Graduated in 2014 Worked in FYE 2012-2013 |
Since working in FYE I worked at MassBay Community College as a Senior Research Analyst in the Office of Strategic Planning and Partnership Advancement from 2013-2015. After MassBay I served as the Director of STEM Pathways at Northern Essex Community College from 2015-2017. This past July, I joined the College of Computer and Information Sciences at Northeastern University as Cooperative Education Faculty. In my role I advise students around co-op, work with employers who host co-op students, and teach the required co-op prep course. |
I worked with Mathew in FYE from September 2012 to January 2013. This was the first year FYE was its own entity with Mathew as the Director. I also worked for Jesus Montoya in MapWorks during this same semester and I split my time (25-30 hours) between the two offices. While in FYE I served as the advisor to Alpha Lambda Delta and played a large role in developing the exit survey report for first-year students who choose not to return for a second semester.
1.) What was one take away that you learned from working in FYE?
It was really helpful for me to see how Mathew created the FYE office, program and services from the ground up. With the department being entirely new, I really enjoyed the start-up feel the office environment and work offered. Mathew, myself and the other 2 graduate retention fellows worked together to develop programs, services and bring back programs that were previously discontinued, such as the first-year honor society Alpha Lambda Delta. With Map-Works being a new program, we leveraged this technology to drive our outreach, approach and prioritize services to students. Through this position I honed my interest in retention, first-year services, and loved seeing how the office functioned being in Academic Affairs rather than Student Affairs.
2.) How did your experience in FYE prepare you for your first job after Salem State?
During my time in FYE I developed an interest in research and institutional research. As a result, I focused my practicum search around research, reporting and retention services. I ended up being hired at MassBay Community College as a Senior Research Analyst and was able to count this experience towards my practicum. My time at FYE really put into focus how research and reporting tools could support retention and persistence efforts on any campus.
3.) What is your favorite memory/the best part of working in FYE?
The best part of working in FYE was the opportunity to work with Mathew and my peers. I loved brainstorming and developing new programs and outreach efforts with Mathew – when we saw a need among students any one of us was willing to throw out an idea around providing support. We all had a long-term projects assigned to us, but most of the time we worked closely with one another behind the scenes to pull together all the details. It was also a blast working with the other two grads in FYE, I loved the comradery we had and the support we offered one another with work and academics. My favorite memory has to have been the day the power went out and so we went on an adventure!
4.) What skills did you learn from working in FYE, how are they applicable to your current job?
I was able to build upon my helping/counseling skills, advising skills, and further develop my facilitation skills. It was also extremely helpful for me to see how support services could be approached with faculty from an academic affairs perspective. In my current role I am using these skills and this insight constantly as I advise students on career development as they search for their co-ops. I also teach the professional career development course required of students before they go out on co-op and I believe my facilitation/teaching experiences from FYE along with roles I have held since FYE have prepared me well for this position.
5.) In what way(s) do you feel like FYE supported you in your growth?
Working on campus in FYE was very helpful to me. I was able to take what I was learning in the classroom and immediately put new approaches into practice. It was helpful to learn about theory and see it play out every day in the office. I especially appreciated Mathew’s role in helping connect what I was seeing amongst students and on-campus back to theories covered in class. Mathew was always willing to take a deep dive into concepts covered in class and how to apply them in practice. Moreover knowing what I was learning in the classroom was supporting the work in FYE (and vice versa) further motivated me to do well in class and on projects.
6.) What is one piece of advice you would like to give a first-year graduate student who is about to start their Graduate retention fellow in FYE?
I would encourage a first-year graduate student starting off in FYE to get comfortable with change and uncertainty. Every day brought something new, whether that involved a last-minute change with a program or an unexpected student emergency – it’s bound to happen. Learning how to roll with the punches and think on your feet will serve you well. Mathew was a great role model in helping me to see that even the best laid plans will inevitably encounter snags and in the end you cannot prepare for all unexpected occurrences so learning how to stay calm and focused in the moment is critical. Also, don’t forget that you’re a full-time student first and a graduate fellow in FYE second!
1.) What was one take away that you learned from working in FYE?
It was really helpful for me to see how Mathew created the FYE office, program and services from the ground up. With the department being entirely new, I really enjoyed the start-up feel the office environment and work offered. Mathew, myself and the other 2 graduate retention fellows worked together to develop programs, services and bring back programs that were previously discontinued, such as the first-year honor society Alpha Lambda Delta. With Map-Works being a new program, we leveraged this technology to drive our outreach, approach and prioritize services to students. Through this position I honed my interest in retention, first-year services, and loved seeing how the office functioned being in Academic Affairs rather than Student Affairs.
2.) How did your experience in FYE prepare you for your first job after Salem State?
During my time in FYE I developed an interest in research and institutional research. As a result, I focused my practicum search around research, reporting and retention services. I ended up being hired at MassBay Community College as a Senior Research Analyst and was able to count this experience towards my practicum. My time at FYE really put into focus how research and reporting tools could support retention and persistence efforts on any campus.
3.) What is your favorite memory/the best part of working in FYE?
The best part of working in FYE was the opportunity to work with Mathew and my peers. I loved brainstorming and developing new programs and outreach efforts with Mathew – when we saw a need among students any one of us was willing to throw out an idea around providing support. We all had a long-term projects assigned to us, but most of the time we worked closely with one another behind the scenes to pull together all the details. It was also a blast working with the other two grads in FYE, I loved the comradery we had and the support we offered one another with work and academics. My favorite memory has to have been the day the power went out and so we went on an adventure!
4.) What skills did you learn from working in FYE, how are they applicable to your current job?
I was able to build upon my helping/counseling skills, advising skills, and further develop my facilitation skills. It was also extremely helpful for me to see how support services could be approached with faculty from an academic affairs perspective. In my current role I am using these skills and this insight constantly as I advise students on career development as they search for their co-ops. I also teach the professional career development course required of students before they go out on co-op and I believe my facilitation/teaching experiences from FYE along with roles I have held since FYE have prepared me well for this position.
5.) In what way(s) do you feel like FYE supported you in your growth?
Working on campus in FYE was very helpful to me. I was able to take what I was learning in the classroom and immediately put new approaches into practice. It was helpful to learn about theory and see it play out every day in the office. I especially appreciated Mathew’s role in helping connect what I was seeing amongst students and on-campus back to theories covered in class. Mathew was always willing to take a deep dive into concepts covered in class and how to apply them in practice. Moreover knowing what I was learning in the classroom was supporting the work in FYE (and vice versa) further motivated me to do well in class and on projects.
6.) What is one piece of advice you would like to give a first-year graduate student who is about to start their Graduate retention fellow in FYE?
I would encourage a first-year graduate student starting off in FYE to get comfortable with change and uncertainty. Every day brought something new, whether that involved a last-minute change with a program or an unexpected student emergency – it’s bound to happen. Learning how to roll with the punches and think on your feet will serve you well. Mathew was a great role model in helping me to see that even the best laid plans will inevitably encounter snags and in the end you cannot prepare for all unexpected occurrences so learning how to stay calm and focused in the moment is critical. Also, don’t forget that you’re a full-time student first and a graduate fellow in FYE second!