My Belly Hurts

It has been a really, REALLY long time since I’ve been so nervous about something. 

SCHOOL.

Since I literally accepted this position, I have not been fully happy with my decision.  Last fall I started thinking about school.  I thought long and hard about going back for the law degree that I regret not getting when I wanted to get it in the first place.  But a law degree will not add to the value (dollar wise) of my craft – it will give me leverage in the non-profit industry, but bottom line, I can do what I do without it and have WAY less debt.  After praying and searching I thought a lot about an MBA or and MPA.  All of the MPA programs that I was looking at though were really focused on international community development – not my heart; and the MBA programs I was looking at were not right, too busi-business for what I want to be when I grow up. 

In January I went on an awful date with a guy that I thought was pretty great pre-date.  He is in law school at GSU but graduated from KSU, a school I hadn’t even considered in my search.  He told me about some of his Public Administration classes during his undergrad there. . .so, I looked.  Not only do they actually have a great MBA program, they have a brand-spankin’ new MPA/MBA dual degree — SO up my alley. 

After our date, I applied to school.  I’m certain I’ll never talk to that guy again, but to his credit, he helped possibly change my life. . .who knows.

January, I applied, turned in my references and registered for GMAT classes.

All of February I studied for my GMAT – a lot – I studied a lot, a lot.

The beginning of March I took the GMAT (incidentally the same day I met Ewald).

All of March I worried about my GMAT score, which I did kind of poorly on (in my opinion).

April I worried and checked and fixed (3 times) my application, which the school actually had mixed up. 

May 1 was the application deadline – My application was WAY early.

Every day I am checking to hear/see what fate holds. . .

Today I checked again, and then called. . .and was told that my application says “HOLD: Decision Pending”.  I know that it has been looked at by the MBA program and they are who placed the “hold” statement on the application.  When I called, I was told it is one of two things: 1) they are waiting for the MPA folks to look at the application and give a final approval OR 2) they placed it on hold to look at other candidates against my application. 

So I’m nervous – and I tell the boy – and he says: trust God, it’s in His hands, not fate’s.  And he’s right.

And it’s the first time in my life that I’ve had a boy tell me that. 

I am blessed. . .I’m nervous. . .but I am blessed.

Your prayers for a calm spirit and grace with whatever the answer is (yes? yes? yes?).

I forgot to add that I’m nervous to get a “yes” in fear of how will I do this financially?!? 

Oh heaven help this wacky girl!

letter of intent

After many, many, many bumps along the way – my application to KSU is officially submitted.  I talked to my contact there just now and she says that I should hear (via e/m) quite soon.  I’m glad for that, because I am ready.  I am ready to know what the next two to three years hold (not that school is the only think happening, but it will be the one consistent thing).  So, in honor of the process being complete, I give you. . .drum roll please. . .my letter of intent (ignore formatting):

Dr. Andrew I. E. Ewoh
Dr. Tim Blumentritt
Kennesaw State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
1000 Chastain Road  MD #9109
Kennesaw, Georgia   30144-5591

Dr. Ewoh and Dr. Blumentritt,

After spending the last 7 years of my career in Health and Human Services, specifically in a fundraising role, I have come to realize my passion for helping people through programs and service.

At this time I would like to submit my application to the Office of Graduate Admissions of Kennesaw State University, to obtain a dual Masters Degree in Public Administration and Business Administration.  I believe that my experiences in non-profit administration, fundraising, staff and volunteer management as well as media/public relations and marketing will be great tools as I pursue these degrees.  I am certain that my nearly thirteen years of progressive experience will host a mutually beneficial relationship.  My experiences have touched upon a vast spectrum of environments from one on one donor, client, partner and media relationships to countless hours shared on a teamwork built field.  Many of my achievements and experiences have been recognized and awarded by local and national agencies (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, University of South Carolina Medical Center, Autism Society of America, reference resume).

As for my education, I posses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida.  Although my professional career began while still a full-time student, I retain 3 years as a professional in collegiate athletics (mid-level), 3 years in professional athletics (mid-level) and 7 years in non-profit administration (senior level).  Additionally, for the last eight years, I have been involved as a consultant in marketing, public relations, special event planning and business development on an on-going basis.

You may ask yourself, “what can Catie bring to KSU which we will not find in other MPA/MBA candidates?”  My previous positions with The Salvation Army and Autism Speaks as well as multiple consulting contracts have sharpened my expertise in the following areas:

• Media & Public Relations (local, national and international)
• Staff and Volunteer Management
• Major Fundraising
• Collaborative Partnerships
• Marketing
• Special Event Management
• Lecture Series Management
• Creative Design
• Business Planning
• Communication Intervention/Conflict Resolution
• Diversity Training

I have worked closely with ranking business professionals, board members and staff, sitting as a board member with non-profit and city organizations.  I have also collaborated with senior administration on strategy to develop long term organizational structure, planning, budgeting and branding.

Yet, with these experiences stretching my talents, I feel that I still have large potential to grow and make a lasting impact on the world around me.  I believe, that within the MBA/MPA program at Kennesaw State University, I will be offered the opportunity to fully understand and grasp the scope of my future work.  My hope is to attend KSU as a full time Graduate student.  My full desire is to learn as much as I can while a student and upon graduation take my knowledge back into the non-profit industry and local government, possibly in an advocacy role.

After you have a moment to become familiar with my application, I sincerely hope that we will be able to meet to discuss how my experience and excitement for growth will bring optimal value to the MBA/MPA program at Kennesaw State University.  I have a great respect for KSU, for your mission and vision, and have been impressed with the recognition from external sources, most recently US News & World Report.  It would be an honor to call myself a KSU Owl.

With my talents and abilities lying on your field, I will look forward to your reply regarding this matter.  In the mean time, I may be reached at 917.7×6.x8x2, or via E-mail at Cxtxe.Cxrxey@gxaxl.cxm.

Thanking you in advance for your consideration and awaiting your response,

Catie C. Currey

***Now aren’t you impressed with me?  Wouldn’t you welcome me, with open arms and pretty bells, into your MPA/MBA program?  Yeah. . . thanks.

do-over

I wanted to start my new blog with all of my posts from when I used to blog. . .when I was good.  Daily I wrote down my thoughts, ideas, actions.  I did this well before it was the “cool” thing to do.  Back when someone heard that I journaled online (the term “blog” had not yet been invented) they would immediately tell me how crazy it was and then search Yahoo! for my name.  Ahhh – back in the day.  My first blog was in June of ’01. 

I decided not to link in all of my other entries, for two reasons.  First, there are just shy of 1,000 over that 9 year period (although my faithfulness ended a good 3 years ago, I would say).  I don’t have enough time, patience or technical savvy to make that move.  The second reason is, well, I am a different girl than I was then.  I was young, searching, trusting and stupid.  Now I’m old(er), searching, trusting and a little less stupid.

I hope that I can open my heart, the way that I used to. . .I would like to be a little less self-absorbed, a little more focused on my relationship with God, a little less into boys and a little more focused on who I want to be from the inside out. 

So, I am starting again – a fresh page, a brand new journal, a slate wiped clean.

Here’s to a new and improved Catielady. . .

I just hope I can say a few interesting things.