Another academic year is almost over. I sit at my desk, trying to work through an assignment due in the next day (as always), and I marvel at how time flies by. Term ends in roughly three weeks. Theoretically, my summer vacation starts in just over two weeks. Where has the time gone??
The end of the second year brings about the start of another phase of my undergraduate life - final year. The year I work (sort of) to be a successful graduate, get a good degree and a decent job and start to pay off that student loan destined to haunt me for the rest of my life. I can't reiterate enough the importance (or so I believe) of getting a summer internship somewhere, anywhere. Through my own faults (mainly ignorance and indecisiveness), I missed out on all the internships, either through lack of interest or knowledge of such openings.
How will I know what to do after I graduate? Where do I want to work? What do I want to work as? Will I have the potential to perform the duties set before me? Such questions are the root of many restless and sleepless nights in my mind, and in the minds of many other students, especially those graduating this year. Will a lack of an internship with a leading firm cost me the job that I want? Mr. Physics pointed out to me that I was freaking out unnecessarily and that I had most of the qualifications (sans the perfect degree) any employer would require - a good education, competent communication skills, teamwork and the added bonus of work experience. Yet freak out I must, for paranoia is my middle name. It would be safe to assume that deep down, most people will only be absolutely content about something once it is guaranteed.
So what exactly do employers want? I mean, seriously. Communication skills? Teamwork? I'd think that most people would be able to communicate well enough to perform most jobs. Living in university residence, or even living with anyone during your time at university would, I believe, instil necessary communicative skills. As for teamwork, the countless times you and your friends have managed to blag your way through something - an exclusive club, skipping to the front of the line, getting someone to buy you a drink - I'd say that counts as excellent teamwork if it yields the required results.
Months of moaning and complaining has led to Mr. Physics pointing me to the direction of the Careers Service, stating clearly that "they're there for a reason!". So my career guidance session has been booked, but I foresee a long and probably annoying session for the guidance counsellor - I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life! I don't know what my skills are, my weaknesses (I'd say everything), what makes me special, what sets me apart from other candidates and why I think a particular job or company would suit me. But I'll hope for the best, that's what these sessions are for anyway. Hopefully to shed some light on my clouded but not so distant future.
Until then, Mr. Physics will have to put up with my constant paranoia of not getting a job. Mariam
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