What If...?

If you've been playing the Community Fellows Program Waiting Game for a while now, let's face it, you're probably asking yourself a lot of "what ifs." Well I can tell you from experience that too many “what ifs” will not only cause you to doubt yourself and whittle away your self-confidence, but it may even impede you from staying positive and seeking out other employment opportunities. Be anxious about the outcome of a job after you've applied is normal. However, here are some tips on how to be actively optimistic:

•  Regardless of the outcome, remind yourself that it was good practice for you to exercise time management and preparing your resume and application to meet the deadline.
• Keep an open mind. Although you may not want to look into other summer job opportunities because you are hoping to be accepted into the CFP, don't let that keep you from continuing your search.
• Consider attending the Job & Internship Expo, which is Wednesday, April 13, 2014 at 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center on the 2nd Floor. The more you network and apply yourself, the greater your chances are of receiving a position. Visit http://career-center.adelphi.edu/newsevent/job-and-internship-expo/ to see which employers will be attending (be sure to have your resume reviewed beforehand!).
• Check PantherZone on your eCampus account frequently to keep current on new job and internship postings you could apply to.

Take a deep breath. Rather than always asking “What if I didn't get the position?” or “What if I’m not good enough?” start asking, “What if I challenge myself to stay positive andproactive?” That is a challenge, I believe all of us, should not shy away from meeting.

The Waiting Game

You've finally applied to the Community Fellows Programs after days, weeks, maybe even months of preparation. The application deadline has passed and you ask yourself

"Now what?" Welcome to the Waiting Game. Did you know that you can be an active waiter? You heard right, an active waiter- a person who waits on the outcome of one project while continuing to research and seek out additional projects as preparation for whatever may come next.

Even though applying to the CFP is good start to your job and internship search, don't let it stop there! Here are some additional steps you should take:

• Consider attending the Job & Internship Expo being held from 12-3pm on the second floor of the UC, Wednesday, April 23, 2014.
• Research non-profit organizations that may be participating in the Community Fellows Program that you would like to learn more about if you had the opportunity to intern for them.         Have a LinkedIn profile? If not, create an online professional presence at https://www.linkedin.com/ and start connecting with peers and employers. If you do have a profile, make sure it is updated with current information about your academic credentials and employment history.
• Lastly, keep current on job openings listed on PantherZone, which you can access via your eCampus account. Make sure your resume is updated and have cover letters and references available upon request.  

Ever hear the phrase, "patience is a virtue"? This is easier said than done for most of us as we struggle to keep up in our fast-paced lives of to-do lists and deadlines. But being patient does not always translate as sitting around waiting for the next opportunity to come by. Being proactive in your job/internship search is when you actively wait on some opportunities while looking into others. This is how you play the Waiting Game.