Although a time-consuming process, I frequently make video testimonials for students. Why? Because it is far more meaningful than a letter of recommendation. The following version of the video is the long-form video I made for Maggie Burke, class of 2019. It also functions as a promotional video and testimonial for me. If you prefer to watch Maggie's version that she can share on her social media and LinkedIn, go here >> youtu.be/xjTlKEStxvA

If for some reason the embedded video below is not working, you can watch it here: ​vizia.co/videos/2db4849c20ea0282f7f3f3/share

Note: Her version does not have my promotional lead-in. ​

I do these videos for a variety of students >> See more testimonials.

If you're an instructor, what do you do to show support of unique students?

The job market is tightening in higher education. It is increasingly harder for those graduating with PhDs to procure permanent, tenure-track teaching positions. This is a reality for those currently in the field of communication as explained by Dr. Carole Blair in her article "The Deprofessionalization of the Faculty," which was published in the May 2019 issue of Spectra. What is more, there is plenty of evidence that several institutions of higher education are likely to downsize, fail, or merge over the next decade. Current faculty are aware of the situation: 

This looks like an amazing opportunity!

Part-time marketing intern opening for SIU undergraduates in marketing, communications, or public relations!  Potentiaco is seeking a currently enrolled student to work approximately 10 to 20 hours per week for 3 months give or take.  The rate of pay is $10/hour.  Position description is attached, student may apply through this link: https://www.potentiaco.com/careers/.  Additional questions may be directed to Bonnie Kucharski of Potentiaco (see contact information below.)
Bonnie Kucharski
VP, Operations
1840 Innovation Drive
Dunn-Richmond Center
Carbondale, IL 62903
P: 618.505.2001
M: 618.944.0382
bonniek@potentiaco.com
https://www.potentiaco.com

In a recent Inc.com article, Carmine Gallo, the author of best-selling book Talk Like TED, suggests that "public speaking Is no longer a 'soft skill.'" 

The article is worth reading, but here's a few key takeaways (quotations) worth noting.

• In a new LinkedIn analysis, "persuasion" was one of the top skills "most worth learning" in 2019. "Strengthening a soft skill is one of the best investments you can make in your career, as they never go out of style," according to the study.
• Warren Buffett would agree. Whenever Buffett is asked about the one most valuable skill that anyone can build today, he says public speaking. He even puts a value on it, which I wrote about in this article. "The one easy way to become worth 50 percent more than you are now -- at least -- is to hone your communication skills -- both written and verbal," Buffett says.
• [Deirdre] McCloskey reached the following conclusion: Persuasion is responsible for generating one-quarter of America's total national income. She expects it to rise to 40 percent over the next 20 years. McCloskey's research was taken up by another economist in Australia who reached a similar conclusion.

Impressive!

Dr. Elyse Pineau retired from the Dept. of Communication Studies at SIUC a few years ago. She is an award-winning teacher who continues to teach courses for time to time in the Honor's Program and the department. She is taking another trip to Oxford this summer for a 4-week intensive residency that features weekly, one-on-one tutorials with an Oxford Professor in the student’s chosen research/ professional focus. 

Most suitable for this program are research-minded students who are studying performance, culture, persuasion, or interpersonal communication. 

​If you are interested, book an appointment with me: https://craige.link/SIU-Calendar. See info below.

Presentation for SIUC's LDP Team Weekend

Title
From ‘Blah’ to ‘ka-blam’: Superpower tips for a super powerful pitch

There is a really good article posted in Gallup's blog on the importance of undergraduate mentoring. You can read the full article by clicking on the image below. 

As noted in the article:
"The 2018 Strada-Gallup Alumni Survey, Mentoring College Students to Success, provides a treasure trove of useful data for institutions that are serious about helping students make the most of their undergraduate years."

An insufficient percentage of students are receiving high-quality mentoring. While 25% of Strada-Gallup respondents "strongly agree" and 18% "agree" that they had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their goals and dreams, that glass is not even half full.

Some students need clear guidance on how to find mentors, especially already underserved students (e.g., minorities or student with disabilities).

A perennial question I get from students, partly due to shitty advice they get around campus from people who are not resume experts, is "how can I get my resume to one page?" Sometimes, I help students create one-page resumes. It is not a good idea to have superfluous or poorly worded information that takes up unnecessary space on a resume. However, if someone has a lot of great experience, she or he should definitely have two pages. Why not?

What is more, new research shows that a two-page resume, when the content is good, may be more effective: 
​https://www.fastcompany.com/90271521/are-one-page-or-two-page-resumes-better