The Traveler

Buying back books: UA students decide where to sell used textbooks for best price

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Finding the most reasonably priced textbooks can be difficult, but for UA students, the best option is to shop around before making a final sale.

Many bookstores offer similar buyback pricing - typically 50 percent of the book's original value - if the book will continue to be used on campus.

Can't find a boss? Try being your own

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

For some ambitious seniors who want to run their own business, the future is filled with bright colors and artistic style despite the slumping job market and bleak financial future.

Kristen Blowers, a senior interior design student owns Riffraff, Fayetteville's newest eclectic store.

Career Center offers aid for job seekers

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Students are unaware of all the free opportunities the Career Development Center provides. From Mar. 1, to Mar. 10, 56 jobs and internships were posted on eRecruiting. Students applied for only 11 of those jobs, said Barbara Batson, director of the UA Career Development Center.

Construction begins on Brough Commons this week

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

When students enter Brough Dining Hall this week, they won't see the usual dessert bar, friendly faces and cereal line. Instead, they now are greeted by wooden beams, black tarps and a sign that reads "Brough - an exciting new look is coming � please pardon the disruption.

Dogs become an issue on campus despite UA policy that bans pets

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

UA students probably are accustomed to seeing dogs being walked on campus, playing Frisbee or jogging alongside their owners. But according to university policy, dogs are not allowed on the UA campus - and for student Whitney Jones, it would have been helpful if that policy had been enforced last week.

Economy's heart gets a jolt from U.S.

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Students who graduate next month will enter a job market fully feeling the effects of the recession, and experts say the end is not near. If the financial system does not recover soon, the recession might last beyond the end of the year, a UA economics professor said.

Fayetteville School District finalizes plans to build new high school on same property

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Fayetteville Public School District officials recently decided to start building a new high school on the same site as the existing facilities. While learning in the middle of a construction zone might sound like a challenge, most members of the school board, the design team and parent and teacher organizations are confident that an effective learning environment can be maintained.

Recruiting summit scheduled for June

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Colleges in northwest Arkansas are working together to help graduating students find jobs.

The UA Career Development Center will host the College Campus Recruiting Summit from 9-11 a.m., on Thursday, June 4, at the UA campus.

The objectives for this event include identifying key issues students are likely to face during the next academic year, projections for job opportunities for 2009-2010, developing strategies to increase employment opportunities for students, and committing to collaborations that will affect student success.

The Clintons' first house now a history-packed museum near campus

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

They were former UA faculty members and shared their first home on California Drive, a street directly off of the UA campus.

It sounds like it could be the ordinary lives of a lot of UA faculty, except that he was the 42nd president of the United States and she was the second woman to be the U.

UA School of Law ranked 94th in the nation

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the UA School of Law 94th in its 2010 "America's Best Graduate Schools" edition, putting the school in the top tier of law schools in the country. "We are thrilled to be included among the top-tier law schools," said Cynthia Nance, dean of the UA School of Law.

A suitable look lands the job

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It wasn't so long ago that many felt secure in their financial situations - and it showed. Khakis and a button down, sans tie, became the uniform of the confident professional. But moods have changed and, although business casual is still the trend for many, standing out requires one's appearance to speak volumes.

Bunny slippers, but no water cooler; working from home has benefits

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Twenty-first century office employees can work from almost anywhere, from home or a houseboat - dressed in housecoat and slippers, casual to business suit or for best comfort. These rewards come with telecommuting as a virtual employee.

For more than two years, Lynn Howard, of Gravette, Ark.

Career fairs on despite bad times

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Career fairs, like the Walton Business Career Fair, encourage students to work on networking skills and search for employment opportunities, but some students leave feeling more frustrated than motivated.

"About 90 percent of all the companies I've talked to have just given me a bunch of statements about their company and then said 'just apply online,'" said Abigail Brock, a senior marketing management major.

Careers can start at home

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Job openings for college graduates are in short supply. Many companies that employ thousands of Arkansas workers around the state are cutting jobs to save money.

The UA, one of the top five employers in Northwest Arkansas, however, will not cut jobs. In fact, the UA is still hiring, employment director Beth Arbuthnot said.

Hot on the job beat, listen to advice in rhyme

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

While helping students get on the right career path, the UA Career Development Center is staying hip with the times by creating their own rap production.

The "UA Career Development Center Rap" surfaced earlier this year when the U.S. economy and job outlook were at their worst.

Internships give experience to students before they have to leave the nest

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The job market for graduating college students still looks bleak, and frustrating experiences with career fairs don't help. Some students have been able to get internships, though jobs are hard to find.

Justin Bules, a junior finance management major, went to several career fairs during his freshman and sophomore years and like many students, he became frustrated by the lack of interested companies.

IT opportunities hold job promise

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Despite layoffs, some technology companies are continuing to hire new employees and the field might be worth looking into for those who are struggling to find a job.

Job fields that are still growing include the medical, government, education and technology fields, said Becky Vianden, associate director of the UA Career Development Center.

Jobless rate up; state better than most

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Graduates next month will face a depleted workforce that many Arkansans have not seen in a long time. There just are not as many jobs as there were last year, but compared to the nation Arkansas is not doing quite so bad. In March the Arkansas unemployment rate rose to 6.

Recession's reach quite complicated

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This recession is far more complicated and widespread than previous ones, a UA economics professor said, and it all began with deregulating the banking system.

This recession has spread the pain more evenly than ever before. Job losses have hit both coasts, with Florida and California being among the hardest hit states because of the failing housing market in those states, and to the Rust Belt, where Detroit, Mich.

Riding out the economy by staying in school might be the best option

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

There is no silver lining to the current economic crisis, but there are still several opportunities for jobs, two U of A economics professors, said during a session for graduate students.

"If you can continue school, it may be the best option," said Javier Reyes, associate economics professor.

Seal the deal in half a minute

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

One of the most important things to take to a career fair is what the UA Career Development Center calls a "30-second commercial."

"A 30-second commercial [or a personal branding statement] is a very brief explanation of who you are and what you want to do and where you want to go," according to the center Web site.

Some careers are hiding in plain sight

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Responding to job postings provides employers with large applicant pools. Chances are slim for those that don't know job hunters' secrets to tracking down "hidden jobs".

The hidden job market is made up of all the jobs filled before they are posted, as well as all jobs received by people who did not respond to postings, said Donald Asher, keynote speaker of a live Web cast on campus titled, "Seven Secrets of the Hidden Job Market".

Study abroad expands horizons as well as career options

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Study abroad experience makes a student stand out among other candidates on a resume and in a job interview.

Study abroad programs attract students for not only gaining academic outcomes but also improving their personal skills such as broad global awareness, independency, self-reliance and diversity tolerance, which employers look for as global work force.

A long day's journey into night

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"Does the road wind uphill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day's journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend." What a journey it has been. For the last four years, I've devoted more time to The Arkansas Traveler than just about everything.

Luigs reaps benefits from senior season at Arkansas

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It wasn't an easy senior season for Jonathan Luigs under center at Arkansas.

After becoming the first Razorback to win the Rimington Trophy, Luigs came back for his last year as a Razorback to learn the new schemes and techniques under Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino in his pass-heavy offense.

Razorbacks look to get back on track

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Arkansas softball team's trip to Gainesville, Fla., to take on the top-ranked Gators last weekend was a bittersweet one.

The Razorbacks (35-24, 10-14 Southeastern Conference) clinched a berth in the SEC tournament but did so by default, as they were swept by a combined score of 27-0.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Some of the greatest things about Fayetteville are the local stores that can be found on every corner, each offering their own unique flair and one-of-a-kind treasures.

Riffraff, a newly opened home décor boutique, made its home here this past February, thriving with exclusive treasures that radiate the beauty and hard work that was put into every creation.

Generation 'Look at Me' caught in a catch-22

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It's that time of year. Finals again. The library is so full its like hunting season in the jungle trying to get a computer. I was actually attacked by a woman the other day. Everyone is so stressed you can almost see cartoon bubbles over their heads with exclamation and question marks.

Meet Bugsy - also known as the 'Dickson Street dog'

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

If you decide to spend some time on Dickson Street, you might expect to find shopping, restaurants and bars, but what you might not expect is Bugsy, the top dog of Dickson Street.

Bugsy spends most of his time guarding Flying Possum Leather, a store specializing in handcrafted acoustic and leather guitar straps, but he also makes social trips around Dickson with his owner, Bruce Walker.

Summer sports are back!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Summer is here! That means new activities are about to begin in the beautiful weather. The more popular summer activities are centered on lake sports, hiking and climbing.

Hiking local trails is popular because working out in nature often provides a calming experience.

ASG president says 'thank you'

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It is hard to believe that this year is coming to a close. It's that time of the year to wrap things up and pass the reigns over to the new Associated Student Government executives. I want to take a few moments to thank some important people and to share with you some of our successes in the ASG this year.

It's not the end

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Another year gone, another nearly 100 issues of the Traveler read. As readers might have already heard, big adjustments are in store for the 103-year-old student newspaper, and these changes are positive ones - the Traveler is poised to offer more campus and local coverage, as well as new, exciting ways readers can receive news content.

Renovating the Fourth Estate

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This edition of the Traveler represents the ending of an era. Newspaper printers are cooling off for good. Thousands have lost their jobs. Most of all, the Internet is once again flaunting its magnificent power to shape industry. Journalism is dashing through an age of metamorphosis.