First but not Last

What my first job has taught me about myself and my career:

• My first job is just that, my first job. I’ll have a second, third, fourth, etc.
• Did I enter the right field for me?  ABSOLUTELY! I found a new love for marketing/advertising that I did not already have .
• Work-life Balance: Keep my work at my job and personal life at home; I am less stressed and much happier! (My first month, I used to answer emails and take calls at home — never again!)
• Balancing classes, RSOs, a social life and an internship/part-time job DO NOT equate to balancing a full-time job and a social/private life; I am dead and tired by 8 PM.
• Keep my good friends close and drop the toxic ones, only keep those who add value to your life.
• Language barriers are DIFFICULT TO OVERCOME BUT ARE MANAGEABLE
• I am not a fan of interviewing and training but will train someone when a task needs to be done right.
• I do not need social media or a television. Now I spend an hour or less on each!
• $AVE, $AVE, $AVE THE GREEN STUFF
• Being an adult is expensive — not that I did not already know this but woof!
• It is possible to befriend colleagues. We mean business during work hours and are friends after hours.

Only a small list of what I have learned and believe I have so much more to explore. I cannot wait to see where my career takes me!

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First Job & Beyond

As I approach my first day of full-time work post-graduation, I have thought about what I want in the future more intensely. Do I continue my professional career in marketing/advertising/pr? Do I still see myself working in a major league sport? What do I want to receive my masters in and how do plan to pay for the possible $70,000+ worth of debt that comes with that degree?

There are unanswered questions that I will find in my journey. My first “big girl” job will (hopefully) aid in the process of finding my professional self. So, in my search of uncertainty, I came across some helpful articles.

If you’re looking for more money but are unsure if you’ll recieve the pay you want, click HERE & HERE

The perks of pursuing a master’s and advice managing work-life-school balance & some more tips.

American Eagle Soars

Since I spent over three years with the American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) brand and the company has worked hard to remove the media’s idea of a “perfect body” – I thought it was worth the post to mention the company’s recent successes. Towards the end of my Aerie career, the company launched their Aerie Real campaign.

As a woman, it was empowering (men included). It was amazing to see displays of women untouched by photo shop and the spread of inspirational quotes on mirrors like “the girl in this mirror has not been retouched” – along with the dispersion of promotional materials such as shopping bags and stickers relaying a similar message. Aerie’s ongoing campaign has not only increased the company’s brand image but revenue, too. American Eagle has, also, been doing well. Regardless of the retail industry’s decrease in revenue, the company has been able to increase its sales. How? The organization changed with change. Ideas of beauty and style were altering and AEO decided to change their clothing according to the consumer tastes unlike their competition, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch.

I will never regret working for the company because they treated their employees well, I gained a work family, adored the management team and received some of the best work experiences.

See American Eagle’s success HERE and HERE

New GRAD Coming Through

As of May 7, 2016 – I have officially become an alumni of Illinois State University (ISU) with my Bachelors in Integrated Marketing Communications. Thank you to all the College of Business professors and faculty, my friends (both from ISU and home) and – of course – my family (S/O to my mom and dad for their endless support and brother and sisters for their advice).

Next Stop: Graduation

Cue the “Graduation” song by Vitamin C.

There’s less than 2 weeks before I walk the biggest stage of my life thus far and move out of my very first apartment (and home for the past two years). I have learned so much about myself and the world over my past 2 years at Illinois State University. I would have never thought I would be a member of four different registered student organization (RSOs), make the Dean’s List for the Fall semester of my Senior year, met the people I have, push myself out of my comfort zone and – most important of all – learn how to put my happiness first.

Educationally, I will graduate with a degree I intend to use to the fullest and, hopefully, for a company I adore like Golin or a local professional sports team.

Graduation 2 years ago from the College of Lake County with my Associates