Can't Get No

A benefit of working in the Development Office is that you get to spend a great deal of time catching up with alumni. Last month, we held an alumni reception in Boston. We had a group that ranged in years of graduation from 1950-2005. What was most striking about them was their high level of job satisfaction. There were bio-tech scientists, social workers, public relations specialists, and programmers to name just a few of the professions represented, and in each case they spoke of their work with both pride and joy.

The group gathered to meet Dan Paradis and fellow alumni in the area. As they asked Dan questions about school and shared bits of their time at Park, it was clear that they had received more than just an exceptional education on Old Court Road or in the park. They had gained the wisdom that personal satisfaction with work is important.

My guess is that Park subtly passes that lesson along during a student’s time here. Sure there are parts of the school experience that are not pleasurable—just ask any of my former Spanish teachers—but if the school nurtures individual’s interests and allows passions to be pursued, that’s a lifelong lesson being taught---delving into the mind’s and heart’s desire is worthwhile. The results of this practice are a plethora of students excelling in their areas of keen interest.
During alumni weekend, spending time with a much larger group of graduates, the theme of job satisfaction continued to play out. The list of professions pursued grew exponentially and the high level of joyous engagement was a constant.

Does Park deserve all the credit for this phenomenon? Maybe not, but by now you must now that I’m biased. Are there some alumni who don’t enjoy their work? I would imagine that there are. If you’re a graduate reading this, please share your thoughts on the link between your time at Park and your job satisfaction.

In the meantime, we’ve just sent another a group of Park graduates out into the world to seek, to inquire, to conquer, and to heal.

Sadly, we cannot count Mick Jagger as a Park alum, but if we could, he might very well have sung a different tune.