Updates on the Post-Grad Options

A few weeks ago I wrote this post about some of the different options I'm pursuing for post-graduation life.  After a few changes in status, I figured I'd write a little update.  Although I would be so incredibly excited to receive official offers from any of my current options, choosing just one is going to be really tough!

Eight months after I began my application, I received a nomination for Peace Corps service departing in June 2013.  Translation: after learning all about my life, health, and aspirations, my recruiter still likes me enough to recommend that I receive an official offer.  Now I'm knee deep in legal and medical documents (I thought I had already told them everything there was to know....) and will eventually speak to a placement officer and *hopefully* be awarded a two-year volunteer job abroad.  

As for my hopeless longing to return to Spain, today I interviewed (via skype) to be a classroom language and culture assistant in Spanish Catholic schools.  The interview was only about ten minutes, which seems to be the norm, and went really smoothly.  My interviewer talked to me about my experience with kids and about the position specifics- how many hours were available, locations, pay, etc.  I'll be receiving the magic email with a "YES" or "No...." on March 16.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!  

But what about jobs in the good ole US of A?  Keeping in mind my insatiable wanderlust, I only applied to my two dream companies, which are quite a reach.  Even though I feel like I have a competitive résumé, with no connections to either organization I was afraid I would receive the standard form rejection.  But oh, contraire!  I'm being "further considered" for the position I applied for, and will need to turn in writing samples later this week to see if I make it to the next round.  Yippee!    

My mind has turned into a constant battleground in support/challenge of the options available at this point.  If only the decision were easy....

T-120 Days and Counting

Graduation.  It's in 120 days and for as much as I've prepared through internships, tough classes, and extra-curricular experience, I feel nowhere near ready.  Knowing that I'm definitely not the only one a little nervous about the looming May date is a little comforting, but it's still rough.

Although I definitely have my Type B tendencies, my long term career/life plans had always been very, very Type A.  First I would do X, which would lead me to Y, and then I would end up at Z.  Very simple.  Very scripted. Very... boring.  

As I'm finally approaching graduation, the kick-starter that you simply can't stop, I feel like I'm nearing a fork in the road with about a million different options.  For the first time in quite a few years, I'm honestly not sure which way I'm going to choose come May 11... 

Career Thoughts: American Eagle

Thanks to an amazing professor with equally amazing connections, I had the opportunity to visit the American Eagle headquarters in Pittsburgh this past week.  Although I spent nearly all of high school and college dreaming of working in fashion marketing, I thought that dream had died. 

Boy, was I wrong.  

Our tour and accompanying meetings were set up to compliment a class my school offers on retail marketing, which I was not able to take due to scheduling conflicts.  Since my professor (and just about anyone who knows me well) knew about my passion for the apparel and accessories industry, she invited me to come along.  

To kick off the afternoon, we toured "fake" AEO and Aerie stores within the corporate offices.  Though non-functional for customers, these stores give the visual merchandisers a place to design displays for stores across the country.  Next, we were led to a classroom type set-up where we had the incredible experience of hearing from brand marketers, fashion buyers, allocation planners, and HR personnel.   

The thing that stood out to me most during our visit was the passion and happiness that exuded from every single person we met.  Everyone was genuinely excited to work for American Eagle, which is what seemed to be one of the major factors for company success.  The feelings were contagious, and I've spent the past few days re-vamping my resumé and searching for open opportunities.  

Though it's obviously early on, it seems like this could be the perfect fit company I've been looking for. Now here's crossing fingers that the feeling will be mutual!