All good things must come to an end...

Today is officially my last day and I feel....accomplished and at peace. This experience has been a whirlwind and I truly hate to see my internship come to an end but I have realized more than anything, that this internship will only be a stepping stone and push closer to my dreams. As my experience comes to a close, I would like to reflect on what has occurred and what I have gained from this experience.

Evaluations
I had two final evaluations done and a final meeting with both of my bosses. During our meeting I presented two proposals, program offerings and seminars that can be used for student athletes. I have to say that I was extremely proud and confident in what I had to offer and present. They were impressed and ecstatic about the work I had done and the opportunity of having particular programs at SEU. After getting past my proposals, we started to chat about my experience. As the conversation continued, I realized how much I had changed over the summer and realized that Division I athletics just might not be for me. I enjoyed working at a DII, the close relationships I made (shocking), and the numerous hats that I was able to wear. There's less red tape in DII's and enhancing your experience in numerous departments is encouraged and expected. I never thought I would say such a thing since my background is deep in DI. That's not to say that I wouldn't work for a DI but I really enjoyed the DII way of athletics.

My boss also began to ask me where I wanted to start my career. Before this internship, I always said advising would be my first career choice but now I can see myself venturing off into student services, compliance, and life skills just as long as I am still around students. These new notions have me a little uneasy, excited, nervous, and wandering about the future more than ever. As my bosses listened, they piped in with suggestions, playing the game of athletics, when to start applying for jobs(January 1, oh God)and keeping in touch with them. The job process is a little nuts, my conferences will be different to attend and it's going to be lonely since I'm the lone athletic kiddo in the cohort but I'll do what I got to do and pray that I have something in the works by May 21st. I appreciated all of their suggestions and was overwhelmed with all of the good things they said about me and how they felt like I was a full-time employee. Both bosses mentioned that they would hire me on the spot if the chance occurs in the future. Overall the meeting was a success but I have not read my evals since I'm weird about that. Now it's time to update the resume. I'll get around to it:)

Orientation
This past weekend, while sick with acute sinusitis for the 3rd time this summer (somethings up),I participated in athletics orientation for men and women's soccer and volleyball. It was so exciting to see student athletes. I actually missed hearing the chatter and sport talk. I was able to present on compliance and academics and felt that my public speaking is becoming a strength, as long as I'm prepared. Furthermore, I felt so much apart of the team and was slightly embarrassed by the nice things they said about me as they presented the staff. I really am going to miss the staff more than anything and am glad they accepted me into their fold. The students seemed to listen to what I had to say since my parts focused on eligibility to play bylaws. Bylaw 14 is my friend and a hot interview question/concept I have to grasp. I think I know it like the back of my hand.

Staff Retreat
The past week, the entire department had an on campus retreat, which I went to even though I won't be here in the Fall. I really enjoyed the retreat and was tickled by the student affairs/therapy ice breakers (cough cough, balloon toss in the air game). I got to see a different light of the numerous staff members and loved how competitive simple things got. Another highlight from this retreat and my experience as a whole is that I truly fit into the athletics lifestyle. We're a weird group of people, who compare our Asics, Nike shorts and water bottles while chatting about our workouts. We live, eat, breathe, sleep, and talk about sports and that's the way I like it. I'm a sport nut but at least I'm aware of this and will make it into a career I love.

Projects Done
All my projects are done, hallelujah. I just wanted to give myself a pat on the back for that.

Little tidbits
-I have realized that I can take care of a dog. As my days in austin are almost up, I'm staying with one of my besties to give her my undivided attention, including her yorkie poo Chewy. He's adorable. I take him for walks and even let him sleep at my feet. Times are changing. Is hell freezing over?

-Grad school is almost here. I'm doing a little better about grad school after hearing from some grad school sister in laws(Ryann and Alicia). My motivation is a little up but not quite, actually lets be honest(uh oh, wheel chair Jimmy), I still have no motivation yet. I'll be better around them though.

-I sort of wish I would have taken a mini vacation of some sort this summer but then I would have freaked out with time on my hands. I think if I was refreshed, I would feel better about school but I feel ragged at the moment. Plus being sick doesn't help.

-Staff end of the year party is friday. I have no clue if I will make it. I'm exhausted. Accomplished but exhausted:(

-Why do I have to drive back to Baton Rouge? Ugh.

-Adios to: TEXAS (We're Texas, what starts here changes the world-The late Walter Conkite~ fellow Texas Ex), Longhorn football (thank god we have a strong alumni in BR and have events already set for our championship year), six lane interstates, chuy's, Mopac, right turned lanes, juan in a million, barton springs, the tower, bats, drag rats, zilker park, Snow Beach,24hour fitness,Taco C, my lovely sisters, friends, ANSC, HEB(I'm about to cry), MY FAMILY, SEU, :(:(

-How will I survive without HEB?

-I have the sweetest bosses ever and AA. They gave me such a nice going a way gift. I wasn't expecting anything and am so appreciative. AWWWWWWWWW Shucks, I got all teary eyed.

~I'll start updating my other blog in the fall. This one is officially done. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.

The Final Countdown....

2 weeks and counting…..

Well the end is sort of near for me. No I can’t see the sun because once I’m done, back to the grad school grind, which I am not embracing. As I evaluate my internship experience I have realized the stronger urge and dire need to finally become a professional with my own baby office and title. I have no motivation to write any more papers, do a presentation or be meagerly paid. I also realize that in order to move forward in life, I must come back, and so I will. I have warned my parents that they may have to drag me away from Texas. We’ll see how that works.

As for the internship, it has been hectic and busy to say the least. Numerous proposal deadlines are coming up for me, while working in compliance is a top priority. I have noticed how everyday I am learning something new and becoming more knowledgeable about the world of athletics. There were two occurrences that I really believe will be extremely helpful for me in my career and have me prepared for future interviews.

Budgeting and Proposal one on one with the Athletic Director
This conversation came into place after I spoke with my boss about doing a mid-term evaluation of my work. As we began to chat, I got a better idea of the particular leadership program she wanted for sophomore athletes and her ultimate goal for me through this process. She seemed pleased about what I had completed and had to present and such approval led to her suggesting I do a proposal on a senior professional development seminar. Numerous athletic departments are doing such across the country but she was intrusting in me the keys to the car and wanted me to run with it. Not only did she want a proposal but a syllabus for both programs as well. Ok for now on I must say that I completely have reverence for professors You would think that writing a syllabus is a piece a cake and well maybe after years of doing such this would be the case but in reality for me, not so. I hated the entire process but I gained a lot as well. So I guess I loved and hated the process. You know what, let’s just say I left the office feeling crappy but I worked through it and feel that I will have more to present and offer her in the final proposals. I have to end this internship with a boom.

Another moment in our evaluation that really showed how great our relationship is, was having a conversation about how she got where she was and also having the opportunity to talk about anything that was on my mind. I picked her brain about budgets which led to an eventual budget training session, what does she look for in her job candidates, the importance of cross campus collaboration with athletics and how a top level executive (hahahhahaha, inside joke, RHOA) could stay in tune with student athletes and still juggle her numerous administrative duties. Overall I just loved the entire exchange and felt so comfortable around her. The comfort level is not because she’s a female, there’s been some chicks I could have strangled, but I really feel that we click and it’s weird to say it but I see myself in her in a lot of ways. She gives me hope that if you are respected, work hard and play the game right, I too can move up to an executive position in athletics one day.

Compliance, compliance, compliance...
I have learned so much and feel that this part of my internship is what will make or break my future interviews. It’s a strong statement but with what I have learned, struggled to grasp and been challenged with, I can say that it has all been worth it. As mentioned in my last post, my compliance boss had left for a week, I had thought and had left important compliance work for me to do. That week turned into two weeks and I must say that it was a great learning experience but frustrating as well. I do not like to wait on others to do things. I am a Capricorn, which means I freak out over having to depend on others to get things done. I eventually got over myself and worked as efficiently as I could. Once my compliance boss came back, she was highly impressed and we eventually had a sit down to chat about my final projects and go over a few things I had interest in. I learned so much and was appreciative that she was willing to ask my million dollar questions without a flinch. I also felt enlightened after our conversation and have grasped so much that I wander how I will be able to highlight such on my resume. My boss also took me for a loop without warning. As we were chatting she literally stated quizzing me on numerous compliance, academic and ethical bylaws. Of course, I never get caught off my game but I was shocked. I passed the test but my goodness I learned a lesson of always being on your “A” game that’s for sure. Since I passed her test and understood so much, I will now become an orientation brat for the remainder of my internship. I will be presenting numerous topics for coaches and incoming student athletes and dealing with any other orientation assignments that may fly my way. I never thought I would be dipping my hand in anything orientation wise but, cheers anyways.

Memorable Moment
My memorable moment for these past weeks was witnessing and overhearing how hard working the student athletes at SEU are. First off, these students are extremely smart, unlike some athletes I have dealt with; sorry I’m just being honest. All athletes come in with the average SAT of 1200 but also must balance the life of actually working to pay the bills, student life and being an athlete. Scholarship are scarce for Division II and even with the funding they do receive, going to a private school, like SEU, costs a lot of money. What I have come to learn is that Division I athletes just don’t know how great they have it but on the other hand I realize that the reason why there are special services for athletes at DI’s is because they’re not on the high academic level that I have become accustomed to this summer. It’s an interesting spectrum to look at and it has made me re-evaluate what type of institution do I actually want to work for. There’s always something new to learn and this news flash has my mind at a spin.

Mini Updates:
I still want that tattoo but since where I want it is quite visible and I want a job, I’ll just have to be a big girl and hold off☹
Daily all the boys that work in athletics call me nerd. One funny moment occurred this past week where every five minutes someone would drop by and ask to borrow a book from my desk, which has gotten pretty tall since I’ve been doing so much research. I took no offense and thought the first person needed a book but realized soon that it was a joke. I couldn’t stop laughing. I thought it was quite funny and another reason to love athletics. I just love hanging out with the boys.

Weird story:One of the coaches doesn’t eat bread at all, which irks me in a way I can’t explain. She says it in a way that makes you feel guilty, whatevs. How do you live?

Best quote:“Who gone check me boo”. Oh and, “Google me and read my resume”. Holler!