No. This post isn't regarding the way I feel about the size of my hips. Or my steel trap of a memory. (Except when it comes to remembering where I put my keys...or my sunglasses. Ask me what you were wearing the third Saturday of August 2006, however, and I could tell you.)
I'm digressing. My boyfriend sent me this amazing video of a rescued elephant and it reminded me of something: myself and all my fellow entry-level job seekers. Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk
In case you'd rather read the rest of my post before you watch it, I'll give you the synopsis: Rescued elephant takes a paintbrush and paints an elephant holding a flower. Sure, it's not Rembrandt, but it's pretty damn amazing.
Before I saw this video, I had no idea that elephants could paint anything other than shaky lines and splotches. To watch an animal paint a self portrait of sorts really opened my eyes to something: I've been underestimating elephants.
And you know what else? A lot of times it seems that people underestimate entry-level job candidates in the very same way. Just like the elephant, we have no track record of proven effectiveness. We have little to no professional experience. We've never before had the opportunity to show the world what we're truly capable of. Well guess what? That elephant has mad artistic skills, and until some caretaker gave him (or her) the chance to shine, nobody ever knew it. And without that chance, nobody probably ever would have.
I understand the importance of experience. Nevertheless, I think entry-level job seekers have the upper-hand in a different way. We're hungry. We're slightly naive (in a positive way, of course). We're passionate. We have a lot to learn, yes, but we're especially eager to learn it. All of it. To us, that first job is like a shiny new toy. That first taste of real experience is delicious. It's not just another step. It's our first step...and we don't want to screw it up. Talk about wanting to give 120%.
I know that's the case for me, Sally. I know what I'm good at. I know what I'm passionate about. I know what situations really allow me to shine. And although a few years of experience will surely enhance that someday, if given the chance, I know that I could prove to an employer that I could truly create some doggone good stuff.
A freaking elephant painted an elephant because the right person gave him some paint and a brush.
I can only imagine what we entry-level job seekers could do if given the right tools.
I'm off to commission that elephant to paint a mural for above my fireplace. He really does do good work...
I'm digressing. My boyfriend sent me this amazing video of a rescued elephant and it reminded me of something: myself and all my fellow entry-level job seekers. Here's the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk
In case you'd rather read the rest of my post before you watch it, I'll give you the synopsis: Rescued elephant takes a paintbrush and paints an elephant holding a flower. Sure, it's not Rembrandt, but it's pretty damn amazing.
Before I saw this video, I had no idea that elephants could paint anything other than shaky lines and splotches. To watch an animal paint a self portrait of sorts really opened my eyes to something: I've been underestimating elephants.
And you know what else? A lot of times it seems that people underestimate entry-level job candidates in the very same way. Just like the elephant, we have no track record of proven effectiveness. We have little to no professional experience. We've never before had the opportunity to show the world what we're truly capable of. Well guess what? That elephant has mad artistic skills, and until some caretaker gave him (or her) the chance to shine, nobody ever knew it. And without that chance, nobody probably ever would have.
I understand the importance of experience. Nevertheless, I think entry-level job seekers have the upper-hand in a different way. We're hungry. We're slightly naive (in a positive way, of course). We're passionate. We have a lot to learn, yes, but we're especially eager to learn it. All of it. To us, that first job is like a shiny new toy. That first taste of real experience is delicious. It's not just another step. It's our first step...and we don't want to screw it up. Talk about wanting to give 120%.
I know that's the case for me, Sally. I know what I'm good at. I know what I'm passionate about. I know what situations really allow me to shine. And although a few years of experience will surely enhance that someday, if given the chance, I know that I could prove to an employer that I could truly create some doggone good stuff.
A freaking elephant painted an elephant because the right person gave him some paint and a brush.
I can only imagine what we entry-level job seekers could do if given the right tools.
I'm off to commission that elephant to paint a mural for above my fireplace. He really does do good work...
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