Throughout your college and academic life, there will be times in which you will achieve success. This could come in the form of an award, promotion or another job and it will be a triumph in your life.
Having successes in life is great to have, however, there is a good chance there are people who helped you reach that goal. There may have been someone who helped you create a project, helped write a proposal, or gave you the guidance needed to achieve that success. No matter how far you go in your life, always take time to thank, keep in touch and appreciate those who took the time to help you along the way.
If you are a college student, chances are, there were probably numerous people who helped you get into the college you desired and lead you the right direction towards finding a career path in high school. This could have been a teacher who took time to help you with writing papers, a coach who may have taught you how to balance sports and schoolwork or someone else who took the time to help find a passion you want to pursue in life.
For example, before I came to college, a couple of people who really helped me find my path included my boss at the school's TV station and my track coaches. My boss at the school TV station took time to let me learn the editing software, announce the sporting events, and helped me hone my camera and editing skills. With his dedication and hard work, I was able to find a major I wanted to pursue in college and it helped prepare me for that next phase in my life. As for my track coaches, I was not a superb athlete but the encouragement and drive they instilled in me to get better helped me learn how hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. These people were a positive influence on my life and I still keep in touch with them to this day as a result of the help they provided.
If you are a working professional, take time to help those who have helped you achieve success on the job and beyond. Chances are, you may have had a supervisor who helped hone your skills in the office, had a network contact who provided some insight on how to improve your performance, or put in that phone call into the hiring manager that helped you get the interview for the job you wanted.
No matter how far you go in your college or professional career, take the time to thank those who have helped you along the way and helped hone your skills. Keep in touch with e-mails, visits when you have an opportunity, greeting cards (birthdays and other landmark events can be key), etc. Take the opportunity to thank these people who helped you achieve your success because their help and assistance could have been what you needed to achieve the goals you wanted.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Building Friendships Starts With Getting To Know Others
During your college years and even beyond, developing friendships inside and outside of the business world is key. Having a network of professional and personal contacts can help you become more rounded, be beneficial at key times and having others to enjoy your successes with. One of the biggest keys to building friendships is taking the time to getting to know others, their interests and their passions.
When you first meet someone new, it is easy to start discussing your goals, your hobbies and your passions. This will help the other person understand what you are about, however, it could also be a turn off at times. You might appear to be self-absorbed and not willing to learn about someone else by spending too much time talking about yourself.
During your first couple interactions with someone new, take time to learn about the person standing or sitting across from you. Take time to learn about his or her passions, interests and hobbies in life. You will end up having a better conversation, will develop trust with that person and it will mean a lot that you are showing an interest in someone else.
Once you have developed trust in a relationship, find a way to keep in touch with that person via e-mail, phone numbers, Facebook, etc. You don't need to call, e-mail or send a text message every day to develop the relationship; just a casual e-mail, phone call on the way home from work or quick text message will do the trick.
In addition to keeping in touch, find time to socialize with one another. If you two enjoy meeting for coffee, find a local coffee shop to hang out at once a month. If you two enjoy sporting events, make a point to go to a game when you two have the chance. By socializing with that person, you will develop the relationship and get to know the person even better.
Throughout life, having a vast network of friends is beneficial and the first step to building these relationships is taking the time to know others. Take time to learn about someone else, his or her passions and keep in touch. It will build trust and a lasting relationship.
When you first meet someone new, it is easy to start discussing your goals, your hobbies and your passions. This will help the other person understand what you are about, however, it could also be a turn off at times. You might appear to be self-absorbed and not willing to learn about someone else by spending too much time talking about yourself.
During your first couple interactions with someone new, take time to learn about the person standing or sitting across from you. Take time to learn about his or her passions, interests and hobbies in life. You will end up having a better conversation, will develop trust with that person and it will mean a lot that you are showing an interest in someone else.
Once you have developed trust in a relationship, find a way to keep in touch with that person via e-mail, phone numbers, Facebook, etc. You don't need to call, e-mail or send a text message every day to develop the relationship; just a casual e-mail, phone call on the way home from work or quick text message will do the trick.
In addition to keeping in touch, find time to socialize with one another. If you two enjoy meeting for coffee, find a local coffee shop to hang out at once a month. If you two enjoy sporting events, make a point to go to a game when you two have the chance. By socializing with that person, you will develop the relationship and get to know the person even better.
Throughout life, having a vast network of friends is beneficial and the first step to building these relationships is taking the time to know others. Take time to learn about someone else, his or her passions and keep in touch. It will build trust and a lasting relationship.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
College Seniors: Get That Resume Ready and Start Networking!
As you are nearing the end of your college career, thoughts and decisions about your future will have to be made. As a college senior, taking time to decide what career route to pursue, where to go and how to get to your goal are all important to consider.
Even before you go on spring break, take some time to decide the following:
1) What type of jobs do I want to go after?
2) Where do I want to live?
3) What do I want to accomplish after college?
Taking the time to consider these items will help you plan your route and how you want to get there.
In addition to deciding where you want to go, take time to get your resume read and edited by several different people. Having multiple perspectives on what to include, what not to include and how to format it can help shape your resume and how to go after the position you want. It's okay to have more then one resume (tailor it to the specific job you want to go after) and if your campus has a career center, take a few moments to have someone read it there.
Once your resume is complete and ready to go, take the time to network with professionals in your desired field. The goal will be to get advice and insight on how to find an entry level position within your field and networking can open up those possibilities. Keep your eyes out for networking lunches on campus, opportunities to hear guest speakers and don't be afraid to ask your professors for alumni in the area that may be willing to assist you.
After you get a few names of these people to network with, try and reach out to them and ask for their advice. Try to meet in person but if you can't do that, a phone conversation works as well. Before you are done with that conversation, always ask if there is anyone else he or she knows in the area that may be able to provide similar insight or ideas on getting that entry level job.
With graduation approaching soon, take time to decide where you want to go, develop a good resume and network!
Even before you go on spring break, take some time to decide the following:
1) What type of jobs do I want to go after?
2) Where do I want to live?
3) What do I want to accomplish after college?
Taking the time to consider these items will help you plan your route and how you want to get there.
In addition to deciding where you want to go, take time to get your resume read and edited by several different people. Having multiple perspectives on what to include, what not to include and how to format it can help shape your resume and how to go after the position you want. It's okay to have more then one resume (tailor it to the specific job you want to go after) and if your campus has a career center, take a few moments to have someone read it there.
Once your resume is complete and ready to go, take the time to network with professionals in your desired field. The goal will be to get advice and insight on how to find an entry level position within your field and networking can open up those possibilities. Keep your eyes out for networking lunches on campus, opportunities to hear guest speakers and don't be afraid to ask your professors for alumni in the area that may be willing to assist you.
After you get a few names of these people to network with, try and reach out to them and ask for their advice. Try to meet in person but if you can't do that, a phone conversation works as well. Before you are done with that conversation, always ask if there is anyone else he or she knows in the area that may be able to provide similar insight or ideas on getting that entry level job.
With graduation approaching soon, take time to decide where you want to go, develop a good resume and network!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Community Service: Take Time To Help Others!
As a college student and even as a professional, giving back to the community is an important aspect to have in your life. Taking time to help others, volunteer and be with other people provides you with something to look forward to, an opportunity to help others and meet other people. Taking time to help may be time consuming but can have benefits in the end.
During my college years, I'll admit I didn't take as much time to help out the community but was grateful when I did during my senior year. For a class, I had to interact with a service project and I had the opportunity to teach elementary school kids how to play sports. I hadn't done anything like this for a while but was glad I did.
Each week, the kids started to warm up to everyone else in the group and it was easy to tell they looked forward to us coming on a weekly basis. It meant a lot to these children that these "big college kids" were coming each week to spend time with them and playing games with them too. Even when I was done with what I needed to do for my class, I still volunteered because I enjoyed interacting with a different group of people and felt like I was giving back. It reminded me of what how I felt whenever someone older would pay attention and spend time to me and it felt good to remember where I came from.
Even after my college years were over, I found a way to give back to the community through my photography work. After taking pictures at a Solon High School football game one afternoon, I received a lot of positive feedback on the photos after I posted them up on Facebook and was asked if I could attend more games. I took the offer and was glad I did.
It had been many years since I really followed Solon High football, however, taking pictures at the games helps me interact and meet with a different group of people. During this time, I have received lots of positive feedback on the photos from the players, band members, parents and other people involved and looked forward to each coming week. I could tell the photos were appreciated and volunteering my time to do this has been worthwhile. It's provided me with another way for me to enjoy a hobby, have something to look forward to and interact with another group of people.
No matter where you are at in your life, take time to give back to the community; you never know what you might end up looking forward to and who you will meet.
During my college years, I'll admit I didn't take as much time to help out the community but was grateful when I did during my senior year. For a class, I had to interact with a service project and I had the opportunity to teach elementary school kids how to play sports. I hadn't done anything like this for a while but was glad I did.
Each week, the kids started to warm up to everyone else in the group and it was easy to tell they looked forward to us coming on a weekly basis. It meant a lot to these children that these "big college kids" were coming each week to spend time with them and playing games with them too. Even when I was done with what I needed to do for my class, I still volunteered because I enjoyed interacting with a different group of people and felt like I was giving back. It reminded me of what how I felt whenever someone older would pay attention and spend time to me and it felt good to remember where I came from.
Even after my college years were over, I found a way to give back to the community through my photography work. After taking pictures at a Solon High School football game one afternoon, I received a lot of positive feedback on the photos after I posted them up on Facebook and was asked if I could attend more games. I took the offer and was glad I did.
It had been many years since I really followed Solon High football, however, taking pictures at the games helps me interact and meet with a different group of people. During this time, I have received lots of positive feedback on the photos from the players, band members, parents and other people involved and looked forward to each coming week. I could tell the photos were appreciated and volunteering my time to do this has been worthwhile. It's provided me with another way for me to enjoy a hobby, have something to look forward to and interact with another group of people.
No matter where you are at in your life, take time to give back to the community; you never know what you might end up looking forward to and who you will meet.
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