She had to ask...
More snow. Have I mentioned how sick I am of snow and how ready I am for Spring? Wishing my life away, I know.
Today I had an interview at KU Medical Center for a part-time office position at the KU Cancer Center, which is approximately one and a half miles from my home. I could walk there on nice days. This alone makes me want the job.
The lady who interviewed me was the perfect human resources representative. She wore a lovely suit, had a beautiful smile and genuinely seemed interested in what my strengths are as an individual. She asked many questions and wrote down my answers. She laughed politely at my stupid jokes and commented on how "sweetly simple" my wedding ring set was, while I rapidly blinked as the glare from her ring stung my cones and rods.
Her list of questions were pretty typical: What are your strengths? What weaknesses could you improve? Have you ever been convicted and/or plead guilty to a crime other than a minor traffic violation? Do you actually plan on working or should we go ahead and draft your termination papers while we're at it? Okay, obviously the last question didn't make it on her list, but I bet you a million dollars if employers thought they could get away with it...
I answered all the questions with an appropriate pause and thoughtful look and felt so far things were progressing positively towards my possible employment. And then she asked it...
So, Catie, where do you see yourself in five years?
Today I had an interview at KU Medical Center for a part-time office position at the KU Cancer Center, which is approximately one and a half miles from my home. I could walk there on nice days. This alone makes me want the job.
The lady who interviewed me was the perfect human resources representative. She wore a lovely suit, had a beautiful smile and genuinely seemed interested in what my strengths are as an individual. She asked many questions and wrote down my answers. She laughed politely at my stupid jokes and commented on how "sweetly simple" my wedding ring set was, while I rapidly blinked as the glare from her ring stung my cones and rods.
Her list of questions were pretty typical: What are your strengths? What weaknesses could you improve? Have you ever been convicted and/or plead guilty to a crime other than a minor traffic violation? Do you actually plan on working or should we go ahead and draft your termination papers while we're at it? Okay, obviously the last question didn't make it on her list, but I bet you a million dollars if employers thought they could get away with it...
I answered all the questions with an appropriate pause and thoughtful look and felt so far things were progressing positively towards my possible employment. And then she asked it...
So, Catie, where do you see yourself in five years?
Oh no, she didn't. I was completely stumped. Really, I was. I searched the room for an answer and other than a properly cleaned white board and a sad, limping Peace Lily, I was left with only my own devices...and let's face it folks...this is a touchy area for me right now.
I was talking with my Mom the other day about finishing school and what I should do with my degree, blah, blah, blah and the only thing I recollect the most from the conversation was saying, "Honestly Mom, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do with myself. None. At this moment in my life I am trying to be perfectly content with completing a rather useless degree and working odd jobs here and there."
I determined pretty quickly this would not be an adequate response to the nice HR Lady's question. I answered with the usual savvy Well, KU of course! No, I am kidding....it was more like, Well, I would love to be employed regularly with a company such as KU, allowing me opportunities for advancement, yadda, yadda. I performed well under the pressure of being asked the question and I understand why it was asked in the first place, but I've got to tell you, this question has left me feeling pretty aimless.
I guess if I was really going to dissect this question and truthfully find an answer I would have to begin with wanting to still be alive. Let's face it, a lot can happen in five years, including my ultimate demise. So, yes, let's start with Being Alive.
Since it's all projection with only a small element of decision making on my part I would also have to include Graduated. Specifically my undergrad degree, but optimistically graduated with my Masters, which would make the useless Art History degree a little more useful.
In February 2013, five years from now, I will be about 4 months shy of turning 36. Given that age, and where I find myself presently in my marriage, Children would have to become part of the equation. Now, I used the plural tense and typically it makes the most sense to initially commit to one before many (especially when it comes to kids!) but, I have always dreamed of having a big family. I don't see that desire changing...at least, not until I finally have the first one.
I am certain of one given in this five year future which is remaining a Kansan. We like it here and know it will be a great place to raise all those kids we plan on having. Buying our next home is on our immediate to-do list, so I guess five years from now maybe I'd like to be working on a kitchen or family room remodel...ooh, a pool, definitely putting in a pool.
I have no desire to wear a suit to work everyday. I actually have no desire to go to the same exact job everyday. I love the idea of needing a calendar to remind me where I need to be the next day. If there is one thing the last five years has taught me is I like a changing work environment and have found the most success in such a work setting. So with that determined, some kind of Part-Time Work would be nice. Then again, maybe being a Full-Time Mom would be nice too. And this is the part of the five year future question that throws me off.
Robbie went to school and got a job. Wis went to school and got a job. Mrs. Nelson and Dr. Laura both went to school and got jobs. The Pharmacist went to school and got a job. My Dad went to school, for a very long period of time, but eventually got a different job AFTER retiring from his old one. It all seems so scheduled....Go to school, get a job.
Maybe what I really want in five years is to get pregnant, go back to school, stay at home with my baby or adopted child (goodness knows how I become a parent!) volunteer at hospice, paint and sew, sub every once awhile, take some graduate courses, teach art classes on the weekends at the community center, watch Emma and Max, and if I have time, occasionally work part time at the Scrapbook Page.
It all seems more plausible to me that this is what my life will look like in five years. Do you think the nice HR Lady would've accepted this as a reasonable answer? Yeah, I don't think so either....and if you ask me, that is the real problem I am having.
I was talking with my Mom the other day about finishing school and what I should do with my degree, blah, blah, blah and the only thing I recollect the most from the conversation was saying, "Honestly Mom, I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do with myself. None. At this moment in my life I am trying to be perfectly content with completing a rather useless degree and working odd jobs here and there."
I determined pretty quickly this would not be an adequate response to the nice HR Lady's question. I answered with the usual savvy Well, KU of course! No, I am kidding....it was more like, Well, I would love to be employed regularly with a company such as KU, allowing me opportunities for advancement, yadda, yadda. I performed well under the pressure of being asked the question and I understand why it was asked in the first place, but I've got to tell you, this question has left me feeling pretty aimless.
I guess if I was really going to dissect this question and truthfully find an answer I would have to begin with wanting to still be alive. Let's face it, a lot can happen in five years, including my ultimate demise. So, yes, let's start with Being Alive.
Since it's all projection with only a small element of decision making on my part I would also have to include Graduated. Specifically my undergrad degree, but optimistically graduated with my Masters, which would make the useless Art History degree a little more useful.
In February 2013, five years from now, I will be about 4 months shy of turning 36. Given that age, and where I find myself presently in my marriage, Children would have to become part of the equation. Now, I used the plural tense and typically it makes the most sense to initially commit to one before many (especially when it comes to kids!) but, I have always dreamed of having a big family. I don't see that desire changing...at least, not until I finally have the first one.
I am certain of one given in this five year future which is remaining a Kansan. We like it here and know it will be a great place to raise all those kids we plan on having. Buying our next home is on our immediate to-do list, so I guess five years from now maybe I'd like to be working on a kitchen or family room remodel...ooh, a pool, definitely putting in a pool.
I have no desire to wear a suit to work everyday. I actually have no desire to go to the same exact job everyday. I love the idea of needing a calendar to remind me where I need to be the next day. If there is one thing the last five years has taught me is I like a changing work environment and have found the most success in such a work setting. So with that determined, some kind of Part-Time Work would be nice. Then again, maybe being a Full-Time Mom would be nice too. And this is the part of the five year future question that throws me off.
Robbie went to school and got a job. Wis went to school and got a job. Mrs. Nelson and Dr. Laura both went to school and got jobs. The Pharmacist went to school and got a job. My Dad went to school, for a very long period of time, but eventually got a different job AFTER retiring from his old one. It all seems so scheduled....Go to school, get a job.
Maybe what I really want in five years is to get pregnant, go back to school, stay at home with my baby or adopted child (goodness knows how I become a parent!) volunteer at hospice, paint and sew, sub every once awhile, take some graduate courses, teach art classes on the weekends at the community center, watch Emma and Max, and if I have time, occasionally work part time at the Scrapbook Page.
It all seems more plausible to me that this is what my life will look like in five years. Do you think the nice HR Lady would've accepted this as a reasonable answer? Yeah, I don't think so either....and if you ask me, that is the real problem I am having.
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