I hate when I share a story with someone about a special moment or accomplishment and am met with unsolicited advice. Not only does that take away from the point of me sharing my happy news with you but it is an insult to my intelligence.
I am sure they mean well when trying to "guide me" but it feels more like I am being patronized. Like it isn't possible for me to comprehend what I should do next. The advice they give me is such common sense that I become easily irritated. It makes me want to respond with sarcastic and snarky remarks.
Me: "Look at this cool milestone I just reached!"
Person: "That's nice, but (insert unsolicited advice here)"
Me: "Oh, thank the heavens for your infinite knowledge! A lay person, like I, would have never been able to reach such a verdict on my own. I will be forever guided by your wisdom. Praise (insert name here)!"
It also makes me want to scream "NO SHIT!"
I wasn't born yesterday. Not only that, but I have been on my own for a very long time now...without parents or family. I have lost it all, overcome homelessness, and started my life over from scratch. I have learned many life lessons and have done quite an excellent job at getting to where I am today. All of which I have done without genius advice from others.
When I do feel like I could use some perspective I seek out those I respect, present my situation, and ask them for their input. After collecting multiple views on the matter I then take time to process it all and make the best decision for myself. I have learned how to be successful through the relationships I have built with those who are already successful, the relationships I have built with those I have seen go from "nowhere" to somewhere, and through taking every opportunity that comes my way. I have faced some of my greatest fears and challenges to become the person I am today. Those who know of my accomplishments and character never feel the need to change the focus of my achievements to what they think I should be doing. They celebrate with me and know I am more than capable of taking care of my business.
I know a part of this advice is given with good intentions. I have to appreciate that. I can't expect those people to know what is going on in my life in order for them to make a more informed remark about my situation. Only a handful of people know the entirety of what I am involved in and the path I am on. If everyone else knew, perhaps it would prevent verbal diarrhea.
And as you can probably tell if you have read this far, unsolicited advice, even when it comes from a good place, drives me up the freaking wall. Suffice it to say, this is a major pet peeve.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Friday, August 22, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Post-Graduation
As I enter my senior year at Emerson College, friends and family alike have been asking me the age old question, "What are you going to do?" This is always followed by, "Where do you want to go?" "Will you stay in Boston?" "Have you considered moving to LA or NYC?"
My answer is always simple-- "I am going to go wherever life takes me." That isn't to say I haven't played a huge role in my own success thus far, because I have. I have hustled my arse off to be where I am today. I will continue to hustle. A lot can happen in one year. How am I to know where I will end up? Who I might meet? Or the opportunities that will come my way?
When I transferred to Emerson last year I had no idea the opportunities that await me. I was new all over again. I had zero connections there. I was like Bambi as he took his first steps. Fast forward to a year later and I have spent my summer doing TV production work for the Red Sox, am helping to produce several films for award winning filmmakers, was sought out for my first paid video production gig, and just received an email from an amazing documentary production company wanting to set up a phone interview with me as I hope to intern for them this fall.
I will reiterate, in one year, who knows who I will meet, work with, or where I will end up? The only plan I can have is to continue hustling. A few months prior to graduation I will begin job hunting...if I don't already have a prospective job lined up by then. For the right career opportunity, I am willing to relocate. I am also available to travel for my work. Whatever is waiting for me I will find it. But, until the time has come for this all I can tell you now is, I will be ok.
My answer is always simple-- "I am going to go wherever life takes me." That isn't to say I haven't played a huge role in my own success thus far, because I have. I have hustled my arse off to be where I am today. I will continue to hustle. A lot can happen in one year. How am I to know where I will end up? Who I might meet? Or the opportunities that will come my way?
When I transferred to Emerson last year I had no idea the opportunities that await me. I was new all over again. I had zero connections there. I was like Bambi as he took his first steps. Fast forward to a year later and I have spent my summer doing TV production work for the Red Sox, am helping to produce several films for award winning filmmakers, was sought out for my first paid video production gig, and just received an email from an amazing documentary production company wanting to set up a phone interview with me as I hope to intern for them this fall.
I will reiterate, in one year, who knows who I will meet, work with, or where I will end up? The only plan I can have is to continue hustling. A few months prior to graduation I will begin job hunting...if I don't already have a prospective job lined up by then. For the right career opportunity, I am willing to relocate. I am also available to travel for my work. Whatever is waiting for me I will find it. But, until the time has come for this all I can tell you now is, I will be ok.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Success takes more than a degree
It really upsets me watching people who have college degrees work shitty jobs that have absolutely nothing to do with what they studied. It also really upsets me when some of those people claim "college is a waste" and "my degree did nothing for me." Yes and no... Either the college you attended did nothing for you, you did nothing for you, or both. I wouldn't place full blame on the degree you received but the institution from which you studied. How many colleges teach career planning along with the subjects offered as part of the curriculum? Too many college graduates are under prepared for the real world because all they practiced in those 4 years was how to regurgitate information. You will need a lot more than memorized theories if you want to have a career. The other half of the blame goes to the student who didn't take the initiative to research, plan (or try to plan) and execute the steps needed in order to work in the field in which they desired. Also, shame on them for allowing themselves to waste their degree, money, and time spent in college.
If there is one thing I am really proud of it is how Bunker Hill Community College wants to prepare students to be successful in every aspect of their lives. That is why the new LifeMap center was developed in the first place. Same with the Learn & Earn Program where students who study Biotechnology, Business Administration, Computer Technology, Engineering and Visual Media Arts gain paid work experience at some of the largest businesses in Massachusetts. Internships play a large role in gaining real life experience, work related experience, as well as a way to narrow down your career objectives. At Bunker Hill we have a long list of departments and services that are all committed to helping students discover their career and educational objectives and give them the tools necessary to achieve their goals.
It takes research, planning, hard work, and commitment to be successful. It also takes more than just attending class and submitting homework. Potential employers look for individuals who get involved on and off campus. Of course getting involved helps you to stand apart from your competition but it also teaches you how to appropriately interact with others. You learn invaluable interpersonal skills that will allow you to be more successful in both your professional and personal life. It may seem like common sense that interpersonal skills are a must but you would be surprised how many people lack the ability to communicate effectively or are unaware of their non-verbal cues. Having worked for over two years at a 2 year institution I have interacted with a wide variety of people. It saddens me to say that the level of disrespect, psychological projection, blame, and straight up insulting interactions I have witnessed and suffered through myself shows there is a problem. I understand in certain cases it can be the individual who might suffer from say a mental illness or as humans sometimes we can have a bad day and treat others poorly because of it. But I am getting off topic... More than history, science, and math needs to be taught in our school systems.
When making the decision to pursue an education it is so important to ask yourself the right questions.
Actually, the most important things you can do while in college is volunteer at organizations/companies, intern, join clubs on campus, and stay active within the community. Not only are you learning interpersonal skills, but being involved is how you are going to build your network. Networking is very crucial when applying to jobs. You never know how someone can and will play a certain role in your life and in helping you secure a position or by passing along information of opportunities. Ask the successful people that you know how they got to where they are. I bet most of them knew someone who assisted them in landing the position/s needed to be successful.
On that note, be nice to everyone! You never know when you might run into them again and if they might be your boss someday. What goes around certainly comes around.
And finally, it isn't just about who you know. You may know someone who could get you that job you've been eying... but will they? Are you someone with integrity and reliability? Use your time at college to build who you are and become that person no company could turn away.
If there is one thing I am really proud of it is how Bunker Hill Community College wants to prepare students to be successful in every aspect of their lives. That is why the new LifeMap center was developed in the first place. Same with the Learn & Earn Program where students who study Biotechnology, Business Administration, Computer Technology, Engineering and Visual Media Arts gain paid work experience at some of the largest businesses in Massachusetts. Internships play a large role in gaining real life experience, work related experience, as well as a way to narrow down your career objectives. At Bunker Hill we have a long list of departments and services that are all committed to helping students discover their career and educational objectives and give them the tools necessary to achieve their goals.
It takes research, planning, hard work, and commitment to be successful. It also takes more than just attending class and submitting homework. Potential employers look for individuals who get involved on and off campus. Of course getting involved helps you to stand apart from your competition but it also teaches you how to appropriately interact with others. You learn invaluable interpersonal skills that will allow you to be more successful in both your professional and personal life. It may seem like common sense that interpersonal skills are a must but you would be surprised how many people lack the ability to communicate effectively or are unaware of their non-verbal cues. Having worked for over two years at a 2 year institution I have interacted with a wide variety of people. It saddens me to say that the level of disrespect, psychological projection, blame, and straight up insulting interactions I have witnessed and suffered through myself shows there is a problem. I understand in certain cases it can be the individual who might suffer from say a mental illness or as humans sometimes we can have a bad day and treat others poorly because of it. But I am getting off topic... More than history, science, and math needs to be taught in our school systems.
When making the decision to pursue an education it is so important to ask yourself the right questions.
Questions to ask
yourself:
Identify your educational, career, life goals:
Do I have any hobbies? If yes, what are they? How could they be incorporated into a career?
What makes me happy? How can that be incorporated into a career?
Do I have any hobbies? If yes, what are they? How could they be incorporated into a career?
What makes me happy? How can that be incorporated into a career?
What do I hope to achieve in one semester? (4.0 GPA, join
a club, etc.)
What do I hope to achieve by continuing my education?
Where do I see myself in the future? Overall, what is my "big picture"? What steps can I take to get there?
Educational Plan/Course Selection:
What is my program of study?
What is my program of study?
What requirements must I fulfill in order to complete my
program?
Do I meet all pre-requisites? If not- which development
courses do I need to take? How will they fit into my academic timeline? Or,
which introductory course do I need to take first before taking a core course?
Which courses, if any, are taught only once a year (just
fall semester/just spring semester)? How does this affect my academic timeline?
Begin exploring transfer options:
What is my career objective? What major will guide me to my prospective career?
What is my career objective? What major will guide me to my prospective career?
Which schools offer my major?
Once a list of schools is compiled-- what are their general
education requirements? Do my courses fulfill their Gen Ed requirements?
Compare course descriptions.
Do any of my core courses match the core courses offered at
the schools on my list?
If I am unsure what classes/credits might transfer, contact
the admissions office at prospective schools. Set up a time to meet, discuss
everything via email, and/or take a campus tour--learn more about the schools.
What does each school offer me outside of the classroom?
Internships? Professional network? Connections to the industry I want to work
in? State of the art facilities? Community? Sports? Clubs?
Develop Financial Plan for continued education and life after
graduation:
How much does it cost to attend?
How much does it cost to attend?
In state or out of state tuition?
How much aid have I used so far? Grants? Subsidized
Government Loans? Unsubsidized Government Loans? Mass no interest loan? Scholarships?
How was each financial aid section distributed?
What do I currently owe?
What is the interest rate on my loans? In x amount of time
it takes me to complete my degree-- how much will I owe + interest?
Depending on the repayment plan-- what will my monthly
payments be?
How much money am I currently making? What are my expenses?
Will I have enough at this wage minus expenses to afford my student loan
payments?
How much is tuition and fees for my prospective schools of
transfer?
Will government aid be enough? Or will I have to consider
private loans?
There is so much planning that should occur when deciding to go to college. First it is important that you truly want to go to school and are willing to put in the time and commitment to complete your degree. It won't look good to employers if you cannot finish something you started.
If you do not know what you want to study at first that is ok. Not everyone knows what they want to do with their lives but what they do know is that they want to get an education. If you do not know what to study maybe apply for the general education program, take several different elective courses and pursue your options during your first year. Once you become a second year student you should have a better idea of the direction you would like to bring your life. If not, seek the help of an advisor, career counselor, volunteer at organizations or companies, intern, go to www.myplan.com and browse the different careers and majors... just stay active in discovering yourself and set short-term, mid-term, and long term goals.
If you do not know what you want to study at first that is ok. Not everyone knows what they want to do with their lives but what they do know is that they want to get an education. If you do not know what to study maybe apply for the general education program, take several different elective courses and pursue your options during your first year. Once you become a second year student you should have a better idea of the direction you would like to bring your life. If not, seek the help of an advisor, career counselor, volunteer at organizations or companies, intern, go to www.myplan.com and browse the different careers and majors... just stay active in discovering yourself and set short-term, mid-term, and long term goals.
Actually, the most important things you can do while in college is volunteer at organizations/companies, intern, join clubs on campus, and stay active within the community. Not only are you learning interpersonal skills, but being involved is how you are going to build your network. Networking is very crucial when applying to jobs. You never know how someone can and will play a certain role in your life and in helping you secure a position or by passing along information of opportunities. Ask the successful people that you know how they got to where they are. I bet most of them knew someone who assisted them in landing the position/s needed to be successful.
On that note, be nice to everyone! You never know when you might run into them again and if they might be your boss someday. What goes around certainly comes around.
And finally, it isn't just about who you know. You may know someone who could get you that job you've been eying... but will they? Are you someone with integrity and reliability? Use your time at college to build who you are and become that person no company could turn away.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Stuck In the Middle With You
I am feeling "stuck in the middle."
I am nearing the end of my long journey to Emerson which has taken three years of hard work, little to no sleep, and a lot of self-motivation. After working so hard for so long I have a rather laid back last semester. I am taking one class which only meets once a week. This has opened up more hours for me to work and much more time to myself. I even started to write a script! I haven't written a proper script since eighth grade. Even though that is how I wanted to spend my last semester before starting up the hard work again I keep finding myself eager to get to the point where I can actually start making money working in TV.
I have built a great academic resume and have years of experience working with a large diverse population of people along with a ton of other useful skills... but none of which could get me in the door to TV Production yet. As far as I know, anyway. When I browse through friends Facebook pages, a lot of whom have finished their undergraduate degrees, they are either working in their field or in grad school while also working in their field. I get so envious of this! I know my time is coming but I am just so eager to be there.
It just seems like all these people get to just live there lives doing all these exciting things while I am stuck here, not doing anything special per say, as I go through my transition. I know I will do exciting things in my future but it's the waiting part that feels like it lasts forever. I only submitted my application to Emerson 10 days ago and it already feels like an eternity. I keep going in circles of checking the Emerson Portal (even though I know nothing has changed), going to the BBC work experience page and day dreaming about possible future internships, researching Emerson acceptance rates, reading and re-reading the different Transfer Student info pages at Emerson.edu, drafting my prospective Emerson class schedule if accepted, researching the clubs and organizations I want to join while a student at Emerson, and so many other internet searches on the things I want to get involved in.
I can't stop anxiously waiting for May. May 15th is Emerson's decision notification day... My future depends on that decision. I can't help but be consumed by thoughts, concerns, and anxiety. That, and I seriously cannot wait to go to Costa Rica. Which, just so happens to start on May 18th. May is going to be a big month for me. Unless, of course, Emerson informs me of a decision before May. In which case, I suppose May will still be huge because I'M GOING TO COSTA RICA!!
I just can't wait to be living my dream. I can't wait til I am traveling, making TV magic happen, and making enough money to finally fully support myself, my needs and wants, and Ryan. I can't wait to be meeting big names and making a big name for myself. I can't wait to experience more of life and continue to grow as a person. I can't wait to give back to my community and help good causes. I just can't wait to have a life beyond college.
I am nearing the end of my long journey to Emerson which has taken three years of hard work, little to no sleep, and a lot of self-motivation. After working so hard for so long I have a rather laid back last semester. I am taking one class which only meets once a week. This has opened up more hours for me to work and much more time to myself. I even started to write a script! I haven't written a proper script since eighth grade. Even though that is how I wanted to spend my last semester before starting up the hard work again I keep finding myself eager to get to the point where I can actually start making money working in TV.
I have built a great academic resume and have years of experience working with a large diverse population of people along with a ton of other useful skills... but none of which could get me in the door to TV Production yet. As far as I know, anyway. When I browse through friends Facebook pages, a lot of whom have finished their undergraduate degrees, they are either working in their field or in grad school while also working in their field. I get so envious of this! I know my time is coming but I am just so eager to be there.
It just seems like all these people get to just live there lives doing all these exciting things while I am stuck here, not doing anything special per say, as I go through my transition. I know I will do exciting things in my future but it's the waiting part that feels like it lasts forever. I only submitted my application to Emerson 10 days ago and it already feels like an eternity. I keep going in circles of checking the Emerson Portal (even though I know nothing has changed), going to the BBC work experience page and day dreaming about possible future internships, researching Emerson acceptance rates, reading and re-reading the different Transfer Student info pages at Emerson.edu, drafting my prospective Emerson class schedule if accepted, researching the clubs and organizations I want to join while a student at Emerson, and so many other internet searches on the things I want to get involved in.
I can't stop anxiously waiting for May. May 15th is Emerson's decision notification day... My future depends on that decision. I can't help but be consumed by thoughts, concerns, and anxiety. That, and I seriously cannot wait to go to Costa Rica. Which, just so happens to start on May 18th. May is going to be a big month for me. Unless, of course, Emerson informs me of a decision before May. In which case, I suppose May will still be huge because I'M GOING TO COSTA RICA!!
I just can't wait to be living my dream. I can't wait til I am traveling, making TV magic happen, and making enough money to finally fully support myself, my needs and wants, and Ryan. I can't wait to be meeting big names and making a big name for myself. I can't wait to experience more of life and continue to grow as a person. I can't wait to give back to my community and help good causes. I just can't wait to have a life beyond college.
Friday, December 28, 2012
I can feel my future in the air
Published on April 9th 2012
Link to original post
I am seven courses away from graduating with my associates degree at Bunker Hill Community College. This both excites and terrifies me at the same time.
I am a year away from Emerson. And once I become an Emerson student I will be two years away from graduating with my BA and starting work in my career field. That thought scares the shit out of me.
When you are younger all the things you want to do with your life are but mere dreams. You fantasize about the future, what you want to accomplish and who you will become. I am on the verge of no longer dreaming.
Now, I am not saying my exact dreams are coming true or that I will ever really stop dreaming. Nor am I specifically referring to my fantasies. What I am referring to is the fact that my future doesn't seem so far away anymore. I am close to starting my career and by George that makes me feel so old...and dare I say "grown up"?
I also worry that my expectations won't be met. What if Emerson doesn't do for me what I always thought it would? What if my hard work isn't enough and I am never met with opportunities? What if everything I have dreamed my life would be, isn't at all how it ends up?
I guess those are the things you have to deal with as you get older. I may not know what is in store for my future, but I can promise to never stop working toward making my dreams come true. Let's just hope I am not met with disappointment.
I know life doesn't always go according to plan, but I hope that whatever it is I am meant to do, it will bring me happiness.
Link to original post
I am seven courses away from graduating with my associates degree at Bunker Hill Community College. This both excites and terrifies me at the same time.
I am a year away from Emerson. And once I become an Emerson student I will be two years away from graduating with my BA and starting work in my career field. That thought scares the shit out of me.
When you are younger all the things you want to do with your life are but mere dreams. You fantasize about the future, what you want to accomplish and who you will become. I am on the verge of no longer dreaming.
Now, I am not saying my exact dreams are coming true or that I will ever really stop dreaming. Nor am I specifically referring to my fantasies. What I am referring to is the fact that my future doesn't seem so far away anymore. I am close to starting my career and by George that makes me feel so old...and dare I say "grown up"?
I also worry that my expectations won't be met. What if Emerson doesn't do for me what I always thought it would? What if my hard work isn't enough and I am never met with opportunities? What if everything I have dreamed my life would be, isn't at all how it ends up?
I guess those are the things you have to deal with as you get older. I may not know what is in store for my future, but I can promise to never stop working toward making my dreams come true. Let's just hope I am not met with disappointment.
I know life doesn't always go according to plan, but I hope that whatever it is I am meant to do, it will bring me happiness.
Hello, my name is Sarah...
I am seriously obsessed with Ghost Adventures and it has very little to do with the ghost hunting. Okay, I do love the ghost hunting but I am obsessed for an entirely different reason. I can’t help but feel their excitement and passion with each episode. I feel that I am usually a good judge in character and I believe that these three men are genuine in what they do. The way they get excited and pumped when something super natural happens seems real to me. I can feel it through the T.V. I thoroughly enjoy watching these lads living a dream. It gives me hope.
Zak, Nick, and Aaron were all me at one point. I am not certain if they all went to film school or not, but I do know Zak did. But they all came from different parts of the U.S. They all lived normal lives with normal jobs. When Zak experienced his first encounter with the paranormal it drove him to seek answers. His passion lead him on a journey that would eventually land him a television show on the Travel Channel. This inspires me greatly.
I think about how their several second clip of an apparition got them on the news. Then that lead to other stations wanting to interview them, which lead to news paper articles, people contacting them for investigations, and eventually they caught the eye of someone from the Travel Channel. I don’t know the full story of how it all happened but it moves me.
I also love the style of editing that is done for their show. I am not sure who does the post production now that they are on T.V. but it follows the set up used back when it was 4Reel productions. I especially love that they show their evidence in “real time” as the audience follows them through the dark. Not to mention how perfect their three personalities blend to make a concoction of awesome. haha. Everything about the show is grand. The production (pre - post), the crew, the narration.
I am also guilty of following them on FB and Twitter because I get to share in their success and see the kind of life I want to make for myself.
Zak, Nick, and Aaron you have proven more than the existence of ghosts. You have shown me and many others that you can make dreams come true. With passion and perseverance anything is possible.
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