Hundreds of video segments from Maine people about mistakes, screw-ups, what worked and what didn't. Check 'em out below! | Navigating The Real World

Hundreds of video segments from Maine people about mistakes, screw-ups, what worked and what didn't. Check 'em out below!

Video Interviews

Most Recent Interviews

Maggie Guzman Intro

In her senior year of high school, Maggie completed a dual enrollment at Wells High School and York County Community College. She went on to USM where she studied political science and counted Student Body President among her list of extracurriculars. Maggie graduated in May 2010 and is now working in the Career Placement Office at USM, helping students line up jobs and internships.

Posted: 07/27/2010 - 15:47

by: kjoseph

Other stories:

Challenges faced transferring community college credits to a four-year college

Many students need help transferring from community college to four-year school

Program at USM for community college transfer students

Sometimes it makes sense to leave before graduating

Have a purpose for doing whatever you do

Plans change from high school to college to the real world

Big changes at USM helping students succeed

Learning through experience

The reality of graduating in a tough job market

You get out what you put into your education

Connections made as Student Body President extremely useful

A chance meeting landed her an internship

Ryan Ye Intro

Ryan Ye was born in China where he went to a boarding school and spent two years in computer studies at Fujian College, before he dropped out and joined the workforce as a computer repairman. He moved to the US in 2006, and became a sushi chef. He now works as a sushi chef at Miyako Japanese Restaurant in Freeport, where he lives and studies English.

Posted: 07/23/2010 - 14:36

by: Kyle

Other stories:

First Job Was as a Computer Serviceman

Getting into the Sushi Chef Business

Sushi Chef: A Masculine and Busy Job

Going to Training School is the Best Way to Become a Chef

Living on His Own During Middle School

Running a Large Restaurant by Himself After Only 10 Days of Training

Export as Another Job Option

Young People Should Challenge Themselves & Try New Things

Christina Siravo Intro

Christina Siravo grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from South Kingstown High School in 2001. She graduated from Maine College of Art, Class of '05, with a major in illustration. She's published one children's book so far and illustrated a comic book, and she sells illustrations at farmer's markets and arts shows. She currently works at Waynflete Summer Arts Camp as a Cartooning Instructor, and has an online shop at http://bluebirdiesinger.etsy.com

Posted: 07/20/2010 - 18:54

by: Kyle

Other stories:

The Art Program at MECA

Focus on the Business Side of Art if You Want to Make a Living

Most People Were Glad to Get Their Degree

Challenges & Fitting In: It's Ok To Be A Dreamer

Set Aside the Time to Ensure You're Going to the Right School

Networking: Get Out There and Take Your Art Seriously

Focus on Honing Your Style (and Save Money)

Pursue Your Art and Have Confidence

Don't Be Afraid To Make Mistakes

Faith, Family, Freinds: Tools For Overcoming Obstacles

It Takes Time To Become Who You Want To Be

You Don't Have To Go It Alone

Brian Libby Intro

Brian Libby grew up in Portland and graduated from Cheverus in 2000. He went on to spend time at three colleges: Clark University, USM, and UMO, eventually declaring an Art Major at UMO. He's held a variety of jobs, and currently works in Retail as a Sales Associate at Goodwill.

Posted: 07/19/2010 - 16:46

by: Kyle

Other stories:

College Experience at Three Schools

Reasons for Changing Colleges

The Art Program at UMO

Go to College for Youself & Don't Be Afraid to Take a Year Off

Blacksmithing

Don't Settle for a Job

Anxiety

Work During High School to Prepare for the Real World

Identifying Challenges is Crucial to Overcoming Them

Stand Up for Yourself and Follow Your Own Aspirations

Tyler Brown Intro

Tyler grew up in central Maine, living in Milo and Dover-Foxcroft before moving to Farmington. He left high school during his junior year and earned his GED at 17. He struggled with homelessness and substance abuse before deciding he needed to go to college. He entered the College Transitions Program, and worked very hard to prepare himself for college. He will be attending CMCC in the fall, majoring in graphic communications.

Posted: 07/15/2010 - 12:11

by: kjoseph

Other stories:

No experience and no car in rural Maine meant no job

College Transitions Program helped in many ways

College Transitions covered algebra, english, technology, and college readiness

Homeless for four years, struggling with substance abuse, and finding College Transitions

High school seems hard, but real life is worse

Things are starting to come together

Comments by Nancy Dionne, former College Transitions Coordinator, about Tyler's dedication and success in the program

Nancy Dionne about CT providing free remedial classes and ongoing assistance for their students

Jessica Kessler Intro

Jessica grew up in New York and graduated from Clinton High School in 2001. After high school she attended two different colleges before finishing her degree at SUNY Oswego. Most recently she and her husband worked at Spurwink Services in Portland, though both were laid off last year. She has been looking for work for the past year with no luck. She and her husband are expecting their first child in September.

Posted: 07/13/2010 - 15:46

by: kjoseph

Other stories:

Thinking she knew everything in high school

Worrying about what others think in high school

Step outside of your comfort zone in college

Exploring careers through internships

Her experience interning with Alzheimer's patients

A tough job working with disadvantaged children

Challenges of being laid off

Transferring colleges and racking up debt

Teaching students about financial aid

Crippling student debt can affect relationships

Buyer beware

Doing what you love in college doesn't guarantee a job

Our Picks

Thoughts on changing high school

Elizabeth Riley

Balancing life, work, and school

Chris Karczewski

Find support from the one person who wants to see you succeed

Whitney Giles

Problems with relationships

Laura van der Pol

Mistakes he has seen reviewing resumes and cover letters

Daniel Smith

Excessive drinking and drugs and classmates not making it

Colin Bussiere-Nichols

New manager's funny mistake

Heather Paquette

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Printed Edition PDF

The printed edition was delivered to all Maine high school students at the end of April.

Check it out here.

(The links are clickable.)

Our next printed edition will be out for the fall semester.

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Features

How Jay Harper brings interviewing to the classroom

Jay Harper is the Freeport High School JMG Specialist. For months his students have been interviewing young professionals in career fields that interest them about their experiences since high school. Hear Jay talk about how the interview project is working in his classroom.

What not to do in an interview

It's pretty easy to interview someone for theDailyMistake, but Seth found five ways to screw it up before he got it right.

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NavigatingTheRealWorld.org is produced by Navigating the Real World, Inc., a Portland, Maine, based nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that will launch the companion publication, Navigating The Real World, in high schools all across Maine in Spring 2010. Our purpose is to gather and publish information and perspectives to help people in their teens and 20s navigate important life decisions and challenges - and to have some fun while we are doing this! Over the coming year we will roll out a range of new offerings using social media and other communication and information technology.

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