Issue 6
Win a scholarship–apply by April 30!
Westwood is pleased to introduce the PATH to Success Scholarships. They are designed to recognize and reward current students who are self-motivated, self-starters who take personal responsibility for their long-term career success.
The PATH Scholarships will honor 66 exceptional students by awarding one Gold Scholarship ($2,000), one Silver Scholarship ($1,000) and one Bronze Scholarship ($500) on each campus. Given the large number of enrolled students at Westwood College Online, five scholarships will be awarded from each category. In addition, one Platinum Scholarship worth $10,000 will be awarded to the top applicant selected from among the Gold Scholarship winners.
Online applications for the PATH Scholarships are being accepted through Monday, April 30 at westwoodpathscholarship.com. Entry rules include:
- must be currently enrolled at Westwood College in any degree program of study
- must have completed at least three terms at Westwood
- must be in good academic standing and meet Westwood College's Standards of Academic Progress
- must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- must have a letter of recommendation from a Westwood faculty member
- must submit an essay (400-700 words) about:
- barriers you've conquered to get a college education
- how college is empowering you to achieve your career goals
- your career plan and steps you're taking to get a job after college
For complete information, click here.
Ear to the Ground
It's "Game on!" for Westwood at Game Developers Conference
Westwood College brought its game face to the 2010 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco March 11–13. Westwood's booth showcased the high quality and depth of our gaming programs, and the caliber of our students, to employers and "legends" in the gaming industry. The booth also featured student and graduate work from campuses throughout the country. Go to westwood.edu/gaming to see some of these works.
Westwood staff and faculty talked with conference attendees about Career Services, job opportunities and what's new in the industry. Career Services met with industry leaders from WMS, Image Metrics, THQ, Lucas Films, PlayStation and BigPoint to talk about what skills and attributes they look for in an employee. Many have hired Westwood graduates in the past.
Anaheim Campus Students Mentored by Westwood Grad
Four Anaheim students (Dennis Vivanco, Joe Bommarito, Kevin Wycoff, Sean Hawkins) were chosen to attend the GDC for winning the 2009 Westwood gaming competition for their entry, Bio. They were mentored by Denver South Campus alumnus Bryan Mashinter, a 2008 Game Art and Design graduate and producer for Fuel Industries. Mashinter gave the students tips on how to build portfolios, make contacts and interview for jobs in the industry.
Check out our YouTube site to see what they were up to during GDC.
Industry Legends Chat with Students
Several big names in the gaming industry stopped by the Westwood booth to talk to students and staff about what's happening in the industry and how Westwood's programs in gaming will benefit them. Click here to hear what several of them had to say.
- John Say, CEO of Say Design
- Voldi Way, president of WayForward
- Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment
- Ru Weerasuriya, co-founder of Ready at Dawn Studios
The legends also helped promote Westwood's upcoming event, The Gathering of Video Game Legends, to be held April 17 at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim from noon to 5 p.m. Watch for more details on Westwood's web site.
Job Tip
Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are primarily fun, personal outlets. However, remember that employers often use these sites to pre-screen candidates. So be cautious about what you post. Is there any content that might be construed as inappropriate and embarrassing if a potential employer sees it? Use common sense and err to the side of caution. Check out this article from Forbes.com for tips on how to best use social media as part of your job hunt.
Graduate Profile
Trinidad Rodriguez, 2009 Interior Design Graduate
Trinidad Rodriguez maintains that being born and raised in California has contributed to her calm, relaxing and eclectic design style. She chose Westwood College to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design because it offered both a fast track to a career as well as an opportunity for her to return for additional training after graduation.
Inspired by Fernandel Almonor, graduate advisor on the Los Angeles Campus, Rodriguez attended a networking event at Design Theory's showroom where she was able to make a great first impression and leave behind a résumé. In October 2008, she started an internship with Design Theory and joined the team as an employee after graduation in July 2009.
Thanks to her Westwood degree and real-world experience gained at Design Theory, she now has the knowledge to create functional and appealing interiors for every budget and every lifestyle.
Rodriguez says, "I am very happy and satisfied with my experience at Westwood. Going from an internship at Design Theory to being part of the team was a great accomplishment."
Campus Briefs
Law Inspired by Project SAVE Gains Ground
The Atlanta Northlake Campus "Students Against Violence Everywhere" (SAVE) Chapter is hopeful a law they helped inspire will get passed this year. The Greggory Savelio Law, which would mandate outside video surveillance at gas stations in Georgia, is currently in legislation. The Westwood SAVE Chapter was founded by a group of students in memory of Greggory Savelio, a senior who was gunned down at a DeKalb County gas station on August 22, 2009.
Dallas Campus Students Help Habitat for Humanity
Nine students from the Dallas Campus participated in a community service event for Habitat for Humanity in early March. Ki Thompson, Business, Construction Management and CAD program chair, organized the Westwood work group as part of the Construction Management Club.
New President at Atlanta Midtown Campus
Westwood College recently named Bryan Gulebian as president of the Atlanta Midtown Campus. With nearly two decades in higher education, Gulebian brings a diverse set of skills and experience. He began his education career in the admissions department for ITT Technical Institute before moving to the Career Education Corporation as a director of admissions. Gulebian then became campus president for Lincoln Technical Services in Norcross, Georgia, and later at Corinthian College in the Atlanta market.
On the Net
Westwood Criminal Justice Grad Inspires and Impacts Her Community
Click here for a great article from The New York Times about Westwood grad Araceli Hurtado who, by turning her own life around, is inspiring young gang members through her work with Enlace Chicago.
New Westwood Student Financing Video Available
This video provides easy-to-understand instructions on how to approach paying for college and reviews the basics of your college investment.
Westwood College Online
Upcoming Workshops
Did you know that Westwood College Online offers a number of career development workshops?
April 6: Optimal Résumés and Cover Letters
April 15: The Importance of a Mentor & Top 10 Career Killers
To find out more about the workshops:
- Log into your e-college account
- Click on the Career Services tab
- Click on the Career Management Series links in the calendar of Career Services workshops window
If you're a student at an on-ground campus, you're welcome to participate in these workshops, too. Please work with your academic or career advisor for access.
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