Lessons Learned

Where there’s an end: there’s a new beginning.

Sometimes when things end there's a mixed emotional response. Happiness mingles with uncertainty. Uncertainty blends into excitement. Excitement back into uncertainty, etc. etc. Endings almost always offer a new beginning, and we hope that that new beginning is something wonderfully grand. But we don’t know. Soon my journey at Florida State ends, and I’ll begin anew at the University of Denver. Flying high above the Atlantic, I glance backwards thinking about that journey—the bumps and bruises and the giggles and tears—and I want to remind myself of all I’ve learned to share with others, but also so if and when the times comes for another similar ending, I am ready.

Welcome to the Funhouse: Lessons Learned

1.The carnival ride doesn’t stop just because you hopped on: A hard lesson to be sure. The fourth year you’re not just on the carnival ride; you’re controlling the switch to the ride; you’re dragging the kids on and off the ride; and you’re running back and forth between concessions stands. In other words, you have a lot going on and none of it stops just because the job market rears its head. There are going to be times when you feel like you are lingering between the alright and the I'm-not-really-alright-here-and-I-need-some-help-please phase. Just know that it does pass.

2. You gotta wrestle with Bearded Lady: No one really wants to wrestle with the bearded lady (because, well...you fill-in the blank =), but you know sometimes you just have to do it. Wrestling takes skill, determination, and planning. Take unexpected chances--you'll be surprised what turns up from them.

3. Keep your eye on the crystal ball: Which means--organize, organize, organize. I am a planner (see various other posts!), and it really helped to keep track of all the jobs in a chart...with a color coding system. Seriously. As it also helps to chunk out your day to include dissertation writing time and job application time. It's all about figuring out what works for you. I happened to do really well on the midnight shift (I wrote from 6:00 pm to 3:00 am daily), but a good friend of mine worked from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Figure out what works--and no matter how weird it might seem--go with it.

There are so many other things, too, that seem tiny in comparisons but let me name a few. Invest in a good travel (carry-on) bag for traveling—saves money and time. Invest in a killer suit—people do notice what you wear (I had several different interviewers comment—in a positive way—about my attire). Smile--a friendly smile, not a scary-murderess smile. Drink lots of water. Carry chapstick with you. Create a list of practice questions and type up answers. Don't ever (!) give up. Create positive post-its and stick them in front of your computer. Talk to friends that are going through the 4th year--they really help--whether it's to talk you off the ledge or to talk you through a chapter that isn't working. Believe it will happen.

Lessons learned.

Thankgoodness my carnival ride has finally come to a stop and though the process was what I might consider...awfully hard ;-) I.made.it.