This week I've been able to bond a lot more with the staff here at MUW's Student Life Office. I feel a lot better about my position now that I have worked with various staff members and those bonds are becoming solid. During the first half of my practicum, I was in and out of the office, and really collaborating with admissions, whose office is across the street. Therefore, I didn't have the opportunity to get to know those that work in the Student Life Department.
It also helps that two people from MSU work in the office as well. It's been great to work with them on more of a professional level, as opposed to being classmates. I'm thankful for the people in this office, and the sense of community that they create. Everybody has a pretty good sense of humor and they all know how to work with each other towards a common goal. My practicum is quickly coming to an end and while I won't miss driving to Columbus everyday, I will miss the people here. I definitely plan on maintaining the relationships I've created here.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned back in June about how close the people that work at the W are and how many of them are graduates and/or from the Columbus area. I was looking earlier at job openings at schools around the southeast and was just curious to see how many openings MUW had. The majority of the position descriptions I skimmed over mentioned in their qualifications section that they preferred a MUW graduate. I thought this was very interesting because as an institution they are recruiting the same individuals that went to school there and really not bringing new ideas into their organization. Anyway, just thought that was interesting since you noticed and mentioned it a few weeks back.
-JMV
Jason -
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post it made me reflect on my situtation at Dickinson. The staff has been wonderful to me and has really not only opened up their offices for me to learn, but has opened up to make me a part of the "office family". It is comforting to know that I will be able to see Mary, my supervisor, again at NASPA this year, but I'm starting to really think about how leaving everyone is going to feel. Keeping those connections is going to be so important to me and I'm jealous that even though you are seeing something completely different, you are only 20 minutes away to be able to continue those reationships. Hope that thought is somewhat comforting that you wont really have to lose those new relationships!
Carrie
JM, that is very interesting that they actually listed that as a preference to job seekers. While it definitely can be seen as a negative or limitation, I think it emphasizes the specific culture here at MUW (one that I'm learning more about everyday). But I agree with you, it may allow the departments here to remain somewhat stagnant.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, thanks for the reassuring thought! It definitely is comforting :)