Putting things in perspective...

So... here I am in my last week in Kirkwood Marketing Services. My job here is pretty much helping Steve, the PR guru here at Kirkwood, with anything that needs to be done. I write many press releases and do feature stories for the website. I am a journalist at heart so writing is definitely my favorite part of the job.

I have been on countless interviews since I started working here. I have met so many interesting people who have really enlightened my 20-year old brain. But this one really opened my eyes.

I got to go to an interview at Kirkwood's Vinton Center a few weeks ago. I interviewed Kathleen Pettengill, a non-traditional student who came to Kirkwood because she had to. Her husband was killed by a drunk driver and she was left with four children to support and a mortgage to pay. She came to Kirkwood to take classes to become a teacher, because she knew having a degree would be the only way she could make the money she needed to support her family. Kathleen had been a stay at home mom ever since she married right out of high school.

Talking with Kathleen made me realize the importance of my education. She was right when she said your education steers you for the rest of your life. She also made me realize that I should take obstacles that come my way in stride. She has been through so much in the last three years and she still wears a smile. Everytime something happens to me that makes me think my world is crumbling, I should step back and realize that nothing is thrown your way that you can't handle.

Here is a photo of Kathleen after our interview. She is standing next to the quilt that she made in honor of her husband. The quilt is hanging at the Vinton Center. Kathleen will be taking classes at UNI next fall.

Good times with good friends

All of the "Communique kids" as I affectionately call the newspaper editors and Sarah Baker, our adviser, are getting their best stories/photos/layouts ready to send in to a competition. Thinking of this, I then remembered I hadn't posted any photos from our end of the semester lunch meeting! We ate a ton of food and played Madlibs (fun game!) It was a great end to a GREAT year with a GREAT group of people!

PS... The Communique is hiring for next year! Stop by the office (113 F Linn Hall) in August on the first day of school if you are interested! You won't regret it... believe me! :) We need everything! Writers, photographers, editors, fans :)

Peace out, Kirkwood!

Well, my two years at Kirkwood are over. I found myself aimlessly wandering around the bookstore last week with my book buy back money looking for Kirkwood clearance apparel (by the way: they have the best sales... EVER!) before I realized that I wouldn't be coming back next year. I then decided to save some money for Iowa apparel... of course after buying one more Kirkwood shirt :)

I have about a week left working in the marketing department. It's kind of surreal to think that I will be in the work force in a few years. It's scary. No one really thinks it's ever going to happen to them, ya know?

I have to admit that at first I didn't like it here. I quickly found that the more you get involved, the more you will love Kirkwood. I talked to my good friend Lindsey Aldrich about this. She didn't like it here either until she got involved in student ambassadors... and this year she was the head of the whole ambassador organization. Kirkwood is a wonderful place. The people care about you, it's like a family.

The moral of the story is:
Get involved! My years on the Communique Student Newspaper Staff have been the best of my life.
Love every last second of Kirkwood, it's an experience you will have NO where else!
Get to know faculty and staff, they are some of the coolest people I have ever met!
Lastly, eat at Coffee Talk Cafe, Susan (the owner) is amazing. She makes the best sandwiches! Plus, Kwood students get a 5% discount!

Here are some photos of Ashley Waller and I at our "going away" party in Marketing. We will miss it very much. We love you guys!