On The Blog Title..

by Christin

I’ve never really blogged before, so getting into this whole deal is new to me.  But I love writing, so I figured a blog entry would be the perfect way to plow through my Friday afternoon fatigue (side note: I obviously wrote most of this blog on Friday afternoon).  I know if I write a whole book on here Jake will make fun of me, so I’ll try not to get off track! 

Over the past month or so we had been dragging our feet about getting this blog up and running…mostly due to the fact that we couldn’t come up with a good blog name.  I was trying to think of something clever, fun, and alliterative that rhymed with “career”, “adventure”, or “journey”, but when Jake suggested the current title, I thought it perfectly described what we do here at the CPDC as well as the state of my own life.  It also serves as the perfect topic for my first blog entry EVER!

The age old question of “what should I do with my life?” is something I still continually ask myself, even as a graduate student and intern in the Career and Professional Development Center, of all places.  I’m sure you are thinking, shouldn’t she at least have some idea of what she wants to do with her life?  I do.  Sometimes.  Depending on the day and my current situation.  I’m incredibly fickle, so there are some days when I’m sure about my life and have a clear direction and other days where I haven’t a clue.

There was a time when I sincerely wished an email that told me what I should do with my life, and how I should do it, would show up in my inbox.  But over the past few years I have found, and continue to find, that the career journey is infinitely as important as the destination.  The confusion, the indecision, and the apprehension toward decisions about one’s future are all normal feelings to have.  I would venture to say not having all the answers is even good.  It forces you to be introspective, to try new things, and to step outside of your comfort zone. 

I know this has been incredibly true in my own life.  The risk-taking, new experiences, and feelings of being uncomfortable have all led to my own self-discovery, particularly in figuring out my own calling.  I am finally starting to figure out what exactly “I should do with my life”, and every experience I have had, both good and bad, had helped me to do this.

I know I risk sounding cliché, but life is a journey, and one’s career path is no different.  Everyone is at a different point on the map, and takes a different route to get to their destination.  And now time for my CPDC related shameless plug…There’s a reason that one of our office’s many resources on career exploration is called TartanGPS.  It helps you focus on your own career exploration through the lens of a journey, and it meets you where you are.  So be okay with where you are, and trust this whole process!

As you reflect on your own journey, I hope you’ll enjoy reading about mine as I continually seek to discover “what I should do with my life”.

Searching

by Jake

Today's Pandora station: Tokyo Police Club

The job hunt is in the early stages for me these days.  In putting together cover letters and revising my resume, I find nothing but stress.  For me, it gets to the point where I just give up, say "this is good enough", and pray for a response.  When all is said and done, I will be matched up with the right job and there's not much more I can do besides what I'm already doing.

Lot's of confidence coming from an intern who gives out this advice, right?  The fact is, though, that we don't have all of the answers!  I met with a pair of students today looking for internships this summer and felt those exact sentiments.  There's no simple 3-click method to magically find a pool of jobs you should apply for.  We have to get out there, do the leg work, and find them.  We have to find the institutions we want to work for and keep an eye on their job postings.  If that means that you go to Lockheed Martin's website every day starting 6 months before summer, then that's what you have to do.  If that means that I'll look on the University of Washington's website and find nothing I'm qualified for once a month for the past two years, then that's it.  No one's going to do it for us or just call us up and say "hey, I know you never applied for this perfect job, but do you want it?".

So, it takes a lot of faith.  A lot of faith in the system that your qualifications will get you the right job.  A lot of faith in yourself that you can find that job and market yourself well.  A lot of faith that some luck will point you to the right website or person on the right day.  We can't get too far without doing anything, but we won't get everywhere all by ourselves, either.

Days like today need some good tunes, which is why I pickedTokyo Police Club.  Upbeat and fun.  It's so nice outside and I can't wait to feel upbeat and fun on my bike ride home!  At the end of the day, whether I have a job in line or not, I can still ride my bike down the street and enjoy the cool breeze.  In the moment, that ride will feel better than any dental plan or 401k could.

An Introduction of Sorts

by Jake

Today's Pandora station:  The Strokes

Oh hello!  My name is Jake.  You can read about me in the About Jake section, naturally.

Today is Wednesday, the first of my three-day week as an intern in CMU's Career and Professional Development Center.  It's hard to drag myself out of bed on Wednesdays (you know, my Monday).  I don't have to get up early for anything Sat-Tues, so Wednesday is the toughest.  I also bike to work, or walk in the winter, so the single-digit temperatures today made my electric blanket seem like heaven this morning.  There's no better way to become alert in the morning than by walking a mile and a half in 8 degree breezes, though.  I think that's the main reason I can avoid coffee all day!

Today is not like normal Wednesday because my schedule is full of appointments with students preparing for tomorrow's career fair, the Employment Opportunities Conference (EOC).  I've been busy all day since my first appointment at 9am and I'll be working til the (my) bell at 3:30.  My appointments today are almost exclusively to help students prepare their resume for tomorrow's phenomenon that is a career fair.  Most of the students today met with me last week and wanted to schedule time to review their adjustments, so the second half of our appointment is usually an explanation of what tomorrow will be like.

Shake hands.  Smile.  Eye contact  Suit and tie.  What's your year?  What's your major?  Why do you want to work for us?  What are some projects you've done?  Scan the room.  Map out your route.  Make sure to do your research!  You'd better know what internships Google is offering before you give them your "elevator speech"!

It's a game, the career search.  Not only do you have to do impressive things to put on the resume, but you have to present it well, along with a cover letter, then clean up and present yourself well at the career fair.  Maybe then you'll get an interview! 

Then there's the interview.  Do it all again.  Be ready to map out your biggest strength and weakness.  Think about a time you faced adversity and overcame.  Can I talk about when I played on a sprained ankle in the state championship?  Or maybe when I was paired with the lazy kid in class for our final project?  I don't know if "not killing your partner" really counts as "overcoming adversity"...

It's all a game that we have to master.  We are all salesmen when it comes to the job market, which is why everyone has to be able to communicate well, no matter your field. 

The most interesting aspect for me is that I'm on both sides right now.  I'm telling students how to prepare for the job search, but I'm job-searching myself as graduation approaches.  I look forward to sharing part of that journey with you, so you might figure out your own path.

Give the advice, then take your own.  Hopefully I'm giving good advice.