I would like a job, please.

This last Tuesday I was able to attend a discussion on how to manage money and be monetarily sound. The people giving the presentation were from Charles Schwab investments. They had some great things to say, even I feel that most of the tips offered were pretty obvious (when you have debt, pay it back right away). I have been reading through a book entitled "International Jobs." The author of the book states, "I will never forget the powerful presentation of one senior professional at a career panel I attended. He opened his remarks by saying that when he speaks to a group of approximately fifty students, generally thirty will approach him at the end of a panel for questions; only five might ask for a business car; and if he has a good day, only two will call to follow up for an informational interview. Those are the only two he might - he informed the surprised group -consider hiring" (10).

Sure enough. At the end of the presentation only about three or four of us (out of 50ish?) stayed to talk to the four Schwab representatives. I don't have any interest in working with an investment company, but I was able to practice my networking skills. I now have a phone number, four names, and a business card for my efforts. Not only that, but they know my name, my story, and my face. I was also able to tell them what my budgeting system was: just don't spend money. When they heard that, they gave me some chocolate bars. :)