Lucas Alven, Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA – All throughout the La Salle University campus, student workers can be commonly found performing various tasks for their jobs. But besides earning paychecks, what do they do at work, and what impact do they have on the university’s community? 

Madeline Wanzer is a junior history major and works for enrollment management. She holds the position of admissions campus explorer which is responsible for giving tours and helping run any events for enrollment and admissions, such as open houses.Wanzer started working her job in June of this year. However, her interest in the position began long before that.

“I knew even before I committed to La Salle that wherever I went, I would want to share why I went there,” said Wanzer. “I knew when I was going on tours [that] I would want to be a tour guide.”

Wanzer said that her job has taught her more than she knew she could do. “I never thought I’d be the type of person who could run an event and help set that up and deal with all that stuff. Guess what? I can,” she said.

Wanzer is not the only student worker at La Salle to discover something they didn’t know about themselves. Andrew Noel is a senior criminal justice major who is in his third year of working for the La Salle Art Museum.

“I went on handshake and found an opening for the museum,” said Noel. “I was like, it sounds pretty cool. So I applied on a whim and never thought that I would enjoy it as much as I did.”

Noel is responsible for sitting at the museum’s front desk to greet people and give them the ground rules for the space. He also is responsible for setting up and breaking down events in the museum, among other miscellaneous tasks.

Noel said that working at the museum does not align with any of his career goals. However, through his time working there he has learned how to talk with different people and keep them happy. “I think that the La Salle community has given me a lot,” said Noel. “To kind of give back, even in a small way, feels nice.”

While Noel’s student job does not match his career goals, senior communication major M’Khai Marcano’s does. Marcano has worked on the media team for the university’s athletics department since his freshman year.

“[Going] into school, I always knew [that] I wanted to be in some form of the media,” Marcano said. “I wasn’t sure how to get my foot in the door.”

Through the connection of an upperclassmen friend who was taking photos for the basketball team, Marcano was able to start working with La Salle Athletics’ media team where he began operating the baseline camera for all home basketball games. Now, his responsibilities expand to taking photos and editing videos for many various La Salle Athletics teams.

“I definitely think this past year has opened my eyes [to] how much I contribute [to the La Salle community],” said Marcano. “During the soccer season… the coach came up to [the media team] and [said] we love what you guys are doing, keep it up [because] it really propelled our team to win.”

La Salle has been transparent with its financial struggles and cost-cutting efforts towards the academic structure of the university. While no reports have come out regarding budget cuts for student workers, the possibility of it happening remains.

Jamila Robinson, Staff Writer

As you pursue your higher education goals, you’ll encounter various life lessons—some will come easily, while others may be more challenging. Yes, that’s correct; there’s no way to avoid it. If you’ve been coasting through your classes, submitting assignments late and doing only the bare minimum, this article aims to help you navigate the essential lessons you’ll need for “life’s classroom.”

Professional development can be defined in several ways. The most common is a way to improve your skills and knowledge to advance your career. However, for the purposes of this article we are going with a different definition: the basic practices and personal processes that you as an individual will need in order to help you navigate the professional landscape. 

We shouldn’t take for granted that everyone is completely familiar with these processes, and it’s always beneficial to provide reminders. Here are some essential professional etiquette tips for new graduates to remember as you embark on your career with your newly earned degree. It’s also important to feel confident in addressing matters that impact you personally. Unfortunately, your parents won’t be able to “speak on your behalf.” This transition may be challenging for some, but it will become easier as you grow accustomed to advocating for yourself.

Email 

1. Create an email that is professional–you represent the organization, not yourself
2. Be sure to create an email signature that includes your contact information
3. Check your emails in a timely manner
4. Do not open suspicious emails, and do not do use the work laptop for play, as they are monitored

Phone

1. Create an email that is professional–you represent the organization, not yourself
2. Be sure to create an email signature that includes your contact information
3. Check your emails in a timely manner
4. Do not open suspicious emails, and do not do use the work laptop for play, as they are monitored

Meetings

1. Utilize your calendar and check daily for any meetings that you are involved in
2. Attend meetings on time and be prepared with some writing tools and paper
3. Take your laptop and remember the charger 
4. Put your cell phone on silent
5. Engage: ask questions, pay attention and be ready to provide input
6. Provide feedback and updates if you are working on projects

Attire

1. Watch the room and pay attention to what the dress culture is like for the organization
2. Do not overuse perfumes/cologne and be mindful of others in the office
3. Do not wear anything that is ripped/torn/with holes in the office
4. Business casual is not jeans/short skirts/revealing tops unless otherwise informed

Social Media

1. Make sure to find out the policy of this upon starting a new job, as posting might not be advised
2. Do not talk about things happening in the workplace on any platform because it could be a breach of contract 
3. Do not post anything that would hinder your chances of gainful employment

Remember that if you will be out or running late, out sick or have some other emergency, inform your direct supervisor. If you have questions about your benefits, you will contact Human Resources. If you have questions about your pay, you will contact Payroll. If any issues should occur on the job, you will also talk with Human Resources.

At times, you may be paired with someone who will guide you through the organization or provide training; this is not a moment for complaints. Instead, stay attentive, ask questions and seek clarity if you’re uncertain. Remember, this is a trial period: you were hired to fulfill a specific role, and the first 90 days serve as your evaluation period. Ensure that you are performing well to secure your position permanently. If you are involved in a project, keep all stakeholders informed about status updates or any changes. Maintaining open and effective communication is essential.

At some point, you may find yourself attending a professional association conference, and while this might make you feel a bit anxious, there’s no need to worry. Students and recent graduates are genuinely welcomed and encouraged to participate in these events. Professional associations are eager to expand their membership, with fostering engagement as a primary objective. Moreover, they strive to create peer-mentor relationships, connecting members to valuable opportunities. Attending these conferences is an excellent way to enhance your professional development and engagement.

At these events you will meet other industry leaders, recent graduates and well-seasoned professionals, be able to work the room and meet other people outside of your company, and gain expertise. It is also a reminder to you that networking isn’t merely an exchange of business cards but it can be a very rewarding connection where you can gain so much creatively, professionally and personally. This is a great opportunity to work on your soft skills and practice working the room. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

1. Look at the agenda beforehand and identify speakers and sessions that are important to you. Sometimes presentation material is made available to attendees after the event, so don’t worry if you miss a session you were interested in.
2. It is better to attend with friends, but also meet new people, have lunch with them, talk about the professional topics and hobbies and be an active listener.
3. Be sure to have paper or virtual business cards to collect and share; remember you are making connections.
4. If you can submit a proposal to present, presentations give others the opportunity to see you in action and the passion behind the person will show.

Finally, have fun; conferences do not have to be all work, especially if you are in a different city or country. Get out and explore with other conference attendees, and be safe.

Peyton Harris, Editor 

The eleventh month of the year, November, typically encompasses that post-Halloween, pre-Christmas no-man’s-land with Thanksgiving thrown in the mix. For students, it’s the crunch time before final exams and where calculations are made about what grades are needed to pass our classes. Since 2003, a health movement surrounding this month has grown exponentially: Movember.

You may be asking, what is Movember? Just a typo from clicking the next letter over on the keyboard? Not at all. In November 2003, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery got together in Melbourne, Australia and encouraged 30 others to grow a mustache along with them. They saw that the mustache had fallen out of recent fashion and joked about bringing it back for a purpose. Together with their original “Mo Bros,” they centered their campaign around men’s health. 

Garone and Slattery were inspired to raise funds after witnessing a friend undergo cancer treatments. The duo decided that the first formal cause of Movember would be awareness for prostate cancer, while fundraising for further treatment research. As the movement progressed, three central causes have become the group’s focus: to fight prostate cancer, testicular cancer and treatment of men’s mental health and suicide prevention. 

Now, 21 years later, the cause boasts over five million “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” working to “change the face of men’s health.” By 2030, Movember aims to help 25% of men lost to these diseases to seek preventative treatment. 

In an interview with Cancer Wellness Magazine, U.S. Executive Director Mark Hedstrom said, “What I’ve come to understand is that the language of the health system in most markets doesn’t really speak to men in the way they want to be spoken to. So when you get to mental health, they don’t have permission to even talk about [it]. They won’t even engage a therapist because that whole process is not set up for men to engage in the way that they would want to engage.”

The goal of Movember is to get men talking – to each other, with healthcare professionals and to themselves. Often, the best advocate for your health is yourself. By encouraging men to be open with their health concerns, Movember aims for a healthier, safer and happier culture among men. While we’re already one week into the month, anyone wishing to support the cause is still welcome to join. The “rules” regarding Movember participation from the cause’s website are:

1. Register on the homepage and begin the 1st of November with a clean-shaven face.
2. Each “Mo Bro” must grow and groom a mustache during the entire month.
3. No beards, goatees, or fake mustaches are allowed.
4. Use your mustache to start conversations and raise funds for men’s health.
5. Conduct yourself like a true gentleman.

For more information on the movement, how you can support and further the cause and other resources, check out www.us.movember.com and Movember’s social media platforms.

Jamila Robinson, Staff Writer

In the United States we have a tradition of celebrating Homecoming, but do you really know why we celebrate this occasion? Homecoming has many meanings, but for the purpose of this article, Homecoming is a celebration that takes place at a school or college, usually in the fall, to welcome back alumni and celebrate school spirit. Sometimes, Homecoming consists of a week of events, including a pep rally, parade and a big football game that’s typically a match-up against your school’s rival. 

Homecoming celebrations date back to the early 1900s, first originating on college campuses in America. In 1910, the University of Missouri held the first official Homecoming event, with college students on the school’s campus requesting that alums return to their alma mater to cheer alongside them at a football game. Since this first “welcome back” event, students have added activities before and after the big game to unite the student body and rejoice at the start of a new school year.

It was not until the 1920s that Homecoming Week infiltrated high schools. Since the first Homecoming at the University of Missouri, the celebration has grown in purpose and scope. What originally was a chance to get together with old friends and watch a football game has evolved into a week-long class competition to see who has the most school spirit. The week usually has a theme–like decades, cartoons or movies–and the scored events that take place throughout the week require you to be within the confines of the subject matter.

Homecoming offers a wonderful opportunity for personal reflection on your achievements and a chance to reconnect with classmates and faculty. It’s a moment to remember the growth and perseverance that shaped you during your academic journey. Additionally, it’s a time to give back—consider sharing your time by speaking to a class in your former major, showcasing your talents and offering insights and strategies. Donations are also appreciated, as the university is always grateful for your contributions.
Here at La Salle, we are proud to welcome alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff home again to participate in many events throughout Homecoming Weekend. Our Homecoming Weekend is planned for Nov. 8-9, 2024, it will include tents on the quad, a doubleheader La Salle men’s and women’s basketball game, Alumni Awards Dinner, 50th Class Reunion, a Brunch Celebrating Lasallian Women in Leadership and more! There is an action-packed weekend planned full of fun activities, exciting games and prizes. All events are open to students, and your attendance is encouraged. Be sure to formally register and see a full list of events here. You can also make payments.