Jacob's Abroad Blog (Career Management)

 Today we had a guest speaker come in. He worked in Africa off a whim and while everyone disagreed that it was smart and that it would be difficult to be so far away from family, the presenter found a lot of peace with his decision and meaning through his work.  The idea that everything happens for a reason is a comforting belief that many people hold dear, especially during times of uncertainty or adversity. While it may be challenging to grasp in the midst of difficult circumstances, this concept encourages us to find meaning and purpose in the events of our lives, even when they seem random or unfair. One perspective on this belief is rooted in the notion of cause and effect – the idea that every action we take and every choice we make has consequences that ripple out into the world. From this standpoint, the events that unfold in our lives can be seen as interconnected and purposeful, leading us down paths of growth, learning, and self-discovery. Moreover, embracing the id...

 I am currently traveling with a group of 7 guys and we don't always get along. When planning our spring break there was a lot of disagreeing. That being said, we learned how to navigate it quite well. Rather than stepping on everyones toes, we took a step back and asked everyone what the most important part of the trip was. In a snake order each person got to plan one thing until all our days were filled. Doing it this way we felt everyone was able to get their fare share of input and a good mix of interests making it a very unique trip. We even had point son. the trip planned where we'd split up briefly to do our own things before coming back together at a final destination. I am very pleased with our communication skills throughout the process and it has forever altered the  way we approach disagreements like this in the future again. 

 The Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal forces in America, make it very easy to be successful in our world. The USA is a powerhouse and the english language is dominant throughout the world. Learning in class today about some of the struggles other countries face in regards to success due to recognition and resources it is understandable why some have limited capabilities.  I am thankful to be a citizen of the United States. The strength of my passport allows me to travel freely to most places. I have had an incredible experience abroad set up through my education system and the technology to guide me smoothly throughout the experience. I hope to do well with this privilege and hope to use this blog as a reminder when I'm older to remember this perspective/ feeling I have right now.

 I have learned a lot about myself abroad. I learned how to organize and plan trips, how to cook, how to communicate with others (with language barriers), to try new things and experiences, to trust myself and judgment, how to manage a budget, and more. Being abroad has been eye opening... seeing the privilege I had when visiting Rabat in Morocco, I learned all that I should be thankful for (seeing the discrepancy). I hope to bring home what I learned to friends and family who haven't had this worldly experience and truly feel all I learned has helped me mature into an individual who takes his role in society seriously.   

 In todays class we reviewed how we should present ourselves at work. I found the most meaningful message in the youtube clip where a man with down syndrome did the job interviews. The people who were non-judging received the position, and it showed me at the end of the day humanity shines through.  I hope to work in an environment that is judgement free. It is of utmost important that if I spend a majority of my day/ workweek with my coworkers that they are humans too. I shouldn't have to "make it work." We also reviewed what it means to be successful. I think success in my career is apparent if I continue to move up in job positions and utilize the job mobility aspect of my corporation to the very most.  I also hope to find myself in a leadership position where I can share my thought process with others and feel heard. 

 In class today we watched videos of online interviews. The intention was to have us think about what an elevator pitch about ourselves would look like. This was all done with the intention to impress the recruiter in the hour you get to meet them.  My pitch is as follows:  Hello, My name is Jacob Smith. I am a student at the University of Michigan currently studying abroad in Barcelona. I am majoring in Economics and Sustainability. Being abroad I have been able to see so many sustainable initiative and hope to bring them back to the states. Whether its the recycling program, water and light systems, or portion sizes to reduce waste, Europe is doing it right and I'm so glad I'm able to experience it. I am good at working in a group setting and am hard working... Please feel free to reach out to me at 6099242375 or jjrsmith@umich.edu

 In class today we tried to find our slogan or short statement to describe you. I felt simplicity was key in this exercise. Its hard to pin point one exact aspect of life that I keep close to me. Between letting material be material, conflicts become water under the bridge, and making the most out of everyday. I found the statement "Live a Little" to encompass my goals using my youth, my health, and resources available to me to the most of my ability. At the end of the day we can't control the fact that there is so much in our reality we wont understand (or live long enough to understand), that at least for the moment one should be stress free and just live. Find purpose in others and the tangible things you have control over, but don't get worked up and distracted by what you cant control. We should be able to realize theres always room to "live a little."  While some maybe be frustrated and think its not as simple as that, given the adjectives I received o...