When it comes to growing up...WE'RE ON OUR OWN. I know, I know, it's stating the obvious but moving to Michigan BY MYSELF not knowing ANYONE really made me realize this. We really are on our own. The other day my grandma asked me how I was getting by...how I was paying my bills (credit card bills, monthly car payments, insurance, rent, groceries...the list goes on and on) without any sort of income. My response? Shrugging, and simply saying "I...don't...know."
Fact is, you learn to get by. I don't go out. I prepare all my food at home. I don't go shopping. I rummage through weekly sales papers for the local grocery store and make a list before shopping. I fight for the best deals, even when they're not offered. I make sure I don't get ripped off...ever. I refuse to leave the house until I've figured out the shortest possible route without wasting an ounce of gas. And I'll admit, it is a lot of work, but it is worth every, single, penny.
You're probably wondering, what keeps me going? I may not be wearing high-end fashion masterpieces. I may not be hitting the bars/clubs every weekend, nor eating out to nice restaurants with awesome food, but I am still doing me and making it. That, alone, is what keeps me going.
Only one month into this dietetic internship and I've already met a handful of people and unnoticably learned a little something from each and every one of them. Because the truth is -- in this little world of ours, "It's who you know." Why do you think I'm working to network like crazy (in person, NOT via Facebook/MySpace/Friendster/Twitter, etc...not that there's anything wrong with that, I just chose not to)? People don't realize how crucial networking is to "making it." And I'm not talking about pretentiously walking around and passing around calling cards without giving anyone a second of your time. I'm talking about meeting people, and really getting to know them, and letting them get to know you. After all, on top of "who you know"... "it's what you love." I chose the world of nutrition because I have genuinely fallen head-over-heels in love with it. And at this point, I would do anything for it...including suppressing my "shy side" (that's right, you hear it first).
Dana Hagenbuch writes more about networking in her article, "It's Who You Know: Networking for Nonprofit Job Seekers". According to her, in the nonprofit world, 60% of open positions are filled through referrals and networking. That's more than half of...anything!
Her rule is, "MAKE YOURSELF AS VISIBLE AS POSSIBLE. Go to every social or professional gathering you can, such as conferences, career fairs, alumni activities, professional association meetings, and fundraisers. Participate in volunteer opportunities at organizations that interest you. You never know when a hiring manager will be volunteering next to you."
I couldn't agree with her more. So climb every mountain, ask questions, wear your career heart on your sleeve...and take the world by storm (or something to that effect).
Fact is, you learn to get by. I don't go out. I prepare all my food at home. I don't go shopping. I rummage through weekly sales papers for the local grocery store and make a list before shopping. I fight for the best deals, even when they're not offered. I make sure I don't get ripped off...ever. I refuse to leave the house until I've figured out the shortest possible route without wasting an ounce of gas. And I'll admit, it is a lot of work, but it is worth every, single, penny.
You're probably wondering, what keeps me going? I may not be wearing high-end fashion masterpieces. I may not be hitting the bars/clubs every weekend, nor eating out to nice restaurants with awesome food, but I am still doing me and making it. That, alone, is what keeps me going.
Only one month into this dietetic internship and I've already met a handful of people and unnoticably learned a little something from each and every one of them. Because the truth is -- in this little world of ours, "It's who you know." Why do you think I'm working to network like crazy (in person, NOT via Facebook/MySpace/Friendster/Twitter, etc...not that there's anything wrong with that, I just chose not to)? People don't realize how crucial networking is to "making it." And I'm not talking about pretentiously walking around and passing around calling cards without giving anyone a second of your time. I'm talking about meeting people, and really getting to know them, and letting them get to know you. After all, on top of "who you know"... "it's what you love." I chose the world of nutrition because I have genuinely fallen head-over-heels in love with it. And at this point, I would do anything for it...including suppressing my "shy side" (that's right, you hear it first).
Dana Hagenbuch writes more about networking in her article, "It's Who You Know: Networking for Nonprofit Job Seekers". According to her, in the nonprofit world, 60% of open positions are filled through referrals and networking. That's more than half of...anything!
Her rule is, "MAKE YOURSELF AS VISIBLE AS POSSIBLE. Go to every social or professional gathering you can, such as conferences, career fairs, alumni activities, professional association meetings, and fundraisers. Participate in volunteer opportunities at organizations that interest you. You never know when a hiring manager will be volunteering next to you."
I couldn't agree with her more. So climb every mountain, ask questions, wear your career heart on your sleeve...and take the world by storm (or something to that effect).
Images from: sayleadershipcoaching.com and thewisdomjournal.com
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