So I love my job so much: the writing, the reporting, the people, the flexibility, the steady pay, the perks, everything!!! It feels so great to do what I love to do. I can't believe I forgot how fun it was. Check it out at McKinneyNews.net!
I am finishing up football and volleyball seasons with my McKinney schools, and I recently started covering the swimming teams. I also got the girls basketball and soccer beats along with softball. Busy, busy but I'm ready for it. I don't want to jinx it and call it a dream job, but it's awesome!
I also am thinking about coaching a club volleyball team for a few months again. It's still in the works, but I think it will be for a team in Denton, which is about 15 minutes away (much closer than driving more than 2 hours a week to Cleburne). That should be a fun gig too!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Finally over the job hurdle!
Yes, yes I'm back to the blogging world...Awwww! I have to say it feels pretty good. I guess I finally have some noteworthy experiences to report after a very crazy summer. First of all, I got a job in the journalism field. Yes, the word FINALLY is coming to your brain, but that's okay.
My quest to figure out what I want to do with my life, which has changed from coaching to teaching to sales to PR to whatever will pay my bills in the last nine months, is over! I took a sportswriter position with McKinneynews.net and am covering high school volleyball and football with more sports to come. So far so good!
I was a little nervous about getting back into journalism after a nine-month hiatus, but it's like riding a bike....a fast and adventurous bike! A new thing that I will get to do eventually is blog for the website. Yes, I will be a professional blogger. And no, I will not be a blog snob. I will try and post my stories and blogs on here as well for your viewing pleasure.
What job hunting has taught me...
1. Never give up...Patience is always a virtue but not always an easy one! Keep plugging away and sending out resumes even when you don't think people will be interested. I would not have my current job if I didn't keep at it for nine months!
2. Check a variety of job sites...If you are finding the same kind of job, then look elsewhere to help your search for the dream job. Because I checked a site I normally don't check regularly, I found the perfect one for me and it worked out.
3. If a company wants you, they will let you know...I really got tired of checking back and making excuses for why I didn't get a call back. It's like the book "He's really not that into you" (yes I have read it). If a company is not interested, they will usually be wishy washy or late on returning your call.
4. Know what you're good at and sell yourself...I have always thought cover letters were hard to write. After writing hundreds of them in my job search, they are no problem. I learned how to get to the point and sell myself in a few graphs.
5. Lastly, tailor your resume/portfolio to the job...Every job is different, so almost every resume you send could use some tweaking to better market your skills. Little changes could go a long way!
Man, I should send this to Careerbuilder.com for a little freelance check. They probably will take it, since they have gotten to know so well over there...
My quest to figure out what I want to do with my life, which has changed from coaching to teaching to sales to PR to whatever will pay my bills in the last nine months, is over! I took a sportswriter position with McKinneynews.net and am covering high school volleyball and football with more sports to come. So far so good!
I was a little nervous about getting back into journalism after a nine-month hiatus, but it's like riding a bike....a fast and adventurous bike! A new thing that I will get to do eventually is blog for the website. Yes, I will be a professional blogger. And no, I will not be a blog snob. I will try and post my stories and blogs on here as well for your viewing pleasure.
What job hunting has taught me...
1. Never give up...Patience is always a virtue but not always an easy one! Keep plugging away and sending out resumes even when you don't think people will be interested. I would not have my current job if I didn't keep at it for nine months!
2. Check a variety of job sites...If you are finding the same kind of job, then look elsewhere to help your search for the dream job. Because I checked a site I normally don't check regularly, I found the perfect one for me and it worked out.
3. If a company wants you, they will let you know...I really got tired of checking back and making excuses for why I didn't get a call back. It's like the book "He's really not that into you" (yes I have read it). If a company is not interested, they will usually be wishy washy or late on returning your call.
4. Know what you're good at and sell yourself...I have always thought cover letters were hard to write. After writing hundreds of them in my job search, they are no problem. I learned how to get to the point and sell myself in a few graphs.
5. Lastly, tailor your resume/portfolio to the job...Every job is different, so almost every resume you send could use some tweaking to better market your skills. Little changes could go a long way!
Man, I should send this to Careerbuilder.com for a little freelance check. They probably will take it, since they have gotten to know so well over there...
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Interview or date...you decide!
Job hunting makes you vulnerable...I've decided. I was reading some tips online that said job interviews are like blind dates (click on the title and see for yourself). I think that's true. It's up and down. I want you, I don't want you. Should I follow up? Show interest? Be pesky or hang back? It's a pretty crazy ordeal.
You're also looking for the right fit with the company you're looking at. The company could be the right fit for you, but I might not be the right fit for them. Also, the right relationship will work out if it's supposed to and everything happens for a reason!
Look at all these relationship tie-ins...right before Valentine's Day...or should I say Single Awareness Day!! Maybe I'll find the right company tomorrow! Let's be honest, I probably would be more excited about getting a job tomorrow than having a date!
P.S. Don't worry, I already have plans for V-day!
You're also looking for the right fit with the company you're looking at. The company could be the right fit for you, but I might not be the right fit for them. Also, the right relationship will work out if it's supposed to and everything happens for a reason!
Look at all these relationship tie-ins...right before Valentine's Day...or should I say Single Awareness Day!! Maybe I'll find the right company tomorrow! Let's be honest, I probably would be more excited about getting a job tomorrow than having a date!
P.S. Don't worry, I already have plans for V-day!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Explain a time where you wanted to fall off a cliff...
So the last two days, I've been interviewing for jobs. Why didn't anyone in college tell me about the HR questions that never end? "Tell me a time where you wanted to fall of a cliff and no one came to save you but your meanest coworker and they turned out to be your new friend? What was your next move? Did you tell the whole office about it?"
First of all, how many questions do they expect you to answer at a time? 25 with three anecdotes and four examples. Honestly, do they want you to have diarrhea of the mouth? I think they do. There I was in my power black suit that seemed more like a straightjacket, smiling constantly until my cheeks went numb. I felt like I was back in a wedding line with my eyes glazing over because of the flash. Only this time wasn't a flash of light, it was a flash of terror.
I'm nervous and tense and desperately trying to figure out the job description for the people in front of me. Did this one want impeccable interpersonal skills or a working knowledge of HTML. or inside and outside and upside down sales experience. I just can't remember! I also had to hurry up to the right office on the right floor, speak to the right receptionist about the right interviewer and sit there and wait and get more nervous. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. I hope my sweaty palms will get me somewhere great...cross your fingers!!
First of all, how many questions do they expect you to answer at a time? 25 with three anecdotes and four examples. Honestly, do they want you to have diarrhea of the mouth? I think they do. There I was in my power black suit that seemed more like a straightjacket, smiling constantly until my cheeks went numb. I felt like I was back in a wedding line with my eyes glazing over because of the flash. Only this time wasn't a flash of light, it was a flash of terror.
I'm nervous and tense and desperately trying to figure out the job description for the people in front of me. Did this one want impeccable interpersonal skills or a working knowledge of HTML. or inside and outside and upside down sales experience. I just can't remember! I also had to hurry up to the right office on the right floor, speak to the right receptionist about the right interviewer and sit there and wait and get more nervous. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. AND REPEAT. I hope my sweaty palms will get me somewhere great...cross your fingers!!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Long time no blog...
I feel so bad about not blogging for awhile. My internship ended in early December, and I started the job search. I knew I wouldn't find a lot in journalism during this time of year, but I applied a few places before Christmas. My holiday was fun, pretty quiet, but enjoyable. After enjoying my Christmas holidays, I didn't hear any good news with newspapers.
So I started to develop PLAN B...I hate plan B's but I needed one. I considered the coaching/teaching option in December and decided to try it out in January. I started coaching a 12-under club volleyball team and subbing at Cleburne Independent School District before my apartment lease ended in Lewisville. The time was critical for a decision about what to do, where to live, blah, blah, blah...
After a lot of thought I decided to stay in Lewisville and move in with a friend named Katie in my ward. It's been going great! I've been doing some temporary jobs, which have been paying the bills and a little bit enjoyable. I just had four job interviews in two days...I'm beat!!
So I started to develop PLAN B...I hate plan B's but I needed one. I considered the coaching/teaching option in December and decided to try it out in January. I started coaching a 12-under club volleyball team and subbing at Cleburne Independent School District before my apartment lease ended in Lewisville. The time was critical for a decision about what to do, where to live, blah, blah, blah...
After a lot of thought I decided to stay in Lewisville and move in with a friend named Katie in my ward. It's been going great! I've been doing some temporary jobs, which have been paying the bills and a little bit enjoyable. I just had four job interviews in two days...I'm beat!!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Friday Night Lights
Oh the life of an intern, not the romantic view you're thinking about, believe me. The Dallas Morning News is keeping me busy, running from football field to volleyball court and back again every day, nonstop. I'm turning out content daily with multiple projects in the works. I started with football teams at DISD schools. One word for ya-DANGER! At least I know where in South Oak Cliff not to go at night, jk. I recently was put on the entire volleyball beat with roundups, notebooks, rankings, player of the weeks, stats, whiny coaches, flaky coaches and ditzy coaches (quite the trifecta) and everything else that comes with the package.
Football is my newest language. I wish I took a few more classes in high school and college because sometimes I feel lost. That's where Dad and Drew and I have fun though, analyzing why the Flexbone offense is better than the Spread offense and why defensive ends can't play safety. I'm in charge of the Garland schools for football along with Dallas Skyline and Bryan Adams.
It's pretty fun, but I'm still unsure what the recent buyouts and consolidations at the Morning News will mean for me. I hope to stay but have no idea what their needs are. I'm just trying to work my tailend off and have no regrets. I still make time to run at a nice family-friendly park in Coppell and treat myself with a new CD or DVD every once in awhile. I'm surviving and loving the cooler weather here! I also got a spiffy new hair cut, so watch out!!!
Football is my newest language. I wish I took a few more classes in high school and college because sometimes I feel lost. That's where Dad and Drew and I have fun though, analyzing why the Flexbone offense is better than the Spread offense and why defensive ends can't play safety. I'm in charge of the Garland schools for football along with Dallas Skyline and Bryan Adams.
It's pretty fun, but I'm still unsure what the recent buyouts and consolidations at the Morning News will mean for me. I hope to stay but have no idea what their needs are. I'm just trying to work my tailend off and have no regrets. I still make time to run at a nice family-friendly park in Coppell and treat myself with a new CD or DVD every once in awhile. I'm surviving and loving the cooler weather here! I also got a spiffy new hair cut, so watch out!!!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Coming back to Texas
Driving back to the Lone Star State took a while but it was worth it! I was excited to get things set up here. Julie and I got an apartment in Lewisville, Texas, with a sweet girl named Kristy Dodge, who goes to Church with us. We had to make many trips up to the third floor when we moved in, but we had some help and did it pretty quickly. Slowly, we got more and more furniture and set up our utilities. Best of all, we made tons of friends in our Church branch and have had a lot of fun hanging out with them.
Julie and I also got dates to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. It was an awesome show and a fun night. We've also gone swimming a lot to survive the Texas heat. Things are going well now. We both got callings and were asked to speak in Church. I am the new activities chairperson and Julie is a Sunday School teacher. We're excited about becoming more involved in the branch.
I've also had time to spend time in Cleburne working basketball and
olleyball camps, which was fun. The only drawback was that after two weeks of running drills and coaching, I sat up in bed twice calling out "Go over there" and "We need to switch them out." I figured that coaching was not the best career path for me as it disrupts roommates and my sleeping habits. I also have spent time with my parents and Drew, Lindsey and little Dallin, who just celebrated his first birthday. He's a very funny guy!
Julie and I also got dates to the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. It was an awesome show and a fun night. We've also gone swimming a lot to survive the Texas heat. Things are going well now. We both got callings and were asked to speak in Church. I am the new activities chairperson and Julie is a Sunday School teacher. We're excited about becoming more involved in the branch.
I've also had time to spend time in Cleburne working basketball and
olleyball camps, which was fun. The only drawback was that after two weeks of running drills and coaching, I sat up in bed twice calling out "Go over there" and "We need to switch them out." I figured that coaching was not the best career path for me as it disrupts roommates and my sleeping habits. I also have spent time with my parents and Drew, Lindsey and little Dallin, who just celebrated his first birthday. He's a very funny guy!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Airports
Coming home from NYC was an adventure to say the least. I was in eight airports in like 11 days. Crazy you may think but just all in a day's work as a hurricane! Try and keep up with the airport count if you dare.
(June 21) Hurried to come back home, I went to the wrong airport on the morning of my flight in NYC. (2 airports) I still can't recall which one was correct and finally got in to Minnesota to see my brother Matt, Kristin and little Andrew, Caleb and Isaac (3 airports).
We had tons of fun at the Mall of America, the pool, zoo, parks and on the slip and slide of course. The three little rascals were hilarious that I should have carried around a tape recorder to get all of their funny quotes down. I was off journalist duty but they had some great sound bytes!Then I flew to Texas from Minnesota with Kristin and the three wild boys (5 airports). We went swimming and shopping, two of my favorite summer activities. I was the Cleburne Primary Swim Day lifeguard too.
We dropped Kristin and the boys off a few days later and also took Drew and Lindsey and Dallin to the airport (7 airport visits) and had an interview with the Dallas Morning News sports staff, which went very well since they offered me an internship two days later. Finally, some plans in my life. I'm staying in the Lone Star State after all!One glitch in the ointment though. All of my stuff and car was in Utah, so on July 2 I was on a plane back to Salt Lake and Provo to round up all my stuff (9 airports). I said goodbye to friends and family in Utah and started on a two-day trek with Julie and her grandpa, another hurricane of an adventure! To be continued...
Monday, June 19, 2006
Last day at a tabloid
Today is my last day at a tabloid. My scandalous days are over according to BYU, jk. I just finished a two-month internship at the New York Daily News. It's been a blast, and I've learned a lot about reporting, news values and the great city of New York City. I have a few blooming options for my future in sports journalism, but nothing certain. I'll keep ya posted on all of that!
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