Reflections from Recruitment Weekend(s), by Jeremy Elmore

Posted on February 20, 2015 by rcleahey

It was almost exactly three years ago when I drove my rented yellow Fiat 500 over 334 miles to Raleigh, North Carolina. I can remember it as if it were yesterday.

Who am I kidding? I can barely remember what I had to eat for breakfast yesterday (I mean, did I even eat anything?). Regardless of how vivid my memory was of the day when I came to Recruitment Weekend, I can still remember how I felt after the weekend was completed. It did not matter that I did not fully understand what to expect in my academic discussion with faculty or that I didn’t know a single soul before coming to NC State (besides my awesome buddy, Nolan Patouillet). What did matter is that I found a place that I could call home.

And who would have guessed that this would be the first of many Recruitment Weekends that I would enjoy on my journey through graduate school? As I look back at my experiences during Recruitment Weekend, both as a candidate and as an organizer, I believe there are several lessons that I can apply to any life situation (hopefully you can use some of them too).

Just breathe. Sometimes in life, we must simply remember to breathe. What I have found is that in the midst of our busy everyday lives, we tend to forget that breathing is essential to life. Without breath, we cease to exist. In those stressful moments, whether it is in the midst of an intense graduate assistantship interview or at the moment that the task at hand is towering overhead, step back and take a huge breath. It is scientifically proven that breathing exercises help the body remove stress and refresh the mind. The thing I have to constantly tell myself is that I must not take life so seriously, but I must try to pause and truly enjoy the moments that pass in front of me, as they will only come around once.

Communication is always the key. The success rests heavily on the ability for members to effectively communicate with each other. I would contend that truly great organizations have great communication. This does not mean that there are no flaws in their communications or an occasional miscommunication. The times that I felt like communication was at its highest during the planning and execution of Recruitment Weekend were the times that I felt like things were most successful. The times that vision was not thoroughly conveyed throughout the organization or feedback was not directed back towards the top, were the times that the effectiveness of the group was not as high as its overall potential. If you want to have a successful organization, make sure that you practice great communication.

Embrace the unexpected. The phrase that most people have heard is “to expect the unexpected.” However it is not enough just to anticipate problems and issues, but we must be ready to do something with the unexpected. Just like last year’s Snowpocalypse, it is one thing to prepare and make contingency plans, but it is another to endure and persevere in the midst of everything crumbling around you. We should not shy away from conflict and crises, but we must become leaders and challenge those around us to rise to the occasion.

Understand your shortcomings but celebrate your successes. What I have observed in my time, as the VP for Recruitment, is that it is not hard to point out the items that did not go as planned, but rather it is difficult to remember what victories and successes you have accomplished. It is only natural to want everything to go perfect. Therefore, it is our human nature to tally the number of times there was a hiccup in the process. While we should not neglect the areas that are in need of improvement, we must remember to recognize the items that went without a hitch. It is these items that an organization, program, or idea can really use to gather steam and propel people forward.

I am really grateful for my experiences as the VP for Recruitment and feel honored for the opportunity to represent the program I have fallen in love with. My last two years in this position have allowed me to push myself as a leader and have strengthened the friendships with folks I am proud to call my colleagues. It is my hope that you find these small words of wisdom as beneficial as I have.

Jeremy Elmore is a second year student in the higher education administration master’s program. He currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for Student Involvement in University Center Activities & Events at Duke University. He is also the Vice President for Recruitment with the Higher Education Association.

Snowmaggedon: Part II, by Jeremy Elmore

Posted on September 3, 2014 by rcleahey

“Snowmaggedon 2014” is what the news dubbed the snowstorm that rocked the Raleigh area last February. Pictures like the one above filled newspapers across the country. If you may recall, one of the largest snowstorms to ever hit Raleigh, happened to hit right before Recruitment Weekend last year. Recruitment Weekend (RW), a weekend of networking and interviewing for prospective students of NC State’s Higher Education Administration program, could have very easily ended up being remembered as something along the lines of what the picture illustrated, a complete disaster. Instead, the weekend became an apt and wonderful snapshot of what our program is really about (a group of dedicate and passionate colleagues and friends who can accomplish anything they put their minds to).

Looking back at last year’s Recruitment Weekend, I honestly don’t know if I would have changed anything (well maybe a little less snow). As I look ahead to this year’s RW, I am excited about the opportunities that await me in the role of Vice President for Recruitment. As a second year student in the program, I realize the importance of leaving a legacy and the taking our program to the next level of achievement. Recruitment Weekend is just one of the many pieces that fit into the bigger puzzle that makes our program a success. I am honored to be at the helm of Recruitment Weekend and to be able to envision the many possibilities that we have to showcase our unique and exciting program.

With the snow stranding many of our prospective students and making travel to interviews difficult for partner institutions, the pressure was on for the RW executive board to salvage what we could of the many events and activities we had planned, along with the incredibly important assistantship interview process. I cannot recall another time (in my limited professional experience) that I had the opportunity to work with people in a crisis situation where all parties pulled through and went out of their way to make something complicated so simple (it was the stuff that legends are made of). From professors to students, everyone eagerly banded together, willing to brave the brutal weather, to make RW a success. We could not have done this on our own. I cannot tell you the number of times that I heard from candidates how impressed they were with the professionalism of HEA, in the way that they handled Recruitment Weekend through the craziness of the storm. Flexibility became the motto for last year’s VP for Recruitment (Patti Baynes), RW executive board, RW volunteers, and myself, as we all attempted to navigate the uncharted territory of rearranging almost every single detail of RW at the last possible moment. I tell you all of this because I think this has influenced the way that I handle situations as a leader and to give you an example of what our students here in HEA can do when they put their minds to it.

Now you may be thinking, where can I fit in? Well let me tell you about an awesome opportunity that all of our first-year students have. Each year, first-year students have the opportunity to run for the Vice President-Elect for Recruitment position (only one of two positions available for first-year students on the HEA Executive Board). This position is heavily involved in the planning process of Recruitment Weekend and will get the chance to work with me in creating and implementing new initiatives to promote our program to prospective students throughout the rest of the year. If you really think about it, there are only 170 days until we have a new batch of candidates making their way to NC State to take a look at what our university, department, and program have to offer. So, it is never to early to start the planning process.

Elections will be held for the two open first-year positions, including VP-Elect for Recruitment, after our first HEA Meeting on Monday, September 8. If you have questions about this position feel free to email me (jdelmor2@ncsu.edu). Looking forward to working with you all!

See Yourself as Part of the Picture Perfect Pack!

Posted on January 24, 2014 by rcleahey

19, 51, 16, 11, 18, 3, 1

What do all of these numbers have in common? They are all related to 2014 Higher Education Recruitment Weekend.

19 There are only 19 more days until Recruitment Weekend officially begins. Starting on February 13, candidates will get to meet faculty, staff, and current student to learn more about our awesome program.

51 This is number of candidates that have signed for Recruitment Weekend!

16 How many states are represented at this year’s Recruitment Weekend? You got it. 16.

11 11 employers from various institutions in the Triangle will be coming to Recruitment Weekend to interview our candidates.

18 North Carolina State University’s College of Education national ranking!!!

3 Three days packed full of interviews, exploration, and fun!

1 The one and only Wolf Pack! GO PACK!

Be on the look for opportunities that you can help out for Recruitment Weekend!