Author Archives: Afterword

You’ve got mail (from us!)

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By now you should have received an envelope that looks like this:
Records update_outerenvelopeWhat is it? It’s a quick list of your contact information as it’s recorded in the UVM alumni database. This is your chance to easily make any updates or changes.

Why does it matter? Well, if your name is Roger but you go by Tim and don’t let us know, UVM will call you the wrong name for the rest of eternity.

Or, if we have you living with in Massachusetts but you’ve moved to New York City, UVM will keep sending you invitations to Boston events and you’ll miss out on what’s happening near you.

We did our best to make it easy for you, and we’ll walk you through it now.

1. Grab it off your mail pile and open it up! Inside will look like this:
Records update_checkingin

2. Unfold the page and that’s where the fun starts:
Records update_nameemailphone

3. Check the white boxes to let us know what’s correct and use the lines below to make any changes or add in any missing information.Records update_addressactivities

4. Once you’ve confirmed and corrected your contact information you’ll find one more section.

In this yellow “Anything Else?” box you can write in any group or activity you were involved in at UVM. For example, if you were on the Women’s Field Hockey team or part of an awesome SGA club, write it in. We can tag these activities/teams/clubs to your alumni record.

That way when your A Capella group is celebrating their 35th reunion (like the Top Cats are this weekend), we know to include you in the invitation.

5. Now that you’ve completed the form, drop it in the enclosed envelope and stick it in the mail – the postage is already paid. So you don’t even need to find a stamp!
Records update_qbrm

If you prefer to update your contact information online you do so here.

As always if you have any questions feel free to contact us: derrick.dubois@uvm.edu or ryan.chartier@uvm.edu.

101 Things: 10 things in under a minute

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We’re back with another edition of 101 Things. So far we’ve crossed 9 things off the list this year. Instead of crossing off one more to make 10, we decided to speed things up and cross off 10 things in one sitting.
101poster with crossoffs

Check out the video below to see us tackle the following:
6. Tie-dye
28. Drink out of mason jar
38. Try sugar on snow
50. Learn a foreign language
69. Use a spork
73. Have a cider donut
76. Eat real maple syrup
79. Learn the UVM fight song
81. Compost
100. Own at least one piece of UVM apparel

Like any good movie, the behind the scenes are the best part.

Here’s Derrick showing off his extensive collection of UVM paraphernalia:

And here we are learning the fight song:

Now we’re off to take a nap courtesy of the sugar on snow, cider donut and maple syrup combo.

101poster with crossoffs

Gratitude Grams

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gratitude grams
Both Derrick and I have found that there are some things about UVM we didn’t appreciate until after we graduated. A professor who really took the time to help us figure out a career path, a class that sparked an interest we didn’t even know we had, the smiling face of Charlie at the falafel corner.

Now that you’ve been away for a bit, we thought you might have that same feeling. And since it’s our job to help you stay connected to campus we want to help you send your gratitude along to the people here.

That’s why we created UVM Gratitude Grams. You write a note of appreciation to a faculty or staff member on campus, and we’ll deliver it for you.
gratitude gram for blog
We had these snazzy cards made up and we’ll print your message on each ‘gram you want to send. Then we’ll use campus mail to deliver them.

All you have to do is fill out this form. You can write as many ‘grams as you’d like. You’ll just have to fill out a new submission for each person.

Have fun spreading the love.
candy cane grams mean girls gif— Ryan

My First Year Out: Erica Goldberg ’12

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We had a chance to catch up with young alumna Erica Goldberg ’12 to hear about her first year out. Check out our conversation below.

Erica Goldberg1

Ryan & Derrick: In a few sentences can you tell the Class of 2015 a little about yourself.

Erica: I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from UVM in 2012 with a degree in Environmental Studies and minors in Anthropology and Women and Gender Studies. Clay has always been a passion of mine, and I lived in Living/Learning’s Pottery Program while on campus my first two years at UVM. One of my favorite parts of college was having the opportunity to study abroad in West Africa the spring semester of my junior year.

I currently work for Tetra Tech ARD, an international development consulting firm based in Burlington. I work in the Democracy and Governance sector and have had numerous travel experiences including Bogota, Colombia, Yerevan, Armenia and Monrovia, Liberia.

R&D: What was your first year out like?

Erica: My first year out of college was spent getting used to the 8:30-5:30 work day while most of my friends had more flexible and transitional part-time work schedules. It was during this first year out I realized I could no longer live in a house full of friends, and really needed some more quiet and a routine in order to keep up with work each day.

R&D: What was your biggest challenge that year and how did you overcome it?

Erica: Before I graduated from UVM I was lucky to have three post-graduation opportunities presented in front of me. I had secured an internship with Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), I was offered room and board to continue working at the NGO in the Dominican Republic where I had conducted my senior thesis research, and I was offered a job as an Administrative Assistant at Tetra Tech ARD in Burlington.

It was difficult for me to choose which next step to take and I was nearly paralyzed with this decision making process. I had to make an initial decision, and ultimately reasoned that I was not yet ready to leave Burlington, which ruled out working in the Dominican Republic.

I knew I ultimately wanted to work in international development and wasn’t sure that the VEIC internship would turn into a secure job after the summer. The position at Tetra Tech ARD was entry level, but I had to start somewhere.

So I decided to take the opportunity to ‘get my foot in the door’ and be exposed to the world of international development. The job began as soon as I was able to start, so I actually began my first day of work right after I took my last final at UVM. While my friends were celebrating Senior Week, I was starting my first ‘real’ job.

R&D: What surprised you the most about that year?

Erica: I was surprised to realize how much I thrive on structure and routine and how comfortable I felt with the life I was living in Burlington. I also learned how important maintaining a work-life balance is, and was surprised at how difficult this could be. In order to keep my sanity I needed to continue to do the things I enjoy outside of work: pottery, running, yoga, biking, spending time with friends.

It’s easy to fill each day with work and the mundane drudgery of grocery shopping, cooking, and chores, then sleep and repeat.

But, it’s important to continue to do the things that make you happy!

R&D: Do you have any advice for the Class of 2015?

Erica: Don’t worry about your resume. Pursue opportunities that you are genuinely interested in and next steps and direction towards career opportunities will follow.

I got my foot in the door with an administrative position, worked hard and two promotions later I’m where I wanted to be. I’m a Staff Associate in the Democracy and Governance Sector at Tetra Tech doing international development work.

Feeling indecisive and overwhelmed by many paths and options is inevitable. The first step to conquering this is making an initial decision, whether it be a location you’d like to move to or a job you would like to pursue.

Sometimes the hardest part is making the first decision, but one decision leads to a domino effect of unavoidable next decisions.

 

Upcoming Alumni Events – Skiing and Sports

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The UVM Alumni Association has some great winter events planned. Sign up below to ski or catch a game with friends and fellow Catamounts in your region.

Ski or Ride? There are ski and ride weekends planned at Stowe, Cochrans, Bromley and Squaw Valley throughout January and February. Take advantage of great discounts and Apres Ski Receptions at one or all Mountains!
skiweekend

Sport fan? There are professional basketball, hockey and baseball outings planned in Boston, New York, San Francisco and DC. For those of you in New York, you have a chance to see to former Catamounts face off against each other!
uvmfans

For more information and to register please visit: www.alumni.uvm.edu.