Match Phase Recap [ Saturday, October 25, 2003 | 10:06 a.m. ] This morning, tentative employer ranking forms became available on ACCESS, the co-op web system. I think I can say with close to complete certainty that, for the very first time since starting co-op (this will be my fourth work term) I am headed to Continuous Phase. In case you're not familiar with the employer ranking forms, they list all of the positions that you were interviewed for, and, to assist you in deciding how you'll rank them, they give you an indication of how the employers ranked you. There are basically three results: OFFER - you can have this job if you rank it as "1" RANKED - employer has ranked you, but not with "OFFER" NOT RANKED - employer hasn't ranked you, so you can't rank them Not ranked pretty much means they thought you were totally wrong for the job. They'd sooner leave the position unfilled than take you. Traditionally, I've received lots of those. (For instance, in a previous term, I received interviews for about ten jobs. Of those jobs, I was offered one, ranked for another, and then not ranked for the eight or so remaining.) This term, out of 25 applications, 6 granted me interviews, 17 refused, 2 cancelled before they got that far, and 1 never replied. (That last one was an apply-direct job. It's just a guess, but I think they never screened me because my application at the company's recruiting web site screwed up and they never even received it.) The first interview that I had was for a lab support/teaching job—"Computer Lab Trainer"—at a college in Toronto. There were a couple of "how would you deal with this difficult person?" questions that I didn't think I answered too well, but, overall, I thought it went alright, and I had fairly complimentary experience. The interviewers seemed to think otherwise; I wasn't ranked. My next interview was with another Toronto college, this time for a generic tech support job: "Computer Support Assistant". During the interview, the interviewer told me that since they were just about to open a new building and make some large-scale changes to their computing infrastructure, he would rather have someone in the job who was already familiar with their environment. To that end, he was trying to see if he could get the Humber College co-op student who currently has the position to return for another term. Apparently he succeeded, because the job showed up as cancelled a few days later. The next interview I had was for another tech support job—"IT Support Operator"—in Toronto. They asked a bunch of simple "what steps would you take if someone called you with ______ problem?" support-type questions, none of which I could really answer properly, so I wasn't surprised when that came back as not ranked. It did, however, surprise me when I was not ranked for my last interview, the one on Wednesday, for a "Technical Writer" position in Waterloo. I hadn't thought the interview had gone too poorly. (There was one thing at the end that I messed up, but I didn't think that it was a big deal.) I figured I probably should have showed up with a sample of my "technical writing", but because of all of the other things that I had going on that day, I didn't get anything ready. However, one of the interviewers gave me her business card and said that they wouldn't be making a decision that day, so I could still email her any writing samples I had. I did that the next morning, and got a quick 'thank you, I've forwarded the sample to the appropriate people for consideration' message in response. The thing I wonder now is where I lost it. Was it in the group interview, when I didn't ask any questions, and hence didn't seem interested in the job? Was it just the way I presented myself in the individual interview? Was it because I didn't bring a writing sample? Was it because the writing sample that I eventually provided sucked? Was it because I sent the email too late, and they'd already submitted their rankings, but didn't tell me? Was it because my work on the ten-minute writing assignment they gave during the interview sucked? Was it because I just dressed in a nice shirt and slacks instead of a suit? (In an email an HR person from the company sent to us, we were told to feel free to dress casually for both interviews. At the group interview, which was for everyone with an interview with the company, not just for that one position, people's clothes ranged from suits and ties to ratty jeans and t-shirts.) Was it a combination of all of these things? I guess I'll never know. Anyhow, stepping back in time again, the next interview I had following the last tech support one was for a database programming job—"Technical Programmer"—at the University. Based on what I could see in ACCESS, only three people, including myself, were interviewed, so already I figured the odds were in my favour. It was also, in my opinion, by far my best interview. For one thing, it was the only one that I really walked into with the attitude that I could do the job, that they would be lucky to hire me. It was also the only interview where I could answer all of the questions without much hesitation, and I think my answers to the technical questions were actually correct. Basically, it looked like my best prospect. And, despite the job being in Waterloo, which is not really where I'd like to be next term, it was also the job that I wanted most... Thus, it was rather disheartening when I logged on this morning to see that it had been cancelled. Finally, I had one more interview, this time for a government job in Toronto: "Surface Climate Data Analyst". It was my first phone interview, which was kind of neat, though I thought I gave rather terse answers because I don't usually like to waste time on the phone. It was also the only job for which I was ranked. However, I don't imagine my chances for being matched with the job are all that high. I mean, ten students were interviewed, and I didn't think I did that well; potentially, I could be ranked as number 10. My mom found it interesting that my phone interview was the only one that I was ranked for and figured that I come off better on the phone than in person. I just think that this particular interviewer wanted the position filled and so he ranked everyone. So there you go. Six interviews, two cancellations, three outright rejections, and one ranking. See you in the meeting for students without employment.

[ Tuesday, October 21, 2003 | 10:03 p.m. ] Fuck. I've got an interview tomorrow morning (10:30), then a CO 350 assignment due (11:30), then a stats quiz (3:30), then a CS 240 midterm review session (6:00), and then the PSCI 291 midterm (7:00). I've been home since six and what have I done since then, in those precious four hours? I've done fuck all, that's what. Carol came by my room an hour or two ago to ask what was supposed to be covered on the stats quiz, and for a moment I had no idea what she was talking about. Stats quiz? Huh? Then it all came flooding back. I am such a loser. Someone, please, kill me.

ARGH! [ Monday, October 20, 2003 | 11:34 p.m. ] Pitas' new drive died, taking several of my entries from this month with it. I was able to get back two of them from local copies I still have, but I fear the rest will be lost to the void. Too bad. I have a hard time remembering things for very long, which is part of the reason that I like to write about them. And all those Quizilla results, gone! I can barely remember what feeling I represented. (I think it was hope, maybe. I do remember that my element was fire, my mythological form was form 9, vampire: the undying, I was a motherly kind of girlfriend, and the Tim Burton movie that represented me was Edward Scissorhands. Blargh.)

SLiCe [ Monday, October 20, 2003 | 11:05 p.m. ] Today there were signs on the doors of the SLC proclaiming "YOUR ARE INVITED" to the grand opening of the new third floor of said building. I think the second floor quiet study room might be back in business. Add the supposed wireless internet access in the building, and it might just win back the title of the place to be for me. Could life get any better? Actually, it could. I have a cold. I believe that at this moment, there's a pretty good chance that I actually have a fever. (For one thing, not only am I at home in the townhouse and not freezing, I'm almost hot. I'm also feeling more hyper than I should. This was always a pretty good indicator when I was little.) I also have midterms, and assignments, and interviews. I aced another CS 240 assignment: 16 out of 31, baby. W00t! I saw the tutor walk by today in the MC and I almost yelled out at him, "I hate your course!" I should be working now. Or at least helping to speed my recovery by sleeping. Not this. In reality, though, I'll probably do a tiny little bit of work, then call Sean when he gets home from work and stay on the phone with him later than I should... By the way, I fully support Adri's gingerbread party initiative. Remember that Christmas assembly/party when it was suggested to us to make anatomically-correct gingerbread men and "eat the best parts first?" Sometimes I miss HC. Eek. Ten fifty. I need to do a few minutes of work so that I can feel less guilty when I drop that and pick up the phone. Colds suck! When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do Is take a look at you, then I'm not so blue When I'm in your arms, nothing seems to matter My whole world could shatter, I don't care Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me got a groovy kind of love

[ Friday, October 10, 2003 | 1:53 p.m. ] I have found a new favourite lab in MC: 2061. It's quiet, generally empty, and far from the horrors of the third floor. It's the kind of place I really feel like I can just kick back and relax. Which is what I'm doing right now, instead of working on the terrifying CS 240 assignment due on Tuesday. I even lugged the 1200 page textbook to school with me to read between classes (i.e. now) but it still lies placidly in my backpack. It will be my ownfall. The guy I sit beside in CO 350 mocked me terribly today. I thought I'd hit rock bottom standing when I revealed that I used Windows on my personal computer, and, even worse, I actually like it. I gained back a little respect when I showed up in Leafs jersey one day, but lost more than what I'd gained when I turned around and he saw that it was a Shane Corson jersey. (For shame!) Today, I was yawning as usual, it being my first class of the day, and I happened to mention that I'd stayed up too late the night before playing EverQuest. I spent the next fifty minutes being mocked for my EverCrack addiction. He told me to get some imagination and go play a text-based MUD. Hah! I don't think so. What, are you from the stone age or something? Last night I drank the cream soda mentioned on Tuesday, and ate the very last Twizzler as a reward when I finally made my level. (I won't tell you what level, because you'll laugh, and laugh, and laugh. Sure, my character was created almost a year ago, but in my defence, I only play intermittently. I've only logged something like 7 days of in-game time, and fair-sized chunks of that were spent buying and selling in the Bazaar or playing around with tradeskills like my favourite, fishing. Plus, I'm only lightly twinked, unlike most of the other low/mid level characters I come across in my travels.) I recall having some mildly-interesting things to write about earlier, but none of them are coming to mind. Don't worry, though, I'm sure they'll resurface later when I'm trying to actually get some work done. Wow, what a week. A post every day. Heh. You can sure tell that I'm back into the whole school/procrastination thing... Still 27 minutes 'till Stats... Maybe I'll play some Yahoo! games. You are Neo, from "The Matrix." You display a perfect fusion of heroism and compassion. What Matrix Persona Are You?

[ Thursday, October 9, 2003 | 9:12 a.m. ] Pitas is still down. I had two or three separate insect-related nightmares last night. It probably had something to do with my insect-filled day yesterday. There were little things like the spider on the stairs (inconsequential) and the ladybug in my bedroom (harmless but really loud and annoying). There was also a big thing: a bee in my Stats class. If you don't know me, I am absolutely terrified of bees. In this case, I faced my fear, and sat down at my usual window seat, despite the fact that the bee was, at that moment, buzzing around the very same window. However, this small victory apparently took its toll, as I was barraged with scary insect situations in my dreams. (I also dreamt I was on some school trip, where we visited some of my favourite themes such as my inability to make decisions and choices, my anxieties about being late, and my fears of being left behind.) I also went to bed early last night. I wonder if the two are related...

[ Tuesday, October 7, 2003 | 10:51 p.m. ] My shoulder is sore. And I can't pick up my pencil right now because I'll be too tempted to gouge my eyes out with it. Did I mention that my shoulder was sore? I don't want to study for Stats any longer, though I haven't studied much of anything at all, really. I managed to spend the last few hours studying stuff that was on the last quiz, not by accident, just because I could. I felt like I had all the time in the world, so why not go back and review stuff. Unfortunately, I didn't count on the attention-span factor. Sure, I still have hours more to study, but I'm at the point where I really can't keep studying right now. It might be partially because my shoulder's so fucking sore. And an hour later, after fifty minutes on the phone, you'd think I'd have recharged my mental batteries to the point where I could go back to studying. Au contraire! I believe I shall go to bed. I know it's only 10:20, but why not? I can get a full {8,9} hours of sleep and awake refreshed and ready to study in the morning. These days I tend to be more alert in the morning anyway. Plus, I don't snack in the morning. If I were to start studying again now, I'd probably eat much of my small remaining supply of Twizzlers, and drink my second last cream soda. That settles it. The cream soda will live to see another day! I'm going to sleep. Stats be damned. 'Nite, all. And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge Staring down into a heartless sea Can't face life on a razor's edge Nothing's what you thought it would be

[ Monday, October 6, 2003 | 8:47 a.m. ] Ooh, happy! I just looked at Environment Canada's weather page for K-W and was greeted by a row of happy, smiling yellow suns. Well, they're not actually smiling, but they're yellow and happy. The weather, in particular the presence or absence of bright sunlight, has quite a pronounced effect on my moods. This bodes well for the coming week. In other news, I went to Celebration Saturday at HC this weekend. It really blew chunks. I've felt for a while now that it gets crappier every year; however, I would suspect that most of this year's crappiness was due to my not really seeing anyone I knew. I didn't have my gang, and without my gang I was practically invisible to the teachers. In over an hour, I talked to four people: Sara R., Krishna, Steph E. and Koenks. Except for with Steph, the conversations were two sentences or less in length. Thank goodness Sean was there to keep me company (though he didn't quite end up with the fun impression of the event that I'd hoped for). Bleh. At least the rest of the weekend was good. [We were bad on Sunday. We had tickets to Tosca (apparently all of the performances are sold out) and, well, we didn't go. We just skipped it, sat at home, and watched TV. Shameful, really.]