Ahhhh nostalgia
I have been working for The Telegraph since I was 19 years old. A coworker had found out my age when my employment began and was astounded that they had a teenager working for the company. At first, I was the youngest employee. The closest person to my age was Jenn, who was 26 at the time. It never occurred to me the risk they were taking in hiring me. I was very young, and had absolutely no experience (professionally) in graphic design.
For my first interview, Scott (who now no longer works with the company) was the one who interviewed me. I remember walking in with my gigantic portfolio having NO IDEA what I was going to say, or how I should even begin to explain my thought process in the pieces it contained. Looking back on it now, now that I know the person who interviewed me, I shouldn't have been so nervous. I was so worried my age and inexperience wouldn't get me the job. My worst fear was for him to look at my portfolio and tell me how badly it sucked and turn me away instantly. Instead, he turned out to be one of the nicest people I had ever met. We talked for what seemed to be a half hour about the company and any questions I had about what I'd be doing. Everything seemed to go so well (even though I slipped and said I hated advertising, whoops! I recovered nicely though) and when I left there no doubt in my mind that I'd be getting a call back from this job. While applying here I never even thought I'd get a call. Graphic design was the last thing on my mind for a career. School had burnt me out, and the mere thought of doing it everyday for the rest of my life seemed like torture. But as I scanned the paper one day I found this job. It was the only one I was fully qualified for and the hours, OH THE HOURS, are really what sold me. Anyone who worked in retail can understand the beauty of a set schedule, 9-5 job and weekends off. So as I walked away from that interview, there was nothing I wanted more than that job.
A week later, the phone call. On my lunch break at Sams Club, I sat on the stupid red and white plastic pinic table and listened to the voicemail from the HR represtative. "I'm sorry but we've decided to go with someone who has 2 more years of newspaper experience..." What?! I had a half an hour converstation with that man! How could he possibly not hire me after he saw what a great portolio and personality I had! "...but there is another position opening up. We will keep your resume on file and we will definitely call you to set up another interview. Scott really liked you..." Yeah sure. Almost every jobs give you the "we'll keep your resume on file" line. Devastaed, I started to panic. "I'm going to be at Sams Club for the rest of my life!" Every job I had applied for had rejected me. It had almost been a month since school ended, and there I sat, a college graduate working at Sams Club.
Much to my surprise, they actually did call me back for a second interview where I was hired on the spot. Leaving that interview the most wonderful feeling came over me. "I'm an adult, I'm in the real world... I NEVER HAVE TO WORK WEEKENDS AGAIN!" Finally, a job I can be proud of. Finally, a job where I actually matter and am a part of something. Working here has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better first "real job." Despite all the complaining I do, I can honestly say I love this job. The people are amazing, my boss is the greatest I will ever have, and the hours are wonderful. Unfortunately, office jobs just aren't for me, and The Telegraph has helped me realize that.
I sit here and scan different jobs every so often. The salaries offered on most of the ones I'm qualified for are so much higher than what mine is right now. Yet something keeps me firmly planted in my roll-y chair. What other job is going to let me come in between 9-11:30 every day? What other job will allow me to leave when I want and adjust my hours as needed to get 40 every week? What other job will produce the same wonderful people that I work with everyday? None really. The perfect combination is right here, but unfortunately not the money.
So the question really is, what do I want to sacrifice in order to live more comfortably? Really, I could keep this job. All that has to be done is to get my spending problem under control, and maybe add another roommate to my apartment. That is managable, that is doable. If I have to sit in a cubicle, I'd much rather it be this one than any other. The next move for me career wise (ideally) will be to work for myself, where ever I feel like working. No cubicles, no robotic schedule to follow every day, just me and my laptop sitting where ever I've landed. All there is left to do is to hope that goal can be acieved while at The Telegraph. There really is no other place (with cubicles) I'd rather work for.
Friday, December 23, 2005 11:32 AM
Hello!
My name is Samantha Angelo and I am extremely interested in the position. I have just spent the last 15 months living and breathing graphic design, and I feel that I would be an excellent addition to your staff. I have used all of the programs you listed, and I have a very good understanding of what the graphic design world is like. Also, I am very used to, and good at, multitasking so that is not a problem for me. I would love to set up a time where you can view my portfolio so you can get a better idea of who I am as a designer. I have also included my resume. Thank you very much for your time!
Samantha Angelo
<3 Mahal.
For my first interview, Scott (who now no longer works with the company) was the one who interviewed me. I remember walking in with my gigantic portfolio having NO IDEA what I was going to say, or how I should even begin to explain my thought process in the pieces it contained. Looking back on it now, now that I know the person who interviewed me, I shouldn't have been so nervous. I was so worried my age and inexperience wouldn't get me the job. My worst fear was for him to look at my portfolio and tell me how badly it sucked and turn me away instantly. Instead, he turned out to be one of the nicest people I had ever met. We talked for what seemed to be a half hour about the company and any questions I had about what I'd be doing. Everything seemed to go so well (even though I slipped and said I hated advertising, whoops! I recovered nicely though) and when I left there no doubt in my mind that I'd be getting a call back from this job. While applying here I never even thought I'd get a call. Graphic design was the last thing on my mind for a career. School had burnt me out, and the mere thought of doing it everyday for the rest of my life seemed like torture. But as I scanned the paper one day I found this job. It was the only one I was fully qualified for and the hours, OH THE HOURS, are really what sold me. Anyone who worked in retail can understand the beauty of a set schedule, 9-5 job and weekends off. So as I walked away from that interview, there was nothing I wanted more than that job.
A week later, the phone call. On my lunch break at Sams Club, I sat on the stupid red and white plastic pinic table and listened to the voicemail from the HR represtative. "I'm sorry but we've decided to go with someone who has 2 more years of newspaper experience..." What?! I had a half an hour converstation with that man! How could he possibly not hire me after he saw what a great portolio and personality I had! "...but there is another position opening up. We will keep your resume on file and we will definitely call you to set up another interview. Scott really liked you..." Yeah sure. Almost every jobs give you the "we'll keep your resume on file" line. Devastaed, I started to panic. "I'm going to be at Sams Club for the rest of my life!" Every job I had applied for had rejected me. It had almost been a month since school ended, and there I sat, a college graduate working at Sams Club.
Much to my surprise, they actually did call me back for a second interview where I was hired on the spot. Leaving that interview the most wonderful feeling came over me. "I'm an adult, I'm in the real world... I NEVER HAVE TO WORK WEEKENDS AGAIN!" Finally, a job I can be proud of. Finally, a job where I actually matter and am a part of something. Working here has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better first "real job." Despite all the complaining I do, I can honestly say I love this job. The people are amazing, my boss is the greatest I will ever have, and the hours are wonderful. Unfortunately, office jobs just aren't for me, and The Telegraph has helped me realize that.
I sit here and scan different jobs every so often. The salaries offered on most of the ones I'm qualified for are so much higher than what mine is right now. Yet something keeps me firmly planted in my roll-y chair. What other job is going to let me come in between 9-11:30 every day? What other job will allow me to leave when I want and adjust my hours as needed to get 40 every week? What other job will produce the same wonderful people that I work with everyday? None really. The perfect combination is right here, but unfortunately not the money.
So the question really is, what do I want to sacrifice in order to live more comfortably? Really, I could keep this job. All that has to be done is to get my spending problem under control, and maybe add another roommate to my apartment. That is managable, that is doable. If I have to sit in a cubicle, I'd much rather it be this one than any other. The next move for me career wise (ideally) will be to work for myself, where ever I feel like working. No cubicles, no robotic schedule to follow every day, just me and my laptop sitting where ever I've landed. All there is left to do is to hope that goal can be acieved while at The Telegraph. There really is no other place (with cubicles) I'd rather work for.
Friday, December 23, 2005 11:32 AM
Hello!
My name is Samantha Angelo and I am extremely interested in the position. I have just spent the last 15 months living and breathing graphic design, and I feel that I would be an excellent addition to your staff. I have used all of the programs you listed, and I have a very good understanding of what the graphic design world is like. Also, I am very used to, and good at, multitasking so that is not a problem for me. I would love to set up a time where you can view my portfolio so you can get a better idea of who I am as a designer. I have also included my resume. Thank you very much for your time!
Samantha Angelo
<3 Mahal.