Memoranda

Modern Library

Friday, February 17, 2012

[My bookshelf. A sneak peek into my home office is on The New Professional blog.]

As a young woman, I was obsessed with magazines. They’re the reason I went to journalism school. Before that, I’d been a book person since I learned how to read. Not that the two are mutually exclusive, but there are only 24 hours in a day. I was the kid who had a flashlight by her bed, the one that whipped through the required reading in English class and got scolded for reading other novels during class (any class).

I rediscovered the joy of long-form reading about four years ago. I took the bus to work every day, a round-trip commute of about one and a half hours. People watching got old quickly and magazines were too short to last long, so I grabbed a book. For the next three years or so, my book reading was relegated to the bus and to airplanes, and since I rode the bus five days a week and was on a plane almost once a month, I got quite a bit of reading done. But at home, I was still a magazine girl.

Then I joined a book club with some of my grad student friends. We met every month to discuss a book, which we’d choose at the previous book club meeting. There was always good food and wine, and we bounced around from genre to genre. And I was back on Team Books (and I went from 11 magazine subscriptions before I got married to just 4 by the time we moved last summer). I joined Goodreads and swapped away all the books I’d read for others that I may never had considered reading before (until bookswap was canned; I’m testing out booksfreeswap.com in the meantime).

My biggest recent discovery? Ebook rentals from the public library. Miami-Dade and thousands of other libraries nationwide use OverDrive to lend Kindle or ePub versions to their members. I have fond memories of spending lazy summer days at my local public library, and I’m seriously excited that they’ve carved out a niche for themselves even as publishing and media evolves. Since I activated my new library membership in mid-December, I’ve read three borrowed ebooks (in addition to five other books or ebooks that I bought or already owned), and I currently have three more borrowed ebooks on my Kindle app to read this month . It’s just like borrowing a regular library book, but you can do it from home.

If you haven’t tried OverDrive or public library ebook rentals, I highly recommend it. If you have, I’d love to know what you think!

Now back to my book.

Posted in culture, media, words | 2 Comments »

Internships: Getting the most out of your three months [The New Professional]

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Last week, we explored choosing an internship that’s right for you. Now let’s skip forward to your first day of your three-month (or one-semester or however long) gig.

The most important thing to remember about any internship is that you’re there to learn. You might go in with an idea of what you’ll be learning, but keep an open mind. Some more tips to get the most out of your time:

Observe. The professional world is very different from the academic environment, so you’ll encounter a lot of unfamiliar situations. There is a lot you can learn just by watching those around you, not just how they do their jobs and the tasks you’re interested in, but also the general professional atmosphere of the company and industry. Pay close attention to how people communicate and work together to help you build your soft skills, too. Make a mental note of what you like or don’t like about the workplace (Is it collaborative or competitive? Supportive or toxic?).

Ask questions. Remember, you’re there to learn, so if you have a question, speak up and ask! It could be about something technical or it could be about something more strategic. This is also a great way to build a mentor-mentee relationship with your supervisor and find out more about other perspectives. If you’re shy in a group, maybe schedule some time with your boss to ask questions in a one-on-one setting.

Volunteer. One of the best ways to learn is to do, so get in there! Volunteer for every opportunity you possibly can, from working events to tagging along to meetings (even if it’s just to run the PowerPoint). This is by far the best way to get exposure to the wider industry that you’re interested in and try out new experiences.

Act like a regular employee. Even if they’re not paying you, you should take your position seriously and treat it like a job. Be punctual, reliable, and professional. Get to know those in your department or desired industry (starting with your boss). When it’s in the budget, companies have gone to great lengths to find a full-time position to keep a great intern. Even if you don’t stay with that company, you want to foster a good working relationship for future recommendations and networking.

Long story short, you get what you give when it comes to internships. So put your best foot forward and take every opportunity with a smile on your face, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come, in the form of great recommendations, industry contacts, and even job offers.

The New Professional column continues the series of professional development and workplace etiquette posts from its namesake blog. Archives of my career-related posts are available here (The New Professional blog). This post was originally published here.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

I Love You Blogs and Football

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Sunday after the Super Bowl is easily the most depressing day of my year. As I count down to the start of the 2012 NFL season (206 days), I’m looking forward to the draft and keeping an ear to the ground for trade rumors (Manning to Miami? One can hope!).

A while back, I wished for an “I Love You Blogs and Football” print, like there are for coffee and tea (by one of my fave bloggers, Jen Ramos). Since it didn’t seem like anyone was jumping on the bandwagon and making one for me, I decided to make one myself.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

I’m no designer, but like how it turned out! Feel free to pass it along and print it out for your personal use (but please, no commercial distribution). I know I’m not the only one that loves blogs and football (shout-out to the all-fashion-blogger Color Blockers fantasy football league).

Posted in create | 2 Comments »

Internships: experience now, pay later [The New Professional]

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

There’s been a lot of hullabaloo lately about a former Harper’s Bazaar intern’s lawsuit against the company. A brief synopsis: this college grad was not receiving pay or academic credit and was expected to work 40-55 hours per week. It’s an all around messy situation.

Luckily, not all internships are that demanding or scandalous. Some even pay. In my 5.5 years of college and grad school, I logged in four paying internships (including one at Hearst competitor Time Inc.) and one unpaid. My duties ranged from creating PowerPoint presentations and processing freelancer invoices to performing full traffic impact analyses and stepping in as an interim managing editor for a quarterly magazine. The experiences were invaluable, and really bulked up my marketable skills.

What to look for in an internship:

Academic credit or pay. If you choose to forgo either, just keep in mind you are a volunteer with a fancy title (which isn’t to say it won’t be a good experience, but you’ll have much less leverage). There are some opportunities to get both, though they’re a bit harder to find.
Industry exposure. How involved is the company or organization within its industry? Will you have a chance to work with corporate partners or subcontractors, or attend events?
Hands-on experience. Find out what your tasks will be. If it’s all coffee-toting and phone-answering, you might have a nice line on your resume but few skills to show for it.
Mentorship. Who you will be reporting to is just as important as what you will be doing. Your direct supervisor directly impacts your experience, beyond just what tasks they give you. Always been observant…you’ll learn more than you can imagine just by watching.
Potential job opportunities (bonus). Is the company in a position to potentially offer you a part- or full-time offer after graduation or at least connect you to companies that do? This isn’t a make or break type of requirement, but you should keep it in mind. Two of my internships led to job offers.

What if academic credit isn’t an option?
Say you’re a recent college grad stuck in this economy that needs experience (like the HB intern in question). You don’t qualify to receive academic credit, but are having a tough time finding paid internships in your field. Try looking at related industries that may offer paid internships to keep you close to your desired field. Freelancing and volunteering are also great options to expand your network and get your name out there.

It’s up to you whether you want to try out many different internships or stick to a few longer-term ones. Just don’t let internship horror stories discourage you.

Posted in The New Professional | 2 Comments »

Using ignorance to find bliss

Friday, February 3, 2012

We’ve all heard it before: Ignorance is bliss. Choosing ignorance, though, is (to put it nicely) stupid. Intentionally ignorant people are a pain in the ass to deal with, are often ill-informed and, worst of all, often take pride in their ignorance. I usually go through great lengths to avoid being ignorant.

Confession: I pulled an “ignorance is bliss” play recently, and it was definitely the right decision.

When I turned 28 in September, I had one simple goal for the year: get myself in good enough shape to run a mile without stopping. It’s something I’ve never been able to do before and it seemed doable for a year’s worth of work. I downloaded the Couch to 5K app and grabbed some new workout clothes to inspire me.

That evening rolled around, and I was introduced to Team World Vision. They were just beginning to recruit for the ING Miami Marathon. And just like that, in less than 24 hours, my goal went from 1 mile to 13.1 and my deadline from September 2012 to January 29.

They told me four months was more than enough to go from nothing to 13.1. And I believed them.

For the first two months, training went well. I ran on a nearby trail several mornings a week. When it was too hot outside, I ran on the treadmill.

I could totally do this. And I told people so.

The holidays rolled around, and with that came multiple trips across the country. I spent five weeks in California for Christmas and New Years. And ran a total of 2 miles during those five weeks. By race week, my longest run was 4.5 miles, and that was almost 2 months ago.

They told me I could do it, but they didn’t know I’d stopped training months ago. And I didn’t tell them.

I was already questioning my own ability, and the last thing I needed before the race was outside confirmation of my imminent failure. I was in a panic. Anxious beyond belief that I’d drop dead halfway through. What in the world was I thinking?!? I did some deep breathing. I sent up some desperate prayers. I tried to get some sleep the night before.

Race day came. The finish line came. I’d done it. Whew.

Now that the race was behind me, I let my secret out. I’d just nearly tripled my longest running distance in a matter of hours. I was sore and achy because of it, but it was done.

Then someone finally told me: I shouldn’t have been able to finish 13.1 miles in less than 3.5 hours with only half a training program under my belt. Oops.

Not knowing that I shouldn’t have finished is exactly what helped me finish.

So when can ignorance be better than wisdom?

When wisdom says you can’t
When wisdom says that’s how it’s always been done (so don’t change it)
When wisdom keeps you in your comfort zone

Conventional wisdom may keep us safe, but ignorance (and its cousins fake-it-til-you-make-it and jump-before-you-look) can push you to new heights. Just don’t overdo it, okay?

Posted in culture, growing up | 8 Comments »

The Wow Factor [The New Professional]

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Recently my younger cousin was looking for job advice and talked to me, our older cousin and older cousin’s husband. Younger cousin was frustrated with her job situation, wondering how she could get past the entry-level drivel that usually caused her to rethink her interest in the job. Older cousin nudged her husband and prompted, “Honey, give your Wow Factor speech.” But by then (2 a.m. ish) we’d lost him, but here is what I imagine it might have included.

Whatever your job, whatever your level and whatever your aspirations, the Wow Factor is what makes you get noticed and get ahead. The Wow Factor can cut down on your time in entry-level tasks and, if you aren’t in a job that matches your career goals, can get you good recommendations that can get you where you really want to go.

Now, the exact formula to bring Wow to your workplace may vary by person, but I think the following should belong on any list:

Hard work. This seems like a no brainer, but you reap what you sow. You have to put in the work before you can see the results. When you think you’re done, think about just one additional thing you can do to make it better before you call it a night.

Positivity. Being positive doesn’t mean you need to be constantly smiling or fake. It is looking on the bright side, taking things in stride, being open to new ideas and hoping for (and then working toward) the best result. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer (you’ll stand out, for sure, but for the wrong reasons).

Humility. No matter where you land on the ladder, be willing to help out where needed. Treat those that help you well, especially when they’re doing you a favor.

Initiative. Is your job getting a bit boring or lackluster? Think about what you like to do or are interested in…and how that could help your employer. If you’re bored or have a lot of free time, volunteer for extra projects. If you see a need, come up with a solution.

Creativity. Do you come up with new ideas during meetings or sit back and nod? Whether your ideas are always accepted or not, don’t be afraid to speak up and offer your point of view.

Personality. A drone is just that, a drone. Your experiences, your hobbies, your values, your humor…those are what make you you, and what will make you stand out.

I learned a lot of these lessons the hard way. I’ve been the college intern browsing the Internet when bored (I had a heart to heart with my boss and he gave me more challenging projects that I still remember fondly today). In our small department at work, I run campaigns, contests, a magazine…and the Xerox multifunction printer; someone’s got to do it and the in-house printing and binding abilities it brings saves our organization (and our department) tons of money. It is hard to muster up the effort some days, but the Wow Factor gives you momentum to make even the worst days better than they might have been.

Posted in The New Professional | No Comments »

January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

1. Christmas gift card shopping. Dress was a yes, red jacket was a no.
2. First wedding of 2012. Debuted the dress.
3. Lakers-Heat game, one of the big to-dos for our first year in Miami.
4. Sprucing up the apartment with some fun new throw pillow covers.

5. Current reads and my new five-year journal (a birthday present).
6. Neopolitan cupcakes from Pinterest.
7. Binder clips are useful in the kitchen, too.
8. My first half marathon (10th anniversary of the Miami Marathon).

Posted in photos | 2 Comments »

Long live the cover letter [The New Professional]

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Much has been said about the death of the cover letter. They’re a waste of effort. No one reads them. They’re full of fluff. Even HR experts have written obituaries for the cover letter.

I disagree.

Cover letters can still be extremely useful in the job search process by filling in where your resume leaves off. They don’t have to be formal, but should do the following:

Demonstrate your interest. Sure, sending in an application or resume says you’re interested in the position, but how many other applications have you sent out? Including a cover letter tells the employer that you’re interested in them specifically, not just any job with a paycheck.

Put things in perspective. Sending in resume without a cover letter leaves it up to the evaluator to connect the dots between your experience and their needs. These days, with hundreds of applicants for each job posting, employers have less time to spend on each applicant, so make it easy for them and point out the connections yourself.

Show your skills. If you know how to use language and punctuation correctly and effectively, you’re a catch for any job. Your letter of interest can drive this point home much better than noting previous writing experience or an English degree on your resume (which, while nice, are not the best indicators of writing ability, in my experience).

Infuse personality. The goal of your cover letter is to snag an interview. Make them want to meet you. Be careful with humor or sarcasm, though, which are better saved for face-to-face interactions when body language and facial expressions can come into play.

It’s been a while since I’ve been on the job hunt; more recently I’ve been on the other end when positions have opened up in my department, poring through hundreds of cover letters and resumes. Yes, you heard right. Reading, editing and evaluating every word and period on each letter. Applicants who didn’t include a cover letter or had a poorly written cover letter usually weren’t convincing enough to score an interview. While this is probably expected behavior for a communications and marketing department, the truth is that, with email fast-replacing phone calls and in-person interaction, written communication skills are more important than ever.

As with any job search advice, this one will vary by industry, company and even hiring manager. HR folks might not read cover letters anymore, but you never know who else is weighing in on the decision (in our organization, HR screened applicants for minimum qualifications and conducted and assessed applicants through phone interviews, but we had access to all qualified applications and final say on who to interview and hire). One thing is true, though: a well-written cover letter never hurts.

Posted in communication, The New Professional | No Comments »

The fruits of labor

Monday, January 23, 2012

One of my creations (color pencil, acrylic paint, nail polish)

Now that I’m not blogging regularly, I find that I have a lot of time to get hands-on—making things, fixing things, acting on those items on my “someday” list. I’ve had a ball sewing, crocheting, painting, framing, cooking, taping, tacking, writing and coding.

There’s something sweetly rewarding about making things yourself, and it’s quite a good learning process. Some things I’ve learned in the past six months:

New skills. I’ve learned so much about my sewing machine in the past six months. It’s such a great little tool. And it feels awesome that when something goes wrong, I can fix it (with the help of the manual and Google). I’ve also learned basically how toilets work and gotten really familiar with my studfinder and level.

Frugality. Sometimes I make things because I can’t find anything else like it, or as a temporary fix until I find the right product to purchase. Most of the time, once I’ve made a temporary solution, I find that solution really negates the need to go out and get something new. Case in point: I couldn’t decide on a laptop sleeve and I really needed one for my trip to CA in October. So I made one from supplies I already had. It’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works. I’ll use it until it falls apart, and I’ll probably just make a new one to replace it.

Contentedness. Having been in the rat race my whole adult life so far, it’s interesting to set aside the internal pressure and be happy with something because I made it. Sure, my paintings may never be seen by anyone other than me and K, but I’m not going for perfection or success here. The process is as exciting as the product.

Creativity. This might seem redundant, but creativity breeds more creativity. When I blog, I get ideas for things to make, and when I’m hanging things on the wall I get ideas for what to write. It’s a happy little circle.

Do you like to get hands-on? What types of creating do you like to do?

Posted in create, home | 4 Comments »

Just another New Year’s post

Monday, January 9, 2012

Hi from Big Bear, CA (a 2011 photo)

Before we leave the single digits of January, I’d like to wish all two of you reading this a happy new year.

There’s something refreshing about entering a new chapter in life, whether it’s a new calendar year, a new age (the number kind of age), or just a new chapter or adventure in life. My “new year” is on pause until next week, when I get back home from my seasonal travels (current home, not parent home or last home), but that hasn’t stopped me from making some goals this year. I’m putting this out there so you can check up on me from time to time and keep me accountable, or just hold it over my head that I’m a failure when one or more of these ceases to actually occur.

2012 goals

Become a better conversationalist. I lean introvert, and never more so than when in unfamiliar situations with unfamiliar people. I just freeze up and fall silent. But no more…I’m making it a goal to get myself out there and develop some new skills.

Be a better friend. It was simple when I could hop on the freeway or even a one-hour flight back to spend time with my best friends. Though I’ve made several trips back to California already this fall and winter, it is not financially feasible for this type of travel to continue. Life changes so quickly these days, and even though I can’t be there in person for my friends, I’d like to learn to be there more for them behind the scenes, whether it be through phone, email, Skype, or whatever. Yes, I’m hoping to finally settle my life-long feud with the phone (ugh).

Write a book proposal. This one is a biggie, and the biggest risk by far. I’ve got an outline (or two or three) of what I want to do, and I bought this book to help guide me (on the recommendation of an author/blogger), so this is what I’m pouring myself into for the early part of 2012.

Tell me about your 2012 goals.

Posted in growing up, holiday | 3 Comments »

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