Building My Door

It's funny how things turn out. Only a few months ago I was creating my ideal lesson plans, imagining what my classroom would look like and dreaming of all of the amaizng experiences I'd have with Teach for America. Well, none of that really took off. I was not accepted into TFA. I was absolutely devestated and thought I had failed completely. I didn't have any clue what I was going to do, where I was going to work, or what I was going to do after graduation. Opportunity was most definitely NOT knocking.

I spent about a week in devestation, thinking of all of the things I must have done wrong on my application (more dramatically, what I did wrong in life). I finally stopped crying, picked myself up and walked back into the civilized world. I was still pretty heart broken but I had nothing else to do except move on with the rest of the semester and see what happens.

About a month later, my fraternity hosted a presentation by a recruiter for a company called TEKsystems. She spoke of TEKsystems in a way that made it sound too good to be true, but I bought into it. I figured I had nothing else going for me so I met with her to discuss a few more details and learn more about this magical place called TEKsystems. I liked what I heard and so I applied, worked hard to impress the company and earnd myself a seat in the pit.

Well, my hard work payed off. I am now, happily, an IT recruiter at TEKsystems, and boy was that recruiter right about this place.

My experiences so far are completely beyond anything I thought a first job could be. Everyone is so nice and warm and welcoming that it makes me feel like I've died and gone to white collar heaven.

I have a point to this I swear!

Looking back, I am so happy that I was rejected by TFA. Honestly, I was using TFA as a way to postpone real life. I figured, if I was accepted into their program than I'd have two more years to sit and wait for my opportunity to come knocking. Man-o-Man! am I glad that didn't happen. By that door closing I was forced to pave my own path. I am in an industry that I never, in a million years, would have thought would provide an opportunity for me. I get to showcase skills and talents that have been building up in me throughout my career in college. I am right where I am supposed to be!

So....This post is not only to inspire you to push for something new, to create your own path, and to wake up and just jump in and stop waiting! This post is also for everyone wondering how I am enjoying my new job, rather my career! The answer is.....I couldn't be happier.

I am so excited to see where TEKsystems takes me, and where I take myself. My future is boundless and I plan to take full advantage of that.

A little about myself!

Hello!

My name is Alivia and I am currently a Senior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Communications. I am planning on graduating this coming December 2013 and I couldn't be more excited!

I could not have been more blessed during my college career. I have had an opportunity that not many people are able to have. I have been able to explore my interests as well as areas outside of my interests in the courses that I Have taken at UConn. 

I started my college career as an Actuarial Major at Bryant University in Rhode Island. I was lucky to be able to attend such a beautiful school that offers their students so much more than just a degree. At Bryant I was able to develop both as an individual and as a professional with the constant support of my friends and professors there. As time went on I started to realize that my interests, skills and passions no longer were connected to the area of business and Actuarial Science rather to the development of my leadership, professional and interpersonal skills that would allow me to help others around me experience the same amazing development that I was able to achieve as a student. I decided to transfer to The University of Connecticut to pursue a Communications degree and it is the best choice I could have ever made for myself. 

At the University of Connecticut I was able to spread my wings farther that I could ever have imagined. I was able to join large organizations that challenged my skills as a student and strengthened my confidence in myself as an individual. 

In my time at UConn I have been a part of many different organizations. I was an event coordinator on the Student Union Board of Governors where I coordinates numerous events such as Open Mic Nights and creative events for students and the general public. 

I am also a member of a professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. In AKPsi I have coordinated Homecoming for two years as well as coordinate the fraternity's very first annual Core Values Retreat. 

I have discovered a passion for leadership development of both myself and of others. I also love expressing my creative passions with the coordination of events and development of new techniques to help further advance and develop an organization. 

I hope one day I will be able to mirror my involvement in college on a more large scale platform and provide even more people with tools for development and growth in their public and private lives. I am truly passionate about helping others as well as always learning more about how to improve. I am anxious to start my career and contribute to my community as much as possible.