So, one thing I don’t understand about the job market is that every position I see (even if it is an assistantship position) requires work experience… but please explain to me, how am I supposed to get more work experience if everything requires work experience?

Goodness Gracious! This truly frustrates me. I am going to write a book on job searching! I may make millions… create a job in the process - but then again, we’re in a recession: no one has money to spend on a silly book. But the book could be considered a worthy expense if it advises those unemployed individuals on which resources to pursue. But I would need money to start it off and time to dedicate- of which I have neither. As I’ve said before, job-searching is a full time job!

Remind me again why I traded Florida’s paradise weather for numb toes and over-clothed claustrophobia? I really don’t remember anyone warning me it would be this cold. I think I may be adjusting though - my cheeks are not as puce and I am beginning to regain sensation in my ears and nose (thank goodness! I feared terminal damage had been inflicted upon my precious extremities!). With the correct implementation of thick coats, mittens, scarfs (several of), and a colorful array of vests and leggings, I have successfully fought off the terrorizing, spine-chilling bite of Winter (that excludes my slip on the ice this afternoon when walking to my car).

My colleagues at Lynn will be glad to know I will not be homeless on the streets of D.C. (adding to another of the cities problems). I have a humble abode! Or should I say I am doing it ‘recent grad’ style: I am renting a shared rowhouse in Eastern Market. A beautiful little place less than two blocks from the metro.

Housing - (Tick)
Job - TBD

One down, one to go! As we all know, the current economic crisis does not allow for the most opportune time in job searching history. I have sent out a trillion resumes and I have made up my mind that I am not going to wait around all day (doing nothing) for an employer to get back to me. Additionally, consecutive events have hindered the success of my search (or should I say find): Christmas, New Years, Obama’s inauguration, and now snow. Rather than spending my days counting snowflakes I will offer what I may to a company or institute that I would like to work for - an internship of sorts. Doing this will not only allow me to learn the ropes and inner workings, but also provide me with valuable experience. Everyone has been telling me that you really just need your foot in the door - hopefully I can get both in!

So, the great thing about moving is you get a chance to downsize! Yes, I, Ashlea Evans, own a queen bed, a few boxes (mainly holding books and artwork), and a bicycle. Oh, the joys of being young! It is rather ironic though, because in this last stage of youth and ‘fancy free’, I enter the real world…

For the past few weeks I have been scouring craigslist in search of short term rentals in DC, until I have established where exactly I will be working. Of course I have chosen the best time to look for a job: when the entire world is experiencing an economic meltdown, Americans are being laid off left, right, and center… and the whole of DC is preparing for the inauguration, thus job applications are the furthest thing from their mind. It is all very disconcerting, but I just keep on telling myself that there is not much more I can be doing. I search for jobs everyday, I have roughly 80-100 resumes circulating, I have a professional website, and I am showcased on various job boards/ talent boards. It is all rather frustrating, as it is completely out of my control!

I am so motivated to start my career. I am extremely passionate about what I have studied, and I just want to put in the hours and the effort, in order to achieve all my aspirations. I just need a foot in the door to prove myself, to show them that I am capable, that I am dedicated, and that I am an asset.

At least I have the support of so many wonderful people. Jason Hughes, a fellow blogger and my previous supervisor has been a superstar in helping me find my way in the big world. I don’t think there are many individuals who can say that their previous boss has an RSS feed for career opportunities suited to that individual! I get regular emails from Jason with links to positions he thinks I should apply for. It’s really great because very often a suitable job slips under the radar… and it’s also comforting to know that someone believes in you. So, thank you, Jason!

The whole moving thing has been tough, as I truly just want to get settled and find my feet. I can’t commit to a permanent living arrangement until I have a job, and I can’t get a job until I commit to a living arrangement closer to the city…

Luckily, I am currently taking a much needed vacation. I feel guilty about 80% of the time. However, I am trying to enjoy this time, as I know in a few months time I won’t have the opportunity to sit back and relax.

Tomorrow morning is my Proposal Defense for my creative project/ thesis. Thirty pages, hours of hard work, several interviews, and a 15 minute webisode later and I’m ready to defend! I have prepared a powerpoint presentation and I plan to show my first or three webisode chapters at the defense. I have three committee members: Dr. Valeria Fabj, Dr. Anna Krift, and Mr. John Bennardo. As a student you get to select who you want on your committee. I chose Dr. Fabj as I think she is a great communications professional. She has written a series of academic papers, in fact, one of the theories she proposed, I am using in my thesis. Dr. Krift is not a Communication professor, but rather International Relations. I thought this would most certainly be applicable to my thesis. John Bennardo has his own production company, and thus his skills and expertise in the field can only serve to better my webisodes. So, all in all, I have a fantastic, well rounded committee from all areas of my thesis.

This quote from my thesis proposal will give a rough idea of what my project is all about:

ICT, effective media practices and responsible news coverage on pressing international issues and their background will enhance international awareness and encourage the World’s Youths to participate and lead in an effort toward global progress, systemic change, and ultimately a sustainable planet.
In order for this to occur, news coverage needs to provide Youths with the background and context needed to understand complex international and national issues, as well as how these issues correlate to one another, and where they as citizens fit into the larger scheme.

Well, yesterday I spent the day completing another Day in the life of…. I really am enjoying these projects, it is rather interesting spending my day in the life of another student. The next audio slideshow is of an athlete, in fact I am busy putting the piece together right now - going through audio, and ensuring I have everything I need. Carolina, our student photographer came around with Kyle (the student) and I yesterday, taking snapshots of his day to day activities, whilst I recorded audio. I think videos, like these, are really useful for students considering Lynn University as a college they may be interested in. How better can one get the feel of what college life at Lynn is like other than getting to see exactly what current student’s lives are like. I really like how personalized each segment is, and how authentic they are. It’s just so real - I wish that when I was choosing colleges I had something like this to look at.

Keep checking back for the completed version of The day in the life of a Lynn Athlete.

Remember that top secret project I was telling you about a few weeks back? The one I had been working on for the State of the University Address? Well, here it is!

Yesterday was the last day of my two grad classes for Spring I: Methods for Communication Research and Topics in Mass Communication (the study of the communication of social movements). I have to admit that at first I was a little anxious as to whether or not I was going to enjoy studying the science of communication (as I’m more of a ‘hands on’ learner), however now I can firmly say that I absolutely love it. I love the fact that the first few classes are spent studying theories and reading research papers, and then the rest of the classes are spent applying the theory. We can choose to apply the theory to any aspect, for example, in my Social Movements class, I applied the theory of the rejuvenation of the public sphere to the Green Movement. It was actually quite interesting because the theory I chose was actually the theory that my professor of the class, Dr. Fabj had devised in a published research paper! And the other theory I applied was Thomas Goodnight’s theory of the three spheres (and Thomas Goodnight was Dr. Fabj’s professor in college!).

Dr. Fabj follows a tradition that Thomas Goodnight used to follow in his classes. On the last day of class, he would have all the students over to his house. All the students would bring a different meal or food, they would sit around the fire, and give a casual oral presentation of their research paper. So, yesterday was the last day of class, and all 13 of us went to Dr. Fabj’s home. Laura and I made kebabs, which we barbecued. Other students made things like German potato salad, caramel fruit dips, pasta, cakes, and even an exotic array of pastries! It was so interesting to hear which theories the students applied, and also to learn something about different movements, such as how they started etc. The evening, although very long, was an absolute success! I really really enjoyed myself. We started by sitting around the fire pit outside… but after about 20 minutes, hypothermia began to set in and we moved indoors. It was such a wonderful way to end the class, and I truly hope Dr. Fabj does that in all her Grad classes… I can’t wait till the next one!

Well, I’ve been working on a new facebook page for Lynn University. I have added several videos, including the video for the fashion show, two of the Dively Frontiers Videos, and various others have been added too. The idea is for facebook members to become ‘fans’ of Lynn University. So, if you’re on facebook, search for Lynn University. When the search results appear you should see the ‘page’ called ‘Lynn University’. Click on it and become a fan!

This is the link:
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