My ignorance of the recession. Until now.

This morning, as I made my routine rounds on some of my favorite sites before my professor arrived at my first class, I came across this. Let's just ignore the fact that I get much of my daily news from Gawker for a second, and take it in, people. Twenty-five percent to be cut at Conde Nast. A whole fourth of Conde, including many valued staff members, to be thrown out on the street like Anna Wintour's lightweight jackets of last season.

Now, I'm a proud veteran of an incredible Hearst internship, and that's where much of my editorial love still lies. But 25% is a whole lot of jobs. I know I sound ridiculously naive right now, that we're obviously still in a big recession, that magazines have been a dying industry for a long time, blah, blah blah. Maybe it's exactly because of my experience in the magazine industry that this news really hit home. This seems selfish, but until now, I had never really tried to imagine myself in this crap economy. Because as a full-time student, I never really had to. For whatever reason, thanks to this article, it finally clicked.

I just don't know how worked up I'd be if this had happened at Hearst and actually affected any of the wonderful people I worked directly with. What I do know is, the fact that experienced workers are getting laid off left and right in a field that I would truly enjoy a job within, means that there's no chance in hell anyone over there will want to hire little ol' me. I guess the only thing I can really do is try to make myself as marketable as possible, to take my webbie skills, improve them, and run with them. Right? Help!

Putting the "net" in networking

Remember that time I wrote all about the importance of living in the moment? About how everything will just get itself done, and I'll sleep when I'm dead? I guess it's not that hard to remember, considering I've only written four other posts. But...yeah. Scratch that. Five classes + sorority rush + a little bit of "senior" fun = one. hot. mess.

Rush finally ended tonight, so I can finally cross that off my list. This is somewhat bittersweet; tonight was my last rush at Michigan, and let's just say that I cry even when I watch My Girl for the fiftieth time. So there's that. But in general, as much as I'm all about mah sistas, I am happy to now have more time to myself to accomplish some of my more personal goals.

One thing I can also check off is creating a LinkedIn account. Since I've previously held web marketing internships, and I'm just a fan of schmoozing in general, I can attest to the benefits of social media networking. To network effectively, you should really utilize every resource that's available. And with technology as advanced as it is today, there are a ton of resources out there. Being able to make connections while sitting at home in my pajamas? Count me in.

In truth, I actually created a LinkedIn account a long time ago. But it was only recently that I got around to actually creating a detailed profile for myself. Since more and more people are choosing to promote themselves on LinkedIn these days, compiling this profile is something I wanted to put a lot of thought and time into. What to keep? What to cut? Which awkwardly-cropped picture best represents myself as a smiley professional?

The great thing about LinkedIn is that they provide samples for all of the profile sections. Definitely read those, if you're more of an amateur when it comes to networking. I chose to select my "professional 'headline'" from a list of options. Am I actually an "Online Media Professional"? Well, not entirely. But I hope to be, and my experiences and skills listed on my profile absolutely show that I've got what it takes. In my opinion, at least. The point is, definitely do NOT lie on this profile - many higher-ups at big companies use LinkedIn and can read all about you - but you can and should emphasize your marketable qualities to the best of your ability.

After completing my LinkedIn profile, the real fun begins. Making connections and adding them to my network. I was surprised to see just how many people I know that are on this networking site, and it was really interesting to read about positions they held before we worked together, and what they're up to these days (professionally, of course).

I'm definitely glad that I started this LinkedIn process when I did. While adding my boss from my two-summers-past internship is positive outreach, connecting with her on LinkedIn only to ask her about job openings the very next day is borderline creepy. While setting up a LinkedIn profile takes a little bit of time and editing, I know that, once I do begin to correspond with my connections, it will be totally worth it to be able to reference any of their professional experiences. If I were you, I'd quit reading this and at least sign up for an account. If you're looking for ideas on what to include on your profile, you can check out my LinkedIn page here.

...While I still can

In case you (whoever "you" are) haven't noticed, I've been sort of slacking lately when it comes to these posts. I know I promised to maintain my interest in this blog, and truthfully, I have, even though there's nothing material to show for that. I actually think about what might work for a post while I'm out and about!

But let's forget about all those ideas running around like crazy in this little head of mine. I think it actually makes sense for me to just explain why I haven't really posted so much recently, and this explanation is simple: I've been busy being a senior. As much as I really do enjoy writing, and hopefully helping others out with tips that come up along the road, I've just been out having fun. And you should too. Tonight, I wasn't going to go out, but since Michigan came back in the clutch in the last 15 seconds of the game today (I love you, Tate Forcier) I plan to put my lameness on hold for the night. I will push myself to do my work tomorrow - more on that soon; I'm finally going to put in that dreaded time to edit my resume, ugh.

A lot of alumni are visiting this weekend and all I've been hearing from them is just how much they miss their college life. And, since this is the first week of school and I don't have THAT much work to do, I plan on not taking my time here for granted. Here's to staying young.

Just take it easy, cause there's no stress

Today was the first day of classes in Ann Arbor, and I am feeling good. Although my friend (and wonderful blogger, might I add) Vanessa pointed out that this year's ever-exciting "first day" is actually somewhat bittersweet now that we feel like we're at the top of the university totem pole,

Reasons why today was a great last first day:

One. I got off a waitlist! I'm really excited about this class. It's got a fantastic reading list, and we even watch some classic coming-of-age films (i.e. Rebel Without a Cause). Woohoo! In addition to being nerdier than the average college student (see above), I realize that I am also slightly more on edge than the vast, but waitlists seriously give me mayjah anxiety. And I am currently still on two. But this day was just so great, I have convinced myself that it will all work out.

Two. No discussion sections before the lecture first met. This meant that I only had two classes today instead of the three I will usually have on Tuesdays. Perfectly good chance to work on my resume, sort out my credit transfers from my semester abroad, or any of the other 9871291 things I've got on my to-do list, but instead, I spent that time doing absolutely nothing, just hanging out. Mmmm.

Three. Max is coming to visit! After hours and hours of frustration and trying to figure out flight options that fit into our time frames and both of our budgets, we finally found a flight that works, and he'll be here next weekend. Something to look forward to! Aside from reading The Others for my aforementioned English class. But that just goes without saying.

I don't really want to make this blog all about random thoughts I've got going on in my head, none of that "current mood" bullshit, but I just felt like sharing the love. I promise you - if there even is a "you" at this point in my blogging hobby/passion/career - that this sentiment will absolutely not last, but let's enjoy these last few happy-go-lucky glimmers of pre-schoolwork sanity for the moment. Shall we?

Why I hope to be a poster child for the anti-senioritis movement (that I just made up). At least until second semester.

Since I have been on a mission lately to get as much non-school-related stuff done as possible before classes start next week, (we can call it a "conscientious" streak), I decided to visit my school's Career Center the other day with two of my friends. One of them is, like myself, hoping to find herself a sick job when she graduates - which she absolutely will, considering that she's very smart, qualified, and generally amazing. I'm actually currently holding date screenings for her, Khloe Kardashian style, and there's a line around the corner. If you're lucky, she may put on a show at the end of the auditions where she'll perform her infamous choreographical replication of "The Nicest Kids in Town" from Hairspray.

Anyway.

The other friend I visited the Career Center with has recently decided on a defined career choice (I'm seething with jealousy) and is looking to apply to grad school. She's equally awesome of course. Basically, the three of us wanted to go to the Career Center to get some extra help editing our resumes in one way or another. My issue: after adding in all of the great stuff I learned at my web marketing internship last summer, my resume is almost two pages long. I know, I know, I'm just such an incredibly experienced, cultured, all-around perfect candidate for any job and everything on my resume just attests to that fact. Sure. But two pages long? Not so easy on the eyes. Yeah, some interviewers have asked me about random experiences on that second page, but in general, I think that I need to make myself as marketable as possible on that first page, and trim off any unnecessary fat.

When I sat down with my assigned advisors (one was training, I think), the first thing I noticed is that they were my age. Oh! I just remembered that one of them was standing behind me at the football game today - obligatory "go blue"! This first impression didn't exactly sit well with me, because I honestly wonder what they know about finding a job that I don't already. I would like to say that I've been lucky enough to have had some pretty wonderful internships/jobs these past four years, so the confident side of me thinks that I know a little something about this process. As the meeting went on, my opinion didn't really change. Sure, the two girls offered me a few helpful hints, which was nice, but ultimately, I realized that what I really need to do is sit down and take some time to myself to decide what to take out. Only one of my friends left the Career Center that day without feelings of frustration. Needless to say, I obviously chose to pretend I didn't see my advisor at the game.

However, the meeting wasn't a total waste of time. I did get a few specific ideas on what to take out of my resume, and the two girls showed me around the Career Center website and gave me a handy little sheet with resume samples. Maybe the sheer fact that this was an actual appointment forced me to take the time to review this stuff. The bottom line? I need to stop acting like a know-it-all and be a tiny bit more open to help from others. Personally, I think that the best help in this department comes from my dad, who really specializes in this human resources find-me-something-that'll-bring-home-the-bacon sort of thing. But these resources are only helpful if I actually take advantage of them. My boyfriend, who has already gone through this rigorous job search and really came out on top, is, in my opinion, another great resource to have. He really utilized his school's career resources, and has to be one of the most proactive people I've ever known; I've witnessed the benefits of that. I need to be more like that.

At the risk of sounding kinda lame, we all need an extra push sometimes, even from ourselves, to do everything we can to reach our goals. I think I can, I think I can...

Ready, set, blog!

So. Here it is. My first blog post. I've wanted to start my own blog for quite some time now, and to be completely honest, I can't put my finger on one sole factor that held me back. Fear of total irrelevancy? Check. Fear of mockery? Check. Fear that I would, once again, start something new and then abandon it in a month? Yup. But in my gung-ho "clean slate" spirit of starting a new school year (as a senior, eek!), I've decided to give this blogging thing a shot, anyways.

Aside from the sheer fact that I - like most students at my über-liberal university - believe that I have important thoughts to shout for the rest of the world to hear and take note, I would like to think that my blog serves some other important purpose. So this blog will focus on exactly what has been completely occupying my mind (and probably the heads of many other seniors) as of late, due to the fact that classes haven't yet begun and this mind has had lots of time to wander. On this blog, I plan to document my journey - really more of a scramble, to be completely honest - to get a great job post-graduation. I'll write about the highs and pitfalls of my experiences, what works and what doesn't, all within the life of a senior girl trying to have fun and make the most of this crap economy she'll graduate into next April.

Sure, you'll find the occasional rant on here related to my guilty passion for pop culture and entertainment gossip (why did everybody hate Danielle from Real Housewives of New Jersey, anyway? Can't we all just get over her stripper days and try to side with the underdog?) And I'll also share with you any stories related to my senior life that I think will make you smile (or want to kill me, whatever works). Hopefully, you'll appreciate my honesty - believe me there will be lots of it - and this scramble will soon become a little less runny and a little more under control.