What's Next?

Ah, Bloggerverse. It's always a challenge trying to communicate news and change to you, my followers. How much of an introduction should I give to said news? Should I ease into it? Should I just let my title give it away? Are these rhetorical questions enough of a build-up to stir some anxiety and anticipation within you as you now begin to wonder what it is I am going to tell you?

This story goes all the way back to last fall as I braced myself for life's big transition: from student to adult -- leaving the undergrad world for the cold, harsh reality of working hard for my money and moving back home with the "roomies." By that December as I neared my last few weeks at school, I had done minimal job hunting, lots of fun-having and only a little bit of philosophical thinking. While considering my options as I approached this inevitable change, I decided that, perhaps, I should return to the classroom the following fall to continue my education and pursue a masters degree. I did what I needed to do to make it happen: requested reference letters and transcripts, took the GREs, wrote required essays, and completed several applications -- applying to four schools and patiently waiting to hear whether my pursuit into another realm of higher education would continue come the fall of 2012.

After graduating, I was even more set on returning to grad school. It made sense. I loved being in the classroom, I wanted another degree, and I had the momentum from only just recently finishing up my undergraduate degree. I was ready. I was eager... and then I was torn. As I received acceptances and rejections, I realized: this was going to be an expensive endeavor and was I really sure? Was I willing to make a commitment to this costly continuation of my education right now? I wasn't 100% dedicated to the degree I had applied to pursue (journalism) and the cost of tuition was daunting. I made the decision to postpone my return to grad school until I was more certain of the degree I wanted to pursue and that grad school, in general, was a step I wanted to take.

As the first few months of summer went by, I was a 9-to-5 ingenue. Only having been at my job for so long, being a cubicle crony was still a novelty, and yet, the thought of returning to grad school was still lingering in my mind. I had since given more thought to the degree path I wanted to pursue, exploring a variety of options and programs, doing more research than I had ever done as an undergrad into the prospect of going back to school. I was more aware and realistic this time. I knew what needed to be done, what it would cost and the compromises I was willing to make.

So I applied. Again. This time, though, I applied to communications-based programs (such as public relations and integrated marketing communications) and one fashion program. I re-wrote the essays, re-requested the transcripts and reference letters and filled out a few more applications this time. I wrote down deadlines, requirements and filed important emails away for reference. I wasn't kidding around this time -- I knew, for sure, that I wanted to go back to school. I missed writing essays, engaging in scholarly discussion/debate and immersing myself in a wholly academic atmosphere where the people around me wanted to be there and also wanted to learn. I missed that. I needed the challenging intellectual stimulation that my desk job just wasn't giving me. I wasn't satisfied with my cubicle confinement and I had the urge to learn -- an urge that, I have a feeling, never has (and probably never will) leave me.

I continued at my desk job, waiting for a response from the various schools and this time, it was even more positive. I got into 5/6 schools and of those schools' acceptances, I got very generous scholarships to each. This time, the ball was in my court -- each school had given me great offers and I was no longer in a position where I needed to scrounge for dollars and cents to make it all work. Inside, I was elated -- an internal fiesta took place as I celebrated these little victories, finally culminating after years of hard work as a student.I could return to school and I wasn't going to go broke in the process! Isn't that what we all aspire to accomplish in this day and age?

My decision was tough -- I battled with the pros and cons of each school, but ultimately, it came down to two, which were both excellent options. One would have required me to take a pre-requisite undergraduate class, move to the South and take out a lot more in loans; the other would allow me to stay local, offering me a very generous financial package and teaching assistantship and the option of spending my last semester interning and taking classes in London. Ultimately, I accepted the offer to the local school -- they have an excellent program, a great alumni base and a positive reputation for post-graduate employment opportunities. Plus, their generous financial package allows me to take out very minimal loans (if I even have to). I can breathe a big sigh of relief -- I am finally going to make it happen.

So there you have it, folks. I am returning to the classroom this fall -- both as a student and as a teacher. I'll admit, I'm equally excited and nervous to make the transition back to school, since I've spent the last year working, but I think I'm ready. I'll prepare for the new challenge and you can prepare yourselves for some new blog posts -- how's that sound?

In the words of Billy Madison, here goes nothin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMtkiS1SU_c

Keeping Things Rolling

After the traumatic interview I experienced a few days ago, I have been trying my best to stay positive about my job search. Clearly, when you're already feeling a bit down from the lack of interviews and job opportunities, an interview from hell isn't what you need to boost your productivity and optimism. However, I did get a boost of hope later that evening while enduring the post-traumatic shock from my interview. I checked my email and saw that I had been accepted to another grad school! My spirits were lifted and the doom and gloom I had experienced earlier was mitigated at the prospect of heading back to school in the fall and working towards my master's in journalism. Oh happy day! There was a light at the end of the tunnel and I wouldn't have to settle for becoming a pig in lipstick solicitor face-to-face "marketer."

In a way, a weight was lifted. Not only was I accepted to a second grad school, but now I had options. I could go to grad school in the fall at one of two universities (I'm still waiting to hear back from a few) or I could continue my job search for a full-time position or I could modify my search to fit into my grad school scheme. I'll admit though, I haven't been as determinedly and feverishly scouring job sites and search engines as I should be if I do want a full-time job. However, if you've been reading my blog religiously (which, of course you are, how silly of me to assume you might not be), then you'd know that I have sent in seemingly endless amounts of applications to various companies for various positions. Alas! That must have paid off, because not only do I have one interview -- I have two! Take that ridiculous pig in lipstick "marketers!"

Maybe there was something to that whole "all you need to get a date is another one" mantra that Carrie Bradshaw suggested on Sex and the City...Because here I am with an interview on Saturday and Monday for two completely different positions. On Saturday morning, I have an interview with a store at the mall for a sales associate position. Late Monday morning, I'll be treking into Boston for an interview with a medical organization for a position as a manuscript assistant. Getting accepted in grad school sort of got the ball rolling giving me a serious, viable and awesome option for future plans, and now, with two interviews, I don't have to necessarily "settle." Sure, the potential positions might not be what I'm looking for and I may choose to turn them down, but the fact that I can choose to turn something down as opposed to being forced to accept a position out of desperation... Well, that, my friends, is quite the luxury for a recent jobless college graduate like myself.

A Pick-Me Up

This week has definitely (and unfortunately) been one of my most unproductive of late. Most of that unproductivity had to do with the fact that I was coming down with a cold, but I think some of it also had to do with a deflated ego over the fact that I'm now onto my second month and still job searching. Everyone I have talked to has been really supportive and insisting that "times are tough" and that it will happen eventually, but for someone like me who went from working two jobs on campus and maintaining a 3.9 GPA, I am desperate for a schedule filled with tasks, assignments and a sense of purpose.

However, today, I woke up feeling especially lazy and wondering how I was going to fill yet another day of too much free time. I did what any other unemployed soul would do: I woke up, made myself an egg, made my dog an egg, and then checked my email. Only this time, my heart dropped -- inside my inbox was an email from one of the graduate schools I applied to with a decision about my application.

This was it. If I didn't get in, I would feel as though there would be no hope for the other three schools I applied to. Why would they want to accept me if this other one didn't? I figured this would set the tone for drawn out disappointment as I waited for other acceptance/rejection letters to arrive. If I did get in, well, this meant I could go to grad school. Even if I didn't get in anywhere else, I was in and I did it.

I clicked the link that would reveal the decision and I breathed a sigh of relief: I got in! All of the countless hours and stress spent applying and wondering about my application had paid off and I had an acceptance from a graduate school to show for it. It was a much needed pick-me-up in a week full of sniffles, laziness and that constant nagging voice asking myself "What am I going to do with my life?" I can head into the weekend with a renewed sense of faith in myself and hopefully a reinvigorated look at the job hunt and the future ahead.

This kid is clearly impressed by me.