My parents were so proud – just three weeks after my graduation from Santa Clara University, and I had landed my first “big girl” job.  I was quite relieved myself.  After months of worrying about what the future would hold for me, it seemed I had found the answer: a position with one of the top PR agencies in Las Vegas, Kirvin Doak Communications. 
Like many recent college graduates, packing up and moving away was not easy for me. I hated leaving people and places that had made the last four years of my life so special.   It wasn’t until my first day at KDC that I realized life in the working world could be equally exciting, challenging and fun.
The day was a whirlwind of client meetings, TV appearances, office introductions and paperwork.  I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat overwhelmed as I struggled to remember names, places, passwords and procedures.  More than that, however, I was invigorated.  Many of my peers had recently started entry-level jobs where they were stuck making copies, going on Starbucks runs and filing for weeks on end.  Diving in head first, I had seen more action in my first day at Kirvin Doak than some of my friends had in weeks at other companies.
How lucky was I to have this opportunity?  Not only was I starting my career at a company with a stellar reputation and working on accounts that interested me, such as the Las Vegas Locos of the United Football League, but I was also in a position where I would be able to grow and contribute immediately.   As I’ve settled in over the past two weeks – meeting clients, drafting press releases,   listening in on conference calls and decorating my cubicle – I’ve come to appreciate this opportunity even more.  Though my coworkers and bosses may not realize it, the friendly hellos, “good job” emails and “Welcome to @KDCLasVegas” tweets have truly helped me adjust to my new life.
After two weeks at Kirvin Doak, and a little over a month after graduation, it’s finally hitting me that college is over.  I’ve realized, however, that this isn’t the terrible thing I thought it was two months ago.  I now see that new adventures, challenges and friendships await me here at KDC, and I can’t wait.
– Carolyn Linck