The Water Cooler, June 2020

June 18, 2020

Campus, Homepage News

For over a year now, we’ve been compiling career resources, news and info while also highlighting some of the Jayhawks who really rock their 9-to-5. The Water Cooler is a monthly email newsletter for alumni, students and friends of the University. If you’re interested, be sure to subscribe here.

The KU Alumni Association joins the University, nation and world in denouncing racism and the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and far too many others. As the recent letter from Dave Roland (National Chair, Board of Directors), Tamara Huff-Johnson (President, Black Alumni Network), and Heath Peterson (President, KU Alumni Association) states, the KU Alumni Association is committed to equity, inclusion and the upholding of the ideals that the Jayhawk represents.

This commitment to being part of the solution extends to the pages of the Water Cooler. As we move forward and continue to grow, we will redouble our efforts to offer content that not only provides the latest in industry and career trends but also helps us live up to our Jayhawk ideals.

This month’s Water Cooler revolves around a theme of financial literacy and wellness. You’ll also find links to articles and podcasts that can help businesses learn how to become more just and equitable–part of the long-term solution to ending racism and building stronger communities.

Howard Graham, g’08, PhD’19

Director of the Jayhawk Career Network

P.S. Remember, Jayhawks flock together. Be a resource to the class of 2020 through one-on-one connections in KU Mentoring or gift a one-year membership to kickstart their KU Alumni career.

We've been compiling career resources, news and info. Water Cooler is a monthly email newsletter for alumni

Let’s Talk: Financial Literacy

INTRUST BANK
The benefits of saving money: set goals, spend less and save more
The average American isn’t saving nearly enough.

According to a Federal Reserve survey, if faced with an unexpected $400 expense, almost 40% of American adults say they wouldn’t be able to cover it with cash, savings or a credit card charge they could quickly pay off.

Have these savings shortcomings always existed? Not exactly, the data shows.

Take a closer look at the benefits of saving money

*Sponsored by our connections at INTRUST Bank

ELLEVEST
How to save money by spending intentionally
When so many have lost their jobs and so many more are wondering what’s next, spending less and saving more feels a lot like the right thing to do.

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, you could need to cut way back to an essentials-only budget, especially if you’re making a plan for recovering from job loss. But if you’re doing OK right now, it’s still a good idea to find opportunities to save money.

CAREER CONTESSA
The 10 most common investing questions—answered

Investing. It’s complicated, foreign, and daunting, and yet, we’re secretly fascinated by it. Stocks. Bonds. Don’t they sound so intriguing?

Well, Career Contessa hit up some of their favorite financial sources and money experts to answer 10 common questions on personal investments. And, dare we say it? Learning all of this was kind of…fun.

BUSINESS INSIDER
The 30 best high-paying jobs of the future

The future of work is looking pretty bright, at least for nurses and software developers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections program publishes estimates for job growth across hundreds of occupations.

Business Insider combined those job growth projections with 2019 median annual earnings for each occupation from the Bureau’s Occupational Employment Statistics program, using the geometric mean of the two numbers, to find roles that are both growing and high-paying.

ELLEVEST
Ask your money questions

For so many of us, a big part of the coronavirus uncertainty has to do with money — our income, our jobs, and our savings and investment accounts.

The Ellevest team is here all day, every day, continuously answering money questions — in the order they get them, right here on this page. All questions asked, by anyone, are listed anonymously in case they help others. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for new entries.

Compassionate Conversations

KU EDWARDS CAMPUS
What do I say? How to communicate social support, initiate authentic conversations with coworkers during turbulent times

Employees are experiencing today’s tumultuous environment differently, depending on race, family status, socioeconomic status and physical location. Here are some thoughts on how to communicate with humility and empathy in your everyday workplace conversations.

THE RIVETER
Activate your allyship: 4 ways to be a workplace activist

In many offices, virtual or otherwise, Black professionals and allies are left with more questions than answers.

What should I do if my company is silent about racism? How can I take a stand? Amplify my voice? How do I address racism without losing my job?

The Riveter shares four tips to become a workplace activist and activate allyship.

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
HBR Ideacast: Corporate America’s Work in Fighting Racism is Just Beginning

Ella Washington, an organizational psychologist at Georgetown University, argues that private sector American organizations have a big role to play in sustaining the fight for racial justice that has gained such momentum in recent weeks.

Washington explains how to build more a more just workplace — and society — over the long term.

Campus Connections

KU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Our online MBA prepares you to become tomorrow’s global leader

With our highly ranked online MBA, you can build a strong network as a Jayhawk and develop the skills you need to advance your career. Ranked the No. 31 Best Online MBA by US News & World Report, our online MBA provides the same quality education as an on-ground program with the added flexibility to achieve your ideal study-life balance. Our curriculum is focused on the opportunities and challenges of being a global leader.

Learn more today!

*Sponsored by our connections at the University of Kansas School of Business

KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Diverse KU career prepares Cook for public affairs role

Announcing that he had filled a key role in his senior leadership team this spring, Chancellor Doug Girod named Dave Cook as the University’s new vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development.

Leading a public affairs unit he calls “very strong,” Cook will look for new opportunities to involve all campuses and affiliates. “Now is a great time to call on those key KU stakeholders who love the University and want to step up and help.”

Jayhawks in the news

KU EDWARDS CAMPUS
Veteran learns valuable lessons while earning degree in honors program at KU Edwards Campus

Rising Up at KUEC: In this Q & A series, outstanding 2020 KUEC graduates share how KU Edwards Campus has helped them start, advance or change their career. Meet Nate Eikmeier.

KANSAS ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Emergency manager helps guide safety-first response to pandemic threats

As a fire control radar technician on the Navy’s advanced Aegis combat weapon system, Andrew Foster watched for potential threats far beyond the horizon. When danger loomed, he promptly delivered options and solutions up the change of command—wartime experience that perfectly suits his current mission as KU’s emergency management coordinator.
“I started watching [coronavirus] reports in early January,” he says, “when reporting started coming out of China about this mystery illness that was killing people off.”

Events

Strategies for Educational Improvement: Thriving in a New World
Re-Entry and Engaging All Learners: Designing for the Future of Learning

This interactive session will focus on ways to plan and design for the blended or hybrid learning experience that awaits us in the 2020-2021 academic year and beyond.

2-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 30

Strategies for Educational Improvement: Thriving in a New World
Wellness & Self-Care

Includes presentations and a panel discussion by outstanding practitioners currently working to support mental health and wellness for teachers, students, and famlies.

2-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 2