I’m going to do what?
It was my sophomore year, and the first day of a class called Professional Portfolio Development. The professor informed us that we would be participating in mock interviews: first with our fellow classmates, then with some of PWID’s board members, both on the phone and in person. First, we would pick a job that intrigued us, and then we would pretend to go through the interview process.
I was 17 years old. I had only ever worked online, aside from my job at a bakery. I felt about as inexperienced as one could be.
How could I be interviewed by professionals who had been in their field for as long as I’d been alive? Let’s just say I was terrified. I’ve never felt as unprepared as I did in that moment.
As the course continued, my anxiety mounted. I started to create my resumé and was reminded of how little I’d accomplished. My professor assured me that the board members were aware of our inexperience, but I was still nervous.
A few weeks before our phone interviews, my classmates and I practiced with each other. I grew more comfortable talking about myself and my interests. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed trying to “sell” myself. It became a fun challenge instead of a daunting task.
My phone interviews went smoothly. I was amazed at how comfortable I was. My interviewers seemed to like my concise answers and quick wit.
I think they liked me and my confidence. Maybe I can do this! Maybe I can walk into a mock interview and convince a board member to “hire” me.
The day of the in-person interviews arrived. I put on my best professional dress, spent extra time doing my hair, and patiently waited for 2 p.m. I was somewhat distracted during my classes that day, but I knew I was ready. I knew I could carry myself well, even if I felt completely underqualified for the position I was pretending to interview for. The time I spent practicing in class had prepared me for whatever would come next.
My classmates and I waited for our interviews in a room that felt like a funeral parlor. How fitting for our state of anxious anticipation. I tried to reason with myself:
It’s okay! You’re going to walk into that room, have a conversation with someone, and pass this class. Regardless of how this interview goes, you’ll gain valuable experience and be better prepared for future interviews.
I walked into the room and met my interviewer. We started to discuss my resumé, and I felt my passion for writing bubble up and spill into our conversation. I shocked myself! Here I was, a young, amateur writer, going on and on about my growing skill set and future aspirations. As we talked, I saw how much my interviewer valued and loved his career. It made me so excited for my future as a professional writer.
Looking back on that experience, I’m so grateful I took Portfolio during my first semester at Cedarville. It taught me to embrace the unknown. It gave me the tools I need to be successful in future interviews—interviews that will determine what my career holds.
No matter what comes next, I’m confident in my ability to sell my writing. I guess I’ll have to see who wants to buy it.
