The Pathfinder 

 Tidewater Community College's Military Newsletter

April  2013
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Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE)
Virginia Beach Campus
1700 College Cresent
  Bldg. D, Room D100
  Virginia Beach, VA 23453

 
(757) 822 - 7777
  Monday - Friday
  [email protected]
Naval Air Station
Oceana
Melanie Kordis   Bldg. 531, Room 100   (757) 491 - 4385
  Tuesday - Friday
  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
  [email protected]
Naval Station Norfolk
Kerry Beers & Alexis Kordis
  Bldg. CEP-87, Room 210
 
(757) 498 - 7397
  Monday - Friday
  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  [email protected]
Joint Expeditionary Base - Little Creek & Fort Story
Pamela Martin
  Bldg. 3016, Room 252
 
(757) 363 - 3939
  Monday - Thursday
  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  [email protected]
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Cassandra Harris
  Bldg. 272, Room 103
 
(757) 953 - 6007
  Monday/Wednesday
  8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  Tuesday/Thursday
  8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Greetings TCC Student!

 

This month we bring you several educational funding opportunities through the EOC as well as tips to dress for success when you land that all-important job interview. Read our student profile to see how CMVE and the VA offices have helped Jason Zalasky on his path to educational success after the military.  
 
Please take a look over the Spring Academic calendar to make sure you are on track and meeting deadlines this semester. 
 
Remember, if you find this newsletter informative, please take the time to forward it on to a friend via the "forward" link at the bottom of the page.  
For questions about any information in this newsletter, please contact us at [email protected].
 

Have a great TCC Day!

Sincerely,

TCC CMVE Staff

CMVE Student Profile
Jason Zalasky
Meet Jason Zalasky, CMVE and VA work study student. 

I was in the Navy for 11 years as Photographers Mate and Mass Communications Specialist. I entered the Navy through Great Lakes, IL. in Oct. 1999 and got out in Norfolk, VA in Oct. 2010. 

 

While I was in the Navy I took a few, at sea, college courses but I didn't seriously pursue my education until I was off of active duty.  After I left the Navy I decided I wanted to pursue an education and earn a degree in my field to better myself for the job market. I decided to attend TCC and seek a degree in the Photography program because I had not been in a school environment in such a long time that the idea of a large University was very intimidating to me. 

 

My friend and neighbor was also planning on attending TCC so we came to the campus together and enrolled for the Spring 2011 semester. Shortly after, I came into the VA office and found everyone to be very helpful and they made the process completely painless for me. At that time I also inquired about the VA federal work study program. I filled out an application and brought in a resume and a few days later I was interviewed and subsequently hired for a work study position where I have worked throughout my tenure at TCC. 

 

My experience working in the VA office has been amazing. I have been given the opportunity to meet and help veterans of all services and of all ages and backgrounds. My advice for other Military members, past and present, would be to get their degree or certificate. The job market is very competitive right now and the various programs that are available to active and past military members are there for you to utilize. They were put in place to help you succeed in your future. TCC's VA office is here to show you through this process in any way they can. I look forward to a May 8th graduation form TCC and plan to follow on to a Bachelors program at 

ODU.  

Career and Employment Tips:  Dressing for Success

By: Tiffanny Putman, CMVE Counselor

 

Anna Dale, a corporate image consultant, has a Rule of Ten.  "A first impression is made of the first ten seconds someone sees you and first ten words out of your mouth."  This illustrates the importance of making a good first impression in any situation but especially when job searching. How you choose to dress for an interview can send out a very specific message about who you are and what type of worker you will be.  Below are important areas to consider when preparing your "look" for an interview.

 

Fit:  Both men and women should first make sure that their wardrobe fits correctly.  Many people make the mistake of wearing clothes that that do not fit their body types.  Make sure your clothes accentuate and focus on the positive areas of your physique.  It is worth the investment to have your clothes, (especially those items you plan to wear to an interview), tailored for a better fit.  Wearing items that are too tight, loose, low-cut, short or long may send out the wrong impression.  Sloppy dresser = Sloppy worker.

 

Color: Typically we are told to wear dark colored suits to an interview.  Dressing conservatively does not mean you have to wear a "funeral" or the "Men in Black" suit to an interview.  A dark colored suit can be brought to life with a few conservative colors and coordinating modern tie that flatter your skin tone.  Finding items that complement your skin tone can make the difference from looking sullen and worn out to looking vibrant and energized.  The best way to find what colors suits you is to ask those around you what you look best in.  Pay attention the next time you are complemented on your appearance what colors were you wearing?  Also, major department stores have consultants that can provide guidance for free.  For example, pick out a suit in the store you already own at home and ask the sales consultant to recommend a shirt, blouse, or tie to wear with it.  You just got quality advice for free!

 

Grooming:  Many unassuming and simple mistakes are made in this area.  Go easy on the cologne or perfume as many people are sensitive or have allergies to fragrances.  It would be horrible for the employer to have to cut the interview short because he or she cannot stop sneezing due to your fragrance!  Find a soft, light scent and use it sparingly.  Also, invest in a good pair of shoes and reserve them for interviews.  For men, choose lace ups instead of slip-ons and for women, choose fashionable but conservative closed toe pumps.  If you own a pair of shoes in good condition, make sure they are freshly polished before the interview.  Shoes may not seem important, but you want every inch of yourself to reflect a professional image.  Like cologne and perfume, jewelry should be keep to a minimum.  It can be fashionable but not over the top.   Only wear dress watches, (never athletic watches) and make sure everything coordinates.   You want the employer to focus on you, not what you are wearing.  

Finally, ensure that your hair, makeup, and nail color are natural looking and complement your overall appearance.

 

Remember, dress the way you want to be perceived by the employer because you only have ten seconds and ten words to make that first impression!

REBOOT - Strategies for Military-to-Civilian Transition Success SOC image

 

To address challenges faced by those in the military as they prepare to reintegrate into civilian life, National Veteran Transition Services, Inc. (NVTSI) has developed a highly successful three-week reintegration program called REBOOT.  


To date, over 700 service-connected members from the San Diego area have been REBOOTed with a 98% success rate.  In cooperation with the Tidewater Community College Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE), the program is now available in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

As those who have served so clearly understand, military Boot Camp prepares us for military service and combat but not for life after service or for corporate America.  The transition can be extremely difficult for those not mentally and culturally prepared. Also, many in the Reserves or National Guard have put their careers on hold in order to serve and often find themselves unprepared when the time comes to re-enter the job market. They need help in re-defining their life and career goals after service.

This is what the REBOOT Workshop does, helping to prepare active duty service members and veterans for the rigors of civilian life by using applied behavioral education along with career and life planning through self-efficacy.

NVTSI's REBOOT Workshops comprehensively address the personal, social, and professional aspects of the military-to-civilian life transition through a course of progressive training that builds upon participants' military training, skills, and experience.

Eligible participants include individuals recently separated from active service, service members within 4 months of anticipated separation, and veterans. Spouses are also encouraged to attend REBOOT.

 

The first of the three-week training sessions will be conducted at the Virginia Beach Campus of TCC from May 6-24, 2013.  Classes for this course will be conducted from 8:00-5:00 each day.  Contact the TCC CMVE for more details, or visit http://www.rebootworkshop.org/  to register.

A New C-TEC Program will come to TCC CMVE this summer 


This program is specifically created to cater to military students. 

The program will cover the basics of telecommunication, cabling, AV Systems and more. 

 

 

 

The program is broken up into six courses:

  • Telecommunications: Technology Systems
  • Network Cabling: Copper-Based Systems
  • Network Cabling: Fiber Optic-Based Systems
  • Audio / Video Installation Systems
  • Energy Management Systems
  • Telephone Systems and VoIP
Contact the CMVE for more information about enrolling. 

 

Funding a College Education - Upcoming Workshops

 

 

The Virginia Tidewater Consortium's Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) will conduct college financial aid briefings, "Funding a College Education," at Naval Station Norfolk and JEB Little Creek. Hosted by the Navy College Offices.

 

The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Naval Station Norfolk:
DATE: Wednesday 17 April 2013, START TIME: 1130,
LOCATION: Navy College, building IE, in the Navy College classroom.  

 

DATE: Wednesday 19 June 2013, START TIME: 1130,
LOCATION: Navy College, building IE, in the Navy College classroom.

J E B Little Creek:
DATE: Tuesday 7 May 2013, START TIME: 1130,
LOCATION: Navy College, building 3016, in the Navy College classroom.

Areas Covered:
-College selection and application process
-Federal aid (grants, loans, work study, etc)
-State aid programs
-FAFSA, plus financial aid applications, procedures, & processing
-Scholarship 101-survive the scholarship search and application process
-Guest speakers-Local scholarship representatives
-Other various areas/items of concern, and a Question and Answer session

Each session includes information that will assist rising high school JUNIORS & SENIORS, parents of all high school students, adult learners opting to return to college later in life, plus all others who may be facing the rising expenses of college in the very near future. High school students are welcome to attend with their parents, however we do not encourage creating a negative impact on their school attendance or classroom requirements.
 
Open to:
-All military personnel (active or reserve)
-Retirees
-Family members
-Other base employees/personnel, including DOD civilian employees
Normal base access is required; no special base pass arrangements will be made for this program by the Navy College Office or the VTC/EOC representative.

One-on-one appointments can be scheduled with an EOC counselor following the presentation.   

 

Reserve your seat(s)! Please call or email in advance:

EOC point of contact: Darryl Greenwell
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 757-363-3944 or 757-489-3329
Voice Mail: (757) 552-1673

Navy College at JEB Little Creek: (757) 462-8279
Navy College at Naval Station Norfolk: (757) 444-7453 or (757) 444-7454

Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education (VTC)
http://www.vtc.odu.edu/  http://www.edufind.org/

VTC's Educational Opportunity Center (EOC)
350 Granby St. 
Norfolk, VA  23510
(757) 683-2312 or (757) 683-2313
Fax (757) 683-2315 
www.vtc.odu.edu/eoc.html

All EOC services are FREE!

Spring 2013   
Important Dates 
16, 12 and 8 Week Sessions
 

 

2013 SPRING SEMESTER ~ SIXTEEN-WEEK REGULAR SESSION


April 29Last day of instruction
April 30 - May 6Final examinations
May 8Graduation

 
2013 SPRING SEMESTER ~TWELVE-WEEK SESSION



April 1

Last day to withdraw without academic penalty from a twelve-week course

(See Note)

May 4Last day of instruction (includes examinations)
May 8Graduation

  

2013 SPRING SEMESTER ~ SECOND EIGHT-WEEK SESSION


April 12Last day to withdraw without academic penalty from a second eight-week course (See Note)
May 4Last day of instruction (includes examinations)
May 8Graduation

 ** Note:  Students who wish to withdraw without academic penalty should contact a counselor to determine the appropriate procedure and date. Withdrawals through completion of sixty percent of a session will result in a Wgrade. After sixty percent of a session is completed, a withdrawal will result in a grade of F in a credit course or a grade of U in a developmental course, except under mitigating circumstances that must be documented by the instructor and approved by the academic dean.

Dynamic Session classes have unique refund and withdrawal dates. Please contact the Enrollment Services Office for procedures and dates.

We'd love to hear from you!
Have questions, comments, suggestions, concerns?
Email us and let us know: [email protected].

If you found this newsletter informative, please take the time to forward it to a friend or colleague via the forward link at the bottom of this page. And to ensure that you continue to get this newsletter on a monthly basis, click the "join our mailing list" button located on the left hand side.

Thanks for reading and have a great TCC day!

Center for
Military and Veterans Education Staff
Tidewater Community College


TCC never sells or gives your information to third parties and your email is kept secure and confidential.
Tidewater Community College - the largest provider of higher education and workforce development services in Hampton Roads - topped 45,000 students in 2009-10. The 16th highest associate-degree producer in the nation, TCC offers more than 150 programs. Among the fastest-growing two-year institutions in the United States, TCC was founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System. The college serves the South Hampton Roads region with campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach as well as the TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk's theater district, the Visual Arts Center in Olde Towne Portsmouth, the Regional Automotive Center in Chesapeake, and the Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach. Forty-five percent of the region's residents attending a college or university in Virginia last fall were enrolled at TCC. For more information, visit www.tcc.edu