Heller Admissions Blog: Welcome!

Surviving the Spring Semester

Brielle Ruscitti, MS GHPM/MA SID’24

The spring semester at the Heller School is an amazing time: the weather is starting to warm up, nature comes back alive, everyone is excited about summer opportunities, graduation, and starting a new chapter. However, all the new excitement and good weather brings its own set of new challenges. This spring, I have selected to take a wider range of course offerings and exploring some of my interests. I have found that in taking a wider range of course materials, it can be a bit harder to focus in on some of my readings and longer term assignments. I have also found it difficult to find a new balance of exploration and dedicating time to fine tuning my current skills, research and still searching for my summer practicum.

To combat these challenges, I first started setting time aside to be outside and enjoy nature. Spending time outside is a priority to me, so I make sure to carve time out of my day to enjoy nature as the seasons change, and go for a daily walk. I think getting outside is a great way to take time for yourself and listen to your favorite podcast, music, or audiobook, or call a friend or family member. I always have audiobook recommendations, so if you are ever looking for a good listen, feel free to reach out.

I rely heavily on my calendar and course syllabi to keep track of due dates and keep my time management accurate. I try to break up my day to make sure I am able to get tasks and assignments done during the morning, as this is when I focus best. Then, in the afternoons, I take time to work on things that I find interesting and are related to my elective courses. Additionally, as I’ve talked about in previous posts, I am searching for my summer practicum. I have been adding this into my weekly schedule by saving positions that I am interested in applying to, and setting aside time one or two days per week to submit my application and continue my search.

I have found that these tactics, and remembering to put my phone away, work for me and my preferences and work style. It’s important to take into account your own working style, habits and preferences, so these tips might not work for everyone. My best suggestion is to try and find a balance that works for you, your priorities, and your interests!

Day in the Life of a Social Impact MBA Student

March 21, 2023 / cmcquarters / 0 Comments

Calah McQuarters, MBA’23

Hello! Welcome to a day in my life as a Heller grad student. I am so happy to have you here. While you’re here, please don’t touch anything. My life may look messy, but it is organized. And though it is organized, it is currently balancing delicately on a tightrope and very sensitive to the slightest disturbances. So hands to yourself. And no judgment either! Let’s get started.

7AM: My alarm goes off

7:01 AM: Snooze my alarm (Remember, no judgment!)

7:15 AM: I get my day started to make sure I’m out of the door on time. Every morning usually starts with a cup of coffee and a weather check. Surprisingly, winter hasn’t been bad this year. For a person that loves winter, I am disappointed. But for everyone else, it’s been nice.

8:30 AM: I head out and start my trek to campus. I moved to Massachusetts with a car, but I also moved with my sister who works in Arlington. So most days she takes the car and I get a workout. Fortunately for me, I only live about 20-25 minutes from campus (depending on how fast I want to walk that day). Unfortunately for me, about 15 of those minutes are uphill.

9AM: I arrive at Heller to start my shift as a Graduate Assistant in Admissions. This semester I work Mondays and Tuesdays. I answer emails, do some assigned tasks, and conduct an admissions interview for an MBA applicant (one of my favorite parts of the job). Because my shift is only three hours, time flies by.

12PM: I pack up my things and try to find a quiet corner to spend a few minutes studying. Why? Stay tuned and find out!

12:20 PM: I head downstairs for a meeting that starts in 10 minutes, but I don’t quite make it there because the Zinner forum is all decked out! It’s not just any Tuesday. It’s Valentine’s Day. There are chocolates, cupcakes, and coffee galore! And directly in the middle of Zinner is a table for people to stop by and write affirmations for the special people in their lives. I see a couple of my friends/cohort mates and take the opportunity to grab a treat!

12:30 PM: I head to Heller Alumni Lounge for the Board Fellows Orientation. Social Impact MBA students have the opportunity to serve as a Board Fellow starting their second semester. The program lasts one year, during which students are matched with a local non-profit and serve as a non-voting board member. Though many of us have already attended our first board meeting, this is an opportunity for all of the Board Fellows to come together, talk about our experiences and get insight from the Career Development Center on how to take full advantage of the year. Today, we also get to speak to Sean C. Rush, who serves on the Board of Advisors at Heller. This is a prime example of unique opportunities made available to students.

2PM: As all interesting meetings tend to do, the orientation starts to go a little long, but we end just in time for all of my cohort mates to scramble to an open room and take 20 minutes to panic and study. Why?

2:20 PM: Managerial Accounting. We have a quiz. I go in, sit, get my quiz, say a prayer, and get to work. I finish and go back out to Zinner, where I eat more sweet treats and write a couple notes on the affirmation cards. As my classmates get done, one by one, they start the conversation of “what did you get for this answer” and “I got all A’s for multiple choice”. Normally I don’t engage in these conversations. It is a trap to make you doubt everything you know in the world. I especially don’t engage in this particular conversation because I did not get A as an answer for any of the multiple choice… Eventually, everyone finishes and we all file back into class for the second half, where we learn new information.

5:10 PM: Class is over and I hitch a ride back down the hill to my apartment.

5:20 PM: I take some time to do nothing. This is very important in grad school. Life cannot always be go go go. That is the easiest way to experience burn out early in your grad school journey. Remember, it is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself.

6PM: I get dinner started. I love to cook! So this activity doubles as a hobby outside of school and a requirement to stay alive.

7PM: I sit down to eat and check emails. In addition to working at Heller, I also have a part time job as a program manager for a local non profit. This job allows me to set my own schedule. So on days my schedule is a little more packed, this work gets reserved for the evening.

8PM: I start reading for my Thursday class. My general rule for grad school reading is to start at least two days before it is due. If you start the night before, chances are you won’t get to everything.

10PM-11PM: Do more nothing. One thing I truly hate is dreaming about what I am studying at the time. When this happens, I never really feel rested the next morning. So I like to take time before bed to do more nothing, whether that’s watching a show, scrolling on Tiktok, or talking to my parents. Remember, nothing is important!

11PM: Fall asleep thinking about all the things I have to do tomorrow.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my life. As I said before, it is messily organized and hectically balanced. But overall, I love it. I’m still trying to schedule in a few workout sessions a week in addition to my hike up the hill. And I did choose to ignore my laundry today, but all of the doing and not doing comes together to make an abstract picture of me.

Heller Hacks: Pro Tips from the Inside (Heller Enrichment Funds)

March 16, 2023 / amandamiller / 0 Comments

Welcome to the first installment of “Heller Hacks: Pro Tips from the Inside”! As an admissions professional at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, I have the privilege of working with students from the moment they first consider pursuing a degree at Heller. Through my interactions with prospective and current students, I have seen firsthand what contributes to their success in the program.

In this blog series, I will be sharing practical tips that I’ve noticed many of our most successful students take advantage of during their time at Heller. These won’t be typical advice like “manage your time wisely”, but rather, specific, actionable things that you can take advantage of during your time at Heller to make sure you’re making the most out of your time here. First up: Heller Enrichment Funds.

The Heller Enrichment Funds are a way for eligible students to apply for financial support for their academic and professional development. The funds are generously supported by Heller alumni and friends and earmarked exclusively for student support. Heller Enrichment funds can help you to cover a variety of expenses, including reading materials or expenses related to attending a professional conference relevant to your areas of professional and scholarly interest.

Master’s students are eligible to apply for book awards up to $250 to help the costs of reading materials for the semester. The Book Award can cover the cost of materials that are a course requirement, such as textbooks, books, software, and coursepacks. Masters students can also apply for a grant to pay expenses related to attending a professional conference relevant to their areas of professional and scholarly interest and which could provide valuable career networking opportunities. The Conference Award can help to cover registration, lodging, and travel; students presenting original work can receive a maximum award up to $700, and students who are attending without presenting original work can receive up to $300.

PhD students can apply for up to two conference grants of up to $700 each during their time at Heller, one pre-proposal approval and one post-proposal approval. Additionally, post-proposal doctoral students may apply for a grant to assist in the final stages of conducting research and writing dissertations. These grants ($3,000 maximum) are intended to help students who have made
substantial progress in their work, and to relieve specific dissertation-related expenses (e.g., transcriptions, travel outside of the Boston area related to collecting data, software purchases, consulting or other direct research costs).

I encourage all eligible students to take advantage of these funds, which are exclusively earmarked for student support. Applying for these funds can help reduce financial stress and provide you with valuable opportunities for your academic and professional development. Heller Enrichment Funds are just one example of how we support our students at Heller. By providing financial assistance so that students can take advantage of professional opportunities, we ensure that our students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Meet The Heller Career Development Center: Nijimbere Lahayiloyi

March 14, 2023 / rclark / 0 Comments

Ronunique Clark, MPP’23

First, I graced you all with the presence of my current classmates in my mini blog series: Meet My Cohort. Today…. well, let’s just say I’m introducing a slight spin off. In this blog post, we will be chatting with a graduate assistant in the Heller Career Development Center. Let’s welcome Nijimbere Lahayiloyi to the Heller Admissions Blog room!

Nijimbere Lahayiloyi is 27 years old, born in Burundi, East Africa, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. In undergrad, he majored in Political Science, Global Politics, and International Affairs. He is currently in the dual-degree MA inSustainable International Development/MA inConflict Resolution and Coexistence program. He is one of three Graduate Assistants in the Heller Career Development Center.

What is your role at the Career Development Center? And why did you decide to work at the center?

I work as the Career Center Graduate Employer Relation Assistant here at Heller. I chose to work for the Career Development Center because I had prior professional and personal experiences that aligned with specific skills, knowledge, and qualifications the center was seeking. On a personal level, I was very interested in learning more about career opportunities that emerge from the center and how these opportunities are shared with students in different programs.

What is the Career Development Center at Heller?

In general, the center is a team of highly talented individuals who work to educate, advise, and connect students with employers, alumni, and other professionals with an aim to unlock high-impact career opportunities for all Heller students. Within the center, we have programing such as Information Sessions, International Career Clinics (Help with Resume, Cover letter, Networking, all for international students), and many more. The office is managed by Dr. Jasmine Waddell, who also in charge of the programing for MPP, MBA, and PhD students. Bryan Kanney, our Assistant Director, works mostly with programing for the Global Programs: MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence, MA in Sustainable International Development, and MS in Global Health Policy and Management. We currently have three Graduate Assistants: Fabiola Mejia, Meghan Gragg, and myself.

What do you think are the most common myths of The Heller Career Development Center?

I think some people might think that some of the platforms we embrace are difficult to navigate, but I disagree with the sentiment. Platforms such as Handshake and B-Connect are not difficult to navigate, I believe that once you familiarize yourself with it, it becomes second nature and very useful for job searchs and connection to opportunities.

Why is it important for students to connect with their career development center?

It’s very important because eventually most students, if not all, seek to put their education to a good use after graduation. It’s very imperative, in my opinion, that students connect with a career center early in their first year of their program as they plan for internship or practicum opportunities. The center has so many tools and resources to assist any student attending Heller. The problem I often see is students waiting to contact the Career Center in their last semester or just a few weeks before graduation; while it is never too late to seek assistance, there is extra strength that lies in strategic planning and connecting with available resources as early as possible. Most students that succeed are capturing and obtaining their desired position after completing their program tend to those who have connected with the center from the very beginning of their academic journey at Heller.

What should we expect from the Career Development Center this year?

We recently renewed our website to better reflect the needs of students from all programs. We used to post job opportunities on Handshake, but we have changed this, going forward all jobs will be posted on B-Connect. We plan to continue using Handshake to schedule appointments with students who are interested in crafting resume, Cover Letters, and learn more about the art of networking. This year we will also continue to have alumni, employers information sessions, career fairs, career conversations workshops, international career clinics, and more programing.

Thank you, Nijimbere, for stepping into the Heller Admissions Blog and educating us on the importance of connecting the Career Development Center here at Heller. I can also vouch that I have utilized most of the resources offered by the center, such as setting up a 1:1 meeting with Dr. Jasmine Waddell and even attending a resume/cover letter workshop! So if you hate cover letters (like myself), are stressed about the job search, or just want to learn how to navigate the platforms such as Handshake and B-Connect as mentioned by Nijimbere then do not hesitate to set up a time to meet with the Career Development Center they will be waiting :). To learn more about the Career Development Center, please visit the Career Development Center’s website.

Happy (Belated) International Women’s Day!

March 9, 2023 / amandamiller / 0 Comments

In the spirit of the holiday yesterday, and in honor of women’s history month, I want to share the stories of some of the women at Heller leading the way in improving the lives of women around the world. It goes without saying that Heller is a place to get a world-class education, but these students’ stories remind us that students, faculty, and staff at Heller are also dedicated to driving positive social change and embodying our motto of “Knowledge Advancing Social Justice”.

Six students at the Heller School pose for headshots

Top images, left to right: Ilana Fitzpatrick MPP’24, Ophelia Delali A. Akoto Heller PhD ‘26, Vilma Uribe, Heller PhD’26.
Bottom left to right: Jamie Morgan, Heller PhD’23, Kaitie Chakoian, Heller PhD’24, Hannah Wilcove MPP’23

Ilana Fitzpatrick, MPP’24
Her dream role and plans for after graduation? Creating a nonprofit that provides mobile gynecological services to those in need. “There’s this challenge in finding a gynecologist that doesn’t make patients feel shame. It’s even harder for those living in areas that don’t have access to these services,” said Fitzpatrick. “My goal is to empower those who have historically been oppressed. I feel like it is my responsibility to give back.”

Ophelia Delali A. Akoto, PhD ‘26
“We’re pushing for a society where women have the same opportunity as men,” she said. Through her doctorate program at Heller, she’s looking to better understand women’s economic empowerment, education of girls and racial equity research. “My mentors within the Heller School have shown me how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Akoto. “I’m not even a year into the program, but they’ve already shaped the way I think.”

Jamie Morgan, PhD’23
She chose to attend the Heller School because it provided her with the flexibility to pursue her niche passion for abortion advocacy work. “Working with mentors like Anita Hill, who have this social movement expertise, has been an amazing experience. It’s given me the opportunity to build my own adventure and step into that legacy of social justice… I’m very motivated to study abortion research. Access to reproductive healthcare, especially for women, is one of the most central parts of our lives,” said Morgan. “Our reproductive aspects affect our future. It’s essential for people to be able to decide if and when to have children.”

Read the rest of the profiles of women at Heller advocating for change, and have a happy Women’s History Month!

The Ultimate Balancing Act: School and Work

March 7, 2023 / cmcquarters / 0 Comments

Calah McQuarters, MBA’23

The most common question I have been asked during panel discussions, prospective student visits, and interviews is “Is it possible to work and go to school at the same time”? Well, I am here to answer this question once and for all for everyone: it depends. I know, I know. That is likely not the answer you were anticipating or wanting to hear, but it’s the truth! Every person is different. Every person’s capacity is different. Every person’s needs are different. Because of this, there is no one answer to this question. However, today, I will tell you about my experience balancing work and school.

This semester, in addition to taking 6 classes (20 credits), I also have two part time jobs. (I got exhausted just typing that out!) I am a Graduate Assistant for Heller’s Admissions department, hence the beautifully written blog posts you all receive from me regularly ;). I also work as a Program Manager for a local non-profit organization dedicated to healthy aging. I started both jobs in the same week and about a month after classes started (it was a very busy September). Combined, my jobs take up about 20-25 hours of my week outside of class and each requires something very different of me. As a GA, I spend the majority of my time talking to you all through emails, visits, and interviews. As a Program Manager, I am responsible for making sure programs run smoothly, grant reporting, meeting with local stakeholders, and whatever else is needed (such as being a website designer…). My GA role is in person while my other role is remote. As a GA I have a structured weekly schedule, but as a program manager I set my own hours. (Side note: flexible, remote jobs can be equally amazing and tricky. While you can work when you want and in whatever attire you want, the battle between napping and productivity is real and difficult every day. If I am transparent, napping has won more daily battles than productivity…) These two jobs are very different in so many ways. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each is teaching me something new almost daily! I share this information for two reasons: to show it is possible to work and be a full-time student and to also show the range of jobs accessible at Heller and the greater Boston area.

Now, before you run to start submitting job applications, let’s all take a step back and remember what I said in the beginning. Everyone is different. It has taken much trial and error to learn how to semi successfully balance school and work (not to mention extracurriculars). I have three different calendars and alarms galore to help me manage my time, and even with all of that, some days I still get behind. So why do I do it? Two reasons: capacity and need. As a person that loves being on the go, I tend to be energized by doing. I love being a busy bee and I haven’t run out of capacity (yet… we’re coming close). Also, life in the Boston area can be expensive (especially for a girl coming from Oklahoma!). As I said, everyone’s needs are different and right now, mine require a little extra money for monthly movie outings to keep me from going crazy :).

So there ya go! Is it possible? Yes. Is it necessary? That’s up to you, your capacity, and your needs. Either way, make sure what you’re committing your time to is serving you just as much as you are serving it.

A Day in the Life of a Second Year MBA/SID Student

March 2, 2023 / amendez / 0 Comments

Andy Mendez, MBA/SID’23

Now that we are nearing the end of Module 1, graduation is just over three months away! I thought this would be a great time to share what life is like for a Heller student wrapping up their studies and preparing for a postgraduate career. Today, I’ll walk you through what a typical Tuesday looks like for me this semester.

8:00am-10:00am — This is the first and only semester where I have my mornings entirely free. I use those extra hours to catch up on 4 semester’s worth of lost sleep!

10:00am-11:00am — By this point in the morning, I’ve left my bed and started my morning face cleansing routine. Gotta be extra vigilant in the winter when the air is dry. After that, I generally spend some time answering emails and posting or responding to posts on LinkedIn. Now that I’ve been named a Class of 2023 Finalist in the Presidential Management Fellows program, a lot of my time goes into setting up virtual coffee chats with PMF program alumni and other professionals to learn more about the different federal agencies where I might like to be placed.

11:00am-12:00pm — I head to the kitchen, where I usually pass either my MPP or PhD roommate, and make an early lunch. Since I have both an afternoon and evening class on Tuesdays, I make sure to pack dinner and some snacks in tupperware to take to campus.

12:00pm-1:00pm — At this point, I pack up my backpack and get dressed for the day. I double check that I have the required items for that day’s weather forecast, be it an umbrella or a scarf and gloves. I’m only a 20 minute walk to campus so as I’m heading out the door, I choose a podcast or music album on Spotify to listen to during my commute.

1:00pm-2:00pm — I join the other elected board members of the Heller Student Association for our biweekly meeting. We use this meeting to plan Heller-wide events, discuss concerns brought to us by students, and share our progress on special projects.

2:00pm-2:20pm — After gathering my belongings, I have a quick snack before going to claim my seat in the classroom for my afternoon course on Women, Peacemaking, & Peacebuilding. This is technically a COEX class, but I’m joined by a lot of my fellow SID classmates, who have a concentration in gender. The course is taught by Nanako Tamaru, the Executive Director of the Boston Network for International Development (BNID). BNID was one of the organizations I interviewed with when I was searching for a fall MBA internship last semester. While I ended up being placed with the Social Innovation Forum, I did have the opportunity to attend a few networking events sponsored by BNID. Another reason I was drawn to the course was Nanako’s work on the democratic process in Tunisia. As someone who worked next door in Morocco and is currently in the running for a Fulbright grant in Algeria, I was curious to learn more about her work on gender and peacebuilding in that region.

2:20pm-5:10pm — During the class session, Professor Nanako gives a brief lecture introducing that week’s topic and solicits the class’s response to that week’s readings. We spend time learning about the art and science of Op Ed writing and we end with a small group discussion. Before packing up, Professor Nanako reminds us of any upcoming assignments that are due before next class.

5:10pm-6:00pm — It’s dinner time! I usually head to the ground floor, where there are a set of round tables set up next to the microwave. As I’m eating dinner, I usually skim through that week’s readings again, to refresh my memory.

6:00pm-8:50pm — I head to the big auditorium room where I have Fundraising and Development with Professor David Whalen. This course draws a mix of MBA and SID students and attracts those either wanting more experience writing grants or those looking to grab the attention of funders. In the course, we not only look at the current landscape and trends in philanthropy, but spend time interrogating the impact philanthropy has had, for better or worse, on society.

8:50pm-9:30pm — After six hours of class, I can finally head home. Along the way, I sometimes stop at the Hannaford for groceries or the Walgreens for a few household items.

9:30pm-11:00pm — Once I’m home, I shower and have a small snack. On Wednesdays, I work as a Course Assistant for Financial Management, a required class for first-year MBA students. I spend the evenings making sure I’m ready for the next day’s class session. Since I have no evening classes on Wednesdays, I usually head to Brandeis’ Gosman gym for that evening’s group fitness class, so I pack my gym clothes and shoes on Tuesday evenings. Before Financial Management, I have my weekly check-in meeting with my supervisor at the Social Innovation Forum, where I’ve continued on as an intern. I make sure I have any necessary prep materials ready for this meeting.

11:00pm-12:00am — When I’m ready to call it a night, I double-check that my alarm is set, then head to bed.

A Day in the Life of a MS GHPM/MA SID student

February 28, 2023 / bruscitti / 0 Comments

Brielle Ruscitti, MS GHPM/MA SID’24

This semester, alongside my coursework, I am interning at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and working in their education portfolio. I am currently working on projects related to program evaluation and outcomes. Today, I will be taking you through what a typical day looks like for me.

8am – I’ve had my morning coffee and packed up for the day so head out to campus, and start my day with my applied econometrics class at 9am.

10:30am – After my class ends, I start a bit of work on my internship. My work varies from day to day, but recently, I have been doing some analytics on survey data from the Global Schools program, which helps teachers implement education for sustainable development curriculum for schools across the world. I am investigating the relationship between the sustainable development goals and values that teachers think are most important. I am also working on some paper editing and communications with teachers involved in the Global Schools program.

12pm – I wrap up my internship work and head up to the Admissions desks where I start work. Somedays I work on blog posts, like this one, or meet with prospective students, and complete other tasks in the office.

2pm – My shift ends at 2pm, and I have a short break before my afternoon class starts, so I eat my lunch, take a mental break and go outside if the weather is nice. Then I head over to my introduction to demography class, which is only 7 weeks long, and I will have a new class starting in the middle of March. I have really enjoyed this class so far, but am excited to start another new topic in just a few weeks.

5pm- Shortly after 5, my class wraps up and I head home for the day. I usually make dinner and relax before heading to sleep after a busy day.

This day is definitely one of my busiest days but not all my days look like this. I have some days where I do not have any class and some days where I do not work, for my internship or at the Admissions office. I hope this gives some insight into what my days looks life and what you can do in your time as a Heller student.

Plan for an Admitted Student Day

February 23, 2023 / amandamiller / 0 Comments

If you’re one of our newly admitted students, congratulations! This is a great achievement, and we are excited to welcome you to Heller. As a newly admitted student, you’re no doubt wondering what the next steps are, or trying to imagine your life as a Heller student. To help you make such a big decision, Heller is offering a variety of events just for admitted students, both in-person and virtually, and this blog post, we will explore why we strongly recommend trying to attend one of these events.

Learn More About the Program
While you no doubt researched the Heller School extensively prior to applying, now that you’re admitted, you’ll find that there is more to learn because now there’s more to plan! By attending admitted student events, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about more details of the program. These events, whether in person or online, gives admitted students the chance to learn about the program’s curriculum, research opportunities, experiential learning opportunities, and career services. Having this information early on will help you start to make more informed decisions about your academic and professional goals.

Get to Know Your Future Classmates
Graduate school is not just about academics, it’s also about building your network and forging relationships. During many of these admitted student events, you’ll have the opportunity to start getting to know your future classmates and forming these friendships. You will be spending a significant amount of time with them, so it’s essential to start building relationships early. Having these connections even before the school year begins will allow you to start building a support system that will follow you through your academic journey and into your career.

Meet Your Professors
At the Heller School, our faculty members are not just accomplished academics but also practitioners in their fields. By attending admitted student events, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your future professors, ask them questions, and learn about their research interests. Building relationships with your professors is an important first step to finding a mentor, and admitted student days are a great time to start forging these connections. This is extremely important, as the faculty members at Heller are able to provide you with valuable guidance throughout your academic and professional career.

Experience the Heller Community
Lastly, attending admitted student events will give you a glimpse into the Heller School’s unique community. The Heller community is diverse, supportive, and passionate about social justice. By attending these events, you will get a sense of our community’s values and culture. At many of these events, you’ll also have the opportunity to hear from current students about their experiences at Heller.

A Day In The Life of a 2nd Year MPP Student

February 21, 2023 / rclark / 0 Comments

Ronunique Clark, MPP’23

Most students would probably like to spend their weekends either resting, catching up on their favorite hobbies, or hang out with friends. I, on the other hand, find myself trying to balance all of the above… and a little extra. Come along with me as I take you through my typical Saturday as a 2nd year MPP student, working as a part-time Support Staff member at Father Bill’s and Mainspring House in Quincy:

9:00am: After a very busy week of classes and extracurriculars, I wake up in the morning and start my house chores that I wasn’t able to get to during the week. A clean house is a clean mind!

11:00am: I finish up house chores, and then take time to go through any assignments that have an upcoming due date. When I’m planning out my weekend work, I attempt to prioritize my assignments by the day of class and deadline of assignment. I get started on some of the assignments.

1:00pm: I note whatever assignments I could not get to, in the hope that I can complete them during my scheduled shift (this is a hard hope), and then start to get ready for my upcoming shift.

2:00pm: I am all dressed and ready for my shift at the shelter. I spend time catching up with my roommates who (lucky them!) spend most of their day working from home.

3:30pm: I head out for work, as the shelter is about a thirty minute drive away from my home in Dorchester.

4:00pm: Arriving at the shelter, I greet the guests who are in line, waiting for check-in. The majority of the guests have same bed status in our shelter, but some are coming to receive a first-come, first-serve bed. I enter the shelter and say hello to my co-workers who were working the 8am-4pm shift, before clocking in for the day.

4:10pm: The people working on the 8am-4pm shift gives us, the 4pm-12am shift, a report of the day: do we have any guests who have received a warning or suspension? Are we out of any materials? Is the house laundry done for the day? Any major updates from management?

4:15pm: I check the bedsheet for any guests who may be entering the shelter late, have an approved night out, or suspension, and I make sure to mark this on the spreadsheet. After checking the spreadsheet, I go outside and begin checking guests in. Since most guests have same bed, they will tell me their bed numbers. For guests who are waiting for a bed, I ask if they are able to climb to a top bunk so I can allocate the proper accommodation. I write them in on the bedsheet by first and last name.

4:30pm: Official check in has begun. It should be four people on shift, but today there are only three of us. Another staff member and I start letting guest in pairs or groups of three. We check their bags, and ask them if they have any open food or water, any harmful items, or if they have any medication they will need to lock up. If they pass the full check in, they are allowed to enter the dorms, grab a blanket and sheet, and set all their items on the bed. For guest who have medication, it will need to be locked away in their med box.

5:00pm: Dinner time for guests.

6:00pm: First fresh air break for guests.

6:30pm: Guests are allowed to watch TV in the dining room, or they choose to get a head start on sleep. Staff spends this time in our office space, also known as the bubble, and cater to any guest needs: if they need any hygiene products or clothes, collect any mail, and guests who need to take medication, takes it.

7:30: Second fresh air break for guests.

8:00pm: Final medicine call for guests who would like to take their medications before lights out.

8:30pm: Begin filling out guest folders, taking notes if guests are in the shelter or not.

9:00pm: Third fresh air break for guests.

9:30pm: Guests assist staff with cleaning up dining room so that guests who were not able to receive a bed can sleep.

10:00pm: Lights out for all guests in the shelter

10:30pm: Final fresh air break for guests

11:00pm: We made it to the final hour! My co-workers and I normally spend time doing dorm checks and retracing the day spent.

12:00am: Overnight shift 12am-8am relief arrives, and my co-workers and I brief them on the status of day: do we have any guests who have received a warning or suspension? Are we out of any materials? Is the house laundry done for the day? Any major updates from management? After, I clock out for the night and head home.

WHEW isn’t that a shift? I bet you’re exhausted from reading all of that. For most, this may not seem like the ideal job to have as a graduate student and some may way want to know what made me agree to a job like this in the first place. As a public policy student ,I believe the only way I can make a direct impact and provide my support is when I am on the ground doing the work. Often times, shelter support staff are overlooked and most certainly can be overworked, and there is currently a shortage on these kind of workers. If a government is going to fund something, then people will have to be there to work it. These types of workers are should be thought about when implementing new structures, policies, and procedures, because we are the ones bridging the gap between the rules and the individual it was put in place to serve. With that being said, I will continue to place myself in positions that do and will make direct client to support services, because those are that is the kind of work that makes our world of social impact go around.