Interviewing Edith Johnson - Essay Example

The challenge was complex because the student information was dispersed amongst several different sources such as: disks, computer hard drives, papers, etc. To produce an accurate report within the assigned deadline, it became necessary for me to combine all of the sources of information and create one sole source for the student data, which would permit easy access of the data to the Director.

The outcome: By developing a more organized system of data maintenance, it simplified the process of analyzing and summarizing information for the report, which in turn decreased the amount of time needed to compile and complete the report by the assigned submission deadline. The increased time also ensured the accuracy of the report.

At the University of Maryland in the Student Support Services office, I was the first point of contact for both students and parents interested in the Summer Transitional Program.  This program is designed to assist first-generation/low-income students in making the transition from high school to college through the completion of a six-week intensive academic course load. Students who were invited to apply to the program were those students who were denied fall admission by the university’s Undergraduate Admissions office. Following the release of the early decision letters by the admissions office, I immediately began fielding telephone calls and receiving visits by students, parents, teachers, and high school counselors inquiring about the program application process, requirements, costs, and other questions concerns. I assisted these potential students by communicating the necessary information verbally on the telephone or in-person, and/or in writing through the forms of a letter, or email. 

The outcome: Students were able to gain the necessary information on the Summer Transitional Program and began the application process for consideration.

At the University of Maryland, the spring semester is a very busy time for the Student Support Services office. In addition to assisting the current students in the program, the office is also accepting applications and formulating the first-year student cohort for the upcoming summer program. My tasks were to make copies and put together mass mailings, receive student information, and file accordingly. I had to dispense information employing letter or email within a window of a few days, compile student application files for review by both the admissions committee and the Executive Director for a final decision, and mail the decision within a day. I was also managing the logistics for both 1st year and 2nd-year student meetings, and field all incoming calls by students and parents. To organize and complete these multiple tasks as well as assignments within a time frame, I created a daily “to-do list”. The list enabled me to prioritize my work and eliminate any omission of a big or small task.

The outcome: During each busy spring semester, I was able to maintain control of my assignment deadlines while simultaneously addressing my daily duties and any unforeseen tasks that may arise during a workday.