Career Decisions... Or Just Plain Finding a Job in Brazil?

One of the readers of my blog commented asking me to post about how I found a job "in my area," here in Brazil, so I decided to post on that since it's super relevant to how I feel about my life right now. 

The fact of the matter is, I haven't found a job, "in my area," which I suppose would be International Relations.  In Brazil, it's very important you find a job in what you majored in in college.  So much, that it was very hard for me to find a job, period.  In order to get a good, entry-level job in São Paulo, but this might qualify for most major cities in Brazil, you need three things to be successful in your job hunt:

1. Bachelor's degree relevant to the job you're applying for - i.e., don't apply for a business consulting position if you're a political science major (which is completely acceptable in the U.S.).  This is probably the case because here in Brazil, degrees are usually more practice and less theory - which I seemed to findt he case in the U.S. of A.

2. Some knowledge of the English language (maybe not all, but the positions I was looking for at least.  I mean, hey - it's a major competitive advantage of mine!)

3. EXPERIENCE.  Here, a lot of people leave college with at least 2 long term internships on their backs.  And by this, I mean full time day jobs and go to college at night.  That made my measley 3 month internships and part time volunteer work suspicious. 

There are obviously other things like, connections, personality for the job, skills, etc.; but in my experience the above were certainly the most relevant.  I ended up landing my job because of a reference from one of my private students, who happens to be a director where I work today.  I'm not saying I wasn't qualified for the job! haha.  I had worked in web development sales with my friend's cousin, Nelson @ ClicROI  and he taught me tons of what I needed before starting to work with the more technical aspects of SEO at Media Contacts, where I am today.  

Needless to say, finding work in Brazil, in one's "area," is tough.  Especially since there's so much competition out there and people are so particular about hiring people with certain degrees and skills sets, not considering training on the job for many of these positions.      

Which brings me to my next dilemma and ultimate goal for 2009: going back to school! 

If I'm going to be in Brazil for much longer, it's crucial I pick a degree program which will suit my next career move.  Do  I want to stay in Publicity/Online Marketing?  Do I want to try to get a masters in something IR related?  an international MBA?  What do you think?  Study something I love to study or something that'll help me grow in a career  (I think) I might like.  hehe, opinions are always welcome!   

Well, before this post gets too long, and speaking of 2009, I probably won't post till after Christmas, so I'd like to wish anyone out there reading this a very Merry Christmas,  a Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza or whatever it is you celebrate this time of year (even if it's nothing at all, at least the fact there's a new year around the corner!).  But I promise to post before the new year!  Tomorrow night I head to Minas, so get excited for mee!! 

beiijjooss e BOAS FESTAS :-)

Rua 25 de Março - Was is it worth the trip?

Yesterday, the Saturday before Christmas, I went on what some may call a mission impossible.  I went to Rua 25 de Março which has been considered by some, São Paulo's version of New York's Chinatown.  Now, there are a lot of comparisons made between SP and NY, but usually one's bigger or better than the other in certain comparisons (in my opinion, at least - some New Yorkers or Paulistanos won't budge, haha).  Now, I cannot say 25 de Março is any "better," than Chinatown, although prices are considerably lower, but it's certainly bigger.  And holy sh*t is it huge and PACKED.  Don't believe me?  See below: 

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is what I faced yesterday.  At 9 AM I arrived on 25 de Março and this is exactly what it looked like.  I didn't take this picture, but I can assure you it was like this, if not worse.  Street vendors, tiny shops, galleries with more shops, all selling anything from fake watches and bags to toys to clothes to pirated dvd's.  And of course there's the street food (and of course a McDonald's randomly) because who can shop like this without substanance?  And people, people, people everywhere!  Either the crisis hasn't hit Brazil or it has for some who could previously afford more expensive things and this made the streets even worse? haha

You're probably thinking I'm a downright masochist for putting myself through this first thing in the morning on a Saturday right before the biggest gift giving holiday in the country, and to a certain extent, I agree with you.  But I went to buy a number of things my aunts and cousins from Minas Gerais asked me to buy since I'm going for Christmas.  Apparently what happens is, people from there come down to SP on any given weekday, buy loads of things from 25 de Março at ridiculously low prices and the go back to Minas and throw an equally ridiculously high price on the things. 

Needless to say, I left with a number of R$13 (about USD$5) 'puma,' and 'armani,' watches, and loads of bijoux in hand for the familia. 

Then, I got home and took a 4 hour nap.  Afterwards, I went to visit a friend who was sick this past week and then to another friend's birthday at a salsa club (bailando por toda la noche too!) and today it's all resting, packing (woohoo!), and more Christmas shopping.  But this time not on 25 de Março - ninguem merece going through that again.  

A Very Happy End of 2008 (Almost!)

This has been quite a week. 

Work has been kind of hectic because everyone's trying to get things done before we leave for vacation time Tuesday, the 23rd (and don't come back till Jan. 5th! woohoo!). 

Tuesday, I met up with my friends Jen and Eder for dinner at the oh-so-classy Habib's.  Jen's one of my good (or great!) friends from college who's from São Paulo but lives in Boston, and is home for the holidays!  It was so great seeing her and knowing she's around.  I met Eder through her, and it was just so wonderful to sit at the restaurant for hoursss and just talk about nonsense.  Eder and I also spent most of the time trying to convince her to stay in Brazil, but that's another story.   

Wednesday was our  company end-of-the-year party, and what a party it was!!  It was at a bar not far from where I live, and we get there to an open bar of caipirinhas of tons of different fruits and a selection of liquor (cachaça, vodka or sake), red label rx (my drink of the night), draft beer galore, sodas and water, etc. and then the famous hors d'oeuvres - mini everything wonderful from bruschetta to burgers. 

And then there was a D.J... Hence, open bar + dj + stressed out young professionals = good times.  It was a great opportunity to talk to people I almost never talk to from work.  People who work in different departments were hanging out as if they were BFF's and dancing up a STORM - which to me was everything wonderful.  I myself am one who loves to dance, and give me a few whiskeys and I'll take over the dance floor like it's my job (and by that I'm not encouraging anyone to get any ideas!).  Gifts at the door upon exiting?  Havaianas and a water bottle :-) 

After the party, we hit up a 24 hour McDonald's and when I got home, I passed out on my bed and woke up at around 9:30 with no headache or hangover (God bless Red Label).  Got into work at about quarter of 11 and was one of the first ones in.  Needless to say, the party was a success... or disaster depending on who you talk to, haha.

I'm interested - anyone reading this already have their company parties?  How were your experiences?  It's always interesting to see how they work here in Brazil as compared to the U.S.  I went to and worked at (I was a banquet server for a while in CT) tons in the U.S. and this certainly was the most laid back and fun one I've been to - but that might have to do with the fact that about 99.9% of the company is under 40 and half of us single?  Or is it just a Brazilian thing? 

Other than that, one of my friends from work is in labor right now at the hospital, and we're super anxious to meet our little one, Georgia, as soon as she pops out!! It's my cousin's technical high school graduation tonight, and tomorrow I'm going to take on 25 de Março, SP's version of NY's ChinaTown, with my friend PH, the Saturday before Christmas because I'm the best niece ever (more on that tomorrow or Sunday, if I make it).

Good update, no?  I haven't done this in a while.  More on the weekend to come soon! 

beijjooss

Economic Rant: The World Against Brazil.

In my sophomore year of college, in Professor "Frankie" O'Brien's Macroeconomics class, I did my end of the semester project on Brazil's economy.  The project required us to discuss the ongoings of any country's economy over the last 20 years.  When I made my obvious pick of Brazil, I was very excited to get started and learn a little more about the recent history of my country.  After just a few hours of research, I regretted my choice miserably.  Not only is the recent history depressing, it's downright agravating (fyi - this project took place circa 2004 B.L. - Before Lula - not that he means anything, it's just that we just so happened to start doing well A.L.).  

The other day, while walking to the train with my friend, Giordani, from work, for some reason we started talking about the economy and the current financial crisis.  And since Giordani and I are complete goofballs (this is apart, nevermind when we're on the same wavelength), we came up with a theory that for the past 25 years or so, the entire world has been against Brazil.  Here's our economic proof with a brief history for this period which is much shorter than my 20 page Macro project, I promise. 

- 1985-1989 - End of Dictatorship / I'm born.  I like to think of 1985 as the beginning of B.C.E. - Brazilian Common Era.  President Elect Tancredo Neves passes away and José Sarney takes over.  The decade ends with continued economic instability and is coined, "a decada perdida," or the lost decade. 

- 1990-1994 - Collor economic plans cause hyperinflation, he's impeached, and privatization occurs in many industries, opening up foreign trade.

- 1994 - Plano Real is established. Woohoo - economic stability! Wait a minute, nope - Mexican peso crisis.... more inflation.

- 1995-1997 - FHC's administration implements acts to combat corruption and some progress is made in economic stability.  More businesses start to go private, bringing more foreign investors to Brazil. 

- 1997 - 98 - BAM! Russian Recession and East Asian Crisis.  15% of foreign investors pull out of Brazil. 

- 1997-2002 - FHC continues in office, and is more aggressive in budget distribution and implementation of social security reforms. 

- 2002 - Unemployment rate reaches a considerable low.  More foreign investment.  More economic stability... and then Argentina goes and f's everything up for the rest of Latin America. 

- 2002-2004 - Slow and steady growth... 

- 2004 - 2008 - Significant growth.  Focus on internal (social projects, combatting corruption and violence), and external (international trade, attracting foreign investment) factors. 

- 2008 - U.S. ruins it for EVERYONE with not knowing when spending too much is more than enough.  

Granted the above is not necessarily scholarly or 100% precise, or even any sort of actual theory that the entire world wants Brazil to fail at life (although it is curious that everytime the country starts to do well someone with invested interest in and for Brazil decides to go and have a crisis), but I like to think of it as a nice overview of how Brazil cannot become a world power economically... yet.  Everyone is saying Latin America is not going to be as negatively affected by this recent financial crisis/recession started in the U.S., which is GREAT for us.  At the same time, however, I can only help but think that in the next year Brazil will go back to its slow and steady growth of a few years ago.

A lot of my friends in the U.S. keep saying, "Your economy's good down there, I might move down too!"  But unfortunately, the fact of the matter is - Brazil isn't ready yet.  We're going to need more than just a few years of growth and we'll get there, mmm-k?!?  

Then again, we'd be the cockiest motherf'er's on the planet if we did reach world superpower status... maybe it's for the best we keep to ourselves for now. ;-) 

sources cited: wikipedia, desenvolvimento.gov.br, usp.br

São Paulo (City)'s Beaches.

If you're familiar with geography and the physcial location of the city of São Paulo, you are probably wondering how the hell I'm going to talk about beaches here.  This is because they are non-existent in the city of São Paulo.  So what are the "beaches" of SP? 

Shopping Malls.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen... Cariocas go to the beach for family fun in the sun, and Paulistanos escape to the malls for family fun in the A/C.  Ever since I've gotten to Brazil, people have told me about the "famous" São Paulo malls and I always wondered, "Really?  It can't be that serious." 

Oh, but it is... There are currently 44 shopping malls in São Paulo and 13 more in the greater São Paulo area.  Most if not all are relatively large with over 150 stores, a movie theater in each, and quite a few even have large supermarkets in them!  Parking garages are packed and you'll encounter lines in stores at all mall operating times. 

What is it people in São Paulo find so fascinating about shopping malls?  I personally have never been a fan of malls.  I hate the crowds; I hate the expensive window shopping (since I'm always broke; and super cheap when it comes to shopping for clothes); I'm not a fan of food court food; I get instant colds when exiting overly air conditioned spaces and then entering unbearable hot and humid weather; and I'll take a downtown boutique over a copy/paste chain store anyday.  But in São Paulo... despite having all of the above... malls are almost a safe haven away from the pollution, traffic, noise (okay, not so much noise), heat/rain/wind - depending on what horrible weather is outside... not to mention, you can do everything in one place!  You can go to the pharmacy, to the grocery store, get lunch, catch a movie, grab coffee, go to the bank, pay your bills, get dry cleaning, and catch some occasional in-mall entertainment (live music, fashion shows, etc.) all in one day and in one place!  Sure, Paulistanos are all pale, but try to do that at the beach! 

And before you start jumping to conclusions, don't take me for a small town USA girl who grew up deprived of shopping malls.  I grew up shopping at the Danbury Fair, only one of the largest malls in New England (brushing dirt off my shoulder - however inappropriate that may be), and have been privy to a number of other malls in the U.S.  Yet in the U.S., I suppose strip malls are more popular?  I have no idea... all is know is São Paulo malls are O.D. (over done? - haha, remember when everyone said "O.D."?), but I'm not complaining, because after all... the convenience helps. 

Now all they have to do is work on the ridiculousness of prices in stores at malls here! More on that some other day... 

beijoosss!

Sliding Posts!

So I've gone Layout happy and put into affect an awesome feature on this blog!! If you click on the arrows to the left and right at the top of the page, you can preview past blog posts with related pictures (to the themes of each post) and then click on the links at the bottom of the preview text to see the full post.  

Pretty cool, huh?! 

Which brings me to a mini-survey for my few but oh-so-faithful readers (who I know include mostly friends so it's more than your obligation to read this blog, haha).  What has been your favorite post so far?  Any one particular post you think I should "feature" in my super cool slides up top?? 

ENJOY and happy Monday!! 

Sonhar é Melhor Que Nada!

For a while now, I've been contemplating things I need to do in life to make it... better. I was in that "I need to start doing me, and forgetting the rest," phase. But things within my reach, per sé. i.e., to start eating better, exercising, saving money, taking better care of my appearance, start looking at post-graduate programs, volunteering... you know, the usual things you can't fit into your life but which are essential - or at least the rest of the world seems to be doing it and doing well.

While searching for something online (since that's literally my life!), I stumbled across some poems and quotes by one of my favorite Brazilian authors, Luís Fernando Veríssimo. And I read this one which put everything into perspective for me. So I decided to share my translation with you. If you're interested in reading the Portuguese version, I found it on this page: Pensador.info

-----------------

I think it's funny. Tomatoes prevent this, onions prevent that, chocolate is good for you, chocolate is bad for you, a glass of wine a day is no problem, any drop of alcohol is harmful, drink a lot of water, but don't go overboard...

Given this profusion of discoveries, I think it's safest to not change any of my habits.

I know exactly what does well and what doesn't for my personal health.

Pleasure does me wonders.
Sleep leaves me feeling like a brand new car (0 Km)
Reading a good book makes me feel "spick and span."
Travelling stresses me out before going, but once I return, I feel 5 years younger.
Arguing gives me cardiac arrhythmia.
Seeing stupid people turns my stomach.
Watching people throwing beer cans out car windows makes me lose all faith in humanity.
And TV journalism... doctors should ban this - oh how they hurt!
Walking is good, dancing does me well, keeping quiet when a discussion is rampid, does wonders! You exercise auto-control and wake up the next day not regretting a thing.
Waking up in the moring regretting what you said or did last night is harmful to one's health!
And spending the rest of the day without the courage to say sorry is even worse!
Not saying sorry for our blunders gives you cancer, and no tomato or mozzarella can prevent that.
Going to the movies, getting a seat in the middle of the row all the way in the back, and not having anyone blocking your vision, or a cell phone ringing is spectacular, wow!
Movies are better for your health than popcorn!
Chats are better than jokes.
Exercise is better than surgery.
Humor is better than rancor.
Friends are better than influential people.
Savings are better than debt.
Questions are better than doubts.
To dream is better than anything!

---------------

How true? The good news is, I already do a lot of what he says (*whew). But sometimes it's true. We have to put aside what everyone else says is good for us and start "doing me" more often by also "listening to me!"

Donations to Victims of Flood in Santa Catarina

I was so caught up in my rant yesterday and have been so caught up with myself recently that I forgot to mention the floods in Santa Catarina (in the South of Brazil) which I'm sure most of you have (or haven't, if you're not looking to the best news sources in the U.S. :-P) which have killed over 115 people, 30 missing, and displaced close to 80,000 (which has fallen to about 35,000 today, a week or so later).

One girl who I work with's family is from Blumenau, one of the cities hit, and she was actually there when the storms hit. Her grandfather was interviewed by Globo and talks about their experience here. We were able to, as an agency, raise R$5.000 of our money and are collecting all sorts of clothes, appliances, and the works for her family. Not only here at our agency, but the entire country (and world!) has been mobilizing to aid these people. About R$12 million has been raised so far in monetary aid and 800 tons of food. The state overall is a "rich" state, but a number of the cities hit are very poor cities and the cost of damages is overwhelming for any population.

Something I've found interesting too has been that you can donate money directly into state run bank accounts built just for the cause which facilitates the process! Here's a site built by Google (had to put a Google plug in!) where they make available information about the disaster and bank account numbers you can deposit money into. Please note you can make deposits even if you're not in Brazil!

Also, for those of you reading this who are friends of mine or know me and my family, I was thinking of starting a clothes drive from the U.S. (namely Fairfield County, CT or anywhere near there, where my parents live) with my parents and people from our church to help the victims of Blumenau. If you think you'd be able to help or would like in, please let me know and I'll hook you up with my parents! If you don't know me, or don't have the privilege of living near my parents, having missed out on my mother's cooking your entire lives - and would like to start something similar (even if it's collecting monetary donations) at your jobs, colleges, churches, etc. ALSO PLEASE let me know and I will do my best to get you connected to organizations and families in Santa Catarina or here in Brazil!

Thanks for reading this, sharing this information and all of your help!!!

beijooss,
-poly.

ps - More information on the Santa Catarina Floods @ Folha Online (PT) & Brazzil Magazine (EN)

World AIDS Day - Forgotten by Some?

This one's a quickie but a rant. 

Yesterday was World AIDS Day.  I have always been involved in activities promotings HIV/AIDS education and prevention on this day (in my college & high school days) and was very upset at myself even for not trying to organize anything at work yesterday.  Regardless of this, I was eager to see what other people who are much better human beings than myself were doing yesterday.  So where do I go first? 

My beloved NY Times.  Nope, nothing on the home page or the health page. 

Washington Post? nada. zip. zilch. 

BBC? After much searching... ONE article. 

Folha? A few pictures in the slideshow of pictures showing what people were doing all over the world. 

Globo? TONS of articles and pictures and campaigns going on all over Brazil and the world! 

*whew. DEMOROU.  It makes me really upset that AIDS is getting put on the back burner and people are pretending it's not as big a problem as it really is.  Which again, is why I was upset at myself once again.  I've been telling myself I need to get back to volunteering, and since HIV/AIDS Education is something I've always done, I was thinking of moving on to something else... but yesterday's reality check made me realize I need to start looking for some sort of organization here in SP ASAP for me to start getting to word BACK on the street.  What did make me feel better about the whole situation though, is... despite the attacks in Mumbai and flooding in Santa Catarina, Globo was able to make an effort to educate yesterday.  So kudos to Globo and shame on you New York Times!