Tuesday, August 19, 2008

It's (finally!) official

I got some really good news last week. I passed my comprehensive exam, which means I’m officially done with my Master’s degree! I’m sure the testing lady said a silent prayer of gratitude knowing that I would never bug her again, asking if she could check “just one more time” to see if my results were back. I’m relieved because I will never have to take that monstrous exam again. It’s also a relief to know that I haven’t been lying on my resume when I listed my Master’s degree. Since everything’s official, I started selling all of my old textbooks on the internet. I’ve learned that a very strange law of economics applies to my book sales: the more boring the book was, the more money I can get for it. For example, a snooze of a book on international law brought in $40. Likewise, a book that nearly put me to sleep at least 3 different times in the library sold for almost $100. With this venture, I’ve also started to make friends with the clerks at the post office. On the third day in a row I was there to mail books, they started to catch on: “Are you selling books on the internet?” (Guilty as charged.) I’ve also realized that because I no longer can call myself a student, I’m officially unemployed. I’m doing my best to look for jobs in the area. I’ve dusted off my interview suit, and I’ve also (tried to) put on a thick skin. Because I think no matter how much education or experience you have, the whole job search is still very humbling. Still, I’m trying everything I can to find something. I’m searching the classifieds, talking to local businesses, networking with (the few) people I know in the area. Basically, I’ve done everything except query the kid down the street to see if I could work at her lemonade stand. (“I’m passionate about lemonade! I’m a people-person!”) I’m trying to be patient. But, I won’t rule out the lemonade stand just yet.

9 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Oh my goodness, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Passing that exam has to be a gigantic weight off of your shoulders! What did you get your master's in??

Oh, and I definitely feel you on the "thick skin" thing. I am starting interview season for post-grad jobs and it is totally depressing. Now I think I have a feeling what teenage boys must go through---the constant fear of rejection when asking girls out!

Good luck on the job hunt. :)

Leslie said...

Congrats congrats congrats! What an accomplishment! I can't wait until I can say the same thing. :)

I've been knee deep in the job search all summer, and it's really kind of torturous right now. Best of luck to you with finding a great job. :)

Anonymous said...

Well then, OFFICIAL congratulations are in order! :) Well done!!

GypsiAdventure said...

Yay! How exciting to know it is official! Congrats again. I wouldn't worry too much...everything has it's time and a way of working out.
~K

Annie said...

Hello! Aren't you a girl of many gifts! Congrats on earning (and I do mean EARNING) your Masters!

The job will come, give it time.

Ann M. said...

Congrats on passing the exam and the Master's! Hooray :)

Job hunting is intimidating and annoying, but hopefully you will find something you are perfect for and all will work out. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

Angela said...

Congratulations!!!! That is awesome. And good luck on those job interviews!

****Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife**** said...

Just wanted to stop by and say congrats! That is a HUGE accomplishment!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the comp and best of luck with your job search! I know, first hand, just how humbling it can be! ; )