This week, I started my few first days of work at Acumen Fund as the Fellows Associate.
And it feels great to be able to say all of those things: Acumen Fund... Fellows Associate... WORK! It's been a rough last couple of months since I started this blog back in January, but I believe I've grown a lot in a short time. I've learned how to balance priorities, how to run on far less sleep, and (perhaps most of all) deal with rejection. I've realized what it means to be honest about strengths and weaknesses, and that it's actually quite empowering to know what my limits are.
While I'm glad to be moving on, my biggest regret is not being able to stay at the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health. I had developed very strong relationships with my colleagues there, and I felt like I was finally getting my projects off the ground. GCF allowed me to travel all over the Gulf, meet the most amazing people, and gave me the chance to be part of the recovery effort of one of the biggest ecological disasters in history. Everyday, I really felt like I was contributing to something that was going to make a difference in peoples' lives. However, in the end I knew that I was a little bit out of my element. My interests are still so broad, and I need my first job to extend beyond philanthropy.
That's why I'm so excited to be at Acumen working on the Fellows program. Acumen combines philanthropy with entrepreneurship to create lasting solutions to the problems of global poverty. And the Fellows program adds to the equation an education and leadership development piece - something that I see as being a strong part of the rest of my career. Already after just my first week, I have met so many interesting people, and I know that I will meet so many more. When I was learning about organizations like Acumen at NYU, I often imagined that I would end up working in a place like it, but it seems so unreal now that it's actually happening.
I feel enormous gratitude to everyone who has helped me with this process - all of my friends who put up with canceled plans and endless banter about career planning... My teachers and advisors who nudged me along while never giving me the easy answers, and had the wisdom to let me make my own mistakes... My bosses and colleagues who helped me to realize what professionalism means, and that I'd probably be better off with less of it... My family who has always believed in and supported me, no matter what kind of person I thought I wanted to be that day... But the person who I owe the most thanks to is my sister. You're the Chair of my Advisory Board, you're the president of my fan club, and you've without a doubt been the greatest sister I could have asked for. Even though you can overwhelm me with over-planning and dozens of daily bike/job listings, I know that I would have never made it through this without you.
The getting-a-job process has been by far the hardest thing I've ever done, and I will not soon forget what I went through. With this under my belt, I have a lot of new goals and challenges: being successful at my job, finding an apartment, becoming a Jeopardy! champion... but I'm confident that I can handle just about anything that comes my way now. Over the last couple of years, I have been searching and searching for the beginning of my career path, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like my life has a clear direction and purpose. I don't know where this road will take me in the future, but I know that the first steps are to get comfortable with losing control, to never stop questioning, and that hard work - even though it might not seem like it at the time - will eventually pay off in the end.
Goodbye for now,
R
College: complete
The last few weeks have been crazy with interviews, finals, end of the year events, and graduation - but I finally made it out alive. Over the last two weeks, I made a conscious effort to notice the effect that the end of college had on me. But every time something that I thought was supposed to make me sad or nostalgic didn't pack quite the emotional punch I thought it would. Like when I sat through my last class, I didn't feel anything special. The same nothing happened when I took my last final. And when I tried on my cap and gown. And when I walked across the stage during graduation. And when I walked out of Yankee Stadium.
I DID finally felt that familiar "end-of-something-big" feeling the other night in an unexpected situation - while I was watching TV with two of my residents. We were all getting ready to move out, and two of my residents came by to hang out. We were flipping through the channels, and we stopped on the NYU channel - the NYU Reality Show was playing. (For the non-NYU readers, the Reality Show is a musical production that's part of each freshman year orientation and serves as a theatrical guide to NYU life -- complete with songs on STDs, depression, roommate conflicts, you name it...) We managed to catch the end of the show, right at the beginning of the song "Learn to Love and Live." And then it happened.
I started to remember when I had watched the Reality Show when I was a freshman. I remembered feeling so overwhelmed and not knowing what to do next, and not knowing who to talk to. I remembered walking to my first class, and not raising my hand for at least the first 2 weeks. I remembered how shy, nervous, and awkward I was. I remembered having late night conversations with my roommate. I remembered all those weird things you do and places you go as a freshman - like hooka bars, sake bombing, and Asian pub - and NEVER going to Brooklyn.
I began to realize what a completely different person I was back then. Back then, all I wanted to do was play and teach music. I dressed terribly. I was really awkward around people I didn't know. And I never spoke up. Now, I'm almost the opposite. I still want to teach, but I now I desperately want to get into the nonprofit world, whether it's in social enterprise, philanthropy, or the education side of things. I'm much more comfortable around new people. And I always have something to say.
But it's not just about the beginning and the end, it's also about what was in between. While my residents and I were hanging out (and while I was contemplating the last 4 years of my life), we talked about how one of the two residents was thinking about taking a semester off. He didn't feel engaged in his classes, and he knew that he needed a change. I remember feeling that way a few years ago, and I eventually figured things out by trying a lot of different things and talking to a lot of people about their experiences. I told him that he should think about what he wants in life, that he should do some exploring - what I was told when I felt lost. He listened to me, but he didn't take it in - how I reacted when I heard those things the first time.
It's so hard to let uncertainty take hold and to find what feels right when you have no idea what direction you're going in. But I think part of growing up is not only learning how to explore during college, but how to make your entire life one big exploration. They say that our generation will make around 7 career changes in our lifetime, so this uncertainty thing doesn't just start and end during college.
So, as I sit here in my old college dorm room full of boxes, at 6am, listening to that cheesy song from the NYU Reality Song over and over, I don't feel the panic that I thought I would feel from not having a job by the end of college. I went to a great school, I've got a pretty good head on my shoulders, and I'm confident that my mission to get a job will soon come to an end. I know that if I just keep on exploring, while I might not find exactly what I set out to look for, I'll probably stumble upon something even better.
Now is where our lives begin
Stop and take it all in
There are things that you lost, there's things we can win
Stop and take it all in
We all are one, we're in this together
The world's all ours, take care of each other
Maybe we can learn to love and live
Maybe we can learn to love and live
Maybe we can learn to love and live
I DID finally felt that familiar "end-of-something-big" feeling the other night in an unexpected situation - while I was watching TV with two of my residents. We were all getting ready to move out, and two of my residents came by to hang out. We were flipping through the channels, and we stopped on the NYU channel - the NYU Reality Show was playing. (For the non-NYU readers, the Reality Show is a musical production that's part of each freshman year orientation and serves as a theatrical guide to NYU life -- complete with songs on STDs, depression, roommate conflicts, you name it...) We managed to catch the end of the show, right at the beginning of the song "Learn to Love and Live." And then it happened.
I started to remember when I had watched the Reality Show when I was a freshman. I remembered feeling so overwhelmed and not knowing what to do next, and not knowing who to talk to. I remembered walking to my first class, and not raising my hand for at least the first 2 weeks. I remembered how shy, nervous, and awkward I was. I remembered having late night conversations with my roommate. I remembered all those weird things you do and places you go as a freshman - like hooka bars, sake bombing, and Asian pub - and NEVER going to Brooklyn.
I began to realize what a completely different person I was back then. Back then, all I wanted to do was play and teach music. I dressed terribly. I was really awkward around people I didn't know. And I never spoke up. Now, I'm almost the opposite. I still want to teach, but I now I desperately want to get into the nonprofit world, whether it's in social enterprise, philanthropy, or the education side of things. I'm much more comfortable around new people. And I always have something to say.
But it's not just about the beginning and the end, it's also about what was in between. While my residents and I were hanging out (and while I was contemplating the last 4 years of my life), we talked about how one of the two residents was thinking about taking a semester off. He didn't feel engaged in his classes, and he knew that he needed a change. I remember feeling that way a few years ago, and I eventually figured things out by trying a lot of different things and talking to a lot of people about their experiences. I told him that he should think about what he wants in life, that he should do some exploring - what I was told when I felt lost. He listened to me, but he didn't take it in - how I reacted when I heard those things the first time.
It's so hard to let uncertainty take hold and to find what feels right when you have no idea what direction you're going in. But I think part of growing up is not only learning how to explore during college, but how to make your entire life one big exploration. They say that our generation will make around 7 career changes in our lifetime, so this uncertainty thing doesn't just start and end during college.
So, as I sit here in my old college dorm room full of boxes, at 6am, listening to that cheesy song from the NYU Reality Song over and over, I don't feel the panic that I thought I would feel from not having a job by the end of college. I went to a great school, I've got a pretty good head on my shoulders, and I'm confident that my mission to get a job will soon come to an end. I know that if I just keep on exploring, while I might not find exactly what I set out to look for, I'll probably stumble upon something even better.
Now is where our lives begin
Stop and take it all in
There are things that you lost, there's things we can win
Stop and take it all in
We all are one, we're in this together
The world's all ours, take care of each other
Maybe we can learn to love and live
Maybe we can learn to love and live
Maybe we can learn to love and live
Will Ramil get a job?
For the first time since I started this blog, I feel like I might be coming very close to my goal. A couple months ago, I was worried because I wasn't hearing back from any of the jobs I applied for, but now, I feel like there are almost too many opportunities available to me that it's hard to keep up!
This week:
Tomorrow - Harlem Children's Zone (2nd in-person interview)
Tomorrow - Uncommon Schools (phone interview)
Thursday - Acumen Fund (in-person interview after a phone interview)
This week also includes school and work, so it will be hard to balance everything and do well - but I am confident that I'll be able to pull it off. I've been juggling all of these commitments for such a long time, and I'm so glad that it's starting to pay off. I'm so grateful to have all of these opportunities, and my only concern now is that I won't be able to take advantage of all of them. I know that any of these organizations would be a great place for me to start a career in education/nonprofit, and I wish there was a way that I could do them all.
But I can't get ahead of myself. There's a lot on my plate, and it's all happening in the next week. I need to focus on acing my finals, performing well at my internships, completing my projects, and most importantly, making a good impression in these interviews. It's crazy to think that what happens this week just might end up determining the next few years of my life...
IN OTHER NEWS:
-I had two great (but very sad) goodbye meals with my Alternative Breaks and Gramercy Green family
-...and I'm proud to say that I won the Poster Picasso award (for creative excellence) for the second consecutive year :)
-I made $BANK bartending a party for the Aye-Ayes! Suh-WEET.
-I'm finally done with M-BRO-A!
-I just took the last class of my undergraduate career...
-I'm graduating from college in 9 days...
-This is how I feel...
Quick updates!
(June 17 means nothing)INTERNSHIPS
- I'm getting a lot of good experience at Do Something & Gulf Coast Fund in a lot of different areas - marketing, grant making, social media, research, and other fun things
- I'm getting more responsibilities at both (please follow GCF on twitter)
- However, someone called me "Ricardo" today at the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors office
SCHOOL
- Hey FINALS, Jamaican me CRAZY!
- Omigod, school is over...
WORK
- I got to the second round of interviews for Harlem Children's Zone (Tuesday)
- I have a phone interview with Acumen Fund (Friday)
- I heard back from the Success Charter School Network for a phone interview (TBA)
- That one application a day thing really worked
- I think the next job hunt strategy should be more networking-based... I'll let you now what I come up with.
LIFE
- I'm feeling overwhelmed, but I've got things under control... for now at least.
- I'm pumped to go to NOLA in May with GCF, and to BONNAROO (probs defs) in June.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- Word on the street is that my blog makes me sound depressed.
- However, nothing could be further from the truth! While I am very worried about my future and while I am under a lot of stress, I'm really excited about all the opportunities that I have available to me.
- It's hard for me to deal with rejection, and so those first few NOs got me kind of down. But after hearing back from all of these great companies in the last few weeks, I feel like I've gotten a second wind.
- I know that I still need to keep applying/networking/interviewing to find the best possible job for me, and I'm looking forward to what is going to happen next.
Waitlisted... yet again
So I heard back from TFA yesterday, and even after expanding my preferences to include NY and NOLA, I am still on the waitlist. I got the e-mail in class (Management and Organizational Analysis), and when I read it, I shut down. I felt frustrated and hopeless. I turned off Gchat, and stopped raising my hand. I had been so sure that I was going to get in again, and I was shocked to find out that my status update was merely the SAME waitlist message I had received twice before.
I felt a similar feeling today, too. It was in Spanish class. We just finished reading a book called "Réquiem por un campesino español," and I just wasn't accepting the explanation that profesora was offering. I found the main character's actions completely irrational, and I kept on insisting that my explanation was the right one. I e-mailed profesora later, and she helped me to see (in English) that I was just being stubborn. I was trying too hard to impose my own interpretation that I was unable to see things from another perspective.
As graduation and real life gets ever closer, I'm realizing that I don't have as much control over everything as I would like. It's not all going to work out sometimes. There are going to be things that I can change, and then there are going to be things that I can't, and the most anyone can try to do is know the difference. For example, one thing that I cannot change is using clichés.
Tomorrow, I have an interview at the Harlem Children's Zone. (TLA on HCZ - http://bit.ly/bPsSgL)
I've done my research. I've planned out how to get there. I've shaved, set my alarm, and laid out my suit. All I can do now is ace the interview. I just have to go in there, tell them who I am and why I want the job, and see what happens.
I'm not going to waste any more time doubting myself or being hard on myself. And if I do fall back into a rut, I'll just turn on HOT 97, and (apparently no matter what time it is) I'll hear these encouraging words from my friend Drake:
What am I doin? What am I doin?
Oh, yeah, thats right, Im doin me
Im doin me
Im livin life right now, mayne
And this what Ima do til its over
Til its over
But its far from over...
Progress Report #2
Things are going better! I am sticking to my commitment of 2 applications per day, and I've sent out four more applications since last post. They've all been development positions in nonprofits: Institute of International Education, United Negro College Fund (NOLA!), Jewish Funds for Justice, and Cinereach. Seeing them all in a list now, it seems pretty random, but all the job descriptions were very similar, and I think I would have fun at all of them.
I'm still feeling overwhelmed with school, internships, and job hunting, etc... but I'm happy to be busy because I really feel like I'm making the most of my time during these last few weeks of my college career.
Last night was the new staff meet-and-greet for the dorm where I am an RA - Gramercy Green, and it reminded me of how different my life is going to be next year. I've been an RA for the last two years, and looking at next year's fresh batch made me think about how lucky they all are to still have so much of college left!
I'm starting to feel more and more jealous of others' positions. Earlier today, I was celebrating my friend getting his THIRD job (he is working three jobs consecutively). We went around the table and all the seniors talked about their jobs lined up for next year - a social media consultant, art-something at the Whitney, web designer in Colorado - and I couldn't help but feel inadequate. Don't get me wrong - I am SO happy that my friends have been so successful at securing their jobs, but I just wish that I could find my dream job, too.
In other news:
- I have an interview next week at Harlem Children's Zone. It's for a college advisor position in the college success office, and I really want it!!
- I hear back from TFA on Monday! Hopefully I actually get off the waiting list this time.
- The Alternative Breaks REorientation End of the Year event went AMAZINGLY well. Thanks to everyone who came and dressed-up.
- I ordered my cap and gown for graduation... it's really happening...
Progress Report #1
I haven't been doing well with my one-a-day goal!It's already April 13th, and I've only sent out 4 applications! (Ford, Trickle Up, Open Society, Harlem Children's Zone) That's 9 short of where I should be! Even though midterms have ended, I've felt even more overwhelmed by everything. I am quite disappointed in myself, but rather than continue to make excuses, I'm going to try to make up for my lack of commitment. Here's how I'm going to do it:
For the next week, I am going to commit to sending in TWO applications per day. That's right - TWO. Two a day for the next week should just about catch me up to where I need to be.
I know this might sound stupid - because if I couldn't do one a day, then it REALLY doesn't make sense to do two - but I think part of the reason why I never got around to doing those applications was because one application isn't that big of a deal. I mean it IS because it could potentially result in the beginning of my career, but it takes like 30 minutes to apply to a job. If I do two at a time, it'll take at least an hour, and I won't be able to put it off as easily.
I'll let you know how it goes, but in the meanwhile, here is some good news:
- Midterms went well (I got a 91, a 94, and a 101! who gets a 101!?)
- I won a President's Service Award from NYU (see above picture)
- I'm nominated for RA of the Year... and CarnEVIL is nominated for best program
- The fundraiser for my microfinance project in Thailand went unexpectedly well! (we raised $800+!)
- My unpaid internship (Gulf Coast Fund) is taking me to NOLA in May!
One job per day in April
Midterms season has officially ended, and I'm ready to devote a lot more time to my job search. April is pretty free of big tests, so I've got room to make a new commitment: everyday in April (starting today), I'm going to send out one job application. This includes weekends, as well as Mondays.It takes about 30-60 minutes to write a good cover letter and edit a resume for a job, and so there's really no reason why I can't make the time to do it every day. Anyone who doesn't have a job yet and is serious about finding one SHOULD be doing this, so that's what I'm going to do. Applying to one job a day may seem excessive, but constantly searching for job opportunities will keep me on my toes, and hopefully keep me ahead of the game. If I'm checking job postings everyday, I'll probably be one of the first few people to apply - and getting in there early is so key in getting noticed. I know I'll probably end up applying to things that I don't really see myself working, but I should be keeping my options open anyway.
So today, I applied for a position at the Ford Foundation, and hopefully I'll hear back soon. I'll keep you posted on which jobs I'm applying for.
Notes: This is not an April Fool's joke. Also, the above graphic is the logo for the blog http://www.onedayonejob.com/
I'll miss you, school
I just spent 30 minutes cleaning my stove. It's now 1:38am, and I have other work that I should be doing, exams I should be studying for, but sometimes it feels good to just clean. I might not be able to know exactly what to write on a cover letter to get a response... and I might not be able to know if I will get the job after the interview... but it's comforting to know that after scrubbing the stove for 30 minutes, it WILL be clean.There are so many variables in my life right now, and I've noticed that I have been gravitating more and more to the things I can count on. My friends, my family, my stove. There are so few things that I can control, and right when I am finally feeling like I just got this school thing under control, and it's all going to go away in 5 weeks.
While I was scrubbing the stovetop, I started thinking about how much I'm going to miss school - even studying for tests. During this week, I've never had so much fun studying for economics and Spanish. Maybe it's because these exams are a much-needed distraction from my job search, or maybe it's just because I'm a nerd, but this week it has been so effortless for me to re-read my textbooks, make flashcards, create study guides, do problem sets, etc.
I know that these last few posts have been kind of depressing, but I think it's important that I learn to deal with rejection. It's bound to happen to everyone, and the only thing I can do is be persistent and keep it up. I need to keep sending out job applications. I need to keep networking. I need to keep studying. And I think I also need to keep cleaning the stove... and other stove-like things.
22 and still unemployed
Happy birthday! I turned 22 on Tuesday. I wish that I could be happier about it, but it's hard to see the bright side when I keep getting rejected from jobs.
I just heard back from Uncommon Schools, and I didn't get the job. I REALLY wanted that job, too... And things don't look any better at TFA. I hate to be so negative, but there's not a whole lot to be positive about right now.
There are only 6 weeks left until school is over, and panic is starting to set in. I can't believe how soon it will be until I'm on my own! No more free apartment... no more free food... no more everything that I have gotten so used to.
And to make things worse, last night I was brushing my teeth, and I was brushing too hard and fast, and I slipped and hit myself in the gums, and now my gums hurt all day.
But I guess all I can do now is move forward... I applied to two more jobs today (the Doe Fund, and the Point Foundation), and hopefully I'll hear back from them. I also won the RA of the Month award for February, so at least I can do SOMETHING right. There are a few job openings in ResEd, and I think I'll definitely apply.
I can feel my gums already getting better.
I just heard back from Uncommon Schools, and I didn't get the job. I REALLY wanted that job, too... And things don't look any better at TFA. I hate to be so negative, but there's not a whole lot to be positive about right now.
There are only 6 weeks left until school is over, and panic is starting to set in. I can't believe how soon it will be until I'm on my own! No more free apartment... no more free food... no more everything that I have gotten so used to.
And to make things worse, last night I was brushing my teeth, and I was brushing too hard and fast, and I slipped and hit myself in the gums, and now my gums hurt all day.
But I guess all I can do now is move forward... I applied to two more jobs today (the Doe Fund, and the Point Foundation), and hopefully I'll hear back from them. I also won the RA of the Month award for February, so at least I can do SOMETHING right. There are a few job openings in ResEd, and I think I'll definitely apply.
I can feel my gums already getting better.
Alternative Breaks: Mobile, Alabama
Spring break is well underway, and while it's not as relaxing as I would have hoped, it's definitely a much needed break from NYC. I arrived in Alabama yesterday... after a 2 day drive with 11 other volunteers. We are down in Mobile to work with Habitat for Humanity to support the continual Katrina relief effort.
We're sleeping in 5555 Moffett Road Baptist Church, driving around in two maroon minivans, and shopping at Wal-Mart A LOT. This morning, we lent our hands at the Boys and Girls club in Theodore, AL, and then we met up with a couple of old folks who took us to an alligator reserve in Mississippi. I held one of these:
Tomorrow will be our first day on our Habitat for Humanity work site (they only work Tues-Sat). I'm really excited to get to work, and I really like our group. I'm looking forward to starting on some real work, but I am NOT looking forward to any more of the food. I already ate at an O'Charley's and a Waffle House, and I do not want to venture into the world of Sonic or Cracker Barrel. I just lowered my cholesterol from 220 to 168, and I don't want to have to do that again.
We're sleeping in 5555 Moffett Road Baptist Church, driving around in two maroon minivans, and shopping at Wal-Mart A LOT. This morning, we lent our hands at the Boys and Girls club in Theodore, AL, and then we met up with a couple of old folks who took us to an alligator reserve in Mississippi. I held one of these:
Tomorrow will be our first day on our Habitat for Humanity work site (they only work Tues-Sat). I'm really excited to get to work, and I really like our group. I'm looking forward to starting on some real work, but I am NOT looking forward to any more of the food. I already ate at an O'Charley's and a Waffle House, and I do not want to venture into the world of Sonic or Cracker Barrel. I just lowered my cholesterol from 220 to 168, and I don't want to have to do that again.
SPRING BREAK! WOO!
I finally made it! ..and just barely. I don't think I have ever been so excited for spring break.Between hearing from TFA, midterms, preparing for Alternative Breaks, and Civic Camp planning, this week has been really overwhelming. And the biggest hurdle was my Uncommon Schools interview today, which went pretty well. The first part was a read-aloud. I had prepared this big lesson for The Giving Tree, but I forgot how fast 20 minutes goes by. We only had time to go through the story, and we didn't get to any of the activities that I had planned. But the scholars (Uncommon students are referred to as scholars) were still very excited and participated a lot. The second part was a one-on-one interview with the Instructional Leader (kind of like a principal). I thought that I had a good interview, and I gave a lot of honest evaluation of my read-aloud - which I think they liked. But I really regret not getting enough sleep the night before, because being so tired definitely showed. Overall, it was a great experience, and it was so impressed to see how smart, disciplined, and engaged all of the scholars were. Great school. Send your kids there.
Tomorrow, I'm getting up at 5 am AGAIN to pick up a rental car at JFK, then drive down to ALABAMA. I'm going with NYU Alternative Breaks, and we will be working with Habitat for Humanity to build a house... or something. But I am so excited to get away from the cold, the work, the classes, the worries, the etc of NYC, and get my hands dirty.
Big interview tomorrow!
I've spent the whole day today getting ready for my interview tomorrow with Uncommon Schools. And I think I may have gone a bit overboard... I feel really prepared, but unfortunately, I now have to wake up in like 2 hours and actually DO the interview.Tomorrow, the interview will consist of two parts: a read-aloud to a group of 1st-grade scholars, and a 20 minutes one-on-one interview.
For the read-aloud, I've created a lesson plan for The Giving Tree (see it here https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AavEDFR9_VqYZGdoZ2o3M3NfNjM3M3RyNjRnag&hl=en)
For the interview, I've prepared for some questions that I know they're going to ask me (i.e. How will you change history?)
I'm going to wake up at 5, get on the train at 6, arrive at the school at 7, do my read-aloud at 8, watch everyone else's read-aloud for a LONG time, then have my one-on-one interview at 11. I'm a little bit nervous, but I feel pretty confident. I've done this song and dance before, and I just hope that I can perform again for tomorrow (and I guess I need to do better than I did with TFA...) Wish me luck!
WAITLIST again
I am writing to provide you with an update about your waitlist status and want to thank you for your patience and continued interest in Teach For America. At this time, you remain on our waitlist and continue to be considered for admission into the 2010 corps.
I got that in an e-mail yesterday from TFA Admissions. Predictably, I was very upset. But I wasn't expecting to get in based on what I had heard about how competitive New York was. I had been debating whether or not to change my site preferences, and I for some reason I thought that it might work out. However, after I learned that I was still on the waitlist yesterday, I immediately changed my preferences to include New Orleans.
Another thing that made me upset:
Congratulations! You were nominated for an OTM in the month of February 2010!I got that in an e-mail from ResEd. What does that mean?! I know that I was nominated- I do not need congratulations for that. You usually congratulate someone when they WIN. Does that mean that I didn't win? Because that's what it seems like.
Needless to say, I am feeling a bit discouraged right now. I spent so much energy on both the TFA application, and (to a lesser extent) on trying to win the RA OTM for February, and I'm very disappointed that I didn't measure up. The worst part is that I know that I tried my hardest, and it still wasn't good enough. I haven't completely lost motivation, but these two setbacks seem pretty major right now.
Uncommon Schools interview is on Friday... I'll read "Griswold" or "The Giving Tree"...
BUSY BEE!
The Busy Bee Award (actually a small mason jar) is given to the Gramercy Green RA that is busy sometimes, so this week my colleague Aaron gave it to me! It is awarded once a week, and comes with candies - and sometimes Netflix. (To see how busy I pretend to be, see my weekly schedule below).
(insert schedule link here)
I hate when people try to play the "Look how busy I am!" competition, so please don't think that's what this is. I tell you that there is a lot of stuff on my plate right now, because I fear that I am over-extended, and that I won't be able to deliver my best work. I hasn't gotten to the point where I am missing obligations or double-booking, but it is getting very difficult to stay on top of everything. Mainly, when I am at work or school, I notice that I'm not as present as I would like to be, and my mind easily wanders to other commitments. I find it harder to engage with people, because I am worrying about other things, and I lose track of the task at hand.
Okay... so the problem is constantly worrying about the NEXT thing, and not being present for the NOW thing. So what's the solution...
(insert schedule link here)
I hate when people try to play the "Look how busy I am!" competition, so please don't think that's what this is. I tell you that there is a lot of stuff on my plate right now, because I fear that I am over-extended, and that I won't be able to deliver my best work. I hasn't gotten to the point where I am missing obligations or double-booking, but it is getting very difficult to stay on top of everything. Mainly, when I am at work or school, I notice that I'm not as present as I would like to be, and my mind easily wanders to other commitments. I find it harder to engage with people, because I am worrying about other things, and I lose track of the task at hand.
Okay... so the problem is constantly worrying about the NEXT thing, and not being present for the NOW thing. So what's the solution...
- Cut back? No, that would feel too much like failure...
- Make more lists? YES! That way I don't have to manage tasks in my head.
- Be prepared? Yeaaaaah, if I get work done way in advance I don't have to worry about doing the NEXT during the NOW.
Looking forward to Spring BREAK!
Things are getting all mixed up!
It's getting harder and harder to balance all of these commitments that I'm juggling, but so far I'm managing. And there are less than 2 weeks before Spring break, so if I can just survive til then, I'll be happy. Because for Spring break... I'm going to ALABAMA!!! Jealous?
Updates:
-DoSomething.org and Gulf Coast Fund (RPA) internships are going well - and getting busier
-Civic Camp is coming up so soon! It's a conference that I'm helping to plan based on civic engagement 3/26
-I didn't get the Funded Internship Award from Wasserman :(
-My interview for Uncommon Schools is next Friday 3/12!
-I hear back from TFA THIS Friday 3/6
-There's a career fair tomorrow 3/3 (I will definitely NOT get a job there because no one gets a job from a job fair... but I will still go because EVERYONE still goes to the job fair anyway...)
-I want the RA OTM (Resident Assistant Of The Month) so bad for February
-I GOT A NEW PHONE! but I couldn't transfer my numbers... so please text/call me so I can have your number
It's getting harder and harder to balance all of these commitments that I'm juggling, but so far I'm managing. And there are less than 2 weeks before Spring break, so if I can just survive til then, I'll be happy. Because for Spring break... I'm going to ALABAMA!!! Jealous?
Updates:
-DoSomething.org and Gulf Coast Fund (RPA) internships are going well - and getting busier
-Civic Camp is coming up so soon! It's a conference that I'm helping to plan based on civic engagement 3/26
-I didn't get the Funded Internship Award from Wasserman :(
-My interview for Uncommon Schools is next Friday 3/12!
-I hear back from TFA THIS Friday 3/6
-There's a career fair tomorrow 3/3 (I will definitely NOT get a job there because no one gets a job from a job fair... but I will still go because EVERYONE still goes to the job fair anyway...)
-I want the RA OTM (Resident Assistant Of The Month) so bad for February
-I GOT A NEW PHONE! but I couldn't transfer my numbers... so please text/call me so I can have your number
Busy, busy
What a week! Here's whats going on in my life:
WORK
Gulf Coast Fund - I'm really happy with how this is going. I have a lot of independence, and responsibility. I'm working on fundraising and development, and I get make proposals of idea that I think are good.
DoSomething.org - It's such a dynamic and unpredictable place to work. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, but so much gets done - even on snow day.
Uncommon Schools - I made it to the next round! I've been invited to an Immersion Day where I will be giving a "read-aloud"... whatever that means?!
TFA - anxiously waiting...
SCHOOL
Economics - I got an 82 on the midterm... I did not achieve my goal of acing the exam. So, I started going back to recitation. But between my TA's accent, and his inability to clarify ideas, I'm not sure how productive recitation will be.
Everything else - More midterms/presentations coming up...
EXTRACURRICULAR
President's Service Award - I got one! Thanks for the nomination!
RA - I've been cultivating my application for RA of the Month for February. I've done 10 programs so far, and I've recruited only the finest RAs to write my nomination. Fingers crossed.
Alternative Breaks - I had a successful fundraiser tonight, however last weeks Haiti benefit went anything but well.
Civic Camp - it's really coming along. If you're interested in attending a conference about how to turn your passions into a profession, keep March 26 open!
SNOW - I hate you! You make my socks wet!
WORK
Gulf Coast Fund - I'm really happy with how this is going. I have a lot of independence, and responsibility. I'm working on fundraising and development, and I get make proposals of idea that I think are good.
DoSomething.org - It's such a dynamic and unpredictable place to work. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, but so much gets done - even on snow day.
Uncommon Schools - I made it to the next round! I've been invited to an Immersion Day where I will be giving a "read-aloud"... whatever that means?!
TFA - anxiously waiting...
SCHOOL
Economics - I got an 82 on the midterm... I did not achieve my goal of acing the exam. So, I started going back to recitation. But between my TA's accent, and his inability to clarify ideas, I'm not sure how productive recitation will be.
Everything else - More midterms/presentations coming up...
EXTRACURRICULAR
President's Service Award - I got one! Thanks for the nomination!
RA - I've been cultivating my application for RA of the Month for February. I've done 10 programs so far, and I've recruited only the finest RAs to write my nomination. Fingers crossed.
Alternative Breaks - I had a successful fundraiser tonight, however last weeks Haiti benefit went anything but well.
Civic Camp - it's really coming along. If you're interested in attending a conference about how to turn your passions into a profession, keep March 26 open!
SNOW - I hate you! You make my socks wet!
First day at Gulf Coast Fund (GCF)
What a day gang! I went in for my first day at GCF... it was basically a training on what GCF does, how it's related to RPA (Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), what I'm expected to do, and what software I'll be working with.
Highlights:
-I learned a lot about RPA. RPA uses a very unique model where it sort of houses it's separate "special projects" in house. RPA is the fiscal sponsor of GCF, but GCF is still a very independent agency, responsible for its own fundraising, decision-making, operations, and grant giving.
-I learned a lot about the challenges facing not-for-profits today... the most prominent being the ever-growing problem of sustainability. This is particularly relevant for GCF, as it suffers from major "Katrina fatigue" - that is, how people have almost forgotten that Katrina survivors are still struggling to get back on their feet.
-And I learned that Nancy Lublin's "Not-for-profit management" class has prepared me extremely well for working in this field. I was able to talk to my supervisor and her colleagues about a lot of things that I don't think they expected me to know about: like the difference between a 501(c)3 and 501(c)4, or about different parts of IRS Form 990. Thanks Nancy!
It was a really cool first day, and I really appreciate that my supervisor spent the whole day with us (the other intern is a junior from Hofstra University)... and she's SO nice and really young.
I also applied for the Funded Internship Award from Wasserman, and I really hope I get it! I need it to LIVE!
Highlights:
-I learned a lot about RPA. RPA uses a very unique model where it sort of houses it's separate "special projects" in house. RPA is the fiscal sponsor of GCF, but GCF is still a very independent agency, responsible for its own fundraising, decision-making, operations, and grant giving.
-I learned a lot about the challenges facing not-for-profits today... the most prominent being the ever-growing problem of sustainability. This is particularly relevant for GCF, as it suffers from major "Katrina fatigue" - that is, how people have almost forgotten that Katrina survivors are still struggling to get back on their feet.
-And I learned that Nancy Lublin's "Not-for-profit management" class has prepared me extremely well for working in this field. I was able to talk to my supervisor and her colleagues about a lot of things that I don't think they expected me to know about: like the difference between a 501(c)3 and 501(c)4, or about different parts of IRS Form 990. Thanks Nancy!
It was a really cool first day, and I really appreciate that my supervisor spent the whole day with us (the other intern is a junior from Hofstra University)... and she's SO nice and really young.
I also applied for the Funded Internship Award from Wasserman, and I really hope I get it! I need it to LIVE!
I got another one!
Another internship that is. At the Gulf Coast Fund, a project of the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. It sounds so fancy... except the unpaid part.
I think that working at the Gulf Coast Fund will provide a contrast from Do Something, and my experiences at both places this semester will give me a good idea of what the not-for-profit sector is really like. The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is an older, bigger organization that allocates funds to support community organizations, and Do Something is a younger, smaller company that works with closely schools and teenagers. I think I'll really enjoy working at both places, and my only concern is being able to balance 2 internships, 16 credits, being an RA, Alternative Breaks, other activities... and trying to find a job!
My goals for this week:
-Ace my econ midterm
-Impress my bosses at DS and GCF
-Win RA of the month
-Work on the Civic Camp planning process
I think that working at the Gulf Coast Fund will provide a contrast from Do Something, and my experiences at both places this semester will give me a good idea of what the not-for-profit sector is really like. The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is an older, bigger organization that allocates funds to support community organizations, and Do Something is a younger, smaller company that works with closely schools and teenagers. I think I'll really enjoy working at both places, and my only concern is being able to balance 2 internships, 16 credits, being an RA, Alternative Breaks, other activities... and trying to find a job!
My goals for this week:
-Ace my econ midterm
-Impress my bosses at DS and GCF
-Win RA of the month
-Work on the Civic Camp planning process
...the blizzard.
Today was a really long day... especially because of the blizzard. Due to fatigue, this post will take the form of a common icebreaker activity - roses and thorns:
My first day at Do Something... in a blizzard:
Rose - My first task was really cool. I had to read through 600+ applications, and choose the 5 best to win a free computer!
Thorn - They asked me to go out in the snow to go to Staples and buy labels and envelopes. Staples was closed.
Going to school... in a blizzard:
Thorn - I woke up and got ready for 9:30 class, but the bus never ended up coming. So, I missed class.
Rose - My 4:55 class was canceled, and so i had NO class ALL day!
Being an RA... in a blizzard:
Rose - Staff meeting was canceled so that we could have Snow Day programs. I ordered pizza and held a well-attended event with another RA. Success.
Thorns - None!
My first day at Do Something... in a blizzard:
Rose - My first task was really cool. I had to read through 600+ applications, and choose the 5 best to win a free computer!
Thorn - They asked me to go out in the snow to go to Staples and buy labels and envelopes. Staples was closed.
Going to school... in a blizzard:
Thorn - I woke up and got ready for 9:30 class, but the bus never ended up coming. So, I missed class.
Rose - My 4:55 class was canceled, and so i had NO class ALL day!
Being an RA... in a blizzard:
Rose - Staff meeting was canceled so that we could have Snow Day programs. I ordered pizza and held a well-attended event with another RA. Success.
Thorns - None!
