Starting to see the Light

I must admit that my first night of class was overwhelming.  I am a PC user and starting off the class using a Mac threw me for a curve.  As we reviewed the technology that we were going to learn in class my head was swimming.  Similar to the fish on the EDL 755 website!  I was also concerned having to have another email account.  I have a full -time job, plus a part- time job, along with taking 2 courses this semester.  I thought “When am I going to find time to look at another email account, I hardly have time to look at the other 3 email accounts I have now.”  I was dreading the next three months.

This week, I took time and watched the tutorials that Dr. Kim had explaining the activities we were going to do in Tuesday’s class.  This helped immensely!  The class went extremely well.  I was even able to help one of my very smart classmates with a question she had on the lesson.  I felt like I was Steve Jobs!  I have a renewed excitement for the class, because I know that many of the things I will be learning will directly impact my job.

I have never used Google Docs.  I now wonder, “Where have you been all of my life!”  I am the coordinator of several industry sector alliances.  The names of the Alliances are:  NEW Manufacturing Alliance, North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance and Greater Green Bay Healthcare Alliance.  The NEW Manufacturing Alliance was my first foray into designing a website.  I started the organization and as it grew it became increasingly more important that we have a website.  At the time, members did not pay any dues so there was no money to fund the creative portion of the website.  The organization was given some grant money to fund the backend of the website, but I had to create what we wanted the website to look like for the computer specialist to integrate into his program.  My undergraduate degree is in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing, so I have some experience in creating marketing for a company.  The problem was I had no experience in creating a website.  Over the next few months I created the website (www.newmfgalliance.org).  It was a great experience.

The North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance also has a website:  www.northcoastmma.org.  I was part of the creative that designed the website; however I did write a grant to hire a marketing company and a computer specialist.  I really love how this website looks, but it did cost $18,000.

I know I will be using what I learned in class in the sector partnerships I coordinate for the college.  The Greater Green Bay Healthcare Alliance has no money.  The organization has been struggling where it can put all of the information we are working on to help students navigate through the clinical process.  I plan on creating a website for the organization using Google and what I have learned in class.  I had a meeting this morning with the organization and they were overjoyed when I told them that the solution to our website problem has been solved.  Google saves the day once again!

I also know that I will be utilizing Google Docs for many of the committee projects I am involved in at work.  I serve on 24 committees and this will give me a tool to help our teams work more seamlessly on projects.  One of the committees I am on is the K-12 Outreach taskforce for the NEW Manufacturing Alliance.   We have been working on career exploration lesson plans for math teachers over the past three months.  It would have been so helpful to have Google Docs to help us in putting these lesson plans together.  A future activity I will need Google Docs for is a presentation I am giving with three other individuals at the Wisconsin School Board conference in Milwaukee in January 2012.  We can use Google Docs as we co-create our presentation.

I also see applications in my personal life.  My husband and I are part of a team of married couples that provide marriage mentoring at our church.  I want to create a website using Google to spotlight for married couples resources they can use to enhance their marriage.  Other things on the website might include a blog on tips on keeping your marriage strong.  I can’t wait to get together with the other marriage mentors to think of some ideas for the website.

I’m very excited about the class and all of the things we have learned thus far.  I can’t wait to see what else we will learn!

The History of Me

I am amazed at where I am in my life, when I consider the first 18 years.  School was not one of my favorite things to do, or should I say studying was not one of my favorite things to do.  I enjoyed the social part of school; however I didn't understand doing homework was part of the required activities.  I thought it was "optional."  I remember thinking to myself in 7th grade that I had 5 more years to go and I would never have to darken a door of a school.  Wow, was I ever wrong.

After high school, I had 3 attempts of pursuing a degree in college.  Unfortunately, the degree I was pursuing was a PHD in Partying.  I was an excellent student of this type of degree, although the colleges I attended didn't appreciate my research in the area.  My grade point was below a 2.0 and was asked to consider other opportunities outside of their college.

I got married to an incredible man, who I will be married to for 25 years on September 27, 2011.  He is the person I admire most in my life and his love for me is something I thank God for everyday.  In the 25 years of being married, we have lived in La Crosse, WI., Eugene, OR., Loveland, Co., Rhinelander, WI., Eagle River, WI., Marquette, MI., Bonduel, WI., Shawano, WI. and Kaukauna, WI.  No, we are not in the witness protection program.  My husband works for Wal-Mart and we have moved with his job.  My husband has a degenerative eye condition that over the years has worsen and he is legally blind.  He still works for Wal-Mart as a manager and the company has been very helpful over the years in getting him the extra help he needs. 

When we moved to Marquette, I decided that I needed to go back to college and earn my degree in something other than partying.  In the first two weeks in class, I was overwhelmed and thought about dropping out.  I persevered and over the next 2 1/2 years took 18-20 credits a semester, worked 30 hours a week and learned that I loved to learn.  I was awarded the "Outstanding Graduating Senior in the Public Relations Department" and have my name on a plaque on the walls of Northern Michigan University (NMU) with this honor. 

My professional life includes a lot of different jobs:  retail sales, clerical, encyclopedia sales (door-to-door), Service manager at a staffing agency, Associate Director of a Chamber of Commerce, Associate Director of Lakeland College, Center Director of Sylvan Learning Center and now I am employed at NWTC as the Strategic Partnerships manager.

My journey in obtaining my Masters degree was 13 years in the making.  After graduating at NMU, I desired to continue my education.  Unfortunately, life happened and 13 years later I was able to return.  I have truly enjoyed the process of earning my Masters and have grown professionally as well as personally through the experience.

I can't wait to see what is next in my educational journey.

First day of class: YIKES

One of my goals in my professional work plan at work is to enhance my technology skills.  After today's class, I realize I have a long way to go in being a tech guru!  I'm excited, but nervous about all of the things I do not know.