Letter from the Editor: The Mid-Semester Blues

It's November!

For those graduating in December, November is full of final touches on thesis work and perhaps a sad nostalgia that it's almost over.  For the rest of us, it is a month filled with catching up on assignments that we've fallen behind on and trying not to fall into what I dub: mid-semester blues.

Mid-semester blues, if you're wondering, is that time where going to classes seems like a burden, and your homework is forming an ever growing pile on your desk (bed, sofa, etc.)  Textbooks are scattered across your room, and for procrastinators, this might be the first time you're opening them.  Midterms, if you haven't had them already, are looming over you like a cartoon rain cloud; and papers are due in all of your classes (on the same date).  But with all the stress of the mid-semester, all you can think about is that we're three weeks away from a blissful week off.  With that thought in mind, late October into November is sluggish and drags on forever.  Hence, the dreaded mid-semester blues.

As a senior, I've had the mid-semester blues every year of my college career.  My advice to you: don't let it get you behind.  You're going to want to skip a class, miss a homework assignment, and maybe actually clean your living space in order to avoid class work.  But remember, many of the assignments that are due from now until the end of the semester count for a large portion of your grade.  So don't slack off now.  It's not the time.

Just remember, in three weeks, you can take a break (maybe not if you're working on a thesis) and relax for a week.  That should be a motivation to do your work, not a hindrance.

Good luck!

Written by Jeshanah McLeod

Back to the Past in Eckley's Miners' Village!

Students and Chaperones at Eckley's Miners' Village

This past Saturday, September 29^th, found Penn State Harrisburg’s Honors students fully engaged and interested during a trip to Eckley’s Miner Village. The trip was an opportunity for Honors Students to learn more about the life and daily struggles of miners in Eckley during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Students learned about how the mining business began in Eckley and how miners lived on a day to day basis; and we got to tour the village.

Eckley Miners’ Village was a coal mining site found in 1854 that grew with industry and the need for anthracite coal. The village was comprised of mine workers, who were largely Irish, coming to America from Eastern Europe in search of better living. Due to the fact that the entire village and coal site were owned by the coal company, miners had incredibly structured lives and very little freedom.

Houses in Eckley's Miners' Village

Miners lived in very poor conditions and were frequently exposed to danger in the coal mines. A miner usually made no more than $100 monthly, which was very little considering rent, medical expenses, food, and etc.  A typical home for a miner would be two stories and shared by his family as well as a boarder, so that all expenses could be met. There would be a small kitchen with a traditional stove that only ran on coal. Also, there might be at most two wooden beds of which about twelve people slept. Upstairs there would be boarders and a small tub for washing and laundry. Usually, the wives tended to the children, cleaning, and maintaining the expansive garden that surrounded the home.

At the time, the company owned the village, including the only local store. Therefore, many things were overpriced and unaffordable for the typical miner, who frequently ended up with a debt.  Thus, it was common for the families to have their own gardens and grow food like potatoes and cabbage to provide sustenance for the family.

Working in the mine was even more strenuous than living in destitution. In addition to long days and little pay, miners had to use explosives to blast coal from the earth with very little protective gear. Even worse, they were responsible for obtaining their own tools; so if they could not afford protective gear or things like a shovel- that became problematic.

After a day of learning and touring, students were given the opportunity to taste polish food prepared by the tour guide, Jolene Busher, and her mother. The meal consisted of salami slices, pickled eggs, sweet bread, and farmer’s iced tea. Students were appreciative and indulged in the dishes! At the end of the trip, Honors students left with more knowledge on the type of labor that shaped the country and more specifically, the living conditions of miners.

In 1960, the village was taken over by the State and later opened as a National Historic site in 1971. So, stop by and visit! Learn about Ekcleys’ Miner Village. To learn more, visit http://www.eckleyminersvillagemuseum.com/ .

Brianna Alexander

Photo Credits: Stephanie Ponnett 

A Letter from the Editor

It is back to the grind for some of us here at Penn State Harrisburg.  For others, it is a hearty welcome to college, a different world from what you're used to.  Either way, the campus is now flooded with faculty and students, where two weeks ago it was disturbingly empty.  It is back to the cramped lines in Stacks and the lines out to the first floor bathroom in Biscottis.  I suppose we can all be comforted by the fact that not much has changed, although Vartan Plaza is a definite visual improvement.

Our first week of classes has officially ended.  Some of us had a great week, meeting old friends and new friends, and, of course, finding out our class loads.  Others might have had a terrible week, but chin up, there's more time ahead of you to make the best out of the semester.  

In making the best of the semester, I encourage you guys and girls to get involved.  There are a ton of clubs out there, something for everyone.  Amongst those clubs is the Honors Club (not program).  The president, Bryan Tarkington, as well as the rest of the executive board, Zach Biggers, Vice President, Connor Slaybaugh, the Treasurer, and myself as Secretary, would love to have you around.  The Honors Club is hoping to do big things,  a possible name change for one, since it is open to not just Honors Program members but the general student body as well.  So keep your eyes and ears peeled for news about the Honors Club, and hopefully I will see some of you at future meetings.

I would also encourage you to come write for this blog.  We will need lots of writers with different experiences to speak of, not limited to the program experiences.  In an effort to turn a new leaf on a new year, I would like to shake things up for the former newsletter, now blog.

If anyone would like to help me with this endeavor (you must be a Penn State Harrisburg student), send an email to psuhbghonors@gmail.com.  I will be sure to reply to you.

Have a great semester and a fantastic year!  Until next time, goodbye Nittany Lions.


Written by Jeshanah McLeod
Senior English Major in the Honors Program at Penn State Harrisburg

Honors Business Students Tour Chicago's Financial District

As individuals in the finance world, we are relentless and determined.  This proved to be true for the weekend of October 20-23.  The officers of the Finance Club, including myself, used time management and lots of persuasion to get the Chicago Trip approved for 2011.  The trip proposal included costs for the charter bus, the hotel fees, and the description of what the whole plan focused on, our tour through the financial district.

Our journey started in the parking lot of the Olmsted building where we met our bus driver, Joe.  We spent the next 11 hours on that bus.  We were all so excited for Chicago; the sleepless night barely phased us.  Once we had arrived at the Club Quarters hotel located in the Chicago Loop, we anxiously readied ourselves for what the day had in store for us.

Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) was first on our itinerary.  As Dr. Cusatis and myself led the group of the other 19 students down a few wrong turns, we made it.  After passing through security and riding the elevators up seven stories, we had a bird’s eye view of the trading floor.  Most of trading in the technological savvy world that we live in is done electronically.  But before the high speed of the internet, computers, etc. trading was done through open outcry.   Just as the name suggest, it was professionals in the exchange yelling out orders and using hand signals, which were first used in the 1970’s,  to complete transactions.  The CBOE still uses this form of trading in certain parts of their operation.  We were fortunate enough to see this up close and personal as our tour guide, Russell, led us through the floor.  It was amazing to see some of the best in the business in action.

Our journey then took us to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) across the street, which had merged with CBOE in July 2007.  CME is a financial and commodity derivative exchange and are based out of Chicago.  Here we were able to see two different levels of open outcry trading take place, though only through the visitors view from above.  The CME’s trading floors were much larger and had more activity than we had previously seen at CBOE.  On the trading floor of CME you can distinguish one company from another and one job position from another by the color of their jacket.  For example, the corporation Cusatis&Crew who are trading in the pit might wear bright pink jackets to differentiate themselves from corporation Dr. T Traders who wear sunshine yellow.

Two students, including Evelyn Lenhart (right), VP of the Honors Program Club, on the Trading Floor in Chicago!

The group then had an hour or so for lunch.  Some of us decided to enjoy our meal at the Elephant & Castle which connected to our hotel.  Morningstar was next.  We were greeted by Melissa and Jessica who would be educating us on the ways of Morningstar for the next 45 minutes and then finishing with a tour of the building.  Morningstar is a leading provider of data and information within the financial industry in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.  As students of Penn State Harrisburg we have complete access to Morningstar Direct, which I take advantage of on a daily basis.  I would recommend anyone who is going into Finance to get certified on Morningstar as soon as possible; a lot of the top firms that you could potentially work for after graduation use Morningstar.

Before Dr. Cusatis started providing his genius expertise to students at Penn State Harrisburg, he had worked with a very intelligent woman in trading named Patricia Chambers (Patty).  Patty now works at Newedge as a Vice President for the upstairs sales desk trading futures.  And that’s where we were lucky enough to end our tour, on the trading floor of Newedge.  As a leading entity in global multi-asset brokerage, Newedge is a world leader in multi-asset execution and are based out of Paris.  Patty showed us around while speaking about her background and explaining what the company does.  It was one of my favorite parts of the day.  When she was finished and we had asked all of our questions, we left Dr. Cusatis to catch up with his dear friend and made our way back to the hotel.

This trip was fantastic.  It was a great opportunity to see how this industry works and to network with professionals.  We all had a wonderful time and can’t wait until our next trip.  The plan for the Spring ’12 semester is New York City.  If you would like to join us you can speak to any of the officers of the Finance Club.  Cheers!

PSH Finance Club Group picture on their Chicago Trip

Written by Emily Padjen, Senior Finance major in Honors Program at Penn State Harrisburg

Resumes, Cover Letters, and More!

Some tips from Career Services!

Why is a Resume important?
It is, in most cases, your first contact with a prospective employer. Unless you are handing the resume in person to an employer, it is the only means that employer has to assess your fitness for a position. Without that personal contact, such as at a job fair, the resume is your "first impression" and perhaps your only chance to impress.

Therefore, your resume needs to be concise and easy-to-read with a format that allows employers to pick up on your Accomplishments, Background and Capabilities (ABCs) and want to interview you for their positions. The Career Services website at www.hbg.psu.edu/careers has instructions and numerous student resume samples under the link of  "Employment documents".  Check these out to see how your fellow students have showcased their abilities and get ideas for your own.

Is a Cover Letter important?
In a word, YES. Unless you are meeting an employer face to face at a job fair, where you have a chance to further introduce and explain your goals, etc., you should always send a cover letter with your resume.  The cover letter should be in a professional, business letter format, clearly explaining why you are writing, what makes you an excellent candidate for their position, and how they can contact you or that you will followup.  Again, see our web pages for examples of the cover letter.

What about a Thank you letter? 
ABSOLUTELY. A brief  thank you letter should be sent to any employer who interviews you, or whom you meet at a fair. This extra step, showing an awareness of business etiquette  (and just general good manners) can go a long way to helping you make a good impression on anyone who has helped you in your job search.

For more information please visit the Career Services blog at the link here.