by: Jonathan Klunk
During the monthly meeting for April, the Ambassadors received beneficial, worthwhile information with respect to interviewing skills. In a workshop presented by Career Services at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, we determined how to effectively answer interview questions by identifying our competencies and strengths. We learned to prepare appropriate questions to ask employers at the conclusion of the interview as well. We also considered the importance of dressing professionally and demonstrating proper nonverbal communication qualities, such as making eye contact and facial expressions, maintaining good posture, and giving a firm handshake. Lastly, we evaluated the significance of thank you notes in order to remind the interviewer of one’s interest and qualifications for the position and express gratitude for his or her time and attention. With this newfound knowledge, the Ambassadors will be able to ace their interviews in the future and leave a lasting impression with the interviewer!
by Sydni Jackson
During our Ambassador Monthly Meeting in March we learned about using our privilege for good with Dr. Laura Holt from UMSL Counseling Services. We did an exercise to demonstrate privilege. In this exercise, some students were given masks to wear while the entire group was presented a problem to solve. Students with masks could only speak to the group to help solve the problem if they were told they could speak by someone else without a mask. After the exercise the people with the masks shared how it felt to have to be given
permission to speak. This exercise demonstrates that many times in our society some voices are valued over others. It is the responsibility of those (who by no fault of their own) may have more privilege than others to look out for others and make sure they are given spaces for their voices to be heard.
Having privilege does not make anyone a bad person and if someone is privileged it does not mean that their life will come without hardships. There are many different things in life that can make someone more privileged than others, and those things go beyond race, sexuality, and gender.
UMSL Counseling Services has a Social Justice Library on their website. It has articles and videos that deal with different aspects of privilege. You can further explore the topic of privilege and social justice on their website at www.umsl.edu/services/counser/SocialJustice.html
