effective email strategies

When setting up appointments or exploratory interviews there are a few key points you should always follow:

1. Be specific about times to schedule- Because these are appointments that aren't urgent, it may be easy for a professional to forget or not think of a time to place this in their schedule. By offering specific options, it gives them a time frame and helps get a better response.

2. Narrow down your goals- Although you may feel like you are an open book and could follow many career paths, if you narrow down your scope it will help someone else help you. Often times broad ideas do not generate definitive results. This way the person you are meeting with will know who best to connect you with or how to help you.

Best of Luck!

enjoying each day

Although a lot of my posts have been advice is facing the next step post grad, a big part of prepping for post grad is enjoying the time as a college student.

Instead of boring you with text, I'll share some photos of my last semester of college.

Enjoy:)

This is a photo of the Super Bowl party my friends had this year.

We all went to BJs before the 100 days til Graduation Dinner. This is me with two of my friends.

Here is a photo I took of the beach in Punta Cana, where I went for spring break with year.

This is a photo of some friends on St. Patrick's Day.

intern your way to the top

Over the past four years I have had some great hands-on experiences in my field. From Abercrombie & Fitch to a PR firm in Washington, D.C. to my most recent endeavor at QVC, I would say I've had my fill of internships.

Not everyone has had these experiences, but have no fear, YOU WILL BE JUST FINE :)

Even though I've had a lot of internships, the reality is that if I choose to go elsewhere (outside of these three places) I could potentially start out as an intern. I know what your thinking, "ew, why?" But don't knock it just yet.

For all of you almost post grads, think of the internship as a stepping stone. An opportunity has just come my way as a PR intern for a major beauty company. However, it's paid (the equivalent to an entry-level position in my field) and will most likely lead to a job within six months.

As an employer, it makes sense. There is so much to learn in a new job. They want to make sure you can handle it and learn the ropes before they throw you in full time.

A few months ago I would have said no way, but now now I am keeping an open mind and you should too.

Stay tuned almost post grads..more to come.

taking advantage of field trips

I recently attended an alumni networking event with my university. We set off for NYC in the early afternoon and had some time to enjoy the city before the event.

As I walked around Central Park and Lincoln Center, I began to see myself living there. Sometimes all it takes is a little push or check outside of life in central PA to remind me what I want.

The actual event wasn't the most productive for me. I connected with a few alumni but for the most part I didn't find anyone that worked in my field.

Here's some food for thought..

Take advantage of these networking events offered through the alumni office. Sometimes the actual event isn't the most important part, it's about walking around a new city and picturing your life there. Think of it as a nudge in the right direction.

This is a photo of me at the Park Central Hotel, where the event was hosted.

It's all about the journey

If you have been reading this blog for a while you know that I help out at a local boutique. A few weeks ago I did a photo shoot for them and had so much fun. Now I am certainly no model, but after all of the years watching America's Next Top Model, it was fun to try it out.

Even though I go to school in the middle of no where and don't have that many opportunities to have great internships or experiences in my field, I found something that worked for me.

I love clothes. I love marketing. I love meeting new people.

So here is a photo of the photo shoot with El, a new friend of mine from the store.

To Go or Not to Go...

I am currently facing a difficult choice..

To live at home or not to live at home upon graduation.

My conservative self says live at home and save save save!

My adventurous self says to pack up and move to the city, not to worry about money and live out my early 20s surrounded by my peers in an exciting place.

I have opportunities in both New York City and close to home in the Philadelphia Area.

Of course I don't want to play it safe or make a decision based on the fear of the unknown or not knowing how I am going to afford groceries (haha..I think), but how do you ever really know what is right or best?

If any of you figure it out, I'm all ears.

Make a Social Impact

I recently attended the launch party for Social Impact, a non-profit group dedicated to inspiring young professionals to be philanthropic in the Philadelphia Area. This year, the group, started by Susquehanna University Alumni, supported Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Most of the attendees were young professionals and it was a great way to network and also have fun. As I start my life as a young professional, I hope to work with organizations like the Social Impact group as a way of bettering myself and meeting new people.

So much of the business world is about connections. In one night, I supported a great cause and met a ton of new people that may help direct my future.

Here is a photo of me at the launch party...