Its been almost 8 months since I have looked at any of the assessments provided to us by Dr. Bob. I remember first getting these and being beyond confused. My thoughts, “oh, I’m an ESFP…. Makes complete sense… NOT!” I had no idea how to interpret this and apply it to my life and the situations I have had / will have in the future. Even after listening to Dr. Bob explain it in depth to me, it was so hard for me to put it to actual use. Until now, that is. I am really thankful that we were told to get out our assessments for this past meeting. The day before the meeting I spent so much time just looking over them in depth and applying them to everything I have done this past year, and there it clicked. These assessments tell me so much about who I am and most importantly what kind of leader I am. My favorite part about these assessments was looking at the MBTI and seeing how I interacted over the past years with people entirely opposite than myself. I have such a greater grasp on how people who don’t think exactly like me tackle projects and different situations. Now, working with someone who is an IITJ isn’t so much a challenge but rather like a fun project. I have a much greater awareness for others needs and to me I think that is a quality any top leader should have.

In addition to the assessments I feel there was one workshop that has stood out to me among all others – the goal setting workshop. This is actually funny that this stands out to me because going into the workshop I was not looking forward to it. My two thoughts, one, “This is so repetitive, I have learned about goal setting at least once every year since 5th grade” and two, “I hate setting goals and no one can ever convince me to.” I was in for such a shock! While the workshop consisted of a few things I have learned before those words and advice have stuck in my head ever since. I actually remember saying at this workshop that I don’t like setting goals because they limit me….. WHAT?!! Like goals are some kind of barricade that just holds me back shall I ever change my mind? Who knows what I was thinking. It probably wasn’t until the job search started that this workshop really sunk in with me. I was applying for these jobs with no end goal in mind. While I like a flexible and spontaneous life, I didn’t want to be stuck at an entry level job forever. Therefore I wrote down my first goal. While writing it I was still pretty hesitant. Just thinking about if this is really what I want my goal to be. When I finally convinced myself it was only writing on a piece of paper and could be thrown away or erased if I ever wanted to go a different direction, it felt good to write it down .It was something concrete and a very small starting place. Yes, that goal has changed and developed ever since, again making me realize it’s not the end all be all and now Iset goals all the time another thing I think any great leader should do!

My entire perspective of leadership has changed after these past (almost) 2 years in BLF, and I owe that mainly to all of our assessments, workshops, and guidance from the alumni, staff and supporters. I plan to continuously use these assessments, workshops and connections throughout the rest of my life. I would love to look back 10, even 5 years from now and see how much these have all helped me in my life thus far and how my perceptions have since changed.

Questions I have: - Can I take the Reiss Motivational Profile assessment again? I really don’t think Physical Activity should be my very lowest.. they called me a couch potato! I was probably just in a lazy mood that day!

-What is a “normal” percentage on the G360, and should we be aiming for 100% in all categories?

Something to think about.





Definitely Worth Reading!

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.


author unknown -- happy to attribute if somebody knows

Life Would be Pointless Without the People You Love

Throughout my life I have been extremely fortunate to have had multiple people who have acted as mentors. I remember back in 6th grade when I made the conscious decision to surround myself with only people who better me as a person. This decision, I believe is what led me to have so many mentors and guiding figures in my life.

One mentor who really stands out in my mind is Mr. Pregitzer from Milford High School. Mr. Pregitzer dedicated his time to making sure that all of his students succeeded. I truly admired Mr. Pregitzer because of the way he was so passionate about what he was teaching and doing (he was the adviser of Milford DECA, a marketing program for juniors and seniors). He was so intelligent, had so many connections, and knew all there was to know regarding marketing. He truly could have gone on to start his own company or do something that most would consider extraordinary; but really, me and the many other students before and after me would agree that what he did was more than extraordinary- he made a huge impact on our lives.

For me, Mr. Pregitzer helped me realize my potential. Through his guidance and motivation I was able to take 1st place in the nation in a Creative Marketing Competition. Never did I think I would be able to beat out 700 other students to win first place in Anaheim, CA. This new found confidence led me to apply for many colleges I would have only dreamed of going to. I went to Saint Louis University and then again, Mr. Pregitzer came in handy when I needed to make the tough decision to transfer or not. I didn't even have to email, call, or write him, I could just hear his words from high school always reminding me to do what I think is best for me, and follow my passion.

I believe I am where I am today thanks to Mr. Pregitzer. I know that no matter what I may need he will be the mentor who guides me in the right direction. What is so special to me about this mentor-ship was it wasn't forced- he didn't have to, he wanted to.

Since I was so lucky in the people I have been surrounded by, I always try to give back the same way people gave to me. I have never really been a mentor on purpose, or by assignment, they have just happened. For example, I came to Ohio State as a transfer student my sophomore year, and now, a sophomore that I live with just transferred here. I remember it being so difficult for me coming here; not knowing which orgs to join, how to meet people, everything was just very overwhelming. I try to make it a smoother transition for my roommate this year so that she can learn a lot easier than I did. I want her to have a better experience than I did my first year here so I do my best to share my knowledge of "what I would've/could've/should've done." While my relationship with my roommate is first and foremost a friendship, I still look at it as a mentor-ship because we are both learning from each other and sharing our experiences to better one another.

M.B.T.I

Before Buckeye Leadership Fellows I had never really heard of the MBTI before and I definitely never thought I would be taking it and getting an overall analysis of my results; but I must say I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity.

I think that the MBTI is a great tool but I would most likely not bring it up in casual conversation or in a job interview. My reason being, I see the MBTI as being more of a tool to help me better understand myself and why I may act the way I do in certain situations. Going into a job interview confident and understanding myself and  how I would react in certain situations based on my MBTI, I believe is more important than simply telling the employer that I am an ESFP.

So, although I don't see it as a talking point in a conversation or interview I still see it as an essential component. It is a way to help students, like myself, become more aware of themselves which ultimately could help in an interview.

Overworked and Unpaid

When people ask me how my summer was it usually sums it up when I mutter the words, unpaid. But in all honesty, I'd be lying if I told you I was at all unhappy.

I worked two internships, one with GCSC (The Greater Columbus Sports Commission) and the other with The Advancement Department at Ohio State. As an intern at both I helped mainly with the planning and execution of events. At GCSC, I was able to be apart of the biggest event Columbus has ever seen; USA Junior Girls National Championships. The event brought in 30,000 visitors and more than 30 million in visitor spending. I was able to meet girls from all over the country and help change their perception on Columbus by showing them what the city really has to offer. It was truly something amazing to be apart of. And over at the Advancement Dept, I was/ am assisting in Ohio State's HUGE campaign kickoff to happen this October. I'm working on a bunch of smaller odd jobs right now but hey, event planner isn't always the over-the-top events. Both very different types of events and experiences but both very unforgettable!

More importantly to me, I met so many people and I spent time with people who were happy and loved what they were doing. When I tell people how I want to go into the events industry they never skip a beat to tell me how I'll be working such LONG hours and LOW pay. (Sadly people care about that over what will make me happy). But anyways, seeing the event planners that I worked with happy and loving what they do completely reconfirmed my decision to go into hospitality and pursue a career in event planning post college.

By the end of the summer my friends working at places such as JP Morgan Chase, P&G, and Ernst and Young all were receiving offers for jobs after graduation. Not me. I guess that's what comes when working at smaller companies but hey, I am not going to stress and am going to enjoy the ride to see where I'll end up in just 9 short months. Okay, I'm completely lying, I'm stressing out, but writing that kind of made me feel better about it so I'll keep telling myself that.

And that was the last summer I will ever have as a student. Well worth it.

After 30 + times trying to make the sound and lighting better, I gave up.