Senior Project. Something many of us have been looking for even before the beginning of our senior year. It's more than the fact that we don't have to spend our last three weeks of high school actually IN the school. It's an opportunity (if you take advantage of it, that is) to do something you really enjoy. What you do for your Senior Project can actually have a huge effect, it can help you determine what you want to do for the rest of your life. This is how I view it, at least, and I made the decision almost a year ago about what I wanted to do for my senior project. It's no secret that I love baking. In the summer I tried a different cupcake flavor every week, ranging from Cookies and Cream to Cosmopolitan (both delicious, may I add). Anyway, I have an uncle that owns a catering company. He's catered a few parties we've had at my house, including my sister's graduation party, and it the food has always been amazing! I thought working with him would be perfect. So, a little while ago, I asked him if he would be my mentor, and he said yes! I was so excited about this opportunity because I knew the three weeks would be a lot of fun for me. Then, today, the saddest thing happened. I decided to blog about it, sparring my friends the whining from me for the next couple weeks. Here I go... Today, as I was reading the info, I realized one of the rules on the list was that you couldn't complete your project with a relative, or a relative's company (even if your mentor isn't your relative). This really frustrated me, because I honestly can't understand why it wouldn't be acceptable to do your project with a relative. Sure, one could make the argument that maybe the process wouldn’t be as serious with a relative. But, truly, I could find someone I am not related to and my project would be a joke. It really would not take a relative to make the difference between serious work and three weeks of laziness. Some people chose to do something easy for their project, yet I try to pick something that would actually take time and energy, but people assume it would be the opposite just because my uncle would be in charge of me? That’s illogical. If anything, I think a relative would truly have your best interest at heart and they would try to make the experience even more educational and let you get even more involved. Also, I feel that I would get a much more hands-on experience by doing the project with my uncle. I’m sure many chefs would have a difficult time allowing a high school student to take over and actually work in the kitchen. I know that my uncle trusts my abilities and wouldn’t think twice about letting me take on a lot of responsibility. I don’t mean to rant, I just was really upset when I realized I couldn’t do the PERFECT project simply because I’m related to the owner of the business. Today, I’ve had a very hard time thinking of anything else, and I figured the blog is the ideal way to get all of this off my chest, even if no one is reading it!
One of my many experiments: S'mores Cupcakes!
Haley,
ReplyDeleteYou have a valid point and I agree that you should have the opportunity to do your senior project with your uncle. I remember at Lexi's graduation party when he cooked for everyone the food was incredible and working for him would be the perfect senior project for you. I could see how the office would have a problem with the idea if he was a parent, but I think for this instance an uncle is a far enough in relation to do a senior project with.
That is quite frustrating. I think it may be because they don't want slackers to simply take the easy way out and work with their parents instead of finding something that pertains to them. However, I find that your situation should allow this. You have the harsh irony of actually having the perfect internship through a relative. I still have not got one though, so I know how it can be.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, that cupcake looks delicious. Secondly, I completely agree with your frustration. I know how much you enjoy baking and in retrospect, there are very limited choices for you to choose a place appropriate for your hobby. I feel that working with a relative would not affect your dedication of performance in your senior project. Actually, I feel it would stimulate one's comfort level and interest in the project. Children always look up to their parents and parental figures. Why would this change in an older setting?
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