So I Syracuse on April 11th to go to Minneapolis for a job interview (which I subsequently did not get), and when I left I said "Oh I’ll be back in 2 weeks." Ya. When I arrived in Rochester I called a friend from Concordia Language Village and asked if they needed German counselors, and was emphatically told that they did. So I started working there the very next weekend and worked 2-3 weekend programs in both April and May. I made some good money, better friends, and really enjoyed myself. I found out too late that one of my references never clicked the submit button for my application to work there during the summer, which is just as much my fault as her’s. Had I realized sooner I could check on the status of my application and see that she had not submitted all the needed materials, I could have taken care of it earlier.
In April I visited a job fair at the U of MN, where I spoke with people from various companies including Americorps, MDA, and others. On top of that I’ve found lots of jobs through the MN non-profit council job board and Craigslist, and many of them have not replied to me at all, and the ones that have mostly said they moved forward with other candidates. Some were even nice enough to say that they were impressed with my qualifications but had chosen someone else anyway. I’ve moved forward farthest with AmeriCorp so far, which is great but would mean my expenses will be very tight on a budget of $900 per month. It was suggested to me I could get a 2nd job, or even ask my parents to support me, neither of which sound that attractive. I will be able to apply for foodstamps though, which is the best part about the program and would clear up some money issues. With most of my loans being deferred my payments will be much lower. I have an interview with a school on Friday, so we’ll see how that goes.
Today I had a phone interview with a MN based business school as an admissions representative for high school students, and as this is a field that I really want to get into, I am hopeful that I will get the position. The school I mentioned above called me during that interview as well asking to schedule an interview, as they are doing interviews all next week but I am unavailable then.
Why am I unavailable then? Oh, that’s because I’m working at the Muscular Dystrophy Summer camp from June 5-11. I can’t wait for it to start and am really looking forward to it. My dad was taken aback that I was doing it because it’s all volunteer and unpaid, but I told him I am doing it for reasons. One is in honor of Cory, and the second is to do some networking and impress some people enough to hopefully get a foot in the door with the MDA, doing work to help others just like Cory.
Speaking of my dad… I’ve had constant pressure from him to find a job, regardless of whether or not it is something I can start a career in. He wanted me to work at a gas station earlier this summer, then a bbq restaurant, Whirlpool Refrigeration in Cedar Rapids (which I did apply for as summer work, I may have a chance since my family has worked there), a concession stand at the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball field, and Nordstrom. If they have careers, why can’t I have one? Oh, that would be because money is money. Doesn’t matter that it won’t help me move ahead professionally in whatever field I choose to enter after, it’s money.
I’ve even considered returning to Korea. I got an email from an English language village I emailed in February, and was told their computer system had some problems which is why it took 3 months to get back to me. I sent them my resume and explained that 2 mothers in my life are worried about the current political situation and asked them the likelihood of the shit hitting the fan, so to speak. I have yet to hear back from this village, but I may get in touch with a friend in Seoul who knows a great recruiter if I don’t find something within the next few months.
Sorry I haven’t updated in a while everyone. Time for a nap more, then I’ll write more about spending time with my family in Iowa.
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