Long weeks short days!

This semester I am taking twelve credits and a four credit internship. Only one of those sixteen credits do I really need to be taking, and the rest are just to fill in the holes to be a full time student. I had the impression my semester was going to be super easy, which it is, but it is also incredibly long. I work fifteen hours per week for my internship which does not sound like a lot but with two full days of work 8-5, and two full days of classes the week feels long, but the days go by fast! Part of me is happy about this because I am getting used to the work life but at the same time am I wasting my senior year?

I have come up with some ways to live my senior year to the fullest while also being a responsible person in the “work force”. First I have made sure to do something fun each night, whether that be watching a movie with my roommates or going of campus to do something fun like bowling! Of course I cannot afford to go off campus every night but making the effort to not fall asleep like I would love to do, and do something that I can create memories with is important!

Another thing that has helped me get through the work week is I created a senior year bucket list. On it is a bunch of random things that in a normal life I would never do but since it is my senior year and last year in High Point, NC, my friends and I have created this list to do some fun things around town. For example, the local pawn shop “Coins n’ Things” and the “Super Buffett” and “High Point Museum”. I would encourage all seniors to explore the town they are currently in. There is only one time in your life you can do silly things like this and the bucket list also helps people to look forward to things. One thing I am especially excited for is to go zip-lining in Kersey valley! I have made a promise to myself to not let days get away from me and to appreciate everyday I have left at “The Bubble”. Never again will we get to experience a free steakhouse, an incredible support system from teachers, and some of the nice dorms/ apartments you will ever see!

Job Search

Hi again! This week has been super busy but I don’t think I would have it any other way! Being busy keeps me productive. Today I want to talk about some tips towards looking for jobs. There are 4 tips that I would recommend to someone who is just beginning the job search process as an undergrad.

Tip 1: As important as it is to get a job and start your the rest of your life Do Not Stress.There are going to be people who get jobs junior year of college and there are also people that take a year off and try and find themselves. I personally would love to get a job starting in June but I can’t stress about it. Remember everyone is looking for a job, and you are not in this alone. The only thing you can do is try your best to make sure your resume and linked in is up to date and you are networking. This leads me to my next tip.

Tip 2: Every person you meet whether it be a teacher, someone you bond with at Starbucks, or a parents friend is someone you can network with. Networking is so important because it helps people develop skills for getting a job and learning what employers want in a applicant.By talking to different types of professionals you can get a real grasp on what makes an employer want you.

Tip 3: As Dr. Qubein said to us in president’s seminar, “What is your secret sauce?” What makes you stand out against the rest of the applicants. Make sure to think about what makes you a necessity so when you are looking and applying for jobs you stick out in a good way. Before you can apply for jobs you need to know about yourself first and what you want and do not want in a job.

Tip 4: Make the job search constant. A job is not just going to land in your lap. You need to make a conscious effort to find a job that you like. When applying there are going to be companies who do not get back to you, who tell you they are not hiring anymore, and companies who are excited to interview you for a potential fit in the company! I personally have a whole folder on my phone for a job search with apps like indeed, careerbuilder, and my personal favorite glassdoor. These apps make it easy to apply by storing your resume. In one click you can apply for a job or multiple jobs.My parents  say “the worst they can say is no” and that has stuck with me through this process of applying for jobs, there is always another job to apply for. There are all types of jobs for people to fit into people just have to have the patience to look and find a job!

These tips are just personal tips that I have found have helped me. For now I will continue my job search and be hopeful for the best because that’s all I can do! We all wish for our dream job right out of college and hopefully I will find that!

Introducing…..!!

Hello, and welcome to my first blog ever! I never thought I would be the type of person who would right a blog, but here I am! Let me first introduce myself. My name is Alexandra but I go by Xandi.I am originally from Connecticut and hoping to go back up north when I am finished with school. I am a student at High Point University in North Carolina and I am studying strategic communication. Although, I have decided that I want to go into event management. I have always had a knack from planning birthday parties, and other events but who know in the long run where I will end up.

I do not just have one direction I want this blog to go into so it will end up talking about my daily life interests. Today my interest is about finding a job and life after graduating. For four years we are lectured and given the resources to be a real live adult but I still do not feel ready to start my adult life. I think the worst question you can ask a 21/22 year old is, “So what are you going to do after college?” after only 21 years of my life they expect me to pick a job that I should want for the next 40+ years.

Being a women also trying to find a job makes it difficult. When men hire us they assume we will have to take time off of work for child-birth, parenting, etc. And while we are on maternity leave males usually get to know the company better by being able to bond over things women and men can’t bond over.  In the end I know it will all work out because I am motivated and I have set life goals for myself that I will not give up on. Till then, I will enjoy my last semester of college and all the wonderful benefits that High Point university has given me. You truly do not appreciate the “Bubble” (What people call High Point University) until you know that you know that you will never be in an environment like this again.

Till Next Time,

-Xandi