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. 

What is work?

My Grandma J. has a habit of dropping off what my brother and I refer to as "Gameday Goodies" before heading to the Bill Snyder Family Stadium to cheer on the 'Cats at home football games. These typically consisted of home-made cookies and various fruit. During my last semester, she dropped off what will remain the greatest Gameday Goodie ever -- a home-made pumpkin pie. So, I called her that week to thank her and tell her how my roommates and I enjoyed it. That conversation, as all other conversations I have now, became about what I want to do with my life. My grandmother urged me to take the first job I could find. In her mind, a job is like any other job, and that is what I needed. I told my grandma that I didn't want only a job but a career. 


I always had a cram-packed schedule during college -- a demanding course load;  extracurricular activities with multiple weekly meetings, office hours, and more; and research work. While I am thankful for all of the opportunities for learning and growth I had through my extracurricular activities and research work, I felt as though I didn't have time to reflect upon what all of this learning and growth meant. I had lost focus on the long-run. I arrived at college with a solid 12-year plan involving undergraduate school, medical school, and a specialty fellowship. My interests expanded during college, though, and I was no longer certain I wanted to go to medical school. In addition to that life-altering realization, I had so many interests that I couldn't even tell my grandma a specific career path I wanted to follow. 


After two years of studying pre-physical therapy, my grandmother quit college when she married my grandfather. Years later, after raising three children, she returned to K-State to get a degree in Education. Since she hadn't realized what she truly wanted to do with her life until after raising a family, she thinks it is normal and completely acceptable to not realize your calling until you are in your 40s. While I am aware that is the case for many people and it may become the case for me, I don't want to start in that frame of mind because I don't want that for my life. I don't want to get just a job. I want to find a job that will be my first step towards a career. I wanted to take the time reflect upon everything I learned, decide what I enjoyed doing the most, and focus my interests. I didn't have the words to help my grandmother understand why. The conversation ended in a few tears of frustration and, still a teacher after retiring, my grandma saying she knew of a book that she was going to order from Amazon and have sent to my college address. 


The book my grandmother sent me is 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller. I am working my way through it, and it is proving itself helpful. It has given me the words I was looking for when trying to explain to my grandmother why I didn't want just a job. The quote below, found in 48 Days, phrases my thoughts quite nicely.


“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both.” –James Michener


This is what work should be. This is what I wish for my life, and what I wish for every person's life. 


Today, I have more focused interests, but not because of 48 Days. Truly believing in life-long learning, I continued to study after graduating college. I have probably bought nearly the same number of books since graduating college as I bought during my four and a half years of college. I am well on my way to securing the first job of my career. 

I am certain I will be writing more about 48 Days. I recommend the book. However, true to my Grandma J., it talks about God's role in our work. So, if you aren't religious, then I would recommend finding a different career-guidance book. There is a pretty comprehensive suggested reading list in the back of 48 Days, so you could find it in a book store or library to take a look at those recommendations.

The 3 Job Interview Questions

I saw this article from Forbes circulating on LinkedIn today.

It claims that there are only three true job interview questions.

1. Can you do the job? 
2. Will you love the job? 
3. Can we tolerate working with you? 

When you consider what the heart of these three questions are, they are focusing on your strengths, motivation, and fit. I whole-heartedly agree with Forbes; these are the three things interview questions focus on. Check out the break down below. 

Can you do the job? - STRENGTHS

Do you have not only the technical skills the position requires but strong communication and leadership skills, as well? 

Will you love the job? - MOTIVATION

You will work harder if you believe in the mission of the organization and enjoy the challenges your responsibilities pose. You will also be more motivated to work hard if you fit in and like your work environment (see next question). 

Can we tolerate working with you? - FIT

I am a pretty strong advocate of being your own individual. That being said, this is one of the few times I will say it is important to fit in. Poor cultural fit is the #1 cited reason for a new leader's failure. It is important for you to consider whether your preferences and the organization's culture are a match or not. If they aren't, then you will likely have difficulties being successful in your position. More importantly, though, if they don't match, then you will be unhappy working there.  

The interviewer may use the B.R.A.V.E. framework below to identify your preferences and determine if they align with the organization's. 

Behave

How do you make decisions? 

What is your leadership style? 

Relate

How do you communicate with others? 

How do engage in intellectual debate? 

How do you manage conflict? 

Attitude

How do you feel about the organization's purpose, mission, and vision?

Values

What are your underlying beliefs? 

How do you approach learning? 

Do you take risks? 

What are your plans for your future? 

Environment

Do you prefer a formal or informal work environment? 

What type of office layout do you prefer? 

How to Give a Great Presentation

Happy TED Tuesday!

This is a great TED talk that can teach you how to give great talks. Grab a paper and pen to take notes with because, believe me, you'll want to use Nancy's lessons in future presentations.

Nancy Duarte: The secret structure of great talks

From the "I have a dream" speech to Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch, all great presentations have a common architecture. At TEDxEast, Nancy Duarte draws lessons on how to make a powerful call-to-action.

Nancy Duarte believes that ideas are the most powerful tools people have. Her passion is to help every person learn to communicate their world-changing idea effectively.

Organize Your Search Resources

In today's technological world, there are endless websites dedicated to searching for a job, writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, and even developing a career plan to help you achieve your end goal. Having all of these resources online is helpful, but it can be overwhelming. 

Maybe it's just me, but I find it difficult to keep track of all the job search resources I am using. So, I used a mind-mapping program called SimpleMind to organize the job search sites I need to check daily, the online profiles I need to keep updated, and the people I have contacted (whose names I removed for privacy, obviously). 

This is just an idea. You can, of course, organize your mind map however you choose and just use a pen and paper. Feel free to refer to my mind map as a guide, though! 

What do you need in order to achieve?

I love TED.com. For those of you who are not familiar with it, TED stands for Technology Entertainment Design. Their tag line is, "Ideas Worth Spreading." Each year, TED holds a conference where thought leaders from various disciplines share their "Ideas Worth Spreading." There is a documentary about TED filmed at their 2006 conference called The Future We Will Create: Inside the World of TED that you can check out here on Hulu.   

I looked through the TED videos I have favorited over the past few years today, and rediscovered a presentation from the 2006 TED conference by Tony Robbins. He has a lot of great thoughts, but a particular one resonated with me.

Robbins says that emotion is the force of life. He believes the defining factor for achieving things in life is not resources, as people usually cite. The defining factor of achievement is resourcefulness, which is driven by emotions.

Resources           versus           Resourcefulness
- Time                                      - Creativity
- Money                                   - Determination
- Technology                           - Love
- Contacts                                - Curiosity
- Experience                            - Passion
- Management                         - Resolve

On job search and career advice sites, you usually only see articles about resources - networking for contacts, formatting resumes in Word, how to share your experience, etc. You don't hear about the importance of your resourcefulness, though. I believe it is the key, though, like Tony Robbins says. It is because of the resolve and determination you have during your job search, the creative ways you carry out your job search, and the passion you have for a job or company that you are successful in securing a job you will love.

How to "Work It" at a Career Fair

For my fellow K-Staters, the Agri-Industry Career Fair is in a few days. Career fairs can be intimidating. There are rows and rows of tables to navigate through crowds of students. How do you make yourself standout from the crowd to potential employers? K-State Career and Employment Services will give you this list of advice in a packet when you arrive at the career fairs, but check it out now so that you are prepared. Of course, all of this advice applies to other career fairs as well.

1. Know your job interests and your qualifications

Be able to express your qualifications - strengths, academic preparation, related experiences, and skills. For more information on how to best do this, check out my Elevator Pitch post. 

2. Have a well-written resume

This is key. If you want some resume-writing tips, check out my post On Resumes.

You may also want to have a business card with your name, degree, date of graduation, email address, and job objective.

3. Research companies in advance of the fair

There will be a lot of companies at the career fair. Too many to decide who you want to talk to after you arrive. Take the time to look over the list of companies who will be attending in advance, research those that interest you, and prioritize them so that you can better manage your time. In addition to your being able to better utilize your time at the career fair, the knowledge you gained while researching the companies will show potential employers that you are hard-working eager to work for them. 

4. Allow enough time and plan ahead

Realize that career fairs are typically held in large venues, they will be slow-moving crowds, and you will likely have to wait in line to speak to company representatives. Make sure you allot enough time in your schedule to account for all these factors. It's better to start earlier rather than later because you will be upset if you run out of time. Also, some companies may leave early if the weather is bad, they have a long drive back to their offices, or weren't having many students approach their table. 

When you first arrive and pick up your packet of information, find the map. Orientate yourself, and mark the location of the tables for the companies you want to visit with. 

5. Appearance counts - wear professional or business casual clothing

Dress like you would for an interview. Typically, people dress more nicely for an interview than they would for their job from day to day because they want to make the best impression possible for their interview. Think of this as a stepping stone to get an interview, so it just as important. 

Make sure you get a name tag at the registration table on your way in, too. 

6. Ask questions and listen

Find out what you can do to be considered, get more information, arrange an interview, or make an on-site visit. Reveal information in give and take fashion... this is an opportunity to identify employers' needs and the match of your skills.

Questions you may want to ask:

• What courses/major do I need to better prepare for a position in your organization? 
• What value do you place on GPAs? How important are extracurricular activities? 
• How beneficial/necessary is graduate work in this particular field/industry? 
• Describe your organization's training program. 
• What are the chief qualifications you seek in a first-year employee? 
• Does your organization hire _______ majors? What positions or division would they typically work in? 
• Do you offer internships or co-ops and if so, in what areas? 
• What do your interns or co-op students do? 

Make sure you ask for business cards or literature!

7. Record information in your notebook/padfolio

Take time between speaking to each potential employer to take notes on what you learned. Find a place that is out of the flow of traffic to do so - against a wall, for example. 

Oh, and heads up: You will feel silly if you have a notebook. I did at the first career fair I attended. Every student that is serious will have a padfolio. Get one.

8. Follow-up with a note

Show the company representatives you are interested by sending a follow-up note as soon as possible expressing interest. If there was a company's table that you didn't get to visit, then send them a note, too, with your resume included. Sending a note is a nice personal gesture, and it helps you stand out as a person so company representatives are more likely to remember you in the future.

I, personally, have experienced the benefits of sending a follow-up note. Company representatives may email you when they learn of a new job opportunity. Or, they may offer to schedule a phone call or meeting with you to discuss you employment options further.

Can You Pitch Yourself?

Prepare a sales pitch for yourself - a 30 to 60 second commercial. This commercial is often times referred to as an "elevator pitch," implying that is a to-the-point pitch that is short enough to give to someone on an elevator ride. Think of old episodes of The West Wing when the President only has time to talk to you while walking down a hallway on the way to a meeting with somebody else.

During your pitch, highlight what you can do, not what the prospective employer can do for you. You need to be able to express your qualifications - strengths, academic preparation, related experiences, and skills.

Key points:

• Introduction
• Thank him/her for their time
• Mention your bridge - Who referred you? Where did you meet them?
• Your education
• Your specialty
• Work history review
• Responsibilities - What did you do? 
• Major accomplishments
• Your present availability - Why are you looking? 
• Your goal

Take a break!

The job search process seems never-ending. With the internet as a resource, there is always another website to search for positions to apply for on or another potential employer you could be researching. After you have applied for jobs, you may wait for months to hear back from potential employers. Or worse, they may never contact you with a courtesy call or email saying they have selected a different candidate. One of my internship mentors said it was 11 months between when he applied for a job and when he started work. Settle in for the long haul because it will take awhile. Especially with today's economy.

I read an article today that gave me some much-needed advice, though. If you are like me and a recent college graduate that moved back home with your parents for the disjointed transition between college and securing your first job in the real world, then I guarantee you your parents wouldn't share this advice. I think it is important, though. Are you anxiously awaiting this tidbit of advice yet? Well, here it is... Take a break! (I know the title gave it away.) Writing 50 cover letters a day, 7 days a week isn't going to lead to your best work. The article suggests taking a day or two off to do things you love so that you may return to your job search process refreshed and ready to tell a potential employer why they need you. 

I, however, propose a different idea. I have daily activities that break up the monotony of the job search. I enjoy running (particularly the endorphins I get from running), so I will take a break and go for a run. I had an extremely demanding course load during my last semester of college, and didn't have any time for leisurely reading. There are currently two shelves on my bookshelf full of books I want to read, so I take time each day to do just that. 

Develop a list of things you love doing for fun, and take a few breaks now and then!

Have you Googled yourself?

Have you Googled yourself?

It may seem like a silly question in today's society where so many people have smartphones and tablets at the tips of their fingertips throughout the day to Google any and every question that crosses their mind. Some even Google a person they are going on a blind date with. However, I know people who have never Googled themselves.

If you Google people and things you don't know about, what makes you think employers aren't doing the same? Spoiler alert: They are. So, before jumping into the job search and sending out resumes, type your name into that neat little search box and press enter. I should tell you that I Google myself periodically, and when I Googled myself just now there were search items I didn't know about. (Sure, it was only my Pinterest profile, but who knows what else there could have been?) If photos of you drinking from a beer bong in a stranger's basement pop up, then it's safe to say you have some work to do. Fear not, though, because it isn't too late.

Damaging information online can harm your chances in the employment lottery. The first step in damage control is to change and monitor your online public profiles (i.e. Facebook) to keep them professional. The second step in damage control? Create a personal website that highlights your education, achievements, internships, and work experience. If you are like me and aren't a computer programmer, then there are several websites you can use to easily create a professional website. I recommend BeyondCredentials.com; it's free and prompts you with questions that will help employers get to know you both personally and professionally.

You may be thinking, "I can include this information on my Facebook/LinkedIn," and you can. If you want employers to focus on you (and you should!), then creating a personal website that eliminates the clutter of how many friends or connections you have and pictures of you at every football game you went to in college will be better.