Reconnect

In today’s Plain Dealer an article discusses that 170,000 youths aged 16 to 24 are disconnected from everyday life. A disconnected youth is one aged 16 to 24 with either a GED or a high school diploma who is not pursuing employment of higher education. My brother, though he is 26, perfectly fits this definition because he has his GED but neither pursues gainful employment nor higher education. He constantly floats between our parents and aunt. Whereas, I possess an MBA and a BA in International Economics, have traveled abroad to London and even though I am currently working part-time and actively searching for full-time employment. I will attend my third job fairs in two weeks and have aggressively networked with others to obtain leads. Also I am returning to college to obtain my M.A. in Economics to upgrade my skill set to become an Economist. Yet, I too want to become more connected and more engaged as an adult by relocating and moving to either Washington, DC or New York City. It is important that I be completely independent; and, isolating myself is the only way to accomplish this feat because everything would fall on me.

Right now I feel stagnant here and possessing a very strong, dynamic personality I need challenges and my present environment and family do not push me enough. Moving to one of these cities to become an Economist is my dream and therefore, I have rededicated myself to greatness. This is the only way to fulfill it. Rosa Parks was is the epitome of an engaged woman and American and the worked has clearly benefited because of her. This article, though is clearly not pointing the finger at me, has made me reevaluate my personal mission. It is essential that I undergo a personal transformation in order to realize all of my dreams, goals and ambitions which are the following: obtain both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics, land an Economist post en route towards achieving tenure as a full professor at a top-tier university, Explore my creative side as a singer/songwriter, save my money to establish a foundation that will evolve and serve as the cornerstone for financing my own bank and college, and become the first woman Nobel Laureate in Economics. I have got a lot of work ahead of me and devoting myself towards achieving these objectives starts right now!

Informational Goldmine

After yesterday's disappointment, I focused on what I could do to regain control of my situation. Well self-reliance has paid dividends, because I have located numerous sources, retrieved an abundance of information and have billed more hours than last week (though my fingers are crossed because my employer hasn't returned my email regarding sending the transaction via priority mail. I will call him later.) At this pace, my next billing period's hours will exceed this week's. Right now I am establishing the protocols for this relationship, because I know that I need to be paid on a consistent basis and effectively communicating that is the only way to ensure that this occurs.

Focusing on myself has calmed me down enough to enjoy my life and stoppoing worrying about others. I took in two movies: Good Night and Good Luck yesterday and Doom today. Regardless of whatever happens, I will be okay because I am taking advantage of all of the opportunities afforded me at this time: three career fairs in two weeks, two networking events and a lot of free time! Hot dog! :)

Rise From the Ashes Like a Phoenix

I have just gotten off of the phone with my employer and I am more upset than ever. This is a contract position and every time I ask him for details, he replies that,” you need a computer.” Whatever! Be clear about the project. This experience just reinvigorates me to find another job! This is so not worth it.

Okay now that I have vented my frustration over his incompetence, I will focus on typing the thank you letters for all of the recruiters that I have met. With two recruiters already forwarding my resumes to the specific departments, I am in good hands. Also now I have enough time to take in a movie. Why allow him to anger me?

Many Happy Returns

Having obtained contact information of a recruiter for almost every recruiter, I hit pay dirt at the DiversityAmerica Career Fair! I couldn’t believe it was so easy. Even the bank recruiter who forwarded everyone else to the website upon mentioning my interview for the Business Analyst position at a local processing branch (this particular branch is also where she worked) gave me a specific contact person of that position! Also I ran into a fellow Urban League Young Professional at this career fair.

Now I will type my thank you letters and apply for the new jobs that I have discovered while conversing with the recruiters then mail them tomorrow to ensure that they receive them by Monday. This event has given me confidence to put my all into the Cleveland State University Diversity Career Fair next week Friday. I am so pumped!

Volunteer Some Time For Me

Memo to Self:
Effective immediately I will volunteer some me time for myself because this week has been extremely hectic. Even though I will probably be volunteering at a local non-profit afterwards, I will eat lunch then take in a movie. Probably George Clooney's Good Night and Good Luck. I need to de-stress myself from everything: CSU, the ASA/BLS grant, not receiving enough work hours and just life in general!

Good Karma II

Today I benefited from good karma during lunch. While purchasing a salad at Quizno’s, I tried to give the worker exact change but was short one penny. Though I had enough change to cover my meal, she just took one of the pennies from the cup and paid the balance. I am grateful that after spreading good energy, I can receive it because prior to that moment I had to deal with a bus full of messed up know-nothing alcoholic prophets! Well, at least something has happened to me and know I can transfer that positive energy to someone else.

Scholarship Treasure Hunt

I am currently on my scholarship hunt because I want to attend graduate school debt-free and by digging for awards, grants, fellowships and scholarships I will. Thus far, I have requested twelve scholarship applications by mail, have located over twenty, and have emailed nearly two dozen organizations for internships, fellowships and cooperative education programs. All of this work will add up eventually by my attending a graduate economics program with paying them one red cent.

Resolved to Have A Good Week

Okay this week has been a little too hectic for me, however, I am resolving today to have a good week.

Career Voyage

Today I attended the Federal job fair at a Cleveland area high school. Though overall career fair and representatives were cordial, there were a few (mainly the ATF guy and the CSU Career Service woman who no longer worked at the university but when inquiring about her contact info and who was just down right indignant at the career service table) who just plain annoying. Be upfront and answer the questions!

Okay now that I have vented I will tell you all of the good stuff that I discovered while attending. First, a federal agency will be offering management intern positions; and, a few others have some cooperative education agreements with the university. And, speaking of cooperative education programs, NASA is still receiving applications in the Cleveland, OH area until November 30th. During the informational seminar, a contact person notified the audience that if you are a graduate student at Cleveland State that you don’t have to register for the course! Yippee! :) However, afterward she did caution me about applying for a cooperative position simultaneously while reentering school. Good assessment because I hadn’t though about that.

The federal career fair provided me a great insight unattainable without attending this event and that outshines all of the problems!

Good Karma

I got my hair done today and was happy to learn that my beautician has hired three additional workers. It is good to see progress because I constantly wonder how she would keep the shop in the black. However, her three employees are very cordial and do hair and nails very well. I believe that she has received some blessings in her life because of the positive energy that emanates from her.

Throughout this month I have been emanating the same radiance. Last week during a part-time holiday sales interview a woman forgot her keys in the lobby and I walked over to the customer service representative. I didn’t take credit but thought it was important that she received her keys. I believe that this good karma reappeared yesterday when I forgot my disk at the Learning Connections lab. These events reinforce the fact that practicing benevolence makes life easier.

Speaking of which, my former employer has responded via email that she would love to serve as my recommender for Cleveland State! J Plus, the graduate secretary informed me that I had the criteria to be considered for a grad assistantship. My timetable is to submit all documentation by November 1, 2005 to ensure that I obtain the most financial aid available prior to the 2006 spring semester.

Today I am working on another assignment. Though the work is sporadic because I have neither a car nor a computer (I work at the library), creating my hours is addictive. I will complete the phone calls by later today. I hope that this out-of-county assignment lasts another week. My employer has three additional jobs and I have worked on another one located in my home county. The good part is that at least I am employed and can save some money for the future. Which will really help me because I need to finance an emergency fund for bills and employment travel. However, right now I am happy that I am doing what I love which is research; and, this real estate valuation experience will allow me to strengthen my candidacy for acceptance into the graduate program and an assistantship.

I'll keep you posted!

Rebounding in a Good Way

All right today had gotten much better after this morning’s debacle! I attended the FOCUS Day event only to discover that was geared to undergraduates. The girl at the table informed me that the Economics department was located in Rhodes Tower on the seventeenth floor. Immediately I took the elevator to my destination only to realize that I stepped into a maze. Arrows pointing in both directions adorned the signs and after circling the floor twice, I asked the graduate assistant who told me about the university’s Economic programs. He mentioned that the GRE wasn’t necessary (really, that’s great!) and that all I would need to become a degree-seeking student were an application, transcripts and two recommendation letters. That announcement brightened my day because now I could qualify for financial aid! The assistant also helped me secure an interview with the departmental chair.

Departing the university I ate lunch at the House of Blues. During lunch, I wrote the pros and cons of applying for degree status. Actually there weren’t any cons. Then I traveled to the county’s auditor’s office to copy the tax maps. My employer once again forgot why I needed to copy two maps (he gave me two parcel numbers) but overall the task was a cinch.

Obtaining financial aid would help me realize my goal of being debt-free and would complement my scholarship undertaking. I will continue searching for awards, grants, scholarships and fellowships to defray tuition costs. However, I am happy that the low barrier of entry would assist me in realizing my dreams. Now I just have to go to the financial aid office regarding my aid package.

Too Early in The Morning for This

I arrived at an organizational job agency earlier this morning. The recruiter gave me some pointers right from the pages of What Color Is Your Parachute? When I told him about it he remarked, “I’m not into job techniques!” Then told me that ex-cons were successfully at using this techniques. Yikes!

Anyway, this is just the beginning of my day. Later I have a FOCUS Day at Cleveland State University and then must squeeze in the Auditor’s stuff.

Passionate

Passion: 1) having or showing strong emotions. 2) hot-tempered 3) intense; ardent; rousing: as, a passionate speech. 4) lustful, amorous. 5) strong; vehement: said of emotion.

I am passionate about returning to school and have researched graduate awards, grants, fellowships and scholarships and have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of aid available to graduate economics students! These organizations will help me realize my goal of enrolling debt-free. This passion will assist me in every way of becoming the best person and professional that I can be.

Conviction

Conviction: a strong belief

I have a strong conviction that fear will never arrest me because I possess the self confidence to step out on faith. The last five years have been disappointing and left me uninspired; and, quite frankly, these feelings of inadequacy have run their course. This time my vision of becoming the best that I can be will come to fruition. Mark my words: I will be accepted into an economics program as first a nondegree student then a degree seeking student en route to obtaining a full-time Economist; In addition, I will excel, post a 4.0 grade point average; be on the Dean’s List every semester, expand my professional network that’ll serve as a career springboard to Washington, D.C. and be accepted into a top-tier Research I university after scoring no less than 1450 on the GRE. Along the way I will write my poems, songs and basically live my life the way it should be lived!

These may be ambitious objectives; however, today I have been rewarded: a university has notified me that because I paid the $30 processing fee as a nondegree graduate student in lieu of attaining my Master’s that the fee has been waived. This is the result of my conviction in myself!

Spread My Wings

Independence Air will be no longer be flying out of Cleveland after October 31st; however, I will be okay since Continental has a hub here; thereby, allowing me to continue my jet-setting ways! :)

I learned something today

Right now when I enter the learning connections lab at the main branch, the computer spit back a message saying that I used my two hours for the day. The librarian explained that SAMS is systems-wide and it allowed a patron to be on the computer for two hours anywhere. However, she overrode it for me.

Also while I am on the subject of learning, I must start learning that no matter how in love I am with an idea, read the fine print. In this case, it is Howard University. Its spring 2006 deadline was October 1st. Though I am ineligible for this semester, I do have other viable options such as remain here and attend CSU, save money than reapply or attend George Mason University or any other Metro DC area schools. GMU’s deadline is December 22, 2005 giving me two months to search for financial aid since I will be enrolling as a graduate non-degree applicant. The reason: I haven’t studied for the GRE yet. However, I have managed to request scholarship applications to ensure that I will be attending debt-free! :)

Take A Stand!

I have just gotten off of the phone with my employer and he agreed to meet Monday regarding my money. He initially tells me that I would be paid sometime next week. Is he crazy?! This contracting work is something else. When I meet I will have all of my work, all of hours, plus receipt copies to make sure that there won’t be no mess!

This is a Business

More than ever, this contractor position has taught me to treat my employment experience as a commodity and a business transaction. Document everything from hours to expenses. Thus Far, I have worked 16.5 hours on this project, and I hope that after submitting my report and neighborhood analysis that I could negotiate another contract and a higher pay rate. Of course, the first thing he might bring up is my lack of computer access but I have proficiently performed all assigned tasks on time. The documentation and accountability skills allow me to become the first black Fortune 500 female CEO!

My Life as a Real Estate Valuation Report Writer

I applied for this position and landed a contract position with a real estate valuation firm. The work is pretty interesting.

This was the first time sitting at a Kinko’s earning decent money to copy survey documents and value real estate properties. Of course, it was legal but still surreal because there was no structure. We just met in the videoconference room and went to work. No fingerprints, work authorization. No of that; however, during the process, I learned a lot about the real estate valuation process. Initially the aerial views, blueprints and portfolios overwhelmed me but after a couple hours and reminding myself that this isn’t every day when I can set my hours and receive decent pay, that I calmed down and regained focus. Afterward, my employer dropped me off at the Chagrin-Green intersection, where I caught the 94 then boarded the Green Line rapid for downtown to begin my research.

Unearthing all of this information has opened my eyes to the abundance of resources Greater Cleveland can offer. From real estate business association to partnerships to neighborhood corporations to city governments to chambers of commerce, it is all there. This job provided a much needed education about Cleveland’s happenings. All of this acquired knowledge will be beneficial towards my relocation plans.

Yesterday I met with my employer at the East Side Kinko’s to begin working as the Entry-Level Research Writer. A sole proprietor he was intelligent and aloof all the same. The meeting was surreal for me because this was the first time doing contract work. Prior I filled out forms, provided work authorization, etc. But this was different. However, I liked it because the pay was decent and I could set my own hours. J

Today I made phone calls, typed the SWOT analysis for the area, obtained additional development information pertinent to the appraisal, and visited the property to take pictures (which are currently being developed at the local pharmacy) and write down all of the parking lot rates within a two-block radius of the building. After picking up my pictures, I will review all of my information and begin revising my SWOT analysis.

Looking forward

After a three-year absence I am returning to college to pursue my M.A. in Economics in Washington, DC
Instead of looking back at mistakes and failures
Bristling at lost opportunities
I am looking forward optimistic at redefining my life on my own terms by recreating myself and my reality

I was great while in Washington, DC BUT I am miserable here in Cleveland because I realize my dreams here.
As one lady remarked during the educational seminar “Cleveland is a great place to live but a hard place to find a job”
I need to express myself as a mogul, singer/songwriter, and Nobel Prize in Economics laureate but most importantly EXCEL!

Life is too precious not to realize my potential
Therefore, when necessary change is inevitable
This is high time for a reassessment and course correction
Once again, I will be great because instead of looking back, I will be looking forward.

Due Diligence

After hours of surfing the Net, I have located numerous organizations, economic grants and scholarships that will aid me in my mission to attend graduate school debt-free! Whoopee! :) This weekend I will prepare a folder specifically for this undertaking to ensure that I never miss an opportunity.

Economic Explosion!

Today I printed all of the Google economic organizations resources that I discovered last night through my cell phone. Altogether there were 130 organizations presenting me with 130 opportunities to secure graduate funding. Mark my words this time I will enroll and graduate debt-free (Now that’s a real-world economics lesson! :))

I am so ready to matriculate at graduate school in Washington, DC or New York City, earn my economic sheepskin and kick butt in the corporate world either as a Bank Economist or Forensic Economist in a Litigation or Consulting Firm! Best believe one thing: in two years I will be better off than today.

Crazy Whirlwind

Today everything seems to be moving so fast that I cannot keep a steady pace! And it is only 1pm! From requesting graduate economics information to inquiring about my mobile phone bill to listening to the online web seminar, choas appears to be surrounding me. Ans, I still have the Sudan event later at 6pm. Whew!

This month on Lakeshore

October’s marketing and public relations meeting was at Arabica’s off of Lakeshore Avenue. This being my first time in this section of Cleveland, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. The 185th and Lakeshore neighborhood is an extremely progressive one with local shops varying from automotive dealers to video store to donut shop. The ambiance that emanated from this diverse community left a great impression making me to move here.

Driven

I have scored an 86% and passed the written driving examination on my first try! However, I mistaken the $7.50 state identification fee with the $22.00 temporary driver packet! The sticker price shocked me so much that I temporarily forgot that I have the money in my pocket.

Crystallize

Crystallize: 1) to cause to form crystals 2) to give a definite form to: as, crystallizer your thinking. 3) to coat with sugar. v.i. 1) to become crystalline in form. 2) to take on a definite form

Writing down all of my thoughts on paper helps me crystallize my mission statement. When my thoughts are in physical form, they possess formal structure, a concreteness that is easy to recognize. They are no longer dream. They have deadlines, objectives, meaning.

This is crystallization. Those dreams once potential energy, merely stagnant particles, have placed moved into action. Their elements have collided producing a kinetic, cataclysmic change.