2012 is in full swing as we enter the second week of the year. The start of a new year allows us to start fresh and tackle goals we have for ourselves. Our next Alumna interviewee is current MI Gamma AAC member Jen Davis Sutherland and one of her life goals is to visit all 50 states...and she's so close to checking this off!
What are you up to now? I am living in East Lansing :)
After I graduated in 2008, I continued my education to receive a master’s
degree in child development. For the last couple years I have been working with
Early Head Start as an infant/toddler teacher and now as a home base teacher.
As a home base teacher I go into family homes and educate parents on parenting
skills, child development milestones, and connect them to resources in the
community. I also got married in August of 2010!
Initiation Year: Fall 2004
Office(s) Held: Leadership Nominating Committee Chair,
Greek Week Chair & Standards Board
Did you live in the house? Yes I lived in the house. How many years? 3 years :)
What did you enjoy about living in? I loved living in the
house. Every year a new group of girls moved in. It gave me the opportunity to
get to know others better than if I didn’t live with them. There was always
someone to talk to if needed.
Favorite Pi Phi memory? I have many favorite memories in
Pi Phi. One of my favorite memories would be Big Sis Revealing. I also enjoyed
Greek Week and social events held in the chapter every year.
How has Pi Phi influenced/affected your post-college
life? Pi Phi has allowed me to become more confident in my leadership and
communication skills. It is important to communicate with others in the “real
world.” Pi Phi gives you the opportunity to hold a leadership position within
an organization. I also feel that Pi Phi helps with balancing events in your
life.
Are you involved officially as alumnae (Alum Club, AAC,
House Corp)? What chapter? I have been on AAC with Michigan Gamma for the last
year. I currently serve as an adviser for VP Philanthropy and VP Event
Planning. An alum club in Lansing is currently in the works, and I will join
that once it becomes official.
What are your thoughts on your involvement as an alumnae
in the group you participate in? I love continuing to be involved with Michigan
Gamma. I enjoy going to the house and continuing to see the sisterhood that I
had during college. I would like to continue to help them in any way that I
can.
What do you wish you had known when you were in college?
Good question. I had changed my major three times during my first two years. I
had to find my niche. After taking many classes, I found my passion for working
with families and children. I only I wish I would have figured it out sooner!
Giving what you know now, what advice would you give to
your college-age self? I wish I would have had more of an idea of the majors
offered at Michigan State during my freshman year. I may have found what I was
passionate for earlier than I did.
Do you have any resume pointers or interview skills to
share? During an interview I feel that you need to be confident in your skills.
When applying for a position, make sure you know the duties that are involved
so you can ask questions during the interview process. If you ask questions,
they will know that you are interested and may take you more seriously. Also,
practice talking in front of a mirror or a friend :)
What is something you wish you were better at? Keeping in
touch with friends from college.
Do you have a personal motto? Always look at the glass as
half full.
Do you have a favorite quote? “The future belongs to
those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”- Eleanor Roosevelt
Favorite TV Show and/or Movie? I like any food network or
HGTV television show. As for a favorite movie, Mean Girls is a classic.
What is something on your bucket list? I would like to go
to all 50 states. I only have two left: Mississippi and Arkansas.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Having a family of
my own and having further advanced in my career field.
What is something people may not know about you? I would
secretly love to be an event planner :)
 |
| (from left to right) Jen with Alumnae Rachel Morgan and Meghan Straw |
Thank you Jen for participating! Your thoughts on choosing careers and interview tips are great and defiantly helpful! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave Comment Here