I Can't Believe I Just Said That

Remember in kindergarten when the teacher asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up?

A fireman!

A police officer!

A doctor!

An astronaut!

Director of Admissions!

What? Nobody said Director of Admissions?! I guess that was just me. Well, it was me many, many years later - after college to be exact.

No, I guess Director of Admission is not something one aspires to early in life. You just kind of have to fall into it like I did.

Before deciding to stay-at-home with the kids, I had achieved my goal. I was Associate Director of Admissions. (Okay, not the top dog, but still! Just one ring below ain't bad.)

I loved my job. I got to work with college students, help recruit, oversee admission into the health programs and work with other departments in Student Affairs to develop new programs for students.

 

Now, lest you go thinking I had the red carpet rolled out for me, let me assure you that I paid my dues.  I worked several jobs that we enjoyable and not so enjoyable, as well as obtaining my Master's degree before I landed my Associate Director job.

 

One of those jobs was an Admissions Officer.  My Admissions Officer job was my first professional job. I had an office!  I had business cards!  I had arrived!

As an Admissions Officer, you are interacting with many different groups of people each day.  You are speaking with prospective students, current students, college staff and, of course, faculty.

Each program had a Director and the Admissions Officers would work with the Directors to get qualified students into the programs.

 

One of my favorite faculty members was Dr. Bill.  He was the Director of one of the engineering programs.  He was always quiet, reserved, well-spoken and very polite.  He was always patient and never demanded that I move his students to the top of the pile.

After being there only a couple of months, I remember he called me about a student applying to his program.  Our conversation went something like this.

Me: Good afternoon. College Admissions.  This is Michelle. How can I help you?

Dr. Bill:  Hi Michelle.  I was calling regarding Mr. Smith. I was hoping you could tell me his GPA.

Me: I'd be happy to, Dr. Bill.  I have his file right here. *Rustle papers.* Just give me a second.

Dr. Bill: Sure, no rush, Michelle.

Me: Okay. Here we go. For his Bastard's degree... Oh crap! Did I just curse out a faculty member?! Did I just say 'Bastard'? I can't believe I just said that!!! I'm going to be fired after only two months!

*Silence.*

Me: Dr. Bill, I am so sorry! Mr. Smith has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree. And I guess I just accidentally combined the two.

Dr. Bill: *Chuckling.* Well, I was thinking that a 'Bastard's' degree was a new one on me! Don't worry about it, Michelle.

Me: Thanks, Dr. Bill. Again, I'm so sorry. I'll try to refrain from cursing you out in the future.

Dr. Bill: *Still laughing.* I'd appreciate that.

 

See?! You see why I liked this guy?! 

 

So needless to say, if he was not my favorite faculty member before, he was FOR SURE my favorite after this conversation.

 

The moral of the story is, well, there's not really a moral.  I guess more of a 'What NOT To Do'. Don't curse out your coworkers as it may not end as well as it did for me.