When will your career path come into focus?

I am the mind of the future. Now, repeat out loud: “I am the mind of the future.”

This mantra will carry you through the next few years, write it down, believe it and repeat it. I was unaware of the power I possessed as I look back on my years of undergrad and beginning my career; the power in my individuality, the power of my mind. Our minds are filled with the ability to go anywhere, do anything. Our minds can travel the world without our body having to leave the couch. As a recent graduate or approaching another year in undergrad, your mind is at its creative peak. At this stage of your life you are unharmed by the corrupt workforce or a cog in the machine mentality. The power of money has not claimed you. You are not constrained to a one track mindset or not bound to a group mentality. Your mind yearns to learn, it wants to engage, it wants to grow. You are any organization’s ideal candidate.

I know you are thinking, well that’s great but how can I use this to find a job? How do I use this to my advantage?

I think the best way to explain how to do something is to teach by example, so I will share my story. I graduated from Bryant University with a double major in Communication and Literary and Cultural Studies, I was/am well-rounded. I can discuss Degas’ transformative art, write a research paper on modern feminism and societal impact, or speak to cultural gender issues. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a job description that lists such abilities. Upon graduation, it was my turn to figure out how to use the power of my mind to my advantage, to find direction and to answer that ever-so-popular/nagging question, “What am I going to do with my life?” I simply didn’t know.

I was applying for jobs from Public Relations Associate to New York Magazine Journalist. I wanted to do everything. I could see myself going down a million different paths. And honestly it was in interviewing that I nabbed a job in Advertising for Nickelodeon that I learned I could put my sales skills from past employment at The Limited and still be creative in brainstorming custom campaigns for clients. Through self reflection and by comparing when I first started my career to where I am now, I discovered the recent graduate angle, the creative mind and hungry spirit. Your mind is probably wandering, too and your creative juices are flowing. You have the ability to go anywhere and do anything, so go with it. Write a cover letter. You will stand out because no one has had the experiences you have had. As in art, everyone sees the world differently, paint your picture. Take that interview. Tell the interviewer why you are there, share and face your obstacles, discuss how you will overcome obstacles and explain why you are the candidate they cannot afford to lose. Be decisive.

You are You. There is no other You in the world. Make that powerful. Make that a statement. Make it mean something. Everyone has had volunteer experience; everyone is a leader that is how they got their foot in the door. But how will you make them realize, you are wearing the Louboutins?

Okay, okay, how will you show them you are the star? By believing you are the mind of the future.

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