Warm & Fuzzies

Those of you who are connected with me on Facebook have probably seen a lot of the stuff I'm about to share already, but I just wanted to take a little time to reflect on why I do what I do for a living. If you asked me on any given day how my job is going, I'd probably give you some 'eh' sort of answer, or complain incessantly about things that frustrate me. Even now, as I grade what feels like the millionth final project (when in reality it's only like the 20th and I still have like 65 more to go), I feel like I could just walk away sometimes. I can't sugarcoat it, you know? But then I snap myself back to reality, and I remind myself that it's really not THAT bad, and that I am very lucky to have a job doing what I went to school for. Not to mention, I make a lot more than than I used to make at MIAD, and I even just got a raise (shhh, don't tell anyone as it's not an across the board raise). Sadly, my raise was justified because they compared my pay with others in comparable positions and determined that I was getting underpaid, but regardless, I got an increase, and I'm living comfortably and making progress towards some of my financial goals. Huge! For that, I am truly thankful. And beyond that, there are moments and days were I can sit there and be like, "Wow, I really DO love my job." Those moments are always as a result of the students I work with on a regular basis. Over the past couple months, I have been very fortunate to receive a lot of nice things from students, everything from sweet comments to thank you notes to actual gifts, all as tokens of appreciation for what I do for them. You may recall a long, long time ago that I mentioned having a "Warm and Fuzzies" folder in my inbox to record nice notes from students in it, and that I look at that folder on days that are particularly tough. Fortunately, I've been able to add to it a lot lately, and I thought I'd share some of that fun stuff with you now:

"Renee did an excellent job! I enjoy coming into her office. I feel like whenever I need help, I can count on Renee. She genuinely cares about helping her students, and does an awesome job pointing them in the right direction. I appreciate all of her help!"

"Thank you so much for guiding me along the way. I am so lucky to have a career advisor like you! I am super excited to start my internship and will definitely keep you posted about my experience there. Thank you Renee for everything!"

(A thank you note.) "Ms. Smith, Thank you for all the career and school advice you give! Your help with indeed.com and internships was a great help and has given me a great opportunity! I really appreciate your help! Thank you for all that you do! Have a wonderful rest of your week and semester!!"

Below are a couple pictures of some of the nice things I've received. Thank you notes, tea (when I was sick), and a hand-stitched picture from a student's home country. Come on now, folks. How lucky am I?!

Thank you cards!

Tea:)

Hand-stitched picture. How cool!

Anyway, I know it's kind of hard to relate to some of this stuff because it's a job that most people don't understand, but the point I'm trying to make is simple. I love helping students. I love that I can help guide them through the entire job search process. And I love that they enjoy coming to see me and that they find value in what I do. It sure is a nice reminder of why I got into this field in the first place. I hope you are all as lucky in whatever you do to feel so loved and appreciated, even when everything else might seem a little tough. I must send out a true thank you to all the wonderful students that cross my path. Wouldn't make it through the day without them! :)