First Week of Work

I survived the first week of my full-time job!!!  As a beginner, it’s really weird to have a strict 8am-6pm work schedule (summer hours – on Friday, we get the afternoon off) and being fully exposed to the world of higher education.  Of course my head is spinning from reading endless amount of materials about school’s admissions process, college student recruiting strategies, and admissions data.  Don’t ask me any questions about admissions – it’s going to take me a while to fully absorb and articulate all these information! I have constant meetings with my supervisor, who, by the way, is amazingly open-minded and caring, and learning everything about what individual staff do in the office.  I’ll try not to go too much in details on how my week went, because it’ll end up being a 10-page paper, but there’s a lot to learn and catch up for me in the world of college admissions.  The stories I have been told about students’ admissions process are frustrating, yet inevitably hilarious, but I’m motivated by everyone’s positive spirit.  While the office atmosphere is fantastic, I do need to adapt to a very large office that consist of 20+ staff.  My last two years have been spent in a small office of 6 people total (3 people at one time due to office space constraint. 4 people were part-time student workers), so you can see why I’m a little freaked out by such a large staffing.

Let’s end the boring conversation.  Today I wanted to show you my work place – the road that leads to the campus, my office, and just the pretty sceneries I see everyday on this campus.  University of Houston – Clear Lake is literally located within the nature preserve, so there are wild animals (deers especially) and lots of green everywhere.  The tranquil environment really sets a positive and peaceful tone to my day.  

{ This is the entrance.  It’s very close to the NASA Space Center – the whole reason why this institution was established }

{ This road leads the campus.  There are only four buildings here and the campus is surrounded by a lake. }

{ Student Service Building.  It’s sort of a one-stop shop for all services that students need, including the Admissions Office. }

{ My office. I love to open up the blinds and let the sun in.  It’s great to have windows in the office. }

{ Admissions Office.  This is where I come to work everyday. ^^ }

{ Far away, you see the Bayou building.  It’s the main building where most of the classrooms are held at.  Human Resources and other administrative offices are located in there, too. 
{ UH-Clear Lake has lots of benches.  I’m looking forward to eating my lunch out there one day! }

It was a fulfilling first week of work.  I’m really grateful to start my career shortly after graduation, being with the person I love, and starting a new journey!  My future mother-in-law is currently town for several days to see us since we haven’t seen her in a very long time.  We have been enjoying the weekend with delicious foods, hanging out by the pool, and making great conversations.  Have a great rest of the weekend.  I can’t wait to share my new adventure with you!