Facing Reality

Today, I got a rejection email, and I am so happy. Finally somebody has responded to my application!! They were actually very kind and not in a fake-sounding way. I am saving the email so that if I'm ever in the position to reject someone I can do it with the same kindness.

OK so well it's confession time... How did I do on my to do list? Here it is:

1. I only sent out 3 applications to actual architecture companies and one to a drafting instructor position. So I will have to work harder the rest of the day to make up for the 2 people who have not had the pleasure of hearing about me.

2. OK I need to get to work on this competition. There is a lot to think about, but this could be my shining chance to show the world what I can imagine. I've been thinking about some precedent studies, but still a long ways to go on this one.

3. I studied! Yay! And I finished the Math section. However, I did not really start the verbal section...got to get going on that because those vocabulary words SUCK.

4. Mmmm...yeah I did not go running. So that's got to happen sometime today.

So onwards with today. Today, I discovered this great blog called intern 101 for architecture people. It's pretty helpful, but I think having a job would teach me a lot more. Anyway it is nice to know that I am not alone in the unemployed sector. And stock market is down 154 points. How low can you go??

Ok here is today's to do list:

1. Send out 7 resumes to different companies and/or other types of positions. Including to companies in this small town. I can't dismiss them any longer...
2. Do a section or two on verbal GRE.
3. Just think quietly/research for one hour on the airport design.
4. Run 1 mile.
5. Bake something delicious from foodgawker.com
6. Listen to motivational tape. Hey--no laughing! It will turn my life around and such, and I've got to keep my head up :-P

Adios Amigos!

Finding Purpose, Making Sense

Today is day number 93 since graduation. I admit; I enjoyed my summer. It was, after all, the last free summer of my life. I know what you are thinking: did I only just start applying to jobs? NO! I have applied to plenty of jobs, but no lead has led to success so far. I am reaching out to other fields, but alas they're not reaching back. So now is the time to remold the future.

I have been repeating the words : I will find a job, I will apply to 5 jobs a day, I will find a job, I will find a job... It's supposed to motivate me while I do all the job searching stuff: call people, write cover letters, send emails, connect on LinkedIn. Yet it would appear that I am invisible to the world.

So today I make three resolutions:

1. Send applications to five more companies. Sadly very few are hiring, but I am sending to ask for internships from local companies and I am not going to worry about design anymore. I wanted to work for a company that focuses on making beautiful buildings (modern, actually, because that is what I like the most), but it would seem they don't want me to work for them. (well, you'll be sorry Henry Higgins) At least I have to get some experience under my belt.

2. Brainstorm a design for an airport. There's this cool competition--that has no entry fee!!--on deathbyarchitecture.com. If you're an unemployed architecture graduate like me, check it out!

3. Study for the GRE. Almost finished studying for the math section. Finish "Math Applications," then study the first reading section.

4. Take a one mile run, and start training for a 10 miler. I used to be a runner, but somehow with all the all-nighters at the Architecture school I stopped. So now's my chance.

Updates on what I did and didn't do tomorrow! Have a productive day, world, but don't forget to stop and smell the butterflies!