Finding a career is a difficult task. In today’s society, landing a job is easier if you know people that will be able to put in a good word for you at the business or company you are applying at. These people, however, are not always easy to find. That is why one needs to meet as many professionals as possible and maybe even get internships with some professors doing research in their field of interest in order to have a recommendation from a professional. The task of finding these individuals is an everyday task starting from the day one considers a career.
As I entered my freshman year of college, I thought that I had plenty of time to meet a professor or individual that would be able to recommend me to a company. This, however, I learned early on is an incorrect assumption. So, I began considering what my interests and values really are. As I considered this, I decided that I would like to do something in the medical field, whether this is in a lab using chemical engineering or attending grad school in order to become a doctor.
Next, I needed to consider what professionals were in this field that I knew and where or who could I go or meet that would be able to help me along on my career path. Initially, I considered my family doctor who I have interviewed before for another paper. After this, I began to construct a path for myself in order to get out in my field more and see what there really was being offered. Knowing this information, I decided to sign up for a research program through the ISU honors program. I am still waiting to see what professor I have been assigned to, but it is my hope that I will get to work with Dr. Nelson in physical therapy. This would give me an idea of how a job as a doctor may work or at least give me an idea of working with people. Also knowing a professor as his assistant would hopefully give me a professional who would be able to give me a good review for a company.
In order to get a career in today’s world, sometimes it’s more important who you know rather than what you know. In order to find these people, it is important to get started in your fields of interest as early as possible. This will allow you to meet people that someday may be able to help you land your own dream job. Also, before any of this, you need to look inside and decide what you really love to do and value in life so you can choose the career path for yourself.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
AIChE Club
Being part of a community is an experience everyone has from the moment they are born. As they grow and develop, that person will become a more important piece of that community, and help its development, hopefully. A good way to grow in experience and in community is to join a group or organization that will help propel you to places you want to go.
Upon joining Iowa State University, I was unaware of the total number and diversity of college clubs this university had to offer me. On attending club fest, and attending a separate meeting later that night, I decided to become part of the AIChE. This organization is centered around Chemical Engineers and bringing many of them together in one central group in order to get things done, such as national competitions and to spread information on business looking to hire chemical engineers or providing internships.
As I considered what group was for me, I decided that AIChE was my best option because not only will it be a great experience, but it will further me in my major of chemical engineering. As a member of this organization, I can view presentations from companies that I may be interested in working for when I graduate. I am also able to participate in many team situations in my field, proving to future employers that I will be able to work in team situations.
Finally, AIChE provides many opportunities for leadership skills. In the club itself, there are opportunities to become a president or a class representative in the organization. Outside of the basic cabinet positions, committees are created to put together events, such as the national conference or teams that will be competing in a number of different competitions. The opportunities are limitless.
Being a contributing member to society is important in order for the furthering of society and individuals. Clubs are a great way to get involved in society and community. Not only are you involved but you have a bigger voice in the world and valuable skills are learned that will propel you farther in any direction that you wish to go.
Upon joining Iowa State University, I was unaware of the total number and diversity of college clubs this university had to offer me. On attending club fest, and attending a separate meeting later that night, I decided to become part of the AIChE. This organization is centered around Chemical Engineers and bringing many of them together in one central group in order to get things done, such as national competitions and to spread information on business looking to hire chemical engineers or providing internships.
As I considered what group was for me, I decided that AIChE was my best option because not only will it be a great experience, but it will further me in my major of chemical engineering. As a member of this organization, I can view presentations from companies that I may be interested in working for when I graduate. I am also able to participate in many team situations in my field, proving to future employers that I will be able to work in team situations.
Finally, AIChE provides many opportunities for leadership skills. In the club itself, there are opportunities to become a president or a class representative in the organization. Outside of the basic cabinet positions, committees are created to put together events, such as the national conference or teams that will be competing in a number of different competitions. The opportunities are limitless.
Being a contributing member to society is important in order for the furthering of society and individuals. Clubs are a great way to get involved in society and community. Not only are you involved but you have a bigger voice in the world and valuable skills are learned that will propel you farther in any direction that you wish to go.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
At Your Best
Life has highs and lows. Everyone experiences rough spots as well as moments where they feel on top of the world. Where nothing can go wrong or bring them down. These moments of achievement always remain within that individual’s memory and life. It’s in life’s high and low moments where a person is truly defined and the world can see their true colors. In optimism, I would like to share one of my experiences where I was the very best that I could be.
Throughout high school, I was among the top five percent in grade point average in my class. This was a great accomplishment in itself, however, due to the encouragement of others and teachers, my senior year I decided to take advantage of some college level classes in order to get a jump start on college. This involved taking early morning classes, as well as some classes during the day. So to start my first semester, I enrolled in Calculus one and Composition and Speech one. Both of these classes would prove to be a challenge, but a challenge that I was willing to openly accept in order to take a step in the direction of my future.
As the school year progressed, I slowly began developing my study habits and time management skills in order to balance my work and play so I could be as efficient as possible. I spent many nights studying to late hours studying and trying to finish homework for class the next day, and thanks to the help of some classmates and my calc-aid teacher I was able to make it through my first semester with A’s. The second semester would prove to be a greater challenge when many students I took those classes with were dropping out and taking different classes. Now, I was more independent in my studying, with one other student. Together we worked through Calculus and finished top of the class, one and two.
After this experience, I graduated as a valedictorian of the first West Fork class; however, I had gained more than simply good grades. Through the year, I learned more about myself as an individual and what is truly important to me. I managed to balance time with my friends and work and was able to learn how to manage my time in order to accomplish everything that I had wanted to accomplish. These skills would prove a valuable asset as I would choose and attend ISU in the coming year.
High School holds many good memories, and many great times, but at the same time my hard work in high school is beginning to pay off in my college years. Looking back, I am glad that I pursued the college level courses my high school offered and had an experience of a lifetime. Life has its highs and lows and hundreds of choices. The answers to these choices and how you handle your moments of grandeur and failure defines you. Make sure that you make the most of every opportunity you have.
Throughout high school, I was among the top five percent in grade point average in my class. This was a great accomplishment in itself, however, due to the encouragement of others and teachers, my senior year I decided to take advantage of some college level classes in order to get a jump start on college. This involved taking early morning classes, as well as some classes during the day. So to start my first semester, I enrolled in Calculus one and Composition and Speech one. Both of these classes would prove to be a challenge, but a challenge that I was willing to openly accept in order to take a step in the direction of my future.
As the school year progressed, I slowly began developing my study habits and time management skills in order to balance my work and play so I could be as efficient as possible. I spent many nights studying to late hours studying and trying to finish homework for class the next day, and thanks to the help of some classmates and my calc-aid teacher I was able to make it through my first semester with A’s. The second semester would prove to be a greater challenge when many students I took those classes with were dropping out and taking different classes. Now, I was more independent in my studying, with one other student. Together we worked through Calculus and finished top of the class, one and two.
After this experience, I graduated as a valedictorian of the first West Fork class; however, I had gained more than simply good grades. Through the year, I learned more about myself as an individual and what is truly important to me. I managed to balance time with my friends and work and was able to learn how to manage my time in order to accomplish everything that I had wanted to accomplish. These skills would prove a valuable asset as I would choose and attend ISU in the coming year.
High School holds many good memories, and many great times, but at the same time my hard work in high school is beginning to pay off in my college years. Looking back, I am glad that I pursued the college level courses my high school offered and had an experience of a lifetime. Life has its highs and lows and hundreds of choices. The answers to these choices and how you handle your moments of grandeur and failure defines you. Make sure that you make the most of every opportunity you have.
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