Transitions

Today is my fourth shift at my new job--host at Red Lobster.  I realize that the restaurant business is a far cry from news, but so far this seems like a good way to get through the television job slump.  

Not feeling so hot...

My self-confidence has taken a hit, I'll admit.  I'm really having a difficult time feeling good about myself and my abilities.  I've spent the past three years as either a news reporter or editor, and it seems like all that work has been for nothing.  

I would've liked to have had jobs that paid better than minimum wage; I would've liked having more time to finish homework; I would've liked having more free time for naps and a social life.  I think I would even have liked dating. 

I didn't let myself get distracted, though; I stayed focused so I would have the best possible resume when graduation rolled around.  Well, graduation is two short weeks away, and I am no better off than the student who slacked off, spent mom and dad's money, and lived to binge drink.    

Not all my fault...

I certainly picked a poor time in history to enter the workforce.  I realize there really aren't any jobs for anyone, so just having employment is a sort of feat.  That doesn't stop me from feeling envious of those reporters who did find jobs.  I thought I was pretty good at this, but it certainly doesn't appear that way anymore.

Not so bad...

I do like my new job.  The pay is about what I expected to make in news, although not quite 40 hours a week, and the benefits are great.  I'm still looking for a part time job.  I figure if I can't have my dream job, I might as well make as much money as possible until I get there.  It certainly won't hurt to have some cash stockpiled.

Not quite done...

I'm still working on my last two papers, but those are officially all I have left of my undergraduate career.  The research paper about South Dakota's smoking ban is due one week from today, so I'll be spending all my down time on that this week.  The analysis of my internship in Pierre is due a week from Friday, the day before graduation.  I still have to do my reading for that one, but it shouldn't take too long.  I don't have to research, I just have to talk about my own experiences.  

Not doing well...

Working out has kind of stopped.  Since I started on Thursday, my feet have hurt too much to get onto a treadmill.  I don't think I'll be here too late tonight; business has been kind of slow, so I bet I get to hit the road for Brookings around 7 or 8.  I'm going to try and run (probably inside, it's chilly) a couple miles tonight. and then I need to get the brownies I'm making for the Collegian baked.  

Tomorrow night is a free concert on campus--Augustana.  I made sure to get my ticket right away, and now I just have to hope I get cut in time to get back for the show.  My night shift starts at 4, so I'll be one of the first to go home.  

I have a lot more I'd like to talk about, but in the interest of actually graduating, I'll hold back.  Time to work on that paper!

Oh, it starts...

Tonight is my last night of unemployment.  Okay, okay--it's not really unemployment if you're still in school, but I've certainly been acting like a bum.  As of 2 p.m. tomorrow, I'll be sitting in Red Lobster New Employee Orientation.  Not exactly my dream job, but it's full time hours and full benefits. 

Hospitality? 

I hope I like it--God only knows how long I'll be doing it--but I don't want to love it.  I still want to have the hunger, the need to get back into journalism.  I am actually a little nervous.  It's been a long time since I worked outside the media or government.  I kind of forgot what it's like to have a normal job.  

I'm still waiting to hear back from the part time job I applied for, as well.  I figure if I can't have my dream job, I might as well work my butt off and make some extra money.  All the better to pay off those student loans with.  Or rebuild my savings account.  Or .. have a little more fun in my free time.  Who knows--I just think I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a financial cushion.

Oh, procrastination... 

With all this free time, one would think I would have already finished my final papers.  But, if one believes that, one does not know me.  I have everything done for Model United Nations--three of my last 14 credit hours--but, I have a long ways to go to be completely done.  I have the outline, thesis, intro, and conclusion written for my 10-12 page research paper for Legislative Issues (another three credits).  I need to hurry with this one--it's due May 2.  

The last paper on my list is a 16-24 page paper analyzing my internship experience with the state legislature.  I still need to do the required reading (which actually should have been done back in December) and then compare my experiences in Pierre with the structure explained in the reading.  It sounds like a lot of work, but it doesn't have to be a masterpiece; the last eight credits are just pass or fail.  As long as I turn it in, I pass.  It's due on May 8, I believe, but I'd rather turn it in on May 2 with the other paper. 

The final finals... 

Journalism doesn't require an exit exam--our required internships play double duty as far as the Board of Regents are concerned.  Political science, however, does, and they gave it while I was in Pierre.  I jokingly asked my advisor about it at MUN this weekend, and I was surprised to find out I still have to take it.  I went in to schedule this test with the department secretary yesterday, and they made me sit down and take the 2 1/2 hour test right then.  Two bubble tests, two essay questions, and a survey--ick.  Having skipped lunch, I was easily irritable.  So, when I got the second essay question and no answers sprang to mind, I skipped it, moved onto the survey, and then proceeded to turn it in.  There is no required passing score, so I felt no compulsion to finish the stupid question.  My professor, however, did feel some compulsion, and he made me come back in this afternoon to answer one dumb question.  So much for being a BAMF in the end.

Off of the bandwagon...

I haven't been so good at working out lately.  Eating healthy, yes; getting to the gym, no.  Ever since I came back to Brookings after Easter break, I have had no motivation.  I've been much more focused on the job situation and the homework fiasco.  I don't anticipate going tomorrow, but hopefully Friday.  It all kind of depends on what days Red Lobster schedules me for.  I can feel all my hard work undoing it self, and I know I need to fix it.  I don't want to look like such a chubs at graduation--and that would be hard to do; those robes are huge.  

Progress

It seems a personal appearance is hard to reject.  Over the course of the past few weeks, I probably sent out at least 30 job applications and only heard back from one employer, and that was a rejection letter.  

Last Wednesday, I stopped at four different places in Sioux Falls.  I have interviews with two places on Wednesday and am supposed to get phone calls to schedule interviews with the other two.  Maybe I'm much more impressive in person, maybe these employers are all too chicken to say no to my face.  Either way, I was much more difficult to ignore.

Not quite plan A...

Sadly, none of these potential jobs are in broadcasting.  I'm still waiting to hear back from the radio station, so I guess it's still a possibility.  My interviews are all in the restaurant business.  At this point, I'll be happy just to have a job, but it is very frustrating to know that I'll have worked my butt off for four years to be a professional waitress or hostess. 

Bright spots...

Wednesday was a very busy day.  I drove around Sioux Falls for most of the afternoon in search of employment, but it wasn't all work.  I got to spend an hour or so at Starbucks with my old roommate Tori and her boyfriend Billy.  They live in Kansas now, so getting to spend time together is a rare treat.  I'm hoping to get some time off this summer to go down south to visit them, but we'll see if I can get that accomplished.  I may just have too many weddings to deal with.

I also made a stop in to the old station to turn my key in and visit friends.  There still aren't any job openings there, but it sounds like they're fighting to get me back.  The boss told me to keep my key for awhile, and I made sure to tell them that I signed a lease and will be in Sioux Falls at least until the next June.

Legally bound to SD...

That's right--I signed a lease.  I just might be an idiot, but if I can't get the job that I really want, I might as well live where I choose.  We got this beautiful luxury apartment that is actually in my price range.  Indoor and outdoor pools, movie theater, gym--the works.  We also have a big deck--my main requirement.  We get to keep our grill, and what's really great is my dad found us beautiful (but slightly damaged...) patio furniture for free.  

Less than four weeks...

Graduation is approaching all too fast.  I turned in all the required paperwork and have my cap and gown hung up in my room.  I have an exit interview for my loans tomorrow, and then it's Model UN weekend in Mankato.  After next weekend, I just have my final papers and journal to write and then I really, truly am finished.  

I'm still not sure how I feel about it.  I love that I won't be racking up any more student loans, but I hate that there are no job openings in my field.  I feel like I'm going to be living in a career-limbo, and I really have no realistic timeline for when I get out.  It's all just a waiting game.

On the bright side, Alison comes home about a week after graduation.  She's been in India since January and I'm itching to have her home.  

Easter Egg Hunt

Here's the 2009 Mann Family Easter Egg Hunt.  Tessa decided to turn it into competitive sport, pitting two teams against each other--Tessa, Julie, Mike, and me vs. Mom, Dad, Barbara, and Marty (the cat ... who isn't allowed in the house anymore).  Fair fight or not?  You be the judge. 

Intern Bowling Night

Here's a brief glimpse into the joy that was Intern Bowling Night during the legislative session.  Enjoy!

Another Monday

I am getting very, very tired of filling out job applications.  Yesterday, I printed out 15 more resumes, filled out four online applications today, and plan to go to Sioux Falls on Wednesday to apply for nine that require a personal appearance.  One of these days, I'll get some answers.  I hope.

Is it Monday?

My days are starting to run together at this point.  Nearly all involve nothing but the job hunt.  I am apparently not a good hunter.  I should really crack down on the little bit of homework I have left in my academic career.  There are still two papers (one research) that need to be turned in, and Model UN is in two weeks.  

Not sweating as much as previously thought

My workouts are still going well.  I've never stuck with a program for this long, so I'm very pleased about that.  But, at this point, I'm not sure if anything is actually working.  The number on the scale isn't really getting any lower, which isn't surprising because I've been lifting weights and muscle weighs more than fat.  

Even knowing that, the static number is rather disheartening.  My clothes do fit better, but not much.  And to top it all off, I just used a body fat calculator online, and I fall into the "accepted category", a whole 3 percent short of being considered "in shape".  

Sad day--never in a million years did I think I had let myself go that much.  I've been far too busy for a consistent work out program over the past four years, but I hadn't realized I was eating so poorly all that time.  Luckily, part of my workout program has been changing my eating habits, so hopefully I can stick with this.  I really would like to see more results--soon.