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BONUS Episode #86: Exploring Self Directed Learning with the Unschooled Film

May 27, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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Our guests for this week’s bonus episode are Chris Steinmeier and Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss who discuss the recent documentary, Unschooled. The film explores self directed learning and the work of the Natural Creativity Center in Philadelphia.

  • Resources from Unschooled

  • The Daily

  • Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

  • Last Week Tonight

  • Decolonizing Nonviolent Communication by meenadchi

  • The Parent Scoop


Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

May 27, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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Pen-pushing Beyond The Norm: Navigating A Change Of Career

May 27, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Sponsored

Pixabay - CC0 Licence

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For so many of us, now might not seem the opportune moment to change careers. But with the impact of what is going on all around us, the economy and the world of work changing constantly, is it even possible to navigate a proper career change? For those that are in higher education or just about to finish college, what can people do to make sure that they are not just looking for the right career if they are starting out but also navigate towards something that they genuinely care about?



The Importance Of Qualifications

Some people believe that qualifications are pointless. But right now, this is what can separate you from everyone else. It's more than possible to start learning from home now, but if you are looking to acquire a proper qualification there are opportunities to gain qualifications through resources like MIT LGO that has a considerable reputation behind them. For those people that have just left college and may feel that they have to start their career trajectory soon, there is a lot to be said for gaining additional qualifications. But it's important to remember that if you want to navigate a proper career trajectory that you don't over qualify for. There is such a thing as being overqualified for specific jobs.



Focusing On Your Passion

It sounds very straightforward, but if you look for your passion in life, this will minimize the soul searching most people feel they need to do to get a worthwhile job. You need to ask yourself what you really want. When we go through a degree, we may feel that we have to do something relating to that subject. But if you have the bravery to admit to yourself that you don't feel any affinity to the subject anymore, you can start to work towards what you would really like. Many people believe qualifications aren't necessary, but when you have a degree, you have an academic foundation to fall back onto. Even if you aren't going to college just yet or you are wondering what to do, it's always recommended that you choose a relatively safe subject. This may seem like a very boring option, but if you choose a subject that covers many bases such as business studies, you will find it provides a wide variety of springboards to different careers. So even if you want to work in something like the artistic sector, you've got a failsafe option to fall back on.



Not Jumping Straight In

One of the most important things to remember before leaping into a new career is that you manage the change gradually. Jumping straight in from one career to another is not going to do you any favors. And right now, everybody is clinging onto their jobs for dear life. The most important thing that you can do right now is to move towards something you really want. The more time you spend facilitating the move, the better equipped you are to deal with the changes, but it also gives you the opportunity to truly get a feel for the industry you think you want to work in. Many people believe that the grass is greener on the other side, but if you don't allow yourself the luxury of time to truly research every single angle you may find yourself looking to navigate another change of career.

May 27, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
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5 Must-Have Gadgets For Gamers

May 21, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Sponsored

Image by Joshua Woroniecki from Pixabay 


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If you’re looking to improve your gaming space and don’t know where to begin then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re new to gaming or you simply want to upgrade your old set-up, you need to be sure you have absolutely everything you need to improve the experience. Although it may be expensive, there are lots of gadgets you can buy to ensure you’re maximising your experience. From gaming keyboards to high-quality headsets, the more you’re buying the better your experience will be. With that in mind, here are 5 must-have gadgets for gamers: 


Gaming Keyboard


If you want to make the most out of your gaming experience, you may want to invest in a gaming keyboard. Not only do they cooler but they are designed to make gaming as smooth as possible. With an inbuilt rest for your wrist, they’re created with your comfort in mind. 


Although you can game with a standard keyboard, gamers often prefer to have something that makes using the standard controls much easier. If you’re looking to find high-quality gaming keyboards, you can visit this site here. 


Gaming Mouse And Mouse Mat


If you’re buying a gaming keyboard, you may also want to consider looking into a gaming mouse too. Designed to be comfortable for long gaming sessions, a gaming mouse has a number of different features that make gaming easier. From extra controls to a high DPI rate, a gaming mouse is almost essential. 


Alongside your gaming mouse, you may also want to consider a gaming mouse mat. 


High-Quality Headset


Although you may not play a lot of games that require you to talk to other gamers, having a high-quality headset is important. Whether you need the headphones in order to play your game with others in the room or you’re playing team-based games and need a microphone to communicate, your gaming set-up would not be complete without them. You can read more about headphones here. 


Gaming Chair


Another great must-have gadget for gamers is a gaming chair, as this will ensure you’re as comfortable as you can possibly be during your gaming sessions. For a guide to choosing the right gaming chair for you, you can visit this site here. 


Mini Fridge


Finally, you may also want to consider buying a mini-fridge. Although you can head downstairs to get snacks and drinks, having them readily available in your room is often much easier. Whether you’re in a ranked game and you need a drink or you simply don’t have the time to go downstairs, having a mini-fridge next to your gaming set-up can be incredibly helpful. Most of the time they’re also super inexpensive.  


With lots of must-have gadgets for you to purchase, you can be sure you’re creating the ultimate gaming set up. What else do you need for your gaming set-up? Have we missed anything? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. 


May 21, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Integrating Meditation into our Daily Lives

May 20, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Sponsored

The world can be a loud, distracting, and stressful place, especially during our current global crisis.

It’s that much more important now to make sure we take deliberate time to slow down and center ourselves through meditation. I know I’ve been skeptical of meditation in the past but after starting with it myself the past few years, it has been a powerful tool to help me to relax and unwind after long days. It is also a great quick way to take some time purely for yourself. Meditation can be an amazing and guilt-free way to get some self-care!

There are a lot of great tools to integrate guided meditation into our daily lives, such as the aptly named Declutter The Mind. You can download this onto your smartphone and listen to fresh daily meditations or other content contoured to your needs. This helps allow for meditation to fit in more naturally versus forcing it in, which is less likely to be retained.

Meditation is personal and needs to be something that is sustainable for us as a daily habit. It’s not about perfection, but about listening to ourselves to try to be more present and mindful. I highly recommend checking out an app to do this, and Declutter The Mind is a great option.

May 20, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Episode #85: Vadim Revzin on Entrepreneurship and Digital Skill Building

May 20, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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Our guest for this week’s episode is Vadim Revzin, host of The Mentors Podcast and founder of School16. Vadim shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur and how he came to found School16 to help tech in demand tech skills with short courses to help people gain positive career outcomes.

  • Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

  • Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson

  • Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

  • Armchair Expert Podcast

  • The Daily Podcast

  • EconTalk Podcast

  • Planet Money Podcast

  • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle


Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

May 20, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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BONUS Episode #84: Diego Fanara on the Evolution of College Admissions

May 13, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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Our guest this week’s bonus episode is Diego Fanara, CEO and Co-Founder of Unibuddy. Diego shares how his college experience impacted him and inspired him to start Unibuddy. He explains their work and how they’re helping students all over the world connect with each other and make informed choices about college. Diego also speaks to the current disruptions in the world of admissions with the NACAC rule changes and the impacts of the global pandemic.

  • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

  • Future U Podcast

  • The Key - A Podcast with Inside Higher Ed

  • NACAC Agrees to Change its Code of Ethics


Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

May 13, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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Career Progression: Efficient Solutions To Further Your Career

May 11, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell

When it comes to career progression, you need to have a realistic plan that accounts for both your professional life as well as your personal life. Therefore, your plan should not interfere too much with your personal and family life. For this reason, efficient solutions are usually best as you will be able to enjoy notable flexibility while progressing your career and achieving career goals. Career progression comes in all sorts of forms, from advancing your role or managing your current role better. Therefore, regardless of your goal, you can consider the following efficient solutions and apply them to achieve career progression.

 

Bootcamp Training

If you are searching for methods of achieving certification without having to invest a small fortune into going back to school, Bootcamp training is likely the most efficient solution. This is because Bootcamp training programs are usually significantly affordable while also saving participants ample time in comparison to other methods of learning. What’s more, Bootcamp training programs are quite diverse, which means you will be able to find programming Bootcamp training programs, PMP Bootcamps, and many others. PMP certification is a great choice for project managers hoping to better manage their role, while aspiring project managers will also benefit from PMP Bootcamp Boston and other similar Bootcamp programs near you.

 

Part-Time Online Education

One of the most effective ways to further your career is to further your education. If a Bootcamp is not the right solution for you, or you are unable to find a Bootcamp program suitable for your field, you could consider part-time online education. There are tons of online short courses available that will help you better grasp your understanding of a current role. If you are hoping to change careers to reach your goals, longer online courses are usually a better idea as you will obtain in-depth knowledge regarding the new field. If you need additional assistance with online courses, you will be able to find online tutors quite easily.

 

Take Advantage Of Any Provided Training

Unless you are able to abandon your career for a couple of years to obtain a degree of sorts, you will have to opt for efficient methods of reaching your career goals. Therefore, it would be wise to consider taking advantage of any training programs provided by your employers. You may find that your employer is willing to encourage your career development as you would essentially become a valued asset to the business. If you are unable to find training programs offered, it would be wise to query the possibility with your superiors.

 

Praising Progress

Regardless of your end goal, you should keep yourself motivated by praising yourself for any and all achievements on your journey towards career satisfaction. This extra detail will help you stay on track with your goals simply because you will recognize your progress. Many professionals make the common mistake of disregarding smaller achievements and this may render you feeling as though your progress is too slow and insignificant. Whether you opt for a quick Bootcamp program, or you devote your free time to online learning, you will be able to achieve your goals with dedication and ambition. 

May 11, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Episode #83: Casey Welch on Creating Career Opportunities for Students

May 06, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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Our guest this week is Casey Welch, CEO and co-founder of Tallo. Casey speaks about his journey and thoughts on digital engagement in higher education focusing on students finding the best professional pathways for them.

  • Leadershift by John Maxwell


Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

May 06, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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Resources for Cooking and Dieting at Home

April 27, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell

As we all continue to adjust to our prolonged times at home, I’m sure you’re like me and struggling as I cook more and more meals for me and my family.

Whether it is figuring out measurements, or determining how best to reach our exercise and weight loss goals, it is important to make sure you’re taking a thoughtful, organized approach. It is important, as much now as ever to take care of ourselves. This time can be a great opportunity to refresh our habits.

Speaking of the future, we should also think about what our careers, education, and lives will look like once life gets back to normal. If you end up enjoying your time cooking and baking at home, you might want to explore opportunities to do this professionally or educate yourself more formally. We’ll need dedicated folks doing this work since I imagine many people will have taken on other opportunities during this time.

Best of luck with your culinary adventures!

April 27, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
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Episode #82: JP Novin on Creating Connections for Students

April 22, 2020 by Dustin Ramsdell in Podcast, Student Affairs

Welcome to another great episode of the podcast!


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Our guest this week is JP Novin, CEO and Founder of PLEXUSS, a platform that helps connect students with higher ed institution and numerous opportunities for greater success. JP talks about his own unique journey from struggling in high school all the way to founding several companies to get where he is now.


Listen to the episode below, or subscribe and listen via iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or Google Play.

Music by pond5.com

Thanks for listening!

April 22, 2020 /Dustin Ramsdell
Life, Work, Podcast, Geek, Nerd, Higher Education, College, University, Campus
Podcast, Student Affairs
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