First Impressions

Well today is my third week in the NKU MPA program (I assume you know what MPA stands for if you’re reading this blog). So far I haven't died from stress, lack of sleep, reading too much, etc.  I'll admit I was extremely nervous about starting graduate school because everyone makes it seem like you'll have no free time from being wrapped up in homework.  I may just be a few weeks in, but I feel confident that grad school will not 1) kill me and 2) make me a hermit. 

The second week an orientation was held for all us new students that really reassured me I was in the right program. There are a boat load of alumni in the area to provide connections for past, present, and future students, (because you can never network enough I’ve discovered), while the areas of concentration ensure you get a job in a field you enjoy.  My biggest sigh of relief came from the fact that there is no huge final thesis research paper that determines your fate.  Though there is a capstone for the final semester that can take the form of research, most students have done a project they may use in their future careers (grant writing, budgeting, sewage management...)  And trust me, I’m constantly reminded about this capstone project as there are years worth of them staring me down at my desk.

This leads me into why I am writing this blog post, I am the new graduate student assistant to the Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership department (PSC, CJ, and OL for short).  I get my own desk (which I still need to add decoration to beside my Bengals’ calendar), my own coffee pot (which I won’t use), and my own pencil sharpener (which I will use, often)!  As the grad assistant I’m tasked with helping professors with their research.  The research thus far has been interesting, as in topics I wouldn't normally think to write about.   I’ve learned a ton about how much states tax their casinos (it is more than you think) and about how communities are banding together to combat economic downturns.  So far I'm really enjoying the job and am looking forward to where it'll take me.

Sorry for such a long post, but I had a lot of first impressions I wanted to get down (with some I’m saving for later).  I’ll try and update this once a month so you can see how classes and work are going, and how I’m coping with them (probably lots and lots of Mt. Dew).  Thanks for stopping by!