Apply yourself!

There’s a certain angst connected to applications that you never outgrow. I’m not talking about iPhone or other computer applications, but the old-fashioned kind. You know, the “you have a position open and I have to ask you for it and make myself look impressive and get people to say nice things about me while doing so” type of application.

Nearly 25 winters ago, I sat at a kitchen table and plunked out my college applications on an old Smith-Corona typewriter. There was no other choice for thousands like me but to trust that the US postal service would deliver our precious documents on time and in reasonably good condition. After that, the waiting began and it lasted for months.

Come springtime, the lucky ones got thick envelopes with letters saying “We are pleased to inform you…” — and the not-so-lucky got thin one-page letters with the dreaded “We regret to inform you…” neatly tucked into the body of the letter.

When I recently decided to apply to a post-graduate program in dyslexia and literacy support, a little bit of that application angst came rushing back. I found myself asking past employers to act as referees and proofreading my essay over and over again.

From downloading the application form to submitting all required documents as pdf files via e-mail, technology made nearly everything about this application easier. One thing stayed comfortably the same — writing at the kitchen table.

When I received a short e-mail yesterday informing me that, after calculating my tuition fees, a firm offer for a place on the course would be on its way to me, I was thrilled, but somehow wary. Part of me still wants and needs that “mailbox moment” with a nice fat envelope. Perhaps it’s on its way virtually and electronically.

As I dive into my post-graduate course this February, I’ll be handing this blog and Business Spotlight in the Classroom over to Helen Strong. I’d like to say thank you to all of the teachers I’ve gotten to know through my work with Business Spotlight since 2001. It has been a pleasure working with you and best of luck in 2010.