(A)SB '10

Spring Break. These two words have such power. Enjoyed from the time of Kindergarten until whenever you decide to leave school behind, this week long hiatus from the realm of academia can be spent doing anything from sleeping to partying. However, I and a group of 14 other Transy people decided to do neither and devote our time off to service projects.

ASB in front of the Capitol. Photo by Katie Brewer.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a program observed by colleges nationwide. Students sacrifice a week of freedom to travel to different locations and devote their entire time to service. For Transy, our 2010 ASB location was Washington, D.C. Now, I have to admit, being a prospective poly sci major and a major lover of politics the idea of going to D.C. definitely made the decision easier. I really, really did enjoy the service though.

We were at D.C. for about 5 days. We worked at several different places, and made some time for fun as well. We worked at an inner city school, an neighborhood outreach center, a food closet that doubled as a daycare center, a homeless shelter, and even got to speak with Congressman Ben Chandler about poverty issues. We slept on the floor of a church that was gracious enough to allow us in, and though it was a lot of work it was amazingly fulfilling. Friendships were strengthened and made; bonds were forged.

Some of the ASB group with Congressman Ben Chandler in his office. Photo by Sam Gaines.

We did get some time off in the district too. I mastered the science of subway and bus routes, toured the Capitol, went to the Holocaust Museum, and saw the Washington Monument. The presidential motorcade drove by at one point, which was a really awesome thing to see.

If you've followed my blogs closely, you will know this is the second service project I've done. Transy offers so many opportunities to take part in community service which is something I really value. Karen Anderson, the director of Civic Engagement, has an open office and all you have to do is tell her and she will find you a service opportunity tailored to your interests!

Success!

In a blog I wrote earlier this semester I told you all about how I had been going to Transy's Career Development Center to work on getting a resume (insert appropriate accents...) put together so that I could start looking for some internships. To my surprise, the search for an internship was both easier and faster than I could have ever of imagined, at being a student at Transy takes a lot of the credit.

About two weeks ago an ad was posted on Columns (Transy's internal website available to the campus community that posts different events on and around campus) for people interested in interning for the Beshear/Abramson 2011 reelection campaign. Being a (prospective, self designed) Political Communications Major I quickly sent the appropriate emails to express my interest.

Only days later I received a call from someone at the campaign asking me to come to the Kentucky Democratic Headquarters Office in Frankfort for an interview. You have no idea how excited was! I immediately started preparing. I fine-tuned my resume to apply specifically for this position, typed up a list of references, and even compiled a massive binder containing information on Governor Beshear and Mayor Abramson so that I could study up and be prepared for any question that they might ask me.

The interview was Friday and I was sooo ready. I went in, dressed very nicely (If I do say so myself). I was taken back to the office of the (I am pretty sure) top Campaign Manager. I was asked two questions and then immediately offered the job. I could not believe it! I was completely ecstatic. From what I gather they made a specific appeal for Transy students, and that alone was essentially enough for them.

Now, I don't want to imply that if you come to Transy you will never have any difficulty finding a job, internship, or things like that. No college has that kind of advantage. So don't take that out of the story. It is true, however, that Transy administration (and workers in the Career Development Center) work very hard to network on behalf of Transy students, and that definitely comes in handy!

Have a good week!

Jake