Eight years ago today I walked into the business faculty at Simon Fraser University with a commitment to engage the students. I am not sure where the eight years have gone. You look at the task ahead back in 2004 and now I look back at what has been accomplished in 2012 and it is quite a transformation. Over the last eight years I reflect on what I got to do, the students I got to meet, the alumni I get to keep in touch with and the many journeys I got to take. It is very rare when an organization has confidence in you and provides you with a healthy budget and limited bureaucracy. The Beedie School of Business is all about possibilities and NOT limitations.
If I think of the foundation of my calling, I can trace it back to graduating from the business faculty in 1986 (yes, makes me that old and I wish I had a $1 for every time a student at orientation tells me they weren’t born yet). When I graduated, I walked across the stage and got my alumni pin (which you see in the photo) and then I was ready to take on the world…but the world was not ready for me and I wound up mopping floors in a hospital for a year as a janitor. I put the pin safely away with the hope that I was going to gain experiences in the industry and then come back to SFU to share my experiences so others would not have to go through what I went through…that now brings me to full circle and SFU.
It has been an amazing ride over the last eight years and I can say with confidence that with the support of the faculty, alumni and especially the students, I have found my calling. I have five core aspects – leadership, public speaking, corporate/community relations, teaching and student development…this position hits all five and it becomes my calling. I would encourage others to start thinking about what their 3-5 core aspects are and then frame their life around it. Don’t think about the job or company you want to work for but rather, the 3-5 things that make up who you are and start trying to discover your calling. I look at it as if I am building a house, I need a solid foundation…with your life, you also need a solid foundation.
I am now looking at the future and what are the many adventures I have remaining at the Beedie School of Business. I am minding my own business at work…in a good way ? and proudly wearing my alumni pin and the many events…yes I can now say Nous Sommes Prets as my students venture out. Go out and find your calling…I did and it is amazing what you will get to do!