Haha... as I said, I'm good at faking it. Plus, if I convince myself that it's something that I want and can get then it's really no big deal. It's from years of training lol.
Congratulations about all the job offers. Apparently you interview alot better than you expected. Obviously faked them out on that shyness issue....
Yeah, I'll buy that everything happens for a reason. Of course, sometimes it's a terrible reason, or purely bad luck, and an awful thing that happens. But in your case, perhaps these job offers came because they liked you and you did well!
Ended up getting both jobs lol. Only taking the Sunday one because it works best and it is just enough to make ends meet. Plus, it's working at a domestic violence shelter which is something that I want to do for personal reasons. Plus, it would leave me open to do babysitting/tutoring for extra money on weeknights and other weekend days.
I am still waiting to hear. I should be getting one of the jobs (the one on Sunday), but the rest were day jobs that I was applying to in case I didn't get the internship. I have an interview at a montessori school tomorrow, but even if I get it, I'm not sure I can take it since the hours are 3-6 and it wouldn't leave me with much time on two days of the week for the internship. We'll see how it goes.
Well, that makes alot more sense, knowing the details. It just sounded like a change of heart. Sounds like since you're used to doing alot of work, you'll be fine with it. And who knows what this could turn into, anyways. You may be able to turn this into a full time job before long, especially if you make your interests known, especially since you are passionate and knowledgeable about the subjects he is involved with.
What happened with the other jobs you applied to, are you still waiting to hear?
When it comes to money issues, I don't think with emotion at all. I have run the numbers at least 100 times over the last few weeks.
Originally, my parents (specifically, my dad) told me that they could help me out with money since they've never paid anything towards college and my mom recently got a promotion which gave them a bit of extra income. However, apparently he never quite ran this by my mom and she wasn't as happy with it. I found out the night after the interview. It was only with that extra money that I could have made it work. So, I decided to look for an evening job. I've had a hard time finding one.
Well, yesterday, my mom agreed to help me out. I guess my dad convinced her since I really didn't say anything to her. Therefore, it's now possible to do it.
I can do this since I only have one class per day (only 13 credits and 6 of them are online). I have a babysitting job lined up (just got the call today) if all else fails. I also should have a job on Sundays at a domestic violence shelter.
Also, you have to understand that I am completely accustomed to taking 16-18 credits and working 25-40 hours each week. I thrive on being really busy.
-- Edited by romanigypsyeyes on Sunday 14th of August 2011 07:25:42 PM
-- Edited by romanigypsyeyes on Sunday 14th of August 2011 07:27:17 PM
Congrats, but this is all kind of confusing. When I start reading from the beginning, you sound very excited about this opportunity, even a couple of days before the interview. Yet when you get it, you realize that maybe you don't want it/can't do it. What has changed between then and now? Was it that you thought you'd get a night job and now you may have to get a day job, making it difficult to have time for the internship? And if you knew this was an unpaid internship, besides getting the chance to work for a great guy and do something you were passionate about, how will this benefit you? I'm all for volunteering, but for a college kid, eating and schoolwork come first.
It just sounds like you might not have thought this one through. I could never imagine my son having the time to do an internship (especially an unpaid one that might not even do much for his future applications/jobs), and a job also....on top of going to school. Unless he had an unbelieveably light load, that's just impractical.
Would it be possible for you to accept the internship letting them know that you might have to work less hours than you'd expected, around your school and work schedule (whatever that might be). They may be perplexed at why you applied for an internship that you couldn't work around unless you explain.
I'm not trying to be unkind, it just helps to think about things in a non-emotional way to figure out the rational path that will be the healthiest and most beneficial for you.
Well... the interview went really well, but I'm not sure I want it anymore. Everything is already so tight money-wise that I don't think I can afford to drive back and forth each day and use that time for an internship rather than a paying job. Hopefully I won't get it and then I won't have to worry about it, but I think I might turn it down if I do get it. As much as I want the experience, I want to eat more...
Wow, thanks for the tips. It is an academic internship, fwiw, specifically for high school and undergrad students. I asked the person I talked to on the phone whether or not I needed to bring anything and he said no because the person who is interviewing me already has a file with my application, resume, and cover letter. Should I bring one anyway? I was also thinking about bringing a transcript and schedule for next year as it is an academic internship.
Luckily, even though I'm shy, I am very good at selling myself (well, that sounds awkward....) and I do rather well with words and questions. Once I actually get into a situation where I have to talk to people, I'm very comfortable. It's the buildup to that point that makes me extremely nervous.
Learn as much as you can about the services they offer. The hardest part about an interview is not knowing what to expect. Some interviews are easier than others, but the most important part to remember is - they are looking for reasons to hire you, unpaid or paid!
They are assessing whether you will fit in that environment and work well with others. Assess your strengths. Think about your weaknesses. How can you improve both?
Go into an interview - firm handshake, eye contact, good grooming. Be prepared with a resume to hand to multiple interviewers.
Last job interview I had, it was a panel. There were 5 people interviewing me. I wasn't as prepared for that - I couldn't figure out who to look at or how long to look at them. It felt more awkward, to me. I left there not sure if I wowed them or disappointed them! (I didn't get that job - they gave it to an internal person at the company looking for a promotion.)
Think of three adjectives that you would use to describe your strengths. Be prepared for them to ask that question about your weaknesses. It trips lots of people up! It has to be something that you honestly think is a bad thing, but figure out how that bad thing about you translates into something good. For me, I find that I have piles of papers on my desk at work. It looks chaotic and disorganized. I know exactly where everything is and can multitask, working on multiple projects at one time. I can transition from one activity to another easily. This seems like a weakness - clutter, but turns into a positive, multitasking.
You will do awesome, romani. Google some recommendations for interview questions and create some ideas for things that you would like to say to an interviewer.
Thanks! I just called back, it's next Friday at 1 PM. I've never had an interview before (6 year work history, never an interview- go figure) so I'm really nervous, plus I'm really shy. Keeping my fingers crossed though! :D
The areas I applied for were with: Attorney General, Education, Community Health, and Human Services. I'm hoping for one of the last two, but I'll be happy with any experience.
Well... pooh. Can't have that now, can we? :p Then again, I've never been a democrat nor a republican and I don't see a lot of my social positions changing any time soon.
I think they will want to hear that you are comfortable multi-tasking. When is he up for re-election? Interns do everything from constituent services to helping with campaigns. All of it takes someone who is organized, people oriented, public service minded, flexible, resourceful and committed.
Thanks! What kind of things do you think they would ask? I've always been offered jobs, I've never been interviewed for them. I generally just hang around a place long enough and they start paying me to be there lol.
All I really know is that the senator is focused on the very same issues that I am passionate about. Besides that, I'm really not sure what to expect. He's a Democrat and the woman who recommended me to him (my friend's mom) is a staunch conservative Republican who highly recommended him, despite their ideological differences. That actually puts me at ease.
Lol don't worry, I don't and I won't. I have worked in an office for a few years, calling people every single day about payments and reshoots, and I still hate the phone, but I get over it and do my job. I also do a lot of phone calls asking for money through my volunteer work, and I actually get quite positive responses, but I still hate it -.- haha
A little unsolicited advice - don't tell anyone you hate calling people. I have spent a lot of time in politics and know lots of people who have interned and almost all of them spend a lot of time calling other people. Look at it as a challenge you will overcome, but don't tell anyone in an interiview that the phone is not your friend.
So I know that just a few days ago I said that I had no interst in going into politics, but I just submitted my resume and cover letter to a Senator in Michigan in hopes that he needs an intern. I called his office asking whether or not they needed an intern and apparently one of my friend's moms had already given him a head's up about me. His aide told me that my resume would be moved to the top of the pile. (Also, I am very nervous on the phone- I HATE calling people, so that was a major ego boost.)
I am especially excited to work with this Senator since he is my local senator (where I grew up, not where I currently live) and he was on the city council in the same city where I help run a city wide sports nonprofit. Also, he is very active in issues of health reform and children's rights- two areas I am the most passionate in. I am hoping to go to grad school for a joint JD and MA in bioethics or a Masters in Public Health- hoping to do something with healthcare reform either on a legislative or societal level.
I thought a politics board might appreciate this. Wish me luck!!
