L's Taken

3+ "Thank you for applying but..."

• SO many Philadelphia charter schools
• Non-profit organizations
• Education positions (too many to count!)

4 Things I swore I'd finish but never did…

• Double major
• Minor
• Student Organizations
• Study Abroad application

3 Everyday L's of Life:

• I've lost too many keys and IDs to count in my own home, only to find them months/years later
• I have taken the wrong subway/bus too many times to count
• I've sent many MANY drafted emails too early!

1 Failures that seemed like the end of the world back then but don't matter in hindsight:

• I graduated from school thinking I wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but took a job in higher education instead. I spent a year in higher ed LOVING my job, but feeling guilty that I didn't follow my "calling". I ended up taking a position as an elementary school teacher a year later and realizing it just wasn't for me! I quit within a month and ended right back up in higher ed in my same position. I have NEVER looked back and love what I do!

6 Regrets I have:

• Not being kinder to myself when things did not go according to plan
• Forcing myself to have a plan in the first place!
• Not realizing sooner that NO ONE knows what they are doing - we are all pretending to have our lives together, when everyone is taking it one day at a time.
• Being too intimidated to talk to faculty/professional staff members when I was a student in college
• Being embarrassed easily when making mistakes
• Not studying abroad in college!

On the Bright Side

2 Memories I made when I wasn't studying/working

• I met my best friend in an elevator 10 years ago- we were both on our way to a dance class and have been dancing together ever since!
• After a long day of co-op work abroad in Greece, I took the afternoon to have some self-care time. I went to buy myself some flowers and met a wonderful florist who loved my headband. She wanted one similar for her daughter to wear on her wedding day and I gave it to her! Long story short- she invited me to her daughter's wedding in Greece, and, we still keep in touch!

3 Things I've learned that will still matter in 10 years

• Even the most intimidating people you will encounter are all human and flawed (and they all poop!!) Once I remind myself of those basic truths, things feel less scary.
• Empathy overrides any other skillset you have at your job.
• Burnout is real and sometimes you can loose yourself in the daily grind. I try to put things in perspective and close my laptop when the day is over.

2 Books I've read for fun:

• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
• Coloring books

3 Things I'm proud of that you won't see on a resume

• I'm a friend and dog mom.
• I've kept (most) of my houseplants alive this year!
• I have quit a LOT of things in my life - grad school, jobs, etc. But I don't regret any of it and I am proud that I allowed myself to make those hard choices.

3 Unconventional skills:

• I can point out where weird guest stars are from on TV shows
• I can wash and dry dishes REALLY fast
• I can sense when my dog has gotten into trouble from another room (its usually when its too quiet)

2 Quirks that make me who I am:

• Drinking too much coffee
• Buying too many plants and water bottles from Target

3 Obstacles I have overcome:

• Changing my professional path a LOT of times
• Failing at things
• Making mistakes
• Dealing with loss and rejection

1 Things I've done that pushed me out of my comfort zone:

• QUITTING!

1 Leaps of faith:

• Applying to grad school the quitting grad school then reapplying to grad school to then go to grad school

3 Life events that have made me stronger:

• Moving to a new city
• Mourning the loss of family and friends
• Asking for help even when it felt embarrassing