My Life As...
A Benedictine Alumnus
Thaddeus Paskert
Issue date: 5/4/10 Section: Opinion
A professional career was on the last things on my mind when I left Ohio ten years ago to attend Benedictine University. I did not think more than a few weeks ahead of time, let alone an entire decade. When going to school I was anything if professional or what one would call mature. Not even a little. Some could argue that is still the case. I was young and like every person just starting college I didn't think much of anything past the next break from my classes and homework.
When asked to detail how Benedictine helped prepare me for my life after college I had to think because I never recalled any specific moment when I went "Ah-ha! This is how I'm supposed to conduct myself in a professional manner!" I think that is because the transition was gradual and ongoing during my time at BU that I never really saw it happen. While I can't single out a specific event I can at least single out a specific course: Model United Nations.
The Model United Nations class did more for me in preparing for a post college world over my four years than most of my other classes put together. It stressed public speaking, working with others in a business setting, writing and research and most importantly, and this may sound shocking for anyone under the age of twenty, learning to listen to what people have to say instead of just waiting for them to stop talking. This may apply to many people over the age of twenty as well.
Both the Model United Nations course and a trip made possible by The Candor allowed me to travel and work with people from all over the country and world, gaining a perspective that I might not have received had I just remained in at home for college. I travel a bit for work here at Benedictine by working with the Springfield campus and when I do, I draw on the experiences from MUN and the skills it helped me obtain.
The education I received from Benedictine University, the experiences I took part in, and the friendships I made over the four years here during my undergrad helped shape me into a much more mature individual than I, and in many cases others, thought possible. Although, I do try to not take myself too seriously… That would be too grown up.
When asked to detail how Benedictine helped prepare me for my life after college I had to think because I never recalled any specific moment when I went "Ah-ha! This is how I'm supposed to conduct myself in a professional manner!" I think that is because the transition was gradual and ongoing during my time at BU that I never really saw it happen. While I can't single out a specific event I can at least single out a specific course: Model United Nations.
The Model United Nations class did more for me in preparing for a post college world over my four years than most of my other classes put together. It stressed public speaking, working with others in a business setting, writing and research and most importantly, and this may sound shocking for anyone under the age of twenty, learning to listen to what people have to say instead of just waiting for them to stop talking. This may apply to many people over the age of twenty as well.
Both the Model United Nations course and a trip made possible by The Candor allowed me to travel and work with people from all over the country and world, gaining a perspective that I might not have received had I just remained in at home for college. I travel a bit for work here at Benedictine by working with the Springfield campus and when I do, I draw on the experiences from MUN and the skills it helped me obtain.
The education I received from Benedictine University, the experiences I took part in, and the friendships I made over the four years here during my undergrad helped shape me into a much more mature individual than I, and in many cases others, thought possible. Although, I do try to not take myself too seriously… That would be too grown up.