Graduated in 2014 Worked in FYE 2012-2014 |
In my spare time, I also served as a CoChair for the 2017 German American Conference at Harvard an, this fall, will be participating in a project with the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS) at John Hopkins University called “A German-American Dialogue of the Next Generation: Global Responsibility, Joint Engagement”. |
1.) What was one take away that you learned from working in FYE?
To take constructive criticism as a learning opportunity (versus a personal attack) and to develop an initiative work style (I struggled with procrastination when starting out at FYE).
2.) How did your experience in FYE prepare you for your first job after Salem State?
Since my first position upon graduation entailed supporting first year students in Melbourne, Australia with Northeastern University, my time at FYE directly prepared me for my first post-Master’s degree job. FYE not only helped me acquire this position but also aided me in developing public speaking and presentation skills through participating in FYE workshops and events; a skill pivotal in my work, time and time again.
During my fellowship at FYE, I was able to engage directly with faculty members which was a huge benefit for me, both personally and professionally. Now, at MIT and with other projects I have since worked on, I interact with senior faculty and high level individuals (in politics, industry, and academic) on a regular basis, and I believe I would have been more intimidated had I not had the opportunity to do so at Salem State. Overall, many of the projects and positions I’ve undertaken have all been connected; each one leading and building to another opportunity down the road. I can’t imagine completing any of them without the foundation I gained at FYE.
On a personal level, FYE helped me to develop a thicker skin, which has been pivotal skill to have over the last few years in several high stakes, high pressure situations. As a result of Mathew’s mentorship and supervision, I believe I came to adopt a solution-based approach to work (and life), instead of focusing too narrowly on challenges and hurdles.
3.) What is your favorite memory/the best part of working in FYE?
My favorite part of working at FYE was listening to Mathew’s bad jokes as well as the late nights I would spend writing papers and studying with my peers. Being surrounded by people (in a work setting) who were also going through the same program (and often, similar anxieties) as I was gave me a sense of community. Looking back, it was a deeply valuable bonding experience. As mentioned before, I am also very grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know several faculty members affiliated with FYE.
4.) What skills did you learn from working in FYE, how are they applicable to your current job?
Although my current job resides within the field of sponsored research versus student affairs, I try to incorporate the support skills I learned at FYE into my current work as much as possible. Working with international students and scholars at MIT, I try to advocate for them when I can and employ exit surveys, opportunities for reflection, regular check-ins, and events that contribute to their overall development and sense of satisfaction. I believe I learned these values at SSU, which I intend to carry throughout my career.
5.) In what way(s) do you feel like FYE supported you in your growth?
Mathew Chetnik is (clearly) a seasoned veteran who knows how to support student growth. His mentorship to my cohort of retention fellows was no exception. Mathew is an excellent student affairs professional (thus, we learned from the example he modeled) but more importantly, a deeply empathetic and thoughtful person who was willing to lend a listening ear, give advice, or engage in difficult conversations, when needed. The behaviors/values he exhibited certainly left a lasting impression. FYE also gave me the opportunity to work in a variety of capacities/learn new systems and softwares that were initially unfamiliar, but then later became skills – which supported my overall growth as a professional. Favorite
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?
Try new things and say yes to as many opportunities as you can at FYE – professionally and personally. Many of the things you think you want now will change and the wider your net is cast, the more colorful/interesting/beneficial your experience will be. Having a diverse portfolio of projects, experiences, and responsibilities will later help you market yourself to future employers upon graduation. Also, to echo something Mathew once said to me: “Remember to also enjoy your experience at SSU and FYE, it will fly by faster than you think”.
One last note to 2nd year FYE students (caps lock intentional): DO NOT WORRY – YOU WILL GET A JOB AFTER GRADUATION!
To take constructive criticism as a learning opportunity (versus a personal attack) and to develop an initiative work style (I struggled with procrastination when starting out at FYE).
2.) How did your experience in FYE prepare you for your first job after Salem State?
Since my first position upon graduation entailed supporting first year students in Melbourne, Australia with Northeastern University, my time at FYE directly prepared me for my first post-Master’s degree job. FYE not only helped me acquire this position but also aided me in developing public speaking and presentation skills through participating in FYE workshops and events; a skill pivotal in my work, time and time again.
During my fellowship at FYE, I was able to engage directly with faculty members which was a huge benefit for me, both personally and professionally. Now, at MIT and with other projects I have since worked on, I interact with senior faculty and high level individuals (in politics, industry, and academic) on a regular basis, and I believe I would have been more intimidated had I not had the opportunity to do so at Salem State. Overall, many of the projects and positions I’ve undertaken have all been connected; each one leading and building to another opportunity down the road. I can’t imagine completing any of them without the foundation I gained at FYE.
On a personal level, FYE helped me to develop a thicker skin, which has been pivotal skill to have over the last few years in several high stakes, high pressure situations. As a result of Mathew’s mentorship and supervision, I believe I came to adopt a solution-based approach to work (and life), instead of focusing too narrowly on challenges and hurdles.
3.) What is your favorite memory/the best part of working in FYE?
My favorite part of working at FYE was listening to Mathew’s bad jokes as well as the late nights I would spend writing papers and studying with my peers. Being surrounded by people (in a work setting) who were also going through the same program (and often, similar anxieties) as I was gave me a sense of community. Looking back, it was a deeply valuable bonding experience. As mentioned before, I am also very grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know several faculty members affiliated with FYE.
4.) What skills did you learn from working in FYE, how are they applicable to your current job?
Although my current job resides within the field of sponsored research versus student affairs, I try to incorporate the support skills I learned at FYE into my current work as much as possible. Working with international students and scholars at MIT, I try to advocate for them when I can and employ exit surveys, opportunities for reflection, regular check-ins, and events that contribute to their overall development and sense of satisfaction. I believe I learned these values at SSU, which I intend to carry throughout my career.
5.) In what way(s) do you feel like FYE supported you in your growth?
Mathew Chetnik is (clearly) a seasoned veteran who knows how to support student growth. His mentorship to my cohort of retention fellows was no exception. Mathew is an excellent student affairs professional (thus, we learned from the example he modeled) but more importantly, a deeply empathetic and thoughtful person who was willing to lend a listening ear, give advice, or engage in difficult conversations, when needed. The behaviors/values he exhibited certainly left a lasting impression. FYE also gave me the opportunity to work in a variety of capacities/learn new systems and softwares that were initially unfamiliar, but then later became skills – which supported my overall growth as a professional. Favorite
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?
Try new things and say yes to as many opportunities as you can at FYE – professionally and personally. Many of the things you think you want now will change and the wider your net is cast, the more colorful/interesting/beneficial your experience will be. Having a diverse portfolio of projects, experiences, and responsibilities will later help you market yourself to future employers upon graduation. Also, to echo something Mathew once said to me: “Remember to also enjoy your experience at SSU and FYE, it will fly by faster than you think”.
One last note to 2nd year FYE students (caps lock intentional): DO NOT WORRY – YOU WILL GET A JOB AFTER GRADUATION!