I'm working on a project that requires some pretty detailed research. It's not easy to find information on the Internet if you don't know the right questions to ask. I don't. So I pulled out my copy of "Facts In A Flash," which I bought through the Writer's Digest book club, and discovered another method: the library.

I went to the library, asked a librarian and got the information I needed almost immediately. It took about the same amount of time - if not less than - I would have needed to surf the Internet. I don't knock using the Internet, in fact, I love it; however, there comes a time when you simply must use a different, more efficient method of research.

Ask a librarian! It works.

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 29, 2006 at 12:11 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are having a happy, safe holiday season. This is my final blog of the year, so I thought I would just reflect a little bit. I must say that I have enjoyed my blogging experience. When I started back in May, I didn't know I would be blogging as much as I have. CollegeRecruiter.com has given my fellow bloggers and myself a chance to express ourselves in an open forum as it relates to the workforce. As a result of being interns, we've had perks thrown our way too. Props to our website in 2006! It was so big, it had to upgrade the servers to hold the increased traffic. This website has provided me with a neat experience.

I want to thank everyone at CollegeRecruiter.com for their feedback on my blogs and making me feel comfortable with my blogging. One New Year's resolution I have is to read more of my fellow bloggers writing; I didn't do so this year.

I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2007 and look forward to more informative blogging!

Posted by William F on December 27, 2006 at 12:21 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

It's been a good month since I've been here, so here's an update. I'm still with USPS until the 31st (so I can get my 90 days in) and then I'm done come the new year. I've appiled to Columbia College Chicago and Emerson College and things look on the up and up on that end. If I want to, I can start back to another temporay job that I had in February that pays $10.10/hour, and I will really start saving money then. It doesn't feel like Christmas to me, probably because I've been working nonstop at my two jobs. Looking for a full-time job has been put on the back burner for now. After 180 days with the USPS, I can take a test and become a career employee. There's nothing wrong with working for the USPS- they have great benefits, and with that kind of pay, if I go back to school, I can pay for it. CCC just sent me an application for a Presidential Scholarship basing it on my high school credits, not college. The funny thing is is that they need me to be full-time; I applied for part-time, so I don't what will happen with that. With Emerson, I need to send off my $60 check and high school transcript. I really feel that with another diploma in a different degree will help me, especially if I move to cities like Chicago or Boston. If going to school again is not the answer, then what is? Somebody commented that he/she could give me advice if he/she knew what I wanted to do. What I want to do is get into publishing. Some of these posts I read sound like most want to get into publishing also. To be an editor some day is my dream, but right now, I would like to start with an entry-level job with the likes of an editorial assistant. I took some journalism courses such as Editing and Magazine Writing & Editing to give me more experience with it. However, I feel having a degree in that field will help, hence my applying to CCC and Emerson. They both have degrees specializing in publishing and I want to succeed in this and get into the field of my choice. Can I do that with the degree I already have? Yeah, but I'm stuck right now and can't move forward. Any suggestions? My work experience is not enough for some places, and when I apply, I don't hear back from anybody. I was in contact with a woman at a company called Hollister in Boston, but that didn't work out because she needed to know when I was moving to Boston in order to help me with employment. I will listen to any advice and take it into consideration.

Any advice would be good right now.

Happy Holidays to everybody.

Posted by Rebecca N on December 24, 2006 at 4:32 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Job hunting depending on how long it lasts, can become tiring and unmotivating. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful for staying focused and positive when it comes to finding the job and career you want.

1. Figure out exactly what you want. Knowing this means wasting less time on jobs that aren’t going to help you toward the career you want.

2. Set daily goals. It’ll focus your effort more and you’ll be more productive with your time.

3. Continue learning. Why not benefit from your spare time and make yourself more marketable. You could even take on an internship or volunteer.

4. Stay positive. Sometimes it take a while for the right job to come along but remember that if you know what you want and you work for it, it’ll come along.

5. Take time out for yourself. Remember to find time to relax, go out with friends, even take a walk. Your health and outlook benefit when you remember to take care of your physical and mental health.

Posted by Alexandria W on December 22, 2006 at 12:45 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Public Relations is a career choice that is becoming more popular. These people get to tell the public more about a person, business, or event. Entry-level jobs in public relations are numerous. There are many public relation jobs in New York. There are so many people in New York that need somebody to talk to the public. Finding an entry-level job is very simple.

There are over 300 entry-level jobs in public relation available in New York. There is a variety too. A new graduate can work for the government, a big business, or perhaps a magazine. A person that knows how public relation works, has a chance to find a dream job in New York. Some of these entry-level positions offer up to $120,000 a year for a person that can work in public relation. This pay is really great for a job in New York. A person could live a very comfortable life in the city, and they would also be getting work experience. As they learn, they will be able to earn more.

The opportunity to get an entry-level public relation job in New York is great. A person could become very wealthy in this job. These people get to meet many public figures, and they get to spread information about their employers. Public relation involves the knowledge of publication, communication, and writing. A person has to know how to type a public relation article. They must also have a bit of creativity. The public relation career involves skill. If a person gets an entry-level position, they will learn how to improve their public relation skills.

Public relation is a growing career choice. Many employers need a person that can help improve their image and get more business for their company. It is an exciting career where a person can meet many people, get experience, and make a decent salary. New York is a great city for a person interested in public relation. There are thousands of businesses needing a person to write about their company. A Communications Major or English Major are the people that employers are searching for to fill the position of public relation. Good luck to those who are entering the public relation career, it is sure to be very rewarding.

Posted by Laura S on December 20, 2006 at 3:27 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Being an English Major I find myself interested in the publishing industry. There are many entry-level positions for a person looking to begin a career in this industry. Over 250 employers have an opening for new graduates. With more authors starting careers, there is a bigger demand for editors, desktop publishers, and publishers. Many of the new graduates can get a job right out of college. I am personally interested in becoming an editor. Editors are in high demand now days. Many authors are not English Majors, most of them didn’t even go to college. With so many books coming out, more editors are needed to proof these books.

An entry-level editor can make at least $30,000 a year. Most make more. The pay may not seem like much, but many entry-level editors move up in their company really quickly. They get all of the experience they need to become senior editors. When they become a senior editor they can make at least $50,000 a year. This only takes a few years to accomplish.

An entry-level desktop publisher can make at least $22 and hour. Desktop publishing has its rewards. There are many opening for experienced desktop publishers, and the experience gained in an entry-level position can help an employee get promoted really quickly. Experienced desktop publishers can make up to $60,000 a year or more. There is a high demand for desktop publishers, since online books and newsletters are becoming more popular.

Finding an entry-level publishing job is simple. There area many jobs with many opportunities. The experience these jobs offer are useful and can really help a person move up in life. It does not take long to get experience. Many of the positions that pay really well only require 2-3 years of experience. The entry-level jobs allow a person to gain experience and get paid.

Posted by Laura S on December 20, 2006 at 3:04 PM | Leave a Comment (2)

Many college students dream about making a movie. Whether they want to film the movie or be in the movie it does not matter, working in film appeals to students and new graduates.

Entry-level jobs in film in New York are the types of jobs college students love to fight over. What better way to become famous than working on films in the Big Apple. Well when searching for an entry-level film job a person cannot expect to find too many jobs. More of the entry-level film jobs can be found in California. Entry-level jobs in film include being an assistant or sales. While these jobs are not exciting, they can provide the experience a person would need to move up in the film industry. Most of these employers can help their employees meet important people that can help a person’s career prospects improve. It is hard to get experience in these jobs without working in them. So, a person that wants a job in the film industry had better prepare for hard work.

The pay for these jobs is always different. Some positions offer $42,000 and others offer $64,000. It all depends on who is hiring. New York is a tough city. There are not many entry-level jobs in film in New York. The pay for these jobs would cover living in the city, but they will not make a person a millionaire. These positions are more for the experience and getting contacts in the film industry. These jobs are great opportunities for a new graduate. They can give a person all they need to succeed in the business.

Posted by Laura S on December 20, 2006 at 2:49 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

The world of television is constantly expanding. Colleges are providing degrees in Mass Communications to help students jump start a television career. The question is how to get an entry-level television job. Are there many careers available for people seeking a start in the television business? Well I was wondering the same thing. I am a Mass Communications minor, so of course I am interested in the media industry.

When it comes to entering the television industry, there are a few entry-level jobs available. When searching for entry-level jobs in television, over 100 jobs come up. These jobs range from desk assistant to assistant editor. There are a limited amount of editing jobs and jobs involved with production, but there are many opportunities in sales and desk work. Many employers need assistance in their office. Their assistants get experience in the television industry and they get paid. This is a great opportunity.

Employers in the television industry are looking for enthusiastic workers. They are interested in future employees that have some experience. They are also interested in a Bachelor’s Degree. There is experience to be gained in some of the entry-level positions. The best experience is for people that get hired as an entry-level editor. They can work their way into becoming a senior editor in a few years. Once they reach senior editor they will be successful in the television industry.

The pay for entry-level personal in television ranges from $28,000 to $60,000. It is a big range in salaries, but there is are many different jobs available for entry-level television careers. Television is an expanding field, and many jobs are becoming available. Though many jobs require experience many of the entry-level jobs can offer experience and a reasonable pay. Many of the jobs will allow a person to climb to job ladder. These jobs usually offer a promotion with experience and years. Entry-level jobs in the television industry can really expand a person’s possibilities in their career’s future.

Posted by Laura S on December 20, 2006 at 2:28 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

New York is the city of opportunity. A new college graduate can find hundreds of entry-level jobs in this city. The jobs range from an entry-level sales position all the way to entry-level broadcasting positions. There are over 600 results that appear, when a person searches for an entry-level job in New York. Many of these entry-level jobs are internships for students that are still in college. This allows students to get experience in these fields of studies. With the experience the students can gain over a college, finding a job will be easier.

What about those students out of college? The ones that need a job right away to pay for their living expenses. New York is an expensive city. Rent in most of the apartments can be in the thousands. Most of these entry-level jobs only pay $39,000 a year. This salary would be almost impossible to live on in New York. If these job searchers get lucky, they will find the rare entry-level jobs that pay $89,000.

A person would do better getting a little job experience in a smaller city, before they hit the Big Apple. There are entry-level jobs for all careers. The employers in New York prefer to hire people with 3-5 years of experience. They do not have the time and money to train new employees all the time. New York is a fast paced city. Only the strong survive. If a company has to spend time training a new employee, that is time wasted. This time could be used for selling more products or designing something to improve the company’s image.

I would have to say, though, that the challenge of living in New York appeals to me. I have already planed to go to the city once I graduate. After visiting the city a few times this year, I have learned that there are many opportunities. Some of the Broadway actors in the city actually began their careers working in retail stores selling clothing. These actors managed to survive and they got a great career started once the chance came.

If a person is willing to work hard, then they should seek an entry-level job in New York. They should be ready to experience a bit of a bumpy start. Once a person gets started in New York, they can become very successful. Don’t count New York when looking for an entry-level job. The city can offer a great experience for a hard worker. Good luck and happy job hunting.

Posted by Laura S on December 20, 2006 at 2:04 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

Are there any employees getting ready for your workplace's holiday party? If so, you might want to listen to the advice of Hilka Klinkenberg, business etiquette expert. It is important to remember that even though you're at a holiday party, you must still be professional even while socializing with other workers. After all, you don't want to ruin your professional reputation with one day of inappropriate behavior at the job. Ms. Klinkenberg offers the following advice to make your company's holiday party comfortable and enjoyable.

Eat, drink and be merry -- in moderation. Alcohol plus co-workers could lead to words or actions you may regret.

Dress appropriately for the occasion. Women must especially follow this rule. Unfortunately, some use the holiday party to show a little more than they should. You want to maintain the professional image you've worked for and not have a misunderstood perception.

Introduce yourself. Your holiday party may be the only opportunity to see the president, CEO, or vice presidents. Use it to make a favorable impression to those over you in your company. Also, don't shy away from meeting people in other departments.

Find out who can come to the event. Spouses and significant others may not be invited; check in advance to avoid an unpleasant evening.

Accept a toast gracefully. If you've been a shining star for the past year, you might be honored with a toast. However, don't drink to yourself or clap when other people applaud you. Toast the person who toasted you and thank him or her for the recognition.

Pay attention to the time you arrive and when you leave. Don't arrive 20 minutes before the end just to make an appearance. On the other hand, don't stay out too late. Office personnel will notice both as mistakes on your part.

Be sure to thank those who coordinated the party. You know that a lot of work was put in to organizing the event. Saying thank you isn't only a nice thing to do, but sets you a part from the workers who don't.

If you're in charge of planning an office holiday party, you can find suggestions in this article located at wlb.monster.com/articles/parties/.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by William F on December 20, 2006 at 12:04 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Hey everybody! I was just thinking about something I could blog about. I thought about a list Mr. Augustson had sent to me with some topics. One of them was on the highest paying entry-level jobs. I typed this phrase in one search engine, and found Samantha's blog at the top. I read it, and I am in total agreement that while certain entry-level jobs pay well, they weren't interesting to me.

Here is a list I found online of the top ten jobs that offer the highest average starting salaries (in order from one to ten): investment banking, chemical process engineering, hardware design and development, software design and development, production engineering, systems engineering, research and development engineering, investment banking (corporate engineering), manufacturing/industrial engineering, and systems analysis and design.

By the way, this list is from The National Association of Colleges and Employers. Also, the point Samantha made about insurance is true; I receive e-mails from insurance companies all the time trying to fill positions; it must be a booming industry.

Check the list out at www.collegetypepad.com/collegejobs/2006/08/the_bestpaying_.html

Posted by William F on December 18, 2006 at 11:20 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I am intersted in children's literature and young adult literature. I grew up reading the Baby Sitter's Club, The Boxcar Children, Romona Quimby novels and Goosebumps series of books. I loved them. That's probably what interested me in writing. I would like to assist in writing them, or any aspect of the writing process. I would also like to proofread and copy edit documents. Any help is appreciated.

Posted by Jill E on December 18, 2006 at 8:28 AM | Leave a Comment (3)

One of the two books I had to read for my career prep class this semester was "True Success: A New Philosophy of Excellence - A joyful approach to work, love and play that restores the missing ingredient in life ..." by Tom Morris, Ph. D. He's a professor at Notre Dame. He says the way to success is through the Seven C's. They are as follows:

"The Seven C's of Success"

1. A clear Conception of what you want - "a goal or set of goals powerfully imagined."
2. Confidence - "a strong belief that [you] can attain your goals."
3. "A focused Concentration on what it takes to reach [your] goal."
4. Consistency - you must stubbornly pursue your vision with "a determined
persistence in thought and action.
5. "An emotional Commitment to the importance of what [you're] doing and to the
people with whom [you're] doing it."
6. "A good Character to guide [you] and keep [you] on a proper course."
7. "A Capacity to enjoy the process along the way."

I think that list is worth copying and taping to the refrigerator. Nikki Giovanni once said, "Nothing is easy to the unwilling," but then there are others who believe that nothing worthwhile ever comes easily. Both philosophies have merit. A willingness to work at achieving your goals makes them seem easily attained; an unwillingness to work at achieving your goals makes them seem unattainable. Ha,ha. That's about as close as I'll ever get to waxing philosophic - or however that phrase goes.

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 16, 2006 at 9:28 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

My CollegeGrad.com newsletter says to always keep your resume unfolded. What do I mean? Well, the best way to get your resume noticed is by using the hand-to-hand method. You don't want to just mail it off and hope for the best. It is said that mailing in a resume gives us a false sense of security, making us feel we have accomplished something, when actually, few people are hired from this passive method. It is much better to either meet your potential employer in person or address him or her by phone; this is a more direct, active approach.

However, if you must mail in your resume, here is some advice. Use a 9x12 envelope; you might consider getting a Priority Mail envelope from a post office. It has the colors to grab one's attention: red, white, and blue. Your resume should arrive within two to three business days. Make sure you follow up your contact with a phone call; this may increase your chances of landing a meeting with the potential employer. According to one statisctic, more than 95% of job candidates mail their resumes. With that many people using this method, a more direct approach can set you a part from everybody else.

Posted by William F on December 15, 2006 at 11:25 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Whew, it has been a long time since I posted. It is amazing how fast time goes by when you are not really doing anything. I heard back from a temp agency for a law office position and said I would take it, even though I was having regrets about even signing up to temp- given my dad’s offer to pay my way and let me write. But as fate would have it the law offer fell through- they decided they didn’t need a temp.

On the plus side I am actually starting to get some writing and researching done. I bought a book on how to go about getting published in magazine writing. So I have been working on several pieces to send out. I would definitely recommend doing some research at a local bookstore- especially if you don’t want to commit to the actual purchase of a book- and see what is out there for writers in the job market. I found that there are hardly any creative writing opportunities on most job sites, so I am researching other ways to use some fiction. But I think that it is important to keep your self on the craft. Keep reading books to get a handle on different styles of narration and tone, so that in time you can develop your own voice, and definitely keep writing!

It can be challenging to motivate your self to work independently from home so I have started to meet a friend somewhere and just write for a couple hours. She is working on finishing a thesis project and also needs the motivation. We live within 20 minutes of each other so meeting once a week or every two weeks at a common spot is a great way to keep working on something you love. Not only is it a great way to get work done, but it is also nice to be in touch with someone in the same position you are. I know that living at home and figuring out your life after college is very hard, especially when it seems like EVERYONE else has a job and a life. But rest assured, I am with you, and there are others like us out there.

Posted by Amy S on December 15, 2006 at 10:14 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I'm currently working my way towards earning my Master's Degree in English and Publishing so I can become a top editor someday. Part of what I've discovered through this academic process is that I truly enjoy the writing aspect of the publishing field. Who would have thought I'd be getting more satisfaction by constructing articles and even blogs than learning about the underbelly of publishing?
I have been bitten by the "Freelancing Bug." I now feel the deep-seated urge to pitch story ideas, conduct an insane amount of research and schedule interviews. If I could make my living as a journalist, I would. I've actually taken it upon myself to partner up with a fellow freelancer in a decided effort to appeal to a wider range of magazines.
The idea is really pretty simple. By joining forces, the two of us have a broader background when it comes to expertise. It doesn't hurt that we genuinely like and respect each other. Freelancing is a labor intensive career choice, mainly because of all the effort one has to put in to even securing a paying assignment. You have to continually flood the industry with queries and credentials to the point where you almost don't have time to actually write the commissioned articles!
Now, you might be thinking that it's slightly counterproductive to work with someone whom I'm technically competing with for jobs. The fact is, our partnership functions more as a support system rather than an assignment pitfall. If she books a job that I don't, it only leads to increasing our collective credibility. Last night, I actually presented both of our resumes to a local golf magazine. She probably has more relevant experience regarding the sport since she just embarked on her own love affair with the game. The key to being a good freelancer though, is being able to write about anything, no matter how foreign to you, effectively. That's why they invented research.
In the end, what truly matters is building up your publishing cred as a reliable freelancer. Editors will keep on booking you if you consistently meet deadlines and can be available in a pinch. If you can make a few friends along the way than that's an added benefit.

Posted by Morgan S on December 14, 2006 at 2:56 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you think you are the only college student who has experienced stress in choosing a major, think again. You will succeed or fail based on this decision after graduating and entering the workforce, right? Apparently, this idea exists throughout many colleges and universities, which asks the question: Is there a relationship between the major you choose and a career after graduation? Not at all.

"People think that a major chooses a career, but that's just not the case," says Rosanne Lurie, a career counselor who has worked at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. She also says, "Your interests and abilities lead to the decision of a major and a career after that, but there isn't always a direct relation between the two. A major doesn't predetermine what you end up doing."

In reality, it is believed that almost any major will qualify you for about anything. The college experience is designed to develop and enhance the type of skills employers need, no matter what the field of study. An annual survey done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) ranked communication skills the number one qualification on employers' lists the last five years. Other qualifications following in rank include honesty and integrity, teamwork, interpersonal skills, and motivation; none of these have a direct relationship to any particular major.

College students with degrees leading to specific careers may allow themselves mobility on the career path. For example, careers in engineering, medicine, and law call for specialized and specific information, in addition to a degree. However, the degree does not control a lifetime career. An engineer may move on to an executive position at a technology company; a doctor could later be employed as a research physician; and a lawyer may go into consulting or teaching.

Being a well-rounded individual will give you a better chance to maximize your degree, in any field, as well as increase your employment opportunities once you graduate from college. Two examples are a liberal arts student taking some business or economics classes, and a business student adding some writing or public speaking courses to the curriculum. As a result, each student improves the quality of his or her resume. To round out your curriculum, you can explore various opportunities during the college experience to find out your interests. These might include student groups, special research projects, or volunteer activities; you can enhance your resume and make friends along the way.

Some people believe that what you major in isn't important because in today's job world, experience is what really counts. Employers seem to value work experience more than school subjects. Internship programs are now the number one source for locating entry-level workers, according to the NACE survey; these programs were one time ranked seventh. So, in other words, use any down time wisely, and consider how previous work experience can complete and increase the skills you learn in school to develop a competitiive resume.

The thought of choosing a major in college should be taken seriously, but planning a career exceeds beyond the classroom. Your major is only the first step toward building your future.

For more information, visit www.wetfeet.com

Posted by William F on December 11, 2006 at 11:00 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

The latest edition of my CollegGrad.com newsletter says never to think that your resume is complete. First, you should know that a resume cannot tell your whole life story, and it shouldn't. It is a tool designed for a dual purpose. One, to serve as an introduction to a potential employer to gain an interview. And second, to serve as guide during an interview. So remember to keep your resume in its proper place; let it be your "initial marketing brochure" as my newsletter calls it.

Another point about resumes is that they are never really "done." From time to time, your resume needs to be updated as your job search continues. For example, if you gain any type of work experience, add it to your resume. If you can make any part sound better, then modify it. You might have something negative holding your resume back; instead, replace it with something positive. By keeping your resume refreshed to suit your needs, you just might find the job you're looking for.

Posted by William F on December 7, 2006 at 12:39 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Sadly, I am almost ant the end of my magazine internship. I have been blogging, editing and posting for almost two whole months now. Where has the time gone? Although, it will be nice to get in a few extra zz's in the morning (I did after all, have quite an extensive daily commute), I will miss coming in and working on the publication's three web sites.
It's usually around this time when we're supposed to take a moment and reflect back on what we've learned. The ultimate goal of an internship is to give you not only a great item to add to your resume, but to offer a realistic vantage point into the career field of your choice. I took this position with the hope that I would become better acquainted with the publishing industry. Most of my other experience has been from the lens of a freelance writer. Working on a daily basis on a web site has allowed me unprecedented access to the realm of on line publishing.
Of course, it always helps to have a great editor training you. My chief supervisor runs three web sites for the publication with much grace. During my internship, she always took the time to explain assignments, but trusted me to complete the job with precision. I've learned more about html code, going through the backpage to update web blogs or event listings and even how to better prioritize my writing to provide the most succinct but at the same time informative (not to mention entertaining) pieces possible. Where else would you have the opportunity to lead a blog with a somewhat dated Loverboy reference?
All in all, I'm extremely satisfied with my internship. I feel that it has definitely upped my cache when it comes to working productively in the publishing world. The next step is to translate the skills gained from the internship into a full-time job at a publication. That kind of mass job searching endeavor is exactly what next semester is for!

Posted by Morgan S on December 7, 2006 at 10:46 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Choices are invaluable and many of us refuse to make them. Could it be that we're insecure of what we think of ourselves? Or could it be that we feel life should come at us like a bat in the sky? No one really knows the truth behind all of it, but I've decided to test my knowledge against the concepts of free will.

Could you imagine what free will has done to our college careers? We are waking up in the morning with our eyes open to a new world. More students are arriving late to class because the semester is almost done. Then...we must look into our professor's eyes and wonder if they are human or not. Imagine writing a 15 page paper on how to argue with another person. Some of us can do that with our eyes close - and our hands off of the keyboards.

With free will, we can place an argument that declares night upon nights of homework unsettling in our natures!

We are a generation of hands-on experimenters that long for the chance to engage in our careers. The theories are okay in the classroom, but what good are they when we enter the real world? We have the opportunity to participate in different activities around campus, but some of us would rather watch cartoons until 4 in the morning. We have opportunities to talk with our instructors, but we wait until the last minute to let them know we can't understand an equation. So, what does free will and procrastination have in common? Both give us the right to make a choice 'to be or not to be'...and I choose to be - HAPPY. My education comes first and I have learned that you have to let go of your assumptions regarding college.

Our professors are not perfect and neither are we. We should be happy that they are spending so much of their time to help us become better people - which transfers over to becoming better students. And..(yes), that was a little backwards but it was my choice. The professors at our schools care about everything we are trying to do. If not, they would have kept their degrees, publications, and successes to themselves instead of kicking tracked jokes in class. They utilized their power of choices to return to our universities every year to see the new faces. We, the students, have a responsibility to show up these days. And yes, we'll judge our instructors because we do not understand what's going on but it is up to us.

Posted by Tahjia Chapman on December 5, 2006 at 3:52 AM | Leave a Comment (2)

Yesterday morning while watching ABC, I listened to a story any workers out there might be interested in. It focuses on how more employers are catching employees using company computers inappropriately. Why are they doing this? Well, businesses lose money when its workers are being unproductive. Some computer activity in the workplace includes Internet searching, and sending and receiving emails. If you're doing this at work, you might think you deserve your privacy, right? Wrong! One expert said that employees don't have a right to privacy on company computers meant for business use primarily. More businesses are using surveillance cameras to spy on their workers; employers may even be able to recover any online activity within the company in their own way.

Because your personal life sometimes interferes with work and requires computer usage, this expert suggested the following advice: use the computer for a limited amount of time like during a work break. Also, use it only for purposes you wouldn't mind your boss knowing about. In other words, no triple X stuff. The punishment for personal use of company computers may include: blocking Internet access, suspension of computer use, monetary fines, or being fired, which is an increasing statistic according to the story.

I know it's the holiday season, so you might try to do some online shopping at work. Just remember, though, that someone (your boss) may be watching you.

Posted by William F on December 4, 2006 at 11:37 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I am currently working as a freelance writer in addition to working a full-time day job. I do this because I'm still in school and lack the experience and - let's face it - the confidence to try writing freelance full time. I admire Morgan S's courage.

I have tried to sell my story ideas to magazines with no luck; however, I'm realistic enough to know that in the magazine and newspaper business, timing is everything. Subject matter is important, too. But what really matters, is how well you sell yourself, and that's where the query letter comes in.

Freelance writer Lisa Collier Cool, in her book, "How To Write Irrestible Query Letters," provides several samples of query letters that got writers noticed and, ultimately published. It's a book worth reading for those of you out there who are brave enough to take on the world of freelance writing. I plan to read again when I have another idea that I think might be of interest and then give it another go.

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 2, 2006 at 11:18 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

I recently read Laura W's blog about the importance of internships for writers. This is true for all majors these days. Business Week chose the 55 best companies for recent college graduates to launch a career. After some research, I discovered that most of these companies offer internships with the intention of hiring the best interns after graduation. They're worth looking into.

It's also important to note that you don't have to be an accounting major to do an internship with Deloitte & Touche or Ernst & Young Every company that offers internships offers them in a variety of areas. In fact, every company needs people in their IT departments. Marketing majors and, yes, writing majors are welcome, too.

Another key point about the internships offered by these companies is that they all offer hands on experience. You won't be expected to sit back and watch other people work, nor will your primary responsibilities be fetching coffee and making photocopies. Although these tasks may be required or requested from time to time, your primary goal will be to work alongside a regular employee and learn by doing - the absolute best way to learn any new job.

For those of us who are writing majors, writing these blogs not only gives us valuable experience, it gives us exposure as well. I have more than once directed someone who was interested in seeing my work to come to this Web site and read some of my blog entries.

Whether that was a mistake remains to be seen. : )

Posted by Candice Arnold on December 2, 2006 at 11:03 AM | Leave a Comment (1)

Well, not much is new since my first entry for this site. I am working in an affiliate program and have my own website, that is just a part-time endeavor that I am doing right now and intend to maintain once I am employed. I am in an "in-between" time right now. My husband is in the Army Reserves and is completing his nursing certification and I was unable to find work here in Georgia. I am working on searching for employment in Florida, where we will be moving in February '07. I am using all of the various job search engines that we all use as well as some relating to journalism. I am also studying for the GRE and plan to attempt to get into graduate school in the near future. I am interested in obtaining a master's in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism. I would like to work also, so I hope some job leads will come soon!

Of course, I just got my first call for an interview for this area, but it is too late since we are moving really soon! At least I received contact from someone ... This has been a very trying and difficult time for me.. I am hopeful that I will get some leads for the Florida area ... I am also trying to work on my writing during this time of unemployment ....

I have also updated my resume and am working on getting it to various sites ... I hope that I have all of my bases covered and that some great opportunities are available to me soon!

I will post again really soon ....

Posted by Amy M on December 1, 2006 at 11:55 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

I received a call the other day about a state job a few hours away from where I live. The job pays well but, it would only be for six months. I'm not sure if I want to accept the job because part of the time I would be a clerk and the other part of the time I would be doing other things that I'm not interested in doing. Being a clerk is fine, but I'm not sure I want to move that far for only six months and then have no job and also, I have no money to rent an appartment now as it is. There are some other factors involved to, but right now I am stuck and don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

Posted by Jill E on December 1, 2006 at 12:15 PM | Leave a Comment (1)

Word to the wise, internships are crucial. This may seem obvious to some, but to the other 10% who think they will land their dream job after college without an internship to boast about on their resume? Dream on! I am in the midst of my senior year at a four year University and I will be starting my third internship this winter. I can not begin to tell you how important the on the job training I am getting is. Although none of these internships have put a dime in my pocket, they are invaluable in terms of experience. Get your name out there, get your clips published and make connections in the world of journalism…trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

I had the most amazing reporting class this term. Throughout the class, our professor set up guest speaker after guest speaker, who all happened to be editor’s at the most prestigious newspapers in Oregon. It was a consensus. They each spoke about the importance of internships. They also mentioned that in most cases, they wouldn’t dream about hiring a recent grad that had not completed at least one internship. Go figure! You spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to earn a degree, when really; all you need is a few good internships. Now you know. Start early, and apply often. Eventually one will come your way, and it may be the experience you have been waiting for.

Posted by Laura W on December 1, 2006 at 12:16 AM | Leave a Comment (1)