I can't even begin to say what a relief it is to be done with that last project which required me to work in a group with three others.  The other's where fine people but the stress from to project was definitely something which had weighed me down over the last few weeks.  I think the process of preparing for something (like the oral proposal) was bad for me.  I'm usually into "winging it."  But for the oral proposal I wrote out everything I wanted to say; prepared a speech so to say.  But the words just didn't come out properly.

But this next project (The employment project involves inventorying job skills, building resumes, analyzing job advertisements, and writing cover letters) looks tight.  It's just what I need currently.  I know that my resume is out of date and definitely need to be updated.  I have hopes that it will looks much much better than the one I had last summer which really wasn't any different than the one I created in 12th grade English.

Finding employment has never been easy for me.  To me it seems like some people never have trouble finding jobs due to family connections and whatnot...  I went through several interviews before I landed my first real job.  First there was K-Mart.  The K-Mart interview went well and they wanted to hire me but I failed their  online aptitude test and due to policy they were unable to hire me.  Then Golden Corral didn't even want me to wash dishes.  I applied at so many places but didn't get hired that summer.  I sucked too because my parents went on vacation for a month and I had to go stay with my grandparents since I didn't have a job.

A few months later I started making the rounds again and finally got called in for an interview at the local movie theater.  At this point I didn't even really care and had seen so many other people who I considered less qualified land jobs like it was nothing.  So I went into that interview and didn't really try to impress anyone.  But it totally worked.

That's when I began to learn something that I've found important when trying to get certain jobs.  This might sound a little bit ignorant and cocky but whatever this is my blog so I'm going to say it:  management doesn't like smart people.  Depending on the duties of the job I've applied for the management really could care less about how intelligent I was and (in my opinion) hired people on the basis of them not being smarter than management because that can control issues.

At the movie theater I learned lots of stuff.  I learned public speaking when I welcomed guests into the auditoriums.  I also learned time management skills and communication skills via the PTT radio systems we used.  And of course I handled food and cash. They loved me there and rehired me twice and are still looking forward to me coming back this summer (although that probably won't be happening).

While living in Tempe I found it difficult to find a job once again.  I was always taught to dress well and shave before interviews but that didn't work for me.  Maybe it was other things like lack of work experience,  So I decided to set the bar low and got hired at Raising Cane's as a cook (didn't even shave for the interview and I definitely needed a hair cut),  Fast food and poor hours but it was a job and I made the best of it.  I was valued there because I always came on time, ready to work, and I brought a good attitude.  I learned how to work in fast under stressful conditions but that't about it.  The best thing I personally got out of that job was how to interact with other workers and have a good time at work.  I eventually resigned and left on good terms knowing that they would rehire me if I ever wished to return.

After a few months being unemployed I decided to start looking for a better job.  My roommate convinced me to apply at the University Technology Office at ASU where he was working.  I went with my instinct and went into my interview very relaxed.  I didn't shave and I didn't wear a tie.  But it totally worked.  Now I'm the guy in the polo and nerd glasses who comes into the classrooms when the professors can't figure out how to get the projector to work.

I love my job and have practiced a lot of useful skills there.  Namely, writing emails to coworkers, answering phone calls, and related technological skills with computer systems.

I still have a lot to learn.  I'll soon be authorized to drive the golf carts around the campus after I finish the training course.  I'll also have to learn more about the computer systems with experience that comes with time.

But I'm exited to redo my resume and start looking into what jobs I am qualified to apply for and whatever else comes with this next project,

Peace out.