I am rarely speechless. As I entered the Joyce Center at the University of Notre Dame on graduation day, wearing unflattering (yet fully recyclable) academic regalia and walking in line with a group of the best people I've ever met, I don't think I could have put into words what I was feeling. When my name was called, magna cum laude, and I walked across the stage to pick up the most expensive and hardest-earned piece of paper I own, my mind was racing with thoughts of "holy crap this is awesome" and "try not to have a double-chin in these pictures" and "please, for the love of Mary, don't fall down the stairs." And after our degrees were conferred, as we stood with arms around each other to sing the alma mater, Notre Dame, Our Mother, all I wanted to do was cry and laugh, because it was over and we actually did it. And through it all, I don't know if I could have said anything out loud other than a simple, "wow." Even now, with a week as a Notre Dame alum under my belt, I still don't know if I can fully put into words what it has meant to me to be part of this program... but I'm going to try.
This experience is a life dream fulfilled. I'm not sure how many people can say that they have been able to achieve their dreams. After all, even though they may have some grounding in reality, unlike fully attainable goals most of our dreams are pretty unrealistic. I have dreamed of being a Broadway star, living in the French countryside, and falling in love with a clone of Dave Grohl. And for much of my adolescent life, I dreamed of being able to go to a school the caliber of Notre Dame. I had the grades but lacked the finances coming out of high school. Don't get me wrong - I had a great college experience and was part of a very good master's program at a state school, but there has always been something inside of me that wanted to test myself through the learning experience at an elite university. I suppose it could have been any one of many elite universities in this country, but Notre Dame has always held the most special of places in my heart. It simply feels different than any place I've ever been. So while many girls grow up imagining their weddings and husbands and babies, I imagined what it would be like to say I graduated from Notre Dame. Well, let me tell you, it's freaking awesome. But rather than wanting to shout it from the rooftops, I feel honored and humbled more than anything else. I look forward to hanging this diploma on my wall, but I also know how hard I had to work for it - and how hard I will have to continue to work to feel worthy of it (and, well, to pay for it...). In the end, I suppose that's true of any dream fulfilled.
I continue to be amazed by the love, support, and encouragement of my family and friends and co-workers. It is a gift to have people in my life that inspire me to work hard and try to do my best. I realize now more than ever that rarely is success achieved without help from others. They may not do the work for you or even provide the funding for it, but they do countless other small things that make it possible for you to reach your goals. The people in my life said prayers for me, gave me words of advice and encouragement, listened to me when I was stressed out, bought me drinks and shared meals with me, and gave me the support to be away from work and home so that I could spend two summers on campus. This is truly a gift.
I knew I would have a great academic experience, but I didn't expect to meet so many people who care so deeply about their work and the success of the students in this program. From the faculty and staff to my classmates, I don't think I encountered a single person who didn't want us to learn and do well. Some professors weren't quite as successful as others at making their subjects relevant for the nonprofit world - and some were certainly challenging in other less positive ways - but there is something to be said for anyone who invests their time in this program. And some of our professors gave so much more than I could have imagined... because it wasn't just important for us to learn their subject but to use it to make ourselves and our organizations better. The staff of this program simply created a family away from home for us. Never have I seen quicker response to questions and concerns, and they made sure we had everything we needed to be successful - from information to support to a steady stream of coffee breaks just when we needed them. I've already gushed about my classmates, so I'll just say one thing about them - they are just some of the best people I've ever met, and I'm so grateful that I got to share this with them. I will continue to cheer for their success and look forward to seeing the rest of my cohort cross that stage over the next couple of years.
Time will tell what else I may be able to accomplish and share with others as the result of this experience. But for now, it feels pretty amazing to be Irish.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
the end of the road
*cue BoyzIImen music*
As of noon today, I have submitted all parts and pieces of the field project, my last remaining requirement for the MNA degree. I was fortunate to receive a promotion last summer that allowed me to take on new responsibilities for marketing and communication planning, and I've spent almost this entire year doing research and keeping records, making charts and reading about best practices, going to meetings and talking about graphic design and core messages... all in service of developing a new marketing plan. For me, this project really was not only the culmination of what I've (hopefully) learned at Notre Dame but also the representation of my first year in a new position. This project, while time-consuming and often seemingly insurmountable, has taught me so much. I guess I can really say that about the whole degree. I went in not really knowing what would be next for me, and now I have a much clearer picture of where I think I want to go from here. Time will tell, but it's all pretty exciting. I'm ignoring the fact that I now have thousands of dollars of new debt. It'll be worth it. I can get football tickets for face value now. :)
It seems impossible to imagine that this time two years ago, I was apprehensively buying books, school supplies, and glamorous items like shower caddies and extra-long twin bed sheets in preparation for my first summer at Notre Dame. It's even more impossible to believe that it has already been two years. Two whole years. While at times it felt like we may never actually reach the point of being finished, this program has flown by. Maybe it's a function of being older - the days and weeks and months feel shorter and shorter... or maybe it's a function of the program design - the summer sessions allow 11 weeks of your life to disappear while you live in a little bubble in northern Indiana... or maybe it's just that whole thing about time flying when you're having fun. I've probably worked harder for this degree than for anything else I've ever accomplished (except for that physics for science majors class I took as an undergrad... majoring in music), but man. We had some fun.
I still can't say enough about these beautiful people that I call my classmates, colleagues, and friends. They make me incredibly grateful for social media. Though time and distance separate us, we can still ask for advice or vent frustrations through a snarky conversation in our facebook group, share funny kid/pet/life posts on instagram, or send completely unflattering double-chin pictures through snapchat. I am grateful for so many things in my life, but few compare to the Notre Dame experience. In just a few short weeks, I'll be back on my beloved campus, dressed in a cap and gown made of recycled plastic, and ready to walk across that stage. I'll try not to mess it up. :)
As of noon today, I have submitted all parts and pieces of the field project, my last remaining requirement for the MNA degree. I was fortunate to receive a promotion last summer that allowed me to take on new responsibilities for marketing and communication planning, and I've spent almost this entire year doing research and keeping records, making charts and reading about best practices, going to meetings and talking about graphic design and core messages... all in service of developing a new marketing plan. For me, this project really was not only the culmination of what I've (hopefully) learned at Notre Dame but also the representation of my first year in a new position. This project, while time-consuming and often seemingly insurmountable, has taught me so much. I guess I can really say that about the whole degree. I went in not really knowing what would be next for me, and now I have a much clearer picture of where I think I want to go from here. Time will tell, but it's all pretty exciting. I'm ignoring the fact that I now have thousands of dollars of new debt. It'll be worth it. I can get football tickets for face value now. :)
It seems impossible to imagine that this time two years ago, I was apprehensively buying books, school supplies, and glamorous items like shower caddies and extra-long twin bed sheets in preparation for my first summer at Notre Dame. It's even more impossible to believe that it has already been two years. Two whole years. While at times it felt like we may never actually reach the point of being finished, this program has flown by. Maybe it's a function of being older - the days and weeks and months feel shorter and shorter... or maybe it's a function of the program design - the summer sessions allow 11 weeks of your life to disappear while you live in a little bubble in northern Indiana... or maybe it's just that whole thing about time flying when you're having fun. I've probably worked harder for this degree than for anything else I've ever accomplished (except for that physics for science majors class I took as an undergrad... majoring in music), but man. We had some fun.
I still can't say enough about these beautiful people that I call my classmates, colleagues, and friends. They make me incredibly grateful for social media. Though time and distance separate us, we can still ask for advice or vent frustrations through a snarky conversation in our facebook group, share funny kid/pet/life posts on instagram, or send completely unflattering double-chin pictures through snapchat. I am grateful for so many things in my life, but few compare to the Notre Dame experience. In just a few short weeks, I'll be back on my beloved campus, dressed in a cap and gown made of recycled plastic, and ready to walk across that stage. I'll try not to mess it up. :)
Monday, December 22, 2014
the home stretch
I don't know how it happened, but somehow we're here: 16 months since my last post and only 1 final thesis project to go before I finish my degree at Notre Dame. I heard a saying once (or saw it on a t-shirt or a needle-point pillow) that went something like, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." That feels relevant to my Notre Dame experience somehow, which, considering it's been almost 2 years since I received my acceptance letter, has strangely flown by in a bit of a whirlwind.
I suppose if only for my own edification, I should try to recap what has happened since August 2013. I took 2 online courses in fall 2013, one in spring 2014, and the final one this fall. These were my first online classes, and my initial take-away is that online education should never replace at least some traditional on-campus courses. Part of that opinion is likely grounded in my work at a traditional residential college, but I also feel like I gained more from the on-campus coursework, even at Notre Dame where one class is smashed into an incredibly intensive 1 or 2 weeks. I will say that the Notre Dame online courses are far better than the experiences I've heard from other online learners - our classes met for a full 16-week semester at an assigned day and time each week for live discussion, much like you would in a traditional graduate program, but you just did it from some combination of your phone/computer... it could be like a webinar with a live conference call and on-screen presentation, just a conference call, or even a chat room, circa 1998. The web conference method was pretty effective - much like an in-person class with powerpoints, lecture, and discussion (we could even raise our hands)... the only exception being that we couldn't see one another. The chat room seemed the least effective method of delivery in terms of stirring class discussion and participation, but it was still more effective than a non-live forum-based class might have been.
The electives in this program are wide and varied, depending on expressed interest and availability of adjunct teaching faculty. I took courses on social entrepreneurship, research methods and program evaluation, and a general survey course of the nonprofit sector. I learned that I am probably not ever going to be a social entrepreneur, but I have tremendous respect for the people who generate innovative ideas to support a given social cause or solve a social problem. I learned that program evaluation is an incredibly boring but necessary element of nonprofit work, and understanding its role will be increasingly helpful as nonprofits are asked to prove their worth. And finally, I learned so much about the scope of nonprofit work and how, even in widely varying branches of the sector, we face many similar challenges and have similar goals in serving to meet social needs.
In summer 2014, I returned to Notre Dame for 6 weeks. I joined a few of my classmates to present the student orientation for the new cohort, which was a lot of fun. We spent the first weekend settling in, getting to know the new group, and waiting for our cohort to return. If the first summer was intense, this summer was that x 10. The course content was a bit more difficult, and unlike last summer, the grouping of courses really didn't feel like it had as much mental balance (numbers/science versus words/humanities) until we got through the first few weeks. We took finance and microeconomics in the first block, statistics and business ethics/management in the second block, and the third block was a glorious reprieve of only one, albeit challenging, course in strategic planning and policy. I did find that my schedule was more regular this summer, with pretty much every class night lasting until midnight, but a pretty steady bed time of 12:30 to 1am. Last summer, it was much more erratic - some nights were finished early with reasonable bedtimes and many others lasted until 2 or 3 (or beyond) in the morning. I'm fairly certain that I didn't go to bed before midnight until the 5th week on campus this summer, but at least I didn't have to stay up almost all night more than once or twice.
The thing about the second summer is that it can be split into 3 blocks over time, so it could technically be your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th summer... this flexibility is wonderful for working professionals, but it also means that you don't finish with your entire cohort intact. All but a couple of us returned for the 1st block this summer, but we had to say goodbye to more and more of our group as the summer progressed. We got the benefit of having people from previous cohorts join us as well, so at least there were some new faces to balance the experience. I leave the experience feeling so incredibly grateful to have started the program when I did - I can't imagine a better group of people than the Bang! cohort, but it was great getting to know a few other folks and expand my Notre Dame family a bit more.
Now that I've finished my last courses, the only thing remaining is my final field project. This requirement is a project that we complete for our employer or a nonprofit of our choosing. It is foremost a way to synthesize much of what we've learned into a single practical application of the coursework. And for most of us, this is also a way to give something back to our organization for being supportive of the time we take away from being in the office in order to be on campus at Notre Dame. Unlike so many projects, this one will be a direct component of my daily job, so it will benefit my regular work along with fulfilling the final requirement of my degree program. While the amount of work seems daunting at the moment, I'm actually pretty excited about doing it. After submitting it in April, I should be making my way across the graduation stage in May. What an amazing journey it has been so far, and I'm sure that even when it's over, it will just be the beginning of another new and more amazing journey.
I suppose if only for my own edification, I should try to recap what has happened since August 2013. I took 2 online courses in fall 2013, one in spring 2014, and the final one this fall. These were my first online classes, and my initial take-away is that online education should never replace at least some traditional on-campus courses. Part of that opinion is likely grounded in my work at a traditional residential college, but I also feel like I gained more from the on-campus coursework, even at Notre Dame where one class is smashed into an incredibly intensive 1 or 2 weeks. I will say that the Notre Dame online courses are far better than the experiences I've heard from other online learners - our classes met for a full 16-week semester at an assigned day and time each week for live discussion, much like you would in a traditional graduate program, but you just did it from some combination of your phone/computer... it could be like a webinar with a live conference call and on-screen presentation, just a conference call, or even a chat room, circa 1998. The web conference method was pretty effective - much like an in-person class with powerpoints, lecture, and discussion (we could even raise our hands)... the only exception being that we couldn't see one another. The chat room seemed the least effective method of delivery in terms of stirring class discussion and participation, but it was still more effective than a non-live forum-based class might have been.
The electives in this program are wide and varied, depending on expressed interest and availability of adjunct teaching faculty. I took courses on social entrepreneurship, research methods and program evaluation, and a general survey course of the nonprofit sector. I learned that I am probably not ever going to be a social entrepreneur, but I have tremendous respect for the people who generate innovative ideas to support a given social cause or solve a social problem. I learned that program evaluation is an incredibly boring but necessary element of nonprofit work, and understanding its role will be increasingly helpful as nonprofits are asked to prove their worth. And finally, I learned so much about the scope of nonprofit work and how, even in widely varying branches of the sector, we face many similar challenges and have similar goals in serving to meet social needs.
In summer 2014, I returned to Notre Dame for 6 weeks. I joined a few of my classmates to present the student orientation for the new cohort, which was a lot of fun. We spent the first weekend settling in, getting to know the new group, and waiting for our cohort to return. If the first summer was intense, this summer was that x 10. The course content was a bit more difficult, and unlike last summer, the grouping of courses really didn't feel like it had as much mental balance (numbers/science versus words/humanities) until we got through the first few weeks. We took finance and microeconomics in the first block, statistics and business ethics/management in the second block, and the third block was a glorious reprieve of only one, albeit challenging, course in strategic planning and policy. I did find that my schedule was more regular this summer, with pretty much every class night lasting until midnight, but a pretty steady bed time of 12:30 to 1am. Last summer, it was much more erratic - some nights were finished early with reasonable bedtimes and many others lasted until 2 or 3 (or beyond) in the morning. I'm fairly certain that I didn't go to bed before midnight until the 5th week on campus this summer, but at least I didn't have to stay up almost all night more than once or twice.
The thing about the second summer is that it can be split into 3 blocks over time, so it could technically be your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th summer... this flexibility is wonderful for working professionals, but it also means that you don't finish with your entire cohort intact. All but a couple of us returned for the 1st block this summer, but we had to say goodbye to more and more of our group as the summer progressed. We got the benefit of having people from previous cohorts join us as well, so at least there were some new faces to balance the experience. I leave the experience feeling so incredibly grateful to have started the program when I did - I can't imagine a better group of people than the Bang! cohort, but it was great getting to know a few other folks and expand my Notre Dame family a bit more.
Now that I've finished my last courses, the only thing remaining is my final field project. This requirement is a project that we complete for our employer or a nonprofit of our choosing. It is foremost a way to synthesize much of what we've learned into a single practical application of the coursework. And for most of us, this is also a way to give something back to our organization for being supportive of the time we take away from being in the office in order to be on campus at Notre Dame. Unlike so many projects, this one will be a direct component of my daily job, so it will benefit my regular work along with fulfilling the final requirement of my degree program. While the amount of work seems daunting at the moment, I'm actually pretty excited about doing it. After submitting it in April, I should be making my way across the graduation stage in May. What an amazing journey it has been so far, and I'm sure that even when it's over, it will just be the beginning of another new and more amazing journey.
Monday, August 26, 2013
summer wrap-up
I am obviously the worst blogger ever. I didn't write about anything that I said I was going to write about over the summer. I blame it entirely on the University of Notre Dame and its completely unforgiving schedule of courses for MNA students. I should also note, lest anyone think I'm complaining, that this summer was quite possibly the best experience of my life.
The MNA (master of nonprofit administration) is essentially an MBA, but the emphasis is on the not-for-profit sector. My favorite quote so far, "Nonprofit is a tax status; it's not a business plan." In other words, nonprofits still have to make money in order to operate effectively and provide all of the services they set out to provide. You still have to know business even if all you want to do is heal the world.
In 4 weeks, we completed 12 credit hours, which is just under 1/3 of the degree. The classes are taught similarly to an executive MBA format - squeezing as much content into as little time possible, it seems. We spent 8 hours a day in class (one class for 4 hours in the morning and another class for 4 hours in the afternoon - see schedule below), and then we spent anywhere from 4-7 hours each night on homework, reading, projects, and papers. I averaged just over 4 hours of sleep per night and probably 4 caffeinated drinks per day. It was the most intense academic experience I have ever had, without question, but I already feel so incredibly rewarded by it.
Week 1 - Human Resource Management, Management Communication
Week 2 - Human Resource Management, Accounting for Nonprofits
Week 3 - Marketing for Nonprofits, Accounting for Nonprofits
Week 4 - Marketing for Nonprofits, Board Relations and Management
I did get to spend some time in all of my favorite ND spots, and I also found several new favorite places. It was almost surreal to walk by Touchdown Jesus (and his little friend First Down Moses) and the stadium on my way to class every day. I almost got run over by Coach Denbrock (who coaches the wide receivers) in a golf cart one day (in his defense, some kid was driving him). It's also surreal to see all the football players just hanging out, eating a sandwich (okay, usually at least two sandwiches) between classes or eating a couple of dinners at Chipotle... As fans, it's easy to forget that these guys we see on TV every Saturday are 18-22 year old college kids, just like the ones I work with every day. When I think about them that way, it helps me avoid putting so much pressure on them to win at any cost and more likely to care about what they do in life a lot more than what they do on the field. And it makes watching them on TV, especially when they win, seem so much more rewarding as a fan. Yes, I'm ready for football season.
This week I'll start two online classes - Social Entrepreneurship and Program Evaluation. The thing that's cool about these is that you still actually "go" to a live class - you just do it via video conference or webinar instead of being physically in the classroom. By the end of this academic year in May 2014, I will have completed half of the degree. Then back to ND for another summer, and then 1 more online class and my final research project. The goal is to graduate May 2015.
My biggest takeaway so far is that, in my opinion at least, Notre Dame has already proven itself to be what it claims to be. They promise a rigorous academic experience - obviously this has been that and more. They promise a place of incredible beauty - obviously we all know ND is gorgeous, but it remains that way each and every day, even when you feel like you want to scream and cry from exhaustion. Just being there was such an incredible gift. They promise a spiritual experience - you know going in that this is a Catholic school, but it's not until spending day after day after day in that place that you realize how much more connected you feel to everything in the world... Several of my classmates were non-Catholic and even non-Christian, but I think we all felt a connection that goes far beyond religious doctrine - that really is the true spirit of Notre Dame. And finally, they promise connection - I met 34 of the most incredible classmates I could have imagined. My only disappointment is that we didn't all know eachother 15 years ago. These people are beyond wonderful - smart, engaging, and incredibly passionate about making the world a better place. Not only did our cohort connect, but we've also made lasting connections with faculty, staff, other students, and alums. From the first interview, my program advisor was telling me about graduates of our program who are doing the work that I hope to be doing one day.
I can't believe summer has come and gone already, but I'm really looking forward to the year ahead. And by the way, football starts in 6 days. GO IRISH!
The MNA (master of nonprofit administration) is essentially an MBA, but the emphasis is on the not-for-profit sector. My favorite quote so far, "Nonprofit is a tax status; it's not a business plan." In other words, nonprofits still have to make money in order to operate effectively and provide all of the services they set out to provide. You still have to know business even if all you want to do is heal the world.
In 4 weeks, we completed 12 credit hours, which is just under 1/3 of the degree. The classes are taught similarly to an executive MBA format - squeezing as much content into as little time possible, it seems. We spent 8 hours a day in class (one class for 4 hours in the morning and another class for 4 hours in the afternoon - see schedule below), and then we spent anywhere from 4-7 hours each night on homework, reading, projects, and papers. I averaged just over 4 hours of sleep per night and probably 4 caffeinated drinks per day. It was the most intense academic experience I have ever had, without question, but I already feel so incredibly rewarded by it.
Week 1 - Human Resource Management, Management Communication
Week 2 - Human Resource Management, Accounting for Nonprofits
Week 3 - Marketing for Nonprofits, Accounting for Nonprofits
Week 4 - Marketing for Nonprofits, Board Relations and Management
I did get to spend some time in all of my favorite ND spots, and I also found several new favorite places. It was almost surreal to walk by Touchdown Jesus (and his little friend First Down Moses) and the stadium on my way to class every day. I almost got run over by Coach Denbrock (who coaches the wide receivers) in a golf cart one day (in his defense, some kid was driving him). It's also surreal to see all the football players just hanging out, eating a sandwich (okay, usually at least two sandwiches) between classes or eating a couple of dinners at Chipotle... As fans, it's easy to forget that these guys we see on TV every Saturday are 18-22 year old college kids, just like the ones I work with every day. When I think about them that way, it helps me avoid putting so much pressure on them to win at any cost and more likely to care about what they do in life a lot more than what they do on the field. And it makes watching them on TV, especially when they win, seem so much more rewarding as a fan. Yes, I'm ready for football season.
This week I'll start two online classes - Social Entrepreneurship and Program Evaluation. The thing that's cool about these is that you still actually "go" to a live class - you just do it via video conference or webinar instead of being physically in the classroom. By the end of this academic year in May 2014, I will have completed half of the degree. Then back to ND for another summer, and then 1 more online class and my final research project. The goal is to graduate May 2015.
My biggest takeaway so far is that, in my opinion at least, Notre Dame has already proven itself to be what it claims to be. They promise a rigorous academic experience - obviously this has been that and more. They promise a place of incredible beauty - obviously we all know ND is gorgeous, but it remains that way each and every day, even when you feel like you want to scream and cry from exhaustion. Just being there was such an incredible gift. They promise a spiritual experience - you know going in that this is a Catholic school, but it's not until spending day after day after day in that place that you realize how much more connected you feel to everything in the world... Several of my classmates were non-Catholic and even non-Christian, but I think we all felt a connection that goes far beyond religious doctrine - that really is the true spirit of Notre Dame. And finally, they promise connection - I met 34 of the most incredible classmates I could have imagined. My only disappointment is that we didn't all know eachother 15 years ago. These people are beyond wonderful - smart, engaging, and incredibly passionate about making the world a better place. Not only did our cohort connect, but we've also made lasting connections with faculty, staff, other students, and alums. From the first interview, my program advisor was telling me about graduates of our program who are doing the work that I hope to be doing one day.
I can't believe summer has come and gone already, but I'm really looking forward to the year ahead. And by the way, football starts in 6 days. GO IRISH!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
the bang cohort
The group you enter into the MNA program with during your first summer is your cohort. Because of the program structure and flexibility, we may all finish the degree at different times, anywhere from 14 months to 4 years from now. But we're all required to be here for 4 weeks this summer taking the same 5 classes. The cool thing about this structure is that you have the opportunity to form a close bond with about 30 people (or 35 in our case) during your first summer, and even though you may not be together all the time for the remainder of the program, those people still become your immediate network... maybe even your rock, so to speak, while you all finish at your own pace later on.
So let me tell you about my group. First of all, they're nothing short of amazing. I never could have imagined how much I would genuinely enjoy being around all of them. After 3 days of orientation, we already felt like we had known eachother for years, and now that we've finished our first week of class, I think we're all wondering why it took so long for us all to finally meet eachother. I suppose it's all in God's plan to bring the right people into your life at the right time. After only 10 days together, it feels like it's been a lifetime. A really hard, sleep-deprived, yet completely awesome lifetime.
We come from all over the country - California to Maryland, Maine to South Carolina and Georgia, the midwest to Texas. We also have a priest from Africa and 4 students on an exchange program from China. (This is the first group on exchange for a dual degree program with Notre Dame and Renmin University in Beijing. Next year, the program will grow to have a larger Chinese contingent coming in 6 weeks ahead of us for some preparatory work, and then joining the MNA program with the 2014 cohort.) We have an age range of 23 to somewhere around 50 years old, with the bulk of us being in our late 20s or early 30s. (I could do a standard deviation on that, but... well, hell no.) We work in a variety of areas like healthcare, higher education, family foundations, community or volunteer service organizations, human trafficking, and even a golf foundation. You'd think it might be hard to find something in common with everyone, but it's been surprisingly really easy. We all care about what we do, and we all have a huge passion to learn... that alone would actually be enough. But it turns out that we genuinely like eachother and want everyone to succeed, too.
A few years ago, the program started a trend of letting the cohorts give themselves a name rather than identifying with a year. The group from last year was called "Bueno." In honor of being the first cohort with members of the new Chinese exchange program, we really wanted to have a Chinese name. After talking it over, we decided to one-up the class before us (bueno = good) and select the Chinese word for "superior," which is "bang." It's pronounced "bahng" rather than bayng like we would normally say here in America, but we often bastardize it for the sake of humor, because inside we're all still 12-year-olds. :) So that's who we are. The Bang Cohort. (And yes, we're getting t-shirts.)
There are a few times in your life when you get thrown into battle with a group of people... when you're younger, you're just sort of stuck with whomever shows up (like in high school). When you're in college, most of you want to be there, but there still seem to be some folks that just don't fit. But this experience is just totally different. We all really want to be here, and more than that, we're all really excited about learning together. This actually reminds me of my experience at the Governor's Honors Program when I was in high school... Even the person who might annoy you the most from time to time is still a person that you could go to lunch with and have a really awesome conversation. And that annoyance is still pretty low on the scale of 1 to "kill me now." Maybe there's something to be said for suffering through dorm life, incredibly late nights, and tough projects together. It's hard, but the degree will be worth it... certainly, the relationships are worth it.
I'm going to take advantage of my free day for a walk around campus, and then it's time to get started with accounting and HR management homework... and probably some laundry, lest we forget that this isn't just a really hard summer camp vacation.
Next time, I'll tell you more about our schedule and what we're learning. Until then, thank you again for checking in on me, and Go Irish!
So let me tell you about my group. First of all, they're nothing short of amazing. I never could have imagined how much I would genuinely enjoy being around all of them. After 3 days of orientation, we already felt like we had known eachother for years, and now that we've finished our first week of class, I think we're all wondering why it took so long for us all to finally meet eachother. I suppose it's all in God's plan to bring the right people into your life at the right time. After only 10 days together, it feels like it's been a lifetime. A really hard, sleep-deprived, yet completely awesome lifetime.
We come from all over the country - California to Maryland, Maine to South Carolina and Georgia, the midwest to Texas. We also have a priest from Africa and 4 students on an exchange program from China. (This is the first group on exchange for a dual degree program with Notre Dame and Renmin University in Beijing. Next year, the program will grow to have a larger Chinese contingent coming in 6 weeks ahead of us for some preparatory work, and then joining the MNA program with the 2014 cohort.) We have an age range of 23 to somewhere around 50 years old, with the bulk of us being in our late 20s or early 30s. (I could do a standard deviation on that, but... well, hell no.) We work in a variety of areas like healthcare, higher education, family foundations, community or volunteer service organizations, human trafficking, and even a golf foundation. You'd think it might be hard to find something in common with everyone, but it's been surprisingly really easy. We all care about what we do, and we all have a huge passion to learn... that alone would actually be enough. But it turns out that we genuinely like eachother and want everyone to succeed, too.
A few years ago, the program started a trend of letting the cohorts give themselves a name rather than identifying with a year. The group from last year was called "Bueno." In honor of being the first cohort with members of the new Chinese exchange program, we really wanted to have a Chinese name. After talking it over, we decided to one-up the class before us (bueno = good) and select the Chinese word for "superior," which is "bang." It's pronounced "bahng" rather than bayng like we would normally say here in America, but we often bastardize it for the sake of humor, because inside we're all still 12-year-olds. :) So that's who we are. The Bang Cohort. (And yes, we're getting t-shirts.)
There are a few times in your life when you get thrown into battle with a group of people... when you're younger, you're just sort of stuck with whomever shows up (like in high school). When you're in college, most of you want to be there, but there still seem to be some folks that just don't fit. But this experience is just totally different. We all really want to be here, and more than that, we're all really excited about learning together. This actually reminds me of my experience at the Governor's Honors Program when I was in high school... Even the person who might annoy you the most from time to time is still a person that you could go to lunch with and have a really awesome conversation. And that annoyance is still pretty low on the scale of 1 to "kill me now." Maybe there's something to be said for suffering through dorm life, incredibly late nights, and tough projects together. It's hard, but the degree will be worth it... certainly, the relationships are worth it.
I'm going to take advantage of my free day for a walk around campus, and then it's time to get started with accounting and HR management homework... and probably some laundry, lest we forget that this isn't just a really hard summer camp vacation.
Next time, I'll tell you more about our schedule and what we're learning. Until then, thank you again for checking in on me, and Go Irish!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
an irish orientation
I'm here!!!
I arrived at Notre Dame last Thursday and quickly settled in to my new living quarters - a single dorm room in a traditional residence hall (meaning there are no frills like kitchens and private bathrooms.) And also, this particular building is usually inhabited by 18-22 year old boys. Gross. I'm happy to report that it didn't smell like boys, though I came prepared with a can of disinfectant/deodorizer spray that smells like "fresh linen"or "spring air" or "not like a dirty gross college boy." The room is rather... basic. Bed, desk, chair. Cinder block walls, linoleum tile floors. There is a closet, but it doesn't have a door, so I'm not really sure what you call that. The plus is that the room does come equipped with a sink, vanity, and mirror/medicine cabinet, as well as a trash can and recycle can, both of which seem to be magically emptied for us every few days.
As I tend to do, I brought more stuff than any one person really should need for 4.5 weeks, but I'm glad I did. Never underestimate what it's like to live in a basic dorm room after you've been out of college and living in your own really pretty house or apartment for 10+ years. Sleeping on a twin bed that sags in the middle is really one of those binding human experiences that all college dorm-livers can share for eternity. I feel fortunate that I was able to fix mine with some 1/2 inch MDF boards from the local Home Depot. Thanks to rearranging the furniture and to Target and IKEA for having enough cute, cheap stuff, this room doesn't look completely like a prison cell now.
I spent Thursday afternoon taking care of campus business like dropping some cash at the bookstore (on important things like a Notre Dame lanyard and yet another Notre Dame t-shirt, not books), getting my official student ID made (I hope everyone else looks as bad at that camera angle as I do), purchasing my summer parking pass, and trying to orient myself to things that will be important to my time here... oddly enough, those things are pretty different from what I usually care about (the Dome and the football stadium). I spent a little time at the Grotto and just felt generally happy to be here.
Friday marked the beginning of orientation. We introduced ourselves by actually pairing with another student, interviewing them, and then telling the rest of the group what we learned about that person. I appreciate this approach much more than name games and superficial get-to-know-you activities of my college orientation. We also heard from some of the students in the cohort above us and got to spend a couple of hours asking questions and just getting a sense of what to expect over the next 4 weeks. They took us to dinner at a local Irish pub (hello, this is who we are), and then I took the opportunity for a perfect walk around St. Mary's lake and another trip to the Grotto.
Saturday was orientation day 2. It started with breakfast in the Jordan Hall of Science, where we spent a little more time sharing what we do and why we're here for this program. We got an orientation to the library of the business school, had lunch, and then spent the afternoon with a panel of faculty members who teach the courses in Modules II-IV, which we'll take beginning next summer. I was struck by the level of interest and care shown by each of the faculty. It's easy to forget that you're sitting in the top business school in the country when you have people telling you that they actually want you to learn and succeed and help the world... not the typical cut-throat business school environment. It's immensely comforting to know that our professors support our work and believe in us, though they're not shy about preparing us for the fact that we will not all make A's. If nothing else, this will be a great lesson in managing expectations, as I think we're all overachievers. Note to selves: We might want A's, but B's get degrees, too.
On Sunday, we attended a special mass held for our degree program (all cohorts that are currently on campus) in Dillon Hall. For reference, each residence hall has its own chapel, and most of them have a priest or nun who serves as the hall rector, though some of those positions are held by non-clergy. The rector for Dillon Hall is Rev. Paul Doyle, and he is nothing short of wonderful. He has the most precious old Virginia accent, which is kind of refreshing in a place where everyone sounds just a little like Mike Ditka (which I also love.) After mass, we attended a special lunch held in the Notre Dame football stadium press box. I just said that like it was no big deal. Let me be clear - it.was.a.big.deal. The press box obviously overlooks the stadium, but the backside of it is also full of windows that look out over campus. It was amazing. We heard from the director of the alumni association, and I just felt even more like I can't believe I actually get to go to school here. Notre Dame alums are everywhere, serving in every sector at every level, and there is an incredibly strong bond among them. What an unbelievable network.
Following lunch, we got an amazing surprise of getting to go into the stadium and out onto the field. Having been a rabid football fan for years, it was kind of cool (ie, really cool. okay, like, ridiculously cool.) to actually get to stand on the sideline and in the grass. I've done the tunnel walk before, but you don't actually get to go onto the field then. This experience pretty much blew my mind. (I can't help myself. Bless my heart.) After another walk with a trip to the Grotto, thus ended orientation weekend.
I have to go write a strategy memo now, but I'll be back soon to talk about my new classmates and the first week of class.
I arrived at Notre Dame last Thursday and quickly settled in to my new living quarters - a single dorm room in a traditional residence hall (meaning there are no frills like kitchens and private bathrooms.) And also, this particular building is usually inhabited by 18-22 year old boys. Gross. I'm happy to report that it didn't smell like boys, though I came prepared with a can of disinfectant/deodorizer spray that smells like "fresh linen"or "spring air" or "not like a dirty gross college boy." The room is rather... basic. Bed, desk, chair. Cinder block walls, linoleum tile floors. There is a closet, but it doesn't have a door, so I'm not really sure what you call that. The plus is that the room does come equipped with a sink, vanity, and mirror/medicine cabinet, as well as a trash can and recycle can, both of which seem to be magically emptied for us every few days.
As I tend to do, I brought more stuff than any one person really should need for 4.5 weeks, but I'm glad I did. Never underestimate what it's like to live in a basic dorm room after you've been out of college and living in your own really pretty house or apartment for 10+ years. Sleeping on a twin bed that sags in the middle is really one of those binding human experiences that all college dorm-livers can share for eternity. I feel fortunate that I was able to fix mine with some 1/2 inch MDF boards from the local Home Depot. Thanks to rearranging the furniture and to Target and IKEA for having enough cute, cheap stuff, this room doesn't look completely like a prison cell now.
I spent Thursday afternoon taking care of campus business like dropping some cash at the bookstore (on important things like a Notre Dame lanyard and yet another Notre Dame t-shirt, not books), getting my official student ID made (I hope everyone else looks as bad at that camera angle as I do), purchasing my summer parking pass, and trying to orient myself to things that will be important to my time here... oddly enough, those things are pretty different from what I usually care about (the Dome and the football stadium). I spent a little time at the Grotto and just felt generally happy to be here.
Saturday was orientation day 2. It started with breakfast in the Jordan Hall of Science, where we spent a little more time sharing what we do and why we're here for this program. We got an orientation to the library of the business school, had lunch, and then spent the afternoon with a panel of faculty members who teach the courses in Modules II-IV, which we'll take beginning next summer. I was struck by the level of interest and care shown by each of the faculty. It's easy to forget that you're sitting in the top business school in the country when you have people telling you that they actually want you to learn and succeed and help the world... not the typical cut-throat business school environment. It's immensely comforting to know that our professors support our work and believe in us, though they're not shy about preparing us for the fact that we will not all make A's. If nothing else, this will be a great lesson in managing expectations, as I think we're all overachievers. Note to selves: We might want A's, but B's get degrees, too.
On Sunday, we attended a special mass held for our degree program (all cohorts that are currently on campus) in Dillon Hall. For reference, each residence hall has its own chapel, and most of them have a priest or nun who serves as the hall rector, though some of those positions are held by non-clergy. The rector for Dillon Hall is Rev. Paul Doyle, and he is nothing short of wonderful. He has the most precious old Virginia accent, which is kind of refreshing in a place where everyone sounds just a little like Mike Ditka (which I also love.) After mass, we attended a special lunch held in the Notre Dame football stadium press box. I just said that like it was no big deal. Let me be clear - it.was.a.big.deal. The press box obviously overlooks the stadium, but the backside of it is also full of windows that look out over campus. It was amazing. We heard from the director of the alumni association, and I just felt even more like I can't believe I actually get to go to school here. Notre Dame alums are everywhere, serving in every sector at every level, and there is an incredibly strong bond among them. What an unbelievable network.
I have to go write a strategy memo now, but I'll be back soon to talk about my new classmates and the first week of class.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Let the countdown begin!
Three months from today, I'll be at the half-way point of my first summer at Notre Dame. That means I have fewer than three months to get myself ready to be there. When I think about any kind of timeline, I am excited... but that's also when the panic starts to set in. I just feel like there are so many things to do before I even get there. I have submitted all of my financial aid information and registered for my first semester of classes. For some reason, those processes seemed to be pretty painless compared to my memories of doing those things in college and grad school before. Of course, financial aid is one of those monsters that feeds on your fear, so it makes sense that it would seem completely horrible and consuming in retrospect. It helps that course registration is electronic now, unlike in college where you filled everything out on paper and then stood in line for hours only to watch your dreams of a perfect schedule and graduating on time get crushed before your very eyes. It's also nice being a graduate student in a specialized program because they actually make a point of getting you into the classes you need when you need them.
Speaking of classes... Most of my summer courses have pre-assignments already posted, as there simply isn't enough time to do everything when you're there on campus. The fact that I have to read at least a couple of complete textbooks between now and then is freaking me out a little. Not that I don't love to read... just that it's still hard for me to wrap my head around being a student again period, let alone doing it weeks before I even step foot in the classroom. I've already started planning times and spots around town where I can go to study here at home so I don't get distracted by my house. Hopefully that will help me get into student mode again, seeing all the college kiddos out at coffee shops and bookstores and cafes reading and studying away.
The next task is starting a packing list and buying things that I'll need for my dorm. Even just typing "my dorm" at 32 years old feels ridiculous. D.O.R.M. I mean, wow. I guess the good news is that for years I've been jealous of all the cute college stuff at places like Target and Ikea, wishing that we'd had stuff like that "back in my day," so now I actually get to take advantage of it. I'm trying to create a vision for my room (praise baby Jesus for Pinterest) so that it is as comfortable and relaxing as it can be. With classes running from 8-5 every day, 5 days a week, and spending most of my evenings studying, I won't be spending a whole lot of time in there. But I want my time there to be peaceful and restful so that I don't turn into a zombie by the end of the experience. Some people get this special kind of anger from being hungry (we call it "hangry")... I get that kind of anger from being tired. I wish there was a convenient catchy word like hangry to describe it, but truthfully, it's just me being mean and feeling like I'm going to burst into tears at any moment and having my eyes water non-stop. It's super fun for everyone, obviously. So yes... What I need is a calm space in the midst of what I'm sure will be crazy and chaotic and challenging, but what I also believe will be energizing and incredibly exciting.
In the coming weeks, I'll be buying books, dorm stuff, and festive accessories like shower shoes and a caddy. The best part is school supplies and plenty of things to use for color-coding. I also get to complete the school loan process, register for housing, and determine how to pack clothing for 4.5 weeks of sitting in cold classrooms in a town that suffers from lake-effect weather weirdness. Some people would be unnerved by this kind of process, but pretty much my professional career can be summed up as one long checklist, and I'm pretty good at that. So this will be fun. I keep reminding myself of that in those times when I'm scared and overwhelmed. And maybe most of all, I think about all of the connections and random things that have led me to this moment, and I just feel so grateful and excited about everything. Two-and-a-half months seems like a long time, but I will be ticking these things off the checklist very, very soon. And in two more years of checklists, I'll have another degree from one of my favorite places on the planet.
Speaking of classes... Most of my summer courses have pre-assignments already posted, as there simply isn't enough time to do everything when you're there on campus. The fact that I have to read at least a couple of complete textbooks between now and then is freaking me out a little. Not that I don't love to read... just that it's still hard for me to wrap my head around being a student again period, let alone doing it weeks before I even step foot in the classroom. I've already started planning times and spots around town where I can go to study here at home so I don't get distracted by my house. Hopefully that will help me get into student mode again, seeing all the college kiddos out at coffee shops and bookstores and cafes reading and studying away.
The next task is starting a packing list and buying things that I'll need for my dorm. Even just typing "my dorm" at 32 years old feels ridiculous. D.O.R.M. I mean, wow. I guess the good news is that for years I've been jealous of all the cute college stuff at places like Target and Ikea, wishing that we'd had stuff like that "back in my day," so now I actually get to take advantage of it. I'm trying to create a vision for my room (praise baby Jesus for Pinterest) so that it is as comfortable and relaxing as it can be. With classes running from 8-5 every day, 5 days a week, and spending most of my evenings studying, I won't be spending a whole lot of time in there. But I want my time there to be peaceful and restful so that I don't turn into a zombie by the end of the experience. Some people get this special kind of anger from being hungry (we call it "hangry")... I get that kind of anger from being tired. I wish there was a convenient catchy word like hangry to describe it, but truthfully, it's just me being mean and feeling like I'm going to burst into tears at any moment and having my eyes water non-stop. It's super fun for everyone, obviously. So yes... What I need is a calm space in the midst of what I'm sure will be crazy and chaotic and challenging, but what I also believe will be energizing and incredibly exciting.
In the coming weeks, I'll be buying books, dorm stuff, and festive accessories like shower shoes and a caddy. The best part is school supplies and plenty of things to use for color-coding. I also get to complete the school loan process, register for housing, and determine how to pack clothing for 4.5 weeks of sitting in cold classrooms in a town that suffers from lake-effect weather weirdness. Some people would be unnerved by this kind of process, but pretty much my professional career can be summed up as one long checklist, and I'm pretty good at that. So this will be fun. I keep reminding myself of that in those times when I'm scared and overwhelmed. And maybe most of all, I think about all of the connections and random things that have led me to this moment, and I just feel so grateful and excited about everything. Two-and-a-half months seems like a long time, but I will be ticking these things off the checklist very, very soon. And in two more years of checklists, I'll have another degree from one of my favorite places on the planet.
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