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First off I completely agree with Carmen on the finals blog. She is so right and even as a junior I feel that those sentiments at this time of year still ring true.
How am I doing right now? Well I completed a phenomenal video project over the weekend thinking it was due Monday since my professor told me via email that May 7th was the due date. We got mixed up and email communication is oftentimes unclear and it’s actually due NEXT Monday (but I’m over it and all is good!)
So I’m so grateful I have something wonderful to share with you all and on the plus side, one less final to do next week. This was a pretty big undertaking for me since my guest Amy Smith ended up giving me a full hour of her time and material. Now I really appreciate what it means to edit hours of video! I only had one and it took me all weekend!
Anyway, so on the self-discovery note, after conducting a few interviews, learning about them in my classes and doing the same thing for videos, I’m learning how much I LOVE to do both. I think I drank Oprah’s Kool-Aid or something, but they are two things I really love to do. I’m making a mental note and going to find ways I can use these skills more and improve them.
So please check out my project if you like and enjoy it! (This is a long one. There will eventually be a series of videos rather than one whole hour with Amy. There are a couple other shorter videos with her up on my channel)
Also, UMBC has been recognized as one of the best places for students to work. I’ve worked in SEVERAL offices on campus and 100% AGREE that you can earn money on campus in lots of creative and flexible ways (Tell me if you would like a post on this). Check out this awesome opportunity. Can you see yourself being a sustainability intern? Sounds so cutting edge and informative, no?
Keep calm and carry on through finals. Home stretch to summer! Whoo hoo!
Looking forward to the future makes focusing on the present difficult. I’m counting down the days. 17!!! I’m going to take my last test, move out on May 18th, and get ready for my cross-state voyage to Iowa on the 26th. I’m stopping by St. Louis and I get to meet my godson for the first time (other than through Skype).
I had great difficulty completing a project last night and I’m very tired. The internet and power have been down which make maintaining a grade in a web coding class hard. I’m still on my way to passing, but I’m still nervous about completing a last project, reading chapters, and taking a final test. At least at the end of the semester with my classes tying up, there’s more time. The web coding class is also my last final exam so I can focus on it when all my other projects are done.
I’m learning how important it is to have a good posse in your undergraduate career and friends you can count on. Sometimes you have to be your best study buddy and keep your grades up even in group projects. Even as an upperclassman I’m still having individual struggles and academic challenges. It’s scary as well as exciting to know that I’ll only be here one more year. Not sure about what I’m going to do for internships in August or Winter break. Nerve-racking!
No one said being Ms. Independent was easy.
When you want something ask for it. When you want to know someone, ask for an interview. Okay, maybe not an interview, but lunch is nice.
I was so afraid about asking this person for an interview for my Internship class and after finally getting over the possible negative outcomes (which would not be earth-shattering!), she said yes! I’m interviewing her next week and I’m very excited. The worst someone can say is no. Be cool with rejection.
My other piece to share is a really great book about success and passion. I got it for my sister who is undecided about choosing a college due to her dreams and the financial cost and she says it’s amazing! I really recommend it to ANYONE who is trying to search for their passion, inspiration, or calling. There is so much YOU are capable of doing regardless of where you go. Have a little moxie. Go for it. If you spend too much time checking all the “right” boxes, you’ll miss out on what’s happening in this moment or an opportunity for you to take a RISK and learn more about yourself.
I’ve heard much talk about how my generation does what they “should” do when they ought to strive for confidence, the path less traveled, and boldly go for what they really want.
This is my video response to Freeman’s honor in TIME Magazine! It came at a really cool time for me, while I was reading an essay by Dr. Martin Luther King for an Argumentation and Composition class so I had a lot to say! I also gave nods to some of my professors and other amazing mentors I met at UMBC through UMBC Magazine and U.S. Democrazy (also note the “Kal”endar in the right corner of my room is by my editor Kal, political cartoonist and founder of U.S. Democrazy.)
And here are some other great links to the story covered by local news:
Past UMBC recognition as well:
This week was so exciting! Every year at UMBC, there’s Career Week sponsored by Career Services. I’m pretty used to it. Employers come, there are workshops, maybe you try to get an internship at an event wearing a nice suit with your resume in tow. But this year, the week has really expanded to what feels like the rest of the Spring semester. I’m pleasantly surprised! I don’t know what graduating seniors won’t find a job. I’ve been invited to so many events specifically in the Art Industry or in Social Sciences because of my major, which is pretty cool. I feel like they touch all the bases, majors, and industries.
Last week, I went to a cool casual event for employers looking for media and graphic design students. I was pleasantly surprised with who I found and now I’m not sure what to do with my summer. I thought I just wanted to work at a non-profit, but now I’m opening up to more possibilities. Feels good. The research I’m doing this summer was also very relevant and helped when I wasn’t sure what to talk about. I’m really glad I took a chance applying because I might be getting closer to learning a skill set I could grow passionate about after college.
BUT my big story for this week is that I was able to meet two of my favorite bloggers this week at career-related events (not the bloggers I mentioned in my last post). Literally within 48 hours, I met Holly Kearl who works at my latest dream place of employment AND I got to have dinner with Nate Silver from the New York Times FiveThirtyEight blog!! It was just a year ago, I was asked to start reading his blog for my political blogging and writing class and Tuesday I got to shake his hand. So unbelievable lucky and indebted to the Women’s Center and our awesome Social Sciences faculty for putting these two events together. Definitely an opportune time. I had to miss a couple classes, but it was so worth it. You have to seize these moments.
Still dreaming. Take it easy this week!
After much adeiu! I’ve had this title in my drafts because last Friday I had a very stressful day. I was supposed to register for classes Thursday and didn’t get to do so until nine phone calls later on Friday. Everything worked out and all is good, but having a false hold on your account when you’re a senior in need of pre-requisites to graduate is super scary.
In those situations, I recommend keeping fun plans to get dinner at a lovely Indian restaurant that you made days in advance (almost foreshadowing the stressful moment). Or just be with your friends, blow off some steam, and forget the present for a while. It will work out. It always does.
In light of that crisis (I know I’m such a drama queen!) I took Friday off which was lovely and definitely good health-wise bringing me back to center.
Then, yesterday, after an up and down week, I decided to go hard-core on the internship hours I missed the previous Friday and almost finished my big project. I only have two pages to go next week! Yay! I wanted to finish so badly, but it was 5pm. I would’ve gone berserk. It felt incredibly gratifying like running over a mile in good time. Speaking of which, I haven’t been to the gym in a week…
So basically I’m a big fan of the time management practice of working when you want to and taking breaks when you want to. I know many people who find this technique successful including these two who are a couple of my favorite bloggers.
I know I’ve stated in blogs past that March is a crucial time for everyone. You apply and hear back from jobs especially for the summer and you have to complete living situation forms for the next year. Who would you be willing to live with for an entire year?
I got sad at this notion, that’s it’s my last crazy March although, next year, I might be going crazy applying for entry level jobs !! I’m sad to be leaving college in a year and saying goodbye to this apartment and becoming an adult. Many people I know are afraid of what their social lives will be like in the working world without the campus social scene. I love this big, open, windy, green campus, and the library.
When I’m studying I love the idea of being on my own. I think I need to write down the reasons because I forget them when fear of the unknown 9-5 territory comes over.
In good March news, lots of my friends have been accepted for summer jobs and I just got accepted for a research position in Iowa for 10 weeks! It’s paid and I get to develop more web skills. So psyched. I didn’t think I would get it! It’s a great story, but that’ll be another post. This blog is definitely a place noting many accomplishments. We’re an ambitious bunch.
I’ve decided to hold off my scholarship essay and resume for the dream summer internship until Spring break because there is no time and I have projects due. I’ve never been so grateful for Spring break. Not only to catch up, but also to make plans for my life!
Sorry for the non-video blog. I’m bummed too. If something extra-ordinary happens to me over break I will try to record it for you. Would much rather be video editing than sending millions of emails and completing projects.
Spring has sprung, enjoy the weather!
Pardon the editing! I swear I’ll find a computer that has Final Cut next time!
When life gives you lemons, pass your coding exam and celebrate. And when fun plans fall through, write a resume? What do you do after exams?
Plus, I’m really excited about improving in presentations and have exciting ideas for the near future.
Here are some things I mentioned:::
Women who inspire me
A video I really want to make!
Dream summer internship
Just made a priority list for the next two days and I’m about to kick it into high gear. These days have been too crazy with final assignments and actual finals on the way.
I’m very excited about a few things and things are also looking up for next semester. I’m applying for many Spring and Summer programs, research and work-related, making a well-rounded list of goals for the new year, and getting paid soon for my summer research. I’ll be working my campus job over break and interning at the alum house in Spring. While it’s not precisely where I expected to be at this point, I’m still looking forward to it. The break also affords me the great opportunity to go for the things I just don’t have time this semester to apply for.
On a side note, I’m writing this on my new Ipad which I got through doing IHU and saving up. A much lighter load to carry than a laptop!
I had ideas about what to do with it weeks ago (I mean I am in media studies!), but they just didn’t happen so I’m going to practice with it over break and incorporate it into this blog next semester.
So enjoy the break and get ready for the new year. It’s going to be an amazing one!
Josh from UMBC
Kaitlyn {lovesintheeyre}
umbcjen
meronumbc
modestmind
dmason1
monicab
Kelsey K from UMBC
Asif from UMBC
Carmen from UMBC
Lionel from UMBC
