It’s been a year since I’ve seen the inside of a classroom (as a student), heard a professor announce another group project, and spent endless hours in the library studying for that next big exam. My undergrad experience has been over for a little over 365 days and really nothing has changed.
When I was in college I spent quality time imaging my life after college, how I would take the time to find myself and my real passions. Don’t get me wrong, I did find myself. I now know what I enjoy doing and what I need to do to better my life financially and spiritually. I enjoy writing! I love the way an empty sheet of paper can bring about countless thoughts. Some expressive, some narrative, and even one play. I have a passion for interviewing. Most people don’t know I’m doing it because I’m naturally inquisitive, always looking for the latest scoop. As some of you may know I’ve been freelancing for about a year now with an online magazine. I don’t get paid for my efforts, but I understand the magazine is relatively new and doesn’t have a broad readership yet. In the mean time I’ve been gaining experience, passionately pursuing an olive branch to be extended to me from my dream company Time Warner.
Although I found a “j-o-b” one month after college, I found that my efforts there were not how I pictured my life going. I knew I could never have the courage to resign myself so I was quite relived when I was ultimately replaced three months after I arrived. I took my joblessness as a blessing in disguise. Of course I was sad at first, but I quickly moved on. After a month of job searching and going on several interviews in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, I chose to apply to a placed that I’ve worked before, retail. During my college career I worked at Macy’s as a sales associate. I had a lot of fun talking to people and providing exceptional customer service. So I applied to work there again. About two weeks later I received a call from Human Resources regarding my application and was asked to go in for an interview. I was offered a job on the spot, not as a Sales Associate, but as Support. Most days I felt like my job was mindless and simplistic, but I’ve never been the type to feel like something was beneath me. I knew God was working for me so I went to work every day with a smile. During my time there I became friends with some coworkers and learned a valuable lesson about workplace politics.
In October it was suggested to me that I should become a Substitute teacher. I never thought of that option before. As I researched the requirements I needed to apply, I felt a sense of anxiety and fear. How can I, a recent student myself, be in charge of a large group of children. Will they respect me? Will I be a good sub? What will I wear?
I waited a long time before I received a call from the county because of the long waiting list in Hillsborough. I had to wait till January to be trained in the art of child molding. The first day of training I woke up with a stomach ache. I thought it was just nerves, but turns out it was a stomach virus. So near the brink of death, I sat and held back the urge to hurl and do something else unmentionable for eight hours. I think I held it together because I was sitting across from this very cute guy with really nice teeth, but to be honest that was really one of the worst days of my life.
I have been subbing for three months and a half and I actually like it. I don’t have to stand on my feet all day and if I have a good group of kids I barely have to talk. Elementary schools are my go to places. At first I thought I would prefer high school, but I quickly changed my mind after going to a middle school. I have yet to go to a high school and I want to keep it that way. I prefer 4th and 5th graders. They are old enough to be quiet for longer periods of time. I actually wrote this while watching a class. They were busy working on a packet that their teacher left for them.
During my time as a sub I have had the time to start a business (Seneque Media Consulting), figure out that I do want to go back to school ( Jan. 2014!), and that I enjoy working with adults rather than children. My dream of becoming the Marketing Director for People Magazine has not been crushed by the constant no from perspective employers, but has been enhanced by my constant drive to be in the publishing industry.
What I’ve Learned in The Past Year
1. Don’t Stress! Family will always be there to catch you when you fall.
2. Make true friends. Friends who become like family will always have your back.
3. Boys will be boys so “find” a real man. That “special” person will come in God’s time, so I will focus on me. I can flirt in the mean time.
4. Money will come and go.
5. God always has a plan.
6. Maturing kind of sucks.
This is my post graduation blues.
Eve 2012
Eve 2013
Post Graduation Blues 