The Job Search

I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything quite like these last few months or, as I like to call it, my end-of-college-senior-year-job-search-extravaganza. It’s been filled with many thing; well meaning, but exhausting questions, interview after interview and more job applications that I can count.

People keep saying; ‘It will all work out.’ For anyone who has ever been consumed by a situation, they know how irritating this phrase can be. Yes, at some point, it will all be all right. I will have a job and look back on these stress filled days with amusement. But right now, the idea that it will work out doesn’t replace the reality that it hasn’t yet.

I’ve also received lots of well meaning advice about what exactly I’m doing wrong. The funny thing to me is that these critiques are rarely the same, or even similar.

One such critique was that I had too many interests. Apparently my resume, and college career, has been characterized by too many activities that are too diverse in focus. I’m also looking for jobs in too wide of area. What I need to do, apparently, is figure out my ideal career path and begin to focus all future work around that.

The thing is, I don’t agree. And I think saying that to a student is a huge disservice. I am who I am as a result of my college career. I have grown as a person, not because of a singular focus but because I have gotten to explore so many areas of interest throughout college. And I believe that sets my college experience apart at ISU from others students at other universities.

It occurs to me that I am writing this as a naive, currently job-less, not quite college graduate. Maybe I’m completely off base. But when did having knowledge about a bunch of different things become a downfall? How is my willingness to learn something new not an asset? Isn’t what that demonstrates to my future employer is my ability to adapt?

I have made the absolute most of my time in college. I’ve done public relations and marketing in a variety of different forms- non-for-profit, higher ed, and small business. I’ve had my weekly column, each week, right here. I’ve interned in development for a not-for-profit with a multi-million dollar a year budget, so I am familiar with the research, networking, and writing necessary. I’ve developed a social network strategy and managed multiple social media profiles. Further, thanks to my experiences at ISU, I’ve won numerous awards for my achievements.

Yet, I’m still unemployed. And I find myself struggling to decide what path to take forward. I’m getting interviews. I’ve even been offered a position. But so far it hasn’t been right. I haven’t gotten anything I really wanted, and haven’t wanted anything I’ve gotten. Some say beggars can’t be choosers, but another gift from my college experience is the maturity I’ve gained. I’ve learned when something just isn’t a good fit.

In the next week, I have an interview for a position that I would cut off a body part for. (I could go without a toe for this position. Maybe even a couple.) And I hope they see in me all I’ve gained as a result of my college experience. I hope they realize that it’s the lessons I’ve learned that, not just the experiences I’ve had that makes me the best candidate for this position. And if not-Perhaps the exciting fast food industry?

21 things to do…

For my 21st birthday I decided I wanted to come up with list of 21 things I wanted to do while I was 21. (Wow, I just used 21 three times in a sentence.)

The to-do’s were varied. Some were experiences- meet a celebrity, go paintball-ing, learn to shoot a gun, etc. Others were accomplishments- graduate in May, have my first “big girl” job and place of my own. A few were silly private things, such as my long time desire to have a little tattoo, which had never happened thanks to my pesky logical side.

Some of them have been checked off the to-do list. For example, I got the chance to meet a celebrity when Indiana State hosted Meghan McCain. People always talk about their celebrity experiences, whether it’s a popular sports figures or a musician or whoever they ran into at an airport and I’ve always been jealous. I’ve seen celebrities at a pretty close range in the past. I heard President Obama speak in Terre Haute during campaign season. After waiting outside on a sidewalk for tickets and a little bit of sneaking in a back door, we sat right next to him as he spoke. It was amazing. But no face to face meeting.

President Obama up close

Then earlier this year I got the chance to be up close and personal with a crush of mine, Terrell Owens. Thanks to some very generous family friends I was on the field for the warm up for the Cincinnati Bengals/Indianapolis Colts game. I was more than happy to be oh so close to him but it didn’t quite come close enough for my liking. If I was going to have a story, I want a STORY.

Well some wishes are granted with a bang. I’ve been excited for Meghan McCain to be on campus from the time the university speaker series went up. I went out promptly after her book was published, bought and read it so I would be prepared. I also bugged Paula Meyer who was in charge of the University Speaker series for months leading up to the big event.

As it turns out though, writing was my biggest entry ticket. Months ago, after reading McCain’s blog, I wrote an article about her. Then, with her on campus and the topic for that weeks Statesman Editorials being politics, I decided to update and redo my article about her. Her publicist found it, she tweeted it, and then was willing to meet me. SCORE! Her tweet was even featured on Huffington Post Politics. That’s right- my article was on The Huffington Post. (Ish)

Meghan McCain and I after having dinner together at ISU

But there have been countless other life experiences I’ve had that I couldn’t have even imagined to put on a to do list. I don’t know that I would have been able to see all the possibilities a year ago. But here I am.

I am a 500 Festival Princess, an honor I’m thrilled to have. I’ve gotten to be at IMS night at a Pacer’s games, I’ve spoken at schools, worked in my community and just keep telling myself that there are so many more experiences to come with the 500 and the month of May.

All 33 of the 2011 500 Festival Princesses

I’ve been on my first “business” trip, all on my own, to Minneapolis. I received the President’s Medal for Leadership, Scholarship and Service. I’ve gotten to spend my last year on the Sparkette Dance Team here at ISU with some of the most wonderful young women I could have ever possibly imagined. Further, with these amazing young ladies, I’ve performed for a PACKED Hulman Center crowd (You can watch that performance HERE!), I’ve watched the Men’s Basketball Team win the Missouri Valley Tournament, and cheered on our Sycamores in front of over 20,000 people at the NCAA tournament.

Cathy and I (Sparkette Captains) with the MVC trophy on Selection Sunday!

I’ve realized lately that my original 21-to-do list doesn’t matter so much to me any more. I feel like, for a long time, I was waiting for my life to start. I’ve always admired people who have a vault full of stories, who seem to have had life experiences most people can only imagine. When I look at my list I realize that it’s the list of a girl who is waiting for her own stories. And suddenly, without even realizing it, I’ve started being able to add stories on top of stories. And no list could have possibly included all the things I’ve had the chance to do- I couldn’t be happier.

Even better, there is so much more to come. Yesterday, I had a discussion over a job opportunity that was everything I’ve ever wanted in a job. And I had a moment of calm where I realized- it’s all going to work out. As long as I keep chasing after the things I want, and making the most of the opportunities before me, I will have stories I can’t yet even imagine.

Things I Learned in 2010

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. -Henry David Thoreau

Our New Year’s Resolution? Standards.

1. Having standards is crucial.

After a 2009 of questionable choices in life and love, my friends and I vowed last year that 2010 would be a year of standards. For me, this came mostly in the form of rethinking my decisions for what I wanted from my life. What I’ve realized is that sometimes life is about taking risks, even when it is scary. I deserve happiness. I deserve fireworks. And if I’m not getting what I want out of life? Well, not only do I not have to accept it, I have the power to change it. (Simple right? It was an epiphanic for me.)

It was a year of firsts- mud wrestling with the SGA crew!

2. Act my age- I only get this chance once.

I have spent most of my life being an adult. While I realize I am still far more responsible than the average 21 year old, I feel like this year I have done a FAR better job of embracing the college experience. From running through campus in the middle of the night for the heck of it, to my first Rocky Horror experience; from going on dates I never would have imagined would be fun, to an attempt at 100 days at the Bally (New Years resolution for 2011? Get that done.) I have experienced so many of the things I spent most of college thinking I was too “busy” to fit in.

Mary Tyler Moore, My Idol- Who can turn the world on with her smile?

3. My “voice” isn’t half bad.

This year, in addition to standards, has been a year of finding out who I am and what I’m capable of. I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought possible and looking back it has been a HECK of a year. I feel far more capable of standing up for myself, for getting things done, and for going after my dreams than I ever realized.

Hopefully next year will be full of even more milestones- In May I will graduate, followed, hopefully, by my first big girl job. (Still searching for leads there- anyone with suggestions I would be ETERNALLY grateful) and then- who knows?

“You’re gonna make it after all!” (Insert hat toss here)