"Time Changes Everything"

The end of my time in our nation’s capital is near and as I look back on my experiences and conversations here I think about all that I have come away with from these past six weeks. I have come a little closer to knowing what type of working atmosphere I would like to work in and the type of people I want to surround myself with. I have learned a great deal about the way of life on the hill and the meaning of the relationships they have. I have learned the importance congressmen, staff members, and even constituents put on time.

I never quite realized the role that time can play in a congressman’s success. For example, Senator Grassley has been in congress, whether it be the House of Representatives or the Senate, for many years. This extensive amount of time plays a major role in the relationships he has and the ability he has to get legislation passed. Senator Grassley is very successful in working with both political parties because of his experiences he has had and knowledge that he has gained over the years.

The amount of time that he has been in the United States Senate has also played a role in the relationships and the way in which his personal office operates. An emphasis is placed on the amount of time a staff member has been working for the Senator. The longer one has worked there the more they will work there way up the latter and the more money they will make. If one can bear there time at the bottom and put their time in at an entry level position they will then be set to join the "loyal insiders".

This creates an atmosphere that does not place an emphasis on quality but rather on quantity. There is a lack of incentive to be innovative and successful because what really is important is the time that you give in your day and the years that you put in. One that has only been in the office for a year or so may have great ambitions and ideas but will be hindered by the little amount of time they have given.

As I am now beginning the process of looking for jobs, I begin to think does time really change everything? I sure hope it doesn’t in the eyes of my prospective employers. I will soon to be walking out of college eager to make a difference in the world but I find myself scared that because I have not yet paid "my dues" that I will get stuck in a job that is mindless and monotonous. I fear that I will have a difficult time with my job search because I fail to meet the requirement of x amount of years put into a certain field. The most frustrating part about it is that there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

I am not about to apologize for my lack of time that I have given to a certain business, congressmen, etc. This is one area that I can not improve upon and I hope that someone will be willing to look past that element and help me grow in a position that will not require me to just put my time in. I don’t want to wish my years away for the day that I will be able to get my 25th anniversary with the company pin. There are far too many things I could be doing to better myself and the company I choose to work for.

I start to wonder if the American people are also choosing a president based on their time. The time they have given to visit Iowa’s 99 counties. The time they have spent with each voter. The time they have spent in ones state and the time they have given in public service. Should Obama not be our next President because he has not yet put in enough time in office? Should we not vote for John McCain or Rudy Giuliani because they have failed to put any time into the Ames Straw Poll?

Do we live in a society where everyone places such an importance on time and the belief that time "changes all things"? And if so is it all that bad? I believe that time is what it is. Sure, time can beneficial to a political leader and a business worker but time can also be harmful to the new graduate looking for jobs. I guess only time will tell…