creative visualisation
Last week I interviewed to teach a class in the spring. Everything went fine, I got the job and I figured out a great way to make myself more comfortable. I was really nervous about it even though it's an adjunct job, one beginning drawing class and who else are they going to get at this late date anyway? those kinds of things, but I had to meet with a dean and a faculty committee and I've been worried about something ever since I started applying for these jobs: how to look like a professional person. It seems like it ought to be easy, but man it is not. Beginning with the suit, since its the biggest part, it seems like when I wear one I feel like I can't move my arms. Further, I don't know what to do with my head really since pulling all the hair back makes me look too severe but leaving any hair out seems disheveled. And forget about lipstick because I feel like I can't move my face. If I can't move my arms or face, can i matter what I have to say?
Anyway, I managed to put something together but I was still pretty nervous.
Then it happened. I started thinking about what professionalism is and what it isn't. Then I imagined myself making horrible choices during the interview. For example, there's a candy dish on the desk. What if I took one while they were talking to me or took 5 and stuck them in my pocket or asked if they have any other kinds? Note: I thought about this and I think public candy dishes are not as benign as they seem.
Another example: When they ask what I think my role as a teacher is, what if I said that basically I see myself as the nipple of education and that what I really want to do is breastfeed all of the students?
Imagining how bad things could be took a lot of pressure off. If I think what makes somebody look professional is not doing stuff like that it all feels so much more possible.
Anyway, I managed to put something together but I was still pretty nervous.
Then it happened. I started thinking about what professionalism is and what it isn't. Then I imagined myself making horrible choices during the interview. For example, there's a candy dish on the desk. What if I took one while they were talking to me or took 5 and stuck them in my pocket or asked if they have any other kinds? Note: I thought about this and I think public candy dishes are not as benign as they seem.
Another example: When they ask what I think my role as a teacher is, what if I said that basically I see myself as the nipple of education and that what I really want to do is breastfeed all of the students?
Imagining how bad things could be took a lot of pressure off. If I think what makes somebody look professional is not doing stuff like that it all feels so much more possible.