Are you ready for the next step?

It amazes me how students act these days.

One of my professors posed this question to my class, “What is the difference between you and a Brazillian [college level] junior?  He or she will work harder, be better and ask for less money.  What is the difference?  You speak English.  Once that is gone, forget it.  You lose.  And by the way, after reading your essays, it is hard to believe you grew up speaking English…”

That made me wonder, “Am I the same?  Will someone beat me out of a job because they will work harder and be better?”  No.  Why?  I won’t let him or her.

Everyday I “dress to impress.”  The old adage, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” works wonders on me.  I enjoy wearing shirt and tie to class because I want to be a teacher.  That is appropriate dress.

But, just because I want to be a teacher doesn’t mean I have to wear a shirt and tie.  I will have to wear a tie for years after I leave HPU.  Why start now?  Plus, I can learn wearing whatever but I choose to wear polos or button down shirt.  The reason is I never know who I will meet, possibly my next boss.

My first year in school a guy named David Hayworth gave $15 million to the school.  It was our single largest donation ever.  I was walking back from class and who did I see but Mr. Hayworth.  I quickly walked over, took off my hat and stretched out my hand.  I said, “Mr. Hayworth, my name is Bryan Rothamel.  I am a communication major and I would just like to thank you for your donation to the college of arts and sciences.  It really means a lot to me.”

Our president told me two days following that occurance that one moment made Mr. Hayworth’s day.  He was thanked by many HPU officials but a first-year student made his day.

Fastforward to this year.  I was giving campus tours this summer, not something I want to do for the rest of my life.  The new baseball coach jumped on one of my tours.  During the course of the tour he liked how I talked, walked and knowledge of the university.  He offered me a position as a student worker on his staff.  In two hours I went from college tour guide to student assistant.  I always wanted to coach baseball, why not learn from a great coaching mind?

It only proves, you never know who you will meet on any given day.  Will you be ready?  Will you impress them?

Beating out the “better student” is more than just being ready to “shake hands and kiss babies.”  It also is seizing every opportunity you can; position yourself to do greater things.

Last year I decided I wanted to pursue a career in journalism.  I thought, “That’s right, anybody will want to hire a hot shot reporter like me.”  Wrong.  I had no editing experience.  Ok, so I could report.  Who cares?  A high school student can report.  Experience will make the difference.  Why would you not want to take a chance at having a new experience?

I know students that have lofty professional goals but bypass experience opportunities because it will detract from their “college experience.”  I don’t know if they know this, but college is a greater understanding of your chosen field so you are more than proficient in your career.

If you want to be in any form of journalism shouldn’t you try writing for the paper?  I heard a broadcast student didn’t want to write for the paper because he wants to be on television.  Have you heard of media convergence?  Perfect example.

If you are in marketing, why not work for the sports’ marketing department?  Maybe the campus paper has an opening in advertising.  Opportunties for leadership, development, understanding, etc. are out there.  Sometimes they aren’t in your field, sometimes you have to go searching for them.

My professor is right, there are too many damn good students out there for you to sit back and just get an education.  College happens longer than 9 am to 5 pm, it is a 24 hour job.  Make the most of it.

Hey, let’s just raise the bar together.