engineering and technology fields remains bright, and will remain so, despite the recent surge in demand during the pandemic. If your passion lies within these futureproof fields, then now is the time to capture this opportunity by earning your engineering and technology degree from Vaughn College.
When Vaughn College alumnus Vladislav Makarov ’16 landed his job at air cargo company Atlas Air in 2015, he never imagined how valuable his dual bachelor’s degrees in airport and airline management from Vaughn would become—especially during an unforeseen pandemic. The air cargo market has seen a recent surge in demand, as airfreight and cargo companies have become an essential part of transporting medical supplies and other life-saving equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.
This month, we caught up with Makarov to hear about his latest position at Atlas Air and to revisit his journey of a successful career in air cargo aviation.
Finding his way to Vaughn
Makarov began his academic journey at Queens College where he studied computer science. After only two semesters, however, he knew he wanted to pursue his biggest passion—aviation. “In the back of my mind I always wanted a career in aviation, but I didn’t know how to go about starting one. One day, I started doing research on potential colleges in the field of Air Traffic Control. As it turned out, Vaughn was in an ideal location for me.” He attended an open house and learned more about the curriculum and how students are specifically trained and educated in their chosen fields of study. He enrolled in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) where he studied airport management with the hope of becoming an air traffic controller.
Switching Gears
Learning of a change in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) hiring practices from AT-CTI colleges at the time that lead to career uncertainty, Makarov decided to switch gears and add to his marketability by pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in airport/airline management at Vaughn. “It was a very valuable experience,” he stated. “I received a well-rounded education.”
Experiencing the value of Vaughn
Looking back, Makarov recalls several experiences that he considers invaluable in his pursuit of a career in aviation. He describes working on the capstone degree project with associate management professor, Dr. Peter Canellis, as one of his favorite and most relevant classes. The project covered taking over a fictional company and analyzing how someone would manage and finance all the aspects of a company. Makarov also speaks highly of the air traffic control courses taught by Professor George Tracy as well as an interesting course he took with management chair, Dr. Maxine Lubner. “Vaughn’s curriculum prepares you for the field you’ll be working in by providing real world, practical examples that you can use right away,” Makarov said. “Unlike my experiences at other colleges, at Vaughn, you jump right into the core of what you will be doing in your field after graduation.” One of the most valuable attributes of the College Makarov describes is the small class size. He said the small, non-traditional college experience is what he believes gives students the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their dreams.
Landing the job at Atlas Air—The Vaughn/Atlas Air Connection
Vaughn’s long-term relationship with Atlas Air has proven to be truly valuable, as several alumni like Makarov have landed internships and ultimately full-time positions with this renowned aviation cargo company. Karen Batson ’04, Vaughn alumna and adjunct faculty member, has an impeccable record when it comes to hiring Vaughn graduates to work at Atlas Air. The reason: Batson knows how Vaughn prepares graduates for the aviation field and successful careers.
As part of the more than 30 of the College’s graduates, Batson hired Makarov after obtaining his résumé from career services. “Karen is always interested in training new employees and growing them to reach their potential,” said Makarov. “She pushes you to improve yourself and to always learn something new.” Makarov would know—Batson has been his manager for the past five years.
Climbing the aviation ladder
During his time at Atlas Air, Makarov has worked on a variety of projects in the data science field. He uses data visualization software to provide reports to various groups and also reviews aircraft reliability statistics to find trending issues. Both of these are specific-system and fleet-wide issues that need addressing. More specifically, his job is to narrow down specific reasons for why something is happening and provide solutions in an effort to reduce aircraft maintenance costs and disruptions. “The Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) program is designed to track and find potential safety risks and is one way airlines like Atlas Air keep their operations as safe as possible.”
Makarov was recently promoted to senior analyst. His current responsibilities include developing new reports, as well as training his colleagues. He said that at one point, he even had to train himself on new concepts. He developed new reports from scratch, which included the coding and IT of the programs. “Oversight and technical systems are daily parts of the job. Every day brings something different and challenging.”
Fueling his passion for aviation, Makarov is a certified private pilot and he is currently working on his instrument rating. “I love the career I’ve chosen. The training never ends.”
In these times of uncertainty, one thing is certain. Now is the time to set yourself on a path to a futureproof career. See how a degree from Vaughn College can get you there. Apply today.
Preparing for life after college can be an exciting time for students. With nearly four million students receiving their diplomas this past spring—and several more over the coming months—having a clear game plan is key to planning a successful future. We can’t ignore the fact we are in the middle of a pandemic; however, with some clear guidance and determination, you can be well prepared to land a job and begin your career.
This month, Vaughn College has outlined five tips to help you prepare for life after college graduation.
Stay connected Social distancing limits face-to-face interaction, but thanks to modern technology, staying connected is easier than ever. Reaching out to mentors, former classmates and your alumni association network are great ways to strengthen your relationships. Just like the expression, “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” keeping connected can make all the difference.
Learn to budget Living within your means is an important way to be fiscally responsible. Even if you have not yet landed your dream job, learning to budget your money now will likely keep you ahead of your finances down the road. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your credit score. Knowing your score is essential when you’re ready to lease an apartment, a vehicle or apply for a credit card. Tools like Annual Credit Report are a great way to keep track of your scores.
Perfect your interviewing skills Now is the time to practice your interviewing skills. In light of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, employers are opting to use video conferencing software, such as Zoom, to connect with job candidates instead of holding traditional in-person meetings. Take the time to record yourself and remember to dress professionally. And don’t forget to update your resume! You can read more in our blog, “Tips for a Successful Zoom Interview.”
Improve your social media pages and email
This one is important and could potentially make or break you when it comes to getting the job. Be sure to:
Remove any inappropriate photos and posts on your social media pages. Employers may check your profile and could eliminate you from their potential list of candidates based on your content.
Create or improve your LinkedIn profile.
Create a professional email address
Customize your email signature to include your name and/or professional brand. Be sure to add your LinkedIn address and any other contact information.
Know your value You may not have a world of experience in your field just yet, but what you do have is a body of knowledge and skills that you’ve learned throughout your college career. Internships, college work study programs and other field experience adds to your value. It’s important to stay calm, confident, and focused. And as challenging as it may be during these uncertain times, try not to let the news or headlines affect your outlook on starting your career.
We hope these tips were helpful in preparing you for life after college. Vaughn’s dedication to its students’ success begins with a futureproof education and the support you need to succeed every step of the way.
Are you looking for a futureproof career? Discover all that’s possible with a degree from Vaughn College. Apply today.
Are you prepared for your next job interview? You may be relieved to learn the commute may only be as far as your living room. Read on to learn the advantages of a Zoom interview and the best tips and practices to make it a successful experience.
Job interviews of today are getting more screen time as employers are opting to use video conferencing software, such as Zoom, to connect with job candidates instead of traditional in-person meetings. In light of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing, Zoom interviews have become more popular than ever. If you have already been using Zoom to connect with family and friends, you may think you have a handle on using this video conferencing software. But how would you fare using it in a job interview?
Below we have prepared a checklist of tips to help you prepare for a successful job interview via Zoom. But first, let us start with some of the ways both employers and candidates are benefiting from screen-to-screen interviews in contrast to traditional face-to-face ones.
Advantages of Zoom Interviews
Interviewing for a job can be a bit nerve-wracking for some. And for the interviewers, scheduling them can be a challenge. Conducting interviews via Zoom can be beneficial for both parties, thus making the experience more convenient and less stressful. Here are some of the advantages of Zoom interviews over traditional in-person ones:
No face-to-face contact—which is particularly beneficial during COVID-19.
Reduces pressure and puts candidates more at ease, since they are in their own environment.
More convenient for out-of-town participants—both employer and individual candidates.
Interviews can be arranged and organized quickly.
Employers can screen candidates efficiently.
Ways to Prepare for a Zoom Interview
Preparation is the key to success, especially when preparing for a Zoom interview. Here are some helpful tips to prepare for a positive experience:
Conduct practice interviews and record yourself to evaluate and fine-tune your answers and screen appearance.
Update your computer with the latest edition of Zoom software.
If using a laptop, check that it is fully charged.
Be sure you have a strong internet connection.
Advise household members of the day and time of your call to limit distractions.
Close out everything on your desktop before the interview.
Dress professionally.
Choose a:
Professional background with limited clutter
Room with good lighting—facing toward a window is better than having the light behind you
Quiet space that is free of distractions – make sure children and dogs are secured in separate rooms
Tips for Success Before the Call
There are a few simple things to do right before the call that could make or break the interview. Be sure to:
Silence your phone and put it away until after the interview.
Turn off all notifications from social media websites and other distractions.
Use a desktop or laptop when possible instead of the Zoom mobile app. Computer cameras are more stable and also provide a better view for the interviewer.
Tips for Success During the Call
Now that you have selected the best space for your call, fined-tuned your computer and are dressed for success, here are some important tips to keep in mind during the call. Remember, a Zoom interview is just as formal as an in-person one.
Use your mute button when you are not talking to eliminate any distracting background noises.
It has been proven that most people look at themselves during Zoom meetings, so you can hide your video from your display by right clicking on your video and selecting “Hide Myself.” This will enable you to focus on and make eye contact with the other people in the meeting.
Be aware of your body language. Maintain good posture and use non-verbal cues like smiling and head-nodding when listening to the interviewer.
Ask questions with confidence.
Vaughn College is dedicated to the success of its students. We hope you found these interviewing tips for a Zoom interview helpful. Remember: You only have one chance to make a good first impression. Now is your time to shine. Visit career services to learn more about how Vaughn College can help you on your path towards a futureproof career.
Sometimes a perfect combination comes along. For example, a New York state grant program and a dynamic student with the academic rigor to take advantage of every opportunity it provides. That is exactly the case with the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Vaughn student Xylene DeCoteau ’20, who received her bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations in May while also taking the set of air traffic control courses offered within her degree program.
HEOP is an important part of life at Vaughn, and its mandate closely follows the College’s own: providing economically and educationally disadvantaged and underrepresented students the possibility of a college education. The primary objective of both HEOP and Vaughn is to help provide a broad range of services to students who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend college, yet have the potential and desire to obtain a college degree.
“Mom One” and “Mom Two”
Melissa Teixeira, executive director, and Lauren Cajade, assistant director, run Vaughn’s HEOP office. In addition to helping students understand what is available to them, Teixeira and Cajade provide academic support and personal and social counseling. They are also hands-on advisers who make sure students are getting the support they need throughout their time at Vaughn, including special tutoring or financial guidance. The HEOP office is a unique space where students feel supported. According to Cajade, “This is a special place that is really different. Everyone, not just HEOP participants, enjoy the safe, family feel we provide.” It is no surprise that Teixeira shared that students refer to her and Cajade as “Mom One” and “Mom Two.”
Everyone who knows or has worked with DeCoteau knows that she is truly unique. She earned a place on the President’s List in the spring and fall of 2017, 2018 and 2019. That is a hard-earned honor — a student must maintain a GPA of 3.85 or above to be included.
While DeCoteau was a student, she already earned several licenses, including her private pilot license (PPL), instrument rating (IR) and commercial pilot license (CPL) for both single and multi-engine aircraft. She has also earned her certified flight instructor airplane (CFIA) and certified flight instructor instrument (CFII) certificates and currently teaches and supports other students part-time at Vaughn.
Throughout her impressive academic career, DeCoteau remains generous with her time and spirit and is committed to giving back to the community and to Vaughn. Teixeira says, “We’re here for her. She has a great support group of friends here and a determined focus on the future. We have no doubt that she will continue to accomplish great things.”
When asked about her Vaughn experience, DeCoteau said, “Everyone here has supported my success, and I am happy and honored to have achieved so many of my goals. HEOP and hard work really made a difference. Plus, I get to fly and go to college at the same time. What can be better than that?”
HEOP Information Session
You can learn more about Vaughn’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) during an Information Session on Wednesday, June 17 at 1 p.m. (register here) or Monday, June 22 at 6 p.m. (register here) or visit vaughn.edu/heop/. You can also contact Melissa Teixeira () or Lauren Cajade () from our HEOP office for assistance.
With several weeks of distance learning under our belts, most college students have a handle on their routines, study schedules and have settled into the social distancing groove in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By now, students have established what it takes to keep their grades up. But good grades can only go so far. What about emotional and mental well-being?
To start, you can check with your college to find out what engaging virtual activities are being offered to students during this time. Vaughn is hosting virtual exercise classes, yoga, scavenger hunts and jeopardy games to help with mental and physical health – these are posted on Facebook and Instagram weekly, as well as on the events page.
In addition to these activities, we would also like to suggest some fun and functional ways to boost your mood and ease the stress and isolation that might result from distance learning. Whether you try one of these methods or all of them, keeping a positive mind-body balance is the best way to maintain good emotional and mental health.
Maintaining social connections
Social distancing may be keeping us from physically seeing our friends and families, but thanks to technology, there are other fun ways to maintain social connections. Did you know social connections are a powerful force in boosting your mood and overall health? Here are some fun ways to keep your lifelines open with family and friends:
Use Zoom, FaceTime and social media platforms to stay connected 24-hours a day.
Schedule a game night/day to play group games—social distancing does not apply.
Schedule venting sessions. Getting your thoughts or frustrations off your chest is a healthy way to clear your mind.
Exercise your body and your mind
These days, it is all too easy to get stuck in a rut. If you are becoming one with your couch, now is the time to get up, get moving and release those mood-boosting endorphins. Here are some ways to keep your body active while staying at home. Just be sure to follow proper Centers of Disease Control (CDC) social distancing guidelines.
Go for a walk
Take a bike ride
Do yoga
Dance to your favorite songs
Jump rope
Play tag with your siblings
We already know exercise does a body good. But what about giving your brain a boost, too? Before you say your brain is on overload from studying, consider this: Did you know playing brain-boosting games can relax your mind and help you shift gears into a more relaxed mental state? Between online learning sessions try playing one or more of these for a fun brain boost:
Puzzles
Crossword puzzles
Words with friends
Sudoku
Solitaire
Word search
Meditation
Mindfulness exercises, such as meditation can be the ultimate exercise for your brain. Here are some of the benefits meditation can bring to your mental health:
Instills internal calming and peace
Clears your mind
Rejuvenates your mind and energy level
Provides a peaceful escape from your surroundings
Easing Worries
It is not uncommon for college students to become anxious or distressed during today’s uncertain times. The experts at Psychology Today recommend for students to ease their worries with the SHHH tips: Structure, Health, Happiness and Hope. If you are already practicing some of these, try incorporating the others for a total wellness check to help ease your worries away.
Structure—Maintain a schedule and stick with it. Try going to bed the same time every night and remain diligent with your school schedule. The good news is once your work has been completed, you can make time for that Zoom call or FaceTime chat!
Health—It is easy to indulge in a snack marathon while social distancing, but maintaining a healthy diet now is more important than ever. Good nutrition can boost your immune system. Also, it is important to get enough sleep and work in some exercise, as we discussed above.
Happiness—This might be a tough one since many of the things that brought us happiness are off the list—for now. The good news? There are other activities that can bring you joy that you may not have discovered or have forgotten about. Some suggestions to consider: Trying out a new recipe. Or, play an instrument you haven’t played in a while. Start up an old hobby you used to enjoy, such as crafting, sewing, knitting or journaling. Finally, how about binge-watching a cool series on Netflix?
Hope—This may be the most important one of all. If history has taught us anything, it is that we are a country of resilience. As a nation, we have recovered from wars, pandemics and recessions. Looking to the future with hope and promise of better days to follow is one of the best ways to keep mentally fit.
Looking for more helpful information on distance learning? Check out our blog: Six Tips for New Distance Learners. So keep your head up, stay mentally and physically fit and prepare yourself for a bright future.
Vaughn College wants everyone to stay engaged during this time of social distancing and online learning. To foster this, we have come up with a list of organizations museums that have created amazing virtual experiences that you can enjoy from the comfort of your very own home. Have you ever dreamed of visiting our country’s national parks or touring the magnificent palaces of Europe? Now you can without leaving your home.
Virtual experiences are taking the sting out of social distancing, as many are embracing their newly found downtime by embarking on virtual sightseeing adventures. Now, they have the freedom to visit their bucket list destinations. And the best part? No travel is required. As we continue to follow federal guidelines of staying at home to stop the spread of COVID-19, museums and organizations near and far are bringing the wonder and excitement to us all.
There are fun and educational virtual experiences that will keep you and your family members engaged and entertained.
We have put together a list of exciting museums and organizations that are embracing the virtual tour experience in order for you to experience them for yourselves—all from the comfort of your own home. Visit one or visit them all. Sit back and enjoy!
Some of us can only dream of visiting one of our national parks. Imagine having the opportunity to experience the wonder of them all? Now you can. Google Earth is offering virtual tours of our national parks. Some of these parks may be on your bucket list, while there are others you may never have heard of.
Love science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)? Then the Cradle of Aviation aerospace museum is for you! Now is your chance to explore and discover everything the Cradle of Aviation Museum has to offer by taking their virtual tour. To date, the museum has created and shared over 50 videos on the history of ingenuity and innovation in aerospace via the social media app TikTok (#educatortom). Looking for engaging activities for yourself or younger siblings? This is a fantastic educational activity they will love, especially if they are interested in STEM subjects. This museum also intends on producing a range of videos that cover STEM topics. Other fun and exciting virtual activities include:
The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is joining the virtual tour community by offering fun and educational activities as you and your family stay at home. From cool STEM-focused projects to story time—and everything in between—kids will love keeping up with brain-boosting activities to pass the time.
Take a royal virtual tour through Europe while social distancing. If you’ve ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II, Louis XIV of France or King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, then sit back and enjoy the splendor and grandeur of Europe’s most incredible palaces. It is sure to be a crowning experience. Here are just a few palaces you can tour.
Aviation Training Institute (ATI) April 28 and April 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Are you interested in learning more about Vaughn College, but social distancing is keeping you at home? Vaughn is excited to announce its first-ever Virtual Open House, where we bring the experience to you. The event is chock full of everything you need to know about the college, financial aid, student life, the admissions process and our Aviation Training Institute where you can study to become an aircraft mechanic. And, as a “thank you,” we are waiving the registration fee just for attending the Virtual Open House. So, stay safe, stay home and sign up for what could be the start of your futureproof career at Vaughn College. Take our virtual tour and register today.
Vaughn College, along with many other institutions across the US, has moved all of its classes and many of its labs to an online format in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, called COVID-19, in New York City. For many of our students this is a huge adjustment, so we’ve put together this list of best practices (and links to some resources you may not realize are available to you) to help you make the best of your distance learning-from-home experience!
Six Tips for New Distance Learners
Know Which Tools You Need for Class: D2L, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts; these are all useful tools for online learning, but which ones do your instructors use? Vaughn has created a handy guide to online distance learning, D2L and SONIS, and will have staff available to you via email to help you transition to online learning if you need. And don’t forget, you can always check all of our guides and updates regarding coronavirus.
Develop a Schedule (And Stick to It): You may be tempted to sleep in and think of this as a kind of vacation. But developing a schedule, even if you don’t have to physically attend classes every day, can help you stay on top of your studies and avoid mental burnout. You can also develop a study schedule using free online tools.
Create a Designated Workspace: Staying in bed can get, pardon the pun, tired really quickly. Finding and keeping a designated distance learning workspace can help you stay on schedule and help create the separation of college/personal life that you may be missing while you’re learning off-campus. There are some great tips on creating an at-home workspace available!
Stay Active: One way to avoid burnout and restlessness is to remain active, even when you’re off campus. Once every hour stand up, stretch and take a deep breath. This will keep you from getting stiff and will stave off that “worn down” feeling. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, do an at-home workout.
Take Care of Yourself: Self-care is very important during any major adjustment, so make sure you’re attending to your physical and emotional needs. Take breaks when you need to; do something you enjoy every day; make contact with people outside of the digital classroom. Vaughn College offers students resources for emotional self-care.
Communicate: This is an adjustment for us all, and we’re all in this as a community. If your needs aren’t being met or you’re struggling to adjust, communicate with your faculty or Vaughn College staff; we are here to help you succeed. Contact information is available in the portal.
As spring break approaches, take some time to familiarize yourself with the tools and resources you need to make the best of your online distance learning experience. If you have trouble getting online or need additional help adjusting, you can find more resources, contact information and regular coronavirus updates on our website, at www.vaughn.edu/coronavirus.
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