Dream Big

Having achieved my Associate of Arts degree in high school and remaining focused and driven through my undergraduate career, I am often asked how I chose my college major. Selecting a major isn’t always as easy as it may appear, especially when you start to think about what you want to do after college. It is suggested that you declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. So whether you’re an upperclassman at your high school,  or a current college student, here are few tips that helped me with that infamous question 'what do you want to be when you grow up'.

Interests:

Start off by thinking about what you like to do. Is there a class you favored over another one? What are your hobbies outside of the classroom? Growing up, I always enjoyed interacting with other people. My favorite classes in high school were english and chorus. I typically preferred working in groups, brainstorming and delegating specific tasks to members.  So when it came time to choosing a major, I knew that a career hiding behind a computer screen all day wasn’t for me. I wanted to combine my customer service skills along with my passion for creativity.

Strengths/Weaknesses:

Once you have an idea about your passions and interests, it’s time to review strengths/weaknesses.  Of course, it’s always much easier to determine what your strengths are, but it’s just as important to reflect on your weaknesses. Be sure to take your time and stay true to yourself when creating this list. When something comes to mind, jot it down on a sheet of paper and add it to your list later. For example, one of my weaknesses was science. I always studied much more for biology, chemistry and physics. I often found myself participating in study sessions after school to prepare myself for exams and projects. So, while looking over majors, I was immediately able to cross out anything that would require numerous science courses.

Explore:

Take the time to research careers that would match your interests, as well as your strengths. There are  a variety of career assessment tools available to help narrow down your options. It’s ok to have a few majors selected that you can look into further. After taking a career assessment I decided that marketing, communications and finance were the three majors I was most interested in pursuing. In addition, I took a career exploration course at the community college to find other resources that would help me select one of these three. The course not only showed me career paths associated with the majors I was interested in, it also made me consider the work environment, education needed, salary, etc. 

Opportunities:

What opportunities will you have with a degree in this field? Is it a high demand industry? Will you need to pursue additional education after receiving a baccalaureate degree? These are all questions you need to take into account. For those interested in becoming a doctor or lawyer, you will need to pursue a higher degree. Other career paths may require you to have special certifications or licenses before receiving a job opportunity. Check out the costs of attaining higher education degrees and the time necessary to devote to school.

Discuss:

Talk about the majors that grab your attention with friends and family. Listen to their ideas and suggestions about career paths to consider and resources that might be helpful when making your decision. Keep in mind that your major doesn’t necessarily dictate what you are going to do with the rest of your life. Most will prepare you for a range of careers that can be tailored to your profession.  

Although selecting a college major may seem a bit overwhelming, or even intimidating at times, remember to enjoy the journey. Only you can create your own destiny, so dream big!

5 Must-Have Apps

As smartphones continue to grow in popularity, more apps are being introduced to fulfill the interests of users. Since I use my phone for both work and play, I've tried a variety of apps whether it's through a friend's recommendation or by searching a specific topic. Take a look at my top 5 must-have apps - and they're FREE too!

SoundHound

From time to time I find myself listening to the radio when suddenly a new, catchy song comes on. Once it concludes, I wait patiently for the radio host to come on the air and announce the title and artist. Unfortunately, a commercial interferes my train of thought, and I'm left hanging. Soon after, I received a recommendation to try SoundHound, a music recognition app. Now I'm able to bookmark songs, view lyrics, and check out the latest hits on the go. 

Urbanspoon

What's for dinner? The common question we all think after a long day. So what's my trick? Urbanspoon, my go-to app. After selecting a neighborhood, price, and type of cuisine, it generates a list of places to eat that match my criteria. I also have the accessibility of checking out reviews before I try a new place in town. And since I'm still learning my way around a new city, I frequently use the map feature, just to make sure I find my way.

ESPN ScoreCenter

If you're anything like me, it can be tough keeping up with the abundance of game scores, stats, and standings. Being a sports fan myself, I've found a simple solution to keep track of my favorite teams (Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Tampa Bay Rays- incase you were curious). ESPN ScoreCenter. At the touch of a button, I can stay up-to-date on game times, player info, summaries, and news. I even added the notification option to receive alerts on scoring plays and final scores. 

GasBuddy

Where's the cheapest place to fuel-up? Recently, I've added GasBuddy, an app that locates nearby gas stations and allows me to compare prices. Each time I report a gas price, I earn points toward prize giveaway entries. Not only does this save me time, but it also keeps a few extra bucks in my pocket here and there. 

The Weather Channel

Living in Florida, I have grown accustomed to afternoon storms that seem to appear from thin air. With The Weather Channel app, I'm able to check out current and future forecasts. When clouds start rolling in, I monitor severe conditions approaching me using the interactive map. With hourly, 36-hour, and 10-day outlooks, I'm able to plan any day come rain or shine.  

Let's face it, we all have our "go-to" apps. So, what are some of your must-haves?

How to Survive a Quarter-Life Crisis

I recently wrote an article on how to survive a mid-life crisis. Once it was published, I received many comments and suggestions for a fairly new topic, the quarter-life crisis. Being a 20-something myself, I face the excitement and challenges of taking my first steps into the professional world.

Applying similar tips from my article “Surviving Your Mid-Life Crisis”, I’ve created simple solutions for those entering their quarter-life crisis.

Don’t Avoid Reality
Concerns of fitting into the “real world”, choosing the “right” career, and finances start to appear after graduation. Life seemed so much simpler from behind the textbooks. Realize that your life is not one out of a reality tv show. Take time to discover yourself, your passions in life. Define what success means to you. Is your success determined by the amount of money you make? Or is it the satisfaction and happiness you have at the end of the day?

Don’t Sit on the Sidelines. Play the Game.
Accept the ever-changing environment ahead of you. While you may feel a bit insecure and clueless about what path to choose, remain positive and confident in the decisions that you make. Network, network, network. Get out and meet individuals with similar goals as you. See what they find most rewarding and challenging about their profession. Use these connections to uncover steps you need to take in reaching your goals.

Live in the Moment and Think Ahead
While setting goals and planning for the future, don’t let the big picture scare you. It’s ok not to have your life figured out. Stop dwelling on the past. Get up and brush yourself off from past failures or mistakes, they’re part of growing. It’s also important not to over-analyze and obsess over the future. Forget the “what if” and “if only” statements by living in the moment and enjoying the journey. Taking things in moderation and committing to short-term goals will help you reach your destination.

Build a Support System
Realize you’re not alone. You’re not the first one to go through this, nor will you be the last. Turn to close friends and family during this time for support and reassurance. Discuss ideas or fears you may come across and ask for advice from those who ‘have been there and have done that’. Kick any negative company to the curb. Never let someone tell you that you’ll never amount to anything.

Often, 20-somethings get caught in the anxiety and pressures of what they want to be when they grow up. Instead of obsessing over a concrete timeline, challenge yourself to live each day to the fullest. As one of my favorite quotes by Tom Bodett points out,

“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”



Simple Solutions to Saving Big with a Small Wallet

Money often seems to go out the door just as quickly as it came in. Here are a few tricks I’ve found that help me get the most for my money. 

Clip, Collect, Coupon

You don’t need to spend hours flipping through advertisements debating which coupons you should clip. Instead, learn the art of realistic couponing, not extreme couponing. Simply browse the sales looking for items you frequently use such as toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry detergent, and soap. Rather than waiting until the last minute when something runs out, why not purchase it at a discounted price? Having items you often use at hand also alleviates the stress of rushing to the store before it closes, or standing in long lines after work. Also, skimming ads will help determine which products you need for an allotted period of time. Save time and money by creating a list of necessary items, ensuring that you will not fall into the trap of impulse buying.

Wine & Dine at Home

There are various excuses as to why we eat out so much. Phrases like, “I don’t have time,” “I don’t know how to cook,” or “it’s so much easier having someone cook and clean for you,” are all common ways to rationalize the amount of time we spend eating out each month. This doesn’t mean you have to eliminate eating out altogether, just cut back on going out so often. Instead, establish a menu for each week, making note of which days you will need a fast solution.  Tired of coming home after a long day of work, doing the pantry shuffle and ending up at the drive thru window? Use days off to your advantage by preparing and freezing a few meals for the coming week.

Value of Social Media

Many social media sites offer discounts for restaurants, fun things to do around town, and even vacations.

Groupon:

Groupon offers its members daily discounts to places around town. So how much is it to become a member?  FREE! Once you have registered, check out deals- generally 50-90% off- by email, Twitter, or Facebook. You can also find steals on hotel/resort rooms for your next getaway.  And don’t worry about misplacing or tossing deals. Save a tree by using the Groupon app, allowing you to not only purchase, but also redeem deals.

LivingSocial:

LivingSocial is another daily deal site offering up to 90% off. Sign up with the click of a button; just enter your email address, and you’re good to go. Since life is a mix of giving and receiving, share deals you’ve purchase with friends and colleagues. If three people buy the deal using your unique link, yours is free! Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out LivingSocial’s family deals and spend some time with the ones who matter the most. 

Restaruant.com:

Restaurant.com offers deals to all your favorite spots, and may even introduce you to something new. Whether you enjoy trying an assortment of cuisines, or crave a spot to relax after a long week, there’s something for everyone. After providing a zip code or region, find restaurants within a specific radius. You will also have the option to view menus and read details about atmosphere, attire, entertainment, etc.

Saving money doesn’t always have to be a tedious task. I'm motivated to find new, creative solutions that will keep more pennies in my pocket. After all, who doesn’t love a good bargain?

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

 

The Start of a New Chapter

Thanks for stopping by my new blog! Over the coming months, I will offer insights to the thoughts and interests of a 20-something year old entering the professional world.

Let me start off by telling you a little bit about myself. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida. Throughout college, I focused on excelling in each of my courses, my internship, as well as staying active in the community by volunteering for a variety of non-profit organizations. Although times have been challenging post-graduation, I remain positive and determined to gain a position that will both utilize my academic background and previous professional experience. In the meantime, I continue to strengthen my writing skills through freelancing for a community-based publication in Central Florida. I enjoy networking with and interviewing many business leaders while keeping up on current events. I contribute articles on a monthly basis covering a wide range of topics including education, transportation, non-profit organizations, sports, finances, and community events. You can check out my work at www.insighteastorlando.com.

So, what exactly is my recipe for success?

Relationship Builder: I understand the importance of meeting with clients face-to-face rather than hiding behind a computer screen all day. Get out and network with other professionals, prospects, as well as the media.

Team Player: When participating on a team project, I keep an open perspective when listening to ideas.  Throughout the assignment, I motivate, support, and have a genuine concern for all team members.

Detail Oriented: I ensure every detail is attended to when completing an assignment. With each phase given thorough and precise attention, the finished product is always of the highest quality.

Increase Knowledge: I will never stop learning. Continually expanding my expertise and pushing my potential will allow me to develop and mature as a business professional.

Passion: The passion I have is the reason I create excellence in the face of mediocrity. You cannot order passion from a website, nor will you find it at the store, it has to be from within. Loving what I do helps me remain focused and determined to finish the race.  

As I turn the page to begin a new chapter, I look forward to learning new things, meeting new people, and sharing stories about my adventures as I continue to reach for the stars.