February 8, 2010

The Quarter Life Crisis: How Life Coach and 20-something Guru Christine Hassler can help you find solid ground in a turbulent decade…

People say that being in your twenties is THE hardest and most turbulent decade of your life.  With roadblocks left and right, it helps immensely to have someone who has “been there and done that” to readily give you seasoned advice, and the answers to the questions he or she has lived to answer.  Christine Hassler, a 20-something expert, life coach, author, and regular contributor to the Huffington Post, is the ideal person to do just that.  With a majority of OneCubicle’s audience being 20-somethings, she is the perfect person to help us reach out to our members on a deeper level than just merely sifting through job listings, profiles, and meaningless Tweets.

Christine Hassler, Professional Author, Life Coach, and Huffington Post Contributor

Finding a job that does more than just pay the bills (if you’re lucky enough to get one that pays enough to even do that!) is becoming increasingly difficult as entry-level jobs become even more unyielding, and having a degree does not command the same power it used to (can you say “dime a dozen”?).  With a smorgasbord of work, relationships, and self-satisfaction to obtain, it’s difficult to take the whole world on your shoulders while standing on your own two feet during a hurricane of change.  Christine, who has gone through her twenties and survived to recount the tale, tells all of us that we have the power within ourselves to transform our twenties into a glorious decade of getting exactly what we want (and not what society tells us we want!).

A sample of her impeccable work can be found here: http://www.onecubicle.com/page/resources/blog/51

This is why we made her our best friend.  Let’s break it down:

1.  She can be your best friend too.

Christine has been in your shoes.

  • She chased after that corporate dream, but it left her with a nervous breakdown, poor health, and the realization that once she had everything that she thought she wanted, she was absolutely miserable
  • She fell in love, but not with “the ONE”
  • She went from having the world to having nothing but herself.
  • She is a “survivor of the twenty-something crisis” and she can HELP YOU TOO.

2.  I’m happy, I’m happy, I’m happy.

If you focus on the things in life that make you smile, you will be a much happier person.  Attaining happinss is one of the most enigmatic and written upon subjects of the 20th and 21st century. This is most likely due to the fact that we are all running around chasing after a completely quixotic and (for all intents and purposes) unachievable goal. And it is only unacheivable because the model with which we use to achieve this goal is a product of years of conditioned thought and societal influence. Christine teaches us to remove the external influencing factors that cloud our ability to connect with our inner selves, and empowers us to look within our own minds and hearts for happiness. Christine provides positive advice for getting through those rough patches – sunlight we could all use on the gloomiest of days.

3.  Now is the time.

Who are you?  What is it that makes you wake up in the morning?  Where do you want to go and how are you going to get there?  Now is the time to tune out the negative energy, to channel your inner confident and capable self, and to tune into your own capabilities for success. Christine shares her experiences with you much like an older sister would, and empowers you with the tools to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.  She has walked your path and wants you to know that you are not alone. Because Christine has been through her twenties (and has lived to tell the tale!), you’ll see that she has the power to connect with you on a deeper level…to touch your soul and help it grow.

To read more about Christine’s journey, and how she transformed her own breakdown into a breakthrough, check out her story at her website:

http://www.christinehassler.com/quarter-life-crisis/christine-hassler-quarter-life-crisis/

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November 9, 2009

You Get Paid To Do What?

suits-suck

3 Tips For Young Professionals on ‘Unconventional’ Career Paths Who Are Tired of Being Told to ‘Get a Real Job.’

We have all been there – Thanksgiving, Passover, a wedding, whatever – an overly inquisitive parent’s friend, your least favorite aunt, or Mr. Men’s Wearhouse, the number cruncher who is reporting directly to The Man until his 401K kicks in, has cornered you near the buffet and begin intensely questioning you re: school, your continued singleness, and of course, your professional progress.  You take a deep breath and launch into what has most likely become a scripted elevator speech:

“Well, I graduated last spring, you were there, remember?  No, I am not getting married this year, and I am doing web content for a social media company/freelance graphic design/web-based PR, etc.”

Chances are, during one encounter or another, as you describe all the things you love most about this job (it provides you a creative outlet, you like the people you work with, flexible hours, casual working environment, the ability to work from home, the joy of being your own boss, etc.) your older audience’s brow lifts at the mention of ‘freelance,’ ‘web content,’ ‘home office’ or what have you.  You can feel it coming.  You see it form in their eyes (that’s not a real job), evolve into the raised eyebrows (does she think this is a real job?), and finally form a sentence on the tip of their tongue (so, are you just taking some time off after school before you get a real job?).  Sometimes, with a tactful individual, they will keep the comment to themselves.  But lets face it: if all the people at these get-togethers were constantly supportive, tactful, sober and affectionate, family functions probably would not be so avoided.

Still, these conversations happen and can be as tedious as they are unwelcome.  But frankly, if you get aggravated every time a member of an older generation questions the legitimacy of your work, you are going to make for one sorry conversationalist and one pathetic party guest.

To avoid this awkward and potentially painful situation, keep these 3 things in mind:

1.  DO NOT GET DEFENSIVE
I know it can be difficult, but don’t take it personally.  Many of the most coveted jobs out there (as well as the ability to work from home via the Internet) simply did not exist for previous generations as the technology that makes these industries possible was not invented yet.  Although it may seem like a personal attack on you and your character, it’s important to realize that this is a generational difference, much like asking a tech-savvy teen to use a phone book or challenging your average 63-year-old to program an iPod.  Sure, you may get a good giggle out of witnessing the struggle, but the fact is, some things are just mind-boggling to different generations.

2.  THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE
First thing’s first.  When asked about what you do at work, please do not bust out with something along the lines of  “um, well it really depends on the day.”  If you cannot verbalize it, it is not going to sound like a real job.  If you are in ‘real job’ defense territory in the first place, this person probably doesn’t understand what your chosen industry is about.  So inform them.  Talk about it – IN DETAIL!  Give a run down of the tasks and responsibilities you enjoy most, and those that aren’t your favorite, and put some enthusiasm behind it.  Also (and I know this may qualify as nasty) but if you really want to impress/get them off your back, don’t be afraid to throw out some professional jargon that they may not understand.

3.  SHOW PATIENCE AND PASSION
Just as everyone constantly asked about college, everyone is going to be equally as curious about the validity of your new job.  Try not to get exasperated every time you are asked the same questions.  These people are curious, so humor them!  And if you are thrilled about this line of work (as you hopefully are,) don’t be bashful, show it!  Enthusiasm, like laughter, is contagious.  No matter how disapproving your listener may seem, if you are happy and thriving they will recognize this and chances are, it will be enough to satisfy.  And if it’s not, well, at least you only have to see them once or twice a year.

Lee Quinney, Nov 5, 2009

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October 19, 2009

Look at the Brightside? – Current Job Outlook for 20-somethings

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I spend a lot of time reading articles and blogs that are written for 20-Somethings. It not only is one of my duties as an intern here, but why wouldn’t I? I’m 22 years old, have a shiny new college degree, and don’t really know what comes next. I’ve found that there are endless musings about Gen-Y, no topic uncovered. BusinessWeek currently has a cover story about the job crisis and how young people have it especially hard, which is nothing new. What caught my attention is the title: “The Lost Generation” – with an emphasis on the LOST.

I’ve heard about Japan’s lost generation, which they compare current U.S. young people to in the article; and I’ve read my fair share of not-so optimistic articles, but this was a little bit depressing. Basically, we are going to be scarred for life. For those of us who are able to land a job we can expect to have lower income not only now, but pretty much for the rest of our lives. And if you’re banking on getting a “good” job when the economy recovers, don’t be surprised when you realize you’re still not satisfied. Japan’s very own lost generation has “6 in 10 reported cases of depression, stress, and work-related mental disabilities.” Is that what we have to look forward to and worked towards?

What should be a bright-eyed exciting time in a young persons life is becoming quite dismal.

So what are we supposed to do? We all handle stress differently, but at least you’re not in this alone. Millions of people are feeling the same way. There are a lot of people saying that you can use this time to do and appreciate things that you wouldn’t have if the circumstances were different. They’re right.

The day I graduated was the day I moved back Home. The last four years of living had included multiple apartments, a sorority house, foreigners, and best friends for roommates. Previous stints at home included only a suitcase and a 2-month time limit. I didn’t expect it to be a smooth transition. But how rough could it be? I did live there for 18 years, after all. So far, it isn’t bad. Then I read things like “The Lost Generation,” and I realize that this period in time isn’t going to go away quietly. The effects are going to be long lasting, both negative – like the anxiety, and positive – the quality things you learn to appreciate only after being forced into it.

Written by: OneCubicle.com Intern – Synthia Salas

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October 2, 2009

OneCubicle.com makes The Perfect Pitch 2009 TOP 50

Cubetop50The Perfect Pitch 2009  – with keynote speaker and judge Richard Branson – had over 1,000 entrepreneur submissions, OneCubicle.com’s 2 minute video submission made the Top 50 Finalist list.  This is no small achievement and I want to personally thank our entire staff for their work, feedback, and faith in our pitch.

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September 23, 2009

Gen. Y Stereotypes: Fact vs. Fiction

Gen. Y

Gen. Y as a workforce has garnered both praise and criticism.  I myself am a Gen Y. worker, new to the working world, having just graduated only five months ago.

Having had numerous conversations with my employer, parents and friends, I have come to the conclusion that many of the Gen. Y stereotypes out there are both fact and fiction.

Here are a few of the most common Gen Y stereotypes:

-    Question authority
-    Garner a sense of entitlement
-    Unwilling to work long hours
-    Never experienced struggle or sacrifice
-    Respond to responsibility, retreat if disengaged

As for the first, I can testify to this stereotype first hand.  As a generation we have been taught to not believe everything we hear, but rather challenge the status quo.  Although I can see this as being both a gift and a curse to employers, at the end of the day it should be understood and accepted and in many ways used to the company’s advantage.  Maybe by our constant questioning we will not only weed through all the BS but also arrive at a different, better conclusion or idea.

Our sense of entitlement is something I have discussed with my boss on numerous occasions.  I don’t think its so much entitlement, but rather our desire and attempt to have it all.  We want the great job and the great personal life.  But its one thing to just think you deserve it all – you have to work for it!  For those Gen. Y’s who truly walk around with a sense of entitlement in their back pocket, one must question the individual’s parents – did they always allow their child to walk around with the idea that they are God’s gift to mankind?

Our unwillingness to work long hours is an unfair stereotype in my opinion.  There are those Gen. Y individuals who are willing to do anything and everything to get to the top – i.e. sacrificing their personal life, but for the rest of us we want a balance.  We have spent too many years listening to our parents complain about their own arduous work hours to only see the end result being a feeling of unsatisfaction.

The idea that we have never experienced struggle or sacrifice is a fair conclusion for most, but like all stereotypes does not encompass the whole.  Growing up in the late eighties and early nineties has provided most of us with a worldview of wealth and success.  This goes back to the idea of entitlement.  However, its our responsibility to keep this in check and believe me the recent recession has already done that for us.

Gen Y’s respond to responsibility and retreat if disengaged.  This is a stereotype that I believe to not only be true but a positive one at that.  The more trust and responsibility we gain for employers the better our performance.  We don’t want employers to hold our hands, but rather let go and let us show you what we can do.

And for the employers who are quick to judge and quick to point the finger, I ask you to remember the time when you were young, eager and just entering the workforce.  The world you see now is not the world you saw back then, so step back and give Gen Y’s a chance to show you what they are made of.

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September 16, 2009

From Ivy League to Unemployed: How College Grads Should Approach the Job Hunt

I just graduated from Yale and I’m unemployed.  Four years ago I entered college with 1300 other handpicked Ivy League newbies who were teeming with ambition and naïveté.  We were equipped with eager minds, open ears, and a lifetime supply of Bed Bath and Beyond dorm products—and our futures looked so bright we nearly had early onset cataracts.  Fast forward four years later and we found ourselves sitting at commencement—the bulk of us were unemployed, and our futures suddenly looked duller than a butter knife.

A common misconception is that Ivy Leaguers are instantly absorbed into vacancies in the job market because of our educational pedigree.  Others often tell me that “at least you’re the best of a bad bunch.”  This “bunch” is approximately 1.5 million students who graduated in 2009. According to a Collegiate Employment Research Institute survey, the unemployed 2009 graduate also faces the competition of 1.85 million additional unemployed job seekers with bachelor’s degrees or higher. It can be difficult to sell yourself when there are literally dozens of other trained candidates competing against you for the position—individuals with, perhaps, more experience or degrees under their belt.  Sure, the Liberal Arts education sparkles with prestige and promise.  But in this tough market, while you may boast extensive knowledge of the painting styles of 13th century Sienese religious artists, lacking command of practical marketable skills can slow you down a bit in the job hunt.  It’s sometimes a struggle to pitch the following successfully: “I couldn’t take business classes because my school didn’t have them, but I can learn good, promise!!”

So the Ivy League unemployed are aware of the current crunch, and believe me it is palpable and consuming.   It’s true the benefits of a college education are unparalleled—a college education gives me the benefit of long term security, but the current recession yields days when I feel like I’m riding shotgun on a one-way train to a career as the backstage popcorn girl in 2029’s Gremlins on Ice.  I am clearly not alone in this, but there are several things that a recent college grad should keep in mind to help navigate this new job market:

1) Your inexperience can be attractive to employers:
The CERI survey says that “markets generally favor young adults in recessions, and 29 percent of the employers in its current survey indicate that they have shifted their hiring in favor of new college graduates over experienced workers.”
Seems odd at first—wouldn’t employers prefer candidates with more prestige in degrees/experience/employment history?  Nope—your entry level salary of $30,000 is far more appealing to the company than the six figure earnings that higher degrees might demand.

2) Don’t fret about not being able to go to your alma mater’s career fair this year: focus on web postings in your job hunt.
Employers have had to cut costs on all fronts, and this includes traveling expenses to college career fairs.  Joining a social job posting web site like Onecubicle.com keeps you up to date with the most current job listings for the 20-something demographic.

3) Email your professors!
When looking for the best job candidates, 58 percent of employers are now relying on referrals from faculty members or advisors who can recommend their favorite students for potential jobs.  CERI reports that “Some employers are demanding direct access to faculty in an effort to identify the best candidates.”
A friend of mine, after his 35th job rejection, realized that his childhood dream was to do fieldwork around the world for National Geographic.  He went to his geology professor, explained his situation, and after a couple of phone calls he was asked to accompany an arctic expedition on the Beaufort Sea as a dispatch writer.  Keep contact with your favorite professors from school—just writing a short email explaining that you are in the trenches of the job hunt and eager to work can open the channel for exciting opportunities.  Who knows—your archeology professor from first semester junior year could be looking for someone to help catalog Incan artifacts on an all expenses paid mission to Peru, and you just might be the perfect person for the job.  Such experiences can help boost a resume, or even balloon into an eventual career.

4) During your job hunt, pursue outside interests that might appeal to what employers are currently looking for.
Keep in mind that currently “There is built-up demand for certain majors, particularly in the agricultural and food sciences, engineering and IT.”  Only about 6 percent of employers are planning on seeking social science or humanities graduates during this hiring season—a bleak forecast for most job seekers.  Try volunteering or interning with a company that is in tune with the current interests of employers, or better yet—apply the skill set you learned from your major to these areas.  An art major with a gardening hobby could start a cleverly-designed blog about household sustainability—the possibilities for staying engaged with what employers are looking for while job hunting are endless.

Keep yourself open to possibilities, and continue making connections and moving forward in order to maximize your prospects!

http://blogs.csun.edu/news/clips/2009/03/30/recruiters-still-courting-college-grads-but-signing-fewer-new-hires/

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September 1, 2009

Can’t Find A Job? Can’t Find Yourself? Go see the movie “The Graduate”.

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When my boss suggested we all take a company field trip to see the 1967 film, “The Graduate,” at a local movie theater to be able to take in the whole effect of a film I heard much about but had not yet seen, I was very intrigued.

Being a recent graduate myself, uncomfortable and sometimes unprepared for the “real world”, I went into the movie with not only an open mind, but hoping to find a sense of kinship with a character that was created long before I was even born.

“The Graduate,” starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft was a film that needed to be digested. My boss turned to me after the film was over and casually asked, “So, what did you think?”, and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure what I thought. I needed time.

I went home that night and thought about the many emotions I have been dealing with since graduation day this past May: excitement, anticipation, anger, sadness, feeling lost, unsure and uncertain, constantly questioning those around me and those in charge. I realized that no matter the time, the state of society or the economy, post graduation angst, uncertainty and exploration withstand time and transcend boundaries.

I’m sure my boss can attest to this as well. Being a boss of a twenty something, recent college grad has probably tested his patience and possibly brought him back to that time in his own life – when he was a “twenty-something.” Many a times I have cried and I have shared my feelings on what it feels like to be so unsure and as boss willing to listen he has allowed me to both embrace and better cope with the post college world.

It is scary to think that this is the first time in my life that I have not been enrolled in school. And like Hoffman’s character, I was being asked “What are you going to do with your life?” “What are you going to do now?” As a matter of fact, this would be the first September that I would not have a “first day of school” and as time moves on and I start to feel more secure and comfortable with the working world, I’m able to embrace what lies ahead of me; numerous and countless opportunities that will challenge my skills and knowledge, while acquiring a more secure sense of self and my abilities.

Who knows…I may even go into…“Plastics.”

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August 13, 2009

Best Internship Sites That You Should Know About!

BestCovery

Okay, you are probably getting emails from your career counselors every month about available internships, but did you know there are many more opportunities that you are most likely missing out on?  As a student at the Marshall School of Business, and an intern at OneCubicle.com, I am amazed by how many internship and job postings that are offered through school resources, and even more amazed by the variety of different resources that are available online.

Being an OneCubicle intern, I have visited countless job and internship sites. Our team of interns sift through hundreds of job postings to find the “cool” internships that we are ourselves are interested in applying for.  Yes, “cool” for one may not be as “cool” for another, but I do have confidence when I say this—OneCubicle.com has hand selected each internship and job posting that we believe our target market would be interested in.

I really thought the article on Bestcovery.com was really on point about the best internship sites.  OneCubicle.com ranked #4 (Hooray!) for having interesting and appealing job postings. OneCubicle.com not only helps you find a neat job, but also helps keep your job, network with other ambitious students as well as industry affiliates and gives you the ability to brand yourself professionally online.

We, college students, should really learn to use internship sites more often instead of solely relying on our individual school career centers—There’s a lot more that we can do for ourselves to increase our chances of getting one step closer to our dream careers.

Happy searching!

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July 29, 2009

It’s Time To Get Off That Couch and Volunteer!

Well let’s face it, and I’m sure many of us already have, but we are currently in the worst recession since the great depression.  For those of us who have just recently graduated college, lost your job or are considering graduate school, we seem to have a lot of time on our hands.  With most companies in a hiring freeze and as the competition between candidates vying for the few jobs out there increases, it is time for you to fill that gap in your resume and . . . VOLUNTEER.

Yes, that’s right! Work for free!

Volunteering not only fills in that abundance of precious time you have on your hands, but also promotes a sense of good will.  I have found that the less busy we are, the more likely we are to focus on the negative.  As a recent college graduate considering graduate school as well as learning to cope with the transition from college to the “real world” volunteering, that is giving my energy and time to a truly worthy cause, seems not only fitting, but also rewarding on many levels.

Tailor your volunteering endeavors to the following:

  • Pursuits
  • Goals
  • Interests

Pick a volunteer opportunity in the industry that most interests you – you never know what doors it will open.

This exchange proves to be a mutually beneficial for you, the volunteer and the organization, because at the end of they day the rewards go both ways.  It is important to consider that many non- profit organizations are not only struggling like the rest of us, but probably more so, since donations are far and few between these days.

My boss has told me he places “high regard” on people who have volunteered, as it shows you are willing to give back to society and shows something about your character. So take some time to research organizations in your area that could benefit from your service.

“Volunteer” – Not only build your career, but build yourself.

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July 23, 2009

Brand Yourself Away From the Drunken Party Pics

Have fun on Facebook, show off your wears, and connect with old friends…but, realize you are branding your “personal profile” online. Many hiring managers, regardless of industry, look at Facebook profiles to get a look at their prospective hires. While you may be a 3.4 GPA, with two internships, and the son of Senator — if you have pics of drinking, dancing, and carousing in Cabo on your ‘personal profile’ — you may not get the job based upon your ‘online image’.

I think one of the hardest realizations that recent graduates grapple with is that the excuse of “Hey, its okay, I’m in college,” must officially go out the window. This means you must simultaneously grasp your 20’s while coming to terms with your newfound “adulthood”.  In doing so, take a few minutes and browse through your Facebook profile. Go over your pictures, are there any that seem questionable, or lets say, are there pictures you wouldn’t want your mom to see? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions then go with your gut and un-tag them.

What you will come to learn is there are two you’s — what you do for work and who you are outside work… embrace both of them in the right environments.Spring+Break+Photo

For more of our rules to get a job and keep it, check out the list at http://www.onecubicle.com/page/jobs/ten_rules and our previous posts.

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