World AIDS Day ... get tested today!

According to the latest CDC statistics, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. ages 34 and under were diagnosed with AIDS in 2007 alone. 

Fellow young professionals ... this is our demographic.

Please do yourself and all others a favor and get tested today.  Practice safe sex.  And encourage others to do the same.

With numerous free testing clinics in your area, there is no reason to not get tested. 

A lil something for the work-a-holics ...

It's been a while since I've written and that's actually a good thing.  Work and outside committments have picked up drastically at a time when I was scraping for billable hours! 

That brings me to the point of today's post: not getting lost in your work. 

With our permission, it's quite easy for work to consume every minute, hour and day of our time.  While we must of course remain committed to our jobs and tend to our career and professional development, we need balance. 

While this may be one of those things that are "easier said than done," think of it this way ... it's much easier to become so focused on work that you become anti-social and let your life pass you by.  If you're a true workaholic and that doesn't matter so much to you, then think about the looming possibility of becoming burnt out way too fast -- trying to make a comeback is a bi-atch!  (My new job started off as a sprint and a few months after that initial race, I was ready to crash!) 

Try to be a "smart worker" in addition to a hard worker.  In the bigger picture, it's more beneficial to be a well-rounded person -- both personally and professionally.  After all, what are going to fill those "chit chat" conversations with during lunch meetings? ... MORE talk about work?  Nah-uh. 

. 

Happy Employees = Happy Company

I've worked at several companies (of various industries) and for the first time, I am employed by a company that understands what it means to show appreciation to its employees.  I have a point to sharing this, by the way ... I'm not just rubbing it in.  :-)

After having worked at my current location, it no longer makes sense as to how a business can excuse itself from showing proper thanks and gratitude to its workers, yet still expect them to put 150+ percent of themselves into their job.

In the words of my CEO, "I want to keep my employees happy."  So simple and oh-so true.  Probably because ultimately, keeping us happy also keeps him happy. 

I'm not speaking solely of big, expensive gifts like end-of-year bonuses, although those are very nice ... but regular "worker treats."  For instance, having a stocked kitchen filled with food of your choice (free to all employees in case I need to spell it out).  Or, taking regular company outings (not forced) and going to places of your choice -- within reason.  "Flex time," where if you work overtime during certain days/weeks, you can take off early/not come in on others.  I know this is a "big, expensive gift," but if anyone has heard of Edelman, I've heard of crazy stories involving employees winning week-long trips overseas from a raffle prize!

Think of the company/employee relationship as being similar to a boyfriend/girlfriend or marriage relationship.  You are in this for the long run (hopefully) and you must not take the other for granted.  To ensure a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship, you must nurture your support system and continue building upon your relationship to ensure positive growth. 

So, as we all aspire to move into upper management, I encourage you to keep this in mind: keep your team/department/employees happy.  In addition to being a good leader, be sure to show your people regular thanks and appreciation, which will keep them working at their best and help them push their hardest, even at their worst moments. 

Understanding that nothing is certain ...

Yikes ... it's been almost a whole week since I've last written.

Well, here's some food for thought -- and no pun intended, as I was in a grocery store when my mind started racing. 

I was standing in line to check out when I noticed the woman in front of me having to put back more than half of her groceries because her debit/credit card transaction did not go through.  As she was of course quite embarrassed, she frantically tried to hurry up and apologized countless times for the inconvenience.  I sincerely wanted to help her out and offer to pay for some of the groceries, but I could tell she was trying to duck out as fast as possible.  Plus, I'm not sure what the original total was, and I'm not ballin' enough (or rather at all) to not care.

I divert my attention toward the left so that she doesn't think I'm staring at her or that I'm getting frustrated, and I notice an older gentleman in a wheelchair with a missing a leg.  As he also glances in my direction while leaving the store, I give him a friendly head nod and he does the same.

Instead of setting my wandering eyes free again, I instead look down at my cart.  My mind then begins to go wild, and I realize how blessed I truly am and how easy it is to take such blessings for granted.   I'm not trying to say that I am any better than those other shoppers ... and that is actually my point.  I have no idea what their story is, where they're going after leaving here, and how they came to arrive at their current situation.   

In fact, given my history and normal societal trends, I should be at a completely different place than where I am today.  And who's to say that tomorrow I won't be in a compromising situation, wondering, "how in the hell did I get here?"   

So often, we complain about a bad day or get frustrated at certain occurrences in our lives.  And while we're fully justified to feel the way that we do, it is also important to put things in perspective.  Yes, matters could always be worse than they really are.  And yes, things can be unfair and downright wrong.  But go a step further to actually count your blessings.

For as much is "going wrong" in your life, I'm quite certain there are at least three times as many positive things to note.  We've simply become conditioned to think our way of life is the norm and we take things as a given, when in fact, we don't truly realize how much is actually uncertain and volatile, and what can change five minutes from now ...  an hour ... a day ... a week ... a month ... a year ...

"Terrible Interviews"

A friend of mine just started the most HILARIOUS blog about her experiences with "terrible" job interviews.  As I'm sure some of you may also be job hunting, you might enjoy reading about some of her eventful experiences.

I'm not just trying to plug her blog ... this ish will have you in tears! Here's a tease from a recent posting, of which you can read the entire "Terrible Interviews" blog by clicking here.

--- EXCERPT

So, interview begins - approximately 80 minutes after I arrived. Also, Katie is still waiting in the car.

It soon becomes clear that this man is crazy. He is convinced that Twitter is "the future of the company" and that the reason the company hasn't had such a great year is due to the lack of adequate tweeting. At one point he mentions that if hired, I would be "the face" of the company. To which I replied, "oh, does that mean that you don't want to be a spokesperson?"

Man, looking at me like I've lost my mind: "Of course I'm the spokesperson. I AM the company."

Me: "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I misunderstood - you would be the face, then?"

Man: "Excuse me? You are the face."

Me: "Ok...but not...but I wouldn't actually speak on behalf of...the company, then."

Man: "Well, you would do some interviews."

Me: "Oh, ok, so I would also be a spokesperson."

Man: "I AM THE SPOKESPERSON."

Me: "I...alright."

The man then mentions that they are looking to fill the position IMMEDIATELY, and also, that I would have to move. To another city. I'm ok with that, right? Like, perhaps I could start on Monday? That's IF I'm offered the job, of course, which hasn't been decided yet. But if offered, I could be in the new city on Monday, right?

Me: "Oh! Well...gosh, I mean, I would need to find a place to live, first."

Man: "You can't stay with a friend?"

Me: "Um, well, I would also have to figure out what to do with my current lease, here, and also, you know, move all of my stuff, and also I don't have a car. I would probably need a car. I'm, ha, you know, also a little hesitant to commit to moving right now, this city is sort of my home now and..."

Man: "Are you single?"

Me: "Erm...pardon?"

Man: "Are you single. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Me: "Um...ah, no, not...not right now."

Man: "Then there's nothing keeping you here then, huh?"

Me, inwardly: I...feel like I just took a bullet. Thank you.

Man: "There's a lot of single guys in [new city]."

The Bigger Picture

I attended my uncle's retirement party this past weekend, and it was inspiring to learn how much of an impact he's made on a large community.  This obviously made me start wondering what type of legacy I want to leave and what impact I want to make through my work, with my family, greater community, etc. 

It's funny to think that we go through each day without giving too much thought into our daily actions.  It is only when we revisit our activities at the end of each day, week, month and year, that we take time to reflect on our choices, accomplishments, lifestyle, etc. and see the macrocosm of our existence. 

Folks always talk about a "3, 5 and 10-year plan," but how often do we stick to them and how often do those plans change? 

While plans of course have a tendency to go awry, I wonder what differences we'd see within our lives if we made more conscious attempts to align daily "mediocre" actions with a "bigger picture." 

For MKE-area YP'ers: Free Practice Exams for the LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, and GRE

Article of interest for anyone thinking about entering grad school ....

Free Practice Exams for the LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, and GRE


By Joel Dresang of the Journal Sentinel


Oct. 8, 2009 11:55 a.m. | Wannabe graduate students get a free whack at taking entrance exams later this month in Milwaukee through the Massachusetts-based test-prep company Princeton Review.

Free practice exams are being offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. Go here for details.

Practice tests included are for the LSAT, GMAT, MCAT and GRE. And if you don’t know what those stand for, you probably aren’t thinking about graduate school anyway.

More college grads are turning to graduate school as a pit stop in the challenging job market.

Princeton Review says practice exam results will not go on students’ testing record.

Second Chances

"We are human and because of that, we are prone to error."  How many times and how many different ways have you heard that? While we are told to be understanding and empathic to others' mishaps because of this notion, does this idea transfer to the professional scene?

There was a recent situation at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where the Speaker of the Student Senate made racist remarks on his blog a few years ago.  This local story, which has just recently come public, has garnered national media attention and as a result, university officials spoke with the student, prompting him to issue a public apology.  I'm not sure who received this letter, but I just got done reading the lengthy apology, and it explains that he is not the same person that he was at the time that he wrote the blog, and he hopes to continue growing, become a better person and blah, blah, blah ...

I'm not sure what impact, if any, this letter will have.  But it does make me wonder, how often do we get to start a clean slate in life?  Especially in the professional scene.  While this may not be the best example to reference (as it's loaded with several issues that deserve a separate debate and conversation), it's of top of mind.  I am speaking of the "uh-ohs" at work or public screw-ups that may affect your professional image and life.

Whether rightfully so, or not, this student must carry this baggage with him for the rest of his life.  His public image is forever tarnished.  With a quick Google search of the student's name, any interviewer may soon question his ability to fit in with a diverse workplace and wonder if there will be any potential problems in hiring him.
I'd of course assume that the level of forgiveness and opportunity to "start fresh" depends on the magnitude of the error.  However, with those long-lasting stains, do you think there's ever a time when the past will get erased?  Or, are you spending a lifetime making amends and proving that your past is not your present or future?

Tending to your personal AND career goals

I was speaking with a friend who, despite being in the early stages of his career, is giving thought as to which city/state he'd like to settle down in.  While he's single and focusing on his work, he's remaining mindful of his personal life and goals.

I was a bit shocked when he told me this because I rarely hear such things from men who are of a similar age (early 30s).  The majority of my young, single male friends are in a "tunnel vision" mode, and they're holding off on relationships and even thinking about the "r" word.  According to them, they want to be established and able to support their family before heading that route.  While that's of course a noble, understandable and respectable decision, that lifestyle comes with a risk.

I have a few close single male friends about 40 years +, and they're looking to get married and start a family now.  Well, they'd actually like to be walking around with kids now but they'd settle for a fast track option considering they're late in the game.  They, just like the majority of my younger male friends, were only focused on their career during their younger days and as a consequence, they're now having trouble achieving this mission. 

While these men appear to have suddenly switched on a light to say "I now want to get married," just like their successful careers needed tending and room to grow, so does a relationship.  They have no control over the dating scene (an ability that they're used to), cannot rush relationships and are now finding themselves either going for younger women (who are still fertile -- just being real, folks!) or gold diggers in disguise. 

It's saddening to think that these strong, absolutely wonderful and inspirational men are in this emotionally vulnerable situation. 

At the same time, as my friend who's city shopping shows us, it's good to know that it's possible to plan for your personal and career goals without compromising one for the other.  While he's not in a rush to get married, he is making plans now for what he wants in the coming years.

Your Job Outlook ... The Good and Bad News

Listen up, fellow YP-ers ... there's a new reason for hugging your boss today and also creating a realistic back-up plan in case the unfortunate happens.  According to economists from Rutgers University, the U.S. might not regain pre-recession job levels until 2017.  (check out news report here)

The recession hit in December '07 and since that time, more than seven million jobs have been cut.  So, while the economy may be improving, and the Dept. of Labor projects expansions in fields such as healthcare, financial planning and technology, the growth rate of these new jobs shows that we will be facing high unemployment rates for up to eight years.  That means your position is and will remain in high demand for up to seven or eight years.   

I'm simply trying to offer a reality check of your place in the equation.

On the flip side -- to leave on a positive note -- as the years pass by, the projected job outlook means that there will be more opportunities for you to continue moving up the ranks.  Remember, with the baby boomer generation also retiring, the younger workforce will be filling that void.  Just make sure to equip yourself with the right tools so you're always the best candidate for these new opportunities.

Add Facebook Skills To Your Resume

We're now being rewarded for our addictions to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

If you haven't yet noticed, companies are becoming more hip to social networking sites, and they're seeking ways to include these tools into their communication strategies.  However, at the same time, "Tweeting" might as well be another language.  Company heads understand that these sites (and others like them) exist, but they don't understand how to use them, and most importantly ... they don't understand how to effectively incorporate them into a game plan. 

That's where you become more marketable.  With a change in perspective of your favorite tool for procrastination, you become the new "social media guru" who can lend insight and assistance into what differentiates Facebook from the other sites.  Why and how you should upload a video to YouTube.  And how to best leverage the "live" capabilities of Twitter. 

With the creation of positions such as "social media specialist," you can most certainly brag about your know-how of Facebook -- just remember to remove any suspect tags and postings first!

Song to Share: "Shine"

I just heard a great song that I wanted to share by Laura Izibor called "Shine."  I've never heard it before but find it uplifting and inspiring, especially at this junction in my life where I'm trying to make sure I'm on the right path. 

Click here to check out the song on YouTube: "Shine."

When your dream doesn't pay the bills

As a "young professional," you're just now getting started with your career path.  You're "learning the ropes."  "Finding your nitch."  And "finding yourself." 

Throughout this journey of finding our place in the workforce, the initial goal is typically to find a job along the lines of whatever degree we studied in school.  Then of course, you want to find a job doing something that you love.  As us YPers get older and become less naive, we learn what the working world is "really like" and we begin to experience more of what those older folks call "real life" -- and bills!  Then, our priorities most likely change and we are more inclined to settle for a "9 to 5," or switch careers to enter a more promising field, or after relocating for whatever reason, find the first available job.

Even when faced with the bitter taste of reality, I believe it is crucial to hold on to our passions.  We do not want to suddenly find ourselves at age 45, trying to play catch up and relive sweet memories from our youth because we suddendly denied ourselves that joy.  Even if you find yourself having to pursue a job that's more "practical," pays more, or allows you to move up the ranks faster, you don't have to ignore your dreams.  Your passions are a crucial part of who you are, so if need be, do comedy shows on the side, paint for personal pleasure, or join a local football team ... whatever.  Just remember, just because you can't pursue your dream full-time doesn't mean you have to let it go. 

Being "Let Go" ... What to do now?

Depending upon your source, we're learning that the economic recession is coming to its end but immediate job growth will remain shaky for the next year or two -- depending on your field.  In the meantime, I'm looking at several friends being "let go," having their hours cut and struggling to re-enter the workforce.  So, what's a YP to do when faced with these challenges?  I've posted a few links to some interesting articles on re-entering the market and what to do after being let go, but I encourage you to share your thoughts and any resources.    

• Re-entering the Job Market
• Networking, Communication Skills Are Key
• "What To Do If You Get Laid Off" (Tips on how to respond, dealing with emotions, etc.)
• "Laid-off 101" (Information on insurance, COBRA, your 401K, etc.)
• Inspirational Stories: 3-part series on the impact of the recession in Baltimore

The Dating Application

Dating is like applying for a job.  Are you qualified for the job?  More specifically, are you the right fit for this job?

It takes at least a few "first dates" before you can get a good understanding of the applicant and during that time you're either wondering where s/he has been all of your life.  Or, you think "you look really cute, but I think that might be all to you."  Or, you're wondering what his/her intentions are -- no judgments either way, but you're trying to figure out if they're consistent with your desires.

To cut through the bulls&*#, it would be much easier to filter through the mess with a simple "dating application."  Everyone who wants to date me must first answer a series of questions for consideration.  To get us started, below are a few things that I think need to go on the application.  Feel free to suggest more additions.     

• Have you ever had a HIV and/or STD test? 
• If yes, what were the results?  Also, if yes, what was the date of your last sexual encounter, and the date of your test?  (It takes three months before the HIV virus can be detected.)
• If no, please throw away this application.
• What are your aspirations?
• Are you employed? Either way, please provide details
• Have you ever been incarcerated?
• If yes, please explain (however, be prepared to discard this application).
• If no, please continue.
• What are your intentions with me?
• Do you have any kids?
• If yes, how many?  Also, if yes, how many "baby mammas/daddies" do you have?
• If no, please continue.  Also, if no, do you want kids? 
• Do you believe in God/a higher being? 

Downtime At Work ... Is Everyone BUT Me Busy?

No matter what industry you're in, there's a moment when you have some downtime at work while all of your colleagues appear to be quite busy.  That's a nervous feeling, don't cha think? 

If you work at a firm, you're thinking of meeting your quota for billable hours.  Or, you start questioning if you forgot about something that you should be working on.  Perhaps you missed a step in one of your projects and you only appear to be further along than others.  Or (here's the extreme logic), are you seeing the result of a gradual shift in workload, and you're now about to receive "that talk" from management?  Talk about paranoia ... haha.  

At times I can learn to appreciate the slow periods at work and the natural ebb and flow, however for the most part I absolutely despise extended downtime at work.  I'd rather be up to my ears with a project.  For some reason I also think better and I'm more efficient when I have a heavy workload.  Haha ... am I alone with this? 

Me, A Computer Expert? ... Yeah Right!

Funny story ... One of my former bosses (GREAT guy, by the way) wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to computers.  One day, he called me into his office to help out with some computer problem.  There was an error message that would not go away and you had to press the "OK" button in order to move on.  Soooo ... I press the "OK" button and as we try to figure things out, shut down the computer.  The problem persists, and we eventually call in the official IT guy only to learn that there's a new virus on my boss' computer.  I'm not sure if I was responsible for it, or if that was the initial problem.  Either way, my boss was surely convinced that I did it.  All worked out in the end, and he did not fire me.  :-)

For everyone who's ever been in my position and has been the de facto "computer know-it all," I think you'll enjoy this:

Joining A Toastmasters Club

Have you ever had one of those moments when you're in the middle of a conversation and suddenly get choked up?  Or, as you're talking, you realize that everyone in the room really is listening to you (including the CEO), so you better make sense ... and then ... oh, wait ... what was I saying again?  Or, you're at a networking event and become unable to compile a logical sentence after a whole 2 hours of small talk. 

Hopefully, I'm not the only one who has been through this.  Regardless, I hope to reduce the amount of times that this happens.  So, that's why I'm going to test out a Toastmasters club to brush up on my public speaking skills.  I'm going to try out the Toastmasters' Wisconsin Club next Thursday ... fingers crossed!  Not sure what to expect, but I'll let you know.

WOD: discursive - passing aimlessly from one subject to another; digressive; rambling.

Thoughts of a YP

The objective of this blog is to simply dish out the thoughts of a young professional.  Nothing more, nothing less ... what you see is what you get.  Whether you are a YP yourself, a seasoned professional, student, or whatever, I invite and encourage you to post your thoughts on any of these entries.  Than you for visiting.  I hope you enjoy.   

WOD: pontificate: to speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way.