Newspapers / Fayetteville State University Student … / March 26, 2008, edition 1 / Page 8
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HIV A Problem For College Students By Cortney Slaughter Staff Writer College is the starting point for people who want to advance aca demically and financially in their lives. Those four college years are often full of papers, deadlines and part- time jobs, but whoever said that you can't have a little fun? No one. In fact, college (to some) may be little more than partying... which often leads to sexual endeavors. Even after taking Health 101, a great amount of college students seem to either lack knowl edge of sex education or, even if they do know, don't care to use protec tion when they have sex. "What's the big deal with college students having sex?" one might ask. The big deal is that students are not thinking before acting, and that can lead to grave consequences. What can start out as fun can lead to sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, gonorrhea and the HIV/AIDS virus. According to the Center for Dis ease Control, 1 in 1500 college stu dents are HIV (Human Immunodefi ciency Virus) positive. The largest groups of Americans infected with HIV are teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, in the Youth Report of 2000, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy research states that "In the U.S, it is estimated that 2 young people (Age 13-25) are infected with HIV each hour." To add on to the madness, HIV transforms into AIDS. Last year, 2007, it was estimated that 33.2 mil lion adults and children were living with HIV and AIDS. With these facts, it should be clear that there is a "big deal" when it comes to colleges stu dents having sex. Most of the stories of HIV or AIDS in the college setting are those where one of the partners did not know that their other partner had HIV, or where there was no protection used. In either case, these two people are now a part of the statistics among students in col lege and universities with HIV. The million-dollar question now is, "how does it stop?" How con the HIV and AIDS rate within the colleges and university decrease in the efforts to stop it? Some believe that more lec tures on safe sex should be conducted while others believe that more schools should be divided by men and women (similar to Morehouse and Spellman). There is no definite answer to this question but every thoughtful answer or solution to this problem helps. Truth be told, the solution to this problem lies in the hands of those who help it. In other words, the power to stop this epidemic in college students relies on the decisions of the college students. Will you continue the problem or help solve it? The choice is yours to make, choose wisely because it's bet ter to be safe than sorry. Comm Program Has Growing Pains By Ashley Smith Student Advisor The Mass Communications track of the Commu nications Major at Fayettevilfe State is one of the newest on campus. As will all fiedgling programs, the track has experienced its share of dif^cufties but continues to be one of the fastest growing majors on campus. "The biggest challenge to our future is facility space," says Dr. Todd Frobish, who has watched over the program since its creation, "As the larg est degree program in our department, and one of the fastest growing programs on campus, we are severely disadvantaged by not having a space of our^own." The program is hoping to convert the one class room in the Telecommunications Building into office space so that the mojor's professors are housed under one roof. While space is a big issue facing the program, some students have claimed that the program doesn't do enough to prepare students for fife after college. "The biggest problem facing the communica tions program is the lack of training provided by the professors," says Jamerius Ludgood, a senior in the program. He claims that "this issue is very seri ous considering most students are really incapable of performing bosic tasks given because they don't understand the technical aspects of the field." Dr. Frobish believes that the program provides students with the basic tools for success, but it is the job of the student to go take opportunities to learn specific skills for their job."All we can do as faculty is to provide the opportunities foi- learning that will help [students] thrive after they graduate," says Frobish. "It is the job of the student to embrace those opportunities." Some of the opportunities that he mentions are internships and participation in campus organizations like the student newspaper and student radio station. Dr. Frobish also mentions the importance of majors participating in the Com munications Club. Communications Club President Jewel Peterkin, also had a mix of things to say about the program. "I do know some graduates personally, who do not feel as if they are qualified enough to compete for communications jobs In other areas like Charlotte," says Peterkin. Despite the program's shortfalls, Peterkin feels that the program is still the right one for her. "I ab solutely love the communications program at Fay etteville State. While the program is still in its for mative years, I could not see myself in any other program." If students feel that the program is not doing enough them, they should contact their advisor first, then they should seek out the professor that is an expert in the field in v^ich the student is interested in entering after college. Students interested in the program should see their advisor for the new 3-year plan for communications majors. Internships Important For Getting Post-Graduate Jobs By Ashley Smith Student Advisor As students draw closer to gradu ation, they are faced with the growing fear of having to find a real job after college. This process can makes stu dents feel uneasy about their future, and can make them question whether or not they have been prepared for the working world. One of the most important things that students can do to ensure that they are competitive for jobs after they graduate is to participate in an intern ship while they are still in school. Many students struggle to find in ternships, but the Career Services Cen ter at FSU strives to help students with their internship and career needs. "We assist students in completing internship applications and help them meet specific deadlines and criteria for a desired internship," states the programs coordinators. "Our center recommends that students start early in the school year to seek and pre pare for and internship program." Students wishing to compete for an internship through career services must meet the following criteria: be in full-time status in good standing with the university, maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and they must be registered with the career services center. Director of the Career Services Center, Dr. Paris Jones, believes that internships are essential to student suc cess. "As Director, I feel that it is very important that all students should have at least one internship experience," says Jones. "The internship program is designed to assist a student in devel oping self confidence, maturity, and to make a smooth transition to the world of work." Jessica Ross, a junior in the Com munications program, is currently completing an internship with the non profit organization Partnership for Children of Cumberland County and works in the research and develop ment department. "I think my internship has given me experience for working with non profits," says Ross. "While I may not be involved directly in major projects, I have learned a lot about the pro cesses that exist in non-profits, as well as taken port in important outreach events." She recommends that student cater their experience to their inter ests. "Do your research," she says. "Since you will be volunteering your time, look for the internship that best matches what you want to do in the future." The Career Services Center helps to prepare students to be successful in their internships by providing services like mock interviews and resume writ ing help. Some of the internships that are available to students include the Disney World Internship, the Inroads Internship (places minority students with fortune 500 companies), USA- SOC on Fort Bragg, the BET Intern Program, and the Wal-Mart Corpo rate Internship Program. "We strongly encourage students to visit career services to ensure that they are on the right career path for where they want to be and what they want to do when they graduate. For more information on intern ships, you can visit career services located in Suite 230 in the School of Business and Economics building, or you con contact the center at 910-672- 1205. Pg. 8 VOICE March 26, 2008
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