When one chapter in your life ends, another begins.
**8:30am: Open the Windows**
Last Thursday evening, I finished up my last day as a student employee over at the Enrollment Center of Oakton Community College. As I closed down the wooden windows and shut down the computers, I realized that this chapter of my life has finally finished.
Day in and Day out, I would walk into that office across the Book Store - where people come to ask where the Book Store is (it's appropriate to point just behind them). I always felt so welcomed, so comfortable, so...at home. And yes of course me being me, I would always walk in like a rock star. Giving hand shakes to everyone, shouting Good (time of day) to the people in the back and then I would jump right into the flow of things... "I can help whoever's next!"
For nearly two years I called room 1260 my home, and ext. 1700 my phone number. It was here in the summer of 2010, freshly out of my first year in college, that I started my 2nd job ever (I also landed another job that same week!). I won't lie, at first I was a bit intimidated and overwhelmed by the array of paper forms, admission/financial aid rules, and the always *confusing* questions from demanding students.
For nearly two years I called room 1260 my home, and ext. 1700 my phone number. It was here in the summer of 2010, freshly out of my first year in college, that I started my 2nd job ever (I also landed another job that same week!). I won't lie, at first I was a bit intimidated and overwhelmed by the array of paper forms, admission/financial aid rules, and the always *confusing* questions from demanding students.
At the time that I entered, the Enrollment Center had just converted into the Enrollment Center from (a combination of Registration and Financial Aid), and while everyone knew their role in the office, not everyone knew their place (including me). I remember the first couple of times I would walk in the office and go straight into the back room and just start shred papers or file until someone would tell me to go shadow someone. OH, how I have come so far from those days.
I was lucky enough to shadow some great people, not just student employees, and they it is then when I learned the keys of working at there. I had quickly learned the online system (No manual reading was required), and learned that everyone had a style of getting things done, and as long as everything was completed at the end of the day, it was all good.
I don't know when it happened. When I switched from having to look up every phone number, division office, and the prerequisite to a specific class, to now when its just a second nature. I think the learning curve is definitely exponential. Once you get a hold of certain things you realize that you can spit out the numbers to division offices and the names of the department chairs without having to look at anything. Like I said before, I'm not sure where it starts--- BUT I'm pretty sure it starts with "Oh Advising and Counseling? That's Room 1130! Down the hallway, to the right of the TV."
I have been through many different office arrangements at the Enrollment Center, but the odd thing is that unlike my earlier career at the Enrollment Center, once I found my place, I always knew where it was (metaphorically of course, student employees don't have their own place). I can honestly say that working for the Enrollment Center was one of the greatest things in my life.
Starting out there as a young immature 18 year old, I acquired many professional skills and knowledge that I would not have today if it was wasn't for EC. Everything, everyone, and every part of our lives shape us in one way or another. The Enrollment Center was the perfect thing for me in my young professional career because it helped me build and learn strong service, communication, and office skills that every professional needs. Those however, were all on a professional level. Enrollment Center also taught me valuable lessons of life that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I was lucky enough to shadow some great people, not just student employees, and they it is then when I learned the keys of working at there. I had quickly learned the online system (No manual reading was required), and learned that everyone had a style of getting things done, and as long as everything was completed at the end of the day, it was all good.
I don't know when it happened. When I switched from having to look up every phone number, division office, and the prerequisite to a specific class, to now when its just a second nature. I think the learning curve is definitely exponential. Once you get a hold of certain things you realize that you can spit out the numbers to division offices and the names of the department chairs without having to look at anything. Like I said before, I'm not sure where it starts--- BUT I'm pretty sure it starts with "Oh Advising and Counseling? That's Room 1130! Down the hallway, to the right of the TV."
I have been through many different office arrangements at the Enrollment Center, but the odd thing is that unlike my earlier career at the Enrollment Center, once I found my place, I always knew where it was (metaphorically of course, student employees don't have their own place). I can honestly say that working for the Enrollment Center was one of the greatest things in my life.
Starting out there as a young immature 18 year old, I acquired many professional skills and knowledge that I would not have today if it was wasn't for EC. Everything, everyone, and every part of our lives shape us in one way or another. The Enrollment Center was the perfect thing for me in my young professional career because it helped me build and learn strong service, communication, and office skills that every professional needs. Those however, were all on a professional level. Enrollment Center also taught me valuable lessons of life that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
One of those is the FACT that to be in a enjoyable work environment, and to be HAPPY at work, it's not about the work that you do, but the people that you work with. I truly walked into work everyday knowing that it was an enjoyable workplace, and that it made it easier to do whatever was asked of me. I was happy to a "Paper Boy", because when I needed you, you were there for me. I can proudly say that by the end of my time there, whenever I went to an administrator for help, it was not your average problem (which means I knew my stuff :] )
I met some amazing people = now my friends. Who wouldn't want to go to a place where you work with your friends? I thank you for everything that you have done for me and everything that you have withstood. I thank you for listening to my horrible stories, and laughing at my pains, as all friends do. I have had some amazing, memorable, and truly enjoyable moments at work. Each and every one of you have made my day in some way or another because you have helped me in so many ways. It is because of all of you that I will have success in my future, and it's probably the skills I acquired at the Enrollment Center that helped me land my first internship. It was truly my honor and pleasure to work with you all! I will definitely come and visit very soon and I will miss you all!
Notes: I just wrote whatever came out, I know probably missed a lot of stuff I wanted to say.. I wanted to add all the memories, but there are just too many.....and I REMEMBER THEM ALL!
I met some amazing people = now my friends. Who wouldn't want to go to a place where you work with your friends? I thank you for everything that you have done for me and everything that you have withstood. I thank you for listening to my horrible stories, and laughing at my pains, as all friends do. I have had some amazing, memorable, and truly enjoyable moments at work. Each and every one of you have made my day in some way or another because you have helped me in so many ways. It is because of all of you that I will have success in my future, and it's probably the skills I acquired at the Enrollment Center that helped me land my first internship. It was truly my honor and pleasure to work with you all! I will definitely come and visit very soon and I will miss you all!
Notes: I just wrote whatever came out, I know probably missed a lot of stuff I wanted to say.. I wanted to add all the memories, but there are just too many.....and I REMEMBER THEM ALL!
**7:00pm: Close the Windows**
Good Night Enrollment Center!
