Reflecting on Six Months at 2U

I recently had my first milestone at my new job; six months on the job in a very different environment still working with students everyday.

It has been a bit of a whirlwind that finally feels like it is settling down. I moved and started this job over the course of a weekend, didn't have a place to live setup, but it was all for the best. I love this company and how it works, the impact we have on students all over the country (and world), the opportunities I am granted, as well as the possibilities of where I could go with this team.

Here are some specific highlights from my time so far:

Every day is a holiday...

Something that has been really great about my experience so far has been that I've been able to have fun and do things I wouldn't be able to elsewhere. We've had several parties for various occasions over the past six months (Employee Appreciation. Impact Report Release, Halloween, to name a few), I went to our company meeting in Orlando, and I've also gotten to go to cool places in DC and will go to NYC next month for our program's student Immersions. I'll have the opportunity to go to other places next year as well as work out of any of our offices across the country if I want to. Just appreciating the awesome things I get to do alongside the work I do everyday for my students has made this time really precious. Our work is hard, but it is important to be mindful and take time to value everything that is given to us. As our CEO says, "Every day is a holiday, every meal is a feast".

A Sense of Urgency

A big change over the past six months has been moving from a campus to a business. We work with students and colleges every day, but our culture and the way we do things is very different. We're a higher ed tech company that moves quick and is always trying to improve. We're in the business of doing right by our students and partners, so that's always a driving force, but we also are trying to grow as an organization. It has been hard at times, but more often than not, I feel like this is the type of vibe I work best in. There is an energy and vibrancy that compels you to do better. I didn't feel that as much at any past institution I've been at, not to say it doesn't exist, but it feels like it is harder at a venerable institution that might be more slow moving.

The Future of Higher Ed

Online education is experiencing a resurgence right now as best practices are solidified and quality is able to scale. We're evolving past MOOCs and simple platforms. We're moving on to replicating what works best from on-campus education, augmenting it with technology, and serving it up to the world. We're bringing amazing institutions to places they've never been and expanding their student base way faster than they ever could on-campus. It's really impressive to behold!

I can talk about 2U all day, so please connect if you want to learn more or apply. We're growing fast and can use all the good people we can get!

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekly Geek Outs - 05/20/16

Greetings!

I'm back after a short hiatus with an update on what has been going on with my life lately. Check it out:

• My New Job!

I started this new job last Monday (May 9) so it has been two full weeks at this new gig. It is totally different from my past experiences, and I like it. I work at 2U, which is a company that supports online academic programs for higher education institutions across the country. They have offices all over the world and do great work to bridge the gaps in modern higher education. Their main offices here in Maryland are super cool and laid back, with a casual dress code and plenty of snacks. I'm looking forward to not being the "new guy" anymore and getting more involved with my team. Next week is our company retreat in Orlando, where the entire global team will come together to get energized for the year to come. Stay tuned for more thoughts on all of this, and specifically moving out of a traditional campus job in the near future.

• My New Apartment!

I picked up the keys to my first apartment last Wednesday, so a lot of time recently has been spent packing, moving, and unpacking. I also went up to Maine to see my partner graduate last weekend and help her pack her stuff, so that kept me busy. We're finally settling in a bit and while we still have a bit of ways to go to make our apartment really functional, it feels great to have our own space together and already feels like home.

• My Birthday!

I'm turning 27 on Sunday! It is strange to think about my exact age sometimes, since I sure don't feel like I am almost 30 years old but I do feel pretty mature, especially with everything going on in my life right now. I'll be spending some time in Delaware with my brother this weekend, and then spending the long Memorial Day weekend with my partner. It will be great to toast to all the good happening in my life, to relax, and spend quality time with the people I care about.

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekly Geek Outs - 04/29/16

Greetings!

Here's what is going on in my world this week:

• Final Job Search Update!

As was teased last week and formally announced on social media this week, I have accepted an awesome new job at 2U, which provides services and support to online academic programs for colleges and universities all over the country (and world). I will be a Student Support Adviser starting very soon down in Maryland. I'm very excited for this opportunity as well as for the next step in my life with a great job with a great partner. This also means I will be moving off-campus! Which leads me to my next point...

• Apartment Hunting

My partner, Jenn, and I are searching for an apartment together, which is a first for both of us, so we are definitely getting a little anxious about this process. We have a general budget for rent with my new job but we have never had to pay utilities before so we don't know how much to budget for that. Also, all the places we look at seem nice, but then all the reviews are bad. Which is frustrating because none of the places we look at have good reviews, they just have entirely bad feedback which is hard to believe. It just seems like those are the only people who feel inspired enough to write a review. Obviously this just complicates things further. I know we'll figure it out and it will be okay, but it is just a new, stressful experience that I am learning from. I look forward to more new growth from this and from living in as well as decorating our new place!

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

On a lighter note, Jenn and I enjoyed watching the new season of this show on Netflix over the weekend. Continuing as a sort of spiritual successor to 30 Rock in the sense that it sense that it shares much of the same humor, this season was a lot of silly fun. The jokes come at a breakneck pace, so even if one doesn't land, there are more coming quickly. I like the smart humor of this show (very much similar to 30 Rock) and how optimistic it is. This is another strong show in the growing library of equally strong and unique shows Netflix has produced (Love, Master of None, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Daredevil, Jessica Jones), not to mention its strong tradition of supporting standup comedy.

Thanks for stopping by!