I don’t know about you, but I’m doing more on-line shopping than ever before, including looking for clothing that will elevate my ‘uniform’ of baggy sweat pants and shapeless t-shirts and Mother’s Day was fast approaching and I wanted to look for gifts for the special moms in my life.
I turned to Fair Trade outlets because their clothing is unique, beautiful, colorful; in some cases – organic, and supports Fair Trade businesses that work for a fair wage, use sustainable practices and are also acutely affected by the pandemic.
Beautiful, Organic clothing from Peru, locally distributed out of Madison, Fair Indigo: https://www.fairindigo.com Dresses and Accessories from India locally distributed out of Chicago, Mata Traders: https://www.matatraders.com
Saturday, May 9th is/was Fair Trade Day and if you go to the website: https://wfto.com/fairtradeday2020/ you’ll learn so much about the fashions and other Fair Trade principles and products. The World Fair Trade Organization posted [in part]:
#PlanetFairTrade is a vision of our world populated by Fair Trade Enterprises. These are enterprises [that] truly prioritize people and planet. They are creating an economy based on human and planetary well-being, a world where no one is left behind.
Pictured is my Mata Traders dress worn to my niece’s college graduation last year. It’s a favorite go-to dress.
And if you’re interested in digging into the history of ‘fast fashion’ take a look at:
In the meantime, elevate your spring wardrobe by looking into ethically produced fashion. Support Fair Trade businesses through fashion, coffees, chocolates, décor and more. Be a person who belongs to “…our world populated by Fair Trade Enterprises.”
Moraine Park Technical College has made the difficult decision to cancel Tech Knowledge College (TKC) 2020, originally scheduled for August 4-6. The COVID-19 situation is still very fluid, and the safety and well being of our entire communities are our top priority throughout this difficult and rapidly changing times.
We appreciate the continued community support around this great summer camp opportunity, and stay tuned for information on TKC 2021.
Sign up for the our newsletter at morainepark.edu/tkc to receive information on TKC 2021 as it develops.
At a time when we are all experiencing the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, generosity can bring people of all backgrounds, faiths and political views together. Generosity gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of those who are struggling and is a fundamental value anyone can act on.
This pandemic has had a significant financial impact on many individuals, including Moraine Park students. Programs are in place to help students supplement education-related costs associated with transitioning to online learning, but we are finding that students are still struggling to meet their day-to-day needs. Child care, layoffs and medical bills are just a few of the struggles that we know are currently affecting the ability to succeed in the digital classroom. The Moraine Park Foundation is working to help students with these needs through our Student Emergency Fund.
All student who have needs are eligible to apply for Student Emergency Fund monies through the Moraine Park Foundation. This one-time grant aims to help students during a time of financial need so they can remain in school and progress toward their desired certificate, diploma or degree.
In 2019, the Foundation awarded more than $8,000 in emergency assistance to 32 students. However, with the increased needs surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to meet 100 percent of the requests for emergency assistance from students who are facing financial hardship. For this reason, we ask you to help support Moraine Park students. Please consider helping in one or both of the ways indicated below.
1) Please consider donating to the Student Emergency Fund. The Foundation hopes to help every student who presents a need, in some capacity. Information on how you can contribute to the Student Emergency Fund can be found at morainepark.edu/student-emergency.
2) Help us surround our 2020 graduates with support and congratulatory messages on social media. As you may know, Moraine Park made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 commencement ceremony. This is heartbreaking for many, and while a shout-out won’t bring back the missed celebration, it will help to keep their milestone accomplishments at the forefront- in a fun way! You can do this by either recognizing them on your own social media page on June 27 (the previously scheduled commencement day) or send a video of you/your organization wishing congratulations to the class of 2020 to featured on Moraine Park’s Facebook page on June 27.
Together we can support students through the Emergency Assistance Fund.
With a shift of more Americans working remotely during COVID-19, companies are using virtual platforms to interview job candidates. Want to get prepared for a virtual interview? Contact a Careers Instructor today!
Moraine Park’s Career Centers have virtual interviewing practice available using InterviewStream software. InterviewStream mock interviews provide students with knowledge and confidence to excel at job interviews in a virtual setting. This format provides flexibility to practice interviewing anytime and anywhere. Interview preparation helps students perfect their pitch to employers.
Here are some useful tips to increase your virtual interviewing success (adapted from InterviewStream Best Practices)
Create a Video-Friendly Environment
It is important to have everything in place before you begin. You want to limit distractions so the focus is on you, not what’s in your background. Follow these simple guidelines below to create the ideal background environment:
Position your webcam at eye-level.
Adjust your lighting for high-quality video,
Turn on any available lights in the room and check to make sure there is no glare on your monitor. Never use your monitor as your light source.
Be mindful of your background.
Position yourself in front of a wall with neutral colors; avoid patterns, wallpaper, and mirrors.
Be sure your recording area is clean and organized. A tidy workspace conveys professionalism and organization to your potential employer.
Turn off all appliances or devices that may create ambient noise or disrupt your interview.
Make your recording space quiet and comfortable.
Eliminate all possible distractions and interruptions – turn off your cell phone and if you’re at home, make sure people in the house know you are taking an interview.
2. Prepare for your Interview
Mental preparation for your interview is just as important as the physical setup. You should prepare for your pre-recorded video interview with the same tenacity and focus as if you were walking into your potential employer’s office.
Practice, Practice, Practice – before you even turn your webcam on, try practicing by looking into the camera as if you were having a conversation with someone sitting in front of you.
In a traditional interview, eye contact is of the utmost importance, so make sure you look directly into the camera to answer the questions posed to you.
Do not look at the computer screen when answering questions – this places your line of sight below the webcam and you will appear to be looking down from the interviewer’s point of view.
It may seem awkward at first, but the more you rehearse looking at the webcam and not the person on the screen, the more comfortable you will feel during your interview.
Research the organization and be prepared to answer company-specific questions.
Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement, history, product and service offerings, management, and information about the company culture.
Polish your answers – nothing destroys your credibility faster than a constant stream of filler words such as “um”, “like”, and “you know”.
Dress for success; communicate professionalism with your attire.
Men: Navy, black, or dark pants, long sleeve dress shirt, conservative tie, professional, clean-cut hairstyle, clean-shaven.
Women: Navy, black, or dark grey pants or skirt, coordinated blouse, limited jewelry, professional hairstyle, and light make-up.
In general, you should look as if you put considerable time and effort into your personal appearance. Your clothing should be a complement, not a distraction.
3. Complete the Interview
The most important step in this process is answering the pre-recorded interview questions. Our video interviewing experts have provided some suggestions below:
Speak clearly and enunciate.
You don’t want your brilliant answers to be lost because you were mumbling.
Practice answering questions and time yourself to make sure you are answering effectively in the allotted time.
Listen to each question, contemplate your response, and answer concisely.
Make sure you answer the question being asked.
If you are given the opportunity to retry your answer, attempt to nail down your response sooner rather than later. We have found that more tries may begin to dilute a clear message, so your first or second answer will likely be your best.
Take a deep breath, relax, and let your personality shine through.
At the end of the day, employers hire human beings, not just the name at the top of a resume.
Smile and have fun – remember, if you are adequately prepared, you will be successful.
4. Contact a Moraine Park Technical College Careers Instructor for additional practice and feedback!
Careers Instructors are available to support you remotely.Take advantage of online resources through Canvas, Zoom and/or phone appointments.
We are here to help and can provide guidance specific to your goals. With the uncertain economic state, it is important that you use this time to maximize your career readiness and make yourself as marketable as possible.
It’s never too late to pursue your passion. Gretchen Rauls, of Fond du Lac, decided in 2018, nearly 22 years after graduating from high school, that it was time she fulfills her career aspirations.
“After high school, I earned a technical diploma at Moraine Park,” she said. “I then started working, got married, and began a family.”
Gretchen found employment that helped to sustain her family, but knew she wanted to have a career she could be passionate about.
“In 2016, I participated in a wellness initiative at my work called Remodel Your Lifestyle,” she said. “It was through that experience I discovered the value of health and that I want to share it with others.”
She enrolled in the Health and Wellness program at Moraine Park in fall 2018. Her decision to enroll in school wasn’t an easy one. It required commitment from her entire family to ensure her success.
“I still had to maintain full-time employment, do my homework and be present for my family,” Gretchen said. “Finding the time and prioritizing can be hard, but I am lucky to have support around me.”
Gretchen’s hard work, dedication, and support from her husband and two teenage daughters were all key factors in her continued success at the College. To date, she is a 4.0 student on the Dean’s List, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and has never had a late assignment.
Gretchen will graduate in May 2020 with her entire family cheering her on. “Since day one, I’ve never had any doubts about coming to Moraine Park,” she said. “Going back to school can be hard, but the support from instructors and staff at the College helps to make it manageable.”
Her goal is to own a health and wellness business on her grandmother’s farm in Berlin.
“I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned and finding a passion for the work that I do every day.”
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