Tag Archives: careers

Super Women and NO Burnout!

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I fancy myself a Super Woman. I want to be able to do everything and have people wonder how I do it. I know it’s possible because I’ve been surrounded by Super Women my whole life. My mom is an osteoporosis internist with her own clinic and she travels around the US and, sometimes around the world, lecturing about osteoporosis. She’s also a Dean for the medical students at Washington University and does everything she can to get them into top tier residencies. Then she comes home to make a ridiculously delicious dinner. Oh, and did I mention she’s up at 5:15am every morning so she can work out for an hour before preparing breakfast for my brother and I?!?!? SUPER WOMAN. And she’s working to live up to the example set by her mother – my grandmother. She worked as a Navy nurse in California, raised 5 girls while continuing to work, volunteered at the St. Louis Zoo for more than 30 years, and, at 90 years old, still walks a mile a day, makes the MOST delicious mashed potatoes, and is the best shopping companion.

SUPER WOMEN.

Grandma and Mom

I have so much to live up to. I’ve spent years trying to figure out how they do it. I constantly ask for their advice, but there’s a certain amount I’ve needed to figure out through my own experience. (And I’m not going to pretend like I’ve got it all worked out yet…)

I know it takes hard work, and that part I can do. I know how to kick it into gear 3 weeks before exams and GET IT DONE. However, once I finish, I usually end up sick and in need of 3 days in bed with Netflix. So I needed to figure out how my Super Women role models do it without the burnout.

After 21 years, I’ve discovered a few of their secrets. First, they take downtime, and they escape everything. My mom goes horseback riding three times a week and she’ll get lost in a book every night after dinner. Second, they’ve surrounded themselves with supportive friends and family. My grandma’s neighbors are always coming by her house to talk, to bring food, or to shovel her walkway! Also, she and I worked at the St. Louis Zoo together one summer, and she had way more friends there than I did. I was lucky if they let me steal her away for lunch one day! Lastly, these Super Women love what they do. My mom loves her job, and that’s one of many reasons she’s so good at it. It is definitely because of her that I’m determined to do something I love. She doesn’t dread having to get up early to go to work or working late some days because she really loves what she does.

It’s taken me some time to observe all these things, and I anticipate that it will take even longer to apply them to my life. However, I know it’s important. I’m going to be a Super Woman like my mom and my grandma, and I’m going to do it without the burnout. My goal for the rest of the semester is to follow their example and become a Super Woman. I’m going to take more time for myself (especially when I start to feel the burnout-pressure building), ask friends and family for help and support when I need it, and remember why I’m here and why I want to work hard. Hopefully, if I get in the habit now, I can keep it up and enter the “Real World” as a Super Woman.

“Confidently, Courageously and Hopefully” – Things I’ve Learn From My Women’s College Experience

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Given the recent events in Pakistan, I feel as though it is important to share how I feel my women’s college is benefiting me both now and in the future. I feel blessed to have been afforded an opportunity for an education and it saddens me that not all girls and women have education readily accessible to them. As a tour guide, I repeatedly get the question, “So, how do you feel about the umm…all-girl thing?” My response to this is always, “Oh, a women’s college?! I love it!” Before I came to Scripps—while already desperately in love with the school—I found myself having to justify my choice to both myself and to others. I’d explain that, “Scripps isn’t reallllly a women’s college because it’s part of a consortium.” Now, after having been at Scripps for over a year, I have found that one of the things I love most about it is the fact that it is a women’s college. Having experienced all-women classes, I have a different appreciation for a women’s education than I would have otherwise. And, most importantly in this context, I think that coming from a women’s college many Scripps students are more prepared than they might otherwise be, because of their women’s education.

Statistics show that women who attend women’s colleges participate more in the classroom, get better grades in classes than they would at co-ed colleges, are more likely to get professional degrees, attend grad school and hold higher positions in their careers. I’m the first to admit that I didn’t think being in an all female classroom would impact my class experience, but it does. I have found that even I—the girl who has never been afraid to show that she has a brain—feel more relaxed in the classroom. And, not only that, I also feel more inspired, creative and driven. I have found that in classes such as Core, my professors, my peers and I have challenged myself to come up with new ideas.

It is has been shown (mostly through the media) that people behave based on what they see happening around them. That is, when women are objectified in the media, society mimics those actions and interacts in the same way. However, Scripps comes along with amazing on-campus student leaders and highly successful alums. Every time I meet Scripps alumnae, have a conversation with a faculty member or strike a debate with my friends, it inspires me to work harder. I see highly motivated, strong and intelligent women surrounding me on a daily basis, and it encourages me to do the same.

It is so easy to take an education for granted when in the midst of finals, papers and reading. Our education is part of our key to success, but sadly there are many girls and women in the US and around the world who aren’t afforded the same opportunity. Are there any parts of your women’s college education you think will be particularly useful when you enter the work force? Are there any parts of your education you may have taken for granted over the years?

Click here for more information about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen who was attacked by the Taliban for demanding an education for girls.

“I’m the greatest star,” as told by a girl who dreams of being Fanny Brice

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Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live a life you know is not meant for you? Maybe one day you could be the president of the United States. Or, you could train hard enough to be an Olympic figure skater. Or, what if you could find the cure to cancer? Many of us have childhood dreams about what we want to be when we grow up. I, for one, always dreamt of being a Broadway star. For some of us, those dreams will come true. For others of us, we’ll re-evaluate situations, find new passions and work towards goals that differ from what we originally saw our life becoming. I, clearly, am not in pursuit of a life on the stage (that pays the bills). But, I think in a lot of ways, I have learned a little bit about how to keep my childhood dreams alive in both my personal life and my professional life. So, thus begins the story of how the Midwestern little girl, who lived, breathed and dreamed of being on Broadway became the college student, excited about a career in journalism, who only day-dreams about originating a pivotal role in musical theater.

I was a ham when I was growing up. I wore my dance costumes around the house. I directed plays of my brother and me in my living room. And, when my extended family would gather for dinner on Friday nights, I would make everyone get in a circle and play a game called “Punchanella” that basically involved me singing and dancing for everyone in the room. By second grade, I was able to channel that energy into theater classes. Soon, I began to imagine myself starring in plays that had an audience consisting of more that just my family. I studied Idina Menzel, Barbra Streisand and Sutton Foster, longing to be like them one day. And, I dreamt of standing ovations, Tony Awards and sold out crowds. But, that’s all it was for me: a dream. Some people are able to fiercely go after their dreams, work hard and become determined to succeed. And, I admire that greatly. But, personally, I always knew that my life would lead me other places. When I approached the college application process, it was the first time I began to really contemplate what I realistically wanted to do with my life. I left high school with so many passions and interests that it seemed as though my mind was changing every day. One minute, I’d be determined to be a history teacher. And the next minute I’d contemplate going into arts education. Right now, neither of those possibilities are remotely close to the path I am currently on. I took an internship at a locally based news network this summer that ultimately changed the way I look at my future. After my internship, I became fairly certain that I want a career in broadcast journalism. Here’s why:

1. Just as I love working on a show and seeing it come together, I love watching news stories develop. I love being in the newsroom with the producers and watching the line-up come together.
2. While one of my favorite parts of theater is writing original work, I love writing news pieces just as much.
3. The part I love about being on stage is commanding an audience’s attention. While I may not be garnering attention by belting out a high B, reporters have a responsibility to get the attention of the public so that everyday people are educated about the world around them.

So, my life isn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be. But, when you take a closer look, it’s not all that different either. I have found a career path that excites me, challenges me and seems accessible in the future. And, while I realize that I will never be the next Babs, the most important part is that I haven’t lost my inner Fanny Brice. The shower is my karaoke bar, class presentations are my stage and if you see me strutting down Wood Steps you can bet I’m pretending to be the dance captain of this school. “I’m The Greatest Star” Fanny Brice

What did you dream of being when you grow up? How are those dreams impacting your life today? Are you living your dreams in some way? I hope you are.

Sweet Dreams,
Laurel