What Are #BadgersAtHome Up To?!

We get it, the past month has been filled with unsettling statistics and everyone telling you that these are uncertain times.. It’s hard to watch the news, keep up on Twitter, or even have simple conversations without the mention of what is going on in the world. These times are challenging but, as Badgers, we know that good times are always to come and even though we are separated, the Badger spirit can bring us all together. That’s why, this week, the Office of Student Affairs has asked us to partner in their #BadgerAtHome Fest. We encourage all of you, whether near or far, to participate and spread some Badger pride even while social distancing.

We are sure you have seen the news headlines of people around the world trying to fill their days with anything to distract themselves from the current state of this global crisis. Through this, we have seen just how similar and connected we are to so many others around the world. The past two weeks, we asked Badgers what they are up to at home and how they are staying well. 

What do you miss most about UW-Madison?

No matter where you are now, we’re sure there is still some part of you on campus in Madison. The experiences of spring semester are unparalleled to anything else throughout the year. While this year may be different, these responses from Badgers will hopefully spark memories of spring in Madison.

  • Sunsets on the Memorial Union Terrace

  • Walking along the Lakeshore path to class

  • Hanging out with my friends at our favorite coffee shops on State Street

  • The capitol during golden hour

  • Seeing your friends on the street and stopping to talk for 5 minutes when you only have 2 to spare 

What have you been doing to alleviate stress during quarantine?

It’s undeniable that we’ve all been spending a lot more time online lately, whether that’s been in Zoom class meetings all day or watching TikToks until your eyes hurt at night, there are still things that we as students are responsible for. The switch to online, distant learning has been unique and rocky at times. Quarantine has certainly brought different kinds of stress for students but here are some ways that resilient Badgers are handling these times: 

  • Hugging those you are in quarantine with

  • “Surrounding myself with family”

  • “Looking at pictures with friends and reminiscing on good times”

  • “Staying close to my pillows and heating pad!”

What makes a place feel like home?

Home can mean so many things for all Badgers. Whether it’s the people, the experiences, the food, or the art you surround yourself with, Badgers are creating their sense of home wherever they are.

  • Yoga and lots of bubble baths

  • Cooking and taking walks

  • Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles

  • Brushing up on old skills like playing guitar or the ukulele

We know that emotions are running high and the uncertainties in these times are confusing. But, we want you to remember that we are all in this together, especially as Badgers. This soon shall pass but in the meantime, we can hold on to the dream of sunny days at the terrace enjoying a cup of Union Utopia from the Daily Scoop!

Choosing a Student Org

The decision to become a Wisconsin Badger is a big one. Each of us has different reasons for why we are here and what we want to do in our time on campus. Maybe you’ve just arrived at the university and you’re overwhelmed with the possibilities, longing to find some community to make campus feel smaller. Or, maybe you’ve been here for a while and you’re realizing that you want to have an impact on campus or find some way to leave your mark. 

Our advice: find a student org to join. Become a part of a community. Surround yourself with people that will make you happy, push you to be better, or help you to make a change. Your college experience is not just about what student orgs you are involved in or which clubs you devote most of your time to, but they can greatly enhance your time here AND influence how you become the best version of yourself.

A lot goes into choosing which community or group is right for you, so we compiled a list of things to think about to get you started:

  • Join an org whose mission you stand behind and are passionate about contributing to

This may seem like a simple one, but it’s important. Find a group of people who have a mission that you can identify with and relate to. This might be anything from loving cheese to preparing for a career in health, to fighting against sexual assault on campus. College seems to always be about building the perfect resume and sometimes this quest can blur our aspirations. Choose an org with a mission that really lights your fire, not just one that looks good on the resume.

  • Find a place where you would want to give back

Looking into your future on a certain org isn’t the easiest - that’s why you may need to do some research. But that research could make all the difference. There’s an age-old saying about involvement that goes something like “you will get out of this what you put into it.” Find a place where that give-and-take is an excitement for you. Maybe you’re busy with other commitments, and your availability for a student org is only an hour-long meeting every month; that’s okay! Just make sure that when you’re at that meeting, you actually want to be there. 

  • Do it for you

In the end, you are the master of your destiny and the captain of your ship. While it may seem like a simple task, thoughtfully choosing an org that is right for you will pay off in the end, we promise. Find a place where you feel celebrated, your hobbies fostered and your passions exemplified.

These simple pieces of advice can act as an outline for choosing a student org but are not the only things to take into consideration. Everyone will approach this in their own unique way and that is what makes student organizations so strong. Rely on yourself. This process is not solely about impressing people or building your resume, it’s about finding where you can grow and develop into the best person you can be during college.

Think WASB might be right for you? Check out our application and email us with any questions at wasb@uwalumni.com 

WASB isn’t the one? That’s okay! Here are a few student orgs that WASBs also love to be a part of:

How to Get the Most Out of the Career Fair

We get it — career fairs are daunting. Thinking intently about your career goals and striving to impress recruiters in what often feels like not enough time can be stressful for any student. But, it truly doesn’t have to be and it’s actually much simpler than you might think. There are two things that will turn you from an average candidate in line at the career fair into an exceptional one: preparation and confidence. When it comes to preparation, you probably know the drill. By the time students attend the career fair, they are most likely familiar with the different components of recruitment and professionalism in general. (If you’re not, don’t stress. Check out the checklist of Career Fair Prep essentials that we’ve compiled below to help you get familiar.) What we on the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board realized many students need, however, is a little extra boost of confidence that you can’t quite gain from a checklist on the internet. This is why, for years, we’ve been hosting a now award-winning event dedicated to helping students go into the career fair with the confidence and preparation they need to stand out. It’s called Career Fair Prep Night and this semester, it’s taking place Monday, February 3rd from 6:00 to 7:30pm on the third floor of the Pyle Center. 

Thanks to our partners and sponsors at SuccessWorks at the College of Letters and Science, School of Human Ecology, and College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, select employers will join WASB to host a series of workshops and provide one-on-one guidance on resumes, elevator pitches, and general questions about the career fair. 

Check out the list below to make sure you’re properly prepared with the essentials. Then, feel free to join us on Monday to interact face-to-face with recruiters and get feedback in an eased environment before tackling the career fair. A little prep can go a long way. We promise. 

Find the event details on Handshake. 

Perfecting your Resume

Language — It is vital that you use metrics to quantify how much value you’ve added to projects and/or organizations. Use action words, not passive language. Be consistent and concise. 

Formatting — Your margins should be about 1 inch on all sides and your font should be easy to read (so, to be safe, go with as close to 12 point as possible). Each section should be organized in chronological order. Each line of text should go until the end of the page, so play around with wording if necessary. All verb tenses should match and, of course, all grammar should be correct. 

Personalization — Do not be afraid to add an interesting hobby or skill to let your personality shine through. Keep it professional, but still “you.” 

Crafting your Elevator Pitch 


Content — In 1-2 minutes, you should clearly answer these questions: 

  1. Who are you? (Quite literally, introduce yourself.)

  2. What do you do? (This could mean your career, or, as a student, something along the lines of your major, your involvement, or simply what excites you.) 

  3. What do you want from a job or internship? (Be honest and clear.) 

  4. What next?  (Always finish with a call to action; for example, “Who should I contact about next steps?”) 

Delivery —  Always make eye contact, finish with a firm handshake, and, most of all, display confidence. 

Business Professional Etiquette

Attire — Dress in business professional attire, which people tend to forget means no denim. Wear dress shoes. Don’t underestimate the value of the concept, “look good, feel good!” 

Attitude — Don’t be afraid to be personal, but don’t forget to be professional and polite (i.e., say “please” and “thank you,” shake hands, make eye contact, be respectful of time, etc. — that’s just life stuff). And, yep, you guessed it, be confident. You undoubtedly have a lot to offer employers, so if you come prepared and let your individuality shine, you’ll stand out. 

Maneuvering the Fair — Make your way around with purpose. Look up the companies in advance and decide who you want to meet with; prepare for those specific conversations. 


These Are a Few of Bucky's Favorite Things

Graduation may seem like centuries away when you first step on campus. It's hard to imagine a life outside of college - one where Bascom Hill no longer takes center stage. But, for many people, post-grad life will begin somewhere far from Madison. According to the Office of the Provost’s Annual Alumni Residency Report, 33% of Badgers live outside of Wisconsin after graduation from UW. Although it’s common, we realize that moving to a new city for a job or even an internship over the summer can be daunting, so we thought we’d put together some resources to help ease the stress. 

For one, on Friday, November 22nd 2019, WASB is teaming up with SuccessWorks, Northwestern Mutual, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association to bring you an event titled Beyond Wisconsin! It is a semi-annual event dedicated to helping Badgers prepare themselves to move to new cities for jobs or internships. 

We also sent out a survey to Badger alumni this past week to hear what recommendations they have for students about to embark on their own journeys in the same cities. Responses were collected from Badgers in cities like Milwaukee, San Diego, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Francisco and more! Here is a preview of what they had to say.

Best area(s) of town for recent graduates/young professionals to live in?

Milwaukee: East Town, Downtown, Third Ward

Atlanta: Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Midtown

Twin Cities: Uptown, North Loop, Grand Ave

Best place(s) to meet up with friends & new people? 

Washington D.C.: DuPont, 14th Street, The Mall 

San Diego: Pacific Beach, Encinitas 

Milwaukee: Festivals, Coffee Shops, Public Markets 

Recommendations for day trip destinations?

Chicago: Botanical Gardens, Boat Trips, Lincoln Park Zoo

Twin Cities: State Parks, Duluth, MN’s Largest Candy Store

Atlanta: Athens (for Georgia football game!), Savannah, Asheville, NC

Ways to get connected with Badgers in these areas:

  • Alumni groups on Facebook

  • Wisconsin Alumni Association directory 

  • Attending Beyond Wisconsin!

While this is just a snapshot of what Badgers are doing these days, hopefully this gives you a good start! There are so many ways that Badgers stay connected after their time in Madison because, no matter where you are, the Badger connection holds true anywhere.

If you’re interested in hearing more advice about specific cities or on figuring out your post-grad finances (another daunting idea, we know), then RSVP here for Beyond Wisconsin!


Past, Present, and Future

Waldo, WASB, What?!

“I understand that WASB has no affiliation with Waldo, but what actually IS the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board?”

This age-old question is a common conversation starter for anyone wearing the Rugby. Recognizing the stripes may be easy, but understanding what WASB is can get confusing. So, let’s break it down:

Sixty-five

WASB is a group of 65 UW-Madison students who are energetic about celebrating and improving campus. With help from the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA), our mission is to connect all Badgers past, present and future.

Five

The 65 members of WASB are divided into five teams each semester. The Professional Connections team connects with alumni to network, learn and form relationships. The Campus and Community Engagement team focuses on collaborating with neighboring organizations and businesses. The Development team creates internal events to improve the organization’s relationships and leadership skills. The Diversity and Inclusion team exists to ensure every student, inside and outside of WASB, can find their place on campus. And finally, the All-Campus Party team plans the nation’s largest non-alcohol week-long party to celebrate everything Wisconsin. It is a campus-wide festival to bring together all facets and faces of the university.

One

While WASB’s impact continues to grow each semester, none of it would be possible without each individual member and student at the university. The power of one is what drives WASB. When each one of our 65 members come together, we become WASB. Each member comes from a unique place yet shares a common connection. Our efforts stem from a tradition rooted in the Wisconsin Idea – that everything WASB does is for community and connection. We are all better together. Whether you are interested in applying, curious about our events or want to learn more about the stripes, the WASBlog is the place to go. And, follow us on our social media accounts! Instagram: @gowasb & Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GOWASB/. 

 

The Wisconsin Alumni Student Board is here to celebrate and connect all Badgers past, present and future. We look to continually make the University of Wisconsin-Madison better and focus All Ways Forward. WASB is so glad you’re here.