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Post by Dominique on Mar 20, 2009 1:16:47 GMT -5
I looked around a bit and realised we don't have a thread about careers, just a few ones on studying, so I thought I'd start one. Here we can talk about our current jobs, our future career aspirations or where we want our studies to ultimately lead us too. At the moment I work at a regional daily newspaper, but I graduate from Law/Communications this year and pretty much all I've been doing lately is stressing out about applying for graduate programs to get a spot for next year. Unfortunately it's the worst possible time to be graduating with the recession! So far I've mainly been looking at public service jobs in the government, which all require me to move about 5 hours away to Canberra but most of them sound really great. Especially The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading which gives you the ability to be posted overseas after completing the two year graduate program (but it's very competitive to get into). I've got about ten to fifteen different government departments I'm applying for. I still really have to research different law firms and their graduate programs too, and they all close applications pretty soon. If I don't find anything at all for next year I'm thinking about taking a gap year and teaching English overseas, getting my practice diploma or doing a post graduate degree in international studies. What's your job? What do you want to be your job?
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thenephilim
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 627
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Post by thenephilim on Mar 20, 2009 1:26:01 GMT -5
Currently, my part-time job entails tutoring my peers in various subjects. Right now, I am tutoring three people in Spanish, but in the past I have also tutored in English, History, Psychology, and Literature. This job isn't very lucrative money-wise, but I can't really work a ton of hours, or it would interfere with my classes and studying. On the other hand, tutoring, especially in Spanish, is great practice and will look great on my resume.
I'm in school, working towards a Group Major in Language and International Trade. This means that I choose a foreign language (Spanish) and combine it with a business concentration of my choosing (for me it's Marketing). In addition to the language and business classes, I also have to take various Political Science, History, and Geography classes that add to/enhance my cultural/global awareness and that would be helpful in a career in International Business.
I'm not completely sure what I would like to do as a career. I purposely chose a major that is pretty broad for this very reason. I think I could do a lot of different things with a Language + Business. I might want to do advertising, or interpretation/translation, or international sales. I really don't know. I guess it depends on what is available when I graduate next April...
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Post by Carma on Mar 20, 2009 16:18:02 GMT -5
This is exactly what i've been thinking about the last few weeks.. and I have NO idea! I hope to graduate in August, or maybe December as a fall back. And I don't know if I should apply to something new for September or not (I might not be graduated by then..) or that I should just skip a year and work in the meantime, before starting some place new. And I have no idea what that new thing could be.. I've been thinking about graphic designs stuff, but they usually give those at art schools, and I'm not a fan of art schools... (they'd probably make me feel like i've got no talent ). So I've been trying to think of other things.. maybe languages? Or.. maybe I should go to University for a higher degree... I have no idea! It's probably a difficult time to get a job anyway, but I might be able to do something with my journalism degree that doesn't mean working as a journalist.. i could be an editor, maybe... at some company, for the texts on their flyers? Im currently leaning towards the: I'll see what will happen strategy. Which means i won't do anything except trying to graduate in August and then after that i'll see what I'll do. maybe work a bit... haha, well, that was boring!
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Mar 20, 2009 20:58:06 GMT -5
As someone who had no idea what she was going to do in college, law school, or post- law school studying for the bar, I think it's perfectly fine to not know what you want to do or to have any jobs lined up. I'm a firm believer in the idea that everything works out in the end and you just have to let things be.
As most of you know, I am an associate attorney at a small law firm. I practice mainly labor and employment law which basically contains 3 categories: overtime/wage cases, noncompete litigation, and discrimination/civil rights cases. It's super interesting and I love it. I never planned on working in a firm or actually litigating cases, but I love it. Every day is interesting and I can't think of a better job. I don't make a ton of money but I have good hours and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Plus, I get a lot of freedom to do what I want and what I think I'm ready for. And I feel pretty good at the end of the day knowing that I'm fighting for the little guy.
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Paige
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
Posts: 1,787
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Post by Paige on Mar 21, 2009 12:38:30 GMT -5
I currently work in the 5th and 6th grade schools with an after-school program called QUEST. It's a program where kids can stay after school from 3:45-5:00 to participate in different clubs. (Math Magic, Chess, Cooking, Fishing, Sports, Cheerleading, Drama, Reading, Science, Arts and Crafts, etc.) I'm basically assistant to the lady who organizes the entire program, so I enter a ton of data into the computer, clean up, plan activities, gather supplies, and lead a few clubs. I wasn't exactly thrilled to be working with 5th and 6th graders; but when funding was cut at my old job, my old boss was nice enough to set me up with this job. I actually really like working with them though (most days). Sure, some of them still act like little kids while others are hitting that adolescent stage, but it makes the afternoons exciting. My boss is super nice too. She's actually working on getting me a job helping with migrant summer school since QUEST doesn't run through the summer.
I figure the more I work with a school district, the better my chance of finding a job teaching English when I graduate in May 2010. Although I'm still not entirely convinced that I want to teach... I'll prolly try it, but I have some other things in mind too. (Editing, journalism, and I'd really like to open my own book/music store but that wouldn't be very wise with the current economic situation.) Guess I'll just see what life has in store for me.
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Post by Carma on Mar 22, 2009 16:14:21 GMT -5
I'm a firm believer in the idea that everything works out in the end and you just have to let things be. Yeah, I agree, I also think that everything turns out the way it should. But it is still frustrating! Because I do have to make a decision soon!
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Kristie
Novel turned into BBC miniseries
"If a book is well written, I always find it too short."
Posts: 7,214
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Post by Kristie on Apr 9, 2009 23:43:42 GMT -5
For about the last 3 years, I have worked part-time at my local library. For two of the past three summers, I have worked part-time at a concessions stand at a pool. Obviously these are not careers.
I am going to school to be a teacher. Unfortunately, my content area--social studies (history, geography, etc) is not in demand, so I won't find a job easily. But I think I will be a substitute teacher and get my masters at grad school until I can find a permanent job. I have a minor in history and so, if teaching turns out to be not what i want, I could persue that more fully. I am finding I really wouldn't mind researching for a living
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Katelyn
First short story featured in regional newspaper
Posts: 177
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Post by Katelyn on Apr 10, 2009 22:18:42 GMT -5
Actually, that's what I've decided to do Dom - take a year off in between my undergraduate degree and my professional degree, and teach English overseas; luckily, I have my TESOL/TESL certification, so I should be able to find a job pretty easily. I'm considering teaching in either Japan or France, since I have my UK passport. But nothing's decided for sure yet. Still, it's very exciting being this close to graduation!
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Post by Dominique on Apr 10, 2009 22:24:15 GMT -5
That's great! A lot of people have recommended this program to me for Japan www.jetprogramme.org/ which is sponsored by the Japanese government. Let me know what you decide and how everything goes, I'd be really interested
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Katelyn
First short story featured in regional newspaper
Posts: 177
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Post by Katelyn on Apr 12, 2009 21:31:03 GMT -5
This program looks fantastic, Dom! I was reading the testimonials - they all sound very positive. If you decide to go, it sounds like it would be a life-altering, horizon-opening experience for you. I received my certification through Oxford seminars, and included in the cost of the program was a teacher placement service. I didn't realize at the time of the course how grateful I would be for this service, or how much pressure it would relieve - but I am, and it does. I'll definitely let you know what I decide to do, i.e. where I decide to go, and what my experience is like over there. I'm very excited, but I'm also a little nervous, I confess - I'll probably be more than a little nervous the closer my departure date gets. But at the moment all I can think about is how excited I am, and likewise, how much pre-departure preparation I have to do. lol If we both end up in Japan at the same time we should agree to meet up some place - I can't tell you how nice it would be to "know" someone over there.
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Halie
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 982
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Post by Halie on Apr 12, 2009 22:17:33 GMT -5
I think I want to work in a museum. I'm not sure yet, but at the least I know I love history and art and I'd love to share that with others.
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Post by whitegold on Apr 13, 2009 20:48:55 GMT -5
My current job is a cashier at a grocery store. Definitely not a career lol. Im in school for Television Broadcasting. Im hoping to graduate and find a job in the TV industry (behind the scenes). Im debating whether or not to attend film school. My ultimate dream career is in the Film industry as a director/producer.
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Post by Dominique on Apr 14, 2009 18:20:58 GMT -5
If we both end up in Japan at the same time we should agree to meet up some place - I can't tell you how nice it would be to "know" someone over there. Definately
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2009 16:26:13 GMT -5
It is depressing to read your plans as you all seem to know what you want to do. I have no idea what I want to do 'when I grow up'. And as I am already grownup, it feels frustrating. It is always good and safe to have a plan, even if everything doesn't always go as planned.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on May 3, 2009 11:16:26 GMT -5
Don't worry about it too much, even when I was in college I still had no clear idea of what I wanted to do. Sometimes life just has a way of working things out for you - just do your best at what you're doing and keep an open mind!
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