Funny Money

As a college student, it is difficult to ignore the dozens of credit card companies that contact you you regarding opening a credit card. It is definitely a confusing thing to navigate: each credit card has different perks and it is difficult to figure out which is best for you. And on top of that, deciding whether or not to open a credit card in your name and begin your own line of credit is a monumental decision.

Soon, this may all change.

New laws are being passed that are designed to curb the flooding of credit cards on college campuses, making it harder for students to open credit cards in their own name. Last May, Congress passed a law making it harder for card companies to raise interest rates unless that cardholder was at least two months late in paying a bill. But more interestingly, the new changes will greater affect those who are under 21. Students will no longer be able to sign themselves up for a credit card and receive the (ever popular) promotional t-shirt or teddy bear.

This law appears to be a double edge sword. Students generally tend to accumulate high credit card bills and procure large debts. But at the same time, many students rely on credit card to purchase books, pay club dues and simply thrive on campus. With the current economic situation, credit card companies are weary about students being able to pay off their payments on time, if at all.

So what if your parents co-sign? It may not be so simple. Having a co-signer means that person is putting their credit score on the line so that you may begin your own. If you cannot get a co-signer, then students will need to be able to show that they are financially able to pay off their bills. And even still, credit card companies are becoming more conservative in who they will allow to open accounts. In states like New York, for example, it is illegal to market credit card on college campuses. In Texas, if a credit card company wants to market on a campus, it is required to provide financial literacy information.

Graduating college is about finding and accepting your independence. It means looking for a job, potentially moving to a new city and relying less on your parents. These new credit laws make it much harder for students to do just this. As a second semester senior, I realize that now is the time to begin building my own credit and making small purchases that I can pay off on time. If these new laws are enacted, it will be much harder for me to make small, independant changes in my life. This means that I will have to rely on my parents for even more, like co-signing an apartment or car lease.

There should be other criteria for gauging whether or not a student is capable of opening and handling their own credit cards. Many students have lived in foreign countries, held multiple jobs or internships and lead completely independent lives. I think that credit card companies should consider these other criteria when deciding if a student is a sound candidate. If they won't allow us to attempt financial independence, when are we supposed to learn it?


For the full article, click here: http://http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/19/news/economy/student_credit_cards/index.htm

Corner Office Time!

Ironically, the reason that this post is a day behind is because I was getting job advice. The girl who normally critiques resumes was having her resume critiqued, and let me tell you, it was an odd experience.

The quote that I have chosen to highlight today is from Jana Eggers, CEO of Spreadshirt, a custom T-Shirt design company. She was asked "What career advice do you give young people?". Her answer is below:

"Don't be too set on what you want to do. Be flexible. I jumped all over the place... Be confident that you can figure it out."

As a political science major, I was convinced that I either had to work in politics or go straight to law school. A lot of soul searching and a few internships led me to believe that neither of these courses was right for me. Don't get me wrong---I have loved being a political science major. The classes I have taken have made me a strong writer and analytic thinker, forced me to stay up to date on current events and allowed me to hold my own in any conversation. But I just felt that I didn't want to continue it (immediately) after I graduated.

After having a mini life-crisis about not knowing what I wanted to do post-graduation, my friend Jos told me to look at what I liked and was good at and go from there. So I sat down, realized I loved event logistics (I mean, it was my internship that summer) and became comfortable with pursuing that career path.

But, as Ms. Eggers writes, you can't become too set on one path. I began looking up jobs in event planning and realized that often times, it will fall under Development. Working in Development meant looking for jobs in institutions of higher education, not just non-profit organizations. Having taken Marketing in Not for Profits, I began searching for marketing associateships. And last but not least, enrolling in Public Relations and Communications has opened yet another door. So I now find myself applying for jobs in four major (and might I say very different) areas.

I realized that I may not graduate with my dream job, but as long as I like what the job description says, I am sure that I will make it work. Having a lot of interests is not a detriment, rather it allows you to take on the job search with an open mind. Some days I envy those who are Accounting majors, who know what they will be doing come May 23rd. But at the same time, I also love that I have the option of exploring what is right for me.

I finally became comfortable with the fact that at the ripe age of 21, I wasn't expected to have all the answers or know how to do it all. My age is a beautiful gift--it allows me to take chances and risks, and if they don't turn out the way I thought, I still am able to start over again.

So remember--keep an open mind and be willing to consider a job that was not in your immediate plans or your first choice. If anything, it will make you a wiser, stronger and more well-rounded applicant for that perfect job you have been dreaming about.

Speed Dating

Who would have thought that "dating" could lead to a job?

In the February 23rd edition of the Miami Herald, there was an article about Speed Dating---but not the romantic, "5-minutes with a person" kind. Rather, this was job speed dating, providing people with a chance to sit down with potential employers and pitch their skills. Here contact information is traded and small talk made before moving onto the next recruiter.

This kind of approach requires out of the box thinking. Instead of simply looking on-line and submitting resume after resume, job seekers can proactively pursue jobs and meet company representatives face to face. Job seekers were identified by blue name tags, employers by red name tags. And while the ratio of the unemployed to the employer was uneven, it gave people a chance to connect to companies they would not have previously considered and provided networking contacts.

It has become increasingly apparent that finding a job in this economy requres one to consider the unconventional, be it in a field they previously hadn't considered or in the way they acquire information. It also shows that networking is a crucial tool in finding a job. Even if being put in contact with a person doesn't result in a job, it can have incredible benefits. Networking can lead to informational interviews about a specific sector or a "day in the life of..." and it can also lead to the name of a person or company that is hiring. But what this article also shows is that this competative market is not just flooded with recent college graduates, but professionals who have been laid off from work with decades of experience. The key to being sucessful in your job search requires diligence, imagination and creativeness, all while being assertive and actively pursuing new (and perhaps unique) opportunities.

The real message of this post is not to ignore or scoff at any opportunity to put your name and resume out there. Upload your resume into the Resume Book! Connect with alumni on LinkedIn or through the Muhlenberg Career Network! And if you are brave enough, sign up for a career speed dating night.

Happy job hunting---or in this case, dating.

For the full article, click here: http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/02/23/1494580/job-seekers-speed-date-to-find.html

Find Your Passion, Make it Happen

Sunday afternoon in sleepy Allentown, normally dominated by homework, large iced coffees and re-runs of Law and Order. I always liked Sundays---I know people dread them because they lead to Monday, but they always give me a chance to catch up on old assignments, newspapers and sleep.

I have decided that Sunday will be Corner Office day. Each Sunday I will post a quote from the New York Times Corner Office section. Some weeks it will be about career advice. Other weeks it will be about how to handle failure, adapting to success or other verbal gems from our country's greatest business leaders.

Today's quote comes from Mindy Grossman of HSN, Inc.

"Take the time to absolutely find what makes you excited to wake up in the morning. Take the time. You don’t have to decide in five minutes."

The beauty of a job or internship is that it can be a stepping stone to a greater career path. It took me interning on Capitol Hill to realize that politics just wasn't my cup of tea. But each morning when I woke up to go to intern for Clinton Global Initiative, I became excited about what the day would hold and what projects would be passed my way. Something as small as researching kiosks was rewarding. Because for me, researching kiosks meant registering credentials. Registering credentials meant people could attend President Clinton's Annual Meeting. Members and Heads of State attending the Meeting meant collaborating for change, and working for a greater good is my passion.

The perfect job or career doesn't need to necessarily be one that is popular. The perfect job or career is one that brings about reward and satisfaction. It may take a few tries, but I have faith that people generally fall into a job or career that is best suited for them.

Take a good look within. Find what makes you happy. Then go for it.

If you fall off the horse, do you get back on?

It's bound to happen---the arrival of the first rejection letter.

It happened on an unassuming afternoon. After applying for a position with NYU's medical school, I realized that two weeks had passed since I had heard from the department. I sent a follow up e-mail and within five minutes I had a response.

I sat there and looked at my mailbox for a while. Part of me was so afraid to open up the e-mail and another part of me just wanted to get it over with. I finally got over my fears and clicked.

I anticipated it to be much worse than it was. My first rejection e-mail read:

"Dear Jessica. Thank you for your interest in this position but at this time we have pursued another candidate. Best of luck in your job search."

So I naturally pouted and called my dad whining, which prompted him to sternly tell me to "get over it and get used to it." I suppose the tough love approach worked--the next rejection didnt seem to sting so much and I realized that I at least got a response! I had applied for nearly a dozen jobs that went unanswered, which in my opinion, is worse than a rejection.

The thing that I learned was if you don't put yourself out there, you have no chance of getting hurt--or in this case--cut from consideration. Finding a job requires one to be persistent and not afraid of the bad news. The more applications you send out, the less defeated you will become. My parents and I have set a "house rule": for each rejection e-mail I get, I send out another three applications that day. Wallowing in the "why didn't they like me" mentality is a waste of time and energy. Instead, I have learned to say, "fine, if you don't like me I am going to find somebody and some company that does."

But just to make sure I don't burn my bridges, I take the time to e-mail that employer back and thank them for considering my application. Then (being assertive and not aggressive, as my mother likes to remind me) I ask them to keep my resume on file should another opening more suited to my experiences or time line arise. You never know--they could have an opening a few months from now and remember your application.

Just remember not to get defeated and if you fall off this "job" horse, brush off the dirt and get right back on.

Happy job hunting.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Growing up, my dad always urged me to read The New York Times. He thought that I could learn a thing or two about grammer, good writing and current events. But when I went away to college, reading the Times every morning became a lost practice. Enter nytimes.com. I even have the app on my iPhone and it makes staying up to date a whole different ballgame.

Even now, I read the New York Times daily. Sometimes it is online and sometimes it is in print (Thanks Muhlenberg for subscribing.) And without fail, my dad sends me articles pertaining to the economy, job market or growing up in general. While his articles may seem overbearing at times, they have also made for good inspiration. I know many of us don't have time to read the newspaper let alone do part of our assignments, so I will post what I think to be relevant articles for you to skim and enjoy.

It turns out that the New York Times provides unassuming career advice. It has a section called 'Corner Office' where CEOs and business owners sit down and provide their personal experiences in the job market. I began clicking and reading the interviews and came across Bobbi Brown's story. In the make-up realm, Bobbi Brown is queen, but she is also an incredibly sucessful business woman. Her interview provided insight into her personal work philosophy, hiring processes and her career tips.

There are two quotes that stuck with me. The first is:

"I don't think about interviewing them for work. I first try to understand who they are as people."

Her hiring outlook seems so unusual yet so practical. There are countless people (myself included) who majored in one subject but want to pursue careers in another. Interviewing a person based off their past experiences, interests and goals can provide for a well-rounded perspective of that person. At the end of the day, your hiring may depend on your qualifications, but it helps to know that perhaps an employer is also factoring in the rest of "you".

The second quote that stood out was:

"When you are talking to someone, look them in the eye. Always tell the truth. And you have to start at the bottom. I don't care who you are and what you do, you have to start at the bottom. If there's a job as a receptionist at a company you would love to work for and there's nothing else, get that job. And don't just sit there."

It seems so simple to remember to look at someone in the eye when you are speaking to them, but it is also so easy to forget it when you are in the process of interviewing. Eye contact is one of the most important parts of interviewing--it shows that you are engaged, interested and focused. Telling the truth should not be an option--lying about your experiences on your resume or in person won't end of helping you in the long run and it can make you appear dishonest. As for starting at the bottom? Where else would you start! I guarantee that every successful person has started as an administrative assistant, working part time or in a job that wasn't their first choice. In order to grow, you have to start small. But in order to move up, you need to be motivated and a hard worker. Simply sitting there won't ensure your success, but being proactive will.

Look for more of these Corner Office excerpts in the future!

For the rest of the interview, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/business/24corner.html?ref=jobs.

So it begins....

Most people look at winter break as a chance to relax. For my friends at home, its a chance to lie out on the beach and run around in flip flops. For my counterparts in the North, its a chance to live in a Winter Wonderland and make snow angles and sit by fires.

Turns out, that's a thing of the past.

This past break has been dominated by spread sheets, file folders and countless clicks of a mouse. That's right. The job search has begun.

The most incredible part of this whole "adventure" is that I was in total denial about how involved it would be. Who knew that there are over a dozen websites that will list jobs or that there are websites specific to the industry that you want to go into? For the longest time, I thought there was monster.com and that was it. Boy, was I wrong.

Jobfox.com - careerbuilder.com - indealist.org - indeed.com - yahoo jobs - mediabistro.com....and the list goes on.

What I figured out this break is that organization and Google will serve as your best friends. Simply put in "event logistics new york city" and hundreds of sites come up. And then that overwhelming feeling hits you. But worry you shall not: by creating a simple spread sheet with columns like 'job title', 'organization', 'point of contact', 'date application sent' (well at this point you get it), it becomes much easier to manage all the looming information.

I cannot tell you how to organize this massive undertaking. What I do recommend is tracking the dates of every time contact is made. This includes sending the applications, following up, and receiving response. Make sure that you keep a list of the person of contact and their position in the organization. What works for me may not work for the next person. I am someone who thrives on post-its and color coding and creating file folders. The most important thing is to create a reference for yourself that you can easily access.

I thought that it would be easier to stick my head in the sand than approach job hunting head on. For me, taking the first step and being organized was too real. It meant that no longer ignoring something made it tangible and I just wasn't ready for that reality. When I finally figured out that Graduation wasn't going anywhere and I needed a plan, it became a lot easier to begin the process. Although I sound assured, my process started out slow. I sifted through dozens of listings that I was beyond unqualified for. The more you look, however, the more you find. I began coming across listings that seemed appropriate to my experience and interests. And interestingly, the more I found, the more I wanted to look.

With each application sent, there is a level of satisfaction that comes with being able to date mark the column "Application Sent". It signifies one more potential job and a layer of fear that is stripped away.

But don't get me wrong---it still took me fifteen minutes to send the first application, because I realized that once I pushed 'send' there was no looking back. My hands were shaking, I looked like I just ran over a squirrel and the color was drained from my face. And once I got over the initial physical shock, it felt really good to finally say "Listen out world---You better be ready for me. And my kick ass resume."