Personal Branding: Getting started with Facebook

In my previous post, I wrote about the importance of creating a personal brand; in today’s post we get started! Currently one of the top websites, Facebook is one of the first places to start your personal branding campaign. Everyone should have a Facebook strategy and it should be based on your overall life goals. (But certainly balance the professional with the personal - your profile should reflect who you are!)

Most of you may already have a Facebook profile, but make sure you look good when a college or company recruiter looks up your profile – and they will. The Federal Trade Commission (in the U.S.) has decided that companies and universities that research how you spend your personal time and what your passions and hobbies are do not violate your privacy.  In other words, the Internet is fair game.

 Depending on who you are, where you are in your career, what you’re passionate about and an expert in, you’ll want to brand yourself differently. Here’s a quick list of ways to promote YOU on Facebook:

1. Use your real name in all of your online profiles; be consistent in your branding (and be yourself).
2. Add important information about you, focusing on the education and work section. In the contact information field, be sure to list your blog if you have one, any websites you might have and links to your profiles on other social networks. (More information about other networks in my next blog!)
3. Put your picture on your profile – they are a positive addition to your online presence. It’s always better if you can associate the name with a face. In fact, post albums of pictures! (Just be thoughtful about the pictures you post.)
4. You might consider turning tagging settings off for both photos and videos; some pictures you just might not want everyone to find easily.
5. Keep the applications and widgets to a minimum; only those that will represent who you are in a positive light.
6. Join and actively participate in Groups that interest you; or start your own!
7. Regularly update your status – making it a reflection of who you are and what you do.
8. Write informational notes.
9. Share useful links.
10. Comment on your friends’ walls, pictures, videos, notes, and posted items
11. Check -- and frequently recheck -- your privacy settings on social-media accounts like Facebook and Twitter.You may set your entire account to private or grant certain individuals permission to view sections of your profile. You can also make your entire profile public for everyone to see, which could be beneficial to you if you’re looking to become more visible, and have your name come up in searches.
12. Make every effort to find out what's out there about you. Anything that may be taken out of context should be taken down.


Next blog post … How to build your personal brand on Twitter (FUN!!)

Textbook Alternatives - 2011

Textbooks. Just the word can conjure up pictures of dollar signs added to an already expensive tuition each semester. Now you have alternatives to purchasing new textbooks that can run in the triple digits, and cost over a thousand dollars a year!

To check out the increased options and what works best for you, open a tabbed web browser like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari. This will make it easier to keep track of and compare textbook options. You might also use a spreadsheet or a table in a word document to keep track of the list of books you need for each course, along with other needed information, such as the link to the store or website, price, tax, shipping & handling, and the time it takes for shipping the books. (Be aware of shipping & handling costs, as well as shipping time!). Before you start, make sure you know the name, edition, author, and ISBN number of the books you are searching for. It is now required to give students this information in the US. To find this information, check with the campus bookstore (online if they have that option); ask the professor personally or send an email; check syllabi or course websites.

Check out your alternatives!

Used Books.
Certainly nothing new, but you might find new places to purchase them.

• Students. Ask students who took the course last semester – quite often they ask the professor if the same book will be used again the following semester, and have one for sale. Also check to see if your campus has a student-run textbook selling system in place, such as a website or bulletin board.

• Websites. Amazon.com or eBay is a good place to purchase used books. You can also use Google or Bing to search for books by typing in the name of the book and edition, and see what other options come up. (Be careful about purchasing the “international” edition; they can be different, or lack content.)

• Book companies and vendors. There are companies that buy and sell used textbooks, and sometimes you’ll find good deals there. A few to try: www.Abebooks.com ; www.CampusBooks.com ; www.Textbooks.com ; www.Half.com ; www.usedtextbooks.net ; www.CheapestTextbooks.com ; … do a search and you’ll find many more. Keep in mind that book companies also buy back used textbooks, often paying for shipping, at prices better than the local campus bookstore can offer.

• When comparing prices, however, don't forget to also compare shipping costs. To make the process of comparison shopping easier, price comparison service such as http://www.bookdealfinder.com/ or Bigwords.com, BookFinder.com, CheapBooks.com

If your books just aren’t worth selling back, consider donating them to organizations such as Books for Africa. Better yet, hold a book drive on your campus to send used books and funds to people who need them (Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, Invisible Children, and more). Not only will the textbooks go to a good cause, they will not end up in a landfill. AND – you can earn money for your campus organization! (Win-Win!!)

E-Books.
Again, this is not exactly new, but there are new players and better options. Many of the book publishers have online or downloadable versions of the textbooks they sell – at a reduced price; so check out the book publisher’s website for details. Coursemart is a website that offers books that can be downloaded for 40-50% of the purchase price. To prevent resale of the book, there is a 180 day limit on use of the online book.

There are a number of sites that offer the classic texts, novels, and books free:

• Google Books: http://www.google.com/ig;
• Many Books: http://www.manybooks.net/;
• Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/;
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com (instantly downloaded to a Kindle)
• Do a search for “free eBooks” and you will find others as well.
• You can also download free audio books! Search for “free audio books” on the web.

A number of vendors have great new devices available called e-readers. They are small, slim (sometimes 3G wireless) reading devices that let you download ebooks in 60 seconds - no monthly fees, no service plans, no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots. Others, if you want Internet access, have a monthly fee for the Internet service. I have a Kindle (inexpensive, and uses paper technology rather than an LSD display) and an iPad, both are acceptable, and good alternatives. Check them out.

If you’ve never read an eBook – download a free one today and check out the tools available. You can highlight, take clippings, bookmark, and (what I like best) SEARCH! When you study, wouldn’t it be great to search your textbook like you search websites for specific terms?

Be sure to check out the eBook vendors carefully – some eBooks are only available for a specific period of time; some are only accessible on the computer you use to download the book; as well as other limitations.

Renting/Lending Textbooks.
Now this is an old idea with a new twist! There are now a large number of universities, book companies, and publishing companies that have textbook rental options. The prices are usually much cheaper than the new retail price of the book. Check with your university bookstore to see if they are planning a rental option for students; some are working directly with book publishers and vendors. If not, there are websites that have online textbook rental options for students, although shipping & handling, along with shipping times, might make this a less desirable option than renting through a university program. There is a company, called Cengage Learning that makes the first couple of chapters of the rented text available online to students, so last-minute ordering isn’t such a problem. They also rent books to students at 40 percent to 70 percent of the sale price, and give you the option of renting selected chapters of books.

There are now a number of Internet textbook-rental companies, here’s two to get you started looking for the best deals: www.BookRenter.com , and www.Chegg.com. Both advertise books at 65 – 85% off the regular price of textbooks.

Other alternatives to look into:

Older editions. Updated textbooks are constantly being released, often with little change to the content. Ask the professor if the previous edition will suffice.

The library. Don't overlook the possibility that the college or public library has a copy of the required text. Especially in the case of literary classics, many of which are also available free on the Internet, it makes sense to investigate.

Don’t delay – order your textbooks as soon as possible so you have them in time for classes! (That’s the professor in me speaking.) Check your college bookstore’s web site for ordering convenience and peace of mind. Your local college store guarantees the correct title and edition chosen by your instructor, and may be the quickest, safest option. Know your store’s refund policy, especially deadlines. This way, you won’t be disappointed if you drop a class. Keep receipts. Most stores require them for returns.

Good luck with your textbook search, and good luck in your courses this year!

University of Sydney Achievers' International Scholarships 2012

These prestigious scholarships are aimed at high achieving, academically meritorious, international students commencing at the University in 2012.


Undergraduate:
30 scholarships of AUD$10,000 each per annum, available for a maximum of three years, (total value AUD$30,000) for any undergraduate program offered at the University of Sydney (subject to the recipient maintaining satisfactory academic progress each year).

Criteria for eligibility:
Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification or an international senior secondary qualification accepted by the University with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 98* or equivalent.

Students who have already commenced tertiary studies or students transferring with credit exemptions and/or advanced standing are not eligible. Students completing Foundation Studies Programs are also not eligible.

* Further information on equivalents to Australian Year 12 qualifications at:http://bit.ly/qE6fCp .

Postgraduate:
30 scholarships of AUD$10,000 each, available as a one-off award (total value AUD$10,000) for any Postgraduate Coursework program offered at the University of Sydney.

Criteria for eligibility:
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of an Australian Bachelor's degree qualification with a minimum high distinction average as based on the Australian grading system. Students who have already commenced postgraduate studies or students transferring from other postgraduate programs are not eligible.

Application procedure:
No separate application for a scholarship is necessary. An Application for admission to the University of Sydney in 2012 will constitute an application for a scholarship. All applications meeting the selection and eligibility criteria will be automatically considered.

Selection criteria:
Selection will be based strictly on academic merit as per the University's admission requirements. Selection will be based on actual results (academic and English language proficiency). Predicted/forecast results will not be considered.

Only applicants with firm, unconditional offers of admission will be considered.
Successful candidates will be informed in December 2011 (Semester 1, 2012) and June 2012(Semester 2. 2012). Successful candidates applying through UAC will be informed in January 2012.

No living allowance is payable.

For details, deadlines and conditions please refer to the University of Sydney Website: http://bit.ly/n9V0a8

2011 Scholarships for Medical and Nursing Students

Medical careers offer you lucrative career options! Following are some scholarships that are available for students who wish to pursue medical education and training. The purpose of the scholarship provider is to encourage more and more students to opt for this career

Available Scholarships:

2012 Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme, Australia:
Study Subject(s): Dentistry, Dietetics/Nutrition, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Oral Health, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Radiography, Social Work, Speech Pathology
Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Queensland Health
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility:You are eligible to apply for a Queensland Health Rural Scholarship if you:
- Are an undergraduate studying at University full time, AND
Scholarship Application Deadline: September 9, 2011
For more information: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/orh/scholarships/qhrss/docs/info_kit.pdf

2011-2012 Scholarship for Nursing Students at The Spalding University, USA
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Bachelor, Master’s
Scholarship Provider: The Spalding University
Scholarship can be taken at: USA
Eligibility: Scholarship applicant must be officially accepted into the BSN or MSN program, enrolled fulltime (12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate and 9 credit hours per semester for graduate) by the start of the Fall semester 2011-2012 academic year and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Scholarship Application Deadline: September 9, 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/r2CES9

Endeavour Vocational Education and Training Award for Diploma Students, Tropical North Queensland TAFE, Australia, 2011
Study Subject(s):Various
Course Level: Diploma
Scholarship Provider: Australian Government
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility:- Be citizens or permanent resident of a participating country and reside in a participating country.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 31 July in any year
For more information: http://www.tnqit.tafe.qld.gov.au/resources/pdfs/international_students/endeavour_vet_award.pdf

Merit Scholarship: School of Nursing and Midwifery at Robert Gordon University, UK Study Subject(s): Nursing, Advance Clinical Practice
Course Level: Postgraduate, Postgraduate Diploma
Scholarship Provider: The School of Nursing & Midwifery
Scholarship can be taken at: UK
Eligibility: Applicant must:
-Have an offer of a place to study on a taught postgraduate degree within the School of Nursing & Midwifery.
-Be an international student paying fees at the international rate,
Scholarship Application Deadline: 7th October 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/nDoV0B

Dr. Vera Elizabeth Dewar Graduate Nursing Scholarship at UPEI, Canada
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Master’s, Doctoral
Scholarship Provider: Dr. Vera Elizabeth Dewar
Scholarship can be taken at: Canada
Eligibility: Awarded to a graduate of UPEI School of Nursing pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in Nursing.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 31 July 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/pJncTv

Oxley Scholarship for Undergraduate at Australian Catholic University, Australia 2012
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Oxley
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia (Brisbane campus)
Eligibility: The Scholarship will be open to commencing students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing course at the Brisbane campus of the University.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 August 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/pfZxNY

Consort Education Scholarship at Queen Margaret University, UK 2011
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Master
Scholarship Provider: NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh, Royal Infirmary, Queen Margaret University
Scholarship can be taken at: UK
Eligibility: All applicants will be assessed and selected by a panel from NHS Lothian and Queen Margaret University. -Candidates applying for short course programmes will be selected based on their written submission
Scholarship Application Deadline: 31 August 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/p3CxCH

Calvary John James Hospital Nursing Scholarship at Australian Catholic University, Australia 2012
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Undergraduate (second year)
Scholarship Provider: Calvary John James Hospital
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility: The Scholarship will be open to any Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia enrolled as a full-time student and commencing the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing at the Canberra (Signadou) campus of the University, with priority given to students who can demonstrate educational disadvantage arising from geographic location, disability or chronic medical condition or financial, social or cultural factors.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 August 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/pCyLyU

Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme, Australia
Study Subject(s): Nursing/Midwifery
Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility:
-Applications will be considered from applicants who are:
•Australian citizens or permanent residents
Scholarship Application Deadline: 25 July 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/oJjl7z

Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme at RCNA, Australia
Study Subject(s):Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker, Allied health (all specialities except pharmacy), Dentistry/oral health, Direct entry midwifery, Medicine (including postgraduate entry-level courses), Nursing
Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Australian Government
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility: Funding under this scheme is available for applicants who meet the following criteria:
•Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
•intending to enroll or are already enrolled in an entry level health qualification
Scholarship Application Deadline: 16 September 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/p6fAJi

Aged Care Nursing Scholarships for Undergraduate at Royal College of Nursing, 2011, Australia
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Australian Government
Scholarship can be taken at: Australia
Eligibility: -To be eligible to apply for an undergraduate scholarship applicants must:
•be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
•demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a nursing career with a focus on aged care
Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 September 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/oXU8Jv

Pre-Doctoral Research Training Fellowship for Scientists and Healthcare Professionals, USA
Study Subject(s):all fields of research pertinent to epilepsy
Course Level: Pre-Doctoral Research
Scholarship Provider: Epilepsy Foundation
Scholarship can be taken at: America
Eligibility:1.Be matriculating in a full-time doctoral (Ph.D.) program with an academic career focus. Areas of interest considered include, but are not limited to neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, psychology, biochemistry, genetics, nursing, or pharmacy;
Scholarship Application Deadline: August 31, 2011
For more information: http://bit.ly/pUJurz

Call for Application in Cancer Research Bursaries for Clinicians by NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, UK 2011
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Research
Scholarship Provider: NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship
Scholarship can be taken at: UK
Eligibility: We are currently welcoming applications for Research Bursaries from clinicians, nurses and those working in allied health professions.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 August 2011
For more information: Further Scholarship Information and Application/

Convention Travel Scholarship funded by The Society for Vascular Nursing, USA 2012
Study Subject(s): Nursing
Course Level: Travel Expenses
Scholarship Provider: The Society for Vascular Nursing
Scholarship can be taken at: USA
Eligibility: This award may be used for registration fees or for lodging or travel costs. Individuals who have been members of SVN for at least one year are eligible for the Scholarship.
Scholarship Application Deadline: January 6, 2011
For more information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_201440_en.pdf

Dame Te Atairangikaahu Nursing Scholarship at Waikato Institute of Technology, New Zealand 2012
Study Subject(s): Nursing, Midwifery
Course Level: Diploma, Bachelor, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma
Scholarship Provider: Waikato Institute of Technology
Scholarship can be taken at: New Zealand
Eligibility:
1.Candidates for the Scholarship must be registered on the Tainui roll.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 16th February 2012
For more information: http://www.wintec.ac.nz/scholarships/details/files/Dame-Te-Atairangikaahu-Nursing-Regulations.pdf

2011-2012 Scholarships for International Students from Istanbul Sehir University, Turkey

Istanbul Sehir University will admit 60 international students for undergraduate programs on full and partial scholarships.

Study Subject(s): Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Management, Communications and Law

Course Level: Undergraduate
Scholarship Provider: Istanbul Sehir University
Scholarship can be taken at: Turkey

Eligibility:
The applications of:
-students who are either high school graduates or are studying their last year in high school,
-students with dual nationality who abandoned their Turkish or Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) citizenship and who complete their entire high school education abroad
- citizens of TRNC who have completed their entire high school in TRNC and have GCE A/L result will be accepted.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes

Scholarship Description: Istanbul Sehir University is a recently founded, non-profit, private higher education institution established by the Foundation for Sciences and Arts in 2008. Its founder BSV is a renowned NGO functioning for more than 25 years in the field of social sciences, organizing many international and national academic activities and free seminars in related areas. With its young and qualified teaching staff, dynamic interdisciplinary curricula and eclectic programs, a wide range of elective courses, rich library and research-focused agenda, University aims to become a distinguished institution in Turkey and its neighboring regions in higher education and research. University invites international applicants to come study in Istanbul, Turkey.

How to Apply: Online

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 August 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application: http://bit.ly/o4mwQJ

Campbell Fellowship for Women Scholar-Practitioners from Developing Nations

The School for Advanced Research on the Human Experience (SAR) and the Vera Campbell Foundation offer the Campbell Fellowship, which provides financial support for one six-month fellowship to a female social scientist from a developing nation. The Campbell fellow can be a PhD candidate or a post-doctoral scholar whose research deals with women’s economic and social empowerment in her home country.

The Campbell Fellowship intends to advance the scholarly careers of women social scientists from developing nations and to support research that addresses issues surrounding gender inequality in the developing world. The Fellow will be selected based on citizenship, academic discipline, research topic, and English fluency.

Fellowship Description:One six-month fellowship is available for a female social scientist from a developing nation, either a PhD candidate or post-doctoral scholar, whose work addresses women’s economic and social empowerment in that nation. The goal of the program is twofold: to advance the scholarly careers of women social scientists from the developing world, and to support research that identifies causes of gender inequity in the developing world and that proposes practical solutions for promoting women’s economic and social empowerment.

In addition to a $4,500/month stipend and housing and office space on the SAR campus, the Campbell Fellow receives travel, shipping, and library resource funds; health insurance; and the support of a mentoring committee of established scholar-practitioners.

Criteria:

• Citizenship: Applicants must be nationals of developing countries that are currently eligible to borrow from the World Bank.


• Academic Discipline: Applicants should be pursuing research in one of the social sciences: anthropology, economics, education, geography, history, law, linguistics, political science, psychology, social work, or sociology, or in an interdisciplinary field that incorporates two or more of these disciplines.


• Research Topic: Projects that identify causes of and/or solutions to gender inequity in the developing world, and thus contribute to women’s social and economic empowerment, will be favored. Sample topics include education and socialization of girls; globalization and the economic status of women; policies and practices toward family, reproduction, and women’s health; impacts of international and civil conflict on women; women’s roles in resolving such conflicts or sustaining civil society; media representations of women and the formation of ideologies of gender; the practice and process of gender-based development; and women in science and technology. SAR will select fellows on the strength of their clearly stated intention to serve their communities and countries of origin.


• English Fluency: To facilitate full engagement in the SAR intellectual community, applicants must demonstrate their fluency in English, such as through their record of professional interaction in written and spoken English.
  
  For more information and application:
  Applications to the Resident Scholar Program (Due on November 1st.)

Qatar Airways creates new National Scholarship Program for Qatari youth

Qatar Airways has created a dedicated new National Scholarship Program targeted at talented Qatari high school graduates. The long-term initiative is aimed at supporting their education to develop the right set of skills required by the airline and to qualify them for senior commercial and leadership positions at Qatar Airways.

The new scholarship for Qatari nationals has a strong focus on business-centered degrees in majors such as Business Administration and Management, Marketing and Communications, Computer Science, Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Logistics and Law.

It complements an existing scheme the airline runs in collaboration with Qatar's Aeronautical College, which prepares Qatari students to take on various roles within the aviation industry covering areas such as engineering, passenger services, airport operations, cargo and pilots.

Building on this success, the newly-introduced scholarship program is yet another step taken by Qatar Airways to provide Qataris with support for educational success and enhanced career prospects within the national airline.

It is also a strategic business initiative in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which highlights the importance of investing in the country's human development in order for Qatar to become an advanced, knowledge-based and diversified economy. With this national vision in mind, the airline plans to grant up to 50 Qatari students with scholarships this year and increasing the numbers each year thereafter.

The Qatar Airways National Scholarship Program will mark its official debut on June 12 at the Oryx Rotana Hotel in Doha, where Dr. Kholode Al-Obaidli, recently appointed to head up the scheme, will brief students, parents and scholars on its objectives, admission requirements, selection process and the scholarship benefits.

The event is open to Qatari grade 12 students, their parents, as well as Deans, Principals and Career Counselors of local schools and universities.

Still in its early stages, the initiative is already receiving a great response. "Since we started advertising the new program in local media, applications are coming in on a daily basis," said Dr. Al-Obaidli, Senior Manager Qatar Airways National Scholarship Program.

Watch for more details!