Welcome to Coffee Talk…a Venue Managers Guide
May 17, 2022

4.7 - Saying Goodbye is the Hardest Part (To People, Not the Podcast)

Today Coffee Talk hosts, Sarah & TJ, are interviewed by the APCC's 5 student workers/intern/basically family. Join them as Sofia, Ruth Ann, Jimmy, (other) Sarah, and Megan ask the questions, hear the tales of past, present, and future, as well as the sage wisdom learned throughout their old, long lives.

SARAH, TJ, AND THE STUDENTS CHAT ABOUT

  • How Sarah and TJ got into the events industry, their schooling experiences, and past jobs
  • Advice for young people figuring out what to do with their lives and finding the right workplace environment
  • Sarah and TJ's favorite clients and events
  • Sarah and TJ's current professional development and future aspirations
  • Common misconceptions about Sarah and TJ's positions
  • A few fun bonus questions!

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Transcript
Rude. Hello, and welcome to the season four finale of Coffee Talk. This episode. Are you grinning like an idiot?
Just actually how did you get here? Now, to see this episode is going to look a little different than normal.
We're all student workers at the APC, and today we will be taking over as the hosts of Coffee Talk with T.J.
and Sarah being our guests for the day. Yeah, yeah, I got
I got listed first and say this morning, alphabetical order. Yeah. This is the first day. Like me better.
You're supervisor. I would hope that they would like you better, Sarah, because Stuckey is the director of the IPCC where she oversees.
Oh, why do I say it, Ron? It's cross desk here. I've never seen.
She's like that three times as much as you'd like her time crouton. How is it? Like, three times that that hard getting lost?
I said cry just to testify in crouton areas as Chris sticky my fear crash is so anyway. Okay. Moving on.
Where she oversees all aspects of the operation, she began working here in the summer of 2009 and caught the industry bug.
During this time she had the opportunity to expand her knowledge and have been my bio on the website by attending and graduating from the Ivy
and the new Man Management School back in October of 2012,
she transitioned to an Associate Director position for Chartwells Catering at Texas A&M University to continue her experience and business interests.
What's at stake? She returned to the conference center as the manager in the summer of 2015.
In February of 2017. She stepped in as interim director until June of 2018
when she accepted the director's position. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, game nights, family
movie nights and entertainment provided by a sarcastic ten and four year old. That's an understatement.
Yeah, I know friends isn't. You're looking at them
and they're really nice to me because I pay them. Please. So for me,
T.J. Hefti is originally from Houston, Texas, and joined the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center in 2018.
She has over ten years of experience in various service industry roles and is excited to bring those skills to Texas A&M University.
T.J. has her School of Certified Meeting Professionals certification as well as a certified professional and management certification
and her free time, she enjoys creating art, exploring and supporting local cuisines and spending time with her family
You can see why don't you just put on there? I just like to eat
I like food. I mean, food price tag. Yeah. Elastic waistline.
So for I know some flak jacket. Sorry, Jimi, you just got to jump in there.
You got to be louder than this one. Okay. Whoa. First question. How did you get into the events industry?
I'm not really reading my bio Are you? I mean, I'm sure there was some leap from your studio arts degree into events.
I really want to call you a name right now, but apparently I'm not allowed to. This has got to be censored. Like, what was your first job experience?
My first job? No. Like, in the events industry are like your first experience in the events industry where you liked it
where you didn't even have to like it. Right. So after college, I moved here,
and it's very difficult to get a job post college, especially with an arts degree when you don't use your degree.
So one of the second no excuse me, third jobs I got when I was here was over at Brier Crest Country Club.
And I worked in the tennis shop as the assistant to the tennis pro. Along with that, I was able to start working on and engaging more of the youth
excuse me. So I planned, like, these camp outings, coordinated tournaments.
Why are you looking at me like that? You engaged the youth in youth. I'm trying. Yes, I was. There was a youth program.
They are youth, so she sounds really cool. Yeah. I think when someone says something fun, I just stare at the camera.
Like in the office. Yes. Michael, can you just write your story? So the youth program.
But it was separate because I, like, created a new thing that was like nights out. So it was like parents night out type thing before Power Sports did it.
Yeah. So anyway, so I really enjoyed that. I didn't like working with the catering aspect of it because chef, there was not very nice.
But anyway, so when I found the job here, um, it was a secretarial job.
And when I started my husband at the time was getting his dissertation and I would stay and I would volunteer to help with events and I just,
I got really interested in the setups, the logistical side of things, logistics, is always kind of been my thing. Um, because I don't like being, although this is totally against
exactly the podcast, but I don't like being in the forefront of things. I like to be behind. Yeah. Um,
so anyway, so I just, I started volunteering, helping, and started learning more. And then within a year, I became an assistant manager and I started doing a lot more business, working with clients, booking
basically everything T.J. does now. Um, but little less because T.J.
actually does a lot more. Um, so, so, yeah, I just, I really enjoyed it. And then I went on to catering because it seemed like a natural
progression because I was not going anywhere here. Well, to learn all aspects of it. Facility, catering, front of house.
Yeah. Well, I mean, I have a little bit of experience in everything except for floral design. I try. I don't have a green thumb in the closet right now.
You can take they have a class here. You can take you can even get the green floral design brand has for you.
Yeah. Is it okay? Fine. Anyway, so that is how I got into the industry.
I needed a job. I look for a design here, and she design flowers
for a party at my church, and it tells I don't know how to tell her.
Like she took an entire class. She passed. I guess so. Are you sure? Like, so long that they were, like, falling over and.
Yeah, it's like that's like a passing learning Maybe she maybe it was a choice.
It was it on the side and not actually part of the class, because if you like, order into the class, he checks up before they leave. Yes, it was on the side. It wasn't like that.
All classes, same thing. You just apply what you would use for assignment. Do you not do this as a normal job?
So for our next question. What? What do you mean? Ha ha ha. Why did I get that question?
So the first question is. Okay. You need to answer that. Yeah. You should should like the question.
You have to answer this. Well, I got here the second one, the first one, and then they can do whatever tag team they want
what? Okay. Yeah, just answer it. How did I get into events?
I started bartending. That was my first job outside of babysitting. So right out of high school, got a bartending job,
and for some reason, they put me in charge of finding talent. So then I was in charge or in charge of.
So have a company. I enjoy things going on.
You know, that was after. That was after, um, yeah. Like booking karaoke bands for Toronto night
bands for just about anything. Um, yeah, were you a performer?
No, I don't sing. Like, I don't. You don't do karaoke? No. Why not?
No stage fright. I try to do karaoke one really? Right now? Yeah. This is different because I know y'all, but like a roomful of strangers
gives me anxiety really bad, does it? That's really surprising. That was not yelling you walked up to the microphone at the podium.
Mic check, the Stephanie, no beverages in. Yeah. That's like an authoritative position, though. That's not like a it's like power I.
I might have to see these people again at some point judging your sales skills, protecting hearing events. So, yeah, so that's really how I got into events.
And it just kind of grew from there, from bartending job to bartending job to bar managing.
Um, yeah. And then I went into catering and that wasn't by my choice.
That's where I found her. That was a, that was a forced hand by my ex-husband.
Yeah. Because apparently bartenders have a bad rap of doing bad things, and I'm like, Yeah, I don't do that.
So how many bartenders has he been with? All of them? Probably my whole state,
my career for days. I mean, he's been out anyways. That's not we're here to talk about. Um, so then I got into catering and then Sara poached me from catering
it wasn't really a hard place, so because I was like not happy in catering, which seems to be a subtle about it was, you know,
because I didn't really know you that well at the time. Because you just started coming over doing events here. But she was not. I was the only one allowed in the building to tell people.
Spectator Yeah, but yes. So she hadn't been here very long
and she was not quiet about her frustrations. And so I just started talking to her more and more and more about them.
And then I kind of got to know more about what she was doing or had done previously. Um, and she was just talking about frustrations with scheduling
and things like that. So I told her we were going to have a position available and I told her to apply.
I don't think we really had anybody else that was even worth while. It was,
I hate to say that, but yes, Slim Pickens so she got, she got stuck with me. Well, I mean, like, it wasn't like
she wasn't underqualified by any stretch of the imagination. And she had really great customer service and she was very easy to work with.
And sometimes I still wonder that. But, you know, from the client side, you're great. Yeah.
And when I was in catering, y'all were like a client. Yes, that's true. Very nice. Yeah. Um, yeah. So I did poker.
She came with a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience, and I don't know, I feel like the only selling point I had
was that you could go pick up camera and everything. That's fair.
I mean, it goes a long way. Not you're going to love this. It's great. You know, like, if you really want to learn this, I know.
It's like you can pick Cameron up every day and then come back. Sold yeah.
It's important. It is. Yeah. I'm a big firm believer in work life balance.
So for the next question, what was yours experience with schooling and how did it prepare you for the job you have today?
Did it? Yeah. Why are you laughing? You want to take that one? So I went to the school of hard knocks.
Yeah, there was no formal training. There is. I take that back. Okay.
I did two years at a community college going for business management. But by the time I had decided to go, I had already managed
and owned businesses. So it was kind of, Oh, what's the point? Um, so I feel like the real life
experience did me a lot more than college could have. Yeah, let's just me stay in school, kids.
You know, I'm a firm believer in, like, if you want to take, do,
like, a trade, do a trade. Like, if you know what you wanna do, do trade. Yeah, there's a school for that. Yeah. So that's what I'm saying. Like, if that's what you want, do it.
Like, I might agree, the only reason I even have a college degree is because I played soccer in college. I was ready to quit after my sophomore year.
I would have done, I would have been more like T.J. I had no problem working. I enjoyed working.
I've been working since I was 16. I even worked through college while playing. I just to me, yes, I am liberal arts degree
in studio art, and I don't use it for anything, she said. But she doesn't think that is true.
I mean, I don't even paint only works. I got time and kids. But so I mean, there is in
my opinion, as far as schooling goes, if you know what you want to do and you like a specific trade I would say go to a trade school.
There are some obviously, you know, jobs where you have to have a college education, you know, and there's just no way around it.
But I think it's more just like growing as a person. That's what college is good for. It's like a different parent,
but with the prison. So what trade school would you have gone to? None. None.
Just no school at all. You just go straight to work. My mom. Yeah, she was like, you know, kid going to college and finish. I was like, yeah, whatever. I would just going to work. I have been like, T.J.,
you eventually figure out what you want to do, what your niche is. The more the older you get and the more you understand who you are as a person
and what your interests are, then you find those things. You you know, I mean, I got accepted into the Cosmetology Institute
or the Aveda Institute for Cosmetology in Conroe when they first opened, and I was going to have a free ride scholarship.
And then I lived with my sister for two weeks, and I was like, never mind just getting this older sister. Yeah.
Like, I love her to death. We're great, but we can't live together. I mean, I still benefit from that. She still cuts my hair. There you go. She still waxes my eyebrows. I benefit from it,
you know? Yeah. That's like, who else is waxing your eyebrows? Was this when you had a buzzcut with things
after? Yeah, I had the Chelsea, the Chelsea, the Chelsea. That's the Chelsea. It's Bangs. And the rest.
Your head is shaved. What color was it? Uh, at that time, I think it was hot pink, but
I had it green and orange and all colors. Yeah, this is when we insert the photo,
and I got a hold of those. This is going to go through Facebook. It's. It's just making you just stop making yourself public.
Money. It's an archived photo, but I can send it. Yeah, I can. I can't wait. Yes. All righty.
Um, what is your favorite part about this job compared to past jobs? You've been in
do you have any favorite parts? Um, truthfully, I'm going to let you take that since I'm
creating all the crap that happens below, because there's also a space to complain
say space these, um, look, if you don't like.
So so obviously, management is far less toxic than any of the other jobs that I've been,
um, far less, far less completely Well, I mean,
you have your moments things, but, um, and getting to actually
help create the environment that we work in,
you know, like getting to know y'all is not like getting to know the students. It's like talking to yourself you know.
Yeah. And getting to actually do fun stuff and get to know all these people and like, all these great things that you are going to do in the future. I mean,
yeah, we lived through all that's the fun stuff for me that I didn't get. I mean, you know, a bartender, you're just babysitting people,
you know, that's not really like, it's fun to a certain extent. But it's not like, Oh, I could do this for the rest of my life.
Nobody wants to do that the rest of the year. I imagine some people do it stress
on people. That's all they do. I mean, that's fine, but at some point you reach an age limit, you should probably have life insurance.
And like regular insurance yes. Yeah. Um, so, yeah, really, it's, it's all, it's the environment.
It's what makes it so enjoyable. Sure. I'm big on that word.
Culture cultural connecting with people. Thank you. Matt Upton. I think we have good culture.
I hope so. I feel like it ruins y'all for I tell I. Yes, I tell ya. I told you all that before.
Yes. Because it's a unique work environment that you might not be able to find anywhere.
You say it ruins but honestly, I probably would have gotten into my first job and been okay with whatever, like abuse, for lack of a better word, came with it.
You know, like, it's your first job, and you're like, low on the hierarchy of power or whatever, but you should never be treated
like a minion. Exactly. Like with this job, it it gives me an idea of what I need to look for. I know I can't find something exactly like it, but it's such your standard.
Yes, I have more self-respect. But keep that line when you go into an interview, because in an interview, not only are they interviewing you, you're interviewing them yes.
So ask those questions. Make sure you're asking those questions when you're in an interview. What is the culture like here?
Who you know, is there any division or teams or what's the collaboration like? I mean, make sure you're asking those questions.
So, you know, because, I mean, if you don't think that their responses are going to match with what you're looking for, they don't do it.
Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. She's doing all that right now. Yeah, yeah. Interviewing all those labs today.
Yeah. Yeah. I remember you saying you would run me on my first day. Yes. I like you seem pretty happy.
Go Lucky Sunshine. Well, ruined that. No, I didn't say it like that. You know, that's exactly what you said.
You I actually really. I was just like, oh, that's really refreshing.
It's really refreshing to have in the office. Hey, I'm going to put this on record. They didn't say that to you.
Do you mind? Okay, I'll text you tonight. Okay. Forget September ten.
Wonderful. Okay, so she is telling. I shouldn't make sure because she didn't want anyone else told that they would be too happy. Go lucky for the office because I definitely was in total
universe today. T.J. was surprised when I showed up. We came in, she said, you'll fit right in.
It was a little different because you did Zoom interview, didn't you? Yeah, I did. You say I did, too. Yeah, I think everybody did.
As you mentioned, I'm not special because Raven's one year anniversary is coming up on the 17th.
That's crazy. Uh, since October. Yeah. And so hers was in person. No, no, it was.
Both of mine were on. Yeah, because I had talked with you over Zoom. Yeah. I didn't talk to him. She's in the minority right now.
I remember talking to Jimmy. He didn't talk to me. Definitely don't talk to me. I talked to James. Yeah, let me talk to Jimmy.
I've heard about James. Oh, poor James will never forget. Is that James here? So I said, know. I know.
I think I saw him at the party that it was really. All it came down to was a schedule. Yeah, it was better. No, I'd still been here with Jimmy, though, but
you interact with James, though. You were friends. Except James remembers more
let's look into the camera. Crews.
What next? Yeah, who? They got to share the microphone. I was holding it right. You know, it's.
It's fine. Oh, okay. The next question is, can you see yourself working this same job until you retire?
But would you prefer just to spend time here and then move on to a different job slash path?
Varying, of course, how difficult it would be. Yeah. Would you take that job
every year? But I want to do for the rest of your life crisis. Yeah, right. So my my evaluation last year, the dean asked me that he's like,
what do you what do you think you're going to do in five years? I was like, I don't know, like, get through it. Literally, ask me about like when I first started working here,
you asked me that, like, I don't know, every six months. What's your life plan? Well, because at the time you were an entry level position,
and I never envisioned those entry level positions to be more than two years. And it was one of the things that I've been very vocal
about in the very beginning when you guys applied for them, was that this is not meant to be a life long
job position. Well, industry wise. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Because I answered the question.
I don't know, truthfully, I'm just right now trying to get through life with a four year old who doesn't listen and a ten year old who, oh, you're going back to grad school.
I thought about it, but that requires me to go back to painting and finishing my portfolio because in order to apply, I have to have a 50 piece portfolio.
And it's just, you know, there's a lot of things I've thought about, but until Paxton gets older, I don't have that
thought. When it gets to a point, I will say this when it gets to a point where I don't feel like I'm making a difference or we're not making a difference
and we become stagnant, then I would move on. But right now, there's so many things that we're doing, collaborating as a staff,
I mean, especially all the things that T.J. comes up with that is very inclusive and diverse and things like that. And then all the marketing things that Jamie does and all the stuff
that Michael's trying to do with upgrades and Steven now and like working a lot closer with you guys and revamp in the event internship.
Again, there's things that are still exciting. So when it becomes less exciting and I basically become stagnant
and no longer challenging myself, then I don't want to be here I think that's a good way to measure it. Yeah, I don't have a term.
Yeah, well, she always stays busy. Busy bothering you. She doesn't get bored in my office.
T.J., you get that text message. Do you read that article? Um, I want to go to mortuary school.
Yes, she does. So weird. Makes so much sense. What is? She wants to stuff dead people.
Oh, my God. What is it? She wants to stop dead people. She wants people. That's not real.
But they have like and, like, put makeup on mommy and all the guys. She wants to run her own funeral home. In fact, she already has a contact.
She's working on trying to figure it out. Have you not seen her around? Halloween? I'm still new.
I don't know how long I'll be. So I want to go to mortuary school to make a difference.
Right. Um, because the way I see it is a funeral is just an event, right? So I feel like they're correlated with what I'm doing now.
But I want there to be more like death positivity around it. And you've ever been to a funeral in this town or had to plan one?
It costs. Yeah. Houses and salons and thousands of dollars and even just a cremation.
I mean, you're looking at 20 $500 right off the bat. And this community and so many other communities, people can't afford that.
And so it's like it's creating. And I feel like a social gap between those the haves and have nots.
So I feel like providing a lower cost service to people would be a lot better and have it more
family involved like it used to be before we had funeral directors that were doing a 90% markup on a coffin that you can get off
walmart.com for like 1500 dollars, you can buy coffin. You can remember the day she figured that out coffins.
She got so excited and people add to cart
save their education around like what you can and can't do when it comes to the funeral industry and the laws in Texas.
And so I feel like being able to educate people more and that would be great
because you can purchase a coffin offline or a casket I'm sure have it has them now
have it delivered with overnight freight to the funeral home. The funeral home is not allowed to charge you for having it freighted
like there's it's supposed to be no cost related to it, but they still try to and then they try really well, you have to be embalmed.
No, you don't like I mean, there's just so much that people aren't educated on that I would love to be able to.
What's the difference between a coffin and a casket? The shape, the
most caskets are lined with metal. Most are really interesting. I thought, you know, coffins were more wood, weren't they?
Yeah, that's super cool. I hear coffin and I think vampires are here.
Casket. I think people. Yep. That's fair. That's really cool. I don't know anything about the funeral home, so.
So what? I understand. So when you talk to them, it's a one sided conversation. You're not giving them anything about yourself.
They're telling you everything about their life. So I'm gathering and those little monthlies talking about,
oh, in our monthly meetings, we talk about them as I'm saying. So, like, these are not how I don't understand how this hasn't come up in conversation.
It has. It's mostly just me. It's news to me, myself to
that's what it's there for. I'm like, Yeah, life is kind of crazy. Do you always tell us, like, the crazy stories?
Crazy stories, but like your funny stories, like from the past, like, it's fun to hear about your future you know?
Yeah, because we want to see y'all grow, too. So basically, she's going to she's going to own a bar.
She's going to turn everyone to an alcoholic. She's going to kill them off one by one with the liver. And then she's going to a funeral home. So how about we put this on records?
This guy ends up dead. They're going to come looking for me. Is this current investment
welcome wagon this time started at 1230. It's day. I went to my phone and I had like 20 minutes. Call
you you guys panicked. We were actually worried more than anything. Yeah. Yeah, you did. Yeah.
I was like, I need a proof of life. Yeah, I'm here. Yeah, so that's what I want to do in the future.
And, you know, I can be fun. Maybe more of, like, a funeral planner versus a funeral director.
Where people can come to me and be educated. What the hell is a difference? That's what a director should do. No director like controls are, basically, but I guess a planner are more like,
yeah, but like you. So a director also has to have their certification in embalming. Oh, and I don't believe in that.
Yeah. Is embalming the that's like the preservative? Yes. And the only reason why it why was it know?
Let me tell you. No, please do not let her get on her soapbox. How many questions?
It's confusing to me because don't you want the body still, like, decompose? It's a joke, but people are vain.
And so who's going to dig up? Don't ask then. Anyways, it was used back in civil wars when it was first created to be able
to transport preserved bodies back home when they died in the battlefield. That makes more sense.
And people continue to use it because they're vain. And it was created by the funeral home industry
as a place of like, you need to do this and you don't need to do that. Yes, yes.
Actually, civil war cemeteries actually are the ground is poisoned because there's so much formaldehyde in it.
Yep. Anyways, so moving forward, different generations
educated so this next right there jack of all trades
Jill that while trades in a master of none, your deal of all trades better than being a master of one
can they so this next this next question
kind of you'll seem to have already answered it but it says did you have any trouble figuring out what you wanted to do with your life
if so, do you have any advice for young people in any and all stages of life who are unsure of what they want to do?
I'm still trying to figure it out. Try it all. Yeah, try it all. If you have even an inkling of, Hey, I kind of enjoy doing this,
then look into it more, try it out, get a job in that industry, get an internship, talk to people like
immerse yourself in all of the things, like leave no stone unturned. But what if you get an internship and you're like, I like this,
but I don't really want to do it and leave? You don't think it's wasted time? No, no. Because you figured out what you don't want.
Yeah, that's the whole point. That's one thing I like about internships. That I wish I would have done one in college because to me, internship was always business or accounting or like,
you're just basically getting coffee. Yes. But the whole point of an internship is that you're treated like a full time employee.
So that way you get the full experience of a full time employee. And so you can determine, learn those skills, determine whether this is the right fit for you.
This is what you want to do long term. That is the best thing about an internship if you find the right one.
I am just like T.J., I agree with that. 100%. Try all the things. If you're interested in something and you can
you know, financially do it or whatever the case may be, do it. You're not. This is your life.
I'm going to go on my soapbox here, but is your life to do what you want? And if you think you want to do something that doesn't work out, you don't don't care about what anybody else thinks.
It's not a failure. No. Because you learn something. Exactly. Whether it's relationships or jobs.
Or anything. If you learn something from it, it's not a failure. Bars,
bars, slave. Like, I don't know what that means. I don't know what it means.
Like a word like you're spitting bars. You're you're spitting good ones in my really getting the whole
what habits the list of the lingo I was supposed to get because I all I know now is better and now I'm learning bars.
That's no, I'm not like talking to bartenders like go to. But that's what I know. Yeah. No, like, you're spitting out my first bartending job.
Yes. You go talk to them. Yeah, I set up they're not old enough to drink and ask like annoyed the crowd of the bartenders and ask them all how do you make this?
How do you make that? Like, why did you do that? Yeah, but anyways, bars are also good
to meet different people moving forward. What advice to me,
I'm just glad to have your shoes on in the know. Yeah. Basically,
what advice do you have about finding the best work environment or how to find a work environment that fits you?
Like the culture um. Well, I mean, I can only,
so I feel that this a lot. I did, but I learned from the environments I was in.
What I didn't want. So when I left here the first time, it was because I couldn't take the environment anymore.
And then I also wanted to learn something new because I had no room for growth. So when I went to catering, I made it like a year
and four or five months before, I was like, Yeah, I'm over this because they weren't nice. They didn't care about family
and at the time I had Keagan, who was two and a half. And so of course I made the jump to the beer industry, which was stupid.
But I did accounting in there and I really enjoyed it because I was able to make a big difference on the side.
But then I learned how much I don't like it because, you know, no offense to you, sorry, but it was a very male field filled world
and too many things were allowed to be said in fly off the handle and there was really no, um,
repercussions for any of the actions, so there was no protection of the other employees. And so I was, I tried the best I could
while I was there, but then I just got tapped out because there was a lot of drama a lot of drama that comes with alcohol.
Um, but at the time in those two jobs it was because I unfortunately made the choice based on money
and yes, well, money gets you only so far. It's not going to make your work environment happy.
So you have to take a lot of things into consideration, not just the financial means of it, but yes, you have to pay your rent
and all those kinds of things and you have responsibilities. But even if it means you're doing a job that you love, it doesn't pay squat.
You need a second job, do it. Um, well, I've heard that multiple forms of income
is the best way to like side businesses. Yes, stuff like that. She's got like four.
Um, passed. I hustle. Yeah. For real. That's school hard knocks. Yeah. Um, but like I said earlier to you than ask the questions
if you truly want to know what that culture is like and if they actually give you an opportunity to walk around and meet people.
Like, we always give everyone a tour here and I let them talk to somebody else when they're doing the tour so they can ask somebody those questions in a non-threatening environment,
ask the questions of the people that work there, you know, what's your favorite part about here? What do you think about the culture here?
You know, how do you feel like working with these people or what is it like as far as if there are important things to you?
Like, for example, with T.J. and Cameron, if there are things that are that important to you that you have to have it in your job, you have to ask those questions.
Don't be afraid to ask those questions because you don't owe them anything. They don't necessarily owe you anything.
But if it's not a right fit for you, don't do it. Don't stress yourself out in the agony of a potential negative environment
and then, you know, feel like you're pigeonholed to that job because you accepted it and you're too afraid to quit.
And yeah, I don't care. I've left jobs after two weeks. That sounds like something I would do. I've quit all of my job. Yes, except this one.
I'm sure it's coming soon. No, no, but and that's another thing today
when we when we look at applications or resumes, I'm not always looking at longevity at a job
because unless, for example, they've been in ten jobs in the last like eight months, then there's a problem.
But if they've been in like five jobs in the last five or six years or maybe even a little bit longer, there's reasons for it.
If you can see titles and responsibilities change and there's a progression, there's a reason why. So those are the things you have to look at on your resumes.
Or even when you're putting in your resume. Um, so I mean, I think it's just
my only advice would be just ask all the questions. I was a long way in saying that, but ask questions. And if, you know, people that work
for that company or work in that office, talk to them. You know, I mean, even look at what Glassdoor does, reviews
I mean, research the company. Yeah. See, because if people are unhappy, they're going to put it out there
look and see if they do have a business Facebook page, because sometimes they'll post things like, you know, company outings or
like if people are involved in stuff like do they actually promote their employees and they celebrate their employees, their accomplishments, things like that.
LinkedIn like as much as I hate social media, it's much easier for you guys to get a hold of things a lot quicker.
Whereas I, in my day was going blind.
You and your pager, I did have a pager and a pager when I was in.
I was, you know, we don't need to know for the eighth grade time. Yeah. And of yourself until I was 16 when I started working for myself slave.
Yeah, I know. That means really got an appeal thing lit up like the big ones.
I'll send you pictures. You just see the cases back then. That was funny. The briefcase. So my grandma had, you know.
Yes, the briefcase, but it was like a satellite cell phone. The clueless purse that had the like, you know,
you could see it in the little know. I didn't have that anyways. Yeah, okay. I wasn't girl till I was an adult.
Okay. Now for a more fun question, I feel like I'll give me all the really fun ones if you could have any client on speed dial, who would they be?
Client? Yes. Oh, this is like asking the dean and Dr. Ashley question.
I can't answer client like a specific person or a type of client.
I think specific person. I think it has to be specific. I'm a go, Kelly, but I'm a caller out. Kelly.
Kelly Robbins. Interestingly, my favorite is Mary. Well, yeah. I mean, I figured you would pick her, so I didn't pick Mary.
There's several, though. Kelly. Cassandra. Well, what would you say for type of. Yeah, yeah.
Um, the ones that match my personality you can work with that's being diverse and being able
to work in different environments. You can work with everyone. I know. I can tell the ones that don't like no.
For me, that's better than I to wreak havoc. I mean, I think my favorite type is ones that, like,
even if you don't have a complete idea of what you're doing, just being open minded and not being so pigeonholed to something like Holly.
Yes, like Holly. Holly has an idea, you know, graduate. She's like, oh, well, you have to, you know, get together and actually
figure out what we did two years ago when we had graduation ceremonies. Like they graduate. Yes.
But the ones that are being like that aren't lax, relaxed and aren't overly stressed, the ones who come on site that are like super stressed about the littlest things.
And it's like it's going to start when it starts. Like it's okay. Like the buildings are burning down, like,
you know, and I don't mind working with those clients. It's nice to be able to alleviate somebody's stress, but
I just think for me, it's the ones that are just open minded to things. And while they may have other people that they have to report to that
have an expectation, um, being able to say, you know what, that's not a bad idea. Let me see what they say. And if they don't wanna do, that's fine.
Great. No big deal. But at least being kind, professional, open minded
and communicative, a decent person in general, a human being
what you. So you said Kelly. Yeah. Sandra Holly. Yeah. I mean, I would say all of them. I love all.
I mean, I like all of our clients. I do too. So it's not like any one particular one because every, every person is different.
You know, every client is different. Every is different no matter if you've done it. Sometimes it's nice to have those clients where
you have to help them a little bit more. And then I feel more useful, you know, like give you an hour of purpose.
All the needy clients go to T.J. and Steven. So, you know, I mean, it just depends because I mean, it it changes.
It changes. It's yeah. I'm not a hand holder. I will tell you that as much as I love what I do, I'm not a hand holder.
If you come to me like educating people. Yeah, well, when you're a grown adult, I don't want to educate you. It's different when you're a student,
someone who has had a lot of work experience. If you've been doing your job for 15 years and I still have to hold your hand, no, I'm done. That can go along with work culture.
Well, you don't like holding people's hands. She's fine with holding people's hand. Like you need a little bit of everything. Absolutely.
Oh, why is your handle sweaty?
Good grief. Yes. That's another thing about the office environment as far as the culture goes.
A little bit of everything. Diversity. Yeah, I don't know everything. I depend on them and their expertize.
I'm not afraid if they know things more than me, that's another thing. Yeah, I could care less. I showed her how to change the rotas on her. Jenna. She did.
My dad literally was like, You need to ask teacher about your dishwasher. Because he doesn't assume that you do something about everything she does.
It doesn't turn on that. Doesn't need. They plugged in it, is it? It's been working this whole time.
Was it plugged in? Yeah. Anyways, yes. My goodness. Yeah.
Okay, so out of all the events you've done here, which ones have made an impact on you or made you think about life differently?
If any thing those I they're or yours theirs was pandemic
always always always forever be the pandemic of it. Yeah. Yeah. Really? What is that?
Yeah, this. They weren't so because we had COVID right after because they predicted the pandemic and it happens. Yeah. So doing go craft institute took
that's not awkward they've been fighting with the so so we run out Scowcroft Institute
hosts or hosted the pandemic summit. They will still every year
I think they rotate between here and they do so they do the fall here usually in October in our building and they do the spring sometime in late
March and in DC Leslie and Loren let me wear a train conductor's hat and they were like,
you're just going to run it. Like if people start going over you need to get them out. Like they gave me like more power than I should have had.
I didn't get to use it, but I did get to sit and like the front seat she did and watch and like it was, it was like, yeah, yeah.
One minute, yeah. Seconds. I got to get off the stage. Yeah, you're done some really fun, but I'm talking Mike down at the
what is it the like the yeah, the shepherd's hook. So actually getting to sit and listen to it, it was very informative.
I mean, the student panel that they did at the very end, all the experts that they had come and talk and they predicted which they had apparently been doing for years,
if there was going to be a pandemic where it was going to come from, how it was going to spread what we should do, what we should do, what the U.S.
response actually would be. And like all of the holes and gaps in the guidelines
they had for it, currently, and that was in October.
And then the pandemic. And then here in January, February and February, it started spreading and then by March, it was here.
And actually from that summit is what their experts
were able to take to Washington to lobby for a change in their regulation. And that's
what had Natsios say within months of it, they were able to get a bill, an emergency bill signed into law.
And that's how the FDA was able to expedite vaccinations while
so if you haven't listened to the podcast with Natsios, the espresso shot, I highly recommend you do, because he's been here a long time and now is what he does.
And he's the one that has been putting this event on. And when the first year I did it, Michael was very heavily involved.
And I was like, you know, how likely is this? Because no one's ever talking about it, the reality of it.
And so, yeah, after that fall, T.J. was like, oh, my gosh, the opportunity was like, yeah, they've been predicting it for years,
but it's not, you know, it's and they talk about new stuff and what's happening, but it's, it's yeah, they've been trying,
but it's so favorite because it did change the way that I looked at things. But I got to where my train conductors out.
Yeah, well, Cameron's had his cameras out, but he let me borrow it. And, you know,
so when you say they predicted it, did they predict like time frame?
They're pretty close on. Yeah. How rapidly it would spread. So that's great if you don't know this so terrible only been here since October.
So while COVID, while we were all under quarantine, the Scowcroft Institute and
with Christine Blackburn, it was Dr. Blackburn and Dr. Parker,
whose wife is Denise Parker and they were constantly on Facebook, on the Bush School's
Web page or a Facebook page every week giving updates about COVID. And they were very heavily involved in the administrative side
of not just here watching all that kind of stuff. So it's
really interesting to know that you're in this small, teeny, tiny community, not only in this small, teeny tiny building in the small, teeny tiny staff
to know about all this, and you're kind of experiencing some of it firsthand just by being a part of that event.
Um, and he does. And when we, when we interviewed Natsios, he explains, like what they do for the event, what the Chatham House rules are, things like that.
So, like, if you know nothing, I would definitely go watch it. Um, he's very interesting in general,
but yes, that is a very educational event. I've just had two years of it prior to her, so I was like,
I was gonna say it was gonna hit the fan at some point. That's crazy. Yeah.
I don't have an answer for that question. None of them is jaded. No, I'm not jaded.
It's just like they're all exciting to me in some fashion. I learned something from all of them or from the clients.
If it's not really an event that I'm not invested in, but I'm invested in my client. I think this year my favorite event so far or my most impactful
event would be the ease the Ecological Integration Symposium, because I got to learn about those crazy aunts
that are in our office functions and that are at the house and like everything that happens inside of them.
Yes. Yes. I asked one of the an expert to connect me out. Yeah.
I mean, I like I like they they have these speakers. I just come and share this information. There was an event here in Hagler.
I worked it with Steven. I think it was like during it was something about women's inequality in the workplace.
And she basically looks or sure it was about how there was an equality for women in the workplace because they tended
to volunteer more for small tasks while the men had more time to do more things that made them go up in the in the chain.
And I was like, I look back and like my college career and I was like, I've literally done so much for no reason.
And I was like, Wait. Anyways, um, basically I learned to say no more,
but because, you know, I got to value my time. So that's right. There's a book called Lean In.
It basically talks about like, the cement ceiling and the glass escalator, and
it's like, just put yourself out there more. Because as women, we assume that it's just
I'm not going to it's expected of us. Yes, it ain't 1950. I have that argument a lot
not to get Jeff watch the Stepford Wives of the Stepford Wives. Stepford Wives. Which one? The older.
The newest one. The new one. That's funny. And what is my favorite we should do that.
No one would even notice it. So you got to turn into a robot. Yeah. It's basically like women, I think.
Step one won't Nicole Kidman. Nicole Kidman. Yeah. Just a little behind on this movies these days.
They can even get caught up on. What is it? You also know we are finished. Yellowstone what was the other one? You?
I don't know. There's so many here for you. And I was like, no, we can't. We can't. I can't get into that.
I tried more for your generation to watch you four. You see there's like a bad rap for it, but like the storyline
and like the back story of it, of, like, the demographics. It's so interesting the way free trade, totally off topic.
But it wasn't made forward. And it's so fun to watch, like, visually, wasn't it made on this?
Like so yes. The film that like it was super rare and there's only so much of it
though, like film that they made it all right. Oh, well, that's just one more than I saw my stomach.
I know they have a bunch of awards and stuff for like lighting up their lighting pretty well. That was cute.
You post that and it's okay. What was the question?
I think you do. Doing your forward. Yeah. Okay, people, we should go. She's like, I got to get out of here.
What's one professional skill you're currently working on and I love them so far,
all of them functional skill. Oh, okay. What would you define as a professional skill, first of all?
Oh, well, I mean, I can tell you what it is. I've been working on it for two years. I don't know that I'm getting any better, but I'm working on her facial expressions
when talking to people not my staff like other people.
She's like, Screw the staff, know. But for me, I'd rather you guys know you see, is what you get.
I mean, like, I'd rather you guys. Yes, 100%. Thank you for the word words today. No, T.J. is correct.
I have been told many times that I have to learn to control this. Yeah, it's very hard.
So, um, yes, I've been working on that more so in meetings and meeting with clients, not round gel, and people I know that are clients, whatever.
Well, because we spend more time with you and they're just kind of like seeing you for the first time every couple of months or every year or so.
Yeah, sure. But it's also not really professional to go into being like, roll your eyes at everybody, even if you don't like. I mean, like glasses. Yeah.
Wear sunglasses like you've done it. Well, now, I don't. I mean, she could be. Have you ever seen me on? No, no.
She said wearing sunglasses. Oh, no. Oh, you could be like, oh, I got my eyes dilated to wear these.
Yeah, yeah, I know my eyes the same roll my eyes. I mean, yes, I know. If you ever watch that is so that's where it started was when we were doing COVID
and someone caught me roll my eyes and have a facial expressions do a comment via Zoom. And that's when I got told I need to work on that
right now. I didn't get in trouble, but yes, I'm fully aware. I'm glad that you don't like around us.
You don't put on like a weird customer service voice like you ever heard her answer the phone?
Yeah, that's my God. That's my wife voice. Thanks for your phone call, T.J. It's just it doesn't even sound like her at all.
That's my my way people voice. I do it sometimes, too, but if I know the number, people call my line. It's somebody that I know.
Yeah, no, I'm super high pitched. I'm like, hi, this is
Felicia. You say Annenberg. I heard Steven answer the phone the other day, and he was like, this Steven. I was like, do they know what they're calling like this?
Steven I'm a conference center. How can I help you?
Very softly so no one can hear you? What do you want? Yeah, what
No, but that transparency goes along with the culture I try to create here because I will tell you, and I probably shouldn't put this on video,
but I'm going to the culture environment here. Prior to me, being in charge was like a complete one 80.
It was extremely negative. 24, seven all the time. No one was happy. There was zero professional development.
There was none of this laughing. Yes. Joy.
Yeah, no, it was I mean, people basically went to their offices, did their work, did what they were supposed to do, you know, as far as events goes.
And then they all left. There was nothing regarding teamwork, collaboration. It was a very hostile environment.
I didn't have birthday parties. I know I had birthday parties. We celebrated people when we could with our own money, which is fine.
But that's ridiculous. You can't splurge for $10 on cupcakes.
Oh yeah, whatever. Anyway, yes, I put it out there
I'm done. Thanks. You sure? I am done. So, T.J., I don't know.
I did. I did yours. You answer mine. What I meant answering yours. That's like a national skill, your professional skill
that I'm working on right now. I don't remember. There was a few. Maybe we could all try to figure one out for the student.
Let's come up. I mean, I have, like, projects that I'm working on. Professional skills.
Well, yeah. Like, what are your goals? Okay, so one of them is you're tat you're learning you're trying to do more coaching in surveys, and I think she's learning how to use Google calendar.
Good. That's true. That's true. I am learning how to use the Google calendar and all of the Google Apps,
Google calendar, Google, that's a big skill yes. The no, I mean, like, think about your goals.
One of the biggest ones I think is good for you because I've been working on it for years, which is the coaching.
Oh yeah. How to actually coach your employees versus being a supervisor, how to be like more of a team player and coach them through things.
So like when things don't go as they're supposed to or if they make a mistake instead of like making them feel horrible for the mistake that they're made.
Don't do that. Oh, I know. I didn't say you did. I'm just no,
I'm talking in a general sense, you know, because there are so there are out there that do that. They make you feel horrible.
And instead of actually saying, okay, like, I'm glad you tried, you made took the initiative to do this, but here's what we need to do in the future.
And it's got so I'm going to be taking classes to make sure that I'm doing things right.
No, you're not doing anything wrong, but it only helps hone more into your supervisory skills yeah.
Yeah, yeah. I think, I think more positive like environment because like, I'm always
the person who is like to do something and then it's like, oh, you did it wrong. But like, let's talk about it and like, let's discuss it
how you can do better next time at night. Y'all do a great job of that, which really is hard to find
in my giving this job, especially saying sorry. One time the schedule changed like early on, and I didn't realize
at the time change like freaked out teachers like it's okay just come in here.
We get here. Yeah, as long as you're okay, we're more concerned that if you're okay. Yeah. Again, yeah
she's going to want to learn about your wellbeing then you getting here. It's not like we aren't here. Yeah, you know.
Yeah. All right, next question. What's the biggest misconception people have about your position
or I guess the industry in general? Oh, I was going to say, you may quote my husband.
You mean you're not a librarian, too? You mean I don't watch Netflix all day? I don't, you know, read reviews for Netflix shows.
There's only things I do everybody thinks I work, and he doesn't like me.
And then I'm a librarian. Yeah, that's what my husband tells everybody. So nobody quite understands the distinction still between
no matter how long this building's been here, but it's also because until more recently, in the last, like, I don't know, maybe
five years, we haven't done a whole lot of facility promoting. We've never actually put our people out there.
Um, you know, Jamie's done a lot of really great things on the marketing side. T.J. has really been networking.
Steven starting to get into it. Like, we're starting to really put our face out there for people to know who we are as a separation from the library
and the school and the foundation that we are our own separate entity. So
I think that is the biggest misconception, is that we are we're just here and we work for the library.
I don't think I've ever had an evaluation for more finish, but that would be interesting. You're terrible at your job.
I don't even know what you do. I recognize you. Yeah, maybe. I don't know. Yeah,
so it's hard because. Yes, for the longest time my husband misquote do, and I'm still trying to correct some of that.
It's not his fault. I mean, it's. That's a landmark yeah. Our building's not. It's totally my fault.
Like, I get asked by people all the time, like, Oh, did you work during COVID? Because the library was shut down, and I'm like,
nope. I don't even correct them anymore. It's fine.
It's my it's all his fault. That's on purpose. I'm sure he does. It's like, even student. I'm sorry.
I feel like even students who, like, live and work and, like, go to school on campus, like,
I have no idea that this place looks. I don't know. And so I tell people that, like, I work at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, it's the amount of time.
So it's kind of attached to next to the library, and they'll be like, oh, my God, I love the library.
Good for the library. Okay. I've never been here. Like, I won't. I was like 12 to go before you leave.
We can have Tracy totally put on a list and just go and pay for something free
ticket, like $8 or $3 for students. But yes, you can at least go and that's a coffee.
So it was Megan went with Steven, right? And they went over there together one day during their shift.
Yeah. Oh, totally bored. Go educate yourself. It was really cool. You have, like, the incentive to
do anything they can't remember. They're part of our podcast. Y'all can, you know, follow them around. Michael, he's about to fall asleep in the chair.
What are we going to say? So. So we can have fun topics. Y'all both at the same being kind of weird.
Um, I know they do really. If you could trade places with anyone here for a day, who would you choose?
Like, including, like, student workers. Are we talking, like, at work or like, in life in general? At work? Oh, both. You both.
Anyone here? I don't know how interesting it would be to switch places we would still, like, at work
somewhere. You know, like, just like a day, like, even outside of work, like, they go to work and then you go, like, see what their life is outside.
I'm torn. Go to a drug show. Yeah, that's what I. Oh, she goes that's. Yeah, she's out a lot
with the rest of the board. I do. Is just not appropriate for work.
Right. It's always a problem when it's not good. Yeah, I talk about it again.
I will tell you this level until you guys graduate. Normally I don't follow on social media but I definitely followers on Instagram, and her stories cracked me up.
Like, I love it. I don't know. I think everybody has something different because I think it would be neat to be
Sophia and get to do, like, her lab work. Yes. Learn something you don't. I mean, I.
I just learned something way above your head and know that you can just do it for day and you don't. And then I guess do it again. Yeah. Yeah.
You just learn that little tiny skill. Yeah. I mean, I think that would be fun. I would trade places with Megan when she starts school next semester.
Because I really, well, I really wish I would have gotten my master's in human resources about it. I know I need to do. Maybe you can contact her professors.
Me, like, I'm basically doing this class, right? I'm doing her work. Do you see the paper? I wrote that now?
I think it would be fun to trade places with any of y'all for a day just to get to know a little bit more about your life and what you do
and how much fun and how different y'all are outside of here. Because, I mean, we've definitely had full time employees, Hannah, for example,
who totally is different outside of work. She's she's very professional, but outside of work, she's
the typical sorority girl and I would never have pegged that. But she's also into for age and stuff like that. So but it's nice to get to know you guys, the friends that you guys choose
because they're basically your family while you're here and they help support you while you're here and they encourage you.
I mean, meeting your parents is always fun because you get a kind of idea of. But her dad's time and I know it's disappointing it to meet him.
His mom cracks me up. Yeah. Especially like, are you gonna get fired for eating in here? Yeah, totally.
Where's my Chick-Fil-A? You're done. Like bringing in my grandma and my parents next Thursday. Yes.
That's exciting. Wait, none of them are working Thursday. That's the 12th. Yeah, okay, so we have an event.
None of them, because they're going to work when the 12th.
Are you on schedule? This is Thursday. Yeah. Okay. Okay. You covered?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, I think it'll be fun. Yeah, yeah.
Can I have a grandma hug when she gets here? Maybe she'll like strangers. She's the grandma. That's.
Oh, okay. Never mind. But not as happy. Me too. Don't touch me.
I even have a shirt. That's what I remember. What it says. I sent it to you. I don't know about it for you. You didn't touch me.
Now it's three cactuses. Not a hugger, not a hugger. I like it. Yeah, I sent it to T.J.. Then all of a sudden, ding.
You got money. Nice money. Like treat yourself. I wear it every day.
All right, I'm going on a rambling. This is taking.
If you had all the money in the world, what is a hobby you would love to have oh, god.
I would build rat rods. What? What does that random? Oh, that's so random.
What does that So it's where you take an old vehicle and you build it, and it's.
It's kind of like a Frankenstein. Like a little bit of this little bit of that. You can customize it how you want to take it back. That's not random.
As I say, it really oddly fits her personality. I just heard, right? And I was like, it's a rat rod. It just took me back to psychology like a hot rod.
But like, experience, kind of funky anger that you can Google it later.
This is for rats. We're like, buddy, like, whatever the brain is like building cars, but,
you know, not like one of these nice cars. It's a rat rod hodgepodge.
Yeah. Frankenstein I heard about how I guess you could call it a hobby. Um,
it's probably part of why I have my degree. I've always wanted to go live, like, a year or two in Rome.
I'd really want to learn about all the sculpture, the arts, like, everything there.
Just because the fact that that stuff is still standing is insane to me.
And we have to do construction on roads like every other week. Like, I would love to learn about that.
And just all the other art and culture that's not in the United States. Not that we don't have it here, but it's just it's a lot different
um, so if I had all the money in the world, I would travel and probably just try and live for a couple of years just learning about another culture in
the art world. Um, I have lots of aspirations with art that have everything to
do with it. I know, I know. I'm curious. I know that you say Rome because Jeff is actually,
I don't know what he was talking about last night, but he said if we were around in the time of Rome, it would have been finished.
And I was like, What are you talking about? He's like, you know, all these buildings that are like half finished in Rome, like, we would have gotten them finished.
And I was like, they were completed at one time. They just that's what I just do.
I need to give it my art history book. Like For Real. Did he think the pyramids just like they're the only way they ever completed the pyramids I could see.
Watch these podcasts. No, no, no. They do not They love and support us, but they do not hear us talk enough.
They don't want to hear us. I mean, honestly, if they were watching, I'd probably be in big trouble. Uh, maybe
right? So, Sarah, call them out all you want.
Oh, okay. Um, what is a daily habit you think everyone should implement into their routines?
Influence us. Make your beds really get up every day.
Sensible people get up every morning, and they make their beds next. They're small, little successful people get out of bed.
There's literally been studies about it. Just make your bed. I thought you were going to say we're close out the night before,
because I feel like that's a big one for you, too. I plan Sunday night all of my outfits for the week, so you'd have to do better than, like, the night before.
You know, it's really funny. When you think about it from like a planner's perspective, you can actually kind of get a sense in our daily lives what kind of planner
we are at work because I'm the wing it type and I literally will pick something 5 minutes when I'm going out the door.
I don't like I can't do that. I can plan things like as far as when it comes to the kids, but like my own stuff and yeah, no, I can wing it.
I mean, I could get a mean information day of and I wouldn't care. I, I have the ability to wing it, but I would just prefer
that's just one less thing I have to worry about that day or that morning because I get up at five 30 in the morning, you know, I have my whole process.
You get here the same time every day, what is that going to ruin? And that's one thing because it has to do with Cameron
and the timing that he gets does not understand that. But you get here same time. So like if you had to set up for an event day. Oh yeah.
I mean, that's fine. I can, I can, I can wing it that are a little bit so I have the ability to wing it.
You just I would just prefer for it to be planned at least a week ahead. So you planned your outfit on Sunday?
Just one no. This one was winging it. I your judgment in your voice. No, I'm sure you plan that on Sunday.
She says amount in order. Jamie does the same thing what? Yeah. I tell you, yesterday I was like, hey, you want to be twins tomorrow?
She's like, black pants. Why, sure, sure. Whether it changes or something, she don't care. Put a jacket on because the weather doesn't change inside okay.
So so my favorite was two weeks ago when we added the meeting in here for the diversity,
and she had an outfit picked out, which I told them they could be casual, wear jeans and whatnot. She shows up all dressed up, just like we have an event. I have had this meeting,
and I was like, it was she was so upset. I had the cutest outfit picked out. And so I said, well, why don't you wear it's just like us? Cameron said, So I texted her the next morning.
I was like, Did you wear the outfit from the day before? She goes, No, that was supposed to wear it. I have my Thursday outfit.
Yeah, well, it's like, You are so ridiculous. I thought I was going to do this when I a CD about certain things, but I did.
I do meal planning and clothes planning on that is. Yeah, that's just normal for me.
Then I thought I was planner. She's yeah, like in work. I'm a planner, but at my house it's just chaos.
Controlled chaos control, control. It's in it stays within the calm to get my room is like,
like a forest you know, everything is. But I can see the ground that's
in my dog. All the leaves have fallen from the trees. Like I know my chapstick is under my bed next to my under the fridge.
Yeah, I got it between the crevices. If chunky, you can walk around without getting into anything
and I say it's a I call it a when they're surviving. If it doesn't smell
well, that's an additional. I'm concerned. Yeah, right. I'm starting to get concern to go have candles
covers of them all Okay. Well, you need to be real careful with the candles, okay?
And make sure you trim the wick. Yeah. That's how you know, you spray bleach on it. It's fine.
It's probably not mold it's mildew. Yeah. Oh, good. Yeah, it's coming. Ammonia.
She's right. Yeah, yeah. Well, so what was the question again? Uh, I don't know. Uh, they have removing, removing one. I was going to give one.
Now, I. I agree with you in the bed, but I was would say, like, the, the other thing I would give them is just be yourself.
I know it sounds cheesy, but, like, wake up every morning knowing like, this is what I want to do, to be confident yourself and just be yourself. Yeah.
It's okay to choose violence. Yes, it is. At times as t.j. She throws coffee tumblers at cars
wreak havoc. That's like, I haven't done it. I was driving. I mean. All righty. Well, thank you for letting us join and take over today.
We had a blast and it seems like you guys, for tuning into our last episode. We hope you enjoyed getting to know TJ and Sara a little better
and keep an eye out for more to come from coffee. Talk this is when we say our back
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Sofia Hernandez

Sofia Patino. Laughs, stories, work & school life... join in on the fun and go read up on all of Sofia's great research!

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Sarah Chrastecky

Co-Host of the Coffee Talk Podcast & Director - Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

Sarah Chrastecky is the director of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, where she oversees all aspects of the operation.

Chrastecky graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art and a minor in psychology. Upon graduation, she moved to the Bryan/College Station area.

In the summer of 2009, Chrastecky began working for the APCC and caught the industry bug. During this time, she had the opportunity to expand her knowledge and passion by attending and graduating from the IAVM Venue Management School. In October of 2012, she transitioned to an associate director position for Chartwells Catering at Texas A&M University to continue her experience and business interests. She returned to the APCC as the manager in the summer of 2015. In February of 2017, she stepped in as interim director until June of 2018, when she accepted the director position.

Chrastecky is the mother of two beautiful boys and wife to a golf course superintendent. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, game nights, family movie nights and entertainment provided by sarcastic 10 and 4-year-olds.

Tracy

Tracy "TJ" Hefti

Co-Host of the Coffee Talk Podcast & Event Manager at Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

Tracy ‘TJ’ Hefti is originally from Houston, Texas, and joined the APCC in 2018. She has over 10 years of experience in various service industry roles and is excited to bring those skills to Texas A&M. TJ has her Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP) certification, as well as the Certified Professional in Management certification (AMA-CPM). In her free time she enjoys creating art, exploring and supporting local cuisines and spending time with her family.