Celebrating Students 2013: Dorisol Inoa

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This summer I worked for Morgan Stanley’s Learning and Development Department. I worked with a team of six people, including myself. My team was responsible for developing the leadership skills of high performing Managing Directors, in anticipation of preparing them to take a role as a franchise leader. I helped with many of the logistics and details of the programs that were made available. Some advice I was given during my orientation was to be a team player, to build a network, to speak up, and to not be boring. I also learned the importance of being a good communicator. For example, if you feel that you didn’t meet an expectation in one of your assignments, instead of asking, “Where did I go wrong?”, which highlights your imperfection, a better question would be, “How can I improve?”, which instead highlights your willingness to be proactive. Little things like this make a difference in how your colleagues see you and it is important to maintain a positive image in the office.

Another thing to consider when trying to maintain a positive image: pay attention to details!!!  Unfortunately, for some of us, this may be one of the lessons that you learn from experience. It is only when you are pressed for time and have to send out an attachment to your team and realize that you didn’t put a date on the data that you are sending that you will realize the importance of paying attention to details. It is a minute detail, but it counts. Lastly, as an intern, you must become so engaged in the work of your team that you are doing outside research to contribute to your team’s initiative and progress. This is being proactive. It is the proactive interns that get offers to work again. This is just a snapshot of the things that I learned. If you have any questions about my experience and other lessons learned, feel free to email me, dinoa@wesleyan.edu.

NY Times Film Critic, A.O. Scott — Thurs., 11/4

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This Thursday, November 4, New York Times film critic A.O. Scott will give a talk in the Memorial Chapel at 7 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

A. O. Scott joined The New York Times as a film critic in January 2000. Previously, Mr. Scott was a Sunday book reviewer for Newsday and a frequent contributor to Slate, The New York Review of Books and many other publications.

The event is sponsored by the New York Times, the Wesleyan Student Assembly, and the Wesleyan Film Department. We hope to see you at the Chapel this Thursday.

An American Playwright, Arthur Kopit — 11/3

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Are you interested in American theater and playwriting?

Well, Arthur Kopit is one of America’s greatest playwrights and the English department is proud to be the main sponsor of his reading/talk at Russell House this Wednesday, November 3 at 8:00 p.m.: 

BEING A PLAYWRIGHT IN AMERICA: AN EVENING WITH ARTHUR KOPIT. 

Most of his plays are American classics (see the cool poster). He achieved an international reputation for his absurdist play, OH DAD, POOR DAD, MAMA’S HUNG YOU IN THE CLOSET AND I’M FEELIN’ SO SAD (1963) when he was fresh out of Harvard, where he majored in English.  He was gearing up to write INDIANS (1969) when he was a Writer-in-Residence at Wesleyan in the late 1960s.  The play is about Buffalo Bill and the ideological work he performed (and disavowed as ideological work)).  He is forced to perform–in a kind of Hell–his hyper-theatrical “Wild West” show schtick over and over again until he realizes how the myths and stereotypes he purveyed and profited from recast the systemic genocide of Indians and theft of Indian land as “Wild West”–White West–adventure.   The play doubles as an implied critique of the Vietnam War–the government and media, in effect, assigned the North Vietnamese the role of foreign “Indians.”  INDIANS is what I would describe as one of the greatest “American Studies” plays ever written. 

Arthur Kopit is not only phenomenally creative and brilliant, he is witty and gracious.  Now you have a chance to meet him.  He loves Wes.  Also of interest:  his plays have travelled to Hollywood.  INDIANS was re-worked as a Robert Altman film starring Paul Newman as Buffalo Bill:  Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull’s History Lesson (1976).  And his play NINE was just re-worked as the film Nine (2009), which received four Oscar nominations and starred Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren.

Best, Joel Pfister, Kenan Professor of the Humanities, Chair, Department of English

Film & Director: Steal A Pencil For Me — Thurs., 11/4

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On behalf of the Jewish and Israel Studies and the Film Studies Department with support provided by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science, it is my pleasure to invite you, your students and friends to a special screening of Steal A Pencil For Me . “I am a very special Holocaust survivor. I was in the camps with my wife and girlfriend—and believe me, it wasn’t easy”, thus confesses Jack about his love to Ina during the war. When Jack’s wife objects to their relationship despite their unhappy marriage, Jack and Ina start writing secret love letters. This is an amazing film about the power of love to ascend above human suffering.

The event features a special guest, an award winning writer and director, Michele Ohayon, P’14. The movie received the Yad Vashem award at the Jerusalem Film Festival (2007), the ABC/Video source award (2007),the Audience Award at the Sonoma Film Festival as well as the Spirit of Anne Frank Honoree. Michele Ohayon will introduce the film as well as answer questions after the screening. The event is going to take place on Thursday, November 4 at the Goldsmith Family Cinema at 8 p.m. Admission is free.  See you at the movies! 

Dalit Katz, Wesleyan University, Religion Department

FGSS Symposium: “Feminist Disability Studies: Embattled Bodies” — 11/5

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Mark your calendars for this year’s FGSS Annual Symposium on the topic of “Feminist Disability Studies: Embattled Bodies,” co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Public Life, to be held on Friday, November 5, from 3-5 p.m. in Russell House.  Our two speakers will be Eli Clare, author of Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness and Liberation, a foundational text in the field, and Nirmala Erevelles, Associate Professor of Social Foundations of Education and Instructional Leadership in the Department of Educational Leadership, Technology and Policy Studies at the University of Alabama.

 We hope to see you at this exciting event!

Natasha Korda, Chair, Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program

Urban Education Semester Deadline — 11/3

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Through the Urban Education Semester (UES), students spend a semester in New York City, engaged in a combination of supervised fieldwork (primarily teaching but there may be some urban policy placements) and coursework offered by Bank Street College of Education. This interdisciplinary, academic immersion program earns Wesleyan academic credit and introduces students from all academic backgrounds to the complexity of issues facing urban public education.
 
Ideal program for students interested in urban education and issues, and child and adolescent development. There are 23 psych courses for which you can receive credit.

For more information, visit www.urbanedsemester.org.

Applications for the Spring 2011 program are due to Vicky Zwelling in the CRC on Wed. Nov. 3.

Vicky Zwelling, Career Resource Center, x2180, crc@wesleyan.edu

The Planning Period and Majors

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The planning period for the Spring 2011 semester  runs from Tues., Nov. 2 through Tues., Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.   Because you will be declaring your major next semester, you want to think carefully about the courses you choose (and do not forget there is drop/add in case you change your mind by then!).  Talk with your advisor or professors in whose department/program syou have some interest to get a better idea of the major and what courses you might take.  And definitely check out on Wesmaps descriptions of the major and courses offered, including in the “Archives.”

  • If you are still exploring major possibilities, try out the gateway courses so you get a taste of what the discipline is about and have the prerequisite for advanced courses. 
  • If you are deciding between two majors, consider taking a course in each department/program to help you decide and  to move you forward at the same time. 
  • If you know exactly what you want, well then, go for it.  

If you’re still uncertain, you should know that students change majors even after the major declaration period, which runs from Feb.  3 to Mar. 5, 2011.  Depending on the major and your own academic history, you may have some flexibility to drop or add a major after March 5.  In other words, you still have time to explore next semester. 

Also, remember that your major does not necessarily determine what you will do with the rest of your life.  To get some perspective on this, talk with a CRC staff member and check out what Wes alums have done with their majors—see the amazing range of jobs that you wouldn’t even think of—by accessing MyCRC.

If you have questions, concerns or angst, please do not hesitate to talk with your faculty advisor and/or me .  We want to help you make the decision that is right for you.  

2013 rocks, Dean Brown  (x2758, lsbrown@wesleyan.edu)

Careers for the Common Good Week: 11/1-5

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CAREERS for the COMMON GOOD
Public Service Careers Week 2010
Monday, Nov. 1 – Friday, Nov. 5

The Careers for the Common Good (CCG) program presents Public Service Careers Week 2010.  The CCG informs, inspires, and supports Wesleyan students who desire to lead socially responsible lives and to pursue careers in public service-  

Mon., Nov. 1: Food Fight! The Case for Organic Farming and Community Food Organizing, 7-8 pm in Usdan 108
NOTE: 6:30pm Potluck Dinner! WesFRESH will be serving soup and bread –Bring something to contribute if you can! THINK GREEN: bring your own plate/bowl/utensils! Hear how these speakers are pushing the ongoing effort to improve and equally distribute our food supply, and how you can get involved.

 Tues., Nov. 2: Reports from the Field: A Talk w/Service Careers Fellows Alumni, 7-8 pm in Woodhead Lounge
Five alumni, all recipients of the Wes Service Careers Fellowship, will share their experiences, advice, victories, challenges, and frustrations as their lives in service unfold.

Wed., Nov. 3: All Are Welcome: Service Through Faith-based Organizations, 7-8 pm in Woodhead Lounge
Learn how you can engage with a faith-based organization to serve others with your talents and passions, no matter what your religious affiliation or spiritual orientation.

Thurs., Nov. 4: Going Global: Working for International Human Rights, 7-8 pm in Woodhead Lounge
You’re familiar with human rights abuses around the world. Hear how these panelists have joined the fight to help those suffering injustice.

Fri., Nov. 5: Giving to Get Back: Careers in Philanthropy, 12-1 pm in Usdan 108
If money is power, than giving money to others can be a powerful tool for service. Learn about the world of philanthropy and how you can launch your career in this important field.

The speakers include a mix of Wesleyan alumni and professionals from the field who will share useful information about their career paths and jobs, will shed light on how students can break into these areas, and provide insight into the rewards and frustrations of taking on the various missions that they have so passionately embraced.

For more information about each panel, please check the Career Resource Center calendar at http://www.wesleyan.edu/crc or check out the MyCRC calendar. A complete list of speakers will be posted shortly.

Career Outlook Program — Sign up by 11/2!

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Connect with a Wes Alum over Winter Break!
Great way to build a network – Great resume builder!

See what alumni have signed-up to be shadowed (more added daily!):

Google, Inc. :  University Programs Manager
US District Court : US Magistrate Judge                  
State of Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate : Child Advocate                                  
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment : Television Agent                     
Elm City Elementary School – Achievement First : Teacher, Grade Level Chair                              
City of Yonkers :  City Council President         
Somerville Public Schools : Teacher              
Save the Children : Director, Philanthropic Services
Synthetic Cinema International : Director, Visual Effects Artist                               
Urban Justice Center : Staff Attorney          
Orphans of Rwanda/Generation Rwanda : Executive Director                             
Private Practice : Dermatology           
Congregation Beth Elohim : 4th and 7th grade Teacher                
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency : Senior Attorney             
Center for American Progress : Research Assistant               
Wayland Middle School : 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher/ Curriculum Leader               
Starcom MediaVest Worldwide : Junior Associate / Advertising Industry   
The Met Sacramento High School : Communications Director & Internship Coordinator               
New York City Department of Transportation :  Planning and Research Manager                     
Transgender Law Center  : Development Manager  
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute : Physician-Researcher,Hematologic Malignancies  
CustomMade.com :  Director of Business Development     
Framingham Public Schools : Director of Title 1
NYU School of Medicine : Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program
University of Connecticut Health Center : Physician, Cardiology Division
Bowery Residents Committee : Executive Director
The Dalton School : Middle School History Dept Chair, 8th Grade Teacher          
New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane :  Legislative Aide
State Street : Fixed Income Trader 
Lawyers for Children : Deputy Executive Director

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, November 2
How to apply:  CLICK HERE
Questions: Stop by the Career Resource Center