btone's blog

Wise words from Horace Greeley, "go west, young man" is a saying that continues to be used to this day. For the past eight months I have tried to find the right job from my home in Orono, Maine. After eight months of frustration, I decided to take the bull by the horns. (Yes, another western cliché.)

Anyway, not one to sit idle and hope for things to change on their own, I packed up my stuff and have begun to take steps the make them happen. On July 8th I hopped in my car, said goodbye to what had been home for the past four years, and began the move west. I arrived here in the south bay city of Milpitas, California ten days later and am more determined than ever.

So far, so good. It's already nice to be in a more metropolitan area and I've already begun to network. I no doubt miss my family and friend in Maine already, but am optimistic about this new chapter in my life. With a little luck, I'll be gainfully employed before too long. Regardless, this is something that will work, be it through skill, chance, or pure concentrated will. Stay tuned for more and be sure to drop me a line if you're in the bay area!

-B-ton

DRAT! Not quite. It looks like I was runner up for the University of Maine: Student Employee of the Year. However, even though I didn't with "grand-prize", I did receive some pretty awesome praise from my bosses, the Dean/Associate Provost and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. In their letter to the committe, Deans Sandweiss and Delcourt said:

"Brenton is that ideal graduate student employee who interfaces successfully with the staff (in the Grad School and across campus) on the one hand andthe graduate students on the other, earning the respect and liking of both. This sort of integration is essential to the successful functioning of the Graduate School; it is what we look for in all our permanent employees, as well as our student employees."

So, even though I might not have won the award itself, the recognition alone makes me pretty happy with this achievement. Feel free to check out the entire letter HERE, which includes comments from the Deans of the Graduate School, other Grad School staff, the Director of Business School and several professors.

Today's trip to the mailbox was a fruitful one. The Dean and Associate Dean of the UMaine Graduate School have nominated me for Student Employee of the Year! You know what that means.... FREE FOOD! In all seriousness though, the recognition ceremony is coming up on April 11th and if I win, I'm entered into the running for National Student Employee of the year. (Not really sure how that one works). Anyway, keep your fingers crossed. I know mine will be!

In a third UMaine story, the University of Maine Graduate School has decided to write an article as well. Shoot, I guess I must have done something right while I was there. The story is in their second bi-annual newsletter, "The Higher Degree", and a pretty flattering article on yours truly is featured on page 4. Follow this link to see the whole thing (PDF).

Looks like I've been covered in the University of Maine Business School's Winter 2011 newsletter, "MBS Connects"! The newsletter, which was released in mid-January, contains a full page article where one of my most influencial professors states, “Brenton’s passion, commitment, and hard work are echoed in our other students and they will surely be in a position to help make the world a better place.” 

I am really glad that I was able to share my story and I hope it helps to act as the final nudge necessary to sway any students who are considering the Sustainability program at UMaine.

See the full article on page 12 here.

After a some Q and A and a cold photoshoot at the end of the UMaine mall, I'm a success! The University of Maine School of Business, Public Policy and Health has decided to recognize me as the first in the new section of their website dedicated to student success stories! Click the link below for the full story.