Emily Neelon |
Even though alumna Brigid Schulte has had a successful career as a reporter for The Washington Post, was part of a team that won a 2008 Pulitzer Prize, and is now a best-selling author, she still struggles with balancing her career and personal life.
“I was a crazy, guilty, helicopter, overworking mom,” Schulte said. “I was walking around nagging and pissed off all the time. I didn’t want to live life that way.”
Searching for stress relief in her quest to become a better mom, Schulte wrote the New York Times Bestseller “Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has Time.” Returning to campus to speak about the importance of finding leisure in our busy lives, Schulte spoke to alumni, faculty, students and visitors last night in the Bauccio Commons.
Through her research, Schulte found that taking time to relax leads to greater productivity, efficiency and creativity in the workplace.
“It is in these moments when you can think outside the box,” Schulte said.
In a society where business is equated with status and importance, Schulte believes the workplace dynamic must be reformed.
“The United States is the most anxious country in the world,” Schulte said. “The structures of our society don’t match the way we live.”
Freshman Kate Garcia found Schulte’s experiences with managing stress relevant to her own life.
“I think that all college students have the issue of trying to balance social life and school,” Garcia said.
An English major who worked for The Beacon, Schulte graduated in 1984. She is remembered as one of the best students to have passed through The Bluff. English professor Herman Asarnow recalls Schulte as an adventurous and intelligent pupil, and has followed her career throughout the years.
“I’ve always been proud of her in every step of the way,” Asarnow said. “She’s one of (those) people that makes it exciting to teach.”
To graduating seniors venturing out into the job market, Schulte advises learning how you work best and finding an employer who values the same ideals.
“Really value performance over hours,” Schulte said. “Create a network of peers that are like-minded.”
