Walk down memory lane with me, I was a rising senior during my Ohio Business Week (OBW) experience. During this time, I knew very little about how the involvement would help shape my future. To be fair, I knew I’d be on a REAL college campus, lodging in a dorm room, attending (classes) workshops, dining in the café, had classwork deadlines to meet, partake in creating a product and the opportunity to shadow a local business.
The unknown was… how would it shape me as a college student, alumni and as a career woman?! To give you a brief outlook, I will break my earnings down into three phases, being 1) College Assertion, 2) Post College and 3) The Now.
College Assertion- Without thought, I applied to five colleges. Three of the five are in Ohio, my home state. One in Florida, one in West Virginia. Luckily, received acceptance letters to each institute. Before making my selection, I desired to visit each campus. Four of the Five were visited. Ultimately, I became a student of the West Virginia institution.
What a great experience, I stayed on campus my first year. During that time had a full class load, two work-study positions; student admissions and college catering (throughout my first two years.) Moving into my second and third year as an undergrad, I lived off campus in an apartment with a fellow student/friend. Still maintaining my course load, social affairs, even joined a Sorority, now working off campus and began my “now” love for traveling. Then came my final year of undergrad, I already earned most of my in-class hours to graduate. Just needed to acquire an internship. Therefore, I relocated back to my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio to intern in a law office which housed seven attorneys’. Throughout those years, I made the Dean’s List during several semesters.
With this phase, I can attest… that taste of college prepared me for:
• Balancing independence as a young adult
• Time Management
• Manage the course load
• Depending on peers (i.e.: During the 911 Attacks, all we had was one another)
• Open-mindedness
Post College- When I relocated to Cleveland, Ohio for the law office internship… the plan was to stay in my hometown for just a year, which I did. At that time, I completed all requirements to earn my associates and bachelor’s degree. Then decided, I still desired to learn more in my field.
During the expiration of that year, I relocated to Charlotte, NC and fortunately my alma mater offered “online classes” or independent studies. Therefore, I applied for graduate school and maintained a full-time job in my new city! As an independent study graduate student, many of my assignments required a proctor and loads of research! Heading into my final year, I opted to resign from my job to focus on my exit submissions, landed another internship in a law office and at the local police department. Before graduating with a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice, I became a full-time employee with the police department immediately after the completion of my internship.
With this phase, I can attest… that OBW prepared me for:
• Taking a leap on life decisions and academic aspirations
• Balancing short term vs long-term goals
• Taking unpaid internships, victory at the end
• Full adult independence
• Discipline
The Now- Still employed with the police department. Yet, I have owned and ran a lucrative event planning service for six years. Years later, recognized a change was on the rise, I began the process to liquidate my services as an event planner. After a couple years, what started off as a freelance writer of my own work. Now a self-published author with four published book titles ranging from nonfiction, fiction, self-help and juvenile fiction.
Of course, adulting came… marriage, a bonus son, joined a business organization, became a voting advocate, faced several business opportunities, ownerships and experiences, lessons and blessings. This phase of my life is still being written.
Nonetheless, this phase, I can attest… that OBW prepared me for:
• Entrepreneurship
• Trials vs. Lessons
• Marketing
• A seat at the table!
I just had time to share a dash from my personal and professional life after Ohio Business Week. To the upcoming OBW students, I encourage you to take full advantage of this experience. Then circle back so others can be graced with your mission POST OBW.
The unknown was… how would it shape me as a college student, alumni and as a career woman?! To give you a brief outlook, I will break my earnings down into three phases, being 1) College Assertion, 2) Post College and 3) The Now.
College Assertion- Without thought, I applied to five colleges. Three of the five are in Ohio, my home state. One in Florida, one in West Virginia. Luckily, received acceptance letters to each institute. Before making my selection, I desired to visit each campus. Four of the Five were visited. Ultimately, I became a student of the West Virginia institution.
What a great experience, I stayed on campus my first year. During that time had a full class load, two work-study positions; student admissions and college catering (throughout my first two years.) Moving into my second and third year as an undergrad, I lived off campus in an apartment with a fellow student/friend. Still maintaining my course load, social affairs, even joined a Sorority, now working off campus and began my “now” love for traveling. Then came my final year of undergrad, I already earned most of my in-class hours to graduate. Just needed to acquire an internship. Therefore, I relocated back to my hometown, Cleveland, Ohio to intern in a law office which housed seven attorneys’. Throughout those years, I made the Dean’s List during several semesters.
With this phase, I can attest… that taste of college prepared me for:
• Balancing independence as a young adult
• Time Management
• Manage the course load
• Depending on peers (i.e.: During the 911 Attacks, all we had was one another)
• Open-mindedness
Post College- When I relocated to Cleveland, Ohio for the law office internship… the plan was to stay in my hometown for just a year, which I did. At that time, I completed all requirements to earn my associates and bachelor’s degree. Then decided, I still desired to learn more in my field.
During the expiration of that year, I relocated to Charlotte, NC and fortunately my alma mater offered “online classes” or independent studies. Therefore, I applied for graduate school and maintained a full-time job in my new city! As an independent study graduate student, many of my assignments required a proctor and loads of research! Heading into my final year, I opted to resign from my job to focus on my exit submissions, landed another internship in a law office and at the local police department. Before graduating with a Masters’ Degree in Criminal Justice, I became a full-time employee with the police department immediately after the completion of my internship.
With this phase, I can attest… that OBW prepared me for:
• Taking a leap on life decisions and academic aspirations
• Balancing short term vs long-term goals
• Taking unpaid internships, victory at the end
• Full adult independence
• Discipline
The Now- Still employed with the police department. Yet, I have owned and ran a lucrative event planning service for six years. Years later, recognized a change was on the rise, I began the process to liquidate my services as an event planner. After a couple years, what started off as a freelance writer of my own work. Now a self-published author with four published book titles ranging from nonfiction, fiction, self-help and juvenile fiction.
Of course, adulting came… marriage, a bonus son, joined a business organization, became a voting advocate, faced several business opportunities, ownerships and experiences, lessons and blessings. This phase of my life is still being written.
Nonetheless, this phase, I can attest… that OBW prepared me for:
• Entrepreneurship
• Trials vs. Lessons
• Marketing
• A seat at the table!
I just had time to share a dash from my personal and professional life after Ohio Business Week. To the upcoming OBW students, I encourage you to take full advantage of this experience. Then circle back so others can be graced with your mission POST OBW.
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