Hi all my lovely followers, you’ve probably forgotten you even followed this blog! Yes, it’s true, I have abandoned this blog for a new lady. Her name is WineDown Yoga ™. You can peruse her new sleek sexy shape at www.winedownwithyoga.com.
If you’re a wine lover or a yogi, who loves to live the good life, at the Vineyard no less, then move on over and join the party! We will satisfy all your cravings in 2014!
See you there!
As most of you know, I’m a yoga fanatic. I love everything about yoga, and have practiced all types. Last December I attended a yogafit training session in NYC to obtain my level 1 yoga certification. And now I want to spread the yoga joy to everyone around the world!
I’ve recently been offered to teach yoga at a camp near my house. One of my friends runs day care centers around the area and she’s asked me to teach for a week during the summer at one of the day cares. The kids could be from 3-12 and I would have my choice of what age to teach.
I’m a big believer you’re never too young or too old to begin the yoga journey. But can I really teach 3 year olds yoga?
I’m thinking of combining yoga and art, an idea borrowed from a friend who is an artist. He may actually come down to do the camp with me, as if there really are going to be 40 kids, I will need the extra hand!
So here’s what I ask of you readers…
I need ideas, anyone out there have ideas on how to engage young kids in practicing yoga? Or creating fun games we can play to keep them entertained during the day? I want to incorporate healthy eating as well, so maybe combine healthy snacks or even creating your own garden?
Let me know what you think and I’ll keep you posted on upcoming opportunities to join in on the fun!
Remember, you can always find me via twitter or instagram @getinspired2liv
Don’t forget to share with me what inspires you with #getinspired2 and tag me @getinspired2live
I’ll be compiling all inspirational ideas for my new blog! Can you guess what it’s going to be called?
I think my absence from blogging affects my mood. I have begun to depend on this form of expression, and I love sharing thoughts and reading your comments. When I’m not writing and sharing, I feel unbalanced. It feels good to be putting words on paper again, or at least in the digital sphere to reach my readers. Gets me thinking about how cursive is a lost art. But anyway…
Why save everything to external hard drives? Because computers crash. Shocker I know. Procrastination has me in trouble, again. My computer crashed last week, and to make things a bit more stressful, it happened as I was saving my photos and documents on an external hard drive. Everyone always tells you to SAVE SAVE SAVE, saving digital media has been part of my job the past 3 years working within media for Bauer Media Company (formally ACP Magazines) and currently the World Bank. But because my computer had a massive hard drive, I always just depended on its’ durability. Even if it was a 2007 Mac Pro model. Why should consumers have to get a new computer every 3 years anyway?
This photo was the last little life the guy had left. I restarted it three times and this is the image I got. If I can say one thing about Macs though, they are built to last! I’ve owned 4 other computers before this one, Dell and HP’s. They all crashed or got viruses within 2 years. Not this guy though. I traveled the world with this guy, and he had the world in photos saved on the hard drive. Not to mention everything I had ever written for my M.A degrees and the last year of documents from my last year in college.
I know what your’e thinking, dumb move. I know I know, but at least I discovered my hard drive wasn’t harmed and I could get most if not all my documents and pictures off. I still have to check on the photos, as they were saved in my IPhoto Library, not the pictures folder.
They currently are only opening in small images!! Fingers crossed it will all be ok. I’m trying not to think about it.
All I can say is I’ve learned my lesson. I’m now using my Mom’s Toshiba and missing the fantastic user friendly qualities no other computer besides a Mac can provide. The keyboard isn’t bad, nothing compared to the gentle grooves of the 2007 Mac Model though (which by the way is not used on any current Mac model). I feel like I’m having to learn a whole new system, once you go Mac you don’t go back.
Anyway, letting go of the 2007 Mac Model, and my global companion…ahhhh and breathe.
My next purchase will probably be a Mac Book Air. Cheaper, lighter and will be able to do anything I need. There are some refurbished models for sale (my previous Mac was a refurbished purchase). I figure why buy new when you can buy once opened for a much cheaper price? Thoughts anyone? Please share with me if you know good computers.
Now, does everyone out there get the hint to go buy a hard drive and save ALL your documents if you haven’t already done so? I hope so. Life requires a computer, at least my life. As a result, the launch of my new blog is delayed a bit, so stay tuned to get inspired to follow and more details to come!
In the mean time, I’ve developed quite the knack for posting to Instagram, possibly a slight addiction. But you can follow along as I challenge myself to a new daily pose and offer options for all body types. Be sure to hash tag #Getinspired2 with a photo of anything that inspires you or something you do to get inspired. Tag me @getinspired2liv in your comment box so I know you’re out there and I will begin to feature your posts. So we can spread inspiration to those who need it most. Here’s bridge pose to try!
And remember my New Years Resolutions? I have compiled some yummy vegetarian and vegan recipes @Getinspired2liv on Instagram, and will be sharing the specifics through my new blog. Don’t forget, you can also find me on twitter with @Getinspired2liv
PLEASE PLEASE share the ways you live better and more inspired! Especially right now, I need all the inspiration I can get. A new computer (big gulp)? There goes half my savings. Hopefully I’ll be able to get my pictures off. Wish me luck!
Namaste.
The networking event that changed it all…
ROLLINS! My university in Florida had its first networking event in late June. Now, this wasn’t the typical networking event I’ve been to in the past. I’ve been sticking to nonprofit events where the crowd is, um a bit different than the Rollins crowd. Google Rollins College, and you’ll see what I mean.
I met my college friend at the event. She’s now attending law school at American University and the job she has now she got through her university, typical. When I told friends who’d never been out of the country that I was going to attend grad school in Sydney, a typical response was, “How are you going to get a job later? How are you going to make connections?” I of course proved them wrong. But, no doubt, there is a huge advantage for getting a job in D.C when you attend university in D.C. Many jobs aren’t published for the general public but are posted on university sites. Professors in D.C also have a huge pull in D.C. Sadly Americans trust national universities more than outside universities – unless you have Oxford stamped on your resume.
But I never wanted my life to be about what I needed to do to get a job later. Though this didn’t stop me from gaining internship experiences starting my second year of college, this was because I wanted to learn and stay busy – and because I wanted to stand out. Americans (I say this like I’m not one haha) typically live their life to get a job, because the competition is tough, and our culture almost demands it…work hard, get a good job, make money, buy things, COMPETE! Climbing the latter of “success” is never how I wanted to live my life, I knew from a very young age this wasn’t what gets you true happiness. I live to learn and to grow, to meet interesting people, to view the world from different lenses, to have unique experiences, to be anything but ordinary, to challenge myself, and of course to one day have a family, to be a strong partner for my other half and educate my children.
Like I said, if you can network, have a good resume to start, and are positive and persistent, the graduate school you went to shouldn’t be a factor.
Anyway, upon walking into this event, I could already tell I was in with the moneymakers –lots of lawyers, Tobacco lobbyists (yikes!), and people working as staff members for governors. My mom, who was a graduate of Rollins in…uhh the 60’s?…also came along. She scoped the scene for me while I made conversation with a couple of lawyers. The event was great fun, but I didn’t think I would make any solid connections that could lead me to where I wanted to go. The typical thing happened, a couple conversations with interesting people, a cocky guy tried to hit on me, and lots of blondes in high power heels (Rollins typical).
BUT then I met the girl that would kick start my D.C experience. It was a good thing I entertained the guy who was hitting on me (TALK TO EVERYONE), because she was his friend. She was the last person I talked to before leaving. I recognized her from campus way back when, but couldn’t put her face to a name,
“So what do you do in D.C”…I enquired.
“I work for the World Bank”….
SPOTTED!
She worked in corporate communications for the Bank. I took down her info once I told her my experience and expressed that was THE PLACE I wanted to work. We stayed in touch throughout my search, aka, I started to build a relationship with her. I found her on linkedin, emailed her almost every week about tips and inside scoops and I emailed her my resume and cover letter on day one.
About the time when I was about to throw up my hands and move because I just could NOT apply for one more job online, I got an e-mail about the position I’m in now. She forwarded my resume to GPE when she switched over to this job from corporate communications, and here I am.
Stay tuned for the interview…
My Golden Ticket
Well, I did it. I made the dream happen. Everyone told me it was competitive, that it would take forever, to set my standards lower, to take what I could get…yadda yadda yadda. BUT here’s the news, I made it to the World Bank Group! The group is one of THE MOST competitive places to be in D.C. And a HUGE step into the International Development arena. Actually, the best step you can take, I mean, it’s the WORLD BANK, the largest international development organization in the world, which includes the IMF. To have this on your resume, and to get connected into this World, well it’s the ACP magazines of D.C (if we were to compare the Magazine World to the International Development World and Sydney to D.C – apples and oranges). But IT’S HUGE! And filled with intellectuals who have global knowledge, and yearn to learn. I’ve had the World Bank on my radar since 2010, when I stepped into a Global Leadership Seminar (but more on that later).
Many people may think this organization is corrupt or bureaucratic, and to be honest, it is definitely bureaucratic. Even the people working there acknowledge that, because they have a set of rules all their projects have to follow. But corrupt, I wouldn’t say that. Maybe the governments they lend to, or the organizations that bid on projects they fund. The Group does so much good, it’s better to concentrate on all they do, vs. some projects that may benefit the investors more than the people living there.
Anyway, later i’ll write about the interview and what got me to this point, but for now, I wanted to share with my followers (because I have so many, ha!) that I got a position! I work in the Communications department as a Web/Communications Consultant, for the Global Partnership for Education. We work with over 50 countries to get the world’s poorest and most marginalized children into school so they can fulfill their potential. A very gratifying initiative.
I signed my contract last Friday and began work on Monday. I just finished my first week and about to begin my second. The first week was great, I really couldn’t have asked for better. The people I work with are smart, all of them with M.A degrees and most of them speak at least a second language. I love the environment because it inspires me to learn, and in my position (which currently is temporary till the end of June) I can create my own job. Sure I have the things that need to be done, but they give me the flexibility to create my own job. Who doesn’t want that? I want to create a position for myself, so at the end of the fiscal year, they won’t want to get rid of me!
There are a lot of Spanish in the building, including our Communications Assistant and the Program Assistant. Of course, lovely lovely people! So it’s great, because I can eventually practice my spanish with them. And Friday I noticed a bottle of Tequila in the fridge, oh I can already tell i’m going to love it here. AND there are Aussies on the team, so I feel right at home 🙂
The best part of the job, they care about learning, and how you learn. The Communications Officer asked me how I learned, as he was teaching me a new software. And the International Affairs Director, also asked me “what do you want to learn while you’re here?” I love that!
So cheers to the good news! And a special thank you to all those friends who kept me smiling while I was down in the dumps. When I felt I wasn’t good enough to compete with the talent in this city, and when I wanted to give up and move to Central/South America. Which, of course wouldn’t be the worst idea, but probably not the most financially sound move. Also, thank you to those who helped me edit my cover letter and resume, countless times. AND thank you to that special girl who passed on my resume (more on this later).
To all those still looking, don’t give up on what you really want! It may take a lot of time, and it may take you down roads you never knew existed to find something even better! But if you stay positive and persistent, and not let the negativity creep into your mind or daily routine, you’ll be sure to get there eventually. In the words of my friends, B-riz raz, and Matt Young, just keep swimming!
Create the opportunity for your dreams to come true, you never know what’s lurking around the corner for you. Whatever you do, DO NOT STOP BELIEVING!
Thanks for reading, and please leave a comment!
Oh and one more thing, a plug for my new job. Please check out our website, www.globalpartnership.org and PLEASE enter our photo/video competition to show how learning to read has changed your life. Could you really imagine a life without knowing how to read? It’s estimated 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty if they could read. So PLEASE help spread the word and enter a photo or video at www.readingchangedmylife.org. Let me know when you do so I can share your story!
Thank you, and don’t forget to comment!
Please enter our photo competition to win photo equipment, E-reader OR video equipment.
You never really know who you’re going to meet at networking events. The people you talk with could lead you to your next job, or end up trying to date you. I thought I’d use this jammed packed post (with a side note about California vs. D.C living) to describe 3 encounters of people I met during a Wednesday YPNdc happy hour, followed with tips for a better networking experience – GET OUT THERE, TALK, BE POSITIVE, AND REMEMBER TO FOLLOW UP!
This will hopefully give you new hope if you’re in a job searching/networking slump, or give you a new outlook on the D.C job scene. Please join the conversation and give any tips as you see fit. Sharing knowledge is a powerful thing.
Be the person people gravitate towards!
Encounter #1
“Environmental Policy Guy – I want to live on a Commune”
Tip: Pick a warm up, someone to get you in the talking mode.
This for me was “Environmental Policy Guy” – He sat near the walkway of the bar, leaning on a stool. Blonde hair, no suite or tie, and sipping on a beer with an Orange. I was intrigued, and ready to see if I could get his disinterested face to smile! Our conversation went a little something like this…
“So do you come to these events often?” – I know what a creative line!
“No this is my first time, and I’m a little confused as to what is actually supposed to happen here. It seems we’re all here to network, yet none of us have jobs.” A valid point, though after he left I was able to gain 3 job leads.
“Ya, well a lot of people don’t, but you have to sift your way to the people who do. So where are you from?”
“California”- typical, the first guy I talk to is from California. “I graduated from the Monterrey Institute for International Studies with an M.A in Environmental Policy.”
The conversation continued as I saw how unique this person was (and a bit socially awkward), he told me he wasn’t sure if he liked this city. He then went on to say he wanted to go live in the woods somewhere and be self-sufficient.
“I’m sorry, it’s so loud in here. Did you just say you want to go live alone in the woods?”
“I know! This is why I barely go out. I hate being blasted with pop culture hits telling us what to think and eliminating the possibility for real human interaction and intelligent thinking. It’s like they’re telling you not to think for yourself and listen to the music, while you buy drinks and conform to the norm. No no, not alone in the woods, like on a commune or something.”
Ok so, if I didn’t already know it, this guy was extreme, however, very intelligent and interesting. I love meeting people out of the ordinary like this with different life experiences. I impressed him when I told him I lived on a farm, with chickens, pigs and horses. I could only claim the horses, though I did say I grew a garden (even though most of it has been eaten by rabbits, deer and groundhogs!) He SMILED! Mission accomplished.
Before he left I learned about the policy in Great Britain that ordered restaurant and grocery stores to poison the food they threw away everyday. After killing several people it was finally outlawed – can you believe this was the 90’s!?
Surprise! He has a blog, you can follow it here,
http://www.onsecondthought2007.blogspot.com
Encounter #2
“California Girl and Friend”
Tip: Make friends, connect with people like yourself, they may have good tips about the job search you haven’t thought of yet.
Her name was Tanaaz. She was from L.A and graduated from San Diego State before moving to D.C. She said she’s living in a pretty dodgy side of town according to her, but her rent is $850 (which is the cheapest i’ve heard for living in the heart of the city) and probably the reason why she feels unsafe walking home at night. She clued me into an environmental fellowship job, and we discussed working at the World Bank, which is the top ranks in the international development world and everyone knows that working there opens a lot of doors. My dream!
Soon her friend (who moved to D.C from San Diego State as well) joined our conversation. Once the shock and awe of them both being in the same city, and the same networking event wore off, we discussed the D.C scene. We all seemed to come to the same conclusion, get in – work your ass off for initiatives important to you – and get out! This place is no place for balanced lifestyles (well West Coast/Australian version of balanced – my version). This is especially important to me because in the long run I’d rather be a good mom and a good wife over getting lost in a career and letting the other 2 slip. Of course people can manage all 3, but I think expectations for American woman are far too high these days. We’re expected to do it all, and a lot of times without family support, which inevitably leads to unhappy lifestyles (in my opinion).
Side Note: Interested in Southern California Living? How does it compare to D.C and Virginia?
I asked about L.A living, mentioning how I wanted to move West Coast (once my stint in D.C plays out). She talked about the traffic, the superficial people, and said how it’s a rarity to have conversations that mean much. Surprise! No, nothing I haven’t already heard, but everyone has a different story depending on who you talk to.
“What about the Spanish culture side of things?” I ask because my newly acquired Mexican friends in D.C say there are more Mexicans in L.A than Mexico City and I’m a big fan!
“Oh well if you’re going for that side of things then it’s fine. Actually, the cultural side of things is great, you’d probably enjoy it. But you did mention that you weren’t interested in people who put so much pride into materialistic possessions or who try to impress you with those possessions, and there is a lot of that in L.A.”
Obviously she hasn’t ventured too far out of the dodgy side of town she’s living in. Georgetown? Anyone been there? Georgetown and other areas near the Potomac river, were even too expensive for my Dad to buy into 20 years ago! Now they go for millions. From my impression, people here replace material possessions (though still prevalent) with Education status, who they’re connected to, and their career.
The Virginia valley, Loudoun County where I live, while a more relaxed scene than D.C, is the richest county in the U.S and is home to some pretty ‘status quo’ people. My family has been here since the 40’s when my grandfather bought a small farm house with over 40 acres to farm cattle. Since then, the county has rapidly expanded, and became one of the fastest growing and expensive counties in the U.S.
Here, we are not unfamiliar with big names and big bank accounts. The family who started B.E.T owns a farm here and contributed 3 million dollars to my k-8 grade school for a theater (the daughter graduated in my class) Who else? The Mars family (from the Mars Bars empire), the Firestones (Firestone tires) and the actor Robert Redfern, all live very close. Oh and the owner of the Redskins! Here, it’s all about land, local farming, wineries, and horses.
Anyone have any more tips about California living? L.A? Best places to visit? Beach scene? Or has anyone experienced the Virginia/D.C scene? Interesting people you encountered in the area?
Anyway, I digress. On to the end of my night.
Encounter #3
“The Hustler”
Tip: Never let anyone make you think you have to be anyone but yourself to get a job! (Unless you have a horrible personality which turns people off…then you may want to change some things).
Now that I’ve made my rounds and collected cards like they were candy, I offer my time to the less deserving. Yes, the person who TRIED to kiss me before I ran for the hills, and his blabbering friend. Why talk to him? Well after a few glasses of wine, I just don’t care. As long as he refrains from hitting on me, everything should be fine.
His friend, bald and seemed to always spit when he spoke, tried to get me to start ‘hustling him’ (which I guess means offering him something in return for his information?) What was his information? Temp agencies! Yup that’s it. Umm no thank you, I’m good on that.
“I’m sorry what do you do again?”
He worked at an international publication performing editing work. I asked him if he traveled outside the country before, he said no, he’s from NJ and has only been to the East Coast of the U.S. Really? And you work for an international publication without any knowledge of the World outside the U.S? That’s scary. I’m not exactly sure how the conversation went, but it was something like this…
“Blah blah blah…international travel…blah blah blah…global perspective….blah blah blah… M.A degrees, blah blah Australia, blah blah and some more BLAH…stop hustling and start gaining life experiences”
Guy who tried to kiss me, “Wow I’ve never seen you be so authoritative before.” Really? The guy only met me one other time…and it did not end well!
“Well, in a job interview you have to be very persistent and confident in your skills to do the job well and convince them to hire you”…Not to mention I’m not trying to get a job out of this person, and I know we’d never be friends, so why not say what I want to say?
Bald Guy, “Wow I can tell you’re smart!”
I seriously don’t even remember what I said, all I know is I said it with conviction. I’m not going to bow down to anyone for temp agencies, nor am I going to bow down to anyone for a job.
So get to steppin, and PLEASE stop spitting in my drink!!
Note: D.C is a POWERFUL city, full of VERY POWERFUL people that influence the global political agenda. The work ethic here can be ferocious. BE CONFIDENT, and BE STRONG when selling yourself. Be prepared to embody these values to survive the job search if they don’t already come naturally. Also, it’s important to know your audience and to know when it’s important to make these qualities known.
So What Can You Take Home From This Post?
The night, overall, was a successful networking event. I came home with a couple job leads, and avoided any awkward moments. The take home for those who are not so keen to network and are still stuck solely applying for jobs online, GET OUT THERE! Not only is it a break from the daily grind of editing resumes and cover letters, and searching through every job site you know, but it’s also a way to make friends in a new city. Clue into how the city really works and what others are doing that may be successful for you.
My advice, slap on the dreaded name tag and start talking! Get peoples cards, and FOLLO UP. You can’t go wrong going to as many events as possible, but remember, don’t make it all about finding a job. Be the person people want to talk to. SMILE and exude positive energy, and don’t get frustrated if nothing comes out of it (hey at least you got happy hour deals and if you’re lucky, free food!). The point is to build relationships and continue those relationships throughout your time in the city. This takes awhile and requires A LOT of follow up chats! You never know who could lead you to that golden opportunity.
1. GET OUT THERE – Get yourself to networking events with people in the industry you want to break into
2. START TALKING- It’s not enough just to be there and wait for people to talk to you, go out and introduce yourself! Seek information.
3. BE POSITIVE – I can’t stress this enough, you have to be positive. People can read your energy. If you’re in a bad mood, don’t go or get out of it fast!
4. FOLLOW UP -When you get someone’s card, be sure to follow up with them on the conversation you had at the event and mention any job leads you discussed. Also, connect with them on social media sites like twitter and Linkedin. Seek out successful, like-minded people.
GOOD LUCK!
Anybody else have any suggestions or tips on networking? Please share!
Part 1
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK, and then network some more! This was the advice given by a World Bank and Devex HR recruiter. I paid $65 for this advice- I thought this WAS a networking event. Turns out it was a power point presentation on everything I already knew. I scanned the room and realized everyone was in the same boat- trying to claw their way into the most competitive field in the most competitive and overly educated city in the World. Except unlike me, people were diligently writing every word on a pad of paper. Whoever just wrote down the word ‘Network’ needs to return to whatever cubicle they came from –seriously, don’t quite your day job.
Having recently returned from an excursion in Latin America, an adventure that solidified my love for Spanish culture, reverse culture shock began to sink in. Where am I? And what have I gotten myself into?
The next and last time I paid for an event was for the YNPNdc (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network) annual conference, recommended to me by a friend. This was an all-day event, and unlike the previous one, this event actually gave you multiple chances to network with people in the industry. I gained insight into D.C’s nonprofit world, and soon realized there are A LOT of ‘do gooders’ here – great for the world, not so great for someone trying to get into the industry with no prior nonprofit experience. The best message I took home from this event was, ‘It is NOT your job to save the World, and you cannot do it alone,’ said by a woman who burnt herself out working on woman’s choice initiatives. She said she could no longer work on issues that she’s most passionate about. This is definitely something to keep in mind for myself. I want to save the World from Climate Change or at least get people (and Congress) to OPEN THEIR eyes to the devastating effects. And of course I want to save the SE Asian Elephant, the Rainforest, Chimps everywhere, the Giraffes in Africa, the Orangutans in Indonesia, Pandas, the Tasmanian Devil, Dolphins, Whales…basically all endangered species on this planet. That’s not too much to ask or take on right?
Has anyone tried Seaweed strips flavoured with Wasabi? It gives an extra kick! Anyway, this post isn’t about Seaweed, it’s about navigating through the D.C job market….
Back to the drawing board!
I was supposed to have an interview today, but alas it was cancelled. Why? Who knows. Apparently this is typical for the U.S Conference of Mayors. Hopefully, they’ll reschedule for this week because networking with Mayors is right up my alley haha. But I’ve learned not to hold my breath for these types of things. The job search is an up and down struggle. I remember when I moved to Sydney, no job and no place to live. Slowly but surely it all came together, but every day was a struggle. I researched, networked and applied for jobs, while my roommates where quite happy living it up working in the bar scene (our goals were a bit different – I wanted to live, they wanted to play). The hardwork paid off, and I ended up within the top ranks of the media and entertainment world.
D.C. however, is a whole different ball game. Learning to play the game takes time. Living outside the city is definitely inconvenient for networking, though i’m quite happy living in the country for now (especially since I don’t understand why people would pay so much to live in D.C…I mean…it’s D.C not the Eastern Suburb beaches of Sydney!?) Though once I spend a year commuting, I’m sure i’ll be ready to spend those extra dollars. But for now, getting out of the winery spotted, lush green rolling hills of Va for networking opportunities is a pain. The commuter bus stops running at 7:20am and the last one out of D.C is no later than 7pm. And I used to complain about Sydney transport?! Challenge accepted!
Another great thing I’ve learned (insert sarcastic voice here) is that almost everyone in this town has an M.A, M.B.A or Law degree, making it really hard to stand out. However, not everyone has the tri-fecta (work, study and overseas experience), which I’m banking will eventually get me to where I want to be. After meeting the Harvard, Princeton and GW interns here, who have those degrees but little work experience, I’ve noticed a huge diconnect with a life outside research. Not that I spent a huge amount of time with them, but from what I’ve gathered from their speaking and presentation skills, nothing really special stands out…besides the name of the school they went to.
The Harvard intern, who left last week to get her PhD, asked me if I was finding it hard to get a job since I did my degree outside of the States. Typical question for someone from Harvard. No, I don’t think it’s because I did my degree abroad, in fact I think I benefited more from that decision, especially for someone who really wants to understand WORLD issues, not just AMERICAN focused issues. Not to mention I have created a global network, so once i’m done with D.C (because I already see how this town will burn someone out- it’s NYC for the overly educated and well connected!) I will have a nework of people to get advice from on options for my next move. Americans pay for the name of the school in hopes to get a job later, forgetting that it’s not really about the degree, it’s about your experience in collaboration with your degree (perhaps I’m biased). I truely believe once I have the right opportunity, I will win the job over someone who has no other experience than living, breathing and abiding by American society rules…fingers crossed anyway.
But if everything else fails, I’m going to work a job I am over qualified for until I can afford to move West Coast (I need a pretty beach and access to great Nature Parks- Colorado and Oregon are also on the plausible list). However, I’m tempted to just forgo everything and get a job at the Mexican restaurant near my yoga studio, working on Spanish and eating guacemole – hey it’s not the worst idea in the world! And of course there’s getting my oh so cool friends to sponsor me in Sydney haha. Here’s to dreaming!
owhataworld 