Well, this is going to be my last entry for the final individual project for my BN301 course.  I have very much enjoyed writing these entries over the past few weeks.  It has reminded me of so many things that I have forgotten, as well as the many things that I need to start doing. 

There were many assignments during the semester that have been extremely beneficial.  Writing my resume has better prepared me and made me more confident to pursue any internship I want.  Because many prospective employees do not write thank-you letters, I now know that I have a possible advantage over the competition.  The mock interview will of course also be a huge advantage that I now have as well.  No matter how traumatic I thought the experience, it was still a great one.  Also, I can not forget about the elevator speech.  I have been using that for years when I meet new people.  But I now know the benefits it provides and will better be able to use that to my advantage.  This has been a very worthwhile course and am very thankful I had the opportunity to take it.         

Once again I went to the College Central Network site to look into job postings.  I am actually a little frustrated now after looking at them.  There were so many internships that could turn into jobs but they are all so far away.  One in particular that I was interested in was an editorial intern with Reader's Digest in Pleasantville, New York.  Once again, I was reminded of another job that in the past I have wanted to pursue.  It sounds like a really interesting job in learning the basics of book publishing.  Some of the duties the student is involved in are assisting the editor with editing manuscripts and reviewing page layouts.  So, I am just feeling a little aggravated right now because there is nothing right around this area that is of any interest to me.  It seems that anything that I would be interested in is outside of Central Florida.  However, I will keep looking though, and I know an appointment with a career services counselor is a must.  This site has really opened my eyes to different avenues I have wanted to look into further but have forgotten about.  I'm glad I am able to consider these other options.                                                    

Tonight I looked at jobs and internships posted on the career services site.  I was curious what was out there and being offered to Stetson students.  An internship that really caught my eye was one with the U.S. Secret Service.  It is not possible for me to apply for this summer, but this is now something that I would like to seriously look into further.  I liked that The Student Volunteer Program provides academically related work assignments that allow the students to explore career options as well as develop personal and professional skills.  The program also offers many advantages: career exploration; exposure to new and emerging occupations and technologies; academic credit for the work performed; and work experience which may be considered relevant, if the student later applies for permanent employment.  I have always been interested in the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. as well.  Seeing this job posting made me remember that this was another avenue that I would like to pursue.  It is very convenient when this type of experience can be used in getting a full-time position with the secret service.  I am so glad that I visited this site.  I will definitely be checking it very often in the future for new job postings.                                     

Recently I have been thinking about getting a job this summer.  I am going to be taking a class in session one and in session two, but I feel that the month of July and most of August will still be adequate time to make some money.  My father has offered me a job as a receptionist in his real estate office.  Since writing a resume in my BN301 course, I am constantly thinking about what would be something good that I could add.    I think that this could be a really great opportunity.  Working in the office would not only be a great experience in working with many different people but also a way to possibly network with them as well. 

In addition, there is a chance to work in some model homes that my dad runs.  Since this is a family run business (my brother and step mom work there too), it makes potential clients feel more comfortable.  Therefore, hopefully when I give them my elevator speech, they will already be at ease and feeling talkative.                       

I have been thinking a great deal lately about where I want to pursue a job after I graduate.  When you are younger, you dream and plan on living in all these different cities around the country and the world.  But as you get older, you find that you have to face reality a little more.  There are important aspects to consider when planning on where you want to live.  I have lived in Deltona my entire life, and my family is all here.  We are very close and that of course plays a major part in the decisions I make.  It is a hard decision to think about much less make.  I know that I would never have the same closeness with my family that I have now if I am five states away or even one state away.  But I still wonder what is best for me, where will I be most happy? Since the idea of leaving my family seems unthinkable, maybe I already know my answer.  I just cant help but wonder if there is something more out there that I need to experience.

This semester I am taking intercultural communication.  I was required to take one more communications course.  And being in the business school, about to enter the business world, I thought it fundamental to take a class that discussed intercultural relations.  My thought was right.  I have learned a lot over the course of the semester.  I have also enjoyed it immensely therefore I have decided to minor in communication studies.  Being a management major, I feel that it will be quite an asset for which ever occupation I end up in.  Having taken all business courses last semester, I am enjoying the change of pace in an arts and sciences course.  There are a lot more papers to write but I feel that it is worth it because I am getting something out of it.  This summer I am taking small group communication which deals with the research methods, organization of materials, and the dynamics in leadership and participant roles.  I think this course could help me in my future group work within the business school in the coming year.  I hope I continue to enjoy these courses because I am really looking forward to them.               

My "future" is knocking at my door.  What used to seem a long way off now seems like it is tomorrow.  I am becoming more aware of all the plans I need to be making such as lining up an internship, meeting with career services, and doing as much networking as possible.  I feel like there is so much that I need to do, but it is not quite overwhelming just yet.  I am also thankful for the opportunities I have at my fingertips.  I know it will be a lot of work, but I am actually getting excited.  The reason I decided to go to college is about to become a reality.  I am almost at the conclusion of my first year at Stetson, and it has flown by.  A year from right now, I will be about to graduate. 

The event planning industry still interests me very much, but of course the "no experience" is always a concern.  I just do not know how I will get the experience necessary for the jobs that are being offered.  I guess that is why I need to seek advice in Career Services.             

Today I thought I would look at what the Orlando area has to offer in the event planning industry.  When I typed that into the search at monster.com and selected the Orlando area, only two jobs came up.  I had already expected that because I have done this numerous times in the past.  But this time, one of the jobs (Service Corporation International) sounded really promising.  It said that their company had 1,400 locations in the United States and in Canada.  They had a $1.7 billion revenue, and that their stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  As I read on, I really liked what I was seeing.  Designing and creating individualized events, arranging catering, decorations and musical selections, assisting with travel arrangements, overseeing the logistics for special events, contract negotiations, make food and beverage selections.  Then the second to last line threw me for a loop, it said minimal supervision in coordination with funeral directors.  I thought ok, now I definitely have to look into this company more.  Obviously, it was a provider of funeral, cremation, and cemetery services.  So I was a little disappointed.  Not that I am in the market for a job at this point, but it was still encouraging to see something in the area that I thought would interested me.  When I think of planning an event, I never thought about funerals.  But I guess someone has to do it.         

My friend is the midst of starting her own party planning business.  She is in her late twenties and has not had a formal education.  She has, however, had extensive exposure to related industries such as bridal, catering, and floral, so she has the experience.  I, on the other hand, have the education with no real experience.  One has to ask the question, who is better suited for the job?

Without having any experience, I have felt in the past that I was ill-equipped for anything and everything.  But as time has gone on, I think about it more, and I am actually starting to feel empowered by the fact once I have the experience to go along with the education that will be quite a combination.

I see a lot of the stress that my friend is under.  But I also see how happy she is when she talks about all of her plans and what she has in the works right now.  It has moved me to want to find that kind of love and dedication for a job.  That is what I want more than anything is to love what I do.  It would make all of these years of hard work feel like they have paid off.            

In the blog report that was assigned for my BN301 course, I chose to follow a blog that pertained to personal organization.  I decided to track this topic because I found it interesting and thought it something I would like to research further.  It was a site that anyone could write a blog on that related to professional organizing whether it was an aspect of the job, or even a news article that was discussing the occupation.  It also gave helpful tips on how to organize holiday clutter or even a home office.  This practical information I was able to use and apply that I did not initially set out to find.  Something that started out as a curiosity became a learning experience.  I was also amazed to find that in doing something that I was expecting to be just an assignment turned out to be fun and interesting.  This has inspired me to want to write a future blog about something that I am interested in which is event planning.  I would like to contribute to and learn from other readers and writers about what goes into the occupation as well as what is expected from the potential corporation. 

Today I went for my mock interview and it is also my birthday, so happy birthday to me.  I am so glad it is over.  This was such a stressful process.  Between wanting to have a good answer for every possible question and having the perfect outfit, I have to admit I was freaking out a little bit.  I tried to practice the questions as best I could.  Right before the interview, I was nervous but not as nervous as I thought I would be.  I think I knew that for better or for worse it was go time.  The interview went alright.  The questions I felt I had the best answers for unfortunately were not asked.  But what I can take away from this is the experience.  I can now honestly say I have been on an interview, and I really think that when it is the genuine thing I will definitely be better prepared having gone through this.  I came out of this having reached my goal of wanting to be able to answer each question.  I know that I did not fail.  I have gained knowledge and have had the proper training.  That was what this exercise was all about, and I am thankful for the opportunity.        

Today I went to interview my fellow students in the first day of mock interviews.  It felt so much better to be on that side of the table, even though I know my time is coming soon, two days to be exact.  By being able to see the questioning process and get a feel for the room set-up, it will definitely take some of the pressure off.  I have never been on an interview before, so I would have no way of knowing what to expect.  There were many aspects of the interviews that I took notice of.  But two things that stood out were number one, Nicole sat on the edge of her seat and kept her hands in her lap.  I liked the way that looked and I knew it would also help me not to swivel in my chair.  And number two, I was inspired by Jessicas enthusiasm.  I will take these facets among others and try to use them to the best of my ability.  I know I am very fortunate to have this time to watch the process and absorb all of what works and what does not in the interview. 

Shane Cobb, the HR Director for Dixon Diconderoga pencils came to talk to our class recently.  His talk was so informative and very fitting for the upcoming mock interviews.  I had never heard of the company and was interested to know that there was an office in Lake Mary.  Mr. Cobb was witty, laid back, and wanted to help us in any way he could.  He encouraged questions and his answers were to-the-point and useful. 

Some of the standout information he provided the class was that a thank-you letter really stood out.  He also told us a story as to why it was so important that we send a letter to everyone that we come into contact with.  The story was one time in which he received a thank-you letter from an interviewee.  He was so impressed with it and remarked to someone high in the hiring chain (who had also sat-in on the interview) how nice the letter was that he received.  The person was not all that impressed because he did not receive a letter from that interviewee.  So just like that, a stand-out act can really stand-out for the worse.

He also remarked at how MySpace was a bad idea to have if the page is of you doing or saying anything that could be hazardous to your future career endeavors.  Mr. Cobb said it would probably be for the best to either delete or clean up the page once we are in the process of searching and interviewing for employment because it is becoming a big thing for employers to check.                  

Recently we had a presentation from Career Services in my business communications course.  I found the discussion very helpful and promising.  With all my thoughts on internships as of late, I felt it was perfect timing.  Internships have always been an intimidating thought for me, but after this class I now feel much more comfortable about pursuing one.  Ms. Cooper made them seem to be very available and a simple procedure she was happy to assist me with.  I am actually now looking forward to it.  I think the fall semester would probably be best since it is quite late now to try for a summer internship. 

All of the ways to network with Stetson alumni from around the country was quite inspiring as well.  This was such a great class today, and I feel so much more comfortable with my career search.  I have always been on the lookout for different jobs I would like to pursue.  But now with the career services site (which I did not know anything about) I have so many more resources at my fingertips.  I can not wait to start getting information and advice from these former students.                      

Today in BN301 we did practice interviews with a partner to prepare for the upcoming mock interviews. I definitely feel that this exercise was great training. My partner Melissa was very comfortable with her responses because of her previous experience with interviews. She wanted to take time with me and work together on what would be the best answer I could give. She was extremely encouraging and helpful. I know that from her feedback alone, I am bound to do better.

I have taken speech in the past, and because of that I know to try to make a conscious effort not to say ummmm or uhhhh. That was not a problem for me. My biggest problem I realized was my lack of experience. I have very little in my resume that I can relate to these questions. These questions are quite difficult and very uncomfortable.

I am dreading the mock interviews! I picture going in and not having an answer for one or even more of the questions. This fear makes me want to practice as much as possible. I know that no matter how the interview goes, for better or worse it will be here and over. All I can do is learn from it.