Camelia Watson, Graduate Coordinator

When someone says “pay attention” listen, my name is Camelia Watson I had the pleasure to work in the now office of Campus Reservations and Special Events at the Paul Robeson Campus Center. In 2009, I started in the Reservation office under the Reservation Coordinator Ms. Ressie Mayo in the School of Public Administration pursuing a MPA. When entering the program with my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice I was planning on opening up my own group home, before going graduate school I was a case manager for teens at risk. I was a great student leader planning the parties and events as an undergraduate I was president of Program Board as well as vice president of my sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. Transfer from a student to a professional and working in the Paul Robeson Center was different every day. I never knew how the day would be; it may be slow or in a blink of an eye, you have a two programs in the Essex Room, with a half an hour turnover. Someone inquiring about hosting a conference during free period; student showcase on the plaza and making the schedule for staff.

The fast turn over, the VIP events, and working with the large diverse population made me understand the importance of being an event coordinator. Many people think it’s a simply job but planning an event from beginning to end is very challenging or trying to understand someone’s vision who has no clue about events are the best.

The best reward is a happy student, faculty or non-university client; the simply thank you or I could not do this without you are the best words I can hear. I am not making a million dollars but I smile every day. I can say what many cannot say that I enjoy my job it is a pleasure to work in a Student Center. I have watch students grow and develop right before my eyes. I had the opportunity to supervise student staff and teach them how to become a professional and prepare them for their career jobs. I received a lot of mentoring and knowledge as a graduate student because when you are a graduate student you are hungry and ready to prove to the world that you can do this job. I love working with students outside of the classroom where they can relax and be themselves, no better place than the student center. In a student center, it is like a second home for many you can eat, play games, party at night and study if needed. My story is quite different from many others before I finished graduate school the reservation coordinator decided to retire, so I went from being a graduate coordinator to the interim reservation coordinator in nine months, no more splitting the events. In the begin Ms. Mayo did all non-university and I focused on student and faculty events but now I was doing it all. When she told me about her retirement, she said I told you to “pay attention” and she said you got it and I have been in event management ever since.

I was the Reservation Coordinator from 2010- May 2016 at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University Newark. I am currently an Event Services Coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs Student centers and Involvement at Rutgers University –New Brunswick.

#GraduateCoordinator