TFA Update

I got an e-mail yesterday letting me know I moved on to the phone interview round- the first of 2 interview stages. I've got to do some more preparation but I have plenty of time as sign-ups are not until Sept. 23 and the actual interviews a few days later. I think the point of this round is really just to make sure I understand what the program is about and make sure I know what I'm actually getting myself into. I think I have a pretty good gage of what TFA stands for, who they're looking for, and a confidence that I can be a successful part of their corps. I don't want to cross the bridge before I come to it, but unless my interview is a complete disaster, this is not the stage that I'm most worried about.

Until further notice...

Post-grad Plans Are Officially in the Works

I submitted my Teach for America application on Friday morning. Otherwise known as my first real job application.  They wanted a resume so I had to search my old computer for my last resume draft. On the upside, there were jobs I had and extracurriculars I was involved in that I completely forgot about until I reopened the file so I'm feeling a little more confident about my background now. In addition to the resume and all the other same old regular application information, I had to include a 500 word letter of intent. I think mine was slightly under 700 but it was pretty good so hopefully they won't mind. It answered all the questions and I think I presented myself as someone who "gets" what TFA is all about by relating personal experiences- some good and some not- working with children. I originally didn't want to write about my tutoring job because I didn't want them to think that I was equating tutoring 1 child at a time with teaching 30-plus kids but after all my other brainstorms and rough drafts, it kind of just came back to that. We'll see. I'll find out if I make it to the interview round on August 27th. I'm expecting to seeing as how I don't think there is anything on my application that disqualifies me right off the bat. Knock on wood.

As for my Peace Corps application, I'm working on it. I'm not feeling very pressured nor motivated into getting it finished though. For one, TFA has precedence over Peace Corps so I'm kind of in a second rate hurry for a second rate option. PC also accepts apps on a rolling basis with "suggested" submission dates unlike Teach for America's rigid deadline dates. Plus, I really don't like the second essay question for the PC application. It's something to the lines of telling of an uncomfortable situation where I was surrounded by a different culture. I guess I can write about my study abroad experience. Hopefully I'll get it finished before school starts.

Speaking of school, I've been slacking on my thesis research. I've been too excited planning my Europe trip for next summer. Not knowing what exactly I'll be doing job-wise in a year kind of hinders those plans a bit. I'm going to try and finish this book that I checked out on Botswana by tonight. 

Until next time...