After spending 6 months in the "real world", plus another 3 months during the summer of 2015, I am finally going back to school to start the journey towards becoming a nurse! I've been counting down to January since May, so yes, finally is the right word. Before I start, I am taking the month of December off to relax and mentally prepare for the next two years of non-stop grad school. To say I am excited is an understatement, I CANNOT WAIT to start school again. I know I'll regret saying that in about 2 months from now!
As of today I have about a week left of my marketing internship and I want to take a few minutes to reflect back on the months since graduating from U of I in May.
Rewinding to the summer of 2015, I began working for the University of Illinois Extension. My main job was to help write and teach a pilot nutrition and gardening program for low income communities. I loved my job, worked without even thinking about being paid, and actually had the opposite of Sunday scary's- Sunday happy's? So when the opportunity arose to continue my work there upon graduation I jumped on it as soon as I was offered. When I went back, I realized on day one that it was not the same job I left back in August.
My boss was condescending and verbally abusive, my placement for teaching was dangerous (I'm talking you could hear gun shots when you stepped outside), and I was being paid the exact same salary even though I now had a degree in what I was teaching. I constantly felt anxious, to the point where I would sit in my car before work and had to really push myself to walk in every single day. There were a few positives about the job like the short commute, two minute drive to Jeff's house (hello lunch break visits!), and the fact that I was actually using my degree in a way that helped a lot of people. All of the positives didn't outweigh the negative, though, and when I was offered a marketing internship for a medical device company in Evanston I really couldn't say no.
I quit my job (another very very long story that I promise would give anyone reading this second hand anxiety) and started my internship 3 days later. Working here has given me a sense of purpose and made me feel like I am part of a team, not just working for other people. Everyone has the same goal and I have learned a ton about the business behind everything that is used in a hospital. When I finally become a nurse and begin working in a hospital, I will know to listen to the reps and be open to implementing new ideas and products!
My 4 and a half months here have been wonderful, but I have made a few decisions regarding my views on working in the real world.
1. Commuting 2 hours a day is not worth it. Even if it were my dream job, I'm not doing it again!
2. Work life balance is SO important. People here work 7 days a week and at least 70 hours. Family, hobbies, and exercise are higher priority than working overtime.
3. Befriending colleagues makes the day go faster- they understand your frustrations better than anyone.
4. Background Netflix noise helps keep me on task.
5. It's okay to take a day off. I've gone four months with only one day off (besides weekends) and I feel like I'm going nuts.
Major take away: school is and will always be more fun than work. I love to learn, and anyone completing higher education most likely does too! If you're an undergrad, cherish it!! As I step into a new season of life, I can't help but be nostalgic over the last. Now, it's time to start my grown up winter break!
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