After 5 years of working as Administrative Assistant for the Professional Leadership program, I decided to do what I have avoided since the age of 14 – become unemployed. I had enjoyed my time with the PRL department immensely – I loved interacting with the faculty and found it a pleasure to come to work each morning (and not just for the free coffee). I took pride in the success of our students, and felt a tiny bit of ownership in all of the amazing things they did. However, I had recently received my MFA in Creative Writing, my partner was living in the UK, and I was paranoid about growing solid roots in Pittsburgh. I had reached a plateau, and it was time for a change. I sadly relinquished my post and moved to England.
That was last year…and now I’m back. After months of travel and general vagabond-ness, I needed to come back to the US in January or suffer the consequences of an irate Homeland Security. In an interesting turn of simultaneous events, my old PRL position (with a few new flashy changes) re-opened. I can admit that I was excited – very excited – about the prospect. But, should I come back? Was this my opportunity to strike out on my own? To forge new paths for myself in Pittsburgh? To put that Creative Writing degree to some artistic use?
Of course it was. But, I discovered that I can do all of that right here. When broached by Dr. Turner and Dr. Ezzell about returning to PRL, I voiced my concerns. I laid out for them my career goals – even the ones that didn’t necessarily end with me working for them – and they excitedly agreed with everything I said. Dr. Turner and Dr. Ezzell understand that part of being happy with our jobs is being confident and secure enough with ourselves to state exactly what we need. Through the years, they have fostered my growth as a professional, a graduate student, and as an individual. In fact, I attribute my courage to leave this country and explore the world to the leadership skills I acquired working with them in the PRL department. Now, they were ready and willing to help me move into this next phase of my life.
While I was away, I learned a few things about myself – I want to travel much more, I want to work in a place that encourages me to excel, I want my days to be spent doing something I love, I want the time and flexibility to pursue my writing and teaching aspirations. When I say this to my friends, they all agree – isn’t that what we all want? But, my friends agree that those are secret wishes. Work is a grind; you keep your head down and watch the clock. Your days and hours and minutes are nothing but currency equivalent to what goes in your bank account. I disagree.
With the Professional Leadership Department as my guide, I have been able to express my desires. I am encouraged to do so. PRL is, in my mind, the model of a successful work environment. Not only to I get job satisfaction every day, but I rest assured that, due to my ability to communicate and their willingness to listen, my future will be just as fulfilling.
So, I’m back…still learning and growing here in PRL. They push my writing (as evidenced by this blog post!), I’m involved with the Carlow University Press, and if teaching engagements come up, we’ll work out a schedule. I’ve got travel plans lined up this year that will kill my carbon footprint…and I couldn’t be happier. I want to come to work every single day.
I wish this for you, too.
If you would like to talk more about my experiences with the PRL program, or if you want to know PRL can do for you, let’s talk! My office number is 412.578.8786.
That was last year…and now I’m back. After months of travel and general vagabond-ness, I needed to come back to the US in January or suffer the consequences of an irate Homeland Security. In an interesting turn of simultaneous events, my old PRL position (with a few new flashy changes) re-opened. I can admit that I was excited – very excited – about the prospect. But, should I come back? Was this my opportunity to strike out on my own? To forge new paths for myself in Pittsburgh? To put that Creative Writing degree to some artistic use?
Of course it was. But, I discovered that I can do all of that right here. When broached by Dr. Turner and Dr. Ezzell about returning to PRL, I voiced my concerns. I laid out for them my career goals – even the ones that didn’t necessarily end with me working for them – and they excitedly agreed with everything I said. Dr. Turner and Dr. Ezzell understand that part of being happy with our jobs is being confident and secure enough with ourselves to state exactly what we need. Through the years, they have fostered my growth as a professional, a graduate student, and as an individual. In fact, I attribute my courage to leave this country and explore the world to the leadership skills I acquired working with them in the PRL department. Now, they were ready and willing to help me move into this next phase of my life.
While I was away, I learned a few things about myself – I want to travel much more, I want to work in a place that encourages me to excel, I want my days to be spent doing something I love, I want the time and flexibility to pursue my writing and teaching aspirations. When I say this to my friends, they all agree – isn’t that what we all want? But, my friends agree that those are secret wishes. Work is a grind; you keep your head down and watch the clock. Your days and hours and minutes are nothing but currency equivalent to what goes in your bank account. I disagree.
With the Professional Leadership Department as my guide, I have been able to express my desires. I am encouraged to do so. PRL is, in my mind, the model of a successful work environment. Not only to I get job satisfaction every day, but I rest assured that, due to my ability to communicate and their willingness to listen, my future will be just as fulfilling.
So, I’m back…still learning and growing here in PRL. They push my writing (as evidenced by this blog post!), I’m involved with the Carlow University Press, and if teaching engagements come up, we’ll work out a schedule. I’ve got travel plans lined up this year that will kill my carbon footprint…and I couldn’t be happier. I want to come to work every single day.
I wish this for you, too.
If you would like to talk more about my experiences with the PRL program, or if you want to know PRL can do for you, let’s talk! My office number is 412.578.8786.
Molly Prosser
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