Do What You Love, Love What You Do...

I have always intentionally surrounded myself by people who are positive and passionate about their careers or journeys in life. When I was an RA at Shippensburg (shout out!), I was blessed to have such great mentors who guided me to follow my heart into Higher Education. Something unique about our field is that people are constantly aiming to inspire you from the day you step onto a college campus. I remember the day I realized I wanted to go into Higher Ed. Pete, my RD and now friend/colleague, sat down with me to look at opportunities for graduate school and plan out what would be best for me. Quickly realizing that this girl was NOT ready to take on the books and papers for the next two years, I accepted a job at Rosement College where I literally had the time of my life. I absolutely loved the people I worked with, made great and lasting friendships and was able to prepare myself for the next three intense years of gradate school...where I would surely be changed.

There are a few people in this world who are lucky to have mentors that influence them both personally and professionally. The faculty and staff at Shippensburg shaped me into the person I am today. I look back on all of my experiences, and this is the one that I am most thankful for. I was pushed in the classroom to strive for As and to keep pushing when things got tough. I was challenged as a supervisor and an educator to my students. I worked with such PASSIONATE coworkers who are rising in our field every day...who I am so thankful to keep in touch with on a regular basis (however, we need more reunions). I worked with staff members and supervisors who accepted me at my best but were there for some rough moments right by my side.

After grad school, I've had two unique and shaping professional experiences. To work in First Year Experience, Residential Education and Student Activites after two full years is a lot...but I wouldn't change any of it for the world. I have expanded my skill set and challenged myself just like I was set up to do at Shippensburg. I can only hope that in my next journey, whereever that may be, that I can continue to strive to have the impact on students like others had on me. Thoughts of Shirley fill my head on how I want to impact others...just like she impacted so many people. To be kind, to love life, to let that show in everything I do, to not anger or complain, and to be real with others...those are things that I want the most for my professional career.

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

People have different outlets when they are angry or upset. Some drink, others smoke...I write. Who am I kidding, I also shop and get pedicures, but when I am channeling my true emotion I can't help but type away. The theme of today is literally, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...kudos to my girl Kelly Clarkson. I have been told this phrase time and time again over the last six months due to my mom, job search, you name it...people love to tell me this. The truth is...despite everything that I've been through and all the the emotional challenges that I'm facing...I'm still blessed and lucky. There are people in this world who literally have nothing. Who don't have a home, job, or friends - all combined. Yes, I am strong...but there are plenty of people who are much stronger than I am. Most of us live in a world of privilege...where are problems are so small compared to others. I am trying to keep this in perspective while dealing with the pain and suffering that I face every day.

This year has been quite a whirlwind for me...everything has changed so much, literally everything. I think a lot of my sadness lately has just been with the unknown. I've never not had a job or had a plan for where I am going to be professionally. I've always been the person who had a plan...and right now, I don't. I just have to keep trusting and having faith...but right now all of the emotions in my life just seem to be a whirlwind. I'm just going to keep rocking out to Kelly Clarkson and trying to carry on.... :)