Carolina Alumni Review - November/December 2008

Administration _GAA^D^OUG^D^IBBERT^{’ 70, president}doug_dibbert@unc.edu; 962–7050 ^StaffSTEVE SHAW ’ 82, director of finance & administration steve_shaw@unc.edu; 962–3599

LISA BEERS, controller lisa_beers@unc.edu; 962–3575

LINWOOD BLALOCK, mail room, 962–3979 MARYCATHERINE KURZENSKI, alumni center coordinator marycatherine_kurzenski@unc.edu; 962–7052

SUSAN LANE, accounting assistant susan@gaa.unc.edu; 843–8974

TOM MAY, printshop coordinator tom_may@unc.edu; 962–3741

ELIZABETH MORGAN, telephone receptionist, 962–1208 JENNY ROUTH, assistant to the president jenny_routh@unc.edu; 962–7051

Membership and Marketing

STEPHANIE MILLER ’ 83, dir. of membership & marketing stephanie_miller@unc.edu; 962–7058

DIANA KOONCE ’02, coord. of membership administration diana_koonce@unc.edu; 843–0151

SARAH LAMM ’ 99, manager of marketing sarah_lamm@unc.edu; 962–1276

JORDAN MYERS ’08, coord. of membership services jordan_myers@unc.edu; 962–3577

Programs

RICK DAVIS ’ 85, director of enrichment programs rick_davis@unc.edu; 962–3581

ANN-LOUISE AGUIAR’ 76, manager of alumni education & travel ann-louise_aguiar@unc.edu; 962–3574

KAT BUTLER ’07, coordinator of student programs kat_butler@unc.edu; 962–7053

LINDA CONKLIN, manager of alumni career services linda_conklin@unc.edu; 962–3749

C. HAWKINS ’00, coordinator of student membership c_hawkins@unc.edu; 962–7054

STEFFI KINTON ’05, coordinator of alumni education & travel steffi_kinton@unc.edu; 962–0313

TANEA PETTIS ’ 95, coordinator of affinity reunions &

alumni admissions programs tanea_pettis@unc.edu; 843–9694

CASEY PRIVETTE ’01, coordinator of alumni clubs casey_privette@unc.edu; 962–6705

LINDA RAINEY ’ 95 (MA), manager of alumni activities linda_rainey@unc.edu; 962–3576

LAURA SHEPPARD ’08, programs assistant laura_sheppard@unc.edu; 843–5115

ANITA WALTON ’ 92, manager of homecoming & affinity reunions; anita_walton@unc.edu; 962–3582

Publications

REGINA OLIVER ’ 75, editor regina_oliver@unc.edu; 962–7056

KATE NEWTON ANTHONY, art director kate_anthony@unc.edu; 962–3572

SARAH MCCARTY ARNESON ’ 96, associate art director sarah_mccarty@unc.edu; 962–4794

DAVID BROWN ’ 75, senior associate editor david_brown@unc.edu; 962–7057

DAVE DRAKE ’ 92, online coordinator dave_drake@unc.edu; 843–9712

ANDREA IDE ’08, advertising account representative andrea_ide@unc.edu; 962–8820

KEITH KING ’ 82, associate editor keith_king@unc.edu; 962–3903

Records and Information Systems

ROGER NELSEN, director of alumni records & info. systems roger_nelsen@unc.edu; 962–7055

TRACY CHRISMON, records assistant tracy_chrismon@unc.edu; 962–3737

STARLA GLENN, records assistant starla_glenn@unc.edu; 962–3584

JULIE GONYA, network administrator julie_gonya@unc.edu; 962–5788

COURTNEY KROLIKLOSKI ’07, records assistant courtney_krolikoski@unc.edu; 962–3586

JEREMY MCCAMIC ’03, records assistant jeremy_mccamic@unc.edu; 962–4412

MARTHA MILLS ’ 80, records assistant martha_mills@unc.edu; 962–3585

RACHEL ORR, records assistant rachel_orr@unc.edu; 962–3739

JOAN PENDERGRAPH, assistant director of alumni records joan_pendergraph@unc.edu; 962–3580

Careers
Here We Go Again

We’re all on another roller coaster ride marked by economic uncertainty, political unrest and bad news for the financial and housing markets. Buckle your seat-belt and hang on. Although the presidential candidates were touting change as though it were some new phenomenon, change is always with us. And with change comes challenge and opportunity. It just depends on how we define it.

It’s important to understand the nature of change and our reactions to it. Change makes many of us uncomfortable. However, by realizing that change is inevitable, we can develop effective coping strategies. Rather than trying to deal with events beyond your control, put your energy and resources where they will do the most good. There are three key areas where you need to focus your attention.

Career: Keep your eye on your career. Rather than worrying about losing your job, focus on being a super employee. As Deepak Chopra says, “Self-knowledge is an anchor that makes unpredictability tolerable.” Knowing your skills, strengths, values and interests allows you to market yourself more effectively, both inside and outside of your company.

Build on your natural strengths, the things that are easy for you to do. You will find better jobs, advance faster, get paid more and be happier in your work.

Seize the opportunity. Be aware of the market demand for what you do. Determine where the gaps are, and find ways to apply your skills and knowledge to close those gaps. Improve a process, develop a new product or create a service. Consider demographic changes as you plan your career. For example, baby boomers are reaching retirement age. How will that dynamic affect market forces and the need for talent?

Learn new skills and technologies. Be prepared to take advantage of emerging markets. Learn from the people around you. Learn from your mistakes. You are responsible for your own development. Knowing what you need to know is part of the challenge.

Create a powerful resume that will attract the attention of the next employer. Focus on what you do better than others,

your career,

and demonstrate _{your life}how you affect the bottom line positively. Use accomplishments ^LINDAinstead of job ^CONKLINdescriptions to show how you add value.

Relationships: Build and maintain an effective network to enrich all aspects of your life. Forming strong personal and professional relationships can help you weather the more difficult moments of change. Resolve to do something on a regular basis that will expose you to new people. Look for opportunities to interact with people in your company or industry to give you a broader perspective on the job market.

Research indicates that 70 to 75 percent of all jobs are found through networking; it makes sense to use your network to seek job opportunities rather than rely on Web job boards. People like people, so use the personal touch to help you stand out.

Finances: In a turbulent economy, it is imperative that you educate yourself about your finances. Are all your investment eggs in one basket? Minimize your risk. If you are stock heavy and approaching retirement or need to pay tuition within the next five years, consider reallocating your portfolio. Are your savings in an insured account? Do you have enough money saved so that you could support yourself for a minimum of three months if you lost your job? What can you do to reduce your debt? How can you increase your earning potential? What action can you take today that will net the greatest result?

Economize. Become a conscious consumer. In a culture of planned obsolescence and overconsumption, ask yourself if you really need the newest gadget, the most recent upgrade or the supersized model. Get creative — find ways to use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. This philosophy worked during the Great Depression. It still has value today. ■

Linda Conklin, GAA manager of Alumni Career Services, provides career coaching and monthly teleclasses. The Dec. 15 teleclass will be “ Cover Letters With Clout.” Conklin’s advice and other career-related information can be found on the Web at alumni.unc.edu/career. Contact Conklin at linda_conklin@unc.edu or (919) 962–3749.