Goal, Planning & My Transition

The struggle continues...

For years, I have been told to plan and the goals I have set will all come to pass. 4 years ago my goals consisted of getting good grades, a great GPA and being able to balance my social and academic life. These short term goals ultimately lead to what I thought was my ultimate goal...to go to LAW SCHOOL. The scary land where I will have to legally be correct at all times. After planning that for years, I come to the realization that, that long term may not be as attainable in my lifestyle as I once thought it was in the past. Instead those short term goals that broke down that long term goal lead to another goal. Based on informational interviews and career exploration as a whole my college transition may not be into an graduate career but instead into the "real world". I'm scared of that transition. I won't be able to lean on my friends assistance, I can't just not go to work and my social life may come to a unfortunate end. Graduation is Saturday and I'm still struggling with the Transition and goal planning...But I'll find out what I need to do... I'm sure of it!

Racism & Sexism in the workplace

I was born what some may describe to be a double sided sword. I am an African American Women in a male dominated economic society. As decades have pass women have seen doors open, yet very slowly, on their dreams to own or be a head of a monumental company. On the other hand doors have opened slowly for African Americans as well as women but far much slower than usual. When combined with both of these identities the prospects of being choosing for some opportunities are slim. Michelle Obama opened the door for Black women politically but she alone will not diminish the struggle that has happened for decades to come. Racism in the workplace specifically in some ways may be unrecognizable. Emphasis should be put on how mere instances such as making stereotypical comments about someone's religion based on their race can be seen as racism. What can also be noted is the reason behind women being denied specific occupations. on the other hand notes should be taken on men also being denied a position based on them males, such a being a nurse, or waitress.

Do's, Don't & The Interview

So you got the interview?! Now what do and don't you wear?! The interview... The one thing we all wish for, but the results may vary based on the feared "first impression". After careful use of networking and good job search skills the last thing a person should do is give a terrible interview. What most might not think is important, in the eyes of an employer may be what makes or breaks them. an interview may be broken not by what is being said but by the etiquette you particularly choose to engage in. What I was shocked was to find out was that my nose ring was necessarily that big of a factor. Something that I rarely realized was in my nose would cause the demise of what I sought out to do, climb the career tower. Other rules such as leaning inward and nodding never crossed my mind. I have come to the realization that in some cases the interview may be far more important than your skill. What you outline to an employer in your dress and etiquette may just get you a job you may not have originally been qualified to do.

Who am I: Resume & Cover Letter

Your resume is a one page reflection of your accomplishments over the past years from your education to your interest. This one page autobiography can in many cases make or break your opportunity of gaining a position at a particular company. As it has recently been brought to my attention most employers allot a mere 20 seconds of their time to your resume'. With that being said the development and revision of your resume' should be constant. Highlighting the most important contributions you have made to a company or institution. Although being with yourself for 21 years elicits the idea of knowing the important highlights of my career, my resume' development was frustrating. I could never, until recently conclude my life experiences into a one page reflection. while even equipped with the important resume' commandments the creation of a resume' was tedious. In the end its creation has proved beneficial and hopefully will continue my surge to the top of the totem pole.

In Connection with the resume' is the "infamous" Cover Letter. For years when asked to submit this short written intent of interest I was baffled. It never dawned on me the real importance of its accompaniment with my resume'. Today my reflection is much different, although assisted by windows templates, I realized what I was being asked. It wasn't something that could be copied and pasted from another source. A cover letter was something that just like my resume' had to be my reflection and no one else's.

Internships

This summer do you have Career plans? I never did, unless a local job at Borders counted. In regards to future career growth, internships provide excellent opportunities for students. They go beyond informational interviews and allow for hands on contact with the actual work behind the field. Students in some instances are held responsible for actual company based work or group campaigning. Ultimately both the company and student benefit from this opportunity. But be WARNED!... Internships go FAST! Since they provide so much of a resume' builder, undergrads must express interest as early as possible, in many cases 2 months head of time. After 4 years without an internship the possible doors that could have opened for me had I known the importance of them, is baffling. Even after my undergraduate career I may seek out an internship opportunity. Whether paid or unpaid the opportunities and resources from doing something of this sort and in some cases magnitude seems endless. I ENCOURAGE ALL UNDERGRADS TO DO WHAT I DIDN'T DO... INTERNSHIPS!

Networking & The Job Search

Although not a specific class in gaining your average bachelor's degree, networking in & out of classroom is an essential part of career evolution. Through informational interviews, one-on-one contact with a professional in your desired field, a student may gain long needed connections. These interviews, as I have experienced, are not necessarily based on quantity as much as they are based on the quality. The beneficial personal and professional information shared from one to another could have a significant effect on one's life long decisions. Rather than reading the printed "ideal" image of a career, getting the hands on experience gives students an extra boost in what's to come in that particular field. As students go out on the much feared job search, utilizing their local professional from their informational interview may lead them to a job gold mine. Not only will the professional be able to lead them in the right direction for work, they may also be able to solidify an entry position at their very own company. Although an informational interview should never be used as a job search, expressing your interest may enthuse the interviewee to contact you in the near future about a job. Personally the informational interview acted as an eye opener. It allows you to separate what you thought a specific career path entailed with actually everyday information. Had I not sought out my professional, it may have been a longer road to happiness and a tedious job search.