Nightmares Futures Past: Scenario 4 (First Career)

Despite having high expectations from working with my uncle, I did not get what I expected. Because I do not a lot of experience, I only have a Bachelors and since I am not familiar with the system, I am working as an amateur lawyer with a low salary of $40,000. This does not satisfy me and I strongly believe that there is much more that my skills and knowledge can live up to. 

But now that I am already finished my undergrad to be a lawyer and since I have saved up enough money over the last 4 years through part-time jobs (my scholarship took care of most of my costs and my parents took care of costs such as books), I can go back to university and earn a Masters degree in Law, which can ensure me at least a $100,000 job in my future as a lawyer.

Even though I have worked so hard to earn my Bachelors, at the end of the day, all that matters is the degree I have. And Bachelors is not enough if I want to live up to the expectations of being a lawyer. So, with all my savings, I am going to go back to UofT to get my Masters, and even though that means I will take years to complete it, it is still going to be loads better than what I have now. Just because I have just an ounce of gold so far does not mean I have to head in a different direction - I have to keep moving forward to earn bigger pots of gold. Thus, for me, getting a Masters from Law is the best choice there is. 

Nightmares Futures Past: Scenario 3 (Late University)

Although earlier I decided that I will stick with this course and assumed that pots of gold will be at my disposal at the end of each year, I have now realized that I have completed 3 years without gaining any pots of gold and that I am at the start of my 4th year which brings me to assume that there will be no glory at the end of this year either. (Sigh)


And over the summer, I have also realized that I want to become a businessman, since both my father`s younger brothers own a company back in South Asia and I might be able to pull money out of that if I enter the business field. 


But, while I am discovering all these new career paths, I am also looking back and realizing that I have performed masterfully in all years, I have made use of my scholarship (and I can still use it this year) and I have family members gladly waiting to welcome me to work with them. It is very difficult to abandon all these things and restart, especially considering that I am almost at the finish line. 


Thus, I am not going to abandon my career path this year. This is because I still have a scholarship which I can use to pay for my 4th year, I have worked my way up to the top ranks of recognition throughout all law school courses, and I have so many people in my family who can offer me a position as an attorney. And if I want to work alongside amusing businessmen, I can easily become one of the lawyers that works for my uncles` business (in other words, I can be a corporate lawyer). So, summing these points all together, there may be no pot of gold at the end of this 4th year at university, but there are definitely going to be mines of diamond that lay ahead, which is why I am not going to abandon this extremely potent career path. 

Nightmares of Futures Past: Scenario 2 (Early University)

I have stayed back at Danforth for a 5th year. I have achieved excellence in all my courses and I have got into UofT law school with a full scholarship. 

However, despite being so confident and hopeful for my career as an attorney, I feel like I have only gone downhill. I do not like reviewing laws and regulations. It is hard for me to tolerate the role of politics in this course. Also, I detest the way that this profession is practiced back and forth in artificial, unrealistic scenarios. 

Now taking everything into consideration once again after a failed attempt at high school, at this point, I have no other career option as a back up plan. Also, I have stayed 1 more year at school to work extra hard, achieved excellence and even gained a full scholarship for my first year in University. Now comparing all these up-sides to the single down-side of my first year here, it really does not balance and my work and efforts outdo the complaints I have about first-impressions of my first year in University. 

Thus, I am deciding to stay in this career path, hence continuing working toward my Bachelor`s degree here in University of Toronto. This is because the work I have put into coming here cannot simply be thrown away by foolish complaints about first impressions. And at the same time, I have no second option as an alternate career because that would mean I would have to throw away all my efforts and even my scholarship - something I am never willing to do.

In conclusion, I will carry on with this annoying University law course because I am sure even at the end of this boring rainbow, pots of gold await me. 

Nightmares of Futures Past: Scenario 1 (High School)

Throughout my high school years, I have planned on becoming a physician. I have taken this into consideration and in Grade 11, I have decided I will take courses which can help me take part in UofT's Life Science program. However, as I am about to graduate, I lost confidence in being a physician because the process of becoming successful is a long path and success is not guaranteed. Thus, I am abandoning this career choice, but I do not know where I will go from here on out.


As I look back at the courses that I took in Grade 11 and 12, I am realizing that I have had courses that not only can help be become a physician, but also become others like geologists, psychologists and lawyers. I have taken subjects such as World History, World Issues, Anthropology and even Philosophy. All these subjects can help one become a lawyer, which is quite a prestigious career path.


Thus, I have changed my mind to becoming a lawyer or attorney. I am going to apply to law school in University of Toronto. And I know for sure that I will be able to take on this career path because of my grades in relating subjects in Grades 11 and 12, my family's opinions and my friends.


In Grade 11 and 12, although I did not put the emphasis of my hard work in subjects such as Philosophy and World Issues, I still managed to get over 90%, in other words, achieving excellence. This strengthens my chances of going to law school, which at this point is the primary goal of anyone who wants to be a lawyer.


Although my parents have always valued the profession of physicians and surgeons the most, they have also praised law school and asked me if I wanted to be a lawyer. In fact, me abruptly altering my career path will be of no issue to my parents especially considering that there are so many people in my family who are attorneys in law firms. These people will be able to give me guidelines in becoming a professional lawyer and may even allow me to participate in their law firms. For example, my uncle, Fakruddin, works in a law firm and he is very close to my family. So, if any family support is needed, I shall have no problem.


As I look back to the places where I volunteered during school, I can see that all these places are going to be highly valued by professors in law schools. My volunteer work includes working in programs such as teaching kids how to read, helping adults in hospitals, raising awareness for drugs and alcohol and etc. All these volunteer programs contain elements that represent aspects of what is needed to be a lawyer. Thus, all these fortifications combined, I am confident about going into this career path.


And even though it may seem like a waste of time, I am willing to stay back at Danforth for a 5th year than to study for 15 years against all odds to become a doctor. I am also willing to do this because this will allow me to explore other courses which can extend my appeal when I apply to law schools in UofT. 

Tough Careers Questions

The job I am applying for: Mechanical Engineer in Auto Company (Ford Motors)
The job I had previously: Mechanical Engineer in Toy Making (for Hasbro)


1) Do you enjoy the differences in people or merely tolerate them?
A: In my opinion, I think it is necessary for different people to have different ideas, characteristics, personalities and perspectives. Hence, I really enjoy working with different types of people. This is because working with different types of people can pull in different ideas and solutions, leading to more innovation. In my opinion, if everyone in one team are going to be the same, it is like having many copies of the same person, so why even work together to begin with if you have nothing to learn from each other? I love working with various types of people because at the end of the day, we all learn something from each other which can help us overcome our flaws in life. Also, I enjoy working with different types of people because that is what the real world is all about. If one does not enjoy working with different people, success will be something hard to achieve.


2) Are grades a good measure of ability?
A: No. Although I believe that grades somewhat show how hardworking, intelligent a person can be, grades definitely do not display how capable the person really is. This is because grades only deal with the core material of school, such as tests, work in class, projects, assignments and etc. When these are the only things being evaluated to show a person`s ability, grades are very biased. There is much more to a person`s ability and knowledge than grades. For example, although a person may have bad grades in Mathematics, this does not necessarily mean that the person will be bad at engineering or other math-related careers. This person could also be the person who, by participating at robotics or other engineering clubs, won multiple awards and gained prestige, meaning that at jobs such as working in car companies, he can do a lot better than that one student who got a 100 in Mathematics. Thus, in my opinion, these awards and activities give a much more clear image of how capable a person really is than just one mark in Mathematics.


3) Why did you leave your last job?
A: Although many people leave their jobs because they do not like their salary, their employers do not guarantee insurance or etc., I left my previous job because I was not satisfied with I had to do in the job. Although I was being paid really well, I did not think that the job was well worth of my time because the job was not interesting nor amusing to me. Also, the job felt very common as if anyone could do it. I had a feeling that the job was not allowing me to put all my skills to use, that my employer underestimated my abilities. To me, toy making was very simplistic and amateur. I needed something more professional, challenging and realistic. So, I left it in search of a job that would be thrilling, where I would be able to put all my skills to use, where I would feel that I am successful. And that is exactly why I want to be an engineer at Ford where I will be able to make extended use of all my physics knowledge and I will be able to put forward my amazing engineering ideas. 


4) What does impossible mean to you?
A: People generally tend to perceive impossible as something that cannot be done, achieved or completed. However, in my opinion, impossible is rather something that has yet to be discovered, yet to be accomplished and yet to be known as something possible. To me, something impossible is simply just a challenge which can be surpassed if people work at their very hardest. And I believe that with me, this company can achieve the impossible.


5) How do you behave when you have a problem with a coworker/classmate?
A: As human nature, it is very normal for people to either be very aggressive or passive when it comes to having conflicts. One person dominates and the other remains submissive. In my opinion, that is very one-sided and only one person gets what they want. Hence, happiness is not achieved, leading to failure in cooperation. This is why I tend to handle things very assertively. This is because I believe that if one wants one`s peer to agree with one, one must neither force one`s peer nor give up to one`s peer. One must gently and calmly persuade one`s peer to agree, hence allowing both sides to be happy while also maintaining a healthy relation in teamwork. Thus, being assertive in such conditions is a key to success.

XPlane: How To Work A Room

1) Do not walk in cold. A week before going to the conference, perform research about the people who will be there so that you can plan out who you want to meet. Hence, breaking the ice will be easier.


2) Dress properly and try to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Avoid clothing that makes you look odd, awkward or "different" from the others in the conference.


3) Carry utilities, like a portfolio, to organize your business cards and receiving business cards. This is because fumbling is very unprofessional and should be avoided.


4) Walk confidently and always have a smile on your face because powerful people want to meet and cooperate with those who look professional. Being clumsy or depressed should not be options.


5) It is best to go to the food area because people usually hang around there. Also, food is associated with socializing, which means it can be used to your advantage.


6) At the food area, keep your right hand free so that you can shake hands and interact with people who are eager to speak to you. 


7) Scan the people around the room first. This is going to make it easier for you to choose your targets and the path you will use to get to all of them.


8) It is best to approach VIPs first, at least 15 minutes before they start their speeches. This is because they are valuable contacts and they become busy after delivering their speech. 


9) It is also a really good idea to spot the lone wolves first. This is because it is easier to speak more privately and integrating into large circles can be very difficult. Talking to individuals is also the most effective way to network. 


10) When talking, ask others about themselves so that you can connect to them and make the conversation much more enjoyable for you and them.


11) When asked about yourself, be brief and say your name last so that they can easily remember it and stay in touch. 


12) When approaching someone, be the first one to extend your hand. Also, shake hands before departure especially if you are a woman. This procedure is professional and friendly.


13) Ask open-ended question to see if the other person will be helpful or can provide what you are looking for. Also, make sure the conversation is not one way; this can make it awkward, unproductive and the network will be weak.


14) Be ready to give and receive cards. Keep your and others' cards organized so that they do not mix up. Having people's business cards is important so that they can easily be one of your contacts.


15) When confronting people, it is also a good idea to bring along a mutual acquaintance who can introduce you to the other person. 


16) If the person you are talking to is looking for something, you should help them with it so that they are willing to help you or do you any favours. Exchanging ideas and information can be helpful for both people. It can help you connect to more people. 


17) While conversing, make sure that there is eye contact. Otherwise, the conversation will be awkward and it could mean that the other person is not willing to cooperate. 


18) You should follow up on your contacts after the conference so that you can get to know them better. This can strengthen your network with these people and can also serve opportunities which you can use to know more people. 

Network Mapping

1. In total, I have 202 people in my network. When I saw this, I was quite amazed because I am not very outgoing and I am just mildly social. Thus, I have more than enough people to contact and ask information from if I need any assistance with job applications and etc. This really surprised me because I thought that I did not know that many people - I thought I really had no actual network. But, when I mapped this out, I realized that I have so many people in my family, institutions I have participated in and classmates/friends, I can easily reach out to these people for anything that I needed in terms of careers assistance, especially considering that I know so many people with lots of experiences in multiple fields and studies. So, although I was really surprised, this networking map told me that there are many people out there who are willing to share their guidance.

2. Although I have a lot of connections at school and social life, I lack at knowing people outside of school and institutions. For example, I barely know people in my neighbourhood although I have lived here for 5 years. Knowing them will help me learn more about job opportunities nearby so that I can save up for the future. And, although I have participated in many non-profit programs, like those that help immigrants and newcomers become familiar with Canadian society, I really do not have anyone in contact and I did not keep in touch with the people I worked with. Also, although I go to volunteer at populated places like the Mosque and Library, I am not familiar with people outside my volunteer job which is very necessary to branch out to more volunteer opportunities. And, I am participated in French School and Proton Learning Centre, but these people usually have similar interests because they are students seeking help. So, there, I should get into contact with teachers and tutors who have a lot of education experience. These would be great ways to expand on my network.