The Journey Home

As many know, a huge and unexpected snowstorm hit the east coast. The amount of snowfall was unexpected and made for many flight delays, over-bookings, cancelations and frustrated holiday travelers. One of those travelers was me. My original flight from Birmingham to my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia was intended to depart Friday evening. That did not happen, nor did the four flights I booked in the next two days. Thankfully, the storm finally let up and got me home for the holidays Monday morning.

Oddly enough, it was this event that urged me to remember my job search right out of college. Like the snowstorm, the search to land a job was seemingly never-ending. I was constantly hearing, ‘we’re not hiring young professionals at this time.’ Being turned away again was so discouraging, especially when I was eager to work and felt I had the resume to prove I was a strong candidate. I imagine with the recent December graduations, there are many who feel this way. And so I offer my 3 A’s of advice that can be recycled at each graduation go-around:

Awareness: By now you know how hard it is to land a job right out of college, so there’s no need to get you off your high horse. You’ve seen earlier grads struggle to find a full-time job and you’ve heard the talk (and had enough!)

Attitude: But don’t hang your head. Be positive and confident that you will find some sort of work, and probably where you least expect it. Let that excite you! (This is the workin’ world. Free coffee and Ghirardelli chocolates from a client make your day.)

Action: You are not too good for anything, even if you do have a college degree. So you’re not getting that job you want right away, look to something else. Consider it a learning period and a stepping-stone into the job you really want. (i.e. try sales, general marketing position, internship.) It will likely turn into something full-time or be short-lived because of a better offer that you found from being proactive.

Personal story: After trying countless times elsewhere I had kind of accepted the fact that my twentieth ‘informational interview’ would give me nothing more than appreciated time and advice, then send me on my way. But, the right timing and effort I’d made got me the job I have now.

Trying to land a first job is like trying to fly home in the midst of a snowstorm. It is extremely frustrating I know. And while the journey home can take you some odd places, in the end you will get there.

Cool.

Where do you work? People ask. When I get this question I feel so proud to not only utter the reputable company, but to explain what industry I am in. There is not a day at work in which I don't think 'ad agencies are really cool.'

Might sound nerdy, but there is no harm in loving your work... and I know I am fortunate. I When I first started at Scout Branding, I knew I was joining a team of creatives who thrive off forward and innovative thinking. They are a

lways producing awesome work in often cool ways . Those who have been working in the ad industry often don't realize that their day-to-day work is impressive, exciting, interesting and is never monotonous. Each day brings something new and unexpected.

I wrote a post a while back talking about my first experience at a commercial shoot, and now I'd like to share one of my more recent "something cool."

My boyfriend, Carter.

Just kidding. But for a client, I oversaw the growth of ten trays of wheat grass to be the centerpiece of their booth at a local festival. In recognition of my oh-so-hard work I got my own personalized photo of HGTV's Carter Oosterhouse (sponsor of natural gas.) Proud I am letting it sit on my desk right next to my personalized note from Project Runway's Shirin Askari. So what if they are considered D-List? I still think it's cool.

Be sure to check out the video we shot of Shirin promoting Mannington Commercial's tx:style design challenge!

My Monthly Alarm Clock

Birmingham Tornado in 2005

On the first Wednesday of every month, I can hear the tornado siren being tested. This speaks to me in two ways: Alabama does see tornados and "what? a month has gone by already?! What the heck have I been doing?"

It is at the moment of hearing that siren that I think back on what has occurred in the past month. Today, on December 2, I think back to November (hang on let me look at my iCal) 4th and see that on this particular hump day I was in the midst of rearing wheat grass for a client (don't ask) and mentally preparing myself for the big Alabama/LSU football weekend ahead. That was a great week that I remember concluded over margaritas with some co-workers (always an enjoyable time.)

The rest of the month found new people, my first Toastmaster's meeting (that's a post in itself), babysitting/pet sitting, more football and the fulfilling Thanksgiving holiday. It was a good month, I'd say.

Who cares though? Why would you care what is jotted on my iCal? You don't. It just amazes me how fast things seem to go and that I hardly take time in this new, working world to thoughtfully appreciate what has happened and will happen. I like that siren—yes, because it screams "RUN!!! GET TO THE NEAREST BASEMENT!" but more because it is my monthly alarm clock.

So today, Wednesday December 2nd, I am awake and thankful for a great November and look forward to the December month. Let's just hope we don't hear that siren any sooner than January 6th... are you seeing this wind today, Birmingham?