Tech-Neill-ogy #57 - 21 July 2024

Welcome to Tech-Neill-ogy #57!

Happy last full week of July!

I dropped the ball this weekend and had that thing happen to me where I was a day off, thinking today (Monday) was Sunday. Vacation time is real. Anyway, there are some cool toys to tinker with as well as some interesting reads below. I hope you enjoy them.

I’m committing to sharing an article I think is important to read that is not necessarily related to technology each week here in the beginning. That being said, this week I have been churning around and around in my head this short article, which I think all college counselors should read. It makes me rethink a lot about how I go about scheduling (and insisting on!) meetings with students. I’ve long advocated for student ownership over scheduling time with me, but I’m concerned I’m potentially exacerbating the disconnect for first-gen students and potentially others…

In any case, enjoy this week’s newsletter!

Given that letter-writing season is approaching, I’ve received a number of requests from colleagues across the world for information on drafting those pesky letters of recommendation. Here is an updated video for you:

If you have other approaches or prompts, I’d love to see them and share them here, if you’re willing!

Some previous prompts are shared at this link and on my YouTube channel. However, if you have any great prompts or questions about prompting, send me a note at [email protected].

This is the last week of the “summer” for me as we return to work, welcoming the new hires, starting Sunday. A week of new faculty orientation followed by a week of full faculty orientation, with classes beginning August 12. I take solace in the reality that we do get a ~6-week holiday around Christmas and New Years and then another week not long thereafter for Carnaval. That said, I’m off to get a little more R&R in!

That’s it for this week. Enjoy the summer!

Happy counseling,

Jeff