The real-world benefits of CSB

Dear Bennie,

As my time at CSB+SJU was coming to a close and graduation was right around the corner, my mind, heart and emotions went to a lot of different places. My mind was focused on what would I do next? Where would I live? How would I utilize my wonderful four years of learning and experience in the “real world”? As a psychology major, I wasn’t sure what I wanted but did know I didn’t want a formal profession in psychology specifically. So, what would I do?

My heart. My heart was full and pumping wildly as I was SO ready for the next phase! I felt like the world really was my oyster and that I could do anything I wanted to do because I had a degree!!! I had accomplished many things in my four years!! And made awesome friendships that would keep me afloat along the way.

My emotions. They were all over the place, tied up like a bow in my mind and heart. Fighting for clarity of what would BE for the next year or two…I was excited about the future and really wanted to create opportunities for myself that would allow for continued growth, even though I didn’t have a specific path or direction for my next chapter. When I finally paused to recognize what my mind, heart and emotions were telling me, I was able to accept my next challenge: Making decisions that would not necessarily be forever, but would allow me to continue my journey with an open-mind, positive outlook and fulfilling energy for forward momentum. You see, I had to take time to reflect on the past four years and remind myself of the fun, education, self-awareness and emotional competency I had obtained. I had to give myself permission with grace to create a path that may not be my forever path, but one that would be meaningful to ME and provide steps that would keep me engaged, challenged and purposeful. I had to breathe. And breathe I did.

Breathing prepared me to take slow steps and cherish each of them as they were. I appreciated my first bumps in the road as I navigated two positions in retail (women’s clothing) which afforded me knowledge of leadership and management (and how different they are), as well as true “people” skills that I have used ever since. Fast-forward to today, I now own three businesses after working in the corporate world for 12 years. And as I’m writing this, I’m so glad to share that I wouldn’t have done anything differently. I am where I am today because of my college experiences and because of taking time to pause, reflect, set realistic expectations, handle situations with grace, give myself permission to be where I am at that time and lead with my heart. I encourage you to do the same.