Matthew Ortiz

Describe your job search process. What were some challenges you faced or things you learned from the experience? 

My job search process involved not only utilizing the FSU Career Services page, but also doing some independent research into companies, as well as reaching out to family friends. 

A challenge that I faced during the job search process was not applying early enough. A lot of job and internship opportunities that I was interested in were no longer available, as I had waited until the last second to apply. This vastly limited my options and made the job/internship search more stressful than it should have been. 

Some things that I learned out of that experience were to always start looking into jobs and internships way in advance, and to give yourself ample time to apply to them. I also learned to not be discouraged during the job search, as more likely than not you will be denied from several jobs, and to just keep applying and putting yourself out there. Eventually, something will hit. 

What are some takeaways from your part-time job? How will these help prepare you for the next step after graduation?

Some takeaways from my part-time job are the importance of work-life balance, being able to adjust to a new environment, and the importance of sleep. It is very essential that you maintain a good work-life balance, allotting time to not only work, but school, your friends and family, and your own personal time. 

When I returned to school for the Fall semester, I ended up doing poorly on some tests and quizzes, as I had not allotted enough time for studying, as work and friends took up most of my time. However, I learned to readjust the amount of time I spend on work, friends, and school, and have been able to keep a good balance between them. 

Adjusting to a new environment is also an important takeaway from my part-time job. I was entirely new to not only the transportation and logistic industry, but also the corporate life as well. Adjusting to how this industry works, and my role not only in the industry but also the company, played a pivotal part in getting me comfortable in my role as a pricing analyst. The most important takeaway, in my opinion at least, is getting enough sleep! A good night's rest can set you up for a successful day, especially with most mornings beginning at 6 a.m. Make sure to get lots of sleep so that you are not falling asleep on the job! 

What advice do you have for students currently launching a part-time job search?

Some advice that I have for students currently launching a part-time job search is to apply to everything and anything. My part-time job started off as an internship over the summer and led to them offering me to stay on during the school year working remotely as a part-time student. Opportunities can arise out of anything; you just need to make sure you set yourself up to be there when they do arise. Try to use anything to your advantage when searching for jobs or internships. If your family or family friends work for a company that you are interested in, go ahead and apply, even if it's not exactly the job you had in mind. My current employers at Crowley told me that besides my impressive resume, a big factor of me getting the internship with them was that my father has worked for Crowley for more than 20 years. Additionally, I was able to get an interview with Southeastern Grocers, as I have a friend that works in their corporate office who recommended me. Make sure to utilize any and all of your connections and don't put all your eggs in one basket; apply everywhere!