First Job Interview!!

Sam has successfully completed his first, full-time job interview!!!

{To answer  your question: Sam graduates in April-ish--depending on when he finishes his thesis--and this job would start after that}

Here is the gist of the story (according to Missy)

When summer started we decided we should make a list of companies that Sam would like to work for as a career. Then, about a month ago we decided to look into specific jobs. Sam found and applied for a job that he was really excited about right away--it was at a place called MathWorks--they make MatLab (a computing and scientific software--along with other software). He would start out on the EDG program and then pick an emphasis in the company after a couple years. Sam's work experience and interests really lined up with this job posting-- like they were essentially identical. Which is HUGE in his field and really hard to find something that interests you and that you are qualified for.

Three days later he got an email from HR wanting to do a phone interview!!! We were soo suprised!! That was fast. So a few more days later that happened. Then the next morning he got another email saying that the engineer liked her notes and wants to have a technical interview in the next few weeks!! 

Fast forward a few weeks and Sam had a technical interview with a lady. Then the next morning (or maybe a couple days?) he got another email from an EDG manager saying that he liked the notes from Sam's previous interviews and would like to have a phone interview! Sam made it to step 3!! At the end of this phone interview the manager said that they would like to get him out to the office!!!

Let me say, I am a proud wifey. He worked sooo hard for this moment!!--seriously we easily put in 20 hours prepping for these interviews: reviewing math problems and concepts, coming up with situations for those HARD interview questions.

^^On our way to the airport^^ 

We decided to have Sam wear his suit so it wont get a crease in it if we were to put it in the carry-on. But might I add that Sam looks soooo good in a navy blue suit!! We spend ALL summer looking for one what was really nice, on a supper good sale, and one that we liked--and it paid off!!! 

I dropped him off at the airport at about 9:00 am and after having a connecting flight in Phoenix, AZ--he arrived in Boston at 9:30pm. Wowsers!

Then the next morning, Friday, he began his whiteboard interview, behavioral interview with a hiring manager, lunch with people on the EDG team, a quick HR meeting (they told him they don't make offers in person) to go over benefits, moving package, etc... Then he was off to the airport and arrived in SLC at midnight. Talk about a quick trip! Sam absolutely LOVED it out there!! He loved the work environment and everything he learned. He said our preparation really paid off and helped him in his interview. I also noticed as he was telling me the details how much the Holy Ghost really helped him out!!

Too bad it was a Friday that he interviewed cause 1-2 business days last longer when it hits a weekend.... but on Monday afternoon they said that they though he did really well and would like to move to the next step!!! Seriously, it's been an intense and exciting month!!

So then that week Sam did the background check and his professors got contacted about references (he gave them a list a few weeks prior) !!

Then, on Friday September 4th, 2015 HR called Sam and said that since it was going to be a long weekend--they wanted to let Sam know that they are going to be giving him an offer the beginning of next week!!!

WAHOO!!!!!! Seriously. This whole thing is soo amazing to us! We honestly feel sooooo blessed in many ways!!!! Sam's (and mine) dream is coming true!! Just having an offer is soo comforting. We really can't believe that Sam's first full-time job application (and lets be honest--it's the only one so far because nothing else compares and there is not much time) led to a full-time job offer!! By-golley, this is so surreal!!

Stay tuned for if we accept it or not and if we end up moving across the country to the east coast to Massachusetts!! 

{Graduation!!}

Sam and I Graduated from BYU!!!

It was a surreal experience. I cried. I am going to miss being a student at BYU. I am grateful Sam is still going to be a student-- it makes it a smaller change for me. 

President Utchdorf's message in general conference really brought me comfort:

"There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. 

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny."

I am excited for the changes ahead but I feel inside that I am an eternal being that resists these changes at the same time. So I move forward with faith and trust in Him. 

Then we had dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe! So Yummy!!

Life “Lately”

“Lately” as in the past few months… but hey, I still love the feeling of being caught up in one of my “journals.”

^^ In the middle of summer, Sam and I used one of our gift cards to go here. It was really good!^^

^^Went through the Temple with one of my Best Friends, Kenzy. We have know each other since kindergarten.^^

^^Before she left on her mission she came down and we spent some time together. {Long time joke, the orange Julius-- it's tradition}^^

^^Us three have been friends since about 3rd grade. It's great to have friends you've known basically your whole life^^

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This really nice lady came up to me after briefly visiting with her and she offered me a ticket to that nights football game!! So after I finished my test, we had fun at the game!

^^BYU vs. Middle Tennessee. Go Cougars!! :D ^^

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Three Saturdays ago, Sam was able to go shooting with his capstone team. Capstone gives each team money to do some “team bonding” and that is what they decided on.

 ^^Sam said he was a little sore the next day^^

^^Sam doesn’t go shooting very often {once every few years}. However, his first shot hit his target! I’d say he is multi-talented.^^

Bragging moment: Sam told me that the sponsor of the capstone was telling the team about his phone conversation with Penn State (they are working together on this project)—he said that he didn’t have much to tell Penn State about the BYU team, except that Sam is the nicest. Sam said he didn’t know how that came to be {Except anyone that knows Sam knows that he is a sweet-heart!}.

Sam also told me about how the sponsor brought his kids and how he was parenting them.-- Story short, we are really excited for the day we are blessed to start our own family. 

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I got a new job!! My first official day was September 6^th. I got a migraine and it was our one-and-only-biggest-event-of-the-year for the donors. I was pretty upset—but also really determined. I was looking forward to this for weeks. I took naps in between my fluctuating “I feel like I am going to die and saying good-bye to my breakfast” on the family bathroom floor (which I didn’t care—I would have probably passed out if I tried to leave the building—and it was COLD—so it felt sooo good!). It was in the Hinckley Center—so it was also nice granite and really clean.

I am now working for LDSP (before I was working in a Dean’s Office for a Donor Liaison that worked for LDSP) I work with the Legacy Societies (donors that put BYU, BYUI, LDS BC, BYUH or the church in their will/ estate plan). It is lots of fun! They are very flexible with when I need to work which is so nice with a busy schedule. I also get to drive the nice cars to run errands in-- also really fun! However, I did cry a few times leaving my old job-- I had so many memories (good and bad). But I still feel like my decision was right so I can't be more happy. 

 ^^Old Desk^^

^^Old Office^^

^^New Desk^^

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 ^^Sam and I went rock climbing before school started. Thank you neighbor for the free tickets!^^

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One of Sam's best friends got married in St. George the weekend before school started so of course, we took a road trip. Luckily one of my step sisters just moved down there and so we were able to stay with her family for the night. We were so happy we were able to go. They hadn't seen each other in 4 years. It was an exciting time.

Pip Squeak Engine

Last semester Sam was in a manufacturing class and built a Pip Squeak Engine with a group of three. They drew it, constructed its design sheets, made the dimensional drawings, made the process sheets that explains how to manufacture the parts and then they made the parts by hand. Sam is awesome!

{Brotherly Bonding}

Since Sam and Zac are both going into the engineering field Zac decided to get us an Arduino Uno for Christmas so they could use their amazing engineering skills! For their first project they set up a light that changes from dim to brighter depending on the lighting in the room. Then they constructed a "security system" where an alarm goes off if someone crosses through a lazier. Boy are these men SMART!