Ego Boost

Friday I got the ego boost I've been needing recently. It was the first Scholars Day on campus. I took on the role this year again to find people's schedules who are in the ambassador program I'm in and fit them into our intense two days of showing prospective students the 12 scholars programs. A lot goes into these programs. I was happy to be able to help Karrie again this year, and got to work with two other great ambassadors: Kevin and Katie. It made me feel good to see how everything worked out, and to see the suggestions we made go into play. I like knowing what I'm doing and having others recognize it. I sparkled of authority for the past two days. I not only helped people figure out where they were supposed to be, check people in, organize and figure out the little details through the morning, but I also got to help interact with the prospective students. There were so many positions to be filled, that I worked quite a bit.

My biggest ego boost came on Friday after the second session. You are probably wondering what I mean by session. Basically we had 700-800 visitors both Friday and Saturday. The students got to choose 2 of the 12 programs that they were most interested and went to a session where the advisor of the program and some students would give an overview and answer questions. Most people looking at the biological sciences program also look at the health sciences program. The two are similar, but have some major differences. During the session I answered lots of peoples questions about the differences in the least biased way I could (still emphasizing Bio-Sci Scholars). Because I'm an Ambassador I know about all of the programs, so I talked more than most of the others there. After the second session let out about 4 people came up to me and wanted to ask me more questions. Two of them said "You seem very knowledgeable," and it was great that I made them think that. And another asked for a way to contact me if they had additional questions. It was great. I felt like I had such a positive impact on these people.

Today I had one of the ambassadors comment to me that I should organize people as we went into our building to give tours. Not unusual since I organized a lot of the event. But it was amusing because she said "Andrea, you do it... you're the aggressive one." Me?? Aggressive? I don't think I've ever heard those two words together before! It is amazing though how in certain situations I have no problem raising my voice to get things done. (not raising it as in anger... but just in volume).

So those were two very successful days. I was very glad to be a help to so many people. It really established that counceling may be a very good fit. Even something like advising, where I can still combine my scientific knowledge with helping others. I'm seeing there are more possibilities out there if genetic counceling doesn't work out.

Now I need to really bust my butt and study some more for my Psych midterm Wednesday, and my Ochem midterm next Monday. LOTS of work, so little time. Let's just hope I don't have a break down this week!! Wish me luck... I'm going to need it.