• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1992-09-17_Vol58_No06_05

Volume 58 Number 6 Features The Western Carolinian Page 5 Thursday. September 17, 1992 Philip Cable holds IBM summer co-op job Karl Rohr CAP Center Staff Philip Cable didn't actually plan his jump from his home in Hazelwood to IBM corporate offices in Charlotte before he finished his undergraduate degree. The 22-year old industrial technology major knew last year that his plans for cooperative education before a December graduation were looking dimmer as the deadline approached. Cable said he wanted to wait for a big company to call, one he recognized. His first job choice went to another applicant. A WCU graduate informed IBM in Charlotte, which was looking for co-op students, that WCU had an occupational safety program. An hour after he was informed of the rejection, Cable got a call from the WCU Career and Academic Planning Center about the job offer. "So, in other words, I was lucky," Cable said. In these recessionary times of employee layoffs - which have plagued IBM - company closings, hiring freezes and frightening job searches, Cable can indeed consider himself lucky. "I can't imagine what it would be like trying to find a job without co-op," Cable said. Last year, the CAP Center placed 181 co-op students, the highest number of placements since 1987. Because of WCU's location, it has been difficult to develop an employer base in the area, especially among larger employers. Although students have been placed into IBM locations at - Boca Raton, Fla. and Raleigh, Cable was the first WCU co-op student at IBM in Charlotte in several years. Cable is back at WCU this semester, maintaining a 3.4 GPA while finishing a minor in industrial distribution and certification in occupational safety and health. He said the co-op experience inspired him to return to school and do well because he was able to take a break and apply classroom skills in the working world. Cable said IBM originally preferred dial he alternate work and school, but he was able to work both Carolinian photo by Robb Hill Philip Cable fall and spring semesters. He stayed dirough the summer semester when he found required courses he needed were not being offered during the summer. Cable said his job - which paid a non-typical student wage of $13.75 an hour - was intimidating at first. "The job with the computer giant also conjured images of a lot of white lab coats and business suits and ties," Cable said. However, he said he eased his way into wearing "nice jeans" and the company soon extended its policy of allowing casual dress on Fridays to include the rest of the week. Cable's job consisted of inspecting the 3 million square-foot, 19-building facility for safety hazards. Evaluating the entire site originally took him seven days, he said, but he was finally able to complete it in four days. "They gave me enough that it seemed overwhelming," he said. Another aspect of the job required analyzing employee work stations and evaluating employee complaints and health problems. Some of the problems, Cable said, were caused by more than physical reasons. "I never thought about the fact that they may not be happy with their jobs," he said. Reductions in IBM employees worldwide and concern about job security added to the problems, Cable said, but he added it still bothered him that people complained. "But even a big company has its problems," he said. Cable said the most important thing he learned from his experience was the "ability to communicate with different levels of management and be able to give them what they want." He also enjoyed meeting co-op students from other parts of the country and was amused by the ones who were down South for the first time. Cable recalls a Penn State University student seeing a tobacco field for the first time and asking what fruit the plants bore. Cable said he is undecided between work, traveling or graduate school following his December graduation. He was asked if he wants to live outside his native state. "I don't think so," he said. "I think this is a pretty good spot,." Weaszels billed as M garage band purists tt Hayley Nicholas Staff Writer Have you noticed lately how tiresome the music scene has become? All die sounds coming out of die radio for the past couple of years have been slick and polished and not terribly interesting. None of the bands have any lasting power. They flash in the pan with a few moments of glory and then fade into oblivion. There's a change brewing, though, one that could bring smiles to our faces and our hands to the volume knobs rather than to the "off switch. Billed as "garage band purists," the Baltimore band titled "Weaszels" call themselvesa"quint- essential combination of sixties sur vivors armed with nineties technology" and when they hit the national music scene, they're going to hang around. The quintet, consisting of LP. Graboski, Mike Kearny, Ric Lately, Jerry Siegel and Bill Pratt, has been playing together since 1969. "We were a bunch of kids," says bassist Ric Lately. "We've been through a few personnel changes, but we're back pretty much to the original group." Such long association is evident in their music. Lately describes it as "raw, rough edged, and not too over-polished." For all its "rough edges," their sound is still tight and together. "You've really got to hear us live to appreciate us," states Lately. The "Weaszels" play regu larly in and around Baltimore and occasionally in Washington, D.C. The Baltimore Orieles are in the process of picking up some of their instrumental music for use in the ball park. The band is awaiting news from both MCI and Electra. It's just a matter of time. So keep your radios tuned and ready because the Weaszels are getting ready to turn the tide. Pick of the Flicks ... Single White Female Dan Warlick Film Critic As college students, we are constantly required to check sources, cite references, and be certain information is accurate. Math courses require us to show our work. If we do not do one of the above, we suffer the consequences. "Single White Female"_is the story of a person who fails to perform necessary research. Allison Jones (Bridget Fonda) is a rising fashion designer. Her computer software program is growing in popularity. She is happily engaged. Everything is going well until Allison discovers her fiance is sleeping with his ex-wife. Since Allison is lonely, she decides to advertise for a roommate. Several ladies apply and of the few that are acceptable, Allison finally agrees to share the apartment with Heda Carlson. Hedapresents herself as the ideal roommate. They quickly become best friends. All seems well until Allison's boyfriend re-enters the story. Heda grows jealous of Allison's happiness with her fiancd. She weaves a web of deceit and betrayal between the future newly weds. Heda's obsessive behavior intensifies to the point where she acts like a wounded animal caught in a trap. People wonder if she is sane. Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh became good friends while filming "Single White Fe male." On "Entertainment Tonight" recendy, Leigh explained that their friendship increased the amount of energy exerted in several scenes. One fight scene in an elevator was filmed several times. Each time the intensity grew. That scene was so intense that Leigh walked away from it with a mild concussion. Each actress performed her own stunts with eager energy. "Single White Female" is a very powerful and dramatic film. Suspense grows throughout the film capturing the viewer's attention. Its original theme has been carefully preserved by Producer/Director Bar- bet Schroeder. Starting Friday, Sept. 18 at the Quin Theaters of Sylva: "Sneakers," starring Redford. Rated R. "Honeymoon in Vegas," starring James Caan, PG-13. "Single White Female," starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, R. Call the theater at 586-5918 for times. "Smoke" Cont. from Pg. 4 grumbled one smoker. That remark was seconded by, "It just seems like another way to alienate smokers." Whether it is or not, the policy is in action, so you'll just have to stave off that English class "nic fit" for a few seconds more until you can make it outside. That is, if you can get there without collapsing. "Counsel" Cont. from Pg. 5 willing to help, there are circumstances under which you should suggest another resource. For example: The problem or request for information or action is one you know you can't handle. You believe that personality differences may interfere with your ability to help. You are personally involved as a friend, neighbor, or friend of a friend, and you think you could not be objective - enough to really help. The person acknowledges the problem but is reluctant or refuses to discuss it with you. After spending some time with the person, you findthatlitde progress has been made and you don't know how to proceed. You are feeling overwhelmed, pressed for lime, or -otherwise at a high level of stress yourself. Communicate honestly your own limitations of time, energy, training, and objectivity. Follow up with information about other resources available to the individual. Some people accept a suggestion or referral for personal help more easily than others. It is often comforting to a confused person to know that they don't nccessaril y have to know what's wrong before dicy "Dyer" Cont. from Pc. 4 Although Dyer will be working with graduate students in New Zealand, he said he will miss his students at WCU. "I like working with undergraduate students better because they are changing more," said Dyer. Dyer sent out words of encouragement to students. "The De- partment of Education says only 20.1 percent of Americans over the age of 25 have acollcge degree," Dyer said. '-'That means that when you get your sheep-skin you arc part of the edu- catedeliteof our society. Youowc it to your country and to yourself to take these four years of your college- life and train yourself for the success that will be yours when you graduate." ask for help. It can also be reassuring to know that seeking help is not necessarily an indication that they have serious problems. Often, the concerns expressed by an emotionally distressed individual are universal or are common to a particular circumstance (e.g., being homesick when away at college or being stressed by end-of-semester projects due). The best referral to make is one to which die distressed person can relate. Depending upon the situation, referrals might include friends, clergy, family members, community agencies, and campus offices. If at all possible, prepare the individual for what they might expect from a specific referral. Tell them what you know about the referral person or service. Encourage them and be supportive of their efforts to seek assistance. If you choose to follow through with an individual exhibiting emotional distress, you may still have questions about how best to handle the situation. Staff members at Counseling and Psychological Services are available to help you: 1) Assess the situation, its seriousness and potential for referral. 2) Learn about resources so you can suggest the most appropriate help. 3) Find the best way to make a referral, if appropriate. 4) Clarify your own feelings about the individual and consider how you can be most effective in helping. For consultation from Counseling and Psychological Services, call 227-7469 or come in to Room 114, Scott Hall between 8AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday. If you are in an emergency situation with an individual who is expressing a threat to themselves or others or acting in a highly irrational or disruptive way, call one of the following: Security (24 hours) 7301 for transportation and/or protection, Counseling and Psychological Services (8AM-5PM) 7469 for emergency consultation, evaluation, and referral. If the individual is exhibiting extreme anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or other intense emotional disturbances, but no immediate harm seems likely, call one of the following: Counseling and Psychological Services (8 am-5 pm, M-F) 227- 7469 or die Infirmary (24 hours) 227-7640. WELCOME BACK WCU! The Christian Shop <CZX and All American Awards Variety CkrisUam Message T-shirts <& Posters Bibles, Books, Tapes, Gifts, Plaques, Trophies, Ribbons, Certificates. 25 % Off § ^Selected T-shirts 440 E. Main St Cullowhee Rd., beyond Ingles on the left. Mon.-Fri.: 9:00-5:30 Sat 9:00-4:30

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1992-09-17
  • Date digitized: 2019-10-09
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1992-09-17_Vol58_No06
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library