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Honda PACT

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Nate Torres
Video by Amanda Lanclos

There is no shortage of people considering going back to school. The associated, and often deterring, question is often, “is it worth it?” Many weigh this by considering if the time and money invested will lead to better job opportunities. The determining factor is often the area of study.

Despite the bumps in the road that the auto industry has been going through, there is no shortage of cars on the road. Vehicles, eventually need repairs. To service those repairs, automotive technicians will be in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for auto technicians will grow at a steady rate of 6 percent over the next ten years, averaging 2,300 new positions a year in Texas, alone.

In response, ACC has been training students to help meet the demand for technicians. Many students are finding work even before they complete the program.

“All of our students get jobs,” says department chair Mike Schoebroek. “Employers are calling all the time looking for employees. Typically it’s one of three different types of employers. Of course the dealerships, then independent repair shops, and then franchises like Firestone, Jiffy Lube, and Christian Brothers.”

ACC is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The department offers four certificates and an associate degree in automotive. With the certification, the school makes sure to keep the instruction evolving as the quickly as vehicles.

“I went to trade school in the seventies,” says adjunct professor Kevin McNeil. “These kids have to learn a lot more in the same amount of time that I did. [Cars] are getting more technical… it ain’t the seventies. You have to hook with a lab scope and a DBOM, read a schematic and do pin checks.”

For soon to be graduate Mike Lopez, the more instruction ACC can get him on the automotive industry the better. “I plan to further my career and come back to get the advanced certificate; which I advise everybody do. They have automatic transmissions II, alternative fuels, and diesel classes which they don’t teach for the regular certificate or degree so you come back and finish that while you’re working.”

Advanced degrees or specialization is a great advantage for those who are already in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor, specialization is a wise commitment reporting an increase from the average wage of $18 per hour to upwards of $30 an hour ($60000 per year) for those who specialize.

Honda has shown great interest in students looking to specialize with their PACT program through their partnership with ACC. This semester PACT is investing in ACC with a fleet of cars and specialty tools, so students are learning and working on Honda/Acura vehicles specifically. This program’s intentions are to provide students with many opportunities, especially those looking to find work at a dealership.

Howdy Honda’s shop foreman, says, “[Students] who come out of school with a PACT certificate are more likely to be hired here than the guy with the associate degree, because they’ve been working on our products.”

That’s not to say a generic automotive associate degree isn’t valued but as a former TSTC student, Bone says, “… when I came out I was ASE certified in all 8 areas and I didn’t have a clue how to work on a Honda. I had an idea how to work on a GM transmission or a Ford transmission but a Honda transmission is completely different.”

PACT will offer a 16-week certificate course as well as a two year associate degree similar to ACC’s generic program. Either way, time spent in ACC’s automotive programs seems to be a sure way to open doors to an automotive career. Bone says, “I like word of mouth but education, you can’t beat it.”

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus

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Building Resumes

Written by Mariana Foran

Starting college, there are many things to think about like paying for classes, which ones to take, where to live and more. Ultimately, ACC provides students with an education and sources to add to a resume to get a job in the appropriate area of study. However, not many know how to write a resume, or what to even put on it.

Many advisors suggest students build their experience at ACC by joining student organizations, volunteering, internships and anything that can give you experience beyond the classroom.

“I think the biggest mistake I see college students make when it comes to building their resume is, they don’t pay attention to anything except school,” says ACC advisor Don Bradley. “They do the bare minimum to get by and at the end they find themselves with a piece paper, nothing more. If an employer had a choice between two college graduates, one with a degree and one with a degree and an impressive resume of things they did in college who do you think they are going to hire?”

It’s not uncommon to attend class, go home and/or work and call it a day. However, the Office of Student Life offers multiple ways to to volunteer and participate in campus activities. If being on campus is too limiting, they can help you find ways to be involved in the community.

Bradley says, “I was very protective over my GPA and basically did whatever I could fit into my schedule. Doing stuff gives you experience and you never know who you might meet or what kind of connections you can make.”

Every job application should have a tailored resume and cover letter.

Resume
Resumes should include several sections: your career objective, a list of experience and skills that pertain to the job and education. It is ok to apply to jobs before graduation, just be sure to place your expected graduation date under the education section. If a list of references isn’t asked for, then include it at the bottom of your resume. Have three or four references of current and/ past co-workers and managers who can speak, honestly, about your work ethic.

Cover Letter
In addition to a resume, many employers, often, ask for a cover letter. A cover letter is a summary of your resume and a formal way of introducing yourself. This is the opportunity to explain how a past experience or skill set, listed in your resume, makes you a top candidate for the job.

“Sincerity is an important element to a good cover letter,” says Bradley. “Staying away from empty phrases also, give people the facts they need not a flowy paragraph about how you’re a people person. The absolute worst thing you can do is use your cover letter to kiss up. Being a kiss up is a big turn off and it makes you seem lazy,”

When writing a cover letter, try keep it about a page long. Human Resources and the managers are receiving many resumes and cover letters (if asked), so be sure to keep it short simple and to the point. Formally address the boss or company you are writing it to and close it with the best way to reach out to you for an interview.

The libraries on every ACC campus has readings that can help you build your resume and cover letter. Or you can visit their online guide at austincc.edu/careerinfo. For hands-on learning, the Highland ACCelerator hosts several Resume & Cover Letter workshops throughout the semester.

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.

Campus Carry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Tracy Fuller
Filmed by Wes Eng
Edited by Halie Davis

In August 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 11, allowing individuals with a concealed handgun license to carry a handgun while on university campuses. ACC campuses have been mandated to implement this law, since the start of the 2017-2018 academic year.

This past October, the deadliest shooting in United States history took place in Las Vegas. A man carried 23 assault rifles to his room on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. He began to open fire on an open crowd at a music festival. This lead to 58 deaths and over 500 injured.

One month later in Sutherland Springs, Texas there was another shooting incident. A man walked into a church service bearing a Ruger AR-556 semi-automatic rifle, taking the lives of 26 people and wounding 20. In response to this shooting Texas Governor Greg Abbott said, “We are dealing with the largest mass shooting in our state’s history.”

In 2007, on the Virginia Tech campus, a 23-year-old college senior went on a massacre. This rampage began in the dormitories, leading him to the University. This is where he chained and locked all the main doors and continued to take the lives of others by storming room to room. The difference with this incident is that it occurred with a 9-millimeter handgun and a 22-caliber handgun, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The assault left 30 people dead and 17 injured. In all, 27 students and five staff members fell as a result of the actions of the shooter.

Many debate if having a Concealed Handgun License will cut down on these shootings.

“I am not comfortable around guns or with people that have guns,” says an anonymous student from the Riverside campus. “I do not know if that increases my safety in any measurable way. I feel if people go through the ropes to get [their CHL], I cannot judge them for that. It is a process, and most people are responsible with it.”

It may be too early to determine whether or not this law will play any role on ACC properties. Since the law passed in 2015, there is a lack of data showing whether firearm incidents and violent crimes have increased or decreased. However, according to a study done by DPS, those who have their License to Carry have a lower crime and conviction rate than those without one.

“I do not have a problem with trained personnel carrying a concealed handgun to protect themselves or the lives of someone else,” says student Rob Paul. “The problem is when you do not have the proper education, training, and the proper temperament. You become more of a liability. My personal opinion is that anyone carrying a handgun hoping to use, shouldn’t have it.”

ACC Police Chief Lynn Dixon suggests these tactics, if a situation ever arises:

RUN.
Flee the area and avoid danger, if possible. Head to the closest, safest exit. If the armed subject is outside the building, move away from outside doors and windows. Call 911, to give them: the location and physical description of the shooter or armed individual, number of suspects and potential victims at the location, and number and type of weapons in the suspect(s) possession

HIDE.
Get behind a large heavy object or lock and barricade doors. Turn off all lights, get on the floor and out of the line of fire. For those who cannot get on the floor, create makeshift barricades to hide behind. Remain quiet and hidden. Silence your cell phone including the vibration setting.

Prepare to FIGHT.
Commit to a plan of action if the armed subject or active shooter enters your space. Be aggressive. Improvise weapons and create distractions. You have the legal right to defend yourself.

Remain in place until an official “ALL CLEAR” instruction is given from police authorities. Listen and comply with police commands.

More information on how to handle emergency situations can be found at austincc.edu/offices/emergency-management.

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/-nPw0gKC1gk”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

International Students

Written and photos by Phuong Kim Pham

WCO Organization community service — World Community Club doing community service work.

The number one transfer college in Texas, ACC is not only a college for Texans, but students all over the world. International students contribute to the school’s development and diversity with the increase of 1.38% district-wide from 2013 to 2017, according to ACC’s 2016-2017 Fact Book. The increase shows that international students consider ACC to be a valuable institution, leading to greater demand for ACC to enhance their International Student Services.

For academic and language learning, ACC provides more than 100 areas of study, with credits being transferable to a four-year college. This gives students a variety of choices in majors to pursue.

Anh Vu, a first-year ACC international student, is very pleased with her first college experience. “The school help me find all the credited classes that I need to transfer to a four-year university,” she said. “I was able to learn thoroughly about my major– which is Computer Science – through the advisors.”

ACC also provides English Language Instruction, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Intensive English Program (IEP) for international students who wish to enhance their English skills. Porry Chen, a Chinese IEP student, has a good impression of the program: “The classes are fast but very effective,” she shared. “It gives me the opportunity to meet people from other cultures and practice English.” In addition to the English programs, ACC establishes English Composition classes for non-native speaker to create a delightful academic environment for international students. Wandaka, a student from Congo, says he received a lot of helps in the class. “Although the class was hard, I think if I have any trouble with study, the teacher and classmates will help me with it,” he said.

World Community Club organizing bake sale

The problem that international students have with ACC’s service is distance, as the International Student Office (ISO) has only two campus location: Riverside and Round Rock. Vu is one of many international students who choose Northridge to be their main campus. As a first-year ACC student, she had to go to the office four times to get her paperwork done. “It’s pretty upsetting that ACC doesn’t have any office in Northridge, I was really tired having to go [to the ISO] so many times,” Vu shared.

Porry Chen, who studies at Highland campus and Cypress Creek, said, “I don’t have problems going to the office but going by bus does take a very long time.” They all hope that ACC will extend International Student Services to additional campuses in order to save on traveling cost and time.

Regarding co-curricular activities, many international students at ACC find joining clubs and college activities to be unusual. One reason is that their culture stresses education as the priority, and overlooks co-curricular college development. Another reason is that there are not many activities that reach international students. Anh Vu, a student who has spent four years in the United States as an international, shared that she only knew about her club through the international student’s orientation. “You probably have to walk around and try to find other clubs’ information to join, which is very time-consuming and difficult for new international students,” she said.

Being a hard-working student, Anh Vu is also the Secretary of World Community Club (WCC). She likes to spend her free time doing club activities and meeting new people, as she was also an active international high school student in South Carolina. She wants to encourage international students to be open-minded to learn new things. “Joining WCC is not hard, you don’t have to attend to the meetings to join, all you have to do is email us or join the group on MySL and we will send you various events for you through email,” she suggests. “Student Life is also like a helping center for anyone who wants to meet new friends, you can definitely join them.”

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.

Austin Trail of Lights 2017

Written & photos by Tracy Fuller

The Austin Trail of Lights is easily one of the most recognized holiday events in the Austin area. This makes 53 years of Zilker Park hosting Trail of Lights.

The Trail of Lights Foundation and Lyft will host the 4th Annual “Night Lights” Preview Party on Friday, Dec. 8. Ticket proceeds will support STARS at the Trail, a

Trail of Lights Foundation program that enables roughly 1600 children, families,

veterans and seniors to visit the trail who normally wouldn’t be able to.

“Night Lights” will take place at Zilker Park from 7-10 p.m. and will highlight live performances from Mother Falcon String Trio, Whiskey Shivers, and Austin’s favorite DJ, DJ Mel. This prestigious event will host tasty samples of food, beer and wine, exceptional holiday entertainment, a classic car show, a Maker’s Market curated by Edible Austin, and a chance to experience the Trail of Lights like never before. Joining in the festivities will be restaurants such as Mattie’s, Sway, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill, La Pera, Chi’Lantro, Texas Honey Ham, H-E-B Café, Cabo Bob’s, Top Notch, and much more.

Starting Saturday, December 9th the Trail of Lights will open its doors to the public and will run through Saturday, Dec. 23rd. Each night at the trail will feature local performers and storytelling spreading cheer among the masses.

Show Review: The Story So Far, Turnstile, & Drug Church Throw Down at The Mohawk

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written and photos by Taylor Kokas

Despite this year’s sudden cancellation of Sound On Sound Fest, many artists were able to be rescheduled at various venues around town to perform for the live music capitol audience. The festival continued on in spirit, early that Saturday afternoon. Fans lined up on both corners of The Mohawk, awaiting performances from their favorite punk bands: Drug Church, Turnstile, and headliner The Story So Far.

Thirty minutes after the doors opened, Drug Church warmed up the crowd playing songs like “Banco Popular,” “But does it work?”and their newest single “Weed Pin”. After finishing up their short, 30 minute set, the crowd continued to grow. As casual fans played it safe and settled along the railing of the upper levels of the venue, dedicated fans and avid moshers made their way down to the front of the stage. For a good 45 minutes, Turnstile performed songs like “Drop” and “Fazed Out” inciting the crowd to throw down in the pit. Crowd surfers made their way to the stage hoping to be handed the mic from lead vocalist Brendan Yates (who occasionally tossed the mic out while he dancing around on stage). After their set, fans dispersed to grab a drink, buy some merch, or re-situate themselves for the final act.

The Story So Far kicked off their set playing two of their most popular songs, “Things I can’t change” and “Nerve” while also performing their newest single “Out of it.” It was a wild set, as some fans surfed their way up to the front, attempting to get a hug from lead vocalist Parker Cannon. At one point during a break between songs, Cannon was handed a switchblade, causing some shock amongst the band. Parker put it away safely in front of the drum kit and continued on with the show. Throughout the remainder of the night, fans jammed out to a setlist of the band’s greatest hits from their past three albums while also squeezing in a couple covers from Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Fans left with a fun, memorable performance to reflect on as they exited the venue to go home and recover from their ringing eardrums.

Pick this review up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.

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Film Review: Mudbound

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Written by Tracy Fuller

The McAllan family is a working-family raising their children on a Mississippi farm. The Jacksons are a sharecropping family on a Mississippi farm. Both families have a son returning from the World War II to work the land. Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund) and Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell) suffer from PTSD post-war.

Ronsel is a sergeant, wrestling with the terror of being a free man in Europe, but one with no rights when being back in America – the nation he defended in battle.

Jamie is an airborne captain, struggling with the horrific memories witnessed in the sky.

Both Ronsel and Jamie, come together with the bond of PTSD. Their friendship is an opposite perfect connection to status, mental health and racial division of that era.

Dee Rees and Virgil Williams did a excellent job turning Hillary Jordan’s novel into a cinematic ride. Mudbound invokes various emotions from the viewer to feel both families’ level of poverty, struggles to get ahead and what life was like for that period. This sure to be award-winning film hits Netflix on November 17th.

Pick this review up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.

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Film Review: Murder on the Orient Express

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Nate Torres

Persevering mystery of Agatha Christie and her hero Hercule Poirot return to the big screen in the latest adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express. The classic mystery attracted an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Judy Dench, Daisy Ridley, Derek Jacobi and many others who portray a group of passengers all traveling aboard the luxurious Orient Express. As the title suggests, a passenger falls victim to murder leaving 12 dynamic individuals suspect to the crime. It is the archetypal “who done it” story as Detective Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) helps find the murderer amongst the train’s passengers before they can make their escape at the next stop – or worse, kill again.

The setting takes place in 1934 Europe and though the main events all revolve around the train and its compartments, the production found ways to deliver some amazing scenery, beautifully captured in 65mm. Audiences who find themselves fond of traditional mystery will certainly find this film delightful. The scenes involving Poirot’s interaction with the passengers and his demeanor makes room for comic relief. Branagh shows great respect for Christie’s original story through script and visual adaptation, while staying true to Poirot and his “magnificent moustaches.” There is, also, some magnificence in the way the cast subversively play out their characters, making them relevant to today. Touching on issues like race, addiction, greed, guilt and death, the film explores how the human psyche can be pushed to a breaking point and drive one to murder. Each one of the suspects holds their own quirks and eccentricities that give rise to suspicion and also make for good entertainment.

Murder on the Orient Express is not at attempt to blow your mind as a mystery. The film contains twists and turns that push even “the greatest detective in the world” to his limits. If not a fan of playing sleuth, however, cinephiles can still enjoy the film’s gorgeous pictures and camera work while taking their best guess on who did it.

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ACC Ranked Top Transfer School

Written by Melisa Hernandez

Slip on your boots and two-step down to ACC because it is ranked the number one Transfer Community College in Texas, according to successfulstudent.org.

“What makes ACC different from all the rest is the time and effort that we as advisors put in for each student’s future,” says Advising Specialist Angelica Diaz-Miranda De La Rosa.

ACC is known to be very accommodating to the diverse student body by providing courses during the weekdays, weekends, and through distance learning.

Professor Paul Brown says, “ The Distance Learning courses allow students who may be working one or two jobs to also have time on the weekend to go over their readings. In addition they’re able to complete homework and exams.”

Flexibility in the classes offered, is one reason ACC scored at the top of Successful Student’s ranking.

Audiology major Annette Kveton says, “being a student at ACC makes me feel very proud. I am transferring in the fall of next semester, and consider myself very lucky to be a part of the number one ranked school in Texas for transfers,”

In addition, many are aware of the diversity ACC offers and Diaz-Miranda De La Rosa feels this is a big contribution to this ranking. “Because ACC is so diverse with our students and faculty, students find it easier to feel like they belong. There are pieces of students’ culture and background that are celebrated here that I feel other institutions would not have the gumption to do. When students feel like they belong that creates a culture where people are accepting of others.”

Affordability is ACC’s mission to ensure that all students are able to receive an education at a low cost.

Early childhood education major Jessica Powell says, “Additionally, ACC is affordable and accessible to lots of people. It makes taking basic classes much easier and cheaper, and in my opinion, there is no real need for basic classes to be taken at an expensive university.”

Many students, teachers, and staff feel honored to have received this ranking.

Brown says, “I think ACC earned this ranking because of the quality of the faculty, many of whom have practiced the profession they teach for decades before sharing their knowledge in the classroom.”

Austin Community College registration is open for the spring semester of 2018. Visit austincc.edu/register to sign up for classes.

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.

A Disguised Education

Written by Sam Douglas

Many students struggle with time management, motivation to attend class and the sheer will it takes to crack open a textbook. Even once the studying begins, the next momentous task is staying focused. It’s not rare to re-read a paragraph, again and again; this could be a sign of disinterest in a subject. Staying focused can be hard, but what if there was a way to make it interesting – to look at a subject in a different light. What about podcasts?

Image result — photo courtesy: dancarlin.com

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
Maybe history isn’t your favorite subject. Let Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History change the way you understand a history lesson by making the facts and stories a personal interaction. Carlin tells about historical figures, places and time as if he lives it. The series “Blueprint for Armageddon” gives the listener an in-depth look into the lives of soldiers and civilians on both sides of the first world war, painting a horrifying image of the carnage that took place. A great podcast for students who will be studying this period of time in a U.S. History class.

The Joe Rogan Experience
This is one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes and for good reason. Host, comedian Joe Rogan, invites guests from all walks of life; such as geologists, nutritionist, psychologist, neurosurgeons, athletes, comedians, business gurus and more. There are more than 1,000 free episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience available for download, spanning 2-3 hours each. It’d be hard to not find content relevant to your studies from the conversations with various professionals.

Radiolab Presents: More Perfect
Like everything Radiolab releases, More Perfect is a wonderfully, high-quality audio experience, focusing on Supreme Court cases that set precedent today. This can be a great tool to use when trying to remember the names of those court cases you know are going to be on the test in your government class.

photo courtesy: startalkradio.net

StarTalk Radio
Join host (and astrophysicist) Neil deGrasse Tyson and travel the galaxy with some of the most brilliant minds in science. Learn about new theories moving through the science community and contemplate the mysteries our cosmos has to offer. StarTalk Radio may be that little bit of extra help you needed in an astronomy or physics class.

A different interpretation of a subject may spark an interest in topics previously disliked. Thus, allowing the mind to retain information in an alternate way and, hopefully, encourage better study habits. With all the increase of podcasts out there, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one, or a few, helpful to your studies and future career.

Pick this story up in the Spring 2018 Life4U magazine on campus.