Roaming Horned Frog

July 2, 2010

I apologize for being gone for 4 months! So much has happened since.

1) I got a job!
2) I got a job!
3) I got a job!

What can I say? I went with my heart and it told me to keep waiting and I waited until the end. I am still in the Big 10! It's all about fit and I believe I found the best fit: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

I have so many people to thank. First and always, Greg. If it wasn't for him, I don't know where or what I would be doing today. He said, "do what you want to do." Student Affairs. It's been 2 years since he's passed; I'll never forget how he's changed my life. Second, my parents. Although they wanted me to be a doctor and I broke their hearts and went into Higher Ed, they are still supportive. Third, my former supervisor, Kate. She is the supervisor I aspire to become. I can't imagine what my experience as MSU would be if she was not my supervisor. Fourth, my cohort. I can't imagine having any other cohort. I've learned so much from the different experiences and conversations we've had inside and outside of class and work. I love them so much. Finally, my #sachat folk. I didn't know that I could find another supportive group out there. When I was job searching, I had so many questions and had to make so many hard decisions. In addition, I was nervous about interviews. I received so much support from the #sachat community. Simply incredible. Thank you. You know who you are. :)

*Update*

So I moved back home after graduating. Woo! My parents were thrilled. I tried to get a lot done: dinner with sisters, dinner with Rebeccah (TCU, SWACURH, NACURH friend for life), hang out with my cousins, hang out with my brother, work at my parents' shop, hang out with my best friend Ambika, dinner with high school friends (Nydia --who now works for the Boston Red Sox, and Marqui), go to Gloria and Edgar's wedding, visit Summerbridge (Breakthrough Collaborative), and eat at some of my favorite Fort Worth/hometown spots (Riscky's, Pirhanna's, Fuzzy's). Oh --- I also went to Mississippi for a family reunion, got back, had 2 days to pack/organize and then left for Urbana-Champaign. Wooo!!!!

Now I'm in Urbana. I love it here. I am really excited to start work on Tuesday. I have a staff of 12, 1 Multicultural Advocate, and me. There were at least 10 people that came to help me unload my car. It was fantastic! I've pretty much finished unpacking. I just need to organize a few more things, but I feel like I am "at home" now. I spent way too much money at Target to complete my apt. I still have much more to go. I need a beautiful painting over my bed. I need 2 TVs (one in my bedroom - small, and one in the living room - medium). My walk-in closet is amazing. I love it. Apparently, I have the largest apartment. I totally believe in Karma. I had the smallest apt. at MSU.

I've been watching a lot of TV---on-line. Catching up on season finales and summer shows.

Music camp is in my hall. Love the screaming, laughing, yelling. I love life in the hall. When I moved to Williams Hall last summer, it was dead. I was terrified to leave my apt. at night. Living in THE oldest residence hall at MSU didn't help. Here at Wardall -- I feel safe because I know that I have about 300-500 music campers living above me. :) Makes my day.

I am going to go to the Farmer's Market early tomorrow morning, if I can find it. I want to get flowers for my kitchen. :) I need to find plants to put in my apt. Also -- spending the weekend with my favorite NASPA buddy, JJ. I'm driving to Dekalb to hang out with him tomorrow. Then we're going to Chicago for the 4th and the Taste of Chicago. :)

Hope you all have a safe and wonderful 4th of July Weekend. I promise I will post regularly.

Cleda

March 6, 2010

It's Saturday --- and placement for me is done! Woo! I've had such a great experience. Meeting all sorts of new people and people from Twitter.

Day 1 - Orientation and getting acquainted with the mailbox was quite an interesting evening. It was nice to get a note of encouragement from my home institution (Charlie T-O). I really appreciated it.

Day 2 - I had some interviews that went okay and one that was scheduled that day that went fantastic. I felt a connection with the institution and the people. I was really fortunate for them to ask me to interview with them and fell in love with this institution. **I met @thestacyface and it was pretty exciting to see someone that I had "tweeted" with and met via #sachat. FUN FUN FUN.

Day 3 - I had some big interviews that left me with the following: "I'm not sure how I feel." I left TPE this day feeling a bit overwhelmed and trying to rethink what my path would be and where I wanted and hoped to go....Also, later in the evening, went to Gioco's for Bristol's Birthday dinner! It was DELICIOUS! Highly recommend it.

Day 4 - Today was good. I interviewed with a school that wanted to interview me because they believed I was a "good fit" for their position (student activities) and the interview was incredible!

I feel better and more confident in myself. When I retook the StrengthsQuest test, Connectedness showed in my top 5. I think originally it was in my top ten, but it showed up this time. I believe that what happened with Greg (my mentor who passed away before I started my journey in Student Affairs 2 years ago) and what happened at Michigan State (how I came without an assistantship and became proactive and found internships/jobs that lead me to where I am today)...I truly believe that things happen for a reason. I am more motivated to become the student affairs professional I was meant to be. I definitely want to "pay it forward" and give my all. That's what Greg did for me and I believe he's truly helped me in my process in the job search. I've asked for guidance and I believe he's with me helping me out.

It's going to be a good job search. I still have C3 in Boston (ACPA). Really hoping to see where this all leads me. I can't believe it's this time in my life.

In addition, I believe my cohort has done wonders for me. We've truly been supportive of each other in our process. Every day, we find a room in the candidate resource room (preferably one near extensions/outlets) and watch each others stuff. We get excited when people come back from the first and second and third rounds of interviews talking about how they loved the institution and can see themselves there. I haven't seen this happen among other cohorts, but have seen it in ours. Talk about challenge and support (Sanford). Lots of support! :)

Anyways, going to sign off for the day and start packing my bags. I am moving to the conference hotel partially tonight. Good luck to all TPE candidates. Really excited about going to a reception tonight....heavy appetizers = dinner.

Much love,

Cleda

February 23, 2010

Just realized that The Placement Exchange is next week! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! I am so happy that I am almost in the working world of Student Affairs. Technically, I already am, but I would love to go full time and not worry about reading every hour of every day and writing, revising, and reading, and more reading.

I honestly love working as as Assistant Hall Director. I'm constantly working on something for my staff, my residents, for my supervisor, and supporting my coworkers. My job energizes me to a whole other level. I enjoy my courses, but I am just about done. Going straight from undergraduate to graduate work ---that's 6 years of postsecondary education. I'll worry when I get into a Ph.D. program. Hopefully, I find a program and job that fits me.

Speaking of this semester, it's going to go by quickly. Placement and NASPA are the next two weeks, then I have a break. Then I go to C3 and ACPA. Then break again. Who knows who will ask for campus interviews. I'm really excited and I hope for the best for my cohort. We're a pretty fantastic group. Everyone has had different experiences.

Well....just wanted to take some time to reflect a bit. I'm waiting for two loads of laundry, listening to Chopin, and about to catch up on some on-line work. Then I am volunteering at our Spring Break Safety fair in one of our Cafs. :) We'll see how that goes! :)

Much love,

Cleda

Ask me about #sachat for ACPA/NASPA??? thoughts?