About Career Blog

Real-Life Lesson Learned

We all chose our degrees because it's something that we are (hopefully) interested in pursuing as a career. We all know that some people don't necessarily understand or value what we do. Yesterday I encountered some people in my class that have absolutely no value for public relations. This is a problem because we, as a class, are putting on an event, and I am the committee chair for publicity.
I can understand not knowing what public relations is, or not knowing the difference between public relations, marketing or advertising. But these people were flat-out rude to me about what they did and didn't want, and to our opinion as a group, it was obvious that we are undervalued, and their logic for not wanting publicity was unsubstantiated.

Lessons learned:
1. find ways to quantitatively back up your arguments.
2. when I'm looking for a job, if it's in corporate I am asking to see a org flow chart to see how PR/communications falls on the food chain.

Posted by Christina on 1/30/2008 10:44:00 PM
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Grad school

To everyone wondering about grad school,

Don't jump into a graduate program (unless you want to do medicine, then its a little different) right after undergrad. Go out and get experience, and more importantly, go out there and work in the real world, write your resume, get experience, even if its experience you hate.

Because, yeah, grad school is extremely stressful. I'm not even into a full month of school and I am already thinking about May. This is my most stressful semester yet, apart from my first, and I am partially regretting the classes I am taking because I am getting overwhelmed and overburdened already. I'm starting to wonder why I even did this in the first place, and that's not fun. This is the first time since I have started my program that I am getting these feelings.

This is partially a problem because I have been too sick to go to the gym and work off excess energy, and partially because on top of school, work and karate, I am now trying to juggle a boyfriend.

I am throwing the biggest party for myself, come May 8th.

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Posted by Christina on 1/29/2008 11:52:00 PM
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Getting It Done

I was looking at my schedule the next few months and the first thought was, "how am I going to get all this done? why did I do this to myself?"
I think we are all familiar with that form of panic. It didn't help that I have been sick, and as a result not getting any exercise, and I had to attend two weddings this weekend, which meant I got nothing else done.

So today I finished my work at my assistantship early, so I got some research done for my independent study, did two weeks of tourism homework and emailed out to people about my events. It's not going to get any easier until May when I am done, but I need to remember to do a little every day so that I don't freak out and drop it all.

I just need to write out my MBO (management by objective) for each class to get my schedule down.

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Posted by Christina on 1/29/2008 03:31:00 PM
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Distractions

I'm so excited for my dad to come down this weekend! Not only will I get to see a familiar face from home, but he also is bringing my car with him. I cant not wait to see him and while he is here we will also be looking at new apartments for next year.

Also, one of my friends who transferred is coming to visit this weekend so I need to find time to see them as well. With some fun upcoming events planned I need to stay focused on my schoolwork. I happen to have so MUCH work this semester and a great deal of it due next week, I will need to find time to balance it all this weekend.

Posted by Kelly on 1/24/2008 01:28:00 PM
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Second Week of School

I applied for graduation today, it's only the second week of school, but from here on out, I'll have no time.

I am on the public relations committee for the golf event my special events class is throwing, plus I am beginning the research on my independent study and already writing my first case analysis for another class. it's official, my social life is going to suffer some serious setbacks this semester.

It doesn't help that I am on antibiotics that make me feel slightly off my game. So instead of focusing on writing my paper and sketching out a PR strategy I am blogging and checking facebook. I have to remember that procrastination is the budding seed of senioritis.... dangerous!

Posted by Christina on 1/22/2008 09:59:00 PM
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Spring recruitment

It's weird being on the other side of recruitment this time. Last semester I was one of the girls hoping to get a bid from a certain sorority and now I'm in the position of giving the bids.

It was last Wednesday through Friday, each day was a different theme and we had to wear specific outfits. We got to talk to a bunch of potential new members and hopefully find out if each of the girls is compatible with our sorority.

We gave out bids last friday night and this week we have planned nights to get to know our new girls. :) I'm so excited!

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Posted by Jen on 1/22/2008 12:52:00 PM
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2nd Week of School

I've gotten used to my schedule by now. I don't think my course load is going to be a problem this semester. I have a few hard classes but the others are proving to be rather easy.

Psychology class is pretty interesting although I feel as if it will get more interesting as the weeks soldier on. I'm also taking an art history class which has not lived up to my expectations of being really boring. It is quite the contrary. It's interesting to find out the art that was considered scandalous during the time it was made and why.

There is a class that releases right before my art class and it is called life after death. I find it ironic that everyone walking out of the classroom actually looks like a zombie. I chuckle every time I see them.

p.s. I've been keeping up with my new years resolution and going to the gym almost everyday. I've also been trying really hard to eat healthier but that is proving to be difficult.
'

Posted by Jen on 1/22/2008 12:44:00 PM
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College Voters

So I am a bit of a news junkie, and I have to say, I think it's really cool that people my age are actually getting into, and following politics. I think it's awesome that candidates are finding ways to tap into younger generations, through social media, etc. I really hope this trend follows through in November, because I think it's so important.

I cannot vote in primaries because Florida is a closed party state and I am unaffiliated, but I encourage everyone who can to go out and vote in primaries, and not just for the primaries, but research the other topics on the ballet. Local politics are just as important!

Posted by Christina on 1/21/2008 10:06:00 PM
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Opportunity Abroad

Thinking about all of the people I've known who have done a semester abroad, I am somewhat disappointed that I never chose to travel over the past few years. College really is one of the only opportunities to travel abroad with our parents' and college's expenses.

I'm hoping, however, that I'll have other opportunities after college to travel. I know that the Film industry isn't a field that ties you down with a regulated schedule of work. Some weeks of work might be very slow, while others might be 15 hour days.

So, hopefully with time and hard work, I'll be given the opportunity to travel and work outside of the U.S. for periods of time.

Posted by jeff on 1/21/2008 05:39:00 PM
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Final Semester

My final semester of college starts on Wednesday. I've realized that this past break will probably be the longest period of time-off that I will have in a very long time.

Once I graduate in May, work will start and the longest break that I'll have may only be for a week. In the past 3 years, this would normally be pretty depressing...the final days of freedom before classes start and then eventually entering the real world.

However, I'm feeling pretty eager to start the semester and finish up college. I'm preparing myself for the last few productive months of college, and I'm excited to start working and being faced with the responsibility of really being on my own.

Posted by jeff on 1/21/2008 05:29:00 PM
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First Week of Class

So I went through my first week of class, and this is going to be a busy semester!

Between event planning, my travel and tourism PR class and my independent study, I am going to be working on alot of projects, papers and proposals.
One advantage of being so busy is if iI get involved with events in the community, I can possibly opt out of my final for event management. This is ideal because on top of gaining connections and experience, that leaves only one final for the end of my graduate career.

Posted by Christina on 1/16/2008 09:45:00 PM
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New Classes

After weeks of stress and emails I have finally been accepted into the education program at my college.
It was a very strenuous process, and 3/5 classes which I'm taking this semester are in my program. Just from the first week of classes I can tell how much more tedious the workload is going to be in these classes. I am in for a real heavy workload this semester which makes me nervous but excited to start becoming closer to my future career.

It is crucial I have a car here because I have to travel to different school for required clinical hours. There will be more work involving elementary students whom I will be working with over these next few months.

Posted by Kelly on 1/15/2008 04:36:00 PM
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Back At It

So I'm approaching my second week of classes and I have not had time for anything. I have been so busy trying to figure out my classes, adding some and dropping others that I haven't had a second to relax.

This past week has been pretty hectic. I just got all my books which were expensive as usual. It has been hard adjusting to classes after being on a break for nearly a month.

It is nice to be back at my apartment with my roommates for a fresh semester. I hope to possibly get a nanny job or something to earn some extra money, but I don't know if that is possible with my tight schedule.

Posted by Kelly on 1/15/2008 04:31:00 PM
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Long-Term Project

This break, for me, is a great opportunity to work on some of the long-term projects that I have for the remainder of college.

There is one specific film that takes place over the course of the whole year. Not having other assignments and school responsibilities to hold me back, these next two weeks should serve as a productive time to get a lot done.

The only other responsibility that I have to balance during this break is making a little bit of money. But after college is over in a couple of months, I'll absolutely have to balance making money with working on personal projects outside of work.

Posted by jeff on 1/09/2008 05:35:00 PM
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New Years Resolutions.

2007 was a great year for me. I graduated from high school and started my first semester in college.

College has allowed me to meet tons of new people and make some great friends. I cannot be happier emotionally, but my body is screaming from all of the stress of not sleeping or working out enough and from the horrible food and drink I've been giving it.

My new years resolution is to be healthy in every way. In order to succeed you have to be healthy.

So, I started being healthy today. I've been very conscience of the food I've been eating and even went to the gym for an hour and a half. I'm planning on taking a yoga class every morning plus cardio. Hopefully soon my resolution will become a reality... REALLY SOON.

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Posted by Jen on 1/07/2008 07:36:00 PM
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First Day Back!

Well I'm back to school and I can safely say that this week is going to be the only relaxing week I will have all semester. I upped my work load this semester and am taking five hard classes as apposed to four semi-easy classes.

I even already have homework in two of my classes... sigh :'( Although I have a tough schedule academically, my schedule time-wise is pretty decent. My earliest class is 12:30pm and I have two to three classes a day... SCORE!

I've already met three of my new teachers and like 2/3 of them. I have a feeling psychology is going to be my favorite class. I've never taken and psychology class and am so looking forward to it now that I've met the professor and she has really lived up to her expectations.

Posted by Jen on 1/07/2008 07:28:00 PM
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Financial Aid

I am ready to get back to school now. Not just because I thrive on routine, but also because I want my financial aid check so I can pay off my credit card. I hold down a couple part time jobs because I can't work full-time AND maintain my assistantship. Once this credit card is paid off I will have more money each month that isn't going to payments.

Credit card companies are not nice. Not at all. And I suspect it's going to be worse as this housing and credit crisis gets worse. My advice? Don't open a credit card, and if you do, don't take it shopping!

Posted by Christina on 1/07/2008 05:55:00 PM
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Relaxing Break

Having a nice long break from school has been great. So far, I've spent the majority of my time relaxing, both at home and now in Boston. Now that the holidays are over, however, I need to spend the majority of my time reimbursing my bank account.

Its difficult to get back into the routine of working, whether its for money or for class. But these past two weeks have been plenty relaxing, and it's definitely time to start being more productive- especially because my final college semester will be starting in about two weeks.

Posted by jeff on 1/05/2008 08:12:00 PM
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Welcome 2008!

Happy new year everyone!
I have been talking about resolutions, and here are my professional/school ones:

1. Concentrate on the present while planning for the future.
2. Start prospecting for jobs, beginning March/early April.
3. Streamline my resume since I am only applying for jobs within a certain field.
4. Start prepping early for comps and graduation.
5. Actually go to meetings and mixers with PRSSA (to my defense, last semester they were all during class time)


I'm ready to start the new year!

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Posted by Christina on 1/02/2008 11:04:00 AM
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