Char: I LOVE My Job

My name is Charlotte, and I love my job. This past 3 months has been so weird and fast and amazing, I don't really even know what to do with myself. I just got back from PRESENTING on behalf of Penn State. The idea of speaking about the experiences of 98,000 students is so crazy to me. I know I'm really only speaking on behalf of myself, but that I am trusted to represent such a new program, with such a fragile reputation to break, has been such a gift. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had in this weird awesome limbo job. Short of being sleepy, I love coming into the office every day, I love drinking my coffee and checking my email, I love walking around campus (my supervisor knows everyone on campus, it's so crazy.

2012 Charlotte is SHOCKED to read what I am about to write, but I love this school. Yes, every institution has it's problems, and things to work towards, but the people I work with are here for the right reasons, and that's such a powerful thing. I don't really know what other words to add about being here right now. Save SB and Peanut being closer, and less snow, I couldn't ask for anything more.

February 28th was our Orientation Team (OTeam) retreat. I was in charge from start to finish. I was given 4 topics, 9 hours, and a budget. And, do you want to hear something super crazy? I DID IT! I successfully pulled this thing off. I’m not really sure how. I know I asked for help a lot. I know that I tried really hard, and did by best, and got a final push from the staff in my office at the end.

After the last student staff member left the retreat center, I just stood with my supervisor (Katie) and squealed and cried and hugged and maybe shook a little. It was the best high. I made it! In the fall of 2010, I was told that there would not be a place for me with Cal Poly orientation. I cried (heavily) for 6 days straight. David made it, Mego made it, I did not. I was surprised that I didn’t bother to compare those returners who had made it to those who hadn’t. I assumed I would have. That Friday, I had a day long job interview (for a job I wanted ZERO PERCENT) in Downtown Los Angeles. They took us out for drinks after the interview, what the heck. I was barely 21. I left early. All I wanted was to train OLs. Although it took a move across the country, a year in a job i hated, a degree, working my butt off, and asking for help one million times, I did it.

My two favorite feelings in life are happiness, and accomplishment, and I feel BOTH of them here every single day. What a gift, and a blessing.

That's all for now,
Love you Al,
Char