Mock Interview

I believe my mock interview went well. I remembered to brush my teeth and put on deodorant before arriving for the interview, so I figured things couldn't be too bad. I was able to answer all the questions as well as I thought I could. However, I did forget to share a personal story that related to the job description or previous job experience. I'll have to remember to work that in for the future. Mostly, I tried to make the whole thing a conversation rather than an interrogation. There were really no tense or awkward moments which I suppose is a good thing. This made me look forward to a real interview rather than dread one.

Accomplishments

In interviews, it is common to be asked about one's accomplishments and which stand out the most or for which one you are most proud. I have been asked that question, and it can be tough to answer. When I think of my accomplishments, I realize that I really have none. This is not meant to come across as grossly humble or even self-loathing; rather, it is meant to be honest. What many may label as accomplishments I can see only as opportunities in my life. I had the opportunity to attend a great high school with caring teachers and run for a track and cross country team with supportive team members and coaches. I have had the opportunity to work at jobs that have taught me, built my character, and often given me joy. Amidst all of this, my parents have been unconditionally supportive. All of this is to say that I really have done very little when it comes to any accomplishments or things to be proud of in my life. Most of things that I am proud of in my life have literally fallen into my lap. So, what does mean for me? I believe it means because God has so richly blessed me I can only serve his kingdom with what he has given me. What does this mean for me 5 years down the road? I don't know. I may be in Africa interning for Engineering Ministries International, designing efficient homes for folks there. I may be living in a suburb, serving in a church body and designing your everyday commercial buildings while dealing with clients and co-workers in a way that the Gospel commands. Regardless, I long for God to be at work in my life and in my relationships. Such working will produce more joy than any accomplishment.

Cover Letter Advice

I agree with all the advice given from the articles on cover letters. I never really knew exactly what a cover letter was, much less how it should be formatted, so every article was equally important and applicable to me. One point that really resonated with me was that of tailoring each cover letter to a target employer to the point of addressing him or her by name. It was interesting to learn that those who send hundreds of generic cover letters have less success than those who address a specific company and person in each of their cover letters. This is something I will certainly keep in mind when applying for internships and jobs. Overall, this information was helpful, but I really hate the idea of having to sell myself. I guess it's necessary, but in conjures up images of used car ads on cable television. Oh well.

Interview Articles

I just read a pair of articles that each dealt with interview strategies. The first suggested telling stories during an interview. I was hoping this article would basically grant me permission to tell prospective employers about my grandfather and great uncle getting into fist fights or how I have almost died a time or two, thus casting myself as a likable and easy going guy, but it really focused on telling relevant stories about past work environments. Though, I suppose even this is better than just throwing around some general achievements. I can see how if I was hiring, hearing an actual story from an interviewee about them overcoming obstacles might make him or her attractive. This is advice I will certainly remember. The other article I read was about asking questions to interviewers, and the author really gave some great examples. The author even suggests tailoring the questions to who's doing the interviewing. He further points out some dumb questions like "How much vacation do I get?" or "How long is the lunch break?" Basically, the question should reveal knowledge of and interest in the company with which you are interviewing.

Persuasion

After reading MLK's Letter from a Birmingham jail, it is easy to understand how this leader grabbed the attention, respect, and unfortunately disdain of so many across our nation. His letter appeals to one's ethos by way of powerful and emotional words and depictions. Through his use of logos, or logical reasoning through the plight of blacks in America, King garners credibility, building his pathos or credibility. This sample of his writing well illustrates the power of words in persuasive speaking and how proponents of King's cause could confidently get behind him or how opponents might grow even more defensive at the threat of his well defended and legitimate accusations. Unfortunately, our Army recruiters did not bring quite the tenacity or energy as that of MLK. Their speech was not heartfelt and seemed robotic or straight from a textbook. The State Historical Society of North Dakota attains a happy medium in the article "Why Preserve Historic Properties At All?" Simply by being the State's go-to organization for preservation, they come to the table with credibility. By way of mentioning tax deductions, incentives, and grants, the society builds a logical case for preservation. Finally, they appeal to ethos by speaking of bucolic images of old structures and North Dakota roots. The article can be found here: http://www.nd.gov/hist/hp/planWhyPreserve.htm

10 years from today

Ten years from this moment, I hope to be at a stage in life that puts me in bed with my bride-to-be by 10 and gets me up at 5. Once up and out of bed, I would like to have some assortment of animals to tend, whether that tending include gathering eggs from hens or tossing a few leaves of hay to a baby lamb. It may also include filling a dog bowl, but I sure hope it doesn't include sprinkling fish food into a bowl or flicking some pellets to a gerbil. I want real animals. After chores, I would enjoy running a few miles before leaving for work. Once at work, it would really be my desire to serve. Assuming I'll be a licensed architect with a certificate in historic preservation by this time, it would tickle me to serve by preserving our tangible past. I suppose this ambition is rooted in a deeper desire for restoration which leads me admit that if God wills it, I will be content living in foreign country seeing not only the laying of physical foundations and the construction and restoration of sustainable built environments but also spiritual restoration and the laying of eternal firm foundations through ministries like Engineering Missions International. Regardless of where I am, I hope to be making a mockery of the infamous statement, "College was the best __ years of my life". I hope this springs from a faith that is ever being sanctified, a relationship with a beautiful woman that gets better each day, and maybe even a baby Noah, Abraham (we would call him Abe), or Emma Kate. I suppose I can forget sleeping from 10 to 5 if any of those three are with us.

Web 2.0 and the new you you never knew, but everyone else did

Because I am tired, cranky, and ready for bed, I have to take a despairing approach toward this video and say first that Mr. Wesch's title is a fair attempt at wit and cleverness, or to put it more candidly, he's not saying our computers are us/ing us. Rather, they are screwing us, or at least we are allowing them to do so. Web 2.0 will have and already has affected those entering and currently a part of todays workforce. For example, Web 2.0 makes launching sharpened pencils into ceiling tiles completely obsolete, as employees now have the opportunity to stalk those whom they barely even know on facebook. Facebook, along with the plethora of other social networking sites, blogs, and forums, will undoubtedly give further rise to questions of how one should behave and interact online as opposed to real life, or in an entanglement of both (like in 6th grade when I would IM this girl all night and never acknowledge her in the cafeteria, something that did not impress her) whether it be in the context of relationships, authorship and copyright, or even security and identity. Web 2.0 connects employers to employees and employees to employees in unimaginable ways and even connects individuals to themselves in unimaginable ways. For example, this blog is connected with my e-mail account that is connected with my Amazon account that is connected to my checking and savings account that is connected to my credit card account that is connected with my credit score and financial future, and all of this information is somewhere on the web. It's certainly convenient, but it may be too convenient and too easy. I suppose I may just shut down my computer and read a musty book by candlelight. Tomorrow, I'll bury some cash in my backyard and invite my closest facebook friends over for face-to-face conversation.