Farewell to Childhood

by on June 9, 2011 · 1 comment

Less than 24 hours ago, I returned from a 17 day trip to Europe. Right before that happened, I graduated college and packed up my belongings to move home, pack again, and hop a flight. I sit at my Macbook, as my fingers once again acquaint themselves with the computer they haven’t seen for nearly 3 weeks. Photos upload in the background. As for me…I’m at complete peace.

I was so worried as I faced my parents yesterday about my planned declaration of independence. While I will continue to live at their [my] home for the next year, I wanted to assert that I need to be an independent young woman. By the time my dad lifted my luggage into the Ford Explorer at the airport, I had proclaimed that I had paid off my credit card and tuition bills, and listed reasons why I did not want to purchase a used car this summer in lieu of getting a new car in the fall while taking the bus for three months. My parents just stared at me and said “Okay.” They’re adjusting as well as anyone can be, it’s hard for them to let go, just like it’s been hard for me to take the wheel.

My mother suggests that I get some of my mess unpacked…sure, I’ll get to that. My room still looks like a seventeen year-old JV tennis player lives there. She’s long gone. A big overhaul will be required, but we’ll get there eventually. I look at my to-do list before I head to work on Monday, things are finishing, debts are getting paid. My life is straightening itself out almost autonomously. This is weird. I’m not used to being so calm.

One night while I was in London this past week, I got somewhat ill. While my travel companions ate delicious sweets and indulged in dessert wines, I held a water bottle in one hand and a pen in the other as I scribbled out some words that had been on my mind. It became similar to vows a couple may exchange at a wedding, but I wrote it with only myself as the recipient.

From this day forward, I vow my life to you
To make a change
And become the woman I was meant to be
I vow:

To never let money be an excuse for choosing not to chase my dreams
To work where my values align with theirs, and to work my hardest to perform at an optimal level
To pursue creativity at all costs throughout my life
To love with reckless abandon, but only when it feels right to my heart
To treat and care for my body in a way that it deserves
And to never cease in becoming the woman God has destined me to be.

So I solemnly swear today until death.

6 June 2011

Dramatic? Maybe a bit. I’ll chalk it up to being in a poetic mood that day. Yet, in the end, dramatic or not, that oath written three days ago in London serves as a good promise for how I wish to continue to live out this young life. These past 22 years of education and guidance have led me to where I am now. Here’s to the future.

Nail Your Interview with an “Internship Imagination” Plan

by on April 23, 2011 · 0 comments

Originally published at YouTern

With internships in career services and plenty of successful (and on occasion horrifying) interviews under my belt, I have often been asked for tips and advice before their internship interviews. My first piece of advice is always…

“Before the interview, imagine yourself in the internship.”

That sounds easy enough. You’ll fetch coffee from the local Starbucks, then head over to the local Subway for lunch with the other interns. After a few months, you’ll have several job offers with promises of hefty incomes. Right?

Not so fast.

If that’s how you pictured your future internship, it’s time to wipe that mental canvas clean – and get to work on an imagination plan that will get you the internship, and perhaps a job.

How do you do that? Here are three easy steps:

1. Study the Job Description

Sure, this seems completely elementary. But I’ve had friends call me the day of an interview (at the organization where I was an intern) and ask me what the job was about. Too late!

Just after you schedule the interview, it’s time to get to do some homework. Print the job description. Grab a pen and highlighter. Highlight the duties that you’d know how to do from day one, and then those for which you’d need some further instruction. Don’t worry if there are a few duties that require some instruction. After all, an internship should not only strengthen your existing skills but enable you to develop new skills and experiences as well.

2. Review the Company’s Website and Social Media Channels

Find out as much as possible about the company. Review its products and industry; know the names of several likely competitors; read the “About Us” page and any management information the site provides. What recent major accomplishments have been occurred that you can use as an ice-breaker? Look for indications of the company’s style or culture.

Search on LinkedIn to find profiles of past interns. See if they mention anything about their job duties, or recommendations for success benchmarks.

3. Now… Begin Imagining

 

Grab a pen and paper and – using your research and imagination – outline what your daily routines might be during that internship – and how to excel.

Can you think of ways you might improve your likely tasks? Perhaps you could create more efficient programs or more streamlined processes. What experience do you have that could improve existing responsibilities? Write these ideas down. Do you have questions or need clarification on certain duties? Record those as well.

Once you have your list, practice ways to communicate your ideas for the position, and your questions for clarification. Employers will love to see that you’ve taken the time to do your homework – have walked in with a plan. They will have a better understanding of what to expect when they hire you.

Next step, after you get the internship: Start finding routes to all the nearest coffee spots (just in case!)

 

 

A Lesson in Burnout Season

by on March 12, 2011 · 0 comments

I’m busy, I’m not afraid to admit it in the least. I’m finishing up my senior year with three modestly difficult courses, two part-time internships, a vice-presidency in a business fraternity, secretary of a board of directors, and numerous other smaller engagements surrounding freelance writing and social media. I expected this final semester to be very much a sprint to the finish line, with small hurdles in the way.

What I did not expect, was a complete burnout. [click to continue…]

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