That's funny.
I started this blog expecting to write for a good deal of time about the trials and tribulations of being an underemployed college grad. It felt like the search was going to go on forever.
However, after 50+ job applications... I WAS OFFERED A JOB TODAY!
And I accepted. : )
I have a job. I have a job. I HAVE A JOB. I can't even believe it myself. When I got the e-mail offering the position, the wave of emotion was just immense and I... well, if you know me, you can probably guessed what it looked and sounded like.
I will be moving to Washington DC to be a Faculty Advisor with the National Young Leaders Forum on National Security, Law, and CSI throughout the fall. I will be responsible for 16-20 high school students: facilitating their curriculum, making sure they're organized and where they need to be when they need to be there. This is a position that I've thought about for a long time, since I attended my own National Young Leaders Conference in Washington DC as a junior in high school. It combines all my loves: politics, leadership, and DC into one job!
I just can't belive my luck. Finally.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me and encouraged me and made sure I knew I was loved during the last three months: my family, my friends, my professors, my famiies at the Howmet Playhouse and the Community Foundation...your support has truly gotten me through the confusion and anxiety of this phase of my life. I could not have gotten to this point without the lessons I have learned from all of you and the joy I take from our relationships.
And while having a job is very important, I know that this is the most important aspect of my life.
Thank you.
And thank the Lord I have a job.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Here I find myself in Cincinnati! I dove in and took the trip down here to spend a day with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and friends I met this summer at the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall. What an amazing experience! Sitting in on rehearsal today was just fantastic--I got to observe and talk with a professional stage manager, observe a brilliant director and cast working, and then watch their touring company perform Romeo and Juliet in a park at sunset. It puts me in such a creative mood just being around people who share my passion and have the same goals-- to entertain and create beautiful art upon the stage. I learned a lot today and got to meet some great people in the process.
It is so cliche, but so true-- the great American Roadtrip is the quintessential rite of passage for young adults. I have traveled a lot for someone my age, but there is something just different about making a decision to go somewhere, making your plans, and just...going. I drove to Indianapolis last night and stayed with my aunt and uncle, then drove the rest of the way to Cincy this morning, and it was a beautiful and empowering experience. Not only was I doing something I truly wanted to do for myself, but I was doing it in one of the most beautiful parts of the country I know-- and that is hard to say in a country this size and with so much natural beauty in it.
However, I am a sucker for farmland and rolling hills, and the two hour drive this morning took me from city to farmland to these gorgeous hills that had such a change in altitutde that my ears popped multiple times. The freshness of the land and the emerald green-ness of the sights in front of me just took my breath away. The gift of nature never ceases to amaze me.
I'm somewhere around mile 380, and I have a few more hundred to go. Tomorrow night it is on to Dayton to see my grandparents and do my phone interview for DC on Tuesday, then to Minster, OH to spend the night with my aunt, uncle, and cousins on their farmland, then back to Muskegon.
It's just me and the open road, baby. : )
It is so cliche, but so true-- the great American Roadtrip is the quintessential rite of passage for young adults. I have traveled a lot for someone my age, but there is something just different about making a decision to go somewhere, making your plans, and just...going. I drove to Indianapolis last night and stayed with my aunt and uncle, then drove the rest of the way to Cincy this morning, and it was a beautiful and empowering experience. Not only was I doing something I truly wanted to do for myself, but I was doing it in one of the most beautiful parts of the country I know-- and that is hard to say in a country this size and with so much natural beauty in it.
However, I am a sucker for farmland and rolling hills, and the two hour drive this morning took me from city to farmland to these gorgeous hills that had such a change in altitutde that my ears popped multiple times. The freshness of the land and the emerald green-ness of the sights in front of me just took my breath away. The gift of nature never ceases to amaze me.
I'm somewhere around mile 380, and I have a few more hundred to go. Tomorrow night it is on to Dayton to see my grandparents and do my phone interview for DC on Tuesday, then to Minster, OH to spend the night with my aunt, uncle, and cousins on their farmland, then back to Muskegon.
It's just me and the open road, baby. : )
Friday, August 28, 2009
Finally!
GOOD NEWS!
The tide has turned a little bit since Tuesday! I received two exciting calls, one for an interview with a group in Washington DC, one with an invite to spend time with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in Cinncinnati. Both are exciting opportunities, and both could lead to jobs (I hope, at least...)
I'll have more time to blog later, but I just want to say that these two opportunities are the perfect example of the existential debate I've been having with myself where my passion truly lies and what the correct career for me is: politics or theater. The DC job is political in nature, and CincyShakes is the theater. Now opportunities for both are staring me in the face, and I'm really feeling the irony.
Positive for today: One good thing about my situation is being able to be home for my first Catholic Central football game in four years! Catholic-Shores game tonight, and we better kick some Shores you-know-what!
More later...
The tide has turned a little bit since Tuesday! I received two exciting calls, one for an interview with a group in Washington DC, one with an invite to spend time with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in Cinncinnati. Both are exciting opportunities, and both could lead to jobs (I hope, at least...)
I'll have more time to blog later, but I just want to say that these two opportunities are the perfect example of the existential debate I've been having with myself where my passion truly lies and what the correct career for me is: politics or theater. The DC job is political in nature, and CincyShakes is the theater. Now opportunities for both are staring me in the face, and I'm really feeling the irony.
Positive for today: One good thing about my situation is being able to be home for my first Catholic Central football game in four years! Catholic-Shores game tonight, and we better kick some Shores you-know-what!
More later...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Confidence
11:17 pm
It has been a long day...a longer day than I expected. I got up this morning, took my adorable dog Herbie for a walk (he has a personality you wouldn't believe), and pulled out my laptop and kept chugging away at the applications. I was clipping along at a good pace, too, when a phone call camethat drew me away from the glow of my screen. I spent the rest of my afternoon driving around the city on a mission for someone else, wondering in the back of my mind if it was worth it. It certainly relates to my job search, but there are a lot of details involved that need to be carefully written about, so it will have to wait for another day. I just know the suspense is going to kill you.
Anyway, I wanted to write tonight about confidence. One thing I've realized as I've searched for a job is that confidence is key. No one is going to hire you if you are not confident in yourself and believe that you can perform in the job you are applying/interviewing for. I generally have a great deal of confidence in myself; I have always been successful in the things that matter to me, and I know that I can handle much more than I sometimes give myself credit for. I have planned award ceremonies and large conferences, directed plays with my peers and this summer I even stage managed a technically difficult play with a summer stock company that I had never met before (which gave me a huge confidence boost). I've had major internships, been employed consistently since I was 15, and I've never been fired. I have a good track record, and I've done all the right things to prepare myself for this point in my life.
But I still don't have a "professional" job.
That single fact gives me pause and causes me to doubt, at least once a day, that I have what it takes and that I will be able to find a job that I can excel in.
However, this fact does not seem to discourage the people who surround me! There are so many people who believe in me, who trust that the right position will come along sooner or later and someone will just scoop me up. My friends, family, coworkers encourage me relentlessly, which I appreciate so much! But even though I am constantly being buoyed by the utterly fantastic people that surround me, there seems to be not even a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.
What do people see in me that I cannot see in myself? How can they be so confident that I will land on my feet? There are moments when I share their optimism, and others where I just want to return to being 5 years old and all I had to worry about was what kind of sandwich was in my lunch box. I'm hoping this is just a phase...
Thank you to GVB, MJ, JB, SN, BC, CBD, SH, NW, LM, and many others, for constantly supporting me and reminding me there will be a light at the end of the tunnel...
It has been a long day...a longer day than I expected. I got up this morning, took my adorable dog Herbie for a walk (he has a personality you wouldn't believe), and pulled out my laptop and kept chugging away at the applications. I was clipping along at a good pace, too, when a phone call camethat drew me away from the glow of my screen. I spent the rest of my afternoon driving around the city on a mission for someone else, wondering in the back of my mind if it was worth it. It certainly relates to my job search, but there are a lot of details involved that need to be carefully written about, so it will have to wait for another day. I just know the suspense is going to kill you.
Anyway, I wanted to write tonight about confidence. One thing I've realized as I've searched for a job is that confidence is key. No one is going to hire you if you are not confident in yourself and believe that you can perform in the job you are applying/interviewing for. I generally have a great deal of confidence in myself; I have always been successful in the things that matter to me, and I know that I can handle much more than I sometimes give myself credit for. I have planned award ceremonies and large conferences, directed plays with my peers and this summer I even stage managed a technically difficult play with a summer stock company that I had never met before (which gave me a huge confidence boost). I've had major internships, been employed consistently since I was 15, and I've never been fired. I have a good track record, and I've done all the right things to prepare myself for this point in my life.
But I still don't have a "professional" job.
That single fact gives me pause and causes me to doubt, at least once a day, that I have what it takes and that I will be able to find a job that I can excel in.
However, this fact does not seem to discourage the people who surround me! There are so many people who believe in me, who trust that the right position will come along sooner or later and someone will just scoop me up. My friends, family, coworkers encourage me relentlessly, which I appreciate so much! But even though I am constantly being buoyed by the utterly fantastic people that surround me, there seems to be not even a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.
What do people see in me that I cannot see in myself? How can they be so confident that I will land on my feet? There are moments when I share their optimism, and others where I just want to return to being 5 years old and all I had to worry about was what kind of sandwich was in my lunch box. I'm hoping this is just a phase...
Thank you to GVB, MJ, JB, SN, BC, CBD, SH, NW, LM, and many others, for constantly supporting me and reminding me there will be a light at the end of the tunnel...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Let's fill in the details...
I should probably fill in the details about myself for anyone who reads this that doesn't know me personally. Might be a good idea...
I graduated three months ago from a small liberal arts college with a BA in Political Science and a double major in Communications (concentration: Theatre Studies). I currently live with my parents in Muskegon, MI. They have been extremely generous and gracious, and are alright with me living at home for the time being. They thankfully understand the predicament all people my age seem to be in (thanks Mom and Dad!). I am currently employed by a great couple at one of their golf courses, as well as a small antique and furniture shop they own (approx.30 hours a week), and I also put in 8-10 hours a week at an unpaid internship at the community foundation downtown, where I've been involved since high school on the Youth Advisory Council (a grant-making committee and fund advised by high school students), the Board of Trustees, and as a temporary secretary.
However, that "professional" job still continues to elude me. I've applied for a countless number of jobs and have only had a handful of interviews, none of which have led to anything permanent. So the search continues...
That topic will certainly be elaborated upon in future posts.
Anecdote of the evening:
I recieved an e-mail from my favorite theater professor, Stephen, this evening with a job posting for an theater education apprenticeship in Conneticut. As I read the heading on the post, I thought, "Hmm... this sounds familiar." I opened up the folder on my computer titled "JOB SEARCH" and clicked another folder open. Yep. Right there. A cover letter for the same exact position, dated April 5, 2009. I had ALREADY APPLIED for this position this past spring, and had never gotten a reply, yay or nay, even after I submitted the required documents and talked to two seperate people in the office.
The position was posted on August 21st. Today is August 23rd. The apprenticeship starts September 8th. I was faced with a dilemma: apply again for this position? Because the turnaround is so quick, I might have a shot. Or let it go by, afraid of rejection again?
As I pondered, frustrated by the irony of this position was coming across my path again, I glanced at the original cover letter and realized how bland it was. No wonder I hadn't gotten a response! While well written, it was just... boring.
Armed with three more months of experience and wisdom, as well as an evolved and better-stocked theater resume from my summer activities, I decided to apply again for the position. I should be able to e-mail the application in tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers...
More to come tomorrow...
I graduated three months ago from a small liberal arts college with a BA in Political Science and a double major in Communications (concentration: Theatre Studies). I currently live with my parents in Muskegon, MI. They have been extremely generous and gracious, and are alright with me living at home for the time being. They thankfully understand the predicament all people my age seem to be in (thanks Mom and Dad!). I am currently employed by a great couple at one of their golf courses, as well as a small antique and furniture shop they own (approx.30 hours a week), and I also put in 8-10 hours a week at an unpaid internship at the community foundation downtown, where I've been involved since high school on the Youth Advisory Council (a grant-making committee and fund advised by high school students), the Board of Trustees, and as a temporary secretary.
However, that "professional" job still continues to elude me. I've applied for a countless number of jobs and have only had a handful of interviews, none of which have led to anything permanent. So the search continues...
That topic will certainly be elaborated upon in future posts.
Anecdote of the evening:
I recieved an e-mail from my favorite theater professor, Stephen, this evening with a job posting for an theater education apprenticeship in Conneticut. As I read the heading on the post, I thought, "Hmm... this sounds familiar." I opened up the folder on my computer titled "JOB SEARCH" and clicked another folder open. Yep. Right there. A cover letter for the same exact position, dated April 5, 2009. I had ALREADY APPLIED for this position this past spring, and had never gotten a reply, yay or nay, even after I submitted the required documents and talked to two seperate people in the office.
The position was posted on August 21st. Today is August 23rd. The apprenticeship starts September 8th. I was faced with a dilemma: apply again for this position? Because the turnaround is so quick, I might have a shot. Or let it go by, afraid of rejection again?
As I pondered, frustrated by the irony of this position was coming across my path again, I glanced at the original cover letter and realized how bland it was. No wonder I hadn't gotten a response! While well written, it was just... boring.
Armed with three more months of experience and wisdom, as well as an evolved and better-stocked theater resume from my summer activities, I decided to apply again for the position. I should be able to e-mail the application in tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers...
More to come tomorrow...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Just what is this?
So just what is this? Well, it's a blog. (If you're reading this you already knew that).
This is a blog essentially for me-- a place where I can write about my experience as a college graduate in the "toughest job market since the Great Depression"... my experience discerning what I'm supposed to be doing right now professionally and personally...and all the "stuff" that goes with it (my high school religion teacher is cringing right now at the use of the word "stuff").
I am not particularly witty or funny; I'm not the most observant or thoughtful person, either. I have tried writing for myself, but for some reason writing in a public realm just seems more personal, more fitting for the times and the situation I am in. I have ruminated over writing a blog for some time now; I generally find them narcissistic and just lame, and for this reason I don't read blogs on a regular basis. However, after careful thought over the summer and some self-reflection, I believe having a place to put my thoughts will help me become more observant and thoughtful, help me focus on what I need to focus on, and remember who I am while discovering who I am becoming.
I'm just trying to remember that it's all about the zig and zag...
This is a blog essentially for me-- a place where I can write about my experience as a college graduate in the "toughest job market since the Great Depression"... my experience discerning what I'm supposed to be doing right now professionally and personally...and all the "stuff" that goes with it (my high school religion teacher is cringing right now at the use of the word "stuff").
I am not particularly witty or funny; I'm not the most observant or thoughtful person, either. I have tried writing for myself, but for some reason writing in a public realm just seems more personal, more fitting for the times and the situation I am in. I have ruminated over writing a blog for some time now; I generally find them narcissistic and just lame, and for this reason I don't read blogs on a regular basis. However, after careful thought over the summer and some self-reflection, I believe having a place to put my thoughts will help me become more observant and thoughtful, help me focus on what I need to focus on, and remember who I am while discovering who I am becoming.
I'm just trying to remember that it's all about the zig and zag...
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