VGCC Library Services: BUS 270: Professional Development: Self-Management&nbsp;

Ch. 1: Attitude and Life Management

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Career Wisdom for College Students by Peter Vogt; Doug Hardy (Foreword by)
Call Number: HF 5381 .V58 2007
ISBN: 9780816068388
Publication Date: 2007
Covers strategies to help move from student to employee. Includes several chapters on getting to know yourself, your values, and your goals. Available in print at Main Campus.
Finding Your Voice by Joel Boggess
ISBN: 9781937879303
Publication Date: 2013
A life and career coach offers suggestions on how to get to know yourself and how to move forward to accomplish your goals. Available online.
Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals by Susan B. Wilson; Michael S. Dobson
ISBN: 9780814401699
Publication Date: 2008
Covers strategies on how to set goals and follow through on them. Available online.

Online Resources

A Positive Attitude at Work: 10 Tips for Success
Suggests 10 strategies for keeping a positive attitude in your work life.
Achieving SMART Goals
A concise video to help you learn the SMART formula and set specific measurable goals that are relevant and achievable within a time frame.
Note: Off-campus users will need to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.
Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire - North Carolina State University
This questionnaire helps to determine the learning styles a taker favors and then provides suggestions for ways to learn & study.
Multiple Intelligences Self-Assesment - Edutopia
This quiz helps to determine what intelligences are more prominent within the taker. Results allow users to determine the study activities that are most beneficial.
Professionalism: Developing This Vital Characteristic
Identifies some main characteristics of a professional and suggests how to maintain and improve professionalism.
SMART goals keep you focused
SMART is an acronym to help you convert your ideas and good intentions into meaningful goals that can be accomplished.
Note: Off-campus users will need to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.
What's Your Learning Style? - EducationPlanner.org
This is a quiz that helps to determine whether the taker is a visual, tactile, or auditory learner. Knowing the kind of learner that you are will be helpful when wanting to know the best way to study.

Ch. 2: Financial Management

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to go to it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Debt by Christina Fisanick
Call Number: HG 3756 .U54 D43 2010
ISBN: 9780737742022
Publication Date: 2009
"Debt explores how teens should manage debt, including whether they should have access to credit cards; debates the best methods for managing consumer debt; and who should be responsible for paying off debt."
Available in print at Main Campus.
Essential Credit Repair Handbook by Deborah McNaughton
Call Number: HG 3756 .U54 M3595 2011
ISBN: 9781601631602
Publication Date: 2011
Contains all the information needed to walk you through the step-by-step process of repairing your credit and leaving debt behind!
Available in print at Main Campus.
Financial Basics by Susan Knox
Call Number: LB 2343.32 .K66 2004
ISBN: 9780814251300
Publication Date: 2004-06-21
Money-management options for readers to find their best way.
Available in print at Main Campus.
How to Speak Money by Ali Velshi; Christine Romans
Call Number: HG 179 .V45 2012
ISBN: 9781118114957
Publication Date: 2011
"An easy-to-read, practical book that helps readers become fluent in the world's most universal language."
Available online and in print at Main Campus.
Securing Your Financial Future by Christopher Smith
ISBN: 9781442214224
Publication Date: 2012-04-16
"Offers a lively, detailed, and insightful guide to personal finance fundamentals for those just starting out on their paths to long-term financial security. Chris Smith provides the tools and guidance readers need to get on the right track with their savings, investing, buying a house, and financial planning for the future."
Available online.
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Call Number: HG 179 .R31563 2013
ISBN: 9781595555274
Publication Date: 2013
Covers the basics of money management, personal finance, and getting out of debt.

Online Resources

Federal Student Aid - Loans
This page provides information on federal student loans, explaining what they are, the different types and other information.
Federal Student Aid - Scholarships
A government site with information on scholarships.
Finaid.org
A smart guide to financial aid.
Scholarships.com
Helps the user to discover college scholarships and grants that s/he is eligible for.
Scholarshipsandgrants.us
Another sight for searching college scholarships and grants.
What Is a Good Credit Score – Understanding Credit Ratings & Ranges
A general explanation of credit scores.
Tips for Improving Your Credit: Your Amount of Debt
Explains different types of debt and how debt information is calculated to impact credit scores.
Credit.com
Can receive a free credit score once a month.
CreditKarma.com
Obtain a free credit score and report every month. Also provides offers based on personalized credit score suggestions.
Everything You Need to Know About Credit Scores
This article debunks common misconceptions about credit scores.
How do savings accounts work?
This article provides a basic overview of savings accounts.
Savings Account
A short explanation of savings accounts.
How 401 k Plans Work
This article discusses 401 k plans and provides links to other retirement options.
10 Tips to Help You Boost Your Retirement Savings - Whatever Your Age
Tips to help boost your savings-no matter what your current stage of life-and pursue the retirement you envision.
Strategies to Help Defined Contribution Plan Participants Improve Financial Wellness and Achieve a Secure Retirement
Helping participants make the connection between saving levels and annual retirement income.

Ch. 3: Time/Stress/Organization Management

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to go to it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

100 Great Time Management Ideas by Patrick Forsyth
ISBN: 9780462099439
Publication Date: 2011
"In an age when people of all levels are struggling to cope with the demands on their time, just one simple idea can be the catalyst to change that. This book can be that very catalyst. Each time management idea is succinctly described and is followed by advice on how it can be applied to the reader's own situation."
Available online.
Make Every Second Count by Robert Bly
ISBN: 9781601631336
Publication Date: 2010
"Make Every Second Count goes beyond the usual time-management books to bring you a broad range of strategies and tactics dozens of proven methods to get more done in less time."
Available online.
Mind-Body Workbook for Stress by Stanley H. Block; Carolyn Bryant Block; Andrea A. Peters
ISBN: 9781608826360
Publication Date: 2012
"Helps readers learn and practice exercises for detaching from painful thoughts and feelings and helping their bodies relax and let go of unconscious tension."
Available online.
One Year to an Organized Work Life by Regina Leeds
ISBN: 9780738212791
Publication Date: 2008
"Shows readers the simple steps to get more done in less time—from clearing your desk and organizing your files to dealing with email and making meetings efficient."
Available online.
Stress Management for Dummies by Allen Elkin
ISBN: 9781118523926
Publication Date: 2013
"Gives you trusted, time-tested guidance on teaching your body and mind to properly cope with stress while keeping your sanity intact... [and] will help you identify the stress triggers in your life and cut them down to size..."
Available online.
Time and Stress Management for Rookies by Frances Kay
ISBN: 9780462099552
Publication Date: 2009
"To get things done it helps to be organised. This text provides readers with practical ideas and easy-to-follow methods that can be put into practice immediately."
Available online.

Online Resources

Avoiding Procrastination - Pilgrim Library, Defiance College
Discusses reasons why people procrastinate and strategies for avoiding procrastination.
Healthy Lifestyle: Stress Management
A site from The Mayo Clinic that covers the basics of what stress is, what causes it, and how it can affect you. It also includes more in-depth resources on specific stress-reduction strategies and links to more resources.
Job Success: Time Management
A short tutorial that involves identifying how you spend your time and how to work on making more effective use of your time.
Managing Stress
A site from the University of Michigan, that focuses on managing stress for college students. A second page highlights some relaxation techniques.
Seven Habits of Organized People
Details skills and habits that promote personal organization.

Ch. 4: Etiquette/Dress

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to go to it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Business Etiquette for Dummies by Sue Fox
ISBN: 9780470147092
Publication Date: 2008
Shows you how to develop good etiquette on the job and navigate today’s diverse and complex business environment with great success...[Includes] tips for dressing the part, making polite conversation, minding your manners at meetings and meals, behaving at off-site events, handling ethical dilemmas, and conducting international business.
Available online.
Creating Positive Images for Professional Success by Patsy Johnson Hallman
ISBN: 9781610487771
Publication Date: 2012
Guidelines are provided for projecting a positive personal image, for communicating effectively in multiple ways, for maintaining positive relationships in social and professional life, and for becoming a respected professional.
Available online.
Etiquette Edge by Beverly Y. Langford
ISBN: 9780814472422
Publication Date: 2005
"Gives you a clear, commonsense approach to making “good behavior” a competitive advantage."
Available online.
How to Gain the Professional Edge: Achieve the Personal and Professional Image You Want by Susan Morem
Call Number: HR 5386 .M755 2005
ISBN: 9780816056743
Publication Date: 2005
Explains how to cultivate an authentic professional image both on the outside and internally by focusing on such characteristics as dress and interpersonal interactions.
Available in print at Main Campus.

Online Resources

10 Commandments of Dressing for Work
General rules for dressing appropriately for work.
Business Ettiquette: Professionalism 101 (Video)
"In this program, both business experts and a focus group of young professionals advise viewers on the proper way to conduct oneself in different types of work-related situations."
Off-campus users will be prompted to enter their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.
Ettiquette in the Workplace
A concise and helpful guide to basic workplace etiquette.
Job Success: Business Etiquette
A short tutorial that illustrates basic concepts of workplace etiquette.
Making a Great Impression (Video)
"This film discusses how to dress for success, be enthusiastic, and introduce yourself professionally."
Off-campus users will be prompted to enter their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.
Workplace Do's and Don'ts
Basic but important advice on appropriate work etiquette.