Summer Semester Serves More Students

According to BYU–Hawaii Institutional Research, there are more than 2,000 students enrolled in this year’s Summer semester, 400 more than the summer term last year.

Experiencing the change in academic calendar, Max Checketts, Vice President for Academics said “We are very pleased with the number of students who have enrolled for classes this summer," he continued, "we are also grateful for faculty members who have helped open up more sections of courses needed for students in the summer semester.”
Believing in the advantages of going to school in the summer semester, Checketts said current students are benefitted by having have more classes to choose from than before. Students now have similar class options afforded them in summer semester as in fall or winter semesters. Therefore, they can work towards their graduation as planned. Current students are able to move on with their careers or graduate studies sooner, and future students can have the opportunity to come to school at BYU–Hawaii. 

Mentioned in a forum about 2012 academic calendar on August 18, 2011, Checketts said that BYU–Hawaii “We turned away 1,600 students for Fall semester 2011,” he said, citing housing on campus and in the community as the main limiting factor. “There are so many people out there who want to come to BYU–Hawaii and the other CES institutions, and we want to do everything we can to provide a BYU–Hawaii education and experience for as many of them as possible.” (For more information see Summer Semester Benefits)

He encouraged students to work hard as well as to enjoy life in the summer break. “I think we should be active in our lives, but we all need a change to renew our spirits and refocus our energy. I hope students will use this time to do just that –, refocus and renew themselves.  For students that stay for the five weeks, they should work as many hours as they are allowed, plan some fun activities with family or friends, fulfill their Cchurch callings, go to the temple, and recognize the blessings we all receive from our Father in Heaven.”

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

It is a feature story about college students who start working on thier personal dream / business while they are attending college.

I like this one a lot. I admire people who able to figure their dream early, so they can plan and persuit it while they are young, strong, and have the courage to try. Even though they might fall, they have time to stand up again. We can only live once. I really wish we can use our time wisely while we are on the Earth. "You never try, you never know. "

Careers while in college; Students start early to pursue their dreams

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      To follow up with the Gardiner Sisters on Twitter, go to @gardinerSisters

      For more information about JAME Store, please visit http://jamelife.com/

      To order product from James Astle, email to onetimeontime5@gmail.com

For more information about Kickstarter, please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/

This is a video I was reporting International Stars War Day on BYUH campus.

Broadcast Journalism is certainly something I am thinking too. I see the power in visual news. More people might be touched in comparing with published news.

Video: Star Wars Day      

Career Connect: Students Network with Visit to Hong Kong

Fifteen BYU–Hawaii students recently visited Hong Kong for a jumpstart to their professional networks, meeting with 12 different companies through the university’s Career Connect program. Career Connect, organized by BYU–Hawaii Career Services, is a program that invites students to experience a snapshot of employment by visiting companies and organizations in various parts of the world, meeting with their officials, and observing their day-to-day operations.

During the trip to Hong Kong, students met with company officials including the Vice President of Hong Kong Disney, Senior Vice President at HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.), Senior Manager of Human Resources at Deloitte Hong Kong, and Legal Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“A certificate will get you to the door, but your skills will get you to go higher,” said Jodi Chowen, Career Services director at BYU–Hawaii. “Any corporation has a technology, business, human resources, education and an anthropology side. It is not so much about your major, but what skills and knowledge you have, and the value you can bring to a company. Students are so focused on their major, but one’s major won’t guarantee a job.” She expects students to take the trip seriously, be well prepared, and make the most of the opportunity to prepare for life after graduation.

Yifen Beus, a BYU–Hawaii professor who helped on the Career Connect trip to Hong Kong, gave the following suggestions to students who are getting ready for their future career: “Polish your resume, practice interview skills, and have a vision for your career path. You need to know what you want to do and have a general idea of what you want to look for.” She invited students to be prepared for an internship and employment by keeping a portfolio and collecting presentable written works. Her advice for students about interviewing was to be active in asking and answering questions because “when your potential employer asks questions, your answer can show that you did your homework and what you might bring to the company.”

Elizabeth Wood, a senior in psychology from Texas, got two employment invitations during the Hong Kong Career Connect. “Be prepared to ask questions,” Wood advised students who want to participate in future Career Connect trips. “Asking questions makes you look like a desirable employee. Many Hong Kong companies want to hire someone who went to a university in the United States. They expect you to work hard, smart, and independently if needed. If you are from a passive culture, you need to be able to overcome your cultural preferences.”

Agreeing with Wood, Nike Chan, a junior studying Supply Chain Management from Hong Kong, also left Hong Kong with an employment invitation. “Asking questions with a happy and passionate attitude can attract an employer’s attention and opportunities will follow” said Chan. “Don’t be shy to ask for personal advice or a business card.”

All students, regardless of their major, are welcome to apply for Career Connect. Each trip visits one particular city. Besides Hong Kong, Career Connect also visits cities and countries such as Shanghai, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Samoa, and other areas across the United States. Upcoming Career Connects will be to Taiwan and Samoa in September and New York in December. Students are required to have at least a 2.0 GPA, be in their junior year or later, have a connection with the local area (citizen or served a mission there), and intend to live or to work in that area after graduation.

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

I interviewed 2 professors that I admire a lot. I attended their lectures and was inspired about the relationship between curiosity, learning and questioning.

I always wish to write something motivative and educational. I like this feature story a lot. Wish readers can be inspired and to develop the confidence and courage to question. It is the attitude to drive us to achieve and improve. "What would you lose by asking? A little bit of pride and time? Think of the things you might gain if they say 'Yes'. It is worthy to try."

Study like Curious George 

I did a research on BYUH campus about choice of excitments that coolege students can do in Ohau, Hawaii.

People pay so much to have holiday in Hawaii and I am going to school in this paradise. Once again, I believe we don't need to smoke, drink, or deal with drugs in order to live an exciting life. Life itself is exciting enough if we are willing to try and to ask.

Top 10 exciting things you might regret not doing while attending BYU-Hawaii

Five-Time National Food Service Award Dinner

BYU-Hawaii Food Services won the 2012 Loyal E. Horton Dining Gold Award for the third time, outshining more than 550 other schools that participated in the competition. In the past, Food Services has won a bronze and silver award. The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) recognizes top university programs in a variety of categories each year. In college and university culinary arts, one of the most noteworthy professional accomplishments is being a recipient of a NACUFS Loyal E. Horton Dining Award. BYU–Hawaii notched the win in the category of Residential Dining–Special Event.

Food Services entered their February 2, 2012, “Dragon Year” themed dinner, inspired by the Chinese New Year, in the competition. “We are so ecstatic about the award! It is an honor to be chosen and is great name recognition for our school,” says Marilou Lee, BYU–Hawaii’s Club dining and vending manager. “A lot of research and hard work went into this event and it is a privilege to be noticed among the crowded competition.” Lee was the lead in organizing and promoting the event.

Ivona Mills, BYU–Hawaii Seasider snack bar and concessions manager, will be attending the NACUFS National Conference in July, on behalf of Food Services, where the award will be presented. “BYU–Hawaii is also a finalist for the Overall Grand Champion in the small schools group. The winner will be recognized at the national conference,” says Mills.



According to the NACUFS official website, “NACUFS has focused on its mission to promote the highest quality of food service on school, college, and university campuses by providing members with educational and training opportunities, technical assistance, scholarships, industry information, and research.”

See this article on BYU-Hawaii University News Room

Another version for the college student magazine
The Caf wins national award for themed Chinese New Year event

My article was quoted by LDS Church News
A Win for BYU-Hawaii Food Services