Originally posted by Kate Hoffman@Oct 28 2003, 02:19 PM
greetings, all you fine folk......
i've been reading this very interesting board, and thought i'd share a wee thing....
yep. like so many, i too went to appraisal school.
now, i did a buncha contactin before classes ever began. and again during classes (actually while the kettle-popcorn was poofin in the microwave as i crammed in the solitude of my hotel room in the evenings).
had me some real interestin conversations. some didn't want to talk at all, and i figured they were gittin so many phone calls that they probably hated hearin the phone ring. after all, there's only so many ways to tell excited newbies that there's jes no time available fer teachin.... or, things have slowed til one simply cain't add another soul into the office. i knew that hadta be a hard thing.
but, i didn't give up. no sirreebob! ain't never been a quitter and wasn't about to start now.
so, i used up another telephone callin card. then, another.
i'd let these dear folks know a wee bit about my prior career background.... jes so they'd know i'm linear, detail, and accomplishment oriented. and..... creative.
but, folks hafta understand.... when their business reality doesn't allow fer addin another person and all the responsibility that goes with takin on a newbie.... wal, that's simply the way of it.
so, this newbie added some more minutes to her calling card.
i'd contacted nearly every doggone office in Fargo, and North and North Central Minnesota. yep. all the way to the Canadian border. figured, heck.... i love them ride-abouts....so distance didn't matter none. jes, pack-a-lunch and that camera. but......
it's gittin onto winter time. and folks know that up here in these woods, nary a commonsensical person sells, buys, refinances, home-improves when it's nearly -30 farenheit. they waits til spring-time. right about fishin openin season. (for the uninformed, that's 'bout 2 months after Eelpout....that's one big ugly fish hidin out in Leech Lake).
i didn't call the one office, cuz i jes knew how things go in that area. and i knew what all the experienced appraisers were experiencing....business-wise. and, i simply didn't want another person feelin uncomfy cuz i am plumb full of enthusiasm about gittin this far in pursuing my dream.
a friend asked, "well, didja call?"
i said, "of course not."
she said, "promise me you will!"
now, i jes hate it when someone makes me promise, cuz they know i don't break no promises!
wal, i called.
he said, "i'm not adding anyone to my staff right now. and probably not in the coming future........but.........
"you're welcome to come follow me around for awhile, if you like."
i dang near dropped my teeth! "Oh, Heavens! Yes. When? Yes, i can be there Wednsday!"
and, i drove 3 hours to git there and, 3 hours to git back home.
nice drive. nice ride. and, i packed a lunch.
No, he may not hire me. but, he's graciously offered me the luxury of being in an atmosphere where the terminology is what i've learned. And, i'm seeing the methodology involved.
i git to watch him do his thing, and understand why he's doing what he's doing. the more i watch, the more i'll learn and the more questions i'll ask. That is the luxury of having a mentor. it's a two-way street. i'll let him do the traffic directin. i'm simply not 'competent' yet.
am i making 'money'? no. however, i consider this a continuation of my schooling ....in the real world. and, i'm willing to do what it takes to become....'competent'.....wal, workable.
and, i've applied for a part-time job. yes.... evenings.
i'll do what it takes to git to where i want to be.
and, have my teachers/mentors pleased that they took me under their wing.
it's an integrity thing.
much wishes for success..... follow your dream.....
it doesn't matter what you do, it's how you do what you do, that matters.
kate
, I think you've got what it takes to be a good appraiser some day. Hang in there, fishin' season will be there in no time a'tall. Best of luck!