Catching Up With Coworkers

Kate showing me the ropes!

Two weeks ago I was sitting with Kate Savidge, Central Penn College's Enrollment Events Specialist (now account executive for Tanner Furniture). It was her last day, and I was getting a crash course on what would soon be my new role at the College!

As we went over event planning processes, student worker schedules, and student store inventory, we put one important date on our calendar - a happy hour to recap on the first few weeks in our new roles!

We met Friday night at Lancaster Brewing Company to fulfill that promise. And we found out it had been a busy two weeks for us both! Kate was getting to know her awesome new team and working with her first official clients. I was having fun getting to know our student workers (who have renamed themselves JARS - Junior Admissions Reps) and prepping for my first big event - Discovery Day.

As Kate and I talked at the bar, I began to notice a few other familiar faces in the room. As it turned out, one of my former employers, JPL Creative, was having a farewell party for Jeannie Kollar-Harvey, who has called JPL her professional home for the past eight years.

A few of my favorite faces from JPL. Jeannie is in the center in pink!

I was only at JPL for a short time, but it still felt great to see the people that made my time there so meaningful. There's nothing like catching up with old friends like Jeannie, WB, Kdog, Laura, Jill, Michael, Zen, AJ, Jason, Katy, and more; seeing updated pictures of kiddos now six years older (and A LOT taller); hearing about engagements, weddings, and milestones; and planning future opportunities to connect (Yep, I'm expecting to see ALL of you in one of my Zumba classes)!

And I thought it was super cool that two very different moments in my life seemed to intersect so randomly. But is life ever really random?

I walked to my car that night and I realized two things: 

(1.) I have had the opportunity to work with some really cool people! At JPL I was continually inspired by the talent and creativity surrounding me. I had never really considered myself to be a "creative" person, so most of the time I was absolutely awestruck by what they were doing! And although I'm still not a self-identified "creative" person, the team at JPL did help to strengthen that side of me. I'd like to say that a little of that JPL spirit rubbed off on me before I left!

(2.) Those cool people don't stop at the doors of JPL. I've been blessed to work with some amazing talent at Cumulus Media, the American Cancer Society, HACC, and now Central Penn College - and they've helped to teach me, too. At every stop on my professional journey, I've walked away with new skills and experiences to make me better!

As I begin my new job as Enrollment Events Coordinator at Central Penn, I'm excited to think about the new ways I'll learn and grow. Who will I connect with? What challenges will I have? What new strengths will I develop? I can't wait to find out!

To Jeannie: Congratulations!! I'm so glad I could share in your evening, and I wish you the best in your new position! Looking forward to seeing you at Zumba class! :)

To Kate: We are two weeks in! Woo hoo! Thanks for the many ways you have helped me to prepare me for this position. I'm looking forward to our next happy hour recap!

To YOU: What new skills are you learning at your job that you are excited about? Share them in the comments below!