This post is meant to elaborate on one of the major things that has been bothering me about school lately: my poor work habits and inability to motivate myself to learn. Having finally achieved my goal of making it into this program and being basically set for my career path, I think I've lost the motivation to push myself academically. No matter how close I feel to the edge--whether it's the day before a final exam or I'm on the verge of failing a course--I feel the subconscious tingling of guilt and stress but I can't bring myself to do anything about it. In undergrad, I've had my moments of laziness and procrastination for sure but never to this extent. I'd always pull through for myself within the last few days, and everything would work out. Somehow things are different now.
Maybe I'm truly burnt out from school now...? Or maybe I've finally met my academic limit and I am not capable of handling this kind of workload? Who knows. Whatever it is, I try to keep myself sane by focusing on the bigger picture. I want to become a dentist and to do that, I need to become a competent clinician through plenty of learning, practice, and patience. I honestly don't know what else to do but to keep on it.
Sometimes I even get angry at myself for being so lazy and unmotivated because I know that spots in this program are very competitive, and I can't help but wonder if I'm taking the place of someone more deserving.
On the same note of stress and despair, I feel pretty discouraged about my skills as a prospective dentist. I'm not doing very well with the few drilling or filling exercises that we've covered so far. Before I entered the program, my uncle (who is currently a dentist) warned me that developing clinical skills and dexterity will be very discouraging at times and not to give up. I always try to keep this in mind when I'm having these doubts, but in the end they're just words to me. I can't help what I feel. People say "Oh, we're all going through the same thing because we're all new to these skills. Don't worry!". But again, they feel like empty words. I see the work that people are doing, and no one else seems to be struggling as I am; thus, the excuse of me being new to these skills doesn't seem valid to me. Again, I don't know what else to do but to keep trucking through it and hope that one day my hands have an epiphany.
I think I've summarized my negative feelings on this subject adequately.
The countdown has already begun: 3 years and 2 months left.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2014
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wicked (Harrow version)
I'll give you fair warning that this is a ranty, angry post--then again most of my blog is filled with the like, so you should be used to it by now.
Why AM I filled with such hate for people? Easy, we deserve it. We're flawed, terrible, self-preserving beings who try to make ourselves out to be more. If you've ever worked a personal customer-oriented job, I'll bet you already know exactly what I'm talking about. Pretty much any economic, social, (anything)-al/ic problem can be traced back to the fault of human nature. Thank God for...well, God. Anyways, I'm already going off on a tangent when I really wanted to write about this wicked WITCH at work. She's yet another reason for me not to believe in our kind...
One of my superiors on my entomology team misread a prescribed autoclave setting in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, and the lady who manages the autoclaves came into our lab this morning and asked her why she was resetting the temperatures IN AN UNNECESSARILY DEMEANING WAY. My superior wanted to double-check that she had made a mistake, and thanked the lady for letting her know of the mistake. The other lady further went on to mock her even though she already admitted tot he mistake, "This temperature wouldn't be much higher than body temperature. It won't sterilize anything!" WELL, CONTRARY to your supposed expertise, witch, the indicator tape showed that our media was sterilized just fine.
Later at lunch...
The witch is sitting with her usual table of crones. Usually she isn't the one doing the talking, but today she had a couple HILARIOUS items to bring to the table:
1. She shared the temperature incident with the entire table, ridiculing my superior who was seated only a couple metres away, but luckily her hearing is not that good. I, on the other hand, could hear the whole story loudly and clearly because she wasn't even discreet in her telling of it. She also made it sound like my superior was being cheeky in double-checking her mistake--what a friggen witch!
2. Story #1 didn't seem to be enough. She brought up another incident where my superior (lacking in English-fluency) made a mistake with reading a label when she was asking to borrow something from the witch. Again, she ridiculed her for misunderstanding the label and this time her cronies upped their previous chuckles to full-blown laughter. Seriously, not even the funniest comedy show I've seen could have made me laugh that loud.
Neither story is EVEN THAT FUNNY. These are full-grown "women"/"scientists" who are supposed to be mature and respectful of each other. When someone makes a mistake, it's not necessary or advisable to bring it up to everyone at lunch as if it's casual conversation. That's just downright embarrassing for the person you're mocking and, even more so, yourself.
From this incident, I learned that this witch had an unfortunate childhood or high school experience that made her into the monster she is today. She lacks:
-Social skills (judging by her inability to ever bring up anything else in conversation)
-Self confidence (evident from her need to put others down to feel relatively "better")
-Respect (for herself and others)
When I overheard this conversation, I actually felt outraged, and I almost lost control of myself. I could feel my face heating up, and I was considering walking over to the next table and punching her witchy face in. In fact, I was mad enough to consider hitting her over the head with a chair, or finding her office and putting some dangerous bacteria or chemical on her doorknob. The anticipated consequences of these scenarios did not go over too well in my head, so I ultimately decided against them. All I know is, even if I was crazy enough to go through with any of those suggestions,
No one mourns the wicked, and certainly no one would mourn you, witch.
Why AM I filled with such hate for people? Easy, we deserve it. We're flawed, terrible, self-preserving beings who try to make ourselves out to be more. If you've ever worked a personal customer-oriented job, I'll bet you already know exactly what I'm talking about. Pretty much any economic, social, (anything)-al/ic problem can be traced back to the fault of human nature. Thank God for...well, God. Anyways, I'm already going off on a tangent when I really wanted to write about this wicked WITCH at work. She's yet another reason for me not to believe in our kind...
One of my superiors on my entomology team misread a prescribed autoclave setting in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, and the lady who manages the autoclaves came into our lab this morning and asked her why she was resetting the temperatures IN AN UNNECESSARILY DEMEANING WAY. My superior wanted to double-check that she had made a mistake, and thanked the lady for letting her know of the mistake. The other lady further went on to mock her even though she already admitted tot he mistake, "This temperature wouldn't be much higher than body temperature. It won't sterilize anything!" WELL, CONTRARY to your supposed expertise, witch, the indicator tape showed that our media was sterilized just fine.
Later at lunch...
The witch is sitting with her usual table of crones. Usually she isn't the one doing the talking, but today she had a couple HILARIOUS items to bring to the table:
1. She shared the temperature incident with the entire table, ridiculing my superior who was seated only a couple metres away, but luckily her hearing is not that good. I, on the other hand, could hear the whole story loudly and clearly because she wasn't even discreet in her telling of it. She also made it sound like my superior was being cheeky in double-checking her mistake--what a friggen witch!
2. Story #1 didn't seem to be enough. She brought up another incident where my superior (lacking in English-fluency) made a mistake with reading a label when she was asking to borrow something from the witch. Again, she ridiculed her for misunderstanding the label and this time her cronies upped their previous chuckles to full-blown laughter. Seriously, not even the funniest comedy show I've seen could have made me laugh that loud.
Neither story is EVEN THAT FUNNY. These are full-grown "women"/"scientists" who are supposed to be mature and respectful of each other. When someone makes a mistake, it's not necessary or advisable to bring it up to everyone at lunch as if it's casual conversation. That's just downright embarrassing for the person you're mocking and, even more so, yourself.
From this incident, I learned that this witch had an unfortunate childhood or high school experience that made her into the monster she is today. She lacks:
-Social skills (judging by her inability to ever bring up anything else in conversation)
-Self confidence (evident from her need to put others down to feel relatively "better")
-Respect (for herself and others)
When I overheard this conversation, I actually felt outraged, and I almost lost control of myself. I could feel my face heating up, and I was considering walking over to the next table and punching her witchy face in. In fact, I was mad enough to consider hitting her over the head with a chair, or finding her office and putting some dangerous bacteria or chemical on her doorknob. The anticipated consequences of these scenarios did not go over too well in my head, so I ultimately decided against them. All I know is, even if I was crazy enough to go through with any of those suggestions,
No one mourns the wicked, and certainly no one would mourn you, witch.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
This Little Piggy Works in Harrow
As you may know, I am currently in Harrow on a co-op work term doing agricultural research. So far, my job has been pretty fun and full of new experiences--both enjoyable and/or otherwise.
As always, my posts have two main goals:
1. Share something interesting (often offensive/controversial)--or at least new to you :)
2. Keeping this brief so your youthful mind can be spared for more important tasks
Anyway, if you didn't know already from a chance encounter with me on MSN/facebook/or (God forbid) real life, I work for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The most important thing you should take from that lovely hyphenated, professionally abbreviated, lengthy title...is that I work for the government.
AND TOMORROW IS REMEMBRANCE DAY!
Well, I guess that would be today now...(I really gotta kick these nocturnal habits). For many of you, I'm sure that wouldn't mean much, but at a government workplace, it means a lovely day off! So to celebrate my day off in the best way that a "farmville" like Harrow should permit, I decided to do something fun by myself, and I really can't think of many things more entertaining and satisfying than eating. :)
To celebrate my mini 24-hour holiday (!), I decided to pull up the local pizzeria's menu, since I noticed they offered free delivery!! YAY!! And they had this special for 24 slices of a 4-topping pizza at the price of about $25. It seemed interesting and the number 24 didn't seem too daunting with only two figures--at least not daunting enough to extinguish my crazy brainstorming. I was actually considering ordering the whole 24 slices and eating pizza to death for a whole day. Finally my actual brain decided to turn on, and I only ended up ordering a medium pizza (12 slices)--still big enough to have a party by myself but not too big that I would have to host a real party to get rid of it.
I decided to get cheese, Italian sausage, green peppers, and mushrooms on my pizza, and it came up to $20. For dinner, I ended up eating a measly 8 slices, complemented by one bag of heavenly, mouthwatering 1% milk. Don't laugh! I swear, about 5 years ago, I so would have owned those 24 slices! Anyway, I've had a great night, eating to my heart's content! I even topped off this delicious dinner with a dessert of a juicy watermelon wedge for which my housemate renounced his eating rights. Currently, my tongue has experienced such a wide variety of flavours and sensations that I'm almost ready to turn in my stomach for the night. Now if only my brain would let those chocolate popsicles in my freezer live another day...
As always, my posts have two main goals:
1. Share something interesting (often offensive/controversial)--or at least new to you :)
2. Keeping this brief so your youthful mind can be spared for more important tasks
Anyway, if you didn't know already from a chance encounter with me on MSN/facebook/or (God forbid) real life, I work for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The most important thing you should take from that lovely hyphenated, professionally abbreviated, lengthy title...is that I work for the government.
AND TOMORROW IS REMEMBRANCE DAY!
Well, I guess that would be today now...(I really gotta kick these nocturnal habits). For many of you, I'm sure that wouldn't mean much, but at a government workplace, it means a lovely day off! So to celebrate my day off in the best way that a "farmville" like Harrow should permit, I decided to do something fun by myself, and I really can't think of many things more entertaining and satisfying than eating. :)
To celebrate my mini 24-hour holiday (!), I decided to pull up the local pizzeria's menu, since I noticed they offered free delivery!! YAY!! And they had this special for 24 slices of a 4-topping pizza at the price of about $25. It seemed interesting and the number 24 didn't seem too daunting with only two figures--at least not daunting enough to extinguish my crazy brainstorming. I was actually considering ordering the whole 24 slices and eating pizza to death for a whole day. Finally my actual brain decided to turn on, and I only ended up ordering a medium pizza (12 slices)--still big enough to have a party by myself but not too big that I would have to host a real party to get rid of it.
I decided to get cheese, Italian sausage, green peppers, and mushrooms on my pizza, and it came up to $20. For dinner, I ended up eating a measly 8 slices, complemented by one bag of heavenly, mouthwatering 1% milk. Don't laugh! I swear, about 5 years ago, I so would have owned those 24 slices! Anyway, I've had a great night, eating to my heart's content! I even topped off this delicious dinner with a dessert of a juicy watermelon wedge for which my housemate renounced his eating rights. Currently, my tongue has experienced such a wide variety of flavours and sensations that I'm almost ready to turn in my stomach for the night. Now if only my brain would let those chocolate popsicles in my freezer live another day...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Lonely I'm so Lonely I have Nobody All on my Own
So I'm into my second week of work at my new co-op placement. The direction and intentions of the research seem pretty interesting, and I'm eager to get into the meat of the work, but my job has started pretty slow with my supervisor so busy and me not being fully oriented in my responsibilities. So things are slow all around. Literally.
With a population of around 3000, Harrow's a pretty quiet place with not much to do and hardly any big franchises (i.e. mostly local businesses)--well, other than the standard things like banks and liquor stores. Anyway, I've attempted to use this term as a sort of...cleansing. This includes mentally, academically, nutritionally, and, much to your relief I'm sure, physically.
So far, I have been, for the most part, successful in maintaining a regular routine consisting of:
-run
-shower
-eat
-study
-chat
-reflect
-sleep
Until yesterday, I've been living in a house entirely on my own. It's awesome! I had 5 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, 2 kitchens, 1 living room, free laundry, unlimited internet, and cable TV all for $375/month. It's truly amazing--actually more enjoyable than my own permanent house in some ways. Unfortunately, someone else moved in yesterday. He's actually a 3rd year chemical engineer from Waterloo, same year as me. Anyway...although it's not really the same as when I could walk to the shower already half naked, it's still pretty awesome because his room is on a different floor, I never see him use the kitchen, and he has learned that we can each have our own washroom. :) He also seems kind of shy, so it seems like I'll still feel like I'm alone in the house since he doesn't seem interested in talking or hanging out.
You are probably thinking, "Wow, you must be lonely. All by yourself in hick town!" Or for my more narcissistic friends, "You miss me now, don't you? Being in complete isolation, now you'll be able to appreciate me more when you come back." My answer, "Sure, but it's not too bad." My real answer?
Not at all.
Maybe I'm socially retarded, but I prefer being alone. It's such a pain to meet people for the first time, make awkward conversation, and "get to know them". On the other hand, too much of people and my life can can become drama-ridden, tiresome, and I, of course, start to see faults in that person that may or may not be there.
So why do I give that untruthful answer? Well, it's what people expect. If I were to give my real answer, people would just think I'm being defiant or ridiculously unreasonable. Then I have to give an explanation. It just seems easier to go with the socially acceptable answer. People are SUPPOSED to enjoy the company of others and require human interaction at some point. Me? I feel like I could do with a lot less, from what I've seen so far...
With a population of around 3000, Harrow's a pretty quiet place with not much to do and hardly any big franchises (i.e. mostly local businesses)--well, other than the standard things like banks and liquor stores. Anyway, I've attempted to use this term as a sort of...cleansing. This includes mentally, academically, nutritionally, and, much to your relief I'm sure, physically.
So far, I have been, for the most part, successful in maintaining a regular routine consisting of:
-run
-shower
-eat
-study
-chat
-reflect
-sleep
Until yesterday, I've been living in a house entirely on my own. It's awesome! I had 5 bedrooms, 2 washrooms, 2 kitchens, 1 living room, free laundry, unlimited internet, and cable TV all for $375/month. It's truly amazing--actually more enjoyable than my own permanent house in some ways. Unfortunately, someone else moved in yesterday. He's actually a 3rd year chemical engineer from Waterloo, same year as me. Anyway...although it's not really the same as when I could walk to the shower already half naked, it's still pretty awesome because his room is on a different floor, I never see him use the kitchen, and he has learned that we can each have our own washroom. :) He also seems kind of shy, so it seems like I'll still feel like I'm alone in the house since he doesn't seem interested in talking or hanging out.
You are probably thinking, "Wow, you must be lonely. All by yourself in hick town!" Or for my more narcissistic friends, "You miss me now, don't you? Being in complete isolation, now you'll be able to appreciate me more when you come back." My answer, "Sure, but it's not too bad." My real answer?
Not at all.
Maybe I'm socially retarded, but I prefer being alone. It's such a pain to meet people for the first time, make awkward conversation, and "get to know them". On the other hand, too much of people and my life can can become drama-ridden, tiresome, and I, of course, start to see faults in that person that may or may not be there.
So why do I give that untruthful answer? Well, it's what people expect. If I were to give my real answer, people would just think I'm being defiant or ridiculously unreasonable. Then I have to give an explanation. It just seems easier to go with the socially acceptable answer. People are SUPPOSED to enjoy the company of others and require human interaction at some point. Me? I feel like I could do with a lot less, from what I've seen so far...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Mixed Feelings
So lately, I've had a string of ups and downs, as I suppose is typical of the great mystery we call life.
1. I actually got a co-op job! I'll be working as a Research Assistant in Harrow for a governmental organization. Should be interesting because we're doing work with bees to implant a non-chemical pest control agent into plants via the natural pollination process. I have already settled my housing and am currently going through the tedious preparatory paperwork. I plan to catch up on all the TV shows that I am in the middle of (i.e. Dexter, One Tree Hill, True Blood, etc.) and go for a run every day to lose some of the unhealthy fat I've built up over the past year. It feels great to not have to worry about job searching anymore. Thank you, Dr. Shipp, for hiring me, despite the sinking feeling that I already know you have made a fatal mistake--and thank you, God, for making this miracle possible.
2. As are many of my peers stuck in school this summer, I am stuck in the middle of midterm season. =( Unfortunately, a lot of my friends have already finished or are nearing the end of their exams, while I still have a ways to go. I have written 2 Psychs, 2 Econs, 1 Math, 1 English Essay, and 1 Physics. As far as I know I still have at least 1 Math and 1 Psych left to write. Despite having written over 75% of my exams, I still haven't found the discipline to sit myself down and do some serious studying. I'm not sure whether it is the slack schedule in my past co-op term or the lovely summer season that has totally decimated whatever study habits were sustaining my academic life before, but it's sure taking its toll this term. I haven't been pulling good grades to my maximum potential in any subject. Even after a near failure on my Math test, I was only fazed for a few days, and the effect has kind of numbed by this point...and I don't know what to do?
3. I've gotten back into cooking--without the food poisoning, believe it or not. Mind you, my cooking is not in any sense of enjoyable gourmet cuisine calibre, but rather a survival instinct. Luckily, I've managed to shy away from the monotonous stir fry chicken dish that sustained me from September 2009-February 2010. Miraculous how that disgusting piece of crap even sustained me for that long, I know. With a bit of guidance from my cooking-keen housemate Sandra, I've managed to pull off an edible version of spaghetti. Also, in a desperate attempt to make do with the few ingredients I have, I marinated some thinly sliced pork loins with soya sauce and lemon sauce. It was unsettlingly...yummy--but can I even use that word for my cooking in ANY context? O_o
OHH Food relationship update: I've gotten into adding lemon juice and parsley into ALL my dishes. You can never go wrong with parsley <3
4. As usual, I'm still quite lost as to the direction my future will take. It makes me depressed to hear about my peers getting into professional schools already, while I'm still struggling to fit the pre-requisites into my ridiculous co-op-invaded schedule--not to mention striving to achieve a decent grade in each course. Something funny--but not really--that was brought up in psych class that I'd like to share...ironically, it's from the chapter on Motivation. Hah! Anyway, as soon as I saw the slide listing, I immediately identified myself as having identity diffusion, somewhat pridefully too!
-identity diffusion: inability to commit, no sense of direction, no choices
-identity achievement: successful identity realization
-identity foreclosure: pressured into making an early decision
-identity moratorium: struggling between choices; supposedly where most uni students are
Unfortunately, I was disappointed when my professor went through the list explaining each, and for identity diffusion, all she said was something along the lines of, "These individuals have social and academic problems. They're just in general confused."
With my new-found academic slump and all my friends starting to actually apply for and get into professional schools, I'm developing a fear of being left behind...
5. In a lame attempt to be what we foolishly value--optimistic--I recognize that with my decreased effort into my studies, there is a slight tradeoff in terms of the current enjoyment I am getting out of life.
For one, I've been going to euchre club on a regular basis this term, and I love it, as always--although not solely for the same reasons I'm used to. I've actually started to make a few friends at this club, and I've started talking to one particular loser this term. Good times...and I accomplished all this without improving my social skills in the slightest. Ah, the wonders of facebook and MSN! =)
Second, I've also been spending more time with my friends and indulging in that oh so lovely ethanol. In fact, I've developed a new friend in Smirnoff Ice and its delicate cousin Twisted Green Apple, especially in settings such as King, Tub thumper, and other *cough...games. =)
I guess it wouldn't hurt to end off on a happy note:
I just had a conversation with my brother earlier tonight, and it was probably one of the most civilized conversations I have ever had with him for at least 6 years (before he became an immature dick). I was actually very proud to hear that he was interested in striving for decent programs at specific universities in order to pursue a career in music. Sadly, that is more than I can say about the circumstances under which I chose to enter my own program.
Anyways, I truly believe he has a talent in violin, and it's about time he appreciated this enough to want to do something about it. It seems the late-blooming maturity too characteristic of the male species has finally begun to poke its head out from his overgrown mop of hair.
I'm proud of my brother Robert, and I believe in him now that he has finally decided to believe in himself. =)
1. I actually got a co-op job! I'll be working as a Research Assistant in Harrow for a governmental organization. Should be interesting because we're doing work with bees to implant a non-chemical pest control agent into plants via the natural pollination process. I have already settled my housing and am currently going through the tedious preparatory paperwork. I plan to catch up on all the TV shows that I am in the middle of (i.e. Dexter, One Tree Hill, True Blood, etc.) and go for a run every day to lose some of the unhealthy fat I've built up over the past year. It feels great to not have to worry about job searching anymore. Thank you, Dr. Shipp, for hiring me, despite the sinking feeling that I already know you have made a fatal mistake--and thank you, God, for making this miracle possible.
2. As are many of my peers stuck in school this summer, I am stuck in the middle of midterm season. =( Unfortunately, a lot of my friends have already finished or are nearing the end of their exams, while I still have a ways to go. I have written 2 Psychs, 2 Econs, 1 Math, 1 English Essay, and 1 Physics. As far as I know I still have at least 1 Math and 1 Psych left to write. Despite having written over 75% of my exams, I still haven't found the discipline to sit myself down and do some serious studying. I'm not sure whether it is the slack schedule in my past co-op term or the lovely summer season that has totally decimated whatever study habits were sustaining my academic life before, but it's sure taking its toll this term. I haven't been pulling good grades to my maximum potential in any subject. Even after a near failure on my Math test, I was only fazed for a few days, and the effect has kind of numbed by this point...and I don't know what to do?
3. I've gotten back into cooking--without the food poisoning, believe it or not. Mind you, my cooking is not in any sense of enjoyable gourmet cuisine calibre, but rather a survival instinct. Luckily, I've managed to shy away from the monotonous stir fry chicken dish that sustained me from September 2009-February 2010. Miraculous how that disgusting piece of crap even sustained me for that long, I know. With a bit of guidance from my cooking-keen housemate Sandra, I've managed to pull off an edible version of spaghetti. Also, in a desperate attempt to make do with the few ingredients I have, I marinated some thinly sliced pork loins with soya sauce and lemon sauce. It was unsettlingly...yummy--but can I even use that word for my cooking in ANY context? O_o
OHH Food relationship update: I've gotten into adding lemon juice and parsley into ALL my dishes. You can never go wrong with parsley <3
4. As usual, I'm still quite lost as to the direction my future will take. It makes me depressed to hear about my peers getting into professional schools already, while I'm still struggling to fit the pre-requisites into my ridiculous co-op-invaded schedule--not to mention striving to achieve a decent grade in each course. Something funny--but not really--that was brought up in psych class that I'd like to share...ironically, it's from the chapter on Motivation. Hah! Anyway, as soon as I saw the slide listing, I immediately identified myself as having identity diffusion, somewhat pridefully too!
-identity diffusion: inability to commit, no sense of direction, no choices
-identity achievement: successful identity realization
-identity foreclosure: pressured into making an early decision
-identity moratorium: struggling between choices; supposedly where most uni students are
Unfortunately, I was disappointed when my professor went through the list explaining each, and for identity diffusion, all she said was something along the lines of, "These individuals have social and academic problems. They're just in general confused."
With my new-found academic slump and all my friends starting to actually apply for and get into professional schools, I'm developing a fear of being left behind...
5. In a lame attempt to be what we foolishly value--optimistic--I recognize that with my decreased effort into my studies, there is a slight tradeoff in terms of the current enjoyment I am getting out of life.
For one, I've been going to euchre club on a regular basis this term, and I love it, as always--although not solely for the same reasons I'm used to. I've actually started to make a few friends at this club, and I've started talking to one particular loser this term. Good times...and I accomplished all this without improving my social skills in the slightest. Ah, the wonders of facebook and MSN! =)
Second, I've also been spending more time with my friends and indulging in that oh so lovely ethanol. In fact, I've developed a new friend in Smirnoff Ice and its delicate cousin Twisted Green Apple, especially in settings such as King, Tub thumper, and other *cough...games. =)
I guess it wouldn't hurt to end off on a happy note:
I just had a conversation with my brother earlier tonight, and it was probably one of the most civilized conversations I have ever had with him for at least 6 years (before he became an immature dick). I was actually very proud to hear that he was interested in striving for decent programs at specific universities in order to pursue a career in music. Sadly, that is more than I can say about the circumstances under which I chose to enter my own program.
Anyways, I truly believe he has a talent in violin, and it's about time he appreciated this enough to want to do something about it. It seems the late-blooming maturity too characteristic of the male species has finally begun to poke its head out from his overgrown mop of hair.
I'm proud of my brother Robert, and I believe in him now that he has finally decided to believe in himself. =)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
ROUND 2: Christie vs. Interviews
So I literally just had this amazing epiphany:
The reason why my interview experience for Work Term 1 was so traumatic is because I completely forgot about my life's moral, which has saved me from significant embarrassment, scarring, and post-event trauma 23094029384029384203948203948203948203948203984203948230948203984 (etc...) times in the past.
--essentially, it's just TOO life-saving for me NOT to reiterate it for you:
EXPECT THE WORST AND YOU'LL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED
Now, given a second chance--not at a better job, mind you--but at handling major interview fails, I am now more prepared. I have already done the mental and emotional preparation required to attend numerous interviews, receive only rankings and no offers, and waste yet more of my studying time in continuous round interviews for jobs I don't really want.
EXCEPT THIS TIME...
1. I only applied for science jobs.
2. I actually have some experience to talk about when I answer questions.
3. There seems to be less competition from upper years for the same positions.
4. The ratio of jobs to students seems friendlier in the spring term :)
NOTE: Why do each of my posts become more optimistic every time? What is this world coming to?? Well, in an effort to avoid disappointing the reader who has come to know my true self, read on.
Perhaps these factors that I have pointed out will increase my chances at obtaining a more relevant job for the fall. Perhaps not.
Perhaps I will finally be able to escape the horrors of Scibus and integrate myself into the general science student body. Perhaps not.
Perhaps I won't find a job, and this will be my last term of co-op(!)? Perhaps not [ :( ]...
Time, tell me what to do...you tend to make most of my decisions anyway...
The reason why my interview experience for Work Term 1 was so traumatic is because I completely forgot about my life's moral, which has saved me from significant embarrassment, scarring, and post-event trauma 23094029384029384203948203948203948203948203984203948230948203984 (etc...) times in the past.
--essentially, it's just TOO life-saving for me NOT to reiterate it for you:
EXPECT THE WORST AND YOU'LL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED
Now, given a second chance--not at a better job, mind you--but at handling major interview fails, I am now more prepared. I have already done the mental and emotional preparation required to attend numerous interviews, receive only rankings and no offers, and waste yet more of my studying time in continuous round interviews for jobs I don't really want.
EXCEPT THIS TIME...
1. I only applied for science jobs.
2. I actually have some experience to talk about when I answer questions.
3. There seems to be less competition from upper years for the same positions.
4. The ratio of jobs to students seems friendlier in the spring term :)
NOTE: Why do each of my posts become more optimistic every time? What is this world coming to?? Well, in an effort to avoid disappointing the reader who has come to know my true self, read on.
Perhaps these factors that I have pointed out will increase my chances at obtaining a more relevant job for the fall. Perhaps not.
Perhaps I will finally be able to escape the horrors of Scibus and integrate myself into the general science student body. Perhaps not.
Perhaps I won't find a job, and this will be my last term of co-op(!)? Perhaps not [ :( ]...
Time, tell me what to do...you tend to make most of my decisions anyway...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
In Good Co-mpany
So this term I am on co-op by some divine miracle. Not taking this term for granted, I am also taking Microbiology (distance ed), a Monday night Physiology Lab, and coordinating the UW English Tutors Club. If you didn't know yet, I am currently working as a Marketing Associate at Co-operative Education and Career Services at UW. "What do you do?", you may ask (and many of you already have). Well, seeing as how I am interviewing for my position tomorrow, it can't be a bad thing that I've managed to narrow down my broad responsibilities to a few key points:
1. Event planning/coordination: Prepare event briefs, develop post-event surveys for internal review, attend meetings, and assist in leads followup (e.g. prepare communications templates and research key contacts in target organizations).
2. Undertake independent projects that are geared towards improving the usefulness/availability of marketing and/or sales tools. For example, conduct a SWOT Analysis of the Field Co-ordinator website. Looking into improving the organization and incorporating facilitative marketing materials.
3. Long-term team projects within the co-op student team of the Marketing&Communications Department. For example, we are creating a unified brand image for three very different publications and drawing up a proposal + cost summary for a new tradeshow booth design. Both very exciting projects!
4. Interview Duty Services: All co-op students at TC are scheduled for 3 hours at a time to either greet employers, work at the paging desk, or help coordinate phone interviews at the call centre.
The first few weeks, I started off with my lovely little packed lunches, 10pm bedtime, a disciplined studying schedule for managing my courses, an 8:00 wakeup time--and now none of that remains true to date. Anyways, as the title somewhat implies, I have been able to survive this term mainly because I am surrounded by great co-op co-workers at Tatham Centre.
1. Justina: When I first came into work, I saw her name tag in the cubicle right next to mine. I thought it must have been someone else--there's no way we're working beside each other! Lo and behold, she showed up and her supervisor tried to introduce us--"Oh, we already know each other." Don't you love when that happens? =) Anyways, for some reason in the first few weeks of the term, Justina and I always brought our lunches on the same days and forgot to pack it on the same days, so we always went over to the Festival Room for random meals. As Kyle says, we're N'SYNC. O_o. It was/still is quite an adventure to see what random dish they were going to serve today. Justina's job is pretty dependent on whether people have submitted their forms or not, so a lot of the time she is discovering hilarious new websites and thankfully has no problem sharing them with me, which is probably the only thing keeping me sane at work. Both of us have also decorated our ugly old-school computer monitors with random origami paraphernalia. We also stay an extra hour once in a while doing intense overtime tasks......
2. Cynthia: I didn't know this crazy little Asian very well before this work term, although we're also in the same program-ish. Trust me, now that I know her, I can still say SHE IS CRAZY. SHE GOES OUT AND DOWNS BEERS LIKE NO TOMORROW. FRIDAY NIGHTS--YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND HER! But seriously, Cynthia's such a nice, cute person, you can't help but make fun of her and want to hang around such a nice person. She also asks the funniest questions, "Okay, so tell me is _____ a guy or a girl?!?!?!?!" I have recently converted her to the religion: Euchremania.
3. Qi: My fellow Marketing&Communications buddy! Poor Qi is always stuck updating her brutal excel inventory of the CECS website, so I try to send her entertaining emails or pay her visits as often as I remember to. To be honest, when I first met Qi, I thought she was a very serious Asian--one has to be if they're in Math and Business Double Degree right?!--WRONG. Qi's so hilarious because she makes the driest comments when you least expect them. She's also very smart and down-to-earth. Normally, I get along better with guys because they're less ditzy, but Qi can make guys seem ditzy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's MANLY--no, that's apparently my job--you should see her play badminton; she drives the bird over the net and then manages to pull off that Asian sign so well without looking like an annoying fob. ^-^V
Interesting Fact: I recognized that Qi lived on my street within the first few days because I recognized her distinctive red Coach purse. THAT'S RIGHT I AM THE PRO CREEPER. No, seriously--no one appreciates brand names fashion and style more than Qi (mind you, an appreciation practiced in healthy moderation).
4. Cathy: If I had to vouch for anyone's dedication and hard work in TC, it would be for Cathy. She always takes a half lunch and stays late whenever she has to hang around campus for class anyway. At first glance, Cathy seems like a shy, quiet Asian. Wrong. Again. Not only is she a valuable employee, but she is also a great friend and fun to hang around. However, I am extremely mad at her because she has shown up to 1 out of our 4 outings--NOT A PASSING GRADE--forget Macroecon, Cathy. Come to the darkside; we have cookies. ^-^
5. Brian: So after I talk about this co-worker, I'll talk about the guys--oh wait, I completely forgot Brian was a guy because he's always showing up to the outings when all the other guys ditch!! My first impression of Brian was that he was a nerd, only hanging out with us to invite us to play DS during our breaks. Annnd my impression hasn't changed--just kidding. Brian's a nice guy, my mixed doubles buddy, and my partner in crime for bullying Cynthia. *high five, Brian Kim Chi.
6. Matt: Okay, this is the only person at CECS that I do not like AT ALL. Like seriously. He always makes me laugh, he makes amazing lunches for himself every day, and he visits me at least twice a day just to say what's up. I call him my guidance counsellor for what English courses to (not) take. Seriously, how can you not hate him too? P.S. He and Cathy are tied at a failing grade of 25%. Tsk.Tsk.Tsk.
So yeah, pretty much I've made some amazing friends at CECS. At the beginning of the term, I was a little hesitant about going on co-op outings--like oh man things are going to be so awkward! Nothing against these people or my first impressions of them, but I'm just not that good at getting to know new people. Now that I know them much better and our hangouts have become a must (instead of some strange networking/co-worker courtesy thing), I hope our new-found friendships are meant to last us through our dreaded extended education here in UW.
Thank you, co-op. We indeed have a love-hate relationship going on here.
1. Event planning/coordination: Prepare event briefs, develop post-event surveys for internal review, attend meetings, and assist in leads followup (e.g. prepare communications templates and research key contacts in target organizations).
2. Undertake independent projects that are geared towards improving the usefulness/availability of marketing and/or sales tools. For example, conduct a SWOT Analysis of the Field Co-ordinator website. Looking into improving the organization and incorporating facilitative marketing materials.
3. Long-term team projects within the co-op student team of the Marketing&Communications Department. For example, we are creating a unified brand image for three very different publications and drawing up a proposal + cost summary for a new tradeshow booth design. Both very exciting projects!
4. Interview Duty Services: All co-op students at TC are scheduled for 3 hours at a time to either greet employers, work at the paging desk, or help coordinate phone interviews at the call centre.
The first few weeks, I started off with my lovely little packed lunches, 10pm bedtime, a disciplined studying schedule for managing my courses, an 8:00 wakeup time--and now none of that remains true to date. Anyways, as the title somewhat implies, I have been able to survive this term mainly because I am surrounded by great co-op co-workers at Tatham Centre.
1. Justina: When I first came into work, I saw her name tag in the cubicle right next to mine. I thought it must have been someone else--there's no way we're working beside each other! Lo and behold, she showed up and her supervisor tried to introduce us--"Oh, we already know each other." Don't you love when that happens? =) Anyways, for some reason in the first few weeks of the term, Justina and I always brought our lunches on the same days and forgot to pack it on the same days, so we always went over to the Festival Room for random meals. As Kyle says, we're N'SYNC. O_o. It was/still is quite an adventure to see what random dish they were going to serve today. Justina's job is pretty dependent on whether people have submitted their forms or not, so a lot of the time she is discovering hilarious new websites and thankfully has no problem sharing them with me, which is probably the only thing keeping me sane at work. Both of us have also decorated our ugly old-school computer monitors with random origami paraphernalia. We also stay an extra hour once in a while doing intense overtime tasks......
2. Cynthia: I didn't know this crazy little Asian very well before this work term, although we're also in the same program-ish. Trust me, now that I know her, I can still say SHE IS CRAZY. SHE GOES OUT AND DOWNS BEERS LIKE NO TOMORROW. FRIDAY NIGHTS--YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND HER! But seriously, Cynthia's such a nice, cute person, you can't help but make fun of her and want to hang around such a nice person. She also asks the funniest questions, "Okay, so tell me is _____ a guy or a girl?!?!?!?!" I have recently converted her to the religion: Euchremania.
3. Qi: My fellow Marketing&Communications buddy! Poor Qi is always stuck updating her brutal excel inventory of the CECS website, so I try to send her entertaining emails or pay her visits as often as I remember to. To be honest, when I first met Qi, I thought she was a very serious Asian--one has to be if they're in Math and Business Double Degree right?!--WRONG. Qi's so hilarious because she makes the driest comments when you least expect them. She's also very smart and down-to-earth. Normally, I get along better with guys because they're less ditzy, but Qi can make guys seem ditzy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's MANLY--no, that's apparently my job--you should see her play badminton; she drives the bird over the net and then manages to pull off that Asian sign so well without looking like an annoying fob. ^-^V
Interesting Fact: I recognized that Qi lived on my street within the first few days because I recognized her distinctive red Coach purse. THAT'S RIGHT I AM THE PRO CREEPER. No, seriously--no one appreciates brand names fashion and style more than Qi (mind you, an appreciation practiced in healthy moderation).
4. Cathy: If I had to vouch for anyone's dedication and hard work in TC, it would be for Cathy. She always takes a half lunch and stays late whenever she has to hang around campus for class anyway. At first glance, Cathy seems like a shy, quiet Asian. Wrong. Again. Not only is she a valuable employee, but she is also a great friend and fun to hang around. However, I am extremely mad at her because she has shown up to 1 out of our 4 outings--NOT A PASSING GRADE--forget Macroecon, Cathy. Come to the darkside; we have cookies. ^-^
5. Brian: So after I talk about this co-worker, I'll talk about the guys--oh wait, I completely forgot Brian was a guy because he's always showing up to the outings when all the other guys ditch!! My first impression of Brian was that he was a nerd, only hanging out with us to invite us to play DS during our breaks. Annnd my impression hasn't changed--just kidding. Brian's a nice guy, my mixed doubles buddy, and my partner in crime for bullying Cynthia. *high five, Brian Kim Chi.
6. Matt: Okay, this is the only person at CECS that I do not like AT ALL. Like seriously. He always makes me laugh, he makes amazing lunches for himself every day, and he visits me at least twice a day just to say what's up. I call him my guidance counsellor for what English courses to (not) take. Seriously, how can you not hate him too? P.S. He and Cathy are tied at a failing grade of 25%. Tsk.Tsk.Tsk.
So yeah, pretty much I've made some amazing friends at CECS. At the beginning of the term, I was a little hesitant about going on co-op outings--like oh man things are going to be so awkward! Nothing against these people or my first impressions of them, but I'm just not that good at getting to know new people. Now that I know them much better and our hangouts have become a must (instead of some strange networking/co-worker courtesy thing), I hope our new-found friendships are meant to last us through our dreaded extended education here in UW.
Thank you, co-op. We indeed have a love-hate relationship going on here.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Confessions of a Desperately Shy Interviewee
Whether you care or not does not cause me to care. I stopped posting for a while because someone who I respect felt my posting was directly criticizing them. Although I had no intention of the sort, respect forces you to do things outside of your will and logical reasoning. Being an immature, unempathetic individual, I have decided to post again to potentially gain some personal gratification. Just getting my thoughts out here in this pretty font makes me feel...satisfied somehow. I guess a lot of this has to do with the narcissistic pleasure of narrating one's own life (me?, not so much a protagonist...more an anti protagonist)--not to mention the mesmerizing clicking of the keyboard. :)
Sitting here in a rather melancholy, non-medically depressed state shifts my thoughts towards "bigger questions" like what is the meaning of life? EXCEPT...for me I tend to ask what is the meaning of me? Other people seem to be doing well in life, so the real question lies within myself. Being actively involved in the job search process for my first co-op term has forced me to evaluate what I hope to get out of life as well as my own strengths, skills, weaknesses, potential, and long term goals.
First round seemed okay. I didn't know what to expect, but my friend Alex gave me a rough idea of how the pre-interview sign in process worked. Other than that I was told to be confident, interested, and honest. I typically went in knowing a bit about the company and why I was generally interested in that job, and I went with the flow, assuming I knew myself well enough. At the time, I didn't realize that answers are (apparently) better long than short, so alarm bells didn't go off whenever 30 minute interviews ended in 15 minutes or 1 hr long interviews ended in 20. I ended up with 7 rankings out of 10 interviews, no offers or resulting matches. I was a little saddened but not overly concerned. Friends, as obligated, assured me there were plenty of opportunities to come in second round; so second round I awaited.
This round goes pretty fast, so I've sort of lost track of all the interviews I've had and their respective ranking results. I don't know if it had to do with the jobs that I was getting interviewed for (marketing, sales), but by this point I felt like I didn't actually have anything to offer companies. To compensate for the waning sense of motivation, I attempted to put in a little more effort to prepare main points for standard interview questions as well as familiarizing myself with the company and (making an attempt at) identifying what attracted me to it initially. I could feel the desperation settling in when I went into a Sales Associate interview for Target Directories and the interviewer asked me to SELL HIM SOMETHING. I don't really know what I drank or ate prior to that interview, but I changed into this entirely energetic and perky person who was going on and on about winter jackets (i.e. telling him he had a need for the product, outlining its specs, bringing up great seasonal deals, and customizability of the product). It was great--just not great enough. For me, that interview was probably the pinnacle of my desperate interviewing attempts a.k.a. personal humiliation. Mainly because I felt I had to put on a mask to sell myself at the interview and act like the kind of people I don't personally admire...all this for a job I didn't really want.
Another great thing I've gotta love about co-op is the interviews where you feel great about your performance, yet the results just don't come through for you--it's a cruel tease, I tell you. For Copernicus Educational Products' Junior Account Manager, I hassled many of my friends for more tips and feedback on my general approach to the interview. Thus I had good reason to go into that one confidently and wholly convinced that this was the job for me. It went really well. I gave full, intoned answers to all the questions, and I truly felt confident. The interviewer and I even made a slight connection through our interest in music. I had a strong connection with Classical music training, and she was into vocals, piano, and guitar. We even talked a bit about the small band she used to be in. If I had gotten that job, there may have been the potential for a social connection beyond the typical employer-co-op student one. We could have been more, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be...but what's that saying--no homo?
I guess the last situation I wanted to mention was my most recent phone interview with Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. For the first time in a long time, since first round, I was genuinely interested in this position of working in the R&D department of this upcoming biotechnology company. My friend Luke helped me practice my phone interviewing skills a week prior, adding 30 minutes to my dreadfully expensive phone bill, but I think it was pretty helpful. We haven't conversed much on the phone, so it was interesting to get fresh feedback on my voice, intonation, and answers because my friend Sandra and I couldn't figure out why I was failing so many interviews so miserably. I discovered that when I got nervous, I tended to say umm a lot and was advised to pause longer before answering and vary my tone in the interest of the listening interviewer. I did my very best to incorporate these tips into my interviews by practicing with my housemate, on my own, and writing notes to myself on a paper during the interview.
Amorfix was coming out with a new epitope-based technology for treating neurodegenerative disease.
Boring Biology Stuff Here...Skip at your leisure.
Basically, a big issue is to attack the Aggregate Misfolded Proteins that are leading up to these diseases without harming normal protein. With Amorfix chemical agents, the epitope markers on normal cells are altered so that only AMPs can be detected.
Having analyzed numerous companies' technologies similar to this one, I found this opportunity to get firsthand involvement extremely enticing! When I actually did the interview, she asked me a few technical questions, which were pretty simple to answer. I thought my soft skill answers were weaker, as usual, but I left satisfied that I gave my best effort.
THE SAME DAY...
I ended up with a ranking...and the next day a successful employment match! I'm really excited to start my new work term. My interviewer even mentioned the opportunity to expand into other R&D projects. It is going to be a challenging but engaging work term! =)
THE END.
...
...
Sorry what? Was I dreaming again? Let me rewind a bit.
I actually was dreaming. I dreamt that I got the job on jobmine, which helped me to surprisingly wake up from only 6 hours of sleep. Lo and behold, when I checked, I eerily got the job. At first I was slightly creeped out by my dream. Honestly, the chances of me getting a job? No...it's not real--it can't be, after all these weeks of intense job searching????!!!! I ran up to my housemate's room and made her look over my information too, and got her to respond independently of what I thought was my dream world. It seemed legit. A few hours of blissful studying, a halved burden of stress, and surprisingly productive group studying with my housemate left me content for a few hours. I had eagerly emailed my supervisor to confirm details and reassured my parents I had not totally wasted their money on my education. Only a few hours later, my field coordinator calls me on my cell phone. To notify me. That the company made a mistake. In their rankings. And they had to. (VERBATIM) Rescind your offer.
I guess I can just look back on this as a huge learning experience filled with suspenseful twists and turns. I also obtained some insight into myself and how I fit into society. People always ask me what I want. As a self-proclaimed realist, does it really matter? Interviews have further confirmed this. In the end, it doesn't matter what you want, only what you're good at. In this aspect, I believe I am on the right track in life. I am doing what I have the most potential for--a mechanical science career with supporting business background.
It's probably safe to say that I did close to 20 interviews. Understandably, you're saying wow you have a lot of experience. What did you learn? Simple. I learned the co-op program is not really for me. I'm introverted, "overly realistic", and driven by the desire to experience any kind of success, without having any specific inclination or interest in a particular field. Employers don't want me. If I was an employer, I wouldn't want me. I also learned about myself that all I really want is to feel special or useful to someone or some company someday. Preferrably not as some kind of sexual slave or maid, but whatever life serves me I guess I will have to settle for.
Currently, I'm going to persist in trying to find a job up to the last minute, but even if I manage to find a job, it is unlikely to be one that I want and I will have to experience this plaguing process every work term to come. We shall have to see what happens, after all I'm sure my parents are looking to see some sort of investment return on the $500 co-op fee.
Overall, it's been a rough term having co-op. Surprisingly, it sneaked up on me and became my hardest "course", but it's all good. Honestly, thanks to the fact that my near-employment experience all started off with a dream, the full impact of this "cherishable" experience is not hitting me all at once. Sometimes my estrogenic weakness provokes some ocular irrigation, but I'm determined to suck it up and be a man/beast. =) After all I have a reputation to uphold amongst my friends.
Sitting here in a rather melancholy, non-medically depressed state shifts my thoughts towards "bigger questions" like what is the meaning of life? EXCEPT...for me I tend to ask what is the meaning of me? Other people seem to be doing well in life, so the real question lies within myself. Being actively involved in the job search process for my first co-op term has forced me to evaluate what I hope to get out of life as well as my own strengths, skills, weaknesses, potential, and long term goals.
First round seemed okay. I didn't know what to expect, but my friend Alex gave me a rough idea of how the pre-interview sign in process worked. Other than that I was told to be confident, interested, and honest. I typically went in knowing a bit about the company and why I was generally interested in that job, and I went with the flow, assuming I knew myself well enough. At the time, I didn't realize that answers are (apparently) better long than short, so alarm bells didn't go off whenever 30 minute interviews ended in 15 minutes or 1 hr long interviews ended in 20. I ended up with 7 rankings out of 10 interviews, no offers or resulting matches. I was a little saddened but not overly concerned. Friends, as obligated, assured me there were plenty of opportunities to come in second round; so second round I awaited.
This round goes pretty fast, so I've sort of lost track of all the interviews I've had and their respective ranking results. I don't know if it had to do with the jobs that I was getting interviewed for (marketing, sales), but by this point I felt like I didn't actually have anything to offer companies. To compensate for the waning sense of motivation, I attempted to put in a little more effort to prepare main points for standard interview questions as well as familiarizing myself with the company and (making an attempt at) identifying what attracted me to it initially. I could feel the desperation settling in when I went into a Sales Associate interview for Target Directories and the interviewer asked me to SELL HIM SOMETHING. I don't really know what I drank or ate prior to that interview, but I changed into this entirely energetic and perky person who was going on and on about winter jackets (i.e. telling him he had a need for the product, outlining its specs, bringing up great seasonal deals, and customizability of the product). It was great--just not great enough. For me, that interview was probably the pinnacle of my desperate interviewing attempts a.k.a. personal humiliation. Mainly because I felt I had to put on a mask to sell myself at the interview and act like the kind of people I don't personally admire...all this for a job I didn't really want.
Another great thing I've gotta love about co-op is the interviews where you feel great about your performance, yet the results just don't come through for you--it's a cruel tease, I tell you. For Copernicus Educational Products' Junior Account Manager, I hassled many of my friends for more tips and feedback on my general approach to the interview. Thus I had good reason to go into that one confidently and wholly convinced that this was the job for me. It went really well. I gave full, intoned answers to all the questions, and I truly felt confident. The interviewer and I even made a slight connection through our interest in music. I had a strong connection with Classical music training, and she was into vocals, piano, and guitar. We even talked a bit about the small band she used to be in. If I had gotten that job, there may have been the potential for a social connection beyond the typical employer-co-op student one. We could have been more, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be...but what's that saying--no homo?
I guess the last situation I wanted to mention was my most recent phone interview with Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. For the first time in a long time, since first round, I was genuinely interested in this position of working in the R&D department of this upcoming biotechnology company. My friend Luke helped me practice my phone interviewing skills a week prior, adding 30 minutes to my dreadfully expensive phone bill, but I think it was pretty helpful. We haven't conversed much on the phone, so it was interesting to get fresh feedback on my voice, intonation, and answers because my friend Sandra and I couldn't figure out why I was failing so many interviews so miserably. I discovered that when I got nervous, I tended to say umm a lot and was advised to pause longer before answering and vary my tone in the interest of the listening interviewer. I did my very best to incorporate these tips into my interviews by practicing with my housemate, on my own, and writing notes to myself on a paper during the interview.
Amorfix was coming out with a new epitope-based technology for treating neurodegenerative disease.
Boring Biology Stuff Here...Skip at your leisure.
Basically, a big issue is to attack the Aggregate Misfolded Proteins that are leading up to these diseases without harming normal protein. With Amorfix chemical agents, the epitope markers on normal cells are altered so that only AMPs can be detected.
Having analyzed numerous companies' technologies similar to this one, I found this opportunity to get firsthand involvement extremely enticing! When I actually did the interview, she asked me a few technical questions, which were pretty simple to answer. I thought my soft skill answers were weaker, as usual, but I left satisfied that I gave my best effort.
THE SAME DAY...
I ended up with a ranking...and the next day a successful employment match! I'm really excited to start my new work term. My interviewer even mentioned the opportunity to expand into other R&D projects. It is going to be a challenging but engaging work term! =)
THE END.
...
...
Sorry what? Was I dreaming again? Let me rewind a bit.
I actually was dreaming. I dreamt that I got the job on jobmine, which helped me to surprisingly wake up from only 6 hours of sleep. Lo and behold, when I checked, I eerily got the job. At first I was slightly creeped out by my dream. Honestly, the chances of me getting a job? No...it's not real--it can't be, after all these weeks of intense job searching????!!!! I ran up to my housemate's room and made her look over my information too, and got her to respond independently of what I thought was my dream world. It seemed legit. A few hours of blissful studying, a halved burden of stress, and surprisingly productive group studying with my housemate left me content for a few hours. I had eagerly emailed my supervisor to confirm details and reassured my parents I had not totally wasted their money on my education. Only a few hours later, my field coordinator calls me on my cell phone. To notify me. That the company made a mistake. In their rankings. And they had to. (VERBATIM) Rescind your offer.
I guess I can just look back on this as a huge learning experience filled with suspenseful twists and turns. I also obtained some insight into myself and how I fit into society. People always ask me what I want. As a self-proclaimed realist, does it really matter? Interviews have further confirmed this. In the end, it doesn't matter what you want, only what you're good at. In this aspect, I believe I am on the right track in life. I am doing what I have the most potential for--a mechanical science career with supporting business background.
It's probably safe to say that I did close to 20 interviews. Understandably, you're saying wow you have a lot of experience. What did you learn? Simple. I learned the co-op program is not really for me. I'm introverted, "overly realistic", and driven by the desire to experience any kind of success, without having any specific inclination or interest in a particular field. Employers don't want me. If I was an employer, I wouldn't want me. I also learned about myself that all I really want is to feel special or useful to someone or some company someday. Preferrably not as some kind of sexual slave or maid, but whatever life serves me I guess I will have to settle for.
Currently, I'm going to persist in trying to find a job up to the last minute, but even if I manage to find a job, it is unlikely to be one that I want and I will have to experience this plaguing process every work term to come. We shall have to see what happens, after all I'm sure my parents are looking to see some sort of investment return on the $500 co-op fee.
Overall, it's been a rough term having co-op. Surprisingly, it sneaked up on me and became my hardest "course", but it's all good. Honestly, thanks to the fact that my near-employment experience all started off with a dream, the full impact of this "cherishable" experience is not hitting me all at once. Sometimes my estrogenic weakness provokes some ocular irrigation, but I'm determined to suck it up and be a man/beast. =) After all I have a reputation to uphold amongst my friends.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Christiemon, I choose you!
Type: Fire
Hp: Undefined
Attack: Excruciating
Defense: Impenetrable
Speed: Light is relatively slow
Weakness: stressed easily and slightly pessimistic
So I am currently trapped in my room writing up answers for practice interview questions in my PD Co-op preparatory course. I figured since I probably won't have time to post very often anymore, why not kill two birds with one stone? So...For the "classic question" I went with:
Hp: Undefined
Attack: Excruciating
Defense: Impenetrable
Speed: Light is relatively slow
Weakness: stressed easily and slightly pessimistic
So I am currently trapped in my room writing up answers for practice interview questions in my PD Co-op preparatory course. I figured since I probably won't have time to post very often anymore, why not kill two birds with one stone? So...For the "classic question" I went with:
4. Describe one of your weaknesses.
One of my characteristic weaknesses is that I get stressed easily and am slightly pessimistic. This becomes evident in situations where I have too many tasks in progress at once or I am preparing for a significant event. However, I believe this trait is an essential motivator for some of my most effective work habits. Since I often get worried and overwhelmed by ongoing academic projects or extracurricular events, I motivate myself to tackle one item at a time in an organized fashion by writing down due dates, preparing checklists, and aiming to complete tasks well before the deadline. Often, if something seems too overwhelming, I manage to calm myself down and focus my thoughts better by simplifying concepts, prioritizing my activities, and preparing for the worst case scenario. Not only does my pessimism help me to be technically and emotionally prepared for the various outcomes, but it is also a way to push myself to exceed the standard expectations of any task I undertake.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
BR!
Don't you just LOVE bubble tea? My favourite flavour is honeydew milk tea, with tapioca, of course. My other regular flavours are mango, green apple. If I'm feeling especially adventurous, I get other kinds of fruit jellies instead of tapioca. Without these small touches of garnish, bubble tea is really just juice--I was really disappointed by the big Asian hype when I first had bubble tea.
Btw...
NOOO! BR DOES NOT MEAN BUBBLE REPUBLIC. DON'T BE SO ASIAN-MINDED!
Sorry, I just felt like trying out different font sizes 'n stuff. But yeah,
BR = Baskin Robbins !
Hm, for this post I'm gonna try something new, like not making it a million words long. Here goes...
So in my life, my parents have encouraged me to do activities that enhance my personal development, such as swimming lessons, skating lessons, competitive soccer, constantly aiming to improve my grades, joining orchestra, and just joining whatever random sports teams I can make it onto. They made a big mistake of not encouraging me to get a job. Sure, I know it's partially my responsibility, but when I'm still kind of young and so sheltered, they should give me a little push to start me off. As clarification, I don't mean that my parents should find a job for me, but they should have maybe warned me that around grade 9 I should start looking for an actual job. But no, they preferred that I stayed inside practicing piano and keeping my dainty little fingers safe. On a more serious note, I really only started trying to get a job this summer. After hearing no response from basic receptionist or secretarial/administrative positions, I decided to humble myself a bit. Hence began the visits to local convenience stores like Rabba, Bargain Shop, and, lo and behold, Baskin Robbins.
I passed out my resumes with all my half-decent looking qualifications (e.g. pharmaceutical assistant, hospital volunteer), which were really all obtained through family connections. -_-" I guess it's better that I started being realistic now rather than later, after all I finished my first year of university for goodness' sake!! In fact, I start my first co-op term in January. OMG, and if you don't get a job like...twice or three times, you FAIL the program. LOL. but anyways, I'll save my frantic delirium for personal contemplation.
So, nobody responded EXCEPT Baskin Robbins. Fun, fun. You know what, I lied, this post isn't going to be short at all. I just love talking too much, sorry. I went in for the interview, had no idea what to wear, and I ended up wearing black and white is completely inappropriate, but I just listened to my mom so it wouldn't be my fault if clothing was the issue. So anyway, they asked me basic questions about my definition of customer service, gave me a simple scenario, and they KEPT ASKING ME IF I WAS PHYSICALLY CAPABLE TO DO THIS JOB. This kind of annoyed me because it goes back to the Asian stereotype. Btw, the owners are Korean, and they thought I was Chinese--again, denied by my own people. I admit I don't have much upper body strength, but once I saw the other girls they hired, they're all thin white girls. I actually did not notice this point by myself; these co-workers were actually talking about it, and I agree with them wholly.
What made me even more offended at the interview was they were MORE INTERESTED IN MY BROTHER because he sounded mature answering the phone when they called to schedule my interview. They asked me, "Your brother is very smart, isn't he?" "Does he get good grades?" All that time working hard to keep up my grades, and my brother makes a better first impression. This also goes back to what I said about social skills, not intelligence or hard work, being the key determinant of one's success in the world. Anyways...after the interview I felt like crap and didn't think I would get the job, but they ended up hiring me anyway.
So yeah, I actually love my job, but that's probably because I've only worked there for about 1.5 months now. The other girls there hate it because they've been working there for at least a year now. From what they told me and their attitude on the job, their biggest issue is the crappy customers that drop in, complain about prices, try to take advantage of freebies, or the all-too-familiar-motto: The customer is always right. HAH! That is the biggest joke I've ever heard. Check out: http://www.notalwaysright.com/
Let me tell you one thing. This job has significantly increased my cynicism towards humanity and opened my eyes as to how spoiled North Americans really are.
I'll admit that BR is a bit pricey, and this can put people in a bad or picky mood. However, it's been around for a while, and the upper management probably thinks they can get away with slightly raised prices, since they have the general public's brand loyalty. This is actually kind of true; people complain about all kinds of ridiculous things then you see them coming back a few days later to further indulge their ice cream addiction.
Some of the people that I have had the misfortune of encountering are:
-one guy asks for extra topping in his milkshake then refuses to pay for it. Instead of communicating like a civilized grownup, he just shakes his head then refuses to pay. One of my co-workers, who has worked there a long time and is low on patience, gives in and tells me not to charge him. I don't blame her.
-sometimes people ask me to wash my hands after wiping the ice cream cabinet. All it is, is water and ice cream drops. If you're worried about that, should I sterilize the scoopers too?
-one lady asked me to wash my hands because "you guys touch money". Well, so do you, and you're the one actually touching and eating the product. We only touch the paper around the base of the cone and scoop the ice cream with a scooper, not our hands. My apologies, if you're one of those types who likes eating the paper.
-some people ask for a "LARGE single scoop". No such thing, there is a standardized measurement for a "single scoop". Got a problem? Go talk to the BR CEOs.
-one lady "doesn't like" the taste of our strawberry ice cream. She could have requested a taster spoon, but no. She insists that it tastes like milk and wants another scoop for free. I mistakenly indulged her request; I think I'm too soft to deal with the tragically flawed homo sapien.
Of course there are other instances like people wanting us to make things that aren't on the menu, complaining because we have a flavour at another location but not this one, or complaining about what season it is and why we don't have a certain "seasonal" flavour. I will never look at the cashier of any retail store the same way again. I totally feel your pain.
Just for interest, if you want to get ice cream at the location where I work (if you don't know already, it's top secret hmph), we currently have:
-Butterscotch Ribbon: butterscotch in vanilla ice cream
-Cotton candy: A purple+pink child classic, self explanatory
-Old Fashioned Butter Pecan: A senior favourite, has pecans and a strong mapley ice cream
-Love Potion #31: personal favourite (other than bubble gum), white chocolate, raspberry ribbon, and the chocolate hearts have raspberry syrup (pink and white =)), popular with females, wonder whyyy...
-Peanut Butter n' Chocolate: huge peanut butter chunks, quite popular
-Rocky Road: chocolate with almonds and marshmellows, a classic
-Chocolate Mousse Royals: chocolate mousse with chocolate chips, a co-worker's favourite
-World Class Chocolate: White and milk chocolate mousse, a co-worker's favourite
-Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Kid favourite, self-explanatory
-Cookies n' Cream: Vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie bits, kid favourite
-Gold Medal Ribbon: Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream with caramel ribbon, yummy
-Rum Raisin: some weird beige ice cream that tastes horrible, very soft, but still somewhat popular =/
-Baseball Nut: Vanilla with raspberry ribbon and cashews
-Chocolate Chip: self-explanatory
-Citrus Twist: lemon lime, almost like a sherbet, kinda sour, popular--also used in fruit blasts
-Pistachio Almond: Pistachio flavoured ice cream (?) with almonds in it, surprisingly good
-Chocolate: yay
-Vanilla
-Non-fat vanilla yogurt
-Mint Chocolate Chip
-Cherries Jubilee: cherry ice cream, bits of those fake cherries, and hint of...rum?!, decent
-Jamoca Almond Fudge: Coffee flavour
-Very Berry Strawberry: strawberry with real strawberry bits!
-Mango Tango: mango with a mango ribbon
-Maui Brownie Madness: surprisingly good for a lower fat frozen yogurt!, popular
-Pralines and Cream: vanilla with caramel and praline nuts
-Perils of Praline: lower fat yogurt version of pralines and cream, not as good
-Coconut
-Pineapple coconut: lower fat yogurt, no sugar added, evidently a senior favourite
-Rainbow sherbet: pink, white, and orange sherbets? =S, visually appealing to kids
-Orange sherbet: orange flavour, preferred by kids--tastewise
Oh and I just realized when I started working there that the pink symbol between "Baskin" and "Robbins" is a 31, which they also use to stand for "B" and "R", in case you're slow like me :) Apparently, the 31 is because we are supposed to have 31 flavours, but not always.
Ice cream makes me happy!~Just not the customers...
Btw...
NOOO! BR DOES NOT MEAN BUBBLE REPUBLIC. DON'T BE SO ASIAN-MINDED!
Sorry, I just felt like trying out different font sizes 'n stuff. But yeah,
BR = Baskin Robbins !
Hm, for this post I'm gonna try something new, like not making it a million words long. Here goes...
So in my life, my parents have encouraged me to do activities that enhance my personal development, such as swimming lessons, skating lessons, competitive soccer, constantly aiming to improve my grades, joining orchestra, and just joining whatever random sports teams I can make it onto. They made a big mistake of not encouraging me to get a job. Sure, I know it's partially my responsibility, but when I'm still kind of young and so sheltered, they should give me a little push to start me off. As clarification, I don't mean that my parents should find a job for me, but they should have maybe warned me that around grade 9 I should start looking for an actual job. But no, they preferred that I stayed inside practicing piano and keeping my dainty little fingers safe. On a more serious note, I really only started trying to get a job this summer. After hearing no response from basic receptionist or secretarial/administrative positions, I decided to humble myself a bit. Hence began the visits to local convenience stores like Rabba, Bargain Shop, and, lo and behold, Baskin Robbins.
I passed out my resumes with all my half-decent looking qualifications (e.g. pharmaceutical assistant, hospital volunteer), which were really all obtained through family connections. -_-" I guess it's better that I started being realistic now rather than later, after all I finished my first year of university for goodness' sake!! In fact, I start my first co-op term in January. OMG, and if you don't get a job like...twice or three times, you FAIL the program. LOL. but anyways, I'll save my frantic delirium for personal contemplation.
So, nobody responded EXCEPT Baskin Robbins. Fun, fun. You know what, I lied, this post isn't going to be short at all. I just love talking too much, sorry. I went in for the interview, had no idea what to wear, and I ended up wearing black and white is completely inappropriate, but I just listened to my mom so it wouldn't be my fault if clothing was the issue. So anyway, they asked me basic questions about my definition of customer service, gave me a simple scenario, and they KEPT ASKING ME IF I WAS PHYSICALLY CAPABLE TO DO THIS JOB. This kind of annoyed me because it goes back to the Asian stereotype. Btw, the owners are Korean, and they thought I was Chinese--again, denied by my own people. I admit I don't have much upper body strength, but once I saw the other girls they hired, they're all thin white girls. I actually did not notice this point by myself; these co-workers were actually talking about it, and I agree with them wholly.
What made me even more offended at the interview was they were MORE INTERESTED IN MY BROTHER because he sounded mature answering the phone when they called to schedule my interview. They asked me, "Your brother is very smart, isn't he?" "Does he get good grades?" All that time working hard to keep up my grades, and my brother makes a better first impression. This also goes back to what I said about social skills, not intelligence or hard work, being the key determinant of one's success in the world. Anyways...after the interview I felt like crap and didn't think I would get the job, but they ended up hiring me anyway.
So yeah, I actually love my job, but that's probably because I've only worked there for about 1.5 months now. The other girls there hate it because they've been working there for at least a year now. From what they told me and their attitude on the job, their biggest issue is the crappy customers that drop in, complain about prices, try to take advantage of freebies, or the all-too-familiar-motto: The customer is always right. HAH! That is the biggest joke I've ever heard. Check out: http://www.notalwaysright.com/
Let me tell you one thing. This job has significantly increased my cynicism towards humanity and opened my eyes as to how spoiled North Americans really are.
I'll admit that BR is a bit pricey, and this can put people in a bad or picky mood. However, it's been around for a while, and the upper management probably thinks they can get away with slightly raised prices, since they have the general public's brand loyalty. This is actually kind of true; people complain about all kinds of ridiculous things then you see them coming back a few days later to further indulge their ice cream addiction.
Some of the people that I have had the misfortune of encountering are:
-one guy asks for extra topping in his milkshake then refuses to pay for it. Instead of communicating like a civilized grownup, he just shakes his head then refuses to pay. One of my co-workers, who has worked there a long time and is low on patience, gives in and tells me not to charge him. I don't blame her.
-sometimes people ask me to wash my hands after wiping the ice cream cabinet. All it is, is water and ice cream drops. If you're worried about that, should I sterilize the scoopers too?
-one lady asked me to wash my hands because "you guys touch money". Well, so do you, and you're the one actually touching and eating the product. We only touch the paper around the base of the cone and scoop the ice cream with a scooper, not our hands. My apologies, if you're one of those types who likes eating the paper.
-some people ask for a "LARGE single scoop". No such thing, there is a standardized measurement for a "single scoop". Got a problem? Go talk to the BR CEOs.
-one lady "doesn't like" the taste of our strawberry ice cream. She could have requested a taster spoon, but no. She insists that it tastes like milk and wants another scoop for free. I mistakenly indulged her request; I think I'm too soft to deal with the tragically flawed homo sapien.
Of course there are other instances like people wanting us to make things that aren't on the menu, complaining because we have a flavour at another location but not this one, or complaining about what season it is and why we don't have a certain "seasonal" flavour. I will never look at the cashier of any retail store the same way again. I totally feel your pain.
Just for interest, if you want to get ice cream at the location where I work (if you don't know already, it's top secret hmph), we currently have:
-Butterscotch Ribbon: butterscotch in vanilla ice cream
-Cotton candy: A purple+pink child classic, self explanatory
-Old Fashioned Butter Pecan: A senior favourite, has pecans and a strong mapley ice cream
-Love Potion #31: personal favourite (other than bubble gum), white chocolate, raspberry ribbon, and the chocolate hearts have raspberry syrup (pink and white =)), popular with females, wonder whyyy...
-Peanut Butter n' Chocolate: huge peanut butter chunks, quite popular
-Rocky Road: chocolate with almonds and marshmellows, a classic
-Chocolate Mousse Royals: chocolate mousse with chocolate chips, a co-worker's favourite
-World Class Chocolate: White and milk chocolate mousse, a co-worker's favourite
-Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Kid favourite, self-explanatory
-Cookies n' Cream: Vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie bits, kid favourite
-Gold Medal Ribbon: Chocolate and Vanilla ice cream with caramel ribbon, yummy
-Rum Raisin: some weird beige ice cream that tastes horrible, very soft, but still somewhat popular =/
-Baseball Nut: Vanilla with raspberry ribbon and cashews
-Chocolate Chip: self-explanatory
-Citrus Twist: lemon lime, almost like a sherbet, kinda sour, popular--also used in fruit blasts
-Pistachio Almond: Pistachio flavoured ice cream (?) with almonds in it, surprisingly good
-Chocolate: yay
-Vanilla
-Non-fat vanilla yogurt
-Mint Chocolate Chip
-Cherries Jubilee: cherry ice cream, bits of those fake cherries, and hint of...rum?!, decent
-Jamoca Almond Fudge: Coffee flavour
-Very Berry Strawberry: strawberry with real strawberry bits!
-Mango Tango: mango with a mango ribbon
-Maui Brownie Madness: surprisingly good for a lower fat frozen yogurt!, popular
-Pralines and Cream: vanilla with caramel and praline nuts
-Perils of Praline: lower fat yogurt version of pralines and cream, not as good
-Coconut
-Pineapple coconut: lower fat yogurt, no sugar added, evidently a senior favourite
-Rainbow sherbet: pink, white, and orange sherbets? =S, visually appealing to kids
-Orange sherbet: orange flavour, preferred by kids--tastewise
Oh and I just realized when I started working there that the pink symbol between "Baskin" and "Robbins" is a 31, which they also use to stand for "B" and "R", in case you're slow like me :) Apparently, the 31 is because we are supposed to have 31 flavours, but not always.
Ice cream makes me happy!~Just not the customers...
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