Graduate Assistant Opportunities at Furman University | Go Further Podcast

McNeill Mullikin: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Go Further podcast. Today’s question, what does it mean to be a graduate assistant at Furman University?

Furman University graduate studies is committed to asking deeper questions and telling compelling narratives that enrich our hearts, our minds, and our communities. Through expert interviews, join us as we prepare to go further.

Hello everyone. I’m your host, McNeill Mullikin, and today I’m joined with marketing and recruitment specialist for the Office of Graduate Studies and the Center for Innovative Leadership, Sarah Beth Trimble. How are you, Sarah?

Sarah Beth Trimble: I’m well, I hope you are.

McNeill Mullikin: And I’m also here with other graduate assistant, Anne Heaton Sanders.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Hi.

McNeill Mullikin: This is your second time returning, or first time returning, right?

Anne Heaton Sanders: It’s the first time. Season two. I was one of the first appearances in season one, so I’m glad to be back.

McNeill Mullikin: This is season three.

Anne Heaton Sanders: [00:01:00] I don’t know what’s happening anymore.

McNeill Mullikin: No, it’s okay.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Time is a social construct.

McNeill Mullikin: It is, I agree with that. So, today we’re going to talk about the graduate assistantship that Anne Heaton and I are both hired for at the Furman graduate studies department.

And, before we get into that, today’s ice breaker question is: What is your go to comfort food after a long day?

Anne Heaton Sanders: Popcorn.

McNeill Mullikin: I knew it.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Popcorn. Popcorn. Popcorn.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Popcorn is a comfort food.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Yeah. Okay. I eat a lot of popcorn.

McNeill Mullikin: She does – lots of popcorn. In fact, I’m, there was a h- the Halloween party, I told people to not bring popcorn ’cause I knew Anne Heaton would bring popcorn.

Anne Heaton Sanders: And then, I didn’t show up to the Halloween party.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah. So, there was no popcorn.

Anne Heaton Sanders: I messed up.

McNeill Mullikin: What about you, Sarah Beth?

Sarah Beth Trimble:  Probably, cheese and bread, just kind of like a little charcuterie kind of thing, but just really good bread, really good cheese and vest and it’s worth it.

McNeill Mullikin: [00:02:00] Yeah, I have a huge sweet tooth, so I have to go with key lime pie. Like any opportunity I get to get a key lime pie, I will gladly take it.

Sarah Beth Trimble: That is the best pie out there.

McNeill Mullikin: It’s so good. So, like I said, we’re going to talk about the graduate assistantship today because in May, Anne Heaton and I, along with Simran, will be graduating and there’s going to need to be new graduate assistants. So somebody might be able to replace me as the podcast host and producer, and Anne Heaton works on social media.

Simran works on videos. There’s also blog posts to work on and all this fun stuff. So this is the purpose of this episode. Many people, I feel like, assume a grad assistant teaches or does research because every time I talk to somebody outside of Furman, the response I get every time, like, I could put money on it, this is the, this is the question I’m going to get, Oh, what do you teach?

Or what do you research? And I’m like, neither. So, Sarah Beth, could you explain what the [00:03:00] responsibilities are for grad assistants?

Sarah Beth Trimble: I mean, you do research, but I think like people think of research assistants. I have had family members who work in higher education and they actually, you know, they were like a research assistant and then you have like teaching assistants, but […]

Anne Heaton Sanders: I think people are looking at bigger schools where graduate assistants are much more common.

And McNeill and I happen to be the very first graduate assistants that Furman has ever seen that I know of. So we’re just, we’re here for whatever Furman Graduate Studies needs us to do. To be, which is kind of interesting because we’re seen maybe as what the traditional would be, but Furman is a very liberal arts school, so we are whatever Furman wants us to be.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Well, and you, you all interviewed and were hired specifically to work as marketing graduate assistants, based on your experience. I mean, you went through an interview process. This is a [00:04:00] real job. and you were hired for your skill, you know, McNeil, you, you all bring many skills to the table, but what I like about this team we have right now is McNeil, you know, your strength is really in the writing and you’ve got the social and graphic design, you know, Simran has the graphic design and social and some of that content development to that and he has, and, and so together, the three of you make a great team and a tremendous amount of support to me.

So, you know, for this department, you are, you are doing exactly what we need you to do, but you know, it can vary from department to department.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah, absolutely. so when this job is going to be opened up again for other people, who is it open to? And can students from any program apply? And are there any specific qualifications that applicants need?

It kind of goes

Sarah Beth Trimble: back to the just the The last question, anyone who is enrolled as a graduate student in Furman is a potential graduate assistant. just depends on [00:05:00] the department that you’re looking at as far as needs. Obviously, if I need graduate assistants to help with marketing, I’m going to need someone most likely from Massey who has experience in graphic design and social and branding strategy.

so really just depends on the department, but it’s, it’s open to any graduate students enrolled at Furman.

McNeill Mullikin: so what are the time commitments for grad assistants and how do the hours work? And I’m sure Anne Heaton and I could also talk about this and so this is something that we’ve been experiencing for the last year and a half.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Yeah, we work 20 hours a week and we are hourly now, so we put our hours into workday and get paid for what we Did so it’s pretty honest. Yeah on that So we need to if you want to make money you have to show up to work, which is great real world

Sarah Beth Trimble: experience Yeah, I mean, it’s a real job You might still be in Furman and you know or at Furman and still part of your education but this is treated very much like a real job because it is and yes 20 hours is [00:06:00] The, the maximum and, you know, kind of adjust accordingly.

And as far as like how, you know, you have your hours set up, I know you guys work around your class schedules because you are students first and I recognize that. but you know, it’s kind of like there’s flexibility in what hours you can be here just based on your schedules. And you know, each one of you has all three of you have a, have a different schedule as far as what you’re, when you’re going to be here and what you’re working, but you all are doing the, the 20 hours a week, you know, so.

Yeah,

McNeill Mullikin: definitely. And I was, I was going to add to that too, where, we do get to create our own schedule like you were talking about. We get to kind of make our schedule based on our classes and just our, our own commitments and everything. but the way I look at it is like you said, we’re a student first and then this is what comes second.

This is my, my job. So this, this comes second after being a student because after all, I’m, Here at Furman for the strategic design program. And this was something that I just happened to stumble upon, like literally the first week and I applied and got hired. So I was like, [00:07:00] oh, okay, sweet. I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time, but it’s turned out to be a really good opportunity.

so yeah, we get to create our weekly schedule and then there is some work from home flexibility, but I always find it easier to work here. Unless I’m like sick or something.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Yeah. I mean, we definitely, I feel like we collaborate. better. And, you know, as far as the schedule, just to that end, I’ll say it, a consistent set schedule from week to week.

So I know when to expect y’all to come in, but you always tell me if you have some kind of conflict because you have a class obligation and you tell me how you’re going to make up your hours. And, you know, when you do, you know, have those occasional times where you would rather work from home so you can focus or you’re not feeling well, you know, you, I will trust you until you give me a reason not to say, you know, as long as we’re communicating, I feel like it’s worked out.

So far, you know, since I’ve joined the team, so, yeah, I definitely appreciate y’all for that. Yeah.

Anne Heaton Sanders: I will want to emphasize how great it is that this is a. [00:08:00] Real job, but a real job at Furman. So Furman obviously understands school’s first. We’ve both said it. So I, I don’t know if you can find that anywhere else where it’s like the job understands that school is first and you are so flexible with us that we can go to all the workshops and have all the zooms and go to classes.

And then, come and make up our hours. And it’s totally, we’re totally capable of doing all those things at once. Yeah.

McNeill Mullikin: Absolutely. What types of projects do you grad assistants work on and do they collaborate with other Furman departments? Well,

Sarah Beth Trimble: you know, again, speaking from our graduate studies office and for the center for innovative leadership, y’all have been working on tons of different projects.

I mean, you can look at the podcast alone and know you’re working with other departments, you know, you’re bringing in people from Ucom and other graduate programs for your podcast. we are creating [00:09:00] campaigns for. Graduate studies that paid media we’re inhering. And we’ve got the center for innovative leadership right here.

That is technically a different department and y’all are doing, doing that same work. So, I think there is a lot of interaction, which is great. So just opens you up to other things that are going on around campus. And we’ve done ads, blogs, podcasts, social media, content calendars. I mean, from the very beginning branding.

Yeah.

Anne Heaton Sanders: I feel like I have a nice relationship with all the. Department heads or whoever, like Katie Beeson, whoever’s working on their social media. Cause before you, I kind of took that into my own hands and now I’m glad to have you to help me manage that because it was a learning process, but doing social media and being the managers, like I need to be friends with all the departments so I can figure out how I can help them and advertise their things.

Cause everybody has so many things going on. So we have so many projects and so many things that we’re working on.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Yeah, I mean it [00:10:00] is. It’s like being, you know, at an agency or an internal marketing department, which is what we are here. It’s a full load of work for, you know, what you can fit in, in 20 hours a week.

And that’s why we try so hard, you know, to keep that task list for y’all. And so you know what the priorities are and that constant communication and those weekly check ins we have. Yeah. I mean, yeah. What don’t y’all do right now when it comes to marketing and advertising and design and writing so

McNeill Mullikin: yeah, and I I’ve Also had to do a lot of the collaborating with other department heads for grad studies just in general because I mean a lot of people I’m sure like who aren’t familiar with Inside of this office.

They just hear me on the podcast maybe they just assume I’m the host and I just sit here and talk and all the meetings are scheduled for me, but In actuality, behind the scenes, I email the people from the different programs, whether it’s Katie Beeson from community engaged medicine or K or George from [00:11:00] teaching or, Dr.

Chris from advocacy and equity studies. And either I’m talking to one of them, or I’m talking to a student or talking to, or getting, getting contact information for one of their like community partners that I then reach out to and try to schedule that person. So I’m having to communicate with all these people that I have.

No idea who they are, initially, and At first it was kind of daunting as a pretty big introvert, but I don’t mind it now. It’s it’s fun You’re

Sarah Beth Trimble: doing great. And don’t forget all the research that you put into but you know, so you’re asking the right questions. Do you have an interesting podcast and informative podcast?

I mean, it’s it’s more than just reaching out to people and talking right? Yeah the legwork in between. So yeah, there’s all

McNeill Mullikin: the production yeah, well then then there’s the editing and and the mixing of the sound and everything and Yeah. And then actually distributing it out to all of these different platforms.

So there’s more than just the hosting, the, yeah, the hosting that goes into it. There’s the [00:12:00] production and the coordination with it too. he isn’t just

Anne Heaton Sanders: a pretty face. Yeah.

McNeill Mullikin: so with there being various grad assistants, how do they split up the projects? We’ve kind of touched on this a little bit. but how do they know they need to collaborate with each other for certain projects?

Sarah Beth Trimble: I think, yeah, you each have, bring your own strengths to the table. So, there’s a method to the madness, as you guys have heard me say, because, you know, Anne Heaton, you’d been here for a while and had been working with graduate studies. You know, you’ve kind of run with that and taken ownership, with Simmering joining the two of you this semester.

You know, having her kind of working with the Center for Innovative Leadership from the ground up, that branding is kind of a natural thing and letting her give some ownership, but, and then you help with everything, being as kind of the go to writer of the group. I feel like everybody works well together and the work can Go between any one of you at any time, say [00:13:00] it’s somebody stay off or somebody is out sick.

but I mean, that’s why we have our task list with assignments, but also we sit there and have our meetings, whether it’s, kind of a brainstorming session and then how are we going to divide the work? You know, we tried to align it to your strengths, obviously, as much as we can. and, and that is working.

Y’all have done some, some great stuff. So, yeah. You know, we, we kind of just look at the need and the project, the assignment and, and go from there, but making sure that nobody is overwhelmed or just feeling kind of like there’s too much on their plate. So how, how can I help support you? And then you guys are great about just how can you support each other in that teamwork and those conversations that you have amongst yourselves.

Yeah,

Anne Heaton Sanders: definitely sharing an office is one way that is, helpful for collaboration because I can look over to McNeil who shares my desk or Simran who’s directly behind me and be like, well, what do you think? How does this look? How does this sound? McNeil, will you check this copy for me? Simran, do you think that this [00:14:00] design looks professional enough or weird or like, is this wonky?

and I think that also helps that we’re friends and we’re friends before, We all were working toge well, McNeil and I started working together so we became friends, but Mazdy has definitely, helped us value collaboration and leaning on each other and really valuing each other’s, critiques.

It’s something that like Mazdi has taught us, like getting others feedback is so important. Yeah, for sure. And I think that is a huge part of collaboration.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah, and not taking it personally. And I feel like, and that’s different for everybody, like some people like me just kind of came in like already kind of okay with that.

And then there are some people. Where it’s, that’s not entirely the case, but you know, it’s just, it’s always an adjustment. Where I do feel like we have to collaborate the most though is definitely in like brainstorming sessions. Like as soon as this latest [00:15:00] ad campaign, campaign that we worked on, was brought to us.

we spent, you know, hours in the, in our grad assistant office with like post it notes all over the wall. For like, It’s a full week or two and having brainstorming sessions with you and having brainstorming sessions with the director of strategic design, Marta linear, and so, yeah. And you come to, yeah.

and so there was, there was a lot of that. And so I feel like there was all, there was definitely like that constant face to face interaction, like bouncing ideas off of each other. And then from there, when it gets more into the execution process, we kind of divide up the. The different tasks at hand, and then just kind of, you know, base that off of everybody’s skill sets.

Like for me, it was writing for Anne Heaton and social media and design and same with Simran. And if there’s any video, I guess that would be past the Simran too. so, so yeah, that’s definitely where I think we, we get to collaborate the most is the [00:16:00] brainstorming. Well,

Sarah Beth Trimble: and there’s, you know, there’s something to be said for a fresh shine, even though like those campaigns are a great example where you’re doing all the writing, you know, and, and you may have your, you know, I see when you’re typing and.

Working on blog and other projects that you have going on when we might be chatting, you know, I look to you and say, McNeil, like, have you looked at this? You know, you’re still in this Mazda program. You still know about graphic design. What do you think? Cause I want to hear your opinion as well. that’s something that’s not as, as tied directly to the design.

And it’s after a while, I mean, you just look at things, you know, after a while and it just, you need to step away or just need a fresh set of opinion. And, you know, I try to be helpful as well, but that’s, I mean, you guys are just great working together and why I love working with all two, because a lot of this too, is to set you up for life after for men, whether, again, you’re going to go out and do your own thing and in freelance, or you’re going to go into an agency or an internal marketing department, you know, teamwork and collaboration, I think is your, it’s going to be a top [00:17:00] thing for, you know, So, I think you guys have definitely nailed that part.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah. so this next question, I think, and Heaton, you might actually be able to answer this best since this is definitely more targeted towards you and me with, work and education. So how, how do we as grad assistants balance work with education? You

Anne Heaton Sanders: know, first it is definitely a transition. becoming a full time grad student and a part time worker.

I think sometimes people underestimate what we’re doing at work a little bit from the outside. Like, Oh, you’re only part time. Don’t forget we are full time students that are also requiring us to be staring at a computer. I love staring at computers, but there’s only so much staring at computers that you can do.

So it does take a second to adjust. Mindset going from work and then going back into a project for school. [00:18:00] it’s totally doable. I’m at a little bit of a break right now. I’m glad I’m under loading classes. So You can speak better to this right now McNeil but in the past when I was overloading classes or Just regular full time student is totally doable.

It’s just teaching yourself time management and being able to switch on and off work and like works stays at work and class stays Yeah. Everywhere. But.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah. Well, I think a good story for this was, Backhart and I, in our first semester fall last year, and he and I both had three classes and we had just started this job.

And I think we were maybe two or three weeks into it. And we created our own schedule. We were like, I guess we should just work five days a week, four hours a day. and Wednesdays at that point was really tough. Cause we had a morning class from nine to 12. And then we were here from [00:19:00] like one to five.

And then we had a classroom six to eight. And so we got this one assignment. in that class, which was argument and visual narrative, and it was to create this video. It was like a minute long video that was basically a, a summary of our own personalities and habitus, or it was called our habitus, which I later learned is actually pronounced habitus.

Sarah Beth Trimble: I’m gonna keep saying

Anne Heaton Sanders: habitus. Yeah, it’s more fun for nostalgic

McNeill Mullikin: purposes but anyway, yeah, so we had this video and a lot of us had never made a video before and We kind of like panicked we were like, oh no, we have like way too much scheduled on Wednesdays So I took a step back and I Came up with like a new schedule for myself and I think Anne Heaton did the same thing I was like I’m gonna do four days a week five hours a day that way I have this Gap on Wednesdays to get stuff done if I need it and I’ve I’ve kept that since and I think for Anne Heaton Especially because now that like we’re further in the program.

We take [00:20:00] different classes and I think You’ve taken like Friday’s off you do Monday Thursday And usually Wednesday for me is the day that I’ll take off cuz I kind of like having the middle of the week off Yeah

Anne Heaton Sanders: It’s definitely a learning process. Like I wouldn’t say there’s like an easy answer, but just, understanding that there’s flexibility and that like Sarah Beth or other bosses know that you’re just trying to figure this out and trying to get education, but also you’re a devoted employee and, and you’re trying to learn how to work.

Like you would in the real world because we’re in our Furman bubble at the moment But it’s nice to have an understanding environment. Yeah, but definitely like a day off to try and Like rest or just like a day to work on just classwork and or go

Sarah Beth Trimble: run errands Yeah, you have a life too [00:21:00] outside of work and school.

You still have your personal life and errands, groceries. Yeah, all those things It’s

McNeill Mullikin: just kind of knowing when you need to recharge and how you can keep feeling productive like for me like Taking Wednesdays off, having two days to work and then another two days to work for a part time job on top of classes, especially this, this semester, like my Wednesdays are loaded with classes, but I only have classes two days a week.

and so I was like, it makes sense for me to take Wednesday off. And so I kind of feel like I have breaks, even though. I still don’t exactly have a break during the week from like having commitments, like educational and professional commitments, but, just knowing how to remain productive and managing your time accordingly, I think is, is, is definitely, very important.

And

Anne Heaton Sanders: will we ever be perfect at it? No, no, I’m still trying

Sarah Beth Trimble: to figure out how far I [00:22:00] mean, I’d like to. I, I hope I’ve created an environment that where you guys feel like you can come talk to me when something’s going on or I need a break or just, I’m having a tough day. Can I go home? I feel like I’ve also pretty perceptive when I can tell, like maybe one of you is having an off day and you can say, Hey, is everything okay?

Like kind of talk through that mental block and, and sometimes it, it may just be a conversation or maybe. You know, just make up the time later in the week kind of thing. Take the afternoon. You you’re really thinking about your critique right now and not able to focus so much on the task at hand. And, I mean, you guys have gotten better too, or I try to say, like, I might email you on a day that you’re not working, but I do not expect you to respond or even read that email.

If I needed you in an emergency, I will. Text you but sometimes i’m just working and getting information to you and i can but i don’t Don’t expect a response because that’s your your day off and yeah and [00:23:00] everything. So hopefully you guys feel that

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah, yeah, absolutely for sure

Anne Heaton Sanders: just thinking about how You have really helped us manage like the projects Writing them down on that little excel sheet like seeing what they are where I can go and like check in You know Like have I done this I can update you I feel I mean besides the occasional ad campaign Work has become more manageable because I can see what is on my plate and it’s not just people coming in from out of Anywhere.

This is something I learned last night, but I think Before Sarabeth, we were just like a little, in house kind of

Sarah Beth Trimble: agency. I think it’s just been, there’s more streamlined process. Yes. Just from what I’ve learned, because before I could see when I came in, people were just emailing y’all individually and saying, you know, can you do this for me?

And there was, You know, because at first I was like, I didn’t know you were asked to do [00:24:00] this. Can let, let me, you know, let me get looped in or if y’all do work. So you’re just an extension, not just, and it makes, that totally diminishes your role, but you’re an extension of me. And so, you know, if there’s something I’ll send it for review and take the feedback and give it to you so you’re not, you know, getting just masses amounts of email or, or feeling that obligation to look at stuff, like I said, on your days off, let me feel that stuff for you.

But, yeah, I think we’ve streamlined is probably what you’re maybe trying to, you know, do.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Yeah, well last night we had a zoom about future careers. We did. Yeah, which and how we’re gonna look for our future careers Which was really great But just the differences between in house agency and then the new trend is kind of like an in house agency and I think that you with your agency experience has helped us become more of the In house agency, whereas before the in house stereotypes.

Yeah, you’re just being contacted any which way from anyone In the [00:25:00] company, which is how it was and now we have you

Sarah Beth Trimble: Really glad to be here and have you

McNeill Mullikin: and now a break

Sarah Beth Trimble: Just in case you don’t know, there’s another great podcast produced on Furman’s campus. The Class E podcast hosts conversations with leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship and highlights all the amazing accomplishments of students, faculty, and alumni in the Furman University family, as well as entrepreneurs and innovators around the country.

To become inspired, just subscribe to this Class E podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

McNeill Mullikin: that’s actually a really good segue for this next question because it’s all about the the benefits of this job. So how can grad assistants maximize the benefits of this job to help, further their academic and career goals?

Sarah Beth Trimble: I mean, I would hope anybody who has an opportunity for a graduate assistantship [00:26:00] takes it seriously.

Like I said, I mean, This is a real job and you have real work that is out in the world for everyone to see. And, but this is also work and experience that is going to look great on your resumes or in your portfolios, especially with the, you know, the MADC program and all you’re doing and For design or writing samples and everything that you’re going to need to go out and find jobs.

So I feel like you get benefits, you know, payment. I mean, that’s the benefit of a job you’re getting paid there. You know, there’s simple things, but as you’re kind of looking to the future, you know, this work experience will be something that you can take it, take with you, whether it’s the time management or the actual projects you’re working on.

But something you can go into an interview, talk about and show that. You know you you have experience within certain areas and and you also go into the into the future knowing what you like and what you don’t like doing in the You know in the day because you are touching so many different types of projects I mean you might [00:27:00] walk in and be like I don’t want to look at a social media content calendar ever again And you don’t want that I mean, I’m making something up, but you’re giggling.

So I’m like, that’s not what she’s really thinking. But to my future employer, you might say like, no, I want to stick with just the focus on graphic design. I would like to

Anne Heaton Sanders: stick with graphic design. Noted future

Sarah Beth Trimble: employers considering Ann Heaton. but You know, so I think it’s great in that sense, because just over the course of my 20 plus year career, I’ve tried different areas from, you know, project management to account management and been on part of the creative team.

And it’s just, you know, figuring out what you want as you learn and grow. And this is just. The beginning of the process really so, you know You guys might see other benefits that i’m not realizing but no, I

McNeill Mullikin: agree I think it’s a good way to like get your foot in the door because when I for example started in this program I came here as an online undergrad in psychology, having no experience in graphic [00:28:00] design.

I was, I like to write and I had creative writing experience, but I had no design experience at all. And so I had no connections other than my uncle, who’s been on this podcast. But, I, I, now that I’m like, Basically a year and a half in I have way more Networking connections than I ever expected and a lot of it has been because of this job and the podcast in addition to that But I think it is definitely a very good way to get your foot in the door on top of just being in the Mazda strategic design program.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Yeah, I think like the flair campaign that we just completed Fish, I think it’s completed. It’s all out in the world. Oh good It was the first time, like, I’ve, I’ve done marketing, I’ve tried to help with marketing with the graduate programs and with MazD in the past working for MARTA, but this was like the first time that I’m like, [00:29:00] like, was very real world where I have, like, I am the designer.

I am coming up with a real concept. People are paying money for this to go out into the real world. There is a creative director that is approving and disapproving and changing and I am Just completing and figuring out how to make file sizes correctly. that was great experiences and great and great experience that, I don’t think I would have been able to, experience probably without, You putting us in this position?

Sarah Beth Trimble: Well, I mean y’all are in this position first. but no, I understand what you’re saying because a lot of times you learn by doing and they feedback like I mean just the growth I’ve seen in the last three months from y’all has been tremendous and you were Great to begin with it, but it’s really even like summer and I were talking this morning, [00:30:00] as I said, Oh, you know, it’s telling the, the community engaged medicine, master of science creative is out and y’all worked on that.

And so I saw it last night and summary mentioned that she had seen it too. And we’re just talking about this. That was the one that she was really focused on while you did the, the strategic design. And she just said, Yeah. I mean, it like, after going through that whole process or anything, how good it felt to just see something like you kind of just, you have pride and you know, it’s exciting.

And like said, been doing this, what feels like forever, but I still get that feeling too. And then I see it and I’m like, clock says one of my first big, Things that I stepped in when I, you know, came to work here. But like, I also get excited for you guys to, I know how hard you worked. And so I, I see it.

And I think that first night with Mazdi, I texted y’all and I’m like the creative is on Facebook and Instagram and sent you a screenshot just because. I’m excited for you because I hope you guys feel good about the work you’re doing too. Yeah,

McNeill Mullikin: absolutely. so Sarah Beth, what have you learned from working with Furman graduate [00:31:00] assistants over the last three months?

Sarah Beth Trimble: It has been an interesting experience. I’ve, I’ve worked with interns before and not to knock any intern. Programs I’ve, I’ve seen a lot over the years in different places I worked, but, just how talented you already are. And like I said, you didn’t necessarily go to school in undergrad and intend to get into the strategic design program, but, you know, you found this interest in, you know, how skilled you already are.

and I think that’s a huge reflection of the graduate program that you’re in. Master of Arts in Strategic Design. And so that’s a really a testament to that and your professors and the program director. And, I can’t say enough about you. I’m so appreciative of you. And like, as I transitioned into this new role, like, I don’t know what I do values, like I said, Just kind of stepping into his role.

It’s been drinking a lot, fire hose a little bit, but you guys are helping me keep the, just keeping things moving. And, you’ve really stepped [00:32:00] up and, I’m just so impressed. And I think that says a lot about Furman and, you know, I’m sure. You know, obviously I’m working with the Massey students, but you know, other people would say the same thing about their respective graduate degrees program.

So, I think that’s the biggest takeaway, just how exceptionally talented you are, which is a huge Testament to Furman and specifically the Massey program.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah. I appreciate that. what advice would you give to prospective graduate students who may be considering applying for this job?

Sarah Beth Trimble: I think if somebody is curious.

It doesn’t hurt to talk about it. just come, you know, interview, talk about it, ask questions or, you know, we can get way more specific or in depth than we are just on this podcast because everybody’s needs are different and everyone has different concerns. It might be the time management. it might just be like, am I good enough to do this?

You know, whatever’s everyone’s different and what they’re thinking might be different. So you just don’t know until you, you talk to somebody and maybe just get more information [00:33:00] because. I say this about anywhere you’re interviewing. It’s not just, are you a good fit for X company? it’s, you know, are they a good fit for your life too?

You know, otherwise it’s just not going to work or somebody’s going to be very unhappy for however long. so it works both ways. So, I mean, it’s, don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you have the slightest bit of interest, because there are definitely benefits. Again, you know, money that you can put towards your tuition and, and building your portfolio.

So. I would say just reach out, ask questions and, you know, see how you feel then before making a decision that, no, I’m not good enough, or I don’t want to get involved, it’s too much time and dismiss it. Just give it a chance. Like they should, anyone who’s interested should be talking to one of you too.

Yeah. I’d be happy to talk to anybody. Like you guys are like my, the ambassadors for this program. So, yeah. You know, just ask questions and get more information before deciding that this is something that you don’t want to do or don’t have [00:34:00] time for or don’t think you’re qualified for or you just don’t know.

Yeah,

McNeill Mullikin: definitely don’t think that it’s something you wouldn’t have time for being a grad student because Anne Heaton and I and Simra now have been able to successfully pull this off for a year and a half.

Sarah Beth Trimble: I think the exception might be, and not to interrupt you, the exception might be someone who’s working full time.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And then taking these classes. Yeah. But,

McNeill Mullikin: you know. Yeah, I’m thinking like in terms of somebody who’s coming straight from undergrad like we did into this program and full time student part time employee and And and under those circumstances, it’s it’s fully manageable there are times where things are gonna get pretty overwhelming especially the first semester where it’s a it’s an adjustment period and And you’ll have your first critique if you’re a strategic design student, that kind of stuff.

So there’s a lot going on. but the, the, the deeper you get into it, the, the easier it gets for sure, especially cause you, your skills become more, developed and, things just [00:35:00] become a lot smoother. Well, and

Sarah Beth Trimble: to that end, I’ll say, I think it’s probably, you know, if you’re just starting graduate school, I would probably get wait until you’re at least one semester, you know, have that first semester under your belt, just You know, because you’re learning a lot.

There’s a lot going on. It’s a transition. It’s not the same as undergrad and so, I think having that first semester under your belt will better have you set up for success and better prepare just on many levels to come into a graduate assistantship.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah, that’s not a bad idea either. My, my story though is the exact opposite because I did this Adobe bootcamp cause I had no Adobe experience before and I was going into a design program.

So that’s probably a little shocking, but, I spent four days learning the basics, just the very rudimentary basics of Photoshop and design and illustrator. and on the. First [00:36:00] day, a former employee of this office was in there and told me about this job. And I was like, okay. And he was like, if you’d like to write, it’d be great.

And I was like, yeah, absolutely. And the job was different than, than it is now, especially because the office has, has also developed, further. But, I just applied and then literally like the next day I had an interview. So I had like very little time to even think about it. I just went, yeah, sure I’ll do this.

Cause it seemed like it was kind of similar to what I was going to be doing anyways. And it made sense. So I just, I just stepped in and just kind of, I thought at first, maybe it might be too much time, but then of course my parents are like, no, do it. And I was like, okay, fine, whatever. So I just, I just did it and didn’t really put much thought into it.

And I think that was a pretty good decision for me. Yeah.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Same. Go ahead. Jude. Yeah, it worked out. Yeah, I was

Anne Heaton Sanders: gonna ask you like what advice I mean future graduate assistants listening you will probably have time To [00:37:00] learn like you’re learning about it right now, but you’ll have time to think about it and have an application process but was about to ask you about yours because you just raised your hand at lunch one day and like yeah I’ll work here.

Were you there? I can’t remember. no, I was not there. I And, and you interviewed and, they enjoyed you. So you started working here and you were just like, okay, I’ll try it and it worked out. Yeah. On the other hand, You knew about it for a while. I truly am the guinea pig. I am not sure how the logistics of it worked out, but before I even graduated Furman as undergrad, Marta was like, this opportunity is open for you.

Here’s your job. Right. I didn’t have an interview process. I’ve, unless you count the four years I worked for Marta and was at Furman, I would come back as a very long interview process, but they were like, here’s your opportunity. Cause they knew that I really wanted to [00:38:00] be a Furman grad student, but I just financially couldn’t say yes until this was given to me.

given to me and I’m so blessed that they saw this opportunity for me. but I had a whole summer to be like prepping, like, okay, I’m going into grad school and I’m going to start a job and I can handle it all. Like just like trying to motivate myself for a whole year. Summer, but on the other hand you were just like I

McNeill Mullikin: had a weekend.

Yeah, you had a summer And I had a weekend to like mentally prep myself for a new job. I was not anticipating at all but but yeah, I know it turned out to be really good and and the job has obviously completely shifted Since that point because at that point we were just doing like some light blog posting and social media work and that kind of stuff Doing some interviews to try to we were we were guinea pigs They were still trying to help us figure out like what we were supposed to be doing They didn’t

Anne Heaton Sanders: even know exactly what we What we were capable of

McNeill Mullikin: yet or right?

Yeah, and we didn’t either

Anne Heaton Sanders: really we kind of just like stepped [00:39:00] into our own roles before sarah beth where You were suggested like hey, maybe you should start a podcast. Yeah, and I saw that there was There was no good social media presence for grad studies while I was like, Oh, this has to happen. Yeah. So the two of us kind of invented our little roles.

Yeah. Yeah. We really did. and Sarah Beth has helped us clean that up and figure out the directions that we should go in with them. Yeah, absolutely. Should be going with them.

Sarah Beth Trimble: Just a little, little structure and kind of just treating it with, you know, because you do have the real assignments and just, you know, you know, if you’re going to go into an agency, you’re going to have, you know, some project management software that’s going to tell you what your tasks are, how long you have, when they’re due, every step along the way.

And so, well, we don’t get quite that granular, you know, cause I, I try to adjust accordingly based on like the rush requests that come in or what may be going on with your class schedules. But, yeah, just, you know, and a lot of stuff, again, learning by doing, you know, doing those animated. [00:40:00] yeah, ads and everything like that was all new for y’all, but you learn by doing and everything.

So it’s just a little trial and error, but now you can add another little skill to your resume. A big skill. Not a

McNeill Mullikin: little skill. and if any grad or prospective grad assistants are, listening, they podcast. Like if I were in that position, like looking for a job like this as a grad student, I I would want to jump on that, obviously, because that’s what I’m doing now.

so, what would you be looking for in an applicant to replace the role of me? Basically, as the host and producer

Sarah Beth Trimble: of Go Further. I need to tell you that you’re, you know, you’re not replaceable.

Anne Heaton Sanders: You actually are stuck here. Setting a high bar for like the next You’re getting locked in a podcast studio. I would keep all three of you

Sarah Beth Trimble: here forever if I could.

but I don’t think that’s allowed. no, I would, I would say, you know, if you have an interest in [00:41:00] this, if you listen to podcasts or you thought about doing it, obviously we want somebody who can carry a conversation and, and obviously friendly and, and, and. Comes across as knowledgeable, even though, like, obviously you don’t know the ins and outs of all the grad programs and all the things that are

McNeill Mullikin: going on.

I am totally unqualified to talk to a lot of these people that I talk to. But you

Sarah Beth Trimble: have an interest in learning and you’re willing to do research, you know, and just, you’re open to learning new things and you just can have a good intelligent conversation with people. And that’s such a huge, part of that because, you know, when I, when I You know, is researching part of the job, interviewing process just for myself.

And I kind of want to know what things are all about. I came across the podcast and was listening to you talk to different, program directors or different professors, or you’re talking about class projects you all have. And it, it helped give me a little insight because you just. even when you weren’t as familiar with the subject, you carried the conversation well, and they ended up being really informative [00:42:00] episodes.

And so that was huge for me. And so I hope, you know, that was just, like I said, me coming into a job and kind of researching, but anybody who’s considering a graduate program or wants to know more about a specific program, these are a great, a great way to get more information. So, obviously somebody that’s comfortable just talking to other people that they may not know.

Until the day they really come in to, to record the episode. Yeah. There’s an element of the, the technology piece of it. but that can be what you don’t know, can be, taught and learned and, and everything. but just someone open minded and willing to, you know, reach out to, which is not always the most comfortable thing to do, you know?

but yeah, we, we definitely are going to. Have to, find somebody to carry this, this podcast through, after you graduate and. So that’ll be a big thing. So hopefully there are some people who are interested in, [00:43:00] in, doing something like this,

McNeill Mullikin: we’re going to need to find another radio voice. But kind of like, you Simran and me, like we all have these different skill sets and I think, the podcast doesn’t have to be just one person.

Like. There’s a lot that goes into it, like the collaboration with the other departments and then all the production that goes on during and afterwards. Doesn’t have to be all just one person. Like it is me, like it’s like, there could be somebody that is really good with the editing and the software and all of that.

And then somebody that just carries on the conversation, does the research. You know, it doesn’t have to be a one man show.

Anne Heaton Sanders: McNeil doesn’t. Yeah, you don’t have to be the one doing all the research, and the one talking, and doing the editing, and bringing the equipment, and setting up the cameras. And, helping me with social media by editing your own reels, and then I post them.

Sarah Beth Trimble: I’m feeling terrible about my answer now. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. [00:44:00] No, no, no, no. I mean, obviously. No, no, no. And you’re bringing a very good point. It does a great job. I’m just kind of thinking about the person who’s, who’s gonna be behind the mic and doing the questioning kind of thing, or maybe scheduling this, but, So I’ve mentioned other aspects, but no, you guys are right. I’m just feeling like I gave a terrible answer. No, no, no,

Anne Heaton Sanders: not at all.

McNeill Mullikin: Not at all. I was just

Anne Heaton Sanders: adding to it. No, I know. Like, learning how to, like, lean on each other’s graduate assistants, whoever you are, because McNeil started his podcast and I said, well, how are we going to let people know you have a podcast?

Like it’s got to be seen. So that’s where we work together. And I was like, video, it’s got to happen. Yeah. here are the resources on campus so that we can start advertising your podcast. And, I helped edit videos for a while, but now McNeil’s gotten really good at So I’m able to

McNeill Mullikin: realize it’s very similar to audio editing.

So I didn’t have to, it wasn’t that big of like a learning curve, but you can do video.

Anne Heaton Sanders: You can do audio guys promote them. Yeah. [00:45:00] Yeah. So, it can be lots of people can be one person. Yeah. The Massey students out there, if you’re listening, I mean, I know you know how to do the little bits now, grab your friends and you together, you’ll can produce something great.

McNeill Mullikin: Some are communications majors too, that come into the, the, like, like the newer cohort, for example, like a lot of them were communication undergrads. And so this is kind of something that would be right up their alley, I would

Sarah Beth Trimble: assume. Well, and I’ll go so far as to say on top of that, it may be somebody from an entirely different program who is really in a podcast.

I mean, you. Had your, I mean, had your own thing going on your own podcast outside of this, that you’ve done. So you were, you know, comfortable stepping into this role. There may be somebody else out in another program and they’re comfortable doing this too. So this could be part of their role. And like you said, then you lean on the other people for maybe some more of the technical stuff or whatever.

So it’s not limited to MADSD by any stretch of the imagination. But I mean, that’s a natural [00:46:00] fit, but we’re open to anyone.

McNeill Mullikin: And usually I would say it is the case that multiple people are kind of like taking on different roles of a podcast. Like usually there’s a team of people that kind of collaborate on it together and, distribute the tasks out to whoever’s good at what, you know, could be anything, but, it just happened to be that I had been doing a podcast myself for a while and I just did it all.

And so that’s just what I’ve kind of been doing here and Anne Heaton’s done the social media for it. But, but yeah, like the, the, the. Responsibilities that go in behind this could easily be divided up to two or three people. 100 percent Yeah. But I think, that covers everything that I had unless, do either of you have any final thoughts for today’s conversation?

Sarah Beth Trimble: You know, if anyone is interested in a graduate assistantship, I would say just because our needs, again, a lot is coming [00:47:00] from the Massey program. Go speak to Marta Laniere and, you know, she’ll work with us. And if you’re from another program, you know, feel free to reach out to me or anyone else in the grad studies office or your program director, and we’ll see what these are, whether it’s.

It’s here or it’s somewhere else on campus. we’ll see what’s out there and it’s, it’s a great opportunity no matter what program you’re in. So we’re looking, the search begins. Yeah. Oh yeah. Am I making it official? Bye. Nice putting this out in the world.

Anne Heaton Sanders: Yes. Yes. I’m start screaming outside the office. I mean you get to come work with me.

We’re hiring, we’re hiring, yes. Sarah Beth needs new minions. Oh my gosh. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. No, I like to think I’m good to work with. You are, I’m kidding. I hope I’m good to work with. No, minions is a compliment. I love Despicable Me.

Sarah Beth Trimble: I’m here

McNeill Mullikin: for you. I don’t, I would say it’s not a compliment. I don’t like those

Anne Heaton Sanders: movies.

Okay. Erase me. [00:48:00] I think it would be just like, ask questions. Mazdi, obviously in equity studies, community engaged medicine. If you’re not. So busy teaching if you can make it work anybody out there like ask questions because Furman this this is a new ish position Furman is small. There are people who need help all over campus.

We have two other friends that are graduate assistants that aren’t in this office And they’re doing great work and they were able to find a place and, benefit from it and other people are benefiting from their help. so it never hurts to ask questions. I mean, that’s how I ended up in this job as well.

I, I asked enough questions when I was thinking about this program and somebody saw, you know, This need and it’s really exciting that it can open up to so many other people.

McNeill Mullikin: Yeah. Yeah, for sure Well, I think that [00:49:00] covers everything for today So thank you sarah beth and and heaton for joining me today on this episode of go further Thank you for listening to today’s episode.

I hope you found our conversation to be enjoyable and insightful Don’t forget to follow us on our social media pages and tune in next time You can find links to all of our platforms in the description below and most importantly remember Remember to go further.