TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 - SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES - PART II

 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 - SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES - PART II

I’ve been fortunate enough to go to two alumni weddings.

The first was a coed who played college varsity softball and was hired by Microsoft.  She got on a developing and testing team for the Dynamics ERP product.  She has been honored by Microsoft for her work.

I was honored to be at her wedding and share the joy of the new couple.

And, along the line, she was diagnosed with cancer.  With cancer, her family, and her job, she persevered, beat cancer, and is an outstanding member of her company and her community.

***

The second was a student from Quinnipiac.  He got into the leadership development program by The Hartford Insurance Company and was a fast riser with them.  

We had coffee frequently and he asked me about taking a lateral move from Hartford to Charlotte North Carolina.  As we talked, it seemed to make more sense to make a move.

Now seven years later, he has done quite well.  He married a local North Carolina lady, has moved to a management position with an energy firm, and has an awesome son. (The wedding was in a converted quarry - and with a waterfall for ambiance!!).  

I am so proud of this student, and all of the students I’ve had over the years!!!

I have still mentored students through email and texts. 

Note - this might sound like I’m a great mentor.  That isn’t the case.  I do like to mentor (and even have an Amazon e-book “Coaching and Mentoring for College Students)”, but they had other teachers who also encouraged them.

*****

One student I didn’t mentor was David.  David was a non-traditional student who worked for a manufacturing company.  He did okay and was hired by one of our good employers.  Tom Farrell and I stopped and visited that company every other year.  But one year, we heard that David had been fired and that David had committed suicide.  

I don’t know what went wrong.  Was it the job, or was it some family issues?  He left two teenage boys.  

As a person who has struggled with some personal issues, I still think of David.  If you are one of those that fight depression and feel that you have no value, I understand and hope that you can find a counselor to help you.  There are plenty of jobs available and plenty of people who can help.  Get help!!!

*****

I wanted to mention Elsie.  (Okay, I wasn’t a good mentor with Elsie).  She was an average student - two siblings had gone through the program at Dakota State and done well, and maybe Mom and Dad just kind of encouraged her to go to Dakota State as well.

Elsie was overweight (maybe obese), which limited her from being a pretty girl.  There wasn’t anything flashy about her.  “Average”, “Plain Jane”.  She did okay - and about that time, I moved away from South Dakota.  She didn’t keep up with me -other than being a friend on Facebook.

But, WOW - Elsie found herself.  She now runs marathons and does competitive running and iron-man competitions.  She is amazing!!!  

I wanted to mention her for several reasons.  It can be easy to bypass a student who doesn’t speak up in class, lacks some self-confidence, and lacks motivation.  It is also easy to bypass one who “doesn’t look the part”.  There are late bloomers in the world and I am so greatly impressed with Elsie who found some activity that grabbed her - and she excels at it.  She also excels as a Mom and as an analyst/developer at a major company.  

So, a note - mostly to myself - Don’t count somebody out.  They can surprise you!!!  Different mentors can help her.  She needed to find herself and then go for the gusto - that she has.

*****

As I was musing over this topic, I remember the advice I received years ago. 

The four rules of work:

Show up
Show up on time
Show up on time with the equipment you need (pen, paper, computer)

Show up on time with a positive attitude and ready to work

*****

Over the years that I have blogged, I’ve visited the topic of attitude many times.  Attitude determines altitude.  If you think you are just average, you’ll be just average.  If you think I can do it, you CAN do it.  Don’t settle for less than what you are capable of.  

I CAN DO IT!!!

(And, if you add in a spiritual dimension of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - you are definitely a winner!!!)

LOVE WINS - including and especially SELF-LOVE

Karen White, September 20, 2022, ©