This post is merely to provide an overview of the madness of my 2011. Around this time of year, people all across the world declare that the following year will be “their” year. Take a look back at where you were in 2010 and where you are now in 2011, is it what you wanted? My only “resolution” each year is to strive for personal happiness and professional success.
The following events occurred between May 2011 and December 2011: I was offered and accepted a new professional position at a new institution in a new city. I started dating my current girlfriend, Irene, who also happens to have been my first crush from back in the third grade. After arriving in Boston on July 12 to start my new job, I began the process to become a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (ultimately initiated on November 12 as the Ace). Finally, after much debate and with the persistent encouragement from a colleague, I applied and was accepted to start my second Master’s Degree, an MBA, in January.
Let’s break it down. I moved from NYC to Texas in 2010, and then from Texas to Boston in 2011. I began working as a Residence Director at Northeastern, overseeing a very high profile community of health sciences and engineering students. While with any new job, there have been some bumps along the way, I am exponentially happier being back in a city–and one that is closer to home. I work in a great department and have a great supervisor, great colleagues, and a superb student staff that consistently goes above and beyond expectations.
I was unfortunately unable to connect with many of my colleagues early on because I made the decision to pursue membership into Alpha Phi Alpha. While I realize and accept that many people don’t quite understand why I would do this, or think Greek life is frivolous and inconsequential, I am confident and take solace in knowing that I have joined the ranks of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., WEB Du Bois, Duke Ellington, Cornel West, Thurgood Marshall, Countee Cullen, and Frederick Douglass as a Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
My girlfriend, Irene, who I remember staring at longingly when I was in the third grade, has been nothing but supportive. She lives in NYC and I live in Boston and, although it isn’t easy, I am thankful to her for her support throughout!
Finally, I anticipated my next degree was going to be a Doctorate. After consulting mentors and colleagues, I decided against pursuing the Doctorate at Northeastern and, instead, applied to the MBA program. I am very excited to start this program. With two degrees that are education/psychology-based, I am pumped to begin a program to complement my skills with knowledge of business and management! While I don’t want to be pegged as a career student, I am doubtful that I will be done after this program. I value continuous education far too much!
In essence, I spent the first half of 2011 searching for happiness, aka The Placement Exchange. I spent the second half of 2011 investing in my happiness. Bring on 2012!
