The ball is rolling! A month and a half to go, and schools are finally getting back to me. It's nice to know that hard work pays off.

Almost all of the positions that I applied for will utilize my experience in Residence Life or Admissions in one way or another. Some of them are graduate assistantships while others are full-time professional positions. Right now, I could go either way. Both avenues have their pros and cons, but in the end, I am confident that I will find a position with a school that gives me the opportunity to continue propagating the mission of serving the world as a man for other. For me, there is no better way to do that than by serving students.

I am beginning to feel more confident in myself since the phone calls have begun. The thrill that I felt when I first began sending out applications is coming back. It's definitely a good thing. I'm sure that I'll have more updates in a couple of weeks. Be sure to check back!

Easter break was a good time. I spent most of the days with my niece, Rachel. I always think that it's so amazing how kids grow and change from day to day. And without a doubt, Rachel does. She's only two, but she already knows so much that I could almost have a full blown conversation with her. Of course, the topics are always related to Barney, my nephew, or my mom, but for a two year old, she's pretty impressive.

Seeing my parents was nice, too. The three of us have been so busy in the past year that we really haven't gotten to see one another. The work that we're putting in, of course, will pay off, but it was nice to have a conversation that was face to face.

And I haven't spoken about it before, but keeping up with my friends has become so easy over the past few years because of Facebook. Yes, there are many stigmas attached with Facebook and some of the creepy people that insist on ruining it for the rest of us, but I think that being able to catch up with your friends when you otherwise wouldn't have time to is a nice thing. Some people think it's a bit too impersonal, but I found it to increase that personal nature of a friendship even more.

My little explanation there was to let you know that even though my friends and I were all busy doing other things over break, we were still able to keep up with one another through Facebook. Extended but important.

I guess I'm trying to ignore the fact that my last month and a half as an undergrad here has already begun. My graduation pictures have been ordered, I pick up my cap and gown next week, and there is the possibility that I'll be leaving The U before my next birthday (just under two months). I've talked about it a great deal before now, but the reality of the situation is finally beginning to sink in.

Bigger and better things are coming; I have no doubts about that. Still, I'll never be able to forget the impact that being here had on the person that I am today. I had opportunities and challenges here at The U that I would not have been able to have if I had chosen any other school. I'm leaving something behind, though. I have high hopes that all of the work I've done here has helped to pave the way for those who will be here after me, that they can learn from my mistakes and build upon my successes.

As always, I am totally aware of the corniness of some of the thing that I say in this blog, but I hope that you understand the sincerity of my words.

Ok. Lighter topic. The sun is finally beginning to shine. Scranton is warming up, and flip-flops have begun their annual invasion of campus. Let's keep it up, Mother Nature!

Later days!

Rob

Posted by Robert Swinton at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey all! The last few weeks have been a bit busy here in Scranton. My goal with this entry is to update you on that...let's hope it happens.

Admissions had its Freshmen Preview Day this past weekend (yesterday). For those of you who aren't familiar with this event, it is a special "last look at Scranton before making a final decision" type deal. It is only for accepted students. It gives them the chance to speak to representatives from virtually every department and office on campus. The reps that are there answering questions hope that, with their help, each student who visits will be able to cement their choice for the next four (or five or seven, depending on your program) years with The University of Scranton. Choosing a college/university is a scary thing; I have no doubts about that. You're making a decision that is going to affect the person that you are for the rest of your life. Pretty heavy stuff, but I have faith that all those students who came to our campus yesterday will make the right choice for them (and that choice is usually Scranton!).

On a more personal note, things have been going well. Classes are marching on, as they always do, but this time with a clearer termination point. Like I've said over and over again, I'm confident in the skills and lessons that I've learned here, but the job market is looking a bit thin right now. Everyone keeps telling me that all my worrying is for nothing, and I'm beginning to believe them. Not only do I have faith in myself and my education, though, I have faith in this great country and its people. Before long, things will begin to settle down a bit. In the meantime, I am looking for that great opportunity to continue serving students. My ideal position would be one which keeps me in the higher education arena. I'd hate to think that I'd leave here with all of this higher-ed decision-making knowledge and administrative experience and have it go to waste. Of one thing I am sure--whatever entry position I eventually accept will be for the benefit of other students. St. Ignatius commands us to be men and women for others by setting the world on fire. I know of no better way to fulfill that mission than by helping students, especially in the college setting. My true hope is that someone recognizes my passion and puts it to good use.

What I'm looking forward to a great deal in the next half a year or so is my personal development, my transition from involved college student to a productive member of society. Shorts and t-shirts just won't cut it anymore on those warm June, July, and August day (well...what I wear after work is a different story). And I'm ok with that. I looked at all of those students who visited The U yesterday, and I knew that my time was coming to an end. I've done just about all I could here as an undergrad. I've contributed to this institution more than I ever thought I could or planned on. All that experience made me the person that I am today, but it really for me alone. It was for my fellow classmates, sure, but it was mostly for those who come after us, those who will enter The U and reap the benefit of our toils. It's pretty cool when you really think about it.

But yes...personal development. A person is going to emerge in me that I've known in only a few capacities. My desire and ambition, of course, will remain and probably even grow (healthily, of course), but my goals will be different. How other professionals see me (as a peer rather than a student) will change. With increased responsibility will come an increased chance to impact people's lives for the better. I'm excited.

I'll always be a student, though. There will always be some class that I want to take or some new skill that I'll want to learn. And during those times when my textbooks find temporary homes on a shelf somewhere, I'll finally get the chance to read some of the great works that I've had to put off because of other responsibilities. My thirst for knowledge will never die, and my passion for spreading that knowledge won't either.

I'm heading home to Milford tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to seeing my parents and my niece and nephew. I'm actually going to play babysitter for the two kids on Wednesday. The weather doesn't look good, but I promised my niece that I would take her to the park at least a few times while I'm home. Man knows no wrath like that of a child scorned, so I'll be sure to take every opportunity I can to keep my promise.

One last thing...

I pledged my first alumni-type donation to The University today. Every year, members of the graduating class are encouraged to pledge donations based on their graduation year. This year's pledge is $20.09. It's a great way to jumpstart our alumni involvement in The U. Speaking from experience, our alumni are involved. Without them, I doubt that The U would be what it is today. Graduation only means that we've achieved a certain level of academic excellence. Our part in this University family continues indefinitely.

I wish you all a blessed and happy Easter!

Rob

Posted by Robert Swinton at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)