November Time Log

The REAL Stats (Via the computer)

Facebook Stats

Desert Hills High School had their 'College Week' November 17-21.  During that time, two days were dedicated to assisting students with college applications.  Each senior came to the counseling office during his or her English class to complete at least on college application.  I was mainly in charge of students who were filling out Dixie State applications.  Many students want to leave St. George for college, but we encouraged many to apply to Dixie as a back-up.  It's always good to have a safe alternative!  Anyway, college week helped boost the activity on my Facebook page by giving me another opportunity to talk to students about it. The screenshots above were taken during College Week.

Facebook Stats

Earlier in the semester I posted an email that I sent out to the DHHS seniors and their parents.  After sending that email, my FB page received some likes, but not as many as I would have liked.  I took some screen shots of the FB page and its (gradual) progress in the early stages on my phone.  (I didn't actually realize how different and in depth the statistics were on the computer.)

The first screen shot is from when I FINALLY broke the 30-like barrier.  I had a surprisingly difficult time doing that.  Students, and even parents, were unresponsive to my promoting attempts.  I would have to talk to classes on occasion, but it was hard for me to promote the page because the students were unable to use their phones during school.  I would have them write the name of the page down in a notebook, a planner, or even on their hand!  This would generate a small bit of activity when students would remember to like the page when they got home from school. 

The second and third screen shot were taken during the first part of college week.  I helped many kids with college applications and I would encourage them to like my page to receive scholarship information and deadlines.  This method was much more successful than simply hoping students would remember to like the page. 

October Time Log

Happy Wednesday! Apply for Scholarships... No really, do it now.

I feel like I am just bombarding students with scholarship info on social media... They will thank me later ;)

Today's post:

Happy Wednesday! Don't forget to apply for scholarships!
Here are a few that are due this month:

- Daniels Fund due November 15, 2014: To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be a resident of Utah, a high school senior, ACT composite score of 17 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
http://www.bbgcommunicationsservices.com/about.php

- First Freedom Student Competition ($2,500) due November 17, 2014: Students examine the First Amendment and the history and relevance of religious freedom.
http://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/scholarships/89941-first-freedom-student-competition

- Youth Volunteer Scholarship ($500) due November 29, 2014: Eligible students must have completed a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer work in the past 2 years and maintained a GPA of 3.5 or greater. Essay of 1000 words or less explaining why you have chosen to volunteer your time with the organizations you have and how your experience has changed your life.
http://www.bbgcommunicationsservices.com/about.php

ATTENTION!

I am at 29 Facebook likes! One more until I am a true Facebook... advertiser? 

Many colleges in the state of Utah have a December 1 scholarship deadline, so I am trying to make sure students/parents are aware that November will be over in no time.  Really, Thanksgiving is two weeks away.  What! Anyway, I posted a status along with a little picture I thought was funny... :)

Internship Update

DXATC Presentations: 

The last couple of weeks I have been presenting to the local high schools about an "alternate path" for higher education.  I work with the Dixie Applied Technology College and we have talked to three high schools so far about the medical programs DXATC offers.  Because DXATC offers free tuition to high school students, many high schoolers have the opportunity to participate in a program of their choice for more than half the regular price.

When talking to students, I try to explain some of the benefits of taking a class from DXATC (aside from the cost reduction).  I explain the college is EXPENSIVE.  I, too, was in their shoes not long ago.... Heck, what am I saying?  I AM CURRENTLY in their shoes.  Paying for school is hard! If I wanted to be a doctor, you bet I would go back to high school, take the Medical Assisting program, and then make about double of what I made with my first college job!  I try to relate to students.  They are so used to talking to counselors and other adults who went to college, but are now working and successful.  I tell them about not using the AC in the summer, eating Top Ramen every night, and having to buy laundry detergent.  (Isn't my mom supposed to do that?)  College seems so far away for them.  A lot of students don't want to worry about the not-so-appealing details of college.  It is my job to change that.

Our presentations have been successful.  We've collected over 200 inquiry cards from students who are interested in the medical programs DXATC offers.  Cheers!

Promoting "DHHS College Prep"

I published the Desert Hills Facebook page a few weeks ago, but I wasn't sure how to get the word out to parents and students.  I prepared an email and it was sent to all of the DHHS seniors, as well as their parents.

The school year is flying by!  As our seniors are preparing for college, application/scholarship deadlines are quickly approaching.  For your convenience, we have made a Facebook page where important dates and information will be posted regularly to ensure students do not miss out on schooling opportunities.  The Facebook page is called DHHS College Prep.  We hope this will be a helpful resource!  If you have any specific questions regarding college readiness, feel free to post a comment or send a message to the Facebook page, and we will do our best to answer your questions as soon as we can!
Thanks!
Jordyn Hanevold
College Access Specialist for DHHS

The email was sent right before fall break, and we have a little more than 20 followers so far.  I hope that will grow as parents and students continue to check their email!  I also plan on announcing the Facebook page to the seniors as I begin presenting to them in their classrooms.

Facebook Update

I posted some more links for financial aid/scholarship info on DHHS FB page:

SLCC Scholarship Info
Weber Scholarship Info
University of Utah Scholarship Info
Snow College Scholarship Info

I also posted a hopeful meme:

A Message From the "Kid President"

Have you seen this kid?  He gives better advice than most adults.  Also added to FB.

Facebook Update - Scholarship Info

I have been updating scholarship info to my DHHS Facebook page.  I posted Dixie's, SUU's, UVU's, and BYU's so far.

DSU Scholarship Information
BYU Scholarship Info
UVU Scholarship Info
SUU Scholarship Info

Generation WHY?

New post on FB - A Ted Talk that explains the importance of 'mastering yourself' in college.
Ted Talk

& a quiz to help determine appealing career choices
Career Quiz

The Facebook page has been published!

  

Current Posts: (October 3, 2014)

10 Most Common Senior Year Mistakes 

 &

(Because all seniors should know why it's important to apply for scholarships.)

September Time Log

Objectives

Program Learning Outcomes (Comm Department):

1.  Explain and apply concepts from communication theoretical traditions in small groups, business, interpersonal, mass media, and public settings.
2.  Create appropriate and effective messages based on skilled analysis of the audience and situation using mediated and non-mediated presentations with a variety of purposes (inform, persuade, entertain, advocate, and celebrate).
3.  Apply good reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving skills in interpersonal, small group, organizational, public, and mass media settings, while incorporating ethical principles of the discipline.
4.  Apply effective skills in researching, organizing, and writing appropriate professional documents, personal communication, and effective communication analysis.
5.  Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication knowledge and skills in achieving a global perspective.

My Personal Capstone Objectives:

1.  Communicate professionally and effectively with colleagues and high school students (4, 5)
2.   Learn how to create and understand statistics to improve my job area (1, 4)
3.  Improve my time management skills by prioritizing tasks that need to be completed (4)
4.  Become a better listener by practicing active listening and nonverbal communication to let others know I am engaged
5.  Improve my "customer" care by understanding the goals of Desert Hills High School Students and what they need to achieve them (2, 3)
6.  Create social media that informs high school students of useful information for their futures (2, 3)
7.  Gain the ability to adapt my presentations to fit the needs of my audience(2, 3)

Capstone Synopsis:

                 For my capstone project I am going to work with Desert Hills High School as a ‘College Access Advisor’ to ensure students are ready and prepared to continue their educations following high school.  To accomplish this, I will: 1.) lead presentations that inform each senior of the benefits of higher education, teach students how to apply for scholarships/financial aid, help students successfully apply to multiple colleges of their choice, individually meet with students who need extra help, help students prepare to take the ACT or SAT, and establish and run a Facebook page informing students of college deadlines, helpful ACT prep tips, advice, etc. 

I will be using communication theories, such as the Social Presence Theory, to ensure I am creating an appropriate, useful online presence for my audience.  I will develop my Facebook account and enhance my presentations as needed to fit the needs of my audience.  I will be organized and professional when meeting with students individually to guarantee I am helping them in the best way possible and building relationships.  As I work with students, I hope to discover new methods to better the post-high school process for them and their counselors. 

To measure my success, I will survey students on my presentation skills to determine whether or not they receive the message I am sending them, I will monitor and analyze my social media to see how often it is used, and I will compare the scholarship/financial aid/college applications/etc. statistics to those of the past few years.

The outcome and success of this project will be extremely valuable.  Higher education is so important and many students are interested in furthering their education, they just don’t know how.  At a large high school like Desert Hills, counselors are largely outnumbered and unable to maintain relationships with each student individually.  Because of this, students miss out on opportunities they have no idea about.  If my project is successful, counselors will be able to utilize social media as a source to help them connect with each student and keep them informed about information that is crucial to their futures.