I finally made it to the starting line...
I say this because it's my shoddy metaphor for where I think I am right now. I've been thinking a lot about where I was 9 months ago compared to where I am now (besides the physical change of moving from Nashville to Charlotte). Last November/December I had finally finished sending out scores of resumes and going to career fairs, etc. I was finishing up interviews with Trinity and several other companies and praying for some kind of response to get this whole 'having a job' thing out of my mind and enjoy my Senior year. I would say it was somewhat serendipitous that I landed a) with Trinty and b) in Charlotte. I'm with Trinity because someone made a last minute appearance to a career fair at Vandy, and I'm in Charlotte because two of my roommates from Vandy also moved here. I really wanted to work for Trinity because I wanted to use a variety of my skills. I did not want to just do engineering calculations or run simulations all day, nor did I want to write gobs of summary text. I wanted to have a more interdisciplinary job, where both my engineering and writing knowledge/interest would be needed. I work now in a place that demands the details of emissions calculations with the big picture of environmental air quality. I work now in a place where monetary, ethical and client considerations are of equal and full importance.
Coming out of school, it is so hard to imagine the kind of work you will be doing and what it will mean for you. I would have to say that so far, working is a lot like I expected it to be: it's difficult, and your days are a lot shorter. Yet there is also something somewhat unexpected. I'm already proud of what I've been able to accomplish, and I know I have a lot more coming up. People are depending on me to do my best, and there is fulfillment in that, moreso than any 'A' I may have gotten in college (plus, that whole 'having money' thing). I just got back from traveling to another office yesterday and I'm realizing that I am at the starting line and the gun is going off. I have a lot of work to do, but that's a good thing. I can't hide behind anyone and just say "I'm new here", this is for real! Many of my friends I graduated with are still in training programs, or have just recently finished training and are easing into work. Though sometimes I might wish for that kind of introduction, it is indeed gratifying to know that I am already ahead of them in terms of experience and responsibility. Soon I will be getting even more clients, more contacts, more knowledge and more success. There are very few companies out there that can offer what Trinity has. This is definitely a challenge, but it's absolutely worth it. ~ttfn