In the past year, many students have struggled to adjust to their new digital classrooms. Others have found it difficult to advance their careers after school, with a large amount of internships and other opportunities either being canceled or shifting to a completely digital environment.

To help combat these issues, the National Association of Black Accountants held an online seminar on Monday, Feb. 15, titled “Tips and Tricks for Students.” The presentation provided numerous resources that students can utilize to help them in the classroom and beyond.

The first resource that was highlighted during the presentation was Rate My Professors, a website allowing students to leave reviews and recommendations on their instructors.

In turn, students that are registering for future classes can access the site to see exactly what their fellow classmates thought of a prospective professor. Instructors are rated on the quality of their teaching and the difficulty of the course. It also allows students to see more specific details, like attendance policies and whether or not the professor requires a textbook.

This can prove especially helpful for students who may have to decide between multiple professors who are offering the same course.

“Even though it’s very opinionated, a lot of us [students] can agree with [the reviews],” said Britania Solomon, a NABA member who hosted the presentation. “It can be very beneficial.”

LinkedIn and the LinkedIn Learning program were also discussed as ways that students can help manage their professional identity and gain professional knowledge through online courses.

LinkedIn, which is an employment-based social media website, is often used by employers as well as those seeking to build their professional identity. Through Career Services, students can meet with Digital Dirt Interns, who assist in optimizing their profile in order to help attract potential employers.

“We specialize in LinkedIn, teaching [students] how to use it in a positive way and how to brand yourself,” said Emma Armstrong, a Digital Dirt Intern. Awppointments with interns can be booked through Handshake.

LinkedIn Learning is another program that can be very beneficial to students.

“Once you complete a course, it actually uploads to your profile so that it will be shown to employers,” Solomon said. “I would definitely highly recommend it.”

LinkedIn Learning offers professionally-instructed courses in a variety of fields, including creative skills, business skills and more.

“Maybe if you’re not proficient in something or you haven’t taken a class in something, at least LinkedIn Learning can give you a bit of that background,” Armstrong said. “You never really want to not go for a job because you feel like you’re not qualified enough, and LinkedIn Learning is a great way for you to extend those qualifications.”

Handshake was also discussed in greater detail, as it offers much more than just LinkedIn advice. The website, available exclusively to SUNY Oswego students, allows them to seek out job and internship opportunities. Through the site, potential employers can directly contact students about potential opportunities and other resources.

However, Handshake is not the only source for students to inquire about potential job openings.

CareerShift is another website dedicated to assisting students with finding internships and other job opportunities. Through the site, students have access to “dynamic job, contact and employer searches, targeted results, organizational tools and proactive career management,” Solomon said.

In addition to online resources, SUNY Oswego will also be holding a Career Fair on March 10. This will allow students to converse with potential employers about jobs and internships.

The presentation was not solely focused on career and school advice, however. It also highlighted additional benefits that students can receive throughout their time in college. One of these was the UniDays app. After creating a free account through a school email, students can receive discounts at places such as Apple, Reebok, H&M and American Eagle.

One specific benefit that students can take advantage of through UniDays is a discounted Apple Music subscription. Typically, a monthly subscription costs $9.99, but students can use the app for just $4.99 monthly. 

Another tip that was provided for students was the opportunity to take paid surveys. Websites such as Survey Junkie and Harris Poll Online offer cash payments in exchange for reviews and opinions on a wide variety of products and services.

On an academic note, NABA holds an annual student conference, which offers networking and job opportunities to members of the group. Students who wish to join NABA can visit their website for more information.

While many things have been altered or completely changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunities for students to learn and grow during their time at SUNY Oswego are still plentiful.

Patrick Higgins | The Oswegonian