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| Henry. |
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Things are happening! / Things have happened!
Today was strange in the best sorts of ways. Jeremy and I work up early, and when he left for home I began my day with no plans other than another job hunt. Luckily, for me, a job found me instead. After drinking copious amounts of tea, and watching too much reality TV, I decided to pickle the red onion that was sitting on the counter. By the time I was done I had dirtied far more dishes than necessary, and painfully cried at least 5 times, but at least I had successfully made apple-cider vinegar-pickled onions. Around noon, in the middle of another cup of tea, I got a call from BigNameMagazine to chat quickly about my interest in interning for them, and then asked if I was available to come into the office at 3:30 to meet the production team. Of course I agreed, and of course I got there super early--early enough to see another interviewee for the position...
While I was trying not to get too nervous for the interview itself, I started psyching myself out that the girl who interviewed ahead of me is WAY more qualified than I am. (It also didn't help that she had perfect shiny long hair, flawless makeup, a structured business-type dress, and four-inch black pumps on.) Thinking over my own appearance, I obviously didn't look as qualified as she did; boring bun, only used some powder and mascara, a houndstooth belted sweater with a gray a-line skirt, and flats...But the interview had to happen, and I was already wearing this outfit that I felt wonderful in ten minutes earlier.
When it was my turn to go, I pulled myself together. I told myself: "Even if she appears more qualified than me, she probably isn't." When I got to the correct floor, I was lost between two separate sets of glass doors--no receptionist in sight. I walk through one and walk back out. The opposite one is locked--back I go to the first. I go in further, past a glass conference room, and luckily it's where I was supposed to be all along.
The interview was short and sweet. Lots of smiles all around, and not only from me, and going from one topic to the next was a piece of cake (the position to my interests, my living situation to my experience, Vassar to my interests in magazines). And what was truly great was I could tell that they really liked me. On my way out they told me that I would know by the end of the day (as the position begins on Monday), and for some reason I wind up nervous again. The uncertainty of finding an opening, and the even greater uncertainty of interviews, was back again as the uncertainty of finally getting the position.
Luckily I only had to wait an hour before I got my answer: YES! I nowwork intern at BigNameMagazine. (Plus it's PAID!) It's hard to explain how happy I am about it, and how fast things have changed since yesterday. Even though it's not a salaried position, and it's nowhere near permanent, I really think that this could be the experience I need to land a career.
Well, at least a career for now.
While I was trying not to get too nervous for the interview itself, I started psyching myself out that the girl who interviewed ahead of me is WAY more qualified than I am. (It also didn't help that she had perfect shiny long hair, flawless makeup, a structured business-type dress, and four-inch black pumps on.) Thinking over my own appearance, I obviously didn't look as qualified as she did; boring bun, only used some powder and mascara, a houndstooth belted sweater with a gray a-line skirt, and flats...But the interview had to happen, and I was already wearing this outfit that I felt wonderful in ten minutes earlier.
When it was my turn to go, I pulled myself together. I told myself: "Even if she appears more qualified than me, she probably isn't." When I got to the correct floor, I was lost between two separate sets of glass doors--no receptionist in sight. I walk through one and walk back out. The opposite one is locked--back I go to the first. I go in further, past a glass conference room, and luckily it's where I was supposed to be all along.
The interview was short and sweet. Lots of smiles all around, and not only from me, and going from one topic to the next was a piece of cake (the position to my interests, my living situation to my experience, Vassar to my interests in magazines). And what was truly great was I could tell that they really liked me. On my way out they told me that I would know by the end of the day (as the position begins on Monday), and for some reason I wind up nervous again. The uncertainty of finding an opening, and the even greater uncertainty of interviews, was back again as the uncertainty of finally getting the position.
Luckily I only had to wait an hour before I got my answer: YES! I now
Well, at least a career for now.
A Business Lunch
Yesterday, after the rain stopped, I went to meet my two ex-internship supervisors - R and M - for lunch at SoHo Park. I strolled into the office as if I belonged, but mostly only because the front-desk coordinator was out for lunch. When I arrived I still hadn't fully figured out if it was supposed to be some sort of exit-interview, or just a friendly get together. This confusion clearly sprung for the abrupt termination of the internship a few weeks ago - the managing editor decided to change their policy on not-for-credit internships only a month into my stay. Before I left, my supervisors made it clear to me that they would have kept me if they could, and will keep me in mind if a position opens up or they have freelance available.
But, getting back to the point, was it an exit-interview or a friendly lunch; a business-lunch or a lunch-during-business-hours? I was notably nervous, and told them how much I missed working with them and that I hoped all was well. Everything seemed normal, although they did miss the work I saved them from doing while I was there. We touched upon what I'm up to now, and my response was "Still searching, not too worried." The subject changed to weekend plans and goings on about town, which was comforting because this is my first time staying in Brooklyn and they both R and M had happy suggestions about where to explore and what to see before I go back home.
Finally, I loosened up. I figured that the distinction I was making was unnecessary and made me uncomfortable. Did it matter whether or not they thought this was an exit-interview? No. The best impression I could make on them was to just be myself. We kept talking about Brooklyn and other things to do around Manhattan. Somehow the NYC zoo came up, so I began raving about it; even though it's really small, it's comfortingly so; you can leisurely stroll through it, see everything, and continue your journey through the park without being exhausted. R said maybe she'll do that this weekend. Somehow Inception came up after talking about which TV-shows we all marathon and I gave a brief review and then explained my love for Joe Gordon-Levitt. Maybe too much information for an interview, but if I want to work with them again the best way was for me to just be me.
When I got home, Jeremy was just arriving. We walked around the neighborhood for a while, ate delicious tacos for dinner, and then settled in to watch The Baxter. Today might bring more exploring, I'm thinking of walking over to the waterfront, even though Jeremy says it will be gross, to see the skyline.
But, getting back to the point, was it an exit-interview or a friendly lunch; a business-lunch or a lunch-during-business-hours? I was notably nervous, and told them how much I missed working with them and that I hoped all was well. Everything seemed normal, although they did miss the work I saved them from doing while I was there. We touched upon what I'm up to now, and my response was "Still searching, not too worried." The subject changed to weekend plans and goings on about town, which was comforting because this is my first time staying in Brooklyn and they both R and M had happy suggestions about where to explore and what to see before I go back home.
Finally, I loosened up. I figured that the distinction I was making was unnecessary and made me uncomfortable. Did it matter whether or not they thought this was an exit-interview? No. The best impression I could make on them was to just be myself. We kept talking about Brooklyn and other things to do around Manhattan. Somehow the NYC zoo came up, so I began raving about it; even though it's really small, it's comfortingly so; you can leisurely stroll through it, see everything, and continue your journey through the park without being exhausted. R said maybe she'll do that this weekend. Somehow Inception came up after talking about which TV-shows we all marathon and I gave a brief review and then explained my love for Joe Gordon-Levitt. Maybe too much information for an interview, but if I want to work with them again the best way was for me to just be me.
When I got home, Jeremy was just arriving. We walked around the neighborhood for a while, ate delicious tacos for dinner, and then settled in to watch The Baxter. Today might bring more exploring, I'm thinking of walking over to the waterfront, even though Jeremy says it will be gross, to see the skyline.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 2
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| Millie, as she plans her trip to Ireland, while perched on the desk next to the child-friendly fire pillow. |
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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