Jobs, jobs, jobs

When I finally decided on a career (freelance writer), everyone said how easy that should be. Well, the writing part is easy, but the job finding part isn’t. I write well. For goodness sake! I have a BA in English and I have taken a Professional Writing Certification. It is the marketing myself that I need to work on. It is occasionally depressing.
In the meantime, I am reduced to daily searching. I have checked out a ton of books on starting a freelance writing business from the library. I pray to higher powers on a daily basis.
Something (minimal) has come of all this. A small publishing company has hired me as a freelance editor–with a catch. I will get paid royalties only. Potentially I could make a decent amount of money…
In the meantime, I will read all my books and develop a business plan for myself. I know I can do this! It just takes persisitence–the same persisitence it took to actually graduate from college.

Social Networking Websites: For you or your employer?

It was recently brought to my attention that employers are starting to monitor social-networking websites to phase out potentially bad employees. Many of my friends and I had no idea that this practice was even occurring. However, I was aware of the recent arrest of people who have posted incriminating evidence on these types of websites.
After doing more research I discovered that it is plainly stated in the privacy policy of a popular social networking website that they do allow their users information to be given to a third party. Who could be a third party? Anyone other than you or that website. Basically, the policy states that it is at their discretion to chose who they release your information to; if they think it is necessary.
As a job seeker, I think this is a form of “secret sabotage.” This new way of screening current or potential employees seems like a blatant form of discrimination. When you go to a job interview you dress professionally, you bring your best attitude and are respectful to your potential employer. When you set up an account on a social networking website known for people searching for new friends or social circles, you are probably not thinking that an employer is examining or judging your personal life.
Anyone who has ever held a professional job should know that your professional and personal lives are separate. I think it’s just wrong for an employer to make any professional decision about an employee based on their public access webpage unless there is a criminal aspect somewhere. Besides people could be embellishing their personal profiles to meet the type of people they personally would like to meet. I’m sure they are not setting up these profiles hoping to catch the eye of an employer unless it was specified otherwise.
On the other hand, I have noticed that some people on these websites use it as a launching pad to advertise their music band or other talents. Therefore, I guess there is a fine line to exactly what type of networking is involved in these types of websites.
I understand that these websites are for public viewing. However, I don’t think the intent of the users was to have their employers “checking up” on them. Besides I’m sure if we turn it around, employers wouldn’t like it if their employees knew about aspects of their personal life that they didn’t see necessary to share in a professional setting.The key to all this is to remember that our professional and private lives should remain seperate, unless it is the intention of both parties to share certain voluntary information.
In the future, I would suggest to everyone that if you are going to sign up to use a social networking website that you read all of their terms of use and their privacy policy.
I just think it’s sad, this is a new downfall for the freedom of expression. If our personal lives and preferences are now being judge to determine our professional future,then where is the line drawn between our profession and what is considered our private lives?

Keep in mind who is the boss

I’ve been a volunteer for a non-profit organization for about two weeks. I have definitely “dived” in and have been doing a lot of work.
My latest assignment dealt with compiling a list on different media outlets to contact within my area and other surrounding cities. After compiling the list, I started thinking of ways to make all of the information useful.
I thought it would be a good idea to “pitch” the idea of doing a story on this organization to a local magazine. The organization is looking for more volunteers and the magazine does have a large circulation number.
However, it’s a good thing that I’m the type of person that always analyzes things before I do it. This was definitely the time for me to listen to that “little voice” that tells you to think twice.
I thought about it and realized that I was “over-stepping” my position. I was only a volunteer, so it would make more sense to speak to my boss first. Besides my boss has been with the organization longer than I have and probably would be able to give more information that in the end would help the organization.
In “light” of my experience I’d like to share two things with other “eager achievers” out there. Please remember to:
1. “Run” your ideas by your supervisor first.
2. Keep in mind that your boss makes the final decisions.

So Tempting

I found a job opening in my former profession as a childcare provider. However, this time around my whole purpose of re-entering the workforce is to complete my career goals.
Do I want a job? Yes. Is the job I found tempting? Yes. Will I be putting in my resume for this job? No. I just fell as if I have moved forward. The point is I know I will regret it in the future if I take this job.
I know some people say they take a job because they need the money. I do believe in an “honest day” of work but in the end I think I would feel guilty if I took a job just to get paid. I also wouldn’t feel like a loyal employee if I weren’t fully devoted to a job.
From my point of view, I believe that as an employee you should realize that you are seen as apart of a whole not just an individual within a business. Therefore, if your heart isn’t dedicated to seeing that business thrive then you really are unconsciously sabotaging yourself and the future of that business.
After all the things I’ve learned in my life, I have definitely learned to live “stress-free” as much as possible. Although I have heard that a little stress is good for you. I still believe that in the long run wherever you work you definitely need to feel comfortable.
I would advise others in their job search, that if they haven’t found the job they want but still need money, to at least find a job that relates to what they really want to do in the future.

Volunteering with a Non-Profit Organization

I recently signed up as a volunteer for a national non-profit organization. I am helping with media relations and gaining a lot of experience.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of volunteers to help with the publicity aspect of the job. I guess this is where it’s my time to go into “leadership” mode. However, I am up to the challenge.
I did get what I was looking for; I wanted to be involved in doing some type of public relations work while I was looking for a job. Now I am in a position to make this opportunity benefit both the organization and myself.
I would advise those who are seeking to be a volunteer within an organization to:
1. Do research about the organizations that are involved with a cause you feel strongly about.
2. Read the organizations mission statement.
3. Know what the requirements and responsibilities are of a volunteer within that organization.
Volunteering is a way to get your “foot in the door.” If you’re looking for more experience or you want to “network,” I believe being a volunteer is a step in the right direction.

Stay focused, be productive, and “fight” for what you want!

“Whatever you decide what you want to do in life, just make sure it’s something you love and it’s something that you will be happy to get up and do every morning.”

In my previous blog, “Tribulation of a Military Spouse,” I talked about my uncertain future. I learned that my spouse would deploy to Iraq in about 6 months. We just settled in a new city and I was actively involved in looking for a job.
What am I going to do now? I asked myself. I really took some time to reflect and took some advice from two very important people, my parents. My mother always told me, “Whatever you decide what you want to do in life, just make sure it’s something you love and it’s something that you will be happy to get up and do every morning.” On the other hand, in order to keep track of all of my ideas and things that I wanted to do, my father would always tell me to write things down.
I took the advice of my parents; I wrote down and thought about all of the things that I would love to do. I want to be a writer, I want to work in public relations, and I want to be more involved in the community.
My next step was to put my goals into detail. I asked myself the following questions:
1. What do I want to write?
2. What area of public relations do I want to work in?
3. What areas within the community do feel, need the most attention?
After answering these questions, I set some short-term goals. I decided to pursue my writing goals first. I plan to start writing and submitting work to a local publication.
However, I do plan to move in 6 months (to be closer to family members), so I decided to hold off on pursuing any permanent PR jobs. I have already begun researching jobs in the area where I will relocate. Fortunately, there are several PR agencies there and hopefully a lot of opportunities to find a job.
I think I’m on the right track now and I am being productive. I am trying to gain more experience and hopeful build-up my resume. I have compiled a list of contacts within the community and hope to get involved with a local organization soon. I also signed up to volunteer with a national non-profit organization to help with media relations.
I can only hope to stay focused and continue to pursue my career goals.

Tribulation of a Military Spouse

Just as I was getting accustomed to living in a new city and pursing employment, I received some disheartening news. I found out that my husband might be deployed to Iraq (for the second time) as soon as September of this year. The bad thing about this news is that he will be deployed (for at least a year) to a place that is known for a lot of violence and is mentioned repeatedly in the news for attacks on US troops.
During his first deployment to Iraq I was in college. I was taking a full load of classes each semester, so I kept busy and remained focused. I had plenty of friends and several family members visited to “check-up” on me.
However, this time around I have a child to take care of and as far as having family support, well most of my family members live 16 hours away. Therefore, I am now forced to re-evaluate my situation and to decide what kind of options I have.
One of my options is to move closer to my family members. I would have their support and it would probably allow me to remain in a “stress-free” environment.
Since moving is a likely possibility, I checked out the jobs that are available near my family members. This is where the irony comes in. I actually found several public relations agencies and places that are offering paid internships for a PR assistant. That is good news, if I was living there now but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
The other option is not to move and continue to look for work in the PR field, which is hard to find in this area. Consequently, if I choose this option I can only foresee having more opportunities to be involved in community relations instead of finding the PR job that I really want.
However, I am still in the process of researching clubs and organizations within the community. Therefore, I don’t know exactly where my future networking pursuits may lead.
Through all this uncertainty, I am remaining optimistic. What I do know is that I’m not willing to give up on my career goals so easily. I just have a few things that need to be “ironed” out.
Some may see the news about my husband deploying as “bad news.” It definitely is not good news but I am an optimist at heart. I do believe that all things happen for a reason. Perhaps, this was my “wake-up” call to put things in perspective and to commit to making more “concrete” decisions both in my personal and professional life.

Networking opportunities in the local newspaper

I was religiously searching the internet day after day specifically for public relations jobs within the local area. Unfortunately, I would only find jobs located in the larger surrounding cities (most of which are an hour to an hour and a half away).However, I recently have found that my local newspaper may be the missing factor in my job search.
I previously had given up on searching through the daily-classified jobs in my local newspaper, due to disappointing results. However, this time I decided to go through each section of the newspaper. I was searching for some type of valuable information pertaining to future employment opportunities. I didn’t find the types of jobs I was looking for but I did find some valuable information.
In the Business section, I found several announcements for local ribbon-cutting ceremonies. These ceremonies are usually the grand-opening event for new businesses. Therefore, I could use this as an opportunity to offer my services by using my experience in doing advertising campaigns. Thus, I would be gaining more experience and adding valuable work to my portfolio. Unfortunately, I want to add more diversity to my portfolio and I am now pursuing more writing opportunities. Although, I would advise any Communications undergraduate, that is interested in advertising or public relations, to do an advertising campaign.
Within the Community section of the newspaper, I found brief descriptions of local clubs along with their contact information. So, not only was this an opportunity to offer volunteer work but it was also a way to begin networking within the community.
I simply had forgotten about the value of the local newspaper. I found hope of building a network of contacts and finding new opportunities, just by taking the time to look through each section of the paper.
I still believe that the internet provides more information for finding jobs. However, I now have the newspaper as another source to aid me in my job search.