Costco to College

Walking around Costco buying groceries, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to create a website providing college-going information. Something that all students could find useful, particularly first-generation, students of color from communities with the low educational attainment rates.

Not sure what this site would look like, or if it would ever move from being an idea to an actual resource. Hope it will, that’s why I’m putting it out there. If it was created it would focus on four aspects: Get Inspired, Get Informed, Get Connected, Get Money!

• Get Inspired (College Aspiration Building):

This section would be about the value of education. Throwing it back to the days were it was believed that education was the great equalizer. When education was viewed has the greatest institution of social transformation. It would build the aspiration of students through a variety of ways

• Get Informed (College Knowledge):

We are not underachievers. We do not undervalue education. This section and the entire site would be viewed from the Community Cultural Wealth or (Cultural Integrity) lens. Much of the research shows us who we are not and what we have lacked in achieving. We have experiences that provide a certain cultural capital, resiliency, and work ethic, but we need to build on it. Get informed is about providing the college knowledge. Sharing the necessary steps to be a strong college-bound student. Anything from discussing A-G requirements, tuition discounting, and institutional fit.

• Get Connected (Peer Group Support & Mentorship):

They say it takes a village to raise a child, so what is necessary to help a student go to college? This is were the peer motivation comes. Connecting students to community-based organizations like Fulfillment fund, 100 Black men, and many more. Share how to interact and work with university representatives. Expose college-bound students to the dedicated student initiated outreach groups that exist on numerous campuses.  Helping students with academic and social integration. By getting connected we building self-advocacy/efficacy amongst these students. Its a struggle when you think you are doing it alone. But the truth is you’re not. I know hundreds of people who are dedicated to making a difference and help students go to college. This section is most important in showing the power of humanity. How we can make together to make a difference.

• Get Money (Financial Literacy, Scholarships, and College Affordability):

I’ve seen to many students have to drop-out, not because of grades or lack of sense of belonging, but strictly due to financial reasons. We need to do a better job of promoting all the financial resources available to students. Ranging from fee waivers for SAT/College Apps to how to get a work-study position on campus. This section, in my mind has Wu-Tang  playing in the background. The section would provide detailed information on the FAFSA, Tuition Price vs actual Cost of Attendance, Scholarship databases like Zinch and everything else under the sun.

• Get Counseling (Free College Counseling via Skype):

“Face time” with a college counselor is extremely important and can be a way to differentiate our project. This would be an opportunity to collaborate with people committeed to improve access and college-going culture.  It can be as simple as a college counseling sessions via skype/google hangout. Thinking short-term, it would be a one-time academic intervention. Allowing students to free access to admissions/outreach counselors. As the project develops, keeping sustained-relationships with students would be key. Can this be done? I’m looking at Unigo, but thinking free! (http://www.unigo.com/getting-in)

It would also be great to add a “thrive” section. Discussing the various opportunities once you’ve been accepted. Talking about summer bridge programs, TRIO programs, student involvement opportunities, how to connect with caring professors, and much more. Making sure students build a connection to the university. This section would also included a Pay it forward blurb about going back to your hometown and talking to students about going to college and helping move your community forward.

That’s pretty much my idea for a website/online resource. Let me know what you think. I would love other peoples perspective.

“I never had much faith in leaders. I am willing to be charged with almost anything, rather than to be charged with being a leader. I am suspicious of leaders, and especially of the intellectual variety. Give me the rank and file every day in the week. If you go to the city of Washington, and you examine the pages of the Congressional Directory, you will find that almost all of those corporation lawyers and cowardly politicians, members of Congress, and misrepresentatives of the masses — you will find that almost all of them claim, in glowing terms, that they have risen from the ranks to places of eminence and distinction. I am very glad I cannot make that claim for myself. I would be ashamed to admit that I had risen from the ranks. When I rise it will be with the ranks, and not from the ranks.” Eugene V. Debs

A Janitor’s Work Ethic

So this post is long overdue, it’s been in my head for weeks and I finally decided to sit and write it. This post is about working hard to be the best in every aspect of your life, especially your job. And for me my job falls in line with my passion, so it’s easier. You may ask, what’s your job, Eric? Well, I am an Admissions Counselor at a private catholic university focusing on multicultural outreach and love it!

I am writing this post because I wanted to reflect on my experiences and describe how I gained my work ethic. So, I grew up in a family of hard working people, as many others do. My grandpa was a day laborer, my grandmother a seamstress working 14 hour days. Most of my uncles were/are custodians at high schools. My parents for years were janitors for a private company, now they own their own business. I grew up with a vacuum in my hand and a Windex bottle hooked to my pocket. From about 12 to midway through college I helped my parent’s cleaning offices. I was never excited to work nights with my parents, especially when the tasks consisted of taking out other people’s trash, cleaning their bathrooms, and organizing their desks. I did it because it was necessary. I did it because my parent’s said it would build character and responsibility.  Now, as I reflect on my experiences and the work I currently do, I realize that in those nights of cleaning I gained my strong work ethic. I gained humility (some may challenge me on that), customer service, accountability, and dedication to doing a job at the highest capacity.

Yesterday, I was given my performance evaluation for the new position I hold as Admissions Counselor. My supervisor and I had a two hour conversation about my work, leadership style, and way I carry myself. This conversation with my supervisor led me to writing what I truly learned as a janitor.

1)      Janitor’s work while you sleep. As the work day ends, ours start. We do the behind the scenes work. Cleaning your office, school, or medical facility while you sleep. From those long nights, I learned to take pride in “behind the scenes” work knowing that you won’t be noticed or recognized for it, but people will appreciate it.

 

2)      Janitors have humility. Whether it was throwing away trash, cleaning throw-up at an elementary school, or scrubbing toilet bowls, we did the task and didn’t complain. It was part of the job. Now, I realize no task is too menial or beneath me. I do my work and those “Other Duties as Assigned” with enthusiasm and to the best of my ability.

3)      Janitors prove their worth every day. With so many janitorial companies available trying to under sell you, you need to bring you’re A-game all the time. You can provide 364 days of wonder service, but if you mess up once, it could be your last day. There is 100% accountability for your workmanship and service. Now as a student affairs professional, I work every day with the mentality that I need to show why hiring me was a great decision. I bring it every day, I try to prove my worth every day. I don’t take it for granted, knowing how easy it is to be replaced.

This mentality, this work ethic is what I bring to my position. Some people see it as trying too hard, or over working. Other say it’s bad for work/life balance, but I never learned how to balance. For me, my work is my life. I can’t help but be excited to do the work I do. I get energized by the students and knowing I’m making a difference and helping reach their dreams of going to college. At the same time, there are days I’m super tired or sluggish. I have ways to motivate me. I have my Notre Dame “Play like a Champion” sign, the LeBron “baby powder throwing” gesture, and motivational quotes all over (in my home, room, and office). These things help me bring my A game every day and go H.A.M. in all that I do.

There is one more thing I’d like to share. During the performance review, I did receive one point of criticism; I was described as too smart for my own good…but also described as one of the top three hires in the last ten years. We talked about working on my “smugness” and the way I interact with others. Okay, what do you expect?  You can’t fuel the fire of confidence like that. As Kanye says, “It’s hard to be humble when you stuntin on a Jumbotron.” Okay, I digress. I was challenged to improve the way I interact with my coworkers and control my sometimes overbearing swag. I realize that you can either be an insensitive dictator that delegates tasks or an inspiring leader that gets people to buy-in; I want to be the latter. As I seek to improve myself,  I will continuously work on being a more caring, genuine, and inspiring leader, especially if I want to become a Director/VP of Enrollment Management in the future.