When I come in to work, it’s really part of my daily ritual to go around a few sites to pick up the news and other bits of information. Today, in University of Waterloo’s Daily Bulletin (permanent link will go live on Monday, otherwise, go here for the current bulletin), one of the featured stories dealt with the co-op program, of which I have grown weary of. It’s not so much the jobs that I’m sick of–don’t get me wrong. I’m actually enjoying this work term so far. It’s the idea of being labelled as “the co-op” that’s irritating. Most UW students do this for 5-6 4-month terms. This is currently my 8th. I’m sick of the whole process of applying. It can be an emotionally draining ordeal. I know it will be much more difficult in the real world, however, the interview cycle no longer has to happen on an 8-month cycle (not if I don’t want it to).

I’m kind of tired of not really getting any true in-depth experience. It’s tough, because as a student I’m only in a job for 4 months. There are a number of students though that get to dig deep. The co-op department tends to shine the spotlight on them and makes them examples of why the program is great. However, for every one bright and initiative-driven student, there are probably hundreds of other average people who don’t get much else out of the job. It almost drives a sort of inferiority complex that I’ve seen in a few people (myself included).

I suppose, above all, I just want to move on with the rest of my life. This is an idea I’ve expressed many times in this blog (although, I can’t, at this very moment, find an example). I’ve been talking with some other friends who are in the same year as me. They’ve already started mentioning applying for full time jobs through the co-op/career services department. Jesus! It’s only…October (tomorrow) and we’re already expected to apply for full time jobs? The first time I heard that, my stomach started turning. In my mind, voices were yelling “not again!” It’s far too early in my opinion. I’m really in no mood to fix up my r�sum�. It’s a nasty business. Also, since I’m here in Toronto, I’m in no mood at all to head back to Waterloo just to take part in interviews.

So here I am, wondering when I can move on, and now that this opportunity has presented itself, I’m suddenly too lazy. Rotten! Rotten! Rotten! As I kvetch, some opportunities are passing by quickly. When I was first informed that jobs were posted, I has already missed the Google job postings. I applied to them once a few terms ago. They rejected me. Wow. Real life is knocking on the door. It’s banging loudly. For now, I wonder if I’m truly content to just lie in bed and cover my head with a pillow pretending not to hear the call.