Erich Buschmann '01

Erich

Erich Buschmann '01

Major(s): Sociology

Minor(if any): Economics

Where do you live and work? I live in Lisbon, ME and work out of two offices. One office is located in Lewiston and the other in Bath.

What is your occupation(s)? I am the Assistant Director of Mid-Maine Juvenile Services with Volunteers of America Northern New England. I provide case management services for youth in both the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties. I work with youth who have been identified by law enforcement or probation officers as at-risk youth. Our philosophy is to hold youth accountable and responsible for their actions while providing supervision in the community. This is achieved through three separate but similar programs known as Juvenile Intensive Supervision Services (JISS), Juvenile Intervention Program (JIP), and a Day Reporting Center (DRC).

What did you do immediately after graduating from Bowdoin? I painted my parent's house and searched for a job. I was looking in both the public sector and in the admissions field. I finally found the job I was looking for five months after graduation. I am working for the same organization but I started as a Case Manager in the JIP program. This past summer I was promoted to the Assistant Director's position. I was able to combine my passion to work with youth and my experiences in Sociology that steered my interests into the non-profit field.

What has been your most worthwhile professional experience? My most worthwhile experience has been meeting the youth in our programs and hearing their amazing stories. The contrast of their lives and my personal life growing up in a middle class environment and attending Bowdoin College is a life lesson by itself. These youth face the struggles of peer pressure, economic hardship, unstable families, and a general lack of support everyday. These obstacles provide them with a self-determination that we can all learn from. All of the youth I have worked with are amazing human beings that have been placed in difficult situations. The ability of their spirit to overcome these obstacles and still succeed in life can only be attributed to God. I have often told people that I get paid in thank you's, handshakes, and smiles. Nothing can replace for me the feeling of helping a fellow human being who is reaching out for help; help they need to start believing in themselves and their future. My job is not a nine to five experience but more of a lifestyle choice. The rewards are truly inspiring.

What are the one or two events, courses or people that stand out in your mind from your time at Bowdoin? Please explain. I have three. The first would be meeting my freshman roommate Ricardo Del Cid. I only began to realize how blessed this individual was towards the end of my college career and since graduating. He has an unbelievable spirit and heart and he will accomplish great things in life by caring for other people. He is just one of the many individuals at Bowdoin who will blow you away. Get to know as many people as you can; you do not always know what hides within certain people's minds and hearts.

Second, would be a combination of taking Sociology 101 and joining the African American Society on campus. These two events coincided and have altered, for the best, my future goals. The experiences and knowledge I gained through meeting the individuals associated with both groups have opened my mind and heart. It has shaped my life long desire to giving what I can to make an impact on this society and improve it in any way that God wishes me too.

The third would be taking Sociology 211 and Sociology 310 my senior year with Professor DeAndrade. She took my mind and eagerness to learn and helped me focus it. This was all done while I was making huge strides in molding who I was as an intellectual. DeAndrade inspired me to learn more about the society we all live in and what role we must assume as members. We read a large amount of Karl Marx and his philosophies having been widely disputed. During our discussions, we focused on the quality of the human character, whether it was naturally good or not. DeAndrade always said that she had to believe that humans were born inherently good or else all is lost. I believe this as well and if everyone is born with a positive and healthy spirit, then I can make a difference in this world.

Has studying sociology or anthropology impacted your perspective (personally, professionally or other?) If so, how? The simple answer to this question is yes. The answer to how is much more difficult because it has many layers. Initially, however, sociology becomes a way of thinking. As a sociologist, I have learned how to view myself more objectively and understand my role in every social interaction. I have learned how to critique not only my actions but also the actions of the people and institutions around me. I have learned to keep an open mind in life and respect the opinions of others. Everyone in life has something to offer in some form, the challenge is not for them to express it but for you to hear it and learn from it.

Is there a piece of advice you wish someone had offered you while still an undergraduate student in Brunswick? College is one of the few places where you have unlimited opportunities to step outside of your comfort zone. Learning extends far beyond the walls of the classroom. Most of my learning took place after I left all personal barriers go and let the world in. I exposed myself to many fascinating peoples, with all their experiences and backgrounds, and this has shaped who I am to this day.

Quote that has most influenced, impacted or shaped your life: "Everyone knows how you appear, but few know who you are." Prince by Machiavelli "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:6-8