If you have a Junior or Senior in High School, you need to read this: 

For students finishing up their college careers or even business people looking to succeed in their current jobs, no question is more common than, “How do I stand out?”. As one of our readers, “John Con”, asks,

“What do you wish you did/didn’t do in college that would help you succeed today or more precisely- what will make a person stand out?”

As I am constantly being asked this question by other friends just finishing college and even older friends who are looking to improve or change their careers, I want to put my thoughts and experiences thus far out for communal cogitation.

These are not so much the specific actions I believe are best; there is no specific combination of activities that guarantees success. However, this is a set of goals that allow you to stand out and can be achieved through any number of paths.

1. Be a Whole Person: Go with the depth of experience that external activities can provide.

2. Be Passionate: Notice it says “be passionate” not “show passion” or “feign excitement”. Those around you can quickly detect whether you are truely passionate about the organization you are working for or the position you are interviewing for. Once you are in a given role you need that passion even more to spread to those around you for motivation and to demonstrate commitement to your manager (without even trying because you believe in what you’re doing).

3. Be a Leader:  Everyone talks about “leadership”, there are even majors and innumerable development courses for it but, it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Find something you are passionate about and learn what it takes to lead by interacting with people who have similar beliefs. Gather the thoughts, opinions and goals of the group, combine them with your vision and help the group achieve them by planning  strategy with them, not for them.  Your passion to lead change, in any group whether political, academic, athletic or otherwise, is directly translatable to leading in the constantly changing corporate environment.

4. Be Reflective and Relative:  Every single business out there is looking for improvement and advancement. This forward-looking progress is often the result of reflecting on the current process and interpreting it for improvement. As Revan states “Lasting behavioral change is more likely to follow the reinterpretation of past experiences than the acquisition of fresh knowledge”. Take the time to reflect on what you have done, how you can improve it, and how it relates to other areas or people in your life.”  This isn’t just the usual tip Career Services hands out as you fill in the last few lines of your resume, it is an integral part of any interview. If you spend every spare minute working and studying rather than pursuing your other passions you will quickly run out of material for situational interviews. In fact, a number of the recruiters I have talked to actually frown on a straight 4.0 students to the point of being especially critical of those with above a 3.8. Don’t take this as an excuse to not study but, when you’re faced with a choice between taking part in a student organization or a committee and studying to make sure you get a straight 4.0, go with the depth of experience that external activities can provide.

5. Be Externally Aware
Having a basic knowledge of what is going in your industry and the business world in general can help not just in your interview but throughout your career as you encounter problems. Many innovations are merely the result of an externally cognizant manager applying a new technology or process in a way never considered before. Without external awareness, you will be less able to make these new adaptations and cross-applications. Get out there, read news, keep a finger on the pulse of the blogosphere for different perspectives that never make it to the mainstream and finally, read books, it’s the only way to get your head out of the whirlwind of up-to-the-minute daily news.
Written for Dumb Little Man by Brandon who blogs with 4 other young professionals about “Work, Life and the pursuit of happiness”at NewlyCorporate.com.

1. Know the requirements for graduation. Check your school district’s Web site or the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Web site, or call your district for details.2. Explain why it’s important to graduate from high school and point out success stories from family and friends and also what happened to some of those that never graduated. Talk about hopes and dreams and how earning a diploma can help make them real.

3. Stay in the loop. Talk to your child frequently about how he or she is progressing. Updates at dinnertime is a good start.

4. Talk to teachers and counselors about how your child is doing and ask what you can do to help.

5. Remember that meeting the state’s graduation requirements is hard work. Provide your child with a quiet place to get homework done and make sure he or she knows it’s “Job Number One” for them at this time in their lives.

6. Have fun. The work is hard, but the senior year can be enjoyable for students and their families. If you work together and enjoy activities along the way, it will be easier for everyone.

What students must do to graduate in 2008

For Capistrano Valley District students, go to:  http://www.capousd.org/testdocs/GraduationRequirements.pdf

For Saddleback Valley District students, go to:  http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/news/SVUSDLegislativePlatform.pdf

For Irvine Unified School District students, go to:  http://www.iusd.org/education_services/GraduationRequirements.html

For Laguna Beach District students, go to:  http://www.lagunabeachschools.org/PDFs/6000s/Board_policy_6015_Graduation_Requirements.pdf

For Newport-Mesa Unified District students, go to:  http://www.nmusd.k12.ca.us/

Are you a talented writer? You can gain valuable experience and win cash awards and scholarships through writing competitions and contests designed especially for students. The list below includes some of the most notable competitions. Please note: some of the competitions are still wrapping up this current year’s proceedings. If you find the deadline for the competition has passed, you can bookmark the site and check back frequently for updates.

1. Alliance for Young Artists and Writers: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

This competition offers young scholars the opportunity to earn national recognition, publication opportunities, and scholarship awards. Students who reside in the U.S. and Canada and attend school grades from 7-12 are eligible to participate in this highly regarded competition.

2. Weekly Reader Contests

Weekly Reader Online© offers several competitions every year to encourage young readers and writers to refine their creative talents and earn prize money and recognition. You’ll find poetry contests, short story competitions and more. Keep checking this site throughout the year for updates.

3. Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Competition

Signet Classics awards $1,000 scholarships to juniors and seniors in the U.S. To enter this competition students must write an essay that answers one of four questions about the book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You will need the help of a teacher to enter this competition.

4. EPIC New Voices 2008 Writing Competition

The goal of this competition is to improve student literacy through traditional modes as well as through new technology. You can win cash or an e-book reader by submitting an original essay or short story. Students from around the world are eligible.

5. Mystery Writers of America: Helen McLoy/MWA Competition

Love a great mystery? Do you think you have what it takes to be a mystery writer? The MWA seeks to encourage and nurture young writers by offering yearly awards of $500 to two aspiring mystery writers.

If you get a chance today, read Dan Walters’ column on our schools here in California and what is happening to them.  A must read for every parent!

” Were words alone-sheer verbiage- powerful enough to fix California’s huge and hugely troubled public education system, the problem would have been resolved years ago….”   Link to the article below.

http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/california-school-schools-1922837-education-educational