One
Finals week at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT, is like being trapped inside a pressure cooker. Everyone’s tired and caffeinated within an inch of their life, and shuffles from exam to exam like zombies. By the end of the week, everything is one big blur. We’re lucky if we can still write our own names.
This semester, I’m lucky. The final I’ve been dreading the most, Heat Transfer and Thermodynamics II, is the one I get over with first. It means I’ll be able to actually get some sleep. With the keyword beingsome.Because I still have two exams to go. I can’t celebrate just yet.
Today’s Tuesday. I’m tucked into my usual corner of the library, surrounded by open textbooks, highlighters, a stack of spiral notebooks, and my slightly overheating laptop. I’m halfway through reviewing equations for tomorrow’s Dynamic Systems and Controls final when my computer chimes.
I ignore it at first. I’m in the zone, and the last thing I need is to start doom scrolling.
Only when it chimes again, my eyes catch the email’s subject line.
Subject: Excelsior Parks — Interview Invitation
My breath catches. My fingers shake as I click the mail icon. Dynamic Systems can wait.Thisis an email that could change everything.
Dear Ms. Minami,
Thank you for your interest in the Junior Theme Park Attractions Engineer position at Excelsior Parks. For over five decades, we’ve had the privilege of designing innovative attractions for theme parks around the world, and we are always on the lookout for exceptional talent to join our team.
Out of the hundreds of CVs and portfolios we receive each month, your application stood out to our recruitment panel.
If you are still interested in becoming part of the Excelsior Parks team, we would be delighted to schedule a Zoom interview with you during the week of 14 June.
Please reply at your earliest convenience to confirm your availability.
Thank you again for your time and interest.
Warm regards,
Mara Banks
Talent Acquisition
Excelsior Parks
I blinka few times as I stare at the screen, reading the message again to make sure I’m not hallucinating. Younever know with the amount of caffeine coursing through my veins.
But after pinching my forearm, I can confirm that I am, in fact, not dreaming. Excelsior Parks, one of the world’s top design firms, wants to interview me.
A laugh bursts out before I can stop it. I slap a hand over my mouth as a few nearby students glance up from their laptops with matching death stares. Oops. I duck my head and click Reply. My fingers are still trembling as I start to type.
Subject:Re: Excelsior Parks — Interview
Dear Ms. Banks,
Thank you so much for reaching out. Yes, I’d love to schedule an interview with you. Working at Excelsior Parks has been a longtime dream of mine.
Tuesday mornings tend to be best, but I can make any date work.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Kaori Minami
I click Sendand return my attention to my books. Except I know it’s probably a lost cause. I know myself. I’ll be obsessively checking my email until I receive a reply. Which could take minutes or a few days.
I sigh. If I’m going to be distracted, I might as well head back to my apartment and be comfortable. I begin gathering up my things. As I unplug my computer, my inbox pings again.
