East Central University Veterans Upward Bound

We are reminiscing about the day we all came together. We are looking forward to being able to do it again!

https://www.ecok.edu/veterans-military-appreciation-day-0

How can you leverage your most recent academic achievements to advance your career most meaningfully?

That's a great question!

Leveraging your academic achievements can definitely help you advance your career in a meaningful way. Here are a few steps you can take:

1) Identify your strengths

Take some time to reflect on your academic achievements and identify the skills and knowledge you have gained. This could include specific subjects you excelled in, research projects you completed, or leadership roles you took on.

Understanding your strengths will help you determine how to best position yourself in your career.

2) Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

Highlight your academic achievements on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Be sure to include any honors, awards, or scholarships you received and any relevant coursework or research projects.

This will showcase your dedication and expertise to potential employers.

3) Network with professionals in your field

Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with professionals in your field.

When networking, share your academic achievements and how they have prepared you for your career. This can help you build valuable connections and open doors to new opportunities.

4) Pursue internships or research opportunities

Look for internships or research opportunities that align with your academic achievements. These experiences can provide practical, hands-on experience in your field and further enhance your skills.

They can also be a great way to make connections and potentially lead to full-time employment.

5) Continuously learn and grow

Never stop learning!

Attend workshops and webinars, or pursue additional certifications to stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in your field. This will demonstrate your commitment to professional development and make you a more valuable employer asset.

.....

Remember, leveraging your academic achievements is just one piece of the puzzle. It's also important to gain practical experience, develop soft skills, and build a strong professional network.

Good luck on your career journey!

"Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." -- Corrie Ten Boom

The City of Ada has designated $1.25M of Prop 2 economic development funds to support the East Central University School of Nursing Expansion Project in the construction of the new Nursing/STEM building on the ECU campus.

The building and expansion of the nursing program is expected to generate a 400% increase in nursing graduates from ECU.

Learn more about the project by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/d77atkkm

| City of Ada, OK – Government

See you there!

According to Military.com, it looks like the VA is allowing some veterans who received other than honorable discharges for offenses that include misconduct or questionable behavior will be able to apply for health care and benefits.

Read More: https://bit.ly/4baDCfp

VA Opens Door for More Vets with Other Than Honorable Discharges to Receive Health Care and Benefits Under the new regulation, the VA plans to remove a bar against benefits for those dismissed for homosexual acts, as well as those who were discharged for misconduct that may have been related to combat exposure, sexual assault or other personal issues.

"Whatever you do BEST is what you should use to serve others MOST" - John Maxwell

Thank you Coty Dildine and Bob Keel with Veterans Upward Bound spoke at Lions today.

It's a beautiful fall day on campus! What are some of your favorite spots?

"A goal is not about what you accomplish. It's about what you become." - Michael Hyatt

East Central University’s annual sidewalk chalk art festival, “Grounded,” returns to the ECU Centennial Plaza Thursday, Oct. 5.

Read more here ➡️ https://www.ecok.edu/news/grounded-set-take-over-sidewalks-ecu

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin accepting new enrollments for the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) Pilot Program for terms beginning on or after September 4, 2023.

The VET TEC pilot originally exhausted fiscal year (FY) 2023 program funding in April 2023. Reallocated funding for the program allows VA to start accepting new FY 2023 enrollments for eligible participants. It was necessary for VA to initially set aside full funding for each VET TEC participant; however, as VET TEC participants have exited the program VA is able to determine the actual funding used. Additionally, on October 1, 2023, $45,000,000 will be allocated to the program for FY 2024.

VET TEC is a 5-year pilot program, ending on April 1, 2024, for eligible GI Bill beneficiaries connecting them, at no charge against their benefit entitlement, to accelerated learning programs in high-tech fields. If you are a Veteran or Service member who is within 180 days of separating from active duty and is interested in participating in the VET TEC program, visit the program webpage to learn more - https://bit.ly/3QS4RUY

Including, but not limited to, eligibility requirements.
Please note that participation in VET TEC is contingent on the availability of funding. Additionally, you must continue to meet all VET TEC eligibility requirements.

Don’t miss your chance to enhance your skills to start or advance your career in the high-tech industry – enroll in an approved program today! https://bit.ly/3QS4RUY

Veterans technology education courses | Veterans Affairs If you want to gain computer experience to start or advance your career in the high-technology industry, find out if you’re eligible for our Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program that matches you with a leading training provider to help you develop high-tech ski...

"Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." -- Corrie Ten Boom

After resuming civilian life, some Veterans have trouble redefining their goals and finding their footing. Listen as Veterans describe how treatment and support helped them rediscover their purpose.

Read More: https://bit.ly/3qIQcRw

Rediscovering My Purpose After resuming civilian life, some Veterans have trouble redefining their goals and finding their footing. Listen as Veterans describe how treatment and support helped them rediscover their purpose.

Reacting vs. Responding

I’m not sure if any of you have ever heard of this not, but this is a concept most widely known among psychologists and counselors, which is known as reacting versus responding. This idea stems from the concepts of cognitive, behavioral therapy.

In short, one involves zero to very little thinking (reacting), and the other requires much thinking (responding).

According to most studies, most people tend to react more than they respond – and more often than not, they overact.

In other words, most people don’t think things through before they make a response and, instead, they just react based on emotion or what limited facts they have at the moment.

With that said, it doesn’t take a psychologist to know that the healthier thing to do is to lean more towards responding (thinking things through first) rather than reacting.

For instance, if someone was rude to you or disrespected you in some way ... well, it's true they shouldn't do that to you, but the fact of the matter is: you don't know what that person just went through before they interacted with you.

So, why would you react to their interaction with you when you don't know what they have just gone through? You see, if you take the time to think things through, and then responded, your chances of having a better outcome increases.

Share in the comments a moment this week where you may have reacted more when you should have responded. Or maybe you did think things through and you did the healthier thing of responding rather than reacting, share that in the comments as well.

"I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took an excuse" -- Florence Nightingale

Always great to get a DC update and get to visit with Congressman Tom Cole and his field representative Amber Savage

Also got to visit with Saxon Alton, from Governor Stitt's office. Thankful for the support for TRIO programs across the nation and especially here in Oklahoma!

Welcome back Tigers!
Get ready to kick off a new academic adventure! Classes begin today at ECU.

Hear that roar? We're only 6 days away from unleashing the Tiger Spirit at ECU! Get ready for an unforgettable college journey! 🐯🤩

Student Veterans: Have you all seen this?!

Here is an opportunity to take part in a Virtual Internship.

Read more about it HERE: https://bit.ly/3OH1oqP

We’re looking for college interns. Apply now for the VSFS internship! (2023-2024 edition) - VA News VA’s Digital Media Engagement (DME) team, the collaborators who run this blog and VA’s social media channels, is looking for college interns.

ECU's Sports Management program is ranked one of the highest in the Nation.

East Central sports management program recognized

East Central University Veterans Upward Bound Military Appreciation Day was featured in The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) blog.

This last event was definitely one for the books! https://bit.ly/46rq79t

Our very own Mary Meeks, Director of ECU VUB was awarded the highest honor that can be given to a Civilian from the Oklahoma Army National Guard, the Thunderbird Medal.

Veterans Upward Bound Programs Commemorate Memorial Day with Activities and Ceremonies Across the U.S. - Council for Opportunity in Education TRIO Veterans Upward Bound programs assist veterans in developing the academic and other skills required to access and complete a program of postsecondary education.

What Happened on June 14, 1775?

On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the enlistment of six companies of expert riflemen to serve in the American Continental Army. This date is considered the official birthday of the U.S. Army.

The Continental Army was formed in response to the growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain. Both countries were in a war state for months and the April 18 incident forced the U.S. to establish a solid army ground to protect itself.

Are you a veteran with a 40% service-connected disability rating?

If so, you might want to watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKskWiBMCOs

Veterans Benefits at 40% Disability | VA Service-Connected Disability | theSITREP In this episode of theSITREP, Mike discusses Veterans benefits available to those receiving 40% disability, a.k.a. Service-Connected Compensation. Please ref...

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”- Theodore Roosevelt

We encourage you to come out and support our local veterans community!!

It was Surowiecki who said, "Groups are often smarter than the smartest people in them."

Now, think about that for a minute (or two).

You see, it doesn't matter how smart one individual is, that person will never be able to surpass the level of genius that is found within the collective group.

This is what is known as the law of collaboration, and what Napoleon Hill referred to as the Mastermind in his book "Think and Grow Rich."

The environment of a Univesity is all about adhering to this universal law, and we would encourage you to participate as much as possible in your local study groups -- this is where true genius is developed.