Tiger2Tiger

2011-07-05T23:14:00.001-05:00

I've moved my blogging over to a Tumblr site at http://neatlyinshambles.tumblr.com because I prefer the formatting and other options available to me. It's more of a life blog than a job search one since I'm still looking for the right fit and wanted to journal the experience a bit more freely. I'm actually pretty proud of the frequency with which I've posted though I'm sure others on Twitter and Facebook are tiring quickly of the multiple posts that appear daily.

Quick (and Overdue) Update

2010-10-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

I'm staying busy in Dallas and still waiting for a new chapter to start in life.

Since resigning from my position at Peak, there honestly hasn't been a lot of new things to discuss (hence the lapse in blogging). I spent a great week at home in Baton Rouge and it was amazing to see friends and family. I've started working at Michael's (arts & crafts store) and Barnes & Noble to help with bills and all. Working at Michael's and having a great deal of free time has been great for my creativity as those who follow me on Twitter may have seen. I would, however, welcome a day off or two. As of today, I've worked at one job or another (and yes, both) every day for the past 13 days and am scheduled to continue on with this streak for the foreseeable future.

On the job search front, I've applied to a number of schools and interviewed with two so far. I'm back in familiar territory just waiting for the phone to ring and applying for as many positions as I feel comfortable. I may have one or two that I'm hoping for a bit more than the others, but that's completely natural. I just wonder about being out of the "student affairs loop" for too long and having to justify my absence (ie- why could I not find a job in higher ed if that's what I really wanted).

Regardless of work and job searching hurdles, I'm planning to make another trip home in a few weeks since I doubt that I'll be able to for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Maybe the Great Pumpkin will bring me something nice this weekend to make things a bit easier.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2010-09-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

A lot has been going on since I last blogged.

Work at Peak has been interesting to say the very least. My coworkers have been amazing both at work and beyond. It's great to have found a group of people to help me get used to a new city. Despite that, I have recently resigned from my position. There were too many expectations that were nothing close to being met and too many differences in work style between me and my supervisor.

I've been job searching for both something temporary and something more permanent and higher ed related. After a few months of employment (aka not having to search for open positions on a daily basis) I'd almost forgotten what it was like. Not for long though... I've hit the ground running and completed applications for 13 schools and a handful of local options.

So, now that I have a bit more free time, I'm hoping to be able to update more. Heck, I've gotta give potential employers something interesting to read about myself, right?

2010-08-17T22:03:00.002-05:00

I fully admit that I've been a terrible blogger for the last month or so and I'm willing to apologize profusely!!

However, my personal laptop is broken and I don't like using my work laptop for too much personal stuff. So, I'll keep this brief.

I'm settling into my apartment and Dallas very nicely. It's definitely a place I could get used to living. My job is another story entirely. I'm not exactly unhappy with my job, but I know that I will not stay longer than I must. It's kind of a major adjustment from the super organized world of orientation (at least it appears to be most of the time) to what is somewhat unreliable, poorly managed, and last minute (if at all) world in which I find myself. I'll save the list of complaints and solutions for another day or just make mental notes.

I just want to say that I'm happy, generally, and very much ready for the coming months which include my birthday, a ridiculously affordable concert with Kalan, Lizzie and Amanda and a trip to Atlanta with Mary Ellen to see Kyle, Jake and Stephen as well as LSU's first game of the season.

2010-07-20T23:34:00.002-05:00

I spent my first day on campus today and I really enjoyed it! My official title is "Academic Research Administrator," but we're still trying to work out exactly what that means. So far, I've been able to keep a great deal of variety in my routine which definitely will keep me on my toes! We've got a short overnight retreat this weekend so I should have more to talk about on Sunday. Just wanted y'all to know that I'm doing well and getting settled in.

2010-07-18T22:41:00.008-05:00

Tomorrow morning I have new employee orientation at one of the other schools Uplift operates. I'm ready for challenge of making it to work on time without knowing streets well yet. I've been driving around all weekend to get better acclimated with the area though it's been mostly running errands and picking up essentials. This is going to be an interesting week while I'm waiting for the rest of my furniture and things to arrive this weekend.

2010-07-15T12:51:00.002-05:00

I'm starting the move to Dallas this evening though it will probably take a week or so to get all of ,y things over. Tonight, I'll stop in Shreveport to stay with Chandler so the I can hit the road bright and early tomorrow. I'm not sure when I'll have real access to the Internet again so I figured it would be best to post something now. Look for updates periodically as I may post things from my phone if necessary!

Full Circle

2010-07-06T23:02:00.002-05:00

In celebration of my 100th post on this blog, I decided to share something about my new position that relates back to the reason I began Tiger2Tiger in the first place-Auburn.

When I started at Auburn last May, I was promptly informed that I had a new name. One of Camp War Eagle's Head Camp Counselors was named Chris, so to avoid confusion, I became "Landry." Apparently, they voted and I lost. It actually wasn't terrible and I came to like it since it was a definite change from the nickname I've had since 1999...

This morning, I visited Peak Preparatory to meet my new supervisor, get acclimated with campus and make sure that everything is in order for my official start date. After a very productive meeting with Teresa, we had Thai for lunch with one of the other administrators. Lo and behold, his name is Chris, and they'd already voted. I lost again...

Despite the craziness of the last few weeks (really months) today has been a complete success for me. I started unofficially working today on some special projects to get me ready for July 19th. I also set up my apartment; it's in a great location and is pretty roomy.

To end this post, I want to continue looking forward and provide some goals that I have for this position:

develop a better understanding of secondary education to better serve me in higher education (basically- where are students coming from before they start college)
create a better system of information distribution to pass on to my successor
continue to expand my professional network with NODA and beyond
save a bit of money to be able to travel more and see my friends that have moved away

Here's to many more posts as I continue my journey... Thanks for reading!

2010-07-01T00:37:00.002-05:00

Forgot to add a bit of interestingness that is exactly how my life operates more often than not. Within 2 hours of accepting the position at Peak, I had a call for a phone interview at Texas Tech. Then, on Wednesday (about 26 hours after accepting the position), I was contacted by Western Kentucky about my application there.

Oh, life!! I'm moving forward and making the most of this decision.

Thankfully Employed, Part Two

2010-06-30T20:50:00.002-05:00

*And now the thrilling conclusion of my current job search journey.*

Between my on-campus at FGCU and my non-interview interview with Teresa from Peak, I had a lot to think about, hypothetical decisions to make so that when it came time to make the real ones, I would be prepared. Hey, I fully own up to the fact that I'm a planner.

A few weeks passed with lots of action- thank you letters were mailed, follow-up emails sent, more extensive research was completed. I busied myself helping with LSU's orientation leader training a few times, catching up with friends and regaining my mobility! Needless to say, I had a lot on my mind as well as a great deal of things going on around me. Luckily for me, both schools had similar timelines and planned to have an answer within a few weeks.

As it became more clear that the position at Peak was definite is I was interested, I contacted FGCU to see "where I stood in their process." I received an email fairly quickly that essentially said that they had offered the position to another candidate and were waiting for a confirmation. It was a bit of a surprise; I felt that this was my best interview to date though I knew that the school and program needed someone with more professional supervision experience. I'm still waiting for official confirmation of the hire to inquire with the director about areas of improvement for future interviews.

The same evening, I met up my friend Meghan as she passed through town on her way home to New Orleans and mentioned the news. When I got home from dinner, Teresa had emailed me to check-in on the process. Though she swears she didn't, I think Meghan may have had something to do with the timing. Either way, I was thankful.

My decision then became more immediate and shifted a bit in focus - should I take the position in Dallas or keep holding out for something in higher ed? If I don't wait for another position, will it be impossible to get back into the field? Can I make the job at Peak transfer more easily to student affairs?

I talked to a lot of people, both in the field and out of it, to gather some input and help decide. Ultimately, I relied on what I knew would make the decision up for me - I made a color-coded pros and cons chart. After some back and forth with Teresa about the "official" next steps to the unofficial process, I was offered and accepted the position.

My new title is Executive Assistant and I'm working with Teresa to better provide coverage and increased presence on campus and within the community. There's also a bit of research and programming to keep me busy though there will be a lot of changing responsibilities and evolution as we both become more comfortable with one another and the position.

My start date is July 19th which is very, very soon considering I've got to find a place to live, relocate and acclimate to a new city and new school system in a matter of weeks. Oh, did I mention that I'm having another surgery on my ankle on July 13 - yep, 6 days before I start a new job. To make things a bit easier, I'm going to Dallas (with a relaxing stay-over in Shreveport with Mary Ellen and Chandler, maybe a trip to San Antonio to see my whale-training buddy, Jake, and an engagement party for Chris and Heather in Houston on July 10) next week to get an apartment, fill out any necessary paperwork, and get away for a few days.

So, there you have it and I have a job! It's been an exciting journey with a lot of ups and downs, but I'm very, very, very ready to begin this new chapter. I plan to continue this blog (for those few of you who still read, haha!) to chronicle my experiences as a new professional.

Thankfully Employed

2010-06-30T02:28:00.003-05:00

*Note: I'm starting this MUCH later than I anticipated so I may post it in pieces if I start rambling or nodding off to sleep.*

After nearly a full year of job searching, I have found a job in a most unexpected place. It may take a bit to explain so let me start near the beginning. Hopefully, you'll see why it's been a while since I've posted anything of relevance.

At the start of June, I completed a on-campus interview with Florida Gulf Coast University. I really loved the campus and felt that it would be a good fit for me to utilize my experience as well as further develop professionally. Unfortunately, they felt that another candidate more strongly suited their needs. However, while I was in transit to Fort Myers, I received an interesting call from one of my friends.

Meghan has been teaching 3rd grade at Peak Preparatory in Dallas for a year now through Teach for America. She always talks about how much she loves the school, staff and students and how comfortable she feels working with the administrators. While flying, she called and texted me and seemed to have something important to pass along. During a layover in Atlanta, I called her back and found out that there was a unique position being developed at Peak that she thought I might be interested in pursuing.

Essentially, one of the principals was taking on a new role as Executive Director for the entire K-12 school and was looking for an assistant to help balance out her workload. Meghan knew some of my work experiences (we've worked together in a variety of roles so she's got a great idea of what I'm capable of as well as areas of growth for me) and offered to contact me with the possibility that it was too far out of my interest level to appeal to me.

I've mentioned on here a few times before, but lately, I have had a hard time facing the reality of not finding a job in higher education just yet. With that in mind, I decided to at least take time to contact Teresa, the new Executive Director, to get a better idea and make a more informed decision. After a bit of phone tag, we finally connected with one another and had what I still can't classify as an interview - it was honestly more of a conversation focused on filling the position.

Teresa mentioned that though she had an idea of what role this position would take, it was fairly fluid based on the needs of the school and the person who is hired. I discussed my concerns about coming from an entirely different background and needing a supervisor who is willing to help acclimate me to the new area. After nearly an hour and a half, most of my fears were allayed and it seemed as though hers were as well. Well, I had collected a great deal of information about the school, staff, position and Teresa which left me with a lot to consider in addition to a great deal of time to wait out the process.

Okay, that seems to be a good stopping point for this evening. I'm hoping to finish the rest of the story tomorrow sometime!

2010-06-29T12:40:00.001-05:00

I OFFICIALLY HAVE A JOB!!!! More to come later tonight!

6 Months in Review

2010-06-19T15:19:00.002-05:00

"And finally, the job search continues perhaps more intensively than ever before. Perhaps it's that whole, having nothing to do during the day without a job or school. I'm trying to not be extremely picky though I want to find something that I'm at least vaguely interested in and that I can see myself working for at least 3-5 years." (December 24th)

"On a slightly different note, unemployment has provided me with a bit of spare time that I've tried to capitalize on though it hasn't always worked out well. I have been cooking more than usual and trying some new dishes. I've also been reading much more for leisure than before including an entire book in a night!" (January 11th)

"I've built a good network here and know that there are great things to come for this area. So far though, only 6 of my 16 jobs are in those states and 4 of those have the potential to be in my areas of interest. Honestly, and this is something that may be totally mental for me, I simply don't know how ready I am for this inevitable change." (February 9th)

"I've really come to value the connections that I've made with student affairs professionals over the last few months. It was great to talk to people in Louisville especially those that have or may have job openings at their institutions. It's also exciting to hear from friends randomly about jobs that are available or will soon be available. It's glimmers of hope like this that make waiting for the right position worth it." (March 28)

"She also asked how I broke my ankle in the first place. My response, though not as descriptive as the whole truth, is still an honest statement- "I was in a restaurant and lost my footing. My ankle rolled and broke in 2 places." Technically, the place is a restaurant a much greater percentage of the time than it is considered a bar or club. And yes, I was dancing when I lost my footing, but it was lost nonetheless." (April 5th)

"There were a few jobs that I consciously chose not to apply for because they were out of my geographic or skills comfort zones or because I honestly shouldn't settle for much less that what I'm qualified to do. This may not be the best policy; however, I feel pretty strongly that I can find a great job that offers me a great opportunity to move up without having to start at the absolute lowest level of the higher ed hierarchy. (May 24th)

"One interesting thing to come out of the interview was how one of the staff members described me - as a "conduit." After hearing my present and meet for a bit in a small panel interview setting, she gathers that I have a tendency to channel the thoughts and emotions around me to move the creative process." (June 6th)

I see your True Colors

2010-06-15T21:22:00.002-05:00

Over my time as a student and working in higher ed, I've had a lot of opportunities to take personality assessments and work style inventories. Two things have become fairly apparent - I've definitely grown and developed over the years and I have a tendency to stick to the middle of the road.

With those tests that I've taken more than once, I almost never score the same thing more than once. Most people would attribute this to a change that allowed me to grow further as a leader or professionally. It's good to see that laid out and charted whereas it's often hard to pinpoint progress in progress. On some, particularly the Bird Test (which very similar to True Colors), I've been all of the possible outcomes.

That brings up the other commonality that I've seen. On most assessments, I tend to score nearly even on most levels or near the center of the grid. I think it's because I don't like the wording of some of the questions. No, of course I don't ALWAYS respond to a situation in this way or I can't say that I NEVER react like that. Darn you Likert scales and your lack of flexibility!!

The reason, I bring this up is that on my recent on-campus interview the students were very excited to have taken the True Colors test as part of their training. They asked what my color was and, honestly, I had no clue. I had taken a test based on True Colors years ago and was sure that I wasn't the same anymore. I took it online tonight and scored fairly evenly across all areas. My strongest color was Gold followed closely by Blue and Green. Orange was the lowest, but not by much. Right now, I'm reading through the information packet that came with my results and thoroughly enjoying finding out more about myself and how I operate!

I really hope to be able to use this assessment in the future and definitely encourage everyone to try it out. Let me know what your color is if you do!

I Con-du-it

2010-06-06T21:13:00.002-05:00

I've been back for a few days from my interview in Florida, but I'm going to hold off on my feelings about it for a bit. I will say that I felt very comfortable and relaxed throughout the day and left with knowing that it was my best interview to date.

One interesting thing to come out of the interview was how one of the staff members described me - as a "conduit." After hearing my present and meet for a bit in a small panel interview setting, she gathers that I have a tendency to channel the thoughts and emotions around me to move the creative process. I took it as a good thing (and I'm not just saying that because she stumbled upon my blog during her prep work for the interview.)

Regardless, I appreciate the description and will gladly adopt the analogy for the future. It's an easier way to discuss my observant nature without it seeming negative or a hindrance to productivity. All in all, I'm happy to have had the opportunity with someone who was able to get such a read on me and describe what I haven't been able to quite put my finger on myself.

A Confession

2010-06-01T13:25:00.002-05:00

I must admit that I have a bit of a ritual following an unsuccessful job search. It's not quite an obsession, just my curiosity getting the best of me at times. For whatever reason, I really want to find out who the chosen candidate is. So far though, only 2 of my 4 on campus interviews have led to announced hires--one school is re-opening the search and the other hasn't updated their website in some time. Oh, and it's great to run into the new hire at conferences and such... makes for an interesting introduction. I guess I just want to see what qualities employers are really looking for, beyond what they list on job descriptions.

2010-05-24T00:49:00.002-05:00

I spent the better portion of today (off and on for about 7 hours) job searching. I found as many position openings that I thought might be interesting and set them aside to apply for after some quick research. At the end of the day, I applied for 5 and have 4 more ready to be mailed as soon as possible. Today brings my total of active applications to near 35 and rejections to date to nearly 30. That's kind of a disheartening fact, but I'm hoping to be able to keep the first number higher despite the dwindling job market. There were a few jobs that I consciously chose not to apply for because they were out of my geographic or skills comfort zones or because I honestly shouldn't settle for much less that what I'm qualified to do. This may not be the best policy; however, I feel pretty strongly that I can find a great job that offers me a great opportunity to move up without having to start at the absolute lowest level of the higher ed hierarchy.

Over the last few weeks, I've gotten a few reassuring calls from some colleagues regarding the feedback I recieved from Delaware and my job search in general. It's good to hear from the perspective of those that have worked with me. It also helped me to see that part of the concerns from the interview are simply parts of my personality that I have to work to overcome or deal with in that setting (particularly my observant nature coming off as shyness or discomfort).

I've got a phone interview with a small school in South Florida on Tuesday for which I'm still preparing. I haven't heard from LSU still which, to be honest, isn't the best sign. I'm not comfortable contacting the department or chair of the searhc committee, so I'm just going to operate on that deduction. Hopefully some new interviews or information will come in this week as it's probably the last week before most school's get into their summer orientations.

All Quiet on the Southern Front...

2010-05-13T15:20:00.003-05:00

Not much has happened lately so there hasn't been much of a job search update necessary. I've interviewed with a few schools over the last couple of weeks and am waiting to hear back from them. I haven't seen many orientation, first year student, or family programs positions posted recently as many schools are beginning their summers (which is busy season for this field).

I've never been one to give up easily, but I am a realist. I understand that I can't expect to stay unemployed for much longer (after I'm back on my feet) despite my goals. Now, I just have to weigh my options and ask myself the tough questions that I have maybe been avoiding for some time.

Should I stay here in Baton Rouge or move closer to where I'd like to work and continue searching there? What can I do for work that is relevant and would offer strong, relatable, transferable experience to higher education? How long can I keep applying and job searching in this field before I need to look to something else?

Hard Pill to Swallow

2010-05-05T12:27:00.005-05:00

I asked for feedback from Delaware and it was a bit difficult to hear that some of what I thought were my strengths didn't go over quite so well. I'm planning to use this and work on my interview skills as much as possible while I prepare for future on-campus interviews once I have time to thoroughly process the response. I'm probably going to have second thoughts about this later, but I want to share the constructive part of the feedback here and welcome any suggestions particularly from those that I've worked with in the past.

In comparison to the other applicants we interviewed, you certainly seemed to have more orientation experience on paper, but in person I felt as though you didn’t share very much with us about your specific skills and more importantly specific examples of how you put your skills into practice. I think being able to give specific, concrete examples when answering interview questions is pivotal and shows the interviewers that you have actually done or put into practice the more theoretical concepts you’re talking about. At times, It also seemed as though you weren’t as prepared or polished as some of the other candidates we saw. I would recommend utilizing a mock interview with a career counselor if you’re able so that you can really observe yourself in an interview. It may help you to identify areas or question answers that you can strengthen.

Also, the feedback I received from some of the people you met included reservations about your ability to multi-task and handle difficult situations/conversations. It may be that you were unprepared for their questions, but because so much of orientation work requires these two very important skills, I would recommend thinking about how you could provide more detailed explanations and examples of your abilities in these 2 areas.

The student leaders really connected with you, but several of the professional staff commented that they didn’t feel you had much energy or charisma. I can appreciate that you may have been exhausted due to your injury, but I think your energy level may have affected the way you were perceived. Overall, you seem like a great person with really solid orientation programming experience, but I think you need to really sell yourself and have confidence in your abilities.

Job Search Count

2010-05-03T22:21:00.002-05:00

Active Applications: 25ish
Rejections: 18ish
Phone Interviews: 7 (and one on Wednesday)
On-Campus Interviews: 5
--

This is not a fun process to go through the first time around. People say that it's much easier after the first time since "you'll have a job while you're searching." Being somewhat unable to get around easily (read: almost entirely unable to get around easily) doesn't help the situation much though it has given me more time to search each day.

I interviewed at LSU last week and think it went well although I'm not the best judge of how these things go. Also, I heard via email this morning that the Delaware position went to something with "a stronger interview overall" and more professional experience. How can I gain professional experience if I can't get a job?!? Oh well, later this afternoon, I set up an interview with the University of Arkansas for Wednesday. Apparently, one of my close friends and soon-to-be-fellow-former-Orientation-GA, Ryann, is interviewing for the same position. She's amazing and is much more qualified for this position so it will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

2010-04-27T22:44:00.002-05:00

I've got an interview at LSU tomorrow and a phone interview with the University of Texas at El Paso on Thursday!! I'm just ready to move beyond the interview phase and start working somewhere. Seriously... I'm a great employee.

2010-04-22T21:31:00.003-05:00

Forgot to mention something that really made me happy and has made this whole, frustrating experience worthwhile:

350 people applied for the position that I interviewed for last week. I was one of four candidates brought to campus.

2010-04-20T19:04:00.002-05:00

I'm back home from my interview and getting settled into my routine. One thing that I picked up in Delaware and during my travels was a keen appreciation and respect for those who use wheelchairs on a daily basis and those that work with them.

Honestly, there would have been no way that I could have gotten around the airport, let alone through the entire experience without the help of my sister-in-law who graciously accompanied me. She helped smooth things over when I needed assistance in the airport and hotels. On that note, most of the flight attendants, airline representatives, hotel employees and people we encountered were very accommodating and helped to make sure that I was as comfortable as possible.

During the interview, the professionals and students all seemed to be very willing to help get me around campus. Without that, I don't know how long my arms would have held up-it was already hard enough pushing myself around in a suit on a warm day! I think the interview went well though I've got some concerns mostly regarding my physical condition as it relates to their timeline. The position itself seems to be very much a learning opportunity and would be a great first position.

Despite our best efforts, we missed our flight home on Friday evening. Since there is not an airport near the University of Delaware, Cathy had to drive us to and from the Baltimore airport in a rental car. We hit Friday afternoon traffic along the way, had difficulties returning the car and using the shuttle and simply didn't make it to the counter in time to check our luggage. All in all, it wasn't a terrible thing though I think we were both frustrated due to the lack of sleep.

What would Dela wear?

2010-04-11T23:16:00.003-05:00

I've got an on-campus interview this Thursday and Friday and I may possible be in a bit of a sticky situation. I'm worried that my suit pants won't fit easily or comfortably over my bulging ankle cast. We're going to my apartment to pick up my suit of choice tomorrow and hopefully it will fit well.

Student affairs folk, would it be terrible to wear something nice that isn't a suit? I'm not sure exactly what that would mean just yet--maybe nice khakis and a blazer. We'll see tomorrow evening exactly what's going to be possible.

EDIT: Suit fits well!! No worries!

Complete Honesty

2010-04-05T13:55:00.003-05:00

It's not usually a struggle to be entirely honest, but there are times when I wonder if I should hold back. For example, I spoke with the director I'm interviewing with next Friday to update her on my condition.

We discussed how I'm getting around and the possibility of having a caregiver along with me just in case I have difficulty outside of the interview times with luggage and the hotel. However, I also mentioned the strong possibility that I'll still be on pain meds during the interview and that I'm not entirely sure how I will react on them just yet. Was that too much information or just a necessary precaution?

She also asked how I broke my ankle in the first place. My response, though not as descriptive as the whole truth, is still an honest statement- "I was in a restaurant and lost my footing. My ankle rolled and broke in 2 places." Technically, the place is a restaurant a much greater percentage of the time than it is considered a bar or club. And yes, I was dancing when I lost my footing, but it was lost nonetheless.

Where does one draw the line between tactfully sharing relevant information and withholding the truth to make the story seem better than it actually is?

Breaking News!!

2010-04-02T22:18:00.003-05:00

For those of you who haven't heard yet, I broke my ankle on Wednesday evening while out with some friends. I wasn't completely sober, but I wasn't stumbling around, forget my name drunk either. It was kind of just a dumb accident that ended up as a pretty funny story.

My ankle is broken in two places and I tore some ligaments as well. I’ve got to have surgery next Wednesday afternoon and will be pretty much off my feet for the next 2-3 months. I’ve got a wheelchair to help get around and a better set of crutches to use though I’m still jerky and off-balanced using them. My brother and sister-in-law have graciously volunteered to take me in for the time being so that I can recover with people around to help if needed.

So, how does this relate to my job search and professional journey?

Well, the following week on April 15 and 16, I've got an on-campus interview. I'm really not sure of how this will work, what state I'll be in, or what to expect. However, I'm ready for the challenge and nowhere near ready to simply give up this opportunity because of a stupid mistake.

I'm planning to call and work out the details with them on Monday morning and will surely have things to share here. On a similar note, Monday afternoon, I've got a phone interview with a university in the Atlanta area! There's more to come and though I may be broken, I'm definitely not out of this race!

2010-03-31T00:41:00.000-05:00

Set up an on campus interview way, way up north for a few weeks from now! Still working out the details but I'm pretty happy with it and some others that may or may not (but really may) be on the horizon.

Friends in Higher (Ed) Places

2010-03-28T16:37:00.002-05:00

Since it's been quite a while since my last post, I'm going to try to recap over a few posts this week.

There honestly hasn't been too much action on the job search front (which is partially why I've been slow to post) beside two phone interviews that I'm still waiting to hear back from.

Some slightly more exciting news is a result of my recent surprise trip to Louisville, Kentucky for the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop (SROW). I say that it was a surprise because most of LSU's student staff had no clue that I would be attending. I used it as an opportunity for networking and learning for my future positions. It was a great trip and I'll share more in one of those upcoming posts.

The title of this post sort of relates back to my SROW experience though. I've really come to value the connections that I've made with student affairs professionals over the last few months. It was great to talk to people in Louisville especially those that have or may have job openings at their institutions. It's also exciting to hear from friends randomly about jobs that are available or will soon be available. It's glimmers of hope like this that make waiting for the right position worth it.

2010-03-11T08:07:00.003-06:00

Just wanted to drop a line to update that I've got two phone interviews scheduled for next week! This job search has been tiring, but getting responses help to keep me focused! More to come soon about what I've been up to and what I have planned.

Ya Have to Follow Through

2010-03-01T14:48:00.003-06:00

I've been back from my interviews for a few days now and have hesitated to post too much (again for fear of jinxing myself). So, just what have I been up to since Friday? Honestly, not a whole lot.

It took me a few days to get back into a routine after being gone for nearly two weeks and I tried to just let that happen as it needed to. Sunday was Mock SROW Day--one of my favorite days for LSU Ambassadors! It was great to see all that this year's SROW Committee has worked so hard to put together especially since this will be the first SROW since 2005 that I will be missing... sad day, I know. I got particularly emotional seeing the skit that will be used to transition hosting responsibilities to LSU mostly because it really is amazing to see something that I've worked for and fought to achieve for so many years brought to fruition!

Other than that, I've resumed the job search process as I don't want to let too much ride on possibilities that are unsure. I'm hoping to hear back from both schools by the end of the month which gives me some time to follow up with other applications and to look for other options that may be right for me!

iViva Entrevistas!

2010-02-21T11:22:00.002-06:00

I'm leaving in about two hours for my first interview in the Dallas area. I feel pretty good about it, but there's always the sense that I could be doing much more to prepare. As with my other on-campus interview, I expect that both this week will be very intense and hectic. I'll probably update more next weekend or maybe after I've heard back for sure (wouldn't want to jinx anything).

Send some good thoughts my way Monday and Thursday is you think about it!

2010-02-16T00:43:00.003-06:00

I'm making my return to Auburn for the first time since last summer this week and have a lot to look forward to! So, in the vein of fellow blogger and one of the Head Camp Counselors that I worked with over the summer, Codi, I wanted to list some of what I'm most excited about experiencing while I'm in town.

Parent Counselor Callouts--Auburn has a tradition when selecting certain student leaders to announce them in a main common area of campus. It's a big to-do and, from what I've been told, everyone is pumped to welcome the newest leaders!
FYE Staff--Though I've spoken with all of them off and on over the last few months and even saw Jenn & Ella at NODAC in Anaheim, it will be great to spend some time with them. I'm also looking forward to seeing the students and hearing all about how the year has treated them.
Toomer's Lemonade--One of the must-haves on any trip to Auburn, it's pretty indescribable.
Campaign Week--Auburn does their Student Government elections very, very differently than LSU so it should be interesting to see. As an added bonus, a number of camp counselors from last summer are in elections and it will be nice to wish them well!
Unique Eateries--Momma G's Momma's Love (amazing and delicious sandwich) Niffer's (corn nuggets mmmm....), Panera Bread and Five Guys Burgers & Fries specifically since we don't have any of those in or anywhere near Baton Rouge
War Damn Understanding-- Finally, people won't look at me weird if I say "War Eagle!"

2010-02-11T21:38:00.002-06:00

Applications Completed:19

Interviews Scheduled: 2
--

I got a reassuring phone call this morning. Southern Methodist University called to provide some information about the position I applied for and to offer an on-campus interview. Whew! So, I'll have two intense interviews withing a 5-day period. This week has also included a great deal of networking and updating those who have helped me along the way with this process. It's really great to have such a support system around me. With both, I'm excited about the possibilities that lay ahead for me!

2010-02-09T00:44:00.005-06:00

Applications Completed: 17

Applications in Consideration: 1(but it's a lot to consider) but there may be a few more tomorrow

Interviews Completed: 2 (by phone)

Interviews to Come: 1

---

Things have been moving surprisingly quickly with some of the schools that I have applied to so far; although, I would probably feel much more comfortable if I had more options on the table, especially when it comes time to make those big decisions. I know what I'd really liked out of my first job, but I also know that it may not be entirely feasible to expect everything at the same institution. There are some concessions that I'm willing to make and some things that I am prepared to stand my ground and fight to have.

I just wish there was more orientation, new student programs, or first year experience jobs in NODA's Region VI (LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, TN, KY, NC, SC). I've built a good network here and know that there are great things to come for this area. So far though, only 6 of my 16 jobs are in those states and 4 of those have the potential to be in my areas of interest. Honestly, and this is something that may be totally mental for me, I simply don't know how ready I am for this inevitable change.

2010-02-03T18:04:00.003-06:00

I wish I could have days like today all of the time!

Today, I heard back from UNT with an offer for an on-campus interview. I also set up a phone interview for Friday morning with Southern Methodist University this afternoon. I met with Eric Norman at LSU to pick his brain about some of the places I have applied and he had a lot of insight to share about the job search experience. Kelli and I talked a good bit about things that have been going on and what's to come in the next few months. I'm truly thankful to have someone like her in my life to serve as a guide and even be a bit protective of me.

AHH! I'm still extremely excited about the new opportunities that have come my way and have more to share, but I've got to get dinner ready before it gets too late!

2010-02-02T02:14:00.001-06:00

I'm feeling pretty good about the interview with UNT. I'll update more later in the week, hopefully. Thanks for the good thoughts!

2010-01-31T22:15:00.001-06:00

Oh, and I totally forgot.... UNT interview tomorrow morning. Send me some good thoughts around 10 am?? K. Thanks!

Bowtie and Sweater Vest

2010-01-31T21:41:00.003-06:00

Tonight I had the opportunity to speak to the newest group of LSU Ambassadors about what it means for them to be receiving their polos and officially becoming a part of the organization. It was a bit of a surprise for the group and it was really great to see them all after spending so long away from most of them.

Honestly, I'm not a great public speaker and it's not something that I particularly look forward to doing. It usually takes me some time to get comfortable and my voice always quivers regardless of whether I'm feeling nervous or not. It just happens and there hasn't been much to get over the shaky voice. Tonight though, I got to blame it on the cold--woot for that!

I also always forget something that I wanted to say. I try to not use notes but like to have a basic outline of my thoughts to use as a prompt, just in case I get lost. Well, tonight was no exception and I skipped one of the first things that I wanted to say. Oh, well.

Here are the highlights:

Being told "no" is simply an opportunity to prove someone wrong-not in a disrespectful way, but to simply learn from your mistakes, and improve yourself (This is one of my favorite lessons from my time in college--the other being that it's almost always easier to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission)
Ambassadors are always representatives of the organization whether they are working in official capacity or out at a bar. Their actions will impact those that they come across much more than is immediately apparent.
The new Ambassadors must be confident that they've been trained and prepared well and use that in orientation and beyond.
Though it may seem like a long time away, these new members will soon be the seasoned Ambassadors that they admired. It's up to them to take on these roles with open arms.
I make bad jokes about Coldplay frequently...

It was very rewarding to be able to speak and share some of my stories with them as they begin this journey that goes by all too quickly. Also, I must thank Heather and her associate chairs, Carly and Laura, for the invitation and faith in me!

I leave you now with a picture of me just before I left my apartment. Sorry, it's a MySpace style, bathroom mirror picture but it was the best I could do!

Things Keep Getting Better!

2010-01-26T19:38:00.002-06:00

Applications Completed: 9

Temporary Applications: 4

Interviews Scheduled: 3 (two for temporary and one for real!)

I haven't done too much this week but I feel really, really productive. I've been reading a lot (almost 4 books in 2 weeks) which I haven't gotten to do since starting college in 2002. I've been spending a lot of time outside walking around my old neighborhood and jamming out to good music! I made a spontaneous trip to NO to celebrate the Saints NFC Championship Sunday night. It was quite fun and not nearly as crazy as we expected so it was enjoyable!

Most importantly, I've heard back from 3 places about positions. The University of North Texas in Denton (near Dallas) called this afternoon to set up a phone interview for next Monday. I love the position from the description and can't wait to learn more about the office and job. I've also go two interviews this week--one with a hotel and the other with a movie theater. Hopefully one of these pans out and is understanding about my situation.

This week has been going really well and I'm hoping that it keeps getting better. My Sunday should be interesting but I'll save that for a later post!

Job Search Update and More

2010-01-11T22:28:00.003-06:00

Applications Completed: 8

Applications in Consideration: 3(ish)

Applications Without Hope: 2 (I was deemed unqualified for one and haven't heard back from the other after about 6 weeks and a few calls)

I am doing pretty well so far on my resolution to apply for at least 3 jobs each week. I've got some positive responses from a few which is fairly reassuring! There are some more frustrating moments but I'll save those for a later post. Since I haven't heard from any schools specifically, I'm starting to look for that"disposable job" I mentioned previously. I'm starting with places I enjoy like bookstores and maybe coffee shops.

On a slightly different note, unemployment has provided me with a bit of spare time that I've tried to capitalize on though it hasn't always worked out well. I have been cooking more than usual and trying some new dishes. I've also been reading much more for leisure than before including an entire book in a night! More for necessity than for pleasure, I rearranged my bedroom and think it's more functional now. Lastly and perhaps most enjoyable, I have used the free time to catch up on missed or forgotten TV shows and movies.

Mary Ellen, Meghan and Chandler are supposed to be in town this weekend for a wedding and I cannot wait to see them. We're not planning on doing anything too crazy, but they've been away for too long so I'm all for entertaining them!

Application Count:

2010-01-05T12:32:00.001-06:00

Completed Applications: 7

Applications in Progress: 4(ish)

Now that everyone's coming back from winter break, I'm hoping to hear from somebody soon. If not, I'm going to keep looking. In the meantime I am looking for a "disposable" job near my apartment.

Life Update

2009-12-24T22:46:00.003-06:00

Since it's been a while, I'll give you a brief run-down of what my life has consisted of over the last month or so:

Final papers and projects that didn't actually have much of an impact on my grades--thank goodness for some of my awesome cohortmates who helped keep me sane.
An amazing and humbling surprise from Kelli--the LSU Ambassadors have named an award after me. It's been two weeks and I'm still speechless on the matter but incredibly honored.
Last days at work that were full of hugs and such
Graduation and all that it entailed
A variety of presents to myself for graduating--most notably are an iPhone and a leather armchair (I've wanted it for years and it was very, very much on sale!)
Long-awaited new movies--(500) Days of Summer, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Angels & Demons, Inglourious Basterds, The Hangover. Still to come is Glee- Road to Sectionals.
Presents for family and friends--I'm pretty pleased with myself this year!

And finally, the job search continues perhaps more intensively than ever before. Perhaps it's that whole, having nothing to do during the day without a job or school. I'm trying to not be extremely picky though I want to find something that I'm at least vaguely interested in and that I can see myself working for at least 3-5 years.

I've been looking outside of the region that I'm really hoping to work in to increase my chances of finding something. Here's how I see it, I can work in an area that I don't absolutely love at a job that suits me or even in an area that I love at a position that I'm a bit iffy about, but I can't see myself working a job that I don't love in an area that I don't like. It also helps to be near friends though I'm trying to not limit myself to that as much as possible.

Here's a bit of a breakdown of the positions that I've applied for so far:

2 positions at the University of North Texas in Denton (north of Dallas)
1 position at the University of Texas (stationed in Longview)
1 position at the University of San Antonio
1 position at Baton Rouge Community College
1 position at Georgia State University (in Atlanta)

There are a few others that I'm considering, but I'll wait until I actually apply for those to let you all know.

2009-11-23T17:36:00.001-06:00

I'm still looking for positions and the search may be heating up soon! All I need now is time to get everything together! Should update soon...

California Love

2009-11-09T01:58:00.003-06:00

We're halfway through our NODAC experience and things have been going really well so far! I've had a chance to reconnect with some people I've met in the past which is kind of cool considering that I may be working with or for some of them soon.

My poster session went fairly well today-not a lot of people stopped by, but I had some great conversations with those that did. I also did a bit of networking during that time when people asked about my posters. After seeing some of the others, I'm pretty happy with the results of my efforts, although, I have learned some things for future poster sessions:

Get started (and finished) early to avoid rush printing costs.
Make it a manageable size so it can fit on the plane and not have to be shipped overnight across the country.
Use more images and less wording to make it easier to read quickly.

Tonight, Kelli, Aimee (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!), Ryann and I went to Disneyland for some fun times. We had a blast and figured that riding too many jerky rides in a row may not be the best for us. Oh, and we found out that if a ride has water involved, we will get wet somehow... It was awesome to watch the fireworks and relax after such a long few weeks. Ryann and I even got to ride shotgun in the monorail on the ride back to the hotel!

Ryann and I just finished putting the last touches on our presentation for Monday morning. We're pretty confident about the process and know that we'll be able to play off of one another well enough to get through it! If you'd like to see it (yes, you, Mom), here's a PDF version of the slides.

2009-11-05T09:28:00.001-06:00

Here's what I'm working on for NODAC:

Students Advising Students

It's for a poster session and I was really nervous about putting it together. I'm feeling much better about it now that it's done!

2009-11-02T18:26:00.002-06:00

NODAC is this weekend and I've got a lot to get in order before we leave on Friday. September started a gauntlet that has kept me super busy on a weekly basis so I haven't had as much time to prepare as I really should have taken. Hopefully, I'll be able to reconnect with Ella and Jenn from Auburn and others that I've met in the past.

Unfortunately, the job search process has slowed drastically. With everything else going on, it's been hard to find the time to devote to researching and applying for positions. This weekend may be a great opportunity for me to see what's out there and maybe get some leads on potential openings.

It's been such a long time...

2009-10-15T23:43:00.006-05:00

That I don't even know where to begin. I suppose I'll start where I left off last and work back. Just a warning, this may be a really long post.

As you know, I recently completed an on-campus interview for a position. Having never gone through a job search--well, not since I worked at Krispy Kreme and was interviewed in a shoddy trailer and got the job before it began--I was fairly nervous about preparing. Thankfully, I've found a great support system and network at LSU and a variety of other institutions that helped me through. In fact, some former student leaders who I worked with years ago heard about my interview and offered suggestions and guidance!

Earlier in the week, I received a copy of the itinerary for the 24-hour interview. At first glance, it was very intimidating. The day seemed to be pack with very little time for a breather. I spent a good bit of time working to research the school's programs and staff although there is really only so much that can be gleaned from websites. I tried to develop a series of questions for each segment of the interview based on who would be present and their focus.

One of the more time consuming components of the interview was a presentation with campus partners. The topic was developing a leadership training program for student orientation leaders. I knew that I had to experience and skill to put it together, but I wanted it to be cohesive, interactive and concise. I think I put together something that showed my style as well as provided a good base of my previous knowledge and willingness to learn and grow in areas with which was not too familiar. All in all, I'm fairly happy with the result!

So, on to the interview! After a full day of excitement (LSU game with good friends and an impromptu "bus trip") and no rest, I left Baton Rouge around 3:30 am for my 6:00 flight from New Orleans which is about 45 minutes away. I needed gas and food so I ended up running behind. Also, my gate was in a part of the airport that I had never flown from so I was a bit lost and frazzled. The flight was packed and they even asked people to deplane once they have boarded because of weight restrictions. Fortunately, I was not one of them because the only other flight was far too late in the day for my comfort. Also, the flight attendant allowed me to move to the last row of seats where I was able to get some sleep. I'm sure those around me were happy with my snoring, but I was comfortable.

We left a bit later than expected so I was late getting into Atlanta, but thankfully did not have any plans for about 8 hours. I checked into my hotel room, closed the curtains, and slept for a few hours. It was very much needed and I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go to dinner with the directors. Now, as some of you (especially the Auburn folks) know, I'm a fairly selective eater. Mark joked that the list of what I ate was actually shorter than what I didn't eat but that's for another time. Well, being picky, I wasn't too sure about how this would go. We went to a very nice, casual restaurant called Murphy's. I was very relieved to see a salad with chicken on the menu. During dinner, we talked about the weekend (they had just ended their Family Weekend), the recent weather (Atlanta had been flooding earlier in the week), our experiences and goals and attempted to get to know each other as best as possible. Although I didn't finish my salad because of too many extra parts (onions, mangoes, and peppers mostly) I had an amazing vanilla bean creme brulee that I would highly recommend to anyone in the area!

I spent the remainder of the evening preparing for the next day's gauntlet of interviews. Back at LSU, the LSU Ambassadors were busy selecting the newest members so I was a bit torn. I got sufficient updates after the list was finalized. It was a relief though I knew that the process was in more than capable hands.

The morning began with breakfast and conversation with Bethany, the director the the school's orientation program. She was very open and honest about her experiences and the path that led her to her current position. We also discussed her expectations for the position and the person. Next, I met with Stephen, the department director. His background was not specifically student affairs which was fascinating for me. He was able to provide some clarity about the office environment and working with other units throughout campus.

To give me a break, the next portion was a quick tour of campus. The school's campus was very common despite being located in such a large city. Following this, I met with the search committee. It was great to be able to put faces with the voices from my phone interview. I feel as though I really connected with each of them and felt pretty confident with my performance. I think that my responses were the most fluid and natural of the day.

After my strongest performance, I was bound to have a challenge. The student segment of the interview proved to be just that! For lunch, I met with six of the student leaders so they could evaluate their potential new advisor. Half of them were very receptive to the possibility and were enthusiastic. The others, however, were a bit more defiant and didn't really seem to see the need for a professional staffer working with their organization. I tried to maintain my composure and answer their questions as best as possible thought I honestly felt a little disheartened after we finished.

Following that, it was on to the presentation for campus partners. As they came into the room, I tried to meet and mingle with them. It turned out to be very helpful because I was able to refer to them later during the presentation which I felt endeared me to them a bit. I seemed to rush through the information though. After my slides were finished, they were able to ask questions of me. The people that I met before were very open to asking questions and I think they liked my answers. I was even able to pull out Door Jams, an activity I developed for LSU's orientation leaders and that I'm very, very proud of, as an example of my style of teaching. There were a few questions, however, that threw me for a loop. I tried to process my answer as quickly as possible but spent some time talking in circles. I was somewhat uneasy of my performance on this part but was very relieved to have it out of the way.

My time with the Vice President for Student Affairs was by far my strongest of the day. It was less of an interview and more of a casual conversation. I was able to ask a number of questions about him and his department. He commented after three of my inquiries about how much he liked them or that he had never gotten them before.

The last official interview of the day was with the office staff to see how I would fit with their personalities and work styles. Again, this was somewhat more informal and relaxing and I was able to get a good feel of what their day-to-day activity is comprised of and what I could expect of them. Next, I met again with Bethany to wrap-up and hear about their plan of action. During this time, I was able to ask last minute questions that had come up during the day including about her willingness to provide feedback on my performance regardless of the outcome. She said that she felt she wouldn't be doing her part to further the field if she didn't--a response that I really appreciated.

All in all, I ended the interview knowing that it could go either way, that it wasn't guaranteed. I felt fairly comfortable with my performance and knew that I had given it my all. As I tend to do when I get excited about the possibilities, I started considering what a move to Atlanta would mean. I may have even looked into the area around campus. Regardless, I was happy to get my first on-campus interview out of the way. I knew there were some areas that I excelled and some that could be improved upon for future interviews so I was content. I also knew that, no matter what the position, I had a great group of people around me for guidance and support.

I knew the timeline that had been set so I was expecting a phone call sometime early this week. On Monday morning, Bethany called as I walked into work. As we have done before, we played phone tag for a few hours before I was able to get in touch with her. She wanted to let me know that they had extended an offer to another applicant who had accepted the position. Honestly, I kind of expected it because they had not checked any references over the two weeks following my interview. Still, it was rough to hear the words. I reminder her of our conversation and her comments about feedback and we set up a time to talk next week to discuss things.

I'm still on the lookout for potential job opportunities--in fact, one came across today that seems promising. I know that I can't let not getting one thing get me down so I am determined to use the experience and improve. I'll definitely keep everyone in the loop as I continue to search for the best fit for me.

2009-10-15T11:14:00.001-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posting. The screen on my laptop has a wiring problem so I can't see anything to type. I'll try to get something up here later since there's lots to catch you all up on!

2009-10-09T18:10:00.001-05:00

By request, I'm going to try to update some time this weekend! Life's been very busy with work and school and, well, life. Glad to see that y'all still check!

2009-09-29T23:12:00.002-05:00

Here's what I wore on Monday. Again, sorry for the poor quality. I'll update more soon to fill you all in on the interview process.

2009-09-27T19:54:00.005-05:00

I think dinner went well. Though there were some quiet times, we spent most of dinner talking about backgrounds, interests, professional involvement, and much more. So far, I'm focusing on forming an opinion of the staff and campus to see if I feel this is the right fit for me. Hopefully, tomorrow will go well and provide me the opportunity to feel strongly about if I can see myself succeeding here.

Since I posted generic pictures before, I felt I should snap a picture so you all can see the finished product. Sorry for the poor quality, but this is me as I left for dinner with Bethany and Steven. Mark, does it look better with my head attached--maybe you shouldn't answer that...

Good night, everyone! Here's to wishful thinking and success stories!

2009-09-27T14:53:00.003-05:00

I'm currently sitting in my hotel room getting ready for dinner with administrators for my interview. It seems like it's been a long road to get to this point, but I know that I'm ready. I'll try to update more tomorrow night after I've gone through the entire process.

Ten Days

2009-09-18T18:58:00.005-05:00

Since accepting an offer for an on-campus interview, I've been busy finding connections, researching the school and programs, and preparing to make the best impression possible.

One thing that I've found to be particularly useful during the job search is simply asking those around me if they have any advice about the process. That usually leads to questions such as "Where have you applied?" or "What schools are you considering?" More often than not, the person has known someone or used to know someone at the school and has offered to contact them on my behalf. Holler! So far, I've been very fortunate to have made a number of excellent connections with people around LSU and Auburn as well as other institutions through them that have greatly increased my level of confidence for my upcoming interview.

One of the more challenging parts of the interview preparation process is researching programs, departmental structures, key administrators and the campus culture of the institution. Most of this is carried out over the internet though I have been able to gather some information from the people I've connected with for references and advice.

Finally, I'm hoping to make a great impression over the course of the interview. Earlier this week, I received a copy of the itinerary for the interview. To be very honest, it was a bit intimidating. One component is a presentation with campus partners. I'm not worried so much about presenting, but there hasn't been a great deal of time to prepare and practice and there probably won't be much this week either. Regardless, I will be amazing because of some great input and motivation from friends.

And if nothing else, I'm going to look good! Since I wasn't sure of what to wear, I asked a few friends for their input. Below are the general ideas of what I'll have on:

Sunday
Dinner with administrators

Monday
All day interview on campus with professionals, students and administrators

Good Day!

2009-09-11T16:54:00.002-05:00

I'm moving on the the next round of interviews for the position. That means that I'll travel to campus to meet with administrators, students and other key partners throughout two days. I'm very much ready for this opportunity and will begin preparing as soon as I make it back from Dallas!

2009-09-05T20:37:00.003-05:00

Things I've learned these past two weeks:

A meeting a day keeps the doctor away... well, for as long as I keep going. As soon as I stop, I sleep for about 20 hours.

Phone interviews are not my favorite but I can talk about things even when I'm not feeling well.

Unexpected references are a pleasant surprise!

It's also pleasant when people offer to contact their colleagues from other schools to provide a reference as well!

I'm still really pumped about bringing SROW to LSU, but now the real work begins. I'm about to start working on updating forms and developing a website to be prepared for March 2010.

I really missed college football!! I've spent almost all day in front of the TV watching games while taking care of some errands around the apartment.

I wish I had taken better care of myself earlier in the week so I could have gone to Auburn this weekend. Instead, I'm busy sniffling and chugging juice to get rid of this congestion.

More Exciting News

2009-08-28T16:54:00.002-05:00

I was contacted today to set up a phone interview for one of the jobs I applied for a few weeks ago. Since I don't want to jinx it, I'm probably going to refrain from naming the places that I apply to from now on. If you ask in person though, I'll tell you! Oh well, gotta put my interview face on!!

SROW's Coming to Town!!

2009-08-26T16:40:00.003-05:00

After a years of wishful thinking and considering our options, LSU has finally been given the opportunity to host the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop in 2011. Now this may not seem like much to some of you, but to an orientation junkie like myself, we just hit the jackpot!!

This was the big, secretive project I worked on throughout the summer, although some of you found out one way or another. In fact, my portion of the bid submission process was to design and compile the actual packet. I've posted a link below so you can see just how detailed it became. Apparently, they were very impressed since the actual bid application is simply a series of about 20 items to which prospective schools respond. I think it would suffice to say that LSU went a bit beyond that. I'm also fairly proud of the theme "SROWcean's '11: Let the Good Times Roll!" which should bring a mix of Vegas flair and South Louisiana spirit to keep things interesting to say the least!

I found out a few weeks ago as I drove home from my Tour de Tejas and somehow was able to keep it mostly a secret from folks. We wanted to reveal it to the LSU Ambassadors first since they will play a huge role in making this event a success. They were told this afternoon at the first general meeting of the year in a pretty special way. I've included a link to that as well.

I'm very honored to have had a role in making this a reality and hope to continue in some capacity even as I transition to a professional role in the field. Hopefully, my future position will allow me the time and energy to remain a part of the committee which would provide an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development. Plus, who wouldn't want to go to SROW?? (Except Codi and the other HCCs from Auburn, but I'm working on y'all!)

I'll update more as things develop, but most of the planning is still in the very early stages.

Links:

Bid Submission Packet

Reveal Video

2009-08-26T00:38:00.000-05:00

Big news in just a few hours!! Check back after 4:30 for more!

Job Search Update

2009-08-10T20:14:00.004-05:00

Today is really the first day that I've spent a substantial amount of time looking and applying for jobs. While I would love to work in orientation, I'm keeping my options open for other functional areas (like Student Activities, First Year Programs, etc) The only areas that I've pretty much nixed completely are Judicial/Conduct (although I've definitely learned a lot working with LSU's Student Advocacy & Accountability), Greek Life and Residence Life (I don't know that I'm ready or comfortable with being that liable just yet). There are positions out there-- some schools just wait a bit longer to publicize them!

One question everyone seems to ask is where I'd like to work. The area that I'm considering for the time being is essentially east of the eastern side Texas (especially Dallas, Austin, Houston, & San Antonio) and south of Washington, DC. I have a lot of professional contacts in the region through SROW and NODA involvement. Honestly, the climate is a big factor as well since I'm not a fan of cold weather for extended periods of time. Additionally, I'm not opposed to certain urban areas that are farther north such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston and Baltimore. I've also looked at the Phoenix area because there are a number of large institutions in a fairly small area, but so far it's toward the bottom of my list. Ideally, I'm hoping to work somewhere for about 5-10 years then come back to work with orientation at LSU.

Much to my mother's dismay, I need to get out of Baton Rouge for a little while. I've lived in the area for almost 25 years and things are starting to become stale at times. There are also very few opportunities here for someone working in higher education. Granted, I haven't ruled out working at Southern or BRCC, but I need to branch out from LSU at the very least.

As of today, I've applied for one job and completed the application forms for another institution. I've been looking at major schools in the southeast and haven't found much interesting just yet. I'll probably look for an hour or so each day and constantly update my resume as needed to stay on top of things.

If all of the stars align, I'll have a job by Thanksgiving and will be looking for apartments in a new town!

2009-08-05T18:13:00.001-05:00

Update on last post: I'll be able to announce the big news after Aug. 26 which I thought was next week for some reason. Anyone just dying to know? Any guesses?

This entry brought to you by....

2009-08-04T17:28:00.002-05:00

...the coffee shop from which I'm "borrowing" wireless internet at the moment.

Since it's been a very long time and I'm still working on moving into my new apartment, I'll run through a bulleted list of what's going on and what's to come.

Tour de Tejas was amazing! It was great to see good friends and hear some great music. The Fray in Dallas was beyond words. Seeing Jason Mraz in Atlanta was made 20 times better because of the company! I had a really good time everywhere I traveled but it got to be a lot to do on my own especially since there's pretty much nothing in Texas outside of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio as far as I saw.

Being back in Baton Rouge meant that I seriously had to move out of my apartment and into my new place. It's been a big hassle and the weather hasn't helped much since it tends to rain every afternoon when I start to load my car. Today, I finally saw the light and should be finished by tomorrow depending on how long it takes to clean things. Also, I am completely baffled at how much stuff I've had to buy for this apartment- you would think after living out of my parents' house for seven years, I would have accumulated a kitchen table and vacuum cleaner. Thankfully, I've got some great offers from people who are upgrading! Hopefully Teague and Miles don't get too crazy in their new home!

I'm still researching jobs and should have more to post on them later. It's pretty early but I'm hoping that I'll find something that I will love and can stay in the south sooner rather than later. Also, while in Houston, I sort of connected with a former Dean of Students from a number of universities and plan to use her as a resource through this process.

I've been gearing up for my return to LSU and the Office of Orientation. While I don't have a set date, I plan on easing myself back into the groove over the next few weeks. We have orientation scheduled for August 17-20 so I'll definitely be back in full effect by then! Ryann and I will get the chance to present our Commuter Student Success presentation at Bengal Bound as well which should be fun. I had aspirations of developing a video to accompany the session (a la Tigers in a New Territory) but didn't have the time or technology to get it taken care of in time. I'm still considering it for Spring Invitational even though I'll be gone by then.

On my way back from Texas, I got some amazing news... but I can't tell you just yet. It was the big project that I worked on while I was in Auburn and I could not be happier about how it's turned out. Within a week or so, I should be able to spill the beans and provide you with a sneak peek at what I put together!

2009-07-27T06:13:00.001-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted in what seems like forever. I've been busy moving back to BR & a new apt. I'm on my Tour de Tejas & heading to Atlanta! Real post soon!

Other Goings-On...

2009-07-18T00:55:00.000-05:00

NOTE: I wrote this in the Atlanta airport on July 4th. It's very late but I've added some additional comments to keep things current!

I spent last night huddled on a bench in the Atlanta airport waiting for a plane to arrive to bring me to Montgomery so I could complete the last leg of my weekend journey. I sat there from about 9:45 pm and to almost 1:00 am. In the meantime, I decided to post about some of the things that I breezed over recently.

NODA, NODA, NODA!
As I mentioned, there has been a lot going on in regards to my involvement with NODA lately. Ryann and I submitted presentation proposals back in April and were told that we would be informed of their acceptance or rejection by mid-May. Since we hadn't heard anything in mid-June, we had both kind of figured that they were not going to be accepted and that the conference committee was simply behind with their communication efforts.

Then, during evening activities on Day 1 of a session a few weeks ago, I got an email saying that my presentation on graduate students advising undergraduate students was accepted to be a poster session. Again, from what I understand, I'll be completing the research and preparation as though I was actually presenting. The major difference is that my results or significant information is listed on a poster that will be displayed during the conference (apparently middle-school science fair style). I'm not really sure of much more than that but I'll be looking into it to see what all will be required of me.

I initially forwarded the email to Ryann with a note that I guessed our other presentation wasn't going to be selected. To my surprise, the next time I checked my email, in addition to Ryann's encouraging reply, the acceptance message had arrived!! This program, "GRADPASS: Your All-Access Guide to the Ups and Downs of Graduate School," will be presented as a full session. Ryann and I are really proud of everything so far but we know that there's so much more to go. I'm hoping that this will be a huge learning opportunity for both of us. I'm also planning to incorporate a number of the things that I've learned while working at Auburn into the program.

Also, Ryann and I (we really do make a great team!) decided to collaborate on an article for The Orientation Review, NODA's quarterly newsletter. We wrote on a topic that we feel can be very beneficial to students that are new to working with orientation at the graduate level as well as for undergrads considering a career in orientation. The article, "Ten Simple Rules (We Wish We Had Known...) for Succeeding in Orientation," provides tips for these students. Though we didn't have much time to conduct research, we used our personal experiences as well as our knowledge of other institutions to develop what we feel is a broad list of beneficial guidelines. Hopefully, I'll post the article here just in case it isn't selected for print. Also, thanks to Aimee, Celinda, Darrell, Kelli and Mary Alice for taking the time to look over it for us and provide some great feedback!! Posted the article and, just in case you haven't heard, it was published!!! I'm beyond ecstatic!!

Lastly on the NODA front, I've been thinking about looking into positions at the regional or even national level. NODA has a number of "networks" that provide specific information for certain groups affected by orientation such as Parents & Family, Transfer Students, LGBT Students, Undergraduates, etc. Both Jenn and Ella are involved as co-chairs and I've talked to them about the importance and benefits of getting even more involved. I'm still in the early phases but I'll be sure to post more if I come to a definite conclusion about this.

Job Searchification
A few weeks ago (wow, am I really that far behind??), I had lunch with Jamie Mantooth, Auburn's Director of Student Success. Jamie's is a name that I've heard for a number of years through NODA and orientation involvement as he previously worked with Camp War Eagle and was involved in NODA to some extent. He and I talked a lot about the job search that I'll experience. He gave me a lot of great advice and even offered his support if I needed it.

One of the benefits of graduating in December is the timing for orientation positions. Typically, the fall is a heavy hiring season because the spring and summer are work-heavy and many departments are cautious of filling vacancies then. As such, I've begun seriously looking at a number of job postings that I've come across. A few seem perfectly aligned with my interests. A couple others seem like they would be more of a challenge but would be significantly rewarding in the long run. Once I'm home from Auburn, this blog will most likely become a journal to follow along with my job search process!

How Teague Rode Home

2009-07-17T02:01:00.006-05:00

Teague spent at least 4 and a half hours of the 6 and a half hour trip back to Baton Rouge in a few interesting positions...

And, when he finally got too hot to be worn as a travel pillow:

2009-07-16T16:00:00.002-05:00

Our article was published in the Summer 2009 Orientation Review!!! I'm so excited! I'm going to New Orleans tonight for Jen and Danny's wedding and will try to update from the hotel!! AHHH-- I LOVE my life!!!

Almost Complete!!!

2009-07-12T11:12:00.005-05:00

On Saturday night, the camp counselors had their end of the summer banquet. After dinner, everyone settled in the training room of 189 Foy for an evening of shared stories and heartfelt good-byes. It continued long into the night and as we were leaving the sun was beginning to rise over campus. As a tradition and to celebrate a successful summer, the camp counselors decided to roll Toomer's Corner. I tagged along and was able to check another goal off of my summer list!

Then today, I asked Alisha for a quick visit to the Eagle's Nest atop the Haley Center. It was awesome to see practically all of campus and a good stretch of the city and surrounding areas as well!

The last picture I'm hoping for is in front of the Auburn University sign on College Street and I have plans to stop by there before I leave town in the morning!

Tiger Auction: Picture Edition

2009-07-09T01:39:00.002-05:00

At the pep rally tonight, I got the chance to take one of the three pictures that I'm hoping to get before I leave next week.

The other two are one in front of the Auburn University sign on College Street and one from the Eagle's Nest at the top of the Haley Center. Bonus if I get one of me rolling Toomer's Corner!!

2009-07-08T18:53:00.004-05:00

I just spoke with a faculty member on a number of topics such as tenure, international faculty and students, teaching styles, & the world's view of America. It was very enlightening to hear from another side of the university about what she feels is most pressing in higher education and what can be expected as younger millennials begin college.

Orientation Review Article

2009-07-08T00:43:00.006-05:00

Ten Simple Rules (We Wish We Had Known…) for Succeeding in Orientation
Ryann Denham & Chris Landry
Louisiana State University

As we prepare to begin our final year as graduate assistants for the Office of Orientation at Louisiana State University, we wanted to share a few things that may make your journey a bit easier!

1. Know what you want from your experience. Work with your supervisor to ensure that you are able to reach your personal and professional goals during your time in orientation. It is important to consider the areas that you would like to become more familiar with or skills that you would like to develop. By creating and communicating your goals early into your appointment or assistantship, you maximize your ability to succeed and generate a vital support system.

2. Working orientation as someone other than an orientation leader can take some time to adjust. Whether you worked with students or family members, serving behind the scenes can prove to be a very different experience. It may mean more responsibility during the program but it can also increase the amount of time spent enhancing current program components or developing new ones, problem-solving, or thinking critically. If possible, you should also use this as an opportunity to take in the logistics and administrative aspects of orientation as you prepare for sessions and to expand your knowledge base for future positions.

3. As a field, orientation is much more than campus tours and course registration. Your job responsibilities can seem like a brief run-down of the major functional areas of student affairs after a year’s work in orientation. Residential life, campus programming, first year activities, welcome week events, retention efforts and many more departments now have an impact on how colleges and universities introduce students to their campuses. It would be very advantageous to embrace your strengths and begin to gain experience in the areas with which you are not very familiar.

4. Orientation can have a “slow-season,” but using that time to focus on the upcoming programs is best. It was fairly surprising to find that the fall months were significantly less hectic after seeming to work nonstop during the spring and summer. Many schools use this time to select and train orientation leaders, develop and implement new programming ideas and work on the aspects of their orientation that need a bit of tweaking.

5. Advising undergraduate student leaders can be more challenging that you initially expect. It can be very tempting to allow yourself to become friendly with the student staff since they may be, at most, only a few years younger than you. Starting at a new school can magnify this pressure to connect with or establish a new set of friends. It is necessary to set appropriate boundaries and maintain them consistently. Your supervisor can provide necessary guidance and help to establish an environment that is productive for everyone involved.

6. Find a balance for the different roles that you will take on during graduate school. Time management becomes even more important after your undergraduate work is complete as it can set the stage for how you will function in your future career. If you feel that you are not able to devote time to the things you enjoy because of work or school, take an inventory of your priorities to see if things can be rearranged. Also, asking for help when things get to be too much for you is not necessarily a sign of weakness—just try not to always rely on others before your attempt to succeed on your own.

7. Get involved in professional organizations such as NODA at the regional and national levels. There are many ways for graduate students to remain active in professional organizations. Joining networks can provide you with information and contacts for a specific area that interests you and can help you track current trends in orientation and student affairs. It can be very rewarding to attend conferences especially if you have the opportunity to present educational sessions, participate in case study competitions, and capitalize on specialized sessions.

8. Network with student affairs professionals both at your own institution and across the country. Developing a working relationship built on respect and competence can serve you well at unexpected times and in the long run. Professionals in the field are valuable resources and mentors. However, networking is more than simply meeting people and collecting business cards. It is vital for you to follow through, maintain appropriate communication, and remain productive so that your professional contacts view you as an reliable colleague and feel comfortable giving you a recommendation in the future.

9. Don't be afraid to suggest changes, implement new programs or take on new responsibilities. It can be very empowering to take the reins on a project and see it through to completion, especially if you have not had the opportunity to do so before. Most supervisors are willing to support you as needed and often appreciate your willingness to take the initiative to enhance your orientation programs. Also, it can be an excellent learning experience.

10. It’s never too early to start looking for jobs, but it can definitely be too early to apply for one. It is a good idea to look through postings to see the nature of the field and what responsibilities and functional areas are being included in job descriptions that are appealing. This will help you tailor your graduate school experiences to where you would like to be as you officially begin the job search.

Whether you are an orientation first timer or a veteran from your undergraduate career, you have chosen a very exciting field where you will expose yourself to a variety of experiences, people, and functional areas. Make the most of each and every opportunity you are given through orientation. The skills you gain are imperative and most importantly transferable, to wherever you end up in student affairs!

Post-Austin Info

2009-07-05T16:27:00.003-05:00

I had an amazing weekend with some more than amazing people in Austin!! I'm sitting in the airport waiting to head back to Montgomery for what's sure to be a long week. Between getting things together for Session 8 and working on some end of the summer evaluations, I've got to somehow find time to pack for my trip to Baton Rouge for my brother's wedding. Oh, and I've got to prepare a speech for the rehearsal dinner, find time to pick up a present (or two since I was gone for the showers too) and make sure someone is picking up my tuxedo. Since my weekend wardrobe will be fairly simple, I am going to try to bring home some things if possible to make my final return trip less cluttered. Once I'm back in Baton Rouge, I'm planning to spend Friday morning getting a haircut, picking up keys to my new apartment and maybe, just maybe spending some quality time with my cat, Miles, who may or may not be getting a little buddy soon.

I'll be back in Auburn on Saturday afternoon just in time for the camp counselors banquet! The parent counselors have theirs the following night as well. It's only been a few weeks but I know that I'm going to be very sad to leave this place and all of these wonderful people. Officially, I'll be back in Baton Rouge on July 15th for Parish Race Webber's 1st birthday! I won't stay in town for long though with Jen and Danny's wedding festivities, moving to the new apartment, The Fray in Dallas and the rest of my Tour de Tejas to keep me busy until I return to work the first week in August. This summer is definitely shaping up to be spectacular!!

2009-07-02T08:47:00.001-05:00

I'm on my way to Austin to spend the Fourth of July with good friends! I'm hoping for:

- Some much needed rest
- A bit of work on special projects (NODA presentations)
- A chance to start gathering my thoughts for my end of the summer reflections

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Session Updates

2009-06-29T22:18:00.006-05:00

It's kind of funny, but, as the summer's coming to a close, I think I've become fairly comfortable in my routine during Auburn's Camp War Eagle sessions. Just to shake things up a bit, Sessions 6 and 7 were a bit different from the others that I've worked this summer.

On Day 1 of Session 6, Brittany (the FYE Graduate Assistant) and I decided to switch duties to see how the other operated. Generally, I spend the day with the camp counselors working check-in outside, shuttling the faculty honoree to their designated locations and assisting "as needed." On the other hand, Brittany works with the parent counselors during the parent check-in at the Student Center as well as throughout the sessions that afternoon. It was very good for me to see the other side of orientation since I often miss what truly goes on with parents beyond the major sessions and programs. I definitely appreciated the climate change as it was even a tad bit too cold for me indoors. (Note: this is not complaining about being cold- Ella - I'm simply stating that it was a different temperature than that to which I had become accustomed.) Also, I loved seeing the different concerns that parents have and that don't even enter students' brains during orientation.

Session 6 also served as our session for athletes... take a minute to just imagine all of the possibilities! In particular, one portion of my day was especially difficult thanks in part to some of these students. While it could have been much worse, the Learning for Life presentations that Codi and I led were definitely very low on our list of favorites/most receptive/most respectful groups. Our first group was much more talkative than usual though we were prepared considering it was the eleventh time we had presented during camp sessions alone. However, our second group was even more rambunctious and just plain disrespectful at times. Again, it was not everyone in the room nor was it all of the athletes, but a group of about six sitting in the back row felt it necessary to talk loudly the entire time. Of course that meant that they missed the directions entirely and caused some issues later in the stereotyping activity. They wanted to contribute to the conversation at inappropriate times and were not very fond of being called out for their behavior. One shining moment in this 30-minute train wreck would have to be when we asked the group to provide stereotypes they had heard about Auburn students and then others would provide a personal story or example to refute that statement thereby proving that not everything that is said can apply to all members of a certain group. Well, one of the stereotypes was that Auburn students are "classy." To refute this, one girl, who had been quiet and didn't participate much before, stood up to say that there were a number of people in the room that she didn't think were very classy based on how they were acting as she shot a venomous glare toward the athletes' corner. It took a lot to walk out of the room with a straight face after that.

Finally, this week's session has been a bit of new and bittersweet experiences combined. The new came in the form of a wandering camper who had missed a bus or gotten on the wrong bus and somehow ended up about 2 hours away in Atlanta with no cell phone and no way to get back to Auburn. Since I thought myself to be the most expendable, I offered to make the trip to pick her up and bring her to camp. She had been through a lot over the past few days trying to get to Auburn and I was very surprised at how well she was holding up all things considered.

The bittersweet came as I realized that this session represented many "last times" for me in my current position. Next week, I'll be returning home for my brother's wedding so I will not be able to be around for most of Session 8. Today was the last day that I'll be able to present a session of Learning for Life or of Tigers in a New Territory. I've grown to appreciate the little things about these opportunities and have learned to read the expression on a co-presenters face that says, "This one's all yours..." Tonight was also the last time that I'll see Real World: Auburn performed. As I've mentioned before, Real World has become something special to me during my time here since I was given the chance to provide some input. I'm so proud of all of the camp counselors for their hard work and I think they are all really comfortable in their roles (well, as comfortable as some can be) and are able to shine on stage.

Even more than these, I've come to realize that I've barely got three weeks left to soak in as much as possible and absorb the knowledge and the guidance and the friendships that are available to me now. It's hard to think that so much time has passed already but I am so thankful for everything that I've gone through. I only wish I had taken more time to get to know those around me, to branch out, and to really experience Auburn.

**So, this may be uncalled for but I'm adding a "Kleenex warning" on this one, especially for a few people who have been known to cry over a thing or two.**

Over the years, I've encountered a very wide range of students through orientation. Last week I met one who was truly unique and, quite honestly, inspiring. Like many students, she was very active at her high school in both academics and extra curricular activities. She's worked at an equestrian center for clients in need of that particular kind of therapy who also had a developmental delay or other special needs. She came to Auburn to major in biology in hopes of one day becoming a neurologist that specializes in special needs children and the vulnerabilities they often encounter. While impressive, the most amazing thing about her was that in February 2009, she was unable to walk, stricken with a neurological disorder of her own. Though I'm not entirely sure of the details- her heart beats about as quickly as a hummingbird's, she has episodes multiple times a day without warning in which she essentially passes out but is still able to hear everything going on around her- she overcame a number of obstacles to reach her goals and strive to become the person she wants to be, not for herself but for the benefit of others. She was incredibly candid about her experiences and seemed to glaze over the concept that it could have been something from which she could not have recovered. To her, there was no other option but to survive, learn to walk again (she's just begun running again as well), and use her experiences to help those in similar situations. I'll probably never see her again but she was truly an inspiration for me and I hope to keep her positivity and perseverance in mind for many years to come.

2009-06-28T09:30:00.002-05:00

I PROMISE I will update tonight or tomorrow. I just wanted to write to tell my Dad hey! He apparently checks this thing religiously. So, hi, Dad! I hope Miles isn't too much trouble... do you want another kitten? One of the camp counselors is getting rid of three!!

Virtual Tour

2009-06-22T22:05:00.001-05:00

I realized that many of you have never been to or seen Auburn's campus, so I decided that I would give you all a virtual tour of the campus from my perspective.

In one of my first posts after I arrived at Auburn, I referenced recent graduates posing in front of this sign. It is an iconic spot on campus to commemorate important moments.

This is the doorway to the 189 Foy! It houses the Freshman Year Experience and Students in Transition Office! It's also pretty chilly inside. Since the new Student Center was completed, the rest of the building is basically empty so we have a nice quiet workplace most of the time!

Auburn's Student Center opened last August. One thing that is pretty unique is that there are meeting rooms on the upper floors with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the inside of the building so you can see inside of them.

Here's Teague Hall-my home for the summer!

This is the doorway of Toomer's Drugstore, home of the famous Toomer's Lemonade!

Across the intersection are the trees of Toomer's Corner that are rolled with toilet paper after an Auburn victory. Auburn is the only city in the country with Toilet Paper Removal as part of their budget.

This is the back of Cater Hall that overlooks the Upper Quad. From the steps of the balcony, student organizations announce their newest members during Call Outs. This is one thing that I'm really hoping to be able to come back to Auburn and see next year. (Happy Mark??)

Cater Hall from the front lawn.

Here is the Haley Center. For those of you who are confused by Lockett Hall's numbering system, you'd be completely lost here. Each room number represents the floor, quadrant (corner of the building) and actual room. It's somewhat confusing but I'm learning!

Jordan-Hare Stadium is right next to the AU Student Center. I love that it's in the heart of campus and that it can be seen by everyone on campus almost daily.

I'll try to get some more pictures and provide another glimpse of campus soon!

My Life: In Bullet Format

2009-06-18T22:41:00.003-05:00

Okay... now, lots more is going on but I don't have much time to update yet. I'm a bit behind on a few things as well and I hope to catch up soon. Here's a quick run down of what's what.

The presentation that Ryann and I developed for NODAC 2009 in Anaheim was accepted after a long waiting period. I think we had both given up hope but were very, very excited to find out the good news and there's even a somewhat funny story about how that all came to be.

Another proposal that I submitted was offered a spot as a poster session which means that I'll have the opportunity to research and prepare information as well as a sign or poster of my results and significant details to be put on display during the conference. I'm not super positive about much more but hopefully I'll get some more soon.

I've got a lunch scheduled for next week with someone who works in Auburn's Dean of Students Office and is a fairly well-known for his time in orientation around Region VI of NODA. I'm really looking forward to picking his brain about his path and what he sees as the next big thing in this field and in Student Affairs in general. Also, he's a fairly good friend of Dr. Bourke from his college days so I'm hoping to hear some interesting stories on that front as well!

Although I probably should have learned better by now, I've got a number of small projects in the works for the next few months. I'm hoping to co-author an article for a quarterly review with Ryann. I've also taken a few of the programs that have proven effective at Auburn and have begun to consider ways to implement them in different settings as well as back at LSU.

As I mentioned a few posts back, I'm planning a Tour de Tejas. Well, it seems like I may make a pit stop--in Atlanta! Jason Mraz and Paolo Nutini are playing two separate concerts toward the end of my trip and I've found incredibly reasonable plane tickets from San Antonio to Atlanta. I'm hoping to find at least one person to go with me to each show if not both since the tickets would only total about $75 for both. Any takers??

Lastly and perhaps what I'm most happy about, Chandler and Amanda are coming to visit this weekend! They'll be in town tomorrow night and, if they're up for it, we'll go out on the town though I've thus far refused to tell the camp counselors where I'll be. Haha! On Saturday, we'll be in Atlanta. Despite my planning nature, we're kind of playing things by ear based on how we feel about things at the time. I'm sure it will be fun and I am definitely looking forward to a nice, normal night with close friends.

I would love to post more information in a few days after our trip to catch back up and get on the right foot! War Eagle and Geaux Tigers-good luck this weekend!!

2009-06-16T14:02:00.001-05:00

Hello, all! I promise to update soon. Not much has been going on lately though. I have been busy getting ready for Session 5. Also, Chandler and Amanda are coming to visit this weekend for his birthday. We're going to Atlanta-I hope we're not too tired to be fun...

Looky, Looky!

2009-06-09T00:45:00.002-05:00

This jeep was spotted in Auburn on Thursday. I had to drive over to see it!

Tour de Tejas

2009-06-07T18:25:00.002-05:00

I've been planning a brief Tour de Tejas for later in the summer and think I have a tentative itinerary:

July 23-26: Dallas
- The Fray/Jack's Mannequin Concert on July 24
- Caroline's birthday on July 26
- General debauchery betwixt the two

July 26-27: Austin
- Hopefully catch up with Cammie and Nadia at their internships
- Learn how to Hook Them...

July 27-29: San Antonio
- Catch Jake in action at Sea World
- Remember the Alamo

July 29: Houston
- Unfortunately, this may just be a stop for lunch/dinner as I pass through on my way home although I may want to rest up since it would be a really long drive otherwise. I'm up for any suggestions...

The Company We Keep

2009-06-06T11:07:00.011-05:00

Being with Jeff and Kyle this weekend after being away for four weeks has made me realize something important about the next step in my career. While I've always valued my friends, I don't know that I ever recognized how much time I actually spend with them. Literally, I can't tell you how many times I've reached for my cell phone to call or text someone just to see what they're doing that night before I made the connection that we're a few hundred miles apart!

It’s been somewhat frustrating to spend so much time not really doing anything of substance. Granted, I’ve never been one to go out partying regularly or be the center of attention. But, since high school at least, I’ve almost always had a group of people around me just in case something came up. There’s always been something to do even if it’s just sitting around doing nothing.

More likely than not, I won't have many close friends living in the same city where I accept a position initially. I don't know that it will be very difficult to make friends; however, with moving, starting a new job, and getting settled into a new town, I wonder how much time I'll have to devote to new acquaintances. Talking with another friend tonight made me realize that I’m not alone. It was really good to just hear from him and hopefully he felt comforted by the similarities of our situations and struggles that we’ve had. I suppose that I’m good at preaching but not so much at putting it into practice.

Please don't misunderstand—I very much enjoy the people I work with at Auburn. The professional and student staffers have all been very welcoming. I'm extremely grateful that they've been accepting of me even if I am one of those other Tigers. It’s just something different, almost indescribable to others.

So, to combat any possible homesickness or “friend-sickness,” I've taken to being productive and proactive (well, as much as I can be considering). I’ve gotten to work on a number of things that have become necessary evils in my life.

Since I still haven't found a place to live when I get back in July, I've been weighing my options. Much to their dismay, living at home is out of the question for me--my parents live too far away from campus and, despite the fact that I'm nearly 25, would still have problems with me coming home late at night regardless of the reason. One factor that has become somewhat difficult to overcome is my uncertainty over what the future holds. If I find a job that starts in January, it may not be feasible or responsible for me to seek out a 12 month lease. However, it is getting down to the wire and I may have to make do with what I can and start looking for someone to sublease fairly soon.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have gotten the opportunity to flex my creative muscles! Though it isn’t much, I’m very happy with the results and the positive responses the project has garnered thus far. Again, BIG news if this goes farther than the planning stages but we’re not much beyond that yet.

Additionally, I decided that it’s getting close enough to my graduation date that I can begin to seriously consider job opportunities as I come across them. I had originally planned to actively begin the job search process once I returned to Baton Rouge in July. However, an email about an opening came this week that I couldn’t pass up even though it is a very long shot. While I would like to ideally work at a large, public university in the southeastern part of the country, I think I’m fairly open to anything. I’ve heard from others about the job search process that when the right school and position comes along, you’ll know it. I’m really just putting myself out there as much as possible, getting to know the field and hoping for the best by devoting a great deal of myself to looking for what’s right for me.

This week, I'll be taking part in student staff evaluations and even conducting a few of my own. This will be a great opportunity for me to really see advising and interacting with students on a more personal level that can have the potential to influence their growth and development for the rest of the summer. Session four is also right around the corner, but with this much needed break, I'm ready for it and all of the others too!

War Eagle and Geaux Tigers!

Not Much to Say

2009-06-05T10:58:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of postings recently. There really hasn't been much going on since Session 3 ended on Tuesday. Obviously, I slept forever that night. The rest of the week, I've been getting things together for upcoming sessions and doing research for some of FYE's programs and initiatives.

Otherwise, I'm keeping busy with some other projects that I've gotten myself into as well as looking ahead to things that are to come. I'm really glad that I've gotten the opportunity to design a few things. While I'm not super talented with graphic design but I can do a thing or two to make a pretty picture. If I get the chance in the near future, I will definitely take a class to try to become more comfortable with design programs. More exciting however is what I've been designing for which I've got to keep under wraps for a bit longer! Trust me, if things work out, it will be BIG news!!

Lastly, I'm about to head out of Teague and hit the road for Atlanta and I cannot wait!! I really miss seeing Jeff and Kyle. Hopefully, we'll get a chance to catch up and watch LSU steam some Rice! Geaux Tigers!

2009-06-01T14:53:00.001-05:00

I'm spending the afternoon relaxing in the lobby of one of the res halls watching WALL-E and it's all part of a hard day's work!!

Auburn has a program called Tiger Cubs for 6-12 year old siblings of incoming students attending Camp War Eagle. Off and on throughout the day, I've had the opportunity to stop in and assist with arts and crafts and other exciting things. While I presented in my usual times, the Cubs got to meet Aubie and tour campus incuding Jordan-Hare Stadium. They were very excited about being able to actually touch the grass on the field, too (even if it isn't Astroturf). During one of the later camp sessions, I'll have a chance to spend much more time with this program so I'm sure to have more stories then.

It kind of reminds me of my time as a summer camp counselor. I really miss those summers, especially in Bay St. Louis; I met a lot of new people and have remained very close friends with some! I'm hoping to have a chance to stop by the Bay when I return to Baton Rouge in mid-July.

War Eagle!

2009-05-31T19:26:00.003-05:00

At the parent dinner, we found a lost cell phone. The picture inside was a cute puppy. Their information was easily found by checking their numbers and personal info. The catch was with the message on the home screen where it usually says the phone company. On this phone, the message was "eat shit & die." Just thought that would brighten everyone's day!

2009-05-31T11:24:00.001-05:00

Hopefully, I'll be able to update from the cellular now! War Damn Eagle!

A few more things...

2009-05-30T21:35:00.002-05:00

I forgot to mention that I had an orientation first this past week. On Wednesday night, just as campers were about to head to evening activities, the electricity to more than half of campus went out. Pitch Black... It flickered on and off again for a few times but was off for about 10-15 minutes. Thankfully, it came back before the students left their meetings and we were able to finish the evening as planned.

Also, tonight, I saw Toomer's Corner being rolled! It's an Auburn tradition and one of the best known parts of SEC football. Apparently, there are a number of recruits in town this weekend and they were being shown a bit about Auburn's spirit and traditions. War Eagle!

2009-05-30T19:46:00.010-05:00

It's hard to believe that I've been here for just over three weeks already! It seems like it's been barely a week since I left Baton Rouge, wandered around campus hoping to find my way, started getting to know the camp counselors and head camp counselors.

I've really enjoyed getting to share my experiences and advice with the camp counselors over the last few weeks. During training week, I was able to co-present a session on Icebreakers and Conversation Starters. I taught them to play Connections and Ha! I think they liked Ha! but mostly because they were laughing before everyone was even in position. Also, earlier this week I talked briefly with one of the counselors about his goals for studying higher education and eventually to take on a administrative role. It was very reassuring to see that there will be some excellent leaders looking to move into the field in the coming years even if it does mean a bit more competition!

One of the questions they ask me most often is how does Auburn compare to LSU- orientation-wise and as a whole. I've tried to remain consistent and usually respond that it's very similar and yet very different. From the campuses to the cities themselves, from the setup and operation of programs to the orientation leaders themselves, I can see positives and negatives to both. However, as with most early jobs, I'm using my experiences to develop myself and hopefully form a better idea of what I'm really looking for in a future position. Again, I'm certain that this was the right choice for me and I'm very happy and grateful for the opportunity to work with all of the amazing people that I am around this summer! War Eagle!

During the second night of Camp War Eagle, Auburn's University Program Council puts on an entertainment for the incoming students. Session Two's programming was a game show that combined pop culture, random knowledge and health and wellness issues into an intense yet exciting format. Oh, and there were bright lights and loud music. Though it ran pretty long and we had to push back some of the other events for the night, I think everyone really enjoyed it. I'm planning to get their contact information as a possibility to bring back to LSU especially for Spring Invitational as I'm sure it would be a huge success!

On a different note, the FOAP team moved into Blake Hall today to start their intense two-week training that begins LSU's orientation season. It makes me miss LSU a good bit but I know that this internship was the best decision for me. I'm hoping to send them a little something sometime soon to help them through the summer. I know that they are going to have an amazing time and that all of the new things going on at LSU should create an exciting atmosphere for them. I hope that they get through the summer without much drama and remember to breathe, eat, sleep and orient since that's what it's all about!

War Eagle! And, since LSU baseball's playing in the postseason, GEAUX TIGERS!!

A quick note before Session Two...

2009-05-27T10:33:00.004-05:00

Session 2 is here! I spent most of the long weekend doing very little since it was rainy and gross out for the most part. I did take some time to pick up some new movies; I've bought 15 since I've been here. Yes, I know that I've got a problem. I accept it and so does my bank account so all is right in my world.

Things I'm looking forward to over the next week or so:

Back-to-back sessions-- Wednesday to Friday and Sunday to Tuesday. It will be quite exhausting but I'm interested to see how it comes together.
Possible trip to Atlanta next weekend-- I'm still debating but I'd like to go visit Kyle and Jeff sometime soon.
New movies-- The fourth season of Weeds comes out on Tuesday and next Friday, Away We Go may be in theaters here. I still want to see Night at the Museum 2.
Setting plans into action--I'm hoping to be a little bit creative, get some writing done, and get part of an assignment taken care of on Saturday. I'm very excited about the possibilities that are ahead and just hope that I can stay on top of things.
Catching up with people-- I got a wedding invitation in the mail today for Jen and Danny's wedding and it was perfect!! It was definitely something that represented them well and I cannot wait to hear about all of their planning and such. I also have to call Katie to check on her growing baby bump to see if she's lost sight of her toes yet or not!

Now I'm off to get ready for campers to arrive! Hopefully the weather will hold off until everyone is inside for the evening.

War Eagle!

Session 1 is Over and Done!

2009-05-24T00:09:00.007-05:00

Since it's been over a week since my last post, I'm skipping over some of the boring training stuff that happened before our first camp session and get right into the good stuff! On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, Camp War Eagle put on its first session! Despite feeling a bit anxious at the beginning, I was able to pick up on things quickly. I expected there to be some difference from LSU's program and was ready for whatever was in store.

An aspect of the program that I really appreciate is the opportunity to co-present at two different times during each camp session. First, one of the head counselors and I discuss overcoming stereotypes with students by relating it to the Auburn Creed. The creed calls upon students to be Auburn men and women by setting standard to which they should hold themselves. Seeing how many students know and carry out the Auburn Creed gives me hope that someday LSU's Commitment to Community will be more than just "a statement of the University's values" that students hear once or twice and never really attend to otherwise.

During the presentation, we facilitate a version of an activity that I learned about at NODAC in Boston last fall from Texas A & M called "The Wall." Essentially, students are given a number of groups in society (African Americans, People with Disabilities, Gays and Lesbians, Republicans, Muslims etc.) and are asked to list stereotypes that they had heard about the groups on bricks. Then, students are asked to provide personal examples or stories of how the statements are not true entirely because they or someone they know can disprove the stereotype. Thus we allow the students to break through the stereotypes by removing bricks from our "wall" and throwing them away.

The other presentation that I am a part of is called "Tigers in a New Territory" and is for out-of-state students and their families. Honestly, I feel a bit out of place since I can't really provide a student's perspective. Really, I can only pass along the info about what I've learned in the two weeks that I've been here and I don't know if that's very helpful in getting the message across about what resources are available for these students. My co-presenters and I talked briefly about revamping it a bit to allow for more questions from the crowd so hopefully my qualms will be resolved as well.

On the night of Day 2, the camp counselors put on a skit dealing with the real issues that Auburn students face when dealing with social and academic changes of freshman year. When I first got here, I was able to watch a run-through to provide an outsider's perspective and it honestly needed a good bit of work. On Thursday night, I was very, very proud to see all of the students perform at their best. I think they were able to finally get the reactions from the crowd that they hadn't really had before and to see all of their hard work pay off! Just in case any of them happen to read this, I gave it a 9.75... only because some of the guys literally fell offstage when they were setting up props. To their credit, the lights were out and it was their first time getting it together in the dark!

One major surprise was that course registration took no time at all. Literally, the College of Liberal Arts was finished scheduling students in 27 minutes and it only took that long because some students had difficulty logging onto the system. Although, I do kind of miss spending a few hours working with A & S!!

After a relatively quick debriefing, I passed out as I tend to do post-session. I slept for a solid 17 hours before lounging in bed for another hour or so until I felt completely worthless and made myself get up for the day. I grabbed dinner tonight at local fave Momma G's with some of the camp counselors who seemed to have an enjoyable first session and were pretty excited about next week!

War Eagle!

2009-05-18T12:54:00.002-05:00

Updating soon.

You've Got Mail!

2009-05-16T19:30:00.002-05:00

I'm hoping to post the rest of the account of my first week at Auburn within the next day or so. In the meantime and since many of you requested, the best way to get mail to me is through the office by sending it to"

Chris Landry
Freshman Year Experience
189 Foy Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849

Has it really only been one week? Part 1

2009-05-16T19:05:00.001-05:00

First, I must apologize for taking so long to update my blog. I haven’t had steady internet access since I got here because I’m not technically able to have access to Auburn’s wireless. Irregardless!

Very early Friday morning, I left Baton Rouge and made it into Auburn around 1 in the afternoon. It was a pretty easy drive, but I’m sure glad that I had music to keep me going. As soon as I drove onto campus, I realized that I had arrived on graduation day. One of the first things that I noticed was a very long line of new grads and their families. A bit further ahead, I saw the cause of the commotion—the Auburn University sign in from on Samford Hall. Each student and maybe a few of their friends were waiting to take pictures in front of the sign as a symbol of their accomplishments and pride in Auburn. Immediately, my biggest fears subsided and I knew that I would find something comforting in this institution.

After finding a parking spot, I took a few minutes to walk around campus on my own to see if I could find my way. I actually did pretty well and made it to my new office to get started. I was very warmly greeted by the students and professionals. I filled out my paperwork and got some of the basic info on the position. That night, three of the head counselors took me out to eat at a pizza place so we could get better acquainted. It was very interesting to see the dynamics between them and I quickly picked up on the deep respect that they have for one another even though they pick on each other more often than not.

On Saturday afternoon, Jenn, my supervisor, took me out to lunch and on a driving tour of Auburn. We stopped by Toomer’s Drug Store for some of their famous lemonade. It was good but it was really sweet so I may have to be in a special mood before I have some more. Later that evening, the entire staff, head counselors and I gathered for dinner at Melissa’s one of the Assistant Directors, houses. It was very relaxing and I appreciated the opportunity to get to know them all in a setting that was completely unlike my introduction to the camp counselors.

Retreat with all of the counselors was next on our agenda so I gathered my things as the other staffers and I left early Sunday morning for Shocco Springs retreat site near Talladega, AL. The head camp counselors and the rest of the crew would arrive a few hours later. We rushed around to get things in order and did so just in time for their arrival! After they changed into their gear (Army pants and a Camp War Eagle shirt), we headed for the main gym to begin team building activities. Apparently the theme of the retreat was “Let’s Watch the Weather” since rain had a big impact on our plans throughout out time. We tried to not let that get us down and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. By the end of retreat on Monday afternoon, I was able to identify almost all of the 36 camp counselors by name! That’s definitely a big plus for me because I’m terrible at remembering names let alone in such a short period of time.

2009-05-05T18:19:00.002-05:00

In just a few days time, I'll be in Auburn and then my journey will really begin. People (well, mostly just Ryann) keep asking me if it feels surreal or if I'm freaking out yet. Honestly, I don't think either are really applicable.

Do I really know what awaits me? Of course not, but I've got a pretty good idea and am ready and able to take on anything that I may encounter. That's part of the excitement! Do I have concerns or mixed emotions about going? Sure thing--I hate that I'm missing some of my closest friends' graduations, especially since I've seen them from start to finish (literally!) at LSU and experience a whole heck of a lot of growth along the way. Do I think it will be hard? Sometimes, but I also know that this is what I'd love to do with my life so I'm willing to gain the knowledge and can only hope to grow and learn from my new staff and students- who, by the way, are pictured above!

Honestly, I think I'm just ready to get started and ready to be in Auburn! More than anything, that would put any fears I may have to rest, help answer my questions and allow me to put an image with everything that I've been over-thinking! I'm still debating about whether I should leave on Thursday afternoon or early Friday morning and right now it's really a matter of if I can get my theory paper finished and packing done by noon on Thursday. If I can, then I'll be on my way as soon as I can get out of my Assessment class!!

The Times They Are a-Changin'

2009-05-01T09:54:00.003-05:00

This is really random and odd but last night I bought a new watch. I don't typically wear watches--I don't like the tan line and I feel off-balanced--so I had to find the right one. I was hoping for something Auburn-ish and was pleasantly surprised at their stock of navyish and burnt orange-y watches. When I got home, I got to setting it and started playing with the light feature. Well, it turns out that my new watch lights up orange and blue! Technically, it's more reddish than orange but I'm not worrying about the details on that. Hopefully, I'll post a pic soon because I know everyone's going to be so jealous of my new accessory!

Less than a week left now!!

(Not) All my bags are packed...

2009-04-28T14:43:00.005-05:00

I'm (getting) ready to go!

Last night I officially began the packing process. I'm trying to keep things as compact as possible but want to be sure that I've got at least some of the comforts of home. Namely, Tony Chachere's seasoning and Zatarain's box dinners!Seriously though, I picked up a few things that I knew I would need or at least hope to share with Auburn's staff and counselors about my home. Also, since I've never technically stayed on campus for more than a few weeks at a time for orientation so I've been trying to think about what household type things I'll need and get those taken care of in advance.

One thing that I may need some help with is selecting which DVDs to bring with me. I've got more than 350 (nearly 400, by now I'm sure) to choose from. Does anyone have any suggestions or favorites that I should bring with me?

I also began putting things into bins to make the best use of the space in my car. I'm pretty sure that everything will fit even if it is very snug. I know that I'll have to go to the store once I get there and have started making a list so that I don't forget anything major. Yes, I know that I am a planner.

T-minus 10 days til I'm at Auburn! HOLLER!!

I know it's late but...

2009-04-24T02:50:00.005-05:00

I have 2 weeks before I leave for the Plains and I'm still not sure what to think.

I've been working all week to get things together so that the new GA will have a good idea of where to start when she begins in June. I'm very excited to work with her in the fall and know that she will bring fresh, new ideas to LSU's programs. It's just very hard to leave what I've known for the last six years. My friends, my mentor, my home. It's going to be somewhat tough for me as this is really my first step toward the end of my career and my current phase at LSU. I'm steadily wrapping up my duties and tasks so that someone else can take the reins, and I wonder if I am truly ready to graduate and move on into the real world?

However, Auburn represents something for me that I don't know that I have had in the last few years (well, since 2003). It's a new start, an opportunity to begin with a blank slate. I'm ready to get started even though I don't think that I know enough about the position or the university to be truly successful right now. I cannot wait to get to campus and get to know everyone that has been so kind with messages and emails even this week to say hello and that it will be a pleasure to get started working together. I've seen some pictures of the leaders in training and know that they are absolutely stellar... beyond amazing!

For me, my biggest fear about this position is that I will not live up to the hype that I have created for myself, that I will not be what everyone expects of me. The thing that I hope for the most is that I learn how to successfully work with students in an advising role while still being myself and allowing my personality to shine. I really want the experience that I know others have had... something lasting, something unique, something Auburn.

I'm ready for the challenges and the opportunities that are to come, but am I ready for the unexpected?

Three Weeks!

2009-04-17T10:50:00.005-05:00

In three Fridays, I'll be at Auburn. Jenn sent me a very detailed message yesterday about things that have been going on, what to expect, and much more. I'm getting everything together and still can't believe how much I have to do before I leave. It will all get done... I hope!

Although my Spring Break provided a much needed week away from things, it also meant that there was more on my plate when I got back to work. I've been trying to stay on top of things all week and am finally climbing back to the top of the pile. Of course, I stayed at my desk until midnight last night to get classwork and other projects taken care of while I could.

I'm tossing around a few ideas for presentations for next fall's NODA Conference. Hopefully at least one gets accepted because I know how much of an impact presenting can make. At the same time, maybe selfishly, I fully expect to be on the job hunt at that time and presenting can be a great way to showcase myself informally.

Finally, I very happily joined the official Facebook group for Auburn's NODA Interns last night! It feel great to be a part of something that is well-established and has proven to be beneficial for so many before me. I simply hope that I can live up to their level of excellence!

Let the Countdown Begin!

2009-04-08T13:55:00.003-05:00

In one month, on May 8, I will be leaving Baton Rouge and LSU for my summer in Auburn. I'm very excited and still processing everything, but I'm ready to be on my way!

Just wondering...

2009-04-06T18:33:00.001-05:00

Who actually reads this blog?? I tried to be discrete in my last post but only one person responded. If you read this, even randomly when I post it as my Facebook status, leave a comment. It may help me with future posts and such...

Another Final Chapter

2009-04-02T21:37:00.004-05:00

This week marks what is possibly the last Spring Invitational that I will ever have an opportunity to work. For anyone who happens to read this (does anyone??) and is not familiar with the program, Spring Invitational is a program for high-achieving high school seniors coming to LSU. Yes, Bart Swecker, there are quite a few!

As an LSU Ambassador, I was lucky enough to serve as an orientation leader for four SPINs as we like to call it. Last year, I kind of watched things from behind the scenes though I did get to respond when a student had a seizure right before scheduling. This year however, I've gotten the opportunity to work on a few portions that I think will be helpful for my future.

First, I got to completely redesign the itinerary used for the program to make it easier to read and to include more information for participants. Though I used some agendas from other schools for a few ideas, most of the publication is purely me! I really like the design and the extras that I added.

I'm also very proud of the "Commuter Student Success" session that Ryann and I put together. We were pretty nervous today especially since we were right after crowd favorite University Auxiliary Services (they bring lots of giveaways). Though a good bit of the audience cleared out of the room before we presented, I think those that stayed got a lot out of it. Also, I think that many of the students at SPIN are planning to live on campus so our session was clearly not geared toward them. I expected to be nervous and jittery when speaking but I've been told that I did pretty well. I'm just excited to have put something together from start to finish and to see it come to fruition.

It hasn't really hit me yet that this could very well be the last time that I work Spring Invitational. The last time to act as a roamer during Check-In, to watch the LSU Ambassadors scramble and have the seniors squeeze to the front of the crowd for the annual official photo, to hear Carolyn Collins call the event by the wrong name, to worry about Louisiana's weather causing problems with the picnic or movie on the Parade Ground, to sit through or emcee "This is LSU" while students fall asleep on Friday morning, to hear the grumbling from students upset about walking across campus for lunch, to take bets on how long certain senior colleges will take to schedule, to explain to everyone that I don't eat crawfish at the Ambassador Crawfish Boil... I'm sure that I'll be a bit out of it tomorrow evening and it all may catch up to me, but I think this is just another step on my journey.

A necessary step regardless of how difficult or sad it is to take.

Haters Beware

2009-03-22T12:55:00.002-05:00

Today, I'm wearing one of my Auburn shirts for the first time. I haven't really been anywhere but I'm expecting some funny looks when I go grocery shopping in a few hours.

Sorry for the MySpace style pic but I'm alone in my office working on a paper and had to make it work!

I've come to realize that I'll be in Auburn in less that two months (and it's getting very close to being a month away). In that time, I've still got to find a place to live for the fall, keep up with my school work, work Spring Invitational, combine training materials for my replacement, potentially pack up my apartment, prepare for 2 weddings in July, and find some time to breathe. I'm ready for the challenge but aware of how much there is to do.

Something else that's looming on the horizon is my impending job search. As hard as it may be for some to believe, I will finally be graduating and leaving LSU in December. I've seen a number of job postings that I would absolutely love, but, alas, it's far too early to apply for anything as most universities are hoping to hire someone that can start in June. Luckily, since orientation is heaviest during the summer, most schools post listings in the fall to be filled by the new year. I'm very hopeful that my experience at LSU and now with Auburn's program will give me a boost and make the process short and sweet!

I think I've probably procrastinated enough and can go finish my paper on the perils of using international comparisons on American higher education. And yes, it's as exciting as it sounds.

Because Ella Asked

2009-03-17T20:40:00.004-05:00

At the graduate and professional reception at SROW, Ella, one of CWE's Assistant Directors, asked me to tell her something unique about myself. I talked about being quirky and eating my gum in a certain order (5,8,4,9,6,7,1,12,3,10,2,11--it's much easier to understand in person). I figured that there are other things about me that are intriguing so I'm stealing something from Facebook. Many of you may know these things already but if not, I hope you enjoy!

1. I really don’t like picking favorites when it comes to books, movies, music, etc. because my opinion can differ greatly depending on the circumstances when asked to choose.

2. Washington, D.C. is my absolute favorite city that I have visited so far. I can’t wait until I have the opportunity to visit for more than a few days and explore the parts of the city that are new to me.

3. Many of you may know this but I have a slight obsession with collecting movies. I have at least 350 movies and nearly 50 TV show seasons on DVD. There are some that I haven’t actually watched or that I’ve bought without seeing them and I’m waiting for a rainy day to watch.

4. On that note, I didn’t own any DVDs until my sophomore year of college. I was a bit put off by the cost at the time. Similarly, I don’t own any Blu-Rays as of yet because I am waiting for the cost to go down enough to be affordable.

5. I don’t like large, imposing crowds especially at Mardi Gras and concerts.

6. I once spent very close to $1000 clothes shopping in a single store in a matter of two hours.

7. In the past, I have attempted pottery, writing poetry, acting, singing, writing a number of books, graphic designing, comedy, and a number of other thing that I was honestly not very good at. However, I'm determined to write a book or a play before I die. I've got lists of possible titles and a really great idea that I don't think has ever been done in theatre.

8. I turned down the opportunity to go on a free trip to Israel last year because my professor for the summer told me that she wouldn’t let me miss that much class. She didn’t end up teaching the class, I changed programs with her as a major factor and I may never get the chance to go again for as little. It’s one of the few decisions in my life that I actually regret.

9. Cheap as it may be, Taaka is my poison of choice. I maintain that when mixed properly, you can’t taste the difference. Shroom Tea from Mellow Mushroom is probably high on the list, too, but only for special occasions.

10. I don’t get hangovers.

11. I spent three summers as a camp counselor in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and, despite regularly taking campers skiing and sailing, I cannot do either. I guess I was there for moral support.

12. When I watch my favorite shows, I turn the volume up fairly loud during the program to be sure to hear things clearly. During commercials however, I either significantly lower the volume or mute the TV. I’m convinced that the audio of commercials is drastically louder than television shows.

13. Matchbox Twenty’s “Yourself or Someone Like You” is the perfect CD for me regardless of my mood. I also really enjoy Jason Mraz’s “Waiting for My Rocket to Come,” Frou Frou’s “Details,” The Killers’ “Hot Fuss,” and the first soundtrack to “The O.C.”

14. I like to paint recreations of other peoples’ works. I’m not very good but it works for my décor.

15. I seriously doubt that I’ll ever have children, but I would really want twin boys and then 3 years later a little girl so that when they’re all in high school, the senior boys can watch over their freshman sister.

16. I love my car--it was the exact one that I wanted when I was 16 and my parents were very kind to get it for me. Her name is Quantaysia Diamonique Jackson. She's amazing even if she is getting a little run-down in her old age.

17. While I miss some of the people with whom I’ve lost touch since I started college, I don’t regret most of the decisions I’ve made regarding our friendships. Generally, if I stopped talking to you, there was a reason then, but I’m not opposed to trying again if I can see that you’ve changed.

18. I’ve met Barack Obama, Wyclef Jean and Chamillionaire and have pictures to prove it. I’ve also sat behind Chace Crawford in a movie. He's got a really funny and deep, bass-filled laugh.

19. I appreciate the artistry behind a good, meaningful mixtape.

20. I try to make a CD every other month or so of songs that are up-and-coming or popular so I’ve always got something for people to listen to in the car. I get a sense of satisfaction when I like a song long before it is played on the radio.

21. In high school, I swore off having a best friend because of a bad experience. I’m still a little shaky about how it all works.

22. My television set is from February of 1987. It only gets 64 channels, un-mutes itself if the channel is changed and weighs close to 40 pounds. I have two others but one is far too big and the other is far too small to be of much use with my current entertainment center so I make do with it.

23. I am scheduled to graduate in December of this year and that is probably the scariest thing that I have ever faced. I know that I’ll have to move on and move away from LSU after 16.5 semesters (15 fall/spring, 1 summer and a wintersession)

24. Eventually, I would like to come back and work at LSU. I hope that by then the bureaucratic issues that the university has will be worked out and things will be a better place for students and professionals.

25. I’ve submitted about 5 PostSecrets and am waiting for them to appear on the site. It felt good just to send them in even though they were never posted.