Alumni 2002
Arranged Alphabetically
2/5/05
Megan Fatheree
Class of 2002
I live in Minneapolis and have been working at St. Joseph's Home for Children for the past two years. I was a Youth Counselor for most of the time and have just recently changed departments to work in the Intake Office. In my youth counseling days, I was lucky to be able to develop my basketball skills and spades game, as well as watch the movie Honey 3-4 times per week. Now, I spend more time in front of a computer or talking with social workers on the telephone to gather and compile all of the information on the children we serve. I try not to spend all of my time at work, though...ultimate frisbee and sleep are high priorities too! As for the future, nothing is set in stone, and I look forward to new adventures every day.
Email: meganfatheree@yahoo.com
1/14/05
Beth Jensen
Class of 2002
After moving to Uptown Minneapolis with three other '02 grads immediately after graduation, the first thing I did was battle what I now refer to as the "black plague" - or mono, as most people call it. But, after I recovered from that, I started my first post-college job, in Corporate Communications for a division of Wilson's Leather called El Portal Group (a chain of retail stores that sold high-end luggage and handbags.) It was definitely not my ideal job - but, the job market was pretty tough at the time, and I needed to pay the rent. There WERE three good things about the job at El Portal, though: a.) I decided once and for all that I don't really like working in a traditional corporate environment, b.) I outfitted all of my friends and family in some sweet leather coats for next to nothing, and c.) I gained some good experience in the business world.
But, in December of 2002 (just six months after I was hired), Wilson's announced that they were shutting down the entire El Portal division - which meant that I was already going to be laid off. Although I didn't realize it at the time, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as I was then able to re-kindle an old connection I had made through a friend to a company called MusicMatters. By early January 2003, I had started as an intern with MusicMatters, and that is where I still work today as an Account Manager. MusicMatters is a marketing company based in Uptown Minneapolis - we produce marketing campaigns for socially responsible businesses (mainly organic and natural food companies), and often bring in musical artists to compliment the campaigns. I love the work and the people I work with, and feel so lucky to be able to say that I'm doing something for the greater good for a living.
Last piece of news... fellow '02 grad Miriam Ehrlichmann and I moved to Boulder, CO in September. After growing up in Wisconsin and spending the last six years in Minnesota, it's been a welcome change. In between working for MusicMatters from an office here, you can usually find me snowboarding (there are a ton of great resorts within a two-hour drive!) or hittin' the town with Miriam.
Email: beth_e_jensen@hotmail.com
1/18/05
Celina Meyers
Class of 2002
I’m currently in my first year of a master’s program in Popular Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. My Soc/Anthro background was a helpful foundation for my graduate studies, although I am encountering new theories and concepts every day. This semester I’m teaching an undergraduate course in Intro to Popular Culture, which offers me an interesting mix of excitement and anxiety. I have yet to decide on a topic for my master’s thesis, so that’s something I’ll need to focus on in the coming months. My coursework remains varied and interesting and has included Television Studies, Folklore/Folklife, Canadian Popular Culture, and Creativity in Everyday Life.
Prior to graduate school I was living in the Twin Cities and working for The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in their Development department. I enjoyed working there but ultimately decided that I wanted to go in a different direction with my career, and graduate school has been a good way to shift gears in that regard. I may or may not end up back in the Twin Cities after I finish my degree, but for now I’ll just wait and see where my studies and interests lead me.
Email: celinabeth@hotmail.com
1/20/05
Elizabeth Shaw
Class of 2002
I am currently in school at University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland studying to be a veterinary surgeon. Since leaving Olaf I've been travelling a bit and working here and there to gain experience. I toyed with going for a PhD in Forensic Anthropology for quite a while. I miss doing Soc/Anthro and am trying to find new ways to combine my love of vet med, wildlife, conservation bio, and soc/anthro together. I see something like "Doctors Without Boarders" in my future. Perhaps I will join the Peace Corps' veterinary team and then do an ethnography. Time will tell. HUGS and SMILES to fellow deviants!
Email: haroldtheorangetree@yahoo.com
4/27/05
Rachael Simon
Class of 2002
Following graduation, I floated on a cloud of Soc/Anthro idealism to my new apartment in Uptown and started my second summer with Tree Trust, a non-profit group that works with at-risk youth. At the end of the strenuous and stressful Summer, I decided to tackle the want-ads. Well, it turns out that freshly minted college Grads aren't exactly in high demand at non-profits during a depressed economy. After long months of composing cover letters and earning extra cash with my well-honed landscaping skills, I finally landed a position with a small law firm in St. Paul.
Since then, I've been working full-time with the firm as a legal assistant/law clerk/legal courier/court observer/general helper. I have also spent one summer as an intern at the American Red Cross in St. Paul in the Emergency Social Services department. Currently, I'm a volunteer court monitor with WATCH, an organization dedicated to "bringing a public eye to justice."
Over the last few years, I've made several attempts to teach English in China or Taiwan. However, things like SARS, disappearing applications, and the intricacies of Asian work visas have kept me mostly stateside. However, I recently spent a wonderful month traveling and visiting friends in China and I'm anxious to hit the road again.
Next Fall, I'll start law school at the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University in Washington, DC. I've also been accepted to a special Law and Public Policy certificate program, which should allow me to focus my class work and internships on policy issues and areas of public interest law.
I am looking really forward to moving to DC, starting law school, and beginning the next leg of my wandering journey. If there's anything I've learned since graduation it's to make serious plans for your future...but keep an open mind and a sense of humor, because at some point those plans are bound to change.
E-mail: rachaelsimon2002@yahoo.com
