On The Hunt

I am looking for a job! Anyone? Anyone? I can't believe I am already to this point, of having to grow up and be done with school and get a real job! Its funny to think that just over 2 years ago I was looking at this situation with anxiety and fear because I knew that I wasn't ready to be done with school. The summer before my senior year of college, I was an intern at Nordstrom in downtown Portland. It was a great experience and I am thankful I did it, even if it did show me that store management was not where I wanted to spend my life. And being a buyer seemed even more impossible than ever. It was quite the wake up call to realize that the major I had spent 3 years at OSU studying was not what I was really interested in doing! So I started my senior year at the foot of God's throne, begging for direction that was not of my own doing. I swore I would give up making plans for myself after that incident, and if I say so myself, I think I have done pretty well since then. :) Well the Lord did not disappoint, and paved the way for me to begin graduate school (for free! amazing!) and continue on in my education.

And now that road has come to an end, and I need to make some decisions about where I want to go now. I can't put it off any more...I need to grow up :( But I am actually really excited about becoming a young professional. I joke with my friends that I have about 7 different careers that I could see myself doing after graduation, but its kinda true. There is not one job that is "calling" me more than any other. So, I'll let you in on the current front runners, (and I am using letters and not numbers so as not to indicate any sort of rank order...man I sound like a grad student!)

A. Academic Advising: There are several positions open at Oregon State for academic advising, which is really appealing to me. My advisor when I was in undergrad was amazing. I loved going to see her at the end of each term, because not only did we get to plan things (one of my favorite pastimes, as you discovered above) but she likes musical theater and goes to NYC twice a year just to see Broadway shows! So jealous!! It was neat to see how she remembered me, and not just when I had an appointment with her, but if we ran into each other at lunch or something. I really respected her and was always interested in what it took to do her job. So I asked her a few weeks ago. We went to coffee and discussed the aspects of advising, truthfully, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And it was so encouraging! An advisor meets with students from specific majors to discuss their courses and other academic activities such as clubs, study abroad, internships, etc. In addition, the advisors in my college put on workshops for freshmen students called first year success classes where they teach basic college survival tips such as study skills, how to register for classes, where to get involved. So this job would be great for me because I would be getting to help people achieve their academic goals everyday, as well as keep teaching, just a different subject matter. This is a promising option!!

B. Bridal Company, Salt Lake City: Through a great family connection, I have been able to communicate with a bridal company based out of Salt Lake about job possibilities after my graduation. They are a great company, on the smaller side, but very reputable among bridal retailers (I actually used to sell their dresses!) Last summer they graciously had me down for a job shadow day, which was so informative of what industry jobs are really like. I spent a great day with the VP of sales and marketing learning how things I was learning in school really did apply to real life (ok..now I believe you Dr. Kim!) And SLC was cool too, surprisingly! The picture above is me at the Olympic fountain in the center of the most amazing outdoor mall I have ever seen. As long as there is good shopping, I know I can survive there! :) A new update...they are flying me back down in two weeks for an interview! So exciting! This opportunity just from who I know has been such a blessing.

C. Become a bum on my parents couch. Bet you didn't see that coming! Ha! Be on the lookout parents!

So I am feeling so blessed right now to be having options to consider. God is taking care of me so well! To reflect back on where I was two years ago compared to now is amazing. I never would have considered grad school, and even though its been hard, I have really learned a lot. And now I am looking at careers where having my Masters degree will really count for something...so awesome! I hope you are experiencing the same provision from above in your life!

Welcome!

So, I've started a blog! This has been something I have been considering for a while now, and since life has gotten crazy lately, I figured it would be a good way to keep all those I love updated on what is going on. Keeping this updates is going to be a challenge for me, but a good challenge. So...let's start at the very beginning. (Is the song from Sound of Music running through your head?)

I am almost finished with my second, and last, year of graduate school...praise God! It has been a lot tougher than I was expecting. Don't let anyone tell you graduate school is just a continuation of undergrad, because thats a lie! The most challenging part of school for me is how independent it is. I have really had to step up my self-motivation and learn how to be my own cheerleader as well. Its hard to not have an adviser telling you every step you need to take to get finished. But it has been worth it (since I am so close to the end I am now able to say that, but if you had asked me last September I probably would have strongly disagreed!) in the long run. I have learned lots of great life lessons, and a lot about myself as well.

So right now I am finishing up my thesis. I get lots of questions about this, so I thought I would create a FAQ list for you all. Hopefully I will hit all the high points.
1. How long is a thesis?
The university requires that all master's theses be no shorter than 60 pages. Mine however will more likely be around 100-130 pages.
2. So it's like you are writing a short book?
Yes, it is like writing a book, with chapters and everything.
3. What is your thesis about?
I am studying the consumer behavior of brides as they shop for their wedding gown. So basically, I am trying to figure out what is important to them as they shop and why they make the decisions they do. I can get a lot more technical if you like, but generally this results in many glazed over eyes and nodding like a bobble head, so I will spare you the gory details.
4. When does your thesis have to be finished?
I will have my defense by the end of June 2008.
5. What is a defense?
It is a presentation to my four committee members (2 professors within my major, 1 professor from the College of Business, and 1 university representative) in which I basically say "Look what I have done! Now please give me my degree!" They will then question me on what I did with my research and I will have to defend what I have done. See where the title comes from? They then send me from the room and talk about me behind my back, and decide my fate. They vote, then I get to find out if I pass or not.
6. So your whole degree comes down to this one meeting?
Yes. Scary isn't it!
7. Can people come to your defense?
Yes! People are allowed to sit in on the presentation part, but then have to leave for the questioning and voting portions. I would say that I would love to have you there, but I know you would be so bored. But if you are in to torturing yourself, you are more than welcome to come!
8. Should I get a graduate degree?
Only if you fall under the above discussed category of enjoying to torture yourself.

So that is my life right now...just writing away. That and church pretty much take up all my time. I am also trying to find a job somehow, but more on that later. I hope you enjoy my blog!