Needless to say that history was made last night, and I could not be happier. I am proud to be involved in such a pivotal point in our nation's history, and I am proud to say that I helped to bring about that change. I am excited to see the changes that will happen, but I'm setting this aside for the moment, to discuss what is really on my mind. I'll talk a little about this later. But for now, below are post-graduate plans.
As an individual, this autumnal season makes me reflect back to life back at home. These cold weather seasons, autumn and winter, really get me home sick. Perhaps it's the crisp weather, the warm clothing, or the smell of wood burning in our stove at home when we start heating our house. Then again, maybe it could be the holiday decorations, holiday music, home cooking, or just a time of tradition and family, I have begun to think about my life, post-grad school.
I see the bottom line as this: in its most common sense, I want the American dream. I want my slice of the pie. I know I belong back in my home state of NC. I've discovered that a while back. What I want after I earn my Masters degree is a space to myself. A place that I can call home. A place that I can paint, decorate, and make mine. I also want to add a dog to that. I've really been looking into breeds lately, partly because I do miss all my animals back at home. After some extensive searching, I think I want a Boxer to add to that space of mine. A fawn boxer, male, with a docked tail and un-cropped ears. I want to raise him from a pup. I want him to be a dog that will bark and play the very minute I come home after a long day at the office, who wants to lay on my lap while I watch tv, and lay in the bed when I am asleep. A big dog, nothing that someone could stomp into the ground. A dog that people will respect, but adore at the same time. That's the kind of dog I want.
As for my job, I know after I earn my Masters, there will be lots of opportunities out there, because the world of Student Affairs is so small, and the demand is so great. But I feel like I am being torn between my family and a career that could potentially pull me away from them. Being 6 hours from them is bad enough, as I have not been home since July, and will not be able to return until Thanksgiving, and then again for Winter break.
Where I am torn is this: Part of me wants to go into the community college system. Being a former community college student myself, I want to go back to the same institution that I went to and serve and help others there. I want them to realize that there is so much potential beyond the Associate's degree. Perhaps now, even more than ever this is what I want to do. Just this week, I learned in one of my classes that 50% of the undergraduate population in the U.S. are community college students. Out of that 50%, only 10% of those students go on to earn their Bachelors degree. TEN PERCENT!!! I was taken back. To think that I was part of that 10% blows me away. There is some definite room for growth in this area.
What is troubling to me is this: the "four year college" does not lend any respect to the community college. In fact, if you're an educator, student affairs personnel, or work at a community college in any way, and then decide to work at a four year institution, you're chances of getting a job at that four year institution are pretty much ZILCH, simply because you worked at a community college. I think this is a huge inequality. And what scares me is, if I have this interest, I could get an internship at a CC while I work on my masters, but if I apply to a 4 year institution, what will come of that CC experience? What if I get in at the CC and then after a few years decide I do not like it? Where would I go from there?
Regardless, right now, I would love to get on the level with first year community college students, as well as the non-traditionals and encourage them...advise, poke, PROD them to push themselves, to motivate themselves to go beyond the Associates degree, and to work and earn that Bachelors. There would be so much more opportunity out there for them.
And now, back to the political issues. I've posted this on my Facebook, and my MySpace. I might as well post it here. Below is a brief note that I wrote about people's concerns for America's future under the leadership of Barak Obama:
I Just Don't Understand.
I feel the need to get this off my chest. Since the results of the presidential election were announced last night, I have seen countless amounts of Facebook updates and MySpace postings by my friends who say that "socialism" is going to reign now that Obama is president-elect, and that they are ready to move out of the country. This is something that I do not understand.
First off my friends, I ask you to examine the past 8 years. A lot has happened. Yet, some of you say they have been some of the greatest years. I ask you, where were the good times? I challenge you to examine the past 8 years and name me one time where America was great. Under the current administration we've seen the stock market plunge, a failing economy, gas prices soar, and have heard countless tragic stories of so many women and men who've lost their lives, fighting a war that should have ended years ago. We currently live under an administration that subscribes to the philosophy, "If we give to the rich, the benefits will trickle down to the rest." If such is the case, I am still waiting on my Ferrari.
My friends, I think you need to be reminded of the phrase, “The only thing constant is change.” If we cannot adapt to change, then we cannot make it in the game of life. I firmly believe that Obama is going to make America great again; that America is a phoenix, preparing to rise out its ashes and restore its place where freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness again are placed at the foundation of this wonderful nation.
Some of you argue that under Obama’s administration, our faith and freedom of religion will surely suffer. I ask you to consider this: If God is omnipotent, omniscient, all powerful, all knowing, and all loving, then don’t you think He knew this was going to happen? If His will is done in everything, then maybe couldn’t this maybe somehow be a part of His plan? Think about it.
This past election demonstrates to me how great America is. For the first time in a long time, I have actually been excited about my country, excited for change, and excited to see what is going to happen. The journey that America is about to go on is going to be one wild ride, and I am so glad that I have my ticket.
Finally, I leave you with this: Some of you may agree with me. Some of you may disagree with me. Some of you may message me back telling me how dare I write something like this. Others may give me kudos. Either way, I say that’s ok. That’s a part of what makes America great. But no matter who you are: Democrat, Republican, Christian, Atheist, Gay, Straight, Man, Woman- I think we need to follow the words of Senator John McCain, who stated in his secession speech, that we as a nation, as America, need to support Barak Obama as president-elect. America has spoken, and we have said that we trust Obama to be our next leader. I urge you to extend to him that trust. Pray for him, and this great land that we call home.
With all my love and respect,
Mark
I hope this makes sense to people. No matter what, we've got to come together and support Obama as our next leader. Whether we like it or not, he's the guy we put in charge. We need to support him.
That's all for now. Told you it was a long one.
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