What specific experiences (honors or not) in the past year have had the most impact on your personal and professional trajectory? Articulate specific personal and/or professional goals for the next year.
What specific experiences (honors or not) in the past year have had the most impact on your personal and professional trajectory? Articulate specific personal and/or professional goals for the next year.
Fall 2017 was one of the toughest periods of my college career. I struggled with depression and self-loathing while trying to maintain my grades and social life.
After having two very successful internships at two large corporations in great places, it was time for me to start the search for my third co-op. I set big expectations for this coop. I thought to myself that since I had already worked at a tech firm in California, my next job should be at a major tech company like Apple or Amazon and at a location like NYC or San Francisco. I had a return coop offer from my 2017 coop but I thought staying with the same company would be a step backward.
I started networking, messaging people, watching online tutorials, and applying. Basically, everything I could see myself doing that would help me get the job.
Around September, I started getting interviews and I started failing them. One important component of computer science interviews are technical interviews where the interviewee is required to code a solution that the interviewer gives on the spot. These interviews proved really tough for me. I was unable to pass these. One by one, I failed all the interviews I was getting. I still kept applying and getting rejected. I was not taking a pause hoping that something would turn up. But it didn't.
Then came October. Two very close friends of mine got jobs at companies I wanted to work at and at amazing cities. I had to smile and look happy when I got the news but from the inside, I was just dying. I would call it part-jealousy and part-frustration.
I felt lonely because I did not feel there was anyone I could share this with at that time. I still persisted for two more months. I gave interviews and bombed them.
In the winter break, I went back home and met my parents after almost two years. I finally discussed this situation with them. Talking to them helped a lot. First, they said that I had gone to college to study. Finding an internship/coop is important but only to complement my studies while I am still in college. That helped me stress a little about finding the perfect job. Secondly, they said that it's okay to get a job at a lesser known company than the ones that you have worked at before. It does not mean that I am not making progress. Thirdly, and most importantly, they said that I need to take a break from the interview process and reflect on what went wrong.
After I returned from the winter break, I accepted the return co-op offer from my previous company in a new city. I finished all my pending interviews. I started concentrating on my studies whilst preparing for technical interviews. With the extra time I got, I was able to secure my first perfect GPA that semester. I was feeling much better in general. Much happier and satisfied.
As of now, I am midway through my third internship at my previous company. I love my work and living in New York City this summer. One of my close friend who I was jealous of is also here working at a great company and I have feelings of jealousy whatsover. I am happy with where I am in my life.
From this experience, I learned three important lessons that I will try to incorporate into my life this year:
1. First, I need to stop comparing myself to others and stress about it. I should have enough confidence in my abilities and strengths.
2. Second, I will stop setting myself up for failure. I took a big task and did not give myself enough time or resources to prepare for it. This year, I will make decisions and split them into smaller manageable tasks that will help me achieve goals that I have set. Also, it is important that I know that not everything turns out to be the way we want it to be and that's fine. I should not lose the conviction that has helped me get this far.
3. Lastly, I should seek help when I am feeling down. If I had talked to someone in early fall, I would have have avoided so much stress. Simply calling my parents would have helped a lot here. This year, if I am feeling hopeless and am in despair, I will make sure that I let someone know be it close friends, family, or a support system like my honors advisor. Conversely, if someone else is ina similar situation, I will make sure that I listen properly and guide them to a proper resource.
Fall 2017 was one of the toughest periods of my college career. I struggled with depression and self-loathing while trying to maintain my grades and social life.
After having two very successful internships at two large corporations in great places, it was time for me to start the search for my third co-op. I set big expectations for this coop. I thought to myself that since I had already worked at a tech firm in California, my next job should be at a major tech company like Apple or Amazon and at a location like NYC or San Francisco. I had a return coop offer from my 2017 coop but I thought staying with the same company would be a step backward.
I started networking, messaging people, watching online tutorials, and applying. Basically, everything I could see myself doing that would help me get the job.
Around September, I started getting interviews and I started failing them. One important component of computer science interviews are technical interviews where the interviewee is required to code a solution that the interviewer gives on the spot. These interviews proved really tough for me. I was unable to pass these. One by one, I failed all the interviews I was getting. I still kept applying and getting rejected. I was not taking a pause hoping that something would turn up. But it didn't.
Then came October. Two very close friends of mine got jobs at companies I wanted to work at and at amazing cities. I had to smile and look happy when I got the news but from the inside, I was just dying. I would call it part-jealousy and part-frustration.
I felt lonely because I did not feel there was anyone I could share this with at that time. I still persisted for two more months. I gave interviews and bombed them.
In the winter break, I went back home and met my parents after almost two years. I finally discussed this situation with them. Talking to them helped a lot. First, they said that I had gone to college to study. Finding an internship/coop is important but only to complement my studies while I am still in college. That helped me stress a little about finding the perfect job. Secondly, they said that it's okay to get a job at a lesser known company than the ones that you have worked at before. It does not mean that I am not making progress. Thirdly, and most importantly, they said that I need to take a break from the interview process and reflect on what went wrong.
After I returned from the winter break, I accepted the return co-op offer from my previous company in a new city. I finished all my pending interviews. I started concentrating on my studies whilst preparing for technical interviews. With the extra time I got, I was able to secure my first perfect GPA that semester. I was feeling much better in general. Much happier and satisfied.
As of now, I am midway through my third internship at my previous company. I love my work and living in New York City this summer. One of my close friend who I was jealous of is also here working at a great company and I have feelings of jealousy whatsover. I am happy with where I am in my life.
From this experience, I learned three important lessons that I will try to incorporate into my life this year:
1. First, I need to stop comparing myself to others and stress about it. I should have enough confidence in my abilities and strengths.
2. Second, I will stop setting myself up for failure. I took a big task and did not give myself enough time or resources to prepare for it. This year, I will make decisions and split them into smaller manageable tasks that will help me achieve goals that I have set. Also, it is important that I know that not everything turns out to be the way we want it to be and that's fine. I should not lose the conviction that has helped me get this far.
3. Lastly, I should seek help when I am feeling down. If I had talked to someone in early fall, I would have have avoided so much stress. Simply calling my parents would have helped a lot here. This year, if I am feeling hopeless and am in despair, I will make sure that I let someone know be it close friends, family, or a support system like my honors advisor. Conversely, if someone else is ina similar situation, I will make sure that I listen properly and guide them to a proper resource.