Save, Save, Save

Everything, Everything, Everything. As I am searching for a new job in January, an official one because I'm graduating in December, I realized over the weekend that I could have a whole portfolio of writing samples, articles, and examples of my work in both class and past internships. Except for one teensy issue: I either deleted them or never thought to make a copy and keep it. I'm debating going into a Communications-type field, working as a Press Assistant and learn the ropes, and on paper I have a lot of experience, but what happens when they need an example? Even something as simple as a letter written to constituents congratulating them on graduating elementary school- Keep it! Make a copy or send it to yourself and make sure you don't haphazardly delete it going through a year or two later. When I was abroad my computer crashed with all my papers from classes, so I lost all that material.
Lesson? Even if at the time you don't think it's exciting or useful, think about how you can use it later, especially papers. In my Writing for Mass Communication course we wrote an article every week, which adds up to over ten samples that I could go back to, edit and update then use for interviews. Also at the tech firm I interned in, I created packets for the press when we had conferences on new technology by one of our member companies, which illustrates creativity and examples of what you can do to an employer. So when cleaning out your desktop and folders from another semester gone by or cleaning your desk on the last day of an internship, go through your files and see what you can keep as an example of your work. It will definitely pay off when interviewers are looking for an idea of what you've done in the past.