Week 6

As we summer scholars are all entering our last year or two of college—and as some of us will commence job-searching in what is really just a matter of weeks—having superior interview skills is invaluable. At last week’s Lunch and Learn, however, Julie taught us that succeeding in an interview can mean little if one doesn’t truly want or won’t enjoy the job in question. I’d like to keep an open mind when it comes to my first veritable job, and I’ve always thought that I’d end up grabbing at whatever I’m able to get, so long as it pays enough to cover the essentials (and, maybe too idealistically, my college loans…). Yet Julie stressed the importance of maintaining certain standards—to not immediately submit to any potentially less-than-appealing opportunity that arises simply because it’s a job. And if sticking up for what I want means being a little more pleased with life during whatever that fated first out-of-college job is, then perhaps I can be a little more choosey than I had anticipated.

I don’t know if my stipulations are actually non-negotiable; flexibility is something I’d like to maintain, and if a trade-off existed in which one or two of my “requirements” were fulfilled in addition to some supplemental, un-thought of benefit, I might be equally pleased. Still, I do think I’ve discovered a few things that would make me truly happy as I finally step into the real work world. A high-energy, people-oriented environment in which I can collaborate with others and in which we can share our thoughts and feed off each other’s ideas; a relatively young group of co-workers so that we can relate to each other—help each other out—as we embark together on the journey and adventure that is real life; finally, an urban location, because I’ve dwelled in suburbia for 21 years now and am itching to experience the hustle and bustle of a city. As I begin my job search this fall, I’ll be sure to keep these characteristics in mind; for now, I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.