Parents 101

Today. I got the opportunity to entertain a family while an Admissions Counselor was on the way to talk to them about their time on the tour. I had never entertained a family before, but being the external social butterfly I was, I didn't think it would be that hard to entertain a family for a little while. Little did I know that there are rules that go into talking to the parents as far as what you are allowed to say and what you cannot say. The simplest things can be the deciding factor for a family on enrolling in a college or deciding upon another school. Some things I learned today include:

1. Never mention money or finances in any way at any point. Every family situation is different and you cannot assume that each family will get provided the same financial help as others.

2, Never give specifics. Never state what time classes start or if teacher comes late. Never give your full life story because general is always better.

3, Never give any bad experiences. Make every situation a public relations event. If a teacher is late, never say that. If you didn't like a teacher, instead say that he was challenging and interesting. Never tell specifics unless parents ask.

This will help me to prepare for more admissions events coming up soon and it will prepare me to talk to prospective students and their parent or guardian.

Wine Anyone?

Today, I got to help host an event today for the faulty and staff of Nichols College. I got to work with Paul and the Admissions team to help host an event that would include wine and cheese and a very informal setting. I learned a lot from this event. For example, I learned that the Admissions department doesn't like putting it on and does it just to play nicely in the sandbox which was very evident when the professors arrived. The admissions department was kissing up to  many professors, however, I didn't know what was going on. I was being the typical friendly me, so I hoped that no professors thought I was being a kiss up. I also learned that having this internship has allowed me to form amazing connections with professors at events like this and many professors were very happy to see.

I was given the task of setting up the food and the wine and other alcohol for the event. I had to get a cart from the basement of the admissions department and fill it with the food trays that needed to be brought over to the Black Tavern. After a few times of misdirection as far as where to store the food until the Black Tavern was open, I also had to get the glasses, cups, napkins and toothpicks while waiting for the Black Tavern was being opened. Finally, when the Black Tavern did open, I got to set up the wines and lay out the trays of food. I learned quite quickly that red wine does not go into the fridge (I still don't know why) and white wine does. I enjoyed what I did for the event, though I felt I didn't really do a whole lot of planning and organizing the event. I did still have fun and I was able to make some great connections.

Fridays

Today was a lot different than the other days I have gone to work. There were so many prospective students in the Admissions Office when I arrived and yet it felt like no one was there. The top floor was abandoned, only to hold the life of a living plant in a few offices and some ambassadors climbing the stairs to get to papers printed off the printer or to go get a t-shirt for a prospective student. The divide in the office was incredible. Katie and the rest of the Admissions Counselors, minus Paul were no where in sight and there was not a trace of any kind to determine where they were going. I assumed they went to a high school to talk to the students. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was eerie.

I was invited once again to accompany a tour by my friend Brian. He and I have now worked a few tours together and have gotten the hang of each other's style. I have also found some helpful hints along the way. For example, we always discussed who would say what on the tour as well as not talking over one another. Having a game plan from the start helps to make the tours look and feel more fluid and comfortable. The family's react to our optimism in a positive light.

I also got to hand out fliers today made my Paul Brower inviting all of the faculty members to a wine and cheese reception where they would meet the new additions to the admissions department as well as casual socializing.

Fridays are slow, so I didnt do much. I hope though that I get to do more soon..

Lazy Days

Today, I went to my internship expecting to have a bustling day getting ready for Open House and next week's Homecoming weekend. Instead the office was quiet. Actually, unusually quiet that it was weird. I thought that most people were at lunch,  but apparently there were in a meeting or something. Katie was out of the office going to pick up her rental car and Paul was busy working on his own projects and such today.

I talked to the Katie Moulton, the new lady who is running Student Retention and the retention department of Nichols Admissions. We discussed improvements upon the retention of the school and how to make sure the students are satisfied. Having a role as an Resident Assistant, I have been able to be the inside eyes and ears for the residents to listen into what they have to say as far as what they want from this school. I got to bring up concerns with the residents as far as housing, programs and opportunities to help them to stay on campus. The rest of my internship consisted of me sitting and waiting for Paul for me to give an assignment and then leaving to go send a girl to the trainer. While he was gone, the fire alarm went off and by the time we were allowed in the building, there was only 5 or so minutes left. Paul's assignment for me was after he printed out a newsletter, to distribute them into the professors mailboxes. But since the fire alarms interrupted the process, I think this project will be held off until Friday. Today was quite boring and frustrating for me.

New Challenges

Today, my internship started early. In fact, I got part of my assignment yesterday for my internship. Paul decided to sit with me and my friends yesterday at lunch and we discussed many things. Of those included my idea to get a volleyball team started. Many students in my hallway have expressed the desire to join a volleyball team.

I had previously mentioned it to Paul and expressed the amount of student retention and the benefits it has to having a team on campus. Yesterday, he asked me to set up a table at the college club fair with some information on the first meeting and a sign up for people who may be interested in the team. I was interested in the fact that not only the fact that I got this club off the ground so quickly, but also that the fact that there were so many girls interested in joining the team. I felt like this was one step to event planning, since I organized the logistics of the club and got members to sign up, as well as setting up applications for people to coach the team. Many questions were asked about the team and thankfully I did have some assistance. I had some girls to sit beside of me to help answer volleyball vocab and runs and such.

After the college club fair, I went to the Admissions Department to help Katie with some last minute paperwork. I was asked to set folders up for each of the admissions counselors with information and handouts in folders. There was over 200 folders that I needed to fill, so Katie asked to call in for backup and some of the other campus ambassadors pitched in. Included in the folder we had to put duplicates of certain items, such as "core cards" that a student fills out with his name and major and hometown. I wondered why this was and Katie informed me that it was because of the opportunities. Students talk and like to stick together. Students can also market by word of mouth and give others brochures for the college.

Today overall was a very good day. I got to practice my skills of group work to effectively get all the folders done and I got the chance to  also help plan and organize the making of the volleyball team.

Taking the Lead

Today was a little different from many other days; today was Friday. As a student on campus, I will hassle the 5 days of classes to see the light at the end of the tunnel that for two and a half days I can kick back and relax in my residents hall sleeping in and relaxing with friends. I was quite excited to go to my internship today, because the quicker the time passed, the quicker I could start my weekend. When arriving today, I was expecting to do more in office work. With a bad memory, I often forget that with every day comes a new twist. Today's twist came the moment I dropped my backpack on the ground in my little cubicle area and asked, "What's the plan for today, boss?"

There was a group of girls sitting in the lounge area of the admissions department. Working at the admissions department, we refer to it as the "family room", because it is where the families can sit and talk to admissions counselors as well as wait for a tour. I was standing in the lobby when another admissions ambassador, Brian asked me if I was going to help him with a tour today. I advised him that I wanted to see if Paul or Katie needed anything but if not, I would love to. As if the world had made it so I should do this, both Katie and Paul immediately after stated there was no work for me to do in the office and off I went. This tour was a little different, because Brian let me take the lead on certain points. I got to further expand upon Residence Life as well as the tutoring department and certain opportunities in many different majors from information I had received when I had previously sat in on the meetings with the professors for departments. I enjoyed  the fact that I could further expand upon topics that they asked from just being involved in this internship and having the opportunity to sit in on important meetings. Luckily, the students seemed very excited and wanted to come.

Today was just another stepping stone for me to get to where I need to be. Nonetheless, I did come back to the office with paperwork awaiting me to copy over or make copies of, but I was able to take a leadership role in a different standpoint. Today allowed me the opportunity to work on my professional public speaking skills as well as work on presentation. To be convincing, one must appear knowledgeable or doubt falls into one's mind. I did stutter a few times, but Brian did manage to help me out and back me up when I did seem uneasy. I know, as a Business Communications major that the more tours I go on, the more public speaking experience I will get which will benefit me for the better. I was very happy with the opportunity to lead the tour alongside Brian. I was given a good review after the tour as well and told by others that they want me to go with them. I firmly believe that positive actions have positive results. I feel this internship thus far has affirmed that. I have worked hard at everything I have done and received amazing opportunities and results.

Detours

Today, just like every other day, I came to work excited what today would bring. After learning from last week that I cannot skip lunch, I quickly munched on a salad from the Dining Hall and headed off to my internship. I arrived late, due to eating lunch and walked in on my boss as well as Katie and the other counselors having a meeting to follow up upon last minute things that need to done. Some of these included following up with schools for visits, and fairs; printing out letters for the Open House, buying plane tickets, stuffing envelopes, writing addresses to mail packages to schools, etc. I got the task today of helping Katie in whatever way I could, which looking at her to do list, she looked like she could use a hand or two

Katie had everything I previously mentioned on her to do list and more. Today, I was mainly refilling the printer, fixing it when need be, and writing addresses on the envelopes for reminder letters to counselors at the high schools of the upcoming visits.The thing that I really appreciate about Katie and her work is that she takes the time to specifically explain to me what I am doing for the day, but also to explain the reasoning behind what we do. For example, she wanted me to hand write the addresses on the letters that were being mailed out because it portrays a message that every letter is personal and special. Personalized letters have a certain authenticity that resonates when one writes or reads them and sends a clear message to the receiver that makes the receiver feel important. I was glad I could have the honor of making someone else feel special, if only for a moment.

Though these jobs do seem small and boring, I do understand that not only does someone need to do them, but also they are the stepping stones to what will come later on in the internship. In a very subtle way, I am being trained around the office and getting to understand and know, not only who likes who, but also where items are if my boss or Katie asks me to go find letter head paper or to print something or what have you. I enjoy learning all the new ins and outs of the company, even though I do get lost on occasion or call someone the wrong name. I look forward to the many more crazy adventures I will have here on the hill as well as building relationships with people that could also help me succeed later on in my academic career.

Taking Strides

Showing up to my internship today, I really didn't know what to expect. With every day, comes a new adventure. I have found that aspect of this internship enjoyable. I enjoy looking forward to what new adventure will be waiting for me to take on. Today's adventure came with some things that I wasn't sure if I was comfortable with.

 Paul was very busy today with his tennis kids as well as figuring out logistics for the college fairs. Today, unlike every other day, I decided to take initiative. I went home over the weekend and was informed some truth. My mother said to me that if I want something done, you have to do it yourself. That's exactly what I did; Paul didn't have any work for me, so I set off on my own adventure asking around the office to see if anyone needed assistance. Finally, after what seemed like I asked everyone if they needed help and getting repeated nos, I got one yes.

Katie Storer is an admissions counselor who was swamped with work. I had previously known her working with her on Bison For a Night programs. She asked me to but business cards in admissions folders and neatly organize them. I was excited being the organized person I am, I knew the job would get done quickly as is, and I did finish it. After that, I got to sit in on an admissions meeting and hear what counselor would take which school to go to for the college fairs and events. Once the meeting was over, I pulled aside Katie and asked her if I could join. She said yes! I am so excited. Hopefully soon, I will be travelling to Uxbridge to observe and help to promote the hill and the bison pride here at Nichols. Things seem to be looking up for me and I am enjoying every second of it.

Katie Storer