The days of having your cheeks pinched might be gone, but you're still not getting away under the radar at family gatherings. You're certainly not alone if the question, 'So, what is it that you do now, dear?' sounds familiar. Family gatherings characterize the holidays, and while you just want to enjoy your time out of the office and give thanks or drink hot chocolate by the fire, your relatives will want the latest on your life.
You want to be prepared with a response that is succinct and delivers a clear enough explanation of what it is that you do, exactly. Many of our jobs are on the obscure side and we don't want to get frustrated with our relatives who might be in the dark about how we spend our weekdays. Before you make an appearance at a gathering, come up with a general idea of how you'll respond when asked about your job. The more straightforward you answer the first time around, the more time you'll have to discuss things other than work.
Orlando Orlandini
Apart
Havaianas
I love having to explain what a graphic designer does. "You work on computers right?"
1I can never fully explain my job to most people. I work with PACs, but it's just really hard to explain what I do without getting into excruciatingly boring details.
2When I tell people that I'm a microbiologist, I get all sorts of questions...people have absolutely no clue what I do. Once I explain that I work with bacteria cultured from various, um, bodily fluids, most people are either fascinated or really grossed out. And they assume I'm loaded because they seem to think scientists make all kinds of money. Too bad that's not exactly the case!
3even worse than having to answer those questions with your own family is having to answer them with your significant other's family. that's what i'm going to have to do this year...but that's ok since i know that they all mean well. what i do is never easy to explain in words so i just have to share examples and that's usually the best way to go.
4Is it very wrong to make up answers? lol
5I hate answering questions when I'm in limbo between job that totally sucks outta college and going to grad school....everyone seems to think its so easy to get in if u want to go it sucks explaining that the process can be quite difficult
and Spectra that is so the truth about scientist jobs...i worked with a micobiologist for a summer and loved it but any science job is not as glamorous as many think!
6I don't think my grandmother will ever quite get what a public relations chick does. Heck, most people my age don't get it.
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