Ahoy Matie! 

Tomorrow is Talk Like A Pirate Day. While you're supposed to use pirate-like phrases in everyday conversation, we thought we'd take this opportunity to share our favorite pirate career lessons. Sure, the traditional pirate archetype is of the bad guy or girl, but our careers' ebb and flow parallel the unpredictable happenings of a pirate's adventures.

Admiral Norrington: "You are, without doubt, the worst pirate I've ever heard of."
Captain Jack Sparrow: "But you have heard of me."
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Everyone has a personal brand—it's your reputation and what others use to assign you value and relevance. Always remember that your current and future employers care about your reputation.

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Captain J. Flint: "Nobody will believe it's possible until we show them."
Black Sails

In the early 18th century, pirates lived under a code of democratic leadership. To maintain transparency, captains often slept alongside their crews, ate the same food, and kept an open-door policy in their cabins. Adhering to this pirate code can go a long way towards running a tight ship, free of morale problems and unproductive strife.

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Captain Jack Sparrow: "Did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it again."
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Even when you've reached a goal or are comfortable with where you are in your career, it's important to be challenging yourself to keep growing. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will benefit your career.

Anchor's away!

POLL: What is the best pirate movie?

• Pirates of the Caribbean (2003-2017)
• Hook (1991)
• The Pirate (1948)
• Goonies (1985)
• Muppet Treasure Island (1996)

RESULTS Here are the results from last week's newsletter poll.

How have you developed new skills over the past few months?

• 24% Webinars
• 24% Virtual Conferences
• 24% Classes (e.g., MOOCs)
• 18% Books, Articles & Forums
• 12% Discussion Forums or Virtual Happy Hours

Today's This Week is 681 words, about a 5–minute read.

PS: Will you share your feedback about This Week with us?

Conversations about COVID-19

• Community colleges and their students are wrestling with plenty of challenges this fall, including obstacles related to affordability, childcare, and the digital divide. (The Key with Inside Higher Ed)
• Since campuses have reopened and struggled with coronavirus-case spikes, many institutions have tried two-week holds on in-person classes. (The Chronicle)

U.S. Education News

• Faculty are important to "guided pathways" because their classrooms serve as the primary point of connection between institutions and students. But one challenge to getting instructors involved is that, at community colleges, so many work part-time or on adjunct contracts. (EdSurge)
• Low-income students are dropping out of college this fall in alarming numbers. (The Washington Post)
• This week, the Big Ten Conference reversed its initial plan to postpone football and other fall sports because of the coronavirus. (The Chronicle)
• Months ago, people began realizing that all these video calls were making them tired—exhausted even—more so than a day of in-person class or all-day meetings. #ZoomFatigue (EdSurge)

College Headlines

• Sue Henderson, assistant professor of English at East Central College, is a recipient of a NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) Excellence Award. (ECC News)
• Luke Livgren, a registered nurse, is making a world of difference with his degrees from Ozarks Technical Community College. Since graduation, he has traveled the globe on seven different medical missions. (OTC News)

Stuff We're Clicking On

• I have learned that my image, my reflection, is not my own.

• Never thought you'd be able to relate to Iggy Azalea, eh? 

Bye! Have a great weekend. 

Links you N2K (need to know):

• Join us Tuesday for a special webinar covering insights and strategies on how community colleges can weather the COVID storm with Omid Fotuhi. Register »
• Nominations for the MCCA Advisory Board are being accepted through October 2.