My University
It seems like a simple idea that we, all of us, in our own way, make an impression. The past few weeks have actually brought this thought to me in a very fortuitous manner. The first signs of the impressions I left behind in college came when I started working on a resume to use towards a job in photography. I asked two of my favorite professors for their names and titles to put down as references and they both happily agreed. What I enjoyed was that there was more then just a general sense of acquiesce in their responses. They both gave me the impression that they would be somewhat proud to help me in my task and they both asked me what else I was up to. I’m not sure at what point I might be able to call former professors friends (or even colleagues for that matter) but I feel as though that is the path these relationships are heading and this makes me happy.
More recently another professor made a small impact in my life. I was out running errands when I received a phone call from a man I didn’t know. His name was Chris and he received my name and number from Kent, a professor I had just this past fall. Apparently he needed some photographic work done in a hurry and Kent suggested that I could be a reliable person. I’m still in talks on this front and don’t know if everything will work out but it was nice to see that someone who I regarded highly, who I know is accomplished in his field, trusted me enough to put my name out there.
Finally just this evening I got another email from the journalism professor I had just before I graduated. Before I left her course she knew of my plans and had invited me to a journalism conference in the spring but now she was contacting me for something else. It was a small note that said she had a job for me if I was interested that wouldn’t pay too much but would provide me with a lot of contacts. She knows my goals and I know her history in the journalism field so I’m sure this is an opportunity I can’t miss.
All of these things are coming to me as more news comes out of the university involving the staff’s anger at the administration. I was disappointed when I read the Sacramento Bee article online about the recent protest and followed the discussion at the end of the piece. A lot of people have a very slanted view of what these people are asking for and just how horribly they are being treated at my former university and across the CSU system. Our professors don’t just come in, teach us, and leave. They put in a lot of time, effort, and money outside the classroom to do something they love as best they can. As I just mentioned above a professor can be so much more then just someone you see for a semester and finishes out your time together with a letter grade. They are professionals in their field and in many cases, mine included, they are an invaluable resource even after I’ve put on the cap and gown.
This blog really took a turn somewhere from a general rant about my current status with my former professors to the state of the staff.
To anyone from Sacramento State or anyone else who is just curious, check out www.csusresistance.org to read about some of the things that are happening.
More recently another professor made a small impact in my life. I was out running errands when I received a phone call from a man I didn’t know. His name was Chris and he received my name and number from Kent, a professor I had just this past fall. Apparently he needed some photographic work done in a hurry and Kent suggested that I could be a reliable person. I’m still in talks on this front and don’t know if everything will work out but it was nice to see that someone who I regarded highly, who I know is accomplished in his field, trusted me enough to put my name out there.
Finally just this evening I got another email from the journalism professor I had just before I graduated. Before I left her course she knew of my plans and had invited me to a journalism conference in the spring but now she was contacting me for something else. It was a small note that said she had a job for me if I was interested that wouldn’t pay too much but would provide me with a lot of contacts. She knows my goals and I know her history in the journalism field so I’m sure this is an opportunity I can’t miss.
All of these things are coming to me as more news comes out of the university involving the staff’s anger at the administration. I was disappointed when I read the Sacramento Bee article online about the recent protest and followed the discussion at the end of the piece. A lot of people have a very slanted view of what these people are asking for and just how horribly they are being treated at my former university and across the CSU system. Our professors don’t just come in, teach us, and leave. They put in a lot of time, effort, and money outside the classroom to do something they love as best they can. As I just mentioned above a professor can be so much more then just someone you see for a semester and finishes out your time together with a letter grade. They are professionals in their field and in many cases, mine included, they are an invaluable resource even after I’ve put on the cap and gown.
This blog really took a turn somewhere from a general rant about my current status with my former professors to the state of the staff.
To anyone from Sacramento State or anyone else who is just curious, check out www.csusresistance.org to read about some of the things that are happening.