Rachel Ross: Week 3 with HCDC

Rachel Ross: Week 3 with HCDC

Activities 

1. Completed email communication with speakers and volunteers for 2014 International Student Orientation. 
2. Adjusting 2014 International Student Orientation schedule due to scheduling conflicts with speakers. 
3. Changing and updating Pre-Departure Guide for international students. 
4. Completed 1-page summarization document of PAWS collaboration efforts with Housing & Residence Life. 
5. Participated in one orientation fair to promote HCDC.

Experiences

I was not able to be in the office as much this week, due to academic commitments. With that said, I learned a lot about creating an orientation, and the challenges that come along with it.

I learned that creating an orientation schedule is easy, until you start asking outside presenters to participate. I had a lot of success with contacting presenters who were willing and able to present at a weekend orientation. But, I also had to deal with scheduling conflicts and adjusting the schedule based on those conflicts. I used email as my first line of communication because of the convenience factor, but it can be difficult very inconvenient when people do not respond to emails within an appropriate amount of time after receiving them. I have learned from this experience that flexibility and creativity are key in creating schedules.

To go along the same lines, coordinating schedules to set up meetings with administrators can be very difficult as well. Jacob and I have created this proposal to integrate the PAWS program into Housing & Residence Life, so we wanted to set up a meeting with an administrator to discuss this proposal. However, scheduling a meeting that works for all of us is very challenging, because we are all busy people. Again, this experience has taught me to be flexible when setting up meetings with important, busy administrators. This experience has also taught me patience throughout these types of processes.

Lastly, HCDC is working collaboratively with the International Institute to create the 2014 International Student Orientation. To thank students for coming, we want to provide them a goody bag with resources and items they may find useful throughout their year at State. HCDC had some left over materials from last year’s orientation that we planned to use again this year to save money. However, this is not an option, because the materials do not have the International Institute’s name on any of it. This experience is difficult and frustrating, especially when money is involved. However, it is necessary to include all names that have sponsored and developed the orientation. I have learned through this experience that it is important to give credit to all parties who help, which means spending more money at times to recognize all contributors, donors etc. 

As I stated earlier, I could not come into the office as much as I wanted this week. I have an extremely busy academic schedule, and I needed to take time to focus on my academics. This week’s reading focused on balance, and a quote that stood out to me was, “For the new student affairs professional, finding balance can be difficult, but it is essential.” This reading, and especially this quote, helped me validate that balance is essential for me to be successful in all areas of my life. This week, that meant taking time away from the office to focus on academics. Though balance has always been difficult for me, the reading really helped validate its importance in my life.