This episode features a lady who says she's constantly working at balance with life at home and work. The life shifts during pandemic impact her just like us all to find the clear boundaries for self-care and being intentional to be present. The conversation is enlightening and you’ll gather tips and thoughts to ponder.We speak of confidence and the fact that sometimes it comes later in life and a feeling of not belonging or questioning creeps into our mind of “Am I smart enough to be here?” — which can cripple. Meet Dr. Andrea Hunt —a first generation college graduate, a University Professor, a community volunteer and a mentor for many young adults. Anytime we move from one period of our life to the next is a time where transition can make us question and this professional working woman has found that seeking a mentor can be one of the most important tools to create perspective. Such a move proved solid for her as she set sights beyond what she knew. Andrea says that we are often the barrier for ourselves and having mentors can reaffirm that you do belong and can set the path.We talk of self care, mindset and mental health. This guests pinpoints that we must follow up with tools and resources and strategies and begin with normalizing a conversation. To be able to say that you are not okay at the moment in our classes or work places, Andrea says is key and then the work to be able to verbalize why can create the avenues to making the situation okay. Pandemic changed much for students and staff alike and having a context helps when all of the key transition points are occurring.In this episode we talk of opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in the environment where you are or where you can go. For Andrea, seeing students pour into communities and families as they work in centers, run grant projects or create curriculum to make families stronger is thrilling. She herself volunteers in many capacities from a court appointed role working for the child in foster situations to presenting early college education to high schoolers. Her love is to help young people navigate challenges. Through her work and bringing those examples to her students in the classroom, she helps ground them in the reality of working in the social sciences. It is hard and it can tug the heart.Andrea talks about how the pandemic caused some opportunities for partnerships and guests coming into the classroom from across the world via zoom. A perspective we don’t always think of. There are projects she is working on that are exciting— like career counseling and combining sociology and models for different student populations. You’ll hear her enthusiasm as she talks about first generation students both in college and what happens to these graduates after they step into the career world and take on leadership roles and the research that she has launched to study the topic.Andrea is authentic and invested in the lives of others. Travel and learning about other people is important and she has the opportunity to interact with the international students on her campus and served as a host family — which allows her own kids to learn and engage. We can learn from other’s experiences. Tune in!Music “STOMP” used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
Music "STOMP" used by permission of artist Donica Knight Holdman and Jim Huff
