Cheers to Maya Angelou

Crazy excited for the news!

Simultaneously, we endure the slippery train seats, walk as fast as we can through the bitter cold to our building, fight against the 3:00pm crash, and on Friday morning- truly appreciate the phrase TGIF.

It was such an amazing feeling to have a virtual champagne toast with Gessenia a few weeks ago after she accepted her position at Lois Paul & Partners. We've finally come full circle and I could not be happier!

Now if only we didn't have 231 miles in between us...

A Victim of the MBTA

I survived my first week at LPP. The office has been a little slow given the holiday season, but nevertheless GREAT. I am sure next week I will have more than enough action to talk about... in the meantime I am taking advantage of the office being almost empty (literally, there is 7 of us here today, compared to the usual of fifty!). I am taking the time to get familiar with my accounts, the software, ( I got to sit in some conference calls too ) and not to mention getting a handle on the MBTA. I have the train schedule down like clockwork. Let's just say I have officially sold my soul to the the MBTA, well at least for the next few months anyway. I know I will be looking at some apartments come spring....

31 Work Days Closer to Retirement

Sorry for my absence but I had to time my next post accordingly. I'm in a fairly good mood today with a hopeful outlook on my future (which is not as rare as I'm making it seem!) but I figured I would regret any of the posts that are currently saved in my drafts... sometimes a girl has to vent!

This is my seventh week being in New York and I can't believe I'm still adjusting. Everyday on my walk from Grand Central to Times Square I force myself to keep my eyes up and repeat over and over, this is my city now. No matter how hard I try, I still feel the need to poke my head out of the taxi cab window and  I can't resist taking pictures of Times Square- as if I'm never going to see it again.

I am still staying with my best friend's family just outside of the city on the hunt for an apartment I literally will never be able to afford. I must say I have been so incredibly blessed with this family. Without them I would have lost it 5 weeks ago...and yesterday....and today...

I catch the morning express train 7:30am and I'm usually getting off on the opposite side of the track around 7:30pm. The 12 hours days can be draining but at least the days don't drag by. I always have a new project on my desk that, more often than not, comes with no explanation. My work day is filled with trial and error and an ongoing list of questions. Thankfully I work with amazing young women who are so incredibly supportive and always seem to invite me on a Starbucks break at just the right time.

This transition into the real world has been a challenge for sure but what better place to embrace it than Glamour Magazine?

I'm here! I'm here!

What?! Did you think I was never going to write again?!

...I'm just still trying to catch my breath. This building has been occupying every waking moment of mine. I promise a post is coming soon!

Trick- or -Treat

...The infamous saying we are all accustomed to during Halloween. Usually you think of happy children at their neighbor's door, waiting to be be awarded with some sort of treat. I can't help but apply it to the present stage in my life.

I will start with the latter.

The Treat:

For Khiara; she has fulfilled our blog's #1 mission - land a job. Not only in NYC but at Glamour Magazine.

For myself; I had an interview. Not only in NYC, but at MTV Networks ! AND just had a phone interview this morning with an HR from Hill Holliday.

The Trick:

For my Co- Blogger; To survive- literally. After college loans, NY taxes and train fees, her allocated budget alone to find a place to live, never mind eating , is scary.

For myself; The horrific feeling of actually being unemployed for the first time. With the golf course coming to a close, my source of income will also. I have been proud of the money I have saved all season, but in reality, without additional income it will be spent fast. Watching Khiara struggle financially frightens me. As elated as I would be to get a job in the city, I could be in the same situation if an offer comes too late and my "cushion fund" is gone. Not to mention the feeling after one interview after another - the phrases such as, " keep on checking in to see if a position opens" feels like a trick. Is anyone really hiring!?!

All I know is- ghost and goblins are not the things frightening me around this time of year. The only dressing up I have been doing...is putting on heels and business suits AND I continue to knock on doors.

Too Blessed To Be Stressed

I'm making my way to the Big Apple this Saturday. Can you believe it?! That's like, less than 48 hours away. There is still so much packing to do, so many people to see, and more preparation to be done. This past week (with the exception of getting my last two wisdom teeth removed) has been so wonderful. I've been taking in every Rhode Island moment I can, and seeing those precious faces that will no longer be at my beck and call a few hours from now.

Roger William Jack-o-lantern Spectacular with Jenny and Erika

Wine Tasting in Newport with my man

Taking in my last moments at The Wall

On top of a sushi date, Tidal Waves, word puzzles, a superhero breakfast, and a rerun of The Devil Wears Prada...I could not have asked for a better week.

Today I spent my last time at Sophies Coffe with Gessenia preparing for her interview tomorrow (!!!) and jamming out to Paradise by Coldplay...




I am so thankful for the love and support I have gotten from all of my friends and family. It has been such an amazing journey these past five months and there is no way on earth I would have made it through without their encouraging words, optimism and faith in me. My biggest thank you goes to Gessenia- the one I could count on to get me back on my feet, to push me to keep moving forward, and to remind me of all the reasons why I made the choices and I did (even on the days I didn't want to hear it). I love you with all my heart!

We expect the world.

A Light Bulb Just Went Off - (Or On)

Yesterday around 5pm, a light bulb simultaneously was ignited by not only electricity but also an epiphany.
After going Five whole days without power, running water and cell phone service, I was feeling disconnected. both the world and myself.

A lot can change in a week huh? To get everyone up to speed. Following the freak- of -nature earthquake on the East Coast, came Hurricane Irene (said to be in the top 10 deadliest hurricanes to hit the US ever). Rhode Island was fortunate enough to not get hit dead on with the old broad, but the storm that radiated off her caused 60% of the Ocean State without electricity, and some still won't expect it until Labor Day Weekend. Of course it could of been worse, at the end of the day you realized what's important, your family and friends- and life basically - but still... it was TERRIBLE.

Not only did Irene come abruptly, so did a a job opportunity. A friend of mine gave me a lead to an opening at Konnessi, (a company he's been helping while finishing his MBA). The lead turned into a interview, which then lead to a second interview, which then lead to a job offer and a " See you on Tuesday at 9 and we will get started."

For those who have been keeping up with this blog, have most likely gathered the following: I am determined to get out of RI - want to have a career at a prestige agency - and have a career in Public Relations or Marketing. On the contrary, this job opportunity is in RI - is a small start up- and is a sales position. To my surprise all my determination for a goal I have been tirelessly working for was being thrown out the window, and I was beginning to entertain the idea of this new career path. After all this market is unforgivable, I don't have any planned interviews or ins at the moment, I am young and everyone needs stepping stones, and time is passing faster than sand in an hour glass.

I weighed the pros and cons back and forth. I would be excited at one moment as I envisioned a day working for this company, and the responsibility I was accountable for, and overall dominating the human race. The excitement would then be replaced with anxiety and second guessing. The salary being offered was "peanuts" as my father said. Granted in sales, the sky is the limit to make income, but there was an undeniable risk here for what seemed to be an extensive demand for a more than 40 hr work week.

But in the end, it wasn't the amount of work being asked that bothered me, nor the pay check. It was my vision. Life throws you windows of opportunities at random times and there will always be a risk in taking them- that's the only way you get anywhere. But the one thing I hold dearly is this vision, well- you all read it in the first post. And this wasn't it. As Khiara puts it - "do you feel like you have exhausted all your options?" - and I don't. The fight in me is not even close to being tarnished.

So what did I do? The unthinkable for an inexperienced college grad living in this economy. I said I respectfully declined.

As I sat in the living room with my father, as I internally made my decision ...A sign from God, Buddha, or just the right tilt of the earth in this universe - The electricity I was lacking all week fired back on literally and figuratively all at the same time.( I am not even lying.) Not to mention Khiara was back in town and I finally had a phone that was charged long enough to be able to fill her in. After talking to her I felt grounded again...so as of today we are both officially signed up for a marketing conference in Boston in two weeks and it looks like the #jobhuntcontinues.

A Quick Hello from OK!

Thank goodness for my BFF, Gessen. While I am away for a week with limited internet access- she of course is constantly keeping me in the loop (and sane) by tweeting job opportunities and sharing her job search status via #GraduateSwagg. What would I do without her?!

During the first 20 minutes I had a chance to get on my laptop, I opened my inbox to a formal invitation to Jack Morton's Brand Camp September 1st. More than a little excited!! ....as well as tip that there may be a job opening at Glamour Magazine in NY! I said I wasn't going to limit myself...so let's put that to the test! I forwarded my resume... and we'll see what happens next.

I've only been gone for a day.

Time To Shake Things Up

Yes it is time to shake things up around here! And Yes the pun was intended. For those that haven't tuned into their T.V.s and Facebook pages - (Doubtful)- Today the East Coast experienced an earthquake. I however, didn't feel a thing other than the vibrations from my cell phone from the countless notifications on Twitter and the news talking about it.

In Other News...

I had a successful phone interview with the HR from Lois Paul & Partners. I have to admit, I have been really lucky so far because again the HR (Christine) was very welcoming and made it very easy to talk to. I had my "Marketing Plan" in front of me, and overall felt very prepared. It went so well in fact Paul (the man that gave me the introduction) E-mailed me, and said she was impressed and I am near the "top of the list" to contact when a opportunity opens.

What does this mean? - It means I keep going to the gym, keep eating my veggies, keep searching. The #jobhuntcontinues and it is time to mix my strategy up a bit. What can I do now to really WOW the next interview that presents itself?

I have concluded that a Public Relations Career in Boston = Working in the IT, Health/MediCare/ Clean Tech industry, rather than NY which is more consumer based. I do a decent job staying "in the know" when it comes to PR, but I need to learn more about these specific industries. I have started following IT companies on Twitter, reading articles and blogs, and even contacted an alum from URI's Public Relations Society, who did PR for Dimensional Insights, (an IT company in Boston) and asked her for advice on where to gain further knowledge. While reading some of these articles and posts I find myself Googling words I don't understand - how else am I going to learn!

My second move, is to start working with a Head Hunter. I say working "with" rather than "use" based on an article from who else but @AvidCarreist > http://www.avidcareerist.com/2010/11/05/should-you-use-a-recruiter/

Khiara had mentioned her friend had recently got an HR job, and has worked with Head Hunters and she strongly encouraged it. To my luck, my older Cousin Geoff is a Head Hunter ( he's 1 of my 23 cousins - and that's only counting my Dads side - and no, not step cousins, my parents are together... as of now. ) He works for O'Neill Consulting Group LLC, and hopefully he will have some guidance to step up my game.

I am going to need to keep the level of determination high these next weeks, especially since my best friend and motivator- Khiara- has left me today for Oklahoma. Disappointed I will be visiting the infamous Sophie's Coffee myself - I am reassured by Khiara's promise to continue our job-hunt and coffee sessions via Skype.

All I Want for Christmas Is My 2 Front Teeth - And A Job.

Following Khiara's last post - I admit I was withholding the same sentiment. It is getting tough. Some weeks are easier than others, some feel down right hopeless.

It doesn't help either when you had three days off in a total of three weeks. You go to a dentist appointment and they tell you that the line-drive that hit you during softball practice six years ago in high school - an accident that left me with seven root canals, three crowns, and some funny yet embarrassing home videos- is now coming back to haunt me with a bill that my insurance won't cover and over a year of future surgeries. Several Surgeries, that with my time of healing in between them will leave me with a temporary fake tooth that needs to be removed at night. All I could think of is Obie Trices song- Hopefully she's got some teeth as the Dentist explains all this to me. Not to mention a scale that reads I am five pounds over my usual- a direct correlation of now living at home and having food already supplied for me rather than my college days when a bowl of soup and grilled cheese would last me a good day and a half.

Depressing? Yes. Dramatic? Maybe. Nevertheless- down.

Being sick and tired of this funk I was letting myself get in, I decided it was time to take control. I have been to the gym everyday taking classes at the YMCA, brushing my teeth three times a day, and eating basically only fruit veggies and salmon. This health kick has been uplifting, not only physically, but inside too. My newly acquired energy has altered my attitude and I feel people taking noticed. Especially on Monday while working a double at the golf course...

A day that is usually dead, hence only one bartender is needed that day, but of course -it was extremely busy. Doing my best to make sure I was servicing everyone at the bar, golfers coming in to grab a pick up order, and groups of people sitting for lunch outside on the patio- all with same enthusiasm and quality service. I had waited on this elderly man with his grandson who began making small talk with me - half of me wanted to throw his hot dog on the table and run considering I had X amount of other people to attend to and didn't have time to chit-chat... but Instead, smiled sweetly with my bright white teeth, (that will soon be removed) and engaged in casual conversation. He overheard me speaking to some customers about my goal to be in Boston doing PR, and that he was in fact a Public Relations Practitioner affiliated with Lois Paul & Partners based right outside of Boston.

Lesson: Never throw a hot dog and run aka treat everyone as if they are a potential network facet.

Turns out his grandson went to high school with my brother - so Rhode Island- and we exchanged contact information. The next day I followed up on his offer of sending my resume through some contacts, and a week later I got an email from the HR of LPP.

Yes it is tough right now. I mean, everyone said it was going to be - but every now and again a lucky break comes your way.

Anyyyy Day Now Would Be Nice

It's August 11th and I'm trying with everything in me to not let the stress take over. I'm leaving for Oklahoma (yes, I said Oklahoma) in less than two weeks (a trip I was sure I would have to rebook) and it looks like my grandparents will be squeezing these cheeks right on schedule.

I'm giving myself the next 30 seconds to be discouraged- because let me tell you, it's getting harder to say, "I'm unemployed" with confidence that an opportunity is around the corner. I have made great connections, talked to the right people, and I'm losing count of all the hands (and in-boxes) my resume has been in, yet I'm nearing a dead end. What more do you want from me?!? I guess I need to start thinking outside of the box.

...and TIME.

Outside Providence

How is it the end of July? My goal all summer was to take a little trip somewhere in the beginning of August. It has finally occurred to me, that time frame is next week. And after August.. Is September... Time to kick it up a notch.

I have been really busy working at both the golf course and in Providence at the Media department at RISD. I can't believe there was a time when I would leave that building in Providence on 20 Washington Place, and have to wipe snow off my car. Now leaving the AC filled office I'm hit with a heat wave. I will tell you though, there is something about Providence, especially the East Side, in the Summer time ( for those who don't know that is the area where the ivy league school, Brown is.) I mean, it ain't no Boston, but it ain't that bad either...

The work I have been doing at RISD is less than exciting, but I don't mind it one bit. The more I can learn about anything, the more it will help me in the future - even if it does make me go cross eyed . Let's just say I can utilize the PR Program, Cision Point with my eyes closed.

However some good news! Since I didn't send my resume directly to Racepoint Group (My supervisor and a former employee at Racepoint Group herself, did for me) I decided to follow up with the head HR of the agency on Linked In, with a personalized message of course. Thank God I did.

Now this is where I have analyzed the situation up and down. I don't have the job, but at the same time I don't Not have the job either. The E-mail I got in return, overall thanked me for my interest, admitted she wasn't "entirely sure there is an opening, but these things change at any moment,day to day." She also said "with that in mind, she would like to have a phone conversation, to see if I'd be a good fit." I was peeing my pants basically, and I don't even have the job...Yet.

Keeping in mind the advice from my last informational interview, - Get in front of the person that hires you - I knew the phone conversation wouldn't be enough. Nervous that I was being too - pushy, (I did it anyways) and asked if I could have the chance of engaging in a face-to-face informational interview, but expressed my understanding of her busy scheduled and that I would be more than appreciative to take up her on the phone conversation.

Result- I am going in next week!

I am so excited! My mind is already getting ahead of itself. Racepoint Group is in Waltham, MA. so maybe not exactly in Boston, but close enough to drive to the Harvard Sq and get on the red line (I already did my homework.) Either way, I am excited to get some practice in for interviewing.

Funny how things work. A job that I want so much has become a little closer to becoming a reality, and all I'm thinking is I need to go and get on a plane to Europe or on a beach in Florida. Can you say Indecisive? There are just so many options! I guess I don't have to figure out my life in one night. But I am about to look up some tickets. I need an adventure before this 9-5 happens any sooner.

Missing Six Pieces of Me

...and some days are just harder than others... the song Give Me Everything by Pitbull and Neyo came on the radio tonight while I was on my way home. Granted, I have heard that song at least a thousand times since I've graduated, but for some reason tonight it stung a little more than usual.

I'm giving my answer to the job offer tomorrow and I can't help but wish that Kelly, Brittany, Lauren, Sena, Meg and Alicia were all here. If we were back at school we'd all be sitting around the kitchen table of K2- some sitting on each others lap, some drinking red wine, others eating dinner and one designated person would be playing songs on YouTube. I'd tell them all what I was going through and they'd each give me their best advice. I know we would ultimately come up with the same decision I've already made on my own but I would give anything to be back there with them. right. now.

Looking for Answers

...Never thought I would find myself in this position...
The good news: I got offered a position at the Sports Marketing company I interned at last year.
The better news: My tickets to Boston were used up sooner than expected- I got an interview at Hill Holliday!
The bad news: Now what?

 While I was in school I would have jumped at the opportunity to work at the company I interned at last year- I had so much fun there, the people were great and it was in the sports industry which I really enjoyed, naturally. However, now that it has been a couple of months since I have been out of school, I have really taken the time to get to know myself, the career possibilities out there, and WHAT I WANT. When the invitation was delivered to my inbox for an interview at Hill Holliday, I nearly cried. THIS is what I want. While the interview at Hill went well, I didn't leave there with a job. I did my part but now the rest is in their hands.

In the mean time, I have a huge decision to make myself. Do I turn down a respectable job for a potential one? And what if Hill Holliday doesn't come through? More importantly, if I take the job... will I be happy?

On Vacation Until...

" G, you will be able to come with us to the condo in Florida right?"asks my father as he sits in front of the computer on Southwest.com. We are faithful Southwest flyers.

"When?" I reply.

" The day after Christmas to the New Year." The same annual trip we have being doing for the past 6 years...

"Ughh" racking my brain.. "I mean sure, yeah... If I don't have a job then..."

It's June. If I don't have a job by December....

Someone Hire Me.

Ready... Set... Elevator Speech

It's Mid-June. (When did that happen?) And I feel as if I have gotten no where and so far at the same time. After getting in a little argument with my Boyfriend, (also a URI alum who now works for APC in Costa Mesa, California) - I was frustrated.

I Keep on talking about my Senario 1, ( read 2nd blog post) all day, everyday, even in my sleep. I am very enthusiastic and self-assured about my future life. I'll spare the trigger of the argument, but as it escalated low jabs start blowing ...

"You can't be making all these plans Gessenia, these things cost money" - "You need a job to live there"- and even worse-"What the hell have you been doing? Where have you even applied too?"

Talk about a supportive boyfriend. I was mad. Mad that he was being so insensitive, and mad because he was right. The jobs I have applied to thus far can be counted on one hand. But here I go, acting like I have it figured out, that I know it's going to happen, yet I have little to show for it.
An hour goes by and I'm over it. Know why? because I have been doing something. Even though it's June 19th (crap) I have been working a lot towards my goals in other ways. Off the bat, the golf course. Yes, for the obvious reason I am making money (and saving) for my scenario 1 life. But it's more than that, I have been making opportunities out of the available resources I have. I started a Facebook group for the restaurant end and even wrote a press release for a charity event we do every year. Not to mention I just made another Facebook group for a Charity Foundation, Kenvo Foundation (Okay Okay it's my parents) nevertheless I am taking the skills I've learned and applying them. Learning. And I am networking. So it might not be a CEO's BBQ, but I am on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and shaking hands with anyone I meet.

Take for instance, at the Kenvo Open on Friday, I introduced myself to a women who works for Bank of America, I remembered to shake her hand firmly, flash the pearly whites that I have gotten so good at doing at the golf course, looked her in the eye and repeated her name. - I got her Business Card and she has a potential job opportunity to share on direct marketing and social media.

Or today, making small talk with the employees who work at Beaver River. I shared my awesome time at the Bruins Parade (that deserves a whole post in itself - my crazy boyfriend flew 300,000 miles to be in Boston for 24 hrs, literally) but I continued to tell Dave at the Pro Shop how much I love the town and what I want to do, and how I will get there. - He tells me to to connect with him on LinkedIn and he knows a guy that works at an agency.

So- Do I have job prospects? technically no, but it's in the works. As the saying goes, Luck happens when opportunity meets preparation.

Making Room for the New Me

I finally started transferring all of my belongings from the foyer into my bedroom. Yes, it has now been three weeks and I still have not given my mother the relief she has been begging for. Every morning I wake up to:

"Rise and shine, sweetie! So...will today be the day?! Can we please make some sense out of your stuff down my hallway?"

"It's a process, Mom." I always reply with a smile.

I decided to give her some hope a few days ago and managed to get a few bags of clothes together to donate to the Salvation Army. I was feeling good until I started setting up picture frames on my dresser and my dad mentioned additional shelving he would make for me in my closet.

"Yeah! That would be great, thanks Da-"

No. This is not happening. How long do they think I'm going to be back here for?! I immediately texted my other half: Sophies in the morning? She knows the routine.

At 9:30am the next day we grabbed our iced coffees and sat at the table closest to the outlet. With the exception of our what-word-am-I-looking-for-convos, we sat in complete silence. Before long we finished our cover letters and continued applying to our list of potential careers. For her, the focus of the day was Racepoint Group and for me, McGarry Bowen. We swapped some fun facts about the companies: Racepoint Group was the first agency to follow her on Twitter and McGarry Bowen recently acquired the Burger King account- does that mean free fries for life?! and then as usual, drifted off into our dreams for the future. We wrapped up our Sophies date by shaking our hands wildly in excitement and left with big smiles knowing we were one step closer to our dream jobs.

My mom has been patient long enough so I promised her the hallway will be cleared by tomorrow... however I'm sure I can get away with keeping  at least one bag packed.

Chew on This

Up until yesterday I was unamused by Tridents latest 30 seconds, "Pay Me in Gum." I didn't think it was that funny and although I do enjoy their new flavors, I guarantee you I will always prefer money. (If it were chocolate it may be a different story) However yesterday afternoon while I was at a nearby Benny's to get four new tires for my car I had a change of heart.

"That will be $430, Miss."

"Oh my goodness! Do you accept Trident Layers?!"

I couldn't help myself. That was the first thing that came to mind and I was desperately hoping he would surprise me with a "Why, yes!"

Let's just say I left the store $431.59 lighter... Four new tires and another pack of Strawberry Citrus Trident Gum.


Bravo Trident.