Sociology of Education - Week 8

Well....here it is. Unbelievable. This week has been about so much more than just class and wrapping up the summer session. I've developed so many life-long friendships over these past 8 weeks it has been partly been dealing with the idea that most people are leaving and I won't be able to see them on a daily basis any longer.

As far as the scholastic side of the week I was reminded about my belief in the importance of education. It is so critical for the youth to be educated. Watching the video about the school systems of Ohio was touching and both devastating. Even if my future doesn't involve athletics (which I plan to) I know that education and leadership will always be a part of my career.

It is far too important for the youth to have opportunities starting at a young age and a chance at some educations, even if college is not in their future. I would love for every student to have the possibility of college in their future but right now that isn't possible. Maybe that is my ultimate dream. I don't know...

What I do know, is these past 8 weeks have been so informative scholastically, trying emotionally and personally, but have ended in a 2 month long period of personal development for me. I will forever feel indebted to the IAL program and my cohort.

Excited to see where we all go and the goals we accomplish. America's Team...signing off on the last week....it's for the kids!

Week 7 - Human Resources

Human resources week wasn’t really all that much about HR. It was more a culmination of several other topics we’ve learned over the last seven weeks poured into one. I really enjoyed having Debi Gore-Mann co-teach our class this week. I think she is a phenomenal resource for our class and will be a great mentor to many people in our class. As a current Athletics Director she gave us insight into current issues she was dealing with and they had a real life feel to them – obviously, because they were real situations.

It was interesting as well having Marie teach our class being a previous University of Washington employee. She seems to have had many experiences and different job titles within college athletics. She has also worked at several different institutions, which was good to hear her opinion on common themes in athletics that are applicable across the board.

Highlight of the week was having Josh Cooprider speak to our class. So awesome to hear the trials and tribulations of someone in athletics! He related well to our class, and it was beneficial to hear from someone who didn’t have a direct path into his current position. I liked that he identified his strengths/weaknesses as an individual. It helped me to realize things I need to get better at, or focus on not doing to be successful in my job.

This is the first week where I have really gone back and focused on my core values, or at least consciously thought about them in regards to my career within athletics. Maybe it was the professional development assignment, but I now have a better idea of how I can continue to live my core values while working within athletics. The papers each week were actually kind of fun to write but I wish we had discussed them more with the class. Not enough discussion this week would be a compliant I had. There was a lot of lecture or talking at us, not enough interaction. But a great week nonetheless…. one left America’s team!!

Week 6 - Fundraising and Development

Andy Geiger = awesome. We had a ton of big names walk through our classroom doors this week. I thoroughly enjoyed our guest speakers this week. We got some good insight as to how things vary a bit between different kinds of institutions within the fundraising umbrella. Hearing the experiences of these guest speakers and being able to ask questions and get advice has been priceless to my education as a future employee of college athletics.

Having Jen and O.D. speak with us on Friday and break down the organizational differences of their department was beneficial. It allowed us to see the different branches of fundraising and development while also realizing just how influential these people are within the university. They hold a ton of power, and have a ton of decisions to make daily. It was also so great to see such a strong and impressive female presence within college athletics.

Speaking with the UW donors was also a great experience. It was nice, especially looking into stewardship, to be able to hear their opinions on being a donor. It allowed us to get insight into why they were doing it, what they liked, disliked, and how to improve in the future.

Fundraising all in all was better than I expected. The project was stressful at times but I feel like I now have something I'm proud to show potential employers in the future, and it may just land me the job.

America's team...over and out.

Shelby