Jamila Robinson, Staff Writer

This article is coming after our annual career fair that was held recently on campus, and the event was attended by over 90 employers from a variety of industries and career clusters, including recruiters, alumni and professionals in their respective fields. But don’t fear, it is never too late for useful information and there is another career fair fast approaching. The Health Sciences Career Forum will be held on Feb. 25, 2025, from 12-2 p.m. in Founders Hall Auditorium. This forum is primarily focused on those majoring in the health sciences professions, however any students interested in gaining valuable experience and exposure to how a career forum is executed should attend. You’ll have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with numerous recruiters from top employers in Philadelphia and beyond. 

It is encouraged that you register for this event through Handshake to also receive daily updates. Please dress to impress in business professional attire. If attire is an issue you can also visit the career closet to find the appropriate items. You can contact the Career Center for entry. Also, be sure to bring updated copies of both your resume and some business cards. Here are a few personal tips that might be useful to you on the day of the career fair.

Know How to Shake Hands.

This might seem like second nature, but surprisingly it can be difficult for many. A good handshake gives a positive impression. Handshake etiquette varies. One excellent tip is to observe other handshakes at the career fair then make any adjustments necessary.

1. Be the first to extend your hand. This shows confidence.

2. Make eye contact.

3. Get the grip right. Practice with a friend to make sure you aren’t gripping too much or too little.

4. Pump only once or twice, then release hands.

Know How to Introduce Yourself.

Give the recruiter your first and last name while you are shaking hands. Release hands, then give a 20-second introduction of yourself. 20 seconds isn’t much time, but it’s enough to cover the basics:

1. When you will graduate

2. Your degree or major

3. End with a specific question about the company.

Know How to Answer: “Tell me about yourself.”

This is a tough question that you will have to answer many times in your career, so it’s important to stand out from the crowd. This is your opportunity to share your strengths and make a memorable impression, but keep the answer focused on professional job skills. 

List professional achievements.

You may not have any professional accomplishments yet. That’s okay. You can substitute an academic achievement or skip on to the next question. 

Highlight 2-4 things that make you stand out.

Are you meticulous? Do you have good problem-solving skills? 

Explain why you want to work for this particular company.

This is your chance to show that you’re prepared and are genuinely interested. Read the company’s mission statement on their website. What draws you to this company? 

Additionally, follow the helpful steps below to enhance your career search; being well-prepared will serve you well. 

1. Research the Companies: Before attending the fair, take some time to research the companies that will be present. Understand their mission, values and the types of positions they offer. This knowledge will enable you to ask insightful questions and demonstrate genuine interest in their organization.

2. Network Effectively: Use this opportunity to connect with professionals and alumni. Engage in conversations, exchange contact information and follow up with a thank-you email to leave a lasting impression.

3. Stay Organized: Keep track of the companies you interact with and the names of the recruiters you meet. Jot down important points from your conversations to assist with follow-up communications.

By taking these steps, you will not only maximize your experience at the career fair but also set a strong foundation for your future career endeavors. Should you require additional guidance or assistance be sure to visit the Career Center, located in Founders’ Hall Room 128. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit their site here. 

Good luck, and remember that every interaction is a chance to learn and grow.

Jamila Robinson, Staff Writer

This week, as we all scrolled through social media and watched the news, a deep heaviness weighed on many. With the growing concerns about what the future holds, it became very clear that this was the time that we should lean on each other. Community can be a healing method for loneliness, isolation and times when we feel disconnected from the world. The relationships, the connectivity and the bonds you form are what create the essence of community.

The overwhelming noise and chaos made me consider stepping away entirely. If you’re feeling a little unsettled, upside down or a tad alone in the same ways, please take heed and adjust yourselves accordingly. Social media has been a blessing in many ways, serving as a catalyst to reconnect with long-lost friends, stay in touch with family from afar and make new connections through shared interests. However, recently it has been a place of disdain and discord, at times turning friends into foes and filled with much confusion, hate and visceral attitudes towards both friends and neighbors. It made me realize that we need to be the change we all are seeking.

We have the power to make this world brighter. We can choose what we consume, share and allow. We can choose to support vendors and businesses that align with our values, celebrate those who uplift and inspire us and find beauty even in the midst of a chaotic world. Despite the constant messaging of division and anger, we hold the power to stay grounded, lift each other up and create peace within our circles. 

I know these times can feel heavy. I, too, catch my mind spiraling sometimes. But I’ve learned that even in the darkness, there is beauty. When we focus on blessings, community and love, we add light to our souls. That light is contagious—it spreads, ignites and reminds others of their own power to shine. This is our time to shine brighter than ever before. And with everything going on in the world, I feel a deep calling for us to lean in together, hold hands more tightly and rise collectively.

If you’ve been feeling a little off—like the world is spinning too fast, or your spirit feels unsteady—here are three simple ways I’m staying grounded and finding peace amidst it all, ways I hope may be useful for you as well:

1. Limit your scrolling:
   Take a pause to unfollow accounts that bring anxiety or negativity into your day. Stay informed, but consider using a reputable news app instead of doom-scrolling.

2. Lean into your community:
   Whether it’s a professional group, a nonprofit or your faith community, go inward. Surround yourself with people who value connection, love and unity.

3. Support small businesses:

Supporting local businesses is one of the most impactful ways to uplift our communities.

These are intense times, but together, we have the power to create safe spaces, spread love and lift each other higher. Sometimes, all it takes is a warm hug, a kind word or a gentle reminder that we’re not alone.

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.

Lucas Alven, Staff Writer

On Oct. 14, 2024, Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrated his 25th anniversary as a professional wrestler by teaming in a match with Shota Umino and El Phantasmo to take on EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, the group referred to as House of Torture. The two teams clashed until Tanahashi jumped off the top rope performing his signature move, the high fly flow. After the match, Tanahashi grabbed the microphone and announced that he will retire on Jan. 4, 2026, capping off an accomplished career.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, 48, is a wrestler and the president for New Japan Pro Wrestling, which is the largest and oldest pro wrestling promotion in Japan. For the past 20 years he has been one of the biggest stars in all of Japanese pro wrestling. Tanahashi’s accomplishments in New Japan Pro Wrestling include holding the promotion’s top belt, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, a record eight times, winning the prestigious G1 Climax tournament three times and the being the second person in the company to become a Grand Slam Champion, which is a person who has won four distinct championships while wrestling for a promotion.

Throughout his 25 year  career, Tanahashi’s success extended even beyond his championship wins. He is commonly attributed to being the person who saved New Japan Pro Wrestling during its dark ages in late 1990s and early 2000s. His popularity and talent also put him at the forefront as a top star for his promotion as it began to expand into the western market.

On Oct. 23, Tanahashi held a formal press conference regarding his retirement. He explained that the reasoning behind his retirement was due to issues with keeping his knees and abs in proper shape. These issues still are not stopping Tanahashi from performing with the time he has left.

“I want to be on every tour, going forward,” said Tanahashi. “I want to wrestle singles matches with everyone on our roster, from [rookie wrestlers] to veterans.”

One question asked Tanahashi if there were any possibilities of him competing against an outside wrestler who does not work for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He expressed interest in wrestling against old rivals like Katsuyori Shibata and Shinsuke Nakamura who live in the United States and are contracted to All Elite Wrestling and WWE respectively. However, he said that those potential matches have “a lot of hurdles to overcome.”

The retirement press conference ended with the wrestler EVIL interrupting to challenge Tanahashi to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on Jan. 4, 2025. Wrestle Kingdom is New Japan Pro Wrestling’s premier annual show that always takes place on Jan. 4 at the Tokyo Dome, a tradition since 1992.

The match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom 19 was made official a few days after their interaction at the press conference. Their grudge match will be held in the same building where Hiroshi Tanahashi will wrestle his final match just one year later.

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.