How to Survive the Holidays: Budgeting and Sustainability

By: Rachael Doyle

As soon as the clock strikes twelve on November first, Halloween is forgotten and our minds begin to swell with the joys of the holiday season. Mariah Carey plays on loop in everyones’ subconscious (or maybe that’s just me) as they plan gifts for their friends and loved ones, a tone of excitement in the air. It is often normalized for people to spend thousands of dollars during the holidays, knowing that they can rely on their New Year’s Resolutions to pick up the slack in their savings accounts afterward. However, for some the holiday season is not that easy. The “season of giving” can be full of difficulty and even embarrassment for those unable to afford the extreme costs of the most popular gifts of the season. I am sure we have all experienced the disappointment of finding the perfect gift for someone, only to find that it is simply out of budget. This year, there is no need to worry. While it seems impossible, there are ways to show those we love just how much we care about them- without breaking the bank!

Savings are Your Best Friend!

If your bank account is not looking its holiday best, now is the perfect time to plump it up in preparation for some hardcore shopping. It is never too late to begin saving, so do not be discouraged if you feel as though you are late to the party. I have a few saving tricks that I have used for the past few years that will help you get on the right track. First, when receiving your income you should save your hundreds and stretch your 20’s. For example, say you receive 240 dollars in your next paycheck. You should put the 200 in your savings, and keep the 40 dollars in your checking for any weekly purchases. This trick has definitely worked for me to boost my bank account while also keeping my weekly spending in line. Another trick I use is setting “spending priorities” to prevent any unnecessary purchases. If I know I need to fill my gas tank this week, I will obviously do that instead of buying a new sweater or getting my nails done. I am certainly not perfect at this one, but even practicing this every once in a while can help save on small costs that will add up quickly.

Set a Game Plan (and stick to it)

Going holiday shopping is stressful enough, so try to make it a little easier on yourself by making a shopping game plan. It seems unnecessary but you will definitely be thankful for it once you hit the crowded shops. Before large holiday shopping trips I make a list of who I am shopping for, what my target budget is for each person, and any notes on gift ideas I may have. Shopping during this time of year can become really overwhelming really quickly, and it brings peace of mind to me that I can glance down at my little cheat sheet at any point to get myself back on track. For those who may procrastinate their holiday shopping (myself included) this is especially helpful, as you cannot afford to forget anything when the clock is ticking. Trust me, making a last minute trip to the pharmacy on the day of a forgotten Secret Santa party is a nightmare everyone should try to avoid. Make a game plan that works for you to put your wallet and your mind at ease. 

Homemade Gifts- Tacky or Treasured? 

If you are really struggling through the holiday season, remember that a homemade gift is a great way to show someone you care without breaking the bank. Simplistic gifts such as a mug with their favorite candy inside, a DIY snowman kit, or even a collage of your favorite memories with someone can go a long way to show what they mean to you. Think of The Office- for Christmas Jim found an inexpensive teapot Pam wanted and filled it with some of their favorite memories and inside jokes. To the others it did not seem like much, but Pam found it more valuable than the latest iPod. This is also a valuable gift giving method if you want to be more environmentally conscious this holiday season. Buying gifts for everyone can add up quickly, and as much as we don’t like to think about it some of our gifts may end up in dumps and landfills. By using your creativity to come up with a repurposed and thoughtful gift, you will be giving back in more ways than one. 

Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you (and your bank account) survive the holiday season and lead you into a more productive new year!!

Source:

https://www.discover.com/online-banking/banking-topics/6-tips-to-save-money-during-the-holidays/

Change the Way You Shop

By: Fiona Hanlon

50 years ago, women only had 2 dresses. Now, it seems like we have a need for a new outfit for every night of the week. Any special occasion calls for a shopping spree. People are buying more clothing than ever and keeping them for half as long. Clothes are no longer just something we wear but a way we express ourselves. However, it is important to reflect on how our style choices affect the world and the environment. 

When purchasing a new item for only $3.99, we may feel like we are getting a great deal, and sometimes it can be hard to turn down. However, it is too easy to ignore the true costs of the items we are purchasing. Most of what we purchase is not made in the US and instead manufactured in under developed countries that are exploited for cheap labor. These factories do not have labor laws that protect their workers or standards that they must hold their working conditions to. Thousands of lives have been lost due to garment factory disasters. The major profit of the fashion industry compared to the cents per hour that the people who make the clothes are making is extremely unethical.

The earth is feeling the effects of fast fashion more than we can see. A lot of the clothes produced by big brands end up in the dump. 85% of textiles go into landfills each year. The fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity's carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of the world's water supply, and pollutes the oceans with microplastics. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. Our planet is already struggling, and the choices we make in terms of buying clothing are only making things worse. 

The negative impacts of fast fashion do not mean that we should stop appreciating clothing and style. Personally, what I wear has been a way that I have been able to express myself my whole life. Clothes are important to me and they make me feel good about myself. There are so many ways to shop ethically and fashionably without buying from major corporations. Instagram has become a platform where users can run their own virtual second hand stores. They operate as small businesses, and often sell unique, vintage items for a great price. Depop is another platform that allows people to create their own store, and help people express themselves through style. Shop small virtual stores! They will appreciate your business more than any corporation ever could.

Source:

https://www.businessinsider.com/fast-fashion-environmental-impact-pollution-emissions-waste-water-2019-10

Navigating Online Opportunities

By: Nicole Shahid

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has thrown daily life into a loop while also exacerbating crises and trends. Two of the many aspects of traditional functionality that has changed are seeking out traditional volunteering and job opportunities. If you are on the hunt for a job or internship, trying to find a way to occupy your time or add an extracurricular activity below are some online job platforms and volunteering opportunities to get involved with!

Job Opportunities

LinkedIn

• Open to Work feature - allows you to apply filters and narrow your search, you can also receive notifications and emails of available openings in your selected areas 

• Familiarity in networking is key - look out for alumni, 2nd status connections

• Always make sure to leave a brief reason for connecting when reaching out to professionals 

• LinkedIn Learning is an excellent way to build up skills and gain insight into networking and interview tips 

Handshake & IsenbergWorks

• Follow companies to get notified when a posting is made available 

• Company web pages are a great resource for interviewing tips as prior student post about their experiences 

• Ability to direct message students to find out more about their experiences -  alternatively you can reach out via LinkedIn 

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)

• Supports the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts

• Main focus on internships - including undergraduate and postgraduate

• Fill out a brief application form which includes skills and a resume and recruiters reach out from there

RippleMatch 

• Create a free profile - including skills and a resume - and get connected with opportunities that match your preferences from there 

• Opportunity ranging from internships to full time positions 

• Partner companies include Pfizer, EY, Amazon and many more

Volunteering: 

The Golden Youth 

http://thegoldenyouth.org/

• Mission Statement: ‘The Golden Youth strives to improve society for older adults. By bridging the gap between seniors and teens, we find that both groups benefit greatly from this exchange. With the endless amount of resources teenagers find themselves using, they are able to provide seniors with the help they need to enjoy life to its fullest. Our programs leverage technology, companionship, and public policy advocacy in support of our growing senior population’

• All activity is remote and no experience working with adults or with technology necessary!

• Specific opportunities available within technology, social, and policy divisions

Crisis Text Line

https://www.crisistextline.org/

• Mission Statement: “Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis’

• The service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely—anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection works.

• 4 hour shift/week with a 200 hour commitment ideally fulfilled within 1 year

• Includes a 30 hour online training program 

• Supervisors and coaches available for assistance 

• Respond to texters and aid them through emotional abuse, anxiety etc

• Perfect for night owls or early risers as the greatest need is between 10pm - 6am EST

UN Online Volunteering

https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en

• Volunteer in a variety of areas such as advocacy, technology development, editing, art and design and the global COVID-19 response

• Every opportunity posted is also accompanied by which sustainable development goal it supports

• Varying levels of commitment available from 1-5 to 11-20 hours

Be My Eyes

https://www.bemyeyes.com/

• Mission Statement: “Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call.”

• Help a blind or low-version person via a live video call

• Translator opportunities also available

Translators without Borders 

https://translatorswithoutborders.org/

• Mission Statement: ‘Translators without Borders is a non-profit working towards a world where knowledge knows no language barriers’

• Translator volunteers: must be fluent in one more language other than your native language, wide variety of tasks ranging from translation medical tasks to crisis response

• Other volunteers: other roles such as project managers, graphic designer, fundraising and more also available! 

Volunteer Match

https://www.volunteermatch.org/virtual-volunteering

• Offers a centralized source for varying remote volunteer opportunities for nonprofits ranging from advocacy and human rights, tech, animals and more

• Many opportunities are completely flexible and will work around your schedule 

The Process of Transferring into Isenberg at UMass

By: Laura Balinski

When I was applying to colleges during high school, I always wanted to major in marketing, and have a career in the business world. I got into marketing for most of the schools I applied to, except UMass (where I was accepted into Economics). UMass Admissions always recommends when applying to a competitive school like the Isenberg School of Management, to put a non-competitive major like Economics as a backup choice and you can later try and transfer once you are here.

Now I am entering my sophomore year at UMass, and I have done just that. I came into the school knowing I would apply and try to transfer into the marketing program. Although I successfully transferred into Isenberg after my second semester freshman year, the process was different than switching into other majors on campus. I am writing this post because I want to share my personal experience and hope to give anyone who is going through the process some tips and tricks that helped me get into Isenberg.

Unlike switching into other majors and schools where you usually fill out a form, Isenberg requires you to complete a few things before you can apply. First, is taking prerequisite courses before applying. The earliest you can apply is your second semester of freshman year and you must complete three prerequisite courses, including Calculus (127 or 131), Intro to Microeconomics, and Intro to Macroeconomics. The GPA in these courses are highly looked at because Isenberg uses these to determine how you would perform in future business classes, since these are the basics. I personally took Calculus 127 and Intro to Microeconomics my first semester and took Intro to Macroeconomics my second. You can apply multiple times, but you need to add on additional prerequisite courses, so if you apply your first semester sophomore year, you must have taken four courses. Also, your overall GPA is looked at too and I am going to be honest, your GPA is a large factor for applying into Isenberg. I worked hard in all my classes and went to any extra help sessions that were offered before exams. I also spent many long hours in the library or ILC (I personally love the Communications Hub Study area) and went to several office hours for classes because I wanted to do everything I could to succeed in them.

Another thing that is required before applying is attending an Information Session during the semester you plan on applying in. The Information Session is about the transfer process into Isenberg as a current UMass student. They offer them every semester and Isenberg Advisors who grade the applications lead them. They have three separate ones: one for BBA majors, one for Sport Management, and one for Hospitality and Tourism Management. The BBA majors are more competitive and require a higher GPA while Sports Management and HTM are both BS, so the minimum GPA is usually a 3.2. During these sessions, they go over when the applications open, when they are due, information about each major, the prerequisite courses, and answer any questions you have. These are super helpful, and I personally went to one both in the fall and spring just to make sure I knew everything I needed to know about the process. 

Even though the GPA is highly looked at, I still think it is so important to get involved on campus. I joined Woman in Business and became a Tour Guide during my freshman year. I have loved being a part of WIB and also got involved with the Marketing Committee during my freshman year. Anything you can join and become a part of is so important because Isenberg wants to see you involved in the community as well. I also think joining clubs and organizations is another way to make a big school feel small and you get to meet so many people. 

The application itself is pretty simple. It opens on October 1st and closes on November 1st in the fall semester and opens April 1st and closes on May 1st in the spring semester. You can find the application on the Isenberg website and click the link that is for current UMass students to transfer. There you will fill in your basic information (Name, Spire ID, current major, etc.) and there is an optional essay and spot to upload your resume, so I definitely recommend doing both of those. The essay and resume are just a way for Isenberg to get to know you and also where you can show off your experiences and skills. 

At the end of the day, no matter what major you pursue at UMass you will succeed, and I truly felt that coming here even as an Economics major. I hope this post gave you some insight on transferring and I wish you luck if you are planning on transferring in the next few semesters. You got this!

A Brief History of Women’s Voting Rights in the US

By: Anvi Ranjan

Voting is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. The ability to be able to participate in elections and have a say in the government is considered a fundamental right for US citizens, however it was one that was not initially afforded to all. For women and people of color, the right to vote was the result of hard fought battles that continued well after the ratification of the 19th amendment. As we reflect on the journey it took to get to the present day, here is a brief timeline of the history of the women’s suffrage movement in the US. 

1776- The United States declares independence from England and is established as a sovereign country, however only white male landowners over the age of 21 are eligible to vote. 

1848- The Seneca Falls Convention occurs in Seneca Falls, NY and helps begin the women’s suffrage movement. The Declaration of Sentiments, a document calling for the rights of women that includes a resolution for voting, is barely passed. 

1870- The 15th amendment is passed and Black men are now allowed to vote, however voter intimidation, fraud, literacy tests, and taxes are among the many ways voter suppression occurs. Native Americans and women are still unable to vote. 

1869- Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton create the National Woman Suffrage Association, but refuse to support the 15th amendment. While the abolitionist movement has often gone hand in hand with the women’s rights movement, not all suffragists are fighting for voting rights for all women, just white women. This causes fractures within the group and detaches Black suffragists. In the same year, Wyoming became the first territory to pass a women’s suffrage law and grant women the right to vote. 

1890- The movement once again reunites and forms the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). 

1896- For much of the suffrage movement, Black women face discrimination from white suffragists. Black Suffragists, including Harriet Tubman, form the NACWC (National Association of Colored Women Clubs), which advocated for the equal rights and opportunities for Black women. 

1916- Jeanette Rankin is the first woman ever elected to congress.

1919/1920- The senate just barely passes the 19th amendment as per the ⅔ requirement, and the ratification process is begun. 36 states are needed, with Massachusetts being among the first 11 to ratify. By 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and final state to ratify, giving women voting rights for the first time in the US. 8 million women casted their votes, including black women, who still must face discrimation and attempted disenfranchisement at the polls. 

1924- Native Americans become citizens for the first time, however Native women and men are still not afforded full voting rights until 1962, when Utah becomes the last state to grant voting rights. 

1984- Mississippi officially becomes the last state to formally ratify the 19th Amendment, officially giving the women the right to vote in all 50 states, 65 years after the amendment is originally ratified. 

While this is by no means a full and in depth history of the suffragist movement nor does it give a full picture of the complex dynamics of race and racism within the movement, the sources used as well as additional links for further research have been included below. 

As the election approaches, it is important to acknowledge how precious our right to vote is, and how important it is that we use that privilege to make impactful change in the country and communities that we are a part of. Even now, voter intimidation, lack of registration, and lack of turnout are still some of the issues that hinder voting today. While we have come a long way, there is still work to be done to solve these issues and make voting more accessible for all. 

Sources: 

https://www.history.com/news/19th-amendment-women-vote-timeline https://www.npr.org/2020/08/26/904730251/yes-women-could-vote-after-the-19th-amen dment-but-not-all-women-or-men 

https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/history-of-voting-in-america-timeline.pdf https://www.womenshistory.org/resources/timeline/womans-suffrage-timeline https://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134849480/the-root-how-racism-tainted-womens-suffra ge