Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
Mental health and physical health are fundamentally linked
Excerpts from article Ray Schroeder, published in Insider Higher ED
As higher education adapts to teaching and learning at a distance, the workload and the learning load of adopting a new delivery mode is taking a huge toll on the lives of those in higher education. This is an immense problem that is growing rapidly. While there are some students who are thriving through online learning, the toll of the virus, isolation, increased workloads and other associated effects are rising among many students, staff and faculty members. It must not be underestimated. Every institution must address these challenges that threaten the well-being of their constituents.
Faculty members are feeling the huge stress of remaking their classes into effective digital forms. The additional workload and concomitant anxiety are heaped upon the already multifaceted responsibilities of faculty. The added load has heightened the concerns over faculty burnout. So many faculty members who already live on the edge of burnout in meeting the teaching, advising, research and publication expectations are facing an emotional letdown or even collapse.
Mental health and physical health are deeply interrelated. The mental and emotional pressures faculty and students may be experiencing can be expressed in deteriorated physical health. Anxiety and stress can lower immunity, subjecting people to illness, and not just the common cold. People with high levels of self-reported distress are found to be 32 percent more likely to die of cancer; depression has been associated with heart disease. These effects are life altering and destructive.
For most students the strain begins with the eyes. Those unaccustomed to squinting at poorly adjusted computer screens in sub-optimum ambient lighting are subjected to eyestrain that can have lasting effects. Ophthalmologists recommend taking breaks from screen reading every 20 minutes and adjusting room lighting to avoid glare and reflections.
Supporting the mental health needs of online students is a critical mission for each university. The radical change in lifestyle can feed loneliness, anxiety and even lead to depression. On campus, those students may be observed by classmates, resident advisers and other campus staff who observe students informally every day. But, online, those students often are not seen by fellow students, advisers or others. They are living in unobserved anonymity. Faculty are often the primary direct contact with online students. A number of key indicators of possible concern are identified in this article by Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti, which cites important research by Bonny Barr of Creighton University.
The COVID-19 crisis is taking a heavy toll. But, early on, it is clear that the stresses are disproportionately placed on the shoulders of women. The international aid organization CARE conducted a study of indirect impacts of the crisis among more than 10,000 men and women.
The report also found that more than half of the women studied had encountered some sort of income loss as had one-third of the men. The loss of income, added to the pressures of less contact with others and the need to adapt to digital exchanges makes for even more challenges.
So, those at the front line of engaging students have enhanced responsibilities in this COVID time. We need to be both vigilantly observant of possible symptoms of serious problems while at the same time, being gracefully supportive of our learners.
There is need for an enhanced institution wide atmosphere of generosity, support, tolerance and grace in this COVID time.What are you doing to help address this slowly unfolding crisis?
Career
5 things to keep in mind before applying for your first internship or job
Excerpts from article published in India Today
As the situation is gradually changing, thousands of people are applying to jobs every day hoping for a better future and good pay. As most of the people are working from home globally, the hiring process is also being conducted virtually.
While many people might be habitual to professional emailing, attending video interviews, and virtual group discussions, freshers might find these things difficult. If you are also in a similar situation, here are a few things that can help you in your first virtual internship or job application.
1. Understand and analyse the job description
It is important to read, understand, and analyse the job description as it helps you understand your capabilities for the job. You will know the skills you have and the ones you will need to polish, what your everyday tasks and your daily routine will look like, your eligibility for the role, and what unique skills or experience you would be able to offer which other candidates won’t.
You must also read job descriptions posted for the same role by competitor organisations and be certain which role would benefit you the most.
2. Research about the organisation
An organisation’s expectations and requirements from an employee is directly proportional to its mission and vision. To be a valuable asset to the organisation, you must research in advance about the company.
Find out the history, how the company started, background and professional details of the CEO, work-culture and values etc.
3. Beginner-friendly preparation
Beginner-friendly online placement preparation training helps freshers like you, to prepare professionally for your first internship or job. The training is usually divided into multiple modules where you learn to
hunt jobs through on-campus and off-campus placements and polish your most valuable skills. You also get complete expert assistance required to build a professional resume, a cover letter, your portfolio, and your social media presence.
The training also features a step-by-step guide that helps you design your resume and cover letter with the help of examples. Topics such as essential interview etiquette and questions to ask the employers are also covered in the training.
4. Set up space for your virtual interview
Make sure that you create a separate, private, and quiet space in your home where nobody would interrupt you. Also, keep a printed copy of your resume and work samples with you and recall your work experiences again, test and check your internet connection beforehand, log-in before the recruiters and join the interview 15-20 minutes before to see if your camera and microphone work fine.
Setting up a comfortable interview space will boost your confidence, reduce nervousness, let the interviewer know that you are fully prepared, and help in a smooth uninterrupted interview.
5. Follow up with the interviewer
After completing the interview process, you should follow up with the interviewer and send them a thank you message for giving you the opportunity. A follow-up email or letter gives you another chance to highlight the qualifications that make you the right fit for the role and showcase your willingness and enthusiasm for the post. Mention details that you missed on in the interview.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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Very informative and helpful.
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