So here is a little update as to what is going on in the Centertainment office!
The programmers are well into planning their events for the spring semester! It makes me a little sad to think I will not be here to see it all unfold and come to life.
There is newly hired manager to take over once I leave. Congratulate Miss Sarah Dowidat, our current administrative budget coordinator, as the new student manager of Centertainment! I know I will be able to leave this job in full confidence the office, staff and position is now in her hands.
The semester is coming to a close soon. Award nomination periods are closing., Promotion due dates dwindling. Mid terms have come and gone. Final projects are starting to begin. Pre-contract worksheets are due in a few weeks. Everyone around here is talking about scheduling classes, while I am planning my big graduation bash.
The "what are you going to do when you are out of here?" question is posed to me more and more each day. Only to be followed by one posed by someone close to me this past weekend, "is it real yet?"
Oh yeah, its real all right.
But I will talk about that more in my personal blog...http://www.fabulouslyprofound.blogspot.com
Because the lovely Sarah is now training to be in my position we are also hiring for her current position. If you have any questions about the position please feel free to e-mail me at ajuhn217@uwsp.edu or check out the centers employment page at http://www.uwsp.edu/centers/employment/
Off to a fabulous centers training for great food, education, people, an hour and a half of work and a raise!
More to come later this week!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
And so beings the end.
Applications for my job are due in three minutes on this Boss's Day...
I have recieved three applications...
I am really stoked that two current staff members applied for my postition, it will definitely come with some awkward office tension and friction, no matter who is hired.
It is not an easy thing to do, apply from within. That to me was the single most awkward experience I have had to deal with in my time here at UWSP. Interviewing with a whole panel of people that I have already worked with. So many questions come to mind like:
"Do I act like I know everyone already?"
"How should I answer the questions I know they are already going to know the answers to?"
"Should I be as professional as I would be if I didn't know who everyone was?"
When I applied, I did a little bit of both. The question about what my previous or current employer say about me, I answered, "Why don't you ask them?" and then proceeded to answer on my own.
At the end I ran around the table giving everyone a high five. I don't remember why I decided to do it, but I did...
I love interviewing and hiring. That is probably one of my favorite parts of this job. Natually the last time I get to do it is for my job.
Centertainment has always received some greif about out interviewing process. Yes, all 15 of us (the advisors included) sit at a loooong table and ask questions popcorn style. I need to work on not making my nonverbals as apparent... always something to work on.
There is something I am flattered by, but plain and simple tired of it. I feel like people have this heightened level of what they expect from me. I have been doing this for a few years now and people know it. They have this oh-Avra-has-been-there-done-that-ask-her-to-do-it-or-for-advice attitude.
It can get really frustrating. I had to figure it out on my own, why can't you? Its not even completely that. Many of the ways I do things is guaranteed not the best way. I want those that come after to me to do better. Not the same.
I already knew there was going to be a lot of tears this semester, I just did not know they were going to start this early...
Two of my beloved staff members made me a wonderful boss's day gift full of drawings, catch phrases, song lyrics and letters of admiration and we will miss you's. I don't want to leave, but I have to and I have to do it gracefully.
That is going to be so hard.
The semester has been going so well with attendance and show quality. Thank you readers!
The staff is in the begining stages of the Centertainment Productions branding process. I want to be here to see it come to life.
But this is the first of many projects I need to take a step back from so they won't miss my hand in things once I am gone.
It has been interesting preparing for the next couple semesters knowing I am not going to be here. Reserving locations, assigning dates, begging CRU to give up the Laird on a Thurday in April. I even booked another space before they could bat an eye!
Graduating is going to the most bittersweet experiences I will have to go through. There is so much I have accomplished and now it is someone else's turn. I hope I leave somewhat of a legacy.
I will be going out with a huge bang, as expected. I am in the process of planning my graduation party. I booked a band this week and have to get the food taken care of next.
I can't thank the Centers and this University enough for everything i have come out of this experience with.
And so begins the end.
I have recieved three applications...
I am really stoked that two current staff members applied for my postition, it will definitely come with some awkward office tension and friction, no matter who is hired.
It is not an easy thing to do, apply from within. That to me was the single most awkward experience I have had to deal with in my time here at UWSP. Interviewing with a whole panel of people that I have already worked with. So many questions come to mind like:
"Do I act like I know everyone already?"
"How should I answer the questions I know they are already going to know the answers to?"
"Should I be as professional as I would be if I didn't know who everyone was?"
When I applied, I did a little bit of both. The question about what my previous or current employer say about me, I answered, "Why don't you ask them?" and then proceeded to answer on my own.
At the end I ran around the table giving everyone a high five. I don't remember why I decided to do it, but I did...
I love interviewing and hiring. That is probably one of my favorite parts of this job. Natually the last time I get to do it is for my job.
Centertainment has always received some greif about out interviewing process. Yes, all 15 of us (the advisors included) sit at a loooong table and ask questions popcorn style. I need to work on not making my nonverbals as apparent... always something to work on.
There is something I am flattered by, but plain and simple tired of it. I feel like people have this heightened level of what they expect from me. I have been doing this for a few years now and people know it. They have this oh-Avra-has-been-there-done-that-ask-her-to-do-it-or-for-advice attitude.
It can get really frustrating. I had to figure it out on my own, why can't you? Its not even completely that. Many of the ways I do things is guaranteed not the best way. I want those that come after to me to do better. Not the same.
I already knew there was going to be a lot of tears this semester, I just did not know they were going to start this early...
Two of my beloved staff members made me a wonderful boss's day gift full of drawings, catch phrases, song lyrics and letters of admiration and we will miss you's. I don't want to leave, but I have to and I have to do it gracefully.
That is going to be so hard.
The semester has been going so well with attendance and show quality. Thank you readers!
The staff is in the begining stages of the Centertainment Productions branding process. I want to be here to see it come to life.
But this is the first of many projects I need to take a step back from so they won't miss my hand in things once I am gone.
It has been interesting preparing for the next couple semesters knowing I am not going to be here. Reserving locations, assigning dates, begging CRU to give up the Laird on a Thurday in April. I even booked another space before they could bat an eye!
Graduating is going to the most bittersweet experiences I will have to go through. There is so much I have accomplished and now it is someone else's turn. I hope I leave somewhat of a legacy.
I will be going out with a huge bang, as expected. I am in the process of planning my graduation party. I booked a band this week and have to get the food taken care of next.
I can't thank the Centers and this University enough for everything i have come out of this experience with.
And so begins the end.
This is why I get up and come to work everyday!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Let the semester begin!
WOW! Is all I can say right now. Followed by a WHEW! I am still going strong though. The second week of school has passed was just as much of a success as the last! Last week, Centertainment Productions had a *fantastic* welcome back week, as I completely expected we would. The staff is constantly working together in an efficient manner. We all have each others’ back. It is a good feeling to know I am working with a group a highly skilled, extremely intelligent, creative and fun people.
The Poster Sale!
Judson Laipply and the Evolution of Dance LIVE!
Saving Jane!
Max Judo aussie rock band!
Scvngr Hunt!
Ice Cream Social!
Owl City (photos 1 and 2 at right) w/ Linden
Tie Dying!
Pre-Release of Star Trek!
Each event had radical turn outs of students. The freshman class especially was represented. Get ‘em while they are young! I always say and it’s true. If they know about Centertainment right away, they will be dependably attend events, support us and tell others about us as well. Let the infiltration begin! These students will hopefully go on to apply for jobs at Centertainment or anywhere in the Centers or on campus, because they are “well educated!”
I have a secret…
I didn’t go to my first Centertainment event until after I was hired as the public relations coordinator 2 years ago. Granted it was only my second semester here as a transfer student. I was not well educated. Now I feel it is my duty to spread the word as much as possible!
This past week was the first week we put out an issue of the Pointer Newspaper for the semester. Again, with a fairly new but highly intelligible staff we were able to produce a quality product and still get out of there before sun rise!
Even Vice Chancellor Bob Tomlinson said he was very pleased with the professionalism the Pointer has already demonstrated it possesses. The SGA president Scott Asbach and Julie Schneider a prominent UWSP staff said they were very pleased with the paper and its great reporting!
Now that we have had our preliminary weeks of major firsts, we can now look forward to continuing to produce and program great products and resources for the UWSP campus community.
This photo can be found in the Poiner, Mark Nook at the State of the University Address.
SIEO’s involvement fair was a success yet again. It was my last one! L Sad panda. It is such a great opportunity to network and learn about what all (150?) student org are about and have to offer.
Get involved! It will help you in all aspects of your life while you are in college and then some!
I would like to hear if you attended the fair and what the experience was like for you. Please e-mail my student account at ajuhn217@uwsp.edu and I just might post your comments on my blog!
It’s a great time to be employed by the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Random thoughts as the semester approaches
Well things are definitely starting to speed up around here as the semester quickly approaches. Between distributing event calendars, adding shows after the calendar has gone out and our fall retreat, I am starting to feel at my regular level of busy again.
I often wonder why I thrive on being so busy, all the time. It is quite the mystery to me. I seem to operate better and complete my tasks more thoroughly when I have a lot on my plate.
Wow, after today I am surprised I even wrote that much.
I am almost looking forward to those days when working in the office only to realize I was so involved in what I am doing my afternoon class started 10 minutes ago. Oops.
Many of the Centertainment staff members can attest to this. I am guessing many, many other Centers students can also say this has happened to them.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not condoning skipping class whatsoever. I often have to remind myself and other student employees – school comes first.
That is a hard thing to remember, especially for me when I know I will be graduating soon and that is all I will be doing is working. If I can even find a job…
Last week I was driving home from seeing a sick friend. You know how you don’t get a phone call or text for hours or even days? Then there is that one moment when everyone calls you and everyone texts you? That happened to me when I was on the road.
One of the people who called is a close friend of mine who, like many of my colleagues, is looking for a job after graduation. He contacts me rather upset at least once a week about his seemingly endless job search.
After that phone call I received another from a friend who is just starting school and just landed another job.
I started thinking about how ironic this is. Granted the job my friend without a degree was hired for is what you may call a “dead end job” and the job my graduate friend is looking for is his career. I keep telling myself I may not find my career right after I graduate and am prepared to finds that dead end job again, after four and a half years of blood sweat and tears and being busy.
Have I set myself up for disappointment?
I helped another friend of mine with his résumé. He served our country before he enrolled in higher education an
d is now a UWSP graduate. He has been living off his GI bills and government grants the entire time he was here. He has a four year degree, veteran’s status but NOTHING to fill his résumé.
It is amazing how everyone has a different story, different variables and situations in life, and yet we are all expected to do the same thing.
I kinda feel like this particular has a lot of ideas that do not really mesh, but I tried. It’s the busy brain waves getting in gear for what is to come I guess.
If you are living in the halls in the fall please look through the large pile of paper information on your desk and in your mailbox. Get connected to campus as soon as possible. The rich UWSP campus community is at your fingertips and I guarantee you have experienced nothing like it.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about getting a job on campus or anything related to Centertainment.
I often wonder why I thrive on being so busy, all the time. It is quite the mystery to me. I seem to operate better and complete my tasks more thoroughly when I have a lot on my plate.
Wow, after today I am surprised I even wrote that much.
I am almost looking forward to those days when working in the office only to realize I was so involved in what I am doing my afternoon class started 10 minutes ago. Oops.
Many of the Centertainment staff members can attest to this. I am guessing many, many other Centers students can also say this has happened to them.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not condoning skipping class whatsoever. I often have to remind myself and other student employees – school comes first.
That is a hard thing to remember, especially for me when I know I will be graduating soon and that is all I will be doing is working. If I can even find a job…
Last week I was driving home from seeing a sick friend. You know how you don’t get a phone call or text for hours or even days? Then there is that one moment when everyone calls you and everyone texts you? That happened to me when I was on the road.
One of the people who called is a close friend of mine who, like many of my colleagues, is looking for a job after graduation. He contacts me rather upset at least once a week about his seemingly endless job search.
After that phone call I received another from a friend who is just starting school and just landed another job.
I started thinking about how ironic this is. Granted the job my friend without a degree was hired for is what you may call a “dead end job” and the job my graduate friend is looking for is his career. I keep telling myself I may not find my career right after I graduate and am prepared to finds that dead end job again, after four and a half years of blood sweat and tears and being busy.
Have I set myself up for disappointment?
I helped another friend of mine with his résumé. He served our country before he enrolled in higher education an
d is now a UWSP graduate. He has been living off his GI bills and government grants the entire time he was here. He has a four year degree, veteran’s status but NOTHING to fill his résumé.It is amazing how everyone has a different story, different variables and situations in life, and yet we are all expected to do the same thing.
I kinda feel like this particular has a lot of ideas that do not really mesh, but I tried. It’s the busy brain waves getting in gear for what is to come I guess.
If you are living in the halls in the fall please look through the large pile of paper information on your desk and in your mailbox. Get connected to campus as soon as possible. The rich UWSP campus community is at your fingertips and I guarantee you have experienced nothing like it.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about getting a job on campus or anything related to Centertainment.
Follow this link to find out more about the first week of Centertainment events on Facebook
Check out this band coming on September 5. They are getting big, FAST.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Some life skills to think about
After meeting with one of my journalism professors I started thinking about how many times I referenced this job and how it related to what he was talking about in regards to his teaching career. And then really how it can be applicable to any career.
We talked about what turns people’s listening off and what keeps it cranked up on high. He is quite a long –winded professor and realizes that after a while, his students just stop listening. There are things he is working to make his lectures and explanations more enjoyable and make students want to listen to him. I know, as a manager, I have these tendencies as well. I can totally tell when the CP! staff has stopped listening to me.
This is a life skill to work on: keeping a captive audience.
A different but very important subject was that of common customer service courtesies. I mentioned I have applied for a job via e-mail (like they asked) and haven’t even heard back with a simple “thanks for applying” response. I think it is a nice gesture, to put the applicant a slight ease, to acknowledge the recipient has received this important and official e-mail. My professor however, has a differing opinion. He said that takes time. I argued they could do an automated response. He had the same argument. There are just some things that don’t really need a response. He told me just doesn’t respond to e-mails containing questions and inquiries he has already answered. This relates back to the issue of maintaining a captive audience. He isn’t being avoidant; he is just using trying to use his time wisely as well as those who are asking the questions. I then started to think about how much time I spend responding to e-mails. And then responding to e-mails on things I have already talked about.
Another life skill to work on is: know how to use your time.
Learn what to spend your time on and what to let slide.
When conducting interviews, I used to call every single person who applied to Centertainment positions. Either to tell them they got an interview or not, and then if they got the job or not. I have realized what kind of time this takes up, trying to get a hold of people you may never come in contact with again. You can do just the same e-mailing everyone who did not get the job or interview and still encourage them to apply again. I have come to the conclusion it really is all in how you look at the situation. There are ways to be efficient and still be personable. Does that make sense or am I just rambling here?
As you can see this is just the beginning of what working on campus can do for you. Working on campus allows you to learn skills that are not only applicable at your job, but are applicable to your classes, outside jobs and internships, your future careers and hopefully your life in general. I am reminded of this every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY!
We talked about what turns people’s listening off and what keeps it cranked up on high. He is quite a long –winded professor and realizes that after a while, his students just stop listening. There are things he is working to make his lectures and explanations more enjoyable and make students want to listen to him. I know, as a manager, I have these tendencies as well. I can totally tell when the CP! staff has stopped listening to me.
This is a life skill to work on: keeping a captive audience.
A different but very important subject was that of common customer service courtesies. I mentioned I have applied for a job via e-mail (like they asked) and haven’t even heard back with a simple “thanks for applying” response. I think it is a nice gesture, to put the applicant a slight ease, to acknowledge the recipient has received this important and official e-mail. My professor however, has a differing opinion. He said that takes time. I argued they could do an automated response. He had the same argument. There are just some things that don’t really need a response. He told me just doesn’t respond to e-mails containing questions and inquiries he has already answered. This relates back to the issue of maintaining a captive audience. He isn’t being avoidant; he is just using trying to use his time wisely as well as those who are asking the questions. I then started to think about how much time I spend responding to e-mails. And then responding to e-mails on things I have already talked about.
Another life skill to work on is: know how to use your time.
Learn what to spend your time on and what to let slide.
When conducting interviews, I used to call every single person who applied to Centertainment positions. Either to tell them they got an interview or not, and then if they got the job or not. I have realized what kind of time this takes up, trying to get a hold of people you may never come in contact with again. You can do just the same e-mailing everyone who did not get the job or interview and still encourage them to apply again. I have come to the conclusion it really is all in how you look at the situation. There are ways to be efficient and still be personable. Does that make sense or am I just rambling here?
As you can see this is just the beginning of what working on campus can do for you. Working on campus allows you to learn skills that are not only applicable at your job, but are applicable to your classes, outside jobs and internships, your future careers and hopefully your life in general. I am reminded of this every single day. EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Something I am constantly reminded of at my job here on campus is there is so much wiggle room to what some may call "screwing up."
I am terrified of dealing with money. TERRIFIED. Especially large amounts of it, that isn't even mine... makes sense. I think. But as my kind and noble supervisor told me today, "Yeah, you really need to get over that."
The university contract we sign with performers states the university takes a percentage of merchandise sales, without sales tax. This means we need to count the merch in and out after the sales are completed. We then need to count the money, figure out how much of it is tax and then take the percentage of the earnings before tax is added. Sounds confusing right? To you math whizzes out there, I am guessing not. But for me to do that math in front of artists that aren't always keen on us taking their hard-earned money makes me really nervous.
What settles my nerves and my stomach is knowing I will have plenty of opportunities to practice this, what some may consider simple, math. As with anything, the more and more one practices something and has effective feedback he or she will improve.
Like I have mentioned many times in the past, working on campus is more than a job. There are more than enough opportunities to leave your comfort zone and practice some thing you may be frightened to do. That really is one of my favorite perks of this job.
Nice digs, I know.
And you can have nice digs as well. The Student Employment and Involvement Office is always advertising job opportunities to UWSP students. Make sure to fill out your profile to have e-mails sent you about job openings that you would be interested in:
https://mypoint.uwsp.edu/sieo/sieo005/student/default.aspx
I am terrified of dealing with money. TERRIFIED. Especially large amounts of it, that isn't even mine... makes sense. I think. But as my kind and noble supervisor told me today, "Yeah, you really need to get over that."
The university contract we sign with performers states the university takes a percentage of merchandise sales, without sales tax. This means we need to count the merch in and out after the sales are completed. We then need to count the money, figure out how much of it is tax and then take the percentage of the earnings before tax is added. Sounds confusing right? To you math whizzes out there, I am guessing not. But for me to do that math in front of artists that aren't always keen on us taking their hard-earned money makes me really nervous.
What settles my nerves and my stomach is knowing I will have plenty of opportunities to practice this, what some may consider simple, math. As with anything, the more and more one practices something and has effective feedback he or she will improve.
Like I have mentioned many times in the past, working on campus is more than a job. There are more than enough opportunities to leave your comfort zone and practice some thing you may be frightened to do. That really is one of my favorite perks of this job.
Nice digs, I know.
And you can have nice digs as well. The Student Employment and Involvement Office is always advertising job opportunities to UWSP students. Make sure to fill out your profile to have e-mails sent you about job openings that you would be interested in:
https://mypoint.uwsp.edu/sieo/sieo005/student/default.aspx
Thursday, July 9, 2009
As I was attempting to bake red velvet cupcakes for the red, white and blue potluck we had last week at work I started thinking...
I would never have the opportunity to be baking for a bunch of people if I didn't have this job. I have baked or prepared a dish to pass numerous times for the people I work with. I do not cook, bake, nor do I do the betsy homemaker thing very well.
This is my avenue to practice. And you can feel comfortable knowing if you screw up, the people around here will still appreciate you and at least choke down the crappy cupcakes. But like any other job, this should only encourage you to do better next time.
A concept like this can be applied to other aspects of this job and life. I never would have had the opportunity to plan the drag show of my dreams on campus or be able to meet some famous and hopefully soon-to-be-famous artists and entertainers. I would also never have been able to run the interview process (one of my favorites), be apart of important decision making committees and give feed back to make this a better place for those who will experience it in the future.
It feels good to know you have accomplished something for the greater good, whether it be for those who are here currently or those who will be here in the future. Just like how good it feels to know people are eating what you have prepared for them to enjoy. I truly believe that food is the ultimate way to a feel-good time.
Needless to say the cupcakes turned out well, everyone seemed to like them. I want to give a special thanks to Andy who always eats what I make. ( Even though, I think its just to make me feel better :)
I would never have the opportunity to be baking for a bunch of people if I didn't have this job. I have baked or prepared a dish to pass numerous times for the people I work with. I do not cook, bake, nor do I do the betsy homemaker thing very well.
This is my avenue to practice. And you can feel comfortable knowing if you screw up, the people around here will still appreciate you and at least choke down the crappy cupcakes. But like any other job, this should only encourage you to do better next time.
A concept like this can be applied to other aspects of this job and life. I never would have had the opportunity to plan the drag show of my dreams on campus or be able to meet some famous and hopefully soon-to-be-famous artists and entertainers. I would also never have been able to run the interview process (one of my favorites), be apart of important decision making committees and give feed back to make this a better place for those who will experience it in the future.
It feels good to know you have accomplished something for the greater good, whether it be for those who are here currently or those who will be here in the future. Just like how good it feels to know people are eating what you have prepared for them to enjoy. I truly believe that food is the ultimate way to a feel-good time.
Needless to say the cupcakes turned out well, everyone seemed to like them. I want to give a special thanks to Andy who always eats what I make. ( Even though, I think its just to make me feel better :)
Monday, June 29, 2009
It is the beginning another great week here in the University Centers. I just want to give a little shot out to the Centers Services team! They washed the outside of the Centertainment office windows in the rain today. It just started pouring right in the middle of it! There are so many great people I work with here.
The student employees are what makes the Centers go round! As a manager I try to always keep in mind we are all students here. No one has more than someone else to do; we are all in the same boat.
Learning
Studying
Working
Socializing
Networking
Achieving
This means there is always someone to talk to! There is such a sense of community here. A network of support and encouragement. I was thinking just yesterday how hard it is going to be for me to leave at the end of the up coming semester.
These thoughts were prompted after reading Andy's blog about getting involved in the Student Government Association.
DO IT!
I am involved with SGA in a bit of a different way than Andy is. I report about SGA for the campus newspaper "The Pointer." I never really thought I would like getting involved in "politics." I have learned so much though!
As a student at this university, this is YOUR money they are dealing with, YOUR education and YOUR environment in which you have a right to be comfortable in.
It is also a great way to feel that sense of a networking community. You will meet more great people to count on during your time here.
Not to mention being involved in student government look phenomenal on a resume!
I have an addiction to always know what is going on around me. Seems natural being a journalism student, hmm? Being involved with SGA and having professional relationships with the people directly involved provides me with a lot of the knowledge I want to know about.
This is a skill I know I will use in any of my post-college career endeavors and I know you will too.
And connecting this into employment as I have been called to do, there are employment opportunities through SGA as well. You could even run to the president or vice president of the student body!
There is some food for thought for you to chew on until next time!
*Avra*
The student employees are what makes the Centers go round! As a manager I try to always keep in mind we are all students here. No one has more than someone else to do; we are all in the same boat.
Learning
Studying
Working
Socializing
Networking
Achieving
This means there is always someone to talk to! There is such a sense of community here. A network of support and encouragement. I was thinking just yesterday how hard it is going to be for me to leave at the end of the up coming semester.
These thoughts were prompted after reading Andy's blog about getting involved in the Student Government Association.
DO IT!
I am involved with SGA in a bit of a different way than Andy is. I report about SGA for the campus newspaper "The Pointer." I never really thought I would like getting involved in "politics." I have learned so much though!
As a student at this university, this is YOUR money they are dealing with, YOUR education and YOUR environment in which you have a right to be comfortable in.
It is also a great way to feel that sense of a networking community. You will meet more great people to count on during your time here.
Not to mention being involved in student government look phenomenal on a resume!
I have an addiction to always know what is going on around me. Seems natural being a journalism student, hmm? Being involved with SGA and having professional relationships with the people directly involved provides me with a lot of the knowledge I want to know about.
This is a skill I know I will use in any of my post-college career endeavors and I know you will too.
And connecting this into employment as I have been called to do, there are employment opportunities through SGA as well. You could even run to the president or vice president of the student body!
There is some food for thought for you to chew on until next time!
*Avra*
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Appreciate the Attitude
Hello all! I hope you are enjoying these early dog days of summer before the best years of your life (so far…). The Centertainment event schedule is in its final stages for the fall semester. I am so excited for this semester, I can barely contain myself!
I did have a bit of a roadblock in my life a couple weeks ago… It had me questioning my abilities and work ethic. But also made me realize how fortunate I am to have this job.
One thing I can definitely appreciate about working in the Centers is that I know I am appreciated. Working on campus is also a growing opportunity. There is a lot of feedback from both sides, the employee and the employer. Communication is key.
I was recently let go from a part time job that I had only had for about three weeks. They did not give me a good reason as to why they let me go, and I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I later found out from some faithful friends, I had managed to make, they thought I “had an attitude.” I will agree on this to some degree. I think I cared too much, something that has been deeply embedded in my work ethic from working on campus. I wanted to do things the right way, and I was fired for it? There was a guy who would come in for his shifts drunk and only ever got warnings. Figure that one out. But, this is an issue they could have easily confronted me about and I would have made a conscious effort to change.
In all honesty, I think I may have intimidated them. I wanted to do things the right way because that is the only way I know how to do things. I have a lot of job experience in the field this job was in and they just simply didn’t like the fact they couldn’t push me around.
I am seeing a growing trend in regards to this. It appears to me the more people are in need of jobs, the more employers are treating their applicants and current employees poorly. Employers *know* people need jobs and are taking advantage of how poorly people will let themselves be treated in order to get a paycheck.
My sister for instance, is a substitute at a local amusement park in my hometown. Instead of the people who need someone to take their shift doing their own dirty work and finding someone themselves, the subs have to call around to see if anyone needs a shift covered. That is bogus. If I need someone to cover a shift, that shift is my responsibility to take care of and find someone to work it.
I have a lot of friends looking for employment at the moment. Most of them are recent graduates. Not to scare you, but they are having a really hard time finding employment. I do believe that by the time you are a college grad, the market will be in better shape. Especially if you have an impressive University Centers job on your résumé and know how to market it to employers (I will talk about that at a later date).
Anyway, when my friends are submitting applications they are not informed of the status of it for weeks, if they are lucky to even hear back at all. It is up to the job seekers to again do someone else’s work. I will be the first to prove calling people to tell them they did not get an interview or the position are not the easiest phone calls to make, but are a common courtesy.
Let’s face it, this generation of employment seekers is a very ambitious one. We are finding ourselves bored at our internships and holding three and four jobs at a time if we can get hired.
All I can say in light of the situation is stay positive and confident you can find employment. Get as much experience while you are on campus as you can. Seriously, you will be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them here. You will get so many opportunities at professional –type tasks and responsibilities you will think you can conquer anything.
I feel like that sometimes! Especially after a successful first week of classes and events!
The events the first week of school, I believe, sets the tone for the whole semester. And this semester’s first week events is definitely a fabulous one.
The Poster Sale will be held in front of the DUC Pergola all week (Mon. Aug 31-Fri. Sep. 4) from 9am to 5pm.
Tuesday, Sep. 1 Judson Laipply will be on campus. I know you know who this is (unless you have been living under an Internet rock)!
click on the photo!
Wednesday, Sep. 2 Saving Jane is gracing the campus with their presence. Their hit song, Super Girl, has been on my Mp3 player for months!
Come to these events to find out about more Centertainment events. Also, look for an events calendar in your awesome stack of information on your desk in your res. hall room when you move to campus.
I did have a bit of a roadblock in my life a couple weeks ago… It had me questioning my abilities and work ethic. But also made me realize how fortunate I am to have this job.
One thing I can definitely appreciate about working in the Centers is that I know I am appreciated. Working on campus is also a growing opportunity. There is a lot of feedback from both sides, the employee and the employer. Communication is key.
I was recently let go from a part time job that I had only had for about three weeks. They did not give me a good reason as to why they let me go, and I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I later found out from some faithful friends, I had managed to make, they thought I “had an attitude.” I will agree on this to some degree. I think I cared too much, something that has been deeply embedded in my work ethic from working on campus. I wanted to do things the right way, and I was fired for it? There was a guy who would come in for his shifts drunk and only ever got warnings. Figure that one out. But, this is an issue they could have easily confronted me about and I would have made a conscious effort to change.
In all honesty, I think I may have intimidated them. I wanted to do things the right way because that is the only way I know how to do things. I have a lot of job experience in the field this job was in and they just simply didn’t like the fact they couldn’t push me around.
I am seeing a growing trend in regards to this. It appears to me the more people are in need of jobs, the more employers are treating their applicants and current employees poorly. Employers *know* people need jobs and are taking advantage of how poorly people will let themselves be treated in order to get a paycheck.
My sister for instance, is a substitute at a local amusement park in my hometown. Instead of the people who need someone to take their shift doing their own dirty work and finding someone themselves, the subs have to call around to see if anyone needs a shift covered. That is bogus. If I need someone to cover a shift, that shift is my responsibility to take care of and find someone to work it.
I have a lot of friends looking for employment at the moment. Most of them are recent graduates. Not to scare you, but they are having a really hard time finding employment. I do believe that by the time you are a college grad, the market will be in better shape. Especially if you have an impressive University Centers job on your résumé and know how to market it to employers (I will talk about that at a later date).
Anyway, when my friends are submitting applications they are not informed of the status of it for weeks, if they are lucky to even hear back at all. It is up to the job seekers to again do someone else’s work. I will be the first to prove calling people to tell them they did not get an interview or the position are not the easiest phone calls to make, but are a common courtesy.
Let’s face it, this generation of employment seekers is a very ambitious one. We are finding ourselves bored at our internships and holding three and four jobs at a time if we can get hired.
All I can say in light of the situation is stay positive and confident you can find employment. Get as much experience while you are on campus as you can. Seriously, you will be allowed to make mistakes and learn from them here. You will get so many opportunities at professional –type tasks and responsibilities you will think you can conquer anything.
I feel like that sometimes! Especially after a successful first week of classes and events!
The events the first week of school, I believe, sets the tone for the whole semester. And this semester’s first week events is definitely a fabulous one.
The Poster Sale will be held in front of the DUC Pergola all week (Mon. Aug 31-Fri. Sep. 4) from 9am to 5pm.
Tuesday, Sep. 1 Judson Laipply will be on campus. I know you know who this is (unless you have been living under an Internet rock)!
click on the photo!Wednesday, Sep. 2 Saving Jane is gracing the campus with their presence. Their hit song, Super Girl, has been on my Mp3 player for months!
Come to these events to find out about more Centertainment events. Also, look for an events calendar in your awesome stack of information on your desk in your res. hall room when you move to campus.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Hello fellow UWSP students!
I am glad you could join me today as you begin your journey as a college student! Especially in this time of economic stress, you probably could not be in a better place. It may seem rough, but if you keep your eyes on the prize and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel you will soon find out how rewarding your college experiences will be.
I am going to tell you about my journey. I graduated high school in a class of about 500 students in 2005. I was then off to Luther College, a small private school in the corn fields of Decorah, Iowa. It was a city in itself but it forced me to be more independent than I ever had to be in my life.
Before I has even started high school, I had developed a very high work ethic and was then practically addicted to working. So what was one of the first things I did when I arrived at college? You guessed it. Looked for a job.
I was a music and theater student so I already had a lot of connections in these departments. When I was a touring the college as an incoming freshman I had met with the professor who ran the costume shop. He told me to come find him when I arrived on campus and he would give me a job. Always try to make these kinds of connections. When someone says “come find me and we will see what we can do for you” DO IT. Even if you aren’t that interested, it could be an essential launch pad.
So I started working in the costume shop which gave me another job opportunity in the scene shop. This then gave me another job opportunity to work in the theater department main office. And in turn, gave me another job on the fine arts building custodial staff during the winter break!
See what I mean?
As you could probably tell, I ended up transferring. I was very far from home and ear training kicked my behind. So I decided on Point because of the prestigious fine arts department and it is closer to home. I intended to somehow be involved in theater design tech, for obvious reasons.
I landed a job in the costume shop here and found it very challenging. I enjoy a little bit of challenge so I stuck it out as best I could.
I was fired halfway through the semester.
I decided to become a communication major after this. It was definitely career changing. It was not until second semester I found an open public relations position on campus. At this time, I did not realize the force that is the University Centers.
I was granted an interview. The Centers was then housed in the oldest (and probably scariest) building on campus. I had to trudge all the way over there in the March snow. Unaware of what I was about to get myself into. There were at least 10 people in that room, plus myself. It was quite intimidating.
But needless to say, I was hired as the public relations coordinator for Centertainment Productions.
Centertainment is the student event planning and programming board department of the University Centers.
After a year as the PR coordinator, the student manager position opened and I jumped for it. That was the second most awkward interview I had ever experienced because I now knew all 10 people on the interview panel.
That is where I am at now and have been for two semesters: the student manager of Centertainment. I had never even considered event planning as an option. But I find the joy it brings to audiences and to the event planners. Just as the joy costumes bring to a theater performance and the people who produce them.
As my graduation date approaches I am faced with a similar dilemma I had when I began my college journey. Looking for a job. I am journalism emphasis communication major and I read about newspapers folding (no pun intended?) every month. Like I said, you are in the best place you could be for employment.
There are jobs that open on this campus every semester!
College employment is so much more than a pay check every two weeks. It is a supplemental learning experience. If you play your cards right, or are picky enough, you will find something directly related to your area of study. Or if you are like myself, even if it is not related to your major or minor, you will find avenues in which it is. I will talk about this more in the future.
PLUS! You will meet some of the greatest, most unforgettable people you have ever met in your life. I have so many best friends that I have met by working on campus. I still am friends with people I worked with in the costume shop!
Stay tuned to my blog for updates on campus events, employment opportunities and how to get the best of your college career through employment.
I encourage you to start looking for a position on campus. It will ease the nerves of your parents and help you develop essential life skills. Simply interviewing is a great tool to practice.
It was nice to meet all of you!
*Avra*
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