It’s not quite the half-way mark (to my internship), yet I feel like it’s all downhill from here.

Friday will mark the end of Staff Relief (sigh), and Saturday I’m heading home! This break is much more than ‘needed,’ and the timing is ideal. I know it will be hard to come back, but January represents a whole new territory. A new year, a new rotation, and a new set of objectives.

The first four months have been about adjustment. I’ve adjusted to what life as an intern is like; working without pay, but making/eliminating career choices. I’ve adjusted to life in the “city;” always plenty of things to do, but choose wisely, because you might be spending plenty of money to do it.  I’ve adjusted to a budget: plan it out, stick to it, think twice before buying, and watch those bank statements! Most of all, I’ve adjusted to three different jobs and I’ve narrowed things [career options] down.

So…..now what?

Well, if the first half is any indication, these next six months are going to fly. Before I know it, May will creep up behind me, and June will be tagging right along.  I’ll live and breathe job listings, applications, resume edits, interviews (um, I hope!), and decision-making. Call me crazy, but I can’t wait!

I have a lot to do between now and then, including rotations in everything from (more) Food Service to Information Technology. I’ll plan a themed meal, set up some web sites, and continue developing my own web site (yes, you’ll see it eventually…), and network network network!

Soon I’ll start searching the web for sites that post nutrition job listings, and subscribe to them.  This will give me an idea of what the market looks like. It’s still up in the air as to where I actually want to live after this, so I’ll just pick a few cities/areas and see what’s out there.

To be honest, I’ve already started doing this (subscribing and searching), but it’s a little disheartening to know I can’t take any action yet. So, I try to only look at it periodically. We’ve been told that the real searches should start about six weeks before I’m actually available to work.

Right now, I’m trying not to think about the number six. It’s a little overwhelming. If I could start working tomorrow, I totally would! But, I realize there is still much more to be learned and many more experiences to be had. I appreciate that. I do.  Plus, I suppose it does give me plenty time to do all of the above.

Posted by Mary Ellen Nunes at 12/16/2008 08:44:25 AM |