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Feb. 13, 2024
Daylight 8:16:54

Welcome to Week 5!

You are one-third of the way through the term. It goes so quickly, doesn’t it? You are doing amazing!

Saturday, I noticed it was 21 degrees above zero. This is 70 degrees warmer than it was when so many people were snapping pictures in front of the UAF Troth Yeddha’ time and temperature sign. Seventy degrees warmer and still below freezing! We live, study, and work in an amazing place. I am so excited for the warmer temps that are in the forecast. Now is a great time to plan some outdoor activities; go for a walk or a ski. Join the throngs on the sledding hill, or head out on the snowmachine or your snowshoes. Whatever you do take advantage of the glorious first rays of spring and the first hints of warmth yet to come.

OK, enough about the weather. Let’s talk about your future. You probably came to UAF seeking many things. You came for the college experience. You came with your friends or to find new friends, and of course, you came seeking to learn. You will learn all kinds of things about the subjects you study, and you will learn about new people and perspectives, from both near and far, and you will learn about yourself. You will find and learn all these wonderful things and more. Also, nearly everyone who comes to UAF hopes to achieve some level of greater financial opportunity. If you complete your program, this will happen. Tons of research shows that people with a single college degree earn three times more than those without over a lifetime. That’s amazing. You are on the right track.

Next week is one of my favorite events at UAF. The 2024 Spring Career Fair Week is just around the corner! You will have the opportunity to connect with potential employers, explore career paths, and expand your professional network. Here's why you won't want to miss out on Spring Career Fair Week:

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals in your field, expand your contacts, and cultivate valuable relationships to propel your career forward.

  • Explore Career Paths: Discover various avenues within different industries, explore new interests, and gain clarity on potential career trajectories to align with your aspirations.

  • Gain Insights: Access valuable knowledge, industry trends, and insider perspectives to stay informed and make informed decisions in your professional endeavors.

  • Practice Communication Skills: Hone your ability to articulate ideas, engage with diverse audiences, and convey information effectively in both professional and personal settings.

  • Get Inspired: Draw motivation, creativity, and fresh perspectives from the experiences and achievements of others to fuel your journey toward success and fulfillment.

Things to Attend

Career Fair Prep Workshop, Feb. 13 • 1-2 p.m.

Resume Review or Professional Headshot, Feb. 14 • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Engineering Career Fair, Feb. 20 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Spring Job and Internship Fair, Feb. 22 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Two more things to do: 

Each spring, the Student-Faculty Awards Committee solicits nominations for the annual Outstanding Graduating Student Awards to an outstanding graduating woman, man, and non-traditional student. Please submit your nominations!

  • Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award, Outstanding Bachelor Degree Candidate

  • Joel Wiegert Award, Outstanding Associate Degree Candidate

  • Gray Tilly Memorial Award, Outstanding Graduating Non-Traditional Student

Take advantage of the Spring 2024 Career Fair. Even if you’re not ready to look for a full-time job, take time to talk with some employers and browse the tables. Take time to dream about your many potential futures, and take time to try those identities on in your mind. Talk with friends and family about the opportunities, but listen mostly to your heart. As the song goes, your future is so bright!

How can we better help you find employment opportunities both during and after your time with UAF? Let me know at obguthrie@alaska.edu.

Happy Valentine’s Day! 

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management

 

UAF is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination/.