Jobs Applied For: 4.
Interviews Scheduled: 1 (Wooo!!!).
GRE Studying: Physiological Psychology (Brains, Nerves, etc.)
Days Until GRE (Psych): 16
Days Until GRE (General): 26
Music Practice: none.
Shana tova to my Jewish Friends! I am currently stuck in Stamford celebrating a (hopefully) sweet new year with apples, honey, and a great job interview! A company that I applied to about a month ago finally contacted me earlier this afternoon with an interview opportunity for next Wednesday. I couldn't be more excited, keep your fingers crossed for me.
When I wasn't celebrating/eating/fighting with my family, I was locked up in my room taking care of some much needed GRE prep. I'm feeling a little more confident each day but I'm not there just yet. While I was on a study break though, I was browsing through my facebook feed when a very interesting link caught my attention, http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/ I encourage you all to sift through these heartbreaking stories to get an idea of what America looks like today.
While I am not a fan of the occupy wall street protest (note: it looks really hypocritical when you are on your iPhone while protesting Corporate America), the stories sounded all to familiar. No job, no insurance, oodles and oodles of student debt, and an unbelievable amount of financial pressure are the common characteristics; ones that I am currently facing myself. Maybe this is setting the stage for some sort of much needed financial/political/social revolution, obviously the system isn't working well for us right now. Political reform isn't doing anything because the two sides can't seem to agree or compromise while conditions for the average American continue to deteriorate. The fact is that I am part of the 99%, this blog only supports that notion. If there are so many of us compared to the very rich and powerful 1%, then something is bound to happen soon. Thomas Jefferson once said, "When people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." I have always believed that power lies in numbers and if this 99% becomes angry enough, then change is bound to happen. I think we're on the brink of something big. I don't know if its for the better or the worse at this time, but change needs to happen.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Day 44: This is A LOT More Difficult Than I Remember
Jobs Applied For: 8.
Interviews Scheduled: 0.
GRE Studying: Abnormal Psychology, my favorite.
Days Until GRE (Psych): 20
Days Until GRE (General): 30
Music Practice: Lots of Songwriting, Lots of inspiration. Taylor Swift doesn't have anything on me.
Wow, they weren't kidding when they told me that it's really difficult to get back into studying after college. As you can see by my new count-downs, the GREs are quickly approaching and to say that my test anxiety is at a high would be an understatement. I'm taking the necessary precautions such as no partying, no distracting people (this one isn't working out so well), and many vitamins. Of course I understand that it's impossible for me to study 24/7 (I do have a part time position after all), however I have been feeling as if there aren't enough hours in the dat lately. I find that my stress level decreases if I hit the books for at least 3 hours a day, so sticking to this method for the next three weeks is absolutely essential for success. I can't wait until this is over and the most important thing to worry about will be getting out of Connecticut.
With all of that said, this past week was the busiest I have experienced in quite some time. SPIN is wonderful but there is more than enough work in that office to keep this girl on her toes. We had a large event at the office this week called SPIN House Live! It was essentially a roof top party with about 300 VIPs/Press/Hipsters/Fashionistas/Fellow music junkies along with the band "The Rapture" (they put on a great show, I'm listening to "In The Grace Of Your Love " right now.) I got to play bar-back during the first hour and work the door as everyone was leaving. It was overall an enjoyable experience.
I have found that being around all of this music has inspired me to write more of my own. I have been touching up a few of my old songs as well as writing a few new ones. There are currently six that I would feel comfortable performing...if only I had a rock band. I have decided that after my exams, I'm going to finally put this macbook pro to work and begin recording. If I have a decent demo with enough of a back up chord structure in my tunes, I can send it over to one of my many talented, guitar playing friends to fill in the blanks. I want to begin performing again and this is the only way I can see myself going about it. Anyways, it's time to get myself out of this Starbucks and back home to feed my insatiable mind with the knowledge that it craves (...right.) I wish I could play in the sun.
Interviews Scheduled: 0.
GRE Studying: Abnormal Psychology, my favorite.
Days Until GRE (Psych): 20
Days Until GRE (General): 30
Music Practice: Lots of Songwriting, Lots of inspiration. Taylor Swift doesn't have anything on me.
Wow, they weren't kidding when they told me that it's really difficult to get back into studying after college. As you can see by my new count-downs, the GREs are quickly approaching and to say that my test anxiety is at a high would be an understatement. I'm taking the necessary precautions such as no partying, no distracting people (this one isn't working out so well), and many vitamins. Of course I understand that it's impossible for me to study 24/7 (I do have a part time position after all), however I have been feeling as if there aren't enough hours in the dat lately. I find that my stress level decreases if I hit the books for at least 3 hours a day, so sticking to this method for the next three weeks is absolutely essential for success. I can't wait until this is over and the most important thing to worry about will be getting out of Connecticut.
With all of that said, this past week was the busiest I have experienced in quite some time. SPIN is wonderful but there is more than enough work in that office to keep this girl on her toes. We had a large event at the office this week called SPIN House Live! It was essentially a roof top party with about 300 VIPs/Press/Hipsters/Fashionistas/Fellow music junkies along with the band "The Rapture" (they put on a great show, I'm listening to "In The Grace Of Your Love " right now.) I got to play bar-back during the first hour and work the door as everyone was leaving. It was overall an enjoyable experience.
I have found that being around all of this music has inspired me to write more of my own. I have been touching up a few of my old songs as well as writing a few new ones. There are currently six that I would feel comfortable performing...if only I had a rock band. I have decided that after my exams, I'm going to finally put this macbook pro to work and begin recording. If I have a decent demo with enough of a back up chord structure in my tunes, I can send it over to one of my many talented, guitar playing friends to fill in the blanks. I want to begin performing again and this is the only way I can see myself going about it. Anyways, it's time to get myself out of this Starbucks and back home to feed my insatiable mind with the knowledge that it craves (...right.) I wish I could play in the sun.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 37: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Jobs Applied For: 3.
Interviews Scheduled: 0, but I had a phone interview on Friday.
GRE Studying: Just began developmental psychology, taking a break to catch up with General GRE.
Music Practice: A bit of keys.
There has been a lot of talk about the weather lately, New Yorkers are beginning to say that it's getting too cold. I personally don't see what the big deal is, to me this feels like Vermont so I really can't complain. Autumn is nipping at the heels of the Northeast which means change is going to happen. Although I will always be a summer child stubbornly set in that way, I welcome this change. After sitting in Stamford all season attempting to cure my case of unemployment, I NEED something exciting and fresh to happen. As you all read in my previous entry, this season is already impacting my life for the better. I just finished my first week with SPIN and I'm loving it there. So far, I've sat in on meeting, taken part in great research projects, and I am proud to say that I am working my first even next week! But while I firmly stated in my "mission statement" that this particular journal is dedicated to my next 5 year plan, I'd like to dive into my past for a bit.
I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately. I guess that is a side effect of mending past broken hearts of the summer / watching my best friend temporarily move to a different country / renewing a connection with an old friend who I hadn't seen in 8 years prior to last month. You could say that I've had a few things on my mind, socially speaking. However, I haven't been wishing to go back or change the past. I've been thinking about my former blog lives and how I'm going to make this one more successful than the others. Many people don't know this but I have been blogging since before it was cool, since the ripe age of 14. At that age, English was essentially a second language to me the first being "American Teenager." I decided that keeping an online journal would help me rectify that problem and I signed up for a blank canvas account with Xanga. I wrote about my experiences in a new high school and blending in to the point of invisibility. While I learned how to fidget with the HTML settings and designed my page into teenage dream oblivion, the project was an epic failure complete with no grammar whatsoever and spelling errors galore. I looked back at it this weekend and I could barely understand what I was talking about.
Then came my LiveJournal phase. As my teenage dream turned into emotional angst, I attempted a second journal. One in which I could vent about anyone who was making me angry at the time. I updated the Xanga from time to time but this LiveJournal became my primary outlet of high school frustration. Keep in mind that these blogs began before the time of Facebook, it was when MySpace was only beginning to emerge as a social media outlet. I certainly said things on that blog that got me in big trouble with friends and boyfriends at the time, but I didn't care. I was 16 (or 17, or 18), self-conscious, and really really angry. No one wanted to listen to me so I took it out on the internet. I also deem that blog project as a complete failure. Not because of how disgusting personal and sad it became, but because of how superficial it turned out to be.
The third account, a blog spot account, was very short lived. I began this one during the second half of my college career and attempted to make it about how I was a hot shot NYU student trying to make it in the music scene (sound familiar?). I spent so much energy trying to actually make that career happen that I never really had the time to write in it. Updates became as sparse as once every 6 months, thus another failure.
And that brings me to the present, and my time spent with Trapped In Transition. The reason this has been working for me so far is because its about reality. It's not about teenage angst, boy problems, or big unachievable dreams. It's about a relatable position, a situation, and most importantly it's about ambition. So many people around the country are experiencing what I'm going through now and I am so pleased that I can provide you all with my silly stories and adventures about how I am making a shitty situation work. But this brings me to one question I've been trying to answer all summer. What sets me apart from everyone else?
Each of my former blogs had a personal signature at the end of every entry. I won't write what they are here because I don't want you to search for any of these former blogs. I wouldn't want to subject the awful writing, anger, or wishful thinking upon anyone. Following in tradition though, I would like to find a personal signature to add to every piece I write. Whether it's witty, silly, or serious, I'd like to put a personal stamp on it. I want to have fun with this little creative exercise, I would like to open up the floor to my readers for any suggestions on this matter. You can leave it to me on Facebook or in a comment below.
Do you have any ideas?
Interviews Scheduled: 0, but I had a phone interview on Friday.
GRE Studying: Just began developmental psychology, taking a break to catch up with General GRE.
Music Practice: A bit of keys.
There has been a lot of talk about the weather lately, New Yorkers are beginning to say that it's getting too cold. I personally don't see what the big deal is, to me this feels like Vermont so I really can't complain. Autumn is nipping at the heels of the Northeast which means change is going to happen. Although I will always be a summer child stubbornly set in that way, I welcome this change. After sitting in Stamford all season attempting to cure my case of unemployment, I NEED something exciting and fresh to happen. As you all read in my previous entry, this season is already impacting my life for the better. I just finished my first week with SPIN and I'm loving it there. So far, I've sat in on meeting, taken part in great research projects, and I am proud to say that I am working my first even next week! But while I firmly stated in my "mission statement" that this particular journal is dedicated to my next 5 year plan, I'd like to dive into my past for a bit.
I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately. I guess that is a side effect of mending past broken hearts of the summer / watching my best friend temporarily move to a different country / renewing a connection with an old friend who I hadn't seen in 8 years prior to last month. You could say that I've had a few things on my mind, socially speaking. However, I haven't been wishing to go back or change the past. I've been thinking about my former blog lives and how I'm going to make this one more successful than the others. Many people don't know this but I have been blogging since before it was cool, since the ripe age of 14. At that age, English was essentially a second language to me the first being "American Teenager." I decided that keeping an online journal would help me rectify that problem and I signed up for a blank canvas account with Xanga. I wrote about my experiences in a new high school and blending in to the point of invisibility. While I learned how to fidget with the HTML settings and designed my page into teenage dream oblivion, the project was an epic failure complete with no grammar whatsoever and spelling errors galore. I looked back at it this weekend and I could barely understand what I was talking about.
Then came my LiveJournal phase. As my teenage dream turned into emotional angst, I attempted a second journal. One in which I could vent about anyone who was making me angry at the time. I updated the Xanga from time to time but this LiveJournal became my primary outlet of high school frustration. Keep in mind that these blogs began before the time of Facebook, it was when MySpace was only beginning to emerge as a social media outlet. I certainly said things on that blog that got me in big trouble with friends and boyfriends at the time, but I didn't care. I was 16 (or 17, or 18), self-conscious, and really really angry. No one wanted to listen to me so I took it out on the internet. I also deem that blog project as a complete failure. Not because of how disgusting personal and sad it became, but because of how superficial it turned out to be.
The third account, a blog spot account, was very short lived. I began this one during the second half of my college career and attempted to make it about how I was a hot shot NYU student trying to make it in the music scene (sound familiar?). I spent so much energy trying to actually make that career happen that I never really had the time to write in it. Updates became as sparse as once every 6 months, thus another failure.
And that brings me to the present, and my time spent with Trapped In Transition. The reason this has been working for me so far is because its about reality. It's not about teenage angst, boy problems, or big unachievable dreams. It's about a relatable position, a situation, and most importantly it's about ambition. So many people around the country are experiencing what I'm going through now and I am so pleased that I can provide you all with my silly stories and adventures about how I am making a shitty situation work. But this brings me to one question I've been trying to answer all summer. What sets me apart from everyone else?
Each of my former blogs had a personal signature at the end of every entry. I won't write what they are here because I don't want you to search for any of these former blogs. I wouldn't want to subject the awful writing, anger, or wishful thinking upon anyone. Following in tradition though, I would like to find a personal signature to add to every piece I write. Whether it's witty, silly, or serious, I'd like to put a personal stamp on it. I want to have fun with this little creative exercise, I would like to open up the floor to my readers for any suggestions on this matter. You can leave it to me on Facebook or in a comment below.
Do you have any ideas?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Day 31: So Never Stop, Just Spin
Jobs Applied For: 5.
Interviews Scheduled: 0, See Below.
GRE Studying: Lots of Psychology, this unit is taking forever.
Music Practice: 0, See Below.
One of my favorite contemporary songwriters, Andrew McMahon (front man of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin) once sang, "So you've been knocked and you've been thrown, and you've run all the way back home, saying you were searching for a reason." I had been able to relate to those lyrics this entire summer. Every rejected job application felt like a punch in the stomach, each as blunt as the one before. I would always try to mentally justify that the job wasn't meant for me, or that I wouldn't have enjoyed it. But that wouldn't make up for the fact that I still wasn't working. After I returned from Vermont, I began to apply for positions that weren't the standard full time, 9-5, stuck-in-a-cubicle kinds of jobs. And once I opened myself up for different hours, I struck gold. As of last Friday afternoon, I am officially in part time sales and marketing at SPIN Magazine.
Before we begin to celebrate, let me just say that this isn't enough of a position to allow me to up and move to New York. It is technically an internship, but it is a paid one with a well known name in the music business. With that said, I am really really enjoying my time there so far. It has only been two days (the 3rd being tomorrow) and I've worked on a fun project and I'm already helping at an event next week! It's a laid back environment with friendly people who have similar interests to me. I consider this new experience to be a foot in the door. Something to get myself back in the game with. I'm sure there will be some fun and crazy stories from this position (I did sign a confidentiality agreement so I won't be giving away any company secrets). Obviously if a more stable position floats my way I won't completely reject the idea of it. However, I'm in love with SPIN so far. I think I'm going to like it here.
Interviews Scheduled: 0, See Below.
GRE Studying: Lots of Psychology, this unit is taking forever.
Music Practice: 0, See Below.
One of my favorite contemporary songwriters, Andrew McMahon (front man of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin) once sang, "So you've been knocked and you've been thrown, and you've run all the way back home, saying you were searching for a reason." I had been able to relate to those lyrics this entire summer. Every rejected job application felt like a punch in the stomach, each as blunt as the one before. I would always try to mentally justify that the job wasn't meant for me, or that I wouldn't have enjoyed it. But that wouldn't make up for the fact that I still wasn't working. After I returned from Vermont, I began to apply for positions that weren't the standard full time, 9-5, stuck-in-a-cubicle kinds of jobs. And once I opened myself up for different hours, I struck gold. As of last Friday afternoon, I am officially in part time sales and marketing at SPIN Magazine.
Before we begin to celebrate, let me just say that this isn't enough of a position to allow me to up and move to New York. It is technically an internship, but it is a paid one with a well known name in the music business. With that said, I am really really enjoying my time there so far. It has only been two days (the 3rd being tomorrow) and I've worked on a fun project and I'm already helping at an event next week! It's a laid back environment with friendly people who have similar interests to me. I consider this new experience to be a foot in the door. Something to get myself back in the game with. I'm sure there will be some fun and crazy stories from this position (I did sign a confidentiality agreement so I won't be giving away any company secrets). Obviously if a more stable position floats my way I won't completely reject the idea of it. However, I'm in love with SPIN so far. I think I'm going to like it here.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Day 26: Connectivity in New York City
Jobs Applied For: Too many to count.
Interviews Scheduled: 2, just had one about an hour ago.
GRE Studying: Social Psychology review, prosocial behavior, empathy, and conformity.
Music Practice: 1 hour of guitar.
Before I begin to vent about my unemployment troubles, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm currently blogging from Bryant Park. How cool is that????? God bless free wifi. I have discovered that the ultimate locations for free connectivity in New York are city parks. There's nothing like enjoying the last glorious days of summer by blogging underneath a cloudless sky. However, if you were drowning in endless monsoon like all of us in the northeast were in the beginning of this week, there is always Starbucks.
This week is the first week I have felt like a useful part of society in a long time. A family I babysat for in college is currently keeping me busy by running their kids up and down the west side. I've known them for so long at this point that I feel like I'm an older sibling to those boys and I certainly can't complain because I'm getting paid today. Unfortunately, every single cent of that is going towards credit card bills. Oh the life of the fabulously unemployed.
This morning, I took a very large step in the right direction. I met with a staffing and recruitment firm. I attempted to apply to a few head hunters/temp agencies/recruitment centers in the past but alas, no response. The woman who I met with helped me tremendously by providing me with the honest job advice that I am constantly searching for (like reformatting my resume.) I have one more interview with a small music licensing company this afternoon so here's to hoping that pans out just as well. I'm longing off to conduct my morning job search but my one request for you today is to get outside. It's the nicest day we've had all week and I promise you that your work will still be there waiting for you after you take a much needed 10 minute break. Have a great day!
Interviews Scheduled: 2, just had one about an hour ago.
GRE Studying: Social Psychology review, prosocial behavior, empathy, and conformity.
Music Practice: 1 hour of guitar.
Before I begin to vent about my unemployment troubles, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm currently blogging from Bryant Park. How cool is that????? God bless free wifi. I have discovered that the ultimate locations for free connectivity in New York are city parks. There's nothing like enjoying the last glorious days of summer by blogging underneath a cloudless sky. However, if you were drowning in endless monsoon like all of us in the northeast were in the beginning of this week, there is always Starbucks.
This week is the first week I have felt like a useful part of society in a long time. A family I babysat for in college is currently keeping me busy by running their kids up and down the west side. I've known them for so long at this point that I feel like I'm an older sibling to those boys and I certainly can't complain because I'm getting paid today. Unfortunately, every single cent of that is going towards credit card bills. Oh the life of the fabulously unemployed.
This morning, I took a very large step in the right direction. I met with a staffing and recruitment firm. I attempted to apply to a few head hunters/temp agencies/recruitment centers in the past but alas, no response. The woman who I met with helped me tremendously by providing me with the honest job advice that I am constantly searching for (like reformatting my resume.) I have one more interview with a small music licensing company this afternoon so here's to hoping that pans out just as well. I'm longing off to conduct my morning job search but my one request for you today is to get outside. It's the nicest day we've had all week and I promise you that your work will still be there waiting for you after you take a much needed 10 minute break. Have a great day!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 22: Good intentions at a Jewish family gathering
Jobs Applied For: 15.
Interviews Scheduled: 2, waiting to hear back from a sick music internship.
GRE Studying: Social Psychology review, Persuasion and Affiliation/Attraction.
Music Practice: Nada.
It is always a challenge to get anything done on a three day weekend. Throw in a fight with mom, a HUGE family bar mitzvah, and the fact that it's unofficially the last weekend of summer 2011 and you have a formula for no minor accomplishments over the past few days. I managed to study for about 3 hours this morning and apply for 15 jobs on Thursday the 1st, but that's about it.
There is something to be said about very large Jewish family gatherings. Yes, it is definitely one big happy tribal gathering but it is also a hot spot to catch up on the latest community gossip. Everyone wants to be kept in the loop and find out about the latest and greatest. The older relatives also want to keep up with the youth, namely me. "So Marisa, you successfully graduated from New York University, your dream school. What are you doing with your life now?" This was obviously one of the frequently asked questions of the weekend. Some friends thought that appropriate answers to this should have been: I just joined a cult out in Texas, I have become a missionary for the Mormons, or I am currently a dancer at a gentleman's club. As much as these made me laugh, they obviously don't know that my modern orthodox family would not appreciate the humor. After I explained the truth,"I'm currently unemployed. No, I can't find a job anywhere.", the myriad of advice began to flow. Aunts, Uncles, family friends, and distant cousins would begin to suggest that I go into social work, law, or medicine (like the rest of my family). Many would begin to provide me with helpful names, places, and companies to reach out to. While the tips were obviously appreciated, there was a slim chance that it would ever help me in the long run. These conversations generally ended with a kiss on the cheek and an awkward well wishing. They all followed this formula...except for the talk I had with my younger Uncle and his wife.
My uncle (mom's younger brother) is someone who definitely knows my current thoughts and feelings. Up until his luck changed recently, the job market was not very kind to him either. His wife also works very hard and is a mother to two adorable toddlers. Since they are younger than most of the relatives I was speaking to, I felt more comfortable discussing the full situation with them. And because of that, I received the best advice from them this weekend.
Get out of town.
He said "if it's truly your dream to make it in the music business, you have to start looking in other cities besides New York." His wife also proceeded to tell me how she bought a car and drove to California the second she graduated college. She felt that she needed to go somewhere else and live in other parts of the country before she settled down. I had no idea. My uncle also said that the biggest piece of advice he could give me was to stop listening to all the people that tell me that I can't do it and start being determined again. It was so refreshing to hear this after all of the people who told me I should be the one to change. Needless to say, the second the festivities were finished I went online to do some research. The big cities that I can do what I want as a career are Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles. There are also a few opportunities out in Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and Boston but it'll be a bit more of a hunt there. Everyone who knows me well knows that my heart will always be in New York City. However, this is probably my only time to be a mobile 20-something and I shouldn't be spending this time in my childhood bedroom hoping things will magically work out on their own. Let's make this happen.
Before I sign off, I want to use this blog as a promotional tool. After I became unemployed, I took on a project to become my friend's band manager. I figured that it would be a great way to build up my portfolio and learn more about the business I want to get involved in. Normally I will never use names of other's in my blog but I want to advertise his concert for tomorrow. So come check out James Downtown at Pianos on the LES in New York. His band is a really great mixture of rock and blues and his songs are super catchy. They'll be playing in the upstairs lounge at 8pm. Here is a link to the facebook event http://on.fb.me/psPAlS . I hope to see you all there!
Interviews Scheduled: 2, waiting to hear back from a sick music internship.
GRE Studying: Social Psychology review, Persuasion and Affiliation/Attraction.
Music Practice: Nada.
It is always a challenge to get anything done on a three day weekend. Throw in a fight with mom, a HUGE family bar mitzvah, and the fact that it's unofficially the last weekend of summer 2011 and you have a formula for no minor accomplishments over the past few days. I managed to study for about 3 hours this morning and apply for 15 jobs on Thursday the 1st, but that's about it.
There is something to be said about very large Jewish family gatherings. Yes, it is definitely one big happy tribal gathering but it is also a hot spot to catch up on the latest community gossip. Everyone wants to be kept in the loop and find out about the latest and greatest. The older relatives also want to keep up with the youth, namely me. "So Marisa, you successfully graduated from New York University, your dream school. What are you doing with your life now?" This was obviously one of the frequently asked questions of the weekend. Some friends thought that appropriate answers to this should have been: I just joined a cult out in Texas, I have become a missionary for the Mormons, or I am currently a dancer at a gentleman's club. As much as these made me laugh, they obviously don't know that my modern orthodox family would not appreciate the humor. After I explained the truth,"I'm currently unemployed. No, I can't find a job anywhere.", the myriad of advice began to flow. Aunts, Uncles, family friends, and distant cousins would begin to suggest that I go into social work, law, or medicine (like the rest of my family). Many would begin to provide me with helpful names, places, and companies to reach out to. While the tips were obviously appreciated, there was a slim chance that it would ever help me in the long run. These conversations generally ended with a kiss on the cheek and an awkward well wishing. They all followed this formula...except for the talk I had with my younger Uncle and his wife.
My uncle (mom's younger brother) is someone who definitely knows my current thoughts and feelings. Up until his luck changed recently, the job market was not very kind to him either. His wife also works very hard and is a mother to two adorable toddlers. Since they are younger than most of the relatives I was speaking to, I felt more comfortable discussing the full situation with them. And because of that, I received the best advice from them this weekend.
Get out of town.
He said "if it's truly your dream to make it in the music business, you have to start looking in other cities besides New York." His wife also proceeded to tell me how she bought a car and drove to California the second she graduated college. She felt that she needed to go somewhere else and live in other parts of the country before she settled down. I had no idea. My uncle also said that the biggest piece of advice he could give me was to stop listening to all the people that tell me that I can't do it and start being determined again. It was so refreshing to hear this after all of the people who told me I should be the one to change. Needless to say, the second the festivities were finished I went online to do some research. The big cities that I can do what I want as a career are Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles. There are also a few opportunities out in Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and Boston but it'll be a bit more of a hunt there. Everyone who knows me well knows that my heart will always be in New York City. However, this is probably my only time to be a mobile 20-something and I shouldn't be spending this time in my childhood bedroom hoping things will magically work out on their own. Let's make this happen.
Before I sign off, I want to use this blog as a promotional tool. After I became unemployed, I took on a project to become my friend's band manager. I figured that it would be a great way to build up my portfolio and learn more about the business I want to get involved in. Normally I will never use names of other's in my blog but I want to advertise his concert for tomorrow. So come check out James Downtown at Pianos on the LES in New York. His band is a really great mixture of rock and blues and his songs are super catchy. They'll be playing in the upstairs lounge at 8pm. Here is a link to the facebook event http://on.fb.me/psPAlS . I hope to see you all there!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Day 18: I'm Calling "Dibs" On That One
Jobs Applied For: 5.
Interviews Scheduled: 0, I've had a total of 4 this week so far.
GRE Studying: More verbal and quantitative reviews, Psychology review begins TODAY.
Music Practice: One hour spent strumming the sweet melodious guitar.
Let's play a quick game, a short mental exercise if you will. Think back to about 5 years ago; president Bush's ratings were in the toilet, my class was first entering their freshman year of college, and Italy had a really great year in sports (2006 winter olympic hosts AND winners of the world cup.) Can you remember what it was like to hunt for a job at that time? I'm sure it was a pretty standard procedure; find a position that you find remotely interesting, interview against a few other outstanding candidates, and if it's the right fit then said remotely interesting position is yours. Oh how I long for those simple days but unfortunately I wasn't on the occupational prowl at that time, I was living in Burlington, VT and picking out my fall semester courses.
No one can disagree with the fact that the graduating class of 2009 was hit the hardest by the economic downturn, but my fellow 2010 graduates are having just as difficult of a time finding a career. It may be attributed to the fact the most of my friends' desired professions lie in the arts industries but I feel as if our age group is a generation of dreamers. We are constantly seeking what we believe will be the most enjoyable career path instead of the one that just pays the bills. Since the economic downturn is not only causing larger, more unfriendly unemployment statistics but a later retirement age as well, my generation is taking a heavy financial blow. It's not fair that the only excellent opportunities offered to someone in my position are unpaid internships that will leave you with nothing but some experience and a reference who barely remembers your name. Maybe I'm just bitter but I'm calling it like I see it.
Which is why I'm figuratively calling "dibs."
When you were in elementary school and you wanted to sit next to your best friends at lunch, you would call "dibs" on the only seat at the table that wasn't slightly broken or covered in food. When you were in high school and textbooks were being handed out at the beginning of the year, you would call "dibs" on the freshest, cleanest one in sight. I would like to reinforce the "dibs" rule on a job position I just found this morning, a full time office manager position at a music company which specializes in event marketing and music management among other areas. I know that I could go above and beyond for this company if they would give me an interview at the very least. Of course there is always the chance that there is someone smarter/prettier/more edgy/ etc. that is applying for the same position with the same hopes and dreams as me. However if I call "dibs" and those age old rules still apply, then the position would be mine for the taking. I have definitely worked hard enough for this so I am calling it on this particular position and I will stop at nothing to make sure that it is mine.
Interviews Scheduled: 0, I've had a total of 4 this week so far.
GRE Studying: More verbal and quantitative reviews, Psychology review begins TODAY.
Music Practice: One hour spent strumming the sweet melodious guitar.
Let's play a quick game, a short mental exercise if you will. Think back to about 5 years ago; president Bush's ratings were in the toilet, my class was first entering their freshman year of college, and Italy had a really great year in sports (2006 winter olympic hosts AND winners of the world cup.) Can you remember what it was like to hunt for a job at that time? I'm sure it was a pretty standard procedure; find a position that you find remotely interesting, interview against a few other outstanding candidates, and if it's the right fit then said remotely interesting position is yours. Oh how I long for those simple days but unfortunately I wasn't on the occupational prowl at that time, I was living in Burlington, VT and picking out my fall semester courses.
No one can disagree with the fact that the graduating class of 2009 was hit the hardest by the economic downturn, but my fellow 2010 graduates are having just as difficult of a time finding a career. It may be attributed to the fact the most of my friends' desired professions lie in the arts industries but I feel as if our age group is a generation of dreamers. We are constantly seeking what we believe will be the most enjoyable career path instead of the one that just pays the bills. Since the economic downturn is not only causing larger, more unfriendly unemployment statistics but a later retirement age as well, my generation is taking a heavy financial blow. It's not fair that the only excellent opportunities offered to someone in my position are unpaid internships that will leave you with nothing but some experience and a reference who barely remembers your name. Maybe I'm just bitter but I'm calling it like I see it.
Which is why I'm figuratively calling "dibs."
When you were in elementary school and you wanted to sit next to your best friends at lunch, you would call "dibs" on the only seat at the table that wasn't slightly broken or covered in food. When you were in high school and textbooks were being handed out at the beginning of the year, you would call "dibs" on the freshest, cleanest one in sight. I would like to reinforce the "dibs" rule on a job position I just found this morning, a full time office manager position at a music company which specializes in event marketing and music management among other areas. I know that I could go above and beyond for this company if they would give me an interview at the very least. Of course there is always the chance that there is someone smarter/prettier/more edgy/ etc. that is applying for the same position with the same hopes and dreams as me. However if I call "dibs" and those age old rules still apply, then the position would be mine for the taking. I have definitely worked hard enough for this so I am calling it on this particular position and I will stop at nothing to make sure that it is mine.
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