Event 1: “The Future of Storytelling”
My first career resource event was “The Future of Storytelling” featuring Paul Jenkins. This event was essentially a creative experience into the methods that one may pursue a career in storytelling, whether that be comics, movies, games, books, etc. Jenkins discussed how we as writers have tools within technology, and it is how well we use these tools that can help us elevate our status as writers.
Jenkins told us about his many different accomplishments, some being working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, various games such as The Darkness, working with Marvel, and various other jobs. With each job, however, he said his main with his stories was to “engineer people’s emotions.” That’s what storytelling is all about: creating something that evokes feelings from your audience.
One of the most useful things I learned from this workshop was to be honest with what you’re making. If you’re not interested in the story, why would you make it, after all? Most stories come from a place of passion, of feeling within oneself. We should be honest with these feelings and settle for nothing less when implementing them into our stories.
During the workshop, Jenkins gave three steps to work towards being a successful storyteller: reinforcement (something will come if we reinforce the need for it), perception (how powerful biases are), and adoption by the controllers of the industry (using technology to tell a story in a NEW way).
Overall, I would say I enjoyed my time at this resource event. Though it was not exactly what I’d expected, I did learn interesting things about the industry that I did not previously know.
Event 2: “Resume Workshop”
Creating your resume is oftentimes a frightening task. Whether you’re a student who feels you don’t have enough experience to write down, or a professional trying to polish up your resume, there’s always improvements to be made. Fortunately for KSU students, the Department of Career Planning and Services offers a workshop to help you feel more confident in crafting your resume and gives step-by-step instructions to make yours standout.
While resumes act as a means to introduce you to your possible employers, they also act as a miniature portfolio of sorts. They line out your work experience, of course, but also various skills you possess, or possibly volunteer work you’ve participated in. Prior to the workshop, resumes were something I viewed as just a necessity to getting a job, even if they felt mundane. However, I see now that they’re so much more.
Throughout the workshop, I was instructed on things I had not previously considered when writing resumes in the past, yet once I was told, it seemed so much simpler. For example, while it may seem obvious, write down your present work experience in the present tense (i.e. “I do this”), and past work experience in the past tense (i.e. “I did this”). While it may not be the difference between being hired and having your resume pushed aside, overall it makes you seem that much more professional and prepared. Another tip I learned was particularly helpful for students. If you are still in school, list your expected graduation date. Some employers will not even consider resumes that do not have an expected graduation date, as there’s no indication for how long they may be able to employ you.
The Resume Workshop was very beneficial to me, and I’m grateful for what I learned. I am much more confident in my ability to create a resume for myself that utilizes all my strengths and showcases me as the best worker I can possibly be.
Event #3: “Career Exploration Workshop: From Passion to Profit”
On April 24th, KSU held an event called Career Exploration Workshop: From Passion to Profit. As graduation draws closer, some students may be left thinking, “I’m almost done, so what am I really going to do with this degree?” Joining the workforce after college may be a confusing time, but no matter what your degree, there’s a world of possibilities open for you.
The Career Exploration Workshop focused a lot on how to actually search for the job you want. I found it similar to what I’ve learned in my Careers in Writing course about implementing keywords to make your searches more focused and clear. By choosing the aspects of your degree that excite you the most, you can forge yourself a path that leads to a fulfilling career. The more passionate you are about your career, the more likely it is that you’ll succeed and do great things.
Sometimes, however, careers can also go down paths we don’t expect. Oftentimes, someone may start in one career, a career that they believe to be their passion, only to discover their true passion later on. Jobs sometimes act as stepping stones to another job, or to an entirely new career path altogether.
A point very strongly iterated is having the confidence to pursue your goals. As you enter the workforce, you have to be willing to fight for yourself, because if you aren’t even confident in your abilities, then why would anyone else be? Be confident, but also be realistic. Don’t expect to find gold with your very first application, but walk into an interview confident regardless. Attitude goes a long way in choosing your desired career.
The career workshop was very helpful, and honestly very motivating. I left with a feeling of confidence, as was spoken about, and the feeling that I can achieve whatever it is I set out to gain through my career.
