"Test Drive a Career"

The announcement below is from the advising center:

This upcoming Winter Break, Pitt students will have the opportunity to Test Drive a Career by shadowing an alum or employer.  Winter Break is an ideal time since your finals will be over!  What better occasion to participate in an a job shadowing experience that will give you the opportunity to shadow a professional and learn more about the potential field you want to enter.  If you are considering more than one career field then this is a great way to narrow down your options.  If you know what career you want to pursue, this is a great way to “reality check” that profession.

 

Job shadowing is especially important for sophomores as you will have to declare a major by the end of the academic year.  It is important to experience first hand a career field that you may be interested in before making this imperative decision.  Below are more details and instructions on how to sign up.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

This is how the job shadowing will work:

• You will be matched with an alum or employer near your Winter Break residence.
• The experience can last from a half day to a full day of shadowing. 
• You will earn OCC credit.
• The shadowing dates are:
  • December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, & 30

 

How to register:

• RSVP to the Panther Shadow Program through FutureLinks.
  • Click on “events”, then
  • Click on “workshops”, then
  • Click on Panther Shadow Program

 

• You must upload your resume on FutureLinks
  • Click on “documents”, then
  • Under the “documents” tab, then click “add new”

* If you do not have a resume you can use the Resume Architect on FutureLinks or come to walk-in hours at the Career Development Office from 1 to 4, Monday – Friday, on the 2^nd Floor of the William Pitt Union.

 

Email the following information to scottdl@pitt.edu – please use the subject “Panther Shadow Program Student”:

• Year in school.
• Industry/industries of interest – up to three.
• Cities you will be near during your Winter Break that are an hour or less away.
• Any dates listed above that you will not be available.

 

 

DEADLINE TO RSVP IS NOVEMBER 20, 2009

 

For any questions, please contact Danielle Scott at scottdl@pitt.edu.

Wittenberg in China

The following was posted on H-ASIA Oct 9 and will be of interest to those who want to study in China.

Wittenberg in China: On the Silk Road" summer program (mid-May 17 to mid-June).

This month-long program offers students an opportunity to explore China's past and present through a study of the historic and contemporary Silk Road through experiential learning activities, class discussions, and site visits. The program is flexibly designed so students can pursue their specific interests in business, medicine, education, art, religion, etc.. For example, Wittenberg Management students have received equivalency credit for International Business; art majors may complete their art history requirement; and pre-Med students can learn first hand about both traditional Chinese and Uigher medical systems. Students study as they travel along the Silk Road from Xi'an, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Turfan, Urumqi and Khotan; the program ends in Beijing. There are no prerequisites, and the program is open to all students regardless of their major or graduation year. Where translators arer equired, they will be provided. The program comprehensive fee of $4,780 to $5,780 (depending on number ofparticipants) includes all expenses in China (transportation, room, board,entrance fees, course materials, health & evacuation insurance, and anallowance) and six Wittenberg (four-hour) credits. Additional expenses arethe Wittenberg summer school application fee ($40), international travel,Chinese visa, and small gifts for Chinese hosts. Graduate students mayapply. For application materials, see www.wittenberg.edu/silkroad. Contact Dr.Marcia Frost at mfrost@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-7935 or Dr. Stephen Smithat srsmith@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-7506 or www.wittenberg.edu/silkroad formore information and application packets. Marcia J. FrostAssociate Professor of Economics & East Asian StudiesWittenberg UniversitySpringfield OH 45501

Grad School Fair

There will be an Idealist.org Graduate Degree Fair for the Public Good on Wednesday, September 23, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the William Pitt Union, Ballroom.

To learn more about it, see idealist.org/gradfairs

Self-Service Enrollment

Starting this October you will be able to self-enroll for courses in the spring term. This will enable you to register, add, and drop courses at your convenience. The School of Arts & Sciences has provided the following information on how students can get started:

1. Log on the Student Center through the http://my.pitt.edu Web portal

2. View details about their enrollment appointment

3. Contact their academic advisors for a pre-registration appointment BEFORE their enrollment appointment begins.

As the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Religious Studies, I will post later this month a sign-up sheet outside my office (CL 2610) so you can sign up to see me before your enrollment appointment.

Before you come to your appointment, please make sure you fill out two checklists:
"GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST"
"CHECKLIST FOR THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES MAJOR"

Both are available through the departmental website at

http://www.religiousstudies.pitt.edu/undergraduate/checklists.php

I look forward to talking with you about your future academic life here at Pitt.

---Clark Chilson

Career Kickoff

From the Vice Provost and Dean of Students:

"Career Kickoff with be held from September 14-18 and will provide students with a chance to network with employers and have their resume critiqued by seasoned professionals. Tables have been reserved in convenient locations across campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day to enable students to prepare for the career fair"

If you would like to learn more about this and the Student Employment and Placement Assistance (SEPA) offices, see http://www.hire.pitt.edu/.

A Peaceful and Orderly Transition in the Cathedral of Learning

Dear Religious Studies students,

As of today, I am relinquishing my duties as Director of Undergraduate Studies and closing up the Religious Studies advising office for the summer.

Professor Clark Chilson will take over as DUS and undergraduate advsisor for the department starting with the beginning of the fall term. He will post his office hours and contact information for the beginnning of the term on the blog soon.

In the meantime, if you have a question about advising--that cannot wait until the end of the summer--please e-mail Professor Chilson (chilson@pitt.edu) or Professor Orbach (orbach@pitt.edu).

I will be on leave in the fall term and back teaching in the spring.

I have enjoyed my time as DUS and I leave you in the capable hands of Prof. Chilson.

Sincerely,

Adam Shear

PS Two last notes about Peoplesoft which is not always up-to-date:

1) Prof. Chilson is the instructor for Religious Studies 1903 this coming fall term (2101) and not me.

2) A couple of you have asked me questions about the spring term schedule (2104). Although a "draft" version is now on Peoplesoft, this is simply the spring 2009 schedule carried over by the computer awaiting updates/corrections/deletions from the departments. Departments will submit schedule changes to Peoplesoft this month and next. You should not consider the schedule on Peoplesoft official until you get notification that the schedule has been published.

Harvard Divinity School Diversity and Explorations Program

Harvard Divinity School

Diversity & Explorations Program

November 3-5, 2009

“Exploring Opportunities in Ministry and Graduate Theological Studies”

What is “Diversity and Explorations”?

Harvard Divinity School’s DIVERSITY AND EXPLORATIONS PROGRAM is an initiative intended to increase students underrepresented in the graduate study of religion, with a particular focus on African American, Latino/a, Asian American and Native American students. The program invites applications from talented undergraduates whose background and experiences suggest a commitment to diversity and social justice issues as well as an interest in ministry, scholarship, or professional careers that are well served by the study of religion, theology, or ethics.

Who can participate?

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities who have a commitment to diversity initiatives, social justice projects, faith-based programs and community outreach. Consideration will also be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college or those who have attended a community college as a part of a four-year degree program. Please note: Students who have already graduated from an undergraduate program and those who may be considering second career options will be considered on a space available basis.

How can I be considered?

Selection for the program is competitive. Students must submit a short application, a personal statement describing their interest in the program, a nomination from a professor, career mentor or faith-based leader, a résumé, and official transcripts. Applications must be submitted by Friday, September 18, 2009. There will be some grants available for travel, and all selected participants will be provided lodging for two nights and meals during the program. Travel grants will be decided during the selection process by the committee based on the numbers of participants selected for the 2009 program and the funding available. Information on the program is available at www.hds.harvard.edu/afa.

Schedule Summary / Program Information

Participants will receive a detailed itinerary at the time of admission to the program and again at registration. All meals are provided during the course of the three-day program. Some of HDS’s faculty, staff and departments will hold open office hours, including the offices of Student Life, Registrar, Career Services, Religious and Spiritual Life, and Ministry Studies. Program participants will have an opportunity to sit in on classes and meet current students, faculty, staff and alumni during meals and at other occasions throughout the program. Andover-Harvard Theological Library will be open to visitors and participants will be provided with information on events open to the public throughout Harvard University. The following schedule provides a summary of the program’s events:

Tuesday, November 3

§ Participants arrive throughout the morning and afternoon; registration; hotel check-in

§ Participants attend open classes throughout the day and HDS Community Tea in the afternoon

§ Participants attend an informal dinner with current HDS students, Diversity and Explorations alumni and staff. Diversity and Explorations alumnus to be featured speaker.

Wednesday, November 4

The second day of the program will include sessions especially designed for Diversity and Explorations participants as well as panels, presentations, and open classes offered during Theological Education Day, which will be hosted on campus to coincide with the second day of the DivEx program. The day’s activities will include:

§ Panels and presentations on HDS programs, resources, and student life

§ Information about admissions and financial aid

§ Open classes and panel discussions for visiting students throughout the day

§ An open house at the Center for the Study of World Religions

§ Lunch with faculty, staff and denominational counselors

§ Open office hours with faculty and staff

§ Campus and library tours

§ Pastoral Preparation and Ordination: Resources at HDS

The day will conclude with a dinner with the HDS dean, alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. The keynote address will be given by Davíd Carrasco, Neil L. Rudenstine Professor for the Study of Latin America in the Faculty of Divinity and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Thursday, November 5

§ Continuation of panel discussions, including preparing for GRE workshop

§ Lunch with Harvard University graduate/professional school representatives and invited guests from seminaries and divinity schools from across the country.

§ Final day of the program concludes by 2pm

§ Check-out of hotel; participants return home


Note: schedule is subject to change.

Application, Notification of Decisions, and Registration

Applications must be received by Friday, September 18, 2009. Students will be notified by Friday, October 5 regarding their selection. Participants register on November 3 at Harvard Divinity School, where they will receive program materials and a detailed schedule of program activities and other events at HDS and Harvard University. Applications will be available in July at www.hds.harvard.edu/afa.

Travel and Lodging

Once the Office of Admissions has received confirmation of attendance, arrangements will be made with participants for lodging (local students may waive lodging). Participants who receive travel grants will work with the Office of Admissions to arrange travel. Other participants must make their own travel arrangements and notify the Office of Admissions by October 16 along with a copy of the travel itinerary.

We welcome you to visit our website at www.hds.harvard.edu for information about Harvard Divinity School.

Amazing April 09 Grads: Your Diplomas may be a bit delayed

A message from the Registrar’s office:

"As a result of the severe thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area on Wednesday
evening, 06/17/2009, a number of University buildings experienced major
flooding. The University Registrar’s Office in G3 Thackeray Hall was one
of those areas. Consequently, all of the diplomas for April graduates were
destroyed. We are in the process of working with our diploma vendor to
reprint the diplomas as quickly as possible. It is anticipated that we will
be able to mail the reprinted diplomas on or about July 2nd."

Congratulations again to our amazing April 09 graduates!

We received official notification today from the Dean's office that the Department had 14 majors and 24 minors graduate in April.

Something noteworthy and unprecedented: All 14 majors graduated with "Latin" honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude, based on overall academic performance as undergraduates. Quite an accomplishment for the Religious Studies class of 2009.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Summer Business

Important notes for the summer:

1) Wednesday July 8 is the deadline for continuing students to register for the fall term without a penalty. But see below--don't wait that long or I will not be able to help you with registration.

2) Friday July 10 is the deadline to apply for December 2009 graduation in 140 Thackeray Hall. But

3) You can register for classes in a summer session up to the day the summer session starts.

4) I will be available for emergency advising (i.e. you need to register for the summer or fall) on an ad hoc basis in May and June. E-mail first. The department will not have an advisor in July or August (until the beginning of the fall term) and you will have to make arrangements with the A&S Advising Center if you need an advisor's signature on something.

5) I will be going on leave for the fall term and will relinquish my duties as Director of Undergraduate Studies. Watch this space for an announcement of the new DUS in a few weeks.

6) The department office is closed most of the time during this quiet period and pending the arrival of a new department administrator. We will post an announcement here once the office is back to regular hours. In the meantime, if you need to pick up a paper or leave something for a faculty member, you should make arrangements in advance with the faculty member or TA so as not to arrive on the 26th floor of the Cathedral to find the office locked up.