What to be and what not to be.  I thought everything would just fall into place after graduation.  I’ve been stuck in a swirling vortex of confusion.  Who knew reality would be this hard?

I should have listened to my parents when they warned me about it.  “Don’t just let life pass you by.”  Four months have passed by for me since graduation.

Here’s a recap of the past four months of my life.

Since I became a Biology major, pre-med was written on my path of success.  But, what about my English major?  I love to read and write. I also love to be around children.  Maybe I can become an English teacher? Oh the choices.  I kept going back and forth.  What could be something that involved both of my interests? Honestly, I didn’t know.  My motto had always been: “Ah, it’s okay. Just go with the flow.”

So, I kept changing my career choices about once a week.  From becoming a doctor, forensic scientist, journalist, teacher, photographer…ah you get the point.   I have to admit; I feel I am definitely on a path that’s leading nowhere.  Some advice to all of you out there, at least try to start thinking about what you want now.

Now, I work at my dad’s store everyday from 12-4.  The store isn’t too great. Barely any customers, so the time goes by really slow.  However, time is going by pretty fast…I just noticed it a fewmonths later.  Have you guys seen the movie Post Grad with Alexis Bledel? That movie explains about 75% of what I am going through, except the fact that she actually got interviews, and then rejected.  I just keep getting rejected without any interviews.  It’s a tough crowd out there.

This moment,  I am waiting for either an acceptance letter or rejection letter for continuing my education in Biology.  This summer I will start my Texas Teacher Alternative Program.  I write as much as I can, fiction and nonfiction, poetry and prose, blogs and editorials.  I recently bought a fancy professional camera, since I am addicted to taking pictures of everything and anything. Hopefully, this will kick off my future photography career.  Maybe, I’ll keep thinking about medical school or dental school.  I will do as much as I can, as much as I want.  I will be successful one day.  I will stay confident.  That’s all you need. Confidence.

I’m mere weeks away from a bona fide college degree. In the past four years, I have gone through two laptops, three majors, and developed a semi-serious and expensive addiction to caffeine to get to this point (damn you, Starbucks!). I have spent countless nights on projects and papers. I have spent even more nights procrastinating and getting distracted by the randomness of dorm life, and then apartment life.  But it’s finally here. Graduation.

It’s not only a time of transition, but also of reflection. And so begins the sentimental sappy story of the moment, as is required in the by-laws of all writing related to ceremonial milestones in a young brown girl’s life.

Two and half years ago marks the time when I officially changed my major to English (cue gasp). I was a sophomore and my career goals at that point were shaped entirely by what I didn’t want to do (i.e. doctor, engineer, pharmacist, accountant – so basically any job worth having as decided among the general collective of South Asian parents).  I was stuck in an accounting course that interested me about as much as watching the most boring shade of paint dry. And every time I was asked what my major was, I would reply halfheartedly, “…Business…general studies, I guess.”

Needless to say, my motivation was limited. But I felt it was my only ‘practical’ option because I lacked even the most basic aptitude in science or math and my parents felt it was the most sensible choice. And I didn’t want to disappoint them.  I was jealous of all my non-Indian friends who I felt had the luxury in choosing their own life path. And so I sulked until I finally failed my first test. Ever. It was sort of a nerdy wake-up call. The newspaper headline of the day might as well have read, “Smart Indian Chick: Now a Failure in Life.” Ok, I exaggerate. But nevertheless, a failed test grade did alert me to the state of my studies and it wasn’t a conclusion I was entirely prepared for.

The truth was, I hated all my classes, hated all my future classes, and hated whatever future profession I would enter into. That’s a lot of hate for a confused 19-year old. Ultimately I sat down and reviewed my options. Stay in the major I was in, or switch it out for something a lot more appealing – English. I’ve always had a strong affinity for words and ideas that didn’t involve some complicated equation or a hundred dollar calculator…or a five dollar calculator for that matter.  So, English it was; I thought – perfect! There was only one glitch. The parents. I absolutely dreaded breaking the news that their eldest daughter, whom they, for whatever reason, placed so much hope and expectation into, was setting out to lead some sort of transient-hobo-hippie lifestyle. After all, what do you do with a B.A. in English? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK6ksA0QyE4)

Eventually I (wo)manned up and told them — six months later. As expected, they freaked out. I had gone rogue and absolutely lost my sense of future stability/survival. Oh no! The world was ending and in this apocalyptic state of Indian family crisis, my main battles were trying to convince my parents I had a solid post-graduation plan (which I didn’t) and screening calls from random relative phone interventions (which I failed at). At the end of what I consider the Most Un-Fun Spring Break Ever, I had managed to talk to five different aunties and uncles who attempted to sneakily convince me that they were giving me a friendly courtesy call, not all trying to ambush me with ideas about pursuing dentistry or something practical of the sort.

“Beta, you want to be teacher? They make no money, you know,” they persisted.

“…not exactly. I’m interested more in…” I replied back. The last bit was usually a mumble of some sort of generalized plans, when in actuality I had no freaking idea what was to become of me.

A few weeks later, my mother finally calmed down enough to tell me in her own special way that it was fine. It took my father a bit longer, but eventually he came around too.

What seemed like an impossibly uphill and arduous journey then is just a nostalgic blip now. Not that all my problems have completely disappeared – there’s still the post-grad adjustment period/job search — but I’ve realized (with help) that whatever the situation, it will be O.K. This is the exact sort of optimism I’m in the habit of mocking and cynically criticizes, however it’s true.  At the time, I was devastated at the thought of disappointing my parents and failing their expectations, but they got over it. It took time, but eventually all the anger and disappointment just reverts back to the familial love that never goes away, that never went anywhere actually.

It’s hard explaining this part of my life to non-South Asians. I think in the South Asian family dynamic, there is such an importance placed on family that any sort of disappointment or ‘rebellion,’ whether it is in love, education, or career choices, becomes a seemingly epic ordeal. Breaking away from the engineer-doctor paradigm can indeed be difficult, because of the immense amount of pressure that may comes from parents, relatives, or even that random grandmotherly figure you always see at the temple (or whatever house of worship you might attend – because contrary to popular belief, not all of us South Asians are Hindus), but it’s not impossible. If that’s what you want to do, more power to you; however, it’s not the only option. Whether it be your major, or any other “life-decision,” it’s not conducive to do something because you feel stuck or obligated. It’s the corniest line in the old cliché book, but follow your dreams. It’ll be worth it in the end.

This is part advice article; part me just self-indulging in my own memories. But the message is simple. Do what’s right for you. Whatever you do, do it all the way. Look at that, I’ve turned into a motivational speaker (translate: prospective career option!).

Recently, BG had the privilege of interviewing Shivani Thakkar, a talented artist in the field of dance and artistic performance. Many can say they have a passion for dance, but Thakkar has taken that passion and turned it into a full fledged career.

Thakkar was born and raised in Calgary, Canada and began learning classical dance from her mother.  Thakkar’s mother, Sudha Thakkar, is a Bharata Natyam dancer and teacher and has had her dance academy Manu Kala Mandir in Calgary since 1980. Thakkar  grew up learning Bharata Natyam from her mother and was also introduced to jazz, tap, and ballet as a child.

“During my high school years, I took leaves of absence from my academic school to go to Mumbai where I trained with my mother’s guru, Kalamamani Guru Kalyanasundaram Pillai of Sri Rajarajeswari Bharata Natya Kala Mandir. I completed a full new repertoire  of compositions under his direction,” said Thakkar.

When she was eighteen, Thakkar moved out to Los Angeles to attend University of Southern California. She graduated cum laude from USC in 2005, with a B.A. in Theatre and a minor in Film/TV production. Even with all of her accomplishments in her young life, Thakkar continued to keep dance at the forefront of her life.

The years of quality training and her dedication to the art form paid off. Thakkar recently won the National US Online Bollywood Video Dance Competition “Bollypop” which won her an appearance in the recent Hindi film Chance Pe Dance.

“Working in Bollywood was so much fun. The days were long and schedules in Bollywood are much more fluid, changing, and flexible than in Hollywood,” said Thakkar.

Thakkar shot for two songs in the movie. For each song she had about 4 to 5 days of rehearsal and 4 to 5 days of shooting. There were about 50 dancers in one of the songs, from all over the world.

“The second number we shot was “One More Dance” and is the song that takes place early on in the movie, at a disco club where Sameer (Shahid’s Character) gets noticed for by the Big-time Director. Our set was incredible as they had practically built a whole club for the scene. It was gorgeous and very, very cool,” said Thakkar.

Thakkar learned quite a bit in her experience with Bollywood. At the same time she has had the privilege bringing her talent to Hollywood. Thakkar recently had the opportunity to shoot a scene for Step Up 3-D, a Disney/Buena Vista Pictures production, due out August 2010.

“This is the first time in the history of Disney films that Bharata Natyam is featured and I’m excited that as per the shooting script I’m the opening shot of the film. The choreography is pure Bharata Natyam,” said Thakkar.

According to Thakkar, this is the first time Classical Bharata Natyam will be seen in a Disney film or even a Hollywood feature film production. Indian dance, both classical and Bollywood, is slowly making its way through the ranks for Hollywood. Thakkar hopes to be a part of this change.

“I feel fortunate that I’ve trained in both Western and Indian dance and had the opportunity to work in both Bollywood and Hollywood. I hope that this strong background will continue to open doors for me as the field grows and evolves. I also hope that I can bring something new and unique to the playing field,” said Thakkar.

In addition to performing, Thakkar has an extensive list of Masterclasses and workshops she has taught around the US and Canada in both Bharata Natyam and Bollywood. She uses her classes as a way to introduce relevant concepts, exercises and moves from a variety of dance styles.

“Bollywood is becoming a style of it’s own definition, a true fusion between cultures and is quite probably going to be as powerful and recognizable as hip hop as a genre if it continues to have passionate people contributing to it’s development and creative expansion,” Thakkar said.

Thakkar’s busy schedule as a free-lance artist is constantly changing. Her dance work requires her to travel frequently, rehearse, work on different projects simultaneously, go on auditions, and continue training in dance whenever possible.

“During my down time between classes and rehearsals, I also try to squeeze in my hobbies like going to the beach or hiking, cooking, watching and analyzing great films and reading,” said Thakkar.

Thakkar has dedicated a large portion of her life to dance and performance arts. Many young women may have danced much more when they were younger, but as life’s obligations creep up, dancing is put off. Thakkar believes that every girl can keep dance her life, even when she is older, as long as she enjoys it.

“With dance you have to do it as long as you enjoy it. The moment you don’t find joy in it anymore, stop. Dance is about feeling the joy in your soul,” said Thakkar.

Even if you can not take formal classes, Thakkar emphasizes that taking time out of your busy schedule to dance might be well worth it.

“Kick back and have fun with dance. This can be in anyway you find yourself and your soul having fun with dance. For some, this means going to salsa clubs with friends, for others this means putting on your iPod and choreographing various moves. I personally like to free-style in the studio or have crazy dance parties in my bedroom!” said Thakkar.

For more information on Thakkar and her future endeavors visit her website at www.shivanithakkar.com.

The clock reads 2 a.m. on a school night and junior Seema Patel* is just now getting ready for bed. The late night is not anything out of ordinary for her. It is just another night in the life of a pre-med.

A psychology major at the University of Texas at Austin, Patel says she averages at least 30 hours of studying and only around five hours of sleep a week. Her weekly class schedule includes psychology, Hindi, and organic chemistry courses along with two science labs. While it all only adds up to 14 hours of credit, Patel is actually taking 17 hours of class a week. Free time is a privilege she does not get to indulge in a great deal.

“Most of the time I’m either in class, working or doing homework. I definitely don’t get as much free time as my other friends because even during free time, there’s always some homework or assignment that needs to be done.”

If her full weekly schedule was not enough to keep her stress at a close to dangerous level, Patel has the status of grade point average to keep her plenty worried. She will need a certain grade point average for some medical schools to even consider accepting her. Unlike some fields that only require a Bachelor’s degree for some type of job, those aspiring to be doctors fear the possibility of unemployment if they cannot get into medical school. That uncertainty of her future, Patel says, is what scares her the most.

Patel did not always want to be a doctor. Her childhood dream was actually to become a flight attendant. Traveling the world and going from airplane to airplane used to be the exciting life that she dreamed of living. So, what happened to that dream?

“I realized I would always be on the go,” Patel remembers thinking. “And the idea of plane crashes scared me.” And that was that.

While Patel’s parents were the first ones to suggest she explore the medical field, she says that it was during a Clinical Rotations course she took in high school that she realized what she wanted to do with her life. Two years and an Emergency Technician License later, she was hooked.

“I can’t see myself doing anything else. I try to picture myself in another field, but I know I won’t be happy doing anything that’s not in the medical field. It’s just something I’ve wanted so long, [and] becoming a doctor has just become ingrained [in me].” Patel says with conviction.

Patel was also an active member in Health Occupations Students of America during high school, a student organization that promotes career opportunities in health care. She competed in national tournaments with her team and brought home the gold. Her friends agree that Patel is meant to be a doctor. Those who knew her in high school have faith that she has what it takes to reach her dreams.

“She’s one of those people that when she talks about what she wants to do, you almost feel like she’s destined to become a doctor,” says sophomore Ali Singh* , also a pre-med student at the University of Texas at Austin, who went to high school with Patel. “My expectations [of Seema] now are the same as they were [in high school]. I think she can, and will become a doctor – a very good one too.”

The medical school applications looming in her near future give Patel a good scare about her uncertain future as a doctor. The long tiring hours of studying seem to be never-ending. Still, seeing her dream evolve into reality is something that Patel says she will give it her all no matter what it takes because those are just some things pre-med students have to stick it through. After all, her high school friends will be expecting a Dr. Seema Patel at their 10-year reunion.

*Names have been changed to protect the individuals’ privacy

I still remember the days when you counted the years until you moved into the next block of school. As an 11-year-old, you couldn’t wait to leave behind elementary school and being surrounded by tag-playing, nose-picking, nap-taking “children” for the mature middle-school crowd, who transitioned in between classes with style and hung out casually by those oh-so-cool lockers dishing the latest dirt about the cafeteria lady’s secret life.

As a 14-year-old, it wasn’t soon enough that you graduated to the glamorous life of a high-schooler. Football games, dances, boyfriends – oh my! Let’s not forget driving, prom, and the the final lap to official adulthood – the big 1-8 birthday(!) that only drew you closer to escaping your over-protective, restrictive parentals and brought your mandatory public education to a grand finale.

Of course most of us were still itching at the end of that milestone to start the new chapter of our lives as big, bad, college students: the intellectual (and social) elite. Finally – the freedom we’d been craving for! The parties, the late classes – the LIFE! The best four years could also be the worst when it came to the new responsibilities of surviving on your own, the hangovers, and of course – the dreaded all-nighters.

Now it seems, we’re coming to the end of the age when the next step isn’t as desirable. Of course, change is always good and moving forward is only necessary – but it’s scary! Being in college made us adults. But for most of us, the financial and emotional support from our parents was still like training wheels on an uber-fancy bike – kind of a negating factor. Without that security blanket, the real world looks a lot more gritty than when we were looking at it through the rose-colored glasses (funded by our parents, probably). So, what now? What happens when you put on your final gown and toss up the last cap? Life starts – and that’s enough of a statement to stop many short of breath – including me!

Before you start dragging breaths in and out of a brown paper bag, know that there are definitely ways to cope and get ahead of the game, so come graduation time, you’re not biting fingernails about your post-college plans.

Start Job Hunting – Now!

You may not be graduating for months – maybe not even for a year, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared. You don’t want to be left without your stash of food for the winter – and you DON’T want to be facing post-graduation without a clue of where you’re headed.

• Look into your school’s career services – chances are that there is more than one resource to help you tweak your resume and learn how to get it in the right hands.
• Attend job fairs armed with a crisp resume and polished look – first impressions are a big deal!
• Talk to your advisor about what she can recommend your next steps should be.
• Talk to your professors – many of them were professionals in their fields or still know many. Even if they can’t set you up with a job, getting to know them may really pay off when you need those recommendation letters.
• Look into internships – any and all. Don’t be choosy about only finding one that pays, because most don’t. It’s the experience that employers look for – and in a job market like this, you need all the edge you can get. It also doesn’t have to be something you are necessarily hoping to do in the future. If it is something related to your degree and your dream job and can teach and hone your skills, it’s beneficial. The point is to LEARN and be GOOD at what you learn!

Have a Back-Up Plan

It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. You could be the most well-trained and qualified person for a job, but that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get it. It’s a hard truth to accept, but it’s the way the cookie crumbles. Having a Plan B will balance out your aspirations and help you deal in case things don’t go the way you originally planned.

• Take some extra courses that teach you practical skills. Adding a certificate to your degree might be your ticket to employment bliss – whether it’s your dream job or the one that’ll help pay the bills while your search for it.
• Look into programs Like Teach for America or the AmeriCorp. that allow you to do some great work, make a little money, and give you both time to keep job hunting and credentials to pad your resume.
• Stay open-minded. You might have to work some odd jobs before you land the one you want, but in the end it’ll show your persistence and responsibility. Not to mention, your independence will only boost your confidence and feeling of self-worth while proving to your family and friends that you can make it on your own!

The key thing to remember is: don’t freak out! There are lots of resources and people out there to help you climb the ladder to success, but it’s important to keep in mind that a few missing rungs might make the trek somewhat stressful. With that said, be smart, be resourceful, and breathe! Life is about to begin – and chances are it’s going to be a crazy ride…

In the latest hit Hindi movie, 3 Idiots, main character Rancho (played by hottie Aamir Khan) encourages his two friends to let go of stress in their prestigious engineering college and pursue their dreams free from obligations.

I saw the movie with my parents.  On the ride home, I told them I want to give up my corporate career to become a wildlife photographer like Rancho’s friend Farhan (R. Madhavan).  My dad said I was free to do whatever I chose.  But 5 years ago, when I was a senior in high school trying to decide my major, they were singing another tune.

In the film, 3 intelligent, hardworking students commit or attempt suicide because of the pressure to do well.  And the film repeats the message many of us, even those who grew up in the US, heard growing up: the goal is to get into a good college, succeed there, and then get a “good” job.  Everything was dedicated to this goal and everything else extraneous.

When I was growing up, all the Indian adults I knew were doctors and professors. In the university town I was born and raised in, high-achieving Indians were the norm and almost all of them are now in medical school, with a few in law school or other graduate programs.

In high school, I wanted to be a journalist and applied to college with journalism as my intended major.  I ended up switching to business my freshman year.  Though my decision was all my own, I wonder how much subconscious pressure from the community played into my choice.

I am now a management consultant working for a prestigious firm.  But my mother continues to ask me about my plans for graduate school and eagerly informs me every time another childhood friend graduates from medical school or becomes an associate professor of mathematics.

But maybe movies like 3 Idiots prove life in India and by proxy Indian Americans really are changing.  Rancho encourages his friends to pursue their passions, and proves they are more successful when they are comfortable and self-confident.

Of course, stereotypes aren’t over.  Even if an Indian chooses an untraditional, not secure career path, being extremely successful is a base requirement, not a pie in the sky dream. By the end of the film, Farhan the aspiring photographer is revealed to be extremely successful with a bevy of books to his name.  Raju, who obtained an high-status engineering post by finally being honest about his personality in his interview, writes for a popular blog (apparently in addition to his engineering work). And Rancho himself is a scientist with hundreds of patents to his name.

Enjoying your work appears to be a goal, excelling is a requirement.  While I am proud of the progress the Indian community has made, I look forward to a future where Indians in practice and in action believe personal happiness is more important than bragging rights.

by Ismath Mohideen

The world’s most recognizable and respected companies all have something in common: they have all built strong, powerful, competitive brands.  Their brands could be represented by their products, services, or even the people working for them.  Take your neighborhood Starbucks for example – their ubiquitous green logo, friendly staff, yummy drinks, and welcoming atmosphere make them a global leader in the coffee industry.

We all have our favorite brands that we can’t imagine living without.  In fact, we’re walking representations of our favorite brands. Just take a look at the clothes on our backs and the bags on our shoulders.  Those brands are a representation of a certain lifestyle, image, and personality.  But what about the qualities making YOU unique?  What qualities describe your own personal brand?

Your personal brand should describe three or four of your biggest strengths and passions.  Maybe you’re a star athlete, or a passionate poet, or maybe you’re even an aspiring young writer!  Whatever the characteristics may be, flaunt them and make them apparent in all that you do daily.  In today’s tough economic climate, people are encouraged to figure out their strengths and develop them into competitive advantages.  Sure, easier said than done!  Instead of saying you have all the qualifications to do a particular job, expose those qualifications as personal passions and you’ll shine brightly on a resume or in a job interview.

The next part of building a strong personal brand is identifying your features and benefits.  Lots of resumes talk about a person’s previous job duties, but very few actually go the next step and discuss how those duties created change in the organization.

For example, a lot of young women have experience working in retail department stores.  Typical job duties involve customer service and handling apparel.  But what about that guy who came in to shop for his girlfriend, and he had no idea what to get her for her birthday?  You went above and beyond to figure out why he was shopping, what her interests were, and selected a gift that was sure to make them both happy.  You just gained a personal customer!  You used your charming attitude to gain a loyal customer, and you can bring that can-do attitude to any organization.

Remember, you are not defined by your college major or job title, or by the duties you’ve performed in the past.  You define yourself by whatever you want to be and the passions that inspire you!  How do you want people to recognize and remember you?  So go out there and create your own brand since you are your own leader!

]]> http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/09/brand-you/feed/ 0 http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/05/working-your-family-network/ http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/05/working-your-family-network/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 02:23:02 +0000 browngirlmag http://browngirlmagazine.com/?p=1003 by Sunita Dharani

photographs by Thuy Ly

The bonds of family-especially a South Asian family-are as tightly woven as the beads on the fabric of a designer sari. It comes as no surprise that our immediate and extended family members are bound to contribute (perhaps interfere is a better term) in every aspect of our lives. If you need help in deciding on where to go for school, your mother’s best friend’s sister’s nephew will not only happen to know why one university is far superior to another on your list, but they’ll end up incorporating you into their social circle as well. The “arranged” component of arranged marriages work no differently than a game of Telephone from your childhood, as mothers and in-laws whisper about as to who is of marriageable age and who is looking. For better or worse, this same network of relatives and who-knows-who-from-where comes into play even as some of us face the dreaded transition from full-time students to full-time employees.

With the presently tattered state of the economy and a steady decline of job availability, people are willing to take all the help available to ensure that unemployment is avoided. The old adage “it’s not what you know, but who you know” may have even originated from South Asian culture, as it appropriately fits our behavior of utilizing connections within the community for our own professional advancement. Although I have chosen a career in a field where I am perhaps the sole Indian person, this did not prevent my father from marching to his best friend’s office and asking if he was aware of anyone willing to hire a college graduate. The next morning, word had obviously spread within a circle of uncles and business owners that I was seeking a full-time position, and my phone began to ring with requests to fill openings immediately.

Granted my father’s intentions were out of the kindness of his heart, with a dash of naïveté in there, I was concerned about the implications. Even with a college education in my arsenal, what would getting a job through familial connections indicate? While it was not quite old-fashioned nepotism, I couldn’t help but feel simultaneously desperate and unskilled-my first job out of college would be one my father got me.

Would disregarding the network inherently available through family connections be a smart thing to do, or would it be considered defeat in the face of the independence sought out by young job-seekers everywhere? Counselors at university career centers and job search articles all emphasize the same point: network, network, network. However, including those within family and friend connections seems to be almost the easy way of doing so. You avoid the awkward used-car salesman conversations, don’t necessarily have to pass out stacks of Kinko’s printed business cards, and you already have a long list of “references” willing to boast on your behalf regarding your skills. One of the most intimidating aspects of networking is forcing yourself to openly advertise your skills and persuade complete strangers that you are the piece missing from their staff. In the “family network,” such anxiety of meeting a complete stranger is eased with the knowledge that it’s just the aunty and uncle from your parents’ carom circle. They are not prospective employers and you are not an assistant with the potential to destroy their company. Rather, the emphasis of have an intermediary relation between yourself and these people makes both parties simply human. It is here that some type of relationship already exists in precedent to a possible professional one, and it is that same relationship which may be heavily affected if the situation turns out unfavorably. For example, you may walk into the person’s office, intending to simply inform them that you appreciate their offer for a position at the company, but when the well of leads for jobs elsewhere goes dry, you humbly end up accepting to work for that person. Three months later and a much better professional opportunity strolls along, putting you in the uncomfortable position of having to tell your father’s friend’s sister that you have found a better suited work environment than the one she has graciously given to you. This position was not earned in the first place, so how does one go about, essentially, ‘breaking up’ with a familial connection?

The best, and most beneficial, manner of approaching this relationship is no different than any other: start with clarifying your honest intentions. If you are solely exploring your career options, let the person know you are only available to work for the summer and will be starting another separate opportunity in the fall. Rather than negatively impacting any previous relations you may have had with the person before working for them, remember to keep your personal ties separate from your newly formed professional ties with the person-allowing one area to seep into the other can only result in a mess when you do end up leaving.

The purpose of networking at its most basic level is to spread your name and skills in the professional world. If your first step in doing so begins in the office of someone your parents happen to know and have chai with, remember the silver lining: it is a step in a direction after all.

]]> http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/05/working-your-family-network/feed/ 0 http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/05/summer-internship-success/ http://browngirlmagazine.com/2009/05/summer-internship-success/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 02:02:01 +0000 browngirlmag http://browngirlmagazine.com/?p=997 by Ismath Mohideen

This summer is the perfect time to practice what you’ve learned in school into a real-world working experience, especially if you’re close to graduation.  An internship helps develop professional skills, while making sense of all those classes and exams which certainly took up countless hours and sleepless nights.  It’s also a great way to start making connections in a tough economic environment.

Your internship should be at a location which helps you understand the activities in an industry of your preference, and it should also feature a variety of people who can teach you about their career paths.  It’s a great way to observe and participate in the tasks that people in your industry do every day!

In order to be successful in an internship, the first step is preparing a list of at least 3 measurable goals. The goals should indicate a specific task you want to achieve, how the goal helps your career development, what steps you will take to accomplish the goal, and the timeframe for completing it.  Your goal might look something like this: “My goal is to develop better public presentation skills.  Public presentation skills will help me communicate projects and ideas effectively in a business environment.  I will ask my manager for her suggestions and her experience with public speaking and power-points, and I have three weeks to accomplish this goal.”

The people working at the company where you intern are professionals and experts in their field. Ask them tons of questions!  When you begin the internship, schedule 15-minute meetings to talk to everyone on your team, and to learn about their job duties.  You can find out interesting details about their career backgrounds when you get a conversation started, and you may even discover career pathways you haven’t considered yet. If you’re thinking about a certain career, or re-thinking your chosen career path, you may end up talking to someone who inspires you.  Keep your mind and your options open.

Are you sitting around surfing the web at your internship? Ask your co-workers for opportunities to help out!  You could end up with a small project, or you could help someone on an important, time sensitive task. Whatever the task may be, remember that you’re in a learning environment. During down time, you may surf the web for articles pertaining to your industry, and ask co-workers about their opinions regarding current events. They’ll certainly be excited to talk about it, and they’ll love to see your interest!

Work hard!  Although it’s an internship, this is your opportunity to show employers your stuff!  Make sure to be punctual, notify your manager of any emergencies, and treat the internship as if it were a full-time job. The people you meet can be professional contacts, references, and they may also help you network with other experts.  Enjoy your internship, and good luck this summer!

Ismath at her graduation.

by Ismath Mohideen

Ladies, ever get that nagging feeling that your career has no direction? Like that college degree isn’t valuable in the real world? That you foresee religiously searching Monster.com for something that pays when you graduate, while simultaneously trying to impress your family? You’re not alone. I experienced the same thing when I graduated from college. And this economy isn’t making it any easier. You are not alone when stressing about your career. Just take a look at my career path.

As someone who was influenced by her parents in high school (just like a lot of us), I chose a comfortable major with applicable potential – computer science. Great choice, right? Well, if it worked for Dad’s 25 year career, it must work for me too! I never took a single CS course in college. The thought of learning programming languages and hanging around left-brained nerdy boys just didn’t appeal to me at that time (Sorry all you CS guys out there! Disclaimer: I LIKE nerdy boys!!).

So, I thought about my major some more. I knew I was interested in healthcare and helping people, but I didn’t want to spend 10 years and $150K to become a doctor, so I chose nursing as a major. The competition among those die-hard nursing students got the best of me (and my grades), and ultimately I didn’t make it as a nurse. Big whammy there! I thought life was over! What am I going to do with all these nursing and biology classes? Should I transfer schools? Move back home? Not graduate from college altogether? What a shame! I thought I was going to be a failure in my parents’ eyes.

Luckily, my classes transferred neatly into a very interesting major: Human Development and Family Sciences. It’s all about human relationships and interactions, everything from child development, to family dynamics, to public policy related to family issues. It was fantastic. I enjoyed my classes, my peers and my grades skyrocketed. I even wrote an essay about South Asian Americans managing the delicate balance of our two unique cultures! But the looming question still stung, what happens after graduation? I didn’t want to be a preschool teacher, or a Child Protective Services agent or a social worker, so I poured through the job listings in the Dallas Morning News.

The first lesson: I like working with people.

I ended up in sales. I worked for a mortgage company for nearly two years after graduation. I learned all about the business, the customers, the loan products and most importantly, how to interact with people in a business environment. The economy made things even more challenging, but I learned to educate people on good credit maintenance. Suze Orman became my go-to girl for financial advice!

Even though I was successful in my first post-collegiate job, I decided to shift gears and attend graduate school to figure out how to turn all these experiences into a lifelong career. Something told me that there was much more in store for me than mortgages!

The second lesson: I like working with money.

Although it was exhausting to be in school again, it was exciting to be around driven, thought provoking people. I chose Marketing Management as my concentration because I wanted to work closely with customers, while creatively devising ways to make money for my organization. I enjoy learning about business cases, working with my peers and exchanging our own career stories. It was all finally starting to make sense! I even landed an internship at an airline where I can learn more about applying marketing skills in an evolving business environment.

The third lesson: I like creativity.

So ladies, your college degree is, in fact, priceless. No matter how many times you change your major, you’ll get it right. Think about the big picture: what skills are you good at, and what do you like to do? Eventually, you’ll find out where you fit in. If you don’t see yourself being a doctor, lawyer, engineer or some other career according to your parents’ wishes, remember there’s so much more out there!

Keep an open mind and look out for those jobs that will give you the experience you need to advance yourself, even if it takes baby steps to get there.