I realized today that doing an MBA has in fact made me into a slightly annoying form of nerd. This realization came from two recent observations: I now get ridiculously excited for debates on international economics (I was just flipping channels this weekend when I saw the World Bank President, Robert Zoellick together with Paul Collier, the UK writer and head of the Center for Studies of African Economies, participate in a debate on the financial crisis and what policies need to be undertaken internationally to help the world move forward, and I almost wet myself with excitement – but this could also be a result of my limited net access). The second observation came from a friend: it seems I now have an overfondness for acronyms – which I apparently use without explanation, expecting that everyone will understand what I am talking about. Right. Thank you for that, MBA. I am gonna have to work twice as hard now to keep friends.
In any case, it is Saturday and I am sitting now in post-financial-crisis-debate glow and enjoying the African sun. Just three weeks to go before the end of my internship and there is still so much to do! I have been so into what I am doing that I haven’t been able to devote as much time to job applications as I would have liked, though I have in fact networked my ass off. I have been looking for microfinance and small business development posts in international NGOs and IOs (Kara, that’s Non-Government Organizations, and International Organizations, i.e. the UN) and focusing on posts in South Africa. It seems that jobs are scarce though. I have also been debating with myself on whether to consider applying to a major consulting firm and finally decided to look into it more seriously. After some research I found that I actually really like the McKinsey model. They are of course one of the biggest consulting firms in the world but I like the fact that they encourage you to move around and allow you to apply to work anywhere in the world, regardless of work permits and so forth. A little more research revealed that two of their offices in fact have a high focus on social sector consulting: Geneva and Johannesburg! That sold me. I am hoping I can visit the Jo’burg office before I head back to Canada but I will definitely apply. The process is a long one, and they are very picky but I think I have a lot of the things they are looking for. Now I just have to convince them of that. It would be nice to work as part of a team again, as I find I am starting to miss the intensity of IOMBA. Wow, I never thought I would say that, but there ya go.
I am still completely unsure what will happen next month! This is probably the longest I have gone without knowing what the future will bring. As the cash starts to run out, I am getting a little more stressed. I have always known that I can get some sort of job if push comes to shove, at least in Canada. However, I really don’t want to just do any job anymore. I am now far pickier than I have ever been but I also believe in what I am doing much more than I ever have. Surely that counts for something? I feel like I am on the right path, despite the stress and uncertainty. I am sure that one way or another it will work out! And if it doesn’t, well, I am not too proud to bartend for a few months while I continue the search.
All this thinking made me want to stop writing and do something more social. I think I will go inside and join the company that’s visiting. I should point out that watching sesame street in SA is a bit of trip. Tumi and her parents are over so they are watching kiddie programming. On sesame street they keep switching languages without subtitles! Pretty cool. Tumi can keep up no problem, but as for me I am mostly lost, though I did just learn to count in Afrikaans. Cool.
Oh, and this coming weekend I am going to Loskop Dam for a water safari! So that's something to look forward to. Apparently I can expect to see hippos and crocodiles among other things. The chalet we rented is right on the river as well, and it looks like it's going to be another amazing weekend in South Africa. *Sigh*
As for my Canadian friends, I will see you in 4 weeks! I don’t know yet for how long, but be sure there will be a party or two! Korean karaoke anyone??
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment