Looking Through The Lens: Graduation

Showing posts with label Graduation. Show all posts

"The only person you're going to disappoint is yourself"

This quote is motivating, but how long until after that is said until the first person becomes disappointed? Right now I feel that I have disappointed some people because I don't have a job yet. Trust me, I am applying like crazy. There is literally only so much I can do once I send my application, resume, and cover letter. What else can I do? Yes I can do a follow up e-mail or phone call, but I cannot do more than that. I can't sit in on whoever goes through those files and pull mine out and be like hire this one.

I also loved the remark, "So now that you're graduated you're just sit around all day?" That was really motivating and touching. After that was said I really just wanted to jump right into the world of applications and resumes. It might have been said jokingly or out of love, but it hurt. Give me some time, graduation was seriously less than 24 hours ago. (Or at least from when that was said to me)

I promise you I don't vent this whole post.

Applying and interviewing for jobs is emotionally draining. You're in competition with thousands of other applicants and you should feel lucky if your application/resume gets looked at for more than 5 seconds. I feel like you have a better chance of meeting your famous idol than landing a dream job. Now, before you go criticizing me, I do not expect to land my dream job right now. Heck, I don't even know if I could describe my dream job to you.

There is a lot more pressure than I thought there was to get on my feet and start my life. Why is everyone else in a rush for my life to begin? Why can I just live the way I have been. Yes I'll get a job. Will it be the job I will have for the rest of my life? No. Will it help me get by? Yes. Everyone just needs to "chillll" and just support me in whatever I choose to do. Don't worry, I'll be okay.

(I wrote the beginning part a few weeks ago)

As of now I took a couple weeks off from applying to jobs. I know, I know "You're not going to get a job without applying." Well I needed to figure some things out.

Like...

I am taking the summer off to figure out what I want to do and where I want to go. I know for some people this isn't the ideal situation. Trust me, I know. I don't WANT to do this, but I feel like this is something I NEED to do. If I could have a job right now and be using my degree to good use I would be.

I haven't spent a summer with my family in two years and to get one last one in will do me really well. If you've been following my blog, you'd know that I am very family oriented. Since I could be ending up anywhere in the coming months I want to get as much family time as I can.

For now I am working at my parent's mom and pop resort and enjoying life in the harbor one more time.

If you have any tips or hints for a recent grad please let me know in the comments!

Graduation is, what a lot of people call, a huge accomplishment.

Great, fantastic, although at this moment in my life I do not see it as that. I know that I finished something that I should feel great about. All, I can do is think other wise. I am sure, though, if I had a career I would be thinking that it was a great accomplishment. Anyways, I am not here to dwell on that fact.

A little heads up to those who may be graduating the next year or so, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, will ask you how do you feel? OR How does it feel to be a real person? So prepare your answer now if you are nearing graduation. I don't think mine is appreciated by most. "Umm, well, I don't really feel any different."

As of now, I am enjoy my time with my family and making a little money where I can. I am applying for jobs, but I am also figuring out what I want to do with my life. I know what you're thinking, don't you think you should have done this before graduation? My response, don't you think you should mind your own business? This is a huge thing for me to do. I am deciding what I am going to do with the next phase in my life.

No.. no.. no one is rushing me into deciding what I need to do, but a lot of people are asking.

Change doesn't come easy for me. I try to make sure that my decision is okay by everyone. I don't want to disappoint anyone for any choices I make. I know that is not the way it should be, but that is the way I am. I know I should be making choices that make me happy. If these choices make me happy they should make other's happy as well.

This is a weird time in your life. At least for me, a lot of my friends have gone different directions and are all starting the next phases in their lives. It is a huge transition to go from seeing your friends, pretty much every day to hardly ever talk to them. People move and move on and it is one of the hardest thing to do. I know my friends are still there for me whenever I need them, its just a bit different right now.

So my life after graduation has been full of emotion. It is definitely, a point of huge change and a lot of decision making. I feel thankful for all the lessons and people that I have met through my college career and if you are one of them and are reading that I want you to know what I appreciate you and our time that we shared. For now, I'll be where I am looking at where I am going.

Dear AMA Fam,

This year has been prime or in John's words, best case. You have all become such a huge part of my life. I wish to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for such a fantastic year. Listen, you're my fam for life.

I have had a whirlwind of a year. I learned one of the biggest lessons this year; I am not a born leader. I am okay with that. Starting the year out as case director was hard. I went through nights of anxiety attacks, break downs, hair pulling out, you name it, it probably happened. With the amazing support from Ashley, Therese, and a few others I pulled myself from the position to better myself. Some times its okay to be selfish. Thank you for letting me use this year as a year to find myself and try things that pushed me to the limit and beyond.

It got 1000 times better from there. From the beginning of the year we were a family and with every event we became closer and closer. With the year coming to an end it is becoming harder and harder to say goodbye. I am flooded with so many wonderful memories from the past year. When asked at the last AMA meeting what our best AMA memory was, I couldn't choose one. I could have listed them all.

Some of my personal favorites are:
Volunteering at the Food Trucks
NOLA - Every. Single. Moment.
Any time this group got together is a favorite moment of mine

The only regret I have with AMA is not joining it from the beginning. Being involved with this organization for only 2 years is not long enough. Since I have had such an unbelievable time with the collegiate level I have thought about seeing what it is like to be involved at the regional level. I know this is something you're probably trying to do already, but some advice for next year, get those freshmen to join. Make them a part of the family.

I am so glad that as a family we were able to grow and experience things on a personal and professional level. Remember we are a professional organization first, social second. :)

So thank you, AMA Fam, for being the best part of my college career.

"So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money when we look back now will our jokes still be funny? Will we still remember everything we learned in school? ... I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye. Keep on thinking it's a time to fly and this is how it feels. As we go on we remember all the times we had together. And as our lives change, come whatever, we will still be friends forever."

P.S. I know my sass is a lot to handle. I can come off as harsh, mean, salty, etc. Do not take that as a personal shot. Do not think for one moment that I don't appreciate you. I do, I appreciate each and every one of you.

Sophomore Year.
Side note: Sophomore is a very weird word.

First full year in the AIMC program. I joined AdGroup, which is the on campus Advertising Registered Student Organization. I didn't like it then, and even though I am not in it, I don't like it now.

I lived in my own room! I got out of the whole roommate situation. I guess college roommates just aren't my thing. I love living by myself. I live by my rules and I know that if I make a mess it is my responsibility to clean it up. I also do not have anyone disrespecting me and my things.

I met two of the most AMAZING people on earth and even though it took us a full year to become friends it was the start of the greatest friendships I have ever had.

Besides the two mentioned above, I continued to meet a lot of other very influential people in my life.

I opened my heart up a little more. Let a little more love in and in return let a little more love out.

This year I learned to love being alone. I accepted the fact that being alone was a good thing.

I also opened my mind up to other people's opinions and thoughts. Yes, I am talking about the controversial topics. I gained, what I think is, a better understanding of what other people think. This was a growing year. I am more accepting of people and their beliefs even if it goes against what I believe.

Other than that last one my sophomore year was very blah and boring.

When writing one of these sentimental posts does anyone really know where to start? I sure don't.

Let's go all the way back to the beginning...

Fall 2011/Spring 2012

I don't remember the complete details, but I do remember I had a rough first week, month, semester. I feel like a lot of freshmen do. If you know me, I am a fighter. Things may try to tear me down, but I fight to stay standing. Freshman year was the biggest fight I had. I changed friends faster than Usain Bolt. I faced challenges that seemed to big for life.

I went through some of the biggest losses in my life that year. Two of the most kind-hearted people left this earth to be with God. One by choice the other by accident, both by surprise.

I switch my major. No one, not even me saw this coming. My entire life, and I mean ENTIRE life, I wanted to be a dental hygienist. To be honest, part of me still does. I switched to Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications. To this day it was one of the best decisions of my life. Also, one of the most challenging.

I met a friend who, even though we don't talk anymore, I still am grateful to have met. She is still one of the biggest influences in my life.

I challenged myself to open up a little bit more. I taught myself that life isn't going to be fun living closed off.

My aunt told me something I will never forget. "Never forget who you are and where you come from."

I learned that it's okay to make a fool out of yourself. At least you are making people laugh, and laughter is the best. Also, not to get embarrassed about so much.

On to my list of thanks...

Thank you to my first roommate who taught me that if I don't like the situation I am in, I need to change it.

Thank you to my second roommate who taught me that bullies will be bullies and you have to stand up to them. Stand your ground. Fight, but don't fight back. There is no need to sink to their level.

Thank you to the many friends who made the first year all possible.
Anna, Taylor, Sammie, Jon, Travis, Alex, Byron, Mike, Garrett, Jenny, and many more.

Thank you Amanda K. and Kayla W., for helping me make it through Micro Bio even though I was leaving the science program.

Thank you Tom Mehl, for helping me transition into the AIMC program. You helped me then and still continue to do so.

Thank you to my cousin Eric for making the trip to Copper Harbor over Christmas break, who knew that that trip would start a 5 year tradition.

Writing this post has flooded my mind with memories...

The night Garrett called me at 2-3 am because he had just hit a deer and didn't know what to do. I also hung up on him the first time, because you don't wake me up from a slumber. I'm glad I did eventually pick up.

The day my grandparents drove to Big Rapids just to bring me medicine.

Going for drives with Stopher and Sammie and 2 am.

My freshmen year was full of ups and downs. I do not regret a single moment of it.

Me? In 250 words? Definitely not enough words. :)

Born in Grand Rapids, MI on January 5th. Cut myself from the nose to the eyelid with a licenses plate (still have my eye and can see). Had my first teacher crush in 4th grade. Lived in my favorite house until I was 10 years old. Then I got the worst news of my life. “We’re moving”. From that moment on, I will never be the same again. My family and I packed up all of our things and moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.. very tip I should add. Left my best friend and all my family in the place I still call home. Parents bought a resort: restaurant, bar, and motel, in a little dinky town on the edge of nowhere. Population 80 year around residence, so no one there was my age. I was forced to grow up faster than any kid. 5^th grade was the worst year in school for me, I was the all famous “new kid”. Hated it. Middle school is where I met two of my best friends ever, Joe and Rachelle. High School was better and I changed my outlook on where I lived and sucked it up until I graduated. I had to find happiness in where I was or it was all going to go downhill. After graduation, I left the UP to go to school at Ferris State University where I am working on earning my bachelor’s degree in Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications.

Well, I did it! :)

Looking Through The Lens

Applications after Graduation

Life After Graduation

Dear AMA

Graduating College Part 2

Graduating College Pt. 1

May Blog Challenge: Day 1

Hi There!

Featured post

I am here.