At the center, in the Center

This is my final blog post before graduation, when I will be moving on from the first job where I felt at home and, thankfully, put to good use. I've loved this place and these people.

Of course, I'm talking about the Student Multimedia Design Center. While many of our blog's posts have dealt with advancements in technology and helpful software techniques, this one is going to focus on where the needs of our users most critically intersect with the services of our Center.

And of course, I'm talking about us staff and student assistants.

As cliche as this may sound, we're the heart and soul of the Center, and I'd like to offer a few reminders of what we should be giving to this several-thousand square foot space.

Keep Your Eyes Open

While sitting at the desk, periodically look up from your screen. Making eye contact with users nearing the desk and then asking if they have a question will help them feel more at ease. It's our job to be looking to help them, and proactively making eye contact will make fewer students feel like they're inconveniencing or interrupting us. I've experienced this several times while at the desk, and we could be doing more to make folks with questions feel welcome.

Ask Yourself the Question

Ask yourself if you're coming to work with an attitude to serve or to be served. Bear in mind that whichever attitude you nurture will fundamentally affect the way you treat users who might have quite difficult and time-intensive issuse they need to resolve. To serve means to divest yourself of your rights, your preferences, and your comfort at any given moment. Do we serve here like that's actually true?

Learn to Wear Some Different Shoes

Pay attention to the way users regard their own abilities and refer to themselves. I've heard many, many users of all ages say disparaging comments about themselves when they have some trouble with out software or equipment. Now, think of the activities and environments in which you feel rather unskilled and because of which you may tend to belittle yourself or get anxious or get irritated. Wouldn't it make you feel so much more relaxed and calm if an "expert" in that very thing kindly told you, in effect, that you have nothing to prove? Isn't that why we belittle ourselves, get anxious, and grow irritated at times? Sympathize with others and you'll not only be a great technical assistant but also, perhaps, be something of a counselor.

And that rocks peoples' socks when you stand in their shoes.

Let's remain dedicated to patiently, kindly, and effectively helping users of all skills, all ages, and all personalities. Let's keep that at the center, in the Center.

With thankfulness,
Levi