The Beginning

       I had been searching for a job for months, poring over the major job boards daily. I had some hopeful leads, and went all out for a few applications and interviews for creative positions. I applied to be a print production specialist with the University Advancement Dept. at CSUMB, I applied to be a graphic designer and display technician at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and I applied for a position as production editor for the Otter Realm, the CSUMB newspaper. These were the positions that I went all out for, specially preparing documents, obtaining and conducting interviews, and supplying all the associated professional applicant correspondence.
Each of these I had my hopes up about, and these were just my big pushes, I'm not mentioning all the jobs I went after. Lets just say I was scraping bottom, considering labor positions, or anything that would help me pay for school but not interfere with my class schedule.
       It was at this time, when I was beginning to lose hope, that I discovered a posting on the Otterjobs board for a Multimedia Assistant internship at the Naval Postgraduate School. This was just the kind of thing I was looking for and I quickly assembled my documents and portfolio. I didn't send them off though. I went and consulted every one of my professors and  my newly appointed employment/internship counselor about this position. I explained that I had been not accepted for jobs that I felt I should have gotten considering my experience and interviews that seemed to go well. I asked them all what I should do to make sure I get this job. I got various advice, warnings, suggestions for amending my resume etc. All the advice was sage, germane and helpful. I'm not sure I was looking for adjustments to my approach as much as backup and support from the faculty. I really wanted to make my best effort in the job application. So i spent a few days rallying support, but was then warned that these jobs go fast at NPS so I quickly tapped off my specialized resume and cover letter and hoped for the best.
       I was called the next day by Phil McCullick, who was to be my new supervisor, and we set up an interview for the fastest possible date, the following Monday. Due to my past experiences I was nervous about the interview. Nonetheless I wore a suit and had answers prepared. I did my best, as I always do, but I was really not sure how my performance was received.