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The Division of Information Technology celebrates your dedication and extends sincere congratulations on achieving this significant milestone. Commencement is scheduled for May 9, 10, and 11, 2024. To enhance everyone’s experience, a dedicated commencement portal is accessible through the TXST Mobile app. 

This portal is your one-stop destination for all things related to the big day, including:    

• Directions and parking.     
• Schedules.     
• Seating information.     
• Event live stream. 

Make this graduation day an unforgettable experience for you, your family, and friends by downloading the TXST Mobile app.  

Congratulations, Class of 2024! 

Rebecca Ormsby is a communications specialist for IT Communications and Outreach.

Post originally published on June 12, 2023. Updated on March 19, 2024. 

Mastering the art of emailing is essential, especially for college students gearing up for the professional world. Whether you’re reaching out to professors, potential employers, or colleagues, your emails are often the first impression you’ll make. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that your emails exude professionalism and clarity. Here are six major tips for crafting professional emails: 

1. Know the purpose

Have you ever tried to read an email so confusing you just wanted to hit “delete?” I’ve been there before, and it’s not an enjoyable place to be, especially when a jumbled email requires me to reply or complete a task. It might sound simple, but before you write an email, make sure you know its purpose. Also, make sure the purpose is clear to your reader.

Establish the purpose in the opening lines of your message. This sets the tone for the rest of the message and helps the recipient understand your expectations. It might be tempting to discuss multiple unrelated items in a single email but stay on topic as much as possible to get the desired response from your reader.

2. Subject lines matter

Two words should be on repeat in your head when writing an email: “clear” and “concise.” That’s what your subject lines should be – clear, concise, and straight to the point. If the message requires the reader to act, timely action especially, it’s wise to note that in the subject line. For instance, add “For review” or “Action required” to the subject line to give the recipient at-a-glance notice.

3. Say “No” to all caps

The tone of your email is just as important as the message. Unfortunately, tone can be easily misinterpreted. For example, writing messages in all caps (please don’t do this) makes it seem like you’re “yelling” at the reader. Also, using overly formal language can come across as stiff and impersonal. However, be cautious not to use overly casual language, which can be perceived as unprofessional. Instead, use clear and concise language to convey your message to the reader.

4. Formatting is key

Just as important as its tone is your email’s format. Make sure to add a salutation (“Dear Professor John,”) and a closing (“Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” are staples). Open your message with your key points and avoid SMS slang and “text speak.” If your message is lengthy, consider using bullets to outline your points.

5. Proofreading is a must

It’s easy to skip this step when you’re in a hurry. Don’t make this mistake. Proofreading is one of the most important aspects of email sending. Avoid embarrassing mistakes by taking a few extra minutes to review your message.

One easy way to proofread is by taking advantage of your device’s accessibility tools and having a screen reader read the message aloud to you. Or you can simply read it aloud yourself. Our brains insert and correct words for us when we read silently, so hearing the message read aloud is essential.

Ensure all necessary recipients are included and any attachments or links are working correctly. If time permits, it’s also a good idea to draft the email and come back to it later for a final review before sending (especially for highly important messages, e.g., emails to your professors).

6. Give a timely response

The business world is fast paced. Although it’s not reasonable to expect an immediate email response, when you receive an email, it’s best practice to respond promptly. Responding within 24-48 hours shows you’re engaged and organized. If you are unavailable for an extended period, remember to set up your email account to send automatic replies. Doing so will set reasonable expectations for your colleagues.

Learning resources

For a deeper dive into email etiquette, here are a few LinkedIn Learning courses that may be of interest.

• Business Etiquette: Phone, Email, and Text 
• Writing Email
• Tips for Writing Business Emails  
• Concise, Considerate, and Effective Emails  
• Writing Emails for Non-Native English Speakers  
• Writing Great Email Subject Lines  

 Angela Smith is a marketing and promotions coordinator for the IT Marketing and Communications Office.  

Today, I am excited to share with you how LinkedIn Learning could totally change the game for you in your academic and professional journey. Now, I know what you might think: “Isn’t LinkedIn just for networking?” Well, hold onto your hats, because LinkedIn Learning is a hidden gem for your career and personal development resources.

What exactly is LinkedIn Learning? Think of it as your one-stop shop for thousands of courses covering everything from technical skills to soft skills, creative endeavors to business strategies. Whether you’re a faculty member, a staff member, or a student, there’s something for everyone on this platform.

Let’s explore how this platform can revolutionize your journey. First things first, let’s talk about why LinkedIn Learning is worth your time. It’s not just about boosting your resume (although that’s a perk). It’s about investing in yourself and your future. With LinkedIn Learning, you have the power to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, and about topics that genuinely interest you.

Now, here are a few tips on how to make the most out of LinkedIn Learning:

• Explore Your Interests: Don’t limit yourself to just your field of study or your current job role. Take some time to explore different topics that spark your curiosity. Interested in graphic design? There’s a course for that. Want to brush up on your public speaking skills? You guessed it – LinkedIn Learning has got you covered.
• Set Goals: It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of courses available. Set specific goals for what you want to achieve. Whether it’s mastering a new programming language or becoming a more effective team leader, having clear objectives will help you stay focused and motivated. It’s also easy to set goals within the platform.
• Make it a Habit: Learning is most effective when it becomes a regular part of your routine. Schedule dedicated time each week to dive into LinkedIn Learning courses. Treat it like you would any other important appointment or commitment.
• Track Your Progress: Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. LinkedIn Learning provides tools to track your progress and see how far you’ve come. It’s incredibly rewarding to look back and see the skills you’ve acquired and the knowledge you’ve gained. Don’t forget to share those wins on your LinkedIn profile.
• Take advantage of the Office Hours: LinkedIn Learning isn’t just about watching videos and completing quizzes. Take advantage of the discussions, interviews, and Q&A opportunities during Office Hours, available on the platform. Connect with fellow learners, share your insights, and learn from others’ experiences through live and pre-recorded sessions.

Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, and LinkedIn Learning is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re looking to level up in your current role, pivot to a new career path, or simply satisfy your thirst for knowledge, this platform has the resources you need to succeed.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, explore, and unlock your full potential and get ahead with LinkedIn Learning. Your future self will thank you for it!

Rebecca Ormsby is a communications specialist for IT Communications and Outreach.

The spring semester is in full swing, and you are working hard to meet your course deadlines. During this time, many students ask themselves when should I begin applying for internships and jobs? How do I start? What do I need to begin the application process?

Much of the timing depends on the opportunity you want to obtain and where it fits in with your educational goals. You should start searching for those opportunities early in the fall semester. If you start now, you’ll have everything you need and be well prepared.

Before you can submit your applications, there are things you can do, such as create or improve your employment documents like a resume and cover letter. You may also need guidance preparing for an in-person or online interview. These opportunities are prime training grounds for learning more about your chosen field. Now, let’s look at what resources you have available to you at Texas State University.

Internships and jobs 

There are several places where you can find internship information; two places are:

• Your field of study’s academic college or department.
• Career Services’ Student Employment web page.

On-site support 

Texas State University offers many levels of support from the English Department’s Writing Center, Career Services, and even fellow students. These are all the people and places on our campuses who can help you develop those materials. If you are wondering what kind of support on-campus offices provide, here are some examples.

• The Writing Center can help you write and proofread your essay, resume, cover letter, and any other documents you may need to submit along with your application.
• Career Services can help you search for internships or jobs and help you prepare with mock interviews and more.
• Fellow students can help you by sharing their journeys to find and apply for internships and jobs.

Technology support 

Did you know you have access to some very robust free technology? Tools like Microsoft 365 (Word, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Excel) and YuJa can provide the foundation for you as you build and organize those materials. (For a full list of available technology, visit the IT Services web page.) Then you can explore LinkedIn Learning videos for guidance on the kinds of interview questions most asked in your chosen field to videos showing how best to prepare for an online interview and so much more. Also, if you have a LinkedIn (the networking app) profile set  up, you can find, follow, and connect with industry leaders to build your network.

Here are a few LinkedIn Learning videos I found helpful:

• Research internship opportunities 
• Mastering Common Interview Questions
• Video Interview Tips
• Creating great first impressions
• How to leverage a portfolio in interviews

These are just a few helpful links to get you thinking about the application and interview in general. The LinkedIn Learning library includes topics in Business, Creative, and Technology and offers varying learning options, from short 30-second audio clips to complete learning paths with multiple videos. Use this platform to your advantage to gain new skills listed on those internship and job descriptions or brush up on a current skill that you haven’t used in a while and earn certificates you can include on your resume. You can also connect your LinkedIn and LinkedIn Learning accounts to display all your acquired skills.

Regardless of the learning path you choose, you have so much information on demand! With all this in mind, take advantage of your resources and be successful in reaching your goals.

Best of luck to you on your internship or employment search.

Rebecca Ormsby is a communications specialist for IT Communications and Outreach.

Whether you’re attending virtual classes, conducting research, or collaborating on projects, access to technology services is essential. To ensure you are always in the know, we present IT Service Status – a powerful incident and disruption communication dashboard designed to keep you informed about the status of various tech services at Texas State University.  

Powered by StatusHub, the IT Service Status dashboard provides an interactive webpage with status information on TXST technology tools and services. Gone are the days of uncertainty when services encounter interruptions. The beauty of this tool lies in its user-friendly interface, making essential information easily accessible to all.  

When a service interruption occurs, you don’t need to navigate complex menus to discover what’s happening. The status information is prominently displayed at the top of the page. A simple click on an amber or red-colored dot (with inner shape changes for digital accessibility) reveals detailed updates about the ongoing incident. A yellow dot indicates a partial outage for either unplanned maintenance windows or unplanned outages. The timeline updates include stages like under investigation, identified, in the process of being fixed, or resolved, giving you a clear picture of the situation. A green dot shows that a service is fully functional. In addition to current service statuses, the tool provides full transparency into the history of each service, including average uptime.

TXST Information Technology is committed to keeping the university community informed. As soon as ITAC learns of a planned or unplanned service interruption, ITAC Communications promptly updates the IT Service Status dashboard. Simultaneously, relevant audiences receive email notifications with status updates. This proactive approach ensures that you are always in the loop.   

IT Service Status is your go-to resource for staying informed about the status of TXST technology tools and services. Embrace its transparency and take advantage of real-time updates. Visit the IT Service Status dashboard today to stay ahead of the curve! 

Angela Smith is a marketing and promotions coordinator for IT Communications and Outreach.