Tag Archives: Student life

News

Service Learning at NECC

 

“Service learning is beneficial to both faculty and students,” said NECC Service Learning Coordinator Paula Richards. Service learning is a type of education that incorporates relevant and meaningful community service, offering enhancement to in-class learning by giving students the opportunity to use their newfound skills in real life.

“Service learning is tied to the objectives of a course,” said Richards. “Sometimes students and faculty might get a little bit nervous thinking that it’s a lot of extra work, but it’s actually not an add-on. It’s integrated right into the course.”

Sam Rahiminejad, a computer science graduate from NECC, took the ESL (English as a Second Language) Advanced Writing class in the fall of 2013. Service learning was incorporated into that class by having the students visit Emmaus House to talk to people about their experience there. Students would interview the people at Emmaus House and then write a research paper on homelessness and human loss.

“It was really helpful,” said Rahiminejad. “It improved my self-confidence.”

“I would definitely recommend this to all faculty to incorporate into their classes if possible, and certainly to get students involved,” said Professor Marc Mannheimer, who teaches an Introduction to the Creative Experience class.

The class is for people who plan to be social workers or drug and alcohol counselors, giving them an overview of how the arts can be used therapeutically.

“I am partnered with the Haverhill Boys and Girls Club. My students spend at least 10 hours over the course of the semester there working on various projects, seeing how the things that we’ve been studying in class relate to what goes on at the Boys and Girls’ Club and working with the kids there,” said Mannheimer.

Professor Amy Cameron has her students in the ESL Advanced Listening and Speaking class at NECC involved in service learning this semester as they visit a local assisted living home, Haverhill Crossings. The students visit Haverhill Crossings four times, four weeks in a row, during the semester. This will be the second time the students in this class have had the opportunity to use skills learned in the class in a real life experience.

The main goal of the class is to improve confidence with speaking, listening and understanding the English language. During this time they work on a biography interview project that will help them to develop their English skills. Although the project is mainly to help the students learn, the seniors enjoy getting to interact with the students and answer their questions for the project.

“Students get a chance to practice speaking English with a native speaker,” said Cameron.

“This is a really good opportunity to practice in a natural setting.”
The first visit is an introductory visit to help the students and the seniors to get to know each other.

The next two visits are used for interviewing. The students are matched up with seniors who have chosen to be involved with the service learning project and interview them about different seasons of their life. Asking the questions and writing down the seniors’ answers helps them to practice English. Many of the seniors were more than happy to help the students with any pronunciation or grammatical issues they had as they were interacting.

At the last visit, the students give the seniors they interviewed a framed picture with the summary of the seniors’ answers on the different seasons of their life. The seasons are split into spring, summer, fall and winter, following from their early childhood years to their senior years.

“Last semester when I did this project, the seniors were really excited and grateful for the gifts we gave them at the end,” said Cameron. Two of the seniors cried upon receiving the gift at the last visit.

“I was impressed with how meaningful the project was,” said Cameron. Even after the project ends, some students choose to return to Haverhill Crossings as volunteers. While most students had a negative feeling about it before starting the project, they “ended up having a positive feeling after,” said Cameron.
For more information on how to get involved in service learning at NECC, you can contact Paula Richards at prichards@necc.mass.edu.

Arts and Entertainment

International Festival

 

Students taste food from different countries at NECC International Festival.
Students taste food from different countries at NECC International Festival. | NECC Observer
To celebrate NECC’s diverse community, Student Engagement holds an International Festival where students can learn about different countries and try the foods from those countries and cultures.

The International Festival is held as a learning experience, and in keeping with NECC’s core values. According to Ari Chicklis, assistant coordinator of student activities and engagement, “One of NECC’s core values is ‘Culture of Inclusion’ and in the Student Engagement we do our best to foster this value by facilitating events that celebrate diversity.”

Chicklis also said, “NECC is made up of a vast number of cultures and each one of them deserves to be put in the spotlight so that others can absorb and understand them.”

“One of the most fun ways to experience a culture is through food and during International Festival we had tons of food,” said Chicklis.

Some of the countries that were on display were: Italy, the Italian food was ziti and meatballs; Japan, represented by sushi; India, with its chicken tiki; and a falafel bar to celebrate the food of the Middle East.

Connor Emo, an exercise science student, said, “I love the free food and trying new things. I have no problem trying new things but I hated the chop sticks.”
Stephanie Deleon, a general studies student, said, It amazes me how many different foods there really are around the world.

Deleon was also a fan of trying new things and she found the falafel bar was her favorite. “I really liked the falafel — it was like a little fried cloud from heaven. I was not sure about the falafel pickle though. The color was just too bright it seemed unnatural.”

Chicklis really enjoyed the event, seeing the students learn about other cultures while teaching others about their own. Chicklis said, “It was a joy to watch the students enjoying the cultures of themselves and their peers.”

Dina Brown, the coordinator of Student Actiivties and Engagement, was pouring Moroccan Mint Tea, which is usually made up of green tea and spearmint leaves. Brown then showed students how to pour it properly.

When the tea was ready to be poured she put the cup on the table and raised the teapot about three feet above the cup and started to pour. Brown explains that the tea is poured from up high so the leaves swirl in the bottom of the glass and let out more flavor.

Students really enjoyed the tea and watching Brown pour it. Deleon said, “This was pretty cool, I always seen them pouring the tea from up high on movies and TV shows but I never understood why — and now I do.”

News

Graduation Day Draws Near at NECC

 

As of March 31, all potential graduates have filled out and passed in their petition to graduate form. With this comes a big sigh of relief and a weight off of their shoulders. But what comes next for those soon-to-be NECC graduates? What other graduation preparations do these students have to do before their graduation day?

Students must make sure they fulfill NECCs academic requirements. Students have to keep their GPA over a 2.0 and pass all required courses to earn an associate degree in their declared major. Students who’ve busted their brains out and achieved GPAs in the 3.0-4.0 range for the fall semester 2014 will receive an award at the commencement ceremony: A GPA ranging from 3.0-3.49 will receive an honors award, while a GPA ranging from 3.5-4.0 will receive a high honors award.

Luckily for soon-to-be NECC graduates there is no graduation fee, which would have been $75 this year. Due to the college purchasing graduation hoods and invitations, the only thing students are responsible for is their cap and gown, which has a fee of $25. Potential graduates can pick up their graduation packets, which include their cap, gown, tassel, hood and invitation at both the Haverhill and Lawrence campus book stores starting Monday, April 14.

Commencement is taking place Saturday, May 16. Commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the quadrangle next to the gymnasium on the Haverhill Campus and is scheduled to end at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon. Graduating students must arrive no later than 10:15 a.m and report to the Sport and Fitness Center on the Haverhill campus. There the students will be assembled by their programs. There will be signs directing the graduates where to go.

Many soon-to-be student graduates who have taken all the steps on the way to the commencement ceremony are now considering what’s next for them.

“I’m still deciding between UMass Amherst and Salem State,” said Nicholas Mazzone, a communication major and soon-to-be 2015 NECC graduate. “They both have good communication programs so I’m having a tough time deciding.”

Not all graduates will be transferring to 4 year schools. Other will be putting their new associate degrees to work, and plan to stick their foot in the business world with either an internship or a job.

Patrick Murphy, a Liberal Arts major from the Class of 2015, will be taking on an internship opportunity through the Great Basin Institute. An AmeriCorps position, this opportunity will see Patrick doing conservation work out in the Sierra Nevada.
“I’m excited for this opportunity I’ve been given,” Murphy said. “One of the projects I’ll be working on is helping the environments of endangered species and also doing whatever else we can do help them become less endangered.”

Whatever the 2015 NECC graduate decides to do, remember to be proud of your achievements. You will soon have an associate degree and be one step closer to attaining your goals, whatever they may be.

Individuals who graduated in August 2014 and December 2014, and those who have petitioned for May 2015 and August 2015, are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony. To find more information about graduating, you can visit the NECC website at http://www.necc.mass.edu.

Campus Life

Domestic Violence Hotline

 

If you have ever been into one of the women’s restrooms at Northern Essex Community College, you may have noticed a paper that describes an abusive relationship, as well as a domestic violence hotline number, and a card for the school’s mental health counselor. If you have only been into the men’s restrooms, you probably haven’t seen this paper.

Why isn’t there a domestic violence hotline number in every bathroom on campus?

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), about 10 percent of all sexual assault victims in the United States are male. While this number may seem slight in comparison to 90 percent of reported victims being female, men and boys are statistically less likely to report having been physically or sexually assaulted.

RAINN also states that 68 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. In turn, about 98 percent of rapists are never arrested. Karen Stone, a Certified Nursing Assistant, said, “Men get abused just as much as we do. Men don’t feel they’re manly enough if they report it. Men can get raped. Doctors never ask a man if they feel safe at home, but they ask females.”

Anyone can be abused or assaulted. If it is reported to the proper law enforcement officials, an arrest or conviction of the abuser is more likely. If you are a victim of domestic violence, regardless of gender, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800)799-7233.

Opinion

NECC Students Discuss Wearing Makeup

 

Erica Almonte, 21 majoring in Nursing says she’s always searching up new beauty tips and tricks to make her life a bit easier. “In between my daughter, school and work, it always seems like I never have time to pamper myself. So I’m always looking for little beauty hacks to save me some time and money.”

Almonte says she’s been wearing make-up ever since she was a freshmen in high school.

“I started experimented little by little and started to notice what works for me and what doesn’t. I think it’s important for women to understand that, like not everyone can wear a red lip.”

Almonte says she has learned a lot of great tips from the internet and is always sharing her new tricks with friends. “I learned this one trick that I swear by … Take some Vaseline and glide it across your front teeth, it stops lipstick from transferring!”

Almonte says she has always loved makeup and sees nothing wrong with adding to her natural beauty. “I don’t see the problem with enhancing your natural beauty. I love make-up!”

Michael Santiago, 21 says he enjoys seeing his girlfriend with make-up but dislikes when women use excessive make-up. “I don’t have a problem with girls wearing make-up, but if you come to school looking like you’re about to go to the club… that’s another story.” Santiago says he believes women should feel beautiful with and without make-up. “I think it’s great, when a girl can go out without make-up and still feel like she’s pretty… to me, that’s dope.”

Jennifer Castillo, 24 says make-up isn’t her thing. “I’ve honestly tried to like make-up but I just feel like it looks like I’m trying too hard. I think it has a lot to do with my personality, I’m very laid back.”

Castillo is currently studying business and is afraid her choice of career will eventually change her decision to refrain from wearing make-up. “I read an article online, more than two thirds of employers admitting they would discriminate against women not wearing makeup to work. That’s just crazy to me, but this is the world we’re living in. At the end of the day, I’d rather wear makeup than be jobless.”

Campus Life

Bacon Board Gamers Club

 

The Bacon Board Gamers club has been a staple at NECC since 2011. The club was thought up by students in Mike Cross’ chemistry class at the time when one student, David Bowie, got serious and took the reins to make the club a prominent one at the school.

“My students really enjoyed the games I used in class to demonstrate various chemical principles and they wanted a chance to play them more often,” said Cross, who serves as the Bacon Board Gamers’ advisor.

The start of the club was slow but the Bacon Board Gamers didn’t give up. They applied for the Campus Catalyst program and received funding, which they mostly used to buy new games.

“We have around 100 games in a cabinet in my office and I have another 250 or so at home,” said Cross.

With the number of games they have there is a diverse set to choose from. “I love to play Cards Against Humanity,” said club secretary Colby Patrie.

Another member, David, said his favorite game to play is Werewolves.

It’s not all about the games with the Bacon Board Gamers. Members also bring in many different foods to the bi-weekly meeting.

“Despite the name, you don’t actually have to eat bacon to be part of the club. One of our members is even a vegetarian,” Cross said.

There is one special food the club always likes to have on hand though.
“We always order pizza with bacon on it,” Patrie said. Even bacon-cheeseburger pizza has made it into the mix.

Since its inception, the club has won some awards and has been recognized by some big names. During their first showcase to the Campus Catalyst program they won “Most Likely to Succeed.” They have also been awarded the President’s Cup by Lane Glenn and NECC. Local media has not failed to see the club’s successes either. The Haverhill Gazette, Eagle Tribune, Newburyport Daily News, WBZ Radio and the Boston Globe have all had feature stories on the Board Gamers.

The best part about the Bacon Board Gamers is that anyone can join.

“The Bacon Board Gamers is open to everyone – students, faculty, staff, even the general public,” said Cross.

Cross went on to talk about the club’s success and when they meet.

“Attendance at the club varies, but we probably average about a dozen people at each meeting. We have meetings the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month at 6:30 pm in E260. We meet even during the summer and school breaks. We also hold an All-Day Gaming Marathon twice a year.”

To find out more about this club and its history, they have their own website at www.baconboardgamers.com

Features

NECC student visits out-of-state schools

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What does a student at NECC do when they want to transfer out-of-state? It is well known that NECC is a great gateway to 4 year colleges in state, but what about the students who want to branch out of New England and explore other parts of the country?

Kelsey Terry, a biology, psychology and philosophy major exemplifies dedication to her education and desire to leave New England for grand plans. She is the student representative of the Finance Committee and Executive Committee, president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, student trustee and will be graduating with high honors. She has been accepted to Stephens College, Columbia MO, Stetson University, DeLand FL, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne FL, and is waiting on University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, and University of California Davis, Davis CA.

Over winter break in January, Terry visited 3 schools that she extensively researched and planned to go see on a solo trip. The first leg of her journey began from Boston on January 4, she took a train from Boston to Orlando FL, which was 27 hours!

“Seeing the view of the country of the east coast was awesome. It’s just great being away from New England are for a little while,” said Terry. The first school visited was New College of Florida, in Sarasota, FL. “They are primarily the school that would give me the most money efficient package,” said Terry.

The college is small, with class sizes that have a maximum of 55 students per course, with only 850 total students. It is what is considered a ‘no common core’ college.

“They do not have GPAs, or A-F grading. They are all based off of narrative evaluations. They’re an honors college — they have honors diplomas given and when you’re admitted you have to commit to being an honor’s student. It has master’s level expectations, but extremely flexible,” said Terry.

The next part of Terry’s trip was from Orlando to Davis CA to the University of California Davis on a train for 80 hours, due to layovers in Washington DC and Chicago.

“I stayed there for 3 nights, I wanted a chance to mosey around the area, and visit the whole school and see all the apartments,” said Terry. She had a profound interest in this particular school due to her passion for animals, more specifically the animal biology major offered. She is more focused on animal biology as opposed to human biology, and University of California Davis has the best program for that field.
“They already have an animal biology as bachelor’s in science so I’m not focused on the general bio, I’m focused on animals,” said Terry. This year, University of California Davis was voted the number one veterinary school in the country surpassing Cornell University, for the first time making someone like Kelsey a very good candidate for veterinary school which is her dream.

The third leg of Terry’s journey was from Davis CA to Tucson AZ to visit the University of Arizona.

“I was there for two nights, and that school was beautiful. It’s massive, but Tucson is a beautiful area I’ve never seen more cactuses in my entire life. They’re a large university but they have the best for supports based off the large size,” said Terry. At both University of California Davis and University of Arizona the class sizes are a minimum of 150 people, which can prove challenging for someone coming from a smaller class sized community college like NECC. It is important to know things like that when applying to any four year college, and especially a school that it out of state. Terry took the time to visit these schools she showed a vested interest in to see how they may or may not fit into her goals academically.

Terry then went from Tucson back home to Boston with much more to consider for her upcoming spring break college visitation plans.

Over the spring break, Terry took a second solo journey visiting more out of state colleges. The first one she visited was Stephens College located in St. Louis, Mo.

“I left on Sunday, and this was by plane from Manchester NH to St. Louis Mo. From St. Louis an hour after arriving I went on the Missouri Express Shuttle to Columbia to see Stephens College. It is the most pet friendly school in the entire country, obviously that is what attracted me to them. There is only 850 students, they have an agreement with the University of Missouri and Columbia College, so I could take classes from those schools too,” said Terry.

Similarly, NECC has agreements with UMASS Lowell.

“I liked this school because of the small class sizes, they have a max of 10 people per course. They’re the school that contacts me the most, they seem like they want me,” said Terry. It suits students who do well in small classes, much like NECC’s smaller class sizes. “Downtown Columbia is beautiful, it’s like a piece of graph paper. Street attached to street, there’s stores connected to bakeries. It’s everything you need within a radius and walkable to the other two schools it’s affiliated with,” said Terry.

The next school on the list to visit was Stetson University in DeLand, FL. “This school was nice too because it was pet friendly, I want to bring my cat Mikey and my satin rabbit Snickers. I did a thing called shadow day, when you commit to going on campus, getting an information session, then you get a campus tour, after the tour you talk to your intended major advisors. I talked to the biology advisor, and I also talked to a psychology advisor too just in case,” said Terry. She got to opportunity to attend a bio II class.

“I was kind of shocked, because it varied from NECC’s version of bio II. NECC’s version focuses more on genetics and ecology/evolution, and I was surprised that at a university, there’s was like, focused more on anatomy and physiology,” said Terry. Interestingly, Stetson University is a private institution which may explain the difference in curriculum.

The next day Terry visited Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), which is in Melbourne, FL.

”This school I really liked because it is known to be a school that is worldly respected, especially when you’re trying to get into really competitive fields, like veterinary school. It is even more competitive than medical school,” said Terry.

On Terry’s visit to FIT, she attended what is called ‘Exploration Day’ which includes the information session, a tour where students are paired up with a tour guide, and where students talk to intended advisors for specific majors. After that, students get a tour of the appropriated centers of primary use.

“I got to see the microscope lab, and the biology labs I would be working in,” said Terry. Students are admitted directly to a major at FIT. “I don’t need to apply to biology and then apply again to pre-med, I would be admitted directly into biological science pre-med.

All coursework begins in the major so there’s none of this preparation stuff — all STEM students are involved in undergraduate projects right away, all have access to professors and funded research at the undergraduate level, so they purposely don’t have the graduate school interactive with the undergraduate school,” said Terry.
Based on the factor that half of the school is consisting of engineer majors, Terry is a little skeptical that she will like it, as that is not her niche.

Terry is also a tutor at the tutoring center at NECC and would have the opportunity to work in the tutoring center at Steven’s College and FIT, due to her experience with NECC.

“I like the fact of helping people in something that I think I academically excel in. I want to help improve graduation rates, I don’t want people to let the fear of math stop them from graduating,” said Terry.

“I would say, number one, look at the field you’re going into because you need to weigh out the particular field, how much you’re going to be making in reference to the value of what your education is. I know in my field, veterinary clinical pathology is not popular, so the fact that I am a female in a unique field I am going to most likely be hired easily. Having a 12 year degree isn’t bad, it’s in my favor. In general, I would say people need to start early, I mean, I was looking into these schools my 2nd year at NECC, which was two whole years prior to me even graduating.

“I think is some ways staying in state you’re only looking at financial, and I’m not looking at financial as a priority, I’m looking at what does the school offer me. Based off of a student preparation, I think you should make it a commitment to visit the schools — don’t just stay within the mass transfer agreement, it is a benefit to have all these schools open to us but you really should look outside what this world has to offer us,” said Terry.

Editorial

NECC Releases New Mission Statement

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In 2014 NECC began developing a new mission statement to replace the previous one which has been in place since 1992. The new mission statement has been finalized.

“At NECC, our mission is to educate and inspire our students to succeed. We provide a welcoming environment focused on teaching and learning—strongly committed to unlocking the potential within each student and empowering our diverse community of learners to meet their individual goals. We are a community college dedicated to creating vibrant and innovative opportunities that encourage excellence and enhance the cultural and economic life of our region.”

Mission statements are an important part of any college — they give prospective and current students and idea of the atmosphere and aims of the institution, and they allow for administration, faculty and staff to maintain perspective of the overarching goals of the college.

NECC is unique because it is a community college dedicated to cutting costs for students, especially in comparison with four year institutions, and it is unique because it has such strong diversity and focuses on creating a comfortable and accessible learning community.

The new mission statement is accurate to the stated goals of the college, and it will hopefully keep driving NECC to keep adapting and improving into the future. A mission statement is only as good as its delegates.

News

Internships Impacting Career Decisions

 

The internship program for business, communications, and CIS majors started up this semester and has already been making an impact on those who chose to get involved. Three business transfer majors — Lucy Ouellette, Alison Posey and Adam Bergstrom — have found that the opportunities and experience gained through their internships has been well worth the work they’ve put into it.

Lucy Ouellette, a sophomore at NECC, is interning at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Northern New England in Bedford, N.H. The company actually has a relationship with NECC by distributing Coca Cola to the college which can be found in the Spurk building café.

“I loved it,” said Ouellette. “It’s one of those iconic companies, and I feel really blessed to work there.”

Ouellette is currently working on implementing a training guide.

“So far I’ve made two PowerPoints that go over the training resources available for the employees, as well as an easy-access document for the recommended training that brings them straight to the training. A lot of the training helps them with great skills that can help them with their everyday sales, such as time management, listening, thinking styles, handling objections and probing for gaps, to name a few examples,” she said. Later on in the semester, she will get to do the presentation in front of several managers from the Coca Cola Company. She will be showing them what she’s come up with and how the managers can implement it.

“I’m excited but nervous,” she said.

When there’s not a main project for Ouellette to be working on, she’ll help other employees with little projects. She has been able to gain more hands-on experience based on what she learned in the internship class, and has been able to see the company work as a team. The internship has given her inspiration for what she may want to do for a career in the future.

“It’s great working for a company that cares about the environment and recycling,” she said. Ouellette herself owns a pair of sneakers made of Coca-Cola bottles, personally displaying the beneficial ways Coca-Cola uses recycling.

“Everyone who works there is happy to be there,” she said. “It’s the internship of a lifetime.”

Alison Posey, a sophomore at NECC, started out at a four-year college in South Carolina but came back for financial reasons. It was when she started going to NECC that she realized she wanted to do accounting.

This semester she is interning at Moody, Famiglietti & Andronico, an accounting firm in Tewksbury, Mass. She had been looking for an internship for over a year, and reaching out to several different companies, but never was able to find an opening. In one of her accounting classes, Ashley Moore, the coordinator of the internship program, came in and discussed the internships available for Business majors.

Posey said she was “very happy” when presented with the opportunity to intern at this firm.

“I would definitely use the word ‘impressed’,” said Posey when describing her first impression of the firm. “They treat their employees very well.”

Posey’s main responsibilities are working in the audit department. Accountants in the department will list tasks they need completed and it’s her job to complete them. An example of a task she may have would be verifying if a customer was billed to make sure a company is receiving money.

One of the things Posey appreciates about her internship is that there’s good communication in the department, and a lot of people who she can reach out to if she gets stuck with something.

Posey sits diagonally from the President of Strategic Talent, a firm affiliated with MFA, in the office. “What she does seems so interesting, and I’ve been thinking about reaching out to her,” she said. Posey hopes to take advantage of the connections and networking that the internship is providing her with to help her as she works on finding the right career for her.

“My favorite part is being exposed to a professional business environment,” said Posey. “It’s awesome to actually see what a real job is like and apply skills I learned in the classroom in the work environment.”

Although she’s enjoyed the experience at the firm, Posey said, “There’s so many ways to go in accounting and I want to explore more in accounting than just audit.” The internship has still been an opportunity that will help her to build her path to the right career.

From her experience so far at the internship, Posey has come up with two possible options for career paths. The first is private accounting, which would involve working for one specific company and handling their accounting. The second is human resources. “I think that’s why I’m naturally curious about the President of Strategic Talent,” she said. “As a people person, I see myself being able to hire people best fit for a position.”

Adam Bergstrom, also a sophomore at NECC, is interning at MFA as well. Originally, he wanted to pursue music when he came to NECC. He decided to switch to business transfer and ended up loving his first accounting class. He still plays in a band and pursues music on the side while he’s in college.

Last semester, Bergstrom took an accounting class. One particular day, he was planning on inquiring about internship opportunities, when his professor pulled him aside and told him about an internship available at MFA. He jumped at the opportunity and was introduced to one of the company managers through email shortly after.

“I started researching the company like crazy,” Bergstrom said, once he had set up an interview.

Bergstrom came to his interview dressed in a suit and tie, and was surprised when he saw the HR woman wearing jeans. “I felt really nervous going into it, but the HR woman told me to sit back and relax,” he said. “I got offered coffee probably three times a day when I first started interning there.”

Bergstrom’s main job is to assist the tax staff. He works with a software called Caseware where clients’ information is stored. Although the work can sometimes be stressful, Bergstrom is dedicated to making sure he is doing his job efficiently.
“As tedious as the work may be sometimes, it’s time-saving for other employees,” said Bergstrom. Bergstrom also said that there is good communication in the workplace. “If I’m ever struggling with anything, I never hesitate to ask,” he said.

Interning at MFA has made Bergstrom feel even more confident in his career choice.
“It’s worth it. I love it, and I’d love to go back in the fall. I can definitely see myself working there for an entire career,” he said.

News

Mobile Hygiene

 

By the time young adults get to college, chances are they have developed proper hygienic and hand washing habits. However, it may be their most precious belonging that is spreading disease from one to student to the next.

Mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, may harbor more bacteria than a public toilet seat.

A study featured on ABC News concluded that more than half the mobile phones tested had traces of fecal matter and salmonella.

Foodborne bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli can be easily transferred to a touch screen when following recipes online.

“That is disgusting,” said UMass graduate Tony Morelli. “When I think about how many meals I have cooked and I was texting and swiping the screen the whole time. . .gross!”

Mobile phones are especially dangerous when it comes to infectious disease because they are held against the face. If shared with others, phones could be contaminated with anything from chicken pox to conjunctivitis (an eye disease) or even head lice.

“I can’t believe I let my 2-year-old niece play with my phone!” said NECC student Melissa Dow. “She puts it in her mouth all the time, and I always blame the daycare when she gets sick.”

According to Women’s Health Magazine, cleaning phones and cases once a week can help reduce the amount of bacteria. Most manufacturers sell wipes designed for their own devices. However, any alcohol-free disinfectant wipe should do the trick.