timing is everything

We’re just one week into this final semester, and already some of us are already probably technically a little behind thanks to our Surprise Snow Day! on Thursday.  This semester, I’m taking two courses and one of them meets Thursday mornings, so although I’m reading, reading away I’m still doing so in a bit of a vacuum.  This course is focused on more local, NYC-based “politics of policy” which I’ve been anticipating for a few semesters.  Between my fellowship project and this course, I’ll be spending a lot of time this term absorbing local politics and seeing how this city actually works.  This is why saving a great elective for the end is fun!

As to my final project, I’m reading plenty to prepare for that, too.  Although Advanced Seminar (the course within which you’ll write that project) seemed somewhat mysterious before it began, I was pleased to see that this is structured to serve as a support system and resource for us collectively as we complete this client-based work.  During my first master’s degree, the process of preparing a final project and comprehensive oral defense was a solitary endeavor (other than your faculty committee, of course).  While I don’t lie about my aversion to too much group work, in this particular instance I think having this seminar is terrific in yielding the best of both worlds.  As we’re doing work for our clients, we’ll have the other students in this experience, and having that collective support does make a difference.  At the end of the day, regardless of context, it is often a great joy and comfort to have someone else say “me too!”  (Yes, I’m being touchy-feely. Deal with it.)

Since this is my last semester, I wanted to ask readers or passers-by about any topics or items that you would like to hear more about.  My colleagues here (we have plenty) will be continuing on, of course, but in the interest of being helpful I thought I’d just put that out there.  If you have some burning question (or any other kind) about Milano, graduate school, etc., please comment and I’ll see what we can do!

Kristen

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119 days

Seventeen weeks to go until graduation.  How did that happen?  That’s not a complaint, just a possibly cliched and trite thought which occurred to me last week watching our Spring welcome for our students beginning their programs in January.

When you’re a part-time student, having watched many of your friends and colleagues graduate before you, the notion that it’s nearly your turn can actually seem a bit surreal.  Yet TOTALLY THRILLING.  Oh yes, let’s be clear: I am ready, willing and able to have a wonderful, challenging, thought-provoking time and proceed on to great things after I graduate.

To that end: on tap for this term I have a few things.  First, my Advanced Seminar during which I’ll complete my master’s project, or Professional Decision Report, for a client I shall call Org X (how original).  Org X offers the opportunity to undertake research in the area of economic development and job creation while I meet with colleagues in a seminar periodically this semester to discuss processes and procedures for doing useful policy work.

I found Org X somewhat the old-fashioned way; last summer, I added a new workbook to an ongoing Excel spreadsheet which includes any and all organizations at which I have been interested in working.  The fun part, when preparing the “PDR” section, is that unlike looking for a job, I could contact organizations and offer them free labor in exchange for the chance to do this kind of intensive work.   I also had goals in mind in terms of what kind of work I enjoy, what kinds of skills I’d like to package upon graduation, and structuring this to complement my yearlong fellowship work doing a policy project for a government office in New York.   I began emailing  groups, targeting some topically (sustainability policy, civil and human rights) and others by virtue of general interests (think tanks).  When Org X got in touch with me, we spent a few weeks having detailed conversations about areas of interest on each side, and over the course of that time prior to the holidays we agreed to move forward on this project in the spring.  Success!

I’ll be taking another course this spring concerning the media and mayoral/local politics in NYC about which I’m also extremely excited, and looking into auditing a leadership seminar as well.

Believe it or not, because of a lot of planning and reflection after my crazily-busy fall, my plans for spring also include more time for exercise, recreation, and time to take care of myself.  I want to enjoy this time as well, to take advantage of everything I can as I prepare to graduate.  And being a realist I know this all still means I’ll be stressed out at times, but I see a big beaming light at the end of this, and I am determined to get there successfully.

Kristen

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