{"id":1904,"date":"2011-11-18T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2011-11-18T15:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.ups.edu\/cesblogs\/?p=1904"},"modified":"2017-08-22T19:45:24","modified_gmt":"2017-08-22T19:45:24","slug":"prepared-for-dinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.pugetsound.edu\/cesblogs\/2011\/11\/18\/prepared-for-dinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepared for Dinner!"},"content":{"rendered":"

CES\u00a0 Peer Advisor Enrique Vargas ’12 shares his perspective on\u00a0heading home for Thanksgiving and facing questions about his future.<\/em><\/p>\n

As pumpkins go from jack-o-lanterns to thanks-giving pies I\u2019m thinking about the trip home this fall, along with all the hassles that come with nearly finishing my degree and not seeing relatives but twice a year. Most people in my shoes dread having to face the barrage of questions every relative and family friend asks\u2014the most intimidating being, \u201cWhat are you doing after graduation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Out of everyone back home, my dad\u2019s always the most eager, and most of the time I tactfully side-step the question. \u201cOh, you know\u2026stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

But not any more! I\u2019m preparing for after school, and even if I don\u2019t have a concrete plan or job offer by Thanksgiving dinner, I\u2019ve at least taken some steps to prepare for life beyond Puget Sound.<\/p>\n

Despite the interrogations, I\u2019m actually my own worst source of pressure about my next move.<\/p>\n

Having left home almost immediately after high-school graduation, the idea of going back to live with my parents is absolutely terrifying. The thought that there are less than six months of school left has been a necessary bucket-of-ice-water realization, and so I decided to start the process.<\/p>\n

In the last few weeks I\u2019ve had the chance to do a mock interview<\/a> through CES with a few alumni, and I\u2019ve found a great direction to start my job search<\/a>. I\u2019ve also spoken with a few employers<\/a>, attended the Career Fair<\/a>, and even applied for a job<\/a>! Now no one can say that I haven\u2019t been proactive.<\/p>\n

Getting the ball rolling has helped eliminate some of the stress.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve started the application processes for a few different programs like the Peace Corps, and the JET Programme, and every time it gets easier. Armed and at the ready, all I can say is, \u201cBring on Turkey Day!\u201d<\/p>\n

Need a few steps you can take before the break to prepare for all the Thanksgiving table talk?<\/p>\n