Crissanka Christadoss is a recent Des Moines transplant, having spent time on both the West and East Coasts before returning to the Midwest where she grew up. With a Masters Degree in Health Communication from Emerson College in Boston, MA, Crissanka is interested in health literacy and acknowledging marginalized health issues. She has worked on health issues related to the transgender population and end-of-life care. Crissanka uses her specialized training to create stories and messages that increase awareness for health care organizations and relevant health issues. LinkedIn| Twitter
We know the job search is a full-time job. Like other full-timers who actually get paid, there are some weeks where you just need the week to end already or you just need a break. Hence my lovely, extremely scientific, well-designed graph.
I had a nice Memorial Day weekend, which landed us in Mt. Rushmore-ville. I enjoyed taking photographs of George, Tom, Theo and Abe. We also saw the Crazy Horse sculpture in the works.
My husband and I traveled with some friends of ours and their little 4- year old daughter. It is refreshing to spend a 10 hour car trip with 4 year old. They just never run out of energy. At one point we were pretending little crumpled pieces of paper were flowers, and we were sticking them in our hair, complimenting each other on how beautiful we looked. The car ride went by quickly.
So, what do I learn from a 4-year old?
Yes, anything can be a game!
It’s okay to act ridiculous and weird and still think you are awesome.
No one agrees with you or wants to play what you are playing? It’s okay! Convince them or bug them till
they do.
You usually get your way. Because what other way is there?
Singing the ABCs is a perfectly reasonable way to the pass the time.
What do I want you to take from this?
Whatever you want. For me, I feel like it is taking forever to get to where I want to be. I have two sides: One is charged and ready to face anything, the other is anything but. So, to make this ride much easier to deal with, I
either have to act like a 4-year old or it is going to be the bumpiest, roughest ride ever.
Rachael Seda is a young communication, public relations and design professional in the process of developing her career and seeing where life will take her. She graduated from James Madison University with a dual major in Communication and Media Arts & Design and moved to the Washington DC area to embark on a career in the communication field. Article is taken from her website/blog, www.rachaelseda.com, originally posted on May 12, 2011.
Congratulations you’re past the initial find a job hurdle. The show The Office is now funnier than you ever remember it being (if that’s possible) and you have some “real world” experience under your belt. That’s all that matters, right? Ehh, I would beg to differ. Maybe that’s just because I was raised by a mother who not only decided to go to college when I was five years old while taking care of two kids, but she worked at the same time. Her determination and drive is something I have innately inherited. I always want to do better, to be better. Therefore, it’s not just about having a job, to me it’s important to continue to advance in your career, stand out (unlike the guy in this picture) and learn as much as you can.
In a recent episode of Inside PR that features hosts Gini Dietrich, Martin Waxman and Joe Thornley, a viewer asked what you can do to further your career. If you don’t already know, I LOVE Inside PR. As a young professional currently working in-house, I always learn something from the show and it never ceases to entertain. But I digress.
So what can you do to further your career? Here are five quick tips courtesy of Inside PR to help you do just that.
1. Be curious. This to me is important. If you’re not curious about what your doing then maybe you need to reevaluate your career choice.
2. Listen. I try to learn something new from everyone I meet. Each person has different experiences and perspectives that are invaluable. Plus, people can tell when you are really listening and can see that you care about what you’re doing.
3. Learn. This goes hand in hand with being curious and listening. Read blogs, books, attend workshops, take a class, learning doesn’t end with a college diploma.
4. Build Your Network. Once you have a job this doesn’t mean you should drop networking all together. Not only can you learn from different people but this is the best time to truly build relationships. You’re not looking for a job, there’s no pressure. When the day comes when you are ready to pursue something new you don’t have start from square one.
5. Use Social Media. Many friends and mentors I have started on Twitter. I can’t begin to explain how much I have learned from these relationships. Social media is a vital resource that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Use it to help inspire your curiosity, listen to what others are saying, learn from the endless talented people in the space and use it to build your network outside of your normal realm.
Disclaimer: If you want a job where your existence is politely ignored (refer to the picture above) then I am sorry to inform you that you just wasted your time reading this post.
Definitely listen to the full episode on Inside PR for more advice on advancing your career and if you haven’t already subscribed to the podcast, what are you waiting for?! I promise you won’t regret it. If you do regret it, well you can complain to them.
What other tips do you have for someone trying to make the next step up in his or her career?
I came across this post recently entitled “13 Things Not To Say to Jobless Friends.”
I thought it would be fun to explore this topic a little more…what makes the job seeker (alright, me) tick?
Earlier this week, I tried my hand at asking my Twitter peoples what things they have heard from other people in response to their job seeking. The answers I got (only two) were not as dramatic as I expected. Most people are just really nice and awesome and say things like “I’m sorry” or “You’ll find something soon, I am sure” or ask “What type of job are you looking for?” (Thank you, btw, @RHS76 and @nptjobs for your responses).
I felt like a ninny trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but you and I both know there are those people out there who just don’ t say the right things. You might have heard the following at some point or another (or maybe it is just me?):
- “Oh, so you are just planning on being stay at home?” – Ummm, not quite just yet. Spending a better part of almost a decade educating myself, I am doing just fine being an awesome aunt for now
- “So, are you looking for jobs?” – Well, I am not not looking.
- “Wow, really, you haven’t found anything yet?” – Yeah…I am sorry?
And then you hear those responses that make you want to start singing in the rain and kissing everyone:
- “I will keep an eye out for you – have you heard of such and such organization? I know they are hiring” – yes, thanks! I love you!
- “You’re smart, you’ll find something” – Yes, I do consider myself a bit of an Einstein. Kiss Kiss!
- “It sounds like you are doing the right thing, I know things will work out” – Thank you, awesome friend!
- “You have the rest of your life to work, it’s all good” – Nice perspective! YOU’RE the SMART one!
Many times you are just going to hear things from people who just care about you and want you to succeed.
My husband and I traveled with some friends of ours and their little 4- year old daughter. It is refreshing to spend a 10 hour car trip with 4 year old. They just never run out of energy. At one point we were pretending little crumpled pieces of paper were flowers, and we were sticking them in our hair, complimenting each other on how beautiful we looked. The car ride went by quickly.