Finding a Great Summer Internship

For many of us, the thought of applying for our dream summer internship or first professional position can feel overwhelming. We wonder if our resume is just right, or if we will be able to effectively answer the phone interview questions. As with many of the items that our blog has covered so far, preparation is key!

  

Remember that the job application process is more than just the interview or the resume. It is important to focus on and prepare for all of these stages:   

• Networking
• Resume
• Application and Cover Letters
• Interview
• Interview Follow-Up
• Job/Internship Performance

Another key to success with your resume, cover letters and interviews is knowing what skills, assets and experiences you uniquely bring to the position. Spend some time reflecting upon how you describe yourself, your education and your experiences. Perhaps you have been president of a student organization on campus. What did you specifically accomplish? What did you learn through the experience?

Need some assistance? A great place to start is with the Delta Zeta Job Guide found on Delta Zeta Metro > JobBound Video. Brad Karsh and his team at JobBound put together this resource specifically for Delta Zeta. The Guide will take you step by step through the job application as well as share tips for success in your first position. Also found in the JobBound Video Container on Metro are training videos on subjects ranging from dressing for success to the career fair. Finally, review the free resources that JobBound has available on their website.

Your college/university’s Career Services office can also be of great assistance to you during this process. Most likely they will have listings of internships or jobs available as well as offering mock interviews and resume reviews.

Share Your Tips. Delta Zetas who have previously gone through this process or who are in professional positions in charge of hiring, what other tips or resources would you share? What key interview skills should Delta Zeta collegians brush up on? What information do you like to see in a cover letter? Share your thoughts in the comments on this blog or on Twitter using the hashtag #DeltaZeta.

How Can My News Appear in The LAMP?

Guest Blogger: Nancy E. Brewer, Alpha, Director of Communications, Editor/The LAMP

  

This is one of the most-asked questions that the Editor of The LAMP of Delta Zeta receives from collegians and alumnae alike. And these days, it’s not just The LAMP, but how can my news appear on the Delta Zeta national website or be recognized via the Sorority’s social media channels?

The answer is easy! News submissions from collegians and alumnae can be made online using the Submit News form, via email to LAMP@dzshq.com, or snail mail to The LAMP Editor, Delta Zeta Sorority National Headquarters, 202 E. Church Street, Oxford, OH 45056. Members and chapter editors can submit their news in any of the ways described above.

Chapter News, Member News and news about Reunions and Gatherings is also posted to the national website, and we post significant news to the national Twitter and Facebook pages as well. This helps publicize more timely news prior to when it will be published in The LAMP itself, since the magazine is only published three (3) times a year. 

We encourage you to submit news to us as it happens. However, here are some general deadlines for the LAMP publication schedule:

• Issue 1 ............................................February 10
• Issue 2 ............................................June 10
• Issue 3 ............................................October 10

What type of news are we looking for? The best!

Remember, The LAMP is sent not only to all collegiate and alumnae members of the Sorority, but also to college or university presidents/chancellors and Directors of Greek/Student Affairs to keep them informed about what Delta Zeta is doing on the campuses where we have chapters. And on social media, we want our chapters and members to stand out when we post their exceptional news for others (not just members of Delta Zeta) to see. With that in mind, we are looking for outstanding news from both our members and chapters.

This includes news about exceptional collegiate leaders and achievers in all areas of campus life: academic, leadership, athletic and others. Or, are you or do you know an alumna who has received professional, philanthropic or community recognition for extraordinary work or service? Tell us!

Did your collegiate chapter receive recognition from your school or campus Panhellenic for exceptional programming or leadership? Did your chapter implement an outstanding service program, or raise a large amount of funds for a worthy cause? Did you stand up for U.S. veterans or let law enforcement officers in your community know they are appreciated? Do you tutor children with speech and hearing challenges, or did you volunteer in a developing country to help others? Tell us about these inspiring stories and accomplishments!

Please remember that although not all of your information may be used in The LAMP or online, chapter and member news is kept on file at National Headquarters and provides a valuable record of your chapter's achievements for our archives.

And don't forget to send your photos to LAMP@dzshq.com. See the photo criteria here for specifications on photos.

A note about photos

The LAMP Editor and the Editorial Committee do not control who sends in photos and news to The LAMP for the On Campus, Alumnae News sections, etc. The LAMP also has specific photo criteria for our publishing needs. Photos (99% of the photos we receive are digital) must be high resolution in order to reproduce well in the magazine. Please keep in mind that technical specifications for photos are the criteria that determine which photos are published in The LAMP.

What not to send

Because all members receive a lifetime subscription to The LAMP (alumnae receive the magazine at no additional cost to them), budget is always an important matter in the publication of the magazine. Therefore, space in The LAMP is reserved for news of national scope.

We encourage alumnae to share personal news of local interest with your State Alumnae Chairman or your local alumnae chapter (this includes engagements, marriages and births). We suggest that collegiate chapters post news about your latest new member class or sisterhood event to your chapter website or chapter’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has contributed wonderful news to us, all of which make Delta Zeta a tribute to its members. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact The LAMP Editor at LAMP@dzshq.com. Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your news and sharing it with our many audiences!

  

How Many More Weeks of Winter?

It is the middle of February and unfortunately Punxsutawney Phil tells us there will be several more weeks of winter. For some of us, winter makes us feel a little out-of-sorts, what is often referred to as “suffering from the winter blues.” Symptoms of the winter blues, and its more serious version Seasonal Affective Disorder, include apathy, fatigue, weight gain, boredom, difficulty concentrating, decline in general mood and decrease in interest in being social. Women tend to be slightly more likely to feel the effects of the winter blues.  

 

 

Tips to help combat the winter blues:

• Schedule regular exercise. Physical activity is even more important in winter months.
• Watch what you eat. Healthy diets, including the appropriate levels of fruits and vegetables, can help combat some winter blues symptoms. Particularly try to avoid overeating.
• Get enough sleep. Adults need an average of 5-8 hours per night. Try sticking to a set sleep schedule.
• Get outside, if possible. Participate in winter outdoor activities like ice skating, sledding or a hike. The combination of sunlight and social activity is helpful.

 

While experiencing some winter blues may be normal, it is also very important to be aware of when what you or one of your chapter sisters may be experiencing is not normal. If symptoms last longer than two weeks, interfere with daily life or result in thoughts of suicide, seek professional help as soon as possible. If at any time you are concerned about your own mental health or the mental health of a chapter sister, speak with student health services, your College Chapter Director, campus fraternity/sorority advisor or other trusted advisor on your campus. Your college/university has resources to help.

 

 

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=symptoms

http://medcom.uiowa.edu/health/new-coping-with-holiday-stress/

http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/counselingcenter/infosheets/winterblues.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning for Your Chapter's Future

This fall Delta Zeta will turn 110 years old. We can learn a great deal from our rich history, which includes both struggles and successes. Delta Zeta was founded by six extraordinary women and has been home to hundreds of thousands of accomplished women since that time. As diverse as our Founders were, one common characteristic that can be found in Delta Zeta history is their commitment to a vision. They knew what Delta Zeta could be, what they wanted it to be, and what they needed to do to make that happen. So 110 years later, the question is, what do you want your Delta Zeta experience to be and what do you need to do to make that happen? Where do you want your chapter to be in three, five or ten years?

While this can seem like a daunting task, a great place to start is a strategic plan. In simple terms, strategic planning is the process of defining where you wish your organization to be in the future, how you are going to get there, and how you will know when you have. Before you begin your planning, make sure you have a consensus within the chapter on who will be involved, what the process will be, how the plan will be reviewed and what is the timeline for your work. 

There are several ways to approach strategic planning, including goals-based planning, issues-based planning or balanced scorecards. One of the most common approaches is SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). SWOT analysis incorporates factors that are both internal and external to the organization.

• Strengths – internal characteristics of the organization which place it in a position for success
• Weaknesses – internal limitations of the organization which place it at a disadvantage
• Opportunities – external prospects for improving the organization or success
• Threats – external factors of the environment which may produce trouble for the organization

Most strategic plans contain the following components: mission, vision, goals and objectives. Some plans also choose to include values. After completing the SWOT analysis, you develop your plan by identifying goals and objectives. These goals and objectives will help you articulate specific action plans for each semester/quarter. Your College Chapter Director (CCD) and Regional College Director (RCD) are great women to include in your strategic planning process. They can offer feedback and suggestions for your chapter and Executive Board specifically.

A couple things to keep in mind: 1) strategic planning is never “done” – it is a continuous process; 2) what you do following the completion of the plan is important! Develop a communication plan and follow-through; 2) strategic planning is hard work. Throughout the process you will encounter differing opinions about the future of an organization for which you care deeply. Be patient and know that everyone is working in the organization’s best interest.

Don’t know where to begin? Explore some of the resources that Delta Zeta has for you. First, review the Sorority purpose: "The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters." - Constitution of the Delta Zeta Sorority, Article II, Sections 1. and 2.

Second, examine the Standards of Excellence, which can be found on DZ Metro > Chapter Officer Resources > Collegiate Resources > Standards of Excellence. Keep in mind that the Standards of Excellence are the minimum expectations to be a chapter in good standing; feel free to set goals exceeding those outlined. Finally, explore the Annual Report Process found on DZ Metro > Chapter Officer Resources > Collegiate Chapters Annual Report. Review Reports from previous years. It is important to know where you have come from and where you are currently to help plan for the future.

Good luck and best wishes on your strategic planning process!

Thinking About Hearts

Guest Blogger – Allison Lynch St. Germain, Alpha Upsilon, Director of Educational Technologies

How appropriate that it is Valentine’s Day and I’m thinking about hearts. A few weeks ago I thought this blog post would be about relationship health and wellness –I had even done some research on resources to provide our members on healthy relationships – but that all changed pretty quickly after a conversation at pre-school drop off. That morning another mom said, “Hey did you hear the news about Stephanie?” It turns out that the president of the PTA at my son’s school, a woman not much older than me who has children in third grade and kindergarten, was in a coma at the hospital. She had suffered a heart attack suddenly the night before while working at her computer. Wow, I thought. That could have been me, or any number of my other friends in their mid-thirties. I wish the story had a happier ending because despite the doctor’s best efforts, and the multitudes of people pulling and praying for her, Stephanie passed away about a week later. Who knows if the outcome could have been different; Perhaps Stephanie had warning signs of a heart attack, but since warning signs for women are different and less well known than for men, could they have gone unnoticed?

Since that time I’ve done a little research on women’s heart health. You might already be aware that February is Go Red for Women month with the American Cancer Society. And you might have seen this video which Elizabeth Banks directed and stars in called “Just a Little Heart Attack” .

But do you really know the signs that you could be having a heart attack? Do those around you know what a women’s heart attack looks like? My husband certainly didn’t know and I’m glad I shared the following signs of a heart attack from the Go Red website with him:
1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
2. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
3. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
4. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
5. As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

Perhaps the biggest take away is to NOT WAIT and call 9-1-1 right away. Even if the sink is full of dishes, laundry piled high on the couch, kids are yelling for attention and your email is dinging away on the phone, all of that can wait but your heart can’t. We all know Delta Zeta sisters who are trying to be superwomen and do it all but haven’t taken the time to care for themselves first. We need to take the time and take care of ourselves, and our hearts, because the alternative, like Stephanie’s family now knows, is too sad to think about.

Oh – and those resources about relationships – don’t worry! We will cover them in a later blog post… but for now – love your heart!

Working with your Campus Panhellenic

Guest Blogger Lynnda Wolf Hoefler, Delta Zeta National Panhellenic Conference Delegate

The relationship you have with your Campus Panhellenic is one of the most important that you have in Delta Zeta. Delta Zeta is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference or NPC. It is composed of 26 women’s fraternities. Panhellenic means “all Greek women”.

Each of the women’s fraternities remains autonomous as a Greek-letter society and has what are known as “sovereign rights.” The purpose of their association through the NPC is to foster relationships between the women’s fraternities, assist collegiate chapters of the NPC member groups, and to partner with colleges and universities in maintaining the highest scholastic and social standards.

Where two or more NPC groups exist, they form the campus’ College Panhellenic Association that is undoubtedly the largest women’s organization on the campus. The purpose of your College Panhellenic is to develop and maintain interfraternal relations through all-sorority programming efforts on campus. The College Panhellenic Council is the local governing body and is composed of one or more chapter representatives from each member group. Local sororities may also participate in the Panhellenic as Associate members. As a member of Delta Zeta, you are a member of the College Panhellenic Association and have an important role in advancing its mission. Perhaps you take part in philanthropy projects coordinated by the Panhellenic Council, wear your badge on International Badge Day (coming up on March 5th) or maybe attend a program sponsored by the Panhellenic. There are many ways that an individual member of Delta Zeta can become involved on her campus.

One of the most important ways to work with your College Panhellenic is to consider holding an Executive Board office. Delta Zeta encourages our members to seek leadership roles in this important campus organization. The College Panhellenic Council executive officers are representatives from each women’s fraternity on campus. These women are chosen through a selection process to lead the College Panhellenic. Each executive officer is responsible for a particular area of the College Panhellenic’s business and any committees that fall under her office.

The College Panhellenic executive officer selection process may include rotation, election or an election/rotation combination to provide successful leadership, and the equitable and fair representation of NPC member groups. Having the opportunity to serve on this important board is an exciting and unique leadership opportunity for our sorority.

All Delta Zeta chapters should elect or appoint a College Panhellenic Delegate who will attend the meetings and be our chapter’s voice and vote. A Panhellenic Delegate should be knowledgeable about Panhellenic issues on campus and communicate clearly between her chapter and its advisors, the Fraternity/Sorority or Panhellenic Advisor and the College Panhellenic. She should be familiar with the the governing documents of the Association, the NPC Unanimous Agreements and Manual of Information, campus recruitment rules, Codes of Ethics, and special agreements/relationship statements with the university regarding housing and awards programs. The role of the Panhellenic Delegate and Executive Board officers are very important. Delta Zetas must be active participants, well informed about policies and procedures and who take seriously the role of representing Delta Zeta in this important association. They must be fair minded and work for the benefit of the whole. Chapters that break the agreements of trust in their College Panhellenic Association violate the principals upon which all of us were founded.

NPC assigns Area Advisors to support both the collegiate and alumnae Panhellenics across the nation. Do not be afraid to reach out to this valuable resource for guidance regarding Panhellenic matters. The Delta Zeta NPC delegation is another important resource for Delta Zeta chapters when making decisions about opening the campus for a new chapter, changes to recruitment schedules or rules, regarding housing changes on the campus or when asked to sign standards agreements or relationship statements with the college or university. The national organization needs to know and wants to assist you with these most important decisions.

Fraternalism, and those who believe in it, have made it possible for this volunteer alliance of distinct inter/national organizations to remain unified and thriving for well over 100 years. We grow stronger working together than we ever could alone forging our own paths. Those of us serving in the Panhellenic world today still stand for the protection, perpetuation and growth of the finest ideals of women’s friendship. Be proud to be a Delta Zeta and a part of a very special Panhellenic sisterhood. Standing strong and working together we can make a difference for not only members of our organizations but as a voice for women everywhere.

For more information on the National Panhellenic Conference, please visit their website at www.npcwomen.org. Delta Zeta has resources for our members involved in their College Panhellenic in Metro – Chapter Officer Resources – Collegiate Resources and members of the Delta Zeta NPC Delegation can be found in the National Directory.

Tips for Attending a National/Regional Conference

Guest Blogger: Astrid Beltran, Western Illinois – EO 2006; Coordinator of Greek Life, Baylor University

Are you ready to enrich your Delta Zeta experience? As a fraternity/sorority advisor, I believe one of the best opportunities a collegiate sorority member can have is to attend a national/regional conference or convention. There truly is so much you can gain from attending conferences and conventions, such as enhanced leadership skills, chapter development ideas, networking opportunities, and new friendships with Delta Zeta sisters. While attending conferences and conventions is fun and exciting, it can be a little nerve-racking if you do not know what to expect. This blog post will provide you with some tips that will help you gain the most from your Delta Zeta or other fraternal conference experience.

As you begin packing your bags with your pink and green, also pack your brain with some ideas. Have an open mind toward the experience you are about to have. Collect some questions you might have to enhance your Delta Zeta experience, and make sure your mind is rested so it is ready to absorb plenty of knowledge. Once you arrive to the conference, get excited because you are about to meet sisters as well as other fraternity/sorority members from all over the country! Students often return from conferences and share that this was when they realized that Delta Zeta is much more than the chapter on their campus and that fraternity/sorority life is much larger than just their organization. You will meet and connect with young women from all walks of life, but what will bring you all together are your shared Delta Zeta values. You will also meet Delta Zeta alumnae of all ages who are giving back to the organization by volunteering their time to help enrich your experience. If you take the time to sit and talk with your newfound sister, you will be amazed by how much they have to teach you.

Throughout the conference sessions and events, you will have dialogues about best practices at other institutions, current issues within fraternity/sorority life and Delta Zeta, and how to live out our common fraternal values every day. Each conversation and conference session will provide a unique perspective, giving you more to think about and discuss with your chapter members. You will be surprised and amazed by how much information you will learn, and how many relationships you will build that can help you in your current leadership position. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities presented. Attend all sessions. Make connections over lunch or dinner.

At the end of your conference/convention experience, you will feel renewed and enriched. It is important to remember that once you return to your chapter, your sisters will not have this same feeling since they did not share this experience with you. Consider creating an action plan which outlines how you will create buy in within your chapter and implement your new ideas. Do not get discouraged when members do not immediately jump on board. Reflect back on your conference/convention experience for strength and wisdom. You may even contact a sister you met at the conference/convention for support and to continue sharing experiences.

What I at least hope each student will gain from attending her sorority convention or other fraternity/sorority conference are some wonderful new ideas to take back to her institution, a greater understanding of her organization’s purpose and values, a sense of renewal and most importantly a fond remembrance of why she chose her sorority. Whether you are apprehensive or very excited to attend, rest assured that your experience will be unique, educational and rewarding.

Enriching U: New Member Education Program

During Fall 2011, Delta Zeta was pleased to launch its New Member Education Program via Enriching U, Delta Zeta's online education site. Please watch this video for a preview of the New Member Education Program on Enriching U. A full transcript is provided below.

Enriching U is the place for personal, leadership and membership development for Delta Zeta members. We like to explain it as our online Delta Zeta University; where our members take part in sessions tailored to their Delta Zeta experience to enhance their knowledge of both the sorority and themselves. It is also the new home for Delta Zeta’s New Member Education Program.

Enriching U lives on Metro, Delta Zeta’s private, social network. All new members as well as appropriate chapter officers and advisors will have the Enriching U container on their Metro page. Simply click through to begin your sessions.

The New Member Education Program has ten sessions, plus the National Exam. Modules come in a variety of formats. Some present the information in a Powerpoint like slide show, others are tabs which the new member can read through at her own pace. For example, in Session 2 on History and Heritage, new members will learn the story of Delta Zeta through a timeline and also explore each of our Founders in depth.

Each session in the new member program also contains Journal Entries. These Journal Entries encourage new members to reflect upon what they are learning and how they are experiencing their new member period within Delta Zeta.

The New Member Education Program in Enriching U provides each member access to the Scholarship Plan with the top navigation link. A new member can set her academic goals, class details for the semester and other details like her major, GPA goal, academic “buddy,” etc. We all know that success begins with setting goals, so we encourage all of our new members to use this tool.

Enriching U allows us to take a different approach to education. New members will learn about Delta Zeta through the site by taking the sessions and quizzes before a meeting and will come to new member meetings prepared and able to talk about what they have learned. This allows the Vice President of New Member Education to be able to focus on how to incorporate our history, beliefs and values into the new members’ daily lives – thus helping make the New Member Education Program a resource and not just something they have to do.

New lesson plans and other resources have been developed to help guide our Vice Presidents through the educational process. These resources are in Metro – New Member Education container – New Member Resources. We also have a special section in the Chapter Officer Resources – Collegiate resources container for Enriching U which includes a Program guide.

If you have any questions about the New Member Program, please contact Christi Mayer, National New Member Education Chairman. You may also send any questions to enrichingu@dzshq.com.