Robertson Reader: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Weekend Reading #5

Great reading this past week, as always. Here's what I've found:

Friday, January 28, 2011

Accounting & Payroll Administrator: Information Session

Training for a career in accounting can open many career options. If you are interested in working for one of Winnipeg's upcoming Accounting Firms, check out the upcoming session.

Stewart Chartered Accountant
Kevin Stewart Buckner, Managing Partner will be coming to Robertson College to talk about upcoming opportunities with his firm as well as trends that he sees in the accounting field.

When: Tuesday, February 8th
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Where: Robertson College,
265 Notre Dame Ave
Register: Please call 204.943.5661 or click here

To learn more about the Accounting & Payroll Administrator program, click here.
The next Accounting & Payroll Administrator program starts March 7!

Come Learn More About A Career In Travel

Are you passionate about travel? Are you passionate about people? Do you like sales? If so, a career as a Travel Counsellor may be right for you. You love realizing your travel dreams, now is the time to help others realize theirs!

Upcoming Information Session
Come join us to hear more about the Jamaican Familiarization Trip our students just came back from!
You will hear about what it is like to visit an exotic destination, evaluate tour operators, hotels & resorts and different excursions.

Who: Robertson College Travel Counsellor Students
When: Thursday, February 10 from 12pm - 1pm
Where: Robertson College, 265 Notre Dame Ave
Register: Click here or 204.943.5661

To learn more about the Travel Counsellor program at Robertson College, click here.

Health Care Careers - Learn more at Robertson College Winnipeg

Real Care Inc. will be at Robertson College on February 9th!

If you are looking for a career that is rewarding and flexible, scroll down to read more about starting a career with Realcare Inc.

Angela Pollet will be here talking about career opportunities with Realcare Inc. and why they are a great company to work for.

When: Wednesday, February 9th

Time: 12:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Robertson College, 265 Notre Dame Ave

Register: Email winnipegevents@robertsoncollege.com to register or call 204.943.5661

Robertson College Calgary: Legal Administrative Assistant Program Information Session

Passionate about the law? Passionate about helping people? Do you like making a difference every single day? If so, a career as a Legal Administrative Assistant may be right for you.

Come join us to learn more about employment opportunities and our program!

When: Thursday, February 3rd, 12pm - 1pm

Where: Robertson College, 300 - 417 14th St NW

Who: Janet Ashton, Instructor

Register: calgaryevents@robertsoncollege.com or 403.920.0070

Saturday, January 22, 2011

5 Tips for Admin Assistants

Administrative assistants are often on the go all day long. From the moment that the walk into the office they have to be "on" with a smile on their face and a go-get-'em attitude. It's not easy. And sometimes it is the little things that slip. It is the tone of voice or a wrong word choice and pretty soon co-workers are saying, "What up with her today?" Being that central focus of the office environment - the one that others look to to keep everything together - admin assistants need to avoid that so here are some quick tips.

1. Take breaks!

Sometimes it is tempting to work through breaks - especially when that pile of work is just getting bigger and bigger! It is really a counter-productive strategy though. When you skip breaks you're missing out on the opportunity to clear your head and come back with a new focus. So take your scheduled 10 or 15 minutes and use it to do something that will bring you back refreshed. Go for a walk. Get a cup of coffee or tea. Do some stretches. Just make sure you take your breaks and you'll find it much easier to concentrate when you come back to your desk.

2. Keep your work area tidy

An untidy work area makes it difficult to find things when you need them and it makes your mind feel cluttered as well. Take some time periodically throughout the day to put things away and file papers so that you have the space you need to work. Make use of desk accessories like file clips (you can get very decorative ones these days - mine looks like a flower!), folders, and trays to keep your desk organized. A bulletin board can be a great tool for keeping the information you need on a regular basis handy but don't forget to clean it up once in awhile, too!

3. Prioritize!

As an admin assistant you are likely to have many things on the go at once but learn to prioritize. Which ones really need to be done today? Focus on those. A To Do list can be a great tool for this. Don't just write things down though. Assign each To Do a category. "A" for the things that are absolutely essential to get done today, "B" for the things you'd like to get done but can wait if they have to, and "C" for the things that are not critical. As you progress throughout the week, some of those "B" items will move up to the "A" category and the "C" items can move into the "B" category.

4. Say No

Saying no may be the thing that keeps you from getting bogged down with work. People tend to forget that you have your own work to do and will often ask for favors. You don't have to say "yes" to all of them. Actually, saying "yes" to everything is a bad idea. But don't just say "no" and leave them hanging. You can suggest another option or you can direct them to another person. If you are really the best person to ask you can ask them to come back to you with it in a day or two. Just remember to be polite.

5. Choose Your Words

How you say things and what you say is important in communication and that is one of the many reasons that administrative assistants need to be good verbal communicators and good listeners. Make sure you give the person who is talking to you your full attention and then take a moment to choose your words carefully. If you do this, co-workers will be much more likely to take a "no" in a positive way and this will reduce stress for both parties.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Weekend Reading #4

What have you been reading this week?

You know, not all of your reading has to be serious stuff. You can put some fun blogs in there for reading as well. The fun stuff can make you think just as much as the serious stuff. Like the 22 Movie Quotes About Work - do any of those ring a bell for you?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

What is Continuing Education?

When you think of continuing education, are you thinking of school? That’s what most people think of but continuing education is so much more than a bricks and mortar education. Not that there is anything wrong with going back to school – that can be a great part of your life education. But there are other ways of continuing your education.

For example – when was the last time you went to the library? The library is FILLED with information that can benefit you. It’s not just about the fiction books you know. You can learn for professional development or personal development. Learn something just for fun or learn something that will help you in your job. You know how I’m always telling you that industry journals and magazines are something you should be reading? You can find them at libraries and read them for free! Libraries are not just for students that need to do research. Take a day and hang out at the library and I’ll bet you will be able to find something you like.

Of course, a lot of what is in the library can also be found online. You can find loads of material for free but if you want to learn something specific from an expert, consider buying an e-book or taking an e-course. The Internet makes learning so much easier if you’re not the kind of person that wants to get out of the house and learn.

Continuing education can also mean doing things. You don’t have to read to learn. Get out there and take a class where you can get actively involved in something. How about joining Toastmasters so you can get better at public speaking? Join a group where you do instead of just listen and you will find that you will learn very quickly.

What else does continuing education mean to you?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Weekend Reading #3

Have you found anything good to read this past week? It always amazes me how much good information there is out there about careers, job search, and personal development.

This is some of what I've been reading this week:

Feel free to leave a link in the comments to stuff that you enjoyed about relevant topics this week (even if it is you own)!

Robertson College Pharmacy Technician Info Session

A career as a Pharmacy Technician is challenging and exciting. The healthcare industry is in need of good people just like you.

Would you like to work in Pharmacy?

This year, 100% of Robertson College Pharmacy Technician students have gained employment in their field!

Please Join Us for the Upcoming Open House:

* When: Tuesday, January 25th
* Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
* Where: Robertson College, 265 Notre Dame Ave
* What: An Opportunity to Learn More About the Pharmacy Technician Program
* Register: Send and email to info@robertsoncollege.com to register or call 204.943.5661

The session will cover:
Pharmacy Technician Accreditation, career opportunities in Manitoba & how to enroll in the next Pharmacy Technician class!

Next class starts February 28! Seating is limited. Call 204.943.5661 or email info@robertsoncollege.com today to reserve your seat.

To learn more about the Pharmacy Technician program at Robertson College, click here.

All careers that are focused on health care are in demand these days because there is an increasing need for trained individuals. If you're interested in working in the health care field, one of the careers you might be interested in is Pharmacy Technician. A Pharmacy Technician is not the same as a Pharmacist though, so it doesn't require many years of schooling. In fact, if you find a good business college that offers the Pharmacy Technician program you may find yourself start your new career within a year!

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

To sum it up very quickly, the Pharmacy Technician helps the Pharmacist. Some of the tasks that the Pharmacy Technician typically aids in include:
* labeling and dispensing medications
* maintaining patient profiles
* helping with other routine tasks.

What Qualities Should a Pharmacy Technician Have?

Of course, Pharmacy Technicians should have good customer service skills. After all, they are the ones that people often come into contact with when they fill their prescriptions. Often when people are getting prescriptions filled they may be anxious or stressed. They are getting a prescription filled for a reason and that isn't always an easy thing. Because of this, Pharmacy Techs need to be good with dealing with a wide variety of people.

Pharmacy Technicians must also have an eye for detail. While missing something small here and there may not be a big deal in some jobs, in this job it is crucial that every order is filled to the letter. The smallest mistake can have devastating results so they must pay attention.

What Options Do Pharmacy Technicians Have?

There are many different areas that trained Pharmacy Technicians can go into. They may choose to work at a smaller, family-run drug store pharmacy or they may want to work for a larger chain store. There are advantages to both. Pharmacy Technicians can also work in hospitals. There are several choices and with a degree as a Pharmacy Technician the choice is up to you.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Meet Natalie, a Recent Graduate from the Legal Administrative Assistant Program

A legal secretary will need to do more than answer phones and relay messages. A legal secretary today needs to be of real benefit to the company. That means understanding legal language and having skills in business. If you're interested in being a legal office assistant you should learn what some of the basic requirements are.

Meet one of our recent graduates:

Typing

As with any administrative position, typing skills are important because a good portion of your time may be spent recording information and typing up documents. But as a legal administrative assistant it especially important that your keyboarding skills are top notch. When you type up documents you need to make sure that they are typed perfectly - no misspelling of words! Misspelling a word can change the meaning of the intended message and in the legal world that can make the difference between happy clients and a potential law suit!

Know the Lingo

You won't have to be a lawyer but knowing the language that clients and managers are using will make it much easier for you to do your job. You'll be able to relay messages to your managers better. You'll also be able to understand what clients need and in return direct them toward the appropriate person more efficiently. Terminology is not difficult to learn but if you don't understand it you will have trouble doing your job.

Organization

Administrative assistants will always need to be organized but in a legal environment it is critical that those who need documents and files are able to find it when they need it. Managers and other co-workers will not be able to do the job they've been hired for if they are not able to find the background data that they need. There is also a great deal of research that happens behind the scenes in a legal office and when someone is doing research and the paperwork they are looking for is not where it is supposed to be it can slow down the process. The legal administrative assistant will need to know exactly where everything belongs and they will need to make sure that is where it ends up!

Education

While not every law office is going to require that you have a diploma or degree it can be the fastest way to getting ahead of the competition if you are applying for legal assistant jobs. Business colleges offer courses that can be taken in real time classrooms or online and the information that you gather in these courses is invaluable. Experience is an asset but with a degree from a reputable business college you'll find that there are many more jobs open to you in the legal field.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Weekend Questions: How Do I Study Smarter, Not Harder

Feature Question:

I wasn't a very good student in high school and my course starts in February. I'm a little worried about studying and how I'm going to manage to get through all of my courses. I don't want to have no life while I'm studying all the time so how can I study smarter instead of harder?
- Kim M.

When I was teaching, I found that one of the biggest challenges that students had was finding time to get all of their work done and study for tests at the same time. At a college, like Robertson College, where everything is done at an accelerated pace, it can be difficult to handle your studies in the traditional way. You have to learn to study smarter, not harder.

When I went to university I consistently pulled C's in my first year. I studied like a mad fool and still got C's. All nighters were a big part of my first year. My problem? I was studying like I was still in high school. And it didn't work for me. I followed all the advice that the study books were giving me but it didn't work.

In my second year I completely changed my strategy. Here's a couple of things that worked for me:

Be alert in class. That means getting a good night's sleep and completely paying attention to what the teacher was talking about. I sat at the front of the class so that I didn't dare fall asleep. I dressed comfortably so that I wouldn't get distracted. I stayed away from chatterbox's. When I went to class, I was as alert as I could possibly be.
Take complete notes. That means not only taking notes in class but after class as well. I would do that little T-thing (you've likely seen it but if you haven't it basically means drawing a T on the page you take notes with the top of the T near the top of the page and the stem off to the left of the page about 1/3 of the way from the edge of the paper). After class, I would head somewhere where I could sit and fill in the things that I couldn't write down in class. Later in the evening when I was reading from the text, I would fill in yet more where it was relevant.
Go to class. I know this shouldn't need to be said, but it makes a huge difference.
Make connections. Think about how the concepts that are discussed in class and in your text can be related to what you already know or what you have experience with. Think about how it could connect to future situations.
Talk about it. Find a fellow student to discuss the day's lecture/text material with. If you can't do that, talk to a friend or family member. If they start getting bored with it, start talking to the cat.

I know it is hard to believe that these things can make a difference but the key is that you need to be connected to what you are learning. Don't just try to memorize everything. It will take you forever and it will take all the fun out of learning. Be active and approach your studies in different ways.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Question:

Will facial piercings prevent me from getting a job?

- Jason

That really does depend on the company you are applying at and the job that you are applying for. Many companies have policies about facial piercings, tattoos, and extreme hairstyles. Some companies will allow it if you work behind the scenes. However, if you want to be seen as a professional and be taken serious, it is best to remove facial piercings, hide tattoos, and keep your hairstyle moderate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Question:

I'm dead tired of my job and I think it's time to think about getting a career - not just a job. But I have no ideas about what I really want to do for the rest of my life. How do I decided?
G.

Choosing a career can be one of the most difficult things to do. Have you checked out our series of blog posts on this topic? Take a look at our Choosing A Career series of posts and watch for the workbook that will be coming soon.

Want to ask your own question? Send an email to robertson.college.blog@gmail.com and put "Weekend Questions" in the subject line.

Friday, January 07, 2011

Weekend Reading #2

I've found some truly great reading this past week that you don't want to miss out on. Some of it is very informational while I've chosen to include other blog posts because they will make you smile and maybe even laugh. I think it is important not to take yourself too seriously - after all, life is supposed to be fun.

Reading can be a big part of your continuous learning. It can make you think about your life, your job search strategies, and your career in ways you might not have considered otherwise. So, take some time this weekend to invest in yourself by reading some of these great blog posts:

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Ultimate Blog Challenge Launch & Weekend Questions

First, I'd just like to take a minute to tell you about something I am doing this month. I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge. I've done this challenge before with other blogs and now I'd like to do it with RobertsonReader. The Ultimate Blog Challenge is about sharing, getting great information out there, and giving readers what they want. As part of the challenge you are going to see a new blog post every single day on the blog. And if you don't see one come up - well, challenge me on it! Will it continue after this month? Well, we'll see. :)

Weekend Questions

I know that a lot of you have questions about what courses to take, choosing careers, how to answer specific questions in interviews, and even how to GET that interview so I'd like to open this blog up to anyone who would like to ask those questions. I can't possibly read your minds about what you want to know so please, share your questions with me because if you are thinking about that question, someone else likely is, too.

I will try to answer all questions on each Saturday but I will choose one question as the Feature Question and the person who asked that Feature Question will get my personal assistance in writing and designing your original About.me page that you can use to help you get a job or network online. You About.me page is a great way to present yourself to employers. You can use it in your e-mail signature, on your resume, on your social networks, and more.

How?

So, how do you ask questions? Simple - just send an email to robertson.college.blog@gmail.com and put "Weekend Questions" in the subject line so it doesn't get directed to my spam box.

So, you've got a whole week to come up with some good questions for me to answer so readers...start your emails!

Pages

Welcome