buzz
THE
Westwood College > Student Newsletter > 07.10 > Issue 10
Westwood Social Media—
Join the Conversation! ? Ear to the Ground
Do you have something exciting or useful to share with Overcoming Obstacles One Step at a Time
fellow students, staff and faculty? Do you have a question Keith Deutsch has an understated strength, and he doesn’t ask or expect any sympathy,
or an opinion you want to express? Westwood’s social despite life’s setbacks. The Denver North Campus automotive technology student is an Iraq
media network is a powerful way to connect with your War veteran who lost his right leg in an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) attack in 2003. But
fellow students, to network and find out what’s happening Deutsch didn’t let the incident keep him from living his dreams.
on your campus—and beyond.
When the former Army Sergeant
Since jumping onto the social media bandwagon a little heard about an opportunity to
over a year ago, Westwood’s network extends to several participate in The Heroes Project
popular platforms: with renowned mountain climber
Facebook (facebook.com/WestwoodCollege) provides a and former Hells Angels member
gathering place for Westwood supporters. The purpose is Tim Medvetz, he took a chance and
to provide a place to exchange information, share news applied.
and encourage networking to help you succeed in life and For the past year, Medvetz has
your career. been taking injured veterans to
YouTube (youtube.com/westwoodedu) is the place to go for the top of the highest peak on each
videos about our campuses, to hear from graduates about of the seven continents. Medvetz
their successes and check in on the latest events. selected Deutsch to climb Mt.
Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak at
Twitter (twitter.com/westwoodcoll) is a quick way to keep 18,422 feet. This past August, they
Heroes Project founder Tim Medvetz leads the way as he
in touch with us. You’ll find the latest news from our and Keith Deutsch climb Europe’s Mt. Elbrus. successfully reached the top.
campuses, get great tips and find links to items of interest.
“The whole time we were
Flickr (flickr.com/westwoodcollege) lets you view photos hiking up, we were talking
from recent events and snapshots of our campuses. about the guys in Walter
Reed Medical Center. I was
remembering the days lying
in a bed, seeing my leg gone
and just wondering how I
was going to get on with the
rest of my life,” said Deutsch,
If you haven’t already, visit all of our sites, sign up and join who served as a machine
in on the conversation. gunner in the war.
Deutsch said going up the
mountain was relatively easy
compared to the descent,
Job Tips which tested his strength
and spirit. But he prevailed
and accomplished what most Keith Deutsch celebrates at the summit of Mt. Elbrus.
If you’re not using some facet of social media in your job people with two legs will
search, you may be missing out. According to the article, never accomplish.
“7 Secrets to Getting Your Next Job Using Social Media,”
social networks have become part of the criteria hiring After Deutsch’s return from the two-week expedition, he started work on his degree.
managers are using to weed out applicants. Many conduct Take time to watch The Heroes Project, featuring Deutsch’s climb, on the ABC Nightly News
background checks using social networks (primarily
abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/tim-medvetz-helps-veterans-reach-heights-11078128. Find out
Facebook and LinkedIn).
more about The Heroes Project at: theheroesproject.org/index.cfm.
Bottom line: Learn to use social media as another tool in
your job search. And make sure that what you have on the
various social media platforms is nothing you wouldn’t
want your mother or a prospective employer to see!
Check out all seven tips at: mashable.com/2009/01/05/job-
search-secrets/
buzz
THE
Westwood College > Student Newsletter > 07.10 > Issue 10
Graduate Profile Campus Briefs
Elisha Bird— Inspire thru Attire T-Shirt Design Contest – Enter by August 20
2009 Animation Graduate All current Westwood campus and online
Elisha Bird has learned that life isn’t students enrolled in the May and August
always predictable and that it can 2010 terms are invited to flex their creative
sometimes throw you a major curve. muscles and participate in the Inspire thru
Bird, a 2009 Westwood College Online Attire t-shirt contest. The theme is “The
graduate with a degree in animation, Power of Education.” In an original design, the
was faced with having to “restart” her task is to visually express how education can
career after the September 11, 2001 transform a person’s life.
terrorist attacks and the crumbling Two grand prize winners will receive an iPad and have their designs printed on t-shirts. Five semi-
economy that followed. finalists will win an iPod touch. For all the details and to enter, go to westwoodtshirtcontest.com.
As a graphics and fashion designer in New York City, almost
overnight Bird lost clients she’d had for 20 years, including
Disney and Marvel Comics. At that point, she made the Kudos to Honor Society Winners
decision to finish her bachelor’s degree at Westwood’s online Congratulations to Denver North
campus to build on her already considerable work experience. Campus Alpha Beta Kappa (ABK)
“Getting a degree was no longer optional, since most National Honor Society winners.
businesses are asking for it up front,” Bird said. She started These students were recognized for
classes in 2005 and finished in 2009, only taking time off outstanding academic achievement
when she had her baby. and awarded a certificate and an ABK
pin at a special ceremony in June.
Since graduating, Bird’s been working as a Photoshop teacher And thanks to the Denver North staff
at the City College of New York, and through her Westwood and faculty for their support of and
connections, she’s been interning at a gaming company. She’s commitment to the students.
learning about how to work as part of team and help design a Alpha Beta Kappa recipients:
game from the initial idea all the way to its release. Back Row Left to Right: Erich Hanning, Justin Senior, Rodney Fiore, Louis Heitfeld, Harold McCoy, Dewayne
Ingraham, Joshua Payton
“At the gaming company, I’m learning everything from the
Middle Row Left to Right: Tabitha Windish, Tammy Smith
characters to the interface to 3D work,” Bird continued.
Front Row Sitting Left to Right: Teresa Evans, Margarita Sanchez, Morayma Trejo
In the fall, Bird is planning to return to take refresher
courses as part of Westwood’s tuition-free graduate
retraining program.
On the Net
Check out her website at: birdscratches.com
A Couple Articles Worth Noting
Westwood College We all know internships are a smart and important way to gain experience and further
Online your career. Here’s a great article on companies that are hiring interns. Be sure to also
review the related stories mentioned in the article sidebar (e.g., “Turn Your Internship
Into Your Job” and “Interning When All They Ask You To Do Is File”). There is some
Online Workshops: Check Them Out! great information to gather as you consider or plan for an internship in the future.
Westwood College Online is holding its August term career forbes.com/2010/07/12/most-internships-companies-leadership-careers-jobs.html
workshops over the next three months. To see a list of the
And here’s an interesting article from the New York Times on changing careers and how
workshops and dates they’re being held:
to decide what you really want to do in your professional life: nytimes.com/2010/07/18/
• Log into your e-college account
jobs/18search.html
• Click on the Career Services tab
• Click on the Career Management Series links in the calendar
of the Career Services workshops window
On-ground students can participate, too. Work with your
academic or career advisor for access.