uiguide insights

YOUR UIGUIDES

we asked some of these experienced Fellows what it was like to work with you

Jonathan Puhl, University of North Dakota, USA

What was a learning moment for you?

I experienced a lot of complicated and difficult to understand roadblocks for anything I tried to do on my campus when I was a Fellow in training. My team this fall had very similar experiences — not having the knowledge or experience on where to go or how to do it well. I turned my frustration from many years of trial and failures as a Fellow into a teaching aspect for my cohort.

After lots of talks and planning, they were able to better understand their environment and build a substantially more robust plan going forward for benefit of all the programs they wanted to impact. Not only was it rewarding to see their growth and new knowledge, but the experience helped me translate my years of frustration into an asset for others. It felt like they taught me more than I taught them!

Jessica Aldrich, Wichita State University ‘19, USA University of Florida, USA

What is your favorite part about being a uiguide?

One of my favorite parts was when my team added me to their group chat, so I got to experience their whole team dynamic and work alongside them as they went through training. Some days the conversations were about their projects and others we talked about perfume and cookie butter. We built an authentic relationship where they weren’t afraid to ask silly questions or dig into the hard stuff when we needed to.

Watching a group of strangers become a team who can empathize with one another was more than I could have expected as a uiguide. After challenging them to share their own limitations, they let their guards down and formed a bond beyond just a group project.

Three years ago in their shoes, I don’t know if I would have been willing to do that. But, when I was authentic and vulnerable with my team, they knew that they were in a space where they could do the same. And I recall that experience often in settings where I am building community in a new city.

As these Fellows continued making progress I’ve gotten to watch them get excited about their successes and problem solve around the roadblocks.

I’ve always found that I learn so much better when I have someone who cares about what I’m doing checking in on me. It holds me accountable and just makes me more likely to follow through. I wanted to give others the opportunity to do that as well. - Alastair Bate, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia