Named one of the top 20 happiest cities for young professionals by Forbes and CareerBliss.com, there’s no shortage of worthwhile groups to join and networking events to attend here in the city of brotherly love.

Get out your calendar! Here are nine can’t-miss networking events in Philadelphia.

1. Philly Tech Week

Save the date for a magically techy week here in Philadelphia every April. Philly Tech Week, hosted by Technical.ly Philly, brings together thousands of people for more than 140 events in the span of one week. With different tracks including media, development, civic, business, access and creative, you’re sure to find at least one event to pique your interest. Plus, you can play Tetris on the side of one of Philadelphia’s largest skyscrapers (seriously). Technical.ly Philly also puts on their own regular networking events year-round, so be sure to stay tuned to their site for details.

2. Philadelphia After Work

With more than 500,000 members in 42 locations throughout the country, Philadelphia After Work is part of the popular national group Networking After Work. With upcoming summer events from at some of the city’s hottest bars, come grab a drink and enjoy a relaxed, casual setting for networking with some of Philly’s top business minds. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive a color-coded name tag by industry, so you can easily find those you might have a connection with. Philadelphia After Work meets monthly from 6-9 p.m.

3. Young Professional Network Philly

Chambers of Commerces are usually a good place to start when looking for great networking opportunities, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce is no exception. With a super active Young Professional Network (YPN), this niche group of the Chamber offers networking events, educational seminars (they recently hosted one on personal branding), volunteer opportunities and more.

4. Social Media Club Philadelphia

With monthly-ish happy hours, Social Media Club Philadelphia is your go-to group for the latest chatter on all things social media. Bonus: this organization has a pretty active and interesting Facebook group filled with daily commentary on the latest social media tips and trends.

5. Philly Geek Awards

The ultimate geeky networking event is the annual Philly Geek Awards, put on by Geekadelphia, which honors Philly’s vibrant geek scene at the most perfect venue possible: the Academy of Natural Sciences. Philly’s brightest minds come together for this black tie affair complete with cocktails, delicious food and a night of honoring some of the coolest geeky things happening in the city. Rub elbows with the winners of awards like scientist of the year, startup of the year, comic creator of the year and more. The 2015 awards are coming up on August 16.

6. Philadelphia TechBreakfast

Networking events aren’t just for after hours! Start your day right with a networking event over breakfast every month at Drexel University with like-minded techies, startups and businesses. Modeled after existing TechBreakfasts all over the country, this group meets monthly to demo the latest technologies with a “show and tell” approach to networking. No more boring PowerPoint presentations here!

7. Startup Grind Philadelphia

A global startup community designed to “educate, inspire and connect entrepreneurs,” Startup Grind came to Philadelphia in 2013 and has been hosting insightful monthly events ever since. Hosted each month, network with fellow entrepreneurs and hear from some of the area’s most prominent startups, fireside chat style. While you’re there, get a glimpse at one of Philadelphia’s unique coworking spaces, as all of Startup Grind’s events are hosted at Benjamin’s Desk.

8. Philly Ad Club YP Third Thursday Networking Happy Hour

Gather together with some of Philly’s most creative minds each third Thursday of the month for a casual networking happy hour with the young professionals subset of the Philly Ad Club. If you work in advertising, marketing or communications, this group is for you. Plus, you’ll get to make the rounds of some of the city’s coolest bars and event spaces.

9. TEDxPhiladelphia

Love watching TED talks on YouTube? Watch them in real life at the all-day event put on by an independent not-for-profit group each year in Philadelphia. Last year’s theme was “The New Workshop of the World” and the event sold out well before the much-anticipated date. Speakers ranged from a high school junior to the CEO of a Philly hospital to a Project Runway winner, giving attendees a wide variety of inspiring and insightful content throughout the conference. A date hasn’t been set for 2015, but watch their website so you can snag a ticket before they’re all gone.

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area. Her work has been published on Ragan’s PR Daily, Muck Rack, Brazen Careerist, Mediabistro, Business Insider and AOL Jobs. She blogs at JessicaLawlor.com about getting gutsy- stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals and live a life that makes you truly happy.

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The post Networking in the City of Brotherly Love: 9 Must-Attend Philadelphia Events appeared first on Brazen Life.

As you prepare to enter the next stage of your career, you should have certain skills mastered by now. Not quite there yet? We’ve got a list of the top five career-related tasks you should know how to do and quick tips to brush up on those skills:

1. Write a solid cover letter

Writing a good cover letter is an art. By the time you hit your mid-20s, you should be able to compose a strong cover letter that leads to an interview where you can really show off your stuff.

Quick tips:

• Address the cover letter properly. That means finding out the hiring manager’s name and personalizing your letter accordingly.
• Cover letters are not just about presenting your skills; write about how you and your skills can directly benefit the company you are applying for.
• Show the hiring manager you’ve done your homework. Reference a recent campaign or news article about the company in your cover letter.

2. Interview well

Most people in their 20s have gone on several interviews, whether it be for an internship, a freelance project or a full-time gig. While interviewing can be nerve-wracking, practice makes perfect, and the more you do it, the stronger an interviewee you’ll become.

Quick tips:

• Remember: you’re interviewing the company as much as they’re interviewing you. Ask specific questions to learn about the company’s culture to ensure you’ll be a good fit.
• Bring something to show. For example, if you’re applying for a job that requires writing skills, bring examples of your writing. Physically showing something during an interview shows you’ve come prepared, and also allows you to relax for a moment as you flip through a portfolio and explain your samples.
• Follow up within 24 hours of the interview. An emailed thank you note is fine, but a handwritten thank you note will make you even more memorable.

3. Prioritize

Your to-do list is a mile long and you have no idea where to begin. In your 20s, you’ll learn that not every project carries the same weight. Figuring out which to complete first will help make you a productivity rockstar as you progress in your career.

Quick tips:

• Figure out when you work best. If you’re most alert in the mornings, block out that time on your schedule for creative assignments that require laser-focus and clear thinking. If you have trouble concentrating on nitty-gritty assignments in the afternoons, use that time for meetings or other, more social work tasks. When you figure out how you work best, you can make the most of your eight hours in the office.
• Tackle the big items on your to-do list first. Leave the smaller, easy-to-check-off tasks for Friday afternoons or other quieter times in the office.
• If you’re not sure what to work on next, ask your boss. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help; in fact, your boss will likely applaud you for being self-aware enough to check in.

4. Stand up for yourself at work

Feeling overworked or taken advantage of? Early in your career, it’s important to learn how to defend yourself and tackle workplace issues respectfully, but head-on.

Quick tips:

• Before you say anything, make a list of all the issues you’re having at work. See if there are places where you can improve or solve the problem yourself. Once you’ve narrowed down the list, then it’s time to talk to your boss.
• Schedule an in-person meeting with your boss. Don’t address serious issues over email. Face-to-face is best for these kinds of conversations.
• Document your conversation with your boss and any action items or decisions that come out of that meeting. Use that information to ensure you’re both holding up your end of the bargain.

5. Leave a job gracefully

More than likely, some time in your 20s, you’ll leave a job for a new one. Giving notice to your boss can be scary, but during your last two weeks you can take action for a smooth transition. This will ensure your reputation with your former company stays intact and you leave on a high note.

Quick tips:

• Share the news with with your boss first. As much as you may want to tell a trusted colleague, to be respectful, your boss should know first. He can guide you on how you should share the news with the rest of the team.
• Wrap up as many projects as you can, and create a document that breaks down your individual duties and processes so that whoever will be taking over your workload has a solid “how-to” guide to your former job.
• Thank those who helped you! Be sure to show your gratitude to the people who mentored you along the way with a thank you card or small gift.

What other career-related tasks do you think every 20-something should know be able to do? Share your tips in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional, blogger and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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In case mom and dad are still bugging you for your letter to Santa and you have no clue what to ask for, consider these Brazen-approved gift ideas, all meant to take your career to the next level:

1. A tablet

Whether you’re an Apple or Microsoft fan, both tech giants have new tablets for sale this holiday season. The Microsoft Windows Surface comes with a built-in keyboard, USB port and, as an added bonus, complete access to Microsoft Office programs. Apple’s latest tablet, the iPad Mini, does everything a regular iPad does, but in a slim 7.9-inch display. Both products are perfect for work AND play.

2. A pair of sneakers

Did you know that people who exercise make more money at work? It’s true; according to a recent study from the Journal of Labor Research, employees who exercise earn nine percent more than their lazier counterparts. So if you want to up that paycheck, consider asking for a new pair of sneaks and get ready to hit the pavement to shed those unwanted holiday pounds.

3. Membership to a professional organization

Have you been wanting to get involved in a professional organization related to your career field but don’t want to shell out the cash to join? Now’s your chance to have someone else pay your dues and still reap the benefits. Think about your career path and research the organizations that most closely align with your goals. For example, if you’re a PR professional, consider the Public Relations Society of America; if you’re a journalist, try the Society of Professional Journalists.

4. Spa gift certificate

Picture yourself wrapped in a cozy robe, sipping tea and catching up on a good book before indulging in a heavenly 50-minute massage. There’s definitely something to be said for total relaxation to de-stress, recharge and kickstart your creativity at work. Who wouldn’t be a better worker after some time off to get pampered?

5. Coffee

The gift of caffeine! What motivated young go-getter wouldn’t appreciate a little extra boost of energy in their day? I’m partial to my Keurig (this machine has seriously changed my life), but you also can’t go wrong with a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. Many coffee shops even sell reusable coffee mugs that make buying that daily buzz cheaper and greener.

6. Practical gift card

If you must go the gift card route, consider asking for one for something practical like gift cards for gas or groceries. It may seem boring, but let’s face it: most young pros aren’t exactly rolling in the dough. It pains me each week I fill up my tank or fork over $40 at Trader Joe’s when I could be spending my own hard-earned money on something a little more fun.

7. Magazine subscription

Even though e-readers are all the rage, receiving a magazine in your mailbox each month is definitely still something to get excited about. Plus, consider reading magazines as research! There are plenty of business- and career-related publications out there. And if you want to land your own freelance article in a publication, the best way to perfect your pitch is to understand the magazine’s writing style.

8. A beautiful painting or print to decorate your office space

Need to find a little inspiration at work? In this Forbes.com article, Kelley Moore, the author of Cube Chic: Take Your Office Space from Drab to Fab!, suggests that because you often spend more time at work than at home, designing your work space can inspire you to be more productive. I personally find great inspiration in my framed print of the word “hope” using photography of nature turned into letters, similar to these Alphabet Photography prints.

9. Pandora One upgrade

If you’re as sick of those pesky Pandora ads interrupting your music (and workflow) as I am, you may want to ask for the gift of a Pandora One upgrade. For $36 per year or $3.99 for a one-month subscription, you can eliminate ads completely, enjoy higher audio quality and remove the daily 12-song skip limit. Happy listening!

What gifts are you asking for this holiday season to take your career to the next level? We hope you’ll share with us in the comments!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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The post 9 Holiday Gift Ideas That Will Take Your Career to the Next Level appeared first on Brazen Life.

Not long ago, I was in your shoes. Then the tables turned, and I went from eager potential intern to the office’s eagerly-seeking-smart-interns internship coordinator. I encountered some fantastic—as well as some not-so-fantastic—would-be interns and was able to view the entire process in a whole new light.

So before you hit send on that email with your resume attached, check out these tips to give yourself the best chance at getting it right at every step of your internship.

Applying for the Internship

Use common sense. Business 101: professionalism and courtesy. I once received a completely blank email from a student with only their resume attached. I kid you not. I stared at the email, dumbstruck, for a good five minutes, confused as to why someone would actually send a blank email—no greeting, no message, no nothing.

A concise, upbeat and professional message in the body of the email that expresses interest in the available internship goes a long way and gives you the opportunity to wow the employer with your clean writing before they even open your resume.

Do your homework. Come to the interview with knowledge of the company you’re applying to.

The first question I tend to ask in an interview is, “What do you know about our company?” Of course, I don’t expect a prospective intern to know everything about the company I work for, but I do expect them to have done some research and have a general understanding of what we do. From there, I’m more than happy to share details about the company, our goals and our expectations for interns.

And when I say “do your homework,” I mean more than simply glancing at a few pages on the company’s website. Check out their social media presence, explore their press room and do a Google News search for recent news articles on the company for an outsider’s perspective.

During Your Interview

Ask questions. There’s nothing worse in an interview than asking, “Are there any questions I can answer for you?” and hearing the long pause and then “Ummm…nope. I think you covered it all.”

In the half hour I usually spend interviewing an internship candidate, I know for sure that I can’t cover the entire scope of our company and its goals. Even if you don’t have a question, think of one. Better yet, come prepared with smart questions. Asking questions makes you look knowledgeable and proves that you’ve done your research.

This blog post on Corn on the Job provides an excellent list of 50 smart sample questions.

Follow up. Immediately after the interview (preferably within 12-24 hours), send a sincere thank you email. If you really want to stand out, send an email AND a handwritten thank you note.

When I was in college just a few years ago, I thought sending a physical thank you note was pretty standard, but I’ve quickly learned they are far and few between. In fact, a U.S. News & World Report article reported that only about 60 percent of interviewees actually follow up after an interview with a thank you note. Yikes!

The people who send thank you notes usually turn out to be rockstar interns. Those who don’t follow up in some way or another? Let’s just say they likely don’t get the internship, no matter how awesome their resume or interview.

During the Internship

Bring a notepad everywhere you go. And use it. That part is key. Taking notes during a meeting or during a one-on-one with your boss or internship supervisor shows you’re engaged in what they’re telling you and committed to doing a good job following through on an assignment.

Take initiative. Bored? I don’t think so. Even if you’ve completed your assignments for the day, there’s always something you can do to help.

If you don’t feel comfortable asking your supervisor for something new to work on, do research on the industry you’re working in, ask a colleague from another department if there’s something you can help with or develop a new idea you can present to your superiors.

Find a way to make yourself useful, and believe me, your boss will notice that you’ve gone above and beyond.

Do you have any tips for excelling in the internship process? We hope you’ll share with us in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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The post Rock Your Next Internship at Every Stage of the Game appeared first on Brazen Life.

You may even be guilty of uttering these words yourself; I know I am. But what if the number of hours in a day wasn’t the issue? Instead, what if it was the ways (and times) we’re choosing to spend those precious 24 hours?

Last week, The Wall Street Journal posed an interesting question: Could you pack more into each day if you did everything at the optimal time?

Sue Shellenbarger, author of the article, examines a growing body of research that suggests paying attention to the body clock can pinpoint the times of day when we’re at our best.

It makes sense. For example, I know I’m most alert and creative early in the morning, so I often wake up long before most people to answer emails and write blog posts and freelance articles. While it’s great that I’ve identified this specific time of day as when I’m able to complete my best work, it also means that I’m dragging by 3 p.m.

Apparently I’m not the only one with this problem. The article points to recent research out of Penn State University that shows most people are easily distracted from noon to 4 p.m., which we often attribute to the post-lunch slump. We’ve all been there, right? That fuzzy feeling after a good mid-day meal when you’re sitting at your desk but dreaming of your bed. Don’t worry. That’s normal too; Circadian, a training and consulting firm, found sleepiness tends to peak around 2 p.m., which makes it an excellent time for a nap.

If only we could take that 2 p.m. nap or move that pesky recurring conference call from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., a time when most “evening people” are beginning to peak. Of course, the traditional nine-to-five job calls for employees to be seated at their desks, working for those eight business hours. But what if there was a way to schedule our work day around when we’re at our personal best?

There’s definitely an argument here to be made to employers. Wouldn’t you want your employees working at the times when they’re most productive, even if it doesn’t fall within traditional business hours? With more Gen Y employees seeking non-traditional work arrangements and personal freedom, could flexible work hours be the answer to keeping them around longer?

Think about it this way: if you allow your employees to work when they‘re most alert and creative, they’ll certainly be more satisfied with their jobs and in turn, their work will likely improve, making your life easier.

Win-win, right?

What do YOU think? Could you pack more into your day if you did everything at your optimal time?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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The post What If You Could Choose to Work When You’re Most Productive? appeared first on Brazen Life.

While every day is a new chance to begin reaching a goal, feeding off that back-to-school adrenaline can be a great way to get a running start. With so many people around you setting goals and vowing to turn over a new leaf, allow yourself to get swept up in the excitement and reignite your passion for whatever dream it is you’re trying to achieve.

Here are four easy ways you can apply the back-to-school mentality to reach your goals this fall—and beyond.

1. Wipe your slate clean

One of my favorite things about beginning a new school year was the chance to start over; embracing the feeling of “I can be whoever I want to be and accomplish whatever I want to accomplish this year.”

If you haven’t been focused on your goals this summer, look at September as a clean, blank slate. A new start. Forget about the barriers that held you back from going full-throttle at your goal in the past and look toward the future as a brand new opportunity to do something great.

2. Pick up a new skill

Always wanted to learn a new language? Or maybe finally enroll in that Photoshop class to kick off your photography biz? With many community colleges and adult schools starting new semesters in early fall, now is the perfect time to enroll in a class to pick up a new skill or hone an existing one.

If you can’t physically take a course, consider checking out sites like Skillshare, a community marketplace for classes with an option to take hybrid (online) classes. Or, sign up for your favorite bloggers’ e-newsletters for a free, weekly dose of inspiration and advice.

3. Get organized

Goals feel less daunting when you break them down into manageable chunks and create a solid plan. Consider pulling out that dusty old pen and paper planner or getting comfortable with your favorite online calendar. (I swear by Google Calendar.) Visually laying out your schedule along with self-imposed goal deadlines makes it that much easier to conquer the mountain ahead.

Take some time to research and download different productivity apps on your smartphone. You may find a new favorite to do list app (Wunderlist, Evernote and Todoist all come highly recommended) or tool to help you manage and reach your goals.

4. Take advantage of back-to-school sales

Walk, don’t run, to your nearest Target!

I’m certainly not encouraging you to drop last week’s paycheck on new, shiny office supplies or clothes, but there’s something to be said for taking advantage of sales on things you’ll need to buy anyway to move closer to achieving that goal.

For example, if you’re looking for a new job, now could be the perfect time to finally buy that fancy schmancy (and expensive) interview suit. Or, if you need to buy a new computer or software like InDesign or Microsoft Word to hone a skill that helps you get closer to your goal, many companies offer back-to-school deals that might make now the ideal time to dig into your wallet.

How are you applying the back-to-school mentality this fall to reach your goals? We hope you’ll share with us in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area.

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The post 4 Ways to Apply the Back-to-School Mentality to Your Career Goals appeared first on Brazen Life.

As graduation season approaches and college seniors everywhere trade jeans and t-shirts for caps and gowns, the pressure to find a job is on. It’s not a good feeling; believe me, I’ve been there.

My senior year job search was two years ago, but I felt that same anxiety when I began training for the Broad Street Run, a 10-mile race down Philadelphia’s iconic Broad Street in January. The task felt completely daunting.

Yet when you’re training for a long-distance race – whether it’s a 10-miler or a marathon – all the time, effort, sweat and tears eventually lead to successs. And that applies to the search for your dream job, too.

After training for the past four months (and completing my own marathon job search), I came up with six lessons that apply to finding a job out of college:

1. Have a plan

Just like you wouldn’t wake up one day and decide to run 10 miles, it would be foolish to begin a job search or go on an interview without doing the proper research and prep-work. By now, you should likely have your resume in order and a portfolio of your work ready to go for your next interview opportunity – so you’re prepared when it arises.

Consider creating an Excel spreadsheet or Google Doc to keep track of the status of job applications, contacts and interviews.

2. Be flexible and adapt quickly when that plan inevitably changes

Contrary to point number one, this is life, and it doesn’t always go our way. Imagine my Type-A horror when I woke up one Sunday morning, ready for my long run of the week, only to find it pouring outside. My neat, perfect Excel sheet, mapping out the next 12 weeks of training was seemingly ruined.

But I took a deep breath, and adapted. During the job search, too, attitude is everything, and the ability to roll with the punches will serve you well.

3. Embrace the highs and lows

Understand that there will be good days and there will be (very) bad days. Despite sticking to a rigorous training schedule, not every run is perfect; in fact, some feel downright impossible.

During the job search, there will be moments when you feel like you’re on Cloud 9, and there will be moments of disappointment and loss. Embrace both those feelings; the highs will get you through the lows, and the lows will teach you more about yourself and what you want in a job to get you to that next high.

4. Find support

You know that “network” everyone is always talking about finding and nurturing? Now is the time to lean on them. In terms of the job search, your network (both in real life and online) can help you perfect your resume, introduce you to others in your field, offer advice and sometimes even help you land a job.

Your network can also give you the motivation and inspiration you need to keep moving forward – literally. My running network on the website DailyMile keeps me accountable and constantly pushes me to keep reaching my goals.

5. Celebrate mini-wins

While the feeling of achieving a goal is certainly sweet, it’s also important to recognize mini-wins along the way. Throughout my training, every new personal distance record I achieved felt like a reason to celebrate; five miles, six miles, seven miles! Of course, they weren’t the full 10 miles I’m striving for, but each run was a step in the right direction.

While you’re job searching, pat yourself on the back for those mini-wins. Whether it’s hearing back from a potential employer or being invited back for a second interview, every step of the journey deserves its own recognition.

6. Relish in accomplishment – and then create an even bigger goal

Once you cross that finish line or receive that job offer, it’s rightfully your time to celebrate. After all, you did just accomplish the unthinkable!

But then it’s time to set your sights on something bigger, professionally or personally. For me, that something bigger is the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November.

What’s your “something bigger?”

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional and freelance writer in the Philadelphia area. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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The post 6 Reasons Your Job Search is Like Training for a Marathon appeared first on Brazen Life.

Making friends is easy, right? It’s a skill most of us pick up on the playground in preschool. Throughout elementary school, high school and college, our network of friends grows.

Until graduation day. And then everything changes.

As a young professional with no obligations except to head to my new job every day from eight to five, I was excited to have seemingly endless amounts of free time ahead of me. With no pesky research papers, back-to-back classes and late-night meetings to keep me busy, I dreamed of happy hours, vacations and jam-packed friend-filled weekends.

But I found myself in for a rude awakening; I had all the time in the world to spare, but no friends around to spend that time with.

Making friends post-college can be more difficult than it first appears. Many young professionals relocate for new jobs, often moving to cities where they know literally no one. Others leave campus and head back home to figure out their next steps. That comfortable college bubble where friends live minutes (or even just a few doors down the hall) away is no more. Which brings a new, often unexpected challenge: making new friends.

Here are a few tips to get you back on the social circuit in no time:

1. Become “real life” friends with your tweeps

You know those people who you constantly chat with on Twitter or who you’ve gotten to know through blogging? Take the leap from computer to the coffee shop. (Or bar. Whatever floats your boat.)

Sure, it might be awkward for the first few minutes, but generally, those online friendships translate pretty smoothly to real life. A few months ago, I met a group of girls I’d only chatted with on Twitter, and now we get together once a month for drinks and dinner. #Socialmedia success!

2. Join professional organizations

In college, most of my best friends shared my major and belonged to our major’s pre-professional organization. Once I graduated, I joined a few professional organizations and quickly found a group of people who I instantly had something in common with – our profession.

Hopefully you enjoy your job (or at least the field you work in) and can find common ground with those who share similar passions.

3. Search for unique Groupon and LivingSocial deals

Daily deal sites aren’t just for finding a cheap massage or an awesome discount at your favorite restaurant. These sites also offer amazing deals that get you out of your comfort zone and into unique experiences with total strangers.

For example, a quick search of LivingSocial Adventures offered up deals for wine tours, bar crawls, ski/snowboard day, sushi making classes and more. The best part about these deals are that they aren’t meant to be solo experiences; you can bring along a friend and meet new people during a group adventure.

4. Take a class

Taking a class is not only a great way to expand your knowledge, but also to expand your group of friends. Enroll yourself in that cooking class you’ve always wanted to take, a fitness class to burn some extra calories, or a scrapbooking class to get in touch with your creative side. Or try an online class! You can learn something new, all while getting social and making new friends.

5. Make new friends, but rekindle the old

Reconnect with those high school friends you may have lost touch with when you parted ways for college.

I know, I know – You think you might not have anything in common anymore. But hear me out. Your high school classmates have had four years (or more!) to grow up. It might feel great to resurrect those long-lost relationships (especially if you’ve moved back home). And who knows? You might have more in common than you originally thought.

Have any tips for making friends post-college?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is training for the Broad Street Run.

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For many recent graduates, the decision to leave their first post-college job is happening earlier and earlier in their careers. In fact, according to a recent study, 55 percent of college graduates only expect to stay at their first jobs for 1-3 years.

Some say the reason is because GenY gets bored easily, while others speculate that we’re eager to get as much as experience as possible. Regardless of the reason, young professionals are moving on from their first jobs, and since it’s their first time making this transition, many have no idea how to go about it the right way.

I’m the first person to raise my hand and admit that I had absolutely NO idea how to leave my first job gracefully. When I accepted an awesome new job in November, turning to Google proved futile in finding the answers to questions like, “How do I give two weeks notice?” and “How do I write a resignation letter?” I quickly turned to a few trusted mentors for tips and relied on my professional instincts to get me through the dreaded day when I had to break the news to my boss and colleagues.

While I’m sure I could have done some things differently, here are six tips I found particularly useful for leaving a job gracefully and with your network intact:

1. Your immediate supervisor should always be the first to know. Out of respect, be sure to break the news to your immediate supervisor first, and preferably in person. Depending on the type of office environment you work in, you may need to request a meeting or simply ask if they have a moment to talk in private.

I’d recommend giving notice in the morning, to give your supervisor the chance to absorb the news and get the ball rolling on the resignation process. Also, have your resignation letter drafted and ready to submit.

2. Break the news to the rest of your colleagues in person, if possible. In person is always better. Avoid sharing the news of a new job in an email. You’ll find that most people will be happy and excited for you, and will appreciate the fact that you took the time to tell them personally.

3. Create a “how to be me” document. My first order of business once I gave two weeks notice was to create a master document of every single project I was working on, outlining point people, processes and deadlines. This document ended up being close to 10 pages long and extremely detailed, but it was worth spending the time; I wanted to offer a resource for whoever would take over my responsibilities.

4. Do what you can to make the transition as smooth as possible. After creating the “how to be me” document, I set up a meeting to review the document and allow my colleagues to ask questions and get clarification about all of my duties. I purposely scheduled the meeting mid-way through my final two weeks to ensure there was time to schedule a second transition meeting, if needed.

Additionally, if your supervisor is looking to fill your position quickly, do everything you can to help replace yourself. Spread the word on Twitter and LinkedIn, help review resumes, recommend people you think could be a good fit. After you leave the job, let your supervisor and colleagues know that you’re still happy to answer any lingering questions they may have about your responsibilities.

5. Show your gratitude. Buy a big box of thank you notes. And prepare to have your wrist hurt after handwriting multiple notes of appreciation for colleagues.

After spending a year and a half at my company, I knew I couldn’t leave without showing my supervisor and colleagues how much I appreciated that they took a chance on a fresh-out-of-college new professional, and most importantly, for their mentorship and friendship.

6. Keep in touch. This is perhaps the most difficult tip to follow, and one I’m still trying to figure out. We all know that staying in touch is key to creating a lasting connection and maintaining your network.

If you aren’t already, connect with your former colleagues on LinkedIn. Ask for a recommendation while your skills are still fresh in their minds – and be sure to return the favor! Stay in touch via email; share useful articles or send a note to say hi and ask how they’re doing every once in awhile. You don’t want to be a pest, but you also don’t want to be easily forgotten.

What other tips do you have for leaving a job gracefully?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post 6 Ways to Leave Your Job Gracefully (and with Your Network Intact) appeared first on Brazen Life.

Fresh out of college, you toss off your graduation cap, frame that hard-earned diploma and iron your most professional outfit for your first day at your very first post-college job. Everything you’ve accomplished thus far has prepared you for this moment. Or has it?

The journey from college to career may not be perfectly seamless. Now more than ever, young professionals often experience a serious learning curve coming fresh out of college. But no matter your level of experience, your approach and attitude to that all-important first job can serve as a valuable learning experience and stepping stone for future success.

Here are five of the many lessons I learned from my first post-college job:

1. Arrive early. During my first week at work, I noticed that my boss got to the office very early, about a half hour before our scheduled start time. I followed her cue and started arriving at work around 7:30 a.m.

That gave me plenty of time to grab coffee and a banana and settle in to check emails and make my to-do list for the day before the office really started buzzing with activity. I enjoyed the distraction-free quiet time before the emails started pouring in and my phone started ringing. Also, when you consistently arrive early and do good work, people take notice and it definitely enhances reputation.

2. Make work friends. Let’s face it: We spend 40 hours a week with our colleagues, more time than most of us spend at home with our families. I learned quickly that one of the best ways to make work enjoyable was to make friends. It helped that I worked with a great team of people who I would want to be friends with anyway, but taking lunch breaks together to chat and learn more about each other’s personal lives only strengthened those relationships.

A recent study out of Tel Aviv shows that having social support at work will even help you live longer, yet another reason to make friends at work. But studies and research aside, this is common sense; friendships make us feel good, and when we feel good, we are happier and more satisfied.

3. Mind your manners. I grew up minding my p’s and q’s thanks to my parents, but my first job reinforced the importance of being polite and respectful to absolutely everyone. No matter someone’s job title or rank in the organization, every employee is important and has a role.

A smile and hello in the hallway or small talk in the elevator can go a long way in building relationships. When you have a positive relationship with someone at work, it’s much easier to be efficient and get things done when you need help.

4. Organization is key. I was organized in college, obsessed with my day planner and crossing items off my to-do list. Yet when I joined the real world, I took my organizational skills to a whole new level. Staying organized wasn’t just helpful, it was imperative to success in my job. Keeping organized was the difference between completing tasks well and on-time and being sloppy and late.

I learned to love my Outlook Calendar and its reminder features, and my daily to-do lists were detailed, even down to the simplest task. I also tried to keep my desk and office tidy because working in an uncluttered space made me feel calm and motivated. A clean office gives a good impression to your bosses and co-workers, too.

5. Recognize that building skills takes time. One of my major responsibilities at my job was writing newsletter columns and speeches on behalf of the company’s CEO. It was a huge challenge to learn and adapt to his voice and writing style when as a young professional, I’m still working on developing my own voice.

The first few times I submitted a column for review, I became frustrated when I would get back the document full of edits and changes. Finally, I realized that building skills takes time. If the task was easy, anyone could do it. It was absolutely okay that my writing wasn’t perfect the first go-around.

With time and guidance from my boss, I slowly began to get the hang of it. And when I finally felt like I really conquered the skill? That made all the frustration completely worth it.

What lessons did you learn from your first “real world” job?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post Top 5 Lessons You’ll Learn in Your First ‘Real World’ Job appeared first on Brazen Life.

At this time of year, most of us are wondering where Halloween and Thanksgiving went and how in the world Christmas is THIS. WEEK.

If you’ve been procrastinating and still have holiday shopping to do before the weekend, here are a few gift ideas for the driven (and brazen) young professional in your life:

1. iPad. Let’s be honest: what young professional wouldn’t want one of these tablet beauties? They’re perfect for working and playing on-the-go. And if your favorite young professional already has an iPad, consider getting the Logitech Keyboard Case to make working on the iPad even easier. Or purchase an iTunes gift card to help them load their iPad with great apps and tools.

2. E-reader. There are so many to choose from this year: Nook just came out with Nook Simple Touch, their touchscreen version of the e-reader, and Amazon just released Kindle Fire. Have that baby pre-loaded with a one of the book suggestions below to start 2012 off right.

3. Career books. Kick off the new year with some useful books about moving forward in your career. A few of my favorites:

• Life After College by Jenny Blake

• Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineman

• The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau

• The Go-Getter’s Girls Guide by Debra Shigley (Sorry men, this one isn’t for you, but it’s an excellent read for the ladies)

4. Portfolio case or tote. Last year, my boss gave me a portfolio tote to start collecting my writing samples and examples of my work. It was a great way to encourage me to keep my samples organized and up-to-date. You also can never go wrong with a professional-looking padfolio for any job-seeker.

5. Domain name. Encourage the person you’re buying for to get a jump-start on building their online presence by purchasing a domain name for them. I recommend Fat Cow for web hosting and domain name purchasing because they have awesome customer service, but several other sites offer similar services. This awesome post from the 4-Hour Workweek offers tips for purchasing a domain name.

6. Starbucks gift card. If you’re a fan of going to gift card route, Starbucks (or insert your young professional’s favorite coffee shop here) never fails. Caffeine is a must for long days at the office or extra hours nurturing a solo business.

7. Business card holder. Ever been at a networking event and had to fumble in your bag or pocket for a business card? Consider purchasing a sleek (and personalized) business card holder to avoid that pesky problem.

8. Moleskine notebook. These classic notebooks are perfect for jotting down to-do lists and ideas on a whim.

Have any additional gift ideas? Share them in the comments below!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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But whether you love or hate TV from the 90s, we can all agree that even the cheesiest of shows can teach us important lessons about life and careers.

Here are just a few examples from my three all-time favorite TV shows:

Everyone needs a mentor

If you’re a child of the 90s, you should know exactly the character I’m thinking of: the ultimate mentor, Mr. Feeny, from Boy Meets World.

Whether Cory, Eric, Shawn and Topanga liked it or not, next-door neighbor, teacher, principal and college-professor-turned-mentor-and-friend George Feeny followed the cast quite literally throughout their education, passing along plenty of life lessons throughout the years. Not all of us will be lucky enough to find a life-long mentor like Mr. Feeny, but as we grow in our careers, we meet people who provide advice and guidance and become trusted mentors, even if just for a period of time.

Everyone, from the high school student applying to college to the young professional in their first job to the CEO of a major company, needs a mentor. The good news is that you likely already have one whether you realize it or not. A mentor doesn’t have to wear a formal title. Most of my mentors don’t even know that I consider them mentors; they just are. We chat regularly and they are always there whenever I need career advice.

Hug (or talk) it out

What happens at the end of every episode of Full House? The sappy music comes on and the members of the Tanner family have a heart-to-heart about their latest conflict and the episode concludes with a hug.

While we likely won’t be hugging our bosses or colleagues to resolve problems at work, the lesson we can take away from Danny, Uncle Jesse and Joey is that it’s always best to confront and discuss problems in person. It’s easy to hide behind email or texting to deal with conflicts at work or at home (I bet DJ Tanner never had that problem), but face-to-face still rules when it comes to communication.

Avoid the urge to fire off that nasty email, give yourself time to cool down and if necessary, schedule a time to chat face-to-face with someone to resolve an issue.

Sometimes it’s best to ask for help

In every episode of my absolute favorite TV show, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, novice witch Sabrina Spellman gets herself into trouble casting spells that go awry and leans on her Aunts Zelda and Hilda to help clean up the mess.

Let’s face it; at one time or another, we all make mistakes and look to trusted mentors, family or friends for help. Understandably, it’s not always easy to ask for help, but some would even argue that asking for help is a sign of strength.

When you ask for help, you clearly have an understanding of what you’re capable of accomplishing alone, and when you need assistance to be the most effective and efficient at work. For example, a few weeks ago, I had an extremely overwhelming to-do list and asked my colleague to take on a task to ensure that I was able to meet my deadlines. Because I recognized that I couldn’t do it all alone, each assignment was completed well and on time.

What’s your favorite 90s TV show? Does it offer any lessons?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post 3 Life (and Career) Lessons from 90s TV Shows appeared first on Brazen Life.

In the midst of frantically jotting down notes at each session and feeling inspired by the driven and successful women around me, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated with my fellow conference go-ers. Instead of taking full advantage of the resources surrounding them, many attendees were indulging in just plain bad conference-going behaviors. Now don’t get me wrong; I think conferences are a fantastic place to share knowledge and network. But some bad behaviors I simply can’t forgive.

Here are three ways to avoid being THAT person at the next conference you attend:

1. Don’t ask a question so super specific that it only pertains to you and your individual situation.

You know who I’m talking about. That really annoying person who raises their hand, introduces themselves and their company/side biz/book/whatever they’re trying to promote, and proceeds to go into extreme detail with their question. They try to turn what is supposed to be a general, open forum into their own personal coaching session. Definitely not cool or helpful to anyone else in the audience.

If you have specific questions, ask the speaker after the session, or better yet, email them later, after they’ve had some time to unwind from the conference. Besides being polite and respectful to other session attendees, you will most likely get a better and more personalized answer.

2. Don’t challenge the speaker in the middle of their session.

On at least two different occasions at this conference, people stood up to disagree with the speaker and share their own insights with the group. I could feel the other women around me cringing and rolling their eyes.

No one pays a hefty ticket price to see a session get hijacked by a fellow attendee. If you were the expert, you would have been invited to speak at the conference. Even if you disagree with something the speaker says, it’s never appropriate to interrupt them in the middle of their session to spout off your own opinion.

Instead, take the conversation to Twitter or write a blog post about it. It’s absolutely okay to share your point of view, but do so when it’s appropriate and makes sense.

3. Don’t push your business card at everyone and anyone who will take it.

As I waited to say a quick hello to author Emily Bennington (who by the way, wrote a fantastic career book called Effective Immediately) after her combined session with a high-profile former editor-in-chief of a prestigious magazine, I witnessed a conference attendee push to the front of the line of others waiting to talk to the speakers and thrust her business card into said editor’s hand. The attendee didn’t preface the business card pushing with any kind of hello, handshake or conversation. She simply said, “Here. I wanted to give you my business card” and walked away. There was no call to action and certainly no real reason to give the editor the card.

The editor took the card and politely thanked the woman, but I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head at that moment. Handing out business cards with no real purpose or goal is completely useless; if someone doesn’t remember you or the conversation they had with you when they look at your business card, they most likely won’t be contacting you any time soon.

Instead, this particular woman could have used her quick thirty seconds with the editor to comment on the content from the session or share information about a relevant blog post she recently wrote or saw. After a real conversation, perhaps it would have made sense to exchange a business card. But in this situation? It just felt awkward and self-serving. Not the way you want to be remembered.

What bad behaviors have you seen at conferences lately?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post How to Avoid Being That Annoying Person at Your Next Conference appeared first on Brazen Life.

For the most part, email is an excellent and time-efficient way to communicate, but when it comes to email etiquette, there are four grievances that are simply unforgiveable.

Do yourself a favor and avoid these email faux-pas to keep your colleagues from immediately deleting your emails:

1. Answer me first! I’m important. I cringe when an email pops into my inbox with the dreaded high importance exclamation mark. The high importance mark actually has the OPPOSITE effect on me; when I see one come in, I want to read and reply to it even less.

Because really, what’s of high importance to someone else just might not be of high importance to me. This mark is best to use only in an emergency, and let’s face it, if you’re having an emergency, it’s probably a better idea to just pick up the phone.

2. Read receipts. For the life of me, I cannot figure out the purpose of a read receipt. I already have enough emails in my inbox without needing an email back every single time someone opens one of my emails, so I can never imagine why someone else needs to know the second I read their email.

I always decline sending a read receipt back to the sender because – Really? You don’t need to know when I read your email. You’ll be the first to know when I reply.

3. Excessive replying all. Besides being kind of risky (take this timely example of a popular blogger being called a pretty brutal name by a PR firm because of a hasty reply all), reply alls can be just plain annoying. Professionals are big fans of the “CC,” but usually replying all keeps people in the loop who probably didn’t need to be there in the first place.

4. Thank you, NO, thank you! You’ve gotten these emails before. Someone asks for something, you send it back to them and they reply with a friendly “thanks so much!” I have to admit, I’m guilty of committing this grievance from time to time, but it doesn’t make it any less annoying.

In 2010, a study discovered that people receive an average of 74 emails daily. As polite as you want to be, a two word “thank you” email clogs the inbox of someone who is already busy reading and replying to many other emails. As a recovering “thank you” email abuser, I beg you to resist the urge to hit reply.

Rather than going on and on listing other email grievances, I took to Twitter to find out some of my followers’ biggest email pet peeves. Here’s what I learned:

@prvero: using too many fonts and colors in the body of the email and/or signature & new convo from a diff thread

@barbaranixon: Vague subject line (like “Question” or “Hi”), taking too long to get to point, cc’ing in the world… #emailpetpeeves

@lindstr: Marking every email with a red flag. And yes, I know people who do that. Ensures I will do the opposite of read it immediately!

@LaurenCox08: Misspelled words, no introduction, lots of exclamation points, no subject line, I could go on for days. Lol

@thatshortchick: high alert/priority emails. or text language. STAB.

Okay, people… let your frustrations out. What are some of your biggest email pet peeves?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post Avoid These 4 Unforgivable Email Grievances appeared first on Brazen Life.

Yet while most of us gripe about bad weather, slow drivers and annoyingly long red lights, commuting doesn’t have to be such a drag. Whether you walk, take public transportation or crawl through rush-hour traffic, your commute may actually have potential.

So resist the urge to honk your car horn. Instead, check out these tips, and you’ll be rocking out, enjoying your commute and crossing items off your to-do list in no time.

1. Take care of business. You’re stuck in commuter hell for however long your drive or ride to work is anyway; might as well feel good about how you make use of your time. I recently bought my first car, and my absolute favorite feature of my new Nissan Rogue is the bluetooth hands-free phone connection. I take meetings from my car (when I know I won’t need to be in front of a computer or taking notes), which pleases the crazy multi-tasker in me.

If you take the bus or train to work, bring along your laptop or iPad to catch up on emails, write a blog post or get a jump start on work for the day.

2. Read or listen to an audiobook. During the four years I commuted to Temple University, I devoured book after book on the train, often times almost missing my stop.

Now that I drive to work, I reluctantly decided to give audiobooks a shot. To my surprise, I quickly fell in love with being read to, and it certainly makes my time in the car all the more interesting. Use your commute to read that novel you’ve been eyeing at the bookstore or borrow an audiobook from the library.

3. Scheme. Thinking of starting a side business? Planning a career break? Writing a novel? Your commute is the perfect time to brainstorm and figure out those next steps. Using your commute time wisely to sort through ideas and lay the groundwork can help give you the confidence to dive headfirst into that big, scary goal.

And if you can’t write down your thoughts, consider purchasing a digital voice recorder. Don’t worry, we won’t judge you for talking to yourself in the car.

4. Professional (or personal) development. Jump on the phone with your mentor, coordinate an informational interview, listen to an industry podcast or catch up on your Google Reader. Try to figure out a way to do at least one small task a week during your commute to reach your goals, whether they be personal or for work.

5. Unwind. While knocking out your to-do list feels great, your commute doesn’t have to productive all the time. Sometimes that half-hour drive to work is ideal for relaxing. Consider your commute crucial “me time.”

My absolute favorite part of my day is when I’m in the car at 7 a.m. laughing my ass off listening to the Preston and Steve Show. I’m even guilty of staying in my car in the parking lot at work to catch a few extra minutes of this hilarious talk show. Once or twice a week, I spend my afternoon commute chatting with a friend; it’s our weekly catch-up date, and makes driving home in annoying traffic a breeze.

How do you make your commute bearable?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post 5 Ways to Make Your Commute Bearable – And Even Productive appeared first on Brazen Life.

But Elle Woods from Legally Blonde had it right when she said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy…” You can fill in the rest of that quote, right?* Even though fitting a workout into a busy week can seem stressful, the reward is almost always worth the effort of throwing on a pair of sneakers and dragging yourself to the gym.

Here are some tips for making exercise a priority, even when the clock is against you:

Get inspired. When I was feeling particularly uninspired to work out, I discovered the blog Losing Weight in the City, written by Theodora, a young professional who lost 50 pounds and ran a marathon. If that’s not inspiration to jump off the couch and straight to the gym, I don’t know what is.

After finding Theodora’s blog, I discovered a whole world of healthy living blogs that give me much-needed daily motivation to work out. Every time I open my Google Reader, I see post after post from these amazing women about their latest workouts, and it energizes me to do the same.

Make exercising a social event. If you had told me this time last year that instead of planning happy hours and nights out, I’d be planning early morning 5K runs and zumbathons with friends, I would have laughed in your face.

But in the past 12 months as I’ve made my health more of a priority in my life and dropped 28 lbs, I find many of my social plans now revolve around exercise. We still get to hang out and have fun, but instead of consuming calories in the form of greasy food and beer, we burn them.

Hit the gym before work. Believe me, the thought of rising before my alarm clock (and the sun) still makes me cringe, but I’m slowly forcing myself to become a morning person. When I wake up at 5 a.m. to head to the gym for a quick 40-minute workout, I find myself happier and more energized and alert at work. Plus, then you can brag to all of your friends that you’ve already done more in 40 minutes than most people will do all day.

Having trouble rolling out of bed? I’ve found the best solution to becoming a morning exerciser is to be mentally prepared. The night before a morning workout, I lay out my gym clothes right next to my bed, fill my water bottle and leave it waiting in the fridge so all I need to do in the morning is hop out of bed, brush my teeth, get dressed and out the door I go. Still need convincing? This article outlines 10 benefits of morning workouts.

All you need is 30 minutes. Don’t think you have enough time to fit in a solid workout? Most of my gym workouts are about 30 minutes, but are extremely effective. For example, today I ran for 15 minutes on the treadmill, biked for 7.5 minutes and did the elliptical for 7.5 minutes. Thirty minutes of straight cardio using different muscles, speeds and intensities. I left the gym a sweaty mess, and feeling good.

When I need to get in a quick workout, I also enjoy choosing three different 10-minute OnDemand workouts. If you’re searching for workouts you can do at home or on the go, the ladies at Tone It Up send daily emails with workout videos. See? Now you have no excuse!

Find a workout you love. Not everyone is meant to run a marathon. If a certain type of workout doesn’t appeal to you, don’t force yourself; there are plenty of other exercise options to choose from. Find the workout you enjoy the most.

When my job began offering Zumba classes last winter, I quickly became addicted and now attend two or three classes each week. Going to Zumba doesn’t feel like a workout to me (even though I sweat like crazy), because I have so much fun doing it. The dimly lit room and loud music makes the hour-long workout feel like a party.

How do you fit exercise into your busy schedule?

*If you didn’t already figure out the rest of Elle Woods’ famous Legally Blonde quote, she said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.”

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post Working Out When There Just Aren’t Enough Hours in a Day appeared first on Brazen Life.

It’s easy for any recent college grad to feel that nagging sense of nostalgia at not heading back to campus – which leads to the realization that, for good or for bad, they’ve officially entered the real world.

The transition from classroom to cubicle isn’t easy. When I graduated in May 2010, it took a few months (*cough* almost six months *cough*) to finally adjust to my new 8-to-5 work schedule. I certainly hadn’t anticipated this on graduation day. I couldn’t figure out how to maintain a semblance of a social life, I didn’t sleep enough, didn’t eat right and didn’t prioritize exercise. Simply put, I was a mess. And miserable. I loved my job, but I couldn’t quite manage the rest of my life.

While I’m still a work in progress, these five tips helped me snap out of my funk:

Schedule time with friends like you would an important work meeting

With friends working all over the country after graduating from college, making plans is not as simple as an impromptu get-together at the campus Starbucks. Utilize your commute to and from work for a quick catch-up phone call with a far-away friend, or plan a monthly happy hour to unwind with friends living locally.

Realize that plans sometimes need to be made months in advance. After not seeing my three best friends at the same time for more than a year now, we finally blocked our calendars for a spa weekend in November. It took plenty of wrangling with our personal schedules, but by planning way ahead, we’re going to make it happen.

Get involved

As someone who was super involved in college, I had no idea what to do with my endless free time after leaving work at 5 p.m. I took a cue from my college self and researched different professional organizations to join to help myself grow professionally and personally.

I joined the Philadelphia Public Relations Association and ended up managing their social media initiatives, then also got involved with my college’s young alumni group. Suddenly, I was busy again. I had meetings, events and commitments. And slowly, I began to feel a little more like my old self.

Make time for exercise

By now, you’ve probably seen the dreaded infographic Sitting Can Kill You. It can also make you fat. Very quickly. Three months into my new job, I realized my clothes were a tad snug. When I finally stepped on a scale, I was horrified to see that the number was 20 lbs more than I used to seeing. Yikes. In the frenzy of adjusting to my new lifestyle, I completely forgot about my health. Needless to say, I joined the gym soon after that rude awakening.

Take up a new hobby

Always wanted to start a blog? Take up skydiving? Run a marathon? There’s no better time than now to develop or discover a new passion. After I finally kicked my butt into gear and started working out, I found that I absolutely love running and am completely obsessed with Zumba. These two new hobbies dominate much of my free time, and they’ve brought much-needed joy into my life.

Talk about it

When I realized how unhappy I was the first few months after graduating – dream job and all – I didn’t want to tell anyone. After all, I counted myself lucky to get such a great job, especially in the poor economy. I felt selfish for wanting more.

Until I revealed my feelings to a friend, and she told me she felt the exact same way. We were both grateful for our new careers and the opportunities ahead of us, but something was still missing. I realized then that I wasn’t alone. Not by a long shot. Verbalizing my feelings about this strange transition helped, and once I opened up about my struggles, I was able to look at them in a completely new and more opportunistic way.

How did you handle – or are you handling – the transition from college to career? We hope you’ll share your stories in the comments!

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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The post Beat the Not-Going-Back-to-College Blues appeared first on Brazen Life.

Don’t worry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Your inspiration is somewhere deep inside you just waiting to burst out.

But, in case you wanted to speed up that process a little, here are five tips to help you snap out of it and find the inspiration to get you going:

1. Decorate your work space

One of my first orders of business after starting at my job last year was to decorate my cube. I knew that without adding some color and personality to my space, I’d never make it. Immediately, I headed to a craft store and picked up a few pieces of calming blue scrapbook papers. I hung them and then brought in postcards of Rome and Greece (where I studied abroad in college) to remind me of the amazing summer I spent abroad, and also to inspire me to work hard so that I can travel more. I also printed out the Holstee Manifesto, which reminds me every day to live my best life. If you’re a sucker for motivational quotes and sayings like I am, be sure to check out the Things We Forget blog for post-it sized nuggets of wisdom. Now that I’ve moved into an office, my next plan of attack is to print out my favorite Things We Forget reminders to post on a cork-board.

Jessica’s inspiration board at work (photo blurred to preserve the privacy of her colleagues).

2. Break out the warm-fuzzies

You know those emails that make you smile? That glowing email from the CEO praising your latest newsletter column, or the email from your boss thanking you for your dedication and hard work. When you get those emails, save them in a special folder. I picked up this little trick from author Jenny Blake, after reading and reviewing her book Life After College. Jenny refers to these emails and notes as “Keepers.” Somewhere along the way, I started calling my folder “warm-fuzzies.” When I’m having a particularly stressful or difficult day, I click open the warm-fuzzies file and am quickly reminded of why I love my job, and why I’m good at what I do. Enjoy your warm-fuzzies or keepers, but be sure to only read them when you need them most!

3. Create a killer play list

Music can be pretty powerful when it comes to inspiration. I suggest using the always reliable Pandora for a mix of music or create your own playlist on Grooveshark. And of course, now that Spotify has hit the U.S., many are turning to this tool to check out new music.

4. Turn to your social network

I’m addicted to Twitter and Facebook, and with the launch of Google+, social networking is an important part of my daily schedule. I always find that turning to my social network gets me inspired. So many of the people I follow are doing incredible things on a daily basis, and checking out their Twitter accounts or blogs is usually enough to get me motivated and ready to get working. (FYI: These are a few of my favorite blogs).

5. Take a walk

No seriously, take a walk. I know it’s the most basic advice and you’ve probably heard it a million times, but have you actually tried it? I didn’t until a few weeks ago on a day when my to-do list was a mile long and I was feeling particularly overwhelmed. I brushed off the idea of a walk, because HELLO?! I’m busy. I don’t have time to take a walk! But I decided to give it a try and took a ten-minute spin around the new walking trail behind my office building. That ten minutes of fresh air and Vitamin D definitely did me good. I came back to my desk refreshed and ready to bang out my to-do list the rest of the afternoon.

How do you find inspiration at work?

Jessica Lawlor is a public relations professional in Philadelphia. In her free time, she manages a book review and writing blog and is currently writing a novel.

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