The Online Outlook!

Introducing the new MSB Online quarterly newsletter, The Online Outlook! Go to http://msbquarterly.blogspot.com/ to check it out!

Read More......

Spring 2007 Registration Survey is Now Available

Dear MSB Online Learner:

Please assist the Online Education Department by providing feedback regarding the Spring 2007 Registration process.

Feedback is anonymous and will be considered to improve your experiences quarter to quarter. If you have not registered yet, please complete this survey once you have registered.

Provide your feedback – follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=40783380358

Thank you in advance for your time and feedback!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

Welcome to the ninth week of the Winter 2007 Quarter!

Dear MSB Online Learner:

Don’t forget Spring 2007 registration for current students is going on now through March 2nd! New students (those starting in January) will have a one-on-one appointment with a member of the education department for their first quarter registration appointment.

As a friendly reminder: please check each class expectations and grading criteria as well as the course calendar for all due dates for the remainder of the quarter. All course work must be complete prior to the end of the final date of the quarter. Identify due dates of all work in the final weeks of the quarter now to plan ahead. All work will be due prior to Thursday, December 21, 2006.

Below you will find the article Desperately Seeking Organization. Take some time to read the article carefully and take what you can and apply it to your own environment.

Desperately Seeking Organization
by Thad Peterson
Monster Staff Writer

Organized people grate on me -- their punctuality, their preparedness and, most of all, their immaculately clean, barren desks.

Are they just taunting me with the fact that they're so efficient and put-together they can flourish in the workplace with nothing more than a phone, pen holder and stapler, all perfectly lined up on the clean surfaces in front of them? And are they bursting with disdain when they see my desk, laden with coffee-stained papers, packets of mustard, empty coffee cups and water bottles, tangled headphones, stacks of three-year-old magazines and piles of mini-cassette cases?

Organized folks aren't bad people doing villainous things. They're doing the right things, and I want to be like them.

There are people out there who, like me, yearn for organizational greatness -- or even adequacy -- but always seem to fall short. Is there any hope for us?

Luckily, these experts have some words of advice:

Tackle That Pile

"Subdivide papers into 'to dos,' 'to files' and ‘to reads,'" says Sunny Schlenger, author of How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself. "Focus on the ‘to dos,' because those are things requiring action. That way, even if things have to be put off for a time, at least you know what they are."

While sorting through all the papers, you'll likely find plenty to go in the recycling bin. "Just because someone hands you a report, it doesn't mean you need it," points out Debbie Cook, a professional organizer based in Skiatook, Oklahoma.

But keeping your desk totally clean at all times may not be a possibility. "I think the clear desk is a myth," Schlenger says. "Anybody who's busy, who gets interrupted and who handles more than one job at a time is going to leave stuff out. It's reality. The idea of handling each piece of paper only once is a lovely concept, but how many people can do that?" Somehow, hearing that from a professional organizer is comforting.

Start with Today

"Keep track of the daily activities you have to get done," Cook says. Whether you use a personal digital assistant, a PC application or an old-fashioned personal calendar, you should keep track of all appointments in one place.

The To-Do List

"Have a master list of everything you have to do and add to it as you think of [new things]," advises Schlenger. "Then you can pull off the things that are important to you and you have to get done by a certain deadline. As you get older, your memory goes, and you can't keep track of everything you have to do in your head. This can save you a lot of aggravation." Schlenger says the key to making this successful is writing everything down on your to-do list.

Build in Time

"Never leave when you think you should leave, because chances are you'll be late," says Maria Gracia, founder of Get Organized Now! "Most people underestimate how long it will take to do something or get somewhere. Determine how long it will take you to get somewhere and add 20 minutes. If you brought some reading material along, you can catch up on your reading. The good thing is, in case you hit a bit of unexpected traffic on the way, you'll most likely still make it on time."

Sweet Rewards

"Bribe yourself," suggests Gracia. "Make something you love to do dependent on the completion of today's task. If you promise yourself you will not take your lunch break unless you organize your paper piles for 15 minutes, you're sure to get that small task finished."

If you practice staying organized, there's an instant gratification, Cook explains. "It feels so good you'll keep doing it," she says. "You can't be organized if you don't want to be. But as soon as you are [organized], you'll begin to want to be all the time."

In other words, the same folks who have been whipping me into a frenzied state of frustration, anxiety and inadequacy have been feeling just great about it the whole time.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

Final Paper? Research Project? The Library Can Help!

It’s that time of the quarter where many of you are working on the big projects due for your classes.
As a reminder, I am here to help with:

*Finding sources
*Web searching
*Citation help
*…and much more!

Feel free to email, call or even chat with me online to get personal help on questions big or small.

My hours and contact information can be found here: http://students.msbcollege.edu/library/onlinestudents/

Happy finals,

Michelle Hajder
Online Librarian

Read More......

Welcome to the eighth week of the Winter 2007 Quarter!

Dear MSB Online Learner:

Don’t forget Spring 2007 registration for current students is going on now through March 2nd! New students (those starting in April) will have a one-on-one appointment with a member of the education department for their first quarter registration appointment.

Below you will find the article Define Success: A 5-step Plan for Staying True to Yourself. Take some time to read the article and reaffirm how you define success.

Define Success
A 5-Step Plan for Staying True to Yourself
by Ian Christie
Monster Management Careers Coach

One of the most important career and life-planning activities you can engage in is finding your own definitions or models of success. This is vitally important for a number of reasons: If you haven't done this, how do you know what's best for you? How can you make career decisions if you aren't crystal clear about how you define success? How can you be happy if you don't know when you're successful?

There is never a bad time to discover and be clear on your definition of success. Today's economic realities make the timing even better. If your career hasn't gone according to plan, or even if it has, reexamine what it is you actually want. Doing so can make you a lot happier.

Successful -- on Whose Terms?

If you haven't taken the time to define it, success has already been defined for you. You're already following models of career and life success. The question is whether they are your own, or ones you inherited. One of your greatest career challenges is identifying goals and definitions of success that are true to you rather than ones you inherited from family, society and other outside forces. Your current model of success may or may not work for you. The important thing is understanding your assumptions and questioning them.

If you follow a path to success that isn't your own, you may achieve your goals, but when you arrive at your destination, you may not feel successful or fulfilled at all.

Keep in mind that your existing job may hold the key to your happiness. For example, if you were to discover that making your customers happy was the one thing that defines and inspires you, what would that do to your focus and state of mind?

Choose Your Own Definition of Success

You have the power to reaffirm existing models or adopt new models of success. All it takes is some honest thinking, clarity of purpose and the discipline to stay true to your values in the long run.

Accept There Are Always Alternatives. The very fact that so many of us have not questioned the paths we are on speaks to a lack of awareness or acceptance of alternate paths. There have never been more options or valid ways of defining career and life success.

Examine Your Path. Do you love what you do? Do you do fantastic work as a result? Does your work complement your personal and family life or detract from it? Are you excited about your vision of the future? Is this your best use of your precious gifts and time?

Create Some Quiet, Introspective Time. Ask yourself these questions: What makes me happy? How do I feel? What do I want? And then, answer a question from the coaching school CoachVille.com, "I know how successful I am by how (fill in the blank)." The answers to this question will point you in the right direction. You can have several definitions of success as long as they don't contradict each other.

Refine Your Responses. Ask yourself "why?" and "is that what I really want?" after each response to the statement until each rings true. For example, if your first response was, "I'll know I am successful when I am a millionaire," ask yourself why you want to be a millionaire. You might, for example, find out that success for you is to have the freedom to use your time as you wish, or the ability to travel or be rid of financial worries. This process may lead you to make other decisions in your life that will help you reach your goal.

Test Your Responses with People Who Know You Really Well. Do they ring true?

One definition of success that puts this philosophy into simple words comes from American author Christopher Morley, who wrote: "There is only one success -- to be able to spend your life in your own way." Being clear about how you define success will reap immeasurable rewards.

[Ian Christie founded BoldCareer.com to help individuals build bold, fulfilling careers and help organizations attract, develop and retain talent. A career coach, consultant, three-time entrepreneur, former senior director at Monster and former retained executive search consultant, Ian is an expert in the fields of careers and recruitment. He believes that career management is a central theme to both personal and organizational effectiveness. BoldCareer.com offers career services to companies and individuals as well as free career resources.]

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

Welcome to the seventh week of the Winter 2007Quarter!

Dear MSB Online Learner:

Below you will find the article Work Values Checklist. Evaluate and/or re-examine what your values are and how they translate to your work life.

Work Values Checklist
by Pat Boer
Monster Contributing Writer

Every day, we make choices -- some without careful consideration. Whether we realize it or not, often our career choice is based on values rather than the work. Values are the beliefs, attitudes and judgments we prize. Are you aware of your values? Do you act on them?

Use this checklist to get a better idea of what's important to you. It's divided into three categories related to intrinsic, extrinsic and lifestyle values.

Intrinsic Values

These are the intangible rewards, those related to motivation and satisfaction at work on a daily basis. They provide the inner satisfaction and motivation that make people say, "I love getting up and going to work!"

How important (on a scale of one to five; five being most important) are these intrinsic values to you?

1. _____ Variety and change at work
2. _____ Be an expert
3. _____ Work on the frontiers of knowledge
4. _____ Help others
5. _____ Help society
6. _____ Experience adventure/excitement
7. _____ Take risks/have physical challenges
8. _____ Feel respected for your work
9. _____ Compete with others
10. _____ Have lots of public contact
11. _____ Influence others
12. _____ Engage in precision work
13. _____ Gain a sense of achievement
14. _____ Opportunities to express your creativity
15. _____ Work for a good cause

Extrinsic Values

These are the tangible rewards or conditions you find at work, including the physical setting, job titles, benefits and earnings/earning potential. Extrinsic values often trap people into staying at jobs they don't like, saying: "I just can't give up my paycheck!" They are commonly called "golden handcuffs."

How important (on a scale of one to five; five being most important) are these "golden handcuffs" to you?

1. _____ Have control/power/authority
2. _____ Travel often
3. _____ Be rewarded monetarily
4. _____ Be an entrepreneur
5. _____ Work as a team
6. _____ Work in a fast-paced environment
7. _____ Have regular work hours
8. _____ Set your own hours/have flexibility
9. _____ Be wealthy
10. _____ Have prestige or social status
11. _____ Have intellectual status
12. _____ Have recognition through awards/honors/bonuses
13. _____ Wear a uniform
14. _____ Work in an aesthetically pleasing environment
15. _____ Work on the edge, in a high-risk environment

Lifestyle Values

These are the personal values associated with how and where you want to live, how you choose to spend your leisure time and how you feel about money.

How important (on a scale of one to five; five being most important) are these lifestyle values to you?

1. _____ Save money
2. _____ Vacation at expensive resorts
3. _____ Have access to educational/cultural opportunities
4. _____ Live close to sports/recreational facilities
5. _____ Be active in your community
6. _____ Entertain at home
7. _____ Be involved in politics
8. _____ Live simply
9. _____ Spend time with family
10. _____ Live in a big city
11. _____ Live abroad
12. _____ Have time for spirituality/personal growth
13. _____ Be a homeowner
14. _____ Live in a rural setting
15. _____ Have fun in your life and at work

Once you have completed all three checklists, write down all the values you rated as 5s. If you have less than five, add the values you rated as 4s to the list. If your list of 4s and 5s has more than 20 values, you need to stop and prioritize your list. To prioritize, select no more than four or five values from each category.

Next, analyze which of the three categories is most important to you. Consider how each is reflected in the work you currently do or in the position you would like to find. Look for overlap or values that seem to go together, such as "be wealthy" from Extrinsic Values and "save money" from Lifestyle Values. If there is no overlap or compatibility between categories, or if everything is important to you, then reprioritize your list by selecting your top 10 values. Then narrow that list down to the five values you absolutely need both on and off the job.

Finally, write two or three sentences describing or summarizing how your values will translate into your ideal job. Knowing what's important will help you prepare for your next interview or help you find increased satisfaction with the job you have.

As you follow the process, if you notice that what motivates you is actually a reward or already part of your lifestyle, it means you're living your values. Congratulations and enjoy!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

Study Skill Resources - Learner Best Practices

Dear MSB Online Learner:

I have had several requests for general study skill resources.

These study skill resources (learner best practices) are available at http://students.msbcollege.edu/elearning/learner_best_practices/

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

Welcome to the sixth week of the Winter 2007 Quarter!

Don’t forget that registration for current students starts February 12th! Each student will be emailed a list of suggested courses for the Spring 2007 quarter.

Below you will find 10 Attitudes for Successful Workers. Read each one carefully and take what you can and apply it to your own environment. Each idea can be very helpful.

10 Attitudes of Successful Workers

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor

Why do some people seem to reach the top of the corporate ladder easily, while others remain stuck on the middle management rung? You might think that it is just because those people have more of what it takes to succeed, like brains, talent and powerful people in their corner. But there is something else that is just as important: attitude. Dr. Martin Seligman, an authority on optimism, discovered that attitude was a better predictor of success than I.Q., education and most other factors. He found that positive people stay healthier, have better relationships and go further in their careers. And he even found that positive people make more money. Anyone can adopt the right attitude. No matter where you are from or how much innate talent you have, the right attitude can make a difference in your career.

Try adopting these 10 attitudes of successful workers:

1. I am in charge of my destiny.
If you spend your entire career waiting for something exciting to come to you, you will be waiting a long time. Successful professionals go out and make good things happen. So commit yourself to thinking about your career in an entirely different way. You will make it to the top, and you are in charge of making it happen.

2. Anything is possible.
Think that there is no way you will ever be at the vice president level? Then you definitely won't. Remember: If you think you can't, you probably won't. Adopt the attitude of The Little Engine That Could -- "I think I can."

3. No task is too small to do well.
You never know when you are going to be noticed. That is one reason to take pride in your work -- all of it. One public relations executive in Chicago said that her first task in the PR department of a ballet company was reorganizing the supply closet. She tackled the project with gusto and was immediately noticed for her hard work and attention to detail. Remember this the next time you feel like slacking because you are working on a menial task.

4. Everyone is a potential key contact.
While you do need to be aggressive in the workplace, you can also go far by being nice to those around you. Do you think it's unimportant to establish a good rapport with your boss's secretary? Well, just try getting your meeting squeezed onto the schedule when you really need it. Be courteous to those around you -- you never know when your past contacts will play a role in your future.

5. I was made to do this job... and the one above me.
If you spend your days feeling like you are not cut out to do the work you are responsible for, your performance will suffer. Your job may not be the perfect fit, but successful workers act like they are in their dream job, no matter where they are.

6. It's not just what I know, but who I know.
Successful workers understand the importance of networking, both in and out of the office. You need to proactively establish professional contacts. Invite a colleague out to lunch. Go to the after-work happy hour. Join your professional association. Do your part to establish a networking
path for your future.

7. What else can I do?
Since you are in charge of your destiny, it's your job to look for ways to improve your professional self. Volunteer to take on an extra project. Learn a new skill that will make you more marketable. Stay late to help your co-workers. Successful workers don't just complete the job and sign out --
they look for additional ways to make their mark.

8. Failure will help pave the way to my success.
While it seems like some people never experience setbacks, the truth is everyone fails from time to time. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is how they deal with failure. Those who find success are the ones who learn from mistakes and move on.

9. I am my own biggest fan.
Have you been waiting for someone in the office to recognize your talents and efforts? Maybe it's time you start tooting your own horn. Step up and talk about your accomplishments and what you have done for the company. Successful workers know how to point out their achievements without sounding boastful.

10. My opportunity monitor is never turned off.
Yes, there will be days when you will want to just be happy with the status quo. But remember that successful workers are always on the lookout for opportunities to improve. Keep your eyes, ears and your mind open to new opportunities -- you never know when you will discover the one that will change the course of your career!

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jbergerson@msbcollege.edu or 1-877-609-8889 ext. 1735.

Read More......

February 2007 Birthdays!

Happy Birthday!

Lacey J Amundsen
Kathryn M Atkinson
Melissa M Bartel
Chris Barthel
Sara E Bowling
Kristina L Cohorn
Debra L Connell
Blake A Enockson
Michelle Erickson
Cheryl A Friell
Wendy Gomez
Joshua I Heckler
Ashley D Hofer
Nancy C James
Kimber L Kamlitz
Jenny S Kampsen
Melissa Kell
Daniel J Larson
Marcia C Maciejko
Alyssa McNeal
Nicole L Patterson
Michelle C Peterson
Alicia M Polansky
Jessica Quaderer
Joni M Smude
Cynthia Sutton
Francine H Unruh
LaVonne Watts
Melissa K Weibel
Christopher Wiener
Jennifer Youtz

Read More......