Hey there, hi there and hello there. My name is Nate Klein and I am a 22 year old guy that packed up all my things from Cedar Rapids/Shueyville, Iowa to start the next chapter of my life in Columbus, Georgia.
Although I may have brought all of my material belongings with me 16 hours away, I will always have with me my family and friends back in Iowa.
I have had the great pleasure of living in the Cedar Rapids and Shueyville area for the last 12 years and have met some of the most amazing people from teachers and professors to local business leaders and most importantly my lifelong friends.
My education from both Prairie High School and Mount Mercy College has been two of the best things that have ever happened to me. No matter if it was performing for the show choir, playing football, basketball, soccer or leading the Student Government and SIFE teams…each of these educational experiences have enhanced my life a great deal and I have many of you to thank for that.
With the help of my family, peers and friends, I have been afforded many great opportunities that have been quite humbling. I’ve learned the importance of giving back to the community through some great opportunities as a board member with United Way, service trips to help in hurricane relief efforts down south and empowering others with the skills needed to succeed through Junior Achievement and SIFE.
I am proud to say that because of all of your contributions and these experiences, I feel that I am prepared to enter the real-world.
As some of you may already know, I have recently accepted a job with Aflac (unfortunately, not as the mascot) in Columbus, Georgia. My job as SIFE Analyst: Business Administrative Unit will be a great two year training opportunity in which I will be able to see many facets of the business world while learning and living a new culture down south. My plans are to complete the program and pursue an MBA, hopefully at Emory University, after a year with Alfac.
My education from both Prairie High School and Mount Mercy College has been two of the best things that have ever happened to me. No matter if it was performing for the show choir, playing football, basketball, soccer or leading the Student Government and SIFE teams…each of these educational experiences have enhanced my life a great deal and I have many of you to thank for that.
With the help of my family, peers and friends, I have been afforded many great opportunities that have been quite humbling. I’ve learned the importance of giving back to the community through some great opportunities as a board member with United Way, service trips to help in hurricane relief efforts down south and empowering others with the skills needed to succeed through Junior Achievement and SIFE.
I am proud to say that because of all of your contributions and these experiences, I feel that I am prepared to enter the real-world.
As some of you may already know, I have recently accepted a job with Aflac (unfortunately, not as the mascot) in Columbus, Georgia. My job as SIFE Analyst: Business Administrative Unit will be a great two year training opportunity in which I will be able to see many facets of the business world while learning and living a new culture down south. My plans are to complete the program and pursue an MBA, hopefully at Emory University, after a year with Alfac.
I can never say thank you enough to all of you that have changed my life and helped shape who I am today. I hope one day that I can impact people in the same way that you have impacted me.
Week 1-A New Beginning
My dad rode down with me last weekend to help me move into my new place in Columbus. After a few traffic hold-ups, we made it into my apartment at Inverness Monday afternoon.
I was able to spend a couple great days with my dad hanging out and settling in. I really appreciated being able to have him join me as I begin my journey. He left on Tuesday, and finally on Wednesday all of my things arrived. After a long day of unpacking and reorganizing, my place is beginning to look like the bachelor pad I had envisioned with all of Grandma's stuff...thanks Grandma.
I started work on Thursday where I was greeted with open arms and a smile. Bob Ottman (the boss man) seems like a great guy, and he had me shadow another SIFE Analyst, Mike Frank, for the first couple of days. Those first couple of days in the claims department were a whirlwind of information, and I learned a great deal by just diving in. I met so many people, and all seemed to be loving the fact that they are working for Aflac.
The weekend came fast. I spent most of my nights watching movies and reading "Today Matters." I am quite pleased to say that I have yet to cook a meal out of the box...without burning down the place.
I went with Mike and Dedra (another SIFE Analyst) to the Flint River for a 5 mile canoe ride. The water was a little low, but the scenary was amazing...we had a great time! After getting home late, two more SIFE Analyst, Miranda and Rosario, wanted to show me out on the town...so of course I tagged along and showed them some of my Iowa moves. I didn't get to hand out any business cards, but did notice that the bars play a lot more country than back home...that could be a problem!
It has been a fantastic week, but tomorrow is the beginning of a full work week and time to show them what I can do. I am looking forward to working in the support services building and meeting some new people.
I will try and post every week to tell of all the tales, maybe leaving a few out here and there, but you'll get the jist. I'll even try to make 'em a little shorter from here on out.
Until next time...peace out.
Nate
"The only things in life that you will keep, are those of which you give away."
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