Being a parent is a non-stop, no rest for the weary, full-time job. Couple parenting with attending school full time, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. That is, unless you can master the art of time management.

This task is not as easy as it may seem. All parents know that plans can quickly go awry when children are involved. What was to be a fun craft or short outing can turn into bruised

knees, accidents, forgotten schoolwork, and trips to the ER. To help you manage your time most efficiently—even with all of your daily distractions—keep the following tips in mind:

PRIORITIZE - At the beginning of each week make a list of what you absolutely MUST accomplish that week. It doesn’t matter where you keep this list—on a

calendar, your phone, a journal, or the white board on your refrigerator—just make sure that your list is always located in the same spot (so you don’t misplace it), and make sure that you complete your list on the same day each week (this consistency will help you remember to make the list each week). Amy Crump Storch, a recent graduate of Rasmussen College and mother of three, found this tip especially helpful. Each week, she made a ranked list of her weekly tasks and then set deadlines for them in order of importance. As she completed each task, she checked them off the list. When you’re setting deadlines, make sure they’re realistic, and add extra time to each deadline for those unexpected distractions that will inevitably pop up.

PLAN - It’s important to anticipate what’s on the horizon and plan for it. For instance, check the syllabus for each of your classes at the beginning of each quarter against your children’s school and daycare schedules. If you have an exam scheduled for the same week that you’ve agreed to volunteer at your daughter’s school, you will not only need to make advance arrangements for childcare, but you will also need to reschedule your

THE RASWIRE

• Time Management for Single Moms

• How to Land an Internship

• Scholarship FAQs

• Get Involved: Clubs & Organizations

• Tip of the Term

In This Issue:

TIME MANAGEMENT FOR SINGLE MOMS

• What Does Plagiarism Mean

to You?

• Graduation Updates

• Dear Rassy

• Faculty Spotlight

• Graduate Spotlight

• New Programs at Rasmussen

• Calendar of Events

• RasMall

Published by Rasmussen College Online

Spring 2011

1THE RASWIRE - Published by Rasmussen College Online

By Cassandra Campfield, Academic Advisor & Lisa Knox-Aquino, Admissions Manager

(Continued on page 3)

AMY CRUMP STORCHRASMUSSEN COLLEGE CLASS OF 2010AAS HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN

It’s no secret that employers like candidates who have completed one or multiple internships. Landing an internship is a great way to gain experience in your field, to network with peers and other professionals, and to potentially transition into a full-time position within an organization. It’s the “landing” part that can overwhelm or even deter students from pursuing internships. Occasionally internships seek out students in the form of being posted on major job boards—especially in metropolitan areas—but in many cases, students must seek out the internships. Here are some tips to help make your internship search more efficient and effective:

Become an Industry Expert. Learn all of the local companies within your field of study. Then, make a list of the top 10 organizations where you would be interested in working and learn the ins and outs of each of them. By narrowing your search and showing the

companies that you’re interested in how much knowledge you have of their company, their market, and their business plans, you will help increase your chances of landing an internship, and you will help make your internship search a more efficient use of your time.

Get Your Resume in Gear. Applying for an internship with an outdated resume is like choosing to take a swim in shark-infested waters—not only is it poor decision-making, but it’s likely to leave a lasting impression on you, and it won’t be a good impression. Update your resume before you begin your internship search so it is ready to be submitted to potential employers the minute you find an opportunity that you believe is right for you. To help make your resume shine, check out a free service available to all Rasmussen College students, Optimal Resume: https://rasmussen.optimalresume.com/.

Utilize Your Network. If you stop for a minute and think about everyone you know, where they work, what their job entails, and who they may have connections to in the working world, you may be surprised at how many people you could contact to help you find an internship. If you’re looking for a career in healthcare, and your best friend is in pharmaceutical sales, you could ask your friend to speak with some of the clinics they visit about open positions for you. If your friend’s cousin works for a hospital’s HR department, you could ask your friend to introduce you to their cousin and talk to them about potential internship opportunities at the hospital. Take advantage of who you know—it’s one of the most effective means of obtaining a job or internship. If you need to build a bigger network, you can always join a professional organization and start attending their meetings or schedule informational interviews with your companies of interest.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask. There are some companies that may never have considered hiring an intern—that is, until you asked. Contact the hiring manager at a company, tell them why they should not only hire an intern, but more importantly, why they should hire you. Don’t just read your resume; use your knowledge of their company, their market, and their business plan to showcase your knowledge and skills and what you can do for them. You may be surprised what a well-spoken and thoughtful argument can do for your internship prospects.

Have additional questions? Contact career services at:CareerServicesOnline@Rasmussen.edu

A scholarship is a gift of financial aid for a student to further their education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria, which usually reflect the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.

Tips for Your Scholarship Search:

Apply for the 2011-12 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many scholarship programs will require you to have completed the FAFSA before applying.

Update your resume and have it available.

Research local organizations within your community to find out if any scholarship programs are being offered. Be prepared to volunteer in order to qualify for these programs.

Check with your friends to see if they know anyone who has received a scholarship and get their advice on how to be successful.

Be prepared to write an essay, provide a letter of recommendation, or an academic transcript.

HOW TO LAND AN INTERNSHIP

SCHOLARSHIP FAQS

2 THE RASWIRE - Published by Rasmussen College Online

By Rasmussen College Online Career Services

Websites to Get You Started:

www.fastweb.com

www.finaid.org

www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship/index.html

www.militaryfamily.org

study time so you are prepared for the exam. It’s times like this when it’s beneficial to talk with your family and friends about your academic goals and your schedule, and ask if they can lend a hand in providing childcare. Lisa Knox-Aquino, Program Manager for Rasmussen College online, says “while I was in school, my brother would watch my son at his house for a few hours on Saturdays while I studied. It was a great way for me to stay on schedule for my courses and for my son to spend valuable time with my family.”

PATIENCE - Patience is a virtue, but it is also easily forgotten. Remember to always be as patient with yourself as you are with your children. There is only one of you, and you are not able to be in all places at once, or accomplish all things on your to-do list

at once. In fact, delegation is a key part of strong time management skills. Think about what chores your children can help with to increase efficiencies throughout your day. Whether it’s laundry, dishes, vacuuming, or cooking dinner, any extra help can add valuable minutes to your day for studying or completing assignments. Plus, you can use that time to bond with your children and make accomplishments together.

PERSISTENCE - There will be times when it will be very easy to get off track and lose sight of your schedule and your weekly goals. Be persistent! Don’t let your weekly goals slip away from you. Even if you need to completely readjust your schedule, keep a persistent eye on your weekly goals to ensure you can reach them and cross them off your list.

BALANCE - Although you have to remain focused on your goals each week, don’t lose sight of what is most important in your life. Maintaining a balance of work, school, and life is good for your mind, body, and soul. Doing the things that you enjoy is a great way to reward yourself for sticking to your schedule and reaching your goals. For example, Lisa noted, “I have a weakness for banana splits, so my reward for completing my tasks by their deadline was taking my son to the local ice cream shop and sharing a banana split covered in cherries and fudge.”

If you follow these tips and consciously focus on your goals, you will be well on your way to mastering time management.

School of Technology and Design – Clubs Forming Today!The International Game Developers Association is the largest non-profit organization for game developers. This is a great opportunity to network with other students; discuss platforms, software, game development, techniques, and just have a good time. You will also have the opportunity to work on developing games for submission to contests and building your portfolio.

Association of Information Technology Professionals members have access to IT educational opportunities, forums, and resources, as well as the opportunity to exchange on-the-job experiences, trouble-shooting tips and tricks, and general industry knowledge with peers.

If you want to be a part of either of these new clubs, please contact Tony Guzman at Tony.Guzman@Rasmussen.edu.

School of EducationKelly Kist, ECE Program Coordinator, hosts two ECE tutor and study groups every Tuesday from 10 am – 12 pm CST and 1 – 3 pm CST. Join as often as your schedule permits—simply login and learn! Access the study group through the Kelly Kist Meeting Space in Wimba. For more information contact Erin Lasley at Erin.Lasley@Rasmussen.edu or (866) 967-7042, ext. 5092.

School of Allied HealthJoin the Allied Health Club! This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow School of Allied Health classmates and hear from guest speakers and faculty presenters on various topics in the field of health care. Missed a meeting? Visit the Online Learning Center to view archives. All Allied Health students are invited to participate. Meetings occur in Wimba during weeks 2, 6, and 10 every quarter. Contact Erin Lasley at Erin.Lasley@Rasmussen.edu or (866) 967-7042, ext. 5092.

School of Justice StudiesThe Justice Studies Club is open to all School of Justice Studies students and graduates. This club provides students with an opportunity outside of the classroom to engage with other students, discuss current justice studies issues, attend club-specific presentations, participate in justice

studies events, and engage in multiple discussion boards. For more information contact Leslie Palmer at Leslie.Palmer@Rasmussen.edu or (952) 230-5065.

School of BusinessLearn how to excel in the classroom and in your career by joining the Rasmussen College chapter of Collegiate DECA. Gain the skills needed to excel in areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship. DECA members can gain a competitive edge in the global job market and will develop strategic decision making and project management skills. You will also have the ability to network with business and industry experts and nearly 15,000 students and advisors. To join the Rasmussen College chapter, contact Melany Wynn at Melany.Wynn@Rasmussen.edu.

GET INVOLVED: CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

3(888) 5-Rasmussen | www.Rasmussen.edu

(Continued from front page)

If you have a Tip of the Term you would like to share, please contact Jeffrey Laing at Jeffrey.Laing@Rasmussen.edu.

Click on the class you wish to access.

Click on the “Report” tab on the top right of the page.

Click on the drop down box labeled “Category” and select “Grades.”

Click “Run” in the bottom right corner.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

TIP OF THE TERMCHECKING YOUR GRADE

As a Rasmussen College student, you can easily track your grades and assignment feedback from your instructors. It is important to check your grades and feedback at least twice a week. This will help you identify areas where you have performed well and areas in which you many need improvement. Checking your grades and feedback will help you successfully obtain your degree. Please follow the instructions below and contact the Personal Support Center at (866) 693-2211 with any questions.

By Jeff Laing, Academic Advisor

You should now be able to see your grades for each week and any feedback provided by your instructor. If you have any problems accessing this information, contact the Personal Support Center at (866) 693-2211.

4 THE RASWIRE - Published by Rasmussen College Online

Check out the January 2011 virtual graduation ceremony featuring our 2009 September and December graduates at www.Rasmussen.edu/VirtualGraduation.

Do you want to be a part of the next virtual graduation ceremony? Want to travel to an on-campus ceremony? Contact your Career Services Advisor or e-mail VirtualGraduation@Rasmussen.edu today to learn how!

GRADUATION UPDATES

5(888) 5-Rasmussen | www.Rasmussen.edu

WHAT DOES PLAGIARISM MEAN TO YOU?By BethMarie Gooding, Online Librarian and Instructor

Plagiarism is a growing concern and a hot topic in the academic community. Many time-pressured students rely on the internet to locate convenient sources to fulfill their writing assignments, sometimes committing cut-and-paste plagiarism.

What would you say if I told you the statement above is plagiarized? It is word for word from the website www.plagiarism.org. I did not give credit to the original source within the text of the paragraph, and no quotation marks are included, therefore leading you to believe I wrote it. This can occur in any class at any time when a paper is submitted without citation of resources used. This can also occur in any professional setting where work is submitted as original, but is taken from an outside source or another’s original idea. The consequences in college include failing the paper, failing the course, and being dismissed from the college. On the job, the consequences can be more severe, including loss of reputation, loss of credibility, and loss of job.

Before we continue, it is important to precisely define plagiarism. You have heard the term plagiarism many times, but you may not thoroughly understand its definition.

Definition: According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, to plagiarize is: “1. To use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own. 2. To appropriate for use as one’s own passages or ideas from (another)…To put forth as original to oneself the ideas or words of another” (Pickett, 2000, p.1340).

What does this mean? It means that anytime you use words or ideas from another source, you must cite the source of that information. If you do not cite your sources, you are stealing. It does takes time, effort, and practice to become comfortable with the paper writing process and to become adept at integrating sources into your papers by using proper citation methods.

Here are a few tips that may make this process easier: Use the resources at Rasmussen College when you have questions. Your instructor, the librarians, and the Learning Center Coordinators are all here to help you when you have questions about paper writing. Go to the Online Learning Center to speak with a librarian or English instructor about the correct way to paraphrase and quote when writing a paper. Librarians are also great resources for information on the proper way to use parenthetical citation and format your References page using APA style. The online library webpage via the Student Portal also has a sample paper written in APA style, sample citations, formatting guides, video tutorials, and links to the NoodleBib citation machine—all of which can be useful when creating research papers. Additionally, you should attend the Library and Learning Center Live Webinar Series which has topics ranging from proper citation to

integrating resources into your research papers. Check out News and Events on the Student Portal, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/RasLLC, and your Rasmussen College student e-mail account for login details.

Strategy to Avoid Plagiarism:Cite Every Source. Confirm that every

source cited in your text is listed on your References page.

Cite Twice! Any content (including images, charts, graphs, and statistics) that is not your original idea or created by you must be cited both in the body of the paper and on the References page.

Paraphrase or Quote. All borrowed information must be paraphrased or summarized with in-text APA citation (author/article title and year) or quoted (word-for-word original resource content) and placed within quotation marks and cited in-text (author/article title, year, p. or para. #).

Never cut and paste. Use NoodleBib! • Visit www.noodletools.com/login.php • Username: firstname.lastname (example:

john.smith) • Password: your Student Portal password

(example: js1234) View the “Avoiding Plagiarism” video:

www.screencast.com/t/MzZhOWJkMz Contact BethMarie Gooding at

BethMarie.Gooding@Rasmussen.edu or call (866) 544-1793 with any citation and research questions.

References: Pickett, J.P. (Ed.). (2000). The American heritage dictionary of the English

language (4th ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company

Plagiarism in the digital age voices from the front lines: What’s happening

on college campuses today? (20011). Retrieved from TurnItIn website:

http://www.plagiarism.org/ plag_webinar_college_campuses. html

BETHMARIE GOODINGONLINE LIBRARIAN AND INSTRUCTOR

DEAR RASSYI have a big research paper due in one of my classes this quarter and I am feeling lost! How can I get some help sorting through the organization of the paper and APA formatting?

- Mark

Dear Mark,

That’s a great question!

The Rasmussen College Library and Learning Center hosts weekly workshops and webinars to help students with these

subjects. There are workshops about writing a successful research paper, creating an outline, writing and formatting

annotated bibliographies, and more! The Online Learning Center hosts several live events throughout the quarter to help

students achieve academic success and make connections with each other. Watch for weekly e-mails and announcements

about how to login to these webinars or contact Erin Lasley at Erin.Lasley@Rasmussen.edu for more information.

Below are some FAQs about the Learning Center workshops:

Q: I have to work during the workshop. Will I be penalized for missing? How can I get the information?

A: All workshops are optional, so there are no penalties for not attending. Workshops are archived and available through

the Online Learning Center.

Q: What is my user name and password to log into the workshop?

A: You don’t need one. Simply click on the workshop link, enter your name where it says “Participant Login” and press enter.

Q: Do I need headphones in order to attend a live workshop?

A: No, you do not need headphones to attend. If your computer has speakers, you can listen to the presentation without

headphones. If you do not have speakers, there is also an option to call into the workshop and listen on your phone.

Q: What should I do if I experience technical difficulties?

A: Call the Personal Support Center at (866) 693-2211 or send them an e-mail at Help@Rasmussen.edu.

Sincerely,

Rassy Rasmussen College Mascot

6 THE RASWIRE - Published by Rasmussen College Online

Do you have a question for Rassy? E-mail it to RasWire@Rasmussen.edu!

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHTPrior to becoming a student at Rasmussen College, I was a veteran in the hospitality industry. I spent the past 20 years working as a club manager and a food and beverage manager at resorts, restaurants, and private country clubs. Although I had years of experience, I was facing job instability and a declining pool of job prospects. I decided I had no choice but to pursue a career change.

When I made the choice to return to college and earn a degree, I spent a great deal of time researching careers and online degree programs. After much

consideration, I decided that the Health Information Technician Associate’s degree at Rasmussen College would provide me with the greatest opportunity to enter the healthcare industry.

With only one year of college courses under my belt, I applied for and landed a student job in the Family Medicine IT group at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Shortly after starting my job, I became a member of the team that was developing a new electronic medical records (EMR) system, Epic. Today, I am one of ten Epic Implementation Specialists

working to launch the system, as well as train all of the clinicians in 25 ambulatory clinics, the University Hospital, and the School of Medicine.

Without the strong curriculum and student support services at Rasmussen College, I don’t think I would be in the position I am today. My Health Information Technology education helped me to get my new job, and I am confident that my new career in the healthcare industry is off to a solid start. In March 2011, I will graduate with a Health Information Technician Associate’s degree. I am thrilled to finally hold that paper in my hand and display it proudly on my wall.

“Mark is a very conscientious student who submits all his ass ignments on t ime and contributes excellent insights to class discussions.”

- Judy Johnson, Mark’s Instructor

MARK THAGGARD RASMUSSEN COLLEGE CLASS OF 2011AAS HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

7(888) 5-Rasmussen | www.Rasmussen.edu

Charli Weatherford is a full-time instructor with the School of Technology and Design and teaches Introduction to Computer Graphics, Digital Production, and Typography. She lives, breathes, and loves everything technology and everything online.

Charli earned a Master’s degree online and is a strong believer in the benefits of online education for working students and those with family obligations. She has been with Rasmussen College since 2004, and has been teaching collegiate-level digital design courses since 1998. With more than 14 years of industry experience in the digital design field, Charli also serves as a subject matter expert for several of the courses in the School of Technology and Design.

“I laugh at myself because back in the early ’90s, I said I would never be dependent on a computer or technology for any reason. Well, after I bought my first Mac in 1995, I ate those words! I do everything online now. I even earned my graduate degree online while working full time and being a single parent, so I know first-hand the struggles of many of my students.”

Charlie’s advice for students is “never give up on your dreams! If you want to be a Pixar designer, gain the education and skills you need to be noticed by Pixar! Your education is an investment in you that can never be taken away, so even if your dreams change over the years, the foundation for reaching your dreams will always be there for you.”

CHARLI WEATHERFORD INSTRUCTOR, SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN

“Never give up on your dreams! If you want to be a Pixar designer, gain the education and skills you need to be noticed by Pixar!”

April 4 – Start of spring termApril 20 – Schedules released for early summer termApril 26 – Start of book shipment for early summer term

CALENDAR OF EVENTSAPRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

June 7 – Start of book shipment for summer term June 12 – Finals week starts for spring and early summer termJune 17 – End of spring and early summer termJune 18 – Break starts

July 4 – Break endsJuly 5 – Start of summer term

Watch for an e-mail from the Online Learning Center with upcoming workshops and live learning sessions!

May 8 – Mid-term week starts for spring term May 9 – Start of early summer term May 29 – Mid-term week starts for early summer termMay 25 – Schedules released for summer term

8 THE RASWIRE - Published by Rasmussen College Online

(888) 5-Rasmussenwww.Rasmussen.edu

RasMall Looking for Rasmussen College apparel and gear? Visit www.RasMall.com to order yours today!

NEW PROGRAMS AT RASMUSSEN! Rasmussen College introduces several new programs, offered completely online! Do you know someone who is looking to go back to school? Contact your program manager or visit www.Rasmussen.edu/Referral to refer a friend today!

School of Nursing• RN to BSN

School of Allied Health• Health Information Management

Bachelor’s Degree• Pharmacy Technician Certificate• Medical Administration Diploma