I am very fortunate to work with a team of very talented, smart and engaging people. We are a sizeable team representing different places, cultures, ages, backgrounds, experience, roots and personal histories. The variations are great. We all have something to offer. We all add value in one way or another. And then factor in the clients, our students and you really see the foundation for an interesting workplace. What we do is also meaningful. Helping students navigate a career path is an important responsibility. It requires the ability to communicate effectively. That defines itself as listen, process and respond. Know when to talk and when not to talk. Learn to read your room. Ask the right questions to get the conversation going. To create a solution, first we need to understand the problem.
As much as I enjoy my colleagues, none bring me more joy than the younger staff members especially our interns. I take on an additional role as mentor. It’s so important to provide appropriate guidance and help convert inexperience to experience. What is unfamiliar must become familiar. I have a simple philosophy that drives me. CFS – Common Frigging Sense and I never hesitate to help anyone that asks for help. I have developed a reputation as the ‘Words. of Wisdom’ guy and love that some see me this way. I do not for one minute minimize that role. It’s as important as anything I do here at the university. I lean on my EXPERIENCE and enjoy sharing that with my colleagues. To develop these relationships, one must earn TRUST. That will always take time but once you find that common ground, you are connecting in a more profound and productive way. That will always provide the foundation for what becomes a relationship.
