December 21, 2008
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Life Update 12/21/08
I’ve been working at my new job for the past couple of weeks and I gotta say I love it so far. Working at a tennis & fitness club is a lot of fun and I’ve met so many interesting folks there. Today was the first day I haven’t been over there for the past two weeks because even on my off days I would go there just to play free indoor tennis (love that perk!). I can’t wait until I start getting more hours because I’m part-time as of now. I want to make it as full-time as possible because I need to save up a lot of money if I ever want to buy a new laptop (probably a Mac) and save up for graduate school.
Speaking of graduate school, I feel awful that I still haven’t finish writing up the essay part of the application. I guess part of the reason is because my application is technically not due until March, so that’s making me put it off. I do have an outline of what I pretty much wanna say, but I just keep on procrastinating on actually finishing it up. I’m gonna try to finish up my application by the end of this week, or at least by the end of the year. Come on Alex, the essay requires less words than some of your recent Xanga entries! Geez just do it already fool! haha.
Today I was up at the University of Maryland to watch two good friends I’ve known since high school graduate out of college.
Me with three of my good high school friends, all engineer majors from UMDI got to admit, I’m a bit jealous of my friends. I’m such the black sheep of the bunch. While I decided to go to UMBC and major in psychology, they all decided to go to UMD and major in engineering (be it mechanical, electrical, or aerospace), a major which practically guarantees them a good job and is virtually recession-proof. I absolutely don’t regret I majored in psychology because it has made me a much more compassionate, understanding person and I really don’t see myself being happy doing any other major. However, at times I wish that I have had a passion for something like engineering or computer science. It sure would make finding a good job a lot easier! Having said all that, I am genuinely happy for all my friends. I’m glad things are working out for them.
For now, I’m gonna stay on track and try to get a masters in industrial/organizational psychology, which currently has good job prospects and good income potential. It’s not the type of job I’ve always dream of doing, but I can see myself enjoying it. Whatever the case may be, I hope I will be successful at whatever I end up doing. I know I have the ability to do so many great things, yet I’m still so worry that things won’t work out for me, especially after my past job-related epic fails this year. Have you ever felt afraid that you won’t live up to your potential? I find myself thinking about that way too often lately. Boo you, recession!
Comments (59)
Yeah, I’m applying into engineering schools because I don’t know what I want to do, and I figured engineering would be my best bet for a job.
But psychology does seem really interesting, and I somewhat wish I could do something along those lines. At that point, you could always write a book like Malcolm Gladwell.
I want to play tennis! Congrats to the graduates!
absolutely can agree with feeling like you won’t live up to your potential. Being in the arts means that you have to be really great or there is like no chance of a future for you in it, so I often worry about if anything I write will be good enough to live off of. But I believe that you just have to have faith in yourself and your abilities. And everything will fall where it should.
btw, my story that replaces the absence of True Blood is up =]
I had thought about going into industrial/organizational psychology awhile ago but I’m now set on marriage/family counseling. Some days, though, I wonder if I should change my choice since I currently work in the mental health field right now and it is overwhelming at times. No worries, you’ll be successful at whatever you do. Anyone can!
@x_onholiday -
Yea, my friends kept mentioning their job is more or less secure through recessions. As long as you can see yourself happy being an engineer go for it! I know that if I enjoyed doing something like that I would go for it as well. Alas, I prefer understanding the human condition instead. I’ll (hopefully) find a good job; I just need to go into more schooling in order to do that, while my engineer friends can just find a good job w/o extra education.
@indiechaos -
Ah cool, I’ll read it up soon!
@mysteriousromantic -
Wow, marriage/family counseling was actually my first choice, but I didn’t know how to go about getting into a program like that. I picked I/O psych just mainly because it was one of the only grad programs I could make the deadline for and it relates to HR, which was my alternative.
What exactly do you do in the mental health field? My mom wanted me to work as a clinical psychologist at a hospital or something, but I know I wouldn’t like dealing w/ that stuff at all.
Good luck. I’ve been there. It’s a lot like dating. You have no idea whether or not you’re going to find something that works out but you just keep trying.
I totally know where you are coming from since I was a psych/english lit major and got told plenty of times by people about how impractical it was. I can say with certainty though that not all engineers make it because I have engineering friends who are working in offices making less money than I am now. Arts majors have the flexibility, analytical skills, and the communication skills to excel in the real world, and they are not limited to one specialized area either. BTW–I got a job in the financil field before I graduated and left because it wasn’t for me. A lot of my friends struggled with finding a job, but I found a lot of employees open to the possibility of hiring someone who was outgoing, well-rounded, and overall a people person. Don’t be discouraged!
@grinner08 -
Thnaks for the encouragement
. That’s a really good analogy. As much as I’ve talked about relationship stuff in my past posts, it’s my job worries that are on the top of my list of priorities. I’m so nervous.. but I’ll keep on trying.
@lil_squirrel4ever -
Hmm I never thought about it that way. I guess you’re right how flexible our majors can be as oppose to other ones like engineers. Perhaps all my friends are very smart and/or lucky, but so far all of my engineer friends have found themselves a decent job.
I’m pretty sure I meet all three of those descriptions, so I have a fair amount of belief in my talents. I’m just so nervous anyways because of how the world works. Sometimes it really is who you know that can set you up on a good career path.
@Roadlesstaken - We authorize mental health services for children under 21 in our county. I’m just an admin asst but have learned so much while working side by side with clinicians. The job has helped me network within the community so once I finish school, I have a lot of connections that I can use. It would be hard working in a hospital or crisis center though. From what I hear (I get daily calls from surrounding hospitals and crisis centers) it is very difficult and for some, it is rewarding. If you can keep your emotions intact, you might be okay at the hospital for a mental health treatment center. I get affected a lot by the cases we get (and we can get about 100 per day) but I have to keep myself in check….it’s very hard though. And knowing I have to intern at one of these places eventually is something I don’t look forward to.
@Roadlesstaken - yes you made a very interesting point here. Why you know is indeed VERY important. Networking is more valuable than people think; I am where I am now because of someone I knew from a long time ago, and I am fortunate for that. So as bad as it is–knowing the right people may be even more important than your major.
BTW: we need a lot of nurses here, and in BC that seems to be best area to go into if you want a guaranteed job. Otherwise it doesn’t really matter what you major it–it’s everyone for themselves!
Oops..I meant to type “who you know” not “why you know”.
@lil_squirrel4ever -
That’s how I got my current job at the tennis & fitness club; my high school coach referred me there. Haha not sure if I see myself becoming a nurse anytime soon, but I’ll keep that in mind if the option comes up.
You can’t prepare for the unexpected events that will occur in your present and future life. All you can do is to continue growing and learning and enjoying life as best you can. The path that you take isn’t always straight. There will be roadblocks making you take detours, but sometimes those detours lead you right back on the path you’re supposed to take. I’m not saying you should not plan for things and just take things in stride, but you shouldn’t let setbacks hinder you from moving forward. Hopefully, you’ll learn from mistakes and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. You’ll find your niche in due time
.
i wanna go to towson or UMBD but college park sounds pretty cool so i dunno yet AHHHH picking colleges are hard xD
Definitely. It’s nice to know there are other people who feel the same way, so thanks for writing this.
psychology is fun. I am taking it as my sub-major. =) eeek recession scares me a little. I’m scared that I might not be able to get a job with my degree, so i’m planning to get a master and become a part-time tutor in my uni (hope it works).
Good luck witht he application
Whoa, I give you props for majoring in psychology. I REALLY enjoy psychology. I think it’s my favorite subject, and I could really see myself studying and enjoying a psychology major. However, because of the job insecurity, I am not currently majoring in psychology. Will that change in the future? I don’t know. And, yes, I am scared I won’t live up to my full potential. I applied to the business major, and I’m waiting for their response (Feb. 11, I believe…). I’m so scared because the business major is highly competitive and I think less than half the applicants get in. So, I will pray.
I chose the business route because I would get to interact with people (which is the reason why I enjoy psychology). So in the end, I would be ecstatic if I get accepted to business. I know I won’t thoroughly enjoy it as much as psychology, but business is my second favorite subject.
Anyway, GL with the application!
Goodluck with everything! I’ve always wanted to learn tennis, but for some reason the ball always seems to speed up as it gets closer to me and I don’t react in time to get it. >.< Psychology is really really really interesting
I wanted to major in psychology as well — but I was worried about the income earning potential so I had to go into a very asian area of study — accounting >.<
I still take lots of psychology courses for my area of interest (I’d minor in it if I had more time…) but its different from really working in it.
I’m not worried about not living up to my potential, just worried that I won’t given the opportunity to reach my potential!
P.S. I’d also love to work at a tennis/fitness club — I love tennis =)
stop procrastinating and get crackin’ on that application! hope you’ve been doing well.
Ew for engineering.
Really.
I’m the epitome of a black sheep.
Didn’t apply for any IVY’s, and the school I go to, all my friends are engineer majors. ;___;
No one takes me seriously when I tell them I’m a Special Education major. They think I’m lying. lol.
@k1nredwolf9 -
So basically, I should go take the road less taken
? Haha yea, I can’t wait until I find my niche.
@xJanetirax -
Well what are you planning on majoring in? Also, does size of the campus matter to you?
@xiaosnowtenshi -
Cool. Idk why, but I get some sort of comfort knowing that others are going through the same experiences as me
@darth_cosmos -
Awesome! Yea, I’ve thought about possibly working at my old college as well. What is your main major btw?
@chineseboystyle -
Ah good luck with that. Business major is definitely a good one job-wise. Where are you applying to? Have you thought about maybe minoring in psychology?
@AzureRecollections -
You should learn! Tennis is fun and it’s a lifetime sport
. Good way to meet girls btw haha
@Dobserver -
Ah accounting. That was something my mom wanted me to do initially because people always need accountants and they make decent money. For me though, I know I would be so bored doing it haha.
So you play tennis too? How experience are you?
@kc_sarah -
I will I will, work has been taking too much of my time, but I should be more free this holiday week. Sorry haven’t been online lately!
@thepenguinishere -
I didn’t apply to any Ivy league schools either, just UMBC, UMD, and Towson. Nothing wrong with doing a special education major! I just didn’t know they offered that until you mentioned it to me haha.
Congratulation to your friends! I am feeling the potential-problem right now except I feel trapped in college. The only way to see if you can do things well, is to do it. Work is most of your life, and it is a damn shame if you don’t enjoy it because you wont enjoy a huge part of your life. I agree, I wish I was more interested in the recession-proof areas but my major is economics & asian studies. I am also a bit of the black-sheep among my friends and family. I ignored all my choices and picked an all-women college for its distinctiveness. Best of luck with your essay, sometimes it just takes the right moment for you to be inspired enough to truly convey your answers for those broad-based questions.
@Roadlesstaken -
Believe me, I am bored haha~ I’m okay at tennis maybe somewhere around intermediate level…My Serve still sucks – its either fast and out, or slow and in =T
I also tend to hit with backspin instead of topspin *sigh* — its like one big physics lesson gone bad!
to be honest, i have NO CLUE what im majoring in yet, thats why im going to HCC for 2 years, then i’m going to transfer to towson and continue with whatever i choose to do and no i really dont care about the size of the campus, i probably wont be boarding cuz my parents want me to stay home. so im gonna be driving everywhere most likely =/ but it oh tay, im not paying for it xD
Haha, thanks. Usually my comments are like BLAH…and sometimes they don’t make any sense at all but hopefully you understood.
Anyhow, that’s another interesting entry I see. The black sheep of the group you say? Hm, I don’t know if that applies to me but I feel like that too sometimes because I’m the only one from my friends who went to UCI and the only one from my family to go to an UC instead of a Cal State.
You know, I thought about majoring in psychology too but somehow I decided to change it. Actually, I wanted to major in nursing in the beginning but getting into the nursing program isn’t so easy. I’m actually having second thoughts about my major. Well, at least you graduated. I still have a few more years to go and hopefully it’ll come by quick with lots of interest.
And yes, I actually do think about the thought of not living up to my potentials let alone my very own expectations. That thought is truly intimidating for me.
Anyways, with your kind of determination, I’m sure you’ll be successful in whatever that you do. I don’t know if it’s necessary but just in case, GOOD LUCK~!!
@Dobserver -
Haha nice. Back in high school I used to have zero confidence on my topspin shots during actual matches, so I would just slice everything because it was easier to do. Now I’m a huge topspin-oriented player. Ideally I would like to have the same game as Nadal haha. I got the left-handed part down for sure!
@litt0_h0nii -
I know right? I can be so easily inspired to write in my Xanga but have zero inspiration to write my 300-500 graduate essay haha.
That was exactly my thinking. I figure I’m gonna work most of my life, why not do something I really like instead of doing something just for the money? Eventually if I become an I/O psychologist I can have the best of both world. In all honesty, I wouldn’t mind just running a tennis & fitness club haha.
What are your plans for a career with a economics and asian studies major btw?
@xJanetirax -
Yea, a lot of people just take basic courses their first 2 years so community college isn’t a bad route. I was a commuter my first 2 years of college before I lived on campus my last two. I highly recommend you doing it at least for one year just to get the experience. It’s great
@Xiongy -
Don’t worry, a lot of people change their major 2-3 times in the first couple of years. What is your current major? Thanks for your well wishes btw
haha..the first thing i realise is that ur not dress really formal this time…haha..or maybe the tie is hiding underneath….xP
and d start on ur essay..lol…if not u even get ur masters.!!!
hehe awww thanks buddy ^^ im kinda excited about the whole college thing and then again no cuz imma be all like BLEH and ppl are probably gonna make fun of me xD plus im a 12 year old anyways, ahaha.
Congrats to your friends!
@Roadlesstaken - I am majoring in public relations. =)
@s_h_a_sha -
No tie this time, but I was wearing a dress shirt a black slacks
@EstherN -
Thanks, I’ll let them know
@darth_cosmos -
Ooo fun stuff! I can see how psychology could relate to that
@Roadlesstaken - lol what with u and formal stuff….haha take some pics in non formal wear..oh and i love the coat!!
@s_h_a_sha -
Haha thanks…alright, so you want me to just take a naked picture of myself then? =P
@Roadlesstaken - if i say yes would u??? haha ha..
oooo everyone alex is gg to post a naked pic of himself.!!!! aww i did those girls that have a XC a favor..i am soo nice… xD
@s_h_a_sha -
Hahaha you would like that wouldn’t you?
@Roadlesstaken - lol u suggested it!!! not me.. haha but it be a good pressie for ya readers…=D
@Roadlesstaken - Haha, yeah, pretty much so I figured it wouldn’t make much of a difference. My current major is public health science.
@Roadlesstaken -
I applied to UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business’ Undergraduate Program. I’m currently in UC Berkeley’s college of letters and science (undeclared). They actually don’t offer a psychology minor there since the psychology major is capped (students have to apply and see if they get in.) I’ve been toying with other majors. See, the advisers at Haas told everyone to have a backup major since about less than half the students get accepted. My backup major is MCB (molecular and cell biology) and I also want to major in Chinese. Ideally, I want to major in business and Chinese (since I figured it would help with international business). I think it would be too strenuous to double major in business and psychology or MCB and psychology. Aw, now I really wish they offered a psychology minor at my school.
@chineseboystyle -
Ah sounds like all good plans. Aw I wish schools around MD offered Chinese majors. That would be very useful!
@Roadlesstaken -
I know, right? haha. UMBC doesn’t even have an Education major. PSH.
It’s not like there’s anything else I could do!
Even after five years of being in the nursing profession, I still question if I ever made a good decision of becoming a nurse. Though I am very lucky that nursing is a recession-proof profession, I still have my doubts.
@BomCamChuoi -
What doubts do you have? You seem to enjoy it from what I’ve read.