Wednesday,May 6, 2009

Summertime!

Hello Students!

I am a little sad because this is my last blog entry for the semester! Unfortunately, student bloggers will not be writing blogs during the summer. I am very disappointed because I truly enjoy blogging and I probably would have a lot to tell you in the next two months. Next week will already be the end of the semester and the end of the academic year. It’s also my last week working at the International Admissions Office. It feels strange because I came here every week since September. I will miss it because everybody is so nice. Although it was rewarding to work on-campus, I have one semester left at UHCL and I want to focus on my classes and on my upcoming internship at Merrill Lynch. That will be the most exciting part of the summer and I really look forward to it. I will tell you more about that in September.

I guess the beginning of May is tough for everyone as finals always come faster than expected (if you are a procrastinator like me). I am relieved because I am done with my term projects, and I have now “only” three finals to go! After that, summer 2009 can start! I hope you have very nice plans for the summer. On May 16th, I will be flying to France via Amsterdam. I can’t wait to see my family, my house, my friends, my cats…everything. You realize how much you missed your home country when you go back. I plan to take some time off to go to the beach, hike on the Alps, and hang out with my friends. I will also go to the famous Cannes Film Festival which occurs during the last two weeks of May. On the 24th, I will take a night train to Metz (North/East of France) to visit my grandfather and my cousins. They live in a small typical charming village in the country. I love to go there and just relax, eat healthy food and ride my bike in the woods. Oh and of course, I plan to eat tons of French pastries and to drink quality wines. After a few weeks, I will be heading back to Houston to start my internship! That sounds like a perfect summer to me. I wish you all a fun and safe summer! For those who just graduated, best of luck in your future professional career and I hope you will remember UHCL! See you all in the fall.

My plans this summer (hopefully!):

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The semester is almost over...

Hello students,
I can’t believe it is already the last week of class! Although I feel a little nostalgic because the semester went by so fast, I am very excited about the upcoming summer. This semester was very challenging for me because I took four classes while working.
Finals are just around the corner! I am relieved because most of my term projects and papers are due this week. This means that I will be able to concentrate on finals during the next two weeks. I really enjoyed my classes this semester because they were all finance classes and I got to work on very interesting projects. Some of my term projects included research on liquidity management, a recurrent topic since the beginning of the financial crisis. It emphasized the importance of short-term financial management. Another group project consisted of a case analysis on the Porsche Company. We had to examine how Porsche successfully managed its currency exposure. It is a very interesting topic as more and more companies entering the global economy are concerned with international finance. During my future professional career, I would love to work in the currency trading field.
Although I like studying and school in general, I can’t wait to start working. Being a student has a lot of advantages but it can sometimes be challenging, especially when you study abroad. Some of my French friends don’t understand why I am always so busy. I tell them that it’s the American way of life! Since I live in Houston, I never had time to be bored. And I love it!
I have lived here for a year and as half now, and I am still amazed about how unpredictable the weather is. Last Thursday was a wonderful and warm sunny day, and not even twenty-four hours later, a huge thunderstorm almost flooded the entire city! My boyfriend and I had plans to go out but we finally decided to see a movie at home. On Saturday, I went to the new Zumba class at my gym and it was awesome! You get to burn a lot of calories while dancing salsa, merengue, cha cha, Mexican “rancheras”, hip-hop and even rock-and-roll! After one hour of Zumba, I felt completely exhausted! You should try it!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Beta Gamma Sigma Banquet

Hi students,
The weather is so warm and beautiful! That’s one of the many advantages of living in Houston. I wish classrooms weren’t so cold though. Soon, the semester will be over. How fast! I hope you all have very nice plans for the summer. I will be going to France for a month and a half; I can’t wait to see my family and friends again. But before that, a more serious issue is at hand— finals!

Last Friday, I went to the Beta Gamma Sigma banquet where new members were initiated. Beta Gamma Sigma is an honor society for business students and scholars; it is a great opportunity to be part of such an organization. I thought I would never be able to make it to the reception because the weather was really bad and I had to drive in from downtown! The ceremony took place at the Clear Lake Country Club. Most of the Faculty was present, as well as the Dean of the School of Business. It was interesting to speak with our professors outside of a classroom environment. I also got to see some of my classmates and I was glad to find out that some of my fellow students have read my blog! Overall, it was a great event. Being part of such organizations not only allows students to be more involved on campus, but it also helps students with their professional career.

The rest of the week-end went smoothly between homework, grocery shopping and exercising. I try to attend yoga and Pilates classes at least twice a week. I was so happy to find out my gym will soon have Zumba classes and Ballet dancing classes! I can’t wait! On Friday night, after the Beta Gamma Sigma banquet, I endured the bad weather to join some friends who were playing board games. On Saturday night, I met some of my French friends at a club in downtown and we had a lot of fun. Sunday, my boyfriend decided to take me to a seafood restaurant, even after I lost most of his money in the stock market! In fact, we didn’t do well this week, as we decided to invest in the banking sector. Next week, I’ll let you know if we were able to reverse our losses.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Investing in the Stock Market

As usual, since the beginning of the semester, last week was pretty intense. I spent most of my Easter week-end studying and trying to do what was written on my to-do list. I also went for a walk around Rice Village and rented a couple of movies with my boyfriend and some other friends. On Easter Sunday, I got a call from my family at 9 a.m. I was sleeping so well, but I still felt happy to speak with them. They were having a very nice family lunch and my mom cooked traditional Easter food. I wish could have been with them. It is sometimes difficult to be away from family, especially on holidays.

Last Monday, I participated in a photo shoot at UHCL. New pictures were needed to make catalogues and to post on the UHCL website. The photograph, Chris, took fun and amazing pictures. He had very nice ideas. Everyone looks good in his pictures. I had fun participating in this event and especially to be representing my university!

My boyfriend and I decided to invest money in the stock market!! Despite the market non-sense of the past months, we believe some benefits can be made out of this ongoing “market rally”. After some research among trading platforms, we decided to invest with Scottrade and their “$7 trades”. Even if we both are finance majors, it is difficult at first to pick the right stock with the extensive amount of financial information available through the internet and the press. My boyfriend decided that I was the one in charge of managing our portfolio! Well, he trusts in me. Anyway, our intention is not to make big gains— since we don’t have much money to invest— but rather to gain valuable learning experience. We bought seventy-six shares of Wells Fargo, but unfortunately the stock didn’t go up! We’ll see how it goes tomorrow…

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Office Retreat

I hope you are all doing fine and I am sure everyone is very very very busy… Me too! Sometimes, I wish one day lasted forty-eight hours so I could do all the things I need to do. Finals are approaching and so does summertime! I am happy that student bloggers get to use a new blogging software, which will allow readers to make comments on our entries. It is a good idea to allow more interaction among the UHCL community.

Last Wednesday, I went to the Admissions Office Retreat. The entire office was present and it was nice to meet together in a non-working environment. The event occurred at the restaurant in Kemah…one of my favorite. After we finished eating a delicious lunch, a funny activity was organized: we attached a huge white sheet of paper in our backs and everyone had to write a positive comment on it. After that, we had to stand in a big circle and each of us read their comments. It was so funny because some comments were just hilarious. The best part was maybe that we could not see who wrote what. One of my favorite comments was: “Fashion Diva, Oui Oui!”!

I think it was a great activity because we got to know each other better and also it always feels good to know that your coworkers have positive thoughts about you. I am very glad that I got to spend two semesters working at the Admissions Office because they are all very nice people. As a student, it is sometimes difficult to imagine the level of stress they are facing, especially when dealing with so many students applying. I got to discover this part of the process and I even tried to improve it in my projects. Everybody in the Admissions Office is very dedicated to ensure that students get through their admissions procedure smoothly, even if people don’t always realize how demanding and stressing it can be.

After this activity, two UHCL police officers did a presentation on “active shooters”. It was very interesting and useful considering the number of recent shootings among American universities. As they pointed out, most of the presentation gave advices that seemed to be common sense; however they reveal to be crucial when facing an active shooter. UHCL police officers are really dedicated to protect students on campus and I really appreciate their help. We don’t always think about their jobs when going to class or dealing with homework, but they are always around, whether it is inside buildings or on parking lots. Remember that if you see something or somebody suspect on campus or if you are afraid to walk to your car by yourself, just give them a call (281.283.2222) and they will give you assistance. I really thank them for ensuring our security on campus!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

No to Firearms on Campus

Last Monday, the students of the University of Houston-Clear Lake received an e-mail informing them about House Bill 1893. This bill would require all universities to allow anyone with a Texas Concealed Handgun License to carry a firearm on campus by September 1st, 2009!!!! I am very concerned and afraid that influential politicians could support such an idea. In my opinion, the learning environment of the university should be cherished and protected. Allowing firearms on campus would completely denaturize this environment and increase the potential for violence.

Recent incidents such as the Virginia Tech tragedy might have influenced some politicians to vote such radical measures. However, I do not believe that allowing students or staff to carry firearms would prevent these types of accident at all. In fact, it takes a lot of practice and self-control to fire a gun in such stressful situations. The concealed handgun license training does not do enough to educate people to use firearms in these situations.
Obviously, such measures would increase the inevitable accidental discharge; and the likelihood of an unattended firearm being found on campus. It seems logical that individual carrying weapons will feel more “powerful” and therefore more tempted to use their arm in case of an altercation, increasing the risk of killing innocent people. I think that the source of campus crimes is due to the fact that American citizens are allowed to carry weapons at all!
I believe our campus should stay a safe environment focused 100% on learning and socializing; and should not become a source of fear. I would feel very unsecure and unsafe to come to class if firearms happen to be allowed on campus. I would always be scared because I do not trust anybody, other than police officer, carrying a firearm.

The bill has not been voted yet and everyone is encouraged to voice their opinions. Please visit this website for further information about the House Bill 1893.

If you think that allowing weapons on campus would increase deadly events and injuries, please send your thoughts to the Public Safety Committee:

• Chairman, Tommy Merritt, Longview 512.463.9085
• Vice-Chair, Stephen Frost, Texarkana 512.463.0902
• Rep. Lon Burnam, Fort Worth 512.463.0740
• Rep. Joe Driver, Garland 512.463.0574 bill author*
• Rep. Phil King, Weatherford 512.463.0738
• Rep. Tryon Lewis, Odessa 512.463.0546
• Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, Dallas 512.463.0664
• Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, Austin 512.463.0674
• Hubert Vo, Houston 512.463.0568

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Take Full Advantage of Houston…

When I first moved to Houston a little over a year ago, I was very far from imagining the many resources the fourth largest city in the U.S. had to offer. It is not always easy to settle in a new city, but I was thrilled to discover that Houston hosts a vibrant international community. As a student, I know it can be sometimes difficult to conciliate homework with a social life but I would like to share with you some of my favorite things to do in Houston.

• Take a stroll around Hermann Park or Memorial Park. Spring is the best season to observe the multitude of flowers.
  
• Go to the Museum. Houston has a bouncing Museum District which offers many discounts and free entrance for students. You can check out all the free opportunities through this website. I especially recommend you to visit the Fine Art Museum, the Menil Collection and the Museum of Natural Science.
  
• Central Market is on top of my list! Food there is just amazing and you can eat as many samples as you want!
  
• I love going to the new public library in downtown. This is a great place to study because the area is very quiet and the building has huge windows which allows readers to admire the Houston’s skyline. I usually find everything I want, whether it is French novels or career guides.
  
• Grab a bubble tea at The Tea House (usually a Green-apple-green-tea with tapioca).
  
• Eat on the fabulous patio of the Mexican restaurant, El Pueblito (just in front of my apartment complex). They have very nice tents for intimate dinners.
  
• Join a French conversation group that meet every Wednesday nights at La Madeleine (Kirby & Rice blvd.) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  
• Go to the “Rendez-vous” private parties at Bam Bou nightclub in Rice Village. Rendez-vous is organized to bring together international people who live in Houston. Entrance, parking and buffet are complementary. It is a great way to make new friends.
  
• Attend one of the many events of the World Affairs Council of Houston.
  
• Drive down to Galveston for a fun day at the beach.
• Visit NASA! When buying your entrance, remember that for a few more dollars, you can get a membership, which allows you to get in for free, have complementary parking, and 10% off the gift store for a full year! Good deal!
  
• Attend a Tango night at Salento café.
  
• Run along Rice University where you can admire tall oaks and study at the Rice University library.
  
• Go to Chinatown, a good place to buy some tea and Jasmine rice.
  
• Of course, drive to the Galleria, the best place for shopping addicts. I love eating at the Cheesecake Factory and go ice-skating!

I may forget many places but the most important point is that Houston is a great city to live in and there are always new fun and educational places to discover.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Spring Break in Cancun!

I hope you all had a restful and safe Spring Break. Thanks to my boyfriend’s family, who owns a house in Cancun, I was able to discover this beautiful place without spending a lot of money! We really had a great time there.

Cancun offers more than its typical turquoise sea and while sand beaches. Of course, you will always run into some drunk college students, but there is much more to do than just staying in the hotel area. We went to Isla Mujeres to snorkel, visited the natural park Xel-Ha, and visited the pyramids Tulum and Chichen Itza. In all of these places, the water was beautiful—very clear and filled with multicolor fishes. We also got sunburns!

The fact that my boyfriend and I both speak Spanish really helped us. We were able to find the best deals to go to the pyramids and we negotiated our small trips with the taxi drivers. The whole week was wonderful but my best memory is probably when I swam with the dolphins. I will always remember this experience. I have been fascinated with these intelligent creatures since my childhood. Dolphin’s loyalty to human is just amazing and they can accomplish great figures as they easily understand our body language. During our session, the employees asked us to help them train the dolphins to do some new figures. After a few failed attempts, we were able to successfully accomplish the figures. I was so happy!

During our visit to the pyramids, we got to learn a lot about the Mayan culture and their predictions. It is very interesting to discover that such a great and powerful civilization used to live in Mexico. According to experts, they had a very advanced and accurate calendar which was more precise than the European one. Mayans built their temples in such a way that the sun’s rays would create light effects on equinox days. The architecture was so well calculated that visitors can still witness these events on the spring and fall equinox. Mayan’s vision of the time was cyclonic, as compared to our timeline vision, which allowed them predict some future events. One of their most frightening predictions was that our current world will end on December 21st….or year 2012!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

International Women’s Day

Sunday March 8th was International Women’s day. I was a little disappointed that no major events or celebrations were organized in Houston. In France and in many other European countries, March 8th is a big happening and a lot of events are organized to promote women’s rights around the world. I hope this day will remind people that women won a long lasting battle to allow future generations of women like us to be fully independent. It should also remind us that many women around the world still don’t benefit from the same rights as women do in western civilizations. I am thinking about those women who are beaten and tortured, who are not allowed to vote, to drive, to work, and I hope they will win this essential battle as well.
You may want to visit the following website about women’s rights. Some are very interesting:

• Women and war - International Committee of the Red Cross
• International Museum of Women
• Article from international communist organization on International Women's Day
• International Women's Day 2007 - United Nations web site
• www.internationalwomensday.com
• International Women's Day Celebration
• More detailed overview
• Sewing a better future on International Women’s Day
• Naukriforwomen.com - India's first women only job site celebrates Women's Day until Mar'31, 2009 - Lot of prizes to be won

I can’t believe time is passing by so fast…Spring Break is just around the corner, along with considerable amount of midterms, assignments and papers due. I am also working on getting a Summer Internship and it seems that I have an opportunity…..but I don’t want to talk about it until it’s finalized. I also got an invitation to join the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma, which is considered to be the “highest honor a business student can receive around the world”. Great! We’ll see if that can get me prepared for the after-college life!

As I want to take advantage of my last year in school before graduation, I booked a flight to Cancun and I am really excited about it. However, I need to finish all my homework before that, which is not an easy task. Recently I have been staying up really late every night to finish my quizzes and other assignments. I am sure many of you are facing the same situation and I wish you good luck! I visualize images of turquoise sea and white sand to give me some courage. Soon, I’ll be in Mexico!!

It seems that Spring Break is quite a big deal here in the United States. I went to Panama City Beach three years ago, and my eyes saw things they did not wish to see! Anyway, I am not going to Cancun to experience the “typical American Spring Break”. I just hope to have a relaxing time. My boyfriend’s cousin has a house in Cancun so we won’t have to pay for a hotel. That is great news because I would not have been able to afford such a trip otherwise. I read on the Internet that Cancun has the second largest coral reef in the world! I love snorkeling and I hope to see many multicolor fishes. I also want to swim with dolphins and visit Chichen Itza, as it is one of the Seven Wonders in the world. I hope I will have time to do all of that! Meanwhile, I wish you all a great and safe Spring Break!
(Images from Flickr.com).

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!

I spent an amazing week with my mom and my sister in Las Vegas. I had been waiting for these vacations for months. As I was waiting in the LAX airport lobby, I still could not believe that I was seconds away from seeing my family. The reunion was cheerful because I had not seen my mom and my sister since last summer. From the airport, we rented a car and drove to Las Vegas…

…The arrival in the largest city of Nevada was simply incredible! No adjectives are strong enough to qualify the intensity of this dynamic city. The hotels, the strip, casinos, malls, buildings…everything is grandiose. It seems that every country is represented in Las Vegas and that people travel there to have the time of their lives. We intended to do the same!

Photo 1: In front of our hotel, Excalibur.
Photo 2: Las Vegas strip.

We stayed at the Excalibur hotel, a fun place in the shape of a castle. After checking-in, we started our tour on the famous strip. We entered into almost every hotel along the way. The Luxor, MGM, Flamingo, Mirage, Treasure Island, New York, Ceasars Palace, Sahara, Palazzo…etc. and last but not least the Bellagio. I have rarely seen such an impressive and luxurious place! The inside is just marvelous. I loved the huge bouquets of tropical flowers and the orchid’s garden. The water fountain spectacle left me speechless. Did you know that the movie “Ocean Eleven’ was shot at the Bellagio?

Water fountains spectacle at the Bellagio.

Photo 1: My mom and I at the Luxor.
Photo 2: Inside Mills Mall.
Photo 3: In front of the orchid’s garden at the Bellagio.

The Ceasars Palace was also an impressive place. I liked the luxurious boutiques topped by fake skies and surrounded by replicas of famous monuments around the world. It seems that everywhere you look, there is something to surprise you: the flamingos, MGM lions, Statue of Liberty, Venice, Eiffel tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sphinx, pirates’ show, aquariums and the Stratosphere. I always imagined Las Vegas as a superficial city but I never expected to be astonished by such diversity. After experiencing the fun of Vegas, it’s hard to come back to a “normal” city.

Photo 1: Bryce Canyon, Utah. Way more beautiful than the Gran Canyon in my opinion.
Photo 2: Badwater Basin, Death Valley. This place is the lowest point on Earth! It is located 282 feet below the sea level! Very impressive! What appears to be snow is in reality salt.

Another amazing thing about renting a car and being in Nevada is that you are free to move and visit natural parks. Since I was little, I have always dreamed of visiting the “Wild Wild West”. We drove for hours through the desert to finally arrive in Death Valley, which is surprisingly located 232 feet under the sea level. Another funny place to see in the area is the “Palette of the Artists”, where the rocks are colored in blue, green, and orange because they contain different minerals which make them look like a painting palette.

The Red Canyon, Zion Park.

Another day, we drove across the Zion Park to reach Bryce Canyon, a beautiful mineral site as well, which is considered by many as more impressive than the Gran Canyon. The uncommon and colorful countryside was very typical and similar to the western movies I had seen. These natural parks gave me a feeling of freedom. It was simply spectacular.
After a few days in Las Vegas, we came back to Los Angeles to spend the last two days there. Even if I had already been in LA, I can assure you than I was more impressed by Las Vegas and the natural parks than by Hollywood, Santa Monica and even Beverley Hills. Nevertheless, I was happy to wet my feet into the Pacific Ocean, as I miss the sea so much! The water was pretty cold though. Now, I have to work twice as much to catch up with all my homework, but that is a small price compared to the benefit of going to Las Vegas with my mom and my sister for a whole week!!!

Bye Bye Los Angeles…

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Student Organizations and FMA

Hi students! Guess what? I am writing this blog entry from the Los Angeles International Airport!! Today is Saturday February the 21st and it is 2:30 pm Pacific Time. The flight went smoothly in spite of my unjustified fear when it comes to getting on a plane. Anyway, the exciting news is that I am sitting here at Terminal 4 waiting from my mom and sister to arrive! They are coming from London and I will get to spend an entire week with them! I am so excited and I can’t wait to see them crossing the “arrivals” door. We will rent a car and spend a few days in Las Vegas, but I will detail my trip next week.

Have you thought about getting involved in a student organization? It is a good way to meet new people, network with recruiters and build your leadership experience. If you can get to be an officer, it’s even better! I joined FMA this semester and it seems to be a resourceful organization. I suggest any Finance students to become part of this organization. You can read about FMA on their website: “The Financial Management Association International (FMA) was established in 1970 and has become the global leader in developing and disseminating knowledge about financial decision making”. I went to the first FMA meeting this semester and it appears that the organization has been huge with great influence. It is also a well-known organization around the world. In the next FMA meeting in UHCL, which will be held on March fourth, new officers will be elected (I am actually thinking about applying for an office) and we will discuss about the Career Services Employer Night which is set for April twenty-second or twenty-third. Some employers in the energy and financial services will be invited to network with students on this special event. If you cannot make it to the meetings, you can always download the application on FMA’s website and join the “UHCL FMA” group on Facebook. Many other organizations are active on campus for every major. You should check out the UHCL student organizations page. I hope to see many of you in the upcoming FMA meetings!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

I love February! This is the time of the year when nature is reborn, blossoms start to appear on trees, days get longer…and Valentine’s Day takes place! I am thrilled that February fourteenth happened to be on a Saturday this year; I had the chance to celebrate love for an entire day.

It’s always good to take a romantic break from our stressful lives. With the financial crisis going on and midterms approaching, we all deserve to go on a great date! This year, my boyfriend and I took a stroll through Hermann Park. I like to go there because it is very relaxing to observe the active animal life and the Japanese Garden is so amazing! Somebody had dropped rose petals in the grass so we took advantage of the setting to take funny pictures. The stormy weather made the walk very romantic. After that, we went to The Cheesecake Factory, one of my favorite restaurants in Houston.

Their cocktails are delicious and they have a wide variety of dishes. I ordered some fresh tuna and since the portions are pretty big, I was able to eat some of it the next day. To finish the night on a romantic note, we went to see “The Pink Panther 2”. It was hilarious and I really recommend you to see it! My boyfriend gave me a huge bouquet of beautiful roses, chocolates, two very cute tigers and something from Victoria’s Secret. In return, I gave him a Phillips razor and I created a photo album with photos of our best moment together (I included the “Kiss in Paris” picture of course).

Of course, no one should wait a special day to demonstrate love and to say “I love you”. Did you know that Valentine’s Day only became popular after World War II? According to Wikipedia, Valentine’s day was originally a Catholic celebration in reference to the many early Christian martyrs that were named “Valentine”. The fourteenth of February became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer during the Middle Ages when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In the nineteen century, love letters were referred as “Valentines”. Today, millions celebrate Valentine’s Day around the world and the fourteenth of February has become a very lucrative business. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion Valentines cards are sent each year worldwide! In short, keep spreading love!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Job Fair Success

Hello students! Last week-end, my boyfriend helped me improve my resume and cover letter. We did some modifications like including more action verbs and numbers. I feel very satisfied about the outcome. As my graduation comes closer, I am very concerned about finding a job and launching my career into the financial industry. Needless to say that being an international student in our current economic situation makes the job hunt more challenging.
My number one rule is to never get discouraged and apply to as many companies as possible. Attending job fairs helps the employment search process. This upcoming Thursday, I plan on attending the Business Job Fair, which will take place at the University of Houston-Main Campus. Other job fairs such as the Texas Job Fair or the Teacher Job Fair will take place later on the semester. If you are looking for a job, this is definitely an event you don’t want to miss. The Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers website gives a detailed list of all upcoming job fairs. Remember that UHCL students are welcome to attend all of these events, so take advantage of it! Additionally, the Job Fairs section of the UHCL Career Services contains helpful information.

Prepare Effectively for the Job Fair

• Prepare your resume. Update and proofread your resume before attending the job fair. Don’t forget to include a relevant objective and to print from 20 to 30 copies, if possible on high-quality paper. You absolutely need to present an error-free resume to recruiters.
• Bring a portfolio. It always looks more professional to have your resume enclosed in a business portfolio in which you should also include a pen and some paper.
• Research participating employees in advance. Review the list of employees who will attend the job fair. You can go on the companies’ website to learn more about what they do, their corporate culture, recruiting procedures and job offers. This will give you an advantage over other attendees. Recruiters appreciate a student who knows about their company.
• Review the details before the Job Fair day. Clean you suit, polish your shoes, iron your shirts and review the itinerary so you won’t get lost on the big day.
• Prepare questions and a brief introduction. Have a set of questions ready for the recruiters to show your interest in the companies. It can also be useful to rehearse a few words on how to introduce yourself to employers (background, the degree you are pursuing, position you are seeking…etc.).

On the Job Fair Day

• Go alone. Leave husband, children, friends or pets at home!
• Arrive early so you can get to see as many recruiters as possible.
• Dress Professionally! You should be familiar with the appropriate business dress code. Gentlemen: clean suit, polished shoes, white dressing shirt, nice tie, sharp hair. Women: suit, nice shirt, closed shoes with appropriate heels, conservative haircut, no ostensible jewelries or aggressive perfume.
• Give the right first impression. Approach the recruiter with a smile and offer a firm handshake while you introduce yourself.
• Maintain professionalism. Every time you speak with a recruiter, consider it as a mini-interview. After a brief discussion with the employer, collect the organizational literature and the recruiter’s business card. Ask about the next step in the recruiting process or the preferred method of follow-up.
• Take notes of conversation. Write down a few notes about your conversations and names of the recruiters you spoke with.

After the Fair

• Follow-up. Now that your memory is still “fresh” from the recent conversations, write personified thank-you letters or emails to recruiters. Don’t forget to include another copy of your resume and restate your interest and qualifications for the position.
• Maintain contact. Follow up with recruiters 2 to 4 weeks after the fair.
• Improve your resume and interview skills. It’s always good to learn from experience. Adjust your professional skills from what you learn through job fairs.

I wish you to be successful on your future job fairs and if you see me in one of them (it’s more than likely), please say hi!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A Typical Day as a UHCL Student…

Hello students! Today, I would like to share a description of what would be one of my typical days as a UHCL student…

8:00 am: Wake-up! With music of course! Always better to wake up with a nice song than with the traditional horrible alarm sound.
8:05 am: I take a shower, get dressed, put on make-up…Then, I change my clothes again (after walking outside). Houston’s weather is unpredictable!
8:45 am: I take some time to watch the news, login to my WebCT account and read my emails— all of this while eating breakfast.
9:05 am: It’s time to warm up the car and turn on the radio.
9:07 am: I get on 59 North, direction Downtown, and then on I-45 South, direction UHCL, ready for a 45-minute drive (if lucky!).
10:00 am: I park my car at UHCL without too much trouble (there is plenty of parking space in the morning). I admire the bayou, which I think looks beautiful on the morning.
10:03 am: I go to work at the Admissions Office. I am an Instructional Assistant there, and was assigned to work within the International Office. I really like it because I get to work on many different projects and the people there are all very nice.
1:00 pm: Lunchtime! I rush to the Cafeteria to buy a salad or some sushi. I love to sit on the patio and enjoy the tropical flowers. Sometimes, you can even see humming birds!
1:30 pm: After getting back to the office, I prepare a cup of coffee and login to WebCT again. I get depressed by the number of unread emails, discussions, group assignments, quizzes and late projects that literally pop-up every time I login!
1:32 pm: I decide to take care of WebCT later and prefer to check the weather (yeah, I’m a weather freak J )
1:35 pm: Back to work!
6:50 pm: It’s time to go to my night class now.
6:55 pm: I take a seat, open my books, and chat with some classmates (usually about the incredible number of readings that we were assigned).
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm: At this point of the class, I am very motivated; I calculate financial ratios or PV of future cash flows using my super sophisticated HP financial calculator, answer questions and take notes.
8:00 pm: My stomach starts groaning.
8:10 pm: I look at my watch: “WOW, we’ve been here since ONLY 1 hour and 10 minutes!!”.
8:30 pm: I call my boyfriend during the break or check out my emails.
8:35 pm: I start to be very hungry, thinking what I will cook when I get back home (Coconut shrimps, basmati rice, tomato and mozzarella salad with maybe a fruit salad topped with ice-cream as a dessert). I’m starving!
9:55 pm: Class is over (5 minutes late because somebody had a last-minute question)
9: 59 pm: I get into my car and get off the university (trying not to run over any deer or trying not to crash my car while admiring all of those little “Bambis” that aren’t even scared of students).
10:35 pm: I get into my apartment complex, park my car, grab my books, bags, jackets and climb the three floors leading to my apartment (last exercise of the day).
10:50 pm: I eat something (not quite the 5 star menu I was imagining in class!). Most likely I’ll have some fish and salad while watching Sex and the City or Friends.
11:30 pm: I get in my WebCT account again, now it’s time to start doing homework!
2:00 am: Good night!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Back on Track

Hi everybody, I am happy to be back at UHCL and to write my blog again! I wish you a Happy New Year 2009 and I hope this will be a very successful year! I am sure you all enjoyed these well-deserved Christmas break and you are now ready to kick off the new semester!
I traveled to Mexico for two weeks with my boyfriend Jorge and we really had a great time. We drove all the way down to Torreon, where Jorge’s parents live. After that, we spent New Year’s Eve in Queretaro which is located in Central Mexico. We had the chance to stay in a luxurious palace and we visited some beautiful, traditional, well-preserved villages such as San Miguel de Allende. It was the fourth time I went to there but I still felt amazed by the richness of the Mexican culture. People are warm, the food taste amazing and landscapes are spectacular!
After enjoying the end of the year festivities and taking advantage of a few homework-free weeks, it’s time to be back on track and to make these ambitious resolutions come true. I don’t know about you but I have a lot of resolutions for this year. I want to eat healthier, stop studying exams at the last minute, start investing in the stock market, find a job…etc.
I am very excited about starting a new semester, especially because I really like my classes: International Finance, Financial Administrative Practices, the Financial System and Security Analysis. Basically only finance classes! I am less excited about buying books though. After paying tuitions, fees, parking permits, student organization memberships and so on; the last thing I want to do is buy books! I buy mine online (usually at www.amazon.com) because I cannot afford to buy all of them at the bookstore. The first weeks are usually very hectic so it takes some time to be familiar with the new classes. I already have a lot of homework and assignments due!!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Winter Break!

Winter break is almost here and I am sure all of you are looking forward to your well-deserved vacation. I can't believe the semester is almost over! It seems like the first day of class was yesterday.
This semester was particularly eventful for me as so many changes occurred in my life. First, I experienced my first hurricane when Ike passed through Houston in September. I decided not to evacuate since I live in Midtown Houston which was considered a safer area. I did not sleep that night as the power of the winds was blowing against the windows, causing electric transformers to explode. I am thankful that only my car got a little damaged. However, I felt bad about those thousands of Houstonians who had their houses completely destroyed. Another event that happened to me is when I got an instructional assistantship from the School of Business. I was assigned to work at the Admissions Office on several projects. For instance, I designed a Process Flow Mapping detailing the different steps of the application process. I also worked on improving the recruiting process and on implementing exchange programs with other universities around the world. I learned a lot and am looking forward to continue next semester. Everybody in the office is so nice! One of my other activities this semester was to be a Student Blogger and I enjoyed it very much. I like to describe my experience as a student and I can improve my writing skills. Finally, I decided on a major: finance. Even if the job market for finance professionals is not the best right now, I intend to make every effort to lend a job at graduation. I love to be busy, however, this semester was challenging as I took 4 graduate classes on top of my other activities.
Finals exams are coming very soon and I plan on studying as much as necessary in order to end the semester on a good note. By the time this entry will be posted, I will be enjoying my first day of vacations. I have so many things planned— I am going to Gomez Palacio, Mexico with my boyfriend (Jorge) to visit his family and to help his father open a new business. This will be very exciting because I will get to apply the skills I learned through my degree hands-on. Jorge and I will design the logotype and work on the financials. I also hope to visit Central Mexico before we head back home in early January. Besides this, I plan to read some books such as The elements of Style by Strunk and White, to practice my Chinese and Italian, to get better at dancing salsa, and to eat tons of chocolate!
I hope you will enjoy your holidays and do all the things you don’t have time to do during school. Congratulations to those who just graduated. I wish you a lot of success in your future professional career. Have a fun and safe Winter Break! See you all in January!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! For the first time, I decided to celebrate Thanksgiving and prepare a traditional dinner. I was very excited to experience it! I enjoy family reunions and good food. My boyfriend and I don’t have any relatives in Houston, so we decided to invite a couple of close friends. It was very “adventurous” as I had never made such a complicated dinner before!! I work for the Office of Admissions at UHCL and my co-workers gave me some tips on how to prepare a real Thanksgiving dinner. As I looked very anxious while they were described the various dishes to me, they told me that it would be easier to buy an already prepared meal from the grocery store. However, I felt bad not cooking for my guests. Luckily, I didn’t have to work on Wednesday and was able to buy groceries. On Thursday morning, as I was doing my homework, I felt a little pressured. I started cooking at 3pm (the dinner was scheduled at 6pm). I cooked two turkey breasts with cranberries, onions and spices, potatoes, asparagus with mint, stuffed mushrooms and cranberry sauce. I was very surprised to be able to cook all of that and my guests enjoyed the dinner. I was proud of myself, as I though I would not be able to make it. I had already planned a barbecue just in case I burned the turkey. We had a wonderful time!

Black Friday is another tradition that goes along with Thanksgiving. I never understood why people would wake up at 5 a.m. and rush to shopping centers, stand on the line for hours and spend money on items they don’t really need. Three years ago, I decided to try shopping on Black Friday with a couple of friends; we decided not to sleep so we could all go to the mall at 4 a.m. I remember being so tired that I didn’t have the courage to stand in line or to try clothes on. I ended up not buying anything! This year, my girlfriends and I where hesitating about going to the Galleria at 6am. We finally decided that it wasn’t worth it to wake up so early. Later during the day, I went to the mall for a couple of hours and was amazed by the crowd. It was the perfect illustration of “mass consumption”. I didn’t find any good deals (items on sale were either from older collections or in large sizes) and I ended up buying a dress that wasn’t even discounted! I should have stayed home to do my homework!

This year, I didn’t travel anywhere during the Thanksgiving break as I have too much homework. Finals are coming very soon! I am also looking for a Summer Internship. I hope you all enjoyed these few days off and that you are now ready to excel in your finals! Good luck on your studies!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Exercise

Hello students,
As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches— papers, exams and cases are still accumulating. Since the hurricane, everything has been pushed back. As soon as I am done with an assignment, another one is due. Sometimes, I feel like time is passing by too fast and wish the day could last forty-eight hours! Last Saturday, in an attempt to take a well-deserved break from my homework, I printed a 24 Hour Fitness seven-day trial offer. 24 Hour Fitness recently opened a new club near downtown, which is very close to my house. I was very pleased to admire the Houston skyline while working out (the club is located on the last floor of a building)! My boyfriend and I liked this place so much that we both got a membership. I felt even more excited when I was told the price of my membership: $17.99 a month!!! My boyfriend’s company allows employees to get discounted memberships at various clubs in the Houston area. My favorite place is the pool area which includes a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room. I was raised in a coastal city and would swim on a regular basis (every day during summertime). Swimming in the 24 Hour Fitness’s pool is obviously not comparable to diving the Mediterranean Sea’s clear waters, but it’s still a good way to exercise. Swimming is excellent for back problems and improves endurance. Did you know that you burn 360 calories when you swim for an hour? This is a great website to calculate how many calories you burn according to your activity. I try to eat healthy and to avoid greasy dishes, which is hard with all the fast-food options around. Christmas is coming and I love to eat a lot of chocolate during the holiday season. I made the commitment to work-out at least three times a week and to join group classes such as yoga, cycle and kickboxing. I hope I will be able to maintain that schedule, especially with finals coming soon!

“A healthy mind in a healthy body”
- Juvenal, Roman poet and satirist.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Armistice Day

Hello students! Last week, Americans elected their first African-American President, Barack Obama. I am so glad to see that his charisma and leadership inspired hope not only to the African-American community, but also to the society as a whole. As millions gathered in the voting pools, including new voters, American citizens demonstrated their belief in democratic principles and a deep desire for change. As a non-US citizen, I was thrilled to be in the United States during the presidential campaign and the Election Day. I will remember this day in history as a victory, almost forty years after the end of Segregation.

November 11 is another historic day. Celebrated as the Veterans Day in the United States, an annual holiday honoring military veterans, it is also the anniversary of the Armistice Day that ended World War I. At exactly the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside of Compiegne in France. The Armistice Day is a National Holiday in France and is intended to remember these courageous men who selflessly gave their lives for their country. The last French veteran of the Great War passed away this year. No other war has changed the map of Europe so dramatically and millions of young men died in terrible conditions. I believe in pacifism. No cause is worth the life of a father, a husband, or a son. Nevertheless, we ought to remember and celebrate these brave soldiers. I salute the veterans and all the soldiers on duty around the world, hoping that they will be back home safe. I personally like to read a lot of books about the war and I also try to see documentaries and movies. My favorite one is “A very long engagement”, released in 2004. It is a romance and war film about a young woman’s desperate search for her fiancé who might have been killed on a World War I battlefield. I’ll let you discover the ending!

As I am talking about war, I would like to let you know about an organization that I admire: Reporter without borders. RSF is a non-profit organization that fights for press freedom around the world and for journalists that are imprisoned and persecuted for doing their job. RSF also help improve the safety of journalists reporting in war zones. During 2008, 37 journalists were killed and 127 are still in jail.

11 November’s celebration in France.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Market Yourself

I know most of you are concerned with your future professional career, whether you are looking for a full-time position or a summer internship. Finding the right job is not an easy task and it can rapidly become unmanageable if you are not well-organized. Depending on the degree you chose and on your personal aspirations, hundreds companies can fit your career expectations. Below are some advice and tips that I would like to share with you:

Be Organized:

Good organization skills are crucial to insure a successful job search. I personally use an Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of my job applications, interviews outcomes and contact information.

Get started on the Job Search:

I recommend you to post your resume in Career Link as many employers use this tool to recruit students. Career Link allows you to search and apply for jobs online and to schedule on-campus interviews. Independently from on-campus recruiting, many companies require you to apply online through their personal recruiting systems. Visiting their websites will give you valuable insights on their corporate culture. I also suggest you attend as many Job Fairs as possible. This following link gives you a list of upcoming Job Fairs in the Houston area. Finally, don’t underestimate websites such as monster.com or jobing.com.

Sharpen your Resume & Cover Letter:

Remember that your resume and cover letter are the first impression employers get from you. They expect you to report your professional achievements in a concise manner. Don’t hesitate to have Career Services or a career advisor revise your resume as many times as necessary. I am sure you already have a resume but I suggest you to update it frequently and to make it personal. For instance, you should not send the same resume/cover letter to every company you apply to! Make it personal by including the skills and achievements that best match the particular position you are interested in.

Master Interviews:

First of all, you can congratulate yourself for being offered an interview! This step might be the most decisive one in the recruiting process. Even if you feel confident and prepared, don’t expect recruiters to run out of tricky questions! There are different types of interviews such as informational, screening, group…etc. but the most frequently used is the behavioral interview. Participating in mock interviews with your career advisor is an efficient way to practice your answers and to be more confident. Career Services also provides brochures with commonly used interview questions.

Attend UHCL Workshops:

Below is a list of upcoming workshops:

Networking Strategies
Tue, Nov 18, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, SSCB 3308
Thu, Nov 20, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Bayou 2504

Resumes and Interviewing
Fri, Nov 14, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Bayou 2504

Salary Negotiation
Wed, Nov 19, 4:00 - 5:00 pm, SSCB 3308
Fri, Nov 21, 10:00 - 11:00 am, Bayou 2104

Dress for Success:

Never underestimate the importance of dressing appropriately for interviews. The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. Below are some general rules that apply for any company:

Women's Interview Attire

• Suit (navy, black or dark grey)
• The suit skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably
• Coordinated blouse
• Conservative shoes
• Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
• Professional hairstyle
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light make-up and perfume

Men's Interview Attire

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
• Belt
• Tie
• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes
• Little or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Limit the aftershave
• Neatly trimmed nails
• Portfolio or briefcase

This website offers additional information regarding how to dress and prepare effectively for an interview. Don’t forget that it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed!

Follow-Up

Always remember to write a Thank-You note to the person who interviewed you. It has to be handwritten and sent within 24 hours. Electronically formats are acceptable and templates are available through Career Services.

Final note to International Students

As you may know, some companies don’t accept applications from International Students. But the good news is that some do! I suggest you to be familiar with OPT/CPT rules in case employers have any questions.

I hope these tips will help you be better prepared to succeed in finding the right job. Good luck in your job hunting!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Hello Everybody

This is my first entry as a blogger for the UHCL Website and I am very excited about starting this new experience. As an international student and future professional, I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts, ideas, tips and feelings with all of you. I am a graduate student completing my Masters in Finance at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. As you may all know, being a student in not always an easy journey but I believe that learning, growing as a person and preparing for a career is a unique opportunity.
I am from Antibes, France and this is where I completed the first part of my educational career. Antibes is a beautiful town located in the heart of the French Riviera, between Monaco and Cannes. My region hosts famous events such as the International Film Festival of Cannes, the Grand Prix de Monaco, Yacht shows and many more. Famous artists such as Picasso or Jean Marais found their inspiration in the French Riviera. As a student, I was able to work and develop professional skills in two fields that happened to be my passions as well: journalism and yachting.
In 2005, I decided to join an exchange program that allowed me to study for one year at the University of Oklahoma. My first experience with the American educational system was so enriching that I was eager to earn my Master degree in Houston, which I find to be a very attractive city for students like me who seek to build a career in the Oil and Gas industry. I don’t regret my choice and I felt welcomed at UHCL, where I try to take advantage of every resource the university offers.
After this little introduction about myself, I would like to wish you good luck in all of your assignments, papers, presentations and exams. I know mid-semester keeps everyone busy and overloaded with homework, but don’t forget to take care of yourself. You will be more productive and effective in doing your homework if you take the time to sleep well, eat healthy and exercise! Remember, Thanksgiving is almost here.

Antibes, my Hometown

The Mediterranean Sea

Boat Show

Yachts

Festival of Cannes