Tony ReissSuper Student

I’ve always said that if I can make it through January everything will be okay. In my old age, I have grown weary of winter’s icy death grip. January has to be one of my least favorite months. It’s long, it’s cold and it’s brutal.

February, on the other hand, is a fantastic month. It’s short and offers a lot of opportunity for celebration. Some of the celebrations that come to mind when I think of February include President’s Day, Groundhog Day, and, of course, Valentine’s Day.

But there is another reason February should be celebrated. One-hundred years ago this month the world welcomed the man who would eventually lead the rallying call for freedom throughout the world. Of course, I am referring to Dutch, The Teflon President, The Great Communicator, The Gipper: Ronald Reagan.

After the American people spent four years in a “crisis of confidence”, Ronald Reagan helped restore the confidence of the citizens of the United States and in 1980, the people voted to welcome morning in America again.

Reagan has long been a favorite president among conservatives and Republicans. He advocated laissez-faire beliefs and also pushed for, and ultimately signed, extensive tax cuts.

Deregulation and tax cuts are the bane of Democratic Party. Which is so weird why some on the left have begun saying that Reagan would not be welcomed in today’s Republican Party. This false impression of Reagan has gone even further when they begin to liken the current president, who could be seen as the Anti-Reagan, to Reagan.

Likening Obama to Reagan doesn’t stop with cable news pundits and political hacks. It goes all the way to the top. Just the other day, I heard the president refer to himself as The Gipper. Obama calling himself The Gipper is not comparing himself to Reagan; it’s not even equating himself to Reagan. He is calling himself Reagan.

Reagan’s and Obama’s policies are so far apart that I can only think of one reason why Obama would want to even be associated with Reagan. He’s running for re-election and, like many college students this spring, he needs to improve his résumé a little bit.

The résumé is the most vital document in the job search. There are a couple of job fairs coming up and, like Obama, I am in the middle of revising and editing my résumé. During my résumé writing I have decided to try something new. I have decided to design my résumé, cover letter, and business cards to reflect a similar style. It’s nothing too over-the-top or stylish, but it is something that I think will help me stand out.

Often times, potential employers will only see your cover letter and résumé so it’s important to make sure that they stand out a little bit. The level of creativity that is used in designing your cover letter and résumé should be a calculated decision. When preparing these documents, make sure you know your audience.

But, it’s also important your cover letter and résumé are a reflection of you. This is a chance to sell yourself, your whole self. I like my cover letter and résumé to feel like me.

I wish everyone who is applying for jobs and internships this spring the best of luck. Unless you’re applying for the same position as me.

Tony Reiss is a non-traditional student majoring in economics. Reach him at [email protected].