05 Dec 2013

الريادية مروة مدحت

 

You know that girl with zero professional experience? Never had a summer job or applied for any school activity? Her biggest goal was finishing high school? Well, that’s pretty much who I was. High school was fun; I had no commitments other than getting a high score. Life was all about studying, hanging out and watching Gossip Girl. I used to do some charity work every now and then, but still nothing really serious,

After finishing high school, I realized that I had wasted three years of my life studying something that I didn’t even want to major at, which is why I wanted to be part of something and get out of my comfort zone. In other words, I wanted to do something with my life, and to start following my passion and building a career for myself, as well. So, right before college started, I decided that I won’t be going to architecture school, and majored in Languages and translation (Alsun).

First week of college, is all about clubs recruitment booths, students hustling around campus promoting for their student activity. I liked SEED club and decided that this is exactly where I should apply. SEED club is all about giving back to the community; their mission is to help in creating a better educational experience for children through providing child development training program. They had a cause.

I filled in an application and decided to go to my best friend who knows everything about everything, of course, I am talking about Google. I decided to look for the perfect answers to the expected questions like” Sell me this pen, why should I pick you…” I had them all written down on flash cards, and for clothes I read that I should be wearing semi-formal; therefore I got my heels on, I was ready or at least that’s what I’ve thought.

It was time for my interview and I noticed that there were no dress code which means that I shouldn’t had worn my heels, but this wasn’t the only thing that wasn’t going according to my plan. Honestly I have no idea why but I forget all the so-called perfect answers and some questions I didn’t even know they might be on the list. I panicked and was awkwardly smiling through the whole interview. I really thought that I ruined all my chances to get in, but I didn’t. In fact, I got in; maybe my clumsy spontaneous answers weren’t that bad after all. And, that was my experience as a freshman student looking for professionalism. This experience taught me a couple of things.

Firstly: when it comes to advice, Google isn’t the perfect place for that. At least, make sure that you are doing your research correctly and be specific to which department you are applying to (e.x: PR, HR…)

Secondly: Feel free to ask! Ask the students promoting for the club anything you want to. You won’t seem stupid even if you asked hundreds of questions; however, you will seem like someone who really cares.

Thirdly: Have enough information about the club you are applying to and the department. Don’t just go in there without any information to what you are applying for. Check their Facebook page, and do a background research.

Fourthly: Be yourself! I don’t know why I used to find it cliché, but it is true. Just be yourself, but your professional self, the best version of yourself. Don’t oversell yourself, but don’t sound too desperate either, just be passionate about it.