Weeks had passed since I was back home. Jobless, trying to readapt, reconnect, and catching up with friends and family.
The plan -for multiple reasons- was for me to start working in January '13. A big risk, as I lacked of work experience.
However, the jobless time wasn't the greatest and the readaptation/reconnecting process was harder than expected; to the point that I was feeling out of place and stuck. I was the stranger!
I tried to stick to the original plan, but I just couldn't. So, I started to seriously apply for jobs in October -3 months after my return-. This was going to be my first time job hunting in my fields of expertise.
...And well, one think and as a matter of fact, people, professors, relatives, magazines, articles, etc; tell you, that your chances of landing a good job increases when besides, your excellent performance, you speak a second and possibly a 3rd language, have international experience, a master degree -better if it is from a well known University.
I thought I had it all.
Was I wrong? The question remains unanswered. All I know is, I wasn't getting a single answer to my applications, not even a single interview.
I soon realized how hard this was going to be. I swear I'd check for jobs opportunities multiple times a day. Not just online, but on every possible place.
It was all frustrating, and depressing at times.
I had fallen into a boring routine, I started to avoid social encounters with friends/relatives; because I couldn't help it but feel like a total loser and unsuccessful. Most of my friends and former undergrad classmates were working, married, with kids. In other words: "Professionally and personally realized". I, on the other side, was back to Mama's hotel after being independent for over 4 years, jobless, with empty pockets/hands and with a boyfriend across the atlantic, 8929 Km away from me.
Almost six months passed by with no work in sight.
January finally arrived and I was determined to get a damn job, no matter what. This time, with some more flexibility - field, salary and location wise-. I was dying to get some work experience in any of my fields, I've had been for so long. Plus, I needed the money.
To not make this longer than it already is, I want to say that on January 17th, I went for a job interview(s) and Psycho technical tests at my former undergrad University.
Next day I was told they selected me and on January 21st I started to work.
It's been 4 weeks working as a chair professor. I am teaching "Architecture project I"; so yes, I work with first semester students.
That said, I have had to go back and dust off my notebooks, books and go into new ones to refresh my knowledge. Hey, I took that subject 10 years ago! Besides that, I specialized in a completely different field. All in all, a bit challenging but fun.
The funny thing is: I never thought I was going to end up teaching!
But hey: I'm back to smiling, socializing, able to save for future plans, getting some work experience, learning and exploring different fields.
I might not be making lots of money, but I'm happy and that,at the end, is what really matters.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
When facing the professional world
Collapse
X
Collapse
I find it peculiar that internships aren't enough for you though. Doing internships gets you any graduate job in Australia.
Not by my performance, but because of how little they both contributed to my professional enrichment and the minimal opportunities to practice what really learned.