Two years flew by since I snuck in, grabbed a bagel, poured
a cup of coffee while spilling half on my pants, and tried to silently merge
with the group of over 100 fresh faces by sliding onto one of the last
unoccupied chairs in the back row.
This year I was one of the first to arrive. I set up tables. Strategically placed signs across the
building. And was one of the first to get hold of a bagel which I hid
strategically under the welcoming table, and attempted to inhale quickly when I
thought no one saw me. Of course that is when the largest clusters of people
emerged from the elevator to get my “welcome, please make a nametag” with a
voice served freshly from beneath half-chewed bagel hamster-cheeks.
The next step came by taking the first steps up on stage.
Somehow I went from hiding in the darkest row to presenting in the light up
front. It surprised me how comfortable it felt to be up there. I reflected on
how I came in as an outsider, slowly made my way into the community on campus,
and now stood there ready to speak to all new students about the center for
career and community engagement which I now work for. Sounds like a pretty full
circle to me.
A new chapter has arrived. Finally, I am stepping out of the
eternal student role and entering fully into two new positions: one as a worker
and the other as a dissertation proposal writer. I guess I am finally growing
up. Add one dash of work and two teaspoons of dissertation and there you go:
instant adult.
