Scholarship Workshop

1. Scholarship Workshop Esther Choi, M.Ed Cerritos College Re-Entry Resource Specialist

2. Cerritos College: The Re-Entry Resource Program ~Education is the Avenue to Change~ The Re-Entry Resource Program provides students who are returning to school after a break in education with the tools and support they need to successfully re-enter and thrive in school.

3. Cerritos College: The Re-Entry Resource Program • Mission Statement: The Re-Entry Resource Program is committed to helping students recapture their dreams by using education as an avenue to change. We strive to empower students by connecting them with the resources and services they need to proactively resolve obstacles and facilitate the attainment of their educational and professional goals. ~Our mission statement is modeled on the Cerritos College mission to serve the community by building futures through learning~

4. Getting Started "The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.  ~Choose to Act." 

5. Objective • To learn some basic strategies to complete all components of a scholarship application.

6. Workshop Agenda • Scholarship Search Strategies • Basic Application Tips • Resume • Personal Statement • Interviews • Follow-Up • Personal Experience-Cecilia Morales

7. Scholarship Search Strategies • Check the “Scholarships” link on the Re-Entry website: http://www.cerritos.edu/re-entry • Visit the “Scholarship One-Stop Center” located in the Re-Entry Resource Center for scholarship listings, applications, and scholarship tips. • The Cerritos College Foundation Office awards six scholarships exclusively to Re-Entry Student each year. Look for applications in early August and September.

8. Scholarship Search Strategies Cerritos College Re-Entry Scholarships:   Jean O. Michael Scholarship: $1,000 annual award Deadline-August 19 • E. Maude West Scholarship: $500 annual award; Deadline-September 15                                         • Norwalk Women's Club Scholarship: $500 annual award; Deadline-September 15 • Women's Club of Artesia-Cerritos Scholarship: $500 annual award; Deadline-September 15 • Carmen Solis-Pratt Scholarship: $1,000-$1,200 annual award; Deadline-September 15 • Ellen Carver Scholarship

9. Scholarship Search Strategies: Links • http://www.cerritos.edu/ccf • http://www.cerritos.edu/finaid -Lists on-campus and off-campus scholarships -Lists scholarships by major -Scholarship Tips -Scholarships Links -FAQs -Scholarship Directory

10. Basic Application Tips • Verify deadlines. • Print or type responses in black ink. • Respond to ALL questions. • Provide current contact information. • Highlight your strengths and achievements. • Be specific. • Include a professional resume. • Proofread your application for spelling and grammar mistakes.

11. Basic Application Tips • Major • GPA • Community Involvement • Ethnicity • Gender • Financial Need • Educational Goals • Membership

12. Basic Scholarship Tips • Read eligibility requirements CAREFULLY and THOROUGHLY. • Keep extra official transcripts. • Request letters of recommendation at least one month in advance. • Make several copies of the application so you can start fresh if you make mistakes. • Check spelling and grammar. • Answer all questions. • Be concise • Make at least 2 copies of your application for your personal file.

13. Resume 101 Resumes: Powerful Marketing Tools Summarizes your education and experience, highlighting most relevant qualifications • Prepares you mentally to present a strong and focused interview • Helps structure the interview in your favor • Reminds the interviewer of your best points

14. Before Starting • Review the requirements (e.g. job description) of the position you are applying for • Ensure your resume demonstrates you have the skills, abilities, and knowledge defined in the job description • Use action words (verbs) before the task you include for each position • Include a cover letter to link your skills to those in the job description

15. Resume: Step by Step • Personal Data • Name, address, phone, and email • Objective • Brief and related to the job title • Educational Information • Colleges attended, major, degree earned or expected • Experience • Full and part-time, internships, and volunteer work • Skills • Computer, languages spoken • Honors and Activities • College activities, Dean’s list, other academic honors

16. Lorena N. Ochoa 1250 Bellflower Blvd. (562) 985 - 0000 Long Beach, CA 90840 lochoa@cerritos.edu Resume Layout – Personal Data • Name, address, phone, and email • Professional email address • Professional voice mail on cell phone • Tailor header for visual appeal

17. Resume Layout - Objective • Make it specific to the job or general (especially if passing out multiple resumes) • Brief, simple, and related to the job title you are applying for Objective: Internship in Advertising

18. Full and part-time, paid/unpaid internships, and volunteer work Reverse chronological order Use key “action verbs” from job description; emphasize achievements while on the job Resume Layout – Experience

19. Computer skills Use proper names for software skills – include those specific to the profession (e.g. engineering, computer science, etc.) Indicate languages in which you are fluent Resume Layout – Special Skills

20. College activities, Scholarships, Dean’s list, Recognition, Certificates, Leadership roles, etc. Include item if it supports your candidacy for position identified in your objective Honors Dean’s List Ronald McDonald Scholarship Recipient Employee of the Month Certificate - Organizations Peer Mentor, Cerritos College Scholars Honors Program Participant English Tutor, Learning Resource Center Secretary, Project Hope - Resume Layout – Honors and Activities

21. Resume Basic Checklist • Length & Materials: • One letter size page preferred (second page accepted for those with extensive experience) • 1” margins • White, cream, light gray paper • Font & Size Type: • Arial, Bookman, Helvetica, and Times are acceptable • 10 - 14 point font acceptable (12 point font suggested)

22. Resume Do’s • Research the company beforehand • Proofread your resume • Put your name on top of page • Keep your objective simple • Provide a neat and visually appearing resume • Use key words as shown on job description • Add volunteer, internships, and extracurricular work

23. Resume Do’s • Have several resumes for different jobs you are considering • Market your skills: • Highlight skills, knowledge, and abilities • Quantify (e.g. increased sales by 20%) • Show leadership/organizational skills

24. Resume Don’ts • List an objective that has nothing to do with the job in question • Make your resumes too long • Never lie or over exaggerate • No grammatical errors; no clutter • State your age, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, birth place, etc.

25. Chronological Resume • Most commonly used format for students and recent graduates • Experience is listed chronologically beginning with the most recent position • Practical for individuals with jobs in the same field

26. Personal Statement: Do’s and Dont’s • Just Do It! • Start brainstorming ideas. Focus on gathering ideas rather than trying to find the perfect beginning. • Create a list of achievements-both academic and professional (organize them chronologically or by specific categories). • Have your resume on hand to refer to. • Read several sample personal statements to gather ideas for themes, beginnings, and conclusions. • Make sure to answer the prompt/essay topic.

27. Personal Statement • Include a descriptions of specific achievements. • Keep the focus on your but give credit to resources-Eg: Professors, mentors, family members. • Rely on letters for praise • Create a unique opening paragraph. • Highlight qualities/skills that you don’t mention ion your application. • Don’t criticize others or reveal too many personal details. Use careful judgment. • Don’t be vague. • Don’t begin with “Hello my name is . . .”

28. Personal Statement • Have someone else read your paper (preferable a professors and a trusted friend/family member). • Ask them if the paper sounds like you. Your essay should sound natural. • Set aside your essay for a few days and read in again with a “fresh” perspective.

29. Interview • Set aside 2-3 days to prepare for the interview. • Review your application, resume, and personal statement prior to the interview. • Craft some sample responses to commonly asked questions. Write them out and rehearse saying them out loud.

30. Interview • Arrive 10-15 minutes. • Dress professionally. • Shake hands firmly and greet everyone you meet in a professional and friendly manner. • Smile and sit up straight during the interview. • Make eye contact with all interviewers. • Be confident, enthusiastic, and poised.

31. Follow-Up • Send a handwritten thank-you note to the scholarship committee. • Mention specific details from the interview. • Be gracious, sincere, and brief in your note.

32. Personal Experience: Special Guest-Cecilia Morales • Cecilia Morales is the recipient of the 2006 Carmen Solis Pratt scholarship and the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award.

33. Questions?

34. Contact Information Thank you for joining us! For additional help, please contact Esther Choi, Re-Entry Resource Specialist Direct Line: 562-860-2451 Ext. 2362 echoi@cerritos.edu The Re-Entry Resource Center is located in the Career Center (Administration Building) • Website: http://www.cerritos.edu/re-entry • Hours of Operation: Monday 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

35. Good Luck! We wish you the best of luck in your scholarship search 