(Originally posted in July of 2011)
I am a Graduate student who goes to
school at my top choice institution. I graduated in 2010 with my
Bachelor’s Degree and began a graduate program the following Fall at
the same institution. Not only do I go to school here, but I also work here
part-time. Navigating these roles is a little unique. There are areas where it
is on me to be a little more proactive and learn to network and balance the
personal relationships I have acquired in a new light. There are pieces of it
where I am the young adult, wishing my parents would stop treating me like a
kid, and there are moments when I want someone to just hold my hand and walk me
through the process.
To say I am familiar with the
culture here is an understatement. I know this institution like
the back of my hand. I have been in several student leadership
positions, working with our Office of Campus Life, Housing and Dining Programs and
a series of other offices continue to develop my leadership. I have sat on
boards with the Dean of Students and the Vice Provost of Undergraduate
Studies. I have created a great network of mentors and role models, people
who have guided me through my transition as a transfer student here, through my
graduation and then through my application, admittance and acceptance into the graduate
program here.
Being a Pseudo-Professional doesn't mean that I am not at all acclimated to the culture, the community or the mission and vision of the Institution; it means more that on a personal
level I am faced with confidence challenges in my ability to perform among individuals who I have looked up to and are now my colleagues.
On another personal level, I have to
also learn to balance my relationships, people who were once my friends are
people that I supervise. They are people I advise and people that now because
of the role I have, can’t interact with them on the same level that I used
to.
As it relates to my colleagues, it
means treating me as someone who they can learn from and continue to mentor and
teach in my new professional role, without thinking of me as the young student
they once guided through undergrad.
There are a lot of areas of this new
experience and there are pieces of it that drive me crazy, so welcome to the
world I live in. Hopefully you can gather some insight and learn something new
about yourself or another person in an experience similar to mine.
