Two Days

Dang I have been writing a long time now. Graduation is creeping up on me. My parents keep calling me asking me about my interviews, my girlfriend keeps calling me telling me she’s proud of me, and my friends keep asking what I’m doing after school. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here just refreshing my email waiting for responses from my interviews. It’s so hard to match your passions with a need in the community and an open position that you could be qualified for. I have been looking for a job since January, and honestly its been the hardest process I’ve ever been through. I’ve networked a million times and hear every time “Yeah you’re cool, keep in touch, when something comes up I’ll let you know.” I’ve had enough creative people tell me, “If you want something you have to create your own path.” I’ve had enough other people tell me, “Just find something. Doesn’t matter what, just don’t graduate without a job.” Well here I am, a couple days away from graduation without a job. I feel hopeless but excited. What will be in store for me? I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that everything works out in the end, and yet here I am unemployed still. What do I want to do? I just want to share stories about communities that usually don’t get a voice. But how do you express that when everyone wants to know what Excel functions you know, or who do you know that already works in the field you are working in. I am not a smart guy. Maybe that’s it. What I am though, is passionate. I know that I am passionate about sharing people stories, using my privilege to give people a voice to share their life with others. And yet when I find myself in an interview I hear the same questions: “What do you know about us?” or “What do you know about accounting?” or my favorite, “What skills can you bring to the table?”

I keep telling myself that all I need is one chance. One real chance to explain my heart for what I want to pursue. To move past the small talk, the questions, and resumes, and just be able to open up to someone about who I am as a person and what I care about. Now don’t get me wrong, I think resumes and interviews are a very important part to a job search. I just find it hard to encapsulate everything I want and feel in a resume. There is no section for feelings or passions, just accomplishments and skills. I want to be able to sit down with someone who has a similar desire and passion as me and ask to learn from them. I want to be in a place that sees me for all that I am. Just like you guys, to hear about my funny stories, my past, and my feelings. I know that I will find something, and when I get the chance that I’ve been looking for I won’t disappoint. There’s no point in droning on about what ifs, but I think this post really shows how my feelings have been such a roller coaster. As the son of immigrant parents, as a graduate from UVa, and as a person surround with successful people I am constantly bombarded with different expectations and advice. I know myself, and know that when the day comes when I find something that I am actually passionate about, I will not hesitate to open my heart and shoot for the stars.

Mic Drop,

Andrew