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.

Working Man - Boost Mobile TV Commercial

I thought this commercial was ironically true to the way our consumption based society operates.  People work day and night just to have "stuff" like a cell phone, specific clothes, shoes, a car, almost anything.  If a cell phone provider is advertising that they "understand" that we work our asses off for this stuff, and they are marketing to those people that are tired of doing so, I think it's a sign that maybe we're living for the wrong thing in the US.

Think about what the guy in the commercial is doing.  And notice that when he tweets "How many jobs does it take to pay a cell phone bill?" that he is working as a janitor, one of the least respected jobs in our society.  But he HAS that cell phone that can complete things such as tweeting from anywhere, making it (obviously) worth doing a job that so many of us look down on.

Food for thought today.