crystal_dance
05-04-2006, 10:28 PM
I'm 24 yrs old. I graduated in 2003. I spent 2 years trying to get my shit together before coming to grad school. I was miserably confused, hopped from job to job and in the first few months post college hopped profession to profession. Even tried my hand at research at my university. Hated it. dropped out of research and abandoned the few grad level courses that I did. Over time my head finally started clearing and I knew what I wanted. I applied to another grad program on the other side of the continent, without sending my dismal grad school transcripts from my research days. Got accepted. Moved in August 2005. It took me 3 years, 3 jobs, 1 disastrous relationship... for me to finally say I'm good. For the first time I'm ok. I love what I'm doing. I'm good at what I'm doing. I'm confident and ambitious again. I'm dating a great girl. I have new friends and a good social life and well I'm at peace with myself...
But my past still bothers me. Those 3 years of utter chaos... bad job performance, uncertainty, bad finances, bad relationships, the whole deal. I feel so bad when I look at my resume. I mean yes, Im good now but it's like employers kinda doubt me when they see the job hopping, let alone profession hopping. I've completely covered the fact that I actually did a few grad school courses at another school before dropping it thanks to my total suckiness at research. I dunno, I feel kinda edgy thinking about what would happen if employers were to dig into my past.
Our society expects 21 yr olds to come out swinging right after commencement. There is no wiggle room to explore and find out who you are and what you are good at. Why do employers not understand that just coz we sucked for those few years post graduation that doesnt mean we're going to suck forever. We were just finding our niche. And now that we found it, give us a chance to prove ourselves!!!
But my past still bothers me. Those 3 years of utter chaos... bad job performance, uncertainty, bad finances, bad relationships, the whole deal. I feel so bad when I look at my resume. I mean yes, Im good now but it's like employers kinda doubt me when they see the job hopping, let alone profession hopping. I've completely covered the fact that I actually did a few grad school courses at another school before dropping it thanks to my total suckiness at research. I dunno, I feel kinda edgy thinking about what would happen if employers were to dig into my past.
Our society expects 21 yr olds to come out swinging right after commencement. There is no wiggle room to explore and find out who you are and what you are good at. Why do employers not understand that just coz we sucked for those few years post graduation that doesnt mean we're going to suck forever. We were just finding our niche. And now that we found it, give us a chance to prove ourselves!!!