Katrina's blog
Class of 2009, Communications Major, Graphic Design Minor, from Green Bay, WI

So I walk into my shift at the office armed with an overwhelming list of things to do, each with a specific (and fast-approaching) deadline. I sit down at a computer, pull out my notes and begin to type. Just as I do this, one of my supervisors approaches me with a big smile and says, “I have a great opportunity for you!” After hearing what she has planned, I don’t hesitate to set my lengthy agenda aside to participate in the chance of a lifetime.

Well, maybe not the “chance of a lifetime,” but at least a rare opportunity to attend a stimulating lecture, meet some interesting people and learn a thing or two.

The point of this story is that I would NEVER have attended that lecture, met those people OR learned what I did that day if I had not been FLEXIBLE.

Being flexible is extremely important, especially to those in a Communications-related field. In this line of work, people can change their minds and deadlines can emerge at the drop of a hat. Thus, one must always PLAN to be flexible, even if it means veering off course for a few hours.

So go ahead, attend that lecture you’ve been wanting to hear, and introduce yourself to those people you’ve never met. You just may be surprised at what being flexible has to offer.

As a Communications major at St. Norbert College, I have spent the last four semesters studying, well, communication. During this time I have learned how communication occurs in everyday situations, as well as how the roles we play affect the outcomes of these situations.

Working in the Office of Communications, I am assuming the role of “intern.” This means I am sharing the office with my employers, in addition to my fellow interns. Because I am sharing this space with others, it is very important to consider how I interact with everyone, and how my actions will impact these people.

For example, being courteous of my own and other’s desk space will most likely have a positive impact on the other members of the office. A general rule is that, if someone has stacks of papers or notes near his or her work area, they should be kept there, and not moved. Moving these items may lead to confusion or misplacement that could be costly to a publication, especially if the notes were, say, from an interview, or meeting, and cannot be duplicated.

Noise is another issue. With up to five people working in the same enclosed space at any given time, each person’s noise can easily affect the work of others, especially when the noise is unavoidable. Examples of unavoidable noise are answering a phone call, or instructing visitors to other parts of the office. In both of these instances, important as they are, one must remember to be respectful of others who may be trying to get some work done.

However, space and noise are just two aspects of such a work environment. As an intern in the Office of Communications, it is my responsibility to do my best to control these elements, both for my own sake, and for the sake of my coworkers and employers. The best way to do this is to be courteous, because it is, undoubtedly, the polite thing to do.