A Guide to CSPP
In the Know: Helpful Hints
By Michelle Jurkiewicz Summer 2011
Here are some helpful tips from one student to another: 
Status Update on Professional Discretion in Social Networking
By Michelle Moran, Fall 2010 - Online Exlusive
Social networking sites are exciting, culturally relevant, and great venues for exchanging ideas and information. Whether it is Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or YouTube, many of us belong to at least one of these sites, and user discretion is advised. Although I focus on what professionals should be aware of when networking online, the following can apply to any user. Thus, it can help you protect your personal life, professional life, and your identity.
First and foremost, know your networking site's privacy settings. Your private information can become public, which can blur the boundaries between your personal and professional lives. By typing your name or email into Google or Facebook, for example, clients can easily seek out information about you without your knowledge. Of course, such searches may stem from harmless curiosity or research interest, but they can also be alarmingly intrusive. Therefore, always be mindful that regardless of your privacy setting, your clients might still be able to view your information.
Student Discounts
By Katherine McCarthy, Winter 2010 - Extended Version
One of the perks of being a student at Alliant is getting a student discount at number of companies and restaurants. I interviewed Andy Morgan in the Purchasing Services Department and he provided me with some useful information about how he and Mehdi Rajabzadeh make deals with companies to obtain savings for AIU students—and more importantly, where students can cash in on those savings.
The following discounts are available to the students of Alliant International University. To access the links to these discounts, log into the Student & Faculty Portal. On the left side of the webpage, click on "Savings for Alliant Students."
Microsoft: Alliant students are able to order their own personal copies of various Microsoft products at a discounted price (go their website to view discounted software).
Apple: Visit Apple's Store for Education and select Alliant International University to receive discounts on Apple products.
Dell: Alliant students can receive a discount on select Dell computers by clicking here - Just be sure to use Member ID: US24508180
AT&T Wireless: Save 10% on your monthly service charges through AT&T Wireless (download document through the Alliant Portal).
Behind The Screens: The Online Library System
By Katie Steiner, Fall 2010
As practicum and internships become more competitive and the job market increases only in scarcity, there is arguably one singular aspect of the modern day that makes attending graduate school in 2010 a luxury: the online library services. In our specific case, library.alliant.edu, which offers online databases, online journals, online interlibrary loans, personalized online support, and much more. Alliant librarians throughout the state of California are staying on top of technological advances and constantly making changes in order to make student life easier.
At approximately 9:30pm on a dreary Sunday night, my curiosity about the efficiency of the library system got the best of me. A small box on the right side of the Alliant library homepage caught my eye. Above the box it read, "Available: Ask-a-Librarian," and in the text box beneath, an inviting message read, "Type here to chat. Press ENTER to send."
And so, I did. And yes, it was a real live human: Peggy Makie, a librarian from the San Diego campus. I took the time to ask this librarian about her life behind the screen.
Staff of Alliant: Katie Rosenfeld
By Kate Ramsaur, Winter 2009
Favorite food/restaurant: I was a picky eater as a kid, but now I enjoy a lot of different foods: Sushi (I love Miyabi on Church St), Ethiopian (great place called New Eritrea on Irving St), Mediterranean (Taboun on Parnassus - even my friends from Israel say it's good). But I'm also really lucky that my husband's a great cook!
Favorite hobby: I am classically trained in ballet, and was performing with a local company until I got pregnant with my daughter in 2007. I still take a few classes a week.
Favorite quote: "When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before." - Mae West
Party like An Undergraduate on a Graduate Budget
By Sarah Kornfeld, Fall 2010
As students, we are always looking for a cheaper way of doing things, right? Less money to pay back in the long run; and, since we all need an escape from school at some point, what better way to explore San Francisco than by café/pub crawling your way from neighborhood to neighborhood one happy hour at a time? Since most of us don't venture beyond the Boudin and Biscoff's of Pier 39, now is a chance to learn a little more about what goes on in the city that we never have time to explore.
So, beginning right around the corner from campus, check out Pier 23, (pier23cafe.com). It's a great place for live music even if the beer is not particularly cheap. Or, if you head there during the day, the huge outdoor area in the back is a great place to chill and study on the few sunny days we get around here.
