Name: Megan McCormack
Class Year: 2017 College Degree: BA in Communication, specializing in Journalism with minors in English literature and global studies Current Location: Wellington, New Zealand What was your first job out of college, and what is your current job (if they’re different)? I wasn’t interested in settling down into a 9-5 job routine right after college, and I’m not entirely sure what career I even want, so I decided to do a bit of work while traveling. I spent the summer in Iowa working for Easter Seals at a camp that provides services and activities for kids and adults with disabilities, and after that I moved across the world to New Zealand where I’m an au pair and swim instructor (to be). What do you miss most about Marist? When I graduated, I felt ready to move on from Marist, and I still feel at peace with leaving my Marist days behind me, but it wasn’t until alumni weekend when it really hit me what I miss the most: my friends! I miss giggling with them, wandering with them, grabbing random meals with them, and pretending to workout with them. Treasure your college friends and how close you all live to each other for 9 glorious months every year, because life after college isn’t so friend-friendly, for lack of a better word. Side note but, I also miss being so busy I barely had time to sleep. Yeah, I miss that. Weird. Tell us a little about your current job and how Marist prepared you for it. Since my jobs are a bit random, temporary, and don’t require a college degree, Marist prepared me for them in unusual ways. Marist gave me the tools I needed to study abroad, and let me go to a different school after I went through the petition process, and that has since made all the difference. By getting my feet wet with a semester in Ireland, I gained invaluable experience living on my own and traveling through foreign countries alone or with another friend, just as clueless as me. After my semester at Trinity, I knew I had to live abroad again. By fostering an environment where study abroad is made simple and encouraged, both during and after our undergraduate years, Marist sent me on my path before I even realized what was happening. What is your favorite part of your job now? Well, I get to work with kids which, for me, has always been a big plus. But I also get free time to explore the new country I’m living in, and meet people from all around the world doing the same crazy thing. What’s the best part about life after college? The worst? The best part would probably be all the free time, what with no homework and nights to myself now. The worst part would also probably be too much free time, because now I don’t know what to do with myself! And unless you’ve moved in with friends, you’re probably not living the glorious lifestyle with things to do 24/7 because your friends in all likelihood are spread throughout different cities. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about post-grad life? What’s something surprising? Something surprising for me is probably how much I miss school and the actual structure and routine of it all. I miss going to class and learning, nerdy I know, but it’s true. I go to the library on a regular basis now and just keep reading random books because I don’t know what to do with myself -- I need to keep reading! School was always something I strived to be good at, and I achieved a lot, but once September came around and I realized I wasn’t in school anymore, there was kinda this whole feeling of, “now what?” Like yes, now I’m traveling and exploring and trying to find out more about myself, but after that… I don’t know. I feel like I’ll go back to school because I’m just not ready to call it quits on my learning career yet. It’s that age old thing… you wait your whole life to *someday* never have to step foot in a school again, or write another paper, and then suddenly… it’s over and done and you want it back. It’s like my head is screaming, “Teach me, world! Teach me! That couldn’t possibly be all I’ve got to learn. Real life is a sham and I want my textbooks back.” But then at the same time I’m so happy to not have papers hanging over my head when I want to go for a hike or take a weekend trip away to Hobbiton, so, no complaints over here. The future will work itself out, but now is my time to focus on my own development and growth, outside of academia. Do you have anything you’d like to tell current seniors as they prepare to graduate? Don’t be afraid to pave your own path. I think this is so important. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. Don’t force something just because it’s what everyone else is doing, or it’s what you think you should be doing. Don’t be afraid to admit that maybe you don’t want to pursue a career in your major, not just yet or maybe never. It’s okay to still feel confused, most of your life will probably be this way (or so I’m beginning to learn). If you want to do something different, make it happen. Don’t sit around waiting for your dreams to come to you, because they won’t. The magic only happens after you put in time and work to get there. What’s your dream job? Hmmm… I’m still trying to figure this out. As a kid, my answer was always that I was going to be an author when I grew up. And while I haven’t published any books, I have published articles all over the Internet, and I feel confident that writing is something I can and will be doing for the rest of my life, but I’m not sure it’s the dream anymore. I want to help people, and I want to make the world a better place in my own little way, so I guess that’s the dream: to find out how I can contribute to our lovely but misunderstood little planet and the contradictory and beautiful humans that inhabit it. I just want to leave smiles wherever life takes me.
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Wow, this semester is flying by: Labor Day was one minute ago, and now we're counting down the seconds until Halloween. Like September, October offers exciting opportunities, and Career Services has a big one quickly approaching. Our annual Fall Career and Internship Fair is this Thursday, October 5th from 3:30-6 PM in the McCann Gray Gym, where you can network with IBM, Haddad Brands, Adidas, and everything in between. But before you head over, you must prepare so you can arrive with confidence. Fear not though, we have tips to help you rise to the occasion:
1. Bring enough copies of your resume We have over 30 companies represented at our event, so be sure to print enough resumes for each employer you prioritize and plan to see. 2. Do your research Make sure you know the ins and outs of companies with which you desire to network. Come prepared with a baseline knowledge, so you can have a professional discussion that flows easily and is not awkward. You'll appear impressive, passionate, and knowledgeable. 3. Have some discussion topics in your back pocket This may range from your interests, to your most relevant internship and career experiences. Your discussion topics will help you stand out. 4. Dress code=Business Professional To make a great first impression, convey your passion, dedication, and professionalism with a well-polished outfit. Do NOT dress casually. 5. Give yourself enough time Come as early as you can so you get the most out of the career fair. You'll feel less anxious, and you'll have more time to survey and observe the layout. From there, you'll be able to plan your approach effectively. 6. Prepare a career pitch and rehearse beforehand Be ready and eager with a greeting and a firm handshake. In addition, be ready to discuss your academic, extracurricular, and professional experiences and accomplishments. This is an excellent way to show your skills, your strengths, and your personality. If you have trouble in this area, practice a couple nights before. 7. Take Notes and Ask Questions Paper and pens are your best friends. To fully understand the company and upcoming opportunities, you must write down the crucial details. You'll be able to use this information later on, and remember key parts of your discussion. 8. Ask a representative for his/her card From there, you'll be able to promptly write a thank-you note and create a direct contact to the organization. In addition, a thank-you shows your gratitude and your interest. Take the next step and connect with that representative on LinkedIn! 9. Breathe and Relax! It's totally normal to feel jitters and nerves, but try to remain as calm, cool, and collected as possible. This is an exciting time for you to grow and explore your career. The companies there want to help you, and they want you to succeed. If you come prepared, you'll be able to show your positive attitude and your confidence. It's your responsibility to do you what you need to do to get there. |
AuthorInformation on the latest professional development trends and advice, plugs for Marist College Center for Career Services events and initiatives, and stories from your Marist peers. Content is produced by Marist students for Marist students. Categories |