‘Twas the Night Before TPE

by Colleen Kelty (ckelty@gwu.edu)

Every year, thousands of new professionals and representatives from hundreds of colleges descend upon a major U.S. city to participate in The Placement Exchange (TPE), the nation’s largest career placement resource in the field of higher education. This year, TPE was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center and was attended by three of CSE’s own: Laura Rouse, Frank Schleimer, and myself.

Long days of interviews, resumes, and thank you notes were certainly worth it as TPE provided us with an incredible opportunity to meet with an enormous variety of institutions and refine our interview skills. The apprehension was high as we prepared for this whirlwind experience. Laura Rouse reflects, “As a bonafide introvert, the thought of attending The Placement Exchange was initially very overwhelming and intimidating for finding my first professional job. Though the nerves were in full force the first day, I can truly say that I have never felt so comfortable speaking and connecting with employers from a variety of institutions. While interviewing can seem like you are just trying to prove yourself over and over again, the employers at TPE are really looking to just get to know you and to mutually see if the school or position is the right fit.”

TPE is certainly an extraordinary opportunity. “The ability to have so many employers in one location was daunting at first, but proved to be incredibly valuable and has greatly assisted in the employment process,” says Frank. We all agreed that having each other to sympathize with and support one other made the process seem much more manageable, as we acted for a sounding board for each other during our daily debrief of our experiences. Additionally, we all would highly recommend this opportunity to new professionals interested in the student affairs field.

I think the excitement, energy, and uniqueness of TPE is best reflected by a poem:

‘Twas the night before TPE, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even Laura Rouse;
The blazers were hung in the closet with care,
In hopes that a new job soon would be there;

The colleges were settled all snug in their booths
Ready to interview and hire with truth;
And the place of the stress was Philadelphia’s Convention
As the candidates prepared with excitement and apprehension.

When up in the ballroom there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my seat to prove that I mattered
Away to my interview I flew like a flash
I ran so quickly I got whiplash.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear
But the perfect job there - open but just this year -
With interviewers so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment this was my top pick.

But there were many other schools that proudly had came
And they all were excited as they called out their name
“Now, Mason! Now, Penn! Now, Yale and Princeton!
On, Wheaton! On, Georgetown! On, U. of Houston!”

We interviewed, we interviewed, we interviewed some more
Till our tired brains couldn’t interview any more
The week it had ended, our blazers on the shelf,
And we laughed when we finished, in spite of ourselves

We came back to DC with satisfaction and pride
Even if it did snow upon our return drive
And some heard us exclaim as we drove out of sight
“Happy TPE to all, and to all a good night!”

Colleen Kelty is the Operations Supervisor in the Center for Student Engagement, overseeing office operations, student employees, and The Store: GW's Food Pantry.