Into the Wild...Let the Hunt Begin #24

Making Mistakes.

I had my first trial-by-fire experience at work this week during Orientation. I was allowed to advise my own students and I was ready to jump right in! I felt prepared but at the same time, I was overwhelmed by how much information I needed to remember or keep in the back of my mind. I was at a disadvantage because I missed the orientation adviser training but I had observed and shadowed advisers during the past two weeks so I felt like I knew the gist of it.

Boy, was I wrong about that.

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself but I made a few mistakes that I shouldn't have (all with the same student, who was incredibly agreeable about the whole thing). I kept saying to people who would check in with me: "I can't believe I forgot that!" Or "I feel so bad that I missed that..." But for those of you who have ever worked orientation, I am sure you can understand this when I say: it's chaotic. In all the hussle and bussle of getting students in and out with a full schedule, things can slip through the cracks and your attention to detail can wane. I am lucky that I work with such a supportive team and my coworkers were there to help me understand my mistakes and also fix them.

It's tough, though, feeling like you're the only one messing up. I don't want people to think I haven't been paying attention during my training or that I'm a sloppy adviser. It's only my third week though, and most people who I have talked to here about my trip-ups have tried to tell me that it is not the end of the world and it takes time to fully grasp everything.

I'm nervous for next week though. It's our largest orientation session to date and while this week they started me off easy with about 5 students, next week I know I will be back-to-back with appointments and that leaves little room for error...or should I say little time to FIX errors...

I have this card framed in my office that my professor gave me which serves as a gentle reminder during these times of doubt/anxiety/stress, which reads: So slowly, breathe and smile.

*Woo-saaaaah*

Into the Wild...Let The Hunt Begin #23

Group Dynamics.

One of the most memorable classes I took in graduate school was about Group Dynamics. Perhaps it was because the professor was one of the most intelligent, articulate, hilarious, and extremely caring people I have come to know in the realm of academe. But mostly it was so memorable because of what it was about and what occurred in the class daily: GROUP DYNAMICS.

The good. The bad. The uncomfortable. The awkward. The frustrating. All of the dynamics that I encountered in that class prepared me for work in higher education. Honestly, I cannot tell you how important it is for me to assess the group of which I am now a part. I am treading lightly, as I begin to see the relationships, the "frenemies, the cliques, and the alliances. My plan? To be nice to everyone and not engage in the gossip that people "let me in on" during our conversations.

Don't you hate that? Just because you're new and you don't know everyone's personalities and roles they play in the group, people approach you and say, "Now let me let you in on a secret--this doesn't leave the room but..." and then they begin to tell you something like Janey over there has a habit of being needy, or Billy Bob thinks too highly of himself. It's a tough situation to be in because 1) you want to be included but 2) you don't want to take sides. Since I haven't had enough time to formulate my own opinions about these people yet, I just silently listen, but I will not engage in that kind of gossip!

In my opinion, everyone I have met is great in their own way and I am friendly with each of them. But our department is divided physically--we are split in two separate buildings. The physical divide is beginning to manifest itself in front of me in subtle ways. For example, I sent out an email today asking for suggestions about who to pair up with to do some shadowing. One person in my office said that I could choose anyone and since I've begun making connections with folks on the other side, I should work with one of them. I read that email and was like "Oh crap. Do they think I'm betraying them because I went to lunch with people from 'the other side?' Do they not get along with those people? Will I be shunned in my own office now?" It's silly to think, but when you work in such a small office like mine--only 7 people--and there is a larger "main" office that holds the rest of the department, it is very easy to form a sub-family and feel like a separate entity. That means stronger, deeper bonds. That in turn means interesting group dynamics for when EVERYONE gets involved.

I should probably bring my book from that course into my office as a permanent fixture on my bookshelf!

Real World: Job Search #20

Theory to Practice

It just occurred to me that in the next few weeks, I’m about to undergo some major transitions. Not that this is exactly a new revelation, but it just sort of started manifesting itself more in my thoughts. I’m about to move to a new state, a new city—starting a new job at a new school. With new people and places. New challenges, new triumphs. New supervisors. A lot of new things…

And then I started to think about all of the transitions I’ve already undergone in the last few months: graduating, no longer being a student, ending my assistantship, leaving my students and friends.

And before I started getting worked up about this prospect, I remembered that I was already equipped with the knowledge to combat this anxiety: Nancy Schlossberg’s theory about transitions. Personally, it’s always been one of the most relevant theories about which I learned in graduate school.

I’m going to totally oversimplify this, but in a nutshell, the theory explores a framework for coping with transitions. While all of my recent and upcoming transitions have been anticipated, some of the effects have been unanticipated. However, I have tools to help me as I undergo these major life transitions: Schlossberg’s four S’s.

· Situation – fully understanding the situation—such as the timing, what has brought abut the transition(s), whether a role change will occur, concurrent stress, etc—helps to make the transition less daunting

· Self – personal and demographic characteristics, as well as psychological resources, affect how a person views and copes with transition

· Support – comes in the form of family, friends, intimate relationships, and institutions/communities

· Strategy – the steps that dictate how a person chooses to deal with the transitions

Using this knowledge, I’ve done a sort of mental checklist of the Four S’s for my own situation. It’s been helpful in getting a handle on the changes. Maybe it will be helpful for you!

[Schlossberg, N.K., Waters, E.B., & Goodman, J. (1995). Counseling adults in transition 2^nd edition. New York: Springer]

Into the Wild...Let the Hunt Begin #22

One Week Down.

I cannot believe I have finished one week of work in my new position. It feels like an accomplishment in and of itself! But I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues, who is three weeks into the same position, and we were talking about how we wish we could just blink and it'll be one year later and we are experts and know everything.

Isn't it funny how not knowing everything makes us uneasy in our positions? It makes sense though when, as graduate students, we became experts in our assistantship areas and knew everything we needed about our department and the school in general. To go from that to a newbie is tough and also a little humbling. Everyone who is starting a job or will be starting by the end of the summer, the only tip I can really give you is to be prepared to feel lost and ASK QUESTIONS. Depending on what kind of training you are given--be it trial by fire or organized back-to-back meetings--you may feel insecure or at ease.

When I meet for training sessions with another colleague (who is an alum of the university and has worked in this position for years) it is like talking to an encyclopedia and all I can think of is: I want to be like that! But I keep needing to remind myself, and through blogging remind all you other newbies out there: it will take time, but one day we will be the go-to person. One day we will be the walking encyclopedia!

Real World: Job Search #19

Summer Sun

I remember at some point in my last semester, I wrangled with a decision about what to do during the summer. My assistantship had graciously offered to keep me on until I started my job in July. I would have been able to stay in my apartment. I would have been making money, which would probably have been nice—a few extra dollars to help me settle into the new job and the new home. But I wouldn’t have had any time to myself.

There are two different camps with opinions on this subject. One side says that you should work, save the money, stay mentally in shape, keep busy. The other side says to take a break, go travel somewhere, spend time with people. I’ve always believed that I was in the first camp. I had absolutely no intention of taking a break between graduation and starting my job.

But when I sat down and thought about it, I started to change my mind. See, I’ve been working nonstop for the last five years. Since I went straight from undergrad to grad school, I never had the opportunity to have some “me” time. I’ve been a student for as long as I can remember. I had a job in undergrad that sometimes prevented me from coming home over breaks. So between that job, summer internships, and other opportunities I’ve been afforded over summer and holiday breaks, well—I haven’t had a chance to breathe in almost five years.

So, instead of staying up at school and working, instead of saying yes for once, I said no. I made the decision mostly for my sanity. I didn’t want to start a new job and then be burnt out in the first few months because I haven’t had a break. So, I took a break. I’m home for the summer. I’m not working. Since I have graduated, there’s no schoolwork to keep me tied to my computer.

About a month into this break, I’m glad I took it. I have spent time with my family. I’ve slept in late. I’ve spent time at the beach. I’ve visited friends. I’ve gotten to read for pleasure! I have a little less than a month to go of my summer break, but I couldn’t have asked for a better “vacation.”

Into the Wild...Let The Hunt Begin #21

Job One, Day One.

I wanted to open this post by channeling Captain Kirk from Star Trek. You know, the whole "Captain's Log: Star Date June 7th, 2010" and what have you. Why, you may ask? Well because today was my first day at my new job and it certainly feels like I'm sailing through space, through unexplored terrain. Don't get me wrong, today was amazing. It was probably the best first day of work I've ever had over the past few positions I've held in various arenas. Nonetheless, I still feel like I'm floating away through space...and wondering at the same time how I will ever remember everything!

It's an exciting challenge--getting to feel comfortable in a new school with different procedures and unfamiliar places and faces. I know in time it will be home and I cannot wait. I can honestly say that starting work after the most difficult two and half weeks of my life was a welcome change for me. I felt relieved and comforted the minute I stepped into my new office (10 minutes early) and saw the team setting up a welcome breakfast for me. The warm greetings, the sympathies, and then the sheer excitement and joy they shared with me about the job and having me with them was so humbling. I am thrilled to be working with these people. I remember writing about how I really enjoyed interviewing at this school because of the people. I also remember my professor telling me that if you feel as though you will get along with the team members, that's a huge pro because they will be the people who you will be spending most of your time with each week.

As an "outsider" for now, I could tell that the team really acts like a family. I cannot describe how comforting that was, especially since I am still a little emotional and being away from my family right now is tough. But this job...these people...it may sound corny but I really can see them becoming my second family. The community there is so bonded and I just cannot wait until I form those bonds with everyone. I am so looking forward to day two!

Real World: Job Search #18

Offering Hope

It’s June 1^st. Maybe if you are still reading this blog, you are still in the midst of the job search. You are not alone, I promise! I know several friends and future colleagues that are still searching for that job offer—some even waiting for a first on-campus interview, or a phone interview. I’m writing to you all to tell you: DON’T GIVE UP!

Here’s how the job search works. It’s kind of like a Catch-22. As grad students, we’re all looking for a job. We find some available positions, which get snapped up pretty quickly. Then, we apply for some “anticipated” openings, too. These anticipated openings only become available if and only if the person in that position currently decides to move on.

The problem with the anticipated openings is that the staff members currently in those positions are also job searching—and the positions for which they are applying may also be anticipated. So they can’t make a decision on whether they are leaving until someone else makes a decision first. In this current economic climate, the people who up and leave a position without the promise of another job are few and far between. Everyone wants job security.

All of this to say that positions are still opening up every day. Keep checking online. Keep using your contacts. Maybe it’s time to start broadening your search. If you have absolutely never considered another functional area, maybe now is the time. Keep it up! Good luck, friends!