Apply for it all: Even if you think you might not get it. – The Daily Nebraskan
With the fall semester halfway gone, students might be looking for ways to get involved or find opportunities that could bring them scholarships or prestige. However, the thought of denial or lack of experience may deter them from applying for their most coveted position or goal.
After all, doesn’t that job want the person who has worked in similar fields for five years? Doesn’t the club on campus want someone who was in clubs in high school? Does that scholarship just seem too good to be true?
I’m here to tell you: If you don’t apply, you will definitely never get that call of acceptance.
It seems obvious, but many question why they should apply for a job, scholarship or other opportunities. Whether it’s a lack of experience, specific skills or not believing you are enough; I’ve heard it all. The problem is, not applying does just that: Nothing at all.
As a nontraditional student, I have lived many experiences. Over the past 10 years or so, I have applied to jobs that had requirements that I didn’t have, positions I had no experience doing and opportunities that I didn’t think I was impressive enough for.
From things like helping people with their 401(k)s to being an opinion writer at the Daily Nebraskan, I have worked a litany of jobs that required me to learn new skills. I’ve gotten positions I didn’t have high school experience doing, like president of senate at the local community college to the recent position on University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s homecoming court. I’ve gotten scholarships I was convinced I wasn’t impressive enough for. I tell you these things because we all have doubts, but those doubts should not deter you from applying.
One of the first things you should know is that you’re far more impressive than you think. The things you did in high school, in your college years, in your lifetime? Your experiences and past involvements have likely taught you something, and that is valuable.
Perhaps you’re a brand new college student who wasn’t involved in high school. I wasn’t either, but when I came to college, I looked for ways to get involved on campus. Becoming involved is as simple as thinking about what you care about, a need you see on campus or focusing on a personal interest. Most Registered Student Organizations, even ones that hold some type of ‘prestige,’ aren’t difficult to get into. Most just want to know that you care about their cause and want to be part of it.
While this is true of RSOs, I can hear someone saying, “Well, that’s great…but I can’t just waltz into an interview with that and get the job.” To that person I would say, yes and no. Also, don’t you dare let a job listing’s “requirement list” deter you. Look for what is most important to the company and think of how your skills apply to that job or can benefit the employer. In my experience, an employer is going to be far more interested in you if you’re someone who is willing to learn over someone who has a teeny bit more experience than you. A lot of skills can be learned or built upon, kindness and a willingness to grow are far more attractive qualities.
One of the best things about applying for the things you’re passionate about is that the position will likely bring you new experiences and benefit your life in some way. Whether you end up loving or hating the position, you’ll come out the other side having learned something. You may learn that you need to go all in on this particular passion, that you hated it and need to change your major, or that it was simply something new to try. At the very least, you have something to talk about for future applications. However, you could stumble upon your true passion, lifelong friends, or discover parts of yourself that you didn’t know existed.
I can see why folks don’t put themselves out there. Being turned down or blown over for an opportunity sucks. It really does. There will be jobs that say they won’t hire you, you will likely lose an election for some RSO at some point, and you might be beat out by someone else for that scholarship. I have been in all of those situations. While it often feels disappointing, and sometimes truly awful, it’s all part of the process. This can be a hard pill to swallow, but I promise that your losses will teach you things too. If you never apply, you’ll never get the position.
While the idea of being turned down for something is scary and daunting, the truth is that you’re likely more accomplished than you think you are, skills you need can be learned, and the benefits will ultimately outweigh the cons. At the end of the day, college is a time to be experimental and put yourself out there. Apply. You never know what might happen.
Emma Lindsey is a senior child, youth and family studies major. You can reach her at emmalindsey@dailynebraskan.com.
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