the Present and the Future

Hello and Happy almost-April!

Well, I am about halfway through my fourth and final semester of grad school. The weeks are just flying by. I am taking three classes instead of four this semester (but the usual nine credits); they are Leadership & Administration in Higher Ed, Program Development, and Assessment of Learning in Higher Ed. I’m learning so much and am eager to be able to apply it more in a future job. The professor for the Leadership class is the former provost here who recently “retired” and is now teaching in this program—he has so many years of experience and wisdom and it is an honor to learn from him.

This week is spring break here and not being away this year, I have been enjoying a quiet and relaxing time in my house, as most of my housemates are gone for the week. Although I have had to learn the benefits of quiet and solitude, I am glad to be able to carve out chunks of time to work at home. Having the biggest snowfall of this winter during spring break, however, was not something I had anticipated. J

I can finally say that I have written the final two chapters for my thesis and am getting so close to the end goal! Although I have to say I am ready to be completely done, it has honestly been a rewarding experience as I have learned so much about conducting research and doing a project of this magnitude.

The intensity of the job search process is also upon me – keeping track of open positions, applying for those that seem a good fit, and interviewing. What a relief to know that my God is in control and already knows what job He will provide for me in His timing! Although my trust in His goodness and provision has not always remained steady, I am thankful to be able to fall back on that, remembering that He hasn’t failed me yet. 

In talking about plans for next year with my assistantship supervisor,  it becomes more and more real to me that I will not be here...that someone else will take my place in the office. I've also met a few members of the next incoming cohort in MAHE and imagine them in classes and in the assistantships that my cohort currently hold. Learning how to mourn the end of a good thing while looking forward to the good things yet to come.....well, I'm just glad I have had time to get used to it. Change is never easy - and I have never said I like it - but I'm glad that the end of one adventure just means the beginning of another. J 

Blessings during this time of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!  

-Janette

from January 2013

Hello! 

Well, this is long-delayed, but recent months have been somewhat uneventful and yet have passed relatively quickly. The holidays have come and gone, and now I am getting used to writing “2013” on forms and checks. J

I successfully finished classes for my third semester, which was a wonderful feeling. I stayed on campus for a couple more weeks as the undergrad semester wrapped up, and during that time I continued working on my thesis. I began conducting interviews and transcribing them—a long process! I visited my family in Georgia for three weeks during Christmas break, which was relaxing and a nice time to visit with some extended family members. It was, however, a little more difficult than other years, with the death of my maternal grandmother shortly before I returned home. So it was a good time to be with family and to be reminded of the uncertainty of life and the things (and people) that really matter.

Well, I am now back in Indiana for a few more weeks before the last plunge. I am currently finishing thesis interviews and beginning to think about the job search, which will very shortly be upon me. People frequently ask me about where I would like to work, what kind of school, the location, etc.—and I wish I had better answers for them. All I can say presently is that I am primarily seeking a residence life position (as a resident director) or one in student activities, and I am trusting God to guide me to the right place as I am researching job openings and applying to colleges.

At the end of this month, I will get back into my last semester of classes and am preparing for a pretty heavy schedule, so I am happy for a lighter schedule for the moment.

  

-Janette

from October 2012

Hello! 

Well, I know I have tried to start something like this many times before, with little success...but I am determined to write monthly (or so) to keep you informed on what is going on in my life right now, for anyone who would be interested in keeping up this way.  

So for right now - I am in my second and final year of grad school. It is a master's program in Higher Education and Student Development at Taylor University in Indiana. Classes are going pretty well so far this semester, but we're now headed into a busy time of the semester with only a month left. My cohort is taking a couple really good and thought-provoking classes this semester, so that especially has shaped things I am thinking about and learning. I am right in the middle of working on my thesis as well, as I have submitted a proposal to my review committee and am waiting to hear word of approval from one more member. As soon as I receive that and go through another review board, I will set to start on conducting interviews. For those who are wondering, my thesis is a qualitative study on the identity development process of pastor's kids during college; this is a two-year process as I started forming my topic last fall and will be done by graduation in May. 

The department I was working in for my assistantship last year, the Office of American Ethnic Student Programs, merged with a couple others over the summer to form an Office of Intercultural Programs. So my job is mostly the same as last year but I now work with more people (staff and students). This year I am specifically over our Gospel choir and a cultural diversity scholarship program. I really enjoy working there and have learned so much in a year and a half - from my supervisor, the students, and especially the work experiences I am having. Although I do not see myself working in this type of department immediately after finishing, I know that I will be better prepared for whatever job I do get from my two years in this assistantship. 

me with some of the great people I get to work with: a few of my student leaders and my boss (in the middle) 

In a more personal line, this year I am living with three other women, all are in their senior year at Taylor and one of whom I am very close to. We live in a house a couple blocks away from campus, and that has been a nice distance in terms of getting away but also being close enough that students can easily drop by. In a separate apartment just upstairs live four men who are also students at Taylor – three undergrads and one graduate student (in a different master’s program). It has definitely been a different housing experience but I am enjoying it.

So long for now! 

-Janette 

at the Bean in Chicago during fall break 

a common sight here in Indiana, and it took me a while to get adjusted to the flatness of the Midwest :)