Memoir Of Project

Austin Schlichting

■ What were the best and worst parts of the Senior Project/Senior Seminar?
The best part about how my senior project went was the networking of
people in the field. When the company, “Dobbs Construction,” arrived to assist
me in the construction of the court, I spoke with them and asked questions
about their jobs. Asking those questions was very useful because I gained
knowledge that otherwise wouldn’t be readily available. It is important to seek
out relationships like this because they are experts whereas I am still pretty
novice in the field.

Some of the worst parts were the setbacks and problems that happened
once the plan was set in motion. For example, once the leveling of the gravel
started, a gas line was accidentally hit, which halted construction because we
had a situation that needed to be fixed. Another problem was the fact that some
concrete had to be removed because the tensile strength would have been
tested too much if it stayed there. But these setbacks and issues were learning
opportunities. I learned that yes, problems can happen, but you must remain
calm and find solutions to fix them rather than running head-on into something
to fix it and maybe causing more problems in the future.

■ List three things you now know after completing your Senior Project.
Three things that I know after completing my senior projects are that
situations arise and how to handle those situations is what defines character.
Another thing that I learned is to be smart with how you spend your money
because if you overspend on one thing you may not have enough for another.
The last thing that I could take away was to build strong relationships with the
people around you because they offer second opinions which could inform you
to take a different route.
■ Which aspect of the Senior Project/Senior Seminar stretched you the
most? How did you feel about and react to this challenge?
The areas of this project that stretched me were going out of my comfort
zone and communicating my ideas with others rather than taking something
head-on myself. When sharing ideas, it is important for them to be clear so that
others can understand what exactly you want out of them. This was a challenge
at first because I have never really managed a group of people, but with some
help from my mentor and motivation to get a goal accomplished, I feel like I
executed giving out orders, helped with the build myself, and learned a whole
lot along the way. Another thing that stretched me is handling finances because
up until that point I had never made a big purchase like that and learning that
investments sometimes don’t pay off is a hard truth.
■ How has the Senior Project/Senior Seminar changed you (skills, attitudes,
work habits, capabilities, confidence, poise, presentation, etc.)?
This project personally changed me because it made me more confident in
myself as a public speaker and advocating my opinion to others and leading
 them in my direction. I learned all the steps to laying concrete and how to
make it last a lifetime.
■ Has this experience influenced your plans?
This project has influenced me to pursue a career in construction rather
than nursing. I love working outside and building things with my own hands
and a job in this career would offer all of these. It is hard labor, but I do enjoy
the sun and the bonds between coworkers rather than sitting at a desk.
■ What would you do differently if you had to do the whole Senior
Project/Senior Seminar process again?

I would be more careful with how I spend my money because sometimes

the funds don’t always flow nicely and buying something that you need is
good but not to the excess. Also, I would’ve made my concrete pad a bit
smaller so I had more money to purchase a better hoop.

■ What advice do you have for next year’s seniors?

Do the minute things to the very best of your ability and don’t let yourself
get behind by putting stuff off. When you procrastinate you're just wasting
your own time when you are given work it’s important to do that work no
matter how hard or how long it will take.
■ What grade would you give yourself for your Senior Project and what
justification do you have for that grade?

An A-, specifically because of the fact that I messed up sometimes but I

used those screwups to learn from the future.