Where I've been, and where I'm going

One last "Hail to the Victors" at graduation

Guess what! I'm back! In fact, I didn't really go anywhere - neither did this blog, figuratively speaking, but that's besides the point. So, so much has been going on over these last few weeks (months? has it really been that long?) that I really have been too busy to blog, and seriously, that's the truth. And you know what? I'm not at all apologizing for this. My lost blogging minutes were spent studying for finals, applying for jobs, and doing absolutely nothing with my best friends while we were all actually in the same place. Oh, and I also watched President Obama deliver my commencement speech as I became a college graduate. NBD.

Here's some actual news: I got the internship! You know, the one I flew to New York to interview for. I was quite hesitant to take this position, since I'm basically getting paid nothing and that city ain't cheap; furthermore, although it's been hinted multiple times that I could get a full-time offer after the summer, this by no means is a guarantee. For type-A moi, this is no good. I want the security of an actual job, and I've been working my ass off to get one all year. Is that so much to ask for?

Apparently, it is. Although I did accept the internship I have continued to interview at other places, because I really do believe one should always keep his/her options open. I'm not sure if I'd take another job at this point, since I've already settled on the idea of this internship in New York, but you never know. Anyway, I spent 3 hours (!) at this one digital marketing agency the other day. Everyone seemed totally awesome, and I'm pretty sure they liked me back. Turns out, they did like me, but I guess not enough to actually offer me an entry-level position. "We do have a great internship, though." Ugh.

I've also been interviewing with an educational publishing company right here in Boston. Like I said, I've already wrapped my head around the idea of being in New York for this summer and possibly beyond, but, I have to admit, I'm really warming up to the concept of being in Boston. Maybe it's because I just found out that two of my best friends will be here after they graduate. Maybe it's because although he's looking for jobs in New York (anyone know of any open i-banking analyst positions?), my boyfriend might still be in Boston. Or, maybe it's just because I bought some really cute shoes on Newbury St. the other day. Whatever.

Bottom line is, why limit myself? Although I absolutely love New York City and I do hope I wind up there, I shouldn't consider it the be-all-end-all of locations to live my life in. That decision will be made - when the time comes - based upon the job opportunities that arise, and what will truly be best for me and my career. Surprisingly, I'm okay with not knowing exactly what's next. On deck for my more immediate future plans: Going to New York tomorrow to look for summer apartment rentals, trying to read Eclipse before the next Twilight movie comes out (sorry, Vaness), and enjoying the brisket my mom is cooking tonight in honor of the whole family back together.

Anxiety over button-downs and loafers (I mean, my interview)

It's definitely worth noting that I absolutely love to shop. Anyone who knows me (ahem, 100% of this blog's readership, most likely), knows that. But yesterday, I had to tackle the daunting task of purchasing a few items to make me look awesome and über-professional for my upcoming interview in New York. Let me tell you, this was not easy.

I like to pride myself upon the fact that, most of the time, I'm pretty good at picking out an outfit for myself or my friends, whether this is from within our own closets or while out at a store. I figured I would be a natural at shopping for a specific occassion, where the guidelines seem pretty simple: nothing too tight, nothing too low-cut, nothing too loud. I was wrong.

I already have a pair of nice black pants, and a conservative-chic 3/4 sleeve grey Theory blazer to hopefully knock this interview out of the park in less than two weeks. All I needed was an appropriate shirt for underneath, and a nice pair of flats; heels are out of the question for this all-day-long affair. But when I walked into my first store and started browsing the racks, I began to panic.

Although in my opinion, it's always better to over-dress for an interview, this is the first real, serious, business-y interview that I've ever had. While I currently own more clothes than I know what to do with, I've always worked in semi-trendy places. I looked around the store, not even knowing where to begin. I was seriously lost, and I needed help.

Even when I asked a sales girl for some assistance, I felt like I didn't know what the eff I was doing. Yeah, I love to shop, but I've never had to buy stuff like this before. How is it supposed to fit? Am I supposed to look uptight? I'm pretty sure I was in the middle of a panic attack in the fitting room, because I actually started to sweat profusely. I made a mental note that whatever shirt I wound up purchasing for the interview must be short-sleeved.

I wound up leaving with two shirts and a pair of shoes, most of which I actually think that I'm going to return. I found a shirt in my closet that works pretty well and still manages to feel somewhat like me, but the silver accents on my new loafers clash with the gold accents on my bag. Although my mom told me to calm down because it's "just clothes," I know that in order to be taken seriously, I have to look consistent. Hopefully I'll find another pair that works.

I never realized that shopping could be so stressful. What if I get this internship and take it? I'll have to get lots more stuffy business clothes, and I'm not sure if I can put myself through this again. Now that I've almost nailed the outfit, though, it's on to more important things. Like...actually preparing for the interview itself?

Taking the plunge

Okay, it's been FAR too long since my last post. What gives?

Well, what gives is that I've been out trying to live my life the best way that a second-semester senior can only know how. These past couple of weeks, my days have been filled with laying in sunshine, green beer, and, yes, attempting to complete (on an A-level) a few major assignments that I must fulfill before I graduate. "The Scramble" isn't just about getting her ass on full-time payroll after graduation, people. I've just been spending more time doing and less time writing about it.

But, good news! That internship interview last week went very well, and the folks over there called me the very next day to offer me a second-round. Woohoo! Only problem is, the second-round interviews are to be held at their New York office. The woman from HR that I have been corresponding with assured me that the communications/media consulting firm would be happy to arrange a series of phone interviews instead, and that this would not interfere with any final decisions.

I wasn't born yesterday. I know that, if I show up in person, groomed to perfection, with a glittering smile and stunning composure (this is my blog here and I can write about any fantasy world I damn choose), they would be fools to turn me away.

But after looking into flights, they didn't exactly cost peanuts. Also - and I feel like a brat for admitting this - but I honestly wondered if I would feel like I was missing out if I opted to leave school during one of my last few precious weeks left. Plus, despite my previous, more positive professed stance on internships, I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to fly to New York just for an internship interview; I might not even get the internship, and even if I do, I might not get a full-time offer after that.

Luckily, my parents are dying for me to get/take this internship. Obviously, I'm very into the program also, but sometimes, it's that extra support that counts. In other words, after chatting with Harriet and Peter, we decided that flying out to NYC was definitely an investment to make. I leave April 7th, and I'm actually very excited. I even tacked an extra day of room onto the trip, so that I could hopefully schedule some other meetings. I'm just waiting on some return e-mails. And waiting...

As the semester winds down, I've learned that a full-time job offer isn't exactly necessary for post-graduate success. I have friends attending graduate school, friends teaching in Israel for a year, and friends who don't have the slightest idea where the hell they'll wind up. Although my admittedly type-A personality would love to have the anxiety of potential unemployment taken off my shoulders, I have confidence that in the long run, things will work out. In the meantime, all I can do is keep on truckin' with my applications, and enjoy my last 6 weeks of college - even if it means spending a little less time on this blog.