To the graduating class of 2012

Inspired by my DPO Alphies, Beti and Gamma.
I thought it was necessary to let you guys in on a few secrets.

1. Use your age to your advantage. We've grown up on cell phones and the internet. Facebook, websites and hyperlinks are second nature to us. Believe it or not, the rest of the world is not plugged in the same way. Your tech-savvyness will come in handy everyday. You'll be able to solve problems for yourself and your team (maybe even your boss) before they ever have to call IT. Not only will you be considered a whiz and not as useless as they thought, but you'll gain the trust of your colleagues pretty fast.
2. Your major doesn't define you. Having a real job helps you visualize what you want your life to look like. When I was studying PR, I was under the assumption I'd be in meetings all the time. However, I'm usually in front of the computer. It's not horrible, but no one ever told me. Working for a bigger company also gives me a chance to observe other departments. I know what sales does and seeing it on a daily basis just affirms that I could never be a salesperson. Same for IT. But I wouldn't mind marketing and I'm thinking about going that route. Don't think because you're PR you have to work in a firm. Work for a non-profit. Transfer to a different department. Just do what makes you happy. 
3. Your job doesn't define you either. For the first few months of working,all I did was work. I thought it was the great life: work fro 8 hours, come home and veg. That routine got boring fast. Personally, I crave to make a difference every day. Staring at a screen doesn't feel very purposeful. In fact, I was drained. Until, I started giving back and spending some of my off-hours with people, helping them and serving them, I was not happy. Slowly, my energy was coming back. Try to find a non-profit to work with, no matter how small. 
4. It's going to be hard to adjust. If you're anything like me, you invested most in your college friends and your hometown friendships just drifted away. That's ok! Be open to meeting new people. You're going to have to put yourself out there...maybe even invite yourself to things. Some of you may be moving home. Yes, it can be demoralizing. But have the conversation with your parents about boundaries. You're not 18 anymore and you haven't lived at home for four years. If that doesn't work, show them you're independent. Pick up a bill or two (if you have a job). Help around the house. Eventually, they'll get it. If not, go back to plan A.
5. It's not that bad. Unfortunately, college doesn't totally prepare you for the real world. It's going to take some time to get used to, but continue to invest in your friendships from college but don't be afraid to make new ones. Grown-up world gets even sweeter when you bring in that first paycheck...and then the second. And then you'll love it when everyone is updating their status about finals and term papers and you're at happy hour. 
6. Last one: have faith. I wouldn't be this positive about my life if I didn't have faith that my God is in control of everything and He has nothing else in mind for me but good. I don't know what tomorrow holds but I know my God is good. 

Romans 8:28

I finished!

Yes, I did! I ran 3.1 miles in 32 minutes which would not have happened if my friends we're not pushing (dragging) me along the way.

It was a numbing 19 degrees when we woke up at 5:45 in the morning.
The run that we thought we were running in a shirt and shorts turned out to need layers and layers of shirts and jackets, tights and shorts, 2 pairs of socks and something to cover the ears. Something that's not very easy to find at Target the night before.

Nonetheless we did it. With 10,000 other people!
And eventhough there was a risk for hypothermia, Hanna ran the 15K and ran it well! She finished in an hour and 30.

The best part about the run? The chocolate, duh. That warm fondue hit exactly the right spot.

So proud of myself for finishing my goal! It makes my run in March so much less intimidating. I even think I can beat my time! I guess I just can't believe that the perspective I have now. Before 3.1 miles seemed like forever, and now--I'm ready for the next challenge.

Though paying money to put pressure on my legs and lungs with thousands of other people makes no sense when you think about it (what's wrong with us?), the effort deserves a reward. Chocolate, medal, appreciation, whatever!

Whatever your goals may be, push through until you achieve what you set out for!
If you need something to work for, don't wait for someone else to give you something to do.

When you leave the academic world, it's nice to know that the burden of finishing a paper for the class you dread is gone. But it may have been the one thing that kept you working your brain, your muscles!

Take a step back. Are you doing all that you can do with your potential? Yes, all I did was run a race. A very short one in many eyes. But I need that confidence, that assurance to know that I'm capable of that and much more.

You are, too. Go seek it.

The Office: Not what you expected

Note: The quarter-life crisis comes even earlier than you think. At 21, college students graduate with a life plan written out and expecting it to turn out all the same. Sometimes, it doesn't. Today's post is written by Meredith Lockhart. She blogs at www.meredithlockhart.blogspot.com. Enjoy her post! -Nincy
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I’m so thrilled to write on the post-grad life. If you would shown me a little video on my post grad job, I would have laughed in your face and said “yeah right, that’s me?” 

Unlike most college seniors, I knew what I wanted in a job. I wanted to work in marketing for a natural food company and live among the beach bums, hippies, and sun-tanned babes in California.

Long story short, I spent a whole year searching for the "perfect job.” 

I wanted independence. I wanted to do something sporadic. I wanted to follow my dream and move to sunny California. I wanted to choose my career path. 

I wish the Lord would have taken a big gavel and bonked me on the head. 

Because of the enormous focus on ME, the dead ends, closed doors, and rejection letters really broke my heart. Even in writing this now, I feel a stab of sadness. 

I wish I could tell you I’m writing this on the beach in California, but I’m not. The Lord closed my California dream (for now) and sent me down a different path. 

Ready for it…I work in the marketing department at Neiman Marcus. Yup, a pretty big leap from the natural food thing. I would have never ever in my wildest dreams picked this as my job. But you know what…I love it! The Lord provided an excellent job where I am surrounded by innovative and passionate people, where there is numerous opportunity for ministry, and where I work for a reputable company. 

Yes, I’m on information overload from starting this new job. Most nights I’m too tired to do anything. Some days I feel like a dummy and totally helpless. And other mornings I stare at my closet and think…what the heck do I wear for my job at Neimans?! But one things certain…I have the favor of the Lord. And whatever the Lord has in store for my life, I’m running with it. His plan is THE plan. So I will just sit back and enjoy the ride.

The Office: When it isn't enough

Nine months of working in the real world and I've only written one post about it. Doesn't seem right.

Especially since I spend 8+ hours each day either at work, getting to it or leaving it. It's been interesting, to say the least. I appreciate the fact that no day is the same, a paper no longer means a 10-page report, and I have co-workers that I can more than exist with.

But I didn't realize how much of a priority I placed on what I did for a living until...well, I started doing something for a living. When I spend the majority of my day somewhere, I want to know that I've made a difference. Unfortunately, my job cannot fulfill this need for me. Perhaps, yours can't either.
So what do you do? There's the option of quitting your job and finding another one which is out of the question when you have student loans to pay off and a non-profit job just isn't feasible financially.

Here's the option I've discovered: find something else. Though you're spending 8 hours a day at work, you still have your evenings and your weekends. It may be tempting to spend those precious free hours glued to the television because you're too tired to do anything else but trust me, you'll have more energy to do your job well if you invest in other people outside of work.

God has impeccable timing, I know this because after working for a couple of months, he called a group of us to lead young women to Him through bible study and fellowship. When work is going awry and days get longer and longer, I can think on this and find joy and know that His purpose is greater than I can see.

I know none of our efforts, either at work or outside it go unnoticed. Our God sees all good and rewards all good. But if you need this void filled and filling it through work is not a current choice, giving your talents and time to others can meet that need.

It's simple: hard work pays off.

Though I'm new to the "real" working world, I've already learned and reaped the rewards of a couple important lessons.
1. Actions speak louder than words.
2. Do the right things the right way and people notice.

Now, I'm sure things don't always work out this way. I'm sure that I will not always get the appreciation deserved for every little thing done. But right now, I'm going to immerse myself in this overly justified feeling!

To the newly employed and those aspiring: You want to move up? You want more responsibility? Show your boss that you can do the little things first. Show them that you believe in teamwork but you're also capable on your own. Be honest but don't complain. And be flexible! Take things as they come. Be a problem solver! Don't just solve your own problems but take a bit of your time to help your co-workers out, too. They'll love you for it.
I'm talking to you, my fellow Generation Y-ers. Put your google skills to the test. We have been bred for finding the answers to questions no one else can find.

Most of all, BE GENUINE. Don't look for a gold sticker. Be humble and just do the work you know you're good at. The commendation (promotion or raise) will come soon enough.

Sideblog: My passion is writing. I could write all the day long. God knows this and eventhough I've been worried that I would not be able to live out this dream in my career, it looks like things may work out after all. This reminds me of what I heard in a recent Matt Chandler sermon: Imagine yourself turning on the television to watch an hour long show. Now, imagine only watching a minute of it and then God watching the rest. Now, imagine arguing with God about what happened in the show.


Yeah. WOMP. WOMP.
We know who's going to win this one. And I just got the reminder I needed.