Free Topic Week

Obviously I'm an animal lover as you've probably noticed. One of the biggest things that bothers me is when a person or family brings a pet into their home without being prepared. I've heard too many stories of people who get a dog or a cat, then two weeks later it has pooped in the house or peed or scratched something or chewed something so they get rid of it. Animals need training, and they are not disposable. The worst is when I see someone in a pet store asking questions. I once saw a girl asking the fish lady at Petsmart about keeping a goldfish. She had a little bowl that was maybe 1/2 a gallon and told the lady she wanted a fish. The Petsmart employee told her goldfish need bigger tanks with a filtration system because they will do poorly otherwise. The girl said "I don't care if it dies I just want a fish for now".

I just don't understand what goes through some people's heads. I've also heard stories of people adopting a dog from a shelter after asking questions and the shelter worker advises them against getting the dog because they do not seem like a dog would fit their life. Then they keep the dog, chain it in the backyard because it scratches a child, keep it for a year until it's too big and too untrained to be dealt with by most people, and then return it to the shelter. Well duh that once adoptable puppy that could've been trained into a great dog now has almost zero shot of getting a home. It just infuriates me, and I've just had some exposure to some of this recently is why I am bringing it up now.

Cover Letters

It is interesting to me that cover letters are not read until after the resume. That seems like a valid point, why waste time reading a cover letter when the resume is worthless? Also making it fit the specific job and company is great advice. It shows that you have done your research and are interested in that particular job. That basic formula is very useful as well. The description of the three parts of the body of the letter are good for reference. Writing a P.S. and also the advice to write it by hand was something I would have not thought to do. It definitely adds a personal touch and shows that you put in extra time and consideration. Anything you can do to show how much you are willing to put forth an effort for the company will be taken into account. A company wants to hire someone who is willing to put forth that extra something, because it means they will put in that extra something when they work for the company.

Interview Process

"How to Answer the Toughest Interview Questions"

I was drawn to the title of this article, because it seems like it would be helpful to answer the questions that would be the most likely to cause your interview to sour. The tips on answering the "future" question were helpful. Talking about your values more than actual job positions is very useful but something I would probably have not thought to do. Having a salary range in advance is also something that is very useful. I know a lot of jobs I have taken have a standard salary and don't even ask that question. However I have been thrown off by that question before. Answering the "Why" question before the interview and making sure you don't sound too boastful or unsure of yourself is helpful. Knowing that your interviewer may ask a silly question such as "what tree would you be" and knowing there is no right answer is good insight. Just being prepared to think abstractly is very valuable for an interview.

"It's Your Turn: What to Ask an Interviewer"

This caught my attention because it's something I've run into before. One job interview I had told me almost nothing and asked me no questions. Instead two minutes into the interview they asked me if I had any questions and I was just in shock and froze because I wasn't expecting to have to ask EVERYTHING. It's interesting that this article states you shouldn't ask about salary, benefits, vacation, or a 401k because it makes you look like you are simply wanting compensation rather than the actual job.

Depending on who you are talking to for the interview, there are appropriate and inappropriate questions. Recruiters will answer questions about the hiring process and give you the overall picture of the company. Asking about the actual interview process, the company environment, and what type of people they typically employ are the best questions for the recruiter. The hiring manager will be your boss if you are hired, so it is important to ask them questions such as what skills are most important for the job, what is an ideal candidate, and what is the common career choice for someone in the position you are applying for within the company.

The executive can answer questions about the company's future. Asking where the company will be in five years, why it is better than other companies, and how it plans to overcome it's biggest challenge in the industry are all good questions. You can also be interviewed by a coworker. This is the time to ask questions about daily tasks and the work environment. They will give you the best idea on how the typical work day really is more so than what the manager will describe.

Where I'll Be in 10 Years

My main goal for the next ten years is to get into vet school and graduate with a specialty in avian and exotics. I am not sure where I would like to go to school, pretty much wherever I am accepted. I'm willing to go anywhere in the US to achieve this goal, so it's not a problem to me at the moment what schools I get into. I plan on taking the next year off so I can get my GPA as high as possible this last year before I apply to vet school. I also just need a break from school for a bit :) I currently work at Foxnest Vet Hospital so I am either going to stay there to gain experience or possibly try to work at another vet hospital after I graduate or maybe a zoo. I am also going to study for my GREs during this time.

Hopefully I get into vet school and finish my degree. If so I'd like to start out working at a practice under another doctor until I'm comfortable enough to open my own business. I hope to be able to work part-time as a zoo vet, since most do not employ full time vets. I will also have a private practice or possibly a partnership with someone. I would like to breed Belgian Shepherds, but only every once in a while. I also want to breed some various parrot species, but only if I have the facilities, such as a set-up in the backyard or something. I love birds but having various parrots in your house is extraordinarily loud.

If I am unable to get into vet school I plan to get a masters degree in an animal related field and I would love to become a zoo curator. I would want to be a part of the conservation portion of the zoos and help with breeding exotic and endangered species. Other than that I really don't know what I'll be doing in ten years.