<p>I graduated from Smith almost 4 years ago. One of my favorite experiences there was working Reunion--met a lot of cool people and made a bunch of extra money. My junior year, I was the ambassador for the classes of 1930, 1935, and 1945, which was an amazing chance to hear about what Smith was like during WWII, the Great Depression, etc. </p>
<p>I'm now applying for a volunteer job that works with senior citizens, and it requires references. Since Reunion gave me good experience in that area, I contacted the woman who was my supervisor 6 and 7 years ago, sure she wouldn't remember me but figuring she'd at least be able to verify my employment.</p>
<p>She wrote back immediately, saying "Stacy, of course I remember you! How are you? I haven't seen you since you left for <a href="in%20%5Bstate%20I%20attended%20grad%20school%5D?">grad school</a>, and hope you're well. It's really nice to be back in touch. Yes, please feel free to put me down as a reference for this - you'd be fantastic." When I wrote back to thank her and let her know what I'd been up to, she responded again, sharing a bit about her current job and asking me to make time to visit her next time I'm in Northampton. </p>
<p>Here's the remarkable thing: I can easily think of 10 faculty and staff members who would respond that way for me; most of my Smith-alum friends could easily say the same of Smith employees with whom they'd made a strong connection. It's such a nice feeling to know that in addition to my classmates, who are now scattered all over the world, there's still that tie to the campus itself.</p>
<p>Stacy, thank you for the smile your story brought to me. What a lovely testament to meaningful connections and to the Smith experience that fosters them!</p>
<p>My daughter, a first year, has applied to work during Reunion for both your reasons. She says it’s pretty competitive because everyone wants to do it. We’ll see whether she gets the job or not. Crossing our fingers!</p>
<p>Carolyn, I worked reunion for three years as well and I loved it. In my experience, it’s <em>easier</em> to get a job if you’ve worked on campus previously (especially in the kitchens - there are lots of food-related shifts to be filled) but if you’re applying for one of the positions that offers a stipend, the jobs are super competitive.</p>
<p>That said, I did have friends with Smith dining experience who were not offered spots working reunion.</p>
<p>I loved it. I spent a weekend doorwatching in the same house, and made friends with the women staying there. One shift my junior year just happened to be in the house that all my housemates who graduated my first year were staying in (for the now-defunct two-year reunion) - and I had lots of fun seeing them again!</p>
<p>The only thing I didn’t like about reunion was moving to a different house for one or two weeks!</p>
<p>For her STRIDE work-study, my daughter’s working in the archives (and loves it), so there’s no dining hall experience there! The only related work could be that she was the cook’s assistant at an expedition camp (where you literally pull up stakes and move OFTEN) in the Southwest for three meals a day for five weeks (it’s a very big responsibility). Maybe that will count! It’s hardly a similar experience but it does show her perseverance and sense of responsibility. Here’s hoping!</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’m going back for my 2-year this year. I certainly could, as I only live two hours away, but I am going back in the spring to visit. A now-senior friend and I decided to go canoeing on the pond two years ago, and we still have to do it…</p>
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