A few minutes before the group meeting, I’m feeling excited. I am excited to meet the people I will be working with for the duration of our class. I am wondering what they’ll be like, if we will be similar, if we will get along. At this point, I don’t know what my group members look like. Will I recognize them from class?
Post group meet:
My group and I have an astounding amount in common. Not typical traits, but rather our hobbies. All three of us own our own businesses. Maybe entrepreneurialism is a growing career among our generation, or maybe this is just a rare coincidence; or a stroke of luck.
Our conversation started with typical ice breakers, including our majors and general small talk. I recognized Victor from class, and Riley and I had an online class together. We had texted each other throughout that online class about assignments, so yet another coincidence that we would end up in the same class this time.
Shifting into what we do with our careers, that’s when the interesting conversations started. I began, sharing that I will be done with my undergrad in December and also own my own business currently. I was eager to share when my team mates inquired about my line of work, as I do eyelash extensions, and found out that Victor’s girlfriend also owns a beauty studio. Victor went on to share his rather unique career. He sells shoes, and is on the rise to becoming a famous YouTuber who reviews music with his friends. He has worked with celebrities already and is working hard to turn this unique opportunity into something that he can do for a living. I shared with him that I love to see untraditional careers succeed and that I was impressed by what he is doing. Additionally, Riley also owns his own business called Island Boys out in Newport. It is a moving company he started when he was younger. I was genuinely interested in learning about both of my team members businesses and I wish nothing but the best for both of them.
My main takeaway is that I find it funny that although we were paired together and this was “assigned”, we do in fact have similar lifestyles. I wonder who else owns their own business, I feel as though entrepreneurs are becoming more prevalent as the traditional 9 to 5 is now becoming untraditional. We talked for about half an hour, and would like to trade business cards. Riley said he would bring us stickers from his business. I feel as though we’re more of friends now, and I would love to work with them as the semester goes on.
Vocabulary
Coincidence: a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance
Shifting: to put (something) aside and replace it by another or others; chance or exchange
Eager: keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longing
Unique: existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics
Opportunity: an appropriate or favorable time or occasion
Genuine: possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real
A coincidence is often surprising, but welcomed in a case of meeting people who are like yourself.
The shifting gears of our conversation allowed us to relate to one another, the difference in topics gave us a great deal of information on each other.
My eager nature reflects in my desire to learn more about other entrepreneurs, I love to see their successes and learn from each other.
Unique situations like this one can be taken as coincidence, or they can be taken as a chance to make real friendships out of it.
This class gives an opportunity to expand our vocabulary with the freedom of learning on our own.
A genuine conversation is the best kind of conversation, where people are open to learning about one another and are interested in other people.