Face-to-face presentations

Slide presentations

Making a presentation is not as easy as it seems, for many people it is very difficult to speak in public.

I usually get very nervous, so I try to rehearse in front of a mirror to see my gestures and body language, because that's how you show security. It is also very important to prepare the slides that you will show to the public. Here are some tips that we can follow.

• ·         Don’t just dump all your ideas down onto PowerPoint as a stream of consciousness!
• ·         Do use a consistent look and feel throughout the presentation.
• ·         Do use a font size of 14 pt or larger – smaller fonts may mean that people will not be able to read it.
• ·         Don’t create long bullets with several sentences; try to keep your bullets to single sentences, two maximum.
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Communication Technologies

Advantages and disadvantages

Communication technology will have obvious advantages and disadvantages. In our modern times, we are all resorting to more and more usage of technology when it comes to communication. Advantages of this technology give us faster communication all-around. Like with the possession of cell-phones (that have the ability to surf the web), we can view and respond to emails and text messages from other members in our groups.

That can also be a disadvantage however. With how attached we are to these devices sometimes we need a break. I personally experience screen fatigue. I feel myself being drained after a long day of starring at screens. I use technology every day for absolutely everything, first of all, with the Internet I can take this double degree with CityU and I can upload my tasks and assignments. I use all this kind of technologies to be able to carry out my work and school activities.

Conflicts

Conflicts in groups

At this point in my studies I have been part of many groups, for example in all my classes I have had team works and in most of the cases all the members have had good communication. Most of the time I have had a very good experience since we divide the work equally and always try to ask and answer questions so that we all go to the same pace. 

Only once I experienced a conflict, I usually form part of a team with people I know. Once I was in a team with people from my own city and I personally knew except one who was from another city. We had many problems to get the job forward, since the person from the other city never had his share of the work on time, always put excuses and when he gave his share, everything was always wrong. I had to interfere and talk to him, since I needed his information to be able to do my part of the job.

Interviews Online

Interviews Online

Having an online interview makes anyone nervous even  though they have already had many face-to.face interviews, because never a job interview is the same as another.

Sometimes preparing for interviews takes great effort and preparation. 

Do your research before you do anything else.

It is important that you know well what the company does and a little of its background. Sometimes it is useful to know it as they may ask what you know about the company, and why you think is the best option for you.

Make sure you have a good internet connection before the interview, to avoid problems during the interview. It is also important that you find the right place to conduct the interview, it is recommended that it be a quiet place, without noise and a place where you feel comfortable to avoid nervousness.

Leadership Skills

Don't be a boss, be a LEADER

There is a difference believe it or not between being a boss and a leader. A boss drives and pushes employees, while a leader coaches them. A boss sees his employees as tools at his disposal, while a leader sees his team members as clay to be molded. A boss identifies problems and demands a solution from his employees, while a leader sits down with his team to work out a solution to the problem.

Listening Skills

Selective listening is a problem, when we listen only when we have to, what we need to learn is how to listen, even when we don’t want to. Listening means knowing what others have said and what they meant to say, and leaving the speakers comfortable with the feeling that they had their say.

To be a good leader it is very important to develop the ability to listen, when employees say they want their voices to be heard, they are really saying they want leaders who will not just hear them, but really listen to them. Listening goes well beyond being quiet and giving someone your full attention.   It requires you to be aware of body language, facial expressions, mood, and natural behavioral tendencies. 

Empathy is a powerful display of listening.   I realize that many leaders avoid emotional interactions, but the best leaders know how to empathize and make themselves approachable to those who need attention

Exchange Student

Being an exchange student

Going on an Exchange is really a fantastic, fun and good experience! By being an exchange student you will be learning a new language, new culture and also a lot about yourself.

Being an exchange student is not easy. It actually demands a lot from you as a person and you have to be ready and aware about this before applying to a program. As I mentioned before, it's a great experience, you learn another culture, another language, you learn to relate to people who may not have anything in common. The best thing you can do to prepare for your exchange is to find all the information possible in google, articles, etc., all that is very useful since you prepare mentally for what you will live during your stay.

To go away from exchange is not only to go to study, also is to know the place to where you are going and its surroundings. When I visit Seattle, I look for things to do in Seattle, monumental places, places you can not miss, and some articles even recommend bars and entertainment venues.

If you know how to organize and balance the study and the fun ... going on an exchange will be the best experience you have ever had !!