Ready for June? Jump on it in January!

Have you made your summer plans yet? Now is the time to JUMP ON IT (just like the song!) and get going with your summer plans! Use this countdown for your last few days in January to start making plans for your summer.

5. Apply for 5 internships or jobs this week to get you started. Here are 5 places to look: 

• HokiesforHire 
• Links to internship sites
• Career Shift
• LinkedIn Student Jobs Portal
• Links to job listing sites by career field

4. Want to stick around in Blacksburg this summer and do undergraduate research? Try these 4 ways to find an opportunity:

• VT Undergraduate Research page
• Walk around your department and talk to faculty
• Check out centers on campus like Virginia Bioinformatics Institute or Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
• Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center

3. Thinking you might Study Abroad this summer? 3 things to do for this: 

• Attend the Expo TODAY in Squires from 11 - 3. Could not find a link!
• Visit the Education Abroad web site 
• Visit your college/major study abroad site

2. Figure out 2 career fairs you could attend this semester. Business Horizons is THURSDAY! Not a business major? There still may be an employer you might want to talk to. Check out the list of employers here. To view other career fairs this semester, visit this site. 

1. Make it your goal, starting this semester, that you will get to know at least one faculty member you could use as a reference, whether you will be applying for jobs or for graduate programs.

Those 5 actions should get you jump started to prepare for after spring semester.Thank you to my daughter, Maggie, who was the inspiration for this post! Way to jump on it while you were on Winter Break, Mags!

Service: A Natural NY's Resolution for Hokies!

As you make your resolutions for 2014, I have a suggestion for you that I got from Michael Copeland, the minister at my church--a humane goal for each of us, no matter what our religion is or isn't. What is the suggestion? In 2014, set a goal for 14 acts of service. There are many ways you can serve in our VT community; here are 14 suggestions for 2014:

1. Participate in an Alternative Spring Break program. There are many places to find ASB projects, but one place to look is the YMCA at VT.

2. Check out the many opportunities at VT Engage.

3. Help out at the local Free Clinic of the New River Valley.

4. Volunteer with the VT YMCA.

5. Be an ambassador for the Cranwell International Center or volunteer to work with international students in other ways.

6. Work on making the BIG EVENT happen in April. (Couldn't find their 2014 information yet but there is a contact at the link!)

7. Join the largest campus-run Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer...It's on OUR campus!

8. Assist with the 3.2 Run for Remembrance in April. Volunteer sign-up begins in February.

9. Support battered women and children at the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley.

10. There are 230 service organizations in Gobbler Connect. Search for one that interests you!

12. Serve a meal at the local Salvation Army.

13. Want to get experience in a health-related setting? Volunteer for VT Rescue Squad.

14. Love to hike the AT in this area? Keep it clean by using your hands with the VT Outdoor Club.

There, that should do it!

Just think, even if we all did only ONE act of service this year, that would be over 30,000 contributions to our community. And, if we each strive for 14 this year, the possibilities are endless! As you participate in a service activity, send us a photo of you taking action and we'll post it on our blog.

Service. A natural New Year's resolution for Hokies who live by our motto, Ut Prosim, that I may serve. Let's all strive to serve more in 2014. Happy New Year!