Mondays

So today is Monday, naturally, I assumed that it was going to be "a bad day."  I woke up with a headache, I had to go to a job fair for a job that I didn't think that I would really be interested in.  Both of my tenants had to pay rent today, and it's usually a battle to even get them on the phone, much less collect any money (disclaimer: one of my tenants is pretty amazing, they're really sweet people, and they actually care about me and my property.) Anyway, I just had a negative attitude about the whole day, something that I'm not usually one to have.  I'm normally the positive, "glass is half-full" type of girl.  So I dragged myself out of bed, and got the day going. 

Here's how I was blessed today, and how it has reminded me to always have a positive outlook on life:

First, I looked in the mirror to find that my face has significantly cleared up (I break out when I'm stressed)

Second, I couldn't decide what to wear, because I wanted to wear it all, which is quite the opposite of the "I don't have anything to wear" attitude.

After I left the house, I went to the job fair, and found that it was extremely crowded, and the person that I talked to didn't really seem interested in talking to me.  Maybe she could sense that I didn't really want to manage a Denny's; either way, I don't think it's a bad thing that it didn't work out.  It reminded me to keep my eye on my career goal.  To not get distracted by the jobs that I don't really have an interest in, just because they're there. 

I went by to see my friend Andrea, and she told me that she had a CD with pictures she took of me on Friday at our makeover/modelling session.  It's really great to get professional photographs of yourself and a $45 makeover for free!  She also invited me to go to the next shutterjunkies meeting, which was actually on a night that I could attend!  I'm so excited!

Then I was able to collect the rent!

And. . . drumroll!  I got an email requesting an interview for the Child Protective Services job that I applied for last week.  I completed their pre-employment screening tests on Friday, the deadline was today, and they emailed me literally hours after they received my tests.  I'm so hopeful for this position, since it's right in line with the plan I have for myself.  I want to work directly with people that are less fortunate than myself, to have an impact on people's lives, rather than just try to sell them stuff.  I have been praying about this job, and I think this is part of the answer to my prayers.  Friday will let me know the real answer!

So, what I've learned from today is that you really never know what a day holds.  I realize that if I go into a day with a negative attitude, it usually will end up in a negative way.  Luckily, I have amazing friends, and a few other positive things in my life, that allowed me to gain a more positive outlook on my Monday.

Post Grad: Job Search Week 1

My mood today is weird.  I feel the need to vent about my frustrations with the week, and I'm also hopeful about what the future holds.  So it leaves me feeling somewhat bi-polar in my attitudes.  My resolution today is that I'm going to take the day to reflect, I'm not going to talk to anyone about hiring me, or send out any more resumes, or cover letters.  It's all about me today, maybe I can find a sense of balance in doing so!

I read What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers 2012 by Richard Bolles this week.  It's pretty awesome, has a ton of helpful advice, even if it is something I've heard before.  The thing that I liked most about it is that it has this neat little exercise that is soooo similar to Gail's HTGaJ class, but it has you put all your strengths and preferences in a flower design (I love flowers).  So I've been working on my flower exercise.  Gail's class is more geared toward finding your professional brand; not necessarily what you like to do, but what you're good at, then the rest of the time is spent learning the ins-and-outs of interviewing and professional writing.  I like this because it focuses on both your internal and external strengths.  After some reflection, I have decided that I want to pursue a career in non-profit management (not sure what type of management yet). I know I want to work with people. I know I want to plan, so maybe back to my project planning idea or project management for non-profit.  I'm sure as I finish my flower I'll know for sure!

I've been taking the advice that so many have given me, and started truly utilizing social media outlets. I really dug in and figured out how to effectively use Twitter.  Even if it does no good as far as searching for jobs right now, I feel that I'm making some valuable contacts with people in the Non-Profit sector.  This will be highly useful later in my career if I do ultimately decide to go that route.

I applied for several jobs with the University.  All of which can be considered along the lines of helping people. My favorite pick, and also the one I'm least likely to get (I think) is a position for Community Liaison through the Ingenuity Center.  In a nutshell, it involves working directly with the community to educate them on the importance of family and the reduction of abuse.  If I conveyed my summary of the work I've done with R.P. correctly, I might have a shot.  In all, including the jobs I applied for with the university, I probably made contact with and/or sent a resume to about 20 different employers.

I'm really excited about Rising Phoenix.  I wish I could do that for the rest of my life, but it doesn't pay.  On Tuesday, my co-chair, who was supposed to attend the House Meeting at the Crisis Center quit two hours before she was supposed to be there.  I feel relieved about her quitting, she was highly unproductive, and caused conflict about every decision that I made for the project.  At the same time, I feel sorry that she quit.  I know that deep down this project is important to her.  She says that it's my fault that she quit, that I'm too controlling; Dr. Wooldridge says that she's only being defensive.  I take that personally.  It is my last intention to control everything in the project, I just want to make sure it's successful.  Since I took over as chair at basically the last possible minute before we got going in December, I feel like I needed to push a little harder.  If I had taken over as lead back in September, it would not be so crucial that I check and double check everything.  I'm not saying this to make myself feel better, I just need to say it.

Resolutions

Originally posted as a note on Facebook.

I drove for a few hours today already and while I was driving I thought about the meaning of resolutions, and what I want mine to be this year.  I think that resolving to do something should be for the benefit of yourself first and foremost.  The happiness of others will radiate from your journey to personal happiness.  So, in discord with my past new year resolutions, which have always been to make someone else happy, or to become more successful, or to do some other thing for someone other than myself, this year, my resolutions are to make myself a better and more completely happy person.  I finally realize that happiness comes from within, and the only person that you really need to be proud of you is yourself.

I resolve to do the following this year, whether they are completed or not, I'll see!  Not in any particular order, here they are:

1. I want to write a book. This is the one that I doubt will be finished this year. 
2. I will make at least 1 piece of art a month.  *Not including my photoshop projects, of course :)
3. I want to start working on photography again
4. I'll take at least 1 afternoon a week for me.  Personal time with no distractions of work or projects - quality time with myself. 
5. I want to reconnect with friends that I've fallen out of touch with. 

I encourage you all to keep me accountable for any and all of these!  (Also, I hope that you will choose to take the same approach when making your resolutions this year.) 

Reflections - Fall, 2011

Well, here it is - post grad. 

My father and I

I've been sitting back the past few days, reveling in the glory of not having to go back to school, of being "done." It's been nice to spend time doing things I just haven't had time to do lately - watching movies, sitting and talking with my dad, playing video games with my boyfriend, sleeping, and even cleaning the microwave!  But in that time I've been thinking also - about a few things the past semester has taught me.  My last semester of my B.B.A. taught me four things:

The Rising Phoenix Project logo.
By Cassandra Bartley

1. Never think you know exactly what you want to do.  My last semester in school taught me that.  I went in thinking, "all I have left is 4 months - then USAF and a career in HRD."  I joined SIFE and found that I definitely picked the right major.  I want to plan things, I want to coordinate things - I want to manage things.  I was given a project called The Harvey's Project - to reopen a restaurant on campus as an entrepreneurship project class (there were WAY more things involved in it than just the final decision - red tape, etc. . . The University is a bureaucracy - what more can you expect?)  Anyway, I was trusted by just one person to take over - and I was successful! 

My success in that role led to the SIFE team entrusting me with their "high-profile" project - the Rising Phoenix Project.  I loved reorganizing the project while still keeping its mission in sight.  It gave me a sense of purpose, of accomplishment.  And the fact that my advisers hand picked me for the project let me know that I am highly respected.  Something I have always struggled with - it's hard to know sometimes if you're just doing a good job.  I know I've found my calling.  One day, I told my adviser, Tammy Cowart, that I would love to purchase the project from SIFE one day - to ensure that it would be able to continue on.  Then, I jokingly said, "once I get rich!"

Dr. Barbara Wooldridge (left), Dr. Tammy Cowart (right), and I on my graduation day.  December 17, 2011.
Say "SIFE!"

2. Never, EVER, judge a book by its cover.  This semester I started dating Brian Zemer.  If there is one thing he taught me, even indirectly - never think that you know someone's whole story just off of first impressions.  Those people that you think are horrible people often surprise you - they might seem like they are out to take what is yours, or ruin everything, but end up being the only one who will help you with what you need to do.  It's a huge surprise.  I think I taught the very same lesson to someone too.  One of my professors gave me a graduation present, something that is nearly unheard of - because of my drive to make something that has nearly no benefit to me, a success. 

I have to work on not judging people, I don't want to be judged, so why should I do it to others?  I have been offered jobs on the basis of being "pretty," or tall, or white, or a woman.  I want to be offered something on my merit - I want to earn it.  I try hard to show people the real me - an intelligent, ambitious woman who is not afraid of failure but who learns from it. 

3. Keep your friends close-  You never know when you wont have them anymore.  Your true friends are a part of your family - keep a close eye on them, know when they need you to be there.  To listen, and give them comfort.  I lost a friend this semester to suicide.  It made me realize that I should never take those people I care about for granted.  I will miss him, he was always the person I could turn to when I needed someone that cared about me.  If only I had known just how he really felt.  Rest in Peace, Jon, until we meet again one day.

4. Don't forget traditions.  Brian and I have developed a tradition: to eat at Stanley's.  When he and I started dating, I didn't consider it a date to go out to Stanley's, it wasn't romantic, it wasn't all that "special."  But now that we've done it together enough, it is a tradition.  If I go in there without him, it feels off, wrong.  And they even ask me where he is.  That's when I realized that I should be content with the little things that make your relationship with someone special.  Whether that be your boyfriend or girlfriend, or your parents, or just a friend.  If you do something together, hold onto that, make it yours. 



My little brother and I - post graduation

 Don't get embarrassed when your little brother screams at the top of his lungs when you walk accross that stage, "THAT'S MY SISTER!"  Own it!  That's your little brother, and he's proud of you, just like he has been since he was old enough to be proud of anything.  So, don't cover your face, don't be embarrassed - raise your head high, and walk accross that stage, knowing that he single-handedly is the loudest cheering section for anyone graduating that day.  And carry on the tradition at the next opportunity - maybe next time it'll be my turn to yell, "THAT'S MY BROTHER!" though, I don't think my voice booms like his does.