I just arrived back from California last night, where I have been for the past few days shooting some interviews for my thesis/creative project. Whilst I was in LA I met up with some interesting people who gave me some wonderful advice for my career search. One thing you will learn as your graduation date draws closer, your idea of what you want to be when you grow up will probably change a trillion times. I think the best mindset to have is to be accepting of a wide range of career specialties. As one professor told me, ‘throw your net out there, and see what you reel in’. That is what I will be doing. Coming out of college is a very daunting event. I have even contemplated doing my PhD… perhaps for the wrong reasons (fearing failure and that I may not get a job… pursuing a PhD ensures that I won’t have to face that obstacle for another three or so years!). But that isn’t the mind set to have.

In the past few months my life and world around me has changed completely. Previously, I was on a very well defined path, I knew exactly where life was taking me, and I was aware of the sacrifices I was making - sure they were worth the effort. But, you will begin to learn that people will walk in and out of your life - perhaps timing is everything. It is events such as these, meetings such as these, in which you step back and evaluate your life from an outside perspective… a perspective that can perhaps redefine the way you see the world. It is a process of growing and learning, a continues cycle of discovery, understanding who you are and what you want. Ultimately, I have discovered that the predefined plan was not what I desired. There is so much that the world has to offer, and so much I have to offer the world. If you have heard the saying, ‘the world is your oyster’, you will hear it again as you prepare to graduate… and it will never sound as true as the day you walk into the hall on graduation day.

So, I am on the two month count down. I have so very much to do… and so very little time. Once again, I stress, as I have many times before: Be Proactive! A few medial tasks I am currently working on (which I don’t truly have the time to… but need to) are:
* Resume
* Resume Reel
* Letters of Recommendation
* Thesis/creative project
* Homework
* Preparing for the new year (where am I going to live after December… which state?)
* What am I going to do with all my stuff?!
* Have I registered for Graduation? Have you?
* Are my accounts in order?
* Is my international status in order? Shall I start applying for my OPT (Optional Practical Training)?

These are just a handful of the many concerns and tasks consuming my life… and I haven’t even mentioned my Marketing Dept. work…

I have been making progress however! Today I shot the intro to my first segment of my thesis (see photo below… a behind the scenes shot). And I also met with Dr. Robert Watson, who has been a tremendous mentor advising me on my resume and cover letter. Another thing I recommend is finding a mentor on campus. It doesn’t have to be someone that is assigned to you. Find a professor, faculty, or staff member whom you relate to. They may be the best help you have ever had, and they can share their successes and failures with you. As my dad always says, ‘A fool is one who learns from his own mistakes; a wise man is the one who learns from the mistakes of others’. So, be wise, be proactive, and be true to yourself.