Discussion questions due 6/7

create a cover letter (see example for reference).

Discussion 2, at least 300 words in total.

Discussion 3, at least 300 words in total. Finish the exercise.

Discussion 4, write your comments and your feelings.

Being informed about the industry in which you plan to have a career in is essential to your professional success. In my case, I have chosen the profession of dental hygiene. Dentistry is a profession in which is constantly evolving, progressing, and developing new technology and products. When patients come to me, they expect me to have the answers to the newest and latest trends that they have heard about. I have taken an oath to provide the highest standard of care to my patients and with that, I must be able to answer all of their questions and concerns.

After perusing the databases for the latest topics, I have noticed there is a lot of research on newer standards of care for patients which render the old ones obsolete. Fluoride application is another topic in which is constantly being attacked and then supported. The most prominent trends in dentistry, however, are new products in which brush the patient’s teeth for them. These products are something in which the patient just puts in their mouth, something like a mouthguard, and leaves it there until it is done. The product claims that it is so thorough that you don’t even need to see your hygienist anymore! This product in particular is one that I should research and educate my patients on.

Considering pop culture and the never-ending need for whiter teeth, patients are always asking for new methods to whiten their teeth. This is a topic of dentistry that is constantly overlooked to be damaging to the teeth as well as not for everyone! I have found that patients, even with most of their teeth rotting out of their mouth, they are inquiring about teeth whitening. Newer products are starting to emerge in which claim to be less abrasive and help to retain tooth integrity better than older, more traditional methods of whitening. As a dental professional, it is essential that I stay up to date with these latest trends so that I can provide the best expertise to my patients.

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1. A few of my favorite HR Publications would have to be HR Digest, which focuses on the particularly recent case studies within the Human Resources field. I find them interesting because of the categories of the subject that I was not aware were even within the human resourcing field. While some many feel it is merely a bloggers site for the HR field, its interactive use allows each user to not only better understand the overall scope of information the writes wish to convey, but how it relates back to certain policies, guidelines, and even laws in place. Another online publication site for Human Resourcing that I have grown fond of would have to be the Workforce, it allows users to get an in-depth feel as to what questions, experiences, and work is available when looking for a career with the human services field. This has provided useful to me, as I have questioned exactly how I would be able to build my career within Human Resources with the experience I have obtained previously.

2. A few of the trends mentioned on HR Digest, would have to occupational alcoholism and how it is creeping into the workplace. I found this interesting because it would almost seem to be common sense for people not to consume alcohol at their place of employment, but for many it is vital for him or her to make it through their workday. It also discusses how it can be linked back to other issues within the work place, and how corporations can lead to prevent these issues by discussing available help.

3. I believe other possible trends that could arise would have the focused around diversity within the work place,or around equal pay for women especially since more and more women's rights issues seem to be popping up. These issues need to be faced, and resolved in a manner that voices the opinions of all others, not just the companies, and governments that have the power to implement these rules. Companies need to take into affect how it will effect them in the long run, if they do not change with the trends that are arising.

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The best way to determine where you want to utilize your degree is by branching off into an internship site in which offers some areas of interest that you might want to engage in in the future. In my case, I am currently in an internship site in which I have determined is a possibility of my career path in the future. In searching for an internship site, I first had to determine what path I wanted to explore. In the field of dental hygiene, there is a lot more you can do with a Bachelors than just work clinically. You can engage in research, marketing and sales, public health program planning, administration, and educational leadership. After a lot of research on opportunity availability, job growth, and job satisfaction, I decided to try and pursue an internship opportunity in an educational environment.

The path to getting the internship was not easy, I had called numerous companies and schools and it seemed that they had no interest in accepting an intern. However, after becoming quite discouraged, I decided to make one last attempt to a dental assisting trade school. They were more than happy to have me on board! I consulted with my internship advisor and she aided me in collecting all the necessary paperwork and documentation for me to begin interning at the site. I remained in contact with the head of the dental assisting department and arranged a day to meet with her in person and tour the facility. I have been attending the internship for about two weeks now and I am happy to say that I did not give up in trying to attain the internship site that I truly wanted. I plan to go into education in the late future and by being in this site I can observe teaching styles and get a sense of what it is like to be the head of a classroom of learning minds.

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The setting that I would like to complete an internship at is a public health clinic, and I would like to shadow a dental hygienist. My first goal is to speak with the administrators of at least three clinics over the phone or through email by the end of the month. I will find the clinics by searching the internet for community healthcare facilities. My second goal is to secure an internship and create a weekly schedule within the next six weeks. I would like my internship schedule to resemble a work schedule for a full-time hygienist, so I can truly get a feeling of what the position is like. A third goal is to keep a daily journal throughout my internship, so I can document my accomplishments and things I need to improve upon. The journal will help me see how far I've come from the beginning of the internship until the end. My fourth goal is to ask my internship mentor to critique my performance over the course of my internship so I can improve in the future when I am working. My final goal is to complete 100 hours at my internship site within six weeks of starting.

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A job interview with a potential employer is the time to put all your knowledge, skill and previous experience all on the table. It’s important to draw the best picture possible of yourself that will appeal to them. You are the product and you always want to make yourself look good and stand out from other “products”.  You should highlight key things that will set yourself apart from other applicants because that's how you will grab the attention of the employer, or "buyer". Some ways to do this would be volunteer work, hands-on experience, continue education or obtain certifications. Some strengths I would say I have is compassion, adaptability, detail-oriented and being team player. Being on sports teams all my life has definitely helped me grasp the idea of working as a well oiled team. I find that having true passion for your career is what will bring you all the success because you are a motivated worker who gets things done simply being because you enjoy it and not because you have to.  Especially in the health care field we want passionate workers to have genuine care for patients in order to improve the quality of patient care. Therefore, I believe it's very important to love your field and show compassion.

My elevator speech would go something like, "My name is Melissa Buzan and I am very passionate about promoting, preventing and protecting the community within public health. I have experience in a health department's health administration division where I focused on policy efforts. I am always willing to learn new things as well as adapt to new environments. I can contribute new ideas and apply my knowledge to the best of my ability for any task given to me. Being able to improve the health and well-being of all individuals is my motivation and passion."

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When selling yourself to future employers, we have learned that the first few minutes of the interview are the most critical. At this is the time, they are taking notes and seeing if you fit the criteria and poses the skills of the candidate they are looking to add to their team. This is why, articulating the skills you have and making a strong first impression is essential for a successful interview.

Practicing a “pitch” is extremely helpful when going into an interview. This is actually a strategy I’ve used and will continue to use in the future. Each interview is going to be different, so it is good to practice and prepare for each as they come and individually. Practicing a pitch allows you to confidently converse more openly on the subject matters, avoid getting side tracked, and has the ultimate intent of to motivating the employer into choosing you to hire and identifying you are the best person for the job.

Given the opportunity to introduce myself in sixty seconds, I would shake the employers hand, explain to them who I am, the school I’ve graduated from, and what I am trying to achieve. It should be noted that handing them my resume with a list references will also leave a good impression.

If I were a “product” trying to sell myself key points, I would ensure future employers knew the strong work ethic I have, the solid communications that have been and continue to improve through collaboration with peers, willingness to pursue continued learning, and being a team player. Skills have also been known to contribute towards positive in the work atmospheres.

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