It’s only been two weeks since I last exited Concordia, leaving my junior year behind. For most, this day marked a dropping of the baton, an end to productivity. I have a different outtake on summer. For me, the added hour of sunlight each summer day is not meant to be spent tanning by the pool, but working under the fluorescents. As the days get longer so too does my workday, stretching from 10 hours during the school year to 14 hours during the summer. Summer break isn’t a break, but that’s how I like it.
Sometimes I ask myself, “Why do I do this to myself?” It doesn’t take me long to remember. As I close my eyes I see myself in class at DePaul University, Chicago, pursuing a double major in political science and public relations and advertising. Eventually I’ll be representing a large not-for-profit, working with experts to further their outreach. I’ve made it. I am happy. For now I push myself to the limit by working three jobs and taking extra classes over the summer. I’ve run myself to the bone, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Back in Fort Wayne, it’s 6:30 a.m. and my iPhone begins to alert me into the start of a new day. “I'm walking on sunshine, Wow! And don't it feel good?” I rise to shut off the alarm. Next, according to ritual, I turn to face my mirror, rub the sand away from my eyes, and say, “Let’s do this!”
It’s 8:00 a.m. as I begin the workday with you, my Concordia family. When I step into the office, I’m greeted right away with a warm lemon aroma and a small agenda pile awaiting me. I’ve been brought on as a communications intern, a position that I once held last fall and was eager to receive this summer. My job is to share with the community the biggest and brightest stars that Concordia has to offer. Easy as it may sound, the selection process becomes quite tricky when surrounded by so many dynamic and talented Cadets! Hopefully I’ll find a way to highlight them all!
Fast forward to 11:30 a.m. It’s almost lunch, and I’ve accomplished so much today! Already I’ve finished the Concordia InContact Newsletter, a monthly publication that I’ve been assigned to oversee this summer. I’ve learned so much more about various programs within Concordia, such as the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) and Pro-Life Group. I’ve taken time to see innovation within the computer science department, which has spent the last semester building arcade systems from scratch. That’s the beauty of pubic relations—you get to know everything about anything and meet great people along the way. I’m proud to be a member of this school, and I’m even prouder to share it with you!
At last it’s the end of the day, and I’m going home. As I write tomorrow’s agenda and pack my things, I take one last look at my laptop, which illuminates a joyful image of 1967 Golden Graduates. This brings a smile to my face. The workday may have ended, but I’ll still remain a Cadet. That’s the cool thing. Once you become a Cadet, the title never leaves you. It follows you into the car, off to work, and then home. Once a Cadet, always a Cadet, even during the summer!
See you tomorrow, bright and early!
In HIM,
Drew Amstutz, Communications Intern