...a Progression Advisor at an online school

Name: Katie

Occupation : Progression Advisory
 
4:40am - Yep, you read that right. 4:40 am. I enroll students in the Bachelors program for an on line school and since my students all live in the Southeast, I get an early start. My dress code is business casual, save for Friday which is 'jeans' day. Usually that means that I'm in dress slacks and a nice top or a dress.


6:00 - ok, ok, its more like 6:10 when I finally make it out the door. I carpool with my sister so I make it just in time to work at 6:30.

6:30 -  My job is to take students who are at 42 credits in their Associates program and help them make the transition to the Bachelors program. Almost all my students are adults who are already in the workforce but are looking to make a better life for themselves.

I start my day by checking email and voice mail. Usually I have a few calls to return and a few emails as well. The morning usually flies by.

10:00 am - Seriously, I need a break. I take a walk twice a day. It keeps my blood pumping and gives me an excuse to gossip. Why lie about that? You know I do it anyway.

Noon- Lunch. I take it at my desk, while doing homework. I not only enroll students in the school, I attend it myself. I'm working at getting my Bachelors degree in Psychology. I get a lot of work done during this hour and that frees up my evening.
 
1-3:30 : My afternoon is usually meetings, calling students and enrolling them and placing calls to students who are already enrolled. I like to make sure that everyone is doing well. 

All I do is listen to people. Most of my students have no idea what to get a degree in  but they do know what they like and what they don't like. Some know what they want their ideal job to be but don't know how to get there. I listen to all their hopes and aspirations to try help them find the path to get where they want to be.  


3:30pm - The nice thing about an early morning is that I am out the door and on my way to the gym by 3:30. A perk of my work? The gym that is cheap, really nice and 60 feet away from my office.


By 5pm I'm at my house enjoying the sunny heat of Arizona. Most people are just starting their commute home while I pour myself a glass of wine and turn on Nip/Tuck.. my recent obsession. (Hey, don't judge! I'm slow.)  

I love love love my job. I get to help people who have been told what they cannot do for the majority of their lives. That they cannot be more than they are. I help them realize that they can do something and that they will succeed at it. 

My students are truly trying to get themselves out of the place that they are at. They are stuck in a job where they might have the history but not the education. They come to me fed up with the fact that they are not getting anywhere and are being passed up for jobs by people who have next to no experience but that ever so important piece of paper. To see my students stop just surviving and to start thriving is so great.

Not to mention that the company I work for treats it's employee's very well.  Did I mention that they are paying for the majority of my schooling? Or that we have team builders once every 3 months in which we all leave and go do things like mini golf? Or that vacation time given exceeds everyone I know?

I know, I know...now your jealous...