As a soon-to-be-graduated senior, the pressure is on to find a job. As we entered our college careers with bright eyes and high expectations for what our education would bring us, we thought of as this time a distant obstacle to tackle in the faraway future. Well now it's 2010 and we're completely broke with many of us feeling like we didn't learn more than how to BS really well. It's time to make some money.
As it turns out, a lot of jobs just require you to have a college degree. It's amazing the kinds of things a person can qualify for because they were willing to put in the work for four years. So even if you don't think you qualify for a certain job, check it out. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that there's not that much to it.
-Craigslist will be your best friend. Though it may not be the top sight for Fortune500 companies, there's a lot of privately owned, start ups and other quirky places that advertise on there that could be a lot more fun than sitting in a cubicle.
-It never hurts to ask. Even if it doesn't seem like a company you want to work for is hiring, you can still send in a letter explaining yourself. Maybe they'll have a position opening in the near future that they haven't started looking for yet, or maybe your amazing writing skills and passion for what they do will make them remember you.
-Everybody has to start some where. So you can't seem to land that CEO position. That's really ok, a lot of companies promote within, and starting at the bottom will be a temporary move.
-Internships are still ok. Yes, moving back in with your parent would suuuuuuuck, but if you landed the BEST internship that would give you amazing experience and a possible job once it's done, it is a small sacrifice to make. Not to mention, free laundry and good *real* food? Always a plus.
-Look at your connections. What do your friend's parents do? Who do they know? Ask around, get the word out that you're looking for employment. This day in age it sometimes doesn't matter what you know, so much as who you know.
-Lastly, be aware that we're in a recession. Yes, it would be nice to know that you spent all this time, effort, and money to get yourself a good job once your done with school, but the cold truth is that there aren't too many jobs out there right now. You might have to settle for something that you're not that into. This is part of what being an adult is about, doing what you have to. Just because you have a job that you don't like right now, doesn't mean you'll always have that job. And if you hate it that much, it will just motivate you in the future to get somewhere better that will make you happier.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
$$$
I thought I would take this opportunity to discuss why being smart with your money is very important, ESPECIALLY when you're on a tight budget as a student.
I currently have a friend who is a full time student, and now has two jobs. He has spent his money on things that he really didn't need, and then put himself in a living situation that he was not going to be able to afford. Now he is in debt and there's a pretty good chance he will fail some classes this semester because he has no time to do homework (which is really just a waste of more money).
Don't end up like him! Be aware of things that you NEED, as opposed to what you WANT. Having a roof over your head is way more important than getting drunk this weekend.
Some common areas that students tend to spend their money: booze, food, entertainment, clothes. I know that these are all things that help make your college experience more grand, but think before you spend. If you want to get drunk, try to either pre-party before you go to the bars (Safeway and BevMo are the best for alcohol deals) or go for a bigger bulk of alcohol and split it with more people.
Go grocery shopping with a list of things that you need, so that you don't forget anything and you don't buy things you don't really need. And then use that food. Don't go out every night and let it rot. If you do go out, look for places that have student discounts (particularly the taquerias). Check out places like FoodMax that have good deals on food.
If you need a new outfit, check out Plato's Closet for some really great deals on good clothes. Not to mention you're helping recycle.
As for entertainment, a lot of places have student nights where there's either a discount or it's free. Pay attention to posters on campus, because they have some great things happening, like Free Pizza and Comedy night.
Really you just need to pay attention and use your common sense. Don't do things you know you can't afford just because you're friends are. Look at your bank statement a lot to make sure you're not getting too crazy, and always look for good deals.
I currently have a friend who is a full time student, and now has two jobs. He has spent his money on things that he really didn't need, and then put himself in a living situation that he was not going to be able to afford. Now he is in debt and there's a pretty good chance he will fail some classes this semester because he has no time to do homework (which is really just a waste of more money).
Don't end up like him! Be aware of things that you NEED, as opposed to what you WANT. Having a roof over your head is way more important than getting drunk this weekend.
Some common areas that students tend to spend their money: booze, food, entertainment, clothes. I know that these are all things that help make your college experience more grand, but think before you spend. If you want to get drunk, try to either pre-party before you go to the bars (Safeway and BevMo are the best for alcohol deals) or go for a bigger bulk of alcohol and split it with more people.
Go grocery shopping with a list of things that you need, so that you don't forget anything and you don't buy things you don't really need. And then use that food. Don't go out every night and let it rot. If you do go out, look for places that have student discounts (particularly the taquerias). Check out places like FoodMax that have good deals on food.
If you need a new outfit, check out Plato's Closet for some really great deals on good clothes. Not to mention you're helping recycle.
As for entertainment, a lot of places have student nights where there's either a discount or it's free. Pay attention to posters on campus, because they have some great things happening, like Free Pizza and Comedy night.
Really you just need to pay attention and use your common sense. Don't do things you know you can't afford just because you're friends are. Look at your bank statement a lot to make sure you're not getting too crazy, and always look for good deals.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Kiss Me Through Skype
My advice goes to my roommate who is working on a long-distance relationship. She is frustrated because she feels that her boyfriend does not show her enough affection, even when they're together. She's talked to him multiple times about it, and can't seem to get it through to him that she needs more.
I know some of you are probably thinking, why does she have to be so needy? Well, what you fail to understand is that everybody has their own "love language," where they have personal things that make them feel loved, and they show love in return. For some people, it's sending a little texts once or twice a day when they're not with their significant other. For others it might be making dinner for them, or doing a household chore so that their partner won't have to later. For some people, they need the extra little hug, or the kiss on the cheek to reassure them that they are loved, and they will want to reciprocate those actions. Sometimes not getting those little things that you need in a relationship to be happy can actually end the relationship all together.
My advice; you have to determine if this is what you NEED to make the relationship work. Though it is different for a long distance relationship because you aren't able to physically touch the person, there are other ways of showing affection. If this is what needs to happen for you to feel like you are in a loving relationship, and he(or she) can't give it to you, maybe it's not meant to be. It's the smaller things that make people compatible, much more so than the big picture things (like your occupation or where you're from). As hard as it might be to face, sometimes these things aren't meant to be, no matter how badly you want to make them work.
While you are unable to be selfish when making a relationship work, you are allowed to be a little selfish when you determine WHAT makes your relationship work, though realize that often, relationships are not 50/50. You have to be flexible and sacrifice from time to time, but not all the time.
I know some of you are probably thinking, why does she have to be so needy? Well, what you fail to understand is that everybody has their own "love language," where they have personal things that make them feel loved, and they show love in return. For some people, it's sending a little texts once or twice a day when they're not with their significant other. For others it might be making dinner for them, or doing a household chore so that their partner won't have to later. For some people, they need the extra little hug, or the kiss on the cheek to reassure them that they are loved, and they will want to reciprocate those actions. Sometimes not getting those little things that you need in a relationship to be happy can actually end the relationship all together.
My advice; you have to determine if this is what you NEED to make the relationship work. Though it is different for a long distance relationship because you aren't able to physically touch the person, there are other ways of showing affection. If this is what needs to happen for you to feel like you are in a loving relationship, and he(or she) can't give it to you, maybe it's not meant to be. It's the smaller things that make people compatible, much more so than the big picture things (like your occupation or where you're from). As hard as it might be to face, sometimes these things aren't meant to be, no matter how badly you want to make them work.
While you are unable to be selfish when making a relationship work, you are allowed to be a little selfish when you determine WHAT makes your relationship work, though realize that often, relationships are not 50/50. You have to be flexible and sacrifice from time to time, but not all the time.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Inspiration-Sucking-Teacher
My advice goes to my fellow student who is frustrated with a professor who doesn't seem to be giving her the inspiration she needs to complete her work for the class. He is more concerned with his own agenda than helping her create a project that she can be proud of and use as an important part of her portfolio.
I say; screw the professor. Teachers are there to help you learn, help you become better in your field and create an environment in which you can work your skills to the best of your ability. If you're teacher isn't doing that, take charge for yourself. We are paying thousands of dollars to be here, and we deserve something for our money. If the professor can't give it to you, find some one who can. Find a mentor within the program that can help you, or seek an internship in which you know you can learn more. Often, our education is what we make it. Make it into something that works better for you. And use the teacher's class time to get other things done. Many times, I have found myself in a class the is a waste of my time, and I often get work for other classes done, or errands like grocery shopping lists.
Yes, this class is required to take, which is really a shame because it doesn't seem to be doing much for this student, but as I like to say; "Don't let school get in the way of your education."
I say; screw the professor. Teachers are there to help you learn, help you become better in your field and create an environment in which you can work your skills to the best of your ability. If you're teacher isn't doing that, take charge for yourself. We are paying thousands of dollars to be here, and we deserve something for our money. If the professor can't give it to you, find some one who can. Find a mentor within the program that can help you, or seek an internship in which you know you can learn more. Often, our education is what we make it. Make it into something that works better for you. And use the teacher's class time to get other things done. Many times, I have found myself in a class the is a waste of my time, and I often get work for other classes done, or errands like grocery shopping lists.
Yes, this class is required to take, which is really a shame because it doesn't seem to be doing much for this student, but as I like to say; "Don't let school get in the way of your education."
Out of Touch Parents
This question comes from a younger friend of mine who has been having problems with her parent's separation anxiety. She says that they still try to control her life and tell her what to do, even though she is trying to become an adult in the university.
My advice; don't let them tell you. This may be easier said then done, because a part of us will always be yearning for our parents' approval on our lives, but you are not a child any more and you are capable of taking care of yourself.
One way to do this is just not tell them things that you're doing until you've already done them. This way they can't tell you to not do it, and in the end they'll see that you're fine and that there was no point to worrying anyways. But this might work for other situations better than others. For instance; "Hey mom, I went on a trip to the city this weekend with my roommates, it was great!" as opposed to "Daddy, check out my tattoo!" This may be difficult for some to do however because it feels like lying or sneaking around. In that case, I would suggest not asking them, but telling them. Tell them that you're going to do something. Don't make it sound like you're asking for their approval on what you're doing, but in fact you are doing them a favor by telling them what you are doing with your life.
College can be an awkward time for child/parent relationships because the child is no longer emotionally dependent on the parent, but their kid is still using their money. Be patient with them, because you know they've been patient with you through out the years, and give them time to realize how mature you've become, and how much you've grown as an individual.
My advice; don't let them tell you. This may be easier said then done, because a part of us will always be yearning for our parents' approval on our lives, but you are not a child any more and you are capable of taking care of yourself.
One way to do this is just not tell them things that you're doing until you've already done them. This way they can't tell you to not do it, and in the end they'll see that you're fine and that there was no point to worrying anyways. But this might work for other situations better than others. For instance; "Hey mom, I went on a trip to the city this weekend with my roommates, it was great!" as opposed to "Daddy, check out my tattoo!" This may be difficult for some to do however because it feels like lying or sneaking around. In that case, I would suggest not asking them, but telling them. Tell them that you're going to do something. Don't make it sound like you're asking for their approval on what you're doing, but in fact you are doing them a favor by telling them what you are doing with your life.
College can be an awkward time for child/parent relationships because the child is no longer emotionally dependent on the parent, but their kid is still using their money. Be patient with them, because you know they've been patient with you through out the years, and give them time to realize how mature you've become, and how much you've grown as an individual.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Un-Motivated
My first question comes from a senior at Sonoma State. She told me she was completely unmotivated to do her work and to get things done for school, and wants to know what she should do.
First, I'd say welcome to my life. As a senior it's hard to see the point of why you are continuously doing work that doesn't seem to be contributing to your education, so in the end some one else who you've probably never met decides that you've taken enough classes and learned enough to earn a piece of paper that suddenly says you're smart. It can be beyond frustrating.
But in the end, you have to look to the result. It may not seem like anything you're doing is helpful and something that you'd need to know, but it is the final step into obtaining your degree, which is becoming necessary to get a job now. Can you imagine what it would be like to try and find a job that you could sustain yourself in this economy without one? I'd say damn near impossible. Stick to the study habits that have gotten you this far, and make sure you're actually studying, not just having your book open while you read textsfromlastnight.com. Staying motivated and actually getting through school is part of what makes getting a college degree impressive. Just remember to keep looking forward and in the end it will be extremely beneficial to your future.
First, I'd say welcome to my life. As a senior it's hard to see the point of why you are continuously doing work that doesn't seem to be contributing to your education, so in the end some one else who you've probably never met decides that you've taken enough classes and learned enough to earn a piece of paper that suddenly says you're smart. It can be beyond frustrating.
But in the end, you have to look to the result. It may not seem like anything you're doing is helpful and something that you'd need to know, but it is the final step into obtaining your degree, which is becoming necessary to get a job now. Can you imagine what it would be like to try and find a job that you could sustain yourself in this economy without one? I'd say damn near impossible. Stick to the study habits that have gotten you this far, and make sure you're actually studying, not just having your book open while you read textsfromlastnight.com. Staying motivated and actually getting through school is part of what makes getting a college degree impressive. Just remember to keep looking forward and in the end it will be extremely beneficial to your future.
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