The opportunity to take a legitimate “lunch break” seemed like only wishful thinking to me at the time I posted my last blog. The swiftness with which I was hired by The Pima Prevention Partnership (PPP) was almost unbelievable. Struggling to cram in the extra research during their highly abbreviated interview process paid off almost immediately; and on a related note, I am currently feeling much less cynical about my education.
Part of what was so amazing about completing my master’s degree at BU was that – just as much as skills and knowledge – my program was designed to instill confidence. My professors used multiple and purposeful strategies to do just that, and they were very effective. Undoubtedly, confidence is an invaluable dimension of any individual’s professional character, but especially when that person is working within an industry where revenue is generated not from the users of the products and services that he provides, but instead, where it is generated by an outside donor or grant maker. Confidence is key when one must convince those who hold the power and resources that he – and he alone – is the best investment of their time and money, and furthermore, when in most cases there is no expected monetary return on that investment. I had been made to believe wholeheartedly that my personal abilities were more than sufficient to enter into this field, so when my job hunt extended well beyond the six-month mark, I began to wonder whether my high sense of self-esteem had simply been inflated artificially.
If I had remained confident about anything, I at least knew that I had built an extensive skillset during my two years at BU, but on the other hand, I began to seriously doubt its marketability. As a result, I started to apply for jobs in public education (which I would have no doubt loved), but as far as the classroom goes, what had I gained during graduate school was only icing on the cake. In all reality, I could have been applying for jobs as a high school math teacher directly out of undergrad… four years ago.
That situation did not get me down in-and-of-itself because I do love the classroom environment, but I was beginning to wonder how, if ever, my four years of intense experience since graduating from undergrad were going to be utilized in an optimal and meaningful way for me.
As it turns out, my skillset has turned out to be marketable in the field of program analysis and evaluation. However, because of the route I have taken to get me to this point, my technical expertise within this industry is sub-par for mid-level professionals. And consequently, PPP has brought me on knowing that I am an investment. They are working to build my field-specific skills and embracing the general problem-solving strategies that I have learned over the years. It is a great fit, and I am looking forward to the coming months of being in their employ. But, with the amount I have to learn, unfortunately, most upcoming lunch breaks will likely be pretty short!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Serial Youtubing
Web design software, IBM’s SPSS statistical package, fundraising techniques, Algebra II accelerated, iSee System’s computer modeling software, education administration, anthropological research, finance policy analysis.
What do all these things have in common?
{begin drum roll}
Nothing.
{discontinue drum roll}
The only common denominator, whatsoever, is that each of the above skills is something that I would have to conceivably master (or brush up on) in order to be competitive for the jobs for which I am applying.
I first heard the term “serial mastery” in a recent special edition of The Economist, which focused on joblessness. The days of majoring in journalism, for example, and becoming a journalist are over – and I know that I am not the first to say this. But because of my recent entry into the job market, I have been realizing explicitly – and painfully – how true this is. One’s marketability has virtually nothing to do with the knowledge and experience he or she has already gained; it has everything to do with that person’s ability to continue learning. However, I am not talking a candidate's ability to adapt; that is just an obvious characteristic any serious employer would be looking for. I am talking about mastering something in a matter of weeks, or days.
It seems that no matter what job I want to get, I have about 90% of the desired skill set mentioned in the job posting. Granted, I realize that my situation could be much worse, say, having none of the desired skill set. However, what makes this process so difficult is that the 10% of desired skills that I do not have for any given position is COMPLETELY different for each consecutive job. So, in practice, what this means is having to watch hours of Youtube tutorial videos, solving tons of math problems, researching policy implications of campaign finance reform, or downloading a new computer application between the time of submitting each individual application and (hopefully) being offered an interview.
"Exhausting" is the only word I can use to explain this seemingly endless cycle. The roller coaster ride of getting excited about one job, being let down, and then rekindling excitement about the next can only be described as clinically-recognized, bipolar, mental anguish.
But that aside, learning is what people were made to do. So I say:
Thank you Wikipedia.
Thank you Google.
Thank you digital media.
Thank you Youtube.
F$%& you resume.
F#$% you C.V.
F&#$ you interview.
F#$% you application fee.
What do all these things have in common?
{begin drum roll}
Nothing.
{discontinue drum roll}
The only common denominator, whatsoever, is that each of the above skills is something that I would have to conceivably master (or brush up on) in order to be competitive for the jobs for which I am applying.
I first heard the term “serial mastery” in a recent special edition of The Economist, which focused on joblessness. The days of majoring in journalism, for example, and becoming a journalist are over – and I know that I am not the first to say this. But because of my recent entry into the job market, I have been realizing explicitly – and painfully – how true this is. One’s marketability has virtually nothing to do with the knowledge and experience he or she has already gained; it has everything to do with that person’s ability to continue learning. However, I am not talking a candidate's ability to adapt; that is just an obvious characteristic any serious employer would be looking for. I am talking about mastering something in a matter of weeks, or days.
It seems that no matter what job I want to get, I have about 90% of the desired skill set mentioned in the job posting. Granted, I realize that my situation could be much worse, say, having none of the desired skill set. However, what makes this process so difficult is that the 10% of desired skills that I do not have for any given position is COMPLETELY different for each consecutive job. So, in practice, what this means is having to watch hours of Youtube tutorial videos, solving tons of math problems, researching policy implications of campaign finance reform, or downloading a new computer application between the time of submitting each individual application and (hopefully) being offered an interview.
"Exhausting" is the only word I can use to explain this seemingly endless cycle. The roller coaster ride of getting excited about one job, being let down, and then rekindling excitement about the next can only be described as clinically-recognized, bipolar, mental anguish.
But that aside, learning is what people were made to do. So I say:
Thank you Wikipedia.
Thank you Google.
Thank you digital media.
Thank you Youtube.
F$%& you resume.
F#$% you C.V.
F&#$ you interview.
F#$% you application fee.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Nostalgia Squared
Even to simply consider writing about an experience as it occurs transforms that experience into something much more palpable. I will never forget the excitement of having my world turned upside-down in Indonesia, and then being further overwhelmed by knowing that, immediately, I would be able to share it poetically on a blog with people back home. The anticipation of making my experiences public significantly and invariably heightened my analysis of the situation as it was happening. I have missed that sensation – the compound effects of remembering to remember. There is something remarkable about the sense of being fully in tune with one's surroundings. And in suspense of writing for this blog, I cannot wait for the excuse to strive for more active cognizance once again!
Of course, this feeling may not be so fleeting for everyone reading this post. Beware that the above comment is coming from the guy who had to be reminded again, just today, of the name of the library that he has been using nearly every day for the past month and a half. I will be the first to admit admit that my general state of awareness needs to improve before I send in that application to the CIA.
In any case, as fascinating as it is to discuss the marvel of being nostalgic about being nostalgic, or (to extrapolate) being conscious of being conscious, I must acknowledge that the only thing geekier than blogging is:
meta-blogging.
So with that, my two-part introduction to the world’s newest web log comes to a close!
Of course, this feeling may not be so fleeting for everyone reading this post. Beware that the above comment is coming from the guy who had to be reminded again, just today, of the name of the library that he has been using nearly every day for the past month and a half. I will be the first to admit admit that my general state of awareness needs to improve before I send in that application to the CIA.
In any case, as fascinating as it is to discuss the marvel of being nostalgic about being nostalgic, or (to extrapolate) being conscious of being conscious, I must acknowledge that the only thing geekier than blogging is:
meta-blogging.
So with that, my two-part introduction to the world’s newest web log comes to a close!
Re-entering the Blogosphere
Hello one and all!
More than two years have elapsed since I have written with any sort of regularity. I had tried to form – what I thought to be – the quintessential travel blog. Certainly, only with closed eyes and blocked ears could someone spend two years abroad and have nothing of merit to share with others! And upon my repatriation to the United States back in 2009, I had intended to continue honing my writing skills and to continue keeping my friends and family up to date on all matters Ken.
That, of course, was a flop. Amidst two jobs, a full time master’s program, and readapting to American culture, the blog posts simply fell by the way side. Additionally, I found it cumbersome and tedious to keep up with all the social media phenomena that had exploded beyond belief during only two years of living outside the country.
And so, this blog will hopefully serve as my attempt to re-enter the 21st century. At least twice per week (maybe more), I plan to post a short essay on any particular issue that is currently consuming my thoughts. I will limit myself to 200-300 words per post, as not to quickly bore anyone, and there will be no bounds on the subject matter. All is a matter of interest!
More than two years have elapsed since I have written with any sort of regularity. I had tried to form – what I thought to be – the quintessential travel blog. Certainly, only with closed eyes and blocked ears could someone spend two years abroad and have nothing of merit to share with others! And upon my repatriation to the United States back in 2009, I had intended to continue honing my writing skills and to continue keeping my friends and family up to date on all matters Ken.
That, of course, was a flop. Amidst two jobs, a full time master’s program, and readapting to American culture, the blog posts simply fell by the way side. Additionally, I found it cumbersome and tedious to keep up with all the social media phenomena that had exploded beyond belief during only two years of living outside the country.
And so, this blog will hopefully serve as my attempt to re-enter the 21st century. At least twice per week (maybe more), I plan to post a short essay on any particular issue that is currently consuming my thoughts. I will limit myself to 200-300 words per post, as not to quickly bore anyone, and there will be no bounds on the subject matter. All is a matter of interest!
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