Reading Blog
In addition to blog posts, I chose three meaningful books that perfectly coincide with my Internship. Each author reflects on the importance of interpersonal communication and mastering the art of hospitality.
The Art of Gathering: How Meet and Why It Matters
By: Priya Parker
The place settings, floral arrangements, and cocktails all contribute to creating the perfect gathering. While we are consumed with making sure the atmosphere is set effortlessly, we often forget the deeper purpose that lies behind our gathering. In The Art of Gathering, author Priya Parker dives into the significance of human connection. Additionally, she advises how to design gatherings in a way that fosters connectivity. Gatherings are important to the human experience, however they are often not given much thought.
We spend everyday gathering in some capacity, whether it is workplace, classroom, or family dinner. Undoubtedly, these meetings can begin to feel routine and without notability. Parker writes, “Gathering–the conscious bringing together of people for a reason–shapes the way we think, feel and make sense of our world” (Parker, 1). When we gather with peers, coworkers, and family and friends we engage in various topics, learning more about each other and our ranging perspectives. Giving people a space to come together, exchange information, and inspire one another is one of the most special human experiences.
Parker suggests committing to gathering about something. More specifically, the host must establish the purpose of the gathering. In thinking back to the Winemaker Dinner, we held a multitude of goals. We wanted to create an upscale event, where people could engage in lively conversation, indulge in delicious wine and food, surrounded by the beauty of Saint Mary’s. However, the purpose was not to host a fancy dinner party, it was to provide guests with an experience like no other. In defining a purpose, the details come together smoothly. For me, it feels simple to develop a pretty atmosphere, the challenge arrives in connecting the guests together.
At this particular event, the guests came from all different backgrounds, however they shared one thing in common, a love for Saint Mary’s College. With this in mind, it was evident each guest would have an anecdote or fact to share with each other. From the moment the dinner party started, the venue was full of laughter and dynamic conversation. By colliding different worlds, the dinner party was interesting. There were new people and topics to uncover for hours!
Throughout my internship, I have learned how to facilitate a beautiful event and how to bring people together. With the guidance of Parker, I have learned the importance of gathering. When we connect with others we have the ability to grow within ourselves and our perspectives. Thus, raising the importance of gathering with a plethora of groups. With each gathering comes new opportunities, you never know what you will hear, see, or take note of along the way.
To provide guests with a high quality experience, you must give them a sense of belonging. Why were they put on the guest list? For years, I have watched my mother craft the perfect guest list. She balances out personalities, political standings, and relationship dynamics. You want to ensure guests feel comfortable, much of that stems from bringing people together that will mesh well together.
Create a gathering that is meaningful for your guests. Ensure the tables are effortlessly set, that each guest has a cocktail in hand, and conversation to engage in. Turn the lights to a dim, play music softly, and enjoy the true art of gathering.
When planning your next dinner party or fundraising affair, remember, “The way we gather matters” (Parker, 1). Human connectivity keeps us happier and healthier, therefore it must be cared for.
Happier Hour
By: Cassie Holmes, PhD
For years, I have always found myself waiting until the last minute to complete a task. As I scrolled through my perfectly laid out to-do list, it always seemed too daunting or that there was still plenty of time for completion. While I managed to turn my assignments in on time, I could not help but wonder how much stronger my work could have been had I started it sooner. Additionally, I wanted to ensure that I could experience college to its fullest potential. In Happier Hour, author Cassie Holmes PhD, offers a guide for how to spend hours to live a more joyful and satisfying life. Motivated by her desire to balance motherhood, partnership, and a career, Holmes set out to get her timing just right. More specifically, she creates a guide to ensure an individual truly experiences their precious hours.
In order to understand this approach to time, an individual needs to understand that it is not about being time rich, rather it is about making the time you have rich. Time is a gift, therefore we must use it to our advantage. If invested properly, time has the potential to produce a much happier life. According to Holmes, it is important to first identify our purpose. By doing so, we uncover what drives us; why do we do the work we do? Why does this matter to you? At the heart of these questions is our purpose, why we do the work we do. Reflecting on myself, I know that I am a student, this requires attending class and completing assignments. However, it also includes attending social events, like basketball games or simply hanging out with friends on a weeknight. Each aspect comes with purpose, I love being a part of everything Saint Mary’s College, but I also adore being a friend. In addition, I am a worker in the field of hospitality and design.
Within a few minutes, I began to discover a little more about my true purpose. I am a diligent student. I am a thoughtful and highly sociable friend. I am a host, invested in ensuring that all feel welcome and that the environment is perfectly curated for any event. Moving back to mastering time, Holmes presents the concept of “Time Crafting.” To do so, one must start with a visual aid, like a mosaic. From here, you can schedule activities to increase the impact of the good times and minimize chore-like tasks. In addition, this allows blocks of time for what activities are most important. For instance, more connecting activities or an activity that fulfills your purpose. Expanding further, Holmes shares how to turn a less enjoyable activity into something you want to do. School assignments can often feel like a chore, however by bundling an essay with listening to a new musical album, the activity becomes a little less of a chore and a touch more lively. Collectively, through time crafting, it is easier to enjoy activities that might not make it to the top of the list and give more time to those that make us happier.
When it comes to the Alumni Engagement Office, I want to ensure that I meet each task with enthusiasm and confidence. With this in mind, I want to get the task done and do it successfully. Taking the guidance of Holmes into consideration, by simply reframing the hours of a day or week, one can enjoy the tasks put in front of them and complete them with utter success. Whether it comes to time management or making time for the things that bring me joy, I will carry the time crafting strategies with me wherever I go. I will aim to make every hour a happier hour!
The Little Book of Networking
By: Kurt Schmidt
There is more than grade point average calculations, cover letters, and volunteer experience. While each of these elements is important in telling your story, networking has the capacity to take you to the next level. In The Little Book of Networking, author Kurt Schimdt discusses how leveraging connections can help make a larger impact in your role and increase one’s value to a company. Inspired by the pandemic, Schimdt wanted to do something useful with his time at home. He logged on to LinkedIn and opened up his calendar to anyone looking for a job. Much to his surprise, dozens of eager professionals reached out requesting guidance. He quickly learned that people did not have a substantial professional network. With this book, Schmidt proposes real tactics to implement and aims to explain why career networking is essential for success. Networking is not about finding a job, but growing in the work you do and creating a personal support community.
In order to cultivate meaningful relationships, an individual must be committed to maintaining them as well. Networking is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort. While this process might seem intimidating, the truth is people want to help you. All career professionals have been in your position at some point! To enter the world of networking with confidence, it is imperative that you create your personal brand. An individual must be intentional about the person they are presenting. Schmidt suggests asking oneself a plethora of reflective questions. For example, What is your personal mission statement? What do you want people to know about you? What are your strengths and weaknesses? By thoughtfully answering these questions, you are curating a genuine and powerful persona. With this personal brand, you can begin to connect with people of interest.
For most of my life, I have always carried a passion for design. Whether it was styling an outfit or the Thanksgiving table, I poured copious amounts of creativity into the final product. With this passion in mind, I wanted to explore a field where these skills could blossom exponentially. I decided to request an informational interview with an experienced Interior Designer and social media mogul via Instagram messenger. I was lucky enough to receive an enthusiastic response from the designer. When meeting with her, I presented my adoration for all things design and asked an array of questions regarding her experience in the design world. Toward the end of the meeting, she mentioned that her retail store was in the works and to keep an eye out for when the hiring cycle begins. Perfectly aligning with the advice of Schmidt, I was determined to maintain my relationship with her. At the time, I acknowledged that if I did not get hired as a shop associate, she was an excellent and knowledgeable resource. According to Schmidt, an employer needs to not only feel confident in someone’s abilities, but also wants to know who they are. They want to trust those who will work with them on important projects. Just as Schmidt proposes this idea, I was in fact blessed with the opportunity to work in her store a couple months later. Through this networking experience, a door I never would have imagined opened. Today, I have grown my passion for design, expanded my skill set, and made lasting relationships with design professionals and clients.
Connecting to my current internship with Alumni Engagement, networking has become a widely prevalent part of my life. The attendees range from esteemed alumni, administrators, colleagues, and students. Each one of these people offers something different. Within every conversation, it is important to stay engaged. Perhaps, you will be able to help another person and they can do the same for you. These relationships are strengthened when they are mutually beneficial. Schmidt states, “You never know who you will meet or what opportunity will arise from those connections” (Schmidt, 108). When it comes to carrying out dynamic conversation, I am very rarely nervous. If you know me you know I love to talk about anything and everything! However, when the Winemaker Dinner arrived I found myself anxious to meet the guests. Before the event I was briefed on the antendees, they ranged from alumni, Christian Brothers, and generous donors. It was clear the event was stacked with successful and driven people. In reminding myself of the advice of Schmidt, I knew this would be the perfect environment to challenge myself and make connections. At the dinner, I had the pleasure of meeting an alumna of Saint Mary’s College who finds herself in a very successful profession. As we discussed our love for the college, we figured out we both lived in Augustine Hall our first year and she majored in Communication. From this she was immediately interested in knowing more about me, she requested that I connect with her on GaelConnect. She expressed her desire to help in guiding my career path. For her, seeing Saint Mary’s College on a resume is a major inculcation on the education I received. In one conversation, we connected on a multitude of topics, and as Schmidt recommends I was sure to follow up with her. A job is what you practice everyday, however a career takes extra time and effort to create. Much of this success stems from the power within networking.