I learned that I really do enjoy working with people and getting to know them.  I also learned that I like doing/learning a variety of things.  I get bored if I do the exact same thing day after day and see the same people day after day.  All of my jobs on campus have allowed me a change of scene/topic every day that I work.  I think that’s why I’m so excited about my post-college job–because I have REALLY enjoyed my work here at school.  And if I liked my work here this much, I wonder how much I am going to like my new job, which consists of the same type of situations.

Now I have to begin preparing for Elkin Isaac where I present.  I have to create a presentation, slide show usually, to present in front of anyone who wants to attend.  I am excited yet nervous about it.  I think it will go well, the Patriot Act is something that I am passionately against and feel like, after doing my research, I can now defend it with more than personal emotions.

Now comes the hard part though.  I have to find an apartment, furniture, etc. quickly.  I am officially starting May 12, the Monday after Saturday’s graduation.  This means that I have to find an apartment while I am in school, which can be tricky seeing as Gaylord and Albion are essentially on opposite sides of the state (although it’s only 3.5 hours, about the same as a trip home for me).  I just have to find time during school that I can drive up there and look at apartments.

When we left Michigan on Sunday it was lightly snowing and about 18 degrees, but in Florida, it was around 79-82 the entire week! The weather was fantastic-no rain. We pretty much spent the whole week on the beach just relaxing. I read a total of four books during break just for fun-they had absolutely no relation to school or classes which made it a TRUE break.

I would have to say that the best part of break though, was just spending time with my roommates. There were a few times throughout break that it would just hit me-this is the last spring break that I am going to have. It made me a little sad and scared at the same time. Sad because I am really going to miss living with these girls; and scared because I have no clue what the future has in store. But, after those two initial reactions, I got a little excited thinking that I am only two months away from a whole new adventure.

I really like the idea of being able to work in agriculture once a graduate.  It’s amazing how much where you grow up can influence your decisions later in life.  I discovered, after working in an office for part of the summer last year, that I really am not an 8-5 office person.  Instead, I truly enjoy being out and about and meeting new people.  Both of the positions that I am still interviewing for combine those two traits.  I am really excited about that.  And I am still keeping an open mind and considering the possibility of a city job that is either in event planning or public relations.

And although I am sad that my last season of cheerleading is over, I’m also excited for those who are going to cheer next year. We still have our end-of-the-season party to plan and have and then I think I am going to help with the planning for try-outs for next year. I am really excited for that too.

The first job I applied for at Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. consists of campaign and policy work.

The second job at Cutter Hinmann is for an Executive Recruiter position. This work would include assisting larger companies in finding the correct person to fill an open position.

The third position is at Michigan Farm Radio Network. The job is for an Assistant Farm Director who is required to follow stories, do interviews, and broadcast the information that obtained.

The fourth position that I am interested and am in the process of applying for is with Michigan Farm Bureau. This position is for a Northern Regional Representative who travels between district offices and assists the local levels with events and other membership issues that may arise.

I feel as though my experiences at and through Albion College have given me the knowledge to excel in all of these positions. I have also discovered that I have a number of interests. Therefore, my options for job placement are vast because I am not limited to a single career path.

As members of the institute, we only had to pay $10.  This fee included our meal, bus ride (the institute chartered a bus to take us to the train), and entertainment.  The most impressive thing, however, was the food.  We were allowed prior to the trip to select which main dish we wanted on the train.  My roommate and I both chose the Prime Rib Au Just and Fresh Horseradish Sauce.  It was amazing!  I was exceptionally impressed with the amount of food we received and how good it was for just $10.  The dinner began with cheese and crackers followed by a delicious cherry vinaigrette salad.  After the salad, we were served a tomato soup that was not your average Campbell’s.  Next came the prime rib.  Seeing as I already told you how good it tasted, I’ll just stated here that the portion size was HUGE!  My roommate and I were both given large pieces of prime rib, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  However, the best part of the whole meal had to have been the cheesecake that was served with a fruit sauce on the plate, a dab of whipped cream on the top, and a piece of chocolate on top of it all.

Although the entertainment was not quite what I had expected, the food was amazing and the train ride was a really neat experience.  After speaking with a faculty member of the institute, I discovered that the actual price of the event was $70 per person but the institute only charged members $10. Being in an institute is great; not just for the classroom experiences, but also for every other opportunity that you receive through the institute to broaden your horizons.

The most important thing I remembered about an interview is that you stay excited about the job while speaking with the employer. Even though I said “um” a few times, because I stayed positive and excited about the possibility of working for them I secured a follow-up interview. Unfortunately, this interview will be conducted by phone as well. But, now that I have been through the experience once, I was able to note the things I did wrong as well as the things that I did right. Now, on Friday, when I have my second interview, I will be better prepared than the first.

What is most interesting about this job interview, is that it is in politics. While my interest in political science started in high school, I always considered it as more of a hobby; even though my major has changed while I have been at Albion, my minor, Political Science, has remained constant. When I started my job search, I was looking for jobs in Public Relations or Event Planning. However, when a professor recommended me for this position, I decided that because I do love Political Science I would look more into it. Now I am really glad I did.

Although the job is not what I thought I would be doing when I graduated, I can actually still envision myself working there. It will be interesting to see where the interview on Saturday and the rest of my job search takes me throughout the semester.