Batch 3 Career Services

This week, I attended the "How to build a professional portfolio" Career Services webinar. I had no idea how beneficial a portfolio could be to a career. Below are my notes from the webinar:

• portfolios illustrate experience whereas resumes highlight them
• gives examples
• extension of a resume, soft skills, communication, team work.
• could include research
• surprise: you can use it within a job for a request for a promotion
• as well as for interviews
• Include:
• see pic
• present relevant information before or during an interview/ discussion
• don't include copy write or something with errors, if something is crumpled or damaged
• photographs can be included if it is relevant
• nothing from a long time ago
• what you want to learn
• 
  
• Name should be big
• address, phone and email current. 
• a process to make
• will have to collect and store most relevant things to include over time
• look over it all to see what to include to the specific situation
• evaluate and organize presentation
• will never be 100% complete- changes as you grow
• make a master copy of all items
• but the rest in a protected binder
• table of contents
• use sheet protectors
• 5-10 pages
• electronic portfolios
• use web-folio
• packaged to send via email along with resume. 
• be aware of potential technical issues
• LINKED IN!
• should have both, one to link to and one hard copy to bring in just in case management isn't tech savvy.
• ASU E- Portfolios
• can include link in cover letter. 
• can give the opportunity to show off websites you've made
• Students
• include classes, clubs, good essays etc. 
• Don't
• Put a picture of yourself (like a typical profile pic- unless linked in)
• nothing difficult to load

Batch 3- Freewrite: POP Workshop

One of the main things INFLUENCE AT WORK focuses on is translating Dr. Cialdini's work into real world, applicable solutions. Twice a year, we put on the Principles of Persuasion (POP) workshop. This workshop is open to the public and focuses on ethical marketing and skill development. Though I have read the book, and am familiar with the material, I was taking notes like crazy the whole time! The workshop is a two day event with lecture for all of the first day (as well as a special lecture From Dr. Cialdini about his latest research) and Half day lecture with role play and skill application on the second day. Participants are encouraged to come into the workshop with a specific issue they would like assistance with, and work on it for the entire workshop. Participants also have a chance to brefily discuss questions and applications with both Dr. Cialdini and Dr. Neidert (Dr. Cialdini's college and facilitator of the workshop).  

My role in this was mostly supportive. I gathered materials, checked things off the to do list and set up the meeting room.  Basically, someone else planned the thing, and I executed the plan and, was an extra set of hands (and brain for problem solving or helping out where necessary) and jumped in to solve hiccups as they occurred. The director of client services (who typically does all the "behind the scenes" work) got sick the night before and was not able to come to the workshop, leaving all her duties up to me. Luckily, since she was so well prepared, and I was very attentive to her instructions before hand, things went incredibly smoothly, and I got to learn in a much more direct way than I had counted on. 

Beyond getting a better understanding of Dr. Cialdini's work, this workshop gave me hugely valuable insights into meeting planning and event management. I also had the opportunity to network with a wide variety of business people. We had one attendee from Singapore, one from a university in California, one from a Foundation in South Carolina, and a Business owner from Australia. By the end of the day, my brain was buzzing with ideas on how to apply the principles to fundraising, public initiatives, professional relationships, and where non profits can benefit from this kind of marketing. 

Overall, I am so lucky to have had to opportunity to participate, and can't wait until the next one!

Batch 2- A Typical day at IAW.

I typically arrive at the office at 10 AM. When I first walk in, I log into my computer and wait for it to boot up. As this usually takes a few minutes, I drop off my lunch in the break room and grab something to drink. When I get back to my desk I check my emails. I usually have one or two new articles referencing Dr. Cialdini to read and at least one new order to process.
I'll then process the merchandise order.* This means finding an appropriate sized box, bubble wrap and creating a shipment on FedEx.  We also have trainers who order workbooks for seminars that are not local. In this case, I get an email with the number of participants and which workshop they are hosting (1 or 2 day). I'll then package up workbooks, a copy of Dr. Cialdini's book, and a summary card.
Since our semi annual local workshop is coming up soon, I have been slowly gathering and organizing the necessary items and taking inventory. I tell my manager if we are missing any documents, any AV equipment is broken, or anything else that may need attention. Today, I made "welcome packets" to be delivered to each participant's hotel room.  We included a letter from Dr. Cialdini, an agenda for the workshop, and an Arizona magazine *as many participants are not local (one is even flying in from India!).
After this is done, I'll usually have one or two low priority projects to work on. Dr. Caildini has a new book coming out soon, so I have been working on an excel spreadsheet with potential contacts for media, early review copies, or just a gift for the support over the years. I have also been recording statistics on all workshop evaluations turned in by participants. I record the number of the top two most common request and intend on comparing them all to see what large scale changes could be made.
And lastly, before heading home for the day, I'll check on our office hermit crabs. I refill the water, food and will clean their cage when necessary.
That's all for now!


*Link to our merchandise page: https://www.influenceatwork.com/store/

Batch 2- Free Write: My desk

For my first free write, I would like to introduce you to my desk! I spend about half my day poking around cabinets, filing, or running errands, but I do love my home base. Up out of frame, I have some pictures of my friends, family, and a "My Pitbull is Family" sticker. You will also notice the giant calendar in the middle. I use that to note my to do list for the day, and like to check it off as I finish or make arrows to make sure I finish it the next day. I also always keep packing tape near by, since packaging merchandise, books and information is such a huge part of my day to day activity.  I also have a box on the left near the printer for the other necessity: snacks, though right now, I'm running pretty low.  I like to tack up things I need to handle in the future on the right so I don't forget about them.  

Unlike everyone else in the office, I am always up and moving around. Because of this, I tend to have mini work spaces set up all over the office. You are likely to find pens, work books, and name tags  in the break room.  

On my last trip to mexico, I brought back
little skulls for everyone!

We love birthdays!

Batch 2- Freewrite: Introducing: Me!

Zooey was pretty sure I needed a million kisses. 

Always a little tempting
to stay in Mexico

Happy Wednesday!
Since this is another free write day, I thought I would introduce myself (in a less professional context)!  I grew up in Long Beach, California (Downey, if you know the area). When the colleges lost a large part of their funding making admission difficult, I decided to head to ASU without ever setting foot in Arizona. Since then, I have made Phoenix my home. Other than missing my friends, family and (of Course) the beach, I love where I live and am hesitant to relocate.

Phoenix Brewing Co. and Sonoran
Brewing Co. share a space and
have a great Happy Hour!

I absolutely love the outdoors and road trips. Not only does phoenix have a great location for this (Sedona, Grand Canyon, Mexico in addition to all the great local hiking), but the rent prices in the area make it affordable to travel all I want!

Luna making sure outside is not happening
before getting Friday night cozy.

Other than Travel, I love food and craft beer. I spend most of my free time (and cash) visiting all the local breweries and trying a little bit of everything. If the brewery has a kitchen, all bets are off!
Lastly, when I'm not eating, drinking or hiking, you can find me at home with my wonderful 11 year old pit bull, Luna. Luna's favorite things are giving kisses and laying in the dirt.

Until next time!

Batch 2- Where do I go everyday?

Hello Again,
I am currently working/ Interning with a small company called INFLUENCE AT WORK. 90% of my interview for the job was trying to communicate exactly what they do.
Generally, IAW is the office of Dr. Robert Cialdini, a Reagent's Professor Emeritus at ASU Business school. He has spent his career researching influence and persuasion in a scientific setting. He has written several books and has been published multiple times in several scientific journals. Further, all his works focus on the ethical applications of the findings.
The core of the research is built on 6 principles: Reciprocation (do onto others as you would have them do onto you), Scarcity (typical economist perspective), Authority (showing what you know), Consistency (keeping up with commitments), Liking (making friends), and Consensus (people do what everyone else is doing).
Though this is wonderful critical thinking information, there is a limit to what an academic can do with it on their own. That's where IAW comes in. IAW hosts seminars to teach the research to corporations, the government and Non Profits.  Depending on the need of the participants, the workshop is tailored to their needs. For example, a large corporation will likely get a seminar focusing on applying the knowledge in an ethical manner to increase sales, whereas a non profit will get one focused on how they can apply the research to increase fundraising and marketing efforts.
The office is near ASU in Tempe. We are a small office of 4 people (including myself) with around 20 people worldwide.
My job title is Administrative Assistant. Mostly, that means I keep everyone else from getting too overwhelmed with their own job duties. I organize the office (no one else knows where to find anything), monitor book sales and ship them out, take inventory of merchandise and books, make fun lists on excel (my favorite part), take trips to our storage unit,  and really anything else that they need.