There was a time in which I was not concerned with taking the time to meet others. It's hard to believe that when I started my first job out of college, I often went home after work and didn't take advantage of opportunities to meet others. Adjusting from being a full time student to a full time professional was difficult but staying in a lot didn't help with the adjustment. It was difficult being away from the setting I was used to on my college campus but I needed to make a life for myself beyond those college years.
After a long period of not taking the time to meet others, an epiphany hit me that it was time for me to start meeting other people. It took time and with the help of the Internet, I started to find different groups to be apart of and went to different networking events. Going to these functions not only gave me something to look forward to but allowed me to interact with people my own age and at similar stages in life.
Over a period of time, I managed to find several key people who have been great business contacts and have made some awesome friends along the way. Some of these relationships came from networking events; others came from taking time to get out in the community and meet others. It helped me create more of a balance in life and socialize with others.
Below are some ideas and tips to get out of the house and meet others:
1) Just Because You Are Not In College Does Not Mean You Can't Join a Club - Joining clubs is a great way to meet people with similar interests and develop friendships along the way. In my own life, being a lifelong hockey fan and wanting to be with others who had the same passion made it appealing for me to join the Cleveland Hockey Boosters Club. Knowing I enjoying talking pucks a lot, the club has been an awesome way to meet other people with the same interest and has given me something to look forward to.
2) The Power of the Internet Can Bring Groups and Interests to Your Reach - Popular sites such as Meetup.com often have groups with specialized interests that plan events on a weekly basis. Young professionals groups in cities typically have web-sites and it doesn't hurt to take a look. I found the Cleveland 20/30 Club through an Internet search (http://cleveland2030.org/) and going to their events helped me meet some incredible people.
3) You Are Never Too Old to Volunteer - Volunteering in the community is slightly different from networking but helps you meet people along the way. By taking photographs at Solon high school sporting events, I have been able to meet coaches, parents, administrators, athletic directors and other people who are involved with game day operations. All it took was for me to volunteer my time to take pictures at football games and I had another hobby and fun people to meet with.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tips for Transitioning From High School to College
Graduating high school was one of my favorite times of my life. Knowing I had accomplished an incredible feat was an amazing feeling and looking to the times ahead in college was something I looked forward to with great anticipation. A new life was to begin for me that fall and I couldn't wait.
Several years have passed since I graduated high school and started college months later and I am still continuing my education to this day. The information and knowledge learned in the classroom during my undergraduate years at Otterbein has helped me beyond my college years but what I learned outside of the classroom helped open up my life even more.
Learning will take place inside the classroom but what a lot of you soon to be high school graduates can benefit from can be learned outside of the classroom. The work you put into a class will help but what you do outside of class can help you soar even farther.
Take some time to consider the following tips below prior to starting your college years:
1) Starting college is an opportunity to start a new life and put any bad memories, feelings or anger you felt in high school and leave it in the past - Take any negative experience you may have had since high school and leave it in the past. You will have a new opportunity to start a new life when you start college in the fall and take the time to work on creating new and fun memories instead of living any pains or frustrations you felt in the past. For most of you, moving away to college will take you to a setting where many people will not know you (I only knew two people at Otterbein when I moved down there in the fall of 2004) and use it as an opportunity to start over.
2) A small hello and conversation can pay big dividends - How often do you think the people who serve the food in the cafeteria, the people who work in the bookstore or the people who work in the library receive a small hello or conversation from a student? How many students do you think just always walk in and walk out without paying much attention to these people? The number may alarm you once you think about it and taking a few moments each day to say hello and get to know these people will help set you apart in a positive way. It may feel awkward at first but it will pay off in the end.
3) Keep your mind open - Had I been closed minded in college, I never would have gotten the internships I had during those years, I never would have found my love of photography and I wouldn't have made some of the friendships I created during that time. Take an opportunity to meet new people, find new hobbies and find different passions by keeping an open mind. You may never know what you might find or who you may meet.
4) If you are happy and you know it, spread it around! - Walking around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude will show and get noticed. If you have an awesome feeling inside, don't be afraid to show it. There may be those who say you need to tone down your personality or become more mellow (I have heard both from people) but don't be afraid to walk around with a positive attitude. Continue to be positive no matter what the circumstances are.
5) No matter how far you go, don't forget those who helped you along the way - Chances are, there have been people in your life growing up that provided the extra boost you needed at key times in your life. It may have been a tutor, teacher, coach, parent, friend, etc. that took the extra time to help and don't forget these people. Take the time to drop an e-mail, phone call or stop by to say hello. These people helped you along the way and don't forget the kindness they showed.
Several years have passed since I graduated high school and started college months later and I am still continuing my education to this day. The information and knowledge learned in the classroom during my undergraduate years at Otterbein has helped me beyond my college years but what I learned outside of the classroom helped open up my life even more.
Learning will take place inside the classroom but what a lot of you soon to be high school graduates can benefit from can be learned outside of the classroom. The work you put into a class will help but what you do outside of class can help you soar even farther.
Take some time to consider the following tips below prior to starting your college years:
1) Starting college is an opportunity to start a new life and put any bad memories, feelings or anger you felt in high school and leave it in the past - Take any negative experience you may have had since high school and leave it in the past. You will have a new opportunity to start a new life when you start college in the fall and take the time to work on creating new and fun memories instead of living any pains or frustrations you felt in the past. For most of you, moving away to college will take you to a setting where many people will not know you (I only knew two people at Otterbein when I moved down there in the fall of 2004) and use it as an opportunity to start over.
2) A small hello and conversation can pay big dividends - How often do you think the people who serve the food in the cafeteria, the people who work in the bookstore or the people who work in the library receive a small hello or conversation from a student? How many students do you think just always walk in and walk out without paying much attention to these people? The number may alarm you once you think about it and taking a few moments each day to say hello and get to know these people will help set you apart in a positive way. It may feel awkward at first but it will pay off in the end.
3) Keep your mind open - Had I been closed minded in college, I never would have gotten the internships I had during those years, I never would have found my love of photography and I wouldn't have made some of the friendships I created during that time. Take an opportunity to meet new people, find new hobbies and find different passions by keeping an open mind. You may never know what you might find or who you may meet.
4) If you are happy and you know it, spread it around! - Walking around with a smile on your face and a positive attitude will show and get noticed. If you have an awesome feeling inside, don't be afraid to show it. There may be those who say you need to tone down your personality or become more mellow (I have heard both from people) but don't be afraid to walk around with a positive attitude. Continue to be positive no matter what the circumstances are.
5) No matter how far you go, don't forget those who helped you along the way - Chances are, there have been people in your life growing up that provided the extra boost you needed at key times in your life. It may have been a tutor, teacher, coach, parent, friend, etc. that took the extra time to help and don't forget these people. Take the time to drop an e-mail, phone call or stop by to say hello. These people helped you along the way and don't forget the kindness they showed.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Avengers Movie Review
The Avengers has been one of the most anticipated superhero movies due out for the late spring/early summer season. With characters such as Captain America, The Black Widow, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor all in one film, anticipation was high and there was going to be no shortage of action scenes.
For anyone planning on seeing The Avengers, make sure to brush up and watch Thor and Captain America beforehand. Some of the early scenes can be a bit hard to follow because references to those previous films are made throughout the beginning. The first few opening scenes, which set the movie and plot in motion, can be a bit hard to follow but it picks up and becomes easy to follow after that point.
Once the opening scenes are finished, the tone of the action of the film is set with a big fight sequence featuring The Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johannsson). Johhansson does an incredible job setting up the character for future scenes and the fight scenes foreshadow the battles yet to come.
There isn't a strong storyline to the film as there was in the films leading up to this but you still feel an emotionally attached to the characters as the film progresses. Early on, Chris Evans, who plays Steve Rogers and Captain American, is frustrated after being asleep for 70 years underneath ice and has trouble coming to terms with missing out on a large chunk of history. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark aka Iron Man very similar to the previous two films and his banter with the other characters leads to some entertaining moments. Chris Helmsworth is believable as Thor once again and Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of the evil Loki can give the audience goosebumps.
One pleasant surprise to the cast was the addition of Mark Ruffalo, who replaced Edward Norton as Bruce Banner aka The Hulk. Norton did an incredible job playing Banner in 2008's The Incredible Hulk but was replaced by Ruffalo when Norton and the studio could not come to an agreement. Ruffalo does have a good reputation in the industry and his portrayal was a little different from Norton's on the Bruce Banner character. Norton made the character intellectual, confident and action packed and while Ruffalo made the character more intellectual. Ruffalo's portrayal brought out more of the scientist in the Bruce Banner character and made for a great addition to the cast.
Another great addition to the cast is Jeremy Renner, who plays Agent Clint Renner and Hawkeye. Renner had a brief cameo in Thor but the character was more developed in this film. Renner brings grit and toughness to the character and makes a nice addition to the cast.
As the movie progresses, the characters do develop and the emotions are felt throughout the film. During a conflict with Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson), it is easy to feel the emotions the characters and it brings back the distrust the characters have for Fury at times. This is an element that is often played in the comics and done well for the screen.
Being a native Clevelander, I was excited to see the scenes involving East. 9th Street and Public Square. Having walked in those areas numerous times, it is easy to distinguish the scenes that were shot in Public Square and East 9th and the Terminal Tower is visible in a couple of the shots.
While the storyline is not as strong as in some of the movies prior to this, the action sequences and comic relief make the film enjoyable and fun to watch. The fight scenes do not feel excessive and drive the key points of the film. The movie has been worth the wait and worth the admission.
Grade: A
For anyone planning on seeing The Avengers, make sure to brush up and watch Thor and Captain America beforehand. Some of the early scenes can be a bit hard to follow because references to those previous films are made throughout the beginning. The first few opening scenes, which set the movie and plot in motion, can be a bit hard to follow but it picks up and becomes easy to follow after that point.
Once the opening scenes are finished, the tone of the action of the film is set with a big fight sequence featuring The Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johannsson). Johhansson does an incredible job setting up the character for future scenes and the fight scenes foreshadow the battles yet to come.
There isn't a strong storyline to the film as there was in the films leading up to this but you still feel an emotionally attached to the characters as the film progresses. Early on, Chris Evans, who plays Steve Rogers and Captain American, is frustrated after being asleep for 70 years underneath ice and has trouble coming to terms with missing out on a large chunk of history. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark aka Iron Man very similar to the previous two films and his banter with the other characters leads to some entertaining moments. Chris Helmsworth is believable as Thor once again and Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of the evil Loki can give the audience goosebumps.
One pleasant surprise to the cast was the addition of Mark Ruffalo, who replaced Edward Norton as Bruce Banner aka The Hulk. Norton did an incredible job playing Banner in 2008's The Incredible Hulk but was replaced by Ruffalo when Norton and the studio could not come to an agreement. Ruffalo does have a good reputation in the industry and his portrayal was a little different from Norton's on the Bruce Banner character. Norton made the character intellectual, confident and action packed and while Ruffalo made the character more intellectual. Ruffalo's portrayal brought out more of the scientist in the Bruce Banner character and made for a great addition to the cast.
Another great addition to the cast is Jeremy Renner, who plays Agent Clint Renner and Hawkeye. Renner had a brief cameo in Thor but the character was more developed in this film. Renner brings grit and toughness to the character and makes a nice addition to the cast.
As the movie progresses, the characters do develop and the emotions are felt throughout the film. During a conflict with Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson), it is easy to feel the emotions the characters and it brings back the distrust the characters have for Fury at times. This is an element that is often played in the comics and done well for the screen.
Being a native Clevelander, I was excited to see the scenes involving East. 9th Street and Public Square. Having walked in those areas numerous times, it is easy to distinguish the scenes that were shot in Public Square and East 9th and the Terminal Tower is visible in a couple of the shots.
While the storyline is not as strong as in some of the movies prior to this, the action sequences and comic relief make the film enjoyable and fun to watch. The fight scenes do not feel excessive and drive the key points of the film. The movie has been worth the wait and worth the admission.
Grade: A
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