SUNY Oswego S.H.O.P. Coordinator Gains Acknowledgment in County News

Oswego student Ariel Gutman-Gates, manager and coordinator of the campus food pantry, was recently named a Newman Civic Fellow. Newman Civic Fellows are chosen through their actions in improving campus communities and addressing public problems to promote more equitable communities. These individuals are then provided with access to scholarships and a network of past honorees.

The campus food pantry also known as Students Helping Oz Peers (S.H.O.P.), has provided students and faculty of the SUNY Oswego campus with a combination of goods and services. This has been done by means of developing a place to go when they are in need of basic clothing, toiletry and food items. Students and faculty are able to come to the pantry and gather the everyday items they need free of charge. This is done much like a grocery shopping experience. The pantry itself allows its users to browse the shelves for the resources they need through organized sections.

Students Helping Oz Peers does this to provide a place to attain these items, for those who are unable to acquire them on their own, and follows a strict code of confidentiality to ensure that those utilizing the goods and services  remain comfortable with the dispersal of their personal information. The shop is also a place for members of the the SUNY Oswego community to seek further information and links to food resources and Health Insurance.

To read more about Ariel’s contribution to our campus community and personal journey, please see the article linked below!

http://www.oswegocountynewsnow.com/news/newman-fellow-ariel-gutman-gates-carries-on-family-tradition-of/article_4b6419f8-5233-11e9-940a-cf3913dd0745.html

Women’s History Month

Since March is Women’s History Month, I decided to make it my mission to do something in support of my gender. I’ve also been wanting to get more involved in clubs on campus. The Oswego weekly emails announced the that the Women’s Center will be holding a program titled Oh, So You Grown Now.  The flyer art was pretty cool and the starting time was pretty convenient for my schedule.

Everyone at the meeting was pretty familiar with each other, but the co-directors of the Women’s Center made me feel welcomed. It actually felt like they were excited to meet me, which is always a nice feeling. The topic of discussion were the coming of age traditions for women across different cultures.There were both males and females in attendance and it was fascinating to hear people from different backgrounds and ethnicities share what was considered a coming of age tradition that deemed you an official man or woman. The program included games in which the audience had to guess which tradition belonged to which nationality. The activities were funny because it brought out the competitive side out of everyone  yet were insightful.

Overall, I had an awesome time. The co-directors were actually really helpful when I asked if I could cover this event for a journalism report I had for another class. They even invited me to audition for a spoken-word event they’ll be hosting in the near future.

Sometimes it is hard to break out of your regular routine and attend events where you might not know anyone but sometimes it can be a rewarding experience. I’m glad I deviated from the norm and attended. I’m looking forward to attending more of the Women’s Center and other clubs/organizations’ programs.

Kayla’s Journey…

Hey Lakers! My name is Kayla and I’m a second semester senior that loves going to SUNY Oswego.  Every single night, the sunset over Lake Ontario creates the most beautiful skies, that you need to soak in.  Below is a picture of Lake Ontario and my dog, Bentley 🙂  I am a non-traditional and transfer student that commutes from Sterling and is here to spread positive vibes, help others and share my stories to those who can relate.  College wasn’t really something that interested me right away out of high school, and I thought that ‘living a little’, was the choice I decided to take.

Something that was so scary at first, was the best thing that has ever happened to me and this was choosing to take an adventure. I enjoyed life, before I decided to go back to college at SUNY Oswego. After high school, I decided to leave my families dairy farm that I had grown up on and take this adventure to join the US Navy in a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion called the Seabee’s. I was a Petty Officer Third Class Equipment Operator and I first was stationed out of Mississippi, then New Jersey and then I served training in Guam, and I had my license in just about every type of equipment in the military. I absolutely enjoyed traveling, the experience and the friends I have gained from serving the 5 years. Although the military is not for everyone, but I felt honored to be able to serve and protect our country.

After the military I moved on to the next chapter of my life back to Sterling, NY and I decided to go back to college for the first time at Penn Foster, with a major in Veterinary Technician. It was an online degree and I was able to find a part-time job at an Animal Hospital in Fulton. I think I went to every animal hospital within a 30-minute radius and gave them my resume and my enrollment into the Veterinary Degree. I loved working with animals, and I grew up with plenty on the farm. I quickly moved to full-time and over the years my responsibilities grew more and more. I then graduated with my Associates in Science and I was able to practice Veterinary Medicine on animals while I was enrolled in college, after graduating with a Licensed Permit and up until I passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam. That New York State board exam was one of the hardest exams that I probably will ever have to complete. After working there for six years and working for two different Veterinarians, is when I took my chance to go back to SUNY Oswego for my Business Administration degree. It wasn’t the easiest decision, but I’m so glad I took that leap for the change in my career.   I’d like to go into Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales, and I will have my credentials and experience to lean back on.

I started in the summer of 2017 with on-line courses and a few part-time jobs, and at that same time I was planning mine and my husband’s wedding; that was planned two weeks after the fall semester had started. Not only was it an adjustment from not being used to being in a classroom setting with younger students, but I also became very good at multi-tasking between the two and being organized. I couldn’t be happier on how ‘our’ day turned out.

I first remember going to visit Glynn, at the School of Business, with a thousand questions. Not only was I proud that I was the only one out of my ‘big’ immediate family with a degree, but also that I was accepted into one of New York’s top universities. Since my first semester I have been a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda, Chapter ETA National Honor Society, and I have been giving it my all to achieve the dean’s list every semester. One thing that I honestly can say, is that I appreciate school “way” more now being older, and I am glad I didn’t choose to go right after high school. Sometimes starting early on assignments or a project is a better feeling than cramming it in the last-minute, or if you have to choose between going out with friends or working on school at home.

I hope you all enjoyed reading about my past work experiences and I’m eager to hear of others.  I’m so thrilled to be a student and a Social Media Ambassador for SUNY Oswego.  This college has opened up so many opportunities for myself, and I still can’t believe all the things they offer to all their students and alumni.  It’s been quite the journey going back to college (for the second time ha-ha) and there have been obstacles, such as all things in life.  But, I can’t explain enough how excited I am to graduate in May and move on to this next chapter of my life, with the hope to help others.

“The sky is the limit.”

Peer 2 Peer Educator

I am happy to say that this upcoming fall semester I will be a Peer Educator.

What is a Peer Educator?

This is a program held by the Counseling Services Center which Peer Educators (P2P) are SUNY Oswego students who involve, empower, and support educational campus environments related to psychological health and wellness.

What do P2P students do?

The role of the P2P Educator is to promote programs and provide information on mental health topics that can impact the academic and social success and overall well-being of SUNY Oswego students. P2P Educators are committed to teaching skills that can help fellow students reduce potential stressful life experiences (prevention) and to resolve situations more quickly should they arise.

Who are these P2P Educators?

P2P Educators are undergraduate students who represent a rich diversity of cultural and life experiences. They have a commitment to learning, teaching, assessing, role modeling, communicating in person and using social media, and effective presentation skills.

This is something I am very excited about and I can not wait to meet/help students. During my undergraduate career, I had my own experience of going to the counseling office because I felt that I needed help. At that time my friends thought I was in need of counseling because I was making decisions that they thought I could have prevented and were “affecting others”. Which made me feel like I was being attacked so I made the decision to speak with a counselor and it was the best decision I made.

While at first, I was nervous speaking about my experiences but then realized that they are there to help. These services that students take for granted are not only for people with “mental issues” but in actuality, it is for students who need someone to talk to. As a P2P I want to bring awareness to all students that these stereotypes of illness are not true which is one of the reasons I joined. The counselors on campus are all amazing people, help with different stressors in life, and are people who care about your well being.

Everyone is welcome so please stop by Mary Walker!

For more information follow this link below.

https://www.oswego.edu/counseling-services/meet-20152016-counseling-center-p2ps-peer2peer-were-here-help-you-fly

My Internship Experience

This past spring I had the pleasure to intern for the financial aid office. For those twelve weeks, I have learned many helpful skills that will help my career as a Financial Advisor. This experience was something new to me and Kathy Flaherty made it possible. She gave me experience in parts of the office that I was not aware of.

The purpose of this internship was to create professional relationships to better understand emotions and attitudes. I also wanted to improve my interpersonal and communication skills. I felt like I accomplished this and actually created professional relationships with the staff. It has taught me information about paying off loans to getting a job. I was given the opportunity to attend meetings and learn how to speak to family members in uncomfortable situations. This helped me find out that I like the consulting portion of being a financial advisor.

A program that I learned throughout this experience is called Banner. The financial aid advisors use this to view students financial awards and to adjust any unmet needs. As well, I was giving many small projects like identifying those students who had unmet needs to attending open houses.

My favorite part of this internship was learning about the staff’s career journey. I enjoyed listening and expressing my own interest in becoming a financial advisor and getting their advice. My experience of being an intern was exceptional. Everything I learned was invaluable. I just can’t wait to get to the point where I am comfortable enough to do it on my own. I know my homework is to become more familiarized with the technical terms and being able to communicate it with my peers. I am very appreciative and cannot wait for what is to come.

Life as an EOP student

My fellow readers, it’s great to be back! Just a heads up I will be posting my blog every week so keep an eye out.

To begin, for those who aren’t aware of what the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) stands for: its an organization whose purpose is “to fulfill New York state’s commitment to provide access to higher education for historically underrepresented students who possess the potential to succeed in college, but whose academic preparation in high school has not fully prepared them to pursue college education successfully.” Additionally, in private universities, the Educational Opportunity Program is recognized as HEOP, and SEEK in CUNY schools. Professionals say that it is good to have diversity in the workplace because people can relate to others and think outside the box.

The EOP program provides students with additional financial assistance. In fact, despite the financial stress, EOP students have higher graduation rate than admitted students and become successful.

I am an EOP student from the class of 2014. My experience has been amazing at Oswego and before coming here, as an EOP student, we are given the opportunity to come for a month. During this month you get the chance to live on campus and experience the life of a college student. First, you will meet your peers and live in one of the residence halls. Many of the students are from different parts of New York so you meet people from a similar but different background. Which is great, since you meet people before you begin your first semester freshman year, causing it to be less overwhelming. Second, your classes will mostly consist of English and math in order to help transition high school students to the college life. Lastly, you will be assigned to an individual Academic Planning Counselor (APC) but you can go to whomever you feel comfortable with.

In addition, there will be peer leaders to guide you which are upperclassmen that inform you about Oswego and their experience. The peer leaders spend a lot of time creating activities so that you can bond with each other. I know this because I was a peer leader for the class of 2015. After my freshmen year, I wanted to gain those experiences I lost because I was not involved in my EOP class. Which is why I wanted to become a peer leader. It was a channeling experience but I recommend that everyone should apply even if you are not an EOP student. It is an opportunity to build leadership qualities and something to put on your resume.

Moreover, if given the opportunity to do it again, I would be more social and attend group activities. I was lucky enough to find true friends which is why I did not do much, but I suggest talking to everyone. You can never have too many friends and sometimes your freshmen year friends will not be the same friends you leave with. You will be assigned to an individual Academic Planning Counselor (APC) but you can go to whomever you feel comfortable with.

A goal I suggest as EOP students are to be a part of the Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society. I am a part of this and I have been a member since Spring 2016. To get into this honor society you must first maintain a 3.0 GPA for three consecutive semesters. Then you would be invited to be inducted as a member. It is an honor because not many EOP students are in it but I suggest to start off your freshmen year strong. Have a mindset of not going lower than a 3.o because freshmen year really does affect your whole college GPA. I mean I did not have a 4.0 at the end of my freshmen year but if you have that mindset you can reach close to it. There is plenty of great staff in EOP who are very friendly and there to support you.

Overall, what should you take away from this? Aim high because you were chosen to be in EOP. Do not be ashamed to admit your EOP because there are students who actually wish they were. Take advantage of all opportunities because you do not know where it will take you. Be an active student but remember that school always comes first. Make time for school and then everything will fall into place. Remember to be yourself because college is to grow as a person, not become someone new. At the end of your journey, you’re here to graduate so do not let anyone stop you!

SUNY Oswego Bucket List!

With graduation being just a month away, my senior self is feeling very nostalgic about letting all of Oswego, go. With that being said, I have brainstormed a few ideas for seniors to do before we put on our caps and gowns in a few weeks. Here is my SUNY Oswego Bucket List!

 

  1. One last meal in the dining hall.
  2. Take a selfie with Sheldon!
  3. Stop by Cooper Creamery, they have the best flavors.
  4. Have a campfire by the lake.
  5. Go to the final Chicken Patty Day.
  6. Go to Old City for $1 Taco night.
  7. Plan a flat rock day.
  8. Get one last panini at Mackin!
  9. Bowling at Lighthouse Lanes.
  10. Visit the Bluffs.
  11. Have a picnic at Breitbeck Park.
  12. Get a burger from Dino’s.
  13. Take the polar plunge into Lake Ontario.
  14. Try and walk through campus with an umbrella during a rainstorm without it going inside out.
  15. Visit the school store to stock up on Oswego Alumni gear!
  16. One last ice cream cone from Bev’s.
  17. Get chicken tenders and french fries from Crossroads with the best honey mustard on the planet.
  18. last free skate.
  19. Go to the dining hall on Broccoli Cheddar soup day.
  20. One last trip to Hibachi.
  21. Visit your first Freshman year dorm.
  22. Get your favorite Fans smoothie.
  23. Thank your favorite professors.
  24. Let the smokestacks guide you home for the last time.
  25. Stock up on Crossroads cookies.
  26. The final all-nighter in the library during finals week.
  27. Walk all the way from West Campus to Shineman and figure out how the heck you got to class on time in the morning.
  28. Do circles in Lanigan because we are seniors and still probably get lost in there.
  29. Grab lunch at Rudy’s and sit out by the lake in the sunshine.
  30. Go to the senior nights of all the sports teams to see your friends play one last time at Laker.
  31. Use up all your dining dollars.
  32. Walk out to the lighthouse.
  33. Find out what a Laker is.
  34. One last movie in the amazing Oswego Cinema Theatre with the reclining comfy chairs.
  35. Last but not least, take a picture in front of the Oswego sign in your cap and gown. (tears)

 

To all my fellow seniors, I hope that some of these ideas will get you guys out and about. We do not have too many days left here in Oswego. Let’s make the best of our last month!

All Things Lakers Have To Be Thankful For This Time of Year

The Lake

Obviously….hello Lakers! But really, watching the incredible ice sheets form and crack throughout the winter is pretty fascinating.

 

Hockey…GO LAKERS!

Hockey season is BACK! Grab a few of your friends and roomies and go to a couple games! They are what our school is known for and what this time of year is all about! A great way to get riled up with all of the Oswego student body is to come cheer on our Lakers in our beautiful hockey arena!

The SUNY Oswego App

The SUNY Oswego App is ammmmaaazzzinngggg. And it is so conveniently located on your phone! The app holds your class schedule, gives you weather updates, lets you know what each dining hall is serving, and more!

FANS Smoothies

If you haven’t been to FANS this semester I highly suggest getting there ASAP! Although it is cold out, their smoothies are so refreshing! If you’re sick of coffee head on down to FANS, located in Marano Campus Center. Also, try their amazing cupcakes!

 

The Ontario Bagel Shop

Get to class late and skip breakfast? No big deal, go grab a bagel at the Ontario Bagel Shop located in Lanigan Hall!

 

Oswego State Hoodies – Campus Store

It’s hoodie season! My favorite season. Bundle up in some of our college apparel! There is quite the selection at the College Store located in the middle of campus in Marano Campus Center. The store has sales and deals all the time and everyone looks great in green and gold!

 

 

The Geese Migrating

Aren’t we all happy about this? Yeah, they’re cute and all…but…they’re everywhere and so is their poop! Not to mention the squawking at 6 AM each morning. Ya, bye geese, see ya in the Spring!

 

The Gym

Our school has two gyms available on campus, Cooper, and Glimmerglass. Heading to the gym is a perfect way to work off your stress.

 

Chicken Patty Day

Of course. The excitement in the air on Campus is real every Chicken Patty Day.

 

The Cooper Creamery

Cooper’s own little ice cream shop with every topping you can think of! Also, some great flavors, try them all!

 

Lakeside Dining Hall Chinese Food

Pretty much as good as any Chinese food I have ever tasted. Available every weekday in the Lakeside Dining Hall.

 

Really Any of Our Dining Halls

We have some really good food here and you will miss it so much when you no longer live on campus. Finding friends with guest swipes is necessary.

 

Kitchenettes – Located in Each of Our Dorm Buildings

No matter where you live, East or West Campus, Riggs, Johnson, Waterbury, Scales, or Onondaga, each of our dorm building are equipt with kitchenettes. Great for the Holiday baking season!

 

Facebook SUNY Oswego Accepted Students Page

Where we met and future students will meet new friends and roommates!

 

Heat in the Dorms

And boy do they crank it up! It is amazing coming in from a blizzard in the Oswego Tundra.

 

Long Jackets With Big Hoods

As I said before, the Oswego Tundra. The wind is crazy here people. Do not forget to bring back your winter jackets!

Boots

Oswego Tundra…need I say more.

 

Headphones

Whether you are walking to class or studying in the library, headphones in – world out.

 

Crossroads Eatery

Looking for a quick bite to eat at any time of day? Crossroads is the place for you! Great breakfast sandwiches and lunches. Great prices – plus – they accept dining dollars! They also carry chicken patties every day! Try one of their cookies, delicious.

 

GET Food

GET Food is a new way to order food for delivery from Domino’s Pizza, Oswego Sub Shop or Wonzone Calzones. Take the time to create a GET Food account and download the app so you will be ready to start placing orders! This service allows students to use dining dollars to order!

 

The Blue Route

Getting us from Onondaga to Shineman every day, all day. Amazing in the winter, you do NOT want to miss the bus!

 

 

Oswego’s Snow Removal Team

Whoever these people are we thank you so much. Every snowy day, every snowstorm, every time we think our cars won’t survive out in the Daga Parking lot, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

 

The Compass

Helps a lot with job searching, resumes, and cover letters.

The Center for Experiential Learning

Internships, internships, INTERNSHIPS!

 

The Writing Center

So helpful when submitting final papers to have an extra eye correct it for you.

 

The Tutoring Center

Sometimes you just need a little bit of one on one extra help and we are so grateful we have this service available to us.

The Library

Finals….Midterms…Papers…the library offers you a sanctuary to do all types of work. The library is a great place and a lot of students find it to be their second home.

The 24-Hour Room

Believe it or not, a lot of us are procrastinators and wait until the very last minute to do anything. Also finals week, it is PACKED!

Starbucks in the Library

Because we need it.


 

Hot French Vanilla Cappuccino in Shinemans Fusion Cafe

Very specific, I know, go try it. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

10/18 Fall Career Fair

Hello~ How is your semester going so far?

Today, i want to introduce the job fair for SUNY Oswego students that takes place 10/18 4-6pm at Marano Campus Center Gymnasium.

I highly recommended to juniors and seniors who are looking for internships and jobs. Freshmen and Sophomore also can participate and build your networks with about 70 companies.

If you want to participate, here are things you can do before:

  • Prepare your resume!
    • Check the lists of companies and bring enough copies of your resumes to give employers.
  • Business professional wears!
    • Be professional! First Impression!

  • Elevator pitch!
    • Think about how you can introduce yourself for 30 seconds to employers. What is your strength? Fun fact? Related Experiences?

If you need additional information about the job fair, https://www.oswego.edu/career-services/spring-career-fair-2016-students

Here is the link that you can check the list of companies. I hope to see you all!

Navigate your future

Hello! This is Kelly.

In this semester, i started new internship in Compass Resource center as an ‘Navigator.’ Navigators are interns who works with students to build their experiences for future careers.

It has been a month at the Compass and i met and communicated with lots of students. Since i just started my internship in here, i am still learning and improving by helping more and more students. I am glad that i can help someone who are passionate about their majors and willing to find some opportunities. They always encourage me to challenge myself.

What navigators do?

  1. Help students who don’t have major yet or want to change their major
  2. Help students to create and critique their resumes and cover letters
  3. Help students to find opportunities related to their future careers
  4. Help students to find graduate program

https://www.oswego.edu/career-services

Here is the website for Career Services Center. If you have student account they also have lots of online resources that you can use for free. If you have some questions while you are using those online resources, you can always come and ask us for help.

Compass Resources Center opens from 10am-4:30pm Mon-Fri, it is located in MCC145.