Jackie’s blog

Well, I did my best at my interview but I had forgotten how quickly the time flies by. I felt like I had said almost nothing. I also made a bit of a boo-boo in the first few minutes by being a bit too relaxed (though I had been told the interview was informal). So not sure how it went. It was really good though to go through this process again because it really does remind me what the whole experience is like. So keeping my fingers crossed - I can honestly say I have no idea whether I got one or not. We’ll see.

In the process of moving offices and came across a cutting from the Financial Post Toronto 2001 which I was buried somewhere in the bottom of my filing cabinet. It still brings a smile to my face so before binning it (being determinedly ruthless with this office move) I thought I would post it here. Enjoy …

Employment Wanted

Former Marijuana Smuggler

Having successfully completed a ten year sentence, incident-free, for importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States, I am now seeking a legal and legitimate means to support myself and my family.

Business Experience - Owned and operated a successful fishing business - multi-vessel, one airplane, one island and processing facility. Simultaneously owned and operated a fleet of tractor-trailer trucks conducting business in the western United States. During this time I also co-owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people worldwide in a successful pot smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million annually. I took responsibility for my own actions, and received a ten year sentence in the United States while others walked free for their cooperation.

Attributes - I am an expert in all levels of security; I have extensive computer skills, am personable, outgoing, well-educated, reliable, clean and sober. I have spoken in schools to thousands of kids and parent groups over the past ten years on ‘the consequence of choice’, and received public recognition from the RCMP for community service. I am well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish. References available from friends, family, the US District Attorney, etc. Please direct replies to Box 375, National Post, Classified, 1450 Don Mills, ON, M3B 3RS.

Just finished hosing down the wellies, car, folding chairs, etc and washing clothes, coats, bags - you name it, it got mud on it! I have nothing but admiration for these young people who turn up, pitch tents in fields that you could easily grow rice in there as so much water, grab and beer and head to the marquees for a dance and a laugh. The music was good - the cold wind, the 6 inch deep slurping mud, the car park mud slalome ride were not so good. My little grandson said every music marque was ‘too loud nana’ so we ended up doing rotas with him in the kid’s tent where he decorated all our wellies with cut out stickers, nice. The atmosphere was great though and the people really relaxed and friendly. My favourite was the acoustic tent so I am now thinking I need to attend a folk festival next. The best band I saw was Hijack Oscar, they were really good.

Watched a couple of other good ones - Ben Pike followed by Jordan Senior and there was a wonderful atmosphere in the tent when they were on, everyone seemed to know and love them . Apparently Ben set up a gardening business to subsidise his music career and it took off! He now employs some of the other musicians to work with him. Good to see he hasn’t put his guitar away totally to concentrate on business.  Also good to see my daughter’s other half, Jack from Hung Honeys playing alongside Jordan as I missed them the day before.

So, now I have been to a music festival. Need to go check my list of  ‘things I still haven’t done but want to ..’ to see what’s next.

If you are a graduate and work feels like this, I just want to say IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS! Time to get some help. Go and see a Careers Adviser in your nearest university (you don’t have to go back to your old university, as there is a reciprocal agreement between university careers services that they will see each others graduates). Ring up, make an appointment then go in for a chat about your options. If that all sounds like too much effort, let me just say … you need to raise your effort threshold!

At last, all the technical stuff has been sorted and my new blog is up and running. I don’t know why I like blogging, I just do. I think it has something to do with my love of writing. Mind you, my English Literature degree nearly put me off the written word for ever. All that close scrutiny of great works drove me mad and it took me a few years to get back into my stride with reading, never mind writing. Anyway, back to the blog. This new blog is going to be focussed on branding, career planning, job hunting and well, everything ‘graduate careers’ really. I am going to use it to explain how Personal Branding is a fantastic new way of sorting out your career and then share tips and advice around how to use your degree to get what you want. I’d start now but I’m packing to go to the Moors Music Festival. I’ve never been to a music festival (I know, pathetic isn’t it) and my daughter is helping to organise this one so I have been press ganged into going by my mother (she’s a regular at these sorts of things). I am taking my young grandson with me so a multi-generational musical outing. Have to stop now and go and find my wellies (rain is forecast, and I have a long list of things to take, provided by my stepson Graeme who went to Glastonbury this year). Fun, eh? I can see this might be my one and only music festival experience. Anyway, watch this space …