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Adulthood; When the hell did that happen?
Topic Started: Apr 9 2011, 06:12 PM (6,380 Views)
meh
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Semitistan
May 12 2013, 06:34 PM
I do know Arabic to an extent, but it could use a lot of improvement, especially the reading and writing; otherwise I can pretty much live in an Arab country with no trouble. So I am thinking of utilising my bilingualism.
How/where did you learn Arabic?

I've been studying it for the past year, and hopefully by the end of this year I'll have my 300 levels done. I'm also trying to get abroad more. I'll be in Morocco this summer for a month, and then either the UAE or Jordan next spring.

If you know Arabic fairly well, then you have a number of opportunities to pursue. I know Arabic is a critical language for the US government and military , so they want to pick you up. International business might be a good avenue as well.
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Semitistan
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I'm originally Palestinian but am a British citizen. I'm afraid I'm not in the good old USA. But I was considering journalism or international business.

And good luck with that. I am sure you know how different modern Arabic dialects are!
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meh
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:dry: Yeah, I was trying to go a place a little more relevant and prevalent in the Arabic world, but this was all my school offered at the time.

Surely the British government has a similar mindset with critical languages? (Apologies for assuming you were American). At least for international business, it wouldn't to look at getting a job with an energy company. I'm assuming there are some jobs available for Arabic speakers.
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Semitistan
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Oh don't worry about apologising!

I was thinking to work somewhere in intelligence but I am not sure I will be cut out for the job. For now I will be working simple jobs and making some amount of money. While I practice my arabic. Journalism is definitely of interest considering how quickly the Middle East is changing...and I have a feeling something will eruption in Israel and Palestine. But the path is not.so straightforward and will usually include various unpaid internships which just sucks.

Jordanian and UAE dialectics are probably the most relevant for intelligence. The UAE is very similar to the Saudi and Jordanian is practically the same as Palestinian while being only a little different to Syrian and Lebanese.
Edited by Semitistan, May 13 2013, 04:44 AM.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Semitistan
May 12 2013, 06:34 PM
Man I saw this thread being bumped and I just remembered....I will be graduating with a combined honours in Journalism News Media and Philosophy.

And this is the scariest thing that I am experiencing right now. For 16 years straight I have been in school and education, I always had a place to go because people told me where to go. And now, with a degree like that I have no idea.

I do know Arabic to an extent, but it could use a lot of improvement, especially the reading and writing; otherwise I can pretty much live in an Arab country with no trouble. So I am thinking of utilising my bilingualism.

Anyway, what I want to ask you guys is...should I be prepared for an excruciating search for a job that will last me months? Although this is exciting, I have a feeling it will be a very difficult time...
Your bilingualism will help, especially in the energy sector and finance. You might want to check out public relations, especially a firm that deals with West Asia/North Africa. If you wish to pursue your career in News Media, then you'll start in a very low paying job in some bum-f&%k market. As to philosophy - well, good luck with that. Play up your honors and your Arabic on your resume - some companies still train. Don't just sit on the internet and look for jobs - that is the worst place to find anything. Most ads there are looking for experience and/or very specific skill sets. I would advise picking a place where you want to live, then doing research on all the likely companies there. Also, take advantage of all the college job fairs you can find - not just at your school, but any place where people looking for college hires congregate.

Also, when you see an ad that only wants one of three skill sets you possess, and some experience, it doesn't mean you should not send a resume and a cover letter - these things always describe the "perfect" candidate, which might not even exist. Also, applying through Human Resources is almost always the best way to have your resume ignored. They have check lists, and if your resume does not light up the check list, you will be filed away forever. Try to get the attention of the person who actually needs the hire - this requires some networking.

Finally, when you get an interview, immediately after send the interviewer a thank you NOTE. E-mail thank you responses are worthless.

Good luck!
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
My college roommate just accepted an engineering position. He knows ZERO engineering. He got the job because he is fluent in Spanish. I wish I was fluent in something other than English. It is an unbelievably marketable skill to have entering the workforce...

My company has a location in an outlying suburb of Cleveland/Akron. I am in the cosmetics industry. :lol: :lol:
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Semitistan
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New Harumf
May 13 2013, 08:43 AM
Semitistan
May 12 2013, 06:34 PM
Man I saw this thread being bumped and I just remembered....I will be graduating with a combined honours in Journalism News Media and Philosophy.

And this is the scariest thing that I am experiencing right now. For 16 years straight I have been in school and education, I always had a place to go because people told me where to go. And now, with a degree like that I have no idea.

I do know Arabic to an extent, but it could use a lot of improvement, especially the reading and writing; otherwise I can pretty much live in an Arab country with no trouble. So I am thinking of utilising my bilingualism.

Anyway, what I want to ask you guys is...should I be prepared for an excruciating search for a job that will last me months? Although this is exciting, I have a feeling it will be a very difficult time...
Your bilingualism will help, especially in the energy sector and finance. You might want to check out public relations, especially a firm that deals with West Asia/North Africa. If you wish to pursue your career in News Media, then you'll start in a very low paying job in some bum-f&%k market. As to philosophy - well, good luck with that. Play up your honors and your Arabic on your resume - some companies still train. Don't just sit on the internet and look for jobs - that is the worst place to find anything. Most ads there are looking for experience and/or very specific skill sets. I would advise picking a place where you want to live, then doing research on all the likely companies there. Also, take advantage of all the college job fairs you can find - not just at your school, but any place where people looking for college hires congregate.

Also, when you see an ad that only wants one of three skill sets you possess, and some experience, it doesn't mean you should not send a resume and a cover letter - these things always describe the "perfect" candidate, which might not even exist. Also, applying through Human Resources is almost always the best way to have your resume ignored. They have check lists, and if your resume does not light up the check list, you will be filed away forever. Try to get the attention of the person who actually needs the hire - this requires some networking.

Finally, when you get an interview, immediately after send the interviewer a thank you NOTE. E-mail thank you responses are worthless.

Good luck!
Thank you very much Harumf, these are pointers I will definitely keep in mind!

And flumes, I do actually feel lucky. It is only in the past year that I realized how useful having a second language can be and that I have gained an appreciation of languages. I just need to touch it up a little before going into it. But I don't think I can accept a position in engineering without knowing anything about it like that, that was quite ballsy of your friend! Hahahaha.
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
So I guess I'm trying to get back in the saddle, in a sense. I interviewed today at the newspaper in the town I live in now (they're looking for a local government reporter), and I think it went well. Seems like a good cultural fit for me, actually in my field of work and wouldn't require relocation (aside from eventually moving into town and out of my Dad's house, though not a requirement, just a personal desire). Starting pay expected to be $10-$12 an hour, according to the editor who interviewed me. Seems like a good entry-level position, a good opportunity to get that much-needed experience.

I don't want to get my hopes too far up lest I don't get the position and begin to feel discouraged, but I feel pretty optimistic about this. It's the best lead I've gotten in months, and it'd actually allow me to make a career out of journalism, rather than a pastime/freelance thing.

If I don't get it, I've still got that job at the truck stop, and they did bump me up to $9/hour recently. It's not an awful job; it's extremely easy and much less stressful than Sprint, but the hours aren't consistent and the pay is what it is. I could do that for a while if need be, but... I kinda hope I get this job at the newspaper. :P
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Rhadamanthus
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Legitimist

Good luck! But, I want to tell you something in case you don't get the position. When you are struggling to find a job, and interviews are few and far between - every interview you get should be something to be proud of. Even if you don't get the job, you need these learning experiences. That said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

Rhadamanthus
May 16 2013, 06:20 PM
Good luck! But, I want to tell you something in case you don't get the position. When you are struggling to find a job, and interviews are few and far between - every interview you get should be something to be proud of. Even if you don't get the job, you need these learning experiences. That said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
This.
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
Semitistan, they are going to train him for a month! (and he gets paid for that like he is working). Incredibly good deal if you ask me.


Lans, mirroring the thoughts above, the nice thing about interviews that don't go your way is the experience you gain from them. The more interviews you go through the better prepped you are for the ridiculous questions thrown at you in future interviews.
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
Well, after living the past 3.5 months just outside Stillwater, OK, things are finally beginning to stabilize, although things are still far from "happy". I got a rather unimpressive job working at a truck stop, and I'm finally beginning to make enough money to start saving small amounts again. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to land any better work, either better-paying or more gratifying. In addition, living with my father in a 34-foot travel trailer on a lakeside campground has become rather tedious. Whether or not I can find a real job, I think it's time I begin considering whether it would be a feasible move to finally move out of my father's house and get my own place, if for no other reason than it might make me feel like I'm moving forward in some small fashion.

The trailer we live in is too small for two people, and my father has never been a very good roommate, seeing as how he will never do the dishes, yet constantly complains if dishes are in the sink, and there's no dishwasher here. I have to drive into town to go do laundry, or even check the mail, and there are way too many bugs here for my liking. Neither one of us are especially good at keeping things clean, and while I don't do as much as I should to fix that, he seems to do nothing at all. We also have to haul water from the lake's bathhouse to our trailer, 200 gallons at a time, so we can do dishes and use the bathroom. I find it exacerbating that he is trying to turn a travel trailer into a permanent home, when it obviously isn't designed for such use, at least not for two people.

Benefits to moving out:

  • Much more space for myself, for one thing. I can also have the amenities that a life of city living has spoiled me into expecting (broadband internet being chief among them).
  • While Stillwater is a smaller town than I'm used to, it's not without its charms, and it's still large enough for me to keep myself entertained. It's a college town (home to Oklahoma State University, as opposed to the University of Oklahoma, my alma mater in Norman), it's full of young people, and if I can ever get up the nerve to approach people in public, or find a good way to meet people, I could perhaps create a strong circle of friends here, and could actually invite them over to spend time with me at my own living space, which would actually have some furnishings. (I've been paying for a storage unit since we got here to hold onto my bed, couch and other large things that don't fit in this trailer.)
  • It would likely be beneficial to my health as a whole. Since moving out of OKC, I've stopped going to the gym, partly for financial reasons, partly out of apathy/possible depression, but mostly because there isn't a convenient place to work out. I don't generally like being out in the elements, especially with summer beginning and my sensitivity to heat, and there's no real room to work out in such a small trailer. In that time, I've gained about 12 pounds despite attempting to cut down on my food intake. I feel much less energetic as a whole, and I'm drinking much more frequently. While I don't generally enjoy working out, and I absolutely despise running, having a more convenient place to exercise certainly wouldn't hurt anything. Also, being in such close proximity to my father's apparent chain smoking is likely harmful as well.

There are plenty of reasons not to move out, of course:

  • While the job I have is stable and generally gets me close to 40 hours a week, the hourly rate of pay is roughly similar to what I was making at Walmart before I left after college, far less than what I was making at either of my previous positions. It's a decent amount above minimum wage, but it may not be enough to support rent on a 1-bedroom apartment, in addition to cell phone, fuel/insurance/other automotive costs, utilities, student loans and food. If I can scrimp and save, I may be able to afford a cheap, one-bedroom apartment in Stillwater, though it may be a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of thing, possibly leaving me with no real way to save money.
  • Speaking of saving money, car troubles that I've had in the recent past have led me to believe that it's extremely important I have some money put away for things such as buying a new vehicle. Work is about 17 miles from town and 8 miles from where I live now, so I have to hope that I never have any severe car problems before I can afford a new vehicle, or at least extensive repairs.
  • The possibility also exists that making such a decision without a good reason to leave the Stillwater area (new job back in OKC or in a different market) could damage my relationship with my father, as he may view this as a sign of personal animosity against him. However, staying continually beyond the next couple of months could begin to foster increasing resentment towards him, and I don't want to do that either.

The biggest question, I suppose, will depend more on the circumstances of others; something I do not find appealing. Getting a roommate would be the best option, in order to split living expenses, but aside from my father, I still don't know anyone in Stillwater whom I know I can completely trust to live up to their end of the bargain, as well as can stand living with for an extended period of time. On the other hand, I still know a couple of people in OKC, Norman, Tampa and other various places that I'm sure would be happy to have me and help me with financial concerns, but even a move back to OKC, a mere 60 miles, would incur greater costs than just moving into urbanized Stillwater, 7 miles up the road. These costs, along with the fact that I don't have any kind of job lined up, make any kind of medium-to-long distance move nearly impossible. If I was able to land a job somewhere, a good job, or even one that's only better than what I have now, this would be the perfect impetus to move. If someone I know was able to simply offer me such a job, or put me in the position to get one, even better.

On the surface, the best solution to my dilemma, should I decide to finally move out on my own, would be to try and make friends in Stillwater somehow, and eventually become a roommate of theirs. More than likely, though, I suspect I'll have to probably get the cheapest 1-bedroom apartment possible and hope I don't get sick or have expensive car problems. But what do you all think? Does anyone have any pointers? Any tips they can give me, or help they can offer?
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
I don't have any pointers regarding moving, but as far as exercising have you considered biking?

Biking is pretty enjoyable in the country and its not too bad in the heat. Yes you have to acquire a bike if you don't have one, but you can probably find a bike reasonably inexpensive somewhere, if not for free... And its not running... Should I have started with that?
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East Anarx
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Anarchitect

Flumes' idea is a good one. And perhaps if you can find a place to live that's relatively close to your work, you can bike instead of having to drive, thus killing two or even three birds with one stone. Even if you have to bike a few miles to and from work, oklahoma is flat as a pancake, so you should pretty much never have to get off and push. Don't forget to stay hydrated, though. 16 miles a day might be a bit tough at first, but it should whip you into shape in no time.

I know that probably doesn't sound very appealing, what with your work being well outside of town and your sensitivity to heat and the impending oklahoma summer.

I wish I had better advice to give you...
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
East Anarx
Jun 20 2013, 10:45 AM
Flumes' idea is a good one. And perhaps if you can find a place to live that's relatively close to your work, you can bike instead of having to drive, thus killing two or even three birds with one stone. Even if you have to bike a few miles to and from work, oklahoma is flat as a pancake, so you should pretty much never have to get off and push. Don't forget to stay hydrated, though. 16 miles a day might be a bit tough at first, but it should whip you into shape in no time.

I know that probably doesn't sound very appealing, what with your work being well outside of town and your sensitivity to heat and the impending oklahoma summer.

I wish I had better advice to give you...
It's not the worst idea ever as a whole, my only real concern about it from where I'm at now is that my current house is actually in a valley formed by the lake we live on. The road between Stillwater and my work is rather hilly, at least by Oklahoma standards, because of the lake and surrounding creeks.

Not all of Oklahoma is actually that flat, with the exception of the western and northern parts of the state. Still, a good idea long-term, particularly if I move into town, I won't have to rely on my car for anything but driving to work, I can just ride my bike around town.

Although, I honestly still need to learn how to ride a bike. :|
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
With the current price of gas, even in Texas and Oklahoma, riding a bike would be logical (said Mr. Spock). Just grow some and move out - we all have to do it, and if you wait till everything is perfect . . . well, you'll be in your '50's and still living at home.
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East Anarx
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Aelius
Jun 20 2013, 12:15 PM
Although, I honestly still need to learn how to ride a bike. :|
I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was 21, honest.

You can do it. I believe in you!
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Sedulius
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Field Marshal
East Anarx
Jun 20 2013, 12:37 PM
Aelius
Jun 20 2013, 12:15 PM
Although, I honestly still need to learn how to ride a bike. :|
I didn't learn how to ride a bike until I was 21, honest.

You can do it. I believe in you!
O.O

What has happened to America... :sad:
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flumes
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CLEVELAND ROCKS!
Unrelated, but have you guys ever gone ice skating? Is that done that far south?

I ask because that is not like riding a bike where once you learn it you always know how... I knew how to ice skate when I was little and I tried a year or two ago and it did not go well.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
flumes
Jun 23 2013, 10:22 AM
Unrelated, but have you guys ever gone ice skating? Is that done that far south?

I ask because that is not like riding a bike where once you learn it you always know how... I knew how to ice skate when I was little and I tried a year or two ago and it did not go well.
I used to skate all the time (in fact, I took figure skating for PE credit on college). My room mate in college was on the U.S. speed skating team - so yeah. I then went about 8 years without skating, but aside from having to rebuild up my arches, it came right back, like riding a bike. Now, my ankles are too weak and I have foot neuropathy, so skating is out of the question, but I am fairly certain, if I could, it would be no problem.

Just make sure you have good-fitting skates, lace them tightly, and if they have toe-hooks, have the guy that sharpens them grind them off. Hockey skates don't have the ankle support you get from figure skates, but those toe hooks will trip you up every time!

Then, your first time back, don't try to be fancy. Snow-plow your stops, or T-stop, don't try to spray shaved ice all over the place. Re-learn your crossovers for turns and develop a comfortable stroke. Then try a Mohawk reverse and practice skating backwards (actually easier then forward). You'll have fun!

Oh, remember not to lean back on your skates! :D
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

I've ice skated a total of two times my entire life and I was proud in that I never fell on my ass once. We actually have (or at least had, I've never actually been so I'm not sure its still open) a rink here where I am and others in various places in NC...hell we even have a hockey team apparently :o
Edited by NRE, Jun 28 2013, 01:35 PM.
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meh
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Had an oral proficiency interview for Arabic today. If I passed, I was going to be admitted into an advanced course, all intensive for the summer. This was my big chance, since the professor was one of the major names in Arabic studies in the US.

I don't think I've blanked on an interview that badly before. There's no possible way I'm getting into that class. Back to square one.
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Margrave
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Is very much a holla-back girl.
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meh
Jul 3 2013, 02:43 PM
Had an oral proficiency interview for Arabic today. If I passed, I was going to be admitted into an advanced course, all intensive for the summer. This was my big chance, since the professor was one of the major names in Arabic studies in the US.

I don't think I've blanked on an interview that badly before. There's no possible way I'm getting into that class. Back to square one.
Heh, oral.

In all seriousness though, Arabic is a very difficult language for Westerners. I don't even know the Arabic alphabet, and that's coming from a guy who knows his linguistics. A close friend of mine speaks Farsi and Arabic, and I can't make heads or tails of it when she talks to her family. Can you take the interview again?
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meh
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CMESS
Jul 3 2013, 02:53 PM
meh
Jul 3 2013, 02:43 PM
Had an oral proficiency interview for Arabic today. If I passed, I was going to be admitted into an advanced course, all intensive for the summer. This was my big chance, since the professor was one of the major names in Arabic studies in the US.

I don't think I've blanked on an interview that badly before. There's no possible way I'm getting into that class. Back to square one.
Heh, oral.

In all seriousness though, Arabic is a very difficult language for Westerners. I don't even know the Arabic alphabet, and that's coming from a guy who knows his linguistics. A close friend of mine speaks Farsi and Arabic, and I can't make heads or tails of it when she talks to her family. Can you take the interview again?
I doubt it. The class starts in seven days, and even though I enrolled over a month ago, it took them awhile to contact me. Even if I did retake it, I don't think I would do much better. My speaking and writing is fine, but I've discovered I can't pick up on listening to save my life.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Thus is life. But I believe listening may be a matter of spoken dialect. What dialect is your teacher working off of??
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