In Addition to Tuition

In addition to tuition: when you read that, what is the first thought that comes to mind? Some may think about those many extra charges that get packed on to your tuition bill. But here at the George Snow Scholarship Fund, that phrase means something completely different. In addition to providing scholarship money to deserving students in our area, we also provide college physicals, supply gift bags, laptops, senior photos…the list goes on and on! And today begins one of many new initiatives or should I say additions to help our scholars: a blog!

Every week, we will be posting a blog for our scholars on surviving and thriving while in college. So scholars…get excited for tips and insight sent right to your inbox. So who is this mysterious blogger you may ask? She’s the newest addition to the George Snow Scholarship Fund family. But we will let her introduce herself…

Greetings scholars!

My name is Elena Tayem and I am the new Communications Coordinator here at the George Snow Scholarship Fund. I have been a volunteer with the foundation for 7 years and I am thrilled to now be working for this incredible non-profit organization. This blog is something that I am really excited about because I am actually quite fresh out of college myself. And wow…there is SO much that I know now that I wish someone warned me…I mean told me about… back when high school graduation was upon me.

I am also a Palm Beach County local just like most of you. I grew up in Boca Raton and went to Atlantic High School in Delray Beach. I did the IB Program there and boy that was…. fun? I know a lot of you are IB graduates as well. While it was an extremely challenging program, I will tell you this. IT WAS WORTH IT. IB and AP classes prepared me tremendously for college. And I must say, college classes were for the most part a breeze. (except for Math…I’ve always been terrible at math) The real challenging parts happen before and after class. And that’s what I’m going to address in this blog. But let me tell you a little about my background first.

I graduated from the University of Miami last May. And yes… it’s all about the []_[]! (Sorry Gator & Noles scholars) I studied Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. To say I loved college is an understatement. I completely immersed myself by taking advantage of all UM had to offer. I lived on campus, lived off campus, commuted, participated in clubs, served on executive committees, interned, worked as an RA, went to sporting events, experienced Miami culture and made incredible lifelong friends.

But it wasn’t all a walk in the park. Many issues came up that I had to overcome and learn from. But everything I experienced helped me to grow as a person. And this blog will address all those triumphs, tribulations and obstacles that I experienced firsthand. From living with roommates, to forming study habits, taking care of your mental & physical health, dating, friendships, resumes, interviews, internships, post-grad life, your first job…phew…a lot of stuff right? But don’t worry…I will cover it all. And if you have a question or topic you want me to address, ask away! I am more than happy to offer my advice. Wish to remain anonymous or need over the phone advice? I am here to help as well! My contact info can be found below.

So get ready…for many more additions to your tuition…

Elena Tayem
Communications Coordinator
The George Snow Scholarship Fund
201 Plaza Real, Suite #260
Boca Raton, FL 33432

P: 561-347-6799
F: 561-347-6380
E: etayem@scholarship.org

Today as I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, photos of graduation day keep streaming through causing me to be in a total fog. I just can’t stop thinking about how my graduation day at the University of Miami was only one year ago. The feelings are overwhelming because I think reality of adulthood is finally settling in and that I’ve been in complete denial that graduation even happened! When did I become an adult? Why can’t I seem to be able to shake it off that college is over and that life will never be like that ever again? And why am I crying right now thinking about it?

It’s cliché and I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times but college truly was the best time of my life so far (emphasis on so far). I met the most amazing friends. I lived on the most beautiful campus. My professors were incredible. The experiences I had inside and outside the classroom truly helped define me as an individual and I am forever grateful to the []_[]. What I learned there was so powerful and no one can ever take away my degree or those experiences. And I miss it so much it hurts.

I’ve gone back to Miami multiple times…desperately trying to grasp on to college life…. but it didn’t feel right. Your school spirit will always remain but all of sudden amongst other students you feel…well old…you get tired more quickly than you used to…irritated anywhere there’s a crowd and well simply out of place. And you start to think what happened to me and when did I become this old lady?! I’m 23 years old for crying out loud!

I spoke with my other friends that I graduated with about these odd feelings and they all said they are experiencing the same things…along with being confused and lost. We miss having our friends living right down the hall…most of us live at home because we can’t afford to move out…and some of us have gone through multiple jobs still trying to find that perfect fit.

But what I have finally realized…it’s okay! It’s okay to feel this way. It’s okay to miss college and friends. It’s okay if you feel like you don’t know what you are doing with your life. Why? Because…

 

• It’s normal to feel that way.
• If you continue to be hung up on missing college life, you will never be living in the present and always stuck in the past. And if you continue to live in the past, you can never be thankful for all the good in life right now…which brings me to #3.
• There is so much to be thankful for!! You graduated from an incredible school. You made great friends and connections. If you are living at home and it’s been rough living with your parents and siblings, just think about all the money you are saving on rent! And if you can continue to work hard and sometimes even more important…be kind and gracious to everyone…. everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

For those of you still in college, enjoy every minute of it and soak up all the experiences possible! And for those of you who just graduated who say it was the best time of your life….it was…so far! But so are so many other experiences that you are about to have! So breath…enjoy your time off if you don’t have a job yet and get ready for a bumpy journey that will be filled with amazing times and terrible times that you will learn and grow so much from. Just remember to always be thankful.

So hold on! Life is a rollercoaster but sometimes we just need to learn to sit back and enjoy it…because it’s all about the journey…not the final destination.

Until next time,

Elena Tayem

Communications Coordinator at the George Snow Scholarship Fund

8 steps to making the most of your summer internship

It’s the end of July! And the fall semester is quickly approaching. So it’s time to start reflecting on what else you can do to make the most of these final weeks of your summer internship.

1. Network, network, network! Not only with the staff in your office but with your fellow interns as well. You never know when you might meet again and how they might be able to help you or you might be able to help them. So get everyone’s business cards, add them on LinkedIn and most importantly, keep in touch!

2. So how do I keep in touch you might ask? Email them! I know…sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to say in the email. But remembering them during the holidays is a great way to do it! A simple, “Happy Thanksgiving, I’m thankful I had the opportunity to intern and learn so much from you this year” …totally works! Or maybe you shared a common interest with someone in the office and you send them an article you know they would appreciate. Also, adults love to be asked about how their families are doing as well. Asking about their children or their pet puppy that they talked about a lot shows that you actually listened to them and truly cared about getting to know them as a person. It’s also a GREAT idea to send them projects you are working on in school that relate to the job you were doing with them. Or telling them how something that you learned at your internship you are now applying at school. They LOVE to hear that they helped influence you in some way or another. It’s important for you to continue to be memorable and keep in touch because hey…there could be an opening for a real job with that company once you graduate. And that person could play a key role in getting you that job! Even if you don’t plan on ever working there again, your coworkers and supervisors can be used as references for future internships or jobs. And gosh they will have so many wonderful things to say about you 🙂

3. Next question to ask yourself – is there anyone outside the team that you work with that you would like to meet? Don’t be afraid to ask the big shots of the company’s assistant if the big boss would meet with you for 10 minutes to give you some advice. The worst they can say is no! People love talking about themselves and offering advice to young people…so if they have the time, they will say yes! So it’s a worth a shot! And be prepared with questions like…how did you get to where you are today? What advice do you have for a college student with career aspirations to be fill in the blank? Another great one…why do you love your job? Get ready to be filled with so much wisdom!

4. It’s also an awesome idea to meet with the Human Resource department if you want them to hire you when you graduate. Don’t be afraid to ask what entry level pay is so you are better prepared for after graduation. I learned quickly that my dream place to work pays very very very little in NYC and well… who can afford to make $15/hr and live in NYC? You just can’t. And HR understands that and will tell you still to KEEP IN TOUCH with them…so DO IT! Because you might not be able to afford to work with them right away, but once you gain more experience, you will be eligible for much higher paying positions. And HR will remember you when that time comes!

5. Okay so there only a few weeks left, is there anything else that you feel like you could learn or do with the company? Or maybe there’s someone you want to shadow? If so, tell you your supervisor or mentor so they can help you set it up!

6. Now it’s time to get a little deep here…you’ve spent your whole summer with this company…what did you think? How did you feel? Did you like the environment? Did you like the work you were doing? Could you see your future there or in a similar place? A HUGE THING TO LOOK OUT FOR…THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! Are your coworkers happy??? Do they complain about their pay, hours, management or benefits? There’s always going to be that one person who complains about everything so don’t let that one Debbie Downer crush your dreams. But if almost EVERYONE is miserable and complaining, why in the world would you want to strive to be in their position? That’s the real eye-opener and it might make you reevaluate your career path. And that’s okay! You don’t have to steer away from you major completely but maybe find other career options for your major or degree. Meet with your career center and they will help you get back on track. Because you might just learn your dream job isn’t what you thought it was at all…and it’s beyond heartbreaking, confusing and frustrating! Trust me…I’ve been there. But instead of beating yourself up about it, be thankful for the experience and that you are learning that it’s not your dream NOW instead of 5-10 years down the road.

7. IT’S YOUR LAST DAY! Now what?! Make sure to have handwritten thank you cards for everyone that made an impact on you during your internship. And maybe bring some sort of desert to thank everyone…because hey…who doesn’t like something sweet? 🙂

8. FINALLY – if you are living in a different place for your internship, make a bucket list of places you want to visit, explore or eat at. It’s important to really soak in and experience the cool town or city you got to live in all summer!

SO GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN! BE A SPONGE AND SOAK UP EVERYTHING THERE IS TO LEARN.

And let us know if you need anything. We are here for you always 🙂

Wishing you all nothing but the best and most successful final weeks of your internship.

Cheers to a wonderful and productive rest of your summer,

Elena Tayem
Communications Coordinator
The George Snow Scholarship Fund
201 Plaza Real, Suite #260
Boca Raton, FL 33432

P: 561-347-6799
F: 561-347-6380
E: etayem@scholarship.org