If at first your don't suceed...

Getting ready to graduate in less than two months scares me, but not for the reasons you would think. I am not afraid to move on and experience something besides the 84 acres of Muhlenberg's campus. I am not afraid to try something different and deviate from my 'political science academia' path. I am not afraid to move to a new city, make new friends and at 21 years old, essentially start from scratch.

But what I am afraid of is failing. I am terrified of graduating and feeling lost, feeling unprepared and (a distinct reality) jobless.

Will Wright of the Stupid Fun Club was asked what would be in his "two minutes commencement speech". He wanted to focus on the value of failure. Wright believes that graduating with a specific mindset about what you want to do and how you need to do it isn't for everyone. Graduating with rigid plans can lead to failure and then deflate a person's drive. For Wright, it is about accepting your failure, celebrating that you gave something a try and to embrace the new outlook that it has given you. For him, failure isn't really failure--it is more of a large scale trial and error. Wright believes that failure will occur when a person tries to fit a square peg into a round hole, or mold themselves to a work environment that isn't conducive to their strengths or talents. Rather, he encourages students to find a place where they can grow and adapt with.

I am graduating with a political science major and Jewish studies minor. My last four years studying have given me invaluable tools, like strong analytic skills, the ability to become a concise writer and the opportunity to be well-versed on American and International events. But when I got home for winter break this year, I realized that I wanted nothing to do with political science come May. I didn't want to work in politics, was unsure of law school, had zero interest in lobbying and felt completely lost. In my head, I had failed. But I realized that I had done more than most people---I had tried out a few kinds of environments through internships, took classes I thought would interest me and began picking people's brains about their jobs and careers.

Taking time to figure out what is right for you doesn't mean you have failed as a student or person. Rather, it means that you have made the brave step of being introspective. People change careers all the time and at all ages. At 21 and 22, we aren't expected and shouldn't have all the answers. So apply for that job or internship that may be out of your comfort zone. Enroll in the class that sounds really interesting. Take a leap, try something new and if you don't like the outcome, then you take the lessons it has taught you and the experience gained and confidently go forward to the next adventure.

For the full interview, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/business/14corner.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

Corner Office Time!

Ironically, the reason that this post is a day behind is because I was getting job advice. The girl who normally critiques resumes was having her resume critiqued, and let me tell you, it was an odd experience.

The quote that I have chosen to highlight today is from Jana Eggers, CEO of Spreadshirt, a custom T-Shirt design company. She was asked "What career advice do you give young people?". Her answer is below:

"Don't be too set on what you want to do. Be flexible. I jumped all over the place... Be confident that you can figure it out."

As a political science major, I was convinced that I either had to work in politics or go straight to law school. A lot of soul searching and a few internships led me to believe that neither of these courses was right for me. Don't get me wrong---I have loved being a political science major. The classes I have taken have made me a strong writer and analytic thinker, forced me to stay up to date on current events and allowed me to hold my own in any conversation. But I just felt that I didn't want to continue it (immediately) after I graduated.

After having a mini life-crisis about not knowing what I wanted to do post-graduation, my friend Jos told me to look at what I liked and was good at and go from there. So I sat down, realized I loved event logistics (I mean, it was my internship that summer) and became comfortable with pursuing that career path.

But, as Ms. Eggers writes, you can't become too set on one path. I began looking up jobs in event planning and realized that often times, it will fall under Development. Working in Development meant looking for jobs in institutions of higher education, not just non-profit organizations. Having taken Marketing in Not for Profits, I began searching for marketing associateships. And last but not least, enrolling in Public Relations and Communications has opened yet another door. So I now find myself applying for jobs in four major (and might I say very different) areas.

I realized that I may not graduate with my dream job, but as long as I like what the job description says, I am sure that I will make it work. Having a lot of interests is not a detriment, rather it allows you to take on the job search with an open mind. Some days I envy those who are Accounting majors, who know what they will be doing come May 23rd. But at the same time, I also love that I have the option of exploring what is right for me.

I finally became comfortable with the fact that at the ripe age of 21, I wasn't expected to have all the answers or know how to do it all. My age is a beautiful gift--it allows me to take chances and risks, and if they don't turn out the way I thought, I still am able to start over again.

So remember--keep an open mind and be willing to consider a job that was not in your immediate plans or your first choice. If anything, it will make you a wiser, stronger and more well-rounded applicant for that perfect job you have been dreaming about.

Find Your Passion, Make it Happen

Sunday afternoon in sleepy Allentown, normally dominated by homework, large iced coffees and re-runs of Law and Order. I always liked Sundays---I know people dread them because they lead to Monday, but they always give me a chance to catch up on old assignments, newspapers and sleep.

I have decided that Sunday will be Corner Office day. Each Sunday I will post a quote from the New York Times Corner Office section. Some weeks it will be about career advice. Other weeks it will be about how to handle failure, adapting to success or other verbal gems from our country's greatest business leaders.

Today's quote comes from Mindy Grossman of HSN, Inc.

"Take the time to absolutely find what makes you excited to wake up in the morning. Take the time. You don’t have to decide in five minutes."

The beauty of a job or internship is that it can be a stepping stone to a greater career path. It took me interning on Capitol Hill to realize that politics just wasn't my cup of tea. But each morning when I woke up to go to intern for Clinton Global Initiative, I became excited about what the day would hold and what projects would be passed my way. Something as small as researching kiosks was rewarding. Because for me, researching kiosks meant registering credentials. Registering credentials meant people could attend President Clinton's Annual Meeting. Members and Heads of State attending the Meeting meant collaborating for change, and working for a greater good is my passion.

The perfect job or career doesn't need to necessarily be one that is popular. The perfect job or career is one that brings about reward and satisfaction. It may take a few tries, but I have faith that people generally fall into a job or career that is best suited for them.

Take a good look within. Find what makes you happy. Then go for it.