Met with Philip Westbrook, Director of Blackburn Institute
Met with Travis Railsback, Director of the Career Center
Shopped for supplies for the Staff Retreat and office at Hobby Lobby
Collaborated with Supervisor to decide on a staff retreat theme and activities
Researched 80's information
Packed boxes of supplies for retreat
Contacted community organizations to schedule volunteer opportunities
Work Community Service Center Orientation Table
My office, Ferguson Center 346
My Desk!
This past week has gone by in a blur. It was a very busy and productive week. My meetings this week with Director Railsback and Director Westbrook went very well. Both of these men had great advice, and we had the opportunity to discuss various issues here at Alabama and in higher education in general. Particularly, the meeting with Director Railsback got me excited about my new graduate assistantship in the fall at the MSU career center. Career advising is continuing to be a major interest of mine. I am excited to learn more about it and prepare for the job market in that area.
The second big project this week has been the staff retreat. Wahnee and I have worked together to decide on what theme the retreat should be and how to incorporate it into the staff development and training. I have really enjoyed having the opportunity plan this event. I love planning, and I haven't had a great deal of opportunities to do it in the past year. This week we decided on the activities the staff will do such as painting canvases for the office by speciality area, painting take up signature pages with a Rubik's cube on them, ice-breakers and team builders, as well as developing a take home bag with eighties goodies and a 80's music CD. Through the process of planning, my supervisor and I have discussed the need for staff development and how important a good staff is. My supervisor recently selected a new assistant director and this growth is going to affect how the entire staff interacts. Also, a majority of the staff are current students. This adds an entirely new element to staff development. However, the students I have had an opportunity to work with have been extremely mature and task minded. This staff retreat will allow the students to get to know each other, learn more about the center, and grow together as a cohesive staff.
The boxes we are packing with supplies for the retreat! They are full of canvases, paints, brushes, pens, pencils, decorations, etc!!
My idea board in my office for the staff retreat. It lists the staff retreat slogan which will have various eighties words all around it on bright neon paper. It also lists popular 80s icons, music, movies, and sayings. Lastly, the staff activities and the supplies needed for each.
The other aspect of my position this week, has been reaching various community organizations to find opportunities for volunteers for Hands on Tuscaloosa and The Ripple Effect. Again, this has been more challenging than expected, however we are making some progress! The biggest challenge is the large number of students these sites will accommodate. Even for large organizations finding something for 40 students to do can be challenge.
Advertising for Ripple Effect
Last years Hands on Tuscaloosa Volunteer Day advertisement.
Our Orientation Table
Working here at Bama has taught me so much. Particularly, I have learned more about what type of institution I hope to work at and what type of student I like most. I have also learned a great deal about the importance a great staff and an effectively working office through this process. My supervisor and I have had in depth discussions regarding differences between types of institutions as well as her experiences after graduate school. I am continuing to learn more and more daily. I am so excited for the type of work I will be doing this week. I am always extremely sad that this experience is coming to an end. I love actually working in student affairs. However, this is making me extremely excited to start my work at the Career Center in a few weeks!
Me and BIG AL!!
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