Look out, World. The ladies are moving up.

Since 1995, more women than men have graduated with their Bachelor's degree each year. As a political progressive, I love seeing the progress women have made on campus in the past 17 years. However, they have a greater incentive to attend college; there is still a gender wage gap. According to this article in The Atlantic, "a young male with only a high school diploma earns $32,000 a year on average, whereas a young woman only makes about $25,000. That's a difference of $7,000. Seven-thousand dollars. For what? For being born with different sex organs. For not bearing the risk of getting pregnant. There is definitely still progress to made with gender inequality, but for now I just want to say, "Good work, ladies."

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Happy TED Tuesday!

With graduation fast-approaching for many college seniors, I thought it was an appropriate time to share this. While it is not an official TED presentation, it is posted on TED.com.

Befittingly, I am typing this post on my Macbook Pro. I have never considered myself a MacHead; I have maintained some neutrality with my Android phone. However, I do not think any individual can deny that the world lost a truly talented visionary in 2011. Even if you have already seen Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford University Commencement Address, take the time to watch it again.

At his Stanford University commencement speech, Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple and Pixar, urges us to pursue our dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself.

As CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs spearheaded a few of the most iconic products in technology, entertainment and design.

Jobs battled a rare form of pancreatic cancer -- adding to an epic life story that mirrors the story of Apple itself: ever the underdog, ever the spectacular success. In August 2011 he stepped down as Apple's CEO, remaining as Chairman of the Board. He died on October 5, 2011. 

How can you live "the good life"?

In the process of moving home after graduating college I had packed my books, which I had at school, in boxes and placed in our storage room along with my toaster and other items. This left me with nothing to put on the bookshelf in my room -- still empty from when my Grandma Jensby delivered and placed it there for my 22nd birthday present. I combed through all of the other bookshelves in my parents' home, collecting books I wanted to read and filling my bookshelf with them.

A book of my mother's that I found and have been reading recently is You are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life by Alexandra Stoddard. In case you couldn't tell by the title, it's a self-improvement book. There are quite a few of these on my bookshelf because (1) my parents are the type of people who read them and (2) I chose to look at this time between college and securing a job as a time for exponential personal growth and continued learning. Yes, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is on my bookshelf, too, because we didn't read it in my Leadership Studies courses.

While so many self-improvement books sound the same, You are Your Choices is unique. The reader can tell Stoddard is well-read in philosophy; she often refers to Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato's thoughts on how to live life. It is this incorporation of philosophers' thoughts with her own life experiences that made me keep reading (and want to read the philosophers' books, too). She is not only presenting 50 lessons learned from her own life. She is presenting 50 lessons she and thought-leaders from centuries ago have identified as ways to live life to its fullest.

Today I decided that this is a book that would be valuable to read once a year. In January, perhaps, to start the year off well. I also decided that, for the rest of the year, I wanted Stoddard's list of lessons to be somewhere readily available for me to refer to. So, here I am listing her 50 lessons. I encourage everyone to read the entire book, though, because the titles of her 50 lessons barely skim the surface of their deeper value.

Alexandra Stoddard's 50 Ways to Live the Good Life

1. Every Day, Commit Yourself to Experiencing the Good Life
2. Be True to All Your Choices
3. Be Responsible -- Say No
4. Stand On Your Own Two Feet
5. Information Is Not Inspiration
6. Take Satisfaction in Doing the Right Thing
7. Go After What You Love
8. Have Realistic Expectations
9. Live from the Inside Out
10. Celebrate Simple Ceremonies
11. Reevaluate Your Priorities Regularly
12. Have as Few Regrets as Possible
13. Leave the Safe Harbor
14. Who Knows, It Might Be Good
15. Redefine What Is Beautiful
16. The Power of Flowers
17. Share the Beauty
18. Live with the Objects You Love
19. Why Not Be Comfortable? 
20. Maintain Balance Through Your Choices
21. Cultivate Good Energy
22. Cheap Thrills Are Thrilling
23. You Own Your Self
24. Stop Complaining
25. Accept Responsibility
26. Be Aware
27. Your Choices Count Most in a Crisis
28. Faster Isn't Better
29. Reach Out -- Literally
30. Privacy Please
31. A Free Day for You
32. Good Design Matters
33. Enough Is Enough
34. Give Yourself Time
35. Get Going
36. Embrace Variety
37. Move On
38. Walk Away
39. See the Big in the Little
40. Surround Yourself with People You Trust
41. Intuition Is Your Guiding Light
42. Never Say Never
43. Understand the Law of Cause and Effect
44. Choose Love for Yourself and Others
45. Do More Things That Make You Happy
46. Trust Your Subjective Well-Being
47. Avoid Perfection in Pursuit of Excellence
48. Get Organized
49. Why Not Now? 
50. Wise Choices, Yes, and Good Luck

Will you have a great career?

Happy TED Tuesday!

This video is newly-featured on the TED.com homepage this week, and it is certainly fitting for this blog. The take-away message? Pursue your passion, no excuses.

Larry Smith: Why you will fail to have a great career

In this funny and blunt talk from TEDxUW, Larry Smith pulls no punches when he calls out the absurd excuses people invent when they fail to pursue their passions.

A professor of Economics at the University of Waterloo in Canada, Larry Smith coaches his students to find the careers that they will truly love.

Networking vs. Connecting

Do you think "networking" has a negative connotation?

Networking can be perceived as a means to an end -- a selfish act motivated by personal gain.

What about connecting? It's genuine. Connectors are energetic, interested in everything, love meeting new people, and aren't afraid of taking chances or stepping outside their comfort zones. Most importantly, though, they are willing to reach out to and help people they don't know when there is no obvious benefit for them.

Good news! You need not be born a connector. You can become one.

It's natural to be anxious when entering a room full of strangers. So, how do you conquer it? Acknowledge your fear, take a deep breath, and realize that everyone else is scared, too. Also, the phrase "practice makes perfect" applies here. Go talk to people. Connect with them!

Bored of being bored?

Are you bored of being bored? In 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller, Miller suggests some activities to maintain your mental health while facing the challenge of long-term unemployment. I have mentioned some activities I do in previous entries, but I thought I would share this list with you.

Set aside time for vigorous physical exercise.

Miller says, "the feeling will help release tension and stimulate creativity." The job search is stressful. Although the unemployment rate is at a 10-year low, today's job market is still extremely competitive. Exercising can help relieve that stress. 

If you have seen Legally Blonde, then you may recall the line, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." Well, the writers did their research because, having recently taken Human Body at K-State, I can confirm this. 

However, there is something to be said for crying. No matter how much you exercise, you can't always be happy. Humans are actually the only living creatures that can cry tears, and that is the only way our bodies excrete stress hormones -- through our tears. So, ultimately, crying is healthy and nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it's just what you need. 

Seek out a mentor. 

In 48 Days, Miller refers to the success of Alcoholics Anonymous due to the members having mentors who they can call whenever they need to. I've mentioned before how it is helpful to have someone else to lament over the challenges of the job search with. I think it is also helpful to have a mentor (or a few!) who you can call when you need help, whether to assure you everything will be okay or help brainstorm new avenues to explore. 

From my experience, my mentors are individuals who are also references. So, if you are in need of a mentor, take a look at your list of references. Next time you are in need of help or reassurance, give one of your references a call. Start building your mentor-mentoree relationship. Or, if all you need is an ego-boost, then read one of your reference letters; it always makes me feel better about myself.

Read inspirational material at least 2 hours daily.

I really think this helps keep your mind engaged. Don't sit on the couch all day watching television, allowing your brain to atrophy. I think optimistic, hopeful thinking is critical during your job search. Read inspirational material to keep you motivated and in a positive frame of mind. Pursue life-long learning and read educational material. Stay up-to-date on what is happening in the world by reading news articles. READ. 

Volunteer for a worthy cause.

Miller says, "helping someone else in need is a great way to ease your own personal pain." That sounds so selfish, though. I prefer to think of it as a reality check. Aesop said, "There is always someone worse off than yourself." Volunteering at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter can give you perspective. You may not have a job, but (hopefully) you are still able to provide food and shelter for yourself. It may feel like rock bottom, but it's not. So, pull your chin up, and enjoy the rewards that may be reaped from helping others -- a feeling of value, the warmth of a smile from someone you have helped

Get a job.

Regardless if its not your dream job or a great career move. Just do it. Check out The Top 10 Benefits of Temporary Work. 

The Top 10 Benefits of Temporary Work

"Why Temporary Work Is Worth It" from Forbes discusses why you should secure a temporary job while you are job hunting. I was taking notes, and came up with ten reasons! Drumroll please...

The Top 10 Benefits of Temporary Work

1. Gets you out of bed in the morning. 

     Don't sleep in. Use the full day to your advantage.

2. Gives you something to do. 

     Avoid boredom. Everyone wants to do that.

3. Keeps your skills sharp.

     I'm sure you've heard of the word, "If you don't use it, you lose it." I can't remember some
     information from a course I took last semester. What makes you think that won't happen to your
     transferrable and technical skills?

4. Keeps your resume alive.

     It's difficult to explain idle periods.

5. Yields new, recent references. 

     These individuals will be able to speak to your job performance recently, rather than six months ago.

6. Expands your professional network. 

     You never know who a contact may be able to refer you to until you know them.

7. It could turn into a permanent position. 

     It could. Don't plan on it, but anything is possible. If you really like the company or organization,
     then make it known that you would be interested in a permanent position. If one doesn't become
     available while you are working there, they may think of you when one does later.

8. Puts money in the bank. 

     Earning money allows you to continue providing for yourself. The end.

9. You can "spin it."

     Maybe you don't enjoy your temporary job, but you can still "spin it" to make it useful in job
     interviews. Use anecdotes to depict the transferrable skills you honed or developed during your
     temporary work.

10. A flexible work schedule will allow you to continue applying for other jobs.