Jacob Haun, Week 6: Holmes Cultural Diversity Center

Activities

• Emailed professionals about speaking at training and finalized PAWS training
• did research of activities for HCDC activities for different presentations
• Met with Supervisor

Experience

It is really incredible to think that summer is already over. It is also a sad reality that my time with HCDC is quickly drawing to a close. I feel like this summer I have learned so much, and have been able to really expand my student affairs knowledge. If anything, this summer has furthered my excitement for my student affairs future. It proved that I can do different types of work, and have the capability to make things happen. 

Its interesting to think that I have already done so much in my graduate years, and it has been hard for me to admit that I am a professional. However, as the summer goes on I continue to think of myself as more and more of a professional. The things I do are not all that different than the things that those with masters degrees do, or even doctorates. The idea that I am maturing in my degree is a really weird feeling, and something that was specifically mentioned within the book. Working through this summer has made me really think hard about where I want to go in my future, and I think its safe to say that i am not sure. Specifically the authors of Chapter 8 speak about getting a doctorates degree or working practically in the field. I would agree with the book that educational excellence is important, and I do not think that a doctorates degree is completely out of the question. However, I think that knowing myself is also important. I want to experience the field, and also take some time to do other things besides school. At this point, I can't really say how long it will be, but I forsee a break in my educational future. 

Another really interesting piece of working in my internship was understanding the different places that are available to work at. Mississippi state is a public university, which I have grown very accustomed to. The book speaks about the three different institution types and I think it will be really hard to leave the large public lifestyle. I am not opposed but the job opportunity would have to introduce itself. 

This summer has offered many different lessons that I was happy to learn. First and foremost, is the importance of networking. The book has hit on this several different times, and I believe it to be true more than ever. Connections in student affairs are of the utmost importance because its the way things get done. In my assistantship in housing, I get things fixed because I have a personal connection with the person that needs to fix it. In my practicum this summer I used my experience from the university community to schedule individual meetings for the training I was working to set up. The book also spoke to being a problem solver. This was a real issue of concern this summer. I was handed essentially a list of last years training and a list of the concerns. I was told to make it better. Problem solving, I have found is kind of what student affairs majors are famous for. We handle all the things that no one else wants to do, and we have to be creative when we do it. Another interesting piece brought up in this week's reading from the book was having broad shoulders and small tear ducts. This really spoke to me, because it is such a hard yet important lesson to learn. You need to learn how to stand your ground and defend your position when you are working on something, and also how to handle things that are disappointing with grace and ease. I have learned that I get a lot farther on anything that I am working on when I can explain myself thoroughly and well.

The practicum experience has taught me a lot, and I am sad that this experience is over. However, perhaps another lesson I am learning is the art of moving on. Its time to create a new adventure, and learn new lessons.