Comments on: WIL around the world on a smile - communicating, learning, growing

By: Jim Stellar

Jim Stellar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:50:36 +0000

This conversation is really great and I can not resist adding to the story by commenting on the last comment by Michelle. Notice she used the words “comfort zone.” For me this thinking goes back to a blog by Dawn Anderson and me (http://www.otherlobe.com/2009/12/impact-is-the-point-in-study-abroad/) on December 22 where we explored briefly how abroad programs can and should take students out of their comfort zone.

Getting out of that zone, getting perspective, reestablishing it in a new place, and then adjusting back when you return are all indicators of the growth that Dawn and Michelle and Enkelejda (in her own post on 2/26) wrote about. Check them out. There are others by Ruthie and Ute on the international theme, but when you think about it. Our horse-rider communication blog, ones on mentoring, leadership, even the use of social media to engage could be seen through the lens of getting out of and then establishing new comfort zones.

Why do I feel like I am on to something with this concept?

By: Michelle Hansford

Michelle Hansford — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:14:15 +0000

Thanks, Enkelejda, for your response. I think you sum up what I was saying perfectly with “it is up to you on how you use that experience and integrate it into the future.” What I wish I had gained during my undergraduate experience is outside experience, that is, any experience within a corporate structure outside of my college. Although I was a writing tutor and a T.A. during college, I was still within my comfort zone of my own institution, and although these were wonderful experiences, I wish that I had challenged myself a little more either with an outside internship or a study abroad experience. I think that my experience was limited - which therefore limited me in the way I was able to interact with interviewers, and also in my job searching capabilities (i.e., I wasn’t sure what I wanted!). As I said in one of my earlier posts, I do think that I eventually gained the broader view I was perhaps lacking in college; it just took me a little longer to get there.

By: Enkelejda Demika

Enkelejda Demika — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:55:17 +0000

Michelle, you are absolutely correct. I too believe that any job that you hold whether it is of your interest or not you do learn, grow and take away an experience that you didn’t have when you first started that job. It is up to you on how you use that experience and integrate it in the future, and your example was a perfect one as many people can relate to it.

By: Michelle Hansford

Michelle Hansford — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:35:09 +0000

Thank you, everyone, for your comments. What has struck me as intriguing within them is the word “experience” and how that relates to co-op - - or not. It is certainly a struggle to know where to draw the line with experiential education, i.e., what can and cannot be considered experiential education?? Do not many experiences help a person to grow and to learn what he/she likes/dislikes and help a person to grow?

Enkelejda’s comment also resonates, as people do change and interests shift. But I guess there are things that we learn in particular jobs that can be universally applied, and perhaps that is what we should highlight on our resumes and during our interviews. For example, I learned how to handle difficult situations during my customer service job at the medical software comany - even though I will most likely never again deal with medicine or software. It was the soft skill of learning how to deal with people under stress that I took away from that position.

By: Mila Alish

Mila Alish — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:03:52 +0000

You already know how I feel about co-op learning; I wish we had it at Queens College! I’m sure you’ll make that happen :).

That being said, I was just taking a personality test that is supposed to help me find out what kind of job I would like. The test is full of job descriptions (maintain employee records, teach a high school class) and you’re supposed to indicate whether you think you would like, dislike or uncertain about this job.

The problem is, I don’t think I have enough experience to tell!
So, I agree with you. You learn about yourself through experience and co-ops definitely help out with that :).

-Mila

By: Enkelejda Demika

Enkelejda Demika — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:27:41 +0000

I do agree that participating in a co-op program or internship does give students an edge or “a foot in the door” to form connections, however I don’t believe it will necessarily help them land their “dream job” when they graduate. Being a student myself who participated in a co-op program, although I really enjoyed the experience, I didn’t find it very helpful after graduation landing a job in my interest, as my interests have changed from the time that I went on co-op (which was Sophomore year) until I graduated from college. I as well am in a job that does not relate to my filed or interest and I’m hoping and working toward landing my “dream job”. Thank you Michelle for sharing your experience and insight it really gave me hope of finding a job that I will love and grow.

By: Mary Churchill

Mary Churchill — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:53:33 +0000

Jim and Michelle,

This is a great post - very inspirational! I agree that human interaction can be very energizing and can lead to some of the best creative work. Experiential education - whether it be in our own neighborhood or across the world - is really the key here and I think this is particularly crucial with traditional-aged undergrads but also with older students.

Mary via University of Venus