Month: May 2017

Fostering Global Futures

As the high-tech breakthroughs and entertainment emanating from Silicon Valley and Hollywood cross increasingly more international borders, so does a prevailingly western vision of progress – of how globalization will reshape our shared world. “We discount the fact that there are other visions of the future that come from different cultures,” notes Associate Professor of Industrial Design Paolo Cardini. In recognition of this, the Italian designer is spearheading a RISD-supported project called the Global Futures Lab, a series of international workshops aimed at articulating alternative versions of what’s to come – both utopian and dystopian – and that reflect local realities of non-western communities.

As the second recipient of RISD’s Global Faculty Fellowship (GFF), Cardini has already led workshops at the Art University of Isfahan in Iran and the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, with others forthcoming at Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Peru in Lima and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. In these four-day workshops the designer works with local students in developing “souvenirs from the futures” – artifacts inspired by student-written speculative fiction and then fabricated in cooperation with local artisans. Cardini plays the role of catalyst: he introduces a structure that allows participants to generate ideas and then encourages their realization in the form of tangible objects informed by students’ own cultural conditions and traditions.

“Projects like Paolo’s are taking RISD to places in the world where we have not typically worked in a sustained way,” says RISD Global Director Gwen Farrelly, who works with Academic Affairs to co-sponsor the GFF. Last year, as the program’s inaugural fellow, Assistant Professor of Literary Arts and Studies Avishek Ganguly conducted research into translation in global contexts and next year, as RISD’s 2017/18 fellow, Assistant Professor of Architecture Emanuel Admassu will launch a project titled Where is Africa? that engages architects, designers and artists across that continent in a series of dialogues.

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Bryant students benefit from a positive return on investment on their degree

At a time when the value of a college education is increasingly measured in terms of “return on investment,” recently released data suggest Bryant graduates receive high value for their Bryant degree.

An annual survey conducted by Bryant’s Office of Planning and Institutional Research (see below for background about survey) shows an impressive payoff in terms of salary for a Bryant education. The report shows that the median first-year salary for the Class of 2016 graduates is $57,000. In addition, 99 percent of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of Commencement.

The results of the survey of the Class of 2016 complements data provided by the U.S. Department of Education in its annual College Scorecard, which gives users access to extensive federal data on average college cost and graduate salaries for institutions across the U.S. It echoes Bryant’s high rankings for value published by major media outlets earlier this year.

Highlights from College Scorecard, Money, Forbes

According to the federal government’s latest College Scorecard, the University ranks high in return on investment among peers within Rhode Island. Bryant comes in first in the state among median earners, and ahead of Brown University and Providence College when it comes to graduates’ earnings after college. The scorecard shows that Bryant students who received federal financial aid have a median salary of $64,500 10 years after entering the University, whereas Brown University and Providence College graduates earn $59,700 and $57,700, respectively.

Bryant is on Money magazine’s list of 50 Colleges That Add the Most Value, otherwise known as schools that best help students exceed expectations financially and academically. And Bryant is ranked No. 68 in Money’s assessment of 736 colleges that provide the best value for your tuition dollar.

Forbes named Bryant as one of 300 schools worth the investment in 2016. And The Princeton Review included Bryant in  The Best 381 Colleges: 2017 Edition and ranked Bryant 18th in schools with the best career services.

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New programs seek to diversify faculty at Brown and beyond

One year after the University’s diversity and inclusion action plan committed to doubling the number of faculty from historically underrepresented groups, two initiatives are already attracting both early-career and experienced scholars to Brown.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Just over a year ago, Brown University launched into the work of activating an ambitious, far-reaching plan to create a more diverse and inclusive academic community. Among the plan’s chief priorities was a multifaceted effort to double the number of faculty members from historically underrepresented groups by 2022.

Two initiatives related to that effort — the Presidential Diversity Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and the Provost’s Visiting Professors Program — are in full swing, each representing a distinct element in a broader strategy to boost faculty diversity. The first aims to widen the pipeline of young scholars from diverse backgrounds who will compete for tenure-track positions at Brown and elsewhere in the future. The other focuses more immediately on the present by attracting distinguished senior scholars from historically underrepresented groups to Brown for temporary appointments.

And both are already producing results.

“Diversity is a cornerstone of academic excellence,” Brown President Christina Paxson said. “Through a set of distinctive and purposeful programs, we are seeing success at increasing faculty diversity at all levels — from the most recent recipients of Ph.D.s to academics who are at the peak of their careers as educators and scholars.”

Liza Cariaga-Lo, the University’s vice president for academic development, diversity and inclusion, said that cultivating a more diverse faculty is essential to the creation of an academic community that embodies the social and intellectual diversity of the world and offers students and scholars the highest level of academic excellence.

“These programs are already helping us to meet the goals set out in our diversity and action plan by addressing faculty hiring at multiple points in the academic career pipeline,” she said.

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6 Pieces of Advice when Searching for an Internship

Written by Jordan J. Phelan, Spring 2017 Communications Intern 

Internships are valuable opportunities designed to provide relevant real-world experience, knowledge, and responsibility in an array of fields and career paths. Some internships even lead to career opportunities. According to Forbes, the United States fills an estimated 1.5 million internships annually, with half being paid and 60 percent turning into a job offer.

However, before you can walk into an office and land your dream internship you will first need to familiarize yourself with the internship process. This will require you to schedule ahead, prove your abilities, and follow-up with the organization or company. As someone who has completed this process numerous times – both successfully and unsuccessfully – I know that searching for, applying to, and acquiring an internship can be difficult and confusing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this post, I will share six simple pieces of advice that will help to simplify the internship process (and maybe even help you find your next internship).

Know Yourself

Internships can range in what they offer you. While some internships are geared toward candidates with plenty of experience, others are designed for students looking to confirm their interest in a particular field.

The fact that you are pursuing an internship shows that you are a driven individual; however, before you go out in search of an internship, it is important to spend some time thinking about who you are as a person. What are your strengths and values? How do they combine to make you a qualified candidate for the position? These are some questions to consider as you reflect on your unique qualities.

For example, being able to tell a story about how your communication and leadership skills were used to solve a problem can help a potential employer see you as a problem-solver, analytical thinker, or someone who contributes confidently and wholeheartedly to the objective.

Fortunately you don’t have to try and figure out your strengths and values on your own. There are some great resources available dedicated to identifying one’s strengths, like the Clifton StrengthsFinder and the VIA Institute on Character. Being able to articulate your strengths will be especially helpful during the interview process. While employers already know your GPA, your relevant coursework, and the clubs and organizations you are affiliated with from your resume, they won’t know how you can apply your strengths and skills to real-world problem-solving efforts unless you can tell them. But you can only do that if you understand who you are.

Be Confident

Before you begin the internship process be sure that you are ready and will be committed to completing an internship. As you learn about what you need to do to get an internship, it is perfectly fine to take your time and absorb the information at your own pace. Don’t ever feel as though an internship is necessary just because it seems like everyone else is pursuing one. However, once you have confirmed your interest in completing an internship, you must build your self-confidence and give everything you have if you want it to be a successful experience.

Be Prepared

Now that you have decided you are ready for an internship it is time to look closely at your schedule. This portion should take place the semester prior to an internship to assure enough time to adjust your schedule around your internship. Although it may seem unnecessary, planning this far in advance will give you the ability to deal with any surprises associated with the remaining steps. This is also a good time to find out from your institution if your major requires an internship to graduate. Some colleges and universities require students to enroll and pass a course designed to prepare students for their internship, while others encourage you to search for and acquire your internships through the institution itself. Either way, be sure to find out what requirements or support your institution has available.

Update Your Resume

It is important for all college students, especially those seeking an internship, to regularly update their resume to showcase all their accomplishments and achievements. Although a resume may seem like just a one to two page document with basic information about yourself, it actually serves the vital purpose of communicating and establishing an image for the employer that expresses who you are and why you should be considered over others. Additionally, a personalized cover letter explaining the ways you can contribute to the company helps immensely in standing out from the rest of the applicants. Cover letters should be specific for each position, but you can have a general cover letter on file that you tailor for each opportunity.

Get Connected

Now that you are armed with a resume and an understanding of the importance of a cover letter, it is time to start looking for organizations you want to work for and reviewing their internship opportunities. In addition to any internship services offered at your campus, you can also discover the right internship by visiting and creating professional profiles on some of the top networking sites. These sites include:

LinkedIn, a common and impactful site amongst internship seekers, allows the user to present themselves, their background information, past accomplishments, summaries, honors, awards, certifications, resume, and other types of media in a professional and organized manner. Like Facebook, LinkedIn allows you to make connections with other users that you are associated with and, most importantly, search for internships and jobs currently available with most organizations and companies.

Some states, like Rhode Island – where I go to school – have statewide internship websites that help link students with employers. The Bridges.jobs site, where I found my most recent internship, makes connecting to employers simple by allowing current students and graduates to search for their dream internship or project in one place. In collaboration with organizations such as AICU Rhode Island, the College Planning Center of Rhode Island, and the Social Enterprise Greenhouse, Bridges.jobs helps promising candidates from all of Rhode Island’s 11 colleges and universities find their path toward success.

Do Your Research

No organization is the same in how they approach internships. Each has its own set of unique qualifications, responsibilities, and deadlines. Even though you may have found three internships for the summer, that does not necessarily mean that all three share the same application deadline or starting date, making it essential to keep track of the dates associated with each internship. Similarly, just because the three internships say “Communications” or “Event Planner,” that does not mean all three internships share the same duties or offer the same educational benefits.

When you find interesting internships, it is okay to ask questions. Investigate the website, locate contact information of current employers, and find others who have interned there in the past. This is your future being determined and your time being spent. Make sure it is being used well.

Now that you are equipped with inside advice and know what to expect as you begin the journey towards finding your next internship, it’s time to venture out into the real world. At this very moment, there are countless opportunities waiting for the right candidate to stand up and prove themselves. By following the steps provided above, you can be that next great candidate, and soon, a remarkable intern at the organization of your dreams. You might even walk away with a job offer.

So, are you ready?

About Jordan J. Phelan

JJP Professional

Residing in Portsmouth, RI, Jordan Jeffrey Phelan is a proud student at Roger Williams University studying Journalism and Economics with minors in Professional & Public Writing and Political Science and leader in various capacities both on and off campus. In addition to being an active and engaged learner, Jordan enjoys running half-marathons and working on his book that is based on a real story. After graduation, Jordan intends to utilize his knowledge of journalism, economics, and political science to work at prestigious publications such as The Economist, and possibly in the field of professional sports.