I want to travel. I want to be a Redskins season ticket holder. I want a nice car. I want a widescreen television. I want a whole lot of things. These things take money, not a little, but a lot of money.
I also want happiness or professional satisfaction or some bullshit that makes me feel good and makes me less depressed. Maybe it is meaningfulness. Meaningfulness is not the word. I really want some way to determine that I am successful. I want some measure like sports. I want runs or points. Something to tell me that I am winning. I assure you "papers published" cannot be this measure for me.
Many people, especially when they are young and dumb, will not allow money or the amount of things they have be this measure. They want something "more." It is politically incorrect to make money the center one's life. It just isn't "right."
I come from a background that knows that at the end of the day money means a hell of a lot. I do not think my father or grandfather maximized money. They maximized the amount of wants they could get (while learning how to minimize and carefully decide on their wants). But wants take money, not a little, but a lot of money. And I have a whole lot more and expensive wants than they did. Thankfully for me, the thing my forefathers most wanted is for their sons to succeed.
Jeff sent me an Email a couple of weeks ago and explained this to me. The questions Jeff asks are "What do you want and why do you want it?" These are always tough questions, but they are always important questions. A man who does not know what he wants is like those young and dumb kids who do not "believe" in money or things. He is just a "rolling stone" or a "rambling man."
Then a guy working in Washington asked me to send him my resume. This made me realize that it was time to start deciding what I want. More importantly, it was time to start getting the things I want. The things I want take money, not a little, but a lot of money.
So I started to work on my resume, and I realized I do not have much. So any suggestions on how to market the things I do have would be appreciated.
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If its a government job they don't care about publications as much. Having more line items is impressive. That you have been abroad and have a wider view of the world than your average undergrad is a good selling point. Probably need to highlight that in the cover letter somewhere. List all awards, didn't you get some fellowship last year? There is a reason for it, you did something that got noticed, let your potential employer know it too. President of the grad club.
On a different note are you sure you want to live around DC? It seems to me that you would do better teaching at a small college in a rural setting. Ever think about teaching at Davidson in NC? Its close enough to Charlotte that a spouse could find other jobs but is still a small town.
Thanks for reminding me about the things I had forgotten about.
I am keeping my options open, but I have come to a point in my life where I have decided I have to do something. To do something (get a job), I have to get a resume ready.
I am pursuing a terminal degree.
As someone who makes hiring decisions (for $100K+ positions) I can say the following about what employers want to see:
- That you understand that grades are meaningless.
Even at gunpoint if you were to ask me what the grades were of the people that work under me I couldn't tell you because I don't care. Nobody cares that I got a C+ in Mathematics for Economists or that got As in all of my statistics and econometrics course. They care that I show up everyday at 7am and stay until shit gets done (i.e. after 6pm). Of course, if you plan on working for one of the many government agencies that requires KSAs and meeting “requirement quotas” then it might be something important otherwise, forget that you even got grades.
- That you understand what it is your interviewing for at the company in question.
I interviewed someone on the phone the other day that couldn't tell me why he wanted to work with me. If you're not sure why you're interviewing for a position don't waste your time or that of others just "interviewing" for the fun of it. Know why you want to work at the place your applying and what you can offer them. By the same token, if you’re going to include a cover letter with your resume make sure you are as clear as can be as to why you have to offer and why you’re a good fit. No one wants smoke blown up their ass about why their company is great or why you’re a terrific candidate. If I like what I see I’ve already made that decision.
- Assume that the person(s) interviewing you didn't read your resume and, if they did, that nothing stood out to them.
The reason that I've gotten as many job offers as I have is because I make it clear from the first interviewing screening call that I have the skills to pay the bills. No one gives a shit about travel, publications, or fellowships if you don't have commonsense and a developed skill set. People underestimate how important just saying "I'm an SQL guru that understands SAS and statistical theory" is to potential employers. Anyone asking about your classes or other related minutia is wasting your time.
I've gotten interviews and job offers from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and numerous other entities because I made it clear from the beginning that I had something to offer. I assumed every person I spoke to was meeting me and encountering me for the first time, even if they had my resume out in from of them. This allowed me to control the interview and to be as calm and collected as possible. I hate selling myself to a room full of suits as much as the next obese programmer but it’s something you have to do. Being able to do it on your own terms is the difference between a “We’ll get back in touch with you” and a job offer.
- Everyone in a major city has an undergraduate degree; don't spend any time talking about it. Talking about your "research" and studies is only interesting if you can show you learned something from it. Show them that it wasn't just an academic exercise.
I've found getting straight to the point as to what your potential employer wants and what you have to offer is your best bet. If you've learned something that your typical idiot wouldn't have learned or noticed by all means mention it. Most people don't give a shit when they're being paid, don't bore them with minutia.
Detailing your trip to the Philippines could be a real chance to showcase your many talents. I really think that given your personality, skill set, and intelligence you could really wow some of the brain dead suckers here with your experiences. Most people in DC are pretty shallow and have the personality of used rubber on the floor of a whorehouse. They had a purpose at some point in time, now they’re just waiting to get put in the trash (i.e. retirement).
"I assure you "papers published" cannot be this measure for me."
This, my friend, tells me that you've already made your decision. If you don't want publishing to make or break your life I suggest you start putting the feelers out. To be honest, getting out of academia was probably one of the best moves I’ve ever made. If I could have stayed on, done research that I found interesting, and had the prospects of a decent university gig (i.e. not at Podunk University in Frogballz, Kansas) I probably would have stayed. However, given that I was going to end up in private industry anyway I’m glad I decided to leave when I did then stick around for another three years to end up in the same place.
DC isn't for everyone and I can honestly say that the majority of the time it sucks. However, when I see how much I get paid to do something that I like and that I can afford to do and have pretty much anything I want I can stomach the blandness of this place. Being in DC has allowed me to pay down a big chunk of my debt, the ability to go to any baseball game I want, to be involved in projects most people dream of, and to make a really good salary and live a decent life. Your mileage may vary but it’s definitely something to consider.
my advice is simple.
don't follow the money, follow the gut and the heart.
money won't make a woman love you or your child respect you.
If you compromise any core beliefs, you'll spend your whole life questioning things.
go teach at piedmont CC and coach football at Western albemarle. (piedmont wasn't intended to be a cut, I just don't think you'd be able to stomach uva students.) Or go teach at Bridgwater and coach at bc or turner ashby.
GGM
GGM,
Your advice is dutifully noted and considered.
But what about the car? Are you happy with your recent purchase?
am happier every time i drive it. only times I am unhappy is when the damn thing bounces around because it is light when Im taking it through a field at the house or for work on farm visits.. but that just takes a little more patience. am glad i went the cheap-utility route b/c I have no remorse scratching it up when Ive got a load.
the extra money out each month for a payment is already forgotten - and the peace of mind to know that i do not have to keep a cash reserve primarily for the truck (b/c its under warranty) is priceless. also the peace of mind with knwoing where it's been b/c it's new is priceless. might be hard to go back . might turn into one of these always buy new stripped down version types.
GGM
GGM,
You're almost convincing me to get something else.
I was looking for used cars, but "I know where it has been" is a powerful reason for a new one.
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