sometimes we get lost in the world. i picture myself getting lost more than average people. going to school for something that doesn't even have a high respect in society yet is a bit degrading, and offending, especially when people block you out as you try to explain yourself on the spot.
my roommate works with stage crew and directs the lighting. she said that you have approximately 7 seconds to make your impression, and you could lose it just like that if you don't be careful. last week thursday, in our school, we had ASID and IIDA come together to support regulation of interior design. all that attended were involved with the interior design profession - interior designers, architects, engineers, product sales, materials representatives, students, etc. we were asked to "mingle" and "network" or "make friends", in which is all fine by me, except in small crowds, and when over 200 people are in one large room, it is kind of hard to get your confidence up and become one with the group. some of the representatives who make the legislative decisions also came to support us. they were the most impressive part of the night when they stood and spoke to us to support us in regulating interior design. it was wonderful and, at times, breathtaking (meaning i was choking up from excitement but didnt want to look silly with tears streaming down my face) to see that we have actually made an impression on part of our government - even if its a small piece, we had made a difference. they talked about how the fight most likely will continue - but i do believe the individuals that were there will be there for us for the fight. i believe they may even have the power to change the minds of their group as well, so we can win this thing stronger.
it wasnt until a week later in sociology that i watched a movie called iron jawed angels and it opened my eyes even further. it wasnt until 1920 that women were allowed to vote. the movie was about the movement the women took in the battle to allow women to vote. they stood their ground, and made it clear that they were not budging. this movie reminds me of our battle with regulation. we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not break, and we will stand tall and get what we, and other people effected by interior design, deserve.
You're not carrying that 7-second rule in your head when you're out and about in the real world, are ya? I think I'd be mighty paralyzed about social interactions if (assuming that I cared that much about it to begin with) I thought that the idea of "me" in other people's minds would be set in stone and solidified after seven seconds. :P
ReplyDeleteI wonder though... Does it really matter if other's respect your profession or not, as long as you're enjoying it and not shaving years off of your life by having a job that you hate and that stresses you out?
...Anywho, my firm belief is that there is a correlation between what people think and feel about your occupation, and what *you* think and feel about it. If I was (still) a garbage man, I'd make sure to present myself as the best and proudest garbage man there ever was to anyone who asked me what I did for a living. And i'd do it so well that people wouldn't think "Man, Juan's job sucks!" Nah, they'd think "You know, I really admire Juan's worth ethos!" But, I dunno. I'm just thinking out loud here...